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File: antimage2.gif (2.71 MB, 600x870)
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Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=antimage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scoundrel_OP

Inventory/Abilities [NEW!]:
http://pastebin.com/x1d1rZWE

City Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXfgpw1KNpc

Death to Magi!

So far, we have committed the following noble deeds:

>Fought a peasant who wielded an enchanted ceremonial mask.
>Helped an old man avenge his deceased wife, who was killed by the very same man.
>Evaded the treacherous wildlife of Odmazda Krater.
>Entered Javnazagrat -- once the greatest landlocked trading post in the country; now nothing more than an amalgam of decrepit slums located only blocks away from rich clergymen.
>Denied a guard access to your weapons via skillful speech.
>Tailed a pygmali (dwarf) man to a local butcher shop, where he and his friends were soon caught engaging in odd experiments with pigs, humans, and alchemical concoctions.
>Opened a door in the cellars of this building, whereupon you were attacked by bloodthirsty pig-human abominations.

Very little time has passed since your rebirth. Although a lowborn sinner once walked in your shoes, that man is dead, and in his place is the strongest and holiest man in all of Skrivenya Mestikralja.

Or so you thought.

You are in a prison now -- one that smells strongly of spoiled meat and illegal experiments. It reminds you of the days you spent rotting in an undocumented prison, far off in savage territories where sorrowful bog beasts stalked the rivers in solitude.

You are badly bruised, bloodied, and tremendously bitter. This battle was lost, but these scum have declared war through their contemptible actions.

You will not lose the war.

[1/2]
>>
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>>1171348

OH SHIT, I forgot that we still have our holy books! Sorry about that.
http://pastebin.com/wgZTvTG1


They're gone now. If you were any other man, you would be happy to be done with those savage creatures.

But you are not any other man. You are the Antimage, the world's last hope for securing the Lord's authority and eliminating the forces that would sooner destroy it than kneel in defeat.

You have awakened. You are certain that little time has passed since your incapacitation, but you can't yet be sure. You feel uneasy, and rightfully so; there is a strange air about this place beyond even the foulest stench.

Armed with only a meat hook, you feel naked. You had a brilliant steel sword only moments ago, but alas, it was destroyed. Such are the sacrifices heroes must make.

Suddenly, you are jolted to your feet by the creaking of the wooden stairs several meters ahead, quickly followed by the rattling of chains. In the shadow created by the torch adjacent to the staircase, you notice two figures. One is covered in chains and the other appears to be dragging him or her.

>Lie on the floor; pretend to be dead. They will surely think that the beasts killed you.

>Brandish your meat hook. There will be no retreat; you didn't utter a litany against fear for nothing. It's time to stop losing and start fighting.

>Just stand still and wait. It's too early to assess the situation properly.

>Prepare a holy book, just in case.

>Something else. (write-in)
>>
>>1171434
>Prepare a holy book, just in case.
>>
>>1171434
>Brandish your meat hook. There will be no retreat; you didn't utter a litany against fear for nothing. It's time to stop losing and start fighting.
>>
It usually takes readers a moment to come to, so I'll wait for a few more people to show up and vote.
>>
>>1171434
>Lie on the floor; pretend to be dead. They will surely think that the beasts killed you.
>>
>Lie on the floor; pretend to be dead. They will surely think that the beasts killed you.

As cowardly as it is, we've just lost a fight and need to recuperate. Engaging them in our current condition will seal our death
>>
>>1171434
>>Prepare a holy book, just in case.

Then go offense.
>>
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Narrowing the choice down to...

>Prepare a holy book.

and

>Lie on the floor.

I'm going to need a tiebreaker and some 1d100 rolls!
>>
>>1171622
>Prepare a holy book.
>>
Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>1171622
>Prepare a holy book.
DEUS DICE
>>
Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>1171622
forgot muh roll
>>
Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>1171622
>>Prepare a holy book.
>>
>>1171439
>>1171474
>>1171558
>>1171609
>>1171610
>>1171627
>>1171628
>>1171632
>>1171677


70

Thank the Lord Above. You are able to maintain your composure despite your extreme pain, and you even muster enough strength to produce the six-hundred-paged behemoth that is Of Matters Divine. You feel that it is the most appropriate volume for the situation, given that the Lord's divine assistance has saved you once more.

"--and will be absorbed into the Baronom." you hear one of the figures mutters scornfully as he walks down the steps.

As it turns out, there is only one figure who emerges from the staircase, and the other turns out to have been a mere illusion, or perhaps a hallucination. You are quite delirious, after all.

A man dragging a line of chains notices you immediately as you flip open your book to a random page. With a surprised gasp, uncharacteristic of your typically cold demeanor, you nearly drop the book.

"Reading again, are you, peasant?" says the man smugly.

The resemblance is unmistakable -- at first you would have pegged this man for a twin or a body double, but you quickly notice the deep gash across his neck. This is Sybil, the same man you killed in the field last night. Though pale and grievously injured, he doesn't look half as dead as he should be.

"Quick gawking, you rude bastard. I returned for the mask you stole."

>"How are you alive?!"

>"Surprised as I may seem, you only startled me. It's not at all surprising that a mage would cheat even the absolution of death."

>This man is a zombified abomination! Of Matters Divine has never applied more than it does now -- yell a prayer at him with haste. (+1 thwart for element of surprise)

>Another trick. You're getting sick of seeing this ugly bastard -- attempt to use Smother Magic on him. You've given the antispell very little practice, and this is the perfect opportunity to properly test it. (+1 thwart for element of surprise)

>Meat hook him in the head. This time you'll make sure he stays dead. (+1 strife; AP for element of surprise)
I decided that AP should work a bit differently. It now refers simply to the MAXIMUM number of rolls that count -- which for us is 3 -- rather than the number required to progress. If the beginning two rolls are shit, I'll always wait for the third.
>>
>>1171742
Woops, meant 77.

And here are three other options I meant to include:

>Return the mask, but insist that he stay to explain himself.

>Return the mask, no questions asked.

>Write-in.

If I miss a few things it's because I'm a little drunk.
>>
>>1171742
>>This man is a zombified abomination! Of Matters Divine has never applied more than it does now -- yell a prayer at him with haste. (+1 thwart for element of surprise)
>>
>>1171742
>This man is a zombified abomination! Of Matters Divine has never applied more than it does now -- yell a prayer at him with haste. (+1 thwart for element of surprise)
>>
>>1171742
>This man is a zombified abomination! Of Matters Divine has never applied more than it does now -- yell a prayer at him with haste. (+1 thwart for element of surprise)

Haha no, you ain't gettin shit you zombie mage.
>>
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>>1171765
>>1171807
>>1171820

Of course you won't negotiate with a dirty mage, especially not one who manipulates even the most fundamental aspects of life and death. This man will evade His grasp no longer!

To Sybil's dismay, you immediately swing open the book and vent your spleen:

"All the world's mystery is derived from the Baronom, a font --" you begin before nearly being caught with a cuff to the face. Sybil drops his lighthearted demeanor and attempts to wrestle you to the ground. You toss the book off into the cellar so that he is unable to do any damage to it, and continue your spiel while pushing him off.

"A font! Of unlimited power, which the Lord consumes to dull His erudition so that the glory of His World--"

Sybil punches you hard in the face, breaking your nose and blurring your vision.

