You are a SKELETAL MAW - a person (?) reincarnated as a monster in a fantasy world.Initially spawning as a Bone Turtle, you have done quests and wandered the Deadlands, levelling up your skills and even evolving one time.In more detail, in the previous thread you:>got acquainted with a reaper adventurer, Arthur, while dungeon-diving>got quests from a strange guiding voice to recover your memories>intervened in battles between a lich girl and her nemesis (2 times)>traded with a skeleton caravan>killed an undead tiger>looted some magical power crystals from various sources>put the undead of a border fortress to rest>killed a mad wizard on request from the reaper>agreed to assist a group of bone scouts (they're not made of bones, they're searching through bones for profit) in looting a secret treasury by protecting them from undeadCurrently, you're with the scouts in the fortress where the portal to the secret treasury has been opened. And there are some monsters on the way for sure...(I'm back and fixed all the technical problems for now. Let's roll.)Previous thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6125909/
>Fight the ents in the big hall>Save 3 fireballsThe ents shamble inside, and with you and the four of them, even the fairly spacious main hall of the fortress becomes a little crammed.Well, it's only better for your fireballs.Throwing 2 of them at the ents to immediately ignite and damage them, you dedicate all your efforts to blocking their hits - not an easy task for one skeletal maw fighting 4 monsters. Your allies, the human warriors and mage, come to your help just as you feel yourself starting to struggle under pressure...3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 50/80/90
Rolled 91 (1d100)>>6185019WE MUST LOOT! Get out of the way, schmucks!
Rolled 8 (1d100)>>6185019
Rolled 94 (1d100)>>6185019We've got this
Rolled 45 (1d100)>>6185019
>>6185056>>6185097Hell yeah.
>>6185018it lives. >>6185056>>6185097awesomesauce.
>>6185056>>6185089>>6185097>94The two ents your fireballs hit (un)live on borrowed time. They swing their wooden arms at you, but you bat them away with your flat maw like tennis balls. As the humans put in the work, protecting your flanks and blasting the ents' legs with supercharged weaponry from their previous looting, the trees collapse into piles of burning wood.[You have gained 50 EXP][LEVEL UP!][You have gained 50 EXP]The remaining two keep attacking, but all it takes for them to catch fire as well is a bash with your head, pushing them into bonfires. The walking trees get consumed by ghostflame just like their former brethren - the only mage that stayed back to assist in the defence,rather than maintain the portal casting some fire spells to quicken the process. The ents do some earth attack, rooting some of the humans in place, but your companions have their protections right and get out of the roots' grasp quickly enough not to get smashed into goop by the log-arms of the enemies.[You have gained 50 EXP] x 2[LEVEL UP!]Just as the cold from the ghostflame bonfire dies down, the fire having devoured the fuel, you hear another enemy approaching. The many-headed BONE HYDRA enters the scene. You hear curses from humans below - and for good reason. You recall it being a Skeletal Maw evolution you're working towards. This puts it a rung above you in sheer power.If only you had some ability that could cut off a bunch of heads at once... As your mind races for a solution, the drake heads of the monster begin charging with necrotic energy...>Just spam [Ghostflame Fireball II] until it dies. 3 remaining shots should be enough. Probably.>Retreat to the small hall to catch it in a tight space. It should help both the humans and yourself defend against its many heads that can attack simultaneously.>Remain in the big hall and chomp the heads off one at a time with the help of humans. Your group is numerous enough to keep each of its heads busy.>You have a feeling there is some attack that can be deadly to the monster... but which? [you possess the following abilities: [Life Drain], [Greater Skull Bolt], [Ghostflame Fireball II], [Crush], [Circle Strike], [Inspire]]>Write-inmanaged to write a proper update today in addition to starting the thread, see you tomorrow most likely
>>6185171If the Bone Hydra is undead, it can be assumed that it can't regenerate. That means fire is less effective than cutting the heads off and luckily, we have a skill that allows for it.>>6185171If the Bone Hydra is undead, it can be assumed that it can't regenerate. That means fire is less effective than cutting the heads off and luckily, we have a skill that allows for it.>Charge and use [Circle Strike]!We know this works, because we've already used it to sever two heads of a Necrohydra!
Rolled 100 (1d100)>>6185019Wow nice 91Sure would be a shame if I ruined it with a nat 1
>>6185195Do you are have stupid?
>>6185171>You have a feeling there is some attack that can be deadly to the monster... but which? [you possess the following abilities: [Life Drain], [Greater Skull Bolt], [Ghostflame Fireball II], [Crush], [Circle Strike], [Inspire]]Circle Strike.>>6185195You’re late but checked.
>>6185171>Circle Strike.
>>6185195Kek
>>6185195Mission failed successfully :,)
>>6185171>Remain in the big hall and chomp the heads off one at a time with the help of humans. Your group is numerous enough to keep each of its heads busy.nice seeing you again, OP>>6185195anon, remember to update the thread before voting. fuck me.
>>6185171>Circle Strike
>>6185179>>6185199>>6185202>>6185292>>6185474>Circle StrikeGood choice, anons. Wasn't too hard of a vote, yes?Now all that's left is to pray for the dice gods to grant you a flawless victory. You will earn base success at least, but some additional boons may be obtained... like some DRAKE HEADS for your Hydra evolution quest.So 3 anons please roll 1d100. Unfortunately that 100 doesn't count since there was no call for a roll. Alas.DC: 60/80/90
Rolled 96 (1d100)>>6185586
Rolled 67 (1d100)>>6185586Roadhouse!
Rolled 100 (1d100)>>6185586Ok thread updated this time
>>6185610Wow I got 2 in a row that’s crazy
>>6185610I kneel.
Rolled 77 (1d100)>>6185610RIP the rest of this thread's luck.
>>6185592>>6185601>>6185610Ok anon, who the FUCK did you sell your soul to? Because you better get a refund while the trial period is not over. Your soul is more important than dice, anon, please reconsider.Writing for that crit.
>100Circle Strike. Of course. The AoE attack that crushes and cuts through everything softer than your ragnatar maw. You charged and used it to cut off some of the bone hydra heads to great efficiency.[You have gained 400 EXP][LEVEL UP!][LEVEL UP!][Maximum level for your build reached. 268 EXP stored.]What you didn't expect was your attack slicing off ALL SEVEN heads of the hydra. And as you stand above the slain foe, taking in just WHAT kind of battle you've speedrun, you hear fragments of hushed speech from behind you."...sure the plan will...?""...more monsters..."You feel uneasy, but refocus on the corpse of the monster. Its heads are still wriggling like worms with remnants of the energy that animated it, but you notice something more interesting between the bones of the carcass.A sphere of light at the centre of it body glows even from behind a mass of bones and dead meat. You dig it out with your claws and touch it. Immediately, it gets absorbed into your body.[You have gained a new skill: [Freeze]][Freeze][Slow a single enemy by 30% for 2 minutes. Deal 15 Cold damage. Mana cost: 10 MP. Cooldown: 10 minutes.]Good. It was about time you diversified your damage beyond Necrotic and Fire. Now about those dragon heads...The air is split with a roar from above seconds later. The roof caves in while the sound is still echoing off the walls. On top of the debris sits an enemy you didn't think you'd meet until you entered that Dragon Cemetery: an UNDEAD DRAKE.Swinging its tail from side to side, it looks over your group with unreadable, glowing eyes. You'd be considered large in comparison to humans, yet this beast... you are at best half of its mass.A tough battle is ahead, and you're starting to doubt your decision to help out the bone scouts...>It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.>RUN. Fuck these bone scouts, fuck this drake, you're getting out of here (un)alive.>Observe its attacks - the patterns, the damaging area. Maybe a good portion of humans will die, but they're not numerous to begin with, and you will at least know how to deal with this beast... hopefully.>Write-in strategy
>>6185659Oh boy, shoulda saved those crits>It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.
>>6185659Alright. This seems like a massive pain.Unleash hell gentlemen and pray to whatever god will listen.Can we invest any xp in anything right now?Slowing that thing down will be very helpful. So it should be unleashed first with >It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.
>>6185610>Oh, that last 100 didn’t count? That’s fine. I’ll just roll another one.>>6185659>Observe its attacks - the patterns, the damaging area. Maybe a good portion of humans will die, but they're not numerous to begin with, and you will at least know how to deal with this beast... hopefully.
>>6185659>It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.
>>6185659>>Write-in strategyWait for it to make the first move, and THEN spam everything, barring 2-3 casts worth of Freeze to keep it debuffed. Make sure to Inspire the humans so that they can run forward and help us, although I have a sinking suspicion that they intend on betraying us after this is over.
>>6185610Behold, the Strongest /qst/aor.>>6185659>It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.It's a fucking undead dragon. We cannot give it ANY chance to gain the initiative.
>>6185677Unfortunately you cannot lvl up skills while in combat, anon.Not linking every post because spam detector complains.>It doesn't get worse than this. Spam Ghostflame Fireball, Greater Skull Bolts, EVERYTHING until your mana drains, then charge and do the same with physical attacks. This shit is CODE RED tier of danger, and you don't even know which gods to pray to for victory.>Save some mana for [Freeze]>[Inspire]Very well. 3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 80/90/95
Rolled 63 (1d100)>>6186112Here's the nat 1
Rolled 91 (1d100)>>6186112Shit, we ended up choosing the most difficult option while I was away.
Rolled 13 (1d100)>>6186112okay sad. but kinda expected. might as well ask.
No actual update today, will most likely do one tomorrow.>>6186141Amazing.
>>6186141Skeletal Maw bros, we can't stop winning
>>6186113>>6186141>>6186159>91You open with [Freeze]. Ethereal cold grips the drake, making its movement sluggish - for a couple minutes, at least.Fireballs come next. One to each wing, the last striking its long neck - the drake sways and catches fire, but regains its footing a few moments later. It gazes upon you with its glowing eyes, and for a moment, your are lost in them, as if your body is not your own.But you know whoever dares mess with your inner psyche is doomed.The drake recoils in pain known to the dead as well. It roars and closes its eyes - eyes seared by the very magic it tried to cast upon you.You cast [Inspire], and humans take the hint and attack. Warriors cut with strength on par with yours, making deep, scorched gashes upon its limbs and neck with enchanted blades. Your Skeleton Captain is there, too, though his regular sword is less impactful to the mass of dead flesh and bone. A couple archers aim for its wings and head, and finally, the only mage that stayed behind to protect the looting group with you throws bolts of arcane energy that pierce the giant body.For a moment, you think "Oh yeah, it's all coming together" and throw a couple [Greater Skull Bolt], preparing to charge in yourself, but your enthusiasm is soon crushed by the drake making a tail swing, throwing the warriors fighting it several meters away.It opens its mouth as if to roar again, but out of its maw comes strange, white gas, quickly flooding the hall with it.The humans start coughing and crying in pain immediately. You can barely see what's happening to them, but you think you hear sizzling sounds.The drake gazes at you again, its eyes now cracked and safe to look into. Suddenly, plates of ice start forming all around its body - a frozen armour! - but it gets banished by the ghostflame engulfing the monster immediately.You think quickly in these moments of respite...>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.>You've already used magic to deal heavy damage to the drake AND you've got that [Thirst For Blood] buff that makes your physical attacks stronger. Finish it off with some [Circle Strike] and chomps.>Write-in strategy?
>>6186733>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.
>>6186733>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.Grind goodwill
>>6186733>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.you will not kill em before they die of natural courses and become great sources of future power.
>>6186733>>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.I WANT MY PAYCHECK
>>6186733>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.It's less effective from a combat perspective but we need that speech crystal.
Update will most likely be late today, in like 9 hours or so.
My dudes, I overestimated my power, after finishing GMing a session for my friends I don't think I have the brain capacity to write an update, even if I know what I want to put in there. I'll get to it tomorrow.Also due to some issues I'll probably have to post without formatting from now on fml. But we'll see.
>>6187611C'est la vie, get some shuteye and enjoy your weekend, QM-sama.
>You came here to protect humans - and they were quite useful so far, crippling the drake's movement. Use your flat maw as a fan to blow the toxic gas away - luckily, it is already dissipating through the large entrance to the hall.The drake has soaked up a fair bit of damage by now. You do not know the limits of its HP, but maybe a couple more hits will bring about its end...But the humans are suffering. Your dead flesh is immune to this caustic gas - theirs is not...But the drake may attack you while your help them...But your paycheck depends upon your protecting your allies...But the drake may have a ton of EXP and loot...But the humans..!But the drake!But..."Ah, fuck it." you think and start fanning the gas towards the hall's exit with your maw.The oversized lizard observes you, then makes a sudden, quick movement.[You have lost 30 HP]Its sharp bone tail impales you, piercing a hole to the other side through your body and pulling out equally quick. If it makes a few more of these attacks, you may be in trouble. But you keep fanning nonetheless.Before the drake can strike you a second time, a magical shockwave spreads out from within the fortress.[You have lost the [Thirst For Blood] buff.]The drake recoils. Suddenly, it spreads its wings and with a mighty flap, rises several dozen metres up at once. Taking a break from blowing away the gas, you observe its flight through the hole in the roof. Somehow, its wings, torn and burnt, carry it through the air nonetheless. A frost armour forms again on its body, this time extinguishing the ghostflame. After a few moments, it disappears from view.And with that, it is over.(1/2)
By the time the looting group of the party emerges from the depths of the fortress, you have dispersed the gas. 2 humans died in the caustic cloud - the rest heal up their chemical burns and rest."Looks like the operation was a success." Robert, leader of the bone scouts says, still wincing from the pain of burnt skin. "We looted a lot. Though there's one more thing to do. One more monster to kill." he faces you, his blade unsheathed.You feel the fates grip you by the neck. Everything takes on an otherworldly quality. This world, hostile to you, is one of many that refused you.You were always doomed to be betrayed. To never find compassion. To always face grief.Truly, you never even had a chance at a good life. At one not filled with suffering."Are you crazy?" a sudden voice appears from the backlines. The mage that has been left to help you. "We had a deal - it upheld its end, we should do the same.""We've seen its body is full of artifacts while it rested. Perhaps you want to spend another year or two looting the Deadlands, Nikke? Because that's what's going to happen if we let it go."The mage is silent. She looks at the floor, blushing from tension. Not finding the words to counter the greed of the leader. And yet... half of the scouts join her side, opposed to Robert's.You find yourself being filled with vigour once more.There is an opportunity here. A chance to REFUSE THE FATES, FORGE YOUR OWN DESTINY. If only you knew how to do it...>A show of force. This leader is the focal point of your misfortune here. Kill him - and others will submit.>Patience. Trust in Nikke or another scout to find their words and protect you.>KILL EVERYONE. No one dares betray you without consequences. You have faced a drake - what is a a couple dozen scouts, even if their weaponry is enchanted?>It's time for skullduggery. There is merely a skeleton crew manning their outpost - run there full speed and take the speech crystal yourself if they don't want to give it to you the easy way.>Write-in
>>6187975>Patience. Trust in Nikke or another scout to find their words and protect you.>keep ready to kill him. maybe growl a little when he once more tries to insinuate that you would be their way out of the deadlands. and nod your maw whenever someone tries to defend you. After all. you could have let them all die.
>>6187975Adding on to this >>6187985, use body language to gesture toward those suffering chemical burns from the drake's attack, and the two melted corpses. Encourage them to speak for us-- and be ready to protect them if the greedier half of the company tries to start shit.
>>6187975>Patience. Trust in Nikke or another scout to find their words and protect you.
>>6188009>>6187985+1
>>6187975Scoundrels, and after we saved their lives!>>6187985I'll agree with this. If it comes to blows they won't be too hard to slay but it doesn't need to come to blows.
>>6187973>[You have lost the [Thirst For Blood] buff.]is this because it ran away ?>>6187975>Patience. Trust in Nikke or another scout to find their words and protect you.
>Patience. Trust in Nikke or another scout to find their words and protect you.>Point at the corpsesYou slowly walk over to the two disfigured corpses and carefully pick one up by the collar (a tough task for your huge bone claws), showing everyone the coal-blackened, bloody remains of the face.For a few moments, silence reigns, the scouts' attention pulled to the corpse."We'd all end up like that if it wasn't for the monster blowing the gas away." Nikke continues more confidently.Several scouts that joined the leader sheathe their blades."She's right, Rob." Another scout intervenes. "It ain't right betraying our saviour, even if it'll bring us a few coins more." He turns to you. "Sorry for our dumb captain."Robert gives you one final look, eyes narrowed, then sheathes his sword as well."Very well. You will have your speech crystal. Let's depart."You feel like this was a victory. However, more challenges lie ahead. Perhaps your decisions won't yield a fortunate result for them.The way back is an awkward one. There's no conversation, only the shuffling of armour, sound of footsteps and the wasteland winds.At the fortress, the bone scouts distribute the newly gained artifacts and treasures between the rooms. Finally, they carry out a big flask from one of them. Inside, a white, translucent crystal floats. They uncork the flask and let you absorb it.[You have gained [Speech] skill]At last, you can speak. And the first thing you say with your newly acquired voice to the gathered scouts is...>Write-in
>>6188415>is this because it ran away ?You got that buff when the looting part of the scouts opened the portal to the treasury. While they were looting, the portal was attracting monsters that you fought. Since you're a monster as well, but one with a more developed consciousness, you got that buff but didn't suffer the enraging effects of the portal. When the loot was carried out and the portal was closed, the monsters in the area stopped being hostile (the drake included - it flew away) and your buff ended.
>>6188684"finally. I have been stuck unable to speak for WAY too long. Thank you for keeping your word. I rather dislike killing those with a conciousness. Even if their greed might could their conscience." Offer those that stood for you a handshake and your friendship with it. You would give em a pat on the back but know how fragile humans can be.
>>6188696*cloud.i meant: cloud their judgement.
>>6188684>Thanks for not betraying and killing me for money guys, really meant a lot to me
>>6188684>LET'S PARTAYYYYYYYY!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8rjEs8xMJY
>>6188710+1
>>6188786>>6188710Actually can we expand this? If there's some way for us to collect artifacts without absorbing them. >If it's artifacts you require, you will find me more valuable alive than dead.
