>>18803741

You're on a boat with Eames, floating towards the market district on a sunny, blue day. Voices are all around, arguing, laughing, bartering. Your company seems to marvel at the beauty of the city as you row.

"I always love coming to Noberem. I'm glad we'll be spending the night. What shall we do first? Look for Summoning instructions? Maybe an Alchemist? Or we could find our place to stay or even visit a tavern to see what we could learn."

Eames is visibly eager to enjoy his 'vacation', which seems to mainly be accompanying you and doing what you want.

(A day late and it'll be a little shorter this thread. But I'm gonna do another thread later tonight, too. Anyone wanna start us off?)

Maybe I'll just do it later, instead?

>>18803833
I'm here!
You still here, OP?

>>18803747
Lets find summoning instructions first. Being able to conjure your own horse is an invaluable skill.

>>18804560
>>18804576
...No?

Damn, and I was waiting for this yesterday.

this is still going?

>>18806021
Looks like OP went away when no one responded at the beginning. Damn, I might have been able to catch him if I didn't dick around for an hour before checking Catalog for any quests that are running.

;_;

Im going to bump just for the possibility of OP coming back

Geez, first Nobleman Quest; now this. It's like all of the good GMs are vanishing of the face of the Earth.

>>18806346
Hmm? What happened to nobleman quest? He made a thread like 2 days ago.

bumpan for op

>>18806507
>>18806346

Major thing cropped up yesterday, had to run and didn't notify everyone. Sorry about that. If people would still like to play, I can remake the thread, but perhaps next weekend - this weekend is rather shot for me.

As for nomad quest, bump and hope the OP comes back!

>>18807817
I noticed that the thread didn't get achieved. Damn shame. It still can be found on Foolz archive though. I suggest that when you make the next thread, you link to the foolz archive and in the description of the new archived thread you note that the link for the previous thread can be found in it (this is solely for posterity so that future new readers do not get confused)

>>18807836

To be honest though, given that the writing yesterday was subpar at best (was already really distracted even before shit cropped up), maybe I should just restart from the tavern at night. Redo episode 8.

Thanks for the tip, though.

Bumping because, fuck i like this quest

Well, damn, guys. Sorry about jetting earlier. I gave up after an hour and then had to go work. I gotta admit, it's seriously an honour to be already called a good 'GM'. Hope we continued to have even more fun with the game in future, given that I kinda made it with a sort of New Game + in mind. So thanks for playing so far and, to any of those who might be interested, Nomads Quest will be up and running on Sunday (tomorrow for most of you, later today for me). It will start between 15:00 and 17:30 chantime.

Hope to see all of you there.

>>18810051
Great, I hope I will be able to catch it this time!

>>18810051
Keeping this alive for OP

>>18810051
Hey, the quest is pretty interesting so far so I'd like to see it continued. And what do you mean by New Game+?

bump

It's 15:00 already, are you here OP?

>>18815793

The fact the player got a Ram sigil and is heading to Homme is due to the roll of fates (45 sided die thing) at the start of the game. There are 23 options remaining, I'd like to start a Nomad Quest II delving into one or two of the others. And there are, so far, 13 possible different 'endings' to the quest, I'd like players to see at least one. And I have many more similar plans, too.

I'll be ready to start in fifteen minutes, so if anyone's there, what is your first action?

>>18818911
Yay! I've been waiting for this for a while.

>Action?
This >>18804576
Eames asked what we wanted to do next, right?

>>18818911
Let's find an place to stay the night.
after that we can explore the city

Also fuck yeah Nomad Quest

>>18818958
fuck yeah, I'm not the only one participating!

>>18819077
Im one of those fellas who bumped the thread.

>How do i see Nomad-Kun

>>18818958

Eames finds you a modest abode, the second floor room of a small tavern. Given both of you are staying in the same room, it's a little cosy, but hey, it only cost him 150 yee. And it's not like you're paying towards the accomodation of this trip. Anyway, luckily, the tavern's close to most of the places you want to go in the city.

You and Eames take out a gondola, leaving the rest of your things but the Dao and the bag with the sigil inside. The trade district is full of buildings with bright, coloured brick, the light bouncing off the water and filling the street with a rainbow like gleam. You can get supplies, Summoning scrolls and perhaps even Alchemy recipes here. Closeby are a few of the larger, busier taverns where you could possibly ask for information on things.

>>18819196
Summoning scrolls foe Eames. Alchemy recipes for us.
... Umm, we don't really have money to pay for anything so I guess we're relying on Eames' goodwill.

>>18819196
ask money politely to Eames to buy Alchemy Recipes

>>18819278
We should search for a recipe that is sustainable. Something we can easily replicate, so no rare(ish) ingredients.

