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You stand and bow, touching your fingers to your forehead as you do so. It's an awkward maneuver in the cramped, smoke-filled confines of the bar but you manage. “I am Mikhael Abdul-Hakim. Aghtak, Rhynian Dux, Accomplished Adventurer-” At this point, the airheaded young man who insisted on following you (What was his name again? Did he ever tell you?) butts in. “Accomplished asshole more like! Cleaned the entire place out, ended up destroying anything you couldn't take with you!”

Onur, who you note is a short human man with a shaved head and truly elephantine ears, speaks up upon hearing this. “Sounds pretty accomplished to me. Thems the breaks when it comes to adventuring, kid.” Your fellow adventurer bristles at this, drawing himself up. “I'll have you know I'm a full blooded knight! Or, well... I think I am! The knight I was squired to got himself killed before he could knight me, which mea-” He's cut off by the rail thin, somber faced samja Lord Rahat. “We didn't ask for your autobiography, and I for one would appreciate it if you did not force it upon us.”

That at least gets the kid to shut up. “As I was saying. Accomplished Adventurer, and Aspiring Entrepreneur.” The waitress takes the end of your introduction as her cue to set down the drinks. Lord Hodei ordered himself an entire bottle of top shelf liquor. Onur got a beer. Lord Spiros ordered a (second, you note) bottle of white wine, where as Lord Rahat ordered red instead. Chryssa went with something simpler, a glass of water, while you got Arak, the drink of your homeland. The young adventurer left his drink, books, and bags at his table. Perhaps offering to buy the rich folk drinks wasn't your wisest decision, but you can afford it. Probably.

As you take your seat once more, Lord Rahat turns to his companions. “I'd take what he says with a grain of salt, friends. That scar on his cheek means Slanderer.” Onur raises an eyebrow at that. “A common conman then?” Rahat waves a hand dismissively. “Maybe, usually it means he lied about something or other and got someone else in trouble. He'd have been banished after they found out he was full of, and you'll have to pardon my language, crap.” Chryssa decides to stand up for you, though that really isn't necessary. “You know, it's rude to talk about someone else as if they were not present.” Lord Hodei finally butts in to play peacekeeper. “Now now, lets not go throwing wild accusations around! After all, any man willing to buy me a drink is a friend of mine!” Spiros grumbles “For the night, at least.” under his breath.

>Try to explain away the brand on your cheek. It's just a misunderstanding! Really!
>Change the topic, ask them what brings them out on the town this fine night.
>Change the topic to something else, ask them some questions.
>On second thought, maybe this was a bad idea. Ditch 'em.

>>31223389
>Change the topic to something else, ask them some questions.

"So friends any interesting tales to share?"

>>31223429
I'll second this, I got no better ideas.

>Change topic: Storytiem.
Writin'

>>31223389
>>Change the topic, ask them what brings them out on the town this fine night.

maybe we'll get some business opportunities

>>31223778
I'm relatively certain they can only have PDFs, though they can requisition the help of the Imperial Guard.

Wrong thread?

>>31223808
Yup had like 15 other tab s open forgot to check the name

>>31223556
>>31223429
should have tried to explain. anyway.

shit like this is why we should find a grand master healer at the academy or something. clean this fucker off.
I'd rather not tattoo over it or brand our selves some other shit.
Rich fuckers that have gone out to see the world might notice our brand and basically screw us/ or at least not deal with us cause of the "history" on our face.

You take a sip of your drink, seething as it burns its way pleasantly through your system. “So! Brands which may or may not label me a criminal aside, surely such powerful men as you four must have some interesting stories to tell. Care to share?” Onur speaks up first, answering your request with a blunt. “No.” Fortunately, Lord Hodei is less hesitant to loudly vent his private affairs in a crowded bar. “Oh, you bet your sweet ass I have some stories to tell!” Spiros' head sinks into his hands. “Oh gods, not this again.”

Lord Hodei ignores him completely. “I ever tell you about the time in Elaudia that I killed a Ridge-Backed King Lizard?” You shake your head, indicating that no. He has not told you about killing this creature you've never heard of. Chryssa pipes in with. “We've never met you before, so how would you have previously told us this story?” Lord Hodei smiles at her pityingly, like one might a wounded animal. “A little touched in the head, eh? Ah well, nothing for it. It's a figure of speech, Miss.” Before she can respond to being called mentally deficient, he turns his attention once more to you. “Anyway, where was I? Oh! I hadn't started.”

