>>781549
>>“I’ll just make smoke, pretend there’s a fire and get everyone outside. Then they’ll just think I was a maniac when I escape in the panic.”
getting treated for a disease failed last village

>>781549
>>“You could always say you’re escorting me to the nearest village so that I get treated. Once we’re outside, I’d just run away.”
Easy-peasy.

>>781549
>>>“You could always say you’re escorting me to the nearest village so that I get treated. Once we’re outside, I’d just run away.”

Wait, the other researches aren't blown away by the fact that the mute can speak?

Shouldn't that be a huge red flag for them?

Or did Agna just screw up.

>>781549
>>“You could always say you’re escorting me to the nearest village so that I get treated. Once we’re outside, I’d just run away.”

>>781598
>that the mute can speak
I don't remember Agna stating that she knows any of them. Of course, assuming someone she knew was present she could always had said she had surgery or something.
As said by Rektus, "The lass must have somewhat of a silver tongue..." and she definitely has a quick mind.

She has some trouble talking but nothing too strange that they can't understand her so they just probably think she's tired or something.

Writing for escorting the poor man outside

Do we look so monstruous that passing for a sick man is the best we can do?
Apart from our general features, that you've given us already, what is it that makes us stand out from another human?

>>781606
Okay, I assumed that all the researchers participating in this would know who was holding down the fort for the next group.

>>781624
"the subject seem to have a mix or human-like and unnatural reactions. For example, “Rektus” as he calls himself doesn’t breathe nor move like most humans do, giving him a slightly unsettling appearance; akin to that of a standing cadaver."
So you're kind of a walking uncanny valley, seeing as you stay very still and your face doesn't show emotions unless you willingly force your face to contort (and even then it looks pretty unnatural).

Your posture looks very stiff and you have a tendency to just not move AT ALL (not even breathing) which is obviously creepy.

So while you might pass for someone having troubles, just having a conversation with a vampire is usually enough to gather that something is wrong.
The reason why most vampire are pale is because they prefer to stay locked/pretend to be sick so that nobody doubts they are vampires.

>>781631
As you'll see later, the various circles of Magi in the realms are usually hands-off in their approach to how they handle research.
Also, keep in mind that Agna is more or less put there to keep her from doing anything worthwhile so those assigned to her aren't usually given much to work with.
They're usually apprentices who are sent out with just a backpack to do stuff with her and shit happens somehow.

>>781641
Can we train ouselves to pretend?
So far vampirism sounds like uber-autism with longevity and strenght

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>>781549
“Good, I get it.” she agrees before walking back upstairs to inform the men of your departure. From what you can hear with her voice, she still has problems talking - probably from lack of use - but
You start to get up to act upon your plan but quickly realize that you’re still in the bath. At least, if someone comes down they’ll know she was telling the truth. You reach for your clothes but realize that they must look very strange and outdated, and with a millennium to catch on you wouldn’t be too surprised if they are. No, you need to find modern clothes, something to be incognito once you’re out of the cabin.
Looking in the various cabinets and cupboards you then find what you’re looking for. Same as the oud, someone must have forgotten this when going away, might as well put it to good use. It’s a bit complicated putting on the clothes, you’re not used to that style, but once you figure which hole goes where it look way more natural and inconspicuous than your ceremonial attire. You do lose the intimidation factor though but it’s nothing you can’t compensate with vampire magic. After a bit of pondering you decide to keep your old clothes and shove them into a rucksack, you can always sell them for coin though you’d rather not seeing as they’re the only link you have to your old tribe; that and they look pretty cool according to you.


You hear the chatter die out through the floor and the link you share with Agna provides you with the missing details. She has somehow convinced them that they shouldn’t stay close, you might feel threatened after your traumatic experiences and that could trigger all sort of negative reactions out of you. Again, she impresses you. If not for the fact that she just started talking again a few hours ago, you could almost believe her to be a con-artist. Missed her calling, that one…

1/2

>>781684
Before you head out, you spot a mirror and briefly steal a glance at it and are surprised to see how well you look, you didn’t expect the clothes to really fit you. Fully dressed now and with all the stuff you’re gonna get out of the place without looking too suspicious, you make your way up and see Agna waiting for you. In the corner five men are staring at the wall with their hands like blinders, something which looks both hilarious and awkward to you. This is the kind of stuff you’d see in a children’s spectacle where they’re trying to pretend you’re not there when you’re five feet away making a racket.
The plan seems to work though and no one says anything when Agna takes your hand and leads you outside. After five minutes walking slowly, she stops and verifies that no one is following the both of you.
“Alright, I guess that worked. I must say, Rektus, I didn’t really believe that would be a success but hey, whatever works. Anyway since I’m supposed to escort you, do you think I should come with you where you’re going or do I just need to point out the direction to the nearest village?” she explain before pausing briefly to consider her statement. “That doesn’t mean I’m just gonna run away though, alright? I still have stuff to do and I’m not sure I’d like my superiors to be pissed with me, however horrible they are.”


>You should be fine now, you just needed to escape Hedoran. Once you’re a bit more appropriately equipped, you’ll come back and help her on her forcefield problem.
>Well, you could use the company, you’ll need someone to tell you what changed over your sleep.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>781647
>Can we train ouselves to pretend?
Well, as stated before; the more you go without vampiric slumber; the more you'll look alive. That also means you risk getting trapped in your dead body.

Otherwise, as your mental power becomes greater you can train yourself to a certain degree but never truly replicate a human behavior.

>>781684
Shit, that is Rektus? When do we sell humanity to the Combine
Looks dope

>You should be fine now, you just needed to escape Hedoran. Once you’re a bit more appropriately equipped, you’ll come back and help her on her forcefield problem.

I feel like we can do away with many of our inhuman short comings by pretended we area stuffy noble in stuffy clothes. That should cover the lack of facial expressions and body language

>>781689

>Well, you could use the company, you’ll need someone to tell you what changed over your sleep.

Face it, we have shown multiple times that we basically need a babysitter. Plus info is always good.

>>781729
Anon is right, i change my vote to this

>>781689
>>Well, you could use the company, you’ll need someone to tell you what changed over your sleep.

We need catching up, although im not liking this whole negotiating with humans thing. We can do better when we're caught up I guess.

>>781756
>>781746
>>781729
Writing for WAIFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU eherm, getting "escorted" peacefully

>>781756
Eh, so far. It doesn't seem like we are an evil vampire hellbent on dominating everything around us. We mostly want to be left alone and are willing to help if it doesn't inconvenience us. from time to time. True Neutral at its finest.

But i agree that we need to put our foot down. We might not be evil but we aren't ceirtainly harmless.

>>781768
>waifu
Wasn't she a lesbian or something? At least she said she had no interest in men at all.
I have been going with that idea since then.

>>781775
>Wasn't she a lesbian or something? At least she said she had no interest in men at all.
You say that like it's going to stop Anon.

>>781776
After the scene that where Rektus "pouted like a little schoolgirl" because Agna didn't find him attractive, I cannot imagine any sort of attempt at a waifu or romance that is not a comedy of errors.

Poor Rektus, nobody takes him seriously.

>>781776
Eh, once we master mind magic we could run one of those conversion camps for homosexuals churchies love so much.

>>781786
>Rektus "pouted like a little schoolgirl"
Looks like we can emote like a human after all

>>781776
I don't think anyone thinks of this quest as one where we waifu war over anyone.
Maybe later when we start meeting rich aristocratic vampires in leather or something.

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>>781689
“I think I’m gonna need your help on that one. As much as I would love to embrace the dark brooding persona of the rich sheltered vampire, I’m currently lacking money and shelter. Plus I like the sun too much to spend my days buried between stone walls…”
She stops and laugh, you must have amused her somehow.
“You like the sun? Ah, that’s ridiculous… next you’ll tell me you don’t drink beer instead of blood!”
Quirky quips aside, you quickly find out that with without Agna’s guidance, you obviously couldn’t have found the village. It’s at the end of a poorly maintained trail, a gathering of secluded abodes though you still remark the more obvious necessities like a blacksmith or a church there. The steep terrain makes any kind of high building impractical so instead they have switched to semi-troglodytic house that are half buried in the ground, giving them a very stable base. While it’s obvious this is a small village, either they have someone talented leading them or everyone just pulls their weight around. Well, this is as good a place as any to plan out your new life, a “few” moons after the previous one. You’re lucky the village isn’t that far and is just hard to locate, this will make coming back to the shack that much easier.
“Alright, we’re here. If you’re gonna be staying, we should get you a roof to sleep under.”


While your last trip to a tavern went rather… poorly, you should be able to calm yourself on that one. This time around, the locals seem to know Agna so it shouldn’t be too complicated for her to convince them to give you a room. Following her as she strides into the square at the middle of village seldom stopping to greet the scant amount of villagers outside, nothing too unusual at this time of the day. You then enter the empty tavern, save a drunkard who has slumped on his chair. The place isn’t anything too fancy, it’s actually pretty much what you’ve grown to expect from the previous tavern. Agna heads out to the innkeeper while you casually seat yourself near the dying embers of a chimney.

1/2

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>>781854

“Alright, I got you a room; don’t worry about paying him. I’ll handle the money stuff if, and that’s a big if, you help me with the forcefield. I get lots of funds for my research but I need to have something to show for it so I won’t pay if you’re freeloading. That does mean you’ll get a bit of equipment but again, you’ll have to earn it unless I kick you out… or report you to the local authorities.”
Ouch, that’s cold… You would have expected her to be nicer with you, she already got to see you naked so it’s like you’re buddies, right?
Then again, you did drain her of her blood and crushed her wrist, so eh…
“Anyway, I’m not just going to stand there waiting for you to stop thinking, so let’s get active here. There are a few places we should check out here…”


>A tailor would be a good thing, you need to cloak yourself and be discreet.
>The blacksmith is your best bet, you might need to defend yourself if you’re skulking around with Agna in the night.
>Maybe there’s an alchemist or an apothecary you could get ingredients for your rituals.
>She’s right, you need to go over your magic with her. That way, you won’t have to do it later.
>Just take a seat and have her explain the world around you.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>781828
Don't worry, I know. Just teasing you.

>>781828
This is what I get for jokingly bringing up the dreaded waifu wars of 3-4 years back on /tg/.

Oh Tavern Quest, such a cruel fate.

>>781855
>A tailor would be a good thing, you need to cloak yourself and be discreet.

Dammit, something suiting our regal countenance!

>>781855
Let's start with with the alchemist while we dorp some info about our approach to magic. We can chit chat about the details of the world while on the way

>blacksmith
I want us to don a full set of plate, but maybe later

>>781873
>dorp

Hey guys, i just verbed!

>>781855

>Maybe there’s an alchemist or an apothecary you could get ingredients for your rituals.

This helps twofold, first we get ingredients for rituals, secondly this allows us to go over some of our magic with her as we can explain what we get and why. Basically earn some don't-kick-the-neet-vampire-out-of-the-house points while having her buy us reagents.

Blacksmith ain't gonna do shit since weapons are probably expensive and Rektus is completely untrained in combat and the tailor is almost certain to end in tears when someone tries to measure, dress, and make Rektus fashionable.
Most likely Rektus being the one in tears, though he will indignantly refuse to acknowledge it.

