>>28948239
>>South—if there's a greater civilization that way, I'd like to see it for myself.
TO THE CITY!

>>28948239
>South—if there's a greater civilization that way, I'd like to see it for myself.

>>28948239
South

Indeed, what you've heard of the civilization to the south has only grown more promising as days have passed; in a place of traders, hunters, and simply, a population center, there's no doubt you'll find a problem to solve, or a place to ply your trade, or simply enough, a place to call home.

The swamp is still embittered, though you now carry the vile spirit that caused the devastation in a weapon on your back. As rain falls around you, you feel as if the toxins are being washed away; still, though, it will be some time before this place is able to make a full recovery. Though you've slept before now, what you've been through in the past days leaves you somewhat exhausted still—as you walk, you feel yourself growing weaker still, and the sun grows lower over the horizon.

What will you do?
>Set up shelter in the bare forest canopy. The spirit you carry commands the respect of the swamp creatures.
>Find an indentation in the ground to hide yourself in, as you did previously.
>Forge ahead. You'll be able to clear the swamp before it grows too late in the night.
>Other.

>>28949009
>>Set up shelter in the bare forest canopy. The spirit you carry commands the respect of the swamp creatures.
Sleepytime.

>>28949009
>>Set up shelter in the bare forest canopy. The spirit you carry commands the respect of the swamp creatures.

>>28949009
>Find an indentation in the ground to hide yourself in, as you did previously.

>>28949111
>>28949042

Here, your survival skills take the helm. With rope and canvas, you build a hammock-esque structure between the upper branches of one of the trees just off the path; as the sky grows dark and time passes, you remain seated in the tree, gazing out over the swamp ahead. Indeed, no longer do such creatures as blight mosquitoes see fit to harry you, perhaps fearing the presence you have.

You've spread your canvas out across the canopy, such that you have ample space in the trees. What will you do?
>Practice some Soul ritual. (Description)
>Meditate, or attempt to communicate with the Spirit you've recently bound. (Description)
>Rest, and continue your journey at sunrise.
>Other.

>>28949419
>>Meditate, or attempt to communicate with the Spirit you've recently bound. (Description)
Lets converse a bit with the spirit of corruption

>>28949419
>>Meditate, or attempt to communicate with the Spirit you've recently bound. (Description)
Ask if it knows what's south of here.

>>28949419
>Meditate, or attempt to communicate with the Spirit you've recently bound. (Description)

>>28949419

“Spirit.” You focus, mentally signaling the presence that now accompanies you. In your mind, an image coalesces, of a smile—a thin line of green light that slowly bends into a wicked grin.

“Mm?” The sinister-sounding voice echoes in your mind; your cranium vibrates, teeth chattering. “What is it, Shardkeeper?”

“Do you know what's further to the south of this place?” You ask.

“Ah, you see fit to use me for navigation? What a confident creature you must be.” It pauses. “To my knowledge, a great swath of your kind calls those lands their homes. I am not sure whether or not they still persist, for I was forced from that place long ago. Is that all you wish to know?”

>What will you say?

>>28949812
>Go to sleep.

>>28949812
How long will it take to travel there?

>>28949812
>>What will you say?
How did they force you out?

>>28949812
How many of your kind resided there?

>>28949812
"How long ago was this? How were you forced to leave? About how far away is it, assuming they have not moved?"

Make sure to thank him for his aid after he's done answering questions.

“How many of your kind resided there?” You ask.

“In that time, it was I alone.” responds the voice. “I am a type of Spirit that gains power from the land. I unleashed a venomous tide upon that place, as I did upon this swamp—however, I was driven off by a Shardkeeper before I could take root, which seems to be a common theme. I am surprised you are asking this of me now.”

“How far away is it?”

“My memory of the land is hazy, but perhaps you will arrive before three days have passed.”

>What will you say?

>>28950145
>Rest.

>>28950145
"Thank you spirit, good night."

>>28950145
"Thank you for answering my questions. It is much appreciated.

Sleep well Spirit, assuming you even sleep."

Then get some sleep. We've got a lot of ground to cover in the morning.

>>28950145
Go to bed.

>>28950145
Rest Spirit. We travel on the morrow.

The night passes without event, and in the morning, you help yourself to a ration of food before disassembling your iron-clad fortress and scrambling downward to the damp forest floor. Cloak tossed over your shoulders, you make your way further to the south, morning light shining between the branches of the barren trees that flank the path.

“You are an interesting one, Shardkeeper.” The Spirit's voice grows audible. “To my knowledge, there are not so many of your kind in this world anymore. Why are you traveling?”

>What will you say?

>>28950940
>tell him the truth

>>28950940
Tell him of your home village and why you had to leave.

>>28950940
Be honest with him, we may as well.

"I came from a small village to the north. I had some disagreements with a prominent figure there, he accused me of treason, and it was clear we could not live together in peace.

I had always wanted to see more of the world so I set out to seek my fortune and find somewhere that could make use of my services."

>>28950940
Boss-man was a giant asshole.

>>28950940
Because my own rejected me.

They needed to put a blame on someone and I was the most convenient target.

>>28948239
here is hoping i didn't miss much of /tg/s most unlucky quest.

>>28951316
A poison spirit got the shit bound out of it and we but the rock lizard into our boots.

What is /tg/'s obsession with magic boots anyway?

>>28951371
foot fetish

>>28951371
I think the people who follow this also follow ranger quest and the boots were useful in that quest.

>>28951371
Honestly, it's because they're usually useful.

Boots tend to add to mobility, and that's extremely important when you're fighting monsters.

