Describe this quest in one sentence

>>38703569

>”Open.”


>>38703595
Sounds like work

>>38703569
>>”Open.”

>>38703595

A young woman studies and documents the supernatural aspects of this particular world.

Heya Auri!

>>38703569
>"Open."

Hello everyone!

>>38703630
>>38703633
>>38703727
You give the command and will go about...

>Writing

>>38703764

You take a firm stance and then clear your throat.

You direct your gaze straight at the rock blocking your passage. “Open.” You demand of its large and proud form.

For a brief moment no visible changes occur, only constant humming died down, as if to try to hear what you said. But soon after that the rock begins gives way.

It slowly and painstakingly moves to the side sending what must be millennia’s worth of collected dust and rubble into the air around you.

You can’t help but have a smug smile of self-satisfaction appear on your face. You’re not going to let such things stand in your way, or perhaps such things were meant to give way. An interesting thought, but entirely untrue, probably.

All is finally silent, as a dark passageway reveals itself to the light of this world, and to your own eyes. The path is narrow and straight, but lining the very walls and the floor is a thick tapestry of vessels carrying sickly red fluid.

The polluted blood drips all around as you cautiously weave your way into the cavern, staining your feet and bare skin with its sordid color.

You sigh deeply. It’s not a promising sight, but surely there must be cause for all of this, and the faint light you see at the end of the passage may provide you with that information.

As the light grows closer, a powerful and sharp smell of fetid decay assaults your senses. Your eyes water, but you push forth, not wanting to stop while you still hear the sound of unseen vigorous chewing.

[1/2]

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>>38704584

A singular figure comes into view, sitting among untold piles of rotting flesh. He lounges wearily in his ancient throne and seems not to notice you approach.

When you are only a small distance away, the sound of meat squelching under your feet alerts him to your presence.

“W-who goes there?” An incredibly old and nervous voice asks blindly. “Y-you wouldn’t harm an old man? Come now, introduce yourself, let’s be civil.” His cloaked head wanders aimlessly.

Not entirely what you were expecting, but actually you weren’t sure what to expect. You open your mouth to say something, but close it as a putrid taste seeps onto your tongue. He seems harmless, but then again so must you to many people.

>Stay silent.

>Introduce yourself fully.

>Just greet him.

>Write in.

>>38704625
>Just greet him.
If I may be so bold to ask why are you in here?

>>38704625
>Introduce yourself fully.

>>38704625
>Just greet him.
Names might have power in this world or he could recognize that we aren't of this world from introduction. Denizens of this world may have a different way of introducing themselves.

>>38704625
>Introduce yourself fully.
If we want to gain maximum knowledge we should play ball.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Tie breaking roll.
1= Just greet him.
2= Introduce yourself fully.

>Writing the winner.

>>38704894

Alright, you’ll play his game, if he’s playing one, if not then you’re just being polite.

While runs counter to most of what you’ve been taught, you step forward. “I am Sophia, I’m only exploring here.”

“S-sophia…” He mutters repeatedly under his breath. “I know a Sophia, but she’s only a baby now. I always thought the name was very beautiful. I miss her terribly, actually. I remember when I first held her, oh how she cried and cried.”

You’re put slightly at unease with the strange juxtaposition of all disgusting gore, and the rambling of this nostalgic old man. You worry that there might be less to all of this than you had hoped.

The cloaked figure finally realizes he’s rambling. “Forgive me, Miss. I am… I am…” He ponders over his next words for moment. “I don’t remember anymore.”

His hands clutch the arms of his throne tightly.

You take a tentative step forward. “Then if I may, might I ask if you remember why you are in here?” You glance to your sides. “I’m not sure if you can see it, but it’s not a pleasant sight in here,

He shudders in shame. “If only I had known you were coming.”

“It’s fine, I’m not so delicate that I can’t put up…I mean it’s not too bad actually.” You quickly respond to calm him and mainly to get him back on track. You may not be delicate, but you certainly don’t want to put up with all of this more than you have to.

