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The night is quiet, save for the quiet hiss of the sled's runners through the snow and the quiet muttering of the guards. Your former home has long since vanished over the horizon of shifting snow and ice, and it won't be long before they kick you off the sled and leave you to rot. You shift restlessly in the cramped compartment but it's impossible to get comfortable with your hands bound behind your back and the harsh sting of the wind against your cheek.

You are one of the Nīþ, criminals branded upon the left cheek and cast off into the tundra with naught but a few personal possessions, a spear, and a waterskin.

What have you been branded as?
>Bani - Slayer. You killed one of your clansmen in cold blood or over a minor offense.
>Alþiófr - Thief. You stole something of great value, or took more than your fair share of the clan's fat.
>Ragr - Scourge. You either raped one of your clan or mixed with one of the other races.
>Heimskr - Trickster. Your mischief making was taken one step too far, and got someone killed.
>Sordinn - Slanderer. You leveled false accusations that got one of your clan exiled.


>Are you guilty?
>>
>>779618
>Sordinn - Slanderer. You leveled false accusations that got one of your clan exiled.

>Yes
>>
>>779618
This looks like a fun and original quest :^)


>Sordinn - Slanderer. You leveled false accusations that got one of your clan exiled.
>>
>>779618
>Sordinn - Slanderer. You leveled false accusations that got one of your clan exiled.
>Are you guilty?
Yes and no. More of a grey area
>>
>>779618
>Sordinn - Slanderer. You leveled false accusations that got one of your clan exiled.

>Yes
Guilty of talking too much shit.
>>
>>779618
>Heimskr - Trickster. Your mischief making was taken one step too far, and got someone killed.
>Sort of
He ready should have ducked.
>>
>>779635
>>779636
>>779644
>>779648
>>779665
Calling and writing.

Looks like we're guilty of Slander!
>>
You leveled accusations against Jarl Kalle, calling him a thief who flagrantly wasted the clan's animal fat. As the first son and heir to the ruler of Eyjasandr, your allegations were dismissed out of hand and you were arrested, tried, and exiled for slandering one such as him. Granted, you probably could have been a bit less... vicious in the wording of your accusation, but the injustice of it all is still an outrage!

One of the guards, you remember him as the one that beat you in the holding cells while you waited for trial, jerks away the pin that holds the gate that separates the cargo compartment from the bitter snow closed. The gate swings wide and with a rough kick you're sent tumbling head over heels into the snow, hands still tied. Your spear and waterskin are tossed into the wastes behind them as they sail away.

The last thing you hear as they vanish into the night is "May the bears pick your flesh and your bones freeze over!"

After several minutes of struggling you manage to get your hands free and push yourself to your feet. Your bruises are still sore, and you've got shards of ice in your cuts and the burn on your cheek, but at least you can walk. It takes only a moment to find your spear sticking out of the snow and your waterskin near-by.

Where will you go now that your people have abandoned you?
>South, towards lands of the collapsed empire of Rhodal! A land torn by war and genocide, littered with ruins of the ancient world! Recover their lost knowledge!

>North, into the Jǫkull, the frozen wastes! A land of monstrous beasts, outlaws, and the ruins of your ancestors! Fortune awaits those who might crack their secrets...

>West, towards the fabled forests of Laufgrœnn! A place where great beast roam and Dökkálfar dare not set foot! Who knows what lost wonders might lie within its tangled grasp?

>East, across the sea! To the Kingdom of Albany! You've only heard vague whispers of these lands, but surely a kingdom so vast will offer safety and opportunity!
>>
>>779712
>South, towards lands of the collapsed empire of Rhodal! A land torn by war and genocide, littered with ruins of the ancient world! Recover their lost knowledge!
>>
>>779712
>South, towards lands of the collapsed empire of Rhodal! A land torn by war and genocide, littered with ruins of the ancient world! Recover their lost knowledge!
K N O W L E D G E
>>
>>779712
>South, towards lands of the collapsed empire of Rhodal! A land torn by war and genocide, littered with ruins of the ancient world! Recover their lost knowledge!

Are there penguins around here?
>>
>>779723
Penguins do exist, yes. Many of the penguins native to your home are escaped Rhodallian experiments, capable of casting magic. They're bound together by a sort of hive mind.
>>
>>779712
>South, towards lands of the collapsed empire of Rhodal! A land torn by war and genocide, littered with ruins of the ancient world! Recover their lost knowledge!
oh boy what could it be.
>>
>>779718
>>779722
>>779723
>>779734
Rhodal, then.

I forgot to include this vote in the post, so here's a second vote for you all:
And a second vote:

What did you do for the clan?
>You were a Vǫlur, skilled in manipulating the energy that resides in all living things.
>You were a soldier, a master of Glima.
>You were a merchant, growing wealthy off the trade of fur, fat, and wood.
>>
>>779738
>You were a Vǫlur, skilled in manipulating the energy that resides in all living things.
Is this the magic option?
>>
>>779748
Yes, that's correct.
>>
>>779738
>>You were a Vǫlur, skilled in manipulating the energy that resides in all living things.
>>
>>779738
>You were a soldier, a master of Glima.

Let's do something different, okay?
>>
>>779738
>You were a merchant, growing wealthy off the trade of fur, fat, and wood.

I wonder if we can get some civ management aspects in here, that'd be fun
>>
>>779738
>>
>>779738
>You were a Vǫlur, skilled in manipulating the energy that resides in all living things.
>>
>>779769
absolutely, I agree completely
>>
>>779748
>>779764
>>779774
Volur

>>779767
Soldier

>>779768
Merchant

>>779769
NEET

Calling it for Volur.
>>
Cool. Lemme guess, we're some form of tall, skinny dark elf too? Let's go all the way. Make the same mistakes when given the chance to change.
>>
As a Vǫlur, you trained for thirteen years under a master to learn the art of manipulating Vǫl. Vǫl is the energy that resides in all things, from the smallest rodents to the largest bears that roam the southern tundra. You can channel the Vǫl within your own body to enhance your own physical attributes, or you can use it to cast spells.
>[Trait gained: Vǫlur Training]
> Vǫl: 10/10

Pick Three
>Fire
>Earth
>Water
>Paralysis
>Poison

Pick One
>Ranged: Spells can be cast at range instead of as touch attacks.
>Weapon Affinity: Spells can be channeled through weapons.
>Manipulator: You can affect the Vǫl in the body of other people and creatures as well.

As you dust snow off your furred robes and adjust your hood, your eyes are cast to the stars. You quickly pinpoint Ratatosk, the Southern Star, and support yourself on your spear. You have many options before you, but the call of ancient ruins and forgotten knowledge proves too strong for you to resist. You can always explore the wider world later, after all. As long as none of your clansmen caught you traveling through their lands, that is. Then you'd be used as bait for one of the Hunts.

