> I do not know how I know DeCorticus. Just as they are not
aware of how long they have ruled, Click Clack does not know
how long they have been a servant, an advisor (in all mat-
ters astrological), or under their protection. What is sure
is that during his long life Click Clack has put his life on
line for DeCorticus multiple times, resulting in the broken
state he is in by now. And DeCorticus was grateful, extend-
ing the hand of their protection over the machine now called
Click Clack by the locals of Plandra, even though they did
not even remember their original names anymore. For what
it's worth Click Clack has been living on a small pension
for longer than anyone can remember, definitely longer than
most peoples' lifetimes. Click Clack feels like accepting
the mission might be a death sentence. They would much
rather like to stay in the safety of their existence for
however long it would take. But it is clear that with the
death of DeCorticus Click Clack also might come to an end
not that long after.
~
> Quack speaks as if talking to himself. His voice is low,
brittle ...
"Forever I'll be honored your Majesty. Quack can be
counted on, even in most delicate affairs. Have I ever
failed you? Certainly I've enjoyed that certain ... immu-
nity ... provided by Your Honor". He snickers hoarsly.
Then he looks down at his scarred hands, and makes a
wringing motion. His expression turns into an abyss of sad-
ness "I don't remember when I've ever asked for right or
wrong ... this time I'll do right ... I've nothing to lose!"
A small lump of mud drips from the rim of his hat down
onto the floor. A tiny leech wriggles for a moment, before
Quack picks it up carefully and puts it onto a piece of dank
moss he's holding in his left hand. He utters becalming, but
incomprehensible noises.
~
> "The weapon you have sent for has arrived," announces the
butler. Behind him moves one of these yellow figures in bil-
lowing red trousers, leather armor wrappings around arms and
tummy, a silver sword, bow and arrows on its back, silver
tongue in its mouth, eyes glowing green, teeth filed, black-
ened, engraved, long hair tied together.
"DeCorticus, I have rested and recovered after that
mission into the scorpion hell hole. My masters tell me,
that my skills might be required. I am here, once more." As
soon as the voice stops, its eyes start steaming. "You know
that I would never fail you, for when I was found in that
moss hole you had me brought to my masters and raised as a
weapon. All that I have become I owe to you."
As Law listens to the words the plant speaks, it nods.
"I accept this mission. Once I would have hoped to find love
in Plandra; or children to teach; or friends. But I left all
of that behind. I leave behind all hope and will travel to
The Wall in order to find that Star Loam for you. I will
succeed or all we know here in Plandra will perish. All the
established order will be swept away and that can't be
good." Its carefully neutral face doesn't move.
~
Being in in the presence of the duke is more like standing in a
greenhouse or in a courtyard garden than it is being in the pres-
ence of a man or singular entity: it surrounds you. It is above
and beneath you. It crawls along the walls of its chambers and
grows in bushels and shrubs. It smells of damp, rich soil and of
thick vegetation. You breathe it in and it buzzes in your head.
With its three must trusted associates and, indeed, closest
and oldest friends assembled, DeCorticus sighs heavily. A sound
like rustling leaves and creaking branches. Its fronds and ten-
drils tremble. Already its green leaves and shoots starting to
brown around the edges and shrivel slightly. Truly DeCorticus's
days are numbered unless a fresh supply of Star Loam can be es-
tablished.
"Thank you, my dear friends," it rustle whispers, its voice
seeming to emanate from the thick vegetation on all sides of you.
"But I'm afraid I am feeling weak. I must rest now. I shall en-
trust you to the care of Atos. He will arrange your travel and
take care of anything else you may need. You agreeing to this
mission matters a great deal. Whether you succeed or not remains
to be seen. But in this moment, you have brought me comfort."
The rustling of leaves grows quiet and the feeling of DeCorti-
cus's presence fades slightly.
As though summoned, Atos appears to usher you out of the
garden and into the great hall. Atos is thin and tall and seems
to constantly waver slightly like a conspicuous blade of grass
that somehow evaded the blades of the mower while its neighbors
were all chopped down. He is the duke's longest serving vizier,
his most trusted and loyal adviser.
"There are two known sources of Star Loam," Atos wheezes as
he rolls out a map across the table you are now gathered around.
Plandra lies at the northern edge of the map. "There is The Wall
and its mining facilities, which until very recently has been the
very reliable beginning of the Duke's Star Loam supply chain."
The Wall lies at the southwest corner of the map, across the
Rainbow Badlands. A desolate grassland, very easy to get lost
in, plagued by wine coloured raiders. "And there is the Blue
Oak," Atos continues, pointing with a green stained finger at the
southeast corner of the map. It lies across the Collapsing Mines
and past the great mountains, the Eye Bleed and the Vomiting
Precipices. "The Blue Oak is allegedly rich with Star Loam, but
its residents guard it closely and have never agreed to let it go
for any price."
Atos looks at you imploringly. "If you elect to journey to
The Wall, the Duchy can provide you passage across the hump-
backed sky aboard a Golden Space Barge. It will be ready to de-
part here in a couple days time and will provide you swift trans-
port (barring any mishaps or encounters with Void-Beasts) to
Launch & Landing Station Indomitable, a mere day from the base of
The Wall."
"If, however," he continues, "you decide to travel to the
Blue Oak, we can provide a Silt-Loper to travel overland. It is
potentially a slightly longer journey, but you can leave immedi-
ately." The Silt-Loper is an ungainly walking conveyance. Like
the Golden Barge, its operation is perfectly possible, but not
well understood.
"I shall allow you some time to deliberate, but please do
not take long. Time is of the essence!"
~
The clock has started! DeCorticus's days are numbered. Will you
delay your departure to brave the dangers of the Void to reach
The Wall? Or will you depart immediately and travel overland in
the Silt-Loper? Will you be able to return with the precious
Star Loam in time to save Plandra? Feel free to discuss your op-
tions here in character, or coordinate on IRC.
