You're not sure how much time has passed. Sometimes it feels as if days have past in an instant, other times seconds feel like hours. You stare feverishly in front of you, the colors and lights and scents and sounds all swirling together into one great incomprehensible mass. Sometimes you think you see faces at the corners of your vision, their lips moving but making no sound. Their eyes burning coals ringed by charred flesh and exposed muscle.

A voice booms through your head. It washes through your consciousness, sweeping away everything in its path. It does not speak, but you understand it as surely as you would your own words.
He is going to stop your heart.
You will die.
You will see.

As the presence fades into nonexistence, you feel something cold pressing against your forehead. You catch bits and pieces of a conversation. “Fever.” “Worse.” “Do.” You're try to speak, to tell them you're awake, but the ache in your chest is making it difficult. You feel as if there were a lump in your throat, and you're too short of breathe to get anything out.

Your vision is fading. Your lungs ache. Pain shoots up and down your right side. You vaguely feel two cold hands pressing against your chest, and in the hazy synaesthetic blur that passes for your vision a bolt of lighting shoots from the grey mass hovering above you.

The world goes black.
>Vys Pool: ([1],[0])

Your chest is on fire. Everything is on fire. Your blood pounds through your ears. Your legs and arms burn with energy. Your vision snaps into sharp, perfect, unpleasant clarity. You're alive!

You kick Fulvia and shove yourself away from Chryssa. Profectus watches on with a worried frown. You're in a bed. You're in your bed. Your spear rest against the wall. Why are you covered in sweat? Where did your under robes go? Why does your chest hurt so badly? Why does the room smell like charred flesh? A thousand questions compete to occupy your thoughts as your heart pounds laboriously on.

“He's alive!” Chryssa exclaims with obvious relief. “I told you it would work.” Fulvia boast, though instead of her usual human projection she is a starkly inhuman, vaguely effeminate construct. “His eyes are blue.” Profectus notes warily, keeping his distance.

>Vomit.
>Cry.
>Try to ask what happened.
>All of the above.

>>31283750
>Try to ask what happened.
>Vomit.

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Oh darn, I forgot the map!

>>31283750
>All of the above.
Go big or go home.

>>31283750
>All of the above.

>>31283750
>>Try to ask what happened.

>>31283861
eh.
>all of the above

>>31283688
>All of the above.

>>31283750
>>All of the above.

>>31283809
So is Aleamond far to the North on this map?

>all of the above
Writin'

>>31284129
It's just not in frame. Need to do more exploring..

I'm really disappointed that we basically cheated for the exam.
Also for using up a powerful buff for a low risk battle.

Man now that mask bullshit is fucking with our using the spice.

>>31284370
Hey, we wouldn't to meditate, we didn't know we'd end up cheating.

>>31284370
We won't be using it for battle anyway.

We're gonna be using it for meditating anyway because that's just smarter in the long term.

>>31284392
>Know that it's a substance taking by mages before battle.
>Know it gave them nigh godlike power.
>Didn't think it might help us on the exam.

>>31284420
With these kind of side effects..... Really?

>>31284469
With the buffs it will add, yes.

We'll use it once for each GrandMaster session.

>>31284496
meant once per Element on Grandmaster

>>31284392
I understand
I'm sure that if the players knew the effects beforehand, they would have chosen to have a fair fight. I certainly didn't expect this either. A small boost for the extent of the battle is what I thought would happen.

Still, makes me sad we didn't fight at our own strength. I don't think we'll get an opportunity to fight an equal opponent in stuck controlled environment again.

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You open your mouth to ask what on Earth happened, but only get as far as “Wha-” before you're forced to double up and evacuate the meager contents of your stomach all over the nice silk sheets. Seriously, the four of you have done a number on this room in the few days you've had it. The contents of your stomach end up being mostly spit and mucus, mixed with a worrying amount of blood. After a certain point you're just dry heaving and sobbing between frantic breaths.

Fulvia, who must have left the room at some point, returns with a cold wet rag which she drapes across the back of your neck. You shiver involuntarily, and Chryssa rubs your back in a manner reminiscent of a mother with a sick child. Profectus, to his credit, just launches into an explanation of events since you passed out.

“So, you hit your head pretty hard when you passed out. The Archmagos healed the wound, but we've all been worrying our collective asses off ever since you came down with a fever.” It occurs to you quite suddenly that neither Profectus or Chryssa know you took the spice. Only Fulvia was there and conscious when you took it, they were both meditating. “So, y'know, when your heart stopped Fulvia-” You hold up a hand, motioning for him to stop. “Wait wait wait, my heart stopped?” He looks at you confused. “Oh, yeah. For like a minute or two. You were basically dead. So anyway, Fulvia here expended her built up charge to kickstart your heart again. It's been about two days, all told.”

>Just relax for now. You were dead for a minute or two, you deserve a break.
>Ask him what happened with the judges, are you a Master?
>Ask him what happened to your opponent, is he okay?
>Start packing, you want to hit the road today.
>Write-in

>>31284496
>Addictive
>Almost Kills us
>Dead God threatens to assume direct control
>Immense Pain

>>31284594
>Just relax for now. You were dead for a minute or two, you deserve a break.

>>31284594
>>Just relax for now. You were dead for a minute or two, you deserve a break.
>>Ask him what happened with the judges, are you a Master?
>>Ask him what happened to your opponent, is he okay?
ask and then relax

>>31284594
>Just relax for now. You were dead for a minute or two, you deserve a break.

>Write-in

"Profectus you mentioned my eyes were blue?"

>>31284594
>Fulvia saves our life when no one else could
>Didn't even need to
get blown the fuck out robo haters

>>31284594
>Just relax for now. You were dead for a minute or two, you deserve a break.

>>31284678
yes.

>>31284594
>>Ask him what happened with the judges, are you a Master
lets relax for atleast a day...
btw the fucking books..Fulvia or Chyrssa better have turned em in

>Relax for now
>Ask some questions.

>>31284594
"Remind me to not take questionable drugs again- Oh God, who am I kidding"

>>31284715
>nearly die
>pass out for long ass time
>wake up and complain that you aren't going to get your money back on the books

>>31284755
He would.

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>>31284755
>Jew_Intensifies

File: 1396743715806.jpg-(886 KB, 1400x1058, Totally not Nerevarine.jpg)

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Reminder that this is best character portrait.

>>31284792
living like a jew pays the bills.

>>31284783
He really would. I think if there's one thing every player here agrees on it's that money = happiness.

>>31284755
>>31284715
>>31284783
>>31284792
I told you guys that we should tell them to turn the books in if we were unable to.

