Nice, visiting the Runesmiths won. So we'll likely get a good idea of the extent of their power the coming update. We should definitely sound out Thunderfists as well when the opportunity arises and Shaderunners should be easy to find out about seeing as we're in the same city. The "most defensive of all mages", power to hide from wounds or even death and making Swallow very competent at Pit diving does sound quite appealing.
The Lighthouses and the Pit (Fantasy Mage Quest)
- Thread starter occipitallobe
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Hmm if we reach Second Ascension would the city and guild leaders would be stupid enough to force us to obey them or give us leeway, there's no leverage unless the threat of death.
I figure we would gain our complete freedom if we reach Third Ascension.
Bargain Time at the Smithy
- Location
- Straya
The Runesmiths aren't precisely what you expected, to be honest. Upon walking towards their guild, you expected some tall grand building, or possibly a great forge. What you find instead is an idyllic garden, festooned with flowers and trees, in the middle of which sit a small series of houses woven from vines and bushes.
You walk in, thinking about who you are going to talk to. But before you can look around for someone to speak to, a man immediately approaches you. He is short, and his skin is coal black. His eyes are unnervingly purple, a distinct shade you've never seen before. In addition to all that, he wears a long ponytail draping past his shoulders.
"Ah, from Madalgia."
His eyes drift to the sword on your side. He looks up and down, and makes a decision.
"Bladebound. It's good to see one of you here, come with me. We have some testing to do."
Before you can properly protest, he grabs you by the hand, and leads you towards a small table towards the side of the clearing, upon which sets a well-crafted hourglass. He grabs it, turns it over and slams it down on the table. Suddenly, the world outside slows to a crawl. What was previously a number of magi moving around becomes nothing more than a still frame, and the subtle sounds of the world cease entirely.
"I am Sunset Before Dawn, Runesmith. I've been looking for a Bladebound for some time, but few of you come south these days. Have an offer for you, if you want to hear it."
The peculiarity of the situation leaves you for a second and you nod, curious to see what he says.
"I have forged a dagger. Well, I say a dagger, but it's really something more like a conduit. From the dagger to me. It's... Well, the technical details would probably escape you. Most importantly, if you kill a Darkling with it, the power goes to me instead of you. Follow me?'
You nod again.
"So what I want you to do, is to take it, and kill ten or so Darklings with it. Fifteen if you can manage it, but I suspect it is likely to break around ten. It's not like I can test it to see if it works properly, nobody around here kills things with blades. I mean, I know it's not like you'll do this for free. I'll owe you a favour if you do it. What do you think?"
[ ] No. You need all the power you can get to survive.
[ ] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
The time field fades, and the normal flow of things assert themselves. You walk away from the peculiar man, with many questions in mind. You're looking around, and see Runesmiths mostly focusing intently on objects in one way or another, looking to impart some property or another, you suppose. You're not quite sure who to speak to, as you don't want to interrupt something important. Still, you look around and walk towards the centre of the field.
You peer around from here, trying to see someone unoccupied. As you search, another Runesmith comes up to you.
"It's rare we get a visitor from Madalgia in our humble guild. Welcome, I'm Hammer of Thought. I make items that enhance my own capabilities when it comes to understanding the world around us, as well as my memory. You ought to know, here we trade. Dues are paid based on the services the other guilds render us, and favours are exchanged as well. There are no items here we can give you that would benefit you, but do you have any questions? I would be happy to exchange knowledge for knowledge, or knowledge for a favour."
You start. You hadn't really thought that the Runesmiths would be like this. Rather, you had seen them more as obsessed with moving forward, the sort of people you would have thought to be more like yourself. Hopeful, maybe the source of Everett's peculiar nature. What you see instead is disappointing, but also somewhat mysterious.
You can either exchange knowledge for knowledge (ask 1 minor question, for Swallow's experiences travelling to the City and the rumors she's heard about the Pit Expedition), or offer Favors to answer questions. You'll record these Favors in your Guild Book. One Favor will take you about a week to fulfill in future, and there's no guarantee you won't be able to get this knowledge elsewhere if you search. One Favor is worth two Minor Questions or one Major Question. You can't offer more than two Favors.
It's assumed Swallow will exchange information and get an answer to a Minor Question for free, but if she wants to offer any Favors, that's up to the thread. You can also trade the Favor you could get above for a piece of information, if you're so inclined.
