Threadbare

Born Again 2

Grindluck, while incredibly useful for decreasing the toddler fatality rate, is also an obscenely boring game to most adults, and young adults.

Also, it didnt help that Garons newly-sewn-on thumbs refused to function in any way, shape, or form. Oh damn it! Down went his cards again, fluttering to the floor like sad little monuments to the newly-made dragons folly.

I really dont understand, Threadbare said, poking at his latest stitchwork. They went on you just like the mouth did, and I teased the stuffing to where you should be able to open and close them.

Told ya it wouldnt wahk, Madeline said, slapping down two green cards.

Ha! Eat it! Zuulas plush hand pounded two blue cards down to match her, and the little vampire puppet scowled.

It was worth a try, Garon sighed. I guess the skill wins out over clever ideas sometimes. I cant feel the stuffing thats in those thumbs, its like it doesnt exist anymore. Can you remove them?

Absolutely. Threadbare went to work.

On the other side of the table, Missus Fluffbear tried to play cards, but kept getting pushed over by a purring Mopsy. The miniature cougar had decided that she needed pets, and the only one shed let pet her was OBVIOUSLY doing something dumb and less interesting than loving on Mopsy. With pets. NOW!

Pulsivar watched from the side, yawning. His fangs were still bloody from that wolf. He was still a little weirded out by all the little moving, talking dolls that had appeared, but evidently this was a thing that happened when Threadbare was around. And the little bear had gotten upset when he sat on the big green one. Which had been entirely unfair. That dragon was warm, of course it was for Pulsivar to sit on!

How longs it been, anyway? Garon asked, as Threadbare snipped and removed cloth. Oh hey, I can feel the stuffing in my thumbs aGNANANANA careful there.

Sorry. Threadbare shoved the just-snipped fluff back into the dragons body, and sewed up the hole. At least the experiment had been good for a point of tailoring.

Garon craned his crested neck to watch him work. Its not exactly like pain. But it feels wrong, and like bits of you are fading. Is that how it is for you?

Oh yes, Threadbare said. Ive never really gotten used to it.

It feels bad, Missus Fluffbear confirmed, giving in and riffling Mopsys head with both hands and her feet. The cougar buzzed a happy purr, and pushed the tiny bear around the floor with her face.

Yeah. Garon sighed. Well, it beats pain, I guess. Not by much, but hey. So, he said, changing the subject, Have you thought it over?

Whee! Missus Fluffbear said, as she rolled over a few times, and Mopsy let her come to a rest before licking her fur. What? Oh, that. Yes I have.

Silence for a minute, save for the cats slurping.

Garon sighed. Kids. They were just kids, really. Had to remember that. And what did you decide?

Ill do it. Its not like I have to choose those jobs right away.

Threadbare nodded approvingly. Its only three classes, anyway. That will leave you two more to play around with if you do have to take those jobs. He glanced over to Zuula. So how does this work?

You say to her, Teach Missus Fluffbear, then you say the name of the job. Zuula said. Then it kick off sacred ritual. Ancient thing called montage.

Oh, thats how you do those! Garon said. Wait. They take a while, dont they?

About a day per job.

Garon slumped, and stared at the Grindluck cards. Great. Just great.

Hold on! Missus Fluffbear rolled to her feet, and gently shoved Mopsy until the housecat-sized Cougar retreated. I need to use a skill and feed her!

Pretty sure shes gaht plenty ta eat. Still lots of that wolf upstahs, Madeline said, placidly laying down two violet cards and watching Zuula pound the table with plushy rage.

Yes, but her loyalty gauge will go down unless I spent time with her or give her monster treats to eat to boost it back up!

What? Madeline looked to Zuula, who shrugged.

Oh! Oh, this, Garon rubbed his head with one wingtip. Right, Bakky had to deal with this, this is tamer stuff. If the gauge gets too low Mopsy might run away. Um He studied Fluffbear, all six inches of her. Have you ever cooked anything before?

No, but the skill says I dont need to know how. But it improves them if they get properly cooked, so maybe I could learn?

Eh, maybe you dont, offered Madeline. Thatd be yah last crafting slaht. Shame ta use it just foah one little skill you dont always need?

Im a cook, Garon offered.

You are?

Yeah. Used to help Mom in the kitchen all the time. Come on, lets get you some wolf chops and you can practice turning them into treats. Over a fire. With supervision.

