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>>30570799
Your purpose in coming to this monastery in Farun’s Irrine province is twofold. First, to learn more about the nature of your powers including what might be the source of them. The second was to learn more about how you could better use them. You and Gnome had agreed that monks that specialised in using spiritual powers would likely be the most knowledgeable – at least in terms of how safe it would be around them compared to being near an angel or demon. If you bumped into a mystic fox, well, that would simply be a nice bonus.

And a bonus you had found in the fox lazing on a large rock outside the monastery. The monastery itself was curiously missing the Mage Guard insignias that typically adorned these monasteries. And the soldiers, though those were less commonly found. The fox himself had five large bushy black tails which were laying low on the rock and grass around him and he wore a simply gray tunic. The tails wave and shuffle about slightly despite how still he otherwise is and make an interesting contrast against his light skin. He’s clearly not looking for a fight and although you suspect he’s been waiting for you he also appears utterly untroubled by you.

“Well, I’d wondered what you would be – have to say I’m surprised to see one of your kind around here,” the fox says, chewing on a long piece of grass, drawling a bit. “Usually you don’t come so far east. What’s your business here, God?”

>continued

>>30570832
And it would seem you have the answer to your first purpose – assuming the fox knows what he’s talking about. Given the propensity of Gods, whom you refer to as Astral Adepts, to kill non-humans you doubt this fox has met one. Not that you know much of the combat capabilities of mystic foxes – the female fox you met was more interested in teaching you etiquette and other matters that related more to her attempt to marry you. You doubt this one will have the same interest and will hopefully be of more use.

How do you respond?

>1. Questioningly. What makes him so certain you’re an Astral Adept?
>2. Politely whilst acknowledging your ‘godhood’. Introduce yourself and make it clear your business is nothing bad for the monastery.
>3. Politely whilst denying being an astral adept. Introduce yourself and make your business clear.
>4. Custom

>>30570855
>1. Questioningly. What makes him so certain you’re an Astral Adept?
>3. Politely whilst denying being an astral adept. Introduce yourself and make your business clea

>>30570855
>3. Politely whilst denying being an astral adept. Introduce yourself and make your business clear.
"Astral Adapts are made, not born. I was born not made. Or if I was made, I certainly didn't notice"

>>30570855
>3. Politely whilst denying being an astral adept. Introduce yourself and make your business clear.

>>30570855
>2. Politely whilst acknowledging your ‘godhood’. Introduce yourself and make it clear your business is nothing bad for the monastery.

>>30570855
>Reposting from last thread. fits #2?

"The same of any who approach this monastery. Regardless of what you may believe, Godhood is no license for ignorance or insolence."

>>30570855
Wait, does that mean the mystic fox that was trying to get married to us knew we had astral powers (and didn't tell us?)

>>30571121
yup, why did you think she wanted out Dick so much.

>>30571121
She may have known.

>>30571102
FYI, its almost impossible for us to be a "God" Gods are artificial beings created when a human undergoes an unknown ceremony with the Lord of Fire. As far as we know, we have never been within 50 miles of the guy, much less had the ceremony. Also, most of them are apparently built like a Space marine and while we are large, we aren't that large.

>>30570855
>3. Politely whilst denying being an astral adept. Introduce yourself and make your business clear.

>>30571173

>3.

“God,” you say. “I prefer to call them Astral Adepts rather than imply they’re omnipotent. And I’m not one, for reference. I was born, not made, unlike them. I’m Talon York, and these are my companions Gnome, Undine, Salamander and Caitlyn. My business is straightforward – I simply wish to speak with the monks and yourself about a personal matter. I think your knowledge could aid me – right now, in fact. What made you think I was an Astral Adept?”

The fox watched you lazily as you spoke, showing no outward signs of recognition of any of your names. He did smile a bit as you dismissed the Adepts the way you did, however.

Throwing the piece of grass to the ground, he says after some deliberation, “Well, what else could you be? You’re not a revenant or one of the Fae. There’s only one active angel and you’re not him. With the amount of astral power flooding out of you, it’s hard to imagine you being anything else.”

You sigh, realising your suspicions were correct. “You’ve never met an Adept before, have you?”

“’’Course not,” he says, snorting. “I’m not going anywhere near those maniacs. I’m a home-grown fox and don’t plan on leaving this beautiful east coast without something really tempting. Now, Mr Not-a-God-Who-Also-Disrespects-Gods, I’m Vad and I’ll be your guide in this wonderful monastery. Do you have any questions for me before we start the tour?”

“Why are you such a smartarse?” you ask, not stopping to think.

“It makes my world go round. Life’s too boring to be so ordinary,” he says.

“Why are you calling it a tour?” Lynn asks.

“Because he’s/I’m a smartarse,” both you and he say simultaneously. Lynn blinks in response, a little confused and you let Vad repeat himself.

“Really, I’m just taking you to one of the meeting rooms, but it’s a somewhat scenic route,” he says.

>Any questions to ask before or as you follow Vad?

>>30571313
Is anyone else here?

>>30571313
Nah. Maybe politely introduce our companions though.

>>30571421
You already did. Or did you have something more in mind?

>>30571497
Nah, its cool then.

>>30571313
>Ask if it'd be rude for us to have a snack along the way and, if it's given the ok, pull out an apple and share some slices with anyone interested.

>>30571313
>>30571388

Maybe there's a way for one of our companions to check the area for spys/observers/familiars while we follow the fox?

I would imagine that we would want this conversation to be in the highest confidentiality. Double checking for potential leaks would be good.

>>30571313

Can't think of much we need to ask.

>>30571639

This is a good idea.

>>30571637
I wasn't able to sneak this suggestion into this part but I can add it to the next part if you like.

>ask about others and check for spies

Vad hops off the rock he was laying on and walks inside the monastery’s walls. As he does so, his tails raise into an upright position. He’d been keeping them low earlier to indicate his peacefulness but there’s clearly no need to do that anymore. Plus, it means you won’t need to worry about treading on his tails. You whisper lightly to Undine about checking for anybody spying on us.

“Is anyone else here?” you then ask as you begin to follow him.

“There’s the monks of course,” he says. “Apart from a few on a mission they’re all tending to crops and herbs right now. You might see a few as we move around the monastery.”

Around the monastery is correct – Vad outright avoids taking you inside the front entrance instead walking along a paved stone path that winds around the outside and the gardens. The trip is long and you find yourself looking for any more signs of oddities in the monastery. There’s none to be found though – all you can find are the usual trappings of fountains and plaques. You still don’t quite know why monasteries seem to refrain from sculpture and statues but the fact this one is in line with the others puts your mind at rest. Maybe the lack of Mage Guard sponsorship has more to do with a Mage Guard issue than the monastery itself. You spot a few monks tending to some crops out back of the area as Vad finally leads you inside.

>continued

>>30571723
“You’re not a fan of being inside, are you?” you ask him.

“Not really. Especially not in this place. The wards make my skin crawl,” he says, looking slightly troubled at being inside.

At the mention of wards you quickly check on your elementals and find they’re all a little uncomfortable as well. As is Lynn. You find it odd you’re unaffected given that you should be as magically inclined as they are. You take a seat at the large oak table in the centre of the room, noting the simple furnishings of the room. Vad takes one opposite you as the girls subtly jockey for seats near you. Undine gets one next to you and gives you a shake of her head, which you take to mean there’s nobody spying.

“So, what exactly do you want our knowledge for?” Vad says, getting straight to the point and looking more serious than earlier. “And why the need for such secrecy?”

You look at those large feline ears protruding from the top of his head and realise he probably heard you advising Undine to check for spies.