>>6188793>>6188710+1
>>6188684Supporting >>6188793. "If you like, we could strike another bargain. As I recall, you needed help killing a vindictive spirit in a ruin to the northwest? I would still be willing to help, for a fair share of the loot."
>>6188710>support but also like what a jack ass thing to murder out of greed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjI75I0H2PAshould we sing something like this
>>6188942>but also like what a jack ass thing to murder out of greedThat’s kinda what we’ve been doing since the start, though.
>>6189009They weren't sentient, didn't save our lives, and didn't have a prestanding deal.
Didn't update yesterday for schizo reasons, writing now for>Thanks for not betraying and killing me for money guys, really meant a lot to me+>If it's artifacts you require, you will find me more valuable alive than dead.
FLASHBACK:Before departing from the fortress, you remember that you haven't plundered the bones of the hydra. You absorb the drake heads into yourself for both power and finishing of quests.[You have gained Drake Skull x7][Drake Skull][The skull of a drake - a draconic beast not quite powerful as a dragon, but greater than a wyrm.][+1% physical damage][+1 DEF][You have completed the main objective of [Dragon Cemetery] quest][You have gained 100 EXP][Bone Hydra evolution unlocked][Finish quest?][Y/N]N. You've still got that bonus objective to complete, and that requires travelling to the Dragon Cemetery itself...IN THE BONE SCOUTS HIDEOUT:Your voice, loud and echoing, booms through the halls of the bone scout hideout."Thanks for not betraying and killing me for money guys, really meant a lot to me."After a few seconds of silence, someone in the back row chuckles. The man is joined by a few more, but after earning a disapproving stare from others, they suppress their laughter."If it is artifacts you need, you will find me more valuable alive than dead." you continue."Really?" Robert says. "I expected you to leave and never deal with us again after that. Well, we've looted a good share of magical items from the treasury, so we can take a month or two to rest and find buyers for them, restock our supplies and all that stuff. I don't think we'll have use for you in that time.If you want to deal with that vindictive spirit in the northwestern fortifications - you're welcome to try without us, though we'd be grateful for a portion of the loot should you find any. But for now, we'll be collecting crystals in the usual places.Again, thanks for protecting us. Maybe our paths will cross once more."You nod and bid farewell to the scouts. With your main goal with them achieved, you're free to go somewhere else to complete your other quests.>Travel northeast, towards the Dragon Cemetery. You should complete that bonus objective. Also sirens for the Bone Charibdyss evolution are in the same direction, in the southern Mountains of Doom.>Travel east, towards the Cursed Bog. You've got a Witch Hat to return.>Find Arthur, the solo reaper, and report that you killed the Mad Wizard. He promised to give you a powerful item from his stash.>Travel west, towards the fortifications with the ghost-general. Though you know he is ethereal, so you may struggle to kill him with your limited magic...>Travel southwest, towards the Riverlands. The [Restoration of Life] quest bonus objective suggests there is a sacred spring there - drinking from it will gain you the [Heal] skill. You do not, however, know what the effects of drinking sacred water for an undead monster may be...>Travel in some other direction? Write-in
>>6190073>>Find Arthur, the solo reaper, and report that you killed the Mad Wizard. He promised to give you a powerful item from his stash.Then we can go to the Bog, then northeast for the bonus. Maybe if we unlock everything, we can get a super-evolution.
>>6190073>Find Arthur, the solo reaper, and report that you killed the Mad Wizard. He promised to give you a powerful item from his stash.
>>6190073+1 to >>6190074Seems like a solid plan. And having a witch being at least neutral towards us is probably beneficial
>>6190073>Find Arthur, the solo reaper, and report that you killed the Mad Wizard. He promised to give you a powerful item from his stash.That wizard was a bitch and a half to slay, the edgelord owes us one.
>>6190073So I just finished reading the last thread and we have a couple outstanding rewards and stuff>ArthurEpic sounds cool and I'd like to do this first >Witch hatI'd like to plan to do this next>dragon cemeteryI'd like to plan do this last. Imagine if the bonus objective is a hidden thing that gets us a drake evolution? That would be sick
>>6190074>+1
>Find Arthur, the solo reaper, and report that you killed the Mad Wizard. He promised to give you a powerful item from his stash.You travel south-east. That was where the crypt was - the last place you saw Arthur.On your way, you notice some deadwing rocs circling above. You know you can deal with groups of enemies, as when the ents attacked you back on the mission, but flying ones... You could try to defeat them, but you'd need projectiles to finish them off should they fly away, and you don't think you have enough mana."Status." you mutter.Name: [LOCKED]Race: Skeletal MawLevel: 15/15368 EXP storedRank: ESkills:[Life Drain], [Greater Skull Bolt], [Ghostflame Fireball II], [Crush], [Circle Strike], [Inspire]Traits:[Bonemonger], [Undead], [Marvengade's Champion], [Speech], 2 Hidden traitsEquipment:[Astorian High Paladin's Remains], [Pyromancer's Remains], [Lance of Power] x 2, [Subduer of Demons] x 3, [Alpha Deadwolf's Fang], [Witch's Hat], [Channelling Staff], [Mad Wizard's Remains], [Drake Skull] x 7Status:[Fire Resistance I]HP: 115/160MP: 6/60STR: 70DEF: 36MAG: 45 + 20RES: 33SPD: 25Ultimately, you decide to run away into a nearby forest - it's an ominous, dark place, but should be alright for breaking eyesight with your enemies. Besides, it's right along your route, so you'll cut time crossing it.As you go deeper into the forest, you see that it... becomes more alive? You hear a couple birds singing somewhere, the barren, grey ground of the Deadlands gives way to grass, and the trees start to bear some foliage. In the distance, you think you see a light...After some time walking through the woods, you enter a meadow where a stream flows. You feel... nauseous in its presence. The light turns out to be a bonfire, a tent set up nearby. As you look around to identify to whom this belongs...[You have lost 20 HP][You are STUNNED for 3 seconds]An arrow comes flying with insane speed right into your neck. Standing amid the meadow, you start to panic as more arrows impact you with damage that definitely DOES NOT belong to a regular bow.[You have lost 15 HP] x 3[You are no longer Stunned]"HOL UP!" you yell.The arrows stop."A talking undead? Haven't seen that in a while." a clear, pleasant female voice echoes. "What do you want here?""For you to stop peppering me with arrows for once. I'm just travelling through these woods."A few moments pass in silence. The archer suddenly jumps down from the lower branches of a tree, gracefully landing and immediately training her bow on you again.She is... cute. A light tunic with leather armour worn on it, and cloth pants and high boots in addition. You also notice sharp ears - an elf?..(1/2)
"If you wish to pass - I will let you. Go where you meant to and don't corrupt the spring with your influence - there's few enough of them in the Deadlands already.">Go on your way.>Talk further? You may ask questions, ask for a quest, or negotiate a partnership...>Write-inSchizo reasons for not updating yesterday again, still trying to update everyday.
>>6191411>Talk further? You may ask questions, ask for a quest, or negotiate a partnership...What kind of spring is it? Would we ruin it just by getting close?>Go on your way.Fine, it makes me feel sick anyway
>>6191411"I am very sorry for bothering you. I was not aware my presence could befoul this place. i shall endeavor to go around such places in future to not risk it. I dont like their ambience anyway. ">Go on your way. After this short apology
>>6191411>Go on your way.
>>6191411There's no need to take any risks.>Go on your way.Beautiful elf woman she may be, we are a skeletal maw with no genitals to cloud our judgement.>>6191423I'll back this, though. Questions need answers.
>>6191411Supporting >>6191424 and >>6191423.
>>6191423Let me answer these questions in a short additional update today before heading to sleep and sending you forward tomorrow (should you still wish to travel straight to the reaper)."What kind of spring is it? Would I ruin it just by getting close?"The elf lowers her bow and assumes a more relaxed pose."When the Deadlands earned the 'Dead' epithet in their name, the goddess of water created these springs to balance the overwhelming influence of death in these lands and make small checkpoints for the living to rest at. Regular undead avoid them due to their aura, so they remain undisturbed. Aberrant necrotic monsters, like you" she points her bow towards you. "can enter them and thus, impart some of their necrotic influence into them. It won't taint from the less powerful undead, but someone of your power may leave a lasting impact. Just standing around probably won't affect it.">Apologize and travel further.>Write-in other questions?
>>6191580>Apologize and travel further.
>>6191580>Apologize and travel further.Sorry for being a blight upon the natural order :(
>>6191580>Apologize and travel further.what's exactly the difference between regular undead and necrotics like us ? just power lvl ?
>>6191616Brain. Free will. Apple bottom jeans.
>>6191580>Avoid and travel further.Hmm, interesting. Maybe exposure to these could contribute to our healing quest? Something to look into later.
>>6191580>Apologize and travel further."Then i shall make my exit carefully. i might return one day once i am much more alive and can enjoy the ambience."
>>6191616Basically what the other anon said, free will gained with reincarnation. Far from many undead possess it. Far from many are reincarnated at all, even.>Apologize and travel further."Then I shall make my exit carefully. I might return one day once I am much more alive and can enjoy the ambience.""Alive? It's been a while since I last saw an undead attempt to gain life. Well, you're a strange one either way, so I shouldn't be surprised. Safe travels."You carefully step over the stream, your skeleton captain clinging to you, and make your way further through the forest. The woods start turning back into a dark, creepy place more fitting of the Deadlands, until nothing shows signs of a sacred spring flowing deeper in them anymore.You exit the forest and cross some hills to reach the crypt where you initially met the reaper, yet don't find him anywhere within sight. With no way to identify where he went, you start randomly searching through the nearby wastes, hoping to find some clue to his whereabouts...3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 80Probably going to post an additional update later today since this is a short and kinda intermission-like one.
Rolled 1 (1d100)>>6191981
Rolled 81 (1d100)>>6191981
>>6191993bruh
Rolled 22 (1d100)>>6191981Let's see here.>>6191993Impressive! Impressive indeed.
>>6191996>>6192000A Nat 1 means a harder fight, which means more rewards! All according to plan!
>>6191993OH>>6191994oh
>>6191993>>6191996>>6192000>>6192003>>6192131Do not worry anons, you may die, but it will advance the META PLOT, it is all according to plan. Also no update today after all, wasted all my power on irrelevant stuff.
>1As you travel, you notice an eerie calm around this part of the Deadlands. It seems like all the undead have been scared away by something... but what?The answer appears soon. Walking through these lands, you notice the earth becoming pock-marked - it wasn't like this before. There is some kind of buzzing in the air...When you get the thought to turn back and leave this area, a SWARM OF GIANT UNDEAD BEES rises from the holes and starts flying towards you. Even with your fairly high speed, they reach you and start eating you whole, crushing bone and ripping flesh with their mandibles - shouldn't you call them hornets, then?..[You have lost 2 HP] x 10"NO, NOT THE BEES, NOT THE BEES!" you think, but the insects, weirdly focused on devouring your rotten flesh and bone, continue their work.You get the idea to use ghostflame fireball to burn them all in one shot. Directing your maw towards your body, you charge the spell and release it. Necrotic flames engulf your body and you suffer considerable damage...[You have lost 25 HP]... though not as much as you would have if you weren't immune to fire. Many of the bees fall, but many still circling you replace them.[You have lost 2 HP] x 10With your body weakened from the powerful shots of the elven archer, all it takes to kill you is a few dozen damage points. You succumb to your wounds.[YOU DIED]So this is how it ends - not with a bang, but with a whimper...(1/2)
......"I was wondering when you'd die, champ." the Guide's voice appears in your consciousness.Why, thank you, this is a very encouraging expectation."HAHAHA. It was bound to happen with your traits. You should've realized this already."Yes, yes. So why are you still existing, then?"Your journey won't end unless you die in PERMADEATH BOSS FIGHTS or decide to end it on your own upon death. Though even for the former there are ways to circumvent this kind of end."Good. Means you can respawn again and get back on track, preferably evading those DAMN BEES."Not so fast. After all, for every death, there is a price to pay. A crippling, hard to remove debuff."Very well. What will it be?"It is your choice to make. Here's a list of those available to you:1. -50% ALL physical damage2. -70% ALL magical damage3. +60% ALL damage taken4. -50% ALL healing and regenerationAll of these are applied after all the other modifiers. However... Someone may help you in skipping these.""That's me." a clear female voice cuts in.Unnamed Skeletal Maw, pleased to meet you."I am Lumena, goddess of the Moon and Night, consort of Astra."What may a goddess want with you?"A deal. In exchange for helping you avoid the respawn penalties, I ask for a favour.Many people from other realms of the multiverse reincarnate in this world. We, the local gods, cannot go against the will of greater ones, so we often bestow these reincarnators with gifts of power and let them do what they want in Alterorbis.Sometimes, due to the... unpleasant character of these people, chaos arises. Some of the gods care little, while others, including me, wish to change things in order to end the free reign of these types.That's where you come in. I want to ask you to defeat a particular person, put him in his place, so to speak."Can't the gods just smite this cheating isekai protagonist?"They've got the protection of forces above us. This does not, however, extend towards beings born in this world, rather than presiding over it. Beings like you."Why you? You're just a skeletal maw trying not to die from some unknown horrible fate if what you've felt so far is right. Why not boost the ability of a person from the more common races - human, elf, dwarf, whoever else, - and send THEM to do this task?"Because the best, most fitting candidate to defeat a hero is, naturally, a monster.So, do you agree?">Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.>Decline the offer. You'll crawl back up from this with your own strength, curses be damned. [pick a debuff from those listed by the Guide above]>Write-in?
>>6192819"Soo..... i assume i am not the only one you made this offer. Whats the catch? Will those higher powers be ready to smite me for messing woth their reincarnates?Also... can i carry anything over? I really liked being able to talk again"
>>6192841"You guessed right - you are not the first. Some of the others perished battling these so-called 'heroes', others succeeded. As for whether the forces above will smite you - they usually work in subtler ways. And let me put it like this: you have already earned a high degree of their ire, for some reason, in your past lives. Should you succeed in putting that reincarnator in his place - I don't think anything particularly bad will befall you.""You can carry over your traits, your evolution and your levelled up skills." the Guide answers your second question. "So you'll still be able to speak. As for what you will lose - that will be 90% of your items, 50% of EXP and levels contributing towards your next evolution, and 75% of crystals. The lost items and crystals can be looted back from your corpse - provided you reach it in time before others pillage your stuff. You can pick which ones to save."
>>6192819"Can I get some info on the guy at least? I don't wanna go after him just to die immediately and get cursed anyway."
>>6192819>Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.So basically just another quest.
They need their pet monsters to die to talk to them? And then revive them? After making them weaker? And they expect to ever get some turbonerd psycho bastard hero killed with this strategy? These guys are chumps.
>>6192819>Write-in?Do I retain ownership of my soul, if I sign this contract? Or will I be bound to your will in perpetuity?Are there other benefits to helping you, or the other gods of this world?
>>6193005Truly, the ways of the gods are incomprehensible to mortals. It is as if some malicious force encourages them to take roundabout, inefficient ways to reach their goals, and creates obstacles to doing things directly. Like some ultimate master of goals and ways to reach them, which are quite similar to quests, a certain... Quest Master>>6193043"You retain your soul, why would we take it from you?" the goddess answers. "You will also retain free will. However, remember not to linger too long: this is a task of import for us, the gods, so we expect you to commit to its completion, not delay it.""As for other benefits - should you give worship and sacrifices to us or defend our holy places, we will bestow blessings upon you in exchange. This is, however, outside the scope of this deal. Its terms are simple: no grievous penalties upon death in exchange for the completion of a quest. But... I guess we could also let you get your gear as well?""It is not recommended to mess with the System too much, Lumena." the Guide interjects."One exception shouldn't break anything...">>6192947"His name is Hiromu Housaki. He resides in a city not far from the eastern border of Astorias, near the Mountains of Doom. The power bestowed to him by the forces above us is the charming of any woman he lays his eye on: he has used it to assemble a harem of warrior and mage women which protect him with their lives, and continues exploiting this power to live a life of luxury and lust.In fact, it may turn out that your past... ahem. It may turn out that many more women will fall to this embarrassing power."She stuttered. You heard it. What was that about your past?"I don't know what you're talking about."Ok, I think these will be the last questions I answer today, please pick whether to accept the quest or not and I will most likely update tomorrow.
>>6193068>harem coomerSounds like a decent target.>>6192819>Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.Less tedious than trying to break one of those debuffs.
>>6192819>Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.booba lady
>>6192819>>Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.Bait him with the location of hot women (the deadlands lich and the elf) into a 1v1, and then we kill his ass.
>>6192819"So. another quest it is them. can i decide what to keep or is that randomly stripped from me? And is the amount of items rounded down or up?">Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.
>>6192819>Alright, sign the contract. You'll kill this isekai man and get back on track with levelling and investigating your memories.
Alright, you'll do it. No respawn penalties and kept gear in exchange for killing a coomer doesn't sound bad."Excellent. You'll still lose some of your crystals, so pick which ones to keep..."YOU HAVE:12 bit fire crystals5 bit water crystals3 bit eldritch crystals2 medium fire crystals1 medium abjuration crystal1 MEDIUM CRYSTAL is worth 4 BIT CRYSTALS.So, in total, you have 25% of 32 "base points" (total worth of all crystals you had) = 8 points, with 1 bit crystal worth 1 point and 1 medium crystal worth 4 points.Spread the points between which crystals to keep. So e.g. you may take 1 medium fire crystal and 1 medium abjuration crystal = 8 points OR 8 bit fire crystals = 8 points. Or another combination.>Write-in which crystals to keep.low writing power today so I'll write for the respawn itself tomorrow.
>>6193068>In fact, it may turn out that your past... ahem. It may turn out that many more women will fall to this embarrassing power."Woah what? He’s going to NTR us by stealing our lover from a past life?That’s kinda hot>Don’t accept
>>6193642could we get a quest list again? And do we need to keep the crystals to still get the full effect like for the Pyromancy quest?
