The Lands of the River - A Bronze Souls Quest
- Thread starter MissBegot
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Really cool quest and I love your writing style.
For the sake of reading through the archive, it would be really really nice if you put an indication of the winning vote at the top of the update!
For the sake of reading through the archive, it would be really really nice if you put an indication of the winning vote at the top of the update!
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Oh, in terms of introspection fodder
Who fixed the world the last go around? Any heroes in particular, and whose nameless or forgotten (presumably either conjectured or incompletely buried if we could know them in the first place) contributions? Anything that can be learned from their journey that can be applied to ours? Fun to dive into in-universe myth since you often get to find out more of what the reality of it was.
Reestablishing contact with other priests would be neat (one would assume the ones at that temple have abandoned the place or are dead, but maybe not). Either they have answers or they've become big monsters or both.
Also glad to be touching on the fixing of things rather than just the breaking, I liked it.
Who fixed the world the last go around? Any heroes in particular, and whose nameless or forgotten (presumably either conjectured or incompletely buried if we could know them in the first place) contributions? Anything that can be learned from their journey that can be applied to ours? Fun to dive into in-universe myth since you often get to find out more of what the reality of it was.
Reestablishing contact with other priests would be neat (one would assume the ones at that temple have abandoned the place or are dead, but maybe not). Either they have answers or they've become big monsters or both.
Also glad to be touching on the fixing of things rather than just the breaking, I liked it.
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10ebbor10
DON'T PANIC
- Location
- Present
Anyway, given that the gods operate mostly on quid pro quo's here, we got to remember to grab a suitable offering for Rekhet if we can. Sure, we're doing the quest, but we should still bring a souvenir if we can.
But yeah, introspect about myths.
Maybe introspect some more about other gods. We were a priest, surely there's more divine figures that can help.
Do stories tell of any alternatives for the river, like lakes, wells, or ponds?
But yeah, introspect about myths.
Maybe introspect some more about other gods. We were a priest, surely there's more divine figures that can help.
Do stories tell of any alternatives for the river, like lakes, wells, or ponds?
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Thanks! I'll try and do that going forward, and go back to edit them into the archive when I can.
Putting aside the question of if Rekhet is a god, your relationship is on quite different terms; imagine an offering as a sort of highly-formal protocol like petitioning a king. Do you have reason to supplicate her; to beg, beseech or entreat, humbly and sincerely? You have a level of confidence and intimacy with Rekhet that is unheard of between gods and mortals (assuming the two of you could be said to be either).
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Investigate the dire omens that befell the Temple of Satat-Mehet, your only local lead on the fate of the waters.
0-21: The Blighted Isle
New
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[x] Investigate the dire omens that befell the Temple of Satat-Mehet, your only local lead on the fate of the waters.
When you set out for the temple, leaving the granaries in the hands of a cowed and penitent Hepu and his scribes, the river is busy with boats taking on grain. The funerary barque is nowhere to be seen in all the bustle, so you catch a lift on a simple reed boat that will pass the temple island on its way to bring food to a distant village. The boatman regards you with a sort of reverent awe that makes conversation impossible, so you give yourself over to contemplation as you proceed upstream by sail, and then down with the current when the river forks.
[x] Introspection: What could have happened to Rekhet, to exile her so from the land?
You think about Rekhet. Why can she not set foot on land? For that matter, what is she, is she god or mortal or neither?Not mortal, surely. But that's not saying much; you don't count as mortal any longer. Is she Dead like you? It's hard to tell; she doesn't seem to bear any physical signs, but then nor do you when your resolve is strong. She is paler even than the nomadic Outlanders, but you're not sure if you saw her blush during your last conversation, so it may not be a deathly pallor? That might just have been a trick of the light though. Does she need to breathe? You hadn't noticed; you've not seen her exerting herself, and the Dead must breathe to speak, and she wears too much clothing to discern more subtle motions of breathing at rest. (You try not to become distracted by imagining the alternative.)
{Scholarship: Partial; +1 XP}
Assume that she is; she crosses the sea, something only the dead can do. But she also returns, which the dead do not. Perhaps that is the root of it; perhaps those who have crossed the sea can never truly return?Is she also divine? There you have no basis for comparison; you have never beheld a god incarnate, nor spoken with one. She is a servant of Truth, that much is evidenced by the feather she gave you. Beyond the sea, they say the Ib of the dead is weighed against such a feather, and the gods of the afterlife pass judgement upon them. She must serve that court, but does she sit upon it?