"...may inspire him as He inspires it... and there are those who would steal..."

Sybil begins throttling your neck.

"Shut your fucking mouth, farm boy. I was there in that prison. You were the worst of the worst," he shouts, "don't you remember?"

You gasp for breath, still muttering parts of the verse as your hands grasp for the man's sides.

"Where do you get off acting this way? Even clergymen aren't as arrogant as you."

>This isn't worth it. You're not going to die today -- nod frantically, then give him his mask.

>Continue muttering the verse. It has worked in the past; it will work again. [roll 1d100 to struggle]

>Knee his groin as soon as you get the chance. [roll 1d100 to struggle]

>Write-in.
>>
Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>1171890
>Continue muttering the verse. It has worked in the past; it will work again. [roll 1d100 to struggle]
FUCK YOOOOUUU
>>
Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>1171890
>Continue muttering the verse. It has worked in the past; it will work again. [roll 1d100 to struggle]
>>
Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>1171890
>>Continue muttering the verse. It has worked in the past; it will work again. [roll 1d100 to struggle]
>>
Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>1171890
>Knee his groin as soon as you get the chance. [roll 1d100 to struggle]
>>
>>1171890
>Continue muttering the verse. It has worked in the past; it will work again. [roll 1d100 to struggle]
>>
On the off chance prayer doesn't work what should we do?

We can't let this guy get his mask back. Can we destroy it? Is it fragile enough?
>>
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>>1171900
>>1171934
>>1171935
>>1171936
>>1172000
>>1172003

68

As your vision fades and your grip on the conscious world falters as it did the night before, you manage to complete the verse.

The Lord must hear your plea, or He at least sees the wisdom in eliminating this cretin once and for all. You feel a small amount of endurance return to your body, but more importantly, you are deeply inspired by your past adversity:

>You must know more about this man to defeat him. (learn a weak interrogation antispell; one that teaches you more about the caster or their abilities)

>You may be physically weak but the Lord demands that you be strong, for your cause is just and He demands heroism in these trying times. (learn a weak ward antispell; one that defends)

>You may be loyal to the Lord, but that does not mean that you are worthless without Him. Mages are the worthless ones. (learn a weak siphon antispell; one that reduces an enemy's power)

>This man could have destroyed your holy book if he tried. Whether he's a heretic or not, this piece of filth has signed his writ of execution by daring to grasp at a man with a bible in hand. (gain temporary ability: Utmost Contempt)

>Antimagic, although just in its purpose of staving off sorcery, cannot be relied upon for support. Even you could fall to its temptations. (gain temporary ability: Resolve)
>>
>>1172054
>This man could have destroyed your holy book if he tried. Whether he's a heretic or not, this piece of filth has signed his writ of execution by daring to grasp at a man with a bible in hand. (gain temporary ability: Utmost Contempt)
>>
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>>1172054
>You must know more about this man to defeat him. (learn a weak interrogation antispell; one that teaches you more about the caster or their abilities)

>mfw people going for a temp ability
>>
>>1172123
Eh good point

>>1172054

>You must know more about this man to defeat him. (learn a weak interrogation antispell; one that teaches you more about the caster or their abilities)
>>
>>1172054
>You may be loyal to the Lord, but that does not mean that you are worthless without Him. Mages are the worthless ones. (learn a weak siphon antispell; one that reduces an enemy's power)
>>
>>1172054
>>You may be physically weak but the Lord demands that you be strong, for your cause is just and He demands heroism in these trying times. (learn a weak ward antispell; one that defends)
>>
>>1172062
>>1172082
>>1172123
>>1172134
>>1172156
>>1172205

You quickly realize that you know very little about mages, and that your hatred for them can only win you so many battles on its own. Rather than projecting your disdain in its rawest form, you decide to invest it instead into cognizant thought -- if fear is what killed you last night, knowledge will be what restores you today.

Antispell Gained: Lesser Divulge Secrets (works only when a mage ISN'T focused on deep thought; as such, you must catch them off guard, either while unconscious, or while preoccupied with a task such as strangling you)

Like a worm, you bore a tunnel into the man's mind through advanced concentration. He sweats profusely, crying out in frustration as you refuse to die to his tainted hands.

In an instant, he blurts, "My brother betrayed me. I've never felt so cheat-"

Shocked, he removes his hands from your neck and covers his mouth. A moment later, his trembling fingers slide down his cheeks, and he speaks through labored, reluctant breaths.

"I was cheated. He saved me from my abusive father. The mask was his. My father was obsessed... shut the fuck..." he cries, "Stop talking, you -- and he only let me out of the dungeon to weep at the sight of the sun. And he would say, 'Enjoy it while it lasts, you garbage child.'"

Taken aback, the filthy mage releases you from his grip. You pant and struggle for your breath like an untrained swimmer reaching for the shoreline. As it slowly begins to stabilizes, Sybil finally prevents further secrets from leaking through brief meditation. He approaches you as you lie on the ground.

"Where does all this power come from? And why won't you die?"

>"I could ask you the same question."

>"Your father was right about you. He sounds like a wise man." (bonus to presence)

>"Leave, you pitiful fool. I'll spare you of any further trauma if you just leave me alone." (bonus to presence)


>"My father was not kind to me either. I will give you the mask, then... if you promise to destroy it." Stand, extend the mask his way, then smack him upside the end with it once he reaches for it. [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]

>"Sob story or not, you're still a mage." Throw your meat hook at his head and hope it sticks! [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]

>Keep him talking and slowly rise with the meat hook hidden behind your back. As soon as you have the chance, catch him in the head and end the charade. [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]

>Write-in. If your write-in is purely speech-based, you will have a bonus to Presence. If you include an action, you will have an automatic +5 to your next attack roll.


UPDATED: http://pastebin.com/RBFNrbEd
>>
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>>1172282
>>
>>1172282
>>"Your father was right about you. He sounds like a wise man." (bonus to presence)
>Keep him talking and slowly rise with the meat hook hidden behind your back. As soon as you have the chance, catch him in the head and end the charade. [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]
>>
>>1172282

"The King has blessed me with these three books, all which serve as both my bulwark and bible. I shudder to think what wretched masters burned you with such a horrible, cursed mask."

While he says this, our man pulls out the mask, displaying it openly, while casually letting his free hand hover above the meat hook.
>>
>>1172354
"Burned" into Burdened
>>
>>1172282
>>"Your father was right about you. He sounds like a wise man." (bonus to presence)
>Keep him talking and slowly rise with the meat hook hidden behind your back. As soon as you have the chance, catch him in the head and end the charade. [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]
>>
Rolled 82 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>1172282
>>"Your father was right about you. He sounds like a wise man." (bonus to presence)
>"My father was not kind to me either. I will give you the mask, then... if you promise to destroy it." Stand, extend the mask his way, then smack him upside the end with it once he reaches for it. [roll 1d100; +5 for catching him off guard]

Oh boy.
>>
>>1172338
>>1172374
>>1172382
I'll take this.

Would anyone like to give another roll, or should I just go for the one >>1172382 did?

Keep in mind, 100 and 1 will always lead to a unique outcome that no other rolls can yield.
>>
Rolled 13 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>1172412
Throwing roll in
>>
Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>1172412
>>
>>1172374
>>1172382
>>1172412
>>1172417
>>1172431


87

"Your father was right about you. He sounds like a wise man." you say expressionlessly.

