File: 1381631216810.jpg-(533 KB, 1600x1165, Venia.jpg)

533 KB JPG

Recent Events Summary:

After tying up lose ends with Vonnegut, you decided to fly to Archon both to inform Fang about the fate of the staff, and to try and barter for his support. Archon's power and resources will be critical to cementing the union being formed by Blackwater and Auriel that is bringing together Felnoir and the fractured denizens of the Great Forest to face a common enemy - Kan-Abar's demon lords. With those nations united, she then plans to approach Arland and use Flint's influence to create a grand alliance to turn and face Kelvere.

You learned from the archmage that Melody was an old personal acquaintence; but where she, or the staff are now, he has no idea. Thanks to Abigail's willingness to rejoin him, Fang has agreed to support the alliance. Convincing the whole of Archon to join with you, however, was another matter. But in an inspired speech before a gathering of the council and the great families, Abigail laid out a path for a new Archon, a keystone of peace and prosperity that could sweep the empire while it was off-balance.

Her passion was answered by a 8-2 vote to induct her as the tenth councilor.

Meanwhile, you journeyed alone to the deep part of the Great Forest so as to confront Temerity on your own terms. You could come to no accord - you had enough of him, and he of you - and a battle between the pieces of yourself erupted.

After nearly breaching the 'seal' by weakening the shards too far, Temerity agreed to submit, more fearful of unleashing whatever Chaos lay within than being reforged by Humanity. All the shards you've collected are now recast in Order and Chaos.

The new Temerity - Resolve - has indicated the position of the two remaining shards of darkness to you. Believing that one of the shards is responsible for giving the orcs in the western part of the forest trouble, you've decided to aid them with their problem and hopefully gain their friendship.

File: 1381631228750.png-(445 KB, 539x466, stop.png)

445 KB PNG

>>27711093
it begins

Knobs

File: 1381631263366.gif-(498 KB, 500x275, rock on.gif)

498 KB GIF

SHADOW QUEST TIME!!!

File: 1381631317277.png-(1.57 MB, 1157x647, smugflintdiscussesplanswi(...).png)

1.57 MB PNG

I've been waiting!

quick someone post the new reminder

File: 1381631363738.jpg-(1.04 MB, 1949x759, ability tree (104).jpg)

1.04 MB JPG

Ability Tree

GREEN abilities have been unlocked and learned.

BLUE abilties are unlocked, but are not yet purchased.

RED abilities are revealed, but locked due to prerequisites.

UNDERLINED abilities are active-use, as opposed to passive. Not all active abilities require mana.

All Revealed Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/4Y6TAxse

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/dAXR00gP

Character Sheet including learned abilities and other important information:

http://pastebin.com/jrGsV989

IT'S SHADOW TIME!

File: 1381631419557.png-(972 KB, 1166x652, ShadowdealswithIlabeingto(...).png)

972 KB PNG

>>27711144

>>27711151
is it: don't bother making plans because you will be fucked over either way

>>27711152
am i the only one who wants t complete the middle gray tree to see what bonuses we get?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zD06a6fq4I

You look at your shards. <Let's gather together once more,> you say. <I feel exposed, like this.>

Your shards move toward you - and they walk into you. Your body absorbs each one of them without changing, as if they're stepping through a door.

Silence is reforged.

<So this is what is feels like?> it says.

<What should I call you?>

<Hmm...what's an interesting name...?> Silence thinks on it for a moment. <How about Lightning McQuade?>

<...no.>

<You know, I might be on your side, but you're still no fun,> it tells you. <You know what? Silence is fine. I liked it before, and I like it now.>

<If you say so.>

When you turn to Isolation, it is already 'there' - waiting for you. You pat the strange existence on the shoulder. <You know...despite being what you are, we've been together for a long time. I don't think Isolation is really your thing.>

It cocks its head slightly, but just keeps looking at you expectantly.

<Well...brace yourself.>

You reforge Isolation in the fires of Humanity.

Where before Isolation was a hunched, morphed figure, it now takes the outline of a robed human. It is still entirely black - you can see no defining line between clothes, and skin, as with Temerity. The only thing aside from that inky color are the same white, orb-like eyes, staring back at you quietly.

<...what do I call you?>

Isolation just looks at you.

<...how about...Peace.>

It cocks its head, nods once, and then vanishes into the depths of your being.

----
----

>>27711161

Please don't make Ila look like Akatsuki.

I'm still getting over the fact we steamrolled our way onto somehow fucking our daughteru.

>>27711162
i think it was more along the lines of "make plans, make more plans, and more plans. then double, triple and quadrouple check those plans"

File: 1381631577724.jpg-(68 KB, 256x256, Auriel (2).jpg)

68 KB JPG

>Later, at Haven...

"...so that was caused by the fight between...the shards of yourself?" Flint asks.

<I believe so.>

You're standing in a meeting room of Haven's fortress. Flint returned from Maven Lake while you were gone. He, Auriel, and Ila are standing around a freshly hewn stone table. The mages have recently set up simple heating spells powered by the Shadow Mana pool, keeping the fortress heated against the cold winter night.

"...there isn't a magician in Venia that didn't feel that," Auriel says. "The game has changed, now. People are going to react to this."

<Do you think Sandalphon is going to do anything?>

Auriel shakes her head and frowns. "I'm shocked he hasn't already moved in force against the demons. The winter wouldn't stop him if he was truly determined. I feel like he's up to something." She shrugs. "We don't really have the resources to risk gathering information; we just have to press forward with our own plan. When it strikes against his...we'll see who planned better."

<For now,> you say, <I need to focus inwardly. This matter with the seal is...vital.>

Flint nods. "I guess we both have our problems, huh?"

<...yes. In any case...I believe that the source of the orc's issue is a shard of darkness. I'm going to investigate personally, so I'd like you to hold back anyone for now.>

Auriel nods. "Alright. The orcs know that we're sending something in near the edge of Abbotsford; they told us that's the center of the magic. You should head straight there." Auriel grins. "We can take credit for anything you do."

