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QM message:

As previously, this quest is inspired by (read: rips off) the original Monster Reincarnation quest. It can be found on archived moe. My one-thread attempt at emulating its glory is on the suptg archive.

>What happened to that quest where we played as a rat? (for those that remember it)
It's ded, and this is a "I'll fuckin do it again" reboot of the idea. Yes, I am a double nigger for the rest of eternity for flaking in spite of promising not to. I had meant to come back to Reincarnated Monster Reincarnation in autumn 2022, but shit happened that removed any will to run quests in me for a long time, and by the time I was ready to continue, more than half a year had passed and I decided it's better to get a reboot going sometime in the future rather than continue rat adventures. Besides, there were some problems with how I handled the quest, leaving me unsatisfied with how the plot developed or the mechanics that were introduced.

I've learnt a lot and failed a lot since then. I will attempt to run this one to the end, but don't bet on this. The Curse never sleeps and irl problems may arise. Posting with new trip btw because previous one was not secure.

>How long?
idk we'll see, more than 1 thread at least.

>How fast?
I try to update every day when possible, but usually end up updating every 2-3 days, RARELY 4-5, in spite of fairly small word count. I will notify when I'm planning to update if posts are delayed.

>How does this work?
All rolls will be simple d100 Bo3 against a set DC or tiered checks. Higher is better. There will be stats but they're basically fluff + rough estimation of power between characters. Skills and traits will play a role in combat, affecting the DC based on what the skills counter or the effects they inflict, also introducing some tactical choices about how to approach the enemy. Still, even with them it'll mostly be guesstimation. Artwork to accompany updates will be sparse due to my perfectionism.

>Anything else?
Add the thread to your thread watcher and/or sort the catalogue by last reply to see when the update is out once the autosage kicks in.

>>6125909
>>Double Nigger Hare [Spirit]

>>6125909
>Black Hare [Spirit]
Good to have you back. I liked this quest idea.

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]
I love these types quests.

>>6125909
>Ur-lion Cub [Feral]

>>6125909
>Ur-lion Cub [Feral]
We'll probably be cute enough that some pack of retarded adventurers might want to adopt us.

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]
Memory absorption is what got me.

>>6125909
>Ur-lion Cub [Feral]

>>6125911
>>Black Hare [Spirit]

Go fast brrr

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]

If it comes down to a tie and nobody else is willing to change, then you can count my vote at >>6125930 for Black Hare I guess.
Anything but the Ur-lion. Although Bone Tortoise is still my number one vote.

>>6125909
>Black Hare [Spirit]
Nigger Rabbit

>>6125909
>>Ur-lion Cub [Feral]
Why yes, I WOULD like us to be the Nemean Lion but also even bigger and capable of shattering eardrums with our roar.

>>6125909
>Black Hare [Spirit]

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]
As there is no lightning chimp option, I have to go with the skydiving turt

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]
Too cool not to pick!

>>6125909
>Ur-lion Cub [Feral]

>>6125909
>Black Hare [Spirit]

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]

>>6125909
>Bone Tortoise [Undead]

>>6125909
>>Bone Tortoise [Undead]

No links, just post numbers because spam filter.
>6125919
>6125921
>6125944
>6125954
>6125960
>6126083
Black Hare

>6125923
>6125928
>6125940
>6125959
>6126014
Ur-lion

>6125922
>6125930
>6125948
>6125963
>6126005
>6126161
>6126173
>6126216
Bone Tortoise

Bone Tortoise wins. I am delighted to see fairly evenly spread out votes, means I did a good job making all three creatures appealing.

Anyway, voting closed, writing a short ADVENTURE START post now.

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"Not a bad choice, champ. Good luck out there. Your adventure will begin NOW!"

You come to consciousness with a low grumble escaping the skull you claimed as your head. There is death all around you. The ground is littered with remains and bones broken and whole, and in the distance you spot other undead - beastlike, humanoid or simply horrific - skulking through the vast Deadlands that stretch to the horizon. You'd wager there are forests of death and long-forgotten siege and battle sites here, but you can only barely make some of them out far away.

An understanding flashes through your being, and you say "Status." which comes out as a low, quiet roar.

Name: [LOCKED]
Race: Bone Tortoise
Level: 1/5
Rank: F-
Skills:
[Charge], [Shell Retreat], [Skull Bolt]
Traits:
[Bonemonger], [Undead], 2 Hidden traits
Status:
N/A
HP: 50/50
MP: 10/10
STR: 15
DEF: 30
MAG: 4
RES: 8
SPD: 12

You can't help wondering what traits of yours are a secret even from yourself. You feel some weight when you think about it.
>Hunt. You feel it is in your nature to kill and gain strength from defeated enemies. [tiered DCs for exp gain and additional benefits]
>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]
>Write-in
Got distracted for a bit. Picrel is my doodle of your (not) magnificent self

>>6126331
>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

What a cutie we are. I want a plushie of bone tortoise. Nice art qm

>>6126331
>>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126331
>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126331
>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126331
>>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126331
>>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126331
>Hunt. You feel it is in your nature to kill and gain strength from defeated enemies. [tiered DCs for exp gain and additional benefits]
I wonder what bonemonger does

>>6126460
It mongers bones

>>6126513
Dear god

>>6126331
>>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]
We must find more bones to bone up with.

I wonder, since we have a weak magic connection, if we could graft some sort of magic bone canon to our shell eventually and blast any fool that tries to get near our bones. That'd be neat.

>>6126528
Skeletal Blastoise?

>>6126542
Yes, but we won't just stop at two! As we grow bigger and bigger our shell will have space for more and more cannons! Bigger cannons even, to blast all people and creatures into bones that we can snack on.

>>6126542
>going for blastoise instead of gamera

>>6126547
Something like picrel???

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>>6126571
Oops, my bad

>>6126331
>>Hunt. You feel it is in your nature to kill and gain strength from defeated enemies. [tiered DCs for exp gain and additional benefits]

>6126335
>6126339
>6126354
>6126358
>6126386
>6126387
>6126460
>6126528
>6126763
>Search for points of interest and valuable bones. It is likely that within this Deadland there are sources of power you can tap into. [tiered DCs for beneficial item and place searching]

>>6126460
You gain power from BONES. Although "mongering bones" also works as an explanation.

>>6126528
>>6126542
>>6126547
>>6126549
>>6126571
>>6126588
That's pretty fuckin rad. You'll have to see for yourselves if that will be possible though...

Anyway, 3 anons please roll 1d100.
Thresholds/DC: 50/80/95/100

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>6126830
Big bones

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>6126830

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>6126830
Find the BONES!

>93

You'd rather not get into fights straight away. As the saying goes, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Where from do you know it? No idea. You know, however, that you'd like to find some BONES and find out who your (temporary) neighbors are.

You lumber through the Deadlands for a few hours, spotting various monstrosities around where you've spawned before you happen upon an entrance to a crypt. Descending under the cursed earth, you find yourself in narrow corridors, the dead buried in wall alcoves. There are some black slimes sloshing about here, but you have no problem stomping them.

[You have gained 10 EXP] x 10
[LEVEL UP]

At last, you seem to be approaching the main hall. In the middle of a vast space with stone columns and frescoes, there sits some kind of... stone? Crystal? Luminosity? Lämp??? Wait, you're not a moth, you're a tortoise... Yet even your undead mind can comprehend that this object possesses great power. You feel drawn to it. The will to claim. Make it yours. Obtain ABSOLUTE POWER.

Problems with that? A giant bone snake has just entered the hall from the opposite end.

As it begins slithering forth, you spring into action as well. No one's taking YOUR power.

"Charge." you growl, activating your strength and accelerating rapidly in the direction of the snake. You didn't include leg days in your regimen for nothing.

