You are Osyki, journeyman 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, with the improvements to your village's defenses and infrastructure coming along smoothly, another group of humans has been spotted to the south, past the swamp. It's time to meet up with them, whether for good or ill, and your village has never had a more important day (as far as you're aware).

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

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

>>25399008
Woo, you're back. I missed you.

Well, it looks like we're making our way down just fine which is good.

YESSS.

>>25399016
Lets keep being carefull. Continue the pegs until it would be silly to do otherwise.

Also, welcome back Diarca. Mind if I ask what caused the disapearance for, what was it? A year or more?

So Elder Haine does the talking, while we stand a couple steps behind him?

>>25399199
Looking shadowy, and powerful, and dangerous yes.

Time to get our negotiation on.

>>25399191

[[ A combination of personal issues and a heavy load of classwork. Glad to be back, though! ]]

>>25399199
>>25399202
So just the classic good cop/bad cop routine? Didn't we kind of skew that perception when we met them though, what with the being perfectly reasonable and friendly?

As you accompany the Elder to the base of the cliffs, you take stock of the situation. There is a wide expanse of canyon between you and the moon worshipers' base camp. Green, crystalline spears protrude from the ground in uneven intervals along the canyon floor, and the air here seems unusually thick. The de-facto leader of the worshipers, the only figure without a helmet to his armor, approaches you and the Elder, flanked by two of his subordinates. He wears the heavy silver mail you first encountered him in, the face of the Moon Spirit emblazoned on its front.

"Totemist," he says, addressing you with a nod.

You nod your head, attempting to remain as taciturn as possible. You dig the point of your spear into the ground, leaning on it. "This is Elder Haine. One of the leaders of my people." you say simply.

The elder nods. "I am. A pleasure, to meet a new face after so long."

The leader nods. "Elder. I am Mathias Clay, second lieutenant in the army of our lord, and commanding officer of this party."

>[ ]Chime in
>[ ]Let Haine do the talking
>[ ]Other

[x]Let Haine do the talking

>>25399313
>[X] Chime in

>>25399313
>[X]Let Haine do the talking

>>25399274
We can still be reasonable and friendly, but we are one scary looking motherfucker no matter how you look at it. Our boots are zappy, we're wearing numerous dead animal bits, blend in with the shadows, and are otherwise kinda terrifying.

>>25399313
[X]Let Haine do the talking

Let Haine do his thing, keep our head on a swivel, keep an eye on our surroundings, maybe turn Magic Sight on and look at these people and this area.

>>25399346

>Roll 1d100 for Second Sight

Rolled 46

Let's go

File: 1371068871482.jpg-(72 KB, 527x600, 1354783836032.jpg)

72 KB JPG

Rolled 13

>>25399470
I foresee a 1

Rolled 49

>>25399470

Rolled 72

>>25399470

Rolled 62

>>25399489
>>25399499
>>25399501
No 1s, but not a lot to brag about.

>>25399489

>46

While the Elder and Mathias speak with one another, you decide to scout a little further. Taking a deep breath in, you quell the troubles of your mind and open your third eye.

Once again, you see the hazy, half-there auras of magic surrounding the moon worshipers. The green-purple wells of magic radiating from their armor defies categorization or recognition. Around you, the canyon walls glow with the same forest-hued aura as the gauntlets you wear. The area is positively saturated with earth essence. You can see other auras, but they seem to exist within the earthen walls, obscured by the shifting veil of green.

You snap back to reality in time to hear Mathias say,

"Why don't the two of you accompany us back to our camp? It seems we have much to discuss."

>>25399630
Accept graciously.

Break out the old silver tongue.

>>25399630
Interesting, Cordia ought to like this place and we're rather good with Earth if I remember correctly, so we could use this place at some point in the future. But moving on.

Look at Haine, give him a nod.

"Of course, I would love to Lieutenant Mathias."

Shit to do:

* Make more useful totems
* Continue the log/journal of how to Totem
* Harvest more totem materials
* Bind more creatures
* Conclude meeting with Elder Haines and southwest people.

Minor Task:
* Look up names and locations previously mentioned by southwest people
* Binding totems to maps and other written mediums
* Bind totem to food, see what happens. Ingest?

Particularily useful totems for us:
Totems of efficient work
Totems of keen senses
Totems of fit body
Totems of spiritual potency

Unresolved plot threads:
1. Magus
2. Elana - power and seals
3. Irken range conflict
4. Contact with southwest humans
5. Ayren's drawers
6. Behemoth site where Ayren was mortally wounded
7. Elements such as Earth - how do they work?
8. Gotta keep training Quinn and Terra
9. That one nature spirit that harassed us for talking to Lady Boa
10. There's plenty of NPCs in the world to talk to even if we have no obligations - Swamp Mother, Sylvannis, Lady Boand, the Mountain spirits, the Air/Rain/Storm spirits, Modi Magni, and probably others. Bound to be plot threads at every corner.

