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(( Previous threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=SoulQM
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SoulQM ))

Your name is Erick Valstein, and you are a Shardkeeper, a rare user of Soul rituals. Accused of treason by a prominent figure in your home village, you defeated and bound a powerful creature—succeeding where he failed—then packed your bags and left for the south, heart filled with scorn.

After nearly two days on the road, you've arrived in the great swamp to a strange and dangerous scene. The inhabitants have vacated, the very land poisoned by a vile and apparently sinister spirit which you now seek. You aren't sure what to expect, and plan to be prepared for battle; thus, you plan to first hunt down a beast of the swamp and bind it, then infuse it to an item in hopes of creating something that confers poison resistance.

As you entered the swamp, you saw a sizable shadow through the fog; you're not sure what it was, but something that large can't be difficult to track down. Blight mosquitoes are readily available; resilient and diseased, they seem to fit the bill, but on the other hand, they live relatively short lives, and have very little spiritual presence to speak of. A serpent of the swamp sounds promising, but you'd have to force such a creature out of hiding; there's the option of laying a trap, but it'd require suitable bait.

What will you do?
>Head back to the north, and seek out the mysterious beast.
>Seek out some other creature of the swamp. (Description)
>A good enough trap could lure a promising creature out of hiding. (Description)
>Attempt to locate the vile spirit's domain.
>Recall information about (topic).
>>
>>28512086
>>Head back to the north, and seek out the mysterious beast.

We can... probably take it
>>
>>28512158
Agreed.

It's a shame we can't get the mayor in on this hunting party, he would probably be easy to convince it was his duty.
>>
>>28512086
What gear do we have? Maybe a pastebin with inventory would be helpful. Help people think creatively with traps.

>Head back to the north, and seek out the mysterious beast.
>>
>>28512086
Could we hunt a bunch of mosquitoes and tie each of their soul to a single bead and use those beads to create a stronger bead necklace charm?
>>
>>28512203
That seems tedious. Probably diminishing returns. Better get a serpent or big thing.
>>
>>28512260
Actually, I wanted to do that to get prepared for slaying bigger stuff in the swamp.
>>
>>28512295
We could do it to see what happens.
>>
>>28512185
mayor is an old lady.
>Head back to the north, and seek out the mysterious beast.
>>
>>28512196
(( That seems painfully obvious. I'll get on it at some point. ))

Among your possessions are:
In your possession is:
>Earthbreaker, halberd infused with the Soul of Tregalis, on back
>Turtle Spirit Anklet, worn
>Brown cloak, worn
>Pouch of medicinal supplies, on belt
>Hunting knife, on belt
>Leather quiver of arrows, on belt
>Folded canvas, in knapsack
>Rations of food and water, in knapsack
>Several rock lizard teeth, in knapsack
>Several lengths of rope and twine, in knapsack

>>28512203
>>28512295

There's no reason it wouldn't work, as a start, anyway. Provided you could craft a suitable bracelet, you imagine you could make something of lesser-charm-level strength. The process would be good practice as well, albeit quite tiring, you imagine.

>>28512340
>>28512196
>>28512158

Back still turned to the humble swamp village, you continue across the disheveled terrain and precarious wooden bridges heading northward. Off the path, the blight insects swarm about the trees, coming to rest around pools of oily, tainted swamp water.

It's not much time on the road before you reach the approximate location of the creature sighting. The morning fog has lifted by now, but you don't see anything out of the ordinary.

What will you do?
>Could the creature be in hiding? Head into the swamp in its last known direction.
>It's not worth your time. Set a trap, or find another creature to hunt. (Description)
>Other.
>>
>>28512513
>>It's not worth your time. Set a trap, or find another creature to hunt. (Description)
Both. Set a trap (need some help here) and then go hunting in the nearby area to pass the time.

Time for a montage!
>>
>>28512513
>>Other.
Hunt down a few mosquitoes and bind their soul.
>>
>>28512528
Okay. We can kill or capture a few mosquitoes and tie them to rope using twine. We can use that to bait a lizard.

I'm not from /out/. I have no idea if this is feasible.
>>
>>28512548

You're aware that serpents will typically eat any animal they're capable of catching; in an environment like this, their bodies would be resistant to the natural poisons of such creatures.

You don't think the blight mosquitoes would be an exception to the rule, but stranger things have happened.
>>
(( Is the consensus to hunt blight mosquitoes?

If so, will you attempt to bind them, or kill them for use in some sort of trap? ))
>>
>>28512708
1 vote for binding them.
>>
>>28512708
Kill them for trap AND bind them. MULTIPLE PLANS.
>>
>>28512708
going with binding as long as it's not too risky.
I just got here but unfortunatly, i gotta sleep. Good night
>>
I wonder, is alchemy using souls possible?
>>
>>28512764
>>28512733
>>28512794

(( In hindsight there's no reason you can't do both, provided you do them in the right order. Sorry for the delay! ))

For the first time since entering the swamp, you break away from the path. The soles of your boots slosh in the mud as you reach the bottom of the incline, and there's a flatulent sound as a putrid bubble emerges a few inches away from your feet and pops, evidence of something fermenting deep beneath the earth. You continue forward, halberd drawn, and a mosquito draws near as if on cue.

Lunging forward, you spear through the creature's exoskeleton, and it hangs limp on the end of your weapon like some manner of grim swamp kebab. Tossing the corpse to the ground, it dawns on you that you'll have to be a bit more careful if you plan to capture the Soul of a creature that dies so easily. You move quietly to the edge of a pool of stagnant water, batting one of the resting creatures heavily with the handle of your halberd; the others react, flying into a frenzy, and begin circling the area in erratic paths while the one you attacked lies twitching on the ground.

>3d20
>>
Rolled 14, 8, 8 = 30

>>28512917
>>
Rolled 19, 19, 11 = 49

>>28512917
>>
Rolled 12, 13, 16 = 41

>>28512917
>>
>>28512940

YES YES YES
>>
>>28512940
>double nineteens

Waiting warmly, QM.
>>
>3d20

>19

“This Soul is bound in the name of Shardkeeper Erick Valstein!” Time slows to a crawl, and you perceive the individual wingbeats of the creatures circling you, intimidated by the sight of a man holding a dying member of their own high in the air, hand wrapped around where the wings meet its body. “Henceforth, it is mine to command!”

>19

Another of the blight mosquitoes flies toward you from the left, spear-like proboscis extended towards your head. You look over in time, and with your free hand, intercept the appendage, and swing both of the creatures down to collide in front of you, exoskeletons producing a sickening crack. Your grip on the dying creatures tightens, and blinding red light begins to pour from their compound eyes, a twisting haze of energy rising around you.

>16

The swamp surrounding you is quiet, the remainder of the creatures having fled the scene. You drop the bodies into the murk at your feet, and they sink a bit, almost seeming to be swallowed up into the mud beneath. In your right hand rests a pair of small, obtuse Shards of a pale green color.

What will you do?
>These Shards are much too weak. Hunt more of the blight mosquitoes.
>Unappealing as these creatures are, two of them might make an appetizing meal for something. Set a trap. (Description)
>Why waste time binding Shards when we've nothing to do with them? Let's craft a charm before we continue. (Description)
>Other
>>
>>28513165
>>These Shards are much too weak. Hunt more of the blight mosquitoes.

