Archive (courtesy of an awesome anon): http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html

>>265867
We agreed to inquire about benefits and obligations

>>265858
>>265815
>>265784

"Tell me more about these benefits"
"Sure. Well first off, I'll need to know your level. Please switch your profile to public."

>Do it.
>This is suspicious, leave

>>265893
>This is suspicious, leave
If he can't tell us
>You're so and so level so you get so and so and must do so and so
Then it's a set up.

As a side note, did we really get no XP for those quests we did?

>>265893
>Do it.
and undo it immediately once he sees it

>>265893
Do it for a nanosecond

Realistically they're the biggest guild and it's a public place and we aren't going to get robbed or die. Their building is covered in gold for Petes sake.

>>265901
You got 5exp for each quest

>>265903
>>265906
You do as he says, then immediately switch it back to private.
"Hmm Level 16 Wizard. Do you know any property skills?"
"Alchemy. I'm an Adept."
"Oh. That's nice." But he's already lost interest, which pisses you off. "Number 56!" He yells out. An old man wearing a yellow jumpsuit rushes forward. A large red '56' is splattered on his jumpsuit. "56 will take care of you." Says Shazatbot. You say something but he ignores you. Asshole.
"Come along young master, come along. Let's go somewhere a little more quiet to talk." Says 56.

>Follow 56
>Leave this place

>>265946
>Leave this place
Unless the guys name is actually 56, I don't like the look of this.

>>265946
>>265946
>Leave this place

leave the place

>>265946
>all these anons scared of an old man designed to look after noobs, when clearly the guy we were talking to only cares about high levelled players.


Y'all paranoid as fuck, I say we go with him.

>>265963
In MMO's guilds that take low level players usually do so to exploit them and their lack of knowledge.

>>265966
Or provide a constant stream of help and encouragement and to run them through troves and encourage their growth.

>>265946
>follow 56
shazbot kek

File: 1466069741474.jpg (24 KB, 308x302)

24 KB JPG

>>265972
t. realOG123

>>265955
>>265958
>>265962

People with numbers for names is generally a bad sign. You excuse yourself and turn to leave. The old man grabs your robe.
"Please, young master. Just hear me out. They'll...they'll --"
"56!" Yells Shazatbot. The old man jumps. "I'm sorry, sir. (He turns back to you, whispering) Please, young master, just follow me. You don't have to join, just hear me out, please! For my sake." Shazatbot is watching you two closely.

>Go with the old man
>Fuck him and fuck Shazatbot and fuck this guild. Leave.
>Other

>>265946
Follow him, you know how RealOG123 is.

>>265980
>Go with the old man

We can't just let this Old man be punished unjustly!

Clearly the QM wants us to explore this path...

Forge on!

>>265980
>>265980
>Other
Send John a message in case shit goes down, then follow him.

>>265994
seconding

>>265994
thirding

>>265980
Callin b it now he tries to trick us in to signin gnome up. If they beat him for not talking to us what do you think they'll do if he "fails" to recruit us?

>>266026
Do you really think they would do that? They're a good organization that just wants to provide a constant stream of help and encouragement to new players. Don't be such a Nazi.

>>265994
>>266002
>>266003
You send a quick PM to John letting him know where you are and to come for you if you don't respond back to him in a few hours. He wants to come immediately but you convince him to wait. You want to see what this guild thing is all about.

"Where are we going?"
"Not far, young master. Just a private room. A quiet place where I can answer any questions you might have about the guild." The air mage stops the elevator and opens the door. You're in a modern office with cubicles. People are shuffling papers talking to themselves (more likely PM'ing other players). 56 leads you to a small private room. He was right, its quiet and the sofa seats are comfortable.
"Now then young master. I'm sure you have questions about the guild. Please ask and I'll try to answer them as best I can." 56 looks extremely nervous. What will you ask him?

>>266039
Why is your name '56'?
Are you a player?
What benefits do I receive if I join this guild?
What is expected of me If I join this guild?
I've dealt drugs to RealOG123, does that earn me any sort of prestige?

>>266047
Add on
>Why were you so afraid of shazabot, what does he do?

>>266047
>>266053
"Well for starters why are you called '56'?"
"Well, young master, I'm only a 'Number' -- that's the lowest rank in the guild -- we don't have names."
"Are you a player?"

"A player, young master? What's that? Do you mean a Prime? Only Primes and above are called by their names. No, young master, I'm not a Prime." So the guilds have NPC's too. Interesting.
"Alright. What benefits do I get if I join the guild?"
"Well, there are numerous benefits depending on your abilities. Since you were given a private interview that means your eligible to be at least a Prime. I envy you young master, I do." He pauses then recites what is probably a practiced speech:"Primes are given free accommodation at any guild office. They can also identify any other guild member as well as contact any member within their rank. Guild members also get a generous 20% discount to any guild service or good. As the largest guild in Zeltanna with several million members and hundreds of offices throughout the world, that means you'll never be at a loss for a place to sleep or buy goods and services. As you move up the ranks you also get additional benefits, such as complementary service vouchers and private lodgings. Getting to the Counsel rank allows you access to guild meetings which shape the guild by-laws and decide the direction the guild will take in the future. Our guild also offers the special service of insuring Prime members in case of theft or loss of their goods. The Counsel members, I hear, are also insured against loss of life, though I have no idea how that works. Finally the guild offices can be a place for the exchange of information, rumors and job opportunities. Members are also protected from other members -- there are serious consequences for in-guild violence."
"I see. And what is expected of me, if I join?"
"Well, as a Prime, you'd have to pay guild dues every month, depending of course on your rank. I'd estimate something like 15 to 20 gp a month, for you specifically. The dues go up with rank, until you become part of the Counsel, at which point you receive a monthly stipend of 300 gp. Other than the dues, Primes may be called to mandatory service on some contract. Furthermore, members are banned from purchasing services or goods from other guilds. However the only thing to really worry about at your rank, would be the dues."
"I know RealOG123, I actually sold...some stuff to him. Does that get me anything?"
"I'm sorry young master, but RealOG123 no longer manages this guild." Wait what?
"I thought he founded it?"
"He did of course, however several years ago he sold his share in the guild and left. I believe it was some internal dispute between the current Guildmaster and RealOG123. I don't know the details, though I'm sure you can find something in the Guild Archives. Speaking of which, another benefit guild members enjoy is access to the Guild Archives, a repository for books and scrolls." (1/2)

>>266146
"Wait, but what about MagicMart?"
"MagicMart is currently owned by RealOG123. He bought it after selling his share in our guild." Damn. RealOG is a real entrepreneur.
"I have one more question."
"Of course young master."
"Why are you so afraid of Shazatbot?" 56 pales.
"Ahem -- what do you mean young master? A-afraid? Of course not!" He wrings his hands. Hmm, maybe you're being watched or someone is listening in?

You:
>Press the issue
>Leave it for now and join the guild
>Excuse yourself and just leave
>Other

>>266146
>>266163
>Excuse yourself and just leave
Maybe later on we could join or found a guild, but for now it seems like a distraction.

>>266163
>Press the issue.
Maybe they abuse npcs. They might not be real but they should have done empathy. We're in a private booth, so it's not like they'll overhear.

>>266163
Backing
>>266172

>>266163
>Excuse yourself and just leave
Most inns we've been to offered lodging and food cheap and being unable to use other guilds services/products cuts down on the things we have access to by a lot.

>>266172
>>266204
>>266206
"I think I've heard enough. Sorry but I have no interest in joining the guild at this time."
"I understand. Thank you for your time." He seems untroubled, almost relieved. He leads you back to the elevators.

Guilds. They really are like corporations.There's two days left till the World Cup and people are still pouring in from the docks. Looks like you'll have to the put the violin project on the back burner for now. You let John know everything's fine.

You:
>Head back to the hotel and just chill
>Go shopping (for what?), that 500 gp is burning a hole in your pocket
>Other

>>266224
>>266224
>Other
Sword training with John. Gotta git gud

>>266224
Find sword training

>>266224
How long until we finish whatever we are researching?

>>266247
You already finished your last ritual. You're not researching anything new right now.

>>266252
Then please automatically bring the ritual creation whenever we finish something. By the way this is a vote to create ritual.

>>266255
seconding ritual research

>>266255
Switching to this.

