>>1146896

You escaped from the Oprichna -- a blanket term for the Clergy's personal agents, legislators, and torturers -- and found yourself in a desolate region known as Odmazda Krater, traversing a hallowed path adorned with gold and silver, engraved with the names of the many pilgrims who walked it centuries ago.

The names have since faded, just as the Lord Above has all but faded out of relevancy. The people still blame Him for the lung rot that split His people in two, and now they seek to elevate a new hero. You were briefly a proponent of this awful heresy until the Lord came to you in a vision only minutes before your impending torture.

You remember His words clearly.


Remember, child:
You are Mine first, and Mine only to raise.
Your life of squalor will become one of prosperity
Only by serving your King.

Remember, child:
There are no kings within your world.
I am King, and I rule from a plane that your mind, in all its jejune sensibilities, cannot comprehend.
And as King, I declare you Mine to control.

Understand, child:
These lands will return to my far-reaching fingertips, and they will do so willingly.
There are no kings in these lands, but there are pretenders all around.
They are known as Magi -- as a heretic, you have met many in disguise.
Yes, it is they who presume to threaten My authority.

Understand, child:
You know more than most.
Prove to me that your world is worth saving.
This will be the last audience you have with Me.
Death to Magi.


[2]

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>>1146902

Only one good thing came of your dark past:

>You were a holy warrior called upon to serve the hieromilitants for a brief time, at least until you were cajoled into using your martial knowledge to assist the Lažna Prophesy accomplish its unholy goals. (bonus to strife, starting boon: engraved warhammer from your military days)

>You were a master orator who publicly spoke against the clinics for embezzling the people's hard-earned coppers with false cures. Regrettably, you were one day coaxed into supporting their perversions of the Lord's will. (bonus to presence, starting boon: stoic mask)

>You were a mage. You have scourged yourself clean of all magic -- no need to fret!(bonus to thwart, starting boon: obtain either a siphon or ward antispell*)

>You were a muck slave to the Hierophant Society. Your body may blame you for its many aches and pains, but your brain knows better. (bonus to mettle, starting boon: impressive physique)

>You once played Smokes with the farm girls. They technically won every time, yet you were the only one profiting. (bonus to duplicity, starting boon: 200 coppers)

>You were a pettyman who knew his place... except when you let your delusions of grandeur get the better of you. (bonus to action points, starting boon: three holy books; "division", "of folk", "of matters divine." studying them may prove useful in the future)

*Antispells are similar to spells, but rather than usurping power from the Baromon as magic does, they are faith-based and simply request a momentary outward projection of His power. As such, antispells are not nearly as powerful as normal spells.

Think of Witcher signs. Witchers aren't sorcerers, but they're not magically incompetent either.

[3]

>>1146910
>>You once played Smokes with the farm girls. They technically won every time, yet you were the only one profiting. (bonus to duplicity, starting boon: 200 coppers)

>>1146910
>You were a pettyman who knew his place... except when you let your delusions of grandeur get the better of you. (bonus to action points, starting boon: three holy books; "division", "of folk", "of matters divine." studying them may prove useful in the future)

>>1146910
>You were a holy warrior called upon to serve the hieromilitants for a brief time, at least until you were cajoled into using your martial knowledge to assist the Lažna Prophesy accomplish its unholy goals. (bonus to strife, starting boon: engraved warhammer from your military days)

Holy warrior Best warrior.

>>1146910
That's a lot of terms at the start. This'll be good. Anyway:

>You were a pettyman who knew his place... except when you let your delusions of grandeur get the better of you. (bonus to action points, starting boon: three holy books; "division", "of folk", "of matters divine." studying them may prove useful in the future)

>>1146910
>>1146927
...Changing my vote to
>You were a pettyman who knew his place... except when you let your delusions of grandeur get the better of you. (bonus to action points, starting boon: three holy books; "division", "of folk", "of matters divine." studying them may prove useful in the future)
Lore is irresistible.

>>1146937
I'm willing to answer any lore questions you may have. My first draft was actually a lot more convoluted than this one, so hopefully it's accessible.

One or two more votes and I'll write the next bit.

>>1146944
I'm a map kinda guy so if you have one prepared I would appreciate it. Course, I'll understand if you would rather keep it secret for now.

And don't worry, it's not too bad. There's not too much jargon.

>>1146953
I'm not great at maps but I've got one coming along. I'll work it in when I feel it's appropriate.

Writing next update now. Peasant votes have it.

>>1146966
Can we even read?

>>1146966
It's all good. Just be sure to inform us of where things are in relation to each other. I look forward to seeing the result.

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>>1146914
>>1146918
>>1146927
>>1146937
>>1146943
>>1146974
You know barely enough to read your holy books, just like the vast majority of the country. The one thing the heresies have in common with the established religion is that they all have an interest in affecting people's minds from an early age. That means that everyone is raised on holy books, even if they never read anything else in their lives. As a pettyman, you grew up primarily reading the book Of Folks.

>You were a pettyman who knew his place.

Even good people can fly too close to the sun. You were a blasphemer, yes, but your crimes were not so egregious that the Lord Above cast you aside like the other undesirables. Something about you is special... or perhaps you're just in the right place at the right time.

You traverse a murky path, shielding your eyes from the oppressive Lung Smoke that chokes the life out of your traveling acquaintances. Along this path you have met a good hundred men, women, and children fleeing from the nearby town of Besnja. You assume that's where the Lung Smoke comes from.

It has been a good two weeks since you evaded your rightful capture. Had you the endurance to survive your just punishment, you would have stayed. But the Lord's needs are greater than your own, and He compelled you northward.

A bearded man approaches you from behind and taps on your shoulder.

"Excuse me," he says as you turn to face him, "are you heading to Javnazagrat?"

"Of course. That is where the path leads." you respond, eyeing him up and down. His features are rough and unkempt -- this man has fallen upon hard times.

"Indeed. Say, I remember you from somewhere."

"I believe you are mistaken, brother. I have no acquaintances."

"No, no. We were not friends, but I remember you. 'Dung Trodder,' is it?"

Taken aback by the man's sudden insult, you clench your fist and step in front of him. He smiles.

"That's what they called you, remember? Back at the prison?"

>"Like I said, I have no acquaintances. Go away."

>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

>Threaten him with harm -- he knows too much.

>Grab the man by the collar and force him off the path. Your past life must not intermingle with your current duties.

>Write-in.

"Lung Smoke" refers to the thick black fog that encompasses the country. The Clergy assert that its ties to the lung rot plague are unmistakeable.

>>1147032
>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

>>1147032
>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

>>1147032
>>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

>>1146944
What is smokes?

>>1147032
>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

And nobody wears a mask? We should wear a mask. Do the obvious joke.

>>1147032
>Change the subject; ask him how he escaped.

And nobody wears a mask? We should wear a mask. Do the obvious joke.

>>1147057
Anon wut.

>>1147050
A game played by the lowborn, often for money. I'll describe it when we get around to it.

>>1147038
>>1147040
>>1147044
>>1147055
Taking this option.

I feel stupid for not knowing what this obvious joke is.

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>>1147063
It's terrible and avoid memes, please.

>>1147059
I think that your idea is good, and therefore support it by voting the same as you.

>>1147067
You're a pretty big guy.

>>1147075
But I'm a small dude.
;)

>>1147067
But seriously it sounds like a bad idea to breath in a fog named Rot.

>>1147080
True

>>1147076
L-lewd

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>>1147063
And by "play for money" I mean for one or two coppers.

>>1147080
The fog is not acknowledged as a detriment to one's health. The Clergy has only officially recognized it as a sign of the Lord's anger, nothing more. Some choose to endure for the sake of enduring, as they believe that evading the Lord's punishments is an act of defiance. There are other reasons that I will not yet reveal.

