>>28473714

>Push through the forest, to the great swamp in the south and civilization beyond.

Let's gather a few more shards on the way, eh?

Also: Can you soulshard humans? How badly is it looked down upon?

>>28473714
> Journey along the forest roads. If this village will not have you, another will.
If nothing else, we can get some supplies or work.

>>28473752

You're aware that humans cannot be bound to Shards, though you don't have a particularly good reason why. Your Master's writing, at one point, posits a fleeting theory that your race lacks what your practice refers to as a Soul.

>>28473714
>Push through the forest, to the great swamp in the south and civilization beyond.

>>28473838
>Your Master's writing, at one point, posits a fleeting theory that your race lacks what your practice refers to as a Soul.

WELL, IF THAT'S NOT CREEPY.

>>28473858

It's certainly a strange theory, but you're overall not sure what you think of it.

>>28473844
>>28473752

To your knowledge, much of the southern swamp is untrodden, meaning you'll certainly have a difficult journey ahead of you if you plan to cross to the civilizations you've heard of beyond. You take another good look at the greenery before turning and heading back downhill. Should you keep a steady pace, you believe you can reach the forest's edge by day's end—you can't imagine that anything would disturb your journey, especially not in this part of the forest.

>Head back to the path.
>Cut straight through the forest.
>Other.

>>28474212
>Smash straight through the forest.

>>28474212
> Head back to the path.

>>28474212
>Head back to the path.

>>28474296

LET'S TEST THIS AWESOME POLEARM.

Question: Do enchantments work like Elder Scrolls, or like DnD?

>>28474212

Head back to the path. Let's practice idly with our nifty new enchanted halberd while we're at it.

>>28474212
What path?

>>28474412

(( I'm not quite sure what you mean, unfortunately. ))

>>28474406
>>28474382

Though it dawns on you that you haven't tested the properties of your new weapon yet, you still feel the need to first get yourself a bit further away from the events of this morning and the days preceding. Perhaps if you still had access to your residence, you'd have devoted more time to experimentation. Electing to follow the road south instead of cutting across, you maneuver back to the road and pick up the pace.

The sun grows high overhead, and there's little noise around other than the birds and wind sweeping through the forest canopy. Your journey is mostly uneventful; after a while, you take the Earthbreaker into your hand and begin using it as a—largely intimidating—walking stick. You note that with each gentle tap against the earth below you, the dirt stirs, and a gentle ripple surges outward from the point of impact.

Something a little ways off the road catches your eye; some distance through the forest to your left, you can see some sort of large wooden construction, though you can't particularly tell what it is through the brush.

>You'd better investigate.
>Keep moving; it's none of your business.
>Other.

>>28474755
Investigate

>>28474755
Investigate that shit.

>>28474755
Since we're investigating, be wary of traps. Tap the earth in front of you to trigger any.

>>28474882

Seconding. No one just builds a mysterious cabin in the woods in a world where monsters roam.

>>28474755
> Investigate

He was asking if the enchantment is permanent, or if it will fade away after a while.
Speaking of, is it possible to stack those things?

>>28474973

In TES enchantments on weapons have to be recharged (with souls) after they've been used for long enough.

Enchantments on armor are permanent though, because of the Ideal Masters.

>>28474973
>>28475106

Once the Shard is infused, the weapon will remain empowered until you choose to recrystallize it. The power of multiple shards cannot occupy the same object.

>>28474882
>>28474820
>>28474838

You cautiously make your way to the path's edge, using your halberd to cast forth ripples that would trigger any traps; you're aware of hunters using tripwires, pitfalls, and even large nets to catch forest fauna in the night. As you approach the brush, you're startled by a seemingly-unrelated event; a great swarm of screaming birds passes overhead, flying erratically from somewhere further to the south.

You make your way through the brush, Earthbreaker in hands. Ahead in the clearing looks to be a covered wagon, decorated like a merchant's. It appears to be abandoned, and sits at a strange angle, as one of the wheels has evidently fallen off and sits immediately adjacent; it's probably because of this that it looked strange to you. From here, though, something seems to be amiss with the wagon's wooden wheels; they appear noticeably withered, as if somehow eaten away.

What will you do?

>>28475168
>Scared birds
>Weird shit
FLEE.

>>28475168
Climb a tree and look for anything suspicious.

>>28475219

It's too late for that!

>>28475168
CHARGE THE MONSTER THAT HAS DISGUISED ITSELF AS A WAGON!

j/k

Approach the wagon cautiously, pay attention to everything going on around us. Don't get into it and make sure we pay special attention to the South.

>>28473714
I have no idea what this thread is about, and I don't really care.
But that dragon lookes like it's having the time of his life.

>>28475403
> "Dave? Is that you?"
> "Tim? Holy crap it's been ages! Come over here and give me a hug!"

>>28475287

A cool breeze crosses through the forest canopy again, and the grass in the clearing sways as you carefully draw closer to the wagon. Pots, pans, and various cookware hang on the outside of the wagon's covering, likely advertising some of the goods for sale; the scene is otherwise quiet.

You pay close attention to the south, but see nothing out of the ordinary—though the wind blows from that direction, and carries an unfamiliar bitter scent with it.

What will you do?

>>28475551
Feel out your surroundings using earthbreaker.

>>28475551
Look into wagon real quick. Head south.

