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Ability Tree

GREEN abilities have been unlocked and learned.

BLUE abilties are unlocked, but are not yet purchased.

RED abilities are revealed, but locked due to prerequisites.

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

All Revealed Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/UBdTaB14

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/dAXR00gP

Character Sheet including learned abilities and other important information:

http://pastebin.com/JjjiRx6u

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>>29861121
IT BEGINS

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Current Statistics:

HP: 81/81
Mana: 54/58
EXP: 0

Shards of Order and Chaos:

(Retribution) - Strong
(Maker) - Strong
(Silence) - Strong
(Peace) - Strong
(Breeze) - Empowered
(Hammer) - Strong
(Ardor) - Strong
{Resolve} - Empowered
{Humanity} - Resonant

--Summoned--

Wisp - 1 mana to order

--Automatons--

Vita (Shade)

--Equipment--

Utility belt with purse

--Inventory--

Aurora Water Gem (pocket)
Shade (pocket)

--Teleport Anchor--

Haven - Inner Fortress

--Current Location--

Dobshire

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

Known Mana Pools:

Jacob's Field - entrance to Hecate's tomb - Spirit
Palthair Mines - Magnock's Lair - Spirit
Archon - Spirit District - Spirit
Archon - Shadow District - Shadow
Archon - Earth District - Earth
Archon - Water Distric - Water
Haven - Shadow
Abbotsford - Shadow
Aurora - Water
Va'ad - South Generator - Earth
Va'ad - North Generator - Earth

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-----
Arland Summit Summary: Goals, Objectives, and Major Characters (thanks to Sorry for helping me and the players out!): http://pastebin.com/FsP2C5Hr
-----


You've gathered your allies together in what may be the largest meeting of heads of state in history.

From Archon, there is the Archmage, Yi Fang; and the councilors Tae Wong, who supports the Fangs; and Yong Xu, who opposed Abigail's nomination to councilorhood. And of course, Abigail herself, the heir-apparent to Archon who is driving their new foreign policy shift.

From the Great Forest, Great Tree, the elder of the werewolves, and Young Bull, his son and clan successor. Valeria Kavanere represents the elves that live alongside the werewolves, and Janus Miller comes on behalf of the humans that have their own enclave in the west of the forest. And finally, there is Vaz Grak, warleader of the orcs that dominate the eastern section of the forest, and more recently, Abbotsford.

From Kelvere, there is only the Duke Vellik - formidable by himself, though an exile from his own country.

On behalf of Haven, your own faction, comes Sir Donovan Flint, the fourth son of the Lord Arcturis Flint, who rules Arland; Auriel Lightchosen, the former 5th Highest; Lien Adavan, a lich who was once Hecate's greatest general; and Ila Marril, of humble origins, once a slave to the Ring City, now free to follow her own path.

Prince Obis Vin represents his own interests - reclaiming the throne of Kan-Abar stolen by his brother, Nulis Vin. At his side are lifelong friends and former privateers of Kan-Abar, the infamous pirate Vidar Blackwater and his daughter, Freja Blackwater, who struggles to win Obis's heart.

>con't

And then there is Steward. The half-completed grand project of the dwarves - an intelligent, artifical steward that could run their city - was abandonded when the Wind Lord's reckoning descended into Va'Ad. But the computers kept running, and in the hundreds of years of dark that fell over the dwarven ruins, he finished himself. He seeks to rebuild the city, and secure a future alongside your allies.

Last, but not least, there is the Black Lady. She does not travel with your party, but waits for your word, fearing that an outright public appearance may bring disaster. She hopes to use the opportunity to stand down from the long and shaky cease-fire following the Shadow War.

And of course...there's you. For the time being, you'll be posing as John Nyx, a wandering shadow mage that happened upon Donovoan during the plague at Jacob's Field. You worked together to stop the magic run amok and defended the town from Kan-Abar's attack to give the commoners a chance to escape. From there, your friendship was a given, and in your travels you've become a central figure bringing together the various leaders for the common good.

While skeptical of Yi Fang and the Black Lady, your allies have agreed to present a united front, though they'll be watching Fang, especially, for any sign of scheming. Abigail plans to keep him in check herself, while Auriel hopes to get him locked in a room with the Black Lady, assuming that you can secure her safe entry to Arland. Either way, you need Fang to help cure Flint's parasite for good.

The Flint family was not happy to see a delegation from Archon - and especially unhappy to see Yi Fang himself, their long-time nemesis. However, thanks to Abigail's honesty and forthrightness, the tension was temporarily diffused. They've been given accomodations within the castle town, albeit somewhat damp and mediocre accomodations.

>con't

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You decided to have Donovan give you a tour to get his mind off the nervousness of being back home. You ran into Gerald Flint, Donovan's eldest brother, in the keep's training grounds. Donovan, earlier baffled by an introduction to Gerald's 'wife', asked where Megan was. Megan herself was Donovan's close friend, to whom he could never confess his love. Gerald ended up proposing to and marrying her, an offer that Megan couldn't refuse, as he was the heir to Arland, and she was a relatively minor noble from the Empire. This was the impetus to make Donovan leave home on a quest to restore Aeolus's ancient order of knights.

Gerald taunted Donovan, telling him he'd only answer if his younger brother could beat him in a sword duel. But with Yi Fang's amulet keeping the Shel'kath parasite in check, Donovan proved to be more than capabale of holding his ground against his older brother. Gerald, enraged by Donovan's demand that he take the match seriously, began to use magic, but Donovan was able to maintain the upper hand.

