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. You have unwittingly empowered one of your spirits with raw, elemental earth, and intend to see just how far the limits of her new power can stretch. After some experimenting you made a batch of Totems to take to the village healer, and perhaps flirt with her apprentice on your way.

>What will you do?

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[[Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=totem

The Cast Thus Far: http://pastebin.com/uwRsEHcX ]]

>>20994964
Look into her eyes.

"Elana, there is nothing I would like to do more than go hiking with you tomorrow. Might I rely upon the pleasure of your company?

We could even find some rare herbs, plants, and materials while we're out together."

>>20994964
fuck yeah totemist quest! just caught up, and this is the first one i have ever caught going on

Rolled 77

>>20994946
Hi Diarca! I'm currently using your setting to run a Totemist game for a friend of mine. I started it up between threads, so I would like to ask if its alright to use your world to play around in, and if you have any advise for running.

>>20995053
Seconding this

>>20995076
[[That's awesome! What system are you running it in? I'd love to know more about this, so you should absolutely send me an email at the mailing list address.]]

>>20995053

You smile, staring her in the eye. She still seems dazed, fingers twitching slightly over the spot where your lips met her skin.

"Elana, there is nothing I would like to do more than go hiking with you tomorrow. Might I rely upon the pleasure of your company? We could even find some rare herbs, plants, and materials while we're out together."

She giggles a little, breaking the spell. With downcast eyes she nods, a silly little grin forming on her lips.

"That... sounds like fun, Osyki." she says softly. "I'd love to."

>>20995180
Hey Diarca, was a bit worried when I saw it was getting to be 8p and still no Totemist.

Might want to find a way to hide Elana's presence; I doubt the Magus has given up on her. A small perfume totem that changes how she looks in spirit vision might do it.

>>20995180
Silver tongue is BACK BABY.

>>20995180
As tempted as I am to kiss her again I think that her head would explode.

"Did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to go or are we winging it?"

So what time is it now, and what's still on our itinerary?
Tomorrow, the Elders will tell us how to handle the other humans we saw, where to put the river, and any totems they need replaced.
Did we make those extra pest-repellent totems?
If we didn't already, we should stop by the granary, see what's happening there.
Also one for the Matron's food store?
That would also give us an excuse to visit our sister and Terra.

Rolled 17

>>20995180
Message sent.

>>20995284

You nod. "Alright, then. Did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to go or are we winging it?" you ask, arching an eyebrow. She stares for a moment, then shakes her head as if to collect herself.

"T-there's a small mountain spring not too far past where those Rock Turtles nest. The goat path should lead us right to it if we follow it a ways. It's just a nice place to relax with your thoughts. I thought that maybe we could have a nice picnic, if you're not too busy with your totems."

>>20995053
Hopefully one of those herbs is an abortifacient.

>>20995508
The pleasure would be mine. I do have some business with the elders but I expect it won't be until the afternoon.

>>20995508
"That sounds like a lovely time.
But just to be sure..."
Can we send a quick question to Boa, like just ask whether or not the spring is cursed or has a hostile guardian or whatever?

"The pleasure would be mine. I do have some business with the elders but I expect it won't be until the afternoon." You say, laying a hand on hers. "It sounds like a lovely time, but just to be sure..."

You use your free hand to draw the Link Pearl from your shirt, focusing on it. Boa's presence swims into the back of your mind.

"Boa, I don't suppose there happen to be any cursed springs or hostile naiads in the mountains, are there?" you ask.

"Not that I know of," she says with a confused tone. "Most of the springs in the mountain are too small to have sentient spirits attached to them. Why?"

>>20995672
*smug* " I have a date with an angel."

Also, reemphasizing the need to have some kind of protection/misdirection on Elana for when she leaves the village.

>>20995672
"I'd like to have at least one day that doesn't devolve into a fight to the death."

>>20995672
While we have her on the line, should we tell her about Cordia, just to see if she sees it as significant?

>>20995737

You chuckle within your mind. "I'd like to have at least one day that doesn't devolve into a fight to the death. Besides, I have a date with an angel."

You cut off her mewl of interest and surprise before it can properly begin, dropping the pearl back into your shirt. You'll pay for that later, like as not.

Elana looks at you expectantly. You give her a thumbs up, nodding. "No nasty surprises lying in wait," you say, "at least none that we should know about up front. Now there's just the matter of keeping you hidden when we're out of the radius of our masking totems."

Elana looks troubled by that. "Any ideas?" she asks hopefully.

>Any ideas, Totemist?

>>20995857
"Not entirely sure yet, we have the obfuscation network in the village, might be able to create something that makes a sympathetic link between it and the masking totems. Saves us a lot of work if we can do that."

>>20995857
Oh yes. A perfumed totem, to disguise both scent and spirit. Or offer locks of hair to spirits of the wind, to scatter her presence across the land. A cloak to hide her in shadows as long as her shadow is covered by it, or a mask to make her seem like someone else.

>>20995857
...I take it just carrying one around wouldn't work right?

>>20995857
We could ask Thane couldn't we?
He seems to be an expert at obfuscation.

Rolled 33

>>20995857
make a new Totem ...

use a locket inside place a small gem and a single tear wrap the outside in a small silver silk ribbon. charge it with energy see what happens.

alternative look for a personal grade clock/hide Totem

>>20995891
seconding this.
but if he doesnt have any cheap ideas, go with this
>>20995885

>>20995923
Well, I meant to throw out a bunch of ideas, not use them all.

Have we tried binding Thane to a cloak? It's practically guaranteed to be something stealthy. Maybe a circlet would be better, something to hide presence, not render invisible. A ring, maybe? (heh)

You nod, rubbing your chin with the hand not occupied by cupping hers. "I think I've got one or two ideas. Shouldn't be too hard to pull off. Let me consult with my resident stealth spirit," you say, plucking at the shoulders of Nocturne's Embrace, "and I should have something whipped up by morning."

She nods, looking relieved. "Good. Good. I guess you'd better get back to work, right? I mean, I have some patients I need to tend to. Not that I don't want to spend time with you! I mean, I do! I just... you..."

You put a finger to her lips, shaking your head. She falls silent at once.

"Relax. I'll stop by tomorrow morning with the new totem and then we'll head out, alright?"

She nods.

"Good. Then go tend to your wounded." you say, withdrawing your hand with a smile. "And I'll see you tomorrow."

She nods, wrapping you suddenly in a tight hug. "Night, Osy." she mutters before slipping inside.

>>20995891
That's a good point. And once again, I'd like to suggest we expand the obfuscation network to the entire countryside. Forest, swamp, and mountain. Not only will we blind him to the village's location, we will blind him to the entire region. Leave him stumbling blind in the dark while we prepare traps and strikes from cover.

>>20995954
It wouldn't work for anyone but us would it?

>>20995979
Let's drop off the totem for the granary before we head home.

>>20995981
Right, forgot that detail. Asking Thane is a really good idea, so we should get on that after dropping off the ward and visiting Aurora and Terra.

You set off toward the northwest side of town, where the farmers take advantage of the fertile grassland soil to plow their fields. The granary is stored there, watched over by a pair of farmers. The Slayer's home is located fairly near to here as well, though at this time of night the only guards you're likely to see are those on patrol.

You reach the large structure quickly. There's only one good place to tuck the totem, and that's just above the doorframe. You step inside and tuck the charm over the protruding wooden slats, rattling the frame to ensure slamming the door wont knock it loose. Satisfied, you head for the raising house.

When you arrive it is very close to bedtime. The children are finishing their dinners, though you see some who have finished early reading simple books or constructing forts of blankets and pillows. Aurora is at your side seconds after you walk in the door, clinging to your leg.