>>28475551
Steel yourself for shit to hit the fan. Feel what's going on around you using the Earthbreaker, and examine the wagon.

>>28475653
This

>>28475653

Yup.

>>28475599

You're not sure what to make of the sound and feeling of the earth rippling; the tactile sensation offers you no usable information.

>>28475635
>>28475780

You maneuver around to the wagon's opening, weapon at the ready. Sunlight reaches through the forest canopy, and though the wagon is relatively dark inside, the sight you see immediately puts you on-edge. Slumped against the opposite wall, a man sits among overturned merchandise, eyes lightless, mouth agape.

An object hanging on one of the wagon's internal walls drops to its floor. There's a loud, unfamiliar buzzing, and a sudden motion as a shadow within shifts towards you.

>1d20

Rolled 11

>>28475834

Rolled 6

>>28475834
Rolling.

Rolled 8

>>28475834

Rolled 11

>>28475834
Aww. We haven't gotten a 20 yet.

>>28475854

>11

You raise your guard; the object hits home quickly, but you bring your weapon's handle in front of you to block. A torso-sized mosquito thrusts its proboscis toward your head, prevented from closing the distance by your Earthbreaker. You stumble backward off of the wagon, and your feet skid in the dirt as it pushes you backwards, wings beating, legs flailing.

With a spin, you throw the creature to the ground; the wingbeats stop, then increase in frequency as it lifts itself up and flies into the forest canopy. You watch it disappear among the leaves, weapon still ready. Looks like it must have caught a ride with this poor merchant; creatures like that one aren't usually seen anywhere but the swamp.

What will you do?

Rolled 1

>>28476010
That couldn't have been it. What did the weird thing with the wheel and the other shit?

Check for scavengables, though.

>>28476010
Examine the wagon further. See if the merchant's alive, and if he isn't, bury him.

Then examine what's in the wagon - what merchandise or stuff did it carry around?

>>28476035

(( Aha! There's the 1. ))

>>28476052
>>28476035

The mystery of the wagon wheels still persists, but you'll have time to mull over what caused it. You take another look into the wagon, making sure there are no more stowaways present, before hopping inside to take a look around for anything scavengeable.

The merchant himself is clearly dead; he sits motionless, and his flesh is an unearthly pale. He sits among his wares. You rummage around a bit. He appears to deal in general goods. There's some assorted cookware, knives and other utensils, and sealed pouches containing herbs, spices, and roots. Simple clothes, a pair of leather vests among them. A few lengths of rope, some tent spikes, and a large mallet. A quiver, and arrows for a bow.

What will you do?
>Might as well take something; someone will come through and clean house eventually.
>This guy deserves better—you could at least take him out and toss a sheet over him.
>You're just wasting time out here. Get back on the road, because something seems amiss.
>Other.

Rolled 8

>>28476010

This doesn't feel right, it feels like that mosquito was lured here by something...maybe by the promise of an easy meal from the ruins of something else's conquest. Check out the wagon further, carefully.

>>28476206
> This guy deserves better—you could at least take him out and toss a sheet over him.
We can at least bury him before we take some of his stuff.

Rolled 13

>>28476206

Take any kit that we need, (especially the rope...collect a largeish rock too) the quiver+arrows, and take the merchant out and throw a sheet over him.

Keep an eye out...this place isn't safe.

>>28476206
Take something, and throw a sheet over him.

>>28476218

What, in particular, are you looking for?

>>28476264
>>28476252

It's a bit of a strange case of respecting the dead, but you clear enough knocked-over merchandise aside to shimmy adjacent to the vendor and lift his upper body, carefully sliding him out of the wagon and onto the forest green. You unfold a white cloth bedsheet from among the wagon's wares and drape it over him, covering all but his feet.

You sigh. That's a little better. The best you can do, anyway.

Though you don't have a bow to speak of, there's room for the quiver and arrows on your belt next to Eisa's leather pouch. You add another length of rope to the one in your knapsack; you never know what you need the stuff for, but this should be enough for whatever that might be!

Well, hopefully.

What will you do?
>Keep looking. (Description)
>Hit the road.
>Other.

>>28476369
Look for tracks. Look for any other signs of a larger creature - snapped branches or twigs. Track the location where the cart was hit and see if there's hints there.

>>28476369
Bury the body first, make sure it doesn't leave anything unruly for later. Then look for tracks and see if anything else was here before.

Rolled 9

>>28476369

Do all this >>28476408

and look closely at the wagon wheels and compare their state of age to the state of decay of the corpse. See if he was actually a merchant of if he was maybe a less fortunate adventurer lured here the same way you were.

Look for marks or any signs of a struggle in/on/about the wagon. See if we can tell how the wheel fell off.

Your pacing is much better, by the way. Are you sticking to the "first thing to get 3-5 suggestions goes rule?

>>28476454
(that's extremely time consuming though...and I don't care to spend the night in this wagon)

>>28476454

Burying a body will take time from your journey. Through what means do you plan to dig a hole, Shardkeeper?

>>28476408
>>28476494

You look all around the wagon. There's no sign of external trauma, but you note that the lower part and much of the underbelly is withered in a similar manner as the wheels; again, they don't look particularly old, but rather, are aged by this corrosion. Whatever pulled it has since come unhinged and is long gone, and you've no way to tell if the merchant traveled alone or with other individuals.

