>>17333485
If nothing is in immediate danger from The Magus or any encroaching Behemoth/malicious spirit, then I suppose we'll continue our relaxation in the pool. Whenever we're free, check up on Quinn to make sure he's ok.

Your current obligations:
>Repay your debt to Boand by spending time in her spring with her. (In Progress)
>Repay your debt to Sylviannis through an unnamed, but soon to be revealed favor
>Negotiate with the Rain Spirits for a good harvest this season
>Pay a visit to the spirit of the mountain, in regards to this "Deal" (s?)he brokered with Ayren
>Use Tryd and/or Boand to identify a child with potential to become your new apprentice
>Pick up order from the Blacksmith's shop

To-Do
>See if we can make something useful for the villiage, from the monsters that attacked
>Spend time with Elana and Aurora
>Keep training Quinn
>Continue training with the Slayers
>Talk to the Night Stalker's spirit

>>17333485
Convince Boand to talk to Quinn.
Convince Quinn to talk to Boand.
I wonder if Boand finds Quinn's flustered-ness cute.
Also, continue talking to Boand. It's why we're here, after all!

>>17331242
Thread with background here. Delicious copypasta coming up om nom nom.

>>17333546
LAST TIME, on TOTEMIST QUEST:

Osyki, a boy of eighteen, found himself suddenly thrust into a role he was not fully prepared for. When his master, Ayren Overwake, died unexpectedly in a pitched battle with a terrible Behemoth, the role of village Totemist fell to Osyki. A totemist is a combination between a shaman and a warrior, a hunter and a diplomat. He is the Link to the World Without, and the link between nature and man. While the village guard is capable of keeping smaller threats out, truly monstrous threats fall to you.

OSYKI, the VILLAGE TOTEMIST, is our main character. For the short period of time he's held the job, he's done a damn good job of it. After returning from his master's funeral, Osyki decided to prove himself to the people of the village by hunting down a ferocious Rock Turtle, a massive earthen predator. He performed a Feral Binding, a ritual requiring sixteen runes, and defeated the beast in a pitched battle.
(Cont.)

Holy Christmas Balls, More Totemist Quest. Just to remember where we are, we just took out a wyrm, got a stalker hide and have finished the magic blood camouflage for the village. If I haven't forgotten anything I say we finish the soak with Boand, rebolster Quinn's spirits by telling him Boand does like him and will forgive him. I say we have a chat with our newly acquired coat and learn what we can.

>>17333565
On a further expidition to harvest the spoils of his last fight, Osyki fought and eventally bested a Bone Warden, an undead creature born of tragedy and misery. He bound this creature as well, and after it a Night Stalker, a creature renowned for its stealth.

Allies:
ELANA is the resident healer's apprentice, and your childhood friend. She's taken care of you every time you've come home battered after a fight, and the two of you have recently begun developing feelings for one another, though neither of you have acted on them yet. You found out during an attack on your village that she may hold a talent for something known as "Seeing the true order of things", and that she was born at the peak of the local Ikrin Mountains at the height of the solstice.

PIERCE, Village guard and long-time friend, has been supportive of you in your endeavors. He is the voice of reason against the unbearable Slayer chief, and a powerful warrior in his own right. He was the one to carry you down the mountain after your exhausting Bone Warden battle. He has pledged his support to you.

QUINN is another slayer, around your age. He has offered (and you have accepted him) to be your apprentice in the ways of the Totemist, so that what happened to you does not happen in the future. He is a bright boy, and decent in combat, but he is occasionally overeager in his social interactions. Still, he remains one of your closest allies.

>>17333569
THE VILLAGE ELDERS, Illstya, Haine, and Mayhews, are behind you. You met with them over a dinner that Elana prepared and discussed plans for the future of the village. Elder Illstya is a stern woman, but the Elder whom you know the most personally. Elder Haine is a kind man, and a brilliant tactician. Elder Mayhews is a taciturn man, in charge of internal security and affairs. He scares you, but only very slightly.

THE HEALER is Elana's master and a skilled physician. With your help, she has begun to assuage the terrible fever gripping the village. She stills thinks of you as a child, but she has developed faith in your abilities.

