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"description": "Episode 69 of my series. Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.",
"description_bbcode_parsed": "Episode 69 of my series. Black Hole, is a survival, low-fantasy, sci-fi story and I'd rate it as pg-13 for violence, some suggestive themes, and some nudity.",
"writing": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 69\n\nChapter 681\n\nThe lion man was first to speak.\n\nProditio: \"My name is Proditio Blackmane, and this is Esca Windtail.\" \n\nThe russet-red furred fox gave a wave and gave a seductive and playful grin.\n\nIratus still felt a bit of shock as he looked over two clearly primitive people who were using things like firearms. Iratus, Salvos, and Iter introduced themselves, and then Iratus asked his own question.\n\nIratus: \"Interesting attire you two wear. Did you come to Nexus Prime with them or are they loot?\"\n\nEsca: \"Nexus Prime?\"\n\nProditio: \"Is that the name of this world we find ourselves in?\" \n\nSalvos: \"It will be a long story on this place.\"\n\nThe lion man cleared his throat and then spoke.\n\nProditio: \"Yeah, we come from very old times.\" \n\nSalvos: \"I'll say.\" He then turned to Iratus. \"His lion form is much different from Deficio, who looks more like Malignitas and the other felines.\"\n\nIratus: \"Very old times.\"\n\nIratus eyes Proditio somewhat suspiciously before continuing.\n\nIratus: \"How much information do you know about our planet?\"\n\nProditio: \"Don't worry, I have learned about the rise of the mousian Lionheart and the eventual republicanism of our nation.\" \n\nIratus's face became a bit more positive.\n\nIratus: \"Ah. I hope you have been taking it well.\"\n\nProditio: \"I've had a lot of time to think things over. The biggest pain was getting over the mountain range length of changes that our people's society and culture changed. To be honest, I never fought to protect my people, just to see our nation become something so different. Some of the positives are that we found salvation by melting some symbolic chains as well as our material society becoming fashionable.\"\n\nIratus: \"Well, at least you are up to speed.\" He finished with a chuckle.\n\nProditio: \"Oh, perhaps I should apologize for the brutality I inflicted on your people, the mousefolk. Sorry.\"\n\nIratus: \"Ah, no, it is fine. I may call myself a mousefolk, but the mouse people went extinct long before my time. I am a cat like any other of Providence.\"\n\nProditio: \"I see. Right, we are all the same blood.\" His face was definitely showing happiness.\n\n---\n\nChapter 682\n\nSalvos looking at the fox woman: \"Should we get our grievances out of the way too?\"\n\nEsca: \"I am aware of our nations current political and cultural climate. I am positive at how the nations on the Black Continent resolved our people's issues, steamy hot make out sessions.\"\n\nIter: \"I thought you and Venatio were screwing with us by saying that sex ended a thousands-year war.\"\n\nSalvos: \"Who would joke about something like this?\"\n\nIratus gave a chuckle while the Salvos and Esca continued their conversation. Iratus would then talk to Proditio about his time, and when he finished, the lionfolk responded with something new.\n\nProditio: \"You guys seem to be quite normal compared to some of the other people we have met here. The two of us here represent a tribe of people a few days from here called the Purple City, and we would like to extend an offer of invention to you three.\"\n\nIratus: \"Oh, well, I thank you for the offer, but I am the leader of the tribe of people called the Tower Folk, and we like our little hovel here.\"\n\nProditio: \"Another civilization? That's great news because I feared we would never find another one.\"\n\nThe fox woman turned her attention towards the conversation.\n\nEsca: \"Really? How many of you are there?\"\n\nIratus: \"Uh, a lot.\"\n\nIter: \"These guys also have several neighbors as well, such as my family.\"\n\nProditio: \"I had no idea. You people have a regular life down here.\"\n\nIratus: \"Honestly, I think we have more wealth than most people born, and that would be before we got electricity hooked up.\"\n\nProditio: \"What is elec-city?\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 683\n\nAfter some time, the conversation began to wrap up.\n\nIratus: \"I look forward to working with Purple City; maybe you guys have some nice items for trade?\"\n\nProditio: \"Maybe. It is a long journey just to get here.\"\n\nEsca: \"We are still exploring what is out here, but give us some time to make it home and get stuff together, and we can get a caravan down here.\"\n\nProditio: \"What kind of trade goods do you guys need?\"\n\nIratus: \"What do you have?\"\n\nProditio: \"Food?\"\n\nIratus: \"Unless its something interesting, we got enough.\"\n\nProditio: \"Tools or weapons?\"\n\nIratus's group went over various weapons they needed ammo for and found that they could order some well-made crossbow bolts, modern-like, and a few bullets for the semi-auto rifle Iratus used way back when. Also, since Iratus's group had major access to weapons and other materials, he managed to get the two foreigners to agree to trade for their extra stuff.\n\nProditio: \"We also have some extra firearms too.\"\n\nIter: \"Early firearms are hardly worth the coin.\"\n\nThe conversation moved on to medical supplies, clothing, luxuries like batteries and the like, and other items. Iter was also speaking for his group, the farmers, and while Iratus wasn't liking telling strangers about a farm full of cattle and animals, you could see the cows from their current location.\n\nOnce everyone agreed on the items, the two groups went their separate ways. News of a caravan full of goods coming by became the talk of the area, with everyone discussing the new items they'll soon have.\n\nVictoria: \"More advanced technology? I can't wait to see them.\"\n\nVenatio: \"Pfft, advanced. Pre-space age tech might as well all be the same.\"\n\nVenatio was very careful moving around; her wounds were still crippling her strength.\n\nAestus: \"You should have talked more about spices and food stuff. I need more cooking material!\" She finished with a joyful and childish grin.\n\nIgnis: \"Regrettably, nothing truly piques my interest.\"\n\nResonantia: \"I just wish we could get other weapons in our hands, but I guess we will have to stick to the classics.\"\n\nStudium: \"And I will finally have new clothes.