>>266255
>>266298
>>266302
It's time for a new ritual:

Ritual Creation

Maximum Complexity: 32

1. Choose an effect
You know of the following effects:
- Summon [5]
- Contract [5]
- Bind [5]
- Lesser [5]
- Common [10]
- Uncommon [20]
- Elemental [5]
- Spirit [5]

2. Choose a condition(s)
- Time
>No Repeats [3]
>Lasts till nearest event (medium) [4]
>Lasts till sunset [8] (3)
- Space
- Material
>Essence of creature (common) [2]
>Gold (low) [2]
- Action
>Draw Runes (simple) [4]
>Speak Incantations (Difficult) [17] (9)
>Dance (trivial) [2]
>Dance (simple) [4]



What will you research?

>>266311
Can we do
Summon Elemant[al] for 10?

Instead of summoning the full fledged embodiment of the element, just summon e actual element itself?

It makes sense to me, it would be useful to actually have an attacking spell for the first time.

>>266320
>>266311
>Contract
>commoncommon
>Spirit
Conditions
>Speak incantations
>gold
>dance trivial
I think that's how it works?

>>266311
>>266224
Why don't we buy a book on rituals? That way we're able to summon a lot more or do something other than summon.

>>266426
Anons want to do many things at once instead of gitting gud.

>Nobody understands how ritual system works
Ayy. Let's just buy a book.

>>266382
seconding?

We should get contract x elemental at some point.

>>266382
>>266677
You begin research on a new ritual: Contract Common Spirit. It will take you 6 days to research. Will you commit to the research?

>>266869
yes

>>266869
Sure.

>>266311
>Dance
Macarena

>>266869
is that 6 days hardcore doing it thow the day and night or is this just durrning the night time? as we wana go see games( can we enter a team?)

>>266908
It's passive.

>>266895
>>266902
>>266906
The familiar timer blinks into place. 6 days. 144 hours.

Well there's still day light hours left. What do you want to do?

>Start training in swordsmanship
>Perform one of your rituals
>Go shopping
>Make a potion/poultice
>Other

>>266935
>>Start training in swordsmanship
Gotta git gud

>>266935
>>Other
Find out what other skills we can get.

>>266935
>Start training in swordsmanship

>>266945
>>266955
You draw your blade. The merchant told you that it was an arming sword or "Knight sword". It's a little more than 2 and a half feet long, double edged and of beaten steel. Its blade is sharp (you had the merchant sharpen it for you)) and has no markings of any kind. It has a cross-shaped hilt, made of ox-leather.You give it few practice swings. It's light, but not weightless. You sheathe the sword. You need to find someone to train you -- someone like Lavozieh, but for swordsmanship. There has to be someone in this city who can help. You head downstairs to ask the all-knowing receptionist. There's a large crowd outside the hotel, the walkways are packed with people but the street is empty.

"What's going on outside?" You ask the receptionist.
"King Show has finally arrived! The rumors were true. Oh! Just my luck to be stuck here. *sigh* I wonder what he looks like." She's practically drooling.
"Yeah...I need help finding someone who teaches swordsmanship." She's daydreaming.
"AHEM"
"What? Oh--yes, of course. You can get such training from guilds at a low price. However they won't be able to train you past basic competence. To go beyond that you'll need to seek out a master. A master can bring you to an expert level of understanding. To go beyond that you'll need to the win the armbands." Sounds familiar.
"Armbands?"
"Yes -- oh! Is he passing by?" A roar from the crowd outside confirms it.

You:
>Ignore it and continue the conversation with the receptionist
>Head outside to see what all the fuss is about
>Other

>>267020
>>267020
>>Ignore it and continue the conversation with the receptionist
Gotta git gud

>>267020
>>Head outside to see what all the fuss is about

>>267020
>>Ignore it and continue the conversation with the receptionist
Do you know a good guild beside's RealOG's former guild?

>>267020
>>Ignore it and continue the conversation with the receptionist

>>267026
>>267044
"So...the armbands?"
"Hmm...oh yes. Masters and beyond have armbands indicating their status. Masters have bronze armbands and Grandmasters have silver armbands. There are only 20 silver armbands and 100 bronze ones in the whole world. Anyone can challenge a master to try and win his bronzeband. But only a Master may challenge a Grandmaster for his silverband. And only the Grandmaster may challenge the Legend."
"Legend?"
"The title conferred upon the greatest master in the world. There is only 1 per weapon class. They wear a white band. The only way to become a Legend to defeat one."
"So how did the first one come about?"
"There was always a Legend." She says and nothing more.
"Ok. Where can I find one of these 'Legends'?"
"You said you were looking for swordsmanship training?"
"That's right."
"Then you don't need instruction from a Legend, nor would they be able to help you if you found one."
"Why is that?"
"They are too far removed from your current skill. The only way to learn from them is to fight them. You should go to the Gangsta guild to get basic training. Or you can go to The Guild of Five Rings (she gives you directions). They specialize in swordsmanship. Their prices are not as cheap but I hear their instruction is more personalized."
"I see. Thank you."
"Yes -- Oh, he's gone isn't he? *sigh* Maybe I can see him in the World Cup"

>Head to The Guild of Five Rings
>Chill in your room
>Go shopping
>Other

>>267149
>>267149
>>Head to The Guild of Five Rings

>>267149
>Head to The Guild of Five Rings

>>267149
>>Head to The Guild of Five Rings

>>267149
>>Head to The Guild of Five Rings

>>267149
So we settled on sword? Ok then.
>Head to The Guild of Five Rings

>>267176
People complained so much that we were following the Great Path of Gandalf that the GM pulled fiat and now we have a sword and staff that we didn't vote for.

>>267194
At least we're progressing on the story now. Later on we can learn something else if we want, for now aim to not be a shitter.

>>267231
>Aim to not be a shitter
>is a dick to everyone else
Aren't you pleasant

>>267231
Yeah. It's time to start getting gud.

>>267154
>>267158
>>267165

It's hard to squeeze through the crowd. The streets are still empty. In the distance you can see someone atop a giant rabbit waving to the crowd. Still you squeeze through, getting elbowed and sandwiched and squished.

The Guild of Five Ring's office building is unimpressive. Actually it's a shack. It's impressive only in a run-down, broken-roof, missing-shingles way. You enter inside. Its damp and smells like the ocean. Not a bad smell, but strong, like liquor.

There's no receptionist table, no tables of any kind. No chairs. There's a elevated platform to one side made of packed earth. A worn carpet on top. Several people smoking long pipes and chatting quietly and reclining on the carpet. You've walked into medieval japan, not Hollywood puffery but something authentic -- dirty and therefore real.

"Yo! Looking to join?" Someone waves at you.
"I'm...I'm looking for training in swordsmanship." The chatter stops. The sound of lips smacking on smoke does not. The man who spoke gets up and walks over to you. He's taller than you, wearing loose robes like yours. Well-built, but his face and arms are scarred and wrinkled. One of his eyes is made of ivory, stuck in a perpetual lidless surprise.

A silverband wraps around his bicep. A sword hangs at his waist. Two swords. He offers a hand, you take it in yours. His grip is firm and his hands, calloused.
"What's your name lad?"
"Bob."
"Bob. Welcome to the guild. I'm Ben Sookay. My friends call me Ben. Come and sit. Do you smoke?"

>Yes!
>No
>Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot.
>Leave this hovel
>Other

>>267240
What? We need to git gud, if that means learning the sword for now then it's better than staying level 16 forever.

>>267251
>>Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot.

>>267251
>No
I'm good thanks. Unless there's a stat buff.

>>267255
I voted to go to the Five Rings guild.

You're the one calling people navis and shits for not falling in line with the majority.

>>267262
weird that auto correct likes navis and not nazis

>>267251
>>No

>>267194
>didn't vote for
But...you guys did vote for it. I was all ready to buy the boomerang but then everyone changed their minds to purchasing the staff and sword. Unless I'm missing something.

>>267268
More that we didn't vote for options. We just got told we bought a sword and staff.

>>267251
>>No

>>267251
>>Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot.

>>267251
>Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot.

>>267271
Ahhh ok. I got it. Well I thought the deliberations were more on the weapon type than on an individual weapon so I just made a decision. The important thing was the staff, the sword is a standard issue, run-of-the-mill thing you can always trade it in for something more specific. But there wasn't any consensus on what kind of sword (I remember someone recommending a Jian but that's about it) so I just picked one and moved on

>>267260
>>267290
>>267292

>>267276
>>267267
>>267262

Waiting for Tie-break

>>267251
>>Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot.

