You nod. “Alright, we'll stick you in the dog. Open your mouth so I can pull the gem out.” Fulvia does as directed, and you tug out the glowing core. The swordmage construct falls to the side, crashing heavily to the ground. The energy it had been filled with quickly dissipates into the air around it in the form of heat. You make your way over to the dog-construct and crouch down, sticking the gem in the holder and shutting the hatch.

The construct springs to life, pushing itself onto all fours. It has no eyes and no mouth, so of course its impossible to communicate with it. This particular model isn't in that bad of shape, it has both of its arm blades intact and it isn't nearly as raggedy looking. Still pretty beat up though. It seems like while all this was going on, Chryssa took the opportunity to carve “Chryssa Was Here” into the table where the map had been, while also scratching out what Fulvia wrote. Profectus joined her, and you figure you might as well too.

To top it all off you write “Suck It” in big letters above all three of your names, since you've basically looted this place for all its worth. Might as well rub it in their faces a little bit. Then you have Fulvia, in the form of the dog construct, lead you to the western exit. It proves to be a pair of giant sliding doors, similar in many ways to the armory doors, but much larger. You press your hand to the scanner slowly they start to slide open, revealing a tunnel beyond.

The first few feet of the tunnel are lined with metal, much like the hallways of the facility, but it quickly gives way to bedrock and then dirt. You hadn't realized just how far underground you were. You crawl through dirt for what feels like miles, weaving through narrow pathways and under low overhangs. Eventually you end up bursting forth into the late afternoon sunlight, from a hatch hidden amongst the tall grass.

Gods, it's nice to be above ground again. You bask in it for a moment, warming yourself in the sunlight. The moment is only ruined by the realization your guar are all the way back at the mine entrance, several miles away across hilly grassland and possible surrounded by adventurers who are sure to be angry if and when they find out you screwed them over.

>The guar were too valuable to abandon, go back for them.
>You can hoof it for a while, you didn't have anything terribly important with them.
>Write-in

Fulvia being a working dog construct would have let us carry one or more other inactive constructs with us so that we could sell them. She should be able to carry them easily.
Why weren't we given that option?

Could you make it as if we had done that?

>>30712339
>>The guar were too valuable to abandon, go back for them.

>>30712361
>>The guar were too valuable to abandon, go back for them.

We need the guar.

>>30712361
>>The guar were too valuable to abandon, go back for them.
also, I wonder of professor could ride fulvia now.

I'm not going to stick around but when we get back to the city please DO NOT go to the money changer first.
Spend silver first on whatever purchases we want and THEN, if we have a lot of silver left, exchange it.
The last time we needlessly wasted a huge amount of money on exchanging as soon after we spent pretty much all of the money anyway. That is not a right way to do things.

In fact, I think we shouldn't exchange them at all but put them into a bank or something while we adventure in this area.

>Go back for the guar
Writin'

>>30712369
>Why weren't we given that option?
Mainly because I was tired.

>Could you make it as if we had done that?
If enough people seem interested in lugging an extra construct around, maybe.

>>30712486
Sure if we find one that's mostly intact we can probably drop him off at the academy for quite a bit of cash.

>>30712497
I agree.

I would suggest command AI because it seems the most valuable and we can use our barter skills to play up the price easier with them.

>>30712486
yes, do it
mo money is never a bad idea

Remember we need to ask the Archmagos to see his stock of magic items.

Then we go to the water temple for TRAINING!

“Crap, hang on a second.” You sigh, reaching up to rub some of the weariness out of your features. Profectus and Chryssa look to you, confused. “We forgot the guar. They're both sitting by the mine entrance.”

Chryssa nods. “Yes, we'll need to go back and get them. Why is that an issue?” You shrug. “No, I know. I was just really looking forward to getting out of this backwater. Think I might go north after this, or maybe east. Who knows.” Profecuts seems confused for a moment, as the three of you (four, counting Fulvia) turn and start the long trek back to the mine entrance.

“What's to the north or the east worth seeing? Last I recall to the east is just a mountain range, nothing special about it. North is a no-man's-land of ice and snow.” You launch into an explanation about what you've heard, about the ancient race stirring to the north. Then explain your curiosity about the mountains to the east. They're supposed to be impassable, but they can't go on forever. What might lie beyond?

After a few minutes of walking, Profectus hauls himself up into Fulvia and wedges himself between the dog-construct's head and the body of the swordmage construct you tied to her back. It takes some shifting and adjustment but eventually he makes himself comfortable in a position that doesn't have metal poking him in the side. Chryssa shoots him a glare but doesn't say anything.

Once Profectus has himself situated he breaks the comfortable silence you'd been enjoying. “Soooo... what do you two do for fun? Do people still play Tesserae?” Chryssa looks at him confused. “Isn't Tesserae just rolling dice and betting money on who rolls higher?” Profectus is silent for a moment. “Well... yeah, but there's more to it than that! It's about the risk involved...”

Any hobbies? Besides reading, of course.
>Play an instrument?
>Gambling?
>Pebbles? (Basically Chess with a variable size for the board)
>Write-in

>>30712806
>Write-in
Read

>>30712806
>Pebbles (Basically Chess with a variable size for the board)
If I remember correctly, it was more like Go than Chess.

>>30712836
>Besides reading, of course.

>>30712806
>>Pebbles? (Basically Chess with a variable size for the board)
I doubt it's music, since we have the bombing instrument that we haven't touched since buying. And I don't want us to be a gambler.

>>30712806
>>Play an instrument?

We could practice with the Oud.

>>30712806
>Write-in
We consider ourselves something of a novelist.

>>30712806
>Pebbles? (Basically Chess with a variable size for the board)
Seems fitting to me.

>>30712859
>>30712916
>>30712867
>Pebbles

>>30712869
>Music

>>30712891
>Writer

Writin'

So what do we tell the adventures who took our guar and assumed we were dead.

You shrug your shoulders. “Well, I dabbled with music and writing, but I was never really that great truth be told. I am a fan of Pebbles though. Can't go wrong with a good book, either.” Profectus wrinkles his nose. “People still play pebbles? Gods, that was the most boring game I ever had the misfortune of playing. It was all strategy! No luck to it at all.” You grin. “That's exactly the reason I enjoy it, people can't rely on luck as a crutch to win.”

Chryssa speaks up before you and Profectus can get into an argument about liking something the other doesn't like. “I enjoy hunting and reading, personally. The more dangerous a creature is, or the harder it is to find, the more entertaining it is to kill.” Profectus rolls his eyes. “How very Provincial of you. Barbarians have always had an odd fixation on seeing things die and then eating their corpses. That reminds me though, how are we going to split up the stuff we found in the ruin?”

Why did that remind him of dividing the loot? Oh well, what do you propose?
>You'll discuss this after you sell off the swords, the construct, and anything else you found inside.
>Even three-way split, Chryssa will probably forfeit her portion meaning really you get 2/3rds.
>Half and half between you and Profectus.
>Write-in

>>30713111
3 way split seems fair

>>30713111
>>You'll discuss this after you sell off the swords, the construct, and anything else you found inside.

>>30713111
>You'll discuss this after you sell off the swords, the construct, and anything else you found inside.

>>30713111
Later, I wanna convince Profectus to come with us.

>Discuss later
Writin'

I wonder how much magic items cost?

And I wonder what kind of knowledge we got about Rhynian society, like will we know functions of objects and shit like that?

