You are Osyki, newly promoted Totemist and first line of defense for your village against the rabid Behemoths wandering the land. Your master, the previous Totemist, fell in a battle against a terrible Behemoth, leaving the duty of defending your settlement to you. Now, you have traveled into the swamp beyond the woods surrounding your home to repay a debt to the great spirit of the forest, Sylviannis. She plans for you to act as a herald and negotiator between she and the Mother of the Swamp to broker a contract of mutual protection and alliance. Now you stand at the center of her domain.

>What will you do?
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[[Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=totem]]

>>20537336
I guess it's time to approach the throne. Any spirit etiquette we should consider for our approach?

Approach carefully and with slung weapons

>>20537367

You fish the pearl pendant around your neck from inside your armor, clasping it tight in your hand. Boand's image shimmers into view in your mind.

"You made it." she says, clearly relieved.

"You sound as though you worried that I wouldn't!" you say, though you sound more confident than you feel. "Just a leisurely stroll through the resident murder swamp, and here I am. Any advice for the approach?"

"Weapons away, and keep them there. She'll take any excuse she can get to attack you, even under Sylvia's protection. You'll have to climb the pillar to speak with her, and if you crush any of the flowers she'll have you devoured. Assuming you survive the ride down the waterfall, of course."

You grimace.

"Once you're down there, keep a civil tongue in your head and one foot ready to get out of there if things get hairy. I'll put Sylvia through to answer any question you have once you're at the throne. Best of luck, Osyki."

The connection goes cold, and the pearl ceases its slight vibration in your grasp. You eye the massive drop with some trepidation.

>How will you descend? 1d100

rolled 24 = 24

>>20537528
Investigate. Is there anything that could be easily cimbed down? A big tree, perhaps?

If not, do we have anything with that could be used as a rope?

Or could the boots that allow us to jump high be used to soften our fall?

Anyway, rolling.

>>20537570

You take a walk a short way toward both ends of the curved rim, looking for anything that could aid your descent. The landing below is obscured by the rising mist, but you imagine that if you could land on your feet, Cloudwalker's Stride would keep you safe.

Unless there happened to be water at the bottom. That could be problematic.

You stow your bow and spear securely on your back, tightening the straps that hold them in place. There must be another way down there. Your frown deepens as you feel something prickling at the forefront of your mind.

>Roll 2d100

rolled 40 = 40

>>20537644
First roll. Will wait 10 minutes before rolling the second one. Just in case somebody else is around.

rolled 13 = 13

>>20537644
Rolling.

rolled 6 = 6

>>20537665
Well, seems like nobody else is here atm. Rolling.

>>20537773
>>20537778

God, do I love our shitty RNG and the way it uses time stamps as seeds...

>>20537814
Yeah, poor Osyki.

Actually there's the binding to the chainmail we can do now. The one that controls buoyancy. If we land in the water with that we ought to be oaky, we won't sink to the bottom and break our legs if it is somewhat deep.

Though I'm worried about breathing again around here.

>>20537665

You close your eyes on impulse, attempting to access that same sight-without-sight that allowed you to so accurately field an arrow yesterday. The picture around you fills in much more quickly. You almost wish it hadn't.

Strange faceless spirits with the bodies of centipedes drift lazily in the air around you, each connected by a tiny cord of dull gray light to the flowers blooming around the forest. The sky overhead is a strange burnt orange to your mind's eye, and a faint glimmer of light leads in a twisting pathway from the edge of the crater just a few feet away to the throne.

You feel a momentary push off spiritual pressure from the direction of the throne below, but it passes quickly.

>>20538015
What would happen if we use the buoyancy armor in the waterfall? Maybe we'd leisurely float downward.

>>20538056

You might flutter down the waterfall, but just as likely your armor would repel the water and send you flying comically to your death against the side of the Mother's pillar.

Comically for her, that is. You don't find the thought especially amusing.

>>20538177
That seems like a bad way to go.

I think we have rope so we can tie it around a stable thing like a nearby tree or rock and use that to descend as far as possible and climb down from there.

>>20538197

You scout around for a stable tree, weaving your way through the small insect-people that fill the air. You are sorely tempted to open your eyes and allow them to disappear from your perception, but you think it better to keep an eye on them.

Even if they do creep you right the hell out.

You find a tree with brilliant purple leaves growing not too far from the edge of the sheer drop into the crater. You take a length of rope from your pack, preparing to tie it around the sturdy foliage when you pause.

