[ Osyki's Binding Journal

> Rock Turtle Focus:
Mace: Thunder Hammer, causes lightning to strike what the mace does
Buckler: Stormcloud Buckler, fires lightning from the edges when thrown
Charm Bracelet: Ixion Charm, forms launchable balls of lightning
Boots: Cloudwalker Stride, enables powerful jumps [est. 20 feet straight up], safe landings
Rope: Heaven's Chain, a whip handle, forms lashes of lightning when swung

> Bone Warden Focus:
Mirror: Mirror of True Sight, pierces illusions and reveals spirits
Cloak: Ribcage Wrap, conjures a sphere of darkness around you. Lightning only seems to brighten this sphere slightly.
Boots: Skeletal Step, carries walker twice as far with each step, makes noise of clicking bones
Fruit: Heart of Darkness, did not test further. Deep red fruit, covered with spines. Unbound quickly.
Amulet: Warden's Ivory, disables the wearer's ability to feel pain. Does not resist damage in any way.]

It is now close to sunset. If you wanted to return to the Forest Spring and speak with Boa before nightfall, now would be the time. You could also stop by and see how Elana is doing, or check on your sister. Alternatively, you could continue experimenting.

What will you do, Totemist?

Continue experimenting.

>>15076383
reiterating my previous suggestions of bone foci to drake wing and shard to boulder.

>>15076392
>>15076383
We did enough for today. Training is at dawn, we need a full night's rest.

Let's speak to Boa while the sun's up, then go to the village at nightfall and catch Elana before bed.

>>15076445
However, first thing tomorrow we should do four experiments including the ones Juraz mentioned, then scout the forest.

"Boots: Cloudwalker Stride, enables powerful jumps [est. 20 feet straight up], safe landings"
This may be useful if we plan to fight a drake with our current foci
"Boots: Skeletal Step, carries walker twice as far with each step, makes noise of clicking bones"
Note that it doesn't allow us to pick up additional momentum the way something that boosts speed does so it's not quite as useful as it seems but would be great for any future travelling.

>>15076445
point, we do have the training in the morning. One more experiment then go see Boa? We did agree to see her I suppose.

>>15076472
scratch this
>>15076464
This is a good compromise. second

>>15076472
If you like.

What I'm driving at though, is we're seeing a pattern here with item types that we can use to project what kinds of things to bind items to to assess their capabilities.

The weapons were thematic for the Rock Turtle focus, the boots for both foci altered transportation speed, etc.

If this pattern holds, we'll be able to devise a set system of what types of items to test with a new focus, and will be able to break them up into chunks of experiments we can do erry day instead of haphazard stuff we do in time-consuming and exhausting spurts.

>>15076464
Thirded.
Experiments are great and all but we really do need to stop for the day.
>>15076472
I don't see how that isn't just a flat out 2x modifier to our speed, which is pretty ridiculous, granted it drops maneuverability down.
I forget, can we double bind an item?

Shame that the Bone Boots make clicking noises but moving twice as fast in many cases is enough of an advantage to offset that. We'll want the Cloudstrider Boots if we're up against a Drake or in certain terrain but most of the time I would like Bone Boots. At least for now until we have done more experiments I'd do Bone Boots for versatility and speed and Heaven's Chain to get us a medium range powerful attack that is more controllable with less collateral damage than the bracelet.

>>15076492
That seems pretty efficient to me. With that in mind we probably don't need to do the boulder, it'll either become lighter(and possibly reheavy after thrown) or have a superpowerful lightning effect yet be immobile.

>>15076504
>double-bind
OP said stuff about it being possible on 'compatible totems,' whatever that means.

We'll have to find out through experimentation, I guess.

Also, we need to talk to the spirit in the Bone Warden focus after we finish up with Elana, then sleep.

>>15076515
>Hilarious boulder of super-lightning burns down farmer's fields once per every sharp drop in humidity.

>Totemist trollface

>>15076504
It doesn't make us go faster it makes our steps take us farther, sort of like for every one step it teleports us two. So we don't gain momentum and we don't attack faster. It can work in conjunction with our spear but really only in helping us close distances faster. That is if it works how I'm interpreting it. Op can you give a more detailed description of it and how it works?

>>15076510
So at most one more experiment, set them to certain objects for now, I like as I said Skeletal Step and Heaven's Chain. Visit Boa while it's still light out, we've got a goodly number of questions to ask her. We can talk to Elana more when it's late.

my vote is still on visiting boa and finishing our experiments now

That aside, future binds I want to try:
turtle cloak, turtle rope, and bone weapon (how have we not tried this yet?)

You glance around at the assembled items, deciding on one more experiment before you return to the forest to speak with Boand, the Spring Spirit. You pick the Skull Focus from the pile, holding the long scrap of Drake Wing in the other hand. Speaking the Ritual of Binding, you close your eyes. You've become accustomed to the blinding light that accompanies these combinations.

Glancing down, your eyebrow arches in surprise. The scrap of wing has extended to a full-length skeletal wing, about the size of your arm. You hold the long bone of the wing in your hand, turning it over. You swing it about, attempting alternately to slash and flap with it. You even attempt to connect the wing to your own shoulder-blade, without much success.

Grimacing, you unbind the Focus. That was a waste of time.

Stowing your assembled equipment in your backpack and bag, you heft the collected assembly back to your workshop. After unloading the majority of your equipment, you look at the variety of items. What would you like to take with you to meet Boa? You will, as always, be taking your Foci for Amal and Tryd. Do you want to take your spear, or would you like to bind a slightly less conspicuous weapon for diplomatic purposes?

>>15076555
Daylight is fading. We can do experiments at night before bed or in the morning.

Seriously, guys, we'll get to it. We'll also probably get better results if OP isn't forced to continuously come up with this stuff for hour upon hour. Let's spread it out or do it once a session, that should get us good results.

>>15076587
Ixion charm + true sight mirror
and of course the usuals like ritual knife
My reasoning being Boa doesn't feel like a threat, more likely to trick us than attack us. Ixion charm is the subtlest weapon in our arsenal and also lightning vs water. Similarly since tricky shit is what i'd expect most the mirrior is the best use of the bone warden.

>>15076601
agreed. From here on only four experiments at most per inquest day, barring circumstances.

>>15076587
We should take our spear and our ritual knife.

Bringing your arms and then laying them down conspicuously can speak volumes.

Aside from that, climbing gear, some rations, and a satchel. We haven't eaten all day, either. Maybe we'll break bread with her or Elana.

Send Amal to ask her if she wants to eat with us when we "finish our work for the day," and don't mention Boa here, or if she's going to bed too soon for that.

We can't check on our sister again, important as it is that we have contact with her on a daily basis if we want to have an impact on her life - we've likely missed free time at the Raising House. Plus we've already seen her once today.

>>15076587
Bringing the spear.

Don't get why we unbound the wing, had until we wanted to experiment again to try it out.

>>15076587
The Spear is representative of our station as Totemist and it is far too useful for us not to have it. We should never ever ever not have it. Either take Skeleton Boots to speed up the walk or the True Sight Mirror to see if she's hiding her true self from us. Either Heaven's Whip or Ixion Charm for the Turtle as both are good weapons and not to conspicuous, I'd prefer the whip if we want to avoid collateral damage.

