rolled 14 = 14

>>18782515
Let's go down the forest path, looking for blue bells on the way.

>>18782515
>>18782554

I'm not entirely sure why we should forage and hunt for ingredients when we could look around the market and buy them.
The restorative potion would cover all the costs and also give tidy profit anyway.

>>18782574
We have no mula to begin with?

Try to get another rabbit before either going further in or back to town, we can sell one and use the money for bluebells.

>>18782574
No money, remember?
If we want to make serious dosh, we better search for some ourselves.
We can, of course spy after the herb collectors some time.

>>18782588
mula? You mean money?
I was sure we had some money.

>>18782602
We got some opal but we need that. Other than that it is fresh out of nomadsville for us.

>>18782574

You wonder why the heck you're foraging for ingredients like a damned fool when you could simply buy them. The answer that comes to the front of your mind is: you have no money. You've never needed it. Infact, your tribe outright forbids currency that has no practical use.

>>18782554

Carrying the javelin-mounted-hare over your shoulder like a homeless man's bindle, you begin to walk into the forest path. It's a sunny morning and the light makes for a dazzling display of amber light through the canopy. The path is well beaten, being the primary manner of entrance to the town of Losaid and, despite not seeing bluebells, it makes for a pleasant walk.

Your pleasant walk is interrupted, however, by the sounds of a scuffle from nearby. It's to your right, over a hill and through a thicket of bushes. You take a few steps up the hill and peer through. About twenty feet on the other side of the hill, you see two teenagers and an adult male. The man is on the ground and dressed in the same of suit you're wearing right now. However, there are patches in the arms of his jacket and his shirt is battered and worn. The dogs snapping at him probably aren't doing much good for him, either. They're hounds, big and sturdy, with droopy ears and proud, upright snouts. But they have strange markings over their body, a blue glow in rounded patterns. The two teens are standing over the man, saying something in a tone that sounds hostile. But you're a little too far to grasp what, exactly, they're saying.

>>18782642
>nomadsville
Sure is oxymoron in here.

rolled 20 = 20

>>18782672
Well, we can assume the dogs are summoned, hence why they are glowing blue. Let's take the rabbit off our javelin and hurl it at one of the teenagers, hope we get lucky and they dissipate with the death of their master.

>>18782642
>>18782672

Of course, nothing stops us from borrowing a little bit of money from Gram.
... but I will understand if people don't want to be in debt.

>>18782698
Headshot!

>>18782698

You don't have any rabbits. You could throw the hare, but that would be an entirely different kind of attack.

>>18782698
We should examine the situation first.
Sure, they seem to be the agressors here, but we don't know why this happens.
Calling out to them and asking their business seems in order.

>>18782720
I meant like take the hare (Said rabbit, meant hare) off of the javelin and hurl the javelin.

>>18782726
Well, we definitely shouldn't call out to them. If they are aggressive and they've just beaten/robbed/murdered someone they won't think twice about doing it again.

>>18782726
>We should examine the situation first.
>Sure, they seem to be the agressors here, but we don't know why this happens.
I agree. Lets not be hasty.

>Calling out to them and asking their business seems in order.
I don't agree.
Lets just get closer and try to listen in.

And... uh. I hope we took our doa with us. Please tell me we didn't leave the town into the wilderness without a weapon.

>>18782734
We are armed and trained.
And we have the high ground on them.

First option to get two votes is what we go with. A 10-sided die for perception will be needed for the javelin throw, however. You need a ten to even scratch the closest youth. You're a long distance away and past a thicket of bushes, after all.

>>18782760
Get closer to listen in.

rolled 6 = 6

>>18782743
>>18782760
Ok, no calling, just listening in.

Dice for listening is a ok?

>>18782771

You decide to move closer and find out exactly what's going on here. However, it's not easy to sneak up on people whilst moving through bushes. Several loud rustles and a couple snaps grab the attention of pretty much everyone involved.

"Help!"

You can very clearly make out what the man's saying. The two teenagers freeze, their hounds staring right in your direction. For a moment, it looks like you're about to become their next victim. However, the two youths bound off instead, clearing out of the glade and through the trees, away from you. You can't tell what's in that direction.

>>18782796
Fuckin' knew it!

>>18782796
Well. I'm glad we didn't have to fight them.

Lets get to the man, help him to get on his feet and quickly move away. We can ask questions later.

>>18782814
Let's help him.
With one hand on the hilt.

>>18782814
>>18782838

The first thing you realise as you come close to the man is that he smells like he hasn't bathed in a generation. His clothes aren't just in a state of disrepair, they're in a state of beyond repair. His shoes have holes in them, his pants seem to be made from more than one pair of pants and his black hair is matted and as raggy as his clothes.

As you help him stand, however, you also realise he's not in too much pain. A few scratches on his dirt-caked skin but no bite marks. As he stands, he dusts the grass off his figure and nods endlessly.

"Thank'm for ya, sir, thank'm for ya much. Ruddy Sum'ners and their ruddy dogs." You can't tell whether his odd speech is thanks to a particularly strong accent or a particular lack of teeth. Regardless, the man reaches out to grab your hand and shakes it vigorously.