More more more more~ We need more bodies to feed the creature!
>>
>>28513165
>>Why waste time binding Shards when we've nothing to do with them? Let's craft a charm before we continue. (Description)
In case we get hit with some poison.
>>
>>28513223
this is a good idea.
>>
>>28513165
>>Why waste time binding Shards when we've nothing to do with them? Let's craft a charm before we continue. (Description)

We need the experience anyway. Lets use these souls to craft two poison resist charm.
>>
>>28513223
>>28513253

In order to assign multiple Shards, you'll have to make something that's comprised of multiple individual objects—a charm bracelet, for example. Multiple spiritual presences aligned with the same domain, or even taken from the same manner of beast, will compete for efficacy when their Infused objects are used together, just as they competed for resources in the material world. This causes the effect of diminishing returns, and means within a couple more Shards, a Mosquito Spirit charm will be as effective as it possibly could.

What materials will you use to craft this charm, Shardkeeper?
>>
>>28513396
Lets craft a pendant from some beads or teeths.
>>
Reading the archives right now. Somebody read Totemist Quest.
>>
>>28513468
>Lets craft a pendant from some beads or teeths.
This. Preferebly a necklace.
>>
>>28513468
I'd prefer a necklace. A teeth necklace looks badass.
>>
>>28513615
teeth also make great wristbands.
>>
Lets bind these for now and get a couple more mosquito souls to bring the charm to maximum effectiveness.
>>
>>28513468
>>28513533

Returning to the road, you lean with your back against a bridge guardrail-post, producing some of the twine and the five teeth you've got stored. It isn't masterwork by any means, but you manage to string together a crude necklace, tossing it loosely over your head to see how well it fits.

>>28513690

Once done, you get back to hunting. It takes a bit longer to gather each subsequent Soul, however; the mosquitoes seem to grow more hesitant to approach you. Those that don't, however, simply ignore you altogether. Once done, you return to the road.

For these small Shards, infusion takes much less time and effort. Starting with the leftmost, you empower the five teeth with five Shards, then hang the string of teeth around your neck.

>Shard Infusion – Mosquito Spirit Charm: Affords the wearer a minor boost in resistance to natural toxins, especially those in standing water.

What will you do?
>Continue hunting in the swamp. (Description)
>Seek the poison spirit.
>Other.
>>
>>28513758
Make a trap for the larger beast using the mosquitos, as originally planned. Pile up the bodies in a slight depression, wait out of sight, get a sneak attack with the axe on its neck or limb.
>>
>>28513758
>Continue hunting in the swamp. (Description)
Lets seek out a meaner beastie, like the one hiding in the fog.

We could try baiting it with some food.
>>
>>28513758
>Seek the poison spirit.
>>
>>28513798
>>28513794
These, yo.
>>
>>28513798
I think that one is more sentient than the lizards. Probably intelligent. Just a hunch.
>>
>>28513794
>>28513798
>>28513895

You gather the corpses of the blight mosquitoes you've slain. As you dredge one out of the swamp water, you feel a tingling sensation in your hand and a mild itch beneath your fingertips; beneath your cloak, the bones on your necklace grow almost uncomfortably cold against your chest, and the feeling subsides before long. You find a depression in the swamp floor with a tree nearby, leave the bodies in a pile, then scramble up the tree, hiding yourself among the bare limbs as well as you can.

Time passes uneventfully. The sun will begin setting within the next few hours.

What will you do?
>Keep waiting. (1d6, first response counts)
>Head elsewhere. (Description)
>>
Rolled 6

>>28514088
Wait on it.
>>
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>>28514097
Well

Shit.
Now I have to second that out of curiosity.
>>
>>28514088
keep waiting.. yeah
>>
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>>28514097
>>
>>28514088
Well, it look like it was a good idea to get that poison resist charm.
>>Keep waiting.
>>
>>28514097

>6

You wait patiently, prepared to launch a sneak attack at any creature that comes by in search of an easy meal.

Another hour or so passes, and you've seen nothing. You're almost prepared to give up, when the air suddenly grows bitter. You've only a moment to wonder why before you hear a footstep—heavy, though muted by the moist swamp floor—from somewhere nearby. Attempting to remain unseen, you climb through the tree's branches to get a good look in the direction it came from.

A strange sight awaits you. About a hundred feet away, you see what looks like a house-sized clump of diseased vegetation on legs. Vaguely humanoid in shape, the creature's arms are like massive, clawed vines, thick with moss and fungal overgrowth; one is much larger than the other, and it takes long, loping steps toward your location, favoring that side of its body. Odd, transparent eyes sit on either side of the creature's head, looking like pus-filled dewdrops.

What will you do?
>This is the creature from the morning shadow! Attack head on. (1d20)
>What kind of beast is this? Keep waiting.
>Other.
>>
>>28514255
> Attack !
>>
>>28514255
>What kind of beast is this? Keep waiting.
Why attack yet? Let's see what it'll do first.
>>
>>28514255
>>What kind of beast is this? Keep waiting.

Information is power.
>>
>>28514255
>>What kind of beast is this? Keep waiting
That shit ain't normal yo.

Look like we have some kind of weird mutant or an elemental on our hands.
>>
>>28514255
>Keep waiting

The thing we saw in the vision last thread was more like a humanoid reptile with a tail, wasn't it?
>>
>>28514255
WTF IS this thing? We must know...
>What kind of beast is this? Keep waiting.
>>
>>28514255
Gauge its sentience. If sapient, ask about the swamp from hiding
>>
>>28514292
>>28514301
>>28514333

The creature continues hobbling in your direction, pausing as it passes beneath your tree. You fear it's noticed you, but remain still, and it continues onward, oblivious.

It reaches the indentation in the ground where you've dumped the mosquito corpses; from somewhere deep within its body, it produces a strange, low-pitched sound, like a drawn-out, satisfied groan. It takes another half-step forward, stretches its body upward, then buries its great, vine-like arm into the dirt near the hole at an incredible speed, with force enough to shake the limbs of the tree you sit on. With a single laborious motion, it buries the pile of mosquito corpses beneath a mound of moist swamp dirt.

The creature begins in the direction of the path, trodding over the mud-filled hole to level it off as it moves.

What will you do?
>Last chance for a sneak attack from above, Shardkeeper. (1d20)
>Climb down and follow it from hiding. (1d20)
>Present yourself.
>Other
>>
>>28514472
>Present yourself
>>
>>28514472
>>Present yourself.
We are obviously dealing with a benevolent guardian of the land here.
>>
Rolled 8

>>28514472
>Climb down and follow it from hiding. (1d20)

The hell is this thing?
>>
>>28514472
Present yourself. Prepare to flee if necessary.
>>
>>28514472
Call out to it. Recall information on avatars and elementals and the like
>>
>>28514472
> Sneak attack
>>
>>28514472
>Present yourself
>>
Rolled 17

RULES OF NATURE.
ATTACK IT FROM ABOVE.
AND THEY'LL RUN WHEN THE SUN COMES UP.
>>
>>28514682
> second that
>>
>>28514682

(( ALIIIIIVE ))

>>28514542

The term “elemental” or occasionally “elemental incarnation” can be used to refer to Spirits of a particular domain, regardless of their level of power. Often, their physiology incorporates, or is comprised entirely of a particular element. Though you've never been face to face with a Spirit, this creature does not radiate the presence of pure Soul that a Spirit is comprised of.