MERICH, THE BLACKSMITH, supplies you with your equipment. In a day or two, he should have a collection of items available for you including a GAUNTLET, CHAINMAIL, A MAP CASE, and SEVERAL FOCUS RECEPTACLES

AURORA is your younger sister. Though she has a love for tomboyish activities, she is very much the picture of a little girl with her flowing blond hair and penchant for dresses. She is incredibly fond of you, and you of her. She may or may not possess the potential to follow in your footsteps.

THE MATRONS are a group of women devoted to raising the children of the village. You get along well with them, though they are exasperated at the effect you have in regards to overexciting the children.

WALTHER may or may not be your ally. He is the chief of the village guard, or as he insists on calling them, the SLAYERS. He despised your master and thinks very little of you and your 'shadow-peddling', though popular pressure from the village has kept his temper in check, for the most part. The two of you fought side by side to repel an invasion of beasts not too long ago. Whether that has changed his opinion of you, you do not know.

>>17333576
AMAL is your closest ally. A very minor nature spirit, he is still a vast repository of knowledge about the spirits of the region. He serves primarily as a messenger, assistant, and consultant for you as he is currently bound to his AMBER NECKLACE focus.

TRYD is a minor soot imp, and a sullen bastard. He skulks about when he is summoned, sniping at you and your friends. Despite this, he is a useful companion. He has an eye for Spiritual Potential according to Amal, and his control over minor flames is a skill that you can channel through your CHARCOAL CHARM focus.

CORDIA is the driving spirit behind the Bone Warden you defeated. When you bound her, you freed her from her prison of rage and hate. She remains cagey about the event that forced her to become such a terrible beast, but she is slowly opening up to you. She is currently bound into your Verdis Wyrm Sting, but her focus is a MARKED SKULL.

BOAND is the spirit of the spring in the forest, and long-time "friend" of your master. She is incredibly knowledgable, even more flirtatious, and keeps an eye and an ear on most of the forest. She is the only being you know of who can contact the master of the forest regularly. She is very fond of you, and you maintain a mental link with her through your MERMAID'S PEARL necklace. You are asked to spend one minute of your time with her per question you ask her, and minor favors cost you trinkets and valuable objects.

SYLVIANNIS, aka SYLVIA, is the spirit of the forest. She held a special contempt for your master, though the two of you have joined forces in the past. She has been particularly agitated lately, according to Boand, and you owe her a favor that she has yet to name. She has a love of playing the harp.

>>17333565

Thank you kindly for the pasta, sir. I'll wait until you're done to proceed.

>>17333584
NEUTRAL SPIRITS:

MODI MAGNI is the spirit who resides within the WHITE CLAW focus lashed to your spear. You've spoken with him face-to-face only once, where he appeared as a faceless figure in robes of black silk and wearing wings of tearing, screaming metal. He identifies himself as a Greater Avatar of Wrath, and seems to hold both you and your master in the same regard that one considers a useful tool favorable. He holds a deep hatred for greed and avarice, and especially the two races which embody that the most: Dragon-kind, and humanity.

THE ROCK TURTLE SPIRIT is currently bound to your boots, creating the powerful Cloudwalker's Stride, which allow you to leap incredible distances, fall safely from any height and discharge lightning-fueled kicks. It does not seem to be intelligent, though it may just be sullen.

You have not yet attempted to contact the spirit of the STALKER whose pelt you have fashioned into a focus. It is currently bound to your cloak to create NOCTURNE'S EMBRACE, a cloak that hides you when you stand within shadow.

ENEMIES:

THE MAGUS is a mysterious entity who staged an attack on the village after your Bone Warden fight. A being of incredible power, and possibly a Totemist himself, The Magus sent a splinter of himself to lay siege to the city. He would only leave in exchange for a long-forgotten deal being honored, an exchange of the village's safety for ownership of Elana. Osyki thought this deal one he could not complete, and so he and Sylviannis joined forces to repel this Splinter. Tryd has read through Ayren's notes on this being, and warns Osyki that in a fight with the genuine article, he would be utterly decimated. As it stood with the Splinter, it took all of Osyki's, Sylviannis', and a fair amount of Modi Magni's power to fend off the assault. They have since created a series of wards to hide the village from the Magus' detection.

