(1/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)03:57 No. 972322 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481065699.png - (311.28KB , 800x800 , 26.png )

Alright. Slowly. Slooooowly. You're going to climb down the tree very slowly, and you're going to get away from this extremely mean looking creature, and

(2/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)03:58 No. 972324 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481073341.png - (694.88KB , 800x800 , 27.png )

OH GOD OH GOD RUN

(3/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)03:59 No. 972325 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481075854.png - (549.95KB , 800x800 , 28.png )

You scramble to grab your bag just as the creature lands with an earth-shattering THUMP behind you, its hissing quickly turning to a deep, rumbling gurgle of rage. You push yourself to your feet and dart into the rainforest, frantic to get away from the creature crashing through the underbrush at your back.

(4/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)03:59 No. 972326 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481077865.png - (524.42KB , 800x800 , 29.png )

A cold wind rushes past the back of your neck as the creature swipes its massive claws at you, right as you duck beneath a low branch. You speed away, leaping and bounding wherever the terrain allows, and you feel like your heart is beating so fast it's about to push right out of your chest. You can still hear it following you. You've never been this terrified in your life. You put all your faith into your agility and keep running as fast as you can.

(5/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)04:00 No. 972327 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481080677.png - (703.34KB , 800x800 , 30.png )

The beast lets out a gurgling roar and you realise it's right behind you-

(6/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)04:00 No. 972328 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481082672.png - (244.36KB , 800x800 , 31.png )

It leaps upon your back and sends you both sprawling into the moss and dead leaves, and you shout in agony with a mouth full of dirt as its claws rip into your back, cutting deep.

Your vision blurs, and the last thing you hear before blacking out is the creature's primal bellow of triumph, and the distant echoes of a strange, dissonant song.

(8/8) heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)04:00 No. 972330 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159481085462.png - (141.54KB , 800x800 , 33.png )

When you eventually wake up, you feel like you got in a fight with one thousand swamp rats. It's not a pleasant feeling, and you elect not to open your eyes for more than a second, quite satisfied to lay where you are.

You can, however, still hear music. It strikes you as odd, hearing a slow whining instrumental melody in the middle of the rainforest. Groggily, you start to realize that you're not on the forest floor anymore. You're lying on what feels like your bedroll.

And most importantly, you're pretty certain you're not dead.

[STATUS checks are currently limited.]
[INVENTORY and MAP checks are currently unavailable.]

Hey guess what you are?
NOT DEAD!
A weak, pained goggle is in order!

>>972345
Hear hear!

heavyritual 2020/07/15(Wed)17:48 No. 972432 ID: 6cc1d3
File 159486050298.png - (234.36KB , 800x800 , 34.png )

>>972345
>>972347

In order to celebrate not being mauled to death by a territorial nightmare beast, you award yourself a short, quiet groan. As a treat.

Ur a groan boy.

Bandages. Music.
Someone has helped you.
Can you see them?

Make a note to yourself that when something that big is chasing you, your stealth charm may be a good thing to use.

>>972436
Oh yes. The eyes. They need open.

>>972437
Also, the shield rune.

Make a note that when alone in the jungle, equipping your stuff instead of putting it all in a bag on the ground, might be helpful.

(1/3) heavyritual 2020/07/22(Wed)04:55 No. 972960 ID: 08b8d8
File 159541893789.png - (206.18KB , 800x800 , 35.png )

For a while you allow yourself to lay there, processing what just happened. You're not sure what that creature was. You'd heard plenty of stories about vicious, territorial beasts living in the less-inhabited parts of the rainforests and wetlands, but you were never warned about anything like that thing.

You think to yourself that it's possible things might have gone a little better if you'd remembered to actually use all the stuff you bought back home. In your panic, you'd kind of just forgotten about them, and now you're paying the price. You grimly resolve to learn from this.

It's this resolve that makes you realize that you're not even wearing your forgotten shield rune at all, nor a shirt. You can feel bandages across your back and shoulder, slightly easing the burning of the gashes there. You certainly don't remember bothering to pack anything of that sort.

Figuring out what's happening seems like a good idea.

(2/3) heavyritual 2020/07/22(Wed)04:55 No. 972961 ID: 08b8d8
File 159541895040.png - (406.93KB , 800x800 , 36.png )

You open your eyes and see the thick rainforest canopy above you, though no sunlight shines through now. There's light to your left, though, and you blearily look over to see a bonfire about 10 feet away, with three lops sitting around it. One of them is playing an instrument you've never seen before, and seems to be responsible for the slow, keening song you've been hearing since you came to. The other two are talking quietly to each other, and when one of them notices you're awake, she looks relieved and starts to get up.

