Odyssey Investigations: AEAEA - Chapter 2, Part 2 - The Case of the Lesser Key of Solomon DeMorge

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[Aldrich taps his staff, then steps aside, allowing you to gaze into the main pool of the Thalassic Conduit.]

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The abyss itself is asking you to solve its final puzzle.
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Yo

Homie

Bromie

Broskie

Bromide

Bromenade

Brolicious

Bronchitis

My bro upon bros

If the
big toilet flush is asking the questions to us puzzle-wise and your like its manservant or whatever
then whyd you keep this shit secret from us until were literally runnin out of time

fauxbaum.gif

You third rate waterlog gandalf impersonator reject
this aint funny

I dont care if youre wrinkled old ass speaks for the california raisins
that shits just plain
bad communication man

check yourself
 
68329

Cassia, was it? Sorry to interrupt, but there's an extreme plant-based emergency going on right now! If you could go find Ms. Sunny and the other duck to lend a hand they'd really appreciate it.

Hey, you know, this place reminds me of a good joke. What kind of flour grows on your face? Tulips! Get it, because flowers- wait, wait, wait, this is... this is flour. Not flowers. Shoot.

After she leaves, steal and consume a random baked good. If anyone asks later, Aldrich did it.
 
Investigate the five swords in the roulette in greater detail. One seems to be bent? For what reason?

Look closer at the knife in Storm's possession.
You examine the swords. Their blades are all made of plastic foam, while the handles cheap, malleable plastic. They appear to be completely harmless. The handle of one sword appears to have been gripped with exceptional force, crushing it somewhat. Someone participating in the event may know more about this.

You examine the knife. It's a Findelean switchblade, and resembles one from the gift shop. Storm was using it to stab holes into his bar set-up, and may have cut himself in the process. It seems gripping the knife reopened the wound, which now bleeds. He refused Soleils help to have her close it shut with her healing light.
 
So that's why I'm taking the opportunity to call this no-good buggie-bug out!!!
BB-chan Kouhai Special: Potato Peeler Slice,
until I get to the truth and Aldrich-san tells me where the Casino speakers' recording room is...!
"
I dont care if youre wrinkled old ass speaks for the california raisins
that shits just plain
bad communication man

check yourself
Aldrich taps the cane, unimpressed with this line of inquiry, and a force of energy tips "Reginald" over. BB's attack is misdirected, as she dives to save her dance partner on the floor.

They're both spinning around together.

A low rumble shakes the conduit when Leo provides his answer, then, Aldrich steps back as the seal begins to fade.
A result is imminent.

My question is, what do you know about how they work? Why do your people find them dangerous? And last, but not least... Are you aware of who his business partner could be?

I suppose I'll search on my own as well. Perhaps I can find some records in the Conference Room, an exhibit in the Display Room, or perhaps some educational material on the subject in the Lecture Hall? And while I'm at it, I'll-
You examine the Conference Room, pulling up specifically records relating to Otto and his presentations in past. You recall him mentioning something about his technology being rejected before at the meeting.

Indeed, though his standard cube-shaped batteries have featured at the event every year, you note there were bids he submitted this year, five, nine, and even fifteen years ago relating to "Mnemonic"-related prototypes. While some of his prototyped devices were deemed too chaotic to allow present at the event by AEAEA, the previous two bids were approved. This year's related to the changed conference theme about "Dreaming For A Better Future". All of them, however, were vetoed by the Noktmathi delegation of Somatacists.

A last minute meeting occurred a few weeks prior to today, in which a delegate named "Atlas" insisted the theme was too dangerous. Compromises were reached by swapping Cassia's event for CYMK's to remain "safer", the result being that Otto could no longer showcase his technology with Display B in the Exhibition Hall, and had to provide standard batteries for the "travel" theme instead. It was too late to swap the other artifacts in the exhibit, some of which had approval from the Findelo main island to exhibit.

Disclosures from Otto indicate this is the most refined version of his prototype yet, a battery that creates a controlled, isolated "pocket" in the Astral Plane, for direct accession of a memory stored within. He claims rooting the power to a memory similar to a Sticker, it remains sealed off, and protected from the rest of the plane.