"Osy!" she says brightly. "I missed you."

>>20996158
"Hello little one, I missed you too. Have you been good?"

>>20996158
"I missed you too. Have you been behaving properly, not causing too much trouble for the matrons?"

>>20996158
"I missed you too. Have you been good? No impromptu adventures? No skipping out of lessons?"

>>20996158
"Aurora, it's so good to see you again!"

You stoop down, scooping her up into a hug. "Hello little one, I missed you too." you say, squeezing her until she thumps on your back for release. "Have you been good? Not causing too much trouble, right? No adventures, no skipping town in the middle of lessons?"

"It's good to pray for miracles," comes a wry voice to your right. "She's ducked out of classes twice in the last week. I'm starting to think I need to put a bell on her."

You turn to see the young, raven-haired matron who helped you set up your apprentice tests.

"I get bells in my hair, then." Aurora proclaims, still wriggling in your grasp. "An' pretty braids."

>>20995954
Why not just take her virginity? It would presumably be a major enough life event to alter her magical signature.

>>20996344
"I think you'd look lovely with bells in your hair.

Though you should really not skip out on classes, I know they bore you sometimes, but if you want to grow up big and strong like me you've got to go to class."

>>20996345
that wouldn't completely change her identity or remove her ability to 'see the truth', whatever that means. Fun though it may be, it wouldn't solve the problem.

>>20996344
"Oh, come now. She can't be much worse than I was, can she?" Smile in a way that looks half innocent and half smug.

>>20996345
Blue board.

>>20996344
Bells, is it? A fine idea. I imagine you wish you'd thought of it when I was one of your wards. I would have drawn the line at the braids, I had enough of that with Elana.

>>20996434
>blue board

Fade to black.

"Oh, come now," you say with a roguish grin. "She can't be much worse than I was, can she? Besides," you say, turning to face your sister, "I think you'd look lovely with bells in your hair. You really should stick around for classes, though. Who knows what kind of useful stuff you're missing?"

"I don't -wanna- sit around and learn about the village." she says, pouting. "I wanna go out an' fight! I'm the best sword fighter in the whole house, you know I am!"

"Stick fighter," you correct her.

"Sword, stick, same thing! I wanna go beat up the bad guys!"

>>20996464
How does that work with our society?
Like I know that no one raised any eyebrows at us choosing Terra for our apprentice, but are the Slayers egalitarian?

>>20996464
You've gotta be able to beat up the bad guys who use words too, and if you don't beat them up with words everyone will say you cheated.

>>20996464
"It doesn't change the fact people won't want a stick fighter that doesn't know why they do what they do. If you really can't stay in there and pay attention for your sake, then please do it for me little one?" Give her a pleading look and then hug her.

>>20996464
Hand her a spare short sword, let her struggle to lift it. "There's a BIG difference. They move different, they weight different, and what works with one will not always work with another. You are good and you will be ready to really start training soon, but not just yet. You should learn EVERYTHING the matrons teach before leaving. I know I wish I had. Would have saved me a lot of lumps."

>>20996464
So you're a Slayer candidate, are you? Do you know what's most important for a warrior to know? When to use your sword and when to use your other tools. The Slayers don't just fight, they also man the defenses, scout out the land and sometimes they lead expeditions outside the village. Knowing what's in the village means you know what resources you have at hand and what the village needs from outside. Beating up the bad guys is less important than keeping the village alive.

>>20996494

[[Though the Slayers are composed entirely of male guards, there's no law or hard-and-fast rule aside from appeasing Walther's swollen ego to get in.]]

"You've gotta be able to beat up the bad guys who use words too, and if you don't beat them up with words everyone will say you cheated." you say, tapping her on the head. You are good and you will be ready to really start training soon, but not just yet. You should learn EVERYTHING the matrons teach before leaving. I know I wish I had. Would have saved me a lot of lumps."

The matron looks thanfully at you as Terra wanders in your direction, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Terra!" you say, addressing her. "Do you know what the most important tool a warrior has is?"

She stops in her tracks, thinking. "His shield?" she suggests.

"Close," you say, shaking your head. "Your mind. When to use your sword and when to use your other tools. The Slayers don't just fight, they also man the defenses, scout out the land and sometimes they lead expeditions outside the village. Knowing what's in the village means you know what resources you have at hand and what the village needs from outside. Beating up the bad guys is less important than keeping the village alive."

Aurora looks as though she is carefully mulling this over. "Alright," she relents. "I'll stick around for classes."

"Whatcha doin' here Osyki?" Terra asks.

>>20996653
Part of the ever-glamorous work of a Totemist.
Pest Control.

>>20996653
It's been a while since I saw my sister here, and I wanted to drop off a small present for the Matrons. How are you, Terra? Do you like your little present?

>>20996653
"Perhaps the most difficult task I have ever found thrust upon me, convincing Aurora to stop skipping class.

Did you like your present, though I suppose that isn't the best term as you did most of the work."

You shake your head. "It's a two-part mission. The first is the ever-glamorous work of a Totemist: Pest control." you say, holding up the final totem. Terra snorts with contained laughter. "The other being perhaps the most difficult task I have ever found thrust upon me, convincing Aurora to stop skipping class."

Aurora glares daggers at you for a moment, but Terra shrugs.

"Did you like your present? Though I suppose that isn't the best term as you did most of the work."

Terra nods, grinning brightly. "Yeah, it's awesome!" she says grinning ear to ear. You can see that one of the matrons has strung the amulet on a smaller cord for her. "I can't wait to make the next one!"

>>20996766
"The first one is fun. The twenty after that are interesting. Twenty-two to one hundred are boring as your master turns over his work to you in the name of education. Then you get good at it and start experimenting, and that's fun again. You've got a talent for this Terra, if your first is any indication, though Quinn might have us both beat."

>>20996766
"I hope you can keep your enthusiasm. There's a lot of totems that need to get made and your help would be appreciated."

>>20996766
"Oh, I think I can come up with a few things you could make next time we have an adventure. But I have a task for you, little Totemling. I want you to write down what you did, and how you did it, and I want you to write down why it worked the way it did, as best you understand it. I'll pick it up next time I visit, OK?"

That little bit of homework will help Terra understand how her budding powers work, and will tell us how much she understands (giving us an accurate guide on her progress as a totemist, I suggest we start doing the same to Quinn. Have them keep journals. In the future, they can look back and compare their fuure skills to their beginnings, and they might share some insights in how it all works, and if they need to choose a young totemling, the notes and journals can serve as a good introduction, explaining things in terms the young will understand.

You grin. "I hope you can keep up your enthusiasm." you say. "The first one is fun. The twenty after that are interesting. Twenty-two to one hundred are boring as your master turns over his work to you in the name of education. Then you get good at it and start experimenting, and that's fun again. You've got a talent for this Terra, if your first is any indication, though Quinn might have us both beat."

"Eh?" she says, narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean, he has me beat?"

You shrug. "He's off experimenting away, coming up with new Totem designs. Before we know it he'll be the best totem-crafter in the village, and we'll be out of a job." you say with melodramatic melancholy.

"No way!" Terra roars, shaking her tiny fist. "I've gotta catch up to him!"

You crack a smile. "Oh, I think I can come up with a few things you could make next time we have an adventure. But I have a task for you, little Totemling. I want you to write down what you did, and how you did it, and I want you to write down why it worked the way it did, as best you understand it. I'll pick it up next time I visit, OK?"

She nods fiercely. "I'll go start right now!" she says, bolting off to the cabinet where writing supplies are kept.

The matron shakes her head, gratefully taking the proffered charm. "Just tuck it away in the kitchen," you explain. "It should keep out the pests."