>>1147067
Ooooh, I get it now.

>>1147038
>>1147040
>>1147044
>>1147055
>>1147057

You neither confirm nor deny your knowledge of the Oprichna prison. As much as you'd like to strike the man for his insolence, you coax yourself back to reality with a quick reminder that your reputation does not yet precede you; you are still a pettyman. You are not the same pettyman, but you are certainly one of them.

Taking a deep sigh, you ask the man how he escaped his bonds.

"The same way you did, brother. I ran and never looked back." he replies.

"That is not an answer." you say, gritting your teeth.

"It is, and it's all you'll get from me."

You wave off the man and continue walking. For a short time you travel unabated, but the little annoyance soon catches up with you again.

"My name is Sybil." the man blurts after a moment of welcome silence.

"I did not ask."

"But you received."

"What is your obsession with me?"

"Obsession? I have none. I simply wish to speak with you. I have no acquaintances, just like you."

>"Forget acquaintances. You will have nothing if you continue to bother me."

>"Fine, say your piece."

>Ignore him and continue on to the town.

>Write-in.

>>1147116
>Fine, say your piece."

>>1147116
>"Fine, say your piece"
I really don't see what we would lose from gaining some information.

>>1147116
>"Fine, say your piece."
Eh, I guess we can listen. But still, beware of those with nothing obvious to lose...

>>1147116
>"Fine, say your piece."
Just walk out of view of other people who might be watching first.

>>1147116
>>Ignore him and continue on to the town.

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>>1147121
>>1147124
>>1147129
>>1147152

>>1147141
"Fine, say your piece." you utter, your fleeting interest clearly reflected in your voice.

"I just happened to notice a few books sticking out of your rucksack, dung man."

You shoot him a piercing glare. He just chortles and continues on.

"I want to know -- where does someone like you get books like those? I didn't know dirty heretics read Hierocrat literature."

He's really done it now, accusing you of heresy.

>Give into your base instincts and lash out at the man. Who cares if a few merchants watch? [+1 AP for ensuing battle due to element of surprise]

>Throw the man off the path. He just made this personal.

>Contain yourself. This will require restraint, and possibly a roll.

>"Don't push me, fugitive. I'm not like you."

>"I aim to redeem myself. These books were purchased honestly from a traveling merchant."

>"The Lord gave them to me."

>Write-in.

>>1147155
>"The Lord gave them to me."

>>1147155
>"The Lord gave them to me."
Damn we're a really ornery motherfucker.
Good.

>>1147155
>"The Lord gave them to me."
"By me buying them."

>>1147155
>>Give into your base instincts and lash out at the man. Who cares if a few merchants watch? [+1 AP for ensuing battle due to element of surprise]

This asshole's been asking for it since the moment he saw us. Who are we to deny him the ass-beating he clearly craves?

>>1147155
>"The Lord gave them to me."

>>1147177
>>1147155
Can we say and do both the things? I wanna see what kind of punishment we can currently mete.

>>1147155
>"The Lord gave them to me."
What could go wrong? Everything.

>>1147181
Absolutely. Action rolls may be combined with dialogue rolls as long as they don't conflict.

Also, I forgot to mention that both attack options give a bonus to AP, which determines how many unique rolls will be counted in combat.

We currently have 3 AP, with a permanent +1 bonus thanks to the chosen origin. That means I will choose the best of three rolls, or the best out of four if you use the element of surprise to your advantage.

Next update coming soon.

>>1147204
Quick question then, but what system are we using, and what is our DEX?

>>1147204
>Next update coming soon.
The last QM who said this to me died of an ass cancer heart attack while falling down the stairs headfirst onto their laptop hard drive and its backup before deleting their twitter after telling me they stopped having fun whilst they samefagged their quest as anon.

oh god the memories

>>1147217
Also this.

>>1147218
Was this Sanguine Quest? Guess I miss that one.

>>1147116
>"Fine, say your piece."

>>1147217
>>1147218

We're using a simple roll-based system based on bonuses. Here are your "stats":

Strife (Strength): Average
Presence (Charisma): Average
Thwart (Piety/Willpower): Average
Mettle (Endurance): Average
Duplicity (Roguish Skills/Dexterity): Average
AP (Reflexes/Luck): 3 (+1 bonus)

I prefer to work modifiers into the text rather than do D&D math behind the scenes. Basically, you have the skills of an everyman, but you've got better reflexes than most.

>>1147218
Don't worry, I mean it!

>>1147238
So, basically, if we're gonna fight we should definitely try to be the one who starts the fight.
Got it boss.

>>1147238
The only reason I ask is because of how low an AC of 4 is in most systems.

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>>1147165
>>1147168
>>1147171
>>1147177
>>1147178
>>1147182
>>1147230

>>1147244
I know the numbers seem low, but they only indicate how many rolls you have.

Clutching the side of your tunic in bridled fury, you spit, "The Lord gave them to me."

"We were all there for the same reason, brother. If the Lord loves you so dearly, why'd he let you fall to..." Sybil stops speaking, noticing the sheer wrath displayed in your face.

"The level of... scum like me." he says, watching his words. He's a coward, just like the rest of them.

"I never fell. The man you saw died in that prison."

The fugitive just nods and falls back into the crowd, trailing behind a woman with a black ribbon tied around her neck -- the mark of a widow.

>Watch the man; ensure that he does not accost the widow... or do something far worse. Widows are under the Lord's protection.

>There are more pressing matters; besides, you've put enough fear into the man that he surely knows not to cross you. The Lord compels you to travel to Javnazagrat.

>>1147279
>Watch the man; ensure that he does not accost the widow... or do something far worse. Widows are under the Lord's protection.

>>1147279
>Watch the man; ensure that he does not accost the widow... or do something far worse. Widows are under the Lord's protection.

Were we ever married, AQOP?

>>1147279
>Watch the man; ensure that he does not accost the widow... or do something far worse. Widows are under the Lord's protection.

>>1147279
>Watch the man; ensure that he does not accost the widow... or do something far worse. Widows are under the Lord's protection.
Clearly the Lord has designed this as some sort of test. We must remember our mission but we cannot ignore the plight of the people!

>>1147289
>>1147300
>>1147313


>>1147298
You may have been married. I am leaving your past intentionally vague so that it can be established through dialogue.

--

You slow your walk to accompany a half-naked muck slave leading his master's black mare down the path. He pays little mind to your presence.

Down a rocky hillside slope, you witness the undesirable's trickery in action! He appears to bump into the woman upon stubbing a sandaled foot against a loose stone, but he does not evade your watchful gaze.

Extending a disproportionately small hand from his pocket as he "trips," Sybil expertly grasps the woman's coin purse and pockets it. Without a word, he shoves the woman down, madly sprinting off westward into the fog.

>Chase him!

>Inform the widow of what has taken place.

>Look for a nearby guard or soldier. They will surely take care of this problem.

>Look for a nearby guard or soldier to assist you in chasing the scum.

>It is not your station to judge the actions of petty fools. What if someone is killed by a mage in your absence? Keep walking toward the city -- you're not far from it.

>Write-in.

Don't forget, you're a fugitive. The soldiers may not all be privy to your offenses, but the Oprichna certainly are.

>>1147352
>Look for a nearby guard or soldier to assist you in chasing the scum.
Yell that he is a thief.

>>1147352
>>Inform the widow of what has taken place.

>>1147352
>Chase him!

>>1147371
I'm really not sure if alerting a guard is the best idea.

>>1147375
He pushed her down, she probably already knows that he's a fucker who she wants stopped.

>>1147352
>Chase him!
Now we have an excuse to beat him

>>1147352
>Chase him!
Like the guards are going to care about this. The Lord demands justice!