You open your eyes to ensure that you are seeing correctly. A young girl with vibrant purple hair and dusky brown skin sits on the curved trunk of the tree, running a hand along its bark in the same way one might pet a dog.

"I hope you're not thinking of doing what I think you're doing." she says in a lilting voice.

Are we still wearing the no-breathing-bone-armor? If so, it might be wise to remove it before we get to her, so we can actually speak aloud.

>>20538292
Yay, another spirit with an attitude. I can't wait until people discover the bulldozer and get some proper deforestation going.

>>20538296
Keep it on for now, this place has all sorts of pollens, scents and so on in the air which might fuck with our head. When we get really close or to her we can take it off. Until that point breathing is bad.

>>20538292
Okay, let's first try non-verbal communication if it doesn't work we'll undo the armor and talk.

Put the rope down for now. Mime our mouth opening and closing to indicate that we can't talk right now.

Point at ourself and then point at the pillar, make walking movements with our fingers.

Make puppy dog eyes at the dryad and hope that she relents.

>>20538367
Or just hope there's a rock nearby without an objecting spirit.

>>20538367

You lower the rope, internally wondering if there are any spirits who won't try to hold the moral high ground against you when you're just trying to do your job. You open your mouth in the parody of speech for a moment before shaking your head, then gesture down toward the pillar. The woman on the tree, likely a Dryad, nods.

"I understand, slaver. My lady is in no mood to speak with you, and you seem ill suited to the task even if I were to let you through."

The look she gives you implies that she may not just be talking about your current muteness.

"If you need to resort to such barbaric methods to reach her, I doubt she'd want to speak with you anyway. She's not in the habit of speaking with those without the basic knowledge of how to walk between the worlds."

>>20538514
Raise our eyebrows, put a questioning look on our face and gesture for her to continue.

I'd like more information on this walking between worlds thing.

>>20538514
Bow to her for her gracious advice, curse her internally, and see if we can find that path to the throne again.
Seems like we have no other choice than walk it.

>>20538527

You raise your eyebrows, but all that seems to elicit is derisive laughter. She leans back against the tree, slowly melding into its bark.

"Go home, slaver. Spare the my lady the indigestion of devouring you."

You watch her meld into the tree once more, your mouth a hard line. You've about had it with this swamp, you think.

You close your eyes again, letting your mind's eye fill in the blanks. You can see the girl reclining inside the bark of the tree, wearing it like a second skin.

>>20538535
With a shrug, you turn back to the snaking pathway of light you spied earlier. You jog over to it, glancing uphill every so often to ensure that the lizardmen who passed you are not making a return trip. Tentatively, you test a foot on the shimmering road and nearly topple over the edge as your foot meets nothing but air.

You're getting the feeling that Ayren didn't let you in on a significant portion of your job description.

>>20538683
I would consider this sort of need to know information. Ayren Overwake, master Totemist, horrible teacher.

Calm down, I'd say to take deep breaths if we could sleep, keep on doing the thing where we look deeply into the world, try to step from this world into that.

>>20538713
Addendum if that doesn't work call up Boand and Sylvia.

Ask if they know anything about walking between worlds.

>>20538683
This is exactly the right moment to think about taking an apprentice. Maybe we should spare everybody the trouble, since totemist seems such an unappreciated profession.

Okay, we still have to complete our end of the bargain before we can tell the spirit world to get bent, so think about this.
There's clearly a path to where we want to go, but we can't use it. If it's only usable by the spirits of the swamp... is there any totem we might use?
As creepy as they are, could we simply ask the insect people all around for advice?

Ah, maybe it's time we asked Boand for some advice, surely she know's what this is all about. It might cost us a favor or something but at least we won't be in the dark.

>>20538713
>>20538746

You curse silently, though if you could speak you're not sure that you'd be able to restrain yourself. This seems a critical piece of information to be missing. You think in frustration over the mysterious nights he spent locked in his study, not saying a word to you while you pored over the Almanac. You could have been prepared for this!

You wrap your hand around the pearl at your neck, calling for Boand again. You quickly explain the situation to her, trying in vain to keep the frustration from your voice.

"Sylvia was afraid of that." she sighs. "You need to make a very specific kind of pact with a spirit to walk in the spirit world, Osyki. You need an unbound spirit to agree to ferry you through their side of the veil. You could use one of the unbound spirits in your Foci, but I'm not sure that any of them are powerful enough to carry you down into the Mother's presence."

