>>2570027
The Heretic!

We crave knowledge and the advancement of humankind!

>>2570043
But I could go with the Renegade too, it seemed very ibteresting....aaaaaarg, I'm torn on the first choice!

>>2570027
>Heretic

>>2570027

> The Heretic

>>2570027
>The Heretic

Now writing for the Heretic.

>>2570027
> The Renegade
> This wasn't what your life was supposed to become. You were one of the faithful, trained to kill those who traffic with demons. But you saw things, and worse, those things saw you. One of them, in an act of monumental spite, gave you a gift that now burns in your brain and threatens to tear your mind apart. You need answers, and damned as you are now you won't find them among the faithful.

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You are Marcus Fowler, heretic. Or at least that's what the church, in its arrogance, calls people like you. They have made many claims over the centuries, all of them supposedly the word of God, yet all of them distinctly self-serving. But they are the dominant power here in Torien, and so you have been forced to hide what you believe, and run when you are discovered.

That is why you are currently summoning a certain associate of yours. The smoke from the burnt offering takes the shape of a man made of silver, his six arms each holding a glowing mask. His name is Keboro, a demon of the 3rd Circle, and his prophetic abilities have saved your life on more than one occasion.

"Hello Marcus," the demon's voice rings like the chiming of a bell.

"Greetings Keboro," you say with a slight bow. Over the years you've learned that it pays to act respectfully toward most demons. As alien as they might appear, they have an almost human vanity that is easy to exploit if one puts a little effort into it. "I have called upon you to ask your counsel. I suspect that I may have lingered in this village for too long."

Keboro looks about the tent, his head raised as if smelling the air with a nose that his featureless face clearly does not have. "You are right to suspect that," he says. "Should you remain here for another day, death will follow. It may be your own, or it might belong to another, I cannot tell. But if you are still in this village by sunset tomorrow, someone will meet a violent end here."

You frown. That was what you were afraid of. You've been careful, but there is only so much that you can do. Eventually someone always starts nosing around and realizes that maybe the "traveling merchant" that arrived in town isn't just a merchant.

"My thanks, Keboro." You turn and take another bowl from the small table next to you, holding it out to the demon. "Please, take this offering as payment."

Keboro holds out one of his masks. The chicken's blood lazily rises from the bowl, flowing through the air and into the mouth of the mask where it vanishes in a puff of smoke. Though he has no mouth of his own, you can feel the demon smile.

"As always, it is a pleasure doing business with you. Farewell, Marcus."

With that, he folds his six arms across his chest and evaporates, leaving you alone in the tent.

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You sigh, then walk out of the tent and into the early morning light. The air is still crisp from the night before, but all the familiar sounds of day have already begun to drift across the village of Easterbrook. Ibrahim, your assistant and fellow 'heretic,' is waiting for you outside the tent.

"Is it as you feared?"

"Yes," you reply. "Our cover has been compromised again. We'll need to leave before tomorrow night."

The large man nods and says "I will begin packing the wagon. When do you wish to leave?"

> Immediately, no sense in taking any more risks.
> Tonight, I may be able to plant a few seed of doubt before we leave. (Seek to convert one potential demonologist)
> Tomorrow. There are more people here willing to question the order of things. (Seek to convert multiple potential demonologists, risk of discovery)

>>2570270
>Tonight, I may be able to plant a few seed of doubt before we leave. (Seek to convert one potential demonologist)

>>2570270
>Tonight, I may be able to plant a few seed of doubt before we leave. (Seek to convert one potential demonologist)

Gotta build that cult early... and find out what we know.

>>2570270
Tonight

>>2570270
>> Tomorrow. There are more people here willing to question the order of things. (Seek to convert multiple potential demonologists, risk of discovery)

>>2570270
> Tonight, I may be able to plant a few seed of doubt before we leave. (Seek to convert one potential demonologist)

An apprentice is needed, always two there must be. A master to hold the power and an apprentice who craves it.

...Wait that's the wrong evil book...

Now writing for Tonight.

>>2570261
Are you Kals, the Demesne Quest QM?

>>2570315
+1

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"Tonight. There are a few people here that show promise. I'll try to sow the seeds of doubt, but be ready to leave soon."

Ibrahim nods again and sets to work packing up the camp that the two of you have been living in this past week. It's a modest thing, but it's been enough to maintain your cover as a traveling merchant for at least a little while. You've even been able to make a little coin on the side, thanks in part to the fact that you can acquire things that no faithful Ephesian can.

With that settled, you start walking toward the center of Easterbrook. It is like many other villages in Torien, more a collection of scattered buildings dotting the land than anything else. It is centered around a few shops whose trades are necessary to scrape out a living here, and already the sounds of work can be heard from within them. You spy a few familiar faces walking the paths from the outlying farms to the shops.

You see a brown-haired girl with a basket heading into town. You recognize her as Edith, a young woman whose family tends an orchard downriver from Easterbrook. Like many of the village's youth, she had been intrigued by your tales of the wider world, especially by how much more common magic was outside of Torien.

Another sight is a young man running past some of the shops, laughing all the way, with two much less happy looking men trailing behind. If you had to guess, that's probably Karl. In your short time here, you've already become well acquainted with a few of his antics. He never was one to simply accept what he was told, and he was very eager to ask you questions about all the things people could do in lands not under the Ephesian church.

You stop and look at where your walk has taken you. You are currently standing in front of Agatha's shop, though the old weaving woman isn't really the one running it anymore. Her granddaughter Hannah does most of the work these days, but from what you've picked up 'innocent' conversation, she's not particularly content with that arrangement. She's certainly good at it, but she from the sounds of it she doesn't want to live out her life in this quaint place.

> Go talk with Edith, her interest in magic might makes her a good candidate
> Go save Karl from whatever he's gotten himself into now, his problems with authority could prove useful
> Go into Agatha's shop and speak with Hannah, her desire for adventure could leave her open to many things

>>2570382
> Are you Kals, the Demesne Quest QM?
No.

>>2570397
>You've even been able to make a little coin on the side, thanks in part to the fact that you can acquire things that no faithful Ephesian can.
So that's the reason we got found out quickly? Somebody put the two together? Guess we're not totally the clever sort, sold something that piqued the wrong interest.

>>2570397
Let's see, the kid with authority problems could be useful but if many demons are like that other one he'd probably be a pain to teach the right manners. Being just interested in magic is a bit of a hard sell.

Between a troublemaking kid and someone with a passing interest in magic, I'll vote Hannah. Because being good at maintaining a shop is closer to our real profession and also... we're posing as a merchant. It just sort of makes sense to me that if we pick someone up, it's somebody with evidence of skill related to what we do.

>>2570397
>Go into Agatha's shop and speak with Hannah, her desire for adventure could leave her open to many things
>>2570403 made good points

>>2570446
Oops I ment >>2570442

>>2570442
> So that's the reason we got found out quickly? Somebody put the two together? Guess we're not totally the clever sort, sold something that piqued the wrong interest.
There's a balancing act to it. If you're trying to convert people, even if you're subtle about it, you'll always be found out eventually and you'll need to burn the identity and move on (demons make that a lot less of a hassle than you might think). Commerce in the forbidden can accelerate that, but a small amount won't speed up the process by that much.

>>2570442
+1

>>2570457
Why'd you delete your post?

>>2570478
Name/Trip out of my own quest. I don't like doing that.

>>2570442
This is good logic. Backing.

>>2570475
I see. Hopefully we won't have to burn too many identities before we can make a place to return to.

Now writing for Hannah.

You open the door to Agatha's shop. A small bell mounted next to the doorway rings, and a voice from another room shouts "I'll be there in just a moment!"

Looking around the shop, it's a small, rather cramped thing, but one that has clearly been well looked after. A variety of fabrics hang neatly from racks along the walls, and the floorspace is largely dominated by wooden machinery. A door at the back opens and Hannah emerges carrying a basket containing a mix of thread and tools.

Her face brightens a bit when she sees you. "Good morning, Marcus!"

You smile back. "Good morning, Hannah."

"Are you here for more of those scarves? I've another two if you're still interested in them." She set the basket down on a counter near the door and points over to one of the racks on the wall. "I'm sure they'll fetch a fine price at one of your next stops."

You avoid bringing up the actual fate of several of the pieces that she's already sold you, namely being served up to a demon as an offering. Craftsmen in Torien tend to dislike the idea that their work is destined for destruction, and that's before you get to the entire issue of dealing with demons. "Yes, I'm actually going to be heading out soon, and I though I might stop by and see if you had anything more before I moved on."

"Oh." Hearing that you're leaving soon seems to bring her down a bit, though that's common among young people who have been interested in your tales. There's so much to the outside world that they might never see for themselves, and many gobble up the little bits and pieces that you feed them. But Hannah rebounds a bit, fiddling with her blonde hair and continuing. "Well, I suppose Easterbrook is a bit small for a man of the world like you."

"There's nothing wrong with Easterbrook," you say, "but there is just so much to see out there." You motion theatrically toward the door. "I could spend my entire life on the road and I wouldn't even come close to experiencing all of it."

Your words hit as hard as you hoped. Hannah's lips briefly purse tightly in a look of pain and longing, but it's quickly quashed. You see an opening, there are a number of things that you could do. You could even make Hannah think that they were her own idea, if you play your cards right.

> Plant the idea that she could be a merchant like you (try to recruit Hannah as a follower, moderate difficulty)
> Leave her with some ideas from elsewhere to feed her desire for more (try to start Hannah on the path of demonology here in Easterbrook, low difficulty)
> Write in

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> forgot my image
Of course.

>>2570599

> Plant the idea that she could be a merchant like you (try to recruit Hannah as a follower, moderate difficulty)

If we don't have them tag-along, what's the point of taking the risk to begin with?

>>2570599
> Leave her with some ideas from elsewhere to feed her desire for more (try to start Hannah on the path of demonology here in Easterbrook, low difficulty)

Mybe leave her something that when she is able to leave it will let her know where we are or let us know to come get her

>>2570599
>Plant the idea that she could be a merchant like you (try to recruit Hannah as a follower, moderate difficulty)

Try to focus not so much on her following us, but more on the idea that she has enough merchantable skills to operate as one, if she's willing to learn the trade as she goes. Say that traveling merchants often look for good apprentices, but wait for her to mention interest, and mention that she looks content here. Truly adventurous types hate being called out on being "merely" content.

>>2570646
>>2570599
Also, because I want her to keep an open mind, and frame it as learning more about the world as well, not just working.

Since that can transfer softly into demonology, us teaching things that the ordinary people here can't teach, later.

>>2570599
"Not to say it's not daunting, but it's certainly as much of an adventure as anyone could ask for. All the different types of people, local customs...sometimes I wonder if I might need to write a book of it all, once day, ha!

Of course, if I did that, I'd hope it'd serve well to educate anyone who wanted to be in the same field. I've found you can only improve through exposure to new things, you know.

>>2570646
>>2570655
...And these two yeah definitely. Didn't see them pop up.

>>2570599
>Plant the idea that she could be a merchant like you (try to recruit Hannah as a follower, moderate difficulty)

Looks like recruit wins, so please roll 5d10.

Also, here's an overview of how rolling will work in this quest (for now, anyway, subject to change as I figure out what works well).

Players roll 5 d10s and the number of rolls that meet or exceed the DC determines the outcome.

0: Critical failure
1: Major failure
2: Minor failure
3: Minor success
4: Major success
5: Critical success

Players can have allied assistance with a roll, in which case they roll a number of additional d10s determined by the skill of the ally.

The situation may modify the roll, giving the player either circumstance bonuses or penalties in the form of a flat modifier to the roll.

If the result is a minor or major failure, players can choose to add a bonus to a roll through bargaining. This comes at a price chosen by the players from the following list:
- Risk of immediate damage.
- Risk of immediate short term penalty.
- Risk of future long term penalty.
- Guaranteed harm to an ally, if present

The probability and severity of the negative consequence are determined by the size of the bonus being added. Critical failures cannot be bargained away, nor can bargaining result in a critical success.

Rolled 7, 2, 10, 9, 6 = 34 (5d10)

>>2570690

Rolled 6, 7, 8, 6, 2 = 29 (5d10)

>>2570690
Oh boy.