You start walking, but realize quickly there is no way you'll make it to the lands of old Rhodal in a day. You'll need to find shelter quickly or else succumb to the freezing cold and biting wind.
>Look for a valley, they typically have old ruins you could take shelter in and explore.
>Look for a plateau and take shelter in the caves. You might get lucky and find some food.
>Try to soldier on as long as you can. The faster you get out of the tundra the less likely you are to be found by patrols.
>>
>>779831
>Paralysis
>Poison
>Fire

>Ranged spells
>Look for a valley.
>>
>>779798
Apologies for any confusion, but your race is actually quite pale.
The reason they are named for dark elves will be made clear much later in the quest.
>>
>>779831
>Water
>Paralysis
>Poison

>Weapon Affinity: Spells can be channeled through weapons.

>Look for a valley, they typically have old ruins you could take shelter in and explore.

This is the option it git gud in the frozen wastes right?
>>
>>779831
>Water
>Fire
>Poison

>Weapon Affinity: Spells can be channeled through weapons.


>Look for a valley, they typically have old ruins you could take shelter in and explore.

We could wash and dry our clothes!
>>
>>779831
>Water
If we're in a frozen tundra then this will probably be the most useful.

Nidhogg, does water magic include ice? Or is that a seperate thing

Also
>Paralysis
>Poison
because its better than just being another elemental magic man

>Manipulator: You can affect the Vǫl in the body of other people and creatures as well.

>Look for a valley, they typically have old ruins you could take shelter in and explore.
>>
>>779831
>Fire
>Water
>Paralysis

>Ranged

>Look for a valley, they typically have old ruins you could take shelter in and explore.
Get out of the wind
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

Apologies for the delay.

>>779844
>>779846
>>779861
>>779869
>>779870
Well, the valley is clear enough.

Water, Fire and Poison seem to be in the majority of votes.

However, there's a tie between weapon affinity and ranged.

So, we'll hold a tiebreaker.
1 for weapon affinity, 2 for ranged.
>>
>lol it's funny because we're just like banished quest xD
you people sicken me
>>
>>779957
Whats banished quest?
>>
>>779957
Never played banished quest m8
>>
>>779957
Who?
>>
>>779966
>>779969
>>779972
If you want this Quest to get more interesting and fun, remember to put on the mask, enter the portal, burn down the bar, and put on the crown.
>>
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>>779934
I don't know what you're talking about anon
>>
>>779957
Can we have one damn quest without some random person coming in with

>this is a ripoff of [obscure thread from 2007] this is shit stop liking things that I don't like you're ruining my board reeeeeeeee
>>
>>779987
Oh gosh golly I sure do hope everyone in the bar are criminals
>>
>>779999
There's a huge difference between referencing one thread from 2007, and almost completely ripping off a Quest that's run for OVER 200 THREADS.

But let's continue the ironic retardation because lul so funny.
>>
You delved deeply under the tutelage of your master into the manipulation of the Water and Fire elements. You have mastered the basic applications of both elements, able to freely manipulate water and ice, as well as use the element to heal minor wounds. With Fire, you have the ability to manipulate fire and heat, as well as spontaneously generate flames. The only effect you learned in your time under your master was Poison. When you channel your two known elements through it you can cause their body to slowly rot away, or coat them in inextinguishable flames.

>Magic works like this. You have your elements - in this case Fire and Water - which you are able to manipulate more or less freely. However, to do anything beyond basic manipulation you need to channel them through effects, such as Poison. Weapon Affinity is a magical technique, an inherent skill of your character, and not something you will need to spend Vǫl on. You will be able to learn more elements, effects and techniques as the quest goes progresses.
Further, you can spend Vǫl to boost your rolls. One Vǫl equates to one on a 3d10. So if, for instance, you rolled 1, 1, 1, you could boost one of those 1s to become a 2 by spending Vǫl.

You keep your eyes open as you trek through the tundra, looking rocky outcrops, distant plateaus, or fragments of the cobblestone roads that used to crisscross the tundra in the time of your ancestors. It isn't long before you see the snow give way to stone, and you can hear the sound of rushing water somewhere near-by. A river! What luck! You pick up the pace as you draw near and the valley spreads out below you.

It strikes you how lush the land below looks, fir trees leaning lazily over the precipice carved by the river and fields of grass spreading along the river's edge. A long abandoned watch tower sits atop a ledge with a path leading into what appears to be an old mine entrance. Might be worth exploring later.

Unfortunately you don't spot any obvious prey, though there are probably fish in the river and surely animals come to drink during the day, if not at night when it's freezing.

The problem is, you don't see any obvious routes down into the valley. It extends as far as the eye can see in either direction, and there are no obvious paths carved into the cliff face. You could scale it, but that might be dangerous. It's a good twenty meter climb and a fall from that height would be unpleasant.

>Attempt to scale it anyway?
>Look for a path?
>Try to find the mouth of the valley?

(Roll 3d10, best of first three, regardless of your choice.)

>>780020
This is an original quest.
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>780043
>Try to find the mouth of the valley?
>>
Rolled 3, 8, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>780043
>Attempt to scale it anyway?
Climb dis bitch
>>
>>780043
>Attempt to scale it anyways
>>
Rolled 6, 7, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>780083
woops forgot my dice
>>
>>780043
You rolled a 2, doesn't that mean we got Ranged instead of Weapon Affinity?
>>
>it's Banished Quest in the tundra instead of desert, sounds fun
>hopefully we can build a cool character to see a different take on the formula
>exact same character
Dropped. Fucking hell, Anon
>>
>>780052
>>780064
>>780083
That's a success for scaling it.

>>780098
That's a very good point and something I totally forgot. So, yes, you do.
>The Ranged technique allows you to cast spells from a range, as the name would imply. The further away the target is, the more the spell will cost. Targets relatively close to you won't incur an extra cost.

>>780107
The rails are gone now, don't worry.
>>
>>780107
>not being a wizard
Literally who wants to be some random cunt with a sword? Or some cunt who talks at people for coin
>>
>>780107
>dropped

You haven't even posted in this quest.

Are you the same guy who's clearly using proxies in this thread?
>>
>>780114
Maybe we can subclass jew so we can make muh shekels anyway.

>>780119
>doesn't know how phones work
That other Anon isn't me.
>>
You might come to regret this in a moment, but you decide to scale the cliff. Invoking a small amount of Fire magic to warm your fingers, you grasp one of the largest pieces of rock jutting out from the cliff, then dig your feet into some small indentations and begin to slowly lower yourself down.

It only takes a minute or two until your arm begins to ache. Your years of magical training have left your body in a sorry state - your skin nearly translucent and your muscles wasted away to nothing.
Fortunately, that same training means you can take advantage of all the ice and snow stuck to the cliff face. It only takes a touch of Water to harden a clump of snow below you, giving you a much better foothold than any of those naturally available.