>>781869
>>781873
I think some of you don't really understand the fac that:
1)Rektus is a vampire
2)He is still pretty weak
3)He should try to lay low

Remember, the only reason you haven't shivved Agna is because you need her help (and she is nice I guess?) and killing her would set people on your trail.

>>781855
>>Something else [Write-in]
>Go pet the horses.

>>781887
Ok-ay? The, i guess we can start with the tailor.

I thought we haven't killed her because, while we are a vampire, killing people all around is messy and unecessary
Also ,considering how safe she feels to boss us around, she might be quite powerful herself

>>781873
>>781882

Writing for SPOOPY HERBS

Might take a bit longer since I'm gonna have to eat.

>>781887

I understand it. Like I said, I don't always play the smart option. Feel free to vote me down, I know what Im doing.

>>781887
Oh, oh you were talking about my armor suggestion? No, that is for mid to late game. For that Vlad the impaler feel

>>781909
I wouldn't say it's about the "smart" option here, it's more than Rektus isn't the kind of dude to do that.
He's intelligent enough to know that sometimes you have to be discreet, at least when his temper doesn't get the best of him.

>>781907
Looking for the fitting picture...

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>>782047

Herbs and ingredients are definitely something to look for and it might give you an opportunity to explain your side of magic to Agna, she expressed a lot of interest into it and you don’t want to disappoint her. Explaining that kind of stuff is a good way of going back on your basics; they say you learn a lot by teaching to others after all. You could always start while you're going there but you feel that a more hands on demonstration might be more to her tastes.
“I already have clothes for now and weapons are not something I’d like to use anytime soon, so let’s go see the local alchemist.”


Harvesting reagents is a very time consuming activity and you’d prefer someone else do it for you; you actually inherited a lot of your master’s stock when he died which meant you seldom had to go on gathering trips. It was nice to go out of the tribe once in a while but you had to admit you prefered the bustling life of the tribes ground to the quietness of the plains and mountains.
Hunting was never your forte - you had never really bothered to take it up as a skill - and you left it to the hunters to get you the more “lively” reagents; but otherwise you didn’t have too much trouble gathering what you needed.
As you think back to the days of old, you almost bump into Agna. She has stopped before what seems to be a doctor’s house judging by what seem to be the bandages and knives on the sign. That or a clumsy barber.
“This place doesn’t really have a dedicated apothecary but the local doctor knows enough about plants that he should have a bit to spare if you have the coin for it. And we both know that you do, as long as I’m here.”


You can definitely see how handy those research funds can prove, now it’s time to use them. You open the front door and enter the dark abode, ringing a small bell above the doorway. In front of you is an older man sitting at a desk, around sixty, who seem to have heard the bell and is currently looking at you. For a backwater village doctor, the man seem awfully sharp as he looks you over, sighing before drawing out various knives and setting them on his table.
“Before you try anything funny, vampire, know that these knives will be as sharp to you as they are for my patients.”

1/2

>>782074

Okay, how did he do that? While you’re not exactly inconspicuous and your behavior could betray you; you haven’t even had time to speak or do anything before he detected the vampiric taint inside of you.
“Right this moment, you must be wondering how I guessed you’re a vampire… It’s all in the eyes, that and the way you moved when I called you out.” He pauses and takes out a cleaver, a wicked sharp instrument with what seem to be a saw edge on the back of it. “Now, tell me what you’re doing here before I nail you to this door here and now.”


>You’re just here to get reagents, you don’t want no trouble!
>Call his bluff, while he does seem to have experience, you can easily overpower him should you need to; he’s an old man.
>Let Agna take care of this one, she can actually speak his language for one.
>Just shrug, you don’t have to explain yourself.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>782076
>>Call his bluff, while he does seem to have experience, you can easily overpower him should you need to; he’s an old man.

>>782076
>>Just shrug, you don’t have to explain yourself.
Fuck off old man or die

>>782076
>Let Agna take care of this one, she can actually speak his language for one.

Poor Rektus, he cannot catch a break.
As far as I can tell Agna is our only hope of not being run out of this town before we have gotten what we want.

>>782076
Is that how you treat your clients, good doctor?
I happen to be here helping these researchers unveil the secrets of the world, and nothing more

>>782074
>>782091
Changing to >>Just shrug, you don’t have to explain yourself.

>>782174
>>782161
>>782093
Writing for being unnecessarily edgy

>>782224
>unnecessarily edgy
>vampire
Uuuh... Ozy...

>>782224
The doctor just sighs again, looks at you before flicking his wrist and before you know it you have your left arm, the same one you’ve just regenerated with a fresh cleaver embedded up to the bone in the wrist. Try as you might, your arm is stuck to the door and nothing short of cutting your hand is really going to work.
“Let me tell you something, vampire. When someone is standing up to one of your kind and assured enough to order you ‘round, it’s because they have the means to back it up.” he patronizes you before picking a sharp looking scalpel and pointing it towards your face. “Now, tell me what you’re doing here before I drive this one up your brain. That should be enough to get rid of you, trust me.”


This man is the real deal and he is probably the most dangerous person you’ve encountered so far, way waaay past Hedoran. Hedoran might have been equipped and trained but he lacked the experience and strength of character needed to kill you.
The doctor, however… He has both the means to kill you and the drive to do, you suspect it wouldn’t even faze him to… eliminate you here; seeing as his annoyed expression hasn’t changed even once since you’ve been introduced to me. You don’t know where’s he been or what he worked in before but you suspect you’re far from the most frightening thing he’s had to deal with.
It says something about his capability that he was able to pin your arm precisely, with enough strength to disable it and fast enough that you hadn’t time to move. You suspect he used some magic to enhance his shot - what kind though you cannot gather - but this doesn’t take away from maestria of the shot he just did.


Anyway, you’re in far too much danger to just wonder at his ability, you should do something!


>Alright, the gloves come off. Time to teach this man a lesson.
>You’re just here to get reagents for fuck’s sake! And will everybody please stop maiming your arm?!
>Agna should take over, you’re just about done ridiculing yourself.
>Time to get out of dodge, it seems...
>Something else [Write-in]

>You’re just here to get reagents for fuck’s sake! And will everybody please stop maiming your arm?!

>>782264
>You’re just here to get reagents for fuck’s sake! And will everybody please stop maiming your arm?!

I mean is this how you treat a paying customer. I swear, youngins these days have lost all their manners.

>>782279
>I mean is this how you treat a paying customer. I swear, youngins these days have lost all their manners.
I uh, I think we're the youngin.

>>782282
I think you've forgotten Rektus is about a thousand and something old.
Then again, he did spend most of that time sleeping...

>>782273
>>782279
Writing for calling this shit out, yo.

>>782297
Fine, we're the person who thinks yelling makes everything better. I count that as being young at heart.

>>782367
Rektus definitely is a master of confusion-fu.
Turns out most people don't exactly expect that to happen.

>>782315

There are things someone shouldn’t do. You’ve come to the man expecting to just get your stuff and leave but the good “doctor” over here instead insisted to treat you rather roughly. You might have been a bit rude when you just shrugged when he asked you what you were doing here but that’s only because you didn’t have much a reason to be there… at least nothing deserving of such an attack.
“What in the world is wrong with you; I never did anything to you to warrant this!” you cry out through your mind carries the same message in his head. He gets pretty confused, your reaction isn’t something he must be used to; anything beyond abject horror must be new territory to him…
“But I-” he starts to talk but you cut him off abruptly. “Oh no you don’t! I was walking here to buy plants and the only thing you could think off was chucking a cleaver at me like I’m some kind of chicken to decapitate!” You gesture to your arm, still stuck in the wooden door because of the cleaver.


His bored expression has been by now been replaced by a rather satisfying look of pure confusion. Somewhere along the line you must have lost him because he’s been clutching his head in his hands…
“I-I don’t… what is this? Vampire, who exactly are you? I can hear you clearly in my mind but you’re talking gibberish and the two overlap very poorly together...”
Oh, right. You still need to learn their language, you haven’t really had time to familiarize yourself with their culture so far, what with being hunted for your life.
“I’m just here to buy regents. Why I do isn’t any of your business though I can assure you it’s not for any nefarious plans, at least none involving this community. I haven’t tried to kill you, I come bearing money and I only want to get my stuff and leave in peace so the least you can do is let me buy your damn wares and get out!”
Throughout the entire conversation, Agna has been looking wide-eyed at you, like you’d somehow grown a third eye or something.
“Uh, Rektus, I suppose you’re speaking to Helzer since I can’t really hear you but I don’t think shouting at him is gonna solve the problem…”
You assume Helzer must be the man’s name though you can’t gather whether it’s his first name or his surname.

1/2

>>782402

The man sits back and rubs his temples before slowly putting back his tools in the drawer he took them out of. You note that they are well maintained, the mark of a true professional. If the man is half as good at healing as he is at killing, you doubt there are many injuries beyond his expertise; a good thing since he’ll have to supply you with precise and dedicated goods, the kind of which could kill someone if the proportions were messed-up. He then looks at you, waiting for you to do something, even if his posture indicates he’d rather be already done with all this mess.


>Demand he reduces his prices, he did assault you for no reason after all.
>Just be done with the shopping, you’ll explain the finer details of magic to Agna in the tavern.
>Ask him where he comes from, it’s not everyday you meet a man like him.
>Barter for something to drink in addition to the stuff you’ll buy, you’re gonna need it for some rituals.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>782408
>Just be done with the shopping, you’ll explain the finer details of magic to Agna in the tavern.

>>782408
>>Demand he reduces his prices, he did assault you for no reason after all.
This makes me giggle, and it changes the battlefield. It's no longer 'Kill the vampire or not' now it's 'Give price reduction or not'.

>>782408
>>Barter for something to drink in addition to the stuff you’ll buy, you’re gonna need it for some rituals.

>>782408
>Demand he reduces his prices, he did assault you for no reason after all.

>>782408
>Demand he reduces his prices, he did assault you for no reason after all.

Riding the indignant train all the way to the station.
We have no worries about money because it comes out of the research grant, but by god damn it he threw a cleaver at us, if they doesn't justify high level pettiness then I don't know what does.

>>782452
>>782500
Writing for bartering.

This will be the last post of the night so I'll be making Hedoran's next post and then logging off.
I'll be logging up tomorrow at the same time.

>>782509
I think we might be taking after a certain Samjan jewish master here now that I think about it...
The methods are definitely different though...

You turned up! I thought you'd abandoned us. Do you have a twitter/discord set up? I was there from the start of the first thread :)
(Going to read the thread now)

>>782512
A discord or twitter would be great, agreed.

>>782511
What's a 'Samjan Jewish Master'?

>>782512
>>782548
There's a /qst/ discord set up already.

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>>782402

Hedoran’s Quest (I’m using that to signal the “side quest I’ll be doing at the end of each session, for ease of backtracking and reading)


Making to the well took you a while, especially since you needed to cross some rough terrain without any guides to tell you the easy way. You finally ended up reaching it but were stopped after a patrol of elves found you trying to get in; they explained it was restricted to non-elves and that you could only be allowed in after proving yourself. Given that you didn’t back down, they brought to an elder in a hidden hut nearby where he explained your trial: you’d have to track down and kill a rampaging unicorn.