He raises his head. “You’re very kind.” He shakily readjusts himself in his throne. “I sense that this place was made to hide me away, to protect me. But now it’s only where I will di-.”

[1/2]

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>>38705887

The hooded figure cuts his sentence short, he quickly looks around himself in a panic.

He suddenly directs his attention back to you. “How did you get in here?!”

His demeanor swiftly puts you on edge. “I came in through a sealed passage…Why?”

“That shouldn’t be able to be opened by-“ A hurried scratching sound comes echoing into the chamber. “You must go! NOW!” He unsteadily moves to stand, but collapses harshly into the ground, groaning in pain. “Everything has opened somehow…” He moans quietly.

Movement catches your eye. Both passages behind his throne echo loudly with a shuffling, scratching sound. In the darkness you see an innumerable amount of figures, blood red, fleshy frames pushing forward with great speed.

Your wings clutch tightly to your body from the malice you feel. There’s no choice now. Only the thought of escape fills your mind. You will not die here. You turn to the passageway you came from.

>Run.

>Write in.

>>38705943
>Write in.

Pick him up and run.

>>38705943
>Write in.
Grab the man and run!
Also fear of death should overwrite fear of wing harm, just saying.

>>38705943
>Run
Fuck the old guy and hoof it.

>>38705992
Supporting this

>>38705992
>>38706025
>>38706178
Feet don't fail us now.
>Writing

>>38706209

You’re not done with him just yet, he knows too much that you don’t know to allow him to die here.

You rush to his side and slide your hands under his torso. As you scoop him up, you find that he’s surprisingly light until you meet with a bit of resistance.

It’s probably just his cloak snagging on something. You’re quick to yank at whatever’s holding him back, and it does give way.

The old man screeches in pain again and once you look at his feet, you realize that you may have made a terrible mistake. This whole cavern filled with flesh and blood vessels wasn’t by some coincidence, but it all led back to his body, his existence likely filled the entirety of the rock structure. You can only wonder what consequences your action might have.

“RETRIEVE HIM.” The collective group demands in a monotone voice.

You wince at the sight, but there’s little time for hesitation, so you make your way off without another thought.

As much as you’d like to fly, the passage is far too narrow for you to chance your first flight, which if it were physically possible you’d at least like to try, because these flesh monsters are quicker than they look.

The instant you feel one of their thin bony hands grasp the feathers one of your wings, you’re whole body clenches for what comes next. Things may have been different had you not sold your feathers your first delve.

You try not to think of the piercing and pervasive pain, so you focus on your legs, putting one in front of the other, faster than you are now.

The entrance is so close, the light gains more and more of your view, but the horde at your back doesn’t relent, scratching and clawing at the both of you.

[1/2]

>>38707646

There’s only one way you’re going to make it out of this. You breach the portal just the massive group moved to overtake you, and leap with all your might.

Your feet touch the sand no longer, the steady sound of flapping fills your senses, as you have your eyes tightly shut.

It’s clumsy, graceless, but effective. Your flight rapidly increases the space between you and the throng of monsters. You lack the finesse of real control, so your landing is harsh, causing you to drop the old man in the process.

A horribly decrepit face stares back at you, wheezing severely. A dark black fluid seeps from his lower body, caking the sand underneath him.

He doesn’t have much longer here and neither do you want to stay here much longer.

Unexpectedly, he blindly paws at his hip and finds what he’s looking for. A small rusted dagger appears from under his cloak and he clutches it tightly to his chest.

“Soph…ia.” He exhales heavily and breathes no more. There’s nothing else you can do for him, your attackers make their way closer, and will be upon you shortly.

You stare hungrily at the object that the old man holds. Well, he’s not using it anymore.

>Take the dagger and leave.

>Just leave.

>Write in.

>>38707678
>Take the dagger and leave.

>>38707678
>Take the dagger and leave.

>>38707678
>Apologize
>Take the dagger and leave

>>38707678
>Take the dagger
>Close his eyes
>Leave

>>38707678
>Take the dagger and leave.