You're actually not sure what it is—it gives off a sense of half-plant, half-animal. Mathilde mentioned “bog creatures”; is this what she was talking about, then?

>>28514535
>>28514525
>>28514499

“You there!” You leap down from the tree, cloak fluttering as you sail through the air and land gracefully a distance behind the unknown beast. “Hold on a moment!”

It stops in its path, making a slow, laborious turn to face you. The unknown entity leans forward, evidently to get a closer look, and remains still for several seconds before wheeling back around and continue to wander away.

What will you do?
>This diseased beast isn't bothering anyone; let's leave and see what else we can get done before the sun sets.
>Whatever this creature is, it must contain a strange power. Attack, and bind its Soul! (1d20)
>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
>Other
>>
>>28514744
>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.

I think it's been braindeaded by the evil spirit.
>>
Rolled 2

>>28514744
>Whatever this creature is, it must contain a strange power. Attack, and bind its Soul! (1d20)
>>
>>28514744
>>This diseased beast isn't bothering anyone; let's leave and see what else we can get done before the sun sets.
I'd feel like a dick biding it. Lets hunt for a snake instead.
>>
>>28514744
>>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
>>
>>28514744
>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
Scholar time. I plan on us amassing a large amount of notes.
>>
Rolled 12

>>28514472
>Whatever this creature is, it must contain a strange power. Attack, and bind its Soul! (1d20)
>>
>>28514744
>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
>>
It did hear us, though. It's just not very interested.
>>
>>28514744
>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
>>
>>28514744
>>Maybe it didn't hear you. Let's see what exactly it's up to.
PESTER THE GIANT BOG BEAST
>>
Talking to this thing seems like an exercise in futility.
>>
>>28514944
I'm mostly just interested in learning more about this bog so we can dispell the blight.
>>
>>28514744

Maybe it didn't hear you. Follow it.

Let's take the Anon from last thread's advice and not kill a possible spirit of the swamp. It seemed to be glad at the dead blight mosquitoes, and buried them. Sounds like something regulatory to me...

Or maybe it's a servant of the corruption spirit and burying the blight mosquitoes is what poisoned the swamp in the first place.
>>
>>28514840
>>28514823
>>28514802

You run to catch up with the creature as it hobbles up the incline and crosses over the road, heading back down into the swamp. You cautiously draw within proximity, but it doesn't seem to behave violently, and after a couple yards, you tuck your hands into your pockets and begin walking slowly alongside it.

“Not one for conversation, are you?” You ask, shooting the oblivious entity a grin, then continue speaking as you look forward. “I was kind of like that, a long time ago. Hey, between you and me, I can count my childhood friends on one hand. Never really had time to do much of anything except practice my trade, back then. I'm sure you know what that's like, though.”

You've gotten a few feet ahead of the creature, which has stopped to scrape a fungal outcropping off of a nearby tree. You suppose it's a telling action; at the same time, though, you aren't really accomplishing much of anything. Hell, you're talking to a giant swamp monster. You don't know how to test for sentience off-hand, but if you did, you imagine this creature would fail.

What will you do?
>Other
>>
>>28514972

Fuck it. It doesn't care.

Get ahead of it and ambush it again. It'll be stupid and easy to kill.
>>
>>28514972
>>Other

Let's go hunt some swamp serpents. I don't feel right killing this giant.
>>
>>28514996
I'll vote for this, since I don't really have any other ideas.
>>
>>28514972
That thing seem sentient but doesn't give a crap about us. Its not violent through, so I'd rather keep it alive.

Now, lets hunt some swamp serpents.
>>
>>28514972
Kill it. Nobody ignores Erick Valstein and gets away with it!
>>
>>28514972
It doesnt necessarily seem to be a negative influence on the swamp but at the same time I doubt it is the only one of its kind and it should prove a very useful bind

kill it.
>>
>>28514972
>scrape a fungal outcropping off of a nearby tree
Maybe it's some kind of mindless caretaker of the swamp?
>>
Rolled 20

>>28514972
we need the soul
> Attack it
>>
>>28514996
>>28515019
>>28515024

You guys are too kind.
>>
>>28514996
Second. I feel like if we kill it we will earn the swamp's wrath.
>>
>>28515044

Noooo. This thing is cleansing the swamp, it's obviously important.

>>28514972

Offer it the Mosquito-infused shards and kill some blight mosquitoes in front of it. Observe the reaction.
>>
>>28515052
You mean the swamp will earn our wrath?

We came here to kill and bind shit and we are damn well going to do it.
>>
>>28515071
I thought we were going to find that evil spirit or something.
>>
>>28515062
>Important
there are provably quite a few of them in existence. We wont drive them extinct by killing one and it probably has huge resistance to the plagues of the swamp.
>>
Rolled 10

>>28515062
do we want to get stronger or not ?
>>28515071
hell yes it should fear us not the other way around
>>
>>28515071
Meh. I'm not ever sure this thing has much of a spirit. I want to dispel the blight, not bind fucking everything. Let's get a lizard.
>>
>>28515087
ups forgot to remove roll..'
>>
>>28514972

I'm down for hunting some swamp serpents.
>>
>>28515071
>>28515087
>>28515084

Suit yourselves, but you're shooting us in the foot.
>>
>>28515108
I didnt realize you had the QMs notes.
>>
>>28515108
>>28515124
lets just see what happens
>>
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>>28515147
>>
>>28515087
There is more than one way to get stronger and I'd rather bind something hostile to us.

>>28515108
I'd rather not anger the spirits of the land. We already got a spirit of corruption to deal with. We could just bind a couple swamp serpents instead.
>>
>>28515124

I don't even need them. That's the point.
>>
>>28515084

The plagues of the swamp aren't natural, and this thing is already described as a diseased lump of vegetation, presumably from whatever is actually poisoning the swamp.

If anything, killing and binding it's spirit would probably just get us a shittier shard
>>
(( Divisive, but it seems majority is in favor of moving on. ))

You'd bid the creature a fond farewell, but you don't particularly feel like it for some reason. After heading back to the path, you stop and watch it lope into the distance.

If you really need whatever the hell that thing was, you guess you can find it later.

It did sort of ruin your trap, though. Way to be lame, swamp monster. Something tells you it might not have worked, though, or taken longer than you were willing to wait.

What will you do?
>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
>Why hunt a snake? Be still and available in the dead of night, and one will surely come for you.
>Other
>>
>>28515261
>>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
This
>>
>>28515261
>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
>>
>>28515273
>>
>>28515261
>>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
>>
>>28515261
>>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
>>
>>28515261
>>Back into the swamp, in search of a cave, sinkhole, or other depression. There, the serpents lurk.
You know what to do.

We could also distract and disorient them using the vibrations produced by our earth shattering halberd
>>
Rolled 2, 2 = 4

>>28515305
>>28515290
>>28515282

(( Rollin' some dice. ))
>>
>>28515351
Doubles? That must be lucky.
>>
>>28515351

You quicken your pace as you navigate the precarious terrain in the swamp proper; the sun will set soon, and something tells you you wouldn't like to be caught out here in the dark. The charms around your neck do well to alleviate the once-sickening smell of the swamp, and already you find the environment less debilitating.

If you plan to challenge a poison spirit, however, you'll require even more preparation.