Even still, the descent is slow going. By the time you reach the bottom your arms, shoulders and legs all ache. At least the sun is starting to rise, now, providing you with some amount of light and warmth. You want nothing more than to slump against the rock and rest for a time.
Instead, you force yourself to your feet, and survey the valley once again. The river separates you from the watchtower and its ledge. As you're about to turn your attention elsewhere, you spot what you think is a light in one of its windows. It could just as easily have been a trick of the light, of course.
Beyond the watchtower, you can't see much of interest. If there are any animals to hunt, they'll likely be further down the river, away from the watchtower.

>Rest by the river, maybe try and catch some fish.
>Go downstream, hunt for some proper game.
>Investigate the watchtower.
>>
>>780119
I'm a disgusting phone poster as well because I'm without WiFi. Also that was my first post
>>
>>780181
>Rest by the river, maybe try and catch some fish.
F I S H
>>
>>780181
>Rest by the river, maybe try and catch some fish.
Water magic gonna pay off bois
>>
>>780181
>Rest by the river, maybe try and catch some fish.

So I'm guessing that this is spring/summer/early fall since the river isn't completely frozen
>>
>>780230
Does it even say its not frozen? I figured mc just saw the frozen bit
mc still doesn't have a name
>>
>>780186
>>780213
>>780230
Calling and writing.
>>
>>780181
>Rest by the river, maybe try and catch some fish
I'll play but I won't enjoy it, b-b-baka
>>
While the watchtower is intriguing and you really wouldn't mind a proper meal, both options carry a fair amount of danger. Especially given that you just climbed down a twenty metre rock wall.
Instead, you trudge over to the riverside, and collapse down onto the pebbled edge of the river.

It's only then that it properly occurs to you that you're looking at running water, and that there's relatively little ice choking the river. Only minutes ago you were trekking through snow and ice, and this valley isn't so low down that it should be as warm as it is.
Well, maybe you'll figure out why later. For now, you turn your attention to the river - and the fish inhabiting it.

The river isn't particularly deep - if you chose to wade across it, you can't imagine it coming up much higher than your waist, nor is it very wide. Even still, you can see a number of small fish darting about inside.

Taking up your spear, you invoke Water again to momentarily halt the river's flow. Then, as quickly as you can manage, you spear a number of fish with your weapon.
>Vol: 9/10
That's about as long as you manage to suspend the water without any further expenditure, the pent up water rushing through the water before you as you relinquish control.

You gather a few sticks into a pile. It's a simple enough task to ignite the dry wood with Fire magic, and soon you've got a proper campfire going. That done, you use it to cook your fish, still speared through on your weapon.
They don't taste of much, but anything is better than slop you've been eating in prison.
Once your stomach is full, you take some time to consider your next action. Obviously, you could investigate whatever's warming the valley. At a guess, the source is upstream, past the watchtower. You could also investigate the watchtower itself - it seemed to be inhabited. Or you could just leave. It's quite a way to old Rhodal, and so long as you're still within your people's lands you're marked for death.

>Follow the river. You want to know what's warming this valley.
>Look into the watchtower, instead. You wouldn't mind some company.
>Leave, you've well-fed and rested, not it's time to resume your journey.
>>
>>780384
>Follow the river. You want to know what's warming this valley.
>>
This quest seems familiar....

You the guy that did Banished Quest?
>>
>>780384
>>Look into the watchtower, instead. You wouldn't mind some company.
>>
>>780402
Yeah I'm Soma. Felt like running something during the hiatus, this seemed amusing.
>>
>>780384
>Look into the watchtower, instead. You wouldn't mind some company.
Clear the tower then move on to the source of heat
>>
>>780411
Don't lie to people
>>
>>780384
>>Follow the river. You want to know what's warming this valley.
>>
>>780384
>Follow the river. You want to know what's warming this valley.
>>
>>780385
>>780441
>>780434
River

>>780404
>>780412
Watchtower

Calling it here.
>>
There's no real rush, now that you think about it. Sure, you'd be killed on sight were you to encounter any of your own people, but this far out you're not likely to run into anyone who isn't similarly branded. And while the watchtower is interesting, it's a lot less interesting than a valley full of life in an otherwise snow-covered wasteland.

Standing, you kick some dirt onto your fire, which by now has died down to cinders. Still, it pays to be careful. You dip your spear in the river to wash it off and then make your way along its bank, keeping an eye on the watchtower as you go. Even once you're past it, you glance back over your shoulder regularly until it's out of sight, hidden by trees and the curve of the river.
This far in, the valley doesn't look too different. The trees lining either bank are thicker and closer to the river, but that's about it.
As the sun makes its way overhead the trees continue to close in even as the river widens, until you're forced to walk through beneath the shade of the trees. Even then, the valley is unnaturally warm. You're forced to pull back your hood, bearing your long ears and white hair, and open up your cloak.

After you've been walking some time, you start to notice that the trees around you look sparser, and darker. Some time later and you're able to pick out definite scorch marks on many of them, as well as the ground itself.
Then you emerge into a clearing - not a natural one. The ground under your feet is coated in layers of ash, the trees burnt of all their leaves.
The valley ends in a steep incline, leading into a mountain of some sort. Water runs freely from the top, cascading into a pool which then flows into the river you've been following.

It's at the base of this waterfall that you find the likely cause of the valley's strange temperatures.
There is a large - at least twice your size - creature at the base of the waterfall, sitting in the pool there. The pool is completely absent of water where it sits, and the ground appears to have been altered so it flows around it.
A spirit, then.
Just before the spirit, you can make out a figure sitting cross-legged before it, though you're unable to pick out any details.

>1/2
>Apologies for the delay.
>>
Lingering at the edge of the trees, you think about what to do next. As a Vǫlur, you have some experience dealing with spirits. It was one of your duties, before you rightfully slandered Kalle for wasting so much fat. It's a fact that he was wasting fat on candles to light his bedchambers during trysts with men. Why exile you for stating a fact?
Anyway. You could go and engage the thing in conversation. Spirits tend to be fairly friendly, and beyond the burnt-out woods in this part of the valley it doesn't strike you as particularly violent. The other option is to subdue it. There's plenty of water around, and as a spirit of Fire the thing clearly won't take well to it.
Then there's the figure before it. You could try and talk to them before doing anything with the spirit.

>Talk to the spirit.
>Subdue the spirit.
>Talk the the person.
>>
>>780673
>Talk to the spirit.

