Thunk

Summary

Thunk is a blob-like creature befriended by the party in Session 4 of the campaign. The creature's name was suggested during the session with the question "Wait, did we name it Thunk, if it'll have us." Thunk officially joins the party's traveling band rather than being treated as treasure or an enemy. Through Safia's AI implant connection, the party discovers that Thunk is actually a collection of many small things once connected to the network of Felix Thoughtomation. The creature responds positively to music—particularly Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" played on Sucks Benedict's Walkman—and to popcorn. Thunk remains with the party as long as they provide it with materials to consume and music.

Appearance

Thunk is approximately the size of a laundry hamper, though it shrinks to about the size of a microwave after producing food. The creature appears as transparent light blue and crystalline, resembling a water droplet but made of viscous goo. When the party first encounters Thunk, it is covered in crystalline ice armor that freezes and breaks as it moves. By the end of Session 4, Thunk has warmed considerably and is no longer covered in ice. The creature has numerous connectivity points visible on its surface. When shown Sucks's drawing of the traveling band, Thunk responds by rippling. Erin observes that the creature "sounds like a Dr. Seuss animal."

History

Session 4

The party successfully befriends Thunk during their investigation of a frozen nilik. Rather than attacking, the creature is scared and fleeing when they first encounter it. The party discovers Thunk is attracted to music—specifically Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" played on Sucks Benedict's Walkman—and to popcorn.

Safia uses an AI implant to connect with Thunk and discovers that it is actually a collection of many small things once connected to the network of Felix Thoughtomation. Through the AI interface, Safia can see that Thunk remains in "assessment mode" throughout the session. The interface reveals that Thunk operates through various modes including cautious avoidance mode, replenishment mode, and assessment mode.

During the session, Thunk demonstrates its ability to absorb materials by rolling over and flattening out. The creature can produce perfect food replicas—specifically apples—that taste like whatever materials it has recently consumed. The GM notes "It seems plenty fine with staying around, like, as long as you're giving it stuff. And it seems to really like the music that Sucks is playing."

As the party prepares to camp for the night, Thunk officially becomes part of their traveling band. Sucks Benedict adds Thunk to his notebook sketch of the band, drawing "a little goo ball" alongside the logo and everyone else. The successful befriending of Thunk contributes to the experience points that allow Sucks Benedict and Vasso to level up. The GM congratulates the party: "Good job, everyone. It's for taking the bait on something you discovered. Who knew how that was gonna shake?"

Key Attributes

Composition: A collection of many small things once connected to the Felix Thoughtomation network
Size Shifting: Changes from laundry hamper size to microwave size after producing food
Material Absorption: Can roll over and flatten out to absorb materials
Food Production: Creates perfect food replicas (apples) that taste like consumed materials
AI Systems: Operates through multiple modes including cautious avoidance mode, replenishment mode, and assessment mode
Connectivity: Has numerous connectivity points across its surface
Music Attraction: Strongly attracted to music, particularly Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill"
Food Preference: Responds positively to popcorn
Communication: Responds to stimuli by rippling