"Thank you Osyki." she says with a small bow. "Is there anything I can do for you in return?"

>>20996899
Just do what you have been, making up for Aurora and Terra's enthusiasm which borders on a lack of self-preservation.

>>20996899
"Keep my sister alive and out of trouble until she's the Slayers problem. Well, mostly out of trouble, she's my sister after all. Although, that does remind me, are there any totems or charms that my master had here? Most of them will have faded with his passing, and I've been trying to replace as many as I can."

>>20996899
"Just make sure Terra and Aurora don't set anything, especially themselves, on fire through one of their misadventures. I shudder to think of what the two of them would do if we put them together.

Keep an eye on them, let them wander a bit and find their own way, but pick them up when they fall and try to keep them from getting more than bumps and bruises from a bad idea."

You shake your head, wearing an easy smile. "Just make sure Terra and Aurora don't set anything, especially themselves, on fire through one of their misadventures. I shudder to think of what the two of them would do if we put them together."

The Matron's expression grows dark for a moment, and she shakes her head ruefully. "You have no idea." she says in the kind of voice usually reserved for survivors of a mass slaughter. "You just... maybe you should stick around one of these days, Osyki. You'll see."

You chuckle nervously at the expression on her face. "R-right," you say, glancing at Aurora's smiling face. "That does remind me, are there any totems or charms that my master had here? Most of them will have faded with his passing, and I've been trying to replace as many as I can."

The matron shakes her head. "No, I don't think so. The totems that we keep around here are very simple, so I think they've by and large stayed intact. I'll double check, if you like."

Oh man I'm late!

>>20997035
"Please do, it would be no trouble to replace any that have broken. I might even be able to fob the the work off on Terra.

Nobody ever tells you how much fun it is to have minions."

>>20997035
"Just tell me if anythings wrong the next time we see each other if it's not important, if it is you can send a message or come visit me and it will be a pleasure for me to replace them. I think I'll leave you, since it's getting pretty late and I wouldn't want to keep the children awake."

>>20997035
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble. I'd like to make absolutely sure the raising house has access to all it's totemic facilities."

You nod. "Please do. It wouldn't be any trouble to replace what you've lost. Besides, it'll be good training to fob off on Terra." you say with a grin. "Nobody ever tells you how fun having minions is."

The matron shakes her head, clearly a little exasperated. "Like brother, like sister. You should hear about the black market of sweet cakes your little sister started a few weeks back. We're still weeding out her sources."

You laugh at that, Aurora looking a little too proud.

"Alright. I'll head out for the night before I rile up the kids any more before bed."

"Have a good night," she says, waving farewell.

"Night Osy!" Aurora calls after you.

>Where to?

>>20997135
Go see if the blacksmith has any broken totems, he's been a total bro to us multiple times in the past.

>>20997135
Seeing as it's getting late, probably just head back to our home.
The question is, should we summon Thane now, or wait until Midnight (or whenever night is darkest, which might be the kind of obscure knowledge a Totemist would be expected to learn) for added symbolic resonance.

>>20997135
I guess we go home, talk with Cordia/Thane for the protector offer/expedition tomorrow

>>20997135
THANE TIME

When you arrive back at your workshop, Quinn is nowhere to be found. You call out for him, used to his presence whenever you return, but there is no answer. Shrugging, you unload your pack onto the floor rather unceremoniously. You have spirits to bargain with.

You unwrap Nocturne's Embrace from your shoulders and strip the Stalker Pelt Focus from it, holding it in front of you. Once again, you find yourself struggling to make contact with Thane. As a spirit of darkness and obfuscation, you suppose that this is part and parcel of dealing with him. You certainly don't regret the level of comfort his stealth affords you when you're out fighting for your life in the field.

Still, it does make getting in contact inconvenient.

>1d100

Rolled 88

>>20997225
Thane, really useful but a pain in the neck to talk to.

Rolled 45

>>20997225
I forgot about this part.
Ah well, lets hope fortune decides to throw us a bone.

>>20997225
When do we need to give him that reduced blood paste?

Rolled 41

>>20997247
night of the New Moon.

Rolled 79

Here we go again. "Thane, I would speak with you."

>>20997247
New moon, whenever that is.

Rolled 20

>>20997225

Thane time indeed.

Rolled 97

>>20997284
...Or not.

>>20997290

Fortunately, it seems you've found the knack for this. When you feel the dark shape of Thane's presence swim away from you in the murky, ethereal fog of his pelt you lash out suddenly with your mind's eye, snatching hold of his presence and wrenching it outward without hesitation.

The room clouds slightly as Thane's shadowed shape slides from the air into an unoccupied chair. As always, his head is obscured in a veil of shifting fog of black, the rest of his body garbed in the strangely cut tunic that you've come to associate with him.

"Good evening, Totemist." he says in a voice like lacquered mahogany. The smell of rich wood smoke fills your nostrils for the briefest instant. "What can I help you with? The new moon isn't for another three days yet."

>>20997314
Well that answers that question. "My friend is pursued by a evil entity because of a certain talent she has. I was wondering what you might charge for hiding this from any and all prying eyes."

>>20997314
Well that takes care of the "when is the new moon" I suppose

"Thane, I'd like to ask a favor, in which I would like you to hide the presence of one of my friends to outside influence, at least for a time."

>>20997314
There are two matters.
The first is that tomorrow I will be going on a walk with someone very precious to me.
Unfortunately, she is highly valued by a very dangerous individual, who believes her to be his.
I would like to ask you if you have any insight in how I might ensure that his eyes do not fall upon her.

>>20997314
"Greetings, Thane. I'd like to know what manner of concealment you can provide for a friend of mine."

>>20997314
Well that answers that question.
"Greetings, Thane. I wished to consult with you on a very, very special totem I must create. It must perfectly hide the wearer from all magical or spiritual detection, or else make the wearer appear as a completely ordinary and unremarkable human. And I'm not the one who will be wearing it. It will be the greatest deception i have ever attempted. So, what do you think would be the best starting point?"

>>20997314
I have woven a net of obfuscation around this village to prevent the prying eyes of a certain individual from finding a friend of mine who is quite noticeable spiritually. I would like your advice and expertise on extending the same or similar protection to this friend for times spent outside the village."

>>20997314
"Good evening Thane. I have a problem that you are uniquely qualified to help me deal with. My childhood friend is being targeted by a being of immense power. She was born with a talent that was sealed not long after her birth, something to do with seeing truth. The creature's sight cannot yet pierce my wards around the village, but my friend is apprentice to the village healer and there are times when she must leave their protection to carry out her duties. Furthermore, the seal on her eyes has weakened recently, probably at the moment of my master's death. If it should fail, the wards will likely be insufficient to prevent her from being found. The latter problem is a worry for a later time, for now I ask if you might help me hide her from those who seek her when she leaves the village.

"Greetings, Thane." You say, offering your spirit a shallow bow. "I wanted to ask a favor. I have need of your aid. I have a problem, a problem you are uniquely qualified to assist me with. Tomorrow, I plan on taking a walk with a childhood friend of mine. My childhood friend is being targeted by a being of immense power. The creature's sight cannot yet pierce my wards around the village, but my friend is apprentice to the village healer and there are times when she must leave their protection to carry out her duties. Furthermore, the seal on her eyes has weakened recently, probably at the moment of my master's death. If it should fail, the wards will likely be insufficient to prevent her from being found."

Thane shifts forward slightly in his seat. It would appear you've caught his interest.

" I wished to consult with you on a very, very special totem I must create. It must perfectly hide the wearer from all magical or spiritual detection, or else make the wearer appear as a completely ordinary and unremarkable human. And I'm not the one who will be wearing it. It will be the greatest deception i have ever attempted. So, what do you think would be the best starting point?"