"Simwell Maclese, sir, at your serv'ce. An'thin' I can do to repay ye, sir, by m', I'll do it. I'll do it, I swear."

He's getting quite emotional, his big blue eyes starting to shimmer at his toothless grin growing wider and wider.

>>18782918
Try not to breathe the same air.

"Well you can start by telling me what they were doing."

>>18782941

It's not use. All the air is now tainted. As soon as you ask the question, Simwell's demeanour changes entirely. His bushy brow furrows and his big, possibly infected, lips twist in a frown.

"Bastards is what they are, by m'! They do it ev'ry morn! Ev'ry morn!" His voice wavers as he teeters ever closer to tears. "They drag one of us, one of us fr'm the docks, sir. Always before sunrise. Then they do the same thing ev'ry time. Sick 'em dogs on us! 'Bite 'is arm', they say, 'bite 'is neck', they say. They don't make us bleed, they don't kill 's, sir. They make sure they don't kill 's, sir..."

After a thorough shake, which you will no doubt need to wash off, he releases your hand and drops his head into his own. Simwell is now sobbing heavily. You can see the bitemarks on his neck. They're light, but very visible.

>>18783044
"That's horrible, who are they? Do the guard know about this?"

I figure they must be nobles. C'est la vie. Now that we know where they have their fun it should be easy to kill one of them, thus giving the survivor a lesson to be remembered.

>>18783080

"They is guards, sir!" With a wail that would make any funeral going woman proud, Simwell throws himself at you and cries against your breast. Do you comfort Simwell?

>>18783080
Bro. Are we going to be that guy? I mean. We should be wary of these pasty folk who seem to be nothing but cruel. Especially with their large reliance on "money".

>>18783107
Okay, lets lead the man back to the town.

Ask him if he knows anything about blueberries while we are at it.

>>18783107
Oh, well if they're guards that changes everything! Killing one doesn't do anything but piss off the rest of them. Clearly the most reasonable solution is to lead a hobo exodus out of the city, they shall be our tribe and we shall lead them, as king of the hobos.

"How could the guard do such a thing! They are supposed to protect the people!"

Then do >>18783149

>>18783149
>>18783162

Simwell nods, inadvertantly wiping his snotty nose on your shirt. As you pull away, he clings, wanting to prolong the moment. However, you manage to slip out of his grasp and start walking him towards the town. On the way out of the forest, you ask him about bluebells.

"Bluebells? Sir, I don't know much about bells of any sorts." He sighs, dropping his shoulders low as you make your way down the hill.

"You going to eat that, sir?" He points to the hare on your javelin. It's a wonder he didn't notice the presence of food before.

As you get closer yet to the town, you can see the streets starting to come more alive. People are starting to get out of their houses, washing on the streets, emptying their bedpans into a handy little set of slate gutters suspended from the ground, setting up stalls and all. You can also see the presence of the town's guard on the streets. Men in straight, blue jackets with white buttons and tall, white hats. No sight of the two teens yet. Nor any teens amongst the guard. Simwell continues to head down the hilled town towards the bay. You are going to pass Gram's house soon.

>>18783277
We should possibly take another route.
Let's not give the man any strange idea in case we do something incredibly stupid.
Also ask him about why they do this to his "kind" or whatever.

>>18783277
Tell the man that he doesn't own us anything, tell him to be careful in the future and part ways.

Alright, the foraging trip has been ruined. BUT! We only need the heart of the rabbit, right? We can easily trade the rest for the other ingredients that we need, no?
After washing our hands and the tunic at the spot where he left his snot, go to the market and see if we can find the ingredients we need.

>>18783306
Yes, we can possibly trade the HARE for a portion of bluebell.
But we should try to find out where the trader gets it, so we can possibly pluck some ourselves.

>>18783306
>>18783340

You plan on heading to the market, a raised level of white stone not far from you, with all sorts of stalls set-up and the sound of many voices. It's not hard to miss.

But you're undecided about Simwell. Are you going to part ways with him or not?

>>18783365

It's hard to miss*. Your head's still a little foggy from the days of unconsciousness, so sometimes you think the wrong words. It's okay. We all screw up sometimes.

>>18783365
I say see where he comes from. We can always run if we don't like it.

>>18783365
I don't really want to associate much with Simwell. If he wasn't a dirty, smelly hobo then I wouldn't mind getting more out of him.

Just tell the man to be careful and part ways. Unless someone has better ideas.

Can we get a deciding vote?

Part ways.

>>18783451

You decide to part ways with Simwell. He gives a final bow and makes his way down the hill towards the white beach, and the docks that, now that you look at them, seem to more populated than one might expect.

Passing Gram's house, you come onto the market. Not two hours past daybreak and already people are starting to pile on. It's a large, square platform made of the same white stone as the rest of the houses. You can't tell if it was put here or cut out of the landscape, but it looks to be one of the oldest parts of town. Stalls are everywhere, selling the catch of the day, meats, vegetables, clothes, furniture, even Summoning scrolls. Finally, you see a florist. A rather rotund woman with a docile, even pretty, face, fair skin and red hair. Amongst her wide selection of flowers, one batch catches your eye in particular.