Contrary to popular belief, unicorns are not the sweet noble creatures that some legends make them out to be (though some of them fit the bill)... Indeed, they are known to stalk and rape wandering maidens in order to sate their unholy lust and some of them fall even lower when they decide to eat their victims alive. These unicorns become thestrals and take on ghastly traits as well as some very potent magic; killing one is usually the stuff legends are made out of since they are notoriously tough to take on. And the elder is asking you to take on one… Regardless of the risk, you accept; you already left Rektus escape your grasp and won’t tolerate another injustice, especially from so foul a creature. The hunt is harrowing and you need to shoot the thestral several times with your crossbow before it finally deigns pay attention to you instead of the corpse it has been feeding on.


DANGER: THIS ENCOUNTER WILL BE FATAL/LIFE-CHANGING FOR THE CHARACTER, THREAD WITH CAUTION


>Take the beast head-on, you won’t end up anywhere by cutting corners.
>Set up traps and get it weakened before anything.
>You might have to use a less savory part of yourself for this particular encounter.
>Stay at a distance; if your crossbow won’t do the trick you brought just the thing to take it down...

>>782512
>>782548
I'd rather avoid setting up a circlejerk but I WILL do it if you fags pester me enough to actually get me to do it.

I actually have a twitter set specially for Quests but I'm pretty sure I'd forget updating it anyway... You can see when I'm updating on the /qst/ discord which can be found on the /qtg/. Plus that way you'll get to talk to me outside of the quest.

I can't promise I'm as memetastic as Trick, Velo or even Soma.

>>782571
>What's a 'Samjan Jewish Master'?
I'm gonna have to refer you to Banished, a
a quest by the far more experienced Soma.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=banished%20quest

>>782594
>Set up traps and get it weakened before anything.

>>782594
>>You might have to use a less savory part of yourself for this particular encounter.
Hidden Power is a go!

>>782594
>Set up traps and get it weakened before anything.

>>782594
>You might have to use a less savory part of yourself for this particular encounter.

I said corrupt the paladin, lets corrupt the paladin.

Also, I dont think a twitter is a circle jerk so much as a way to know when you are running/postponing.

>>782594
>>You might have to use a less savory part of yourself for this particular encounter.

>>781862
What was tavern quest and what happened?

>>782594
>Set up traps and get it weakened before anything.

>>782408

Oh no, this just won’t do. He not only has attacked you without giving you the opportunity to explain yourself - well you could have but you don’t really speak his language - but has only been rude throughout the entire exchange…
With any other shop, you could have at least expected someone to come and apologize but it’s pretty obvious this isn’t going to happen, so you’ll settle with the next best thing: a store reduction!
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure you understand how this works, sir. You need to care for your customers and be polite to them, lest they get angry and actually start being annoyances. I think it’s only fair you slash your prices or give us something in reparation.”


For a split second, he adopts a look of pure fury but manages to rein himself in and merely adopts a resigned facade before lazily pointing to a shelf loaded with supplies, some of which you’ve never seen before. You still recognize the majority but there’s no doubt that some species of plants must have appeared in the surrounding area when you were sleeping though that doesn’t really explain the stuffed barghest head on the chimney to your left…
Regardless of the decorative value of the animal, it does give the room a rather sinister feeling, one that is only enhanced by the various dried plants you collect and dump on his desk before putting them in your rucksack. Some of them are poisonous and it’s only because you know how to handle them that you avoid writhing on the ground in pain - that and you’re a vampire…
“Now that you’re done looting my store of all the goods, I’m gonna get you something… for that reduction of yours. Now, I’ll only give it to you if you stop bugging me so take and shut-up.” he gruffly adds; the man is so amiable you almost feel like hugging him.


1/2

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>>784375
4He walks out of the front and goes into what must be his reserve for a short while. You hear a bit of clatter but don’t really react, the man ought to know what he’s doing and it’s not really your problem if what’s left of the barghest is eating him now. Much to your exaggerated displeasure he comes back unharmed and holding what seem to be a bottle, of what you cannot see since the label has been scratched out but it looks fairly dark. He starts discussing with Agna about the money since she’s the one supplying it after all while you go back to the bottle. Opening the cork, a fairly musky scent comes out but one you definitely recognize…
This is a fey vial! A real rarity, the brew contained in this bottle is strong enough to kill a normal man but you can use it in various recipes, rituals and also to get violently shitfaced if you have the constitution - or lack thereof - to take it. And cherry on top, it actually replenishes itself if you pour fresh water in it. You don’t really know how they work but that doesn’t take away from the usefulness of the vial itself.


Actually, you feel kind of tempted to drink a sip right now… After all, it’s just checking the merchandise, right?


>Be a man and drink it, this will get you fired up for the rest of your shopping trip.
>Sometime, being drunk doesn’t solve problems. Just get your ass to the tavern.
>Ask Helzer if he really wants to give it to you...
>Something else [Write-in]

>>784376
>Sometime, being drunk doesn’t solve problems. Just get your ass to the tavern.

Not yet, we can be responsible. Especially when we've got an arm nailed to a door with a cleaver.
Speaking of that, maybe we could ask one of them to kindly help with the hand/cleaver situation, I do not think it is a good situation to keep for either party, we value our wand, and I think he values his customers not being freaked out by a man pinned to the door.

Maybe ask him for a small bandage or something to wrap around the wound so we don't go around town with this obvious debilitating wound visible for all to see. That could cause problems too.

>>784385
seconding

>>784376
I vote for getting shitfaced... Later. Now we need to be sober

So the vial replenishes itself when filled with fresh water.

So what if we put the vial face up in a freshwater river. The booze would be constantly leaving because it's less dense than water, but at the same time fresh water would be constantly flowing in and turning into alcohol.

Could we make a river of booze like this?

Is this how the world ends?
Theoretically, if we got enough vials, could we do ice-9 but with booze?
I think it is how the world would want to end.

>>784385
>>784394
>>784457

Writing for getting a party pooper

>>784464
The way it mroe exactly works is by putting water into the vial then letting it change overnight. Like most fey magic, it doesn't work if someone's looking at it.
So the best way is to fill it with water, wrap it in a cloth and take the resulting brew.
Note that keeping the booze outside of the vial will take away most of it's magic properties; so you'll still have a glass of booze but it won't be usable for any rituals.

>>784479
Will it still be lethal to your average human?

Because if so it doubles as an infinite source of perfectly disguised ingestion-based poison as well.

I am perhaps thinking about this too much.

>>784486
Fey wine is lethal because it puts the person in such a brutal ethylic coma that all of their bodily functions just stop working. It's the fey essence that gives it it's property though so without it it's just a VERY strong wine (wine is a catch-all term for these kind of mixtures, it could be anything from whiskey to sake or even cider).

> perfectly disguised ingestion-based poison as well.
You need to actually ingest it in order to have the effects take in so unless you plan on getting dead drunk the normal brew isn't going to do much beyond giving you a massive hangover.

>>784479
This post will take a while because:
1)I need to eat
2)It's gonna be detailing how Rektus's magic works.

>>784529
As tempting as this is, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the booze itself later, which means it might be time to go back to the tavern and explain to Agna the finer details of your magic, presumably with some flashy demonstration to support your teachings. They’ll still be pretty basic, you don’t really want to go into the more detailed stuff until you feel she might be ready for it… and that’s if you’re not gone by then.


Waving back to Helzer who slams his door after you, you go back to the tavern where the same man has been sleeping since you arrived. Must be some brutal stuff the man ingested if he’s still unconscious, maybe you’ll check later on him to see if he’s still alive.
Anyway you have magic to cook up and a lady to impress and you have a feeling doing so isn’t going to be really easy. So without waiting, you start taking off the various reagents you might need for your first lesson. Since the tavern is desert you don’t really need to be too much careful about that kind of things, you doubt the average villager knows much about magic anyways.
Somewhere along the line, you remember that you also need to explain for the poor Agna who has just been waiting for you the whole time to start the lesson. Right, let’s get to it…
“Before I get to the main stuff, I’ll do a quick introduction on the basics of my magic for you. The way it works is by using rituals, I’ll describe some later, but all you need to know for now is that rituals are simply a set of instruction.”
She nods quickly and you figure she should be fine if you explain using a bit more details, she’s a magus after…
“Imagine your paper here. If you write the same symbols in the same way, you’ll get the same sentence, okay? But if you change a word or the way these words are placed, the meaning changes. Using a ritual is just a question of finding the right… vocabulary, I guess, and applying certain words in a certain order.”


She starts raising her hands but you cut her off, you already what question she’s going to ask.
“Now you’re wondering why I’ve been buying plants and stuff like that, right? It’s because the “words” we use in that kind of spells aren’t restricted to verbal and spoken components; we can actually use reagents to create a certain “sentence” which produces our spell.” You pause to combine a few ingredient which produces a small wisp, a certain kind of familiar that follows the user and lights their way. “While I can’t straight-up tell you what words I used to create this spell - if only because most of them are plants - you can see that the “sentence” is this wisp.”

1/2

>>784679

You wait patiently for Agna to start questioning you but she simply nods and start writing in her notebook. Now that you think about it, you’ll have to learn how her magic works too, it would be a shame to pass such an opportunity.
“Now, you should know that magic is just acting upon the mana around you and in you using your willpower. But in the same way that you can’t talk without words, you can’t express your will without reagents, incantations and such. So the only way a magician can get better is by getting a better vocabulary and strengthening his mental fortitude.”
“Rektus, all of this looks very interesting and all but I noticed you forgot to say one thing: how do you expand your vocabulary?”


You shrug.
“Seriously? Trial and error and what your previous master has left you. It’s what prevented most of the magicians of my era from becoming too powerful, finding new efficient magic takes time. It’s also why vampires can be so strong since they have enough time to learn all kind of knowledge, both related and unrelated to magic.”


Choose which magic to start explaining next, you’ll eventually do all of them:
>Blood magic, the Undead Flame
>Bone Magic, the Forlorn Bastion
>Void magic, the Eldritch Iris
Honestly, the best way I can summarize magic is that it works by inputting a cheatcode in the universe’s computer using random crap you find laying around as letters. Note that this will become VERY IMPORTANT at some point when you do find out about some hidden knowledge.

>>784702

>>784710
Yes, you're absolutely right. That is indeed the meaning of life.

>>784702
>You shrug.
>“Seriously? Trial and error
I love Rektus

>FEEL THE POWER OF THE VOID!
We go full tree now

>>784702
>>Blood magic, the Undead Flame
woops

>>784702
>Blood magic, the Undead Flame

>>784712
>The heat death ofthe universe will occur when we run out of (you)s

>>784721
Exdeath a cute!
>>784722
>>784723
Writing for "Boudin Flambé"

>>784739
“Now that I’ve explained the basics of my magic, I should be able to go onto the more advanced stuff. I’m sure you must remember the time when I started regenerating my arm in front of you and you got transfixed by some kind of unnatural fire, right?”