Look for some proper rabbit hearts.

Let's find a potion who doesn't has a stupid rule like "no hares, rabbits only, potion of minor restore"

>>18819224

Eames is more than willing for you to spend his money, he expects it. After all, it's not really his money, but his father's. The Captain of the Guard gave him the 1500 (now 1350) yee to fund the entire journey. It's part of his favour to Gram apparently. Almost seems like Gram has something on the good Captain, hm?

Anyway, you head immediately for the big painted sign saying 'Alchemy'. It's a stall in the side of a building, clearly a legit business but a quick and easy sort of way. Eames leaves you to choose out which recipes you like whilst he looks for some handy Summoning scrolls and perhaps even one you could learn if you wanted.

The recipes are also laid out in scroll form, labelled and sealed. You obviously can't have a quick look at their contents because then you wouldn't need to buy them. The man leaning on the stall counter is a gaunt, tired looking sort of fellow. A pale guy who obviously doesn't hail from the sunny region of Settehem. He tells you to feel free and see if he has anything you like. You see a few things, but a lot of them are genuinely commont ailment recipes. You're not sure you need a recipe for killing tooth pain, but here are the ones you are interested in.

Potion of Stamina - 250 yee
Potion of Minor Restoration, just in case you want a physical copy - 300 yee
Potion of Focus - 300 yee
Potion of Ease - 300 yee
Berserker's Draught - 500 yee

As well as these scrolls, there are a couple tomes, also bound and priced.

Alchemy for Novices - 400 yee
Spirit Material: The Entire Listing - 1000 yee
Full List of Positive and Negative Power Sources - 1000 yee
Catalyst Collection - 800 yee

Can you see anything you'd like?

>>18819482
Wait. Those recipes are useless if we do not know the ingredients! I don't want to repeat the rabbit/hare situation again!

Anyway ask what Focus, Ease and Draught do.

And ask about the Alchemy for novices. Are there recipes in them? Would we benefit from that book?

>>18819513

The man explains in a voice that makes it clear that he is repeating facts he has had to repeat time and time before.

"Focus intensifies one perception, both mentally and physically. Archers are known to use it to better their aim and magicians of all schools use it to better use their magics under pressure."

"Ease is a mental remedy for ones who are suffering from anxiety, worries, fears and doubts. It settles one's mind but cannot restore mental faculty to the truly insane."

"Aaand Berserker's Draught is a concoction used primarily by warriors. It summons the kind of physical strength wielded by the berserkers of Korsthetts. Also like the Berserkers, the drinker/victim of this draught will lose perspective between friend and foe."

Obviously, you don't get to know what the recipe is until you buy the scrolls. Alchemy 101 only has a couple recipes in it, but it also teaches the reader about the core concepts of alchemy, which might make recipes easier to divine or even to invent.

>>18819603
Lets get Alchemy for Novices only. We still have a ways to go and 400 yee is a big investment.

>>18819603
Well, if Alchemy for Novices has at least one new recipe, take it. It might even help us with finding substitutes for ingredients or teach us things we didn't know. It will definitely help Eames.

If we can afford it, then also buy Focus. Though I wont mind just taking the book.

>>18819482

As you ponder, you consider two items. 400 yee for Alchemy for Novices and 700 for Focus with it. Eames returns in not two long, having already spent his money.

"Mr. Thol, talk about a bargain! I got two Summoning scrolls for 800 yee! Also I got supplies for travel. Meat, vegetables and won't spoil and some bread, too. Overall, I only spent 900 yee. Hm?"

He looks over the items you tell him you're thinking of.

"700 on Alchemy is a rather silly way to spend our entire travel fund, no? Let's just get Alchemy for Novices...."

He pays the man for the tome. The shopkeep pulls out a scroll, a rather legal looking document.

"In signing this contract, you enter a legal Pact with the Alchemy Guild upon purchase of your instruction. You hereby forbid yourself from unlawful distribution of any alchemy recipes or research materials within the five Western Kingdoms. Your name right here, sir."

He passes you a quill and points to the gilded line at the bottom of the scroll. Eames peers over your shoulder and shakes his head.

"Better you than me, Mr. Thol. I'm not fond of guilds and pacts."

He chuckles. You're clearly not getting the book unless you sign up with the Guild.

(Sorry that took a while, guys. Net went down for a little.)

>>18819760
Good. Let's sign up. We need this book and the guild can only help right?

>>18819760
Welp.
We Registered Alchemists now.
Let's go the TAVERN NOW.
Today we become MAN!

Remember what we have written on our Dao
"In Wine, There Is Truth."

>>18819760
Well, lets sign it then.

Ask the man if it gives us any privileges.