Bluebells! Or something like them. You can't tell. They're a lighter blue than usual and there are many more flowers per stalk than your average bluebell. You've made plenty of potions with bluebell before. You know your bluebells.

But you also see something else. It's Gram. And he's talking to a particularly tall fellow, his height made even more abundant by the tall white hat on his head. He's a guard. And he's got the flintlock pistol on his hip to prove it.

>>18783539
First things first, let us wish a good morrow to our host and the friendly(?) guardsman.

And with this I, myself, wish a good night.

>>18783539
Well, we shouldn't intervene with whatever Gram is doing.... I think.
Anyway, take note of the woman. Then go to the butcher's and see how much entire rabbits cost. After we get a moderate sense how much our good is worth, we come back to the florist and ask her how much the bluebell like flowers cost. Then we can make a more or less fair trade.

Now, I just hope we can find anyone willing to buy our restorative potion.

>>18783593
Seconding.

>>18783584

Fare thee well, sir. Thanks for playing and feel free to stop by again any time.

>>18783593

You proceed to the butcher and present to him your blood dripping javelin, and the hare attached to it. He looks over it.

"Well... you lost a good 10 yee for the mess you made of the head. Brains and eyes are no good. And you say you're taking the heart? Another 5 yee. I'll give you a good 25 for the rest, however."

You note the number in your head and traipse to the florist, hare dangling merrily as you go.

"Buyin' flowers for the lady, are we? I imagine you could make a lovely stew with some pigflower petals and that rabbit." The redhead beams at you, offering a flower that, with its row of embedded seeds and circular pink petals, resembles a pig's snout. You immediately want to buy some from her, but you restrain yourself.

"Bluebells?" She repeats your request and picks up the pale blue variety you had spotted before. Apparently, they are what passes for bluebells around here. "3 yee for a bunch."

She gestures with a bunch of five stalks. That's about 30 flowers. That's enough for three potions alone. You're starting to draw a little attention, however, by walking around with a bloody hare carcass.

>>18783682
So we can make 3 potions with one heart and 30 flowers?
Okay, do it. Ask her if she is willing to trade for the rabbit without the heart.

Wait. A rabbit sans heart is worth 25. A heart would be worth 5.
For 3 potions we need 1 heart and one bunch of bluebells. That will be 8yee.

Buying one bunch of flowers to use with the heart we have, we will be left with 22yee. So, we can buy another 2 rabbit hearts and 2 bunch of flowers and have 4 yee over.
That way we can make 9 potions!

Okay, sell the rabbit, buy 2 rabbit hearts then buy 3 bunch of bluebells.

>>18783682
Make the trade and bail. We should perhaps gather our belongins from Grams house and start our journey. We must find out what happened to our clan and I don't like the way he was talking to that gaurd...

>>18783754

>>18783785
yes.
My math skills are beyond legendary.

>>18783754

You do all those sums in your head. Maybe you should've chosen to train in merchantile!

However, you remember that you are mistaken. You need a whole heart for one potion. It makes up the bulk of the drink, after all. One bunch provides enough bluebells for three potions. You've sold the rabbit, sans heart, which the butcher kindly wraps up for you, so you have your 25 yee. He can sell you more hearts, but you need to recalculate and think about the best way to spend your money. Also, in the corner of your eye, you glimpse a man selling kitchen utensils. One of the things he's selling is a mortal and pestle for 15 yee. Do you think Gram has one of those in his house?

>>18783807
Ooh, a mortar and pestal would make our potion more potent if this follows Morrowind alchemy logic.

Let's get it. That will leave 10ye left. We can get two more hearts, and make three potions, using up all our bluebells and all our money.

>>18783807
>Do you think Gram has one of those in his house?

Damn. Didn't even think about the tools. We just saw Gram, maybe we should ask him?

if not then do this >>18783828

>>18783837

Next post decides: ask Gram or make the trade without alerting your presence.

>>18783828
Then we sell the potions, which should go for more than their disparate parts combined, and buy more bluebells and rabbit hearts, make more potions and equipment, sell them for EVEN MORE MONEY, and repeat ad infinum, right?

Anyway. Let's call out to Gram and ask real quick, no need to waste money if we don't have to.

>>18783870

You make your way to Gram, waving to him. Luckily you're not waving your bloody javelin, so the guard doesn't shoot you on sight. However, at the sight of the thing, his moustache twitches.

"M'boy!" The black-beared man grins and waves you over. "I was just about look for you. Hm?"

You ask him if he has a mortal and pestle.

"Yes, yes, I do. Why do you ask, son? Nevermind that, I've got a way to help you get to Homme. This gentleman is Captain Clames Bennett, he can guarantee us a horse on loan for a month. You'd have to take someone with you, but it's a done deal!"

The stern looking fellow nods at you. You see he, unlike the other guards, has a silver brooch on his coat. It's a pig blowing a trumpet. Strange people, these Losaidians.

