Schemeplotting...
Schemeplotting...
191 quotes (191 spoken, 0 mentions)
“You seem to know this game. Well, well. This might be a good challenge after all.”
“Think nothing of it. But if we're done with the interruptions, it's your move.”
“I apologize, Miss Human. I rarely get a chance to play any games within the city these days. May I know whom I am playing against?”
“Indeed.”
“I am Olesm. I believe you know my uncle, who asked me to play in this match.”
“What a delight. A Human? A [Trader]? What's this about, Uncle? I'm supposed to be at work, you know—”
“You should think harder. I have played over a hundred games so far and won over two-thirds of them. If you truly are betting something important, it would not do to lose this game so easily.”
“Your turn.”
“Well done, I hadn't anticipated that.”
“I'm not using any Skills. I am simply matching Miss Solstice in a game of wits, Relc. Practice makes the player.”
“Why's that?”
“I have found this strategy to work in some of my games. It is fascinating to play such a new game of strategy, and so I always test new theories out on the board.”
“Are you sure, Miss? I really am quite good. I will be playing at my best.”
“Correct.”
“I'm surprised you know about this game. It was invented just a few years ago. By the Titan of Baleros himself. I've been playing it nearly since it came out, but it's not caught hold yet in a lot of cities.”
“I understand this is a game with a wager. I would urge you not to bet against me. I am quite a good player.”
“That's right. I'm surprised you know that move.”
“A few. But should you not spend more time thinking?”
“Indeed it does.”
“You are too kind. But I know when I’m outclassed. I have to ask—are you a [Tactician] by any chance?”
“Oh! Yes! Sorry, it’s my mistake for not recognizing—hah, I suppose there are a lot of games I should look into. Forgive me.”
“Of course. I am merely a lowly [Tactician], the first of the [Strategist] class line. But should I advance in level and learn more skills, I might qualify for the [Strategist] class. And perhaps after that I might one day become a [Grandmaster]…? It makes my scales shiver to imagine such a class.”
“I must congratulate you, Miss Solstice. I have been truly humbled by your skill. Please, accept my sincerest apologies for questioning your ability.”
“Do you like these kinds of games, Miss Solstice? Gnollstones? Magical cards? I’m sure you must be quite good at any game you play.”
“Excuse me, but I am unfamiliar with these games. Is ‘shogi’ another game of strategy as chess is?”
“Perhaps it’s a class only obtainable at high levels in the [Strategist] class line. If ever I have the opportunity, I shall take that class at once.”
“Is this ‘grandmaster’ you speak of a class? Is it possible—could I take such a class myself?”
“I understand this might be a bad moment, but I was wondering if you would be free later to play a game of—”
“Good day, Miss Solstice. What a coincidence running into you here.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Ah. Then—then Pawn to G3?”
“Do you—do you always serve Goblins in your inn? I saw the sign, but I must admit, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a Goblin not trying to stab someone or running away. They’re monsters, you know.”
“Another glass of the blue juice perhaps?”
“I concede.”
“Pawn takes Bishop at G3.”
“I just moved my pawn to E4. Was that truly a noteworthy move to have a strategy named after it?”
“Congratulations, Klbkch. And to you, Erin.”
“You have such a deep understanding of this game! How is it that you know so much about chess? I only heard about it when someone told me the Titan was playing it a few years ago, yet you say there are strategies already in place?”
“Why, thank you.”
“What is this?”
“I must say, it’s quite amazing—I feel relieved to have finally tied a match against you, Erin. I was beginning to think it was impossible.”
“Another fine game, Erin. I wasn’t aware of your trap until you moved your bishop up.”
“I shall keep it in mind, Erin.”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“I just wanted to talk to you—if I may.”
“Um, Senior Guardsman Klbkch? May I have a word?”
“Both, I believe. Um, how shall I put this?”
“Thank you. Yes, that’s perfect! Just so we have a written record.”
“Ah, good, good. I wouldn’t ask, but I know that these kinds of things have, uh, dire consequences. This isn’t to say that I’m against taking a few Workers out under supervision, but the Watch Captain and Council—”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Absolutely.”
“Quite remarkable.”
“Will—will this be a problem, do you think?”
“You do me too much credit. I made several errors that cost me many pieces. But I believe you had me from the start. Without looking at the board once! Would you do the kindness of showing me where I made mistakes?”