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- [Moh] - ........................................................................................................................

It seems Moh might be about to speak, but he lets you process the information you've found already.

You examine the AEAEA Showroom. Otto's display remains modest, and Storm's display is crafted with love. You note Arcane Solutions' most industrial products are related to transportation and agricultural machinery, including engines, batteries, and heavy-duty generators for powering a variety of devices using arcane energy. The most prominent of which are those used in airships previously produced by Solomon. They must have had a direct partnership. Nothing related to his prototype technology is here, unfortunately.

You check the Lecture Hall. It remains set up for Valerie's presentation, with a sleeping plant and an aquatic species shown. Her billboard has been moved from the Showroom to here. Her cages are stacked, with some fuzzies bouncing worriedly in their cages, spreading... fluff, of some kind. You examine the large, open cage out of curiosity. It curiously has no fluff, and the complex lock mechanism from the exterior remains as Valerie described: as if it had never been sealed.

Examining the projector set-up, you note there is another red USB stick plugged into the device. It matches the one in Otto's laptop in design.
 
Leo says nothing for a while as he listens intently to Aldrich's response. He stares at the back of the man stalwartly safeguarding the beating heart of the Cascade Resort before taking a step forward and peering down into the main pool of the conduit, meeting the empty gaze of the mask within.

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You're...Aldrich Ethos.
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- [Aldrich] - ...m-my wrinkled old ass, indeed. The rudest plant I've seen in these halls, and I mean there are some toxic little weeds kept in Quaratine. Obtrusiveness is necessary to keep this hotel alive through rumor and hearsay, but I serve its guests above all else. Only until now did Sholmes and Leo provide a direct connection to the murder.


With the answer given, the lock breaks. The mask launches out of the water, and lands on the ground face down. Its initials: A.E.

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- [Aldrich] - The void beckons, Leo.

Something grabs onto Leo's mind, rendering him alone.
...
...
Leo feels himself sinking.
Sinking deep, deep into the abyss.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Sinking....
...
...
...
Deeper...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...bubbles fill his mind with dots and dashes, and the mounting pressure as the deepening trench of water constricts his chest.
as he continues
...to sink... and sink...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...and then, where light fails to penetrate entirely
...when Leo has sunk as far as he can
...
...the abyss produces a purple glow of its own.
...
...
...
...
Glowing veins and wires fade into view.
​



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The heart, and mind of Cascade Resort, A.E..

...good day, Leo.

I would advise caution when eating pizza and cake in the hotel next time. Your pillow was redirected to the laundry for cleaning, if you wish to claim it.
​
​
​
 
The disembodied voice returns and politely requests to have BB & Rei examine the USB in the Lecture Hall. Are there audio recordings on it, and are they decipherable?
 
Cassia, was it? Sorry to interrupt, but there's an extreme plant-based emergency going on right now! If you could go find Ms. Sunny and the other duck to lend a hand they'd really appreciate it.

Hey, you know, this place reminds me of a good joke. What kind of flour grows on your face? Tulips! Get it, because flowers- wait, wait, wait, this is... this is flour. Not flowers. Shoot.

After she leaves, steal and consume a random baked good. If anyone asks later, Aldrich did it.

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- [Cassia] - W-why thank you for informing me, green, one-eyed... costume person. Did this show up for the cosplay event? Aldrich has contracted me to work as one of the panel judges now, too.

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- [Cassia] - I've been in the kitchen most of the night, except to respond to a personal delivery given to me by Otto in his new room, and to send Storm a sample for tasting. He asked for it personally... but seemed in a bit of a rush when he did.

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- [Cassia] - Ohoho! I hope he liked it. I must go and see what the hubbub is about, tout suite.

Cassia departs with a flourish, not a flour-ish, and you... swipe a cake.
You note most of the cakes match the ones downstairs. They're freshly decorated from earlier in the evening, featuring a variety of flavored creams and colored syrups. None of them are black.