>>17333592
CURRENT BINDINGS:
Rock Turtle: Bound to boots, making Cloudwalker's Stride
Cordia: Bound to Verdis Wyrm's Stinger, making Cerberus' Fang
The Stalker: Bound to Cloak, making Nocturne's Embrace

Your current obligations:
* Repay your debt to Boand by spending time in her spring with her. (In Progress)
* Repay your debt to Sylviannis through an unnamed, but soon to be revealed favor
* Negotiate with the Rain Spirits for a good harvest this season
* Pay a visit to the spirit of the mountain, in regards to this "Deal" (s?)he brokered with Ayren
* Use Tryd and/or Boand to identify a child with potential to become your new apprentice
* Pick up order from the Blacksmith's shop

To-Do
>See if we can make something useful for the villiage, from the monsters that attacked
>Spend time with Elana and Aurora
>Keep training Quinn
>Continue training with the Slayers
>Talk to the Night Stalker's spirit
>See what that Cereberus' Fang does

>>17333565
>>17333569
>>17333576
>>17333584
>>17333592
>>17333600
Copypasta delivered.

>>17333609
Very convenient. Thank you.

>>17333566
Adding to my earlier post, we should also find out what the hell Cerberus' Fang does ASAP so we can use it in combat reliably.

You manage a small smile as you follow Boand's distracted gaze across the pond to Quinn. You nudge her with your elbow, raising an eyebrow and cutting her off mid-sentence. She sputters to a halt, confused.

"What? What?" she says. You give her a meaningful glance and raise your eyebrow, to which she offers you a smile. "Ah, yes. What of it, Totemist?"

"Nothing, nothing!" you say, proffering your hands palm out in a placating manner. "Just caught my attention, is all."

"A curse of my nature, I'm afraid." she says, placing a palm to the back of her head dramatically. "It's my way to be... eternally curious, if you will."

"Well, go on Ms. Curious." you say, growing bold. "He's putty in your hands over there. Why don't you teach him a little something about spiritual etiquette?"

Her eyes widen at that, and you feel yourself flush momentarily. Have you gone too far? You open your mouth to apologize when Boand gives off a hearty laugh, the sound like water rushing over stones. "Maybe when he's a little more... advanced, Totemist." she says with a wicked grin. "I prefer my companions to be wise in the ways of the World Without, and spiritually charged besides."

You nod, casting a look over your shoulder. Quinn has noticed your gestures, and is making his way toward you.

"Everything alright?" he asks, his face a mask of worry.

"Everything's fine, Quinn. Are you ready to go? That is, if our debt is squared." you say, looking to Boand. She nods, waving you off with an offhanded gesture.

"Go on, Totemist. Get to your duties, and prepare for the Verdant Lady to call on you."

You nod, giving her a bow. "'Till next time, then." Quinn hurriedly mirrors your gesture, and the two of you make your way out of the pond.

"What now?" Quinn asks as he reaches for his shirt.

>>17333744
Well, talk to Quinn about what he thinks of Boand, and if he wants to learn more of the World Without.
NOT involving Quinn, see what Cerberus' fang does. Like, try stabbing a plant or something. If it emits venom, try drawing some of it by stabbing leather or bark.

>>17333744
"I think a lesson is in order when we return to the village; feels like forever since I've actually bonded something."

Fourth wall joke aside, let's teach our friend Quinn a lesson or two. After a quick tip, let's see what our spoils can do for the good of the village.

>>17333785
>Like, try stabbing a plant or something. If it emits venom, try drawing some of it by stabbing leather or bark.

Wouldn't that piss off Sylviannis even more?

>>17333797
Good point. Stick to stabbing inanimate objects only.

>>17333744
Currently I'd like to find out what in the hell Cerberus' Fang does and have a chat with my new coat. We've probably got at least a few days before our favor to sylvanis comes up so we could have a chat with the rain gods, i'd hold off on visiting the mountain and learning about the deal until we have a completely free day.

"Let's head back to the workshop for now." you say, throwing Nocturne's Embrace over your shoulders. "I think that a few lessons are in order. Etiquette, courting spirits, all that."