Gerald murmured the answer he sought - that Megan was dead, and that he'd remarried. Matthel clarified - Megan died to a magical plague that had passed through the year before, the same plague that you and Donovan had worked to stop at the beginning of your journey together. Torn by horror and disbelief, Donovan ran through the streets of the city toward the graveyard. You followed at a cautious distance.

Upon reaching the graveyard, Donovan saw the casket within the tomb for himself. You let him grieve for a time in peace, then approached him to heal the wounds left from the duel, and did you best to give him some comfort.

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>Last time...

...Shadow...she's...she's gone."

<...she is.>

"Did we...did we do something wrong?" His voice is cracked, and it is terrible for you to hear. "Were we too slow? Could we have saved her?"

Some time later, you both stand outside the graveyard, on the steep side of the hill. The sun is setting over the distant Kanian Hills rising past the wetlands of the river basin. You sit with your legs dangling over the stone, waiting for the night to come.

Donovan hasn't said anything in a long time. You haven't either.

<...the plague was in full force before either of us arrived in Jacob's Field,> you say. <There was nothing we could have done.>

Donovan bows his head, and his tears come again. "I never told her." His hand grasps the edge of the casket. "I never told her I loved her. I...I couldn't...this fucking thing..." His hand balls into a fist. He tucks it into his chest. "I couldn't make the words."

<I...I'm sorry, Donovan. I am here, as long as you need me.>

"...yeah," he whispers. "I know."

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

Some time later, you both stand outside the graveyard, on the steep side of the hill. The sun is setting over the distant Kanian Hills rising past the wetlands of the river basin. You sit with your legs dangling over the stone, waiting for the night to come.

Donovan hasn't said anything in a long time. You haven't either.

It hurts to see him like this. You can't imagine how much it hurts for him.

You think of how you would feel if something happened to Abigail.

You are afraid of what you would do.

"Shadow."

<Yes?>

Hatred crosses Donovan's face like a shadow. "We're going to find the person that put this parasite on me, and I'm going to kill him."

<When that time comes, I'll be your shadow, Donovan.>

"Good."

<...we may not like what we find at the other end. I don't know why anyone would do this to you.>

"I definitely won't like who's at the other end," Donovan growls. "But I'll choke the answers out of them with my bare hands."

>>29861121
SM you fuck, I have to go to bed. May you suffer heartburn.

>>29861307
>"I definitely won't like who's at the other end," Donovan growls. "But I'll choke the answers out of them with my bare hands."
Surely we can make diplomacy and have a happy ending where no one has to die.

>>29861348
That depends on who it is. But really, if someone went far enough to sobotage Donovans life with the parasite then we probably don't want them to ever have the chance to do it to someone else. Which kinda means ending them. Or putting them in our pocket and forgetting about 'em.

>>29861384
>Or putting them in our pocket and forgetting about 'em.
Effective torture method.

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You watch the sun until as it fades behind the buildings and towers of the castle town, casting long shadows across the river. Eventually, the golden orb dips below the distant Kanian hills, and Dobshire is bathed in the orange-purple sky of early twilight.

Donovan rises from his seat on the edge of the hill and brushes himself off. "...we should get back."

<Yes.>

Footsteps stamp across the grass and dirt of the graveyard. You both turn. Auriel is there, still in her traveling clothes. Her face is red with exertion, and her breaths are coming in sharp gasps. She spots Donovan, then breaks into a jog, heading toward him. Donovan walks to meet her.

They stand there for a moment, looking at each other. Auriel stares at his face, slowly getting her breath back. She blinks a few times, and you can see her searching for the words. "Donovan. I...I heard what happened. I had to..."

She's cut off, because Donovan envelopes her in a hug. In the half-light of the night's first hour, Auriel is a sliver of silver hair, engulfed by the dark shadow of a knight.

"I love you," Donovan says. He draws back slightly and stares at her. "Have I told you that today? I'm going to say it to you every day. I love you, Auriel Lightchosen."

Auriel smiles up to him. "...you know...my name is not Lightchosen."

"It's not? Aren't all angels named that way?"

"Well...we took that name, after Hyperion blessed us. But...my true surname is Carpenter."

"Auriel Carpenter."

"Yes."

"Then I love you, Auriel Carpenter."

"And I you, Sir Donovan Flint." Auriel sighs, and leans into his chest. "...I'm glad we met that day. Even if I did almost kill Shadow."

"Well, misunderstandings and all that. Water under the bridge. Right?"

They both look at you, Donovan somewhat sheepishly, Auriel with a playful look about her features.

What is your response?

>Only for you, Donovan.
>the hell was Raziel's problem, anyway?
>Alright. But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.
>write-in

>>29861136
Anon, the knob has already been gnawed. It's chewed up an swallowed, halfway to being shat out.

>>29861404
>>29861384
Pocket torture.

Look what you've done, SM.

I love it.
We need to offer the option to Flint.

>>29861408
>Alright. But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.

>>29861408
>Flint
>Carpenter

Time to leave them to have a tinder moment alone.

>Alright. But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.

>>29861408
"Under the bridge, and down the waterfall."

>>29861490
lolwut, srsly.

>>29861490
Give them a moment alone, and things are going to heat up

>>29861408
>the hell was Raziel's problem, anyway?
Raziel totes could have been a drinking bro.

>>29861408
>Alright. But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.

>>29861408
>>Alright. But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.
Perhaps we might not have made it to Abigail if you had not been with us Auriel, so all is well between us.

>>29861408
>the hell was Raziel's problem, anyway?
I actually would like to know what his story was.