You wave a hand dismissively. “Now's hardly the time to go asking about how we'll divvy up the loot. We don't even really know what we have yet. Once we sell everything we're going to sell we can decide who gets what and how much money.” Chryssa nods. “That seems reasonable.” Profectus shrugs. “Suit yourself, but I'll hold you to that. I'm sticking around until I get my money at least.”

The rest of the walk goes by quickly, the three of you making light conversation along the way. It proved to be a rather pleasant day fortunately, not too hot, a stiff breeze to cool you off, clear sky. Hopefully it's not ruined by nosy adventurers. When you finally reach the mine entrance once more, you find yourselves looking down on the clearing from the top of a hill. It seems to be mostly deserted, the guard is sitting in his plush chair snoozing away contentedly. You doubt you need to worry about him though, he seems to work for Sadik. Your guar are grazing on the tall grass. It seems they've cleared a good sixty feet in any one direction of grass over the... two days you were in there? You think you it was about two days.

>Approach quickly, tell the guard you got what you needed, clear out fast.
>Just act natural, they probably don't even know how to get past the generator yet.
>Talk to the guard more in depth before you leave. How are you supposed to contact Sadik?
>Write-in

>>30713442
>Approach quickly, tell the guard you got what you needed, clear out fast.
We could probably just ask around for a merchant named Sadik that sells cool junk. We need to get out quick right now.

>>30712361
>>>The guar were too valuable to abandon, go back for them

>>30713442
>>Approach quickly, tell the guard you got what you needed, clear out fast

>>30713442
>>Just act natural, they probably don't even know how to get past the generator yet.

>>30713442
>Approach quickly, tell the guard you got what you needed, clear out fast.

>Clear out fast
Writin'

>>30713442
>Approach quickly, tell the guard you got what you needed, clear out fast.

How would we even act natural? Aren't we weighted down by a load of loot and have a robot dog with us?

>>30713529
this, we need to go to our merchant first, since he gave us this dungeon location, but first we have to get our stuff appraised.

>>30713626
We sell it to him. I trust him. But we should try out the fancy sword to see what it does.

We'll sell the shit swords and maybe the command construct.

>>30713687
Profectus should keep the regular armor.

Chryssa should keep the tech armor for when we teach her.

We'll keep the pistol. And all of fulvia and the sphere.

The crossbow is a maybe.

We won't sell any of the writings until we read and decode them.

You proceed quickly and as quietly as you can into the clearing around the mine entrance, stuffing some of your findings into your guar's saddlebags. You unload some of the silver into one, a few of your books into the others. The swords you snagged get attached to the saddle itself, except for the particularly fancy sword with the gem in the hilt. You keep that one on your belt. Chryssa follows suit, shoving the Technician's Armor into one of her saddlebags before mounting up.

Fulvia, and by extension Profectus, was waiting for you crouched in the tall grass out of sight. Chryssa hurries to join them, but you jog over to the sleeping guard. Before you can reach over to shake him awake he raises a hand to indicate there's no need. “I'll get word to Sadik, don't you worry. You'll be seeing him shortly I'm sure.” That's... ominous, but he seemed friendly enough the first time you met him. No sense backing out now. You nod your head to the guard and then run back over to the guar, pulling yourself into the saddle and riding off.

As you spur the animal towards the tall grass you hear a voice echo up from the mine. “Hey! Hey you rat bastard, we did it! You owe me money, you dirty sodomite!” Fortunately, you're out of sight and over the next hill before whoever it was made it out of the mine.

>Head for Anthus immediately, avoid the main roads until you're out of town.
>Head for the pass that you entered this region through. That's where you last saw Sadik, after all.
>Write-in

>>30713815
>>Head for Anthus immediately, avoid the main roads until you're out of town

>>30713815
>>Head for Anthus immediately, avoid the main roads until you're out of town.

>>30713815
>>>Head for Anthus immediately, avoid the main roads until you're out of town.

>To Anthus, post haste
Writin'

Is 4chan acting up for anyone else? Keep getting redirected to the server disconnected page.

>>30713926
Not me

>>30713926
Stupid intense problems for me, and it isn't my modem.

So is lightning magic a thing? Off shoot of fire?

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You slow down after you've put a fair amount of distance between you and the mine, but stick to traversing the long grass instead of passing onto the main road. You never know if an adventurer might spot you passing by, after all. They might think you were dead or something, and you don't want to be forced to answer any difficult questions.

After a few minutes of riding in silence, Profectus clears his throat and speaks up. “Why are we being so sneaky? Did we break some kind of law I'm unaware of?” Chryssa cast him a look. “Was looting a Rhynian facility not a crime when you were last awake?” He draws himself up. “I'll have you know that scavenging ruins has always been a perfectly legal profession, I'd never debase myself by breaking the law.”

You sigh. “No, we didn't do anything illegal. That I know of, at least. I just don't want those adventurers to know we're the ones that cleaned the place out. Isn't it sort of common courtesy to work through ruins as a team or something?” Chryssa nods. “In general. I'm sure there would be some hard feelings but they wouldn't attack you or anything. Publicly, at least.”

After you've gotten past the city limits, as far as you can tell that is, you start working towards where you think the road is. It takes a while, but eventually you find yourselves riding along on cobblestone roads back towards the city of Anthus. You can already imagine the vast amount of money you're going to milk the Academy for with these finds. Or Sadik, whichever comes first. Now that you're back on the proper roads though, you have some time to kill and don't really need to keep an eye on where your guar is going.

>Read a book while you wait. (I'll provide the list for you to vote if you pick this. It's rather long)
>Ask one of your companions a question
>Write-in

>>30714100
>>Read a book while you wait. (I'll provide the list for you to vote if you pick this. It's rather long)

>Ask one of your companions a question

ask prof about his arm

>>30714069
Lightning is an off shoot of fire that typically becomes available around Master level, yeah.

>>30714100
>Read a book while you wait. (I'll provide the list for you to vote if you pick this. It's rather long)

>>30714145
Lightning + Leaping probably synergizes crazy good.

>>30714100
Read a book, more of the Water.

>Read a book
Alright, you've got a wide array of options. I'll assume you'll go ahead and glance through the two letters you have since they're only a page or two long and won't take much time.

Ritual Book of Surya
>(3/16 Chapters Read)
A Treatise on Advanced Water Magic by Master Yusef
>(5/12 Chapters Read)
Metamagic Instructions: Leaping
>(Unread)
Metamagic Instructions: Blast
>(Unread)
Five Effects Every Vatis Should Know
>(Unread)
Grandmaster's Journal
>(Unread)
How Earth Vatis Built the Rhynian Empire
>(Unread)
Research Data: Project A
>(Unread, Encoded)
On Empire: The Rise of Civilization
>(Unread)

>>30714242
>Metamagic Instructions: Blast

>>30714242
>A Treatise on Advanced Water Magic by Master Yusef
We should be able to get it done since it takes like half a day to get all the way to Anthus.

>>30714242
>A Treatise on Advanced Water Magic by Master Yusef
Gotta get that water

>>30714242
>A Treatise on Advanced Water Magic by Master Yusef
>>(5/12 Chapters Read)

>Advanced Water Magic
Writin'

>>30714242
>>A Treatise on Advanced Water Magic by Master Yusef

I wonder if with the help and finding of the Academy or another governing body we could lead an expedition back to the ruins and retrieve the generator and other massive devices left there?
Since we have administration privileges of the facility, can use everything there and have Fulvia help us if needed we are bound to be the leader of the expedition. Once we bring everything of value here we can hook up Fulvia info the generator to have her full capacities back and work on the research data we retrieved to develop portable energy sources. Then we can make a better body for her and we will have a new, full fledged party member without handicaps

>>30714325
Nah

But we should tell the Archmagos about the ruin.