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>>1147371
>>1147375
>>1147382
>>1147384
>>1147385
Throwing caution to the wind, you leap over the woman lying prone, and quickly descend into the shallow trench below. Your boots are quickly muddied by the pursuit, as your trek leads you through several tiers of drenched farmland.

Eventually resting your legs at a row of overgrown winter wheat, you survey the fog for the man's silhouette. He can't have gotten far.

>Give me some 1d100 rolls!

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>1147417

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>1147417

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Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>1147417
All magic shall perish!

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>1147417
>>1147419
>>1147422
OH FUCK HE'S GETTING AWAY

>>1147419
>>1147422
>>1147425
>>1147427

My 27 was the highest

I think he's getting way lads

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>1147417
Well... I had to go eat but maybe my roll can make up for it?

>>1147447
lel

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>>1147447
WHY DIDN'T YOU ROLL SOONER

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>>1147447
PRAISE HE THE LORD ABOVE

IF ONLY IT COUNTED

AT LEAST THIS CHEESE SANDWHICH TASTES GOOD

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>>1147419
>>1147422
>>1147425
>>1147427

>>1147447
Sorry, man. This was a best-of-three roll.

27

Your search yields no immediate results, although you witness a brief glint of light by a fir tree which towers above everything in its vicinity. Seeing no other indication of the strange fugitive's movement, you rush toward the tree.

At its base you see a gruesome sight. An old woman, recently deceased, with her face vertically cleft by a crude implement, greets you with hollow eyes. Her fresh blood serves as further proof of the fiend's wicked deeds... or perhaps the deeds of someone even more dastardly.

Nevertheless, you are not one to leave an honest woman to die without dignity. You recite a short prayer -- one that refers to the utility of a loyal midwife -- and attempt to discern an appropriate course of action.

>Pray for assistance. [bonus to thwart; possible divine assistance]

>Look for tracks left by the villain's sandals.

>Check the woman's corpse for anything of value. Your need is greater than hers, and her spirit will surely understand why this is a necessary course of action.

>"Face me, you coward!"

>This man is a petty thief; he doesn't have the trappings of a cold-blooded killer. This was surely done by someone else -- steel yourself! [bonus to mettle; possible encounter]

>Write-in.

>>1147483
>Pray for assistance. [bonus to thwart; possible divine assistance]

>>1147483
>>This man is a petty thief; he doesn't have the trappings of a cold-blooded killer. This was surely done by someone else -- steel yourself! [bonus to mettle; possible encounter]

>>1147483
>This was surely done by someone else -- steel yourself! [bonus to mettle; possible encounter]

Probably a filthy mage!

>>1147483
>>This man is a petty thief; he doesn't have the trappings of a cold-blooded killer. This was surely done by someone else -- steel yourself! [bonus to mettle; possible encounter]

>>1147483
>Pray for assistance. [bonus to thwart; possible divine assistance]

>>1147483
>This man is a petty thief; he doesn't have the trappings of a cold-blooded killer. This was surely done by someone else -- steel yourself! [bonus to mettle; possible encounter]

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>>1147490
>>1147491
>>1147496
>>1147499
>>1147501
>>1147504

1d100 to determine what happens while you prepare.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>1147522
Now, THIS time should also be good.

>>1147525
A promising start!

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>1147522
I'm preparing as hard as I can!

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>1147522

>>1147536
aw yiss

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>>1147525
>>1147533
>>1147536

Much better than last time.

98!

Your heart races and your teeth chatter, but your legs do not falter. In one instantaneous motion, a bizarre figure laden with ceremonial armor appears from the fog and attempts to smack you with the hilt of his broadsword.

However, your preparation has served you well! You swiftly spring back a couple of steps, fists at the ready, as a strangely relaxing wave of bravery takes over your movements. There is no doubt about it: the Lord Above favors you in your moment of need, and has granted you the strength to prevail against the force of magic that now contests you. He may be a good foot taller than you, but he is surely not a man who can match your wit and composure.

A spark of otherworldly energy appears in his left hand, gleaming as it did a moment ago when you gazed through the fog. This is surely the murderer, and if he has killed your other foe, you may as well thank him when you're done slaughtering him.

>1d100 accompanied with an action. Keep these things in mind:

He's much taller than you,
has some control over magic,
has no qualms against killing another human being,
and has a sword.

You have only the clothes on your back, strong faith, and a great deal of machismo.

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>1147591
I think we should try to prioritize disarming him of his sword. That would immediately eliminate one of his tools.

>>1147591
I knew it! It was a digusting mage! PURGE FILTH!

Look around for a weapon. Failing that, pray to the lord above for strength to smite the hated enemy with our bare fists and manliness.

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>1147591
Can we Pally his ass with a smite?

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>1147602

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>>1147600
>>1147603
>>1147607
Truly we are chosen by the good lord to be his smiting hand of justice.

>>1147600
>>1147603
>>1147607
I knew those faith builds were sketchy as fuck, but damn the returns are big on it!

>>1147600
>>1147603
>>1147607
jesus where are these good rolls coming from

Writing now.

>>1147600
Second and

>>1147607
>>1147603
Hot damn. We ARE the chosen one.

>>1147630
DEUS VULT

But why the fuck is this guy right here, right now? That's what I wanna know.

Stealing souls on the side of a well traveled road, or what?

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>>1147600
You vigilantly monitor the gargantuan figure's moves, sidestepping every blow he throws your way. With a disgruntled huff, the bull of a man releases a bolt of charged magic from his hand. You duck the blast in a nick of time, charging for his sword...

>>1147602
>>1147607
You wrest it from his monstrous palms after a brief struggle, casting it to the ground in a decisive motion! Rushing for the blade, you briefly bend forward and close your palms around its hilt. Not a moment later, the horned figure makes another attempt at your life with a clumsy punch.

>>1147603
Raising the blade with the same ease that you would raise your hoe, you drive it forward into the mage's thigh! He grunts and pushes himself into you, knocking you to the ground.

You maintain a firm grip on the blade, using it to parry an extended claw from the mage's gauntlet, and striking it in such a way that his middle finger flies off in an arc to reveal the lack of organic material underneath -- this is not your man, this is something else entirely!

>+10 to your next roll for your well-timed maneuvers. Give me some more rolls and actions -- take into account what has already occurred in this fight and use your knowledge to your advantage!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY-BvPriIBo

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>1147718
Just a puppet, then. Curses.

Does it have that glowing white mask like in the picture? Perhaps that's the item the enchantment is centered around. I say try to shatter the mask -- or whatever seems to be the focus of the spell -- with the sword.

>>1147729
Yep, the picture is an accurate representation of your foe.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>1147718
First, try to get off the ground, maybe stabbing out at him to prevent him from stopping us from getting up. After that, maybe attempt to lop his head off or something?

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>1147718
Well, stand up. Then keep circle strafing to his injured side and make slicing hacks at his hands and arms. Disable any potential for more magical blasts.

Rolled 52 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1147718
I say that we continue to strike at that claw. It seems to be the focal point of his magic and we've already been hacking away at it.

>>1147736
Huh, we're pretty lucky with these rolls so far.

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>>1147729
Your eyes dart from the figure's breastplate to its horns as you attempt to determine the source of his unholy energy. Unfortunately, you are unable to tell -- this is all happening too fast for you to stop and think!

>>1147734
Thinking has proven a failing tactic, at least in this fight. You instead opt to plant your feet once more on the ground, and you do so with results. The mage does not tire from his onslaught, but if there is a face under that mask, it is surely drawn in bewilderment at your masterful moves. Truthfully, you're just as surprised as he is. You've never had this kind of power before.

>>1147736
You swing upwards when the giant lumbers your way and lop off an outstretched claw in the process. The tables turn in this moment, and you can feel it. He recoils and cries out in pain, assuring you that this creature is capable of feeling.

