Alright, before this battle starts, pick a specialization. While you can level up the other two trees just fine, the specialized tree will level faster and you gain a bonus to all rolls that utilize it. The selected skill will also determine what equipment and abilities you can start with.

Slayer: Magic is more focused on internal bone manipulation and physical combat. An example of high level powers from this tree include growing external bone plates and protrusions and in general making more efficient use of your own internal magic supply, as well as being able to cast certain spells without using resonance. Typically uses melee weapons.

Speaker: Magic is focused on external effects and manipulation of foreign bodies. As your skill level rises, you will be able to minimize spell costs on yourself and pull more of the cost from your resonance source. High level abilities include being able to command a swarm of miniscule bone constructs and being able to use living non-willing beings as resonance sources. Typically uses staves.

Shaper: You are less focused on combat and are more about creating and using artifacts to supplement your own abilities. At higher levels you can create and use complex artifacts efficiently and also implant certain artifacts into your body. Combat will typically focus on adapting your fighting style to your available equipment. Typically uses firearms.

Rolled 78 + 10

>>30279577
Slayer: Magic is more focused on internal bone manipulation and physical combat. An example of high level powers from this tree include growing external bone plates and protrusions and in general making more efficient use of your own internal magic supply, as well as being able to cast certain spells without using resonance. Typically uses melee weapons.

>>30279577
Shaper

>>30279577
>Speaker.

Unless it's a tie, then count this towards Slayer

>>30279577
Shaper: You are less focused on combat and are more about creating and using artifacts to supplement your own abilities. At higher levels you can create and use complex artifacts efficiently and also implant certain artifacts into your body. Combat will typically focus on adapting your fighting style to your available equipment. Typically uses firearms.

>>30279577
Shaper.

>>30279663
>>30279652
>>30279593
It seems like shaper has won this, writing now.

While other mages focus more on combat oriented pursuits or trying to manipulate the world around them, you would rather tinker with your crafts, bending and liquifying bones in pursuit of creating the greatest artifacts around.

Or you just like shooting big guns, sometimes the line blurs a bit.

Pick a main weapon and a secondary weapon. You also get Mending Gloves as a free accessory.

Main weapons:

Whispering spear: A spear with a steel head and wooden haft with a human spine resonance core. Due to using a spinal core, the spear does not have a standard resonance effect and can even be used for some basic spells, although it can use a weaker version of the pulse. (Resonance cost per use: varies) [Slayer, Shaper]

Dual bonecharge pistols: A pair of large flintlock pistols that use resonance in place of gunpowder, although a special mixture of bonemeal and marrow can be loaded into marrow chambers on each gun to add a massive increase in damage. Fires lead balls (Resonance cost per use: 2 per single pistol shot) [Shaper]

Bonecharge rifle: A large muzzle loaded rifle that is powered via resonance instead of gunpowder, it features two marrow chambers to further increase the power of shots. The rifle also has a charge function. Fires lead balls. (Resonance cost: 3 base, up to 6 on full charge) [Shaper]

Secondary arms:

Pulse dagger: A small steel dagger with a tiger claw resonance core. (Resonance cost per use: 1)

Bonecharge derringer: a smaller resonance powered pistol, it features no marrow chamber or charge function. Fires small lead balls. (Resonance cost: 1)

>>30279884
Dual bonecharge pistols: A pair of large flintlock pistols that use resonance in place of gunpowder, although a special mixture of bonemeal and marrow can be loaded into marrow chambers on each gun to add a massive increase in damage. Fires lead balls (Resonance cost per use: 2 per single pistol shot) [Shaper]


Pulse dagger: A small steel dagger with a tiger claw resonance core. (Resonance cost per use: 1)

>>30279788
>mfw I'm the only one liking the Speaker.

Rolled 85

>>30279884
Spear and derringer.

>>30279884
>Dual bonecharge pistols: A pair of large flintlock pistols that use resonance in place of gunpowder, although a special mixture of bonemeal and marrow can be loaded into marrow chambers on each gun to add a massive increase in damage. Fires lead balls (Resonance cost per use: 2 per single pistol shot) [Shaper]

Pulse dagger: A small steel dagger with a tiger claw resonance core. (Resonance cost per use: 1)

>>30279884
Dual Pistols
Pulse Dagger

>>30279922
Again, don't worry about that being sealed off from you forever, you can still use that tree just fine in the future.

Also, as a side note, voting periods will last for 10 minutes unless otherwise stated.

>>30279914
Agreed.