Faiah? Madeline grinned, and put her cards down. Im in.

Twenty minutes later, they had six steaming skewers of meat, and two very interested cats. Um Fluffbear said, as Pulsivar and Mopsy engaged in a somewhat-joking-but-not-really shoving match, Please be friends?

Threadbare? Garon asked the largest teddy bear present.

Oh, of course. Come on Pulsivar. Threadbare hugged him, and gently tugged him away from the skewers. He had enough strength over the bobcat, and the big black feline loved him too much to do him any serious damage as Threadbare kept him from the food. Chastening nibbles dont count, Pulsivar told himself as he sunk fangs into the brown bears hide. But Threadbare took it in stride, and Mopsy gobbled up five of the Monster Treats.

Missus Fluffbear smiled. Her gauge is full. Here you go Pulsivar!

Threadbare released his friend, and Pulsivar took his skewer off to a corner to sulk. And to eat. Mostly to eat. Baked especially for a cat type creature, the meat was delicious. Obviously the smaller bear wasnt entirely useless. Perhaps hed deign to put his rump in her face at some point as a reward.

All right. Are you ready? Threadbare asked, brushing cat hair from his coat.

Yes!

Teach Missus Fluffbear Animator.

Instantly, things seemed to blur. His limbs moved without his control, pulling out toys and devices from pockets hed had before, all sorts of little gewgaws and objects hed never seen. Just as swiftly he showed them to Fluffbear, who sat and learned as he mimed animating them. And towards the end, she started doing it, too.

Then it stopped, and everyone was sitting in different places. Oh. I thought it would take longer. He smoothed his coat.

It did take longah. Go look, its naht outside, said Madeline.

Yep, twelve hours, give or take, Garon sighed, balancing his cards with his wingtips, and trying to draw more with his claws. Oh frak it! The deck sprayed. Zuula laughed.

Did you learn? Threadbare asked Fluffbear.

Status. Yes! Animator is on my unlock section.

Well, lets get the other two done then.

The newly made doll haunters had had a long conversation with the two greater golems, about how their continued lives were literally dependent upon someone having the necromancer/golemist combo, who was sympathetic to them. Therefore, since Missus Fluffbear had already had necromancer, shed agreed to get the unlocks for animator, enchanter, and golemist. Though they werent exactly directions she thought she wanted to go in, she didnt want to risk her friends dying and having no bodies to return to.

Also, if, gods forbid, anything happened to Threadbare, she might be able to make him a new golem body and soulstone him over. If Greater Golems had souls. They hadnt tested that yet, and she really didnt want to.

And so, the little black teddy bear gained the potential to one day become an animator, an enchanter, and a golemist.

By the time they finished the third one, the cats were nowhere to be seen and their doll haunter friends were gathered around a dirty sack, looking thoroughly wiped out.

Whats all this, then? Threadbare wondered, poking at the sack. It clanked.

Oh, youre up! Garon said, pulling his head out from under his wings. Remember Darla, the vampire knight?

Oh yes.

This is her breastplate and shield. Her spears upstairs. We figured it was a shame to waste good gear.

It aint magical or nothing, but its good solid ahmah and a pokey stick, Madeline shrugged her wooden shoulders. It looked weird, with her marionette bodys peg-and-ball joints. Figure ya a smith, so you can shrinkem dahn to one of our sizes.

Um Threadbare said, rubbing his head, then catching his hat as it started to fall. I dont actually know how to do that. The only skill in that list is Refine Ore'.

Oh. Let me guess, you got it through a montage or something? Crafting jobs can get weird that way, Garon said.

Or something, Threadbare whispered, remembering the sick sounds of his creator being butchered while he hung helpless above.

Garon took no notice of the little bears haunted expression. Yeah, it doesnt actually give you the skill until the first time you craft. I think the forge is still here. Anvil might be a little rusty. And well have to stoke the furnace.

Faiah? Im in! Madeline grinned. Gahd I love this jahb. Shit, no wander all you people types spend so much tahm leveling and raiding dungeons.

Zuula got to come along, obviously, The half-orc said, perking up. You gonna play with heat like a forge fire, then someone gots to be responsible adult here.

One hour and a nearly-disastrous blaze later, Zuula was banished from the smithy until they could trust her not to throw random stuff in the forge to see how it burned.