The mage raises his remaining hand -- his right hand -- and manipulates the very fabric of reality. A flash of blue light evolves before your eyes into a portal the shape of a tear. Its edges lap outward like a snake's tongue, and an otherworldly hum fills your ears.

The inside of this portal is utterly featureless. It is a void through which the surrounding world's color is drained, never to return.

The mage, clutching his glorified stump of an arm, approaches the portal and...

>You jump onto his back, doing whatever you can to pull him away from the portal. He will not get away that easily.

>You grab a nearby rock and throw it into the portal as an experiment.

>You charge for the mage, thrusting your sword into his other claw. Perhaps severing his connection to the portal will destroy it.

>You don't risk it. You will keep the portal in mind for study later on -- surely you won't carry out the Lord's will if you are sucked into another dimension. For all you know, this could be a trap.

>You do something else. (write-in)

Once this situation is resolved, I'll be done for the night.

>>1147737

>>1147858
...and by situation I mean the encounter itself, not just this part of it. Still, it won't be much longer now.

>>1147858
>>You jump onto his back, doing whatever you can to pull him away from the portal. He will not get away that easily.
No you don't.

>>1147858
>You jump onto his back, doing whatever you can to pull him away from the portal. He will not get away that easily.

>>1147858
I actually need to turn in right about so... g'night! Good session, thanks for running.

Don't get us killed anons.

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>1147858
>You jump onto his back, doing whatever you can to pull him away from the portal. He will not get away that easily.

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>1147858
>You jump onto his back, doing whatever you can to pull him away from the portal. He will not get away that easily.
Sorry, are we rolling?

>>1147865
>>1147891
>>1147898
This'll be the last update for the night, folks.
Also goodnight to that one guy.

>>1147900
Nope, not necessary. This choice is based entirely on your judgment.

Writing now!

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>>1147865
>>1147891
>>1147898
>>1147900

Just as the villain makes his first step through the portal, you spring onto his back and dig your hands into his pauldrons, smashing your index finger against one of his horns in the process.

Exhaustion hits you as you pull with all your might. You anger the mage greatly, but you are absolutely incapable of exerting the strength needed to floor him, or even annoy him enough to engage you once more. Where at the beginning of the fight you triumphed as a holy warrior, you now falter as the pettyman you truly are.

The mage bats you off his back, then slowly turns to face you.

"Next time, be polite." he demands in a familiar voice, his order tinged with a morbid sense of humor. You hear a muffled chortle from under his mask.

You squint your eyes -- this is the fugitive before, in some strange alternative form. No wonder he escaped so easily.

>"Why did you kill her, you blithering devil?"

>Lower your new sword, but do not lower your guard. "Wait. Just tell me why you're here. Why... have have this fascination with me?"

>"Earlier, you judged me a heretic. Since when was it the domain of Magi to determine a person's devotion?"

>Try something new -- raise a hand at the man and recite a prayer.
+> Recite a prayer from Of Folk in honor of the dead woman -- one about serving your family to the bitter end.
+> Recite a prayer from Of Matters Divine in honor of the Lord Above -- one about the dangers of corrupting reality to serve one's selfish ends.
+> Recite a prayer from Division in honor of law and order -- one about the death penalty.

>No words, only kill.

>Write-in.

And that's all for tonight, folks! I really hope you enjoyed. I've been building up this world's lore for a while now, and I sincerely hope it strikes your fancy. Please leave any feedback you think I should consider.

Goodnight.

As a general rule, expect sessions around 6-7 PM CST during weekends, unless stated otherwise.

>>1147978
> Recite a prayer from Of Folk in honor of the dead woman -- one about serving your family to the bitter end.

Hey, thanks for running. It was pretty fun. We'll show everyone the true might of the peasantry in time!

>>1147978
>"Why did you kill her, you blithering devil?"

Recite a prayer from Of Folk in honor of the dead woman -- one about serving your family to the bitter end

I had a feeling we should've swung at his other arm.

>>1147978
> Recite a prayer from Division in honor of law and order -- one about the death penalty.

Only justice and death for mages! DEUS VULT!

>>1148030
Agreed, oh well, we still did pretty good for someone with no powers or weapons.

>>1147978
>Recite a prayer from Of Matters Divine in honor of the Lord Above -- one about the dangers of corrupting reality to serve one's selfish ends

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Tomorrow's session may actually start closer to 5 PM CST, we'll just have to see how my schedule works out.

>>1146953
So, I've made a few maps for the upcoming city in Cityographer and some other online generation tool, but they've all turned out poorly. Do you have any suggestions? I'm thinking I might just draw something simple in Paint.

>>1148932
I've only ever heard of using hexographer for map creation but I'm not sure how well that would work for a city.

>>1148932
MSpaint. Photoshop brushes/tools for details.

So long as it's good enough to give a general sense of where thing's at, that's good.

>>1147996
>>1148013
>>1148154
>>1148159
>>1148953
>>1148978

Will be running in an hour or so. Prayer is locked in, but which one will we do?

>Prayer about serving family.
>Prayer about the dangers of corrupting the Lord's creation.
>Prayer about the death penalty.

>>1149315
>Prayer about the dangers of corrupting the Lord's creation.
If a prayer could have any effect right now, I'm sure this is the one that would. Mainly because portals sound surely corrupting of the world.

>>1149315
>>Prayer about the dangers of corrupting the Lord's creation.

>>1149315
>>Prayer about the death penalty.
Death to mages!

>>1149315
>Prayer about the dangers of corrupting the Lord's creation.

>>1149315
>Prayer about the death penalty.

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>>1149337
>>1149359
>>1149359
>>1149360
>>1149426
>>1149471
Once again, you feel an inexplicable urge to act in a certain way. This time, you point your finger at the imposing man -- who simply looks at you with his head cocked to the side -- and shout a prayer his way.

"And beware those who would deem themselves worthy of My domain!" you begin.

"What is this? Why--"

"For they are nothing more than petty beasts, whose desires contribute less than a slave's pittance to the World. And the World, in all its life, is a living being."

The mage chuckles in amusement and crosses his arms, but you continue on.

"And they are the leeches that feast on its back."

With that, you feel a sudden rush of adrenaline enter your body. Your head cocks away from the mage, and instead toward the portal he created. You feel overcome with a wealth of knowledge that would be forbidden to any other man. It beckons you toward the humming monstrosity ahead.

This device -- this instrument of evil -- was not made by the mage, as you know that leeches are incapable of producing. No, they only consume.

You gain a temporary buff: Adrenaline Rush

The mage sighs and turns back to his portal.

"Shame. I thought you'd put up more of a fight than that. Instead, you've decided to bore me with inane ramblings."

What do you do now?

>Attempt to manipulate your prayer into something greater, and direct it toward the coward who stands before you. [gain antispell: Smother Magic]

>Use your newfound energy to your advantage. Rush the man and go for his legs; see if you can throw him to the ground. [gain permanent ability: Adrenaline Rush]

>Open Of Matters Divine and point it toward the portal. [gain antispell: Deny Access]

>Try something else. [gain appropriate buff/antispell]

Antispells are extremely effective, but they may lead you down a dangerous path.

Abilities are not as useful as antispells and can only be used once a day, but they will not corrupt you.

Really, though, everything may be used in moderation. The Lord wouldn't plant these ideas in your head if he didn't think you were capable of using them.

>>1149550
>Open Of Matters Divine and point it toward the portal.

>>1149550
Oh yeah, and accompany your post with a 1d100 roll.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>1149581

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>1149550
>Attempt to manipulate your prayer into something greater, and direct it toward the coward who stands before you. [gain antispell: Smother Magic]

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>1149550
>Attempt to manipulate your prayer into something greater, and direct it toward the coward who stands before you. [gain antispell: Smother Magic]

>>1146896
is this guy like a villain in a game you are running

Op here,

BAMP!!!!!