\"\n\nFuligo and Bellum both gave a sigh.\n\nMalignitas: \"There are dozens of areas that hold clothes to pillage; something is wrong with them.\"\n\nSalvos: \"When did you get here?\"\n\nLeitmotif: \"He has been stealing our food here.\"\n\nMalignitas: \"I work, so I deserve a good meal.\"\n\nIratus: \"Has anyone seen Echo? We need to tell him about this.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 684\n\nFive days later, day 87, Iratus and Salvos were out hunting and came by the old Crater Haven city.\n\nSalvos: \"Oh wow. When did we travel this far out?\"\n\nIratus: \"I guess we were not paying attention. However, we could take a peek to see what's left of the place.\"\n\nSalvos: \"Well, I guess there was any real damage done to it. Uh, then again, the treeskins tore a chunk out of it, but otherwise it's a city where the people living in it cleared out any actual valuables.\"\n\nIratus: \"You never know. Besides, I bet that red mist stuff got rid of those pesky tree things too. Free stuff, let's go.\"\n\nSalvos shrugged.\n\nSalvos: \"Alright, a quick look around, and then we need to get back home. We must have walked for hours already just to get here.\"\n\nThe wolfman gave it a thought.\n\nSalvos: \"We can also see if Echo is around here too.\"\n\nIratus held Resonantia's bow while Salvos was using Venatio's rife, and both were kitted in their combat attire. Despite the sun high in the sky, there was a crisp chill on the wind, making the day both hot and cold at the same time, depending on whether the wind was blowing or not.\n\nIratus and Salvos explored a few buildings, finding many items rotting away and other items that they didn't need.\n\nThey began to move further in the city when they stopped and hid behind a wall. Crater Haven was even more infected with treeskins, the monstrous beings made of wood with drone-like minds, and they actively skulked around the city.\n\nIratus: \"On second thought, this looks like it will require an army to clear out.\"\n\nSalvos: \"Another problem to take care of. When do things ever become normal?\"\n\nWith that, the two retreated from the city.\n\n---\n\nChapter 685\n\nTen days later, Iratus found himself resting from his duties until Ignis appeared at his side, a playful glint in her golden eyes.\n\nIgnis: \"Come hither, my love; I need your help in the garden.\"\n\nWithout waiting for a response, she tugged him up by the arm and led him outside. The garden was a patch of vibrant green amidst the rough garden space, with rows of carefully tended plants that defied the odds of their strange environment.\n\nIgnis: \"I just need some assistance in acquiring the potatoes.\"\n\nIratus found himself holding a basket as Ignis kneeled in the dirt, her reddish-brown fur catching the sunlight. She worked with practiced ease, pulling up the plants and inspecting them for usable potatoes.\n\nIgnis: \"Lucky for us, the insane climate center we find ourselves in doesn't seem to affect our plants.\"\n\nIratus: \"The plants? Venatio complains that we should be having worse weather here, and yet we don't. That is where we should focus our concern, if any.\"\n\nIgnis: \"Because the lots of rain and storms here are not enough? Anyway, we and people like Venatio still have no mental design for how these artificial planets work. Perhaps there is more to how the weather works here than the old lady knows.\"\n\nIratus chuckled softly, the sound carrying a mix of amusement and affection.\n\nIratus: \"How rude.\" He smiled, watching her. \"Besides, she is still young.\"\n\nIgnis: \"If you say so.\" She smiled back, her tone light. \"What I've been saying is that it does not matter. What has been occurring is a positive outcome for us. Besides, this climate offers us something like three hundred days of cultivation, which is very significant for us even if we can't eat much of non-meat items.\"\n\nAs they finished collecting the potatoes and started walking back towards the tower, the conversation continued. The tower loomed ahead, offering them both shelter and a sense of stability in their lives.\n\nIratus: \"Where are the other girls?\"\n\nIgnis: \"I think you underestimate the amount of care babies require. Even newborns die from the lack of physical contact. We've been working non-stop, childrearing.\"\n\nIgnis glanced at Iratus, her expression softening.\n\nIgnis: \"But we wouldn't have it any other way. Each of those little ones is a part of our house, and they're worth every sleepless night.\"\n\nIratus nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression.\n\nIratus: \"Ah, right. I just wish I could do more to help.\"\n\nIgnis stopped, turning to face him fully. She reached out, her hand resting on his shoulder. \n\nIratus: \"You do more than you realize, Iratus. Just being here, leading us, keeping us together—it means everything.\"\n\nHe looked at her, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding. \n\nIratus: \"Thank you, Ignis.\"\n\nShe gave him a warm smile, her hand giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.\n\n---\n\nChapter 686\n\nThree days later, Iratus and Victoria stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the remains of the campsite location in ruins. The once rustic area was now a graveyard of charred structures, the buildings reduced to skeletal frames of blackened wood, and the vehicles had seemingly disappeared.\n\nIratus and Victoria exchanged a glance, then stepped out into the open, their feet crunching on the brittle ground as they began to investigate.\n\nIratus: \"Was this place always this bad after the fight?\"\n\nVictoria shook her head, her eyes scanning the devastation.\n\nVictoria: \"I don't think so. And the vehicles are gone too. Did Venatio strip them down?\"\n\nIratus: \"Hard to tell. You think she would have said something if she did.\"\n\nThey moved further into the camp, each step revealing more of the destruction. Iratus crouched by a spot where the cars had once been, frowning as he examined the ground.\n\nVictoria: \"I don't see any sort of leftover damage. They’re just...gone.\"\n\nIratus: \"Hey, we've got some tire tracks here.\"\n\nVictoria joined him, her brow furrowing as she studied the marks.\n\nVictoria: \"But those are over here instead of where the cars were.\"\n\nIratus shrugged, his gaze drifting over the dirt, now ripped apart by what he assumed was a tire. He followed the tracks, noticing a section of the camp that had somehow escaped the fire. He turned to Victoria, and they shared a look, a silent agreement passing between them. Without words, they began to follow the trail.