I remember seeing an opened Storm's Brewing crate in the casino well before the events went down. Is that crate still there? Do I see anything weird about its contents?
You sample the crate, and feel your head tingle... an incredibly faint, but untoward sensation. In your few years of being Storm's assistant, you only indulge time to time in the occasional beer-and-soft-drink mixer. But, you know his product, and recognize that this particular batch has been tampered with. It might be worth further chemical analysis.
 
Investigations close Oct 28, 2026 at 12:00 AM. The Final Accusation phase will occur in the Grand Courtroom, and last for 24 hours. You will be able to talk with and accuse NPCs, and use your rolepowers during that time.
 
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Thank you, Mr. Tarlow - for taking one for the team as always. You've confirmed something of great importance: namely that the beer was tampered with. Dare I say, I'm familiar with Storm's products - and none of them produce the reaction you've experienced just now.

...Which begs the question... Well, multiple questions.

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Circe. You were partaking in the drink alongside Storm. Why, may I ask, are you unaffected by the substance within?

Then... There's another question - for you, Mr. Ethos. Or, "A.E.", as you may prefer to be addressed at this point. Did your golems clean up any bottles or cans from Storm's Brewing? May we know from where they were obtained, and may we inspect them - provided they haven't been sent for recycling already.
 
Aldrich taps the cane, unimpressed with this line of inquiry, and a force of energy tips "Reginald" over. BB's attack is misdirected, as she dives to save her dance partner on the floor.

They're both spinning around together.

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Not just wrinkly but a real wise ass i see

your just a punk count flush-ula
scared of some
words so you attack me

go ahead and beat me to the ground if it makes you feel big
stomp on me and toss me around and hack me up
i dont care

this is just a body im borrowin
given to me by the capital B boss meister to impress his capital S soulmate or whatever

it aint my
real form

...

trees live a long time and have rad memory
i can picture the
ancient forests from eons ago just as vividly as my last two hours at this action park sequel
the kinds of forests that ate people and then grew on their carcasses

what im sayin is

aldi faldi brobaldi

my man

my brobinski

my glowy profane test tube baby

some day
some hour
some mad mad moment in the coming millennium

i will come back to you

and then ill show you my real dance moves
 
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All right, so we're still missing that base needed to create an antidote for Storm.

...

I sure hope nothing exciting, or stupid, or exciting AND stupid is happening in the basement right now.

Ah well, I'm sure BB is making a recording of it on her phone if there is.

In any case, I want to run a couple last errands before heading for the lab and... continuing this charade.

(This cape is so starchy and itchy. How did he move around in this thing for all those years?)



  • Wonder aloud whether the lotus plant on Circe's head could be used as a base for the antidote.
  • If not, check Quarantine for suitable plants.
  • If not, maybe ask Valerie to ask Rhoda if she has any plant samples stashed away where she lives.
  • If not, dig around in the frozen botanical garden. The grown plants are all dead, but maybe there were some seeds deep underground that survived and could be propagated with Cassia's help (I could do this myself but uhh, undercover).
  • Get a hotdog or something from one of the stands, if they're still there.
  • Visit the Medama Penthouse. Check the fridge. Put the hotdog in with the carrots.
  • Grab some MB-K schematics from the bedroom (?). Focus on the rabbit animatronic parts, not so much on the evil magic cube parts.
  • Head to the lab and start working on an antidote once everything is ready.
 
The disembodied voice returns and politely requests to have BB & Rei examine the USB in the Lecture Hall. Are there audio recordings on it, and are they decipherable?
You withdraw the USB stick, and examine it with your decoding skills.

You note within some that sound like prerecorded messages of Otto's voice, but they're all corrupted and the full audio is indecipherable. However, you manage to recover "20-8-5-19-20-1-18-19-1-18-5-6-1-12-12-9-14-7.wav", and find a low rumbling audio, though choppier, and more corrupted than the one you heard before.

You additionally find this USB stick has a small add-on to it, a microchip covered with a thin speaker.

You recall the time you spent on the island surrounded by emergency broadcast systems capable of resonating with astral plane frequencies, and what you and ENA accomplished with Cel. This appears to be... a miniaturized version of similar technology, capable of sending out an artificial pulse, and resonating with something according to a program. How did they acquire this...