Spirits Available:
Amal-
Minor nature spirit, encyclopedia.
Tyrd-
Minor fire spirit, lighter.
Cordia-
Utility Gloves, good for all things Earth.
Ykree-
Shotgun Bow of Poison, good for all things poison.
Raptor-
Pants of Gotta Move Quick, good for athleticism and speed.
Lightning Rock Turtle-
Boots of Mad Hops, good for all things lightning.
Thane-
Silent and Brooding Protagonist Cloak, useful for all things stealth.
Modi Magni-
DO NOT UNBIND EVER, Spear of Sanic Speed.

Slightly updated To-do list with a catalog of spirits we have. I think I got them all.

>>25399630
Defer to Elder Haine.

>>25399696
Don't forget we gots to bind us an Avatar to open one of those drawers.

You look to the elder. Haine seems amenable to the idea, and so, ever wary of the threat of an ambush, you agree to follow the lieutenant. The three soldiers lead you through the maze of crystalline spears to a rough camp. There seem to be nearly half a dozen large, barracks-style tents, and the number of armored men milling through the camp leads you to believe the squad you encountered a few days ago was just a scouting party.

The lieutenant leads you into a tent emblazoned with a crescent moon above the flap. Inside, a number of canvas-and-metal hammock chairs and tables are arranged. The lieutenant invites the two of you to sit with him at a table, and uncorks a bottle of water on the table.

"Now, I do not claim to wield the authority of the crown in any negotiations we may take part in," Mathias warns. "However, I am willing and able to ferry any proposals back to the capital. You say that you wish to open trade negotiations. That would require a road to your settlement, as well as a resource to trade with. What would you have to offer, that such a road would be a worthwhile endeavor for our people?"

>>25400023
Crap, it seems like our village is kind of self-sufficient, which means we never really specialized in anything.

I think there are a relatively high amount of ores in the area, from what we saw in that map when we combined it with Cordia.

>>25400078
Haine was from outside the village, so maybe he'd know what we have that other places might not?

>>25400023
This seems like it might be our area of expertise.
"There is a mountain range near our home rich in good quality iron and copper. We have the ability to identify where these deposits lie beneath the earth exactly. It is also roamed by massive beast that, in their old age, become encrusted with precious gemstones."

>>25400023

Ores seem like the best choice. We should consult with Haine though

>>25400099
Rock turtle farms would be awesome.

>>25400023
Hmm. Don't want to talk ourselves up too much, that might end in them just assimilating us wholesale to get our stuff instead.

As I recall, we have pretty good mineral resources, being up here in the mountains. We have some minor magical metals native to the region, right? Certainly lots of gems, given that Rock Turtles can just encrust those on their bodies. So our mines are a major asset.

There's also the unique biologicals we have out here in the wild borderlands. Plenty of rare herbs with medical use. Exotic animal skins could also be a trade good, though mass hunting and trapping would probably fuck up our relation to the local spirits.

I doubt totems would be viable trade goods. These people seem to have plenty of magic of their own, and we couldn't make them fast enough to be competitive. Still, I suppose the offer of some cross-disciplinary study program with their totemists could be a neat idea to propose down the line.

Finally, should we mention that we have some infrastructural ability ourselves? We've made a major canal in the last few weeks. Cordia could be a big help in making a macadam road. I'm thinking binding her to one of the road draggers they use to level the ground could work pretty well. Offering to take some of the effort of building the road into our own hands could be a good bargaining chip.

>>25400220
I'd say it would also be important to smooth things over with Sylvia (that's the name of the forest spirit right?) and the Swamp Mother, regarding the road.

Like it is very very important we get their blessing first.

Also if we're going to step up our mining, it'd be good to have the mountain spirit owe us.

>>25400273
Oooh, good call.

>>25400273
Yeah, make sure to bring up that we can't allow a road through the swamp and forest without getting it approved. When they do start building it though, binding Cordia to our boots for earth boots will probably let us pave the way really easily.

But really I think we should only talk if Elder Haine indicates for us to do so.

I mean he's the experienced one here.

As you open your mouth to reply, you find the Elder taking the words right out of your mouth.

"Our settlement is nestled near the base of an incredibly ore-rich mountain range. Our mines are rudimentary at best, but even what we have is enough to provide our entire settlement with a near-endless supply of iron and copper. The creatures that live near the peak commonly grow precious gems in their hides, and other unique fauna could offer a wealth of precious metals to your crown."

You nod. "In addition, my own personal abilities could significantly ease the cost of productions for a road of this size. My control over elemental earth, while still burgeoning, was sufficient to aid in the construction of a major canal in our village recently."

Mathias nods, considering your offer.

"Overall," Haine continues, "the important thing for our village is new blood. We have been cut off from the outside world for decades, and our population dwindles. A major settlement to connect to may prove to be vital for the ultimate survival of our people."

