>>30851473
"Does it do harm to or corrupt other souls?"

Both of them giving the same answer is good. We can't trust Skeith, though - assume him to be lying or misleading at all times.

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>>30851473
Pic related

>>30851473
Should we tell Maraja about our master's other apprentice? Perhaps ask why she sought to kill us?

>>30851513

“Does it do harm to or corrupt other Souls?” You ask.

“That is the very nature of its power, Shardkeeper. I have seen the Spirits it leaves behind, or those that manage to escape it.” Ilyanas says. “They pass idly through the world, half-destroyed, with parts of their very essence missing. In this state, they are unable to cling to existence, and in time, cease to do so entirely.”

The Spirits, you think, seem to be in agreement on the nature of Calizan's ability. Still, you find it strange—you weren't aware Soul could truly be destroyed.

>What will you do?

>>30851609
Well shit!

"I've seen it, then. My master's other apprentice assaulted the city I was staying in, attempted to kill me, and used a power exactly like that on Tregalis. Do any of you, any of you know of a way to counter or protect myself from such things? She may attack again, and I would not wish such a fate even upon Skeith."

>>30851643
it has been so long. did she really use that specific power in that fight?

>>30851609
Any idea as to its whereabouts? How to counter this power of its?

>>30851673
Just as I described - she hit Tregalis, and suddenly our shockwave was appearing randomly around us and knocking us about like a doll. It was a purple smog thing, and when we pulled him out we were able to remove it. But even so...

>>30851685
I remember that. Why do you thing that is the power of Calizan though?

>>30851713
Because it specifically harmed, hampered, and corrupted our soul. And bound souls are less powerful than free ones.

>>30851643
>>30851685

“I've seen it, then. My Master's other apprentice assaulted the city I was staying in, attempted to kill me, and used a power exactly like that on Tregalis.” You grit your teeth, memories of the battle with Anise still fresh in your mind. For a Soul to be completely destroyed—you wouldn't wish such a fate upon even Skeith.

“In his last days with me, your Master was involved in an ongoing campaign against that Spirit, Erick.” Maraja says. “Before he first spoke of it, I had never known him to fear anything. Would it be possible for a mere apprentice of his to capture its power?”

“Perhaps the student you speak of has surpassed their Master, Valstein.” Ilyanas suggests.

“Or perhaps she's enlisted the aid of a servant of this Calizan.” Skeith turns to the Forest Spirit. “Just moments ago, you suggested this destroyer was accompanied by lesser Spirits of its own kind.”

What will you say?
>“Is there a way I can counter this ability, or protect myself from it?”
>“Are there any ideas as to the whereabouts of Calizan?”
>Other

>>30851883
>“Is there a way I can counter this ability, or protect myself from it?”
We've got a spirit of nature and a spirit of decay. I'm sure that we can figure out a means of countering this. Or at least understanding it.

>>30851883
>>>“Is there a way I can counter this ability, or protect myself from it?”

Most important.

>>30851883
>“Is there a way I can counter this ability, or protect myself from it?”
I don't think they're going to know. But it doesn't hut to ask.

>>30852144
>>30852149
>>30852167

“Is there any way I can counter this ability, or otherwise protect myself from it?” You ask.

“I'm afraid I don't know of such a thing myself.” Maraja says. “Your Master told me once that he had conceived a ward that could protect him against Calizan's power, but as you can imagine, he kept the details secret.”

“Such a thing might not even truly be possible, given the very nature of that power.” Ilyanas sighs. “Perhaps I could devise something if I were able to study the effect more closely—though I'm afraid I don't know where to look.”

“What about the fractured Spirits you saw? Do you know where most of them came from?” You ask.

“Those Spirits were varied in nature as well as in the direction they were borne in before death.” Ilyanas says. “Many of them flowed from places to the east of your city, however.”

“Imedagne?” Rebecca asks, then pauses. “Do you think...?”

>What will you say?

>>30852359
"Think what, Rebecca?"

>>30852390

>>30852359

“Think what, Rebecca?” You ask.

“I get it.” Daeron says, looking over at Rebecca. “You're talking about the monster attacks out east, right?”

“The creatures coming across the border from Imedagne. Could they be running from something?” Rebecca responds. Animals, you realize, are more connected to Soul than humans; it stands to reason that they might fear an influence such as Calizan's.

>What will you say?

>>30852487
"It stands to reason that Master might be after the same thing. If we chase down Calizan, we might run into him."

