You are Osyki, newly promoted Totemist and first line of defense for your village against the rabid Behemoths wandering the land. Your master, the previous Totemist, fell in a battle against a terrible Basilisk Wyrm, leaving the duty of defending your settlement to you. After consulting with your bound spirits, Amal and Tryd, you are headed into the Ikrin mountains to corner one of its indigenous Rock Turtles, enormous creatures that can grow to the size of a house. You plan to slay one of these creatures in ritualized combat, drawing its spirit into a focus plucked from its own body in a ritual known as a Feral Binding. This is the first test for a serious Totemist to take, and an important first step in cementing your position in the eyes of the villagers.

-Pack:
> One large, sturdy blacksmith's hammer (Borrowed)
> Rations for one day of travel
> Twenty feet of sturdy rope
> One lantern, full of oil
> One flask of oil
> One ritual dagger, important for harvesting a proper Focus
> A small hammer and chisel
> A few pieces of chalk.
> One roll of bandages
> Several white stones (pumice?), for scrubbing wounds clean
> Jar of thick green disinfectant salve
> Whint bloom flower.

-Equipped:
> Ancestral Spear, with bound spirit (White Claw Focus)
> Amber Pendant Focus (Amal)
> Coal Charm Focus (Tryd)

---

> Previous threads:
> Thread 1: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/14975796/
> Thread 2: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15001904/

[[ Is this a bad time for questin' folk? ]]

>>15014247
I guess so...
Go ahead and start making the ceremonial markings on the floor or wall. We need to define our battle arena.

>>15014332

Do you want to make your runes in the long tunnel you're in now, or in the large circular room? Moving into the room may attract the attention of Rock Turtles.

rolled 23 = 23

>>15014396
How many turtles are there? We need to lure only one out

Yey, I was waiting for this :3

>>15014408

You're not entirely sure. From what you can see from your hiding place, there appear to be five or six separate holes in the wall of the cavern, not counting the entrance that you are looking into the chamber from. You can definitely see movement within three of them.

Make a set of runes in the tunnel, with chalk. Do it quickly and quietly. These things may sense vibrations for all you know, chisels and hammers are well out.

Get Amal to scout ahead.

Can I get a second?

rolled 31 = 31

>>15014438
We can send Amal ahead to scout, right?
I don't want Osyk to deal with more than one turtle

You grip your pendant tightly, recalling the triangular nature spirit. He shimmers into view, his radiant figure casting further shadows across the floor.

"I need you to see how many Rock Turtles are in the room ahead." you whisper. "If you can get a general idea on how old they all are, even better. Don't get noticed."

The prism pulses once, then ascends to the ceiling of the cavern. You can spot his faint glow edging around the tops of each of the archways, dipping inside for only a moment before quickly retreating. You're thankful to have the spirit on your side. He's keeping you significantly out of danger.

He returns to you side after a few minutes, floating close to your ear to report his findings.

"Four turtles in the various caverns. Two younglings, one adult, and one that's positively massive. Huge. Big as a house, covered in shiny bits. All of them have some sort of horn growing from the tops of their heads. Only the big one is awake."

You think on this for a moment. None of the Rock Turtles that you saw in the basin had any protrusions on their heads.

You set your pack gently against the ground, wincing as the lantern strapped to its side clanks slightly. Even your own breathing feels too loud in this place. Every drop of water echos up and down the tunnel walls, fighting to make itself heard over its fellows. You draw the chalk from your bag, looking for the driest places to make your runes.

Holding your breath, you gently scratch out the sixteen runes of Feral Binding in a rough circular pattern around a wide stretch of the tunnel. It gives you about sixty feet of room to work with, not bad for an area to keep a Rock Turtle in. The chalk's scraping has set your nerves on edge, and you constantly check over your shoulder to ensure that the cavern remains silent. Fortunately, it seems at though everything is still for the moment.

You know where we'd have the advantage of mobility? Outside the damn cave. If you stay inside it, you have less maneuverability and more targets coming after you.

This would be a wonderful time to go back outside the cavern, chisel some runes into the area near the cave mouth, and try to find a rock to slide into its mouth so the entrance is blocked. Trap the huge turtle outside with you, the others can dig their way out later. Or drop some rocks onto its head and stun it.

If you didn't see any opportunities of that sort on the way in, it's time to bait it out with food, light, heat, or noise - put a ration down inside the circle, then put your lantern in a corner and light it so you can see the turtle when it comes for the ration. Back up as far as you can and wait. If nothing happens, make some noise with your hammer or spear.

>>15014651
If we go for the big one the younger ones shouldn't bother us. It has a lot of weakspots we can aim for (the cracks with gems) but the fight would likely be tough.

>>15014751
The healer in the village in the last thread said taking on ONE rock turtle was life or death as it is, and now we're taking on the toughest one - and the others shouldn't bother us?

Let's not kill the main character just yet : /

[[ What's it to be, gents? In or out, young or old? ]]

>>15014867
Old and out.

>>15014884
Wouldnt in be better? We are smaller and have more maneuverability inside the cave than a large rock turtle right?

>>15014957
The rock turtle knows the cave pretty well, and the younger turtles are faster. They're inside and asleep, don't you think the huge old turtle banging around in there would wake them?

>>15015008
Besides which, our master died fighting something inside its own lair. Let's not repeat his actions until we know what we're doing.

>>15015024
We can also set shit up outside.

alright, storyteller, that's a majority/consensus for out and old

and more updates would be awesome

With a frown, you re-assess your surroundings. There are too many chances in the relatively narrow tunnel for you to get caught pinned against a wall or stalagmite. Besides that, a fight in the cave would almost certainly awaken all of the residents. Better to retreat to the sunlight.

You shoulder your pack, slowly returning to the outside. Casting your eyes about for the potential of a trap, you spot a few spires of rock jutting upward toward the heavens directly above the cave's mouth. The weather has channeled deep grooves into their bases, and a few solid blows with your hammer could send them raining down on the landscape below. You also remember seeing a fairly large boulder atop the canyon walls a short ways back, though you're unsure whether or not you could move the rock into position with the strength and resources you have on hand. The trail is wide enough to fight one of the beasts comfortably on, though you'll need to be very careful about keeping some distance between yourself and the wall. Do you want to engrave the runes of binding in a circle just outside the cave? Around its mouth? Or perhaps a ways back along the trail, closer toward the basin? In addition, will you use chalk again, or take the time to chisel in the bindings?

Engrave the runes in the area in front of the cave, in the path of the boulder if it were to drop from the canyon walls. We'll use the stalagmites as an initial set of weapons.

Then put a ration down a little outside the cave mouth, climb the canyon walls (possibly with Amal's help) and secure yourself above the cave mouth with the rope. Ready your hammer, you're going to drop some stalagmites into this thing's face after luring it out by making a racket.

If the old turtle doesn't come out, send in the spirits to lure it out with bursts of light or fire in its eyes or something.

After the initial assault, it's time for a contest of strength with the boulder. Your spear and possibly the rope should serve to rig up a decent lever.

>>15015139
Chisel just outside the cave. Then send Tryd in to lure the old turtle. We should wait to see how well this works before we commit ourselves to any method of killing it, although I agree the highground is probably where we should situate ourselves.

It's time for a few preparations. You scramble up the canyon wall, dropping your pack at the top. There's no reason you should keep it on while fighting, and you'd hate for you lantern or your salve to get busted or stepped on while you fought this thing. Drawing both of your hammers, your chisel, your knife, and the length of rope from the bag, you go to work.

You labor silently in the mid-day sun as you slam the smaller of your two hammers into the chisel over and over again, carving out the sixteen runes once more in blocky, jagged shapes. They aren't pretty, and the cracks running from your inexpert working of the stone worry you slightly, but they seem passable. They'll do.

You drop a few pieces of fruit and your bread in the center of the binding circle, being sure to arrange it so that the brightest and most fragrant of the fruits faces the cave. You're not sure how good the eyesight on these turtles is, but you're not really willing to take a chance at this point.

Ascending the canyon wall once more, you test the heft and weight on your hammer. It's a little clumsy, but it has a good weight to it. You give it a few test swings to familiarize yourself with the way it moves, then stick it into a loop in your belt.

