>>39860483

“An ancient art lives on in you, human. I pray that you will not use it so foolishly as the practitioners of old.” The tiny orb speaks whimsically, floating idly about the cave. It's illuminated by the light of the fire, though it casts no shadow. It is an ancient, land-bound spirit, that has taught you the fine details of a craft it cannot harness. You have become a Shardkeeper. “The rest is on your shoulders. Is there anything else, before you begin your journey?”

“I thank you, Calizan.” You nod. “There's just one thing, I suppose. Why have you elected to teach me all this?”

“I believe that your race deserves another chance. This power casts a barrier between you and extinction. To exercise command over the Soul affords you leverage in negotiations with its progeny.” Calizan responds. “Also, as thanks for your companionship, all this time.”

“I don't get along well with the others at the village,” You laugh nervously, concealing your emotions. “So I'd much rather learn from you anyway. Truth be told, it kind of pains me to leave.”

“It is a part of growing up, I imagine. Tell me, then. What will you do with this power?” Calizan asks, floating a few feet away at about eye level. The patterns within its tiny body shift pensively, waiting for your answer.

> Continued

>>39860513

“You could say I've become interested in seeing why humans and spirits have grown so far apart. We see the forces of nature as obstacles to our civilizations, and threats to our lives, though we're forced to coexist in this world.” You respond. “I hope that one day I might be able to do something about that. What about you? What are you going to do now?”

“Well... I'm not sure. As you know, I cannot leave this cave.” Calizan says, growing quiet. “Perhaps eventually I will take another pupil. But otherwise, I do not know. I would love to see the world through your eyes, human. There is no loyalty between us Spirits. If I could feel as you did, perhaps I would be hurt too.”

“It's really not all it's cracked up to be.” You turn on a heel, preparing to make the trek to the surface. A pause, and you smile again. “I'll try to come back soon and let you know how it's going. Thanks for everything.”

“That would be... pleasant. Goodbye, then, my friend. Be safe in your travels."

> Continued

>>39860575

…

The memory is intrusive, and sudden, and you push it to the bottom of your mind, focus shifting back to the danger right in front of you. Lightning flashes across the sky, and thunder shakes the cliff face, as you ascend fearlessly with mighty leaps and bounds. Another massive crystal has dislodged from the mountaintop, tumbling towards you with a series of booming crashes and iridescent showers. Shielding yourself from the dust, you take a powerful jump into the storm of stones, feeling energy suffuse your body, carrying you higher.

Your boots hit the top of the tumbling crystal, and you take another jump, flipping through the air as it shatters beneath you. The surface ahead, though, is uneven, and the avalanche is not yet abated; coming to a rocky landing, you wince as a sharp, spinning crystal cuts into your chest through your thick woolen cloak, spilling blood onto the rock face below. As quickly as you're wounded, though, green threads of light knit the hide together, pressing warmth against the flesh beneath to close the bloody gash.

You skid, taking cover beneath a stone outcropping. There are not many places you hate, but you've decided this is one of them.

You are Kadi Seliance, Soul Master.

The Spirit that taught you this art has become something terrible, and you have been forced to desert your most promising student in order to destroy him. But still, you will need help. The Spirits in your company are powerful, but not nearly enough.

You have come to this mountain to take the Soul of Tourmaline, the Crystal Dragon.

> Assess Shard bindings.
> Examine potential routes to the mountaintop.
> Recall information about (topic).
> Other.

>>39860612
>> Assess Shard bindings.

>>39860612
> Assess Shard bindings.

>>39860612
>> Assess Shard bindings.

>>39860612
>Assess Shard bindings.

>>39860612

Currently, in your company are:
> The Soul of Orus, of the Forest Green. The great Elk Orus was the keeper of ancient woods. Infused into the thick woolen cloak that shrouds your body, he allows you to absorb natural energy, boosting your great strength and endurance to superhuman levels, and affording you minor regenerative abilities.
> The Soul of Niai, the Ravager. Similar to an avatar of war, Niai is an eidolon of unwinnable battles and underdog victories. The two of you have a history, having traded blows a number of times in the past; impressed by your conviction, she agreed to come on this mission for the greater good. Infused into your bastard sword, she allows the weapon's power to increase to match the challenge at hand.
> The Soul of Pyrrhe, the Flamewalker. One of the first Spirits you interacted with under the tutelage of Calizan, rescued from a relic Shard in ruins days away from your home village. She is quiet, though often passionate, and capable of great power in short bursts. Infused into the bracer around your left wrist, she protects you from the dangers of immense heat, and allows you to channel explosions from a short distance.
> The Soul of the Leviathan. One of the guardians of the Ocean Spirit Maraja, a land-bound Spirit you're in contract with, who lives near a place called Callestria. Infused into a talisman of meteoric iron dangling loosely around your neck, it allows you to shape raw Soul into a powerful barrier of water that can protect from attacks.
> The Soul of the Couatl. A rare and mighty beast that was believed, in ancient times, to be related to the angels. A great winged serpent, the couatl is associated with poison, and with the mind. Infused into your boots, your jumps can carry you to great heights; by clearing your mind, you can even walk on air for a fair distance.

