Turn 17:
Turn 16
Skee, the Insect Parasite (Legendary Marksdorf)
Proceed anyways.
You initiate approach, slowly sneaking toward the isolated Makralian.
Sneak past a careful sentry: Action Roll (16): [19]
Outcome Roll: [2] -Success-
Silently skittering on the humid soil, you manage to remain unseen despite the ever watchful sentry. And once you reach your target, you sting. The creature only felt a slight uncomfortable pain, and reflexively scratched the sting with annoyment.
Still asleep, the Makralian was afflicted by what felt like sleep paralysis. Unable to move, unable to wake up. It couldn't muster a cry of help toward its kin.
Nearby Monsters:-Adult Makralian:
Paralyzed -Adult Makralians:
PredatorHP: 8/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2
Status:
-Bruised
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle
Go'Von, the Strangler Ooze (Puppyguard)
Go'Von
Pull its legs into my mass and devour them.
Pull contest:Combat Roll (Str 1 vs Str 1): [6] vs [8]-2 (Impaired Movement)
Critical Roll: [10] [Critical Hit]
Damage: [4]+2 (Digest)
You see the Leaping Mouth attempt to vomit a deadly cocktail of poison on you. But your pull is so suddenly that it falls and misses its attack, in addition lessening its resistance due to the shock. And so you completely engulf its legs, then its body. With its main defensive mechanism gone, the creature is unable to do anything.
Slowly, you digested it as it moved helplessly inside you.
+2 EssenceNearby visible Monsters: -Leaping Mouth:
GoneHP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 3/10
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-Underground, Cave Network
> Moss Cave
Theta, the Wolf (Rautherdir)
Run into the dilapidated building, figure out what is inside, then try and get out the other side of the building.
[Bonus to next non-combat action +4]
You run straight toward the unknown and the smell of ash. The building ends up being larger than what you imagined, and the dark corridor eventually leads you to some sort of reception hall. Here, you discover what resides in the structure.
A group of Demons, feasting on the charred remains of unrecognizable creatures. Their ashen colored skin helps them meld into the dark hall, and the strong smell of blood and burnt flesh is filling your nose.
You immediately decide to make a run for it, not before having quickly glanced at them. First abnormal detail, they seem to be wearing crude clothes: a crude pagne and tunic set, made of some clear brown vegetal material. One sports crackling red vessels running along its skin, one is very bulky and muscular, overshadowing the others. You can't really remember much about the remaining demons.
Run for your life!: Action Roll (12): [18]+4 [Bonus]
Outcome Roll: [5] -Overshoot-
You dash straight for the opposite corridor without a second thought. You run, ignoring the raging shouts behind you. The corridor arrives at a junction. You randomly heads left. You run, run, and run. There are rubbles everywhere, blocking off the way toward other rooms or corridors. There is no exit in sight.
You eventually arrive into a room with an upward spiralling staircase. With no other choice, you go for it. The stairs lead you to the broken half of a tower, the ground is quite far down. And with all the buildings and debros around, the chances of a successful landing are slim, granted you do manage to land without breaking something.
Nearby Monsters: -A group of demons:
Hostile!> Ashen Balrath (Muscular One)
> Flaremarker of Malderuine (Crackled One)
> (?) Ashen Demons
HP: 15/15
MP: 8/12
Essence: 2/10
Status:
-Bruised
Location:
-Valernite Woods
Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)
((excuse me as I roll on the floor trying to suppress my excitement))
There's a moment of silence as Eximius recalls how to actually speak, instead of just communicating directly with his user. Soon after, a voice projects itself from the ring. Slightly distorted at first, but it steadily normalizes itself.
"Watching over my wielder is only natural, Veras. No need for thanks. And I do not mind conversation - ask and I will answer."
Eximius chuckles as he adds. "Perhaps I'll gain some answers as well."
((No! Don't run from the Armor! I miss it.))
Despite expecting an answer, the old mage cannot help but stare with his mouth agape. It took him a few seconds to recover his composure.
"I... I can hardly believe it. There is much I need to ask, ah, where to begin?... It is an honor, Sir Eximius."He glanced back and forth between you and Prias. Veras could barely contain the hurry in his voice.
