>>18940181
What CAN we do?

Not much to do around here than walk about, right?
Lets read our alchemy book some more. I don't think we studied it entirely.

>>18940703
This, I mean AFTER we get breakfast.

"Siobjan, I wouldn't have ever guessed that you'd be such a heavy drinker."

>>18940181
Ask Siobhan if she is okay from yesterday drinking adventures

Tease Siobhan a little.
just for the hell of it

>>18940731
>>18940796

Hungry fellow that you are, you sit at the table and Cu calls the barmaid for another meal. Before long, you're sat before thin, but delciously smoked cuts of pork, fried eggs and a pungent but delicious kind of bread. As you mention the previous night to Siobhan, the other two men chuckle.

"My father and brothers always seemed to enjoy drinking so... they never told me that someone hammers an invisible nail into their head overnight." She croaks weakly, enveloping the food with much less of her usual grace.

"So, Thol." Eames wipes at his lips, enjoying an early glass of wine. "What did you think or Mr. Silver? Awfully strange fellow, isn't he? I hear most Aridottans are like that."

>>18940924
"He seemed quite friendly for a fellow with such power.
What did you think?"

>>18940924
Ask Siobah what she thought of the mage. Tell her you strongly suspect he'd like to travel with us.

>>18940924
He seems like quite the fellow, we could learn much from him Eames. He must have a burning spirit to use magic the way he does.

>>18941146
You dare say
A tiger spirit

>>18940994
>>18941146


"Very talented, for one. He seemed well versed in one school of magic. To be able to memorise and focus the methods of one school is beyond most folk. But he uses at least two. Of course, now I, too, hope to do the same. I simply must read the scroll as soon as I can..." He taps his chin in thought for a while. "One thing confused me, though. How did he cast so many spells without resting? I've read that trained casters can, through much meditation and discipline, increase the natural ether stores within their body, but the two duelists made it seem... easy."

>>18941042

Despite the incessant pounding in her skull, Siobhan is certainly not as rude as to ignore someone addressing her directly, and offers a small smile.

"Well I think he was... actually... come to think of it, I don't remember much of him. But I imagine he was nice." She slices her pork cut and egg evenly, rationing every forkful.

You draw the entire table's attention with the suggestion of him joining you. Cu carries a suspect brow-raise whilst Eame's continue to ponderously tap his fingers on his chin.

"He would certainly be useful... but what makes you think that, Thol? Did he say something?"

>>18941265
Call it "intuition".

>>18941265
"He seemed to be tired of being stuck in this city. Remember how he said that he set out to travel the lands to learn more about the world and his craft? And then he said he came to his city and tried his hand at dueling, which happened five years ago?
I really got the impression he wanted to travel again AND he seemed quiet interested in getting more information about Rakshasa.

Anyway, it's just my intuition. We'll see what he says. He said he wanted to meet us in about two hours from now."

>>18941311
>>18941368

"Rakshasa?" Siobhan looks to you. You briefly explain the situation. Cu finally finds a topic interesting enough to distract him from his meal.

"Asura? By the Mother, you left that one out, Nomad. Givin' me chills just sitting next to you." He scooches his chair away. Siobhan, too, looks suitably surprised.

"I had never thought Asura was real. I just thought he was the patron god of some old cult. But... do you really trust this man? Does he seem true and good?"

>>18941481
"Who? Silver?
Well, my first impression was rather good, so I would say ye.... but as you know, I haven't really met many people to be good judge of people.

what can you tell me about Asura?"

>OP You have lost your trip/

>>18941481

Woah there. Dropped my trip.

>>18941543
I guess you really tripped up there.

>>18941531

"Only what the legends say, really. He was alive before the clans of the Thulstry islands came together, before the Five Western Kingdoms signed the Morgana Pact, even before the Eastern families formed their countries," she informs you as she sips at her tea. "They say he was a main who attained the power to rival the Twenty-Four, that he intended to strike the Dragon down and take his place."