Fulvia probably did it anyway.

>>31284883
Ehh, not exactly. Money = Tons of Cool Shit.

Adventuring = Happiness

Tons of Cool Shit just makes Adventuring fuck tons easier.

While we relax today we can read all those non magic books we've picked up along the way. Like How Earth Vatis Built the Rhynian Empire (Unread) and On Empire: The Rise of Civilization (Unread)

>>31284892
>saves out life with her own power
>returns our books so we can get our sweet cash back
robohaters don't know what they're missing out on

>>31285020
>robohater
FIFY

Pretty sure it was just one very active samefagger.

You slump back against your pillow, half-assedly scooting away from the puddle of vomit. Chryssa shoots you an annoyed look and mutters something to herself, pulling the sheets out from underneath you and bundling them up. “I will have these washed, being sick is no excuse to lounge in your own filth.” She marches out on that note. You look to Profectus after she's gone. “So... am I a master? What did the judges say?” He shrugs his shoulders. “The Archmagos came by to check on you yesterday. He had some robes with him, but he didn't say anything about them to me.” You nod your head a few times. “What color were they?” He reaches up to his chin, rubbing it contemplatively for a moment. “Gold. With red trim. Lots of bangles on them too.”

Good, everything went according to plan. You're a Master and nothing more. You sigh in relief and let your head thump back into the pillow. “What about my opponent? I mean, is he okay? Not angry or anything?” Profectus lets out a bark of laughter. “Oh, no, he's absolutely furious. Apparently the news of just how badly you trounced him in the duel has spread through the school. He might actually lose his job over this whole thing.”

Ouch. You're not sure how to feel about that. On the one hand, it's not really your problem. You hopefully won't ever see him again. On the other, you just lost some poor sap his job because you took some sort of ancient combat drug without really realizing what it would do. “Could you get me a mirror? I want to see what my eyes look like.” He nods his head and leaves the room to go find one.
(1/2)

Once he's out of the room, Fulvia's chest pops open and she slips a small bag from the revealed compartment, before clicking it closed once more. “I'm not sure whether you wished for Profectus to know. I went and returned those books you'd borrowed. Here are the profits.” She slips the sack to you, and you nod.
>Hide it before Profectus comes back, you can count it later.
>Why would he care? Count it now! Money money money!
>Write-in

>>31285115
>>Why would he care? Count it now! Money money money!

>>31285115
>Jew gold

>>31285115
>We count money to relax
God, we really are a jew.

>>31285183
Hlaalu4lyfe

>>31285115
>>Why would he care? Count it now! Money money money!
nothing to do with him.. but if he has anything he needs to buy better speak his peace before we buy our books.

>>31285115
>>Why would he care? Count it now! Money money money!
Why would he care?

>>31285115
why is our robot waifu so perfect?

>Why would he care? Count it now! Money money money!

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>>31285090
From yesterdays thread.
>He has not wronged you, but he will. He will seek revenge and he will get it, because of what you are about to do. You are not sure how you know this, but you do.

>We hope to never see this guy again
>mfw

>>31285282
Because she is building us be the perfect treasurer for when she rebuilds the empire

>>31285318
>Implying she's not building us up to be the perfect Emperor.

>>31285330
>implying we wouldn't be both and take ass loads of spice for when we make appearances as the Emperor

You untie the drawstrings of the bag and start counting. It's slow, repetitive, and something about that clink of gold against gold really makes you feel a little better. The words of your old master come to mind unbidden.

'Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures, the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge of civilization.'

Back then you'd thought he was crazy, but now that you're a little older, and a little wiser, you're not so sure. Maybe greed really is good? Maybe it really is the driving force behind civilization? Then again, maybe you're half dead and waxing philosophic.
>New Wealth: Wealth: 3053 silver (194gp, 342sp); Extremely Wealthy, nothing is out of your price range.

While you're lost in thought, Profectus returns with a hand held mirror. “Oh, damn. Where'd the stacks upon stacks of gold come from?” You look up. “Oh, Fulvia returned some books I bought to the library for a partial refund.” He nods, and hands you the mirror. “Damn, just how rich are you that you were throwing that kind of dough around on books? You could buy a villa in the countryside and two hundred slaves to tend to it with that kind of money when I was a kid.” Fulvia politely points out. “You are over a thousand years old. I imagine there is more currency in circulation now than there was then, and thus purchasing power has decreased.”
>(1/2)

>>31285519
We should tell them that it isn't to far from what it was.

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>>31284831
Better? Worse?

You're slightly too busy staring into the mirror to pay them much attention. The whites of your eyes are gone, instead tinted a light blue. Tendrils of darker blue crawl through the hazel of your iris. It's an unnerving look, but not entirely unpleasant in your opinion.

You set the mirror aside and lay back. “I think I'll just take a nap. Sleeping for two days and dying really takes a lot out of you, believe it or not.” They both nod, and extricate themselves from the room. You put the money away in the bag it came in, setting it on a ledge that rings the mattress. After that, you curl up on your side and let yourself drift off into a gentle, thankfully dreamless, sleep.

You're awoken an indeterminate amount of time later by somebody gently shaking you by the shoulder. Then not-so-gently shaking you by the shoulder. "Whaaaat? I'm trying to sleep!" Chryssa responds. "Well quit it, the Archmagos is here to speak with you." You sit up, kicking the covers off. Wait, when did anybody put covers on you? Not important." You climb past Chryssa, who looks at you with a vaguely annoyed expression, and pull on your folded under robes quickly. When did anybody wash these? They smell like lavender.

You burst from the bedroom into the kitchen, the blinds that separate the two rooms billowing dramatically behind you. Suresh, the Archmagos, sits at the kitchen table with the robes folded under his hand. "Ah! It's good to see you're alive, friend!" You smile. "It's good to be alive! I actually wasn't for a few minutes." Concern flashes across his face for a moment, but he doesn't say anything about it. Instead he holds up the rather ostentatious golden robes, letting them furl out so you can get a good look at them. "Normally there would be a big ceremony, all of the faculty would come out to congratulate you. Under the circumstances though it was decided to just list your name within the Annals of the Academy and give you the robes."
>(2/3)

>>31285627
I like the face better, it gives off a more experienced look. The face in >>31284831 is too pretty boy looking and what I'm imagining Prof to look like except, you know, white.

He hands you the robes, and you admire them for a moment. They're made of fine silk, and decorated with pearls, polished onyx, and various gemstomes. The edges of the sleeves and hood are covered in intricate geometric designs done in gold, and the same designs line either side of the center ties that keep the robe closed.