Disregard people, acquire spirits
>>
>>780673
>>Talk to the spirit.
>>
>>780673
>Subdue the spirit.
fight now, talk later. it is the way of our people
>>
>>780673
>Talk to the spirit.
>>
>>780682
>>780693
>>780696
>>780703
Talking is the clear winner. Writing.
>>
It's only once you're past the treeline that it strikes you just how quiet it is. Aside from the rush of the waterfall, the only only other audible sound is the ash shifting around as you make your way across it.
When you reach the edge of the pool you realise it's much, much too deep for you to simply wade through. Bending over, you dip a finger in to test the temperature only to jolt back - the water is boiling hot. Not too surprising, given the Fire spirit resting only metres away. It still hasn't noticed you, it seems. Neither has the person - woman, you assume, from what you can see of her. Which isn't much, swaddled as she is in furs. You can only vaguely pick out her figure and hair - for all you know, it could be an especially effeminate man.
Still, from their lack of reaction, you assume the two are conversing outside of their bodies, across the Medium. Not something uncommon with spirits, you've come to learn. Many lack forms with any features at all, let alone a mouth and lungs to speak with. This close, you can see that's the case for this particular spirit. Its face is simply a featureless bubble of lava, dotted with rocks.

Which makes this easier, at least. There's no need for you to cross over the pool of boiling water.
You sit down, cross-legged, as the woman, and close your eyes. For whatever reason, projection is always easier from this position. This time, it only takes several moments before your vision goes completely black, and you feel yourself starting to come unstuck from your body.
The spirit's influence, you assume.

Then the world bursts into colours - red, which you soon realise is fire, is all around you, in stark contrast with what you're used to seeing of the Medium. Usually it's snow, ice and water, not too different from reality.
There's bare, blackened rock underfoot, though even it is so hot that your foot sinks into it like mud. If this was the real world, you'd be dead in seconds.

The woman and the spirit are in front of you, just as they were in the real world, only here they're in the middle of a furious conversation. You can't even make out what she's saying, so loud is the spirit.
You step forward, and their conversation dies. The spirit raises its featureless head to look at you.
In a voice like bubbling magna, it says simply, "Yes?"

>And that's where I'll leave off for now. Next session in about 12 hours.
Hopefully I'll be able to patch together something coherent from all this by then.
>>
>>780800
Great thread! I'm interested to see where this quest goes
>>
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>>779618
Hey, wait a second.
This seems familiar.
>>
>>780181
Huh, things are starting to diverge.
>>
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>>780995
Any Resemblance to Actual Quests, Living or Dead, is Purely Coincidental.
>>
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>>780800
That... was actually pretty good OP. Though I feel a little like I'm sucking my own dick saying that. The fact it's 4chan means things diverged pretty quickly, and you're basically in uncharted waters at this point. Will actually be watching this pretty closely, gonna be interesting to see another writer give their take on my stuff and/or create their own setting around the same basic premise.
>>
>>781048
Fuck off, kike
>>
>>781048
>my stuff
I don't know what you're talking about, this is 100% original content. How dare you insinuate that this could possibly be stolen?
>>
>>781056
He's one of those "No I totally did this back on MySpace" dudes. Twenty bucks says he fucks children. And Incest. Probably both at the same time.
>>
>>781048
This is a potato-free zone
>>
>>779957
It reminds me much more of the game Bastard Bonds, really. Wouldn't be surprised if OP is played that at all.
>>
>>781324
Are you kidding me? This is CLEARLY inspired by the Gothic series. Well, the first three at least. Fuck Arcania, and I'm not much of a fan of Risen either.
>>
>>779618
Woah dude, this is a blatant ripoff of Banished Quest. I am sickened to see such a thing even get getting serious repplies. I don't even know what to say to this, to think that an QM would just steal an OC quest like Banished and just change it from a desert to a tundra. Is this a joke? Are you really trying to get away with this? If you are then i must say you are retarded and deserve Cancer. Like Holy shit i can't belive this is actually getting a free pass, THIS THIS is the reason why /qst/ is a failure, NO this is the reason that 4chan is a failure. FUCK YOU OP, fuck you for trying to steal from a more sucessfull quest and QM than you ever will be. You are the scum of the earth and should be removed from existance!!!
>>
>>781380
>Banished Quest
What the fuck is Banished Quest? No one cares about some obscure 2005 thread. The only links to other works I see is some homages to Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
>>
Then the woman turns - and it is a woman, your assumption was correct - and the first thing you notice about her is the singular, pointed horn rising from her forehead. The second is her dark red skin. You've never seen nor heard of anyone with features like her - through it could simply be how she appears here. That would be slightly less unusual.
As you regard her, she does the same to you. Only, from the expression on her face, she's much less impressed by you than you are her. Before either of you have a chance to say anything, the spirit gurgles, lava bubbling across its face, in order to get your attention. Once it has it, it says, "Did you interrupt our conversation for a purpose, or are you just here to watch?"
Oddly, it sounds almost hopeful.

After thinking over your words for a moment, you respond, "Well, I'm a Volur. Happened to be passing through and I couldn't help but notice this place is much warmer than it should be, so I decided to look into things."
The woman, not the spirit, speaks up now, "As you can see, things are well in hand. I bound this spirit here some time ago, only it's now trying to worm its way out of our deal. We were just coming to terms on a new one as you intruded."
Ignoring the woman entirely, the Fire spirit lurches over to you, drawing its face far closer to yours than could possibly be comfortable.
"She's trapped me here. Beat me into submission, carved out parts of myself and taken them for her own, and now, just as I begin to recover, she comes to take more." The lava making up its blank face bubbles away excitedly as it talks, "Strike a deal with me - I will become your familiar, and you will carry me away from this place, returning it to its natural state." Then its voice drops low, "Or kill her, and I will give to you what she stole."
The woman's response is immediate, and her tone surprisingly calm, "You weren't beaten, nor carved apart. We made a deal, no matter how heavily one side was favoured." She then directs her attention to you, "This spirit clearly can't be trusted. Help me strike it down, and you can have what little of its power remains."

This isn't quite how you expected things to go.
>Accept the spirit's initial offer, have it become your familiar.
>Accept its second offer, and kill the woman.
>Accept the woman's offer, and kill the spirit.
>>
>>781532
>Accept the woman's offer, and kill the spirit.
Waifu
>>
>>781532
>Accept its second offer, and kill the woman.
Husbando
>>
>>781532
Also
>im striking a deal, im totally just striking a deal here
>oh but now since the spirit talked up i guess i'll smush 'em
you ain't hiding anything BITCH
>>
>>781532
>kill them both, take everything
Loot.
>>
>>781552
I retract my statement and support this one. But obviously team up with whoever we can "betray" easiest first.
>>
>>781538
Waifu

>>781552
>>781554
Sociopath

Writing.
>>
Oh, and roll me 3d10.
>>
Rolled 3, 8, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>781562
crit fail get
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 10 = 15 (3d10)

>>781562
CRIT
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 3 = 8 (3d10)

>>781562
>>
>>781564
>>781567
>>781603
Was already writing for it, but that's a pass.
>>
Frankly, you don't trust either one of them. The spirit is clearly trying to worm its way out of a deal, fair or not, and the woman seems to be taking advantage of the spirit - and she's far too eager to want to kill the thing. Given, it did openly plan for her murder.
In situations like this, your master would always preach the middle ground, finding some compromise between the two.
Unfortunately you can't think of a way to do that and you really want the power both of them have.
So you'll kill both. The spirit first - it's likely more of a threat, then you'll turn on the other Volur.