>>38707678
>Take the dagger and leave.
Umm, well he probably would have died a more horrible death if we just left him yeaahhh

>>38707786
>>38707827
>>38707828
>>38707837
>>38707843
>>38707916
A unanimous vote for robbing the dead.
>Writing~

>>38707957
Why do you have to put it like that Auri? You can't even rob the dead, they aren't sentient beings and as such cannot own property.

>>38707957
You say that like it's a bad thing. If it was me, his dagger wasn't the only thing I'd rob him of.

>>38707957
Well he's not gonna use it...

>>38708001
>>38708006
>>38708040
I'm just ribbing you guys, don't worry about it, haha.

>>38708063
Testing

Well I just read the entire archive in the time this thread has been up.

Pretty good. Think I'll stay.

>>38708536
Always nice to have more players. I look forward to playing with ya

>>38708604
You say that now. But 40 threads from you'll(we'll) be beating back new players with sticks.

Bigger quests encourage shitstorms.

But it is nice to be here

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>>38708536
It's great to have you on board!


>>38707957

You’re certainly not going to leave empty handed, so you pry his thin fingers away from the hilt, and shut his cloudy eyes from the world.

While he did seem to be little more than a rambling old man, someone went through extensive means to hide him from a great deal of danger, meaning that this dagger, as unremarkable as it may look, could be valuable.

You nod your apology to the man, stand to return home, and only for the briefest moment stretch out your crimson wings to finally feel a bit of wind on them. You’re not so afraid of harming them anymore after all of this.

As you slide into the darkness, the last thing you hear is the massive horde announce in unison.

“THE FALSE KING HAS BEEN REMOVED.”

~

[1/2]

>>38708975

Your hand is first breach the viscous blood and feel the cool night air. Unexpectedly, it is firmly but carefully grabbed, and you find yourself being pulled up to your feet with great ease.

Laurent stands to your side, with eyes firmly shut, and hand covering them for added assurance. “I didn’t expect you to come back so soon.” He hands you a large cloth to wipe yourself off with.

You accept the towel gratefully. “Complications came up, I had to leave earlier than I would have liked.”

“Are you hurt?” He moves to stand out in the hallway.

You stare at the blood stained dagger in your hand. “I’m fine. Are Marissa and Ellie back?”

“Not yet.” He calls out from afar.

That’s a first, but bound to be the case.

You grin at the sudden realization of what you confirmed from your delve. Directional control is indeed possible when delving, and you’re the first one to discover it, probably.

You step out of the delving tank and head for the bath. “Don’t stick around here, the other two won’t appreciate it very much.” You rub your chin in thought. “Well, maybe Marissa might.”

“I’ll head downstairs.” Laurent says with a strong blush as he touches the wall for direction.

~

After your bath you toss the dagger on your desk, wrap yourself in the warmth of your cloak and simply rest on top of your bed. This is what you truly want. Not having to deal with insipid matters of other Occultists, but the gathering of all important knowledge.

“Control of knowledge.”

The familiar voice appears in your mind as you had predicted it might, and you welcome it. Given what you learned tonight you’d be surprised to not hear it.
So what shall you pick tonight?

Expand knowledge in.

>Delving.

>Necromancy.

>Pyromancy.

>Write in.

>>38709026
>Delving.

>>38709026
>Delving.

>>38709026
>Pyromancy.

>>38709026

>Lewdness

but seriously,

>pyromancy

>>38709026
>>Necromancy.
seems farthest behind

>>38709026
>Necromancy.
I stil want my damn spooky skeletons.

>>38709026
>Our other form

>>38709026
Oh my, a three way tie? Sure would be a shame if something were to happen to it....
>Delving

>>38709026
>Necromancy

>>38709144
>>38709155
>>38709287
Technically under the delving category.
>>38709301
>Writing.

So can we do anything other than light our hand on Fire?

Can we control the flames? How about control other existing flames? Why did we not already experiment with this?

Let's do this now. After this new "discovery"

>>38709418
I'll put in some free research time for the day after. But first, what happens in the night must be written.

