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Quest to Become a Hero

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An Honest Question In Return
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    • [X] Be honest and ask her what the bow on her back is.

    You hesitate for a long moment, the questioning look from Liara more than enough to make you incredibly uncomfortable, until at last amanging the willpower to answer.

    "Would I be wrong in assuming that the bow you have is the one your nickname originates from? The Red Star, not quite sure though from outward appearance it might certainly qualify for something along those lines."

    Liara's expression changes rapidly from questioning to an incredibly worrying playful smile, slightly narrowed eyes giving you the sudden impression that an ancient creature has decided you were worth it's attention. Somewhat icily she responds,

    "Come along John, lets continue this talk somewhere a tad more private."

    You forcefully swallow a noticeable lump forming in your throat, a few beads of sweat trickling down your back as you nod and follow the increasingly mysterious ex-adventurer into the restaurant. Only vaguely do you register her telling the immaculately dressed server to prepare a private room with two of the usual, a more noticeably soft request for raw vicious rabbit meat for Velvet only barely managing to calm your nerves.

    It's a few moments before you find yourself lead down a plain yet seamless marble hallway only broken by doors adorned in gold paint and elaborate carvings of everything from fields to animals. After being led into one of them your server bows and parts leaving you alone in a room decorated with lightly colored curtain, a small fountain in the corner, and a well made (though plain) wooden table with two chairs set at opposite ends.

    Lightly taking a seat on the farthest chair, Liara tilts her head down to the injured rabbit in her arms and continues softly stroking Velvet's fur. Her voice still somewhat cold and distant carries over as she offhandedly gestures towards the other chair.

    "Eight."

    As you sit down you ponder the single word, but despite your best efforts you can't seem to gleam any understanding from her words which seems to draw out a sigh from the receptionist before you. Oddly the usual relaxed figure suddenly seems incredibly far away, her receptionist persona is incredibly down to earth but her behavior now makes it seem as if you live in seperate worlds.

    "Eight is the number of Gods largely believed to look over the mortal nations and lands that lie here, west of the Bastion Mountains. Beside them are those that died who are still revered.

    The ancestral line of Rocksingers to the Dwarves.

    The burned Ruler of the Forest to whom the Forest Elves pray.

    The long forgotten moon of the Lineage of the Lost.

    Even Azrai the First Spear of House Bloodmarch."

    Finally she looks up from Velvet to stare across the table at you, a frown upon her face as barely withheld rage barely surfaces causing you to shiver.

    "Compare that to thirty-two, the number of Demon Effigies that lay beyond the Bastion Mountains in the tainted lands of the old world. Beings that are to demons as the Gods are to us, wrathful and twisted monstrosities that would see the mortal races slaughtered, their Gods ripped down from the heavens, and the lands turned beneath them.

    You have a knack, it's obvious to those observing you as me and the old man have, to notice things that most mortals never should touch upon in the first place. A domain largely restrained for those tied to a God's service, or who stand on the cusp. So I have a rather simple question, John."

    She pauses and locks eyes with you and for the barest moment you think you see something there besides her, something incredibly old. Yet what is truly disturbing is whatever it is you know, instinctively, that it is dead. Still frowning, Liara asks you,

    "What do you think of the Gods?"

    [] Write-in.

    Status
    Health: Battered, Bruised and in Pain (Bite wound on left arm, hastily bandaged, moderate pain from several exploding monstrous corn and numerous blows from their vine arms)
    Stamina: Fatigued

    Status Effects: Fatigued (-3 to all rolls), Slightly Sleepy (-1 to all rolls), Hungry (-3 to all rolls)

    Dominate Writing - Blunt Mastery Basics - Using a copy you made of the basics required to wield a blunt weapon in battle effectively you have gained the knowledge and experience required exactly for that. When using a blunt weapon you will be more capable of striking the enemy with ease. +5 to Attack Rolls made with Blunt weaponry equipped.
    Lasts until end of the day.

    Level: 3
    Experience: 222/400

    Guild Rank:     Porcelain (0/40)
    Hidden Features: Unlocked Instructors in the Guild Store
    Current Booked Courses: None

    G.P.: 215
    Money: 1 Silver, 35 Copper
    Heroic Legacy Points: 0

    Estimated Time of Day:     Night
    Titles
    They Who Seek the Crown (Level One, 16/25) - A title earned by gaining the blessing of the God of War in a chance encounter with his will. It is a boon granted to those who seek to become like Lords, towering above the world with every action and word capable of bringing great waves of change. Currently it is weak and only grants you the power of Domination, but if you grow stronger and perform in a way that meshes with this Boon then perhaps its strength can grow.

    Heroes can be Thieves Right? - In the name of Heroism you stole classified information from the Church of War without being caught. Now no innocent souls shall be ended with this dangerous knife, but ... yours might be if you mess up? Slightly increased chance of learning stealth and thievery related skills until discovered, lost if the Sealed Scroll is destroyed.