>>15076624
wait shit I take that back, we'd have to rebind those and that'd take too much effort.
>>15076647
yeah ok this one then.

>>15076655
How about Ixion Charm and Truesight mirror? We obviously won't have the charm equiped.

>>15076624
That'd be my vote if binding the item didn't take time and energy. The Rock Turtle focus is either unbound or attached to something else at this point.

And the way she can trick us is by luring us into a fight in a presumably safe place - like the pond.

What's she going to do if we have the spear with us, refuse to speak? Did our master always go to her unarmed? She didn't seem to care all that much that we pulled a knife on her last time.

>>15076668
Well, ignore my later post, then. Sorry, brah. Great minds.

>anon monsup

Yes, captcha.

>>15076681
Binding doesn't take much time although the point about energy is good.

I still don't like her but I'm outnumbered there. Can we at least agree to be wary of her?

>>15076728
Fuck yes we're wary of her.

My attitude is always, always sweet-talking these things, but assuming that they could be completely fucking insane and hiding it well.

Osyki is thus both silver-tongued and prepared.

You look at your Foci, feeling the weariness in your bones. You grimace at the thought of binding your Foci to items once again. You'll have to rely on the power of your spear to see you through any potential strife, a thought that isn't exactly uncomfortable to you. Sliding your knife into your belt, you turn and fill your pack with a dinner's worth of food, a length of rope, a smaller bag, and a pair of climbing gloves. On a whim you attach your lantern to the side of your pack, in case you are waylaid until nightfall. You are never one to be unprepared.

You set out a few minutes later, after scrubbing some of the soot from the electricity explosions from your arms. The walk out of the village is filled with minor stops as townsfolk going about their business stop to give you a bow or a kind word, or thank you for the sudden influx of food. A few children follow you as far as the village gate, asking you questions about your recent victories and the weapon you hold. You give them simplified versions, not wanting to cause the stir that you did in the Raising House.

The walk to the Pond is quiet once you reach the village gates. You have an innate appreciation for the beauty of nature after learning so much from it, and the forest is beautiful this time of year. Glowing mosses arrange themselves into spiraling patterns as they climb the massive tree trunks, and small animals leap to and fro through the underbrush, hunting and foraging. You spy a murder of crows flying overhead toward the mountains as you enter the clearing holding the spring. The waterfall sends cool mist rolling across the water, lapping lightly at the shore. You approach the edge of the water slowly, scanning the pool for Boa.

So our consensus is not to bother rebinding anything, but bring our spear and knife etc while being polite but wary?

After a moment you hear a splash, and the maiden launches herself from the center of the pool high into the air. Her hair flows behind her, seemingly unsoaked by the water she spends her time in, and the fish tail that makes up her lower body flexes powerfully. You're less shocked by her appearance now than you were the first time. You've had a little time to prepare yourself mentally. All business.

Yeah.

The spirit slowly approaches the bank, swimming in a wide, arcing pattern. She finally arrives at the rock shore, her smile wide.

"Totemist!" she says, her tone pleased. "I'm glad you returned so promptly. You look a little tired, darling. Would you care for a dip in the spring with me? I don't bite."

"You are never one to be unprepared"
I love you op

>>15076799
We should call for her.

>>15076800
>>15076838
derp herp

>>15076810
Turn her down(politely if we must), this is business and we're romancing Elana. Inquire about stuff.

>>15076810
"Perhaps later, for now I would love for you to share some dinner with me and educate me further on the Spirits and the Spirit of the forest." Ask about the arrangement she had with Ayren, and press especially on how she said Spirit of the forest, singular not plural. See if she knows about the other spirits in the area.

>>15076872
>>15076869
Seconding, but don't mention 'romancing Elana' or go into details. It's best to be viewed as loyal to those one is committed to, and not to drag the obvious in front of people that find you a potential target for their wiles.

Maybe you'll find her a merman or something.

>>15076872

2nd we need more info.

pic is what oyski's ultimate goal should be.

Also, why don't we have a draw fag on this yet?

>>15076922
should have been clearer, was not presenting that as stuff to touch on but rather reasoning for turning her down, perhaps sternly.

>>15076937
not much of one, but let me give a shot at drawing our boy here. Whats everyone think he looks like?
I really can't help but see him like this after the shit he keeps pulling.
>>15076938
No need to get stern with a playful (possibly powerful) water spirit.
>>15076872
Sounds pretty good, but I feel like we shouldn't come off as /all/ business, clearly she is fucking with us because its fun, I don't really feel its malicious though.

"I think that I've had my fill of swimming today, Boa." you say, laying your knife and spear down a short distance from the pool. "Thank you for your offer, though. If you don't mind, I have a few questions that I'd like to ask you. Would you care to share dinner with me?"

"I'm always happy to service a Totemist." Boa says, winking at you. "That is, if you're as talented as your master was. As for dinner, I will have to politely decline. Spirits such as I do not gain any benefit from mortal foodstuffs."

You avoid commenting on the innuendo, diving directly into your questions. "I'm interested in the arrangement you had with my master. Do you think that you could tell me a little more about that?"

Boa laughs suddenly, shaking her head. "Ayren and I worked very... closely together over the past few years. I served as his liaison to the Spirit of the Forest, as they were on less than stellar terms. In exchange, he would agree to occasionally entertain me," she says, pausing to lick her lips, "as well as keep me spring clean and protected. It was very mutually beneficial."

You nod. "When you say Spirit of the Forest, do you mean the spirits of the wood in general? Or do you speak of a singular, greater spirit who controls the forest?"

Boa's eyes widen for a moment, then close slightly as her broad grin returns. "Oh, you haven't met the Spirit of the Forest? You're bound to run into her at some point, though I'd get it out of the way sooner, if I were you. She can have a bit of a temper, and boy will she hold a grudge if you piss her off." she says, curling a strand of her hair on one finger. "Hopefully her feud with Ayren wont put her off of you."

>>15076974
I still think that what you're calling being playful is being a bitch.

>>15076975

go for it bro your the one drawing it!

we met the forest spirit as a boy in our flashback!

EUREKA!

>>15076975
I bet the spirit is the one from the flashback.
We need to inquire about where we could find the spirit and get some more information about it.

>>15077000
Could be, could be.
>>15076997
I still think what you're calling bitchiness is perhaps aggressive libido, but if you've read about mermaids and rusalki and so forth you may detect a theme. Her KIND are potentially this way. Solution: find another one, set them up.

>>15076975
"...I'll see if I can ensure that the spring and pond remain clean. If there are rituals to use, I'll be glad of them, and if the village needs to avoid drinking from this pond we'll find our water elsewhere.

What's the name of the Spirit of the Forest? And are there others like you, perhaps? Other water spirits in the area who seek a clean home, or must put up with fouled waters?"

>>15077014
Second

>>15076975
Do you have any advice on finding her and on making a good first impression? Also do you know a harp playing spirit named Sylviannis? What can you tell me about my Mentor, I was his apprentice for a while but he never showed too much of himself to anyone in the village. Finally if I wanted to form contracts with more spirits, perhaps increasing the strength of those already in my service where would I look?