>>28951402
Didn't we also end up with magic boots in Totemist Quest?

>>28951418
We never took the bloody thunder turtles soul out of our boots. I wanted to see what else we could do with it. We even kept them in there while we could fly for fuck sake.

>>28951418
>Totemist Quest
I thought that quest was canned since its been around 6 months.

>>28951472
It was once gone for 8 months, and another time gone for around half a year. Totemist Quest is eternal, Diarca shall return to us.

life check

>>28950940
The truth followed by questions about poison. If we had any medical training and/or know anything about medicine we'd know that poison can sometimes be a good thing and some humans aren't good.

“Because my own rejected me. I came from a small village north of here, but I had some disagreements with a prominent figure there. He accused me of treason, and it was clear we could to live together in peace. Somewhere, though, there's someone who can make use of my trade, so I figured I'd try my luck elsewhere.” You nod.

“I see. How unfortunate. Does it not mean that we have something in common, though?” The Spirit's voice takes on a sinister tone yet again. “We both know what it's like to be cast out from our place of power.”

In the distance ahead, you can see the damp forest floor begin to give way to low, rolling hills on either side of the path. The vegetation looks a bit brighter, though the trees here don't seem to be fully flourished still.

>What will you say?

>>28951888
Are you evil in nature spirit?

>>28951888
We may have a lot in common spirit.

In a way we are the same. We both have been cast out and made the land we walked upon better for us.

>>28951918
He said he wasn't(just looking for a place to live)
>>28951888
are there many other spirits like you and what should i know of your kind.

>>28951888
Looking forward to going back to your original lands?

>>28951888
sadly agree with the spirit, ask if he has a name if we didnt already.

>>28951888
That we are spirit. That we are. What are your goals spirit beyond the harming of civilization. IS it something you decided on, is it in your nature, or where you told to do so by some greater spirit.

>>28951888
"I suppose so Spirit, I suppose so.

Though it's not all bad, I did lose my home, but in doing so I find myself free to see what lies in this direction, to see sights I never would have seen.

Do you have a name you wish to be called by? I can hardly call you Spirit forever, there will be no end to the confusion should I meet another like you."

>>28951918
He's not evil, he's not good, he simply is. He acts according to his nature and changes the place he lives in to fit his needs.

Granted, he is extraordinarily inconvenient to the people that also want to live there, but he isn't evil.

File: 1387419025478.png-(162 KB, 475x509, 1387298183489.png)

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>>28951954
>>28952051
Thanks f-for clearing it up, y-your very nice anons.

Did OP fall asleep on us again?

>>28951888

"How did you come to be, Spirit?"

...Futile? Bump

>>28952535

OP is dying a little, actually. Just got done with finals earlier.

>>28952051
>>28952007

“I suppose, Spirit. But it's not all bad. I did lose my home, but in doing so, I find myself able to see sights I never would have seen.” You pause; the two of you continue conversing as you make your way further down the road. “Do you have a name you wish to go by? I can hardly call you Spirit forever.”

“At one time, I was called Skeith. Having captured my essence within this Shard, you may call me by whatever name you wish.”

“Very well.” You nod. “How did you come to be?”

“How did you come to be, human?” The entity chuckles. “I came to be as all Spirits do.”

The sun grows high overhead as you continue your journey, periodically adjusting your cloak and knapsack. After a while, you post yourself on the root of a tree just off the path, stopping to satiate your pecking hunger.

What will you do?
>Stick to the road; this is the way merchants travel, so it should be the path of least resistance.
>Cut through the forest ahead, and find a way over the hills in the distance.
>Perform some Soul ritual. (Description.)
>Continue conversing with Skeith.
>Other.

>>28953160
>>Continue conversing with Skeith.
He look like an interesting one.

>>28953160
>>Stick to the road; this is the way merchants travel, so it should be the path of least resistance.

>>28953160

Now we just need to capture innus and magus

>>28953160
>>Stick to the road; this is the way merchants travel, so it should be the path of least resistance.

Hang in there OP I know those test feels.

>>28953160

>Converse with Skeith
So what does it feel like to be crystallized and bestowed on an object? Is it different from being in your crystal form?

>Perform some Soul ritual
Attempt to see if we can make contact with the Turtle Charm's spirit and analyze the creature it came from and perhaps modify the powers it bestows on us.

>>28953160
I know that feel OP. I just received my grades today and god was that a relief.

>>28953389
same.it was awful fuck Gordon rule classes.
>>28953160
>>Cut through the forest ahead, and find a way over the hills in the distance.
>>Perform some Soul ritual. (see what other combinations we didn't try yet.(turtle with bow))
>>Continue conversing with Skeith.

>>28953321

Seconding this, afterwards cut through the forest for interesting stuff!

>>28953576

We don't have a bow. Just a quiver+arrows.

>>28953620
then lets see what happens to the arrows/quiver

>>28953620

Hmm...what if we stacked spirits (eventually) onto a bow, a set of arrows (obviously something that would make them tougher so we could retrieve them...alternately really weak spirits) and a quiver?

File: 1387424704702.jpg-(455 KB, 632x927, Skeith 2.jpg)

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>>28953160
>Skeith
Fucking badass spirit right here

>>28953321
>>28953605

Sounds cool to me if consensus is required.

>>28953160
>>Continue conversing with Skeith.
Ask him to teach us Data Drain

“So, what does it feel like to be crystallized and bestowed upon an object?” You ask. “Is it different from being in Shard form?”

“My essence infused upon this object, I walk alongside you, Spirit. However, the realm where Spirits alone can walk is also within my reach.” The entity hisses. “Bound to a Shard, my experience is no different.”