"He created Maleficium," Eames interjects. "A very real school of magic, but one that much isn't known about. They say it draws from a different source of power. It's not the human's ether, nor a pact with any of the gods, but something else. Myself... I don't believe what you say about Asura, but the Rakshasa definitely existed. And perhaps still do, today. That's the thing about secretive magic schools, they're so bloody secret..."

>>18941646

HA.

>>18941481
Silver is a good man. I know this. As for the nomads who say Asura is on the way? I see no reason for a nomad to lie to another. Either way we need to get to Hommes. We should be safe there and we are travelling north anyway. We shall face great dangers regardless.

>>18941682

"If Sir Thol trusts him, then so will I." Siobhan nods, mostly happy to stop talking and focus on nourishing her nauseous form.

"I won't," grumps Cu. "Aridottans are wily. They're more deceptive than Seripans. At least you know a Sersipan is hiding the truth from you. But I won't stop you from bringing him, should you wish."

"Well, personally, I'll be glad to have him." Eames gestures happily with his loaf. "Our shifts with the horse would be even shorter divided between three."

>>18941815
Whats the time? Do we have enough to read up abit or practice some? If so do that or just wait until Silver gets here.

>>18941815
"We'll see what he thinks soon.

Anyway.... you say this was the first time you drank, Siobhan? Damn, if a complete rookie can drink so much, I'd want to see what a veteran can do!"
Then have some small talk while eating. Pass time. If we can read up some more

>>18941896

"Perhaps one day when our travels are over, you can visit my home in Thulstry. My brothers would be happy to show you."

She chuckles. Then holds her head for a moment. Poor thing. Anyway, you look at the clock, seeing that you still have an hour left. You decide to return to your room and pull out your tome. It has a guilt-inducing layer of dust over it, but you pay it no heed and read on:

"The nature of Magic and its relation to Alchemy:

Alchemy, by its nature, is the combination of certain specific elements to create a substance of object with magic values. We have already learned that the three components needed for any alchemical transmutation are the spirit or soul material, the power sources and the catalyst, but what does this mean?

All magic comes comes from a source. An energy that resonates within tangible objects. In the East, they are called aspects, in the West, they are called elements. In magic and alchemy, we call them sources. The known sources are Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Thunder, Metal, Nature, Light, Darkness and Soul. To learn more about the specifc natures of these sources, please turn to" it is followed by the page number. "But read on if you want to find out what these sources mean to alchemy, and the ingredients used therein."

>>18942137
Read on!

>>18942137
Read on.

"The source of alchemy is represented by two of the three ingredients: the catalyst and the power source. The power source (or gemstone) are natural concentrations of minerals found or created, stores of etheric energy that can tapped for power. They can be positively charged or negatively charged, and the difference between gems can mean a profound difference in the resulting concoction.

The catalyst serves as a medium between the power source and spirit. It identifies the power inside the source, and, by means alchemists still debate to this day, conveys that power to the spirit. They carry the resonance of the original source. For example, the feather of a Roc is well known to carry the magical resonance of Air and thus serves as the catalyst for Air power sources: topaz (positive) and agate (negative).

The spirit refers to the third component. Unlike magical sources, the nature of spirit material is still widely unknown. A corrolation between the material and the Twenty Four deities is well demonstrated, so we can only assume that Alchemy is a gift from the gods. In the example recipe provided in this book, you will make use of a butterfly. Unsurprisingly, the butterfly is the spirit material representing the butterfly. Despite the relative lack of information on this deity, its spirit material is the easiest found and thus, one of the most widely used."

(continued)

keep reading

we really need to find an easier way to find the stones for alchemy. perhaps we can take up mining?

>>18942336

"The spirit material always comes from a Spirit's worldly kin. For another example, the Rabbit's spirit material is a rabbit's heart. As to why it is specifically the heart, this is not yet understood. Due to the nature of some of these creatures, certain spirit materials have been deemed impossible to find (such as that of the legendary Phoenix) or illegal to obtain in most countries (such as that of the revered Dragonkin). A subject of much discussion, since R.Y. 720, the spirit material of the Wolf has stopped working in all transmutations. The reason for why is unknown.