He launches into a lengthy and, quite frankly, somewhat dull narrative about all the preparations he undertook preceding the hunt. Then he finally gets to the actual hunt, but not really! Instead he elaborates at length about tracking this great beast through the dense jungles. Disregard the fact it's a two story tall lizard that leaves footprints larger than a man, it was apparently quite the challenging task. Even when he finally gets to killing the thing, it's mostly him sitting back and watching while the Ridge-Backed King Lizard stumbles into a spiked pit he dug and then smashes its head open on a rock, before his hired help finishes it off.

>>31223980
we should look into water magic healing tomes.

preferably something that high lights healing old injuries during meditation.

By the end of it, your fellow adventurer, you really need to get that guy's name, has zoned out completely. You think Lord Spiros is asleep, and Chryssa has been too angry to say anything ever since that 'touched in the head' comment.

>Riveting tale, old chap! Tell me more about Elaudia though...
>By the sun above and the waters below, what on earth is a Ridge-Backed King Lizard?
>Well that's all well and good, but I think I'll take my simple minded companion and get outta here.
>Please, tell me one of these other rich assholes is more entertaining than this drunken bore.
>Write-in

>>31224000
Dropped my trip.

>>31224021
>>Riveting tale, old chap! Tell me more about Elaudia though...
>>By the sun above and the waters below, what on earth is a Ridge-Backed King Lizard?

>>31224048
>>Riveting tale, old chap! Tell me more about Elaudia though..
might as well since we've already spent som cash on these fuckers.

>>31224000
>“A little touched in the head, eh? Ah well, nothing for it.
Jesus, what an asshole!

>Riveting tale, old chap! Tell me more about Elaudia though...
Might have some info we can use to find that metal recipe.

>>31224021
>>Well that's all well and good, but I think I'll take my simple minded companion and get outta here.

>>31224021
>Riveting tale, old chap! Tell me more about Elaudia though...
>By the sun above and the waters below, what on earth is a Ridge-Backed King Lizard?

Two story tall giant lizard mount?

>>31224021
>>Well that's all well and good, but I think I'll take my simple minded companion and get outta here.
fuck these guys lets get back to training

>>31224021
>Please, tell me one of these other rich assholes is more entertaining than this drunken bore.

>>31224102
>>31224082
>>31224048
>>31224075
You guys know he's lying and has never been to Elaudia right?

>>31224021
>>Well that's all well and good, but I think I'll take my simple minded companion and get outta here.
Time to start on Nature.

>>31224048
>>31224075
>>31224082
>>31224102
>Riveting tale!

>>31224162
>>31224121
>>31224101
>Screw you guys, I'm goin' home!

>>31224135
>Somebody else, please?

Writin'

>All these people not being able to spot rich people telling rich people stories
It's bullshit and that's obvious

>>31224184
Which is why I wanted to talk to one of the other guys, they seemed like they might be interesting, especially the guy who noticed our branding.

>>31224197
Yeah, the one who noticed our branding is the only real adventurer among them.

The rest are politicians and backroom generals.

>>31224162
I think this is smart, but lets get the most out of these rich fuckers.
>>31224151
probably but in he off chance that he isn't learn anything we can.

we really need to hit grand master soon.
I recommend doing a shit ton of meditating on our meta magics to get em out of the way and getting towards grand master. using nature as a bad crutch.

>>31224212
>>31224197
My bad

Onur is the only real one, the rest are bullshit.

>>31224184
ButMUH SOCIAL NETWORKING

>>31224224
There is nothing to gain from them.

We have enough money.

>>31224238
>social networking
>with rich, fake, assholes who we will never see again after a few days.
Man i just wanna train and adventure, none of this bullshit.

>>31224282
Eh you never know what you might learn plus didnt we agree last thread to buy their drinks? Might as well see if all of them arent full of guar shit

>>31224382
So far they are not doing well.

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“Riveting tale, friend!” The rest of the table looks at you like you've gone insane, with the exclusion of Hodei of course. “But can you tell me more of Elaudia? I must profess, I've never been. Also, just what is a Ridge-Backed King Lizard?” Rahat speaks up again, he's slouched himself over the table with his cheek rested in his hand. “You know he's probably just milking you for information.” Onur nods his head in agreement. Hodei waves them off. “Nonsense! He's just a good listener is what he is! A young, curious mind eager to learn from his betters!”

All these casual, offhanded insults are really starting to tick you off. Calling your friend an idiot is one thing, but claiming to be your better is entirely another! Still, you bite back your tongue and wait for him to continue. “Elaudia, m'boy, is an empty backwater. The only natives are mostly criminals and simpletons, only good for manual labor. They're also few and far between. I can claim to have only seen a handful of people in those jungles in all the weeks I spent hunting there. One of them was some sort of warped half-snake creature. I had to put her down, she had gone mad living in some old ruin to their vile 'snake god'. Why they can't worship a proper pantheon I'll never know.”