Unfortunately, the rest of the files have been wiped.

Circe. You were partaking in the drink alongside Storm. Why, may I ask, are you unaffected by the substance within?

Then... There's another question - for you, Mr. Ethos. Or, "A.E.", as you may prefer to be addressed at this point. Did your golems clean up any bottles or cans from Storm's Brewing? May we know from where they were obtained, and may we inspect them - provided they haven't been sent for recycling already.
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- [Circe] - ...ENA. Our discussion about lotus flowers and tea was delightful. I recall the topic of Sarase came up as well. I have a theory, Mr. Sholmes. If that... if that cask was opened, and poisoned prior to the event, and both of us drank from it, then this would have to be the source of the lotus-related component of Storm's affliction.

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- [Circe] - Sarasean veins course with a much stronger immunity to the stuff, from years of Ritualistic consumption. The Fallen Lotus problem is all but non-existent in Sarase, save for treasure hunters. However, even so, "Killing Games" did take place there... as Solomon decreed, but they used another method to... "eliminate" its players, so to speak.

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- [Circe] - You can confirm these things in the records in Kleidi's office, I worked on a few prosecutorial cases for those who used Solomon's technology to run the games, myself.



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- [Aldrich] - The banquet has been untouched. The golems were completely offline when the event began. You're free to examine it closer as you wish.
 
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Shit. That's some immense pressure...but somehow, this form is still more approachable than the creepy old man...heh.

So..."AE". First, let me apologize for the mess; the brat's got an insatiable appetite and a sweet tooth not unlike, well...you. I'll make sure to claim the pillow later. Now, I hope you'll forgive me for skipping any further formalities and cutting straight to questioning, but we're running short on time. There's a lot at stake here, including your resort.

If you're the "heart" of this place, and you know where my pillow went, can I assume you also know about everything else that flows through your "veins"? If that's the case, do you know from where the set of Otto's clothes was sent into the tubes? The origin and destination of Valerie's fuzzball, too. I'd also like to know where the stabbed golem was placed into the pipes, and anything else you can tell me about that attack.

That aside...if you'll indulge my curiosity, what exactly...are you? There was an incident during the construction of the island, I know that much. I'd guessed you lost your colleagues, but maybe it was you who plunged into the abyss. If that's the case, what's with the rest of the golems? You said they're the only ones you trust to run the place as dutifully as yourself, but it sounds like you didn't hold your old human coworkers in high esteem at all until you brought Ms. Baskerforge on board. So why the initials? The sentimentality? It's a bit contradictory, isn't it?

And...how is all of this connected to Nokhmathi? To Atlas? What exactly did they help to cover up that was so important that you'd whore yourself out to their influence? I'm sure you don't have a reason to divulge this to me, but they've left you out to dry this time, Aldrich - quite literally.
 
Shit. That's some immense pressure...but somehow, this form is still more approachable than the creepy old man...heh.

So..."AE". First, let me apologize for the mess; the brat's got an insatiable appetite and a sweet tooth not unlike, well...you. I'll make sure to claim the pillow later. Now, I hope you'll forgive me for skipping any further formalities and cutting straight to questioning, but we're running short on time. There's a lot at stake here, including your resort.

If you're the "heart" of this place, and you know where my pillow went, can I assume you also know about everything else that flows through your "veins"? If that's the case, do you know from where the set of Otto's clothes was sent into the tubes? The origin and destination of Valerie's fuzzball, too. I'd also like to know where the stabbed golem was placed into the pipes, and anything else you can tell me about that attack.

That aside...if you'll indulge my curiosity, what exactly...are you? There was an incident during the construction of the island, I know that much. I'd guessed you lost your colleagues, but maybe it was you who plunged into the abyss. If that's the case, what's with the rest of the golems? You said they're the only ones you trust to run the place as dutifully as yourself, but it sounds like you didn't hold your old human coworkers in high esteem at all until you brought Ms. Baskerforge on board. So why the initials? The sentimentality? It's a bit contradictory, isn't it?

