Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Overview
The party establishes a crafting workshop, makes trades with a shopkeeper for books, investigates the Yellow Line train system, and encounters combat with Cave Mudge Bonkers and Shock Chompers aboard a train car.
Summary
The chapter begins with the protagonist, Donut, and Katia training in a facility while Mordecai examines the crafting system. The protagonist sets up three crafting tables (alchemy, sapper, and engineering) and uses the Goo-inator 3000 tool to reshape a heavy breastplate, earning the Martha Stewart achievement and receiving a Bronze Crafter's Box containing pliers, a tape measure, and a bucket of glitter. Mordecai warns that improper crafting can result in item degradation or worse. The protagonist also reports that Bautista has grouped with other crawlers on the Azure and Brown line at station 199. After a shower, the party visits Limp Richard's general store, where they note a Battery Fabricator priced at 75,000 gold. The protagonist trades five Louis L'Amour western books with the mole shopkeeper for five science fiction books (three by Andre Norton, plus works by Le Guin and Haldeman), with plans to return for future trades. The party then explores the Yellow Line train system, discovering it runs in a figure-eight pattern with five stops, including four transit stations and station #436. They observe two types of monsters aboard: Cave Mudge Bonkers (level 19) and Shock Chompers (level 20, red-maned snake creatures). After an hour of sniping monsters from the platform without looting, the party boards a train car. They form a defensive V-shaped formation in the car's aisle as five Bonkers attack. Katia shapeshifts into a shorter, muscular form with elongated arms, and the party successfully kills all five monsters using coordinated attacks. Four more Bonkers enter the car as the protagonist prepares to reset formation.
Characters
- MordecaiExamines and advises on the crafting system; sets up and works at the alchemy table; provides strategic guidance on train travel and information gathering.
- DonutTrains in the facility; negotiates with the shopkeeper; uses Magic Missile and claw attacks during combat on the train; manages Mongo during fights.
- KatiaTrains in the facility; communicates with Hekla via messaging; practices with her axe; shapeshifts into an altered form during combat; discusses the Yellow Line map.
- Limp RichardShopkeeper who sells goods and books; trades five science fiction books for five westerns; reveals information about the Battery Fabricator and entertainment access for shopkeepers.
- HeklaMentioned via Katia's communication; has been sniping monsters on the platform and exploring tunnels; provides route information about monster behavior and cycling.
- MongoDinosaur pet that participates in combat from a protected position between chairs; uses slashing attacks with his feet; shows eagerness in combat.
- BautistaCrawler grouped with others on the Azure and Brown line; recently obtained a fancy base through an upgrade.
- Cave Mudge BonkerLevel 19 gray-skinned monsters with shark-like mouths; wield wooden clubs filled with nails; appear as common train passengers and attackers in combat.
- Shock ChomperLevel 20 red-maned snake creatures (lesser nagas); have electrical attacks that can be interrupted; appear as train passengers and combatants.