Like the wagon, the body didn't appear to be visibly damaged. You take another look, lifting the sheet. You hadn't noticed it first; his dark-colored garment is punctured below the collar bone, and stained with blood. It's -mostly- dry. This had to have happened recently.

A look around in the clearing, as well as at the beaten brush beyond, makes you pretty certain that it was traveling this way from the south.

>>28476582
What will you do?
>Hit the road.
>Other.

>>28476494
(( Mostly trying to grind things out more quickly without losing quality. Turnaround time can be a problem. ))

>>28476619

>follow that mosquito thing

>>28476619
I suppose all we can do is continue on, and keep a sharp eye out for danger.

>>28476884

Unfortunately, you lost sight of the swamp mosquito when it disappeared into the forest canopy. However, it was probably just running away from you, anyway.

What will you do?

>>28476953
Let's get back to walking. What a bizarre encounter.

>>28476619
>Hit the road.

>>28476952

Having wasted enough time, you carefully make your way back to the path and pick up the pace, leaving the wagon behind. Time passes quickly, as you walk, noting the subtle change in scenery. Over the next couple of hours, the dirt road becomes more moist, and the trees withdraw from it slightly, themselves becoming less common. Through sparse brush and across noisy terrain, you see ravines, small streams, and pools of standing water.

The unusual bitter scent carried on the southern wind grows more potent—occasionally, it stings the nostrils. Oddly enough, beyond the tree line, you can see swamp mosquitoes like the one from earlier buzzing about frenetically; have they always moved around this far outside the swamp proper?

You also begin to wonder where and how you'll be setting up camp, if necessary. Before you know it, the sun will set, and you're still not in top physical condition.

Before long, the edge of the swamp will be upon you. What are your plans?
>A Shardkeeper's work is never done; you'll rest when you're tired.
>Travel through the night—this road undoubtedly leads to civilization.
>Set up camp at sunset or sooner. The swamp gives you a dangerous vibe.

>>28477183
>Set up camp at sunset or sooner. The swamp gives you a dangerous vibe.

Bad vibes are bad vibes.

>>28477183
>>Set up camp at sunset or sooner. The swamp gives you a dangerous vibe.

>>28477183
>[x] Set up camp at sunset or sooner. The swamp gives you a dangerous vibe.

>>28477205
>>28477216
>>28477219

You make a bit more headway before the bright-orange sun grows low over the horizon. Seated on the root of a large tree, you help yourself to a suitable ration of food and water, keeping a careful eye on your surroundings. The incessant buzzing of the large swamp insects is audible, coming through the surrounding greenery, and you haven't quite gotten used to that strange scent yet.

The sky begins to darken; you've canvas, rope, and anything you can take from the environment, and it falls on you to make yourself some shelter.

Where, and how, will you camp until sunrise?
>Something just off the road seems like it'd be the safest. (Description)
>There should be a forest clearing nearby; that seems the most isolated. (Description)
>Perhaps you can find a way to make a shelter in the forest canopy. (Description)

>>28477394
>Perhaps you can find a way to make a shelter in the forest canopy.
Use all that rope we have to make hammock with a tent over it. Not too close to the road, though.

>>28477394
Make a shelter in the forest canopy using the rope as a hammock

Rolled 3

>>28477625
>>28477638

>Wanting to make a tree hammock as giant mosquitoes buzz all around.

>>28477394
There should be a forest clearing nearby; that seems the most isolated.

Draw some rope and canvas over a depression in/under/by a tree and throw a bunch of pine-needles and shit onto it so we can't be seen at a glance. Dry pine needles (if available) to make a bed inside.

>>28477394
There should be a forest clearing nearby; that seems the most isolated. (Description)

>>28477840

Concurring. Who wants to be in the air when giant killer mosquitoes attack? Best to play to our strength (enchantment) and be somewhere where we stand a chance at fighting assailants off.

>>28477840

The wheels and bottom of the wagon were damaged, what sort of creeping, gaseous agent does that sound like to you?

No good options. Better to face the known than unknown. Forest canopy hammock voting.

>>28477840
>>28477855
>>28477883

It's not a pine forest, but you can manage something. The roots of trees occasionally protrude from the earth, especially in cases where they grow close to ravines, and with canvas and rope, you'll easily be able to make shelter in one of the depressions. Once you find a place, you affix a length of rope to tree roots on either side of the gap, casting the covering over it and allowing it to fold down into the depression; you'd rather not sleep with your head in the dirt, after all.

You first test its sturdiness, and after ascertaining that it'll hold the night through, you cover it with leaves, as an additional protective measure.

In time, the stars come out. You've created a cave for yourself, illuminated by a single ray of moonlight shining through a miniscule gap between canvas and ground. The swamp is nearby, and you're still not used to the strange scent, but you'll have to force yourself to get used to it if you plan on sleeping well—and continuing to recover from your injuries, for that matter. With a moment alone to dwell on things, you regard your scorn toward Marsalis. You're content in your decision to leave, but already, this journey is lonesome. If there was a way things could have happened differently, perhaps...

You close your eyes; it's dark, especially down here, and you should be trying to get some sleep.

>1d100

Rolled 76

>>28478069

Rolled 89

>>28478069

Rolled 55

>>28478069
Goddamn, this world is dangerous.

Rolled 78

>>28478069

Rolled 81

>>28478069
Oh god please don't fuck up.

