Somewhere prominante so the rest of the village is around and at least partially inspired and just to verify Diarca, the vials will break when the people whos blood is in it dies or when the person who cast the binding, us, dies?

>>15258039

When the caster of the ritual dies.

>>15258062
Well that is much more useful, anyways set up in the town square or equivalent there of. Also if there is a method for gathering the villagers use it or send out a message through the grape vine.

"I suppose the village square is as good a place as any." you say, shrugging. "May as well keep the location centralized, right?"

The Healer nods as she finishes tying the last bag closed. "Elana," she says to the girl, "Go inform the elders and any villagers you can find to spread the word of this. Osyki and I will set up in the town square. Hurry now, child. We still have patients to see to."

Elana nods, handing you the rack of vials and running out the door. The Healer loads your arms with bags, and the two of you slowly make your way to the town's center.

When you arrive, there are already some thirty people waiting for you, primarily farmers and hunters. You and the Healer work quickly in tandem to set up a series of chairs and booths where she can draw the blood in the vials, then stitch and disinfect the wounds. Elana returns with a crowd of people, and the donations go on for around fifteen minutes without a hitch.

From the south end of the square, you can see Quinn running at top speed. He is waving his arms, desperately trying to gain your attention. There is a long, shallow cut on his right arm, which is bleeding fairly profusely.

Woo-hoo!
Totemist Quest!
Before my departure day!
Yay!

Questions that I intended to e-mail:
- Are Totems dead-beasts/spirits only?
- Borrowing the idea of tsukumogami, can tools that had been used for a long time be used as Totems?
- A healer's herb-storing bag, containing nail-clippings of the previous healer(s) and an assortment of dried healing herbs, can this be totemized to give an apprentice healer a boost in healing arts?
- On a similar idea, would items of significant value or importance have a special effect to those who value it more? For instance, a vial of water from Boand's spring, the heartwood of a some thousand year old tree, a stone (or some precious material) quarried from the top of a tall mountain or from deep inside the belly of the earth, etc.

For immediate purpose, retroactively create a turtle rock shell focus in order to take care of the smaller wounds. We'll be more efficient in moving around.

>>15258062
Aww, that's not so good...
I was hoping that it would be broken when the blood donors die, thus giving the villagers some sense of pride in what they are doing (We are protecting the village, not just the Totemist!) and also a warning system for those who leave the village for any manner of errands, a life-marker of sorts (It has been three days, but Olduan's lifemarker's is not broken yet. he is still alive! Don't worry!).

Ah mate it has been forever. Good evening everyone.
FUCK YEAH TOTEMIST QUEST
>fuck yeah

>>15258395
Quip sarcastically, but also express worry at his injury
"Why Quinn, there are safer methods for drawing blood for a ritual. Mayhaps letting the doc do it for ya? What's wrong?"
>NO PROPER PICS SO BOOKS READING BOOKS

"Quinn," you say as the Slayer approaches, "There are easier ways to donate blood. Couldn't even wait for the healer to do it for you?"

The grim look on his face quickly erases all signs of levity from your face, and he speaks in a quick and urgent voice.

"Osyki, we need your help. There's a swarm of beasts at the south gate. Raptors, Stalkers, even a Verdis Wyrm. The Slayers have them controlled for now, but it seems like more are on their way."

A strong gust of wind blows at your back as you nod. "Let me get my spear. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Quinn nods, drawing his sword and taking off at top speed for the south gate.

While the Cloudwalker's Stride remains bound on your feet, your Bone Warden Focus is unbound. When you reach your hut, will you take a moment to bind it?

>>15258739
Do we dare numb the pain?
How are we faring in the injury department?

>>15258777

Your injuries are minor now, at most. Elana's been taking good care of you, and all that remains is some minor stiffness and an ache in your back.

>>15258824
Can we have a minor retroactive creation of a rock turtle shell Toughness Totem?

Ask Cordia for help, but in the way that Tryd and Amal usually helps us.

. . . I have a really unhealthy obsession with the Heart of Darkness fruit bind. With a pot, some soil, and a measure of water and fertilizers...
Of course, we could also bind it to a living tree instead of waiting for the Heart to grow into a plant. I think.

>>15258881

Can't let you do that, Starfox. No retroactive actions.

>>15258739
Only thing I can think of would be the anti-pain or the mirror in case there is some spirit throwing these fuckers at us. I wish we had the armor we commissioned to try it on.

I feel that we need to do more experimentation with the bone warden focus, when we have some spare time.

We haven't found a particularly good combat combination yet, except the skeletal step boots, which are useless to us while wearing cloudwalker stride. Though we never tried it in a weapon, we should do that at least once to see what happens.

It seems time is of the essence so grab the grab and jump our way there.

No time for that now I'm afraid, and we need all the energy we can muster.
...I'd like to see if we can bind a Verdis Wyrm even though I have no idea what it is.

>>15258924
Man, I am not really familiar to that game so I don't have a witty quip to return, like a 'KHAAAAN!' or something.

But anyway-

Since Focus-binding or Totem-building probably going to take some energy and time, let's free Cordia and let her try some physical exercise.

You fire up your boots for the first time since your battle with the Magus, leaping over rooftops in bounds and hops. You arrive at your Workshop in a few minutes. Quickly ducking inside, you snatch your spear from its resting place against the wall, mentally reprimanding yourself for letting it leave your side. Your travel to the south gate is rapid, though you nearly forget to lock the door to the workshop in your haste.

"Damn." you mutter, approaching the south gate. From your vantage point at the apex of each leap, you can see the hordes of writhing, leaping predators just barely held back by the shapes of fighting guardsmen. Six Slayers have formed a semi-circle of pikes around the entrance to the village, and the gates have been barred from within. You can see several men, including the rotund form of Walther, wading through a fray of beasts, swinging their weapons with mixed success. You will be upon the crowd in a jump or two. How will you make your opening strike?

> 1d20 for efficacy of actions.

rolled 15 = 15

>>15259131
First what is a Verdis Wyrm?

Secondly as we get close find a building or wall and use our boots to push off the wall and charge the biggest baddest one there like an arrow shot from a bow.