\n\nThe forest was truly a forest, with it being dense and wild. Iratus scratched his head, bewildered at the thought of someone dragging vehicles through such a place. Yet the signs were unmistakable—broken branches, gouged earth, and a path of destruction leading them forward. Eventually, they emerged onto a dirt road on the far side of the forest.\n\nIratus: \"Was this road always here?\"\n\nVictoria paused, looking down the unfamiliar path.\n\nVictoria: \"I don't think we've ever hunted this far.\"\n\nIratus: \"Two years, and we never went past the campsite?\"\n\nVictoria: \"Not in this direction.\" She sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. \"I guess there was someone else around here too.\"\n\nIratus nodded, his mind turning over the possibilities.\n\nIratus: \"There are many people who dwell on this planet. Of course, people could be walking by our little home from time to time.\"\n\nVictoria wrapped her arm around his, pulling him closer as they stood together on the road.\n\nVictoria: \"Hopefully, we might see some other settlements pop up.\" Her voice softened, carrying a note of hope. \"Then, we’ll finally have more people to interact with.\"\n\nIratus glanced at her, sensing the unspoken longing in her words.\n\nIratus: \"As long as they’re like the Purple City and not Crater Haven.\"\n\nVictoria laughed softly, leaning her head against his shoulder.\n\nVictoria: \"Agreed. We could use some decent neighbors.\"\n\nIratus smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as they looked down the road together.\n\nIratus: \"Maybe civilization is possible here.\"\n\nVictoria: \"You'd think that strangers running by our home would strike us with fear, and yet here we are, talking about how grateful we are that there are more people out here.\"\n\nIratus: \"Yeah, and after our last foray with strangers.\"\n\nVictoria let out a content sigh as the two stood there in silence.\n\n---\n\nChapter 687\n\nEventually, day 102 arrived, and Iratus and Resonantia found themselves in the tower with the older children. Resonantia, the shark girl with a serious yet nurturing demeanor, sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by the one-year-olds. She held a picture book in her hands, showing the group each image as she patiently tried to teach them the words.\n\nIratus was leaning against the wall and was watching with mild curiosity.\n\nIratus: \"Where did you get these things from?\"\n\nResonantia looked up at him with a slight smirk: \"We have about a dozen looting locations, and you ask where these came from?\"\n\nIratus: \"I just didn’t see many books when I went through a lot of those places. Weather and time, you know?\"\n\nResonantia: \"Worry not, I have enough perception for the both of us.\"\n\nThey both chuckled, the sound warm and familiar, before Resonantia returned her attention to the children, who were all staring at the pictures with varying levels of comprehension.\n\nIratus: \"It’s nice that you’re reading them these things instead of ordering them to march.\"\n\nResonantia tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes.\n\nResonantia: \"Uh, no, because my commands made them crawl really fast. This is just the education process; we need both mind and body drilled into them.\"\n\nIratus raised an eyebrow, amused by her response.\n\nIratus: \"They’re only one.\"\n\nResonantia: \"You have to drill them in knowledge and physical know-how early, or they’ll never understand.\"\n\nIratus: \"Oh no, showing them pictures and speaking, I think, is great. But telling them to give you twenty pushups seems kind of...useless.\"\n\nResonantia narrowed her eyes playfully, her lips curving into a smile.\n\nResonantia: \"Shows what you know.\" She finished with a wink, her tone light but with an undercurrent of affection.\n\nIratus: \"You are rather silly today, love.\"\n\nThe shark girl just gave the mouse boy a wide grin at the comment.\n\nResonantia continued with her lesson; the room was filled with the soft murmur of her voice and the occasional giggle from the children. Suddenly, Negligere Lionheart, the steel-gray-skinned shark baby who was usually calm and focused, started to cry out of nowhere. His wail pierced the air, and within seconds, it set off a chain reaction among the other babies. The once serene tower was now filled with the sound of their cries, echoing off the stone walls.\n\nIratus winced slightly, the noise overwhelming.\n\nIratus: \"Well, that escalated quickly.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 688\n\nLater that night, Iratus found himself standing in front of his small collection of board games, most looted from nearby abandoned locations. He stared at the assortment, his hand hovering indecisively over the boxes, caught in the grip of decision paralysis. As he reached for one, he heard soft footsteps behind him. Aestus, his otter wife, emerged from the bedroom, holding up several dresses with a look of mild frustration.\n\nAestus: \"I just got these, and I already can't fit in them.\"\n\nIratus turned to face her, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Aestus and her hair cut short again. He was momentarily stunned, his thoughts scattering before he found his voice.\n\nIratus: \"Are you girls searching through abandoned towns without me?\" He managed to ask, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity. \"Uh, because it’s dangerous without some backup.\"\n\nAestus gave him a playful look, her lips curling into a small smile.\n\nAestus: \"I don't think any of us like the thought of needing to be accompanied everywhere outside.\"\n\nIratus coughed, searching for the right words to express his feelings without sounding rude.\n\nIratus: \"No, no. You girls have become well-trained in the art of killing quite well; it’s just that most of you are being slowed down by the pregnancies, and I think those of you bearing children should treat the outside with some degree of caution.\"\n\nAestus: \"No worries. Some of the others are always ready to escort us to other places. We’re careful, Iratus.\"\n\nIratus: \"You know, I feel like I should be fine with that, but I can’t help but feel that I should be there with you girls out there.\"\n\nAestus set the dresses down on a nearby chair and walked over to him, placing a hand on his arm. \n\nAestus: \"Aw, I love you, Iratus.