Sybil just shakes his head and scowls. "I don't find that funny, Volkov."

You raise your eyebrows and sit still with your eyes wide for a moment.

"Volkov? How do you know my... that name?"

"It's your surname. You still don't seem to understand that I was in the same prison."

Taking a deep breath, you rise to your feet and bring the meat hook slowly to your side. Sybil just looks into your eyes, completely unaware of what you are about to do.

"Remember," he continues, stifling a chuckle, "on the trail? That I robbed a woman and killed another just to get your attention?"

"Of course I remember." you answer slowly, your whole body shaking in anticipation.

"I saw your escape. I knew from the beginning that you would be too much for the Troika Magi to handle. Originally I was going to just talk you out of your quest, but..."

He cracks an unsettling smile.

"You were quite an ornery fellow, weren't you?"

You crack a smile of your own, suddenly thrusting the meat hook into his forehead. His mouth opens briefly in shock and his hands fizzle with a brief pulse of energy before it dies out -- hopefully permanently this time.

You continue jabbing him with the hook -- eventually pulling out entire bits of brain and flesh like tough jerky -- until his face is reduced to a mutilated mess.

Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, you stand up and retrieve your holy book from the ground.

>Destroy his brain.

>Destroy his heart.

>It may take some time, but destroy every internal organ in his accursed body. You can't let him resurrect again.

Afterward, what will you do?

>Race up the stairs and try to find the loose pig beasts.

>Investigate the woman's corpse, or at least see if it's still there.

>Search for clues as to the whereabouts of the monsters; see if they left anything behind, or perhaps bloody footprints.

>Something else. (write-in)

There are pig abominations loose in the city. You may not want to take an awfully long time butchering the man, unless you want to make absolutely sure that he doesn't come back.
>>
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>>1172493
Forgot picture.
>>
>>1172493
>Destroy his brain.
Seems the most quickly done, we can always kill him again.
>Search for clues as to the whereabouts of the monsters; see if they left anything behind, or perhaps bloody footprints.
>>
>>1172493
>>Destroy his brain.
>>Destroy his heart.
Hopefully this should be enough. Couple hooks into the right spots shouldn't take too much time.

>Search for clues as to the whereabouts of the monsters; see if they left anything behind, or perhaps bloody footprints.
>>
I started a bit later than usual tonight and didn't have any coffee, so I'm getting pretty tired now. I'll probably do one more update for the night.

By the way, I may start doing week updates as well if time permits. Monday is a possibility. Keep up with my Twitter! https://twitter.com/Scoundrel_OP and also the updated Pastebin at http://pastebin.com/sVd7ZX3Q (finally has everything, I swear I didn't leave anything out this time)

Last post of the night coming up!
>>
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>>1172509
>>1172529
Given that the pigs are still on the loose, you immediately spur yourself into action and tear apart the man's head with your hand and hook, slowly smashing it apart until you have a large enough hole to scoop the remainder out onto the floor. As if this place didn't stink enough already.

A million questions and uncertain conclusions jump around in your head, tugging and nagging all the while, as you tear the fiend apart.



Who was that man?

How did he survive the last time we fought?

What is his interest in me, and how did he know my surname?

How did he know I was here?

Why did I hallucinate a silhouette of him dragging someone with a chain?

If he's so powerful, why does he keep losing? Does he want to lose -- are these experiences supposed to somehow test me?


You decide that you'll never know the answer to any of those questions if you're lucky. As far as you're concerned, the Ballad of the Man With the Woman Name has come to a close, and not a moment too soon.

You approach the staircase to see a trail of bloody hooves leading upward. Following them, you happen upon the gruesome sight of each "butcher" bent over their own pile of pig carcasses. Each one is split in half with their entrails hanging out, and only one -- the rude bearded man from last night -- is left with all of his limbs intact.

You have released two monsters. These monsters apparently play favorites, because you quickly notice that someone's missing from the piles.

The pygmali from the night before. He's either an abomination whisperer or a deceptive scamp, and you're inclined to believe that the latter is true. The holy books say nothing good about his kind.

--

May run tomorrow! Please check on Twitter and this thread periodically. Also, leave any feedback that you feel I should read/respond to. G'night.
>>
All right, next updates tomorrow. I will possibly be updating into the week as well, so keep posted on my Twitter.
>>
Just want to know if anyone's here tonight. Please check in if you're interested in participating.

Will probably run at around 7:30 pm CST.
>>
>>1181078
checked
>>
>>1181078
yo
>>
Nice
>>
>>1181078
Nice
>>
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>>1172509
>>1172529
>>1181143
>>1181245
>>1181330
>>1172621
>>1181360


You hear the high-pitched screams from at least a block away, and quickly chalk up the most likely source to the brothel you noticed earlier, given the femininity of the emitting voices.

Through a large man-shaped hole in the flimsy wooden wall of the butchery you witness the same group of guards from last night rushing around frantically with their crossbows. If you didn't know any better, you'd take them for untrained hieromilitants being thrown into their first battle only a moment after conscription. Looks of pain and despair line their typically cold, uncaring faces.

Only one -- the crossbowman who previously warned you of the town's weapons regulations -- appears to be prepared for this situation.

His expression reminds you of a familiar phrase:

I told you so.

>Temporarily change perspective to Pyotr for this scene.

>Continue playing as the Antimage; offer to help the guards.

>Continue playing as the Antimage; rush toward the screams.
>>
>>1181384
>Continue playing as the Antimage; offer to help the guards.
>>
>>1181384
>>Continue playing as the Antimage; offer to help the guards.
>>
>>1181384
>Continue playing as the Antimage; offer to help the guards.
>>
>>1181409
>>1181384
This
>>
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>>1181409
>>1181423
>>1181435
>>1181454

Cautiously, you step out the hole in the wall with your hands up. The grizzled crossbowman -- clearly the most experiences of the group -- instantly snaps to your gaze and raises his crossbow.

"I remember you. What happened to your weapon?" asks the guardsman.

"It was taken from me, but not in the way you'd expect. It's related to the pig people." you reply in an exasperated tone.

"This is where they came from, then. We suspected that the vertically-challenged runt would be hiding about in this district."

"I know who you are speaking of. Why are you here, and not directly facing the threat?"

"I see that we are of the same mind on this affair. Unfortunately, the seneschal insisted that we investigate the origin of the chaos and ensure that no more svinja are spawned."

"Svinja, then. That's what they're called?"

"Indeed. How many are there, and what caused this outbreak?"

"Not as many as you'd think -- I was only attacked by two, but it would not surprise me if the pygmali is capable of creating more. If you're looking for the cause, look no further than that imp."

"Very well. If you are unable to offer further assistance, I would suggest holing up in an inn. Otherwise --"

"I intend to help you." you interject.

His face lights up, although after a brief moment of relief he seems slightly concerned.

"And you're capable of fighting?"

"More than capable."

The man -- whose name you soon learn is Pyotr Karov -- shows you on a map two locations that could be protected. He states that the Clergy would greatly appreciate assistance at the city's cathedral, while a commoners' clinic is being hit harder than any other part of the city.