“Good evening, Miss Erin Solstice! I hope you don’t mind me dropping by, but I was wondering if you’d like to play a game of ch—”
“Oh, yes. Very. Erin—that is, Miss Erin Solstice is quite a remarkable Human, isn’t she?”
“Pawn, ah, Pawn to F3, Erin.”
“Indeed, indeed! I suppose it’s arrogance to think that I knew everything. Why, they might be doing this in a Walled City like Pallass…and you’re kind enough to keep me from looking like some back-country rube. Thank you, Miss Solstice.”
“Aren’t you taking us a bit too lightly, Erin?”
“But I wouldn’t want to take you away from your work. Perhaps another time.”
“As the [Tactician] who liaisons with the Council and other guilds and the guard, I am privy to some confidential information. I am, uh, aware of the situation with the Workers within the Antinium. R-regarding Aberrations and how they appear.”
“I believe so, Erin.”
“No—don’t worry in the slightest, Miss Erin.”
“…Is this a bad time?”
“I’m quite well, Miss Solstice. Or—may I call you Erin?”
“It is quite tasty.”
“Oh, I would love to play—”
“Bishop to D6.”
“I will—I will never see—I cannot explain what it is.”
“As much as it pains me to say it, Erin, I have to disagree with you. Klbkch was truly unique. He was the first—and only—Antinium ever to be accepted as a member of the Watch. Even among the Antinium’s Prognugators, and there are few, he was the only trusted Antinium to ever exist. Ever since the Antinium entered the city ten years ago, he’s been the one who acted as a liaison between their Queen and our city. He is—was the representative of their race. I, um, feel like I should say that about him now. I quite respected him, despite him being an—an Antinium.”
“…I could not say. It does not make sense.”
“If that is the case, Miss Erin, I shudder to imagine what kind of geniuses live in your home nation.”
“I’m sure you don’t think of it this way, but I cannot imagine a player better than you, Erin. I have Skills that allow me to play the game better than most, but I cannot beat you no matter how hard I try.”
“A game? But it’s obviously a game.”
“No. That’s impossible. But—no, it shouldn’t be—”
“I can’t even begin to—how did you come up with this so quickly?”
“Four moves?”
“That’s a—a lot of pieces.”
“Several new players like to challenge me this way. So I grew quite adept at beating them. It is quite a simple solution as I’m sure you know. If you move the queen like so—”
“In this case, the solution is to checkmate the black king, but I haven’t been able to figure it out yet. I imagine most of the players across the continent are trying to figure it out. It might take some time, but I hope to be one of the first to figure—”
“Yes, isn’t it amazing? I would never have thought of that—but someone’s come up with a way to play chess across long distances without a spell! But this isn’t a game at all—”
“Oh, of course. Certainly. Um, you can give me a few silver coins and it will get there, but more money means a faster delivery. Sorry, but it is overseas. Maybe I could get someone to pay for an image-[Message]? But that’s gold. How about two silver and I’ll copy this to Baleros for a slow Runner letter—and to Pallass? Maybe someone will send it back to the Titan. They’re all rich in the Walled City. Tons of famous [Strategists]. Heck, the Cyclops of Pallass lives there. Uh, the Grand Strategist of the Drakes.”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps they might wait until others have sent in their reply. It could take a few weeks or up to a month for a new puzzle.”
“What?”
“I don’t see why not. I mean, I won’t get in touch with the Titan, just his company. And it costs a bit, but it’s only a few silver for a [Message] spell…I bet he’ll check for answers soon, but not within an hour of sending the puzzle!”
“I just received a long-distance delivery that went out to all the known [Tacticians] and chess players on the continent! From the Titan of Baleros! Okay, his Great Company, the Forgotten Wing. On Baleros? He can definitely afford it. It was this paper—and it’s a challenge, see? You have to—”
“You know what it is? But of course—how silly of me.”
“This was the first—I mean, I suppose we might expect more of the same in the future, wouldn’t we? This puzzle was sent to countless cities. From the Titan. To find good opponents, I bet, and promote his game. I wouldn’t be surprised if more appear soon.”