>>30714315
Has a week passed since bought the books? We should finish it quickly to get 60% of its cost back.
Though... Could we sell it to somebody else for higher price?

>>30714325
I'd rather not.

>>30714357
Nope, only two days, if memory serves. You've still got five days to finish reading them.
Also, your spear will be ready tomorrow, and Chryssa's armor in two days time.

>>30714357
We could probably sell most of them for more. Or close to it.

But it might take some time to sell them

>>30714394
good so lets spend the next 4 days reading, also we need to finish shopping.

>>30714394
We can stay the night at the adacemy if they'll let us. Give us time to socialize with some mates for a bit. And swap stories with the Archmagos

>>30714351
he probably knows about it.
the thing is that we are pretty much the only one who can control the facility, makes us the most qualified to do it. We only explored the fraction of the facility so there are more things to discover.
Though I understand if people got bored of it. If op streamlines it and/or has it be quickly overt through a timeskip, it might be worth it. I don't want to spend another 3-5 threads on the same rib again either

>>30714454
the AI is gone from the facility, but she can provide a map for him.

>>30714449
we should try to gain access to the library again and spend a week or two reading all the books they have. Some "research donation" might help us out with that.
There were a lot of books there and it would be much cheaper this way instead of buying them in bulk.

>>30714527
I wouldn't want to impose on him. But we'll speak to him, and let him speak to fulvia and profectus.

>>30714401
We should ask Sadik what he will give us for the books when we meet him then. I'm not sure if they're were any other magic or book stores in the city, I'd there were then we should ask around too.
If no better option is found we should crunch the books as fast as possible and sell them back to the academy.
books are not really durable equipment especially when adventuring, while we could sell them for now in the future we are also likely to ruin them with water damage or any other way

>>30714744
he seemed incredibly friendly so I don't think it would take much to convince him to let us use their library for a week or two. Especially if we let them talk to and study the ancient AI.

You start by pulling out the Dux's letter, it's only a few paragraphs long and doesn't seem to be encoded in any way. Shouldn't take too long at all.

'OSPD Legate Decimus SVBEEV'

Something tells you, in the back of your head, that this is a rather typical way to start a letter. The abbreviations don't properly translate but they mean something along the lines of “Greetings to all, especially Legate Decimus. If you are well, it is good, and I am also well.”

'The facility is running well, all systems function as the engineers said they would. The artificial guardians have seemed a little stupid, sometimes you need to give them instructions a few times before they finally get it, but they've been immensely useful.

Our Allies have responded to our hailing messages. They indicate that they're eager to begin trade relations and look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with an empire as glorious as ours. They have been asking quite a few questions though. Relating to how we organize ourselves, military strength, what we look like. They seem intensely interested in how we built the machine we used to contact them as well. I feel that we should play our hand close to our chest in this regard, but will leave the final say in this matter to you, my superior.

The rebels to the south have been as troublesome as ever. They raided another supply shipment yesterday and the men are starting to grumble. We're out of wine and honey, but our supplies are in no danger of running out. We've decided to put some of our best men and most successful experiments in storage until such a time as the trouble passes.

SVBEEV'

(1/2)

That's particularly odd. Whatever it was that caused that facility to be abandoned must have happened shortly after the Dux finished writing that letter, because he hadn't gotten the opportunity to mail it. However, everything seems to be functioning well and they face no great threats according to what the letter says. That aside, just who were these Allies the facility contacted through the array? What was 'the trouble' they were waiting out?
>Pass the letter to Profectus, it seems to shine some light on why he was put into that pod.
>Keep it to yourself, you don't understand it well enough and you doubt he'd understand it any better.
>Write-in

(Still writing. This will be a pretty long series of updates.)

>>30714841
>>Pass the letter to Profectus, it seems to shine some light on why he was put into that pod.

>>30714841
>>Pass the letter to Profectus, it seems to shine some light on why he was put into that pod.

>>30714841
pass the letter but take it back afterwards since I bet we could sell that shit too

the allies he takes about. .. They could be extraterrestrial or from another dimension. It doesn't look like either side met with each other before. Maybe those "allies" were the downfall of the empire?

...And we sent a message to someone from the array too...

>>30715002
Maybe elaudians

The next letter, which you found in an unmarked envelope and has no real distinguishing characteristics, is far less insightful at first glance. It's just a random collection of numbers and letters that takes up the whole page, on both sides too. It seems like it would be nearly impossible to figure out what was being communicated unless you had the cipher, but maybe more detailed analysis would shed some sort of light on the document. If all else fails, somebody at the Academy might be able to help you.

You put the encoded letter back into your courier bag and pass the Dux's letter to Profectus. “Here, I think you should read this. You and Chryssa both, in fact. It talks about putting soldiers and successful experiments in storage, I'd bet they mean those pods we saw.”

He nods, and takes the letter. Chryssa maneuvers her guar alongside Fulvia to get a look at the letter as well. Meanwhile, you pull out the Treatise on Advanced Water Magic and settle in to read until you reach Anthus.

You feel the author is starting to approach the point he was trying to make writing this book. He's finished talking about the basics of water magic, meditation methods, the capabilities of a Master or Grandmaster Water Vatis, and the reasons behind why water magic is one of the types of magic available to Vatis. Now he's getting into theoretical uses for water. Effects that might synergize well with water magic.

He leads with an interesting theory. That fire and water are not truly opposites, but rather when used together can in fact be more powerful than either one used seperately. Of course, nobody has ever actually managed to successfully cast a water spell and a fire spell simultaneously. He talks about his own experiments using both elements in conjunction with the Blast metamagic effect. It was his belief that when done correctly this would lead to either a blast of steam to scald the enemy and cover an escape, or a spray of liquid fire that would stick to targets.
(1/3)

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After that he gets into its uses for construction and irrigating fields, and advocates the formation of a Guild specifically catering to Vatis specialized in water. Then he goes off on a tangent about how water vatis are life givers and deserve to be respected as such. You start skipping through the next few pages where he talks about how vatis everywhere should rise up and overthrow their rulers, instead instituting a system of Philosopher-Kings ruling over all with absolute power.

Finally he gets back on topic, closing the book off by delving into the possibility of meditating on multiple elements or effects simultaneously. He suggest that meditating with one element and one synergistic element, his example being Water and Nature, may make it easier to advance in both by using the one as a crutch. This, at least, was his experience.
>Advanced Treatise on Water Magic by Master Yusef (Finished)

You snap the book shut and take stock of your surroundings. The sun has dipped beyond the horizon and night has fallen. You're maybe two miles outside of Anthus, you can see the Academy sitting on the mountain in the distance, along with what you assume is the palace. You also note that ahead of you, maybe a few hundred yards up, a man rides along in a cart pulled by two oxen. Wait a minute, is that Sadik?
(2/3)

As you draw closer, you see that it is, in fact, the merchant who originally tipped you off to the existence of the ruin. He's dressed differently, in a more local style you think, but you recognize the fat belly and the dark skin. His pile of junk is notably smaller than it was when you first met him, but it still boggles the mind how on earth he managed to stack all that junk without it collapsing on him.