"Hello! Don't move around too much!" she calls out, walking over to you. "Stay right there. I'll come to you."

(3/3) heavyritual 2020/07/22(Wed)04:56 No. 972962 ID: 08b8d8
File 159541896428.png - (303.83KB , 800x800 , 37.png )

You watch warily as she approaches and sits on the ground beside you, looking quite pleased. "It's good to see you awake," she says, smiling. "Don't worry, we're friendly. Are you comfortable?"

"No," you croak out, and she nods sympathetically.

"I understand. If you'd been conscious, we would've given you one of our healing potions, but... well." She gestures to you laying prone on your bedroll, then grimaces apologetically. You stare back at her, still a little dazed, and after a brief pause she continues.

"I'm Rook'na. I'm the one who bandaged you up. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them."

[STATUS checks are currently limited.]
[INVENTORY and MAP checks are currently unavailable.]

>>972962
What happened to the monster?

>>972965
This.

Also, your stuff. You don't mind paying them back for the rescue, but hoo boy please tell you you didn't lose your gear.

Where's my stuff, and what the hell was that thing?

You're not a mirelop. You're my size, but you've different.

(1/4) heavyritual 2020/07/25(Sat)18:33 No. 973175 ID: 08b8d8
File 159572720148.png - (178.42KB , 800x800 , 38.png )

Despite how groggy you're feeling, you still have a lot you want to know. Starting with the most pressing of issues, you clear your throat and ask, "Where's my stuff?"

"Oh, uh, my companion over there put it all in your bag," Rook'na replies, glancing around for it and then grabbing something out of the darkness of the bushes nearby. "Here, I'll put it right by you." She places your satchel down by your arm and you open it with one hand, pawing around frantically until you're satisfied that you can feel your lucky charm in amongst everything else you bought. It seems like everything's here.

"Thanks," you mumble. "Um... do you want me to... pay you back somehow?" Rook'na peers at you cluelessly. "For rescuing me from the..."

"Ah! The greever? No, no. It was honestly kind of an accident," Rook'na sheepishly explains, gesturing at the lops at the campfire. "We were using our music to ward off any greevers thinking of attacking us, and I suppose yours didn't want any musical accompaniment while mauling you." She grins at you, but you don't laugh. Shrugging to herself, she sits back and crosses her legs. It's quiet for a minute as you process what she's said.

(2/4) heavyritual 2020/07/25(Sat)18:33 No. 973176 ID: 08b8d8
File 159572723041.png - (307.08KB , 800x800 , 39.png )

"So, the... greever?" You look at her for confirmation, and she nods her approval. "What the hell was it? Is it gonna come back for me?"

"Mmm... I don't think so," Rook'na replies ponderously, idly tracing a pattern in the dirt. "They're territorial, but they're filter feeders. That guy just wanted some bugs and some alone time."

"They don't eat lops?"

"Nope. We're too crunchy." You grimace as she chuckles to herself, apparently very pleased with her own joke. If all those teeth aren't for eating lops, then you guess the claws aren't solely intended for attacking them either. Maybe they use them to attack trees and stuff, too. Satisfied with your sleuthing, your mind wanders back to something else Rook'na said about greevers.

"Do they hate all music?" you ask, and Rook'na considers it for a moment.

"Yes and no," she answers eventually. "They're less likely to attack you if they know you're nearby, so it's good to make a lot of noise in general. Snake rules, y'know?" You nod. You've lived in the wetlands long enough to know about snake rules. "But they especially don't like high-pitched noise. So, we play stuff that makes them leave us alone."

(3/4) heavyritual 2020/07/25(Sat)18:34 No. 973177 ID: 08b8d8
File 159572726231.png - (300.16KB , 800x800 , 40.png )

The idea of such a terrifying beast being driven off so easily by weird sounds is absurd to you, but it seems to have saved your life, so you choose to believe it. You look at Rook'na to thank her, and notice for the first time her horns and her short little ears.

"You're not a mirelop," you say slowly, your tone of uncertainty making it a question. "You're my size, but you're different."

"...Yes?" Rook'na looks a little offended. "Have you never seen a cloudlop?"

Embarrassed, you avert your eyes. "I didn't want to assume," you say defensively. "I thought only bosklops had horns."

"...Yes?" Rook'na looks a little offended. "Have you never seen a cloudlop?"

Embarrassed, you avert your eyes. "I didn't want to assume," you say defensively. "I thought only bosklops had horns."

