ARCADE SESSION: REBOOTED

[MarxzVulpez]

I'm seconding sending Hank out, but let's definitely see if we can get help from someone like Clemont or the Kobolds or both, strength in numbers and all that. I wonder if there's also a way we can set our base up to be either disguised or more fortified while we're away, we don't want any ransacking jerkasses wrecking shit

[knux400]

You definitely don't think Hank should go by himself- but maybe with some backup?

You aren't entirely sure where Clemont's base is, not having seen it yourself, but you could ask the kobolds for some help. There's also the golem, currently sitting idle in the garden. You figure the golem would be a good backup option if the kobolds end up saying no.

With regards to fortifications, your base should be pretty heavily fortified already, what with the force field and coded gate around the perimeter. Theoretically nothing should be able to get through that, but nothing has ever tried to force their way in, either. You don't have much in the way of camouflage, but you did happen to spawn in the middle of a tunnel with two narrow entrances, so it's not the most obvious location. Plus the winding nature of these caves makes navigation difficult, as you experienced firsthand with Echo.

There is actually something you can do.
Oh?
Echo's pretty badly hurt and she could use someone to escort her back home again. The place you're going to be headed is pretty far away, and it might be dangerous. The TCP that hurt Echo could go after you.
...Okay.
If you do go, I'd have you stop at this other place first. It's in the opposite direction, but there are some people there who might be willing to help. You would also be bringing the golem with you.
The golem?
Yeah. You should be able to order it to do things by talking to it. It's pretty tough, so you could order it to fight for you if something comes up. I can't really do much else for you since Echo's away, which is part of the reason I need her back as quickly as possible. If you don't want to go, that's fine. I understand if this would be too much for you.
...No. I can do it.
You sure?
...Yeah.
 

Hank steps out into the garden again, turning hesitantly towards the golem.

How do I... Hey golem?

The golem turns abruptly towards Hank with a metallic grunt.

I... I need you to follow me. Stay close and don't attack anyone unless I tell you, or if they attack me first.

The golem grunts once and then shuffles towards Hank, stopping just next to him. Hank looks a little unsettled by its presence, but he seems to be adjusting quickly.

You direct Hank through the south gate, the forcefield still humming quietly. Hank and the golem begin heading south towards the kobolds. It's a pretty short walk, even if Hank's pace is a bit slower than Echo's.

 

Stay there.

The golem grunts and stops moving a short way back from the door. Hank hesitantly raises a puffy fist and taps on the door.

Hank?
Yeah?
Your hands are a bit... soft. They probably can't hear you.
Oh.

Hank brings his arm back and pounds on the door three times, each pound producing a quiet knock. After a moment or two, Hank is greeted by Orkahm.
 

Another visitor?
Hi... Orkahm, right?
You know me?
I'm a friend of Echo's. Trinket sent me?
Sorry. It's been a long day and I can't trust anyone who just shows up wi-
Oh!
Hm?
They are a friend of Echo's! I know that big metal thing!

Tamaru emerges from the living room, having been listening in on the conversation.

That's the scary metal thing I was telling you about. The one in the yard that guards Echo's base?
You mean the one that almost attacked you before Echo told it not to?
She apologized for it afterwards. But this is the same one. I don't know why it's out here, but I do recognize it.
...Okay.
It's to keep me safe. There's... dangerous things around.
Fair point. What did you need, uh...
Hank. I need your help.

The two kobolds give Hank a questioning glance, and the other two are poking their heads out of the next room, listening.

Echo's hurt, and she's very far away. I'm going to go and bring her back to our home, but Trinket thought it would be a good idea to bring someone with me. And, um, I guess you guys know Echo, so Trinket thought maybe we could ask you for help?
...Hang on a minute.

Orkahm closes the door. You can hear some hushed discussion going on, but you can't tell what anyone is saying. Even Taipu is being uncharacteristically quiet. After a minute or two, the door opens again, and Ihu steps out carrying a spear and a shield. They also have a pack strapped to their back.