>>1149648
Thanks for the shitpost.

>>1149644
Which guy?

>>1149581
>>1149584
>>1149616
>>1149643
Writing with "attempt to manipulate[...]" as chosen option.

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>>1149581
>>1149584
>>1149616
>>1149643
>>1149666
Ooh, 666! Appropriate.

--

>>1149666

Rather than projecting your adrenaline outward, you decide to channel it inward. With fervor, you continue your vitriolic tirade against the mage, and with unprecedented accuracy, you unleash a snakelike beam of light from your wrist that wraps around the man at his waist and crawls under his mask.

In a sudden panic, he drops to the ground and rolls about in the mud. A few strained gasps later, he chucks his mask into the nearby fir tree.

Before you now stands an ordinary lowborn man with a scraggly beard and a bleeding stump of an arm. What you once perceived to be a skilled warrior and spellcaster has turned out to be nothing more than a conjurer of mere illusions.

The portal gradually fades away, and soon disappears with a satisfying sizzle.

Sybil, now pale and wide-eyed, stares in shock at his missing hand. He says nothing.

>Ignore the mage. Try to see where the mask went; you should study it.

>You recall a passage from Of Folks: "When a blasphemer falls, you must place a boot upon his chest. Pretenders will stop at nothing to conquer the World." ... so put a boot on his chest and interrogate him.

>No more games, no more illusions. Approach the man and slit his throat.

>Gloat and taunt the man while he's down.

>Leave him be. He won't survive this injury and he's clearly too incompetent to save himself using magic.

>Incapacitate the man and hoist him over your shoulder. You'll bring him to a guard for what he's done.

>Demand that the man bury the woman he murdered.

>Write-in.

>>1149721
>>You recall a passage from Of Folks: "When a blasphemer falls, you must place a boot upon his chest. Pretenders will stop at nothing to conquer the World." ... so put a boot on his chest and interrogate him.

>>1149721
>You recall a passage from Of Folks: "When a blasphemer falls, you must place a boot upon his chest. Pretenders will stop at nothing to conquer the World." ... so put a boot on his chest and interrogate him.
Can't think of anything specific to ask, unfortunately...

Let's start with just why he's here.

>>1149721
>You recall a passage from Of Folks: "When a blasphemer falls, you must place a boot upon his chest. Pretenders will stop at nothing to conquer the World." ... so put a boot on his chest and interrogate him.
"Where did you learn magic? Who taught you!"

>>1149721
>You recall a passage from Of Folks: "When a blasphemer falls, you must place a boot upon his chest. Pretenders will stop at nothing to conquer the World." ... so put a boot on his chest and interrogate him.

>>1149721
>Incapacitate the man and hoist him over your shoulder. You'll bring him to a guard for what he's done.
Go get the mask as well, I've seen enough Jojo to know where this is going.

>>1149746
>>1149800
>>1149840
>>1149854
You are, first and foremost, an extension of the Lord Above. Although you are unsure for a moment as to how you should proceed, you look inside for answers and remember that your books have all the guidance you could ever need. You approach the villain and stomp down hard on his lower abdomen as he exhales, thus knocking the wind right out of him. You let up for just a moment so that he may answer you when you speak.

"Why are you here?" you demand in a voice tinged with venom and hatred.

"I... was just interested in seeing how you'd respond." he admits, weakly.

"Where did you learn the dark arts?"

"I..." he starts, closing his mouth soon after.

"You."

"I can't fucking tell you. Let me leave."

>"Your name is one typically given to women, 'Sybil.' Is it fake?"

>"Oh, but I insist." Stomp on his crotch.

>"Fine, rot here." Slash his calcaneal tendons and walk away. If he begs for you to come back, stop and wait for him to answer your question.

>Knock him out cold and prop him up against the tree. Let nature decide his fate.

>Take him back to the path to Javnazagrat and let human nature decide his fate.

>Find the pettyman who owns this farm. The woman was slain on his property and may be related to him, thus it should be his right to deliver punishment however he sees fit.

>Try using your antispell on him again. You still have much to learn from this strange man.

>Kill him and loot him for valuables and/or vittles. You are quite hungry, after all.

>Write-in.

By the way, feel free to combine actions if you feel it's possible and necessary to do so.

>>1149920
>Find the pettyman who owns this farm. The woman was slain on his property and may be related to him, thus it should be his right to deliver punishment however he sees fit.
Get the Mask! I am not about to let a flipping Jojo story develop.

>>1149920
>Find the pettyman who owns this farm. The woman was slain on his property and may be related to him, thus it should be his right to deliver punishment however he sees fit.

>Take his mask

>>1149930
Good point, I'd rather avoid another scenario like this.

>>1149920
>Kill him because he is a murderer, and his powers might easily enable him to escape justice

>>1149920
>Find the pettyman who owns this farm. The woman was slain on his property and may be related to him, thus it should be his right to deliver punishment however he sees fit.
>Try using your antispell on him again. You still have much to learn from this strange man.
This quest is cool OP, keep it up.

>>1149930
Also, +1 to getting the mask.

But remember that he is highly dangerous, and we lack evidence of his guilt beyond our own testimony.

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>>1149930
>>1149950
>>1149966
>>1149972
Locking in finding the farmer and taking the mask. Which would you like to do first? The order in which you perform these tasks may be important.

>>1149972
Thanks, man.

>>1149666
the MC. It looks like he would make a great endgame villain for high end party.

btw, I wish this was taking place in zero no tsukaima. those mages need to be taken down a peg

>>1149996
Knock the guy out with a quick blow to the head/sever the Achilles, run for the Mask.

>>1149996
Take the mask first. It might risk letting him get away but I don't want to see what happens if that thing is out in the wild.

>>1149996
Deal with the mask first. If we can destroy it, then that will likely save us a headache later.

>>1150003
The MC's appearance hasn't really been established yet so I'll just assume you're referring to the horned figure.

>>1150006
>>1150010
>>1150011
This will be the order of events:

You knock the man out, climb the tree and retrieve the mask, and get to the farmer.

First, I'll need some rolls! 1d100, please.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>1150025
May our Lord bless this roll!

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>1150025

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>1150025
DEUS VULT

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>>1150032
84

Noticing that mask remains dangling from a branch above, you pummel the downed man with your fist until he's knocked out cold. Then, you approach the tree and begin to climb.

You come close to losing your foothold as you ascend the massive plant, but in the end you triumph over its trials and reach a sturdy, ancient branch from which the mask sways in the wind. You cautiously extend a leg outward and nudge it off.

Success! The mask drops onto the soft mud below with minimal damage. You slide down the tree and catch a splinter or two, then stumble off to quickly regain your footing and deposit the mask into your rucksack.

It feels oddly ceremonial, like something you would wear to a clergyman's coronation. You know better than to wear it, at least until you can learn exactly what it does.

You make your way to the barnhouse in the distance as the Lung Smoke clears. The skies are cloudy and dark as always, but the tiredness that now sets in your bones tells you that dusk is fast approaching -- and nobody sensible stays outside after dusk.

You find an elderly pettyman -- sitting on a stump with a pipe in his mouth -- quietly petting a kitten and staring at the sky. He doesn't seem to notice you until the moment you tap his shoulder.

"Wah -- who?" he yells, startled by your presence. He swats his hand around aimlessly as though you are a troublesome hornet.

"I am lowborn, just like you. Follow me." you say in a comforting voice.

Trembling, the man slowly rises to his feet and touches your shoulder for guidance. He seems to be losing his vision. Surely he and his wife were not the only ones who tended such a large chunk of land.

It takes him a moment to digest the sight you lead him to. At first, he appears to be simply confused, but after a minute of powing toward his late wife you seem to strike a chord within his brain. He collapses to his knees and begins to weep.

