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You are a ranger, one who seeks out new lands and walks through the shadows of trees to find the secret ways. You know enough magic to bind the remains of a cordis to an object and even take it out which allows you to fight against the dark monsters and secret beasts of the world. You were trained in skinning and trapping, and taught how to vanish against beings with senses far beyond people. Evidently your training did not equip you to deal with furniture. Dianna continues adjusting things here and there and you promise yourself you are going to totally help once you just catch your breath. What sort of endurance does the vanguard training give you anyway?

You are thinking this over when something ice cold presses against your cheek. You let out a small yelp of surprise as you pull away. You turn and see Fulvia standing there in her bar waitress outfit holding a glass of cold lemonade. She gives an apologetic giggle before setting it down on the table in front of you. You lean back into the chair and take a drink of the strongly flavored drink, the cold liquid like a spear of ice going through your heated body and sapping away your fatigue. You nod your thanks to Fulvia.

"More work than I thought." You note and she shrugs.

"The harvest festival only comes once a year, so why bother holding back?" Fulvia replies as if it didn't matter. "Still, it was really sweet of you to help out." She places a hand on your shoulder gently. "If you ever need anything, I would welcome the chance to show my appreciation."

You hold yourself back from reflexively pulling away as she adds some husk to her voice at the end and avoid thinking about how much her breath tickles. It’s just her way, no sense running as you used to. "Oh? Well, next time I am on range in the southern woods I will be sure and give you a call to bring me some good food." You say making her pout.
(2/3)

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"And here I was trying to be nice. Fine, when you call me out to the southern woods for food I will do a better job than you, and then you will have to wear the dress and deal with the village drunks trying to grab your ass all night." She explains.

You nod to her as you stand up and realize that you have more than fulfilled your promise. "Hey, Dianna. I need to get some actual work done at some point. You have things here?"

"Sure, sure. Go off and shoot your little arrows into things. When you want to give up sneaking around and fight like a real man I'll be sure to shape your right up in the vanguard." She replies.

You leave the tavern and narrow your eyes at the bright afternoon light. You still have to go figure out how to find the spirit of the spring, you have a troubling lack of Cordis as well. You have the flame salts you could experiment with, and you still have to go get the herbs in the southern woods and bring them to the healer. Of course, since the southern woods is drier territory it may be difficult, but there could be clues as to what happened to your master in there.

If you are feeling particularly bold you could try to go meet the guardian of the southern woods, the so called webweaver, and they would likely have many answers for you about what happened in the southern woods. Or they might just kill and eat you on principle, it is impossible to tell without knowing who or what they are.

What should you do?
[]Go get some information about webweaver. Julius always harps about killing it.
[]Try to find Lilly's Spring.
[]Help set up more, you can afford to take a day off
[]Experiment with the flame salts
[]Other, please specify
(3/3)

>>28951429
>[]Go get some information about webweaver. Julius always harps about killing it.

>>28951429
>[]Try to find Lilly's Spring.

>>28951429
What could we do with the flame salts?

>>28951720
You know flame salts are used in burn arrows, but you are not that skilled at making them and your teacher made them for you. There are some potions which use them you think, but otherwise you have no idea.

>>28951551
>>28951670
Will try to combine these if no one else is coming. Please roll 1d20+3 for glade searching and I will get to writing.

Rolled 6 + 3

>>28951836

Rolled 2 + 3

>>28951836

Rolled 16 + 3

>>28951836

You rub at your smooth face, the memory of cutting yourself while shaving making you a touch bitter, then move towards Julius' tower. If you are going to go into the southern woods eventually it would pay off to know about the most dangerous thing in there and while Julius is sort of a bitter old man he does have the most knowledge about the webweaver. You walk to the north end of the city and get onto the dirt road which will take you to the home of Julius. You walk past the metal lanterns and their stands and finally arrive outside the home of Julius and Thomas.

Like before unexplainable cold spots and bursts of wind in the wrong direction greet you as you walk over the scorch marked earth. You walk towards the large house and are about to knock when you hear Julius snarl something in the back followed by a burst of light. You hesitate for just a moment before walking around the building into his back. The back is much like the front with scorch marks and burns here and there on dark dirt and stone, but where the front was just empty patches of land, this one seems to have a few obstacles and items strewn about. Crystals, iron rings, circles of binding, etc. In the center of one of these circles is Thomas, a small rock sized ball of pure light, too bright to look at just outside of his outstretched hand.

"-And you'll keep your focus on that thing till you learn some self-control! Waver for a second and it will get closer, let your mind waver too long and it will burn a hole right through you. Damn fool boy, nearly losing your mind." He grumbles before narrowing his eyes and looking at you.

He seems to consider you for a moment before limping over, leaning heavily on a cane. He stops a few feet from you and seems to think for a moment more. "We are busy, as you can see. I assume you being here means you have some sort of business to discuss. What do you want?"

"Everything you know about the webweaver." You reply and you see his face shift instantly.
(1/4)

"Everything you know about the webweaver." You reply and you see his face shift instantly.

Surprise, shock, anger, hate, then controlled focus swim through his face in order. He nods slowly considering what you said. "You, you mean to hunt it then? To strike down the beast?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of dangerous things in the southern woods and I would honestly rather avoid it if I can. But I need to be ready." You say, excluding the fact you were considering going to visit it for some answers.

He flicks his hand and summons his power and a book falls in front of you. You blink in shock and marvel at his skill at magic. When you use magic you just pour as much power into the spell as you can and then throw it over handed at whatever you need. When Thomas uses his magic it's like a storm on the lake, flashy power and raw strength overwhelming whatever is in its way but with Julius, it's like watching a master artist. He perfectly weaved the energies around him so the spell made little stirring, and used the exact amount of energy he needed without even thinking about it. He looks up at you and you shake yourself form your thoughts.