    Ethical Scribe, Pragmatic Scholar - A scribe's duty is that of facts, numbers, honesty, and boundaries. You have a devotion to the work of the written word that few would follow in the face of potential benefits. A scholar's duty is to learn. Obtain knowledge, study books, and understand the world around them so that they may use it to help themselves or the world at large. You seek simply to perform your work to the best of your ability, further your grasp of knowledge and stand within the morals of your scholar code, even find yourself compelled to do so. Established personal Scholarly Code, sticking to it makes your work easier and better while going against it more difficult and with worse results.
    • Scribe Code I - No work is better than hasty work. {Provides +2 to scholarly rolls when you take your time, take -2 to scholarly rolls when you attempt to work with haste.}
    • Scribe Code II - Provide the facts to those that hire you, nothing more and nothing less. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
    • Scribe Code III - Judgement is the employer's job. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
    • Scholar Code I - There is satisfaction in learning that which is known and that which is not. {Provides 2 bonus experience when learning new knowledge skills and advancing skill ranks in them.}
    • Scholar Code II - Sometimes a price is required to learn, that price must be weighed against the knowledge to be earned carefully for while some may be worth the cost, not everything is. {Gain 4 bonus experience when learning knowledge of acceptable price, lose all experience when learning knowledge whose price is too high. May be entirely unwilling to learn something if it comes at a great cost. Only applicable to certain information/skills/traits/abilities, will be noted when it is.}
    Traits
    Sturdy Physique - You come to possess a body that is much more resilient than your original form allowing you to withstand roughly twice as much damage before your body gives out resulting in death.
    Quick to Act - You are fast to respond in dangerous situations, where others are still confused about changing events you have already begun to move in response to them.
    Iron Clad Mind - Your will is strengthened considerably under the guidance of the Spirit as if your mind has created the foundations of a fortress around it. With it's backing you are capable of putting up greater resistance against mental influences.

    Aspire to Sagehood - You've come to find yourself a seeker of all forms of knowledge and find it easy to learn those skills a scholar finds most useful. Perhaps with enough work you may achieve acknowledgement as a Sage, a master of countless fields of knowledge. Increased skill gains for scholar related skills.
    Forbidden Scholar - You are more likely to notice lore and knowledge regarding those topics considered forbidden to the general populace. Of course, your affinity for these subjects does not create that knowledge where none exists.
    Studious - You've become well acquainted with book learning and, while it will never be a good replacement for a teacher, have learned how to make the most of it. Increased skill gains when learning a skill from a book.

    Swift Growth I - With enough power the Heroic Spirit can even help you grow, increasing the rate at which you earn experience by twenty-five percent permanently.

    Sorrowful I - In your quest for knowledge you chose to use your power on a creature near death and in doing so formed a mental bond much as you did with Velvet, and for the first time you now understand death. The pain and the fear, you felt every moment of your subject's death and knew you could do nothing. To make it worse, when you gave it mercy you could sense the betrayal literally assaulting you through your connection and now you understand fully the power you've been given. Such a thing, you know it will haunt you for even now it tears at you and weakens your will, your certainty in your goals...
    Pragmatic I - As your travel down the path of both Adventurer and Scholar you have come to understand more about the world. Of the kindness it contains, of the cruelty that lays hidden in it, and the things you may come to be asked in pursuit of your dream. A step towards pragmatism has been taken, a small one but still a step. Such pragmatism may assist you greatly, or it could drag you to an early grave. Only time and actions will tell.
    Skills
    Mathematics (Beginner, 15%) - +4 to rolls requiring use of mathematics.
    Local Administration (Beginner, 10%) - +4 to rolls involving administration of businesses and small land holdings.
    Geography of Relgar Township Region (Beginner) - Capable of recalling information related to areas in the Relgar area that could be of use. Such as the size of a specific forest, important landmarks, etc.
    Monster Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner, 45%) - You've memorized basic information provided on Vicious Rabbits, Giant Rats, Slimes, Monstrous Corn, Green-pelt Wolves, and Forest Bears.
    Knowledge of the Undead (Beginner) - You've memorized the basic information and understanding of the Church of Death on Mindless Walkers, Animated Remains, and Wisps.
    Plant Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner) - You've memorized basic information provided on Red-Shelled Warmths, Blue Bells, Golden Leaf, and common herbs like thyme or poppies.
    Copying Writing (Adept, 2%) - You've experienced copying countless documents, books, and records to such an extent that it's almost an ingrained instinct in you. Time required to copy any form of writing is reduced and chance of wrongly copying something is greatly decreased.
    Evasion (Beginner, 22%) - You've learned the basics of positioning, and movement enabling you to react well to attacks sent you way. It's rather simple now, but even a slight advantage could save your life. Increases your Difficulty to Hit by 4.
    Dagger Mastery (Beginner, 9%) - Through sparring and practice you have grasped the basics of fighting with a dagger. How to grip it so as not to lose the weapon in combat, basic and effective methods of attack from stabbing to slicing, etc. +4 to attack rolls when wielding a dagger.

