>>29024813

“Calm down!” You leap to your feet and approach the bowman, taking your weapon in front of you. “What did you see? What's out there?”

Beyond the treeline, you see the fire-light flicker, shimmering off scaled flesh. The creature's eyes open; a pair of burning red orbs unfold in the darkness, fixated on you alone.

“Everyone!” There's a palpable change in energy, and instinct overcomes you. “Get out of the way!”

A cone of fire—a brilliant blue closest to the source, flushing burning red as it spreads toward you—erupts from beneath the bright eyes, sweeping horizontally across the campsite. You leap from your location, and Daeron follows, the two of you staying just ahead of the fire. The axeman is slower on his feet, and seems to barely avoid being incinerated as he rushes diagonally into the forest. Sonia, however, takes initiative, making a quick step ahead of the flame, then clearing it with a single superhuman leap to the opposite side of the campsite, oversized cloak fluttering as she sails overhead.

The sky is darkening, but the area is illuminated by the burning ground in the campsite, the flame beginning to spread through the surrounding forest from embers scattered about. Taking cover in the bushes nearby, you watch as a beast strides into the campsite on four monstrous red-scaled legs, with numerous black horns protruding from its head and back.The drake unfolds its leathery wings, spanning a distance just short of the full campsite, then begins to beat them against the air, rustling the brush and forest canopy, and kicking up embers from the ground as it roars.

Somehow, you get the feeling it's looking for you.

Wind rushes past you, and huddled next to you, the bowman Daeron silently watches; his eyes are wide, and you can tell he's a bit out of his element.

“I've been out for big game before, but this is not what I had in mind.” he whispers, voice growing hoarse. “I can't see any of the others!”

>Continued

>>29024841

“Oy.” The bushes rustle, and before you know it, Rebecca—the spearwoman, charming, though short-tempered, who retired to her tent earlier—is crouched between the two of you. “I'm right here.”

“Rebecca! You made it out of there?” Daeron asks.

“I don't think anyone could have slept through that.” The woman says. “The hell did that thing come from?”

“No idea! I practically ran into the thing in the woods, coming toward our campsite!” he responds. “What are we gonna do now?”

“Well, the rumor didn't say a damn thing about a dragon.” She grins. “But can you imagine if we took that thing down?”

“What?” The bowman asks. “You've got to be out of your mind!”

“Think about it! We'd be in serious business! Erick, you said you were an expert when it comes to all manners of beasts, right? How about you join us on this fight? If you're going to Callestria, you can come back with us, and we'll all partake in the glory together!”

What will you say?
>“I'm game.”
>“It's too dangerous. Let's round up and get out of here before it finds us.”
>“I think there's something bigger at work here. You guys should run; I'll keep it busy.”
>Other

>>29024865
>>“I'm game.”
Ready our halberd.

>>29024865
>“I'm game.”

I want that thing's soul so goddamn much. Dragon Halberd is a go!

>>29024865
>“I think there's something bigger at work here. You guys should run; I'll keep it busy.”

>>29025106
Or dragonhelm or dragonarmor.

>>29024865
>>“I'm game.”

>>29025210
>>29025106
>>29024963

You take Scourge into one hand, almost surprised as you've forgotten just how light it is. The weapon's green markings glow faintly, illuminating the leaves that hide the three of you. “I'm game.”

Rebecca nods, then points to one side of the campsite. “Daeron, go wide and get its attention. Erick and I will attack once we've got the chance, and when you get to the other side of the campsite, you can see if Grato made it alright.”

“You're kidding, right? I'll get killed out there!” The bowman responds, struggling to keep quiet.

“Not if you run fast.” The woman grins. “Let's do this, shall we?”

The drake begins to roar again, and the spearwoman boots Daeron out of the bushes, sending him stumbling into the open. He gives the beast a nervous look before sprinting wide of the campsite. As he runs, he looses several arrows in the dragon's direction; a few are deflected, but one hits home between the creature's crimson scales.

It doesn't seem to mind.

Still, though, it twists its enormous body in the bowman's direction; opening its mouth, it spews a jet of fire that lights up the forest for hundreds of feet around. He leaps over tree roots and bushes, barely able to stay ahead of the flames.

What will you do?
>“Now's our chance!” Attack while it's distracted with Daeron.
>Wait for a better opportunity.
>Move to a better position.
>Other.

>>29025203

Boring, I want my flaming awesome Dragon Halberd.

>>29025223
>Move to a better position.

>>29025223
>>“Now's our chance!” Attack while it's distracted with Daeron.
Chaaaaaaaaaaarge!

>>29025264
>>29025268
(( Waiting for consensus.

captcha: heads ngvotan ))

>>29025223
>>“Now's our chance!” Attack while it's distracted with Daeron.

>>29025264
This

>>29025223

Our boots let us make great jumps and leaps, right?

We can always jump on its back when it is turned away from us and try to attack its head/neck/spine
Somehow I think our weapon will be able to pierce its hide.

Anyway, lets attack or else our new friend is a toast

>>29025223
>“Now's our chance!” Attack while it's distracted with Daeron.

Jump on it's back and attack it.

>>29025223
>“Now's our chance!” Attack while it's distracted with Daeron.

>>29025383
>>29025466
>>29025479

“Rebecca!” You shout, leaping clear of the bushes. “I'm going first!”

“Understood!” Behind you, you catch a glimpse of the fire-light, gleaming brilliantly off her glaive. “I'm right behind you!”

Between the cloak over your shoulders, the weapon in your hands, and the greaves on your feet, you feel the power of Soul welling up around you; tremors shake the earth in the clearing with each of your steps. As you cross the tree line, the drake abruptly stops breathing fire, instead turning to face you.

>1d20

>>29025223
rawr atk

Rolled 18

>>29025544
We're gonna have to jump.