He hails you as you draw close, waving an arm over his head. “Ah! My friend! I see you've gotten a few companions in your travels, and quite a few artifacts as well!” He draws the cart up alongside you, and you and Chryssa pull back the reins of your guar. Fulvia, it seems, does not need to be told to stop. She sits down heavily, knocking Profectus off his perch and to the ground with a yelp of surprise. While he hauls himself up grumbling, you dismount and bow to Sadik.

“It was difficult, but I think you'll be quite happy with our findings Sadik.”

What do you offer him?
>Strange Sword
>2x Longsword
>Command Unit Construct (Swordmage)
>Technician's Armor
>Rhynian Officer's Pistol
>Rhynian Repeating Crossbow
>Standard Rhynian Armor
>How Earth Vatis Built the Rhynian Empire
>Research Data: Project A
>Dux's Letter
>On Empire: The Rise of Civilization

Also, if you'd like to take a look at anything in more depth, simply ask.

File: 1394320864243.gif-(433 KB, 320x240, BLAM.gif)

433 KB GIF

>>30715426
>Advanced Treatise on Water Magic
>Treatise on Advanced Water Magic
Jesus, how did I even jumble that up?

>>30715559
show everything to him, and see what he thinks.

>>30715559
>>2x Longsword
>>Command Unit Construct (Swordmage)
>>Rhynian Repeating Crossbow

>>30715559
>2x Longsword
>Command Unit Construct (Swordmage)
>Rhynian Officer's Pistol
>Standard Rhynian Armor
We should ask the others if they want anything we're selling.

>>30715559
>2x Longsword
>Command Unit Construct (Swordmage)
>Technician's Armor
>Rhynian Repeating Crossbow

>>30715559
>2x Longsword
>Rhynian Repeating Crossbow

The Academy will probably give us more for the construct. Since they can actually do something with it.

>>30715559
>>2x Longsword
>>Command Unit Construct (Swordmage
Can we channel Vys into the special sword? To check what it does.

>How Earth Vatis Built the Rhynian Empire
>On Empire: The Rise of Civilization
Have we read these two?

Do NOT offer the strange sword, tech armor and the pistol.
Also, offer the magic book we just read to see if he is willing to pay more than the Academy.

Another thing: check out his junk pile again, he might have something new.

>>30715637
>>30715617
>>30715643
why the repeating cross bow?
Wasn't it said that it was the best type around?

>>30715620
That armor is profectuses

>>30715637
That's chryssas

>>30715667
Well we already have the pistol. I guess we should consult with our companions if they want any of the stuff we're selling though.

>>30715666
>Check out his junk pile
That sounded dirty for some reason.

>>30715643
Seconding

>>30715688
the pistol has limited ammo ,and should be for oh shit situations, the cross bow can be for when we need a range weapon that does decent damage.

>>30715667
>>30715688
Chryssa might get a good use out of it.

But yeah, let's ask our companions opinions too.

>>30715643
Seconding. SAVE the bottom for mage dude

>>30715691
Soma's picture for Sadik gives me some creepy vibes...

>>30715735
Bot

>>30715741
he is a creepy dude
he is a traveling merchant with some expensive merchandise going around bandit infested areas on his own
I wouldn't fuck with him

Can we see what that cool sword does?

>>30715784
I think we need it appraised by a mage or something. Or we can hit stuff with it and see if it does anything.

>>30715784
I wanna keep it, secondary weapons are always useful.

>>30715808
And channel Vys into it. Usually works.

>Ask our companions if there's anything they want first.
>Offering the longswords seems popular, as does offering the Repeating Crossbow
>Command Unit seems contentious, but we'll ask him what he'd give us for it. Don't have to actually sell it.
>Leave the standard armor for Prof and the Tech Armor for Chrys.

He'll make offers on the rest of the stuff that you obviously found and have out in the open, like the pistol, dog-construct, et cetera. This is just leading off negotiations. You can keep discussing and I'll try to take it into account as I write.

>>30715874
don't forget to offer the treatise on advanced water magic

>>30715874
Everything in this is good

>>30715971
How much did we pay for it/is the normal price for it?

Funny how we know 3/5 elements and none of them are complementary.

Though i believe that Fire semi-compliments Water, and Earth. It's neutral to Metal and opposite t nature.

>>30715874
>>Leave the standard armor for Prof
Couldn't Prof get same quality or better armor in the city which would cost less than this one? I mean, this is an ancient artifact which adds to the price.
This would be same as using an ancient priceless pot for everyday use like storing grain instead of selling it for a lot of money and buying a normal pot which does exactly the same.

>>30716000
Around 25 gold I think.

>>30716034
Fire-Water: Steam/liquid fire
Fire-Earth: Magma

>>30716000
I think it was 60 gold, right?
And we can get back 60% of our at the Academy

>>30716052
No, He said that it is standard ancient Rhynian but much better than what could be found for sale.

Ancient things are much better and have more useful value than 'historic' value.

>>30716079
>>30716065
>>30716000
be right back, archive diving.

>>30716052
Actually, you're right. We could get him the same kind of deal we did with Chryssa.

I want to sell the armor.

>>30716126
It is far inferior. We should probably sell Chryssas once we teach her to use the technicians armor.

>>30716159
It's not armour, it's a suit. For technicians.

>>30716121
>>30716079
>>30716000
>>30716065
It was free.

>>30716052
He said he wanted it. Just give it to him it gives us more bargaining power when we divey up the cash.
Honestly I say we give him his armor and 500 silver. With that he will have enough to get around with, and send him on his way if he wants. We rescued him, and saved his life we can throw that in his face.
+ I am up for asking our team mates what they want/need to keep for them selves. and just sell the rest if you think it's a decent price. but try and save the construct and anything the academy might want. to make our relationship better with our nature vastis friend.

>>30716180
>Chryssa volunteers whatever it is she snatched first. She pulls it off of her shoulder and unfurls it, brushing it out. Its got plates at the shoulders and on the soles of the feet. On the forearm is a panel you recognize as much like your own. Two plugs cover the nostrils and the whole thing would probably fit the body tightly. In a way... it sort of reminds you of a version of your own armor, except it doesn't have any armor plates. Just the underlying covering. Perhaps this is Technician's Armor?

and profectuses

>Next up is Profectus, who seems to have gotten the worst find of all you. Granted, it would probably sell for a good price to the right people, and even the worst Rhynian armor is better than most things you'd find at your local blacksmith, but compared to the armor Chryssa found, which is practically an excuse to mint your own silver, and the crossbow you found, which you could probably trade to Sadik in exchange for a possibly more useful artifact or a boatload of cash, it's nothing special. Just standard Rhynian armor.

>>30716211
hat about the mortar we found?

>>30716211
>>30716237
thought you were Soma my bad.

And that is a dumb idea. 500 silver is a shit ton.

>>30716181
Yeah but weren't the other equivalent books for basic metal and earth around 20-30 gold before haggling? Plus this is written by a master so it's extra.

>>30716052
And as for money, i don't think Chryssas will bother much. And for future references if profectus decides to team up with us the shares will be 50% our keep 50% everyone else decide yourselves.

>>30716285
The beginners were 20-30

This is a Master level. probably 40-50 because Grandmaster was 60.