>>15259185

Verdis Wyrms are variants of Drakes, large lizards with vestigial wings which dwell in the trees. Their claws are curved and barbed, which helps in climbing the enormous trees which they nest in, and they prefer to feed on small mammals. Their name derives from their coloration, a constantly shifting green pigment which affords them near-perfect camouflage when in the canopy of a forest.

>>15259263
Well then clearly a goal would be to make a totem out of it and then attach it to a cloak.
Also what are Raptors and Stalkers, or what thread were they mentioned in?

>>15259263
If it wasn't such a busy battle this close to the village I'd advocate trying to bind it but given the circumstances we should only try to bind it if it would not interfere with us killing the rest of the creatures here.

>>15259263

...They'll be fast and flexible, possibly poisonous. I'd proceed with caution.

>>15259284
True. Business before pleasure, and saving people is our business.
...While we fight, let's see if we can't keep a close eye on Walther to see if he really is as good as that judge guy said he was.

You stop on the lip of the wall, your feet planted firmly between the upraised stakes making up the barrier's apex. You ready your spear, and leaning forward slightly, you allow gravity to pull you foward. As you fall you scan the battle for the largest potential danger. A raptor, scales and claws flashing in the morning light, leaps high overhead to strike at a Slayer occupied with fighting what appears to be a small bear. Your target marked, you allow yourself to go fully horizontal, then kick the wall with the heel of Cloudwalker's Stride.

The clap of thunder that follows turns nearly every head in the fight, and you rocket forward with lightning speed. Your spearhead catches the surprised Raptor in the ribs, and the two of you fly over the battleground until your spear makes contact with a tree, slamming the reptile into the bark with a sharp crack. You rotate around the shaft of your spear twice to dispel some momentum, then sink to the ground, pulling your weapon free as you fall. The raptor crumples to a heap beside you as your feet touch the ground.

There are two threats immediately apparent to you. The first is a duo of Raptors, larger than others you've seen and with a bright red ridge atop their heads, closing on your position fast. The second is a darting shadows overhead, unnoticeable save for the sense of movement and the gleaming of white fangs. You weren't aware that Stalkers were active this far past sunrise, but this one seems particularly agitated.

rolled 13 = 13

>>15259370
A variant subspecies of a monster? Our favorite!
First things first though, show that Stalker that with our Cloudwalker Boots being in the air is no escape from us.

>>15259370
I'd rather deal with the threat we can't see than let it sneak up on us while we're dealing with the Raptors. Rider Kick into the tree line, if we don't hit immediately bounce off a few trees in order to light up the area and maybe stun it with thunder. Then stab it with our patented rocket spear technique.

>>15259370
Did the spear ever go back to normal, or is it permanently that weird drill thing?

rolled 10 = 10

>>15259370
Hmm... Do we have what it takes to use one of the Raptors as a springboard, kick the Stalker and then land on the other Raptor?

rolled 7 = 7

>>15259609
...Evidently not.
Probably not best to risk throwing the spear either, so just focus on the Stalker.

You turn your attention from the rapidly encroaching raptors, turning to face the leaping Stalker. You can vaguely make out the ursine head and strange, batlike membranes of the animal through its cloud of darkness. With a kick to the ground you rocket into the air to meet it, twisting your body to deliver a flying kick. The clap of thunder telegraphs your attack just enough for the Stalker to leap out of the way, though your spear manages to slice a glancing blow along its enshrouded abdomen. Your second kick off of the trunk of a nearby tree sends out a burst of light that clearly disorients the Stalker, and forsaking your spear you tackle it to the ground. The two of you slam to the earth, clipping one of the larger raptors on your way down and landing in a pile of flailing claws and limbs. You recover first, rolling to your feet as the Stalker and Raptor attempt to disembowel the other.

rolled 12 = 12

>>15259674
Well that's certainly fun, but there's another deluxe raptor isn't there?
Keep track of it and be prepared for it to do something weird. Sure theoretically it could just be a way of showing it's the Alpha, but then again it could do something weird.

>>15259526

The spear has returned to its ordinary shape.

>>15259674
We can probably leave the two to kill each other and deal with the next nearest threat. The second of the pair of Raptors we saw earlier is up and kicking. Get up close and lightning kick one of it's legs into jelly while stabbing the other if at all possible. Once it falls over we can curb stomp it or just stab it in the spine.

rolled 7 = 7

>>15259674
Best leave them to it I guess.
Whichever one wins will most likely be significantly weakened so that's cool.
Search for more foes?

>>15259674
Focus our attention on the last raptor, if we can quickly find it. Go for a FF Dragoon-style jump if we can't.

Any sign of the Drake?

rolled 6 = 6

>>15259797
Forgot the roll.

>>15259738
Take down threats to allies and take any targets of opportunities that present itself, but there is no need to take the time to put each and every single one of them down. Just weakening them is enough.

Ask Amal and Tryd to be our eyes.

>>15259830
This. Seconded.

You cast your eyes about for the second Raptor as the first wrestles with the odd Stalker. A hiss from directly behind you signals you to dive out of the way, and a blast from your boots just barely propels you out of the way of the scything claws of the large crested Raptor. You tumble, rolling along the ground for a moment before climbing to your feet. You whip your spear around, catching a nearby bear under the chin and sending it away from a prone Slayer before turning to face your foe. The crested Raptor lets out a long, strained hiss before charging forward at you. You respond in kind, kicking off from the ground and hurtling through the air toward it, spear extended. It seems to have grown wise to your antics, however, and waits until the last moment to dodge away, carving a shallow gouge into your shoulder as you fly past it. The pain distracts you from a proper rebound, and instead you slide down the trunk of the tree that you land on, clutching your shoulder in one hand. The raptor is fast approaching once again, and you brace your spear to meet its charge. Across a clearing in the melee you can see Quinn and Pierce back to back, slowly but surely fending off an advancing wave of what appear to be enormous preying mantises.

>>15259932
You have a ranged attack. Hit the raptor with lightning, down it with the spear, and continue to support the village guards.

Begin to identify alphas and pack leaders and take them down. This should break the horde's momentum and leave it vulnerable to confusion tactics. Perhaps with enough of the leaders gone you can turn the less experienced remainder on each other, corralling them.

rolled 12 = 12

>>15259932
A smart one is it?
Is Raptor supposed to equate to Velociraptor? Because that's what I'm thinking.
Fight defensively and be ready for a trick.