>>18819830
>>18819839

You've never had to sign anything before. Never had a need. So you take some pleasure in taking the quill and signing the line with just 'Thol of the Equius Reach'. The shopkeep raises a brow at the signature but shrugs and asks you to place the quill on the parchment. As you release the quill, it sparks into a fire, the ashes marring a mark beneath your signature. In a split second, his demeanour makes a reversal.

"Honoured Alchemist, please, enjoy your tomb. I happily await your return should you require more alchemy."

You and Eames get on the gondola, new items in tow. It's weighty tome, but you have plenty of time to read it.

"You're on the paper trail now, Thol." Eames chuckles as he rows the boat. He also tells you of the Summoning scrolls he has, one of the Wolf and one of the Cat, for you. Hurrah for cat summoning. So, do you want to travel back to the quiet tavern you're staying at first, or do you plan on going to the much rowdier hole with those nice new expensive scrolls?

>>18819924

tome*, otherwise that would be a very ominous thing to say

>>18819939
It certanly would.

>>18819924
Screw the pub. Let's read this tome and practice summoning!

>>18819924
Better to go back to the tavern and study the tome and the summoning scroll.

>>18819924
Let's read our stuff and then maybe we will go to the tavern

>>18819924
Enjoy your TOMB!

>>18819939
yeah, that freaked me out

>>18819962
>>18819964
>>18819970

It turns out you were a nerd all along. You and Eames hurry home, dreaming of cats and wolves and making money from alchemy. Eames even seems a little excited at being able to study alchemy from a better teacher: a book. One of the things about living above a small family's tavern is that you're having a homemade dinner, too, so you don't have to worry about dipping into your supplies.

Soon you both have your noses in the books. Even for Eames, a Wolf is a level of summoning spell that requires at least a solid night of studying. Given the thickness of the Alchemy tome, you imagine it will take you a lot longer.

You skip past pages and pages of forewords, after-forewords, contents pages and honourable mentions. Then you skip the description of what Alchemy is and right on to the 'Core of Alchemy'. It re-covers the laws of alchemy made clear by your mother. In alchemy, three components are needed: 'spirit', a power source and a catalyst. However, it explains what each actually is. The spirit of alchemy is not immaterial, but part of the trade. It refers to what is known as spirit material or soul material. For example, the rabbit's heart in a Potion of Minor restoration is spirit material. Each of the 24 Spirits has a soul material in the physical world. And they are specific. For example, you cannot use a Wolf's Tail in exchange for a Dog's Tail. And some soul materials are not known even today.

The power source is always a gem, either of positive or negative energy. The gem is always relative to the catalyst.

(continued)

>>18820148


The catalyst is an essence of the energy involved in the transfer. It is the key component of alchemy, bridge between power source and spirit. For example, in a Potion of Minor Resoration, the catalyst is a bluebell. There are only 9 possible catalysts and there are only 6 known ones

To explain the Potion of Minor Restoration, the spirit is the rabbit's heart because the rabbit is the spirit of peace, love and health and the Restoration school of magic follows its teachings. The catalyst is the bluebell, symbol of Nature's course. The power source is the opal, positive gem of Nature's power.

You look at Eames and wonder if he has to read stuff this convoluted every time he learns magic. Do you wish to continue reading and learn some more or get out of here?

>>18820158
Ask Eames if he wants to go out, if not, continue reading.

>>18820178
Do this

>>18820158
6 known catalysts. Welp. We gunna need a lot of bluebells.

>>18820178

By the time you turn to Eames, he has a blue-marked cat running and hopping around the room at his command. The scroll for the Wolf spell lies beside pages of hasty and frustrated notes scattered about the bed. Clearly he wasn't ready to learn another spell of that level just yet. When you call him, the cat spooks before disappearing a blue mist.

"Oh! Thol?" He blinks as you ask him if he wants to go out. "Well, yes, I suppose we should. After all, we have a long time to study. We only have one night in Noberem."

He grins, packing away the more valuable of your possessions. Just in case the tavern owner is a little nosy. Soon, you are both out again, rowing towards the market's edge. The sun is setting and already the sky is a twilit azure. You choose a tavern that isn't quite relaxed, but doesn't at least have people being thrown through windows. Inside, there's a bustle of all kinds. Merchants and tradesmen after a long day of work. Travellers stopping for information or a simple drink. Even a mercenary or two who are looking for any kind of hire they can get.

You and Eames choose a seat at less "solicited" side of the bar and immediately find two tankards of ale placed before you. Eames pays the rather pissed looking barmaid 20 yee. Her hand stays extended. He adds another 10 yee and it leaves.

(continued)

>>18820438


"Well, Thol? Is this the kind of place you had in mind?"