\" She paused, her grin widening playfully as she teased, \"Oh right, you were shocked about my hair, weren’t you?\"\n\nIratus took a moment to really look at her, the short hair giving her a tomboyish charm that contrasted with the undeniable femininity of her figure, especially now that her pregnancy was beginning to show more prominently. She still had that mischievous spark in her eyes, the one that had always drawn him to her.\n\nIratus: \"I am a male of simple tastes. I love your hair no matter how long.\"\n\nAestus laughed softly, her hand lingering on his arm. \"Good answer.\"\n\nThey stood there for a second before Aestus's attention was drawn to the games.\n\nAestus: \"So, what game were you thinking of playing?\"\n\nIratus: \"Uh...I...don't know.\"\n\n---\n\nChapter 689\n\nFour days later, the tower folk were greeting Procella, the weasel woman from the farmhouse location.\n\nIratus: \"Procella? You just missed lunch.\"\n\nProcella: \"Well darn.\" She gave an overexaggerated shrug. \"But that isn't why I am here today.\"\n\nSome of the other girls started to come to the front door.\n\nVictoria: \"No hunting today.\"\n\nIgnis: \"And you are far too late to check on the rice fields.\"\n\nProcella: \"I know that. I am here because we met a trader today.\"\n\nAestus: \"Is it the Purple City caravan?\" She finished with a wide smile.\n\nResonantia: \"Or is this someone new?\" She said it in a serious tone.\n\nThe weasel woman was truly shocked.\n\nProcella: \"Oh wow, Resonantia, how did you know?\"\n\nThe shock girl placed her hands on her hip and stood in a confident pose.\n\nResonantia: \"It is best to imagine all possibilities.\"\n\nIratus: \"Wait, so we are getting strangers? Where the silver hell is the caravan?\"\n\nThe weasel woman gave another shrug.\n\nProcella: \"Don't look at me. I just came by to give you all the heads up.\" She gave the group a thumbs up before heading out, passing a very large cart being pulled by some sort of ox or bison animal.\n\nIratus could see three people with the cart, two humans, and a nixman, with this nixman looking very similar to Stina to the degree that Iratus was about to start asking questions until a firm sniff in the air was enough to know this woman's smell was nothing like the dubious Stina. She had the almost cat-like face, button nose, long ears, and slightly purple skin, but her hair was pitch black.\n\n---\n\nChapter 690\n\nThe cart stopped at the edge of the open area, the gateless gate area, and everyone started to gather around it.\n\nAstrid: \"Greetings, I am the divine beauty Astrid, and these are my traveling companions, Greg and Musheer.\"\n\nGreg was a male human dressed like a stereotypical cowboy from old times, while Musheer was a very distinct-looking human male wearing black jeans, a leather jacket, and a red shirt. Astrid, the female nix woman, wore items that were just like clothes and things from the Japanese city nearby. She even wore something like the samurai armor as well as a jacket to go with it.\n\nThe Greg man was tall and almost lithe in build with brown hair and brown eyes, with Musheer having black hair, a rough, unkempt beard, and an ethnicity that Iratus didn't know, but it was Arabic. Finally, all three man things had sabers of various origins hanging from their belt, sheathed.\n\nGreg: \"Howdy everyone, come look at our wares.\"\n\nFrom the Storm Winds to the Lionhearts, everyone slowly came around.\n\nFuligo: \"Oh wow, are you guys from the Purple City?\"\n\nAstrid: \"Sorry, but I don't know about any purple city.\"\n\nThe otter girl had an expression of confusion on her face.\n\nIratus: \"These are just more strangers.\"\n\nThe conversation was in and out as people talked to the three new strangers, with the tower folk asking questions like, Where are you from? to the prices of various goods.\n\nVictoria came around to the back end, where various leatherworks were, and as she examined them, Greg tipped his hat.\n\nGreg: \"Good afternoon, miss. Are you looking for anything specific?\"\n\nVictoria: \"Uh, some labor clothes would be nice. I only have nice clothes, and I often go out to hunt and stuff.\"\n\nGreg: \"Unfortunately we don't have any sturdy women's wear, but if you are interested, we actually have some dresses for a beautiful-tailed woman like yourself.\"\n\nIratus and anyone actually listening could hear the friction dragging across their ears.\n\nIratus thoughts: \"This man has never spoken to a folk before. Would it be rude to tell him that we can all hear how he is forcing himself to speak nicely? Ah, the pain of a merchant, having to be nice to people you don't like for the sake of money.\"\n\nVictoria: \"Woman? Excuse me?\"\n\nGreg: \"Did I say something wrong?\"\n\nMusheer with a firm and commanding voice: \"She is still a child, Greg.\"\n\nGreg: \"Uh, what? How can you even tell she is taller than my own father?\"\n\n---\n\nEPISDOE 69: END\n\n---\n\nEpisode 69 End Character Sheet\nName: Iratus Lionheart\nSpecies: Mousefolk\nAge: 16\nCoverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight, bronze breastplate\nWeapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger\nEquipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins\n\nWounds: none\n\nRelevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, ancient era hyenafolk clothes, gas generator, four flood lights\n\nArmory: 37 short swords, 33 knifes, 19 daggers, 23 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4\nAestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.\nVictoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight\nResonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight\nIgnis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife\n\nTreasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern\n\nHome Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Children's Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding), four portable solar panels\n\nOutside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), Gravestone, Rabbit Hutches.