>>29861762
My memory is sketchy but I recall Auriel saying that he was just really, really, overzealous.

<Under the bridge, and down the waterfall,> you say. <But you both still owe me an ignorance potion.>

For a moment, they both look confused - and then it hits them. To your surprise, Auriel blushes. "Elements, that was an embarrassing evening."

"Well," Donovan says, "it wasn't that bad. Especially the morning after."

Auriel's mouth drops. She taps a hand on his chest. "You're unbelievable."

"Heh."

Auriel huffs slightly, but the playful indignation leaves her quite quickly. "I...came to make sure you're alright, but...apparently your wounds have been healed."

"Shadow took care of it."

"Good. Donovan. Are you alright?"

Donovan closes his eyes. He shakes his head. "...no." And then he clutches Auriel to himself again, wrapping his arms around her back. "...but I have you, and that helps. I'm...so glad I have you."

Auriel does not reply, but her face is shining.

You feel an urge to hold Abigail. You wish she was here.

"...we should really get back," Donovan says. "Dinner won't be that long."

Auriel grins. "No, it won't."

"So...what were you ladies doing all day?"

"Oh...you'll see."

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

You walk with your two friends back down from the graveyard and into the city. More than a few people give Donovan odd looks, thanks to his torn clothing - and plenty of them point and whisper, both at him, and the former highest. Eventually, you reach the keep again, and the two of them decide to head up to their rooms to get ready for the evening.

You have time to explore somewhere or talk to someone before dinner.

What do you do?

>explore
>talk to someone (specify who, and what about)
>some other strategy

>>29861408

"Well, in your defense, Auriel - I am a shadow being of immense elemental power."

>>29861837
>>talk to someone (specify who, and what about)
Fang about donovans problem.(the parasite.)

-PLAYERS ON STAGE-

Auriel Lightchosen
Sir Donovan Flint
Joey Erikson
Ila Marril
Lien Adavan

Archmage Yi Fang, representative of Archon
Councilor Abigail Fang
Councilor Tae Wong
Councilor Yong Xu

Duke Vellik, Deposed Ruler of Kelvere

Prince Obis Vin, rightful heir to Kan-Abar
Mayor Vidar Blackwater, Governor of Maven Lake
Freja Blackwater

Valeria Kavanere, representative of the Great Forest Elves, cousin to the Elven Queen
Elder Great Tree, representative of the Great Forest Werewolves
Young Bull

Warleader Vaz Grak

Steward

Janus Miller, an Associate

Lord Arcturis Flint
Lord Gerald Flint
Lady Andrea Flint
Lord Harvan Flint
Lord Matthel Flint
Hemmelus, The Four-Element Sage
Lord Prule Waterford
Lord Imil Anderson

>>29861837
Adavan, discus the Key, his thoughts on potential locations, or if he has scouted it already.

>>29861837

>Duke Vellik
>ask him about political wranglings of the Arland court

The Duke's political assessments have been pretty good so far, plus we haven't had much screen time with him lately.

>>29861837
>Talk to hemmelellelus

>>29861893
>>29861837
>talk to someone (specify who, and what about)
See if Fang made any progress on the other end of the demon.

>>29861937
I seem to recall that requires triangulating the location by observing the demon while moving from place to place with Donovan.

>>29861892
>>29861937
If we do end up talking to him about this, I want to make a point of at least trying to ask him more about the other time he encountered a Shel'Kath. We're closing the gap, and with the trail cold because of proximity, absolutely anything could be a relevant clue.

>>29861994
well i figured after this development shadow would like to find the other end quickly.

>>29861837
>>29861893
I say we talk to the other nobles of Arland. Figure out what they want and how they feel about this whole thing.

We need to get the nobles on our side and we should start early.

>>29862026
Getting an Arlandian perspective could be vital. Voting for this.

>>29861893
>>29862026
I particularly want to talk to Hemmelus, but I'm a little worried he's going to go full Blind Seer on us and just see through our whole facade.

Would be nice to get his perspective, seeing as he's probably less instinctively biased politically, and maybe even enlightened enough to be kind of zen about the whole lesser-elements bit as well.

Is there any way we could make ourselves less visually intimidating to the Arlanders? Y'know, replicating more formal garb similar to Flints, or something by his suggestion. Everything counts.

>>29862132
I'm surprised he didn't already notice the Shel'kath, to be honest.
Makes me paranoid.

>>29861893

It seems like the most popular choices are

Vote 1:
>Talk to Fang

Vote 2:
>Talk to Hemmelus

Vote 3:
>Get an Arlander's perspective of the situation

>>29862132

So what if he does? Given his relationship as Donovan's protector, I think it's very unlikely he'll run off and start telling everyone that we're not a normal mage.

>>29862154

Might be a good idea, but some of Flint's family seems touchy enough to take it as mockery and could be offended.

>>29862178
Well he specializes in all the higher elements, so he has some kind of any excuse. I am also suspicious.

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
1

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
3

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
2

>>29862191
Hemmelus is an Arlander. While he's probably not as abreast of politics as the nobles, we can get some of >3 done while doing >2.

>>29862191
2

>>29861893
>Hemmelus, The Four-Element Sage
THE ONLY POSSIBLE ALLY HERE

>>29862191

>writin' for #2

>>29862292
I still think he is the one who put the parasite on donovan.

>>29862191
2

>>29862192
Well the members of their family that are touchy enough for that are already against us because of our elemental alignment and the chaos we caused to the ring city, but I can see why we wouldn't want to make them think we're being patronizing. I wouldn't put it past them to even use a clothing similarity as an excuse... God, Donovan, why does your family suck so much?