You're not entirely sure what he means, but believe it'll be an acceptable answer for now. Instead, you remove your anklet, taking a moment to look over it. It's a memento of your Master's, a set of intricately carved wood and bone charms strung together to a perfect fit. You attempt, then, to contact the Soul that lies within, as you would begin a Recrystallization procedure.

A few moments pass, and you press your spiritual presence further, but find no responsive power sealed within the charm. It feels as a particularly weak Infusion, like the mosquito spirit charms; however, it affords a disproportionate amount of physical protection, given the presence you feel within. You shrug, return the item to your ankle, then head further into the forest.

>Cont'd

>>28954278


The hills, though, are a distance further away than they seem, and the terrain ahead a bit rough; by the time you make it to the crest of one, your calves ache. This range of hills seems to surround the forest you see ahead; your eyes widen to the now-unfamiliar sight of trees with leaves on them. It reminds you a bit of home, though more wide-open, with visible groves of variable thickness, and a river in the distance.

Leaving home might not have been so bad after all. You meant what you said to Skeith, but didn't quite believe it until now. You head downhill and begin the journey into the forest, attempting to maintain your bearing on the path as you continue to the south. It's been quite some time on the road—time passes uneventfully. It's strange, not to see swamp mosquitoes buzzing overhead; you're sure there are fauna about, as you can see movement in the distant brush, but nothing makes itself immediately evident.

What will you do?
>Other

>>28954296
Keep an eye open for local fauna. We may have rations, but it'd be nice to supplement them with something like a nice rabbit.

Don't kill whatever we're planning on eating with Skeith, it probably wouldn't be good for the flavor.

If it's getting later in the day keep an eye open for a good place to camp for the night.

>>28954296
try Skeith on our boots.

>>28954296
Keep on the road. Look out for animals that may have a useful soul.

>>28954448
I hope that was a joke. What good would poison boots be?

>>28954477
if we are looking for soul shard then going into the forest is a better idea, plus we are less likely to run into bandits/theives.(also easier to get food.)
>>28954296
My vote is going into forest.

>>28954500
Poisoning the ground we walk on. People would know not to fuck with us.

>>28954511
Seems a little anti-social. Big poison anti halberd is probably enough.

>>28954500>>28954566
>>28954511
just to experiment and see what else could be done, plus it has shown that they are not all always related to poison.(the giant snake for example.)

>>28954586
You mean the snake that gave us poison related powers? I don't mind experimenting with shit but it doesn't make sense to put everything in our shoes.

Rolled 99, 67, 58, 94 = 318

>>28954628

How about 1 shoe with poison the other with Tregalis?

>>28954628
you never know, plus we did the same for our cloak and halberd, and having knowledge is power.
Though i would like for our cloak to try out Skeith as well.

>>28954628
You're right we should put it in our socks.

>>28954628
Then how about we buy a cock ring and infuse it with that. Would that be good enough for you, Mr. No Fun Allowed Jr.?

>>28954735
I am not no fun allowed. I am just sick of putting all our shit in our shoes. Why not a shirt or something?

>>28954770
we only put two things into our shoes, while we put everything into our halberd.

>>28954735
>cock ring + snake soul
Won't it just turn into a snake skin condom?

>>28954770
Or that ring the old lady gave us.
>>28954791
But poison shoes just don't seem useful. Like if it was a quick thing or something you can understand since it would make you fast but how does poisons in your shoes help?

>>28954845
>But poison shoes
thats the thing you are assuming its only poison shoes, when it has been proven that different articles of clothing make different affects happen.

>>28954886
Yes, but theyre ALWAYS related to the spirit being put into them.
Putting it in shoes versus the halberd isnt going to suddenly give us super speed, or anything Not related to poison or corruption.

>>28954981
True that, Rock lizard still gives ground tremors.

>>28954981
lets just experiment then and find out.

>>28955044
Find out what? We already have a vague idea of how it's goign to end up, and I dont see how any variation on the theme is going to end up being more useful for the ancient killer spirit then our go-to weapon. At best we'll be wasting time and exhausting ourselves to sate your curiosity. If you want to mess around with combinations, wait till we have more new shards so we can try more things at once.

>>28955145
>We already have a vague idea of how it's goign to end up
Because we are well slept and have energy still have time to experiment and have nothing urgent to do.

>>28955145
The ring or a knife or something might be cool but I gotta agree about the boots.

>>28955176
I dont think we have a knife though. If we do, then yeah, that might be useful. More then boots anyway

I'm still voting for boots.

>>28955261
We must have a knife, everyone has a knife.
What type of world would it be if we didn't have a knife?

The forest here feels different from the space around your village; though the sun is high overhead, it's not quite as hot as the land surrounding the mesa, and you're cooled by a palpable breeze that sweeps through the forest canopy above. As you pass through this unfamiliar place, you eventually reunite with the pass, catching trace movements of birds and unknown fauna moving in the distance; no particular catch presents itself, however, when it comes to scoring something to augment your diet.

You pause. Somewhere off the road to your left, you think you heard something—a human voice, perhaps?

What will you do?
>Other

>>28955176
>>28955145
Thats the thing we don't truly know what the will happen yet.
>>28955261
- Halberd: Earthbreaker - This decorated halberd is capable of crashing through some stone surfaces and sending tremors through the earth.
- Boots: Mountain King Greaves - In contact with the earth, the wearer of these armored boots is capable of seismic stomps, as well as “ground-breaking” leaps.
- Cloak: Viper Spirit Shroud - A cloak, covered with a layer of armor-boosting scales. Affords the user greater resistance to natural toxins, and boosts physical defense.
- Halberd: Scourge - An anomalous halberd of variable length, holding a sinister presence within. Its poisonous sting corrodes the very spirit.
As you can see they aren't always the same effect same theme yes but not affect.