Clinics are notorious for distributing illicit "snake oil" cure-alls for the lung rot plague behind closed doors. You have a slightly negative attitude toward city churches, as they tend to distort the Lord's message for financial gain. You reason that this is one of the many contributing factors to the widespread rise of heresy and magic, although you reason as well that anything can be reformed.

>Assist at the clinic; the svinja threat there is more immediate.

>Assist at the cathedral; it's not currently being assaulted, but it's in harm's way.

>Assist at the brothel nearby. The inhabitants may deserve punishment, but it's not an abomination's place to deliver it.
>>
>>1181745
>Assist at the clinic; the svinja threat there is more immediate.
>>
>>1181745
>>Assist at the clinic; the svinja threat there is more immediate.
>>
>>1181745
>Assist at the brothel nearby. The inhabitants may deserve punishment, but it's not an abomination's place to deliver it.
>>
>>1181745
>>Assist at the cathedral; it's not currently being assaulted, but it's in harm's way.
>>
>>1181745
Assist at clinic
>>
>>1181745
>Assist at the clinic; the svinja threat there is more immediate.
>>
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>>1181787
>>1181810
>>1181818
>>1181838
>>1181907
>>1181921


Before you head off for the clinic, Pyotr calls together a few of his men, who groan at the notion that a tourist would be more combat- effective than they are, and asks you which recently confiscated weapon you'd like. A spry, young guardsman in loose clothing offers to retrieve whatever you request from a nearby armory, so long as you agree to return it once you're done using it.

Choose wisely.

>A steel quarterstaff retrieved from the corpse of a murdered pilgrim.

>A light crossbow; the weapon of choice for Javnazgrat guards.

>A long falx confiscated from a refugee.

>A sling. Easy to use, quick to reload, and infinitely replenishable (just use rocks)... but not very effective. Great if you want to act as a distraction rather than a primary combatant.

>A halberd that you're probably not strong enough to swing. (need higher mettle to use to its fullest potential; think Dark Souls weapon requirements)

>No need for weapons when you have holy books and faith. Just rush for the clinic.
>>
>>1181927
>A long falx confiscated from a refugee.
>>
>>1181927
>A steel quarterstaff retrieved from the corpse of a murdered pilgrim.
>>
>>1181927
>A long falx confiscated from a refugee.
>>
>>1181927
Falx all way
>>
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>>1181963
>>1182005
>>1182023

Upon requesting the falx, the youngest guardsman takes off in a sprint. Hopefully he returns alive, you think.

In the meantime, you engage in idle conversation with Pyotr and the disgruntled guardsmen surrounding you, of which there are nine or ten (not counting Pyotr or the one who just ran off).

"I must ask, Pyotr -- why the weapons ban?" you inquire amiably, although your bias clearly shows in the way you phrase the successive argument, "Of Folk clearly states that all men, especially fathers, are entitled to the defense of their family, regardless of station. Even muck slaves, given that they don't strike out against their masters."

"Politics." he responds simply. You decide not to press the matter, as he appears unwilling to speak on it any more than he already has.

Not long after your brief discussion, the youngest guardsman returns. Panting, he says a quick "here you are" and passes you a farm implement repurposed as a weapon. It's fairly light, and the end is surely sharp enough to vanquish a svinja. Hopefully you don't break this one.

As you travel northward with the guardsmen into the bowels of the lower city, which are marked by even fouler smells and a distinctive lack of road, you hear a shout and witness an extended family flee from a burning house that's surely too small to shelter the lot of them. From the house soon emerges a...

Give me 1d100 to generate the encounter.

>A powerful mage with a death wish. [1-20]

>One of the svinja you're chasing after. [21-40]

>A refugee gang carrying out an act of arsonry to send a message. [41-60]

>A weak mage separated from their apprentice. [61-80]

>A crazed plague victim feeding into the chaos, living his last day to its fullest extent. [81-98]

>Nothing. They just dropped a flammable vial into the fireplace by accident. [99-100]

You have a maximum of 3 rolls for this encounter. I will roll a 1d3 to determine which is used.
>>
Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>1182223
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>1182223
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>1182223
>>
Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>1182253
>>1182260
>>1182306

Nice, 66.7% chance of weak mage. Let's see what happens.
>>
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>>1182253
>>1182260
>>1182306
>>1182324

A snake-eyed woman crawls out of the house, hacking profusely. In her hands are a mass of singed parchments, some with writing on them, and a half-empty potion balanced on the stack. She rises briefly, catches the eyes of the guardsmen surrounding you, and takes off in a dead sprint after throwing the stack onto the floor!

Not a moment later, she trips on her elaborate pink dress and tumbles headfirst to the ground, just at the steps of the clinic you came to investigate. From inside the clinic, you hear an uproar of distressed humans along with the peculiar growl of an abomination.

>Suggest that the guards deal with the svinja; rush for the mage and grab her by the collar.

>Suggest that half of the guards deal with the svinja; pursue the mage with the other half. She's not above suspicion -- what if this is all part of some elaborate conspiracy to plunge the city into chaos?

>Keep your eyes on the matter at hand. The woman's judgment will come later. Follow the guards into the clinic. Maybe you'll be done before the woman gets too far.

>Tell the guards they should deal with the mage. You have a score to settle with these pig fucks.

>Something else. (write-in)

Regardless of your choice, accompany with a 1d100 roll.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>1182441
>Suggest that the guards deal with the svinja; rush for the mage and grab her by the collar.
>>
Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>1182441
>Suggest that the guards deal with the svinja; rush for the mage and grab her by the collar.
>>1182468
>2
Way too close there anon
>>
Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>1182468
This
>>
Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>1182468
This
>>
Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>1182441
>>Suggest that the guards deal with the svinja; rush for the mage and grab her by the collar.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>1182441
>Suggest that half of the guards deal with the svinja; pursue the mage with the other half. She's not above suspicion -- what if this is all part of some elaborate conspiracy to plunge the city into chaos?
>>
>>1182468
>>1182524
>>1182531
>>1182550
>>1182552

Writing with the roll of 48 and >Suggest that the guards deal with the svinja; rush for the mage and grab her by the collar.

>>1182569
You lucky fuck. Yours is too far off for me to take.
>>
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>>1182468
>>1182524
>>1182531
>>1182550
>>1182552
>>1182569
>>1182581

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr16jZsBEjQ

48

You suggest that the guards take on the svinja while you pursue the mage. Despite his brief confusion that you would "waste your time" on an insignificant rioter, he does not protest your decision and heads directly for the clinic.

The woman desperately rises to her feet, evading your grasp by a hair as you reach for her.

Producing an orange vial from the leather belt tightly wrapped about her waist, she continues her run with renewed confidence. However, that confidence is dwindled once more when her throw narrowly misses you. Behind, you hear a weak explosion that (thankfully) missed its mark.

You chase her for several minutes until you stop, panting, at the end of an alleyway that she has foolishly backed herself into. Noticing that there are no escapes, the woman draws another vial from her belt and chucks it. This one's coming straight for you.

1d100s please! Add an action if you wish. Dodging is the default action in this scenario.
>>
Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>1182667
I can't get fucked by dice twice
>>
Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>1182667
>>
Rolled 61 (1d100)

Sidestep and close the distance, weapon-first
>>
>>1182676
>>1182689
>>1182753

Writing! Also, I'll include >>1182753's suggestion.
>>
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>>1182676
>>1182689
>>1182753

71

You dodge the vial! It instead hits a cart only feet away, creating a small explosion that leads to a trivial fire, one that you decide is not worth dealing with at this moment.