<Understood. I've been meaning to ask - what is Obis up to?>

"Actually," Auriel said, "Adavan's staying with him. Mentioned he wanted to talk to him about something." She frowns. "He didn't say what, though."

>con't

>>27711205
that's boring.

File: 1381631670921.jpg-(236 KB, 1024x623, THISISTHEFUTUREYOUAVOIDED.jpg)

236 KB JPG

>>27711203

Don't worry, anon.

I come from another world. A world in which the players of Shadow Quest took another route, and embraced their temerity.

BEHOLD OUR CREATION AND KNOW THAT YOU STILL HAVE HOPE

>>27711247
i'd prefer boredom over death

File: 1381631714781.jpg-(310 KB, 640x915, Donovan (2).jpg)

310 KB JPG

After a few more pleasantries, the room breaks up, but Flint lingers a moment. "Hey, Shadow."

<Yes?>

"Listen..." He looks at you. "I know there's a lot going on...with that other side of you. But when you go to finish it once and for all...or, at least, before you do anything to drastic...come get me."

<Flint,> you say, <you are the best friend I could ask for, and a strong warrior...but the magics are on the verge of falling from my hands. I would not be able to shield you if - >

"I didn't ask for that," Flint said. "Don't leave us out of this. Not me, not Auriel, and especially not Abigail. It's not about how dangerous it is. You're my friend. I won't let you go alone, when you have to face...whatever it is you'll face."

You simply nod. Flint nods back, and leaves the room.

That's a decision you'll have to think about.

You walk out of the fortress. The air is still and cold. A light dusting of snow coats the ground. The grass is dead and browned, now.

What do you do?

>head for Abbotsford
>head to Maven Lake; check in on Adavan and Obis
>something other strategy


>HP: 81/81
>Mana: 58/58

>>27711254
Fuck off Erebus

>>27711278
go find sandalphon and kill him/kill ourselves

>>27711278
>head for Abbotsford
we made a promise and now we keep it

>>27711278
Head on over to Abbotsford to see what's going on with that shard

>>27711278
>head for Abbotsford
Getting a good standing with the orcs will be crucial for defending Haven when Sandalphon comes. Not "if", WHEN.

>>27711278
>>head for Abbotsford
Time to get that shard

>>27711278
>head for Abbotsford
Let's check it out

>>27711332
How much EXP do we have?

>>27711093
btw SM, the character sheet needs to get updated. All shards are new shards now

>>27711278
>head for Abbotsford

We needd to ask Resolve qhat shard it is that is in Abbotsford

>>27711388

was too tired to do that

>>27711402

it isn't sure

>writing

>"We don't really have the resources to risk gathering information; we just have to press forward with our own plan. When it strikes against his...we'll see who planned better."

Ehehehe nice blatant "hint" there.

WE are someone that can risk gathering information on the enemy.

Also
>Auriel grins. "We can take credit for anything you do."
Includes mistakes. So don't make 'em, mmkay? S'right.

I need to sleep, so here's just one thing I wanted to say.

Remember that we're stealthy. Remember that stealth is what got us through most of our early days. Remember that even now, it's still a fucking huge advantage, and the fact we haven't been using it lately is an utter waste.

We should stealth attack everything if we can.

>>27711551
we'll just be asked to roll stealth and do poorly.

>>27711174
I want to finish up the orange tree since it has some good abilities and its the cheapest.but team hydra want to rush wants to save exp

You decide that the best thing to do is simply head straight for Abbotsford.

You take to the skies.

----------
----------

The Great Forest earns its name. You're flying over it for some time. Evergreens fill about half the space, but the flat-leafed trees have browned. Most have lost their leaves entirely. You touch the ground on occasion, keeping the skysever at bay.

Eventually, you reach the edge of the forest. A huge plain stretches before you - the southern edge of the Frontier. In the distance, you see the Palorian river, cutting through the plains with wide sweeping curves.

The city of Abbotsford lingers ahead. You land about a mile outside, gliding to a stop on a slight rise.

For a northern town, it's quite large - the main island of civilization between Palthair and Chausel that marks the entrance to Felnoir. Nothing compared to the Ring City, or Archon, but a sizable berg nonetheless.

You analyze it from your distant location. The river is devoid of activity - no fishers, no transports. You can't see any carts or people out on the cobblestone roads leading along the river. It's...empty.

A palpable darkness hangs in the air over the town. It's late into sunset, but even so, the light seems dimmed around the edges of the buildings.

What do you do?

>see if there are any orcs about
>use Deep Focus
>sneak into the town
>some other strategy

>>27711581
>sneak into the town
Let's do some manual reconnaissance

>>27711581
Resolve can ping shards so no ned to Deep Focus.

>sneak into the town

So after this shard gets sorted and if we're not hooked into
oh
rebuilding orcstown because the shard decided to flee into their childrens pen or something

What uhh, are we doing about the Demon Lords that Kan-Abar keep summoning?

>>27711581
>>use Deep Focus

>>27711581
>sneak into the town
They're already worried about a shadow presence: no need to make them worry over another.

>>27711633
which is why we dont risk them spotting us

>>27711629
Still got to get Wrath and check out the Palace.

>>27711516
With disguise or the other shadow power we could sneak anyone with us inside.

>>27711629
after we get this shard we are going to go get Wrath next cause we made a promise to resolve.

by that time the orcs should be organized and the treaty finialized. then we can bring the coalition to bear against the Deamons

>>27711658
Obviously. But we can still put forth things like >>27711516, while we're doing other stuff too. Just to get ideas in the air and sort out the bad.

>>27711658
Palace?

>>27711678
We also promised flint to help him with his parasite.

>>27711581
Did the Orcs evacuate this area or something? I... hope that's the reason no one is here...

>>27711581

Use compress and sneak into town. See if we can locate any townsfolk.

Not sure we want to telegraph our position to the Shard via Deep Focus, we might get lucky and find a "hideout".

This Shard is likely to have hunkered down somewhere if it's been causing trouble in the same town for weeks.