>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.
>Thank Suresh, even though you really would've liked to have that ceremony.
>Demand a ceremony! You will not be treated any differently after rightfully winning that duel!
>Refuse the robes. You didn't really earn them, and it would feel cheap.

>>31285750
>>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.

>>31285750
>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.

>>31285750
>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.
We must not let them know we are Jew god

>>31285750
>>Refuse the robes. You didn't really earn them, and it would feel cheap.

>>31285750
>>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.

Unnecessary ceremonies are for pansies.

I kinda want to know what he would think if he knew that we were "augmented" during the battle. Maybe ask him if he thinks we're still worthy of them even though we used a obscure technique to win.

>>31285818
Come on bro, we earned them with a shitload of meditations and skill. The test was just a formality.

>>31285750
>>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.
i'd like to talk with suresh before we leave have the chat we promised him

File: 1396746661095.jpg-(73 KB, 553x720, Master Robes.jpg)

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Scratch that, found a way better image.
>Thank Suresh enthusiastically
Writin'

>>31285750
>Refuse the robes. You didn't really earn them, and it would feel cheap.

>>31285519
>People missing out on the pretty much direct Gordon Gecko reference.
Am I the only one who watched Wall Street in this thread?

>>31285627
Found my dark elf/ elder scrolls folder you guys wanna see em?

>>31285962
Yes

>>31285888
we melted cheese man now

>>31285750
>>Thank Suresh enthusiastically, you couldn't have asked for more.

Think we should tell him about the Spice?

>>31286087
No, we can't tell anyone, WE are god, not them, they do not deserve to taste of the holy nectar

>>31286087
For now I'm thinking no. At least until we have that talk with him and get to know him better on a personal level.

Plus if it gets out I'm sure that guy we trashed will use it to drag our name through the mud and possibly cause all kinds of trouble in the city for us.

>>31286101
No, we took a highly dangerous drug that we need info on.

We're not a god,

>>31286139
we're leaving soon anyway.

You take the robes carefully, running your fingers over the fabric reverently. “Thank you, Suresh. Really. It means a lot to finally hold the gold and red in my hands.” He laughs, and waves it off. “Well, hopefully it won't be long before you're holding the purple and gold instead.” You pull the robe on and start lacing up the middle. This is different from the design of the robes in your homeland. In Pidjata, you would drape the robes around yourself, more like a shaw really.

Once you've got it on, you bow to Suresh. “If there's ever anything you need, just let me know. I'm rather busy at the moment, I've got two jobs that need doing on opposite sides of the world, but I really do owe you.” He nods his head, waving you off. “I will keep that in mind, but I wouldn't want to impose anything on you right now. You've just nearly died! You should be getting some rest!”

He stands up from his chair, rolls his shoulders, and brushes out his robes. “Well, I'll leave you and your companions alone for now.” He pauses. “Try not to crack any more of the walls doing... whatever it was you were doing that cracked the walls. It's easy enough to fix, as long as they're just cracks. If anything falls off though it gets a bit harder.”

>Let him go.
>Ask him a question before he leaves.
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.
>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.
>Write-in

>>31286087
I don't think we should

>>31286145
Well thats your opinion, and if we want info on it we can just look in the library, I'm sure that this stuff has been written about by someone

>>31286101
>Spice_Addict.png

>>31286172
>>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.
>>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.

>>31286172
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.

>>31286172
>>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.

>>31286166
That doesn't mean we should do something that could potentially cut our ties with this city.

>>31286145
We can ask Sadik then, I'm sure he'll tell us more. Or hell, we could look it up in the library, we are in magical lore central after all.

>>31286172
>Let him go
>try and find a way to attach gold coins to you armor

>>31286172
>Let him go.

>>31286172
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.
>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.

>>31286172
>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.
Just dont tell him about the spice

>>31286172
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.

>>31286172
>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.
>flirt

>>31284611
>>Addictive
Proven wrong

>>31286172
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.
>Invite him to stay for... whatever meal it is now. Have a friendly chat, that sort of thing.

>>31286172
>Tell him about the spice, this will probably be your last chance to do so.

Alright, so we're inviting him to stay for a meal and chat, but I'm going to host a quick Final Destination vote for whether or not we tell him about using the spice.

Vote
>1
To tell him.

Vote
>2
To keep it secret.

>>31286353
1

>>31286353
1

>>31286353
1

>>31286353
1

>>31286297
Im not a pharmacist or whatever but isn't withdrawal a sign that something is addictive even if yoir not addicted to it?

>>31286353
1

>>31286388
It is also a term that can be used for a great many things.

>>31286353
1

It was the same guy from yesterday huh?

One very dedicated samefagger.

>>31286410
But in terms of addictive drugs like coke or heroin is that not the case?

>Tell him
Writin'

>>31286451
Who said this was coke or heroin?

This is magic dust that amps up your magicyness, the only "addiction" you might get is a power high.

>>31286439
Nah it was me in >>31286226 and >>31286139. I voted 1 since I did want to tell him eventually and this seems like the last opportunity to do so. Just wanted some background first, to make sure he won't take our act as a personal betrayal or something and be mad at us for it since I like the dude.

>>31286451
That didn't even look like withdrawal, looked more like a crash, but qm is god and all that buggery

>>31286516
But there was one person going "no never tell him ever"

>>31286551
>>31286494
Am i the only one thinking we might have taken too much of the dust, since from rereading yesterdays thread we took a big puff of the canister.

>>31286596
Yeah, just a small inhale might be better.

And save it for longer.

>>31286569
Well, that's their opinion I guess.

>>31286617
How much do we have left in there anyway? A dozen hits? More?

>>31286714
19, according to the character sheet.

>>31286756
Well then.

Uhh meditation time anyone?

>>31286756
>19
We need to take them all at once, no more temptation

>>31286756
Well damn, that's a lot.

Let's say to get grandmaster in water and another element we use 10 hits at most depending on the dice gods. 5 more hits tops to learn the really complicated metamagic like Time and Create Vys if they prove to be hard. That still leaves us with 4 bursts of earth shaking destruction to unleash.

Unless this thing has diminishing returns or is addictive, in which case we need to consider if we ever want to use it again. Getting a magical cocaine habit will run havoc on our jewgolds and health.

>>31286908
dude, it'll take like 5 maybe for Grandmaster.

Maybe one for the complex Metamagics like Time and shit.

Your underestimating it's potency.

And it doesn't seem addictive.

And we should start off with 1/2 hit next time just to test and get used to it.

>>31286963
He said at most, most likely meaning that we only use more than one if dice gods are kicking us in the dik

>>31287020
Soma has the fastest update time on /tg/ hands down.