"W-what?!" Quinn exclaims, whirling to face you. When he sees the wide grin plastered across his face his expression darkens, and you dance out of his reach as a punch barely misses your shoulder. "Funny, Osyki. Very funny."

"All joking aside," you say as you pull on the Cloudwalker boots, "I think that I should show you what some real spirits look like. Besides, it'll be good for you to clear your head."

He nods, and the two of you begin walking.

"So, a lesson?" he asks. You nod. "I haven't made contact with the spirit in this cloak just yet. It will be good for you to sit in on the conversation, take notes. We'll see what the Almanac's taught you."

"Will it be dangerous?"

"It's always dangerous." you say with a smile. "At least, everything for me has been. So far. We'll see."
(Cont.)

As the two of you walk, a sense of unease slowly grows. It is mid-day, but the further you progress on the path toward the village, the stronger the sensation of being watched grows. Your spine bristles as a breeze passes by. It seems that Quinn feels the sensation as well, and the conversation between the two of you lapses into quiet, tense silence. The two of you exchange meaningful glances, and your hands find the pommels of your weapons in perfect sync. You cast your eyes across the canopy overhead, resisting the urge to whirl around. What could it be? Calling Tryd or Amal would be too obvious at this point. You curse yourself for not keeping the Mirror of Truesight bound.

>Roll 1d20 for spot check

rolled 19 = 19

>>17333988
/tg/ dice don't fail us now.

rolled 6 = 6

>>17333988
nobylan
mitenun

>>17333988
Here we go!

>>17334008
Niiiiccccce.

rolled 16 = 16

>>17334022
Fuck; forgot my dice.

>>17334008

>19

Your sharp eyes suddenly catch a glimpse of something moving just beyond the treeline. It's moving very quickly, but your eyes focus in on it; a humanoid shape, though small and childlike. A flash of deep green hair and a wide grin set your teeth on edge, and you throw a hand out to stop Quinn.

"What?" he hisses, his hand on the hammer buckled at his side.

"Trouble. Potentially." you mutter, keeping your eyes locked on the moving figure.

"What kind of trouble, Osyki?" Quinn asks, stressing the second word. You don't bother to respond, instead drawing Cerberus' Fang in one swift motion. Quinn quickly follows suit.

Not a moment after, a blur of movement leads to two things: a sudden yell from Quinn as something drops from the canopy onto his shoulders, and a high pitched, chittering laugh.

>>17334106
Turn to face the culprit!

>>17334106
Turn and prepare to commence major, careful not to hit Quinn, stabbings.

>>17334170
From the sounds of it, stabbings might not be the appropriate reaction.

>>17334183
Yeah, from the looks of it, we might want to replace the stabbing with tickling.

>>17334170
I misread chittering as shrieking laughter, yeah, stabbings would be probably be excessive.

>>17334183

You whirl around, Cerberus' Fang upraised and ready to lash out. The sight that meets your eyes quickly makes you reconsider that, however, and you lower the weapon slowly as you attempt not to grin.

Quinn is pinned to the ground by a small humanoid figure. Deep green hair sprouts in unruly spikes from his head, and his arms and legs are crossed. He sits on Quinn's chest, regarding you thoughtfully. You notice that small leaves and branches are woven through his hair, and his eyes are entirely black.

"I've bested your pet, Totemist!" the figure cries, springing up to stand atop Quinn's fallen form. He comes up to your waist, and the rough leather vest and pants he wear seem slicked with some sort of dew. "Now, I challenge you to ritual combat! You've impugned on my lady's honor!"

You raise an eyebrow as Quinn seems to come to his senses. With a cry of fury he throws himself upright, sending the small verdant figure sprawling.

"What's the big idea?!" he demands, looking down at his attacker.

Now this is what I call a Christmas Miracle.

>>17334330
It seems that we have a real world test of spiritual etiquette Quinn. This guy probably things we've impugned on Boand's or Sylvanis's Honor, I'm guessing Sylvanis and wants to challenge us to ritual combat, now Quinn, what do your studies suggest we do at this point?

>>17334330
"I don't think Quinn meant any harm, um..." Gesture for a name.