The snake seems to notice your attack after the orange light of the crystal no longer conceals your form and tries to dodge, but it is over now. You slam into it full-speed like a plane into some towers, your high mass simply crushing the snek into rot and bones.

[You have gained 60 EXP]

WINRAR IS YOU.

After inspecting the bones of the snake and finding nothing useful, you turn your attention back to the crystal. You're not sure what to do with it, so some experimentation is in order. You try touching it first of all, and something activates. The crystal shatters into a million pieces, and for a moment you're scared that you've destroyed it, but then the pieces all bolt towards you and get absorbed by your body.

[You have absorbed a BIT-SIZED FIRE CRYSTAL. +1% fire damage. Pyromancer Quest unlocked.]
[You have gained 40 EXP]
[LEVEL UP!]

You feel funny. As if something shifted inside you. Just as you're about to leave, you notice a set of stairs leading down deeper underground. Looks like this is only the first floor. But deep-diving into it can wait.
(1/2)

Rolled 1 (1d20)

Once you exit the crypt (dungeon?), you are hit with a notification.

[SKILL QUEST ISSUED:]
[Pyromancer]
[You have made the first steps on the way to become a PYROMANCER. Theirs is an old and destructive magic. Find 20 Bit Fire Crystal or bigger to learn its basics, but be careful not to burn yourself on it...]
[REWARD]
[150 EXP, [Fireblast] Skill]
[BONUS OBJECTIVES:]
[1. Find and absorb the bones of a pyromancer.]
[2. Find and absorb 2 Medium Fire Crystals.]
[BONUS REWARD]
[1. [Fire Resistance I] Trait]
[2. 150 EXP, +3 MAG, +2 RES]
[FULL COMPLETION REWARD]
[[Ghostflame Resistance I] Trait]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

You tap [Y] and get it added to your journal.

Before you can look for anything else, something stirs in the Deadlands...
Rolling for event
1 - Battle of liches
2-3 - Dead ent rampage
4-8 - Demonic patrol
9-13 - Mega-sludge explosion
14-18 - Skeleton Caravan
19 - Holy Warriors deep expedition
20 - Unique crystal spawn point

Inspecting the surrounding area, you notice 2 armies marching against each other in the distance. Approaching closer, you see two liches on different sides of the battlefield. And if your dead eyes do not betray you, one of them is a cute (but still undead) pale woman with amply blessed figure...

Your nonexistent dick immediately compels you to help the girl, but there are 2 problems.
1. She is losing since her army is smaller.
2. There's a bone wyrm on the other side. Must be at least E rank.

You consider your options...
>Work with the girl's army to kill the bone wyrm. Your charge may be slowed down by the masses of dead clashing everywhere, but you should still be able to do some serious damage... [Roll against medium DC]
>Snipe the other lich. That's dangerous as well, but would put an end to the fight immediately. [Roll against high DC]
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]
>Assist the normal lich instead. FUCK HOES. [Roll against low DC for EXP gain with another tier for sniping the lich herself]
>Stay out of it and observe. You'd rather not be in the eye of the storm.
>Write-in

>>6126877
>Work with the girl's army to kill the bone wyrm. Your charge may be slowed down by the masses of dead clashing everywhere, but you should still be able to do some serious damage... [Roll against medium DC]

>>6126877
>Stay out of it and observe. You'd rather not be in the eye of the storm.
Turtle sit, observe battle. This will make us better at fighting for sure.

>>6126877
>>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]
I HUNGER FOR YOUR BONES. When the Bone Wyrm goes down or is weakened later on, we can pounce on it and eat it's bones!

>>6126877
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]
We ain't serving no hoe.

>>6126877
>Assist the normal lich instead. FUCK HOES. [Roll against low DC for EXP gain with another tier for sniping the lich herself]
The normal lich has a bigger army, thus he probably has more resources and knowledge.

>>6126877
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]

Did you know turtles have dicks big enough to flip themselves over? Did you know a turtle's shell is actually fused to its spine and body? Did you know that there are tortoises that live in the desert? Did you know that some species of bird are known to pick the shelly boys up and drop them from the sky to shatter on rocks, and that on at least one occasion a bird has mistaken a bald man's head for a stone and wound up killing a person by dropping a turtle on him? We should probably avoid Zis and other undead birds.

I wonder if there are ghostly/undead versions of every element. Phantom lightning? Spectral ice? I also wonder if we can't get some wraith like tendencies and get to float or turn intangible. If we can learn necromancy we should make a bone-golem exosuit, it'd basically be an ablative second health bar plus mobility scooter. How fun.

>>6126877
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]

>>6126877
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]
I'M BUSTING ALL OVER

>>6126877
>Stay out of it and observe. You'd rather not be in the eye of the storm.

>>6126877
>>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]

>6126881
>6126883
>6126886
>6126894
>6126912
>6126913
>6126941
>6126976
>6126986
>6127000
>Just rampage around while they're busy hurling spells at each other and farm the skellies. [tiered DC for EXP gain]

It's FARMING TIME.

Roll 1d100 Bo3.
DC thresholds: 60/70/80/90

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>6127288
Like taking socks from a quadriplegic.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>6127288
Lets see if we can get something juicy in the XP department

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>6127288
watch this hundo

>72

As you inspect the situation on the battlefield, you decide killing some skellies would be the safest option. The necrolady and the lich probably won't notice a giant tortoise jumping and charging around wrecking their ranks. Probably.

You initiate with a downhill charge, entering the fray by crushing at least 10 skeletons.

[You have earned 5 EXP] x 10

Well, they certainly don't provide much experience points. No problemo. You'll have to simply up your kill count.

Once you get slowed down in the midst of the clashing forces, you start using your jump to smash the skeletons.

[You have earned 5 EXP] x 4

One leap, and 4 bone warriors die under half a ton of dead meat and bones.

[You have earned 5 EXP] x 6
[LEVEL UP!]

Another, and 6 more are crushed.

You notice some stronger enemies on the flanks. Looks like a fight between Bone Knights riding on Nightmares. They notice you too late, and perish along with their mounts with a satisfying crunch.

[You have earned 20 EXP]
[You have earned 20 EXP]

The remaining knights team up against you. No one likes a rando messing with big boy fights. And their lances... Let's just say they're that "powerful piercing weaponry" that the intro talked about.

[You have lost 3 HP] x 4

Suddenly, the knights break off, perhaps to regroup. On the normal lich's side you spot a warrior in black armour. Their leader? If so, you've got a BONE TO PICK with him. Seemingly sensing your intent, the knight captain begins charging towards you. You respond with the same.

Two masses crashing against each other. He impales you with his ghostflame-enveloped lance, dealing a fair amount of damage, but perishes in the process once you slam your body into him.

[You have gained 50 EXP]

The other knights seem hesitant to engage you now, so you use that opportunity to "monger" the great knight's bones.

[You have gained [Astorian High Paladin's Remains]]
[The Kingdom of Astorias is an old power on the continent. Under constant attack from the southern demons and bordered by Mountains of Doom to the east and Wildlands to the west, a prominent culture of holy warriors has developed to protect the innocent citizens. These are the remains of one such warrior of a high rank.]
[+5% [Charge] effectiveness]
[+2% Holy magic power]

Well, the last one's not too useful, but the charge should come in handy right about now-

A blast of necrotic energy ruptures the ground around you. You look to the battlefield and see both the regular and the female liches pointing their hands at you, casting their spells. Guess that's you cue to leave.

You break through the knight lines with a charge and climb on the hill before the enemy can do you any further harm. All in all, a good raid.

You inspect the state of the battlefield to find the girl lich fleeing with the remnants of her forces. The wyrm is destroyed, somehow. Guess she packed some impressive spells, after all...
(1/2)

"Status." you say, to check how much you have left until the level cap.