Rolled 9, 10, 10, 3, 3 = 35 (5d10)

>>2570690

>>2570694
> 4 success = Major Success
Now writing.

>>2570715
So the DC was probably at least 5. Not too difficult, but I wonder if we can summon something that'll help our charisma in the future.

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"You know, seeing some of your work, I'd say that you could probably do well for yourself as a merchant."

Hannah blushes slightly at the compliment, "Really?" But then she shakes her head. "I mean, I'm just a seamstress, I don't think I'd last long out there."

"Maybe not alone, but I don't travel alone either. You met Ibrahim didn't you? He came in here with me a few days ago."

She cocks her head in thought. "That Mashari man? Yes, just in passing. He seemed a bit... odd."

"Yes, well he's a long way from home. We've been traveling together for some time now, and it's made my journey quite a bit easier." You leave out the fact that the key way he's made it easier is that he's frighteningly good at killing people. "Not to say that it isn't daunting sometimes, but it's certainly as much adventure as anyone could ask for. With all the new people I've met and the new customs I've encountered, why, I could probably write a book on it someday."

"I-" Hannah starts, then stops, clearly conflicted. But after a moment of hesitation, she powers through and asks "I don't suppose you'd be willing to have some more company on your journey, would you?"

"Really?" you ask, doing your best to pretend to be a little surprised. "I mean, I'd be delighted to have you along, but you see like you have a fine arrangement here. A lot of people would be content with having a shop to call their own."

She grimaces slightly at that. "A lot of people, maybe, but me? No. I've been thinking about this for a while now, but I think I want more than just this. And now that my brother is old enough to mind the shop, I'd like to try traveling."

"I was planning on leaving tonight, if that's an issue."

"No, no I don't think it will be. I've brought this up with grandma before, and I don't think she'd be that surprised to hear about it now. I'll be ready to leave tonight."

"Well, in that case, this isn't the goodbye that I thought it might be. I'll bring my wagon by tonight, and we can be on our way." You make your way to the door and smile back at Hannah "I'll see you then."

She flashes a smile back at you that almost makes you regret how blatantly you've been manipulating her. "See you then," she says cheerfully back at you.

Stepping out of the shop, before your conscience bothers you any more, you start back down the path again. You still have most of a day before you leave tonight, there may be some things that you can get from the market for your journey. Or maybe you could...

That train of thought is cut short by a stern voice from behind you. "You there. Hold."

>>2570825
Here we go.

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You stop and turn around. Standing before you is a middle-aged man garbed in reddish-brown robes and carrying a walking stick. A medallion around his neck bears the emblem of a wheel with twelve spokes, the symbol of the Ephesian church. Unless you've missed your mark, he's probably the priest of the local circuit. Villages like Easterbrook are too small and insignificant to have their own priest, so the Ephesian church has some who traveling between villages, presiding over the naming of children and blessing marriages and the like.

That would explain why Keboro said that death would come soon. If this priest just arrived, he would probably have been greeted by youngsters with questions. Questions that they would only be asking if someone like you had been telling them tales about the wider world.

"You're the vagabond who has been filling the heads of these simple folk with poison, aren't you?" he says, more scolding than asking.

> Deny. You heard it's a nice river somewhere.
> Argue. Who is he calling a vagabond?
> Leave. You know where this is going, so you're going somewhere else.
> Write in

>>2570835
"Odd thing to call 'stories about my travels', if that's what you mean. Ease yourself, priest; if it's my so-called 'poison' you worry about, I intend to take my leave by nightfall. You'll need not concern yourself with my presence come the morrow."

>>2570848
>>2570835
Second.

>>2570848
Sure why not

>>2570848
I dont have anything better so il go with this

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You frown at the priest's characterization. "An odd thing to call the stories of my travels, if that's what you mean."

That earns you one of the priest's fingers pointed accusingly at your face. "Then you do not deny that you have been spreading tales from the heathen lands that have turned their backs on God."

"I am a merchant," you say, holding out your arms to each side. "I have been to many places in my time, some of them beyond Torien. There, I am happy to relieve those heathens of their valuables. And is there something wrong with telling stories of how I swindled those who turn their backs on God?"

It still stings a bit, being force to call Solace a mere god, when in truth He is so much more. Being barred from even using the name of someone who gave so much to this world, all because of these Ephesians. But you don't let it show. You can't let it show.

The priest's face scrunches in frustration. "If that were all you were saying, then no, but some of what I have heard recounted is far from that. You have spun lies about the heathens, telling our innocent children of how they live, making it sound as if there is goodness outside the embrace of God's chosen representatives on Oresa. As if there could be goodness without God!"

"I have said no such thing," you protest. "I tell what I have seen to those who ask what I have seen. I have never said that what I saw out there was good."

Technically true. You never called it good per se. Of course, even a strictly factual story of Masharak or the Habori Empire wouldn't necessarily sound that bad either.

"But if it is any consolation," you say, striking a conciliatory tone, "I will be leaving this village anyway. I am a merchant, after all. I have bought and sold what I could here in Easterbrook, and so tonight I will depart and you will no longer need concern yourself with me."

The priest pauses for a moment, mulling over what you have said. His eyes narrow. "Very well then. Leave this village and do not return. But know this, if in my own travels I hear any more about you or your twisted stories, I will see you broken on the wheel." And with that threat, he leaves.

The pendant around your own neck, concealed under your clothes, rumbles ever so slightly at his murderous intent. Another of Keboro's works, it has come in hand before, though this time it was a touch obvious.

Your walk to the market is much less upbeat than it would have been only a few minutes earlier. The priest's threat is not an unusual one, being the classic punishment of the Ephesian church. But it is grim nonetheless. Being tied to a wheel, facing the sky, with every bone in your limbs broken, and left for the beasts and the elements. It sickens you to think of what these people are doing, all supposedly with the blessings of Solace.

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The market at Easterbrook is a small thing, much like the village itself. You pause to take stock of what you have, and what you need. Your deal with Keboro this morning used up the last of the chicken blood, but you still have some art to sacrifice. Looking through your coin purse, you see you have 15 silver Trents.

Sacrifice comes in two forms: Art and blood. Crafted items are the most common form of art used in sacrifice, and blood is self-explanatory. Thus far you've preferred chickens for blood sacrifices, since they are relatively easy to acquire. Storing them or their blood has sometimes been a bit of a hassle though, so you generally buy them as needed.

There's also the issue of Hannah. She'll probably have some supplies of her own, but you doubt that she'll be well equipped for the road, being as inexperienced as she is.

> Buy some supplies for Hannah (5 silver)
> Don't

Also

> Buy one chicken (4 silver)
> Buy two chickens (8 silver)
> Don't

> Write in (anything else you might want to buy)

>>2571024
>Buy some supplies for Hannah (5 silver)
Good to be somewhat thoughtful.

>Buy one chicken (4 silver)

I can't think of anything else at this hour so g'night QM. I'm eager to see where this goes, don't die on a wheel overnight anons.

>>2571024
>Buy some supplies for Hannah
>Buy two chickens
>haggle those price down if we can

>>2571092
> haggle those price down if we can
You know I totally forgot about that. Roll 5d10 for haggling. This will be regardless of the number of chickens purchased.

Rolled 9, 3, 9, 2, 10 = 33 (5d10)

>>2571100
>>2571037
+1
>>2571024
>> Write in (anything else you might want to buy)
Trade goods. What do we normally spend our money on?

>>2571024

> Buy some supplies for Hannah (5 silver)
> Buy one chicken (4 silver)

>>2571092

Second, also, look around for any cheap and offerable knickknacks for a lesser entity. Preferably 2 or less trents, assuming we can summon other things.

A goal would be to eventually find an item with a weak being bound to it that we can call on at will without a circle.

Rolled 9, 9, 5, 7, 8 = 38 (5d10)

>>2571100

>>2571103
> 3 successes = minor success
Now writing for supplies, one chicken, and some trade goods.

>>2571103
> Trade goods. What do we normally spend our money on?
Any sort of finished good really, things that balance being small and light with being decently valuable. Textiles, like what Hannah mentioned you already bought, are a common one. Particularly good tools are another. People also sometimes sell old valuables, so you'll occasionally find everything from ancient jewelry to books to the odd sword.

For the most part, the stuff you've acquired in Easterbrook is clothing, so for now that's what you've got. You'll be able to sell that later, once you've moved on.

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You pick out a few thing for Hannah that she might not have thought of. It would be just a bit embarrassing for everyone involved if she started regret her decision simply because of the hardships of life on the road. The chicken gets you a strange look from the farmer selling it, since he's pretty sure he already sold you one, but nothing more than that. You even manage to find a collection of carpenter's tools at a decent price, bringing the cost of the day's trip to 8 silver.

Soon you're headed back to your and Ibrahim's little camp. With the priest's threat still occupying your thoughts, it would probably be best to leave this village for the freedom of the open road. Unfortunately, a handful of Easterbrook's children intercept you on the way back, and begin barraging you with all manner of questions.

"Mister merchant! Why do you have a chicken?"
"Mister merchant! Do they really piss standing upside-down in the south?"
"What do the elves do when it rains mister merchant?"
"Are there really lizards that wear clothes?"
"Mister merchant, my da said that you're full of shit. What does shit mean?"
"Are you really leaving today mister merchant?"

It appears that at least one of them overheard your conversation with the priest.

With a laugh you start trying to respond "It's for a friend, and no, and they get rained on, and yes, and ask your father, and yes." This only seems to confuse the children more, since most of them can't tell which answer is for which question. They continue swarming around your feet, peppering you with even more questions. The chicken seems most displeased with this state of affairs, and buawaks loudly from the small cage you are carrying it in. As the children close in, your hand instinctively curls tightly around you coin purse, which is good because you're pretty sure you felt at least one of the children grab for it in the confusion.

Eventually, a slightly older boy, who seems to be old enough to know that he's not supposed to like you, comes running up from behind the pack and starts shoos them all back to their homes and families. He shoots you a glare before running off after the younger children, herding them back toward the village.

Your arrival back at your camp is greeted by a far less pleasant sight. There are two men there that you do not recognize, each clad in gambeson and a helmet and carrying a sword and buckler on his hip. The two appear to be arguing with Ibrahim. You can only hear fragments of it at a distance, but you can make out enough to deduce that they're talking about Ibrahim's heritage.

The medallion around your neck hums ominously.

> Intervene diplomatically. It would be best to resolve this non-violently.
> Let Ibrahim handle this. He probably won't kill them. Maybe. Hopefully.
> Create a distraction.
> Write in.

>>2571186
Intervene diplomatically. Let's see what this is about before letting things get violent.

>>2571186
>> Intervene diplomatically. It would be best to resolve this non-violently.
We told the priest we'd be leaving, nothing more to see here. I think Ibrahim was delaying for us.

>>2571186
Intervene diplomatically. It's worked so far, and I'd rather not be stuck talking our way out of hiding bodies on hannah's first day; that's more of a 'third day' thing.

Roll 6d10 for diplomacy, Ibrahim assisting as best he can (aka not very well).

>>2571186
>Intervene diplomatically. It would be best to resolve this non-violently
Last thing we want are missing persons

Rolled 1, 6, 6, 2, 3, 2 = 20 (6d10)

>>2571209
Do you take best of 3 or just the first?

>>2571218
Just the first, though I may revise the dice mechanic as the quest progresses.

> 2 successes = Minor Failure
Writing.

>>2571222
We can bargain, right? Or do we get to do that after the results?

>>2571224
Sorry about that. Yes, you can bargain. Would you like to bargain up to a minor success? You can apply either a +2 bonus through bargaining, which will get you a minor success, or a +3 which will get you a major success.

> Don't bargain, go with minor failure
> Bargain up to minor success (requires +2)
> Bargain up to major success (requires +3)

Going for a +2 will get you a chance of some negative consequences, while a +3 will have a higher chance of worse consequences.

>>2571232
>Going for a +2 will get you a chance of some negative consequences,
What does that mean, we roll again?

>>2571232
>Bargain up to minor success (requires +2)

>>2571232
+2

>>2571238
I think in this context we'll have to bribe them or something similar.