"Who did this," he whimpers, "and... why would anyone kill her?"

You open your mouth to speak, but the man cuts you off before you can.

"We were meant to die together. Not like..." he doesn't finish his sentence, and instead crawls beside the deceased woman to clutch her around the waist. He continues sobbing until you gesture to the unconscious man.

"I have her murderer here. He has not only offended you, but the very forces that stabilize our world as well."

"I just don't understand."

"Neither do I."

"Just.. let the Oprichna take him. I want to know that he'll suffer for this. He deserves nothing less than a feast of burning coals."

>Take the mage away from the old man and dispose of him yourself. You don't want to risk being seen by the Oprichna.

>Carry the mage over your shoulder toward the nearby city. You'll find a way to hand him over to the Oprichna there.

>Ask the old man something. (write-in)

>Deny the old man's request; insist that he personally exact retribution.

>Leave for the path. You've seen enough chaos for one night.

>>1150137
>Deny the old man's request; insist that he personally exact retribution.
If he refuses do it personally in front of him.

>>1150137
>Take the mage away from the old man and dispose of him yourself. You don't want to risk being seen by the Oprichna.
Let's not ruin this poor sod's life anymore.

>>1150137
>Take the mage away from the old man and dispose of him yourself. You don't want to risk being seen by the Oprichna.
The old man's been through enough tonight, and we can't be sure that the mage will receive justice without risking our necks in testimony.

This is pretty much the best choice given the circumstances.

>>1150195
>>1150202
>>1150229
Alright, we'll dispose of him ourselves.

Quick question:
How do you want to dispose of him? By burying him, butchering him, or simply leaving him in the wild to be devoured by creatures of the night? (more on that in the next post)

>>1150246
Let the wild judge him. He doesn't deserve an easy death.

>>1150246
Just take him out into the wilderness and cut his throat, or his whole head if we want to be thorough.

>>1150267
Remember, they aren't dead unless you see them die. The last thing we want is him magicking his way out of the situation and coming back for vengeance.

>>1150286
Does he actually have any power left after we tore that mask off him though? I seriously doubt he could survive the night given his current condition.

>>1150297
I don't know if he does or not, and gambling that it was the source of his power instead of an aid is not a risk I'm willing to take.

>>1150246
Just cut his throat.

>>1150305
I know you have a fair point but my karmic justice. Oh well.
Yeah, just cut his throat. Let's be done with this.

>>1150267
>>1150286
>>1150297
>>1150305
>>1150311
>>1150316
Nice, I like seeing people discuss the choices. Writing now.

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>>1150320
You say nothing and heave the man over your shoulder with a heavy grunt. The old man just looks down in disbelief and slumps down next to his dead lover.

You carry the man northward for a good half-hour until you find a secluded place -- away from the salt and vinegar wards of the farmland and path -- to dispose of his soon-to-be-corpse. Although you consider for a moment the possibility of leaving him alive to be torn apart by the horrific monstrosities that lurk about Odmazda Krater at night, you decide not to potentially gamble with people's safety. You drop him into a budding bush, lean over his unconscious body, and slice his throat.

All of a sudden, you collapse facefirst into the ground.

You lose a temporary buff: Adrenaline Rush

You feel small and human again. The battle trance is over; the danger is gone. You had almost completely lost control over your body in that time, as though you were briefly reborn for the sole purpose of meting out justice.


You have not lost your fervor or strength, but you have lost nearly all feeling in your legs. That much you know for sure.

You have also taken a human life this day, a feat which you have never before accomplished in your life. Strangely, you have taken this life with the same willingness that you would take a rabbit's life.

You are weak in body, yes, but stronger than any other in spirit. And the Lord has seen it fit that your spirit evolve for His purposes.


You have ascended in power.

>Upgrade an ability:
Strife (Strength): Average
Presence (Charisma): Average
Thwart (Piety/Willpower): Average
Mettle (Endurance): Average
Duplicity (Roguish Skills/Dexterity): Average

or

>Learn more about an antispell you have gained, or divine one that you have never even heard of and learn how to obtain it.

or

>Choose a perk. (will display perk list if you choose this)

Creatures of the night are a reality in Odmazda Krater. They do not appear in most parts of the country, but an ungodly force (probably ancient mages) has cursed the Krater with centuries of terror. These beasts come in many forms, although the most common forms are as corrupted eyeless humanoids known as glazok, lycanthropes, vampires, and human-sized vultures.

>>1150417
Presence (Charisma)

>>1150417
Presence (Charisma): Average
We're going to need allies in our quest to rid the world of magi.

>>1150417
I'm kind of torn between strength, charisma, piety, endurance, or a perk.

Right now, I think we need to develop in a more mortal sense; we aren't yet anything special outside our antimagic, which is a shitty place to be for someone who's both on a grand quest and is probably marked for death by the authorities.

I'll go with a perk I guess, mostly to see what we have to work with there.

>>1150417
>Upgrade Presence (Charisma)

>>1150417
>Choose a perk. (will display perk list if you choose this)
Why do you guys always go for charisma

>>1150447
>>1150458
>>1150485
>>1150530
>>1150534
I'll give this decision 5-10 more minutes because it's fairly important. You can discuss it or wait for another vote if you want.

>>1150458
Magic use is the status quo, nobody's gonna share our fervor for mage extermination. We need to git gud first.

>>1150549
The Oprichna and Clergy more than likely favor mage extermination in theory, considering the holy books allude to it. They're probably more focused on the wildly successful heresies, though.

You're right, though. You will have a hard time finding allies either way, especially since you've already earned yourself fugitive status.

Writing now!

>>1150417
>Thwart (Piety/Willpower): Average

>>1150534
Because we need to make sure people don't kill us when we talk to them.

>>1150616
It seems more important to actually be able to defend ourselves since killing mages inevitably involves violence

>>1150616
While I'm fine with the first one going to presence, we will need to be able to fight at some point soon.

As it stands, our only real option when faced with a hostile non-magical guard is "run the fuck away". Boosting charisma will help avoid that situation, but just keep in mind that we would be roundly screwed if we somehow got outed at this point, so investing in some sort of combat skill is a major priority for the short term.

>>1150665
>>1150664
I agree, we will focus on combat next time. So what do you think would be the best attribute then?

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>>1150447
>>1150458
>>1150485
>>1150530
>>1150608

>>1150534
You find yourself lacking in the oratory department. So far you have been a man of actions, not words. That will not change, but you are not so foolish that you completely disregard the usefulness of a well-crafted argument. Besides, you won't find many allies in this world with your current temperament unless you happen to find someone as driven as you are. Not likely! The people of Skrivenya Mestikralja are a depressed lot.

As soon as the sound of infernal howling strikes your ears, you stir from your cat-nap and stand upright. Still exhausted from the events that transpired at the farm, you deliriously saunter back onto the now-vacated path, free to walk at leisurely pace with more concern for potential banditry than creatures of the night.

Thank the Lord these paths are protected by wards, you think. No unholy beast in its right mind would dare approach salt, vinegar, or garlic. You recall that the Clergy issues hefty fines against farms that are devoid of wards.

The imposing Javnazagrat stands tall ahead of you now. A contingent of guards with crossbows drowsily meander about the top of the town's wall. A sentry with an inviting face waves at you.

"You won't have that weapon much longer." he warns earnestly, pointing to the sword on your belt. Although phrased as a threat, this warning comes off as more of a sympathetic gesture. Perhaps these are local regulations.

Or maybe these guards are just common thieves.

(if you can't tell by my writing I'm getting super tired so I'm gonna call it here for tonight)

Here's the town theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXfgpw1KNpc

I'll see you folks tomorrow (probably)! Sorry for cutting it off short here but I'm having some trouble keeping my eyes open. Reply to this post if you have any questions and I'll answer them ASAP tomorrow.