You push the spirit out of your face, finding the lava surprisingly firm to touch, and tell the woman, "I'll take you up on your deal. Just don't try to stab me in the back afterwards."
Without waiting for her reply, you close your eyes and open them back in your body.

You rise to your feet, already invoking Water, suffusing the surface of the pool with your Vol. By the time you have your spear at the ready, the woman is already up, the ground surging up from below to launch her up and away from the spirit.
As the spirit finally rises up, you draw the boiling water of the pool into a wave, equal to the spirit's height.
Once it reaches its peak, you release your hold on all that water, sending it crashing down on top of the spirit of Fire.
The whole thing explodes into a cloud of steam, forcing you to invoke Water and Fire both to direct it away from yourself, lest you be burnt. From within the cloud, the spirit roars in pain. It's a terrible, inhuman sound, like what you'd imagine the eruption of a volcano to sound like.
Once the steam clears, you see why. The wave has hardened an entire half of the spirit's body to stone.
As it struggles to turn its head toward you, newly-formed stone cracking against the strain, you plan your next move.

>Call to the other Volur, and have her hold the stone of its body in place so you can deal the finishing blow.
>Hit it with Water and Poison. It should be particularly effective against a Fire spirit.
>Perhaps now you can force it into an especially unfair deal, while it's weakened.
>Write-in.
>>
>>781616
Oh, and:
>Vol: 8/10
>>
>>781616
>Call to the other Volur, and have her hold the stone of its body in place so you can deal the finishing blow.
>>
>>781616
>Call to the other Volur, and have her hold the stone of its body in place so you can deal the finishing blow.
>>
>>781616
>>Call to the other Volur, and have her hold the stone of its body in place so you can deal the finishing blow.
>>
>>781622
>>781625
>>781629
Writing.
>>
Turning your attention away from the spirit, you search around for the other Volur, now standing on a rock pillar she presumably raised from the ground. Calling out to her, you say, "The stone making this thing up - can you hold it in place?"
Your only response is a sharp nod, followed by a change in her stance. She places one leg before the other, and raises her arms toward the spirit.
You can feel Vol suffuse its rock coating, and its struggles come to a halt.

With that in hand, you evoke Water once more, this time drawing a smaller portion of water from the pool. The rest of your Vol goes towards cooling it down - a task made much more difficult by the fact that the water is boiling.
Even then, it only takes a matter of seconds until you have a long spear of ice. With the last of your expended energy you send it hurtling through the still-burning half of the spirit's face, the unnaturally cold ice not melting until after it's already speared its target through.

There's no roar, this time. The spirit merely slumps forward, already beginning to blur and fade into soft red light.
You know, theoretically, how to absorb a spirit's essence, but you've never had to put that knowledge into practice until now.
It's much like casting a spell - you expend Vol, only a small amount, and the mass of red light rushes towards you, vanishing into your body.
>Vol: 11/11
There's a moment, and then it hits you. You remember fire, burning a town and a battle with a woman, then imprisonment. Most of it fades quickly, but the memory of Fire remains.
>You can now create and manipulate lava, though this is limited considerably by your lack of knowledge of Earth.
>You now know the AoE effect. Used alone with an element, it reduces the cost of wide-ranging spells. Used alongside another effect, it expands that effect to encompass an area, which can drastically increase the cost.

When you are yourself again, you find yourself on your knees, panting for breath.
The woman is approaching you now, slowly making herself a path across the pool.
You could attack now. But do you really want to murder another person in cold blood? From what you now can recall of the spirit's already vague memories, it seemed to have attacked her and her town first.

>As you intended, attack the other Volur.
>Back down. You have no reason to murder her.
>Talk with her before you make any decisions.
>>
>>781694
>Back down. You have no reason to murder her.
W A I F U
>>
>>781694
>>As you intended, attack the other Volur.
>>
>>781694
>>Back down. You have no reason to murder her.
>>
>>781696
>>781725
Back down

>>781706
Murder

Wasn't sure whether to roll or what. There's that problem solved.

Writing.
>>
>>781694
>Attack as intended
>>
Now that you think about it, trying to kill someone apparently capable of taking on that now-dead spirit at full power might not be the wisest decision. And, you tell yourself, you're a slanderer, not a murderer. That crime might still be beyond you just yet.
As the woman approaches, you take the time to study her. She's fairly tall, taller than you, and wears a furred cloak over the top of some kind of scaled armour. The hood of her cloak is down around her shoulders, and while her skin is unusually dark, it's far from the red tone she had earlier. Her horn, too, is missing.
She pauses once she reaches the edge of the pool, studying you in turn. After a moment, she speaks up, "I suppose I should thank you. Though, had you simply kept to yourself it wouldn't have come to this."
This doesn't exactly strike you as a thank you. "Really? When I showed up, that argument seemed to be pretty heated. Then the spirit immediately asked me to kill you."
"Yet the idea would never have occurred to it if you hadn't been there. Even if it had, I would at least have been able to take all its power for myself." Her face remains strangely impassive, you note, even despite the harsh tone of her words.
You simply shrug in response. "I suppose I should apologise, then."

There's a silence, which is finally broken by her sighing. "This is ridiculous. The problem is dealt with, however inconveniently, at least that's something."
"You're one of those exiles from the north, then," she says, gesturing at the brand on your cheek, "So I suppose you don't have anywhere to stay. With the spirit gone, this valley won't stay as it is for much longer."
"Would you like to come with me back to my village?" The woman seems vaguely uncomfortable with the offer. "It's not often I get to meet other people in our line of work."

>Accept her offer.
>Decline, you'd like to go and check out that watchtower now.
>Decline, you intend to leave the valley and continue on your way.
>>
>>781802
>Decline, you'd like to go and check out that watchtower now.
>>
>>781802
>Accept her offer.
>>
>>781802
>>Accept her offer.
>>
>>781820
>>781821
Waifu

>>781816
Try to fight the railroad

Writing.
>>
>>781802
>Decline, you'd like to go and check out that watchtower now.
>>
>>781802
>Decline, you'd like to go and check out that watchtower now.
>>
Her offer sounds reasonable enough. If nothing else, you wouldn't mind sleeping in a bed.
"Sure," you say, "I really have nothing better to do."