Realized I didn't list the crystal effects.Bit crystals give +1% to relevant magic damage (fire, water, eldritch) or spell effectiveness (abjuration).Medium one are the same, except give +4%.>>6193653>And do we need to keep the crystals to still get the full effect like for the Pyromancy quest?The objectives you completed, i.e. get 2 medium fire crystals, will remain completed even if you lose the crystals. You won't lose their rewards. The objectives that are not yet complete i.e. the main one, will require assembling the crystals again should you lose them on the way to completion.As for the quest list... let me post it as a text file to catbox. It is quite lengthy. https://files.catbox.moe/19qx84.txtIt is a bit difficult for me to post since almost the beginning of the thread due to technical issues (you may notice my IP changing as a symptom of that) so I may take some time to reply to questions.
>>6193674thank you very much. >>6193642after consulting the list. i think we should keep the two medium fire Crystals. 8 bits is a good chunk of the way to finishing that pyromancer quest.
>>6193642>>6193677 +1
>>6193677+1
>>6193677>>6193683>>6193687Anons, take note that medium fire crystals do not replace bit crystals for progression on the pyromancer quest. So if you have 5 medium crystals it doesn't count like 20/20 progress for the main quest. You need precisely 20 bit crystals to complete it. I'll extend the voting period for this choice for you to correct you picks retroactively should you wish to.For now, however, you respawn in the Deadlands.........You wake up in a wasteland of dark skies and grey earth - a familiar sight. By your side, your skeleton captain awakens, rattling his bones to indicate unlife. Not far, ruins of a purpose long forgotten lie. A trail of smoke rises from within. You feel compelled to enter them.Between half-fallen walls and still standing archways, a person sits by the bonfire. Your approach does not go unnoticed. The man has a gigantic scythe in his hand that you remember all too well..."Wait." you say. "It's me.""'Me' who?" the reaper responds. "Wait. A talking monster?.. That skeletal maw! You're the one from a few weeks ago!""I killed Vincent, the Mad Wizard, as you asked." you eject the mage's remains out of your skeletal body. The corpse, half-rotten, but with a still identifiable face, falls heavily on the ground."Hm. Guess I need to uphold my end of the bargain as well. Wait a bit here. I'll be back." he says before going to another, smaller ruined hall. You hear the screech of an old, rusty door being opened.Arthur returns soon, bearing 3 items."These are all powerful things I thought would be useful to you. Pick any one you like." he says and lifts some small thing. "The first - the Pendant of Pand - enhances necrotic magic with +50% damage for all spells of this type. It also has a bound spell of 30 mana restoration, usable once every day.The second" the reaper points to a breastplate of dark steel. "- Darkshield Armour - raises your defensive stat (DEF) by 40, decreasing all physical damage, and absorbs 15% of all damage from necrotic monsters. Should be good if you plan to battle monsters of the Deadlands in the future.The third - Selenian Wu Windclaws - a relic from the east - raise your STR and SPD by 50, so more, quicker damage and greater travel speed. +20% wind magic damage as well, should you ever learn such spells."You consider which to pick...>Pendant of Pand>Darkshield Armour>Selenian Wu WindclawsYou may also talk about something with the reaper.>Write-in?>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less!>Finish the deal, say your goodbyes, and move on.Also, where will you go next?>Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bog (I think that was the consensus before the BEE SWARM has befallen you)>Go somewhere else (specify)
>>6194304>Selenian Wu Windclaws>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less! "Seem to be some fine people with em at least. but their leader was a dick. Anyway. if you have any other worthwhile targets that will have to wait a bit. got some other business to take care of.">Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bog (I think that was the consensus before the BEE SWARM has befallen you)and we shall do so. we need some ways to disenchant those followers preferably and a witch might know a good bit about charm spells so we can focus on the reincarnate instead of having to butcher his harem first.>Anons, take note that medium fire crystals do not replace bit crystals for progression on the pyromancer quest.are you fucking serious? Then they are only good for bonus objectives. damn. hate that kind of game logic.fine take the eight bit fire Crystals.
>>6194304>>Darkshield ArmourWe've got plans to take on a bunch of monsters to try and get a super-evolution, right? This is probably better for the long run but I'd also take the Windclaws.>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less!>"Don't be too torn up about it though, most of them were appropriately grateful. Their boss was the real asshole.">Mention the witch hat we found; is she going to kill us out of hand when we try and return it?>"Hey, wanna come with? After I return her hat, I have a quest to kill a (whatever they call Isekaiees/otherworlders) who keeps magically charming women and someone who isn't a giant monster being able to vouch for me in human areas would go a LONG way. Can't promise anything for a reward, but he probably has his harem shower him with gifts.">Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bog (I think that was the consensus before the BEE SWARM has befallen you)
>>6194304>>Darkshield ArmourTo be the Turtle is to be tanky.
>>6194304>Darkshield Armour>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less!>Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bog (I think that was the consensus before the BEE SWARM has befallen you)Also how many bits is a medium crystal worth? Or is that not for us to know?
>>6194304>>6194323+1
>>6194304In that case I'm>>6193683 going with>8 bit fire crystals>>6194304>Pendant of Pand>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less!>Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bog (I think that was the consensus before the BEE SWARM has befallen you)
>>6194304going with 8 bit fire crystals then>Darkshield Armour>Mention that the bone scouts he recommended almost killed you for artifacts. After you saved them from a gruesome death, no less!>Deliver the Witch Hat to the Cursed Bogtrade
>>6193649>In fact, it may turn out that your past... ahem. It may turn out that many more women will fall to this embarrassing power.">Woah what? He’s going to NTR us by stealing our lover from a past life?>That’s kinda hotntrfags deserve the rope
>>6194304>Darkshield Armour>"Bone Scout Cunts" >Deliver the Hat
>>6194323+1
>Darkshield Armour>Mention bone scouts>Deliver Witch Hat>Conversation write-ins"I'll take the armour, then." you say and place your claw upon it. It disappears into your bony limb, and suddenly you find your body reinforced with plates of dark steel."Woah, what the fuck?" No other armour you found before did that.[You have obtained [Darkshield Armour]][Darkshield Armour][Rank: Epic][When the Deadlands first started taking hold, spawning undead monstrosities, the Riverlanders assisted the Astorians in battling them. Their greatest dragon rider knights used this custom-made armour to protect themselves from necrotic damage that many of the monsters inflicted with spell and claw alike.][+40 DEF, 15% damage from necrotic monsters absorbed]"It's because of its quality. It adapts to your body... however monstrous it may be." Arthur explains."Oh, I see..."You take a few moments to look over your dark armour plates. They look kinda cool and conceal the rotten bones that make up your body."By the way, those bone scouts you recommended almost betrayed me and killed me for artifacts. After I saved their lives from a huge undead drake! It turned out alright in the end though, their leader was the one the suggested finishing me off but others stood up for me.""Damn." with the mask cast aside, you see the reaper's frown clearly. "They never treated me like that. Always were reliable allies. Maybe Rob tried this because you're a monster?.. Now I feel kinda bad for suggesting them to you.""Don't be. Like I said, they were alright in the end, it was their leader that was the asshole. Anyway, if you have any other targets, that'll have to wait, I got another one from a more influential employer. Also I got this Witch Hat to return to a witch named Lily Arante in the Cursed Bog, do you know anything about her? Will she try to kill me on sight?"Arthur whistles."I think if you're heading to the Cursed Bog you'll have other stuff to worry about first. It's home to some of the toughest monsters in the entire Deadlands. Moss Walkers that live there are literally giants of dead matter soaked in necrotic magic and stale water. You know the phrase 'Kill it with fire'? Well, you may set fire to an undead drake, but these fuckers will snuff it out in a second with their bodies. Physical damage? Mitigated by literal tons of moss. The only saving grace for anyone facing them is they're slow, but you can't run in the Bog anyway. And don't get me started on the Dead Eater tribes and their shamanism.If you make it through that land alive... well, un-alive - I think you will find Lily cool. I worked with her a few years ago when we raided the Graveyard of Heroes. She won't attack you first, even if you're a monster."(1/2)
You muse on your decision for a few moments. Moss Walkers sound like a pain, but you're faster, taller, stronger than most people. So long as you evade them, you should be okay. And some naked ass savages? You'll have them for dinner and probably learn their spells from a quest, too. Thank you, Adventure Guide."Well, besides the witch, I've got that quest I talked about to kill a... Marebito, I think you called them. A reincarnator that subjugates women to his will with a cheat skill given by powers above. He's got a harem of warriors and mages, from what I've heard, and resides in a city in eastern Astorias... I'm going to the witch in part because I thought she'd know how to disenchant his thralls. I thought maybe you'd want to come with? Having an actual human being with me would be great for trustworthiness. Since I'm a monster and all that.""Hmm... What will be in it for me? You know, I'm stuck out here in the Deadlands looting crystals and remains not because I want to. It pays well. Can you say the same about helping you?"You pause for a few moments. Truly, there is nothing guaranteed in this venture. Sure, you got your pay from the gods, but..."Well, he's probably getting showered with gifts from all the women he's charming. Can't say for sure though.""Hmm..." it is the reaper's turn to pause. "Okay, I think I can come with you if you need me. But, you know, since you can't say for sure what I'll be getting out of it, and it seems like a long and dangerous journey, let's strike a deal. I've heard there is a valley with a great lake deep in the Mountains of Doom where an offspring of the Doom Beast resides. The Beast itself is a World Boss, so its pup is still a permadeath boss. I've heard it can cast spells enchanting its claws with all four elements, and its mobility is some of the highest among monsters to boot. If I were to kill it and get whatever drops from its corpse, I think I would be set for life. But I can't defeat it alone, so I'll need you to help. Ideally, some other companions as well. So what do you say?"You consider the reaper's offer...>Agree to the deal.>Decline.>Write-in
>>6195606>Decline.I like, literally just died a bit agoNot ready to risk perma death so soon after that, sorry
>>6195606"I might get back to you on that later. not ready for jolly cooperation again so soon. well i am off to the marches then to see if maybe i can garner some favor with a new ally. take care">Decline for now.
>>6195606"You know how I needed prep-time for the mad wizard? I'd need about ten times as much for something like that. I've only got one more evolution and I'm trying to see if I can find a hidden evolution or something that won't bottleneck me. I'll get back to you later, my friend; preferably once you've got your own party together.">Decline."Nice talking with you."Can we also try tracking down Cap? Or did he somehow follow us?
>>6195708the bone captain woke up next to us. as can be read here >>6194304just after the Elipsies
>>6195709Thanks for letting me know, based Cap.
>>6195606>Decline.We already have a babillion quests in the backlog that we've forgotten about.
>>6195606>Decline.
>>6195606>Agree to the deal.
>Decline"I almost died to that wizard, and I'm not really ready to take on a permadeath boss so soon. I'm trying to find a way to get a hidden evolution right now - after that, I'll need to kill that harem reincarnator to get the deal done ASAP. Maybe I'll help you in the future, when you get a party together, but I'll say 'no' now.""Yeah, alright, I get it. We all got a lot on our plate. If you ever want to work together again, ask the scouts around this area where I am - if I leave the Deadlands for more profitable places, I'll tell them. Safe travels.""Take care."...You travel fast. Not as fast as you would have if you had a higher SPD, but fast nonetheless. Captain rides you - he wouldn't have been able to keep up if he were following you on foot.In the distance, monsters your size or less wander the Deadlands. They don't dare attack you.Yet even without a fight, you find someone curious along the way...>A single young woman, travelling by horse in the direction you're going. Her armour seems similar to that high paladin one you looted... though less flashy.>Lizardmen riding big lizards cross your path. A caravan?..>A lone traveller in a cloak draping his entire body, with a huge backpack... more like a mobile closet. There are horns poking from behind the cloth mask...(no write-ins for this vote)
>>6196310>A lone traveller in a cloak draping his entire body, with a huge backpack... more like a mobile closet. There are horns poking from behind the cloth mask...
>>6196310>>A single young woman, travelling by horse in the direction you're going. Her armour seems similar to that high paladin one you looted... though less flashy.I just want to give the paladin lady a breakdown when we talk.
Rolled 3 (1d3)>>6196310i dont really care so. 1 is the woman, 2 the caravan and 3 is the lone traveller.
>>6196342>>6196310lone traveller it is then.
>>6196310>A single young woman, travelling by horse in the direction you're going. Her armour seems similar to that high paladin one you looted... though less flashy.
>>6196310>A lone traveller in a cloak draping his entire body, with a huge backpack... more like a mobile closet. There are horns poking from behind the cloth mask...Some variety of roving peddler? Intriguing.
No update today, most likely gonna write one or two tomorrow.
>A lone travellerThe stranger stops once he sees you approaching. He doesn't take out any weapon or assume a defensive stand, as you'd expect. However, there appears to be something akin to sparks circling his horns now?.."Hello." you greet him. "Yes, yes, rare talking monster, whatever. I don't have a name. Who are you, what's that backpack, and why are you wandering the Deadlands?"The stranger throws back his head and laughs. His voice is deep and raspy. The hood falls to reveal crimson skin and monocolour orange eyes."Hello to you too, skeletal maw. My name is Baghira, I'm a trader - though my wares are not the kind you'd expect from a regular one. I'm on my way to the Riverlands - without a particular purpose. As for what I trade in - it is skills. Perhaps you have a need of one?""Skills? How'd you carry them?""There are ways." Baghira says, patting his backpack."I'll browse at least." you say."Alright. I don't have much variety, but they're all solid if you ask me.There are a couple simple ones - [Stun], which stuns a single enemy for 10 seconds twice a day with a minute cooldown between the two, and [Health Shield], which grants a non-stacking 100 HP worth of protection for 15 MP. I'll agree to trade either for a single medium-power skill or both for an upgraded one.Among the more offensive, the best is [Blinding Light Lance] - deals 70 Light and Holy damage, 35 each, and blinds any enemy it hits. Also pierces through them. I'd ask a single upgraded skill or two base ones for it.I also have a couple non-combat ones. [Recall Beacon] lets you set a place in the world where you may return by teleport once every 5 days while you're out of combat. Some travellers use it, and it's quite valuable, so it'll be an upgraded skill or 2 base ones, like [Blinding Light Lance].Another non-combat one that may be of use to you is [Size Morph]. It allows you to become smaller or return to your original size for 20 MP, while retaining part of your strength in smaller form. I think with your size it may prove useful should you want to clear some dungeons or enter places meant for smaller peoples. 2 base skills or one upgraded for this.There's a couple more, but they're meant for other clients."You consider the demon's offer...>Trade (Your skills: [Life Drain] (upgraded), [Greater Skull Bolt] (upgraded), [Ghostflame Fireball II] (upgraded), [Inspire] (basic), [Freeze] (basic)) (other skills are inherent (non-tradeable))>Ask Baghira something?>Refuse to trade, continue on your way.
>>6197415>Trade [Inspire] (basic), [Freeze] (basic)) for Size Morph
>>6197415>Ask Baghira something?A ten second stun is ridiculously strong, what’s the catch on that one?
>>6197415>>Trade [Greater Skull Bolt] (upgraded) for [Blinding Light Lance].>Ask Baghira if casting it would hurt us, to his knowledge.Basically an anti-everything spell in the deadlands. I'd like to keep our hard-earned Inspire and Freeze, which we got from the fort and wizard respectively. Life Drain is super useful and Ghostflame Fireball has a ton of investment in it, so we definitely don't want to trade those.>>6197542The catch is you can use it only twice and there's a 1 minute cooldown between uses.
>>6197574+1
>>6197574>+1wdy guys think about trading inspire for the stun or the shield ? both seen useful for our mission
>>6197878We EARNED that Inspire. I could maybe be convinced to trade Freeze for the Stun (which fills the same role, but more specialized) but it's >2 uses PER DAY (admittedly at no mana cost)>1 minute cooldown>Only goes for 10 seconds>Single TargetFreeze seems like it'll scale better into some kind of blizzard attack later on, where the most I can see out of Stun is some kind of Flashbang.Shield is stinky because it doesn't stack; this could mean it doesn't stack only with itself, or that it doesn't stack with ANYTHING. I'd rather invest in more Life Drain.
>>6197889Shield doesn't stack only with itself. So if you were to cast [Health Shield] while you still have a 50 HP [Health Shield] on you, you would refresh its effect back to 100 HP, not 150.It does stack with shields from other spells, so if you were to cast it while having 200 HP from other spells, you would then have a 300 HP shield: 200 HP from other spells, 100 HP from [Health Shield]>>6197542Basically what the other anon >>6197574 >>6197889 said. It's very useful if you need to "nuke" a single powerful enemy, but against massed enemies you'd need an AoE attack.Also I forgot to mention that the blind from [Blinding Light Lance] lasts 40 seconds, not forever.Also also remember enemies may have resistances to status effects. They may be useful against regular enemies while bosses would shrug them off.>>6197574>Ask Baghira if casting it would hurt us, to his knowledge."That Light Lance spell... would casting it hurt me? Since I am undead and all that." you ask."Hmm... I don't think it would inflict damage outright, but you'd probably feel the effect of channelling Holy magic on yourself in some other way. Like a feeling of weakness, dizziness or disorientation for a couple tens of seconds."(I'll give you anons some more time to consider the trade)
>>6197415+1 to >>6197574Basically. Anti high level undead nuke. Might be possibly very useful against those shamblers since its holy magic
>>6198286Aah, so the shield spell is effectively an MP to HP conversion. So we would never die as long as we have MP.That's actually pretty good. I'd be down to trade [Life Drain] for that and Stun.
