It is a dark age.The world never was a safe place. The wilds always had something to surprise and subdue the civilised races' ambition for dominion over the world. Some routes untravelled, almost all dangerous. And yet cities and small kingdoms sprung up on this danger like on fertile soil, ripping their power out of the claws of those creatures that could be defeated.But in the past decades, where there were untamed beasts and savage races, there appeared beings of darkness yet unseen. Seers speak of a Demon King, rising somewhere far to the west, poisoning the world with his hatred and malice. The gods are quiet, their gifts and words few, as always. Their champions have attempted to journey to the heart of darkness to defeat it, but none returned.Prophesies speak of a group of heroes that will rid the world of this scourge, like in ages past.You do not think yourselves those heroes. The goal of your journey is more grounded than saving the world; for it is also said that whoever defeats the Demon King shall be granted any wish, be it by the gods or not. In pursuit of those wishes, you have banded together on...THE LONG JOURNEY WEST.==========This is a multiplayer game in a fantasy setting. It will be a narrative one, no rolls required, no particular pressure, so I expect players to reciprocate my offers of challenges with failures, where fitting for the story. Still, no pressure.The quest will be slow. I aim to update every 5 days, maybe fewer or more depending on the complexity. I ask, however, that responses are submitted within 48 hours of the update posting time.(cont.)
The quest will be focused on worldbuilding and adventure, with you controlling the characters you create, as well as some other things. You can interact with the story by doing one of:>ActPerform an action with your character. Describe how they respond to the environment.>AffectSuggest an outcome to a local situation: mainly victory or defeat in battle, but also safely passing through a dangerous area, finding an interesting object... Final say is mine as QM.>ProposeSuggest a piece of the world to be created: city, tradition, creature... I reserve the right to accept or reject it.Please USE GREENTEXT when performing one of the above.I will post suggestions as well, and of course direct the general narrative.If a player doesn't act or otherwise post for 3 turns in a row, I'll use the next opportunity to have their character depart the group for their own journey. I think 10-15 days is plenty of time to make a single post. Their character may, under special circumstances, return to the party.On that note, the most significant limitation will be that you will always travel as a single group. This is to make it easier to manage the story. Your characters may do different things, but must generally keep together (e.g. in one city or on a single expedition).I may or may not respond to particular actions separately.I think that's about all for the rules.To create a character, please post the following:>Name>Sex (if applicable)>Race or creature typeThere are various races: the classic human, elf and dwarf, but also more exotic ones such as kobold, restless skeleton, dragonborn, birdman... If you wish to suggest another one, feel free. There are no halflings.>Archetype/ClassAn archetype or class is one of 3: Fighter, Rogue or Mage. They specify the starting abilities and potential of a character in the story.>WishThe wish with which your character embarks on a journey. If you want, you can keep it secret from other players by marking it as such and concealing it under a spoiler. We're all adults here and won't peek, yes? Or at least not show that you did if curiosity wins.>BackgroundYour character's past. Same as with the wish, you may conceal it. Keep it short/moderate in length.I'll post the opening environment in 2 days or so. You will start in a relatively safe area, a small kingdom where the Demon King's influence has crept less. However, you will immediately depart west, to more dangerous lands.Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
Name: SakiSex: Female Race: Half human, half fairy.Class: FighterWish: To remove the curse that doesn't let her use more than one piece of clothing.Background: An unfortunate half fairy girl that was cursed by a witch. She wanted invisibility powers like other fairies so she got tricked by the witch. She can only turn invisible if she's completely still and holds her breath, it doesn't work on weapons or clothes, and in exchange, she is unable to use more than one piece of clothing.
>>6312252Cool concept, OP. A question or two:>1) How many abilities do we start with when deciding on a class?>2) What exactly are abilities? I assume spells or something for Mages, but what about Fighters and Rogues? Are there any examples?>3) What do we know about the kingdom/place we're starting in? I assume we can be people drifting through or people that have lived there, but what should we know starting out?>4) There's the propose action... are we supposed to add important details now while developing our character? Can we just create whatever we want (within reason)?>5) Do we get freedom to talk with other players as we see fit?Thanks in advance. I'm thinking up a few ideas but wanted to get some details out before I committed.
>>6312305OH FUCK it's you. I remember you from skimming other multiplayer quests. Sorry for the rudeness, but I reject your entry. Please find another quest to insert your OC into.>>6312307>1) How many abilities do we start with when deciding on a class?>2) What exactly are abilities? I assume spells or something for Mages, but what about Fighters and Rogues? Are there any examples?I use "abilities" to refer to the general specialisation of a character. There is no "Double Slash" or "Armour-Piercing Strike" or other specific "active" skills that are usually considered abilities in an RPG. What that point in the character sheet refers to is basically what your character is skilled at doing. For Fighters, it is physical fitness, and thus greater toughness for taking hits, and the capacity to use a melee weapon both for precise and heavy strikes. For Rogues, it is stealth as well as disarming traps, also some ranged combat. For Mages, it is some basic spells like magic missile or creating a mote of light instead of a lantern.It also specifies a direction in which your character may go. As an example, as a Fighter, you may specialise in killing single enemies or making less powerful area strikes, or tanking the hits as a shield of your team. As a Rogue, you may further your knowledge of traps to disarmament of magical ones or learn greater skill with a bow or throwing knives. As a Mage, you may become an elementalist battlemage, utility for buffs or witch for hexes...It is all not really set in stone. These are not RPG classes that you're locked into with a skill tree to unlock specific abilities - your skillset will change depending on what you find and use. Going a different direction midway is an option.I should also say battles will not go turn-by-turn, they will be resolved as a single prompt most of the time.(cont.)