>Roll 2d100. Taking the best of the first three.

Rolled 66, 56 = 122

>>25400345

Rolled 74, 30 = 104

>>25400345
Oh dear.

Rolled 25, 74 = 99

>>25400345
Dice gods hear my plea

Rolled 96, 49 = 145

>>25400345

>>25400349
Not bad.png

>>25400367
...Why did I expect anything different.

>>25400352
>>25400367
So, uh, 74, and 74. Funny.

>>25400392
Especially considering that I rolled both of those.

>>25400349

>66

Mathias nods, slowly, and you quirk an eyebrow. "Your offer is a lucrative one," he admits, "Assuming it isn't exaggerated. And the fact that we could offload a portion of the road-work to your side is an added bonus. It's a reasonable request, and I wouldn't mind in the slightest ferrying it back to the crown."

You and Haine exchange a brief smile. Negotiations are, surprisingly, progressing smoothly. Everything is going according to plan. Maybe things are finally going your w-

A resounding -boom- rocks the tent. You find yourself sliding off of your chair, and in a flash the five of you barrel out of the tent to see what's caused such a commotion.

"Oh, gods damn it," you mutter to yourself.

The source of the boom is immediately apparent. A large chunk of crystal has been blown out of the side of the canyon, and now lies jutting like a memorial spire from the center of the rocky floor. Writhing in the depression in the canyon wall, a massive crystalline worm roars out an ear-piercing shriek. You see the crystal spears along the canyon floor glow for a moment, before detonating in a spray of shards.

>56

You leap to shield Haine from the storm of glassy fragments, covering him with your body as you drive him to the ground. You impact the rock floor hard, and you can feel the lacerations as the crystal shards lance through Nocturne's Embrace to slice into your back, but Haine seems no worse for the wear.

>>25400700
How wide is the canyon? More or less.

>>25400726
And about how big is this crystalline worm? You said massive, but that is a pretty large range.

>>25400700
Well crap, time to kill us a worm.

Ready bow, ask Mathias if he's ever seen this kind of creature before.

[[ The canyon is fairly wide, about 1000 meters across at its widest point. The exposed portion of the worm looks to be about the size of the Rock Turtle you bound. Its head takes up a good portion of the canyon wall, where it emerges. ]]

>>25400700
What's a dramatically appropriate way to kill a worm? Crushing? Impaling?

>>25400811
I'd say dramatically appropriate isn't a priority so much as fast.

Also, it's a crystalline worm and not a crystalline wyrm, right?

>>25400811
Crushing sounds fitting. Might be a bit tricky with such a large beastie though

>>25400851
Don't our cordia gloves give us some control over Earth? Maybe we can use them to manipulate the canyon walls and bring them crashing down on the worm?

>>25400859
Way too much collateral damage.

Rolled 99, 15 = 114

>>25400811
It's clearly earth-aligned, so maybe crushing it under a large rock would be appropriate? A nice little symbolic sign of claiming its mastery of its home from it.

>>25400700
Do you guys think we could bind its spirit?

>>25400875
I was under the impression the worm was a fair distance away from the camp, so we wouldn't really need to worry.

>>25400910

[[ Currently, yes. But you have no idea how fast it moves, -if- it moves. ]]

>>25400895
That's my goal. We might need to buy new clothes soon. Maybe bind it to our shirt?

>>25400922
Might be a good opening move then. Until it closes the distance.

>>25400934
To our fucking underpants. They will always be crystal clean.

>>25400774
Wow, big guy. Do we know anything about this creature, or creatures like it, from our studies or Ayren's notes?

Okay, for fighting this guy, keep our distance from the crystaline spears in the ground, he can make them explode. If one starts glowing jump away from it with our lightning boots.

Start by peppering it with poisonous arrows from our bow, that ought to at the very least slow it down and give us an idea of what its capable of, once its slowed down we can use Cordia in our gloves, or just jump into the wall with lightning boots and kick off of it, to loosen crystal above it and smush it some and then bind it, if we're pretty sure there won't be too much collateral damage.

>>25400811
Two ways I can think of. First, we have Cordia as gloves, and Cordia is very much an Earth Elemental so ripping something important apart with them is thematic, as would be crushing it with rocks.

>>25400952
Oh, and tell Haine and the others to get the fuck away from it and the spears. Unless the soldiers decide that fighting it would be fun, in which case joining is their problem.

>>25400981
Well ask Haine to get away, but leave it up to Mathias how he and his men would like to handle things.

I mean it'd be a good way of showing the quality of our allies, and they were able to catch us earlier.

>>25400952
I'd say we should leap towards it first, before we start shooting at it with our bow.

Like if we irritate it, we don't want it headed towards the camp.

>>25400952
Something I'm worried about is it burrowing beneath us. On the surface we're the fastest thing around. Between the raptor, rock turtle and Modi Magni, we are ridiculously mobile. But if it can get at us from alternate angles it could be a big problem. I guess the best we can do is always be prepared to jump.

