Perhaps it's a trick of the light, but you can almost see the haft of your spear bend in a mock-bow.

You open your mouth to question Boand further when the sounds of approaching footsteps arrest your attention. You recline on the bed, doing your best to listen intently.

“I have no interest in starting a war,” Rime says. “This man is an ambassador. Do -not- allow the Knights to lock him up.”

“I have no intention of doing so,” Jun replies. “Blaise is bordering on treason himself, acting without orders. Let's you and I make sure he knows it before we march the boy out to face the circus. Lance Corporal, kindly watch the door while the Captain and I finish making arrangements.”

Pruisa rounds the corner suddenly, incredibly quiet despite her armor. She catches your eye and nods sharply.

“I hope you're ready to stand, Totemist. The court is nearly ready to receive you.”

> Water, Lance Corporal. Please.
> Decided not to lock me up? Good.
> Nearly ready. Can you afford me a minute more of privacy?
> Write-in

–--
You are Osyki, journeyman Totemist and first line of defense for your village against the rabid Behemoths wandering the land. Your master, the previous Totemist, fell in a battle against a terrible Behemoth, leaving the duty of defending your settlement to you. The long-awaited missive from the nation to the southwest has finally arrived. You have awakened in an unlocked cell after your battle with another splinter of the Magus. The time for negotiations has arrived again.

[[Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=totem

Plot Summary: http://pastebin.com/dqBSNUTM (Current up to thread 58.)

The Cast Thus Far / Binder's Log: http://pastebin.com/VsJpEUx3

Ask: ask.fm/DiarcaEXE

Wiki in progess: http://totemistquest.pbworks.com

Quest Twitter: @TotemistQuest]]

>>42849913
>> Water, Lance Corporal. Please.

>>42849913
>> Nearly ready. Can you afford me a minute more of privacy?

>>42849913
> Nearly ready. Can you afford me a minute more of privacy?


Also water is good if we dont have any.

>>42849913
Thankfully we can definitely go the route of being as starstruck about the moon garden as possible, it was a beautiful place of spiritual power the likes of which can be found in few other places, and never elsewhere without a dangerous if not actively hostile entity nearby. It was a place so impressive we were planning on requesting permission to take samples of some of its inhabiting objects and plants. Its destruction is not something we would ever wish, especially not when its owned by a spirit we don't even have an active feud with.

Shadowrun time: We're a scapegoat, either being used as an excuse for the military to hold a coup for the governments failure to prosecute terrorists, or as an excuse for why the government should start expanding to that old colonizing region, because clearly we've grown unruly

>>42849913
>> Water, Lance Corporal. Please.
Where is everyone today?

>>42849913
>Nearly ready. Can you afford me a minute more of privacy?
Gotta swap out bindings.

>>42849913
> Nearly ready. Can you afford me a minute more of privacy?
I'd like to swap Boand to our cloak. Majestic blue will make us look less suspicious than living shadows, the cloak's magic-negating effect should guard us against any awe or fear effects they try to throw at us, and having Boand in the back of our head as counsel would be really helpful.

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You sit up as best you can, propping yourself up on your elbows. Pruisa's eyes catch on the bandages wrapped around your chest, and you think the expression that darts fleetingly across her face is one of concern. Distaste is another possibility.

“I should be ready given another minute or two of privacy. I don't suppose there's a sheet that we could throw over those bars, is there?”

Pruisa shakes her head. “Not as such. I'll keep the others away for the time being. Give us a shout when you're prepared.”

You incline your head to her. “I appreciate it. I shouldn't be long.”

She turns on her heel without further ado and marches from the room. You pull yourself into a sitting position as quickly as you can, though your ribs groan in utter protest to their recent maltreatment.

“Making friends already?”

You pull Ripple from its place at your side, shrugging at Boand. The motion itself is another fresh spark of agony.

“You know how I work.”

She nods. “Better than most, at that. Remember, if you find any bodies of water out there, speak with the spirit about setting up those waterway for me. I can help speed along your recovery if you can get me a road through the other side.”

You nod. “I'll remember. Promise.”

Your panoply awaits.

> Keep your bindings as they are. You don't have the energy to swap right now.
> Go for social bindings. Let's make an impression.
> Go for subtle bindings. Keep your abilities on the down-low.
> Write-in

>>42850513
> Go for social bindings. Let's make an impression.
I think subtlety is no longer an option after last night. Might as well embrace it, go for shock and awe.

>>42850513
Swap out for some more defensive bindings. We are hardly in any condition to really defend ourselves if something happens.

> Go for social bindings. Let's make an impression.

>>42850513
> Go for social bindings. Let's make an impression.

>>42850513
Social, we've got them for a reason.

>>42850513
>> Go for social bindings. Let's make an impression.

Subtelty is clearly a concept long since abandoned. Your fight with the splinter leveled a city block, defaced a national monument, and set fire to nearly a full quarter of the city. If you have any chance of escaping this situation with your dignity and freedom intact it stands to reason you'll need the full brunt of your not inconsiderable ability to manipulate socially.

With that in mind you set to work.

Mask: Aria Nymph
Cloak: Edge of Dawn
Bracelet: Ring of Reverberation
Amulet: Despot Delusion
Bow: Crystfire
Sword: Moth's First Resort
Boots: Cloudwalker Stride
Mirror: Gnome Guard
Pants: Velociraptor Greaves

Gnome Guard's mirrored surface picks up the waves of radiant light that the Edge of Dawn throws off as your wings settle close around your shoulders in a mock-cloak. The orbiting mirror resembles a miniature sun. Hopefully it catches your good side.

Once you feel that you've created a passable mixture between defensive power and impressive visual presentation you down a glass of water, then call out for Pruisa. She comes round the corner with moments, followed by Jun and Corporal Rime.

“Totemist,” Rime begins, “My deepest apologies for the current circumstances. Were it up to me, you'd have had a leisurely breakfast in your home before being escorted to the palace.”

“Best he didn't,” Jun remarks. “The entire Noble Quarter is sectioned off due to the damages. It'd have taken him a week to arrive.”

“Where am I?” you ask.

“In the dungeons below the Vault du Royal. Guard Captain Blaise was quite insistent you be placed in a controlled environment, lest your threat of unleashing a spiritual apocalypse on the city come true once you keeled over.”

Jun smirks. At least someone thought it was funny, you suppose.

“And now?”

“Now the High Council is prepared to receive you.”

> Is this a negotiation or a trial?
> High council? Not the king?
> I'd love to speak to Captain Blaise. Can that be arranged?
> Write-in

>>42851056
> Is this a negotiation or a trial?
> High council? Not the king?

>>42851056
> Is this a negotiation or a trial?
> High council? Not the king?

>>42851056
>Is this a negotiation or a trial?

>>42851056
>Any last minute tips on proper etiquette?

>>42851056
> Is this a negotiation or a trial?

>>42851056
>[x] Is this a negotiation or a trial?

>>42851056
>> High council? Not the king?
> Is this a negotiation or a trial?

>>42851056
>> High council? Not the king?
Get some more info about the ruling class of this country.

>>42851056
>> Is this a negotiation or a trial?
And the king is just a religious icon right? He doesn't actually do much real ruling I thought.

Might be good get some specific details on what will be happening. Something more in depth than trial or no.

Their description is rapidly adding up to be something definitively other than what was initially described to you. “High council?” you inquire. “Not the king?”

Jun shakes her head. “The King only meets with certain dignitaries, and even then never face to face. Given the recent suspicions cast on your character by members of the guard, the council will be meeting with you in his place.”

“And that includes your father, correct?” you ask.

Jun nods. “My and Tybald's fathers and a few others. I've tried to put in as good a word for you as I can, but there hasn't been much of a chance for me to do any real convincing. It's been a busy few hours.”