>1. Be honest.
>2. Try to work out if he can help you before telling him.
>3. Hold off on telling him for now. You want to investigate the monastery a little more.
>4. Custom

>>30571745
Be honest and direct.

>>30571745
>1.

Reciprocity. He hasn't shown any reason to be mistrustful of us, so we shouldn't be so towards him

Although it might be good as small talk to ask about what the wards here do first before continuing on to business

>>30571745
>1. Be honest.

>>30571745
>1. Be honest.
Make sure that honesty includes "If you help me have another option when dealing with thralls other than killing or imprisoning them that would be cool."

>>30571745
>1. Be honest.

>>30571745
1 No reason to lie

>>30571745
>1. Be honest.

>1.

“I hope you don’t mind if we have a snack while we talk,” you say. “It’s been a long trip and this might take a while.”

He shrugs and you pull out an apple. Gnome narrows her eyes as you begin deftly slicing it up.

“Why an apple?” Vad asks.

“Why not an apple?” you respond simply. “Or did you have a different fruit in mind?”

“If you have any pears, I won’t say no,” he says.

Pulling a pear out of your bag, you flick it to him and he catches it with an approving nod. Before you can react, one of his tails quivers and you feel an odd warping sensation. A plate suddenly appears in front of you from nowhere and another in front of Vad. His pear falls onto his plate, sliced into neat cubes. He nods approvingly and pops a piece into his mouth. Vad’s clearly less cautious about using his abilities than the last fox you met, as you hadn’t seen this trick before. Or maybe he’s more talented.

“The problem I need your knowledge for,” you say, deciding to be honest, “is exactly what we were discussing earlier. I have this astral power and it lets me do things I haven’t been able to do before. I don’t know why I have it or how to truly use it. I’m hoping you can help me.”

A few gasps of surprise erupt from your companions, save Gnome, and you remember they didn’t know.

“Wait, so Tallie is a God?” Sala says.

“Eh, so it was you behind the dragon?” Lynn says, confused.

“Astral power? That’s what you’ve been using?” Undine says, concerned, before her voice sharpens. “And Gnome – you knew about this?”

“Who do you think advised him to seek advice here?” Gnome says, taking a slice of apple from your plate.

>continued

>>30572155
Watching with an amused expression, still eating his pear, Vad says, “So, you’ve found out you’re superman – or simply not human and want help. Fair enough, I can appreciate that. Anything else?”

“Any advice regarding dealing with thralls?” you ask.

“Put them out of their misery – or seek advice from somebody a little more talented than myself. Hmm, I might be able to point you in the right direction there. First though, we need to settle on payment.”

You stare at him incredulously. “You’re making me pay for this?”

“Not in gold or silver – in services. There’s a problem I could use your help with and you want my knowledge. A fair trade, no?”

You sigh. Nothing is ever so easy.

>1. Agree to help him. You need his help and there’s no point pretending otherwise.
>2. Hear him out but make no promises about helping him.
>3. Press him about his knowledge. Any problem you would need to help him with is worth more than his knowledge, particularly as he probably doesn’t have too much given his earlier confusion.
>4. Custom

>>30572193
>2. Hear him out but make no promises about helping him.

>>30572193
Let's hear what the problem is first.

>>30572193
>2. Hear him out but make no promises about helping him

>>30572193
>2 Caution is essential

>>30572193
>2
No man agrees to something without first hearing it out.
But we'll most likely agree.
Most likely

>>30572193
>Yes, I *am* a knight, but going a-questing is so cliche nowadays...

>2.

>>30572193
>2. The sane bargaining option.

>>30572289
>I mean, do I look like someone who needs to rescue a fair damsel? Win himself a kingdom?

>Okay, maybe the last one is true, but you get the point.

>>30572193
2.

"That would depend upon the problem..."

>2.

“I’m going need to hear what this problem is before I make any deals, Vad,” you say. “I mean, do I look like someone who needs to rescue a fair damsel? Win himself a kingdom? Okay, maybe the last one is true, but you get the point.

Your companions have fallen silent after their earlier outbursts, no doubt thinking what they’re going to say to you after this meeting. Assuming you don’t immediately go charging off somewhere after this meeting, maybe you should avoid them until they settle down.

Vad on the other hand gives you a light laugh and tells you his problem.

“No fair damsels or kingdoms to win, I’m afraid. I don’t know if you passed it, but there’s a nearby town by the name of Ferin that is full of soldiers.” You nod at his words and he continues, “You see, a few weeks ago all the residents complained of horrible shadow beasts lurking about and eating their livestock and making them feel unsafe. Naturally, the local baron sends in his men to keep the area safe and asks for our help. Some of our monks that specialise in sealing wayward spirits and beasts head there and find… nothing.”

“But it’s not nothing, is it?” you ask him and he nods, a light grin on his face.

“Of course not. Traces of power and other signs indicate that a revenant was passing through. The monks found where he was and attempted to make contact, with no success. They’re careful not to get too close as we don’t know who the revenant serves.”

You stare at him. “A revenant? Those are still around?”

>continued

>>30572596
“Very few are. They’re largely consigned to legends. I’ve cleaned up after a few, though, and directly cleaned a few out. Most of those remaining serve the infernals and are careful to remain under the radar lest someone like me take them out. Still, a revenant is more than I can handle on my own and the monks won’t be much help against a beast so heavily grounded in reality. I asked the Mage Guard for help, as well as my chief and the archangels. Nothing but silence.”

“I noticed the Mage Guard don’t have any insignias here. Why is that?” you ask.

“They bailed out a couple of months ago. More pressing concerns. Still, I figured they’d react to news of a revenant. Obviously whatever is concerning them is big. I don’t think I’ll be getting any help from any of them. Which is where you come in. You’ve got astral power – between the two of us we should be able to wrangle this bastard down if needs be. Your companions are simple bonuses.”

Something big concerning the Mage Guard? Most likely the Lord of Ember’s insanity. Still, you don’t tell Vad that – it might work as a good bargaining chip for info. You wonder why his chief didn’t respond and voice that concern.

“Oh, well, Ren’s probably too busy being a lecherous layabout. I didn’t expect much there beyond a ‘Deal with it’ response. The lack of response isn’t too troubling,” Vad says, openly vexed.

>Anymore questions to ask about this? I’ll post the lorebin info on revenants in the next post.

>>30572616
///5.11. Revenants

When a person dies, their soul apparently lingers after death before being absorbed into the astral plane. During this time, according to legend, a divine being such as an angel or infernal may bind them to the physical plane. Revenants are very rare now - I only hear legends of them, but they were apparently common before the Barrier of Marie was erected and not necessarily evil. What they look like seems to vary in the artwork - some have skeletal warriors, other suits of empty armor; one even had some strange rabbit looking warrior.

Undine says: "Revenants take on the form that their sponsor (the divine being who raised them) chooses - most simply use the being's former remains, which decay over time. More powerful sponsors may create a powerful sorcerous body. These undead warriors have fallen out of fashion of late, though the angels maintained a large number of them prior to the Barrier of Marie, and one of the archangels supposedly still has one."

>>30572616
So he just wants us to find and kill the revenant? Sounds simple enough.

>>30572616
"Tell you what, you teach me a bit as down payment, and then I'll deal with the revenent. Also, I'll tell you why the mageguard have pulled out, why the archangel isn't responding, and why your boss is probably busy.

>>30572682
Not even find. He knows where it is. He simply wants some backup.

>>30572616
>The only thing worse than a lech is a lazy lech. I should know.

>Livestock-eating revenant? How far has such a being fallen in grace?

>Let me guess, that thralldom-removing solution involves me talking to your chief, the mage guard, or the archangels?

>>30572717
Maybe we should give that one as a freebie, just as he's giving a down-payment on astral powers.