>3) What do we know about the kingdom/place we're starting in?Ardent is a small kingdom midway between the safer (for now) lands of the East and the lands of the West where the grasp of darkness is stronger. It lives off trade, its people being generous with coin and help to strangers, so your group met no difficulty acquiring basic supplies (camp gear, some rations, weapon maintenance) here. The Ardent believe possessions exist to be shared, and are a bit naive in that way. This ideal is also ingrained in their religion.In terms of climate, it is a temperate place with its share of forests and plains. They have access to ore from the northern mountains, wood from the forests, and materials for textiles and food from the farms.They maintained good relations with their neighbours, but had a small mercenary force that was all too happy to take their coin in exchange for protection.In the past, they wanted for nothing important, but with trade drying up due to the Demon King's influence on the West, and the roads growing more dangerous with demonic spawn, this place is slowly becoming poorer, and its people more careful with their goods and coin.To give a general idea of the area where you are, besides the kingdom, there is a LONG strip of land going east to west, bordered in the south by the sea, and in the north by a fuckhuge mountain range. Beyond the sea lie other lands, beyond the mountains there are wastes and untamed forests where only the savage barbarians live among beasts.Oh, and also by "strip of land" I mean like 1000 km in width north to south.> I assume we can be people drifting through or people that have lived there...Yes, you can be a local or someone passing through.>4) There's the propose action... are we supposed to add important details now while developing our character? Can we just create whatever we want (within reason)?Essentially, yes. If it doesn't fit my vision, I will say so, and if possible suggest an alternative or modification.>5) Do we get freedom to talk with other players as we see fit?Yes. Player interaction is encouraged.
>>6312473>>6312474You sonnovabitch. I'm in. Thanks for answering the questions! Will take a crack at putting a character together later today.
>>6312526>Name: Utzii Sizzler>Sex: Female>Race: Kobold>Archetype/Class: Rogue (Wandering Chef)>Class Skills: (Sneaking, Sleight of Hand, Cutting Critical Points (Good against one opponent))>Wish: To make sure no one ever goes hungry again!>Background: Born into a family of circus performers, Utzii’s early life was never dull. She learned a few life lessons early on: if you don’t perform well, you don’t eat, knives fly differently depending on how they’re thrown and what they’re made of, and her theater troupe The Crooked Court is not run by nice people. Engineering an escape using a leaky old lamp and a particularly flammable tent, Utzii stole into the night with nothing but the clothes on her back and a mothbitten old hat given to her by one of the kinder performers. Wandering for weeks and subsisting off of anything she could forage or filch, Utzii eventually collapsed outside of a hamlet and was nursed back to health by a kindly old couple, both of whom shared with her the knowledge of preparing food with fresh ingredients. It was love at first bite–as the days went on, Utzii’s culinary skills improved, as did her appetite for more recipes. Her meal options had been woefully limited in the circus, and now that she knew there was more to meals than just gruel and grits, she just HAD to find more!Armed with a trusty carving knife from her ‘adoptive’ grandfather and a warm cloak knitted by her grandmother, Utzii began her grand journey across the lands with the goal of becoming one of, if not THE greatest chef in the world!Her wanderings lead her to Ardent… and her lack of coin keeps her there. With ingredients growing slim and prospects dimming, Utzii decides to unearth the skills she learned in her youth in hopes of helping her achieve her dream!Obviously let me know if I should change anything, OP. Hope that’s a good jumping-off point.
>>6312573Excellent character. I approve. Got an idea for Utzii's plot right off the bat, but it may take a while to get there.Hopefully there will be enough players for at least a core party (Fighter + Rogue + Mage). If not... well, I'll think of something then. Character submissions are still open.
>>6312600I could see myself making a Knight/bringing a former character of mine in for this, just not sure on the wish thing. Is it okay if we have a placeholder/figure it out as we go? I figure this may end up being a rather transformative journey for the party members.
>>6312604I'm not too hot on fitting external characters into the game, as you can see by my reaction to the Saki anon (though that's more due to him inserting his OC wherever possible), but ok, post your character and we'll work from there.The wish is an important part due to it being why your character embarks on this journey. Without it, there are few reasons why someone might brave such a long journey and try to defeat the super powerful Demon King. It's best to come up with something.
>>6312825That's fair enough, hadn't noticed Saki anon getting rejected.You're right it probably wouldn't work out too well. I'll let somone else step up, then.If you're still missing people in a couple days I'll think about it.
>>6312883Well, if you're interested in the quest / concept itself, you can make another Fighter or Mage (or Rogue) character, not necessarily the Knight you already had prepared. It doesn't seem like I caught a lot of people's attention either way lol. Besides, slots for the party are not limited - the more the merrier, as they say. If there's too many for me to manage, I'll just make less individual and more general replies or slow down the updates. Although with the 1 per 5 days target I don't think I'll need to worry about that unless we get like 8-10 players, which probably won't happen.
I'm tentatively interested, though I held off on submitting a character because I'm not sure if I'll have the time yet. That, and I usually wait for more posts, to see how the writing is.
I dunno, guys... You've got a chef on the team. Better join while the griddle's hot if you ask me!
>>6312970Another tentatively interested, have held off until now as I'll have more time in the latter half of the week to think and get a character together.
>>6313012>>6313016>That, and I usually wait for more posts, to see how the writing is.Oh damn, I'm not confident in my writing and quest running skills to be honest. I guess I'll just have to do my best and hope that's enough (though that's pretty much default mode).I'll wait until another character is submitted, be it from either of you or another observer, then we'll start.
Well, I guess I'll try, if only to inspire someone else to try and move things along if this gets rejected.>NameTheudric>Sex (if applicable)Male>Race or creature typeBaseline human>Archetype/Class(Armored) (Frontline) FighterKnowledge and Skills: Medium/Heavy Armor, Small/Medium Shields, one and two-handed Swords early pistols if the setting has them , and how to maintain them in the field. Various boons and feats focused around the armor’s reserves.>Wish I once asked this of Death, and they could not grant my wish. Now I am here, and I ask you. Fix my mistake. Bring him back, as he was before. >BackgroundTheudric is a perfectly normal human from…a fair ways away. He has plied his trade as a monster hunter and mercenary for a bit longer than his appearance (mid-twenties, prime fighting age) would suggest, and has the armor, skill, and poise to prove it.He is a man of few words, few oaths, and few regrets. But not none.He has heard of a good fight, a purposeful fight, and of the boon that might be heard, and it proved enough for him. He knows little of the local threats, but he'll adapt or fall trying.Theudric is a perfectly normal human. It's just the armor that's weird.He is surprisingly open about it not being a normal piece of kit, but won't say where he found it, just that it has a few “quirks”. Mainly, it can be considered alive, and needs blood to function. Human blood works best, but any might do. Most of the time it's Theudric's, ensuring slow repairs, maintenance, and a few tricks, in exchange for making the man look rather pale and anemic. But if any friends or foes feel like making a contribution…He says he has a handle on it, mostly. At least it means he makes a tough shield for the party to hide behind.