> Continued

>>39861267

You are equipped with:
• a bastard sword – War Eternal
• a cloak – Viridian Shroud
• an iron chain shirt
• steel greaves – Celestial Steps
• iron bracers – Flamewreath/Unbound
• an iron talisman – Tidebound Guardian
• a twisted silver ring
• a ritual knife

> Recall information about a particular Shard combination. (Write-in.)
> Examine potential routes to the mountaintop.
> Recall information about (topic).
> Other.

>>39861328
> Examine potential routes to the mountaintop.

>>39861328
> Examine potential routes to the mountaintop.

>>39861328
> Examine potential routes to the mountaintop.

>>39861425
>>39861489
>>39861568

Even here, the mountain rattles around you. Beyond the edge of the outcropping, you can see crystalline shards falling from above, shattering against the cliff face, interspersed with the fall of great stone boulders that crash down and send reverberations up the mountainside. This stone shelter will not last long.

“Another close call.” Orus's voice echoes, wind whistling through leaves. “We'll have to be more careful.”

“Hah!” You hear Niai's laugh, the sword at your back flaring red. “This is nothing. Face forward, Kadi. Remember, we're on a mission.”

“Mm...” You nod, approaching the cliff face. What's worse is that now, the rain has picked up, exacerbating the avalanche and leaving the path ahead slick. You turn to look above. It'd be possible for you to make it to the top with another few minutes of jumping; the dangers are clear if you go that route. It's also possible to follow the path—then, you could at least be prepared for the rocks falling on you, though there's no telling how long that might take.

Or, you could summon a member of your company. The Couatl doesn't take storms well, but might be your best bet when it comes to making it to the top in one piece.

> Recall information about a particular Shard combination. (Write-in.)
> Recall information about (topic).
> Set out along the mountain path.
> Start jumping for the top.
> Summon the Couatl.
> Other.

>>39861803
> Recall information about a particular Shard combination. (Write-in.)
> The Soul of Pyrrhe,
> The Soul of the Couatl.
Rocket Jump? Rocket jump.

Also, someone tell Diarca that Sylvetican is stealing his shtick.

>>39861803
> Summon the Couatl.

>>39861911
He stole his shtick long ago when he actually ran this quest regularly.

File: bang bang.gif (95 KB, 300x203)

95 KB GIF

>>39861964

>>39861911
>souls
>insane combat
>long hiatus
They might actually be the same person

>>39862080
Diarca says they're good friends, maybe they're secretly just alternate personalities.

>>39861911
Of course, the Spirits in your company are capable of truly impressive feats when their effects are combined—more important to your journey, though, is the equipment you've chosen, as the form their abilities take can differ based on the items they are passenger to.

>>39861962
“I think we're gonna fly.” You move toward the edge of the cave, kicking your heels in the dirt. The storm isn't letting up any, but you think this is your best bet.

“If you're certain. I advise you against taking a route so extreme, however... I doubt I could protect you from a fall of this height.” Orus hums.

You're already sprinting for the edge.

>1d100

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>39862416

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>39862416

Rolled 58 (1d0100)

>>39862416
dice

>>39862452
>58

As you leap from the edge, your presence extends beyond your body, becoming one with the Spirits that surround you. You conquered this beast against impossible odds, and it is yours to command. First, light surrounds your greaves, and the color washes from them; the black, serpentine scales, and the faint glow.

But as you fall, a beast of the same make takes form beneath you, coalescing from raw power that radiates from your form. A great serpent, with armored scales and leathern wings, eyes glowing brightly, fangs dripping poison; you can see now why the humans of old believed something like this existed in a class among angels. It catches you, though you still feel the wind from below, and you rise skyward, soaked with rain, narrowly avoiding an iridescent crystal spire that tumbles from overhead.

You're close enough to the mountain face that the beast won't suffer the brunt of the storm, but you're still in danger from the stone avalanche—and you might be able to get a better angle of attack from further away.

