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Thread: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
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2022-03-04, 08:37 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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- Germany
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Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Part 1
Spoiler: KenYou're talk about the blighters get's you towards some druids and rangers who talk about the issue. As said there were always been strenous relations but up to this point no fights, not even skirmishes. They doubt that whatever they did may have been instigated by them but it may very well be because they did… Something which wake up that thing.
After a good rest, there are several elves who thank you for your good deed. You're basically getting the hero treatment but instead of a banquet there is a row of people who want to thank you and give you some small (or big) presents.
One small elven family grant you some bottles of elven wine.
An (probably old) fetcher grants you 5 arrows who he claimed he worked 1 year for every arrow.
A bunch of elven children present you with little puppets that look very much like you (with Coney's fur and Thaum's hair being of the same material but colored differently).
Some elves also bring you elven bread.
Rina intents to discuss somethings with the elven queen when she comes back but you are always welcome in the elven isles.
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2022-03-04, 01:09 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
Coney, very aware that people who throw fireballs should probably not get drunk, has traditionally avoided alcohol, but she is delighted to try just a taste of the elven wine.
She is also absolutely smitten with the puppets, and spends a good portion of the celebration with the puppets of Ken and Jahn on her ears, acting out adventures and duels with the pair for the children.
Coney is disappointed but not surprised that Rina is not ready to rejoin them...yet.
"It's been SO good to see you again, Rina. They clearly need someone here with your amazing mix of strength and kindness. I really hope we'll see each other again soon!""We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-04, 05:11 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2012
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Larimar chuckles, "Haha, well isn't this nice. Thank you, thank you everyone!"
Though there was a call to heroism and duty, to protect those that could not protect themeselves, and Larimar did not expect much of anything in return, it was always nice to receive little gifts like these.
"Wow, you spent a year on just one arrow??" Seemed almost unbelievable, really. But you know. Elves.Avatar by linklele!
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2022-03-04, 10:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Ken is somewhat reassured after talking to some of the local elves, but not completely.
He gives thanks to the elves who give gifts, and watches Coney's antics with a rare smile on his face.
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2022-03-05, 06:35 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2008
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- Germany (GMT +1)
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Thaum rises not feeling very well, looking a little paler than usual. He thanks people for their generous gifts, and while Coney is busy entertaining, Thaum tries to ask people if they can tell them anything about the Black Rabite or Eternal Devourer.
Meeting up with the group again, he says "Sage Joch may be the most prudent next destination, given our relative vicinity to Valsena. I would like to suggest Laurent as the second destination in order to find Jerry." He takes a deep breath, followed by part exhale, part sigh.
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2022-03-07, 12:26 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Jahn finishes his song:
"Went off to hunt the Beast, the Beast
To save Rina from the dream
Took the head of the wicked Beast
Rina rose from her slumber
For the Beast is felled and quiet
And thus the vile hunt concludes"
After letting the final note hang in the air for a moment, Jahn breaks the silence, never able to keep his mouth closed, chattering idly about wandering what grand adventure the group will find themselves in next.
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2022-03-07, 02:57 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
Coney allows a respectful silence at the end of Jahn's song before she ear-claps enthusiastically - inadvertently sending the puppet of Jahn flying into the crowd.
Back with the others in a quiet moment.
"Sage Jost sounds good to me as well. I have to admit...I'm in no particular hurry to find Jerry again. But I suppose we might get useful information out of him. Or, perhaps, a pack of new lies.""We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-08, 09:47 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
The elven Children (and also some of the adults) are delighted about the heroic retellings that Coney performs, they are some frightened noises at times, but everyone cheers when the heroes are succesful.
Rina seems thankful for your consideration and she's sure it's not the last time that you have seen her.
Larimar
The elven fetcher is glad to have someone who is interested in his work and tells you a bit about it. The most hard thing was to find wood that would be fitting, not only would it need to have the perfect consistency but also needed to "want" to be made into an arrow. And couldn't always ask a druid to ask a plant that question and had to go by feeling for most of the time. It seemed that it had been quite frustrating at times but his persistence won in the end.
Giving the wood his final form and finding fitting feathers and the perfectly shaped tip seemed to have been easy in comparison.