She shivers, the memory must be pretty haunting to her and you don’t fault her for trying to forget the whole experience.
“I’ll take that as a yes… Anyway, what you witnessed was the rawest and most dangerous side of the first domain we’ll be talking about, the Undead Flame. The Flame is the expression of unlife, a cold reminder that life must be extinguished and blossom anew but on the other side. It is what run inside my blood, what made me a vampire and it is what I use to sustain myself when I drain someone. I use it to convert the magic I suck from someone into life energy; which means I steal the mana - along with the blood - inside a person’s body.
Now, what you usually do with blood magic is create life, modify it and make it rot. Using blood magic, I can make myself stronger, change my shape but also send plagues upon my enemies. It is what the majority of “unholy” creatures uses, the most basic of all the magic and also the most grounded in reality, though that doesn’t mean it’s easy or unrefined. A constant paradox of cold burning embers, it can freeze your flesh and burn your entire being at the same time meaning that two users of this domain can be very different, being by far the most polyvalent of all domains.”


You take a pause and end up thinking about it yourself… Explaining something so existentially grounded and difficult is something you never imagined you’d had to do, and you had to give some people “the Talk” so you know what you’re talking about.
“Honestly, I don’t expect you to take all of this in on the first try, this is the broadest of the topics I’ll be talking about for now… Just before we finish this topic, think about this: the wisps I saw in the Desolation Beyond are either the manifestation of the Undead Flame or just a big part of it, so they have a certain role in that place. For the next domain, you’ll see that each of them has a kind of representation in the Desolation Beyond, which must be part of why they are the only domains my tribe and I knew about.”


She has fallen deep in thought and is considering what you just said, no doubt an upsetting prospect for someone who learned that afterlife is not all what it’s cracked up to be.
>Void magic, time to explain the unspeakable.
>Bone magic, the memories of your elders live within you.

>>784805
Let's get Bone out of the way. It is, after all, our weakest one, IIRC

>>784805

>Bone magic, the memories of your elders live within you.

>>784805
I think I'll be doing the same thing as last time, waiting until more votes get thrown in to actually start writing the next post. So instead I'll continue Hedoran's quest.

>>784805
>>Bone magic, the memories of your elders live within you.

>>785001

Hedoran's Quest

Killing a thestral is an affair of wits and cunning rather than one of pure strength. The beast could just trample you with ease so the best way to deal with it is to use your brains and avoid a direct confrontation, one that would likely prove fatal for you.
So instead of just rushing in like a maniac and getting skewered, you resolve yourself to examine the creature and study its weaknesses.
When you do end up confronting the monster, it doesn’t know the bolts of your crossbow are poisoned nor does it know about the firebombs you have readied under your jacket. You may not know magic but craftyness can go a long way when you know how to use it. As the fire engulfs it you take the pike you have brought and plant it in the ground, bracing yourself for the assault of the thestral. While the pike fails to skewer it and only shred it’s flank open, you have prepared for the eventuality and you take out a handaxe, one that you intend to use once the thestral is done writhing on the ground…


As it gets up, you whistle loudly to draw it’s attention and in all it’s rage it fails to notice the bear trap you have placed in front of you. When it collapses to the ground with one of it’s legs snapping, it’s mere inches away from you but you don’t blink.
You’ve already prepared for this and as you smash the beast’s skull with your axe in a loud “thunk”, you still think about how you could have done better. The pike could have been barbed to prevent the beast from tearing itself away from it, the firebombs could have been more corrosive and the poison faster but at least the bear trap worked as intended; small graces you figure.


Taking chances isn’t going to save your life though when you end up fighting worse monsters… As you come back to the elder with the thestral’s carcass on your cart, he proposes to craft you something for when you’re done bathing in the sacred waters of the Well.


>A ranged weapon to kill your enemies before they see you.
>A close quarter weapon to shred them to pieces.
>Some armor to weather the magic you’ll face.
>Another artifact, maybe something magic.

>>784812
>>784914
>>785021
Writing for SPOOPY SCAWY SKELETONS

>>785070
Something ranged, the idea of pissed of archer Hedoran sounds amazing

Tell us the truth, Rektus neved had a chance against this guy if we decided to use violende, right?

>>785070
Actually, according to the "Life Changing" tag, this is the fight that decided how Hedoran was going to progress in the future.

None of these would have resulted in his death though some future WILL definitely cause him or anyone involved to die.

Taking the beast head-on would have made Hedoran a more classic paladin, knight templar style.
You know what setting up traps does.
A less savory part of himself would explain why he can't use normal magic.
Staying at a distance would mean Hedroan would have unveiled a huge bow Gough-style and pinned the thestral to a nearby tree in one shot.

>>785114
>though some future WILL definitely
Some future decisions assuming you choose poorly that is.

>>785114
Nope, Rektus had no chance to win

>>785123
Strange as this may seem, Rektus probably would have wiped the floor with Hedoran.
Hedoran, for all his training, definitely needed a wake-up call to understand that some monsters can kill him.
You can see that Hedoran underestimated Rektus when he allowed him to live, a mistake that Rektus definitely wouldn't have commited if only because he was fighting for his life.

Now, Hedoran has decided to atone for his mistake and has more-or-less entered SERIOUS MODE.

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>>785134
Just one last question, is Hedoran going to eat__ Rektus once he find him?

>>785144
I heard the vampire fricassée is delicious in fall, if you can find something to go with it like a bit of dryad salad.

>>785070
>>>A ranged weapon to kill your enemies before they see you.

This seems to be the best bet, because against magical creatures it's best to kill them before they can take notice you/start dropping moons on you.

God this is gonna turn Hedoran into the Rektus-slayer?
I mean he's building into craftiness, and as we have established, beating Rektus in a battle of wits is unfortunately not very difficult. Tech in some arrows, traps, and a good bit of fire and that seems like the best way to take him down.

I am liking the build-a-nemesis.

>>785070
You’ve spoken of blood, now is time to speak of bones... You start explaining that while blood governs life, bones govern memories. They are the timeless recipients of the knowledges from the past, unmoving and forever still.
Where blood is just a way to find life and nurture it, bones are what happens when you dig up the past, they hold the strength and the wisdom of your elders.
Using bones, you can fortify objects, call upon the spirits of these same bones and enchant artifacts. It is also named the Forlorn Bastion for a reason, as it allows you to withdraw into a fortress made of the bones of your fallen enemies, both a spiritual and physical protection. Using a bone stylus, you can engrave objects in various patterns to give them wonderful properties, the like of which no other magic can replicate, it also allows you to create bone golems and you’ve even heard that some people inscribed their own bones to become even stronger… In the same way, crafting anything using bones as a material will net you an amazing object, be it a weapon or an artefact; the stronger the bones and the higher the resulting power.
Also, bone has a tendency to soak up the experience and sights it is shown: a sword may become sharper when you use it regularly, a pendant could give you visions of the places it came from.


This also means that you can create familiars out of bones, relentless servitors of bones that don’t know pain, sadness or even fatigue. They are capable of thought though they lack the sharp intelligence real living creatures possess and are thus relegated to fighting or repetitive duties like digging holes. They can still develop a frightening amount of combat experience and fighting a veteran bone reaper - a type of evocation - is a battle few persons ever live through.
But the draw of bone magic isn’t just mindless goons, as using the might and knowledge of the bones can allow someone to become a lich, a truly terrifying being several orders of magnitude more dangerous than your average vampire. You won’t really get into details on the hows and why of a lich but just meeting one is usually a surefire way to die swiftly if not painlessly.


You don’t need to become a lich to profit from the power of the bones though and using them isn’t really that hard. Most farmers do it without thinking when they use bone meal, spreading the fortitude of the bone to the various living beings around. It is perhaps the most ancestral and unfeeling of the three domains. Indeed, where the Undead Flame represent the change and might of the unliving, the Forlorn Bastion represent the final frontier that is death and the threshold that can never be passed beyond it, adopting an unnatural toughness and staying still until everything stops moving along.


Now that you’ve talked about blood and bones, you’ll just need to talk about the Eldritch Iris; the void itself...

Alright, this is the end of today's session. See you tomorrow!

See ya, Oz

>>785209
My god, bone magic is the minmax magic.


So it sounds like a lich is something along the lines of successfully inscribing yourself onto either yourself or a victim. You'd get exponential increases in power and infinite growth. Though if this theory holds water, then becoming a lich doesn't actually save the person, due to mones holding memory and experience, it'd basically be a digital upload.

But yeah from the sounds of it: Do not piss off someone with bone magic, because it is the batman of magic.

Fuck, this is what I get for buying a house like a normie, I'm out all day inspecting the property and miss the quest I follow.

>>784049
Without getting too much into it, Tavern Quest was a questthread about running a fantasy Tavern. It ran 15 or so threads over three months, and had a reasonable leadership. However, there was a mild waifu war that broke out over two of the female employees. This got blown out of proportion in the quest thread general, and Tavern Quest kind of became the whipping boy for the waifu craze. From then on threads were often trolled and eventually the QM stopped running it.

>>785209
Damn. I kind of want rektus to specialize in bone magic now.

>>785272
>>786985
It's a great thing that you'll be able to specialize yourself in one of the three domains after we're done explaining about them - keep in mind that as a vampire you already have a natural ability to use blood magic.

That said, I wouldn't say that bone magic is OP compared to the other magics, it simply fills a gap that the other magic can't fill, it's complementary. That and you still haven't see the description for void magic.

>>785209
Void magic, the most mysterious of the three domains… It seems logical seeing as the Eldritch Iris represents knowledge, both allowed and forbidden but also the sight and the unknown. If the Undead Flame is life and the Forlorn Bastion the separation, the Eldritch Iris is the Desolation Beyond, whose sight has always intrigued and fascinated your ancestors. Some even theorize that the Flame represent the present, the Bastion the past and the Void the future but so far no one has been able to prove that claim. Regardless of any meaning it has been given, void magic is a very peculiar kind of magic that relies on some key mechanic.


For example, everything with a link to the mind is related to Void magic; thus explaining why mind-control is a part of it. Speaking of mind control, the way it works is by “voiding” the conscience of someone - which would leave them more or less braindead in the aftermath - and imposing your will over it by using commands to guide it. It’s not really practical, it’s pretty obvious and you can’t salvage the person afterwards so unless someone discovers a way to keep the person… whole it’s not going to help much. That said, not all mind powers are as brutal and overbearing as this one and one can “void” his own conscience to a lesser degree to achieve a greater concentration; in the same way one can erase all feelings in them such as pain and tiredness though the actual problems won’t go away.
From the void comes all sorts of creatures, paradoxical creatures whose very existence is rendered possible by the rituals bringing them into our reality; they usually take the form of ghosts and specters, though the occasional material abomination isn’t really “unusual” per se. The most powerful can take the forms of wraith, beings of will and emotions that sustains themselves through through the thorough leaching of the brain capacity of their victims; such creatures are the things of legends and you haven’t ever heard of one actually existing so they may prove to just be inventions...

1/2

>>787391

As if these powers weren’t enough, void magic also allows one to scry on other locations, dispel illusions and take in extra details. In accordance with the Iris, those who look into the madness will be able to see past it and it only makes sense that the crazier you are the stronger your power becomes.
Using them will deteriorate your sanity but this simple act will fuel your magic in return, a vicious cycle that will allow you to achieve feats beyond all logical means; some high-powered magicians are known to bend the very fabric of space and time to their will though they are usually too insane to put that power to any use.