>>30572616
>Revenant hunting
aw shit man...I dunno. According to what I know about them, they're one of the most dangerous beasts in the setting.

We don't really have much choice if we want help though.
What does it even look like?
What sort of powers did it demonstrate?
How strong is the thing, anyway?
Do they have any idea who 'sponsored' it? If it's infernal then we may have a problem

>>30572722
>mfw remembering the Champion Revenant being powerful as fuck

WORRY.png

>>30572811
Vad says in >>30572596 that they don't know who the revenant serves.

I'm guessing the only way to deal with a revenant involves astral power in some way, shape or form. Otherwise, Vad wouldn't have needed to call for backup.

>>30572811
Vad says, "Not a clue. Not a clue. Not a clue. Aaaaaaaand, wait for it... not a clue. I'm as in the dark as you are. Hence why I want backup."

>>30572831
Saareg's abnormally strong even for revenants. Comparing him to the rest is like comparing one of the three Great Lords to a simple god-knight.

>>30572847
>astral power
"Not quite. I'm more than able to kill one. I do use astral power after all, if not as easily as you. It's just that revenants vary wildly in power - they're abilities are the same as they were in life, they're just undead. The problem is, generally powerful divine beings only go to the trouble of bringing back really impressive warriors as revenants."

This doesn't sound like that bad of an arrangement. Just try and get his information before taking out the revenant.

>>30572896
Well this should be fun lets go revenant hunting

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>>30572896
I like this mystic fox.

If we have a sister, we should let him fuck her.

>>30572896
Also, as I don't think I've explicitly stated it in thread: Spiritual power is essentially a way of safely manipulating astral energy. Very rigid and inflexible. Vad sliced a pear up earlier - he would have had to actively practice doing that. For most people, using astral energy in an uncontrolled fashion like you do is suicide.

VOTE
>1. Agree to help deal with the revenant with a down-payment of astral knowledge. Also tell him about the Lord of Ember.
>2. Agree to help deal with the revenant with a down-payment of astral knowledge. Do not tell him about the Lord of Ember.
>3. Don't agree to kill the revenant. Instead push him about getting the information, possibly via deception.
>4. Custom

>>30573011
1

>>30573011
>>1. Agree to help deal with the revenant with a down-payment of astral knowledge. Also tell him about the Lord of Ember.
little knowledge for a little knowledge

>>30573011
1

>>30573011
>1

Also, make small talk about his lifestyle up until now.

See if he might be interested in joining us, or if he's already got responsibilities and a job that would only make him one of our contacts, instead of an active ally.

>>30573011
1

Next post will be slightly delayed. Probably posted in about 20-25 minutes. Sorry about this.

>>30572896
>Saareg

You know in a way I'm sad we never got him. I was thinking about voting for him but I knew he wouldn't win but he sounds very interesting. On the other hand I don't think we would have such a good relationship with the elemental sisters in the case we did get him which also makes me sad.

>>30573114
We can't have it all anon.
No matter how much we want it.
I wanted Mystic fox girl

>>30573011
2

>>30573114
>>30573188

the soulution is simple. we find more sources. more sources means more champions... alternatively, we either subjugate or ally with those who command the champion candidates...

>>30573011
>1. Agree to help deal with the revenant with a down-payment of astral knowledge. Also tell him about the Lord of Ember.

>>30573238
As nice as that'd be, I'd rather beef up the companions we do have, and solidify our hold over Harrowmont then do that.

Once our companions are max and we have a solid zone of safety over Harrowmont, then we can do that.

>>30573238
The problem with other Sources is that even if you find them, you'd need to remove the seal on them (or whatever it is on them, as Undine said it wasn't a seal).

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>>30573300
>>30573238

Better yet, see if we can't break our charisma stat cap and max our solo combat skills.

Then we can *befriend* all the potential champions.

>>30573238

Problem there is I don't think Saareg is dead at the moment. So he is probably still running around doing whatever he was doing before. Though in a way that is kind of a advantage if we could find him and ally with him. Just because he would be at full strength. On the other hand I have no idea what the being that made him is like so I could end with us getting our ass spanked.

>>30573319
Hey Aspirational I'm curious. We know full power Mal is in the top 10. But what is full powered Saareg in?

>>30573385
>What's full power Saareg
He said stronger then us, I believe

>>30573385
>Hey Aspirational I'm curious. We know full power Mal is in the top 10. But what is full powered Saareg in?

Mal's in the top ten of mages, not of all individuals. Saareg's as strong as Great Knight Garynth, who is the strongest Astral Adept aside form the Lords (which also makes him as strong as Gnome at full strength).

I should have a new post very shortly. Sorry for the delay.

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>>30573423
So Saareg is basically fantasy Horatius Cocles?

One-man armies and heroic last stands everywhere

>1.

“Tell you what, Vad, I’ll help you if you give me a down-payment on that knowledge you’re promising. Something to make sure you can actually help me before I risk my neck taking down an undead champion. In return, aside from helping you, I’ll even let you know why everybody you asked for help is so busy.”

Vad crosses his arms, looking amused. “You think you know? Alright, I agree to your deal just to hear that now. Lay it on me.”

“The Lord of Ember and all of his knights have gone insane. The Magi League and Mage Guard tried and failed in dealing with him. His territory is essentially a no-man’s-land to hear tell of it. Most likely your chief and the archangel is busy with him, too.”

Vad stares at you in silence for a while. Finally he curses lightly and runs a hand through his hair, his ears sprouting back up after he pushes them down. “Well, that’s terrible news. On several levels. Fair enough though, I agreed to a deal. What sort of things can you do with your astral powers? That might help me a bit.”

“Well,” you say slowly, not sure where to start. “There’s a few things. The big things are that when we fought a feldragon I somehow killed it and almost completely obliterated it in doing so without even thinking. Then I instantly healed and empowered a large number of my men from near-death.”

Vad stares at you again.“You killed a feldragon? Without even thinking?”

“Well, I thought but I don’t remember it.”

“That’s... Nevermind,” Vad says, shaking his head. “Those are complete opposites. Astral power is usually cemented in particular patterns of thought or ways of life. It’s why the users of it are utterly inhuman. The archangels are named after Life and Death for a reason. And the Lords have their titles for the same reason. It sounds like you’re still growing into that, which is strange even on its own. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re a Fae still establishing Title.”

>continued

>>30573541
“What if I’m turning into a Fae?” you ask, worried.

The fox waves his hands, his tails fluttering in concert. “You’re not. Fae are utterly otherworldly and I know what they feel like. I’ve met their offspring before. You’re… Hmm, you could be like Sigismund from the Great Marches. Supposedly he was ‘blessed’ by a Fae and given ‘immortal strength’ – you haven’t fought any Fae, have you?”

“Not to my knowledge,” you say.

Clicknig his tongue, Vad falls into thought. Finally, he says, “Well, if your powers are that broad I can promise that I can help you use them at least. And I can likely direct you to people who could help you find out what the cause is. Right now, assuming you’re not something completely unknown, you’re a God, a half-angel or something similar or ‘blessed’ by a Fae, whatever that means.

“Is that good enough as a down-payment?” he says.

“It’ll have to do, I guess,” you say. “Are we going to head out now to where this revenant is?”

“Hardly. You’ve been travelling and I’m not prepared for a trip. We’ll leave in the morn. I’ll let the monks prepare rooms for you. You’ll have to stay separate to your companions here, though.”

He stands up to begin making preparations and you suddenly remember that there are three girls in here that are likely very upset with you not explaining your astral powers to them. Gnome has already scattered, it seems, the coward. You…

>1. Catch up to Vad, trying to use him as a shield.
>2. Confront the girls directly.
>3. Try to escape like Gnome.
>4. Custom

>>30573564
Confront them directly. Don't be a coward.