>>18783908
"Well that's perfect, I can bring your daughter and she can ride the horse back."

Taking the obvious course, here. Better than bringing a stinky hobo.

>>18783870
>sell them for EVEN MORE MONEY, and repeat ad infinum, right?

Well, till we have money for a horse. We don't even know how the rules of selling shit work around here. Someone might not take it kindly if we set up an alchemy shop. There might be some guild procedures we must go through, you know?

>>18783908
Give the appropriate gesture of respect to the guard and tell him that you are grateful for his help. Make introductions with the Guard.
Also thank Gram for his help.
And ask how much we will have to pay.

>>18783939
Wait, lets not take the horse just yet. We will take the horse when we are leaving.

>>18783908
Okay, so we don't need to waste money on mortar and pestle.

That way we can buy 4 heart and 2 bunch of flowers. We can make 4 potions and have enough bluebells left to make another two. In the end we still have 4yee left!

Alchemy AHOY!

We will have to sell the potions through Gram though. Unless the market is free and we can just set up shop (I doubt it). But even if it was free, I think people will be more willing to buy from an established merchant than a new comer young boy.

We will have to test the potions before selling them though.

>>18784015
I assumed we were going to be selling our potions to a alchemist shop, not setting up a stall.

>>18783951
>>18783939

"N-Natalie?" The trader blinks in momentary surprise. He chuckles and slaps your back. "Unfortunately for you, the second man is already decided. You see, Clames, here, its not his horse you need, but his son. He has three of them, all summoners. One of them can summon a horse. He's the one who'll be riding with you."

After you introduce yourself to the Captain, he finally speaks, his neatly combed and curled moustache rising and falling majestically with each syllable.

"A pleasure, young man. I tend to keep a close eye on newcomers to the town, but any friend of Gram's is a friend of mine. His trade is an invaluable service, yes, yes."

You mention payment. Gram clears his throat before you can finish your sentence.

"It's already handled, my boy."

The guard sighs.

"Yes. Already handled. I'll just let Eames know and you can pick him up whenever you're ready. Gram can show you the way to our place." He stands even straighter than before and gives you both a tip of his tall hat. "Till then, gentlemen."

Clames makes his way to rounds, leaving just you and Gram. You thank him again for all his help.

"Not at all, m'boy. You nomads have ensured my safety in the Reach many times. Now... mortart and pestle, what's all that about?"

You almost forgot about the daring enterprise! 25 yee and one hare heart. What exactly, will you buy? Will you follow Gram home to make use of his mortar and pestle?

>>18784049
Tell Gram that you intend to make several restorative potions and sell them so that you can carry your own weight and not leech of their hospitality for so long.

Maybe he can help us with the actual selling bit of the plan.

>What exactly, will you buy?
See this >>18784015
We buy 3 hearts and 2 bunch of flowers (21y) leaving us with 4y left.

>>18784049
Man, I've been watching too many movies lately. For some reason I thought payment had some sinister connotation to it, like for some reason Gram had been hired by the guard to kill our family and this was his payment.

Paranoia.

Anyway, let's do >>18784084.

>>18784084

The prospect of trade seems to excite Gram.

"Haha, I always said that to Natalie, I did. It's a good thing the nomads don't make use of money lest they get a taste for it. What a shrewd young lad. But okay, then, let's buy some ingredients."

You buy your ingredients, leaving one confused butcher, one happy florist and one sack full of four hearts and 60 bluebells.

When you get back to Gram's house, he bustles about and washes the mortal and pestle, which he had evidently been using to drink tea. Natalie, looking a tiny bit more feminine in a linen shirt and britches, is sowing something in the corner of the room. Even with needle and thread, she looks like a mercenary with those glaring blue eyes.

Are you ready to make a potion? Gram looks ready. Gram looks damn right excited.

>>18784138

For a moment, you thought you saw Natalie sowing seeds. But she was sewing something. Silly you.

rolled 21 = 21

>>18784138
Damn straight we're ready! Set to work making the best damn potion we've ever made!

>>18784138
Yes, of course we are ready. We've done this hundreds of times, we can do it again.

(do we have to roll for this or something? I hope not since we should know how to do this)

>>18784167

If alchemy depended on rolls, you would fail, but luckily, it doesn't!

You put a piece of opal in the bowl and begin to grind it. It's a little tiring to break the gem down into the fine dust you need, but you do it. Unwrapping one hare heart, you use one of Gram's knives to slice it into ten chunks. Taking one bluebell and one piece of heart, you grind them and mix them with the opal dust. You continue to do this until all ten chunks of heart and all ten bluebells are in the mortar. You grind and grind until it has the consistency you're used to. The bloody heart becomes as liquid, with glittering dust floating through.

It looks like a Potion of Minor Restoration! But it doesn't smell like a Potion of Minor Restoration. It smells like blood and flowers. Gram looks at you excitedly.

"Did it work?!"

Do you think it worked?

rolled 79 = 79

>>18784230
"I don't know, maybe. It doesn't quite smell right. Here, punch me in the face, then we can test it."