You nod. “I understand.” To Rime, “So is this a negotiation, Corporal? Or a trial?”

Rime grimaces, his finely curled mustache quivering with something like sympathetic indignation. “A little frome either column, I'm afraid. You are a guest of the state so they have agreed to meet with you, but again, due to the recent accusations it falls to their discretion whether you count as a stable ally to potentially meet with or a criminal to be tried.”

This sounds more and more like your time in Pointsmar by the second. You're beginning to feel right at home.

“Any last minute tips on courtesy or protocol?”

Jun nods. “The councilors aren't to be addressed by name. While they sit in their seats, they're arms of the state, not individuals.”

“Try not to spend too much time defending yourself,” Rime adds. “It will only make you seem more guilty.”

“Agreed,” Juns says wqith a nod. “Brush of the accusations as being ridiculous. Which, frankly, they are. Focus on the deal you came here to make.”

> I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.
> Before I go, one more thing... (what?)
> And should I wish to counter-charge the captain for what amounts to false imprisonment?
> Write-in

>>42851711
>I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.
Lets get this over with.

>>42851711
>> I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.


The captain is more their internal problem to deal with.

>>42851711
>I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.

>>42851711
> I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.
I mean, our stuff wasn't confiscated, our wounds were healed, there should have been a lot of people who noticed us at the party when the initial explosions happened, and I'd think that there'd be at least some people who saw the Magus outside of Moon Knight.

>>42851711
>> I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.

>>42851711
> I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.
Its not like we have any solid evidence to prove this, we'll have to brush this off.

>>42851828
There should be an quite a lot of eyewitnesses though right? I'm more concerned on if they acknowledge we were fighting the Magus, but call our attacks too reckless and destructive, or blame us for the Magus showing up.

>>42851885
If there were a lot of witnesses, then we came really, really close to seeing the Magus murder them all. I was assuming everyone who could have witnessed our fight was either killed or had ran off before we arrived. Hopefully they ran off.

>>42851711
>I see. Thank you. I believe I'm prepared.

>>42851885
I would like to see any attacks that could damage him without causing collateral damage.

>>42851975
There were at least witnesses who saw us clearly attending the party when the Moon Gardens were attacked, though I guess they could accuse us of setting off some kind of magic bomb, or associating with that woman we saw there. ...Hope she made it out alright.

>>42851885
I don't think we can be blamed for the Magus's attack, even if we have prior history with him. The Magus has never attacked us any previous time we've left the wards, and even if he did choose now as the time to do so it doesn't make sense that he'd attack near the Moon Gardens and not hunt us down personally. He was after something else.

>>42852114
Actually, none of our attacks did. We stuck to pretty precise strikes. The only collateral damage we can be blamed for is when a reflected curse-blast of his hit that tower. And okay, maybe when we opened up a mini-volcano, but that was very local damage and given that it also put out the fires I think it's a net neutral. All the actual damage was done either by the bombing, the Magus, or Tybalt throwing a house at him.

>>42852187
That house was already knocked over anyway.

>>42852143
It makes... a little sense actually. Even if he only briefly encountered us, the Magus is probably smart enough to realize that if he makes a big fuss Osyki will drop whatever he's doing and come rushing towards the Magus because that's what heroes do.

File: PC success.gif (2.96 MB, 400x371)

2.96 MB GIF

Dindu nuthin

>>42852220
More likely he had his own business and we happened to be nearby.

>>42852220
I'd accept that if there was something keeping him from just attacking us directly. The Magus has always been very direct and almost impatient in his behavior, he wouldn't waste time with luring us in if he could just head straight to killing an obstacle to his plans. So either that party had some damn fine wards, or the Magus was after something else.

>>42852300
Also remember, this wasn't the first bombing, there have been others, and the moon gardens are an incredibly powerful area, hes likely trying to weaken powerful spirits as they actually are a threat to him long term.

>>42852365
Its the first time anyone has seen him though. And he wasn't exactly hiding. They have their own terrorists.

>>42852399
I wonder if that guardsman that had us arrested works for him, I mean its quite possible he has plants all over the place, to deal with shit he can't be bothered to, in exchange for boons or other shit. Remember, this crazy fuck is trying to achieve true godhood, and that means having servants.

But also, we shrug off any accusations as suggested, we praise the FUCK out of the city, as if we're a country hillbilly whose never seen this shit before (not far from truth), and we try to not let them manipulate our negotiations. Also we're probably going to want to do this with the Taiwanese system of two leaderships and one technical state. (If we play our cards right our little township might become the biggest hub for trade into the surrounding regions.)

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[[Aplogies for the delay, folks. I am sicker than I initially thought I was. Onward!]]

You close your eyes for a moment and steel yourself. You know that you've done nothing wrong, and moreover, that you've saved the city from a power-mad monstrosity bent on the utter annihilation of anything standing between it and its goals.

Now you just have to convince everyone else.

“Thank you,” you tell the two of them. To Pruisa, “Lance Corporal Rookwood, I believe I am prepared. Let's depart.”

She gives you another sharp military nod, waving you on toward the stairs at the far end of the hall. Jun falls into step behind you. Rime quickly weaves away from you, telling you that he'll catch up shortly. “I've some arrangements to make with the barracks. Shouldn't take more than a moment.”

The stairs lead up into a small, heavily fortified guardhouse. Outside, you see that you're near (but not on) the castle grounds. Guard activity is higher than normal here; you can see men and women in uniform and armor marching in lock-step patrolling the streets. On the walls archers with cold eyes regard you silently, each with a hand resting meaningfully on the next arrow in their quivers.

The grand gates of the palace are already ajar when your trio arrives at them. Flanked by a column of palace guards who seem to meld from the very stonework around you, you are lead up the red-carpeted hallways and into a vast chamber.

>>42852454

It strikes you as more of a courtroom than an audience chamber, but you've never really seen either in person.

The carpeted walkway leads to a raised circular dias in the center of the room with a chair, a table, and a small partition to hide away the one seated from view by any passing by the door. Arranged around that central dias are several balconies raised further up along the walls. Serious, dour-faced men and women occupy seven of the ten seats. The remaining three are currently unoccupied.

“Good luck,” Jun says, patting you gently on the back. “I'll be rooting for you.”

She slips away as you step inside. Pruisa waits attentively by the door.

You climb the spiraling steps to the platform. You can feel the stares of those assembled on you as you summit the brief ascent.

Show time.

> Take a seat and introduce yourself.
> Bow and wait to be addressed.
> Flip the table and demand answers for your imprisonment.
> Write-in

>>42852471
>> Bow and wait to be addressed.

>>42852471
>> Write-in
>>Allow the Harbinger Spirit to assume direct control and begin the apocalypse.

Its the only way.

>>42852471
> Take a seat and introduce yourself.
But not by name. It'll make us fit in better if we're just referred to as our office rather than our personal identity, just like them.

>>42852451
That guy was probably just a dick.

>>42852471
>Bow and wait to be addressed.

>>42852471
>Bow and wait to be addressed.

>>42852494
S E C O N D E D

>>42852471
>Bow and wait to be addressed.

>>42852471
>> Take a seat and introduce yourself.

>>42852497
>> Take a seat and introduce yourself.
second

> Bow and wait to be addressed.

> Roll 1d100 for diplomacy.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>42852804

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>42852804
>select all images that match the one on the right
>there's no image
thanks captcha

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>42852804
LUCK IS A LIE!

>>42852853
That'll do it.

>>42852853
NO YOU'RE LYING, YOU LUCKY BASTARD.

>>42852853
THE ABSOLUTE MADMAN

>>42852853
We bow like a motherfucker.