I'll come with you.
Oh!
Hank, right? I'm Ihu.
Ihu. Nice to meet you.

The two shake hands, although there is some difficulty letting go due to Hank's sticky palm.

...Sorry. That's just the way my body is.
It's alright.
Stay safe, Ihu, and remember what we talked about.

Ihu gives Orkahm a look of disapproval.

Right.
 

Did you need anything else before you head out?

[skinstealer]

think we're good, though it might be a good idea to ask ihu about the dangers theyve seen around here aside from your golem

[Blue_Fox]

Seconding asking about any further dangers

[Ignispark]

Thirding asking about dangers. Maybe also ask if they have anything that could be borrowed that might be helpful in transporting Echo back in case she is unable to walk. Something like a cart or a stretcher could probably be moved by the golem.

[knux400]

Trinket wants to know about what dangers are out there, aside from the golem.
...Wouldn't Trinket be the expert on that?

Hank involuntarily takes a step back at Orkahm's exasperated tone.

Sorry. Just... relaying what she said.
It's fine.
The only dangers I know of are the knocker from earlier, and obviously whatever hurt Echo in the first place. But you seem to have a better idea of what did that than I do.

Hank gives Orkahm a nervous look.

And by 'you' I mean Trinket. What do I look at if I want to talk to her, anyway?
I dunno. I just don't look at anything.
Weird. Did you need anything else?
Did you have a stretcher or a cart or something that we can use to carry Echo back in?
Geez, how badly hurt is she?!
...Badly? Trinket didn't really go into detail.
Great. To answer your question, though, not really. I suppose I could throw together a wheelbarrow or something if you give me a day or so, but it sounds like you're in a hurry.
We kind of are, yeah.
Then no. Ihu's fairly capable, they could probably help with carrying Echo. But-
Ihu can also speak for themself, thank you.
-But we don't have anything like that ready to go. Sorry.
That's okay, thank you.
Alright. Good luck, you two.

With that, Orkahm heads back inside and shuts the door.

Sorry about him. He's had a rough day. Where to?
 

[knux400]

(the golem is still there i just forgot to put it in)

[skinstealer]

gotta head down to where clemont was at, see if him and his player can help!

[Lilium Mortem]

go to the place. you know the one.

[MarxzVulpez]

seconding going to where Clemont was

[knux400]

We're going to go see if we can grab another friend to help us out, but we're not sure where they are. Just follow my lead, I'll take you to them.

Looking at the map, you recall first meeting Clemont just outside the kobolds' cave. You also remember the knocker taking his egg in addition to Topaz and the kobolds' gems, so you presume his base must be somewhere nearby. It also occurs to you Ihu might know more, given that the kobolds have talked to Clemont before.

Actually, Hank, would you ask Ihu if he knows what direction Clemont is in? That's the person we're looking for.
Trinket wants to know where Clemont is.
Clemont? Oh, the other tiny cat thing. None of us really saw where he came from, but he walked off down that corridor.

Ihu gestures to the passageway on the lower left corner of the screen.

Are we heading that way, then?
Yes.
Yes. Golem, follow.

Hank leads the way down the corridor, the golem bringing up the rear of the party.

Why do you call yourselves 'Tiny Cat People', anyway? You're pretty much the same size we are and you don't really look much like cats. I mean, you kind of do, I guess, but Echo is more of a bat and Clemont is kind of... something else.
I don't know! That's just what we're called, I guess.
Weird.

As you walk, you realize this is where the knocker's den was. Ihu takes a small detour to check it out, and once Hank gets close enough, you're able to see, too. The net is torn and empty, and the knocker is nowhere to be found.
 

...Great. It must've gotten free at some point.
What did?
The gemstealer. It took things from a bunch of people and hoarded them here, but Echo beat it up and trapped it under a net. But that was a while ago, so it probably woke up and scurried off somewhere.
Is that bad?
Maybe. But your big metal friend could probably handle it if it tries to bother us again.