>>29862262
That's a pretty good call. Especially considering he was the most amiable about our visit.

>>29862318
That's more Keikku than Keikkus' Keikku

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>>29862292
We won over Anderson (I think Anderson, might have been Waterford) early when Abigail talked about lowering the tax on goods shipped via river, where it cuts through Archon's territory near Vischon.
So we do have at least one more ally. (Not to mention Matthel)

>>29862318
>>29862363
Like?
Donovans favorite brother has the parasite and the one who gave it to him was his beloved teacher under the orders of his father.

>>29862370
>color map
>don't have key for colors, colors overlap text
This map is in such a sorry state.

>>29862370
Anderson doesn't really count since he has Zero sway.

Matthel is rather neutral, he is more for what's best for Arland than our cause.

>>29862375
Watch it end up being set on some magicless mook blacksmith or something and he doesn't even know it's there.

>>29862422
Words look plenty readable to me.
Maybe get your eyes checked, anon.

>>29862375

>Donovan is seen as a fool and weakling who is unexpectedly blessed with godtier magical power
>Papa Flint is a dick and decides oldest son, Cockbag Flint will use the power better.

Kind of makes sense.

The real question is if the Shel'Kath is suppressed, does that mean the recipient's power level has dropped accordingly?

>>29862422
Words are clear as day, Anon.

>>29862425
He will have a loving family and shit.

>>29862446
>>29862453
I didn't say that I couldn't read them, anons. They're readable for sure, but it breaks the sacred rules of political maps.

>>29862422
>look at name
>map highlighted in order to highlight the continent's subdivisions

>Sorry
>state
I see your true intentions, punsmith.

>>29862473
muh moral dilemma

>>29862450
Matthel is second youngest.

>>29862450
>Cockbag Flint
Nope i bet you its gonna be the favorite middle brother or a guy with a family.

>>29862370
How did the Arolia Ocean get it's name?

>>29862370
Shouldn't Kelvere be red right now?

I know this has been brought up before but i feel like it needs to be addressed again.

The chaos/shadow core is massive and round, forming a sphere.

Venia is supposedly a flat pane floating in space.

These two do not add up.

You remember a bit from Donovan's little tour enough to know what direction to go - you could see Hemmelus's tower from the roof. You ask a few servants for directions along the way; everything looks the same in the keep.

Eventually, you reach the door that - judging from the view of a nearby window - leads into the sage's tower. You rap your hand on the wood.

After a moment, there's a flicker of Wind. The door swings open. You hear the old man's distant voice shout down to you. "Come in!"

You enter the round tower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YD7H8NUepc

It's a complete mess. Books are strewn everywhere - some in stacks, others in piles, half-open. Most of them have many pages marked with strips of cloth or feathers enough to make them look like stuffed animals. The central desk is the only relatively clear space. White floating lights keep the space brilliantly lit.

A circular stair of solid iron leads up in the center of the room, and you begin to scale it, keeping an arm on the railing. You emerge in the next floor to a hazy room half-filled with a strange purple fog. An ugly scent assails you - it smells vaguely of fish. There are as many tables in this room as below, but they're filled with obscure glassware and intricate apparatuses of which you can only guess the function.

You continue to climb the stair to the following floor. There's one more floor above that, but you've found your quarry.

Hemmelus is seated next to you, in a strange, floating chair. It has no legs, and is just apparently a marble half-circle. Arranged around the room are dozens of mirrors. Some are small round, personal mirrors; others more ornate, like you'd see in the upper hallways of the keep. One is an incredible stretch of reflective glass that reaches from floor to ceiling, embroidered with a golden frame.

>con't

>>29862608
I made that something like 50 threads ago because I was tired of losing the country borders every time I looked somewhere else on the map.
It's just for convenience sake.

Besides, it's not like Kan-Abar will be keeping that territory.

>>29862628
It also doesn't add up that there's a sphere of order around the source of mana in Venia in the first place, too. Erebus put the shell there... but was that to contain a big ball of chaos in the first place, or did it come from somewhere/someone else?

Hemmelus's chair rotates to face you. "John Nyx. I'd thought you might visit me." He rubs the bridge of his nose. "You know, it's rather hard to see you. But that's how I knew it was you."

"Hard to see me?"

Hemmelus folds his hands and smiles. "In a manner of speaking. I can't see anymore." He points at his opaque white eyes. "But after years of honing my senses, I can see mana...well, it's more like the echoes of mana. In a way, I hear with my sight. I hear magic."

"...I see."

"Shadow mages, however, have a habit of hiding themselves. They're very quiet. They do not disturb the flow." He tilts his head toward you. "Though, that's what gave you away, in this case."

"I suppose I should take that as a compliment."

"Yes, indeed. I haven't met anyone as quiet as you in a long time."

>Who else is as quiet as me?
>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>I was hoping you'd be able to help our alliance.
>write-in

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>>29862628

Maybe if you had a better perspective, you'd be able to make sense of that.

>>29862672
>It also doesn't add up that there's a sphere of order around the source of mana in Venia in the first place, too. Erebus put the shell there... but was that to contain a big ball of chaos in the first place, or did it come from somewhere/someone else?

That's a good question, Dave.

>>29862708
>Maybe if you had a better perspective, you'd be able to make sense of that.
you mean leave Venia

>>29862687
>Who else is as quiet as me?
>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>I was hoping you'd be able to help our alliance.
all of them

>>29862687
>Who else is as quiet as me?
>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>I was hoping you'd be able to help our alliance.
I-I wanna ask them all!