>>38709418
Let's try not to set our wings on fire, though.

>>38709476
uhh, nothing? I don't think we have anything planned for right now.

Don't see why we can't use 15 minutes to just check out our powers. Only got them this morning.

>>38709519
>>38709476
Didn't realize u were the QM, my b.

>>38709510
Would make for an intimidating spectacle.

>>38709562
Yes, I'm sure us screaming bloody murder from pain would be very intimidating, up until the moment we keel over from shock.

>>38709607
It doesn't burn our hands so logic would dictate that it won't burn our wings either. At least once we advance that far.

>>38709369

You think back to your delve and remember the feeling of finally being able to use your wings. The question of how your form is related to your delving has been on your mind on some time, so maybe you can knock out to birds with one stone.

“Delving.” You hardly finish your statement before a rush of sensations come over your body.

In the very core of your being you feel the root of your other form, as well as your human form. Your normal form and your other red winged linked heavily and are practically one and the same. What you can do here in this realm, you can do in a delve. One root seems to go further than the other, but you can’t tell which.

Because of this, you innately realize that the realms are more connected than previously thought. So perhaps the channeling incantation can be done away with, exactly how still alludes you, but now that you know it’s possible it’s only a matter of time.

Once the visions have finally passed you wearily head for desk, and record what you have learned. It would certainly be amazing if you could someday delve at any whim, but before that you have much to learn.

Sleep comes quickly tonight as you embrace the warmness under your covers

A nightmare, well more of a dream, but still unpleasant all the same wakes you up in a hurry, and as quickly is forgotten about.

You walk over to the freshly boarded window, Laurent must have seen to it while you were delving.

The night is quiet as usual, the moonlight barely peaks out from behind the clouds. Then you spot something that causes you alarm.

A single figure moves stealthily in your front yard. They make no move for your home, but instead crouch low to the ground, unmoving, but watching.
You don’t think whoever it is has spotted you, so you plan your move accordingly.

>Continue watching.

>Yell to scare them off.

>Sneak away to get Laurent to investigate.

>Write in.

>>38710395
>>Sneak away to get Laurent to investigate.
But tell him Non-lethal

>>38710395
>Sneak away to get Laurent to investigate.

>>38710395
>>38710448
What he said.

>>38710395
>>Sneak away to get Laurent to investigate.
Tell him to go for a full body tackle, no one can get away from him in a grapple.

>>38710395
>Sneak away to get Laurent to investigate.

>>38710448
>>38710503
>>38710578
Non-lethal use of force. Got it.

>Writing.

>>38710395
seconding >>38710448

>>38710514
>>38710579
I don't know how these two didn't get quoted, but they counted all the same.

So what would you guys say Auris' average update time is?

20min?

And how about length compared to time? I'm new here so rate his time efficency for me. 1 being Archelon 10 being Soma in his glory days

>>38711124

Slower than the average QM (30-40min usually.) I'm not really sure how I would rank numerically.

>>38711124
About an hour, but he usually has a double post. About a 3-4? I never followed Archelon so can't be too accurate with that scale.

That hour is 20 minutes for votes, and then 40 minutes for writes btw.

>>38711181
>>38711218
I'd say like a 5 then

20 minutes for a large post is the "best" one can pray for, average is like 30 for a medium sized

>>38711181

You only look at the figure for a brief moment longer before skulking away into Laurent’s room.

His sleeping figure somehow pisses you off, given what’s going on, so you jab a finger into his ribs, repeatedly.

He pulls his head up in a hurry at first looking annoyed, but seeing that it’s you that’s waking him up and how close you are to him, an expression of fear comes over his face.

You point in the direction of the front of your house.

“Intruder.” You whisper angrily, and give his ribs another poke to set him in motion.

His fear gives way to resolve and he gets up and grabs his weapon without another word.

You attempt to follow after him, but he’s quite fast when he has to be. “Don’t kill whatever it is just yet.” You’re make sure that he hears you before you give up keeping up with him.