    Harvesting (Learning Beginner, 88%) - You are slowly obtaining experience in the act of harvesting plants and herbs. With some more work experience you are certain you'd be at least somewhat skilled in the act.
    Skinning (Learning Beginner, 60%) - You have learned the basic knowledge one should know to begin skinning and harvesting the corpses of monsters, but to really come to understand it and it's uses you will need actual experience.
    Haggling (Learning Beginner, 92%) - You have obtained a lot of insight into the act of haggling varying from the dos to the don'ts and you are certain with a bit more knowledge and actual practice you can put it to work helping you.
    Identification (Learning Beginner, 10%) - After reading the book on Identification you have a vague idea of how the power works, but without a teacher to guide you in the absolute specifics you are unsure if you can learn to utilize this power.
    Survival (Learning Beginner, 67%) - You are quickly becoming used to most basic of the basics when it comes to surviving outdoors, and with the help of some of your research materials you believe you have a decent grasp of it all. Only actively performing the actions and experience will tell.
    Trapping (Learning Beginner, 20%) - Trapping is a rather simple subject, but the specifics are somewhat confusing to you with your rather limited life experiences. You have a decent grasp of theoretical knowledge, but will need to use it in the field to confirm.
    Shield Mastery (Learning Beginner, 44%) - Utilizing a shield in battle is an incredibly useful tool that may well prevent incredibly lethal blows, but as it stands most of the concept has flown over your head.
    Monster Taming (Learning Beginner, 3%) - Needless to say that taming slimes by feeding them mana and utilizing mana to communicate with them was pretty distant from what most of monster taming was (with what little you know). Still, the book did give you some small grasp of what the trade's core needs might be.
    Stealth (Learning Beginner, 95%) - You have begun to grasp the simplest aspects of being stealthy, mainly softening your footsteps and avoiding a target's sight. You're quite close to putting this to effective use in the field, but need a bit more training or practical experience.
    Blunt Weapon Mastery (Learning Beginner, 68%) - Wielding a blunt weapon in a fight is a comparatively simple action, a combat style that is easy to learn the basics of from what you've experienced in combat and what you gained from the page you dominated.
    Abilities
    Domination (Level One, 8/25) - Allows you to bind creatures/monsters that are one level below you (to a minimum of level 1) to your will permanently. Unless the creature in question has a particularly strong will then the power is bound to succeed. Does not work on humans. [Dominated Beings: 1/2]
    + Dominate Writing (Level One, 7/25) - You've obtained a new power derived from your blessing from the God of War. It grants you the ability to draw strength from the written word though... You are utterly uncertain what that actually means. [Dominated Writings: 1/1]

    Backstab - You force an opening in your opponent's guard and shift yourself into place to deliver a well timed, well placed reverse grip stab to the foe's back with great force. Such a move is straining on you, but has incredible effects when successfully performed. Make a single attack that deals four times damage to the enemy if it lands, uses a moderate amount of Stamina.
    Inventory
    Equipment
    Main Hand -     Simple Wooden Club [Damage: 3, Blunt, Grip and Wrist Strap (Harder to Disarm)]
    Off Hand - Iron Kite Shield [???]

    Armor - Calming Ocean Robes [Armor: 2, Provides a bonus to resisting mental influences and calms the wearer, Puts others slightly at ease]

    Easily Accessed Items
    Iron Hand-Axe [???]
    Simple Iron Dagger [Damage: ???, Attack Speed: 2, Slashing]

    Skinning Knife

    Scholar's Writing Instruments [1/4 sheets of paper]
    Dominated Greenpelt Wolf Fangs

    Canvas Backpack [10/10]
    - Ten Foot Rope
    - Bundle of Clean Rags [9/10]
    - Archbishop Julian Vandamule's Sealed Scroll
    - Wooden Storage Box [Can hold up to twenty herbs (varies based on size) | 3 Poor Quality Golden Leaf, 2 Average Quality Golden Leaf, 3 Perfect Quality Golden Leaf | 8/20]
    - Paper with copied contents from a Book on Skinning
    - Paper with copied contents about Trapping.
    - Papers copied from the Book of Academia (Contain basic descriptions of numerous scholarly branches of study)
    - Piece of Leather [5/10 Units left]
    - Six pounds of Greenpelt Wolf Meat [2 Days left until it spoils] wrapped in Greenpelt Wolf Pelt [Poor Quality, About 70% intact]
    - Damaged Scholar's Robes

    Belt Pouch [4/4]
    - Flask of Oil [3 Units of Oil Remaining]
    - Container with Six Vials [0/6 Filled]
    - Flint & Steel
    - Waterskin [4/6, Clean Water]
    Health: 3/8

    Status Effects: Very Hungry (-5 to all rolls)

    Level: 2
    Experience: 23/40

    Attacks:
    Bite -     [Damage: 3, Slashing]

    Traits:
    Sensitive Nose -     +5 to finding herbs
    Natural Gatherer - +5 to harvesting herbs
    Soul Linked - Can be given up to 2 Experience from their Master's kills.

    Skills:
    Evasion (Beginner,     19%) - Increases the Difficulty to Hit by 4.
    Fighting (Beginner, 1%) - +3 to Attack Rolls when fighting.

    Stealth (Learning Beginner, 75%)
    Harvesting (Learning Beginner, 43%)

    Abilities:
    Cannibalize (Level One, 0/10) - Capable of devouring their kin to quickly heal from injuries. Regains 1 Health per pound of Vicious Rabbit meat consumed.


    Payment: 5 Coppers per Monstrous Corn corpse, 2 GP per corpse, 1 Rank Advancement Point for every fifteen corpse, 1 Experience per every two corpses
    Description: Due to the increased traffic through town we've been running low on our supply of a local delicacy - Monstrous Corn. A fine mixture of sweet and salty that can survive months in the open air before rotting. If you could hunt down some for us it would be much appreciated, the more you get the better! We've left instructions to a good spot with the receptionist.

    Current Contributions: 10 Monstrous Corn corpses
    Payment: Variable Money, Variable GP, Variable Rank Advancement Points, Variable Experience
    Description: I have need of as many Golden Leaf as you can get your hands on, quality is important so insure proper storage. You can find me at the apothecary on the south side of the town, Gerald's Apothecary. I've provided drawings for those who've never seen Golden leaf and they can be found on the outskirts of Relgar's Northern Woods. Please only come when you have Golden leaf to deliver, I am a busy man.
    Payment: 50 Silver, 2,500 GP, 5 Rank Advancement Points, and 100 Experience
    Description: You've been hired to take care of a Mother Corn you've discovered, a Monstrous Corn that had mutated into a cradle for the creation of more Monstrous Corn. Such a quest is typically reserved for Copper Ranks purely due to the sheer number of Monstrous Corn such things can create in a short time, a number that can get noticeably out of hand. Request granted to you by Liara, rewards adjusted.