Thaum
It seemed none of the elves know anything about the black rabite (they are not that familiar with rabites in the first place). The Eternal Devourer is a bit of a different story. As a possible aspect of the Dryad it has undergone some exploration by some elven scholars but there isn't much to find out. The humanoid followers of the Devourer are either gluttunous individuals who never are able to get enough of a certain thing and push themselves up by destroying (mostly eating) the things they already want to eat or destroy.
The monstrous followers on the other hand seem to be more prevalent and generally more destructive seeing some concepts such as civilization, farming and conscious thought as something to be destroyed, which for the elves seems like hogwash. Nothing The Dryad or even Nocturne would thing of as good.
Jahn
Your song seems to strike a cord with some of the elves. Later you can hear some of them hum the tone or quietly mutter the words to themselves, likely trying to get to the meaning of the song or just engaging with it in they're own way.
All
If you want to travel towards Sage Joch it would not be a problem to find a ship that get's towards the Valsenan Coastline, either you get off the ship or perhaps you even find a captain who directly brings you towards his island.
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2022-03-08, 11:40 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2012
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Larimar agrees, "Yeah, I think visiting the sage is our next best bet. I think we need all the information we can get, and there is likely nowhere better to turn."
The explanation with the arrows is fascinating indeed. Perhaps they had some kind of spirit as well. And they certainly would want to be shot, too, but when, and at what? Maybe they had a destiny of their own in mind.. intriguing!
"Rina!" Larimar exclaims. "It was good seeing you again! I hope we meet again at some point. Ideally, under peaceful circumstances, but I would be honored to have you as an ally in combat as well."Avatar by linklele!
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2022-03-09, 04:58 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2008
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- Germany (GMT +1)
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"The people gracefully furnished me with what lore they know of in regards to the Eternal Devourer, however they appear wholy unfamiliar with the Black Rabite. What I did learn matches up with what we know, the Devourer's followers universally gluttons for destruction. The more humanoid appear to be fixated on a small amount of things they insatiably want for, usually by way of destruction, often by literally devouring. The more bestial followers appear to have a much more universal desire for destruction, reaching down to concepts such as civilization or even conscious thought, though the elves doubt the veracity of this to some degree. The intense need to unmake does fit what we encountered yesterday, and in what Jerry summoned."
To Rina, Thaum says "Remember the dream you were in. Acknowledge the doubts you may feel at times. And know you have overcome these obstacles in your pursuit to do what you feel is right. You are stronger than you think, and I am looking forward to working alongside you again once your work here is done."
Spoiler: OOCWell, grabbing a boat to Sage Joch's island it is?
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2022-03-09, 08:48 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Ken claps at Jahn's song, and laughs as Jahn goes flying as a puppet.
He agrees with going to see the sage, but first, he asks for some time to get reacquainted with the forest. He leaves with some of the rangers and druids.
A few hours later the group returns, and Ken tells the others "I'm ready."
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2022-03-10, 08:57 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
Having loaded her harness with food for the trip, and carefully tucked away Team Puppets, Coney signals her readiness as well. She greets her colleagues with a smile.
"I'm wildly optimistic that THIS time, being a spherical object on board a rolling ship won't be a cause for concern.""We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-10, 08:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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2022-03-11, 10:18 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Rina promises to search you out when she is done with her work here.
Ken can join some druids and rangers or just some others who take note of buildings that have been collapsed and see what needs to be done after the invisible attacks or look if they have been deeper damage to the surrounding nature that hasn't been detected yet.
You don't have much issue finding a boat. They're is a interesting vessel who seems to be a mishmash of elven and human craftmanship together with a equally mixed crew with a half-elven captain who is happy to give you a ride. After finding out that you were responsible for helping the isle he makes the ride even free of charge.
Though the first two days are a bit rough with massive amounts of rain and heavy winds, the following days are actually really pleasant with only some rabite-shaped clouds a slight wind, just enough to cool you off when the sun get's a bit too harsh.
You shouldn't be long till you see the tower of Sage Joch, but then the ship bucks. You feel it before you see anything. The ship seems to get pulled in a certain direction. The captain steering heavily against it, actually gaining some ground, then you can see something. It seems that something massive is pushing itself out of the water, creating a current towards it. You see a massive scaled head, almost as big as yourself. Golden eyes blinking, fixating the vessel you are on.