>>15259932
We don't need to take it out, just cripple it, fight defensively and either kick a leg apart or hamstring it, once it's like that we can deal with it later.

You tense your body as the raptor flies closer, a single curving claw on its foot much longer than the others. Copying its previous trick you wait until the last possible second, then spin in place using your spear as an anchor. Your foot comes around, slamming into the side of the reptile's own. The ensuing explosion of electricity and sound nearly unbalances you, and sends the crested beast sailing off over its brethren, lightning crackling across its twitching form. You quickly sweep your spear in front of you, taking a defensive stance. A cry from Pierce gets your attention, and you whirl to see him prying a large mantis claw from his shoulder as Quinn jabs the offending beast in the gut with his sword. You're about to move to help him when a sudden roar comes up from the crowd just beyond the pair, and the smaller raptors in the way are sent flying like so much plywood. The rotund form of Walther, clad in heavy mail and leather, bursts like a shot from a cannon into the clearing that Pierce and Quinn are struggling to defend. The chubby man's arms whip to and fro faster than you would have thought possible, in one fluid motion batting away a mantis with the butt of a waraxe, then turning to plant a throwing tomahawk in the skull of another.

You're forced to abandon watching the spectacle as another cry for help reaches your ears. A guardsman you do not recognize is pinned beneath a large brown bear, his shield barely raised high enough to fend off the furious ursine assault.

>>15260096
It's time to electrify or stab that bear, then. A quick kill is good, but if it becomes unavailable, cripple it and keep working to limit alphas and corral the beasts. Turning them on each other is potential salvation, and the village guard can perhaps fight shoulder to shoulder if such a situation arises.

>>15260118

Don't forget your 1d20 for efficacy, Editor.

rolled 15 = 15

>>15260154
Our luck's gotta improve eventually maybe.
Seconding Editor.

rolled 2 = 2

>>15260118
seconded. We're re-upholstering our favorite chair with bear-hide before the week is out.

So, we finally get to see the fat-man in action. Not half bad, really. I'd almost respect him if his personality didn't make me want to strangle him.

rolled 12 = 12

MFW Walthers is a siege knight type...

Have we seen the Verdis Wyrm?

rolled 6 = 6

>>15260096
Fourthing Editor.

rolled 12 = 12

>>15260154
Rollan.

You waste no time in coming to the prone Slayer's aid, blasting off with the Cloudwalker's Stride in a bolt of speed. You rotate head over heels in mid-air, bringing your feet out in front of you just as you make contact with the enraged bear. Your knees buckle from the force of the impact, but you force your legs to straighten out again as you push off once more. The combined power of the impact and the bolt of lightning throws the bear well clear of the recruit, sending it tumbling into a nearby bush. The Slayer scrambles to his feet, retrieving his sword from the ground and charging back into the fray without a second thought.

Remembering Quinn's words, you cast your eyes about for the Verdis Wyrm. It takes you a moment to pick it out of the frenzied combat, but you spot it eventually. It seems content to stick to the canopy, lashing out with a hook on the end of its long tail to catch unwary guards below off balance. Every now and then it will leap from tree to tree, trailing the hook on its tail through the crowd to trip and disable a line or circle of fighters, human and beast alike. You ready yourself to jump toward the beast when a bellowing roar sounds from your right. You throw yourself into a standing backflip, arching your back as you feel a furry and very angry shape rush beneath you. It seems that the bear was not as disabled as you had assumed. Landing behind the charging mass of fur and fury you lash out with your spear, catching the hamstring on one of its back legs. The weight put on the leg fails all at once, sending the beast skidding to a halt once more.

>>15260362
Bear's down again? Then we take out the wyrm. Can't have an opportunist harrying the lines. First we eliminate their stealth and flanking capabilities, bring the fight down to a straight brawl the slayers can handle, then we begin our flanking maneuvers.

rolled 13 = 13

>>15260362
Bind that sucker by taking it down with a surprise attack.
Leap up far above the canopy, then drop down with spear. Or reverse it, a rising lightning kick instead of a falling one.

rolled 20 = 20

I'm essentially seconding O'Grady's deal, just rolling and hoping for a high result.

>>15260497
we don't have time to do any binding right now. Too many foes at once, and most of these don't seem the 'spiritual powerhouse' type that a full focus requires for power. ore like, one it's over, we'll skin/gut them and make minor totems out of their remains.

>>15260557
Pretty much this.

Also, fuck yeah, I finally got a good roll.

>>15260557
Talking specifically about the Verdis Wyrm, actually.
Its abilities allow it to strike almost unnoticed, so a sneak attack kill would probably bind it.

And this one is probably the head of the pack, and it is almost untouchable by the Slayers while it is harrying them, so, one strike, three drakes?
Or whatever the metaphor is in the setting.

>>15260599
Yeah, we SHOULD bind the Wyrm obviously. But weakening it would be good for now. Get it out of the fight with the guards.

With your immediate adversary down for the count, you turn your eye to the Wyrm lashing out at guards from behind with its hooked tail, leaping from limb to limb. If the Slayers are to prevail in this fight, that beast will have to go. You run toward the fallen bear and leap atop it, using its fallen form as a springboard to launch yourself upward into the canopy.

Your ascent is mercifully unrestricted by any errant branches, and you land on a thick limb with the grace of a natural-born tree dweller. Running from branch to branch you leap confidently across the gaps in the treeline. Your spear whines in hand as you draw near to the Verdis Wyrm, exploiting its distraction with the battle below to close in on it without its notice. With the sound of tearing metal your spear extends itself, lancing out from your hand to jab into the base of the Wyrm's tail. It hisses in surprise, drawing its tail up to its own level and arching the hooked blade menacingly over its own head. Your spear retracts and you take a defensive stance, waiting for the Wyrm to strike.
(Cont.)

The beast reacts with surprising speed, sending its tail high into the air, then rushing down toward you like a guillotine. You throw yourself to the side to dodge the scything blade, using a tree trunk to re-orient your momentum back toward the Wyrm. You can feel the world slowing around you as Modi Magni affords you his enhanced speed, and the spear in your grasp practically screams for the blood of this dragon descendant. As the blade completes its arc into the space that you previously occupied you collide with the Wyrm, spear first.