Minor Questions:
- How can I be better at killing [write-in type of Darkling]
- Historical facts involving the Three Cities
- In-depth power analysis or information of one type of mage
- Information about the Pit in general
- Analysis of the best Bladebound powers to gain to Pit-Dive, rule a village, etc.
- A rundown on some known Artifacts and what might be useful to you
- An analysis of Everett versus Madalgia's social systems, why they work the way they do.
- Why do the Hopeful Runesmiths work on such a seemingly greedy basis?
- Write-in, but roughly around this importance. Relatively minor knowledge you could attain otherwise with some effort.
Major Questions:
- Knowledge regarding Second Ascension (this may be sparse, but is hard to get hold of otherwise)
- In-depth knowledge on any one of the Three Secrets.
- Where some Artifacts nearby could be found, and what they do. Usually in the lairs of larger Darklings.
- Information on what the Pit Expedition was originally for.
- Write-in, but roughly around this importance. Major information you have no easy way of obtaining otherwise.
You walk in, thinking about who you are going to talk to. But before you can look around for someone to speak to, a man immediately approaches you. He is short, and his skin is coal black. His eyes are unnervingly purple, a distinct shade you've never seen before. In addition to all that, he wears a long ponytail draping past his shoulders.
"Ah, from Madalgia."
His eyes drift to the sword on your side. He looks up and down, and makes a decision.
"Bladebound. It's good to see one of you here, come with me. We have some testing to do."
Before you can properly protest, he grabs you by the hand, and leads you towards a small table towards the side of the clearing, upon which sets a well-crafted hourglass. He grabs it, turns it over and slams it down on the table. Suddenly, the world outside slows to a crawl. What was previously a number of magi moving around becomes nothing more than a still frame, and the subtle sounds of the world cease entirely.
"I am Sunset Before Dawn, Runesmith. I've been looking for a Bladebound for some time, but few of you come south these days. Have an offer for you, if you want to hear it."
The peculiarity of the situation leaves you for a second and you nod, curious to see what he says.
"I have forged a dagger. Well, I say a dagger, but it's really something more like a conduit. From the dagger to me. It's... Well, the technical details would probably escape you. Most importantly, if you kill a Darkling with it, the power goes to me instead of you. Follow me?'
You nod again.
"So what I want you to do, is to take it, and kill ten or so Darklings with it. Fifteen if you can manage it, but I suspect it is likely to break around ten. It's not like I can test it to see if it works properly, nobody around here kills things with blades. I mean, I know it's not like you'll do this for free. I'll owe you a favour if you do it. What do you think?"
[ ] No. You need all the power you can get to survive.
[ ] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
The time field fades, and the normal flow of things assert themselves. You walk away from the peculiar man, with many questions in mind. You're looking around, and see Runesmiths mostly focusing intently on objects in one way or another, looking to impart some property or another, you suppose. You're not quite sure who to speak to, as you don't want to interrupt something important. Still, you look around and walk towards the centre of the field.
You peer around from here, trying to see someone unoccupied. As you search, another Runesmith comes up to you.
"It's rare we get a visitor from Madalgia in our humble guild. Welcome, I'm Hammer of Thought. I make items that enhance my own capabilities when it comes to understanding the world around us, as well as my memory. You ought to know, here we trade. Dues are paid based on the services the other guilds render us, and favours are exchanged as well. There are no items here we can give you that would benefit you, but do you have any questions? I would be happy to exchange knowledge for knowledge, or knowledge for a favour."
You start. You hadn't really thought that the Runesmiths would be like this. Rather, you had seen them more as obsessed with moving forward, the sort of people you would have thought to be more like yourself. Hopeful, maybe the source of Everett's peculiar nature. What you see instead is disappointing, but also somewhat mysterious.
You can either exchange knowledge for knowledge (ask 1 minor question, for Swallow's experiences travelling to the City and the rumors she's heard about the Pit Expedition), or offer Favors to answer questions. You'll record these Favors in your Guild Book. One Favor will take you about a week to fulfill in future, and there's no guarantee you won't be able to get this knowledge elsewhere if you search. One Favor is worth two Minor Questions or one Major Question. You can't offer more than two Favors.