You hear rumbling while the creature open it's mouth and only after it closes it again you realize that it actually sayd something.
TOLL!
The captain and the sailors seem to have they're hands full in not bringing the ship to crash on the massive beast and seem to concentrate on the task at hand. Though the captain is able to get out a: "That's a first!"
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2022-03-11, 01:16 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2012
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"WHAT?? ARE YOU CHARGING US A TOLL?!" Larimar shouts at the thing.
He'd heard tales of trolls or something charging tolls on bridges, but a creature out here in the middle of the ocean sounded quite ridiculous...Avatar by linklele!
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2022-03-12, 05:02 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
The mother rabite had seen a great many things in her years, but this was new. It was a turtle the size of a small island. Once could almost picture an entire world built onto its back, swimming through the ocean. Perhaps they themselves were -
No time for that now.
Coney wondered if the turtle's brain was as large as its shell. She tried yelling out to it.
"We've already paid the toll! You can let us pass!"
Spoiler: OOC
Coney casts Suggestion on the turtle thing. Will DC 19 negates.
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-12, 05:24 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2008
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- Germany (GMT +1)
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Thaum really isn't feeling all that well the whole journey, just kind of tired and winded, though the motions of the ship caused by the waves helps in a way.
Then the turtle toll taker appears.
"Ah. Dragon turtle. Quite dangerous and greedy to the same degree. Not intelligent, but cunning," Thaum lets the others know before rising (needing to take a deep breath after doing so) and walking to the railing.
"Are you certain? Where are the boundaries of your toll border? How much passage does the toll buy? Have you cleared this endeavor with the other local tollkeepers? Are you in possession of permit A38?" he calls out to the turtle, gripping the railing tightly with one of his hands.
Spoiler: ActionsDiplomacy? (1d20+18)[21]Last edited by Ridai; 2022-03-12 at 05:26 PM.
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2022-03-12, 08:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"Yikes!" Ken looks towards the far side of the rocking boat, and heads that way. He lets the more diplomatic people take the lead on talking to the beast.
Best to avoid a fight if we can, since it might sink the whole ship.Last edited by kinem; 2022-03-12 at 08:40 PM.
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2022-03-13, 10:14 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Jahn's eyes go wide like saucers upon seeing the mighty turtle erupt from under the surface of the waves. He wracks his brain for lyrics sufficient to describe what he sees before him but is momentarily speechless in search of the perfect words.
Spoiler: ActionsReady action to attempt Fascinate if Coney's Suggestion and Thaum's diplomacy don't seem to work. Perhaps we can slip past while it is fascinated by song.
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2022-03-14, 06:42 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
The massive beast try's to focus on the little specks on the boat and swims closer, creating small vortexes. It brings it's head closer towards Larimar. Thanks to that you can see that most of it's skin seems to be plastered with silver coins, Gold coins and jewels. Some of it's shell seems to be equally adorned.
There is some rumbling that comes from the beast in preparation to speech again which is then cut off. It seems to be making an actual effort to speak on a at least tolerable volume and adresses his words at Larimar.
"YES."
When Coney's words reach it, it slowly moves it's head towards hers. While it has a pretty good poker-face (wich turtles in general are known for) there is a spark of uncertainty in it's eyes which only increases after Thaum's words and it's following words seem to be even more subdued than the ones before.
Only need permit from island owner to get toll. But are right, mother farrow already paid.
The giant turtle blinks several times and slowly sinks into the water, to disturb the waters as little as possible. You arrive at the island of the famed Sage Joch. There isn't much here, as foretold the Island is not that big and you can see the tower already.
The sailors want to check they're ship anyway for potential damage the previous encounter might have given the vessel and if you're not taking several days they will still be here.
The vegitation is sparse, only some grasses and bushes are clinging to the ground on your way to the tower.
Though when you actually reach the tower the land surrounding it seems to be a mix of a really big garden or a field, subdivided into several sections.
You see a section where there are some grapevines, another has a sizable chicken coop and a field of wheat.
The tower may remind some of Rince's tower in Rabiton, a mostly straight stone tower with seemingly random stone attachments, it looks like it may fall down any moment but currently it seems to be safe.
When you go near the entrance of the tower it seems like some invisible force takes care of the garden, watering the plants or feeding the livestock.