>>2571238
If you bargain, you'll roll another d10. Depending on how much you needed to bargain there's a greater or lesser chance of something bad happening that will stick around. In this case, the DC for the initial roll was 5, so you'll need to bargain up by +2 in order to boost that 3 here >>2571218 up to a 5, which will turn the roll into a minor success. You could bargain to boost the roll by +3, which will turn it into a major success (not critical though, because you can't bargain into a crate success), but that will increase the odds of a bad thing happening, as well as its severity.

From the looks of it, people want to bargain by +2, so roll me another d10. Bad things will happen on a 1 through 4.

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2571253
Okay, I'll bite

>>2571253
>>2571258
What would have happened if it was a failed roll? Would we still get the minor success?

>>2571269
Yes. You'd get a minor success on the diplomacy roll, so that would resolve the situation, but a bad thing would happen as well. Like, for example, the men might break something of yours.

>>2571273
I see. That's pretty cool.
I starting to really like your dice mechanics.

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You quickly make your way to the camp. Hopefully you can avoid having to bury those two men. "Hold on," you call out.

The two men and Ibrahim stop arguing and turn to look at you as you approach. You suddenly feel awkward for having called out to them while you're nowhere near close enough to actually talk to them, forcing them to just stare at you as you jog toward them, but it's too late now. Thankfully, they're willing to wait long enough for you to arrive.

"Peace, please," you say. "I've already spoken with the priest. We'll be leaving tonight. There is no need for violence."

The two men look at each other, puzzled. "Priest?" one of them says to his comrade, then turns back to you. "The fuck are ya talking about ya cunt?"

Now it's your turn to look puzzled. "Aren't you the priest's men?"

"Fuck no," the man shouts. "We don't work for no cunting priest!"

"We're with the Company of the Hat!" the other man says, proudly pointing to a patch on his gambeson bearing a crude red hat.

You almost throw up a little in your mouth. Mercenaries. Armies marching to war are never pleasant for the surrounding countryside, but mercenaries are particularly brutal. If these two men are foragers for a mercenary company, they're probably considering just killing you and taking everything from your camp.

Your eyes narrow. "What are mercenaries doing in Easterbrook? There isn't a war on here."

The first man chuckles. "Nah, but word is there's gonna be anotha Grand Mission, so all of us is goin down to Varena to sign on. We'll get tons a gold and fuck tons a cunts and kill tons a Shar and go to Heaven for it!"

You had heard rumors that there was to be a new Grand Mission, but you had thought that they were just that. Rumors. It would be stupid to launch one now, the city-states of Masharak repelled the last one and they've only gotten stronger since. But if there are mercenaries gathering at Varena, then there must be money in it for them, which means that something major is going to happen.

The second mercenary pipes up, jabbing a finger at Ibrahim. "And no sooner have we started out than we run into this cunting little shit. A fuckn Shar. Probably a spy or some such, here to- to-" He struggles for a moment with something to say before settling on "to spy on us!"

You sigh and slowly press your hand against your face. The man doesn't seem to know that the Shar, the real Shar, not simply the humans from Masharak, are giant bipedal lizards.

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"He's not a spy," you say. "He's my assistant."

"Assistant for what? Wanking? You one of them man fuckers? Like taking it up the arse?"

"No," you say, putting on your best impression of a man of great authority. "I am Thomas Davin, son of Roland Davin, heir to the Yarrick and Davin Trading Company. If you men wish to serve your company well, then take this message back to you commander. I can arrange for you men to have supplies provided to you, at a generous rate, if you will provide me with a cut of your spoils."

The two mercenaries look confused. One of them pipes up. "What? You want some of our loot now?"

"In exchange for high quality provisions at all stages of your journey." You reply, trying to smooth over his sudden confusion. "Surely you would appreciate some fresh food? Perhaps better quality bedding? Such things can make a long journey far more comfortable. If you inform your commander, I'm sure that he would be willing to hammer out terms for a long-term supply contract."

The two men pause again and turn to each other. "A bedroll would be nice," the second says. Then they turn back to you.

"Alright," the first says. "We'll go tell the captain about your offer mister Davin." He prods your chest with a pudgy finger. "But you'd better be good for it, or we'll make you fucking regret it."

With that, the two men turn and trundle off down the road, heading away from Easterbrook to the north.

Once they're out of earshot, you turn to Ibrahim. "Come on, let's finish packing the wagon and get out of here before they come back."

Tbh, now that I've learned who they were, I wish we had shanked them.

I'm going to break here for the night. The quest will resume in about 13 hours (5 pm EST, 2 pm PST). I'll pick up then with the meet up with Hannah and the three of you hitting the road.

Any comments, feedback, or questions are quite welcome, I'll respond to them when possible. I may be able to get a few in before I go to bed.

>>2571294
Like I said, the dice mechanic is interesting and something I've yet to see in quests, I think it will work well. I like that allies can give you bonuses too.

The story seems to be interesting too but the whole "Church" is actually super evil and everyone is a dick might be kind of a cliché. Still, too early to judge.

>>2571294

I'm liking the setting so far and the dice mechanics are nice too as the other anon mentioned.

If I understand correctly the God these people follow is another demon called Solace? is that it?

>>2571299
Well buddy the church has always been super evil and self serving thoguht out all of history so not really a cliché but more how it is since we havent been brain washed into there bullshit from birth we can see though the lies.
bet that prist has a bitch boy at every town he go to.

>>2571294
I like the dice mechanics. I'm wondering how we'll meet new demons, but that's probably for later.

>>2571299
Consider that since demons exist, their harsh viewpoint might actually be entirely justified depending on the caliber of demon summoners and related run-ins they've had in the past. Depending on the particularities of these demons, one bad deal may sufficiently mar a nation against any ideas related to them. We know one who can share decently prophetic knowledge, and magic, and that's just one demon who could absolutely turn a nation against itself if used correctly or asked questions related to rulership, and so on. Not even counting how more hellish that would make large scale warfare. Amazingly, they're a starter for us. Just with the one tiny problem of what they'd ask for in return for such knowledge. Then there's the inevitable problem of, oh, I dunno, being manipulated by an ancient inhuman entity you're paying to trust into the likely endeavor of causing you to need them to survive.

If there are demons who can craft magic trinkets (like our murderous intent sensing necklace), trade basic powers or loan strength, or simply fight at far above human competence (as was hinted at) and so on; crushing someone on a wheel isn't super evil at all, for both making a statement and maintaining community among the populace. Forbidding the truth is essential to that end, assuming at least someone in the Ephesian Church knows why they do it, as so far for them it seems to be working.

The priest threatened us, but waited for validation and was open to us just setting on our way and not being his problem, or Easterbrooks. It's still too early to judge, but the people of Easterbrook appear to be living relatively well enough, if ignorant. They have kids that want adventure but that's kids, they don't overtly look like they're suffering under the oppression of their church at all. They are good, happy cattle.

It's a tragedy, really. They could know and be so much more. We probably can't save most Ephesians from their crude institutional blindness. Payday soldiers and potential war notwithstanding.

>>2571294
Actually, I do have one kinda relevant question. What do we know of Solace?

>>2571249
>>2571232
What's the difference between the consequences of bargaining up to a minor success versus keeping a minor failure?
>>2571253
>>2571273
Is it possible to reduce the consequences of bargaining, or improve our odds in it?

>>2571293
Same, but it'd look bad for the new recruit.

>>2571299
>>2571680
I concur on the novel dice mechanics.

>>2571294
Are you following darkwood quest on akun? Your setting reminds me of that one.

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> mfw people asking questions about my quest

>>2571350
>>2571758
Marcus believes that Solace is neither a god nor a a demon, but something above them. The Ephesian church and the demons that Marcus has spoken with both agree that Solace made the world. However, demons claim that he also made them and the many gods, while the Ephesian church teaches that demons and false gods are the creations of mankind. Demons also claim that Solace watched over the world for a time, but disappeared about 700 years ago. The Ephesian church teaches that he's still watching over the world.

>>2571299
This >>2571680 hits some of the main points. The Ephesian church isn't particularly evil. What they are is a combination of desperate and the product of centuries of doctrinal drift. There are a lot of good, justified reasons to be wary of demons. Keboro? He's a third circle demon. Demons go all the way up to ninth circle. Keboro is also one that the heretic deals with regularly because he's reliable and personable. There are demons that aren't anywhere near as nice. Societies that don't have rules for dealing with demons don't last long. That said, the passage of enough time can twist those rules.

>>2571893
Bargaining up to a minor success means that what you're trying to do will succeed, it's just that you're opening yourself up to negative consequences unrelated to that. For example, if you're trying to force open a door, bargaining into a minor success will get the door open, but it comes at the risk of injury. The chance and severity of the negative consequences are determined by how much you had to boost your rolls through bargaining.

>>2571991
Hadn't heard of it, may look into in the future.

As for new demons, Marcus does know several more, it's just that this first section hasn't really brought them up and it's been a bit more structured than the rest of the quest will be once you hit the road. The upcoming story post will introduce the rest of them.

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The sun is starting to sink low in the sky as you finish packing the wagon. There's just one final thing to handle before you go meet Hannah and leave Easterbrook behind. Traveling the road at night can be dangerous. Even if you don't run into another soul the whole time, simply negotiating the rough and sometimes muddy ground can be difficult in the dark. Most merchants prefer to travel by day and make camp during the night. Of course, you're not most merchants, and quickly putting some distance between you and Easterbrook would probably be wise.

You take a brief moment to consider your options. You know of at least a few demons that could help you in this situation. You could enlist the aid of one or maybe even two of them for your journey.

> Remeer, 4th Circle demon of illusion. He could conceal you during the night, helping to keep you safe from brigands or wild beasts. But he sometimes likes to play games with those he deals with.
> Karkordon, 4 Circle demon of beasts. He can command wild animals, and that would certainly protect you very well. He always drives a hard bargain though.
> Vedek, 3rd Circle demon of growth. He can make many things stronger and hardier, and a temporary boost to both you, Ibrahim, and your horses would make you a tough target for brigands and beasts.
> Setra, 2nd Circle demon of sleep. She can put things to sleep, such as anyone who might accost you on the road, and will probably work for cheap. Though she'll want to chat along the way, and that might complicate things with Hannah.
> Tethis, 1st Circle demon of hunting. He could guard you well during the night, and as a first circle demon his services will be much cheaper. However he's a bit scatterbrained.
> Don't summon a demon (Skip ahead to meeting with Hannah)

>>2572036
>Remeer
>Tethis

>>2572036
>Tethis, 1st Circle demon of hunting. He could guard you well during the night, and as a first circle demon his services will be much cheaper. However he's a bit scatterbrained.

Seems safe enough. Mostly only worried about the others making it harder to ease our newbie into the whole demonology thing.

>>2572036
>Tethis
> Setra

>>2572036
>> Tethis, 1st Circle demon of hunting. He could guard you well during the night, and as a first circle demon his services will be much cheaper. However he's a bit scatterbrained.

>>2572036
Is it possible to pick up a demon that's in the material plane already?

Perhaps one that's possessing someone or haunting a place

Getting someone who knows the mortal plane would be useful.

>>2572048
+1

>>2572074
I wonder if we could propose a demon into possessing someone as the form of payment for their services...

>>2572036
> Setra, 2nd Circle demon of sleep. She can put things to sleep, such as anyone who might accost you on the road, and will probably work for cheap. Though she'll want to chat along the way, and that might complicate things with Hannah.

>>2572074
While there are demons out and about in the mortal world, it's not exactly common, and it's draining for them to stay for extended periods of time. Possession and haunting are abilities of specific demons, not all demons are capable of that.

The easiest way of getting in touch with new demons is actually to ask for a referral from a demon that you consider reliable. They often have buddies that they'll recommend (and who will in turn recommend them to others). As mentioned at the beginning, you can call a specific demon with a series of symbol added to the ritual. That sort of "phone number" is a thing that demons trade around.

Now writing for summoning Tethis.

>>2572036
>> Tethis, 1st Circle demon of hunting. He could guard you well during the night, and as a first circle demon his services will be much cheaper. However he's a bit scatterbrained.


I would like Setra, but I don't think Hannah is quite ready to be seeing us deal with demons already

>>2571249
Just for clarification , do the +2 and +3 indicate the amount needed to turn a failed dice roll into a successful one? Or something else

>>2572154
Yes. When you roll Xd10, there's a DC that determines which of those rolls are successes and which are failures. Bargaining applies a flat buff to the rolls (bargaining +1 increases those rolls by 1, +2 by 2, etc.) in order to turn failures into successes and thus the overall roll into a minor or major success. But the larger the bonus from bargaining, the more likely and more severe the negative consequences that might come from it.