Rolled 20

>>29025544

Rolled 19

>>29025544

Rolled 13

>>29025544

>>29025569
and we crit

>>29025569
noice

>>29025567
>>29025569
>>29025570
Well, I certainly think we're doing well, 18, 19, and 20.

Once we get on its back I think the priority targets are the base of the wings, try to sever an important tendon there, its shoulders for its front legs, try to cut something important there, the base of the neck, and the eyes if we can manage them.

>FATALITY!

>>29025544
Is it a dragon or a wyvern?

>>29025810
Remain anchored with the blade and hold tight. The poison will do its trick.

>>29025697
(( Four legs and wings. ))

>>29025569

>20

The creature opens its mouth, light building up at the back of its throat. Adrenaline fuels your charge, and time begins to slow; you watch tiny embers rising on the wind, and see the creature's face and body cast in shadow, the light between its savage fangs growing brighter.

A tentative pulse radiates from the bottoms of your feet, traveling about a yard; then, as you leap, the ground below you bursts apart, shattered pillars of earth spilling downward into a fresh crater, divots of dirt and burning grass spraying toward the heavens.

High above the campsite, you twist gracefully through the air, poising yourself to strike the creature with Scourge as you land on its back. You can see the forest canopy below, fires from the clearing beginning to spread onward. With a jump like this, even the star-filled sky above seems within your reach.

As you begin to fall, you hear a faint chuckling, followed by the distant voice of Skeith, barely audible. “Interesting, Shardkeeper. Still, you are full of surprises.”

The drake below you barely has time to react; it turns toward you as you fall, and a blast of searing flame is launched skyward. It misses by about a foot, and you fall alongside it, feeling immense heat on your hands and face. You meet your mark, though, and the head of the downward-pointed Scourge bites through the creature's flesh near the base of its wing as you land on its back. It roars, and begins thrashing about, continuing to spit fire around the campsite.

What will you do?
>Other

>>29025842
Remain anchored and hold on tight. Push it in deeper if you can. Poison will kill it sooner or later.

>>29025842
>>Other
I agree with >>Remain anchored with the blade and hold tight. The poison will do its trick.

Lets remain anchored while dodging its claws and wings. The poison will soon do it in.

We could order the other to attack while we distract it.

>>29025842
Hold on to it. Remember to get the soul.

>>29025874
>We could order the other to attack while we distract it.
Naw, keep them at a distance - they don't know about the poison.

Shame the poison erodes the soul, though.

If we infuse the soul into our cape will that let us fly? Or hover? GLIDE EVEN?

>>29025897
I have the feeling that this drake's soul can take it.

We should at least order the archer to shoot at it while its panicked.

>>29025905
>Dragon-wing cloak

I DON;T EVEN CARE WHAT IT GIVES US

>>29025842
Remain anchored on it. You mentioned black horns on its head and back, use those to keep it from throwing us off.

If we can get more attacks in while not falling off do so, try to cripple other locations as well.

Don't call the others closer, with it thrashing about and spitting flame getting close is a dangerous proposition, instead they can keep it distracted, maybe shoot arrows from a fair distance at it.

The poison should slow it down as time goes on making it easier to chop more wounds into it, take out the other wing, and then go for the neck.

We are taking this fucker's soul.

Hey SoulQM: Does taking a soul do anything to the remains?

>>29025905

We should put the serpent shard from our cape into our pants.
I think it might give us snake-like agility. Since we're out of the swamp, we don't need poison protection that much anyways.

>>29025938
This sounds good, maybe have them surround it.

Give it a hard time driving us all off. It can only shoot fire so many ways after all.

>>29025967
I'm fairly sure it doesn't.
Remember that first thing we killed in the cave? We took its horn back to the village.

Is anyone else flipping out that we ARE RIDING A FUCKING DRAGON

>>29025978
I'm thinking our dagger, that gives us a powerful alternative weapon.

Remember when we stack passive effects we lessen the overall effect. Diminishing returns and all that jazz.

>>29026031
>Remember when we stack passive effects we lessen the overall effect. Diminishing returns and all that jazz.

Since when?

>>29026016
It's pretty awesome. And we're going to murder the fuck out of this dragon.

We want to cripple it first, reduce its mobility, keep it from using its wings and then fuck up a leg if we can do so. Then we go for the kill, and we never stand in front of its mouth.

>>29025810
Four wings?

>>29026031
>Remember when we stack passive effects we lessen the overall effect. Diminishing returns and all that jazz.

it does? Even if the effects are different?

>>29026055
I tried to check the archive to find the specifics but it's not loading for me.

Anyone else remember the details of passive items?

>>29026097
I believe so, although I'm not positive.

Can you spread the light here OP? This would greatly affect my decisions.

>>29025938
>>29025855
>>29025874

“Keep it distracted! Try to surround it!” You shout, attempting to maintain balance on the creature's uneven back. You twist Scourge in the creature's wound; in time, the poison will set in, and its movements will slow enough for you to take advantage of this fight.

It tosses its hind legs into the air, and you stumble toward its head, grabbing onto a wicked, black horn. You'd call them closer, but approaching the creature in this state would be dangerous. If they can maintain a safe distance, though...

“Boy!” The axeman foolishly darts into the campsite a distance in front of you, and takes a painful-looking forward dive to avoid a fireball sailing overhead. “Get off-a that thing! It can still...”

The creature roars, unfurling its wings, and with a single, powerful leap, launches itself vertically, clearing the forest canopy before you can catch onto what's happening. You grit your teeth, grabbing onto your halberd, practically glued to the creature as it launches skyward.

What will you do?
>Other

>>29026139
Twist it in its wound, plunge scourge even deeper inside it.

>>29026139
Dig your spear in.
Hang on to horn and spear to prevent falling.