Spoiler: Spellcraft against 16Looks like a whole bunch of Invisible Servants are taking care of things here.
There is no one to greet you once you reach the base of the tower, there is only a shield that reads: "To meet the sage go up."
If you follow the advice you have a whole lot of climbing to do. Once and again there is a door in the insides of the tower, probably leading to some of the attachements. On every one of them there is a shield with the inscription: "NO" It seems these doors are locked.
Spoiler: DoorsIf you want to mundanely or magically open the doors, write it in a post.
After half an hour of climbing you reach a floor with a birdlike-person who shrubs the floor. It seems that there are still more stairs to climb. The birdlike person however faces you and says: "What do you want? The sage is busy!"
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2022-03-14, 07:45 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
Coney is tremendously relieved as she watches the turtle sink beneath the waves once more.
--
Once the group assembles on the shore, Coney cheerfully thanks the crew for waiting. Turning to look at the long, long expanse of fields ahead, quickly pulls out their rod of travel.
"Ah. The tyranny of the legged strikes again."
Coney eaves the rod, and a set of shadowy mounts appears. Coney hops onto hers and shrugs at her colleagues.
"Well, if the Sage had an issue with magical servants, they'd hire real people to work the gardens."
She zips through the fields, resisting the urge to sample the food being grown. She pauses to consult her colleagues.
"It's interesting. This is more food than one person can eat. There must be a household or something here somewhere."
Coney zips up the tower on her mount, very happy not to have to hop a thousand times to get up the steps. At the top, when they reach the birdlike person, Coney glances at her colleagues, clearly perplexed.
"Why do people usually come here? We want to consult the sage.""We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-14, 07:50 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"Consulting the sage?!"
Feathers are ruffled, perplexed looks are thrown around and an accusing broom is pointed towards Coney.
"You may, yes. But only if you can prove to me. The sage's apprentice Jeck, that you have made peaceful contact with one of the sprites. I have "explicit" orders to only let people in who can prove that to me talk to the sage."
The beak seems to try his best to get itself into a smug smile.
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2022-03-14, 08:28 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2012
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"Peaceful contacts with one of the sprites, you say? Like, uh... a bow enchanted by Luna gifted to me?" Larimar says, waving his magic bow around.
"Oh, or how about this?" He casts Light of Wisp, making himself glow all funny. Honestly kind of a weird spell if you thought of it.
"Yeah, we have met Wisp too," he says kind of proudly, but nonchalantly.
"So I guess Sage Joch is at the top? Well okay, thanks Apprentice Jeck!" he didn't care for the surly attitude and began to bound up the stairs.Last edited by WindStruck; 2022-03-14 at 08:31 AM.
Avatar by linklele!
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2022-03-14, 10:51 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"Pfft, everyone could have easily stolen such a bow. And Luna may have even liked that fact!"
When Larimar begins to glow however Apprentice Jeck's eyes are nearly bulging out of it's skull and he gasps. Taking a big gulp of air when he's done staring. "That glow! I mean." He strokes down some ruffled feathers and proclaims: "That may be sufficient, and you may meet the sage, yes."
He then suddenly disappears. When Larimar arrives at the door at the end of the stairs Apprentice Jeck opens the door.
"You may meet the sage, yes."
You arrive in a nearly identical room with the execption of an old floating man, that seems to look at some open floating books. He says something in a language none of you understand and after he ends Apprentice Jeck pipes up.
"The sage due to his wisdom is not able to speak in normal words. Though I as his apprentice will translate. He greets a true friend of the sprites and, you serious?" Apprentice Jeck looks surprised at the Sage but seems to catch himself. "Yes, yes, sorry. He humbly asks what has lead you towards him?"
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2022-03-14, 12:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2008
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- Germany (GMT +1)
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Thaum quietly thanks the crew and is honestly relieved to have an ethereal mount to ride up the rather massive tower, since he isn't feeling any better. He is mostly just quiet on the way up, dismounting and greeting once they reach the sage.
"Greeting to the both of you, and my thanks for this opportunity. We have come to..." Thaum has to stop for a moment, needing to take a breath before continuing. "We have come to ask if you could share any insight on the subjects of the Black Rabite, the Eternal Devourer, or the Claw-Birthed Lady."