He asks in a hushed voice. Clearly he hasn't been to this kind of tavern before. Then again, neither have you, but you're eager to scope it out. Apart from the previously mentioned, you see some distinct figures. A whole group of rowdy, but not particularly shady, men laughing and arguing around a table about who's going to win a tournament.

In one corner of the bar, relatively safe and quiet, a woman sits in a white robe, her head lowered and her face hooded. You can see a look of trouble on her pale lips, however. Opposite from her sits a rather stern, diligent and rather round looking man. He weathers leather armour and has his hair in a ponytail.

Finally, in the other corner of the tavern, you see a group. You immediately recognise the styles of their clothing. Some have the same kind of mantle as you. They're nomads of the Reach. But some parts of their attire are a little archaic. One in particular wears an Elder's robe. Whilst your Elder wore a green one, this one wears a red one. He also has a black bandage wrapped entirely around his head, covering all but his lips and eyes. You don't recognise their tribe markings. Nor do you recognise the hulking figure of a man beside them. But you can assume his one-horned helm isn't for show and that greataxe resting beside him isn't there by chance.

>>18820443

wears*, goddammit. I know I should proof-read but I don't want you guys to wait either.

>>18820443
>"Well, Thol? Is this the kind of place you had in mind?"

"Actually, it doesn't really matter. Anything and everything here is so new to me that I wouldn't care where we go.
How do you like it here?"

We could approach the first group and find out what kind of tournament they are talking about.

>>18820443
Drink a little.
Try to remember if Nomads from the Reach hate each other.

>>18820443
My whiteknight senses are detecting a lady in danger.
Prepare to board

>>18820556
My common sense is tingling to not jump to conclusions.

>>18820592
Common Sense is overrated

>>18820470

You take a drink. You're more of a wine tribe so it'll take a while to get used to the taste. But at least it doesn't taste entirely like piss. As far back as you remember, you've never seen hostility between nomads. On your tribe's yearly path, they meet about another 10 tribes. Some of them they only meet every few years. Every meeting you remember was either friendly, polite or just amicable. A night or two would be spent in the same camp and then the tribes would part ways.

You've heard stories that there has been in-fighting. But not in your life time.

>>18820469

You get off your chair towards the open group of mostly inebriated men. Eames waits five paces behind like you're walking into a death trap. You ask what tournament they're talking about. You wonder if it's like the archery, hunting and combat contests from back home. One wide, pink skinned man with very little grey hair left looks at you like you were just picked from the field.

"Well damn, country boy? Don't you know about the Grand Tournament hosted by Baihu, King of Shenlong? There's a preliminary in Noberem, tomorrow morning. Some official guy from the eastern continent has come here to host it in the market. They're closing down business for an entire day. The winner gets right into the finals in the Capital of Shenlong. You don't look like you know much about that kinda thing, though. Fighting, I mean."

He chuckles. You remember your old weapon crafting teacher, Xao Dulang. His influences on your life are still clearly inscribed on your sword. You drink in honour of your old homie.

>>18820608
I'm not sure if we can even reach the tourney by now.
Anyway, drink some more and then say to Eames that you're going to talk with the group of Nomads.
Maybe they know about anything about those damn Green Flames and the Goat Spirit.
Hope it's not a rival tribe or something

>>18820608
Yeah. Spilling cups in the name of old homies. Now lets go check out that other tribe. See if they have just came from the reach and if anything strange has been going on there lately? Don't tell him what clan we are from.

>>18820638
>>18820662

You head for the table, telling Eames to hold back with the other guys for a while. He doesn't seem too keen on this idea but the men are eager to sit him down and teach him about just who's fighting in the preliminaries and how Settehem's going to take the tournament.

You head for the other group and, as they see you, they don't do a good job of hiding their shock. The helmed giant of a man looks over you. He speaks in a lumbering, slow voice.

"Another one of you guys. You have a big group."

The man wrapped in bandages looks at you with wide eyes and stands.

"Brother of the Reach! I did not realise there was another on pilgrimage to the West like us."

You think he smiles, the bandages obscuring most of his mouth, and he opens his arms to welcome you. One of his cohorts, a man with sharp blue eyes and jet black hair, held in a blue bandana, whispers into his ear. Then the red-cloaked Elder coughs and turns to the axe-bearing man.

"Excuse us, Tarnus. We Nomads prefer to catch up in private, you understand?"

The horned gent looks between you two before nodding and standing.

"Don't waste my time, nomad. I get paid by the hour."

He lumbers off and the Elder offers you a seat with his bandaged hands.

"Please, brother. Take a seat."

You can see Tarnus standing across the tavern, arms crossed and eyes still trained on you. All the other nomads are watching, too. Eames is... having a drinking contest. For some reason, he's making a cat dance, too. At least you know it's his cat.