"Hmmm." he says, his tone like gravel in ale. "A uniquely challenging problem. By your friend, I presume you mean the healer's apprentice with the interesting seal hanging around her face. Miss Elana, if I remember correctly. Don't look so surprised," he says, sounding vaguely amused. "Information is my stock and trade, and I'm constantly hanging from your shoulders. I pick things up here and there. As for a Totem to aid you, I'm afraid I cannot help you. Totemcraft is not my purview. I can only form pacts, though I consider myself fairly skilled in that art."

He seems to think for a moment before extending a hand.

"What I can offer you is a deal."
(Cont)

"As you know, my powers are fueled by blood and obfuscation. With a sufficient volume of blood, and a binding pact, I can work fairly impressive feats. My power is limited by the one who I am obfuscating, of course, but if your dear friend is as powerful behind those seals as I think she is, that won't be a problem."

"So what's the deal?" you ask, watching Thane warily.

"Once a pool of blood is suffused with that of my pact-bearer, I can use the entire body for my skills. So what I propose is this: if you can provide me with enough blood to fill this workshop from top to bottom, and a pint of the girl's blood besides, I can hide her from the eyes of even the gods. And if you intend to take a walk in the morning, you will need to provide me with this blood tonight." he says, leaning back in his chair. "That is my deal."

>>20997623
well shit.

>>20997623
...That's a lot of blood
I don't think we're going to have enough, unless we go out hunting for raptors and shit during the night, which is going to fuck us up real bad

>>20997623
"That's an awful lot of blood.

Does it matter where the blood, other than Elana's, comes from? Are there any restrictions on location, time, and when it can be accomplished? Must the bulk blood and Elana's blood be at the same place at the same time?

>>20997623
An entire PINT of Elana's blood in a night? Oh no, not possible. The rest of the blood is easy; we need to grab some more feral bindings anyway. We're putting this thought on hold, but we're going to be seeing him about that very soon. While we're at it, could we reduce the amounts necessary by carrying out the ritual on the new moon nights? And will OYSKI be able to track her down once Thane cloaks her? Fat lot of good it does us to shield her only to lose her during a behemoth attack.

We're going to search Aryen's books for personal obfuscation charms and totems, and protection as well. We need to hide her just a little bit until we can find a more permanent solution, and every little bit can help.

>>20997623
"...That nicely segues into a second question I'd like to ask you.
As you probably already know, my first bindings were the nature spirit Amal, and the imp Tryd, both of which serve as my familiars.
My next binding was a Rock Turtle, who, when I manifested it, proved quite uncommunicative.
Cordia, who I bound the next day, regained the memories she had when she was human, although her appearance was still twisted by the hunger of a bone warden.
And next, was you, Thane. ...Apologies for the rather gruesome nature of that business.
At first I had thought the Rock Turtle was the outlier, and that it simply did not wish to speak with me, but when I bound my next two spirits, a Y'kree and most recently a Raptor, I had reason to reconsider.
You see, similar to the Rock Turtle, none of them seemed to be that intelligent, which makes logical sense, as they were all mere animals.
But then there's you. Not only are you able to speak to me, you're one of the more eloquent beings I've ever met. Once more, you have knowledge of shadow pacts and blood magic.
And while I mean no offense, I have my doubts as to whether you possessed such wisdom when you were a living Stalker.
So I suppose my question is, just what are you?"

>>20997696
Yeah, this isn't something we can really pull off tonight. It's definitely an avenue to consider for the future, but we aren't getting all that blood together in one night.

>>20997623
Also, ask if performing this pact will make him stronger and more able as a spirit. Also ask if there are unmentioned consequences to this ritual.

About how many gallons is he asking for? I'm asking because I'm not sure how big the workshop is.

>>20997720
Enough to fill a small swimming pool, I imagine. I think we can do it when we go dragon hunting, or the first time we kill a behemoth.

Do you think we could have another "donate to Osyki" blood drive?

>>20997744
If we're able to do this wherever and whenever we want we should get a pint of Elana's blood and bring it with us when we go hunting something big as I don't relish the thought of trying to bring all that blood back home.

But we'll have to find some protection in the interim, after talking to Thane I guess we're going to have to hit the books.

>>20997752
...Nah, this is a shitload more blood then went into those totems.
To be honest, I kind of find Thane even more unnerving than Cordia used to be.

Your eyes go wide. So much blood... you imagine the inside of your workshop swimming in carmine fluids, the workbenches floating on a tide of sanguine liquid. That in and of itself is quite the monumental task for the scant hours before tomorrow morning, but a pint of blood is a serious amount to lose in such a short time. You know that there's no way you'll be able to agree to his offer. Not now.

The idea of him using so much blood is a little unnerving, anyway. You'd have to kill a dragon or something of similar size and potency.

With a rueful sigh, you shake your head. "I'm sorry Thane," you say. "There's no way I can pull that off tonight. Still, it's a valuable offer and I'll keep it in mind. Would this pact make you stronger as a spirit?"

He chuckles. "Holding such a powerful pact would indeed fuel my personal progession. It's something I think you'd be pleased about. After all, as my power grows, so does your safety."

"Regardless," you continue, "It's not feasible for this evening."

"No," he says with a slight shrug, "I did not think it would be, though I had hoped to be pleasantly surprised. I must tell you that something of this magnitude can only be performed in proximity to the new moon, within three days time in either direction. Something to keep in mind while planning ahead."

>>20997835
"Thank you for your time and advice, Thane." dismiss him, then go looking through the books for a totem that will do the job we need.

>>20997835
"Maybe if I kill a few drakes or something I'll collect their blood. I don't know. It'd be useful certainly.

>>20997835
Are all Night Stalkers as skilled at obfuscation and blood pacts as you? Because in the other Feral Bindings I have made I have not noticed any intelligence or other abilities quite to the scale that you have aside from Cordia, who was a human once.

>>20997835
So there's a six night time limit on this one. We'd best buff up fast. Broaching this subject with Elana is like as to be troubling for all involved. Let's do it AFTER the date.

>>20997930
I've been wondering that myself, this guy's crazy good at what he does/

"Tell me, Thane," you say with narrowed eyes, "Are all Night Stalkers as skilled at obfuscation and blood pacts as you? Because in the other Feral Bindings I have made I have not noticed any intelligence or other abilities quite to the scale that you have aside from Cordia, who was a human once. Not only are you able to speak to me, you're one of the more eloquent beings I've ever met. Once more, you have knowledge of shadow pacts and blood magic. And while I mean no offense, I have my doubts as to whether you possessed such wisdom when you were a living Stalker. So I suppose my question is, just what are you?"

His rich chuckle fills the air again.

"A fine question, Totemist." he says, and though you cannot see his face you can hear the -smirk- in his tone as he speaks. "Your assessment is, on all counts, accurate. Ordinary stalkers are beasts. Clever, perhaps, but not especially well-spoken. I have pondered this question myself. I have quite a lot of time to think, riding around wrapped about your neck. I've come to a conclusion. Giving away information, however, is something that I try to limit. So instead, I'll give you a clue, and perhaps you can puzzle it out on your own. I encourage you to remember the circumstances that lead to our most auspicious meeting on the day of my binding. Perhaps with time, you'll come to understand as I have."

>>20997973
Uhh... he was part of a mob of beasts attracted to the blood we spilled to prepare the defensive totems. That was odd, actually, in that there were a whole variety of beasts working together. Of course we bound him by carving the runes straight into his hide, and then sliced it off entirely. Meta-wise, we didn't even roll so well on the binding. Well actually there was an 89, but you were going by the average back then.