>>27711707

Note that the orcs don't live here, people do. The orcs live in the forest.

They've been violently bothered by something originating from in/around Abbotsford.

>>27711581
Stealth and use Resolve to find the other shard, so we don't have to Deep Focus.
Maybe use shadowmeld.

So what aspect of our tree do you guys think this joker is?

>>27711703
yeah, but we need to wait for Fang on that and he /they are still busy kicking Archon off its ass

>>27711745
I see, I see...

They people are all DEEEAAAD!

5 mana (4 mana) shadowmeld and sneak in?

Y/N

>>27711746

What this anon said, make Resolve guide us to the Shard.

>>27711745
so everyone in abbotsford is dead

>>27711746
poison, explains it pretty well

>>27711746
Well, Wrath is likely the physical tree so probably some manner of magic.

So what do we do when we find out that the shadow hanging over this town is actually a vampire incursion, and that the shard is somewhere farther away?

>>27711777
Y

>>27711777
Y

>>27711755
Good point, speaking of which did we ever put that mysterious cave with the scary being on our list of things needing to be investigated?

>>27711777
Y

>>27711784
I thought Darkxis was already poison/consume.

Hey guys.

You know how Nyxystix Abby-Sabbatical Ship #6 now has crazy amazing stealth?

And how it can transport screwy loads of people and supplies?

That means quick and covert resupply train and transport, an ability to get behind enemy lines and force them to fight on two fronts, a giant ship filled with mages capable of hit & run tactics from the skies, and at least a dozen other possibilities.
When making plans for Kan-Abar, think of Nyxystix.

>>27711808
you mean the entrance to the Timorian Deep? where we found Isolation?

We have returned there and nothing was there. Apparently the Timorian Deep is a scary as fuck place and it's where the REAL shadow elemental is

>>27711792
Resolve wouldn't lie to us!

>>27711808
It's on that list I think. But I don't think we want to mess with Lethe just yet.

>>27711839
We'll also think about it when we plan on how to deal with Ring City. Right now, let's focus on Abbotsford.

>>27711777
y

>>27711839
Well, duh. I thought that was obvious. The thing can carry the entire population of Haven and then some. It's going to be crucial to a sneak attack.

>>27711839
i'm sitll voting for "the Gavel on the name

>>27711868
>Resolve wouldn't lie to us!
He also couldn't give a precise location on the shard. We just assumed that it was at Abbotsford.

>HP: 81/81
>Mana: 54/58

You wrap shadows about yourself like a cloak, then set off for the town, keeping near the edge of the waterway.

Roll 1d100

>>27711882
"The Gavel"

Fuck my grammar sucks today.

>>27711891
he said it was "to the west" near abbotsford.

>>27711874
Well someone said that we should put things out there so that every anon can get a better perspective.
If there's anything that can destroy or create holes in the plans we make, it's going to be assuming that everyone in the thread is on the same page. Ass out of U and Me.

>>27711868
Good point, but eventaully we should check him out.

>>27711865
So i wasn't the only one that though that there might be a real shadow elemental

Rolled 55

>>27711896
oh dear lord it begins agian

Rolled 38

>>27711896

>>27711901
>near abbotsford.
He didn't say it was near anything. He just said to the West.

Rolled 20

>>27711896

Please dice, please buttfuck us slightly less hard tonight...

Rolled 16

>>27711896

Rolled 15

>>27711919
>>27711868
who is Lethe?

Rolled 45

>>27711896
Oh god not again with the dice!

>>27711934
>>27711924
>>27711922
Shitty rolls as usual

Rolled 10

>>27711922
>>27711924
>>27711934
welp

>>27711942
Greek for "Oblivion." The REAL shadow elemental.

>55, 38.
Welp.

Rolled 30

>>27711896

Rolled 59

>>27711922
>>27711924
>>27711934
nothing new here

>>27711910
I'm aware of that but I'd think even the idiots who won't realize the airship's specific tactical advantages in situations are going to want to use the thing every chance they can just because how cool it is.

It's just one of those things I don't see needs to be specifically brought up compared to other things.

Rolled 13

>>27711896

>>27711999
What other things then? There's no real limit on applying ourselves here, so don't hold back what you wanna say. Bring them up. Discourse is the structure of a community game.

Rolled 44

>>27712057
we should also check out what exactly the armorments on it are. cause i dont think Breeze is gonna be helpless, but at the same time he cant be all that powerful

Hahaha I fucking called it earlier.

Rolled 89

>>27712104
called what?

File: 1381634490778.jpg-(727 KB, 1440x900, Abbotsford (2).jpg)

727 KB JPG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkR3ZXxWzEU

You sneak into the town along the waterline.

It is empty. But there's something wrong in the air.

A fog hangs over the buildings. The air feels cold, dry - but your visibility is obscured.

Signs of battle in the town are obvious. The pavement is scoured and driven up by magic. Fire has burned out several buildings. The earth feels strong; though you know the situation has only occurred over the past several days, moss grows over even the main boulevards, and rot eats at exposed timber.

And then you see the crows - black birds. They caw constantly. They sweep overhead, peeling about the air, and then land in another roost. None of them linger in the sky for long. They don't seem to notice you, though.

The stench of old flesh is rank. It reminds you of Magnock's laboratory in Palthair - but there are no bodies, no fleshy monsters.

The center of the darkness seems to be a large building up on a bluff over the river. It looms over the rest of the town.

What do you do?

>enter the town hall
>some other strategy

>>27712057
I've already brought up the stuff that I wanted to bring up or already had it brought up for me for the most part.

Mostly, I just want to focus on our shards and getting to the frozen hand palace/talking to the elf queen. I think everyone making plans for the demons are being a little too hasty. I understand the importance, of course, but we really need to get our own shit straight and stop putting it off. It has been repeatedly biting us in the ass and we won't be able to get what we need to get done if we don't take care of it. I doubt we're at the power we need to just take a Demon Lord without worries, anyway.

>>27712142
>some other strategy
Try to find a source for the stench.