Rolled 14

>>28478069
>Implying this won't be another 1 in this cursed quest.

>>28478279
You just had to say that didn't you?

Aww shit son. I would be participating but I have to go to sleep.

>>28478312
Sleeping is overrated.

>>28478085

>89

Time passes, and you awaken to light. You don't feel particularly refreshed, but sleep is sleep, and you've got the fact that the night was uneventful to be thankful for. Undoing the rope, you allow leaves to spill down and litter the depression floor, then climb up onto the tree's roots and begin folding the canvas to repack.

You sigh, pausing halfway through. Were you still at home, this is the day that Marsalis would have apparently driven you off personally. You would have liked to see him try.

Once repacked, you make your way back to the road and continue. As the early morning gives way, and the sun rises overhead, you reach an immediate and abrupt change. As if an invisible line were drawn across the terrain, the forest canopy becomes bare, the tree limbs above becoming reminiscent of winter. The swamp's edge gives off a suspicious, acrid stench that burns the nostrils; the grass on either side of the road is blighted, and the typical shrubbery wilts.

You're not familiar with this region, but you don't think it's supposed to be like this. As you continue down the road, the path takes you across a short wooden bridge over a bubbling morass; the noisy terrain dips in and out of these poisoned ravines. The massive swamp mosquitoes seem frenzied, and unafraid of approaching you, and a distance off the path to your right, you can see a large shadow moving about in the morning fog.

From somewhere, you feel a spiritual presence, that brings to mind the sensation of being scornfully glared at. This isn't natural.

What will you do?
>Other

>>28478350
try to find the source of the presence

>>28478350

Continue on and see if the shadow moves with us, if it does then investigate. Kill a few mosquitoes along the way, to intimidate them from jumping on us at an inopportune moment.

>>28478350
>Keep walking.

>>28478350
Well then. Seems we might have another great beast to slay. Or maybe an evil Shardkeeper?

Anyway, let's keep an eye on the large shadow as we move forward.

>>28478350
Make sure to state your favorite color before stepping over the morass.

Honestly don't think we should cross bridge.

>>28478394

You can't place it, though can feel that it comes from somewhere deeper in the swamp, or is related to the swamp itself.

>>28478417
>>28478447

You continue down the path, and spy another one of the oversized insects flying towards you. They seem so willing to harass, or perhaps even see you as a meal; a bit of intimidation, you think, will change that. You bring your weapon around front of yourself and swing it wide; you bisect the creature, and it splits into a red cloud indicative of its most recent meal. Buzzing comes from behind you; you turn, and lash vertically at it, hitting it with the Earthbreaker's axe head and bringing it downward. The creature's body and the weapon's head strike the ground together; a pulse ripples through the muddy ground before the corpse is utterly destroyed by the terrain around it violently bursting open, breaking up a divot of earth and sending chunks of dirt flying in all directions.

That'll show 'em.

You continue, dusting your hands off, and your vision snaps back to the shadow. It appears to be a large creature of some sort, though you can't make out details through this fog. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be interested in or aware of your presence, instead apparently meandering around a bit before moving out of your sight range.

The path is occasionally broken up by similar bridges that cross the worst of this poisoned terrain, and as you walk across each one, you grow nervous that it will break up under you. Through the fog, some distance down the path, you see lights—torches, you think.

What will you do?
>Other

>>28478667
Approach the lights.

>>28478667
Make sure to keep on the path, there's many a tale about people being lured off by false lights.

>>28478689
this

>>28478667
Keep on path.

>>28478737
>>28478764
Yo

>>28478667
stay on the path

>>28478667
Keep going.

>>28478737
That's a very good point.

>>28478689
>>28478737
>>28478764
>>28478780

The fog is thick. The tainted water surrounding you bubbles—sometimes violently—and a roar from somewhere in the distance breaks up the incessant buzzing for a moment.

The path continues onward, up a slight incline for a distance, before you can see the source of the lights through the fog. A small, strange village is ahead, comprised of wooden huts and small shacks constructed on wooden platforms and connected by bridges. In the center, one building seems to be larger than the others. The system of edifice sits over poisoned swamp waters, from which withering support beams rise—it looks similar, in fact, to the merchant's wagon.

You see no people, and hear no human sounds, but a torch burns at each corner of the village.

What will you do?

>>28478918

Well fuck all kinds if duck. Plague village?

>>28478918
Cautiously enter the village.

>>28478952
Most likely. Cover your mouth and nose and enter with care.

>>28478918
Call out. If no one answers, knock on a door.

>>28478918
Nopenopenopenopenope. If there's one thing the Souls games have taught is it's NEVER GO INTO THE SWAMP IF YOU CAN AVOID IT. NOTHING good ever comes from there. NOTHING.

>>28478918
Tie a piece of cloth over our nose and enter the village.

>>28478918
....Weird. Fucking swamps are never good news. IRL or in games. I wanted to go to the volcanomountains.

Cover your mouth with some cloth and walk in cautiously. Look for people in the huts.

>>28478986
>>28478996
>>28478998
>>28479094

The sound of wooden boards stretching and creaking underfoot joins the various noises you've become accustomed to. Before you enter, you tear a strip of cloth from the sleeve of your spare shirt, holding it over your mouth and nose. It wards off the stench, to a noticeable degree.

“Hello?” You call out, peering through the windows of these dark huts as you wander across the scaffolding. “Anyone there?”