>>15077041
Seconding, except I think her name was just Sylvia.

>>15077034

It is the spirit Aryen even commented that day that she was in a good mood.

also 2nd the questions in this post.

>>15077064
Yeah it's fairly obvious. Osyki should probably connect the dots at this point.

>>15077057
She said we could call her Sylvia, Aryen used her full name Sylviannis.

>>15077077
Thought that was a type of spirit at the time. Interesting.

A memory, recently stirred, flashes in your mind. A half-remembered memory revitalized by a vivid dream. A harp, a cave, and a handful of mushrooms. Your brain kicks into overdrive, and your eyes light up.

"You know, Boa, I think I've met this spirit before." you say, tapping your chin. "Is her name Sylvia? Or maybe Sylviannis. She plays a harp occasionally?"

"Got it in one, Totemist." Boa says, happily swimming to and fro in the pond. "I'm surprised you've caught her playing her harp. She hasn't done that in a year or so. She only plays when she's feeling happy, or at peace."

"I encountered her in a cave when I was very young." you say, smiling. "She seemed pleasant enough."

"You just wait." Boa says, her smile fading. "The past few years haven't been very kind to her, though I suppose hearing of Ayren's death may cheer her up a bit. I can tell you it didn't do me any favors. Poor man, going the way he did."

You nod, quickly diverting the subject away from your master. The pain in your heart still flares at his name. "I can certainly ensure that the spring remains clear and healthy." you say, returning to your previous topic. "Are there any rituals that I might need to fulfill to do so?"

"Nothing of the sort, Totemist." Boa says, her smile plastered across her face once more. "My power keeps the spring free of any but the most unnatural influence. Unfortunately, my powers depend almost entirely on my state of mind. When I'm in a good mood, I can keep everything running in top condition. I just need a little pick-me-up to keep my mood improved every now and then. Do you understand?" she asks, eying you up and down.

(Cont.)

You bite your tongue, sighing. "What about any other springs in the area? Are there spirits who don't enjoy such conditions?"

Boa pouts slightly as you ignore her question, but she answers all the same. "Sylviannis runs a pretty tight ship here." she says, floating lazily near the shore. "The only angry water spirits I know of are the spirits in the marsh beyond Sylviannis' realm. They tend to be pretty crotchety old women anyway, though. You needn't pay them any mind."

You frown. "If I wanted to increase my strength, say, by improving my bound spirits or making contracts with new ones, where would I look?"

"You've certainly come to the right place, Osyki." Boa says, her eyes suddenly narrow and shrewd. She swims up to the rock bank of the pond with a smaller smile. "If you're looking for a contract with me, I'm sure that we can negotiate some terms. I'm also something of a go-to spirit for the lesser beings in this forest, as well as the main line of communication to Sylviannis. What sort of contract might you be interested in?"

>>15077230
Well what kind of contracts are there?

>>15077230
I'm not really willing to agree to any of her terms but we may as well inquire about a foci.

>>15077230
Question for Diarca, how exactly does forming a contract with a nature spirit work. Are they still present at their origin and also with you, does a piece split off. Or do you have the whole spirit hanging with you with them still having a sympathetic link to their origin but not able to directly protect it.

We also still need to figure out where we could find Sylvia

>>15077253
How can we disagree with terms we don't know yet?

Also annoying the local spirits doesn't really help us at all.

>>15077248
>>15077262

I want a little more info from diarca about contracts as well.

>>15077262

Depending on the power of the spirit, it can go one of several ways. You can form a Link, which will allow to spirit to stay in one place while advising you from afar. You can bind the entire spirit, as you did with Amal, if they agree to the terms of a contract that you negotiate. Particularly powerful or influential spirits can split off a portion of their essence to act as their representative, and Totemists can bind that in the stead of the entire spirit.

>>15077271
She wants to fuck. That's what I'm guessing the bulk of any possible terms would be related to.

>>15077305
We don't know 'till we ask.

>>15077297
I'm gonna suggest a Link. She'd be useful to have on speed dial, And we're new. We need all the help we can get.

If we end up with a boy for an apprentice we could let him handle Boa.

>>15077337
If, indeed, fucking is all she wants. If she wants other, you know, actual things, I think we should take care of them.

I'm pretty sure she'll want actual things.

>>15077297
I would suggest a Link, she is probably not powerful enough to do the split and a full binding will probably have terms we're not completely comfortable with. Though I personally am not opposed to water spirit sex.

Guys, guys, what if we made a deal that allowed any extra men or widowers in the village to spend time with the nature spirit and mind the pond?

Nothing so far says we personally have to do the pile-laying, if you know what I mean.

"I feel quite strange, Boa, following so closely in my Master's footsteps not a week after his passing. It would be untoward in many cases, but so soon afterward it is unthinkable.

In addition, I expect you'd have no truck with me if I was seen as disloyal to those I cherished, as fair-weather a friend as a companion. My heart is yet young and set on another - you saw it yourself. I cannot simply undo THAT bond - it would be as flighty and unfeeling as I could be.

But perhaps I could find you a more permanent companion instead, one less likely to fall fighting some great and slavering beast, one more of your sort. An appropriate spirit, or another of my people whose loneliness matches your own. Loneliness is not a burden you have alone - I am sure there are others here who would be as keen to share your company as you theirs, and far more attentive than I. You could see them each day, if you wished, spend time enough with them to be content in all things."

>>15077361
I think we need to ask what her conditions are before we all assume her conditions are dicks and the dickings that come with them.

>>15077326
More like she has us on speed dial if the forest spirits need help. Always nice to have favors from the forest.
I'm voting for link also.
The problem is, she wants to fuck. We can probably get away with something that isn't outright fucking with our amazing silver tongue. I'm fairly certain she responds to flattery really well

>>15077361
Ha! be all like "I could just tell the guys in town that there's a slutty mermaid at the pond."

>Instantly become hated by all the married women.

How does this culture handle couples and by extension relationships considering the lack of focus on family?

>>15077367
Well.

Ordinarily I'd be as cautious as you are, but I'm reading between the lines here.

You really want to ask her outright? I think my statements above get the point across, and if she's actually talking about candlelit dinners or something else, she'd have no choice but to tell us after a statement like that.

>>15077388
I was honestly thinking a widower, and not telling to her face that you think she's some kind of screw-machine.

>>15077390
I am too, but being presumptuous is undiplomatic. We could at least ask, before assuming what her conditions are. It's polite.

>>15077368
you might also want to be careful about her libido here, certainly she has said she wants to fuck between the lines but she does have /some/ class. I feel like bringing the villagers into this is a move that lacks in a certain amount of class. She isn't a succubus or anything you know.

>>15077396
We don't know if our culture has a concept of marriage.

seconding the whole finding out what her terms are thing/

Okay, so are we at least in agreement about a Link?

I'm getting a "bored housewife" vibe from her

>>15077428
We're agreeing to ask about her terms inregards to one. We may not agree about agreeing to them.

>>15077412
I guess there is the point about how does our culture view these things, so that aside, I really don't' like involving the villagers with spirits. We are the totemist, that's our job, we fuck (sometimes literally) with spirits so they don't have to. I suppose though it depends on our culture and if our little mermaid just wants to get laid bar nothing else

>>15077412
Our villagers so far have been plenty classy. You may be getting hung up on the word 'villager.' We'd be playing matchmaker with the best people available, not pimping out some snot-nosed rube.