Actually now that you think about it, you did choose one of these domains to specialize in, it would be far too tedious to learn everything equally so you’ll get your aides/apprentices - if you ever get some - to bring you their findings in the others domains…


>Blood magic, the magic that created you and you’re the most familiar with.
>Bone magic, the strength and wisdom of your forefathers runs within you.
>Void magic, the unknown is just what hasn’t been understood… yet.

>>787395
>Bone magic, thestrength and wisdom of your forefathers runs within you

>>787395
>Void magic, the unknown is just what hasn’t been understood… yet.

We are kind of not a combat focused vamp anyway, and I see the most opportunity for social fuckery here. Sanity is a small price to pay.

>>787395

>Blood magic, the magic that created you and you’re the most familiar with.

>>787474
>>787480
>>787486

Qz is going to hate us again.

>>787489
You can't tell but I'm already planning your doom in horrific detail. It will be glorious.

Eh, in the interest of the fact that these ties happen every single time, I'll change my vote to

>Void magic, the unknown is just what hasn’t been understood… yet.

As it also does fit with Rektus's style so far. I just liked blood cause of the desolation beyond.
I just don't like specializing in bone cause it really doesn't feel like it fits anything about Rektus so far.

>>787395
uhhhh...
>Void magic, the unknown is just what hasn’t been understood… yet.

>>787499
Oh damn. I just check over into the tab and decided to vote. That timing is crazy.

>>787499
You don't really need to, you know... There's always someone like >>787500 to tie-break.
I'm still gonna wait a bit more since this decision is an important one.

>>787509
Writing for... stuff?

>>787509
Too late to go to the bone zone?

>>787562
Sadly, yes. I wouldn't really mind otherwise but here that would make it a stalemate and I'd rather get on with the story.

>>787565
Okay, then.
No problem

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>>787527

Yes, that’s right… While you certainly are more familiar with blood magic, you instantly clicked with void magic. To this day, you’re pretty sure the only thing holding you back was the lack of knowledge your master possessed on it, his growing insanity preventing him from learning too much about it.
But even then, you had thought about the infinite knowledge lying just beyond your grasp and decided that one day you’d learn all about it; the fact that you had more than a lifetime available to find about it just reinforcing your ideas. At least you got to take it easy while most people would race against the clock and make mistakes in their hurry to find out about the truth before dying.
To you there’s something oddly calming about knowing the truth, something firm and unshakeable that makes it solid ground upon which to base your thoughts.
That said, you aren’t really prepared for the maniac jumping on your table and no amount of rational thought is gonna change that.
“Hey pal, I saw the pretty lights you made on that table… You mind doing that again for me, eeeh?” he slurs.


Great, it’s the drunk you saw earlier and he’s obviously still in the throes of his alcohol-induced grogginess judging by his speech. Though, you suppose you can oblige at least once, even if Agna is trying to recoil from the man, no doubt grossed-out by his rather pungent smell. Smirking, you repeat the trick you had done earlier to show Agna the inner workings of your magic, always eager to impress the small minded…
“Ooooh, that’s beautiful! You can do other colors or it’s only white?” the man babbles, almost transfixed at the floating light in front of him.

1/2

>>787692

While you distract him with the lights, you take the opportunity to more carefully appraise the man… or rather the elf. You don’t know much about the elves of this era but he is a far-cry from the almost savage-like feral inhabitants you had met once; in fact the man is very well dressed to the point where he could pass for a noble. In addition he looks almost sickly and pale, almost shrivelled in a way that clashes with the opulent clothes he is wearing, something you didn’t really expect in a place like this.
Then again you didn’t expect the mad doctor Helzer so what do you know, hmm? Continuing your examination of the man, you notice the various bells strewn around his apparel, something that strikes you as odd knowing the elves reputation for sneakiness. On his back seems to lay an instrument rather similar to the oud you left at Agna’s base though this one is far more decorated, it looks again like the kind of thing only a rich or important man would possess though it’s not the object that catches your attention the most.
To his hip is attached what seem to be a scabbard for a sword, as richly engraved as the rest of his possessions, but far too thin for a regular sword. Rather it barely looks larger than two of your fingers joined and almost flexes in the middle, very peculiar indeed.


Very uncharacteristically for a drunk man, the elf seem to have noticed your stare and leans back before standing up and drawing his sword… if you can call something like that a sword. Something like an elongated needle easily thinner than even your pinky finger, it flows and bends as if a breeze was swaying before you remark that it’s by subtly moving his hand that the man achieves this effect. He picks up a nearby tankard and throws it upwards before sharply snapping his hand in a graceful motion. The gesture is both elegant and precise and when the tankard falls down it’s pierced by five very neat holes while the elf has already his weapon. He carefully places the ruined recipient on the table before making a ceremonious curtsey.
“All my excuses for this sorry show I made you witness… I intended on splitting this poor tankard in half and instead ended up ridiculing myself. If you’ll forgive me for this failure, at least allow me to introduce myself. I’m Amakiir Diamonddew, first heir to the Diamonddew family.”
And with that he falls back on his stool in an uncaring display of drunkenness.


> “Uh, what?”
>“That was some amazing skill you displayed here, sir…”
>“Glad to meet you, I’m Rektus.“
>Something else [write-in]

>>787701


>“Glad to meet you, I’m Rektus.“

The question here is how many titles will we have this time?

>>787706
Pretty sadly, probably none. You are supposed to stay incognito but I can undertsand your desire to be more conspicous.

>>787701
>Something else [write-in]

Voting for incredulous silence.

>>787714
So what you're saying is that we will introduce ourselves and list our titles telepathically to Agna because we can't just not do it.

Actually we've got a slight issue, we don't actually speak common. This is gonna be interesting.

So wait, because we don't speak common at all and thus did the entire lesson telepathically, did everything that happen in the tavern appear to be basically us playing with some reagents while Agna watched? So looking less like a teaching session and more like someone entertaining a child?

>>787740
>So wait, because we don't speak common at all and thus did the entire lesson telepathically, did everything that happen in the tavern appear to be basically us playing with some reagents while Agna watched? So looking less like a teaching session and more like someone entertaining a child?
Pretty much, yes. Not that anyone other than Amakiir was here to see it.

>Actually we've got a slight issue, we don't actually speak common. This is gonna be interesting.
True, I'm looking forward to Rektus learning it as it's gonna be WAY easier for me to put on paper. That said, Agna is supposed to be mute so this isn't really going to help either.

>>787749
Oh I'm just commenting that it must've been vastly entertaining for knifeears since to him it must've looked like we were doing a (literal) magic show for a grown woman who was enraptured like a child.

>>787701
>“Glad to meet you, I’m Rektus.“

>>787701
Try to blend in
"Glad to meet ya, pardner. 'm Rektus Y'all"

>>787798
>blend in
By imitating a redneck accent. In his mind. With telepathy.
Rektus doesn't even have a good redneck accent and even if he did he can't speak "common".

>>787803
That's not redneck. That's easternling, from the western tribes. Most common dialect among people in the steppes.
True story

>>787822
>easternling
>the western tribes
I... uh what?

>>787706
>>787765
Writing for being a gentleman

>>787831
Sorry, when i talked about the steppes i meant the northern steppes, not the southern ones.
Hope that helps ya

>>787839
>northern steppes, not the southern ones.
Pssh, you plebeian. It's like you can't even into 4 dimensions.

>>787843
But only the easternlings from the west that live in the Northern Steppes stab themselves in the leg, allowing their breathing tubes to create that characteristic accent

The fourth dimensional nomads speak with a posh accent

>>787849
I think I'm going to concentrate on writing ._.

File: Good Joke, barbarian laughing.jpg (411 KB, 1024x1598)

411 KB JPG

>>787853
>>787849
>>787839
>>787822

>>787831
You tentatively reach with your mind into Amakiir’s and discover that the man is pretty wasted indeed. It’s always complicated reading or controlling the mind of someone who isn’t in their normal state of mind and alcohol has a tendency to do that. Any semblance of coherent thought is pretty much shoved over by the latest thing that goes through his mind and it’s a complete wonder that he managed to stay standing, let alone do such a display of skill… There’s no contest that the man is a master at his trade and no amount of intoxication will take that away from him it seems.


Now, how to go about introducing yourself? You don’t really speak common and Agna isn’t supposed to be able to talk so you’ll have to find a way to communicate… Oh well, the best option remains to use your mind to speak to him; you can always claim you use it because you come from far away and don’t know how to speak the local language which isn’t false in a certain way.
“My name is Rektus Twice-Born, Explorer of the Unknown, Lord of the Mystical Arts, Herald of Change and Scion of the Razak people!” you claim using the most imperious tone you can manage.


The mystical link makes him jump awake and you have a feeling he may be doubting himself regarding what just happened. But eventually he understands you were to one who contacted him and that he didn’t dream all of it.
A wide smile dawns on his face as he realizes what just happened and you’re facing a giddy child instead of a stern noble like you would have expected to face. The fact that you telepathically reached out to him is the only thing that counts rather than why you would have done that in the first place, he’s really REALLY drunk.
“Incredible! I didn’t even know such a thing was possible in the first place! Those mystical arts you were talking about must be really that incredible if they allow you to do this kind of things.” He pauses, the gears in his swamped mind turning rather slowly as he tries to piece together some words that could resemble a sentence.
“A man like you must surely partake in adventures, I’d love for you to count them to me but as you can imagine I’m a bit inebriated…” He almost tips over and only your confidence in his skills prevents you from reaching and catching him but sure enough he doesn’t fall, sitting at an awkward angle.
“I… uh… yeah I think I’m just going to go to sleep. It has been a pleasure to talk to you Sir and I hope to do it again soon when you have the time.”


Without really waiting for your answer, he stumbles towards his room while meekly waving to you, it’s almost pitiful in a comic way. Well, that was strange but at least now you know his name.


>Time to sleep, you’ll wait until tomorrow and then go help Agna research the time-anomaly.
>Now you can try drinking your fey wine, with moderation of course. Maybe Agna can partake in a TINY bit.
>Just hang out with her until it’s REALLY time to go to sleep.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>787974
>>Time to sleep, you’ll wait until tomorrow and then go help Agna research the time-anomaly.

>>787974
>Time to sleep, you’ll wait until tomorrow and then go help Agna research the time-anomaly.

>>787974
>>>Something else [Write-in]
Okay we have upheld our part of the deal, now let's finish the infodumps forever. Let's get some up to date info on the world, like on elves and shit. We are somewhat out of touch.

>>787974
From now on, Rektus sounds like this to me, and there is nothing you can say to dissuade me
https://youtu.be/e51hgWIsY4M

I really want to stay late at night discussing magic with agna... But getting wasted is SO Rektus, i am going to go for that, yep. Time to follow the example of our elfic friend there.

This is going to end badly, isn't it?

>>787997
I may have written that in a lopsided but this is more or less what...
>Just hang out with her until it’s REALLY time to go to sleep.
means. That said, magic dump is over (for now).

>>787974
>Just hang out with her until it’s REALLY time to go to sleep.

Well, I'm going to make dinner so until then continue voting and spreading the word of the Glorious and Invincible OzQM, muahahahahahaha!

>>788010
>Just hang out with her until it’s REALLY time to go to sleep.
Then.

>>787974
>Now you can try drinking your fey wine, with moderation of course. Maybe Agna can partake in a TINY bit.