>>29026125

(( Shard infusions that offer similar passive benefits “compete” for efficacy, causing diminishing returns based on the number and individual Soul power of the infusions in question. Stacking different effects doesn't matter quite so much, though. ))

>>29026139
Hang on tight and hope to god it dies on its feet, not its back.

Maybe scream a few oaths.

>>29026139
Hold on as hard as we can.

Plunge Scourge deeper, as deep as we can get it while still having a good place to hold onto it. Hold onto both halberd and horn, try to find a way to anchor our feet.

If it wants a contest of endurance than let it try, we just have to stay on long enough for the poison to fuck it up.

>>29026139
...I don't suppose our boots help us take a fall?

>>29026195
Good to know. Looks like we are going to be stacking some crazy shit.

>>29025967
It doesn't effect the corpse if that's what your asking. But, If you infuse a body part with the soul it will change shape.

>>29026284
You gave me an idea. if we manage to make it land, jump off it with our boots.

>>29026139
Hack at its wings with the axe head of our halberd.

>>29026320
>Not stomping like a baby throwing a tantrum nonstop until its back caves in

>>29026320
Maybe we could jump straight up, as hard as we can stunning it and then bring our halberd straight down on it.

Assuming we don't become a human pancake in the near future.

>>29026325
As much as I would love to cripple its wing we have to worry more about not falling off for right now.

Once we have some stability we can do that.

>>29026337
I don't think that'll work. Our boots say "In contact with the earth...", sadly I don't think that the dragon counts as earth so we won't be able to do any seismic stomps directly on it.

>>29026325
I don't think we want a crash-landing on this thing.

>>29026055
since we made that mosquito bracelet. Basically the turtle bracelet was stronger so it was dominant most of the time. But, the turtle bracelet would every now any then turn itself off so that the mosquito bracelet could cure us of poison.

>>29026358
That 95% likely to get us killed.

>>29026385
Dude, what.

That directly contradicts what the QM just said, different effects don't weaken the effects of the other souls.

File: 1387756739023.jpg-(70 KB, 530x530, Pinocchio wearing goggles.jpg)

70 KB JPG

>>29026391
Well, as long as the jump actually stunned it we should be fine. Otherwise...

>>29026385
Nah man, stacking multiple types of the same spirit in the same charm always enhances the effect, but eventually it enhances the effect so little it's not worth it. It doesn't effect other spirits.

>>29026446
Dude, our stompy jumpy boots only work in contact with the earth. It says so right in their description.

The dragon is not the earth, it's a dragon.

>>29026139

Just keep on it.
The poison will weaken it and it will probably land (or fall)

>>29026446
If you stun a flying monster, it won't stay into place, it will start failing.

>>29026460
Good point.

Too bad through, using those boots to break the dragon's spine would have been rad as hell.

>>29026161
>>29026177
>>29026256

The creature roars as you torque Scourge's point in the growing wound on its back. It's not a terribly good anchor, though—you pull the weapon free, then, using the beast's own upward force against it, strike downward again, before it stabilizes in the air. The spear-point rebounds off of the creature's scales once, then hits home between them, digging deeply.

“Shardkeeper. I would hate to interrupt, as it seems you're quite busy, but I've made an observation about the nature of this creature.” The voice is barely audible over the sound of beating wings as the creature's lift unexpectedly increases in speed. It twists in the air, beginning to fly upward at an angle, then tucks its wings close for a quick spiral.

Almost instantly, you forget which way is down. One hand holds onto Scourge, which is suddenly pulled free of the creature's body; the other holds onto a long, black horn, and as your legs fly free of the drake's back, slowly slides further toward the horn's point.

Provided you make it back to the ground, you'll be adding “Dragons can fly.” to your notes, first thing.

The spin ends just before you'd have run out of horn and sent free-falling, but the sudden change in forces sends you flying into the air; as the drake's body passes below you, you barely manage to wrap one arm around its whipping tail and brace yourself against it. You look forward, as it banks around, back towards the clearing, and begins flying diagonally towards the ground in the center of camp, at increasing speed, breathing fire into the forest below.

What will you do?
>Other

>>29026460
I thought that may be the case, so I guess that means no super jumps unless we're on solid earth. A shame that.

>>29026488

Hang on for dear life while keeping Scourge lodged within it.

>>29026488
"WHAT IS IT SPIRIT I AM A LITTLE BUSY"

>>29026488
Ask Skeith what he observed. This ought to be good.

>>29026488
Try to dig the axe head into its side! That'd provide great leverage!

>>29026488
If it gets close enough to the ground or a tall tree we should bail.

Otherwise keep trying to hurt it with Scourge. Maybe go for some major veins to spread dat poison, if you can locate them.

>>29026484
If you follow the posts all the way back it was specified if it landed. Not in the air naturally, that would be suicidal. It's a moot point anyways.

>>29026510
>>29026514
This, hopefully it's useful information. This is a bad situation to be in.

Maybe the poison will wear on it soon forcing it to land.

>>29026488
"What is it Spirit?"

Keep hold of the tail, look for an opportunity to move from the tail to somewhere more secure, climbing up the back and stabbing the halberd into it more the spread the poison through more of its body.

Try not to bail if we don't have to, we're a lot safer in some ways on the dragon than off of it, while we're on it the dragon can't claw us, bite us, breathe fire on us, preform strafing runs on us.

>>29026488
What is it spirit, what can you tell me?

Try to climb up its tail and plunge our spear into the base of its hindleg.

Rolled 15

>>29026488

Climb up the tail and ask Skeith "what's shiggadiggin?"

>>29026510
>>29026514
>>29026561

“What is it?!” You call out to the Spirit. “This is a bit of an urgent scenario, in case you couldn't tell!”