>>42852853
THERE IS NO LUCK, ONLY FATE! THERE IS NO FREE WILL ONLY DESTINY! THE WORLD SHALL END AND BEGIN ANEW!

You do your best to remember the Matrons' ettiquette lessons as you stand before the silent council. Legs shoulder-width apart, hands at your sides, back straight. You place on hand to your heart and bow to the man seated on the balcony directly across from you, a thin fellow with dark hair and a neatly trimmed mustache.

“Speak,” says one of the other figures. “You stand before the High Council of Eluneia.”

You nod, rising from your bow. “Greetings honored members of the council,” you say. You can feel Boand's magic flowing through your tongue like a draught of cold spring water. “I am the Totemist of Grisoch. My thanks for welcoming me into your presence, and into your majestic city. Never have I beheld its equal in all my travels of this land.”

Though the man directly ahead of you does not stir you can hear the sounds of the council members around you leaning forward in their seats. Perhaps they were not expecting an eloquent savage.

“You have been more than hospitable to me in my brief time here, but you will forgive me if I seek to waste precisely none of your time. I have traveled far through the spaces between worlds to stand here before you with purpose.”

“Purpose enough, that much is plain,” says a voice to your left. “But what purpose does the Totemist of Grisoch bear? Your arrival has coincided with another attack. Our most precious holy land lies in burnt embers. Do you deny responsibility for this attack?”

“I do,” you say resolutely, “and the evidence of my innocence is plain to see. Blood of this very council will confirm that I was invited to and attending a gala when the initial attack on the Gardens took place, and some dozens of guests besides. When I arrived I did everything within my power to stop the monster rampaging through your streets with as little collateral damage as I could manage.”
(cont.)

>>42853403

“And what say you to the accusations that you have lured this beast to our gates?” asks another voice, behind and to your right.

Without turning you reply. “I refute them as well. I arrived at considerable expense to myself to this land with the hopes of fostering an alliance. Though I admit I am familiar with the apparition that defaced the Gardens, it is no friend of mine, nor could I have known that it would be here. I am loathe to lean on cliché, but I am afraid that this battle was a matter of sheer coincidence. I'm pleased that it was resolved with the minimum of damage that it was.”

A ripple of quiet murmurs emerge between the members of the council. The man ahead of you rises from his seat, moving to the railing of his balcony to address you.

“If not for war or our defense, Totemist, why have you come? I have briefly viewed the report that the scouts dispatched to your corner of the world brought back to me. What have you to offer the kingdom of Eluneia?”

> The means to arm yourselves.
> Precious stones and metals the likes of which never before seen.
> Myself. My friendship, and all the power that brings alongside.
> My culture, and the opportunity to enrich your own.
> Write-in

>>42853426
>> Precious stones and metals the likes of which never before seen.

>>42853426
I think we sold them on Cordia's map letting us know where all the good ore deposits are, and the Stone Emperor giving Grisoch permission to mine them, right?

>>42853426
>Precious stones and metals the likes of which never before seen.
> My culture, and the opportunity to enrich your own.

>>42853426
I feel like one thing we could offer is maybe setting up Grisoch as an intermediary between Eluneia and Pointsmar, but we didn't really make any contracts to that accord while meeting with the Iron General, so it's too soon to offer such a thing.

>>42853453
>I think we sold them on Cordia's map letting us know where all the good ore deposits are, and the Stone Emperor giving Grisoch permission to mine them, right?
Might as well remind them of this, if we've already done something then we were merely visiting the city we had already had relations with.

>>42853426
Another side thing might be an opportunity to further spread their infleunce? Like if they already have contact with our village, it might be easier for them to pass through it and go in other directions, or set things up inbetween Grisoch and here. Also might make the map of their nation look a lot bigger.

>>42853492
Technically we didn't actually sell them on this, we just suitably impressed the soldiers in the area to bring the matter to the council. Like I think the most we heard is that they'd consider it. Which they're doing right now.

>>42853426
> The means to arm yourselves.
> Precious stones and metals the likes of which never before seen.
Maybe throw in something about the possibility to harvest rare medicines and drugs from the various exotic flora and fauna. Hides and horns too, I suppose.

>>42853426
Honestly most of these are true to certain degrees like the precious stones and metals is what we started out with, and an influx of new ideas and opportunities for trade is good for any empire. Finally, the Magus is an enemy to everyone and kind of our nemesis so we'd be available to help hunt him, as well as it being our duty to kill any Behemoths should they arise? Like we won't help them in wars probably but stuff like giant monsters should be okay.

>>42853426
>The means to arm yourselves.
How are we offering this? Thinking of teaching them how to be Totemists?

>>42853576
I wonder what they do about Behemoths, seeing how the idea of totemism appears to be foreign to this culture (it was to Pointsmar, too. I wonder how rare totemists actually are?). I guess their moon goddess could scare them off, having marked this as her territory.

>>42853426
> Precious stones and metals the likes of which never before seen.
Mainly this
> My culture, and the opportunity to enrich your own.
Not as important but still okay.

>>42853593
I think it's referring to the iron and copper we have. Practical metals, rather than the precious ones we also have to offer. We also have some vaguely defined magical metals that make for alloys far more useful than steel, if I remember right.

>>42853426
>Quite simply, trade

>>42853426
this>>42853642

>>42853637
Oh right, normal metals are also good. But I don't know, I figured our village could use the more practical stuff, while they might not have much need for the precious stuff.

>>42853426
>The means to arm yourselves.
On second thought this is probably important, since when our Elder started the negotiations he offered
>"Our settlement is nestled near the base of an incredibly ore-rich mountain range. Our mines are rudimentary at best, but even what we have is enough to provide our entire settlement with a near-endless supply of iron and copper. The creatures that live near the peak commonly grow precious gems in their hides, and other unique fauna could offer a wealth of precious metals to your crown."
And I'm not sure which went over better?

“What has Grisoch to offer this kingdom? True, your walls rise higher than ours, your edifices more grand,” you tell the council, walking in measured steps around the chair to face each seat one by one. “So what could a quiet collective in the primal forests of the world provide you with?”

> 95

You catch Gnome Guard from the air with a gesture, spinning the perfect silver disc on your finger with a thought. “What we lack in refinement, we make up for in the bounty of the natural world around us. The forest at my village's feet is ripe with herbs and ingredients fit to make a salve to heal any wound, or a poison to fell any foe. The mountain at your backs is filled to the brim with ores to adorn your fingers and gird your soldiers in equal measure.” You cease the spin of the mirror on the point of your finger, releasing it to float into the air once more. “Your scouts tell me that both iron and gemstones are in short supply from your mines. You'll find plenty of both beneath the Ikrin Peaks.”

You turn again to the dark-haired man, stepping forward to lean on the railing before him. “My people are a proud, industrious culture. We live at harmony with the land around us, in conference with all the natural spirits of the world. I have met with the forest that surrounds us and treated with both the mountains and the clouds that rest above them. Never have we known a famine or a drought.”

You lean back and as you do you can feel the golden wings erupt from your choker, fanning the air behind you with majestic beats. There are muffled sounds of surprise from the people around you.

>>42853821

“And, of course, you gain my friendship. Though I'll not fight your wars for you, it is my sworn duty as Totemist to keep the natural order in balance. Any Behemoth of monster of dark magics that might seek to tear Eluneia Alastacia from the ground by its roots will have me to answer to.” The tips of your wings catch the light, their bladed edges gleaming impressively. “I am empowered by the spirits of this land with terrible fury and untold potential. Should you wish it, that can be turned to your defense.”

Your wings fold once more, collapsing into motes of golden light that hang like stars in the air around you.

“Quite simply, members of the council, I offer you trade.”

“And what would you have of us in return for that trade?” the dark-haired councilor asks.

> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
> Wealth. We will make you strong, and you will help us to prosper.
> Sanctuary. Should a crisis arise, I expect you to shelter my people.
> All of the above.
> Write-in

>>42853839
>Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.

At the end of the day, the link to the outside is probably most important.

>>42853821
Oh god, is this what it sounded like when Tolkien's Elves made trade offers to the Kingdoms of Man?

>>42853839
>> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.

>>42853839
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
> Wealth. We will make you strong, and you will help us to prosper.

>>42853839
>People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
>
"Overall," Haine continues, "the important thing for our village is new blood. We have been cut off from the outside world for decades, and our population dwindles. A major settlement to connect to may prove to be vital for the ultimate survival of our people."
Wealth and Sanctuary we more or less already have.

>>42853880
Yeah but that's also offered with the 'People" prompt.
I think there's a difference between the two somehow?

>>42853839
> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

>>42853839
>> All of the above.
well i mean we offered alot so we should get alot in return

>>42853967
Eh, we already kind of explained that wealth isn't really something we need. I mean it seems like resource-wise Grisoch is set, and it has access to potential luxury items as well. As for Safety, we warded the village with shadow magic, are on good terms with all the land spirits, and are ridiculously powerful.

>>42853839
>> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

>>42853839
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
> Wealth. We will make you strong, and you will help us to prosper.
Honestly, I see own town becoming the regional center ultimately, it'll never be anywhere near the size of this city, but it'll be big and it'll be impressive in its own way. Especially if, with the influx of people, the job of totemist became its own guild.

>>42853839
> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
We thrive, but cut off as we are we don't grow. We need access to the outside world in order to take full advantage of our wealth.

>>42853839
>> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

>>42854067
Unfortunately Grisoch is pretty far away from this place, so it'd take a lot to get it to be well connected.

Also not sure why people want Wealth or Power.

>>42853880
>>42853897
>>42853942
>>42854012
>>42854071
>>42854092
>no one man should have all that power
Also kind of unclear on what 'power' means in this context.

>>42853839
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
Craftsmen and business would help us expand

>>42854142
Its a link to the outside, as the desciptive text that ollowed said, but yea, power is a bad word

>>42854180
But new blood and fresh ideas is -also- a link to the outside, just phrased differently.

I'm just worried that 'Power' has some not-so-good connotations.

>>42853839
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

>>42853839
People, with a side order of power

>>42853839
>> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.
A link to the outside would be very beneficial..

>>42853839
>> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
>> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

Our village has so much potential to be a powerhouse if given adequate supplies and such. Like, totemic scientists? Getting to learn from spirits who live the subject? Give the young people a boost in the right direction and it could make Grisoch a gem. Maybe we could pull more totemists from their populace, or other specialist for our cultural jobs.

>> Sanctuary. Should a crisis arise, I expect you to shelter my people.

While we have the spiritual upper hand, there's nothing like a city filled with well trained guards that aren't fighting with pointy sticks (and who have more knowledge of fighting) to help with thing that Osyki is honestly too important and powerful to deal with.

>>42853839
> People. We are in need of new blood and fresh ideas in my village.

>>42853839
> Power. A link to the outside world and a powerful nation besides.
A link to the outside world is acutally also a link to the people and the wealth, so there is no need to specify we are bargaining for them. We already get them just by bargaining for the connection and power this provides.

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In return,” you tell the thin councilman, “I am in need of Eluneia's people.”

You let the statement hang in the air for a moment.

“My community, while stable, is small. Too small. Too few people to sustain a working population for more than a generation or two. An infusion of fresh faces, fresh ideals, is very necessary to ensure our continued survival.”

You take a step back, spreading your hands wide.

“I have need of your people. Their livelihood and songs. Their dances. Their hard work and dedication. I do not seek to claim these noble traits for my own. I've no need to secret away the radiant smile of a maiden nor the strength of a man's arm. I am not a monster.” You emphasize that. “I am a man concerned for the future of his people. I believe sharing our cultures and communities could be mutually beneficial.”

“How?” comes a gruff voice from your right.

“I have spoken with the spirits of both the forest and the wetlands that lie between here and Grisoch. They are amenable to aiding our peoples in building a road to connect our settlements in exchange for a few reasonable considerations in return. Given your aid in the cause, I can see the proper channels and wards paved and installed with an alacrity that may surprise you. All I ask is a road from Eluneia to Grisoch, and travelers to tread upon it.”

>>42854523

Aria Nymph is warm against your face, and you can feel the general disposition of the room slowly swinging in your favor.

“I am not so brusque as to ask all this of you with no time given for your consideration. I understand that there are concerns and queries to be raised. The King must have his say. The Lady in the Night as well, should she see fit to weigh in. I have come simply to offer my aid and ask yours in return.”

“And can we trust you?” the thin councilman asks. “Or will this partnership be marred by more unfortunate coincidences that could not have been forseen?”

> Likely it will. My partnership is worth it.
> I should think not.
> Who can tell the future?
> I have nothing to hide. Ask of me, and I will tell.
> Write-in

>>42854538
>I cannot see the future, and I fight with my life to prevent and combat unfortunate and unforeseen events.I have nothing to hide. Ask of me, and I will tell.

>>42854538
> Who can tell the future?
But everything thats an immediate threat to us, is already an eventual threat to them as well. (Like that true magic guy won't immediately cause the entire world to go to shit ( and harbringer blatantly will))

>>42854538
> Who can tell the future?
> I have nothing to hide. Ask of me, and I will tell.

>>42854538
> I have and will do my best to earn your trust. I believe actions are what matters when it comes to trust.

>>42854538
>> Who can tell the future?
>> I have nothing to hide. Ask of me, and I will tell.

>>42854538
"In this case I'm not sure. It depends on if the Magus obtained what he was looking for when he decided to assault this city. If he didn't then he's likely to return. I was able to cloak my village from him in the past, but it would be... considerably more difficult to do to a whole nation."

>>42854710
>>42854648
We probably have some things to hide, actually.

>>42854752
yes but nothing they'll think to question us about.... hopefully

>>42854538
> Likely it will. My partnership is worth it.
> I can not tell the future, but conflict is inescapable, and Eluneia has garnered the attention of those of an unpeaceful persuasion.

>>42854538
> Who can tell the future?
> I should think not.
There are too many threats in this world to say for certain they will never happen. But we always work to head off danger well before it can draw close, and we will extend that same protection to our allies. Last night was an anomaly, not the norm.

>>42854523
>>42854538
> Who can tell the future?
> Likely it will. My partnership is worth it.

Lucky for you, any incidents of this sort will probably be targeted at us, rather then you.

>>42855373
I'm not sure we can make that claim. Like lots of people might want to take on this nation for their own reasons.

>>42855386
Not to mention random monsters and spirits.

You shrug. “Councilman, who amongst us can tell the future? Certainly not I. Would that I could read the portents on the air and forewarn you of every evil that could befall you, but I cannot. I can only assure you that I have nothing to hide.”

You turn to address the councilors who have primarily viewed your back. “Will this alliance have unforseen consequences? Almost certainly. Will it bring new and unique challenges to test your wit and mettle as surely as they test my steel and my magics? Most assuredly. Is it worth it?”

You spread your arms wide, allowing runes of green long since laid to dormancy beneath your skin to flare to life. The stone beneath you churns and warps, forming ornate runic mandalas that radiate outward from where you stand.

“Absolutely.”

The sizzling emerald energies beneath your skin fade, prickling at your veins as they go.

Your theatrics seem to have had the desired effects. The councilors are all leaning forward in their seats or watching you with a newly appraising gaze. You turn back to the thin man, offering another deep bow.

“All I ask is that you consider my words.”

“Consider them we will,” he says with a clipped nod. “For now, you are free to go.”