>>28955292
Search for some food. And I'm deliberately saying to not go towards the human voice.

>>28955292

Ready bow, investigate cautiously and quietly.

>>28955292
Investigate, carefully.

Walk quietly and have our halberd ready in case anything attacks.

Don't just rush towards whatever it is, it could be a trap of some kind.

Rolled 68, 43 = 111

>>28955292

Stealthily approach. Astral project if we can do it quickly, quietly, and without wholly losing our awareness of the real world...also only if it's likely to let us see humans.

>>28955292
Sneak up and see the source of said voice and can you answer the boot question.

>>28955261
Erick Valstein's inventory:
- Scourge, halberd infused with the Soul of the Venom Spirit, wielded
- Viper Spirit Shroud, cloak infused with the Soul of the Swamp Viper, worn
- Mountain King Greaves, boots infused with the Soul of Tregalis, worn
- Turtle Spirit Anklet, worn on ankle
- Pouch of medicinal supplies, on belt
- Hunting knife, on belt
- Leather quiver of arrows, on belt
- Soul Shard of the Blight Mosquito (5), in knapsack
- Rock lizard teeth (5), in knapsack, strung together
- Folded canvas, in knapsack
- Wood grain ring, in knapsack
- Rations of food and water, in knapsack
- Several lengths of rope and twine, in knapsack

>>28955318
Whoops, totally forgot we didn't have a bow in this quest. My bad.

>>28955261
>Checked the pastebin, am idort
Okay, yeah, we do. I'll get behind Skeith into knife. And mosquitos into arrows. That seems like it would be interesting.

>>28955391
how about quiver?
I think it could do a lesser enchantment on the arrows.

>>28955351
Wait. We have arrows but no bow? Or am I blind?

>>28955425
no bow yet.

>>28955425

(( You're not blind.
We've got arrows, alright, but nothing to do with them. ))

>>28955425
Yeah, we just found the quiver in that Cart in the swamp

>>28955417
I say arrows because of that thing about how puttting multiple of the same kind of shard into one thing makes it weaker. Also im not really sure what a quiver could do...
Though i guess we could just put, like, One Mosquito soul in it? It's not like we'd have to use them all on one thing, weak as they are.

>>28955494
I meant the poison soul, and i was thinking that by putting the arrows inside the quiver that they would be dipped in poison.(not as strong if an arrow had the gem, but to a similar affect.)

>>28955538
Yeah, but skieths only going to lend power when used against humanity, which would be kind of a waste since arrows are so useful on, everything else. And we still dont have a bow, or anything to fire the arrows with so, thats another waste.

>>28955628
getting a bow wont be hard since we have the materials to make one our selves, plus the same can be said about the knife or halberd.

>>28955351
>- Soul Shard of the Blight Mosquito (5), in knapsack

We don't have those anymore, we gave them to Mathilde remember?

>>28955739
Its in the paste bin, so i figured we got more on the way.

>>28955739
((Didn't happen, sorry. I failed to completely update the inventory. Will fix. Update coming shortly.))

>>28955696
We still dont have it yet, so it doesnt make sense to gear up for it using any important resources. and the knife and the halberd will still be useful as weapons or utility no matter what. A quiver is a glorified bag.

>>28955796

(( Meant to reply to >>28955771. I'm bad.))

>>28955806
I was talking about the weakness of poison that you mentioned to me can be applied to our halberd as well, and i also mentioned making one is easy with our materials.

You move quietly through the brush, staying low to the ground to avoid being seen, and ready to retrieve Scourge at a moment's notice. Your snakeskin camouflage is a bit off-colored in comparison to the flora around you, but it's better than nothing. As you approach the source of the noise, you watch the ground beneath your feet carefully, for each individual twig and leaf, attempting to remain as silent as possible.

You draw nearer, noting the voices have gone quiet, and push some leaves aside to create a window in the brush you're concealed in. It looks like there's a group of three individuals ahead, standing in a small clearing, fixated on something further away in the forest. They remain silent, and you stop to get a good look at them. There's a large man, clad in black studded leather with a pair of dusty pauldrons, a hefty-looking axe planted into the ground at his side. There's a smaller looking figure, whose details you can't quite make out on account of the brown, hooded cloak that looks like it covers his face to the nose; he holds a bow, fully drawn and aimed at something in the forest. The third is a woman wearing a form-fitting uniform, with her long, brown hair tied back in a ponytail; she holds a black metal glaive in a stance that appears poised to charge.

>Cont'd

The three seem to relax, lowering their weapons as a fourth individual leaps down from a tree a distance in front of them—a younger looking girl, olive-skinned and wearing an oversized brown cloak.

“You see it? I swear, it went this way!” The larger man shouts.

“Nope.” The younger girl rolls her eyes. “Nothin'.”

“Looks like we're on another snipe hunt, then.” The bow-hunter sounds dejected, his voice monotonous.

“Damnit...” The spearwoman sighs, planting her weapon in the dirt and placing a hand to her forehead. “Looks like we're starting back empty-handed, then. You sure you weren't just imagining things again?”

“I swear, I saw something!” The large man folds his arms. “Big as a tree, she was!”

The four begin arguing unintelligibly, continuing until they begin to physically swat at one another, and growing gradually louder as they begin to make their way further into the forest.