    GM Note: I'll be honest, I've been delayed all around by a mixture of being dragged off to play For Honor and my friend suddenly agreeing to play Diablo 3 with me. Spent the last three days bashing our way from normal to Torment III and then the new season dropped meaning the ungodly press of minions from Necromancer+Witch Doctor got undone :c

    As for the vote this time, write-in only as this is a mixture of test and gauge of how much you all managed to piece together aboute Gods from the quest so far. Hopefully that's okay.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Don't want to try and write up a vote proper because I'm running on sleep deprivation, but I'm just gonna kinda lay out my personal feelings about these guys.

    Alright, so, I think the Gods are alright. We can see through all the different traveling sects that the gods truly believe in caring for and nurturing mortals, see the God of War working alongside his clergy to bless weaker mortals to fight monsters, the knowledge followers going out and establishing academies and stuff in the kingdom, the Death Gods having their followers wander around to help people with funeral rites and stuff, and the Dawn Tree Elves being Healer Missionairies.

    The Gods don't have to do that, they could just stay up in heaven and do whatever while leaving us mortals to pick up the slack, but they don't. From what we've seen, the Gods have an interest in ensuring that all members of a population will be able to benefit from their Domains/Clergy, which makes them fundamentally good people.

    We've seen that they truly believe in the abilities of mortals, and much prefer to give mortals the tools to elevate themselves rather than just straight boost them via divine power. See the leveling system and the heroic Spirit System.

    Ultimately, they've been keeping humanity safe from Demonic Threat for hundreds or thousands of years now, and are still willing to spread their Blessings to all mortals and would rather give their power to promising individuals than hoard it for themselves. From what little we've been able to learn about them, they seem to be good people.
     
    [X] "Honestly, I didn't at all, until a few days ago."
    -[X] Share your weird story with someone who might believe you.

    Shes asking for it. Little scholar boy is too busy studying to be particularly deific!
     
    adwarf said:
    You have a knack, it's obvious to those observing you as me and the old man have, to notice things that most mortals never should touch upon in the first place. A domain largely restrained for those tied to a God's service, or who stand on the cusp. So I have a rather simple question, John."
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    I'm not sure if I'm missing something obvious, but I can't figure out who "the old man" is here.
    Pandemonious Ivy said:
    [X] "Honestly, I didn't at all, until a few days ago."
    -[X] Share your weird story with someone who might believe you.

    Shes asking for it. Little scholar boy is too busy studying to be particularly deific!
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    We can't tell anyone about the Heroic Spirit, and I'm not sure how to separate that from everything else.
     
    We could I think omit the part about the Heroic Spirit but try to explain about the blessing of Lords we got off the God of War, to explain how we're getting to dig into the gods like this.
    Honestly I'd add we probably should have looked them up but we thought these encounters were more of a 'chance of a lifetime' deal and we just keep getting lucky as opposed to actual divine support/attention.
     
    [X] I was only taught what every other person at the school was, to honor and respect them. I think I understand the god of knowledge's domain best, but I certainly feel like right now, I'm learning most about the god of war's domain. Do the gods take many people into their service, outside of priests?

    I have more questions about the gods than answers, that's for sure.
     
    adwarf said:
    You hesitate for a long moment, the questioning look from Liara more than enough to make you incredibly uncomfortable, until at last managing the willpower to answer.
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    adwarf said:
    After being led into one of them your server bows and parts leaving you alone in a room decorated with lightly colored curtains, a small fountain in the corner, and a well made (though plain) wooden table with two chairs set at opposite ends.
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    [X] I was only taught what every other person at the school was, to honor and respect the Three Gods of Humanity. I was aware that there were other gods, but to be honest I didn't even know the actual number of them until you just told me. If everything I know about them is true, then we have them to thank for most of what we have as a civilization, from our rulers, to the Churches, to the Bastion, and the System. And they still watch over us and bless us with miracles and the like to this day. However, I'm sure things aren't nearly as simple and neat as most are taught to believe, because people are more complicated than that, and the Three were originally living people weren't they?
     
    [X] I was only taught what every other person at the school was, to honor and respect the Three Gods of Humanity. I was aware that there were other gods, but to be honest I didn't even know the actual number of them until you just told me. If everything I know about them is true, then we have them to thank for most of what we have as a civilization, from our rulers, to the Churches, to the Bastion, and the System. And they still watch over us and bless us with miracles and the like to this day. However, I'm sure things aren't nearly as simple and neat as most are taught to believe, because people are more complicated than that, and the Three were originally living people weren't they?
     
    [X]NaanContributor

    Originally living. Three. Probably more complex than people think. Barrier keeping the more powerful individuals away from the ordinary folk.

    I'm getting shades of ALMSIVI. At least we're not the Nerevarine.
     
    Mount. Elements said:
    We can't tell anyone about the Heroic Spirit, and I'm not sure how to separate that from everything else.
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    Domination is a Blessing we got from the War God and is seperate from our Heroic Spirit nature, we could just talk about that. Might be a good thing to do, Liara clearly likes Velvet and jas seen us forming an actual bond with the bunbun.

    I'm just not sure what to put here, because I don't know if Liara's asking this because she's on good terms with the gods and wants to give us some pointers, or if this is supposed to lead into a tragic and jaded backstory.
     
    KidFromPallet said:
    I'm just not sure what to put here, because I don't know if Liara's asking this because she's on good terms with the gods and wants to give us some pointers, or if this is supposed to lead into a tragic and jaded backstory.
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    She stated that the Mortal Races have only 8 gods while the Demons have 33 effigies so I think that she's pro-god and wants more of them. If living beings became gods in this setting, then there must be a way for others to do so. Maybe she tried and failed.
     