>>31286963
Yeah those numbers were the worst case scenario where we roll single digits.

We still need to meditate 4 times just for water grandmaster and if we want to get another element grandmastered too we might need 4-5 more depending on how master meditations go.

“Do you want to stay for...” You look around, but there aren't any windows in the kitchen. “Uh... whatever meal it is now?” Suresh chuckles, and shrugs his shoulders. “I suppose I could eat a late lunch. What are you having?” You look to Chryssa, and shrug your shoulders. “I don't know, I'm not really sure I could keep much down at the moment. Would you mind cooking, Chryssa?” She nods her head politely and slips around you to get to the stove. You take a seat at the kitchen table and Suresh follows suit.

“Where are Profectus and Fulvia?” You realize that you haven't seen them since you woke up. Normally Profectus would at least be listening in on the conversation, and Fulvia hardly seems the sort to wander off on her own without consulting you. Chryssa shrugs her shoulders. “Profectus wished to go to the library, and Fulvia asked to follow him. He didn't mind.” Huh, guess he wants to get some meditation done. You should probably start talking to him about channeling vys if he's got that down.

While Chryssa cooks, you chat with Suresh. Eventually, you reach the topic of banishment. You tell your story first. You tell him about Shahzada Kadir and his flagrant waste of the tribe's water. How he maintained gardens that stretched for miles, and let the city go thirsty so his plants would not die. When you brought your accusation against him, he was outraged. He had his father throw you in prison, and after languishing for weeks in captivity you were dragged up to stand trial before the Shah for Slander. It wasn't even a legal trial, you hadn't been lying, and you hadn't gotten Kadir banished. Still, he declared you guilty and you were branded upon the cheek. The people supported the verdict without really knowing the details, because the Shah was well liked.
(1/2 or 3, maybe 4)

>>31287053
We should have to use the Spice on every meditation for Grandmaster.

Only like once or twice, and the Spice may count as more than one meditation.

He listens sympathetically, and by the time you finish your story Chryssa has finished cooking. It's a simple stew, with beef and some vegetables. Light, and easy to keep down, but still tasty. She sits down next to you and begins to eat, giving no indication she'd understood what the two of you had been talking about. The Archmagos had insisted on speaking in Samjan, not realizing Chryssa could speak it fluently.

While the three of you eat, he tells his own story. Apparently he'd fallen for a foreign girl, a human from Aleamond. She had been the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and he a young Vatis just out of his apprenticeship. Not much older than you, in fact. The two of them, obviously, did what lovers do. Suresh clams up at this point, he's surprisingly modest really. That's not typically a trait you'd find in a samja. A child resulted from the union, and the couple intended to send it back to Aleamond with the mother. Unfortunately word got out and the guards arrested him. The child was left in the desert to die, and his lover's family banned from ever entering the borders of Pidjata again. He was branded and cast off into the desert.

He tried to find her after he was banished, but never managed to. Aleamond, apparently, is a big place. It's also not exactly kind to Vatis. He had to hide his power lest they put him to death. That, perhaps, shocks you more than anything. How can a society survive without mages? It seems a completely alien idea. He explains that they rely on technology. Everything is powered by coal, or by steam. They think magic is the cause of the Rhynian Empire's collapse, and only by purging it from their society will the Empire rise once more.
>2/3

>>31287100
shouldn't

>>31287114
Fuck Aleamond.

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73 KB JPG

After the meal is finished and stories swapped, you reach into your bag and withdraw the small vial of Spice. It roils hypnotically inside it's glass prison. You're overcome with a sudden desire to take a huff from the canister and enjoy that nigh godlike power once more. That sense of invincibility was intoxicating. You set it down, before you do something untowards, and Suresh looks at it curiously. “I bought this off of a traveling merchant, Sadik. Do you know of him?”

He nods his head a few times. “Yes, Sadik has been in the business of selling artifacts for longer than either of us have been alive. He's a borderline mythical figure within the community.” You're taken aback, you knew he was powerful, but you didn't know he was that old. He doesn't look a day over forty. “Well, I took some of this substance before the exam. I'd intended it as only a meditation aid, I assumed it would help me focus. I did not anticipate the effects it would have.” Your tone is somber, and slightly guilty. Suresh looks disappointed, or perhaps hurt, but at least he's not angry.

“So this is what really allowed you to put on the performance you did?” You nod your head. “Well, the rules don't technically bar taking any sort of substance before the exam, mainly because no substance known actually enhances magical ability. Most of them do the opposite, harm the body. Still, it's entirely unethical. More than that, you lied to me. You could have told me after the exam and you said it was 'battle meditation'. I should've known, that sounds ridiculous...”

(3/4)

He sighs, rubbing his eyes. “You're already entered into the annals, so I can't strip you of your status. However, you said you owed me correct?” You have a bad feeling about this, but you nod. “Well, I have a job you can do after all.” His voice has lost its usual warm, cheery tone. You really have a bad feeling about this.
>What do you need me to do?
>I know I said that, but there are some limits. Let me hear the job first.
>As much as I'd love to help you, really, I'm just swamped with work right now. I should probably get going...

>>31287333
>>What do you need me to do?

>>31287333
>As much as I'd love to help you, really, I'm just swamped with work right now. I should probably get going...
No pay, now work, and you and I both know we wont get payed

>>31287333
>What do you need me to do?

>>31287333
>>What do you need me to do?

also tell him we were sorry and that we were confused

>>31287333
>What do you need me to do?

>>31287333
>What do you need me to do?

>>31287312
>It roils hypnotically inside it's glass prison. You're overcome with a sudden desire to take a huff from the canister and enjoy that nigh godlike power once more. That sense of invincibility was intoxicating.

Huh well fuck this spice time to shoot this shit into the sun

>I know I said that, but there are some limits. Let me hear the job first.

Also tell him this
"I apologize for not telling you alot was going on I wasnt myself, I panicked"

>>31287354
Fucking seriously?

We haven't been paid for any of our work beforehand.

And what makes you think he wouldn't pay?

>>31287359
Confused more like possessed.

>>31287359
this

>>31287359
>we were confused
I dont want to sound like were a teenage girl confessing to cheating on her boyfriend

>>31287333
>>What do you need me to do?

>>31287389
you know what we mean
not beg forgiveness. just explain what was going on inside our heads at the time

>>31287333
>What do you need me to do?

>>31287382
Your mistaking a mental addiction with a physical one.

We wanted to take another hit because being on it was awesome, not because it is physically drawing us to it, like say heroin or meth.