>>18820608
Ask him if the fighting is done with weapons or if it is purely unarmed tournament. Also ask him if it is to death.

>>18820749
Do the normal things nomads do when they met.
And then ask if anything is weird in the Reach.
Then talk about what happened to our tribe

>>18820772
seems reasonable enough.
Also be polite and respectful to the elder. We must know how to behave properly since we're a Nomad too.

>>18820787
>>18820772

Don't worry, your customs aren't too strange. No-one's spitting in anyone else's mouth or greeting in song. You simply raise a palm to the Elder and take a seat. You introduce yourself.

"Brother Thol. I am Estrus. We are the Nethero Nomads."

First you ask if they have seen anything strange on the Reach lately. They glance amongst one another before looking back to you. Having five pairs of eyes (six if you count Tarnus) on you is a little odd. The Elder speaks, gesturing with his hands on the table.

"The truth is, brother, that we have not been to the Reach in six months. Nor will we be returning until our duty is done."

Before you can tell him anything about your tribe, however, the black haired man, who looks about your age, leans over and whispers into his ear before sitting back folding his arms again.

"... excuse me, brother Thol, but my apprentice Hawne has pointed something out to me. Aren't you a little too young to be out of the Reach? And what tribe, exactly, does that amazing symbol represent?"

He gestures a black wrapped hand to your mantle. It's entirely unrecognizable beneath Natalie's arcane looking stitch work.

>>18820860
We do know what our normal symbol means right?
Tell that our usual garb was almost destroyed in the event that we will explain now

>>18820860
Tell him that your tribe is no more. That it has been wiped out by unknown force and you're the only survivor.

>>18820877
>>18820887

You explain that you're of the Lolua tribe, tracing out the original symbol on your mantle. Some recognition appears in Estrus's eyes and he, before he asks why you're outside the Reach and why you're disguising your marks, you tell him your entire story. The Nomads listen carefully as you tell them the fate of the Lolua, the Green Flame and the Ram sigil. General shock shows, with the men all looking between one another, except for Estrus and Hawne, who stare straight at you.

"Brother Thol... I... truly apologise for mistrusting you. I know what you tell is the truth. If only we had known that you would be born into the Lolua, we could have saved the entire tribe."

He shakes his head. One of the other nomads, a fidgetty, but strong looking man, leans in.

"Great Elder, he is the one the Asura seeks. Could he also be the one we seek, too?"

Estrus turns to glare at the man.

"Hush your tongue, fool! We do not 'seek' him, we are here to serve him!"

Estrus, his orange eyes meeting your eyes with reverence, raises his hand.

"Thol of the Lolua, Brother of the Steppes and Nomad of the Equius Reach. We, the Netheros Tribe, pledge our alleigance to you. We will help you fulfill your divine mission and get to Rooksland. As is the will of our patron god."

>>18820938
Now is a good time to be confused

>>18820938
Tell them that this is an unexpected turn of events. Can they explain what exactly their mission is since this whole thing is entangled is complete mystery. The Ram certainly never said anything about this.

>>18820938
I AM THE TIGER WARRIOR DESTINED FOR GREAT THINGS! FOLLOW ME AND BE REMEMBERED!

>>18820969

For a moment, Estrus looks confused. Hawne once again leans over and speaks to him privately, eyes still on you. Estrus clears his throat and sits back in his seat. His voice, rather than the cold, cautious lilt of before, now feels warm with compassion.

"Forgive me, Thol. I thought you might have already been told of why you were attacked. You, Thol, are the Blackseeker. The nomads of the Reach have always been the keepers of balance in the world. We, who belong to no nation yet hear all things, are an invaluable connection between the East and the West, and also an important power for peace. For five centuries, all the Elders of the Equius have been waiting. Eighteen years ago, a child was born into this world. A child known as the Balanceseeker. The same year marks the savior of our Tribe and our God. We thought, originally, that Hawne was that child..."

You look at the other young man. He doesn't look particularly happy with this turn of events.

"But clearly, you are that man. Balanceseeker. Blackseeker. Please, allow us, your humble servants, to help you fulfill your destiny."

They all bow low. Hawne doesn't bow quite as low as the others.

>>18821050
Have we ever heard about this Balance seeker?
Apologize for your ignorance, it seems our tribe did not wish to divulge information to us. Ask them what exactly is our destiny or if it is yet to be determoned.

>>18821050
Hawne will fuck with us right?

>>18821075

You haven't heard of the Balanceseeker, before. You know the Equius worship all 24 Spirits and keep the balance between them, but they seemed to overlook this detail. Then again, you were treated kind of different from the other kids. But that's because you wanted to do different things, and the adults just seemed to bend the rules around you. You ask what exactly this destiny is. Estrus is happy to explain.