The three continue onwards, and before long, Hank reaches a fork and stops.

I've never been this far away from home before, so I've got no clue which way Clemont came from.
...I'm assuming that's why you stopped, right?
Y-yeah, hang on a sec.
 

You just came from the EASTERN corridor. There is a large opening to the NORTH with train tracks running through it, another large opening to the WEST, and a much smaller opening to the SOUTH.

P L E A S E  W A I T ,  S O F T W A R E  U P D A T E  I N  P R O G R E S S

Your game freezes for a few moments, but it returns fairly quickly.
 

...Oh. That'll probably be helpful.

[SHIVERS]

Quickly check the small opening to the SOUTH, seeing as it seems like an unassuming place to hide.
May as well look in on the WEST opening, as well, just to see if you see anything inside.

If nothing particularly piques interest without looking in, head NORTH, I'd say.
If there's any sort of vehicle you could get running along the tracks, it may help you search faster.

[victorianflorist]

I second Shivers

[knux400]

...This way. If there's nothing here, we'll check the west corridor, then the northern one.
The what-thern one?

Hank gestures to the small opening to the SOUTH, ignoring Ihu's confusion for now. The two of them move in with the golem following closely behind.
 

Hnnh... This path is kind of narrow.
Really? I think it's fine.
That's because you're a giant piece of paper.
Oh, yeah.

The golem has stopped, seemingly unable to continue. It pushes itself into the narrowing corridor, making annoyed metallic grunts and scraping noises as its body rubs against the rough stone.

Golem, stop! You're getting yourself stuck.

It looks at Hank questioningly.

...Just pull yourself back out of there and wait for us. We'll be back in a second.
Y-yeah. What he said. You can listen to Ihu, he's a friend.
They.
They're a friend.

The golem obliges, freeing itself from the tunnel with a horrid scraping noise. It steps back and shifts into a resting position with a deep sigh.

Do you think we'll be okay on our own?
I can handle myself. If something happens, just stay behind me.
 

The two continue into the room beyond... and stop abruptly. Neither of them speak, they just gape in awe. Frustrated at your limited vision, you decide to switch to your map view to see what's the matter, and-
 

-Oh.

[Ignispark]

Investigate the ?Massive Creature Skeleton?

[Lilium Mortem]

yo is that a base over there or just a massive skeleton?, because we don't need a giant skeleton right now thanks.

[victorianflorist]

Go check out the giant skeleton

[MarxzVulpez]

Feel free to check this place out, but from the looks of it this is somethings den/nest/living space, be ready to bug out of there really quick if necessary

[knux400]

Hank and Ihu proceed inside after a bit of hesitation, only to be met by a familiar voice. Clemont appears from the right side of the screen, and some gentle chittering and whining can be heard from further beyond.

stay right there little bud, i'll be back in a bit
 

Oh, hey there Ihu! I see you've brought a friend, c'mon in-

Clemont hesitates.

Well...maybe not. I don't know how my dinos would react to strangers.
What brings you around, anyway? I didn't get any warning that we'd have guests.
This is Hank, he's another one of Trinket's TCPs.
Echo got hurt really bad while she was exploring, and I need to go bring her back. But she's pretty far away, so I got Ihu to help me and I was wondering if you could, too. Echo's safe with another player for now, but... whoever attacked her might come back.
...Well, shit.

Clemont visibly pauses, thinking it over a bit.

Was it MRM?
...My player wants to know.
Trinket?
...Yeah, it was MRM.
Yes, it was MRM.

He nods and disappears off-screen for a bit before returning with a pitchfork in hand.

I'll come along. MRM is a big threat, apparently my player has met her before, and, well, I'm pretty sure they have a score to settle.
...They want to know if you wanna talk to them directly. Get some strategy going.
You mean Trinket and your player talk directly?
Yup! How about it?
Uhh...

[MarxzVulpez]

Yes, let's do the call! see if we can maybe get pickle in on it too and maybe form an alliance