Perched in your vantage point just over the cave entrance, you place the coal charm into your hand and call Tryd fully into being once again. He glances at your surroundings, incredulous. "Unbelievable. You're actually going through with this. Here's hoping the huge git crushes that prison when he steps on you, so I don't have to sit on top of a mountain for eternity."

You bear the onslaught calmly, waiting for him to finish. "Follow the tunnel inside this cave until you reach a large cavern." you instruct the imp, spear clenched tight in hand. "Find the largest and eldest of the Turtles in its nest around the cavern, and lure it out to where those rations are. Try to do it without waking any of the others."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that." Tryd scoffs, already jumping down to the cave's mouth. "These things sleep like the dead."

You watch as the soot imp scampers into the cave, his eyes burning points in the darkness. It seems like a long wait as you ready your hammer, placing your spear into its sling on your back. You're almost tempted to go down and check on him when the earth rumbles beneath your feet. A great, bellowing roar bursts forth from the cave below. Small rocks go flying out of the entrance, shortly followed by the frantically flailing form of Tryd. He jumps up to you in a series of short hops, flexing his claws nervously.

"Well, he's up, and he's coming. Not happy, though. Biggest damn turtle I've ever seen. You'd think it was a Behemoth, if it didn't move so damn slow. I'm not sure if that groan of his woke any of the others, so be careful."

The imp seems as though he is about to say something else, but freezes as the ground shakes once again. The rhythmic pounding of the ground continues as a truly massive head slowly snakes its way out of the cave entrance.

(Cont.)

The horn is the first thing you notice. Long, curved, and fashioned from some sort of blue crystal, it juts out of the crown of the Turtle's head like a stony crown. The beast's head alone is easily the size of your body, and as the long neck is slowly followed by a huge, jewel encrusted shell, you begin to have second thoughts about this endeavor.

The Turtle spies the food. It seems suspicious of the offering for a moment, but it lowers it head and scoops up the rations in a single bite. The center of its shell is just outside of the cave entrance, with the latter half of it lying within. You ready your hammer to send the stone spire hurtling down. Engage, Osyki?

>>15015522
FIRE AWAY! imo we jump down onto it immediately after to hammer anything rock that gets sufficiently lodged into a crack rather than try to push a boulder onto it if this initial attack fails to kill it; we may not be able to budge the boulder and thus waste time and will destroy/lose access to less jewels this way. Once we're down on it if there are no good options to hammer and it's still alive we should run up it's neck and stab it in the head with our spear.

>>15015662
actually scratch that. Let's just send the spire down at it and then drop down onto and try to stab it in the head. I don't see how hammering could be faster than stabbing.

>>15015662
Worry about loot after you manage to kill it. It has more shell and bone and blood than you do. Use good tactics.

HAMMER ON STALAGMITE ENGAGE. Preferably the one over its head or neck, especially if there are cracks there. Sever its spinal cord if it has one, paralyze it.

If the turtle gets hit squarely in the right place and is mortally wounded or ready to die, get to it and get it squarely within the circle, then use your speed focus and ritual knife to finish the job.

The imp and Amal may be of use in keeping the thing inside the rune circle here.

>>15015729
Armor. Let's send down the rock like it says here >>>15015779
and see what happens.

So seconding engagement with stalagmite anyway.

As the hammer swings upward, you focus all of your strength into your arms. This may very well be the last thing you do in this world, and you'd like not to make a mockery of it. You can feel the adrenaline coursing through you as you stare down at the positively enormous creature below, balking at the concept of taking it down. It seems to be the sort of thing that would hardly notice you if it walked past you. Hopefully, that will extend you longevity in this endeavor.

The downswing of the hammer doesn't carry much thought at all. Only a warcry, the feeling of metal on stone, and the sudden and satisfying crack emanating from the stone beneath snaps you from your focus. The crack in the spire's base spiderwebs outwards in an instant, loosing the huge pillar of rock from its mooring. With a second powerful blow you send the spire hurtling over the edge of the cave's mouth, watching as it falls through the air.

As the stone pillar slams with a resounding shattering sound into the Rock Turtle's back, you are already swing for the next spire. As fragments of rocky shell fly upward into the air, you are loosing the second of three heavenly strikes to plummet down onto the turtle below. By the time that the turtle has time to let loose a bellow of shock and anger, you have already sent the third spire crashing downward onto its enormous figure.

The three pillars inflict substantial damage to the behemoth, cracking its stony shell further and exposing large chunks of slightly less rock-like flesh to the open air. The Turtle's head turns slowly to bring you within its sights. By that time, you have sent the final spire plummeting downward toward it.

(Cont.)

>>15015962
>(Cont.)

>>15015962
>>15015973
And this, elegan/t g/entlemen, is how we fucking roll.

With a practiced motion you draw your spear from your back, watching as the polished claw attached to it swings and sparkles in the afternoon sun. Calling upon the power of the great spirit within that talon, you charge forward and leap from the cliffside, your feet making contact with the jagged, severed edge of the earthen missile. The turtle opens its jaws as if to snap at the final projectile, and the horn of crystal on its head glows with a strange light. You can feel a sudden rush of wind from behind you, and a vortex of air forms around the glowing crystalline crown. As this happens, a thought occurs to you.

> You are surfing an giant spire of rock through the air, fully intending on ramming it into a monster the size of a Behemoth, spear in hand.

> You are grinning.

As you fall, things seem to slow down slightly. Time has begun to dilate for you, and as you continue you fall you notice two things shining. One is the focus of your weapon, glowing with crimson light. The other is the horn of the beast, forming what appears to be a spark of cyan energy before it.

What now, Totemist?

>>15016008
Jump to dodge the lightning bolt, spear the turtle in it's exposed weak spot, grapple the turtle and keep stabbing. Turtle can't hit things that are on its back.

>Nearing its head, time slowing down
>Can't kill it with anything other than your ritual knife

BLIND OR MORTALLY WOUND IT, FOR FUCKSAKE. Stab it with the earth projectile in the head, hopefully the eyes, mouth, or as a last resort, your crystal horn. Use your spear as well.

If it's stunned, that's good too.

After that, we ensure it's inside the circle and kill it by slashing its throat or something coup-de-grace like.

>>15016047
That's me, just seconding the preparedness to dodge mentioned in >>15016034 before initiating all the other shit.

The turtle is facing us? Our spire of rock is heading right for it?

FULL SPEED AHEAD! Let's jump off our flying rock towards the beast to gain moar momentum and stab it's horn!

>>15016069
>stab it in its horn!
>stab the massive thing with the vulnerable flesh on its back in its ARMORED, CHARGING WEAPON

Are you sure about that, anon?

>>15016100
100%
Our thing is glowing, it's thing is glowing. It just sorta makes sense.

>>15016133
They're glowing because magic energy is pooling in each. The Rock Turtle's magic energy isn't the kind that's gonna bang ours and make babbies. Also the entirety of it is made of rocks, you'll be stabbing a hard thing.

Seconding getting on its back though.

>>15016157
I was hoping that our attack would break the horn, thus stopping his attack and preventing him from trying to use it again.

>>15016230
I thought we wanted to bind it in the horn.

Has the plan changed? I liked that plan.

>>15016249
idk I think that's the way consensus is leaning. I was suggesting an alternate.

> Writing this post
> Song comes on
> Fuck year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTlbi-dCjI

You tense your body as time slows further around you, the adrenaline in your body mixing with the powerful spirit imbuing its strength into your spear. As the bolt of blue energy rockets forth from the Turtle's horn you shift your feet, throwing yourself backwards and arching your back. You can feel the sizzling heat of the projectile as it passes directly beneath the small of your back, the waves of fiery intensity scorching your clothing. You clear the bolt, barely, and complete your flip, landing somewhat unsteadily on the long, serpentine neck of the Turtle. You watch as your projectile comes spiraling down after you, sending the pillar-chunks lodged in the monster's back even further into its body with a resounding, echoing crash. Not one to waste time, you immediately begin to run down the Turtle's neck.

The rush of wind and the whine of energy alert you to another incoming shot, and you throw yourself forward in time to dodge another crackling blue orb of energy. The blast blows a large chunk from the remaining shell. Even in your advanced state of speed, you're having a tough time dodging these. A second spared for a glance backward shows the Turtle staring at you, its head craned as far back as it can go, attempting to target you with its horn from the corner of its eye. You could potentially use its impeded vision to blast away the remains of the shell, or you could go for the killing strike while dodging blasts. Your grin has only widened since you landed.

rolled 28 = 28

Go for that kill! Let's do this!