Can gods die? Who are the gods of the afterlife, and were they once of this world? These are mysteries you were not initiated into; you never studied for a mortuary priest.
Perhaps you should ask her, when next you meet. But it is hard to think of Rekhet as a god, when she has sat beside you as a person, and discussed philosophy while the sun rose.
You have run aground on the limits of your knowledge.
[ ] Introspection: Where did that armoury on the barque come from? A bow like the one you picked up was at your side when you woke, but the chest held many more things you did not take.
[ ] Introspection: How did the Fall of the Old Kingdom play out? What lessons might you take from the ending of that world, if you can discern them through the mists of time?
[ ] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid?
[ ] Introspection:The Tax Collector was grand, monstrous, inhuman, with limbs stretched to grasp the heavens with the strength of ten men. Could you do the same? Could you change your visage to be grander? Could you get more arms? You deserve more arms. (Insufficient Sah & Ba)
[ ] Introspection: Write in.
[ ] Introspection: Where did that armoury on the barque come from? A bow like the one you picked up was at your side when you woke, but the chest held many more things you did not take.
[ ] Introspection: How did the Fall of the Old Kingdom play out? What lessons might you take from the ending of that world, if you can discern them through the mists of time?
[ ] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid?
[ ] Introspection:
[ ] Introspection: Write in.
"Ye sure ye wish to land here, Wise One? 'Tis accursed, so 'tis." You snap out of your reverie. The temple island is alongside, a paved path leading from the landing stage onto the low rock outcrop on which the temple stands, the only place in the delta that can support grand architecture. There is no sign of life; even the plants look sickly, beyond the normal effects of the drought. A large wooden boat is tied up at the jetty though.
"I am sure." You step onto the boards, and the boatman pushes off.
A paved path leads up toward the temple through an open colonnade, the columns carved to resemble papyrus blossoms. Halfway up the columns encircle a withered garden with a large fountain; formerly a resting place for pilgrims, it is now a battlefield; you can see three dead men in the tunics and headdresses of the priesthood of Satat-Mehet, and the carcasses of six crocodiles pierced by spears and javelins. But for the flies and the trickle of the fountain, the air is still. You can tell at a glance that the bloodshed was recent; no more than a few hours ago.
No; not entirely still. Masked by a column is the seated form of a third priest, one who still breathes. Cautiously you approach; she seems to have fallen asleep, propped up against the pillar, but while her tunic bears the marks of a severe bite across her midriff, the flesh beneath is unblemished. She must have healed herself with an invocation before collapsing from exhaustion.
Her eyes suddenly open as your shadow falls across her, focusing and assessing you with a hawklike intensity. Her gaze flickers to your staff, the dagger at your hip, the armoured robes, the feather in your hair, and then to the earring in your left ear. "Sister. Are you come to pronounce the judgement of the dead upon us?"
"...I am sent to seek justice, and restore the Waters." Her insight is startling; no-one, Living or Dead, has seen you quite so clearly at first meeting. Most people see, to some extent, what they expect to see.
"Then we are in accord. My name is Semat. We came to reclaim the temple from Tjanefer's heresy and reopen it to the people, but… as you see." She gestures at the bloodshed.
"I am called Benerib. What is this heresy you speak of?"
"When the drought came, and the sacred hippopotamus died, Tjanefer declared that the Doom of Kings was come again, and that all the lands would be consumed in dust and bloodshed until Satat-Mehet blessed the victors with the return of the Waters. He preached that the season of Life is ended, and the season of War is upon us. It would be a return to barbarity, a rejection of our duties as priests of the inundation. Those of us who spoke against him were driven out, but those who followed him have since left to fight in the south, and we thought to retake the holy spaces. But he has corrupted the sacred animals of the island, and we were taken by surprise."
Could this be a lead on the cause of the drought? But these events followed it, they cannot have precipitated it. You consider Semat; it would be good to have an ally, but should you really bring the Living into your battles?
It is as if she read your thoughts in your eyes. "If you intend to go on, I will follow. I will not sit by while you walk into danger in my own temple." She grasps the two-pronged spear of her office that leans beside her, and pushes herself to her feet.
There is clearly no arguing with that, so while she gathers herself you check the other fallen priests, laying them out decently. They were armed, as Semat is, with their sacred spears, light shields, and javelins.
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- The traditional bident-staff of the priests of Satat-Mehet, topped with two bronze prongs styled after the horns of a white antelope.
- Thrusting Weapon & Invocation Implement.
- Inflicts 2/4/4 Piercing damage.
- Reach, Balanced (damage modifiers included).