I had completely forgotten we hadn't told them yet.

>>30573564
>2. Confront the girls directly.
More glory to be had falling here than anywhere else heh

>>30573564
>3. Try to escape like Gnome.
LOOK THE LORD OF FIRE!.
point and shout, then run in opposite direction

>>30573564
>2
May as well explain it now.

>>30573564
2
Talon ain't no wimp

>>30573564
>2. Confront the girls directly.
Point out that what we are, whatever that is, is just as likely to get us hunted down and killed as Lynn's little secret, and she didn't exactly volunteer it.

>>30573564
>2.

But be inclusive and reconciling.

Confrontation/alpha tactics are not going to help us.

>>30573564
>2. Confront the girls directly.
"To be fair I wouldn't even know how to explain it until I got an expert on this."

>>30573564

Honestly I think the best method is just saying we wanted to be sure of things before making our self look crazy by mentioning we have the powers of the gods.

Then after we figured it out for real we didn't tell them because of the risks.

>>30573766
Im seconding this.
"Look girls, we didn't even know what the hell was going on. Wanted to be sure before we started throwing around allegations."

>>30573800
Address them by name for greater effect.

"Undine, Sala, Lyn,"

>2.

You decide to brave the storm that is your female companions’ temper. Though you quickly finding yourself wishing that it was temper, instead of the disappointment they appear to be showing. Mal had understood why you hadn’t volunteered the information – why couldn’t these girls?

“How long have you known, Talon?” Undine asks, a frown seeming to be permanently affixed to her face.

“Since the dragon. Gnome told me about it,” you say.

“Why didn’t you talk to us? You seem to have learnt more about it since then. Perhaps we could have helped you, not just Gnome.”

Sala nods. “It doesn’t seem fair that Gnomey knew but we didn’t. I thought you trusted us?”

“I told you about mine…” Lynn says, pouting a bit.

You’re not certain if they’re reactions are genuine or logical. Lynn didn’t exactly volunteer her secret. And framing it about trust is blatant manipulation. You respond…

>1. In a conciliatory manner. Apologise for not letting them know but explain that it wasn’t about trust.
>2. Defensively. Point out that it’s not too different from Lynn’s secret and that these girls are happy to keep secrets from you, such as Gnome’s master.
>3. Matter-of-factly. You didn’t know what it was or even if it truly was astral power. They’d all been so disbelieving when you talked about the Source’s effect of you wanted to be certain first.
>4. Custom

>>30573883
3 but apologising

>>30573883
3. This isn't that big a deal, let's move on.

>>30573883
>3. Matter-of-factly. You didn’t know what it was or even if it truly was astral power. They’d all been so disbelieving when you talked about the Source’s effect of you wanted to be certain first.

But with apology's.

>>30573883
>3. Matter-of-factly. You didn’t know what it was or even if it truly was astral power. They’d all been so disbelieving when you talked about the Source’s effect of you wanted to be certain first.

>>30573883
>1. and 3.

1 respects the fact that they feel betrayed.

3 points out that the situation was non-trivial

>>30573883
>1+3. Until we met Vad it was still just a hypothesis of Gnome's.

>>30573883
Actually, I'd like to use a little of all of them.

>3
We honestly didn't know, and calling ourselves a god hardly seemed appropriate with what little we knew. On top of that, when we mentioned the source feeding us or anything like that, they did sorta laugh at the idea.

>2
Defensive in the sense that our secret was more about us not knowing, then it was about us wanting to keep it secret. It'd seem like bragging otherwise.

>1
Finally, apologise for not telling them, but it truly wasn't about trust. The only reason Gnome knew was because she recognized it and confronted us right after the dragon. Since she seemed to have an idea of what happened, we told her what we could do, and she was the one who told us what it might be. We wanted to be sure before we told anyone.

>>30573883
You ARE telling them, you brought them with you here to the monastery to find out if your suspicions are founded, and if they are, to let them know

You had only suspicions before, and ones that should be impossible according to everything you know. Heck even now it seems impossible. The info Vad gave us just now doesn't match what you actually do. Just confirms your powers are astral instead of sorcerous.

>>30573883
>3
its the best

>>30573883
>3. Matter-of-factly. You didn’t know what it was or even if it truly was astral power. They’d all been so disbelieving when you talked about the Source’s effect of you wanted to be certain first.

>>30573883
>1.
>3.

Oh, and I'll be doing the 'small-talk with Vad' request in the next scene. I haven't forgotten about it.

>1. & 3.

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you about it, Undine, Sala, Lynn,” you say, using a conciliatory tone. “But this wasn’t about trust. I genuinely didn’t know I was actually using astral power – Gnome suspected as such from her experience. If it was so clear cut, surely you would also have noticed?”

They’re a little surprised at that, and after a bit of thought, Undine nods slowly, saying, “That’s… true. I noticed some oddities but I never thought…”

“Exactly. I wanted to be certain before I start talking to everybody about it being astral power. Particularly given the reception I got for my idea of the power coming from the Source – which wasn’t entirely correct. It might have something to do with the surge of power I’ve received lately but I was always using astral power, we think.”

Undine pouts. “You mean you and Gnome thought. Make sure you include us in your future hypothesising Talon.”

“Well, if you want to start hypothesising try to work out what is the source of my power. Vad confirmed I was using astral power but he’s clueless as to why. He couldn’t even rule out whether I was some mysterious being never seen before.”

Sala looks thoughtful. “I have an idea but I’ll need to double-check. I’ll ask a contact I have in Malataine about something. Don’t worry,” she says to quell your worried look, “I won’t tell them about you. I just have to ask them about a piece of history.”

>1. Let her do so. If she’s right, you want to know.
>2. Stop her. You don’t want Malataine knowing their favourite pure fire elemental is active in the world again.
>3. Tell her your concerns and let her make the decision of whether to contact them.
>4. Custom

Does anyone else keep wanting to call him Vlad instead of Vad?

>>30574162
>1

>>30574162
Maybe we should ask what this piece of history is first.

>>30574162
>Malataine
Aw crap, who is that again?

>>30574162
1
she already addressed your concerned look by saying she is only asking history. plus trust goes a long way.
Besides, people will figure it out anyways, tons of people already think you can raise the dead.

>>30574174
:)

>>30574162
>1. Let her do so. If she’s right, you want to know.

>>30574162
>3.

and maybe >>30574227

>>30574244
Other side of the planet. Religion of peace turned militant theocracy.

>>30574266
>Other side of planet.
Ah. Well it should be alright then. Not like anyone that far away is gonna be a threat anytime soon.

>>30574162
1
Also ask her what she is gonna ask.

>>30574227
Salamander laughs, sounding bashful, "I don't really know. I just remember being told that there was a famous order of knights from before the first Schism that was the impetus behind the formation of Malataine's Order of the Sword. I kind of remember hearing about them being able to fight the Go- sorry, Astral Adepts one-on-one."

>>30574303
Sounds good to me.

>1.

“Alright,” you say. “You can ask. Do try not to let them know where you are. If you performed anywhere near as well for them as you’ve done for me, then they’ll come looking for you. I know I would.”

Salamander giggles a bit and you catch a mildly jealous look from Undine being shot at her sister. It seems the sisters haven’t completely gotten over their little problem with each other. At least they’re not openly fighting with each other anymore.

Making some small talk with them you head out to find Vad and your rooms for the night. Instead you find a monk wearing a simple brown habit who directs you to your rooms. Your room is on the opposite side of the building to the others and the monk gives you directions and leaves you to your own devices as he leads the girls to their rooms.