>>267310
No worries. Love what you're doing. I'm just a bit frustrated with that and the fact that people fell for the "test alchemy without even renting a book" trap. But that's nothing.

>>267320
>>267260
>>267290
>>267292

"Well, I've never tried it...but I'll give it a shot."
"Haha! Yes, that spirit. Shinman give this lad a pipe. Come, sit." You sit at the carpet with the others, 5 of them, reclining in a circle, blowing smoke into the ceiling. Light comes through a paneless hole in the wall. 'Shinman' passes you a pipe. You take a puff. It's strong stuff, your eyes water, your throat burns. You cough. You clear your throat.
"Hahaha! It's an acquired taste isn't it lads?" The others laugh. You take another puff, there's a sweet aftertaste, something like melon's or grapes. You cough. You wipe your eyes.
"So then, lad, you say want to learn swordsmanship?"
"Yes, sir." The 'sir' just feels appropriate. Ben takes a deep puff.
"Mmm. Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're a wizard right?"
"Y-yes." How did he know? Your profile is still set to private.
"I can tell by the way you walk, the way you keep your sword and hold your staff. So you're a wizard. Why learn swordsmanship? A wizard can conjure up the spirits of a great warrior and let it posses him. Or he can just summon a great spirit and have it fight for him. A wizard doesn't need swordsmanship. Why are you here Bob? Why learn the sword?" He makes a good point.

>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."
>"I just want to learn it for its own sake"
>"Because I aspire to martial perfection. Just me and my body and the sword, not some spirit."
>Other

>>267393
>>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."

>>267393
>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."

>>267393
>>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."

>>267393
>>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."

>>267393
>"Because I don't want to be limited by my class."

>>267401
>>267413
>>267405
>>267418

"Because I don't want to be limited by my class. Because no one expects a wizard to wield a sword and know how to use it."
"True enough." Another deep puff. "I could say something like 'the path isn't easy' or 'are you prepared' and blah blah blah. But none of that really matters. Anyone can learn the sword. It's a matter of sacrifice and discipline. Nothing else...give me your purse."
"What?"
"Your purse, your gold. Give it to me, all of it." He leans back and blows smoke rings. Woah what the fuck is this?
"W-why?"
"You want to learn swordsmanship? I'll teach you. But the price is steep. I know you have a lot of coin on you and I want all of it. Then I'll teach you." What the actual fuck? Lessons shouldn't cost upwards of 500 gp. But more than that, this guy doesn't look like the greedy type. He's watching you closely now.

>Give him the purse, its only money
>Refuse and leave this place
>Other

>>267453
>Give him the purse, its only money
this is a test

>>267453
>>Give him the purse, its only money
Can't we easily recover it with alchemy and making zombies to copy books?

>>267453
>>267453
There are only 20 silver armbands in the world.
>Give him the purse, it's only money

Does armbands shit exist for magic too?

>>267453
>>Give him the purse, its only money

>>267469
Pretty sure the distracted receptionist said "...per weapon class" so there's a slight chance? Since she was distracted

>>267453
>Decline the offer

"I don't even know the basics, right now I wouldn't be able to make the most of your instruction. Shinman, or any of the others would be fine if they're willing to teach me."

>>267453
>>Give him the purse, its only money

>>267476
i think she mient that was only 20 in the world but like only 1 or 2 for each class not 20 for each class.
pulsh we will use the sprits to make the wepons do ausome shit that people wont see coming, and we shold try to make a hand cannoe with the black eys bomb and ether a fire sprite or wind one

>>267506
Wind elemental carrying a bandolier of combustible alchemical potions sounds mighty dangerous.

Also, as an idea: maybe we get our earth elemental to make some stone totems/tokens/essentially keychain sized statues to enchant and sell. or just sell to the local NPC's as novelty items.

>>267461
>>267463
>>267464
>>267471

You take out the purse. Your heart clenches. You steel yourself. It's a lot of gold...you slide it over. No one looks down, no one even seems to have noticed. Ben gets up and looks through the purse.
"That's a lot of gold." He stares at you. He mutters something under his breath and flame engulfs the purse in his hand and burns it to ash. You keep in control. How many times has this happened? Bullies wanting pocket money. A punching bag. A scapegoat. Such things no longer faze you. You wait.
"Hmm, you're not like most folk. That's good. Here." He tosses you a purse from his robes. It's yours. Not a single gold out of place.
"Only a parlor trick, but you'd be surprised how many people I get with that one. Hahaha. But you did well, Bob. I like you. And I'll teach you." He gets up. "Yo, Shinman, keep the place running while I'm gone. " Shinman gives a thumbs up. "Wait for me outside lad, I'll be out in a minute." You wait outside. He comes out in a minute, he's wearing a backpack now.
"Thanks. Just had to grab somethings for the journey."
"Uh...where are we going?"
"I'm not going anywhere, lad. I'm following you. This how we teach at Five Rings. One on one. Master and student. It's an old way. But then, I'm an old man and maybe not long for this world. Things that money can't buy, I sense you'll take me to them and I'll teach you swordsmanship in return. Now you don't need to worry, I have everything I need right here (he taps his head). I won't get in the way. Now then, let's get something to eat! I'm starving!" He smiles. Well then. Looks like you have a new companion.

>>267520
but also mighty fun have her make hte potions hover in the air around us or somthing so we dont have to carry them and could place them behand someon we are fighting so they dont see it coming. or we could make a gun thing with the potions have powerd and a fusion rop on them and have a fire ne light the fuse best part is that whne we say bang bang no one will knoww wtf is going ot happen, become magaman

>>267534
Well shit. Guess we can fight that wasp trove now.

>>267548
yup, wasp trove it is

After eating lunch with Ben (and he eats a lot) you head back to the hotel to introduce him to John. They get along well, but you suspect Ben could get along with anyone. You offer to get Ben a room, but he tells you he wouldn't be comfortable in such a fancy place. He leaves to set up camp by the coast. He comes back next morning to eat breakfast with you and John.

The World Cup is tomorrow! And registration has finally opened. Will you compete in the Seaball World Cup?

>>267578
No. Watch for now, learn and get more rituals through Copycat.

>>267578
>No
We don't even know how to play. We should use copycat and ask Ben for his thoughts on what the teams are doing.

>>267589
do this
bue we could use sprits and that to win, lol use wind sprits to make the balls always come to use ahah

>>267583
>>267589
>>267601
You get tickets to watch but you can't compete. Hell you don't even know the rules. It takes a few hours waiting in line to get the tickets. For the rest of the day you:
>Train with Ben
>Chill at the hotel
>Alchemy some stuff up
>Perform a ritual
>Other

>>267615
>>Train with Ben

>>267615
>>Train with Ben
use him since we got him ask him how long will her train us for

>>267615
>Train with Ben

>>267615
Train with Ben.

>>267624
>>267625
You ask Ben to begin your training. He leads to his camp overlooking the coast. The earth is hard and cliffs jut out over the sea. A little tent lies near the edge of a cliff.
"I'm curious, sir, how long will you teach me?"
"Until I die." He says. There is no hesitation in his voice, he might as well have been discussing the weather.
"What do you mean? Until you die? What does that mean?"
"It means exactly as it sounds. Don't trouble yourself over it lad, what'll be will be." He stops in front of the tent and turns. The wind is strong and tugs at your robes.
"So, Bob. Do you know the difference between a master and an amateur?"
"No."
"The amateur fears pain and is struck down in the crucial moment. The master fears death and bears the pain, losing flesh to conserve bone. A scar is the mark of a master, it is the burden of pain. A grave is the mark of the amateur, it bears the dead. Do you understand?"
"No."
"Well said. It's not a thing to be understood or known, or even felt. You are. Or you aren't." He pauses. "These things may strike you as philosophical puffery. And they are, because they are only words. But if you can live them without separation, puffery will turn to purity. Philosophy to practice. I will show you the stances and the holds. I will show you what to look for, how to judge breath, how to step in, how to strike and how to prevent being struck. But fear of pain I cannot undo. Fear of death, none can undo. You shall come to know these things. You shall come to be these things...remember to breathe...and try to stay alive, ok?"
"Uh...ok."
"Alright. Let's begin." He teaches you the way to stand and hold a sword. The way to walk and swing the sword. You practice until the sun sets and your muscles are creaking with pain and fatigue. On the way home you check your character sheet. You have advanced to Novice in Long Swords.