>>6312252Welp, here's an idea. Tell me if this doesn't fit.>Name: Kespe>Sex: Female>Race or creature typeHuman? /Gorgon-Blooded>Archetype/ClassMage.>WishStone into Flesh. To undo the curse of one's own gaze, placed in a moment of frustration and heartbreak. >BackgroundA life out on the village outskirts, tending to the remaining sheep and goats from the old shack that had once been her father's. Civil, but never quite fitting in. Deep down, she suspected they knew, or knew they suspected. Few invitations. Fewer friends. And then one, once a boy she had watched grow to a man from afar. Small things, turned into sweet things, then warm ones. Small moments of contact, after a life of neglect. How could she not have fallen in love?How could she not have felt such pain, when she learned of his betrothal to another?She'd had to flee, of course. Leave behind the little she had of her life. Find new places, take on odd jobs; and study all the while. Learn what she can of the secrets of the earth, the secrets of her heritage; the secrets in her blood. Practice, and move on. And don't stare too long.A Shepherd's Stave. She carries it with her, and does not correct those who assume that is all there is too it. Amber eyes. Don't stare, don't be angry when you stare. A Leather-bound book; part diary and part note of her studies and abilities learned. Brown hair, strangely mottled; tied back in a single long braid. Keeping calm keeps it calm. If it moves it moves, hair moves; but you don't want them to hear it hiss.
>>6313311Sounds good to me. Not beginner tier, as I expected, but I think it's for the best that some of our heroes have experience under their belt. Makes them feel more alive. Also more ways in which they can solve problems along the way.Regarding pistols: mmm... Would you be fine with repeater crossbows? I'm not sure on this decision, but I don't really want to bring gunpowder weaponry into the setting, barring exceptional cases like particularly advanced societies. That is to say, making it rare enough that frequent and reliable usage would be difficult. I could go with early pistols if you're ready for that part to be a "last resort" or a special weapon with limited charges and no easy way to replenish bullets and gunpowder.Also, asking for clarification about the wish and background: I admire the lyricism, but the picture is not complete: whom did Theudric lose by turning them into (ensouling?) his armour, and what were the circumstances around that? The spoilered part doesn't explain much about that.>>6313378Was typing up an answer to Theudric anon as your entry rolled in.Okay, Gorgon blood is an exceptional idea (in a good way), but petrification gaze is a strong power and I'm not sure I'd be fine just letting you use it without limits upon anger. Would you be fine with it only completely petrifying in moments of exceptional emotion (anger/pain) and with a cooldown afterwards? Most of the time it would function as a "slowing" kind of curse. Also some of the more powerful enemies would be immune to it. On that note, I guess it would be interesting to let Kespe level up her power to affect progressively stronger enemies later on, but that kinda goes against the idea that something as strong as killing the Demon King would be the only sure way to remove it.What do you think? Yes/no to limits I outlined, or modifications to them? Yes/no to level up? General thoughts if you have any as well.I'll only be able to reliably post about 16-18 hours from now, but I'll read your replies and write up an opening post then if you all respond and we settle the questions above. Glad to have 2 people submit characters, and Fighter + Mage at that! We have a proper party ready if all goes well.
>>6313388With the setting you described he shouldn't be overtuned, since the Demon King is a local issue. He hasn't faced down demons before.I would be fine with either early pistols or no pistols, I don't really care for the crossbows. The pistols thing is a holdover, he doesn't have to be a hybrid melee/ranged fighter. Keeping pistols limited could work, both because of scarcity and because he would be very, very reluctant to use them in some cases, but more on that. For the wish, sorry, wasn't sure how detailed you wanted. The person to be brought back wasn't made into the armor at all actually. He was a fellow hunter, really a kind who'd signed up to earn a living. One of Theudric's big fuckups. He had seen and done worse before, and since, but this is one that hasn't left him.Ruin exploration and clearing. Stronger monsters than expected. Kid takes point in a corridor in front of Theudric as giant, hostile vines appear. Theudric takes the shot, which goes horribly wrong. The kid gets his shoulder blown off, pirouetting to face Theudric, locking eyes right before one of the plants explodes out of his chest and drags him back and up through the ceiling.Kid was very dead when they found the body. Theudric has never forgiven himself for getting him killed. Out of all the wrongs he's done and couldn't right, if he had to pick one to fix it would be this. So he'll be really hesitant to use guns if anyone is in the way at all.Also, given I'm not sure how the setting will go, the kid was one of those shapeshifting foxes who turn into people with fox ears and tails.And yes, this did happen in a big Discord rp a fair few years ago. Pretty punishing rules on ranged friendly fire. Critfail so the kid too 2 damage, then a hit by the new, stronger monster taking off the other 2HP during their turn.
>>6313388I'm fine with whatever limits you choose to place upon the power; this is your show to keep rolling along! So 'yes' to whatever limits you need. And 'yes' to level up, I don't see her ability to use the power strengthening going forward as an issue, since it's trying to undo the effects of a previous use of the ability that she's questing for, not increasing the power itself. Though hopefully she'll also learn some greater control as well!And if you want other cures to petrification to be commonly available, perhaps she could change her wish to 'That he won't hate me' or a more general wish of acceptance; though personally I feel questing to undo a past petrification is a stronger hook.