>>29862687
>Shadow mages, however, have a habit of hiding themselves. They're very quiet. They do not disturb the flow.
That's because Shadow is Immateria and not of this world, Hemmy-Senpai.

>Who else is as quiet as me?
>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>I was hoping you'd be able to help our alliance.

>>29862708
>>29862672
>>29862628
Order = solid = matter

Chaos = energy = light

The "Shadow" of Shadow Quest was never referring to the shadow elemental we're playing.

The shadow is Venia itself. The flat plane in space is the shadow of the projection created by the ball of chaos being blocked by order.

Venia is a mix of Order and Chaos, and ironically, this makes it neither as this combination creates through its negation.

>>29862687

"Have you heard that Donovan defeated his brother in a duel? Interesting how much he's improved in strength in the last few months."

>tell us what you know about the Shel'Kath, you old fucker

>>29862796
....I'm gonna go with no not quite.

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>>29862796

>>29862799
That statement is a good opener.

The greentext.. not so much. We gotta ease into that one, and Flint should be present for it as well. Also he's a suspect and we shouldn't tip him off without consulting Fang.

>>29862687
"Perhaps Shadow is something entirely different, that does not rely upon mana."

Gotta TEASE HIM WITH ARCANE PHILOSOPHISING.

If this guys weren't blind i would say that theres no way he wouldn't know about the Shel'Kath but with this complication i say 40/60 against him.

>>29862687
Strike him and begin screaming incoherently about how we're going to pocket him if he doesn't tell us about nether demon soul sucker transfer worms.

>>29862796
That's deep anon.

>>29862687
>>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>I was hoping you'd be able to help our alliance.

>>29862687
"I think that if you have the chance to speak with him, one of our delegation, Young Bull, might have an amusing story to tell about just how quiet I am."

>Donovan told me you were his teacher.
>>29862799
This is a reasonable thing to discuss.

Leave
>Who else have you met that is as quiet as me?
to the end, if we can. No sense in getting derailed.

>>29862851
the fucker could sense disturbances in the elements, this more or less confirms he knew about the demon.

>>29862687
>Who else is as quiet as me?
>write-in
Just for testing purposes, flare a bit of spirit, then water, then earth.

>>29862901

Not necessarily. The Shel'Kath is literally a shadow demon, but I'm not sure that we could immediately sense it either.

>>29862888
>Leave
>>Who else have you met that is as quiet as me?
>to the end, if we can. No sense in getting derailed.
I disagree, it's the most natural way to slip into conversation. The other two options are rather abrupt.

>>29862856
>f this guys weren't blind
The opposite for me since he could tell we were a shadow mage when he first met us and this line.
> "But after years of honing my senses, I can see mana...well, it's more like the echoes of mana. In a way, I hear with my sight. I hear magic."

>>29862687
>write-in
"Then tell me what you hear when you're around Donnovan."

>>29862921
we sensed it almost immediately and we were weak as hell.

>>29862921
I thought it was a parasite made up of spirit which was why Fang was so knowledgeable about them.

>>29862928
But we weren't trying to hide. hat thing is actively hiding its presence from everything.

>>29862921
Are you sure its shadow?
I thought it was spirit.

>>29862926
It definitely flows most directly from what he was just speaking about, but unless he gives us a super cryptic answer, it's going to lead to a totally different line of discussion from what we originally came to him to discuss.

It's still one worth talking about, but I feel like we'd be better served asking him about the things we wanted to know before knocking on his door before getting us both distracted with the subtleties of our own existence.

>>29862958
It is.

>>29862966
Our passives hide us plenty enough.
Plus
>>29862948
Has a point since i remember us seeing a fuzzy image of it at the beginning and then rolling a nat to see.

>>29862958
>>29862928
>>29862974

It's spirit.

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

"Donovan told me you were his teacher."

"And Donovan told me you were his best friend," Hemmelus replies. "There, now that's all the obvious information we both know right out in front. So why don't we trade?"

"Trade? For what?"

"Information," Hemmelus says. "For each question you ask, I shall ask one as well. For each question I ask, you may ask one of me. How does that sound?"

"...I'd ask you why we're doing to speak in this manner, but I suppose that would constitute a question."

Hemmelus chuckles. "Well, I'll give you that one for free. It's rather more fun to get to know people this way. And it scares the novices, which I find mildly amusing."

>If you can hear magic, tell me what you hear when you're around Donovan.
>Who else is as quiet as me?
>What are the mirrors for?
>write-in
>let Hemmelus ask first

Hemmelus might be the one behind the shel'kath.

It's draining Donovan's ability to use light magic. Hemmelus is powerful in all the greater elements, including light. The shel'kath might be the reason why. He could be stealing magic from a bunch of people in order to give him all that power.

>>29863022
>you why we're doing to speak

Should be why we're GOING to speak

>>29863022
>If you can hear magic, tell me what you hear when you're around Donovan.
Might as well get this out first - if it leads to more questions than answers, I'd like to start asking right away.

>>29863022
>>If you can hear magic, tell me what you hear when you're around Donovan.

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first
Since it scares the novices this might be the best way to show that we aren't afraid.

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first
Test the waters first.

>>29863039
I never thought of it like that actaully.

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first
And then we get to gauge what would be best to ask based on what he asks us...

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first
Show him we're no novice.

>>29863022
OH GOD HE KNOWS

But seriously this is one of the few people that actually has a reasonable chance of killing us, let's be careful.

>>29863022
>If you can hear magic, tell me what you hear when you're around Donovan.

>>29863022
>>Who else is as quiet as me?