>>2572036
Setra sounds like a chill person.
Also could you explain the different circles?does it simply mean that demons in higher circles stronger/more powerful?

>>2572140
If you find demons through other demons , then how do you find the initial demon?

>>2572036
> Setra, 2nd Circle demon of sleep. She can put things to sleep, such as anyone who might accost you on the road, and will probably work for cheap. Though she'll want to chat along the way, and that might complicate things with Hannah.

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With the exception of your ritual gear, the wagon is packed and ready to go. With Ibrahim's assistance, you mark out a summoning circle and carve the runes for Tethis into a handful of wooden coins which you place in a bowl. The hunter's particular preferences makes the appetizer offering obvious, albeit somewhat unpleasant. Blood, and not just any blood. Ensouled blood. You make a small cut upon your arm with a carefully cleaned ritual knife and let some of your blood drain into the bowl. You place the bowl in the center of the circle and review it while Ibrahim bandages your arm.

With everything in place, you speak the words to call Tethis into the world. The blood in the bowl boils away greedily as the coins burn, and the smoke quickly forms into a massive black shrimp. Its many limbs twitch excitedly as it regards you and rapidly speaks in a chittering voice.

"Daniel! Daniel! Good to see/smell/taste you again!"

"Hello, Tethis," you say with a bow. "I go by Marcus now."

"Ah yes yes yes, Marcus. Good to see you Marcus." It's head tilts back and forth inquisitively "Something you need? Something you want?"

"Yes, Tethis. I've called upon you to ask for your aid. I need to leave this village tonight and the road ahead may be dangerous. I would be grateful if you could protect me and my companions during the journey." After a moment's thought you add, "covertly, if possible. One of my companions might find your appearance intimidating."

"I could do this," Tethis says quickly, bobbing up and down. "Yes yes I could. For a price."

You think for a moment. Aside from more blood, you have a number of things that you could offer him. You have the chicken purchased earlier today, which would be more than generous as payment for an escort. Art is another option. You have both a large amount of textiles of varying quality as well as the carpenter's tools.

"And salvage," it says, after a brief pause. "I want salvage rights."

Ah. That might complicate things a bit. Tethis wants the right to drain the blood out of anything he kills during the night. Now, that might not be such a bad thing, seeing as it's not really a cost to you. But it might make him quick to pick a fight if he gets to claim anything he kills, and that could complicate things if you run into someone on the road that you don't actually need to fight.

Pick one or two of the following, picking two will make the deal very easy
> Offer more of your own blood (Easy)
> Offer the chicken (Very Easy)
> Offer some of the textiles (Medium)
> Offer some of the carpenter's tools (Medium)
> Offer salvage rights (Easy)
> Write in

>>2572213
> Offer more of your own blood (Easy)
> Offer the chicken (Very Easy)
It won't be a terribly significant amount of blood, yes?

>>2572183
Circles equate to power, yes. A first circle demon has basically only its own physical abilities (though they might be quite formidable, like with Tethis). A third or fourth circle demon will have substantial magical power. An eighth circle demon is a creature of monstrous power, an incursion by one is almost always an event of widespread significance. Ninth circle demons are almost never seen in the mortal world, but when they are it's always for a specific purpose, and they're usually in and out before anyone even knew they were there.

>>2572189
You either have a mentor who puts you in touch with one, or you gamble with a general summon rather than a specific summon. General summons are considered very dangerous, since you don't know what you're going to get, and there's no shortage of demons who will manipulate you into burning down your whole life for them and then leaving you holding the bag.

>>2572213
> Offer salvage rights (Easy)

I mean people could just say it was a vamp that did it.
Lol we should go for this then make a killing saleing antivamp gear

>>2572213
>Offer more of your own blood (Easy)
>Offer salvage rights (Easy)
We could mention that if there's someone we don't want to fight, we could make up a sort of signal for that? A hand gesture perhaps.

>>2572246
I mean, you could try to arrange something like that. Just remember >>2572036
> However he's a bit scatterbrained.

It'd be something to roll for when it happens.

>>2572278
Well, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. What could possibly go wrong?

Alright, winner seems to be your own blood and salvage rights.

Roll 5d10.

Rolled 10, 6, 8, 6, 10 = 40 (5d10)

>>2572305

>>2572307
Huh.
> 5 success = Critical Success
Now writing.

>>2572236
Assuming there's a demon plane as there is a mortal one , what's it like?

>>2572329
The demon plane is Hell. It's a very gossipy place.

And for some reason I seem to have lost my name.

Also slight delays, the next post might take a little bit longer.

>>2572337
Do the demons have ordinary demon lives and jobs like mortals?

>>2572471
Bet Tethis stocks demon bread real good.

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"Ensouled blood now, salvage rights during the night, and additional blood at the end of the journey."

The last point frustrates Tethis slightly, but after a moment he relents. "Thchtchthchthcht. Very well."

"Also, I want you to agree to not fight someone we encounter if I make this sign." You gesture with a raised fist, followed by and open hand pointed to the side, and then a raised fist again.

"I will watch, and hold if I see it." It turns its head to the side and leans toward you, a beady blue eye starring straight into yours. "But I will have the promised blood."

"Yes," you say reassuringly. "You will."

Tethis pauses for a few seconds, practically an eternity for the constantly bouncing shrimp. "I am placing trust in you, Marcus. Yes, trust. I trust you will not disappoint."

You nod, and smear the summoning circle. Tethis immediately bounces out of it. In a flash he takes off running around the camp, up and down trees, darting in and out of view. He even briefly dashes off over a distant hill, before bolting right back to the camp, all in a matter of seconds. Your two horses, for their part, are a bit nervous at the sight, but they have seen and smelled stranger things in their time with you, and they mostly remain collected. The chicken you bought is less calm, bwuaking at the sight and fluttering against its cage.

Tethis finally scampers over to you and looks up expectantly. "We go now? Yes?"

You scratch Tethis behind the ridge of one of his neck plates, earning a sound like a rapid drumbeat. "Yes, let's go."

Packing away your ritual materials, you and Ibrahim get underway.

It is dusk as you approach the heart of Easterbrook and with it Agatha's shop. As the sun dips below the horizon and darkness settles across the landscape, Tethis slowly melts away into the night.

A little flash of blue light blinks quickly where his mouth was. "Still here," he chitters. "Still here."

You bring the wagon to a stop outside Agatha's shop, step down, and walk to the door. There is some light coming from the upper floors, though the downstairs seems to be dark. You try to open it, but are not surprised to find it locked. You knock on the door, and hear a voice from the upstairs say something indistinct.

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A minute later, the door unlocks and opens. Hannah is standing in the doorway, dressed more heavily for travel, and with a look on her face that is equal parts nervousness and resolve.

"Hello Marcus," she says. "I'm-" She pauses, then steels herself. "I'm ready to go. Ready as I can be, anyway. If you could give me a minute, I'll just go say my goodbyes to my brother and grandma."

"Of course," you say with your best kind smile.

She ducks back into the shop and you hear more indistinct voices. Eventually she emerges again, this time with a young man next to her. You recognize him as the older boy who shooed away the young children earlier today, and he seems to be giving you an even harsher version of the glare he gave you then.

"You're Marcus?" he asks.

"Yes."

"I'm William." A pause, and then, "Hannah's my sister." Seeing him up close, you can more easily see the resemblance. His blond hair matches Hannah's, and you can see a bit of a resemblance around his eyes. All in all, he's young and a bit thin, making him not the most physically impressive looking boy you've ever seen. Still, he seems to be trying very hard to be as intimidating as his slight frame allows.

"Your older sister," Hannah says with a slight tinge of frustration. The look the two exchange makes it clear that William does not approve of Hannah's decision to go with you.

"My sister," he repeats firmly. He turns back toward you. "You'd better take good care of her, or else."

You carefully don't point out how meaningless that threat is, and instead try to sooth his concerns, however slightly. "She will be safe with me, you have my word on that."

He seems to accept that, or at least he accepts the fact that he can't get much more than that. He turns back toward Hannah and, after a moment, the two embrace one another in a tight hug. A few quiet words pass between them that you can't make out, but eventually they release each other. You and Ibrahim help Hannah up into the wagon. There isn't quite enough room for her up front with both you and Ibrahim, but there's a nice spot in the back for her to ride in.

The first few minutes pass in silence as the weight of what she's doing starts to sink in for Hannah. But as you're leaving Easterbrook behind, she half asks and half says, "I would have thought that traveling by night would be dangerous."

How much do you want to tell her?
> Lie. Lie all the way home.
> Half truth, tell her that you have someone to keep you safe from brigands. Let her think you're talking about Ibrahim.
> Three-quarters truth. Tell her that you've picked up some magic tricks in your time that will help. Use the pendant from Keboros as an example and let her think you're talking about items.
> Truth. Tell her that you have made a deal with a demon.
> Write in.

>>2572532
> Half truth, tell her that you have someone to keep you safe from brigands. Let her think you're talking about Ibrahim.

>>2572531
They can be pet. Huh. Huh...

>>2572532
>Three-quarters truth. Tell her that you've picked up some magic tricks in your time that will help. Use the pendant from Keboros as an example and let her think you're talking about items.

Let's just temper it with the frame that these sorts of things are much more common outside of these lands, which is true, and the reason we can't be so open about them here. On top of being valuable and ripe for thievery, they're rare. Since I fully expect problems, if we only indicate Ibrahim and problems get solved without him acting then our lie is caught.

Hopefully, that'll provide good enough ground for a delayed segue into what we're actually about, later.

>>2572532
>>2572553
Supporting

>>2572532
this is great so far op, excited for more!

>>2572532
>>2572553

>>2572532
4/5 Truth

Tell her everything but never use the word demon.

>>2572553
+1
>They can be pet. Huh. Huh...
Demons?

The next time we shop, we should gather more intel like maps, merchant almanacs, and general town catalogs and requests.

>>2572591
this

it all depends on if she already knows what demons are/has been warned by her church/priest/elder/community about them

it would be better just to start with magic and work up to 'summoning magic'

>>2572597
He purred like a drum. That counts!

Also, definitely for the shopping at our next stop. Information is sort of what we need most right now. For instance, if there is a Grand Mission starting up again then we may want to avoid it, or find a way to take advantage of it. Maps and stuff to picture where we are and where we're going will be useful no matter what we wind up getting into.

Alright, now writing for mostly true, but avoiding mentioning demons.

>>2572532
>> Half truth, tell her that you have someone to keep you safe from brigands. Let her think you're talking about Ibrahim.

>>2572613
Btw is the grand mission some kind of war?

>>2572734
It seems like a crusades-type thing

>>2572737
And what are those? I'm not a westerner so I'm not familiar

>>2572749
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades
Religious wars.

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"Under normal circumstances, yes, it would be. Brigands and beasts and such can be quite dangerous for the average traveler," you say, motioning to the darkened land around you. As you put more distance between you and Easterbrook, the fields and farms that surround have gradually given way to shrubs and then eventually true forest. All of it is shrouded in darkness, with only a crescent moon and a lantern to light the path ahead.

Hannah is clearly trouble by that, looking out into the pitch black undergrowth with a little bit of fear showing through the brave face she has been trying to put on. You quickly add, "however, we are not the average traveler."

Now she looks more puzzled than afraid. "No?"

"No. You see, we have several people and things protecting us. For example," you say, point over to Ibrahim. "I once saw Ibrahim here beat four armed men with only a chair." You leave out the part where he did not simply beat them with the chair, but killed two of them with it and then drowned the other two. Hannah doesn't need to know about that just yet. You also didn't see all of it, as you were face down in the mud for most of that fight. Hannah never needs to know that.

"I do not boast," is all Ibrahim says in response, leaving Hannah to regard him with some amazement.

"Aside from that, I've picked up a few tricks and trinkets in my time." You reach under the collar of your shirt and fish out the pendant from its hiding place. "Like this."

"What is that?" Hannah leans over to get a better look at the silver pendant, glinting faintly as in sways back and forth in the lantern-light. "A pendant?"