It's assumed Swallow will exchange information and get an answer to a Minor Question for free, but if she wants to offer any Favors, that's up to the thread. You can also trade the Favor you could get above for a piece of information, if you're so inclined.
Minor Questions:
- How can I be better at killing [write-in type of Darkling]
- Historical facts involving the Three Cities
- In-depth power analysis or information of one type of mage
- Information about the Pit in general
- Analysis of the best Bladebound powers to gain to Pit-Dive, rule a village, etc.
- A rundown on some known Artifacts and what might be useful to you
- An analysis of Everett versus Madalgia's social systems, why they work the way they do.
- Why do the Hopeful Runesmiths work on such a seemingly greedy basis?
- Write-in, but roughly around this importance. Relatively minor knowledge you could attain otherwise with some effort.
Major Questions:
- Knowledge regarding Second Ascension (this may be sparse, but is hard to get hold of otherwise)
- In-depth knowledge on any one of the Three Secrets.
- Where some Artifacts nearby could be found, and what they do. Usually in the lairs of larger Darklings.
- Information on what the Pit Expedition was originally for.
- Write-in, but roughly around this importance. Major information you have no easy way of obtaining otherwise.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] How can I be better at killing [common Darkling that lives near this Lighthouse]
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
I'm inclined to accept the offer, both because it'd be useful and because Spellthief > Glimpse.
Second Ascension knowledge, while not immediately useful, let's us start collecting information early and establishes her as an Ambitious/Hopeful sort. It also means that, if there some kind of prerequisite , we can work towards it.
Hmm. @occipitallobe, could we persuade the Runesmith that sharing information on how to kill the local Darklings is in his own best interests? This is information we could obtain otherwise but the sooner we have it, the sooner we can provide him with the results. Plus, the more efficiently we kill Darklings, the more of them we can kill. If he would like us to kill 15 or more, this is his best best.
[X] How can I be better at killing [common Darkling that lives near this Lighthouse]
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
I'm inclined to accept the offer, both because it'd be useful and because Spellthief > Glimpse.
Second Ascension knowledge, while not immediately useful, let's us start collecting information early and establishes her as an Ambitious/Hopeful sort. It also means that, if there some kind of prerequisite , we can work towards it.
Hmm. @occipitallobe, could we persuade the Runesmith that sharing information on how to kill the local Darklings is in his own best interests? This is information we could obtain otherwise but the sooner we have it, the sooner we can provide him with the results. Plus, the more efficiently we kill Darklings, the more of them we can kill. If he would like us to kill 15 or more, this is his best best.
- Location
- Straya
Not really. Her magical knowledge is extremely low, her only unique or semi-unique knowledge is the scuttlebutt she's picked up by being a mage in Madalgia. Shards that Spellthieves can use are fairly commonly known, and Swallow's magical prowess is low. She's not even technically out of training!
They're two different Runesmiths - the second one has no real investment in the power-up of the first. The first Runesmith has some neat time powers and power transmission tricks, but is ultimately not a combat mage. The second Runesmith can offer information because he spent all of his magic building items that gave +int (basically), and that's more-or-less his shtick.
- Location
- Straya
Essentially you can trade the favor from Runesmith 1 for information from Runesmith 2. He's happy to have a favor owed him by a guy just over the other side of his pad (this is in fact a favorable state of affairs for him, compared to being owed a favor by you who he suspects may die in a few months being a new mage). If you opt to take the Runesmith 1 favour, you can either keep it for later, or trade it immediately.
- Location
- Utrecht
It might also be interesting to ask this one:
- Why do the Hopeful Runesmiths work on such a seemingly greedy basis?
This might give us more insight to how exactly an emotion is related to the magic.
Other than that, information about the second ascension seems to be something most people will agree on.
Given that one favor > 2 minor questions or 1 major question, and assuming we do ask a Major question, if we ask a Minor question, might as well ask two of them; any preference on what the second one should be?
- Why do the Hopeful Runesmiths work on such a seemingly greedy basis?
This might give us more insight to how exactly an emotion is related to the magic.
Other than that, information about the second ascension seems to be something most people will agree on.
Given that one favor > 2 minor questions or 1 major question, and assuming we do ask a Major question, if we ask a Minor question, might as well ask two of them; any preference on what the second one should be?