Awright, remembah it aint huge. Only reason Im basically immune is because it stacks with another skill I gaht. Ya ready, Mistah Beah?

I think so, Threadbare said, clutching his smithing hammer and balancing awkwardly in front of the furnace.

Awright. Endure Faiah!

Suddenly, it seemed to be a lot colder in the cramped smithy. Threadbare nodded, and used the head of the hammer to nudge the furnace door open.

Garon poked his head into the smithy from the outside door. I think you just push metal in until it gets soft, then hammer it into shape. Try making I dont know, a basic shape or something.

It took some experimentation, but finally, finally, Threadbare managed to get what he wanted.

You have Unlocked the Smithing Skill!

Your Smithing skill is now level 1!

It took the rest of the night to level it up to five, though. The town had been pretty well scavenged for metal, and the rest of the toys dragged in everything they could find, up to and including a few window linings. Which cheered Zuula up no end as she got to help break things to get them loose.

Finally, four Smith levels and four points of Strength and Constitution later, Threadbare put the hammer down. Ive got it. Its called Adjust Arms and Armor, and the description seems to be what you told me I could do with it.

Cool, Mads said. Hey, drag those smithing tools out, wouldja?

Why?

I got a skill I aint used yet, and this forgefires a good place ta test it.

The toys got to a safe distance.

Awright! Endure Faiah! Least Faiah Elemental!

From the outside, nothing seemed to happen. Garon coughed a bit.

Oh its cute! Madeline squealed.

Is it safe to come in? Zuula enquired, barging back through the door and stomping up next to the little vampire. The two toys stared at the floating, watermelon-sized little ball of orange flame with black spots for eyes that drifted around the room, staring at things.

Youre in control of that, right? Garon asked.

If its in my pahty, yeah shit. Madeline knocked her knuckles on her head. We got a full pahty, dont we?

Yeah Garon nodded. And no offense, but Id rather take any of you over a teeny little elemental called up by a level one skill.

Zuula gots solution, the half-orc pointed out. Dreadbear and Pulsivar leave party.

Say what now? Garon looked stunned.

Is not enough to have new bodies, and new classes, she shot a stern look at Madeline, who was tossing dried weeds to her new pet as snacks, but you gots to train dem. And Dreadbare and Pulsivar high level compared to us. Dey big experience suck.

Im not sure what you mean, Threadbare said.

It de way de world work. High level hang wit too low level, high level get most of experience. Slows down leveling. Slows down strength. So you two go out of party, but still be around watching and helping if you need to. We still work together, just you two in own party.

All right, I suppose that makes sense, Threadbare felt relieved. For a second hed thought Zuula didnt want him around anymore.

Besides, now you can pull skeletons and animated objects into you smaller party. Level dose skills and jobs.

What? How?

Every time a created thing win a fight or do something wicked awesome, creator get experience. Zuula put her hands on her plushie hips. How you not know dis? You got two creator jobs!

Uh, three, actually, if golemist counts. Garon pointed out.

There was a pause.

So what ya sayin, Madeline finally said, her voice distant as she considered the possibility, is that every time we win a fight or do something awesome he gets experience?

Yes! Maybe. It might only work for Golems in his party, Garon said. I know Bakky didnt get any skill ups when his pets were off hunting, only when they were doing stuff with him.

Why dont we test it out? Garon asked. Threadbare, you want to be a better golemist, right?

Oh yes! If I can figure out that greater golem upgrade that Caradon used on me, perhaps I can make you even stronger!

Stronger be good, Zuula said.

Fah once were agreeing. Again. Which is fah twahss? Madeline shrugged. Semahntics.

Actually this is a good time to discuss long-term goals, Garon said, And ways to get there. Lets do that party split, find the cats, adjust that armor, and figure out a game plan for the long term.

Basement? Madeline asked.

Think you can get that thing through the building without burning it down? Garon eyed the fiery ball.

I make no prahmises! But seriously, yeah. If hes in my pahty. And his name is Spahky.

They did some hasty shuffling and Threadbare kicked Pulsivar out and left the party. Though he knew his oldest friend wouldnt understand the words anyway and wouldnt be hurt, Threadbare was very relieved when they turned up Pulsivar and Mopsy curled up together. Annoyed at being roused, the big cat and the no-longer-big-cat groggily followed them back to their lair, and accepted Threadbares new party invite with surly grace, blinking at the words until they went away.