There must be another way, you tell her.

"Finding a way to walk in the World Without without being pulled there by a spirit is the stuff of legends, Osyki. Ayren would ask me to ferry him to Sylvia's palace sometimes, and if he could have, I'm sure he'd have walked there himself."

>>20538830
Thank her for the information. Although I'm sure this will cost us at some future point.

>You could use one of the unbound spirits in your Foci, but I'm not sure that any of them are powerful enough to carry you down into the Mother's presence
Just ask them.

And start making a list of possible, nice, spirit-free locations where our village could relocate to.

>>20538830
This would have been very useful to know beforehand.

Okay of our spirits which ones could do this? Maybe the Bone Warden one, that was reasonably strong, the one we picked up in the swamp might not be that powerful but him being attuned to the swamp might make things easier.

If those don't work out we'll have to ask one of the unbound spirits here and I don't think they'll be all that agreeable.

>>20538875

"Thanks, Boand." you say into the mental link. "I suppose your usual rates apply?"

"You know it, Totemist!" she says, and you can see the impish grin on her face. "Bring me something nice the next time you stop by my pool now.~"

You smile despite your frustration, allowing the link to drop. Consulting Thane, Cordia, or the Rock Turtle spirit would require unbinding them from their Foci. Just to be perfectly sure you summon Tryd and Amal to your side, each appearing in a burst of shimmering flame. They both confirm your suspicions: even if they were capable of pulling someone with such great spiritual presence as yourself onto their side of the veil, they would be snuffed out in the Mother's very presence. You sigh, dismissing them.

You glare through closed eyes at the path of light. It taunts you with its sparkles.

With a heavy sigh you glance around to the insect spirits floating through the air. You doubt they'd be amenable to your requests, but they seem to be the most available option. You reach out to gently tap one when a sharp hiss catches your attention.

Your head snaps to the right. A familiar snake-man sits behind you, tail coiled nervously around himself.

"Don't want to be disturbing the Hive, slaver. They'll snap us all up if you wake them. Better to let them sleep in their pollen haze for now."

Siperco glances around in disbelief.

"Hard to believe you made it this far."

>>20539007
Smile at him, shrug.

Point at ourself, point at the pillar. Mime walking with our fingers. Look at him with a pleading look in our eyes.

>>20539007
>"Bring me something nice the next time you stop by my pool now.~"
ಠ_ಠ. Simply jumping down the cliff seems to become a better option by the minute. Or perhaps that splatter jump we thought about earlier.

>"Hard to believe you made it this far."
Try to convey to him that we have not the slightest clue how to get to the place where we want to go.
If he knows the one benign spirit in this swamp, now would probably a good time to tell us.

>>20539007
What are we currently using the bone warden and the snake spirit for?

>>20539177
The Bone Warden, Cordia, is attached to our chainmail. It means we don't have to and can't breathe.

The snake is attached to our bow, it makes the arrows poison and kill whatever they hit.

>>20539224
Let's try the snake, then. I doubt we want to breathe the air over here, especially after that comment Siperco made.

>>20539177

The Bone Warden is bound into your armor, making Warden's Disregard.

The Snake Spirit is currently bound into your bow, making Snakebite Aqua.

>>20539095
>>20539036

You stare at the man for a moment, contemplating putting an arrow in him before giving him a smile and a shrug. You point to the pillar, mime walking with your fingers, then shrug.

"Ah. Stuck at the big drop. I can see how that might be a problem. What, no spirit to ride down to her?"

You shake your head ruefully.

"Shame, makin' it all this way with no plan for the endgame."

You grimace at him, then offer you hand. He stares at it for a long moment.

"Gimmie one good reason I should help you out, Slaver." he says. His tone doesn't sound entirely opposed to his idea, unlike his words. There is a hint of quiet desperation in his voice.

Time to broker a deal. Take the bonewarden armor off. Ask him if there is anything we can offer for assitance, within reason.

He kind of seems like he doesn't like this place, I wonder if he want's assistance leaving?

>>20539260
Signal for him to give us one minute. I think we can handle the pollen long enough to have a real short conversation and we won't be able to convince him with a game of charades.

Unbind Cordia for a short while.

I'm here to broker a deal of peace between the Mother of the Swamps and Lady Sylviannis of the forest. One of the main reasons behind this being to make sure that Behemoths and things that make Behemoths look weak don't go tromping around here destroying everything. I can take you away from this place if you want as you don't seem to like the Mother of the Swamp. I'll be able to do my job if you help, a job that consists of keeping this area safe from all sorts of nasties.