She doesn't appear to know how to respond to that. After several moments, the only thing she says is, "Uh," though it's soon followed by, "Follow me, then."
You follow her along to the edge of the valley, where she uses Earth once again to carve a steep set of stairs, adding to them as she climbs. The temperature drops quickly as you ascend, prompting you to raise your hood again, until it returns to its usual bitter cold once you reach the top of the valley.
Now that the sun is properly risen its light reflects harshly off the surface of the snow, which expands almost endlessly around you, only broken up by the occasional hardy bush or bare sheet of ice.
You have absolutely no idea where you are.

Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be a problem for your companion. She's already walking ahead of you, making tracks through the thick snow. You hurry along after her, not bothering to make any conversation. Not only do you doubt her interest, but she probably wouldn't be able to hear you over the wind.

It's some time before you see anything of note beyond snow. The sun is at its peak when the mountain comes into sight. You're able to make out vague shapes that you assume are homes, mainly due to the smoke rising from their tops.
Your guide stops for a moment, allowing you both some rest. As you resume, she gestures up at the sky, now clouded over. "Might be in for a blizzard," you remark, though you receive no reply beyond a nod.

As it turns out, you were correct. The blizzard sets in close to the end of the day, as you finally near the woman's village.
The wind whips at you and the deep snow makes every step a chore, but you're just before the large, wooden gates, built into the side of a pass in the mountain. Hurrying ahead of you, the woman hammers against the gates, which open surprisingly quickly. The two of you are ushered inside, though even inside you aren't provided much relief from the weather, the snow so heavy now that you can barely see a few metres in front of you.

Before you're even able to thank the guards manning the gate you're hauled forward, through the snow, and into a nearby building.
It is incredibly relieving to be out of the storm, the fire in the centre of the room helping to deal with the chill. The room isn't particularly large, beyond that. There are some stools around the edge of the fire and a rack with weapons on the far wall. A guardhouse, you assume.
The woman collapses into a heap beside the fire, warming her hands in front of it. You do the same, with a touch more grace.
Neither of you say anything.

>Maybe you should introduce yourself, now. (Write-in for the name)
>Ask her about the village. You couldn't exactly see much, covered in snow as it is.
>Get some rest. You haven't slept since your exile.
>Write-in
>>
>>781903
>Get some rest. You haven't slept since your exile.
>>
>>781903
>Maybe you should introduce yourself, now. (Write-in for the name)
Magnus
>>
>>781903
>>Ask her about the village. You couldn't exactly see much, covered in snow as it is.

>>781935
Second
>>
Going to call the session early desu. Haven't slept in a day or so.

>>781931
>>781935
>>781940
Unless the consensus changes, I'll write for a bit of everything + Magnus.

Next session'll most likely be in a couple of days. I if I run before then I'll announce that here.
>>
https://twitter.com/NidhoggQM

And here's a Twitter account, in case of the highly unlikely even that this thread dies before I run again.
>>
Khemdi is looking nice this time of year. I hope no dragons that had been sleeping for centuries suddenly awaken and destroy it.
>>
>meditate on nature
>>
>>784409
>nature
>not earth
>>
>>785025
>earth
>not shaping arts
>>
>>785172
>not point offense
>>
>>785351
>phasing
>>
>post never ever
The true BQ experience
>>
>>790968
There'll be definitely be a post.

You can trust me.

I'm not Soma.
>>
You spend a while staring into the crackling fire, relaxing. As the snow caught on your clothing begins to melt, you expend a fraction of Vol willing it from you, forming a puddle at your feet. Soon enough, the puddle evaporates away to nothing.

By the time it has, your eyes are feeling heavy. You can't quite recall when you last slept - on the sled, before you were tossed into the snow, probably.
Before you can rest, however, you'd like to learn a little about your fellow Volur - the idea of sleeping next to a complete stranger leaves you uncomfortable.

"Magnus," you say, "My name, I mean - no surname, we give those up as part of our training."
Her response is, once again, a blank stare. You're starting to feel uncomfortable for speaking up at all once she finally replies. "A common tradition, then. My name is Raisa - just that."
Just as you're starting to respond, she cuts you off. "That brand on your cheek marks you as a sodomite, does it not? Is that truly a crime worthy of exile?"

Oh. You had assumed she spoke your language. Presumably, it's one of the many offshoots. Most differ only in pronunciation of common words, or in their writing system. Hers is clearly one of the latter.

"It says 'slanderer', not sodomite," you say, flatly.
Eager to steer the conversation elsewhere, you decide to ask about her village. "So, what's this place like? When it's not blanketed by snow, or set aflame."
That last bit prompts a frown, so you add, "I saw snatches of your fight with that spirit when I took in its essence. I'm impressed you took that thing down at its full strength."

Raisa's expression relaxes after your explanation, as she offers her own. "It wasn't, really. I managed to lure it into a building made of stone, then collapses it down on the two of us."
"Still, that's impressive," you reply.
"I suppose," is all she says. "As for the village itself, it's nothing special. We have a mine, which is where most of us work. There's an old Rhodallian facility in one part, but we've long since blocked it off. Other than that, we have a well equipped military due to the mine." She pauses, thinking. "I'm told the Council is unusual. They rule the village, and each member is picked from among the eldest of our people."
>>
That certainly is unusual. In your country, a town like this would likely be ruled by some minor Jarl. As you're about to question her further, however, she holds up a hand. "That's enough. I'm tired, as, I'm sure, are you. Good night."
Rather than worrying about whether that was some sort of insult or if she's just that blunt, you slip out of your stool and lie down on your side, making yourself comfortable.
It only takes a minute or two before sleep claims you.

You don't dream. One moment you're lying in front of the fire, eyes closed, and the next you're staring at its smouldering ashes through bleary eyes.
Then someone kicks you in the back, and you're on your feet in seconds, spear in hand.
The man - guard, presumably, from the way he's armoured - doesn't seem at all bothered by the weapon aimed at his throat. Not that you can tell, of course. All you can make out through his helmet are his eyes, which stare dully into your own.

"You arrived last night?" He asks, and you nod. "Before midnight?" Again, you nod.
"Right, well, that's simple enough," he says, "If you could drop the weapon and allow me to tie your hands, I'll take you up to the Council and we'll have this whole matter settled before the day's out."
Is this how they treat all strangers? You look over to Raisa for help, but she's still sound asleep on the floor. "Wait, just a moment. Am I under arrest? For what?"

Gesturing at your brand, he replies, "Well, certainly not for sodomy, this time. As we both know, you murdered one of the members of our Council. And don't try to deny it, either. Even if they were accompanied by Raisa, it's just too convenient for a stranger to arrive hours before the murder of one of our leaders."