In short: You lost me.

>>20997973
Hmm, well the energy of the blood spilling itself likely didn't affect anything directly, because that all went into powering the defensive totems. If it hadn't then the totems wouldn't work.
I'd think that perhaps the site of such a great battle might do it, like the souls of all those beasts somehow merging. But then if things worked like that, then wouldn't the raptor totem have had something similar occur?
We carved something like half of the runes of binding into that other particularly clever creature (I think it was a wyvern?) before doucheymcdoucherton came in and killed it. Perhaps we somehow inadvertently combined the two?

I can't think of anything else particularly significant that happened. Which probably means it wasn't something that we did. I'm stumped too.

>>20997973
"Thank you for the hint Thane. I'll be sure to ponder it.

How sure are you of your conclusion?"

Then bind him back up and hit the books for totems or other methods that will accomplish what we need done.

[[Falling asleep at the keyboard, unfortunately. I'll continue and finish up this thread tomorrow. Should return around 10 or 11 AM PST. Sorry for the interruption, but I'd hate to just disappear on you guys again.]]

>>20998055
Well the Stalker was active at an unusual time for stalkers, that might be part of it.

>>20998055
>>20998175
>>20998234
A thought: Thane is a Night Stalker. He was active during the day, after the Magus' Splinter walked into town and was killed. He might have been changed by the fallout.

>>20998247
Ah phooey. I suppose I shouldn't complain, I'm working early in the morning until then. Still.

>>20998247
It's okay. Have a good night.

>>20998175
True, but I think it's on the right track.
Like that day, we essentially worked on a very powerful cloaking spell that was powered by blood.
And concealment and blood seem to be what Thane is all about.

>>20998403
That seems like the right idea.

Of all of our bindings Thane is the most at odd with what we thought his origin was. All of the animal bindings look like their animal of origin. He's a gentleman in a robe, very unusual.

The cloaking blood powered totems gives us a good idea of why blood and obfuscation are his domains, and it may or may not be why he is exceptionally contract oriented.

From our first conversation with him, where he referred to the way of the Stalker I think he is still a Night Stalker, at least in part, but one who has been greatly modified by the circumstances of his binding. Though when we first summoned him he was spinning a severed claw around, perhaps the claw of the Stalker and he is in fact something different, something wearing the skin of a Stalker to obfuscate his true self.

I'm pretty sure he isn't an Avatar as that drawer is still locked, but with his powers he could be concealing that as well.

>>20998678
I'm not sure what a Stalker's diet is, but I could see how the theme of 'hiding things' could find some kind of... special significance with a Stalker?
Like they seem to be stealthy creatures, so it almost makes sense.
The only problem is that we hadn't completed the spell yet.
Like the blood was drawn, but not by our hand, and the totems themselves weren't completely assembled, like all the masks were still being crafted weren't they?
I think this might delve into theoretical toteming.
Like... how exactly does placing little wooden masks over vials of mixed blood, and do some chanting, make a spell that can hide this village from the eyes of what seems to be one of the most powerful beings on the planet?
Like could the so-called 'spirits of knowledge and truth' we made a pact with been... possessing the animals that attacked the village?

>>21000080
Here's a reminder of the ritual we did to make the cloaking spell.
>You move around the room, drawing the drapes and extinguishing all light in the room, save for a single flickering candle which Tryd lights for you with a snap of his fingers.

>You place the candle in the center of the table, careful to ensure that no wax drips on the masks below. In the flickering light they appear to be almost alive, the shadows dancing to and fro across the detailed faces and geometric patterns of their carved surfaces.

>"In the name of Osyki, link to the World Without, I offer a pact." you mutter, running your hand along one of the more lifelike masks. "Spirits of knowledge, spirits of truth, aid me in this clandestine bond."

>The candle flickers slightly, and you think that it may have taken on a bluish tint. Reaching into your pocket, you withdraw a handful of rosemary and rabbit fur. With a flick of your wrist, you toss it over the table. The pieces which catch the flame burst into small sparks, though the wood of the masks seems unaffected.

>"By my right as Totemist, I call upon you to shield this place from the prying eyes of those who would oppose it. Allow their gaze to slip through as light through a glass, their senses to fail them as readily as night falls. An offering of blood and sweat lies before you. Take it: it is yours."

>The shadows flickering across the rows of wooden faces seem to run like water at this, slipping in and out of the eye holes of each wooden face. The geometric patterns dance and weave in and out of one another, and the detailed faces laugh or cry as they are briefly given life.

>"In exchange, shield this place from harm. Where you are within the presence of one another, create a link of silence between yourselves."

>>21000155
>You reach out your hand, your outstretched palm hovering over the candle flame. You speak the last words quickly, though clearly, as the flames lick your flesh.

>"The Link demands your cooperation. Payment is given, and aid is received. Keep the secrets."

So... there are definitely enough potent similarities to our encounter with Thane to make me feel kind of worried.
The only sticking point, again, is that we killed the Stalker that Thane was in life before we did that ritual.

...Of course, that does raise some questions.
Like if we take Thane outside the cloaking spell, and manifest him, would he still be as he is now?
And what would happen if we went to the Spirit World via Boa's pond?
Actually we should ask if he'd like to have a chance to stretch his legs there regardless, or if he'd rather stay more incognito.

>>20998175
This bears investigating. Look into the binding ritual we use for feral binds. Are the 16 or however many runes we carve the exact number, or are they the minimum? Can we carve more runes, layering their power over each other?

From one point of view, There's the power of many people spilling blood for another. the act of charity itself may carry power in addition to the power of so much blood itself. Then there's the fact that many of them knew their blood would be used to hide them, so there's a lot of people all thinking of hiding the same thing all at once. Then there's the fact that, if I remember correctly, we didn't fist merge the stalker hide with anything until after the totems were built and installed. So there's a powerful energy field coupled with a desire to hide from many people, then a spirit of stealth is taken into a powerful totemic ward designed to hide things and bound. That combination of events might contribute to Thane's power.

Diarca, please supply a pastebin with knowledge of existing totems/bindings.
Useful info is useful.

>>20997973
Hang on.

This shit happened when we organised a mass bloodletting.

So what we bound wasn't necessarily a stalker, but instead a spirit greatly attracted to hiding and blood.

>>21000862
possibly a spirit hiding inside the stalker as a vehicle to get close to the bloodletting.

>>21000155

Wait shit I got it.

The spirit we made a pact to, to keep the village safe.

That spirit is what we bound.

Wonder if we can level up Thane by having him hide anything we kill when hunting, using the blood from whatever we kill as the price.
That way we won't have to worry about scavengers or predators intercepting the kill before the Slayers can come to pick it up.

Though, it might get a bit amusing if we're not careful with the wording of the pact.
"Yo Thane, hide this meat from any beasts."
-some time later-
"God damn it. I put a raptor steak in my dog's food dish to feed him and he can't seem to find the bloody thing"

Rolled 95

Since it should be around the time Diarca said he's coming back
Rolling to find DM

>>21001853
Now that's a right fine summoning.

>>21001853
You forgot to actually say the words:
Klaatu barada nikto!

>>21002114
That only stops alien robots from finishing their rampage. I think the summoning spell just has a long charge time.

>>21002127
Well it also unleashes an undead army if you screw it up.

>>21002127
[[It does indeed. I love the discussion that's gone on, though. You're on the right track!

>>21000717

Working on that now, Anon. It's a lot of thread to go through. I have the list of bindings, so that should be up soon, but totems will take a bit longer. ]]

You furrow your brow as you ponder this. There are myriad possibilities, some more likely than others, but something tells you that Thane isn't likely to give you a straight answer even if you do stumble across the correct response through sheer luck. You regard him, reclining in the chair by your workbench, and shake your head. No, this is a mysterious spirit if you've ever met one. Perhaps it's best to just let it drop for the night. After all, you have totems to research.