>>30716211
the guy had literally no where to go and no one to go to.
I hope to keep him as permanent companion. Besides, his and Chryssa's interactions are funny

File: 1394322836560.jpg-(619 KB, 1280x1024, Elaudian Death Mask.jpg)

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You hold up a hand to indicate Sadik should wait a moment, before turning to face your companions. “If there is anything you don't want up for offer, speak now.” Profectus raises his hand. “I think I'll keep the armor I'm wearing. It's not all that special anyway.” Chryssa nods her head, and speaks up as well. “I would like to try and have the leather armor we ordered incorporated into the... what was it?” Profectus supplies the answer. “Technician's Armor, pretty useful stuff. Probably the right decision there.”

With that in mind, you pull the two longswords you took from the command units off of your saddle and present them to Sadik. On a hunch, you channel a little vys through the blade and arcs of blue energy leap over its surface. It makes for a rather impressive display, you'd say. “Two swords, taken from the deactivated command constructs in the ruin. As you can see, attuned to vys by method of enchantment.”

He takes it from you gingerly, and you see energy once more flicker over the blade in great blue bolts. Much more than you channeled into it, in fact. Odd that you don't even feel him transferring any vys into the blade. He smiles appreciatively.

“Very good, very good indeed! This is exactly the kind of thing I need. I will tell you something, my friend. For both of these, I will give you a prized item indeed.”
(1/2)

>>30716237
>better than most things you'd find at your local blacksmith
The armour we bought for Chryssa is much better then something from a local blacksmith. It was custom ordered and outfitted with extra protection. What we can buy for Profectus will be better then the armour he found.

>>30716299
Or we decide as we go.

Or make a pot and buy what we need out of it.

>>30716261
yeah we're being generous so he can fuck off is he really wants to leave and he did fight with us as a team. so I don't want to low ball him. this is a new age where he knows no one so best leave him with enough money he can survive so if we run into him again. He will see us a friends and not assholes who screwed him.

He sets the blade aside and reaches into the pile without really looking, pulling forth an odd mask. It's in the shape of a skull, with various wires binding it together and glass lenses imbedded in the eyes. “A Death Mask, from ancient Elaudia. Said to be used by their most elite warriors, those who had committed treason and been forcefully conscripted into their army. Allows a marksman to hit a target at two hundred yards, no problem!”

>Agree
>Try to convince him that the mask is worth only one of the swords.
>No deal.

>Also, somebody mentioned the mortar. I totally forgot about that, but it would probably be valuable.

>>30716345
>>Try to convince him that the mask is worth only one of the swords.
JEW

>>30716345
Sell the mortar.

Try to convince Sadik.
Don't forget about our haggle bonus.

Don't forget about selling the Crossbow.

>>30716345
>Try to convince him that the mask is worth only one of the swords.
Even if Chryssa doesn't want it, we could probably sell the thing for profit if we convince him of this.

>>30716345
We should give this thing to Chryssa. This bitch will Love that. Love it.

>>30716381
We should probably ask Profectus if he wants the crossbow since he's the only one without a ranged weapon.

>>30716345
>Try to convince him that the mask is worth only one of the swords.
we have a silver tonge bonus.
>>30716381
I'm partial to the bow.
>>30716345
Can you explain what makes so special?

>>30716412
it lets you become Corvo

>>30716345
>Ask him to use it first in order to test his claim

>>30716411
We asked them if they wanted anything.

We have the pistol, and we have Chryssa and we should give this mask to her to make her our primary ranger and if we keep it then people will want to keep the mask to, and we have ranged Vys.

Let Chryssa have her niche.

>>30716345
>>Try to convince him that the mask is worth only one of the swords.
Chryssas would appreciate this, so long as she can use it.
we are not selling our gun. We need it when we're running low on vys we need something that packs a punch and will take out enemies fast. shells so that black smith will be of some use.

>>30716449
NO.

These things were one user per item. Remember?

>>30716446
>>30716412
Meant to say the Repeating cross bow.

>>30716345
Why are we willing to put something called a Death mask on our face? The merchant is fishy and is aware of our willingness to try on strange things, like the armor, I bet he want's to see what It'll do to us.

I'll write a brief
>Lemme try 'fore I buy
Bit. One second.

>>30716457
We will also have the gemed sword we found on the table. but i think we should keep that.

>>30716492
No. do not do this!

>>30716345
sell mortar too

>>30716492
NO!!!!!!!!!!

Remember the one per person thing. We are giving this to Chryssa, if anyone is going to try it it should be her.

>>30716501
>>30716457
you guys fail to remember that the bullets are limited and as far as we know no one knows how to make them, plus we can still give her the mask, all we need to is a ranged weapon when we don't want to or are running out of vys.

>>30716345
>Said to be used by their most elite warriors, those who had committed treason and been forcefully conscripted into their army.
WHOA WHOA, why is this not setting red flags off for anyone, like at all?

>>30716519
We'll get to each item one at a time, that way it won't take me an hour to update each time.

>>30716525
>>30716505
Relax, that will be taken into account.

>>30716492
>>30716525
Seconding

>>30716501
Yeah, that'll be our secondary weapon. maybe for tight spaces or if we drop our spear. Back-up weapons are always useful.

>>30716525
yeah this
we have no need for this but Chryssa certainly does
unless this artifact doesn't have that feature instalked

>>30716535
We can reverse engineer.

Plus we aren't going to be using it willy-nilly. It's a last resort item. And we have Vys. And we have Cryssa. She's the ranger.

>>30716548
actually yeah
what the fuck is up with that

>>30716535
you say that but remember we shot fire out of our gun and it cut off the ranged magic cost, cause of the gun.
+ we could always just ask the blacksmith to take a look at the shell and experiment with it. to make a replica of it.

>>30716548
>>30716584
That just seems odd.

>>30716592
We'd have to take it to an Alchemist/Mage too. Though i support this.

>>30716592
thanks for reminding me, but does it have to have a bullet for us to shoot fire balls?
>>30716580
point taken, but your plan relies on her being next to us.

You look long and hard at the mask, and while certainly intimidating, it doesn't look all that special. “Could I try it out, before I buy it?” Sadik looks wary. “Well... I don't usually do this sort of thing, but yes. For my good friend, I will allow it.” With that, he passes it over to you.

Turning it over to look at the inside, you see it's much more complex than you originally thought. It seems to be lined with red silk, and it seems that while the left eye is a simple glass lens without much complexity, as far as you can tell at least, the right lens is actually three different lenses that seem to be interchangeable. There is also a mouth piece that reminds you distinctly of your own armor's 'gas mask' though you still have no idea what the hell a gas mask is used for.

You raise it up to your face, and attempt to put end up just hitting it lightly against your helmet's visor. You can see Sadik wince, that looked like it physically pained him, and he obviously wants to take it back. He resist the urge though.
>Strip off your armor, put on the mask.
>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.
>Hand it over to Profectus to try on.
>Hand it back to Sadik.

>>30716525
that might not be for all thing. as far as we know it's just a mask with magic scopes embeded in them to enchance our hand and eye corrdination along with our sight.

>>30716630
>>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.

>>30716630
>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.

>>30716612
Alright let's recap
>Shady as hell merchant
>Death mask
>Used by conscripts forced into the military
Considering we're willing to stab ourselves through the heart for knowledge it wouldn't be out of character to take it, but it probably wouldn't be the smartest idea.

>>30716612
It's almost like you guys don't want to meet the Outsider and learn a forgotten magic

>>30716630
>>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.
ask the merchant if she needs to channel Vys for it to work.

>>30716630
>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.