>>15016282
Vote for killing strike while dodging.

>>15016282
Quick! Have Tyrd fuck with his eyes! Focus on dodging blasts until he starts doing that and then stab away!

>>15016282
Do we have any throwing weapons to hurl at its eye?
If so, do that.
If not, stab it in the kidney and run. It'll bleed out, duie from sepsis, or get Boulder'd.
What's the nearest route of escape?

>>15016309
>>15016282
Get that spear ready and start stabbing it as you dodge, totemist, and be careful that the wound is not immediately fatal. You still have to kill it with your ritual knife - as soon as the strength goes out of it, get the knife out and do your thing.

Whatever you do, don't get shot.

MAN I TOUGHT THIS QUEST HAD TANKED.
ASSUMING NAMEFAG AND READING AT MY CUSTOMARY 2000+ WPM.

>>15016332
We need to harvest its spirit in a specific way, guys. It might not even be in the circle of binding runes, which it needs to be in. Keep yourself trackable enough to make it follow you in or you'll fuck up the ceremony.

>>15016323
>>15016332
Attack it's eyes.

>>15016366
Oh. Right we do need to do this.

Make sure it's in the circle.

THEN KILL IT IN THE TRADITIONAL MANNER

>>15016389
First we need to wound it bad enough that it won't kill us while we do that.

Pretty sure it's still in the circle atm but yeah that shit's important... hope we didn't fuck the circle up with all these falling rocks.

>>15016413
We should check the circle once we've disabled it. I'm pretty sure we can draw circles on it with the chalk if we need to?

>>15016413
>>15016440
We should keep stuff like this in mind in the future.

Your grip on your weapon is white-knuckled as you run along the beast's ruined back, sinking the blade of your spear into the monster's exposed flesh over and over again. Twice, you barely escape the crackling spheres of energy. Twice, you feel the burning ever so briefly on your skin and on your eyes before your reflexes prevail and you hurl yourself out of the way. Running, rolling, spinning ducking, you are a dervish of blades and spiritual magic.

Reversing your course suddenly to duck under a wave of destructive energy, you sprint back along the remains of a ruined shell, jumping left and right to avoid pitted sinkholes of your own doing. Your sprint up the Turtle's neck is very nearly your end as a bolt heads directly for your head, but a well-placed leap sends you flying over the line of lightning launched from the crystal crown by inches. You call to your spirits as you land, summoning them from their Foci. Amal and Tryd instinctively go to work, Amal serving as a secondary distraction while Tryd summons his control over flame and ash as best he can to blind the beast. You arrive at the base of the Turtle's skull. Your reflection in the crystal horn is distorted and warped, but you can see the look of determination in your own eyes. You wont back down now.

(Cont.)

Your spear spins around once, then twice as you run. Halting its rotation, bring your arm up in preparation for a powerful stab directly to its eye. The rush of wind signaling another blast rapidly changes your plan, however. There is no room to dodge a shot from so close, and you have second before you are vaporized. Acting on instinct, you plunge your weapon into the beast's left eye and throw yourself over the side of its head, clinging desperately to your spear.

The cutting blade of cyan energy passes less than an inch from the top of your head as you drop, ripping your spear free from the eye socket in a gory shower of black and red. You tumble to the ground, rolling as you hit it, and take off running again. Every part of your body aches, but you can't be far from victory now. You are in the center of the binding circle, on the ground. The Turtle's head, neck, and most of its upper body are within the bound of the circle. If you plan to bind its horn, this is the proper time. If you wish to harvest its shell, however, some luring will be in order. Your spear vibrates in your hand, eager for more combat, more blood.

That horn is potent as FUCK. That's our new foci!

Can we get both?

If we can, lure that fucker. Use its ruined field of vision, staying on its blind side and making it come towards you and into the circle in order to get its shell in position as well as its horn.

If we can only get one thing, go for what you've got, it'll be a hell of a help later. Ritual knife or spear to the throat, then ritual knife to the brain, all while your fire imp spirit burns out its other eye.

>>15016493
We need all the help we can get right now. If we lure it, can we bind both the horn and the shell, or only one?
Because I gotta tell ya, even tough good armor is a nice prospect, the ability to shoot fucking lightningballs willy nilly from an enchanted horn-spear is both radder and sweeter than being THE TANK
If both possible, lure. If only one, STRIKE AT THE BEAST WITH THE RITUAL KNIFE WHILE SCREAMING SOMETHING VAGUELY NORDIC BUT WHOLY AWESOME

If we bind the horn we'll probably get laser beams or something like that, which is nice. However binding the shell will probably give us toughness, endurance and great strength. This seems more useful overall than lasers. My suggestion is to, lure it a bit farther in and bind the shell. We should stay in it's blind spot now that one of it's eyes is useless.

Why would we need to lure it to collect the gems from it's shell? Or do you mean that what's within the circle affects the results of the binding?

Either way let's do this shit! Do a cursory inspection of the circle and then bind the horn!

I'm going to say try for both, prioritize horn though.

Ranged capabilites would enable us to get some rad-ass shit.

Like a Drake.

>>15016282

Bob and weave into range and get on its back!

Then we run up the neck in true anime bullshit style and open its throat with the sacrificial dagger.

I think we're making a lot of assumptions about what we're going to get. If you look at the older threads it makes it sound like we'll just become tougher or something and you're all assuming that we're going to be shooting lighting like it was.

>>15016594
It's not an unreasonable thought that binding a lightning shooting horn gives us lightning while binding the tough strong shell gives us toughness/strength.

Kill it now and take the horn.
Using the associated FISTFULs of LOIGHTNING, we can probably take down birds or fast-moving enemies for greater speed.

>>15016594
Well I dunno 'bout you but
when Im given the chance to bind a cristal horn that shoots lightingbolts, the intuitive leap is that this horn will allow me to do something along the lines of shooting lightning.
Unless the OP does something weak and worthy of THAT DM by making it just a knowledge repository or a overly expensive lightning rod, in accordance to the spirits turtle-y nature
That's just my grain of salt.
so, OP? what's it gonna be? the general consensus seems to be that if we can have both, lure, if not, kill now and harvest the horn

>>15016617
True but the shell is more obvious than the horn, the horn could easily give us any number of attributes or bonuses, it's obviously a better option than the shell but we shouldn't bank on it letting us shoot lazers.

>>15016665
>knowledge repository
>Osyki THE PREPARED

>implying Osyki wouldn't drool at the prospect

>>15016670
The horn is more portable than the shell too.

>>15016670
It's a MAGIC HORN THAT SHOOTS LIGHTNING.

Plus, even if we don't actually harvest the thing's shell as a focus, we can still fashion armor plates out of it in the boring, traditional manner.

>>15016744
armour plates probably wouldn't be the wisest idea seeing as it's our speed that allows us to dominate the battlefield, at least for now.
On that subject, how old are we again? because we might need to do some growing, not just upwards but also in the muscle and endurance cathegories, that we may one day grow into a grizzled but wise master totemist that you can't fuck with

>>15016744
It could imbue our attached weapon with lighting or as previous anon pointed out be an knowledge repositorium. I'm pretty sure it'll let us shoot lighting as well but I doubt that it'll be as strong as the turtles lighting attack.

So NOW y'all come out of the woodwork. Good to have you here.
>>15016547
This reflects my interests. I'd third it, except I wrote >>15016532 so I'd be thirding myself.

GET IT IN THE CIRCLE IF ITS WORTH IT TO GET EVERYTHING, OTHERWISE THE PRIORITY IS THE HORN.

Check circle integrity, or have Amal do it.

Have Trud burn out its other eye if necessary.

Let's take this turtle down already.

>>15016783
Pretty sure we're 18

>>15016783
We're about eighteen, if I recall the first two threads correctly.

You duck to the right, immediately exploiting the Turtle's shiny new blind spot with extreme prejudice. You attempt to hop in and out of its sight range, always staying on the very edge of its vision, attempting to goad it into moving forward. A few launched bolts of lightning later tell you that moving away will only encourage it to continue attacking you with ranged blasts. Perhaps the opposite is the answer.