>>29863022
>let Hemmelus ask first

>>29863039
That's some deep shadowruns, and it's also completely in line with everything except with what Fang suspected about it being the same group responsible for Shelly as the first time.

>>29863022
>>Who else is as quiet as me?


finally get to participate

>>29863039
I can't imagine he would've been a sage in the service of Arland if he gained his high-level light magic from draining a child who was born waaaay after he was likely to have started working alongside the Flints.

>>29863022
>If you can hear magic, tell me what you hear when you're around Donovan.

When we get around to the "who else is as quiet" question, I'd like to amend it to "Who or WHAT have you come across that has been as quiet as me?"

If he stumbled upon some sort of non-entity that was also super voidy, we probably want to know about it.

>>29863039
My only hang-up on Hemmelus is how a mage that can use Lightning manages to construct something out of Spirit.
Other than that, it's cliche enough that it's right up SM's alley.

"Alright," you say. "Ask away."

"Oh?" Hemmelus's gray beard lifts slightly with his smile. "Alright. Where are you from?"

>write-in

>>29863165
The lost shard.

The Sneak-Sneak Shard

>>29863216
Good question, now for mine."

>>29863216
"The north."

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>>29863216
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA

>>29863216
I do not know

>>29863246
false

>>29863216
"To return home, I would travel to the Frozen Hand."

THE BATTLE OF WITS IS AFOOT.

>>29863216
The fucker is sharp.
Tell him that we are from the north.

>>29863216
"Jacob's Field."

>>29863270
this

>>29863216
Not a clue.

then this>>29863063


>>29863270
>>29863275
That is lying, "from" implies birthplace. we do not know our birthplace.

>>29863270
...actually, probably shouldn't say the Frozen Hand outright, since because Erebus Palace.

Should just say the far north.
>>29863246

Not to say we're actually from the far north, but that we would travel to the far north in order to return home.

>>29863246
>>29863270
This is the closest answer we could probably give, since we don't really know and can't really say. Maybe Jacob's Field could work too.

>>29863266
It's true because that's where we were born anew before Elf Queenie split us, it's very accurate.

>>29863266
Close enough to truth. We woke up in our palace in the Frozen Hand; it's where our earliest memories are. If we have a birth place right now, it's the north.

>>29863216
Seconding >>29863270

>>29863134
Hemmelus might have been behind the first one.

>>29863310

This guy is right, the "correct" answer is the Frozen Hand.

>>29863307
I'd rather go with Jacob's Field since north implies Vampira.

>>29863216
"The North."

>>29863321
That's the rawest speculation ever, anon. What we really need to do is actually ask Fang about the first time.

>>29863216
no clue

Also going with the Frozen Hand

>>29863340
North is more accurate.
Let him infer whatever he wants, why do we care?

>>29863307
>>29863340
I feel Jacob's Field is also an acceptable answer and a less suspicious one.

Vote 1:
>the north

Vote 2:
>the Frozen Hand

Vote 3:
>I don't know

>>29863306
>>29863310
>>29863313
We know we were probably born in the Void place

>>29863340
We're a shadow mage, so it's not entirely out of the question that we'd be from there.

>>29863310
It's not about the fact that it's where we regained consciousness, it's that the palace at the Frozen Hand contained the portal to the outworld that we believe Erebus to have originated from.

Hence why we would have had to travel north in order to return to the place we are from.

>>29863388
2

>>29863373
>>29863340
That's more suspicious because people in Jacobs Field didn't tolerate shadow or spirit.

>>29863388
3

>>29863388
3

>>29863388
1

>>29863388
3

>>29863388
3

>>29863388
I feel like a compromise of "while I'm not sure where I was born, my earliest memories lie in the far north" would be best.

Failing that, I'll vote >1 here in a moment.

>>29863388
2

>>29863388
3

>>29863388
1

>>29863388
1

>>29863388
1

"I don't know" is seriously the more honest answer. I don't see why people are trying to give him something that's only correct on a technicality.

>>29863388
3

>>29863466
no we wouldn't, we would leave Venia

>>29863388
3

>>29863388

>I don't know

Writing.

>>29863388
3

>>29863485
The point is that the only place we knew of to access the void was from the palace at the Frozen Hand.

Maybe to be even more technically correct, it should've been worded

"If I had wished to return home, I would have traveled far north to get there."

Gets around the fact that we know the portal is now no more, I think.

>>29863388
1

>>29863508
Oh? No roll for deception?

>>29863517
No?

we just fly to the edge of Venia, literally any direction

>>29863388
3

yfw the shel'kath is on abigal
yfw it's the only thing keeping her demon side in check

>>29863532

Deception? That's an honest answer.

>>29863517
We could also take the airship.

The point is, why bother with an answer that is only correct on a technicality and would lead to massive implication of being from Vampira?

Saying "I don't know but I have some clues how to get there" is more honest and less of a deceptive answer.

>>29863532
He probably has some blind person lie detector bullshit.

>>29863532
We ain't lying. we do not know of the place where we were born.

>>29863532
I mean, technically we couldn't give him a name of the city we are from, and we KNOW there are named cities out there.

It's actually correct in the strictest sense, just like most of these answers.

>>29863541
I had thought that the barrier around Venia was made to keep out the Nether, not the Void. Am I remembering this incorrectly?

File: 1390970807246.gif-(1.14 MB, 446x374, smash-bros-villager-meme-(...).gif)

1.14 MB GIF

>>29863545

>>29863165
> I can't imagine he would've been a sage in the service of Arland if he gained his high-level light magic from draining a child who was born waaaay after he was likely to have started working alongside the Flints.