“This was sent via magic. The Mage’s Guild can print images as well as text—but it’s extremely expensive. If it was a letter…again, the Titan can definitely afford magic, but a letter’s a fraction of the cost. And slower. Heck, you don’t even need the Runner’s Guild. You see, Runners deliver things quickly, but merchants and caravans and even ship captains will pass on long-distance deliveries for a very small fee.”
“It’s more like—well, I suppose you could call the letters a form of currency. Travellers will buy them for a few coins and complete the delivery in hopes of earning more when they sell them later or deliver them to their owner. Really, the Runner’s Guild is far more reliable but expensive.”
“Take a look at this, Erin! I just received this, and it’s the most fascinating thing ever! A new way to play chess!”
“Just look at this, Erin!”
“Yes—yes, that sounds about right.”
“—I would deeply love to know how you solved it so quickly. But I should—yes, I should solve it on my own. Shouldn’t I?”
“A what?”
“I’ve been wrestling with this problem for an hour. But—of course with someone of your level I shouldn’t expect this to faze you. Of course.”
“You—you finished it? Just like that?”
“Fun.”
“It’s not that expensive, especially if you send it with the slower deliveries.”
“Erin! Erin Solstice!”
“How’d you know?”
“Exactly, but it’s fairly certain that the letter will get to your destination in the end. Of course, sending something private is a bad idea, but you can send a message to another continent for only a copper coin or two. It might take a month or two, but it will get there.”
“Write it down here. I won’t look.”
“I’m definitely not paying for [Messaging] an image. But I could probably send a letter via one of the bulk deliveries! What a fun puzzle! Wait…ah. I actually know this one.”
“But it’s so fascinating to play games across such a long distance, isn’t it?”
“I can’t—may I copy this? Please?”
“Really? That’s not usual. Most come apart instantly if you do that. This one might be made to reassemble? Most mages don’t spend nearly that much mana on a lowly skeleton.”
“Toren? It has a—what’s a skeleton doing here? Did that [Necromancer] summon it?”
“I finally solved it!”
“Erin. Erin!”
“What? And you accepted it? But the undead—they’re so—dangerous! Besides, one skeleton isn’t worth all the food you’ve been feeding Pisces!”
“True. And that’s odd too. It’s very intelligent—can it play chess, by any chance?”
“It was the work of days—no, nearly a week! In the end, I had to lock myself away, but I did it! And I leveled! Twice!”
“Just a bit less than that, I believe.”
“Um—I’m so sorry. I haven’t bathed or cleaned myself in a while. I was just so happy to have solved it I rushed over. But I did it at last! It was the greatest challenge I’ve had, and the rewards were—rewarding!”
“There’s a sk-skeleton!”
“What happened?”
“I didn’t think you would be so busy—I was hoping to play a game, but I wouldn’t want to take you away from your work. Where is that small Goblin or the Worker called Pawn?”
“Their binding spells don’t last that long. Your average skeleton falls to pieces within a day or two of being animated, and even if the necromancer uses an indefinite binding, their spell fails the instant they take too much damage. And they’re surprisingly fragile!”
“Erin! I did it! I did it!”
“How do you know I’m not an adventurer?”
“But I still think you might be willing to take me. I have valuable skills I could contribute, and I—I’d like to improve myself.”
“Um. Excuse me? I heard you were the team going into the ruins. Would you mind if I joined your group?”
“Oh.”
“Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Olesm. I’m a [Tactician]. Level 24.”
“Oh, most definitely. We love collecting things. We are descended from Dragons after all. If this place was at all important, I’d expect some sort of vault.”
“Really?”
“Do the Horns of Hammerad have a, um, noticeable feature?”
“Oh. I see.”
“Shield Spiders are weak against fire. Two mages with armed warriors holding shields should be able to burn the nest if they know the [Fireball] spell or equivalents.”
“That was so—so impressive! There were so many, but you took care of them like—like—”
“Oh, I’d be honored. And they’re moving. Should we—?”
“Well, you seem quite competent to me. What does your group do? Aside from exploring ruins, that is.”
“And the—the Circle? They were all [Mages]. Is that usual?”
“Oh, I see, I see. And the Silver Spears?”
“Oh. Of course.”
“It certainly seems like it. How else would you explain it being so close to Liscor?”
“It’s big. But I could see that. Strange, though—all these rooms must be living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms, and so on. This is practically a city within this one building. How come no one knew of this before?”