>>18784230
"Hmm... Doesn't smell like it worked. I was afraid of that.
Maybe I got the wrong kind of bluebells..."

We should test it. Make a very minor cut on your finger and drink the potion.

>>18784138
Rolling for epic potions!~

rolled 17 = 17

>>18784302
Might help if I roll.

>>18784246

"I... I can't punch you in the... I've never punched someone before..."

Gram frowns. You insist, but he continues to decline. You're tapped on the shoulder. By the time you turn, a punch knocks you back a few steps as blood pours from your nose.

"Happy to help." Natalie returns to her corner as Gram lets out a hearty laugh.

"Just like 'er mother... anyway, here, here, try!"

He rights you and tips the bowl to your lips.

That doesn't taste like the potion at all. It's supposed to taste mainly like bluebells smell. But it tastes mainly like blood tastes. Your displeasure, and failure, is soon made clear.

"Dammit... same thing happened to me when I first bought them." Gram sighs and sets the mortar and pestle back. "Lady from the nomads taught me. Forget which tribe. Said that I tried to cheat the system. Tried to use a different kind of bird or something. Said that alchemy depends on resonance."

Resonance between spirit, power source and catalyst. The spirit is the most important. The Rabbit is the spirit of peace and love, and the source of the restorative properties. The power source is the gem and the catalyst the flower. Needless to say, the system does not allow for the difference between a hare and a rabbit.

>>18784302
>>18784308

We don't need to roll!

>>18784313
God damnit, this fuckin' system.
So, what we need is a true rabbit right?
Where we can find one?

>>18784313
Make sure our nose isn't broken then. "Well, the only logical course of action is for me to make a pilgrimage into the desert to become king of the rabbits. I must honor the gods! No I'm kidding, I'll just need to find out what is a appropriate stand in with the same spiritual context as a rabbit. Tell me of your legends and rumors, Gram."

>>18784313
So the hare is what made everything wrong?

Did we buy rabbit hearts or hare hearts from the butcher? I did say to buy rabbit hearts just to be sure.

Tell Gram where the problem lies.


Also, should have cut your finger instead of getting punched in the face. Now we will probably have a swollen face for a while.

Also guys, we're going to do anything with those ruffians with the dogs?

>>18784365
Nope.
I don't really care about them.

...though we could ask Gram about them.

rolled 9 = 9

>>18784313
Alright then. Screw the potion. Let's find out what the hell this talisman is about. We must get our journey underway!

>>18784351
>>18784352

Your nose isn't broken. But it is bleeding, still. Gram has you lean over the sink and applies a cloth occasionally. You repeat the lesson your mother taught you about resonance.

"That's the one." He chuckles good naturedly. "But, son, there are no rabbits in Settehem. We only get hares. Maybe in Vanathania or Aridotte. Oh, they have rabbits for sure in Homme."

You realise that you have three hare hearts. They'll make for a decent enough stew, at least. You think about another stand in for a rabbit and tell Gram of your plan, but he shakes his head.

"I have a feeling you'll run into the same problem, m'boy."

>>18784391

Despite the fact that a part of you really doesn't care, you tell him about the Summoners, the dogs and the homeless man. The news disturbs him visibly.

"What...? My goodness... well, either that man's not right in the head or those boys have lied to him, no man under twenty can be in the guard. Little bastards... pardon my language."

Your nose is finally settling down, but you can feel that it's still a little swollen. Just try not to get punched in the face again. So, what now?

>>18784463
So we don't know any recipe with Hares?
Cmon Nomad-kun(we have a name?), THINK!

>>18784463
"Come on! Surely you have some sort of legend about a plant, or an animal, that has restorative or happy, or something properties. Rabbits are known for having lots of offspring, anything like that around here?"

Then again, if we do that we might just end up with Viagra.

>>18784463
So there aren't any other alchemists around? Would be nice to get a book on alchemy or something, but I don't want to ask Gram about that, he's being too generous already.

I guess we will use the hearts for the stew then.

>>18784463
Ask Gram if we should report it.

You know, that summoning sounds nice, maybe we should look into ways of learning it too?

>>18784502

You do have a name. It's Thol. But no, you only learned one recipe, that your mother made you practice time and time again. She was going to teach you more eventually, but you got side tracked with dao training and weapon crafting and then... well, you know what happened.

>>18784514
>>18784540

"Well, thinking of closest to rabbit, I'd say... hare?"

He twists his lips in thought. It looks like you're out of luck in that department. You mention other alchemists, but he informs you it's not one of the most widely distributed trades around here. All that hunting for gems and other power sources doesn't suit the Settehem lifestyle. You can always try in the capital, though.

"Here, I'm done." Natalie suddenly stands from her corner again and throws something to you. It's your nomad clothes. The poncho no longer has the markings of the Lolua tribe. They're completely obscured by a mass of black lines. "That'll hide your identity. No need to thank me. Or pay us. For anything we've done for you. Not like we're traders. We just help strangers."

The cutthroat-in-training promptly makes her way upstairs. Gram watches her, somewhat dumbfounded

>>18784568

Gram shakes his head.