Each component is as important as the other in Alchemical transmutations. The power source provides the ether and charge, the catalyst serves to draw out this power and the spirit communicates purpose to it. For example, in the most common beginner's transmutation, the Potion of Minor Restoration, the bluebells, signature flower of the Ram, God of Nature, carry the resonance of nature, the opal carries etheric energy of a positive charge and the rabbit's heart represents the Rabbit, Goddess of Love and Peace. It is the Rabbit that gives restorative will to the potion and the source of Nature that allows that restorative will to reconstruct damaged parts of the consumer's body. To change one part of this potion would be to change the potion entirely. For example, change the positive power source to a negative (Nature's negative source being emerald), and you create what is commonly known as Truce Spores. These will, when inhaled, immediately ease all intents of conflict and often induce euphoria. Whereas changing the spirit material to that co"

You glance at the clock. It's coming to noon soon. Just as you do so, Eames opens the door and starts packing his own things.

"My, my. Starting to actually study, are we? Understanding it a little better?"

>>18942536

You finish the sentence you were previously on.

".. changing the spirit material to that of another of the Twenty Four would change the will and thus the potion's effect entirely. For example, using a butterfly with a positive Nature charge ends with the creation of the Dryad's Draught, a drink that gives one the ability to photosynthesize for energy for a period of days."

(I have no idea why I cut that sentence off early.)

>>18942536
>immediately ease all intents of conflict and often induce euphoria

Sooooo.... we pretty much can make drugs if we use negative power source?

"Yeah. It explains in more detail what I've been taught. Nothing new but its nice to know exact science behind it, or at least the science that has been discovered. It seems alchemy is a very mysterious thing."

>>18942536
Glare at Eames
Glare him
a lot
"Yeah, Maybe if a read more, Alchemy doesn't turn into a complete loss of time and money"

>>18942632

He tuts, shaking his head. "Honestly, that's always the thing with you alchemists. Rather than marvelling at the knowledge or mystique, you immediately think about how potion A is more economical and investment than potion B."

>>18942610

"Indeed it is." Eames glances over the section you're currently reading. "Unlike most forms of magic, no-one knows where it came from. Pyromancy was supposedly taught by the Frog to those who sought the power of fire. Terramancy by the Owl, taught to his servants in the Eastern Library. Elementalism by the Cat, who studied etheric energies and how to manipulate more than one source at a time, then taught this to the Aridottans. And so on. But no-one knows who Alchemy came from. Are you ready? I think the Siobhan and Cu intend to head out as soon as you're done with Guin."

>>18942710
"Yeah. I'm done with reading for now.
Say, does learning magic have some kind of requirements or can pretty much anybody do it?"

>>18942710
>Pyromancy was supposedly taught by the Frog

W..why?
Why would the Frog be able to control fire.
These damn spirits.

Anyway say that we just have to meet with Guin now

So, did you get to study you fireball scroll yet?

ask him how alchemists usually get the stones for their potions

>>18942742

"If you're smart enough, you pick it up easier than... well, people who aren't as smart. But it takes practise. Even casters who learn enough need to work at building their ether. For example, you're spent after summoning one horse. Whereas I could summon both a horse and a wolf. Mind you, I wouldn't be great at controlling them at the same time, but I could. And that's what matters." He gives a decisive nod before heading down. You remember having some trouble when you initially picked up Summoning. Perhaps you have gotten more intelligent since then.

>>18942744

As you head downstairs, Eames tells you that he and the others will be waiting at the stables. Already, Guin is sat the bar, tankard in hand. He offers you a smile.

"Thol. Sleep well?"

>>18942847
"Best sleep since quite some time"

>>18942847
"It was a good rest. How about you?"

>>18942891
>>18942955

You sit, finding a full tankard provided for you. Kind of him, no? The white haired man seems to be in a much better mood than he was yesterday.