Muttering a brief prayer from Of Folk regarding justified combat, you close your distance with the falx held at the ready. Your years as a pettyman serve you well, as it proves to be especially easy to use in your trained hands. The woman backs up, hitting the sandstone wall just behind her. She's reached a dead end.

Before she is able to grasp at another explosive vial, the woman's hand is stayed by the curved blade of the falx. You stop it just at her neck.

"What is your qualm, brother?" she cries, "I have done nothing to you!"

>"Explain this mask to me, mage." Produce the strange mask from your rucksack and, holding it at a safe distance, show it to the woman.

>"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." Use your newfound antispell, Lesser Divulge Secrets, if need be.

>You know better than to waste your time with a mage. Kill her.

>Swipe her legs with the falx, then approach and stomp her out of commission. You'll deal with her later. For now, assist the soldiers.

>Give her a choice: die, go to the guards or Oprichna for righteous imprisonment, or assist you in killing the svinja.

>Write-in.

Updated CS: http://pastebin.com/bwpTPKkj
>>
>>1182870
>"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." Use your newfound antispell, Lesser Divulge Secrets, if need be.
>>
>>1182870
>"Explain this mask to me, mage." Produce the strange mask from your rucksack and, holding it at a safe distance, show it to the woman.

>"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." Use your newfound antispell, Lesser Divulge Secrets, if need be.
>>
>>1182870
>"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." Use your newfound antispell, Lesser Divulge Secrets, if need be.

>"Explain this mask to me, mage." Produce the strange mask from your rucksack and, holding it at a safe distance, show it to the woman.

I don't suppose we get an advantage reacting if we KNOW someone's about to try something? Because the second that mask comes out...
>>
>>1182904
I'm not asking for a roll here, but sure. It's safe to assume that you would've learned from your last two encounters with Sybil.

>>1182894
>>1182900
>>1182904

Are there any objections to

>"Explain this mask to me, mage." Produce the strange mask from your rucksack and, holding it at a safe distance, show it to the woman.

and

>"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." Use your newfound antispell, Lesser Divulge Secrets, if need be.

being used together? If so, which should be done first? This may impact her reaction.
>>
>>1182931
I think pulling the mask out should be done last, it seems more dangerous
>>
>>1182931
The mask last.
>>
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>>1182894
>>1182900
>>1182904
>>1182931
>>1182938
>>1182955

"This isn't about what you've done to me. Tell me what happened to that family." you demand.

Flusered, the mage stumbles over her words and tells a bold-faced lie rather than answering your question straight, "I am a -- well, the clinics wanted me to... help them."

"Pathetic," you utter, bringing your falx within a hair's breadth of her neck, "try again if you value your life."

After one too many pitiful bluffs, you decide to spare the woman of the trouble. By saying part of the verse you memorized earlier today, you are able to elicit a dignified response.

"I... was trying to teach them how to mix drugs!" she admits fearfully, her lips trembling.

"Damn it," screams the mage, "Why did I say that?!"

"Remarkable. It seems that you made a mistake. Do all of your drugs cause fires?" you respond.

"I... no. I really was trying to help them. They offered the rest of their savings to cure their son."

"And you failed."

"Yes, damn it. I dropped one of my... self-defense vials. I have poor eyesight."

"Why?"

"Alchemy is dangerous," she squeaks, "I gave myself an unnatural visage by mixing a bit too much... er, adder eye... into a concoction I made years ago."

Satisfied with her answer -- a mage who tells the truth, who'd've thought? -- you move on to the next subject -- the mask.

She tells you that she has no idea what you're talking about.

"There is no mask." she insists.

>"Thank you." Give her a quick death for her kindness.

>Press the matter. Smack this liar and get a real answer.

>Knock her out. You'll return for her once the svinja is dealt with.

>Request her aid against the svinja. Slippery as mages may be, her explosive vials would be a valuable asset in fighting it. (1d100 +5 for presence check)

>Conscript her to your permanent employ and force her to fight the svinja with you. Even the most vile of beings can be reformed.

>Tell her to wait where she is; head to the svinja.

>Something else. (write-in)


http://pastebin.com/iZ4LRyjh
>>
>>1183088
Woops, didn't mean to upload the picture like that. Here's the actual one.
>>
>>1183088
>>1183114
All right, both of these look like shit. I'll make a better crop some other time.

Also, didn't mean to italicize the entire second half of that post. Don't mind me!
>>
>>1183088
Smack this liar with the mask let her deny it as it hits her
>>
Rolled 4 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>1183088
>Request her aid against the svinja. Slippery as mages may be, her explosive vials would be a valuable asset in fighting it. (1d100 +5 for presence check)
>>
>>1183088
>>"Thank you." Give her a quick death for her kindness.
Suffer not the mage to live. Take her explosioney potions and lets go.
>>
Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>1183088
This >>1183128
>>
Before we even think about conscripting her, can we find out if she's actually a mage or just some sort of alchemist using magical ingredients? Does that even count as magic?

If she's a mage,
>"Thank you." Give her a quick death for her kindness.

If not, she might be useful: let's
>Request her aid against the svinja
and then maybe figure out why she can't see the mask.
>>
>>1183170
Alchemists are a gray area religiously and legally, mostly because the holy books never accounted for their eventual existence. Some towns ban them, others don't. You don't know this town's policy. Clinics are legal in almost every town, but they are often criticized for dealing with alchemists because alchemists tend to be glorified drug dealers.

This is my way of allowing you to decide for yourself what kind of person your character will be. Religious schisms are always a possibility if you go too far one way or the other, and I like the idea of affording many of the MC's beliefs to the players' best judgment.

So, I'll allow the players to judge our enemy by answering this question:

Would you like to regard this woman as a mage? This choice is not permanent (as you may eventually get a concrete answer), but it will lead to one of the following outcomes:

>If yes, you will kill her and take her remaining exploding vials.

>If no, you will request her aid and try to figure out why she can't see the mask.
>>
>>1183207
Also, I will take one more roll if you're voting no. I'm genuinely interested in seeing how the players want to impact our hero(?)'s development.
>>
Rolled 92 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>1183207
Okay, so she definitely cannot cast any sort of magic and she's only been using alchemy?
Since that seems to be the case, well... after her kindness, there's no reason not to let her prove her worth if she can't actually cast spells, right?
I mean, by that logic we'd kind of be slight hypocrites, so... I think if we went a pure magic-free route ourselves this whole time we'd probably just kill her but since we didn't, I'm going to vote no, at the very least for now
>>
>>1183244

>Okay, so she definitely cannot cast any sort of magic and she's only been using alchemy?
As far as we know, yes.

If no new votes are cast in the next five minutes, I will go with this.
>>
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>>1183126
>>1183128
>>1183153
>>1183154
>>1183170
>>1183207
>>1183221
>>1183244
>>1183253

97!

You wave the mask in front of the woman for a few more seconds. She appears to be slightly confused, but makes no effort to identify it. In fact, her eyes aren't even looking right at it -- they're more focused on your facial expression, which displays a similar look of confusion.