Also, another idea for the appropriate killing: stab it to death on one of the spears. From how they're reacting they're either warding totems the soldiers put up that it's overpowering, or its own weapons that it made on its own. It's not entirely clear from the description if they're natural or man-made. Either way, using one to kill it would be a pretty good way to dominate its spirit.

Look for a shovel.

>>25401043
Very good point, though it might be better to leap laterally as well or instead of towards it so that we don't have a pile of people behind us that its attacks may hit.

>>25401089
I think the green crystallized spears scattered in the area are a side-effect of this place being so rich in earth magic, it may also be why this worm is so fucking huge. But yes, stabbing it with a massive spear, or maybe just having it fall on it, would be good.

I'm not that worried about it sneaking up on us, it's a big fucker, it won't be subtle even when burrowing. We'll always have a chance to react to it appearing out of nowhere and we can jump away. It'll cover a large area with its attacks, but we can move very fast and leap around, possibly jumping from spear to spear kicking off them with our boots.

I'm most worried about it exploding more spears and hitting us with shrapnel, no matter how fast we are it's going to be difficult to avoid all the shards.

>>25401148
So how about we break the spears first and try to direct them away from everyone?

Could we jump with Haine out of the canyon? Getting him out of the arena would allow us to fight more freely.

>>25401183
If possible we should tell Mathias we'll be back in a moment, leap out of harms way, and then jump back in, preferably landing on the worm's head.

You Know if we managed to kill and bind this work.

These guy;s will probably consider us a serious threat. I mean they got suprised attack by this huge worm.

And then this guy come's around singehandedly killing the thing and then binding it's spirit.

>>25401221
Ehh, it'd be good to strike a little fear into them.

>>25401221
I'd take that over them thinking there's a small village nearby with vast mineral wealth and no means of defending itself.

>>25401221
That's kind of a good thing for them to realize that we are one scary motherfucker. We'll be polite and nice about it, but a demonstration that this is what we do for a living can't hurt.

>>25401221
What's all this 'singlehanded' nonsense?

>>25401253

Yeah I completely agree that's why I pointed it out.

If they try to attack us Will show them just how dangerous a Totemist is.

I'm sure Mogni would love to have us killing Humans.

>>25401289
What's with the dark side all of a sudden?

You roll off of the Elder, bow already drawn in your hand. "Back up, Elder!" You shout, nocking an arrow into the Hunter's Bow. He, and a few of the soldiers, immediately begin to retreat toward the far end of the canyon, picking their way as best they can through the rubble. Mathias is at your side in an instant, a large crossbow in his hands.

"What the -hell- is that thing?" he shouts, eyes wild.

"I have no idea!" You cheerfully respond, loosing a barrage of seeking arrows at the worm.

Your arrows curve and juke around the shrapnel still falling from the canyon walls as they hurtle at the worm, but they bounce off of its crystalline hide with relatively little effect. You frown. It seems you'll need something with a little more oomph to damage this creature.

The black liquid of your gauntlets surges over your hands as your sheath your bow. You bolt toward the worm, lightning flaring in your wake, and plunge your hands up to your wrists in the canyon floor. The crystal seems to wrap like liquid around your hands, and you feel a strange sense of control over the earth below you. Behind you, you hear Mathias let out a shout of surprise.

A familiar prickling sensation begins to burn into your skin.

>Roll 1d100+5 for an earthen assault. Taking the best of the first two.

Rolled 95 + 5

Hit the worm in the middle of its face!

Rolled 98 + 5

>>25401318

Rolled 34 + 5

>>25401318
O Mighty Many-hedral Lord, unto you do we, humble questants, place our fates.

>>25401350

Everyone stop rolling that's a nat100

Rolled 44 + 5

>>25401350
Yes.

Yes we will.

>>25401364
A bit premature, considering >>25401353

>>25401364
Good thing >>25401353 didn't listen, now we have 103.

>>25401350
>Aww ye-
>>25401353
AWWWW YEEAAAH!

>>25401353
Well, it looks like we royally fucked it up. Hopefully we'll have a chance to carve runes of binding into it before finishing it off.

>>25401353

>103

At once, you know that itch. The green light flares outward across your skin, tracing runic patterns that flare visibly through your clothing,, through Nocturne's Embrace. Your gauntlet spike downward, and you find yourself, at once, at peace with your surroundings. You are surrounded by the earth, and the earth is in your blood. Your vision takes on a green tint, and as you lift your hands from the earth, your exert your will onto the canyon around you.

And it bends. Oh, how it bends.

