The Crystal Sslugs of the Test

[Yerkan of Elish]

Curses! Why do we all have beards?

I don't think I'm heading up there again just yet. I don't trust that trickster; especially if his offer is in earnest. That probably just means that I'd unquestionably die up there. Something which I refuse to do.

I am deeply considering bringing in one of the most powerful deities from Rivenrock. The individual I have in mind will provide very... interesting new insight. But I must first see how discussions go...

[Great Thrash]

More assistance is always a good idea, in my opinion.

Especially as our enemies become ever more numerous.

[Yerkan of Elish]

I transform into a tick, using the Loupe Estoc as a replacement proboscis and scurry through an arrows slit in the Watchtower. I sneak up to Mix and bite him with my sword, gathering samples of its code so we can modify the program accordingly.

I then hightail it out of there and watch whatever else the Tawny Trickster is up to.

[Yerkan of Elish]

Before going, I coat myself with some of Thrash's clay which is pliable and allows freedom of movement, but will grant some protection against the Steep, caustic acids of the sslugs.

[Great Thrash]

Good call.

Durin and I push the nozzle of the field projector into a thin bank of earth. I meld with this earth and flow toward the tower, right up to that arrow slit. We collect Yerkan, do the necessary changes on the projector, and fire. I'm suggesting we modify Mix's programming to remove any understanding of economics.

[Diamond Master]

There's a flash of light, and soon the entire tower is glowing.

Amatin sites in and starts harassing Durin and Thrash.

The field projector seems to be malfunctioning, spitting sparks in every direction. When one hits Durin or Thrash, they become a bit confused for a brief moment. Amatin's bolts don't really seem to be taking advantage of this...

...until suddenly the glow around the tower is echoed on Durin, Thrash, and tiny Yerkan, and Amatin's rain is drawn directly to them whenever the projector sparks. Each earns a bolt to the cheek or shoulder or calf before they know quite what is going on. Now, of course, it is obvious that the Sslug in the Watchtower has spent yet another purse full of DM Favor.


The Tawny Trickster is building deep pits in seemingly random location around the Arboretum for some unknown reason.

[Grey Aides]

Too much Favor...we must outgun it somehow...

[Yerkan of Elish]

It has truly massive caches of Favor.

But we might be okay if we can do something without it knowing - it cannot react to defend if it does not even know that it is being attacked.

The 20 Favor of a secret action is much more viable than outgunning it in most other ways.

Strike from the shadows, as is our wont, Aides.

[Grey Aides]

A good plan...

With what shall we strike?

[Yerkan of Elish]

That is a good question...

The projector does not seem in such good condition anymore, my Estoc is perhaps not enough to do any damage...

Is there anything that your magics might be able to do to get Mix out of this tower? Perhaps we could input my virus using your magics rather than the technocraft of Durin...