>>30852487
>you realize, are more connected to Soul than humans; it stands to reason that they might fear an influence such as Calizan's.

Tell them this. They don't know anything about soul

>>30852541
>>30852660

“Animals are more closely connected to Soul than humans.” You nod. You're not sure you're ready to go chasing after something like this, though. If you truly lack your Master's fire, is it possible for you to accomplish something he couldn't?

You continue. “If something like Calizan were out there, it's entirely reasonable that a mass migration out of the region might occur, regardless of other environmental factors. My Master might be after that—if we go after Calizan, we might run into him.”

“Or at least, his whereabouts.” Ilyanas responds. Anise's motivations, too, are sure to lie in that direction; the trail seems promising, if nothing else. “I sense there is little more to say. Contact me, should you require further enlightenment.”

“I've grown quite tired of this place myself.” Skeith says. “Next time, I hope you'll call upon me for more than just an idle chat.”

Soul disperses throughout the room, and you feel it suffuse your Shard-infused equipment as Skeith and Ilyanas vanish. Maraja lets out a sigh, and you can see her grow more relaxed with the two dismissed.

“Seems like you've got a lot to think about.” The Ocean Spirit says. “Do you require anything further from me, Erick?”

>What will you do?

Rolled 2

>>30852746
What is your opinion of Illyanas?

>>30852805
Support

>>30852746
Can't think of much to say.

Also i see that it is an obvious PLOT sitting in front of us but i'd much rather we do not go chasing this spirit now. How are we suppose to kill it when Master has failed? Let's go in the oppposite direction and keep adventuring, learning and getting stronger before we go chasing after this powerful spirit.

>>30852805
agreed. Skeith is a bad guy but at least we know what he's all about. We know his motivations. We don't know anything about the other one.

>>30852805
>>30852829

“What do you think about Ilyanas?” You ask.

“I'm... unsure.” Maraja responds. "Though her words are many, I feel there is nothing behind them—the way she speaks, I cannot tell if they are the truth, nor if she'd have reason to lie. Regardless, she seems strangely... knowledgeable. Perhaps it comes from having lived long or traveled far.”

You nod. “Right.”

“Memories have made me weary, young Shardkeeper.” The Ocean Spirit says, form beginning to give way to clear water. “Do come visit again, once you have learned more. You are welcome, any time.”

The whirlpool spins to a stop as the Spirit vanishes beneath the water's surface. There's a pause, before you begin leading the group back up and out of the cave. They follow behind you for a distance, and up ahead you can see the mid-day sun shining over the small waterfall's lip. “I think w—”

“Erick.” Rebecca says. She looks at the other hunters, who stand around awkwardly.

“Something wrong?”

“I think that we might have different interests, overall. Do you understand?” She folds her arms and frowns, still looking back and forth at the other group members. “Perhaps if you're planning on further pursuing affairs of the Spirits, it's best if you continue without the four of us.”

>What will you say?

Rolled 8

>>30853147
"Oh no, I know I'm not strong enough to take that soul-crushing monster out. But I am strong enough to help you guys, and get stronger in the process. And you guys are fairly good company, so can I stick around and help you? At least for a while?"

>>30853196
This.

>>30853147
"I don't exactly plan on running to my death after this mysterious powerful spirit, but i will be dealing with spirits and bests wherever i may choose to wander. I understand if you feel that is not a road you'd like to take. I, and you, can decide for certain later, lets go for now."

>>30853220
>bests
*beasts

>>30853147
I dont have any immediate plans to pursue this spirit. Even though I was trained a shardkeeper im far from being strong enoigh to stand a chance against Calizan if what they said is true. Im mote than happy to continue oir journeys so tgat I may learn and practice my skills.

Objections?

>>30853241
*continue our journey's so that*

>>30853147
The spirit they where talking about was more powerful than my master. Fighting it right now would be suicide. I plan to avoid it as best I can until I'm strong enough to beat it.

>>30853196
>>30853220

“The Spirit we just now spoke of was more powerful than my Master. I'm nowhere near strong enough to go chasing after it.” You suggest. “But I am strong enough to help you guys, and I feel I'm in good company. So I'd like to stick around and help—at least for a while?”

“Sorry. I got the notion that you might want to turn around and head to the east when we've only just arrived here to hunt. That, and I'm... concerned.” Rebecca responds. “We're a good team when it comes to hunting, but in regards to the average business of a Shardkeeper, I feel like we're a bit... outclassed.”