"Never you worry about that, son. I'll do the reporting. You have a job to be getting on with. As for summoning... well, the scrolls are a little expensive...," He looks like he's considering buying you one, but then slaps his fist into his palm. "You and Eames Bennet will be on the road for a while! Maybe you can ask him?"

>>18784612
Aaw isn't Natalie such a tsundere

>>18784612
>"You and Eames Bennet will be on the road for a while! Maybe you can ask him?"

"Yes, that seems a good idea. Thank you for all you help, Gram."

Wish we didn't take alchemy. Seems very useless and extremely restrictive talent.

>>18784664
Maybe, as we level up, there will be chances to make it more generalized?

>>18784664
>>18784688

"Not at all, m'boy. Here, I have a feeling you'll be trying more recipes in future, so you can take this."

He grabs a dusty old satchel for you to put your things in. It'll even fit your mini-javelin! If you still want it.

As you change back into your nomad clothes, you consider how much alchemy seems restrictive and useless. However, you remember your mother saying that certain parts are interchangeable. The power sources are almost always gems, but they work with any spirit and, as for the catalyst, that depends on the effects. But there are lots of different recipes and variations of such. You know the basics, you can do alchemy, all you need is to learn more recipes. Surely, as you travel, it'll become more and more useful.

You put aside this oddly reassuring voice in your head and nod to Gram. You leave the house. As you begin to walk up the hill, one of the windows from the top floor opens.

"'Ey, Thol." It's Natalie. "Bring me back one of those cool claymores they have in Homme, okay?"

After parting ways with her, Gram leads to a rather large, old, ornate looking house. He enters and you follow. You come across a dining room, where three males are. One of them, a young man who seems only a couple years older than you, with long brown hair tied in a ponytail and glasses on his face, stands immediately. He's dressed in a shirt, vest and pair of breeches, with a backpack slung over his shoulders.

"Greetings Gram, and this is our mutual friend, Thol, I assume? I'm Eames Bennet, a pleasure to meet you."

(cont)

>>18784816


He offers you his hand as Gram says his hellos. Next to an open balcony facing down the hill and over the town, two other youths stand. Both with short hair, one blonde, one brown, both dressed in tunic tops and breeches, the bottom of the legs marred with green. They glance back at you for a moment, before turning back to eachother and talking animatedly, yet quietly. They don't recognise you. But you recognise them.

>>18784828
Aw Shit

>>18784828
Let's just ignore them for a while.
if they do something on our watch, we kick their ass

>>18784828
Point at the balcony and say to the guards. "Oh hey, there are those two kids who said they were guards and torture homeless people in the woods."

>>18784848
Or just do this

>>18784828
Be friendly, make introductions.
Then take Gram aside and ask him if he knows who those two youths are, then tell him that you're sure that those are the two you saw in the woods.

>>18784848
please no.
They could be from a noble house for all we know. Lets not make a scene!

>>18784845
>>18784848
>>18784859
>>18784872

Next post decides.

>>18784872
Do this

>>18784872

Eames seems happy to meet you, offering a smile and shaking your hand as you introduce yourself. As he packs up his things, you turn to Gram and talk to him.

"You're sure it's them...? They're the other two sons of Captain Bennet. He took all three in from a young age and... well, let's say, they've caused him some trouble. I don't doubt your word, Thol, but... well, things won't go smoothly if we just make accusations... do you have proof?"

Before you have time to further plan in secret with Gram, Eames joins the two of you again.

"Well, then, Mr. Thol. Shall we leave?"

>>18784935
> They're the other two sons of Captain Bennet

Ah fuck.
Say goodbye to Gram, saying that you will be able to deal with it

>>18784935
"Yah, I'm ready to go. Oh, and Gram. I met a man in the woods who said he needed to speak to you about your next trade expedition. His name is Simwell. I'm sure you'll find him if you ask around the docks."

That should get the point across.

>>18784935
>>18784935
"I do not have any proof, that's why I wanted to consult you first before telling anything to the guards.
But the homeless man said that they do it every day, maybe they can be caught red-handed?
To tell you the truth, you do not have to act on this at all, Gram. I don't want you to get into trouble because of me."

Turn to Eames.

"Yes, we should be leaving now."
Earnestly shake hands with Gram and promise that you will somehow repay him for all the kindness that he has shown you.

>>18784984
why the secrecy?
Just tell him that the hobo's name was Simwell.

You've decided to get on the road. But before that, you need to decide, how much shall you tell Gram about the Bennet boys and Simwell?

Next post decides.

>>18785059
Tell everything.
basically these >>18785016
>>18785026
>>18784984

Can't we tell everything?
like there is any danger than someone would listen?

>>18785076
As long as we don't gesture to them or keep glancing to them, all should be fine.

>>18785059

You ask Eames for a moment with Gram and he agrees, rethinking his supplies. He decides to bring some more bread, some apples and some milk. You can make a nice stew out of the heart and milk. When he leaves, you explain the entire situation to Gram. He nods gravely.

"This will trouble Captain Bennet, but you've done a good thing here. Worry not, son, we'll sort this out here. You focus on your quest, okay?"