And to the anti-Presence people: don't worry, you'll see whether or not it's a useful skill soon enough.

>>1150676
Are we going to come up with a name for ourselves? Then again, it might be best for us to use an alias if we're a wanted fugitive.

>>1150688
You can come up with a new name for your character, although it's not going to be his actual name. I'm saving that juicy bit of information for later.

>>1150672
Probably Dexterity. Traps, dodging, disabling and a fair amount of finesse and thrown weapons depend on it.
>>1150688
>>1150702
I say we call ourselves Emmeth Rivers.

>>1150676
Thanks for running!

I'm sure charisma will pay ample dividends, it's just usually best to have something to back it up with when words aren't an option.

>>1150702
You and your secrets. Alright, next session then.
>>1150744
I can respect dexterity but I worry about what happens if that fails us. I'm more inclined towards Endurance.

>>1150702
Hey op, good job on the quest!

Are you going to be doing another session tomorrow? if so, what time?

>>1150922
Last post for the night here. I really need to get to sleep.

I'll be doing another session tomorrow and maaaaybe on Sunday. Sessions will usually start anywhere from 5-7 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (and sometimes Thursdays) but my quest scheduling is super erratic so I'd take all of this with a grain of salt.

Glad you're enjoying it!

>>1150932
just kidding this quest was fucking shit

>>1150935
Ah, I think I know who this is.

Anyway, thank you for the criticism. I hope you find something else on /qst/ that better suits your interests.

>>1150942
Yeah, I was in your last quest thread.

This one wasnt very good. we have two other ones just like this. Next time could you do one that isn't slutty/a wizard?

>>1150949
I think you're looking for Evil Sorceress Quest. The MC in this quest is neither of those things.

Anyway, goodnight.

>>1150959
I enjoyed this, thank you for running!

>>1150932
EST?

>>1151181
>>1150922

Last post for the night here. I really need to get to sleep.

I'll be doing another session tomorrow and maaaaybe on Sunday. Sessions will usually start anywhere from 5-7 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (and sometimes Thursdays) but my quest scheduling is super erratic so I'd take all of this with a grain of salt.

Glad you're enjoying it!

>>1151263
Eastern Standered Time?

Don't worry about last night's shitposter, he turned out to be a friend of mine who does this kind of thing regularly.

>>1151286
Nope, it's CST.

>>1151546
>worry about shitposters
doyouknowwhereweare.jpg
Also, hurray for weekend sessions.

>>1151546
There was a shitposter?

>>1151546
Time for..
BURN MAGES BURN

May be running a little bit later tonight, stay tuned. Still, it should at least be before 8 PM CST.

>>1151583
>>1151668
>>1151714
>>1152798
All right, writing now.

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Actually, on second thought I don't think I'll be questing tonight. Tomorrow is likely, but I'm not really feeling it at the moment. My sleep schedule has been abysmal lately, so I think focusing on getting some responsibilities out of the way and sleeping earlier would be a good move. Sorry to anyone I may be disappointing right now.

Expect more pretty soon! I certainly have no intentions to can this quest any time in the near future but I may need to work on developing a consistent schedule. Weekends are still likely but I may focus on only running Fridays, Sundays, and maybe Thursdays. Let me know what you think.

>>1153108
S'cool. Better to run when you're in the mood than not, it's no biggie. That schedule will work just fine for me at least.

>>1153108
Might I suggest a twitter when this thread falls off, that way people can follow it to know when you'll run or for schedule changes.

OP I got a lore/setting question.

How much power does the clergy have in regards to peoples' daily lives?
It was mentioned there were fines for not having wards, which means there's a heavily judicial element to their institution in relation to evil magic things, but just how much does a pettyman see of it?

Are there any other quite known judicial/authority forces?

>>1156104
Clergymen are nobles. There are no kings beyond the Lord Above, although the Priestess is the closest thing to a king in Skrivenya Mestikralja, as the Priestess is chosen to speak directly to the Lord.

The Clergy control legislation and judiciary matters through the Oprichna. The Oprichna are judges, legislators, executioners, and when needed, even an inquisition (which is what they currently are, considering the volatile political and religious climate)

The way that the Clergy makes contact with pettymen will be explored pretty soon, but the general idea is that they pay tribute each Sunday (or Kongregat as they call it). Think tax brackets for determining how much tribute a person pays in goods and coppers; a wealthy business owner will have more seized on Kongregat than your average pettyman.

Hieromilitants are soldier conscripts, veterans are career soldiers, town guards are just guards, and the Oprichna are in direct contact with the Clergy while other soldier types are managed by generals and commanders.

Wards are required by law because cities and farms would be decimated by monsters without them.

>>1153161
>>1153684
>>1156104
Running soon! And I mean it this time, I feel much less burnt out than I did last night.

>>1153684
I have a Twitter. I'll be linking it once this thread starts falling off. (desu I'm just super lazy, I'll also be making the Pastebin at that time)

>>1156104
Woops, forgot to answer the magic question. Pettymen see very little enforcement against magic laws; the Clergy are almost 100% focused on the cults that are fucking up the country at the moment.

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>>1150676

"Why is that?" you ask, cocking your eyebrow.

"It's an honest warning, brother. We don't allow them anymore."

"Stripping citizens of their right to defend themselves is a security precaution now?"

"It is here. Listen, I won't give you any trouble if you just hand it over. I'll even climb down there to take it personally," he insists, "you really don't want to deal with the other guards. At least I've got some moral fiber in my body."

>Unsheathe your blade as a threat.

>"I refuse to make a target of myself. Do you not see that my blade is bloodied? These lands are not safe."

>"I understand, you seem like an honest man." Wait for him to climb down, then hand him your broadsword.

>Something else. (write-in)

>>1157232
>"I refuse to make a target of myself. Do you not see that my blade is bloodied? These lands are not safe."

>>1157232
>"I refuse to make a target of myself. Do you not see that my blade is bloodied? These lands are not safe."
Surely it is a death sentence for one to travel without a weapon nowadays.

>>1157256
>>1157269
I'll lock in this choice if we don't get another reply in the next five minutes.

>>1157232
>"I refuse to make a target of myself. Do you not see that my blade is bloodied? These lands are not safe."

>>1157256
>>1157269
>>1157336
I'll need a 1d100 +5 lickety-split.

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>1157340

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>1157340

Rolled 47 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>1157340

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>>1157343
>>1157377
>>1157425


82

"I refuse to make a target of myself. Do you not see that my blade is bloodied? These lands are not safe." you steadfastly assert, standing with strong footing and speaking with resolute intention.

He sighs deeply and waves you on through the open gate with a "don't say I didn't warn you" look on his face.

Behind, you hear him say one last phrase:

"At least I tried."

As you step through the gate, you are instantly greeted with the mingling putrid smells of the eastern entrance of the city. You are flanked on all sides by night patrolmen changing their shift, and ahead you see a wide street leading to what you can only assume is the town center, judging by its many elaborate structures that stretch several stories into the sky, doubtlessly built by thousands of muck slaves throughout the years. Although there is nothing particularly remarkable about this town at first glance, you do take into account the unsubtle division of rich and poor via another wall that lies mere meters ahead.

To your left and right are well-trod yet unpaved roads with no end in sight, which seem to stretch out haphazardly into countless abandoned houses and -- presumably -- areas where criminal activity is all too prevalent.

You were sent here for a reason, although you aren't quite sure what that reason is. All that you know for sure is that this a town of great sin, and it is one of only five cities in Skrivenya Mestikralja that hasn't yet been overrun by heresy. Perhaps you should start by learning of local troubles, or by finding a way to legitimize your weapon ownership.