You rise into the air on a pillar of crystal glass, crouched low on the cylindrical platform. Thrusting a hand forward, you send a jagged spear of crystal, easily the size of a house, rocketing from the far wall toward the beast. It screams again, but only manages to break your massive missile into dozens of man-sized bolts. The earthen projectiles pincushion the worm's rocky hide, piercing deep and sending gouts of black blood splattering across the wall on all sides. With another sweep of your hand you disgorge the entire length worm from the wall, throwing it to the canyon floor in a burst of stone. The massive thing falls with another shriek, coiling on the floor as it is freed, flailing and confused, from its safe haven. The earth shakes at its furious lashing. Two punches send twin spires of rock up from the ground, pinning the massive thing in place, though only for a moment. With another reverberating howl, the worm quickly begins to burrow into the floor of the canyon.

And where it disappears into the ground, you can -see- its essence tunneling through the earth.

>>25401554
Dear god.

>>25401353
Fire the crystal cannons again!

>>25401554
Try to attack it from below with more spikes as it burrows, herding it upwards. We want to get it to surface again so we can engrave the runes of binding.

>>25401554
Damn we're awesome. First, use our newfound control and affinity with the earth in the area to carve runes of binding into the surrounding area, make it cover a wide area so we're sure we will get it inside them.

Then we keep an eye on where it is, try to force it upwards into the middle of the circle where the runes are with spikes from below and in front of it, steer it upwards, do as much damage as possible on the way up, crush as much as we can but compressing the earth around it to impale it and break massive spikes off in body. Once its up again we'll finish it off.

>>25401616
I support this idea.

>>25401616

Ohh Nice plan.

Let do this guy's

>>25401616
Sounds good.

File: 1371077134544.jpg-(327 KB, 1920x1080, Binding Array.jpg)

327 KB JPG

>>25401616

You stretch your mind into the earth below, clamping down on the worm as it struggles in vain to makes its escape. In a distant sense, you can see your allies struggling to keep their footing as you hold the worm in place. Its struggles beneath the earth are tearing large gouges in the canyon floor, and you imagine the tremors must make those who are less attuned than you incapable of keeping their footing.

Pity.

With another flare of green light from your hands (and your eyes? It's difficult to be sure, with the world so green-shifted.) you carve runes of binding into the canyon floor below. Massive, blocky runes are suddenly depressed into the ground, cracks in the circle sealed in a flash of verdant radiance.

With your trap prepared, you begin to herd the worm.

With a twitch of your fingers, you send a spike the size of a horse into the worm's side, releasing your hold over it. Tunneling instinctively away from the pain, it runs directly into another row of spikes, this time a spiny carpet of iron you carve from the earth by clenching your fists. Funneled upward by punch after punch from your domain over the earth below, it can only erupt in the dead center of the binding runes you have so artfully arranged for it.

Somewhere, as though from far away, you hear what sounds like a voice calling your name.

>1d100+20 and final blow suggestions.

>>25401616
Supporting this most superior suggestion with a superb superlative!

>>25401781
Rider Kick.

Rolled 84 + 20

>>25401816
Whoops, trying again.

Rolled 96 + 20

>>25401781
We need good armor. I suggest we keep a scale as the totem. Lets trap it in a ring of spikes and finish it of with Magni Modi.

Rolled 57 + 20

>>25401781
Impale it vertically with a huge spike of crystal, running the length of its body.

Rolled 35 + 20

>>25401781
>>25401816
Why the hell not Rider Kick!

Rolled 79 + 20

>>25401616

Continue herding the worm to the surface, trying to get it to launch itself out of the ground upwards. When it emerges hit it from below with the largest crystal spike we can manage.

>>25401834
I like this. Second.

>>25401834

Let go with this

Rolled 47 + 20

>>25401781
Grab one of the massive fucking spikes with our Cordia Gloves, break it off, and throw it into the air in an arc to land dead center on the worm. Use our lightning boots to leap after the spike, stand on top of it and right before it lands jump off it for that extra bit of force and steering, we want to impale this thing completely right through the middle with one of the crystalline spears, it's very thematic.

Rolled 87 + 20

>>25401781
Let's shred it all the way down its body by dragging the iron spikes along it. The focus we take will be a long strip of its crystalline hide, cured by the binding process into something like flexible glass fiber.

>>25401860
I like this one. Mainly because it involves a spike skewering the worm all the way from its mouth to its tail.

File: 1371077591789.gif-(1.99 MB, 353x270, rider kick.gif)

1.99 MB GIF

>>25401828
Yes.

>>25401905
Worm kebab!

>>25401781
Diarca, did we just crit rape your awesome encounter by accident?

Eh, no need for sadism, I think we're already freaking people out/might have caused an earthquake.

>>25401918
No, the encounter was awesome because we crit-raped it.

>>25401912
Worm Kebab indeed, this worm was expecting an easy fight, then everything went to hell for it, ending in a crazy man with lightning boots throwing massive spikes down its throat.

So guys, do you think we made a good impression?

>>25402004

Oh Definately.

Do we won't think that they subjugate our village easily with this.

Espicially if we mention were not the only Totemist in the village.