"The world has been falling into chaos, Thol. Ever since the first rise of Asura, 500 years ago, war has waged. East and West, North and South, Life and Death, Light and Darkness. The peoples of the world fall more and more into chaos. The Spirits seek change and balance, all at the same time. Their influences are scattered wide but only one man in history has held the potential to carry the favour of all. He was Etheos, First King of Man. We believe you are the next. You are the one who will decide the mechanisms of fate. Your will is the world's path.

"And... as we, the Netheros, believe, as the Blackseeker, your fate is to head north, to the frozen country of Rooksland. There, you will free the imprisoned God, the Crow, the Spirit of Love. We, the Netheros, have always been aimed at this purpose. The fact that Asura pursues you only proves that you have this power."

>>18821138
Well, we need first to go to Homme before travelling anywhere else.

I want to find out what this sigil is and why we have it.

>>18821138
Lets do this.

>>18821167
Besides, we owe Eames. We agreed to travel with him to there and back. We should do this for Gram at least.

ooh, i know, show them the sigil

>>18821167
>>18821177

Estrus stares at you, lips and eyes unmoving, as you declare your intention to go to Homme.

"Brother Thol...." He shakes his head. "You misunderstand. The Ram does not matter. Homme does not matter. You hear the calls of a god who does not know what to do with his subjects."

He stands from his seat and makes his way around the table. He places his hand on your shoulder. Beneath the bandages, you can feel a frail touch, as if withered away by illness.

"You are the Blackseeker. Your purpose is already set out. The longer we tarry in freeing our God, Our Beloved Lady, the smaller chance of hope that we have of saving her. We will accompany you to the North, to Rooksland. After you finish in your mission, you can go to Homme as you please."

The other four nomads and Tarnus are still watching you intently. Hawne, in particular, stares with the kind of eyes of a tiger eyeing his prey.

>>18821138
Wow, wow, wow.
We have stuff to do first.
We have this whole spiritual journey to do.
say that you have stuff to do it first, spirits to met, people to talk.
No offense, but we have promised people things and we just don't break promises

>>18821232

Aaaand, that is it for now! Sorry guys, but I gotta run for a couple hours. I will be back, after, however. Two and a half hours at the very most, if anyone is still interested in playing then.

>>18821238
i'm down with it

>>18821238
Oh, alright.
It's time for me to sleep anyway.

I shall be here when you return!

bumping

Alright, back and running. Anyone want to take an action?

>>18822334
do this
>>18821233

>>18822363

Elder Estrus does not seem to be taking your refusal seriously. Or at least he assures you you can go to Homme. After you're done fulfilling your destiny. He sees no other choice for you.

Polite answers obviously won't be enough for this guy.

>>18822334
I have made promises to others. How am I supposed to bring balance to the world if I refuse my own personal obligations. Balance begins with the self and I must understand that before I can bring it to the world.

how about agreeing to go, then leaving them a note saying saying we're going to that hama whatever city first and that we'll catch up to them?

we could also ask our companion about how he feels about taking a detour.
yeah, lets ask him

>>18822401

"Fool!"

It is not Estrus who replies to you, but Hawne. His voice is soft, but very serious. He sits upright with all the resolve of a young man prepared for a difficult destiny. After all, until ten minutes ago, he did believe that he was to be the Blackseeker.

"The balance of the world is your will. You don't have to meditate, you don't have to travel the world. You have to use your power to solve the problems of the world now! One of the Twenty-Four is trapped and bound in a prison of flame, don't you see the chaos this leads to!"

He stands, knocking his chair back until it tips over. His hand holds on his hip, the hilt of his sword grasped in his knuckleless blue gloves.

"Calm, Hawne! You cannot insult the Blackseeker so! You have been disciplined better than this."

"Disciplined for what, Elder? So I can watch my destiny be wasted by a child with no concept of responsibility? Stand, Balanceseeker."

>>18822465
So you can start a fight with me, I'll sit, thank you very much.

I have not noticed any powers or anything like that as of yet. I will continue to Homme, fulfill my obligations, and from there proceed to Rooksland.

There is more to balance seeking than simply heading towards Rooksland, a hero's path is never a straight line, there are turns he must take if he wishes to go where he must when he must.

Is this acceptable?

>>18822528

"He can't even unsheathe a weapon, how is he supposed to change destiny!"

Obviously losing his nerve, Hawne's voice rises above the others in the tavern. A lot of people are looking. Eames, the drunkards with him, the white cloaked lady and her associate. Tarnus, too. Except he's brandishing his axe. Finally, Estrus moves around the table and places his hands on Hawne's shoulders.