\n\nBooks: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries, 12 children's books\n\nYear 2, Day 106\n\n---\n\nTOWER FOLK:\nIratus of House Lionheart\nmouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day: 350\n-\nVictoria Mother of House Lionheart\nraccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5\n-\nAestus of clan Riversinger\notter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'1, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 111 days)\n-\nIgnis Yang\nred panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 11 days)\n-\nResonantia Diamond Heart Steel\nshark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 138 days)\n---\n\n\nCHILDREN:\nNegligere Lionheart\nshark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2\n-\nRuina Lionheart\notter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330\n-\nGula Lionheart\nred panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340\n-\nTenacitas Lionheart\nraccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345\n\nFrustra Lionheart\nraccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338\n---\n\n\nNEIGHBORS:\nVenatio of Wise Storms, Mother of House Black Jewel\nfox, female, red fur, red hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 72, b day: 299\n---\n\n\nWINTER WINDS CLAN:\nStudium of Winter Winds\nfox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'8, age 13, b day: 190\n\nFuligo Leaf Shadow\notter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 40 days)\n\nBellum of House War Knuckles\ncheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'11, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 76 days)\n---\n\n\nDARK SKY FAMILY:\nSalvos Dark Sky\nwolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66\n\nLeitmotif Schlange\nsnake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 151 days)\n\n---\n\n(farm)\nUMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:\nProcella Ocean Drinker\nweasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 55 days)\n\nIter of Sanguinem Umbra\ngoat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334\n---\n\n(farm)\nTHE COBALTS:\nCommercium Jade Blue Cobalt\nrabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221\n\n-\nAbrasione\nhyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 194 days)\n\n-\nKuxatura\nhyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284\n\n---\n\nLAST MISTAKE\nDeficio\nlion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 46, b day: 111\n\nConfodere Oculi Acuti\nhyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239\n\nMalignitas of House Brokensand\nfeline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day: 343",
"writing_bbcode_parsed": "Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 69
Chapter 681
The lion man was first to speak.
Proditio: "My name is Proditio Blackmane, and this is Esca Windtail."
The russet-red furred fox gave a wave and gave a seductive and playful grin.
Iratus still felt a bit of shock as he looked over two clearly primitive people who were using things like firearms. Iratus, Salvos, and Iter introduced themselves, and then Iratus asked his own question.
Iratus: "Interesting attire you two wear. Did you come to Nexus Prime with them or are they loot?"
Esca: "Nexus Prime?"
Proditio: "Is that the name of this world we find ourselves in?"
Salvos: "It will be a long story on this place."
The lion man cleared his throat and then spoke.
Proditio: "Yeah, we come from very old times."
Salvos: "I'll say." He then turned to Iratus. "His lion form is much different from Deficio, who looks more like Malignitas and the other felines."
Iratus: "Very old times."
Iratus eyes Proditio somewhat suspiciously before continuing.
Iratus: "How much information do you know about our planet?"
Proditio: "Don't worry, I have learned about the rise of the mousian Lionheart and the eventual republicanism of our nation."
Iratus's face became a bit more positive.
Iratus: "Ah. I hope you have been taking it well."
Proditio: "I've had a lot of time to think things over. The biggest pain was getting over the mountain range length of changes that our people's society and culture changed. To be honest, I never fought to protect my people, just to see our nation become something so different. Some of the positives are that we found salvation by melting some symbolic chains as well as our material society becoming fashionable."
Iratus: "Well, at least you are up to speed." He finished with a chuckle.
Proditio: "Oh, perhaps I should apologize for the brutality I inflicted on your people, the mousefolk. Sorry."
Iratus: "Ah, no, it is fine. I may call myself a mousefolk, but the mouse people went extinct long before my time. I am a cat like any other of Providence."
Proditio: "I see. Right, we are all the same blood." His face was definitely showing happiness.
---
Chapter 682
Salvos looking at the fox woman: "Should we get our grievances out of the way too?"
Esca: "I am aware of our nations current political and cultural climate. I am positive at how the nations on the Black Continent resolved our people's issues, steamy hot make out sessions."
Iter: "I thought you and Venatio were screwing with us by saying that sex ended a thousands-year war."
Salvos: "Who would joke about something like this?"
Iratus gave a chuckle while the Salvos and Esca continued their conversation. Iratus would then talk to Proditio about his time, and when he finished, the lionfolk responded with something new.
Proditio: "You guys seem to be quite normal compared to some of the other people we have met here. The two of us here represent a tribe of people a few days from here called the Purple City, and we would like to extend an offer of invention to you three."
Iratus: "Oh, well, I thank you for the offer, but I am the leader of the tribe of people called the Tower Folk, and we like our little hovel here."
Proditio: "Another civilization? That's great news because I feared we would never find another one."
The fox woman turned her attention towards the conversation.
Esca: "Really? How many of you are there?"
Iratus: "Uh, a lot."
Iter: "These guys also have several neighbors as well, such as my family."
Proditio: "I had no idea. You people have a regular life down here."
Iratus: "Honestly, I think we have more wealth than most people born, and that would be before we got electricity hooked up."
Proditio: "What is elec-city?"
---
Chapter 683
After some time, the conversation began to wrap up.
Iratus: "I look forward to working with Purple City; maybe you guys have some nice items for trade?"
Proditio: "Maybe. It is a long journey just to get here."
Esca: "We are still exploring what is out here, but give us some time to make it home and get stuff together, and we can get a caravan down here."
Proditio: "What kind of trade goods do you guys need?"
Iratus: "What do you have?"
Proditio: "Food?"