Will continue tomorrow

>>267716
thanks nd god damit o we can just rock up to his place when we want some train now cools.
HH im wourking out a bit now so il be sore as well

>>267716
I like this guy. Sounds like a great teacher. Good thread, OP.

>>267716
>How long will you teach me?
>Until I die.

This is a good man. We must learn as much as we can from him.

>>267716
Guess we should start spending more points in DEX and ignore CON.

>>268408
The smarter we are the more intelligent our strikes shall be. Precision artery slicing is better than improved reflexes SON.

>>268415
We can't hit if we aren't fast enough.

We should bind a gatorant to our sword or another object for research purposes.

>>268438
Gatorants are scum.

We should allow the spirit of a fallen sword master to possess us so we can kill our teacher and become Silver armband masters, after he teaches us all he can and we take his stuff,

>>268446
Good luck finding that spirit.
>Gatorants are scum.
Yes they are but we should try binding one to a weapon just to test it since we never used that ritual before. Not like we have any other use for their hearts or brains.

>>268455
Perhaps we should bind an Owlwasp Fighter instead? We could get a venom enchantment that way :)

>>268482
Sure but there is no reason to not try gatorants first.

>>268497
Gatorants are farther away I think but yeah, no real reason besides that.

>>268906
We have their essence in our backpack.

>>269095
Oh yeah. Keep forgetting about that

>>268455
Seconding

I like Ben. Old Ben Kenobi who teaches us how to fight with blades.

So, we should start an armbands collection.
We can be the Gandalf of Oz. Sword, staff, boomerang, and our axe, and our bow, etc.

Let's bind a gatorant for the lul.
During our adventures, keep an eye for a firefly monster or something, for the lightsaber.

Sorry for the long delay, but here's a 4-post long update

The day of the tournament! The crowds have gathered at the stadium and you and
John and Ben with them. The stadium is a semi-circular building in the style of
a colisseum. It lies right next to the ocean, with the opening of the
semicircle facing the water. Your seats are midway from the arena, not great
seats, but not bad either. The arena itself is fully submerged in water. There
are small wooden platforms big enough for one or two people, bobbing in the
water. People are filling in from the various entrances. The weather is fair.
Vendors are selling snacks and souvniers.

The opening ceremonies begin. A man wearing fancy robes comes out to the arena
and introduces himself as Senator Gaius, orchestrator of this year's World Cup.
He thanks everyone for coming, talks about the people involved in making this
great event possible, blah, blah, blah, typical politician's talk.
Then he hands over the arena to King Phil A. Show. The crowd cheers for a full
two minutes. King Show waves everyone to silence. He looks ordinary, almost
frail. He's wearing a mask, a simple white mask with eyeholes. He's
wearing robes not unlike yours, in quality. He wields nothing except a lute --
which he wears on his back. Yet, despite all this, he radiates power and you
know he is a king, through and through. The screen above his head, which reads:

Phil A. Show
Level 100 Bard
- Legendary Lutist
- King of Noutria
- Highest Ranked Player
- Tower of Zeltan (Lvl 9)

doesn't hurt either.

"How honored I am to be here!" The crowd explodes again. His voice is deep and
rich, almost sing-song. "I don't wish to delay the games any further, but let
me just say that the World Cup has a special place in my heart. It was where I
met my best friends. It was where I found glory for the first time. It was
where, I became a man. I hope others too find what I have found here. But
peace, let the games begin!" The crowd cheers again. Senator Gaius returns and
introduces the first two teams. Each match has three rounds, best of three wins
and moves on to the next match. It's an elimination style tournament,
meaning the winning team must win every single one of their matches.

The game is played with 10 players, 5 to each team. The rules are reminicist of
dodge ball and capture the flag. There are two balls, yellow and red, one given
to each team at the start. There are no out-of-bounds areas, except for
the water. Anyone who falls into the water or is hit with a ball, is out and
cannot return into play. The round ends if all the opposing players are
eliminated or if both balls are held by one team. It's a simple enough game,
but the flexiblity of the rules allows for very creative play. You keep your
eyes open to use your copycat perk on any rituals that might be performed.

The first round ends within minutes.

(1/4)

The players enter into the arena. An announcer gives the names of the teams and
their members. The balls are given to the designated team captains. Then, at
the announcer's mark, the game begins. The announcer retires to his post to comment on the game.
"I think we're in for a good show today folks. The yellow team, lead by Halley
Toshez was the runner up last year. Their specialty is quick strikes using the
opponents blind spots--and oh, we're already seeing some of it here -- Halley's
going for the Red team's ice mage, Blueinblood. As a wind mage, Halley is
master of the skies and his throws never miss. Looks like Blueinblood has
picked up on Halley's movements -- but here comes Sandman71 from the front!
He's grabbed Blueinblood! Blueinblood has frozen Sandman's hands to her body!
Hally is coming in the for the kill. The ball is out! But Blueinblood is
jumping into the water! It's a suicide play! Both players are out!

But the yellow ball is free and red captain, TrickyDick is closing in...it's
too far away for Halley to catch up, TrickyDick is almost there. Is it over?
No! It's Cellophant's water elemental, Flo, to the rescue! She finally
finished her ritual (you learned a new ritual: Summon Greater Elemental) Whoo!
Wouldn't wanna get hit by one of her water bullets. The only reason that ball
isn't tatters right now is because its reinforced folks, do not try this at
home! And Halley is going for the yellow ball. That early suicide play has
really turned this match upside down. There's Fourteenbras and Omlet trying to
pin down LadyFiller and Machostache. But ladies and gentlemen what can two fire
mages do against a barbarian and a warrior? It's not a joke setup, people, the
answer is nothing! LadyFiller cuts through the firewall to Koolaidman who is
calmly performing his ritual. Halley has the ball in reach! And oh! TrickyDick
with the shot on Halley! Did it hit? Yes! Unbelievable! The yellow team captain
taken out by his own strategy! Yellow ball to Flo, back to Cellphant.

LadyFiller is going for the red ball now. TrickyDick is yelling at Omlet to get
the ball. It's too late! LadyFiller has the ball. Game over? No!
It's a battle of elementals! Koolaidman took his time but here she
is! Brrr! Is it me or did it suddenly get cold in here? No ladies and
gentlemen, I don't have crippling autism! It's Shiva, the Ice Princess! With a
single wave of her hand she's frozen half the arena and Cellophant with it. The yellow ball is free! The game is still on!

Fourteenbras
blazes past Machostache and retrives the yellow ball. LadyFiller trying to
protect the red ball but Shiva is just too powerful! LadyFiller is frozen
at a touch and tossed into the water. The red ball is free...aaaand, its over
ladies and gentleman! Koolaidman retrieves the ball and the first round goes to
TrickyDick's team. Just goes to show you anything can happen in Seaball. Not
even the veterans are safe! We'll now have a brief break to allow the players
to recover and the arena to be set back up. And now a brief message from our
sponsors, the Gangsta Guild: 'If you need shit done, or niggas killed, come to
the Gangsta Guild!' We'll be back a few minutes."

Unfortunetly that Shiva ritual was too fast and complicated for you to pick up.
There were several incredibly complex runic diagrams etched into the platform
as well as an incantation and some strange liquid thrown into the center and
even a little dance around the runes.
However you did learn the ritual to summon the greater elemental. Before you
can check out the details on your character sheet, the second round has started.

"And we're back ladies and gentleman. Round 2. The pressure is on for Halley's
team, a loss here will mean elimination. The balls are out. And go! Looks like
Halley is sticking to his strategy, hovering above the arena looking to snipe
from blind spots. TrickyDick and his team are going for a defensive play. I
don't blame him, Shiva was probably the team's trump and they'll be hard
pressed to use her again this round. Great risks taken on both sides, but you
can't make omlets with breaking a few eggs. Speaking of Omlet's, the plucky
young fire mage is going right for Halley! The fire foot technique is speedy
but lacks the control wind mages have in flight. They don't call Halley 'The
Comet' for nothin' folks! Omlet might regret his little outburst. Halley cocks
back, there goes the ball at Omlet's head. And that's contact! Omlet is out.
Yellow ball retrieved by LadyFiller. TrickyDick's team is huddling together.
Just what are they planning? LadyFiller passes to Sandman71. Sandman71 to
Halley. Halley is flying over to TrickyDick. LadyFiller and Machostache
separate and surrounding the still-huddling red team. Cellophant summons Flo.
The red team is completely cornered. What's this? The red team scatters! Oh
great spirits above, its a second Shiva summon! No! It looks like a contract
ritual, but just who has Koolaidman contracted? Fourteenbras and TrickyDick
trying hard to contain LadyFiller and Flo. Sandman71 breaks through to
Koolaidman! But Blueinblood is has encased herself and Koolaidman in an ice shelter.