They curled up by Sparky and went limp into slumber, while the nigh-inexhaustible golems talked.

Okay. I guess it falls on me to give you the talk, Garon said.

Zuula do it!

Mom, no.

What? She give you de talk, you work out fine!

Normally yes, Mom, but right now youre running on half-orc mental stats, mostly. Youre level one.

So is you!

Yes, but oh geeze, just let me do it, okay? Please Mom? You can jump in at any time if I miss something or you want to add something. Because I cant stop you from doing that anyway, Garon added, mentally.

Hmf! Zuula crossed her arms. Fine. Make it good. And short. We got stuff to do.

Okay, so nobody ever gave you the talk, Garon said.

What talk? Missus Fluffbear asked.

The talk of planning out your future. Finding your focus, figuring out how to make your jobs work for you, instead of you working for your jobs.

I did work for my jobs, Threadbare took off his top hat and rubbed his forehead. Thats not making much sense.

Okay, no, look-

Zuula jumped in. You need to figure out which jobs you want, get dem, den work on you focus first. Everyting else wait until you got enough to survive an get by. What you want to do, Dreadbear?

Save Celia, he replied, instantly.

From what?

The King and his armies, probably. And Anise Lahdi.

A nice lady?

Yes, her too.

Bah, whatever. Look, you no do dis by bumbling about and pulling up little level one tricks. You do dis by making youself walking badass who know his focus and sharpen things until they bleed you enemies just by looking at dem.

I dont think I can actually do that.

You dont tink, but maybe in higher level job skill unlock you CAN! But you only get to higher level if you focus on leveling de good jobs and leaving de crap jobs for later. Like necromancer. Remember how Zuula make you grind necromancer?

Well, yes, and Im glad because I used a lot of command undeads, and the soulstones were good for-

You keep grinding necromancer!

Right. And youre not just saying that because he might make us stronger if he figures something else out with it, Garon said, shoving his mother off the tabletop with his tail.

Hey!

Hay is for horses, Garon snapped. Okay, look. What have you got to stop people from killing you up close? Jobwise, I mean, whats good at it?

Well, Duelist and Bear seem to be working out so far.

Good. Your duelist was what, three? Thats only two away from new skills. Its always useful to have a fighting job, so go for that.

I dont have a fighting job! Missus Fluffbear, who had been listening raptly, spoke up. I need something like that so I dont almost get my head popped off again!

Right, lets talk about that after Im done, Garon said, watching his mother grimly climb the table leg, heading his way with the angriest of eyebrows. So necromancers a good one for you Threadbare, and duelist, so that covers fighting and casting. What else do you want to focus on?

Well, golemist, so I can make you stronger. Beyond that, I dont know. I havent really had time to give it much thought.

Enchanter! Zuula burst out, leaping on Garon and trying to bite his muzzle. Unsuccessfully, as her mouth wasnt set up for biting and Garon just knocked her back with one paw. But she clung to his wing and swung around. You need reagents to make de golems! Learn enchanter up, at some point you get disenchant! Dat makes de reagents.

Okay, Garon said, thumping Zuula on the table until she let go, So Golemist, Necromancer, Duelist, Enchanter. Thats four, thats half your jobs. Are there any you can safely neglect?

Well Threadbare watched Garon and his mother fight. Scout is at level five. Its handy, but I dont use it much. Rulers at level five, too. So I guess I can leave it. Animators nice, but Golems are more important right now. Oh! Models at four! I need to level it, and see what new skills I get!

Wait. Zuula froze, in the act of failing to put Garon in a leglock. You got ruler? Seriously?

Mahdel? Madeline snorted. Seriously?

Scout? Missus Fluffbear asked. Seriously? Then she spoiled it by giggling. Sorry, everyone else was doing it.

Oh yes. I got ruler when I killed a big rat with a crown.

Garon facewinged. Because of course you did.

And I got model when I made my own clothes in the dungeon that time. Though I didnt really know what I was doing, I was just sewing cloth on to make carrying it easier.

Yeah that sound like you, Zuula said, snorting. Model. Bah. Weak.

Im getting plus forty to all my pools from one skill out of it.