    Mount. Elements said:
    She stated that the Mortal Races have only 8 gods while the Demons have 33 effigies so I think that she's pro-god and wants more of them. If living beings became gods in this setting, then there must be a way for others to do so. Maybe she tried and failed.
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    Maybe she looks for people with that spark.

    Maybe she's a lesser god? Angel? Would explain some of the strangeness.
     
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    adwarf said:
    "Interesting, truly interesting. A Heroic Spirit is born in such a small town in the body of a mere scholar who hadn't even took his first step into the world at large. Well then, you can consider this to be a destined meeting, Heroic Spirit. Since we meet here today by chance then let me offer you a boon to speed you on your journey. Do you seek the Crown or the Sword, Heroic Spirit?"

    His last words are like an explosion, their utterance causing the frozen town to shake intensely and yet you are more focused on the fact that a multicolored light has begun to shine from where your heart is. You have no clue what he means by Heroic Spirit, but you feel the need to answer his question all the same, after all you're the only person here besides that statue who can move.
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    adwarf said:
    I write this with a great sense of sadness despite knowing that this day would come, the first of our Three Saviors has departed from this world and to his Divine Domain after fighting for so long to... *a damaged portion ends the sentence early* It seems the time remaining for our God and even He Who Denied Death is limited, before they depart for their Divine Domains we must make ready the Church. Our purpose is War, never forget that brothers and sisters, for only in battling the great enemy and casting aside the myriad darkness that attempt to consume the kingdom do we live according to His Will. I will soon depart myself for the Bastion Mountain Range, I can feel the end of my life drawing near, His power was not meant...

    *A damaged portion seems to cover the remainder of this scroll, oddly at the end of it you find a seal of a flaming sword beside which is written "Author - Archbishop Julian Vandamule, Classified Record of the Church, sealed by order of the Cult of the Burning Sword.*
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    A couple quotes from the time we talked with the God of War, and the Sealed Scroll we are still carrying around in our backpack.

    My interpertation is that the Gods are real, they care about us, and they still interact with the living, but that the Church is concealing information about them. I don't really have anything more than that.

    [X] Well, the Gods are real. At least some of them continue to interact with the world. It's obvious however that knowledge about them is concealed for some reason. I'd guess that there is probably a reason for that, just as there are reasons behind the Guild policies as well.
     
    Elder Haman said:
    A couple quotes from the time we talked with the God of War, and the Sealed Scroll we are still carrying around in our backpack.

    My interpertation is that the Gods are real, they care about us, and they still interact with the living, but that the Church is concealing information about them. I don't really have anything more than that.

    [X] Well, the Gods are real. At least some of them continue to interact with the world. It's obvious however that knowledge about them is concealed for some reason. I'd guess that there is probably a reason for that, just as there are reasons behind the Guild policies as well.
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    We haven't actually researched the Gods though so we don't know what information exactly is being concealed. It's definitely not their existence. Maybe it's whatever they did to create the System?
     
    Learning While Getting a Free Meal
  • Threadmarks
    • "I was only taught what every other person at the school was, to honor and respect the Three Gods of Humanity. I was aware that there were other gods, but to be honest I didn't even know the actual number of them until you just told me."

    You begin to answer, fidgeting slightly under the gaze this ever mysterious and weird receptionist throws towards you. It's easy to notice the beads of sweat rolling down your back from that brief glance at whatever the thing staring at you was. Clearing your throat, you shift in the chair before continuing.

    "If everything I know about them is true, then we have them to thank for most of what we have as a civilization, from our rulers, to the Churches, to the Bastion, and the System. And they still watch over us and bless us with miracles and the like to this day. However, I'm sure things aren't nearly as simple and neat as most are taught to believe, because people are more complicated than that, and the Three were originally living people weren't they?"

    Hesitantly you end your answer with your own question, prodding for an answer to something you already half confirmed and seeking a better view of the world. She responds with prolonged silence, her eyes moving from you to the content form of Velvet now curled on her lap. You're unsure how much time you spend just watching her pet Velvet before she finally answers.

    "Indeed. Once the Three were living humans, perhaps all the Gods supporting the Mortal Races were once a part of us or at least mortal beings in their own right. However, there is a mistake in your thoughts in a way. Indeed the Gods carrying on granting miracles, supporting the Mortal Races, and struggling to fight against the Demons that seek to extinguish all our kind.

    Yet, much of what we use to hold up the surviving world is not from them, but what could be preserved from the fall of the Empire. We are scraps of long dead corpse, clinging to the edge of a world where all but a tiny portion seeks to wipe us from existence. Perhaps the one truly original thing the Three granted to the Mortal Races is the System, but... it is just as likely another piece ripped from the Empire's fall to sustain us."

    Liara exhales sharply as she finishes, the melancholy she feels clear to you though whether it's related to what she spoke of or something else you are entirely unsure. People have never been your strong suit, books though? Books were far easier to comprehend. Staring at her you can only really come up with a single idea for what to say.

    "Why are you telling me this?"

    She throws a glance your way, her body straightening in the seat as she waves vaguely around the room with her free hand.

    "Because, you are both interesting and promising. People born with a natural ability or luck to come into contact with the Divine or Transcendant are incomparably rare, Adventurers with that trait and the desire to learn more? Near non-existent. The world is a far more dangerous place than it appears, it would be quite the shame if you died due to a lack of understanding."