Name: [LOCKED]
Race: Bone Tortoise
Level: 4/5
90/100 EXP
Rank: F-
Skills:
[Charge], [Shell Retreat], [Skull Bolt]
Traits:
[Bonemonger], [Undead], 2 Hidden traits
Equipment:
[Astorian High Paladin's Remains]
Status:
N/A
HP: 38/50
MP: 10/10
STR: 18
DEF: 32
MAG: 5
RES: 8
SPD: 13

A couple slimes should be enough to reach the threshold. You find some black necrotic sludge sloshing around and smash it effortlessly.

[You have gained 3 EXP] x 2
[You have gained 4 EXP]
[LEVEL UP!]

[Evolution available]
[Would you like to evolve now?]
[Y/N}

You find refuge under some giant monster's remains and press Y.

[PICK ONE]

>Bone Juggernaut
When a Bone Tortoise grows sufficiently large, it assembles gathered material into a massive body of rot and bones with a mass of skulls at its core and the Ragnatar plates now serving as hand-shields and weaponry. Towering over the enemy, the Bone Juggernaut is dangerous even to experienced adventurers. In addition to its size, it possesses a slightly firmer grasp of necromancy, improving its [Skull Bolt].
Rank E
Power: 10
Magic: 2
Charm: 0

>Skeletal Maw
Having constructed a quadripedal bone body for itself, the Bone Tortoise transforms its two Ragnatar facial shield bones into a gigantic maw akin to a flytrap on a flexible, long neck. Besides crushing the enemy between its jaws, the Skeletal Maw can also breathe out ghostflame. This skill is limited to only a few seconds at a time, however, with a couple hours of recharge.
Rank E
Power: 7
Magic: 5
Charm: 0

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw

I'm going to be aiming to 100% that pyromancy quest we got, so being able to breath some ghost flame would work out nicely with the resistance trait it'd grant, let us control the battlefield if we can improve the duration of our breath attack or find away to make it linger around. Like trapping an opponent with a particular fine collection of pones in a circle of ghost flame and running in and out of it in harassing strikes

>>6127316
>>Skeletal Maw
I like them both equally, and especially want to be BEEG. Would that we could turn into some giant bone-serpent that exudes ghostflame

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw
Spelly-skelly build is a go.

>>6127319
Could be a later evolution, being an ethereal flame wreathed bone wyrm would be pretty awesome

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw

>>6127316
Both look good. However. I wanna see us evolve into manstrous large gnashing jaws, clad in ghostflames and devouring magic like there is no tomorrow. So

>Skeletal Maw

Also, I'd hate to be those liches. Imagine having a jolly good row with your rival and some big ass turtle comes in and just starts thrashing your troops

>>6127316
>Bone Juggernaut
I seek bigness. Wherever we are, wee must also be big.

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>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw
I know some of you guys wanna go for the Pyromancer quest and turn into an undead Wyrm, but I present to you

Bone Parasite, we get inside a body, morph it how we want so and walk among the humans outsite. Maybe if we get our hands into a Vampire down here or any kind of healing/vitality or blood magic we could do something like picrel.

Also do yourself a favor and read Inmortal Hulk. Sometimes the writers can't help but shove their fag liberal ideas in the comic but aside from that it's pure gold

>>6127378
Think we're too fucking big for that chief, considering our baby form was describe as a half tone of bone and meat. Unless we find a giant or something to slither into

>>6127316
>>Bone Juggernaut
Let me put it like this;
We could either have flames now and normal size...
OR
We could pick the Bone Juggernaut, get huge, and THEN get flames.

Also, bullSHIT that Holy Magic won't be useful. We've probably done more to stop undead hordes than most paladins, I don't doubt that we could somehow get our hands on some holy magic.

>>6127316
>Bone Juggernaut
big boy
>>6127378
rad

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw

>>6127378
I wonder if there would be vampires down here. They might be a little parched, but that'd only make them weaker right? Or crazier.

>>6127395
It may be possible to corrupt holy powers. Some sort of Apostate or Heretical or Cursed variant of typical holy magics. Or Unholy, if you like the classics. But the last thing anyone expects is for the corpse tort to Smite them.

>>6127315
>both the regular and the female
Extremely based
>>6127316
Bone Jugg

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86 KB JPG

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw
time to be awful

>>6127316
>Skeletal Maw
Shootin mah lazer

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No update today, giving you anons time to think about this a bit more, maybe some of you will swing around to the other side from the Skeletal Maw that's winning now.

I will specify in case it's unclear that the Juggernaut resembles a gorilla in shape except bigger, and in place of it's head and upper body is a lot of skulls, and also its arms end with what was the turtle's shell split in two to make 2 shields.

The Skeletal Maw in turn is slightly smaller than the Juggernaut but still pretty big. Its main body is less robust, however, and it must rely mainly on swinging the maw around on its long neck and chomping to deal damage. That's why it has less power rating - it's harder to output the same damage compared to the Jugg. However, it compensates for that with ghostflame burst damage so it's still very strong (for its rank), just has to pick its engagements more.

Regarding your plans for
>bone wyrm in ghostflame
>bone parasite
>corrupt holy power
I will advise you not to build up a lot of expectations with what little you know of THE SYSTEM (though I won't say what you've mentioned is outright impossible, it is very interesting to see your predictions hehe), and give you a hint beyond what your character would know and say that single-branch evolutions won't last for long... There are other ways of enhancing your power besides these and even skill quests that will get revealed later.

>>6127953
You misunderstand QM, I don't want to CORRUPT holy power, I just want the holy power straight up. It'll be funnier that way. I'm sure there's some god of the dead out there that likes all the undead-purging we've been doing.

>>6127316
>>6127316
Welcome back QM was waiting for rat. But I am enjoying this as well. Can't wait to see where this goes.

>Skeletal Maw

>>6127981
>Be me, holy paladin of the Holy Order from Fantasyland
>Go in a quest to hunt down an infamous undead that has gained some notoriety and it's intelligent enough to speak and has a name
>For some reason, it's not a Lich, wtf???
>After hours of fighting he just fucking tanks every, and I mean EVERY holy spell I throw
>"Your God haven't abandoned you, and you're not Weak to not damage me. The problem is that I'm blessed by your God too"
>In fact, this mf has some divine blessing from my god
>Get mindfuck from this knowledge and instantly break my vows from it
>Get reverted to a lowly peasant, years pass, and I see the same undead get turned into a Saint Patron of my Era. Not even the others paladins of my Order tell the tragic tale on how I lost my connection to our God
>Caught the Flu and die that same season

>>6128039
And the saint sayeth "Bring me more BOOOOONE"

>>6128039
>Be bumming around in the underworld after dying of flu
>Suddenly get tossed to the heights of heaven
>Ask an angel why i'm here
>"Oh, your remains were added to the Bone Saint, that means you get to go to heaven by proxy"
>Nice?

File: 1641227129276.gif (1.14 MB, 498x424)

1.14 MB GIF

>>6128039
Take me to the bone zone bros.
But for real, going down a holy route as an undead sounds fun. Resistance towards necromancy, resistance towards holy magic. We could be everyone's problem or friend.

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>>6127981
Turtle pope bros... we are so back!

>>6128851
>I can repair any relationship, no matter how broken. With the right payment of course.
>Yeah he says sorry and he really means it, kay?
>Fixed.

>6127317
>6127319
>6127322
>6127329
>6127354
>6127356
>6127368
>6127378
>6127395
>6127404
>6127411
>6127450
>6127523
>6127534
>6127992
>Skeletal Maw

Ok, Skelemaw wins, writing now. Thanks for waiting, anons. Delayed a lot, though the update is probably gonna be short.

>>6129157
I'm going to imagine we still look like a turtle but now we're one of those long-necked snapping turtles. That also breathes fire.