You square your shoulders, take a deep breath, then bolt forward toward the turtle. A few steps to the left brings you within its field of vision, and as it sees you approaching it opens its maw wide for a bite. It doesn't seem as though you're going to get this thing to budge, you realize, as you throw yourself out of the way of its enormous beak. Whether it's just its inherent turtle-y nature or the stone spires crushing its spine, it seems perfectly content to stay right where it is.

That's fine by you, too. You have a few ideas.

With a jump you land on the Turtle's retreating head, balancing on its beak. As you thought, its eye cannot track you that far, and its beak does not seem unusually sensitive. For all intents and purposes, you have disappeared temporarily from its perception. Undeterred, the monolithic beast draws in another burst of air to charge its horn.

This is when you strike.

Thrusting your spear forward, you slam the blade into the place where crystal meets flesh on the top of the Turtle's skull. It bellows in rage and pain once more, loosing its charged energy at you in a wild, spraying burst.

Perfect.

You immediately wrench all of your weight downward on the spear, levering at the base of the crystal. While the massive rock itself does not seem to lift from the skull, the turtle stops. Your spear has penetrated deep into its skull now, gouging at the weak point where the crystal has grown into its skull. Taking advantage of its pause, you draw your knife and swing over the side of the turtle's beak, landing crouched in its ruined eye socket.

"In the name of Osyki, link between this world and the world without, I hereby claim this beast's spirit as my own." you intone softly, cutting your way through the mass of eye tissue with your ritual knife. "In the name of the Totemist's Pact, I hereby assert my dominance over this soul, and claim it as my own."

Your knife hits bone. You replace it in your belt momentarily, drawing your hammer and chisel from your belt, cracking through with a few well placed strikes.

"I have bested this soul in mortal combat. Its strength is mine to command."

The pulsing, exposed brain of the turtle lies before you. You drop your hammer and chisel, drawing your knife. Running a blood-slicked finger along its length, you paint it crimson.

"By blood and bone, in spirit and soul, let this ritual blade show: I am Totemist, Link Between Worlds. Now..."

You rear back, then lash out, plunging your blade deep into the soft gray tissue before you. You yell out the final word of the contract as your hand sinks up to your wrist into the mind of the Turtle.

"Submit!"

(Cont.)

>>15016855

sweet christ, we're hardcore.

>>15016834
>>15016844
FUCK YEAH.

Harvest the spirit, then get the horn, some gems, and a piece of shell.

Do whatever's appropriate with the circle, destroying it if that's allowed so that the runes don't give away your presence.

If you have the time, take its beak as a trophy to show the Chief Slayer and keep in your workshop, along with whatever chunks of shell are useful in craftan.

See if you can roll the boulder into it to crush its bones too finely for those wandering Avatar spirits to take over its body like was mentioned elsewhere, too.

Then it's time for some MEDICAL CARE. Thank your spirits while you're at all of this, for awesome teamwork.

As the sound of your shout echoes within the dripping eye cavity of the Rock Turtle, time seems to slow to a stop. You feel a great sense of acceptance around you, and the world drains of all color. A single glowing spark of red emerges as you remove your knife from the wounded brain of the monster, running along the length of your weapon. With steady hands you climb from the Turtle's eye socket, up to the top of its head where your spear rests. With a single slash you draw a line of blood and gore down the washed out surface of the crystal, marking it as your own.

The world snaps back to full speed as you find yourself falling. The Turtle slumps forward, its massive body finally hitting the ground. You, your knife, and your spear tumble from the top of its head, landing on the ground beside it. As it hits the earth, you feel a tremor pass through the ground. The crystal atop its head is glowing with a silvery light.

You are very, very tired.

>>15016895
Don't rest your head, man, the other turtles are here and some of them may be awake. We've got work to do yet.

Retrieve your weapons and do this stuff here >>15016893

>>15016855
Have I told you I really like the way you describe action scenes? I can picture them in my mind like those moving comics in InFamous (the first one).

>>15016893
I don't know if we can carry all that stuff. We had a pretty heavy load on the way here that we'll have to carry back aswell... the beak is massive, that alone would likely be impossible. We should obviously get our new focus and then gather what gems there are while keeping an eye out for other turtles. Should probably try to destroy the skeleton like you said though.

We definitely don't want to take a nap in the middle of the wilderness on top of a newly dead source of food. That seems like a bad plan. We'll want to grab the valuable stuff we can scavenge from the corpse to bring back as well as our new focus. We can even once we return tell people where it is and let them grab armor plates and the like. Also since we just had an awesome fight we should check and see if our spear opens up a bit more to us.

>>15016936
>>15016936
I support this strategy. after we've gone back to the village, we should show our trophy othis slayer guy and have him and his men bring back as much of the corpse as they can.
Wait, this chief slayer, that was the fat bastard that barged into our master's house and insulted his memory?...
Would frying his pantaloons (lightly) with our new focus, if that's what it does, be considered such a bad thing? Perhaps just have the imp do it?

>>15016963
He's a jerk, but a jerk with mooks. I say we just be the better man and let him be. If he starts trouble respond in kind, but...

Our lightning horn's too good for him.

>>15016936
inb4 we have to fight a Bone Warden comprised of bone shards.

>>15016963
It'd be frowned on to do so, anyways coming back having killed a giant fucking Rock Turtle ought to cut him deeper than any lightning bolt. It's a massive fuck you and we're going to be the better man about it.

You struggle to your feet, swaying slightly. The second you let go of your knife and spear, all of the wear you've put on your body in the last few hours caught up to you like a pouncing Bone Warden. You retrieve your weapons, climbing onto the Rock Turtle's great corpse to claim your prize.

The crystal seemingly senses you approach, as the silvery light dies down with your footsteps. The massive rock is nearly as large as you are, but as you touch it a shard as long and half as wide as you are splinter off from the main body, landing in your outstretched hand. It looks as though it should fit in one of the loops you've crafted on your pack to hold your weapon.

How convenient you think, smiling.

Stowing the shard, you examine the remaining body of the behemoth. There is far too much material here to possibly carry back to the village, but you fully intend to take as much as you can carry. The next hour of work is mercifully aided by a wall of clouds shielding the sun. You snap off shards of exposed bone, loose tiles of shell, and even chip off a few more chunks of crystal. While they may not be as potent as your chosen Crystal focus, they will prove powerful totems in their own right.

(Cont.)

Oh we should make sure to talk to Tyrd on the way back. Give him some friendly insults and do some well deserved bragging.

Grab horn
Grab bag
Go home
Inform people of dead turtle, then sleep.

>>15017022
exactly how big is the shard? At first you imply it's of similar size to our spear but then you say "landing in your outstretched hand" like it's a small shard.

How do we tell what our new focus can do? We can talk to it can't we? If so we should try to do so on the way back.

You glance around at the runes you've chiseled into the ground, but they are nowhere to be found. The rock where they were carved is as smooth as you first found it, though heavily cracked by the Rock Turtle's fall to earth. As an afterthought, you snap off the point of the Rock Turtle's beak, pushing it into your already overflowing pack. The climb back will be arduous, but you'll send some men to harvest more over the next few days. You may need to escort them, you realize, as there are still other Rock Turtles in the area, though none as ferocious.

With heavy limbs and a new barrage of trophies, you begin your journey back. Amal and Tryd both voice their admiration for your work, the latter a little more begrudgingly than the former, and you thank them for their help in the battle. As you walk past the basin, you are confronted again by the climb down. It will be even more difficult now, loaded down as you are. The goat path suddenly seems a much more appealing route back to the village.

As you ponder, a single drop of rain alights on your nose with a soft 'plink'.

>>15017022
Go home, tell people there's a Turtle to loot at {x} location, show them turtleparts if they ask for proof.

Hopefully they can butcher it for meat.

>>15016985
>>15016994
>>15016997
>>15017029
>>15017039
It's time for MEDICAL CARE. Are you hurt? Apply rocks, salve, and bandages, totemist. Don't be bleeding all over the place.

After that, we have to destroy the body. Boulder it.

Let the Chief Slayer guy smoulder. Pissing him off might create a situation in which he tries something with your sister, the pedo. No need to set his ass on fire BEFORE you get your bros to keep her safe.