File: Scared of her shadow.gif (2 MB, 304x318)

2 MB GIF

>>785204
>I am liking the build-a-nemesis.
It's scary, is what it is.

File: Goofy sleeping lion.jpg (111 KB, 640x300)

111 KB JPG

>>784805
>>785209
>>787391
>>787395
My eyes are glazing over.

>>787997
>>788022
>>788097
>>788098
For shame, it seems I won't be able to continue tonight...
That said, you'll find me tomorrow at the same place and the same time.

Writing for SLUMBER PARTY

>>788307
Thank you for running, Oz

I expect like three posts for this wait.

Thank you

>>788307

After the little bit of excitement you had with Helzer and then Amakiir, it shouldn’t be too strange that you desire to pipe down for a bit. That said, you don’t really feel sleepy for now - sleep is more of a pleasure than a necessity to you anyway - and you figure that it’s well past time that you learn about the world surrounding you. You still have the fey vial with you but it might be a better idea to keep it for later when you’re either alone or don’t have to conceal your identity; it’s one of the few beverages that can have enough of an effect on you to really make you drunk.
To your side Agna has settled for a beer and a small plate of stew, you refused and instead elected to focus on conversing with the young lady. The more you learn about the world the more chances you stand at surviving the cold and unfeeling reality you have been thrust into; where you have to do things by yourself and no manservants to worship your power…
Anyway, time to learn crap!
“So, uh, Agna… You told me a bit about your past and that “Owfern” place you come from but I don’t really know about the world at large.”


She looks up from the stew she has been scarfing for the past minute and washes down with a gulp of mead.
“All right then, what do you want to know? On a side note, we really need to teach you how to speak Alvedran…”
Choose three
>Maybe a bit about the geography of the place, I’d like to know where I’m going.
>You talked of Magi circles, what are these?
>How does your magic work?
>What about the history of this world and important events?
>Tell me what you know about other vampires for… reasons.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>792524
>Timeskip, no infodump, please. Something like 'you talked about magic, vote for what you talked about.'

>>792524
>You talked of Magi circles, what are these?
>How does your magic work?
>What about the history of this world and important events?

These seem like the most important to Rektus.
Geography is something we can get by via buying a map or hiring a guide and I think we've established enough about the modern sensibilities on vampires that it's not something of huge importance.

With this we will be done with infodumps forever and ever and ever.

>>792570
I don't exactly understand what you mean, but I didn't have the intention of making a huge block of text which is why I restricted to three choices.

Aside from that, please put "Something else [Write-in]" before your answer if you're not gonna use another option for use of cote-counting.

>>792584
>Something else
>Timeskip

>>792578
Alright, writing for history lesson

>>792697

“Since you seem interested in our magic and you more or less explained how yours works, it’s only fair I do the same.”she opens before sipping on her tankard.
“Alright it’s honestly not that complicated, most researches are actually about artifacts and forgotten places that aren’t really known to us. So what you need to know is that our magics are way different: we both use our will to direct and shape mana but our magic doesn’t come from aspects of nature but rather from “Devotions” to Vedran.”
You squint at the mention of the name that almost cost you your life, something Agna picks up on.
“I assume you’ve already heard that name then… To spare you the details, the various ways in which Vedran gifts us magic is what determines who can do what. That means some persons can only heal, some persons can only create things and so on. Certain lucky individuals actually get to wield more than one type of magic but it’s uncommon and only gets rarer the more magics the man can do.”


She then points to a small pendant on her chest which represent an armillary sphere of six bands upon which little gold stars are set. Looking closer, you can see that there is something written on each bands but she stows the pendant back into her dress before you get the chance to examine it further.
“This is why Circles exists. Depending on which magic you can use - and want to specialize into if that’s your wish - you choose a circle to integrate where you can find like-minded people with whom to learn and make progresses in the various fields of magic. I am a Magus of the Sixth Circle, the explorers and researchers whose control on Iterative magic makes it easier to find out and study anomalies and ruins.”


Again, your face must betray your confusion at “iterative magic” because she almosts chokes on the bread she’s eating and has to cough before continuing her lecture.
“Now, about the world around us… About three hundred and sixty years ago, a man appeared and claimed he could manipulate the world around him. Naturally pretty much everyone didn’t believe him, that is until he accelerated the Sun and Moon until the only thing you could see was a whirling array of dizzying but pretty colors racing the sky at great speed. He then stopped the stars. and built on the spot a clock which could never be altered so that if someone else claimed to be a god he couldn’t change the passage of time.”
“And after that?” you ask, obviously interested by how the story continued.
“Well after that he more or less teleported around the world - something almost impossible to do, let alone twice in a day - where he left similar traces of his passage before vanishing from the known territories. But the biggest change after that was that people started being able to use magic, with some of them taking the opportunity to install their reign, such as our Emperor.”

1/2

>>792818

Waaaaait… Before Vedran people couldn’t use magic? This is strange, especially since you’re a living proof of the contrary. Sometime between when you went to sleep and this Vedran fella, that means magic somehow vanished before being brought back.
> “You do know I’m from before that Era, right?”
> “I… uh… should be going to sleep. This is a lot to take in.”
> “This is very interesting, do you have more things to tell me?”
> Just drink from your fey vial.
> “And what about the creatures like me, did they exist before Vedran?”
>Something else [Write-in]

>>792827
> Just drink from your fey vial.

I think that is a suitable reaction.

I'd wait for more votes though, since I know this is totally not the smartest choice.

>>792827
> Just drink from your fey vial.

>>792827
>> “You do know I’m from before that Era, right?”

>>792827
>Just drink from your fey vial.

>>792857
>>792878
>>792889
Writing for Drinking(TM): It's always the solution!

>>792919
Without breaking eye-contact from Agna, you slowly uncork the bottle and take a tentative sip of it. For a first time, you’d have thought it would be more… strong but it doesn’t look like you’re gonna feel-
Nevermind, here it comes. Before you have a chance to say anything, a comfortable numbness settles in and you feel like you’re taking a nap in a cloud. Your head is nodding slightly, a sure proof of the vial’s power, especially when one knows of vampires quasi-immunity to poison and debilitating substances. Those fae really know what they’re doing and for once you appreciate their magic, they have a tendency to play “amusing” tricks on those whom they find attractive or amusing. This time, Agna doesn’t seem to notice your drunkenness and it’s only after looking at her tankard that you realize why: she’s emptied the whole thing about twice and is currently finishing the third. So much for “making the most out of every place”, at this pace she’s gonna be stuck her whole morning in her bed moaning… about her hangover.


You’re almost tempted to challenge her to a drinking game then you remember the magic properties of your vial and instantly feel that it might not be the best of ideas... Without waiting for you, he has taken upon herself to command another one under the disapproving stare of the innkeeper - who has come back to serve you - whom you feel isn’t far from cutting her off for tonight. But the draw of money is too far for him and he still gives Agna her brew but not before reminding her it’s the last one she’s gonna get to which she responds with a concert of complaints that are interrupted when he closes the bar before her tearful eyes.


The rest of the evening is thus spent savouring the last of the drinks and making small talk about the weather and such. Before long, you feel that the enchanted wine has been going to your head and you regretfully inform her that you’re retiring to your chambers. Opening the door, you find before you a small but cosy bed upon which you lay your meager belongings before storing them into a chest laid against the wall. As you finish, the bed just looks too comfortable for you to ignore and you slump onto it before starting to snore loudly.


o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o


As you wake up, you notice the sun hasn’t yet entirely risen and are almost surprised to find out it’s still the morning after what you drank previously. You’ll have more time at your leisure before Agna comes to find you, you both agreed on 10AM as a correct time to go study. Now, you should be able to do something before that happens.


> Go visit one of the other shops: blacksmith/tailor/Helzer
> Go straight to Agna and signal her to get to work.
> Refine your magic and call upon the dark arts of- nah just kidding, go back to sleep.
> Visit the village and it’s surroundings, you might find something interesting.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>793072

> Visit the village and it’s surroundings, you might find something interesting.

This has the highest choice of meeting knife ears.
Plus Agna is gonna be hella hungover and I doubt we'd be able to get much done with her.

>>793110
seconding.

>>793072
>> Go straight to Agna and signal her to get to work.

>>793110
>>793118
Writing for going on a magical journey

>>793072
>Something else.
>Begin crafting a bone awl.

>>793257
ah. too late.

>>793257
Sorry Anon, too late.

>>793271
So it appears.

Were we buried with any of our tools? What tools is Rektus used to having?

>>793290
Rektus was only buried with his ritual knife and his robes, nothing else.
Otherwise there's a whole array of tools depending on what you intend to do, from carving to officiating and more.

>>793225
While the village is more bustling and lively that it was yesterday, you suspect that not everybody is out yet. That said, most of the specialty merchants are open though you don’t know them enough to go greet any of them, nor do you know their language. You also suspect Helzer might not be really happy to see you back, especially since you took his cleaver when going away. You might have “forgotten” to give it back to him but he kinda gave it to you, right? Why else would he have thrown it to you…
All jesting aside, you don’t recognize anyone on the square beyond Amakiir so you make your way toward him; he certainly is fresher than yesterday though he doesn’t look any healthier.
“Hail, Sir Twice-Born and well met. Might I ask how you’re doing in this fine morning? Before you answer, let me assure you that mine is most especially wonderful!”


Okay, he is about as last evening and your first impression hasn’t really changed so far, it makes you wonder how a man like this came to be a master swordsman. Judging by the instrument he’s fiddling on, he has at least some rudiments of how to use it though you doubt he’s half as good with it as he is with his needle. Then again, he surprised you once so who’s to tell that he couldn’t surprise you again and prove his worth with this simili-oud. He hasn’t even told you what he does for a living and he might be a professional musician, something that the presence of his weapon would belie.
“Good morning to you Sir Diamonddew. I hope my morning will be as interesting as yours seems to be; I cannot help myself and I need to ask what made you this happy?”
“Oh, I’ve just learnt to enjoy the present and what life has to give me, something that I have come to appreciate day after day.” he answers with an almost beatific smile. He certainly does look happy, about as much as someone looking half dead can look.


“Would you like to join on a short excursion through the woods? I need to find inspiration and quiet for my next piece involving this beauty.” he points at his instrument.


> Sure, you have time to do it. You’ll kick back and enjoy his playing (assuming he does play well)
> As much as you’d like, you should make way for the shack.
> Why not settle in the tavern? After all, it was empty when you came out.
> Good idea, that’ll be a good opportunity to practice your magic.
>Something else [Write-in]

>>793407
>Sure, you have time to do it. You’ll kick back and enjoy his playing (assuming he does play well)
inb4 malicious intents.

>>793407
>> Sure, you have time to do it. You’ll kick back and enjoy his playing (assuming he does play well)
Maybe we could pick up some music, we could be better.

>>793407
>>> Sure, you have time to do it. You’ll kick back and enjoy his playing (assuming he does play well)


If possible, could we also try and yell into Agna's mind that we're going out with the elf bard?
30% so she knows we ain't fleeing, 70% because waking up someone suffering from a hangover with psychic yelling seems like the most horrific thing you can do to someone.