He rambles on about the inferiority of Elaudian culture, people, and their nonexistent crafts for what feels like a few more hours. For a man who professes to having only met a handful of Elaudians he certainly has formed strong opinions of them. Finally he tosses out another useful tidbit though. “One of them mentioned some ancient sort of armor they'd found in one of those old temples, but when I asked to see it he wouldn't let me! They even threatened to attack me when I tried to force my way inside! Can you believe the audacity of it? Apparently it was a gift from some 'Dhatu' figure. They called him the Many-Faced Constant.”
(1/2)

Huh, that's curious. Dhatu just means 'metal' in your language. Maybe he's just making stuff up. “And Ridge-Backed King Lizards?” He looks at you confused for a moment, before a realization hits them. “Oh! Yes, yes. Your people have them too, you know! Though the desert variety is apparently smaller, and differently colored. You call them 'Cakery Sarads' or something.” Ahh, that makes more sense. Kateri Sarada are a variety of reptile that lurk at the eastern edges of Pidjata, mostly stealing chickens and occasionally killing the young or elderly. They hardly, if ever, get larger than a big dog.

>Just pay the tab and get out of here, you've no time for this bullshit.
>There might be some truth to what he says, ask him something else.
>He's probably lying, but you never know. Ask somebody else something.
>Tell a story of your own, show these bastards how it's done!
>Write-in

>>31224537
>>Just pay the tab and get out of here, you've no time for this bullshit.

>>31224537
>There might be some truth to what he says, ask him something else.

>>31224537
>>Just pay the tab and get out of here, you've no time for this bullshit.
Trainin time.

>>31224537
>Just pay the tab and get out of here, you've no time for this bullshit.

>>31224537
>>Just pay the tab and get out of here, you've no time for this bullshit.
fuck it.
we need to get our grand master shit together.

>>31224537
>>Just pay the tab and get out of here,
you've no time for this bullshit.

Pretty unanimous for
>Pay and leave
Writin'

I'm leaving.

Guys, meditate on Nature, Water, or Metamagic.

I wanna go Grandmaster.

Also did the Battle count as meditating?

I'm confused how they read the brand on our cheek.
Didn't we heal it and all that left was some scar tissue?

>>31224649
Bro i've got you.
my priority is meta magic>grand master > nature

* two meditation towards grand master then nature. Cause we will need some thing extra to get us that extra bonus on water magic. or im guessing like 5 sessions of good water magic training. if we don't have a grandmaster ish water

>>31224814
Scar tissue in the shape of the symbol for slanderer.

To the untrained it just looks like a funky shaped scar. Not a brand.

>>31224814
yeah it's a scar..
some people know how to read.. If you see it and know what the brands are it not that hard to figure out. we did the same thing to the archmage.

>>31224871
I see

can we heal it completely once we reach grandmaster

You get out a handful of gold coins, six to be precise, and stack them neatly on the table. “Well, I think this ought to cover the tab. I can't imagine all this cost more than ninety silver.” You finish off the last of your Arak and stand. It goes straight to your head and you end up steadying yourself against the back of your chair until your vision stops swimming. You'd forgotten how strong Arak is. “While this has certainly been an entertaining night, I believe I'll take my leave.”

This seems to stir your fellow adventurer out of his daydreams. “Hm, what? Hey! Wait a minute! I demand reparations for the loot you deprived me of!” He stands and follows you towards the door, stomping his way through the bar. It's slightly less crowded at this hour, it must be past midnight judging from the position of the moon above. It seems like that camel's ass ate up more time than you thought.

“And just why should I give you reparations? I got there first, thus what I found was mine to do with as I pleased. It pleased me greatly to either keep it, sell it, or trade it and that's exactly what I've done.” He scoffs. “Maybe where you're from they don't have manners, but here in civilized society we have rules. Adventuring is a communal effort, if one man-” Chryssa cuts in at this point. “Two men, a woman, and a construct to be precise.” The young man doesn't quite seem to hear her. “-can just run in and clean out the whole place, what are the rest of us to do?”

>”Starve, now get lost.”
>”Leave me alone, preferably.”
>”Learn, do you want some tips?”
>Write-in

>>31224854
Keep in mind we may have to visit the Water temple to get it.

Let's progress on them all and not just stay on water before nature.

But Metamagic first to pump up our Vys pool.

>>31224921
>>”Learn, do you want some tips?”
100% pure ass

>>31224921
>”Starve, now get lost.”
This kid can go get rekt.

>>31224921
>>”Leave me alone, preferably.”

>>31224921
>”Leave me alone, preferably.”
>>31224982
i like this.. but we may run into him in the future.
>>31224971
im not wasting any more time in this bar dealing with this inbreed.