Something catches your eye—motion, in the window of the building at the center of town. It appears to be lit inside, and you glance up in time to see a child peering at you. Upon realizing he's been noticed, his eyes widen, and he ducks down below the window pane.

What will you do?

>>28479184
Knock on the door of that building and try to enter.

>>28479184
This place is sketchy as fuck.

I'm willing to bet a few things.

One: This town does not welcome newcomers.
Two: They are frightened of the large beast you saw.
Three: They know it's out there right now and hunting.

You might futher intuit that it hunts by seeking light sources.

>>28479184
"Come out come out wherever you are!"

Enter the building.

>>28479184


Knock on the door of that building and ask to be let in. If there's no response then wandering around the rest of the village looking for other people.

>>28479184
go up to the building and knock on the door.

“Hello?” You continue treading lightly, making your way over to the door and knocking. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!”

Before you finish knocking, the door is pulled open from the inside, and your hand swings through empty air. There doesn't seem to be anyone there. You pause, and are preparing to take a cautious peek inside, when the child from before sweeps in front of the doorway and gazes up at you, wide-eyed. The building is warm inside, and there's an unusually pleasant smell—a scented candle as opposed to an oil lamp, or perhaps they're burning incense to ward off the stench of this swamp?

“Nicholas! I told you not to—!” A voice comes from further inside the building; at the far end of the room, on the right side, an elderly woman hobbles out of a doorway, halting at the sight of you. “Oh, my. You're not from around here, are you? Are you alright?”

What will you do?

>>28479426
I am alright, if a bit tired. May I come in?

>>28479426
"Why is everyone inside?"

>>28479426

"I'm alright, ma'am. Just wondering what's going on here."

>>28479426
What's going on? Where is everybody?
>>28479453
Also this

>>28479453
Let's not be too forward. Let's ask where this place is, first.

>>28479426
Grab the boy and put a knife to his throat.

"If you do not give me all of your possessions, the boy will die! Understood?"

>>28479426

"I was actually quite worried about how you are. Pleased to meet you, I'm Erick. I was heading south from my village in the mountains, but it seems there's something wrong here and I feel like you need someone to fix it."

>>28479523

Heh, if there had been more people like you around at the start of the thread I would've been all for it.

>>28479523
Let's do this. Be a bandit.

>>28479523
No.
>>28479481
This.

>>28479539

Seconding the non-bandit route.

>>28479564
>>28479641
>>28479523

Looks like the murderhoboes are starting to infest this quest too.

>>28479641
>>28479523
Fuck no.

>>28479702

Oh please, it's entirely plausible that one does what one must to survive in this monster-infested apocalypse of a world.

>>28479539
Not this, either. Let's find out what's going on first, not just run to the first person and offer help.

>>28479749

Except we've already been characterized as a good person.

>>28479790

That's why I said "if there'd been more people like you around at the start."

>>28479702
It'll make for a far more interesting story than what /tg/ normally makes for. Just sayin'.

>>28479523
DO IT.

>>28479523
Hell no.

>>28479861
Not from my point of view.

>>28479861

My current issue with that course of action is feasibility. We're in the middle of a village of an unknown number of people in the middle of an extremely hostile swamp.

Bandits, above all others, should know when to pick their fights.

Kind of like how, currently, there are too many whiteknights on to go bandit.

>Samefags pushing bandit so hard

Stop. Stop. Please, for the love of god.

>>28479873
>>28479749
>>28479641
>>28479523
I'm not sure you understand, but everyone is supposed to vote once.

>>28479453
>>28479468
>>28479475
>>28479481

“I am alright, if a bit tired.” You smile. “May I come in?”

“Oh, yes! Hurry, if you will.” The woman beckons you forward, and you enter the building. She is short, and wears a fine silken robe. “Nicholas! Close the door!” She shouts, and the child silently obeys, still looking blankly at you.

It feels almost like another world inside, clear of the stench, the humidity, and the strange sounds of the unfamiliar area outside. The woman pulls a chair out from the table in the center of the room, where a single candle burns. She smiles. “Please, sit.”

“I appreciate it.” You nod, sitting down. “But, where is this place, and why is everyone inside?”

“This is a village of the northern swamp, and I am its leader.” The woman replies, giving you a firm nod. She continues speaking, making her way over to the building's window. “And... your assumption is a bit off base. At the moment, my nephew and I -are- everyone.”

“What happened to the rest of the people, then?” You ask.

“You are dressed for travel. Did you come here on foot?” She turns to face you.

“Mm.” You nod. “Just short of two days from the north.”

“Then you've endured the swamp, I imagine. It wasn't always this way, you know.” She frowns. “But a vile presence has fallen over us. The village's population dropped to just Nicholas and I within the last week, when our land became diseased. First, the water was poisoned, and many grew sick and died; the creatures of the swamp have been stirred into a frenzy by something, and came near the town to attack others. Those that didn't die took their loved ones and ran, to wherever they could. I imagine many of them perished in this swamp.”

What will you do?

>>28480024
>Ask where the nearest city is.

File: 1385346017912.jpg-(20 KB, 1598x213, noted.jpg)

20 KB JPG

>>28480016

>>28480024
"I did see a shadowed thing in the swamp on my way. Do you think that may be the cause? If so, I may have reason to hunt it down."