THAT got their attention. Wait. What. Madeline said, hopping down from her chair to stare up at him.

There was a fairly long stunned silence after he explained how the dietary restrictions skill worked. Madeline spent most of it laughing her ass off.

Yeah, definitely grind that, at least to five. Shoot, if you level it just by wearing clothes and doing buffs, go for it, Garon said. I never knew it had that much useful stuff.

Still weak. Bad by itself Zuula said, and then she gained a point to her anemic intelligence. But it not MEANT to be by itself, is it? Zuula have to rethink this. Muchly. Then she shook her head. Wait. Go back to ruler?

What about it? It gives an okay free buff, but only to people in my party, or my subjects. And I dont have any subjects. Although He checked his status. I suppose I can give buffs to people if they share the same quest. Oh, and people can swear fealty to me and become my subjects. Do you want to do that?

Another long silence.

It comes with a free buff thats always ahn? Madeline asked.

And so, there in the basement, they knelt and swore fealty to King Threadbare the first of his name, ruler of the basement, at least until they were done and ready to leave the town.

Ought to be good for some experience. Now you go and put on fashion show, Zuula said.

Excuse me?

We got you sorted. Got to talk with Fluffbear about future. She get talk too. Meanwhile, you level model by showing off new clothes, yes?

Oh. Yes, thats one way.

So go upstairs, make new clothes, den come down here and let us see them. Do it enough, probably get you to level five.

Okay. Threadbare headed upstairs, stopped, then walked over to Madelines rack of half-charred clothing. May I?

Of course, yer majesty! Madeline curtseyed deeply. Anything for da king!

Hilarious, Garon tried to roll his eyes, but they were beads and the best he could manage was wiggling them a bit. Naaahahahah, thats a weird feeling.

Threadbare, with a bit of difficulty and some brute strength, finally lifted up the rack and climbed upstairs, dragging it behind him. The cats winced and growled as it banged every step of the way.

So I know I want a fighting job, Missus Fluffbear said. The whip worked okay until the man got too close. So I want to use my dagger better. And the whip.

All right, so Duelist is probably out, Garon said. Those guys focus and you want to use different weapons. Um if you go through the fighting class, the other three jobs there are berserker, knight, and archer.

Bearserker? Missus Fluffbear asked, bouncing up and down. That sounds like it was made for me!

Um. The three doll haunters shared a glance, and a long headshake. No. Trust me, that ones a bad one. Especially for healers. Which, by the way, how are you using mend anyway? Thats not a cleric spell, I didnt think.

No, but its Yorgums godspell. Every god gets a spell to give to his clerics, thats what he told me. And mend is his.

Huh, thats handy, not gonna lie. But the fact is youre built to heal right now, and maybe use undead if you lean into necro, and definitely tamer if you use Mopsy here, and when youre raging all you can do is beat things up. Which means no casting spells and probably no ordering undead or Mopsy unless you drop the rage. So Id recommend no on that.

Besides, you not have it in you to get unlock, Zuula pointed out. Have to kill in anger.

Yeah, I aint seein you are tha big beah ever doin anything like thaht, Madeline said. Just dont have it in yah.

So archers next but we dont have a bow. Though youre a carpenter, you could try to make one. Though a bow your size would have a piddly pull, so

Whats a bow?

He explained it. Missus Fluffbear shook her head. It sounds really complicated.

Right. So Archers probably out. Besides, you want something for up close, so-

Padded paws pounded on the stairs, and they whipped around to see Threadbare leap out, clad in a potato sack with holes in it for his arms and head, wearing one of Madelines scarves on his head.

Your Adorable skill is now level 21!

Your Work it Baby skill is now level 10!

They watched him, as he solemnly flexed, and strutted with self-esteem. Then they were howling with laughter. Threadbare beamed to see them so happy.

Ah. Uh. Ah Madeline said, Yeah, tell me you leveled from that.

No. Though my Work it Baby skill is boosting one of my items a little now.

You have a skill called Work it Baby Garon doubled over laughing again, for a time. Oh wow. Uh, yeah. Goodbye Threadbare. Anyway He turned back to Fluffbear, as Threadbare trundled upstairs again. I think you need to pick up Knight.

Knight?