>What do you need me to do?
Writin'

>>31287411
>what was going through your head
>I dont know, I just felt like you ignored me so much and I just acted

>>31287382
Wrong type of addiction.

The only reason we wanted to do that was because the power is intoxicating, not because of an actual "addiction"

>>31287422
>>31287455
Still though considering what happened I'd rather work for the grand master rank without the spice
Yea it'll be hard and take time but hell isn't supppsed to?

>>31287614
I say we only use it for the last plateau of Grandmaster

File: 1396751636319.png-(898 KB, 645x1050, Lord Spiros.png)

898 KB PNG

“What do you need me to do?” You ask, somberly. He cast a glance at Chryssa, who continues to watch the two of you with a vaguely confused expression. Thank the gods she's clever enough to keep her mouth shut, otherwise this might get ugly.

“I need Lord Spiros to die. He is the steward of the Council of Lords, that's the ruling body of this city, and the brains of Lord Hodei, the chairman. He's tall and lanky, very thin. Long face. Human. Pale almost to to the point of being translucent. Of the four Lords, he's the only one without an estate outside the city. He usually sleeps in the City Hall. I'll provide you a copy of the City Hall blueprints and an artifact I think you'll find useful.”

>Very well, Lord Spiros will die.
>Why do you need him killed?
>Wait, I'm not an assassin!

>>31287706
>Why do you need him killed?

>>31287706
"Wait what?"

>>31287706
>>Why do you need him killed?
and payment

>>31287706
>Why do you need him killed?

>>31287706
>Why do you need him killed?

And sorry for not telling you about the spice, it had some significant mental effects

>>31287706
>>Why do you need him killed?

It's not like those lord assholes were nice persons.

>>31287783
We already apologized

>>31287706
What are we getting out of this?

And why?

>>31287783
Yeah, considering we were lucid for like 30 seconds I think that this is a fair excuse

>>31287706
>Why do you need him killed?
I am sure the archmage of the academy has some pull, and can force hayes hand to give us some magical items for this mission.

>>31287706
>Slow your roll nigga
ask for information on why were killing him

To say Suresh commissioning you to assassinate one of the rulers of the city is a shock would be an understatement, you could hardly imagine the Archmagos harming a fly. “Why do you need him killed?” You ask. He leans back in the chair, hands folded politely in his lap. “He plots against the Academy. For years, decades, the Council of Lords have wanted the Academy of Anthus to be subservient to the City of Anthus. I have fought tooth and nail throughout my stay as Archmagos to keep the University as an independent entity. Above any law but its own. I view it as the only way to ensure progress is made and knowledge uncovered.”

“Lord Spiros has been embezzling money to fund an army of mercenaries. He intends to have the city attacked, and for much of the lower quarters to fall into enemy hands. He'll requisition the assets of the Academy as a last ditch effort to repel the invaders and then insist that, in order to defend the city from future attack, the Academy must be subservient to the Council.”

>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.
>How do you know this? Why would he slaughter his own citizenry to take control of a school?
>I'm sorry, I can't do this. I'm not a murderer for hire.

>>31287945
What do i get out of it?

>>31287945
Payment?

>>31287961
I'm pretty sure this would be pro bono work. It's a favor.
You aren't typically paid for favors.

>>31287945
>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.

>>31287945
>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.
>Why would he slaughter his own citizenry to take control of a school?

>>31287945
>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.

>>31287945
>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.

>>31287945
>>Very well, I'll kill Lord Spiros.
>>How do you know this? Why would he slaughter his own citizenry to take control of a school?

Ask for any potential rewards anyway.

>>31287999
Then we demand payment, this is heavy duty shit right here.

Don't ask for payment, he's pissed at us.

>>31288027
>>31287989
>>31287961
>>31287999
See >>31287706
>I'll provide you a copy of the City Hall blueprints and an artifact I think you'll find useful.”
He'll pay us with an artifact.

>>31287961
>>31287989
seconding

we don't do shit for free.

>>31288027
>>31288030
Let's not.

>>31288043
Depends on the artifact then

>>31288056
>>31288030
>>31288027
We could rob the guys house.

>Very well, I'll kill lord Spiros.
Writin'. Also >>31288043 is correct. I probably didn't make it clear enough. The artifact is your payment, since he intends for you to skip town immediately after killing the guy.

>>31288070
Why?

We aren't going to do something like this for free, this is serious shit.

>>31288099
Does he have a time limit?

>>31288099
Then ask him about the artifact and then see from there if it's worth it.

The Boots

>>31288070
Screw that, we're talking murder, even if it's probably justified. It's not something you do as a favor. We should make our dislike of the task known at least.

>>31288099
Have we given everyone those brooches yet?

>>31288141
Of course

>>31288170
Chryssa and Rocky, yes. We should tell Fulvia about them too.

>>31288141
we're helping a friend.. and possibly in years/or if we ever come back he may have more power and we not get killed on sight for being in the city.
>>31288129
Im sure the sooner the better.
That being said it wouldn't hurt for us to play our cards right and get a bigger discounts on the books since we are not going to be able to come back any time in the near future.

>>31287945
>>How do you know this? Why would he slaughter his own citizenry to take control of a school?
why are most of you not choosing this option as well. bit of knowledge certainly wont kill us

>>31288226
>>31288188
Yeah, and let's not forget to buy books before starting this whole shebang.

We should tell hayes, that we might be a wanted criminal in the town soon, so ask him if there is a way for us to sneak in or for him to contact us.

>>31288188
>since we are not going to be able to come back any time in the near future.
only if we go full on murderhobo and kill him in front of everyone. we defenitely need to plan this out with excruciating attention to detail

>>31288261
Speaking of which, we should mention this to our friend.

>>31288272
Or just Poison him with out Vys

He doesn't seem like a Vatis.

Ask him if he's a Vatis.

>>31288261
fuck no... why would we tell hayes something like that.
Suresh is asking us to be criminals he is incriminating him self.
Hayes could just be like fuck you..and use a super artifact to paralyze us.

>>31288272
I'm thinking paralyze him in the bath and make it look like he passed out and drowned. Mastery in water would help too.

>>31288294
>>31288307
or maybe ask fulvia if she can change the appearance of the hologram on her construct. get her to kill him then change back to normal appearance later

>>31288301
We should mention this to our good frein here though about the other job.

>>31288272
w.e happens we're going to be leaving soon anyways.
look suspicious as fuck.. in all likelihood we may have to go full on murderhobo to get to him.

>>31288301
Well it's not like we'd tell him all the details, just ask him if there's a way to get in touch without alerting the city guards.