>>6312250I haven't had the time to make a character until now and have almost no experience with multiplayer quests but let's do this. Bear with me.>NameSajah>SexFemale>RaceHuman>ArchetypeFighter>Class SkillsIf we're allowed to specify like this - one-handed swords, small shields, light/medium armour, bows. +various logical background skills.>WishShe hasn't decided yet! See below.....>BackgroundSajah was born to a martial family among nomads on a different continent to the south. From a teenager, she was trained in melee and ranged horseback combat and taking care of her weapons and horse as well as a multitude of secondary skills including hunting and butchering, first aid, hostile environment survival and scouting. For much of her latter teens, she defended her tribe and participated in raids atop her horse while teaching herself how to read in her spare time and picking up bits of foreign languages from traders. From these, she also learned tales of the world, growing increasingly fascinated with the prospect of high adventure in a far-off land and unsatisfied with her life.She did not even make it to twenty years before departing, doing a stint as a security mercenary to work her way north and overseas with traders, eventually winding up in Ardent. She did not hesitate to seize the opportunity for what she saw as an adventure of the lifetime despite her critical lack of understanding of the full reality of what she was getting herself into.Despite not being on horseback, she still is still adept with her intricately decorated scimitar, bow and small shield.Now, I think the decision to not give her a Wish at this stage is unusual but way I see it, she's a young and naïve foreigner who, from a combination of having her head in the clouds, lack of information that would be "common knowledge" to natives and relying more on fragmentary hearsay, youthful bravado and subpar local language proficiency (she can talk to people, but has a thick accent and lacks full fluency), is in so far over her head she can't see the surface any more and doesn't even know it. Yet, anyway. She's a carefree spirit it for the (misguided) adventure rather than the reward and has kicked that particular can down the road but reality is going to close in like the T.rex in the rear view mirror soon enough as she learns more about what she's gotten herself into, by which point it'll be too late to back out and she's going to have to step up, mature and take this whole thing much more seriously if she's going to make it back alive, let alone with anything to show for it - part of that will be having a long, hard think about what she wants out of this, which will be determined by how she develops in due course.I hope this is palatable to QM, I can rework as necessary if you'd rather they had a Wish to hook into from the start instead or take it from the top if the whole thing needs a redo.
Finally got around to reply.>>6313409Ok, I kinda expected from my post >>6312970 that this was a new character since I suggested you to make one, but fuck it, I reuse concepts, might as well accept the same for characters. It's a good one to boot. On the background: alright, got it. Shapeshifter kid would be fine. On the pistol question: let's settle on no pistols.>With the setting you described he shouldn't be overtuned, since the Demon King is a local issue. He hasn't faced down demons before.The Demon King is a global issue. Unless you mean "from this world". Also Theudric probably encountered demon(s) if he's a monster hunter. They spawn all around the world, though fairly rarely in the East and more frequently in the West.LORE FOR EVERYONE: I should probably say that "demons" is not a single type of creature, but also "corrupted" versions of regular creatures, with modifications to them making them more dangerous and aggressive. This is the taint of the Demon King made manifest.>>6313417Alright, then, to sum up:100% petrification only in moments of serious emotion with a cooldown of about 1 hour.Slowing/partly paralysing curse in case of regular emotions or dangerous situations.Stronger enemies are immune.Opportunity to level up and affect stronger enemies.>And if you want other cures to petrification to be commonly available, perhaps she could change her wish to 'That he won't hate me' or a more general wish of acceptance; though personally I feel questing to undo a past petrification is a stronger hook.I agree. So let's keep it permanent once invoked fully.Also I'm not sure if you did that deliberately, but your background is open for everyone to know (in the party, at least) if it's not spoilered. Please tell if that's fine with you or it should have been secret. I got that impression from Kespe tying her hair and not staring for too long. If others have already read it, I guess they can't purge their memory lol, but maybe they could play it like they don't know.>>6313509Accepted, though I must say that a harsh life like a desert nomad would probably make her more mature in general - it's not an easy life, especially with some of her clan probably being lost in raids, both against and from other peoples. I can work with the idea though.INFO FOR EVERYONE: I mentioned a 1000km wide land strip, but on second thought let's tune it down to 600km or so. To make the journey a bit more straightforward. Well, it won't appear to affect too much on the personal level of the party, I think.With that, things should be settled on the characters. Let's get started. I'll write up the first encounter after your party's assembling and departure now. Should be up in an hour or a few.
>>6313679Haha oh shit here it comes. Watch out, world, this ragtag bunch of misfits is gonna save ya
>>6313679...Yeah. I should have probably learned to use spoiler tags, huh?Ah well. Not like it'd have been secret from the party for very long anyway, since she'll probably be using it in combat to some degree. Whilst it was initially going to be a semi-secret... probably better to tell them early, get the threat of rejection out of the way so it's not hanging over her head with the group, and allow them to take precautions to prevent it happening again.