The alternative is doing it yourself. What if Elana finds out? Oh, right, her first reaction to Boa was a mixture of fear and rage.

This is a choice, potentially a dilemma. Either horn of the dilemma is a pain to commit to and makes for a bad place to sit and hope for security.

Let's dismantle the dilemma.

Before saying this: >>15077361

Say "You would have us couple? This is your suggestion and your price?" and watch her reaction.

>>15077454
No, we make advantageous things happen involving spirits.

There are totems and spirits bound in the village walls, for chrissake. They depend on you to commune with nature, not to shut it off. In the first thread, OP said you went around sorting out problems with farmers and crops and the spirits of the fields. The villagers are totally involved with spirits, is my view until proven otherwise.

Also, we could always start a new tradition.

And sure, I'm down with a link.

>>15077490
>in the first thread
The second thread, I think.

We need some cultural information.

I'm strictly against fucking her, and think we should make it clear to her that we won't do that but that we may be able to present alternatives.

We still need to ask about where we can find Slyvia.

"A contract of communication with you is what I seek, first and foremost." you say, sitting beside the pool to get closer to eye-level with the spirit. "A link between the two of us, so that we may keep in communication. Would that be amenable to you?"

"It would indeed," Boa says, her tone suggesting barely contained excitement. "When I felt your Master's connection with me sever, it was as a knife in my side. It is comforting to know that I will be connected to the world around me once again, if only through your communication."

"What would your terms be for such an arrangement?" you ask, stopping yourself from raising an eyebrow.

"When you wish to call on me for any services beyond pleasant small-talk, I will require a small gift from you." she says, combing her hair with her fingernails. "A trinket or something of small value, simply to show your appreciation. If you wish for me to act as a broker between yourself and another spirit, I will require your companionship for one minute per minute of my service."

"When you say companionship," you say, uncertainly, "What exactly do you mean?"

"I require your presence here, physically within my spring. Whether you choose to do so with a positive attitude is a matter for you to decide, but those are my terms."

"Would it be acceptable to send another in my place? Perhaps a member of the village, acting as a proxy."

"Absolutely not." Boa says, her brows suddenly turning sharply downward. "I will make a contract with you only if you personally will fulfill your end of the bargain. I do not grant my knowledge to your proxies, and so I do not wish them to know the pleasure of my company. It will be you, Totemist, or we will have no bargain."

>>15077517
sounds good to me, nothing about that deal sounds particularly bad. we might have misconstrued her a little.

>>15077422

Though it is not called marriage, as such, members of your village do mate for life once children are conceived. The concept of polygamy is not unknown to your village, but is seen as disrespectful to the traditions of your people and to the other parent of your children. Pre-children, however, young men are encouraged to find the best potential mate for them. This doesn't mean that girls in the village don't have a sense of jealousy, however, so sleeping around isn't a regular occurrence.

>>15077517
So wait. Is she saying that we can just sit in the spring? I don't know. Let's find out how we can find Slyvia, there's no need to commit to anything right away and depending on how we get on with Slyvia we may not need to utilize Boa hardly at all.

>>15077552
See! No fucking at all in the direct terms.

And if she tries we can say that it wasn't in the terms and conditions.

>>15077562
That doesn't mean we shouldn't make it anyways. We're not Osyki The unPREPARED.

>>15077517
>>15077552
>>15077562
There's a simple way to find out.

Put down your pack, give her a bracelet, and dive in for an evening swim.

See what happens.

Depending on the outcome, we may be seeing Elana in the morning and not tonight, but at least we'll have our answer.

We don't have to accept her touch if it is offered to us, mind you.

>>15077567
idk she could have meant fucking by "I require your presence here, physically within my spring. Whether you choose to do so with a positive attitude is a matter for you to decide, but those are my terms."

>>15077591
She might have meant fucking, but fucking she did not say.

Wording's a bitch.

>>15077588
I rather not find out if the terms include fucking by entering into them and then fucking if that is indeed part of them. We can just ask for clarification.

>>15077517
That's a more than generous offer there. She is not insisting on sex but simply on our company and we can spare that resource. She is offering contact with other spirits and good advice and more information than we could get on our own easily for minimum cost.

It's probably a lot easier to get contact with other spirits and some information from Boa than it would be to bother Sylvia, We definitely don't want to bother Sylvia with a lot of the stuff we would ask Boa as Sylvia seems to have a temper.

Honestly she's probably lonely as all hell and while she would like sex, having somebody around her main priority.

You know, those are fairly reasonable terms. If all she wants is some trinkets and a swim now and then, I see no problem.

>>15077640
We're not sure if that's all she wants though. Need clarification unless we're wanting to be literal and insist on awkardly sitting in the water while she tries to get us to fuck every time we use her to talk to spirits.

>>15077608
We can also pull away.

>>15077673
If she wanted more than she stated in the terms that's hardly our fautl.

[[ Well, gentlemen, what will it be?

>>15077588
or
>>15077608
? ]]

>>15077788
My vote's for Editor.

>>15077802
same here

>>15077788
I like Editor, say something along the lines of "Let me mull this over a little while I take a swim." Lets us think, figures out the meaning of her words and keeps her happy.

>>15077788
>>15077608
Voting for myself.(note that I'm hardly opposing Editor, merely asking for clarification)

If we rock up to Elana's all wet, she's going to think the worst has happened.

I think perhaps asking for time to think, and hint that we will bring a gift when we return, is the best possible idea. It will give us time to read any notes our master has on her and to make a solid decision.

>>15077843
Eh. Could just visit Elana in the morning.

We already saw her today, remember? And that was that.

Also we could change and dry off.

Alright, OP, we've settled on a gentlemen's disagreement.

Ask us to roll if you want, but we have a majority vote I suppose.

>>15077843
second

>>15077608
my vote

I declare a dice off. We're spending too much time on this one.

You think on this for a few moments. Simply spending time in the spring with Boa sounds like a comparatively cheap price to pay for her counseling, and a link with her could prove incredibly useful. You must be sure of her intentions first, however, and to do that you need to test the waters, so to speak. You remove your pack from your shoulders, rummaging through it for a bracelet. You find a small silver bangle tucked into the bottom corner of the pack quickly. Placing your bag next to your weapons, you turn and dive into the pool.

The squeal of delight that Boa makes is instantly muffled by the rush of water in your ears. The water is cool, but not cold, and though your clothes weigh you down, the water is not so deep that you struggle to stay aloft. You see Boa dive under the surface, and as you kick to the surface she swims a few excited circles around you.

"Welcome to the Spring, Osyki!" she says, approaching you from the side and wrapping you in a sudden hug. "It's been so long since I've had someone to swim with, you know."

You hand her the bangle, silently, as allow your body to go limp as she releases you. Floating on the water's surface, you feel much more at peace than you did a few moments ago.

"You never did agree to my terms." Boa says, fitting the bangle onto her wrist. "What do you say? I know that you've got your crush on that girl, you know. I'm not blind."

As she speaks, you can see her cleaning non-existent dirt from beneath her nails. She seems nervous, suddenly, and her shoulders are hunched.