"As for your lady's honor, which would you prefer: that you trounce a student's teacher and besmirch her name, or would you let us pass, joyous in how hospitable your lady is to her guests?"

Now, I know he's said some fighin' words, but we can't just go throwing our weight around. If he doesn't want to see reason, then we'll show him what we're made of, regardless of how young.

HOLY SHIT TOTEMIST QUEST.
At this rate, maybe we'll see Aino Virta and the Dead King back, too.

Ask this guy who his "lady" is, first of all.

>>17334437
Oh man that'd be nice.

Also I think he works for Sylvanis.

>>17334382

"Easy now, Quinn." you say, holding a hand up. "Remember what I said about etiquette? Here's your first test."

He pauses at this, lowering his hammer slightly. "What?"

"This is obviously a spirit. You've apparently impugned on his lady's honor. Deal with this."

"Not him!" The short being roars, scrambling back to his feet. "Both of you! But especially YOU, Totemist!" He says, jabbing a finger in your direction. You raise the other eyebrow now, surprised.

"Especially me? Who is this lady, exactly?"

"The lady of the spring! Trea Boand! You've invaded her home just like your master before you, playing on her curiosity to soak up the magic of her spring! I wont allow it! You and me, Totemist, right now!"

>Roll 1d20 for diplomacy, and another 1d20 for SECRETS.

rolled 3, 5 = 8

>>17334597
"Well, I didn't invade; I was invited to talk business."

rolled 7, 11 = 18

>>17334597
Diplomacy

Young spirit this was not an invasion of her domain, I come with express invitation, I came to her not to soak up the magic of her spring, I didn't even know I could soak up the magic of her spring, I come to her because she is a valuable source of information and a friend. I am not my Master who manipulates and deceives. I'd rather not fight you as us fighting will lower both of us in Boand's eyes.

rolled 17, 2, 17, 20, 6, 16, 9, 15, 2, 5, 9, 8 = 126

>>17334597
>dice

Oh god, /tg/ dice tend to hate me. Just rolling to see if it's any different during the holidays.

rolled 9, 2 = 11

>>17334718
Two please, not twelve.

rolled 18, 5 = 23

We just can't roll diplomacy can we?

OMG DIARCA MAN, I THOUGHT THEM PILLS HAD KILLED YOU OFF. Fuckin' merry Xmas to you man, shit, how's it been?
Also
>Totemist quest: Fuck yeah

>>17334664

You sigh, kneeling down to crouch face-to-face with this being. "Young spirit this was not an invasion of her domain, I come with express invitation, I came to her not to soak up the magic of her spring, I didn't even know I could soak up the magic of her spring, I come to her because she is a valuable source of information and a friend. I am not my Master who manipulates and deceives. I'd rather not fight you as us fighting will lower both of us in Boand's eyes."

The boyish being's brow furrows, and a long switch of wood seems to sprout from his palm. "I'll not listen to your honeyed words, Totemist. Who knows what charms of beguilement you have on you? I'm no fool. I'll beat the truth out of you and your damnable pet human, and then we'll see who Trea Boand favors with her presence!"

A flash of understanding crosses your mind. Simultaneously, a flash of movement darts between two trees at the edge of the path. It's a nigh-instant flash, almost too quick to be seen, but you notice it all the same.

"Quinn. Convince this man that Boand-"

A snarl from the small man cuts you off at this. "You would dare disrespect her, Totemist? TREA Boand is what you shall refer to her as!"

>>17334753

[[ They very nearly did, and the same to you mate! Things have been crazy, but I'm glad to get to do this again. Glad ya'll manage to bear with my interminable fucking post gaps. ]]

>>17334793
Bow slightly. "TREA Boand...convince him that she invited us, and that we mean no harm."

>>17334793
We'll hash this out later, that direction, saw a flash of movement, you can beat me up after we deal with this next problem.

>>17334793
Quinn, reassure this spirit that we mean no harm to the great Trea Boand.
Indeed, even if we would wish to do something so vile, there is no way that we could ever deceive a spirit as wise as her.
Frankly, we find his lack of faith in her abilities to be disheartening.

>>17334820

"Trea Boand, then." you say, attempting to step around the small figure before you. "Quinn, kindly reassure this gentleman that we mean to harm to the lady Trea Boand."