You decide not to press your luck. You turn on your heel and descend the steps. As you go you catch a flash of purple-blue hair slipping away from the rear of the balcony the dark-haired councilor sat on.

Outside Pruisa awaits you. She bows stiffly, but her smile is genuine.

“Nice wings,” she mutters. “Where to?”

> Back to the house. I could use some real downtime.
> Back to the Gardens. There's something I need to look into.
> Back to the Barracks. I need to speak with Rime.
> Outside. I ought to call home.
> Write-in

>>42855508
"Say do you know anyone with indigo-colored hair?"

>>42855508
> Back to the house. I could use some real downtime.
Lets get good, and assess our various injuries before something else goes wrong.
Also, we still have to see if that dual binding had any consequences

>>42855508
> Back to the Gardens. There's something I need to look into.

>>42855508
>> Back to the Gardens. There's something I need to look into.

>>42855508
Let's try to deal with those waterways for Boand? There should be a lake or river near the town, presumably.

>>42855508
> Back to the house. I could use some real downtime.

>>42855508
>Back to the house. I could use some real downtime.

What happened to our shirt?

>>42855508
>Back to the house. I could use some real downtime.

Have a rest, then go to the gardens.

>Back to the Gardens. There's something I need to look into.

>>42855611
I think it's just a regular shirt right now. We unbound the Emperor Cobra to make the hypno-pendant with it.

>>42855508
>Where's a place you like to relax?

> Outside. I ought to call home.

>>42855508
> Write-in

Somewhere we can get a drink, Pruisa should know somewhere nice to go.

>>42855654
>>42855668
One of these sounds good.

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“Back to the house, first and foremost,” you tell her. “I reek of battle-sweat and blood. I think a bath and a good meal are in order, in that order.”

She nods. “A set of priorities I can identify with. Come. I'll walk you there.”

You fall into step beside her rather than behind as the two of you walk the carpeted steps away from the council chamber and toward the door. She seems more at ease than she was the day before. Perhaps you've earned a measure of trust through your actions, or perhaps she's simply seen you vulnerable. You walk in step, spears slung over your shoulders in mirrored stances.

You can see the aftermath of your fight being cleaned through the alleyways as you head out of the heart of the noble quarter. Blocks of quarried stone are being carted in to the site, and the roads leading toward the gardens are blockaded by makeshift wooden barriers and patrolled by Knights of Argent. A plume of smoke still trails unsteadily into the sky from where you imagine the Moon Garden Dome would be.

“You said you knew the monster that attacked you,”.

“We've clashed once before,” you reply. “He was a man once, to hear those older and wiser than me tell it. No more.”

Pruisa grimaces. “Clearly not. I'm glad you were here.”

“Me too. I just wonder what it wanted in the Gardens.”

Pruisa makes a thoughtful noise, looking over her shoulder as you walk past ground zero.

She leaves you at the door to your home, promising to come check on you in a few hours. You step inside, shedding bindings and clothing as you make your way upstairs. By the time you make it to the bath chamber you're down to your smallclothes.

The bruises on your ribs have turned an ugly green-black, and spiderwebs of broken skin radiate outward from where the Magus' claws threw you through solid masonry. You draw a bath and sink gratefully into it.

> Reach out to Boand.
> Meditate on your current health and status.
> Call for one of your spirits.
> Just relax.

>>42856144
> Meditate on your current health and status.

>>42856144
>Meditate on your current health and status.

>>42856144
> Reach out to Boand.
> Call for one of your spirits.
Cordia alright?

>>42856144
> Reach out to Boand.

>>42856144
Can we check in with Cordia see if she's better/worse from our rapid binding/rebinding?

>>42856144
>> Reach out to Boand.
Even if this thing doesnt work out with elunia, having boand able to sneak on over here sounds awsome. also, healing.

>>42856144
>> Call for one of your spirits.
We havn't checked on Cordia since she was shattered. And we double-bound her with the Siren.

>>42856144
>>Check on Spirits
followed by
>> Reach out to Boand.

>>42856144
> Reach out to Boand.
"So, that went well. Much better than would be expected, given how it started."

First things first. You've allies whom you've been neglecting with all of the hectic, life-threatening mishaps you've stumbled between. You pluck the Sealed Earth Sphere from where it sits beside the tub. The runic tattoos beneath your skin flare briefly just by sheer proximity to the focus, but you push past the prickling sensation and call out to the spirit who resides within.

Cordia resolves herself into the air in a whirl of jade dust. After a few moments of gathering herself she hovers in the air beside the tub. You can see hairlines cracks still running through the solid pieces of revolving malachite that make up her major appendages but all things considered, she look better than you expected her to.

“Osyki,” she says warmly. After a moment taking stock of her surroundings she raises an eyebrow with the sound of scraping stone. “Need me to wash your back?”

You chuckle, sinking a little lower into the steaming water. “Not as such. I just wanted to check on you. After we got ambushed in the Mists you were looking a little worse for the wear. Everything okay?”

She nods. Revolving in place, she turns to inspect herself. “Everything seems to be in working order now. I was feeling a little brittle, but I think you're actually helping me when you bind and unbind me. The suffusion of your spiritual presence is excellent mortar, as it turns out.”

“Glad to hear it,” you say with a sigh. “And the double-binding with the Siren hasn't left any lasting harm?”

“Oh, on the contrary!” she says with a giggle. “I think it was so relieved to be back in contact with something of the earth after all of the flying and jumping about you did. It nestled right up against me and fairly purred, Osyki. For a bug, it's quite friendly.”

>>42856719

You stare hard at the jade woman floating before you. You'd never attribute that particular descriptor to the nightmarish thing of chitin and magma.

“Really!” she insists. “You ought to link us up more often.”

> I can do that, sure.
> We'll see. I can't do it often.
> I'm not so sure about that. Those things are vicious.
> You serious about washing my back?
> Thanks, Cordia. (Banish)
> Write-in

>>42856751
>> We'll see. I can't do it often.

>>42856751
> I can do that, sure.
> Thanks, Cordia. (Banish)
Aww, Cordia made a friend. That's adorable.

>>42856751
> Write-in
"And you're sure you're not just saying that because of any spiritual bleed-through you integrated into yourself when you were healing?"

>>42856751
"I can't do it often, but you two seem to have good synergy."

>>42856751
> We'll see. I can't do it often.
> You serious about washing my back?

Not for right now, but we could try chatting to the Siren again at some point, see if any of Cordia's friendliness rubbed off.

>>42856751
> I can do that, sure.
> You serious about washing my back?

Being a totemist is a tough business, but it has it's perks.

>>42856912
I feel like we should manifest the Emperor Cobra, Basilisk Wyrmling, Moth, and maybe the Hunger spirit, as well, just to see if any of them are open to conversation. ...Also bring Amal out, ask how he's doing.

>>42856751
>We'll see. I can't do it often.
>Thanks, Cordia. (Banish)

>>42856961
I'm wondering if there's any way to advance Tryd and Amal to become more than just lesser spirits while still retaining their functionality.

>>42857000
I'd just like to try binding them to things to see if they possess unforseen utility. I mean honestly the things the Emperor Cobra can do are a lot better than I'd have thought.

>>42857056
Amal can do thing that help with study cant he? Did we ever bind Tyrd to anything?

>>42856751
> You serious about washing my back?

>>42857081
I don't think we've tried yet.

>>42857056
Maybe rings?

>>42856751
> I can do that, sure.
> You serious about washing my back?

>>42857108
Rings sound useful, but I feel like we can't wear rings and gauntlets at the same time.

>>42856751
>We'll see. I can't do it often.
>You serious about washing my back?

>>42857189
Yeah we can. Our regular gauntest are fucking magic shapeshifting stone. Or we could just wear the rings on the outside.