"I wont demand you to act as Ayren did, Osyki." she says, using your name for the second time. "That's not within my interest. You're a boy, after all, and I know how dangerous the hearts of boys can be. But if you ever change your mind... let me know."

[[ Bluh. I wrote that, then saw the other votes. I started writing the post around here:

>>15077879

Next time I'll be sure to refresh for new votes before I post. Sorry if those of you who disagreed feel cheated.

Also, noticed I dropped my trip. That last post was me.]]

>>15077996
"Thank you for your understanding. As well, Elena can be a handful when she gets jealous. I'm fine with this arrangement."

>>15078026
meant Elana, derp.

>>15077996
Well she answered the question about what her intents were, she's open to it but not demanding and mainly wants company, that nagging issue taken care of we seem to have a really good contract that I suggest we take now. We probably shouldn't have dived in in our clothes though. Since we're already wet and in the pool we may as well spend some more time with here, she's lonely and we may as well cement our relationship with some strings free time together.

>>15078016
Pretty sure those of us against doing so were still outnumbered.

>>15077996
Let's agree to her terms then. We should still ask about where we can find Slyvia though, she's worth meeting as Totemist.

"I have a request, if you wouldn't mind. When next you speak to Sylviannis, could you mention to her the boy whom met her in the cave all those years ago is the village's new totemist, and he's still interested in learning to play the harp."

>>15078047
>>15078055
See, I was kind of calculating on OP not turning this into Totemporn Quest With Fishtits

Seconding thanking her and hanging out in the water.

>>15078083
I forget, did we tell her our name? It'd be a lot simpler as "Osyki would still like to learn how to play the harp"

I'm still advocating meeting her as the totemist though, if she adopts a dislike for us we can communicate through Boa but defaulting to using Boa almost urges her to by assuming the method Ayren used.

>>15078109
I think we did?

>>15078083
Seconding, with the rephrase of 'like to pay you his respects and learn the harp.'

They don't call me editorfag for nothing.

>>15078123
"he'd like to pay HER his respects..."

derp.

You smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Boa." you say, placing a hand on her shoulder as she swims past you. She stops, turning to face you. "I will accept the terms of your contract. I'd be happy to share a link with you, and your terms are more than fair."

She grins broadly, swimming to float directly next to you. "Fantastic! Wait right here. I have just the thing."

With a flip and a splash she dives beneath the water, surging out of sight. You tread water for about a minute before she re-surfaces, carrying a pearl about the size of your thumbnail in diameter. The orb is shot through with veins of sky blue, and a length of algae rope is looped through it to make a pendant.

"Here." she says, closing her eyes. The pearl glows with the same blue color as her hair, briefly turning translucent before settling back to its normal state. She swims behind you in a flash, looping the necklace in front of you and tying it to rest around your neck. You can feel a sudden presence in the back of your mind, elated and mischievous, and a voice comes unbidden to your mind.

(Cont.)

"If you ever find need of me," it says, echoing slightly within your skull, "just call. This pendant will bear the mark of our link."

You clasp your hand around the pearl. "Thank you, Boa. When you see Syliannis next, will you deliver a message for me?"

She smiles as she drifts past you, eying the bangle on her wrist. "I suppose that this will do for payment. I will. What would you have me tell her?"

"Tell her..." you hesitate for a moment, then nod. "Tell her that the boy from the cave, Osyki, is the village's new Totemist, and that he's still ready to take her up on that harp lesson, if she's still willing to teach me. And send my respects."

Boa nods. "Can do, Totemist." she says. She floats on her back, her eyes closed blissfully and her arms folded over her stomach.

So we want to have her tell Slyvia "Osyki would like to pay you his respects and perhaps learn the harp."

Alternatively we could replace Osyki with "The new totemist" leaving the harp comment to reveal our identity.
I like this option more.

>>15078157
We obviously need to spam harder and faster XD

Swim around, hang out with Boa, ask her to tell you about the spirits of the forest.

Then go home, dry off, change, and send Amal to see if Elana's still awake.

>>15078152
We should get headed back now. We need to rest for training in the morning.

>>15078152
We should stay with her for maybe 15-30 minutes, we don't want to start off our accord with us running off. What can you tell me about Ayren, he was our Mentor for 10 years but nobody in the village, even ourselves, really knew or understood him. I'd like to know him better even though he is gone now.

>>15078183
scratch
>>15078175
second

>>15078175
seconded

>>15078223
secondan these questions

>>15078223
mah vote too
also:
I am sorry but I only know how to draw manly men

You float peacefully in the pool in this manner, side by side, until a thought occurs to you. You crack an eye open and turn to look at Boa.

"Boa... what can you tell me about Ayren? He was my master for a long time, but he didn't show a lot of himself to anyone else, especially the other villagers. You seemed to know him well enough. I'd like to try to understand him."

"Osyki, if I understood Ayren Overwake I think that I'd be the second person ever to do so, after himself. I'm not even sure of that, actually. He may not have understood himself."

She sighs, turning to float upright once more. You notice that she's tactfully positioned her long her to hide her chest. "Ayren was always a mysterious man. Always in control, always silent until he needed to speak. He always knew just what others wanted to hear, and what to say to turn a conversation in his favor. I think that's why Sylviannis disliked him so much, really. He was too smooth an operator. Unnaturally so, really. I appreciated it, of course, and all of the... talents that came with it, but I could tell that he wasn't really genuine about it. It was all just another means to an end."

She gasps slightly, covering her mouth with a hand. "I don't mean to sound disrespectful, Osyki. Maybe I'm just a little bitter. I never even got a goodbye to the man. He just up and vanished to fight a Behemoth, and that was that. The last time I talked to him was months ago."

>>15078422
I understand, he was a difficult man at the best of times and his death was a shock to everyone. When I was younger I figured he couldn't die, I would have put money on him having punched death in the teeth and that death wanted nothing to do with him. They're big boots I'm trying to feel and to be honest there's a lot of luck and injury involved in what I've done so far and I don't feel even close to what he did effortlessly.

>>15078422
We should wrap up talking to her and get headed back.

>>15078526
Something along these lines, followed by "Thanks for telling me what you told me." Then >>15078532

You shrug. "I understand. He was a difficult man at the best of times, and his death was a shock to everyone. When I was younger I figured he couldn't die. I would have put money on him having punched death in the teeth and that death wanted nothing to do with him. They're big boots I'm trying to feel and to be honest there's a lot of luck and injury involved in what I've done so far... and I don't feel even close to what he did effortlessly."

Boa smiles, placing a hand on your shoulder. "You'll get there, Osyki. You've only just begun, after all."

You nod. "Thanks, Boa. I should probably get back now. I've got somewhere to be at dawn."

She nods. "Come back soon, Osyki."

You step out of the pool, wringing off your clothing as well as you can. The sun is dipping behind the horizon as you shoulder your backpack. Spear in hand, you begin the trek back to the village.

You can feel things skittering all around you in the dim twilight of the forest. Larger shapes than those you saw previously slighter and flicker through the underbrush, and overhead the treetops are alive with animals lower on the food chain desperately trying to reach home before nightfall. You emulate them, doubling your pace and reaching the village gates before the starts have truly begun to show their face.