"I saw and studied many relics and magical artifacts during my life. Sir Eximius, I heard of something like you once. But first, what is it you seek? What are you? How long do your memories trace back, and what do you... remember?"(Priority action answer)
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 0/10
Status:
-Ring Form
Location:
-Safara (Eastern Village of Nepkeros)
Host: Prias, Human Villager of Safara
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Status:
-Fine
Internal Scars
Attributes:
Str 0
Con 1
Pow 0
Res 0
Int -1
Ind 1
Notes:
-Locked Potential
Notes:
-Investigated Prias "restraints"
-Known Villagers:
Veras: the village's mage
Sandra, Septor, Iseis: Prias's close friends
Eten, Luaros: villagers on townwatch
Terrence the Bone Baron - (ironsnake345)
Ride Vel to what hopefully turns out to be safety! Be prepared to swing at anything which accosts us.
Vel exhaled once, and stammered the ground twice with his metallic hooves. Then the Dead Rider swiftly cantered in the opposite direction of the howl, with you riding on its back.
You noticed an abnormal change in the fog. It seemed to act like a predator attempting to circle its prey...
Outrun the Fog: Action Roll (12): [7]
Outcome Roll: [5] -Partial Success-
The fog seemed to have become denser in a matter of seconds. It even felts like Vel was riding through a veil of dense water, noticeably slowing down. Counting on your guts, you slashed to the front, to the sides. Seeing you, Vel started doing the same.
Fight the Fog: Action Roll (14): [17]
Outcome Roll: [1] -Success-
It was strange. You could almost tell like you managed to cut invisible tendrils, and the fog suddenly dissipated a bit. Vel's speed increased, and you both managed to escape the coming Armor...
(...)
Event Roll: [5]
Vel kept riding forward, telling it would be best to be sure you had outran the Armor. Is it you or you could faintly see the sun through the fog? Or was it just your imagination... No, the fog was indeed becoming lighter.
Suddenly shapes of buildings appeared ahead. Continuing further, you eventually reached a deserted village. It seemed to have been emptied recently, and there were some violent traces of battle there... what could possibly have happened?
The fog was very light there. As if it could barely enter the village at all. At the town's plaza, the pale orb that was the sun was the most visible through the dense fog.
"What is this place? I never came across a village before."A broken sign is lying on the ground. It reads "Dor-"
Nearby Monsters:-Vel, the Dead Rider: [Friendly/Ally]-The Armor: [Hostile to all that live and unlive]> In front, precise location unknown
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 4/10
Status:
-Fine
Inventory:
-Bone Broadsword [Wielded]
Location:
-Deadland of Easenval
> Doro Village
The Protoquin (Failbird105)
The Protoquin
Well, when in doubt, dreamwalk
The Dandakara -this strange pantin of porcelain- didn't move a bit as you walked into its dreams...
Unsurprisingly, you enter a pure white hilly landscape, and land at the top of a hill. There, you can see several sparse "trees" made of a perfectly cylindrical trunk and piled up balls of porcelain. Several translucent beings of all shapes are hunting miniature versions of the Dandakara.
Event Roll: [1]
And suddenly, a breach whiter than the purest white tears the ivory skies open. A mass of white purity slowly emerges from it, and a wide, single eye opens. First gazing over the place, it then stopped on you, staring at something
inside you. It stared for a few seconds, after which it resumed gazing directly underneath itself.
Then, long snake like limbs ending with a mouth grew from the mass, and descended onto the porcelain land. They started eating away at it.
Nearby Visible Dreams:-mini Dandakaras:
Sleeping-Dandakara's Nightmares:
Hostile-The White Nightmare:
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0
Status:
[Mind touched by a corruptive influence]
Location:
-Inory Hills (Western Inory Hills)
> Dreamwalking inside a Dandakara's dream
The Azarian Project, the Thoughling (Dustan Hache)
"I try to distract. Help you. Help all."Go to the furthest point of the ogre patrol route. Attempt to draw them away by devouring the mind of one of the guards. If I can draw them all away from the shaman, the others can try to rush in and take them down, regaining their strength. If I can bring down more than one, that would be even better.
With an idea in mind, you head for the furtest point in the patrol route. Two Ogre scouts are standing watch there, on the lookout for any intruder. Hidden away, you attempt to devour the mind of one of them.