Rolled 9, 2, 2 + 4 = 17

>>31224921
>Write-in
"try to be first next time. My team took all the risks, solved all the problems and so took all the loots."

>>31224921
>>”Leave me alone, preferably
I don't want this guy as a party member

>>31225001
this

>>31225001
I like it this

>>31225021
>>31224997
>>31224994
>Leave me alone

>>31225022
>>31225001
>Get gud

>>31224971
>Want my advice?

>>31224982
>Go fuck yourself

Writin'

>>31224921
"Listen, kid, do you think we just went in, took the loot and then simply went out? We got almost killed several times. High risk, high rewards."

>>31225070
lol i think he might be older?

“Leave me alone, preferably.” He glowers at you, the flickering light cast by the dancing fire vatis and the relative emptiness of the streets making it seem much more dramatic a moment than it really is. “I mean, honestly tell me. Do you think we just went in, took all the loot, and left? My companions and I took all the risk, and so we get all the rewards. It's as simple as that.”

The kid starts to raise his voice, attracting the attention of the meager crowds still milling drunkenly through the streets of the entertainment district. “That's bullshit! Do you know how many men and women died before you even showed up on the scene? Twenty-three! Twenty-three of us gambled their lives and lost, yet you claim to have taken all the risk?” Chryssa speaks up before you have the chance. “Than perhaps twenty-three people should not have gambled their lives. Do not blame us for the deaths of strangers.”

For a second, you think he's about to go for his weapon, but instead he turns on his heels and storms off into the crowd. After he's well out of sight the two of you turn back to your guar, mounting up. “Well, that was rather dramatic.” You note absentmindedly. Chryssa nods in agreement. “He does not deal well with loss. Few people do.”

>Head back to the Academy, you have books to read and things to meditate on.
>Go somewhere else in the Entertainment District, surely there are things to do besides drink and screw?
>Explore the city, it's as good a way as any to end the night.
>Write-in

>>31225238
>>Head back to the Academy, you have books to read and things to meditate on

>>31225238
>>Head back to the Academy, you have books to read and things to meditate on.

>>31225238
>>Head back to the Academy, you have books to read and things to meditate on.

>>31225238
>>Explore the city, it's as good a way as any to end the night.
Random encounter ahoy.

Metamagic to practice for our examine.

Seems like
>Back to the Academy
wins out.

Writin'

Do you guys think that investing some of our wealth into Wargaming idea would be a good move?
We will make a legal partnership with that other guy first, give all the ideas and suggestions we have in mind and then have him deal with the rest of the stuff. He'll handle the organization while we are away. We'll do the necessary legal shit so that we will get our own share.

>>31225432
Wouldn't take more than a few gold.

It's not like it's expensive.

>>31225432
I don't think that legal shit matters in this setting.

Hey I just came into this thread to say I found out about this quest a couple of days ago and have been going through the archives trying to catch up ever since, it's amazing! Not going to participate in this thread because I haven't fully caught up yet, but hopefully I'll be able to join for the next thread

>>31225496
Good to see you, just don't skim.

Explaining shit to newcomers is annoying.

>>31225432
Sounds like procuring a place wouldn't be to bad. He is a professor, the academy has places we could organize this. they get a cut of the winnings. For loaning us the location.
And since the idea to do battle with ours and he had some input we could go 50/50 he need to put up money. And like I said we could donate a % of our earnings and that could potentially be our entrance fee and life time access to books and what not.

>>31225542
Let's let him handle it.

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“I think it would be in our best interest to head back to the Academy. This was quite enough social interaction for one night, as far as I'm concerned.” Plus, you're really probably too drunk to be running around town in the dead of night. It's not like this place just seems terribly safe. Chryssa nods her head in agreement and the two of you set off. The journey back isn't nearly as long as the journey here. With the crowds thinned your mounts can keep up a steady clip and before you know it an apprentice is leading Al Gasreed and Chryssa's guar to the slop trough in front of the Academy.

Chryssa pushes the door open, since you were having trouble, and then helps you inside. Damn it, you're not even all that intoxicated, it's just that your coordination is always the first thing to go. Having an empty stomach probably doesn't help. There aren't any guards flanking the entry hall like there usually are, which you find a tad odd. Then again it's late, and there were guards at the gate and an apprentice to tie up your mounts. Probably nothing to worry about.

>Head to the library for some reading.
>Head to the suite instead, there's food there and you have your books with you anyway.
>Head to the sparring ground, you want to try meditating on earth but don't want to ruin the suite's nice floors.
>Write-in

>>31225591
i wouldn't say that. but those are just general principles.
If we can agree to certain things would be great. Cause i don't want to waste votes on deciding shit for an investment.
Thought I LOVE the idea. I'd like to stick to this being an adventure quest and not a quest to become the richest mother fucker to ever grace this land. and defeat everything via wealth.. which in a sense we could do..