>>793476
>If possible, could we also try and yell into Agna's mind that we're going out with the elf bard?
One of the various drawbacks to telepathy is that you need to focus your mind. So if you don't know where the person you want to contact is, it won't work.

>>793407
> Sure, you have time to do it. You’ll kick back and enjoy his playing (assuming he does play well)

>>793460
>>793474
>>793476
>>793533
Writing for "The hardest thing about this update will be finding good music"

>>793572

“I could certainly use some music to change my mind from the horrid thumping in my head I’ve been having since last night… You do look better off than me, that’s for sure.”
He laughs quickly and takes off in direction of the forest, as if enjoying a good joke. His pace is brisk and you manage to stay to his side only by hurrying up. Contrary to what he said, this isn’t really shaping up to be a calm and relaxed stroll and is more looking like a hard trek through the woods; it’s a good thing you don’t have lungs to empty because you doubt you could maintain the pace for long especially since he doesn’t mind the various tree-trunks and roots on the path, vicious traps that could easily snap your foot if you don’t pay attention where you’re stepping. Instead, he almost glides over the ground in the typical grace of his kind and you note that the bells on his outfit aren’t so much ringing as much as muffled if not for the fact that they’re uncovered.


Finally after what seem an eternity of walking and avoiding sprained ankles, he settles in what looks to you a perfectly normal spot, no different from the others you’ve passed through. What possesses him to stop here is beyond you and before you have time to sit he is already comfortably leaning against a nearby tree and fine-tuning his instrument. After asking him he answers hurriedly that his instrument is a mandoline and falls silent before looking around and nodding slowly in the same way a musician might acknowledge an audience.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N7zbG9Q3jw
Laying the instruments before him, he closes his eyes and takes the mandoline before slowly starting to play and the world stops. Well, it doesn’t exactly stop but it could have as well because the music overtakes the whole place and you feel like everything around you has darkened, taking on the same tone as the storm raging outside… Waaaait, there’s no storm around, is it? At this point you can’t really be sure and as the music picks up you understand that the man before you play his mandolin as well as he uses his needle. As he starts strumming the mandolin, you almost feel like you’re thrust into the story’s he telling you. The tone of the music is warm and contrasts well and truly with the ambiance he has set around, it feels like you’re sitting around a campfire listening to someone telling an enrapturing story.

1/2

>>793851

When he finally finishes, you have to blink to figure yourself the song is over as it jingles faintly over in your ears, an echo of the real thing. He smiles when he notices the effect it has had on you and slowly starts playing again, this time a different song that sounds more festive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mu81bv6cmM
This time the woods light-up and you feel like the shadows themselves are dancing to the tune, you almost catch movement at the corner of your eyes… But before long your attention is won again by the melody and you lose all your worries to the rhythm.


o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o


When Amakiir finally stops playing, it is finally time for you to go back to your work, as much as you would love to keep listening to him. When prompted whether he wants to come back with you he answers that he will stay until it is time to eat so as to not lose sight of his inspiration.
Before you go you figure you could quickly ask him a question but just one, you wouldn’t want to be late for Agna.


> “Where did you learn to play like that?”
> “Mind telling me your story? A man like you must have something to tell…”
> “What is that sword of yours?”
> “Would you mind doing that again sometime soon?”
> “Is it gay if I’m in love with you?”
>Something else [Write-in]

>>793857
>>> “Mind telling me your story? A man like you must have something to tell…”

>>793857
> “Where did you learn to play like that?”
> “Is it gay if I’m in love with you?”
<3

>>793891
Seconding this.

>>793857
Writing for not admitting your love to Amakiir-senpai

>>793974
Correction:
Writing for admitting your love to Amakiir-senpai

>>793990
ooookay, I did not expect that to win.

>>794003
Of course it was going to win, it's the joke option.

File: Betelgueseapproves.jpg (75 KB, 1920x1080)

75 KB JPG

>>794020
Welp. Let's all enjoy our male gay MC, everybody! Welcome to new grounds.

>>794095
You might be surprised by what's going to happen...

>>794106
Oh god, we're a thrall now.

>>794132
That or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X76FijmI70

>>793990
“You play very well Sir, where did you learn to play like that? I have a feeling not all of it was your music…” you ask, eager to learn more about this glorious ephebe of a man. His radiant smile feels like heaven to you and you almost don’t notice that he has moved close to you and is still smirking…
“A bard has to keep his secrets, especially one like me. You aren’t the first to ask and it certainly wouldn't be fair to your contenders if I told you the answer right now; I’m afraid you’ll have to work for it.” he answer
Ever so dreamy... and mysterious too! Your attraction for him keeps rising and you have to leave before you do something you might regret…


o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o


Walking back to the village, you wonder what the fuck you were thinking just earlier… Sure, the man plays well and all but it’s far from enough to make you consider… that. There must have been more magic than you expected if he managed to enrapture you so well and without you noticing about it. No doubt the next interactions you’ll have with him might be a tiny bit awkward, that is if the man isn’t used to his music having that kind of effect which would really surprise you. At his level of play and especially if he’s a bard, there’s no way he couldn’t have noticed what happened. Uuuugh, now you feel violated even if a little part of you wouldn’t mind that happening… But enough about that, you’re in view of the village and you can see Agna waiting.
“Hey, hope you didn’t wait for me too much. I was busy doing… uh… something.”


She jumps slightly when she hears your thoughts, she didn’t expect you to sneak on her, especially from behind - thinking about that kind of things makes your skin crawl in a weird way - but she manages not to break her facade to the surrounding villagers and just turns towards you while trying to bore holes with her eyes in your skull.
“Finally, I was just about to go fetch you in your bedroom. I won’t ask what you were doing, I’m too hangover to care. Now, let’s do stuff.”


> “Let’s do this forcefield stuff.”
> “Uh, before that, didn’t anyone find it weird that you came back drunk?”
> “Would you mind if we made a detour through the tailor/blacksmith/Helzer first?”
> “I *may* be able to do something about your hangover.”
>Something else [Write-in]

>>794195
> “Let’s do this forcefield stuff.”

>>794195
>> “Let’s do this forcefield stuff.”

>>794195
>>794320
Writing for forcefielding your way into glory

Hedoran's quest coming soon and then I'm logging off.

>>785070

It’s all good and dandy to prevent your foe from reaching you but you need to exploit that moment of relief and nail your foe before they can escape your traps… Being one step ahead of your enemy involve trying to kill them after all and with this thestral here, you might get something that should do the trick…
When you tell your wishes to the elder, his eyes widen but he nods somberly. Such a work would normally curse the one who crafted the piece but he does owe you that weapon and he gave his word that he would do it. If one man has to be cursed to save the others, so be it. You’ll kill those who stand in your way and the rest will help you track the monsters you’re after… whether they like it or not.
As the elder emerges with his aides from the ritual chamber in which he has crafted your weapon, you’re shocked to see the man almost stumbling and with grey dry hair that almost crumbles to the touch; and that’s without talking about what he’s carrying.


Letting the clothe covering it drop, the elder reveal a shimmering crossbow of pure obsidian. The way the light seems to reflect on the bones is unnatural and it looks to a certain angle that it just disappears as if falling into an endless abyss. The scales nailed to the front of the crossbow give it a threatening and vaguely eldritch look, as if the thing wasn’t from that world. The string is made of the sinew of the beast and it almost looks slimey despite having being dried and the little notch upon which to seat your bolt is made of a hoove of it…
Speaking of bolt, it has been almost entirely made out of the thestral’s horn and there seem to be an odd quality to it, as if dark fumes were seeping from it; very noxious ones obviously. You’re about to take it when the elder stops you and presents you a glove lined with the scales of the beast; putting it on you feel a strange presence sitting in your palm and are surprised to see the horn-bolt appear in your hand when you grasp at it.
Putting the quarrel on it’s notch, you see the bolt wheeze sickly through the air and hit a tree who is instantly pierced by thorns sprouting from the projectile. Calling it back to your hand, it is intact and devoid of stingers so you make it disappear with a wiggle from your fingers - though you know you could call it back anytime - and instead look at your crossbow which you find oddly recocked; you hadn’t time to do it so… it may have done it itself…


Hoisting the huge crossbow on your shoulder, you feel a grim smile overtake you.
“I shall name it Nadir…”


Hedoran’s Quest: Ended


I will continue next “End-session quest” with another character, you’ll find out which one it is when it happens…
With that, good night to you and I hope this session was as nice to you as it was to me. If you have anything to say about the quest or any questions, I’m still sticking around to answer so go ahead.

Holy shit, that's some schweeeet loot, right there. I'm really liking the tension of the 'build-a-nemesis' we've got here, each one of these bits makes me worry, it's great.

>>794559
I love the huge tonal shift between playing Rektus and Hedoran.

Hedoran feels a lot more like the classic protagonist, except for the fact he's out to kill us.

Rektus is just insanely unique and a ton of fun to play. He's a scholar vampire with basically no experience at anything outside of his studies and duties as a shaman, and he seems to exist as the universe's chew toy with only 50% of the incidents being his fault.
God, his death and vampirism were started because he accidentally cut himself and let it get infected.
He is strong yet the most we have done with his powers is weaponized shouting.

The best way to sum it up is that the way our choices have built Rektus is like vampire Squidward. I think this is a wonderful thing.

>>794649
>>794719
Good to hear what I'm doing isn't complete garbage.
Now, if you had ONE thing to change about the quest and how it's handled, what would it be?

>>794777
Break your paragraphs up a bit more.
Thats about it.

>>794719
>The best way to sum it up is that the way our choices have built Rektus is like vampire Squidward. I think this is a wonderful thing.
I can see it.

Now, if you had ONE thing to change about the quest and how it's handled, what would it be?
Less paragraphs about magic. If you could just give it to us one sentence, one hint at a time, I'd like it better.

>>794966
>Less paragraphs about magic.

I understand your criticisms - I like infodumps as much as anyone else - but I figured that it would be a good thing to be done with it fast since it would allow Anon to make choices without being told constantly "Uh, this shit don't work, yo."

> If you could just give it to us one sentence, one hint at a time, I'd like it better.
Thing is, Rektus already knows about his magic so it wouldn't be fair to Anon to hide things that the MC is supposed to know.
Now, for the other brands of magic you haven't discovered (and there'll be lots, believe me) you'll have to figure them overtime and it won't happen in a block.

tl;dr: I'm using the first sessions as a "tutorial" of some sorts to establish the powers, characters and setting before I really let you guys do what you want.

The tutorial ought to end when... something something the forcefield. I don't want to give more details as they'll be up to you to discover.

>>795111
>The tutorial ought to end when... something something the forcefield. I don't want to give more details as they'll be up to you to discover.

I love how we're in the tutorial and we have already experienced mutiliation and possible death (and all our fault) several times already.

>>795111
You could have him thinking 'Well, bone magic is better for crafting' without giving details on why. You could pastebin it.

Other than that, I'm sure that other QMs have ideas on how to do this gracefully.

>>795111
If it makes you feel any better Oz, I'm actually liking the infodumps. When its information the character is supposed to know, it just makes sense to do it that way, and pastebins are clunky and tend to suck for new readers.

>>795249
True. Gotta admit that it's a bit clunky, though.