    She pauses, clearly wanting to say more yet turning to look at the door just in time for a server to enter with a cart covered in dishes. They smile before wordlessly arranging it all on the table between you, Velvet quickly making her way from Liara's lap to tear into the meat prepared for her. It's only after the server leaves that Liara lifts the metal cover from her plate, a large portion of vibrant red meat lightly drizzled with a brown and red sauce revealed beneath. Brilliantly green lettuce, bite sized tomatoes, and diced potatoes lay arranged around it.

    Quickly getting a bite with her fork, she places it in her mouth before waving towards you.

    "Feel free to dig in, we'll talk as we eat. I'm sure there are things you want to know, so ask whatever it is on your mind."

    What do you ask? (Choose up to 3)
    [] How she knows so much about the Divine.
    [] Why she's staying in a small town with her skill.
    [] If there's a way to avoid noticing these Gods and such, it's getting painful to keep running into them.
    [] Ask about the Empire, what was it? Why did it fall?
    [] Write-in.

    Gained 20 Experience for learning forbidden knowledge.
    Gained 8 Experience from discussion in the thread.

    Status
    Health: Battered, Bruised and in Pain (Bite wound on left arm, hastily bandaged, moderate pain from several exploding monstrous corn and numerous blows from their vine arms)
    Stamina: Fatigued

    Status Effects: Fatigued (-3 to all rolls), Slightly Sleepy (-1 to all rolls), Hungry (-3 to all rolls)

    Dominate Writing - Blunt Mastery Basics - Using a copy you made of the basics required to wield a blunt weapon in battle effectively you have gained the knowledge and experience required exactly for that. When using a blunt weapon you will be more capable of striking the enemy with ease. +5 to Attack Rolls made with Blunt weaponry equipped.
    Lasts until end of the day.

    Level: 3
    Experience: 250/400

    Guild Rank:     Porcelain (0/40)
    Hidden Features: Unlocked Instructors in the Guild Store
    Current Booked Courses: None

    G.P.: 215
    Money: 1 Silver, 35 Copper
    Heroic Legacy Points: 0

    Estimated Time of Day:     Night
    Titles
    They Who Seek the Crown (Level One, 16/25) - A title earned by gaining the blessing of the God of War in a chance encounter with his will. It is a boon granted to those who seek to become like Lords, towering above the world with every action and word capable of bringing great waves of change. Currently it is weak and only grants you the power of Domination, but if you grow stronger and perform in a way that meshes with this Boon then perhaps its strength can grow.

    Heroes can be Thieves Right? - In the name of Heroism you stole classified information from the Church of War without being caught. Now no innocent souls shall be ended with this dangerous knife, but ... yours might be if you mess up? Slightly increased chance of learning stealth and thievery related skills until discovered, lost if the Sealed Scroll is destroyed.

    Ethical Scribe, Pragmatic Scholar - A scribe's duty is that of facts, numbers, honesty, and boundaries. You have a devotion to the work of the written word that few would follow in the face of potential benefits. A scholar's duty is to learn. Obtain knowledge, study books, and understand the world around them so that they may use it to help themselves or the world at large. You seek simply to perform your work to the best of your ability, further your grasp of knowledge and stand within the morals of your scholar code, even find yourself compelled to do so. Established personal Scholarly Code, sticking to it makes your work easier and better while going against it more difficult and with worse results.
    • Scribe Code I - No work is better than hasty work. {Provides +2 to scholarly rolls when you take your time, take -2 to scholarly rolls when you attempt to work with haste.}
    • Scribe Code II - Provide the facts to those that hire you, nothing more and nothing less. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
    • Scribe Code III - Judgement is the employer's job. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
    • Scholar Code I - There is satisfaction in learning that which is known and that which is not. {Provides 2 bonus experience when learning new knowledge skills and advancing skill ranks in them.}
    • Scholar Code II - Sometimes a price is required to learn, that price must be weighed against the knowledge to be earned carefully for while some may be worth the cost, not everything is. {Gain 4 bonus experience when learning knowledge of acceptable price, lose all experience when learning knowledge whose price is too high. May be entirely unwilling to learn something if it comes at a great cost. Only applicable to certain information/skills/traits/abilities, will be noted when it is.}
    Traits
    Sturdy Physique - You come to possess a body that is much more resilient than your original form allowing you to withstand roughly twice as much damage before your body gives out resulting in death.
    Quick to Act - You are fast to respond in dangerous situations, where others are still confused about changing events you have already begun to move in response to them.
    Iron Clad Mind - Your will is strengthened considerably under the guidance of the Spirit as if your mind has created the foundations of a fortress around it. With it's backing you are capable of putting up greater resistance against mental influences.

    Aspire to Sagehood - You've come to find yourself a seeker of all forms of knowledge and find it easy to learn those skills a scholar finds most useful. Perhaps with enough work you may achieve acknowledgement as a Sage, a master of countless fields of knowledge. Increased skill gains for scholar related skills.
    Forbidden Scholar - You are more likely to notice lore and knowledge regarding those topics considered forbidden to the general populace. Of course, your affinity for these subjects does not create that knowledge where none exists.
    Studious - You've become well acquainted with book learning and, while it will never be a good replacement for a teacher, have learned how to make the most of it. Increased skill gains when learning a skill from a book.

    Swift Growth I - With enough power the Heroic Spirit can even help you grow, increasing the rate at which you earn experience by twenty-five percent permanently.