>>42857081
It would probably be a bad idea, but I wonder what Dual binding trynd and the Moth would do.

>>42857539
We should probably find out what binding him on his own does first. Though what about tryd and the siren? Both have to do with fire.

Of all your spirits, you'd trust Cordia's judgment. With a resigned shrug you acquiesce. “Sure. Why not? It worked out well for me, and it seems like you're actually a little peppier for it.” Cordia grins a mouth full of opals. “I can't do it often, mind. My spiritual reserves have limits. But when I can, and when we could all use a little extra push, I'll keep it in mind.”

“That's all I ask Osyki,” she says with a little shrug. “Better than anyone, I think I understand exactly how deep your spiritual well goes.”

You imagine Boand would debate that now, but you keep that to yourself.

“So were you serious about the back-washing thing? I'd do it myself but honestly, even leaning backward makes my ribs feel like they're going to pop right now.”

She nods. “Of course. Anything for you, Osyki. Here. Lean forward.”

You turn your back to her, leaning your head forward in the tub until your forehead rests against the cool stone edge. Cold, smooth hands dip gently into the water behind you. After a moment her hands have warmed to match the temperature of your skin, and her fingers are rubbing at thick knots of muscle in your shoulders and around your spine.

“Ow, ow. Gentle,” you admonish. “I'm pretty beat up.”

“Sorry.” You can hear her smile in her tone. “I forget we don't all have rocks for skin. Just relax.”

And you do. It's been a while since you've had someone to take care of you like this, and you can feel your mind drifting as the stone spirit behind you gently works out the persistant knots that a week's worth of constant traveling and battle have tied in you.

>>42857613

–-

After a time you lean back, surprised at how much better your back already feels. The water is tepid around you now.

“Thank you Cordia,” you say, turning to face her. “I appreciate it.”

You can see sparks of lime green energy playing around her fingers as she withdraws from the side of the tub. “You work too hard, Osyki. Whenever you need me to help work out some of those stress knots, just call.” She shrugs, and the motion illuminates the jade dust floating between her torso and her arms. “Can't have you wrenching your back out of shape in the middle of some life or death struggle, right?”

“You sure you're not just saying that because you get a contact high off of these earth tattoos?”

The malachite around her cheeks flushes lime green with borrowed power. “Busted. I mean, no reason it can't be give and take. Right?”

> No reason at all.
> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)
> Write-in

>>42857640
> No reason at all.
> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)

>>42857640
>> No reason at all.
>> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)

>>42857640
>> No reason at all.
>> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)

>>42857640
> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)

Cordia truly is best girl.

>>42857713
Oh, and
> Lets go check on the girl at the gardens.
after we see Pruisa.

>>42857725
Yep. Some day we need to find those things that slaughtered her village and kill them all with magma.

>>42857640
> No reason at all.
> Mind giving me some privacy? I think I'm done here. (Banish)

We should probably get something to eat, maybe some alcohol as well. And look into finding a good water source for Boand to use.

>>42857755
Probably died of old age by now.

>>42857785
Well, maybe. I don't think Cordia really knows how long she was a Bone Warden for. They might still be around. They're something reptilian, which in our home ecosystem means they could be pretty much anything, including things with fairly sizable lifespans. Hell, weren't some of the Mother of the Swamp's spirits lizardman soldiers? Maybe there are lizardman bandit spirits, too, and they're still around due to being spirits.

>>42857957
Could have just been the wildlife.

>>42857980
Sure, but see the first part of my post. Plenty of the wildlife is long-lived. We've got dragons, man. When was the last time you heard of a dragon with a short lifespan?

>>42858043
Could have just been velociraptors and giant snakes man. Half the wildlife around here is reptilian, doesn't necessarily mean its still going to be around.

>>42857640
> No reason at all.

You smile in return. “No. No reason at all.”

There's a moment that lingers in the air between you. The emotions there are hard to get a read on. You're not sure why you're so comfortable with this arrangement; any other spirit or person and you'd be diving for cover under the water. Maybe it's because she's literally made of stone, or maybe it's the sense of deep reciprocal gratitude you have for one another after saving each other's lives.

Whatever it is, it's comfortable.

She clears her throat meaningfully, her cheeks still tinged with a humming electric green glow.

“You uh, mind giving me a little privacy?” you ask, and just like that the moment has passed. “I think I'm about done here. In here, I mean.”

She nods. “Of course. Talk to you soon.”

She comes apart in a whirl of green and black dust, her component parts blown away on a sudden wind. Just like that, she's a sphere of perfect green stone in your hand once more.

You rise from the tub feeling much rejuvenated and smelling substantially less like an abattoir. You claim your traveling clothes piece by piece as you head down the stairwell, though you don't bother re-binding any of your Foci just yet.

A chance to relax. The usual options unravel before you, along with a few standout threads still straggling after last night.

> Free time? Sounds like experimentation time.
> Give Boand or the village a call.
> Head back to the Gardens.
> Head back to the Barracks.
> Write-in

>>42857755
I had forgotten that she used to be an actual human. Does she have memories of her life still?

>>42858231
>> Give Boand or the village a call.
>> Head back to the Barracks.

>>42858231
> Head back to the Barracks.
Give our new friends the word that everything turned out fine.

>>42858231
>Free time? Sounds like experimentation time.
Put tryd into shit. Also cobra into mask to get snake crown?

>>42858231
Summon the spirits of all the focii we haven't done yet, also give the Deep Siren another try.

>>42858240
She remembers fragments, if I recall correctly. She could probably remember more, but it hurts too much to try so she keeps them pretty repressed.

>>42858231
>Give Boand or the village a call (Boand, and by extent the village),
> Head back to the Barracks

>>42858231
> Head back to the Gardens.
> Write-in
> Explore Eluneia some more.

>>42858231
> Give Boand or the village a call.

>>42858314
Yeah you probably have to go through some shit to turn into a bone monster.

>>42858355
Wasn't the bone warden an amalgam of all the pissed off villager souls

>>42858374
If it was wouldn't there have been more than her bound?

>>42858374
Sort of. It's more like Cordia ate the other villagers' ghosts to survive, since unlike her they weren't strong enough to maintain a sense of identity. So it's kind of an amalgam, but really it's just Cordia.

>>42858304
Like I don't know, it'd be nice to get to see them.

[[ Gotta run to the store for more cough syrup. I will return in about an hour. Feel free to suggest a plan for the remainder of the day while I'm out. Sorry for the delay! Expect me back in about an hour.]]

>>42858691
Chat with Boand, then find Tybald and clue him in while drinking heavily.

Then maybe go look for Marisol and find out if she's alright.

>>42858691
Summon the spirits of our focii to verify who is and isn't sapient, see if we can't snoop around the Moon Gardens a bit, specifically the part we saw that girl. See Moon Knight's secret identity to talk about him being Moon Knight.

>>42858691
Well, go inform Jun and Rime that everything turned out alright. Find Tybald, do the same. And then I guess offer to help with repairs. Seems like the decent thing to do, might help garner some good will. Get our reputation from "outsider who wrecked our city fighting his enemy" to "foreign totemist who protected the city and then repaired what damage he couldn't prevent".

Hey guys, Cordia pointed something VERY important out. The best combination spirits are not blind combos, there those that have some affinity for the same area. In theory two forest creatures should be able to do well bound with one another, as do earth affinity creatures. This raises a question, what type does our hunger abomination thing fall under.

>>42858884
Nothing because he trys to eat it.

>>42858884
none, it'll just eat anything it can get its hands on.

>>42858884
Well, we sort of picked up on that already. Remember when we managed to combo the Plate Wurm with the Skyscythe Drake on the mutual link of sound and air? And how Osyki considered and then immediately discarded the idea of binding the Eternal Maw and the Whirlpool Pearl?