You're at something of a loss, here. It would be a simply enough task to fight your way past this man, and however many guards are at the gates. Doing so, however, would be as good as confessing to the crime, and unless you somehow did it in your sleep, it's one you're innocent of. Perhaps you could go along with this man, and try and convince his Council of your innocence? Or you could wake Raisa, and see if she can help.

>Fight your way out, and escape. They'll probably find you guilty solely because you're an outsider.
>Allow yourself to be arrested, so you can present your case before the Council.
>Wake Raisa, see if she can talk you out of this.
>>
>>791526
>>Fight your way out, and escape. They'll probably find you guilty solely because you're an outsider.
You actually posted!
>>
>>791593
I'm shocked someone other than me posted, honestly.

I'll give it another ten minutes on the off-chance anyone else shows up then start writing.
>>
>>791526
>Wake Raisa, see if she can talk you out of this.
>>
>>791526
>Allow yourself to be arrested, so you can present your case before the Council.
>>
>>791593
>>791626
>>791650
>Do everything

Alright no worries. You'll wake Raisa and then pretend to allow yourself to be arrested only to break out and fuck off.
If you have any objections you can state your point and maybe I'll listen to you.

In the meantime roll me 3d10+3 (Due to all the snow) against a DC of 16 (-4 due to your ruse, and assistance)
>>
>>791526
Calmly explain that our rand is that of a slanderer and not a sodomite. Thereby showing them that they've clearly misunderstood the situation and allowing us to leave unscathed.
>>
>>791666

Post >>791650 is outside the 10 minute window you set in >>791603, so it shouldn't be counted.
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 7 + 3 = 24 (3d10 + 3)

>>791666
Ok satan
>>
>>791668
It's only, what, six minutes off?

That's fine, really.

>>791667
Yeah of course that'll help, the DC is now one point lower.
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 5 = 10 (3d10)

>>791666
>>
Rolled 6, 10, 5 = 21 (3d11)

>>791666
>>
>>791671
>>791686
>>791688
Alright there we go, regular success on what is definitely three rolls of 3d10.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>791691
>>
"Okay first off," you huff, "It says slanderer, you half-witted degenerate, not sodomite. I have and will never fuck a man, nor have I been fucked by one. What backwards, incestuous tongue do you people speak around here?"
Rather than wait for his reply, you turn on your heel and roll Raisa over with one foot. She stirs, and you lean over her to say, "Raisa, your people think I murdered someone the very moment I stepped foot inside your town."
She sits up, confused, but more aware than before. "Murder? Who? When?"
Before you can say anything, the guard cuts in, "Elder Leskinen. Last night, a few hours after you brought the outsider here."
She frowns. "He was here with me. All night."
"All night?" The guard's tone is almost accusatory, now. "How do you know?"
"Well, I don't," she says, slowly, "I was asleep. We both were."

This is going nowhere fast. Raisa clearly isn't going to be of any help here - you'll have to get yourself out of this.
Turning back to face the guard, you drop your spear at his feet. "Alright, fine. Take me to this Council of yours, we'll have them sort it out."
He doesn't bother with a reply, instead producing a length of rope and tying your hands with it. Once he's done, he picks up your spear and leaves the guardhouse, holding the door open for you. Raisa doesn't say a word. From the look of her, she's still half asleep.
>>
You have to squint once you're outside. Just about everything in sight is covered in snow, and the glare is intense. You can make out about as much of the village as you could yesterday, even without the blizzard obscuring your vision. All you're able to see is a valley of snow, what you presume are buildings making up its sides, surrounding what should be a road. The road ends at a mountain, a tunnel visible at its base.
There are, again, two guards manning the gate. Chatting with them is another group of three, presumably here with the guard arresting you.
As they notice you, you fake a stumble, falling face first into the snow.
Fortunately, Raisa neglected to mention that you're a Volur.
Once you hit the ground, you invoke Water, forming a small spike to cut through the rope binding your hands. With them free, you're able to make full use of your magic.
More of your Vol seeps into the surrounding snow as the guard hauls you back to your feet. He only has a moment to realise your hands are unbound before you draw your hands above your head, the snow under his feet following suit before rapidly becoming a block of ice, encasing him.
Then you turn to the other guards, now charging at you with weapons drawn. You simply sweep one arm to the side, the snow under their feet following along and knocking them over.
There isn't enough time to open the gate yourself. Instead, you expend yet more of your Vol reserves to launch the frozen guard at the gate, brekaing a splintered hole through the wood and shattering the block of ice, as well as many of the man's bones.
Wasting no time, you sprint through the newly-created hole, tearing your skin and robes on the jagged edges, and snatch up your spear from besides the incapacitated guard.


You're halfway down the path leading to the village before you turn your head back. Raisa is running along behind you.

>Stop, try talking to her. Maybe she isn't trying to bring you back?
>Stop, and fight her off. She's clearly quite loyal to her village, you don't doubt she's trying to capture you.
>Keep running. She'll get tired eventually.

>Vol: 8/11
>>
>>791771
>>Keep running. She'll get tired eventually.
>>
>>791771
>Stop, try talking to her. Maybe she isn't trying to bring you back?
Chryssa doesn't give a shit about her village.
>>
>>791779
Excuse me, who's Chryssa?
>>
>>791771
>>Keep running. She'll get tired eventually
>>791015
Who?
>>
>>791789
Some guy I read about in QTG.

Total shitter, never runs his quest.

Anyway, calling the vote.
>>791777
>>791789
Run

>>791779
Diplomancer (get out)

Writing for continuing to run.
>>
As it turns out, Raisa does not get tired very easily.
This realisation occurs to you a few hours into your flight from her village. By now, the snow doesn't completely blanket the ground, exposing tough grass or solid rock. Every now and then you pass by the rare tree.
Any regular person would have collapsed by now. You've been running, and at points trudging, through snow for hours now. You're only still going because you've been slowly channelling Vol into your legs the entire time, and even then, they still ache. Raisa, clearly, has been doing the same thing, but even then her stamina is impressive.

Eventually, the snow is barely more than a thin layer over the ground, and then it's gone, replaced by a thick carpet of grass, a path worn into it by the passage of many feet. There are more trees, now, clumps of pines dotting the landscape. In the distance, you see what might even be a forest.
And still, you run. Raisa is even closer now.