“Yeah.” Daeron says. “If your old friend decides to come back around, we might end up spit-roasted.”

“I'd like to travel in your company, and grow stronger as I do.” You say. “If you wish for us to part ways, then decide later.”

“Mm.” The huntress nods solemnly.

The light stings your eyes, a bit, as you cross back onto the beach. The five of you begin walking back the way you came, then freeze simultaneously as you catch wind of the scenario. Littering the beach-side in both directions, you can see more fangworms than are easily countable, though smaller than the one from before.

They mill around in the sand, traveling around a much larger creature. Even larger than the one that attacked you from the mouth of the cave, it scuttles about on three pairs of segmented legs, with an additional pair of enormous claw-like structures growing from the mound where its antennae should be. As it drags its body through the sand, it carries with it a shroud of bubbling water that swirls through the air and surrounds its body.

“Oh, hell.” Daeron grits his teeth.

“Careful, boy! No sudden moves!” Grato says, hefting his axe into his hands.

>What will you do?

Rolled 18

>>30853566
Try to use our soul shard bow

>>30853566
See if we can find a way to sneak by

>>30853753

You could climb the rocks, landing yourself above the opening to Maraja's cave. From there, it looks like you could feasibly navigate the cliff face past them and avoid conflict altogether. The path between you and the water is reasonably clear, as well—you could swim past them, but if they pursued you, they'd certainly have the advantage.

What will you do?
>Try to thin their numbers with Ent's Ire.
>Looks like you're outmatched. Have the party follow your escape route.
>Suggest some other course of action. (Description)
>Other

>>30853806
Ask the guys if they have any suggestions

>>30853901

“Uh, anyone got any ideas?” You ask.

“We could try to get across the rocks, but I'm not sure if there's a walkable path that goes far enough in either direction.” Rebecca says. “They probably came in with the tide. Maybe we could just... wait.”

“I imagine we're faster than them on land, right?” Daeron asks, looking over the field of knee-height creatures, and the lord amidst them. “Doubt we could make it through the swarm by just running, though. Fangworms hunt like piranhas, actually—they all go after one thing and sort of have at it until there's no meat left on the bones.”

“I bet I could distract 'em!” Sonia says. “You could run right past, and I'd catch up with you.”

“Oy! That, uh sounds a little risky.” Grato says.

>What will you do?

>>30854116
(( Expert QM drops trip. ))

Rolled 17

>>30854116
Let's sneak past

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>>30854116
Im drawing blanks lol maybe we could wait with the water spirit until they leave

Any objections?

Also pic is what I keep imagining what the fangworms look like

>>30854116
it's been so long I forgot what equipment we have. I looked at the paste bin but it gives all possible infusions not the ones we have right now.

I'd ask Daeron and Rebecca how much they want enchanted weapons. then point at the biggest one.

>>30854250

(( The first chunk of text indicates Erick's inventory. ))

>>30854224

(( They're more like big crustaceans, somewhere between a lobster and a pill bug. Erick and company encountered one two threads ago. ))

>>30854116
Well, as long as they don't endanger any innocents nearby, lets avoid them.

>>30854279
Sorry don't know how I missed that. Stealth boots could come in handy.

I'll still go with:
>Point at the big one and say "I think we found what's been eating all the fish. How bad do you guys want enchanted weapons anyway?"

Rolled 17, 20, 2, 18 = 57

>>30854357

(( You're pretty sure this isn't Maraja's leviathan. ))

>>30854316
>>30854206

Consensus seems to be to sneak by. Writing...

“This way!” You make your way onto the rocks behind you, indicating footholds to your group as you cross over them and onto the precarious ledge on top of the cave's mouth. With barely enough space to remain balanced, you press your body against the cliff face and follow the ledge down the beach the way you came.

Sonia and Grato follow behind you, with the young girl having a particularly easy time. Daeron is third in line, and Rebecca last; as the five of you cross past the largest of the creatures, it scuttles round to face the group, shroud of water forming an unstable ball between its extra pair of claws.

“Split!” You jump forward, cracked pieces of rock falling out from beneath your feet as you slide a few inches further along the ledge and almost lose footing. A jet of water blasts forth toward the group, and as it crashes into the rocks in between the five of you, you can hear hissing and see scalding steam rising upward. For a moment, you catch Daeron tumbling off the ledge—Rebecca reaches down, barely catching him by the wrist.