"The webweaver was a drider once. I have speculated it to be at least five hundred to seven hundred years old if not older. You have seen driders before, yes?" He asks.

"Yes. I was caught in an ambush by a trio of them the other day. I managed to slay two and send the other one fleeing back to the south." You explain.
(2/4)

"That savagery, from what I have seen, is simply a side effect of their youth. For the first two to three hundred years they are savage, cannibalistic and vicious to an unimaginable degree. Once they mature, as it were, they are less inclined to attack, and prefer hiding and waiting for food to come to them. That isn't to say they are not able to be savage, but they like to play at being more civilized. Furthermore driders have a natural progression of monsters. The older they get the larger their cordis, and once they hit around five hundred they become capable spell casters. Not only that but since it is the guardian of the southern woods it is able to use the leyline of the area to bolster their powers, some sort of pseudo contract with the natural forces of the land." He explains.

"A full blown monster." You mutter to yourself as Julius opens the book.

You look inside and see a shapely woman figure a top the spider, covered in silks and jewelry of some sort. It is an impressive sketch, and you think you recognize it at your teacher's. "It looks strange, far more human than the driders I saw." You point out.

"Indeed. As they get older they stop looking like thin skin stretched over a giant bug and seem to change or evolve. The young ones might rarely be able to imitate a few words, but these ones are able to speak properly. Not only that, but the silk they weave is stronger than any chain Urik can smith and much lighter. You will have a hard time without proper equipment. Go at it with a weapon and it can lay you low with magic, go at it with magic and it can pull you in with weapons and armor. Damn clever." He growls.

"Might I have a copy of this?" You ask and he pushes the book into your hands.

"It was your teacher's, damn fool let me borrow it a few days before he went into the southern woods himself. Damn fool." He says.
(3/4)

You thank him and leave, reading over the book. You discover that guardians seem to influence the leylines of the area they are in. So while old man oak believes in a very passive, almost peaceful aspect of nature and thus the area around the village is peaceful, the webweaver believes in survival of the fittest. That the strong eat and the weak are eaten. Strangely, there seems to be instructions on proper manners when greeting members of some high court somewhere in the back and a detailed etiquette lesson written in neat scrawl. You make a note of it and find a map of the webweaver's territory. You add it to your own mental map before turning towards the east.

Once again the path tries to trick you into making false turns and going into the wrong sections of the woods, but by stopping and constantly marking your trail you are able to make a bit better time this time around and find yourself making it to the glade by nightfall. As you step into the glade, you see a pale form turn away from you and quickly slip into the pool of water. You walk over to the strangely illuminated area and look into the water itself. You see a reflection of you, and despite waiting the creature does not surface for air.
(4/5)

You realize that the nymph is likely bound more or less to the spring, and while you know where that is, you have no idea how to lure her out. You reach into one of your countless pocket and gently touch your flute, considering playing for the being. Then again it has been a while since you have played so your skills are rusty. Then again you also know that the book taught your courtly manners so maybe you could offer a gift of some sort? What do you get a woman as a gift? Let alone a spirit woman who lives in a bit of water?

A- A fish? Some fruit perhaps? Women like ribbons right? Perhaps a ribbon heavily enchanted since she is a spirit? You don't have any of those things but it is a thought.

[]Offer a gift to try and lure her out
[]Offer a song to try and lure her out
[]Leave, you will try getting the drop on her later
[]Just wait around
[]Other, ,please specify
(5/5)

>>28952680
[X] Offer a song to try and lure her out

Worst happens it doesn't work.

>>28952680
>[]Offer a gift to try and lure her out
>[]Offer a song to try and lure her out

>>28952680
>[]Offer a song to try and lure her out

If that doesn't work try diving in after her.

>>28952702
>>28952706
>>28952707
1d20+2 for flute playing to lure them out! You either want a really high roll or a really low roll on this one.

Rolled 4 + 2

>>28952733

Rolled 3 + 2

>>28952733

Rolled 20 + 2

>>28952733

>>28952752
Here I was hoping she would throw a fish at you.

Well played sir! Writing now!

You take a seat on the edge of the pool of water and fish out your flute. You press it to your lips and play a small tune to help your fingers remember where exactly they are supposed to go and then play a song. The hauntingly slow melody carries over the glade and you feel yourself being whisked away to your childhood. As the gentle melody picks up you remember sitting in your mother’s lap, her silk outfit smelling of exotic spices and strange perfume. You remember her gently holding your hand and guiding your fingers as her full lips broke into easy smiles quickly, always happy to praise her clever son.

You remember the day she stopped smiling, the day she got sick and slowly wasted away. You remember the stinging pain you felt as your father died that day too, his body just taking a little longer to figure it out. You continue playing and remember the happier times. When she would confuse words, or she would call gods the wrong names. You remember her laughter and your father's strong arms holding you up. His strength unquestionable. As the song winds down you notice the glade seems eerily quiet, as if your music managed to capture something immutable within the glade itself.

"You know." A silvery, soft voice calls from the pool. "Tis most rude to intrude on a woman's home and start crying. It makes it impossible to know what to do."

You turn and leaning against the edge of the pool is a woman. Eyes, far too green to be natural, with long vertical slits for pupils stare calmly at you and you fall back and crawl away slightly on reflex, surprised you got snuck up on. The woman tilts her head slightly as she watches and you feel your face heat up in embarrassment. "I- I am sorry." You offer, rubbing away at your face and feeling warm tears.
(cont.)