Just what is -- and Halley is down! Halley
is dooooown! What just happened? Lightning ladies and gentlemen! Koolaidman
just released lightning! It's a dual-cast ritual! Fire and water make
lightning. Halley is knocked out.

The yellow team is definitely caught
off-guard, both teams are rushing for the yellow ball. But its no good!
Koolaidman once again with the powerplay, knocking out the players with
'lightning' speed, not discerning friend or foe. Fourteenbras down! Cellophant
down! Sandman71 down! Machostache dodges and is going for Blueinblood and
Koolaidman. A risky technique! Only LadyFiller and TrickyDick left for the
ball. There'll be no more help from Koolaidman, the ritual is spent and he's
out like a hibernating nutman at the coming of winter. It's a flatout foot
race. Blueinblood is struggling to keep her ice wall up against Sandman71.
Looks like he's out for blood after last rounds suicide play. But back to the
ball. Who'll get their first? LadyFiller leaps on TrickyDick! It's a chokehold!
And look at this! TrickyDick showing his incredible strength, carrying -- yes
folks -- carrying LadyFiller on his back and still running to the ball.
LadyFiller trying desperately to push him down and steal the red ball, its a
battle of wills now! That's it! TrickyDick falls. It's over! He's out cold!
LadyFiller going for the ball, no! No! TrickyDick faking getting knocked out!
He's grabbed LadyFiller's leg. He trips her. He throws her in the water.
Sandman71 breaks in with his fists of fury against Blueinblood's ice wall, but
its too laaaaaate! TrickyDick with the ball and the win! Wowwowowowow, what a
match ladies and gentlemen! What plays! What players! What an upset! Give it up
for the winner of the first match TrickyDick and his team!"

Fuck. If only they hadn't covered up what they were doing, you could've gotten
that contract ritual too. Still, you find yourself getting into the matches.
It's far better than any sport in the real world, at any rate. John is
practically a hardcore fan already, yelling and cheering the players. Ben just
has an amused grin at the whole thing. It looks like there's a longer break
between matches. You

>Stay put and wait
>Get up and strech your legs a bit
>Buy something from the roving vendors (snacks or souvenirs)

>>271067
>Sandman71 down! Machostache dodges and is going for Blueinblood and
Koolaidman.

Should be:

Machostache down! Sandman71 dodges and is going for Blueinblood and
Koolaidman.

>>271067
>>Get up and strech your legs a bit

>>271067
>>271063
>>271050
>>271046
Good thing we didn't try to enter, we would have gotten rekt.
>Get up and stretch your legs for a bit
Ask Ben about the plays, if there was anything special going on from the warrior classes that you didn't pick up on.

SNAAAAAAAACKS GET US A FUCKING HOTDOG, maybe get the other some snacks too,

>>271067
>>Get up and strech your legs a bit

>>271407
>>271085
>>271083

You get up and stretch your legs. The seats are arranged with ample walking space so you don't bump into peoples knees trying to get around the stadium. You walk over to the vendor and buy some snacks (a bowl of cornchips with special sauce and a corndog). As you walk back you notice a familiar face in the stands. its that tower of a swordsman you helped back in Olekville.

You:
>Say hi
>Ignore him and go back to your seat
>Other

>>271746
>>Say hi

>>271746
>>Say hi
More friends is always nice.

>>271746
>>Say hi

>>271746
>Ignore him and go back to your seat
He probably doesn't remember, or is going to be a dick (He barely thanked us for saving him, just gave us some gold and gtfo of there).

>>271746
>Say hi
Hiya! You competing? How's the armband thing? Thanks for the coin by the way.

>>271746
>Say hi.
Just because we have such low charisma doesn't mean we don't know how up socialize.

>>271754
>>271766
Can't hurt to say hi, you don't want to be rude. You touch his shoulder. He turns. Stares at you, in expectation at first, then recognition.
"Well, well. Small world."
"Yes. How're your injuries?"
"Hmm? Oh fine, fine. Thanks again for your help last time. I never caught your name."
"Bob."
"Bob. You...are a player right?"
"That's right, I am." Your eye catches the armband around his bicep; bronze. You remember that he wore a silver one once, before it was taken by Mus. Yet, he is nothing like Ben, somehow you know that, were they to fight, Ben would win easily.
"My name's Mike. Mike Hunt. Nice to meet ya." Match two is starting.
"Yep, likewise. I better get back to my seat. Nice seeing you."
"Alright, later dude."

You think about sending him a friend request but decide against it. He looks like a decent player, but you don't know him well enough. You head back to your seat and distribute the snacks. Match 2 begins.

"Ladies and gentleman, gentleman and ladies, we've seen some truly spectacular play so far. I don't how this next match is going to top what we've witness, but keep your fingers crossed folks! And they're off! The yellow team is headed by the bald barbarian Bubbagum, Look at those muscles ladies, even I'm swooning! Bubbagum and his team came in third last year, but their hoping to clinch the cup this year. On the red team, another set of new faces to the cup this year, led by enigmatic Knight, Tim White. Their team has the odd composition of 4 Clerics and 1 Knight. Should make for quite the interesting match up against Bubbagum's band of rogues and warriors."

Well that sucks. Neither team has any wizards. You sit back and just enjoy the match.

"We won't be seeing any theatrics this match folks, just a plain 'ol brawl. Hmm, what's this! Peter just stabbed Tim in the back! Is this treachery? No! Linus is...reviving Tim? No! It's a thrall ladies and gentlemen. This is the first time we've ever seen anything like this. Turning your own comrade into a thrall! And it looks like the clerics are pouring their ether into Tim. This ain't gonna be pretty people!"

"Holy shit." Says John.
"What is it?"
"The amount of ether around that guy. It's...actually scary."
"The lads from the other team have already lost. A perfect strategy. They might win the cup this year."
It happens too fast. There's just a flash of light, a glint of armor in the sunlight, an errant beam across the water. The entire enemy team is struck down all at once. Even the announcer doesn't know what to say.

"W...well, folks I guess that's that. Victory goes to the Tim and his team." There is no cheering. Only an awed silence as the knocked out members of the yellow team are carried away from the arena. Bubbagum forfeits the second round and victory goes to Tim.

As Ben predicted, no one is able to stand against Tim and his band of Clerics.

In the few remaining matches where Tim's team does not compete, you learn two new rituals, Contract Greater Elemental and Bind Uncommon Spirit.

But the final match between Tim and TrickyDick's team (they both managed to make it to finals) is anti-climatic. Tim's team simply railroads across TrickyDick's team using the same strategy. There is talk that they have 'broken' the game and that the 'game has changed'. In either case, they are awarded the Seaball World Cup and a unique item: Cronus' Scythe, a giant, 10 foot long scythe that looks like it could split a horse in one swing.

After the award ceremony you:

>Head home to rest and relax
>Train with Ben
>Check the details for your new rituals and updates to your ritual creation and test some of them out
>Go shopping
>Other

>>271930
>>Head home to rest and relax

>>271910
>>271930
>>Train with Ben

>>271930
>Train with Ben

>>271930
>>Train with Ben

>>271938
>>271950
>>271977
You ask Ben if you can receive more training. He tells you to pace yourself but does not refuse you. You head back to the campsite to train again.
"We're being followed lad." Says Ben. You look behind you. There's no one there.
"Are you sure?"
"He's a pro. But I'm sure." Ben stops and turns.
"Come out." Mike Hunt emerges steps out from behind a tree. It's surprising how you weren't able to sense this hulk of a man.
"Impressive old man, I thought I hid myself perfectly."
"So you did. But perfection is not everything. What do you want?"
"Your armband. I lost mine, so I thought I'd get a new one. Hand it over and no one gets hurt."
"M-mike why are you doing this?"
"Stay out of this Bob. This concern you."

>"Yes it fucking does asshole, this is my master. Why don't you just leave us alone?"
>Attack him with everything you've got
>Let this play out as it will
>Other

>>272034
>Mike Hunt *steps out from behind a tree
>"Stay out of this Bob. This doesn't* concern you."

>>272034
>>Let this play out as it will
im sure ben can take him

>>272034
>"Yes it fucking does asshole, this is my master. Why don't you just leave us alone?"
I'm honestly hoping the diplomatic route works.