Mind Eater: Combat Roll (Int 1 vs Ind 0): [9] vs [5]+2 (Shamanic Ward)
Critical Roll: [1] -Normal Attack-
You initially sense an artificial ward protecting the mind of the Ogre, but that one alone is not enough to stave off your attack. As you devour the mind of the Ogre, its sanity deteriorates and it enters an agitated frenzy.
In a craze, it starts screaming and lashing at invisible demons. Its kin attempts to calm him down, to no avail. It then emits a strong guttural sound as a call. In the meantime, it tries to restrain its comrade, and no longer watches.
Outcome Roll: [6] -Overshoot-
First, you sense several beings gathering around your location, drawn by the screams of the Ogre. You can feel the agitation rising, an urge begging to be released. Some don't even try to hide any longer, crawling with desire and anger toward the screams...
Shortly thereafter, a medium group of Ogres with several war tatoos and primitive decorations heed to the scout's call. They quickly stun the crazed Ogre with a good maul bash to the head, and take him away. The remaining Ogres smirk upon seeing the gathered beings, and let out a challenging cry.
"STOP HIDING WEAKLINGS!"
This is the tipping point for the beings hanging on their last scraps of self. They come rushing forth from the shadows, an uneven and chaotic wave of desperate beings.
A volley of boulders come crashing into the wave, and then the bloodthirsty Ogres rush toward their enemies, flailing their mauls and clubs around. The weakened beings, despite their numbers, are being obliterated by the Ogres.
The noise attracts more and more beings, and some bored Ogres too.
Nearby Visible Monsters:-Group of Ogre Warrior-caste:
[Hostile]-Many Ones of Thought:
[Neutral+] Desperate-Many Ones of Flesh:
[Neutral+] DesperateHP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 1
Status:
-Sated
Location:
-South-East Nepkeros - Unnamed ruined village
Neophytos the Sole Survivor, Psychic Pain Spider (randomgenericusername)
"Greetings, Sedre. I have returned from my mission and have news from the Arachnastinians. The Arachnastinian kingdom has many enemies and some allies, but they are numerous and strong, with a third of the forest under their control. Their leader is wise and mighty, and they have agreed to accept us as their subjects and serve them in exchange of protection from any threats. They have the power to protect us, and their diplomat Kelechikara was very nice to talk with. I believe that joining their ranks would be the best for everyone."
Explain in detail everything I heard and discussed with the diplomat and the Overlord.
You explain in detail your audience with the Overlord, what you saw from their lands, and your opinion. The assembly listens without interrupting you, but as you progressed into your tellings, they displayed varied visible reactions at your words.
Convince the Assembly: Action Roll (10): [3]+6 (Reputation +2 Kelechikara +2 Sound Words +2)
Outcome Roll: [4] -Failure-
The first to object is Kwerf, representative of most Beast species. He is some sort of huge wolf with an additional pair of strong limbs. Smashing its third paw on the ground, he says with anger:
"To become subjects of these insects? We would become slaves, and lose the freedom we fought for. I staunchly disagree, Neophytos. We can fight for ourselves just right, we don't need to be ruled by any other than ourselves."
Of the six representatives, two more support Kwerf. Jijjia -a purple owl with numerous eye patterns on its body-, the representative of most avian species, and Lelist -an old louse-, the representative of half of the insect species.
Khywa, the eldest Psychic Spider and representative of the other half of the insect species supports you. Cedre, the Sylvarian leader, supports you too.
The remaining representatives stands neutral. They are Flourishing Dabblebud -a mass of vines-, representative of all non-Sylvarian vegetal-based monsters, and Boor, a two-headed boar that represented the rest of the Beast species.
That was a problematic situation. Kelechikara nodded sadly, and turned toward you. You could tell he wished to clear away the doubts, but that if he were to talk now, his words would probably fall into deaf ears.
What will you do?
Nearby Monsters:-Kelechikara, Arachnastinian Diplomat
Allied-Arachnastinian Soldiers
Allied-Sedre, Sylvarian leader
-Species representatives:
> Anti-Vassalization: Kwerf, Jijjia, Lelist
> Pro-Vassailization: Khywa, Sedre
> Neutral: Flourishing Dabblebud, Boor
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 0 + a small amount
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-North Savarde Jungle - Sylvarian new settlement
Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)
"Interesting... The complex is not as ruined and much more complex than we anticipated. I presume it may rearrange itself into several configurations. It even gives some sort of 'living' vibe, perhaps meaning it can adapt to different intruders. Which does not look bright for us. We should take several samples for later study and move onwards. Lower levels are becoming more chaotic, but I'm sure we can reliably visit most interesting places of upper floors now."