The impact sends both of you hurtling downward off of the thick branches that you perched on. You ride the disoriented beast downward, steering it into every protruding limb you can manage to crash it into. As you near the earth you kick your heels into the Wyrm's belly. The bolt of lightning that bursts from your heels propels you upward in a shower of sparks, and sends the Verdis Wyrm into the earth below all the faster. You execute a backflip in mid-air among the writhing sparks of your ascent, then dive to earth in a spinning roll. Just before you reach the ground your foot extends from the tight ball that your body has formed, catching an unsuspecting Raptor in the small of the back. The explosion of lightning generated by the blow literally vaporizes the poor reptile, sending everything surrounding it flying backward in a stupendous thunderclap of sound and light. You land on the edge of the crater you've just created in the fray, your spear angled menacingly toward the prone Wyrm. A cheer rises up from the Slayers around you and they quickly surround the beast, unwilling to allow it back into the canopy overhead.

>>15260829
MOAR!

rolled 2 = 2

>>15260829
Don't let up, FINISH THIS. The beast may be wounded and surrounded, but that only means it will fight harder to survive. Get over there and disable those limbs, arms first, then legs. Watch out for the tail while doing so, always keep it in vision.

>>15260977
WHY DICE, I JUST WANTED TO HELP!

>>15260977

Welp.

Firstly, disable the Wyrm. Obvious enough.

Then, check out the Stalker. If the crested raptor hasn't eviscerated it, we should focus on Binding it. This Wyrm doesn't seem like it'll give us anything spectacular in compairson to the Stalker's pure stealth, so I'm thinking we should disable the Wyrm and then go after the Stalker for a Totem.

We can use that to go stealthily check out the Basilisk that killed our Master. Of course, it being a week after that and all, there's probably slim pickings left. At least we can get the venom, likely.

rolled 20 = 20

>>15261073

Forgot my roll.

rolled 5 = 5

>>15260829
Send Amal or Tryd after your ritual knife if you don't have it on you. Stall and keep it down while they go get it.

If you have it on you, nevermind about that.

When ready to bind it, slit its throat. Not all the way, just enough to get it to death's door.

As its lifeblood flows out, carve the Runes of Binding into it and perform the ritual.

rolled 8 = 8

>>15261085
This anon rolled twenty, I rolled five. Seconding.

>>15261093

Seconding the strategy for getting the ritual knife if we don't have it already.

We can roll for the method of murdering the Stalker when it comes to it.

You charge forward, intent on ending the beast then and there. With a flying leap forward, you raise your spear high overhead and thrust it downward. The Wyrm, taking advantage of your inability to change directions in mid-air, quickly whips its tail around and slams it into your side, knocking you from the air. You hit the ground hard, tumbling across the forest floor before coming to rest unceremoniously at the base of a tree. You hear a cry of alarm from the Slayers as the Verdis Wyrm leaps after you, vestigial wings flared wide as it hurtles through the air, closing the distance between you. You bring you spear up too slow, barely managing to raise it from the ground before you are lifted bodily from the floor by a powerful kick. You slam into the trunk of the tree, feeling the air forced from your lungs. As you hit the ground again the beast roars in triumph. You think that you can hear something else, too. Perhaps a clanking sound?

"How do you like your own medicine, you son of a bitch?!"

An enormous armored shape rams into the Wyrm's side as it raises a claw to slash down at you, pushing it a few critical feet away from you. You quickly roll to your feet, watching as Walther swings his axe up and around in a complicated pattern, fending off the advances of the Verdis Wyrm's claws and tail with trained expertise. There is a hiss from your side and you swing your spear around, slicing a head from the falling body of a Yhkree as it drops from the tree above toward you. The remaining head thinks better of assaulting you, fleeing into the underbrush as emerald blood spurts from the stump at its side.
(Cont.)

>>15261144
>Walther actually being useful

You charge forward to aid Walther, resisting the urge to shake your head. Who'd have thought that would ever be an action you'd undertake? Still, you're not about to let this Wyrm get the better of you. You tense your legs, leaping over Walther as he swings in a powerful overhead blow. His axe's swing is blocked in a clash of sparks by the Verdis Wyrm's claws. Your spear is not.

The head of your weapon bits deep into the Wyrm's shoulder joint, nearly sawing off its right wing. As Modi Magni's focus is splattered with the Wyrm's blood it begins to vibrate to and fro, and with a high-pitched whine the blade of your weapon begins to vibrate rapidly. The sudden movement of the blade sends it shearing through the Wyrm's body, and as you land the beast's arm falls to the ground before you. Your weapon seems to dance with a mind of its own in your grasp, lashing out and knocking aside each counter the lizard attempts to offer you.

"I'll leave this to you, Modi." you say. "Keep it busy for me."

You slam the spear into the ground, then toss it up into the air. In the same fluid motion you draw your ritual knife from your belt, lunging forward at the beast. The tail of the Wyrm comes up to meet you, only to be parried by an appendage much like itself. You spear hovers in mid-air, elongated and snaking, the spear's blade curved and hooked in a warped parody of the Wyrm's own weapon.

> Roll 1d100 for binding ritual; descriptions may help your chances.

rolled 19 = 19

>>15261213

AHAHAHA our spear is mimicking Tyr's Bane. Fuck yes, my 20 manifested Modi's true capabilities temporarily.

>>MODI MAGNI WYRM SLAYING MANEUVER: STEEL CUTTING LANCE

>>TYR'S BANE WYRM COUNTER STRIKE: ONE WEAPON, TWO BLOWS

Now then, let's end this bastard and swallow up the Stalker as well.

rolled 29 = 29

>>15261269

Oops, that's d20 not d100.

And to think, I coulda had all the luck. ALL OF IT.

>>15261317

Oh no.

Take its tail, Diarca. TAKE THE TAIL

>>15261073
Wait, wait, both Wyrm and Stalker are particularly stealthy in their respective habitats. The Wyrm in greeneries and the Stalker in shadows and night.

The odd Stalker our might be a good bind, but the Verdis Wyrm also sounds good.

>>15261363

But the Stalker is so much cooler.

Well, it's more like the Wyrm is going to become a lot more useless in caves, while the Stalker is good wherever there is any shadow at all, making the versatility greater.

rolled 13 = 13

>>15261363
>>15261213
Verdis skin binding sounds good to me.