If they're a fight though, I'm voting to stay out of it.

>>272034
>>Attack him with everything you've got
No summons though. Be the sword.

>>272034
>>"Yes it fucking does asshole, this is my master. Why don't you just leave us alone?"

>>272034
>"Yes, it fucking does..."

>>267716
>advance in long sword
You have no idea how funny it is to me calling an arming sword a long sword. To the people in it's day, it very well was, but to me, the 6'4" tall monster of a man, an arming sword is something I can use with a single hand. If I wanted an equivalent to an arming sword for my size and build, I'd reach for a Zweihänder. Such as a claymore is short enough for me to be able to control single handed >>272034
Yes it does...

>>272054
>>272068
>>272074
"Yes it fucking does asshole, this is my master. Why don't you just leave us alone?"
"Master? He's a fucking NPC. They only exist to give up their shit to players like you and me. Old man just give up the armband and I'll let you live." Wait what? NPC?
"I can't do that lad. This armband belonged to a dear friend of mine. He entrusted me with it."
"Fine, suit yourself." He draws his giant sword,
"Stand back lad...and don't look away." Ben takes his stance. His hand rests easy on the grip of his sword.
"Heh. Look at this, an NPC with an attitude! Old man just give up. I don't like killing the elderly." Ben says nothing. He closes his single eye, the ivory one stares out like a fish.

Mike circles to the side, tip-toeing. He rushes forward, his blade held high. A swing down. The bulk of steel at your master's head, stopped inches from contact. Ben holds the blade with one hand. Blood runs down his arm, soiling his robes. His eyes are still closed. Mike panics, he tries to lift the sword but it does not budge. Cracks appear where Ben's fingers meet the steel. There is a subtle movement, a subtler sound, a flash of pale blue and then the sound of a blade being sheathed. A scream. A solid thud as Mike's severed sword arm falls to the floor; as Mike's blade falls to the ground. Ben takes a deep breath...releases it. Mike fumbles in his pocket for something, probably a health potion. Ben opens his eye. Ben walks slowly to Mike. His hand drips with blood and leaves a trail as he walks. Mike begs. Mike asks for mercy.
"None asked." Ben draws his blade. "None given."

You look away.

You turn to head back to the hotel to find John. But Ben stops you.
"It's fine lad. Look." The bleeding has already stopped. His wound has closed. You try not to look at the broken corpse on the ground. You know you will throw up if you do. Ben starts digging a hole at the side of the road, with his bare hands.
"What are you doing?"
"Digging a grave."
"But he tried to kill you!"
"And? Do you believe he was my enemy?"
"People that try to kill you generally are."
"Do you believe that he was evil?"
"Again, people that go around trying to kill other people, generally are."
"Yet I have killed more people than him and all his kind. Am I not evil? Did I not kill him even as he asked for mercy?"
"..." You don't have an answer. Isn't this just a game. Why are you so flustered?
"The only difference between him and I, is not one of morality, but only of strength."
"So...what. Might makes right?"
"Might makes dead. Right and wrong are for politicians and priests to debate. Warriors have no such luxury." Is this really an NPC? You bend down and help him dig. You see tears well and follow the folds of Ben's checks, leaving tracks in the dust. You dig in silence, it's hard work without tools, you try to summon an elemental to help, but somehow you feel it wouldn't be appropriate. It's nightfall by the time you finish.

>>272212
Wait, mike should have a bronze band... Can we loot it?

>>272234
That's pretty high profile thing... We want that?
We are only level 16

Ben carries the corpse into the grave, lays the head and arm carefully in place. The sword across the dead man's chest, both hands on hilt. The feet straight, the eyes closed. He carefully removes the bronze armband and hands it to you. On a whim you put it on. You immediately feel a rush of strength. You check your character sheet. The armband gives you a +5 to Con, Dex and Wis.
"Wear it if you like lad, but I wouldn't. You aren't ready yet." You take it off. Can't anyone challenge the one who wears a bronze armband? Best to hold off for now. You put it in your bag for safekeeping.

You carry the dirt, armful by armful to cover the body. Another hour and the deed is done.
"I think...that will do for training today. Go home and rest Bob. We can resume tomorrow if you wish." You walk home with strange thoughts, questions you've never considered. Bullies are evil right? Your tormentors are hateful creatures, You've relished dark dreams by the windowsill, between sleep and madness in late nights. Bullies are scum. These things are immutable. Do you believe that he was evil? Yes! Of course he was! He could've walked away. He could've just left us in peace! Well it doesn't matter anyway. He's a player, he'll come back revived as a different character. No big deal. But if Ben dies? How long will you teach me? Until I die..

In the morning Ben joins you for breakfast. The World Cup is over and people are leaving in droves. Wurm passage back to Etria costs 5 gp per passenger, 16 times what you paid for earlier. But John's been quite successful in his money-making efforts, he offers to pay for passage. But you have plenty of gold too.

You:
>Take up John's offer and head back to the mainland
>Pay for everyone yourself
>Stay in Dorter for a while longer to...
>Other

>>272247
I was more thinking loot it but not wear it. in my experience items such as these trigger on equip. Just obtaining it does not give the effects but op would have to back me there.

>>272252
>>Take up John's offer and head back to the mainland
Grinding time.

>>272260
This

>>272252
I vote that we stay. We still need to inquire about good wood for a violin at the bard guild.

>>272252
>>Pay for everyone yourself

>>272252
>>Take up John's offer and head back to the mainland
>>272280
we can find good wood as we go along
also do we wana finsh that undead tower and take on a dragon

>>272920
We need to finish the wasp, undead and gatorant dungeons before even thinking about going after the dragon. That shit is way above our level

>>272929
im fine with doing thos frist bit if we thinking about taking on the dragon smart now that we can get bger and better sprits just we cant get hit

HOL UP
If we leave now what happens with our alchemy lessons?

>>272939
They are over already.

>>272971
> Lavozieh tells you he will return tomorrow to continue the lessons and to be ready because he will test you.
They aren't over.

>>272976
It already ended.
>Lavozieh tells you he will return tomorrow to continue the lessons and to be ready because he will test you.
>A week passes in his instruction and you are engaged all day with it. Your character sheet now reads:
>You thank Lavozieh for your services, but on the contrary he seems pleased to have taught a competent pupil for once. He tells you to keep in touch.

>>272984
Oh ok. I should pay more attention.

>>272929
we can make the black eyes bomb( that made it so we cant see) get it to hit the dragons eyes so it cant see us then kill it that way

>>272252
>Take up John's offer.
Bro tier buddy deserves best violin.

>>272252
We have been level 16 for SO long.

We need to level up properly, quickly, pls.

>>272252
>>Pay for everyone yourself
Griiiiiind!! get some drops and test the ritual system for how different drops handle complexity/Difficulty reduction

we should also make a "Summon [x] Spirit" ritual so we can bind/contract one for alchemy crafting/learning.

It was said we could use our powers to "make" rarer materials. It we made little stone fetishes/tokens (either by hand or en masse with elemental) and bound a lesser spirit to it, could we use that as part of a ritual for an uncommon/greater elemental/spirit summon?

I keep thinking more things after posting, sorry.

Are wood and metal considered elements in this game? I know euro-standard is earth, wind, water, and fire but wood and metal were considered base elements in some Oriental regions. Be neat to see if we could summon a wood elemental for crafting things like bows/staves/boomerangs to sell or use if we want later. Metal would be neat to forge our own items or bind to our sword, be interesting to see if we get some sweet bonus from it.

>>272260
>>272278
>>272920
>>273063
You've gotten what you came here for. It's time to go back to the mainland and get some more levels. You let John cover the expenses, you still haven't told him about your little violin project. You figure you'll surprise him.