You see small splashes in the water behind her, and you realize she seems to be kicking her feet while tilting her head back and forth. "I suppose I shall forgive you, since you gave me such a nice gift. Still, I must wonder what made you so inclined to come up here." She says and you notice her voice seems sing songy, rolling over the syllables in strange places which forces her speech to be more like a song.

"I wished to meet the nymph of the spring." You say.

"Why, whatever for? The men of the village oft only visit for reasons two. To try to kill or to try to bed, which may I ask are you?" She asks and you get a better look at her as the moon comes out.

Too green eyes which seem to have a light of their own, long dark blue hair, and perfect white teeth. You are reminded of the woman from your nightmares. You shake your head and file that away for later contemplation.

What do you want to say?
[]Kill
[]Bed
[]Neither, I just wish to talk(About what?)
[]To ask a favor of you
[]No real reason.
[]Other, please specify

GAIN: Flute playing skill up by 2

>>28953164
>[]Neither, I just wish to talk(About what?)
webweaver and what she might know about our master's death.

>>28953164
>[]Bed

>>28953164
"I am here for neither. I have no reason to wish you harm, and we just met moments ago.

I wish for friendship and information. We live near to each other, we may as well be on good terms, and there's much I do not know and I was hoping you could give me answers, or at least the beginning of them."

Introduce ourself, ask if she has lived her for a while, try to get a name out of her. Be cordial.

Ask about Webweaver, if she knew our master and knows anything of his death,

Still there OP?

>>28954333
Yes, spell checking now.

"I am here for neither. I have no reason to wish you harm and we just met moment ago." You explain and she seems to purse her lips in thought.

"That seldom stops your kind from trying either. Or both." She points out pursing her lips in thought. "Then what is it you wish?"

"I wish for friendship and information. We live near each other, we may as well be on good terms, and there's much I do not know and I was hoping you could give me answers, or at least the beginning of them." You point out.

"Something for nothing, then is it? Hardly seems fair. In life nothing is free, and information has great power if you are one able to use it. What should you trade?" She asks pushing herself back and floating carefully on the surface of the pool of water.

"I brought music." You point out.

"And I made myself seen, and thus consider any debt I have incurred by enjoying that song paid." She replies.

"Then a question for a question then? An answer for an answer? While you are most comfortable within these woods I expect there are things even you wish to know about." You say.

She seems to think on this. She floats back and forth on the pool of water and you take great efforts to keep your eyes fixed on her face. She finally seems to finish considering this and dives below the surface of the water. You think she is gone for a moment and then you see her head pop above the water. She resumes her stance as before, but this time with an amused smile. "I find this most agreeable. Speak then, you made great efforts to arrive here and I would hate to be considered a rude host."
(cont.)

You nod and sit down across from her. "Then, if not too forward, what is your name?" You remember some knights in a story saying something similar so you decide to try it out.

She mulls this question over for a second before replying "Lilly is what mortal kind prefers calling me. Lilly of the glade is what the refugees referred to me as when they first settled here." She explains. "Now, who are you?"

You notice her tone makes it clear when she asks. You file that away for further contemplation. "Delarus Hune. I am the only ranger at the nearby village." You explain thinking about your question. "What do you know about my master's death?"

"I know I am not sad to see him go. I despised that man, a disgusting vulgar brute with no sense of shame. I celebrated for days hearing he had passed." She answers and her sing song voice takes on a harsh note, like a crashing wave or a bolt of lightning before returning to the flow. "I did not witness it myself but a sprite taking a trip to the south said he was looked ill, and was making his way back to the village. Likely that is where he died." She explains. "Your harvest festival is coming up. To which you will of course dance and sing and make merry. Why?" She asks.

"Why?" You continue.

"It is my turn still. I ask you, why do you do that?" She asks.

"Well, because we want to gods to grant us a good harvest. We want the spirits of the land to be pleased and to strengthen us for the task at hand. Though..." You narrow your gaze. "In some respects it could just be an excuse to get drunk and have fun one last time before the heavy work has to be done."

"So it doesn’t matter who does it then." She says.

"No, the who doesn't matter." You say then your eyes go wide. "That is two questions answered."

"Nonsense. Twas one question and a statement to which you continued talking of your own accord. Ask your one question then to make fair." She replies easily.
(cont.)

>>28951409
good lord is she a slut.why does this character give me such a raging erection.

You are about to ask who killed your master then when you remember what she said. 'Who doesn't matter, only the why.' You think back to your notes and remember that your master noted she fancied games and was many different things to many different people. Advisor, perhaps, was one of those things. "Then for my next question, what was my master doing in the southern woods?"

"He was passing through them." She answers at once.

"Passing through. Which means he was going beyond them. That doesn't make any sense, he said the life eater was by the border of the southern woods and close to the village. Going through the woods themselves would require many days travel, or some powerful magic." You say.

"Which he had with him. His magic gear, though when he went through it the second time he was already poisoned and had none of it with him. A most curious action." She explains. "Why are you a ranger?"

"What else would I do?" You ask.

"Tis still my turn." She says patiently.

You think about it. Why are you a ranger? You could be in the vanguard, you could help farm or hunt regular beasts. You could become married and take up a trade. You could mine or study, or do anything, so why be a ranger? "Because..." You start mulling it over. "I don't know." You reply.

She nods. "Your turn then."

"Wait, I didn't answer you." You say and she looks confused.