"Glad to hear it. I didn't sleep much. But I did get some interesting information. As I said, rumours are appearing that the Rakshasa have been appearing everywhere. But there have actually been a few confirmed sightings. For one, there's a Maleficium user who appeared in the Shenlong Capital a month ago. He tore through the preliminaries and is apparently guaranteed a spot in the Grand Tournament. Which is strange. Rakshasa dot in and out of the history books in isolated incidents. They don't head for the spotlight and win glory and fame in tournaments. Not only that, but even right here in Vanthania, there has been a series of murders in the capital, Vol Itolstein. All the same m.o., no trace of struggle and no visible wounds, but the patients all had expressions of agony stuck to their face. But at one scene, they discovered a small patch of green fire beneath the body. Finally, I have a merchant friend who swears that another merchant friend swears that he saw a metal ship, powered by green fire, heading south of the Equius Reach, disappearing in the Crios Mist." He seems rather happy with his reconnaisance, taking a hearty swig of his ale. "Add that to the murder of your tribe, and you have something too good to be coincidence. Of course... a terrible shame that it was..."

He reigns back his smile into something a little more respectful, bowing his head for a moment.

thank him for the info and ask if he'd like to join our party. mention how it seems like a shame that he never got to see the world like he wanted and ended up here for 5 years

>>18943156
"This is all very strange indeed. I thank you for your information."

>I need to go to sleep.
>Thanks for the quest OP. It is very good and really, really detailed.
>Have you done any quests before?

>>18943156
Drink the tankerd.
Welp that's a lot of information to dig in...
Say is Hommes somewhat near to the Vol Itolstein? or the Shenlong Capital?

>>18943405

(Sleep well, fair anon! The rest will be waiting for you on the archives. And I'm glad you've enjoyed the quest so far. It's my first one, and hopefully the first of several in this world. But I did write a hell of a lot of factors and information before starting, so it's not all, or even mostly, pulled up on the spot. Still, I'm inexperienced, and that's why I make quite a lot of mistakes. But I hope you can forgive me and come back again.)

>>18943419

The ale, thankfully, goes down a lot smoother than the information. For the longest time, you've been relying on the geographical prowess of your allies. Your question amuses the white haired man.

"My, my. You Equius Nomads do live a sheltered life, don't you? Vol Itolstein is right in the center of Vanthana. Homme is about another week's travel to the West, if you have a good horse. As for Shenlong? That's way to the East. On the other side of the Reach."

>>18943328

"Join you?" He is just as surprised by the suggestion as the rest of the party was. "Well... I don't know. I've got a lot here for me. Duels to throw, bookies to avoid, women to visit, even more women to avoid... count me in."

He gives a shrug, taking another drink of his ale.

"Certainly can't hurt. I've wanted an excuse to get out of this dump, but I'm afraid it's left me with more debt than money. I'll be skipping out on quite a few tabs, you see." He snickers. "Don't worry. I'll travel seperately and meet you in Vol Itolstein." He pulls out a piece of paper from his jacket's inner pocket and a charcoal piece. He scrawls on it before handing it to you. "Meet me here in four days. We should both easily be in Vol Itolstein by then. I'll pick you up a nice big map of the world on the way."

The note says 'The Hole in the Boot, Conduct District, Third Sector'. Guin chuckles again and nods back towards the door.

"Your friends are waiting, Thol."

>>18943578
(It is pretty amazing, OP.
Anyway, I'm off!)

>>18943588
"Well then
until Vol Itolstein"
Shake his hand

i thought he'd join us in that homme place
is Vol Itolstein along the way?

bid him goodbye and off we go

>>18943649
From what've understood Homme is along the way

>>18943669
I mean Itolstein is along the way

>>18943635

"As we say in the homeland, you don't have nine lives, so take care of the one you have."

You shake hands, before gathering your things and parting ways. By the time you reach the stables, you see that your friends have already packed the new, slightly larger carriage, and Eames has already summoned the second horse and fitted it, too.

"No luck?" He climbs onto the driver's seat, beside Cu. Thankfully, it's a little wider, too, so you won't constantly be budged off your seat by the man's slightest gesture. Cu helps Siobhan into the carriage, leaving the door open for you, before climbing onto his own seat and taking the reins.

>>18943649

Indeed, indeed, the place names are all very confusing. Vanthania is the nation you're currently in, known as 'the Rat's Nest' amongst other things. You're about to head west for the capital, Vol Itolstein. Even further to the West is another of the Five Western Kingdoms, Homme. It's there you hope to meet Arethos and finally find out what this destiny of yours is.