>>6129164
I'm gonna imagine we're the Fonz with a beak

>>6129166
Ayyy!

You tap the [Skeletal Maw] option and descend into a deep, hazy hibernation as your body restructures.

...

...

"Nice work out there, champ."

Oh, it's him again.

"Correct. You good so far?"

Seems so.

"Good to hear that. Especially with the baggage you brought with yourself."

Baggage?.. That's right, you've got some hidden traits. Is he referring to them? What are they?

"Can't reveal that. They're hidden for a reason."

So nothing at all?

"Well-l-l-l-l... I can say that your set is quite rare. The only time I saw something like that previously was when I had just began working here."

How long ago would that be?

"No comment."

Damn it...

"Ah-h-h... I guess I can tell you how to get info without involving myself. It's not illegal if someone else tells you, hm?"

Yes, please. A quest would be nice.

"Right, you figured out how to manage them yourself... Here you go then."

[QUEST ISSUED]
[Meta Oracles]
[Find the City of Sorrows far to the south, beyond Demonica, and consult its Oracles to reveal your [Hidden] traits.]
[REWARD]
[]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

Yes.

...

You wonder where you learned how to speak as well. How to think. How to communicate with the... what's the dude's name, again? Anyway, how to have a consciousness as a monster.

"I am an ADVENTURE GUIDE. Or simply GUIDE. As for your first question... Let's say it's a little oddity that you can also investigate on your own. I know someone who may reignite your memories..."

[GRAND QUEST ISSUED]
[Memories]
[Find Her. Not many have amber eyes like that...]
[REWARD]
[]
[COMPLETED STEPS]
[]
[CURRENT STEP]
[Travel north, to the kingdom of Astorias.]
[STEP REWARD]
[]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

Upon reading the description, for a moment, her eyes appear before you. They change, they fill with sorrow, anger, doubt, confusion, playfulness, joy, calmness, but above all... there is salvation in them. And then, death.

For a few moments, you want to cry, as if you lost something very, very important. The feeling soon passes, and you find yourself waking up in your shiny new body. The body of a SKELETAL MAW.

You accept the quest.
(1/2)

"Anyway, all of that is grand stuff. And I contacted you to introduce more down-to-earth mechanics with immediate benefit. With your first evolution, you've unlocked SKILL EXPERIENCE INVESTMENTS. You can spend your EXP to upgrade your skills instead of levelling up and gaining attributes. They're quite expensive, though, and many have a cap. Do what you wish with that info. I can't always be in contact, but rest assured, I am watching you, champ... And my superiors do, too."

You ask who they are, but all you get in response is silence.

Time to decide what to do from now on.

"Status." you whisper, and a window appears before you, as before.

Name: [LOCKED]
Race: Skeletal Maw
Level: 1/15
Rank: E
Skills:
[Skull Bolt], [Dark Blast], [Ghostflame Breath], [Crush], [Circle Strike]
Traits:
[Bonemonger], [Undead], 2 Hidden traits
Equipment:
[Astorian High Paladin's Remains]
Status:
HP: 150/150
MP: 50/50
STR: 60
DEF: 30
MAG: 32
RES: 20
SPD: 20

You've powered up quite a lot. Time to decide what to do next.
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.
>Go north, to Astorias.
>Go south, to... you don't know what's in the south, but probably demon lands if the "Demonica" name means anything.
>Hunt.
>Search for more places of interest.
>Try to find that qt lich. Maybe wrecking her army and disrupting the battle is worth an apology. Maybe. Or maybe she can teach you some of those dank spells she cast.
>Write-in

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

aplogizing should probably come later when we have some actual power to back us up in case she is very much upset and wants us to do something in return for her forgiveness. or we can just munch her up then if she continues to be hostile..

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

Fuck bitches, acquire currency

>>6129203
>>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.
Are the remains of that Astorian Paladin affecting us? Neat!

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.
Holy power skeleturtle... The dream is real.

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

>>6129203
>Go north, to Astorias.

File: 1726797957336596.webm (3.9 MB, 1198x720)

3.9 MB WEBM

>>6129203
>>Go south, to... you don't know what's in the south, but probably demon lands if the "Demonica" name means anything.
Demons? I assumed she was a demolisher of harmonicas

File: 1617704601761.jpg (84 KB, 574x717)

84 KB JPG

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.
Might as well finish what we started.

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

>>6129203
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

>>6129206
>>6129211
>>6129217
>>6129221
>>6129237
>>6129239
>>6129240
>>6129246
>>6129478
>>6129509
>Clear that crypt-dungeon where you got the fire crystal.

Ok, not guaranteeing update today, but please roll 1d100 Bo3.
DC thresholds: 70/80/95

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>6129599

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6129599
Come on.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>6129599

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>6129600
>>6129601
>>6129602
>1 post by this ID
Bruh
>>6129599
Rolling

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>6129674
Wrong dice, my bad

>>6129674
Sorry dude. I have variable ID on mobile

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>6129599
Hello I am roll number three I promise, disregard any other rolls claiming to be the third.

>>6129599
>Couldn't beat DC70 with a Best-of-6
RNGsus giveth, RNGsus taketh away

File: a6b.png (248 KB, 710x572)

248 KB PNG

>passed non of the DC's

>>6129699
shit wrong meme. Eh, fuck it good enough.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

Just curious

Rolled 64 (1d100)

Allow me to show you the power of not being a 1PBTID user.

File: 1683389165443317.gif (2.81 MB, 498x323)

2.81 MB GIF

>>6129714

File: 1601848866154.jpg (59 KB, 1000x976)

59 KB JPG

>>6129675
??????
1pbtid doesn't matter for rolling, anon, so long as they come in it's fine. The sus thing would be if they appeared during important votes en masse.

Also today I had a strange and somewhat sad dream while napping in the afternoon in which I did a series of retarded mistakes and lost all many players and there were 4 anons left voting at most. picrel. Hopefully it's not prophetic haha...

Anyway, writing your FAILURE now, expect update in 3 hours at most.

Dungeons are GOOD. Dungeons contain LOOT you can take and MONSTERS you can kill for EXP. So long as they're not cum dungeons, everything should be alright...

Your enlarged form has some trouble entering the crypt, but you manage somehow. Killing black slimes along the way, you notice they don't give EXP anymore. Makes sense, you're a big boy now and weak enemies won't do much for your EXP gain.

After half an hour of wandering through claustrophobic corridors, you reach the chamber with the crystal and... find it has respawned. Neat. So if you ever decide to settle, you can farm them. However, others must know of this as well... You'll have to defend your turf. Well, all that stuff is for the future you to worry about. For now, you collect the crystal and descend deeper into the crypt.

[You have absorbed BIT FIRE CRYSTAL. Fire damage +1%]
[You have gained 30 EXP]

The stairs lead into a spacious room. At last, you can stand in full height, and that'll certainly be useful for the enemies you find here.

Some sort of ostrich-like undead horror is fighting a person clad in light armour of steel and wielding a jumbo-sized scythe. The monster strikes with its legs like a taekwondo master while the man can only deflect its blows. You enter the fray on the side of the reaper and charge the undead thing.

[You have lost 20 HP]
[You have lost 20 HP]

HOLY SHIT IT KICKS LIKE A TRUCK. Even in this world you can't escape sweaty metagamers that invest all their points into attack...

At least the distraction gives the scytheman the opportunity to deal some damage. However, you don't want to be just a punching bag... You prepare to breath out ghostflame, gathering the magic in your throat...

Suddenly, you feel the weight from before again. For a moment, it is as if the world twists...

[You have lost 40 HP]

The moment the fire starts escaping your maw, the ostrich kicks you lower jaw up, slamming your maw closed, and the flame explodes inside, damaging your entire body and putting cracks in the Ragnatar bones. Amazing.