>>15261335
So does the tail...

In either case:
PLUNGE KNIFE INTO SKULL
STOP ON HANDLE WITH BOOT
???
RECIEVE FERAL BINDING

rolled 36 = 36

Binding.

rolled 26 = 26

Leap onto the creature and work as fast as you can, keeping your eyes open in case something slips through Modi Magni's defenses.

Mark it in the appropriate places, making sixteen runes on its flesh and hide with your knife. Do not tarry, but do the job completely, perhaps remembering to mark the wings so that you might gain the benefit of flight, and the tail, for the sake of its flexible, selective, and above-all underhanded attacks.

With luck, Totemist, you will gain much from this kill. Go forth.

Rolling.

>>15261465
Whoops.

Your knife pierces the hardened scales of the Wyrm's belly as you begin to carve the runes into place. Your eyes are narrowed with concentration, and though the tough flesh of the monster resists you, you will not back down. You make long, wide strokes to ensure that the cuts are properly shaped. As you finish the fourteenth rune, however, a great keening wail pierces your concentration.

Your spear has wrapped itself around the neck of the Verdis Wyrm, and appears to be strangling the life out of it as the head of the weapon pushes itself through the beast's eye socket. Walther has stepped back, watching the display with a grim expression. You scowl, quickly returning to your work, but it is already far too late. With a great, thundering screech Modi Magni's spear pierces the barrier between skull and brain, skewering the Verdis Wyrm's head from end to end. You sigh, reaching up to yank the spear from the rapidly twitching corpse of the enormous lizard. Modi Magni's thirst could not be contained, it seems. You manage to step out of the way as the massive body falls forward, landing with a heavy thud at your feet.

A shout reminds you that the battle is not yet over. Though the Wyrm is dead before you, Totems and channels for Foci can still be made from it. You cast your gaze about for the Stalker you encountered earlier, watching the canopy for the telltale sphere of shadows. After a moment's observation it comes into view, lining up a jump to sic itself on a retreating guard with a deep wound in his leg.

>>15261563
Aww.

Okay, now have most of the raptor-types retreated?
If we finish this odd Stalker, the rest of the smaller bear-like creatures might retreat, or at least be more easily handled.

rolled 16 = 16

>>15261563

Modi, you bitch.

Well, that blew getting two spirits at once. But this is more than salvageable. Move with as much swiftness as possible to deliver upon the Stalker wounds slightly more debilitating than those of its potential prey.

>>15261563
Work together again with Walthers? He is the more frontal type, so he could defend the Slayer while we flank the beast, and hamstring it.

How many more of the beasts, and how are the Slayers faring?

rolled 14 = 14

>>15261626
>>15261618
Seconding.

Build synergy if you can. Maybe he can get his shit straightened out with us.

rolled 6 = 6

>>15261618
>>15261626
>>15261645
ANSWER ME WALTHER!
VILLAGE OF THE UNDEFEATED EAST!

But seriously, intercept that stalker and kick the living shit out of it.

rolled 12 = 12

Sorry I was late to the party, guys. I was getting my copy of Duke Nukem.

Let's fukken wreck this guy.

Damn, are we rolling horrible tonight.

>>15261699
And welcome. You're not too late for some fun.

>>15261725

Last few roles were d20, so we're doing much better than the last roll against the Wyrm. Like this, I'm sure we can get gain advantage over the Stalker while Walther defends us, all with minimum error.

>>15261736
The spirit of Nukem is with us now. We cannot fail!

>>15261764
Fuck yeah. Any game that comes back from the grave after ten years is a help against the kind of odds this totemist faces all day long.

Unwilling to let any Slayer fall under you watchful eye, you leap once more. The minute corrections you must make to keep on-target in mid-air are becoming familiar to you now. You hurtle just beneath the heavier branches of the trees, your spear held out as a lance in front of you. As the Stalker leaps you sweep your weapon and hit the Stalker with the shaft of your spear, catching it off guard and sending it to the earth below on a wildly altered trajectory. It flaps its wings frantically, attempting to right itself as it tumbles through the air.

You land before it does due to these mid-air flailings and quickly move it intercept it, running up the back of a dying giant mantis to catch its falling form with a flying knee. You feel the satisfying crunch of bone yielding beneath the force you've applied, though you suffer a long scratch along you outer thigh because of it. The two of you land hard on the ground, you crouched, it lying prone. You plant your spear through the membrane of its wing, drawing your ritual knife.

> Roll 1d100 for ritual. Descriptions help your chances.

rolled 16 = 16

>>15261777
HAIL TO THE KING BABY

Let's make us a badass Stalker cloak!

rolled 75 = 75

>>15261777
Get the soot imp to burn runes on the ground or use the spear to speed you up so that you can carve the runes faster.

rolled 89 = 89

>>15261807
You are fucking kidding me.


....come to think of it, I'm now reminded WHY commander quest uses low rolls=good.

>>15261807
Bad tactical routine omicron! Bad!
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
My 75 :<

Maybe we could call a botch roll and average mine plus next two rolls?

>>15261807
OH GOD MODI MAGNI HIJACK 2.0
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

rolled 40 = 40

>>15261777

Okay, as much as I'm not up for trusting Modi "Faceless Cunt" Magni with this one, we can't rely on nearby dropped swords or the retreating Slayer's help with pinning this bastard down, so we'll rely on our Greater Avatar frienemy to impale our catch and keep it steady for now. Carve the runes of binding with great celerity around the Stalker. We MAY want to call for help, but be wary, too much assistance from, say, Walther, will likely give him more ammo to question our strength before it builds comradery between us.

rolled 69 = 69

Speed is perhaps a better friend here. Speed and precision.

Not a wasted breath, totemist. Not a stray movement. Get that knife-blade working like it's an extension of your arm.

Sixteen runes and a ritual prayer and you've got yourself another ally.

It's time to do this, and then it's time to finish the fight.

Guys?


......Did Diarca fall asleep again?

>>15262130

Seems to have gone idle. Said something about installing something to me not too long ago, but I doubt that's it. She's not responding, regardless.

Modi wouldn't really be as rabid against this one as he did the Dragon-blooded Wyrm. But nevertheless, what happened before was because of a bad roll...