Just wondering, should I make a wiki for information discovered in the game?

>>18943775
>>18943824
I don't think a wiki would be necessary, but a Pastebin/GoogleDocs text file would be great

Also explain the situation to our friends

i see, makes sense now.

sure, make a wiki especially if you plan to make other quests in this setting

ask eames how alchemists usually get their stones for potions while we ride out the city

"out of curiosity siobah, can you grow bluebells with your druid magic?"

>>18943921
>>18943966

"And here I was, hoping to have him teach me on the road. I suppose I can wait... still have this Fireball spell to master, at least." Then, as you climb on, you ask him about stones. He scratches his chin, looking back to you. "Alchemist's supply store. They had some here. But don't worry, they'll have even more in Vol Itolstein. I hear they have pretty much a lot more of everything there."

Siobhan is lying across one of long, soft seats in the carriage. You take the one opposite to her and Cu finally sets off, making your way around the great, bustling fort and through another busy street of local businesses and residences. You decide to bother the poor, hungover Druid again, asking about bluebells. She glances up at you and gives a pained shake of the head.

"I can't produce nature of any kinds just yet, Sir Thol. But once I learn the Call of the Wood, I'm sure I'll be able to conjure any kind of flower you like." She smiles before letting her head fall again. "Do you like bluebells, Sir Thol?"

You are soon out of the town, the fort already shrinking in the distance as you come into yet another vast range of steep hills, taking a path amongst them. Almost seems Vanthania is just a collection of hills with towns between them. You can fast travel, if you like, or continue to talk with Siobhan.

>>18944100
Continue talking with Siobhan
"Still feeling the effects of the alcohol?"

tell her we picked them with our mother when we were young

>>18944151

She sits up, spreading her arms along the back of the seat and steadying herself.

"Yes... and I'm feeling them a lot more since we started moving..." She groans, creasing her forehead and rubbing it lightly. "I'm making another vow right here, Sir Thol, and you are my witness. I am touching another drop of alcohol. That thing is demon's nectar. A night of fuzzy happiness and lessened stress for a morning of pain. Truly a fool's trade."

>>18944244

You find yourself remembering the bluebells. Of how excited your mother got when you stopped nearby them. There were few other catalysts she could find in the Reach, so she did a lot of experiments with bluebells. And when she got excited, you got excited to help, too.

"That sounds wonderful, Sir Thol. Your mother sounds like a very bright woman."

She was. And fiery, too. Your father always thought you should try doing things a little more active, like helping him hunt something other than rabbits, or going on training trips with the other children. But your mother always said that the 'path he chooses is the path that's meant to be'. An argument that always seemed to win with him. He was a little relieved when Xao Dulang started to teach you about weaponsmithing, at least.

>>18944350
Oh. My. Lawdy. I forgot we knew how to do that.
Hey
Hey Eames
What if
EAMES
What if I make some weapons
and sell them.

>>18944350
"Good times were had before the tragic event...
I wonder if Xao Dulang is fine"

Look into the inscription Xao Dulang wrote on our Dao.
sigh
Ask the poor druid girl if she wants to talk or just remain in silence. If she doesn't find problem in talking ask about her family

oh shit, weapon making.

what do we need to start making shit?!

>>18944405

You shout your plans out the window, causing the redhead to visibly shrink into her seat. Loud noises and hangovers do not make a happy couple. But in your excitement, you have forgotten this. And so has Eames, who shouts back, equally as loud.

"You can make weapons!?"

Actually, he never really taught you that well. He helped you reinforce your dao, which hasn't shown a single chip since the event, and how to repair blades, but not anything above that. But you're sure you could learn.

>>18944422

You turn back and pull out your dao, feeling somewhat dejected, both by the realisation that you won't be able to sell weapons, and your memories of the past.

'In Wine, There Is Truth'. You can't help but break out in a small laugh as you see the engraved words juxtaposed with the suffering maiden across from you. Now acting senstive, you ask if she's would rather remain silent. She shakes her head, which is still mostly shrouded by her hood.