>>30279995
>>30279992
>>30279914
Your pistols sit heavy in their holsters, the dull off-white of their resonance mechanisms almost glowing in the sunlight. Your leg itches under the sheath from your dagger, the old leather soft but suffocating. The pistols, while not as strong as a rifle, are still plenty powerful, even without using the marrow chambers. You draw both of them and load them, opting to load them with the marrow pellets to make the most of the element of surprise.

You wearily eye the beetle drinking greedily from the pond; your pistols can penetrate its shell just fine even by themselves, but the beast is massive enough where that might not be enough alone to bring it down. A withering tree nearby could offer a good vantage point from which you could get a clear shot or two off on the beetle, or you could creep closer through the grass and maximize your chance of getting a good hit off on it.

>Climb the tree to get a better angle at the target?
>Sneak closer?
>write in?

Rolled 17

>>30280536
>Climb the tree to get a better angle at the target?

>>30280536
>>Sneak closer?

>>30280536
>Climb the tree to get a better angle at the target?

>>30280536
>>Sneak closer?

I think the tree sounds good.

>>30280536
Sneak closer, if we don't put it down from the tree and it is really big, it could stampede the tree and knock us out of it.

Rolled 2

>>30280790
>>30280679
>>30280622
>>30280616
>>30280578
>>30280572

I guess I'll call for a tie breaker. I know >>30280790 missed the cutoff but I didn't post a vote count at the cutoff so I'll let it go this time.

1= tree climbing
2= sneaking

Rolled 37

>>30280914
1

>>30280914
I meant I was doing the tiebreaker, looks like the dice called for sneaking, so writing.

Actualy sweets has a good point.
2

>>30280790
...but what happens when we're next to it and it stampedes?

You crouch low and sneak through the grass, steadily getting closer to the beetle until you can hear it lapping up the water. You raise up both of your pistols, taking aim and slowly pulling pack the hammers with your thumbs trying not to alert the beetle to the sound of them clicking into place. Bracing yourself, you pull the triggers on your guns.

Roll 3d10, best of 5

Rolled 3, 8, 1 = 12

>>30281084

>>30281084

Rolled 3, 9, 1 = 13

>>30281084
Let's hope we can shoot off the horn and use it as a magic focus.

Rolled 10, 10, 8 = 28

>>30281084

Rolled 4, 2, 6 = 12

>>30281129
>>30281084
whoops

Rolled 9, 1, 2 = 12

>>30281084

Rolled 6, 5, 5 = 16

>>30281084

Rolled 4, 2, 4 = 10

>>30281084
Does the beetle have any known vital spots?

Aim for the head/eyes/nerve cluster/whatever.

Rolled 6, 5, 4 = 15

>>30281159
Noice.

>>30281159
Well now.

Writing.

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>>30281159
Nice. Have an internet cookie.

>>30281017
I was thinking of that too, but too, but we can just jump on its back like a cool dude and ride off into the sunset with Stampy, our new friend

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>>30281159

Your shots fly true, the lead balls smashing through the granite shell of the beetle like it was made of glass. The first shot impacted in the head, right behind the base of the horn, tearing it and massive chunks of shell and flesh off the beast. The second shot sails through its eye and out the other side, leaving a massive crater of an exit wound. The beetle shudders and collapses, black ichor pouring into the pond it was drinking from.

From behind you comes a whistle of astonishment from your master, and shortly thereafter she's standing over the corpse of the beetle, inspecting the prize. Grabbing the beetle with her false arm she flips it over and begins to cut into it with a dagger in search of eggs. You come closer yourself and it's now that you can fully see what you were hunting.

The beetle dwarfs both you and your master, even on its back it comes up to your abdomen, and without its horn it is nearly as long as you are tall. What really catches your eye is the jagged edges of where your shots impacted. The shell of the beetle looks like granite, and indeed feels a bit like granite, but also feels a bit different at the same time.

[part 1/2]

>>30282029
“That shell is why we were hired to get this thing, you know,” you hear your master call out, still carving into the beetle.

“Someone from the Association wanted a sample of this for research, wanting to know how this species can incorporate stone into its exoskeleton, claimed it was the key to a breakthrough. Ah, here we go,” Your master pulls a sack of fist sized eggs out of the beetle, inspecting it for damage. Grinning again, she tucks the sack into her bag and pulls out four small bone spikes, each one baring a series of runes carved into the sides. She carefully sticks the into the ground around the beetle and pulls out her staff. After a moment it glows and she taps the ground with it, causing the spikes to glow. Slowly the beetle fades away and the spikes stop glowing. The corpse taken care of, she tucks the spikes back into her bag before tossing you the horn that had fallen off the beetle.