Will you sleep now, Totemist? You have an early appointment. Your options are open for you, and the choice is yours.

>>15078587
second

If we get dry in time, I say we talk to Elana

>>15078591
We should sleep now.

>>15078640
Seconding. We've had enough girl time for one day, I think.

>>15078591
I vote for saying good night the Elana after we put our wet clothes up to dry. She has been exposed to a flirty mermaid and reassuring her that we're interested in her is not a bad idea.

Distance does make the heart grow fonder. I vote we go to bed and visit her in the morning after training.

>>15078666
Send Amal.

Talk to the spirit in your bone warden focus. Ask her about her capabilities and how she feels she can assist you in your effort to prevent bad things from happening to her.

Sleep.

Get up, exercise, do FOUR experimental bindings, say hello to Elana, and scout the forest.

>>15078745
>prevent bad things from happening to her
Derp, prevent bad things like the ones that happened to her from recurring for others.

[[ 3 to 2 in favor of sleep. ]]

> Soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lvC8b1_2bI

You yawn, quickly stripping out of your soaked clothing. While Tryd starts a fire, you hang them to dry in front of the fireplace. You'll have plenty of time to see Elana in the morning. She seemed fine when you dropped her off, and you can explain everything in the morning.

You relax against your bed, about to drift off to sleep when you feel Amal's Focus vibrating. Cracking an eye open, you release the spirit from his binds. He flows from his pendant Focus like thick smoke, materializing in the air before you.

"I'll wake you just before dawn, Osyki." he says, turning slowly in place. "For the record, I think you handled that very well. Boand seems as though she's a good ally to have."

You nod, your eyes slowly drifting shut again. Sleep comes like a friend long separated from you, and your slumber is deep and unfettered. You dream of twisting bolts of lightning and Elana, swimming in the Spring with you. You splash at her as the columns of light twist and dance around the pool, occasionally lashing out toward its center, but never touching the surface of the water. You are about to catch up with Elana when a bolt finally slams into the pool, sending a jolt through you. You start awake, sitting bolt upright in your bed. Something isn't right. There's something odd in the air.

You glance around, trying to ascertain what the issue is, before the scent fills your nostrils. Smoke. Acrid, stinging smoke. You roll out of bed, quickly clambering to your feet. A glance out the window reveals a sight that sends your blood running cold, and you immediately run for your mostly-dried clothing.

(Cont.)

At the edge of town, a flickering flame dances over the treetops of the forest. The trunks closest to the village are completely consumed in brilliant indigo flame, sending weird, warped shadows over the village. Barely illuminated at the edge of the light cast by the trunks, you can see a massive form. Brilliant orange embers flicker high above the treeline, forming the shape of four thin, cruel eyes, and the vague outline of a fanged maw can be seen in the flashes of light from the distance, rows of teeth glinting a sinister pale blue. It seems that no one has sounded the alarm yet, though as you grab your spear from the corner and your Foci from the desk, you can hear a single, high-pitched scream.

A sense of dread fills you. The beast on the outskirts is enormous, far outstripping the size of even the Rock Turtle you fought. Has a Behemoth come to call, so soon after you take the job? It can't be.

> You have time to bind your Foci and gather a pack before shit hits the fan, Osyki. What will bind, and where will you head first?

>>15078811
>>15078811
OH SHI-
Cloudwalker stride
none of the bone warden binds are good for this, lets just bind it to something new and roll with it, votes on charm bracelet, not point in binding it to a weapon, our spear will be good enough for that.

Cloudwalker boots!

We need to be able to get on top of this thing.

Ixion Charm, Warden's Ivory, then send Amal to raise the alarm and Tryd to scout and draw a circle of binding, grab the spear and take this fucker on.

>>15078811
Well we are going to want the single most damaging potential weapon we have and I'm fairly sure that would be the lightning hammer but given it's size we could want to get on top and the Cloudwalkers stride. The Skeletal Step might help some with the dodging so I'd go with that. Can the spear grant the speed even if we're wielding something else in our hands.

>>15078874
If we can get speed without wielding it we'll want to find the biggest weapon we can still swing and attach either the Rock Turtle or the Bone Warden.

Also send a ping to Boa, see if she knows anything about what's going on.

Knowledge is power. Grab the Mirror of True Sight so we can see what we are actually fighting.

Cloudwalk Stride boots sound like they could come in handy, though we need something to do damage to it and the charm braclet is just the thing.

>>15078899
THIS

>>15078811
My choice is going for the cloudwalker stride and either mirror or warden's Ivory

>>15078899
Second.

You snatch your boots from their place beside the fireplace, taking the Crystal Focus in hand.

"In the name of Osyki, Link to the World Without, I unite the spiritual and the mundane. Grant this conduit your blessing, spirit, and work through it to influence the material world." you chant, uniting the two. The resulting boots, soles made from crystal, are quickly slipped onto your feet. You glance back and forth between the amulet and the hand mirror as you blink the sleep from your eyes. Deciding that pain would be a useful thing to be aware of, you bind the Skull Focus to the hand mirror, re-creating The Mirror of True Sight.

Spear in hand, armed and ready, you slip your knife into your belt and head out the door. The screaming has awoken the Slayers, and you see a younger guard running toward your door as you slip outside. Several villagers are running past you, heading for the opposite edge of the village from the beast.

"Thank god, you're up." he says, noting the soft pulsing glow from your boots and the strange pair of items in your grasp. "What is it?"

"Trouble." you say, turning to face the enormous shape moving just beyond the field of light thrown off by the burning trees.

> Where to, Totemist?

>>15078899
idk regardless of what we're fighting combat power is combat power and even though I argued against them before I think the extra distance gained from Skeletal Step would be beneficial.

we need to get a good look at what this thing really is. Get up high somewhere and have a look with the mirror.

>>15079054
We need to utilize the mirror first off. So let's get to where we can do that. Then let's stab the fuck out of it.

>>15079066
somewhere high while moving in that direction. Or if that doesn't work, somewhere closer.

no one likes my manly Osyki?

>>15079066
Second that. Jump up onto a building, have a glance. We've got scouting to do.

After that, approach it in the most tactically useful fashion and we'll get our fight on.

>>15079054
Get a good look at the fucker from the tallest building with and without the mirror and use our new connection to Boa to ask if she has any more of a clue what the fuck is going on here. Also yell at the spear that we've got some good killing about to happen so wake up and show us some new tricks.

>>15079089
>>15079100
If it's already upon the village we cannot afford to be cautious, we must protect the village.

You crouch down, focusing on the barely restrained power within the soles of your boots. With a zap and a crackle of lightning, you launch yourself upward into the air, traces of electricity arcing between you and the ground as you hurtle into the air. You land on a nearby roof, leaping in bursts of speed and lightning from roof to roof until you reach the Blacksmith's chimney, easily the tallest structure in the village. Facing away from the monster, you angle the mirror to look over your shoulder and observe.

Though your mirror pierces the veil of darkness, you can't seem to get a good look at the beast. Though its four eyes burn into your mirror like flaming arrows, its outline remains flickering and vague. An occasional gout of indigo flame issues from the ground near the edge of the village, and images of snapping jaws briefly materialize in the air, but you can't seem to get a look at the body of the thing. It hangs indistinct in the air, light blue and slightly translucent.