The scytheman gives your misfortune a "HA!" and cuts off the ostrich's head and neck in one swoop. For a moment, it seems as if his scythe glows with magic, but it's too quick to note what exactly that was.

[You have gained 20 EXP]

Well, at least you got the consolation prize.
(1/2)

Your reluctant ally turns to you, ready to continue the battle, but makes no outright hostile move. You respond with silence. He lowers his weapon.

"Intelligent undead?" He says in a surprisingly clear baritone. "Any other would've attacked... Hm, hmm. Close your jaws twice if you understand me."

You do so.

"Alright." He stands in a more relaxed posture now. "The crypt is mine to collect crystals and treasure from. If you value your safety, I'd ask you not to be a nuisance and wait outside. We can speak later, though with your communication skills... it'd be difficult."

What a dick.
>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]
>Attack the reaper. You'll claim his BONES and and absorb his scythe's magic for yourself. [Fairly hard DC for winning. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.
>Write-in

>>6130265
>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.
Claim some bones on the way up to maybe start healing yourself

>>6130265
>>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.
ALLIES are more important than LOOT, because ALLIES can help us GET LOOT. Surely, we can trade something for those fire crystals in the future?

>>6130265
>>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.

>>6130265
>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]
[REDACTED] didn't raise no bitch.

>>6130265
>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.
We are clearly not equipped for this, being all hold-my-beer for the lulz will only end poorly.

>>6130265
>Fuck this guy. Go deeper into the crypt with him. The ostrich was an exception to the power level of monsters here. Probably. [Roll tiered DC for stuff you find. Failure won't lead to death, but could result in a permanent debuff with your lowered health.]

90% of skeleton monsters quit before they win big

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>6130596
And what percentile are we let's see

>>6130265
>>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.

>>6130265
>Point at the guy with some part of your anatomy, then point at yourself. Hold up two digits of some kind. Then point at the dead creature. Basically try to pantomime the idea of working together to beat this dungeon as a team. You could get some good EXP this way!

>>6130265
>Wait at the entrance of the crypt. You lost half your HP in a single second tier fight already, this dungeon is out of your league.

>6130274
>6130278
>6130279
>6130335
>6130338
>6130401
>6130408
>6130591
>6130595
>6130596
>6130615
>6130634
>6130652
>6130759
>Wait at the entrance - 8
>DELVE DEEPER - 5 (+1 anon that tries negotiation with your castrated comms skills)

So you're leaving this crypt for the reaper to loot. Writing now, expect update within 3 hours.

File: someone like this except (...).png (831 KB, 886x902)

831 KB PNG

As much as you want to delve deeper and claim all the loot instead of this superpowered graverobber, the rationality wins and you head back up. You certainly DO NOT want to die on your second day to another bullshit roundkicking ostrich, dissolver necrotic gigasludge, titanic bone anteater that can steal your bones midfight or any other creature that may have been spawned down there by gods' imagination.

Even if this makes you somewhat of a little bitch. You'll have to redeem yourself. One day...

You wait a few hours in hibernation, restoring 20 HP from rest before the reaper awakens you.

"I'll be honest, I half-expected you to follow me anyway. Thanks for leaving the crypt to me. Here's a thing for you. Take it as my thanks for that insane bird fight."

He takes a glowing bottle from his spacious bag and opens it, immediately spilling the contents in your direction. You absorb numerous motes of light that look suspiciously like fire crystal particles...

[You have absorbed a MEDIUM FIRE CRYSTAL. +4% fire damage]
[You have gained 70 EXP]
[LEVEL UP!]

Neat. You'll decide later whether you want to invest the points into skills or power up generally. For now, you've got a companion to entertain.

"So... I have no fucking idea how to talk to you, so let's say closing your maw once means 'yes', twice - 'no', thrice - 'not sure'."

Yes.

"Great. So, first things first, do you remember how you gained consciousness?"

Yes.

"Must've been a mind crystal, right?"

You chomp twice. No.

"Hmm... If not that, then... you got it from a necromancer and then they died, setting you free?"

No.

"Uhh... I don't know any other ways. Unless... no, there's no way... but... are you a Marebito? A Reincarnator?"

You close your maw once. If what your guide said at the very start was true...

"Wow... Quests and all that stuff?"

Yes.

"Damn, son. Or gal. Or whoever's in that skull. While all the cheating bastards are fucking their harems and travelling the world killing monsters and each other, you're stuck out here as a Skeletal Maw? Sucks to be you."

Hol' up. What was that about harems? There are other motherfuckers like this that got their happiness for no charge? AND they get some kind of cheats? That Adventure Guide has some explaining to do...

"Alright. So, you going somewhere?"

No.

"Just collecting the crystals for now, then?"

Yes.
(1/2)
The reaper inspo is picrel but read filename

"I see. Hm. I prefer to work solo, so you're out of luck if you want to follow someone. But I know a knight who knows a bone scout here in the Deadlands, who may help you out if you want to speak. His team's base is to the west of here, in an abandoned fort not far from the city of Shershen. Be careful if you want to visit them, though - the Astorian knights are powerful in that area. Don't get your ass burnt by their holy fire."

Yes.

"I'd appreciate if you helped me out a bit in exchange for that info..."

You... don't know. Conditions first. You close the maw three times.

"Fair enough. It's only info... Well, I'll leave it to you to decide. There's a tower to the southwest, in the hills. A nutcase mage lives there, blocking many bone scouts from sorting through the remains there and getting the crystals on these spawns. He's been there long enough, collecting the power, that he's become REALLY tough to beat for any of us. Many of my comrades died at his hands. If you could kill him and free up the area for graverobbing... I'd be really grateful. Maybe I'll even share some of the best loot I collected with you."

[QUEST ISSUED]
[The Mad Wizard of Necrus Magna Hills]
[Kill Vincent, the Mad Wizard.]
[REWARD]
[300 EXP, 1 [Epic] item from Arthur's stash]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

There's no punishment for failing (except a horrible death at the hands of a mad wizard) but do you really want this? If this reaper who's good enough to clear out a crypt by himself fears that mage... he may be out of your league as well.
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...
>Decline. It's just too dangerous.

>>6131002
>>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...
Just run around and farm skeletons for a while, hit another level, then try our luck.

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...

Chomp once for yes then gather up a couple of bones and a skull. put the bones in a line and munch them up before munching up the skull. see if he gets the message with wanting to get a bit stronger first before going after the mage.

>>6131002
>accept

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...

File: 1613683594490.png (9 KB, 160x186)

9 KB PNG

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...

>>6131005
+1

Forgot one thing: in addition to the vote above please pick what to do immediately after the reaper leaves.
>Hunt.
>Search for places of interest.
>Go west, towards the abandoned fort the reaper mentioned
>Go in some other direction/search for something specific (lich gal?)
>Write-in

>>6131061
>>Go west, towards the abandoned fort the reaper mentioned

>>6131061
>Hunt

Lets get some exp before we try going to a specific location again. Seeing going into a dungeon went badly make ourselves stronger before journeying for our quests

>>6131061
>Hunt.

>>6131061
>>Hunt.
See if we can't find some more valuable bones as well.

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...

>>6131002
>Accept quest. Even if he denied you the loot for the crypt, Arthur has at least pointed you in the direction where you can learn how to speak. It's only fair to help him and his colleagues out in turn. Perhaps when you level up...
>>6131061
>>Search for places of interest.

>>6131061
>Search for places of interest.

In combinatipn with what i voted before here >>6131005

>6131004
>6131005
>6131007
>6131016
>6131030
>6131036
>6131048
>6131067
>6131074
>6131082
>6131085
>6131110
>6131273
>6131279
>Accept quest.
>Explain plan using BONE LANGUAGE suggested by MFiySfTj anon
>Hunt.