Send Amal or Tryd to the Whint Bloom patch and have them pick some, if you can. Got to help the healer out.

On top of that, we have a Behemoth Lair to loot, dammit. We should go home and sleep for two hours, then consider getting off our asses and back on the road.

>>15017094
Better take the Goat path; if we climb down a hill in the rain while exhausted we'll slip and break our asses. That will be most embarassing.

>>15017094
Fuck. The goat path is dangerous but I think we're far too tired to safely scale the cliff. I would suggest that we try to find shelter and rest till the rain ends but we may cause worry in the village by doing so if we end up staying out the whole night. imo we should take the goat path.

>>15017129
>>15017136
Goat path. But goddamn be careful man.

>>15017094
If you climb, tie rope around pack, lower it to outcropping with Amal and Tryd's help, then go down yourself, rinse, repeat.

If you go down the goat path, be careful and watchful.

Either way, have them take up vanguard/rearguard or watch your back and the rope.

>>15017136
Hold on scratch that! send Amal to inform people that we are fine but that we're going to find shelter and rest awhile before attempting the return trip.

>>15017070
It's shape is thin around the middle, so it fits in the hand like a spear.

>Your spear is gripped tight in your sweat-slicked hands as you creep forward.

spear this *grabs dick*

Take the Goat Path but very carefully with constant scouting by Tryd and Amal. While we're going down we can try to chat with Spear spirit and with Turtle.

>>15017094
Goat path it is, move quickly but do not rush. Be aware of your surroundings and take the most familiar path back to the village. How many times do you think can use the white claw focus at the moment? You might need it to avoid any obstacles on the way home.

Scaling the cliff when dead-ass tired and it's about to rain does not sound like a good idea. The goat path for us.

>>15017159
Shelter and rest on Dangerous Mountain, next to a rock turtle lair after killing the biggest one, with the alternate way out of here patrolled by venomous creatures?

Nuh-uh. Ain't staying here in this deadly shithole..

Leave on the goat path carefully

>>15017149
>>15017136
>>15017129
thirde for goat path, seconded for getting to know our new focus and the SPIRIT WITHIN
*cue shaman kind soundtrack*
also all this
>walking around
bull schtick is getting tiring. I believe we should dedicate some time to researching a way to get a focus that will allow us to fly, or at least move around easier, seeing as our potential targets are usually in hard-to reach locations

>>15017213
We just got lightning, so we should hunt a bird.

Still, we have dead animals to loot - Turtle, and a Behemoth's lair. Though we can't take more of their spirits, meat and hides and bones are still of great value.

>>15017177
We're in a relatively safe area of it at the moment and are while tired going into an area of dangerous creatures. Just saying that imo it would be smarter to rest somewhere around here and scale the cilff once we've rested.

You turn away from the cliff, knowing full well that attempting to scale it now would lead to broken bones at best. Looking to Amal, you ask him to fly ahead and alert the Healer that you are safe for the moment, and on your way back. He fades from sight immediately. You then summon Tryd to your side, perching him on your shoulder.

"Watch my back." you say, making your way to the thin rock trail that leads to the wider goat path.

"Must I? We're out in the rain. In case you haven't noticed, I don't get along with rain well."

"It wont be for long, Tryd. Would you rather sit on a mountainside in the rain while my corpse is digested by a Cave Devourer for an eternity?"

"...Fair point." he concedes, hopping in place occasionally to scan the area around you.

Your trudging feet bring you to the entrance of the wider goat path within a few minutes, and you begin to work your way downward. You stop at one point, surveying a scene of carnage. A large boulder lies atop a crushed, twitching goat. You swallow hard, thinking how close you may have been to being that goat only minutes before. Turning your eyes from the scene, you continue onward.

(Cont.)

>>15017247
What about all the Rock Turtles in the cave?

>>15017284
We can hunt those later after we've rested.

fondle the spear as we walk.

With Tryd watching your back, you avoid a few potential ambush spots and arrive at your workshop shortly after. Stumbling inside, you place your pack on a clear workbench and pull the healing supplies the healer gave you from it. You wince as you rub your cuts and bruises with the white stone, but as soon as you smear the thick green salve across your burns and injuries you feel the hurt lessen. After winding a few bandages tight around your arms and the lower portion of your right hip, your energy level increases dramatically.

Where should you go first? The Healer and Elana would like to see you, and you told Elana that you would come to see her when you got back. The Blacksmith needs his hammer back. Your sister could probably do to know that you're safe, and the urge to rub your victory in Walther's face is not insignificant. You could also unpack your bag and examine your newly acquired prize.

What is it to be, Totemist?

>>15017284
We were at the cliff area, pretty sure they couldn't get to us there and even if they could have we could simply have gone up the canyon walls. Mute point now.

We should totally preform the ritual on the goat.

>>15017327
Blacksmith, sister, healer. In that order.

>>15017327
I'm fairly sure that we can take a bit of time to return the hammer, it's not that big a deal so Blacksmith last. Healer and Elena first to just make sure that we didn't get hurt where we didn't notice and we said we'd see her. Second we should visit our Sister, she's probably been worried sick. We shouldn't rub it is Walther's face, it'd be more cutting if we don't even bother with him.

>>15017327
>You could also unpack your bag and examine your newly acquired prize.
Keep the largest crystal shard out on display for all to see. Perhaps we can try to in(v)oke it at some point to find out what it does.

Regardless of who we visit first, we should inform the people of the town that there's a dead turtle with lots of meat and shell still on it to harvest, but we're tired and need to rest before hunting again.

See healer and Elana, Give back brosmith his hammer and give him a story, see Little sis. Inform pedo of the massive amounts of meat, bones, gems and shell. prepare a plan for getting it back to town.

THEN REST.

>>15017327
1) Rest/Examine our new focus, try to talk to it and the spear
2) continue homeward.
3) Return the hammer with profuse thanks to the smith, let him know it was very helpful.
4) Check in on your sister
5/5.5) Check back with Elana and the healer, seperately if they aren't together. Flirt with Elana, brag a bit but not so much as to be pompous.
6. Go home and get some sleep. Walther will catch word on his own and our apparent nonchalance shall bug the shit out of him.

>>15017327
Go through your pack first. Take a few gems with you, give them as gifts to people who helped you out like the healer and blacksmith. Word will spread, and the guards will be glad to help you because you're a source of potential funds.

Otherwise, seconding blacksmith, sister, healer.

>>15017329
The rituals are for monsters, but it's not that bad an idea to stay opportunistic, anon.

>>15017327
Prize the last, in my opinion. First things first, Elana and the healer were very nice to us, and they deserve to know we're back. Afterwards our sister, and if there's still some light, bring back the hammer. Then we get to know our new focus.
We'll rub it in walther's face hard enough when he and his cronies have to carry what is easil two tons of turtle and bone back to the settlement.
that would be my course of action

>You could also unpack your bag and examine your newly acquired prize.
Do that and walk around showing off our Beak and our Shard to all the townsfolk like a megapimp.
An exhausted and wounded megapimp, but nonetheless, a megapimp.
Tell them where the Turtle's remains are - some of them might want to go over to it to loot meat or shell.

See if we can talk to the Spear or the Shard.

>>15017327
1) Rest/Examine our new focus, try to talk to it and the spear
2) continue homeward.
3) Return the hammer with profuse thanks to the smith, let him know it was very helpful.
4) Check in on your sister
5/5.5) Check back with Elana and the healer, seperately if they aren't together. Flirt with Elana, brag a bit but not so much as to be pompous.
6) Go home and get some sleep. Walther will catch word on his own and our apparent nonchalance shall bug the shit out of him.

>>15017392
>tell people where the turtles are
>Totemists are the first line of defense against monsters
>tell people where a shitload of monsters are and to go knock themselves out

There's at least two dozen Rock Turtles near the nest, anon.
>>15017389
We sent Amal to let them know we were alright, Elana and the Healer can wait a minute or two while you check to make sure nobody tried anything stupid with your sister.

>>15017378
>>15017378


hand out gems for sure.

>tell people where a shitload of monsters are and to go knock themselves out
What do the rest of the townsfolk DO, then? Sit around and wait to starve?