Donovan might have just been another added to the collection.

>>29863532
They're all honest answer.

"I don't know."

"You don't?" Hemmelus asks. "I'm surprised. You must have had a hard life."

"Not as hard as some."

"Maybe not. Well, it's your turn."

You put your hand on your chin in thought.

>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?
>Who else is as quiet as me?
>write-in

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

I'm going to try to keep voting to a minimum so we can keep the conversation moving at a reasonable pace.

>>29863572
No... no you are not.

the nether is in the core

>>29863594
>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?

>>29863594

>"What do you hear when you're next to Donovan Flint?"

>>29863594
>Who else is as quiet as me?

>>29863594
>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?

>>29863594
>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?
Might as well get it out of the way.

>>29863594
>"What do you hear when you're next to Donovan Flint?"

>>29863594
>>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?

>>29863545
Abigail is too young for that. Donovan had it since he was a child, and Abigail was technically only born something like 10 years ago. Plus the trail pointed to Arland before now, when Abigail was in Archon.

>>29863613

Correct. The nether is in the core, beyond the barrier (hence it is a source of demons). The void is the space beyond Venia.

>>29863594
>>Who else is as quiet as me?
The donovan question might end the convo.

>>29863594
I'd like your honest opinion on our chances of alliance, or at least your personal feelings on the subject

>>29863613
>
"A wall," Blackwater says, "of wind and rain. But before that, the ocean changes. It flows with a swift, strong current. Beyond, you can see the stars, drifting in a vast black emptiness. I slowed the ship, because I didn't like the looks of that current, but I didn't have to. We crossed some sort of threshold." He nods at you. "It came in like a typhoon. Wind and rain and lightning throwing us back faster than I've ever traveled in any ship since. Where we touched the edge, a swirling cyclone remained. We watched it for a time, and eventually, it vanished. [...]

Yep, seems right. Pays to double-check.

>>29863594
>What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?

>>29863699
that is the barrier inbetween the void and Venia

"You said you can hear magic," you ask him. "What do you hear when you're next to Donovan?"

Hemmelus's face slowly draws flat. His blank eyes stare at you. "...I could show you, rather than tell you. Let you hear it for yourself."

>have him tell you
>have him show you
>never mind
>write-in

>>29863771
>have him show you

>>29863771
>>have him tell you
>>have him show you
Both, we might need to explain to fang about this.

>have him show you

>>29863771
WARNING
having him connect minds might reveal our true form!

>>29863771
>>have him tell you
>>have him show you
GOGO HEMMELY-SAN

>>29863771
>have him show you

>>29863771
>>have him show you

>>29863771
>>have him tell you
>>have him show you
No good reason, why w won't do both.

>>29863771
>have him show you
"If only to confirm what I believe to be true"

>>29863771
We've seen it before, after all, in bits and pieces.

>write-in
"Do you mean to show me a vision, or show me what you hear in the flesh?"

...probably
>have him show you
either way, though.

I just want to know if we should pay attention to its directional orientation when he reveals it, or if we should write it off as a mental "impression" like we are capable of.

>>29863771
>have him tell you

>>29863771
>>have him tell you

>>29863771
>have him show you

>>29863771
>>have him tell you
>>have him show you

"Show me."

"I can hear it now," he says. "Distantly." He holds out his hand, palm up. "Listen."

There's a flicker there - a bit of Lightning and Fire, and then a strong, rising Wind. The Wind produces the sound, but the other two elements modulate it, creating a tone. A sound spell.

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

You shiver slightly.

That does not sound like the shel'kath's screech, or its occasional rattling or slithering. It sounds...like something else.

"...what...is that?"

"I don't know," Hemmelus says. "Shall I ask you another question?"

>continue the conversation
>end the conversation
>change the subject to Arland, and the alliance

>>29864007
>>continue the conversation

>>29864007
>change the subject to Arland, and the alliance

TOO FUCKIN SPOOKY

>>29864007
>continue the conversation

>>29864007
>>continue the conversation

>>29864007
>>continue the conversation

>>29864007
>continue the conversation
Shiiiit.

Wait, this could help with triangulation couldn't it?

>>29864064
I don't think so. I have no idea what we just heard, anon, but I don't think it had anything to do with the shel'kath.

>>29864007
>>29864007

continue now, alliance next

>>29864064

This guy's onto something. Hemmelus could help us track down the ShelKath

>>29864007
>continue the conversation

>>29864007
>continue the conversation

"...certainly."

"Who taught you magic?" Hemmelus asks.

>write-in

What if Donovans original element is wind and he is just switching elements with some one else.

>>29864133
"I taught myself"

>>29864133

Woops. This was me.

>>29864133
Assuming you are SM,

"My memories taught me my magic."

>>29864133
>[euphoric laughter]

>>29864133
I taught myself

>>29864133
"I'm self-taught."

>>29864133
I am self taught.

>>29864133
<It comes to me naturally.>

>>29864142
Gerald could be lightborn, not windborn. That would be a good reason for the father to want his eldest to be more legitimate.
You may be on to something.

>>29864157
I like this

>>29864133
I'm self taught, though sometimes I remember a few new tricks

>>29864094
It was the echoes of mana, probably his mana that's being drained.

>>29864188
Whoops, without the <>. Can't turn off the telepathy it seems.

>>29864007
...oh god.

>>29864133
"Some I have known for as long as I can remember. Everything else I have learned thanks to the experience of those I encountered in my travels. I had no one teacher along the way, but I did not let that keep me from learning."