Anyway, I'd think that the Avatar of Hunger would bind well with Thane. Darkness and hunger have a certain symbolic similarity, Thane's affinity for blood would help him synch with hunger, and in the worst case scenario I figure he's probably tough enough to keep the thing in line.

>>42858961
Nah dude, hunger is fucking beefy. Some sneeky fuck dont want none of that.

>>42858961
Bad idea, I'd say.

Bad bad idea, I think we should experiment more with the Hunger foci though. we haven't really found a great use for it's power besides the hallow fang. and we have a bunch of super useful sword bindings

>>42859045
Moray eel mouth that destroys anything is pretty strong.

>>42858231

> Give Boand or the village a call.

We should warn the village about the splinter, We know they share memories between themselves so if they should know that we currently aren't there to defend it. I know Medicine Girl should be hidden from them. But better safe than sorry.

>>42859045
I feel like we could try talking to it first.

>>42859087
Shit, that is a very good point. Yes, absolutely do that. Hopefully Boand will have done that on her own initiative, but best to make sure.

>>42859094
Haven't we already.
>>42859087
>>42859108
I thought he couldn't even find the village?

>>42859070
>Moray eel mouth that destroys anything is pretty strong.

True, but it prevents speech. And we all know that speech is Oskyi The Silver Tounged's strongest weapon.

>>42858691
Talk with cordia some more?

>>42859123
Not the village itself, no. But her protection isn't as strong when she leaves it to do things like gather herbs.

>>42859136
Not when we are actually throwing down.

>>42859159
I don't know, being able to give smack talk during that last fight certainly helped.

>>42859175
You know what else would have helped? Being able to bite holes in him. We can just make mean gestures in the future. Though I wonder what we would get out of it and the amulet?

>>42859159

The really problem is that we need to be able to speak to be able to bind spirits. at least, we've always spoken the rite before.

In a super serious fight, against a foe who doesn't respond to taunts and who even thinking about binding is lunacy?Say against a behemoth? We totally should bind that. Other wise i think we may be able to get more bang out of our buck.

>>42859123
>Haven't we already.
Have we? It's been such a long time.

The last vision quest was very worrisome

>>42859267
What if we use the recording thing to say the words?
>>42859288
Hes just hungry all the time pretty much.

>>42859307
Yeah wasn't as good as the last two times.

>>42859328
I remember that was one of the totems that Ayren left blueprints for. It was a belt that let us do binding rituals in advance and stock them up for later use. It was meant for binding foci to equipment, but it might be possible to make a version that does the Feral binding in advance, too. Combine it with the binding circle-making bracelet we have and we could bind things near instantly. That would be cool.

>>42859411
Or at least it would let us switch out to something that lets us talk.

>>42858231
>> Give Boand or the village a call.

I hope you choose jump in the next vision quest, that's the only option we never picked.

>>42859267
Way back when Cordia was still a bone warden focus, the Ribcage wrap prevented speech, but we could still rebind with a little difficulty.

>>42859592
Doesn't that just end it?

>>42859704
thats what im worried about

>>42859704
We don't know and that's why we should pick it at least once.

>>42859704
I'd hazard it either does something really good or really ...eventful. Only one way to find out.

You decide to give Boand (and the village by extension) a call. You pluck the Whirlpool Pearl from its place on the kitchen table, clenching it in your fist and closing your eyes.

Boand's form swims into view in your mind's eye a few second later. “Hey,” she says jovially. “You're still alive. Did you manage to avoid jail time?”

“By the skin of my teeth,” you mutter. “I wowed them with some parlor tricks and made my case. Looks like it went over okay. We may have ourselves a construction project shortly.”

“That's what I like to hear. You still doing okay?”

“Yeah. I took a bath and Cordia helped me work out some of the worse knots.”

“I'll bet she did,” Boand says with a wink. “Strong hands, eh?”

“Stop.”

“I'll bet she got you...”

“Don't. Don't say it.”

“...rock hard!”

She's beside herself with laughter for a while. You wait it out with the deep well of patience you've developed for spirits being children.

“You done?” you ask.

“For the moment,” she says, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Next time you need some help with those stress knots, come to me. No offense to your floating statue, but an earth spirits make for terrible masseuses.”

>>42859764

“I'll keep that in mind,” you grumble internally. “How's the village?”

“Good,” she says. “Busy. Quinn and Terra have been making trips out into the forest every few hours to gather materials for something. They're very excited about it.”

“Oh? Good.” You put a hand on your hip, nodding approvingly. “Good on him for taking up the mentorship while I'm out.”

“You pat yourself on the back for choosing him any more and you're liable to pop your stitches, Totemist.”

You reign in the urge to stick your tongue out at her. “Have you warned them? About the splinter, I mean.”

She shakes her head. “I haven't yet. Didn't know if you wanted to keep that quiet for now or not.”

“The sooner they know, the better prepared we can be. I want them double-checking the totems in the walls. Elana shouldn't go out for any reason.”

“Noted,” she says. “I'll head over and spread the good word. Anything else?”

> Write-in
> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.

It was Magni that was speaking with us the whole time during the vision right?

>>42859784
> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.

>>42859784
>> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.
Now try to manifest our EMprah cobra and centipede-Siren

>>42859794
Right. Since we were integrated when we passed out he got to come along for the ride.

>>42859784
> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.

>>42859794
Yeah, Magni is apparently joined to our inner world now.

Implications are... unsettling.

>>42859784
> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.

>>42859784
> No, that's it. Talk to you soon.
Have we seen any rivers or lakes or anything around? We do have that contract with her.

Assuming we still have some free time:
>Experimentation time!

>>42859902
Our UNDERSTANDING with him is getting stronger. He is a pretty cool guy when he isn't trying to kill every human and dragon.

>>42859957
Pretty big qualifier there

>>42859784
Before we go--is there a particular type of water spirit she'd like to bargain with? Like, I wouldn't want to trust osyki to get a waterway to some rando and find out this other spirit is some awful weirdo.

>>42860167
Would she know any other water spirits? She was pretty isolated until we dug that canal for her, wasn't she?

>> You seem to have lost stability in your inner world since the Herald marked you. In exchange, you have grown in understanding of the void. It's clear this thing's master—whatever it is heralding—exists in that place. You may be able to gain information from something that exists close to the stars. The obvious choice presents itself at your current location. Otherwise, you may be able to tap that connection through extended meditation to glean the knowledge for yourself.
It seems the Moon Goddess may give us some info about the Herald and its master.

>>42860167
or they end up being like boand's stalker spirit thing.

>>42860189
Yeah that was clearly stated, but the how of it might be tricky.

You shake your head. It's interesting how some gestures translate over the Whirlpool Pearl's link while others don't. “No. That's it for now. Talk to you soon?”

She tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, nodding. “Of course. I'll call when I have news. Take care, Osyki.” The last sentence is surprisingly tender, almost at odds with her pointed teasing not ten seconds hence. “Don't push yourself too hard, alright?”

“I'll be okay. Promise.”

You open your eyes, severing the link. The world swims back into focus as you tuck the Pearl under your shirt.

Rested, unknotted, and with your obligations taken care of, you decide to take a stroll back toward the Moon Gardens. You gather up your pack and your Foci and set off.

It's amazing how much easier blending in is when you're not clad in the raiment of the spirit world, you note. You wander in and out of the crowd without anyone sparing you much of a second glance, though Magni's spear does garner some curious looks. You pass through the guard ring without incident and make your way back into the Noble's Quarter.

The guards at the top watch you much more closely than those below did for obvious reasons. You recognize one of the men guarding a thoroughfare that would lead directly to the Gardens.