And we're given chance to rectify it by writing something epic!

. . .
Not me, though.
Proper-wise...

Cut the runes across the whole body. I am unsure of which part of the Stalker that emits the sphere of shadowstuff, but that's the part we want.

'With the weight of your body holding opposite of Modi, the ritual knife went to work in your hands.

Up-down, left-right, diagonal and curving, runes forming in the Stalker's body as patches of dark fur and blood fly to the air. Four runes on its head, four on each splayed limbs, four upon its belly, and four more on the ground it is pinned upon, completing the ritual circle.

The blade then closes the ritual as your hand moves it to slice open the Stalker's jugulars. Your whispered chant echoes deep within the beast's skull, words of power only it can hear.

"MINE."'

You know, rituals are creepy.

>>15262145
>long post
>get excited
>NOT OP

GODDAMNIT.

>>15262164
+laughs out loud+

Or
+grins widely+

Office.

Well, I hope Diarca gets back soon, regardless. As for me, sleep.

Get dat Stalker for me, brahs!

>>15262130
Sure looks like it.

Well.... shit. Guess I'm going to bed after making a shitty roll.

Has someone submitted this to be archived?

rolled 59 = 59

>>15262592
It has now: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15257977

>>15262369
>>15262273
Ahh, the curse of late-night questing.

While we have a moment, I'd like to toss an idea up for consideration: Once we're done camouflaging the village, do you think we could spread ore camouflage totems around the forest. If we have enough blood to fuel them and Sylvia agrees, I want to turn this entire region into a murky blindspot for the Magus. The pool, Sylvia's cave, and dozens more, maybe craft one a week every week for the next few years until we can cover the entire forest in blindspots. Once our apprentices begin their training proper, we can make that their regular practice. It's a simple totem, not offensive, so the risk of them hurting themselves is minimal.

Also, now that I think about it, this whole attack smacks of a distraction. When we get a chance, leap to the top of the wall and scan inside the village, make sure the Magus didn't slip in to hunt down Elana while we were distracted outside.

Hey folks. Sorry about that, I did indeed pass right the hell out last night. Long work days + Questing = Sleepy time DM.

Would anyone care to continue now? If not, tomorrow night will be the next installment as scheduled.

>>15265609
Please do.

>>15265609
I've got a few hours, sure. I'd hate to leave off mid-fight

Thirding the continuation!

>>15265591

I LIKE HAMBURGERS

bump?

>>15265609
If you're still here, Diarca, I'm game.

yeah!

Diarca fell asleep againnnnn

Alright! The quest continues. Response incoming shortly. =)

bump.

>>15258777
Holy hell I tought this had tanked! I went to sleep overnight and went through 7 hours of school in the morning and yer still posting?
What is your endurance rating Diarca? Can I offer ya some coffee? Café Madrid, the best from Spain, drink it black, keep you on your feet.
>Illusive Nipon
Are you a ninja Diarca?

>>15261807
>>15261815
>>15261816

> Yeah, I'll take pity on the poor Totemist. Averaging the rolls.

> Average total: 60

Your knife lashes out, the bitter taste of your recent failure still strong in your mouth. The stalker yelps and groans in pain as your blade carves the runes of binding into its outstretched limbs. Five, then ten, then fifteen curving, looping sigils are traced into the head, the neck, the arm, the ground around the beast. Finally, as you apply the last seal, you begin chanting the rite of binding.

"In the name of Osyki, link between this world and the world without, I hereby claim this beast's spirit as my own." you say, standing back from the thing as the runes begin to glow with a soft luminescence, visible even in the bright mid-day light. "In the name of the Totemist's Pact, I hereby assert my dominance over this soul, and claim it as my own."

You flick your knife downward to pin the other arm as it begins to move, eliciting another yowl of pain.

"I have bested this soul in mortal combat. Its strength is mine to command. By blood and bone, in spirit and soul, let this ritual blade show: I am Totemist, Link Between Worlds. Now..."

You crouch down. The knife has embedded itself in the wing membrane of the Stalker's right arm, while Modi Magni's spear pins the left. You take hold of the handles of both weapons, drawing them in an x-shaped cut across the creatures body in one swift motion.

"Submit."

The familiar feeling of the world slowing to a halt around you washes over you. The blade of your ritual knife is alight with verdant flames, and you can feel the power of the spiritual world coursing through you.

What part of this beast will you claim as your prize, Totemist?

>>15266687

I will neither confirm nor deny the rumors of the secret arts I may or may not hold total and complete mastery over.

>>15266743
It's his hide that grants him his camoflage, right? We should try to skin a strip of it off at least, if not the whole thing.

HOLYSHITTHISDIDN'TDIE


uhh, whatever part is generally associated with this thing's camoflauge ability. Should do nicely.

>>15266743
definitely the hide.

>>15266743
hide.

You reach down, hauling the Stalker up by the throat. Your right hand grips your Ritual Knife, while Modi Magni's spear slowly tears through the membrance of tough wing as the creature rises. Once it is at eye level with you, you press your blade to its throat vertically. One long cut from chin to tail rapidly ensues, the knife passing through the creature's body like water. A crumpled, bloody mess falls to the ground at your feet, while you keep the head and pelt of the Stalker held aloft like a trophy. All eyes, it seems, have turned to you. You close your eyes as a wave of light erupts forth, signaling your victory and your claim.

Sliding your weapon back into its place at your belt, your retrieve your spear from the ground. The Slayers have been taking advantage of the chaos your antics have wrought, pinning the creatures who have not yet fallen or fled into a tight circle of blades and shields. You sling the hide over your shoulder, turning to Walther who is eying you with an expression of distaste.

>>15266893
Give Walthers a thumbs up.

>>15266900
This. He deserves it and it might lighten the mood a tad.

rolled 3 = 3

>>15266893
Bah, Fuck'im

"Don't worry walt. It's part of being a totemist, and I can't do anything of the kind to humans."
Lightly jog towards the ongoing battle to help them, and pat him on the shoulder as we go.
Any other nasty gribblies we should concern ourselves with? Wounded men we can help?

>>15266893
thank him and praise his combat skills, then take care of the wounded if necessary. if not, excuse yourself since we have work to do in the village

>>15266924

Ah, nuts to that talking stuff. Just give him the thumbs up, preferably with a big grin.