"Sit, my poor misled apprentice. We must allow the Balanceseeker to find his balance. When he is ready he will become our Blackseeker. And then, he will help us fulfill our duty." He manages to convince Hawne to sit again, quickly righting his chair. The black haired youth stares at the table. Estrus, too, takes his seat. The noise of the tavern begins to rise again. Eames can't help but stare as his companions once again delve into the details of who's going to beat who at the tournament. The lady in white hurriedly leaves her table and heads for the exit. The ponytailed man calls out after her, trying to keep up.

Estrus looks entirely serious. You can see enough of his mouth to note he's not smiling at all, anymore.

"Brother Thol. We will respect your decision. We will be half a day behind you for the rest of your journey, waiting for you to accept your fate. Please. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Estrus gestures away from the table. Eames is staring at you like you should get away from him as soon as possible.

>>18822642
Say Goodbye
Leave With Eames

>Estrus

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estrus

>>18822697

Eames stands as soon as you do. You say goodbye to Estrus and both exit the tavern as quick as possible. As you do, night has descended across the sky. Stars and the moon bounce off the water beneath the city. You see a white robe disappear beneath a bridge on a boat. Eames readily gets into your borrowed gondola and starts untying it from the dock.

"Come on, Thol. I knew these kinds of taverns were bad places to go. That guy was about to gut you. What were you talking about over there? He had a real problem with you." He sighs, waiting for you to get in, oars in hand. "This isn't going to be a recurring theme of our travels, is it?"

>>18822699

His naming is intentional, after all. Estrus is... kind of a themed name.

>>18822796
I don't even want to know

>>18822773
Sorry Eames
things got a little heated
it's not going to happen again

i think we should stop trying to sound like a leader/hero.
we've got our own thing going and just being called the chosen shouldn't change that.

is that white robe from a fellow nomad or that priestly chick in the bar?
if its the priest girl, lets follow her and tell our friend we'll catch up to him.
also, lets not ever leave without our sword again

>>18822857

As he rows the boat hastily towards the tavern, Eames gives a chuckle. A look of disbelief is given up through his glasses.

"I doubt that, Mr. Thol. I think you flirt with danger without knowing it. I'd best get the Wolf Summoning spell down, hm? Not that I think I'll be able to bloody focus with all this pointless tournament trivia in my head. Did you know that this is the first tournament to have a Rakshasa fighting in it? Bloody wonderful, this useless information."

He grins. Clearly he didn't hear what exactly you and the Netheros nomads were talking about. Before long, the two of you are at the tavern. You have a meal downstairs, a spicy poultry affair that has you sweating a little. You find out it has ground pigflower seed. It tastes like a dire need of water, but the chicken's filling, at least.

After that, you both retire upstairs. Your two beds aren't very far apart, so you're not getting much distance at the moment. Eames lays back across his bed, pulling out the scrolls from beneath it and opening the Wolf scroll again.

"How about you, Mr. Thol? Any luck on the Alchemy? Grasping it a little better?"

>>18822913

Sorry, brah, I was going with >>18822857

The lady in white wasn't dressed like a nomad. Her robe was out of place, but not familiar to you. Regardless, it's the last you'll see of her. For now, at least.

>>18822913
Eh, i think i got the basic of it, but haven't tried any new recipe so far.
How's the Wolf summoning going on for you?

>>18822983

"I'll get it down before we hit the road to Vanthana, don't worry. I thought it would be similar in pattern and focus to the Dog summon, but not so much. Well, at least I have the Cat now. They say it's a magician's best familiar, you know?"

He reaches over a chalkboard that he has scrawled the Cat circles on again and again. Still looking at the Wolf scroll, he focuses his energy on the chalk markings, pulling them up with his hand before, yet again, a Cat stands on his bed.

"Does it look useful to you?" He sighs. Seems like he plans on studying all night.

>>18823040
Smirk and says
"Well you did entertain the crowd with your cat controlling skills in the bar"

>>18823095

He shoots you a smirk and tuts.

"I may be of Settehem, but I'm no bard."

Not caring that the reference may be lost on a Nomad who has spent his night on the reach, he lets his cat vanish.

"Besides, you can have a look at the scroll, too, if you want to entertain people. Didn't have to sign any kind of pact about sharing my spells. Nope. No pacts for Summoners."

He's pleased with this fact, clearly.

>>18823125
Maybe i'll receive a discount after 10 years being a registered alchemist.

Take a look at the scroll.
offer Alchemy book

>>18823150

Eames shakes his head. "No thanks. I'm just going to stick with old wolfie here."