>>31288349
And yeah, tell Suresh we have other engagements in town as well.

>>31288381
" hey we may be criminals soon..so this deal of ours..."

I wonder when we'll be able to release the wargame.

>>31288418
There are better ways to word that.

You nod your head slowly. “Very well. I'll kill Lord Spiros. However, I'm still weak due to the after effects of the Spice. I will need to take some time to recover my strength.” He nods his head. “I understand, as long as he dies within the next day or two I will be satisfied.” He gets up, intending to leave, but you stop him. “Listen, I don't want to give you the impression I'm okay with this sort of work. I'm not an assassin. I don't like hurting people, not truly. Even if it is deserved. The only reason I'm doing this is because I owe you, and I expect the artifact I'm granted to be damned good.”

He rubs his chin, assessing you. “Would you like to come with me to the storage room? I can allow you to select the artifact yourself, if you'd like.” You nod your head, and then turn to Chryssa and speak in Rhynian. “You'll have to excuse me, Chrys. The Archmagos needs me for a task.” She looks at you uncomprehendingly, but nods her head slowly. “Very well, I will be waiting.” Her voice enters your mind unbidden, through that faint connection you feel at the back of your head. {Be careful, Mikhael. He is not entirely who he presents himself as.}

As the two of you leave the suite, you speak quietly in Samjan. Chryssa aside, you doubt anyone else in this academy can speak it. It's an incredibly difficult language to learn for non-natives. “So, tell me about Lord Spiros. Is he a Vatis? What is his routine? Why would he condemn his own citizenry to slaughter just to take control of a school?”
(1/2)

>>31288511
sounds like he is going to fuck us..
ask Chryssa what she means by
>{Be careful, Mikhael. He is not entirely who he presents himself as}

>>31288571
because that is obvious

>>31288571
Two faced, its pretty obvious.

>>31288587
so long as we benefit by getting this magical ring..
or something better.
getting books at a 75% discount or a few free master/grandmaster books for free. from his stash again.

>>31288629
Nah, i'd rather have the boots

File: 1396754648913.png-(5.8 MB, 1920x850, Academy Vault.png)

5.8 MB PNG

Suresh glances around the halls before answering. “He is not a Vatis, but he is a collector of magical trinkets. He's purchased some of our lesser stock in the past, and I know he's a frequent patron of adventurer's that hawk their wares on the street. Even if he's not magically powerful himself, I would be careful. He may have still be able to pack a punch. He usually spends most of his day in City Hall working, though occasionally he visits the Entertainment district. He favors a particular bar, the Tipped Stool. He's also a frequent customer of the Golden Cat.” Here, Suresh wrinkles his nose. “I must say, he's got odd taste. Anyway, after getting his rocks off, he usually returns to City Hall to work until the early morning hours, before going to sleep in his office.”

He pauses when you reach the Artificer's Workshop. Pushing the door open, you see Hayes working away. He glances over at you and the Archmagos, but says nothing as you're led past him and deeper into the workshop. The Archmagos stops in front of a perfectly smooth wall, and with a wave of his hand several stones sink into the wall. There doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern to the stones that sank into the wall, but you try to commit it to memory anyway. “As for why Lord Spiros wants to control the Academy...” He begins, the walls sliding away. “What you're about to see should more-or-less answer that question.”

Passing through a short, narrow passageway reveals beyond a vast cavern. It seems impossible such a large chamber would fit within the confines of the Academy, let alone as simply an offshoot of the Artificer's Workshop. Crystals cover the floor and the walls, filling the room with a soft blue light. One end of the chamber is dominated entirely by a pair of massive doors, done in the Rhynian style. They're at least twenty feet tall, if not more, and twice that wide. They remind you of the armory doors you saw in the abandoned Rhynian facility, except larger.
>(2/3)

>>31288629
The ring is kinda shit.

Boots or weapon, or amulet if he has one.

>>31288661
I don't think we can wear boots.

>>31288661
What boots I remember 2 gloves and a helmet?

We can't actually use boots with our armor but maybe Chryssa or Prof can use them.

>>31288687
>>31288685
Its been confirmed we can.

>>31288704
yeah nvm
>Boots, Shield, and Ring aren't taken
what ever is the best.

>>31288687
>>31288685
Do you guys pay attention?

>>31288687
boots, ring, weapon, armor

I suggest we wear the mask we gave to chryysa?
Hides our identity
useful for ranged
looks intimidating
looks for cool
Time to go full Dishonored on this guy.
Speaking off considering he visits the Golden Cat, what ways did you guys if you played that wonderful game kill the dude in the Golden Cat?

>>31288759
>I suggest we wear the mask we gave to chryysa?
Can't its attunned to her.

>>31288759
I killed him when he was in the rack, think I overloaded it or something.

>>31288759
We can't

and your reasons are shit, quit self inserting.

>>31288781
>>31288759
>not selling the fuckers into slavery

“The Academy Vault.” Suresh declares proudly, withdrawing a pendant from under his robes. He approaches the massive doors and presses it carefully into an indentation on the door. There is a pulse of power, and the doors begin to glow softly before sliding open. You approach cautiously, trying to get a look at what lies inside. At first, you think it is simply dark. However, as the doors open wider and wider you begin to realize that Nothing lies behind the doors. It is a pitch black void, and even the light cast by the glowing crystals fails to illuminate what lies beyond. Suresh speaks first. “Well, shall we? I warn you, the experience is disorienting. It may be better to wait here if you are still weak.”

Dare you enter his magical realm?
>You'll... you'll wait here. You don't want to test your luck today.
>Damn it, you'll not be deprived of the opportunity to see the insides of this vault!
>Write-in

>>31288811
>>Damn it, you'll not be deprived of the opportunity to see the insides of this vault!

>>31288811
>>Damn it, you'll not be deprived of the opportunity to see the insides of this vault!

>>31288811
>Damn it, you'll not be deprived of the opportunity to see the insides of this vault!

>>31288811
>Damn it, you'll not be deprived of the opportunity to see the insides of this vault!

>You'll not be deprived!
Totally wasn't just stalling for time with that option. Nope.
Writin'

>>31288783
I dont remember it being stated thst we couldnt wear it as well

>>31288913
It has been stated many many times that when a piece of armor gets attuned to someone then no one else can wear it.

It is obviously attuned to Chryssa.

>>31288913
Its the same reason other people can't wear our armour, the only way for it to not get attuned is to kill the user(not you your self, but some one sle by proxy since if you did it your self it wouldn't work), but incidentally the one that She has, is bugged and all it needs is to be hit on a hard surface a few time(sounds like a bad idea honestly).