>>15017425
Yeah I think checking in with our sister is a higher priority than Elana/healer only if because we've sent word to them already. I however think returning the hammer in a timely manner shows respect and gratitude to the smith which beyond encouraging him to allow us to borrow stuff in the future could get us discounts in the future and just generally have us not perceived as a dick.

>>15017435
Definitely give one or two to the people who helped us out but we need to make sure that we keep a few to sell to the general store or someone else latter, we could use the money.

You sigh, cracking your neck to relieve some stiffness. You still have people to see, and you'll have to see them before you rest. You place your spear into its customary place in the corner, making a mental note to attempt to commune with the spirit within the claw when you return. Then you rummage through your pack, withdrawing a fistful of gemstones, the beak shard, the crystal shard, and the blacksmith's hammer.

Though you told Elana you would see her right away, thoughts of Aurora consume you. The Raising House is on the way, you rationalize, so a quick stop in certainly wouldn't make a difference. After grabbing a hooded cloak to ward off the rain, you step outside. Though there are few people on the street, those that see you give you a respectful nod. Some offer a sympathetic smile as well.

You arrive at the Raising House soon, removing your hood as you step inside. After a few moments of scanning you spot Aurora, reading a book and copying down sentences on a piece of paper. As you approach she spots you, flinging the book to the side and running to embrace you.

"You're back!" she exclaims, attracting the attention of the entire House. The matron in the room looks at you, half exasperated and half relieved. Your sister tugs on your shirt, impatient.

"How did it go? Did you take down a huge scary monster? Did you talk to spirits? What happened?"

>>15017462
Nah they do stuff, it's just that the rock turtles are a bit more serious of a threat than what they can reasonably be expected to brave unprotected. If a scavenge party goes out to collect stuff from the turtle we'll need to go along to provide them with some protection.

"A HUGE rock turtle! It had a horn that shot lightning, and it was so huge I could fit inside it's eye!"

>>15017508
I think this would be a good opportunity to brag with many obvious exaggerations, however given what we just did let's just tell the truth as if we're exaggerating.

>>15017508
>"How did it go? Did you take down a huge scary monster? Did you talk to spirits? What happened?"

I'm f*cking exhausted and nearly got killed by lighting, but I killed the biggest goddamn Rock Turtle I could find. I have a part of its lightning horn as a focus, but I haven't tried talking to it yet.

Picture this, right. I ((Stone pillars collapse, fade cut)) ((Jumping off one in mid air to avoid lightning, then plunging a spear into its back, fade cut))
((Turtle is shooting fucking lightning and blasting off its own shell as I barely dodge, fade cut))
((Stab the thing in the eye with the help of all my power, fade cut))
((RITUAL TO HARVEST ITS SOUL, fade cut))
((Shot of the shiny loot))
And then I came back here.

>>15017586
>>15017565
These. Let us do them both.

>>15017595
DESCRIBE IT LIKE THIS

>>15017595
This but less swearing (Unless it's culturally appropriate). We want to be a good role model.

>>15017586
>>15017595

You regale the raising house with tales of your epic battle, describing in detail the death-defying leaps and deep spiritual rituals you've worked your way through in the last few hours. The children, now gathered around you, ooh and aah at all of the appropriate times. Even the matron gasps as you describe your flying leap from the stone pillar onto the great Turtle's back. As you finish, you produce the crystal shard as proof. The children around you go wild, clamoring and elbowing one another to look at it.

"...And that's how my day went." you say, looking at Aurora. "What did you do?"

She giggles, informing you that she spent the day practicing reading and writing. You flash her a thumbs-up.

"Good job, little one. I'm proud of you."

"Likewise, big brother." she says, jumping down from your arm. You crouch down and press a sparkling green gemstone into her hand.

"I know that green's your favorite color. Get one of the matrons to put it on a necklace for you."

She yelps with excitement, giving you another flying hug before running to the older woman. You give the matron a respectful bow, then take your leave.

(Cont.)

inb4 kids and sister reenact this.
blackeyeseverywhere.jpg
"You be the rock turtle this time, Billy!'

Drawing the hood of your cloak up once more, you head out the door and further down the road. As you trek to the Blacksmith's shop, you spot a member of the Slayers trudging through the rain. You feel sympathetic for the poor soul that Walther sent out to patrol in the rain, jogging up to him.

"Pierce," you call, recognizing him as you approach. "Good news."

"Hey, little Osyki." he says, giving you a nod. "Or should I say, Master Totemist. What's up?"

You inform him of the enormous wealth waiting to be scavenged from the Rock Turtle nest. As you speak his eyes light up, and he gives you a clap on the shoulder.

"Hot damn, Osyki, well done! I'll let Walther know right away, and we'll have a party ready to strip the corpse by morning."

You nod and wish him luck on his rounds, moving onward down the road.

The blacksmith's shop is blessedly warm as you slip inside. The massive man is once again distracted by his work, though as you close the door he stops and looks behind him.

"Glad to see you make it back in one piece, boy. How did my hammer do for you?"

>>15017659

>>15017693
Nod respectfully to the blacksmith.

"It served me well, sending pillars of rock into my foe from above. I bear thanks in more than just words, smith - here is its form." Give him the gem and the story, as before - people will speak to him and learn it from him firsthand. And return the hammer.

Afterwards, pay the healer a visit, see if you can go pick Whint Blooms with Elana too.

>>15017693
"Couldn't have done it without. There were some easily exploitable rock formations it worked wonders on."

>>15017733
>>15017724
We are now Osyki SILVERTONGUE the Prepared, apparently.

>>15017693
We should grin in response and toss him one of the gems. His hammer was instrumental to our tactic with the spires, we don't need to explain all that to him right now but he should have a general idea of just how helpful it was.

>>15017744
Plus he let us borrow something he didn't know for a fact he'd get back. It's polite.

>>15017744
scratch this
>>15017733
I second this but we should give him a gem.

>>15017733
>>15017724

"Couldn't have done it without it. There were some easily exploitable rock formations that it worked wonders on. But don't take my word for it," you say, grinning. "See for yourself."

You produce a long, rough ruby the size of your thumb and throw it to the smith. He catches it with practiced ease, turning it over in his hands slowly.

"Beautiful peace of work, boy." he says, placing the gem on the counter. "I'm glad the tool helped you. If you ever need anything else, you let me know."

You nod, placing the hammer on the counter next to the gemstone. "I will. Thank you again."

He smiles, the corners of his singed-orange mustache turning up. "Go get some rest, boy."

As much as you would love to do just that, there is one more item of visitation on your to-do list. You walk across the street, slipping into the healer's hut to avoid the rain. The Healer looks up as you enter, relief sweeping her features.

"Oh, thank goodness." she says, sponging a fevered patient's head with cool water. "I got the message from your spirit, but when you didn't accompany it for some time I began to worry again. Are you hurt? I'd be happy to-"

"Osyki!"

The yell is all the warning you get before Elana topples you over, her arms encircling you in a tight hug. You wince as you feel your burned hip meet the floor, but the sound of the girl's sigh of relief allows you to shrug it off.

"Did you do alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

"Bone tired is all. Brought presents." Give them gems, thank them both for their help and their concern, and ask Elana if she'd like to pick whint blooms with you after you get some sleep.

"Not badly, no. A couple burns and bruises, but I'm a lot tougher than you'd think. The medicine I came for earlier helped. Thank you both."

>>15017821
Go pick them up tomorrow, you mean of course.
I sense a sweet romance in the air. I'm a sucker for those.

>>15017794
"Bumps, Bruises, and Burns, nothing serious." Don't bother getting up with Elana on us, we are comfortable like this. After some thanks for their help give them gems. Tell the story and then ask Elana out flower picking.

>>15017794
wince from hitting the burn but give no other mention to it
"I killed the biggest rock turtle I could find. Apparently some of them can shoot lighting." Show her your new focus, give the healer and her each a gem.

>>15017821
>>15017823
These.

>>15017846
As all of the other quests I've attended so far have taught me, so is the entirety of /tg/.

>>15017823
>>15017858
>wincing at pain to induce nurse-behavior
>claiming to be tough
Beta as fuck. Cool story, bro.

>>15017867
>>15017867
I guess all neckbeards are romantics at heart.