>>6197415Definitely get stun, in combat ten seconds is long, ridiculously long
Rolled 7 (1d10)Fucking finally wrote the update.The consensus seems to be this anon's idea >>6197574, so you'll>Trade [Greater Skull Bolt] for [Blinding Light Lance]..."Would [Greater Skull Bolt] be fine in exchange for that [Blinding Light Lance] spell?""Hmm... I can't say it's as rare, but it is an upgraded spell, so the deal stands. It's good enough. Now, let me get it from you. Calm down and cleanse your mind of any doubt. I'm starting..." the demon says, placing his bared hand against your limb.You do as he said, standing unmoving, trying not to think as much as possible. Suddenly, you are assaulted by a feeling of inexplicable loss, as if some part of you just disappeared.[You have lost the [Greater Skull Bolt] skill]You look at the skill trader and see the arm he touches you with being surrounded by wisps of blue smoke. He fetches a jar reinforced with runes from his closet-backpack and channels the spell into there, transforming it into a crystal that you are familiar with. The compartment he took it out of closes with a snap as he puts it back."Now to give what I promised." he opens another compartment and takes out a similar vessel, this one filled with what seems like a crystal of light. Opening it, he pushes the open vessel against your limb, and the crystal drains into your body, spreading a sensation of lightness and nausea to you.[You have gained the [Blinding Light Lance] skill][You have been inflicted with [Light Poisoning I] for 1 hour]"Hey, you promised me it'd be a few dozen seconds of weakness, not an hour!" you say."It's just the learning penalty." Baghira responds, unfazed by your worry. "When you use it, it will be much less.""Fine.""Well, if that will be all, it was a pleasure doing business with you." the demon says, pulling his hood back on. "Maybe we'll meet again. Safe travels." he waves you goodbye and continues on his path."Farewell."...[You are no longer affected by [Light Poisoning I]]Just as the debuff wears off, you find yourself approaching what seems to be the Cursed Bog. The ground here is getting damp, and the trees, simply barren in other parts of the Deadlands, become bearers of inky black leaves and strange red fruit.A few kilometers more, and you are wading through water, making your way deeper and deeper into the swamp...[You have been inflicted with [Curse of the Bog I]][Curse of the Bog I][+15% Water and Cold damage taken][-15% MP]Well, at least it didn't cut your speed as well. The water does this task well enough...Rolling for encounter.1 - Something you were warned about that's probably gonna fuck you up2-4 - Something you were warned about, though not as bad5-6 - There are more fruits hanging from the branches here, and the ground is drier, featuring more trees...7-9 - Another waifu thrown in your face by the QM10 - A rare sanctuary in such a place
>>6198320>>6198316>>6197878>>6197542This is 4 votes for grabbing stun. One person objecting to burning [Inspire] to get it, and me offering an alternative to get it. Maybe put it to another vote, even though shopping is always tedious.
>>6199081so... another girl to throw at us.there is only one question that remains. Harem Route or Golden Route?
>>6199112that's one actual "get stun," one "yeah I could go for that," one anon asking people's thoughts and one anon asking what the catch is
>>6199112I considered >>6197878 as a "discussion" kind of post since anon didn't write it in along with his +1. But yeah, ok, there is support for [Stun] as you said, so I'll put it to a retroactive vote.>Trade [Stun] + [Health Shield] for [Life Drain]>Trade [Stun] for something else (write-in)>Do not trade for [Stun]If the former 2 options get more votes summed up than the third, you'll get [Stun] for the most popular among them.As for present events......As you walk through the Bog, your skeleton captain riding you as always, you hear a sound, first as if a mosquito was buzzing somewhere, then quickly growing into a... girl's yell?Looking around, you notice too late the flying object, and with a WHAM, the young woman's body slams on top of your maw, immediately stopping the cry.[You have lost 1 HP]The girl falls down from the entire height of your head limply into the water. Is she... dead?You prod her carefully with your claw, and she starts twitching, limbs locking into place, bruises miraculously draining away. Finally, she rears her head from the water and looks at you, wide-eyed.Her long, thick, wet, oddly crimson hair gives little protection to her otherwise naked body. She is of low human height, but obviously not a child, judging both by chest and the rest of the figure. Her skin is an ill, greyish-green colour, and her eyes are big, though within human limits. The combo of her hair and skin colour give a strange, mismatching, unpleasant look..."Who the FUCK are you?""Oh, huh, you talk!" she exclaims, but regains her composure. "Ahem. YOU should introduce yourself first! Since you're INVADING the Bog.""I'm not invading, I'm just passing by on my way to... I don't know where I'm going, but I have to find a particular person." you say. "I have no name. Only my race: the Skeletal Maw.""Ohh... Not a named one yet, hm?""So who are you?""I'm Arta. The one and only!.. well, not only, but one of the few sane humans of these lands." she deflates a bit as she says that.For some reason, you think inquiring about her recovery from wounds that would leave another person a broken, dead ragdoll would be in bad form... but your curiosity gnaws at you.>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.>Ask her how she healed so fast from a literal cannonball impersonation.>Ask her why she came flying from the sky.>Say goodbye to flying swamp woman and continue on your way.>Write-in(multiple may be chosen)
Did she just sexually assault us? Lady you can't just run around slapping people with your tits. Sex pests these days.
>>6199181>Do not trade for [Stun]>"I hope you will be fine. Not many could take such an impact from such heigths. How did that even happen?Also.. could you maybe point me in the direction of the witch Lily Arante? I have something of hers i picked up on my travels and would like to return"
>>6199181>>Do not trade for [Stun]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.>"I hope you will be fine. Not many could take such an impact from such heigths. How did that even happen?
>>6199181>Trade [Stun] + [Health Shield] for [Life Drain]>>6199187+1
>>6199181>Do not trade for [Stun]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.
>>6199181>Trade [Stun] for [Inspire]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.
>>6199181>Trade [Stun] + [Health Shield] for [Life Drain]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.
>>6199181>Do not trade for [Stun]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.Wouldn't hurt to have one speaking companion, even if it's temporary.
Funny idea, what if Cap was a woman the whole time and betrays us when we go to fight the Marebito because she's charmed?
Since we can speak now we have to find the qt3.14 lich and kill her army again, and when she gets teary-eyed and ask why we keep ruining her plans we just tell her 'Cute liches are made for bullying' and then leave.
>>6199278>"I am a queen of the dead and sovereign of terror I am not cute!">"Okay, adorable then."Do not flirt with the lich bitch. She can't handle the BTC.
>>6199458What does the T stand for ?
Since we have a precarious balance of 4-3 no Stun - yes Stun, and I'm getting down to writing now, I'll call the vote here so there's no sudden change as I'm working on the update.>Do not trade for [Stun]>Ask her if she can take you to "Lily Arante". Since she is a native of these lands and all.>I hope you will be fine. Not many could take such an impact from such heights. How did that even happen?
>>6199680Turtle
"Since you're a native, could you take me to Lily Arante? She's the person I'm looking for.""The Witch? Yeah, I know her. May I... ride you on the way?""Sure."She climbs quickly on top of you and sits down near Captain."Let's go!" Arta yells, and so you're off."I hope you will be fine after that fall." you say. "Not many could take such an impact from such heights. How did that even happen?""Oh, don't worry, when you live for so long in the Bog you become resilient like this from all the crystals and... fruit you collect." her voice seems to break a little for a second. "I have ways to restore my health. And even revive a couple of times! Anyways, I was just disarming traps of the Dead Eaters a mile or so away, and there was one that was tied to a bent tree to suspend you up in the branches. Well, I made a mistake and it didn't suspend me but throw me up, and then I landed on you and... that's how we're here.""I see." you say. "I've heard the 'Dead Eaters' name from another person previously. Who are they?""They're evil people... They live in the Bog and eat whatever undead or living that find their way in.""How'd you evade them?""Skills I picked up over the years." the swamp girl dismisses your question....The way is peaceful, interrupted rarely by Arta giving directions.However, a few miles later you see something shifting beneath the water ahead. As if the ground is rising, and the stale water flowing off to reveal something..."Shit." you say and prepare to run from the Moss Walker.[You have been inflicted with [Crippling Moss]][Crippling Moss][-30% SPD]It seems like you're fucked."STOP!" the swamp woman shouts. The mound seems to slow its movements. Out of its depths, a sound akin to gargling or camel noises escapes, though considerably deeper and louder."Yes, I know a Skeletal Maw is a big catch, but please let us pass!" Arta continues. "I'll lead some tribesmen to you later."The Moss Walker groans, a low, monotonous sound."Don't be grumpy! This Maw is under my SPECIAL PROTECTION. You'll get dozens of others like it in the future! Well, maybe not dozens, and maybe not skeletal maws... Anyway, you'll have plenty of prey in the future! So let us pass!"[You are no longer affected by [Crippling Moss]]The mound lets out another groan and starts lowering itself back into the water...(1/2)
..."How the fuck did you communicate with that Moss Walker?" you ask Arta once you're safely out of the monster's range."Ehehehe, that's a secret! You learn some things when you've lived here as long as I have.""...Do you evade Dead Eaters the same way? Offering something in exchange for letting you go?""No. You can strike a deal with a Moss Walker, not so much with crazy carrion-eating tribespeople."[You are no longer affected by [Curse of the Bog I]][You have been inflicted with [Curse of the Bog II]][Curse of the Bog II][+40% Water and Cold damage taken][+20% Eldritch damage taken][-30% MP][-100% ALL HP restoration (additive)]"Ohhh, 2nd level... We'll be there soon." the swamp woman says quietly."Are you sure this is the way?" you ask warily."Positively.""How does Lily even live in such conditions?""She's got her ways. Others like me don't go here regularly though. Only when we're leading someone through the Bog by the shortest route. Or when we need something from the Witch."Your journey remains undisturbed. Not even any undead or Moss Walkers cross your path as you get deeper and deeper into the swamp. The water here gets darker, and the red fruit fewer.Even Arta, humming some melody previously, falls silent.>Ask Arta something? (write-in)>Cheer her up somehow. (write-in)>Travel in silence.
>>6199716>Ask Arta something?"So, what are those fruit? And is there anywhere you want for me to drop you off once we're done?"
>>6199716>[You are no longer affected by [Curse of the Bog I]]>[You have been inflicted with [Curse of the Bog II]]>[Curse of the Bog II]>[+40% Water and Cold damage taken]>[+20% Eldritch damage taken]>[-30% MP]>[-100% ALL HP restoration (additive)]it really gets worse>Ask Arta something?How did the moss cast an status effect on us ?
>>6199716>Ask Arta something? Do you know where I can find bit fire crystals?
>>6199741>>6199847>>6200041(big post this time, hopefully anons come back from 3 votes)"Do you know where I can find bit fire crystals?""Not here, definitely." Arta says. "There are water, necrotic and eldritch crystals in the Bog, sometimes special ones, granting skills or resistances, but fire? Unlikely.""Alright."A mile later, you ask another question."How did that Moss Walker cast its status effect on me?""Like any other status effect? Strange question. There is an area around them that is under their influence. Like some mages rooting their enemies, Moss Walkers affect those they want to catch with that debuff. It may not be obvious, since your claws are under the water, but they do become bound and hard to lift.""I see." you pause. "Is there anywhere you want me to drop you off once we're done?""It doesn't matter. Though... somewhere beyond the second level curse would be nice. It's kinda oppressive here. In the outer Bog, there's at least some undead to play with. Well, you'll need me to take you to the edge anyways, so don't worry about that.""Alright."You travel some more."What is that fruit? I've never seen anything like it. Granted I haven't travelled a lot, but still.""... It's jushizawa. You'll only find it here, in this Cursed Bog. I think Lily will give a better explanation of its origins. I know a single one sates you for a day or two, heals, protects from elements and illness. Colours your hair red. It's also addictive. Once you've eaten a few of them, if you don't eat another jushizawa in about 3 days, you die. Your lifespan is also cut depending on how many you've eaten over the years.""Your hair... do you eat them?" you ask."Yeah... Since I've been a child. I'm about 24 now. Only half a year left in me, if what Lily says is true." Arta says quietly.You think about asking whether the respawn works for those eating jushizawa, but Arta interrupts you.(1/3)
[You are no longer affected by [Curse of the Bog II]]"Anyway, we have arrived. See that light? It's Lily's house."You trudge through to drier ground. It is night now. In the middle of a dry grass meadow stands a well-built wooden house. From multiple windows, light spills out, illuminating the area around it. At the porch, a lantern hangs. A shadow looks out of the window and disappears quickly.Arta climbs down from you. As she lands on the ground, the door opens. On the porch stands a woman in early thirties. She's a beauty. Porcelain skin is coloured orange and red by the dim light, the thin, distinctly red lips would give anyone else a strict look, but her face is calm and welcoming. The witch wears a hat similar to one you came to deliver, with a bobcut of raven hair visible below. Her main garb is a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and baggy leather pants. From below, simple shoes peek.You wouldn't call this woman a witch by her look..."Hello." she says. "Who have you brought to me, Arta?""Hi! It's a speaking monster! It's been a while since I saw any. It wants to return something to you.""Hmm... I'm Lily Arante, the witch taking care of the Cursed Bog." the witch addresses you. "I suppose someone of your rank doesn't have a name. What did you want to give me?""This." you say as the bones of your upper neck crack to reveal the hat, protected from the rotten flesh of your main body. The hat drifts down and lands on the ground.As Lily approaches to pick it up, a look of surprise crosses her face."Wow." she says, picking the hat up and looking it over. "One of my favourites. I thought I had lost it forever in that battle with a dracolich." she looks up at you. "How did you know it was mine?""I got a quest and it mentioned where I need to return it.""A quest! A Marebito, then?""Correct.""Incredible." she pauses. "Well, you have my thanks. If you need something in exchange for this - ask away. I'll do my best to assist you."[You have completed the [Witch's Hat] quest][You have gained 100 EXP][LEVEL UP!][You have gained [Lily's Favour]](2/3)
"Come in, Arta. I've got new books on the upper floor. You can read them if you'd like." Lily suddenly remembers the swamp girl awkwardly standing around."Oooh!..""Don't forget to close the door. It's autumn now, the chill gets to your bones if you leave it open for long.""Sure!" your guide runs inside and slams the entrance door shut."So, what do you want in exchange?" Lily addresses you again."I've got a quest to kill another Marebito." you say. "Supposedly, he has a cheat power that lets him charm women into doing his bidding. I thought you might know how to counter magic like that.""I don't." she answers simply. "Cheat powers of reincarnators are a whole another realm than regular magic. Not many have them, not many know how to oppose them. I think you may know already of the Meta Oracles that live in the Kingdom of Raine, to the south beyond Demonica. They may help you in finding a way. There is another person that may know how to deal with it. An acquaintance of mine, Enric Pandoran. He is a reincarnator like you. He researches cheat powers and may help you. He lives in eastern Riverlands, in the city of Gallant where the Erva river enters the Nella one. I haven't heard from him in a while, but mentioning my name should get him to assist you."[QUEST ISSUED][Scribe of Cheaters][Find Enric Pandoran in Gallant, in eastern Riverlands.][REWARD][200 EXP, A Clue to Defeat the Marebito...][ACCEPT QUEST?][Y/N]Y. Should you fail, you can always abandon it."Is there anything else?" the witch asks. "Information is valuable, but I'm still in your debt. If you wish for more tangible help, I'd welcome the chance to aid you.">Ask her about her living in the Cursed Bog. Where does she get food? Supplies? What does she even do here? How did she end up here?>Ask about Arta. Is there a cure to the jushizawa addiction? How long has Lily known her?>Ask about the Cursed Bog. Why does the fruit appear here? What caused the Bog to spawn? What are its inner workings?>ASK EVERYTHING.>Offer her to travel with you. There is little possibility of her accepting, but the chance of a powerful ally assisting you is very tempting...>Request something material from her as a reward for delivering the hat. Could she offer you a skill? An artifact? (write-in what you wish to receive e.g. offensive item, defensive, of a particular school of magic or effect? specify (or leave to QM choice))>Ask something else (write-in)>Thank her for the information, ask her to call Arta and start making your way out of the Bog.
>>6200333>Ask about Arta. Is there a cure to the jushizawa addiction? How long has Lily known her?. Also how does she live here and rid herself of the debuff. knowing that could be helpful if ever we want to return here.>"Any ideas on how monster evolutions work? kinda trying to become something better and preferably not be attacked on sight by holy people... or ruin clean placees with my necrotic energies.">>6200328i missed the last round in the beginning and was very busy. so forgot to vote.
>>6200333>Ask about Arta. Is there a cure to the jushizawa addiction? How long has Lily known her?
>>6200333also yes. accept the quest. it should be useful to find more weakpoints of the fucker.
>>6200333>>ASK EVERYTHING.>"Any ideas on how monster evolutions work? I'm trying not to bottleneck myself into some low-tier monster, and a while back I got a quest that'll give me the opportunity to become a living creature, and I wanna know how that'll affect it if you can tell me.">"As for what you could do for me? Well, I wouldn't mind if you decided to come with me for a while, but asking you to up and leave is a big deal, not to mention that I'm going after someone who seems to be able to perfectly counter all women. I don't know what you have in your pockets to offer me, so unless you've got something to offer me, I'll accept having a safe spot and someone to talk to.">See if we can gather some of the berries as a just-in-case; either as poison for the reincarnator (feed him some and then he'll keel over in a few days) or as a 'break in case of dire emergency' health solution for someone we meet on the road.
>>6200333>accept quest>Offer her to travel with you. There is little possibility of her accepting, but the chance of a powerful ally assisting you is very tempting...
>>6200333>Y>>6200336>+1
>>6200333>Y>ASK EVERYTHING.>"Any ideas on how monster evolutions work? I'm trying not to bottleneck myself into some low-tier monster, and a while back I got a quest that'll give me the opportunity to become a living creature, and I wanna know how that'll affect it if you can tell me.">"As for what you could do for me? Well, I wouldn't mind if you decided to come with me for a while, but asking you to up and leave is a big deal, not to mention that I'm going after someone who seems to be able to perfectly counter all women. I don't know what you have in your pockets to offer me, so unless you've got something to offer me, I'll accept having a safe spot and someone to talk to."
>>6200333>Ask her about her living in the Cursed Bog. Where does she get food? Supplies? What does she even do here? How did she end up here?It’s cursed land! Miserable place to live >Ask if she knows any hot single female bone turtles in the area
No update today, most likely gonna make one tomorrow.