What do you want from me?

>>20539260
Couldn't he bring her our request for audience? We're practically waiting at the door, and nobody's answering.

Or just ask him what he wants. I'm sure we can part with one of our items as soon as we've left the swamp.

>>20539291
>>20539319

You hold up a hand, and as before Siperco backs up to give you some space. The armor seems to come undone a little more quickly this time, and you feel your lungs expand as Cordia's skull drops into your hand.

Then the smell hits you.

It is not an unpleasant smell by any stretch of the imagination. You take an involuntary breath in and find yourself taken by the extraordinary sweetness of the aroma around you. It is a heady aroma, and you find yourself knocked a little off balance by it.

Still, you must remain in control. You shake your head, as if to dispel the scent, and focus your attention on the spirit before you.


"I'm here to broker a deal of peace between the Mother of the Swamps and Lady Sylviannis of the forest," you begin. "One of the main reasons behind this being to make sure that Behemoths and things that make Behemoths look weak don't go tromping around here destroying everything. I can take you away from this place if you want as you don't seem to like the Mother of the Swamp. I'll be able to do my job if you help, a job that consists of keeping this area safe from all sorts of nasties."

Siperco's eyebrows shoot up his forehead, and his pupils dilate slightly at your speech. He seems as though you hit the nail on the head with that one.

"What do you want from me in exchange for passage to the Mother of the Swamp?" you finish.

He considers this for a moment. "Get me the hell out of here." he says in a low voice. "I don't care where. Take me to the forest, take me to wherever you come from. I don't want to feel eyes on my back and teeth nipping at my underscales every waking minute. You get me out of here, and I'll provide you passage to the Mother."

I cannot guarantee you a place in the forest, it is not my domain to command. However, I promise I will get you out of here and find you a safe place to call your own. If this is agreeable, then we have a deal.

>>20539406
Time for the manliest handshake ever.
"I agree. In return for providing me passage to the Mother, I will take you with me."
Bind Cordia again and get moving.

>>20539406
I'll do what I can.

I'm sorry but you may have to be sworn to my service for the protection granted to me under the terms of parley to apply to you, I don't know the details but if it's an independent spirit bringing me across it might not apply. If you're in my service there is a direct line from you to Sylviannis that ought to help you and keep you from direct retribution from the Mother, hopefully.

I swear upon my station as a Totemist, on my link between this world and the world without, that I will let you out of my service whenever you should choose after leaving the swamp and this is only a formality to make sure that you live through this and I can fulfill my side of the bargain.

>>20539441
>>20539432
>>20539427

You nod. "I agree." you say, extending your hand. "I'll do what I can. In return for providing me passage to the Mother, I will take you with me."

Siperco's eyes light up, an interesting feat for a snakeman with black scleras. "Yes! Excellent." he says, forked tongue darting in and out of his mouth. He takes your hand, shaking it firmly. "

"
I swear upon my station as a Totemist, on my link between this world and the world without, that I will let you out of my service whenever you should choose after leaving the swamp and this is only a formality to make sure that you live through this and I can fulfill my side of the bargain." you say. Siperco seems comforted by that, and nods.

"Hang on, Totemist." he says. "This'll be a bumpy ride."

[[Sorry for the delay. Went to make myself a snack.]]
(Cont)

>>20539783

The hand clasping yours tightens, and for a moment the world seems to slide out from beneath you. You see Siperco's eyes glow a vibrant gold, and the world fades. You can see yourself slowly dissolving, your spirit loosening to slip the bonds of the material plane. A strange, misty quality overtakes the swamp, and the color washes out much like the climax of a Feral Binding. There is no surge of triumph here, however. Only a sense of disconnection and a ethereal glow.

Slowly, the swamp around you transforms. Pinpricks of color illuminate the monochrome around you as spirits fade into view. On the other side of the veil, the indistinct spirits are much sharper, much more real. The Dryad watches the two of you from her tree home, in this realm a massive elm with a house built into its innards. The insect spirits float high above you now, each easily the size of a man, chattering in a high-pitched tongue. Siperco himself has shifted forms, his human visage swapped out for that of a terrible snake. He gives you a nod, speaking to you in hissing tongues.

"Let'sss get moving, Totemissst. They wont let usss go unnoticcced for long."