You…

>1. Head to your room.
>2. Explore the inside of the monastery.
>3. Explore the outside of the monastery.
>4. Custom

Feel free to propose any particular areas of the monastery you might want to investigate.

>>30574303
are you waiting on us to respond?
because there isn't a prompt

>>30574409
Whenever I quote somebody to answer a question in-character it is often separate to the post that resolves the vote. Like: >>30572896

>>30574405
>1
Either 1 or 2. I don't want to do 3. That seems like it's asking to get surprised by something nasty.

>>30574405
How late is it?

>Rooms on opposite side of monastery
Heh... does sex offend them?

>>30574405
Check the basement. Always check the basement.

>>30574405
Investigate the wards that were mentioned earlier

We probably have shit tier magic knowledge, but short of being a red herring, narrative causality means those wards must have some purpose or impact on what will happen next. Excuse my metagaming

>>30574457
It's a couple of hours before dinner. June 21st, too, as I didn't update the bin with that knowledge. Nearly three in-game months since the quest started.

And yeah, monks typically have vows of celibacy and they dislike even guests engaging in sexual activities inside the monasteries. You don't really know why as there doesn't appear to be a religious imperative. Heck, most monasteries don't even have affiliation with any religion you know of.

>>30574517
>Not religious, but against sex
could simply be that it's noisy and they're trying to meditate, ya know?
Like, 'earthly pleasures distract them from enlightenment' not necessarily making it evil, just a distraction.

>>30574405
>2. Explore the outside of the monastery.

>>30574547
makes sense.

>>30574517
Still, they could have said "don't have sex" and given separate rooms NOT on the other side of the monastery. Its like they don't even trust you...
Eh, well, not worth insulting them and I don't THINK someone is going to try to assassinate us in our sleep here.
>Hours before dinner.
Then there is no point of staying our room. We have hours to do stuff.

>>30574578
Umm, that text and number doesn't match the vote options.

>>30574459
>>30574465
I'll take these as votes for 2. In fact, I'll probably do the wards investigation for anything except option 1.

>>30574621
>worried about assassins
Yeah, I was too, but then I thought maybe it's more that they think the temptation is too great, not that they mistrust us.

Anyway, let's poke around a little bit and be watchful. this place seems perfect for a non magical assassin to strike.

>everybody worried by assassins
Out of curiosity, what set off these worries?

>2.

Figuring that if the monk is happy to leave you to your own devices they won’t mind you wandering, you begin to explore the inside of the monastery. The building itself is gigantic. You could probably fit a small town into the place without difficulty. Which is exceedingly odd, given you doubt there’s anywhere near that many monks here. The last monastery you visited wasn’t nearly as large.

And these wards – you don’t remember anything like that. The other fox had been happier inside than out, after all. You can’t really sense them, which as you noted earlier, is strange given your companions had been openly affected by them. You hope that doesn’t make it difficult for them to rest. You need them in top condition going forward, even if it won’t be another night’s rest before you reach your destination by your count. You use a bit of magical power, wondering if they’ll react and nothing happens. You reach out a bit and try to sense the wards and similarly get nothing. Very strange, you think.

Exploring a bit to see if there’s a basement, and being unable to find anything of the like, you find yourself lost in the building. This isn’t good.

[DC14 Navigation]

You know, I just realised this was the first dice roll in a few threads.

>>30574639
Oh yeah I was going to pick 2 then decided that the wards must be annoying so I'd rather look outside. Forgot to change the number my bad.
>>30574405
>3. Explore the outside of the monastery.

Rolled 18

>>30574764
I have no idea.

Rolled 11

>>30574764

Rolled 14

>>30574764

>>30574764
>What set off these worries
Um. This being tg?
But seriously. You play enough quests, you learn to expect assassins any time there isn't any other immediate threat.

The fact that the temple has magic nullifying wards or some junk doesn't help. The fact that the monks want us to sleep ALONE also doesn't help with that.

>>30574764
We've been reminiscing about the past threads, including the initial ones.

A magitech assassin using anti-magic concussive forces is kinda hard to forget. Even if he/she/it may or may not have been after us.

Rolled 16

>>30574764
>Out of curiosity, what set off these worries?

Just general paranoia. If a assassin does attack we would be pretty far away so it would take longer to help our allies. I'm worried about assassins at all times considering Talon wants to be a emperor. But distance makes it worse.

>>30574764
>everybody worried by assassins
The supposed explanation for why undine and gnome watch us sleep is in case of assassins. And lynn is our personal guard. As an emperor at war (with vampires no less) assassins are a thing to worry about.
However, I was saying that in this particular instant I am not worried about assassins. or at least I wasn't until I reminded myself of Taour

>>30574764
this would have been a hilarious post to roll a nat 1 on and get lost.

>And these wards
>You can’t really sense them
Well, they are monk wards, right? Aren't monks externally manipulating astral energy in a way that makes their power useless against native astral beings like demons, fae, angels, reavenants, and astral-adepts?
Yet extra effective against dragons, elementals, and a variety of other beings?

>>30574764
That's one huge, huge monastery. I wonder what the reason for that size is?

>>30574836
I'll be honest anon, I am REALLY dreading that guy's return. I have no idea how powerful anti magic is against us, but I know it wouldn't be a cake walk that's for sure.

We got damn lucky that thread

>>30574965
>I'll be honest anon, I am REALLY dreading that guy's return
He's dead jim

>>30574986
Not that guy literally. But guys like him.
You get the point

>>30574965
that guy is dead. He had 2 extremely expensive magitech grenades. One he used to kill the queen of darlesia. The other he tried to throw at us. We used our power to hit and trigger it while he was holding it, it vaporized a large part of his body and charred the rest. We barely survived it even at range.

>>30574965
Wasn't he reduced to a fine paste? I don't think he's coming back.

>>30575002
There's a simple solution, you know.

We hire some of them ourselves.

>Target met.

You swiftly correct yourself. You’re not lost – instead you simply cannot backtrack. You attempt to backtrack to your starting point from memory, which is pretty good from all the adventuring you’ve done, and even write down the directions you take. As expected you don’t find yourself where you started and double back using the directions you wrote down.

Yet, despite having written down the directions and following them precisely, you find yourself in a completely different location outside a library. Something is warping the directions you take. You walk towards where you think the outside of the monastery is and find an exit before doubling back – and it works. You’re back outside the library. You then head outside, even more curious and greet some of the monks as you do so. Backtracking to the meeting room and to where you met the monk you have no difficulty. You even follow his directions to his room.

With all of this done you realise two things – first, there is some ward you cannot sense that is preventing you from accessing part of the monastery. Second, the monastery is bigger on the inside than the outside. Much bigger – at least three to four times. You realise you have no choice but to breach the wards, which you can’t sense apparently, if you want to find this room.

Except even that makes no sense. How is it that spiritual wards are effective against you? Your understanding of them was that they shouldn’t work against astral power. Yet it’s as though the wards aren’t even there whereas the other magical beings with you openly sense them.

>1. Try harder to sense the wards.
>2. Don’t try to breach or detect the wards.
>3. Attempt to breach the wards.
>4. BONUS. Empower yourself with astral energy in hopes it will let you ignore the wards.
>5. Custom

>>30575178
>1

>>30575178
1+4

>>30575178
>4. BONUS. Empower yourself with astral energy in hopes it will let you ignore the wards.

>>30575178
>4. BONUS. Empower yourself with astral energy in hopes it will let you ignore the wards.
Always chose the bonus option.

>>30575178
Do we have any way of contacting our champions/elemental companions?