>>30716628
no we didn't use a bullet. we shot only FIRE out of it.
>Hand it over to Chryssa to try on.>>30716630

>Let Chrys be the guinea pig
Writin'

>>30716663
But it seems like it was used BY bad people after they had turned bad, it didn't make them bad. It might just be a glimpse into elaudian culture.

>>30716630
We should probably ask her first, so if anything goes horribly wrong it's technically not our fault.

>>30716696
We shot a bullet supplemented by Fire magic.

Both chambers were loaded. Please read more carefully.

>>30716701
It was used by bad people forced into a military service, how do you keep bad people doing something they probably don't want to do.

>>30716696
I'm pretty sure we fired a bullet out of it.
2 infact.

>>30716663
>Shady as hell merchant
But Sadik is our greatest ally

>>30716704
We aren't going to just stick it on her face.

>>30716729
3, actually.
>Testing it out
>Two in the core
So you have 27 left, I think.

>>30716663
well this merchant seems to know magic and is friendly as hell.all merchants are shady anon.

>>30716727
I feel like it would take some seriously powerful artifact to control people like that. We would be able to tell. I think this is just a really nice Elaudian artifact.

>>30716753
so how hard would it take a black smith to make the bullets, find black powder, and find the right mixture of black powder?

>>30716753
So would reverse engineering be possible?

Our blacksmith is familiar with small metals and such. And we have friends in the Academy.

>>30716792
I think it would be harder figuring out what the stuff actually is IC and how to make it.

>>30716792
A Mage or Alchemist would do the gunpowder.

>>30716820
We're buddies with a Grandmaster Nature Mage.

>>30716792
We don't even know what black powder is, so there is probably little hope of it being common.

>>30716792
>Find cartridges/black powder
Pretty damn hard. Something tells you that while firearms weren't just terribly uncommon, only the upper echelons of the command staff had them.

>Find someone who could make bullets.
Not that hard. As long as you had one bullet left, it would be pretty easy to fashion a mold for it.

>Figure out how to make black powder.
Damn near impossible without the right equipment or extensive experimentation.

>>30716758
Merchants who travel by themselves and know where we are, are even shadier

>>30716833
lets stop assuming and check to see if its probable.

>>30716792
>>30716809
not really that hard

as far as I know, guns aren't that hard technology. People have made guns out of old pipes lying around. Once the technology is examined, it shouldn't be hard to recreate

>>30716626
dude it's a shell. magic isn't being used at all when we use it as a regular gun.
>>30716718
guess i missed that..

I would like to have our hidden dagger enchanted in some way. perferabbly for magic.
** pay in silver don't want to have to exchange silver for gold again if we're going to spend the money anyhow. we need to pay for our new weapon and Chryssa's new armor. and she will have it implemented to her technicians armor so he will charge us for that as well.
and we plan to buy more books in all likelyhood.

>>30716850
>>30716833
So would a mage or alchemist count?

>>30716850
So we leave a few shells with the archmagos to experiment with.

>>30716883
>Without the right equipment.
That's a pretty blatant hint that yes, it would. We should probably ask around the Academy. They would have the right equipment.

>>30716874
Our hidden dagger is fine. More hidden weaposn is always better.

>>30716874
The Alchemist/Mage is for the gunpowder you doufus. You think a Blacksmith would know how to experiment enough to make Gunpowder?

>>30716866
lol>>30716850
BUT i guess our mage buddy being a nature mage would study the materials in the bullet and have the black smith do the same. pay them both.
>>30716931 im not saying it's not fine im just saying we should make it better if we can. asking if the blacksmith can have it magically enchanted with out reducing it's blade mechanism to retract would be great.

>>30716850
It's just sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter.

The sulfur and charcoal are obvious if you know of them. But it might take identifying the Saltpeter in the Gunpowder to see that. Good thing gunpowder is a Heterogenus mixture when examined under a microscope, and the parts are therefore visible.

>>30716992
No one knows how to enchant anymore. Dear god you're pissing me off. Please Read More Carefully.

>>30717035
3 cheers for chemistry!

You decide to just pass it over to Chryssa since you don't want to go through all the trouble of stripping off your robes and armor, especially not in the middle of the road. “Do you mind trying this on and telling me what it does?” She looks... giddy, actually. She's standing on tip toes with a little smirk on her face as she looks at the mask. Now that you're actually paying attention though she coughs and returns to the usual impassive wall you're used to dealing with before taking the mask. “No, no I don't mind at all.”

She inspects it for a moment, apparently looking for a strap that she could use to secure it in place, but then shrugs and puts it on. The upper brim of the metal mask stops just below where her horns meet her head, so the mask fits perfectly. You see her jerk, and then the mask changes shape. It compresses, and warps. Changes to fit her features. You're not exactly sure how it stays on her face but it seems to manage it without problem.

She looks around, you see the right eye cycling through the lenses. You note the left eye seems to glow slightly, and you detect vys being channeled into it even though Chryssa, as far as you know, has no clue how magic works. After a few minutes of experimentation, she reaches up and pops the mask off without problem. She reaches a hand up to her mouth as she hands the mask back to you, pretty obviously hiding a smile. She lowers it after a while to speak, once more impassive. “It... does a lot of things, I think. It allowed me to see every minute detail of anything I looked at. It also made you and the merchant glow brightly. It was fascinating.”
>Agree to selling both swords for the mask.
>Haggle for a single sword for the mask.
>You don't trust it, ask for something else.

>>30717067
I took 1 year if Chem in my sophomore year of highschool. This shit isn't obscure.

>>30716956
*doofus
being how "advanced" this blacksmith was thought he might have something.
>>30717035
well that being said, i think our nature vatis would be the best person for this job. we know he is a nature mage so he should be able to sense different natural materials. * pray he is some what skilled in earth and we will be sure he can do it, if not im sure he can find out for us in due time of him studying it.

>>30717081
>>Haggle for a single sword for the mask.

Oh, and if you vote haggle roll 3d10+2. That way I can wrap up the swords in one more post and move on to the mortar and the crossbow.

>>30717081
>>Haggle for a single sword for the mask.

>>30717055
Im pissing you off?
hey how about you read, the blacksmith can make it "enchanted" in that it will create our weapons enhance our magic. know what you're talking about before you start ranting about something.

Rolled 8, 8, 7 + 2 = 25

>>30717128

Rolled 9, 9, 5 + 2 = 25

>>30717128

>>30717149
That isn't enchanted. That means it channels spells easier. Anchanting is like the swords we're selling. Know your terminology.

Rolled 7, 4, 10 + 2 = 23

>>30717128

>>30717187
Enchanting.

>>30717154
>>30717175
>>30717193
Well then.

>>30717193
>>30717175
>>30717154
great success.. isn't it?
and it does nothing lol.

Rolled 1, 6, 8 + 4 = 19

>>30717154
>>30717175
>>30717193
>25, 25, 23
Hot damn, look at those rolls.

>>30717245
HOT DAMN

>>30717236
It helps with our haggling. Which means one sword plus maybe some money or another itme for us.

>>30716850
Is there such thing as a replication spell?

>>30717278
You don't know of one, but it wouldn't surprise you to learn such a thing exist.

And just to clear up confusion. Enchanting IS in fact a lost art. Making a spell effect a weapon is easy, Weapon Affinity is one of the most common types of metamagic. Making spells channel more easily through a weapon is easy, it just requires carving the materials the weapon is made out of with the same symbols many vatis use in meditation. Making a spell effect a weapon on a permanent basis is impossible, as far as you know.