You give your goodbyes to Gram and thank him for all your help. You offer your hand and a promise to repay, but he chuckles and pulls you in for a hug instead.

"Nonsense, m'boy. Just bring us back some souvenirs, hm? Maybe not a claymore, but something nice from Homme will do."

He chuckles. Eames returns, backpack a little more full. The three of you return outside and the two men bid eachother good day. Eames turns back to you.

"Alright then, Mr. Thol. Let's get on the way, shall we?"

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of chalk. He leans down and draws circular patterns on the cobbles. Muttering chants beneath his breath, he holds his hand over the circle and slowly pulls upwards. Blue spirals of mist rise from the ground. The circles rise with it as the spirals form the shape of a horse. The mist grows denser in form until a horse materialises, the circular patterns gaining the blue hue of the mist and marking across its body. Eames fetches a two-seated saddle from his house and fits it on the horse.

"I know you Equius nomads are good riders, so why don't you take the reigns? Oh, and Gram just told me you practice alchemy? How about we stop by the capital for a day and pick up some scrolls? I could use a few more summoning scrolls, too."

>>18785198
Ok for me?
We need some Alchemist recipes anyway.

>>18785198
"Yes, that sounds like a splendid idea"

So, a timeskip?
During the travels we can ask Eames about the summoning, how it works and if he can teach us. Maybe we can teach him the bit of alchemy we know or perhaps some self-defence moves in case he is completely oblivious about that kind of thing. Or maybe some tips and tricks on surviving in the wilds and hunting.

>>18785198
>>18785247

We could even find some rabbit hearts in the capital!
Maybe try to hunt something before getting into the capital to sell it so that we have some capital when we want to buy stuff?

>>18785246
>>18785247

You take the reins and agree to stop off at the capital. As you ride through the forest leading from Losaid, you and Eames agree to an amicible trade of knowledge. You teach him what you know of Alchemy and he teaches you what he knows of Summoning.

You take the horse east, finding it inexhaustible. It doesn't tire no matter how much you ride. You think it'll cut your time in half. You pass field after field, the Settehem countryside a blur of tans and greens as you pass wheat fields, livestock farmland, olive trees and even over the occasional brook as Eames directs you. The sun is beginning to set, but in the orange hue of dusk you can see the horse starting to become translucent, to the point you can see the road beneath. Eames taps you on the shoulder and asks to stop. He looks a little dizzy.

You both get off and he unstraps his camping equipment, laying down a blanket for you both. You've stopped in a slight valley between two soft, golden hills. It's rather cosy, actually.

"Sorry... but maintaining a summon requires a good deal of focus. The longer I keep it out, the less I can focus on other things. It's a dangerous school of magic, really.... Well, we can camp here for the night, perhaps we can make that trade now? Or... I mean, if you'd like to eat and go, that's fine."

>>18785388
I guess we could have a bite. Eames is probably hungry too.

Then we will make the trade and teach each other stuff. We don't know much about alchemy but we will teach what we can the best we can

>>18785418

You sit down to eat. You can make the stew with the hearts, but Eames mentions he has two venison steaks kept in coolstone. You can use the coolstone to keep the hearts cold for later. Food economy! You make the fire and he puts the steaks over a pan. You gotta wait for a while.

"So... you're headed to Homme? Pardon if I'm wrong, but I thought you nomads weren't allowed to leave the Reach before you turn twenty five."

Ah, campfire small-talk and the glory of getting to make new friends. He looks particularly eager, staring at you like you're an endangered animal. You don't think he's gotten out of Losaid much.

>>18785487
"Let's just say i am more though than the normal people"

>>18785487
"Ah... so Gram hasn't told you?
Yes, normally that is the case but you see..." then tell him that your tribe has been attacked by an unknown force and that you're the only survivor.

Went on a coinflip, going with >>18785501

Eames doesn't miss the point of your curt answer. He understands you don't exactly want to talk about yourself. It's a curious situation, after all. He says this, infact. Explains that his father has lots of friends who don't like to talk about their pasts, but he has a habit of asking. He decides to tell you about himself instead. Mainly, how he'd love to see the Reach, even travel all the way across it. He's only been to Vanthania, apparently, so even going to Homme is more than exciting for him. He's particularly excited to see Druidry in action.

After dinner, you decide to teach eachother what you know. You tell him about the core of Alchemy, of the spirit, the power source and the catalyst. You teach him the recipe for the Potion of Minor Restoration, the relevance of the rabbit and even your blunder, which he finds amusing. He doesn't quite get your lesson, but he at least understand how to make a Potion of Minor Restoration now.

After this, he teaches you of Summoning. That Summoning requires constant concentration and will drain your Fortitude the longer you hold a Summon. Fortitude is the staying power of the mind, and has a very real effect on your emotional and mental well-being. Apart from that, you need to be able to feel your ether and understand how to manipulate it. It's a sense, much like sight, sound or touch, and must be honed through meditation. If you can get that, it's just learning the chalk markings and that's it.