"Ah, but you did. 'I don't know' is a fine answer in of itself. One people, the young and old, both under value. At least you know you do not know it. That in itself has its own power." She explains.

"I see. Then-" You pause trying to figure out how to ask what you need to know in one question. Finally you continue, "How would I meet webweaver, the guardian of the southern woods, safely." You start then add on before she can reply. "As safely as possible rather."
(cont.)

"Hmm, the webweaver, as you call her. For starters do not call her that. She despises such childish names. She prefers Lady Solanaceae." She explains.

"You know her." You say, careful to keep your tone in statement form.

"Indeed. She and I have tea once ever decade or two. Exchange pleasantries, give each other gifts, and speak of the happenings in the woods. As for your question you should greet her as a gentleman ought to greet a lady. Dodge her traps, and schemes, enter her home with a gift, and be absolutely charming. She does favor young men so it is likely she won't kill you if you can manage that. Something sweet for her to eat, and perhaps some jewelry well made for her. Such things are the way into the heart of many, not just her." She explains.

Food, right. Meaning you have to catch something alive and bring it to her lair without falling into her traps and offer it to her. As for the jewelry, well, something will work out. "My turn." She nods, seems about to ask something, then thinks better of it. After a moment of contemplation she seems to resolve herself. "What prizes shall be given at the festival?"

You blink surprised. You are about to answer you don't know, but then recall the list you saw while working today. "A ribbon of some sort, a mask of every god, toys, weapons and armor, some sort of mystery prize, nothing too valuable." You say, but you notice her eyes twinkle with delight as you listed the items off.

"Then for my last question." You think about what you need to know, and decide on the most important thing, the one which has been bothering you since you came. "Why did you hate my master?"

She frowns before rising above the water. You go red as you realize she is wearing nothing, and turn your head. "Naked? Don't you get cold?" You ask as you stand and try to turn away, and fail to keep your cool.
(cont)

Gentle footsteps pad on the grass behind you and you feel her fingers wrap around your hand. You turn to her, her naked pale skin shining in the moonlight. Her fingers are wet, but not unpleasant, and you feel yourself going weak as she lifts your hand to in between her beasts and presses it in. You feel softness, warmth, and then pure, disgusting, absolute cold. You feel the scar, but cannot see it, as it entwines around the inside of her very soul pulsing with sickly magic. You recognize it as one of your master's "kill Shot" arrows. Something made from the raw essence of a life eater and forced into a single arrow. You saw one of them take down a great drake once with little effort, ripping the raw life from the beast and sending it dying into the earth, a simple confused look on it's face. You shiver as you rip your hand back, the anti-life scarring on her soul turning any feelings of lust you were building into pure, utter horror at the wrongness of it.

She seems sad for a second before her expression changes back to one of mysterious amusement. "That is why I despise that man and hope my cold lady tortures his soul on her ship till the ends of time." She explains diving back into the pool.

You stand there for a few moments, flexing your hand and shivering. You dimly remember making your way back to your cabin, apologizing softly as the raw unlife sticks to your mind like it were some sort of plague. You mutter your apologies to everything you can think of as you go to sleep, and have one of the first dreamless nights you have had in a very long time.

You awaken to the sound of birds chirping in the cool autumn air. You look over the mess you made in you stupor and start cleaning up as you think over what you learned. You finish swiftly and make plans for the day.

[]Into the southern woods
[]To lilly's spring
[]Go into town
[]Go into the eastern woods
[]Into the mountains
[]Experiment with the flame salts
[]Other, please specify

>>28954614
>[]Experiment with the flame salts
Let's play around with them, see if we can make explosives or fire arrows.

>>28954614
>[]Experiment with the flame salts

>>28954651
>>28954673
1d20+1 for experimentation please.

Rolled 13 + 1

>>28954693

Rolled 2 + 1

>>28954693

Rolled 2 + 1

>>28954693

>>28954614
I like these long updates. It's a nice change of pace from the 1-2 paragraph updates in most quests.

>>28954822
Same also here is a battle plan for us.
[]To lilly's spring
Only at night since that when she is up i want to talk to her about our dream.
Also about the guardian of the other forest.
[]Go into town
Ask about jewelry and its where about, and maybe about the prizes for lily.
[Next two are decided after town and lily.]
[]Go into the eastern woods
For hunting and talking to the guardian.
[]Into the mountains
Could be used for hunting and resource gather
[]Into the southern woods
Only going in here after we are full prepared.

You look over at the seven and a half pounds of flame salamander salts and sigh. Your equipment isn't exactly easy to get, and while crafting was never your favorite part of being a ranger, you will need to get a bit more than the basics down if you will ever want to become a proper ranger. Or if the bathtub breaks down, that was a magical experience. You get about half a pound of the flame salts and start to work on the basic charms and skills you learned. You set up a small pinch of the salts, put some energy into a circle and focus on the idea of flame before throwing them out. The salts sparkle to like with a loud pop as they ignite in the air. Handy trick for starting a good camp fire.

You a bit more salt and a small steel disk. You carve a sigil into the disk, muttering and keeping the idea of a hearth fire in your mind as you do so. You pour the orange and red salts into the disk and mutter an utterance of power to give shape to your small level of magic, and lock them in place. You grab the coin and hold fast to it before descending into the basement below. The cold air edges closer, until it is repelled by the soft warmth coming from the disk. You look the coin over and see a few spots where power is bleeding out needlessly, but it should last for a few weeks before needing refill. More if you can figure out where your circle and sigil went wrong.