The past month or so has been busy for all of you. Ever since you decided to go West on this "suicide" mission, as many would consider it, you've been looking for other people that shared the plan, working odd jobs or slaying monsters, gathering supplies. In the end, you found each other in the city of Erceli, on the western border of Ardent and decided to form a party.Not everyone decided to share their story and their reasons for why they were embarking on this journey. Maybe they will in the future. Maybe not.Either way, having gathered the tools necessary for survival in the wild, supplies and weapons to fend off whatever the road throws at you, you depart.A couple days pass as you follow the road. Sometimes, you hear sounds in the forests and fields surrounding you. Sometimes, you think there are glowing eyes looking your way out of the dark of the forest as you set up camp. None dare attack.On the third day, the autumn clouds creep over the sky, and by evening, rain breaks out. Your hooded cloaks, staple of any traveller, keep the cold and wet at bay, but it'd sure be nice to find a proper place to rest and hide from the rain. It is, perhaps, most sharply felt by Sajah, still out of her element after spending most of her life in the hot and arid desert.There is a place of respite that you should reach right about now, however: if what the Ercelians said was true, there is an abandoned fortress midway to the next city. Riverguard, it is called, standing near a stream and guarding the border from Ardent to the next kingdom, Orndal.Well, not guarding - guarded. The kingdom doesn't exist any more, save for vestiges like your next stop, and the garrison long gone.The fortress is visible from afar, even from beyond the veil of rain. It stands, silent and dark, in a clearing through which, indeed, a stream goes. However... it may not be as dark as it seems from afar.As you approach it, peeking through the gates, you see lights in one of the inner buildings, still standing despite lack of repairs and care. Quietly, the sneakiest of your bunch - Utzii, peeks into one of the windows to see whether these lights are another weary traveller or a foe. What she sees doesn't raise hope.Goblins. 8 of them, gathered around the campfire. Most dressed in rags or tough leather at best, but one, likely the leader, has a good number of iron plates strapped to him - crude work, not without weak points, especially for as skilled a knife-thrower as the kobold, but armour nevertheless.Your group had heard the western kingdom, Orndal, was overrun by them, but didn't expect to meet them so soon.(1/2)
Around the goblins, crooked spears and a couple swords lie strewn about. In the centre of their encampment, a fire burns, sizzling with the occasional drip of fat from the cooking leg of some creature... it must be a horse. Not far, deeper in the dark, its cadaver lies. Utzii can't help but note that the corpse is fresh - should the goblins be dealt with, she could prepare it. Horse meat is frowned upon by some, but the prospect of a hot dinner after some days of rations and dried meat is tantalising.The leader bears not a spear, but a staff of some sort, decorated with two skulls - human, from the looks of it. He could be a spellcaster.Dealing with the goblins would be possible, but they outnumber you. Perhaps a price is to be paid. Or not. What happens now?>ActPerform an action with your character. Specify an approach to the situation that will let you deal with the goblins safely, through teamwork or deceit.>AffectSuggest a resolution to the conflict. Does someone pay a price - a wound or expended item? Are goblins defeated entirely, or does one of them escape into the night? This early in the journey, beginner's luck should still be with you. It should be enough to protect everyone. As you'll search the items of these creatures and the rest of the fortress, maybe there is an useful trinket to be found? You can also, of course, leave it all to me.>ProposeA piece of worldbuilding? Not much has been introduced, but if you'd like...(Talk and interactions between characters are unlimited)
>>6313702Utzii licks her chops at the smell of sizzling meat. She could whip up quite a feast with a whole horse, that much is certain, but even she knew that goblins were a fickle bunch. The few she'd met on her travels had shown her a whole spectrum of responses, and she wasn't too naive to recognize her race might have colored the interactions somewhat.Her knife-throwing could certainly do in a pinch, sure, but so could her culinary skills--she was already brainstorming how to carve up the supple meat and what spices and herbs she could use from her own supply to make it a truly decadent feast.She didn't know much about customs or culture, that much was certain, nor was she aware of any taboos in preparing horse flesh. Food is food, she thinks as her tail whips back and forth behind her, and it would be a waste to just let it be spitroasted..."I might have a plan," She chirps as she stealthily returns to the rest of the group, "I picked up a few sprigs of Rotweed along the path... if I can sprinkle some into their meal and serve it, well..." A mischievous grin falls upon the kobold's narrow face. "I just need to convince them to let me cook. I'll even keep the rest of the horse meat for us! Whaddaya say, hmm?"
>>6313738Also I guess I should mention I'm not taking an action yet. I wanted to float possible plans by the rest of the team just so we could agree on something. I'll greentext when I'm ready to vote or do any of the actions OP mentioned
>>6313679Thank you for the compliment>Unless you mean "from this world"I had left it vague, but yes. Though this will not come into play barring very specific circumstances. For the purpose of the narrative, Theudric is here with what he has on him, and has been tangling with demon-corrupted monsters for half a year at most.>>6313702Theudric pipes up quietly, raising up his armor's visor so his voice isn't muffled and slightly echoed. Having other people around keeping an eye out has been nice, since he can stay buttoned up without too much fear of his reduced field of view and hearing letting something or someone get the drop on him. Though these drawbacks are lesser for him than they would be for most people wearing a normal armor such as his. "I will say that, if we want to kill them, right now would be the best time.One good knfe takes down the leader, and I'm confident I can be in the middle of them before they can reach their weapons. If I can wound or kill whoever does grab something, they should scatter. Then it's our choice to pick them off or let them go. I recommend the former if we do this."He says it very matter-of-factly. He sounds like he has both done this several times before, and like he has killed his fair share of goblins while not being especially torn about the ethics of it.
>>6313769"Oh sure, we can do that!" Utzii nods with a cheery smile, "I'd be pleased as punch to poison 'em for ya'--weaken the twerps, at least--but we do have the element of surprise, ya' ain't wrong there, big guy!"Her face scrunches up in thought. Was she overthinking things again? She had a habit of doing that...
>>6313818"Well, we can try your idea and keep rushing in like maniacs as the backup one. But I figure you would have an easier time getting them to trust you if you went in alone, so if things go wrong it's going to be you against eight ticked off goblins for at least a few moments. And they'll be armed to recieve us and hear us coming. Also, is the Rotweed for killing them or making them violently sick? I figure from the name it won't put them to sleep, but I'm not sure if you want them disabled or dead. Figured I would ask."
>>6313830The kobold cocks her head to the side in deep ponderance. "Well I don't make a habit of cooking with the stuff, but I reckon a few sprigs could knock 'em dead... a few less would leave em' sicker'n a bloodsucker in sunlight!"Rummaging through her cloak, the girl produces the sprigs in question and shows them to the wall of armor looming over her. "See? Can barely spot the stuff when it's ground up... and ya' can't sniff the smell over the rest of the meal!"The light in her eyes dim as she finally catches up with the rest of what Theudric said. "Well shoot, ya' ain't wrong there... I figure if they don't plan on treating me nice then y'all can swoop in and rescue me--and don't let them chausses chafe ya, I know a thing or two about dodging attacks!" She sends a reassuring smile up to the human. "Just like dodging tomatoes! Got plenty of experience with that!"