>>31288959
This was one of the reason why I suggested wearing it. It's not that easy to remove and it'd keep our identity safe unless he hits us repeatedly in the face.
I still say we invest in a disguise might want to wear a diffent armor and or paint it or something its pretty rare and easily noticable

>>31289087
or we can go full muderhobo. and kill everyone that sees us.
again Seresh doesn't want us to stay afterwards anyhow.
going with some back up..cause doing this alone would be stupid + now we can communicate at a distance and telepathically.

More importantly... us wearing every single magic is nice but we have to think of the TEAM. having 1 good player and the rest of the team is shit, is always bad.

>>31289087
The mask is Chryssas

>>31289087
We can't wear the mask with our armor on and we are not taking off our armor

File: 1396756529630.jpg-(563 KB, 2000x503, Inside the Vault.jpg)

563 KB JPG

You don't even have to think about it. You look at him for only a moment before striding confidently into the blackness. As your foot passes into the hole in reality and you try to set it down on the solid ground you expect on the other side, you go falling forward off of the ledge. You tumble through the dark for a brief moment. You see figures lurking at the edges of your vision. Figures with eyes of burning coal, bright points in an expanse of nothing. At first, there are only two distant points. Then four. That brief moment seems to stretch into eternity as the world is more and more burning pairs of eyes seem to wink into existence.

You find yourself laying face down on the other side of the vault doors. You must have tripped, because your face hurts. Suresh hauls you to your feet, obviously trying to suppress his laughter. “I told you it was a little disorienting. Like trying to swim through molasses.” That was entirely dissimilar to what you imagine swimming through molasses is like. While swimming through molasses is likely an unpleasant experience, at least you are not stalked by hallucinatory creatures.

You take a look around the room your in, though it's really more of a hallway. The walls are made of black marble, with bands of gold carved with characters you find yourself unable to read inlaid within to form geometric patterns. Suresh leads you onwards, to another, smaller set of doors. These appear entirely more mundane. They have handles, and they're not massive. Suresh pulls them open and steps briskly inside.
(1/2)

>>31289167
But disguising it is still a valid idea. Aint no point in sneaking and what not if your easily noticable which we kinda are
>About 6ft
>Dark skin
>Elf
>Scar/Brand on the cheek
>Ancient Rhynian officers armor

>>31289207
nice touch with the picture for the vault.

>>31289207
We should mention our side job with hayes here.

The room beyond the doors is a ruin. The floor is mostly dirt, with pathways of that same black marble the hall was made of leading to a grand central altar. Three wretched figures hang from the ceiling, hovering above the altar suspended only by tendrils of black. Their skulls are exposed, and have clearly been caved in quite violently at some point. Their fingers are long and skeletal, clearly inhuman. They drool some form of acidic liquid down the flights of golden stairs leading up to the altar, which acts as a beacon of warm white light in the gloom.

Suresh walks on undaunted, while you follow along hesitantly. “What are those things, Suresh?” He looks back at you, confused. “What are what things?” You gesture in the vague direction the three suspended figures. “The figures hanging from the pillars. The drooling figures.” He raises an eyebrow. “Perhaps that hit to the head is making you hallucinate, friend, or perhaps that Spice is still in your system. There are no 'drooling figures' hanging above the altar.”

You stare at the figures for a moment, one of them twists its body towards you, white liquid seeping from its shattered eyesockets as it cranes its neck downwards. It stares at you, and you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Suresh glances between you and the altar, before shrugging his shoulders and continuing on. The figures pay him no mind as he climbs the stairs. He steps through the flow of drool seemingly unaffected, though it hangs from him in thick strands. Eating through his robes, burning his flesh. He pauses at the top, standing before the massive golden sacrificial bowl at the top of the altar. He calls out to you. “Are you coming or not?”
(2/3)

You swallow the lump in your throat, and push onwards. You make sure to carefully avoid the acidic drool, both the puddles of it that coat the stairs and the strands leaking from the mouths of the figures. As you reach the top of the altar, all three of them lean in towards you. You feel more than hear their whispering in the back of your head. It feels wrong. It feels dirty.

{This one can see us.}
{Indeed, brother. The second in ages.}
{He must be insane, then.}
{Or perhaps the only sane man in an insane world.}
{No, he's definitely insane.}

Suresh looks at you warily. “Did you get any of that?” You shake your head brusquely, not quite trusting yours voice not to crack at the moment. “Simply lean over the altar, look into the liquid, and make a request.” He explains, gesturing to the short stairway leading up to the sacrificial bowl.

>No, hell no. You don't trust this at all!
>You've no reason to distrust Suresh. Being paranoid now will do no good.
>Write-in

>>31289387
>>You've no reason to distrust Suresh. Being paranoid now will do no good.

>>31289387
>>You've no reason to distrust Suresh. Being paranoid now will do no good.

>>31289387
>>Write-in
TELL THE FUCKER ABOUT THE MASK AND THE VOICES WE HEARD.
Also it seems that the insane are able to talk with these guys which means we can probably understand hayes more now.

>>31289387
>Write-in
Ask the figures for their suggestions.

>>31289387
>>You've no reason to distrust Suresh. Being paranoid now will do no good.

Well, our race does have a predisposition towards insanity.

File: 1396757502455.gif-(872 KB, 400x226, 1396049327184.gif)

872 KB GIF

>>31289423
This please fuck shit is getting 12spooky 9 me

>>31289438
...I like it.

>>31289438
>Ask the figures for their suggestions.
this. all my this.

>>31289438
Seconded

>>31289438
Fuck it why not, i don't know if this is because of the spice or the mask, but this should make things extra spooky.

>>31289438
>>31289469
seems like we're the 2nd person to ever hear them.
I am sure they can tell us more about this place.
Also seems like Suresh doesn't have much to do with this considering they don't even pay him any mind, and it seems like he can't even see em.

>>31289438
Yes

>Ask the figures for their suggestions.
Love it, writin'.

File: 1396757964416.png-(316 KB, 460x528, file.png)

316 KB PNG

I love side quest, and hope we do more.

>>31289533
try to do it without sounding crazy to suresh

>>31289568
In Banished Quest all quest are side quest.

>>31289533
Let's ask them something about Suresh only they would know. That'll freak him out.

>>31289610
id prefer to ask something that would benefit us, i don't think we;ll get an unlimited amount of questions.

>>31289729
That's fair, business first I guess. Proving useful to Suresh beyond a hitman role would benefit us too though and holding the key to unlocking the temple's secrets is useful as hell.

>>31289769
I couldn't care less about this place.