Shrouded in water, the giant Fangworm charges at the mountain face, crashing claws-first into the rocks below you; the bowman pulls his legs upward to avoid being crushed. The rocks you stand on are wracked by vibrations, and bits of dust and gravel are dislodged from several feet overhead. On the beach below, a number of the other smaller Fangworms approach and surround the greater creature, evidently waiting for a meal to fall to them.

>What will you do?

>>30854744
Shoot at the big one. It's protected by water but our arrows should cover it with vines. And, tell Daeron to take out the little ones.

>>30854821
Sounds good

>>30854744
shoot an arrow with ent'sire. that should stop its movement till the group is in the clear.

>>30854934
That sound like a sound plan.

>>30854821
>>30854873
>>30854934

“Daeron!” You produce Ent's Ire and draw an arrow; as you pull back, it takes shape and warps into a twisted wooden thorn shrouded in green light. “Take care of the little ones!”

The bowman pulls himself onto the ledge, drawing his own weapon. “We should probably move quickly! I don't think we've got all day to stand here!”

>1d20

Rolled 5

>>30855028

Rolled 4

>>30855028
let's see how bad we can fuck this up.

Rolled 14

>>30855028
Dice, don't fail me now.

>>30855028
Communing with the dice gods

>>30855087
I don't think the dice gods don't want to commune with you.

>>30855083
>>30855087
A part of me is glad I fucked up in the subject field >>30855102
Opps forgot the obligatory virgin sacrifice

Rolled 7

>>30855133
The virgin sacrifice and the garlic bread. The gods demand garlic bread too.

>>30855158
But.... but.... All I have is potato bread

>>30855083

>14

You take aim at the giant creature beneath you and loose the arrow, which casts a trail of swirling leaves behind it like a shaken tree. It pierces the water shroud—though you see it slow down—and embeds itself where the creature's mound of a head meets its carapace.

There's a flash of green light, broken into other colors and refracted at strange angles by the mist lingering in the air; then, you see spires of ivy and barked roots erupt from the point of impact, curving to stretch toward the ground. The creature squeals loudly, and as the roots reach the sand, it shears them off with the leftmost of four massive claws, slamming its body into the rocks beneath you again.

“I don't think this is working!” You hear Rebecca shout. Still on the move down the ledge, Daeron fires a couple shots at the fangworms below; the first pierces the eyeball of a small one, and it falls still, while the second rebounds off another's armored body.

A look ahead suggests you have thirty-some-odd feet of ledge left. The area below it is clear of fangworms, though the ones surrounding you now would undoubtedly follow. In the far distance ahead, you see the small fishing village.

>What will you do?

>>30855221
wait, we are going to have to go down among these creatures after moving another 30 feet?

>>30855221
I'm assuming the vines incapacitated it for a few seconds at least. Shoot it again. Then out Scourge and jump on the monsters head. We stab it with Scourge and hold onto it like a handle. The poison does all the work.

Rolled 8

>>30855359
That anon has a point.

If you meet an heavily armored foe, poison is probably a good option.

Rolled 10, 9, 8 + 2 = 29

>>30855359
How are we going to deal with babies though?
At that point we may as well as charge straight through them

>>30855359

Sounds like this is the way we're going.

>1d20

>>30855389
Wish we had seismic shoes right now. they are our best aoe. we could just jump walk over them and smash them in the process. well, it should be quite useful as a cloak too against these little monsters i guess. they will not be able to just crowd us from behind.

Rolled 9

>>30855467
Unlimited breadwork.

Rolled 19

>>30855467
>>30855481
Our cloak can do a jedi force push. It doesn't do much damage but it can keep them off our backs.

Rolled 9

>>30855467

Rolled 5

>>30855389
If the plan works we'll be standing on their mom's giant dead body. We can then take them out with the bow and cloak if they don't scatter immediately.

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>>30855576

>>30855576

>19

Ent's Ire charges another arrow, and you let it loose; it cuts through another forming orb of water, sending sea spray in all directions as it bites into the creature's carapace. Again, vines burst forth from the wound, clinging tightly to the creature's body and crashing into the ground more vigorously than before.

“I'm going for it!” It thrashes, and you see sand spatter outwards as the vines begin to break apart, whipping out from beneath the earth; you decide, then, to act while the creature is still bound. Leaping from the ledge toward the creature's body below, you narrowly avoid a flailing claw and land on its back; a layer of water, however, is sandwiched between the soles of your feet and the Fangworm's carapace. Scourge in hands, you nearly slide off and fall to the ground. Barely maintaining your balance, you whip the weapon's blade against the creature's carapace; it strikes with a sickening crack that dents the creature's armor, but doesn't quite cut deep enough.