Take several mining tools and armors that might be possible to equip for later studies. Head towards new discoveries.
"As for enjoying these dangerous discoveries... For me, it is as much a quest for power as pursuing strong and deadly opponents is for you. With my intellect, it is easier and more mindful to gain advantage over opponents long time before we do actual battle - and so I really enjoy becoming more knowledgable and thus more powerful. This quest for knowledge does not concern you as much - for now, at least - but remember that information, especially one exclusive to you, is and always will be a great power."
With so many hands, you couldn't take a lot of study material. As such, you simply picked a random cart, that you filled with strange tools, a few armor pieces and such. Astrosa's eyebrows were raised the whole time you happily filled your cart.
[Cart of ancient potentially harmful goodies acquired!]
"This is really taking a weird turn. This all feels more alien than anything I have experienced..."With a clearer map in mind, you headed out of the hangar, onward to new potential discoveries. Your loaded cart made... quite an amount of clanking noise. Did you actually take it along with you?
You headed for a storage room on the same level. With Astrosa scouting the surroundings with her Eyes, you reached the place safely...
Event Roll: [1]
You enter the large room filled with massive containers of metal, neatly placed in rows. In the middle of the room, there is yet another of these strange platforms. Neither Astrosa nor you felt any presence nor danger, yet still carefully walk further into the room.
Suddenly, you both feel a surge of energy coming from the platform. Space above it start to warp, and in an instant a Ruins Guardian suddenly appears above the platform.
Floating aboveground, it is one of those pale metallic-blue humanoid you saw. Its lower body is some sort of "boat", and its upper body has a normal humanoid shape -two arms, torso and head-. Its single "eye", which is nothing more but a blue circle glowing brighter than the other engraved lines coursing along its body, stares at you both quickly.
It then spoke in an unknown tongue, which your mind understood as <Unauthorized Personel>.
Quick, before anything happens, will you attempt something?
Nearby Visible Beings:-Taes Ruins Guardian: HP: 29/29
MP: 48/48
Essence: 60
Status:
-Somewhat clearer Map in your head
-Personal Forcefield
Inventory:
-Ashafan Journal about the Taes ruins.
-Artifact Glove [Personal Forcefield Spell]
Contents: partial map of the early levels of the Taes complex. Expedition log.
-The Cart of Ancient -potentially harmful- Goodies [Mining Tools, Armor Sets x2]
Location:
-South of Copper Desert, Levemite Ruins Entrance "Taes"
> Second Level - Hangar
Notes:
Known areas of the Taes complex:
-One hangar for excavation equipment storage
-Living quarters
-Mundane storage rooms
-Exits for the surface
-"Source" of the ruins reactivation
Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 0
Status:
-Nothing
Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection
Aspred Bagrid, the Enormous Catfish Serpent (GigaGiant)
Aspred Bagrid, the Enormous Catfish Serpent
Lunge at the Giant Shrimp with as much ferocity as possible and start crunching on its vital organs. Continue doing this until it is dead. Show no mercy. Devour whatever remains.
Both monsters fought with the savagery of those who fought for their lives.
Ferocious Lunge:Combat Roll (Str 2 vs Con 1): [5]-2 (Badly Wounded) vs [1]-2 (Badly Wounded)
Critical Roll: -Critical Hit-
Damage: [8]*1.5=[12]
With a furious scream, you lunged at the Shrimp. Something happened to it, as it's movements became erratic all of a sudden. With this large opening, you ripped its head off, and didn't stop here. Its limbs, its body, you tore everything apart, blind with rage.
+2 EssenceScattered across the waters, there was barely anything left large enough for you to eat. But you didn't mind, as your thirst for vengeance had been sated.
Nearby Monsters:-Giant Shrimp-like monster:
DeadAppearance: a shrimp like creature with marine blue shell.
HP: 9/15
MP: 12/12
Essence: 7/10
Status:
-Badly Wounded
Location:
-Easternmost area of the Cearn Sea - Under the Surface
Gordy the Toothbaby (Paxiecrunchie)
I cannot believe that I missed a turn 
...