You cross between trees, over the top of a small hill, and head down to the lip of a large pool of stagnant water, yellowish-green plant growth floating on the surface. A natural dirt cave seems to be carved into the hillside, and the pool continues inward, with rough dirt surfaces on either side providing a thin walking surface away from the swamp water. Inside, it is quiet, and poorly lit.

What will you do?
>Do what your trade does best—if anything's in there, an earthquake will draw it out. (2d20)
>Ready your weapon and enter silently; you'll get the jump on whatever you find. (1d20)
>Other
>>
Rolled 2, 1 = 3

>>28515512
>Do what your trade does best—if anything's in there, an earthquake will draw it out. (2d20)
>>
Rolled 9

>>28515512
>Ready your weapon and enter silently; you'll get the jump on whatever you find. (1d20)

No reason to cause an earthquake, that might wake up something more.
>>
Rolled 16, 20 = 36

>>28515512
>Do what your trade does best—if anything's in there, an earthquake will draw it out. (2d20
>>
>>28515512
>Do what your trade does best—if anything's in there, an earthquake will draw it out. (2d20)
>>
Rolled 10, 12 = 22

>>28515512
>>Do what your trade does best—if anything's in there, an earthquake will draw it out. (2d20)
overkill time
>>
>>28515549
>>28515561
>Critfail vs crit

Shit
>>
>>28515549
That's a 2d2. There's an invisible character there.
>>
>>28515597
Think they cancel out.
>>
>>28515549
>>28515601
Why would you do such a thing, anon?
>>
Rolled 17, 6 = 23

>>28515597
He rolled a d2, I am pretty sure it doesn't count.
>>
Rolled 4, 15 = 19

>>28515512

Well I'd've rather gone in quietly but so long as we're going loud...
>>
>>28515512
where are you OP ='(
>>
>>28515549

(( Nice try! Crit + crit fail would have been fun, though. ))

>>28515561

>20

The power that resulted in many failed hunting campaigns—the power that killed many men, including the father of a childhood friend—now rests in your hands, and if you can use it to cleanse this land, then so be it. You call out to the Soul of your weapon, just as you were taught, and the air around your halberd's head trembles as it begins to radiate great power.

With a shout, you make a wide diagonal swing, hitting the earth where the ground ahead of you meets the cave wall. A blast of dirt explodes in all directions as the halberd cuts the earth as if it weren't even there; you feel a seismic pulse travel through the ground beneath your feet, then hear a tremendous explosion as a fissure surges through the cave. Repeated explosions of mud and plumes of tainted water rush upward, caused by the subterranean force, and come to rest all at once.

>16

Hissing echoes from within the cave. Earthbreaker still at the ready, you look forward, half-expecting the entire hill to collapse after that display of power. What comes, though, does not come from in front, but through the tainted water below you and to your right. An arrow-head ripple rushes beneath the stagnant pool, parallel to the part of earth you stand on; once its tip is even with you, it turns, and a massive creature breaches the surface, flying up towards you at incredible speed.

Not particularly ready for it to come from this direction, you jump backwards and skid down the hill, planting the handle of your handle in the dirt to stop yourself before you hit the water. When it hits the earth ahead of you and swivels around for another high speed attack, you see the creature clearly for the first time, and realize you got more than what you've bargained for. Thick as a tree, and appearing more than twice as long as you are tall, it accelerates downhill toward you.

What will you do?
>Other (1d20)
>>
Rolled 2

>>28515919
What did I tell you all? "HEY LET'S BLOW UP THIS HILL THIS CANNOT GO WRONG AT ALL"

Fucking run.
>>
Rolled 12

>>28515919
>>Other (1d20)
Hit it with our halberd right between the eyes.
>>
Rolled 7

>>28515919
>>
Rolled 7

>>28515919
Chop this sucker.
>>28515969
We came looking for serpents and now that we found one you want to run away?
>>
>>28515969
Oh hush yah pussy. It's mot like a swarm of them are after us. We can handle one monster.
>>
Rolled 13

>>28515976

Rolling for support
>>
Rolled 7

>>28515976
>second
>>
>>28515976

>12

You pull the Earthbreaker's handle from the dirt and bring it to bear. You prepare to strike the approaching creature between the eyes, but its speed forces you to parry, holding the weapon steady to stop the snake's approach. It's a scaly, viper-like creature, its smooth brown scales, marked with myriad black patterns; fist-sized jagged horns protrude from just above each of its large eyes.

The creature hisses, tongue flailing, open mouth flattened against the handle of your weapon. Its immense size pushes you toward the tainted water, and you dig your boots into the mud to get a better hold. You're fighting a losing battle, though, as the liquid begins to rise around your feet, and you suddenly draw back, diving to one side and running a distance back up the hill as the viper splashes back into the water.

It appears confused, but quickly recovers, slithering uphill towards you in an erratic, hard-to-follow pattern.

What will you do?
>Other (1d20)
>>
Rolled 18

>>28516137
Wait for it to leap at us then sidestep and strike.
>>
Rolled 16

>>28516137
Strike at the ground to cause a small earthquake, it should disorient any creature who use vibrations to orient themselves.
>>
>>28516186
Second
>>
>>28516186

Awwww yeah.
>>
>>28516186

>18

The viper's heavy body leaves a thick indentation in the mud and presses down patches of grass as it slithers back and forth towards you. Weapon ready, you gauge the creature's intent.

You wait.

It draws nearer, picking up speed.

You wait.

The front half of its body rises, and its mouth opens wide as it stares you down. It gives an intimidating hiss; droplets of spittle spray from its mouth, and in your peripheral vision, you see them eat away at the grass where they land.

You wait.

It lunges towards you, faster than before, but you're ready, and your cloak flutters as you step to the side, swinging your weapon upwards at its body. It misses you, hitting the ground instead, and squeals in pain as the Earthbreaker's axe head cleaves through its scales. Your weapon cuts deeply, sending a red spray through the air.

It's not over yet.

You bring the halberd back up to stab at the idle creature, but keep an eye on its head as it whips back around towards you. Mouth widening again, you dive out of the way, over the creature's body, and roll through the dirt as a jet of liquid venom passes through the space you occupied moments ago. It turns to face you, preparing to spit again.

What will you do?
>Other (1d20)
>>
Rolled 4

>>28516387
Hit before it has the chance to spit again.
>>
Rolled 10

>>28516194
>this
>>
Rolled 15

>>28516387

Stab it again.
>>
Rolled 7

>>28516387

Dodge, get close and hit it in the face
>>
>>28516487

>15

When you last fought a creature of this size, you let it get the best of you; you won't make that mistake again. The creature keeps its aim focused on you as it maneuvers the rest of its body out of reach of your weapon. You move with it, the two of you engaged in a predatory dance, then lunge at the creature's body, stabbing it with the Earthbreaker's spear point once, then again.

It spews venom at you, but you stay close to it, this time diving under the jet of liquid. You hear droplets landing on your the back of your cloak, and they wither and eat away at the garment where they touch. Keep it up, Shardkeeper—this thing will have to tire soon.