Rolled 14

>>27712142
>>enter the town hall
Compress for extra stealth as well.

Rolled 42

>>27712142
>crows - black birds
sky-sever.....wut

also
>enter the town hall

>enter the town hall

oh god, whatever is here is strong enough to ward against the sky sever.

>>27712184
Crows are smart animals. If any bird was going to survive the sky-sever, Corvids would probably be among them.

That said, I remember Shadow Master said that whenever birds are about some serious shit is going down, so we should keep an eye out.

Rolled 57

>>27712165
we have several months to prepare for the demons (we think) cause we are just entering winter and they probably wont make a move during winter

>>27711999
Anything that's a tactical advantage has to be brought up though. Same with anything that is a strategic/tactical disadvantage.
When I said "when players aren't on the same page," that aligns with the thought process that goes about the plans we're making. E.G. people opted for a hammer strike despite more positive and less shard-damaging plans being available.

If we don't come out and talk about these things, /tg/'s shortbread brain just doesn't work. What's obvious to two anons who pay attention isn't obvious to another two anons paying attention to something different.
Which we have too many examples of.

>>27712142
FUCK YES CROWS. I LOVE YOU SM.

Can we take a small look into the town hall before we enter it?

>>27712184
This was covered before. The more intelligent, non-high flying birds survived the sky sever by adapting.

Crows are really damn intelligent.

Rolled 84

>>27712165
The problem is that they are already at 3 demon lords, all they need is two more and that will make things a whole lot worse.

Rolled 85

>>27712214
maybe the Black Lady?

Rolled 55

>>27712233
2 demon lords actually, there was 3 total but we killed one.

they may have summoned the next one by now but we do not know

>>27712142
I want a bet crow. We should Servant a crow.

>>27712142
Let's look around the regular town and see if we can find anything. There is a distinct lack of corpses in a location that a battle has recently taken place in.

>>27712233
Getting killed trying to do something that we've been repeatedly urged to wait until the end of Winter isn't very bright though. Xile was something we were supposed to do last on our list before dealing with and it showed, the Demon Lords are going to be fucking tough. We can't run in there at less than 100%

Rolled 67

>>27712271
Oh my god what would servanting an animal do?

or what would Servanting a summon do?

>>27712165
We do kinda need to make an attempt at curbing a demon lord though.

It's endgame if they end up summoning five, if that is their plan... which we also still don't know why they would. Or why Kullia would want that if they're aware of the history surrounding the idea of summoning so many demon lords.
I honestly can't imagine them wanting to take the risk now that I think about it.
What the hell do they get out of knowingly screwing themselves over to demon lord power?

>>27712271
you want to spend one of our 10 slots we have for Servant on a crow?

Oh what the hell. I'll support it.

>>27712271
Can we even servant animals? Would that grant them sentience, sort of like a Wizard's familiar?

Rolled 68

>>27712291
I'm not saying go to it right now, but the longer we wait the harder its gonna become until it is 5 demon lordswith a 6th on the way

>>27712286
>inb4 corpse pile

>>27712271
If this comes to a vote i will honestly support it.

>>27712291
We know that. Our plan is already set to take care of this shard and then face wrath,
with or without Flint,
We're discussing options for what comes after that. This isn't a hasty "let's go do this now guys" talk, it's "what should we prioritize after these missions and why" talk.

>>27712142
Also, if this is Wrath, then it's probably the shard of physical strength, and we'll need to plan accordingly.

You sidle up the main road toward the town hall, seeping your way between the long, dark shadows of the alleys. Darkness is thick, here - but that just means you're in your element.

The town is deserted. You don't feel any life besides the crows - and they feel virtually magical. No - they're real. But they're coated in mana. Order, you should say.

As you approach the base of the bluff, you note that the stench of flesh is somewhat stronger.

What do you do?

>continue to explore the town
>focus on the source of the stench
>head into the town hall
>capture and investigate a corbie
>some other strategy

Rolled 73

>>27712271
I'm up for servanting a crow, but i lost all hope of anything exp related being bought until hydra gets picked up.

>>27712334
>focus on the source of the stench
Let's get to the bottom of this

>focus on the source of the stench

>>27712271
>>27712292
>>27712298
>>27712311
>>27712319
>With the assistance of a mana pool, and some EXP you can make any sentient soul a 'servant'. Your servants are stronger, faster, and have more magical power than normal individuals of their race.

>sentient soul

>>27712334
Oh fucking shit

OH FUCKING SHIT

THE CROWS ARE SUMMONS OR THEY'RE BEING CONTROLLED!

>>27712334
>focus on the source of the stench
I bet something is using those Crows like surveillance cameras.

>>27712318
>>27712296
it isn't necessarily "end-game" but we will just be dealing with a "weaker" Elemental Lord level enemy. i think.

im still not sure if a "pentacle is 5 demon lords merged together. or if the 5 just broke the chains are are now "self-summoned" which would honestly make them weaker

>>27712329
Wrath is at the palace.

This is the poison shard that Darkxis had but broke away when we consumed him.

>>27712271
If we servant a crow, it better have a wise-cracking personality.

>>27712334
dem crows are summons

>capture and investigate a corbie

Rolled 61

>>27712371
>the chains are are now "self-summoned" which would honestly make them weaker
How so, from what i can understand they are free and can feed off each other.

>>27712362
Crows are sentient. You can't tell me otherwise.

>>27712334
>But they're coated in mana. Order, you should say.
The fuck does that even mean?

>focus on the source of the stench

>>27712362
ass, looks like we need to find a way to give a crow sentience

>>27712392
>You don't feel any life besides the crows - and they feel virtually magical. No - they're real. But they're coated in mana. Order, you should say.
>they feel virtually magical. No - they're real.
>No - they're real.
>they're real
>real
>as in, not summoned.

>>27712398
cause instead of someone else expending mana for them to be here and freeing up all of the demon lords mana to fight, the demon lords have to use their own mana to keep themselves here, thus making the mana that they can use in the fighting less

Rolled 77

>>27712362
Crows are sentient anon, hell they recognize faces.