"I don't understand." pouts the alchemist.

"Forget about it, then." you reply, putting the mask back into your rucksack.

Continuing to point your weapon at the woman, you request that she make a choice between the guards' generosity, your lack of generosity, or her own generosity. She chooses correctly and agrees to help you, if only to prove that she's not as evil as you thought.

Satisfied, you lead her back to the clinic. On the way, you pose a difficult question.

Attempting to mask your vitriol with an impartial disposition, you ask, "Are you a mage?"

Noticing your furrowed brow as she walks alongside you, the woman watches her words carefully and claims that she isn't, but her profession "often saw her working closely with their ilk." Interrogating her may be a worthy pursuit as soon as you're done helping the guards.

Once you reach the clinic, you gaze upon a column of slaughtered guards in dismay. Their weapons have been cracked, their shields battered, and their heads crushed. One has crawled about with his entrails hanging out for the past ten or so minutes, judging by the blood he dragged in a jagged line across the dirt.

>Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.

>Do not loot the corpses; rush in.

>Loot a corpse or two, then rush in. (will take a few minutes)

>Loot the corpses thoroughly, then rush in. (will take about 10 minutes, but you will be more appropriately equipped)

>Write-in.
>>
>>1183317
Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.
>>
>>1183317
>Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.

Their gear didn't seem to do them any good. We should try to be as mobile as possible. Maybe read one of our books for some kind of boon before hand?
>>
>>1183333
See if we can find an agility boon or something clearly defence doesn't matter what we need is speed
>>
>>1183317
>Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.
>>
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Hey, I'm starting to get really tired. I think the coffee's finally wearing off.

I plan on running sometime this week (maybe even tomorrow, check Twitter) so stay tuned for that!

And I'll answer any lore questions you've got if I see them before the next time I run, which will be, tentatively, either Monday or Tuesday.

Please give feedback/argue/shitpost (don't actually do that last thing) as you feel is necessary.

G'night.
>>
>>1183381
Night OP, thanks for the run
>>
>>1183317
>>Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.
>>
Rolled 76 (1d100)

do not loot
>>
>>1183317
>>Do not loot the corpses; proceed cautiously. Pyotr may be in danger.
>>
Suffer not the magi to live.
>>
Next run tomorrow, maybe another one on Wednesday, and the weekend (except for maybe Saturday) is very likely.

Will start between 6-7 pm CST each time.
>>
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IN THE MEANTIME:

Here's the pecking order in Skrivenya Mestikralja as decided by the Hierocracy, based on cultural status. Someone near the top is much more likely to be in a self-appointed position of power.
>>
>>1185394
Are mages under the Heretics/Cultists section?
>>
>>1185766
Nope, they're just not recognized as a social class. The "heretics" acknowledged on this chart are tried heretics who have been stripped of their position in society and are dealt with even more severely than prisoners, fugitives, and deserters.

Mages are absolutely everywhere in society, and very few people are as keen to their abilities as you are. Some regions even tolerate magic, although the Oprichna view it as a perversion of the Lord's will. You will soon learn that a mage's greatest ally is their ability to manipulate and corrupt even the holiest of organizations.

The region you're in now, Odmazda Krater, has a no-tolerance magic policy, but the Oprichna (which fit under the category of "clergymen") are almost entirely focused on crushing cults and censoring new religious sects before they rise to prominence.
>>
>>1185852
Does our character have any knowledge of what kind of abominations mages are capable of creating? If yes how strong are those pigs compared to them?
>>
>>1185893
Our character has seen vague visions of what magic is capable of. I decided that since the players would be unfamiliar with the world starting out, the character should also be somewhat unfamiliar with a lot of its intricacies without being an amnesiac. Basically, he can make educated guesses about mages and their power, but he has not witnessed firsthand anything more powerful than a svinja.

Svinja are abominations, but as evidenced by Pyotr's knowledge of the beasts, they're probably a common occurrence a la Odmazda Krater's night creatures (glazoks, vampires, werewolves, etc.)
>>
Just had my coffee so I'll be running in a bit.

Running really soon! My next post will be an update.
>>
>>1190213
FUCK MAGIC
>>
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>>1183326
>>1183333
>>1183375
>>1183376
>>1183910
>>1184236
>>1184290

You quickly decide that stopping in your tracks would not be prudent at this time, so you decide to walk into the clinic rather than waste your time outside.

If they weren't saved by their gear, you reason, then it's not worth losing time over.

You are at the east entrance.

Followed closely by your new ally, you make your way into the wide halls of the clinic. The floors are lined with hay, cloth, and anything else the locals found lying around. Although this building services the poor, you notice that there has been a more obvious effort to renovate and improve than any other building you have seen in Javnazagrat thus far. The walls are covered in ominous murals depicting pale, malnourished figures with dark spectres resembling clouds of smoke exiting their bodies through the mouth.

Making your way forward, you come to an expansive room (#3) covered in dried blood. You see several dead or unconscious men and women lying dead on their cots.

At your feet lies a corpse in thick brown robes, whose entire face is covered in a steel mask. He was a clinician, no doubt, and you determine that he was killed recently.

You hear a perplexing hum coming from a room to your right. Ahead is a barricaded door, past which the survivors of the attack have likely barricaded themselves. To your left is an obliterated door ripped from the wall at its hinges. The left hallway is dark; all the torches have been extinguished.

>Which way do you go? Accompany choice with a 1d100 roll. Keep in mind that you...

Have a temporary companion specializing in ranged attacks,
are poorly armed,
and do not know where Pyotr is but have an inclination as to where the surviving clinicians may be.

You are the red dot on the map.
>>
>>1190320
Woops. Another post in italics!
>>
>>1190320
I can't see any red dots.
>>
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>>1190320
I'm just full of mistakes today. Here's the map with the dot on it.
>>
Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>1190320
Try talking to those behind the barricaded door. Dark room has an ambush waiting for sure and the hum most likely belongs to a mage.
>>
>>1190331
You forgot to warn on twitter that thread resumed.
>>
>>1190348
It is done.

Now I play the waiting game.

(if your suggestion doesn't get any backup votes I'll just go with it, hopefully this doesn't end up being a singleplayer session)
>>
>>1190396
The barricaded door is in direction of room 2 right? We probably should should take a quick peek at the direction the humming is coming from while trying to talk with those behind the barricade.
>>
>>1190426
Yep, the barricaded door is directly ahead of you. You could look in the direction of Room 1 from that spot.

I'll wait another five minutes. Hopefully the others show up.
>>
>>1190320
Let's knock on the barricaded door
>>
>>1190340
>>1190479
Writing with these.
>>
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>>1190340
>>1190479
>>1190492

66

You approach the door ahead slowly, glancing to the right here and there as you proceed forward. While you do not see the cause of the hum, you hear it approach slowly. With your eye still to the hall, you rap on the barricaded door.

"No! Don't open that door!" shouts a feminine, high-pitched voice from the other side.

"I wasn't planning on it." you respond in a soothing voice.

"Are you... are you with the guards?"

"Possibly. How many of you are in there?"

You hear a moment of hushed lecturing, as if the person who spoke to you is now being silenced by the other survivors. You count about five more voices before she speaks again.

The hum is drawing in closer now.