    Sorrowful I - In your quest for knowledge you chose to use your power on a creature near death and in doing so formed a mental bond much as you did with Velvet, and for the first time you now understand death. The pain and the fear, you felt every moment of your subject's death and knew you could do nothing. To make it worse, when you gave it mercy you could sense the betrayal literally assaulting you through your connection and now you understand fully the power you've been given. Such a thing, you know it will haunt you for even now it tears at you and weakens your will, your certainty in your goals...
    Pragmatic I - As your travel down the path of both Adventurer and Scholar you have come to understand more about the world. Of the kindness it contains, of the cruelty that lays hidden in it, and the things you may come to be asked in pursuit of your dream. A step towards pragmatism has been taken, a small one but still a step. Such pragmatism may assist you greatly, or it could drag you to an early grave. Only time and actions will tell.
    Skills
    Mathematics (Beginner, 15%) - +4 to rolls requiring use of mathematics.
    Local Administration (Beginner, 10%) - +4 to rolls involving administration of businesses and small land holdings.
    Geography of Relgar Township Region (Beginner) - Capable of recalling information related to areas in the Relgar area that could be of use. Such as the size of a specific forest, important landmarks, etc.
    Monster Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner, 45%) - You've memorized basic information provided on Vicious Rabbits, Giant Rats, Slimes, Monstrous Corn, Green-pelt Wolves, and Forest Bears.
    Knowledge of the Undead (Beginner) - You've memorized the basic information and understanding of the Church of Death on Mindless Walkers, Animated Remains, and Wisps.
    Plant Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner) - You've memorized basic information provided on Red-Shelled Warmths, Blue Bells, Golden Leaf, and common herbs like thyme or poppies.
    Copying Writing (Adept, 2%) - You've experienced copying countless documents, books, and records to such an extent that it's almost an ingrained instinct in you. Time required to copy any form of writing is reduced and chance of wrongly copying something is greatly decreased.
    Evasion (Beginner, 22%) - You've learned the basics of positioning, and movement enabling you to react well to attacks sent you way. It's rather simple now, but even a slight advantage could save your life. Increases your Difficulty to Hit by 4.
    Dagger Mastery (Beginner, 9%) - Through sparring and practice you have grasped the basics of fighting with a dagger. How to grip it so as not to lose the weapon in combat, basic and effective methods of attack from stabbing to slicing, etc. +4 to attack rolls when wielding a dagger.

    Harvesting (Learning Beginner, 88%) - You are slowly obtaining experience in the act of harvesting plants and herbs. With some more work experience you are certain you'd be at least somewhat skilled in the act.
    Skinning (Learning Beginner, 60%) - You have learned the basic knowledge one should know to begin skinning and harvesting the corpses of monsters, but to really come to understand it and it's uses you will need actual experience.
    Haggling (Learning Beginner, 92%) - You have obtained a lot of insight into the act of haggling varying from the dos to the don'ts and you are certain with a bit more knowledge and actual practice you can put it to work helping you.
    Identification (Learning Beginner, 10%) - After reading the book on Identification you have a vague idea of how the power works, but without a teacher to guide you in the absolute specifics you are unsure if you can learn to utilize this power.
    Survival (Learning Beginner, 67%) - You are quickly becoming used to most basic of the basics when it comes to surviving outdoors, and with the help of some of your research materials you believe you have a decent grasp of it all. Only actively performing the actions and experience will tell.
    Trapping (Learning Beginner, 20%) - Trapping is a rather simple subject, but the specifics are somewhat confusing to you with your rather limited life experiences. You have a decent grasp of theoretical knowledge, but will need to use it in the field to confirm.
    Shield Mastery (Learning Beginner, 44%) - Utilizing a shield in battle is an incredibly useful tool that may well prevent incredibly lethal blows, but as it stands most of the concept has flown over your head.
    Monster Taming (Learning Beginner, 3%) - Needless to say that taming slimes by feeding them mana and utilizing mana to communicate with them was pretty distant from what most of monster taming was (with what little you know). Still, the book did give you some small grasp of what the trade's core needs might be.
    Stealth (Learning Beginner, 95%) - You have begun to grasp the simplest aspects of being stealthy, mainly softening your footsteps and avoiding a target's sight. You're quite close to putting this to effective use in the field, but need a bit more training or practical experience.
    Blunt Weapon Mastery (Learning Beginner, 68%) - Wielding a blunt weapon in a fight is a comparatively simple action, a combat style that is easy to learn the basics of from what you've experienced in combat and what you gained from the page you dominated.
    Abilities
    Domination (Level One, 8/25) - Allows you to bind creatures/monsters that are one level below you (to a minimum of level 1) to your will permanently. Unless the creature in question has a particularly strong will then the power is bound to succeed. Does not work on humans. [Dominated Beings: 1/2]
    + Dominate Writing (Level One, 7/25) - You've obtained a new power derived from your blessing from the God of War. It grants you the ability to draw strength from the written word though... You are utterly uncertain what that actually means. [Dominated Writings: 1/1]

    Backstab - You force an opening in your opponent's guard and shift yourself into place to deliver a well timed, well placed reverse grip stab to the foe's back with great force. Such a move is straining on you, but has incredible effects when successfully performed. Make a single attack that deals four times damage to the enemy if it lands, uses a moderate amount of Stamina.
    Inventory
    Equipment
    Main Hand -     Simple Wooden Club [Damage: 3, Blunt, Grip and Wrist Strap (Harder to Disarm)]
    Off Hand - Iron Kite Shield [???]