“Ah, yes. I was hoping you would find the time to chat.” He responds, calm and sinister-sounding as ever. “As my venom begins to spread into the body of this specimen, I can see that, beneath the surface, it is insubstantial.”

“What?”

You begin trying to make your way to a better position, eyes squinted from the wind in your face, feeling skin begin to burn as the dragon passes through air that was on fire a moment ago. The sound of beating wings intensifies, and you find it difficult to concentrate. “What you are fighting now is less a creature, and more the presence of a creature.”

The dragon roars, and you hear the sound of treetops buckling directly beneath you as the bottom of its body comes into contact with the upper branches of the forest canopy.

What will you do?
>This could be the last stop—you'd better take it!
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!
>Other

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

DIE

>>29026747

Oh shit niggers, we have another shardkeeper on our tail! Why the fuck were you guys spreading the word anyway?

Drop off, we're not getting a soul even if we kill this thing!

>>29026747
Bail.
Bail off the scary spirit dragon.

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

Well, that might make it harder to kill.

>>29026747
>>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!
DIE YOU PRESENCE

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

Yeah no, we're not letting you go for round two.

>>29026747

Bail bail bail!

>>29026747

Get off of it!

>>29026783
That makes sense, shit I wonder why they are after us. Well either way they are clearly morte powerful, can we use our powers to fuck with this thing anyway?
Possibly dispel it?

>>29026747
>dragon specifically looking for us
>it's not real but a presence

Do you think that this is a construct made to hunt shardkeepers and how all of them died out?

>>29026747
>This must be a manifestation of another shardkeeper
>Ergo, it's a manifested soul
>Ergo, we might be abl;e to shard it ourselves and steal it

heheheheh

>>29026747
Since it is a presence and not a real thing, can we try to steal its "soul". It might be either weak to such attacks or completely immune.

>>29026866
this

>>29026747
>>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

I don't think getting off would be good for us, it'd set us on fire while we're stuck below it.

But now that we know it's a manifestation of some sort we may be able to do some soul fuckery on it.

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

>>29026747
>Hang on, Shardkeeper; try to get some leverage!

>>29026881
True, I have a feeling it's immune but it's worth a try. If it's a no-go then we bail

>>29026859

There's an idea.

>>29026841
The way I see it: whatever shardkeeper can kill a dragon then call forth its projection is a helluva lot stronger than us. That aside, in order to be strong enough for a projection to be called forth something has to be Skeith-tier and even though dragons aren't purely soul like Skeith it's still probably strong enough to fuck our shit.

>>29026866
The shardkeeper probably keeps the crystal/amulet/whatever from summoning it on him.

>>29026747

(( Back. Apologies for the delay. ))

>>29026786
>>29026797
>>29026800

>1d20

Rolled 12

>>29027025

Rolled 13

>>29027025

Rolled 2

>>29026926
>The shardkeeper probably keeps the crystal/amulet/whatever from summoning it on him.

I thought about that but I think the summoning would actually 'dissolve' the soul crystal, possibly allowing us to capture it.

>>29027025
Got it

Rolled 12

>>29027025

>>29027025

Rolled 4

>>29027025

>>29027045

Sweet fucking Jesus, that was too close.

Rolled 5

>>29027037
Well we probably won't die but it's not exactly a critical success.

Rolled 9

>>29027025

Rolled 7

>>29027058
This quest has had some of the worse luck I've ever seen. We pulled through this time at least. I thought we were dead half way through the first thread with all those ones.

File: 1387758927346.png-(21 KB, 749x606, SOMUCHCRITHAHAHA.png)

21 KB PNG

>>29027079
>implying

>>29027099
That was one of the better moments.

>>29027099

Don't forget the 1,1 after the snake fight.

Captcha: Kurses 1578-9

Rolled 9

>>29027213
I am still sorry for that. SORRY!

>>29027037

>13

Body pressed against the tail of a drake in flight, you attempt to pull yourself forward, and perhaps even rise to your feet.

Yeah, it's about exactly how it sounds.

The creature's flight grows increasingly turbulent as it drops altitude; bumps and chitinous growths on the coarse surface of its body buck sharply against your stomach and ribcage as it decimates the forest canopy, mere feet below you, with fire and devastating physical force. You inch forward, making just enough room to swing your weapon back—Scourge proceeds with a familiar whip-like motion, but merely scratches the crimson beast's lower body.

With a flick of the roaring fiend's tail, you find yourself in the air again. Its immense velocity mostly imparted upon you, you turn your back and shoulder to the forest canopy. The branches slow you, but do so too much at once—and also, not enough. Pain flares up as tree limbs break against your armored body, and bark tips scratch against your exposed flesh.

>Continued

>>29027442

As you break through the lower layer, you catch a glimpse of a foreign object sailing toward you at a high speed and obtuse angle. Your flight path is suddenly altered as it collides inelastically with you; narrowly missing a tree, you instead slide a distance through the grass.

You lie still, confused, for a few moments, before you notice one of the small arms wrapped around you, beating on your chest. You roll to one side, off of Sonia, who lies supine in a human-sized imprint in the dirt.

“You're... heavy.” The cloaked girl manages, one eye twitching melodramatically. Understandably, she looks to be having trouble breathing; probably got the wind knocked out of her. You note that she can't be older than fourteen or fifteen; she reminds you—in appearance, anyway—of your master's other apprentice, back when you trained together.

You've come to a couple of conclusions about whatever infused trinket she's carrying, too; she probably got it in Callestria like the axeman, and it's definitely augmenting her agility, severely so.

You struggle to your feet and recover your weapon from the nearby bushes. There's a dull pain in your upper back, and you note that your shoulder feels... out of place. Before you can get your bearings, there's a massive, earth-shaking crash, you estimate about a hundred feet ahead in the forest.