What will you do?
>Other

>>28956058
Using your greaves to make some quakes and scare them out of their nerves. Tee hee.

>>28956058
>Ignore them.

Let's find a city.

Rolled 86, 77 = 163

>>28956058

Follow. Astral project to try to locate the thing they're hunting?

>>28956058
ignore them and steal thier hunt.

>>28956058
Wait for them to leave.

>>28956103
>>28956096
>>28956058
this
>>28956104
we already did.

>>28956058
Ignore them.

>>28956058
They better not be hunting Swampbro.

>>28956096
>>28956103
>>28956119

You surmise you could locate their prey through meditation—if it were a Spirit or some like entity, that is. You assume this wayward group is hunting an animal, but from the looks of things, they aren't hunting much of anything.

What will you do?
>Other

>>28956234
Continue on the road.

>>28956234
Continue on the road.

Rolled 91, 66 = 157

>>28956234

Follow them.

>>28956234
Follow

>>28956339

>>28956234
Follow them, try to remain silent, keep a decent distance from them.

>>28956360
>>28956339
>>28956372
>>28956490

Remaining silent, you track the band of four through the forest ahead, keeping your distance. They pause, occasionally, commenting on some noise or sight to momentarily distract themselves from their argument at hand; you think they're aware of something, but they don't seem to know they're being followed.

After quite some time, the four of them happen upon a camp site—it's set up with multiple tents, and a fire pit in the center; the hooded man gets the flame started after a bit, and starts to work on a meal as the four get settled. You remain in the darkness, hidden in brush a good distance away.

Looks like the sun will be setting soon.

>What do you do?

>>28956661
>join their campfire
>or at least attempt to

Rolled 60, 94 = 154

>>28956661

Walk in on them openly (if guardedly) as non-threatening looking but prepared as possible.

>>28956661
Well, we were looking for civilization, and we need a place to bed down for the night.

Sneak a bit further away, then stop being sneaky and approach their camp while announcing our presence so they don't freak out over us showing up. Try to look non-threatening but keep our halberd at hand in case they're less than welcoming.

Tell them we're a weary traveler and Shardkeeper who heard them and wish to share their fire. Then we introduce ourself, get their names, ask them about nearby settlements.

Also ask them why they're out here, we know why, but they don't know we know.

Rolled 2, 94 = 96

>>28956727

Let's not mention the shardkeeper part.

>>28956832
Our halberd looks like a black scar in reality with green bands. Save for the bands it's completely devoid of color, and halberds aren't things you can usually keep out of sight.

It's pretty obvious that it's not a normal weapon.

Rolled 4, 18 = 22

>>28956867

Doesn't mean we have to tell them all about it.

>>28956727

You loop back a distance through the forest, then make your way toward the campsite, the rising smoke and light from their campfire affording you something to follow. You attempt to look non-threatening, though you imagine it'll a bit difficult; the halberd on your back looks more like a weapon of war than anything else, and barely even looks like it's of human make.

“Hello?” You call out as you approach the campsite. “Anyone home?”

“Oy! Who's over there?” The older of the two women is seated at the fireside, and as you cross through the brush, she shoots a cautious look in your direction, reaching for her weapon.

“No worries.” You respond, raising your hands as you walk into the open, and she appears to lower her guard just a bit. “Sorry about the scare, there; just a weary traveler passing by, is all. I heard you guys, and wish to share your fire. What are you doing out here?”

“Hunting,” She cocks an eyebrow, rising from her seat—she's probably not convinced you're not some kind of bandit. “On a mission from Callestria. Someone caught wind of a... stupid rumor of some big kill out here.”

She pauses. “The hell is that thing on your back?”

>What will you say?

>>28957099
a weapon stolen from the netherlords themselves!

(huehuehue)

>>28957099
Halberd

>>28957153
Seconding, then add on

"I discovered this in some ruins I delved into. I figure it ought to pawn for a pretty penny."

>>28957099
Turn around trying to see the thing on your back. Pretend you don't know it's there.

>>28957099
a halberd

>>28957099
It's a weapon.

>>28957178
Don't say that, they might be interested in buying.

>>28957099
"It's a halberd. It's very good at what it does.

I'm from up north, I haven't heard of Callestria. Mind telling me about it."

>>28957153
>>28957178
Why do we really need to hide that we're a Shardkeeper? We're going this way to ply our trade, it's our job, we don't need to keep it hidden.

>>28957213

Then we refuse their price.

>>28957099
It's a halberd

>>28957227
not hiding the shardkeeper part
hiding the evil poison spirit part

It's a halberd and I'm a shardkeeper. Fuck all you guys trying to hide what we are. No fucking shame. TELL 'EM LOUD AND PROUD

(( Is the consensus to reveal our occupation, or keep it hidden? ))

>>28957271
REVEAL OURSELVES TO THIS WOMAN!

>>28957271
Reveal it.

>>28957271
>reveal

>>28957271
Reveal occupation, don't be specific about what's in the halberd.

>>28957271
Hidden! I see no reason they need to know

>>28957271

Reveal

>>28957289
Well we're wearing a cloak made out of snake scales and have a pitch-black halberd across our back

>>28957271
>hidden

>>28957305

Hidden!

Reveal wins. WRITE IT UP.

>>28957271
Reveal, I doubt they'll even know what a shardkeeper is.

>>28957301
... Neither of those are reasons they need to know our occupation.
And why would the snakeskin cloak matter at all? We just came out of a swamp filled with fuckhuge snakes!

>>28957271

Hidden!!

>>28957271

Hide it. We don't know how shardkeepers are regarded hereabouts.