>>28516422

>4

You bring the weapon back around and overhead, swinging the axe handle at the creature's body, but just barely miss; the viper slithers aside, and you're caught off guard by its tail, which slings toward you from your right and hits you in the chest, sending you rolling backwards. The air knocked out of your lungs, you manage to hold tight to your weapon and recover, still watching as the viper lunges forward toward you again.
>>
>>28516629

(( Whoops ))

What will you do?
>Other (1d20)
>>
Rolled 19

>>28516629
>>
Rolled 18

>>28516648
We charge it like a madman with a deathwish.
>>
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>>28516652
Oops, forgot my action.

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
>>
>>28516686
>>28516667
It look like we think in the same way.
>>
Rolled 1

>>28516686
>this so hard ^^
>>
Rolled 15

>>28516648

Strike the earth in front of it when it strikes to bury its head in a mound, then chop at the neck/harvest the soul.
>>
Rolled 6

>>28516725
God fucking dammit
>>
Rolled 4

>>28516652
>>28516686
>>28516725

Obvious joke is obvious.
>>
Rolled 9

>>28516725
RIP in peace Erick Valstein.
>>
Rolled 2

>>28516725
... Well, we gave it our all.
>>
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>>28516725
>>
Just some acid. No biggy. Builds character.
>>
>>28516652
Khorne will be pleased. Take it`s skull and and wear it like a helmet.
>>
>>28516766
>>28516751
>>28516747
>>28516742
dont hate xD
>>
Rolled 92

>>28516725

It is linked to the wrong post, does it count for this quest?
>>
>>28516751
>>28516747
>>28516746
>>28516742
>>28516766

It's been a fun ride, everyone. Let's just enjoy the end with a wide grin on our faces.
>>
>>28516725
You fucking retard. How hard is it to fucking understand that you do not roll anymore if there is a good roll already. Jesus, retards these days.
>>
>>28516824
Some QM will require a certain amount of rolls to counter this kind of metagaming.
>>
>>28516788
>xD

No, I have full rights to hate on you, you fucking faggot. No wonder you're a namefag.
>>
>>28516788

Get out.
>>
(( What are these dice I can't even handle it.
Update soon. ))
>>
>>28516848

So is he the new Wrenloft?
>>
>>28516969
Woah. Let's not go that far.
>>
>>28516969
No, Wrenloft may have terrible suggestions and roll like a conman's dice, but at least he doesn't use fucking emoticons.
>>
>>28516725

>1

It's time to finish this, Shardkeeper.

You charge toward the creature as it makes its way towards you; it raises its head off of the ground, leaving you a perfect target for a killer upward swing of the Earthbreaker. You draw within proximity, and make the move, but swipe through thin air as the viper dives to the left at incredible speed. Before you realize where it's gone, you hear a hissing as a jet of stinking liquid bites your shoulder.

It hits with a sizzling sound, and you scream in pain, the very vapor almost blinding. Squinting and stumbling backwards, you grab the corner of your cloak and throw it off; still, it burns your shoulder, and now burns into your hand. You look in the snake's last direction, and see nothing; another hiss, as a massive weight strikes your chest, and you feel a pair of razor blades cut through the material of your shirt, drawing vertically across your stomach and past your collar bones.

You feel moisture on your hand and shoulder—blood, perhaps—as you skid across the ground and scramble to your feet, back streaked with dirt. Again, you look in the creature's direction, but the viper isn't in front of you; this time, you turn around, prepared for its ambush attack.

>(Cont'd)
>>
>>28516652

>19

You won't be defeated here.

Instantly, you whirl around and jump backwards. The giant snake's head misses you by mere inches, the beast crashing into the mud at your feet as you stumble. You bring the weapon down, toward the ground this time, and feel the weapon's energy radiating into the environment as it shatters the earth in front of you. The ground beneath the snake's head gives way, then explodes into a vertical plume of dirt, stone, blood, and scales, that launches the creature's body upwards, head-first, squealing as it sails into the air.

>>28516667

>18

It's about as thick as a tree, isn't it? That means you can climb it.

You've got a death wish, alright.

You feel lightheaded, but again, push pain to the back of your mind as your feet carry you forward. With your halberd in your hands, you hear yourself shouting, and feel yourself leave the ground. Time slows to a crawl; the soles of your boots come into contact with the reptile's thick body, and you note each of the creature's stab and slash wounds as you sprint along it, managing several steps up the coiling bridge before you leap for the viper's head, arm outstretched, aiming to end this once and for all.

What will you do?
>Bind. (3d20)
>>
Rolled 13, 1, 8 = 22

>>28517220
>Bind. (3d20)
>>
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Rolled 20, 4, 16 = 40

>>28517220
>>
Rolled 11, 19, 1 = 31

>>28517220
>>
Rolled 12, 20, 18 = 50

>>28517220
>>28517237
Fuck.
>>
Rolled 16, 15, 20 = 51

>>28517220
We're gonna bind that stupid snake
>>
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>>28517237
>>28517261
>>28517269
>>28517274
>>
>>28517284
>We're gonna bind that stupid snake

Nope. Not gonna happen.
>>
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>>28517237
>>28517261
>>28517269
>>28517274
>>28517284

>All these crits
>>
Rolled 8, 7, 20 = 35

>>28517261
20 on first roll
>>28517274
20 on second roll
>>28517284
20 on third roll
>>28517237
1 on second roll
>>28517269
1 on third roll

what
>>
>>28517326

(( PLEASE STOP ))
>>
the fuck is going on here. Really, wtf...
>>
Rolled 2, 10, 13 = 25

>>28517343
no
>>
Rolled 16, 7, 7 = 30

Why do I have the impression that the QM is having a bit of an hard time with our rolls?
>>
As I recall, crits don't count for binding. Well, badcrits don't. It's supposed to be the best number for each one out of the first 3.
>>
>>28517696

(( >Try to stick to a cogent formula
>See these fucking rolls
>Fuck that shit, here goes something ))


>>28517237

>1

You collect your spiritual energy, reaching out for the swamp viper's head as the two of you sail skyward together. With each passing instant, you draw closer slowly; you've inflicted enough damage, and that last blow must have knocked the beast unconscious. All you have to do is make contact, and...

The snake brings its head around to face you, and in a fluid motion, opens its mouth and clamps down on your outstretched hand. You wince; blood runs down the outside of your arm, and fire shoots through the inside, as your halberd falls out of your opposite hand.

>>28517261

>20

Your cry of pain, though, immediately gives way to an incoherent battle shout. Your hand still in the snake's mouth, you feel your fingers on its tongue, and wrap your hand around it. Strengthening your grip, you scream as you tear the appendage from the creature's mouth and pull your hand free, tossing the bloody ribbon aside.

>>28517269

>1

Your body grows cold, and you feel the charm pressed against your chest grow colder. Bloody hand now free, you attempt to reach upward, but your arm doesn't cooperate, painfully locking against your side. The snake's thrashes back and forth, and you panic, pressing yourself against the underside of its head as the two of you begin to fall.

>(Cont'd)
>>
>>28517343

You should probably designate a set amount of rolls that are valid then.
>>
>>28517274

>20

“I AM ERICK VALSTEIN, SHARDKEEPER!” Brilliant white light radiates out from between your knuckles, your hand pressed against the snake's body, and due to your velocity, it creates a downward-spiraling, sparkling trail of energy. You feel the magnitude of this power increases, beyond what you're familiar with wielding, and beneath your hand, the creature's scales begin to erode away.