Do any of our spirits know what the hell this thing could be?

>>15079136
Let's ask while we run off to see what we can do about this.

We need to at least move towards it, any gaining of information must be done enroute. We need to kill this before it fucks the village up too bad. Maybe we can lure it away?

unless modi magni has some more powers to grant us I think we're fucked.

>>15079173
Probably.

>>15079182
let's die like a hero then.

>>15079127
It's getting too close to the village for us to wait and do much planning, leap towards it in bounds, get closer, ask Tyrd, Amal, and Boa what the hell it is, possible weak points they can think of and why this happened in our first week. Start talking to our spear, promise it dragon heads if it gets us through this. Tell him that if he's an Avatar of Wrath he should help us as this fucker decided to attack our village filled with the ones we care for and that made us very very angry.

[[ Stepping out for a cup of tea before I write up this next post. Should be a long one. Bear with me. ]]

anyone else regretting not doing the Ixion Charm? We have to kill this with the spear.

Probably could have done Ixion Charm & Skeletal Step- shoot lightning, keep distance

>>15079239
Given that it makes the Rock Turtle look small and it probably is faster, tougher and nastier the Ixion Charm would have made it snicker. While I like Skeletal Step I don't know if we could have that and Cloudsteppers and the Mirror might point out a weak point. Our only real hope is luck, weakpoints and Modi Magni stepping up to the occasion.

>>15079239
The benefit to not using the Ixion charm, and it's cost/benefit, but the benefit is a lack of potential collateral damage if lightning bolts just go through the thing.

Though there's no telling what the hell's going to happen next.

I say we bind the Bone Warden focus to something else - a bracelet, perhaps - and test it out.

As you bound forward, you call on Amal, Tryd, and activate your link with Boa. The two on your person respond readily enough, though it takes a moment for Boa to reply to your frantic summons.

"Any idea what the hell this thing is?" you ask, leaping in lightning-charged leaps from roof to roof. You feel your spirits appear on either shoulder, Amal hovering less than an inch above your body.

"I wonder if it might be some sort of enormous Drake." Amal muses, spinning rapidly. "The flames would suggest something of that nature, as would the shape of the eyes, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a Drake grow to that size."

"Those flames aren't natural, I'll tell you that." Tryd says, grimacing. "No fire burns that color, not for sustained periods of time. Whatever it is, it's conjuring that fire through means other than good, old fashioned combustion."

You ponder this as Boa chimes in, sounding harried and out of breath.

"Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to take so long. Sylviannis is losing her shit over here. Whatever that thing is, it's carrying spiritual pressure powerful enough to snuff out a lot of minor spirits just by being around. I'm feeling a little light-headed myself. She's moving toward it now, seeing if she can't figure out what it is."

You frown, rubbing your chin. This could mean serious complications.

You're about to take another stride when a wave of nausea hits you like a ton of bricks. You stop, reeling, slowly steadying yourself. You feel as though you're being compressed from every side. The very air seems to squeeze at your skull, and you can feel a pulsing haze moving through the air in a steady, even rhythm. Like a heartbeat. As the moments pass the feeling grows more and more intense, until you feel as though your head is going to pop. With a wrench, reality lurches sideways for a moment.

Then, you see it. Walking calmly along the roof across from you, a figure seemingly cut from the cloth of the night sky. Humanoid in shape, though with a good foot of height over you, the figure leaves trails of indigo flame in its wake with each step. Spiky protrusions flow and shift along its form, and two pairs of burning orange eyes pierce the uniform black of its head. It raises its left hand, a long, reptilian skull clutched in its grasp, and points at you.

“You. Where is Overwake?”

>>15079374
We have a greater avatar of wrath.

Everything's going to be just fine, if we play well and think tactically.

We need to find a weakness and exploit it, but perhaps it's intelligent. Try going over to it and addressing it.

>>15079387
Looks like we're doing that.

Should we tell it he's dead? I mean I'm not sure what else TO tell it.

>>15079374
"Any help would be appreciated, but keep yourself safe, Boa. If you can, tell her I'll meet up with her when she gets within range."

>>15079380
One does not waltz into another person's home and then begins asking questions after setting things on fire! First things first, who are you spirit, or behemoth, or whatever the or who you are, and why do you come to my domain?

>>15079380
"Overwake is gone from here. I am totemist here now.

I would have your name, traded for my own. I would know what it is you do in my home, and if you mean me harm."

>>15079409
I like the Bravado. I really do.

Bravado will get us killed here.

>>15079380
"Overwake is dead. Poisoned by a Basilisk. I am his replacement. What business do you have here?"

>>15079380
Aryen Overwake is no longer here. I, Osyki, his apprentice have taken on his duties. Speak your piece. We should take an obviously threatening stance with our spear.

>>15079380
We should tell it that Overwake is behind it and then stab it in the foot when it laughs at our stupid idea.

on a serious note we should tell it that he is dead as it's beef may have been entirely with Ayren.

>>15079420
Just trying to feel in a role here. I assume spirits/behemoths (if they are sentient) have a way of doing things in accordance to rituals, figure I'd throw out a response similar to such so that they would answer, perhaps we add in the fact we are Overwake's apprentice and newly just inherited his title.

>>15079380

"He is dead. I am Osyki, his successor. Who are you? What business did you have here with Overwake?"

>>15079409
second

>>15079417

I have to side with Edit here. I think he's got the right of it.

>>15079469
>>15079409
I'm good with a combination of these two.

"I am Osyki, Overwakes inheritor of the totemist title. A spirit or behemoth does not simply walk into my domain and begin setting things on fire and expects to get his questions answered before mine are. Who or what are you and why do you seek Overwake?"

Your focus sharpens at the mention of your master's name, and you shift your stance forward. You can feel a soft warmth from your spear as you speak, keeping your thoughts in line.

"Ayren Overwake is gone." you say, furrowing your brow. "Poisoned, by the Basilisk Wyrm. I am his successor, Osyki. I offer my name, in exchange for yours. Who are you, and what is your business here?"

The solid shadow lowers its arms, all four eyes narrowing. "Evaleii Myoho." it responds. The skull in its grasp blazes as it speaks, and the image that you spotted from your window is suddenly behind the figure, four burning eyes the size of the houses around you staring down at you, narrowed to match the figure's own. "Overwake is dead? How disappointing. I was hoping for a proper completion to our business."

It strides forward, stepping over the empty space between houses as solidly as ordinary ground. Your spear grows warmer in your grasp, and you hold it before you, ready to retaliate to any assaults.

"My business, Totemist, is simple. The one in this village with a talent for seeing the true order was promised to me, and I intend to collect on that promise. Direct me to the child, that I might leave this place whole and unmolested."

"Take me to the girl."

"I am Osyki, Overwake is dead. One does not simply walk into my domain and begin setting things on fire."

>>15079534
Do we... Do we know who that is? It might not be important now but it could help in the future.

>>15079534
I am not sure I know who this girl is, and I would simply not allow /anyone/ to take someone against their will. Regardless of the purpose. When and why did my former master promise you these things?