Quinn lets out a long sigh, turning to the spirit. "Frankly, even if we wanted to do something to Trea Boand, there's no way we could outfox her. She's smarter than the two of us could hope to be. What makes you think that you have to protect her, anyway? Don't you have faith in her?"

You move past the slowly simmering argument, stepping closer to the copse of trees. In your hand, Cerberus' Fang is slowly brought to bear. The trees that you saw the shadow jump between are swaying softly in the midday breeze, and overhead lances of sunlight rain down through the canopy. With a flick of your wrist Tryd appears on your shoulder, the heat he throws off warming your ear.

"Watch my back." you mutter, stepping forward.

Another sudden flash of movement blinks between a pair of trees further into the woods, and you take off after it like a shot. Natural curiosity is something that you and Boand have in common, and it's doubtful that the tiny nature sprite was the being giving you such a sense of dread on the path. Your cloak billows out behind you as you take off into the woods, barely noting the mingled shouts of surprise and anger behind you.

>One more roll, /tg/. 2d20.

rolled 14, 20 = 34

>>17334971
Zoooom!

rolled 16, 10 = 26

>>17334971
Lady Luck don't fail us now.

Hopefully we don't stab it before getting a chance to interrogate it.
I have a hunch that whatever gets pierced with Cerberus's Fang isn't going to be in a mood for talking.

>>17334995

You round the tree that you saw the movement behind in record time, the Cloudwalker's Stride leaving slight scorch marks where you tread. As you round the corner, everything seems to slow. It is not the dilation of time that you are used to via Modi Magni. Your muscles suddenly feel sluggish, slow to respond. Your eyes flit upward, and a strange sight greets you.

A long, lanky figure sits crouched between two tree trunks. Its features are obscured, indecipherable, but what stands out the most are the burning white orbs that form its eyes. Its head seems refracted in the light behind it, shifting outward in irregular beams and spikes with each subtle movement, but the orbs of white light remain constant. The same sense of dread hits you like a rampaging Drake, and you swallow hard.

As the sound of your audible gulp rings out, you suddenly become aware of a shift in your surroundings. The forest seems cast in a strange twilight, and thin red mist filters along the ground, highlighted by the strange filtered light that seeps from behind the figure. With a shudder the upper part of its left arm writhes outward in serpentine lines, only to snap back into place a moment later.

The soft smell of lilacs fills the air.

>What now, Totemist?

>>17335142

[[ Completely forgot my picture. ]]

rolled 5 = 5

>>17335142
...I don't suppose you want to talk?

>>17335142
"I see you, creature. Speak!"

Oh shit, Totemist Quest. Awesome, glad to see you up and running again.

>>17335142
Greetings Creature, name yourself and your desires. Think back to our studies see if this guy rings any bells. Cerberus's Fang raised and ready, Cloudwalker's Stride ready to launch ourself at the fucker.

>>17335202

"...Greetings, creature." you finally manage to say, breathing unevenly. You're unsure what's unsettling you so badly, but even when fighting the Bone Warden you didn't feel this level of gnawing dread. "I don't suppose that you want to talk to me?"

The sound that issues forth is akin to the screeching of Modi Magni's wings, slowed down and played over the scraping of bone on rock. This piercing noise sounds out for approximately five seconds before it resolves into a recognizable sound, halfway through a word.

"-ld before time itself." the creature finishes, its words like the wind hissing through a gap in the rocks. "Now the message is delivered. I had hoped that you would catch up. I have been shadowing you for some time now."

The creature maintains unnatural stillness as it speaks, as though it were painted into the background. The cadence in its words are subtly wrong, and occasionally it stresses the wrong syllable of a word.

"So. Here we are. And now the question stands before us: Are you strong enough?"

>>17335366
"I will be the first to admit that I am still young and naive..." Look down. "However, I do not doubt my ability."

>>17335366
Well we missed the message only getting the the last bit, I'd guess told, world, maybe child for the rest of the word.

Firstly you are horrible at delivering messages, secondly who/what are you and thirdly, I certainly hope that I am strong enough for what comes my way.

>>17335366
...There's only one way to find out, isn't there?
But you already knew that didn't you?