>>29864242
This

>>29864242
Seconding this. I like the cut of your jib.

>>29864242

Thirding for good response. This fucker hasn't told us shit yet.

>>29864157
I like it.

>>29864242
>>29864255
>>29864275
10,11,12

hmmmmmm

"I taught myself," you say.

"What?" Hemmelus asks. "Are you quite serious?"

"As serious as I can be," you say. "I never had a tutor. Everything I know, I learned myself."

"...that's incredible!" Hemmelus says. He leans forward out of his chair, leaning up and down to take you in. "You'd be the most talented mage in...well, I've no idea! I mean, yes, we all do our own research once we're at a certain level, but we almost all start by learning from someone else. Else you're liable to blow yourself up! My, my." He squints. "The only other mage like that I know of is - well, don't know if you've heard of him. His name's Taremtis. He lives out in Tarun Gakth, now, amongst some orcs. He's quite insane."

"I found that out firsthand."

"Really?! Indeed! What happened?"

"That's another question."

Hemmelus waves a hand. "Oh, fine, you get two once it's your turn. I haven't been in contact with that psychopath in years! I assume this is when you were with Donovan?"

What do you tell Hemmelus about the time you met Taremtis?

(note: that's when he prophesied that without you, Obis was sure to die if he tried to retake his throne)

>write-in

>>29864242
This seems good.

>>29864294
Heheh, lolwut would never risk getting Barman Andrewed.

>>29864242
Okay, this gets my vote.

>>29864294
>>29864242
>>29864255
>>29864275
>>29864287
10,11,12,13

>>29864242
lolwut having a good day

>>29864305
>spill the beans

>>29864305
A crazy nice old man, told our fortunes, gave some advice.

>>29864305
>What do you tell Hemmelus about the time you met Taremtis?

Everything except what we learned about our nature and balance in the world, and obis. E.G. leave those Tarmetis 'Tellings' out. Everything else is neutral ground that he could learn easily from any other member of our party.

>>29864305
>>29864305
>tell him about Obis
>tell him he told Flint how to find something, but its not our place to tell what
>probably shouldn't say he told us how to free Geb

>>29864305
"He told Donovan and I to seek out Yi Fang and the Staff of Winds. I'd say meeting Fang went as well as it could but the trip to Xile was a huge disappointment."

>>29864305

"He has remarkable foresight when he is bothered to apply himself, but it seems rare now that's he's lost his wits. He told me a prophecy regarding a prince retaking his kingdom from traitors from within the family..."

See how he reacts.

>>29864305
"He was raising birds. Actual flying birds."

>>29864372
I like it

>>29864305
let him know that he gave some prophesies.
also the things that lead up to the prophesy (eg: the weird ass shit before the serious ass shit)

makes him waste another question for the prophesy

>>29864407
That's actually probably a good thing to bring up.

>>29864372
>>29864407

These

>>29864407
I like this. That's kind of a real big deal.

>>29864372
>>29864407
Thirding this, fourthing that.

>>29864375
This is pretty sneaky, but maybe a little too much so.

>>29864407
This is probably an amusing note as well.

>>29864372
Dropping the bit about Xile might get him interested in blowing another question to get more dirt about the state of the isle itself, which is nice.

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>>29864451
>>29864474
>>29864476
>people like both of my suggestions

"He told Donovan and I to seek the Staff of Winds," you say. "Though...he said a few things to other people, but I believe you'd have to ask them."

"I suppose prophecies are a sort of private thing," Hemmelus says. "How's the quest for the Staff, then?"

"The trip to Xile was quite a disappointment."

"You've been to Xile?! THE Xile?!"

"Yes. And that's three questions."

Hemmelus raises a finger. His mouth opens, then closes. He sighs. "Ah...fiddlesticks. You're quite good at this."

"Really?" You purse your lips. "Oh, and he was raising bird. Live, flying birds."

Hemmelus smiles and nods. "Hah. I'm glad that little project of his is working out. He always hated the Skysever, being a wind mage. He told me that they used to fly everywhere, just a man alone in the sky. Not so feasible nowadays. Unfortunately..." He gives you a studied look. "The risks of being self-taught are great. You see, he pioneered that prophesying spell of his...and you can see what it did to his mind. I'd be cautious when attempting to go where you haven't gone before."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Now then. Three questions for you!"

What do you ask him?

>write-in

>>29864529
Post more often, anon.

>>29864553
"What is your favorite color?"

Trust me guys, this is important.

>>29864553
What is your favorite color?

what is your name?

What is your mission?

>>29864553
I really like Hem-san and I hope we don't have to consume him.

>>29864553
What do you think of me?

>>29864553
Who / what have you met that was as quiet as me?

>>29864553

1. Is Donovan the only Flint family member who is Lightborn?

2. Have there been any other mages associated with the Flint family besides yourself?

3. Can there be peace with the Ring City?

>>29864553
Ask that question about who else is quiet as us.

Then ask him about how he feels about Flint and him returning.

Then ask for his opinion on the alliance.

>>29864553
who was as quiet as me?
do you know how to fix Auriel?
and >>29864655 would be interesting

>>29864655
>>29864667
These

>>29864667
>Who / what have you met that was as quiet as me?
This

Also >>29864675

>>29864553

How would you propose I get my friends from Archon from the near dungeons to some half decent rooms?

>>29864655
>>29864667
Thirding these.

>>29864675
And the first question of this one.

>>29864655
>>29864667
seconding

>>29864553

How do you understand women?

>>29864715
This

>>29864675
I'm going to take the first questions of this
>>29864682
And the second and last question of this.