"It vibrates when someone nearby has murderous intent." You remove it and offer it to Hannah to hold. "Very useful for warning us of bandits and such, so that we can avoid them."

She takes it slowly and looks at the tiny, teardrop shaped lump of metal. "Amazing, I've never heard of something like that. Is it some sort of magic? How did you get it?"

"A weak sort of magic, yes," you admit, trying your best to make it sound like nothing particularly out of the ordinary. "I bought it from an old, silver-haired man in Dontero." Technically true. You bought it from Keboro, and you were in Dontero at the time. You're not entirely sure if the demon even has hair at all, but if he did, it would almost certainly be as silvery as the rest of him. "Supposedly he made it himself, but you can never be completely sure about these things." Well, she can't be sure about that. You can, however, since you saw him make it with your own eyes. "They're apparently much more common in the west. It's helped keep me safe for some time now."

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After looking at it for a minute, Hannah hands the pendant back to you and you slip it back around your neck.

"And lastly, I have found that some of the beasts in these parts can be, how shall we say, bought off."

"Bought off? As in bribed?"

"More like distracted. Offering up things like that chicken over there to a hungry beast can help you get to safety, if only because they're more interested in the chicken than you. It's one of the reasons why I buy them."

All of your explanations seems to have calmed Hannah's nerves a bit. After another few minutes, you notice that she seems to be getting a bit tired. Understandable, back in Easterbrook she probably didn't have much reason to be awake this long into the night. You rummage around in the part of the wagon that you can reach and manage to fish out a blanket and something that might have been a cushion in a past life.

"In any case, you might want to try to get some rest," you say, offering them to Hannah. "The view's generally not much to look at during the night, and it's a few days journey to..."

Where are you going, anyway?
> To the city of Geldor, a prosperous trading hub on the Palar River. If you're looking for excitement, fast living, and fantastic sights, this is the place to go. Unfortunately for you, there are also going to be plenty of people keeping an eye out for heretics like you.
> To the town of Adensfal. It's a coastal town that sees plenty of merchant traffic on top of its bountiful fishing industry. Information from all of the world is easier to come by here, and some of it might even be true.
> To the foothills of the Salverg Mountains. There are a collection of mining towns there where you could offload your textiles at a large profit. It's a bit out of the way so it should give you a nice, quiet place to start bring Hannah around to your way of thinking.
> To the Kelta Lowlands. Not a whole lot in the lowlands themselves, but it is along the way to the city of Varena. If there really is a Grand Mission massing there, then there will also be plenty of opportunities for you. Plenty of danger too, but that's the life of a heretic.

>>2572776
>> To the foothills of the Salverg Mountains. There are a collection of mining towns there where you could offload your textiles at a large profit. It's a bit out of the way so it should give you a nice, quiet place to start bring Hannah around to your way of thinking.

>>2572776
>> To the foothills of the Salverg Mountains. There are a collection of mining towns there where you could offload your textiles at a large profit. It's a bit out of the way so it should give you a nice, quiet place to start bring Hannah around to your way of thinking.
I would go with
> To the town of Adensfal. It's a coastal town that sees plenty of merchant traffic on top of its bountiful fishing industry. Information from all of the world is easier to come by here, and some of it might even be true.
for the intel, but loyalty is more important than intel. Especially if losing that means outing you're a heretic.

>>2572778
>>2572776
Seconding.

>>2572776
>To the foothills of the Salverg Mountains. There are a collection of mining towns there where you could offload your textiles at a large profit. It's a bit out of the way so it should give you a nice, quiet place to start bring Hannah around to your way of thinking.

>>2572776
To the foothills!

Salverg seems to be the clear winner.

Roll 1d10. For no particular reason.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2572813

>>2572813
Random events here we go

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2572813
>Roll 1d10. For no particular reason.
>>2572815
>concern

>>2572817
I wouldn't be terribly concerned given the fat ton of extra allied dice you'll be getting.

Roll 9d10

Rolled 9, 10, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 6 = 55 (9d10)

>>2572818
Who's contributing what to the dice?

>>2572819
Your base five plus two from Ibrahim and three from Tethis.
> 5 success = Critical Success
Writing.

>>2572823
Excuse me, that should be one from Ibrahim.
I cannot into maths.

>>2572608
>He purred like a drum. That counts!
Heh. It must be moments like this that brought Marcus over to heresy.
>>2572608
>Also, definitely for the shopping at our next stop. Information is sort of what we need most right now. For instance, if there is a Grand Mission starting up again then we may want to avoid it, or find a way to take advantage of it. Maps and stuff to picture where we are and where we're going will be useful no matter what we wind up getting into.
>>2572776
>> To the Kelta Lowlands. Not a whole lot in the lowlands themselves, but it is along the way to the city of Varena. If there really is a Grand Mission massing there, then there will also be plenty of opportunities for you. Plenty of danger too, but that's the life of a heretic.
It occurred to me if there's a Grand Mission then most of the zealots that would be policing against heresy or converting more faithfuls would be out in the war. Making it easier for us to slip by, and find vulnerable targets from those disillusioned by the war.

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The Hannah seems to have a little trouble at first due to the bumps and jostling of the wagon, she does eventually doze off. About an hour later you're planning on doing the same. You're about to tell Ibrahim to wake you when he wants to get some sleep, but he holds his hand up to stop you. He also brings the wagon slowly to a stop, and though that causes Hannah to stir slightly in her sleep, she thankfully doesn't wake.

After listening for a few long seconds, Ibrahim whispers to you. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That raspy gasping sound."

You try to pick out anything in the night, but all you hear are insects, the occasional bird, and the wind in the trees. "No," you finally whisper back. "What was it?"

"That was the sound of a man being stabbed in the back. Repeatedly."

"Where did it come from?"

Ibrahim points off into the darkness to the left of the road. The terrain slopes up somewhat in that direction, but the trees and brush are dense enough here that it's difficult to tell by how much in the dark. "Over there, I think."

You wave in that direction. After a few seconds, a blue light out among the trees blinks back at you. It seems that Tethis found something.

"I'm going to go take a look," you say, climbing down from the cart. "Stay and watch Hannah."

Ibrahim seems to consider objecting, but ultimately decides against it.

You take the second lantern and after a minute of struggling with the old thing manage to light it. You start off through the undergrowth and immediately regret it. It's cold, wet, muddy, and tiny branches and twigs are constantly scratching at you. But it's too late now, so you power on up the hillside toward where you saw the light. It's not long before you break through into what looks like a small bowl in the side of the hill. You spy over at the far end a large flap made out of some heavy fabric. It's blocking almost all of a cave entrance, with just a tiny bit of light peaking out from around the edges.

Just outside of the flap is a corpse. You look around the clearing and spy the legs of another poking out of the brush. Walking up to the one outside the entrance, you bend over to examine it and see the body is very freshly dead, blood still oozing from numerous open wounds. The body is, or more accurately was, clad in gambeson. It's been shredded horribly, but you manage to locate the place where the mercenaries from earlier had their emblem, only to find nothing there. It seems these were just regular bandits, not that there's much difference in the end.

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Rising to your feet, you push aside the flag and immediately regret that too. It's a small cave, more of a nook really, and the interior has been splattered with gore. Tethis is there are well, his mouth latched on to one of the two corpses inside the cave, greedily draining the body of blood.

The demon manages to pry it jaws from the body just long enough to chitter "Mine. My salvage. Get your own."

You sigh. It seems that Tethis has some food guarding issues.

You go over each of the bodies as Tethis finishes sucking them dry of blood. Their gambeson is all completely ruined, torn and stabbed full of countless holes and covered in filth. Their helmets, boots, and gloves all seem to be in decent shape, however. For bandits anyway. Among them they seem to have a sword, a pair of axes, a halberd, a half dozen knives, four bucklers, and a pair of shortbows plus arrows. Unfortunately they didn't seem to have anywhere near as much coin as they had weaponry. You only find 10 silver pieces between all of them.

They had some supplies as well, and after a few trips back and forth between the camp and the wagon, you've loaded all of it and are underway again.

>>2572933
Let's loot them and let tethris have his drink.
Can we gather some of their blood too for future demon deals.

Alright, I'm starting to run out of steam for the night, and the typos seem to be telling me it's time to rest. I'll be back again tomorrow at the same time as before (5 pm EST, 2 pm PST) and resume with the trip to Salverg.

Until then, if anyone has any comments I'd love to hear them, and I'll try to answer any questions before I crash.

>>2572941
Okay, see you then. Thanks for the session.

>>2572941

Does Marcus know of any magic besides demonology? Moreover, do any of the demons he knows know of any demons who might ne willing to teach him for a price? How valuable is a stereotypical human sacrifice, summoning-wise? Does the sacrifice's virginity of lack thereof have an impact on its value? Is reverse-summoning, i.e., traveling to the demon realm via ritual circle possible?

>>2572941
its still to early to tell, but so far so good keep it up

>>2572941
Could tethis harm us?
Is there a way to bind a demon to your will outside of a circle?
How important is the wording of agreements, and can you make a demon do things they don't want to?

>>2572949
> Does Marcus know of any magic besides demonology?
No.
> Moreover, do any of the demons he knows know of any demons who might ne willing to teach him for a price?
Not really. There are several forms of magic that Marcus knows of. Demonology is one of them. Magic from the many small gods is another, generally referred to as exaltation. It's basically the flip side of demonology. While demonology is decentralized and individual, exaltation is centralized and communal. Both are banned in Torien by the Ephesian church. There's also sorcery, which taps directly into the power of the ether with no middlemen like demons or gods, but its hard as balls. As in, it takes can take decades to get what a demonologist can get with a handful of deals or an exalted can get simply because their god picks them. It's generally only used heavily among the elves, whose long life span gives them an advantage in that regard. There is also necromancy, which is banned by basically everyone because it burns souls for fuel. The Ephesian church itself has a ritual that creates Ephesian Saints, which are powerful mages that seem to conform to none of those categories, but they are few in number. Marcus doesn't know much about the specifics of the ritual, other than that it apparently requires something that the Ephesians call Black Wax.

That said, there is more to demonology than simply summoning demons and crafting items. More powerful demons can set up long term contracts where in you make regular sacrifices to them and they give you a specific set of spells that you can cast, determined by their own powers. The services of such demons are in very high demand outside of Torien though, and many won't talk to people in Torien because they don't see much profit in it (believing that demonologists in Torien aren't going to live long anyway, which is often true). Marcus would need to prove that he's worth such a demon's time, and that will itself require working his way up and building his rep in Hell.

> How valuable is a stereotypical human sacrifice, summoning-wise?
Blood sacrifices are boosted in power by being ensouled blood, or last blood, or both. Ensouled blood is the blood of a being with a soul, like a humanoid, sharfolk, merfolk, etc. Last blood is if the sacrifice is fatal. Ensouled last blood (bleeding out someone like a human until they die) is pint for pint the most valuable blood sacrifice you can make. That said, it's not leagues better than a lower animal's last blood. But some people still do it, which gives demonology a bad rap in some places.

> Does the sacrifice's virginity of lack thereof have an impact on its value?
Virginity doesn't matter for the purposes of a blood sacrifice.

> Is reverse-summoning, i.e., traveling to the demon realm via ritual circle possible?
It's been done. Not a lot, but it has happened. A handful of people have even survived the process. Marcus, however, has no clue how to do it.

>>2572976
> Could tethis harm us?
Yes. He doesn't because he is the bestest boy yes he is.

> Is there a way to bind a demon to your will outside of a circle?
Only with their true name, and even then sealing a deal with a demon's true name mainly just makes it honestly want to carry out the spirit of the deal. It doesn't actually bind them to a summoner's will.

> How important is the wording of agreements, and can you make a demon do things they don't want to?
Important, but not as much as the demon actually liking you and wanting repeat business. Thing is, demons can cheat, and a lot of them do if given the opportunity. This is one of the reasons why people shy away from general summons. You want to deal with a demon that has demonstrated some trustworthiness.

As for making a demon do something it doesn't want to, no, not really. Demons do what demons wanna do. That's one of the reasons the Ephesian church bans dealing with them. Demonology is dangerous, even demonologists will admit to that. The only people who deny it are ignorant, crazy, lying, or some combination of the three.