>>25402034
I don't really think that was ever a risk, seeing as it was more 'why should WE bother with you'.

What's with the paranoia and forgetting to assign a number to your d100?

>>25402034
"So you're a full fledged Totemist?"

"No? Why would you think that? I still have a lot to learn before I would consider myself anywhere near a Master."

>>25402034
Also, we told Matthias that we felt our control over elemental earth was "still burgeoning". What's he going to think of us if this is what we consider to be below our standards? Dude's going to be terrified of us. I hope it doesn't hurt the proceedings any.

>>25402072
"I swear, I didn't think I could do that either"

>>25401834
>>25401816

>Fucking 116

As the worm emerges from the ground, you grin. A ring of spikes, shark's fangs in earthen form, brimming with serrations and tearing hooks, burrow into the worm. You pin it in place, plant your feet on the ground, and rocket skyward.

Your vision tunnels into a point, and your flip twice in mid-air. As you hover over the canyon rim, you look down to your target; pinned in place, bound spiritually and physically, ripe for the slaughter.

You fall from the sky like a meteor, spinning, trailing lightning like a falling star. You can see the worm's maw, ringed by teeth like glass knives, flexing helplessly as the world crawls by you in slow motion.

"In the name of Osyki, link between this world and the world without, I hereby claim this beast's spirit as my own." you say, and you can feel your voice echoing through the canyon.

"In the name of the Totemist's Pact, I hereby assert my dominance over this soul, and claim it as my own. I have bested this soul in mortal combat. Its strength is mine to command."

You point your foot down, arms spread wide to control your descent. An orb of lightning forms at your heel, a pulsing seed of destruction moments from detonation.

"By blood and bone, in spirit and soul, let this ritual blade show: I am Totemist, Link Between Worlds."

You drop into the mouth of the worm, watching in vain as walls of crystal teeth close behind you, succeeding only in grinding against one another as you plummet past.

"Now. Submit." You intone, closing your eyes as your boot makes contact with a curve in the worm's gullet. The sphere of electricity detonates, and your draw your ritual knife to slow your ascent and claim your prize. Around you, the verdant-tinted world fades to shades of gray.

>What will you harvest from the beast?

>Crystal
>Scale
>Tooth
>Other

>>25402181
Scale.

>>25402181
Crystal? but we already have cordelia for earth

so maybe the scale?

>>25402181
>Tooth

>>25402181
>Scale

We could definitely use something to tack onto our armor, we have speed and offensive power, but we need to be able to take blows better and given how flexible this beast was I don't think armor with it bound to the armor will encumber us much.

>>25402181

scale

>>25402181
Scale.

>>25402181
Scale.

>>25402181
Gonna have to say scale, I want armor.

>>25402227
>>25402238
>>25402239
>>25402243
Fucking hivemind.

>>25402181
Scale

>>25402181
The scale would be preferable, I think. We dealt it a lot of damage, but that was only through some heavy crits. It's still a very durable creature. Hell, we had to Rider Kick its esophagus to kill it, even after all the spikes and crushing. It should make for some good armor.

Lets just say this canyon was so saturated with earth energy that it dramatically boosted the potency of our attacks.

Because holy fucking shit.

>>25402335
I mean... we smote that worm.

We're a smiter now.

>>25402335
Nah, we're just that good.

>>25402351
OSYKI OF THE SMITING BOOT

>>25402335
Well yeah, that's why we were able to do that.

But no reason to go telling everyone.

File: 1371079471235.jpg-(373 KB, 734x800, BSO Animal Spirit.jpg)

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You slide up and out of the worm, but hook your rock-plated hand around one of its teeth as you do. Arcing over the edge of its mouth, you slide your ritual knife into the groove beneath one of its crystal-glass scales, and slice.

As the world rushes past in fast-forward, you land, a glowing green glass scale pressed into your free hand. The gauntlets recede to black triangles backing your palms, but the glowing green runes refuse to fade from your skin.

> Focus Obtained: Plate Worm Scale

You survey the collateral as the animalistic focus fades from your mind. The canyon is a mess. Shattered glass and rubble coat the floor, and Mathias' camp is well and truly destroyed. Still, you can see a few armored forms moving through the dust at the far end of the canyon. Among them, Mathias and Haine pick their way back toward you, their eyes wide. Both are pale in the face, though that may just be from the dust that chokes the air.

>>25402413
Give them a big, big smile.

"I believe we were discussing trading opportunities."

>>25402413
"Apologies for the camp, I'm still a bit of a novice in this field.

Is everyone alright?"

>>25402413
>the glowing green runes refuse to fade from your skin.

We fancy now.

>>No.25402442

Apologizing is the way to go here

>>25402442
This!

>>25402413
"In my defense, most of that was the worm's fault. All I did was make some spikes and runes. Damn thing kept thrashing about, though. Don't worry, I can put this back together."