"Thank you for your counsel, Thane." you say, dismissing the spirit with a gesture. He inclines his shrouded head once before dissolving into motes of darkness, pinpricks of absolute black in the air that flow into the Stalker pelt as a swarm.

With one avenue of attack exhausted, you turn to your old friend research. Maybe you can devise a new totem in the interim time to hide Elana from the Magus's senses. You can only try, now.

>Roll 1d100 for research and suggest variations or constructions for totems! Good descriptions get a bonus.

Rolled 96

>>21002400
We set up something a bit like a voodoo doll, take some of her hair, maybe a bit of blood and leave an effigy totem of Elana here. The effigy channels her spiritual imprint and presence to it where it is then obfuscated by the preexisting network we have in place.

Rolled 24

>>21002400
Hmm... like I said earlier, a perfumed totem. Not an actual perfume, but scented wood and aromatic herbs to hide the person wearing it. Maybe roses, or... hah, lilac. Or like the song says: parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, since one interpretation of Scarborough Fair is that it's a song about someone trying to escape a faery.

>>21002400
Go back to the Raising House. Was there a particular spot we used to hide things we wanted to keep secret? Maybe a space or nook that generations of children have used to hide their little treasures from prying eyes of the matrons? Anything hidden there would really have a strong connection to remaining hidden.

Blood is clearly a powerful hiding force. we've used it in all our stealth totems. So incorporating some blood, especially our own, would help.

Are there any stalker parts left in our inventory? Things we didn't use for the feral bind like a strip of hide from a weaker stalker? That would certainly help.

Are there any herbs we know of that dull the senses?

If we can get all of those together, we could take whatever hidden bauble (or even a wooden splinter or pebble or handful of dust from the place) we found in the hiding place, soak it in a few drops of blood, wrap it in stalker hide, then wrap that in a piece of dark cloth or leather to make a kind-of amulet-pouch (like native americans used to make medicine pouches with certain sweet-smelling herbs in them) with the herbs. Layer upon layer of hiding all bound up with our power.

>>21002448
>>21002463
I bow to the will of the dice god.

Rolled 64

>>21002538
forgot my dice.

>>21002400
Lemme samefag up that totem of iron determination.

I really should've written down ideas for a "Totem of working quickly', a "Totem of keen senses", and a "Totem of spiritual potency", but I had a case of lazy.

Here we go

>I have an idea.

>What if we make a totem out of stuff that keeps on going, no matter what?

>For instance. A tree that grows in the harshest location.
>An animal that fought really hard to survive.
>A trickle of water that, over centuries, broke through stone to make a cave.
>The last ember of a burning fire - the one that won't go out.
>A chip of stone from a building that should have fallen, but remains strong.
>A group of Ants - tireless, eternal workers.
>Blood from a person who has remained resolute and stalwart, always moving forward despite obstacles.
>Plus some words scrawled into a signpost, which reads "keep going".

>I figure a totem of resolute dedication would be a great help to people of the village, since mental health is often as important as physical health, and I doubt this town has access to a psychiatrist.

>>21002614
And yep, it's not for Elana, but if we're researching I might as well crosspost it.

Hiding:
>>21002538
O'Grady certainly has the right idea.
Remember that THOUGHTS and FEELINGS can also be hidden.
I'd like Elana to share some of her hidden thoughts/feelings with the totem. Not with us. With the totem. Give the two some privacy.

That should improve it somewhat.

Rolled 23

>>21002400

Rolled 3

>>21002400
>[Extrasensory Misdirection Totem]
Ingredients:
-Some of Elana's leaking eye energy
-Some of our Totemic energy
-A seal similar to the ones Aryen used for Elana's eyes and our binding objectives
-The blinded eyes of several Night Stalkers
-The crushed sinuses of an entire Raptor pack
-The cut tongues of at least 16 pairs of Ykree
-The collapsed inner ear canals of a rock turtle
-The flayed skin of a Verdis Wyrm
Purpose:
Complete sensory blackout when trying to focus directly on Elana's eyes. Created by focusing the concept of disruption of the five senses using creatures far more adept in their usage as sacrifices to draw in and associate ones magical senses to the five main senses. Of course this would only work on someone actively seeking Elana's eyes and the power they hold.

Rolled 14

>>21002719
Bro you dropped your dice on the floor.

This is what it rolled.

>>21002733
>>21002719
>>21002714
At this point I suspect the dice god is just taunting us.

Rolled 36

>>21002714
>>21002719
>>21002733
>>21002757

I am wasting the roll in this post doing absolutely nothing. If the Dice gods are to mock us, let this roll be high.

can we use this roll
>>21002448
with this idea?>>21002538

>>21002448 >>21002538

As you look at the vast sea of knowledge you will have to comb through, you realize that this will take a while. The Magus is a powerful foe, and even Thane, a spirit who specializes in deception and shadows, requires powerful reagents to keep her hidden.

But Thane is limited to his own brand of magic. And you are not alone.

You summon Amal and Cordia to your side, bidding them to help you in your research. Tryd stokes the fire and replaces waning candles, providing you with light and warmth for your studies in the wee hours. Together the four of you pore over Ayren's notes and debate symbolic efficacy into the wee hours of the morning.

Eventually, though, you have it.

It will be a doll, to better channel the shape of Elana's spirit. A doll incorporating a far lesser sum of her blood, and perhaps some of her hair. You will bind that doll within a bag with sweet-smelling herbs, and sew the bag and the doll both from your remaining stalker hide. You will hide this bag in loose floorboard under the raising house, where children tuck away their most sacred treasures. It is foolish to the point of utter excommunication to disturb anything in this spot not your own; The totem will be safe there.

It will work. You're sure of it.

Now you just need to finish it before dawn.

>1d100. Taking the best of the first five.

Rolled 70

>>21002837
The dice gods mock us.

Rolled 16

>>21002837
Let's do it then.

Rolled 12

>>21002837
>>21002851
An X-com rookie takes careful aim at a floater, safe in the knowledge that his commanding officer is well over 30 degrees to the left and out of the field of fire...

Rolled 99

>>21002837
Rolling

Rolled 1

>>21002837
For Elana and/or us

>>21002869
Fuck YEEEES!

>>21002869
>>21002871
The dice gods REALLYmock us

>>21002869
>>21002871
holy shit

File: 1349464518348.gif-(32 KB, 313x385, duck-hunt-dog.gif)

Rolled 68

>>21002871

>>21002886
>>21002889
>>21002890
Don't worry, he said BEST of the first five. We're fine... right?

>>21002869
>>21002871
Uh, fuck.

>>21002905
Critfails override successes, don't they?

>>21002905
He said he takes 1s and 100s where applicable.

Rolled 31

>>21002871
Praise Nobylan and Mitenun.

>>21002917
Yeah... I remember hearing something about that too.
Fuck.

>>21002917
Thats what he said at one time, but this is the first I think.

Rolled 42, 60, 41, 78, 81, 71, 16, 19, 72, 65 = 545

>>21002940
I'll just override the critfail with a critsuccess.

...Maybe it's like that one infused Earth thing, except we wound up making... infused Darkness or something?
...Who am I kidding, we turned Elana into a doll didn't we?

>>21002973
If we make infused darkness that shit's going straight into Thane.

>>21002871
Guys I think we just turned Elana into a doll.

>>21002869 >>21002871

You succeed. Barely.