Crying shame birdfag isn't here.

>>27712371
The demon lords get stronger the more of them that are summoned as they feed off each other, when they get free of their binds they're massively more powerful they what they were before.
All according to the last instance of it happening.

>>27712446
So are dogs.
http://www.livescience.com/5613-dogs-smart-2-year-kids.html

>>27712439
Weren't they were all ritual summons.

>>27712425
summons ARE real.

or something to be "virtuialy magical" makes it seem like they are made of magic. but it may or may not be the case. either way lets capture one and find out.

even though it is probably a bad idea cause it will tell the owner of them that we are here

>>27712439
You literally don't know what you're talking about. You're making a terrible assumption anon, especially with the history discourse we've had with Auriel. You're terribly wrong.
The demon lords get more power for each one summoned, if there are five they can free themselves and they get more powerful. This is a known fact has told to us by Auriel and crew.

>writing for source of stench

>>27712425
I think they could be real in the sense that they're not "illusions" but that can make them summons, as summons are very real.

>>27711678
I still think we should probably make time to visit with Queen Kalladar before we head to the Frozen Hand to deal with Wrath. She's the one who got this whole ball rolling to begin with, after all, and I feel like we owe it to her to visit and let her know the path we chose, and that even though we have decided that the time has come to reunite the shards, that all of her efforts weren't for nothing.

From what Fleet said, visiting the Palace in the Frozen Hand seems like it's going to be a bit of a point of no return in some respects, so it's probably a good idea to get the whole story from her in a way that isn't rushed Archonium astral projection exposition. There's obviously going to be further detail within the Palace at the Frozen Hand, but it'd be good to have the outside perspective as well, not just Erebus' IKEA "Guardian of the Endless Vöid" Assembly Instructions and a set of shadowy allen wrenches.

I know we promised Resolve that we would make reunification a priority, but we also told him that we would make a point of learning what we could in order to make our Judgement a sound one. And I'm pretty sure that fits under this banner.

>>27712487
but there never actually has been 5 summoned at one time so we dont actually know what would happen. 5 is just the theoretical prediction.

and during the elementalomatchy there was only 3 summoned

You guys do remember that SM said that our Fae summon is a type of crow right?

That's probably what these are and if you want to do something like have a crow bro I'd support purchasing that over wasting 10 xp.

>>27712510
>>27712483
>But they're coated in mana. Order, you should say.
>coated in mana.
>Order
>Coated
The other Shard of Erebus coated them in shadow mana to protect them from the skysever.

>>27712514
the elf lady probably wont be coherent until we reunite ourself. i think it was mentioned that she is in somesort of coma while she keeps something about "us" away from us

>>27712536
>Fae summon is a type of crow
I've never heard this.

>>27712465
http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/science/26crow.html?_r=0
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060606-crows.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1209_041209_crows_apes.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/5983953/Aesops-fable-is-true-shows-crow-study.html
http://edutube.org/en/video/intelligent-crows-crack-open-nuts-using-traffic

You decide not to bother the crows. If they're summoned, or being controlled, that might give you away. And you don't need to explore more - the state of the town is obviously due to the problem you came to solve.

Your nose leads you to the town hall. It's virtually wafting from the doors like meat rotting in the sun on a hot day. Darkness lingers inside the building.

What do you do?

>head inside
>some other strategy

>>27712577
Are we just posting about intelligent animals? I don't know what's happening anymore.

>>27712578
>>head inside

>>27712572
It was a long time ago that he mentioned it, can't even remember which thread. I think it may have been back during the fight with the Demon Lord actually.

>>27712535
Huh. Are you sure?

SM can I get a lore check on this because I don't want to spend thirty minutes in the archives?

>>27712578
Oh, well, if I knew the stench was coming from the Town Hall I would've voted to capture a crow.
>Head inside

>>27712578

>head inside

>>27712590
That just shows how smart crows are.
>>27712578
>>head inside
Compression is my vote.

>>27712590
we/they are trying to define "sentient" as in what we can make our Servant

>>27712578
>some other strategy
Tendril parascope and analyze first, then slip under.

>>27712623
I'd say anything that passes the mirror test is definitely sentient, because if it passes the mirror test that means it's self-aware.

>>27712578
Alright, it makes sense to stop lollygaggin and get down to business. Let's enter the townhall.

>>27712578
I think this is a last call for the battle plan that we initiate guys.

Let's tendril scout the place.

>>27712636
Well bioweapon quest greatest weakness/enemy is a mirror and its sentient.

>>27712535
>>27712605

I believe I mentioned that Hecate considered creating a Pentaverate, but feared that even her strength would be unable to control the results. She summoned demon lords on three separate occasions.

>writing parascope tendril strategy

>>27712675
I'm not sure if "led by a gaggle of schizophrenic and occasionally psychotic herd of cats" shares the classification of "Intelligence."

>>27712705
hmmm, checking the archives

>>27712705
Thank you based SM.

This makes me wonder why the summoners in Kan-Abar think they're capable of pulling it off...

>>27712636
Well that limits us a bit.
Animals that have been observed to pass the mirror test include:
All great apes:
Humans – Humans tend to fail the mirror test until they are about 18 months old, or in what psychoanalysts call the "mirror stage".
Bonobos
Chimpanzees
Orangutans
Gorillas
Bottlenose dolphins
Orcas
Elephants
European Magpies– the only non-mammal to pass the test.

>>27712705
So 5 demon lords makes an elemental worry about control which bumps them up the list of priority.

does anybody else find it ironic that the ringed city is the former home or Erebus?

>>27712786
....what?
Did I miss that?!

>>27712786
Its more like an insult and middle finger to him.

>>27712764
Like I said, those are just certainly sentient. I'm sure other animals are as well, it's just less clear-cut.

>>27712802
>17 B.E. - Hyperion strikes Erebus directly, fearing his involvement in the war. Their clash creates the ring of mountains at what is now the Ring City.