Yeah. Mercenarys another option but its fiddly and you have to know how to get the most out of it. Knight is pretty good defensively, and has a few tricks that dovetail nicely with cleric. My sister was training as a knight and cleric, trying for paladin, I think.

Yes. She was, Zuula said, shortly.

Oh hush, it made HER strong, didnt it? We wouldnt be here otherwise. So yeah, Knights a solid combo for you there.

Best of ahl, we still got Darlas ahmah and shield and speah, Madeline pointed out. So how do we get her the jahb unlock?

Oh, youll love this, Garon grinned and pointed over at the sleeping form of Mopsy. All she has to do is win a fight while mounted.

Missus Fluffbear jumped up, hands to her face in horror. Im not killing Mopsy!

What? No, no, you just need to-

Forget it! I wont be a knight! Thats horrible!

No, listen, I-

You need to ride Mopsy and kill something else while on her, Zuula explained.

The little black bear calmed down instantly. Oh. Okay. Fluffbear frowned. What does ride mean?

Pad pad pad on the stairs, and Dazzling Entrance! Threadbare yelled, and leaped into the basement. The baggy legs of his pants fluttered behind him as he jumped, empty and loose since hed buckled the pants around his head. His apron was on like Zuulas loincloth, and he was wearing an oversized pair of bunny slippers on his arms.

Your Dazzling Entrance skill is now level 2!

Your Work it Baby skill is now level 11!

More laughter. No, just no, Madeline gasped as he flexed and strutted. Go just go back and try again. Please. And for tha love of hurt, pants dont go theah.

Threadbare hurried off. Meanwhile, Garon explained riding to Fluffbear. Easy enough for Threadbare to make a saddle when hes done with this Normally theyre leather, but youre light enough heavy cloth would work.

Okay! Ill be a knight!

Cool, now all we need to do is-

Slam! Pad pad pad pad pad

Dazzling Entrance!

About a dozen more fashion shows later, Threadbare was almost out of moxie, when-

You are now a level 5 Model!

+3 AGL

+3 CHA

+3 PER

You have unlocked the Call Outfit skill!

Your Call Outfit skill is now level 1!

You have unlocked the Makeup skill!

Your Makeup skill is now level 1!

You have unlocked the Strong Pose skill!

Your Strong Pose is now level 1!

Checking Dietary Restrictions.

Your Dietary Restrictions Skill is now level 25!

With a sigh of relief, Threadbare pulled off the black spiky wig, and shucked off the see-through teddy. Heres your whip back, thanks for the loan, he said as he gave it back to Missus Fluffbear.

I cant look, Madeline whimpered, from under the table.

Next to her, Garons tail poked out, lashing back and forth like Pulsivars. Is he changed? Please tell me hes changed.

Hm? What? Zuula put down the parchment she was using to take notes, as she studied Threadbare. Oh yeah, he done.

In more ways than one, Threadbare said. Status. Oh my. Yes, these will do nicely.

Good. Please never weah my lingerie again, Madeline pleaded.

Garon stared at her.

What?

You said that word without your accent.

Im a vampaiah. We get a pass on saying sexy words.

Youre just making that up.

She chucked him under the chin. You wanna put me to tha test, tall green an scaly?

ANYWAY, Zuula said. Dreadbare, Missus Fluffbear here gonna be knight. So we gonna make her a saddle so she can ride Mopsy. Maybe you make one for Pulsivar, too, so you can ride as well?

Oh, sure. Threadbare hesitated, his regular coat halfway buttoned. Whats a saddle?

A few minutes later, he nodded. Thats a good idea. I had a real problem getting to where I needed to be in that battle where every undead died.

Not all of dem, Zuula chortled.

Shaddup. Madeline poked her in the arm, and Zuula backhanded her off the table.

Hey! A faint red 0 worked its way up from where shed fallen.

Threadbare ignored it. But if Im riding Pulsivar, he can get me around faster. If he wants to. And I can show him where he needs to be. And he listens to me. He rubbed his forehead. Oh dear. Maybe this isnt a good idea.

He loves you, Missus Fluffbear said, And I can show you how to teach him. I think.

Zuula can speak wit nature, and he nature, Zuula pointed out. We set him straight. Practice tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Yes. Enough dilly dally and fashion shows and stupid fucking grindluck. Zuula fed up wit level one! We gonna level tomorrow!