Iratus: "Unless its something interesting, we got enough."
Proditio: "Tools or weapons?"
Iratus's group went over various weapons they needed ammo for and found that they could order some well-made crossbow bolts, modern-like, and a few bullets for the semi-auto rifle Iratus used way back when. Also, since Iratus's group had major access to weapons and other materials, he managed to get the two foreigners to agree to trade for their extra stuff.
Proditio: "We also have some extra firearms too."
Iter: "Early firearms are hardly worth the coin."
The conversation moved on to medical supplies, clothing, luxuries like batteries and the like, and other items. Iter was also speaking for his group, the farmers, and while Iratus wasn't liking telling strangers about a farm full of cattle and animals, you could see the cows from their current location.
Once everyone agreed on the items, the two groups went their separate ways. News of a caravan full of goods coming by became the talk of the area, with everyone discussing the new items they'll soon have.
Victoria: "More advanced technology? I can't wait to see them."
Venatio: "Pfft, advanced. Pre-space age tech might as well all be the same."
Venatio was very careful moving around; her wounds were still crippling her strength.
Aestus: "You should have talked more about spices and food stuff. I need more cooking material!" She finished with a joyful and childish grin.
Ignis: "Regrettably, nothing truly piques my interest."
Resonantia: "I just wish we could get other weapons in our hands, but I guess we will have to stick to the classics."
Studium: "And I will finally have new clothes."
Fuligo and Bellum both gave a sigh.
Malignitas: "There are dozens of areas that hold clothes to pillage; something is wrong with them."
Salvos: "When did you get here?"
Leitmotif: "He has been stealing our food here."
Malignitas: "I work, so I deserve a good meal."
Iratus: "Has anyone seen Echo? We need to tell him about this."
---
Chapter 684
Five days later, day 87, Iratus and Salvos were out hunting and came by the old Crater Haven city.
Salvos: "Oh wow. When did we travel this far out?"
Iratus: "I guess we were not paying attention. However, we could take a peek to see what's left of the place."
Salvos: "Well, I guess there was any real damage done to it. Uh, then again, the treeskins tore a chunk out of it, but otherwise it's a city where the people living in it cleared out any actual valuables."
Iratus: "You never know. Besides, I bet that red mist stuff got rid of those pesky tree things too. Free stuff, let's go."
Salvos shrugged.
Salvos: "Alright, a quick look around, and then we need to get back home. We must have walked for hours already just to get here."
The wolfman gave it a thought.
Salvos: "We can also see if Echo is around here too."
Iratus held Resonantia's bow while Salvos was using Venatio's rife, and both were kitted in their combat attire. Despite the sun high in the sky, there was a crisp chill on the wind, making the day both hot and cold at the same time, depending on whether the wind was blowing or not.
Iratus and Salvos explored a few buildings, finding many items rotting away and other items that they didn't need.
They began to move further in the city when they stopped and hid behind a wall. Crater Haven was even more infected with treeskins, the monstrous beings made of wood with drone-like minds, and they actively skulked around the city.
Iratus: "On second thought, this looks like it will require an army to clear out."
Salvos: "Another problem to take care of. When do things ever become normal?"
With that, the two retreated from the city.
---
Chapter 685
Ten days later, Iratus found himself resting from his duties until Ignis appeared at his side, a playful glint in her golden eyes.
Ignis: "Come hither, my love; I need your help in the garden."
Without waiting for a response, she tugged him up by the arm and led him outside. The garden was a patch of vibrant green amidst the rough garden space, with rows of carefully tended plants that defied the odds of their strange environment.
Ignis: "I just need some assistance in acquiring the potatoes."
Iratus found himself holding a basket as Ignis kneeled in the dirt, her reddish-brown fur catching the sunlight. She worked with practiced ease, pulling up the plants and inspecting them for usable potatoes.
Ignis: "Lucky for us, the insane climate center we find ourselves in doesn't seem to affect our plants."
Iratus: "The plants? Venatio complains that we should be having worse weather here, and yet we don't. That is where we should focus our concern, if any."
Ignis: "Because the lots of rain and storms here are not enough? Anyway, we and people like Venatio still have no mental design for how these artificial planets work. Perhaps there is more to how the weather works here than the old lady knows."
Iratus chuckled softly, the sound carrying a mix of amusement and affection.
Iratus: "How rude." He smiled, watching her. "Besides, she is still young."
Ignis: "If you say so." She smiled back, her tone light. "What I've been saying is that it does not matter. What has been occurring is a positive outcome for us. Besides, this climate offers us something like three hundred days of cultivation, which is very significant for us even if we can't eat much of non-meat items."
As they finished collecting the potatoes and started walking back towards the tower, the conversation continued. The tower loomed ahead, offering them both shelter and a sense of stability in their lives.
Iratus: "Where are the other girls?"
Ignis: "I think you underestimate the amount of care babies require. Even newborns die from the lack of physical contact. We've been working non-stop, childrearing."
Ignis glanced at Iratus, her expression softening.
Ignis: "But we wouldn't have it any other way. Each of those little ones is a part of our house, and they're worth every sleepless night."
Iratus nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression.
Iratus: "Ah, right. I just wish I could do more to help."
Ignis stopped, turning to face him fully. She reached out, her hand resting on his shoulder.
Iratus: "You do more than you realize, Iratus. Just being here, leading us, keeping us together—it means everything."
He looked at her, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding.
Iratus: "Thank you, Ignis."
She gave him a warm smile, her hand giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
---
Chapter 686
Three days later, Iratus and Victoria stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the remains of the campsite location in ruins. The once rustic area was now a graveyard of charred structures, the buildings reduced to skeletal frames of blackened wood, and the vehicles had seemingly disappeared.