>16 B.E. - With his home destroyed, Erebus moves north, and clashes with Aeolus. The Wind Lord's power creates Windfury Valley.

Yup.

>>27712802
>17 B.E. - Hyperion strikes Erebus directly, fearing his involvement in the war. Their clash creates the ring of mountains at what is now the Ring City.

>16 B.E. - With his home destroyed, Erebus moves north, and clashes with Aeolus. The Wind Lord's power creates Windfury Valley.

then

>57 A.E. - The remaining angels of the Dawnflight found the Ring City.

You decide that barging in through the front has caused you enough trouble. You sneak a thin tendril in under the door.

The inside of the town hall was originally stone - but it's now a heap of dirt and rubble lining a wide hole bored into the foundation. The hold leads down into the bluff. The darkness is deep, there. You can see the fog rising out from the passage, thick with mana.

Resolve's voice echoes in your head. <That is most certainly the shard we seek. I remember it's name, now...Shaper. But more...eludes me.>

What do you do?

>head into the passage
>report back with what you've found
>see if Resolve can make direct contact with Shaper
>some other strategy

>>27712844
>>27712841
>His home
I wonder what Old Erebus' crib was like.

>>27712855
>head into the passage
stress that we ink under the door and try to make as little noise as possible

>head into the passage

>>27712855
>head into the passage
Compress as we do so.

>>27712871
he was probably research all the manapools there. cause remember there were all 8 different mana pools down there.

and i imagine if we go deep enough then we will find some of his old place down there

Voting against compress. Weakening ourself before a shard battle is stupid.

>>27712855
>>head into the passage
So we have a shape shifting fucker here.
>some other strategy
Compress

>>27712855
>magic fog filled with mana
>shard name is Shaper

Shaper is our summoning shard. Calling it.
The fog can be turned into summons by it. Calling that as well.

>>27712919
I'll bet you an internet it's not the summoning shard.

>>27712924
I'll bet you TWO whole internets that it is. Especially because all the other trees except physical have been covered.

>>27712936
DEAL

>>27712924
>>27712936
>Shaper cab be physical tree
>Wrath can be summoning tree

It can go both ways fellas. But I guess betting is about not knowing who will win...

You slide under the door, staying as quiet as possible, and then you head down into the tunnel bored in the earth.

Roll 1d100

Rolled 55

>>27712960
rollan'

>>27712936
and poision

Rolled 20

>>27712960
SM, your post are awful short right now...
I'm worried.

Rolled 59

>>27712960
WHY DO YOU MAKE ME FEEL THIS PAIN SHADOW MASTER?!

Rolled 86

>>27712960
Maybe silence will grant us luck, without using him.

>>27712976
Darkxis had poison.

Rolled 22

>>27712960

>>27712919
Finely we can show the anti-sumoning guys how useful of an ability it is.even if abby is horrible at it.
Is wisp bro still summoned?

>>27712976
Darkxis had poison.

Oh. Wait.

That was probably because he had this shard in him at the time.

And there's a bunch of rotting stench around the area.

FUCK I TAKE BAKE MY BET, THOSE TWO INTERNETS ARE STILL MINE.

>>27712980
He's either tired or trying to move on and get us to stop talking about whether crows are considered sentient or not.

>>27713009
FUCK YOU NO TAKE-BACKSIES!

Rolled 18

>>27712960

>>27713014
Or he's been providing us multiple chances to come up with a good plan and we're spurning them.

As usual.

This is rather pleasant. The between-post banter is tolerable and, though I feel like we've missed something important, I'm not terribly worried about the choices we've made.

Much nicer than the last few threads.

>>27713014
>tired
He's said so multiple times

Rolled 29

>>27713009
good thing we got MUH POISON TREE to combat it

>>27713031
TOO LATE! I already got the receipt back and without that you can't get your internets even if I'm wrong! Bwahaahahahahah!

>>27713076
You son of whore! Filthy scoundrel! I'll have you know I'll be taking out a ad in the paper to warn others of your treachery!

>>27713061
It kind of helps that we won't accidentally the apocalypse with a single roll or choice right now.

>>27713044
>>27713061
These two posts right next to each other make me smile something fierce.

Rolled 36

>>27713061
just wait to he uses that 1

>>27712980

I'm just tired.

That, and I try to excise anything unnecessary. The scene has been adequately described, doing it again is just wasting time.

>>27713095
Oh yeah?!
Well I still have two internets and I can spend them on MORE ads warning other people of YOUR treachery! Kukukukukukuuukuuukuuuu...

>>27713122
Surely he wouldn't use it so soon, besides I doubt using it now would make us hate him enough. Wait until Abby's life is on the line.

>>27713139
Sir, I'll have you know I just sent 500 internets to a Nigerian Prince! When he takes back his thrown, he'll be sending me 50,000 internets! So take that!

>>27713135
Oh good, that means we probably haven't done anything wrong, yet.

>>27713143
It's for Flint. As Flint asked us to take him along when we fight Wrath.

So. Wrath attacks us.
Flint gets in the way.
And SM holds that deal above our heads and kills off his favorite character to spite us.

Rolled 41

>>27713135
good, it cuts down on the time between posts. feelin like this is gonna be a short thread, you think we will get Shaper before it ends?

File: 1381637589924.jpg-(123 KB, 500x667, image.jpg)

123 KB JPG

>>27713159
>Nigerians with internets
HA HA

>>27713182

no. That'll be start of next thread, probs. Gotta get sleep

Rolled 87

>>27713177
im thinking flint or abby

or

we/Sandalthong/wrath/anybody kill Aruiel and then Flint becomes BBEG

Rolled 67

>>27713203
so we'll probably bust into his lair and see him feasting on living babies when the thread ends

>>27713203
Sleep is for the weak

Just do what i do and fill a ThirtsBuster with 5-hour energies

>>27713177
If Flint dies, I don't think we'd hate SM enough. It would be much worse if we just turned Flint from our staunchest ally and friend, to someone who absolutely detest us. Like, if we accidentally killed Auriel after failing a roll against some hallucination-causing spell, or something.