With these two successes under your belt you move on to work the flame salts into an arrow, but find your fingers having difficulty making the tiny runes on the shaft coil around properly.
(cont)

You work at it. Eventually you go downstairs and get one of your teacher's coded books, slowly trying to work out how to make the arrow not burst into flames on the table. You focus your cordis and pour your energy into the small runes you gently cut into the shaft of the arrow. You feel yourself pour an extreme level of effort into making sure all the runes were connected, and in circles. Then you grab your bow, string the arrow, take aim and let fly.

The arrow buries into a small gourd you propped up as a target, and you see a few sparks, like what might pop off a campfire in late winter, but then just a small string of smoke and nothing. You swear as you pull out your arrow and look over the runes. A few scorch marks on the shaft where the runes should go and the flame salts spilled out. You realize that you wasted most of the day on that arrow and don't feel like continuing for now, so you go back inside and cook some lunch. A few small things here and there, throw them into a pot and suddenly soup.

Spark Schematic: 1/1 complete
Warmth Charm Schematic: 2/2 Complete
BURN ARROW SCHEMATIC 2/3 COMPLETE

You make notes of everything you discovered and realized that it is difficult to even remember the basics of crafting, and you will have to get highly skilled at them if you want to make proper impact arrows again, let alone the insanely complicated enchantments your master constantly worked on and detailed. You realize now rather than ranger it seemed more like your master was focused on the crafting aspects of the job rather than the hunting. You shrug as you consider it was perhaps just because he liked it, but then again he had a whole arsenal of weapons in his vault.
(cont)

He claimed it was in case any of the wild monsters were to come into town or were to get close, and just in case he had to mobilize the vanguard. But there was a lot of weapons, and a lot of cordis down there. Far more than perhaps even preparedness could have excused. You mull over that line of thinking and then shake your head. No way to prove that now.

You get a cloth and some oil your master left behind and start rubbing down your leathers as you try to put the thought of what happened behind you. The well-made leather soaks it in well, gaining a level of protection against the elements. You then carefully start stitching up the cut on the side of your leathers, cursing the driders and their crude stone blades. You consider what you have learned about webweaver, that is Lady Solanaceae, and wonder for a moment how exactly you will know what is good jewelry, let alone something a woman might like. You think of Dianna and how clunky and awkward she looked in her dresses every year and shake your head at the idea. Then you think of Fulvia, always wearing the best dress in town, able to make even a table cloth look good if she put her mind to it. Plus she owes us a favor.

Then again, asking a woman to help you pick out a gift for another seems sort of wrong, you think.

It is currently afternoon. What do you want to do?
[]More flame salt experimentation
[]Into town to go work on purchasing items
[]Go get Fulvia, you have no idea what spirit monster women like, so you will take one out of three to help you.
[]To Lilly's spring
[]Into the eastern woods
[]Into the southern woods
[]Mountains, ho!
[]Other, please specify

>>28955622
>[]More flame salt experimentation

>>28955622
>[]Go get Fulvia, you have no idea what spirit monster women like, so you will take one out of three to help you.

>>28955622
>[]Into town to go work on purchasing items
>[]Go get Fulvia, you have no idea what spirit monster women like, so you will take one out of three to help you.
>[]To Lilly's spring
All three can be done together.
Go to town buy some stuff talk to the slut and head back the the spring for more info.

>>28955622
>[]Mountains, ho!
I want to find more cordis.

>>28955758
I'll second this

>>28955758
this works we can be productive as well.

>>28955622
fulviaaaaaa

You realize you don't even know where the silversmith lives, let alone what they want for their wares. You grab three pounds more of flame slats and make your way into town in order to find Fulvia. You walk down the dirt road and take a deep breath of the quickening autumn, reminding yourself how few of these sorts of days you have left and to have a moment of leisure once and a while.

It takes longer than normal to make it into town, but not by much, and you nod as you see the tavern still sitting closed during the day for the preparation of the festival. You take a deep breath to steady yourself before pushing in the door. Fulvia is focused on painting several poles which will be used during the festivities, while Dianna is focused on cutting and carving different objects. They both look up to you as you enter and you give a small wave.

"Delarus, you came! It's so good to see you." Fulvia smiles and Dianna throws a small carving at you.

You look it over and see a large bloated fly like creature, small multifaceted eyes glaring at you while a drooling maw with lizard like razor teeth sneers. You shudder and put the bug on the table. "Figures in tribute to the gods?" You ask.

"The vanguard wanted some set up, so a few of them have been showing up in between their shifts. Everyone wants to add something else to the party, so I eventually told them if they make it they can have it. Neville’s been making quite a few to Rashar, which I think is damn creepy. Still does damn fine work." She says.

You look over the wooden figures and feel your stomach turn as you are forced to agree with Dianna. Those are some very realistic tributes to the gods indeed. "Try and make him carve some different ones. Rashar is way too creepy to just be left alone." You say and Dianna nods.

"Have you come to help?" Fulvia asks and you notice her bruise is already mostly healed. You suppose Atraxion takes care of his followers, if nothing else.
(cont)

You shake your head. "Need your help with something." You say and she gives a cat like smile.

"You know I would never say no to you Delarus." She says taking a step closer.

You give a patient smile. "I need to get some gifts for some women and I don't even know where the silversmith is." You say.

Fulvia pouts "Aw, coming to talk to me about other women? I might get jealous you know." She says resting a hand on your arm.

"If it makes you feel any better one of them may eat me and the other may just kill me." You say and Dianna lets out a snort.

"Trying to court two women? That will get you hurt real fast." She says.

"Oh, no that isn't why. One of them is a giant spider monster so I am pretty sure they are not too attached to the idea of monogamy. She might just kill me because she is hungry. The other because she hated my teacher and is a fickle spirit with high magical power." You explain.