“These rooms—are quite odd, aren’t they?”
“This is my first one, actually.”
“You know, I would have expected something to happen by now.”
“I heard about that. She didn’t talk to anyone and sent that new Prognugator out. Ksmvr, right? What was she doing that was so important.”
“Oh, um, bye—”
“They’re not adventurers. That’s the local Watch.”
“Oh? Pawn! Are you going to play chess at Miss Erin’s?”
“Oh? I thought you always worked in the morning. Is something wrong?”
“The Queen? Is she…is she doing something?”
“Waiting? Waiting for what?”
“I may not be a good fighter, but my Skills should help quite a bit. Believe me, I will come back better than ever. And perhaps then I’ll win a game against you.”
“I’m not late, am I? I forgot we were supposed to meet here.”
“Oh, Erin. I didn’t—well of course you’d be here. This is your inn—yes, I am going on the expedition! I’m hoping to raise my level. I was so inspired by you that I decided it was time to break out of my shell, so to speak.”
“Hello? Hello! I’m sorry I’m late!”
“Technically, yes. But they won’t miss me for a few days. The Watch is supposed to work with me, and I advise the Council, but they meet once a month if that. They don’t need me here. The army has a dozen people who could take my post over in a second. And besides. I’ve stayed the same level for far too long, hiding in the city rather than joining the army or adventuring myself. Today, I’m going to change that.”
“Why is that?”
“Oh, of course. My apologies.”
“The design of the gates certainly suggests that. Of course, you need a roof or some good magic when the rainy season comes. I suppose it could have been built by my people.”
“So—I’m with your group. The, ah, Horns of Hammerad? I’m afraid I don’t know much about it. Liscor didn’t get many high-profile adventurers before this.”
“Those scouts. They never reported the split in the tunnel. And they would have come back. Where did they go?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that. I’m just here to help.”
“But you’re Silver-rank adventurers. I just assumed—”
“[Rapid Retreat]. It’s, ah, a [Tactician] skill, although many [Thieves] and similar classes know it too. I heard Calruz shouting to get back over here, and I thought the rest of you would be right behind me.”
“We’re alive. Now what?”
“Never mind!”
“[Attack Formation].”
“I said—never mind. Here!”
“It looks like it’s my turn.”
“I can only do that once a day at my level. But yes—it can change a battle. The rest of my skills are mostly defensive or information-oriented, so this is all I can do.”
“Yes. A…a few. One good one. Should I use it now…?”
“That one is more injured than the rest. Bring it down first.”
“I—I didn’t hear you say anything.”
“W-who? Me?”
“Please, allow me to explain—”
“Look—but be quiet!”
“We are in danger. Extreme danger. We have to retreat.”
“I’ve never heard that…that kind of song before. Who in their right minds would write such a thing?”
“Perhaps he’s the reason this place exists.”
“What? What does it say?”
“‘He takes our scales and hides our bones…’. That can only be my people who wrote this. So—so they built coffins to hide their flesh from him? But is he locked away with the dead down here? That would make no sense. Why not burn the bodies? Surely they’d want to keep him as far away as possible.”
“Really? That’s great news! But we found something as well!”
“I’m not sure. It looks like some kind of message, but is it a memorial or something else? A memorandum? The script…looks familiar.”
“It must have countless tombs, probably with a lot of important people! And probably treasure if they bury their dead with their valuables like we Drakes do!”
“Maybe someone who’s afraid of speaking plainly. Or—or—this isn’t a warning. Maybe it is a nursery rhyme or just dark humor. Or an old myth. The kind you write of something that’s been around forever.”
“Hey, hey everyone!”
“That’s what Sostrom said. But he found something else in there as well.”
“This is the place where all the dead go.”
“It could be nothing. But it might give us a clue as to what this place was or what it contains.”
“It—it could be something written in the past. Like I said, it’s vaguely similar. But I never knew if we changed written languages. I certainly can’t read it.”
“But the treasure’s around here somewhere, right?”
“I don’t get it. This is the lowest level, isn’t it? And you said there would be treasure—”
“I’ve never felt anything like that. When I was a child and the Necromancer attacked ten years back—that was the closest. But this is different. I am afraid, and [Dangersense] doesn’t convey fear. We have to go.”
“We must—retreat.”