No update today most likely (if I'll have access to pc I may be able to push it out 6-7 hours from now, but no guarantee).
But before that, 3 anons please roll 1d100 for HUNTING.
DC thresholds: 50/60/70/80/90/95

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>6131411

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6131411
We must HUNT. We must replenish our BONES!

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>6131411
>Explain plan using BONE LANGUAGE suggested by MFiySfTj anon

>>6131005
Still me. Now from different country

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>6131411
I want to roll. For funsies. If it's a hundo we get a free pair of shoes.

>72

You accept the quest.

Pushing together some bones from immediate vicinity, you crush three one by one before breaking a skull.

"What?.. Oh, you're going to get stronger before engaging the wizard? Sounds fine to me. Don't die out there."

You chomp once to acknowledge, and a few minutes later, you part with the reaper.

Time to hunt.

Wandering the Deadlands, you spot a three-headed Necrohydra roughly your size doing the same. You charge and initiate with a [Skull Bolt] and a crushing attack, throwing off its balance and breaking one of its necks. It screeches a battlecry and makes some attacks against you, its heads biting out chunks of your skeletal body.

[You have lost 5 HP]
[You have lost 5 HP]

It's just a flesh- er, BONE wound.

You use [Circle Strike], swiping your maw like a gigantic axe, to sever the remaining 2 heads and claim victory.

[You have gained 80 EXP]

Wandering further, you find a large battlefield with some undead for you to kill. Immediately attacking a pack of undead wolves, you use [Dark Blast] to destroy their pathetic leader and devour the rest with your maw.

[You have gained 20 EXP]
[You have gained 10 EXP] x6
[LEVEL UP!]

You continue on and find a shrine of stone pillars and overgrown paved paths. Even in these Deadlands, some herbs and trees have adapted to the harsh necrotic energies filling the air. In the centre of the shrine, a crystal has formed, medium if your eyes don't betray you.

It's quite strange that no one has claimed it yet... You enter the sanctum and touch it, absorbing it.

[You have absorbed MEDIUM LIFE CRYSTAL. +20 MAX HP.]
[You have gained 70 EXP]
[MEDIUM LIFE CRYSTAL is mismatched with your TRAIT: [Undead]. BONUS annulled. -10 MAX HP PENALTY.]

Amazing.

[QUEST ISSUED]
[Restoration of Life]
[Some undead keep collecting Life, Holy, Light and other crystals antinomial to their nature. After some time, their efforts are rewarded with true restoration of body and bestowal of life while retaining their necrotic powers. Many, however, cannot sustain the inner division and die in the process. Their remains are a prized ingredient in alchemy and ritualistic magic. Prove to the world that you're better than a part of a potion.]
[OBJECTIVE]
[Collect 30 MEDIUM and 3 BIG crystals antinomial to the [Undead] trait]
[REWARD]
[[Undead] trait replaced with [Necrotic Energies]]
[Life Restoration - Holy, Light and Life magic spells will not deal additional damage. Healing magic will heal you instead of doing damage]
[ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES]
[1. Kill Master Balthazar "Deadbane" Volein residing in the fortress-city of Osa in southern Astorias and absorb his remains]
[2. Drink from the Sacred Spring of Spica in northeastern Riverlands, near the Deadlands border]
[ADDITIONAL REWARDS]
[1. [Astra's Flash] skill]
[2. [Heal] skill]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

Well, perhaps by the end of it all it may not be so bad.

Should you abandon the dead inside team and try for joining the living?
>Accept quest.
>Do not.

With some EXP now accumulated in the bank (380 in total), you can also invest in levelling up skills instead of gaining levels. Should you do this?
>No, keep the levels.
>Invest in [Dark Blast / Crush / Skull Bolt / Circle Strike / Ghostflame Breath] skill (pick ONE)

>>6132076
>Accept quest.
>Invest in ghostflame breath

(Maybe we can reduce the cooldown on it. By doing so.)

>>6132076
>Do not.
Why the fuck would we want to be an alive turtle when we could continue being an undead turtle? This quest is stupid, put it in the trash.

>Ghostflame Breath
If anything could be turned into a cannon ability, this would be the one.

>>6132076
Support >>6132077

>>6132076
>>Accept quest.
Look. If we're ALIVE we can GROW OUR OWN BONES. GENIUS!

>No, keep the levels.
We level up the raw stats for now and focus on getting to the next evolution. We barely have any idea what our abilities even do, y'know? I'd rather test them out before investing too heavily.

>>6132106
I'd also be up for leaving the quest if we can just Holymaxx instead of actually coming back to life

>>6132115
You can cast Holy spells as Undead, but they'd damage you in addition to the enemy. The quest gives you an opportunity to combine two natures into one and be able to cast both holy and necrospells with no repercussions + be neutral instead of vulnerable to Holy, Life, Light etc. spells. However, being alive means you are more vulnerable to damage in general since enemies are not attacking dead flesh and bone, but actual organs, some of which may be vital. Also you'll be vulnerable to Bleed, regular Poison and other effects which you are immune to currently as an Undead.

>>6132128
Darn, no sanctified undead, huh? Well, I'd bet we could get those resistances back some other way if we need to. Eat a hydra or something for poison resistance, y'know? As long as we keep Bonemonger to keep cultivating hugeness I'll be happy.

>>6132077
+1 fuck it we ball!

>>6132077
+1

>>6132076
>Do not.
>No, keep the levels.
Who wants to be alive? That shit is fucking miserable.

>>6132077
>+1

>>6132076
>Do not
We had life and died. Now we're experiencing undeath and becoming something greater, beyond the shackles of life.
>ghostflame
Everything looks better on fire

>>6132077
+1

>>6132076
>Do not.
>Invest in Ghostflame

>>6132076
>do not
>ghostflame breath

>>6132076
>>Accept quest

Invest in either the ghost flame or keep the levels

>6132077
>6132085
>6132095
>6132106
>6132145
>6132175
>6132181
>6132186
>6132205
>6132212
>6132290
>6133393
>6133415
>Accept quest.
>Invest in Ghostflame Breath

Sorry for the absence, actual update tomorrow, in the mean time please pick one branch from the following upgrades of Ghostflame Breath:

>Cooldown reduction to 1 hour, can breathe out flames for several seconds longer
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)
>Cooldown reduction to 1 hour, Ghostflame partially ignores Holy protection

Regarding >what are the differences between regular flame and ghostflame? that you may have thought of asking: ghostflame besides dealing burning damage also deals necrotic damage, enhancing its dps compared to regular flames. Higher levels get other benefits that your character wouldn't know about.

Also please roll 1d100 Bo3 since I'm going to roll for event when I'll be updating and it may be useful to have readily available dice to move the plot along.

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 1 hour, can breathe out flames for several seconds longer

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>6133499
>>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)
More overall uses are gonna be nice. Then we can use it more often in one fight, or use the fireballs to cover for the 2 hours we can't use it.

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)
This is the one that would lead to a cannon upgrade eventually.

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 1 hour, can breathe out flames for several seconds longer

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)
>>6132073
>[You have absorbed MEDIUM LIFE CRYSTAL. +20 MAX HP.]
>[You have gained 70 EXP]
>[MEDIUM LIFE CRYSTAL is mismatched with your TRAIT: [Undead]. BONUS annulled. -10 MAX HP PENALTY.]
since I got a little confused by this, did we gain 20hp and then lost 10 or the +20 where negated and then we lost 10 points ?