The vines holding the creature down won't last much longer; in the air in front of you, another large orb of water begins to collect.

>What will you do?

>>30855759
Try to sever any joints where the armor isn't so thick.

>>30855759
Zerg rush anybody?

>>30855759
Charge up the Seismic Shroud, we'll unleash the tremors when it tries to do something to us with the water.

Look for any gaps between the armor we can stab into with Scourge so we can hold onto the halberd to stay on while the poison seeps into the creature.

And try to take this guy's soul as well if we can manage it.

>>30855759
Stab Scourge as deep as you can and hold on. Block with Seismic Cloak against anything he throws us.

>>30855853
>>30855827

You clear your head, drawing on the Soul that infuses your equipment; the Seismic Shroud gently pulsates, and feels warm around your shoulders.

You notice that your last attack left a weak point where it hit. Eyes front, you raise Scourge overhead...

>1d20

>>30855827
>>30855853
Sounds like a plan

Rolled 16

>>30855907

Rolled 20

>>30855907

>>30855827
If there are gaps in the armor go for that. But, using Seismic Shroud should be last resort. Since the force of the blast would probably push us off the monsters back.

>>30855968
gg we can go home now guys

Rolled 12

>>30855996
Fuck it, I'm going in anyway.

>>30855968
So what item should we try infusing first? Maybe we could brain storm water themed powers so the QM doesn't need to do all the work.

>>30856068
Any weapon we infuse will probably gain water gun. Boots could increase swimming speed. Cloths could give water breathing. I'm out of ideas.

Rolled 11

>>30856068
Maybe something on the boots that allows us to move by gliding on a small amount of water, and waterwalking?

>>30856068
I kind of like that the QM comes up with powers without player input.

>>30856068
Water based powers usually go well with jewelry. We could try it on pendant/rings/necklace/wristband.

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>>30856124
The QM took input when coming up with the Seismic Shroud. But I understand wanting to be surprised. But, there are only so many options. The monster we are fighting has water gun. It would make sense if a shard would give the same powers the monster used.

>>30856068
Hay guys I have an idea. We put the water spirit in our quiver. It infuses our arrows with water. Then when we shoot the arrows the vines grow bigger because of the water.

>>30855968

>20

The Fangworm's carapace breaks apart beneath Scourge's spiked tip; blood surges from the wound, a faint blue color, as you drive the weapon deeper.

The orb of water roils, then, another scalding jet blasts in your direction; you release the energy stored within the Seismic Shroud, utterly transcending the danger by dissipating the blast into an aerosol of lukewarm mist. The creature's body buckles beneath you, and the roots that bind it give way; it rolls through the sand, leaving you little choice but to leap free into the clearing.

Knee-height fangworms skitter towards you from all directions, and the Hunters fall upon them. Sonia takes a mighty leap towards you from the high ledge, sailing overhead and falling sword-first on top of one of the clawed creatures, cutting further down the length of its body as she pulls her weapon free and charges toward another. Grato sprints across the beach and swings his weapon wide; a crescent of light collects on the massive axe's head, and as he cleaves through a creature, it ripples outward as a wave of energy that crashes into another and sends it rolling back toward the water.

A distance away, the massive creature slowly makes its way toward you, preparing another water blast. Several of the smaller creatures bar the way between you and the beast, opening and closing their claws as they skitter forth.

>What will you do?

>>30856361
Run towards them while spamming Seismic Shroud.

>>30856361
Dodge the water blast, take out the smaller creatures with your bow.

>>30856412
We probably poisoned the big guy. So biding our time would work to our advantage. Plus we don't want the little guys around when we try the soul ritual.

>>30856361
Lure the big one. Dont let it target the others with that water blast. The poison should be working by now. Keep shooting at it. It should gradually work better as the beast gets weaker.

>>30856411
>>30856461
This. Using the shroud to keep the smaller ones off.

>>30856411
>>30856412
>>30856454
>>30856461
So... spam Seismic Shroud and Ent's Ire at the same time. I could be down for that.

You draw Ent's Ire, firing at one of the smaller creatures that approaches. The wooden spike strikes it between its antennae, and roots entangle its body; less resilient than its larger counterpart, the creature is crushed into the sand.