Mom? Garon surreptitiously dangled his tail off the table, letting Madeline grab it and swing back up. Our lucks still not great. A few more days of grindluck he made a face. Yeah no, youre right. whats your idea?

Zuula know a place that still be full of skeleton bits, and a necromancer to animate dem for us. She pointed at Threadbare. Tomorrow we go dere and he make dem fight us, and we practice as party!

Why wait? Threadbare asked.

Well, you need to refit Fluffbears armor and shield and spear no, wait. You said you wanted to use the whip and dagger?

Oh yeah.

That leaves a spear.

Zuula take it.

What? How come you get thaht? Madeline shook a wooden finger.

You got teeth to bite with and a bitey job. Zuula got noting.

Oh, so ya agreeing that vampaiahs is bettah than orcs?

The basement fell silent, as the toys watched Zuula shake, wordless. Her eyebrows twisted until they tore, seams pop pop popping as they gave way.

Madeline realized, too late, that shed crossed a line. Whoa, hey, Im sahrry-

Zuula hopped down, grabbed the broken bottle shed made a few days back, and chased the marionette around the room, howling incoherently.

Please, stop! Missus Fluffbear called, and Threadbare stepped forward-

-and stopped, as Garon raised a paw. Let them work it out. Better this way.

A few hours later, after everyone had been mended, and Sparkys fires were out (hed taken the assault on his mistress a bit personally,) the teddy bears rode their groggy and disgruntled cats into the pre-dawn darkness, with the doll haunters and sparky following after.

See? If shed had twisted rage, one of you would be dead, right now, Garon admonished.

I dont know if this is going to work out, Threadbare said.

What? Zuula apologize and give back eye. It only wood chip with paint anyway.

No, I mean this riding thing. He keeps going off to look at things, Threadbare said from fifty feet away.

Most of the party could see him fine in the darkness, and Fluffbear had Sparky to see by, so they watched as Pulsivar ambled back, ignored them, as he followed a scent trail from one side to the other.

Do you smell anything? Fluffbear asked.

Threadbare took a sniff. Yes, but I dont know what. Never smelled it before.

No matter. We almost dere.

They crossed the creek, keeping an eye out just in case.

And right before the bonefield, they stopped, staring up the hill, with shadows flickering at the limits of Sparkys light.

Tell me, Threadbare said, staring at a round shape in the darkness, Was there a boulder there before?

The boulder stood up.

The boulder turned, gray rock revealed to be gray flesh as it turned around, eyes wide and moonlike in the darkness, club clenched in one hand. It considered the toys below it on the slope.

And then it roared, and fetid air washed over them, and the doll haunters were very, very glad that they didnt have noses.

Dreadbear! It be an Ogre! Quick, we gots to-

She was wasting her breath. Mopsy had frozen in fright, but Pulsivar? Pulsivar was outs, yo. He didnt do ogres.

With slowly dawning horror, the level one doll haunters watched as the black cat vanished into the night, taking their hope, salvation, and chance of resurrection with them.

Then they turned back to the ogre, as it charged and the ground shook under its feet

QUICK REFERENCE: THREADBARE'S NEW SKILLS

Spoiler: Spoiler

CALL OUTFIT

Level: 5 Cost: 20 Mox Duration: Instant

Instantly summons one of your regular equipment sets from wherever it may be. The set must be kept together, and cannot include armor that isn't made out of cloth.

MAKEUP

Level: 5 Cost: 10 Mox Duration: Until smeared or removed

Allows you to apply makeup that buffs any one of your skills. Form follows function, so the makeup must be appropriate to the job that contains the skill being buffed.

STRONG POSE

Level: 5 Cost: 10 Sta Duration: 1 minute per model level

Buffs your strength. Only one pose may be active at a time.