> Keep close to the mountain face until you reach the top.
> Disengage, and return from a wider angle.

>>39862675
> Disengage, and return from a wider angle.
and now I must sleep. good to see you're getting back into it.
hurry up and run BSO again

>>39862675
>> Keep close to the mountain face until you reach the top.

>>39862675
>Disengage, and return from a wider angle

>>39863026
“Faster, Kadi!” Niai's warcry is audible over the crack of thunder. She's right; Erick will be awaiting your return.

You ascend into the storm, guiding the soaring serpent with mental commands and verbal shouts, chips of stone and droplets of pouring rain buffeting your cloak. Then, at once, you pull away from the mountain, the beast's flight wavering in the harsh winds.

The storm ebbs and flows to harry you, as if it's heralding your arrival. As you decend, you can see Tourmaline, silhouetted amidst the massive crystal outcroppings on the mountain plateau.

>3d100

Rolled 37, 13, 80 = 130 (3d00000100)

>>39863096

Rolled 79, 85, 45 = 209 (3d000000000000100)

>>39863096

Rolled 67, 48, 59 = 174 (3d0000000000000000000000000000000000100)

>>39863096

Rolled 43, 100, 92 = 235 (3d100)

>>39863096

File: Spoiler Image (437 KB, 800x800)

437 KB PNG

Rolled 76, 76, 54 = 206 (3d100)

>>39863096
Good to have you back.
I miss Totemist Quest. I wonder...

I was using 3d100 as opposed to 1d100 because I wasn't sure if I had readers left.

>>39863129

>80

“Go low!” You shout, taking a standing position on the Couatl's back, as it swoops under a network of twisted, translucent spires. Lightning strikes the rocks above you, and you see a web of heat radiate through the gems overhead, sending burning chunks tumbling towards you.

Immediately, you duck low, the Viridian Shroud fluttering at your back, and the Couatl tucks its wings in, going into a tight spin. You hold on for dear life, the sheer forces at work gluing you to its back as you're turned upside-down—then, as the spin completes, you're tossed into the air, and pull yourself back into place between the Couatl's shoulder blades with a single arm suffused with nature's vitality.

Then, there's a roar from straight ahead that makes the rock avalanche sound like raindrops on a roof in comparison. Illuminated briefly by lightning, you see Tourmaline descending from her crystalline throne. She's many times your size, several times the size of the Couatl, even, with massive claws, furious golden eyes, and a scaled suit of iridescent armor.

> Dismiss the Couatl, before it has the chance to be damaged, and engage on foot.
> Attack from the air with the Flamewreath, and the Couatl's abilities.

>>39863424
"Write-in" is an available option as well, as usual.

>>39863398
Good to be back.

>>39863424
>> Attack from the air with the Flamewreath, and the Couatl's abilities.

Mobility is best against big bloody monsters. Let's not lose our best source of it.

>>39863451
Uh, you're good ol' Sylvetican/Ascheritte, right? Not Diarca from beyond the pale?

>>39863493
Check my trip.
As an aside, Diarca is doing well.

>>39863459

“Still got advice, Orus?” You shout over the tumult around you, taking the Couatl skyward again to circle Tourmaline. She watches you, fanning her wings—you've got her outmaneuvered for now, but doubt you could win an aerial battle. This will be tough.

“I've never seen anything quite like her...” The Spirit is in awe. You can feel the crystals covering her body are themselves rife with raw Soul, each one resonating like the body of an individual spirit—sources of energy, you imagine. Then, you see something else: she's draining them, borrowing for them, light flooding her jaws.

“Seliance!” Niai's voice echoes between the crystal outcroppings. “Evasive maneuvers!”

Tourmaline leans forward, spitting a radiant spear toward you with an ear-piercing scream. You pull the Couatl down again, and into another tight spin around a rock spire, barely avoiding the blast. It blows apart an entire section of the boulders flanking the plateau as she flicks her head sideways to follow you, and new crystals begin growing where it touches, reaching upward toward the stormy sky.

She falls down on all fours with a crash, taking another deep breath, drawing on the environment around her; you take a tight turn, unwilling to give her the chance.

>1d100

Rolled 27 (1d0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000100)

>>39863782
Wow. Is it literally just me? Guess all the other anons are all pooped out from momma lovin'.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>39863782

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>39863782

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>39863782
I'm still around. Dunno how much longer though.

>>39863829
>35

Your turn.