However, it's not easy for you to grasp. Your intelligence is a little too low, but not low enough to make it impossible. It relies on a roll. You need an even number on a six sided die.

rolled 2 = 2

>>18785614
Rolling to practice by summoning something, anything. How about a frog?

rolled 5 = 5

>>18785614
You know it HAS to be a Tiger

>>18785633

Sadly, he only knows the patterns for a dog and a horse, and you're not quite at the level to summon a horse just yet. Eventually you, with a night of meditation and several tries with his chalk piece, finally get it!

The navy night skies are hanging over your head by the time you summon a big, droopy eared hound. It seems to share your sense of jubilation, wagging its tail and panting happily.

"Now maintain it!" Eames orders. "Focus. Command it. Make it walk in circles."

All it takes is concentration and, as you think, it does walk in circles. You can imagine it would be difficult to command it and fight at the same time, but it seems doable. Finally, you let it fade, the blue lines turning the white colour of chalk and drifting away on the wind.

"Congratulations." Eames smiles. "If only we were in the capital, I could buy you a drink to celebrate. Well... I suppose we'd best rest. We can get a lot of distance covered in the morning."

You agree and help him set up the tent... then you find out it's a one-man affair and he expected you to bring your own. Luckily, it's a warm night, carrying the heated sea breeze and the thick, yellow grass is both soft and thick, so you manage to get a good night's sleep.

(cont.)

>>18785747

Your dreams are troubled. You can see the green fire again. You can see much more, this time, things you know you didn't see. Your father attempts to fight one of the immolated green figures, only to be swallowed up by its gaping, blazing maw. Your mother is hit with an invisible bolt of force and torn apart before your eyes. The elder cackles as flames surround and consume her. You can see her weathered flesh crackle and crumble into dust, leaving her organs to drop from within her ribcage, until eventually her bones crack and break apart.

Then suddenly, you are in darkness. A man sits before you, sitting cross legged in a torn, black cloak. He wears a ram's skull, his features obscured beneath, white hair spilling down over his back. His bandaged fingers circle infront from him. The ground is pitch black, as is the rest around you, but light forms and a sapling begins to sprout. He speaks. A voice that is more echo than sound, a hum rather than notes.

"Your influence on the world is already felt, Nomad. The two boys, the Summoners. They will feel consequence for their actions. But is it enough? Did you do all you could do?

Which quest is more important? What do you seek? What is your purpose in this world?"

Do you answer him?

>>18785822
What? We haven't really thought about this.

"My purpose in the world is yet to be found. My quest is to deliver justice to those that destroyed my tribe. I seek answers and means to achieve my quest."

(thank you OP, this was fun. Now, I need to go to sleep.)

>>18785822

Revenge

rolled 2 = 2

>>18785822
"Two kids that have experienced very little in life became cruel, and I have set them on a course that will hopefully lead to them learning temperance and compassion. I could have done more, but it would've been excessive. I handled it very well.

Right now I seek to understand what happened to my tribe, and set it right. I have not planned further than that."

>>18785874

"Conviction in your answer. Founded belief is a strong anchor for the soul, but we must not let it become unfounded. Ground your beliefs in reality. Become the source of this pride you answer with. If you fail, you must admit. But I agree with you, this time."

>>18785867
>>18785864

"Answers and means." He chuckles. "You will find them. Revenge is not difficult. The illusion of justice can make it even easier. I have no doubt you will right the wrong in your life. I only hope it is as easy to do so as your destiny becomes realised."

You look down. The sapling is growing further and faster. Roots are looping in and out of the darkness and thick, vine-like bark is sprouting out. Towards you. It constricts and binds you, enveloping and twisting until you are lifted off your feet. The last thing you see is leaves growing from what used to be your arms, until your sight is finally obscured.

When you awake, it's dawn, and Eames is already drawing the horse. He turns to you with a smile.

"Well then, ready to go? We can reach Noberem by noon if we ride hard enough."

-Part 2 End-

Yep, that's all for tonight, folks. I hope you've had a good time playing because I've had a blast writing. I was cackling all along as you guys continued to pursue the potion. I know, I know, dick move, but hey, you've all learned a valuable lesson. Just to let you know, a record is kept of everything you do, all the choices you make and, unlike Mass Effect 3, it has a profound effect on future events, your own development and even the nature of the quest you embark on. I hope you all stop by again for another round of...

NOMAAAAD QUESSST.

>>18786062
Woo!

It was fun OP.
Do you have any idea when is the next thread?
i also hope that " all the choices you make and, unlike Mass Effect 3, it has a profound effect on future events" means that we will come back to an destroyed village and Gram & Natalie dead

>>18786105

Tomorrow. But I'm thinking a lot earlier. Irishfag here, so 8:00 chantime will be a time that's manageable on the long term, given that I work most evenings. When I'm not working, however, it'll be later, around 12:00 - 14:00 chantime. If you miss anything, the threads will always be on the archive. Like I said last time, this is my first quest and it takes a lot more time than I expected, so I'll be ironing out the kinks for the first few threads.

Anywho, that's all from me. Have a good one, folks.

fuck, i missed the whole quest

not gonna happen again tomorrow!