“A bonus for you.”

You place the horn as best you can into your bag, its long shape and not insignificant weight making it awkward nonetheless.

“You did good work today, kid,” she says, half patting you on the back, half wiping off her arm.

“My name's not 'kid', it's...”

Choose your name. Also, you are a male.

[2/2]

>>30282056
Volkov

>>30282056
it's SKELETON MAN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU513suJZzY

>>30282056
Kelvin

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>>30282056
>Name

Maru

Rolled 16

>>30282073
Sure, why not.

>>30282056
Fahrenheit

>>30282056
exosso

>>30282056
>>30282164

Voting for Maru

>>30282189
>>30282073
Since this is the only name with any sort of consensus, it wins the vote.

>>30282073
Swag.

>>30282073
>>30282252
Good stuff, I like Volkov

>>30282252
Might want to walk that back Chief.

>>30282164
>>30282250

>>30282250
Or not, I guess I'll frankenstein the two together somehow.

Writing.

>>30282056
Ossibus

>>30282252
Sounds more like a last name tbh.

>>30282256
>>30282285
and we got two more votes

>>30282285
Volkov

>>30282334

Didn't make the cut off so they don't count.
I shouldn't even have to tell you this.

>>30282393
Late anon is late

>>30282289
Maru Volkov?

I like it.

Your name is Volkov Marulovich, and you are a strapping young man of 18. You have been under the tutelage of your master for 4 years now.

At least glad that your job is done, you are not looking forward to the return trip. It took half a day by ship to get to this peninsula and two further days to move inland enough to even find where the target species even lives. Your master, seemingly not worn down at all by this trek, is uncharacteristically chipper and eager to start the trip back.

“Can't we rest the for the day, master?”

Your master, not missing a beat or changing expression, responds with a resounding “No.”

Sighing, you follow her lead as you begin the trek back to the port city you arrived at.

As night falls, you and your master set up camp. You take the time to examine your guns for damage, feeling around the barrels with your gloves, feeling out the internal stresses of the bone mechanisms in the guns with your gloves. You have to be very careful about using the marrow chambers in these, you think. The pistols were not designed to deal with the excessive power that the using the chambers bring, as they were something that you added after getting them. Your master sits across from you, on the other side of a campfire, performing some maintenance of her own on her boneforge arm. The camp is silent except for the crackle of the fire.

Is there anything you want to ask her to break the silence? Or would you prefer to continue working in silence and proceed immediately to the next day?

>>30283161
Earlier, what did you mean by “if you hadn't neglected your studies then you wouldn't be bothered by this heat.” ?

>>30283161
Tell me again how you got that arm? It was always interesting to hear.

>>30283241
Voting for this.

>>30283161


This.>>30283238
Let's pick us a useful skill.

>>30283238
>>30283241

I'll second both of these actually.

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>>30283241
Story time.

>>30283238
Thyis

>>30283238
That sounds best. Have her teach us something instead of boss us around and let us do all the hard work.

>>30283238
>>30283241
Writing.

>>30283408
You still alive?

>>30283408

I, for one, am quite understanding of taking a long time to write out updates.

...But I might advise that you at least post something to the effect of "Don't worry guys, I'm still alive something came up" every 30 minutes or so.

>>30284206
Yes, this is a big update.

>>30284231
Enjoying this So far OP!!

>>30284231

I concur with my companion above, it's very good thus far. Writing time shrinks as you get more familiar with doing quests, trust me.

Y'know OP, it wouldn't hurt to maybe sacrifice a bit of style for some speed, here. You're averaging about half an hour per post.

>>30284543

Eh, it's the first thread so I'm okay with it. He'll almost certainly get better as time goes on.

Also, the first few threads are the introduction to an entirely new world, so they tend to have the lengthiest passages that take the most care to articulate.

>>30284543
>half an hour per post
You kids and your impatience, I remember in my day when we had to wait an hour and a half for an update, and that was if we got an update at all! The average thread had 3-4 updates too!

>>30284543
Half an hour per post is fine, if it's consistent.

This right here is Deculture level speeds, so OP had better be writing a whole ton of stuff.

>>30284543
>it wouldn't hurt to maybe sacrifice a bit of style for some speed
It would hurt.

>>30284613

I remember when I had to walk 3 hours in the snow and ice uphill to get an update!

Then I had to walk another 3 hours uphill back before I could read it!

You ask your master about dealing with the heat, as after 3 days of it you have decided that enough is enough. Without looking up your master tosses you a pendant from one of her robes pockets. The pendant is simply a single, small vertebra with some runes on fine chain.