>>6313679I should probably have asked beforehand; as a low-level Mage, is Kespe allowed anything else in the way of magical abilities, or should her gaze be her only 'starting' ability, with the rest to be built over the adventure?>>6313833"We might as well try to be clever first, and yours is the thoughtful plan so far, Utzii." Kespe lifts the edge of her hood very slightly to address the Kobold. "If you need to run for a bit, I'll try to keep them delayed as they chase... could you manage running a moment with your eyes held closed?"
>>6313858Utzii's eyes widen as Kespe moves to lift her hood--it wasn't lost on the kobold how diligent the mage was in keeping that thing tugged low. Her excitement dwindles a bit when it only raises a bit, but it reignites with Kespe's sudden compliment!"Shucks, I've never been called 'thoughtful' before!" She states with a toothy smile and a hint of a blush! "Neither have any of my plans!" Her tail thumps gently against the damp grass as her enthusiasm builds."Hah! 'Course I can bolt! All kobolds can, probably! Say, want to see me run to that tree over there and back?"Amusement floods the chef's face as she tries and fails to stifle a giggle. "... Wanna see me do it again? J-just jokin'!" Centering herself with a deep breath Utzii looks up at the hooded figure's face with renewed resolve!"Really, though: give a holler and I'll run with my eyes closed wherever it pleases ya! I'll be counting on y'all to save my scales if things go South, though!"
>>6313679Way I see it, she's world-wise to *her* world which, until recently, has consisted of just her tribal group and the desert. In a way, she is mature while also being a sheltered and ignorant bumpkin who is a total fish out of water and for whom understanding the wider world and general society has been a steep learning curve. That and she's only a newly minted adult barely old enough to have finished high school.>>6313702Soggy and cold, Sajah perks up at the prospect of a scrap. She's never seen a goblin before, but has heard of them on her journey and from Theudric talking of them. While she's never fought in a place like this either, she considers how to exploit the environment.She twirls her bow, stripped of its string for now in the damp. "Can shoot in window. Kill one or two, panic rest, force into trap."She gestures to her blade. "Or we go hard way. With Theudic she struggles to pronounce the "dr" sound and has been consistently mispronouncing his name thus far, think can kill all in room before any get weapons. They just goblins, weak with surprise, yes?">>6313871A little taken aback by the kobold's manic enthusiasm, she shrugs. "Can support. Will be outside." She keeps her reservations to herself, privately being horrified at the notion of walking openly alone into an enemy camp. But who is she to tell this little thing how to risk its life?Her speech will improve with time, by the way
>>6313876Utzii sends a reassuring smile Sajah's way. The girl hadn't talked much ever since they'd begun their journey and had proven to be quite resistant to the bubbly Kobold's impromptu interrogations about her people's culinary habits. "Oh, I'm just offerin' my thoughts, is all!" She sputters apologetically! "Y'all look plenty tough... if ya' wanna just jump 'em, well, I got no quarrels there!"
It's night where I am, but figured I should post while I've woken up lol.>>6313769>Though this will not come into play barring very specific circumstances.Oh boy, another surprise from the backstory. Can we settle on Theudric being from this world? I'd rather not have travellers between universes. Unless I read it wrong?>>6313858>I should probably have asked beforehand; as a low-level Mage, is Kespe allowed anything else in the way of magical abilities, or should her gaze be her only 'starting' ability, with the rest to be built over the adventure?It is my oversight for not providing clear-cut starting spells. Let's say Kespe has the following basic spells in her arsenal:>A single-target projectile damage spell enough to seriously hurt and probably incapacitate a human with no magic resistance or magic shield. Magic Missile we'll call it.>An AoE spell, taking more of her mana and strength, causing pain and inner body damage to beings within a specified area (about 10x10m). Not enough to kill them or completely take them out of the picture, but weaken and cause pain.>One blessing, single-target, of your choice. Strength, agility, perception... one of these or something like that. Tell me your pick. Nothing too powerful like invisibility, magic vision or superhuman increase in these qualities.>One hex, same as blessing, but inverted.>Some small tricks like creating a mote of light, also detecting magic where present.>>6313876>Way I see it, she's world-wise to *her* world which ... to have finished high school.Alright, got it.LORE FOR EVERYONE: Goblins are primitive creatures, with little culture and intelligence to speak of. They are capable of simple plans, like setting up ambushes to surprise travellers, keeping a basic hierarchy, as well as communicating with their language, but they're a far cry from the comparatively more sophisticated civilised races. They spend most of their time on simple pursuits like hunting for food, collecting shiny things or bickering between themselves about who's stronger.Goblins sometimes assemble under more intelligent creatures (like hobgoblins or the more intelligent shamans of their kind) to accomplish greater goals and perform more complex actions, like manufacturing goods or performing magic, but remain, for the most part, an unorganised force.LORE FROM UTZII'S SUGGESTION: They DO know the language of good food and inoffensive gestures, however, and if you can get through to them that you want to help with cooking, they may respond positively. Just have to make communication quick and clear, lest they misunderstand and consider you a threat to be impaled and cooked over the fire just like their prey...Cool roleplaying so far, my dudes. With this post finished, I go back to sleep.
>>6313943Thanks for the clarifications, OP. And for running. Out of character it looks like we have a plan or two in mind here, so I'll leave the decision up to the rest of the gang:>Proceed with the poison plan>Act: Utzii woos the goblins with the smell of fresh spices and simple promises: 'Make food gooder! Tastier! Make goblins STRONGER!'>She seasons some of the horse meat with Rotweed, enough to put the goblins to sleep for good, but also saves a hearty amount of horse for the rest of the gang later.>Affect: The plan is put in motion. The goblins that don't succumb to the poisoned feast can be cut down by her and her comrades. Maybe the leader of the bunch drops something of interest?OR>Act: Utzii throws a well-aimed dagger at the Goblin Mage's throat while the others work their magic!I'm fine with either action, especially knowing that the whole 'poisoning' thing is a bit extra. Whatever the rest of y'all choose I'll support! Same goes for the poison outcome, OP, I don't want to make things too easy!