I dart around the treetops searching for a location from which to land on the great beats neck, searching for any gap in its scales from which I might be able to pierce and control its body for my own. If I see anything I pounce which will likely take the behemoth by surprise as I am near certain that most monsters of such a size would not expect and attack from something the size of a flea compare to them, and yet fleas can be quite dangerous after all. If I can find no gap I shall retreat to a tree hallow and respond by saying "I come seeking your great power oh king of the forest, I previously aided the lord of the nearby river and he thought I was worth of seeing you, although he would not come himself.''
Find a gap: Action Roll (18): [3]+4 (Surprise Attack)
Outcome Roll: [2] -Critical Failure-
You dart around, looking for a potential gap in the scales of the Naga. But with its ever changing patterns, it is hard to clearly see any weakness in the scales. Moreover, the moment you start darting around, the Naga suddenly vanishes on the spot.
You quickly attempt to retreat to a hollow tree-
Retreat: Action Roll (12): [13]-4 (Critical Failure)
Outcome Roll: [3] -Failure-
-and the tree you were aiming for is smashed apart by an invisible tail. With all or nothing left, you nonetheless attempt to justify your strange behavior.
Justify Actions: Action Roll (12): [16]-4 (Critical Failure)
Outcome Roll: [1] -Success-
The Naga laughed mockingly.
"Huhuhu... A Lord of the River you say? That is new to me, so there is now a lord in the river? As if. I know of your kin, parasite. I am amused to see you believed you could pierce my scales, or even overtake my body. Foolish, so foolish."It reappared coiled around you, its head obscuring the sun. He then taunted you.
"Foolish, but amusing. Come on, try to make my power yours. Or will you show me something else?"Nearby Monsters:-The Unseen Naga:
Hostile?HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0
Status:
-Nothing
Location:
-Western Savarde Mangrove - Closer to the Esmerande Sea
> Previously moved inland
Squelchy, the Omnislime (Coolrune206)
Squelchy decided that they could not turn back; the morale damage the group would take to find out the location that they were heading to after having been recently evicted from the last was uninhabitable would be devastating.
Move as a group, and let's head on.
Push on, further northward.
Gathering together more closely, the slimes formed a tight group of moving goo. Led by Zed, you eventually reached the source of the buzzing: several nests carved inside large trees, with holes whose size ranged from that of a first to that of a cow.
The buzzing was everywhere, and streams of fist-sized insects poured out from the holes.
You could tell they were going to attack at any moment's notice.
(Priority action answer)
Nearby Monsters:-A lot of friendly slimes: Low Morale
-Dekoorath Swarms: Low Morale
HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 2/20
Status:
-Fine
Location:
-Savarde Jungle - Peaceful Fruit Orchard Outskirt
Companion: Gloup Blop (Inkblack Coroblob)
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Status:
-Fine
Companion: Swift Zed the Mad Tornado (Leaping Slime)
HP: 15/15
MP: 12/12
Status:
-Fine
Gray the Unstable Prismetal Blaster (Beirus)
((Hope this is in time for the turn.))
"It is alright. Maybe next time you won't give new arrivals such a hard time. If you would wish to spar later, when I have finished my travels, I would look forward to it."
If we have time, spar with the other warriors, attempting to develop my fighting style. Also try to spar against multiple opponents to develop techniques to deal with those situations. If we dont have time, go to the next place. The Library, I think?
Flavor Roll: [2]
"It seems we are running short on time. It is already mid afternoon, we may not have time to visit the Library today then. Of course, we could visit the Library tomorrow too, what do you say?"(Priority action answer)
Nearby Humans:-Hinrab, Masen disciple: Friendly-Yarek, Ashafan Warrior: An Ass-Many Warriors: FriendlyHP: 28/28
MP: 18/18
Essence: 20
Status:
-Nothing
Inventory:
-Cloak of the Disciple (worn)
-Desert Traveler Gear (M)
Location:
-Outskirt of Farune
> Mercenary Training Grounds
Companion: Brown the Dirt Protector
HP: 20/20
MP: 14/14
Status:
-Nothing
Inventory:
-Cloak of the Disciple (tied around)
-Desert Traveler Gear (XL)
Author
Topic: You are a Monster - Turn 63 (Read 214852 times)