Let the slayers handle the rest if they can.

>>15266984
>Let the slayers handle the rest if they can.

Maybe we shouldn't come off as a callous bastard by walking away- we're training with them every morning and they are friends and acquaintances now.

>>15266893
"Let us press our advantage. And thank you for the assistance."

Then go and do that, whether he follows or not. Let his actions dictate the worth of his blade.

>>15267008
We also have a bloody skin hanging over our shoulder that need treated ASAP or else its going to smell terrible. A smile and a thumbs up will suffice.

rolled 10 = 10

>>15267030
>>15266984
I'd add a shrug if I were you. Sympathetic distaste towards butchering a beast in the middle of a battle could help us strenghten our relationship to the point where he might teach us that wicked 2handed fighting he was pulling back there, provided we swallow some of our pride.
He may be a dick, but he's good in a fight.
No talkin', just gesturing.

>>15266900
Yeah thumb up and smile seems good.
Also stand aside and let the Slayers finish the job and wait to see if anyone's wounded.
...Also should we start collecting parts for Totems now or later?

>>15267030
Our spirit foci have never needed work before, but we have spirits that serve us and can handle that.

Ask Amal and Tryd to deal with the skin, and finish the fight.

Our village's defense and reputation is more meaningful than the focus right now, and a personal gain in terms of power made by looking bad in front of the guard captain will not be a long-term gain.

You return his solemn look for a moment before you eyebrows arch and a wide grin splits your face. You flash Walther a thumbs up with the hand holding the pelt, attempting to look as amiable as possible.

"Thanks for the assist, mate." you say. "Appreciate it."

He grunts gruffly at you, moving to engage the remaining enemies. The Slayers look as though they have the mop-up handled, though you do pause to deliver a thrust to the hip joint of a particularly large Raptor from over the shield wall. "If you boys could deliver some of the spoils to my workshop, I'd appreciate it." you say, passing by Quinn and Pierce as they work together to pin down a Yhkree. "This will make for a great new batch of Totems."

Quinn nods at you, grinning. "Fancy footwork, Osyki. Do you think that you should check in with Boand, see what caused all this mess? She seems pretty well connected. She may have some theories."

>>15267050
Oh, and maybe we can kill a raptor or something in ritual combat. 'Cause who says we don't need their foci.

>>15267051
That sounds good. Hopefully we haven't offended Sylvannis somehow.

>>15267059
Probably best to conserve our energy. I mean it would be nice if this is the extent of the day's excitement but... that's not the kind of life we lead apparently.

>>15267051
Yhkree foci grant stealth.

Do a feral binding on that Yhkree they're pinning down and then contact Boa.

>>15267083
Eh. I'm pretty having a bunch of allies weaken it down for you kind of taints the ritual. There will be other opportunities to make Focii soon enough.

rolled 1 = 1

>>15267051
Diarca mentioned the Stalker was frightened, riled up. These things were probably not on a rampage, rather fleeing from something. The couldstrider boots are still on our feet, I say we skip and hop over to the pond (carefull no to land on the water with electrified feet) and check up on that. A birds-eye view of the forest might be good to see what could have riled them up.
ponder over it for a sec, then "say good idea", and kick off towards the pond, with tall jumps.
>no proper pics so have a penfang

>>15267106
>but I do

>>15267106
Can't we just use our telepathic connection with Boand?

rolled 13 = 13

>>15267148
Or that.

I think Sylv found a way to get all of the nasty creatures out of her forest; by herding them all towards the village.

You clutch the pearl around your neck, focusing your thoughts into it. The veins of blue within the sphere light up with brilliant cyan light as the magic of the adornment activates, broadcasting your thoughts to your spirit companion.

"Boand, are you there? I need a question from you."

"I'm here, Osyki." she responds quickly, her lilting voice reverberating within your mind. "You know the rules. You wanna ask me any questions, you've gotta get me something nice in return."

You think of the sack of gems still sitting in your workshop and nod. "Fine by me, Boa. There was a massive rush of animals and beasts by the south gate of the village just now, all trying to get in. Any idea why that might be?"

Your connection is silent for a few moments. During that time, you activate your boots and surge above the tree line, catching a glimpse of the waving fields of green leaves.

"I have a few theories." Boand responds, her voice contemplative. "Tell me, what's going on in the village right now? Anything special?"

You quickly explain the procedure you're pulling to enable the crafting of the new wards. As soon as you mention blood, Boa chuckles knowingly.
(cont.)

"For a link to the world without, you're not very aware, Osyki." she teases. "That much blood being spilled, when there's a strong wind blowing right into the forest? Most of the predators around here hunt by scent and sound, Osyki. Combined with how agitated Sylvia's been lately, it's not wonder that the forest basically vomited angry creatures at the village."

You sigh, rubbing your temple with your free hand. Perched atop the limbs of the tree, you can see the waterfall that feeds Boa's spring.

"I suppose that seems obvious in retrospect." you admit. "Why is Sylviannis so agitated? Is it just the sudden incursion of the splinter?"

"You'd have to ask her." Boa says, her voice flighty and noncommital. "It's not my place to comment on the queen of the woods, really. That is, of course," she says, and you can almost see the fox-like grin on her face, "Unless you'd like to take up the full extent of my spiritual consulting services."

rolled 16 = 16

>>15267248

seems we're still going over to see her. This looks promising.
However, before we do that, go back to the town square and stop the bleeding, or at least have them reallocate to a house. We wouldn't want to keep attracting all those critters overnight, would we?

Fantastic. Now, Osyki will be truly fuckawesome. For he shall have a cloak made of Stalker hide. And a badass shadowy mantle is automatically indicative of the most extreme level of awesomeness.

>>15267248

Sylvia - Forest Bitch of Constant Dryad PMS.

rolled 1 = 1

>>15267285
>>15267285
>suddenly, PMS'ing dryads EVERYWHARE
Aellendil, why is that tree turning red? what do you mean "Autumn Is Coming?".
>I CAN'T THINK ANY GOOD JOKES ABOUT THIS.

I think we should probably keep this to ourselves. Even if by some miracle none of the Slayers died, this is still a bit of a fuck-up that we didn't think of this.
Hope Sylvannis isn't upset we just killed like most of the predators of the local forest area.