    Armor - Calming Ocean Robes [Armor: 2, Provides a bonus to resisting mental influences and calms the wearer, Puts others slightly at ease]

    Easily Accessed Items
    Iron Hand-Axe [???]
    Simple Iron Dagger [Damage: ???, Attack Speed: 2, Slashing]

    Skinning Knife

    Scholar's Writing Instruments [1/4 sheets of paper]
    Dominated Greenpelt Wolf Fangs

    Canvas Backpack [10/10]
    - Ten Foot Rope
    - Bundle of Clean Rags [9/10]
    - Archbishop Julian Vandamule's Sealed Scroll
    - Wooden Storage Box [Can hold up to twenty herbs (varies based on size) | 3 Poor Quality Golden Leaf, 2 Average Quality Golden Leaf, 3 Perfect Quality Golden Leaf | 8/20]
    - Paper with copied contents from a Book on Skinning
    - Paper with copied contents about Trapping.
    - Papers copied from the Book of Academia (Contain basic descriptions of numerous scholarly branches of study)
    - Piece of Leather [5/10 Units left]
    - Six pounds of Greenpelt Wolf Meat [2 Days left until it spoils] wrapped in Greenpelt Wolf Pelt [Poor Quality, About 70% intact]
    - Damaged Scholar's Robes

    Belt Pouch [4/4]
    - Flask of Oil [3 Units of Oil Remaining]
    - Container with Six Vials [0/6 Filled]
    - Flint & Steel
    - Waterskin [4/6, Clean Water]
    Health: 3/8

    Status Effects: Very Hungry (-5 to all rolls)

    Level: 2
    Experience: 23/40

    Attacks:
    Bite -     [Damage: 3, Slashing]

    Traits:
    Sensitive Nose -     +5 to finding herbs
    Natural Gatherer - +5 to harvesting herbs
    Soul Linked - Can be given up to 2 Experience from their Master's kills.

    Skills:
    Evasion (Beginner,     19%) - Increases the Difficulty to Hit by 4.
    Fighting (Beginner, 1%) - +3 to Attack Rolls when fighting.

    Stealth (Learning Beginner, 75%)
    Harvesting (Learning Beginner, 43%)

    Abilities:
    Cannibalize (Level One, 0/10) - Capable of devouring their kin to quickly heal from injuries. Regains 1 Health per pound of Vicious Rabbit meat consumed.


    Payment: 5 Coppers per Monstrous Corn corpse, 2 GP per corpse, 1 Rank Advancement Point for every fifteen corpse, 1 Experience per every two corpses
    Description: Due to the increased traffic through town we've been running low on our supply of a local delicacy - Monstrous Corn. A fine mixture of sweet and salty that can survive months in the open air before rotting. If you could hunt down some for us it would be much appreciated, the more you get the better! We've left instructions to a good spot with the receptionist.

    Current Contributions: 10 Monstrous Corn corpses
    Payment: Variable Money, Variable GP, Variable Rank Advancement Points, Variable Experience
    Description: I have need of as many Golden Leaf as you can get your hands on, quality is important so insure proper storage. You can find me at the apothecary on the south side of the town, Gerald's Apothecary. I've provided drawings for those who've never seen Golden leaf and they can be found on the outskirts of Relgar's Northern Woods. Please only come when you have Golden leaf to deliver, I am a busy man.
    Payment: 50 Silver, 2,500 GP, 5 Rank Advancement Points, and 100 Experience
    Description: You've been hired to take care of a Mother Corn you've discovered, a Monstrous Corn that had mutated into a cradle for the creation of more Monstrous Corn. Such a quest is typically reserved for Copper Ranks purely due to the sheer number of Monstrous Corn such things can create in a short time, a number that can get noticeably out of hand. Request granted to you by Liara, rewards adjusted.

    GM Note: Back again, continue we shall. Sorry about the absence, went on vacation and such. If need be feel free to ask for a recap, I know it's been a while.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [] How she knows so much about the Divine.
    [] Why she's staying in a small town with her skill.
    [] Ask about the Empire, what was it? Why did it fall?

    These three have me intrigued but I'm inclined to not vote until we've talked about this a bit.
     
    Couldn't help but notice that she didn't say anything at all about her Bow, despite it being the thing that triggered this whole line of inquiry in the first place. That's probably purposeful, I guess it's a touchy subject for her, so going back to asking about it instead of letting it drop might not be a good idea.
    adwarf said:
    "Eight is the number of Gods largely believed to look over the mortal nations and lands that lie here, west of the Bastion Mountains. Beside them are those that died who are still revered.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    adwarf said:
    She pauses and locks eyes with you and for the barest moment you think you see something there besides her, something incredibly old. Yet what is truly disturbing is whatever it is you know, instinctively, that it is dead.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I don't necessarily want John to stop noticing Divine things, because it can be as much of a boon as a hazard. He just needs some way to make it less dangerous, or avoid offending the things we happen to see with our attention.
     
    Barondoctor said:
    [] How she knows so much about the Divine.
    [] Why she's staying in a small town with her skill.
    [] Ask about the Empire, what was it? Why did it fall?

    These three have me intrigued but I'm inclined to not vote until we've talked about this a bit.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I think we should def get how to hide in there but can't decide what to cut. I'm leaning towards either how she knows about the Divine or why she sticks around because I think they are related.
     
    I don't want to avoid noticing Divine things either, at least partially because she just complimented John for wanting to learn more. How about a write-in about safety measures though? Maybe something like:

    [] Are there any measures I can take to avoid taking damage from the Divine? It's backfired on me a few times after all.

    I also want to know about the Empire because we already have a huge To-Read list, and she probably would tell us some things we can't learn at our current level in the library. Finally, I want to ask about her, but I'm not sure which question would be better to ask.
     
    How about this set?

    [X] Ask about the Empire, what was it? Why did it fall?

    [X] Are there any measures I can take to avoid taking damage from the Divine? It's backfired on me a few times after all.

    [X] What exactly is the story of Liara Kestler, who became the Red Star, and so informed of the truths of the world, only to reside here in this small village?
     
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