>>15017872
Can a beta murder the fuck out of a pissed off giant turtle that shoots lightning at his ass and then chain it's soul to his will for eternity?

Fuck no.

>>15017915
There was nothing beta about killing the turtle.

There was something else beta goin' on, though. Not a big deal, anon.

"Not badly, no. A couple burns and bruises, but I'm a lot tougher than you'd think. The medicine I came for earlier helped. Thank you both." you say, slowly sitting up. Elana releases you to allow you to your feet, smiling broadly. When she notices the crystal strapped to your pack, she leans in to examine it.

"What's this?" she asks, looking over the gem curiously.

"The spoils of war." you say, grinning. "And there's more where that came from."

You reach into your bag, handing each of them a shining sapphire. They both gasp, though Elana slightly louder than her master. "As thanks for the supplies, and the support."

The Healer just smiles, giving you an odd look. Elana is enraptured by the gem, turning it over and over in her hands.

"If you're not busy tomorrow, Elana, maybe we could go gather some Whint Blooms tomorrow. Assuming the rain's let up. I'm sorry I missed out on it today, but-"

You stop as she clamps you in another fierce hug, nodding. "That sounds great, Osyki. I'll see you tomorrow."

You smile, returning the hug. As you do, a sharp spark appears in the back of your mind.

> "Very well, Totemist, you've had your victory. Return to your study."

You look around, confused. Neither the Healer nor Elana seem to have noticed the voice.

>>15017872
Are you endorsing the use of PUA on a fictional character?
Cool story bro

>>15017942
Well let's see what's up with this. Turtle I bet.

>>15017942
Fine by me. Let's go to the workshop. Maybe that spirit's going to talk to us, or our master. Who said we couldn't contact human spirits?

>>15017942
Either Turtle or Spear wants to chat, excuse ourselves by saying that we are dead tired and likely to fall asleep standing up. Go to the study and have a heart to heart chat with this Spirit.

Must be the new guy. Let's get back home and get a good feel for him.

>>15017942
Say our goodbyes and head back to our study, we need to rest and have a suspicion that the voice was that of the claw focus.

>>15017951
>>15017958
>>15017962
>>15017965
>>15017982
We don't even need to build a consensus on this OP, take us home.

You release Elana and quickly excuse yourself, telling the pair that you need some sleep. They both wish you a safe walk home, and Elana smiles as she says that she'll see you tomorrow.

The rain is coming down harder and harder you you journey back to your workshop, pelting at your cloak and chilling you to the bone. As you step into the door of your workshop you immediately shed you cloak, shutting and locking the door behind you. After a moment's shivering you summon Tryd, asking him to start a fire. He stares at you for a moment.

"That's the most sensible thing you've asked of me all day, you know."

As he works in the fireplace, you glance around for your mystery summoner.

> "There you are."

A sudden feeling, like a static shock on the inside of your skull, sends you reeling. You fall backward, and panic grips you when you realize that you have not hit the ground. Opening your eyes, an inky black void greets your vision. A few balls of fire can be seen in the distance, sending off waves of sinister red light. As you attempt to get your bearings, the voice comes again.

"It's good to finally have this chance, Totemist."

You whirl around as best you can whilst falling through this void. A humanoid figure floats next to you, its facial features entirely absent. It is wrapped in a cloak of deep crimson, the trim black silk. An enormous metal monstrosity is strapped to its back, a whirling mess of metal wheels and prongs, screeching terribly into the black abyss around you.

"I spoke with your predecessor when he lashed me into this prison, so believe me when I say that it's nice to be able to talk to someone new." the figure says, though how it produces sound without a mouth is puzzling. "As you may have guessed, I am the spirit responsible for your victory this day. Do not thank me. You would only patronize my ability."

You remain silent, watching this figure as it slowly floats closer and closer.

"I bear no ill will toward you, Totemist. I only ask a small favor of you. Now that you have seen what my power can do for you, I think it only fair to ask something in return. A small gift for the vast superiority I grant you. I bear a special grudge toward those of Draconic descent. Their kind is a blight upon my consciousness."

As the figure speaks the word 'Draconic', the metal mass attached to its back writhes and groans.

"I feel no special fondness for humans in general, either. I tell you this not to complain needlessly, but to specify the terms of my favor: I would be pleased if you could make a point of killing more. More of any living creature, certainly, but especially more of my two enemies."

>>15018103
>>15018110
Grimdark, huh? Okay.

Tell the spirit you understand its terms and will abide by them, so long as you work with it.

>>15018110
We should accept the hunting of Draconic creatures, saying we will put some focus on drakes and the like, once we are prepared to combat them. We should make it clear that we have no intention to harm Humans who mean ourselves and our village no harm but those that threaten our loved ones are acceptable targets. After that we should ask what it is and why we can use him when another bound him. I'm pretty sure he's talking to us now for one of two reasons, either successfully completing a feral binding or because we earned a measure of respect for the turtle.

>>15018110
Calmly tell him that we will no longer be using him and that he can just sit in the corner for all eternity for all we care, however if we do ever plan to combat a drake we may consider using him again and that if he never mentions killing people after that we might use and talk to him some more.

>>15018110
"Two? Dragons, or Behemoths if indeed those are what you meant, I would hunt. Gladly too, if they threaten the people I care about. But the other, humans? I do not think I'd care to do so."

Stop, then add grudgingly, "Or at least, not randomly. There are men with vile hearts that would have threatened other people, those I would also gladly take care of... Though the question would be, what of your heart?"

>>15018181

This.

>>15018167
2nded

"Dragons, I'd be glad to. They're a danger to every other living thing. As for the killing of humans, I'm curious as to why, but I understand you'll only tell me if you feel like it. It there are all kinds of humans in this world, so I don't doubt combat with another is inevitable."

Has this village ever been attacked by bandits or the like in recent memory?

>>15018103
>>15018110
The offer you make sounds reasonable... But trusting you completely could be my unmaking.

Could you answer a few questions for me?

-Before my mentor bound you, what manner of being were you?
-What relation (if any), did you share with my mentor besides you being a focus and he being a totemist?
-What do you gain from the death of draconic beings, and what earned them your wrath?
-What do you think of me, my status as a totemist, and the future of my village.

"Two? Dragons, or Behemoths if indeed those are what you meant, I would hunt. Gladly too, if they threaten the people I care about. But the other, humans? I do not think I'd care to do so. Or... at least, not randomly." you say with a grimace. "There are men with vile hearts that would have threatened other people, those I would also gladly take care of... Though the question would be, what of your heart?"

The figure chuckles, shaking its blank head. "Totemist, I am one with a heart inscrutable to those like you."

"And just what is one such as you?" you counter, finally beginning to get used to the sensation of constant falling. "Why is it that I can make use of you, when my master bound you to your Focus?"

The figure laughs, and it is a disturbing sound. You detect a hint of bitterness within the tone before it snaps off with almost inhuman suddenness.

"You may know me as Modi Magni, Greater Avatar of Wrath." the figure answers, the whirling metal mass on its back growing as it speaks. "Your ability to make use of me is something that will become apparent through your studies. Take heart, Totemist. You have made a favorable bargain."

>Greater Avatar of Wrath

...HOW THE FUCK DID OUR MENTOR BIND THIS GUY, JESUS FUCK!

>>15018249
Our master tied the concept of wrath to a stick to make us a weapon.

That's pretty darn okay, for a dead guy.

Thank the Avatar and ask him if there's anything further. You have things to do, and so forth.

>>15018249
Some small questions, where on the power scale do Greater Avatars lie, are they above or below most Behemoths and where do Mature Drakes lie in comparison to both of these and are there Dragons that aren't Drakes?

I'm betting that given that this is a motherfucking Greater Avatar he's barely shown us the tip of his power with the speed thing.

Also ask him what his beef is with Dragons and Humans.

>>15018224
Second these

"By no means am I agreeing to this 'bargain' of yours right this instant. I am just stating the facts of my duties as a Totemist."
"Those two acts you ask for indeed falls into the purview of my duties. But know that I am risking life and limb not for this deal, but for duties, and for my own loved ones."

>>15018249
AW SHIT
NOW IT'S KHORNATE DAEMON/NOX TIME
Wut do guys? I can already see this is going to involve some self-controll rolls.

>>15018298
Second.