>>28957271
>>reveal

>>28957271
Hide

>>28957271
Hide there is no need to be so open

>>28957271
Reveal. Pussy ass niggas tryin to hide like bitches. Niggas cinnabun.

>>28957271
it's pretty even, I'd flip a coin

“What do you mean? It's a weapon.” You nod. “A halberd, actually, and quite good at what it does.”

“You take me for some kind of idiot?” She approaches you cautiously, taking a closer look at Scourge. “Of course I know what a weapon is, and that's not like any one I've ever seen.”

“That's because it's got the power of a Spirit within.” You grin. “In that regard, I suppose I'm more than just some traveler, actually. Forgive me—I'm a Shardkeeper, you see.”

“...You said you're a what, now?” The woman gives you a strange look. Figures, though; somehow, you thought she wouldn't know. As you think of the weapon on your back, though, your spiritual presence becomes alert—you sense the presence of unfamiliar Soul nearby, perhaps within this campsite?

“A Shardkeeper. I suppose it's a sort of hunter, like you.” You nod. When your Master taught you the principles of your craft, he made it seem more... common in the world; since you've left home, though, you've learned that's not the case at all. “By trade, an expert in all manners of beasts, spirits, and souls.”

“I see. A bookish type, then?” The explanation seems enough to placate her, though she doesn't any less frustrated as she turns away. “You'll have to forgive me, then, for mistaking you for some bandit; to be fair, they're a problem around these parts, and I'm not in a particularly bright mood at the moment.”

“Ah, I wasn't aware. I'm actually from up north. Callestria is the city you come from, right? Could you tell me about it?”

“Uh, sure. What's your name, traveler?”

“Erick. Erick Valstein.”

“Mm.” She responds, ushering you to a seat by the fire. “You can call me Rebecca. Hope you're not expecting a meal, cause we're a little short on food. What do you want to know?”

What will you do?
>Ask something about Callestria. (Description.)
>Ask something else. (Description.)
>Attempt to pinpoint what might possess Soul nearby.
>Other

>>28957543
>>Attempt to pinpoint what might possess Soul nearby.

>>28957543
>Ask about Callestria
>Attempt to pinpoint odd Soul sensations

>>28957543

Pinpoint the nearby soul

Whisper to her "Well first I'd like to know who that *unfamiliar soul* is?" stealthily point.

>>28957543
>>Ask something about Callestria. (Description.)

How large is it, what other cities are around there.

>>28957543
>Attempt to pinpoint what might possess Soul nearby.
>Offer to share some of our rations
>Ask how large Callestria is, if it's the fabled city we've been hearing about.

>>28957577
If she doesnt know what a Shardkeeper is, then how the hell would she know about the soul? and if we dont know where or what it is, then what the hell are we going to "stealthily point" at?

>>28957543
>Attempt to pinpoint what might possess Soul nearby.

Keep talking to her while doing this if possible.

>Ask something about Callestria. (Description.)

How far away it is, how big it is, if they could use a professional monster hunter.

Also ask if they know what the big kill is supposed to be.

>>28957608

We would point at whatever we located. We would indicate to her the nature of the soul in language she would understand, depending on what we determine about it by pinpointing it. Then we'd point at it, because we would've pinpointed it.

Jesus man, no need to be so hostile.

>>28957654
But if we located it, WE WOULDNT NEED HER TO TELL US WHAT IT WAS.
We could just look at it.

>>28957584
>>28957635

“How large is it?” You ask. “What other sorts of cities are nearby?”

“Well, not that I've got much for comparison, but I'd say it's pretty damn big.” She says. “Largest population center for as far as you can imagine. Nothing nearby but a couple of little townships down the road, and some fishing villages by the ocean further south. Never been to a city, have you?”

You shake your head.

“Ah, I see. Personally, I've not traveled beyond the swamp just north of here, but I imagine you don't stray too far from home where you come from.”

“Yeah, you could say that. How far is Callestria from here?”

“Oh, uhm.” She pauses to think. “We make the trek pretty often, and it's a little over a day at our pace.”

“Right, right.” You smile and nod, attempting to focus spiritual presence inconspicuously. Indeed, you detect multiple forces that seem similar in nature to some of your own Shard infusions—of some beast, like the ones occupying your cloak and boots. Both of them seem close by, and moving closer.

You look in that direction, and two of the other four make their way across the threshold into the campsite—the large man, and the young girl in the cloak. From here, you feel the presences more clearly, sealed within the silver axe the man hefts in both hands, and something the girl carries with her.

“Rebecca! We're back! Daeron's getting firewood.” The girl says.

“And seeing if he can't catch us something else to eat.” The man chimes in.

“We drew straws.” The girl assumes a confident pose, completing the thought.

“Who's this lad?” The man asks, and you can't help but grin, reminded of some of the more bearable of the hunters you knew in your home village. “Where'd he come from, eh?”

>What will you say?

>>28957751
Say our name and ask them where they had gotten their soul infused stuff.

>>28957751
just say our name, and that we're travelling
maybe compliment their equipment

>>28957751
"Hello, was just trying to make my way to civilization when I caught wind of your camp. Hope you dont mind.
Thats a mighty fine axe there friend. Is it infused too?"

>>28957816
>>28957781

“Name's Erick Valstein. I'm a traveler, from the north.” You say, allowing your gaze to drift toward the man's weapon. “That's a hell of an axe, by the way.”

“Ah, thank you!” He chuckles. “Quite the treasure, isn't she? Packs quite the punch, too!”

“I can imagine. I haven't seen a blade quite like that in a while. Where'd you get her?”