"They have antlers, sometimes. Cloudlops have horns." She looks at you thoughtfully. "I thought most mirelops were pretty worldly types."

Begrudgingly, you decide it's only fair that she gets to learn from you, too. "It's my first pilgrimage," you explain, still avoiding her eyes. "I've never been outside of my village before, and we've only ever had lushlops visit. I plan on seeing everything there is to see, but it hasn't even been a day since I left."

(4/4) heavyritual 2020/07/25(Sat)18:34 No. 973178 ID: 08b8d8
File 159572728378.png - (312.58KB , 800x800 , 41.png )

"Everything there is to see, huh?" Rook'na repeats, almost to herself. "Hmm. Hey, I didn't catch your name."

"Oh, uh... I guess it's Olvir." You see concern on her face and hastily add, "I know my name! It's just that in my culture, our names change once we go on our first pilgrimage. Usually they become whatever people end up calling us, or a combination of that and the previous name. But, um, just Olvir is fine."

"Alright, Olvir." Rook'na pats your arm. "Well, there's a little extra health potion in your bag there. Take that, and when you're ready, come talk to us. We might have a way to help you see everything there is to see."

She winks at you and gets to her feet, strolling back over to the campfire and leaving you to your own devices.

[STATUS and INVENTORY checks are now available.]
[MAP checks are currently unavailable.]

Well, doctor's orders. They gave you that potion for the express purpose of using it now, so take that advice. Then get yourself dressed properly and head on over and find out who "us" is.

Let's drink that potion, do a status check, then go talk to the others by the fire. I'm curious what they're up to.

Status check, then drink potion, and see how your status changes.

CHUG CHUG CHUG

Continue thy journey!

(1/5) heavyritual 2020/09/05(Sat)00:59 No. 975703 ID: 78edbd
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[STATUS]

(2/5) heavyritual 2020/09/05(Sat)00:59 No. 975704 ID: 78edbd
File 159929279275.png - (212.97KB , 800x800 , 42.png )

The vial of health potion is sitting on top of your neatly folded shirt in your satchel. You grab it, take out the cork and gulp the potion down. The edges of your wounds start the strange, nauseating process of crawling back together, and you can't help but cringe at the sensation until it's finally over.

(3/5) heavyritual 2020/09/05(Sat)01:00 No. 975705 ID: 78edbd
File 159929280306.png - (305.76KB , 800x800 , STATUS 4.png )

[STATUS]

(4/5) heavyritual 2020/09/05(Sat)01:00 No. 975706 ID: 78edbd
File 159929281817.png - (280.02KB , 800x800 , 43.png )

You sit upright and stretch, testing your body. You're still very tired, and your muscles ache somewhat, but you don't feel any gashes on you anymore - or any pain where they used to be.

You pull your shirt out of your bag, pleasantly surprised to find that though the fabric was clearly torn, it's been stitched back together quite well. You wrangle it over your head, and once you've got that figured out, you give standing up a try. It's a lot less of an effort than you thought it'd be, but you're still a little sluggish as you walk over to the group of lops talking among themselves by the fire.

(5/5) heavyritual 2020/09/05(Sat)01:01 No. 975708 ID: 78edbd
File 159929286596.png - (384.25KB , 800x800 , 44.png )

As soon as you're in earshot, the lop next to Rook'na looks up and gives you a small, polite wave. You wave back, and the others stop chatting and turn to look at you.

Suddenly, you're unsure of yourself. You've heard that some lops have specific greeting customs, but you never actually learned what they are, and you weren't prepared to be standing in front of three lops whose customs you have little to no knowledge of. Rook'na seems like she's perfectly comfortable with you, but what about the other two? What should you say?

Well, saying hello, introducing yourself, and "thanks for saving me and sorry for the inconvenience" seem like safe bets. If you're unsure beyond that, ask them directly about it - even if these don't go over well, I'm sure Rook'na will cover for you. Oh- and if they call you out for seeming unenthused, truthfully confess that you're still a bit groggy.

Maybe give some gifts? like the hair ribbon or a few crests?

Actually, what is our inventory status? might want to make sure we didn't drop anything after getting attacked.

Rook'na at least knows about other kinds of lops, and you're kinda young and new. Just use whatever customs are appropriate for your town. If this causes a fuss, apologize and explain yourself.

If you have to ask about what a better greeting is, do so, and use that one.

Greet them as is customary for your town, yeah!

You won’t look worldly, but you’re not and there’s no reason to give off that impression when instead you can just be willing to learn!