Heat rises from the Infused bracer around your wrist, and you feel Pyrrhe's familiar touch, sensing her rage. But a stone spire crashes down between you and Tourmaline, and you're forced to adjust your flight path to avoid it. It throws your aim, and as you loose the gathered energy, you see Tourmaline reel back, recoiling from a chain of fiery explosions rebounding across the mesa.

Light diffuses through the prisms above, and the area is showered in iridescent dust from the shattering stones. As you cross over Tourmaline, she stabilizes, spreading her wings and standing on her back legs—a massive, open claw reaches up toward you and the Couatl.

> Evade, and fire ranged attacks from above.
> Draw your sword, and engage in melee.
> Dismiss the Couatl to avoid the attack, and pursue an alternate course of action.
> Other.

>>39864044
>Evade, and fire ranged attacks from above

>>39864044
>> Evade, and fire ranged attacks from above.
If this goes poorly, switch to the sword.

>>39864044
> Draw your sword, and engage in melee.
Crap, can't believe I missed so much of this thread.
Tell Diaraca I love him.

>>39864258
>>39864135
Higher, as withering heat from the Flamewreath echoes downward into a trail of explosions dotting the air in your wake—a direct hit. Tourmaline howls in pain as her flesh burns, armor shattering around her neck and head.

Then, a sudden stop, as a savage claw tears into the Couatl's tail, swaths of acidic blood dissolving into the same raw Soul the creature was approximated from. Your mount is pulled downwards, out from under you, and you continue into the sky, hurriedly dismissing the summon to avoid losing your bind. The light rushes back to your greaves as you tumble through the air—looking below, you see that Tourmaline is rearing back for another blast.

>1d100

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>39864386
Good to see you back as well.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>39864386
Go

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>39864386

>>39860483
>OP pic

Which quest used this again?

>>39864588
Soul Quest, as the name suggests.

>>39864410
>97

There's a moment of calm; you block out the noises surrounding you, clearing your head by channeling the meditative practices of your youth. The Soul still has the will to fight—returned to your greaves, the Couatl gives you the power to stand on air, and you treasure the opportunity, stabilizing yourself high above Tourmaline.

But that won't be enough to protect you. Adrenaline surges, and time slows as the lance of brilliant light—Tourmaline's crystal breath—rushes upward from beneath your feet. You call upon the Leviathan, this time, the talisman at your chest growing cold as the energy surrounding you whirls into a sphere of water, still and sturdy.

The blast breaks against your barrier, and you're engulfed in light, prisms reflecting off the inner surface of the sphere; you can see crystals forming on the outside of your shield, and as the Crystal Dragon redoubles her efforts, gathering more energy to strengthen the assault, your solid barrier becomes a massive crystal prison, surrounding you on all sides.

Then, the Celestial Steps give way, and you and the crystal sphere fall toward Tourmaline as the blast fades.

>Continued

>>39864760
“Niai, I'll need all the power you can grant me.” You grin.

“You need only ask, Seliance. You know I admire you.” The sword flares at your back, and the weapon shifts as you draw it, from a jagged blade to a pole of red light that twists and elongates, growing to face the challenge before you—an enormous lance of energy, twice your size, and many times its original width, light enough to hold in one hand's grip.

You cleave through the crystal sphere in a radial swing, and frontflip towards an enraged Tourmaline with a wicked smile on your face. She leaps skyward to meet you, enormous wings beating, and you respond with a second swing that shatters her massive crystalline front claw, splitting it to the elbow. Steeped in your greaves, the Couatl guides your descent, and you narrowly avoid her airborne charge, sliding down a crystal spire and turning to challenge your foe once more.

> Keep her out of reach with your blade.
> Attack with another summon.
> Try to collapse the rocks above.

>>39864789
> Attack with another summon.

Her offensive striking power is down, and so is one of her arms. Let's hit the anvil while it's hot.

>>39864789
> Try to collapse the rocks above.

If we're feeling acrobatic we can use the rocks for additional maneuvering as we charge.

>>39864789
>Try to collapse the rocks above.

>>39864848
>>39864891

“Admire me? Perhaps you admire humans, and war.” You allow the blade to shrink back to its original form, returning it to your back. Now, withering heat surrounds you, as you call out to Pyrrhe again, extending your arm as the wounded Tourmaline makes her way towards you. This time, you're aiming for the rocks above—waiting for the right moment, to bury the Crystal Dragon beneath her own throne.

“And both are embodied so well within you.” Niai's voice echoes, but you stumble before you can respond as the beast looses a flurry of crystal shards toward you, fanning out across your position before you can shield yourself. You duck to cover your face, but they cut gashes into your arms, breaking against the steel of your greaves at your shins.