Iratus and Victoria exchanged a glance, then stepped out into the open, their feet crunching on the brittle ground as they began to investigate.
Iratus: "Was this place always this bad after the fight?"
Victoria shook her head, her eyes scanning the devastation.
Victoria: "I don't think so. And the vehicles are gone too. Did Venatio strip them down?"
Iratus: "Hard to tell. You think she would have said something if she did."
They moved further into the camp, each step revealing more of the destruction. Iratus crouched by a spot where the cars had once been, frowning as he examined the ground.
Victoria: "I don't see any sort of leftover damage. They’re just...gone."
Iratus: "Hey, we've got some tire tracks here."
Victoria joined him, her brow furrowing as she studied the marks.
Victoria: "But those are over here instead of where the cars were."
Iratus shrugged, his gaze drifting over the dirt, now ripped apart by what he assumed was a tire. He followed the tracks, noticing a section of the camp that had somehow escaped the fire. He turned to Victoria, and they shared a look, a silent agreement passing between them. Without words, they began to follow the trail.
The forest was truly a forest, with it being dense and wild. Iratus scratched his head, bewildered at the thought of someone dragging vehicles through such a place. Yet the signs were unmistakable—broken branches, gouged earth, and a path of destruction leading them forward. Eventually, they emerged onto a dirt road on the far side of the forest.
Iratus: "Was this road always here?"
Victoria paused, looking down the unfamiliar path.
Victoria: "I don't think we've ever hunted this far."
Iratus: "Two years, and we never went past the campsite?"
Victoria: "Not in this direction." She sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I guess there was someone else around here too."
Iratus nodded, his mind turning over the possibilities.
Iratus: "There are many people who dwell on this planet. Of course, people could be walking by our little home from time to time."
Victoria wrapped her arm around his, pulling him closer as they stood together on the road.
Victoria: "Hopefully, we might see some other settlements pop up." Her voice softened, carrying a note of hope. "Then, we’ll finally have more people to interact with."
Iratus glanced at her, sensing the unspoken longing in her words.
Iratus: "As long as they’re like the Purple City and not Crater Haven."
Victoria laughed softly, leaning her head against his shoulder.
Victoria: "Agreed. We could use some decent neighbors."
Iratus smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as they looked down the road together.
Iratus: "Maybe civilization is possible here."
Victoria: "You'd think that strangers running by our home would strike us with fear, and yet here we are, talking about how grateful we are that there are more people out here."
Iratus: "Yeah, and after our last foray with strangers."
Victoria let out a content sigh as the two stood there in silence.
---
Chapter 687
Eventually, day 102 arrived, and Iratus and Resonantia found themselves in the tower with the older children. Resonantia, the shark girl with a serious yet nurturing demeanor, sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by the one-year-olds. She held a picture book in her hands, showing the group each image as she patiently tried to teach them the words.
Iratus was leaning against the wall and was watching with mild curiosity.
Iratus: "Where did you get these things from?"
Resonantia looked up at him with a slight smirk: "We have about a dozen looting locations, and you ask where these came from?"
Iratus: "I just didn’t see many books when I went through a lot of those places. Weather and time, you know?"
Resonantia: "Worry not, I have enough perception for the both of us."
They both chuckled, the sound warm and familiar, before Resonantia returned her attention to the children, who were all staring at the pictures with varying levels of comprehension.
Iratus: "It’s nice that you’re reading them these things instead of ordering them to march."
Resonantia tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Resonantia: "Uh, no, because my commands made them crawl really fast. This is just the education process; we need both mind and body drilled into them."
Iratus raised an eyebrow, amused by her response.
Iratus: "They’re only one."
Resonantia: "You have to drill them in knowledge and physical know-how early, or they’ll never understand."
Iratus: "Oh no, showing them pictures and speaking, I think, is great. But telling them to give you twenty pushups seems kind of...useless."
Resonantia narrowed her eyes playfully, her lips curving into a smile.
Resonantia: "Shows what you know." She finished with a wink, her tone light but with an undercurrent of affection.
Iratus: "You are rather silly today, love."
The shark girl just gave the mouse boy a wide grin at the comment.
Resonantia continued with her lesson; the room was filled with the soft murmur of her voice and the occasional giggle from the children. Suddenly, Negligere Lionheart, the steel-gray-skinned shark baby who was usually calm and focused, started to cry out of nowhere. His wail pierced the air, and within seconds, it set off a chain reaction among the other babies. The once serene tower was now filled with the sound of their cries, echoing off the stone walls.
Iratus winced slightly, the noise overwhelming.
Iratus: "Well, that escalated quickly."
---
Chapter 688
Later that night, Iratus found himself standing in front of his small collection of board games, most looted from nearby abandoned locations. He stared at the assortment, his hand hovering indecisively over the boxes, caught in the grip of decision paralysis. As he reached for one, he heard soft footsteps behind him. Aestus, his otter wife, emerged from the bedroom, holding up several dresses with a look of mild frustration.
Aestus: "I just got these, and I already can't fit in them."
Iratus turned to face her, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Aestus and her hair cut short again. He was momentarily stunned, his thoughts scattering before he found his voice.
Iratus: "Are you girls searching through abandoned towns without me?" He managed to ask, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity. "Uh, because it’s dangerous without some backup."
Aestus gave him a playful look, her lips curling into a small smile.
Aestus: "I don't think any of us like the thought of needing to be accompanied everywhere outside."
Iratus coughed, searching for the right words to express his feelings without sounding rude.
Iratus: "No, no. You girls have become well-trained in the art of killing quite well; it’s just that most of you are being slowed down by the pregnancies, and I think those of you bearing children should treat the outside with some degree of caution."