He nods his head toward the crater. A winding road of very real glass leads to the center of the crater, where the throne has been enveloped by a castle of vines and flowers.

"Thingsss are not asss they ssseem in the Material Plane." he says, noting the surprised expression on your face. "This is a realm of truth."

>>20539833
Nod, try talking to say "Understood", see if we can speak in this realm even with Warden's Disregard equipped.

Follow his lead, head across the glass road. We've got negotiations to perform.

>>20539833
Let's get moving.

>>20539833
Woo! Totemist Quest. Totes the awesomest quest

Anyway, basically just >>20539867

Gah, I gotta go to bed OP. Keep up the great work.

>>20539867

You nod. You notice that you are still drawing breath, and glance down to find Cordia's focus missing from your grasp. There is a momentary panic that fills your heart before a slender finger taps you on the shoulder.

You turn to see your emaciated friend giving you a smile. The expression seems strange on her face.

"Come, Totemist." she says. "Let us walk the Road of Flowers."

You follow her and Siperco to the edge of the road of glass, stepping onto it after them with only the barest hints of nervousness. The transparent platform holds your weight without protest, however, and you are lead to the gates of the massive castle in short order.

The guards posted outside, two lizard-men in vine-wrapped tunics, stop the three of you at the door.

"State yer' business." one of them barks in a sharp language. It's not what you speak, but you understand none the less.

>>20540220
Oh right, we didn't put Warden's Disregard back on. I've gotten used to having it on.

"I am Osyki the Totemist. I am here on behalf of Lady Sylviannis to speak with the Mother of the Swamp."

>>20540264
Not much to add to that.
>Also going to bed, just in case the number of replies decreases.

>>20540264

Seconded.

>>20540264

You clear your throat and step past Siperco and Cordia, taking hold of the Link Pearl around your neck.

"I am Osyki the Totemist. I am here on behalf of Lady Sylviannis to speak with the Mother of the Swamp," you say. "Under her protection, I ask audience."

The guards look at each other, and for a moment you can see the gleam of imminent bloodshed in their eyes before the doors swing inward of their own accord. The look on their faces is pure surprise as they step aside, allowing you entrance.

The smell of flowers is stronger than ever in the castle. The walls seem to be crafted from vines and flowers, and an enormous cascading staircase of what seems to be a waterfall frozen in time leads up to a pair of floral double-doors. They open, and a figure strides out from them to meet you.

Her eyes are the gleam of dew on flower petals, and her hair is the vine of the swamp. There is an aura of feral beauty around her that escapes definition, and you can feel yourself wince as the spiritual pressure radiating outward from her batters you internally.

"Ah." she says, her voice soft and shot through with the verbal implication of decay. "Sylviannis sends her errand boy at last."

>>20540137
>>20540331

[[Sleep well, good anon. The quest may still be going in the morning. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep this evening.]]

>>20540363
Bow, show her the proper respect within her home.

"So it would seem Mother of the Swamp. I have been sent as herald and emissary for Lady Sylviannis to negotiate a contract of peace and cooperation between the two of you. One that would allow you to join your strengths against the myriad foes of the outside world.

Might I say in a purely personal capacity that your home is lovely beyond definition?"

>>20540363

Yep, dangerous folk these guys. What are they called actually? These major spirits like Sylvanis and Mother? Do we know something about them/their position/purpose/excistence ect?

We could respond something like:

"Well met, mother. (or another greeting according to etiquette.

"You're not an easy Spirit/Person to reach".

Scratch this. >>20540423

Go with this. >>20540410

>>20540423
Well Sylviannis and the Mother are the living spiritual embodiments of the Forest and the Swamp respectively. They are the ones who command and rule over their respective territories. In short they are extremely powerful. Their purpose is probably to protect their lands and perhaps expand them.

I'm not Diarca so I could be slighty off in details and as for what they are called I don't know what to call them other than major spirits or their names.

>>20540453

Yes indeed. I'm kinda interested to learn more about them, they seem.. intriguing..

Also, we have to remember to check the visinity of your shack and village with this new ability of ours.. maybe our master left us something there. Hidden perhaps until we were strong enough.

But that aside, let's focus on the task at hand. We're here to broker a cooperative defence agreement with Sylvanis and Mother yes?

>>20540410

You offer the Mother as deep a bow as you can muster without toppling over from the waves of energy that radiate from her. Siperco follows suit, his forehead nearly touching the ground.