A cold wind whips through the poisoned swamp, and you feel the gaze of a vile spirit upon you. It is full of anger, surprise; perhaps the smallest inkling of fear, or intimidation?

The light grows brighter, and an immense pain wells up in your head, causing you to slam your eyes shut at the sight of it.

>>28517284
>>28517326

>20, 20

The creature's head collides with the soft earth, and a dull thud resonates onward; a wave of light erupts from the point where your hand meets the snake, and continues on through the swamp for as far as you can see. The snake lies upside-down in the mud, and you are kneeling on its destroyed body, breathing heavily.

You pull your functional arm away from the snake's body; a cavity appears to have been burned into its body, and within it rests a massive, cleanly cut green crystal. A twisted grin crosses your face as you pull it out of the cauterized hole and stuff it into your knapsack. Left arm still locked at your side, you rise to your feet and stumble off the creature, your body growing cold.

What will you do?
>Other
>>
>>28517787
(( Was kidding, dear sir.
All dem crits. ))
>>
Rolled 17, 13, 5 = 35

>>28517799

Head back to the swamp village, knock on the lady's door.
>>
Rolled 9, 9, 7 = 25

>>28517799
lets head back to the village to heal ourselves
>>
>>28517799

This would be a good time to enchant an item using the crystal to give us better poison resistance.

We're going to need it.
>>
>>28517799
Chug healing elixir.
Get to that town.
>>
Go to old lady and kid quickly so we don't die of the snake's venom
>>
Seconding this. If we have anything anti-poison in our medsack take it, then struggle back to town.
>>
>>28517773
>>28517799
Bad. Ass.

Quick! we need to bind the soul to something before the poison gets us!
>>
>>28517903
What is we crafted from that gigantic soul a purifying gem?
>>
>>28517903

We probably don't have the energy to bind the soul to something right now. It's more powerful than we've ever seen before (probably bolstered by the evil spirit) and it takes effort to make them infuse items.
>>
>>28517955

Wonder if we could take the Tregalis' soul out of Earthbreaker and infuse it with that of our new friend's.

We need to learn one way or another how to do it anyway, and an acid halberd sounds awesome.
>>
You reach into the pouch Eisa gave you and produce a healing elixir, popping the lid off and downing the thick liquid. There's a roll of small, obtuse tablets in the pouch as well, tied together with some twine; they're made from an herb which is used to ward off blood poisoning, and you pop one of them into your mouth and swallow it as well. Recovering your weapon and cloak, you begin stumbling towards the path. All you've got to do, after all, is make it back to the town; surely Mathilde and Nicholas have some kind of swamp remedy available, right?

You retch, noticing that your lips and tongue are numb, and immediately shut your mouth before heaving, a bitter mixture of blood and medicine swirling across your tongue and dribbling down your chin. You aren't sure whether to spit or swallow, falling to your knees as your legs begin to lock in place, then forcing yourself to stand again. Using the Earthbreaker as a walking stick, you make it back to the path as the sun begins to set over the horizon. Merely standing is laborious, and when you can no longer walk, you begin to crawl towards the lonely swamp village, the light weight of your knapsack and cloak on your back quickly becoming an immense load for your withering muscles.

Face pressed into the dirt, you close your eyes.
>>
>>28518051
Meh. I like the halberd the way it is. This should go on a bracelet, sharp weapon, or armor.
>>
>>28518092
Time for dreams!
>>
>>28518051
We might decide to do that later, if we encounter something that's weak to poison.
But right now we need poison resistance, rather than poison attack.
So binding it to a charm or piece of clothing would be better at the moment.
>>
>>28518092

Waiting on the Cont'd...?
>>
You leap backwards, feet skidding across the dry gravel as you land, but the assault isn't over yet. The young girl draws near, sprinting towards you, and you duck, allowing her wooden sword to pass over your head. You've got to maintain distance; you sweep at her legs with your quarterstaff, and she takes a short hop over it. Bringing your hands closer to the weapon's center and reversing your grip, you swing it the opposite direction at her head; she parries with her sword, stepping back, and guides the weapon to the floor.

You step back to size up your opponent, leaving roughly eight feet between the two of you. She's taller than you, with tan skin and golden brown hair, and she's older too—perhaps twelve or thirteen, but you've never actually asked. Your Master was training her before he even found you; she's not wrong, when she boasts she's faster, stronger, and more experienced. She holds her weapon ready, resolute, and her face gives you no hints as to her plan.

You don't need any, though. Though sparring does afford combat experience, dueling the same person so many times seems a flawed method, right? After so many bouts, you learn their tricks, and their weaknesses.

This time, you'll win.

What will you do?
>Let her make the first move; you have the reach advantage, and her swings leave her open. (1d20)
>She favors certain combinations in her swordsmanship. Dodge and parry until you know you can land the hit. (2d20)
>Take the gamble, and attack unrelentingly. She's fast, but you can accelerate faster. (1d20)
>>
Rolled 12

>>28518415
>>Take the gamble, and attack unrelentingly. She's fast, but you can accelerate faster. (1d20)
>>
Rolled 1, 1 = 2

>>28518415
>>She favors certain combinations in her swordsmanship. Dodge and parry until you know you can land the hit. (2d20)
>>
Rolled 3, 15 = 18

>>28518415
>She favors certain combinations in her swordsmanship. Dodge and parry until you know you can land the hit. (2d20)
>>
Rolled 20, 17 = 37

>>28518460
Oh come on.
>>
Rolled 4, 11 = 15

>>28518460

You're kidding. How could you even roll that badly?
>>
Rolled 19

>>28518415
>Let her make the first move; you have the reach advantage, and her swings leave her open. (1d20)
We've got a quarterstaff.
>>
>>28518460
1/400 chance. Nice job. Very impressive.
>>
Rolled 1, 16 = 17

>>28518460

Impossibru.
>>
Rolled 2, 16 = 18

>>28518558
From all likelihood, we just dropped our sword, fell down and started farting.
>>
Rolled 14, 6 = 20

>>28518594

Indeed. And I think crits mandate that course of action being selected.
>>
>>28518460

Dear god.
>>
>>28518460

>1

For another half-minute, the two of you stare eachother down. You reinforce your grip on the quarterstaff.

You're nervous.

She darts towards you. You know her next move, and you curse yourself for making a false step. You move pre-emptively, and stagger; before she's even reached you, you lie prone in the gravel.

>1

You curse yourself as the girl approaches you and points the mock weapon at your neck, shaking her head. This was supposed to be your time.

“Not your lucky day, Erick?” She sighs. “I think that's enough for now. You need to work on your balance, huh?”

She tosses her weapon aside and helps you to your feet. “Come on. You must be hungry, right?”

Later, you sit in a nook between two roots of a solitary tree on a hilltop. You look blankly at your fellow apprentice, standing nearby, then at the fruit in your hand; it's a sweet meal, but you haven't managed to overcome the bitterness of defeat.

“Hey, Erick. I was thinking about what our Master said, a while back.” She looks over her shoulder to address you, then turns back to watch the orange sun drift slowly towards the horizon. “About how Shardkeepers are supposed to protect people from monsters and spirits, and maintain balance in the world.”

“Yeah?”

“I was just wondering if I believe that. Do you? When you finish learning, what are you going to do when you make your first Shard all by yourself?”