- Agile (+10 to Defence Rolls when you attack with this weapon)
- Burden 1
-
- A small wickerwork shield, favoured by skirmishers who must travel light.
- Allows you to Block using Might/Endurance.
- Burden: 2
-
- A bundle of short lightweight javelins with narrow bronze heads.
- Missile Weapon.
- Inflicts 0/4/4 Piercing damage at up to Short range (Medium with Might 60+).
- Balanced (damage modifiers included).
- Burden: 2
{Discovery: Success!}
One was wearing a curious amulet, and as you touch it, you feel the magic within.-
- A small dark bronze amulet shaped like the head of a Horizon Lands Ibex. One of those forged to bestow the surefootedness of the ibex upon the personal guard of King Iahmesu, founder of the Upper Kingdom, during the Wars of the New River.
- +5 Poise (reduces Stagger penalties)
- +5 to Block & Parry
Should you take anything? You doubt they will grudge it; the Dead, as you are learning, cannot truly be parted from the things they value. And you will be finishing their work.
[ ] Write in by plan.
Also, is there anything you want to discuss with Semat on the way to the temple?
[ ] Write in suggestions.
[ ] Write in by plan.
Also, is there anything you want to discuss with Semat on the way to the temple?
[ ] Write in suggestions.
If I keep collecting writer's blocks at this rate I'll be able to build a pyramid with them. 
Semat is your first non-summoned ally; she is a skirmisher with Invocations of Satat-Mehet. As noted, she is one of the Living, and thus cannot survive the kinds of things you can, though she does have some healing magic.
Please comment and discuss, it helps keep me going and your ideas or theories can help further your investigations!
Semat is your first non-summoned ally; she is a skirmisher with Invocations of Satat-Mehet. As noted, she is one of the Living, and thus cannot survive the kinds of things you can, though she does have some healing magic.
Please comment and discuss, it helps keep me going and your ideas or theories can help further your investigations!
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- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid.
[X] Plan: Travelling Light
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
I just want to say that you do a superb job of capturing the Dark Souls atmosphere in your writing.
[X] Plan: Travelling Light
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
I just want to say that you do a superb job of capturing the Dark Souls atmosphere in your writing.
Wooo delighted this is back! Great update.
Twei
I have a face!
- Location
- the land where they write things
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Introspection: How did the Fall of the Old Kingdom play out? What lessons might you take from the ending of that world, if you can discern them through the mists of time?
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
[X] Plan: Travelling Light
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
No strong feelings on the plan, may change it if discussion comes up - we might want to move closer to melee since our Living friend cannot get back up from all the things we can, but so far we seem to have been doing well enough as mostly ranged and spellcasting? The shield and the amulet can't hurt, regardless.
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
[X] Plan: Travelling Light
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
No strong feelings on the plan, may change it if discussion comes up - we might want to move closer to melee since our Living friend cannot get back up from all the things we can, but so far we seem to have been doing well enough as mostly ranged and spellcasting? The shield and the amulet can't hurt, regardless.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Our foe, Jennifer
If we're going above 5 we might as well go all the way to 10, we'd be going above a load limit if we took anything but the amulet. Can always get rid of stuff later if we find other things.
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Antelope Spear
--[X] Javelins
(In the future I'd suggest replacing the javelins and small shield with the bigger shield we found earlier for better blocking, but we'd have to find Rekhet again)
[X] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid.
I wonder if the stormhounds (or our new friend) would be put off if we summoned them. Probably, alas.
If we're going above 5 we might as well go all the way to 10, we'd be going above a load limit if we took anything but the amulet. Can always get rid of stuff later if we find other things.
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
--[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
--[X] Small Shield
--[X] Antelope Spear
--[X] Javelins
(In the future I'd suggest replacing the javelins and small shield with the bigger shield we found earlier for better blocking, but we'd have to find Rekhet again)
[X] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid.
I wonder if the stormhounds (or our new friend) would be put off if we summoned them. Probably, alas.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid.
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
- Location
- Soviet Canuckistan
[X] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid.
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
[X] Plan: Grabbing Some Stabbing
[X]Discussion suggestion: Who was Tjanefer, before he was a heretic?
Twei
I have a face!
- Location
- the land where they write things
- Pronouns
- They/Them
It seems noteworthy that the Antelope Spear (and Semat) can Invoke but not Incant. Is there a difference between the two spell types, besides the obvious verbal component? They both seem to have small spells and big spells, so it's not like one is exclusively quick and small and the other is exclusively big weighty attacks.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It's the traditional soulsverse Intelligence/Faith split. Incantation has secular schools of study (e.g. Astromancy, Pyromancy, etc.), Invocation has cults of worship (Banut, Satat-Mehet, etc.). The scholar-priests of Imunhekau, god of secrets, do both, but they're the exception.