>>31225650
Meditate meta magic leaping.

>>31225650
>>Head to the suite instead, there's food there and you have your books with you anyway.
Eat and study.

You know, our impaired faculties will probably really hinder any meditation. That stuff is hard enough sober. On a side note, maybe our water mastery will let us rapidly vent the alcohol. Might be worth some water bonus points if we actually pull it off.

>>31225468
I'm not sure what expenses there could be but I think it would be more than a few gold. Especially if we want to have a big share in the new market, maybe even a monopoly.
For example, hiring bunch of people for writing books with the setting, coming up with models and such.

>>31225483
I don't mean copyright and intellectual protection but a proper business partnership kind of thing. I'm sure that king of legality is present in this setting

>>31225650
>>Head to the suite instead, there's food there and you have your books with you anyway.

>>31225650
meta magic!
leaping!

>>31225764
Should we try that? Meditating on removing the alcohol from our blood could be cool, but I'm not sure it would be a big enough bonus. Maybe we could combine it with the ice house?

>>31225764
Actually, your master often got completely piss drunk and smoked hash before meditating. Then again, your master did a lot of things that probably did more to hurt than help.

Anyway, Writin' for back to the room.

>>31225650
>Head to the sparring ground, you want to try meditating on earth but don't want to ruin the suite's nice floors.

>>31225770
We have a professor from a respectable academy.
I am thinking this is like a Dart mouth school in the least.
any way we could throw in the gold and some time to start it up. Have the professor and academy take up more of the reins and cut in for 25% but they do all the leg work and such.

again... I am in it mostly so we can use the academy for free. and if it blows up 25% of earnings is still fucking 25% + free magical texts = best investment ever.

“Lets gooo... to the room. I need somethin' to eat.” You manage to get your feet under you, and walk mostly unassisted. That is until you reach the stairs. You need some help with those damned twisting things, mainly because they're so steep. When you finally reach the suite you find that Fulvia is sitting in the kitchen, still working on copying the Five Effects book. It's a long book, so you're not really all that surprised. Chryssa plops you down unceremoniously in a seat at the kitchen table, then begins to fiddle with the arcane instruments that fill the kitchen. Putting firewood into the stove, pulling out pots and pans, all sorts of nonsense.

You should probably learn to cook something one of these days. You copied all those recipes from the insane old Grandmaster's journal, couldn't hurt to try some of them out.

While she goes about preparing food, you pull out your metamagic scrolls from your bag. You have two, leaping and blast. Leaping will probably be quite a bit harder to learn, but it will probably be far, far more useful than blast. You could also meditate on Earth, Fire, Water, or Nature. Nature might take some ingenuity to figure out just how one meditates though. You'd have no clue where to start with Metal. You also still have that Fire Priest's Journal which you've yet to finish, and you could always secure the Five Effects from Fulvia and read that.

>Read a book
>Meditate on Leaping
>Meditate on Blast
>Meditate on an Element

>>31226058
>Meditate on Blast

I think that more Vys would be nice, and the effect might be helpful too.

>>31226058
>>Meditate on Blast
better for us i guess. since we have a fight in a day or two.

>>31226058
>Meditate on Blast
I don't know what leaping water would look like, honestly.

>Meditate on Blast
Writin'

Also, in the next post or two I think I'll go grab dinner.

>>31226175
Or metal, I guess. Metal is just reinforcing things, if I remember correctly, so I don't know how one would 'blast' metal.

>>31226058
>Meditate on Leaping
I am trying to think of good ways to use leaping water. Can't think of anything other than basics currently. Well, at worst we could use it for some neat tricks during our test.

>>31226207
Dropped my trip.

>>31226217
Maybe Blast+Metal+Fire=Blast of molten metal?

>>31226230
I think it is going to be a small match

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You look through the instructions for leaping one more time, just reading through them to refresh your memory really. With a wave of your hand, six symbols appear around the room. They're carved into the stone walls and floors. Chryssa looks up from what she's doing, she's gotten out a spit and is packing what sort of looks like sausage or something onto the spit to roast over the fire, to observe as the symbols twist and crack themselves into existence.

“It seems rude to just ruin their walls and floors like that.” She comments. You wave her off. “Don't worry, I can repair the damage. Shouldn't even be all that hard.” You're not actually entirely sure if that's true, but it should be true. If not, you'll figure something out. For now you busy yourself with glancing through the scroll until Chryssa has... whatever it is she's cooking ready.