>>25402469
Nah, do like >>25402479 and >>25402439 said.

Crap, I hope we didn't roll -too- well.

>>25402442
Oh god this so fucking hard.

It s just the perfect combination of apologizing, showing off and humbleness

>>25402505
They're already terrified of us, and we might have accidentally killed most of the dude's soldiers.

No need to be a dick.

>>25402413
Well, we'll deal with the glowing green runes later. Pocket the scale and head over to the two of them.

"Elder Haine, Lieutenant Mathias, my apologies for the mess. The worm was not the easiest of opponents. I did what I could but I am still quite inexperienced, I have much to learn.

Is anyone seriously hurt? Did everyone make it out alright?"

>>25402413
Look at the two of them. Look at the destruction we just wrought.

Suppress giggles.

"Everybody alright? Sorry about that, it's not every day you get to kick a giant worm in the throat."

[[ Be back in a bit, getting myself some food. ]]

>>25402605
I'd say leave off on jokes until we're sure none of his followers died during that battle. Might seem a bit tasteless otherwise.

So do we have any bottles or vials on us, something for collecting liquid?

Because I want some of that thing's blood.

Might be good ingredients.

>>25402738

Good Idea

>>25402738
Yeah, we should probably take a few samples of everything- and enough scales for a few decent sets of armor.

>>25402837
Seems like a lot of scales. Maybe take some small samples, but leave the rest to our allies who are probably terrified of us.

Geez, I didn't check my email by the time it started! Welcome back Diarca! Everyone else great job with the rolls.

>>25402878
Dunno, I have a feeling they could be useful. What about enough for some protection totems for the guard?

>>25402977
Lets see how valuable they think this giant worm corpse is first.

>>25402837
There's a limit to how much we can carry. We still have to climb out of a canyon and trudge through a swamp to get back home. I'm not sure we can carry enough scales for even one set of armor, let alone multiples. Better to just take a few scales and focus on the more perishable body parts. We can always come back later for more.

>>25402532
>>25402605
>>25402439

A mix of these suggestions. We want to make sure that everyone's alright, but we also want to make it evident that we just CURBSTOMPED AN EFFING CRYSTALWORM.

>>25403167
They know.

They already know.

The problem is what else we curbstomped.

>>25403218
Yeah i still favor >>25402442

>>25402442
This, along with some Spirit vision to see if there is anything weird with us and the green runic pattern.

>>25402914

I know right?

Bump

I'm pretty sure that plate worm was meant to put up a much better fight.

>>25403474
But the dice gods were apparently overjoyed to see Diarca's return.

>>25403474
Well, when you roll a 103, shit happens.

>>25403819
And then a 116.

We're just on fire today.

You cant your head toward Haine and Mathias as they approach. Opening your mouth is a struggle, and you see flakes of black rock chipping away from your jaw as you finally manage it.

"My apologies about your camp, Lieutenant," you say, your voice reverberating strangely from the spiritual runoff. "I am still fairly unskilled in this field. Is anyone seriously injured?"

Mathias shakes his head, his hand still tight around the handle of his crossbow. "A few sprains and bruises. Mostly superficial. What in the name of the goddess was that, Totemist?"

You glance behind you, looking at the corpse of the worm.

"I'm not sure. Likely some sort of spirit of elemental earth, or a greater beast of the underdark. I-"

"I wasn't talking about the worm, Totemist." Mathias says, eyeing you warily. You can see the green glow from your skin reflected in his plate mail, coloring the face on his armor a sickly green. "What was -that-?"

He points past you, to the scene of utter terra-carnage you evoked in the throes of your earthen trance.

>>25403892
"You need look no farther than my title. I am a Totemist, I bind spirits, elementals, and avatars to my person and use their powers to protect myself and my village."

>>25403892
"That was just another day as a totemist. Mixed with a canyon supercharged with spiritual energy. Which it seems i can tap into. Huh."

>>25403892
"Ah. That. I noticed earlier that the area is saturated with earth essence, and I have a powerful earth spirit as an ally.

Turns out it boosted her powers dramatically."

>>25403892
"As I have said, I am a Totemist. My trade involves binding and using the spirits of all sorts of things in order to fight the monsters of this land and protect myself, my village, and those who I care about.

This was an extension of that, if you look at this place with the right eyes you can see the earthen magic that infuses it, magic which I used to my advantage with the aid of a binding I preformed. I would guess either a powerful Earth Spirit or Behemoth resided here at some point making it what it is now.

As I said, I'm inexperienced so my control was not as powerful nor precise as it could be with further refinement, I'm sorry to leave such a mess."

You quirk an eyebrow, glancing behind you. "Ah. That," you says, attempting to keep the smile from your face. "You need look no further than my title. I am a Totemist. I bind spirits, avatars, and elemental forces to my person to protect those dear to me. Mix in a powerful earth spirit as an ally, and a canyon positively saturated with the essence of elemental stone, and... you get a typically day as a Totemist."