>>6313943>Magic MissileFair enough!>AoE SpellHmm. Perhaps an 'Earth Tremor' effect? Or coughing up some kind of 'venomous cloud' release? Though of course there's also the option that this spell should be what the 'Gorgon's Gaze' replaced. Whatever feels most fitting to you!>Blessing'Stoneskin' or some equivalent feels thematically appropriate, a resilience increase, if that'd be allowed? >HexAnd if the good is taking on the resilience of stone, the bad would be taking on the weight. 'Stoneweight', an agility decrease. Though of course, this 'Hexing' could also be the/an option that the 'Gorgon's Gaze' replaced.>Small TricksDetecting Magic and making light are classic. Perhaps her 'braid' can communicate with/understand other snakes to some degree, if the situation ever arises?>>6313871Kespe flashes a wary attempt at a smile. "Not certain that you should count on me too much, but I'll do what I can." Her eyes close beneath her hood, and she runs her spells through her mind, recollecting and calming herself as she tries to sense the vibrations and the magics flowing through the area.>Act: Sense Magic whilst we prepare our plan. The leader might be a spellcaster. Can Kespe detect any magics resting upon or emitting from the Goblin?
>>6313943 Let's settle on that, yeah. Frankly, my bad, really just mean that if he ever dies the corpse and armor will be whisked away one noone is looking, and that it might mess with any revival mechanic in the setting, nothing more. >>6313876Theudric figures it's just the accent or Sajah being forgetful, since she has been rather polite otherwise, and he is long used to some people being unable to get his name right, be it speaking or writing it down. He doesn't hold it against here. If anything, he admires her obstination with getting the local language down.For now, he lets the rest of the party coordinate and choose. Not much else to do for now. He briefly thinks about sliding his current one-arm sword from its scabbard on his right hip, but if things don't heat up he'll just be left holding it and looking like a fool. He'll have plenty warning to arm himself if it comes down to that, anyway.
>>6314040>AoE spellI imagined it kinda like word of pain, without an apparent source, just straight up non-elemental magical damage, not too powerful though - as I said, not enough to deal with even goblins completely. Its perk is its area of effect.>BlessingSure, toughness/resilience to physical damage works.>HexDecrease in agility is good. But yes, it is kind of redundant with Kespe's racial ability. We can say it affects even those that don't have eye contact with her. A small modification subtly altering its use.>Small TricksYeah, snake communication is a good idea as well.>Act: Sense Magic whilst we prepare our plan. The leader might be a spellcaster. Can Kespe detect any magics resting upon or emitting from the Goblin?INTERIM ACTION FOR KESPE: Yes, the Gorgon-blooded mage can detect magic emanating from the armoured goblin and the staff - especially the latter. Amplified by Shepherd's Stave, her senses can even make out the type of magic: it is one of curses and malice. The goblin must be capable of hexes and maybe direct damage spells. There is no "positive" energy there, so he cannot heal, bless, call upon spirits or anything of that kind. Only hurt and curse.>>6314120>For now, he lets the rest of the party coordinate and choose. Not much else to do for now.I think I should suggest something, then.FOR EVERYONE: I think Utzii pretty much outlined the 2 plans here >>6313976 and left the decision to the rest. I'm waiting for everyone's >Act and >Affect (if you'd like to suggest a resolution). I can write tomorrow, in about 12-16 hours, about the result if everyone provides clearly formatted greentext input. (I can't promise this time 100% though, my sleep schedule is fucked) You can, of course, still talk between yourselves about the specifics, no hurry. Ready when you are. This shouldn't be too big of an update, but there will be one or two things to learn about the fortress. Utzii's >Affect is also noted.
>>6314120>>6313884>>6313876Her tongue flicks out, then runs across her dry lips in the moment before she opens her eyes again. "Yes." She whispers to the group. "There is magic of curse and malice around their leader and his stave. Our plan should be cautious of that power." she pauses a moment, taking a slow breath. "But he carries only negative aura. There are no blessings to come from his acts." she murmurs, then lightly tilts her own stave toward her Kobold companion."I could bless your scales with the solidity of stone" She murmurs softly at Utzii "but if their leader notices the magic upon you, your ruse would be made more taxing."
>>6313976>>6314270"Hm. Armoured leader is, uh, bad-magic-man?" She gently thumps her chest "How you say...leave to me?"She puts aside her reservations about the plan and tries her best to trust Utzii to succeed...>Act: Sajah waits outside the building for the signal from Utzii, ready to begin the assault on the remaining goblins>Affect: Before engaging in melee, she opens the engagement by sending an arrow through the leader's neckGiven her training and experience in archery, hitting such a gap in their armour should be very doable for her at all but point-blank range on a stationary target
>>6314154>Interim Act? Kespe offers one companion the blessing of skin hard as stone, should any wish to take her offer>Act: Kespe waits outside the building for signal from Utzii>Affect: Should Utzii come running from the building at speed, Kespe will shout 'Eyes' to warn her to close them, then use her Gaze to attack/slow the Goblins in pursuit. Hopefully this will let Utzii reach us, and allow the others more time to pick off or prepare for the charging Goblins.
>>6314154>Act: Theudric stands by, visor down and sword at the ready, waiting for either a signal or screaming.>Affect: If Utzii calls them in or the goblins get violent he'll rush in with Sajah, giving her space to launch the arrow by charging at the other goblins. No silly screaming, just a man in rather heavy armor bowling them over and stabbing.>If Utzii comes back out, he'll ambush the goblins from the side. They'll be armed, but he trusts his armor to let him charge in with relative inpunity, once again aiming to break both their formation (there will amost certainly be none, but they'll be easier prey alone rather than grouped up) and morale.
