A whole new world

[aestrix]

There is a forest that likes to pretend that it's ordinary. It isn't, it's quite bizarre. Every night, in fact, zombies and other horrible monsters swarm this place, looking for people to kill. Not that they've found anyone, the forest itself is quite empty of residents. But they search anyway, during the night, shambling and groaning and occasionally leaving body parts lying around. Those disappear pretty quickly, but it still happens. Then the day comes, and they depart to who knows where, swearing (if mindless monsters could think, or in fact swear to anything in particular) that they'l be back the next night. Repeat ad nauseum.

It's currently in the day portion of this cycle of directionless attempts at violence. Maybe this day will be different from all of the others.

But then, probably not, it's a very boring island without anyone here.

Comments

[aestrix]

"The ebonstone in the corruption can be purified using some powder from a dryad, or it can be destroyed with explosives," agrees Dylan.

[greatestgift]

"I guess I'll go build a lot of houses."

She expands the pair of houses into a row, each unit big enough to contain a chair, a table, and a light source, and each unit with a single door. She stops at ten, because the sun is getting low, and goes to bed rather than deal with zombies.

In the morning she visits Dylan again.

[aestrix]

"Greetings, Sable. For a nurse to move in, you might want to increase your maximum life."

[greatestgift]

"I'll get around to it eventually. I'm concerned about cave exploration safety."

[aestrix]

Pause. It's likely the whatever-it-is that controls the dialogue is thinking.

"Combine wood and gel to make a torch," he provides, slowly. "You need to make better armor."

From the merchant: "Better buy some more healing potions!"

[greatestgift]

"Okay..."

She goes next door (unblocking it in the process) and peeps in at the merchant. "You're not going to chase me again, are you?"

[aestrix]

"The sun is high, but my prices are not."

[greatestgift]

"I'll take that as a no. What if I steal all your stuff again?"

[aestrix]

"Lovely morning, wouldn't you say? Was there something you needed?"

[greatestgift]

"Great." She comes inside. "Do you have more stuff?"

[aestrix]

"Not even a Blood Moon can stop capitalism. Let's do some business," says the merchant, and he produces the chest. It has - the exact same items that were in it before. Well then.

[greatestgift]

Sable grabs it.

[aestrix]

The merchant sighs heavily, but does not give chase this time. "Night be upon us soon, friend."

[greatestgift]

"Thanks."

She goes to add today's stock to her nice organized dresser, then comes back to ask Dylan, "What's a Blood Moon, anyway?"

[aestrix]

"You can tell a Blood Moon is out when the sky turns red. There is something about it that causes monsters to swarm."

[greatestgift]

"Worse than normal?"

[aestrix]

"It is very dangerous to be wandering around in the dark."

[greatestgift]

"I'll keep that in mind."

[aestrix]

"You should stay indoors at night," agrees Dylan.

[greatestgift]

"I hear you."

[aestrix]

The guide doesn't say anything else, but he does look at Sable, sort of expectantly.

[greatestgift]

"So, I should go dig up as much platinum as I can find and make armour with it, then pack a lot of healing potions and torches and start exploring caves? During the daytime so I don't get swarmed by lots of monsters?"

[aestrix]

"You can make a grappling hook from a hook and 3 chains. Skeletons found deep underground usually carry hooks, and chains can be made from iron bars," says Dylan. In a - sort of agreeing way.

[greatestgift]

"Underground sounds like a useful place. Anything horrifying I should be worried about down there?"

[aestrix]

There's a noticable pause. The - whoever is in charge is thinking. Possibly how to relate information, not the information itself.

"You should focus on gathering more heart crystals -"

From the merchant, yelled through the wall: "-watching-"

Mumble mumble, "- deep underground."

Merchant: "- can hear -"

"There is something about it that causes monsters -"

"Check out - dirt blocks!" adds the merchant.