[[ The messages you all are throwing out are pretty different. Shall I roll to decide which we go with, or would you like to come to a consensus? ]]

>>17335366
Is Tryd still with us?
Is he as uneasy as we are, and does he know what the fuck that guy just said?

>>17335476

Tryd is no longer on your shoulder, though whether he's departed of his own volition is a mystery.

>>17335406
Good with this.

>>17335475
I say at least trying to get hold of it's identity could help us in the future and seeing if we can get more information on the message it kinda sorta delivered would be nice.

>>17335406

You glance down at the mist-veiled floor below you, then back up at the strange being before you. Steeling yourself mentally, you manage a small smile as you speak.

"I'll be the first to admit that I'm still young and naive," you say, your grip tightening on the handle of your weapon, "But I do not doubt my ability. Now, who are you? And, again, what do you want?"

"Again," it says, mimicking the tone and cadence of your voice unnaturally efficiently for the single word, "I am here to deliver a message from a world before time. I seek one such as you through this vessel, in hopes that you might release the evils plaguing me and restore order to this world. But if you are yet unexperienced in the ways of the world, perhaps education is in order. You will know my hand by the passing of truth across the sky, and my mark shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. Expect me, Totemist. I will find you."

The mist suddenly erupts upward from the ground as the last syllable rings out into the air, enveloping you in a dense cloud of red and blinding light. A moment later a rush of sound fills your ears, and a firm hand claps down on your shoulder.

"Osyki!" a voice shouts, and with a great shudder and an involuntary wretch you find yourself standing in the forest once more. Tryd lets out a sigh of relief as you whip your head around, and Quinn frowns worriedly at you.

"What are you staring at, Osyki?"

There is a sudden, heavy feeling in your right pocket.

"I had the most peculiar visitor just now."

Check pocket

>>17335679
Weird crazy magic shenanigans which I do not yet fully understand, I'll detail you later. How long have I been gone and what is crazy wood spirit up to. Also when we have a chance see what got deposited in our right pocket.

>>17335679
Some kind of vision I suppose, of a peculiar yet powerful spirit.
Not even the Magus had such a disquieting presence, and yet it asked me to restore order to the world.
It decided I was not worldly enough to meet its goals, and it seems it gave me a gift or token of some kind.

>>17335717

"...Not sure." you mutter, feeling in your pocket. "I had the most peculiar vision just now, of a strange spirit."

You withdraw your hand to find a small red flower nestled in your hand, unusually heavy. On closer examination, you realize that the entire bloom, from the short-cut stem to the tip of the pistil, is carved entirely out of a single gradiated gemstone. The light catches a petal and sends a dazzling array of sparkles across the forest for a moment before the canopy shifts and the grove is cool and dark once more.

"...Odd." Quinn comments, still looking unsure. "I managed to convince the wood sprite that we weren't attempting to beguile Boand. He told me that he'd come calling to discuss things with you later."

You nod, only half-listening to Quinn at this point. The object in your hand consumes your attention. The attention to detail in the carving is ridiculously minute. You can pick out individual pores in the surface of the petals, and veins in the single leaf protruding from the cut stem. You've never seen anything like it.

"Osyki?" Quinn asks, his hand still on your shoulder. "You still up to that lesson? You look like you could do with a bit of rest."

"Yeah, sure. Let's get back home before anything else weird happens."

>>17335859
"Huh? Uh, yeah...maybe a quick rest when we get back to the village."

>>17335859
I'm supposed to deal with odd stuff like this, I'll be fine, lets wander back and have a chat with my coat. Still need to find what this sword does so we can also experiment with that.

On the way back, lets ask Tryd what he saw/heard?

"What?" you mutter, distracted. "Uh, yeah. Maybe a quick rest when we get back. I'll be alright, though. I'm supposed to deal with odd stuff like this."

"Alright, man." Quinn says, still obviously uncertain, "If you say so."

"I do." you say, your voice regaining its customary resolve. "We still need to have a chat with this Stalker coat, and I'm curious to try this blade out on something soon."

"Hoping for a fight, huh?" Quinn asks, smiling slightly now. "Isn't that supposed to be inauspicious or something?"