>>6314270The Kobold responds to Kespe's suggestion with a polite smile! Just like Gran and Gramps always said: 'Kindness don't cost nothing!'"That's sweet of ya', Kes!" Utzii adds, trying not to grin too much as she tries out a new nickname, "But I figure I'll look loads more pathetic and, well, 'koboldy' if I ain't glowin' like an Elemental... don't mean I won't take ya' up on the offer later, though!">>6314324Utzii turns to the foreign warrior and nods. "He's all yours! I'll feel a whole lot safer knowing y'all are watchin' my hide!" The girl ponders with wide eyes as she revisits what she just said. "... Err, I mean: thank you, Sajah. I know you can beat them!">>6314504As for Theudric, well, he looks ready to rumble! Utzii had made it her mission to get the austere armiger to open up a bit--more of a pet project than anything else--but her attempts on the path thus far had been met with middling results. Chalking it up to new-friend jitters, the Kobold shrugs to herself as they review the plan one last time... It's showtime.
Alright, so schizo talk incoming, but basically I'm ending the quest.To explain in detail: I've noticed you guys using >Affect as another >Act. As in, an "action", not a "resolution". >Affect is really a tool for manipulation of the story to direct it towards where you want it to go. In its simplest form, it is deciding "we win" or "we lose and have to retreat" in place of me, the QM. A bit more complex is introducing a new item, like "we loot this and that" or a consequence for success or failure, like "x character takes a wound". The most advanced usage would be setting up and telling entire stories about a character or piece of lore, maybe with the character dying once fully developed.And as I was writing this entire explanation down, I realised it's not really a quest or game at this point. It'd be kinda retarded to expect players to just say "haha guys alright let's lose this battle". Or to write their own stories and plot and worldbuilding, and discuss how the story will go along with the QM. I suppose I was expecting not "players", but rather "co-authors" for collaborative storytelling. And you all came here to roleplay, not write a fucking novel together with me.So yeah, I'll end it here. Apologies for all the big talk about character journeys this and worldbuilding that, only for it to never get realised. And in general for having you make characters for a quest that didn't even live through a single update. Also thank you for the little bit that you did play, your posts were a joy to read, the hyper-enthusiasm of Utzii and shyness of Kespe especially.I guess I should also tell at least the closest bit of lore that I had prepared. The kingdom of Orndal was supposed to be a horse lord kingdom, legions of horseback knights and whatnot. It was overrun by goblins because they distilled a potent poison gas and made magic gas masks, so they basically chemical warfare'd the Orndalians into oblivion. The land is now perpetually covered in toxic mist and there are goblin bands roving about.For culture, the Orndalians were free spirits with great flexibility, never staying for too long in one place, always changing. This also led to them being inconstant in their treaties and agreements. For example, they betrayed the elves that came to help against goblins by refusing to help them in turn.One particular interaction I had prepared was finding an old banner in some fort in these Goblin-lands. When you reached the (former) capital of Orndal, a ghost horseman would approach you and warn not to go there lest you face the might of his brothers. If you showed him the banner, he would give you spectral horses that didn't tire.That's about all. There were some other notes like about orc lands and a couple cities / adventuring hubs, one of which specialised in runic clothing, but I won't write it all down here.Thanks for playing again. I'll probably run a normal quest next or something.
>>6314744Oh. Well, that's a shame.I assume there's some reason you don't want to alter this set-up into *being* the normal quest that you're planning on running next?
>>6314870UHHHH, well I guess I could turn this into a normal multiplayer quest, with a party on a long adventure, but it'd be different from initial mechanics in a pretty significant way, and I have the kind of metaphorical autism where if some "core" element is not the way I like it, I just abandon the entire idea. I may run what was called a "builder", except with focus on individuals rather than nations, in the future, but not here and now. If I start another one, it will be with a different premise.Also I am, in fact, already running a normal quest, and decided to start this one against my better judgement that I would die running 2 quests at once even with limitless free time on my hands. I am fickle and flake often, but got some ideas constantly spawning in my head telling me to begin this or that project while the previous one is not finished and the new one probably won't work at all. That's part of why I set the update times so long (5 days, as said in the OP), since I wanted to accommodate running 2 at once.Anyway, to sum up and answer your question, not turning Journey into the next normal quest is due to it changing significantly in terms of mechanics with that, and it "not feeling the same way" and being "not what I had in mind" after that change triggering my perfectionism or w/e. I'll focus on that other quest now.Didn't notice how I wrote up a unnecessarily long post again, please forgive me, I just tried to answer everything.
>>6314744Damn. Sorry to hear things didn't pan out QM. It's like that sometimes. I agree that what you had in mind was a bit out there compared to the usual qst fare, and maybe it didn't come across well, as you saw.Hopefully this is still somthing you can revisit someday, despite what you have said. And even if not, it's still a learning experience, and there's no reason some of the characters you created can't wander around like Theudric. It's a big board out there, and an even bigger world beyond.I do hope we run into each other again sometime. What quest are you running right now actually?
>>6315357Thanks for the kind words, I think I don't deserve them though. For the normal quest I'm running, I usually prefer to keep my quests separate from each other, but it's Wanderer Quest >>6305452
>>6315601Flaking is never great on the players yes, but it beats ghosting in my book. And you explained why, so frankly I see no reason to be mean here, just a little sad at the missed opportunities for crafting stories.Besides, a little kindness goes a long way. I like to think AxisQM taught us that much. I'd slid off Wanderer from the grey morality at the start, but I'll give it another go.
>>6315735>I'd slid off Wanderer from the grey morality at the start, but I'll give it another go.Grey morality does come into play occasionally. All I can say is not to force yourself just because some anon you briefly encountered is running it. Plenty of other quests out there that can trigger neuron activation.
>>6315735What Theudric said. Quitting a game isn't great, but it's far, far better then ghosting us. Thanks for the heads up. Ditto on the sadness though, I was looking forward to playing the character.>>6315601Good luck with Wanderer Quest!
>>6315888Gave it a shot, it's nice and simple, and looking to be a oneshot besides, so I don't lose much neuron activation potential anyway. And it would be ironic if I let some murdering for profit turn me off a quest completely considering I'm running Bloodstones.
>>6314744Eh, technically your brand of co-authored RP isn't that unusual. It is the standard way RP is done on Neoseeker, for example. Though they are considered kinda elitist for their style of doing things.