(Finally finished writing the update in the night, sorry for the wait. I tried to incorporate write-ins.)"Any ideas on how monster evolutions work?" you ask. "I'm trying not to bottleneck myself into some low-tier monster, and a while back I got a quest that'll give me the opportunity to become a living creature, and I wanna know how that'll affect it if you can tell me.""I'm an expert on neither the Guidance of the Marebito nor monster evolutions." Lily shakes her head. "Far from it. I think whatever your quest says will be of more use to you than anything I know. Whether you'll reveal new ways for you to evolve should you become 'living' or not I cannot say.What I remember from my training days is that monsters of sufficient levels can evolve to other, stronger 'monster races', and that there are specific end-evolutions above which they cannot rise by conventional means. I think you may know that already yourself. There are, however, accounts of monsters that united in themselves aspects of different races to rise above and beyond the others. These 'chimeras' created new monster races altogether and dominated the area they resided in.I haven't interacted with chimeras yet, and I don't know if it's possible for you to reach that status, but the Doom Beast - the World Boss of Mountains of Doom, and Jungle Queen - the World Boss of Aztlan, are said to be such chimeras. Naturally, few have survived an encounter with them, much less studied them. Perhaps if you find yourself 'bottlenecked', be it after becoming a living creature, or after deciding to remain undead, you could try to become a chimera using your Guidance? I'm not sure.""Thank you." you say. "You asked what you could do for me - and, well, I wouldn't mind if you decided to come with me for a while, but asking you to up and leave is a big deal, not to mention that I'm going after someone who seems to be able to perfectly counter all women. I don't know what you have in your pockets to offer me, so unless you've got something to offer me, I'll accept having a safe spot and someone to talk to.""..." Lily thinks for a while. "It may actually not be such a far-fetched idea for me to travel with you. My work contract as the Witch of the Cursed Bog is basically over for a month now, and with the money I've earned I could afford to travel for a while. I'll just need to arrange for a replacement and then I'll be free to go. But frankly, your look is less than pleasant, even with that armour, and the odour of rotten meat and bone following you is repulsive even to a regular of the Deadlands. So for my own comfort, at least get rid of the smell - in fact, I may have just the reward for you if you wish to do so..."The witch disappears for a while in her house. Emerging from it, she unlocks a familiar-looking vessel where a crystal floats, and gives it to you. It absorbs instantly.(1/2)
[You have gained [Odourless]][Odourless][All unpleasant smell emanating from you is banished.]"Oh, cool, thanks." you don't perceive smell, but this looks beneficial?.. "You mentioned a contract for being the 'Witch of the Cursed Bog'... so you haven't been one forever?""No, it's a job like any other. The main task is collecting crystals from the area and delivering them to Lumei in Astorias. A portal is used for that - I've got the tools to open it. I also get supplies that way.""So you're essentially a room away from a large city while being on the other side of the world, in the Cursed Bog?""Seems like it." Lily smiles. "I also sometimes take the swamp guides through to the city and show them stuff. It would be a pity for them to be stuck all the way here until their deaths...""Swamp guides?""People like Arta and others. They help lead travellers through the bog. My second main task is overseeing them.""Have you known Arta for long?""10 years, give or take, ever since I took the job of the Witch of this place. She's been raised by the previous Witch since the Dead Eaters abandoned her.""Is what she says about her lifespan true? That she's only got half a year or so left?""...Yeah. I wish she had more. She's a good girl... Most of the guides are children abandoned by Dead Eaters because they eat jushizawa in their youth. The Witches pick them up and help them during their short lives - they help oversee the swamp in exchange.""Is there any cure to the addiction? What causes the fruit to appear?""There is no known cure besides dying and respawning. But jushizawa imposes more grievous respawning limitations than usual. Not many want to continue living as cripples. What causes the fruit to appear... that's a mystery. There is some source of power, something buried beneath the Bog. It causes the land to become what it is. There have been attempts to study it, but all excavations failed, the necrotic and eldritch energy is just too thick underground. Perhaps they'll succeed in the future, after mage guilds gather enough resistance crystals for another expedition.""I see.""So how's it going to be in the end? Do you really want me to travel with you? I'll need a week or two to prepare.">"Yes. I'll check back in a couple of weeks.">"On second thought, no. The crystal you've given me and a good talk is enough.">Discuss something else? (write-in)
>>6201700>"Yes. I'll check back in a couple of weeks."
>>6201700Couldn't Arta just become an undead? It's not so bad.
>>6201700>"Yes. I'll check back in a couple of weeks.">"Though.... Could Arta become undead and avoid the penalties of dying that way? Since you cant really die much more if your body is shut down from the fruit. I know it might sound selfish. Though i would like to have a somewhat more permanent companion that can talk. my current minion is not the talkative kind."
>>6201711+1
>>6201700>"Yes. I'll check back in a couple of weeks."almost missed this yesterday
>>6201707>>6201709>>6201711>>6201868>>6202461(sorry for the short post for such a long 2-day wait, maybe I can make another one at night)"Yes. I'll check back in a couple of weeks.""Great.""About Arta though..." you continue. "Could she become an undead and escape the need for jushizawa in that way?""I think you overestimate the number of undead that possess their own consciousness. Most are either thralls of a necromancer or beastlike in their intelligence. Turning Arta into sapient undead would require someone to raise her as one - a necromancer or lich that possesses enough power to do so. Not to mention that, you know, we humans are not really enthusiastic to become living corpses, to say the least.""It's not so bad...""I still wouldn't try it."..."Lily is going to travel with you?" Arta is surprised."Yes, we talked about it while you were inside." you say. "She asked to give her a couple of weeks to prepare. Then I'll be back and we'll depart."The swamp girl goes quiet for a while."It's a pity to hear that she's leaving. I hoped she would at least stay until I run out of time." Arta says quietly. "Well, a new acquaintance is good, too. So, where do you want me to take you?">"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.>Somewhere else? (specify)
>>6202929>"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.>"I would like to ask you something though. Are you okay with dying. Even with the effects the fruit will have that even reincarnation is not a good option. Could you see yourself as an undead with your own mind? If so i would like to help. Even if i would have to go ask that lichess."
>>6202938+1
>>6202929>"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.
>>6202929>"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.+ask her feelings on becoming undead
>>6202929>"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.Guys, why are we asking her about becoming undead when we don't have the MEANS to do so while preserving her being?
>>6202929>>"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." Stick to the plan. That's where the Dragon Cemetery and Siren's Home are. The focal points of your evolution routes.Do NOT ask her about becoming undead when we can't actually do that. Encourage her to seek it out, maybe"If I don't see you again... I wish you luck in your next life. Between you and me, I'm sure you'll have it better next time."
>>6203162>>6203175I woule like to know if she could even consider the option. If she does not even want to entertain it then we dont even have to bother searching for a way. But as it stands right now she has about half a year for us to come up with a solution if she can consider it a possibility
Rolled 2 (1d10)(since the majority wanted to ask about her becoming an undead, I included it in the post after all + some changed write-in from the other anon)"The border of the Bog closest to the Mountains of Doom." you say. "There's something I wanted to ask you while we're going there. I know that reincarnation is a bad option with jushizawa, but could you see yourself as an undead with your own mind? I can help with that if you want. I can't raise someone with their consciousness intact yet, but I could look into this or convince a necromancer to help."Arta stays silent for a while."...I would rather not. I hope one of the gods takes me into their realm. I tried to help people as much as I could. Protect those dear to me. I hope that'll be enough.""I see... Well then, if I don't see you again, I wish you luck in getting there. Between you and me, I think you're more than worthy of a good afterlife.""Thank you."...Rolling for random encounter.1-2 Dead Eater attack3-4 Curse?5-6 Strange statue7-9 Monster attack10 - Unique crystal spawn point
[You are no longer affected by [Curse of the Bog II][You have been inflicted [Curse of the Bog I]]As you go through the Cursed Bog, you notice the rustling of black leaves around you. A few moments later, you see them. Half-naked people with wooden masks, sitting on the branches and observing you. You seem to have wandered into an ambush.A warcry echoes throughout the Bog as they throw their spears. For some, their hands light up with magic. Arta and Captain jump down from you in seconds...>Write-in tactics? Which spells / abilities to use first, whom to focus...
>>6203439Biggest concentration of Dead Eaters. Ghost Flame Fireball them immediatly.Tell Cap to keep our back clear while we chomp our way out using our long neck. "Run or become toasty toasty food"
>>6203440Chomp mages to bits first. The spears are much less of a danger i would wager
>>6203439>>6203440 +1
>>6203439Does Blinding Lance affect EVERYONE who sees it with blinding or just those it hits? If so, open with that, then Ghostflame fireball the biggest group. If we don't know, then do it anyway because there's no fucking way they'll expect it! They're experienced undead hunters, and are likely to expect a Skeletal Maw to open with Ghostflame Fireball.
>>6203553that is why i would prefer to open how they expect and pull out the light magic spell to surprise them a bit later. since it will also weaken us with the radiant magics.
>>6203553>Does Blinding Lance affect EVERYONE who sees it with blinding or just those it hits?Only those it hits. Let's say that question was answered by Baghira back when you got the skill.
>>6203440>+1
>>6203440>>6203441>>6203541>>6203553>>6203559>>6203616Very well. Good tactical assessment from L45ubTZ1.Your power is fairly high with the Darkshield armour and a strong ally on your side (Arta), + good tactics, so I think base success will be guaranteed, but the mages may surprise you still...3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 70
Rolled 11 (1d100)>>6204362
Rolled 69 (1d100)>>6204362
Rolled 19 (1d100)>>6204362Damn, that's a high DC.
>>6204364Fuck.
Rolled 70 (1d100)>>6204364>69Wardrobe malfunction incoming.
>>6204367one roll to late..... sad times.
>>6204363>>6204364>>6204365>69You immediately throw a Ghostflame Fireball at the warriors charging you from the trees. Their speed decreased by water, the poor Dead Eaters can only scream in pain as the green inferno engulfs them and vaporizes the water around them into scalding steam.[You have gained 20 EXP] x 6The spears keep raining on you as you look around to identify the mages. Some of the javelins get through your Darkshield armour, in spite of your defence, or maybe due to some skill of the throwers...[You have lost 2 HP] x 8They're toothpicks to you. But the sheer volume hurts...Just as you spot the mages, you are assaulted by a sudden spasm paralyzing your entire body.[You have been inflicted Stun for 1.5 seconds]It is followed by a ray of water shooting through you, piercing deep...[You have lost 25 HP][You are no longer affected by Stun]You roar as you come back in action.[You have been inflicted Stun for 1.5 seconds][You have lost 2 HP] x 4...It's the oldest trick in the book. A stunlock.However, just as you prepare to eat spells one after another, a sudden flash of energy bathes the surrounding area in purple.[You are no longer affected by Stun]The mages are dead, their corpses disfigured with patches of scorched, purple-black skin. You look down. Arta stands before you, her hands steaming from the chaotic power that burst out of them seconds ago.The swamp girl flicks her hand in another direction. Immediately, water in an area not far away vaporizes, and you hear cries of pain from the trees. The Dead Eaters throwing javelins fall into swamp water. Skeleton Captain finishes them off. You notice 2 more corpses of warriors that must be his handiwork.[You have gained 20 EXP] x 6[LEVEL UP!]"Are you fine?" Arta asks, her voice a bit hoarse."That's what I should be asking you.""I didn't take a single hit. They were too focused on the big scary monster to notice the real threat." she smiles and flexes her arm.You inspect the corpses. The only thing of note are the masks... the mages' and most of the warriors' ones were destroyed by magic, but the javelineers and the 2 Dead Eaters that Captain finished off have theirs intact.[You have gained [Dead Eater Javelineer Mask]] x 4[Dead Eater Javelineer Mask][+2% damage to thrown weapons][You have gained [Dead Eater Warrior Mask]] x 2[Dead Eater Warrior Mask][+3 STR]It's something, at least.[You have 24/25 items.][You are nearing inventory capacity!]Arta and Captain climb back up on your back, and you continue your journey towards the edge of the Bog......
...[You are no longer affected by [Curse of the Bog I]]"I guess that's where we part ways." Arta says.She looks at the skull lodged deep in your maw that's become your "face"."So it seems. Perhaps we'll meet again in a couple of weeks or so. If you're not busy in some other side of the Bog, that is.""Yeah. If we don't, I'll remember you. A talking monster - and a reincarnator! It's a rare interesting thing in the dull Bog." she pauses, smiling a bit sadly. "I hope you won't forget me either.""I will not. Farewell.""Good travels, Marebito."You walk a hundred metres or so. Looking back, you see the swamp girl waving you goodbye....You're back in the Deadlands now. In the distance, the grey sky is lit up by the dawn. To the northeast, you see the mountains rising above the horizon. It only takes a few hours of running on your part to reach them.However, there is still something along the way that catches your attention.>A shrine of darkness? It looks ripe with necrotic crystals.>A strange undead beast - wounded but not finished by the enemy.>A reminder of times past.
>>6204401>A reminder of times past.
>>6204401>A shrine of darkness? It looks ripe with necrotic crystals.Hopefully now after seeing how powerful a 1.5 second stun is people will take the ten second one, if we ever get another chance to acquire it
>>6204436That's a 1.5 second stun they had multiple people using to avoid any cooldown, the one we could've gotten was 10 seconds and had a total of TWO (2) uses a day.>>6204401>A reminder of times past.
>>6204401>A shrine of darkness? It looks ripe with necrotic crystals.>>6204436no one ever doubted the stun, the problem was the limited use when we had stronger options for the same price
>>6204401>>A reminder of times past.
>>6204401>A shrine of darkness? It looks ripe with necrotic crystals.Can we acquure something like a backpack eventually? To increase carrying capacity?
>>6204401>>A shrine of darkness? It looks ripe with necrotic crystals.I seek the cute Lich, she must be here.
Rolled 2 (1d2)Rolling to break the tie and writing.1 - reminder of times past2 - shrine of darkness
The shrine is hidden, but you feel it with your being. From afar, it looks like ruins of a town, and upon closer inspection you find they extend further south, transforming into a once great, now abandoned and decrepit city.[You have entered the Ruined City of Luce]You make a mental note as to its location for later. For now, you enter a building that once was a temple on the outskirts and collect the crystals.[You have obtained BIT NECROTIC CRYSTAL] x 10[+1% necrotic damage] x 10[[Undead] trait bonus: +2 HP] x 10[You have gained 10 EXP] x 10[LEVEL UP!][You have obtained LARGE NECROTIC CRYSTAL] x 2[+12% necrotic damage] x 2[[Undead] trait bonus: +20 HP] x 2[You have gained 60 EXP] x 2[LEVEL UP!][Progress towards next trait: 2/2 LARGE NECROTIC CRYSTALS][Assessing build...][...][...][Assessment complete.][NEW TRAIT: [Darkshield] SOURCE: EQUIPMENT][Darkshield][Passively accumulate a shield of up to 30 HP over 30 minutes. Shield takes 100% more damage from Light and Holy spells.]...That's quite a lot of boons for free.How very strange given the state of your inner being. You feel a reckoning may arrive soon.You look at the marble statue that stands tall over the shrine - so tall it almost reaches your height. Violet tears stream down from the amethyst eyes of a man clad in armour and... bandages? You could've sworn there was no liquid there before. One of his arms is missing, broken off from the statue by battles past, with a rough stub left. The other is dragging a heavy sword upon the ground.The man's face is calm, looking down upon the (probably human) followers that were supposed to give prayer and sacrifice. He will most likely meet none of them now. You feel compelled to touch the pedestal with your claw.[You are at the shrine of Cain, the Plagued Knight.][Pray or offer sacrifice?][Y/N]It may be a good idea to give something in return. Or not? It's just a shrine to some old, probably forgotten champion. You don't have any obligation to give him respect. Not after you've seen how cunning the gods and men of this world can be in their dealings.>Leave. The Dragon Cemetery is likely nearby now.>Pray.>Offer sacrifice. But what? [pick something you own to leave here. A skill, an item, a trait, or some of the bit fire crystals you still have. Or perhaps you can sacrifice something stranger?..]
>>6205323>Offer sacrifice. But what?>One Fire Bit Crystal and a Swamp tribe Warriors Mask.>"From a Warrior taken to a Warrior given. May this place stand tall for a long time."
>>6205323>Pray>Offer Sacrifice [Dead Eater Javelineer Mask] x4[Dead Eater Warrior Mask] x 2
>>6205327+1
Realized anons probably don't remember all the items you have, so I uploaded a txt file with details about your status and what various skills do to catbox, here's the link: https://files.catbox.moe/k0gl1y.txt
>>6205327>+1
No update today. I'll probably either do a different pov or memory post soon.Until tomorrow, I wanted to ask you anons for your opinion on the quest so far. What's been lacking? What's been done well? What did you like, what did you not?For more specific questions: do you find encounters boring, do you want to skip to battle, action, accomplishment, finishing the tasks and goals, or are various characters, trades, sidequests and lore they give you interesting? Do they seem like random filler or are you content with interacting with them? How's the pace?One problem I see on my end are tacked-on, haphazard mechanics introduced regularly that aren't given any development, but since we're in for a moderate-length quest, I hope to sync them all together and develop them into a part fitting in with the greater system.I ended up incapable of keeping up for long the humorous tone the quest started with. I try to insert jokes where possible but still things have taken a turn towards more serious, ""standard"" writing (to my disappointment in myself). I guess it takes a lot of practice and, more importantly, pop + game culture knowledge to do it like the original QM. A less serious, shitposty outlook too lol.One other problem is I'm too lenient on you, my players, promising HARD ROLLS SUFFERING CHALLENGE then doing nothing. I hope to change it in the Dragon Cemetery part.Same about rolls in combat, which must often seem detached from the action.Aside from that, I congratulate you all on the first day of spring, the sun is rising earlier and setting later now and I'm happy I have more light time. Warmth should return soon as well along with the rains.
>>6205903No you're about as hard on us as you can be without saying 'fuk yu die now' and killing us without choice, it's just that our rolls are immaculate.