Yeah we probably should perform the blood letting in moderation, indoors. perhaps add some incense or something to disguise the blood scent

>>15267371
>>15267376
addendum: need a way to play this off as not our fault before they get the pitchforks. I've got no ideas that would sound convincing, really

>>15267376
This. Seconding.

rolled 7 = 7

Unless accused, we must NOT tell the villagers about the bloodscent thing.
Like another brother here said, pitchforks are BAAAD for our help.
Look what they did to Geralt of Rivia. He hunted monsters too. Would'a tought his reputation might've kept him safe.
>youtinki left
Who, captcha? the grinch?

Anyone mind giving a quick blurb about what totemist quest is about? It feels like I see this quest pretty often, though its only at thread 11.

>>15267384

We do what any good liar does. If someone asks, we tell half-truths. We say that Sylviannis is easily agitated, but she cannot simply be blamed for it - it is her nature. The incursion of the Magus' splinter agitated her further, and her mood effects that of the entire forest. This is again not something she can be just blamed for, as, while she is the manifestation of the forest's will, she cannot hope to possess absolute direct control over every single beast that inhabits her domain, as that would be several degrees of unnatural.

Alternatively, we could man-up and take the goddamn blame, since distortions of the truth tend to get people into more goddamn trouble than is worth. We hold enough respect to do so, in my opinion. Still, kinda-sorta shoving the blame on Sylvia is not likely to arouse her ire as it is to make her opinion of us decrease due to our dishonesty and avoidance of responsibility. From what I know about Syl, she doesn't seem to care about petty human opinions so much, being a Spirit desired by nature and not dependent on human faith.

>>15267454

Likewise.

>>15267541
a very cinematic amalgamation of monster hunter and pokemon.

"Thanks Boa, but I think I'll pass for now." you say, grinning. You hear her let out a small huff, and you roll your eyes. "Don't worry, I'll stop by and see you when I have a minute. No need to pout."

You hear a small giggle from the other end, and a feeling of warmth. "Alright, Osyki. Don't forget to bring me something nice, now.~"

You head back to the village square in leaps and bounds to check on the progress of the donations. While the battle raged it seemed that Elana and the Healer have worked diligently, filling vial after vial with a mix of blood from each villager. You land hard on the edge of the square, the heavy pelt draped over you shoulder imbalancing you somewhat. You make short work of the distance between yourself and the duo of healers, flagging down Elana with a wave of your spear.

"What's wrong, Osyki?" she asks as you approach. She's just finished off patching up a farmer, who gives you a short nod before he goes on his way. "You look upset. Is everything alright at the south gate?"

rolled 15 = 15

>>15267541
bit of a long Story. Totemist Quest follows in the steps of Osyki, the newly appointed totemist to [VILLAGE], right after our master, the previous totemist (Ayren Overwake), a man who was on all accounts a genius and a bit of a dick, dies fighting against a monstrous wyrm. Totemists are somewhat like PC's: they protect the village (and it's people) against monsters and other evils that roam the land, delve into misteries best left alone, prepare totems and other what-have-you magical trinkets and artifacts for the well being of the people, and most importantly, bind spirits to make them useful.
For example, in one of our first threads we killed and binded a titanic rock turtle that could shoot lightning out of a horn. First we binded its spirit to a hammer, which let us call lightning strikes, and now to a pair of boots, that let's us jump like a Dragoon and fall with the power of a Thunderbolt.
Now, we are fixing the wards around the village that were extinguished when Ayren died, except we were DUMB and forgot that large amounts of blood attract nasty gribblies.
Also, we're friends with a mermaid and this elf-dryad-manifestation of the forest forever pms'ing thing that is incredibly powerful and likes music, but hated our master.

Huh. I can remember all that shit at the drop of a hat yet i failed geography class. Go fig.

>>15267384

We don't need to convince anybody. The things that live outside the village are monsters and try to kill people all the time, nobody aside from Walther will even begin to think that the critters attacked for a reason other than being evil. And Walther would only think of it because he likes having ammunition against us.

However, we might just want to sit on the village the rest of the day instead of going to see Boa, make sure there isn't any more trouble.

>>15267602
"It is now, at least. A small horde or predators came out of the woodwork and caused a few injuries. Nothing we couldn't handle, my dove, though you and your teacher at least will be busy yet for the rest of the day, I believe."

>>15267728
>alright, I'm there, but very distracted.

"It is now, at least." you say, wiping a bead of sweat from your brow. "A small horde of predators came out of the woodwork and caused a few injuries. Nothing we couldn't handle, my dove, though you and your teacher at least will be busy yet for the rest of the day, I believe."

Elana stutters slightly, turning a shade of red usually reserved for beets or raw meat. "D-dove?" she asks, twisting the bandage she has in hand tight. You're glad that she wasn't tying it onto a patient. The Healer sweeps up from behind, placing a steadying hand on Elana's shoulder.

"I do believe, Totemist, that we've filled enough vials to complete forty totems. Will that be sufficient, or should we continue?"

>>15267943
Should be enough I think. What did we say, something like half of the old ones were still good?

>>15267943
>>15267978

Well, let's be sure, because I'd hate to have to do this blood drive thing again.

Do we know precisely how many totems we need? If it's close enough we can make up the difference ourselves, but we need to be close.

rolled 1 = 1

>>15268049
Oh god, please Diarca don't make me have to go over the old threads to look for that number again...
also..."dove". What in the hell were we thinking?

We need a total of around seventy totems working. There are some on the walls that are still working, though likely less than half. This is enough for now, we'll organize another donation if we need more and we don't know how well the blood will keep in storage before we actually make the totems.

The other components certain;y aren't ready yet.

>>15268090
But makeing her blush is SO MUCH FUN!

rolled 11 = 11

>>15268253
The blood, as long as it's stored in a closed container, will keep "fresh" and not clod, so don't worry about that. I'm a little worried we may not have enough totems, but 9/10ths of a defense is WAAAAAY better than no defense.
>>15268273
/tg/- that weird combination between romantic and dick.

[[ This seems like a decent place to stop for now, folks. Tomorrow evening's quest should be right on schedule, so I'll see you then. Don't forget to upvote the archive. Wouldn't want sections of the quest getting graveyard'd. ]]