“A dealer, in Callestria. I'm told she's a relic, dredged up from the ruins of some old civilization. Paid my life's savings to make her mine. Since then, I've been a hunter, and I made it back in triplicate at the edge of her blade.” The man gives a hearty laugh. “That's quite a unique weapon you've got yourself. How'd you come by something looking so savage?”

>What will you say?

>>28957913
"I made it."

>>28957913
Made it

>>28957913
I made it using the same methods that made your weapon.

>>28957933
This, but dont say anything about the method

>>28957933
Go for this, but don't explain how, since it sounds like our art is extremely rare.

>>28957998
Yes. And trying to explain about pulling pieces of souls out of things and spirits to people not aware will probably make us sound a little crazy, or at least suspicious. We did just kind of walk up on them out of nowhere.

>>28957913
"Made it myself, using the tricks of an ancient civilization."

>>28957933

“I made it.” The older man and young girl give you skeptical stares; you continue, and the two of them take seats by the fireside. “Using the same methods that made your weapon, actually.”

“Wow.” The girl nudges against you, putting her face about an inch away from Scourge's surface to take a closer look. “It doesn't even look real.”

“You must be quite the smith, lad!” The man grins. “What sort of materials went into that one?”

“It's a bit of a trade secret, actually.” You shrug. “Maybe I'll let you in on it sometime.”

“Sonia,” Rebecca asks, “Did he say how long he was going to try out there for? It's getting late, and I'm starting to lose my appetite.”

“Uhmm... Nope! He said he'd come back when he's done!” The girl responds.

“Yeah, right.” The spearwoman responds, rising to retire to her tent. “Well, I'm turning in early, then. Erick, you're welcome to stay in our company as long as you like. Try anything shifty, though, and you'll regret it.”

“No worries, Rebecca.” You respond, with a smile. She's right—the sun's on the way to setting, and you'll probably have to worry about shelter of your own quite soon. “I wouldn't even think of it.”

What will you do?
>Other

>>28958220
Chillax
eat yo rations
sleep

>>28958220
set up tent/shelter, maybe try to hunt something
>they did say they were short on food

>>28958261
I'll second this

>>28958255
This. Don't offer them any.

>>28958220
Offer to share our rations with the group.

>>28958220
>Ask Skeith to watch our back.

>>28958296
uh no fuck that
they said they wouldn't give us any

>>28958220

Eat, wait for a bit to see if the firewood guy comes back. If not, ask the axe-man if the firewood guy is taking a while.

>>28958296
Fuck you.

>>28958220
Ask them about the hunt they're on.

If it's a big beastie it might be worth it to harvest its Cordis.

Also get some food and set up our sleeping arrangements.

>>28958312
They didn't offer to give us any because, and this is a doozy I know, they don't have any food.
Amazing, right?

>>28958316

Sure.

>>28958328
this, then >>28958316
this is my vote.

>>28958329
not our problem
let them fuckers starve

>>28958329
They have food, just not a lot. Same as us.

>>28958348
That's not how you win friends and influence people.

>>28958356
I don't want to win or influence these scum lords.

>>28958356
it is how we don't personally starve

>>28958356
Fuck friends! We have Skeith. We don't need filthy, dumb, mortal scum as friends.

>>28958380
I didn't realize the protagonist couldn't survive for a day and a half without food. Clearly, we're American. Then again, >implying we'll run out of food from sharing a little bit

>>28958371
The hell's your problem, nigga?

>>28958356
fuck em, we don't know them and are only tagging along because of a potential strong soul.

>>28958402
>little bit
>4-5 people in their group
math harder

>>28958371
>>28958397
We're planning on living in civilization. To be specific our most likely option is Callestria, it's the biggest town in the area.

These people live there, and I'd rather have friends there, it'll make moving in a lot easier.

Don't be an asshole to everyone you meet, they could be useful.

>>28958422
>Implying we need to share more than a few ounces per person.
Why you wanna be an asshole so bad, Anon? Did someone not love you enough?

>>28958347

Thirdan'

>>28958412
There's no strong soul, yah dipshit. It's just artifacts we're picking up. Artifacts from a dead civilization. Reading comprehension.

>>28958431
I'd rather live in a fucking cave and live off the fat of the land.

>>28958442
y u gotta ad hominem so hard? Your argument is shit?

If you think we'll look like an asshole for not sharing, imagine how we'll look for sharing a few ounces each. That's not even a bite. We'd be taunting them more than anything.

>>28958461
They are hunting something big that has forced some one to hire a team of hunters dumb ass.

>>28958461
These people are hunting a rumored big kill in the area.

Said big kill is likely to have a strong soul, we kill the monster and put its Cordis into a bow or something like that.

>>28958492
I want a place to build up a library, I want a soft bed, warm baths, access to blacksmiths. I don't want to have to hunt for every meal, I want to be able to get bread.

We're looking for somewhere to ply our trade, that's been what we've told people so far, we're not looking for a cave to hole up in, that's not plying our trade.

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>>28958499
Hunting something big that we're unable to pick up with our spidey-sense and that they were unable to find. Seems like a good way to waste a thread.

>>28958495
I'd say not giving food to people without food is a pretty asshole move, brah. Goes against that, y'know, "basic human decency" thing.
>Few ounces not even a bite
Nigga, a whole chicken breast is 3 ounces. The hell is your problem?

>>28958529
>I want a place to build up a library, I want a soft bed, warm baths, access to blacksmiths. I don't want to have to hunt for every meal, I want to be able to get bread.
>We're looking for somewhere to ply our trade, that's been what we've told people so far, we're not looking for a cave to hole up in, that's not plying our trade.
You can do all of that in a cave!