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)

>>6133499
>Cooldown reduction to 1 hour, can breathe out flames for several seconds longer

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6133508
>>6133513
>>6133525
>>6133539
>>6133552
>since I got a little confused by this, did we gain 20hp and then lost 10 or the +20 where negated and then we lost 10 points ?
+20 was negated, then you lost 10 points. So -10 max HP overall.
>>6133606
>>6133627
>>6133791
>Cooldown reduction to 2 hours, 3 charges of fireball (balls of flame that explode with a moderate-sized explosion on impact)

Rolling for event now...
1 - Mad Wizard lunacy
2-3 - Dead ents agitated
4-7 - Demonic patrol
8-10 - Bonerot
11-13 - Megasludge explosion
14-18 - Skeleton caravan
19 - Border skirmish Astorians vs Demons
20 - Unique crystal spawn point

>>6134066
Ayyyy skelemangs on the road

>>6134122
And we shall eat them all with the 93

You accept the Life Restoration quest. It has its tradeoffs, but being alive seems like it will open up many opportunities. Maybe the absence of a pungent smell of rot will be better for diplomacy. Maybe you will even get the affection of a hot monstergirl. Maybe. (There are monstergirls in this world, right?..)

Anyway, you're not sure how this works, but...

"Transfer EXP to Ghostflame Breath." you say, but all that comes out is a rattling snarl.

[300 EXP transferred to [Ghostflame Breath]]
[You LOST 2 levels]
[[Ghostflame Breath] LEVEL UP!]
[Pick one path for [Ghostflame Breath] upgrade:]

...

Upon pressing the [Ghostflame Fireball] option, you feel strengthened, perhaps not in the general way, but your throat certainly does itch with power awaiting to be released at any moment...

Something stirs in the Deadlands. At the horizon, you spot a caravan travelling through the bone mounds. It is, however, not a caravan of living beings, but SKELETONS. The undead horrors occasionally attack it, but the skeletons deflect these attempts with sorcery and sword.

Approaching them carefully, you make sure not to appear threatening. The skeletons rattle and form up to defend their merchandise, but upon noticing your lack of aggression disperse. You come closer and they stop, opening up their covers to expose the BONE GOODS they're peddling. It's a collection of remains, weaponry, armour, swirling alchemical concoctions and, finally, various paraphernalia that a connoiseur would, perhaps, find useful or interesting - but not you.

"Come, friend." The skeleton in fancy garb and with one arm says. "We're open to trade - so long as you have something to exchange, that is. Crystals, absorbed or bottled? Life force, perhaps? Hm? Weaponry and armour collected by such a fearsome being? Or have you got some BONES for us?"

With your senses, you spot some items of power, but you're not sure about their exact strengths.

There are the remains of someone in robes of black adorned with slashes of orange runes. A mage, perhaps? You touch them with your massive leg, and one of the skeletons understands.

"Those ones are from a pyromancer. Alorar, he was called, if the scroll we found on his body is of any truth. From Aztlan, to the east."

You spot a collection of bottles with blue crystals buried in the back. You nudge them to prompt skeletons to explain their purpose.

"Ah, those." A skeleton with a HUGE pointy witch hat says. "Necrotic crystals, freshly collected by a crypt diver in the Deadlands. Reinforce necromancy and strengthen the undead."

After looking around some more, you find a glaive emanating cold.

"Hmm, good pick if you have enough to exchange." A skeleton knight replies. "It slows the enemies you hit. Comes from the mountain men of the Doom Mountains, between Astorias and Selenia."

There are other things, but these seem to you the most useful.
(1/2)

The SKELETON CARAVAN will exchange 1 item for any 2 of the following:
>Astorian High Paladin's Remains
>Spirit/(Un-)Life Force [-10 debuff to ALL rolls for the next 3 encounters]
>Absorbed Medium Crystal of any kind [You have 1 Fire Crystal and 1 Life Crystal available]
>1 FAVOUR to be repaid by bringing them 1 item of moderate power or better within 2 weeks [They say they will stay for a while in an abandoned crypt further west than the bone scouts' base that the reaper talked about]

Items the caravan offers:
>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]
>5 Bit Necrotic Crystals
>Frost Glaive [Slow debuff]

By trading, you will improve your reputation with the Skeleton Caravan and they may offer better goods in the future.

You can also
>Leave. You are not interested.
>Surprise attack the skeleton caravan! EVERYTHING will be yours! [You have, however, seen them repel horrors greater than you...] [You will NOT be able to trade with the Skeleton Caravans anymore]

>>6134154
Crystals. Both. For the pyromancers remains

>>6134154
>Trade Astorian High Paladin's remains and Medium Life Crystal for Pyromancer's Remains
We're firemaxxing, boys

>>6134154
>Absorbed Medium Crystal of any kind [You have 1 Fire Crystal and 1 Life Crystal available]
Both of them for
>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]
And don't attack.

>>6134154
1 medium life crystal and one favor for pyromancer remains

(We need the medium fire crystal for the other objective. We should keep it. So we have the fire crystal questline 100% we are pretty likely to find an item before they leave anyway thats plenty of time

>>6134154
Our two crystals for the pyromancer’s remains. Do not attack.

>>6134155
>>6134154
Also yeah. Do not attack.

That would be the stupidest thing to do and a good way to get a bounty on our yaws

>>6134154
SELL
>>Absorbed Medium Crystal of any kind, LIFE
BUY
>>Pyromancer's remains

For the life quest, We should grab all of the required crystals, store them for later, and then hide away and eat them all at once (or over a period of time, whichever) so the debuffs don't get us while we're out adventuring.

>>6134227
Oh, wait, need a 2nd offering.
>1 FAVOUR to be repaid by bringing them 1 item of moderate power or better within 2 weeks [They say they will stay for a while in an abandoned crypt further west than the bone scouts' base that the reaper talked about]

We're about to dunk on that mage, he'll certainly have good loot, even if the loot is his skeleton, but i'd bet he'll have some other nice stuff and we can keep his skeleton.

>>6134154
>Spirit/(Un-)Life Force [-10 debuff to ALL rolls for the next 3 encounters]
>Life Crystal
to buy
>Pyromancer's Remains

>>6134154
>Absorbed Medium Crystal of any kind: Life Crystal
>1 FAVOUR
for
>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]
We're gonna raid some loser wizard so we'll have some good shit to hand over afterwards.

>>6134154
>Absorbed Medium Life Crystal
>1 FAVOUR to be repaid by bringing them 1 item of moderate power or better within 2 weeks [They say they will stay for a while in an abandoned crypt further west than the bone scouts' base that the reaper talked about]

>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]
we still need the fire crystal for the quest, while I think the life one will take a while anyway

>>6134154
>>Astorian High Paladin's Remains
>>Spirit/(Un-)Life Force [-10 debuff to ALL rolls for the next 3 encounters]
>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]

>>6134154
>Spirit/(Un-)Life Force [-10 debuff to ALL rolls for the next 3 encounters]
1 FAVOUR to be repaid by bringing them 1 item of moderate power or better within 2 weeks [They say they will stay for a while in an abandoned crypt further west than the bone scouts' base that the reaper talked about

>Pyromancer's remains [will complete the [Pyromancer] additional objective #1]

Don't attack

Just a heads up, update will come tomorrow.

>6134155
>6134182
>6134185
>6134188
>6134198
>6134211
>6134227
>6134230
>6134246
>6134255
>6134257
>6134390
>6134563
3 - crystals for pyromancer
1 - astorian paladin + life crystal for pyromancer
4 - life crystal + favour for pyromancer
1 - spirit force + life crystal for pyromancer
1 - astorian paladin + spirit force for pyromancer
1 - spirit force + favour for pyromancer

You pick pyromancer's remains. The skeletons ask you what you're going to pay with, and through some checking off a list of stuff they accept (since you can only really answer yes/no) you come to an agreement. The skeleton with the pointy witch hat makes some fairly painful manipulations, extracting the absorbed life crystal, but at the end of the operation, you actually feel refreshed. Makes sense - the debuff from the mismatch between the crystal type and your nature is removed now.