>>6205903Also I don't find the encounters boring, the lore and interactions are interesting. Just don't give a truly meaningless encounter, and maybe try cutting down on the votes for them? Like, these... >>6196310 >>6204401 ... right here, weren't really necessary votes and it delayed the quest. Personally I'd rather you roll either on or behind the scenes for this stuff, or if you MUST have a vote, do a flash vote.Also I really liked the evolutions and developing our spells/claiming them from enemies and quest rewards, and getting equipment/chance-based spells/skills (Like Darkshield that we just got) just isn't the same (possibly barring the one we got from Arthur).
>>6205903i dont think the challenge needs upticking right now. Some of these encounters are already pretty tough. constantly throwing deadly encounters at a party of one just risks pissing people off. lore and people tend to be interesting enough.though i hope that the mechanics you call tacked on and haphazard become a bit more refined over time and you will be open for feedback on those if they feel good or not.
>>6206075>>6206081>Just don't give a truly meaningless encounter, and maybe try cutting down on the votes for them?This is an unexpected pov, I thought anons would want to vote on "vague description that interests them most". I'll simply roll for all encounters myself, then.>>6206310>difficulty is fine, rolls were goodOk, got it.Thanks for the feedback, anons.>>6204609Forgot to respond to this. As you get bigger in size, you will be able to carry more equipment. There are items increasing equipment capacity, but you will have to search for those fit for monsters.Now, for the update itself...
>[Dead Eater Javelineer Mask] x4>[Dead Eater Warrior Mask] x 2You take the masks you got from the Dead Eaters and place them upon the altar."From warriors taken, to a warrior given. May this place stand tall for a long time."For a few seconds, there is no response. Then, an ethereal voice appears."It has been a while since anyone made sacrifice here. Thank you, monster. I may have something to give in return..."Your vision goes dark...=========================You open your eyes to one of the greatest fevers you've ever experienced. Taking the thermometer from under your armpit, you inspect it to find 39°C."Shit..."It takes a great deal of effort to lift yourself out of bed and go to the PC table, usually clean, now filled by all kinds of medicine. You take an antipyretic pill, gulping it down with some cold tea, wincing from the sore throat.You hear the jingle of keys and a door opening."I'm home!" a woman's voice calls.You trudge to the entrance to meet your girlfriend."Welcome home.""Why are you not in bed?" she gives you a cursory look while pulling off the jacket and winter boots."Couldn't wait any longer to see you.""Ha. Ha. Ha.""Ok, but seriously, I got to use the bathroom."..."You should apply for a health insurance. What if you fall ill with something worse than a cold?" she tells you, bringing a bowl of hot soup to your bed."It'll eat away a fourth of my salary.""I can give more if you're worrying about rent.""Yeah, sure, dragging you down even more is such a good idea.""You're not dragging me down.""I have no skills, no education. No career opportunities, no nothing. I depend-""STOP IT. I'm fine helping you. We're in this together, you and I. You always get grumpy when you're ill.""...Sorry." you say, taking the spoon and starting eating.She sighs. "Ah, whatever. They won't cover everything even if you're insured anyways.""We're not allowed to fall ill." you say, chuckling in spite of the sore throat.She laughs. Such a pleasant sound.A few more minutes pass. You give the empty bowl to her."Thanks for the food.""Alright, now get some rest. You've got to get well soon.""Okay."You collapse on the pillow, watching your girlfriend wash the dishes in the other corner of the cramped apartment."I love you." you whisper. The medicine starts working, and your head doesn't hurt as much anymore. The fever dies down. You close your eyes and fall into a deep sleep.=========================
You return to your senses, once more experiencing a feeling of loss. The statue isn't leaking liquid from its eyes anymore.The masks you offered are gone.You slowly exit the ruin and continue on your way....[You have entered Dragon Cemetery]Well, here you are. You'd expect there to be some kind of free-for-all going on here permanently, but the location is surprisingly empty. The only worrying thing is that a dragon skull nearby is about half of your height. You wonder what kind of beast it must have belonged to...[Dragon Cemetery bonus objective UNLOCKED][Kill the Twin Wyrms Ras'trador and Nos'kador.][REWARD][[Wyrmscale] item, 600 EXP]Alright, now to find them...A screech resounds from above. Kicking up a ton of dust, two shades land in front of you. Emerging from the cloud, they appear to be fairly thin, flexible undead lizards. They're bigger than you, though. And there's two of them.Well, at least you didn't have to search.Captain jumps down from your back, ready to assist you.>Open by spamming all the Ghostflame Fireballs you have.>Cast Freeze on one of them to slow it. Then use superior mobility to line them up for the Blinding Light Lance. It's bound to deal huge damage to undead AND it'll blind them.>Write-in
>>6206424>Cast Freeze on one of them to slow it. Then use superior mobility to line them up for the Blinding Light Lance. It's bound to deal huge damage to undead AND it'll blind them.
>>6206424>>Cast Freeze on one of them to slow it. Then use superior mobility to line them up for the Blinding Light Lance. It's bound to deal huge damage to undead AND it'll blind them.
>>6206423MC had it good>>6206424>Cast Freeze on one of them to slow it. Then use superior mobility to line them up for the Blinding Light Lance. It's bound to deal huge damage to undead AND it'll blind them.
>>6206737>MC had it goodHe probably murdered and ate his girlfriend in a psychotic rage.
>Freeze -> Blinding Light LanceOk, 3 anons roll 1d100DC: 80 / 90Not promising an update today but it's better to get the rolls ready.
Rolled 84 (1d100)>>6207099oh.... there was an update. completely missed that.
Rolled 90 (1d100)>>6207099Not gonna do better than >>6207101
>>6207105Well, never mind I lied
Rolled 5 (1d100)>>6207099Rollan>>6206826Not again!
>>6207105Now. No one roll.....Lets not take any more chances
>>6207109Okay. Not a nat 1. But WAAAAY too close for comfort
>>6207110>>6207111It's a bo3 so relax
>>6207238I would. If there had not been a proven scenario plus statements from QM that a nat 1 will override successes and turn them into crit failures.Its what killed our guy in the first place
Most likely no update today either, got some stuff to do and probably gonna be tired, but we'll see, maybe I'll make one at night.>>6207348LFzZoanU is right, crit failures rolled outside of the 3 first rolls on bo3 do not override the result.
>>6207565I think >>6207111 wanted to leave it at just two rolls since we already passed the highest DC, we shouldn’t even risk the third roll being a one. Extremely homosexual mindset if true
FINALLY 4CHAN IS UP AGAIN.>>6207859Can't help but agree.As for the update...>90 - great successFreeze takes hold immediately. One of the wyrms' body gets cold, covered by frost. Its movements are slowed, sluggish.The frozen wyrm starts charging something. You jump away just in time to evade a lightning strike. With the other wyrm dashing towards you, they line themselves up ideally for a sniper shot."Blinding Light Lance." you whisper, and with a flash, a ray of energy erupts from your maw, piercing both undead reptiles.The nearby wyrm's claws suddenly start glowing with a fiery, red power, as if they're red-hot iron.Too bad it's blind. None of its wild slashes reach you.The far lightning wyrm, even blinded, conjures a spell of its own. Balls of ghostly, necrotic energy spawn from its mouth and start drifting towards you.Sidestepping to evade them, you see them change directions, homing in on you.Shit. It's basically a guided missile.>Write-in further strategy>Tank the ghost balls and just spam Ghostflame Fireballs to nuke the wyrms while they're blind.
>>6208138use the fact that their fireballs are homing but still need space to maneuverand that the dragons are blinded for now to lure the balls into them and add your own fireballs from the other side. so that they get nicely roasted from both sides.
>>6208142Clever. I'll back this. We may have a phobia of bees now, but these multi-ton wryms ain't shit.
>>6208142+1
>>6208138>>6208142 +1
>>6208142bugs bunny strat, I like it
>>6208138Yeah kite the homing missiles so they hit it
>lure the ghost balls into wyrmsThis is quite ingenious, anons. Didn't expect such a tactic. It will still require some maneuvering though.So 3 anons please roll 1d100 for this.DC: 60
Rolled 62 (1d100)>>6208582
Rolled 93 (1d100)>>6208582Wait... you didnt expect that?That was my first thought after the description of the balls
>>6208612I am mildly mentally deficient at times. Often these times are when I'm writing updates, drawing up plans for the quest or building its internal logic.
>>6208648i was just genuely surprised. i thought you set that up specififcally so we could pick up on that.
Rolled 52 (1d100)>>6208582>>6208648Somebody never watched goku kill frieza
Rolled 96 (1d100)>>6208582
>93"Captain, behind me." you issue a thought command, and you trusty skeleton starts following you immediately.Together, targeted by spheres of necrotic energy, you run the fastest sprint this side of the Deadlands, circling around the blindly striking, bone-rattling wyrms.The balls impact them with a discharge of energy, wounding the undead lizards.You throw 2 Ghostflame Fireballs at each of them - they're sitting ducks for the spells.However, even that is not enough. The wyrms squirm in flames, trying to identify where the sounds of your steps are coming from. You take a few bites at them when an opportune moment appears. Captain does his token damage as well.But you still don't manage to finish them off by the time they regain their sight.You feel like one final push is needed... what matters is how much damage you're going to take before you manage to completely defeat them.Roll 1d100 Bo3.No DC, higher is better.
Rolled 19 (1d100)>>6208718Natty incoming
Rolled 94 (1d100)>>6208718
Rolled 36 (1d100)>>6208718rolling
>93>96>94Today’s going great for our bonehead, it seems.
>>6208725I guess you could say these wyrms are boned.
>>6208812They sure are.>94The wyrms rise a few dozen meters off the ground with a mighty flap of their wings, still burning like morning stars. Once they position themselves above you, they dive from opposite sides in a pincer attack.It's time for the ghostball tactic again.Throwing your last charge of Ghostflame Fireball at one to knock it off its course, you dodge out of the way, and the twin wyrms collide into a heap of dead meat, rotten scale and cracked bone.They move no more.[You have gained 300 EXP] x 2[LEVEL UP!] x 3[You have completed the bonus objective of [Dragon Cemetery] quest][REWARD][You have gained 600 EXP][MAX level reached][770 EXP stored][You have obtained [Wyrmscale]][Wyrmscale][Wyrms are the weakest of draconic beasts, being smaller than drakes and lacking consciousness usually present in dragons. Their strength should not, however, be underestimated. They are dangerous melee brawlers, agile and evasive, and while they lack true dragonbreath, they are often skilled in magic to compensate for that. Wyrms' scales are tough and durable.][15% physical damage reflected to the attacker (no absorption)] essentially this means that you take full damage, but the attacker takes 15% of it as well. Thought I should clarify this.[[Dragon Cemetery] quest completed]As you recover from the flurry of messages appearing in your mind, you notice Captain observing the corpses. He soon returns to your side.The next stop should be Sirens' Home in the Mountains of Doom - if you want to get the Charybdiss evolution, that is. The Deadwing Roc still needs 8 more flying enemies killed... though you do wonder if there really will be a super-evolution at the end of the journey.Where will you go now?>Stick to the plan - travel to the Mountains of Doom. You see them on the horizon - you'll deal with locating Sirens' Home when you're there. Maybe you'll just stumble upon it... maybe you'll find someone who knows where it is.>Write-in?
>>6209095>>Stick to the planwhile we travel. can we upgrade maybe the Blinding Lance? or would a frost upgrade be in the cards for us?
>>6209099Support, I'd like to spend some of our XP on upgrading the lance to annihilate enemy undead.
>>6209095>Stick to the plan
>>6209095btw. is the wyrmscale a skill or an Item?
>>6209099>+1
>>6209095also... maybe dont call it damage reflect but "Thorns"thorns deal damage percentile based on the incoming damageinstead of calling it a repel. But that might just be me due to playing too much SMT
>>6209465Yeah, thorns would be better, I've seen them used that way, but that's not a verb describing what happens to the damage, it's more like a skill name, [Thorns]. I wonder how to put it more precisely... Enemy takes 15% inflicted physical damage? idk>>6209134It's an item.>>6209099>>6209114The lance is a powerful skill in its own right, further upgrades would require 1200 EXP.For [Freeze], you can invest 300 EXP for the following options:[Frozen Ground] - slow all enemies in a 10x10m zone by 40% (additive to other (de)buffs). If an enemy stays in the area for longer than 7 seconds, they take 20 Cold damage and also remain slowed for an extra 20 seconds after leaving it. Area lasts for 1 minute. 5 minutes cooldown. Costs 8 MP.[Ice Arrow] - fire a projectile (icicle) dealing 20 Cold damage and slowing any enemy hit by 30% for 1 minute. 3 charges, 5 minute charge buildup. Hitting a single enemy with multiple charges extends the duration by 20 seconds. 2 MP cost for firing 1 charge.[Ice Prison] - encase a single enemy in ice for 10 seconds, dealing 20 Cold damage and preventing them from moving, attacking or using skills. Damage dealt to them is reduced by 80% for the duration. Their cooldowns do not count down for the duration of the spell. 3 minutes cooldown. 7 MP cost.First, however, please vote: level up [Freeze]?>Y>NI'll leave this for the night in place of an update, will post a vote for which option to take in the morning if you choose to level it up. Also update tomorrow either way.
>>6209671>Y
>>6209671>I wonder how to put it more precisely... Enemy takes 15% inflicted physical damage? idkRetaliatory. In response to something, something happens. In this case, taking damage deals damage back. ez
>>6209671about the skill, you could say it mirrors the damage instead of reflecting>YI'd pick prison, if not for the target also receiving reduced dmg
>>6209671>>Y>Frozen GroundIt becomes AOE AND has a lingering hitbox? Nice. I'd also be fine with Ice Prison because if its repeated-use potential to temporarily make a fight a 1v1/let us line up a NASTY power hit
>>6209671>YFrozen Ground. AOE and lingering effects are very useful.
>>6209671YFrozen Ground
>>6209671 Enemy takes damage equal to 15% of damage received?>Y [Frozen Ground]
>>6209693Ohh, that's a pretty cool word. Completely slipped by mind.>>6209746>>6210099Good ones as well.Since anons have already voted for [Frozen Ground] along with the upgrade vote, even gaining a majority, I'll just confirm the upgrade without a second vote. Update will be a bit later.
>Upgrade [Freeze] to [Frozen Ground]>Stick to the plan...After finishing with the EXP investment, you continue your journey towards the mountains. It takes a full day of travelling to reach them - they were deceptively far away. The run was without issue, but as you near the snow-capped ridges, you encounter something interesting...At the foot of the mountains, where the Deadlands give way to highland forests and alpine meadows, you see fields of tilled earth. A few hundred metres away, there are small stone houses, the chimneys letting out smoke trailing high above. There are a few groups of them interspersed between fields, and a few kilometres away, your height allows you to make out a larger village.As you approach the village, trying not to disturb the fields, you hear someone blowing a horn. The village men hastily assemble, bearing greataxes and longswords, shields and longbows.Ah shit, here we go again."Hello! Please don't attack! I come in peace!" you shout, your voice spreading far.The men converse for half a minute, then lower their weapons and wave at you.You approach. Many of them wear skirts. Their hair is long, for some tied in thick ponytails. It's kind of hard to tell from your point of view, but they seem tall and powerfully built."Who are you, monster? What do you want from us?" a middle-aged, cleanly shaven man steps forward and addresses you.Well... do you really want anything from them?>"Got anything you need help with?">"You're odd. Men usually don't wear skirts. What kind of fashion is that?">"Nothing, just passing through. Do you happen to know where 'Sirens' Home' is?">Write-in
>>6210248>>"Nothing, just passing through. Do you happen to know where 'Sirens' Home' is?">Got any monsters in the area causing trouble? Not counting me. I might be able to take one out on my way; and before you ask why, it's because I have a vested interest in getting the parts of monsters.>(Once we're done talking) Have a nice day, gentlemen. You might be seeing me again if I pass through here on the way back.Take on a minor monster if there's any in the area and it'll make us stronger AND do our good deed for the day.
>>6210257+1
>>6210248>Nothing, just passing through. Do you happen to know where 'Sirens' Home' is?"
>>6210257Support
>>6210248>"Nothing, just passing through. Do you happen to know where 'Sirens' Home' is?"
>>6210248Supporting >>6210257.
No update today.
>>6210844waiting warmly
Sorry for the radio silence, anons, was doing some dumb schizo shit. Quest is not dead, update most likely later today.
"Nothing, just passing through. Do you happen to know where Sirens' Home is?""Sirens' Home? I wouldn't recommend going there... but if you must, it is beyond the next two mountain ridges. Go through the pass to the north, cross the valley and after going through another pass, you'll be there.""Alright. By the way, got any monsters in the area causing trouble? Not counting me. I might be able to take one out on my way; and before you ask why, it's because I have a vested interest in getting the parts of monsters.""That's... very generous of you. In fact, we may have some if you wish to help us." the elder looks to the others and they nod. "There's a healing grove to the east where we go to get medicinal herbs and Life crystals to heal our warriors after battle. However, the shortest way there lies through plains that have recently been plagued by a roc with its fledglings. We mounted an expedition to kill it, but it was our men that died, along with one of our mages. After being resurrected over here, they told us the roc is highly resistant to elemental damage - and that's a great portion of our two mages' arsenal. Besides, it's flying, so it's free to disengage and strike again at will. A very bothersome beast. We would be grateful if you took it down along with its fledglings. If any of our crystal stockpiles or weapons are of interest to you - we'd be happy to share them in return. We've mostly got Life crystals though, and the enchantments on our equipment are not that strong."[QUEST ISSUED][Flying Pests][Defeat the Roc to the east of Truad, the village of mountain men.][REWARD][100 EXP, Truad's Gratitude][ACCEPT QUEST?][Y/N]You consider the request... this could be an opportunity to finish the Deadwing Roc evolution quest - if there are 7 fledglings besides the roc out there. But resistance to elemental damage would limit the amount of damage you can do with Ghostflame Fireball - one of your most powerful spells...>Y>N
>>6212030"I will check it out. I will probably have to stay in the area anyway to get some things done. And a flying monster would be a good challenge to get ready.">Y
>>6212030>>YWe have Blinding Light Lance which does even more damage than Ghostflame Fireball and split as maybe-elemental Light/definitely-not-elemental Holy damage and Life Drain which is necrotic
>>6212030Y
>>6211932No worries. If we weren't schizos ourself, we wouldn't be on /qst/.>>6212030That seems fair enough.>YBetween our Heavenly Lance and skeletal physiology, we shouldn't run into too much trouble.