Laurent only takes a quick glance out the window before pulling the door open, and positioning himself into a full body charge.

Whatever it is doesn’t move at the sight of him, and just takes the rough blow full on, collapsing to ground and dragged along under Laurent’s mass.

You’d scold him for that excessive use of force, but given him, he’s probably holding back quite a bit.

[1/2]

>>38711660

Laurent grips the thin limbs of the nighttime intruder and forces them behind his back. Confident that whoever it is has been successfully neutralized, you approach to see who it is.

You swear if it’s that aggravating Manolo, you’re going to have him tortured before killing him. Laurent rips off the hood revealing that it is indeed Manolo, or perhaps not.

The face of the intruder appears to Manolo, but upon closer inspection one can see many small, and terrifying defects. The nose is non-existent, leaving only a fleshy
opening huffing quickly for air, its teeth are all rotted, as well as its skin, and its eyes remind you of a long dead fish.

It’s essentially what attacked you the previous night, just wrapped in a cloak, and without bandages to hide its hideous face.

It begins to laugh in raspy and mocking tone, shaking madly against Laurent’s grasp, but not gaining an inch. Then you fully realize why this thing is here, but a little too late.

You turn back to the entrance of your home in a hurry to see three of the same shapes dart into the interior of your home. You see two run upstairs, and the other head for the kitchen.

Not good. You’re going to have to get your hands dirty.

>Laurent after the two upstairs, you after the one downstairs.

>Stay together, go after the two upstairs first.

>Write in.

>>38711691
>>Laurent after the two upstairs, you after the one downstairs.
WE SHALL BURN!!!!!

>>38711691
>Laurent after the two upstairs, you after the one downstairs.

>>38711691
>Laurent after the two upstairs, you after the one downstairs.

>>38711691
>Laurent after the upstairs ones, us on the one downstairs.

>>38711691
>>Laurent after the two upstairs, you after the one downstairs.
Surely we can take one of them.

>>38711782
>>38711786
>>38711878
>>38711883
>>38711909
Another unanimous vote.
>Writing~

>>38711921

You don’t even have to second guess yourself about what to do next.

“Go upstairs.” You order with the coldest fury you’ve ever mustered in your life.

The neck of the creature snaps and it collapses before you, and Laurent runs off to complete your order like the weapon he truly is. These things aren’t likely to give you any answers, and you’re no longer in the mood to look for them tonight.

If something happens to your journal then you will snap bone possible in Manolo’s body before leaving him under that rat infested house. Or perhaps that would be too nice.

You leave it in Laurent’s capable hands to protect your belongings upstairs, and head back inside. You pluck out your shovel from the entryway closet, to finally give it a use.

An intense din of crashing dishes and cabinets emanate from inside your kitchen. Then a solid smash from above your head shakes your whole house, again, and again, and again.

Many broken things litter the floor of your kitchen. You spot the creature digging through you pantry and consuming all food in sight with an inhuman speed.

There isn’t the slightest bit of fatigue in your body, this is your house, and it’s time to welcome your new guests.

>Bash him to death with your shovel.

>Grab his throat with your right hand and invoke your flame.

>Write in.

>>38712310
>Grab his throat with your right hand and invoke your flame.

>>38712310
>>Grab his throat with your right hand and invoke your flame.
BURN

>>38712310
>Grab his throat with your right hand and invoke your flame.
Is this going to be the first thing we kill?

>>38712310
Don't play our hand.

>Bash him with the shovel

If we had more control, I would have voted to use just enough fire that they SUSPECT we know pyromancy, but aren't actually sure.

I'm saying that Manolo could be watching us.

>>38712310
>Bash him to death with your shovel.
I want to use pyromancy, but I think a shovel would disable it faster and at a safer range.

>>38712310
>Burn it from a distance
If it's in the kitchen the sink is nearby in case it gets out of control

>>38712483
We don't have that much control over our fire yet, to burn it from a distance that is

>>38712370
>>38712375
>>38712461
Roll 1d20, best of three.