About an hour later she's setting a plate in front of you. It's some method of meat dish, obviously. Taste like lamb. Definitely not any sort of sausage, and cooked all the way through. Taste pretty delicious, you think. There are hints of citrus and oregano, olive oil, salt, and a few other spices. “This is really good.” You comment. “What is it?” She replies with “Kokoretsi. It was my father's favorite dish, and it's pretty ubiquitous in a lot of towns in this area.” She explains. Of course, that doesn't particularly help you. “What's in it, I mean?” She counts off on her fingers. “The inner working's of a lamb's throat soaked in saltwater and poached in milk. Then breaded and fried. Wrapped in the intestines of a suckling lamb, then seasoned with lemon, olive oil, and a few other things.”

You stop chewing, staring at the meal contemplatively for a moment. “Huh.” You remark, and after a moment resume your meal. These people are odd, but at least it taste good. Why on earth does the suite's pantry keep all that stocked?
(1/2)

Rolled 8, 10, 4 + 2 = 24

>>31226696

Rolled 1, 4, 7 + 2 = 14

>>31226584

>>31226207
sorry if I missed something but I tough we were studying blast ?

Rolled 2, 7, 3 + 2 = 14

>>31226696
Here we go

>>31226737
Oh shit, you're right. Well, that's embarrassing. Don't know why I thought y'all were doing leaping. Alright, well that's way easier then. Only a DC 25.

Let me alter some stuff. One second.

>>31226768
i guess we're rerolling?

>>31226778
DC was 30, it wasn't really possible to make without absurdly high rolls. Anyways, we might end up re-rolling

>>31226805
Yeah, you are. I also should've offered you the option to use that vial of Spice you traded Sadik for.

>>31226584
After you've eaten your fill, you feel much more clear headed. Taking a look at the symbols on the floor... you don't think you really need Leaping right this moment. Blast will probably be much easier to learn and much more useful for the test you have to take in less than two days time.

With a wave of your hands, the symbols melt away into the stone. You decide instead to find a nice spot at the edge of your bed to meditate in comfort, surrounded by pillows and blankets. It's more open a space than the kitchen is, and thus you're less likely to accidentally break anything. As you slip into a meditative trance, you wonder if perhaps you should try meditating under the influence of that 'Spice' you traded Sadik for.
>Use Spice
>Don't use Spice.

>Roll 3d10+2 vs DC 25

Rolled 6, 3, 8 + 2 = 19

>>31226881
never use spice for a meta..
it not like we're going to learn how to use a better meta..
use spice when we're going for grand master.

Also, I'm going to go grab something to eat. Be back momentarily.

Rolled 7, 1, 5 + 2 = 15

>>31226881
no spice

Rolled 9, 7, 8 = 24

>>31226881
No spice, let's use it for grandmaster warer

>>31226920
>>31226907
>>31226896
shame we couldn't get it. I guess we will get it next time.
but I say we meditate on this once more get it.
Do two training's of extreme water magic then again with spice.

>>31226896
>>31226907
>>31226920
>19, 15, 26 vs DC 25
C'est la vie. Writin'

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You gather Vys in the core of your being, and then try to release it without channeling it, as you normally would. The scroll described meditation as just trying to adjust oneself to an alternate method of casting, so how hard can it really be?

After the first four fruitless attempts, you finally get something. You vent a little energy into the surroundings. It's not focused at all though, it dissipates quickly into the ambient vys that permeates the entire academy. Frustrating, but you keep at it. You manage to imitate the same result a few times, and start trying to shape the burst. You're starting to realize that it's not concentrated because you're still trying to channel the energy, but just aborting halfway. Old habits are hard to break, especially when they seem as natural as breathing to you.

You're starting to get annoyed, and that just worsens the whole situation. You feel your reserves shrinking and compacting, much like you recall Chryssa's doing when she tried to channel vys for the first time. Seeking to avoid the same fruitless struggle she had to put up with, you relax. You gather the ambient vys around you and set out to try a few more times.

You finally manage to succeed once, sending out a powerful burst of pure energy from your core. The force of casting the spell almost feels like a punch in the gut, and you very nearly lose your focus as a result. Thankfully you manage to recover before you fall completely out of the meditative trance, but the shock of it has put you back on square one. You can't imitate what you'd just done, and eventually you decide to just give up for now.
>+2 bonus to next Blast meditation
(1/2)

Your eyes snap open, though you're forced to squint against the sun. The blinds that hung over the arched doorways to the balcony have been blown away, allowing the first rays of morning light to stream into your room. The blinds rest heavily on the floor, the hooks that bound them to the arch torn away. Hopefully the Academy doesn't mind a little bit of property damage.