Through the trees, you hear an echoing voice. “There it is! There it is! Let's go!”

What will you do?
>Other

>>29027468
Get up, find your halberd, let's just hunt and say that's that.

Fucking cocktease dragon.

>>29027468

Thank the girl, and make sure she's alright before running after that damn dragon.

>>29027468
go get it

>>29027468

Ask scourge for more information.

>>29027468
Get up, make sure we have Scourge with us, and make our way there with all due haste. If we can pull our shoulder back into place as we run that'd be nice.

Thank the girl as well, but we don't really have the time to check on her condition.

>>29027468
put our dislocated shoulder back into place
it's gonna hurt

>>29027468

Thank the girl. Ask Skeith if the dragon could be a Shardkeeper's projection and if his poison ought to be particularly damaging to it if so. Pick up our halberd and get the girl to relocate our shoulder before we go fighting anything.

“Thanks for the save.” You nod at Sonia. “You alright?”

“...Yeah.” She pauses, taking a deep breath. “I'm just gonna take a couple of minutes here. Don't mind me.”

“Skeith, you still awake?” You say, using your good arm to push through the brush as you make your way into the forest green. Everything you've seen today makes it seem like someone—someone with Soul rituals at their command—has it in for you.

“I wouldn't dare miss a moment of this, Shardkeeper.” The Spirit hisses. “Is there something you wish to know?”

“Anything you can tell me would be good.” You respond.

“Unfortunately, I know nothing of the creature's origin. If what I have already told you is illuminating in regards to its nature, then there is nothing more to be said.”

Ahead in the forest, fire-light flares up, and you pick up your pace. As you run, you wince as you force your shoulder bone to assume its approximate original position with a sickening pop; the pain is enough to make you stagger, but you continue ahead.

>Continued

>>29027907

You're greeted by the sight of an artificial clearing, the trees in this area knocked down by the dragon's crash landing. In all directions, fires rage around you; the entire plot of earth ahead looks to have been flipped over by the crash.

A distance away, the creature appears to be engaged in combat. From a section of forest wreathed in flames, Grato makes a mighty leap, the head of his massive axe leaving a gleaming crescent trail through the air. He swings as he draws near, but only lands a shallow cut below the dragon's eye before being swatted aside by the back of its claw.

It pays him little attention, focused on Rebecca, who ducks and dodges through the clearing as it spits staggered bursts of flame in her direction. She swings her glaive during spare moments to create space, but is unable to draw close enough to land a good hit. An arrow whistles through the clearing, burying itself into the weakened drake's neck, and is followed by another one, which hits home close to the first.

What will you do?
>Charge ahead, dodging if necessary, and finish this!
>Move in and support the spearwoman—you can outlast this thing.
>Make a little space with the power of the Mountain King.
>Other.

>>29027907

Ask Skeith if his poison aimed at a particular area of the dragon could be used to sever the connection between summon and shardkeeper.

>>29027930
>>Make a little space with the power of the Mountain King.

>>29027930
>Charge in and finish it!

>>29027930
Does the drake seem to be moving any slower than before?

>Make a little space with the power of the Mountain King.

Use Seismic Stomps to weaken its footing, if the earth under its massive feet starts shifting and moving it might fall over, it might slip, and this'll give us an advantage and a chance to chop into its hopefully soft underbelly with Scourge.

>>29027930

Warn Rebecca to watch her feet, send some quakes through the ground as we charge to mess up the dragon's footing, then try to injure a limb with Skeith.

>>29027981
Sounds like a plan

>>29027993
>>29027981
>>29027950

>2d20

Rolled 16, 4 = 20

>>29028039

Rolled 5, 12 = 17

>>29028039

Rolled 15, 5 = 20

>>29028039

Rolled 19, 5 = 24

>>29028039

Rolled 3, 19 = 22

>>29028039

OP? You there?

Rolled 5, 14 = 19

>>29028039

>>29028541
It hasn't been that long, I wouldn't worry too much.

>>29028046

>16

“Rebecca! Watch your feet!” She briefly glances over her shoulder; you think she's got the message.

Soul power gathers beneath you, and you stomp the ground to let it loose, sending a jagged fissure snaking through the scorched forest floor. It passes Rebecca, as she dances among the flames, and the sound of moving earth and rock stops as the fissure reaches the dragon's body.

The ground in a wide area surrounding the crimson beast abruptly buckles, and it is toppled to one side, two legs entombed in the dirt as chunks of burning earth are launched skyward and dust fills the air.

>>29028068

>12

“Incredible!” Rebecca remarks, as the two of you run side by side toward the stunned creature, spears opposite each other. Trapped by your attack, the drake can do little more than thrash about in the ground; Skeith's poison seems to have reduced its strength and capacity for flight, and it doesn't seem to be moving quite so fast, either.

It bends its body, leveling its head towards you, and sprays another cone of flame in your direction. You dodge left, the huntress dodging right, and the beast favors you; as you don't move quite far enough, you're caught by the attack. You yelp, cloak and body wreathed suddenly in fire, and jump ahead faster, rolling through the dirt to free yourself from the flames.

>Continued

>>29028738

Transitioning back onto your feet, you continue the charge, with you and the spearwoman coming within proximity of the creature simultaneously. The two of you leap, and strike down at the base of the drake's neck with your weapons, cleaving through the weakened creature's flesh with ease.

“Stay down, you filthy bastard!” Grato's voice echoes from the burning forest, and he hurls himself toward the dragon again. The head of his axe carves a bright crescent of light through the air, and this time, his attack collides vertically with the creature's mouth, splitting its jawline asunder.

Red light pours from the wound, and the creature's form melts into a translucent outline of its former self. A dragon's roar echoes through the forest—then, the shape bursts apart, knocking the three of you onto your backs with a pulse of concussive force, leaving nothing behind but the destroyed forest surrounding you.