A common occurance.
[X] Introspection: How did the Fall of the Old Kingdom play out? What lessons might you take from the ending of that world, if you can discern them through the mists of time?
Seems pretty relevant to both the current situation as a whole and the heresy.
Assuming we get to access this stuff afterwards from the armory:
[X] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
The block isn't useful without a shield, but I assume poise is.
[X] You're heading into a fight, better discuss how both of you fight and how it can be synergized. Also establish early that you get better when you die, so it's totally fine for her to hide behind your strapping back when push comes to shove.
[X] Under no circumstances tell her you're a prophet foretelling the change to come and the end of old order. There could be misunderstandings.
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- Pronouns
- She/Her
That's a good point, it should boost Parry too; edited. Yes, Poise works regardless.
(Parrying is something of a niche option, mostly for skilled twohander or dual wield melee builds, but it's there.)
ThatGazzer
Minds Eye Bind
- Location
- PNW
- Pronouns
- They/Them
"Wars of the New River."
Mmm tasty implied Lore
[X] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
Mmm tasty implied Lore
[X] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[X] Ram's Horn Amulet
- Location
- Australia
- Pronouns
- He/They
[x] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid?
[x] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[x] Ram's Horn Amulet
[x] You're heading into a fight, better discuss how both of you fight and how it can be synergized. Also establish early that you get better when you die, so it's totally fine for her to hide behind your strapping back when push comes to shove.
[x] Under no circumstances tell her you're a prophet foretelling the change to come and the end of old order. There could be misunderstandings.
[x] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[x] Ram's Horn Amulet
[x] You're heading into a fight, better discuss how both of you fight and how it can be synergized. Also establish early that you get better when you die, so it's totally fine for her to hide behind your strapping back when push comes to shove.
[x] Under no circumstances tell her you're a prophet foretelling the change to come and the end of old order. There could be misunderstandings.
- Location
- United States
[x] Introspection: As you delve into the affairs of gods, perhaps you should take more careful stock of the powers in play, their interests, and who else you might look to for aid?
[x] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[x] Ram's Horn Amulet
[x] You're heading into a fight, better discuss how both of you fight and how it can be synergized. Also establish early that you get better when you die, so it's totally fine for her to hide behind your strapping back when push comes to shove.
[x] Under no circumstances tell her you're a prophet foretelling the change to come and the end of old order. There could be misunderstandings.
[x] Plan: Fuck Midrolls, All My Homies Hate Midrolls
-[x] Ram's Horn Amulet
[x] You're heading into a fight, better discuss how both of you fight and how it can be synergized. Also establish early that you get better when you die, so it's totally fine for her to hide behind your strapping back when push comes to shove.
[x] Under no circumstances tell her you're a prophet foretelling the change to come and the end of old order. There could be misunderstandings.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hmm, I may need to structure equipment votes differently in future, but I'm not sure how best to do it. Might want to make Load a separate point so you vote for Light/Med/Heavy Load & then for preferred gear separately?
Right now shields still have the popular vote, but a lot of people seem to want a Light load at all costs, so I'm going to watch for new/changing votes and see if a consensus or compromise emerges.
Right now shields still have the popular vote, but a lot of people seem to want a Light load at all costs, so I'm going to watch for new/changing votes and see if a consensus or compromise emerges.
Wiadi
Uncompromising Radical Leftist
- Location
- Something Clever
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Conventionally, plan votes are treated as all independent, so the lead would go to the amulet-only plan & pro-shield voters would have to consolidate if they decided that was the priority they wanted to emphasize. Which is...probably the least bad option for handling this kind of interconnected vote, I think?
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, but that requires that people check back in and change their votes to respond to a vote block that didn't exist when they first voted. It's effectively a second round of voting except you don't announce it and people have to keep checking in to notice?
A minority victory for 'no change' because the Med load votes got split 3 votes in over 'might as well go up to the load cap' while they were otherwise unopposed doesn't feel right?
Edit: Anyway, more votes please so this weird technically-not-tie can be resolved less controversially?
A minority victory for 'no change' because the Med load votes got split 3 votes in over 'might as well go up to the load cap' while they were otherwise unopposed doesn't feel right?
Edit: Anyway, more votes please so this weird technically-not-tie can be resolved less controversially?
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