>>30717278
depends on what you mean.
there is leaping which is a form of replication that "leaps" from one person to the next.
But i think you might be taking about copying an item and creating it possible alchemy "mages" or what ever they might be called might be able to do this.. if we find one in a much bigger town.>>30717187
w.e word you choose to call it.

>>30717331
Could we do that to weapons we already?

>>30717404
>>30717331
Seems like it might be a Blacksmithing + Weapon Affinity application.

We could do it ourself.

>>30717404
>Could we do that to weapons we already (have)?
Yes, but first you'd need to learn to smith and you'd need to buy the tools.

>>30717245
Also, forgot to mention. Great success! Writin!

>>30717461
I meant could we have a blacksmith do it? to weapons we have.

>>30717461
So when does Sadik realize we swindled him?

>>30717489
Oh, yeah absolutely.

File: 1394325880039.jpg-(25 KB, 291x386, image.jpg)

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>>30717502
Never everything went Just as Planned

>>30717542
Would doing that to Armor increase the effectiveness of Metal? Or spells we channel through our armor? And what about bows/arrows? Or carving them into the shells for the pistol?

OR

Carving them (or symbols like them) into ourself

File: 1394326097066.jpg-(145 KB, 680x1065, Weapons on Offer.jpg)

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You nod. “Well then, on my companion's recommendation we'll take the mask. It seems incredibly useful.” Sadik opens his mouth to speak, but you cut him off. “But! I don't think it's worth both of the swords. I'll give you one of these swords for the mask, but for the other I want something else.” Sadik looks hurt. “Ah, you wound me friend! You're asking me a price I cannot accept! No, I insist. Both of the swords for the mask.”

This launches a lengthy discussion, you point out he has plenty of other items and he gets most of them for free from people like you. Thus, everything he sells he sells for a profit. You nearly died a few times. Finally, you wrap it all up with stating the fact that now that Chryssa has tried it on, she's the only one that can wear it unless he somehow found a way to reset artifacts. That gets him, and he scowls. “Fine! Fine! For one sword you get the mask, my treacherous friend!”

He reaches into the pile and pulls out a chest, setting it down on the ground. Opening it reveals an array of weapons. Axes, swords, daggers, of all shapes and sizes. “Pick one of these for the other sword. This time, you will not get to try them out. I have learned from that mistake!”
>Falcata
>Twin stilleto daggers
>Punching dagger
>Odd two-handed sword
>Katar
>Boarding axe
>Gladius

Profectus speaks up when he sees the weapons on offer. “Ooh, you know I rather like the look of that falcata. Those bastards were viscous, lop an arm right off with one, easy.” Chryssa speaks up. “I would've pegged you for the gladius.” He shrugs. “I was never that attached to our equipment, I liked the armor, the melee weapons were just so-so.”

So to hit Master we need to Meditate on Nature as well? At least that's one way of doing it.

>>30717661
Get him the Falcata

Rolled 1, 10, 5 + 2 = 18

>>30717661
>>Odd two-handed sword
mystery box

>>30717661
>Falcata
We already have some weapons might as well gift it to Geodude
Get some bro points with him

>>30717661
>>Falcata

>>30717661
>Falcata
We'll be able to get away with giving him less money this way.

>>30717661
I suppose Profectus can pick his share of the loot.

>>30717637
I didn't even think to enhance our armors abilities lol.
>>30717661

>Falcata
for Profectus we have enough weapons. And it with that it could be his share/

File: 1394326369591.jpg-(63 KB, 800x600, Falcata.jpg)

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>>30717661
Falcata

>>30717661
>lop an arm right off with one, easy.
I wonder, is that why he has a stone arm now?

>>30717768
>>30717775
Don't be a jew. We'll get what fits the party. Profectus is probably gonna stay with us anyway, it's not like he have anything else to do, and he knows us and we've been good to him.

>>30717692
So we shall pick up the Nature Beginners guide while we're there.

We should ask Chryssa what kind of Magic she ants to learn.

>>30717692
no
But it sounds nice to be able to meditate on two elements as once we could slowly focus on two at once. increase our nature and water at the same time.

Rolled 8, 2, 2 + 2 = 14

>>30717924
we can only teach her fire and water, but it can seen be earth/metal if we find those books again.

>>30717956
See>>30715426
>Finally he gets back on topic, closing the book off by delving into the possibility of meditating on multiple elements or effects simultaneously. He suggest that meditating with one element and one synergistic element, his example being Water and Nature, may make it easier to advance in both by using the one as a crutch. This, at least, was his experience.

Please read more carefully.

You look to Profectus. "Is that why you arm is made of stone, now?" He chuckles wryly, shaking his head. "No no, that was because of a completely unrelated accident. Worked out for the better though! I was shit with fire magic before I lost it."

You'll ask him about that later. For now, you pull the Falcata out of the chest gingerly and hand it over to him. He grabs it, testing its weight, giving it a few experimental swings. It's... odd, watching it. The blade seems to stretch and warp through the air, you notice a little dust is kicked up as he reaches the end of his swing, like some sort of force proceeds in front of the blade that is released at the conclusion of the swing.

Sadik shuts the chest and tosses both swords into the pile, pushing the chest into its original position. He seems little less peeved now. “Well, what else do you have for me, friend? You know, you ought think of joining this business. You'd be well suited for it.” Wandering from city to city, selling exotic artifacts you found in ruins, until you got too old and out of shape to do it yourself and had to find some young adventurers to dive ruins for you. Actually doesn't sound that bad. Maybe not for you though.
(1/2, now moving on to selling the crossbow and mortar shell.)

>>30717987
We should tell him the story of the constructs that used the Mortars to show how strong they are.

>>30717974
from what i get.. we can advance two at the same time.
>possibility of meditating on multiple elements or effects simultaneously
>may make it easier to advance in both by using the
clearly they won't advance both as much one being the focus but they would both be trained.
possibly i am confusing it but it sounds to me like two at once.

>>30717987
can you give a detailed explanation of the crossbow.

>>30718045
its more like 1 is used to help lower the dc/give a modifier for the focus, while it gets a modifier for its own dc.

>>30718045
He pretty much says that HE used Nature as a 'crutch' to give him Master/GrandMaster in Water.

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>>30718050
Fires eight shots and then needs to be reloaded, but just about any type of bolt fits. Powerful enough to punch through chainmail or plate armor. They're pretty common, but also in extremely high demand.

>>30718069
Like if we meditated on Water and Nature and used Nature as a crutch instead of rolling 3d10 for each we roll a 4d10 for Water and a 2d10 for Nature. The modifiers add up over time so we would advance in Nature.

>>30718094
can we order a better one from the bower?

>>30718120
Nope.

They only just rediscovered how to make them in Alemond and even then it's probably a closely guarded secret and given to the best alemondian soliders.

>>30718120
Probably not, no. Not here, at least. Maybe in Aleamond, where supposedly they've been making crossbows in greater numbers.

>>30718094

>try to reload
>Spin the lever around
>Gets caught on the draw string
>Die while trying to get the dumb thing to fuckin work

God... /k/ has influenced me so.

>>30718152
Beatcha to it.

>>30718120
We already have ranged magic. I think we can afford to sell this.

>>30718196
And we have Chryssa and the pistol.