>>28958537
>I'd say not giving food to people without food
they have fucking food, they are just waiting on the fire wood.

>>28958537
that's one pathetically tiny chicken breast
no wonder you're so annoying, you're from some shitty non-American country

>>28958562
Joke's on you, I'm from a state with a disproportionately high obesity figure! I just have a little fuckin' class.

>>28958561
>Hope you're not expecting a meal, cause we're a little short on food
>Short on food
Oh gee, what would be the polite, friendly thing to do in this situation? I don't know, maybe offer to share some of our rations in exchange for some of theirs? Seems reasonable to me!

>>28958454

Fourthing for great end to argument. Offer whoever stays up with us some food if they'll take it.

>>28958549
No, no you can't.

Unless you want to do all of those things yourself, but there's no way we can do our job, be a blacksmith, a woodworker, farm and harvest fields, bake bread, and build a house that is safe from the elements, all at the same time. Our job takes up a lot of time, there's a lot of time spent training, studying, and experimenting, not to mention the time hunting takes. We won't be able to do our job properly without civilization.

Civilization is nice, it means we don't have to do everything ourself. It means we can spend more time studying, improving our equipment, and training.

>>28958608
which means that have enough to feed themselves, and we have enough to feed our selves.

>>28958666
Yes, but wouldn't everyone eat slightly better if we all shared our rations? Variety is the spice of life, Anon! I mean, it's not like we intend to gorge ourselves on the rest of our rations all in one sitting, right?

>>28958684
do you not know what rations mean?

>>28958684
Wouldn't our rations be foods that are easy to prepare and keep well?
Would our character even be able to afford spices to make the food taste good too?
I think these guys might actually have tastier food, what with them being relatively close to a town. And hunters.

Stop giving people we don't know our food. Fucking paladins.

>>28958717
I think they're trying to get a pet. It works on cats, dogs, hobos and collage students, so it might work on people too.

This is why you don't update slowly.

>>28958717

Oh look, the murderhobos are back. Are you going to make us attack these people in their sleep, too?

OP, where are you!

>>28958758
>Are you going to make us attack these people in their sleep, too?
I was thinking about it, but maybe now I will. Seeing as how buttmad it'll make you.

>>28958758
>>28958746

((I'm half asleep and half fascinated by your discussion. Update coming shortly. Will probably archive afterward.))

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>>28958774

Please, be my guest. Go right ahead and waste your time to spite some random guy over the Internet.

In the meantime I'll just go to bed and read your pointless flailing in the archive.

>>28958816
Then it shouldn't be a problem, should it, smartass.

“Oh, and the lack of food's no big deal.” You nod. “I'd share if I could. Unfortunately, I'll be running dry myself, before long, but I can manage for now.”

“Ah, don't trouble yourself. I know the feeling.” The axeman says, frowning. “Things have been slow lately, and we're going to have to head back soon. We didn't take much this time, because we didn't think we'd be out here for as long as we have. I mean, I know I was stupid to go chasing rumors, but...”

“Don't beat yourself up over it!” Sonia responds. “We all make mistakes, I think. What's one failed mission, right?”

“I suppose... though I've got the feeling Rebecca wants me dead over this mess.”

“Hey, I don't want to interrupt...” The musing axeman trails off, and you let a bit of time pass before tapping him on the shoulder. “But it's been a good while since the firewood guy was coming back.”

He begins to speak, but is cut off by a low rumbling sound; a breeze rushes by from somewhere ahead, and the ground underfoot shakes a bit. There's a pause, followed by screaming—distant, but it grows closer quickly.

>Cont'd

The hooded bowman from earlier rushes out from between the trees ahead, flinging himself into the camp and rolling through the dirt; his weapon lands a distance ahead of him, near the campfire, and he scrambles to his feet in a panic.

“Grato! Sonia!” He shouts. “We gotta get the hell out of here!”

“Daeron? What are you running for?” Sonia asks.

“The hell was that noise, boy?” The axeman rises from his seat, preparing his weapon. “Was it the beast the rumors spoke of?”

“No!” He grabs his bow, pulling his hood from over maddened eyes and allowing messy brown hair to spill over his forehead. “I know you made whatever the hell we're after out here sound like a big deal, but that thing wasn't it—and it's headed this way!”

“Calm down!” You leap to your feet and approach the bowman, taking your weapon in front of you. “What did you see? What's out there?”

Beyond the treeline, you see the fire-light flicker, shimmering off scaled flesh. The creature's eyes open; a pair of burning red orbs unfold in the darkness, fixated on you alone.

(( Archiving, folks. Thanks for the posts tonight. Keep an eye on Twitter for quest updates; with finals done, I'll make an effort to get things out there further in advance. ))

>>28958926

>ohboyherewego.jpg

>>28958938

Time to go MONSTA HUNTIN'.

cya man.

>>28958938
Oh goody, a new soul for our collection.

>>28958938
Excellent.

We don't even have to go looking for a good target for soul harvesting.

File: 1387444168774.gif-(1.4 MB, 256x269, 1377047687670.gif)

1.4 MB GIF

>>28958938

>>28958938
sweet a soul and who is ready for our string of nat 1s to kill this party?

Rolled 2

>>28958979

I'm ready!

Rolled 14

>>28958986
good, good we will need your rolls.

Rolled 2

>>28959001
Hey, no problem.

Rolled 19

>>28959016
>>28958986


See, I'm a pro at low rolls.

Rolled 9

Rollin' for 1

Rolled 18

I wonder if we could loot their dead bodies.