"So it would seem, Mother of the Swamp," you say in a respectful tone. "I have been sent as herald and emissary for Lady Sylviannis to negotiate a contract of peace and cooperation between the two of you. One that would allow you to join your strengths against the myriad foes of the outside world."

You glance up, forcing a small smile to your face.

"And might I say in a purely personal capacity that your home is lovely beyond definition?"

She smiles at this, revealing alternating rows of thorns and razor-sharp teeth.

"You may, emissary. Rise. I will speak with you in the throne room. Alone," she adds, glancing at Siperco and Cordia. The former keeps his forehead to the ground, slithering backward out of the castle doors. The latter dissolves into motes of violet light. You feel a weight in your right hand as her skull Focus shimmers back into being.

Still slightly dazed, you follow the Mother into her throne room. Jeweled fish, bristling with spines and teeth, swim through pillars of halted water. The walls are the petals of a massive flower, and overhead what appears to be a replica moon sheds steely light on the room. The aroma here is intoxicating, and you find yourself wishing for the lack of breathe momentarily.

The Mother settles onto her throne, crosses her legs, and regards you as one might regard a particularly interesting insect. "So, Sylviannis wants to make peace. And what inspired that change of heart? Was it the shattered splinter, perhaps, that made kindling of her precious wood? Or is it simply a healthy sense of fear in my growing power?"

>>20540478
>>20540410

Go diplomat, go!

I think there has been some bad blood between these two in the past..

>>20540478
As you said Mother of the Swamp, I am but an errand boy. I am not privy to her inner thoughts and I would not wish to offend either of you with ill-reasoned conjecture.

I was told to make my way here and to broker a contract of peace between the two of you.

>>20540513

On your chest, your Link Pearl glows. You can see Sylviannis in your mind's eye, and the same spring breeze that alleviated the pressure of the Magus's influence washes over you. The pollen-laden scent is swept away, replaced by the soft smell of cherries and damp earth. You feel your senses return to you.

"Tell her of the battle we fought, Osyki. Her lands are not guarded as mine are, and with beings of that nature on the loose, all her power will count for naught if she does not see the benefits of merging our strengths. It is her responsibility as the Land Guardian to make the move that would result in the most benefit for those who live in her realm."

Sylvia looks uncomfortable for a moment, and you can feel it through the link.

"Find out what it will take to make her see reason, Osyki."

>Time for Osyki the Silver Tongued to make his return! 1d100 and speech.

rolled 44 = 44

>>20540579
Mother of the Swamp, I personally fought with the splinter of the Magus. And even but a splinter of him is a terrible foe indeed. One who took all the strength I had and more to best. I have no doubt in my mind that beings who can stand on equal ground with the Magus in his entirety, and perhaps those who are stronger will in time fall upon us.

Even as the strongest oaks of the forest can be broken and burned your lovely swamp can be attacked as well. Your pollen dispersed, the Hive awoken with furious anger that in madness would attack all that they see. Your precious flowers trampled.

I would hate to see such a beautiful sight ravaged. I have walked in your lands and even one such as myself can see that they are difficult to defend, and even if you should triumph against the foe you and the swamp would be grievously wounded.

If you two don't work together then eventually something will come and with you divided and weakened from your conflict it will crush the both of you in turn and there is nothing I can do to stop it. If you work together we can prevent such things from happening.

For the sake of all of our homes I humbly request, not as a Totemist, emissary or errand boy, but as Osyki of the village I live in, that you bury the conflict you and Sylviannis hold for the sake of the futures of all of our lands and the things we hold dear.

rolled 53 = 53

>>20540641
Decent roll, I was hoping for higher but oh well.

>>20540641

Well spoken, 'Osyki' :)

rolled 4 = 4

>>20540641

>[[44+20 for decently thought out speech = 64]]

You bow once more, then rise and begin to speak. You tell the Mother of the Swamp of your village and the people you are sworn to protect. You tell her of your terrible battle with the Splinter, and how it nearly cost you your life, and the lives of those you care for most.

You speak of power, and the difference between the power of the individual and the power of a bond between comrades in arms. Of the unbreakable nature of a true pact between two like-minded individuals, sworn to protect and support.

You speak of the beauties and dangers you have encountered in her swamp. You lavish praise onto her spirit realm castle, but more than that you praise the simple beauty of the Material swamp, of the harmony of nature and the beautiful blooms.

You speak of fear, terrible fear. Fear of destruction. Fear of ruin. For her. For yourself.