"Well, I suppose the advantage is mine since I won't bite you." Fulva says taking a few steps and stopping right next to you. "Unless you beg me to." She whispers in your ear, making you twitch. She walks past you to the door and smiles. "Dianna, will you watch the shop for me? I should probably go make sure Delarus doesn't get himself killed by buying the wrong sort of gift." She explains and Dianna waves.

"Don't eat him while you're gone and- By Nyx Neville, what the fuck?!" She swears looking at a small figurine.
(cont)

You walk out into the afternoon light with Fulvia and stretch, a strong wind form the east carrying the faintest scent of water from the lake. You feel Fulvia wrap your arm in hers and press against you, but you gently push her off. She raises her eyebrow to you and seems about to just let it go, but you remind yourself that you are trying to fix the gap between the two of you so you speak up. "I don't like having my arms restrained. If I don't have both arms free I feel, I dunno, naked somehow. Walking around without my bow alone is bad enough, but not having my arms free on top of that? I would probably end of a ball of twitching nerves by the time we got to the place."

"Ah, I see." She nods with a small smile. "Then, this way please." She says with a gesture.

The two of you walk through the village at a leisurely pace, making small talk about the festival and about work. Simple things which regular people do, so of course it is strange and alien to you but you do your best to keep up. After a few minutes or walking Fulvia sighs. "I am surprised you don't know where the silversmith is."

"Why do you say that?" You ask.

"Your teacher had a few tools made of silver and gold, plus much more precious metals. He said something about gold causing a more compatible energy flow with flame when I asked him about it once." She explains.

You think back to your master’s equipment and you realize that all of his flame based items had some measure of gold on them or likely in them. You blink realizing you had completely ignored that before, which is not overly difficult considering how pretty bad your enchantment skills have rusted. "He did, didn't he? I totally forgot about that."
(cont)

"I am one step closer to taking your job. Better work harder Hune" She giggles lightly as you make your way to a small building near the opposite side of the village proper.

Fulvia knocks twice before opening the door and stepping in, with you just after her. You see the village chief sitting behind a small stand he stand up and rubs a hand over his bald head before smiling wide. "Welcome to Severus' Silver and gold! If it isn't our young ranger! Buying a gift for your lady friend perhaps? I can give you anything you need here in this shop!" He explains pulling out a small pillow full of rings. "How about a betrothal ring to make sure the world knows how lucky you are? Or a locket so she can have an image of you whenever you go off on range?" He asks pulling a locket out of nowhere.

You take a step back and blink. To you the village chief, Severus, was a stern man, often coming to see Mathios about the latest threat to the village or to offer him work when something needed done and fast. Of course it made sense for him to have a proper job besides just village chief. Even Imoen was a lumberjack when not working the vanguard. Still, it was difficult to wrap your mind around the idea of Severus the pushy salesman. Luckily Fulvia is there to help. "It isn't for me, I'm afraid. I keep trying to make him commit but he refuses. Though he is still young, he plays around enough to warrant being called a man." Fulvia huffs and you see mirth in Severus' eyes.

"Well then, for your other lady friends then? Please, please look over my wares I know there will be something here to suit you and, would you look at that, flame salamander salts! Perfect for barter." He smiles as you set the partially heavy pack on the ground.
(cont)

He starts pulling out rags with strange rings and amulets, anklets, and jewels. You look over it all, forced to admit how skillful Severus has to be to make all of it. Fluvia gently touches your shoulder and you turn to her. "For a woman a ring would be ideal, but I have my doubts you have a reasonable approximation of their fingers." She says.

"Plus coming into town to get them refitted would be problematic at best." You agree. "Why are rings the best? There are some of these with far more of the valuable metal on them than rings. An amulet or something."

"Because it shows the woman that you care for her so much that you know everything about her, from her favorite things, to even the very size of her fingers. It shows you have been paying very close attention to her, and it makes them feel special." She explains like a parent might to a child, or an older sibling to a younger.

"So no rings then." She says and Severus dutifully puts the rings he had out away.

You look over the items and find several of them with delicate almost script like writing. You narrow your eyes and realize they seem to have love poems written into a few of them. You remember how difficult it was to write the comparatively simple runes on your arrows and once again marvel at Severus' skill. You pick a few things up and display them to fulvia for inspection, most of them getting a shake of her head.

Finally you manage to make out with a pair of earrings, two amulets, one silver and the other gold with ruby inlays, a small silver bracelet with a long, slender pair of chains to attaching it to a ring of some sort which contains an ingenious size adjusting mechanism, as well as a pair of bracelets and an anklet. You smile satisfied with your purchase, deciding even if you don't give them away then at least you can use them for cordis manipulation or enchantment.
(cont)

You escort Fulvia back to the tavern, and you see the lights of the village start coming on with the approaching evening. She bids you good night with a chaste peck on the cheek and you make your way back to the glade. This time you find the path simple to cross, and you decide to take this as a sign that Lilly will at least welcome you. You walk into the glade filled with moonlight and see her naked form perched on the edge of the spring.

You walk over to her, knowing that the raw anti-life still swirls within her makes you feel sick slightly. Like someone holding a blade in your mouth, just about to cut into you. You give her your best smile and keep your eyes on her face, trying to be polite. "Hello Lilly." You offer and she tilts her head.

"My, here to visit again? One might think you have become rather attached to me." She explains as you sit next to her, careful not to touch her.