Aestus: "No worries. Some of the others are always ready to escort us to other places. We’re careful, Iratus."
Iratus: "You know, I feel like I should be fine with that, but I can’t help but feel that I should be there with you girls out there."
Aestus set the dresses down on a nearby chair and walked over to him, placing a hand on his arm.
Aestus: "Aw, I love you, Iratus." She paused, her grin widening playfully as she teased, "Oh right, you were shocked about my hair, weren’t you?"
Iratus took a moment to really look at her, the short hair giving her a tomboyish charm that contrasted with the undeniable femininity of her figure, especially now that her pregnancy was beginning to show more prominently. She still had that mischievous spark in her eyes, the one that had always drawn him to her.
Iratus: "I am a male of simple tastes. I love your hair no matter how long."
Aestus laughed softly, her hand lingering on his arm. "Good answer."
They stood there for a second before Aestus's attention was drawn to the games.
Aestus: "So, what game were you thinking of playing?"
Iratus: "Uh...I...don't know."
---
Chapter 689
Four days later, the tower folk were greeting Procella, the weasel woman from the farmhouse location.
Iratus: "Procella? You just missed lunch."
Procella: "Well darn." She gave an overexaggerated shrug. "But that isn't why I am here today."
Some of the other girls started to come to the front door.
Victoria: "No hunting today."
Ignis: "And you are far too late to check on the rice fields."
Procella: "I know that. I am here because we met a trader today."
Aestus: "Is it the Purple City caravan?" She finished with a wide smile.
Resonantia: "Or is this someone new?" She said it in a serious tone.
The weasel woman was truly shocked.
Procella: "Oh wow, Resonantia, how did you know?"
The shock girl placed her hands on her hip and stood in a confident pose.
Resonantia: "It is best to imagine all possibilities."
Iratus: "Wait, so we are getting strangers? Where the silver hell is the caravan?"
The weasel woman gave another shrug.
Procella: "Don't look at me. I just came by to give you all the heads up." She gave the group a thumbs up before heading out, passing a very large cart being pulled by some sort of ox or bison animal.
Iratus could see three people with the cart, two humans, and a nixman, with this nixman looking very similar to Stina to the degree that Iratus was about to start asking questions until a firm sniff in the air was enough to know this woman's smell was nothing like the dubious Stina. She had the almost cat-like face, button nose, long ears, and slightly purple skin, but her hair was pitch black.
---
Chapter 690
The cart stopped at the edge of the open area, the gateless gate area, and everyone started to gather around it.
Astrid: "Greetings, I am the divine beauty Astrid, and these are my traveling companions, Greg and Musheer."
Greg was a male human dressed like a stereotypical cowboy from old times, while Musheer was a very distinct-looking human male wearing black jeans, a leather jacket, and a red shirt. Astrid, the female nix woman, wore items that were just like clothes and things from the Japanese city nearby. She even wore something like the samurai armor as well as a jacket to go with it.
The Greg man was tall and almost lithe in build with brown hair and brown eyes, with Musheer having black hair, a rough, unkempt beard, and an ethnicity that Iratus didn't know, but it was Arabic. Finally, all three man things had sabers of various origins hanging from their belt, sheathed.
Greg: "Howdy everyone, come look at our wares."
From the Storm Winds to the Lionhearts, everyone slowly came around.
Fuligo: "Oh wow, are you guys from the Purple City?"
Astrid: "Sorry, but I don't know about any purple city."
The otter girl had an expression of confusion on her face.
Iratus: "These are just more strangers."
The conversation was in and out as people talked to the three new strangers, with the tower folk asking questions like, Where are you from? to the prices of various goods.
Victoria came around to the back end, where various leatherworks were, and as she examined them, Greg tipped his hat.
Greg: "Good afternoon, miss. Are you looking for anything specific?"
Victoria: "Uh, some labor clothes would be nice. I only have nice clothes, and I often go out to hunt and stuff."
Greg: "Unfortunately we don't have any sturdy women's wear, but if you are interested, we actually have some dresses for a beautiful-tailed woman like yourself."
Iratus and anyone actually listening could hear the friction dragging across their ears.
Iratus thoughts: "This man has never spoken to a folk before. Would it be rude to tell him that we can all hear how he is forcing himself to speak nicely? Ah, the pain of a merchant, having to be nice to people you don't like for the sake of money."
Victoria: "Woman? Excuse me?"
Greg: "Did I say something wrong?"
Musheer with a firm and commanding voice: "She is still a child, Greg."
Greg: "Uh, what? How can you even tell she is taller than my own father?"
---
EPISDOE 69: END
---
Episode 69 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 16
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight, bronze breastplate
Weapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins
Wounds: none
Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, ancient era hyenafolk clothes, gas generator, four flood lights
Armory: 37 short swords, 33 knifes, 19 daggers, 23 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 5 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4
Aestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.
Victoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight
Resonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife
Treasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron lantern
Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Children's Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding), four portable solar panels
Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), Gravestone, Rabbit Hutches.
Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries, 12 children's books
Year 2, Day 106
---
TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day: 350
-
Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5
-
Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'1, age: 16, b day: 99, (preg 111 days)
-
Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344, (preg 11 days)
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 138 days)
---
CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2
-
Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330
-
Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340
-
Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345
Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338
---
NEIGHBORS:
Venatio of Wise Storms, Mother of House Black Jewel
fox, female, red fur, red hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 72, b day: 299
---
WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'8, age 13, b day: 190
Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 40 days)
Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'11, age 15, b day: 91, (preg 76 days)
---
DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66
Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 151 days)
---
(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 55 days)
Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334
---
(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221
-
Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 194 days)
-
Kuxatura
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284
---
LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 46, b day: 111
Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239
Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day: 343",
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