>>30718170
I noticed that too. I though you would pump it up and down

>>30718221
That's what i assumed, that the lever wouldn't make it all the way back to the drawstring.

File: 1394327669306.jpg-(105 KB, 960x720, Brooch.jpg)

105 KB JPG

You look to Profectus. "Is that why you arm is made of stone, now?" He chuckles wryly, shaking his head. "No no, that was because of a completely unrelated accident. Worked out for the better though! I was shit with fire magic before I lost it."

You'll ask him about that later. For now, you pull the Falcata out of the chest gingerly and hand it over to him. He grabs it, testing its weight, giving it a few experimental swings. It's... odd, watching it. The blade seems to stretch and warp through the air, you notice a little dust is kicked up as he reaches the end of his swing, like some sort of force proceeds in front of the blade that is released at the conclusion of the swing.

Sadik shuts the chest and tosses both swords into the pile, pushing the chest into its original position. He seems little less peeved now. “Well, what else do you have for me, friend? You know, you ought think of joining this business. You'd be well suited for it.” Wandering from city to city, selling exotic artifacts you found in ruins, until you got too old and out of shape to do it yourself and had to find some young adventurers to dive ruins for you. Actually doesn't sound that bad. Maybe not for you though.

After the issue of the swords is settled, you pull out the crossbow from where it was stashed in your saddlebag, and pull the strange tear-drop shaped shell from your bag. You see Sadik's eyes light up, though he quickly hides that fact. First, you hold up the crossbow. “I'm sure you're familiar with this, fires eight shots in quick succession before needing to reload. Powerful enough to punch through mail or plate armor.” He nods. You hold up the shell next. “This, this is a bit different. It was fired from the back of one of those strange golems that defend the ruins. I had poisoned the construct though, and the shell did not detonate. Its companion fired the same shells and they blew up with enough force to twist metal and cause the ceiling to collapse.”

(1/2)

>>30718170
it looks like the stick is not stuck but stands out so once you reach the string going clock wise you would make it straight and start over, or that is all it needs to shoot.

He smiles beatifically. “My friend, truly! These are fantastic finds! For the mortar shell, I think forty gold is fair, yes?” He certainly seems to toss six hundred silver around like it's a paltry sum, not worth considering. “For the crossbow though! My friend, you are right. I am familiar, more than familiar! I've sold many, and they've always sold for a fortune. I would offer you...” He reaches into the stack and pulls out a rather ornate oaken chest. It's polished to a shine, with gold clasp keeping it shut. When he pops it open you see it contains six... you think they're called brooches. Those things nobles use to keep their robes shut. Each one is almost eerily identical.

“The Rhynians used these on the battlefield to keep up communication lines between officers. A drop of blood from each of you, and all three of you will be able to communicate at any distance as long as you wear one. I'll sell the lot to you in exchange for the crossbow.”

>Deal
>Try to haggle the price higher for the mortar.

>>30718263
We better milk him for both of tese.

>>30718285
>>Try to haggle the price higher for the mortar.

>>30718285
>Oaken chest
Chest isn't the word I should've used, in retrospect. It's more like a case. Pretty small. Easily portable.

>>30718285
>>Try to haggle the price higher for the mortar.

The brooches sound useful.

>>30718285
Get 4 of the broaches and something else.

It might let us talk with fulvia.

>>30718263
IF you wouldn't mind could you clear up the meditation of two branches in a little more detail. I am just confused i guess.
If you don't mind. or link to the one that best describes as cloesly as how you thought it would be.

>>30718315
Ohhhhh, Seconding.

>>30718285
Haggle the price higher.

>>30718285
>>Deal

Could be useful when with companions.
quick question. are those like the ring were it is set for the person that put blood on it, or can it be switched or have people added so that thay can use the same one as someone else

>>30718317
You're confused with good reason.
It's a concept we've only newly discovered and not once practiced.
Enlightenment will come with practice and patience anon.

>>30718315
THIS.

>>30718347
>not haggling
newfriend detected.

>>30718315
Maybe we can find a cable or something that connects the sphere artifact with the dog construct.

>>30718317
>Meditation with two elements.
The way the author described it, it seemed as if the author meant for the element you're more experienced in to boost your understanding of a similar element that you're less experienced in. He said he stumbled upon it while meditating on nature in the boughs of an olive tree, that he seemed to naturally lean on his understanding of water magic to understand nature magic. The author hadn't experimented with it extensively at the time though, and experimentation would probably be the best way to learn more about it.

I probably could've described that a little better/more in depth.

>>30718285
>Deal
Seems good enough plus the Dice gods are fickle beings

>>30718393
But the broaches are magic, so they might work on Fulvia within the Dog construct.

>>30718413
It seemed like the opposite. It seemed like the way to finially Master Water.

We should start our own custom methods once we get to the Water temple.

>>30718414
It's not like we lose anything if we haggle.
Sadik might get a little peeved, but he's used to haggling, it's part of being a trader.

Rolled 1, 1, 5 + 2 = 9

Oh, and roll 3d10 for haggle!

>>30718418
Yeah, but the sphere can project images too right?

Rolled 5, 6, 1 + 2 = 14

>>30718451
Yeah, if a merchant raises the price while haggling then he's a shit merchant

>>30718456
tehe

>>30718456
>9
Well, I mean. You're damn near assured great success unless you roll straight 1s twice in a row.. You also get a +2 modifier, I forgot to mention.

Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7

>>30718456

Rolled 8, 4, 9 = 21

>>30718456

Rolled 6, 9, 5 + 2 = 22

>>30718468
Yes. I was just saying it might be unnecessary.

>>30718456
he just went full retard.

Rolled 6, 9, 4 + 2 = 21

>>30718456
Haggle haggle.

Rolled 5, 3, 2 = 10

>>30718456
Roll

>>30718473
14
>>30718499
Good thing this comes to 9 with the modifier.
>>30718502
21

>>30718473
>>30718499
>>30718502
>14, 9, 23 vs 9
Great success! Writin'

Looks like a great success, barely.

We're practically Robbing him.

>>30718535
I think he also sold us his future children with the rolls we got

Rolled 4, 6, 10 = 20

>>30718588
I think he already has children and now we are gonna have to marry them.

>Shit rolls in combat
>Fan-fuckin'-tastic rolls trying to barter for things.
The dice think this should be Trader Quest, clearly.

You nod your head. “The brooches for the crossbow is fair, I won't ask anything more from you on that front. The mortar, however! You are underselling its usefulness. I couldn't part with it for less than seventy five gold.” He laughs, pretty loudly at that offer. “Oh, come now! How can you really expect me to pay seventy five gold for that thing? That's more than a thousand silver! It explodes! So what?” You smile. His ignorance of what the object does exactly proves to be his downfall. You really play up the explosion that it caused. You convince him that this tiny little mortar shell is the key to wiping out entire armies, and not only that, but that he could easily replicate it with a little research.

That's what eventually sells him, that he could easily replicate it. While you're worried, on some level, you've just released a horrible weapon of mass destruction onto the battlefields of today, your conscious is soothed by the sound of gold clinking against gold while Sadik counts out seventy five coins, passing them to you. Your wealth combined in both gold and silver now takes up a single saddlebag. It's amazing how convenient gold is to cart around.
>New Wealth: 4639 silver, Disgustingly Rich. Nothing is too expensive for you.

>(1/2, moving on the getting his appraisal of the construct. Then he'll make offers on the pistol. Then we can move on. Sorry if this is dragging for anyone.)