Why are you here?
[]Give her something(Earrings, bracelet, anklet, silver amulet, gold amulet)
[]I want to ask you about the woman from my nightmares
[]Just here to visit
[]Other, please specify

>>28957018
>[]Give her something(Earrings, bracelet, anklet, silver amulet, gold amulet)
>[]I want to ask you about the woman from my nightmares

>>28957018
>[]Give her something

Gold amulet, the silver will oxidize if she doesn't take care of it.

And then
>[]I want to ask you about the woman from my nightmares

>>28957034
bracelet gift and nitemare woman

>>28957063
>[]Give her something(Earrings, bracelet, anklet, silver amulet, gold amulet)
>[]I want to ask you about the woman from my nightmares

Bracelets.

>>28957018
>[]Give her something(anklet)
>[]I want to ask you about the woman from my nightmares

You reach into one of your pockets and produce the pair of silver bracelets, the small thin things gleaming silver in the moonlight. You offer them to her. "I got you these, for the trouble last time and with the hope that we will become much better friends in the future." You say.

She stares at it for a few moments and then gently reaches over for it. Knowing what sort of magic is stuck inside her, you can't help but notice it now as her fingers lightly brush against your. You steel your resolve, and manage to not break down and weep, as she lightly picks up the slender silver bracelets. She puts them on and looks at the in the bright moonlight. "Thank you." She says and leans over as if to give you a kiss like Fulvia, but thinks better of t and slips into the pond.

She swims around in the dark pool of water for a few minutes, your eyes managing to catch the smallest flickers of silver light flash against the moon. She eventually leans her chain against the edge of the pool and you note she her cat green eyes are staring at you. "You have a question to ask. I have already taken the gift, so I can not untake it, so ask." She says tilting her head so her cheek rests on her folded arms.

You struggle with the idea for a few moments then nod. "I dream. Terrible nightmares of my past and a past I cannot remember. In it there is a woman who looks like you. I remember this glade and a man shooting you, though back then you had tan skin. I wonder, are you she who I dream of?" You ask.
(cont)

Her eyes lower, and you get the feeling you made her sad, but she quickly buries the expression. "How much have you dreamed?"

"I got to the point where you got shot." You answer and she shakes her head.

"I had hoped it was not you. I would rather you did not recall such a tale. Yes, I am she of who you dream and I-" She looks sadly at you and reaches out, but halts when she sees you flinch back. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry. Please forget about me. Please become happy. What I made you lose... Do not try to remember, please." She says and with that she sinks back into the water.

You call out to her again, but get no response save a cold breeze. You go back home and pile a few logs into the fireplace, use your new trick with the flame salts to ignite it, then look at the bed. She had asked you to not remember. She had been truly upset when you told her you did, but you can't live your life without knowing. You walk over to your bed, curl under the blankets without dinner, and focus on the habits you need to take to go to sleep.

You dream

"Stop! Lilly! Get up, please!" You shake her form, her deeply tanned skin turning white and cold.

"Come on boy, stop yer fussin, the spell's been broken. Get up." Mathios grumbled.

You feel a surge of energy within. Your eyes blaze with hate, but that washes away as Lilly gently strokes your cheek.

"It's okay. It will be okay." She mutters, shhing you gently. You feel the black energy taking hold within her and start crying.

"Come on, get yerself up! Don't make me drag you back in chains." He grumbles grabbing you by the back of your neck.

"Someone. Help her! Please, grampy oak! Fairies! Help!" You shout and kick as Mathios struggles.
(cont)

"Quit your strugglin boy. Her magics should be gone. Do I need another one to take her out? Life eaters are hard to get." He runs his free hand over you with a soft glow. "No enchantment. No trace of one. Then she is either really good or..." He freezes as you glare at him.

Or that is what you would like to think, but actually he freezes as the sun starts to darken. You both look up and see the bright sun slowly growing more obscured by the moon, the black orb finally totally eclipsing the sun and setting the world in an eerie light.

"Oh, me son. You found him." A woman calls out from the woods.

Wearing leather trousers and a loose open blouse shirt, the woman was tall, even without her thigh high leather boots. She has a curved blade on her hip and a leather, tripointed hat on her head. Her skin is fair, with shiny black hair tucked under her hat and harsh features which seem to only enhance her beauty. She tilts the brow of her hat up and you see several silver earrings along her ears. Mathios furrows his brow as he looks at her. "You asked me to find the boy. You said he needed to be found but, no I know his mother. You ain't her. Why did I-" He pauses before going wide eyed and pulling out his bow.

The woman looks amused at his movement and flicks her wrist towards him, sending an icy gale towards him, sending him flying back into one of the trees lining the glade with a sharp crack. You shiver as the woman approaches you and kneels down. "Well then boy. Looks like bettin’ on Mathios finding you paid off. Granted I didn't expect him to be so violent about it. Sorry, little sister, luck is fickle, aye?" She lifts her tricorn hat towards the prone form of Lilly. "Still, suppose we got lucky with this, eh?"

"Who are you?" You demand and you hear something metal clink against the woman's teeth as she smiles.
(cont)

"Don't you go to temple? She rides on with a crew of the damned on the icy waters of all nightmares. Raiding and plundering the moon itself." She says and your blood goes cold.

"Selvia." You answer and she grins wider.

"Got it in one. You have something I want to take. Figuring you might be willing to parlay as it were." She offers and you tremble.

"Why? What do you want from me? I don't have anything!" You say stepping back from the crouching woma- no, goddess.