The fire surrounding the area seems to have died down, punctuated by a burning tree limb falling to the ground from the canopy several meters away. A confused Daeron limps into the clearing from his position in the bushes to join the group—a moment later, you catch Sonia dragging herself toward you as well.

“You're kidding!” Rebecca groans, planting the head of her weapon into the ground. Her stance wavers, and she falls forward, supporting herself with her weapon. “It disappeared? How are we going to prove this now?”

“What the hell happened?” The bowman asks. His uniform appears scorched, and his face is streaked with blood from a wound hidden by his matted hair. “Where'd it go?”

>What will you say?

>>29028764
>"It must not have been a real creature, but some sort of projection."

>>29028764
>>What will you say?
It was only an echo of the monster's soul.

The true enemy who summoned it is still hidden.

>>29028764
"Who knows? Certainly not me."

Then go to the city.

>>29028764
"It wasn't truly a real creature, more the presence of a creature, the idea and concept of it given form.

A shame, I would've liked to make use of it."

>>29028805
This, but change enemy to person that summoned it

Rolled 11, 3 = 14

>>29028808
>Not suspicious at all

>>29028805
>>29028796

“That was a projection.” You say. The likelihood of a dragon, even an adolescent one like that, taking up residence in a place like this is almost nonexistent; somehow, you feel like you should have realized it sooner. “An echo of that creature's soul. The person that summoned it is still hidden somewhere.”

“Summoned? You mean it wasn't real?” Sonia says, her breaths still contracted. “I don't understand.”

“There's a whole lot of stuff I don't understand.” Rebecca says. “But we've got to start back to Callestria. Our campsite's destroyed, which means the rest of our supplies are gone.”

“Already?” Daeron sighs. “I'd rather just... sit down, rest a while.”

“The injuries are rough, but they'll overcome us if we wait out here too long.” The spearwoman responds, sighing.

“Hey, don't look so down!” Grato gives a hearty chuckle, patting you on the back. His uniform is tattered, claw marks visible beneath, and he's coated in ash and soot. “Who cares if we've nothing to take back? We've got ourselves a hell of a story, thanks to this crazy old bastard 'ere!”

“Yeah.” Rebecca nods. “Erick, I should have believed you the first time. That power is astonishing. We certainly owe you one. Will you join us on the trip back to Callestria?”

>What will you say?

>>29029358
Well, I guess so.

>>29029358
Sure why not? Safety in numbers and all that.

>>29029358
"Sure.

Considering that I don't really know the way, I would like to tag along."

>>29029358
Not anything better to do.

>>29029358
Why not?

>>29029397

“Sure.” You nod. “I don't know the way, so I'd like to tag along.”

“Alright. We're not too far out, and there's more than likely not much worth salvaging at the camp.” Rebecca says. “We'll head on and see what happens.”

With your help, the four hunters navigate back to the road. You continue walking, now with company, the path ahead illuminated by the moon and stars above. You're hurt, and tired from the battle as well as having not missed a night of sleep since your journey began; the four of them are injured as well, and though it shows in their quiet attitude and collectively-exhausted gait, they walk, resolute, through the night.

The fight with that dragon—summoned, you think, by some other Shardkeeper somewhere—seems like a blur now, and you're not even sure what time it started and how long it lasted. By your best instinct, the sun will rise in mere hours; you're not sure how far away Callestria is and whether or not your group will manage, but you trust their judgment in that regard.

What will you do?
>Communicate with Skeith. (Description.)
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Tell someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Other.

>>29029933
>>Communicate with Skeith. (Description.)
Ask him how he knew the dragon was a projection.

>>29029933

>Ask someone in the group something.

What's Callestria like? How big is it, how are the people, what are the job opportunities like?

>>29029989
No, he told us how.

>>29029999
I second that.

>>29029933
>>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)

Ask them how much you could make by upgrading weapons like theirs.

>>29029933
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
Ask the teenage cloaked girl (don't know her name) why someone so young is off adventuring and fighting dragons.

>>29030118
I'm bad with names to
>Rebecca - spear woman
>Daeron - bow man
>Erick - ax guy
>Grato - cloak girl
I think

>>29030221

We're Erick, and Grato is the axe guy. Sonia is the cloak girl.

>>29030221
(( Grato is the axeman, Daeron the bowhunter, Rebecca the spearwoman, and Sonia would be the cloaked girl. Erick is... the protagonist. ))

>>29029933
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
"So, Snia, im guessing you have one of those artifacts as well, right? Are things like that fairly common in the markets of Callestria?"

if the Answers yes, then most likely its not something someone found, someones there making them

>>29030118
I'd say thank her for saving our ass. Then if the conversation continues, maybe transition into asking why there out here chasing rumors of monsters.

>>29029933

>Skeith
"Well, Skeith, it looks like you'll get your wish to turn your hand against a shardkeeper. Tell me more of how you were driven from this city..."

>Tell someone in the group something
Hey, I realize that I told you guys I was a shard keeper...but in light of that attack let's keep that on the downlow, if you wouldn't mind.
Goddamn I told you guys not to spread that around.

>Ask someone in the group something
So what is it that you guys do, exactly?

>>29030546
So what is it that you guys do, exactly?
Have you never met a group of proper murder hobos before?

>>29030588

Erick, in fact, hasn't.

More of "do you have a regular employer, where do you acquire your arms and armor, etc."

>>29030260

These guys all have very powerful artifacts (we sensed the axe from across a goddamn clearing) and we were just attacked by a summoned dragon...

Jealous merchant-keeper, anyone thinks?

>>29030704
We ought to ask if we can see their artifacts, and offer to see if they'd prefer their shard effects in any other equipment.