You open the scroll for the Cat. You see a bunch of circles similar to the Dog, but they're smaller and more spread out. It shows the process of drawing the circles, meditation, extension, focusing the ether and lifting the markings until they take form. Funnily, it also names the 'source' of the magic: Soul. You wonder what that means.

>>18823192
Say man what does this "Source:Soul" means?

ask and try to summon a cat, name it: night eye

>>18823227

"All magic has a source. We manipulate the source with teachings from the Spirits, or research done by our teachers. The source of all Summoning is Soul. It's an extension of a man's own soul. Just as the source of the power for you Potion of Minor Restore is Nature. Magic's a complicated system, just forget about the fact that you're making a Cat extension of yourself and just think about making a Cat."

He seems hasty to have you stop interrupting him.

>>18823253

You think about naming your cat. Night Eye sounds like a fit. Taking his chalkboard, you draw the circles for the cat as demonstrated on the board. You hold your hand over the board and focus your energy on the circles. Then you raise your hand, trying to form the shape of the Cat.

Roll a three sided die. If you get a 1, you fail to Summon. If you get a 2 or 3... well, we'll see how succesful you are with it.

rolled 2 = 2

>>18823287
rolling for a TIGER CAT
because that's how we roll

rolled 3 = 3

>>18823287
here we go

>>18823303

It seems like your destiny as TIGER MAN will forever elude you for, as you focus your energies and the blue mist of your ether and the chalk circles mix together, it is not a tiger that rises from the board, but... rather, a cat.

It looks at you, breathing steadily, just as you are, awaiting your will. Its eyes reflect the blue glow of its marks, giving an almost spectral feel.

"Well done." Eames looks up from his scroll with a smirk. "You've succesfully summoned yourself a cat. We'll be master Summoning Alchemists in no time."

He chuckles. But hey, this time two days ago, you didn't know a thing about Summoning. You are pretty damn good at picking things up.

>>18823405
Be disappointed it's not a tiger.
Make cat do cat things

>>18823461

You've never had a cat. You've never even seen a housecat. It's so small and alert looking. Completely unlike a Steppes wildcat. So you make it do some things. It doesn't look very impressive whilst it's trying to roar like a tiger or pouncing across the bed. But it's kinda funny to make it roll up in a ball. It tumbles, however, as you lose your focus. After all, you haven't practiced maintaining a summon that much.

ha roaring cat
so, read a bit of alchemy recipes and sleep?

>>18823498
Find it cute
study alchemy
Get new recipe
sleep

>>18823530

Indeed, you are beginning to feel somewhat tired. You flick throught Alchemy for Novices, looking for some recipes. The importance of Positive and Negative power. Nope. Soul Materials and their Usage. Nope. Beginner's Catalysts and their relation to Source. Nope. Ah, finally. A recipe for Sleeping Butterfly Wine. It requires a Butterfly, three drops of human blood and a sapphire piece. Seems like this theme of three ingredients, one being a gem, is not going to go anywhere.

You decide to go to sleep. The cat vanishes, you set aside the chalkboard and scroll and tome and finally sprawl out on your bed. It has been quite a long day. You deserve a good rest. The events of the past three suns drift down the back of your mind, like floating down a brook, getting smaller and smaller until you can't see them anymore.

Instead, you see the same man. The ram-skull, the tattered robes, the long grey hair. He sits across the brook from you.

"You've had an interesting epiphany, haven't you? Is that realisation I sense in you? Ego? Duty? Confusion? Nomad Thol. What do you think of your destiny, now? Do you still pursue the means to take your vengeance? Is that why you seek the man who carries my symbol?"

>>18823626
"I want answers, that's all i seek now"

>>18823658

"Answers." He chuckles. "It is not my duty to give them to you, Balancekeeper. I am but the lucky spirit who can talk to you in your sleep. Perhaps, Arethos of Homme can help you find those answers. Enjoy this peace of mind, Nomad."

He gestures to the brook.

"But what you leave behind in this water will come back to you. You cannot escape the past and you cannot stop the future from coming."

As you look back to the old man, you realise his body, his hair is now all bark, and his cloak is moss. There is life in him still, but not as you know it. His disembodied voice echoes once more.

"And keep up the Summoning. A man's Soul is the most reliable sources of magic. It will help you when naught else can."

Your gaze slowly falls back to the brook, until it grows, becoming a river, and further it floods, until it envelops you with a peaceful mist, and you drift off into darkness.

You wake up in the middle of the night. Eames didn't pull the curtains so the moon is beaming through the window. The pale white light reveals that your Summoner companion is no longer in the room.

(And that is all for now! Thanks for playing Nomad Quest, folks. Hope to get a thread going around 13:00 chan time tomorrow. Hope to see y'all there.)