"Probably." you say with a shrug. The mood thus somewhat alleviated again, the two of you make the journey back to your village in peace. You speak quietly with Tryd along the way, but he gives you much the same description Quinn did: You darted out of the clearing at top speed, then stopped and stared, still as a statue, at empty space for around three minutes.

Upon arriving at your workshop, you remove the cloak from your shoulders. "Pay attention," you say to Quinn. "I'm about to show you the ritual for unbinding a focus. I can't speak to a spirit while it's bound up in an object. It needs to be summoned from the raw focus."

Quinn nods, taking notes down on a small scrap that he's located on one of the myriad workbenches. You lay the cloak on a table, intoning the now-familiar words as you pass you hand over it. "Your purpose complete, your task well served. Release your holds now, spirits, and find respite in your Foci once more. This conduit is no longer your home, and it will not keep you. In the name of Osyki, Link to the World Without, may this be done."

The pelt slides off of the cloak like a shadow melting away in a sudden beam of light, pooling around your feet on the floor. You scoop the hide up, holding it in both hands. The usual mental link required to contact the spirit seems elusive, like attempting to snatch water from a pot. Still, you feel as though you're slowly making headway.

>Roll 1d10

rolled 4 = 4

>>17336023
Can't look like a complete doofus in front of Quinn and totally fail at saying Hi.

rolled 6 = 6

>>17336023
Tricky sort isn't it?
Well we are nothing if not tenacious.

>>17336034

It takes you approximately two minutes more of mental gymnastics to find the link dodging about beneath the dark water of the pelt's spirit. In that time, Quinn grows increasingly worried, as if you're beginning to "space out" again. As he opens his mouth to say something, however, you finally find the break that you were looking for. Fishing the spirit out of hiding through sheer force of will, you throw out an arm dramatically. Before you, shimmering into view slowly, appears to be a gentleman in a dark robe. As he appears further, sitting in one of the chairs of the workshop, it becomes apparent that the robe is actually a tailored garment, a strange tunic and slacks combination with metal designs seemingly sown into its surface. The figure's face is obscured by shadow, though the light should throw his face into sharp detail, and he spins a severed, polished claw between his fingers.

"Yes, Totemist?" he asks, his voice barely audible. "What can I do for you today? Have my vestments been unsatisfactory to you? Please," he says as he leans forward, revealing a single amber eye glinting in the light of the room, "Tell me how I can serve you today."

>>17336129
No, everything has been perfectly satisfactory, I however like to establish a good relationship with the spirits I have bound, and the last thing I expected was well dressed gentleman.

I'm going to be blunt and ask your desire and if there is any way I can help you. Also I'd like to inquire more as to your nature, how well you mesh with certain items, if in the future I could come and ask your advice on things without this much trouble fishing you out that sort of thing.

I'm just here to talk and to hash out our working arrangement

>>17336129
"Oh no, quite the opposite! The abilities you have granted my cloak are more than satisfying! I merely wished to meet you face to face so that I could learn your name. I do plan on having a long and successful relationship with you, afterall, so I feel to not do so would be insulting."

Hm.
This would seem to confirm that the rock turtle totem is indeed sentient, and might just be giving us the silent treatment.
Maybe we should apologize for essentially killing it just because it looked rare, and not for any reason of protection or even sustenance?

>>17336238
Well given that it's a rock turtle, it's going to be stubborn as all fuck and I doubt it's going to crack and start talking just because we want it to, we can apologize though and give it a shot. Also we dragged it back home, used the meat to feed our populace and it's shell and bone to construct armor and weapons to defend ourselves. We dismantled it for small charm and totem material and we might even be able to use the odd bits like eyeballs and liver and so on for alchemy or medical purposes.

>>17336262
True, but that doesn't change that our motive was essentially 'ooh, rare variant of an enemy! lets slay it.'
And yeah, patience and persistence will likely be required if we want to win it over, but I feel as if that's a good investment.

Is it just me, or has OP went to sleep?

If he did, someone should archive this

[[ Whoop, bloody hell. There I go again. Thread archived and called for the night, since apparently I can't keep my eyes open. I'll send out an email when the next thread will be up. Email me at this address to be added to the mailing list. ]]