>>38712461
What about the rats?

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>38712525
yall ready for this nat 20?

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>38712525
Burn, you shit.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>38712525
for fire?

>>38712537
no

5 it is.
>Writing...

>>38712558
And, yes, its for the fire.

>>38712535
They were dead when we got them.

Damn these rolls are ass.

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>>38712593
>>38712593
We're dead.

testing

>>38712593

You throw down the shovel to the ground, which alerts the creature to your presence. There goes the element of surprise.

It lunges at you with stunning speed, pinning you to the ground under it, and beating you with its thin limbs repeatedly. The sight of this demented version of Manolo gawping at you madly while it drools all over you sends you into a rage.

You grab hold of its throat the best you can, while blocking some blows with your other arm. The instant your fingers wrap around its clammy skin, your flame comes alive in your hand.

It screeches in pain as it scratches at you madly to release it, but you keep your hand right where it is. The searing heat quickly melts though its rotted flesh, causing it to pour onto your body and burn you.

You let go of the creature in a hurry and roll to get the hot melted flesh off of you. It thrashes on the floor, the flame on it growing larger as it catches on its cloak, the uncontrolled flame spreads to the many foodstuffs you have stored in there.

You rush for the shovel and with it, separate what’s on fire away from what’s not and then beat down the flames the best you can. The creature's stomach bursts from the shovel’s impact, sending slimy half-eaten food pouring onto the floor.

After all is said and done, the interior of your pantry it charred a dark black, and most of your food has either been eaten by this damned thing or lost to fire.

You begin to laugh, slowly at first, but building up louder and stronger. You’re shaking with excitement, most of this damage, caused by your own powers.

[1/2]

>>38713170

You turn around at the sound of someone approaching, but only find Laurent. He’s a little dusty and his knuckles are bruised, but he did a much better job then you did. Although, he does carry a look of shame on his face.

He looks at the ground underneath you. “I saved most of your things, but one of them managed to chomp down that leech you had.”

You sigh, but refrain from scolding him. It could’ve been worse.

He say’s nothing more about the matter, but approaches you with a small letter. “It was taped to one of their bodies.” He informs you.

You quickly rip through to the interior words to find a few finely written sentences inside.


>“A small gift from your new neighbor. Be sure to expect more, I’m very generous! -Manolo”


~

>>38713212
Oh we are SO murderating this fool.

>>38713212

Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. It was a very fun time running tonight! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not then I wish you a good day/night, and hope to see you again next time!


>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>38713212
FUCK NOT THE LEECH
NOW WE'RE POORFAGS AGAIN FUCK

>>38713248
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>38713248
I'm guessing we've been spending too much time delving and don't have a lot of blood pellets?

>>38713212
Shit we forgot to keep using the leech on our apprentices too.
>>38713248
Thanks for running Auri!

>>38713285
We can try to get another one. Barter 2 or 3 feathers for it.

We know where to go and can get there.

>>38713356
>bartering feathers again
uuuuuh.....

>>38713285
You're very welcome! And you're not poor just yet.
>>38713323
These daily mundane kind of things often fall from mind. The exact amount is on the character sheet.
>>38713338
You're also very welcome!
>>38713356
That's a possibility, but not a very pleasant one.

>>38713417
30 is a lot of pellets

>>38713500
It is indeed. But remember that there's more too it than simply owning the pellets.

>>38713500
Yeah but guess who owns the fucking market now.

>>38713583
I'd rather keep 90% of them for our own use.

But honestly I'm tempted to just move areas, find another semi-hospitable place and set up away from any sort of civilization. Only entering it to procure supplies when needed.

>>38713653
Yeah man, maybe even just save the pellets for ourselves until we get a replacement source
On whether or nt to move, I think it's a good idea, but we're REALLY attached to the house.

>>38713726
Yeah but it does seem like Sophie cares more about her research than actually interacting (see fighting) with the world.

We could invite Matthias (cause he wants to protect Aya) and have a nice little Occult family out in the middle of Nowhere.