"Now that just ain't true. See boy, I rule nightmares. I know the horrible things which go bump in the night inside your head while you dream and the funny thing is, your nightmares tend to come true. They've been coming true more and more lately, which is why I want it." She says standing back up. "See, bit of your soul has this talent from one of your great grandpas. Your power will grow and grow until you become a touched, no wait." She shakes her head before looking down, her eyes searching the ground. "Mullahak- No, that's what your mum's people call'em." She shakes her head again. "Seer I guess works. I want that power, I want it terribly so, and I’m thinking you will be giving it to me." She explains.

"Why?" You ask and she looks back at Lilly.

"Because I can give that little sister a wee bit of my own power to bring her back. Or, well, unkill her at least. You let me get all touchy feely with your soul and then I will bring her back for ye." she explains

"But, but you could be lying." You point out and she grins her piercings shining in the awkward light.
(cont)

"Truer words. You are making a bet you see. I love gambles, they are the only thing which really gets me of-" She starts and then drums her fingers on the air in front of her while looking at you. "I mean, uh, makes me happy. Bigger the gamble the bigger the happy. Even better you got a time limit. By the time the eclipse is done. Only time I am allowed to do this sort of thing you see." She explains pulling a green bottle filled with some dark liquid from her shirt.

You look to Lilly, then to the woman. You know you can't fully understand what it means to say yes, and you know that what she intends is probably never good. But Lilly is your friend. She is your only real friend who believes all your stories. This isn't even a choice. "Yes." You say and feel the air nearly freeze as her hand plunges into your chest.

Everything goes dark.

You fade in and out of consciousness for a few moments as a cold light fills your eyes.

"-Cuz they serve the white god. Punishment for the wicked or whatever." Selvia explains.

"You used me." Mathios growls.

"Like you're usin’ this city? Real great plan you have there, I'm sure that asshole on the throne will take extra kind to- Ah, me rum's gone." Selvia points out.

"Will he remember? Will he know his dreams are- That his nightmares-" Lilly pauses. "Please, make him forget. He should not be involved in this sort of thing. Make him forget all of it."

"Why? You ain't the boss of me little strumpet. In fact, quite the contrary, you work fer me now and I-" The sound of a slap.

"Do it, or I will do everything in my power to make sure the white god's servants find you, even if it costs me my existence. You damn well know I can ice whore." Lilly points out and you feel the air grow colder than the coldest ice.
(cont)

Then laughter. Selvia's pure, raw laughter. Stirring feelings you could never understand or even hope to believe in. "You got balls on you, I'll give ye that. Alright then, I'll fix him right up for ye then. Dunno how long it will last, but if'n he can stay out of trouble till he gets all grown up they should stay pretty buried." Selvia explains.

"I'll watch him for you Lilly. Make sure he doesn't get too deeply involved, see if any of his... gifts remain." Mathios promises and you feel a different cold than Selvia's

"You have cost me my friend. You have cost me the sun. You have cost me perhaps my very soul. So long as the boy remains fine I shall stay my hand, but know this Mathios. I shall kill you if I get the chance. If I am satisfied the boy is safe, I will freeze you in a way which will let me inflict the most suffering and I will make sure you die by inches." Lilly promises.

"Right boya, let's just get these pants off and-" Selvia says and you can imagine her confused look. "No, wait a tick. You won't think there for another few years. Brain! That's right. Brain." She claps happily. "Then more rum."

You awake to a cold sweat. You look around the room and feel very shadow looks a bit too dark.

You then throw up.

Okay, why don't we call it here? I will be around for questions/concerns/comments. Seems we didn't have as many people this time around, huh?

Should I do a congratz screen again?

>YOU MANAGED TO WORK ON ENCHANTING, MEANING PERHAPS MORE WORK

>YOU LEARNED ABOUT WEBWEAVER

>YOUR BRAIN SEEMS TO HAVE SOME SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET

>>28958078
Our brain has some serious skeletons in its closet.

>>28958078
Its seems fun and i like your way of story telling though putting small updates in the thread would help.

>>28958078
I thought the usual number was around three people anyways?

in any case, how prevalent are Seers in this world?

>>28958118
I tried making it smaller this time, but I actually ended up making it bigger. I get afraid I won't have enough detail to hold interest. Smaller updates is my current hope eventually.

Glad to hear you enjoy it otherwise.

>>28958134
You have never even heard of one, so according to your books and your village? Pretty rare you suppose.

>>28958156
You could always do it in chunks like archelon does it.

>>28958156
how many people live in our village anyways? also, i kind of forgot the name.

>>28958187
I kind of like the long posts. I don't particularly mind waiting for them.

>>28958187
Like, just post as I type? Hm, that is a maybe. I tend to not check the length very much but I might be able to change how I write it to be like that. Would that feel more involved?
>>28958192
Including the outlying farms? bit over 180 I think I wrote in my notes.

The village name rarely comes up. Argippora after the founder of the village is the 'proper name' but since there are no other villages in the surrounding area it is generally called just the village.

>>28958156
You could let people know you're still working on an update after 30 mins, but honestly I like the large chunks of story.

>>28958256
Who is/are the village leader(s)?

>>28958265
Sort of a "Seriously, I did not fall asleep" type post? Also pretty doable. I guess I could try and find ways of including things for people to talk about so the thread feels more alive, but that just feels like fluffing. Still, something to think about.

>>28958318
Severus leads the farmers and merchants, Ioen leads the vanguard and is in charge of defense, In theory each of the high priests and priestesses have the same pull, but in practice the head priest/priestess of Melidius handles the village leadership duties.

>>28958358
who was the head priest/priestess?

>>28958390
Vistilia, the matronly woman you met at the temple and at your teacher's grave.

>>28958419
Ok, thanks for answering questions. Have a good night.