>Step back and whisper to your alchemist companion, "You speak to them. They may place more trust in your voice."

>Ask the survivors to let you in.

>Face the unknown with your weapon drawn.

>Face the unknown with a bible drawn. (which one: Of Folk, Of Matters Divine, or Division?)

>Hide among the corpses and play dead. When the cause of the noise arrives, you will be prepared to strike at it. (bonus to duplicity)

>Something else. (write-in)
>>
>>1190538

>Hide among the corpses and play dead. When the cause of the noise arrives, you will be prepared to strike at it. (bonus to duplicity)
>>
>>1190538
>Hide among the corpses and play dead. When the cause of the noise arrives, you will be prepared to strike at it. (bonus to duplicity)
Unless they have Detect Life, we are good to go.
>>
I'll be honest here, I totally forgot how the books work and what they do.
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>1190538
>>1190556
>>1190569
You forgot to roll.
>>Hide among the corpses and play dead. When the cause of the noise arrives, you will be prepared to strike at it. (bonus to duplicity)
>>
Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>1190582
Excuse me while I insert my foot into my mouth.
>>
Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>1190582
>>
>>1190576
Basic explanation:

Division is a man-made holy book created by the Clergy. Expect basic lore about the nation. its hierarchy and matters of law to come out of this one.

Of Matters Divine and Of Folk were dictated by the Lord and written by His disciples.

Of Matters Divine is focused on the Lord's power, the dangers of mortal men using His magic, and His will.

Of Folk is all about humans, their function in the world, and how they can please the Lord.

So, when you choose one the first thought on your mind should be, "which of these applies best to the situation?"

Divulge Secrets would fall under Division because it pertains to crime and punishment, Smother Magic relates closest to Of Matters Divine because it focuses on directly killing magic at its source, etc.

>>1190582
That's all right, I didn't ask for a roll on this one but I'll take them anyway. I meant for the bonuses to apply to whatever happens in the next encounter.

Writing now with:

>Hide among the corpses and play dead. When the cause of the noise arrives, you will be prepared to strike at it. (bonus to duplicity)
>>
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>>1190556
>>1190569
>>1190576
>>1190582
>>1190612
>>1190616

78

Your Duplicity bonus will apply to the next roll.

As you hear the noise draw near, you tap the alchemist woman on her shoulder and drop to the ground. She looks down at you in confusion, then lowers herself to the ground slowly, so as to not dirty her expensive dress.

"What is i-" she begins in a hushed tone.

You clasp the alchemist's lips with a hand and shoot her a piercing glare. She huffs sorely and goes limp, one hand stretched toward her vial belt. You do the same, wrapping your fingers around the falx as you fall to the ground.

Your senses are enveloped with the overwhelming stench of an old man whose insides are presently being feasted on by a ravenous swarm of flies. Ahead, you spot an abnormally tall figure holding a staff. The alchemist gulps and widens her eyes upon the sight of the figure, and nearly speaks out once more until you grit your teeth at her in frustration.

The figure walks past you, tapping its staff on the floor with each deliberate movement. Suddenly, it turns back to see your new "friend" stretched out on the floor.

"Ah, how the 'mighty' fall." it remarks in an unnerving, distorted voice, which sounds as though it's coming from underwater.

Could this person be intentionally disguising their inflection? Perhaps they're seeing right through your trick.

The alchemist starts to shiver as the figure draws near.

"I see that." it says.

"I... oh... I thought you were the svinja." whines the alchemist.

You still yourself despite your anger. This irksome woman may have just blown your cover.

"Master, I am sorry," she says fearfully, "I tried to mix them the... the ward. I'm sorry I'm so stupid, master. I didn't mean to mix in the explosive. I'm not half as good as you are."

"Not only were you a mistake," shouts the figure, "but a moron as well. The svinja cannot harm you!"

"Master, I forgot! I-I'm --" the alchemist stutters.

"I just told you what you are. A mistake."

Out of the corner of your eye, you see a bony hand stretch a staff to the back of the woman's head, clearly intending to shoot a bolt of something or other at point-blank.

Will you intervene?

>Yes. An ally could prove useful in these trying times. (state how you will intervene; +10 to your roll due to element of surprise)

>No. This will save you the trouble of killing her yourself. The svinja is a greater threat at this moment. (roll 1d100 + 10 to stay hidden)
>>
Rolled 4 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1190731
I think this is a good opportunity to kill the guy with distorted voice. Cut him and use smother magic
>>
Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>1190731
>Yes. An ally could prove useful in these trying times. (state how you will intervene; +10 to your roll due to element of surprise)
Cast smother magic on the staff
>>
Rolled 15 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1190731
Gank the big mage, then the small mage. Always.
>>
Please next dice roll, save us.
>>
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>>1190731
>>1190769
>>1190760
>>1190749

Is this a roll under quest perhaps? *Please?*
>>
>>1190749
>>1190760
>>1190769
>>1190775


I'll be a little merciful on you folks for this one. At least it wasn't a 10 or below, that would have been especially bad in this scenario.
>>
Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>1190775
We are doomed.
>>
>>1190782
Since we have element of surprise will you take the 4th roll?
>>
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>>1190782
Praise based QM!
>>
Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>1190731
>>
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>>1190749
>>1190760
>>1190769
>>1190770
>>1190775
>>1190782
>>1190808
>>1190815


>>1190795
Yep! You lucky dog.

--

59

Spinning to your back in a fluid motion, you whip your falx around to hit the man in his hand.

He instantly recoils and drops his staff, which the alchemist chucks across the room a moment later in a panic. She rises to her feet and sprints out of the clinic, leaving you to deal with the mage on your own.

As you face him, you see that his facial features are indescribable and persistently unremarkable, as every second spent staring at it yields a different image in your eyes. One moment he is dark-skinned and bearded; the next he is pale and faceless. The mage's features -- or lack thereof -- combined with his distorted voice lead you to believe that he is doing everything in his power to avoid profiling.

"How amusing. A commoner wit-" jeers the mage before being suddenly cut off with Smother Magic!

A pulsating beam of light is thrown from your hand in an instant, prying open his mouth and slithering into his body. He is able to pry it out of his mouth with some doing -- and he seems to know better than to fight it off with magic -- but by that point you are back on your feet with your falx in hand.

>ACTION AND A ROLL! (1d100 + 12; slight bonus due to narrow success. AP bonus is no longer in effect due to opponent's engagement)

You hear a pained yelp from the dark hallway to your left.
>>
Rolled 19 + 12 (1d100 + 12)

>>1190846
Finish off this mage. Never turn your back to the enemy.
>>
>>1190846
Slash his with the falx, in the throat if possible. Ask the alchemist to be prepared to deal with whatevers in the hallway
>>
Here's some music for this battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gMpDeNmKloc
>>
>>1190868
The alchemist ran away.
>>
Rolled 88 + 12 (1d100 + 12)

>>1190846
Slash his throat, cripple his arms and legs
>>
>>1190876
OUR HERO
>>
>>1190876
Ayyyyy boy there's a 100

I'll take this.
>>
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>>1190883
>>1190882
>>1190876
>>
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>>1190855
>>1190868
>>1190874
>>1190876
>>1190883

100!!

The battle is over before it even begins! In one instantaneous motion, you swing the tip of your falx horizontally across the mage's throat, surely slicing his external carotid artery in the process!