The journey back to Etria is uneventful, almost boring. Riding on the belly of a giant worm gets old. You do manage to finish your research on the Contract Common Spirit ritual:

Rituals

Bind Fallen Foes - Allows you bind the spirit of an enemy you have killed onto an object for a time.
-Needs 'essence of enemy'
-Needs 2 gold coins
-Needs runes to be drawn
-Repeating releases former spirit
-Spirit is bound until the next full moon (30 days) or object is broken, or the ritual is performed again
Bind Lesser Elemental - Allows you to bind a summoned lesser elemental onto an object for 5+Wis hours
-Incantation:
I choose to bind/ This Elemental/I hope they find/ It rather gentle/Help me grind/ Don't be judgmental.
Summon Common Elemental
-Needs a simple dance (disco hip thrusts)
-Incantation (poem): Common Elemental/I call on you/Aid me in battle/What I order, do/Be my protector/And companion too
Contract Common Spirit
-Incantation
-Needs 2 gold coins
-Needs a trivial dance
Summon Greater Elemental
-Complex Runic diagrams
-Simple Incantation
-Time Limit: 1 hour
-Requires item (uncommon)
Contract Greater Elemental
-Simple dance
-Extremely complex incantation
-Needs 1 pint of human blood
-Simple runes drawn with human blood
-Time limit: 30 minutes
Bind Uncommon Spirit
-Needs token of spirit (common)
-Needs true name of spirit
-Difficult incantation
-Complex runes on object to be bound
-Needs 5 minutes of deep meditation
-Time limit: till next solar eclipse (~1 year)
-1 spirit per object

You are back in Morotown. What will you do first?

>>273791
Gear up to see if you can tackle the Gatorade dungeon.

>>273791
Go to the deeper levels of the gatorant trove. Gotta git gud.

>>273791
run through gatorant trove for resources and xp. more scales for armor. test our Bind Fallen Foe ritual on a gatorant soldier/warrior and tie it to our sword

>>273791
The gold coin requirements, do those have to be gp gold coins, or could we conceivably make gold tokens and use those?

Also gatorant dungeon

>>273807
>>273808
>>273820
There is no time to waste. You book passage to Olekville so you can conquer Gatorant Hill. You rest for the night at the inn. Doris, the innkeeper, is delighted to see you (but mostly John) again. In the morning you ride a caravan to the hopper 'airport'. You don't get used to being flung across the world in leaps but you were never one to suffer from motion sickness and the ride is thrilling rather than killing.

Olekville has not changed since you saw it last. But there are banners, black with the mark of a rooster, hanging every few buildings. You soon find out that the Duke's daughter was killed by elves after he refused ransom and tried to rescue her. A tension has settled on the town, and on the streets you see people walk around with drawn weapons and scowls.

The day of your arrival there is a downpour and you decide to stay in doors. John and Ben are with you. Ben likes the simplicity of the inn and has decided to stay with you two.

Rain patters against the panes, lulling you into a listless state of pseudo-sleep. Ben is quietly smoking and John is chatting with some travelers.

You:
>Relax for today
>Try out one of your rituals
>Alchemy something up
>Chat with Ben (what will you ask him?)
>Other

>>274397
>>Alchemy something up

>>274397
Start next research.

>>274397
>Alchemy something up

>>274397
>>Try out one of your rituals

>>274397
>Try out one of your rituals
Try out one of your rituals
Try out one of your rituals

Summon Greater Elemental
Greater Stone Golem.

He will crush the Gatorants.

>>274397
Alchemy

>>274557
mybe dont do it in the inn a remaber people here dont like wizzards abd dt know how big this thing wi be and dont wana reack the place

>>275984
What the fuck did you just say.

>>276324
like really how hard is it to wor this out?
if this is the frist place we came too then they dont like people like us that can use sprits os bring up a big on in the taven wont be a good ieda evn more sure since everyone is pissed and ready for a fight

>>276324
I think he says that people here don't like wizards, so we shouldn't be summoning spirits in this Tavern unless we want trouble.

>>276409
yup thats it

>>276409
Ah. The town that hated wizards and had the dragon attack was Logenstead. Olekville was the second place we'd gone to and didn't have a perceivable problem with wizards. Also, we should have gotten a sense of scale on the greater elemental from the one we saw at the world cup, but yeah, we might be best served by not summoning it in a building or by any sort of manufactured ground for courtesy's sake.

>>276459
ok my bad.
but yer we might be best served by not summoning it in a building or by any sort of manufactured ground for courtesy's sake. that was the 2nd half of my post as we dont want to brak the place. im keen to kill the dragon and then bind its soul into something

>>276478
That'd be pretty awesome. We should learn how to bind the dragons soul to ourselves, for that massive power up.

>>274293
Re-asking my question.
The gold coin requirements, do they have to be gp coins or would crafted gold tokens work?

>>276779
This would work, sure. However you'd have to use the same amount of gold, so its essentially the same thing.

>>274513
>>275648
>>274447

You excuse yourself and head up to your room. Your alchemical apparatuses are already set up. Unfortunately you don't have many reagents to work with. Just the two large beakers of red and yellow liquid: a weak health potion and diluted hydra poison. You also have the gatorant organs, still as fresh as when you took them out of their envelope of flesh and chitin.

What will you make?

>A curative
>A poison
>An explosive

>>276905
Curative

>>265867
the prevues thread is close to being dropped and hasn't been archived yet, you might want to do something about that

>>276921
Yep done:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/251048/

>>276905
Go buy some common reagents to experiment with

>>276905
>A curative

>>276905
>>An explosive

>>276919
>>277672
Curatives will be needed for the dungeon. However you'll be hard pressed to make anything useful with what you have. Not without some ingenuity.

One thing you can do is try to make a more concentrated health potion by fractional distillation, removing the excess solvent. It won't be 'Archangel's Kiss' (the most potent health potion in Zeltanna, said to cure anything. A drop is worth 200 gp) but it should heal serious cuts and bruises.

Alternatively you can use your vial of red liquid (which you found out was a strong health potion) and dilute it with the weak health potion to make a slightly stronger brew.

Finally you could try experimenting with the gatorant stuff (heart, brain and carapace) and the pouch of red dust (powdered bloodrock) you got at the prison. With experimentation comes danger, but you are at least more prepared than you were before.

>Concentrate the two large beakers of health potion
>Dilute the vial of strong health potion
>Experiment with the gatorant organs and the powdered bloodrock
>Other

>>277782
>Concentrate the two large beakers of health potion

>>277782
>>Experiment with the gatorant organs and the powdered bloodrock

>>277891
seconding this

also Op if you don't post faster I'm going to kill myself.

>>277900
Jesus. Alright, hold off on the an hero. I'll post smaller and faster updates.

>>277904
>>277900
Come on, OP, ya gotta double down. Let the basket cases cull themselves

>>277891
Seconding also

>>277904
Nah OP, I like your current posts. Ignore the n33ts

>>277891
>>277900
You take out the gatorant organs and the dust. What can you do these? First you taste a little of each. The gatorant organs are horrific. The red dust tastes like metal, iron actually.

First things first, if there's anything useful in gatorant organs it will come through filtration and crystallization. You spend a few hours grinding the organs into a white and red paste, dissolving it in water and separating out what is insoluble with a simple filter. You do this several more times, separating the mixture into water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds. You then grind the insoluble stuff (a white mass of fat and grime) into a second paste and dissolve that in a detergent solution. The fat is stubborn and refuses to dissolve, you end up ruining it trying to grind it down even more.

Meanwhile you set up a vacuum filter to separate the components of the water-soluble mixture. In the end you end up with 4 reagents: a pale, translucent white paste, large blue, cubic crystals, a yellow distillate and a bright orange distillate. Lavozieh taught you well.

You:
>Taste everything (fastest way, but also dangerous)
>Try doing some basic tests to determine what your dealing with (slowest, but safe)
>Try randomly mixing the stuff together
>Other

>>277933
>>277933
>Try doing some basic tests to determine what your dealing with (slowest, but safe)
Don't want to blind ourselves again.

>>277933
>>Try doing some basic tests to determine what your dealing with (slowest, but safe)
Basic chemistry: Never taste, touch or sniff anything.

>>277953
seconding

>>277953
>>277955
You don't want to die a stupid death so you decide not to taste anything. You're not familiar with any of these reagents, but all alchemical reagents fall into the three categories of curative, poison and explosive. Well, Lavozieh did tell you not to rely on those divisions too much as it 'stifles the innovative spirit' but its a good start.

There is a simple test for curatives that Lavozieh taught you. It's crude, and only works for reagents that have a strong propensity toward healing, but it will do. You take 4 glass rods, wash them, swab your cheeks with them and then place the rods into contact with each of the four reagents. Curatives by their nature are life-giving. The more powerful a curative the greater is it's propensity to accelerate and ensure life. There is life in all that we see and breathe. Invisible and minute in our everyday lives. If this life, comes in contact with a curative it will grow. The stronger the curative, the greater is the growth.. Lavozieh was truly a genius, yet another NPC whose AI surprises you. The developers of this game must be some kind of gods. Two of the glass rods show growth. The one in the blue crystals is almost overrun with foul-smelling gunk. The one in the orange distillate is also showing signs of growth, albeit slow. The others show nothing. The blue crystals are definitely a powerful curative agent. But be warned, Bob. Categories only limit our imagination. The binding art is infinite, boundless, do not restrict by arbitration and ignorance, what must be free. Even the strongest curative agent may be a deadly poison. Even the strongest poison can be an antidote. You think it is not simple? Indeed! Simplicity is for monks and fools, the gods themselves deal in complexities.