Another arrow notched, you lunge forward at the preparing beast, Fangworms approaching from either side. Tregalis's Soul flares up, releasing another punishing shock that sends the crustaceans tumbling away, rebounding through the sand. You catch your foe's attention, turning its gaze away from the group as you dive across the beach, rolling through the surf where sand meets water to avoid another boiling spray.

The other hunters are still locked in combat; Rebecca sprints toward the large creature, intercepting it. One of its frontal pair of claws hammers down towards her, but strikes only sand as she slides beneath it. She rises and attacks, but the head of her glaive is deflected by a lashing tendril of water that moves again, to shield the creature's body from her follow-up strike. The other of its pair of savage claws swings down, and she steps back and blocks with the shaft of her weapon; there's a crack, and the weapon breaks apart—“Damnit!”—its wielder ducking out of the way and leaving the bladed segment embedded in the Fangworm's side with a fading strike before quickly disengaging.

A blast from the Seismic Shroud clears the beach around you again; you walk forward, firing arrow after arrow at the wounded Fangworm. Water shields its body, and the first couple are deflected; one hits home, and the bubbling shroud moves to prevent its body from being crushed beneath increasing numbers of growing vines and roots as more and more of your arrows embed themselves in the resilient beast.

Steam vents out from gaps in the roots, and you're buffeted by hot air that stings your eyes. You stumble a bit, catching the creature preparing another water blast, carefully shaping it between four massive claws.

>Bind. (3d20)

Rolled 10

>>30857151
AGGGHHH! PLEASE DICE!!!

Rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10

>>30857151

Rolled 14, 14, 18 = 46

>>30857151
we got this

Rolled 11, 14, 14 = 39

>>30857151

>>30856461

How about we use Ents Ire to raise forth a wall of vines to block the next blast, theShroud to pulp the little hguys, then use our camouflage snake boots to sneak around the install and sneak attack one of the big guy's claws?

We should probably mention this to the villagers as we leave, so they thank us and dont look around for why their prosperity returns.

>>30857258

>14

As a creature dies, the forces tethering Soul to its body grow weak. Equilibrium must favor this release of Soul, as all creatures die eventually; in wounding a creature severely, you weaken these forces, making it vulnerable to binding.

By your nature, you are attuned to the power of Soul. You reach out to it, pull it free from a mortal body, and force it to take a physical form.

You focus, feeling the level of energy around you rising. A Fangworm lurches toward you from the side, and you swing Scourge upward, splitting its head between eye stalks without skipping a beat. Calmly, you walk forward toward the forming orb of water.

>14

In a single explosive motion, you take a long, fast step and leap into the air, sailing toward the boiling mass that separates you and your foe. As you draw within proximity, a scalding waterfall rushes forth to meet you, tendrils breaking away from it on either side and bending around to crush you between them. The Seismic Shroud releases stored energy in a single powerful blast, and water ripples out from around you, hot rain dispersing across the battlefield as you fall onto the roots that hold the beast in place, arm extended.

>Cont'd

>>30857860

>18

You shove your closed fist forward, pushing through moist, entangling ivy and grabbing hold of one of the creature's coarse eye stalks.

It'll do. Your grip tightens, and the creature's lurching grows faster, then suddenly slower, Skeith's influence spreading throughout its body. You raise your hand, slowly, an immense heat stinging your flesh as Soul gathers in your palm. The shroud of water rushes across its cracked carapace. It buckles, then breaks, giving way to a single foamy wave that rolls down either side of its body, wetting the surrounding sand.

The vines begin to wilt and melt away; you slide off of your perch, landing on your back in the sand, then begin to rise, glancing at the stone in your hand. It's a large, sandy-looking rock, full of cracks where spires of blue quartz breach its surface from within. Around you, the remaining Fangworms flee, skittering toward the water and allowing themselves to be washed back into the ocean.

“Great work, boy!” You hear Grato shout from down the beach.

“That's what I'm talking about.” Rebecca approaches, pulling the broken half of her weapon free of the beast's body with a sickening squishing noise. “Well, mostly, anyway.”

“We should... probably let the villagers know there's a killing field to be harvested over here.” Daeron suggests, cautiously moving toward the fallen creature.

“And see what we can do about compensation, for that matter...” Rebecca sighs. “This is probably more that's come out of this place in a week. I guess I'll get it sorted out when we get there. Ah, Erick, sorry about earlier... perhaps I was being impatient.”