We should probably look up some info about Modi Magni at some point in the future, bet he has a history. For now I want to learn about our new focus and then get I think we should get some sleep.

>>15018167
>>15018224
>>15018206


ask these questions

[[ Hey folk. Cooking something for myself to eat, so next post will be slightly delayed. Feel free to plan for after you've finished bargaining with Modi Magni. ]]

Uh guys, suggestions here: we're running out of posts and I don't think this has been archived just yet.
OP, would you mind givng me your e-mail adress so we can be here the next session? wouldn't want o miss it

Well, shit. We've got the spirit of pissed off on our spear.


Let's find out the temperament of the horn shard now.

>>15018309
seconding your responses

>>15018316
Simple. We don't always have to use the guy - we've already got ourselves a veritable lightning rod, among other things.

We should talk some more to Modi Magni to discover the extent of our relationship. Firstly what powers have you not revealed to us and how may they be unlocked, Secondly what influence do you have my on actions and emotions while I am wielding you and when I am carrying you but not wielding you, Thirdly Wow, our former master was a total badass.

>>15018337
On an unrelated note, I would like to know the difference between Spark, Scale, and Claw at the start of the quest.
Does it entail to Amal+Tryd, or to the first extra power a Feral Bind grants, or to the silent spirit in our ancestral weapon?

Regarding what to do after this chat with Modi Magni, definitely ask Amal, or look around the mess that is our mentor's library or workshop.

Afterward, tame the Lightning Rock Turtle spirit in the crystal, and test what power that Focus grant.]
Next, get a Stalker Stealth Focus and an extra Rock Turtle Defense Focus.

>>15018404
second. If we go with the scavenge party tomorrow we may be able to pick up another rock turtle totem and the stealth one is really important, I don't want to go after a drake until we have it.

>>15018309
>>15018385
>>15018404
Let's ask Modi Magni if we can arrange to talk to him at any time now, since he's looking for people to speak to, and if so we should get out of his weird reality and look him up in our master's notes instead of sitting around under his power.

ALL the questions we ask him should be researched first to see if he's being dishonest with us - there's absolutely no reason to trust him at the moment.

>>15018445
We're picking flowers tomorrow.

>>15018464
We don't have to do that all day. Pick flowers before or after the scavenging, possibly in tandem with some kind of bath so you don't reek of dead turtle and antiseptic.

>>15018464
>>15018484
And after that, we have the behemoth's lair to loot too.

>>15018462
second

>>15018464
Yeah but not for the entire day, although you're probably right that those activities have a lot of overlap.

Thread's been archived but... what the fuck is a totemist 'Duest'? Did someone archive this thread drunk?

>>15018497
I really don't want to do that. Feels dangerous and foolhardy.

Another thing we can do tomorrow is sell our remaining gems and then buy stuff.

"I'm not agreeing to any bargains just yet, Modi Magni." you say, crossing your arms. "I still have questions for you. Why do you hold ire for dragons are humans?"

"The scaled ones and your kind share one thing in common: An excess of hubris and greed. These things are the core of my anger, and your two races are those which embody them most purely. I wish to see them snuffed out entirely, eventually, but it is a long road ahead."

"What have you held back from me, in terms of the abilities you can grant me? Am I going to lose myself in bloodlust every time I pick up my weapon, now?"

"One thing at a time, Totemist." Modi Magni snaps, and the metal wheels at his back lunge forward slightly. "You will find that I will craft you into an unstopabble force, given your cooperation. I do not meddle in the minds of humans. It is beneath me, and it corrupts my essence."

You nod, rubbing your chin. "How can I get into contact with you? I didn't even know that you could speak until just now."

"You have earned my notice, and for that I will grant you the right of audience any time after you have slain a living being."

You shudder slightly, but not. "Very well, Modi Magni. I will call on you when I have an answer for you."

"Consider well, Totemist." Modi Magni says, turning his back on you. "You have the potential to be greater than you believe."

A sudden sideways shift in reality finds you on your floor, every muscle in your body tense. You let out a long breath, slowly sitting up. (Cont.)

>>15018536
You do realize we have some kind of god in our sharp stick, right?

Don't be a sissymary.

>>15018631
Humans and dragons snuffed out entirely, or hubris and greed snuffed out entirely?

Totem quest: for the soul of man.

"Are you alright?"

You turn to find Amal hovering directly next to you, pulsing rapidly.

"You went completely rigid and cold. I was afraid you'd dropped dead from exertion. Shock. Stress."

"I'm alright, Amal." you say, waving the crystal away. "I had a chat with our resident combat spirit. It was less than pleasant."

The prism hovers next to you, silent, but clearly still on edge. There is a crackling fire in the fireplace, and you feel much warmer than you did before.

You get to your feet, walking into your master's study. An hour's search proves completely fruitless in notes regarding Modi Magni, your weapon, or even there being any such thing as a 'Greater Avatar'. You wonder if anything Modi Magni told you was true.

What now, Totemist? Though your bed beckons, you have one focus yet untested, and a study full of unknowns.

[[Thanks for archiving folks. ]]

>>15018697
Let's have a chat with our newest spirit focus if we can.

>>15018697
Let's talk to/test out the shard focus. Then go to sleep.

>>15018697
Lets test out Mr. Lightning Turtle and we can continue our studies in the morning, we've earned a good nights rest.

Jesus Christ, this would make an awesome homebrew.
OP, any chance of you turning this into said homebrew?

>>15018732
>>15018725
>>15018718
agree and tripple sealed. Just get it over with so i can go to bed. I got important (re:bullshit) stuff tomorrow.

>>15018740
o_o that would be awesome! You'd either need to modify the setting a tiny bit or have the party be from one of the bigger towns to account for there being more than one totemist in the party... maybe not idk you could have other party members be other sorts of things I suppose. Or you could make it play like a quest thread... no idea if people would like that in a tabletop environment.

Exhausted, you muster your nerve for one more task before sleep. Drawing the shard of crystal onto the workbench, you close your eyes and place your hands on its surface. An arc of electricity passes between your fingers, and an ethereal eye opens in front of you, easily as large as your torso.

"Um... Hi." you say, unsure of how to communicate with a creature you murdered just a few hours prior. "I'm the one who bound you, the Totemist."

The eye stares at you, unmoving.

>>15018802
"...Sorry about killing you... Uhh this is kinda rude but do you have any idea what you do?"

>>15018802
Don't be beta, and remember your Master's teachings!
Unlike the free spirits bound with agreements or contracts, Ferals are bound by a victor's pact.

Be certain of yourself! Remember Cesar Millan's teachings!

Wait, wrong master.

You attempt to communicate in this fashion for another ten minutes before giving up, banishing the spirit. Apparently, not all bound spirits are as intelligent as your previous acquisitions. Ah well.

As you extinguish the fire and settle into bed, you reflect. Today has been the singularly most important day of your life. The fact that every day from now on has the potential to rival and exceed it in importance is a dizzying, mind-defying concept. Tossing and turning, you eventually manage to drift into a fitful slumber.

[[That's it for now, folks. I'll be making a new topic if anyone wants to ask any questions about the setting, as usual. ]]

>>15018802
G'night. I am OUT
If it's not too much of a problem, PM me at omicrom_xi@hotmail.com when the next quest starts.

>>15018802
Say whatever totemists are supposed to say. Refer to your introductory volume that your master wrote, or maybe say something like this:

"You will rise above mundane life now, spirit, and know greater things by far. Rejoice in your new purpose, and tell me your name that I might share your thoughts and make you a part of a greater harmony."

>>15018879
Yeah we shouldn't do >>15018872 but at the same time I see no reason to be a dick. We should be unapologetic but not rude.

>>15018894
Wait, are you making the new thread for the questions or are you saying that you'll be making a new thread for the next part? By that's it for now do you mean that we're done for the night or that you're taking a break between threads? What are your thoughts about a homebrew based on the setting? What creatures could we expect to come across if we did venture into the wyrm's lair?

>>15018985

In order: I'm making a new thread in a minute, I am done doing the quest for the night, a homebrew of this would be fucking rad, and ask that last question again when I make the new thread.

Also, the email in this post is the one that I'll be sending out announcements about threads from. Shoot me a line to get added to the mailing list.

Well, give us a link when it's up.

>>15019141
New thread.