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2022-03-15, 09:09 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2017
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
The floating books float away into a corner, it seems like you now have the full attention of the sage.
He mumbles again, it seems more gravely and heavy this time. The apprentice seems a bit fidgety, even nervous while he translates.
"The sage knows a great deal about all of these and has expected that you eventually may come to him and he'll give you some information."
"Regarding the black rabite. He has been stirring in recent times. He could only be put to sleep, kinda. Not really sleep, but made not dangerous by the heroes of old and should he ever awaken the consequences would be dire indeed and we would be hard-pressed to have a chance of gaining even a small victory. That goes exactly towards your next question."
"The claw-birthed lady. Her past has been shrouded in mystery and even the mighty sage is not able to glean even a small peck at her past." "Seriously?" Asks the apprentice surprised and a book fly's towards the back of his head. "Okay, okay." "She is a more extreme, even monstrous follower of the Eternal Devourer and it seems her goal is to eventually awaken the Black Rabite and bring him towards this realm. She hasn't found a way to do this and even should she find one, it would take her some months to really do this. But what she had already done made him stir and that affected some things here. As I'm sure you have become aware already."
"The eternal-devourer however exists. He is a entity of great power and he is able to reach out and affect certain individuals like the claw-birthed-lady. Who are seeking him out actively. He is not a direct threat, but something you should be aware of."
"However the sage, in his wisdom, may have a trail for you to follow should you decide to search for the Claw-Birthed-Lady. He himself can't follow it. He can see and hear a lot of things, but her protections are nearly flawless and even he was seriously wounded, getting towards that small trail and he's still recovering from the wounds he suffered from." "You should really be more careful!"
"Well he is ready to give you that trail but she is mighty and masterful in her shade magic. That's the reason why the sage wants you to search out Shade the sprite of darkness, he thinks that you already know everything that you need to know to eventually find him. If you accept the sage may bring you towards the town of Nevarl in just the blink of an eye."
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2022-03-15, 10:58 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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- Texas
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Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"Pleasure to meet you both." Jahn introduces himself to the sage and apprentice.
After listening, Jahn feels compelled to vocalize his thoughts, as is his way.
"What do you mean the Eternal Devourer isn't a direct threat? It sounds like the Devourer is the metaphorical head of the snake, if we dealt with that one, wouldn't all of the rest of the problems effectively resolve themselves?"
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2022-03-15, 03:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2008
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- Germany (GMT +1)
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
"To a degree, there is a fortunate side to this. All of the looming threats are connected to one another, so dealing with the individuals seeking to awaken the more ancient threats would at the very least buy us more time, if not halt their awakening. So locating the Claw-Birthed Lady sounds sensible."
But, of course, there is a second actor in this regard. "Do you happen to be familiar with a tomato man named Jerry, apparently in league with the Eternal Devourer? He appears to be a secondary target. And judging by the past weeks, the amount of people who had an aggravating encounter with him is high indeed."
Otherwise, Thaum indicates his readiness to be brought to Nevarl. He is not looking forward to desert days, but at the moment, few environments feel like something that would soothe his condition.
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2022-03-15, 05:14 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2005
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- Edmonton, Canada
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Coney
Coney rocks back and forth, concerned about these mighty, shadowy forces at work. Jahn's comment forces her to think twice about the situation.
"I get what you mean. But carry your metaphor further. The head of the snake, without the body to move it, is helpless. The Devourer is only dangerous because the Claw-Birthed Lady is propelling events forward. She is the body. She is what is causing the others to become more active.
Think of how a predator hunts a snake. Does it attempt to bite the head? No. The head has fangs. The head is too dangerous. But seize the body and shake the life from it, and the head dies as well.""We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut
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2022-03-16, 02:33 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2012
Re: Secret of mana IC thread Part II
Larimar is quite confused by these analogies.
"So I take it this Eternal Devourer is more like a deity of sorts. Far more powerful than any of the wisps, yet also much more distant. This claw-birthed lady is.. merely a follower. Merely a person like you or I, but gone astray?" Larimar asks.
"So then, what is this Black Rabite? A demigod perhaps? Related to shade? Is it even remotely related to rabites at all, or is this just another joke about how spherical they can be sometimes?"Avatar by linklele!