Let's ask our questions and see what we can gain, then get the fuck out of here.

>>31289788
>I couldn't care less about the treasure vault every noble in the city wants to get their hands on

That's just dumb, just because you're bored doesn't mean this place isn't interesting as shit.

>>31289826
Depends what it is.

If it's something like the ring, which it very well might be, then it's useless.

Or it might be a one time thing

Or it might not be transportable

Or it just might not benefit us very much.

>>31289863
>f it's something like the ring,
Explain?

>>31289826
Yeah I am hoping the "spirits" strick up a conversation idc much about looking crazy when the spirit might be able to give us information no one in the world knows. like a secret treasure trove, The "allies" that gave the emperor the gun and how to find them..
Just so much potential shit we could learn. But at the same time i Don't want to waste a few posts for it. I'd rather look crazy and ask like 5 good questions all at once.

>>31289885
The ring just points in the direction of the thing the wearer wants most.

Which obviously doesn't do shit for us, not to mention the many flaws in something like that.

>>31289922
Yeah while usefull i'd like something to augment our powers or allow a few spell like the utilty gloves we could use during the fight.

>>31289922
Oh yeah, we forgot to practice with it.
It can be incredibly useful if we figure out how to use it.

>>31289947
we don't have the ring, it is something we will get as a reward.
It points to the thing we desire most in this world.
or something like that.

>>31289964
Ah ok, that just makes Hayes quest more important than the merchants since with that ring we can locate the gem.

>>31289988
we know exactly where the gem is and roughly how to get there.
and just because we want to do the quest doesn't mean the ring will lead us there.

>>31289988
We know where the gem is.

Are you new here? cause every question you ask makes almost no sense.

>>31290033
No i have been here since the beginning, i just forgot about the ring being a reward, and we know the general area where it is not its exact location.

>>31290033
Well, we know what island the gem is on, and who owns it, but we don't know the exact location.

You scale the steps slowly, the figures following your ever movement. As you reach the top, and stare at the pool of metallic silvery liquid, an idea comes to you. You raise your head, and look to each of the figures in turn. They're almost at eye level now, you could reach out in touch them. They could reach out and touch you. “What would you suggest?”

{A clever one.}
{A brave one.}
{A reckless one.}
Their voices boom simultaneously through your skull, you wince involuntarily.
{HE'S PERFECT!}

Before the figure to your left, a cloak fades into existence. It's intensely hard to focus on for any length of time, seemingly woven from the gloom itself. Bright points dot the insides like stars. The figure takes it daintily between his fingers, stretching it out in front of you for your inspection.

{A cloak woven from the void itself. Does not every adventurer need a good cloak?}

You reach out and touch it gently, running your fingers over the fabric. It's softer than the finest silks. It almost seems as if your hand would pass right through it, would you only apply a little pressure. When you do so, your hand vanishes into the voluminous cloth. You jerk it back instinctively, and the figure recedes.

Next, a pair of well worn leather boots spring into existence in front of the figure to your right. He allows them to fall into the center of his massive palm, before lowering them down to you. They're rather simple. Black, soft soled, leather boots. Scuffed here and there, missing a few stitches. Probably pretty old.

{These boots were made for walking, and that's just what they'll do. With or without you.}
(1/2)

They suddenly spring to life, bursting into a jig. They flip and twist of their own accord, before coming to a sudden stop. You reach out and pick one up cautiously, stretching the leather, bending the sole. On a hunch, you bash the sole against the edge of the sacrificial bowl, and it doesn't make a sound. You drop them to the marble floor, and they land as softly as a feather. You pick it up once more and place it on the figure's hand, just as it recedes.

Finally, the figure in the center of the room leans forward. It holds out its hand, initially empty, but as it draws closer a ring seems to rise up out of its rotted flesh. It is made of bronze, at its center a gem of glowing, shifting red. It almost looks alive, the way it twist and warps internally.

{This ring will sap the life of the wearer's enemies, but at a grave price. The souls of those you destroy will haunt you, even beyond eternity.}
You pick the ring of warily. It feels... for lack of a better word, evil. As you slowly slip it onto your finger, it vanishes from your hand, and reappears in that of the figure.

{I have told you its purpose, do not dare try it here.}

>Take the Void Cloak
>Take the Walking Boots
>Take the Life Stealing Ring

>>31290217
So far i'd go for the cloak

>>31290239
>>Take the Void Cloak

>>31290239
>Take the void cloak

>>31290239
>>Take the Void Cloak

Ask about them. What are they? What's their purpose? Why are you the only one who can see them?

>>31290239
>>Take the Void Cloak

>>31290239
>Take the Void Cloak

>>31290239
>>Take the Void Cloak
ask what they are

>>31290239
>Take the Walking Boots

>>31290239
>Take the Void Cloak
Fuck being haunted.

>>31290239
>Take the Void Cloak

File: 1396760256620.jpg-(144 KB, 666x942, Void Cloak.jpg)

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Seems pretty unanimous.
Writin'

>>31290239
the boots seem kinda useless

>>31290239
>Take the Void Cloak

>>31290239
>>Take the void cloak
sounds like we can take an attack.. and basically just let it go right into the clock with out damaging us.

>>31290339
They are stealth boots, and it looks like they also help with great falls(as if your falling like a feather).
Also i wonder what our friend thinks, we should totally tell him about these guys.

>>31290345
Probably gonna get a damage avoidance boost too. Pretty damn sweet combined with the armor.

>>31290345
>>31290378
It's obviously stealth

>>31290378
>>31290345
I thought it was a stealth cloak.

File: 1396760476638.jpg-(173 KB, 1100x1599, 164_max.jpg)

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>>31290239
>Take the Void Cloak

Soon we shall become the black centurion Damocles

>>31290378
damn right and this isn't even the artifact.
so...are we going to ask whats up with the well to the spirits?

>>31290398
>>31290401
It is but it also seems to have an incorporeal effect.

>>31290239
>>Take the Void Cloak
seems like the least out of everything that will screw us over.

Why do i feel the beings are a side product of our stupidity with the mast.

>>31290398
>Bright points dot the insides like stars.
idk...
but hey that would be nice. Especially considering the task we will be doing soon enough.

I'd still like to talk to the "spirits" at minimum what are the full uses of our item.

>>31290414
That's kinda hot

File: 1396760997851.jpg-(45 KB, 594x383, 1276245901292.jpg)

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So these spirits seem like nice, trustworthy dudes.

>>31290568
>spirits
>not our fragmented psyche

>>31290568
This just proves that the insane Grandmasters aren't as crazy as people thought.