You bend your knee and kneel before the Mother of the Swamp, daring to look her in the eye.

"For the sake of all of our homes I humbly request, not as a Totemist, emissary or errand boy, but as Osyki of the village I live in, that you bury the conflict you and Sylviannis hold for the sake of the futures of all of our lands and the things we hold dear."
(Cont)

>>20540734

For a moment, you see beyond the veil of magic that the Mother has superimposed over her features. You see through to the kindly old spirit, worried for her creatures, for her people. The mask rises again quickly enough, but the walls that come with it do not. The Mother leans forward in her seat, regarding you in a new light.

"It is not often that a creature from the Material has a chance to speak in this court, Totemist. You have not wasted your opportunity with meaningless words, and this pleases me."

She looks to the floral walls all around her.

"When your foe came for you, it swept over my land in a torrent of dark flame. I was thankful that it had not alighted on my land, but now I see that good fortune will not keep the threats of the world at bay for long."

She sweeps her hand upward. "Rise, Totemist. I will agree to a deal with Sylviannis. For her cooperation in the defense of our mutual lands, and for her continued noninterference in my expansion away from her borders, I will keep her and hers safe."

>>20540758
I believe that the Lady Sylviannis will find those terms agreeable. I thank you for your wisdom and understanding.

A question, when you say you shall keep her and hers safe am I included among that number? Does this mean I can traverse your lands without fear of being unduly hunted?

I have a request purely of a personal nature that has nothing to do with the business between yourself and Sylviannis. My master, Aryen Overwake met the foe that brought his end within your swamps. I would like to know where the lair of the Basilisk Wyrm who was his final foe is. I desire to pay my respects and perhaps take a memento of the beast.

>>20540806

Supported.

>>20540806

"I believe that the Lady Sylviannis will find those terms agreeable. I thank you for your wisdom and understanding." you say, rising form your bent knee. The Mother reclines on her throne, looking troubled.

"Does this agreement mean that I will be safe to cross your lands?"

"I will not visit harm upon you, Totemist, but I do not control the hunger of the creatures in my land. You will need to be careful, but I doubt it will be quite so dangerous as your trip today."

You smile. As you turn to leave, however, something strikes you. Facing the Mother once more, you let out a long sigh, gripping the skull in your hand tight.

"I have a request purely of a personal nature that has nothing to do with the business between yourself and Sylviannis. My master, Aryen Overwake met the foe that brought his end within your swamps. I would like to know where the lair of the Basilisk Wyrm who was his final foe is. I desire to pay my respects and perhaps take a memento of the beast."

The Mother's face grows grim. "I know of the lair of this beast, Totemist. Its fall was a great boon to my power, and the beginning of my true expansion. Its lair is known to me, but I warn you: terrible things nest there now. Not so terrible as the Wyrm itself, perhaps, but still more than enough to slay a dozen men in cold blood. Do you truly wish to know the location of this beast's lair?"

>>20540851
Diarca, how long has it been since Aryen died? Because damn the Mother moves fast if that was the beginning of her true expansion and so do the things that moved in.

I do not know if I will visit it today with the forewarning you have given me. But I truly desire to know the location. It is where my Master met the fatal blow that spelled his end. It would be disrespectful for me to shy away from this knowledge.

Do you have details, more specific knowledge of what things dwell within its former lair? I prefer to know of a threat beforehand so I can prepare and plan.

Did you know my Master? I confess he was a man who kept much hidden from even me. He rarely showed his true face, if indeed what I thought of as his true face was not another mask.

>>20540895

Again, supported.

>>20540895

I'm also somewhat concerned that it seems that Mother didn't help our Master with the matter.. He did die of poison right? Something which is her field of knowledge yes?

>>20540980
That is somewhat suspicious. However Aryen was a stubborn guy who didn't like going to anyone for help. He also wasn't on the best terms with Sylvia, and his relation with the Mother isn't known.

Also it was a Behemoth, those things are some of the nastiest, toughest beasts you can find. I wouldn't be surprised if anything that the Mother or Sylvia tried couldn't have saved him from the poison no matter what.

>>20541005

Could be true. The more I think about this, the more I'm interested of knowing Mother's relationship with our Master.

>>20541005

Which also reminds me that we need to find a totem to give us poison immunity. Would be kinda ironic to have the same fate as Aryen.

>>20541053
It's a good thing to be interested in. I think we earned some of her respect today so I don't think she's going to mind us asking a bit as she might kinda like us now.