>>28480024
"Do you know anything of the nature of this presence?"
Maybe we can find whatever is causing this and absorb its soul, making the village more habitable in the process
.

>>28480024
"Why haven't you left?"

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>>28480016
"My fun is better than your fun."

Twit.

>>28480135
>>28480024
Also
"How have you survived?"
Poisoned water. Maybe some magical filtration system? Or just good resistance.

>>28480153
My apologies. I was mistaken mostly because no one had suggested anything similar (like kill the hunt leader) and the posts were never within the same timestamp. Really, I'm sorry.

>>28480024

Guess this is a job for a Shardkeeper.

Take heart people, we get a nice shard after this is all done. Not to mention that thing might hunt us during our journey through the swamp.

>>28480204
Have a hunch this thing won't actually be evil.

Question: Can you enchant a bunch of arrows, or just the one?

Can you remove enchantments from items that have been shattered into bits? Do you need all the bits?

>>28480227
What wildlife ever is?

>>28480024
"Bloody shards! What on earth are you still doing here?"

>>28480336

"Shardy bloods! What on here are you still doing earth?"

“If the water is poisoned, how have you survived?”

“The only remaining provisions usable are the food and water we had stored prior.” The woman responds. “We were not prepared for this disaster, after all.”

“So why haven't you left? What are you still doing here?”

“I am the leader of this village. Our people have fled, and rightfully so.” She smiles. “But I believed it was my duty to stay until they were all gone. By the end, the journey would have been too dangerous for someone like me. Many of the traveling parties didn't make it, after all. Perhaps, in the end, I was a fool.”

“Hm. Do you know of the nature of this presence?” You ask. “I saw a great shadow in the swamp on my way here. Could that be the source?”

“Perhaps, but the disease spreads over an incredible area. This swamp is home to many great beasts. There are the blight mosquitoes, serpents, and bog creatures; some months ago, there were rumors that a drake had taken up residence to the west of here. But to poison this whole land? A truly mighty creature, or even... some sort of spirit of nature might be involved.”

There's a pause, and she moves toward the other door, passing out of view. “Please, allow me to get you some tea. You must be weary from the road, after all.”

You sigh, elbows on the table, and the boy—Nicholas, was it—tugs at the end of your cloak. He's been so quiet, you forgot he was there. Kid can't be older than eight or nine years, and he looks at you with a wide smile. “Hi! We don't get a lot of visitors from outside! I like you. Are you powerful? What's your name?”

What will you say?

>>28480500
>allow me to get you some tea
NOPE

>>28480500
"My name is Erick. I am a shardkeeper, and I am traveling, seeking a town to ply my trade." chuckle and smile at his questions. "I wouldn't say powerful, no. Not yet."

>>28480500
"Name's Erick. I'm just a simple traveller passing by."

>>28480500
Offer to lead them out of the swamp.

>>28480551

Sounds good.

Let's offer them escort out of the swamp if they want it. We're not exactly powerful enough yet to take on a truly mighty creature and/or spirit of nature...though if a less cautious anon wanted to go that route I wouldn't oppose.

>>28480551
This would fit.

>>28480698
>>28480551
>>28480683
No! Why would we tell them our power?

>>28480589
This one.

>>28480551
Eh, I wouldn't tell people about being a shardkeeper, provided he even knows what it means.

“Erick.” You smile. The thought of telling him just what you are crosses your mind, but you decide it'd be best not to. Chances are, he wouldn't even know what it is anyway. “I'm just a simple traveler, passing by. Wouldn't say I'm powerful by any means.”

He nods. “My aunt says that an evil spirit poisoned all those people. Do you think that's true?”

“Eh.” You sigh. You're not sure how many alternatives there are. “Maybe.”

It's not long before the village's leader returns and offers you a steaming mug. You begin to raise it to your lips, then cock an eyebrow, recalling the status quo.

“Don't worry.” She assures you. “It's from the reserves. What brings you to this place, traveller?”

What will you say?

>>28480887
"Looking for civilization."

>>28480887
Looking to ply my trade.

>>28480887

"I was wrongfully accused of treason by the idiot Huntmaster of my village" you say bitterly, "and forced to leave. I decided to travel south because I'd heard of great civilizations past the swamp."

>>28480933
This.

(( Back. Had myself a shower, sorry. ))

>>28480989
>>28480933

“I'm looking for civilization.” You respond. The tea is good, though bitter, and unlike anything you've tasted before. Perhaps it comes from something exclusive to this region.

“I see.” The woman nods. “I am sorry we have so little of that to offer here. There are few other communities among the swamp, and as the entire land is afflicted by this plague, they likely ended up in the same state as we. But we do not reject outsiders to the swamp. Were this curse lifted from our land, you would be welcome to stay in our company. Is there anything else we can do for you, then?”

What will you say?

>>28481223

Showering? You'd better be sorry, what an unacceptable reason for delay.

Let's offer them escort out of this place if they want it.

Otherwise, fuck it, let's try and find what's poisoning this place. Time to flex our Soulmaster might.

>>28481223
Lets try to find whats the poisoning this swamp and bind it. Not just for these 2 kind souls, imagine how powerful that spirit must be.

>>28481223
Offer to lead them out of the swamp. Maybe they'll know where the closest city is.

>>28481285
>Let's offer them escort out of this place if they want it.

This.