What did you say?
>>
Rolled 19, 3 = 22

This quest really is cursed, isn't it?
>>
>>28518460
I ain`t even mad. If you really rolled 2d20 then you deserve a reward good sir. Now come closer so I could punch you in the face.
>>
Rolled 4, 8 = 12

>>28518826
>“I was just wondering if I believe that. Do you? When you finish learning, what are you going to do when you make your first Shard all by yourself?”
Make the world a better place.
>>
>>28518826
>What did you say?
Gotta catch them all.
>>
>>28518826

"The way I see it, we're the legacy of those who came before us and beat the path down so we'd have an easier time of living. If we don't follow in their footsteps and prove ourselves their betters then we simultaneously fail ourselves and everyone.

So I think I agree with the Master. Doesn't mean I can't have some fun though."
>>
Rolled 1

>>28518826
"Pray my dick get big as the Eiffel tower so I can fuck the whole world for 72 hours."
>>
>>28518826
I don't know. I guess I'll find out when I make my first shard.
>>
>>28518826
"Kill 'em all."
>>
>>28518940

Sure.

Who else thinks this girl will be our archnemesis?
>>
>>28519076
-4 STR thus we win.
>>
>>28518940
Seconding
>>
>>28519105

Her name is Oak. We're sitting in the roots of an Oak tree right now too. Soon we'll notice that she has disappeared and feel something with irresistible girth creeping upon us.
>>
“The way I see it, we're the legacy of those who came before us and beat the path down so we'd have an easier time of living. If we don't follow in their footsteps and prove ourselves, we simultaneously fail ourselves and everyone. So I agree with the Master.”

“Mm... I never thought about it that way. Maybe I'm being selfish.” She folds her arms and turns to face you. “You really think that?”

“Yeah, I do.” You nod. “Doesn't mean I can't have a little fun along the way, though.”

She chuckles. You raise the fruit to your mouth and take a bite; it tastes intoxicating, and lifts a strange weight off of your shoulders as the world around you grows blurry.

You lie prone on the ground, atop a mound of soft earth—one that seems more packed and shaped than should be natural. Your chin and collar are sticky with blood and saliva. Moonlight shines down from overhead, and you can see torches burning just several hundred feet away—the swamp village is just nearby. On the ground next to you, your possessions rest in a neat pile atop your cloak.

There's an odd groaning noise, from just nearby, and a sound like a tree's branches contorting under a heavy wind. The large swamp creature—the strange fungal caretaker that you walked with this morning—stands next to you, and the Shard you captured from the great swamp viper looks small between its two massive fingers. It leans forward and places the pulsating green crystal on the ground next to you, then turns away, and lopes across the path toward the darkness of the swamp.

What will you do?
>Other
>>
>>28519217

That thing could've squished us with ease while we were out.

Show it the same courtesy and just make our way back to the village.
>>
>>28519217
>Call out thanks.
>Get to the village.
>>
>>28519217

Haul ourselves up, shout "Thanks for the help", continue on to village
>>
>>28519217
>>Other
Thank the giant.

Then head toward the village.

Told ya we shouldn't kill it.
>>
>>28519217

I hereby bestow this creature the name of "Swampbro".

Thank it and continue back.
>>
>>28519217
Add it to our kill list and head to the village.
>>
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>>28519309
Second
>>
>>28519262
>>28519257
>>28519288
>>28519279

“Hey, thanks!” You manage, as the beast lurches into the darkness. Your body feels limp, but Eisa's remedy seems to have saved your life; though without the aid of whatever manner of creature that was, you probably would have been found by another snake or sucked dry by mosquitoes before you recovered.

Several hours have passed, and you recover your belongings, then drag yourself down the path and across the bridge into the swamp village.

What will you do?
>Set yourself up for the night. There's plenty of shacks, and being unconscious doesn't count as real sleep.
>Knock on Nicholas and Mathilde's door.
>Experiment with Infusions before the morning comes. The body is weak, but the spirit never tires.
>Other
>>
>>28519382
>>Knock on Nicholas and Mathilde's door.
We could really go for a nice cup of tea.
>>
>>28519382
>>Experiment with Infusions before the morning comes. The body is weak, but the spirit never tires.
>>
>>28519382

Knock on Nicholas and Mathilde's door, ask to stay there because we're still pretty goddamn wounded (we had barely recovered from Tregalis...a healing shard is definitely next on the list).

While we're there let's experiment with infusions. What do we have that we plan on keeping that'd be suitable?
>>
>>28519382
>>28519467
I think if that lizard shard gives a more potent resistance to poison we should give the mosquito shard to Mathilde.

We can show the little kid our binding powers. He'd find it interesting.

Do we still have our cloak? It's kind of raggedy, but we could put it on that. Dagger would also be interesting but I'd like something defensive.
>>
>>28519382
>>Knock on Nicholas and Mathilde's door.
>>
You knock on the door to the large house in the heart of the village. There's no answer for a bit—it is the dead of night, after all—and you give it another couple of knocks, eventually tiring and pressing your forearm against the door and leaning into it.

Eventually, a voice from within. “Hello? Who is it?”

The door swings open, and Mathilde stands before you, holding a dim lantern in hand. She begins to speak, but freezes at the sight of your bloodstained body and clothes. “Oh... my.”

“Hey, there.” You smile. “Mind if I stay the night?”

“Nicholas is asleep in the other room. Hold on, a moment.” She urges you inside, and you slump back into the same chair as earlier. Time runs together for a bit, until you awaken to a cup of hot tea on the table again. You raise it to your lips, noting a different taste. “It's a local remedy. Those wounds of yours could grow worse in a place like this, you know. What happened to you? I thought you were just traveling. Where did you go?”

What will you say?
>>
>>28519621

"I just figured I'd do some traveling off the beaten path. Lovely swamp you have here, a real killer.

I got attacked by one of those serpents you mentioned earlier, barely got away."
>>
>>28519621
I was hunting a serpent. Do you know anything about the large swamp giant? It saved me for some reason.
>>
>>28519621
>What will you say?
I had a bit of a run in with a giant serpent. The fungal giant saved me through.
>>
>>28519659
>>28519660
>>28519663
Whatever amalgamation of these.

So. You guys agree long-term goal should be expelling whatever spirit is causing this blight?
>>
>>28519784

I'd call that midterm even.

Short term let's get some more mosquitoes and make a charm bracelet for each of these two who've showed us such kindness.
>>
>>28519621
She went through our stuff while we were unconsious, found the shard and now she's testing us.

>>28519784
If by "long-term", you mean "short-term", then I completely agree with you.
>>
>>28519804
Sounds good.
>>
INFUSE YOURSELF WITH THE SNAKE SHARD.
do it faggot
>>
>>28519914
second !
>>
>>28519914

Living entities can't be infused with the power of a Shard.

>>28519659

“I just figured I'd do some traveling off the beaten path. Lovely swamp you have here, by the way.” You nod. “It's a real killer.”

“My, yes. Many of the swamp creatures would avoid the lights, and the places were humans commonly traveled. We used to burn torches at each of the bridges you see, crossing over the ravines and ditches. That way, the road was sure to be the safest place.” Mathilde nods. “Unfortunately, no one is here to tend to them. How did you become so injured, then?”

“I was attacked by one of those serpents you mentioned earlier. Barely got away.”

“Oh, dear. Did it bite you? How ever did you make it back here?”