The illusion projected in the mage's face fades in a moment as his true visage emerges, showing him to be a pale middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a shortage of teeth.

With a look of horror and disbelief, he slowly raises an arm to his defense only to have it sliced open in another well-timed blow from your falx! You push forward, kicking him in his right shin and throwing him down like a weakened tree.

Slowly bringing a glowing, magic-infused hand to his throat, he attempts to cast a healing spell but fails miserably. Only a minute later, the once-great mage lies lifeless on the floor. This is your greatest victory to date.

Your body calls for more power and the Lord answers, granting you one of the following...

You have ascended in power.

>Upgrade an ability:
Strife (Strength): Adequate
Presence (Charisma): Competent
Thwart (Piety/Willpower): Adequate
Mettle (Endurance): Adequate
Duplicity (Roguish Skills/Dexterity): Adequate
AP (Reflexes/Luck): 3 (permanent +1 bonus)

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)

Choose wisely!

The pained shouts continue from your left. Either a single valiant warrior is on his last legs, or a group of them are being slowly dispatched.
>>
>>1190948
>Duplicity
We seem to be more of a Dex style combatant/Rogue than a Strength based Fighter.
>>
>>1190948
>Duplicity (Roguish Skills/Dexterity): Adequate
>>
>>1190948
>Strife (Strength): Adequate
We are too weak.
>>
>>1190948
>Choose a perk
>>
2 for Duplicity
1 for Strife
1 for Perk

I'll wait on this one for about ten seconds, since it's pretty important.
>>
>>1191005
Ten minutes**
woops
>>
>>1190987
>>1191005
Changing to Mettle
>>1190976
>>1190984
>>1190994
I think we need to upgrade mettle since we couldn't wield the Halberd before because of stat req.
>>
>>1190976
>>1190984
>>1190987
>>1190994
>>1191023

2 for Duplicity
1 for Mettle
1 for Perk
>>
Any arguments against me calling it at Duplicity? We can keep waiting if you'd like, but I'm not sure anyone else will show up tonight. (which would be all right with me; it's Tuesday after all)
>>
>>1191107
>>Choose a perk. (will display perk list if you choose this)
do you have a list? maybe this can change some votes
>>
>>1191005
Perk
>>
Perk
>>
>>1191118

Yep, but it only contains starter perks. More will unlock based on in-quest actions or previously chosen perks.

Perk it is! I'll hand you folks the list in a minute.
>>
>>1190948
>Duplicity
>>
>>1191143
RIP OP
>>
>>1190976
>>1190984
>>1190987
>>1190994
>>1191005
>>1191010
>>1191023
>>1191036
>>1191107
>>1191118
>>1191130
>>1191136
>>1191143
>>1191147

Your options are:

Ally of the Downtrodden: The nation's poor are in dire need of a hero. All Presence checks with lowborn people receive an automatic +3 bonus!

Avid Reader: You are quite the bookworm. Reading a skill/perk book from start to finish now takes a quarter of the time it normally would.

Photographic Memory: This perk takes effect after reading a holy book from start to finish. Once that is done, you will be able to recite any verse without the book. This is especially useful if you want to learn a new antispell mid-combat after someone confiscates/destroys your books, or you lose them.

Reformer: With this perk, you may slowly strip a person of their magic ability with their consent. This allows for basic conversion of mages to your cause.

Last Minute Recovery: After three successive rolls of 50 or less, your next roll will have a guaranteed bonus of +10.

Sorry about that, folks. I'm back now! (although I may call it for tonight after this decision)
>>
>>1191236
Ally of the Downtrodden's bonus is now +10, since that seems more reasonable.
>>
>>1191236
Photographic Memory: This perk takes effect after reading a holy book from start to finish. Once that is done, you will be able to recite any verse without the book. This is especially useful if you want to learn a new antispell mid-combat after someone confiscates/destroys your books, or you lose them.
>>
>>1191236
>Photographic Memory: This perk takes effect after reading a holy book from start to finish. Once that is done, you will be able to recite any verse without the book. This is especially useful if you want to learn a new antispell mid-combat after someone confiscates/destroys your books, or you lose them.
You never know when you will lose them. I hope we will have some time to rest and read them after this crisis is over.
>>
>>1191236
>Photographic Memory: This perk takes effect after reading a holy book from start to finish. Once that is done, you will be able to recite any verse without the book. This is especially useful if you want to learn a new antispell mid-combat after someone confiscates/destroys your books, or you lose them.
>>
>>1191236
Photographic Memory
>>
>>1191236
>Reformer
Goes well with the charisma anons upgraded for some reason.
>>
>>1191253
>>1191256
>>1191257
>>1191260
>>1191268

Photographic Memory it is!

UPDATED CS: http://pastebin.com/QHMt99Ar
Sorry guys, I'm getting pretty tired. Still, I think this ended up being pretty decent for a weekday session. Check out my Twitter at https://twitter.com/Scoundrel_OP for information on when I'll be running. I'll also post on /qtg/ from time to time.

Leave any questions/comments you have. Once again, sorry for cutting it short. I'm only human, after all.

I am no longer able to upload images in my own quest. Why is that?
>>
>>1191305
thx for the quest man,keep the good work
image limit maybe?
>>
>>1191305
now we just need to sit an read the 3 books for the next actions
>>
>>1191335
Welcome to *Reading* the quest
>>
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Next updates will be on Friday and Sunday!

On Friday, I will be starting much earlier too. Maybe about 5:30-6pm CST.
>>
>>1193036
WOO WEEKEND I'll get to participate again.
>>
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Here's some more information to help you folks out. I said I'd make maps at some point and here's one of them!

Some notes:
Black paths = Official/planned
Gray paths = Unpaved/citizen-made (crime is typical in these areas)
Red dot = You

1 = Kongregatny (cathedral and administrative buildings, barracks; high-class and wealthy and their slaves)
2 = Sedlo (lived-in shops, family businesses; low-class employed)
3 = Teprodaja (failing businesses, guard-exclusive weaponsmiths; refugees, a few disgruntled middle-class)
4 = Akciza (once-famous marketplace; corrupt merchants, refugees, estranged non-humans)
5 = Izbeglan Bowels (residential district in a state of disrepair; low-class unemployed, criminals)
6 = Butcher's Block (home to city's once-successful meat industry, taverns; diverse population, mostly low or lower middle-class)
>>
>>1194562
After a couple of hours of analyzing this map I've deduced that this city was engineered by a mage who was planning a massive cityscape spanning spell but failed due to budget concerns.

We should find them and end their conspiracy once and for all.
>>
>>1197560
Funny that you commented on it now, since I literally just now updated it. It's still WIP but I'll be adding stuff periodically.

The theme of this city is "Corruption." Can you tell why?
>>
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>>1197586
Oh, woops. Here it is.
>>
>>1197591
>>1197586
I ain't great with themes but maybe those walls and highly divisive districts play a big part.
>>
I will be running tonight!

Quick question: Do you think I ought to just make the new thread rather than host one last session on this one?
>>
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>>1191251
>>1191253
>>1191256
>>1191257
>>1191260
>>1191268
>>1191330
>>1191926
>>1194472

>>1200048
>>1200048
>>1200048

RUNNING NOW!




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