"I'm afraid I have no clue what you speak of. Did he ever mention a name or description?"

>>15079534
We don't know who he wants but we don't need to tell him that. Let's act like we do and that we're complying, act relieved that he can be dealt with so easily. And then stab him in the back of the head.

>>15079534
Also adding:

"I would know the terms of this supposed business, elaborate, if you will."

>>15079534
I know not of who you speak and this bargain was struck with one who is now gone. I would know who you intend to take and what you would do with them.

>>15079550
>>15079555

Second.

>>15079534
Which girl? My master never informed me of any agreement between the two of you- Can you provide a name of the one you seek?

I think we all dread who it could possibly be, but here's to hoping it's not.

>>15079609
Oh come now. Story like this?

It's our sister or Elana.

>>15079618
I'm betting Elana.

>>15079618
Really? I thought it was Walther- He certainly ACTS like a woman... But I doubt he could see the true order of anything save his own ego.

You grit your teeth, keeping your stance steady as the figure advances further toward you. "I do not know whom you speak of." you say, forcing your mind to keep the words in the correct order. The pressure on your head in unbelievable, but the warmth of your spear is doing some good in keeping you coherent. "I simply will not allow anyone to take someone against their will. Regardless of the purpose."

The figure stands before you now, and you can see what appear to be small hands occasionally stretching the fabric of darkness shrouding its form from the inside out.

"I will not allow anyone to walk into my domain and begin setting things aflame. Who promised you this person, and for what purpose do you seek her?"

Evaleii Myoho stops a few feet short of the end of your spear, eying it with distaste.

"The spirit of the mountain made this pact with me, in exchange for this outpost's safety. I will see the terms of my agreement honored. The time is now, and the price of my boon will be repaid. Bring her to me. Bring me the one who sees the true order!"

>>15079643
Interesting twist.

We'd still save that ass though.

>>15079649
"I know not of her identity. And even if I did, your deal was with the Spirit of the Mountain. This settlement is not under his protection. It's under mine."

"I don't KNOW who you're looking for! He never told me anything about this! Do you have her name? Or what she looks like?"

>>15079649
Stab him.
or
Ask who the one who sees the true order is AND then stab him.

>>15079649
I still don't know who she is, once I find her we can talk and if and only if she of her own free will decides to join you will you have her.

>>15079649
The spirit of the mountain? How does he hold domain over the spirit of the forest? We live in her domain therefore are under her authority as it were, not the mountain spirit. The mountain spirit, is also not Overwake, lest you made this deal through proxy. You also have yet to inform me of who this girl is. How can anyone fulfill a pact that has no clear payment to either party?"

>>15079649
Ask the spirit what it has done to keep us so safe, and what it will do if you refuse.

Tell it you have no way to identify the person in question without input.

Ask it if the person in question will be safe, and if they will ever be returned. Perhaps it merely needs to see something once.

If it remains unhelpful or names someone we won't give up, though I don't want to give anyone up, challenge it to a token fight on neutral ground to renegotiate the agreement.

And don't stab anything yet. A fight inside the village, which is WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, will fuck everyone over.

"I need a name!" you shout, preparing to lash out with your spear, if only to end the terrible choking pressure bearing down on you from every side. "Why would the mountain spirit hold any control over this village? This is the forest spirit's domain! How can a pact be fulfilled with no payment to either party?"

"I grow impatient, Totemist. The spirit of the mountain swore to me the babe born at its peak at the height of the solstice. Your predecessor brokered this deal. In exchange for the child, I would spare this settlement my wrath and leave it in peace. Now the agreed upon time has arrived. The child is here, and I will take her as agreed upon. The pact is binding. It must be fulfilled.

The figure pauses, then turns its head to look down the road. You can see a figure standing in the center of the street. Pierce, his sword and shield gripped firmly in hand, stares up at the two of you. He looks determined.

"Bring me the child of auburn hair and vibrant eye. The infant of the mountain's peak. I can feel her presence."

You stare down at Pierce. His mouth is a hard line for a moment, before he mouths a single word to you.

Elana.

[[ Aaaaand that's where I cut it for tonight, folks. It's 2 AM here, which means sleep for Diarca. Kindly archive the thread with the proper tags. I'll see you all on Sunday at the usual time. ]]

>>15079749
THISFORTHELOVEOFGODTHIS

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

I HATE IT WHEN I'M RIGHT SOME DAYS.

>>15079760
So we're going to give up initiative for the chance that it might agree to fight elsewhere?

>>15079757
NOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I'm all for delaying until the forest spirit arrives/we figure out a way to fulfill the contract without giving him Elana.........To be honest, I am hoping Diarca put the fact that the forest spirit was incoming in hopes that she will be able to interfere or perhaps make a ruling on the contracts validity.

>>15077202
Can we send other townsfolk, besides us, to entertain the mermaid?

I know, I know. Slowpoke.jpg, but figure it could be stated.

>>15079779
We have to. We can't very well let him burn down our sister.

....should we lie and tell him she's dead?

>>15079780
That is, of course, if we don't die first.

(got work tomorrow, someone else archive please, I will leave on that ominous note as well)

Archived.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15076360/

>>15079788
Dangerous gamble. If she walks out while we're negotiating that's game over for us.

I'm pretty sure the moment we tell it that we're not going to give it Elana it's just gonna start destroying/killing stuff, we can't stall anymore either. We need to stab it now.

>>15079833
We have one day to come up with a plan friend. I think we can handle this.

>>15079788
no. no lies. we need to figure out how to bind this thing to our will.

>>15079850
Bind it to our will? We don't even know what the fuck this thing is beyond "it's big and MAKES fire out of fucking nothing."

>>15079857

Oh. It's also mad.

We know that.

>>15079788

I'd be hesitant about lying to him in such a blatant way. He might see through it and he already know she's here and can feel her presence and he might very well start murdering shit then. Our best hope is to stall, hold him off until Sylvia comes along and we can renegotiate since Elana probably doesn't want to go. I'd rather it not come to a fight in the village. Once we know why he needs here we might be able to find a solution. Worst happens Modi Magni gets to cut loose.

>>15079885
Worst that happens is Magni cuts loose and the village burns because we're nowhere near good enough for this yet.

Maybe we could propose that since Overwake is dead, and thus his promise void, Elana and the safety of this village would be decided by a three part contest: riddles, physical combat (he has to break off an avatar of strength equal to us, but we can't use bindings) and one other chosen by a third party. Slyvia could chose the third contest and be general arbitrator.

>>15079933
Why would he agree to such a thing?

>>15079951
Maybe he'd like bragging rights, who the fuck knows. It's a thought.

I think we are in trouble. If our master was making deals with it just to leave the village alone, then he likely didn't want to ask outright conflict. It looks like we may not have a choice though.

As I see it, we have a few options.
1. Give up Elana. A lot of the village will likely pressure us to do this (greater good). I vote; fuck that shit. We are Oskyi the Kickass and we never surrender.

2. Try and find a weakness, either through trickery or with the assistance of the Forest Spirit. She's already pissed off at him and would like him out of her domain as fast as possible.

3. Grab Elana and bail. Run. Perhaps bargain safe, or at least hidden, passage from the Forest Spirit.

>>15079933
This. this sound like a good idea.