“Skeith.” You contact the Spirit. “It looks like you might get your wish to turn your hand against a Shardkeeper soon enough.”

“Excellent.” Skeith chuckles, his voice resonating in your mind.

“Tell me more of how you were driven from this land.”

“It matters not, Shardkeeper. It was many years before your life began. In that time, your kind—the manipulators of Soul—were greater in number.”

“So, how are the people in Callestria?” You shake Skeith's voice from your head, then ask the group audibly.

“Eh, same as everywhere else, I guess.” Daeron responds. He turns and nods at you, then pulls his hood back over his head. “Mostly, the kind of folks who are looking out for themselves. But there's nice types as well.”

“What do you guys do, exactly?” You ask.

“We're hunters for the city.” Daeron says.

“And, for fun!” Sonia interjects.

“We work for a lot of people, technically.” The bowman continues. “We supply our own gear and hunt beasts for useful commodities to sell to businesses. We've also taken out a few contracts for bigger kills, and, more recently, gone out chasing rumors.”

“Mm.” You nod. “Are there plenty of other job opportunities?”

“What do you mean, boy?” Grato chuckles, axe slung over his back. “You're looking for a job? That's why you're on the road?”

“Well, let me rephrase that. The artifacts that you and Sonia are carrying...” You begin.

“Hey!” The young girl interrupts you. “How'd you know about that? You haven't even seen...”

>Continued

I bet that vendor they're buying these artifacts from is an experienced shardkeeper, and he sent that dragon after us to try and kill off his competition.

>>29030803

“...How much could I make by creating weapons like those?” You ask. “Are they common in the markets?”

“Well...” Grato begins to speak, but Rebecca interrupts him.

“Presumably, a fortune.” The spearwoman nods. “That's how much they're worth. Such things are rare artifacts, typically found by explorers, hunters, archaeologists, those types.”

“Aye.” Grato continues. “They're pieces of a lost world, and they pack quite a punch to boot.”

“After what I've seen you do today, I trust you're not lying about your ability to produce them, but otherwise, they can't be produced. There's a dealer in town who occasionally gets his hands on something like them, but they never stay for too long.” Rebecca says. “Anyone who could grind out weapons like that could reach a point where they'd never have to lift a finger for the rest of their lives.”

“Mm.” You pause, and continue walking with the group for a while. “Sonia, thanks for saving me back there, by the way. I would have been out of commission were it not for that catch.”

“You're welcome!” She grins. “I'll be honest, I didn't think I could make it.”

“What's someone your age doing out hunting with a group like this?” You ask.

“Hey, you don't look much older than me.” She rolls her eyes.

What will you do?
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Tell someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Other.

>>29030829
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)

Ask about the monsters in the area, we're not from around here so familiarizing ourself with the local wildlife would be good.

>>29030829
>>Ask someone in the group something.

Ask Grato what her relic does.

>>29030829

Okay guys, Skeith obviously isn't telling us about how he was driven out of the city because SoulQM hasn't decided how it happened or he doesn't want us, a shardkeeper, to know how.

>Recall info
Can shardkeepers live longer lives than normal people?

>Tell them
Hey guys...don't mention that I can make these things. I feel it would be bad for my health...and if people knew you'd associated with me it would be bad for your health also.

>>29030829
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
To everyone in general: So, when youre not out hunting rumors, what kind of beasts do you normally tangle with around here?
And what exactly were you looking for anyway? did you just recently start gettign demand for jobs like this?

>>29030829
Aww man. We could make some serious cash money millionaires by making infused artifacts. Or we could just make them for ourselves and no one else. Make them mad jealous.

Either way is fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42R0fQU6StU

Is anyone else getting this kind of self-destructive impulse to just delve into the city's sewers and unleash+defend Skeith?

>>29030903

>>>Tell them
Hey guys...don't mention that I can make these things. I feel it would be bad for my health...and if people knew you'd associated with me it would be bad for your health also.

I'll second this. Even if we hadnt just gotten attacked by what was likely a shard, any business that relies on the rarity of such things might find it better off if they didnt have competition

>>29031016
Not since my murderhobo urges left me, no.

>>29031007

I'm fairly sure the quiet life of a merchant is going to be impossible for us.

Also there's this shardkeeper after us. Hey, actually...

>Recall info
Is it possible for a non-shardkeeper to call out a projection from and artifact designed to project a soul?

>>29031016
I do.

>>29030829
I am just thinking about the repercussions of telling them we can make artifacts. If word gets out a lot of powerful people will be interested in us.

>>29031029

>Further elaborate:

You know how that dragon disappeared? Don't mention that either. The way those work...well that's not likely to be the last time that *exact* dragon comes around, and the more noise you make about me the more likely it'll come around when you're alone and asleep.

>>29031029
>>29031153

“Ah, one thing.” You say. “Don't mention to anyone that I've got the ability to make these things. It could be bad for my health, and if people knew you associated with me, bad for your health too.”

“Bad for our health?” Rebecca asks. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Let me put it this way: Remember how that drake disappeared? Don't mention that either. Because it might not be the last time that same creature comes around, and the more noise you make about me, the greater the chance it'll come when you're alone and asleep.” You continue. “That said, what were you guys looking for out here? Do you always get jobs like this?”

“This was Grato's idea.” Sonia says. “He's the one that heard about it and decided to take initiative.”

“And I'm quite sorry we had to come all this way.” The axeman sighs. “Now, can we stop talking about this incident?”

The conversation stalls.

“Erick, I'm sorry, but this is making me nervous.” Rebecca asks. “What'd you call yourself back there, a Shardkeeper? I don't know what all of this is about, but I get the feeling you're more than some traveling hunter.”

“Yeaaah.” Sonia grins, her voice taking a meddlesome tone. “What's your story?”