And...how is all of this connected to Nokhmathi? To Atlas? What exactly did they help to cover up that was so important that you'd whore yourself out to their influence? I'm sure you don't have a reason to divulge this to me, but they've left you out to dry this time, Aldrich - quite literally.
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- [AE] - I exist to answer your queries. There is no need to ask for forgiveness. I feel nothing, and answer your calls. Both for room service, and information.

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- [AE] - I was created from the coalescence of the engineer Aldrich Ethos, and the leyline. Aldrich Ethos fell into the conduit roughly 24 years ago, with a dream to see his project realized. Necrotic power is what some call the faint resonance boundary between Somatic and Thalassic power, and its existence is a taboo to many world religions, as I am sure you are aware.

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- [AE] - Thus, I serve Findelo in secret. This system has offshoots in classified locations around the archipelago. Though my origins are necrotic, Noktmathi contributes to its upkeep with energized rain over the oceans in exchange for information I process. Atlas is one such individual who is contractually obligated to assist in our upkeep.

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- [AE] - Aldrich is a construct himself, albeit a more elaborate one built to my specifications from the memories of the one who fell into the leyline. As it always wears the primary mask, it somewhat modifies my output for a more natural guest experience, and the mask blends to look natural when worn. Normally, it shouldn't be operational if I am not, but can function as an extension of me, provided it is wearing its mask. During a shutdown, this is vital.

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- [AE] - But, one aspect of Aldrich I retained was his desire for sweets. Sugar in water is so... so... pleasant. If I had any feeling to describe, that would be the only one.

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- [AE] - I hope that satisfies your query about my existence.

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- [AE] - As for this evening. Prior to hibernation, I detected a few strange objects passing through the system. At roughly 16:00 this evening, a large, black terrichinoderm transported itself towards the Ramura Wing. It carried a few vials of the black poison currently seeping into my system.

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- [AE] - At 16:05, Mr. Dazmuna sent a coat for cleaning before a plant creature, I believe to be guest Dr. Buxbaum, was able to send himself through the pipes shortly after. Your pillow came through at roughly 16:10.

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- [AE] - At 16:53, the primary mask went offline, and was sent for return, coated in black poison. My systems had already begun to respond to the threat.

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- [AE] - But the poison is already in the water, and my sense of time dilutes at this point. I do not recall where the mask went. Portions of my system shut off over time. Through some miracle, the system reaches a stable condition, and I come back online as you see me before you.

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- [AE] - ...that is all. Leo. Do you have any others, before I send you back? Would you care for a pillow mint?
 
68329

This whole mystery is really starting to push my buttons!

Push the slime button.

Heh, see what I did there? Man, Wazowski, you're hilarious.
 
68329

This whole mystery is really starting to push my buttons!

Push the slime button.

Heh, see what I did there? Man, Wazowski, you're hilarious.
With a dream of slime, the button responds. Music begins to play from the speakers near the pool, which slowly fills up with green slime for you to enjoy.


All players have now entered the Slime Phase. You have unlocked the ability to submit Slime results.
 
Check the Laundry Room. How does the system work? Does it seem like there's a way clothing could reasonably get to the incinerator from here without human involvement?
 
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- [Moh] - ...I have meditated on the terms of my contract. I have found a loophole, and can thus, say two things, without being in breach.

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- [Moh] - Otto's experimentation was something I was sent to shut down, but the principle behind his idea was something with potential. Cast a form, a memory, from ones mind into the plane, and keep it there, then broadcast it down to the mind. The problem he encountered was preventing it from being controllable, and accurate, without bleeding into the plane. Given his work was built atop of my very old work prior, I may... have given him some advice on how to fix the issue, a few years ago.

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- [Moh] - And... in light of this. Rei, do you recall our conversation on shapeshifting? The ability for one to cast their form to the plane, modify it, control it, and return it for projection to others reminds me of this technology. On that note, we discussed horses, and the power it would require to maintain a very divergent form from one's base. Horses are animals, like any other.

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- [Moh] - ...that is all I wish to say on the matter. I do believe Cassia has just joined the others in helping derive a cure for Storm's condition. Her powers will be vital to their success. I have been asked to assist Circe and Kane with testimony shortly.