>>2572997
Do deamons have some kind of compulsions we could take advantage of? Clearly they have some preferences, but compulsions?

Also, do lower circle daemons serve the higher ones? Do we know something of the ninth circle?

>>2572987
>>2572949
Sorry, my brain stopped working and I completely missed the "of" in your first question. The answer to this
> Does Marcus know of any magic besides demonology?
Should be yes, as mentioned in the answer to the second question. Marcus knows about all the stuff in those big blocks of text.

>>2573010
> Do deamons have some kind of compulsions we could take advantage of?
They have several compulsions that Marcus is aware of, but trying to take advantage of some of them might be tricky.

Well, one of them is easy to exploit. All demons have a compulsion to try to ascend through the ranks to the ninth circle, and they do this by making deals with mortals to get sacrifices to fuel their increase in power. That's why demons are willing to work with mortals at all.

The others are a bit trickier. The other main one that is widely known is that all demons are compelled to try to prevent the destruction of the world. Now, like most of their compulsions that is buried under layers of rationalizations (in this case "the world is where I get my sacrifices from" is a common one). It can make identifying compulsions difficult, the demon itself might not even know about it since whatever it is might seem to make logical sense on its own.

The root of these compulsions is in the fact that demons aren't exactly independent creatures. They're technically all fragments of Hell Itself, sometimes called "the Many Arms of Hell." Now, there is no one mind that represents Hell Itself, but the combination of all the underlying compulsions present in all demons does hint at the desires of Hell Itself.

> Also, do lower circle daemons serve the higher ones?
No one really serves in Hell, not for long anyway. Lower circle demons try to avoid bothering higher circle ones, but even then it's not really a master/servant setup. Because demons are both extremely resilient and constantly changing, it's sometimes hard for even other demons to force a demon to do something it doesn't want to do.

> Do we know something of the ninth circle?
A bit. They are extremely powerful, bizarrely quiet, and they all act with a singular purpose. Most other demons think that the ninth circle have become completely enslaved to the underlying compulsions of Hell Itself, and they consider becoming a ninth circle demon something close to true death. From what the lower circles have pieced together and passed on to mortals, most demonologists think that rising in circle rank somehow brings the demon "closer" to Hell Itself, along with its compulsions, and the ninth circle is the point where they are completely lost.

What terrifies a lot of demons is that even if they know all that, they can't actually stop themselves from trying to become one of the ninth circle anyway. One of the really dangerous things about eighth circle demons is that they're constantly hatching insanely convoluted plans to try to outsmart themselves, beat the compulsion, and bust themselves down to a lower circle in order to avoid losing themselves as a part of the ninth circle.

>>2573055
>What terrifies a lot of demons is that even if they know all that, they can't actually stop themselves from trying to become one of the ninth circle anyway. One of the really dangerous things about eighth circle demons is that they're constantly hatching insanely convoluted plans to try to outsmart themselves, beat the compulsion, and bust themselves down to a lower circle in order to avoid losing themselves as a part of the ninth circle.
wot

>>2573057
They're walking toward the light, but if they reach it, they will die. They don't want to die, but they can't stop their legs from carrying them toward the light. So they do crazy things to try to move back the way they came even as their legs carry them forward, and they can sometimes end up hurting a lot of people in the process.

>>2573055
Is it the same for gods? do they become closer to their realm by ascending in power? would a powerful sorcerer be able to temporarily break the compulsion of an 8th circle in exchange for its service?

>>2573073
>>2573073
> Is it the same for gods? do they become closer to their realm by ascending in power?
While the small gods do have one compulsion in common (preventing the destruction of the world), otherwise they are very different from demons. Unlike demons the small gods are each a distinct, static, and often times stubbornly unchanging individual. As such they tend to meet violent ends. The world (I should probably mention that it is named Oresa, since apparently I haven't done that yet) went through a massive war about 400 years back in which most of the small gods died. Their fixed and stubborn nature led to a long chain of obligations and alliances spiraling out of control until the whole world was at war. That's one of the reasons the Ephesian church became so powerful, they stepped in to fill the void after the dust settled, and their message rejecting the small gods as false was certainly appealing after the war.

But a lot of time has passed since then and the small gods have replaced most of their losses. They've also hammered out a treaty among themselves to prevent a repeat of the last war. The balance of power is shifting again and the Ephesian church is growing desperate. The small gods have finally managed to change at least a little bit. In part thanks to the influx of new blood, but also partially due to the realization that they came dangerously close to failing at their one and only job. Now they've learned from their mistakes and are staging a comeback.

> would a powerful sorcerer be able to temporarily break the compulsion of an 8th circle in exchange for its service?
Potentially, there isn't a whole lot that a powerful sorcerer can't do. Of course, killing such sorcerers is one of the things that the ninth circle is compelled to do, because such sorcerers also represent an enormous threat to the survival of the world.

The elves, who brought sorcery to the world, came to Oresa in the first place because they blew up their own world with reckless sorcery. Exactly which group of elves is to blame is a matter of some debate, but every group claims it wasn't them.

>>2573091
At what point does a sorcerer become powerful enough to warrant an archdemon coming after them? do they have to mess with stuff they arent supposed to first? How do gods rank compared to demons in power?

>>2573091

Thanks for the quest so far man, looking forward to seeing more of it.

you mentioned earlier that necromancy uses souls as fuel, assuming souls are actually real in the setting, are demons here in the soul-torturing business and gods on the soul rewarding business or those souls don't go to their realms?

>>2573094
> At what point does a sorcerer become powerful enough to warrant an archdemon coming after them? do they have to mess with stuff they arent supposed to first?
The only people who know that for certain are the ninth circle, and they're not a talkative bunch. Generally they just show up, either kill someone or wreck something, and then leave. They are the only form of demon that doesn't need to be summoned, and can simply appear in the mortal world unbidden.

> How do gods rank compared to demons in power?
Back when the small gods still walked the surface of Oresa (they don't anymore, that treaty I mentions strictly prohibits it), a single small god was superior to a single ninth circle demon. Problem was that ninth circle demons are a perfectly coordinated team, not individuals. Operating as a group, the ninth circle were superior.

These days the small gods work solely through intermediaries, namely a small number of angels (also restricted by treaty) and their exalted, mortals empowered with magic from the small gods (the amount they can put in a single mortal is also restricted by treaty). Angels vary in power, but are usually somewhere around 5th or 6th circle in power. Exalted are magically powerful, but fundamentally they're still squishy mortals. In a direct magical matchup, they might be able to equal a 4th circle demon, but if they got blindsided then even a 1st circle demon like Tethis could kill one.

>>2573095
The Ephesian church teaches that demons torture evil souls in Hell while good souls join God (Solace) in Heaven after death. The demons firmly deny being in the soul-torturing business. The small gods claim that they live in Heaven and that Solace isn't there. Also they say they're not involved in the soul rewarding business and moreover that no one is. According to them souls either cross beyond the veil if they attain enlightenment or reincarnate if not. The demons say that the small gods are full of shit and the small gods are really eating the souls of their followers through prayer.

The elves say that everyone else is wrong and that souls dissipate back into the ether upon death. The Habori Empire says that the elves are idiots because how else do you explain the immense number of people with damaged souls born in the Kingdom of Alarish after their extensive use of necromancy over the generations if you deny the idea of souls reincarnating you prancing twigs. The dwarves of the Dvergan Empire say that the elves and Habori are obviously both wrong because non-dwarves are incapable of arriving at correct answers, therefore something else must happen to souls other than reincarnation or dissipation.

In short, it's a big mess.

>>2573115
>in short, it's a big mess

Love it!

>>2573115
This is cool.

>>2573115
Nice like the lore and how you kinda swaped a few things from the gods and demons that people would most commonly see each side doing

>>2573115
haha love the last paragraph

>>2573115
If people are born with damaged souls locally where necromancy is used extensively that would more likely be an indication that the area itself has been tainted by necromantic energy that harms souls as they enter bodies

>>2573219
you're full of shit

t.dwarf

>>2573115
Super, super into the lore, Like, obsessed with lore in general, but I'm kind of invested in the quest now and want to see where this goessss...

So we raided some bandits. Does Tethis have any insight into how they died, being a hunter demon and all?

>>2574096
Tethis knows damn well how they died, since he murdered the shit out of them.

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After three days of travel, you arrive in the town of San Laurent, one of a dozen towns in the shadow of the Salverg mountains. The woods encroach more aggressively here than down in Easterbrook, and the rugged hills have kept the town packed together in a narrow slot along a large stream. Buildings of hard stone match the harder people here, but you're confident that they'll be interested in the softer wares you have to sell. They're only human, after all.

Hannah is taking a turn riding up front with you while you steer, and she's doing a poor job hiding how fascinated she is with all the new sights. After the fourth time someone catches her staring and she looks away embarrassed, you say "you know, we'll be here for at least a few days, maybe more than a week. You'll have plenty of time to see the sights and meet some of the people."

"I know, it's just-" She pauses and looks over your shoulder at one of the local blacksmith shops, which at a glance looks much more impressive than anything in Easterbrook. The demands of the nearby mines and quarries must be substantial to support not just one establishment but several.

"I've just never seen a town like this. With the forest all around and yet so much happening here."

If she thinks this place is busy, you wonder how she would handle a true city. It's not completely quiet, sure, but it's still just a town. But you suppose everyone has to start somewhere.

"Well, with any luck we'll be adding a little bit more to that. We'll need to speak with the local authorities, the mayor, town elders, or their equivalent, to see where we can set up shop."

Asking a few of the townsfolk gets you directions to a meeting hall off the main market square. Out front of the building is a group of people. One of them is a middle-aged man who is likely a local, and he appears to be in the middle of an argument with a much better dressed man. Standing next to the well dressed man, but staying out of the argument, are two more men, one a scribe or assistant of some sort, the other clearly a bodyguard by his size and armament.

"I don't care," says the well-dressed man. "I paid good money for that property and I expect to get what I paid for! Now do your damn job and sign the damn paper!"

"Look," replies the local replies exasperated. "I'm sorry if no one told you, but there's no way we're going to help. It's just too dangerous." He points off to the west, to somewhere much further upstream. "There are things up there that-"

"I don't care! Just clear the road up there! You've got plenty of men on hand, send some of them!"

"They all know what happens to people who go near that place, trust me, you'll not find a man in this town willing to work up there for the kind of money your offering."

> Wait until the argument is done, then approach
> Watch from a safe distance, attempt to eavesdrop
> Approach and intervene diplomatically (bring Hannah)
> Approach and intervene diplomatically (don't bring Hannah)
> Write in

>>2574158
oh. I thought they'd started killing eachother and he'd rolled in and finished the job.

disregard me.

>>2572997
>Yes. He doesn't because he is the bestest boy yes he is.
Is that Marcus's thoughts or QM? He sounds like a hellhound.
>>2574158
Thanks Tethis. How did he know whether it was okay to kill them?

>>2573091
>Potentially, there isn't a whole lot that a powerful sorcerer can't do. Of course, killing such sorcerers is one of the things that the ninth circle is compelled to do, because such sorcerers also represent an enormous threat to the survival of the world.
Is it possible for a demon to enslave oneself or sign a contract to prevent them from entering the 9th circle? Much like how victims of lycanthropy chain themselves before they turn to avoid harming others?
>>2573062
How do they drop themselves back to the 7th circle?

>>2574160
"I happen to be an expert in things up rivers that people won't deal with for small amounts of money. Marcus is the name, and demons selling fine armaments is my game. How might I be of assistance?"

>>2574167
Same, or it was a 3rd party that did so.

>>2574160
>> Approach and intervene diplomatically (bring Hannah)
Just a friendly traveling merchant offering his services. Look at how noble we are. Hannah, take notes.
>>2574185
+1
We could also loan our bodyguards.

>>2574160
>> Watch from a safe distance, attempt to eavesdrop

>>2574160
> Watch from a safe distance, attempt to eavesdrop

>>2574160
>> Watch from a safe distance, attempt to eavesdrop

>>2574160
>Watch from a safe distance, attempt to eavesdrop

Watching and eavesdropping seems to be the winner, now writing.

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Hannah peers over at the argument. "What's going on over there?"

"I don't know," you reply, "but I'd like to. Let's wait and listen for now."