“I had a little help.” You say. “Do you know anything about some kind of fungal swamp giant? It saved me for some reason.”

“Perhaps you mean one of the bog beasts?” Mathilde says. “That seems unlikely. They are the swamp's quiet caretakers, and strange creatures at that. We believe that they are somewhere between animal, plant, and spirit. Usually, they ignore humans.”

“I see.” You nod. Sounds strange indeed. “Maybe I got lucky, then.”

“Yes, maybe. Well, if you're going to be alright.” Mathilde says, then yawns, hobbling back toward the doorway. “Feel free to stay the night. We have a spare room that you can use, if you're alright with staying in close company. Be careful, now. We wouldn't want you getting sick.”

What will you do?
>Post up in the spare room, and sleep for the night.
>Post up in the spare room, and perform Shard Infusion/Recrystallization. (Description)
>Other.
>>
>>28519804

I'm up for that, though experimenting with infusions next morning would be nice as well.
>>
>>28520017

ACID HALBERD.
>>
>>28520017
>>Post up in the spare room, and sleep for the night.
>>
>>28520017
Did we grab our cloak before we left?
Do we have any teeth left?
If not I am inclined to simply sleep and perhaps infuse something for them as repayment.
>>
>>28520017
>>Post up in the spare room, and sleep for the night.
>>
>>28520036
No, we need it for protection. Try our shirt.
>>
>>28520087

Your cloak is significantly damaged, but you otherwise have the remainder of your belongings in place.

The lizard Tregalis's teeth, or all the ones you took, were put to use making your necklace; you feel it fluctuate in temperature against your chest, still doing what little it can to protect your body from the toxin still within.

(( Consensus is to sleep? ))
>>
>>28520158
>Sleep
>>
>>28520158

Pass out, mess with cool spirit powers next morning
>>
>>28520158
We have a knife, right? Infuse the shard with it.
>>
>>28520158
>Sleep
>>
>>28520201
I thought the whole point of getting the snake soul was for the poison resistance.
>>
>>28520201
No, we need it for protection for now. Once we encounter and defeat the spirit, we can change that.
>>
>>28520255
>>28520258
HAHAHAHAHAHHA PROTECTION! RESISTANCE! WHAT ARE WE? A FAGGOT?
>>
>>28520280
We are alive, and we'll stay that way.

After we face down the spirit, we can switch it to our dagger, though. mite b cool
>>
>>28520172
>>28520253
>>28520042
>>28520102

After what you've been through today, it's well past your bedtime. The spare room is small, but oddly comfortable, and you're afforded meager illumination by starlight shining through a window in the corner; you use your bloodstained shirt to wipe the rest of the stains from your body, then crawl into bed, belongings at your side.

You think it's odd that you have so many people to thank. You've done so much fighting already, but your survival always falls into the hands of another. If you are truly dependent on others, though, then you can't fail; though you've embarked on this journey alone, you have a unique advantage, in that the power of Shards and the Soul within will always be at your side.

(( This is a good time to call it for the night, I think. I'll be archiving shortly, and will be around to answer questions and clean up anything that might have been unclear for a few minutes here. Thanks for posting tonight, everyone; I recommend getting new dice before the next thread. ))
>>
>>28520341
Could we make a charm that make us immune to poison and corruption with the large soul we got?
>>
>>28520341

What would happen if we enchanted Tregalis' soul to a piece of clothing instead?
>>
>>28520341
Question: Do different materials take shards better, like wood or stone?

Is it harder to reclaim shards from shattered equipment?

Is it possible to enchant accessories to a weapon, such as the tassel on a chinese sword, or the rings on a decorative axe?

In total, is there a cap for how many shards can affect a person (between amulets, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc)
>>
Fungusbro has me feeling druidicly benevolent.
>>28520368
>>28520414
I don't think our character knows for sure.
>>
>>28520341
Thank you for writing this quest, SoulQM. I love your fight scenes.
>>
I wonder if there are any ruins in this swamp.
>>
>>28520368
>>28520414

(( The properties of an individual Shard are something that requires experimentation, and what they do when bound to an object is dependent on both the Shard and the object in question.

The Swamp Viper's Shard is aligned with poison, while Tregalis's is related to rock and the earth; that said, what exactly a particular infusion will yield is something that Erick will have to discover on his own time. ))

>>28520423

(( Not in any documented manner. Shard infusions are often known to, strangely enough, overwrite the material composition of an item anyway.

It would be a difficult and time-consuming task, especially considering that Erick is no master of Shardkeeping rituals, but as long as all of the destroyed item's pieces are collected or exist within a localized area, Shard recrystallization would be possible.

Technically, yes, but the Infusion of the accessory wouldn't change the nature of the weapon. Compare attaching Erick's necklace to his halberd with both the items in their current states.

Shard infusions that offer passive benefits “compete” for efficacy, causing diminishing returns based on the number, Soul power, and kinds of infusions being used. Technically, though, a Shardkeeper could carry any number of Infused weapons or tools on his or her person, and use all of them to their full effectiveness. ))

>>28520440

(( Thanks! That means a lot to me. ))
>>
>>28520597
Do different Shardkeepers have better... Let's say, rapport with specific elements, such as water-based creatures, or is binding a universal skill?
>>
Rolled 50

>>28520597

Yeah, great quest really. I concur with the anon above.

Can we sense a shard's alignment instinctively (or with some probing).
>>
>>28520597
The eternal question: Next thread when?
>>
>>28520650

(( Nope. There are, of course, a lot of nuances to Shardkeeping, but if you've got it, you've got it. ))

>>28520767

(( The Soul of a non-sentient creature doesn't necessarily have an “alignment”. Were a sentient Spirit bound to a Shard, deducing its alignment is something that, provided the binding ritual wasn't telling enough, you'd have to do through communication.

Were it the Shard of a non-sentient entity with a Soul powerful enough for summoning, it would revert to its default alignment if the particular Shardkeeper didn't maintain enough spiritual presence to command it. ))

>>28520906

(( Follow my Twitter, and I'll try to announce earlier in advance this time (so >12 hours). If not, you might read the QTGs; I try to announce there a couple hours beforehand as well as when I start. In today's case, another anon heralded my coming, which I'm grateful for. ))
>>
Rolled 47

>>28521051

I meant like fire, earth, poison, blood, light, dark, etc. alignment. Elemental alignment.
>>
>>28521051

(( Dropped trip. ))

>>28521111

(( Oh.

Yes, without a whole lot of work. ))
>>
Rolled 12

>>28521143
(( Okay. ))

(( Are our senses/bodies superior to standard humans naturally, or have we just been trained extensively for a long time?[Shardkeepers in general] ))
>>
>>28521277

(( Both, sort of.

Erick has undergone rigorous physical conditioning, but the only humans fit to be Shardkeepers are also the only humans capable of honing their spiritual potential in addition to their physical potential.

Consider a Shardkeeper of Erick's level; there are probably better athletes and better fighters than him out there, but he's also strengthened by his spiritual training. Because the spirit suffuses the body, his maximum potential is greater than a normal human's, Shard infusions aside. ))
>>
Rolled 83

>>28521480

(( I was getting "You're basically a Witcher in the Witcher world" vibes already, and that seems to about sum it up. Cool, I always wanted to play as someone/thing similar without the clunkiness and tedium of the games. ))


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