As for the other two reagents, the white paste and the yellow distillate:

>Leave them, you can deal with them later
>Try some other experiments on them
>Taste 'em
>Other

>>278031
>>Leave them, you can deal with them later
Let's use the crystal to make a power healing potion and then distillate it.

>>278031
>>278049
this is fine.

>>278031
Try as many combinations as you can, we want to create something special here.

>>278049
>>278058
(I'll assume you meant dilute it)

You leave the other reagents alone for now. You stopper the beaker and wrap the paste in some wax paper. As for the blue crystals, you break them down and dissolve them in water, creating a bright blue solution.

You:
>Perform re-crystalization to enhance purity (but lose yield)
>Commence with serial dilution
>Add in another reagent (curative recommended)
>Leave it as it is and give it a taste.
>Other

>>278082
>>Add in another reagent (curative recommended)
Orange also heals right? Add it.

>>278082
drink it for science

>>278082
>Commence with serial dilution
We don't need an amazing heal with John around, just a few for emergencies.

>>278098
>>278110
This kinda shit is how we blinded ourselves dammit

>>278123
We are smarter now, we've got proper equipment we should be fine.

>>278098
>>278110
Ah, what the hell. It's a curative, it can't do too much harm. You give it a taste. Not bad. A little sour, really sour, like unripe apples, but it goes down easy. Nothing really happens. Diluted curatives either have delayed effects, weaker effects or sometimes, no effect. The solution is to apply more. You take a deeper swig. That was a mistake. The liquid burns your throat and tongue. Your vision becomes blurry and you fall to your knees. If you've ingested poison, the first step is to regurgitate as much of it as you can. Force yourself to vomit. Drink water and then do it again until only stomach acid comes up. You try to put your fingers in your mouth, but you can't lift your arms. You collapse.

Is this the end? You're awake a moment later. It's still raining. You sit up. You rub your eyes. You have a massive headache. Broken glass and blue juice -- still wet -- litters the floor. You brush away glass from your robes. Their ripped. You're ripped -- you run over to the window pane to check your reflection. You look like a greek statue. Swole as fuck. You open your character sheet...


>Stats
Constitution: 10 (+20)
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 33
Wisdom: 28
Charisma: 5


Well then. That'll do just fine. You clean up the mess and then:
>Head downstairs to show off your bod
>Write down detailed instructions for making the blue crystals again
>Admire your reflection for a few hours
>Other

>>278210
Write down instructions, we literally made Steroids.

>>278210
>>Write down detailed instructions for making the blue crystals again
I think our teacher said buffs were rare potions, so this is important knowledge. We should also time how long this lasts. Afterwards we can show off to john and see if he blushes.

>>278210
>>Write down detailed instructions for making the blue crystals again
Don't go out to grind. This might have some delayed side effects. Be sure to write down how long it lasts.

>>278221
>>278229
>>278233
Better right down the instructions before you forget. It's simple, but its better to have it in writing so you don't forget 'perfected science' and all that.

You also make a mental note of the current time (hard to do because of the rain) so you can see how long these effects last. You're also wary of side effects, but in the meantime its imperative that you make John jelly of your physique. You head downstairs.

The maiden's are 'mirin. John is speechless. You tell him about the potion you made. Ben is disinterested. "Watch for side effects lad, nothing good comes without a price."
"How long does it last?"
"I'm not sure. I guess I'll have to wait and see."
You enjoy the admiration of your peers for the rest of the day. Alas, you still lack the social skills to actually talk with people. So, distant admiration is all you get.

Next morning the weather has cleared up and your muscles with it. It's possible the potion lasts until you lose consciousness or maybe it just lasts a few hours. There doesn't seem to be any side effects, except for a splitting headache when you wake up. But that subsides after you eat some breakfast. After breakfast you:

>Head for Gatorant hill, its time to get gud
>Go shopping
>Alchemy some more stuff
>Train with Ben
>Other

>>278291
>>Head for Gatorant hill, its time to get gud

>>278291
>>Head for Gatorant hill, its time to get gud
GIT GUD SCRUB. Remember to collect materials.

>>278307
Seconded, FINALLY FIGHTING AGAIN.

It's time to get gud with our weapons now that we have them, also gotta summon a Greater Elemental so we can take on the Gatorant King.

Wait wait wait! Let's quickly start a research before going there.

>>278328
Greater elemental only lasts for 30 minutes, doesn't it? We should be fine with using a lesser at the start and summoning stronger ones when we need it. It will also let us practice our sword play.

>>278312
>>278339

Here's the ritual instructions for Summon Greater Elemental:

Summon Greater Elemental
-Complex Runic diagrams
-Simple Incantation
-Time Limit: 1 hour
-Requires item (uncommon)

You'll need an 'uncommon' item

>>278342
Please start a research. I want to get contract lesser elemental.

>>278342
Use our blue crystals and summon a huge Protein elemental, it's uncommon enough that we seem to have created it. Making it unique.

Does anyone remember what the book Wizards are OP said? We can create uncommon and even rarer items using those methods.

>>278368
Found it.
>He also mentions a rather interesting thing, which he calls the 'Chain Ritual'. In essence, one ritual is used to produce rare materials which can then be used to do a second, more difficult ritual. Since enchanted materials are automatically considered to be 'rarer' by the game, a chain of rituals can be set up to make rarer and rarer items which can then be used in very powerful rituals that would otherwise require impossible-to-get items.

>>278400
We don't have rituals to produce rare materials though. After grinding we could try having John enchant some carapace and seeing if that works though.

>>278352
Blue crystals are spent, you'll have to harvest more Gatorant brains (which where they came from).

>>278350
Here's the ritual creation menu:


Ritual Creation

Maximum Complexity: 32

1. Choose an effect
You know of the following effects:
- Summon [5]
- Contract [5]
- Bind [5]
- Lesser [5]
- Common [10]
- Uncommon [20]
- Elemental [5]
- Spirit [5]

2. Choose a condition(s)
- Time
>No Repeats [3]
>Lasts till nearest event (medium) [4]
>Lasts till sunset [8] (3)
- Space
- Material
>Essence of creature (common) [2]
>Gold (low) [2]
- Action
>Draw Runes (simple) [4]
>Speak Incantations (Difficult) [17] (9)
>Dance (trivial) [2]
>Dance (simple) [4]


Contract Lesser Elemental has a difficulty score of 15. Choose the conditions accordingly. (If it's an incantation-poem, write the poem too)

>>278416
We could summon a lesser elemental, let's say it's a Lesser Tungston Elemental, we ask that elemental to produce or unearth some rare pure Tungston, and we use that to summon a greater Tungston Elemental.

>>278421
>Lasts till sunset
>Dance (simple)
>Draw Runes(simple)

>>278421
Let me recheck the difficulty score is 15 so that means we need 15 of what is [written like this] correct? What is the (_) then?

Seeing as we can now summon Greater elementals, It stands to reason that we should be able to summon either:

2 Lesser Elementals
(Preferably of different types)
or
1 Uncommon Elemental
(Fire+Air, Earth+Fire, Plutonium, Gold, etc)

Also, why don't we just abuse what WizardsAreOP said and throw a bunch of gold at our rituals to make them super easy?

>>278421
I choose to contract
This lesser elemental
I think this pact
Is rather vital
To help me grind
With this spellbind
Does that work?

>>278484
You can't combine elements (like you saw in the World Cup with lightning) without having the 'dual-cast' perk.

>>278451
In general [Number] doubles as the difficulty and complexity score. (Number) is an exception and always represents the complexity score. For example:

Some condition [Number] (Number)

means that the condition will reduce difficulty by [Number] but increase complexity by (Number) instead of [Number].

Remember that complexity < max complexity and you must reduce difficulty to zero for a valid ritual. Difficulty is incremented by the effects and decremented by the conditions.

I'll probably put this explanation on the google doc at some point.

>>278538
Looks good to me, just waiting for a second.

>>278538
this is fine.