>What will you say?

>>29030903

>Can Shardkeepers live longer lives than normal people?

Not naturally, though you imagine it'd be a possibility with some manner of longevity-inducing Shard infusion. You're not sure what sort of Shard you'd need to capture, and what magnitude of Soul it would have to possess to create such an effect.

>>29031044

>Is it possible for a non-Shardkeeper to call out a projection from an artifact designed to project a soul?

A summoning is performed by the contact between the spiritual presence of a Shardkeeper and the Soul within a bound Shard—or in some cases, within an infused item. Your Master's literature doesn't contain any information on artifacts made for the express purpose of summoning, which suggests it isn't possible. Even if it were, the summon wouldn't listen to orders from a non-Shardkeeper; a dragon like that, for example, would have just gone on a rampage.

>>29031449

No sense in keeping it a secret since they seem alright folks.

>>29031449

"I deal with forces that inhabit an unseen realm that reflects our own. Magic, if you will. Particularly Shardkeepers can manipulate life-essences of creatures. They can either make weapons like yours, or if they're very powerful they can summon copies of strong creatures...like that dragon.

I was trained by an experienced shardkeeper after he noticed my potential...but he left when I was still relatively young and inexperienced. I've only recently left my village and gone about learning more."

>>29031449
>>What will you say?
Tell them our story.

We used to live in a nice little village up in the north until the village chief conveniently decided to blame us for some offense.

After that, we started wandering, we cleaned a swamp a bit north of here and found these hunters.

>>29031526

Might be able to scare them further into silence.

Poor guys...we walked into their camp and got them tangled up in things much larger than them.

>>29031449
>>29031469
Tell them what you just told us. The dragon could only have been sent by another shardkeeper. Which is why you don't want to draw too much attention.

>>29031469
>longevity-inducing Shard
Time to go jellyfish hunting.

The five of us could be the start of a very lucrative business arrangement.
>They help us get the raw materials.
>We make the goods.
>They pretend like they found them while adventuring.

>>29031634
If we manage to find a Ocean Quahog. We'll be able to live at LEAST 300 years.

>>29031683
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii#Biological_immortality

>>29031634

Giant, giant jellyfish so they have a big soul.

>>29031449
*sigh* "A shard keeper is someone who is spiritually sensitive and can 'interact' with spirits and in some cases bind the spirits of fallen animals and monsters to serve him. Grato, Sonia those artifacts of yours were most likely made by people like me, binding fallen spirits to their will and then infusing them into weapons to give them unique properties. When I hunt for monsters I not only kill them for their hides, bones, meat, etc, but also their 'soul'. With that I can create new weapons and armors of incredible power based on how powerful the 'soul' of the monster was in life.

>>29031700
Alright, nevermind. We NEED to go jellyfish hunting.

>>29031634
>>29031700
>>29031709
>>29031720
Either a Lion's mane jellyfish or a Nomura's jellyfish.

>>29031547
>>29031552
>>29031547

"I deal with forces that inhabit an unseen realm that reflects our own.” You say. “We Shardkeepers can manipulate life-essences of creatures, and interact with Spirits. Our power can make incredible weapons and artifacts, and if a Shardkeeper is very powerful, they can summon copies of strong creatures... like that dragon.”

“So that thing was sent by another Shardkeeper?” Daeron asks, placing a hand to his head.

“I didn't think it came from near here.” Rebecca says. “We'll try to keep quiet, then. Last thing I want is for any one of us to get spit-roasted.”

“So you're not really a hunter?” Grato asks.

“Grato, that axe of yours, and whatever artifact Sonia carries with her, were likely made by people like me. When a Shardkeeper hunts creatures, they hunt not only for meat and bones, but for Soul. With it, weapons and armor of incredible power with unique properties can be created, based on how powerful the 'soul' of the monster would be in life.”

“Why's someone weird like you want to live in the city, then?” Sonia's mischievous smile grows wider.

“I come from a village in the far north, but I was accused of treason by a prominent figure there.” You respond. “Since then, I've been traveling, and learning more about my craft, as well as the world beyond my home.”

“I see.” Rebecca gives a satisfied sigh—she might be delirious, but it's the first time you've seen her smile. “We've dealt in the hides and bones of creatures, but I never would have figured that some... metaphysical aspect was going to waste.”

“Ah, nothing we can do about it now, right?” The bowman shrugs. “Well, Erick, my lips are sealed.”

“Same, boy.” Grato nods. “I won't tell a soul.”

“And neither will I!” Sonia smiles.

What will you do?
>Ask someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Tell someone in the group something. (Description.)
>Other.

>>29032045

>tell them something

Describe our various accouterments. Offer to move the souls in their gear to other gear for them if they wish. Who knows maybe axe-guy always wanted to use some two handed sword or something but the axe was just better.

>>29032045
Stop telling them shit about our lives.

>>29032045
>Timeskip to city.

>>29032045
>offer to partner up with them for a bit, with the incentive of you enchanting their gear/enchanting gear we could sell as a group for mad cashsicles.


>>29032200
whatevs broodmaster
b dark and edgy somewhere else

>>29032152
This. And propose the following business arrangement.
>>29031677

>>29032241
>>29032241

(( We'll see about that, but actually, this is where I get off for today!
Archiving. Thanks for the posts. ))

>>29032299
Well goodnight Soul. When will be the next session?

>>29032299
Thanks for running.

>>29032152
I have a feeling that ax man really likes his ax the way it is. But it could be a good demonstration of our skills. Or we could just move the snake soul to our dagger as a demonstration.

>>29032299
T'was a good run Soul. Felt like we got a lot done.

>>29032327

(( I'll try to stay up-to-date with the Twitter. Habits have improved lately. ))

>>29032333

(( Indeed. This was a good session. ))