You feel utterly lost here. This place is nothing like the honest hamlet you grew up in. You quickly note that poor cityfolk resort to crime when they are desperate, while poor pettymen resort to even harder work than usual.

What a despicable place. Never before have you witnessed an area that introduced itself with its worst qualities.

>Find a tavern. You must learn something about the goings-on in this town; the Lord did not send you here to see the "sights," after all.

>Find a bum on the streets. Perhaps they can tell you something about this town's troubles.

>Find a quiet place to observe. You may just find the next stepping stone in your journey.

>Wander aimlessly and attempt to make yourself look like an easy target. This will help you gauge the severity of criminal activity in the city, which may grant some insight into the level of corruption. Could the guards be right; is banning weapons actually beneficial to Javnazgrat's safety?

>Find a place to sleep for the night. You probably don't have enough coppers to pay for a room at an inn anyway.

>Something else. (write-in)

>>1157485
>>Find a bum on the streets. Perhaps they can tell you something about this town's troubles.
Be kind. The downtrodden and the needy are to be treated with kindness.

>>1157485
>>Find a quiet place to observe. You may just find the next stepping stone in your journey.

>>1157485
>Find a bum on the streets. Perhaps they can tell you something about this town's troubles.
The destitute hear and see many things, and are often willing to share if the price is right.

>>1157485
>Find a quiet place to observe. You may just find the next stepping stone in your journey.

>>1157485
>Find a quiet place to observe. You may just find the next stepping stone in your journey.

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>>1157495
>>1157511
>>1157530
>>1157550
>>1157558

You travel eastward to a location with slightly more activity. It is still reasonably quiet, considering that the night has already begun, but you see a few scantily-clad women go in and out of a large stone building next to the wall. You peg them as prostitutes, though you could be wrong -- maybe your simple upbringing has given you the wrong idea about immodest women. They may just be more common in urban centers like this one.

Besides the occasional drunken commoner stumbling out of the same building the women enter, you see very little of interest... at least until an unusually small man (you believe he may be cursed with dwarfism) in a bloodied apron is seen entering the back room of an adjacent tavern, leaving only a moment later with an unlabeled vial full of an indistinguishable brown liquid. Unless he's a butcher making off-the-books deals for rare imported spices, there's something strange going on here.

>Let the tiny man go about his day. It's rude to accost people on the job -- after all, he's probably moments away from falling asleep. Your presence may startle him, especially with the weapon on your belt.

>Approach the tiny man and bluntly ask him what's in the vial. If he doesn't answer, knee him in the crotch and take it.

>Quietly tail the tiny man; see where he goes with the vial.

>Ignore him and let your religious biases take over. Whorehouses are not explicitly prohibited in the holy books, but the extramarital activity that occurs within is unacceptable.

>Neither of these things are of any interest to you. They give you no insight regarding local mage activity. Just sit and wait for something else to happen. (accompany with a roll to randomly generate an event)

>Write-in.

>>1157615
>>Quietly tail the tiny man; see where he goes with the vial.

>>1157615
>Quietly tail the tiny man; see where he goes with the vial.
We don't really have anything to go on but a hunch; let's just see if anything illicit is happening.

>>1157624
>>1157644
Writing with this option selected.

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>>1157624
>>1157644
>>1157711

You quietly follow the man at a safe distance. Rather than make yourself more conspicuous by throwing yourself behind nooks and crannies as you go, you opt to walk casually a fair length away, turning to face nearby objects with mock interest any time he looks back. While your sneaking abilities are subpar, the man's glances appear to be directed more toward the occasional drowsy town guard than they are to you.

Eventually, he takes a back alley entrance into an unassuming wooden shack from which a sign depicting a pig carcass hangs. Illicit activity or not, he at least checks out as a butcher... although you can't help but wonder why he walks around in public with a bloody apron on his person. Even at night, the act strikes you as unprofessional, and you find it doubly strange that he would work so late at night.

After the apparent butcher enters his workplace, you peek inside.

Several rows of unbutchered pig carcasses line the floor, alongside a few objects covered by black drapes that you can't quite discern. There are at least four men and two women rushing about inside the butchery doing Lord-knows-what. Once the tiny man presents his vial to the others, a much younger woman -- perhaps a teenager, judging by her small frame and youthful features -- jumps up and down with glee. Upon closer examination, you see that the woman has a ghastly complexion and an abundance of scabs on her neck. She appears to be sick with some disease or another.

A worker looks toward the window, and you immediately drop to the cobblestone floor below upon noticing his gaze.

Behind, you see a dozen or so guards pass by the alleyway while holding torches. One of them looks familiar, like he may be the sentry who spoke to you at the town gate. They talk about there being a wanted man somewhere in the vicinity.

>Approach the guards and direct them toward the butchery, warning that it is a potential front for criminals. Your hunches are very rarely unfounded.

>Knock on the front door. Their business hours aren't posted anywhere and they appear to be active. Surely they wouldn't turn away a potential customer.

>Find a homeless person to investigate in your stead. One of the butchers may have seen you.

>Bust open the back door with your sword drawn.

>Write-in.

>>1157824
>Try and find out what's happening through any crack or opening you can find.

>>1157824
>Knock on the front door. Their business hours aren't posted anywhere and they appear to be active. Surely they wouldn't turn away a potential customer.

>>1157824
>Knock on the front door. Their business hours aren't posted anywhere and they appear to be active. Surely they wouldn't turn away a potential customer.
Just a regular customer...

>>1157824
>sick with some disease or other
So it's probably drugs, though whether they're to feed an addiction or treat her disease is still up in the air.

>Knock on the front door. Their business hours aren't posted anywhere and they appear to be active. Surely they wouldn't turn away a potential customer.
Worst case, they invite us in and try to kill us without calling the attention of the guards.

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>>1157836
>>1157860
>>1157863
>>1157870

You scurry away from the back entrance and move to the front door instead. Thankfully, the man who turned his gaze to the window does not investigate the alleyway. He may have not seen you.

Approaching the front door, you quickly notice that it is intricately locked, judging by the sheer amount of mechanisms on this side. You assume that there is an equally intricate lock system on the other side as well.

You rap on the door and wait for several minutes before someone finally deigns to look through the keyhole. Likely unimpressed, the person at the door quickly retracts and yells at you to leave.

>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."

>Attempt to bluff: "I am an agent with the Oprichna. I would suggest opening this door if you know what's good for you."

>Attempt to bluff: "I know where to get more. I won't speak out here, though. Let me in."

>Attempt to bluff: "Calling the guards it is, then. I'll be seeing you shortly."

>Run off to find the guard patrol. Their man may be in the butchery.

>Slam on the door. Escalate in intensity every second they try to avoid you.

>Strike the door with your sword until they open it. If they don't, start smashing windows.

>Something else. (write-in)

>>1157937
>>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."

>>1157937
>>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."

>>1157937
>>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."

>>1157937
>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."

>>1157937
>"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you just like anyone else."
and if that doesn't work
>Attempt to bluff: "Calling the guards it is, then. I'll be seeing you shortly."

>>1157947
>>1157949
>>1157957
>>1157959
>>1157975
Deciding that attracting undue attention would only harm you in the long run, you opt to ask a sincere question instead.

"What kind of business is this? I have a right to purchase from you like anyone else."

"We're not int'rested in your business, bruth'. Go get drunk like every'un else does, or just go fuck yourself. We 'ave a right ta' run our shop howsever we want."

>Give me a 1d100 if you want to continue asking for entry.

>If not, select another option above or write-in.

>>1157997
>Well, looks like I'm telling the guards about that little brown vial.
Rattle their nerves.

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>1157997
bring it on

>>1158014
this

>>1158014
I'll agree this would work, though he's probably going to try to kill us now.

Honestly though, what exactly are we hoping to accomplish by doing this? Unless we're going to kill them for misdeeds or blackmail them for information?