"If you're not willing to do your job-" begins the well-dressed man.

The local seems to lose his patience at that. "My job," he interjects, "is to look out for the people of San Laurent. That means not sending them up there to die just because some spoiled lowlands brat didn't bother to investigate the property he was buying!"

The well-dressed man bristles at that. "Watch your tongue with me you little hill troll, or this town will need to find a new mayor."

The lowlander's bodyguard takes that as his cue to step toward the mayor and loom over him menacingly. The mayor, for his part, does a decent job standing his ground against the much larger man.

"And that new mayor," the smaller man says, "will tell you the same thing that I told you. You can wave around that money and that paper, but it won't convince anyone here to die for your mistake."

"Why? Because they're too afraid of a few ghost stories to just clear a few trees?"

"They're not stories. The people who go near that manor? They don't come back. Call it haunted, call it cursed, call it whatever you like. It's not worth it." He motions around the town with his hands. "You think people here avoid it because they scare easily? These are miners we're talking about. This is already hard, dangerous work. But there are risks and then there's that place." The mayor glares at the well-dressed man. "Don't believe me? Go up there yourself."

The well-dressed man scowls, then turns and nods to his bodyguard. The burly man punches the mayor hard in the gut. The smaller man doubles over, dropping to his knees coughing.

"I'll give you a few days to reconsider. Good day sir," the well-dressed man says with disdain.

He then turns and starts walking down toward the main market, his two lackeys in tow. After they leave, you and Hannah hurry over to the mayor and start helping him to his feet.

"Here, let me help," you say.

Hannah gets on the other side of the mayor and helps to steady him. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, I'm fine," he replies, then winces. "Except for my pride, maybe." He takes a moment to recover, then looks you and Hannah over. When he doesn't recognize you he asks "Who might you two be?"

"My name is Marcus, and this is my assistant, Hannah. We're traveling merchants." The last bit causes Hannah to blush slightly, but the mayor doesn't seem to notice.

Pick two.
> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
> Ask who the well-dressed man was.
> Ask what is going on with the manor upstream from the town.
> Ask about the town of San Laurent.
> Ask about broader news for the foothills, maybe acquire some maps, almanacs, catalogs, and the like.
> Write in.

>>2574430
>> Ask who the well-dressed man was.
>> Ask what is going on with the manor upstream from the town.

Buy rumors, sell news.

...I think that's the saying.

>>2574430
> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
> Ask who the well-dressed man was.

>>2574430
> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
> Ask who th> Ask what is going on with the manor upstream from the town.
> Ask about the town of San Laurent.
> Ask about broader news for the foothills, maybe acquire some maps, almanacs, catalogs, and the like.e well-dressed man was.

Everything! Also how do we feel about human sacrifice?

>>2574509
>Everything! Also how do we feel about human sacrifice?
>>2574430
>Pick two.

>>2574535
But why though? Are we pressed for time? Is something going to interrupt the conversation?

>>2574430
>> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
The main reason why a trader would be here.
>> Ask what is going on with the manor upstream from the town.
and maybe a new opportunity to earn money if we can help with the problem in a more cost-effective manner than the local populace.

>>2574550
I imagine it's a combination of that and so we don't go for >all the options all the time.

>>2574554
Well, if I had to pick only 2

> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
> Ask about broader news for the foothills, maybe acquire some maps, almanacs, catalogs, and the like.

>>2574430
>> Ask for permission to set up shop in town.
> Ask about broader news for the foothills, maybe acquire some maps, almanacs, catalogs, and the like.

>>2574550
The mayor also has stuff to do. He can talk to you, but not forever. He'll hear you out on some things and answer some questions about other things, but eventually there's going to be another person coming to see him and you're just some random dude to him, so you don't really get to monopolize his time.

There are other people in town you can ask other questions to, but this is your chance to ask things that you need to get from the mayor specifically. Or you can come back and see him again tomorrow, he'll probably have a little time to talk again.

>>2574553
+1
>>2574160
>"Well, with any luck we'll be adding a little bit more to that. We'll need to speak with the local authorities, the mayor, town elders, or their equivalent, to see where we can set up shop."
So there's still another person to obtain permission from?

>>2574571
Would taking the quest hook earn us favor from him?

>>2574593
> So there's still another person to obtain permission from?
No, just the mayor, Marcus was just listing the things that the people in charge might be called.
> Would taking the quest hook earn us favor from him?
I mean, if you solved the issue somehow or got the lowlander guy to go away or something like that, then sure, he'd be a lot happier.

Anyway, now writing for permission and manor.

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"Another merchant huh," the mayor says, coughing slightly and straightening himself out. "I don't suppose you're going to have your little lady here punch me too?" He chuckles, then coughs again.

"No, mister mayor," you say.

The mayor shakes his head and holds up a hand. "Just call me Tobias, no need for any of that mister stuff," he says with a smile. "Anyway, how can I help you Marcus?"

"Well, as I said, we're traveling merchants. We just arrived in town today and we were looking to buy and sell some wares here. We thought it would be best to ask permission from whoever was in charge here first though." Your repeated use of the word 'we' makes Hannah smile sheepishly and fiddle with her hair a bit, though she seems to be getting a bit more comfortable with the idea.

"That's mighty considerate of you," Tobias says. "A lot of other folks seem to think they can just barge in here and order us around." He frowns at that, looking in the direction the well-dressed man walked off. Then he turns his gaze back to you. "What wares were you planning on selling?"

"I have good quality textiles from Easterbrook. Clothes, sheets, decorations and the like. Plus some knick-knacks I've picked up along the way." Probably best to explain away the equipment from the bandits that way. No need to tell Tobias exactly what they were or how you got them.

Tobias thinks for a moment, stroking his beard, and then nods. "I'm sure some of the people here would appreciate that. There's a clearing just a bit to the northeast of the market, just up the road past Galen's tavern. It's not the most central place in town, but enough people will see it that it should work. Word will spread pretty quickly that there's someone new in town. Miners like to drink and chat after a hard day's work, and their wives will gossip at even a hint of something new."

"Thank you Tobias. Also, I couldn't help but overhear something about a cursed manor."

"Ah, that. Since you're new here, I should probably warn you about that. A ways upstream to the west, there's an old manor from the Fallen Age."

That takes you by surprise. The Fallen Age, what the Ephesians call the Age of Miracles, was more than 400 years ago, and the Great War destroyed most things from that time. If it could survive the war and then remain standing after being unattended for that long, there might be something special about it.

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"It's been empty for centuries now," Tobias continues, "but the old thing stayed in surprisingly good shape that whole time. Scavengers picked it clean long ago, but about twenty years back people started hearing strange things from up there during the night. Some men went up there to investigate and disappeared."

Huh, so the problem is a much more recent development. "You think something there killed them?"

"I don't know," Tobias replies with a shrug. "None of us do. Another group went up to try to find the first, and most of them just vanished too. The only one of them who came back said that he hadn't gotten near the old manor, but that all the rest who were ahead of him were just there one moment and gone the next. A few people have tried to go up there since then, but no one who got anywhere near that place returned. We still sometimes here grinding sounds from up there, like someone scraping stone on stone."

At that point, the two of you hear a shout coming from the direction of the market. "Tobias!"

You both turn, and see a large man with red hair jogging slowly toward you. "Eric!" Tobias shouts back. As he arrives next to the three of you, Tobias continues. "Is something the matter?"

"Yes, you remember how I told you a few days back that old man Henry took two of my hens?"

Tobias lets out a weary sigh. "Yes. Yes, Eric, I remember that."

"Well just today I saw him with those same hens! When I confronted him, he had the gall to claim they were his!"

Tobias turns toward you and whispers "I think you might want to go, this is going to be a pain."

"Right, thanks again Tobias."

"You're welcome, Marcus," he says, smiling and waving as you depart. "Best of luck with your venture."

Walking back to the wagon, it's not long before Hannah excitedly says "Oh wow, a real life cursed manor!"

> Encourage Hannah's interest
> Caution Hannah
> Write in

Also pick something to do
> Start setting up shop
> Investigate the tavern. In vino veritas, loosened tongues might be willing to tell you more about what's going on here.
> Investigate the local market, you may be able to find some maps, catalogs, almanacs, etc.
> Investigate the local shops, you may be able to find a buyer for some of the wares you've brought with you.
> Investigate the manor, because what's the worst that could happen?
> Write in

>>2574974
>Encourage Hannah's interest

>Investigate the tavern. In vino veritas, loosened tongues might be willing to tell you more about what's going on here.
>Investigate the local market, you may be able to find some maps, catalogs, almanacs, etc.

>>2574974
>Encourage Hannah's interest

>investigate the manor
or
>investigate the local market

>>2574974
>> Encourage Hannah's interest
Embrace the adventure.

>Also pick something to do
Is there a limit?

>>2574158
Did Hannah notice the sudden increase in stuff?

>>2574974
>Caution Hannah
>Start setting up shop

>>2574974
>> Encourage Hannah's interest
An excellent way to give her a reason to start wondering about the supernatural world. Hell, if we somehow 'help' people while doing it, she might think more about becoming an apprentice.

>> Investigate the local market, you may be able to find some maps, catalogs, almanacs, etc.
The tavern would open later, so better to visit the market or shops while they're still open during the day. Knowing more about the land would help in making a fast getaway if the worst happens.

>>2574998
One please. For the sake of my mental health.

>>2575000
Thankfully no, it wasn't really that much by volume, especially buried under all the other stuff you have. Plus she never really got a good look at what was in the cart at the start of the trip. It was night, after all.

>>2574974
>Encourage hannah's interest
>Investigate the local shops

We'll need money before we can start buying

>>2575012
>One please. For the sake of my mental health.
I thought you were a demonologist?

>>2574974
>> Investigate the local shops, you may be able to find a buyer for some of the wares you've brought with you.
>> Start setting up shop
What's the difference?

>>2575057
You're going to need to set up at some point. Unpacking stuff will take time. Setting up is also more of a general move that leaves your options open while investigating the shops focuses on finding a buyer to sell stuff to faster. You know, just in case you need to get out of town quickly. Going to the market is the opposite, you're looking mainly to buy there. Going to the tavern is the general info and rumormongering pick.

>>2575012
>>2574974
In that case, I'll switch to just
>Investigate the local market
For now.

>>2575090
If it's a general move then going for a plan seems better.
>>2575040
+1, need that dosh. What's our wallet?

>>2575100
You currently have 17 silver.

Seems like encourage and market are the winners. Now writing.

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You chuckle at Hannah's enthusiasm as you climb back onto the wagon and start down toward the market. "And one from the Fallen Age, no less. When armies of demons battled false gods in the open," you say in a dramatic tone. "When magic could grow a forest like this in a matter of days," you say, leaning over close to Hannah and motioning out toward the woods surrounding San Laurent. "When mighty heroes and terrible villains struggled with one another for the souls of all mankind." You chuckle again and shrug. "I'll admit, it's an exciting thought."

Hannah smiles wryly at your theatrics. "Is finding this sort of thing normal for you?"

"Well, I don't find a ruin from the Fallen Age in every stop, if that's what you're asking. But do I find something new and interesting?" You nod. "Certainly more often than not." You turn to Hannah and give her a smile. "There's still plenty of magic left in this world, if you're willing to go looking for it."

The look of delight on Hannah's face when you say that is a radiant sight. It causes your heart to tighten a bit, reminding you of everything you're keeping from her. Would she be so delighted if she knew who, and what, she was really dealing with?

"But for now," you say as you bring the wagon to a stop in market, "I think we should look for some local resources. Maps, catalogs, almanacs, and the like. The market should be a good place to start, and that will help us figure out what will be cheap here and now but sell well elsewhere and in the future."

Hannah nods, and the two of you fan out through the market, Ibrahim staying to watch the horses and wagon.

The map turns out to be the easiest to find. With all the mining going on here, the local area has seen a lot of surveying. As expected the terrain is rough, and the map you acquired has two sections marked out as hazardous. One to the west along the stream, apparently called Boden's Creek, is presumably the Fallen Age manor that Tobias mentioned. The other is quite a distance to the southwest and is marked 'Elves' along with a comically inaccurate depiction of what the mapmaker apparently thought elves looked like.