"I'll offer to escort you out. If you head to (Shit, I forgot the name of the first town), the huntmaster might have some connections that could help with this blighted land. Otherwise, I'm sure they'll be happy to have you."

>>28481223
"No. I must leave now, thank you for your hospitality."

Now to hunt the beast!

>>28481334
Let's not waste our precious time on a couple of burdens.

>>28481223
"No, thank you. You've done more than enough. If I can find what's causing this blight I'll try to stop it."
or something

“I can escort the two of you out of this place, if you'd like.” You gesture to your halberd. “The place I came from, to the far north of here is...”

“That will not be necessary. Provided we remain here in the village's center, we will be safe from external threats. Though the village's reserves were meager in comparison to our population, there is enough for my nephew and I to persist a long time.” The woman says. “Should we run short, we will find a way, as we always have. After all, that's the way we live.”

“I understand.” You rise from your seat, finishing the tea. “It was nice to meet you, then, uhm.”

“Mathilde.”

“Right. I am Erick Valstein. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Bye, Erick!” Nicholas shouts. You wave the two off, and head back out onto the scaffolding.

The swamp is the same as ever, and you're reluctant to head back out. You mull briefly over how you might go about curing this problem. Negotiating the matter would be as simple as a generous application of your halberd provided it was caused by some manner of beast, but unfortunately, it seems likely that some manner of greater Spirit is involved—something you've never directly dealt with.

The biological toxins present in this place certainly pose an added threat, but you could go seeking some manner of great beast from which to bind a Shard as well. Among the items Eisa gave you were some natural remedies for various poisons, though you're not sure how effective they might be.

What will you do?
>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)
>Travel elsewhere. (Description)
>Post up in a hut to study your notes, and recall information about (topic).
>It's not something you've practiced, but you might be able to reach out to the Spirit with a meditation ritual. (1d100)
>Other

Rolled 56

>>28481618
>>It's not something you've practiced, but you might be able to reach out to the Spirit with a meditation ritual. (1d100)
WHY NOT

Rolled 84

>>28481618

>Meditation ritual.

Rolled 51

>>28481618

No harm in meditating.

Rolled 69

>>28481618
>>It's not something you've practiced, but you might be able to reach out to the Spirit with a meditation ritual. (1d100)

Rolled 44

>>28481618
I see no reason not to.

Rolled 69

>>28481618
Blatant fishing for that critsuccess

>>28481651

>84

There are certain criteria for being a Shardkeeper; one must have a certain spiritual acuity that is uncommon among humans. If this criteria is met, it is possible, through rituals and meditation, to push the influence of one's own spirit onward. The important techniques of your practice, such as Binding and Infusion operate on this principle, through a strange sort of “call and response” method.

Seated on one of the nearby rooftops, you close your eyes and attempt to connect with the land. You focus, pressing your spiritual influence onward and putting all else out of your mind. You envision the environment around you, and watch the color spill away from the world, what little there is visible beyond the gray, late-morning fog. The roof and village fall away from beneath you.

In an aphotic void, you sit, breathing heavily. Your body trembles, and it is hard to otherwise move.

You aren't alone.

Ahead of you, a figure sweeps into view, and you push yourself to your feet struggle to approach it as the weight of an unknown downward force attempts to crush you against the invisible plane you tread on. It is a vaguely humanoid creature, with features obscured by darkness; you can spy claw-like hands, a serpentine tail, and a pair of tendrils, dripping with some noxious substance.

It kneels, and presses a spindly finger through the black plane; from there, white ripples first radiate out like water. Then, from where it touched, a green haze spreads forth, swirling about in the water and rising into the air. Your eyes burn, and you begin to choke, barely able to watch it continue finger-painting the sky beyond with its toxic presence.

It turns to face you, and you hear a voice like a young gentleman's—“Hm?”—followed by quiet, sinister chuckling.

>(Cont'd)

All at once, sound and color return, and the scent of the poisonous swamp is more irritating than before. The world suddenly rushes back to meet you, and you gasp; your body spasms, and you fall from the rooftop. Barely able to recover in time, you land quietly on the scaffolding, on one hand and knee, immediately breaking into a fit of coughing as you stand.

You press your hand against the wall of the hut and slump forward, taking a moment to collect yourself. The swamp is quiet, and you once again feel the sensation of a gaze upon you.

What will you do?
>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)
>Travel elsewhere. (Description)
>Post up in a hut to study your notes, and recall information about (topic).
>Seek the spirit.
>Other

Rolled 45

>>28482091

Study our notes in the hut, see if we have anything that might help us apply a shard to help us resist poison and/or figure out what we just saw/experienced.

>>28482091
>>Travel elsewhere. (Description)

Let's go check the other villages as well. Maybe find a city.

>>28482091
>>Seek the spirit.

That spirit seems like an asshole, time to kick its ass.

Rolled 19

>>28482091
That thing looked...malicious.

I don't think we are dealing with mere spirit here, maybe a vengeful ghost or some other abomination.

>Post up in a hut to study your notes, and recall information about (topic).

>>28482091
let's check our notes, if we can find something to resist poison/withering, then I'm pretty confident we could win against it.

>>28482193
I am not sure this is a good idea, we need a plan.

Lets think, what is the opposite of corrupting and poisonous? Purifying? Pure?

Maybe we could create a purifying talisman from a lesser shard. Then we could summon it in a untainted area and wield the talisman against it.