“This is not the time!” Orus calls out, as natural energy rushes in to mend your wounds. “You've lost blood, Shardkeeper! Hurry, and finish this!”

Tourmaline crashes down before you, and is greeted with a flurry of explosions from overhead. You can feel the heat and force from here, great enough to shove her wings to the ground and shear crystal growths from her back. Then, the rocks flanking the cliff collapse, burying her in a crystal prison of her own.

But you came here for a prize.

>1d100

Rolled 95 (1d0000000000000100)

>>39865060

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>39865060
Giver us your soul, dragon.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>39865060

>>39864706
Huh, I did not know that was a thing.

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>39865060

>>39865116
It hasn't run in a while. Seeing this on the catalog was a pleasant surprise.

>>39865135
Can you shoot me a link to other archive entries? I'm not getting much.

>>39865135
Oh, I found it through Sylvetican's tweet and so I figured it was just a Totemist spin-off one shot he was running to get back into things.

>>39865148
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Soul%20Quest

>>39865158
Huh. Is Kadi Seliance, the MC for this one-shot, a character in the main quest? I didn't realize they were run by the same QM in the same setting due to the difference in names.

>>39865194
He's Erick's teacher.

File: Soul Quest.jpg (213 KB, 600x409)

213 KB JPG

>>39865077
>95

“There's no excuse for me, hunting you down in your own home.” You call out to Tourmaline as you approach, hand extended, pushing your presence forth. Soul drains from the crystals surrounding her body. You can see her life force withering away. “I need your power, lest Calizan entangle this world between his fingertips. You will lose your throne and your freedom to a Spirit that knows no sympathy.”

She roars, as you come within arm's reach, raising her upper jaw to collect light for another blast. But you won't have it; you raise your fist, and bring it down on the dragon's muzzle with all Niai's fury, slamming it shut as quickly as it opened. Then, seizing the opportunity, you reach out and make contact with the Soul, gripping it and pulling it free from its mortal cage.

Red haze rises up as you silently trace the ancient runes in the air, forming a pristine Shard in the palm of your hand, a golden dragon's claw with threads of crystal bursting from within. Tourmaline's body shudders, collapsing suddenly, but you feel the Crystal Dragon's imperishable rage from within your newfound prize.

You note the sounds of crashing rock have stopped as you climb to the top of the nearby stone outcropping. There's distant lightning, followed by the crack of thunder; the avalanche has stopped, at least, but it doesn't look like the storm is going to move on for quite some time.

> Continued

>>39865489
There's a long pause, as you stare into the horizon.

“It's done.” Orus says. “You should find a place to rest.”

“He's not taking breaks.” You fold your arms.

“He isn't human.” Orus responds.

“He wants to be.” You shake your head. “We've dues in Kharan, as soon as possible. Once we're done there, it's back to Imedagne, to rally as many of the local Spirits as we can before Calizan makes a move.”

“Seliance.” Niai says. “What about Erick? We're going back for him, correct?”

“We are, eventually.” You frown. “To apologize.”

“This won't stand, Shardkeeper.” Orus says. “You've said this world is dangerous, yet you've elected to abandon your only disciple to fend for himself? It's no wonder Anise...”

The conversation stalls.

“Orus...” Pyrrhe's voice sounds, quiet and plaintive.

“...Forgive me, Kadi.” Orus's voice echoes. “I truly am sorry.”

You nod, taking a deep breath as you dive from the cliff, into the thick of the storm.

He is capable, and strong, you think. And you have not abandoned him.

> Broken Sky Online returns soon™.
> [[ Twitter ]]
https://twitter.com/BrokenSkyOnline
> [[ Ask Page ]]
http://ask.fm/Sylvetican

>>39865510
Neat. Thanks for running, Sylvetican.

>>39865510
Think you'll ever revisit Soul Quest? Or will you leave this kinda stuff to Diarca?

>>39865543
It's not a matter of ceding the territory to Diarca, so much as it is that Broken Sky Online is sort of my thing as of now and I'm pretty happy with it. I'd give it a read if you liked Soul, even if you're not usually fanatic about VRMMO stuff, but now I'm just shilling.

All told, however, I didn't know how much I missed writing this until now. So I might do some more fun stuff like this in the future. Who knows?

>>39865719
I did give it a try when it was in chargen, but dropped it when the players chose the least interesting class.

Didn't realize you were QMing though, so I might pick it up again.