>>6212030>Y
>>6212030oh right. "Does the Roc know any kind of Magic? and where is its nest. might be able toforce it to come to me."
>>6212221can we upgrade another skill before we go there ?
>>6212223We just spent the XP from the last fight, we don't have any to go around.
>>6212233fuck
>YYou press Y. The higher they are, the harder they fall..."When you were fighting it, did you see the roc use any kind of magic?""It cast a wind spell that made it difficult to launch arrows or thrown weapons at it - the wind was so strong it simply blew them away. Besides that, it used some skills - not magical - that let it pierce our enchanted armour to a great degree. It threw its feathers like knives, and they dealt damage even though we were wearing armour. And its claws were sharp and equally dangerous. Its screech was also scary... so much that it crippled our skill in battle.""I see." you pause. "Do any of you want to come with me to kill it?"They glance at each other. Several warriors step forward - 10 in number."My name is Lovcast. I am the mage that wasn't in the expedition." one with a smaller weapon says. "I'll help you - though elder Kell here has already said that our magic is of little use. Perhaps the more protective spells I know will aid us.""Good. Let's depart when you're ready."It takes about an hour for the men to get ready. Soon, you're off to deal with the LotR great eagle cosplayer.The way to the plains is calm and passes quickly. The plain itself is not as dead as one might expect of the Deadlands - you are in the boundary zone now, and there's some grass, albeit not very juicy and green.You pay attention to the sky more than the ground anyway. And soon enough, you spot a flock in the air - one bigger bird and several smaller. They're approaching... It seems your target is here.The men following you stand together and prepare their weapons.With some ranged spells on your side and the advantage of flying on its, the initiative is in balance between you.>Write-in strategy?
>>6212902we can freeze it to begin to limit its mobility. maybe the warriors can try to hinder its mobility as well. if its can no longer fly we can bring it to the ground where we will have the advantage. Its brood can eat some Ghostflame fireballs.however. just after having frozen it we should blind it with our holy lance skill and maybe ask one of the warriors if they would be willing to be thrown upon the blinded Roc to skewer its wings with a spear to make it crash. We cant guarantee they will survive so its fine if they dont want to.
>>6212904>+1
>>6212902>Stun it so it drops out of the sky like a stone, then rip and tear while the humans handle the smaller birds
>>6212904I agree with and support all of this but throwing the person on the Roc, that's bound to end badly. Just use Inspire.
>>6212904>>6212931>>6212998>>6213013No update today, but best get the rolls in so they're ready when I write. I'll count the votes as>Initiate with [Blinding Light Lance] to blind and confuse it>Once it's down, [Frozen Ground] to slow itsince [Frozen Ground] only applies to enemies on the ground - it's in the name.1d100, 3 anons.DC: 85
Rolled 42 (1d100)>>6213570I love rolling dice.
Rolled 6 (1d100)>>6213570sounds good QM
Rolled 19 (1d100)>>6213570erk
Rolled 36 (1d100)>>6213570Late
Rolled 67 (1d100)>>6213570just for the spirit>>6213573>>6213575>>6213581fuck
>42The roc is descending, approaching, while you wait for the best moment to fire [Blinding Light Lance]. At last, it is close enough for a good attack. One shot, one...Miss. The roc sends itself up with a mighty flap of its wings just as you fire the spell.[You have been inflicted with [Light Poisoning I] for 1 minute]Of course you had to miss the flying enemy, leaving it the opportunity to engage with you at will. At least the the Lance seems to be on cooldown for only 2 minutes.In the mean time, though...The roc flaps its wings, staying high up in the air, and you and your allies are peppered with... iron feathers?[You have lost 3 HP] x 3[You have lost 3 HP] x 3[You have lost 3 HP] x 3They cut right through your armour - those not delivering glancing hits and being deflected. You notice the roc flying a bit erratically as its feathers hit you - it must be the Wyrmscale deflecting some of the physical damage towards it.The mountain men are bloodied, but alive. The archers among them start firing upon the roc and its fledglings, and those with javelins throw them with surprising strength. They land some hits, but can't continue their assault for long - the roc starts diving towards your group.[You have been blessed with [Barkskin]][Barkskin][Your outer skin turns into bark, granting 20% physical damage negation for the next 5 minutes.][You have been blessed with [Thorns]][30% of taken physical damage dealt in retaliation to the attacking enemy for 5 minutes.]The allied mage casts some protective spells, as promised. And they're pretty good too.The roc assaults you with another attack.[You have lost 20 HP]It stays in the air, flying up before you can respond with an attack of your own. With its fledglings approaching your allies as well, you throw a [Ghostflame Fireball] at them... the projectile going wide again. Your aim is not that good today, huh?Another fireball does the job. Half of the fledgling flock is ignited and falls down like a meteor shower. The other half makes it to the mountain men. A chaotic battle erupts near you, Skeleton Captain helping out your living allies.[You have lost 20 HP]Just as you look back up, the roc lands another hit. You try to catch its claw with your maw, but it flies away again before you can do it. As it rises above once again, it screeches...
That's a fearsome sound. You feel yourself tremble and your vision grow hazed.[You have been inflicted with [Demoralizing Screech] for 2 minutes][-30% damage]You'll have none of that. You let out a roar - a gurgling, rotten, rattling sound that invigorates you and your allies again, in spite of its disgusting nature.[You have been blessed with [Inspire] for 10 minutes][+20% damage to all allies]With the roc in the air, preparing once again to throw a hail of feathers at you, you consider your next plan...>Spam the remaining Ghostflame Fireballs at the roc. Even if it has elemental resistance, they do 10 necrotic damage and 40 fire - fired en masse, they should deal some good damage.>Life Drain it. 30 necrotic damage, and a heal for yourself? Good enough. Then wait for it to dive again to fire Ghostflame Fireballs that it'll have difficulty evading.>Write-in strategy?
>>6214020life drain it. and go for a grapple next time it is coming down. if it wants to get to us then we will make sure it wont be getting away again. and our considerable weight should slow it down.
>>6214020>Life Drain it. 30 necrotic damage, and a heal for yourself? Good enough. Then wait for it to dive again to fire Ghostflame Fireballs that it'll have difficulty evading.Your fucking life ends 2 minutes from now.
>>6214020>Life Drain it. 30 necrotic damage, and a heal for yourself? Good enough. Then wait for it to dive again to fire Ghostflame Fireballs that it'll have difficulty evading.
>>6214020>>Life Drain it. 30 necrotic damage, and a heal for yourself? Good enough. Then wait for it to dive again to fire Ghostflame Fireballs that it'll have difficulty evading.Actively bodyblock its attacks. Use Wyrmscale to get chip damage in and Life Drain to regain HP. If it gets in range we grapple it with our maw and then hold it down -> Frozen Ground, -> Fireballs
>>6214020>Life Drain it. 30 necrotic damage, and a heal for yourself? Good enough. Then wait for it to dive again to fire Ghostflame Fireballs that it'll have difficulty evading.man what a pain in the ass
>Life Drain>Grapple with maw -> Frozen Ground>Ghostflame Fireball while it divesOk, 3 anons please roll 1d100. Update maybe today, maybe tomorrow.DC: 65 / 80
Rolled 60 (1d100)>>6214521No need for anyone else to roll. This NAT 1 will dash our hopes all on its own.
Rolled 13 (1d100)>>6214521Suffering builds character.
Rolled 10 (1d100)>>6214521
Rolled 3 (1d100)>>6214521COME ON
>13>10>3lol, lmao even.
>>6214532The dice really wanted to make sure everyone knew what 13 was. A ten and a three. Thank you, math educator dice.
>>6214527>>6214528>>6214529This is legendarily badOn par with a double nat 1
>>6214525at least we got one roll over 50 this time around
>>6214525>>6214527>>6214528>>6214529Incredible results, anons. Your luck is finally in character. Anyway, the update...You've still got some tricks up your sleeve. A very convenient one in particular would be dealing some necrotic damage it can't resist... and healing yourself in the process. [Life Drain] it is.For a couple seconds, you charge the necrotic energies of the spell, then let it loose...But instead of an attack directed at the roc, all you experience is a flash and a strong sense of pain.[You have lost 25 HP][[Life Drain] MISCAST][This is the result of your item: Mad Wizard's Remains]Well, fuck. You just can't have nice things.The roc notices your confusion and starts its dive towards you. It's FAST. Faster than before, even. That's alright - makes a nice target for your [Ghostflame Fireball]...If it didn't miss AGAIN. The roc adjusts its trajectory with a subtle movement of wings, rapidly evading the projectile. And then returns just in time for its attack against you.[You have lost 15 HP][You have been slowed by 30% for 1 minute]Your movements become sluggish. You attempt to chomp at the roc, to grapple it with your maw... but the only thing you meet are its claws.[You have lost 15 HP][You have lost 15 HP]Its cold, hard claws crack your ragnatar plates, and half your maw falls down on the ground, useless. You'll need to regenerate this later. Thank whatever gods watch over you that you had 250 HP at the start of the battle with the [Darkshield] and necrotic crystals. You would've been dead otherwise.You notice the roc gets additional wounds every time it attacks you. [Thorns] are still in action.As for the caster of these...You notice the fledglings have won over the mountain men. All your allies are dead, bar your Skeleton Captain, who has now retreated with his back against you. At least there's only 3 of the smaller birds left alive, not the entire flock.The roc makes another attack...[You have lost 20 HP]... then rises into the sky with its offspring. You should be able to cast [Blinding Light Lance] now. With exactly 12 MP left and its back to you, it won't know what to dodge...Please roll 1d100 Bo3.DC: 55
Rolled 31 (1d100)>>6214914why did you reply to the 3?did you count it even though it was outside the Bo3?
Rolled 22 (1d100)>>6214914>>6214916he hates us
Rolled 23 (1d100)>>6214914
>>6214916>>6214924>>6214927
>>6214916No, I didn't count it, the anons just responded to it a lot and it added to the lolz that you couldn't even succeed in 4 rolls.
>>6214914>[You have lost 25 HP]>[[Life Drain] MISCAST]>[This is the result of your item: Mad Wizard's Remains]bruh I forgot about that fucking item>>6214916>>6214924>>6214927wtf is happening in this battle ? yup, time to meet the gods again
>>6214916>>6214924>>6214927god damn it. >>6214930okay. i was just wondering.>>6214931yeah.... and that village is probably getting destroyed now as well. one cant win if the dice say fuck you. i noticed yesterday playing a skirmisher. things were good for the first two rounds. my shooting guys hit nothing for two rounds. and the few attacks i did make failed to finish anyone off.
>>6214916>>6214924>>6214927Oh my God. We’re fucked.
>31The Blinding Light Lance... misses.The roc reaches a high point in its flight, then dives at you again. At its sides are the fledglings. And you're still too slow to react.[You have lost 15 HP][You have lost 3 HP] x 3[You are no longer slowed]But what use is this? With your mana depleted and your maw half-broken, you cannot hope to defeat the enemy, even with all your gathered equipment.[You have lost 15 HP] x 3[You have lost 3 HP] x 9They keep striking you with their claws and beaks. You manage to chomp 2 fledglings into mush, and Captain finishes off another one. But the main enemy remains.[You have lost 20 HP]And with a decisive, armour-piercing strike, the roc, heavily bloodied and worn out as it is from [Thorns], [Wyrmscale] and your rare attacks, claims victory over you.[YOU DIED]........."Didn't think I'd see you like this so soon, champ."Yeah, yeah. Get on with it. Time for revival. At least you've got the penalties reduced by the gods."Not so fast. I was told to relay to you that it was a one-time deal. So you'll be receiving full penalties this time around."What?! Those... well, fuck them. You may as well not complete Lumena's quest if she abandoned you like that."I wouldn't recommend you to do that. The anger of metaversial gods is subtle, but the wrath of this world's gods is more tangible. Though I think they'd understand your disappointment, in part... Ah, well, you should attempt to get in their shoes as well. Gaming the System is not an easy task - even if only once. You only really understand that once you've closely interacted with it. Anyway, the penalties... Please pick ONE of these.1. -50% physical damage2. -50% magical damage3. +50% damage taken4. -50% healing and regenerationPick two of these items to save:[Astorian High Paladin's Remains], [Pyromancer's Remains], [Lance of Power] x 2, [Subduer of Demons] x 3, [Alpha Deadwolf's Fang], [Channelling Staff], [Mad Wizard's Remains], [Drake Head] x 7, [Darkshield Armour - Epic], [Wyrmscale]And pick up to 10 'points' to save where 1 bit crystal = 1 point, 1 large crystal = 12 points... I guess you won't be taking any of the latter, but just to complete the outlining:8 bit fire crystals10 bit necrotic crystals2 large necrotic crystalsAnd with that, you should be good to go..."(1/2)
CRYSTAL EFFECTS REMINDER:1 bit crystal = +1% relevant damage or spell effectiveness1 large crystal = +12% relevant damage or spell effectivenessITEMS EFFECTS REMINDER:Marvengade's Champion +5% physical damageAstorian High Paladin's Remains +5% Charge effectiveness +2% Holy magic powerPyromancer's Remains +5% Fire damage, 3% fire damage negatedLance of Power x2 +1% Charge effectiveness each, TOTAL: +2%Subduer of Demons x3 +2% damage against demons each TOTAL: +6%Alpha Deadwolf's Fang physical attacks deal an additional 2% damage as Necrotic damageChannelling Staff 5% less spell cooldown, 5% less cost in MPMad Wizard's Remains +50% magical damage, 5% miscast chanceDarkshield Armour +40 DEF, 15% damage from necrotic monsters absorbed- BOUND SKILL: [Darkshield] Passively accumulate a shield of up to 30 HP over 30 minutes. Shield takes 100% more damage from Light and Holy spells.Drake Head x7 +1 DEF +1% physical damage TOTAL: +7 DEF, +7% physical damageWyrmscale 15% physical damage retaliation against attackerREMINDER OF REVIVAL MECHANICS:You lose 90% of equipment, 50% of all levels and experience accumulated towards next evolution, 75% crystals, and receive 1 penalty from the list. You can reclaim crystals and equipment, provided you reach your corpse before anyone else claims them.(2/2)
>>6215540Okay since when are the remains equipment?Last time we didnt lose anything and the only thing we got from our deal with the goddess was no additional revival penatly. Or do i remember wrongly?
>>6215540Also 5%misscast chance. Last time i checked a 10 is not below the 5 that would be required to misscast. Or is there a base misscast chance that didnt come up before?
>>6215537Son of a bitch. -50% magical damage[Darkshield Armour - Epic][Wyrmscale]2 large necrotic crystals8 bit fire crystals
>>6215537>"Not so fast. I was told to relay to you that it was a one-time deal. So you'll be receiving full penalties this time around."welp, considering those penalties if we die a 3rd time we'll be effectivelly a potato. I assume most of our skills do magic damage so I'm picking the only option that won't fuck us as much in a fight. >4>8 bit fire crystals>2 bit necrotic crystals>[Darkshield Armour - Epic], [Wyrmscale]>>6215545what anon said, you didn't explain how the misscast worked
>>6215540How is Marvengarde's Champion an item effect?Also>3. +50% damage taken>Whatever crystals>Darkshield Armor, WyrmscaleTurn the negative into a sorta-positive with Wyrmscale. With luck, the mountain village will win and still have our gear by the time we get back to it.
>>6215543>remainsRemains are an "item". I just use equipment / items as interchangeable terms. Basically you have limited slots for these things, and each takes up one.Last time you firstly didn't lose items, and secondly evaded the penalty. You lost crystals and EXP.>>6215545>>6215596>miscast chanceI've said at the start of the quest (I think?? or was it the first attempt from 2022?) that most of the stats, skills, traits and other stuff are for the "big number go up" and rough estimation of ability between beings (monsters, humans...) and some definite counters, if any. The precise chance of a thing happening (miscast in this case) is not bound to dice you roll, it's like a "this happens about this often" tool that I insert at a time when it fits. You failed a roll -> I thought "yeah this may be how you fail" -> put it into the update. Simple as that.>potatoAlso yeah, with these penalties I should really give you guys a few chances at escape at least. It was my oversight. Noted for later.>>6215644You are absolutely right, Marvengade's Champion is a trait, sorry. I just have all the items and trait effects merged together in a list, so Marvengade's Champion is there. Copypasted it without checking it for mismatches. You DO KEEP Marvengade's Champion, as with any other traits you possess ([Speech], [Odourless] etc.)
>>6215750Will my idea with Wyrmscale work? Where taking the extra Curse damage means that the retaliation will be higher?
>>6215750Sure i can accept the misscast explanation. Not really happy about it if its a feeling type deal.I will accept it thoughSupport for >>6215596Less healing ww can deal with. We dont have much anyway
I've fallen ill with a cold, updates may be delayed but I'll try to write some.>>6215754Sure.>>6215775>Not really happy about it if its a feeling type deal.It is essentially a compromise between wanting to run a quest with game mechanics (LitRPG or whatever it's called) in the spirit of the OG quest and not wanting to manage spreadsheets and an elaborate megasystem if I even make it in time before the heat death of the universe. Sorry if that's disappointing, but that's how it is.
Not dead. Update tomorrow.