>Try again, damn it! You were so close that time!
>You should probably try meditating on something else instead. Then you can think about trying again.
>Oh well, you have other things that require your attention. Those books you borrowed are due back tomorrow if you want that refund, and you haven't finished the Five Effects.

>>31227571
>You should probably try meditating on something else instead. Then you can think about trying again

>>31227571
How far into The five Effects have we read and How far has Fulvia copied?

>>31227571
Full JEW

>>31227613
You haven't read a single page, and she looked to be a little more than halfway done before you started meditating.

>>31227629
>Oh well, you have other things that require your attention. Those books you borrowed are due back tomorrow if you want that refund, and you haven't finished the Five Effects
Dammit

>>31227571
>>Oh well, you have other things that require your attention. Those books you borrowed are due back tomorrow if you want that refund, and you haven't finished the Five Effects.
deal with the books.

>Read
Writin'

>>31227571
>>Try again, damn it! You were so close that time!
>>31227676
>>31227649
we have fulvia copying them.
We're better off hey taking pictures. than us trying to read it faster than a robot can take pictures.

>>31227149
couldn't we have used vys to improve the rolls just enough for regular success?

>>31227779
yeah i forgot about that.
im sure we could have if someone would have thought about it..at the time.
>>31227676
>>31227649
on top of not learning that now. we're interrupting fulvia copying just so we can spend a day reading while she could be copying.

>>31227779
The only limiting factor I put on spending vys to improve rolls in the beginning is that it couldn't be more than five points. I forgot about my own rule early on, but reading through the magic pastebin before last thread I saw that tidbit.

So no, if the 19 had been a 20 you would've been able to, but it was just barely out of reach.

I'm thinking about changing that rule to something like 25% of maximum vys. Not quite sure if I will yet though.

You get up and do a few simple exercises to work the stiffness from your joints. You hate the pins-and-needles sensation you always have right after you finish meditating. It's not even that it hurts, it just feels unpleasant. Once you feel sufficiently woken up you wander into the kitchen to see how Fulvia is doing copying those books.

She looks to be about three fourths of the way through the Five Effects, while the rest are apparently already finished. She looks vaguely frustrated, and she has to take several pictures of each page. “How's it coming?” You ask her, to which she responds immediately. “Progress is steady but tedious. I am slowed by the condition of this archeota. The images captured of often of poor quality, and it takes several tries to get a legible image.”

Well, that's not good news, but it's not really bad news either. “How long do you think it will take to finish the Five Effects?” She hums quietly for a few moments before giving her estimate. “A few hours, at least. It is do tomorrow, yes? If you would like to read it, I am more than capable of finishing on the day it is due.” After a pause she continues. “I would also be grateful for the break.”

>Just have her rush through the last fourth of the book, then you can turn them all in early and you won't need to worry about it anymore.
>She deserves a break. She's been working almost nonstop for two days and nights now. You can meditate instead.
>Write-in

(Also, I think I'm experiencing caffeine crash. Just terrible exhausted all of a sudden. I'll keep going hopefully for another three-ish hours but I may call it early and run a thread late-afternoon tomorrow.)

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>>31227949
Forgot my image.

>>31227949
>She deserves a break. She's been working almost nonstop for two days and nights now. You can meditate instead.

>>31227949
Meditate

>>31227949
>>She deserves a break. She's been working almost nonstop for two days and nights now. You can meditate instead.

>>31227949
>She deserves a break. She's been working almost nonstop for two days and nights now. You can meditate instead.
shes a robot but w.e

>>31228083
>shes a robot but w.e
so? people are robots too, just made of organic material rather than metals and silicon.

>>31228039
>>31228017
>>31228006
guys I saw we meditate on blast again how does that sound?

>>31228132
Blast sounds good to me.

“Well, take a break then. I'll just meditate. Whenever you're ready you can pick it up again and finish it off.” She nods her head brusquely. “Very well, Dux-” She doesn't really need to call you that anymore, but you'll let it slide. Mainly because it's nice to have a title other than 'criminal scum' or 'crazy magic man'. “-If you need me, I will be in the hallway. If I'm ever going to restore the Empire, I need to understand how people think in this modern age. I've determined that watching them in public would be the best way to gather this knowledge.” You nod along, though you're not really sure how just casually watching people pass by would give one any insight into their thoughts and feelings. She's probably an expert, or something. Either that or she intends to stalk people on a mass scale.

You turn towards your room and retreat once more to the comfort of the bed. You can hear the bath water running, and Profectus snoring loudly from the next room over. The sound of waves crashing against rock and the din of the city filter in from below. It all forms an easy background noise that lets you slip peacefully into your meditative trance once more.

What will you meditate on?
>Blast (Total bonus of +4)
>Leaping
>Earth
>Water
>Fire
>Nature

I'll assume you won't use spice, but speak up if you want to.