>>795374
Eh, quests as a whole are a bit clunky. It doesn't help though that I love infodumps and world building

>>794195

You have been saying since you met Agna that you would study with her the forcefield and now is as good a time as any; no time to make detours. Agna is… nice but you’ll feel better once you’re done with this and don’t owe her anything; you’d rather not have any links to anyone that could call the authorities on your ass, it’s just not safe. Maybe once you’re set in a nice place and you don’t risk paladins and vampire-hunters knocking on your front door, you’ll invite her to share a drink or something, especially if she can hold hers like she did yesterday evening…


But you’re getting ahead of yourself and there’s work to do before you get to enjoy any of that, plus Hedoran could be back any moment… if he didn’t just abandon the chase.
“You’re coming, Rektus?”
“Yeah, my bad. Now that I think about it, aren’t the guys back at your base wondering why you’re coming now and where you were yesterday?” you ask, curious. “I mean, you were just supposed to bring me to the village…”
“Oh, I just told them I had to take a break after getting you there. Then again I was pretty drunk so I hope that’s what they understood… As for today, they’re still unpacking so I just told them I’d go and study without them for the moment being.”


It’s honestly complicated finding a “correct” spot on where to study the forcefield as it’s quite large and runs close to the shack; Agna still needs to stop and use her magic every once in awhile, you don’t really know how it works but oblige her even if you suspect it’s just a ruse for her to catch her breath as she looks quite red.
Regardless of whether she does use magic - you didn’t see anything - you soon find a satisfactory place and she soon takes out a pair of glasses after explaining what they do to you. Apparently, these allow her to amplify her powers though you have no idea how but you’ll take it anyway, the faster you’re done with this place the faster you’ll be free to do what you want.
Agna looks around before pointing straight to you.
“Use your magic now, I need to see how it behaves in and out of the forcefield...”


You use the same routine you used earlier - with the bloodball - and walk in and out of the zone. Instantly her eyes widen and she starts muttering about things you can’t understand before looking back at you and her notebook.
“Alright, hear me out: the zone leeches energy from everything living in order to preserve everything without conscious. The reason you stayed asleep for so long is because the spell conserved your body while drawing from the meager life that was still within... But the only person who could bend reality on such a large scale and for so long… is Vedran.”

1/2

>>798036

Now, that doesn’t really make sense now does it? If that was the case, Vedran should have put the spell WAY before he appeared or you would have woken up before and be on your way. That only leaves two options: either Vedran was alive before he became a living god or… someone else with the same powers existed.


> I doubt the Empire is gonna like this since they already tried to silence you, she should escape with you.
> This is too big not to share with the world, she could become the person who literally changed the world by herself.
> You need to keep this a secret, nobody can ever know.
> Something else [write-in]

>>798039
>> This is too big not to share with the world, she could become the person who literally changed the world by herself.
Make sure she keeps our name out of her autobiography.

>>798039
>You need to keep this a secret, nobody can ever know.
We're laying low, right?

>>798039
>>798059
>>798103
So... anyone else?

>>798039
> I doubt the Empire is gonna like this since they already tried to silence you, she should escape with you.

a 3 way tie, greeeaat. Lets wait another hour for another vote, shall we?

>>798039
>I doubt the Empire is gonna like this since they already tried to silence you, she should escape with you.

>>798039
> I doubt the Empire is gonna like this since they already tried to silence you, she should escape with you.

But phrased in such a way as to offend her as much as possible.

>>798463
>>798464
>>798517
Once I'm done eating, I'll get right on it.

>>798377
>>798464
>>798517
Writing for becoming Che Guevara and leading THE REVOLUTION

Between you and me, that's the choice I was hoping you guys would take.

>>798695
Viva la Rektuslution!

>>798695
I don't even know what the choices were but when you phrase it like that im damn glad it won.

>>798730
The choices were: 1)Take her with you and run 2)Go see her superiors/important persons to reveal this 3)Just lay low and pretend nothing happened.

>>798695
Man, that’s gotta be difficult to swallow. She didn’t look particularly devout but there’s no doubt it will take time for her to understand that such a big part of her world might not be entirely true; you’ve seen tribe feuds declared over lesser issues…
Now, what to do? There’s obviously no way she can go back to her superiors especially if they sent her away especially to avoid that kind of issue so she’s gonna have to avoid any kind of attention. Even going back to the cabin might be a bad idea but she can’t just go out there without anything, she’d starve or freeze to death in the night.
No, you’re both going to have to go back and take her stuff and then get out as fast. You’ll see later if you want to stick together but for now the important idea is for you to get her out of sight of those that might want to harm her. But before anything…
“Agna, listen to me. I think you understand what this means as well as me and that you can’t go back to your superiors. For my part, I can’t just let you go like that since you know of my existence and I’d like to stay as discreet as possible. What we need to do is simple: we go back to your base, you take back your stuff and we get out of here as fast as we can; maybe see if we can get a carriage or something.”


She looks like she’s about to say something but then nods meekly, her logical side overcoming the emotional turmoil that has just started plaguing her mind. She knows that she needs to stay strong if she wants to survive and that giving in to anguish won’t make the situation any better. The thought that she could pretend must have crossed her mind but there’s no doubt here that she’s determined to share the truth at any cost.
“Alright, let’s do this then. I… This is gonna be difficult but if you’re gonna be staying with me Rektus I think we should be able to be one step ahead…”

1/2

>>798807

About an hour later, she’s decked out fully in hiking gear and with what must amount to a lifetime of possessions crammed into her bag. She gestures to the posse of incredulous researchers standing by the door and takes off towards the village, slowly rejoined by you once you’re sure that you don’t risk being seen by any of them. You’re gonna need a plan but luckily the Empire shouldn’t learn about her defection until the next team comes to relieve the current researchers of their shift, especially since she was supposed to lead them. That gives you a certain amount of time to gather equipment, buy what you need for her and get on the road to a place where no one will know either of you; then it will only be a question of how to do your respective wishes…
Speaking of wish - you chuckle silently to your own stupid pun - you haven’t really thought of what you want to do now that you’re stuck in this era...


> Find a nice place, study magic and live happily.
> Get rich and powerful, you’ll figure out the rest later. You do have enough time for that, after all.
> Helping Agna spread her word sounds nice for now, that’s not to say you won’t find out your own way later.
> Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!
> Something else [write-in]

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>798813
>Find a nice, secure place and study magic. We need to understand how new magic works in order to effectively combat what we KNOW will eventually come for us. Perhaps some bone magic crafting and...liching...could be helpful for us, just in case. In addition, we should try and recruit that bard. He rounds out that party with the much needed asset of being physically powerful, not too mention that there is always a need for senpai. If we can, we should be able to teach Agna and Diamond their respective ancient magiks.

>>798813
>> Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!

>>798896
I agree with this as well, just that we need a home base for this.

>>798895
>and...liching...
Sorry but you can't be both a vampire and a lich or a wraith.
>If we can, we should be able to teach Agna and Diamond their respective ancient magiks.
Agna and Amakiir don't use the same magic as you do.
The only reason you're able to use these is because you're a vampire: using them as a human would be VERY taxing on their sanity and you'll find out that some persons around don't have much of it to spare..
Besides, they already have their own brand of magic, magic that might be powerful contenders to necromantic magic in their own right.

>>798813
Gonna wait a bit for that vote, it's a pretty important decision after all.
Gonna need some more votes though.

>>798963
I meant more along the lines of LOTS of enchantments on our stuff using the bones when I said liching, but thank you for the clarification! Also, when I didn't know about the effects that the ancient stuff would have on people, maybe it can be adapted to more of a "teach techniques so they can adapt them to uniqueness" like Iroh did with waterbending?

>>798813

> Something else [write-in] Some sort of sanctum which we can actually use as a home base. Don't want to just be homeless adventurers.

> Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!

>>799021
if having multi votes is fine then i want to switch to this

>>799055
I should indicate how much options can be taken but for this one it's limited to ONE choice.
You can lean on towards other choices but here it's really what you want to focus on.

>>799064
Then I will convert to [Other], With setting up a home base, recruiting Diamond, and going tomb-raiding.

>>799080
That's either:
> Find a nice place, study magic and live happily.
or
> Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!

Also, please take off your trip, please.

>>799090
>>799064
Blarg
> Get rich and powerful, you’ll figure out the rest later. You do have enough time for that, after all.
We'll need some way of financing ourselves.

>>799090
We can't have a base camp to store our stuff at for the tomb-raiding? Okay then. If we can't do that then I will just go full raider.

Nothing like unknown objects of power to finance our explorations.

(also, sorry about the trip, it was autoset)

>>799194
PLEASE read my other comments first: >>799064

Anyway, I'm just gonna wait until I get enough CLEAR votes to continue.

>>798813
>Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!

>>798813
>Knowledge is key and tomb-raiding is the way. You’ll figure out the very secrets of the universe and you’ll do it now!

>>798813
[/red]Writing for becoming a busty brunette [/red]

>>799436
>> Sure, you can come but you’ll have to explain yourself.

>>799266
It’s a good thing Agna is looking forward to spreading the truth because you’re looking forward to finding it. If what she said is right and Vedran “supposedly” left his mark over the world, it would make sense that the one who created this site would do the same. Sure, Hedoran is gonna be hunting for you someday but surely the power you can find in these ruins should be enough to get rid of him one way or another; maybe you could even convince him your cause is just though you wouldn’t count on that.

Walking back to the village, you hurry and more or less storm every shop for all the stuff you can get; it’s a good thing you have unlimited funds thanks to Agna’s research even if it won’t last. Helzer seems relieved to see you go though he is flabbergasted when he hears Agna ordering him around, he didn’t even know she had been healed.
With wide eyes that only get wider when she offhandedly mentions that you were the one curing her, he gives you a box full of free stuff under the pretense of wanting you to get out of his shop but you can feel his raging hatred of vampires might have wavered ever so slightly, especially when you give him his cleaver back.


For all his rage and bitterness the man seems nice and it’s a shame you didn’t get to know him better, especially as you both know how to heal fellow humans even with very different ways. Walking out his door you’re greeted with the now familiar sight of Amakiir and don’t manage to suppress the very noticeable shiver that goes through you when you see him. He notices and his face becomes contrite, a rather comical sight indeed if it didn’t bring strange memories to you. You note that he is carrying a bag on his shoulder and looks like he might be ready to travel but…
“I’m sorry. I ought to have told you the effects of my music and I’m especially sorry if it means I won’t get to go with the both of you. It’s about as hypnotising to me as it is to you to play my mandolin so I tend to forget the effect it has on most people.” he expresses before pointing at his bag. “I’m only looking for a bit of company to share and stories to experience so that I may share them with other peoples.”


He does the same curtsey he did when he introduced and you have a feeling he is actually feeling rather honest, at least that’s before he breaks out a bottle of wine and starts chugging heavily from it… Is he already drunk?
Anyway, you have a choice to make.


> Sure, you can come but you’ll have to explain yourself.
> No can do, pal. I don’t want to risk you doing that kind of thing again.
> Alright, but on one condition which is… [write-in]
> Something else [write-in]

>>799436
Sure, you can come, but you'll have to explain yourself.

>>799469

> Sure, you can come but you’ll have to explain yourself.

>>799469
>>799436
>sure you can come

>>799468
>>799547
>>799486
Writing for yaoi fanfiction

Writing for the new end-session quest.