SHADOWRUNS: WHATEVER IS SCREWING WITH US CAN'T SCREW WITH THEM. SO WHOEVER IS SCREWING WITH US SEPARATED US FROM THEM. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: GET THE TEAM BACK TOGETHER

>>30575178
I have a feeling 4 makes it worse.

>1

>>30575178
>1
>4
Why not both?

>>30575178

1 with a hint of 4.

Empower our senses to try and nail down these wards. we should also ask the monks for permission before we attempt to break though them, if that is the solution we arrive at...

>>30575248
uh, it this case it might break shit and set off alarms.

>>30575248
Its like a mystery box!

>>30575255
Not without finding them in person or getting directions. The monk didn't tell you where they would be staying, merely that they were on the other side of the monastery.

Oddly enough, you haven't encountered any monks in this part of the monastery. Vad said they were all outside but they should be heading inside now to prepare dinner you think.

SPECIAL VOTE
1 & 4 aren't really compatible, guys. Or, more accurately, will have radically different results to what you envisage. So I'm going to do a special vote.

>1. Try to sense the wards making use of your astral power.
>2. Empower yourself with astral power as part of trying to determine where and what the wards are.

>>30575178
It just occured to me, even if I was right about monk wards and astral beings, maybe the monks didn't actually create the wards, or heck maybe you have a combination of wards from multiple sources.
Maybe there is something sealed inside and they are guarding it.

... I am somewhat tempted to ask Vad about "this odd thing we have found" instead of recklessly rush into it.

>>30575335
>1. Try to sense the wards making use of your astral power.

>>30575335
1

>>30575335
>1

Like I said. I predict astral power is gonna make things worse.

>>30575335
If there is a monk or person to speak to

>3 - ask for directions to the place where our companions are staying

otherwise

>1 first

then

>2 if failure

>>30575335
>2. Empower yourself with astral power as part of trying to determine where and what the wards are.

>>30575335
1

>>30575335
>2. Empower yourself with astral power as part of trying to determine where and what the wards are.
>>30575371
I think this is part of choosing our path, and the bonus option is water.

>>30575335
>2

>>30575404
The bonus option is actually because of the insight in >>30574925

>>30575335
2

>>30575335
2

Rolled 2

Tie-breaker roll

File: 1393725429805.jpg-(142 KB, 463x486, ironchef.jpg)

142 KB JPG

>>30575530
And

Here

We

Go

>>30575530
Facepalm.

>>30575566
Any particular reason for this reaction?

>2.

The monks would have used spiritual techniques to build the wards and the mysterious spatial extension into the monastery. As such, if you empower yourself with astral power, making yourself appear as an astral being temporarily, you should get some reaction. In fact, you think you’ll likely just breach the wards outright. Taking a deep breath and closing your eyes, you focus yourself and flood the power into your body. You feel something prickle against you momentarily but it vanishes in an instant. That would be the ward failing against you, you suspect. You open your eyes.

The world has lost all of its colour. The stone walls and floors are leeched of life and are now a bland gray instead of the sandstone they were before. Red rugs now lay in a mottled pattern of grays, whites and blacks. A haze hangs over everything around you. Yet you retain your colour as you look at your arms and legs. You turn around and look back down the hall and see that the hallway at the very end still has colour.

Feeling unsettled by the odd change you walk into the coloured area with no difficulty and turn around. The area of hallway you were just in, with its lack of colour, is completely gone. Instead you can see through a window down the much shorter hallway. If you’re not mistaken, the monastery just returned to normal size. Walking towards that window, you suddenly find yourself in the hallways of nightmares again, with the lack of colour drawing forth a weaker part of your mind.

You don’t like this area. It makes your skin crawl. It doesn’t feel dangerous, just… wrong. It shouldn’t be here, you feel. It feels fake.

>1. Depower and ignore the mystery. You don’t want to find out any more.
>2. Continue to investigate the area. You’ll likely be able to reach the area you couldn’t before.
>3. Custom

>>30575656
>1. Depower and ignore the mystery. You don’t want to find out any more.
Fae Zone, do not cross.

>>30575656

Interesting. We may have to ask our buddy fox about this later.

>>30575656
Just wanna say.
I don't know which option to support.

>>30575656
>. Continue to investigate the area. You’ll likely be able to reach the area you couldn’t before.

>>30575656
>2 let's see how deep this rabbit hole goes.

>>30575656
2

>>30575656
>2. Continue to investigate the area. You’ll likely be able to reach the area you couldn’t before.

>>30575656
Well, this is interesting...

On the other hand, Vad might take offense and we still have stuff he can tell us.
Or he might actually find this curious as well and investigate with us.
Not to mention our companions who would probably like to tag along on any adventure we go on.

So.
>3. Find Vad, do some talking. If he is down with it, lead him and your allies to this place.

>>30575656

I support

>>30575813

And if we don't know where he is, then we should at least use our new abilities to find out where/navigate the monastery correctly.

Hopefully we didn't just draw the attention of some divine/infernal being...

>>30575813
I was going to say 1
But I support this

>2.

You take a deep breath, ignoring the sensation of breathing in must – even the air feels wrong. This whole hallway is a parody of reality. It’s what occurs when no-talent hacks attempt to press their ego on the fabric of existence rather than realise their own incompetence. As you walk carefully down the hallway, unsure of how stable these ‘stones’ really are, rage continues to bubble inside you with no end. You aren’t disconcerted, you are angry. This isn’t dangerous, except for how poor the craftsmanship is. If you were to build your own little fake world, you make such a terrible fist of it.

You take off a glove roughly, wanting to feel for yourself just how pathetic this fake world is. Digging your hand into a wall like it is putty you pull a part of it away. The wall quivers, the haze giving way for a split second to show a featureless wall of nothing, and the hole you just dug stone out of glows with a series of indecipherable text running through the stuff of the wall itself. A construct of magic – a poor attempt at replicating reality. You jam the putty back into its place and continue on, barely noting the way the wall reforms.

As you continue, you emotions threatening to overwhelm your sanity, you then find yourself in front of a door. Thinking it to be another terrible construction, you sneer and attempt to tear the handle off.

And you suddenly remember who and what you are. You’re Talon York, Imperator of Harrowmont. You’re not some terrible deity. This is something you could never hope to do – why the hell are passing judgement on it? And this is a terrible place to lose your head, both figuratively and literally. Using your returned judgement you realise the door your holding has colour. It’s a dull monotone blue but it still has colour.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, you figure, and yank the door open. Plus, it's not like you wanted to brave that mind-twisting hallway again.

[DC11 Composure]

Rolled 17

>>30575971

Rolled 2

>>30575971

Rolled 19

>>30575971

A mind is a terrible thing to lose

Rolled 18

>>30575971

Rolled 18

>>30575971

Rolled 12

>>30575971
>inb4 we found the hotsprings

>>30575971
>You lose your head
>And you suddenly remember who and what you are.
interesting... Another layer of defense? Side effect of how we are using the power to breach this ward? Character development with suspicious phrasing?

>>30576074
>suddenly remember
Oh damn, the narrative wasn't very clear about it but you regained your senses when you gripped the handle.

>>30576085
Ah, ok. Although this just reinforces my suspicions

>>30575995

Oh, God that was so insanely close.

>>30576013

Oh wow. 1 away on both sides.

>>30576074

Either that or whatever Talon is reacts to what he is looking at. It might be his nature giving him godly pride until he remembered his identity. Which isn't a pleasant thought.

>>30576074
I'm worried it's a side effect of the power. That sounded an awful lot like how the archangels have been described.

>fill ourselves with astral power
>think we could rewrite reality better than this stupid shmuck

Great, so astral power has the side effect of making you all pompous when it comes to the workings of reality itself.

At least it explains the angels and gods being dicks themselves.