(1/5) heavyritual 2020/09/12(Sat)01:18 No. 976117 ID: 0e149a
File 159989871859.png - (372.13KB , 800x800 , 45.png )

You take a deep breath, and rehearse your words a little in your head before finally breaking the silence.

"Hi," you cautiously begin, glancing around at everyone's faces to check their reactions. "Um, thanks for saving me. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"Don't worry about it," the lop next to Rook'na cheerfully replies, resting her chin on her hands. "Your little shirt is just so cute. I made sure to stabilize it for you. So, you're welcome."

"Oh! You're who fixed my shirt?" As you look more closely at her, it makes sense. Now that she's not leaning back, you can see she's a fair amount taller than the other two, and certainly a lot taller than you. Her squat, round ears are just like those of the lushlops that would occasionally visit your town, and the tassels and purposeful rips in her clothes match their fashion styles, too. You wonder if she's a seamstress by trade.

"Thank you so much," you say earnestly, feeling a little more comfortable knowing that at least you've not done anything that lushlops specifically hate. "I don't have any crests, but I have, um..."

"You don't need to give me anything, kid. It's cool. Just tell everyone you meet that Dove Holloway's the genius who saved your life and your look." She gestures to the log the other lop is quietly sitting on, regarding you with reserved curiosity. "Come sit for a while, if you're not too tired."

(2/5) heavyritual 2020/09/12(Sat)01:19 No. 976118 ID: 0e149a
File 159989875901.png - (291.91KB , 800x800 , 46.png )

Part of you definitely feels like just going back to your bedroll and falling asleep for the next twelve hours, but there's another part of you that's increasingly excited about hanging out with other lops you've never gotten to meet before, so you head over to the other lop and smile politely at them as you sit at their side. They don't tower over you quite as much, and their short tail and stiff ears tell you this one's probably a springlop. They give back a less-than-enthusiastic smile, then turn to fiddling with their musical instrument. You peer inquisitively at it, leaning in closer to get a better look.

"What's in there?" you ask, reaching out to touch it. The lop looks at you with such sudden animosity that you immediately draw your hand back and place it firmly by your side, clamping your mouth shut.

"It's a viola," the lop quietly informs you, sounding rather annoyed. "It is very delicate and helped save your life. Don't touch it."

"Oh, be nice, Glib. I bet he's never seen one before," Dove interjects. "Have you, Olvir?"

"Uh, no-"

"It's basic manners not to touch other people's belongings without asking," Glib replies crossly. "Whether you know what they are or no."

"Sorry-"

"This is his first time outside of his village, so he's probably never seen a viola case before," Rook'na chimes in. "Also, we still haven't ruled out a concussion, which could interfere with his memory. You took that potion I left with you, right, Olvir?"

"Yeah, I-"

"He's definitely seen a string instrument before," Dove said confidently. "I've been to a million mirelop villages. They all have music n' stuff. Just different instruments. You don't need a concussion to feel curious. I mean, Olvir, do you feel like you have a concussion?"

(3/5) heavyritual 2020/09/12(Sat)01:19 No. 976119 ID: 0e149a
File 159989877617.png - (222.65KB , 800x800 , 47.png )

"N...no?"

(4/5) heavyritual 2020/09/12(Sat)01:19 No. 976120 ID: 0e149a
File 159989878908.png - (348.04KB , 800x800 , 48.png )

"Good! See, he's fine," Dove cheerily dismisses the issue. "Now, Olvir. Rook'na was telling me that this is the first day of your pilgrimage. Where you headed?"

You wait for a good few seconds, glancing around at everyone to make sure you're not going to get interrupted. Once you're absolutely sure, you finally reply, "I'm going to Sevand. I want to see what's hidden there."

"Sevand? That one trade town that never lets anyone in?" Dove probes, and you nod. "Why there, of all places?"

"They let some people in," Glib corrects her, conspicuously shifting their viola case out of your reach. "Just not us."

"Barely anyone else, either."

"I want to learn magic!" you pipe up before anyone can talk over you.

A sudden silence falls over the rowdy group before you've finished speaking. Even Glib is looking at you, which is starting to make you a little nervous.

"You do come from a mirelop village?" Rook'na questions you. Confused, you nod your confirmation. "They didn't teach you magic there?"

"No!" you reply, suddenly outraged. "They didn't teach me anything because my mother thought the odd couple of accidents I had when messing with magic as a kid would end up killing me, and if she says something doesn't go, the whole village knows it. I only had one friend who let me watch her practice magic, and she never came back from her pilgrimage. It's a wonder I even know about magic at all!"