The effigy is left partially unstitched so that you can add Elana's blood and hair to it when you go to see her. The bag is complete, though, sleek and matte black with an inner facing of stalker hide and packed with sweet-smelling herbs. You tie off your last knot as the first rays of dawn creep over the horizon.

And promptly pass out.

Fortunately, you awaken only a few hours later; well within the time when you said you would go to meet Elana. Still, you could well have slept through the day, and you feel incredibly groggy.

You run a comb through your hair, change into fresh clothing, and head out the door, Totem in hand.

>You feel as though you have forgotten something.

You knock on the healer's door and Elana answers, all smiles. She's wearing a light dress and tall hiking boots. It's clear that she woke up some time ago and spent a lot of time getting ready.

"Morning, Osy." she says, smiling gently.

>>21002983
Don't be silly, we can't do that.

>>21002998
"I need your hair."

>>21002998
"Morning Elana, I need a bit of your blood and hair, for reasons.

Then I'll finish up the totem, take care of a bit of business I have with the elders and we can be off."

Make sure to triple check the Totem before we do anything more with it, can't be too careful.

>You feel as though you have forgotten something.

Check:
Clothes
Food
Bindings
That we didn't leave any Fires active

Also: "Hi Elena I need your hair and your blood for a totem".

>>21002998
Forgotten something?
...We're meeting with the Elders today right, so they can tells what to do with those people the Mother of the Swamp noticed, as well as the river we're going to dig?

>>21002998
>You feel as though you have forgotten something.

Let's see.

Gotta talk to the Elders
Gotta go with Elana
New moon in 2 days

What else are we missing?

>>21002998
Might pop by the Elders' place, tell 'em we'll be back in the afternoon to discuss matters.

how's that apprentice of ours doing. considering he wasn't around last night when we got home and all...

Obligations:
* Divert a River through the town - from the snowmelt, to Lady Boand's pond (done today)
* Provide Thane with a cup of your blood boiled and reduced to a paste at the new moon. (in 2 days)
* Make more useful totems for the village
* Spend about 24 hours at Lady Boand's pond

To Do:
>Spend time with Elana, Aurora, Quinn, Terra.
>Make a log/journal of shit a Totemist needs to know
>Make more totems with personal benefit
>Pick up Totem materials

Note that this list has not been updated by the original creator, but atleast we have something to work with

>>21002998
What kind of something?
Like something ridiculous like how to talk/write/make totems?
Our childhood memories?
That weird Dive Into Heart sequence that ended with ten bonus minutes with our master?

where's that apprentice of ours? you know, considering he wasn't around last night and all.

>>21003096
Probably sleeps at either his own place or with the Slayers.
I mean it is his job.

Either that or he's fucked with a paralytic poison totem and managed to get himself dead.

>>21002998

>You feel as though you have forgotten something.
Yeah, preparation. Oyski's worse than Harry Dresden at every day living. Crisis mode or work he can make like Kamen Rider, outside that he's kind of a joke. We left Cordia and Amal behind after the research session, didn't we?

Oh well, time to make the best of this. Greet Elana, get her to contribute to the finished product, finish the product, leave town.

>>21003096
...Fuck
Do we even HAVE the time to go look for him and check on him?

>Fuck did I leave the candles burning
>Where are my bindings
>Crap I gotta meet with the elders
>Did I put my pants on
>I know I had an apprentice here somewhere
>I am carrying the totem aren't I

And then it turns out we're not wearing shoes or something

>>21003109
>worse than Harry Dresden at every day living.
That's pretty damn bad.

File: 1349466506963.jpg-(238 KB, 1000x1412, Elana - True Sight.jpg)

"Morning." you say with a small smile. "I've got a bit of an unorthodox request, especially for first thing in the morning."

Elana quirks her head to the side. "Unusual? Unusual how?" she asks, eyeing the totem you've got dangling from your grip.

You swallow, suddenly realizing how creepy a request this is. 'Oh hey, I just thought I'd pop by before our date and take some of your blood and hair to bind into this effigy, no big.' Fuck.

"I uh, need a lock of hair and a drop of blood to finish this totem." you say, producing the small black effigy. "So when we leave, the Magus won't try to jump down our throats."

Elana looks surprised for a moment, then nods. She pulls a small knife from the inside of her boot and without preamble slices a lock of hair from her head and pricks her thumb. She takes the doll from you, soaking her hair in the drop of blood and tucking it away inside the doll.

"Here," she says, handing it back to you with a smile. When she sees your bewildered, bleary eyed expression she laughs. "You alright there, Osyki? You look like you need another hour of sleep."

>>21003361
>M-moe...

>>21003361
"Didn't sleep that well. Not a big deal, I'll be fine once I get some food and (local equivalent of coffee) in me.

I'll see you later, have to finish off the totem and talk to the Elders."

>>21003361
"You know how I said that I was going to talk to my stealth spirit? Well It didn't work as planned, so I stayed up all night to make this doll to hide you and then passed out. I think I'll be fine however"

>>21003361
I'm probably fine.
Making that doll just proved a bit more draining than anticipated.
But it's worth losing some sleep if that means avoiding another huge fight.

>>21003361
"It would be nice, but I'll be fine. And this is more important. If you're trapped in the village you can't carry out your duties outside of it; even chores like ingredient gathering run the risk of letting the Magus know where to find you. One late night is a fair price to pay for your freedom."

File: 1349466855496.png-(36 KB, 600x600, grin.png)

>>21003361
Stayed up all night making this totem.
I feel like I could use a rest.
Maybe I can sleep with you at the mountain spring.

We still need to hide that doll in that one hiding place right?
Like there's no point if we just carry it around.

>>21003430
You've got it all wrong, the trick is to keep flirting/teasing her until she initiates things.
Like she's the one who asked us out on a date, which is just as planned.

>>21002998

>You feel as though you have forgotten something.

I've got this feeling it's something rather big this one.. let's get back to the house just to make certain.

"I didn't get a lot of sleep. It's not a big deal. You know how I said that I was going to talk to my stealth spirit? Well It didn't work as planned, so I stayed up all night to make this doll to hide you and then passed out. I think I'll be fine, though. If you're trapped in the village you can't carry out your duties outside of it; even chores like ingredient gathering run the risk of letting the Magus know where to find you. One late night is a fair price to pay for your freedom."

She looks taken aback for a moment, but a warm smile and a slight flush cross her face. She leans forward and brushes her lips gently across your cheek.

"Thanks, Osyki." she says, and she sounds like she genuinely means it. "It means a lot to me that you'd go through so much trouble to keep me safe and happy."

She sucks a bit of blood from her thumb and shrugs.

"I'll be here when you're ready to go. You should go make sure you're ready, though."

She gestures to your cloak and boots, and you realize that you've rushed off with a solid half of your spirits completely unbound. Cordia, Thane, and the Rock Turtle all sit in their foci back at your workshop.

Well, damn.

"Thanks." you say, unable to keep a silly grin from your features. "I've got to meet with the elders and finish this up, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

She nods. "See you soon, then." she says with a wink before she saunters back into the healer's home.

>>21003525
Hiding totem needs to go to the Children house.
Gotta go fetch the Foci.
Gotta talk to the Elders.
Gotta go fast.

>>21003525
I think we should Bind our Foci, Thane in the cloak, Rock turtle in the Boots and Cordia... Unbound or in the shovel

After that, go to the children house to hide the totem, not spending much time since we're quite busy.

Then go visit the Elders

>>21003623
Good plan.

Wonder if we have time to check if the Slayers have seen Quinn. He's probably just doing his job, but it doesn't hurt to check

>>21003623
Agreed, but rebind Cordia into the sword and don't forget the serpent bow.