>>20541066
Always a good thing to have. The Ykree we just bound might have something for that. Though it'd have to be no ordinary poison immunity thing to beat a Behemoth's poison. But it'd help a lot against other toxins.

>>20541082

Very true. Specially when Aryen probably did think about it before hand.. but then again, what if he didn't? And if so, why?

Maybe I'm just thinking too far ahead though. But haven't really researched into the death of our Master yet haven't we?

>>20541098
We've been busy, setting things up at home, dealing with crises, getting some basic totems so we're not defenseless.

We haven't had much of a chance. Now we can talk to the Mother about it and maybe even visit the lair where he was poisoned. It's pretty open and shut, he made one small mistake, got poisoned, killed the Wyrm, came home, died from the poison.

>>20541113

Priorities are of course of the essence. Maybe we could in addition to checking the lair later on (or now, but sounds dangerous) consult our shadow spirit who hides things on the matter. He should have insight on it if there is something odd.

And if not, even better. We have things to do and beast to collect.

>>20540895

[[It has been about a week since Ayren died.]]

You consider her words carefully. Every moment that your village is without you is another moment of danger, even if Sylvia is watching over it. Reluctantly, you answer her.

"I do not know if I will visit it today with the forewarning you have given me. But I truly desire to know the location. It is where my Master met the fatal blow that spelled his end. It would be disrespectful for me to shy away from this knowledge. "

The Mother nods. "When you are ready, I will have you lead to the beast's lair, Totemist. You need only come here and ask me."

"Do you have details, more specific knowledge of what things dwell within its former lair? I prefer to know of a threat beforehand so I can prepare and plan. " you tell her, turning over possibilities in your mind.

"The Basilisk Wyrm was a beast of virulent poison and powerful magic. Its lair is shrouded to me, even now, but whatever has the strength to feed on its corpse is likely incredibly venomous as well."

"That would make sense," you concede. "Did you know my Master? I confess he was a man who kept much hidden from even me. He rarely showed his true face, if indeed what I thought of as his true face was not another mask."

The Mother shakes her head. "My meetings with your master were brief. He approached to ask for permission to travel through my lands, which I granted him on the condition that he leave my children unenslaved. When the Basilisk Wyrm awakened, he told me of his intent to slay it before it had the chance to wander into the world, which I also agreed to. That is the extent of my interaction with him."

>>20541186
Thank you very much. When I have prepared myself I will come again.

I have noticed that I am often called "spirit slaver" in your lands. Is there a particular reason for this term of address as opposed to Totemist?

I'm currently debating whether to tell her about the Ykree that we bound.

There's a few possibilities, either she knows and doesn't care, knows and is testing us to see if we're willing to be honest about this sort of thing, doesn't know and won't care and doesn't know and will be extremely displeased if we reveal it. But if she doesn't know she'll probably find out eventually and no matter what she'll probably react better if we tell her right now instead of having her find out in other ways. So I think it's best to very humbly tell her and apologize for our transgression.

Mother of the Swamp I must confess that I have bound one of your children. When traveling through the swamp I encountered a hostile Ykree. Upon defeating it I bound it, I hope this is not objectionable to you.

>>20541186

A week? Damm.. I was under the impression that it has been several months already.

Shrouded.. Perhaps when it's time to venture there, we could try to pry more information through that shadow guy Thane.

Outside of that, I think there isn't much to do here. Politely dismiss yourself and head towards home.

Also, try to find that guy who brough us to the spirit world, we've got Siperco's pact to keep.

>>20541224

This. We're a honest young lad.

>>20541258

[[Actually going to cap the thread here tonight, before this drowsiness catches up with me. I'll be running a second session tomorrow afternoon around 2 PM PST, so hopefully I'll catch you all then. Thanks for the thread, folks. See you tomorrow.]]

>>20541273
Thanks for running it, I'll see you then.

>>20541273

Thank you for the game.

What time would that be in Sweden then, can't seem to find a converter for finding the time here.

>>20541258
He might be able to help with the shroud, though we'll probably have to be close by.

We do not go there until we have giant buckets poison resistance. As poetic as it would be dying from poison is not on my list of priorities.

>>20541303
15:00 4chan time.

>>20541309

Awesome. See you too then tomorrow at 15:00.

>>20541309
>>20541321

Fuck this. If my last post was 06.49 4chantime, and the will be at 15:00 4chantime.. it'll be like .. 21:00 hours here.

Ah, I'll still make it. Good.