Strange, you don't recall hearing about elves in these parts. What would they be doing this deep in Torien? And for long enough that it made it onto a map? Perhaps it's simply outdated information. Maybe elves were sighted there once decades ago, and the idea that there are elves there has just stuck around in the local memory? It might be worth investigating in the future.

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Hannah is able to find an almanac and leads you back to it, since you're the one carrying most of the money. The meager planting schedules and focus on game seasons indicates that the locals don't do as much farming as they do hunting and trapping. In that case, you might be able to pick up some hides or even furs for sale elsewhere. You think you saw a lodge further up the road from the meeting hall, that might be a could place to check. Alternately, there may be hunters at the tavern boasting of their exploits.

It also seems to indicate that copper coinage isn't as valuable here. You could exchange some of your silver Trents for copper Darrens. Here that would get you 10 copper Darrens for a single silver Trent, when elsewhere 1 Trent is equal to 8 Darrens. You'd probably want to do that before you leave.

At the end of the trip, you have some information, but a little less coin.

Roll 6d10 for bartering.

Rolled 3, 4, 6, 6, 5, 8 = 32 (6d10)

>>2575415
gib intel

Rolled 10, 6, 8, 9, 10, 10 = 53 (6d10)

>>2575415
how many people should roll?

Rolled 2, 3, 3, 1, 6, 9 = 24 (6d10)

>>2575415
Let's go!

>>2575446
Just one is enough

>>2575434
> 4 successes = Major Success
Writing.

>>2575446
with a roll like that probably not many

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It was surprisingly easy to get a good deal on the map and almanac. The people of San Laurent must not get freewheeling merchants through very often, since they don't seem to realize just how valuable some of this is. They must deal mostly through long term arrangements, ore for food over the course of years and things like that, so they're not up on how much money can be made with more tactical trades. You manage to pick the two up for 3 silver, bringing your current total to 14.

Hannah also impresses you with how quickly she's getting into the swing of things. They say the best cons are two man affairs, but apparently having a pretty young woman as your assistant makes people a lot more pliable. A little buttering up from her certainly made a difference.

As the day winds to a close and the market and shops begin to close up for the night, you bring the wagon around past Galen's tavern. The sign bears the name 'The Giant's Thumb' in stylized lettering and shows a massive hand with its thumb raised. The sounds from inside tell you that the night's crowd is already starting to arrive. Beyond the tavern are a few more buildings, one of which is thankfully a stables, followed by a small open field, no doubt the spot Tobias mentioned.

Your horses are quite tired by the time the wagon rolls to a stop for the night, and Ibrahim quickly sets to work bringing them around to the stables for the night.

Sort out sleeping arrangements for your stay in San Laurent, stabling cost will be included.
> Find a room in town for all of you. This may complicate any demon summoning you want to do, since you'll be sharing a room with Hannah. Also might be scandalous among the local townsfolk.
> Find two separate rooms, one for you and Ibrahim, the other for Hannah. This is more expensive, but it is socially acceptable and leaves open possibility of summoning demons without Hannah's knowledge.
> Find a room for Hannah, you and Ibrahim sleep in the tent. This is cheaper and socially acceptable. Demon summoning will be easy, but you'll be some distance from Hannah if anything bad happens.
> Everyone sleeps in the tent. Complicates demon summoning, but it's cheap. The townsfolk also probably won't notice.

Also do you want spend the evening
> Unpacking. This will allow you to begin commerce bright and early.
> At the Giant's Thumb. This will potentially get you some information, but will delay any merchant business until later in the day tomorrow.

>>2575586
>> Find two separate rooms, one for you and Ibrahim, the other for Hannah. This is more expensive, but it is socially acceptable and leaves open possibility of summoning demons without Hannah's knowledge.


>> Unpacking. This will allow you to begin commerce bright and early.

>>2575595
Going with this guy

>>2575586
>Find two separate rooms, one for you and Ibrahim, the other for Hannah. This is more expensive, but it is socially acceptable and leaves open possibility of summoning demons without Hannah's knowledge.
>Unpacking. This will allow you to begin commerce bright and early.
ideally well be here a while so keep to the story and don't rush

>>2575597
The Palpatine approach works. Be polite, pleasant even. Until it's time for the win.

>>2575595
>>2575586
Second.

>>2575598
>>2575605
+1
Be sure to caution Hannah about letting people into her room, especially after a night in the tavern.

>>2575586
>>2575595
this

Two rooms and unpacking it is.

Roll 6d10 for bartering on the rooms.

Next story post will probably be the last for the night.

>>2575595
This

Rolled 7, 6, 8, 8, 1, 5 = 35 (6d10)

>>2575645
Now let's see here...

Rolled 9, 8, 1, 7, 5, 8 = 38 (6d10)

>>2575645

>>2575652
> 5 successes = Critical Success
Writing.

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You spend the evening helping Ibrahim get everything unpacked, sorted, and ready to go for tomorrow. Thoroughly exhausted from a day of travel, bartering, and setting up, you decide to call it a night and treat the three of you to decent lodgings for a change. The Giant's Thumb has a few rooms free, and you arrange with Galen to rent out two of them for your stay. Galen, looks at you, then at Hannah, then back at you with a sly grin. You manage to get away with only paying 6 silver for two rooms for a week, quite a steal.

Ibrahim quickly ducks into the room the two of you will be sharing, leaving you to walk Hannah to her room. She stops in the doorway. By the look on her face, you can tell there are so many things that she wants to say. But after a moment's hesitation, she doesn't say any of them. Instead she quickly leans forward and gives you a peck on the cheek.

"Goodnightmarcus," she says hastily and then shuts the door in a desperate bid to save herself from embarrassment.

You pause outside the door as your hand slowly confirms that yes, your cheek still exists and that no, her lips did not burn your horrible heretic flesh. You're also pretty sure you hear a soft giggle from the other side of the door before you head back to your room for the night.

There, Ibrahim is lying on one of the two beds. His eyes are closed as if asleep, but you know him well enough to know that he isn't. You also know him well enough to recognize that accusing silence he's giving you.

"What?" you ask.

"I said nothing," he replies.

You frown. So he wants to play it that way. "You were thinking something. What was it?"

After several long seconds Ibrahim says, "I was thinking how odd it is for a man willing to risk all for the faith to enjoy deceiving pretty young women as much as you do."

"What the blazes are you talking about?"

He motions with his head very slightly towards Hannah's room.

"I haven't lied to her," you say defensively. You've been very careful to walk the fine line between being honest and deceitful. Your ability to do that is the entire reason you and Ibrahim have made such an effective team. Surely he can see that.

"Lying would be understandable," Ibrahim says. "We are in the lion's den and must lie to survive. No, you have told her half-lies. A man who tells lies merely hides the truth. A man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it."

He says no more, and you're too tired to argue with that nonsense. Instead you lie down on the first real bed you've slept on in weeks and go to sleep.

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The morning greets you more quickly than you would have expected. You rise and look over to Ibrahim's bed. Unsurprisingly he isn't there. Knowing how hungry he gets, he's probably gone to get something to eat.

You open the door and find yourself looking out into a massive, towering room. The ceiling looms high overhead, so high that you can barely see it. The walls are adorned with brilliant red and gold banners and at the far end is an enormous window of stained glass. The light that streams in through the window bathes the cavernous chamber in orange hues and makes you feel like you have stepped into a furnace.

In the center of the chamber is a great eagle made of fire, looking down upon you with empty black eyes.

"Huh," you say.

...So we might be late getting to breakfast.

>>2575811
...close the door.

That's it for tonight. The quest will resume Monday at the usual time (5 pm EST, 2pm PST). Depending on where this thread is I might continue with it, or I might start a new one.

I now have a twitter account for updates.
https://twitter.com/DemonologistQM

Thread is archived, it can be found here.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Demonologist%20Quest

As before, I'll be around for a little bit longer so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. I'd also love to hear any comments you might have.

>>2575833
Always a fine response.

>>2575842
Thanks for running! Don't have much to comment of, but I feel like that might change the next session.

>>2575842
If you're going to start a new one, post link from here so it's easy to get to.

>>2575811
Right first of all BE POLITE & RESPECTFUL we're probably dealing with a demon or small god and the last thing we want to go is insult them.
So politely inquire as to who we are addressing and why they have brought us here.

>>2575842
Also question: aside from becoming 9th circle can demons die? For that matter has the number of demons in the higher circles just been constantly increasing as the lower circles empty upwards?

>>2575854
Will do.

>>2575858
> aside from becoming 9th circle can demons die?
Yes. They can be killed violently, it's just really hard. About as hard as killing a small god. But there are just so damn many of them compared to small gods that, until you get a high level demon, it's never really worth the effort when you could banish them instead.

There's also the fact that demons don't have infinite memory capacity, and low level demons have a lot less than higher level ones. A first circle demon only has about 20 years worth of memory. After that, as they gain new memories they also lose old ones. It doubles with each circle, so by the eighth circle you have demons with over 2,500 year memories.

But on a long enough timescale every demon is essentially a ship of Theseus. New bits are added to replace old bits, and eventually the demon is made of entirely different memories than before. This is why true names, which are tied to the the nature of that demon, will change over time. It will take a while, potentially centuries depending on the demon, but eventually true names become out of date.

> For that matter has the number of demons in the higher circles just been constantly increasing as the lower circles empty upwards?
The higher circles do take losses. The ninth circle, for all their power and teamwork, go up against people who are powerful enough to blow up the world by accident. Even if they do absolutely everything perfectly, some of them can still die just because high level sorcery is insanely destructive. Plus a bunch of them died in the Great War, and their ranks refill slowly.

The eighth circle also takes losses because they're engaged in insane schemes to save themselves from becoming ninth circle, which often involves conflict with the mortal world. And an eighth circle demon is absolutely the sort of thing that people are willing to put the time and effort into killing permanently. The eighth circle demons are willing to take that risk though, because failure basically means death anyway.

Also, even if a demon goes full speed ahead with no reservations or second thoughts, it can take hundreds or even thousands of years for them to work their way up to the ninth circle. New first circle demons pop into existence all the time, and they slowly rise through the ranks, with each step up being harder than the last. As a result the ranks of demons are very much a pyramid shape, albeit with a weird bulge at the top because there are usually a bit more ninth circle demons than eighth.

This is a really neat quest you have going here. I'm interested.

Caught up and I'm interested.

This quest is amazing! Please keep it up! It scratches that The Amulet of Samarkand ich I still have after reading that book series so long ago, if this quest get long enough it might if turned into book form have chance at selling to fans of the The Amulet of Samarkand book serie. And as always thank you qm for being one of those who make /q/ such a great place!

Agree with the others.. Just finished reading and it's a great quest so far!

>>2575411
hi QM, of the demons we know, who would be the least... off-putting... to someone who might want to get into demonology?

Our gateway drug, as it were. The friendly neighborhood demon who has a taste for consuming artwork and isn't going to scare the poor girl off?

Excellent quest, anon ! I love the fact that the 5-6 demons we're closer to (Thetis, etc...) are like a dark pokemon team.

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Deciding that it is entirely too early in the morning for this sort of thing, you shut the door.

Several seconds pass as you wait listening at the door to see if that angered your visitor. While you don't hear anything like a great fiery bird from the other side of the door, you do feel an odd sensation of wind blowing across your back. You turn around and find that you are no longer in your room at the Giant's Thumb. Instead you appear to be in a long corridor made of finely polished stone stretching off into the distance, with windows set into the wall along the left side.

Outside one of the windows is the bird, it's head turned to the side and one of it's empty eyes peering into the hallway at you.

"Oh. I'm still asleep, aren't I."

The bird nods.

"Well, I suppose that's a relief."

You walk over to the window and look out, trying to see past the bird to determine where you are. Past the flames you spy the ocean, stretching out to the horizon. Looking down you see that the 'building' you're in appears to be floating above the water.

Turning back to your fiery visitor, you adopt the respectful tone that you often use when dealing with demons. "If I may be so bold, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

The bird seems a little surprised by the question, or perhaps by the fact that you asked it quite calmly. It might be used to people being a bit more surprised than you are.

> Ask politely about who it is and what its intentions are.
> Ask impolitely
> Explain to it that you have experience dealing with strange entities
> Explore the building
> Try to wake up
> Write in