>>27713277
You know.

I'm beginning to wonder why people even voted for this option, after SM stated he would make it so much worse than that particular failure.

>>27713302
Some people came out later and said they picked it because it had the highest chance of generating butthurt.
I choose to believe people are stupid.

>>27713302
He didn't say it would be worse, I seriously doubt he could consciously make something more horrendous than the "worst case scenario" he described us failing our containment rolls would be. It would just hit hard, and I bet it will.

guys we could use the Keystone to remove the parasite from Flints soul

read

>The origins of the Keystone itself are still unknown, and, while open and inviting on other matters, Atlantis keeps their artifact under a very close guard, permitting mages from neither Archon nor the empire to investigate its nature. However, it is - as noted by many top minds in the field - among the most powerful magical artifacts in the world, perhaps as powerful as several dynamos combined. Its powers are not limited to purification by any means, and though the vision of the first King Deva turned it into a constructive force, rather than a destructive one, the threat of its unleashed might keeps the Ring City wary.

>Its powers are not limited to purification by any means

i think it would do just fine at purification of a soul

>>27713325
>He didn't say it would be worse
Read the thread again. SM specifically stated that we would hate him MORE for making the choice to take the deal, as opposed to denying it and accepting the roll.

>>27713325
>I can promise you that it won't be at a good time. If you think you'll hate me now, well, I can promise you that if you take the deal, you'll hate me a lot more then.
His exact words.

>>27713342
and the Keystone is obviously Leviathans sealed form

so the first thing i thought when i started reading was, surely everyone's shitting their gears because THERES FUCKING BIRDS WHICH SHOULD BE EXTINCT BECUASE SKYSEVER


DOOOOOOOOOM

seriously, you guys dropped the ball on this one

>>27713342
...Or the Elf Queen.

>>27713349
>>27713366
I wish I was there. I would've voted for it though, because you angry chucklefucks are always good for a laugh when you spill into the QTG with your drama.
I can't wait for the hammer to fall.

>>27713349
I know what he said. I'm simply saying that he probably meant that he would strike us in a place that generates massive feels. Not necessarily a WORSE outcome, just likely more teeth grindingly painful.

Think about it this way:

Lords go free. "Shit. This is gonna suck, bad."

Supporting character dies/gets corrupted/DAVE: "Fucking fuck you SM you hateful bastard"

Captcha: unpleasing rkplysic. Indeed.

>>27713394
That's the reason a lot of people voted for it. Just goes to show "Don't post about quest you like in a QTG" is sound advice.

>>27713373
see:
>>27712231

>>27713373
We've already talked about crows surviving the sky-sever before, anon.

I've been reading the TimeLine and it seems pretty obvious that The Black Lady is the chick who took the Staff of Winds. she came into play right before/in the beginning of the 60-year war. right when Fang said she left. and vampires are imortal. and the Black Lady is a Powerful shadow mage, and there arent to many of the level that could keep up with/best Fang.

Ahhhhh, i love info-dumps

>>27713396
>>27713366
>>27713349
i think people were just choosing to get hit on the personal level rather than letting loose Elementomatchy No.2

>>27713438
You couldn't possibly be suggested that the Black Lady is, in fact, Melody?

Because.
Like. We can turn into her twin sister to get started proper on our lesbian harem.

>>27713454
It wouldn't have been Elementomachy No. 2.
We failed a d20 save. Both Humanity and Temerity passed their d100 rolls. They were the ones trying to stop the seal from breaking. We were just in a supporting roll.

You travel down into the tunnel.

The darkness swallows you up faster than you would have expected - but the mana here is thick and heavy. The tunnel is moist - almost humid.

Your feet squelch into something on the ground. You glance down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3CPtTd1fqI

Flesh is growing on the tunnel floor. Not fungus, not mold - flesh. It's bubbling over the dirt of the tunnel walls. Blood vessels twine through the soil like roots. It throbs slightly, rhythmically.

You continue forward. The mutated flesh changes - into the remains of an arm. A few more steps bring the source in sight - a corpse. Or what was a corpse. The man is seemingly embedded in the tunnel, his flesh morphed and melted into the dirt. A twisted face stares at you, eyes apart, mouth nearly gone in the twist of skin and bone and muscle.

You continue forward. The stench and the heavy thickness of the mana grows - and so do the sides of the tunnel. It turns from carved dirt into a cavern made of former human corpses, bent, broken, and tangled. Organs protrude from the mess, slick with fluid. Hearts throb in rhythm.

You remain stoic and continue forward, stepping through the muck. The mana grows as you forge your way deeper, and deeper. The tunnel switches back, and back again. You feel as though you're descending into the stomach of a terrible monster.

-thump-

You hear something, distantly. You bend your head forward.

-thum-thump-
-thum-thump-
-thum-thump-

You know that sound. You've heard it before.

A heartbeat.

You press forward.

>con't

>>27713471
This

>You rolled the 100s for Humanity/Temerity.
>The 1d20 was your save.
>You did not save.

>>27713471
From how SM was playign that shit up, it damn well better have been the seal breach roll. Because if it wasn't fuck this quest. Seriously. That was WAY more drama than I needed.

>>27713491
It wasn't SM, it was fucktards like you blowing things out of proportion.

File: 1381638783148.jpg-(644 KB, 800x1500, Shaper.jpg)

644 KB JPG

----
----

-THUM-THUMP-

Five minutes later, the tunnel opens wide, and you see the true nature of this thing.

A huge chamber opens before you. At its center is a mana pool of Shadow. Fleshy projections made from people all lead from various tunnels and entrances, connecting back to this central construct. They all turn into almost tubular sections, meeting at one giant, pulsing heart of flesh.

-THUM-THUMP-

A figure stands before the Shadow mana pool. A long tendril is seemingly plugged into the heart. You can feel the flow of energy - it's coursing in from each entrance of the chamber, leading into the heart, and then into the monster before you.