“Wow...” Sonia stands, staring in awe at the Shard in your hand; you glance down at her. “Awesome! Can I see it, Erick?”

>What will you do?

>>30857887
"Of course, you can see it."
to Rebecca "No need to apologize, i understand you reasoning and have no problem with it."
I say lets use this shard in a jewelry. Lets try various jewelries (wristband, ring, necklace, pendant, earring) and see what it does.

>>30857887
Show it to her. Maybe we should start teaching her later.

>>30858043
Yeah, this.

Rolled 7, 18, 16 = 41

>>30858043
>>30858092
both good.

>>30858043
>>30858147

“Yeah, of course. Here, hang on to it until we get back.” You hand Sonia the Ocean Fangworm Shard, then turn to Rebecca. “No need to apologize. I understand your reasoning.”

“Thanks.” She smiles, holding half of her broken weapon at either side. She begins down the beach toward the village, and you and the other three Hunters follow. “Let's finish up here and call it a day. I'd really like to get this thing fixed.”

(( Archiving, as the QM must feed himself. Was originally going to pick up when I got back, but this is a pretty good place to call it. Expect another thread tomorrow or Monday. ))

>>30858092
How do we teach her? I assume we start with teaching her meditation which given her personality might be hard.

We could get three cups upside down on the table. Put the shard under one of the cups and see if she can find the right one. We'd also need some sort of reward /punishment system.

>>30858271
>Last weekend before I start work
>QM doubles his output

I fucking love you.

>>30858271

(( I will totally answer some questions, though, if there are any. ))

>>30858271
well i was getting mad that it was so shor when we get thread so rarely then you promised another thread in a day or two so i am now hopeful.
also, if you have it in you can we at least have one more update with varius uses of our new shard. that would be an even better point to stop and we wouldn't be spending time for it next thread.

>>30858092

Skeith actually raised some very valid concerns about that.

>>30858401
Who are we kidding. Next update is going to be in a month.

>>30858401

We'd have to get somewhere (and something) to do infusing to do that.

I like the way infusion is handled now, makes us think tactically about it.

>>30858474

Hey man, dont chastise the hand that feeds. He runs this because he wants to, but real life comes first, I can't blame him for that.

>>30858405
He did, and we have to be careful about the over-proliferation of Shardkeeping, but it is necessary to have some.

Without them humanity doesn't really have any way to bargain with spirits, and without Soul crafted weaponry most people don't stand a chance against the nastier monsters.

We shouldn't set up a university, but having a spare Shardkeeper who can keep the tradition alive in case we bite it is a good idea.

>>30858349
Skeith's poison is said to "damage the very soul" If we use his poison before infusing the monster into a shard is the shard weaker because of Skeith's poison.

Or does Skeith's poison only temporarily damage soul.

>>30858510

(( Biochemistry is a harsh mistress. I've said before that my average absences are long enough to be considered dead by the standards of any QM, and I've been trying to get at least a thread a week lately.

When I started, my readership and relative popularity really kept me going. As of now, though, this is a story that I really want to tell, and regardless of how long my absences might be, Soul Quest will keep coming back as long as I want to tell it. ))

>>30858553

(( It's temporary damage, a sort of dampening that combines the effects of weakening the use of Soul power and weakening the body's ability to live.

Soul is a bit like energy in that it's not something that can really be "destroyed". Which is why everyone seems so bothered by the ability of Calizan and his "servants"; in a way, they're sort-of violating a law of the universe. ))

>>30858517

I generally agree. She'd also be an invaluable ally, but we're VERY inexperienced in shardkeeping practices ourselves. If we do decide to 'take her on'so to say, we need to make that clear to her. Also, training takes years...I don't think we have years.

>>30858755
we dont need her to become a shardkeeper. she may very well never be able obtain a single shard during the course of this quest. that is not the point.

Rolled 17

>>30858724
>Biochemistry is a harsh mistress
I heard that organic chemistry was one of the hardest undergrad course.

>>30858755
Shard infusion will take years. I just want to get her to the point were she can sense soul like Erick can. Locating spirits and spotting a shard infused weapon from across the room is a very useful ability.

>>30858857

Depends on the sort of person you are. I loved organic chem myself.

>>30858874

Good point.

Rolled 19

>>30859428
When I say that, what I mean is that that course was considered rather harsh.

My brother managed to get an A with a score of 50%, which was the highest mark in his class.