>>21003525
Called it. Might want to move FAST Oyski, Elana's cutting you a break. Eat something while you're at it, but don't leave her waiting.

You move in a flash, though not as quickly as you would with spirit-bound boots. You can't -believe- you left without making sure those were in place. It's like leaving the house without pants.

You take a moment to make sure that you are, in fact, wearing pants. Success.

You open the door to your workshop and find Quinn pouring a thin draught f some oily suspension into a vial. He looks up at you, surprised, and sets down the decanter.

"Whoa there, Osyki." he says with a smile. "What's the rush?"

"Lots to do. Glad to see you're alright. Where were you last night?"

"Hm? Oh, I went on patrol. Thought I'd keep in shape with my old training."

You grin, binding your foci in record time and pocketing Cordia's focus.

"Gotcha. Well, I've gotta go. Elders to meet with, rivers to dig, girls to hike with. Catch you later!" you call, already on your way out the door. Quinn blinks, nonplussed, and looks as though he's about to say something before the door closes.

You arrive at the raising house not too long after. Once you pry your sister from your knee, you enlist her and Terra to distract the matrons while you get at the loose floorboard. You're not sure what commotion they cause outside minutes thereafter, but it's enough to send every matron in the raising house rushing into the play yard.
(Cont)

>>21003726
>you enlist her and Terra to distract the matrons while you get at the loose floorboard. You're not sure what commotion they cause outside minutes thereafter, but it's enough to send every matron in the raising house rushing into the play yard.

This is how we set the village on fire.

Rolled 35

>>21003726
>You take a moment to make sure that you are, in fact, wearing pants. Success.
You should've made the players roll for that, rather than just giving autosuccess.
I know that "Locate Pants" has a very low DC, but you might as well ask the rng what it thinks

File: 1349468565791.jpg-(119 KB, 731x1000, Osyki.jpg)

You focus your energy into tying the last few spiritual and physical knots on the totem, then tuck it into the hidey-hole. You can feel a momentary pulse of spiritual energy, then absolutely nothing.

You take that as a good sign.

Now, all that's left is the elders. You head outside and make your way carefully around the raising house to AVOID passing in sight of the play yard. Can't be too careful, after all.

[[Aaaand unfortunately I have to duck out again. Sudden familial obligations appear. I'll see if I can't duck in again later tonight, but if not I'll catch you all next week. Thanks for the thread as always, and sorry for the abrupt halt!]]

>>21003793
Roger that.

Will email you some questions at your brokensky gmail address.

Will also try to stop being bad at things.

>>21003793
Oh, that's too bad. Hope you can make it back tonight, but I'll probably be out then. Later Diarca.

>>21003793
These threads regularly last multiple days via casual conversations and bumps by loyal fans. I'm fairly certain it'll still be here in 8 or 9 hours.

But this is a good chance for us to brainstorm a little. Anyone have any ideas for Osyki they want to bring up?

>>21003048
>>21003080

Reminder that we're also to look into Cordia being a possible protector spirit for the village.

>>21004908
iirc that's one of the things we'll be bringing up with the elders this afternoon. Let them have a meet-and-greet with her. But she seems to really enjoy being bound in things right now. She might not want to give up traveling with us.

>>21006289
Speaking of being bound in things, we should rebind Cordai to the map, and give it to the paper mill so they can copy it.
Maybe we could even leave her there when we go on the hike?

>>21006447
I'd prefer having Cordia with us for the hike, just in case, but whenever we're in the village doing errands and stuff we could drop it off for the day

>>21006492
Speaking of the hike, is there any way we won't wind up caught in the whole struggle for power by that iron usurper or whatever?
Like the chances of us having a peaceful hike seem to be around zero.

>>21006619
We could probably get away with saying that we aren't there in our capacity as a totemist, but promise to return as such the following day.

So how are we going to bind us an Avatar?
I was under the impression that they were pretty rare spirits, after all,
Like if I recall correctly, Amal volunteered to be bound didn't he?
How exactly do those kinds of arrangements work?

>>21009487
No idea, but it might be fun to try guessing. If we're going to summon one out of the aether, I suppose we'd have to isolate what we want to summon an avatar of. A feeling? A concept? We'd have to gather materials to embody it, speak words to describe it and perform a ritual to attract its attention. After that we either wrestle it. break it to our will and bind it or come to an agreement with it. A bit like dealing with a mundane spirits, except they embody ideas rather than things.

>>21011616
If we do this, I'm voting for either determination or wisdom. Definitely wisdom.

I just had an idea: if it looks like the mountain spirit might lose to the iron spirit, could we move the mountain spirit? Make him the guardian of something else? Spirits seem to gain power from pacts they make and services performed for them. Instead of tying Cordia down as the village spirit, imagine the power the mountain spirit would garnish with the whole village thanking him and us empowering him with rituals. If we get a chance, we need to ask him what it would take to make him strong again.

>>21015538
I doubt that would work.
Like firstly, the village falls under Sylvannis's domain, so I'd wager that the only way we can get our own guardian would be to have that spirit agree to in essence become Sylvia's subordinate.
Also I would also bet that the Mountain Guardian is too proud to retreat from a would-be usurper, and might not even be able to do so.
Lastly, remember how, to gain the favor of the rain spirits, we're going to dig a river through the village?
And have that river feed into Boa's spring?
Which is something she said would increase her power and influence?
I think we'll already be getting a guardian spirit anyway.

>>21016715
Well, the. What can we do for the mountain spirit to increase his power? He lost a good chunk of his power sanctifying Ayren's deal with the Magus, and now we're screwing him almost as much as the Magus since we're denying the debt. We should make ammends, replace the power that he's lost. We need to ask him what it would take to feed him the way we're feeding Boa and the rain spirits.

>>21016826
Well, there was that (active?) volcano, the one with the Behemoth, introduced when Diarca came back with a thread about Aryen. It might be possible to transport some of the lava over to the Stone Emperor's mountains where the lava can merge with the existing rock and cause mountain growth that way. Of course, there would probably also be an existing mountain spirit who would not be amused by someone stealing some its lava. So there's that.

Perhaps, if Cordia becomes vastly stronger or Osyki binds an earth spirit of considerable power, we could cause an earthquake such that rock is forced upward?

...Well, there are only two ways I know of for mountains to grow: lava and earthquakes. Since there is evidence of volcanoes in the nearby region (presumably; unless Aryen's network covered vastly more territory than I initially thought), the Stone Emperor's mountains are probably volcanic in origin. And, deliberately forcing an eruption requires one to have experience with lava flows and their behavior that Osyki probably doesn't have.

There is also the matter of Sylvannis, who I do think will not be very happy with Osyki if he fails to properly control the lava and gets her forest on fire.

>>21016826
I still have a hunch that breaking Elana's seal would restore the Stone Emperor's power.
Like we only really saw it when we became (temporarily?) attuned to the earth element.

>>21017847
Yeah, but breaking the seal would likely be very, very bad for Elana. She wouldn't have choice in her own existence anymore, she'd have to be this all-powerful THING. Seeing and experiencing an entire world she never wanted nor asked for.

>>21017942
We don't necessarily know that.
Like the Magus wants her for an apprentice/new body/something right?
To me, it stands to reason that therefore she would be someone the Magus would be capable of controlling, otherwise he would be attempting to destroy her instead of recruit.
Also, do we know what she wants?
Like did we tell her about the seal beginning to fray a bit?

>>21018021
That is a good question. We should present her options to her and see how she feels. Break the seal and try to live a normal life? Break the seal and try to learn True Magic (given the emphasis that the descriptions of Elana's hidden power have put on Truth, and Diarca/ayren's description of True Magic, I think the two are strongly linked. Just a hunch)? Leave the seal and live normally?