- Location
- Sydney
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
Minor Questions:
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] In-depth power analysis of one type of mage: Mindscours
Minor Questions:
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] In-depth power analysis of one type of mage: Mindscours
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
Kinda worried the first question is too much, and that he might not know about the second.
I suspect we're a long way away from qualifying for a second ascension, tbh.
In any case, the dude has a time dilation tool. That's pretty damn ridiculous.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
Kinda worried the first question is too much, and that he might not know about the second.
I suspect we're a long way away from qualifying for a second ascension, tbh.
In any case, the dude has a time dilation tool. That's pretty damn ridiculous.
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Spellthieves
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Spellthieves
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
This seems like the best set of options. For the favor we should be easily able to kill 10 darklings given what we were capable of throughout the mission, and we're only going to get stronger. The payment also has no time limit, while we get the information about second ascension immediately; although we won't be able to make use of it.
Given we have enough knowledge for a minor question, we may as well make use of it and question where Runesmiths are going to be most knowledgeable about are Runesmiths themselves. Notably this is important given the threads previous disposition towards this option. If we want information on other mages it's better for us to go to them personally, particularly if they within our own city.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
This seems like the best set of options. For the favor we should be easily able to kill 10 darklings given what we were capable of throughout the mission, and we're only going to get stronger. The payment also has no time limit, while we get the information about second ascension immediately; although we won't be able to make use of it.
Given we have enough knowledge for a minor question, we may as well make use of it and question where Runesmiths are going to be most knowledgeable about are Runesmiths themselves. Notably this is important given the threads previous disposition towards this option. If we want information on other mages it's better for us to go to them personally, particularly if they within our own city.
- Location
- PA
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
-[X] And it's not that much work to kill 10 darklings to help him out.Frankly I don't expect this bit to be valid-it's basically making doing the favor less about being greedy and more about helping someone else out because we can, if only because that's the primary reason why I'm voting for it in particular- it doesn't seem like a bad deal to make (unless this guy turns out to be evil, which I doubt.) and in exchange we get valuable information which we could very much use.
[X] minor question: In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths traded via information on the journey here.
[X] Major Question: Knowledge regarding Second Ascension, via traded favor from the Runesmith of the Dagger.
-[X] And it's not that much work to kill 10 darklings to help him out.Frankly I don't expect this bit to be valid-it's basically making doing the favor less about being greedy and more about helping someone else out because we can, if only because that's the primary reason why I'm voting for it in particular- it doesn't seem like a bad deal to make (unless this guy turns out to be evil, which I doubt.) and in exchange we get valuable information which we could very much use.
[X] minor question: In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths traded via information on the journey here.
[X] Major Question: Knowledge regarding Second Ascension, via traded favor from the Runesmith of the Dagger.
ChildishChimera
A umbran summon
- Location
- New York
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] An analysis of Everett versus Madalgia's social systems, why they work the way they do.
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
[X] An analysis of Everett versus Madalgia's social systems, why they work the way they do.
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
This really is the golden time to ask for in-depth knowledge of Runesmiths. We'll never find a more accurate source than they themselves and after seeing one of them just casually bend time, I'd say this is still very much a working choice for future probable second ascension.
Knowledge of Second Ascension so we could already try aim for the prerequisites. The Runesmiths also seem a pseudo academic society of sorts so there's a good chance they'd have some actual knowledge rather than rumors.
[X] In-depth information of one type of mage: Runesmiths
[X] Knowledge regarding Second Ascension
This really is the golden time to ask for in-depth knowledge of Runesmiths. We'll never find a more accurate source than they themselves and after seeing one of them just casually bend time, I'd say this is still very much a working choice for future probable second ascension.
Knowledge of Second Ascension so we could already try aim for the prerequisites. The Runesmiths also seem a pseudo academic society of sorts so there's a good chance they'd have some actual knowledge rather than rumors.
RedV
Refuelling
- Location
- Right here
[X] Yes. A favour from a Runesmith seems like it'd be useful to call in at a later date.
[X] Analysis of best Bladebound powers to develop to Pit-dive
We want to kill Darklings, this'll be a good start there. I am not enthused with Runesmiths when we have Coldhands as a much cooler option for magic weapons / armor.
[X] Analysis of best Bladebound powers to develop to Pit-dive
We want to kill Darklings, this'll be a good start there. I am not enthused with Runesmiths when we have Coldhands as a much cooler option for magic weapons / armor.