>>30576085

Whatever the case, Felix is gonna go apeshit if he finds out we can wield astral power and gain a god-complex in the process

>>30576156
Makes me question our original ambitions.

Rolled 7

>>30576156
if you could build a house by snapping your fingers, and then see some one who did a shitty job doing more work, of course you would look down at them.

>>30576113
>It might be his nature giving him godly pride until he remembered his identity
This is basically what I meant with
>Side effect of how we are using the power to breach this ward?
With another possibility of "it might not be his nature so much as the mindset when he started using the power"

>>30576156
Actually, the clarification that we regained our composure the moment we touched the door handle leads me to believe that it was less our astral power and more the nature of that world itself.

although that would totally explain lord ember
>I am tearing down this shoddily constructed world to rebuild it better

>>30576156
Just so you know, you're not using any more astral energy now than you have in combat previously against foes. You haven't really done this outside of combat before, though, let alone in an area quite as otherworldly as this one.

>>30576187
>>30576156

It also simplifies our goals though.

Earlier on, we joked that we were gonna play Talon like a paladin.

Well, now that joke has become reality.

Anything short of well-played Lawful Good intent is probably gonna lead to mental temptations and madness, followed by Bad End.

And even LG willpower won't guarantee something cracking in our psyche.

>>30576183

>Implying Talon doesn't already kind of have a bit of one.

Most normal people don't try to build empires and say they want the deaths of their men to have meaning though it.

>>30576200

Though given he woke up when it came to the door I"m thinking it's a effect of the hallways. Something like a fae Enchantment hitting his pride. This sounds pretty close to the stories of the glamor that they used.

>>30576238
There are no Bad Ends except for death. There's the possibility of Talon becoming unhinged but you'll still retain overall control.

>Target met

Pulling the door open and stepping inside hurriedly to escape that monstrous hallway you find yourself inside one of the largest halls you’ve ever been in. It rivals the size of the king’s hall in the RSK. Colour remains in this room, too, but it is the same dull blue as the door. Everything, the stone, the wooden pews, the rugs and tapestries – a dull monotone blue. The only difference between them are the textures and the shadows they cast.

You try to take a breath now that you are in somewhere that is real and find yourself choking. The air – it’s so full of magic it burns your throat. As you cough, you see your breath come out as strange prismatic smoke. The magic in this room, the spiritual techniques used to lay the wards, they’re reacting poorly with the astral power you’re channelling. Your skin begins to prickle and a slightly burning sensation covers your entire body. You fear you don’t have much time but you know that dropping your empowerment will likely make things worse. There could be much worse wards protecting this place that can’t affect you with the amount of astral power you have.

To protect yourself, you:
>1. Use your own power and reserves to build an astral shield around your body to protect you.
>2. Use the magical power lingering in the room against itself – you’ll shield yourself and dissipate the overwhelming amount of energy simultaneously.
>3. Use your powers to return it all to its plane of origin. All of the energy in the room. There’s too much here to be safe and you might as well get rid of all of it while you’re here.
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576286
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576238
I honestly don't think we are in danger of sudden insanity.

Also, if we really believed that then the solution isn't paladinhood, but rather relegating rulership to our harem and limiting self to being a general under their command (after explaining this to them).

But as I said, I don't think this is an issue

>>30576238

I find that unlikely. It's most likely the room because otherwise no amount of will power will matter. Because he forgot who he was.

>>30576286
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

There's a reason we got Undine first.

>>30576286
>>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.
go with the flow

>>30576286
>2

>>30576286
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576286
>Mix of 2 and 4

2 extends our endurance

4 ensures we leave this room and it's associated enchantments intact.

>>30576286
4. lets NOT break it

If you fail or it becomes hard to hold, then beat a retreat and find out more before breaking it

>>30576286
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576342
How can you mix the two? Do a little bit of both simultaneously? That can still do damage.

>>30576342
4 probably isn't compatible with the others.

>>30576286
>2
I want to see if we can actually use magic or if it's all astral power

>>30576286
>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576286
>>4. Try to blend your astral power in with the energy here. Rather than shielding yourself, you’ll simply slide through the world like water.

>>30576368
spiritual magic is indirect manipulation of astral energy, which is different from magical energy

Basically, we draw the magical energy in the room, and use it to channel our astral energy more efficiently. Impromptu spiritual magic.

Also allows us to "test" the magic in the room and help us blend in

>>30576411
We're 100% astral power.

I think option 2 just makes our astral power force the magic to implode in on itself and shred it all up.

>4.

You want to take a breath to focus yourself but know that will simply make things worse. It feels like your skin is boiling now. You can’t even see as you closed your eyes to prevent them from being damaged. The only way you’re even still operating is your experience in dealing with pain. You need to use your power to protect yourself but you’re worried about damaging the enchantments in the room. This hall must be important if it’s so well protected and you didn’t come here to damage things important to the monks.

Drawing on your power as you never had before you try to centre yourself like Undine taught you. You try to balance the power in your body so that your entire body has as much magic running through it as there is externally. It’s difficult to focus yourself through all the pain but eventually you pull it off and reopen your eyes.

The hall is as you last saw it and your skin hasn’t actually boiled off. In fact, there appears to be no lingering physical effects. You wonder if you were actually suffering physical trauma or if it was another psychological effect. You’re uncertain how much time has passed now, between the trip down the hallway and just now – your mind has taken a bit of a battering.

And, looking around, it takes another. Three gigantic statues stand at the end of the hall. Glancing at them causes your vision to waver. Your head throbs viciously. This whole area… there is a very well-kept secret here. There’s a basement entrance, too, below the statues, but even looking at that causes pain to lance behind your eyes. You…

>1. Investigate the statues
>2. Investigate the basement entrance
>3. Investigate the hall whilst avoiding the statues and basement
>4. Try to leave
>5. Custom

>>30576452
But one of the things #2 is explicitly doing is dissipating the energy in this room.
What if it is here for a purpose? What if dissipating it breaks something?

Depending on what we find we might still do it, but I would like to not burn a bridge prematurely

>>30576565
>1. Investigate the statues

>>30576587
>>30576565
Calling it right now that these wards are keeping some ancient evil imprisoned in the basement of the Cloister and the statues are it's keepers.

>>30576565
We're uncertain as to how much time has passed?

Find out ASAP. See if we can see any tells for the passage of time.

Windows?

Check our own self - signs of hunger, thirst, tiredness beyond mere astral power usage?

>>30576637
>windows
arem't we in a demiplane?

>>30576565
>4. Try to leave

>>30576637
>Windows?
The hall is completely enclosed. Although it is lit up, you can't see any actual light sources.
>self
It's hard to tell. You feel more hungry and thirsty than you did earlier - you'd guess from that it's close to dinnertime? But that could also be an effect of too much power usage. Your focus may also affect your personal perception, too.

>>30576656
We're in the Fae realm most likely or something close.
>"If you encounter one of the Fae, please do not engage them in battle. If you truly must, ensure you battle them away from their intrusions into our world. The closer you are to their world, the stronger they are and the more reliant you will be on sorcery. In their world, you might need to use sorcery merely to move your muscles and create air to breathe."

>>30576565
>4

We're in too deep, pull out!

>>30576565
>>5. Custom
Attempt to break the wards causing us psychological trauma.

And hope it doesn't include breaking a seal on an ancient evil.

>>30576620
It is a definite possibility and why I am loathe to break it.

But it could also be the hiding place of another source. Or some greatly important artifact from scrying like some of the named uber weapons we have heard about. Or maybe a friendly astral being is lairing here and are unintentionally emitting all this power which gathers here without outlet, and the wards are to protect them from the world rather then protect the world from them.
Or maybe the overwhelming power is the trapped being trying to break the wards imprisoning it by short circuiting it?