THREADBARE'S CHARACTER SHEET

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Threadbare

Age: 5

Jobs:

Greater Toy Golem Level 11

Cave Bear Level 10

Ruler Level 5

Scout Level 5

Tailor Level 9

Model Level 5

Necromancer Level 10

Duelist Level 3

Animator Level 5

Enchanter Level 2

Golemist Level 3

Smith Level 5

Attributes:

Strength: 95 Constitution: 102 Hit Points: 257(307) Armor: 42(46)

Intelligence: 121 Wisdom: 148(154) Sanity: 269(358) Mental Fortitude: 32

Dexterity: 76(82) Agility: 80(92) Stamina: 166(242) Endurance: 52

Charisma: 77(107) Willpower: 104 Moxie: 181(261) Cool: 20(32)

Perception: 81 Luck: 65(71) Fortune: 146(202) Fate: 11(17)

Generic Skills

Brawling - Level 25 (+5)

Climb - Level 13

Clubs and Maces - Level 9

Dagger - Level 9

Dodge - Level 7

Fishing - Level 1

Ride - Level 8

Stealth - Level 10

Swim - Level 2

Greater Toy Golem Skills

Adorable - Level 21

Bodyguard - Level 6

Gift of Sapience - Level NA

Golem Body - Level 21

Innocent Embrace - Level 11

Magic Resistance -Level 6

Bear Skills

Animalistic Interface - NA

Claw Swipes - 22

Darkspawn - NA

Forage - 13

Growl - 2

Hibernate - 37

Scents and Sensibility - 18

Stubborn - 7

Toughness - 15

Ruler Skills

Appoint Official - Level NA

Emboldening Speech - Level 5

Identify Subject - Level 1

Noblesse Oblige - Level 20

Organize Minions - Level NA

Royal Request - Level 1

Simple Decree - Level 1

Swear Fealty - Level NA

Scout Skills

Alertness - Level 1

Best Route - Level 1

Camouflage - Level 1

Firestarter - Level 4

Keen Eye - Level 1

Sturdy Back - Level 6

Wind's Whisper - Level 1

Tailor Skills

Tailoring - Level 41(45)

Clean and Press - Level 5

Adjust Outfit - Level 2

Model Skills

Call Outfit - Level 1

Dietary Restriction - Level 25 (+50 to all pools)

Fascination - Level 3

Flex - Level 14

Makeup - Level 1

Self-Esteem - Level 14

Strong Pose - Level 1

Work it Baby - Level 20

Necromancer Skills

Assess Corpse - Level 10

Command the Dead - Level 28

Deathsight - Level 6

Drain Life - Level 1

Invite Undead - Level 12

Mana Focus - Level NA (+10% to sanity)

Skeletons - Level 16

Soulstone - Level 24

Speak With Dead - Level 18

Zombies - Level 3

Duelist Skills

Challenge - Level 3

Dazzling Entrance - Level 8

Fancy Flourish - Level 6 (12)

Guard Stance - Level 8

Weapon Specialist - Level 10 (Brawling +5)

Animator Skills

Animus - Level 13

Animus Blade - Level 1

Arm Creation - Level 1

Command Animus - Level 7

Creator's Guardians - Level 12

Dollseye - Level 2

Eye for Detail - Level 8

Mend - Level 25

Enchanter Skills

Appraise - Level 9

Glowgleam - Level 1

Harden - Level 5

Soften - Level 1

Spellstore - Level 1

Golemist Skills

Command Golem - Level 1

Golem Animus - Level 6

Invite Golem - Level 2

Toy Golem - Level 6

Smith Skills

Adjust Arms and Armor - Level 4

Refine Ore - Level 1

Smithing - Level 21

Equipment

Apprentice Tailor's Apron (+4 Armor, +4 Tailoring)

Baggy Pants of Hammerspace (+5 AGL, +5 CHA, Allows hammerspace for one blunt weapon)(+1 AGI, CHA, from WIB)

Poor Quality Bling

Ringtail Master's Coat (+5 CHA, +5 LUCK, +5 Armor, +5 Fate)(+1 CHA, LUCK, Armor, Fate from WIB)

Rod of Baronly Might (+5 CHA, +5 WIS, +10 Cool)(+1 CHA, WIS, +2 Cool from WIB)

Yellow Belt of Bravado (+5 AGL, +5 DEX, +5 to the Fancy Flourish skill)(+1 AGL, DEX, Fancy Flourish from WIB)

Toy Top Hat (CHA +10)(+CHA from WIB)

INVENTORY

A Sack of coins.

A Finely-Made Dagger (Dagger Level 5)

A Dungeon Core

Tailor's Tools

A small jewelry box full of reagents and crystals, most minor.

Minorphone (Enhances voice and social skills focused through it twice per day)

Quests

Save Celia

Unlocked Jobs

Berserker, Cleric, Cook, Spirit Medium, Tamer, Wizard