“Rabbit spinal column disk. You know how to cast spells, or did you only learn how to shoot and make guns in 4 years of training?”

Of course you know how to cast spells, you wouldn't be able to call yourself a mage otherwise. To cast a spell, there needs to be both the caster and a focus, you remind yourself. The caster channels energy into the focus, made from the bones of some previously living thing, and in turn the focus channels back some of its energy, an effect referred to as 'Resonance'. The effect of the spell is determined by a combination of intent from the caster and the type of focus used to cast. Spines are the most flexible type of focus in regard to the range of effects that can be produced. Most objects used as a focus will have a limited amount of internal mana before it is depleted and used up for good. This you already know. How it pertains to the pendant you are unsure of.

“Well, that pendant is used as a focus for small sustained spells, but you never wanted to learn about sustained spells. All you ever want to do is play with your guns,” she chastises you. To an extent, she is right: you never really delved further into the more central schools of magic once you began to learn how to craft artifacts.

[part 1 of 3]

>>30284729
We have about 6 significant posts in about 4 hours. If we take out character generation, it's 4 posts in as many hours.

>>30284792
“To mitigate heat, for example, you first need to have an intent to cool yourself. Second, and this is the important part, you need to have the intent to put part of yourself into the focus.” This statement puzzles you a bit until she elaborates.
“You know how when you cast a spell or use an artifact normally it feels like you're just kinda reaching out to the focus with your mana? Well instead you gotta put a chunk of it into the focus for a sustained spell. It feels kind of odd at first but you get used to it.” You focus onto the pendant and attempt what she describes. You don't quite manage to grasp the the concept entirely at first, but after a few attempts you manage to succeed.

(Ability learned: Sustained Spells! Spell learned: Heat dissipation!)

“Now, be careful about that focus. It's a really basic one that can only handle a single, simple spell at a time safely. Trying to use too many spells at once or trying to use too big of one can cause damage to it and in worse cases outright destroy it.”

>>30284816
You put the pendant into your pack for now, along with your guns. Your mind and eyes wander for a bit before you catch sight of your master's arm. Your gaze lingers a little too long and your master speaks up.

“You want to hear the story of my arm again, don't you Volk?” Your master always likes telling this story.

“Well, you know how some of the Association members are, right? Big noble magic families that think they're better than everyone else? Well, back when I was in the Association as a proper member one of them decided I was rising up the ranks a little too fast for their liking and challenged me to duel to first blood, said he wanted to see if I was a good as they say. So I agree and for most of it everything's proceeding normally as far as duels go. Then that conniving bastard feinted an opening and when I went for it I got hit by a Disjunction spell, a powerful one because no one was even near me. So then he lops off my arm while I'm still reeling from the effects of the spell.” Your master's expression darkens at this, subconsciously grabbing at her shoulder with her good hand.

“So what do I do? I pick up my arm and get crafting. In a month and with nearly all the resources I had at my disposal, I finished making the prototype to this version,” she says raising her arm.

“The prototype wasn't as good as this one, but it still was pretty mean. Only had an Echo and an Impact module, but damn if that's not a good combination. So I walk back in to headquarters with my new arm on and challenge him to a rematch. A couple of light Impacts and he's so black and blue he would blend into the night sky. Finished him off with an Echo so hard he probably still feels it.” By the end of the story, she's positively beaming.

“Only thing is, I never got to find out who his cohort was. Anyway, I think it's time for me to turn in for the night, Volk.” She gets up and stretches before heading to her tent, leaving you with your thoughts.

And with that, I guess I'll bring this to an end for now since I feel like I'm slowing down even further. I'll answer comments and questions if anyone has them.

>>30284852
Well it's obvious that we have to start lopping off our limbs and replacing them with superior versions.

Or just open them up and start inscribing.

>>30284921

Would you be willing to continue? It's only 5pm here and I need something to distract me from my math homework, but not distract me too often.

Continuing is also advisable for you to build up a solid player base. It's best to push through for the first few threads.

>>30284921
Alright QM, since it's gonna come up sooner or later we might as well lay the groundwork.

How old is our master?

>>30284809
was that suppose to convince anyone that 'it wouldn't hurt to sacrifice a bit of style for some speed' ? it is not.

>>30284921
Do the undead exist in this setting? Has any bone mage gone so far as to replace every part of their body with bonecraft artifacts?

>>30284963
I was actually thinking of seeing if we can put clothing on us that when activated can turn into a full-suit of bone armor, like a belt, boots, bracelets, necklace and hat that when activated transformed into something a slayer might have.