>>28482268
This thing seems way more powerful than us. I think we should seek the shadow in the fog. Maybe it has answers.

>>28482294
the power of love

start waifuing our halberd

>Recall information about excorsising spirits.

>>28482342
We have to check if we are dealing with a spirit or a ghost first.

Or even a angry minor god of the land.

Maybe Mathilde could tell us more.

>>28482374
She's just some peasant town leader. She knows nothing of spirits. We should just move on.

>>28482566

Popular opinion is, fortunately, against you.

The huts in this village are sealed quite well against the environment; you don't think they have to deal with a constant threat of toxic waters, of course, but you can't imagine the swamp smells like sunshine and flowers on an average day. Taking shelter within, you bring out the tin containing your notes and your Master's, and begin flipping through the pages.

Your Master's work suggests that the Spirits of the world are peculiar creatures. They are unlike humans, beasts, or plants; rather, they are forces of life or nature itself, that run the gamut from weak to god-like in power, and from randomly-walking creatures to sentience, cunning, and super-human intellect. They occupy various domains, and are natural wielders of spiritual power; many are capable of communicating in the human tongue as well. Some take the form of humans, and are often mistaken for “ghosts” because of their properties.

You are pretty sure ghosts aren't real, otherwise. You hope they aren't. That'd be spooky as hell, yo.

Spirits are beings of pure Soul, and as such can be bound to Shards; evidently, however, some of them can maintain a rebellious quality even when bound. For a Shardkeeper to wield the power of a Spirit, a mutual agreement between the two of them is sometimes necessary.

If you plan to do work in this swamp in its current state, you'll need an Infusion that will strengthen your body against poison. You could empower an item of your clothing, your cloak, or perhaps fashion a charm of Tregalis's teeth, but what sort of creature can you bind? Blight mosquitoes have resilient bodies; however, they live short lives and have little spiritual presence. Did Mathilde mention serpents—and what was that shadow you saw when you arrived in the swamp? There's got to be something.

What will you do?
>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)
>Recall information about (topic).
>Other

>>28482592
>>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)

Maybe a swamp snake.

>>28482592
>>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)
Lets go hunt to mean beastie to fashion a poison resistance charm.

Lets try to hunt the shadow in the mist.

>>28482592
>Seek out the shadow in the fog, or one of the other types of beasts the elder Mathilde mentioned. (Description)
Preferably the Shadow.

Getting an infusion will make the journey easier.

>>28482592

Seek out the shadow in the fog.

>>28482592
Shadow in the fog. We can always go looking for a serpent after, if it turns out to not grant poison resist.

>>28482592
Recall information about Drakes.

Just want to note that we don't necessarily want to go all kill-happy on this shadow as soon as we see it. It might be some great beast with a deep connection to the swamp (like Tregalis to the mountain) that would make all this poison-corruption-spirit stuff worse if we slew it.

Just throwing that out there now.

>>28482796
I think we should make a mosquito charm and use that while going to the shadow

>>28482824
I wonder, could we use more than one mosquito for the charm?

>>28482835
Based on the way we harvested Tregalis, and how the OP said earlier than more than 1 essence couldn't occupy an object (though I get where you're coming from)...no.

I'm sure that harvesting a serpent or two and making 1 or two charms would be fine though.

>>28482796
I say we go for the swamp serpents. They should be large enough.

>>28482879

I agree, but I feel like there's something of value to be learned from figuring out what the shadow in the mist (ominous, isn't it?) is. If it IS a creature with a deep connection to the swamp it could be a valuable ally.

>>28482835
SQM said before that we can only have one soul per item.

As far as i know though, there's nothing stopping us from a ton of them. And maybe hanging them from a charm bracelet or something.

>>28482921
*making a ton of them.

>>28482774

Referred to as “drakes”, “dragons”, and “wyrms”, they are some of the largest and most intimidating of the world's beasts, with Soul to match; according to your Master's words, the oldest among them were, in the past, revered by some as gods. They are reptilian creatures, and quite rare; there are more common subspecies among them, though, and you believe they're capable of producing hybrids with other reptilian creatures of similar size. They're known for flight, great strength, and longevity, often associated with fire, poison, and storms, and though they usually live in volcanic and swamp climates, they are capable of traveling great distances through the sky, far out of sight.

>>28482655
>>28482633
>>28482635

You turn back the way you came and straighten your cloak, adjusting your halberd and knapsack. If whatever Spirit is responsible for this is watching you, you're certainly going to give it a show before you head for its doorstep.

One more over-the-shoulder glance at the humble swamp village before you cross the bridge to the blighted, roiling terrain. You'll have to exercise caution hunting in a dangerous place like this—but it should be no problem for a Shardkeeper.

(( Done for tonight, ladies and gents; next time, we hit the swamp. I'll post an archive link briefly, and answer a couple questions if you've got any. Upcoming threads will be announced on Twitter and linked in the QTG if there's a concurrent one; hopefully I'll be in the QM's directory soon. ))

>>28482921

True, but they'd likely have the GM tell them to avoid us after they caught on to our nigh-genocide.

>>28482963
(( http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/28473714/
I'm not even sure why I'm still doing this, since the OP link shows all the threads. Anyway.

Thanks for posting, as usual! ))

>>28483050

Are there any particularly widespread or famous types/breeds/species of monsters?

>>28483134

(( What do you mean? ))