Elder Haine is smiling by the end of your speech, while Mathias has a look of newfound respect for you.

"Very impressive, Totemist. Once we establish the road to your village, you should consider coming to visit the capital. The lord's army could certainly use a talented warrior such as yourself."

You shrug. "Once again, I apologize for the mess."

Mathias shakes his head. "It's fine. Our supplies have suffered, but the men are intact. Still, we ought to get moving. A din like that may attract further predators, and I don't know how long the men will last on our damaged supplies."

>>25404039
Maybe focus on the more precision part instead of the more power part.

I don't think he really wants to hear that we can get even stronger, even if it's probably the truth.

>>25403892
"This canyon is a natural accumulator of earth elemental energy. The unusually regular geometry of the crags is a clear giveaway. Was a clear giveaway. And I fought a beast of the earth with its own element. The energy, pardon the pun, grounded itself through the battle. My apologies if I frightened you, my battles usually don't leave this much devestation."

>>25404117
Muahahaha. Yessss.

>>25404117
"Safe travels to you then. And feel free to take anything from... whatever that thing was if you think you know anyone who could find such things useful."

>>25404117
"Perhaps I could butcher the worm for its meat while your men dis-encamp? It should be edible, though I can't speak for the taste."

>>25404200
>should be edible

That's a bold assumption.

>>25404158
No, the village could use this.

>>25404117
"I'll consider visiting should I be free of my duties for a long enough time. I would love to enjoy the hospitality of the capital.

I'll talk to some of the local spirits about the road when I get a chance, obtain their blessing and permission if I can, it could be awkward without that.

Farewell, safe travels, and if you want to bring some worm home with you feel free. I'm not sure how good the meat tastes, but you could make good use of the scale and crystal."

We should get a pile of hide, scale, and other cool valuable bits. Just casually start carving it up.

>>25404221
That sounds good.

>>25404218
Dude, this worm is fucking huge. As in a portion of it was as big as the Rock Turtle we bound. Motherfucking HUGE.

I really don't feel like leading an expedition of people all the way out here, it's a lot of work and is dangerous, so we take what we can, leave them some, and we're cool.

>>25404218
I know, but they're already low on supplies, we're only one person, and until we get a road, it'd be really hard to escort a scavenging party, especially since we don't know whether or not we got all the behemoth spawn.

You smile. "I'll consider visiting should I be free of my duties for a long enough time. I would love to enjoy the hospitality of the capital."

"You do that," Mathias says with a nod. "I'll send a messenger when I've spoken with the capital. Anywhere in particular I should send him?"

You think on that for a moment. "To the edge of the swamp should be fine, assuming he has the supplies to camp for a few days. I'll talk to some of the local spirits about the road when I get a chance, obtain their blessing and permission if I can, it could be awkward without that."

He nods. "I'll look forward to our future cooperation, then. Totemist. Elder."

You return the nod. "Farewell, and safe travels. Feel free to take some worm meat on the road."

Mathias does not respond to that, though you think he may have gone a little green in the face. With your vision tinted as it is, however, it's difficult to tell for sure.

Haine turns to you.

"Well, Osyki. Are we heading off?"

>>25404449
"I need to collect some totem components first, and then we can head off Elder."

>>25404499
Grab as half as many scales as we can take and another half of either the worms teeth/saliva/blood.

>>25404449
"Not quite yet Elder Haine, I've never seen a worm like this, and I'm curious. Scholarly work is part of my profession as well even though it's often overshadowed by the more dramatic things. Its crystalline hide could be useful for armor, its teeth for daggers and tools, you get the idea. And it may make for good Totem components as well."

Start humming to ourself as we work. Carve out a nice, large, undamaged section of hide, pull out some teeth, get samples of interesting body parts and organs, get some blood and so on in vials, dissect it a bit, take notes about how it worked, what its made of. Also get some samples from the crystalline spears for further study.

>>25404449
"Would it be alright if we wait half an hour?"

That should be enough time to get as much as we can carry.

Also maybe try binding the worm scale to whatever we're wearing on our chest? (Armor or a shirt of some kind?)

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[[ Aaaand that's where we'll end the thread for this evening. Barring further complications, the next thread will take place next Weds. I've set up a twitter (@TotemistQuest), so follow me for more accurate updates on when the quest will actually run.

If someone could archive this for me, I'd appreciate it. Have a good week! ]]

Idea for a totem.
Take a gem from a rock turtle shell
Hammer a setting for it out of a piece of old armor
Wrap all of it in plate worm shell

Really good defense totem, maybe? Probably more personal defense, than defense of an area.

>>25404605
What if...
>Take a gem from a rock turtle shell
>Hammer a setting for it out of a piece of old armor
>Carve a box for it out of a oak log
>Wrap all of it in plate worm shell
Since oaks are supposed to be sturdy.

Archived.