<Shaper,> Resolve says. <Use caution. It has been following the directive. I'm sure it's power is great.>

At the moment, Shaper doesn't appear to notice you.

You have the initiative.

-----------
-----------

NEXT TIME

meta?

>>27713509
And he took advantage of it! That's morally wrong!

>>27713488
>>27713491
>>27713471
but the roll was to contain, and we not only failed the roll but we also critfailed the save

>>27713525
Morality is relative.

>>27713481
>>27713522
Well, shit. If there ever was a shard that need Humanized...

>>27713533
No, we passed the rolls. Only the save was failed.

>>27713522
we are going to humanize THE SHIT outta him

File: 1381638929040.jpg-(60 KB, 500x305, Terrifying.jpg)

60 KB JPG

>>27713481
>>27713522
Dis nigga needs JEEZUS.

>>27713522
What's your favorite thing about running shadowquest?

Also, great thread. Short but minus needless drama. Made it a lot more entertaining. Will continue to stalk your twitter for more.

>>27713522
next thread?

>>27713522
Are we ever goin to roll well again sempai?

>>27713522
Is the sword of Damocles going to hurt as much as anons say it will?

>>27713624
Just checking, but Damocles is pronounced "Dam-o-klees" and not "Dam-o-slees" or "Dam-ah-slees" or "Dam-ah-klees", right?

>>27713590
>What's your favorite thing about running shadowquest?

The lively struggle between the planned narrative and wild player decisions that keeps me on my toes.

>>27713603

Outlook: Grim

>>27713558

Did I say you passed the rolls? Because you didn't. That's why you rolled a save in the first place. It was to save you from the failure.

>>27713624

It's probably going to hurt more than they say it will.

>>27713664

Yeah, it's Dam-o-klees

>>27713671
>It's probably going to hurt more than they say it will.
Oh.


shit

>>27713671
Looking forward to our incoming ass beating. Thanks SM.

See you space cowboys.

>The city itself is under the strict control of the empire, governed under the greater territory of Ulund. In the popular mind, Nelmar is famous for its mighty prison, Zaubstein, which holds some of the world's worst criminals, including mages who have abused their magic, as well as being the final stop of the Tri-Arena circuit. Below the hilltops on which the prison is situated rests a prosperous and booming metropolis.

so, anyone else up for freeinf all those "crimnials" that the ringed city has taken? and maybe searching for a way to give them their magic back?

>>27713727
Well maybe we should ask our allies about that.

>>27713522
We're smart enough to cut the cords right?

Also target the giant heart?

And not just pick a fight with him directly?

>>27713768
Can also poison the flesh system

File: 1381639704160.jpg-(1 KB, 125x93, 1367379186743.jpg)

1 KB JPG

>>27713592

oh ya

hmm

tentatively, Monday night at 10pm EST

>>27713768

>answering questions about battle strategy
>Dave, you can't be serious

>>27713768
Wow I hadn't even thought of that. Good idea anon. Stick around and you'll take us places.

>>27713785
we're doomed

File: 1381639790306.jpg-(80 KB, 433x378, image.jpg)

80 KB JPG

>>27713783
>Dave, I shiggy diggy.

>>27713783
I wasn't asking you, I was more asking the other players if we can grasp such a ridiculously simple concept.

>>27713813
What were we talking about again? Right. Shapeshifitng into Melody when we meet the Black Lady for harem recruitment potential.

>>27713840
im pretty sure that she IS Melody, which could be good and bad.

[spolier] impersonating the Black Lady

>>27713813
You know how people don't stay around to make battle plans after the thread is over? And also don't open the last thread in the archive to finish up on it before diving into the active one?
Yeah.
This is one of those times. You've got a good idea but frankly no one is going to remember it come Monday night.

so i've been going through the pastebins and

Pool of Darkness - Spend 15 experience points to create a Shadow element mana pool. Cannot be performed in battle. Mana pools can recharge your mana indefinitely, and may be useful for other things as well...

what else do you think we could use Shadow manapools for. besides average stuff and servanting

>>27713926
Making a large flesh heap?

All pastebin removed y anon ?

>Purity of Order (passive bonus)
>- All allies that Shadow is in physical contact with share his invulnerability to ailments. Servants and higher ranks always have this, regardless of Shadow's presence.

we will also never have to worry about someone being poisoned ever agian

I guess it would also be a good idea, after severing its arteries, to drag it outside and away from the mana pool. Rather than letting it sit inside it.

Are we smart enough to realize this?

>>27713953
It's more like are we smart enough to remember this for monday?

>>27713952
Except Flint, Auriel, Obis, Joey, etc.

>>27713974
all we have to do is touch them one once and they are cured

>>27713969
Well that's the question that I don't want to ask.
As I very much fear the answer.

>>27713953
i think just destroying this entire room should do. or destroying all the flesh in this room.

we should also explore the rest of his base just to check for shit

>>27713983
I'm not sure if invulnerability works backwards like a vaccine though. As in they get poisoned and then we touch them and they're alright? Yeah, I'll take that any day. But I'm not sure if SM would let us get away with that idea.
Maybe we should try it by feeding sour mash to Joey.

>>27714015
we do need clarification on that

>>27714015

Based on SM's previous actions, I'd guess that the "active" poison would be removed from the person's system, but any HP damage accrued from the poison would remain.

>>27714441
yeah, but would it remove a disease? like tuburculosis or cancer?

>>27714468

Uh, I'd guess not, but we do have direct healing spells that would probably cover terminal illnesses, so I'm not that worried about it.

At any rate, we have literal former angels and active paladins on our army roster right now, so anything we can't do, they can probably take up the slack.

>>27714562
yeah.

I think Shaper is confirmed for MUH POISON TREE.

good thing we're immune

>>27713926
Portal network?

>>27715231
deffinatly a possibility.

dont forget everyone, we still need to finish looting xile to fund our new city/county/alliance

>>27713522
Oh hey. I remember that pic. I found it and posted it saying it would make a cool summon for Abby and then you said that you would defiantly be using it.

Welp. This is better than an Abby summon. For sure.