>>30284921
How often do you think you'll be returning to run further quests dude?

>>30284921
So, from the description our master gave there I'm gathering that there are no mages other than bone mages in the setting?

And looks promising, just gotta work on that update speed a bit, bit I suppose it'll improve most by running the quest itself.

>>30285008
That might be cool.

And maybe a gun that shoots exploding phalanges.

>>30284921
Can we get some basic setting info?

Medieval fantasy land?

Low fantasy, mostly Humans, or high fantasy full D&D menagerie?

Magic common or are we a minority?

>>30285109
And ruin the surprise for when we reach a city?

I for one do not support disclosing such information.

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>>30284963
>Or just open them up and start inscribing.
Fucking this!!

I'd like to slowly just turn us into a giant mega skeleton.

>>30284987
Only 36, she gained a lot of fame because of her natural talent and skill in addition to her hard work.

>>30285045
I'll try and run this quest every night this week, although I might only do monday, wednesday, and friday

>>30285056
Yes, in this setting all magic comes from bones. humanity isn't the only species that can use magic

>>30285007
Wait and see.

>>30285109
Magic is a relatively rare thing in this world, only about 10% of the human population is capable of consciously using magic. However, many artifacts can be used by non-mages, but that is risky on the part of the user. This is closer to colonial times than it is to medieval.

>>30284985
I feel that this is a good stopping point for now, since this is one of the few quiet moments that you'll have for a while. Also I felt the quality of my writing was waning a bit at the end.

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>>30285404
I didn't notice a drop in quality of your writing, just saying.
>>30285258
Stoked! Will look forward to having fun questings after work this next week.
Thanks very much OP!

>>30285404
Remember to archive your quest.

>>30285478
I'm just glad someone wanted to actually read this. If it wasn't obvious, this was my first attempt at doing a quest.

>>30285516

It was pretty obvious, but you're doing very well. Just keep it up, the only way to get better is by doing it.

>>30285557
Thanks, I'll keep plugging away until this wild ride ends.

>>30285516
Seems fairly well executed, but it's hard to say.

I like the concept (Reminds me of Totemist, a bit), so I hope it does well.

>>30285516
I'd say it was an admirable first attempt.
Well done dude!

>>30285635

So the magic in bones is eventually depleted if you're using them as artifacts and not for sustained spells.

That means eventually our pistols are going to break, doesn't it?

>>30285733
Certain processes be performed to cause bones to regenerate magic over time at the cost of quality and quantity of magic, but this regeneration is slower than it is in bones of things that are still alive.

Alternatively, some artifacts can be designed to accept a focus and then leaches mana from the focus like a battery.

Your pistols are the former kind

>>30285810
Neat.

So instead of just crafting a gun which fires bullets, you could craft a gun which has a socket for, say, rat skulls, and then the skull is depleted to fire an energy bolt? Something like that?

>>30285883

Hmm. So our guns would have ammo, just of a different kind.

I feel like I would've gone for the rifle had I known this. (but don't worry about that, OP)

>>30285883
The problem with that is 2 fold:

Rats in general have very small amounts of mana in them.

Energy bolts would use up far more energy than simply launching a physical object very quickly.

>>30285925
Your guns still do have ammo, it just never came up really because the beetle got one-shot.

Also, you still have a chance at getting a rifle, it's just not made yet.

>>30285969

I figured as much, that's why I wasn't too worried about it.

I anticipate having quite a fun time with this quest. Good job.

On another note: I wouldn't post about it in the quest thread general personally, if I were you. But that's because I don't, personally, like most of the sort of people who go to the quests discussed in there.

>>30286030
I kind of agree, This has potential to be fun and interesting. Having twenty anons turning this into another fucking loli genderswap quest would be a shame.

Having said that, players make the game...

>>30286205
Self fulfilling prophecy.

Also, nobody ever got anywhere by being bitter and jaded.

>>30286205
I made character generation the way it was for a reason, anon.

>>30286249

Good thing too. Artificer of bones+female PC would've been bound for some bad places.

>>30286325
It could have been worse, it could have been female+Slayer

If you give a specific time I will be sure to be here.

>>30286394

Indeed, at least give us a time frame for when you'll generally start.

>>30286394
>>30286410
Tomorrow I'll aim to start at around 2:00 PM EST. In the future I'll probably invest in getting a twitter.

>>30286363
Looks like I was late to the party.
Good start, only thing I can say is to ignore stupid suggestions. They will happen, it's inevitable.

Also thanks for not giving a gender option tg always chooses female for some reason. I don't have a problem with them but it gets old after a while.