"How did you have magical accidents if you weren't allowed to use magic?" Glib points out. You sigh, annoyed with their attitude.

"Other people still used it in the village," you explain exasperatedly. "When you're a kid, you put random stuff in your mouth, including half-finished charms thrown away by students. I didn't even get cursed! I would've understood if I'd eaten a hex charm, but no, apparently turning blue for a month is enough reason to ban me from magic forever."

Dove looks at you thoughtfully, and you notice Rook'na has a slight grin on her face. Glib is watching the two of them, seeming to be in the middle of assessing their body language.

"You know," Rook'na eventually says, looking you in the eye, "if you really want to learn magic, there might be a way for you to be taught by the best of the best. Crown-level education, I mean."

"Crown-level...?" You try to recall what that means, and why it feels like it's so important. You remember being told as you grew up that the name of your country is the Crown of Storms, and that there was some kind of prince that helped manage nation-wide matters. "You mean the best teachers in the whole country?"

"Better than the best," Dove agrees. "The Archmages. Have you heard of them?"

"Yes," you lie, extraordinarily eager at the idea of there being mages that are so powerful they get to have a whole extra word tacked onto their occupation. "Are they looking for students?"

"No," Dove snorts. "They're way too lazy to do it themselves."

"We've been hired to spread the word along the coast that the Archmages are looking for five pupils to be taken to Cemerit, trained, and then take their place so that they can retire," Rook'na explains. "We're balladeers, when we're not saving lops from the perils of the southern rainforests."

"They specifically want lops that don't know any magic," Dove says pointedly.

"Well, actually," Glib interjects, "each individual has to have specific traits. Our job was not just to advertise, but to carefully select each and every candidate for the positions available."

(5/5) heavyritual 2020/09/12(Sat)01:20 No. 976121 ID: 0e149a
File 159989880652.png - (232.54KB , 800x800 , 49.png )

You're awestruck by your good luck, and it takes you a while to figure out how to even respond. The others, strangely, don't talk all over each other like they were just moments ago. They're quiet, though they all seem to be having a conversation with their eyes that you're not privy to and frankly don't really care to be.

"Could you... tell them about me?" you hesitantly ask, looking at Dove, who you now assume to be the leader of the group. "I think I would be a really good candidate."

Dove is silent for a minute, her face thoughtful before she speaks. "Tell you what," she begins. "I'll strike you a deal. You're on your pilgrimage, right? Gonna go exploring the whole Stormcoast, if my Rook'na is correct?"

"I am, dear," Rook'na says sweetly. You listen raptly as Dove proceeds.

"How about this: if you can find four lops in your travels that are suitable for the Archmages, you can be the fifth. That's a guarantee. If you take this offer and go with the other four candidates to Cemerit, you will become an Archmage. The only conditions are that it has to be done by wintertime, and you can't let the Archmages know that we're not involved. We've got more interesting things to do than a recruitment drive."

She doesn't break her gaze, staring you down as she grins. "So, are you in?"

Some people say "don't look a gift horse in the mouth", but this is important: Why do they want trainees who don't know any magic?

Are you sure this isn't some practical joke? It's not likely, seeing as they would have had to come up with it between themselves on the spot (they didn't know about your desire until just now), but neither is getting to be an archmage.

>>976121
Specific traits? Hold on, find out what those traits are. Even if you *did* agree and find the four lops, the Archmages could always bar you from entry, and these lops could have spent some of their free time finding a fifth. Or they're lying and only need four! Then again, you could retaliate by spilling the beans about them offloading work onto you. Maybe I'm being paranoid.
It just seems too good to be true. How difficult is this mission? Do an estimate in your head about how long exploring the region would take-- can you easily finish your tour by wintertime? Also, how are you supposed to deliver the candidates to them, and won't the candidates also need to keep this arrangement secret? Have they made this deal with anyone else, which would mean you've got competition? Aren't they putting themselves at risk here as well, by giving this job to you? What if you fail, what will they do then? Ask for more time?

...too good to be true... like a stroke of luck? Is this what your lucky charm does? I guess you should accept if that's the case. Lastly it occurs to me that you don't actually lose anything by accepting and carrying out this mission. It's a little extra work, but you're traveling anyway and by searching for candidates you'll be meeting interesting people and learning things. If you fail, then all you're missing out on is the chance to be an Archmage. Unless these lops decide on a penalty for you.

Well... yeah? Duh? It sorta sounds like the offer of a lifetime!

And even if it doesn't pan out it sounds like it'd be an adventure.

Uh. Will things be okay for them if it doesn't pan out?