I am so damn conflicted between exploring further, and leaving.

We definitely can't bring our allies here without breaking shit first

>>30576742
>Or maybe the overwhelming power is the trapped being trying to break the wards imprisoning it by short circuiting it?
And by that I mean that drawing away the power would be good rather then bad.

>>30576565
1

>investigate statues
I am far too curious to quit now

>>30576688
How much more endurance do we have left?

Can we expect to last, say, an hour or two? Or are we minutes away from burning out?

>>30576696
Ah, but our sources say we are astral beings ourselves. So the advice is not exactly up to date.
Also, I don't think this is "use magic to create air to breath" but "shield self from receiving magical burns in an area with air"

>>30576794
At the current rate you're using it, a few more hours. If you encountered something dangerous you could run dry earlier of course.

>>30576565
>>30576827

>investigate

Be thorough, start with what is less dangerous/exhausting, and work our way up there.

>Hall first

>Then statues

>If we're still good, then basement

Keep an eye on our sanity, our endurance, and if possible our time

>1.

You attempt to focus on the statues, pushing past whatever it is that is preventing you from seeing what they actually are. You feel a pressure cover your body as though something is judging you and finding you wanting. The very magic in the air begins to rapidly change concentration and you find yourself struggling to keep your balance with it whilst also seeing through the wards protecting the statues.

[DC19 Focus]

>>30576827

Honestly my first thought is to check out the statues and look around a bit before turning around and asking about this room later on. Maybe visiting again later on since we know what we will have to get though to make it later on.

Rolled 14

>>30576895
BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL

Rolled 2

>>30576895
Let's see if we can do this.


freaking captcha- its only been getting worse.

Rolled 3

>>30576895
>DC19

Jesus fuck what are we looking at?

Rolled 3

>>30576895

Rolled 3

>>30576895
capcha: one

>>30576895
>>30576914
>>30576918
>>30576929
>>30576935
>>30576940
Knew we shoulda tried breaking the wards.

At least we didn't get a nat 1!

Rolled 8

>>30576895

>>30576929
>>30576935
>>30576940
>3
>3
>3
wow

>>30576929
>>30576935
>>30576940

What are the odds?

>>30576963
1/400

>>30576976
Given that that's way rarer than 1/20, I don't suppose we could get some kind of bonus for that, can we Aspirational?

>>30576929
Keep in mind we are trying to stealth past the wards in an extremely hostile environment without first making the environment non hostile or breaking the wards.
It is natural for this to be tough.

I think its time we left. We can come back later after doing some research.

>>30576976
Actually 1 in 8000.
1 in 400 would be to roll two 3s in a row.

However, it is worth noting that for 3 rolls of a d20 there are 8000 possible results and EVERY result we get would be a 1 in 8000.
3 x 20, 3 x 19, 3x 18, etc... are each 1 in 8000.

>>30577003
I assumed he'd have that reaction for any 3 numbers an a row, not just the number 3. Therefore 1/400.

>>30576929
Also, with our current system the chance of success on a DC 19 roll is 25.7%

>>30577033
Hypothetically. The dice gods are fickle.

>>30577033
>25.7
>/tg/ dice

Depending on the time the RNG can either suck the players dicks or ass rape and skin them alive.

Why did people jump straight to the statues?
We should had done the hall first.

>Target not met

You feel your focus slip and you fail to keep your magic in balance with your surroundings for just an instant. In that instant, the pressure magnifies and surrounds your heart and you swear it stopped – and then it lifts and everything is clear. The statues are no longer hazy and your head no longer throbs in pain from trying to look at them. Words form in the air in front of you, in several languages, most of which you don’t recognise but three that you do. They all say the same thing:

TREAD LIGHTLY, GUEST. THIS PLACE IS TOO SACRED TO SUFFER BALEFUL TRESPASS.

You blink. It looks like… a simple warning? Or perhaps the wards judged you and did not see the need to assault you. It’s too hard to tell and you lack the knowledge and skill to determine what truly occurred. Still, the wards in this hall were clearly laid by somebody with no small amount of talent.

Deciding to investigate now you are unimpeded, you investigate the statues in earnest. They appear rather mundane, to your disappointment. From left to right, a priest wearing a frock with a book stands, a hooded stranger with his hands cupped before him and an armoured knight with a sword. Above them read three plaques – ‘The Binder’, ‘The Watcher’ and ‘The Smiter.’ The Watcher’s statue glows very lightly you notice. A lectern stands at its base – and you’re certain that wasn’t there before.

>continued

>>30577214
Carefully investigating the hall, and avoiding the basement first you find little of interest, beyond a strange coin you suspect to be made of platinum from a country you’ve never heard of. You pocket it before turning to the book. Carefully checking for traps, you open it to find that all of the pages show the same text, a few short lines:

‘The Binder keeps that which belongs here but does not respect its place in check.

‘The Smiter returns that which does not belong here to its void.

‘The Watcher keeps in check all that is right and sees that thy will is done.’

You’re not entirely sure what to make of this, but you have a hunch you may have stumbled on the reason the monks have no statues in open display.

Do you wish to try to enter the basement?

>1. Yes
>2. No

>>30577235
y

>>30577235
2
we've gone too far for a guest

ye

>>30577235
aspirational you glorious temptress... err, temptror?

>>30577235
Very yes.

>>30577235
>1
But look before you leap

(Are we armed and armored? or are we just dressed in the equivalent of tunic and skivvies?)

At the first indication of trouble beyond our ken to deal with, we are so outta here. Since we shouldn't be in here in the first place, I guess.

>>30577235
2

>>30577328
You're in travelling clothes and have your weapons, but are not fully armoured.

>>30577235
>2. No

>>30577235
>1. Yes

>>30577235
>>2. No

>>30577235
1

>>30577363
>>30577327
>>30577276
>>30577256
you fucking fucks, we're not some murderhobo, we're an emperor, we have responsibilities! wtf u doin?

>>30577235
>1

>>30577235
Sure, we came this farm might as well keep going.

>>30577390
Relax. What's the worst that could happen?

>>30577390
How is this Murder Hobo?

>>30577390
>wtf

>>>/out/

Though the wards did say baleful. I think the area around should be safe as long as we don't turn hostile.

>>30577404
Well now that you've asked I'm sure we'll find out.

>>30577390
Isn't that what an emperor is?
If you think about it, they think very similar to hobos.

>>30577354

We carry our two-handed sword and shield with us everywhere? Eeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent.

>>30577390

We're here to find out more about our astral powers. And seeing as how this place has -Interesting- reactions to our astral powers, we may as well test ourselves to a reasonable extent against them without overstepping the hospitality welcomed to us.

>>30577426
I didn't say it was murderhobo, just that we had more responsibilities than a murderhobo. murderhobos can sneak around because they have no reputation. We do it and get caught? Public humiliation. Not a good thing for an up and coming emperor.

>>30577467
good thing we don't want to be known as an Emperor.

>>30577457
We've already overstepped, and you guys are voting to outright ignore a sign saying our trespassing is about to get serious.

>>30577467
You guys do remember that mal and talon used to be part of the same murderhobo party back in the day before they joined the military, right?

>>30577467

>Find a hole in reality where a fake world exists.
>Not wonder what the hell is going on.

>>30577214
>the Watcher's statue glows

Whelp, we might have already triggered one of the statues.

we're being monitored...

>>30577457
>We carry our two-handed sword and shield with us everywhere?
You certainly do when you're travelling.

I'm going to call a contentious vote (with a 5 minute timeframe) about the basement in a minute as this is getting a bit hairy, particularly as you won't be able to enter the basement without leaving a trace.