  • Wonder aloud whether the lotus plant on Circe's head could be used as a base for the antidote.
  • If not, check Quarantine for suitable plants.
  • If not, maybe ask Valerie to ask Rhoda if she has any plant samples stashed away where she lives.
  • If not, dig around in the frozen botanical garden. The grown plants are all dead, but maybe there were some seeds deep underground that survived and could be propagated with Cassia's help (I could do this myself but uhh, undercover).
  • Get a hotdog or something from one of the stands, if they're still there.
  • Visit the Medama Penthouse. Check the fridge. Put the hotdog in with the carrots.
  • Grab some MB-K schematics from the bedroom (?). Focus on the rabbit animatronic parts, not so much on the evil magic cube parts.
  • Head to the lab and start working on an antidote once everything is ready.
  • Circe responds negative, it's a common variation.
  • You find a ravaged lotus labelled "From Solomon", compared to before, all of its petals have been taken, leaving only the stem. It's impossible to make a cure for thi- Cassia has just arrived, and has begun to propogate more of these lotuses.
  • You thus grab a hot dog from a stand labeled DEEP Hog Logs, and several others for later nourishment. The hot dog machine turns from the power of a warm telluric battery. How... magical.
  • The carrots are pleased, and hungry.
  • You pull out some notes on cubes and stuffed toys, as well as a weird rabbit toy with an angry face scribbled onto it. "That'll do." you think.
  • You join the others, and make rapid headway on your antidote. It should be ready just before the appointed time to present a case to Justice Kleidi.

Check the Laundry Room. How does the system work? Does it seem like there's a way clothing could reasonably get to the incinerator from here without human involvement?
Human involvement in the cleaning process is important for safety reasons, and this does includes manual transfer of burnable items to the incinerator without the use of water or pipes.
 
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- [AE] - ...that is all. Leo. Do you have any others, before I send you back? Would you care for a pillow mint?
leo4.png

...

I guess I've got one last question for you, friend. Aldrich, the construct, said that when the thalassic conduit starts up again, the whole island will sink into the sea, and he'll go down with the ship like a good captain. Is there...no way to prevent that? To purify the waters, like we're trying to cure that Storm fellow?

Also, I'd love a mint. Thanks.

...

(This...might be enough. I've got a call to make soon...the Ocean Overlook had good reception, I think.)
 
I guess I've got one last question for you, friend. Aldrich, the construct, said that when the thalassic conduit starts up again, the whole island will sink into the sea, and he'll go down with the ship like a good captain. Is there...no way to prevent that? To purify the waters, like we're trying to cure that Storm fellow?

Also, I'd love a mint. Thanks.
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- [AE] - If you happen to find an antidote, administering it to the water-based veins like any other might work, but I cannot guarantee this. I only ask, you make it sweet. The poison was very.... not.

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- [AE] - And yes, you should find a mint where you expect. If my systems are fully restored, place a call to me at any time for more.

With a gasp of air, your mind returns to your body, and Aldrich is standing over you, holding the mask you retrieved. He walks off to the Underworld, without a word. The seal forms on the conduit again.
 
You sample the crate, and feel your head tingle... an incredibly faint, but untoward sensation. In your few years of being Storm's assistant, you only indulge time to time in the occasional beer-and-soft-drink mixer. But, you know his product, and recognize that this particular batch has been tampered with. It might be worth further chemical analysis.
I show this to Soleil.

Garett

S-Soleil, you don't happen to know if this can be tested for w-wydraseed, do you?

Garett

I-I don't k-know if this will aid us at all at this point, b-but some confirmation never hurts.
 
I show this to Soleil.

Garett

S-Soleil, you don't happen to know if this can be tested for w-wydraseed, do you?

Garett

I-I don't k-know if this will aid us at all at this point, b-but some confirmation never hurts.
Soleil takes the casket for a quick analysis, and in five minutes... confirms there aren't traces of the black poison, but instead the hallucinogen in Storm's system. You conclude this was likely how it entered his body.
 
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