[You have gained [Pyromancer's Remains]]
[Pyromancy is a dangerous magic studied mostly by solitary sorcerers due to its destructiveness to friend and foe alike. Some say Nart, the god of war and fire, has taught it to mortals himself in ancient times. These are the remains of a pyromancer that obtained substantial skill in this magic.]
[+5% Fire damage]
[3% Fire damage negated]

[Additional objective #1 from [Pyromancer] quest COMPLETED]
[You have gained the [Fire Resistance I] trait]

The skeletons depart, leaving you to yourself.

You collect bones and rest for a while, replenishing your health to 110/150, before proceeding on with your quests. It is night now. The time bringing the most comfort to the undead.

What will you do now?
>Hunt. You need to get stronger.
>Search for points of interest.
>Travel in some direction [to complete a quest? Or just move? specify where]
>Find the bone scouts the reaper talked about. You need to learn how to speak.
>Head southwest, to the Mad Wizard's tower.
>Write-in

>>6135409
>Hunt. You need to get stronger.

>>6135409
Search for points of interest. Could be a fight. Could be an item we can trade in for our favor.

Best get started on that early. I hate unpaid debts

>>6135409
>>Search for points of interest.
Specifically for FIRE crystals. Also kill and MF that looks at us the wrong way.

>>6135409
>Search for points of interest.

>>6135409
>Hunt. You need to get stronger.

>>6135409
>Find the bone scouts the reaper talked about. You need to learn how to speak.

>>6135410
>>6135411
>>6135454
>>6135468
>>6135554
>>6135587
>Search for points of interest.

Ok, please roll 1d100 Bo3 for what you find. If rolls come in quickly I'll update today.

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>6136100
lets go. high number pls.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>6136100

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>6136100

>86

It is night. As you walk, you notice flashes of fire and light in the distance. The Deadlands, in spite of their name, never really stay dead. There's always a fight occurring somewhere, a lurker trying to evade attention, looking for something valuable.

You observe a quiet light a bit ahead, an orange beacon seemingly unnoticed by anyone else. Approaching closer, you find a ruined structure, perhaps a temple, with 5 pedestals above which crystals of Fire hover.

You take no long time absorbing them.

[You have obtained BIT FIRE CRYSTAL. Fire damage +1%] x 5
[You have gained 30 EXP] x 5
[LEVEL UP!]

For a few moments, something stirs in the back of your mind. Perhaps a memory of a time when, finding repose between times of great struggle around a campfire, you shared a few quiet moments with your most trusted friends. The feeling of loss returns and replaces whatever peace you had with bitterness. You couldn't protect them. You couldn't protect yourself. And it all reached its end.

The feeling soon passes, and after making a mental note of the ruined temple, you resume your search.

You find an abandoned fortress standing on a hill. Entering through one of the breaches in the walls, you are greeted by skeleton soldiers keeping watch.

[QUEST ISSUED]
[Marvengade's Sunset]
[The fortress of Marvengade has withstood many demonic assaults before finally falling to Demon General Ozal Gind. After the demons retreated from the area, the protectors of the fortress rose up as undead to continue their eternal watch. Put them to rest and loot the fortress.]
[REWARD]
[300 EXP, [Skeleton Captain] minion]
[ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES]
[1. Find and retrieve the Banner of Marvengade from the bone looters residing in a forest outpost to the south.]
[ADDITIONAL REWARDS]
[1. 200 EXP, [Marvengade's Champion] trait: +5% physical damage, [Inspire] skill]
[Accept quest?]
[Y/N]

Well, why not? These guys are long overdue for their retirement benefits.
(1/2)

You make the first move before they can react, sending a fireball into the skeletons' midst, and the explosion takes out at least a dozen skellies.

[You have gained 2 EXP] x 12

The undead surround you, rattling their bones and making attacks, but to you they're like mice to an elephant. Well, maybe not exactly, you're not afraid of regular skeletons, after all-

A necrotic blast hits you right in the neck, throwing a few bones and a chunk of rotten flash behind you.

[You have lost 15 HP]

Well, perhaps you should be a little afraid. Looking where the blast came from, you spot a few battlemages somewhere on the walls - what remains of them, that is.

You stretch your neck as much as you can, just barely reaching the retreating mages, and [Crush] two of them with your chomp.

[You have gained 8 EXP] x 2
[You have lost 2 HP] x 5

The regular skeletons don't rest, however, and their small hits amount to decent damage. Not only that, more and more of them are pouring out of the barracks!

Well, getting surrounded by enemies is not a problem. You roar "Circle Strike!" and spin your head around, neutralizing at lest 30 of them.

[You have gained 2 EXP] x 30
[LEVEL UP!]

You let them approach you, and unleash another attack of the same nature.

[You have gained 2 EXP] x 20

That takes care of the main mass. All that's left is to wrap up the fight by killing the lonely, slightly more powerful captain, and the remaining mage. The fortress is cleared...

[You have gained 10 EXP]
[You have gained 8 EXP]
[You have completed the main objective of the [Marvengade] quest!]
[You have gained 300 EXP]
[LEVEL UP!]
[LEVEL UP!]

...and a Skeleton Captain is now on your side. It ain't much, but it's an honestly-earned minion.

[Would you like to complete the [Marvengade] quest?]

Question is, do you want to face the bone scouts? They seem to be a different group than the ones Arthur talked about, so it should be no harm killing them and taking their loot...
>Try to complete the additional objective.
>Complete the quest. There will be other opportunities to gain skills and levels.

>>6136136
>>Try to complete the additional objective.
We love those stacking bonuses! Say, can skeleman talk? Who needs speech if we have an interpreter!

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

lets go for completionist here. more physical damage and another skill especially if its for future minions will be useful

>>6136138
Unfortunately, all you'll ever hear from him is some bone rattling.

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

>>6136147
... Can he at least captain other skeletons we may summon in the future or is he just a fighter but boney with a fun title?

>>6136174
Yes, he is capable of commanding other skeletons. CAPTAIN isn't just a title. It's a mark of aptitude.

You can name him if you'd like, actually.

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.
Holy moly, skeletal minions. If we end up becoming a huge-ass walking turtle fortress with cannons we can now also have little minions running around on our shell to repel invaders. Hella neat.

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

>>6136181
Ah, so he IS smart! Phew, for a sec I thought that he had no brain (in the metaphorical sense). If he's smart enough to command, then he'll figure out a way to tell us a name eventually, in some comedic chain of events

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

>>6136136
>Try to complete the additional objective.

>>6136181
>You can name him if you'd like, actually.
I vote for Mr.Bones.
May he take us on a wild ride.

>>6136181
>Name
Keelrat Rattlemaster

>>6136138
>>6136140
>>6136152
>>6136186
>>6136188
>>6136189
>>6136218
>>6136499
>Try to complete the additional objective.

Ok, 3 anons please roll 1d100
DC: 90
Not promising an update today, but we'll see.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>6136641

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>6136641

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>6136641
What the fuck? I'm lodging a complaint about this UNREASONABLE difficulty level to the Gods.

>>6136641
>>6136642
>>6136647
>>6136649
so... would our minion grant us a small bonus here... maybe a +3

Please

File: me looking at these rolls.jpg (29 KB, 495x355)

29 KB JPG

>>6136649
Perhaps going against a group of people specialized in clearing dungeons, killing undead, and looting the Deadlands, while you have about half max HP is too much for you, after all...
In all seriousness, I admit not telegraphing the difficulty in advance is my fault. Well, it is in character for you to fail, and I assure you won't die, so it should be all good.

>>6136666
QM, when you said "bone looters" I assumed "skeletons who are looters" not "people who will monger our bones"

>>6136718
Got them loot boners

>>6136666
Were we unable to rest up before we went after them, for some reason? There was nothing saying we had to head there right away in order to complete the additional objective.