>>6217965ok then
>>6215564>>6215596>>6215644>>6215775>-50% healing and regeneration>8 bit fire crystals, 2 bit necrotic crystals>[Darkshield Armour], [Wyrmscale]"Very well." the Guide says. "Be careful out there. It is more entertaining when you're un-alive..."You awaken at the shrine of Cain, the Plagued Knight. At least it's not far from the village. Skeleton Captain is at your side, as always.You make your way towards Truad without much trouble. The villagers meet you once more."The warriors told us about your battle." the elder says while the humans mill about. "I guess some monsters are just too much even for a powerful Maw like you.""It was mostly bad luck." you respond."Whatever was the cause of your defeat, the roc remains at large. If you wish to try again - go ahead. But I don't want to risk the lives of my men any more. Some of them have been struck by 2 curses already."You think of what to do...>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong.>Try again to defeat the oversized bird. You know it's tricks now, and its fledglings are gone - even without the support of the mage and warriors, you can manage that kill.>Write-inMaybe another update at night if I'm not too tired since this one is short.
>>6218318>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong.Get in. Get our shit. We come back after we are done with Sirens Home and have maybe even evolved.
>>6218318>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong.
>>6218318>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong.A wise maw doesn’t fight the same battle twice. We need to level up first.
>>6218318>>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong."Thanks for the assist, nonetheless. I'll see if I can try again later."Maybe one of the young rocs got killed and we can get some loot that way.
>>6218324>>6218351>>6218385>>6218394>>6218403>Get to your corpse, loot whatever items are left, then get out and continue on your way towards Sirens' Home. The roc is simply too strong.There is no roc soaring above as you make your way towards your corpse. You find it pillaged of most equipment, but you find [Channelling Staff], [Pyromancer's Remains] and 7 [Drake Heads] still there.Taking them with you, you return to the village without trouble.Then, you head north.The Mountains of Doom are surprisingly peaceful for their name. Sometimes, this kind of calm is what you need. However, you often prefer finding solace in company, even if you lose your companions in the end.Crossing the pass takes an entire day. By night, you enter the valley the elder was speaking about. A river flows here, with crystal clear water. You don't think, however, that it is sacred - otherwise, you would be feeling its aura's effects by now.One thing of interest you notice is something glinting in the dark a bit to the north, higher in the valley. You try to discern what this is, and find out it's a herd of strange goats with burning orange eyes.At the centre of the herd is a goat with glinting horns, as if they were made of metal. The goats observe you, but move neither to attack nor to run away.>Attack the goats. Those horns look like great loot!>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.>Write-in
>>6218447>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.Their confidence is telling.
>>6218447>>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.They might belong to someone.
>>6218447>>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.
>>6218447>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.Lets not piss of something living in a heard and with greater mobility in this terrain.
>>6218447>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.
>>6218463>>6218469>>6218582>>6218659>>6218681>>6218720>Ignore the goats and continue to the second pass. That one is supposed to lead to Sirens' Home itself.You keep your eye on the goat herd as you continue running across the valley. They soon disperse, seemingly understanding you're not a threat, and start grazing peacefully.It takes another day for you to cross the valley and the pass. Sometimes, you see giant birds flying above, great mountain lions watching you from entrances of caves or hordes of small rodents scurrying along the alpine landscape, but you pay them no attention.At last, reaching the crest of a long rising slope in the pass, you find yourself before a great waterfall. Vast amounts of water cascade down cliffs and flow into a tumultuous mountain river. On its banks sit figures with upper halves human and lower ones fish. These are probably sirens, if what the elder told you is true.However... if you remember correctly, the Charybdiss evolution talked about powers of [Charm]. This must mean the sirens are capable of charming enemies - and whether your soul structure protects against such spells or not is a question you'd rather not answer by random experimentation.[[Siren's Song] quest hidden objective unlocked][ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVE][Find the hidden cave under the waterfall where sirens' magic is most potent.][ADDITIONAL REWARD][200 EXP, Sirens' Treasure]Yeah, there's that quest as well.How will you deal with the sirens' powers?>A quest from the Guide would be VERY WELCOME right about now...>Write-in tactic?
>>6218884so. can we deafen ourselves in some way? i would guess we need to hear them if they are luring people in using song as the quest implies.if we cant deafen ourselves i would rather not do that objective even if we wont get that treasure. though i am open for other opinions.maybe i didnt consider something.
>>6218886As an undead, you do not have a particular organ that is responsible for the sense of hearing. You essentially hear things with your entire body, absorbing sound with your "ethereal inner structure". So you cannot deafen yourself. Even if you were alive and could (say, by completing the [Restoration of Life] quest) you would still have to find an assistant and materials to plug your ears shut since your claws and limbs are not meant to reach the head.
>>6218895can.... can we just shout really really loudly, drowning out the song and sowing discord in their melodies to disrupt their spelleffects?
>>6218897You can try.
>>6218884Start a forest fire. The crackling wood and roaring flames will be...immensely loud.
>>6219009>>6218897Support both of those. Start a forest fire and scream really, really loud. We don't have lungs, we can scream eternally.
>>6218884We could probably growl in a way that emulates active noise control.>trying to drown out the sounds of river rapids, in a valley, with fireOh shit, nighers. What are y'all doing?
>>6219065Not the river rapids, the sirens when they start singing.
>>6218884>A quest from the Guide would be VERY WELCOME right about now...
>>6219060https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cVlTeIATBs
>>6218897>>6219009>>6219060>>6219065>>6219075>>6219095>scream loudly>start a fire with whatever flora is availableThis is genius, anons.3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 70
Rolled 82 (1d100)>>6219645>genius>inb4 critfail
Rolled 4 (1d100)>>6219645
Rolled 65 (1d100)>>6219645>>6219646finally a win, thanks anon
>>6219646yeah. finally a win again.
>82You begin running towards the sirens through the mountain field separating you from them. The sounds of giant claws slamming against the earth attracts their attention. You see them opening their seductive mouths, and a sweet, soothing voice escapes their lips...So you begin to scream.The charming veil is pulled from your eyes by the horrible gargling, rotten sound that you make. You wouldn't have been able to keep it up if you had lungs, but no lungs - no problems.You reach the firing range of Ghostflame Fireball and let loose a couple at the sirens. It ignites the fishwomen, and it's them screaming now - from pain.[You have gained 40 EXP] x 4[LEVEL UP!]The remaining sirens recognize the power of your REEEEE'ing and abandon their efforts to charm you. They start casting water magic instead. Streams of power-washing, boiling water shoot towards you...[You have lost 10 HP] x 3It's nothing too bad. All that's left to complete your quest is to keep screaming and killing them..."Stop! Stop! Mercy!" you hear their melodic voices through the noise wall of your yelling and river rapids crashing nearby.Sorry, sirens, you've got a quest to complete. Evolution doesn't wait!...or does it?>Stop screaming. It's risky, but maybe you can negotiate some of them dying willingly or something.>You don't care. Keep up your scream and murdering spree. Kill enough of them to complete the quest and get out before they can deal significant damage to you.>Write-in
>>6219669>You don't care. Keep up your scream and murdering spree. Kill enough of them to complete the quest and get out before they can deal significant damage to you.lets get this done and over with. they can respawn if they want to. and while chatting with them would be interesting maybe its a risk i would rather not take. not with a curse upon us. we need to evolve soon and get stronger to stand a chance.
>>6219669>You don't care. Keep up your scream and murdering spree. Kill enough of them to complete the quest and get out before they can deal significant damage to you.“negotiate some of them dying willingly” is absolutely bollocks.
>>6219669>You don't care. Keep up your scream and murdering spree. Kill enough of them to complete the quest and get out before they can deal significant damage to you.
>>6219671>>6219688>>6219710>>6219755>keep killingVery well.3 anons please roll 1d100.DC: 70 / 90
Rolled 77 (1d100)>>6219896>those DC'sWell shit, guess that's what happens we we start loud.
Rolled 2 (1d100)>>6219896
Rolled 80 (1d100)>>6219896Killing is what we're (ok) at>>6219919Too close. Let's fix that by actually rolling a 1 here.
>>6219901These DC's aren't really that hard for a Bo3 (at least in my view). 50 / 60 is almost trivial, 70 / 80 medium / moderately hard, 85+ is where the real difficulty lies.>>6219919>>6219921>80It's obviously a trap to get your guard down. Casting [Frozen Ground] while screaming nonstop, you see the sirens become slowed by the power of the spell.Great targets for a [Circle Strike].[You have gained 40 EXP] x 4The sirens are getting angry now. Instead of pleasant voices and soothing sounds, they start yelling themselves, and immediately sonic strikes impact you.[You have lost 5 HP] x 4That hurt a bit.Not enough to prevent you from finishing the quest with another [Ghostflame Fireball].[You have gained 40 EXP] x 3[LEVEL UP!][You have completed the main objective of [Siren's Song] quest.][COMPLETE QUEST?][Y/N]While running back up the slope and away from the sirens, you consider whether to try for the bonus objective after all...>Siren's Treasure will be yours.>Too risky. Complete just the main quest.[spolier]since this is just a confirm / deny vote, I'll try to update faster today.[/spoiler]
Rolled 1 (1d2)>>6220346i am split on this an fine with either. so. Dice decide for me. if we take some more damage thenwe might have to rest and recover for a time longer.1= Retreat2= Siren's Treasure will be yours.
>>6220346>Siren's Treasure will be yours.
>>6220346>>Siren's Treasure will be yours.
On second thought, I'll leave the vote up for the night. This choice is a somewhat risky one, so voting window should be larger, and there seems to be fewer votes than usual. Maybe more will come in a bit later.
>>6220346>Siren's Treasure will be yours.>>6220624gotcha
>>6220346>>Siren's Treasure will be yours.Maybe back off and try to heal for a while, then go in? IDK just spitballing.
>>6220356>>6220372>>6220374>>6220519>>6220785>>6220788>Siren's Treasure will be yours>heal up before searching3 anons roll 1d100.DC: 70
I'll start writing as soon as the rolls come in. Update should be today.
Rolled 32 (1d100)>>6221089here comes the 1
Rolled 83 (1d100)>>6221089Time to complete this quest.
Rolled 99 (1d100)>>6221089
>>6221106whoooo>>6221097fuck yeah. Great success.
>>6221106Well, Minnesota would’ve been nice.
>99You rest for a while in a spacious cave you find higher in the mountains. Your slumber is undisturbed and dreamless.You see it is night upon awakening and leaving your place of repose. All the better for your mission.Descending back towards the waterfall, you make sure your steps are concealed by its sounds. Approaching from the side, you evade the sirens and enter the falling water, feeling it crash against your entire body, pressing you down and impeding your search.It takes about half an hour of searching for you to find the cave. Any other beast would have become powerless from facing the streams falling from above and navigating the currents below, but your dead muscles know no weariness or pain.Entering the cave which barely fits you, you see a siren of phenomenal beauty sleeping upon a rock. Your entrance seems to alert her, even though... you hear no sound of the nearby waterfall or your own steps. The fishwoman looks at you and opens her mouth, starting to sing.Not so fast. You start screaming in turn.Except...No sound comes out.[You have been affected by [Area of Silence]]Fuck.[You have resisted [Charm]]So that stat actually does something once in a while. The siren stops her song and looks at you quizzically. You don't let her try again, crushing her with your maw.[You have gained 100 EXP][LEVEL UP!][You are no longer affected by [Area of Silence]]The sounds return: the waterfall, your claws upon wet stone. You look around the cave. Besides the mangled corpse of the siren, there is a blue gem the size of a human fist. You pick it up and absorb it.[You have obtained [Siren's Mindgem]][Siren's Mindgem][The synthesized essence of sirens' minds. Their unique mental structure, granted by their makers Lumena and Eli, makes them almost immune to attempts of casting [Charm] upon them, and, to a lesser extent, other crowd control effects. In this gem is condensed their mental fortitude.][+20 RES][15% less crowd control effect duration][You have completed [Siren's Song] quest][You have gained 350 EXP][LEVEL UP!][You have reached 15/15 levels][250 EXP stored]You leave the waterfall unnoticed.With your levels maxed out, all that's left for you is to evolve. You return to the cave from earlier and fall into slumber.[Evolution available. Would you like to evolve?][Y/N]Yes.(1/2)
The 3 variants pop up in front of you.Bone HydraThe Bone Hydra is a massive monstrosity possessing 3 to 7 drake skull heads which are capable of spewing fire and tearing apart enemies. Besides that, it can breathe out a toxic mist deadly to everyone except necrotic beings. A feared enemy of the Deadlands, it is a priority target for both knights of Astorias and demons of Demonica.Rank D+Power: 20Magic: 15Charm: 0This is a final evolutionSkeletal CharybdisSimilar to a Skeletal Maw in shape, yet more refined, elegant and powerful, as much as an undead can be so, the Skeletal Charybdis strengthens its grip on magic not with destructive spells, but with its enchanting song which charms enemies. It also possesses a slightly higher capacity for minions, akin to a Mound King.Rank D+Power: 12Magic: 18Charm: 6This is a final evolutionDeadwing RocA giant bird of bone and rotten flesh, the Deadwing Roc's greatest strength is its flight. It is, however, lacking in other skills for an undead of its level, the only notable ability being its small resistance to magic.Rank D-Power: 18Magic: 12Charm: 0This is a final evolution"Oh, and since you completed all the evoltuion quests I think it'd be fair game to throw in something extra. You'll find out once you pick which way to go." the Guide's voice interjects briefly.You planned for the Skeletal Charybdis evolution. Do you still wish to go that way?>Bone Hydra>Skeletal Charybdis>Deadwing Roc
>>6221132>Skeletal Charybdisminions can make up for other weaknesses and hopefully will be more useful with a higher capacity for magic.
>>6221132>Skeletal Charybdis
>>6221132>Skeletal Charybdisa shame we lost the hat
>>6221132>>Skeletal CharybdisAssert dominance on the marebito by charming him
>>6221132>Bone Hydra
>>6221132Man I really thought we were gonna unlock undead dragon by completing them all, it combined strength, spellcasting and flight.
>>6221191Bone(r) Dragons are overrated. Dracolich lovers can stay mad. Give me the zombie kraken.
Update tomorrow, also it'll be the last one for the thread. Need to work on some stuff for the near and far future plot. Maybe I'll even make a fast drawing to display what you look like now, since there's been few images.
>>6221779thanks, OP
>>6221779Thanks! It'll double up as the skeletal maw but I presume the maw'll look scruffier.
Unfortunately my artistic skill was not up to the task and I scrapped the two attempts I made this morning. Picrel is the closest I could manage, but it's still far from what I imagined. If you need a description: you are a big (around a 5-floor building in height) monster with powerful, long limbs and a long neck, made of rotten flesh and bones (predominantly bones). Your neck is topped by a drake head (you'll learn why a bit further in the update), and you've got a tail for balance. Also Darkshield Armour provides you with dark plates covering a good portion of your body.>Skeletal CharybdisYou pick your option and wait.In your slumber, you feel changes occurring to yourself. The increasing mass of the body, the elongation and strengthening of the limbs, the restructuring of the head.When you awaken, you feel you have grown stronger. There is no still water or mirror to inspect the changes, but a look at yourself from atop your neck reveals as much."Status." you say, your voice more pleasant, less gargling than before.Name: [NOT SPECIFIED]Race: Drakehead Skeletal CharybdisLevel: MAX250 EXP storedRank: CSkills:[Life Drain], [Blinding Light Lance], [Ghostflame Fireball II], [Frozen Ground], [Charming Song], [Terrifying Song], [Inspiring Song], [Toxic Breath]Traits:[Bonemonger], [Undead], [Marvengade's Champion], [Darkshield], [Odourless], [Speech], [Necromancy II], 2 Hidden traitsEquipment: 11/25[Pyromancer's Remains], [Channelling Staff], [Drake Head] x 6, [Darkshield Armour - Epic], [Wyrmscale], [Siren's Mindgem]Status:[Fire Resistance I]HP: 400/400 + 30/30 shieldMP: 200/200STR: 120DEF: 70 + 40 + 6MAG: 120RES: 80 + 20SPD: 40[You may pick a NAME][Necromancy II][You may now command up to 50 F+ or lower rank minions. You may now command up to 2 autonomous (sapient) minions of up to D+ rank. WARNING: autonomous minions may make attempts to break free once in a while.][Charming Song][Make a [Charm] attempt at every enemy within earshot. Cooldown: 5 minutes. [Charm] duration: 30 seconds. MP cost: 15.][Terrifying Song][Inflict [Fear] upon every enemy within earshot. Cooldown: 5 minutes. [Fear] duration: 30 seconds. MP cost: 16.][Toxic Breath][Breathe out a cloud of toxic mist that deals 5 Acid damage every 3 seconds to anyone within (resistances may annul this effect). Cooldown: 3 minutes. Cloud duration: 40 seconds. MP cost: 20.][Inspiring Song][Inspire every ally within earshot for 2 minutes. Cooldown: 5 minutes. Effect: 20% greater DEF, RES and SPD, 30% increased damage. MP cost: 20.]"I merged the two evolutions a bit. Hope you enjoy the additional skill. You'll need it..." the Guide explains while you stagger from the amount of info in your mind.(1/2)
[GRAND QUEST ISSUED][Chimera][Become a Chimera and transcend the limits of conventional evolutions.][OBJECTIVES][1. Travel to Aztlan and complete the Trials of Hondra - challenges made for monsters.][2. Travel to Selenia and learn the secret of Morphomancers.][3. Convince any World Boss to give you their blessing.][REWARDS][1. [Hondra's Pin] item.][2. A revelation... and a unique crystal.][3. A unique blessing. It's in the task...]You accept.It seems you've got a long way ahead of you...[End of Thread]
I'll post the next thread within 10 days from now if everything will be ok. As I said, I need to work on some stuff for the quest's plot and mechanics. Thanks for playing so far.
>>6222299thanks for running. do you want to us to vote here for a name? or should that happen in the next thread?
>>6222303Next thread.
>>6222299Thanks for running, QM.
>>6222294>[Terrifying Song]>[Inflict [Fear] upon every enemy within earshot. Cooldown: 5 minutes. [Fear] duration: 30 seconds. MP cost: 16.]>>6222299thanks, OP. see you soon. remember to archive this and post the link so we can vote.
>>6222469It is archived.https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Monster%20Reincarnation
>>6222299Awesome thread. Thank you for running.