"Your voice helps distract me from the rocking of the carriage. As long as it isn't too loud..."

Then you ask of her own family.

"I have six brothers and three sisters. I am sixth in the line, second daughter. My father's family won the Thulstry name three generations ago, hailing from the Western family. Before she married my father, my mother was also a Druid. Of course, she did not take the vows I took."

She recites the lines as if reading them from a sheet of paper. With some discomfort, too.

>>18944422
Do this.
We can start weaponmaking when we reach the capital, so we can buy the materials

>>18944537
"Hum, i seem to have entered a bad topic of conversation for you"

>>18944650

"Forgive me, Sir Thol. I doubt I have as many fond memories as my family as you do. They were present at my birthdays and my mother would visit me often. I don't dislike them or such... but I consider the Oak Table my family, more so. Like Shepard Cooley. He was the one who first taught me Druidry. Taught me to use the Wildtongue. We would talk to the birds that nested around the temple." Yet again, you saw her pale lips spread into a smile beneath her hood. The kind that clearly displays the kind of nostalgia you expected to see when she talked of her family. "He would make them chase me around the grove until I could tell them to stop."

>>18944747
"....That's sound pretty harsh..but effective i guess...
which kinda of birds were they?"

>>18944822

"Wood thrushes." She giggles. "He gave me a long lecture about how they only come together once a year, that otherwise they're very lonely birds. Then he said they all came to help teach me a lesson. My arms and legs were covered in little bruises for days after... but needless to say, I learned the Wildtongue. I just started shouting 'stop!' in my head, rather than with my mouth. Then it was like I awakened a whole other language... it was wonderful, really. All of the gifts of the Ram are."

Yet, in a manner that feels much too familiar, your peace is disturbed as you hear a sudden rumble, and the horses neigh as they are pulled into a stop. You don't need to be asked, this time. You pop your head out the window, only to find yourself in another narrow lane. Not quite the giant valley as you had last time, but yet again your road is blocked. This time, by a cascade of rocks and chunks of earth. Looking up, you can see that several holes in the hills have been blasted.

"Oh no... more Undead?" Siobhan whispers. Perhaps changing carriages and leaving her old clothes behind did nothing after all.

>>18944925
Ask Cu if he saw who did that

>>18944981

"No, but they're about to regret they did."

The answer to the question on both your minds soon appears over the top of one of the hills. He slides down the rubble created by the blast before kicking off to stand atop the road block instead. You recognise him. You all do. The shoulder length black hair, the bandana tied over his head, the nomad mantle and the sword at his hip, they're all rather recognisable.

"I don't care about the Druid, the Summoner or the big guy, Thol," Hawne glares at you, his normally serious expression disturbed by a small smirk. "All I want is you."

He draws his sword, a hiltless, slender blade. It certainly doesn't look as sturdy as any kind of sword you've seen, but it's sharp, and he slices it through the air with a vicious speed that rivals, if not surpasses, your own dao's swings.

"Today, I'm going to reclaim my fate."

Aaaand, that is where we leave it for now! Hawne's back! Who remembers Hawne?! No-one? Thought so. Well he's back. And he'll waiting for you next time. Hope you've all had a good run, I know it's been a little shorter than usual, I'll try make up for it next thread. Speaking of next thread, it'll either be Thursday or Saturday. Same time if not a little earlier. Until then, keep the tiger spirit alive and I hope to see you next time on...

NOMAAAAAD QUEEEST

>>18945057
>>18945092
Well, that fucker.
i'm starting to regret suggesting talking to those Nomads.

well until next time

ask where his companions are

call him a dick and tell him that the fact that he cares so much for a position among the nomads instead of actually saving the world is exactly why he isn't cut out for it.

tell him if he really does care to go fight the problem his own way

seriously, where the hell are the other nomads?

So you wanna duel or something?

We are gunna tiger destiny his shit up. You don't come up against a man with a destiny THIS POWERFUL!

>>18945115
Eh. I think someone would have asked to talk to them sooner or later. It was inevitable.