At some point, you don't notice quite when, the path goes from dirt to cobblestone, cracked and ridden with weeds as it is. Some remnant of an ancient Rhodallian road, you suppose.
And then you hear voices, the sound of hooves on stone, and the rattling of wagons. Moments later, you round a corner to find yourself in the middle of what you think is a caravan.
There are multiple wagons, drawn by horses and stuffed with all sorts of wares. One is full of timber, another ore, and yet another still is full of a completely random assortment of items, stacked high.
It's that wagon you find yourself in front of. Its owner - fat, bearded, and dressed in some manner of expensive-looking robe lined with fur - draws his horses to a halt, and looks down from his seat. "You look exhausted," he says, his voice deep. You can hear Raisa's feet pounding against the stone of the road behind you. She'll be around the corner any moment.
"Can I offer you a ride?"
>Vol: 6/11
>Accept his offer. Even if you keep channelling Vol into yourself, your legs are bound to give out any moment.
>Stand and fight. With the caravan around, Raisa should be somewhat limited in what she can do.
>Keep on running. You can still go a little further, and you may be able to lose her between the wagons.
>>
>>791827
>write-in
Head back the the village to be judged by their Council. There's no way they could possibly find us guilty, and there's no need to make enemies unnecessarily.
>>
>>791838
Did I FUCKING ASK for write-ins?

Huh?

No. Delete your fucking post now and vote properly.
>>
>>791827
>Accept his offer. Even if you keep channelling Vol into yourself, your legs are bound to give out any moment.
>>
>>791838
Fuck you.


>>791858
Remain in the rails.

Writing!
>>
You don't even respond to the man, simply leaping onto his wagon and scrambling across him to sit on his other side. He spares you a glance, then sets his horses moving again with a crack of the reins.
As the wagon trundles on, faster than before to catch up with the rest of the caravan, you slump down into your seat. Partly to make it harder for Raisa to spot you, and partly because you're exhausted.
"So," the merchant begins, "I'm Matteus. Would you like to talk about why you were sprinting through the forest, or are you still out of breath?"
That's a good question. It does, in fact, take several minutes before you're able to breathe properly again and able to respond.
"I was framed," you assert.
Matteus glances sideways at you. "For sodomy?"
"No, and I didn't fucking sodomize anyone. It says 'slanderer'," you say angrily. "But that's getting away from the point. I was framed for murder. I stayed at this town with a woman after helping her out, only to wake up to an accusation of murder. After escaping, she chased after me, and probably still is, so I would appreciate it if you could go a little faster."
Matteus cracks the reins again, his horses picking up the pace in response. Then, scratching his beard, he says, "Have you considered she might just want to talk?"
"Yes, then after the first couple of hours running I dismissed the idea," you respond immediately.

Again, Matteus scratches at his beard. "Well, we're on the way to Hestr now. It's a small town built just outside some ruins. You're welcome to ride with me until then." Then his hand drops into his lap, and he turns to you with a gleam in his eye. "Or, you could get off and kill this woman. I've got plenty of items that might help with that," at this, he gestures behind him, at the mountain of junk in the back, "For a price, of course.
"That's great, but I don't have any money," you tell him.
He simply smiles. "That's not a problem. All you need to do is perform a task for me in exchange."
That might not be a bad deal. Or, you could take up his initial offer, and ride with him to the town. You could even do both.

>Offer your services in exchange for a reward from Matteus, in order to defeat Raisa.
>Offer your services solely for the reward, and ride with him to Hestr.
>Ride with Matteus to Hestr.
>>
>>791948
>Offer your services solely for the reward, and ride with him to Hestr.
Trying to beat terminator isn't the best course
>>
>>791969
Writing
>>
Exhausted as you are, physically and metaphysically, you aren't exactly up to fighting another Volur.
You are, however, up for going through whatever it is Matteus has in the back of his wagon.
"I'll work for you in exchange for some of your items, sure, but I'm not going to fight that woman. Not yet, anyway - I'm exhausted," you say.
Matteus simply nods, leaning back in his seat. "That's acceptable. You're free to look through the back, then. Don't break anything, or you're paying for it. Don't steal anything, because I'll know."

With his warnings in mind, you turn in your seat to get access to the pile of junk the man keeps in his wagon. At a glance, you can't see anything useful. As you start to dig through it, however, you come up with some items of interest. The first thing you pull out is simply three sets of three gears, each on a spindle attached to a wooden base. When you ask Matteus, he simply shrugs, and tells you it's some sort of puzzle. You throw it back onto the pile and continue digging, hoping for something actually useful this time.
The first legitimate magical item you come across is a small, macabre spoon, carved out of someone's finger bone. From the look of it, it's intended to be used for cooking. The merchant explains that it apparently used to be the finger of a Nature spirit, and that when touched to something, it copies its flavour, and transfers it to the next object it touches. Very useful for when you need to eat snow, grass, or worse, he tells you. Setting that aside, you resume your search.
Your next find is a net, made out of some sort of wire, all bundled up. As you're untangling the thing, Matteus informs you that it apparently steals breath, then transfers it to anyone holding onto it, once activated - the idea being, apparently, to hang it in a public space for a time, then use it when diving. He's seen it used for worse, he says.
>>
The last item you come across is a stone tuning fork. You're about to test it against the side of the wagon when Matteus' hand strikes out and grabs you by the arm. Glancing across at you, he tells you that the fork, when struck against an object, is somehow able to vibrate on a frequency able to destroy whatever it touched. The price, of course, is that the thing burns through a good chunk of the wielder's Vol in the process. The man who came to sell him the item attempted to demonstrate by striking it against a building, only for the fork to burn his soul out in an instant. It did, at least, succeed in causing the building to crumble.
When you're done, you sit back in your seat, the items in your lap. Matteus turns to you, saying, "Each item comes with a job relative to its worth. The spoon, frankly, isn't very useful - all I'll need you to do is deliver something for me, once we get to Hestr. The net, on the other hand, is. I'll want you to go and fetch something from the ruins there."
"And the fork?" you ask.
"If you want the fork, friend, you're going to need to kill a man."

The spoon isn't particularly useful, but you could sell it off for some cash, and its task doesn't sound too bad. The net seems extremely useful, but delving into some thousand-year-old ruins sounds dangerous. Lastly, the tuning fork seems incredibly dangerous, as does its task.

>You'll take the spoon. Its task is nice and simple.
>You'll go with the net. Surely these ruins couldn't be too bad.
>You'll choose the fork. As high as its price is, it's by far the most useful.
>You'll take all of them, and complete all three tasks.
>Write-in.

>I'll leave off here, for now. I'll call the vote at some point.
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>>791991
>>You'll go with the net. Surely these ruins couldn't be too bad.
>>
>>791991
>>You'll take all of them, and complete all three tasks
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
>>
>>791991
>You'll go with the net. Surely these ruins couldn't be too bad.
>>
>>791991
>>You'll take all of them, and complete all three tasks.
Shit tier artifacts desu
>>
>>791991
>You'll go with the net. Surely these ruins couldn't be too bad.
>>
POST
NEVER
EVER
>>
>>791991
>You'll go with the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Surely Hillary can't hold them all. You'll make America Great Again



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