>>31228283
>>Blast (Total bonus of +4

>>31228283
>>Blast (Total bonus of +4)

>>31228132
>>31228283
weren't we reading

>>31227949
>>She deserves a break. She's been working almost nonstop for two days and nights now. You can meditate instead.

>>31228283
>>Blast (Total bonus of +4)
no spice

Alright, roll those dice so I can try and knock this out quickly. Then I think I'll call it and take a nap. Pick up on Thursday after I eat dinner. Hopefully with more caffeine in my system.

Same DC as last time, beat 25.

Rolled 10, 9, 6 = 25

>>31228417

Rolled 1, 4, 2 + 4 = 11

>>31228417
Rollan

>>31228365
Robro said she'd be done in time but she'd like a break

Rolled 3, 9, 1 = 13

>>31228417

Rolled 4, 8, 2 + 2 = 16

>>31228417

>>31228461
>>31228436
>>31228433
>29, 11, 17
Hot damn, not quite. You'll be getting a +6 to meditate on blast after this attempt though, so I can't imagine you won't make it on your next attempt. Even if you have to spend a little vys to get it there.

>>31228461
>>31228436
god this was bad. x.x

>>31228417
you need to either change the vys rule or lower dc's cause that was the only way we were passing rolls

>>31228577
no this is fair.
meta magic is suppose to be hard. it not suppose to be something anyone can master easy peasy.
if you don't like it you're free to leave.

>>31228539
>x.x

12 year old detected.

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>>31228577
Yeah, I'll probably think it through in class tomorrow and announce the rule change at the start of the thread. It should be just a 'pass anything with enough brute force' type deal. It also should be pretty damn useful though. I think 5 is too low of a maximum, but then again it's pretty early in the quest. You need to have room to grow.

I'll think something up. I like the '% of max vys' idea, because that way it will scale with your powerlevel. Just need to decide how large or small a percentage it should be.

>>31228538
I would be intrested in finding out what would happen if we meditate nature. using water and the staff as a crutch. and get a 25+ on a roll reuiring 20. would it be possible to go from nothing to vatis or w.e it is after first rank.

>>31228659
Should not* be a pass anything with brute force type deal.

>>31228659
I like the current system because it's some what all chance. with a bit of save vys and you can struggle to make.
things should be hard to learn. things take time to learn and although it's not much of the quest to just be learning something and does slow us down. I think it's a necessary component.
learning everything on the first try isn't always the best.
And some times we get lucky and get it on the first try.

You feel like you're making progress. As you gather vys in your core, you try to release it all at once. You manage to get a loosely directed blast, but it's not particularly powerful. You're having difficulty releasing all the energy accumulated for the spell at once, and instead it's just sort of bleeding out languidly into the world around you. At least it's bleeding out in a roughly cone-shape though. That's better than before.

You try gathering more vys, to see if perhaps it's a problem of quantity, not necessarily anything you're doing wrong. The more you gather, the less you feel like is bleeding out. Like it's becoming compacted, and stuck. The more vys you collect, the more you feel the need to cast something and expend it. It's like a sealed off water tank in the hot sun, pressure building the longer it sits. This seems like a desirable thing for this particular effect, even though usually this means you'd done something terribly wrong.

You try to release the energy, but can't. You try to channel it, but you can't do that either. It becomes uncomfortable, and you start to feel a little nauseous. If you were an apprentice you'd probably be panicking right now, but you're familiar with this sensation. It just means your vys is severely imbalanced, and normally it would be easy for you to correct this problem. In this particular case you find that you can't. In fact, you can't stop collecting and compressing energy. It's like a valve is stuck open, and you can't shut it.
(1/2)

When the energy finally becomes too great, it explodes out in one giant blast. You're brought forcefully out of your meditation as you're knocked back, slamming into the headboard of your bed and slumping into the pillows. That's another reason you'd elected to try this meditation on the bed. Unfortunately, you knocked the curtains clear off the balcony and cracked some of the stone that makes up the archway and balcony railing. You can fix the cracks easily enough, but those curtains are going to be making some commoner very happy.
>Vys Pool: (18/23)

>And I'll call it here for the night. Pick up tomorrow.
>Sorry about this folks, I'll make sure it's not a regular occurrence.

I probably won't stick around for Q&A, but if you ask questions in this thread I'll answer them at the start of next thread. Such is the wonder of archives.

>>31228883
Archived Here:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Banished%20Quest
Night folks.

>>31228906
>>31228883
Thanks for running.

Hopefully we'll master Blast before the exam

>>31228906
>>31228883
Have a good night Soma.

>>31228906
Thanks for running