“Good afternoon,” you say with a small wave as you approach. “You were watching the door at Lady Glorietta's manor last night, right?”

>>42860595

It takes him a moment to process who you are. You see his face grow a little more palid, and he snaps a sharp salute.

“Totemist,” he says. “What brings you this way?” His eyes linger on the claw dangling from Magni's spear before they slide back to your face.

“There are a few loose ends I need to tie up near the Gardens. May I pass?”

“Orders say no, sir, unless you're a part of the repair crew.”

> Ah, but I am. I'm headed in to fix what I broke.
> Are you sure? Corporal Rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access.
> Do you really want to do this here and now? Move, please.
> If you say so. Thanks anyway!
> Write-in

>>42860595
>going anywhere without our bindings
I mean yeah we have the spear, but still.

>>42860615
>> Are you sure? Corporal Rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access.

>>42860615
>> Ah, but I am. I'm headed in to fix what I broke.
It'd be a nice gesture and would allow us to learn a bit about the gardens.

>>42860615
We didn't break the Moon Gardens so the first one is out.
"Would it be possible for me to join the repair crew?"

>>42860615
>> Are you sure? Corporal Rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access.
If he really wants to make things difficult for us, we can go see the guy in charge, and we mean the guy in charge. We'd rather not, but if we have to, we will

>>42860615
> Write-in
"I see. I was actually hoping to help with the repairs, myself. Now, I'd hate to get you in trouble, so is there any way I can contact ahead and clear this before I come in?"

>>42860615
>Ah, but I am. I'm headed in to fix what I broke.
> Are you sure? Corporal Rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access.

First say that we've got all access, then qualify that we only intend to help, so why would he want to stop us anyways?

>>42860678
Yeah that sounds good. It could be Rime just assumed we wouldn't want to go there.

>>42860615
> Are you sure? Corporal Rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access.

>>42860630
We have our foci with us, we have our spear, and we almost certainly have Cloudwalker's Stride on. If things get seriously hairy we should be able to disengage.

>>42860630
I get you, but does have its benefits.

>>42860615
> If you say so. Thanks anyway!

File: fdd1b124e5361c23cbb7acad1(...).png (365 KB, 487x1000)

365 KB PNG

You lean on your spear. Rime did say that you'd have free reign to roam, but that was before a major explosion went off in one of the city's population centers. Still, you've got weight to throw around. Might as well.

“Are you sure?” you ask. “Corporal rime said I was to be allowed free roaming access. I understand that circumstances have changed somewhat, but when I spoke with him earlier today he didn't mention anything was to be revoked.”

The two guards look to each other.

“That aside, I'm only here to see what I can do to aid the reconstruction. Will you let me through? The Moon Gardens made an impression on me when I visited. I want to help put thing right.”

“Well?”

“I don't see why not...”

“If Rime says he can come through, that's good enough for me.”

“Alright,” the man says with a nod. “Go on ahead. If anyone asks--”

“Rime sent me,” you finish for him. “Thank you kindly, sir. Keep up the good work.”

You stroll past the two of them with your spear on your shoulder and a song on your lips.

The plaza where your fight went down is the center of the recovery effort. Laborers and masons are removing sections of the ruined street in four-foot cubes. There must be nearly fifty people working at various points across the plaza, with another dozen or so taking carts laden with stone to and from the surrounding streets. A man stands on a balcony nearby surveying the damage and making sketches on a long, unrolled scroll.

All in all, you're struck by how very efficient the process is.

“Osyki!”

You turn. Jun gives you a little wave as she approaches you. She's wearing a dress with a somewhat more conservative neckline than the one she had on last night, though her shawl has made a second appearance. She sidles up alongside you.

“Returning to the scene of the crime?”

“Something like that.”

> Can I be of assistance here?
> I was hoping to get into the Gardens.
> Where did you disappear to?
> Write-in

>>42860615
> Ah, but I am. I'm headed in to fix what I broke.

>>42861025
> I was hoping to get into the Gardens.

>>42861025
>> I was hoping to get into the Gardens.

>>42861025
>> I was hoping to get into the Gardens.
> I was hoping to get into the Gardens.

>>42861025
> Can I be of assistance here?

>>42861025
>Can I be of assistance here?

>>42861025
>> Where did you disappear to?
Let's be friends, Jun.

>>42861025
> Where did you disappear to?

“I was hoping to gain entrance to the Gardens,” you tell her. “There's an item of some curiosity that I lost inside in the scuffle last night. I was hoping to reclaim it.”

“Oh?” Jun arches one perfectly shaped eyebrow. “That's unfortunate. The Kingdom has basically declared the Gardens forbidden until repairs on it have completed. Something about the holy land of the Moon being exposed to daylight. I assume the Goddess is displeased. No point in rubbing salt in the wound.”

“I hadn't considered that,” you tell her. If you know spirits and their possessions, that conversation must have been a chilling one indeed. You wonder if the Moon Spirit lost a channel from her sanctum when the sun rose over the broken dome. “Would they let me in if I was helping with the repairs?”

She puts a hand to her chin, considering that. Amber eyes rake the collective of workers.

“Possibly. You'd need to get official dispensation from the architect up there. Even then, we're not moving in on the dome's reconstruction until the area around it has been declared stable again. The Hawk tore that house's foundations clear out of the ground, and the cracks apparently ran all the way down the street underground.” She shrugs, one hand clinging to her shawl to keep it from slipping down her shoulders.

>>42861636

You wince. “I hope the house was empty.”

“Mercifully,” Jun says, “It was. That idiot's going to get someone killed one of these days.” She taps her foot impatiently against the uneven stone underfoot.

You cast a sidelong glance at her, wondering exactly how much she knows about that idiot. Her gaze is fixed on the cracked edifice before you. Her eyes move like a surgeon's scalpel.

“In the mean time, if you're looking to help out I'm sure I could speak to the architect on your behalf. Another pair of hands would always be welcome. Not that manual labor is really my style. I'm here to keep an eye on things.”

You had an inkling of that from her perfectly manicured nails. “I see.”

> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?
> Get me into the Gardens and I'll see what I can do to help out.
> It looks like this is under control. I can come back later to look.
> Write-in

>>42861655
> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?
This is the best way we can win good will, and we've got some pretty strong tools for the job.

Hey, do you think theres some insane spirit war going on at the sun 24/7?

>>42861655
>> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?

>>42861655
>> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?
In the future, she and Tybald will be the people our village will deal with. Tybald is a bro, may as well get Jun on side too

>>42861655
Wait why exactly did we want to go to the gardens?

>>42861778
I think anons wanted to see if that girl we met was still around.

>>42861655
> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?
> Write-in
"If it helps your decision, I'm particularly good at earth magic."

>>42861655
> It looks like this is under control. I can come back later to look.
We absolutely have better things to do

>>42861655
>> Get me into the Gardens and I'll see what I can do to help out.
Legit though have we ever tried spirit based construction before

>>42861655
>It looks like this is under control. I can come back later to look.

>>42861655
> I'd love to pitch in. How can I help?

File: Osyki.jpg (119 KB, 731x1000)

119 KB JPG

[[ Mrrghgr. Nodded off at the keyboard. We'll call things here for now and pick up either later this weekend or next week. Thanks for playing and putting up with the sick QM folks. I'd appreciate it if someone would take care of archive.]]

>>42862341
RIP diarca. jk, get well man

>>42862341
Okay. Good night, Diarca. Thanks for running.

>>42862341
Thanks for running, friend.

>>42862341
Thanks for running and get well soon. Being sick is no fun, especially on the weekend.

>>42862341
Take it easy

>>42862341
Thanks for running!

>>42862341
Archived and thanks for running!

>>42858884
First thing that comes to mind would be predators, things that like to hunt and feed on meat.