To be honest these cores don't have much use unless we want magic you don't specialize in. Sure we can sell them but an ally is far more valuable.

Ignan sounds like fire and I'm not sure we want a fire based familiar, it'll end up burning things we don't want it to. But what are our options here? We need something useful, and something agreeable to our natures and likely to strike a deal we can follow.

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/01/27(Thu)12:42 No. 275370 ID: f88f02
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>>275090
That's true.

Options... options...

Hm.

How about I present you three options close to the element. Then if you don't like those, we'll move further away, with three more. Nine at most,I don't want to spend all day at this...

Place the book near the circle, the orb in the center... and the book reveals three minions for me.

>Fire Elemental (Small)
A living fire about the size of a cat. Can adjust the heat of its flames and grants me passive fire augmentation to my spells, chaning any damage they do to fire damage and boosting spells that do it already.

>Ashsprite
A small sprite made of living ash. Can create clouds of choking smoke, cover things in smoke, and ruin enemy equipment by smoldering cloth and leather with a touch. Hard to strike.
Passively augments most of my spells with 'ash'. Oddly, this would affect my teleportation spells, though I am uncertain how...

>Embersprite
A living spark about the size of my fist. Can ignite things with a touch, within reason, and shoot rays of fire. Also lights up rooms like a torch would.
Grants me resistance to heat and fire.

None of these will cost me bargains. Want to see more?

>>275370
Not a whole lot of synergy here or options besides burning things. Let's see what the next set offers.

And I assuming more distant choices would result in more difficult deals to cut? That would be a good reason not to spend all day sorting through options.

Yes! The fire elementals are interesting and out of them the Embersprite sounds best as it can shoot rays of fire. However if you can possibly bargain for more power then do it!

Can you throw in a bargain to summon an even stronger fire elemental?

The Embersprite sounds nice, but let's check all our options first.

>>275370
Emberstrike sounds pretty good. Having a free light source is aces.

Let's see the next round of choices just in case tho.

>>275370
For now the Embersprite sounds good. Also, how many times can it shoot the fire rays?

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/01(Tue)00:14 No. 277044 ID: f88f02
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>>275441
>>275399
>>275377

I consider the embersprite for the moment, but I can always come back to it later. Let us examine the next element from Fire: Earth.

>Mosslo
An elemental of moss, made of stone and wood and the moss that grows on both, the mosslo is adept at stopping bleeding and purifying blood. It can identify poisons with ease, though it dislikes poison use in its presence. (This Familiar requires that the Bargain be "I will never use poison) In addition, the Mosslo always knows the direction of north.
The mosslo is also unique in that it is the size of a human being.

Mosslo Familiars allow teleportation spells to have double the range when used in certain mediums, such as unworked stone and plant life. They also reduce the costs of teleportation spells that naturally use these mediums already (But do not double the distance).

>Weedling
Weedlings are plant elementals that excel at draining life from creatures and environs. They produce magical seeds that grow incredibly fast in subdermal tissues and can fire them at high velocities. They can control plant life and cause it to grow faster.

A Weedling Familiar will ask that your Bargain be to treat plants with respect. This entails not walking upon them, not killing them except in self-defense, and not insulting them. You may still consume plant life.

The Weedling doubles the damage of spells that drain life from a target. It also allows you to cast spells that positively effect plants at half cost.

>Earth elemental (small)

Earth elementals are slow, quiet creatures that prefer darkness and closed spaces. They do not show their faces or true bodies to others, only a shell of rocks and dirt. This makes them much more durable than other elementals. They are capable of manipulating the earth around them, so long as it is unworked and natural.

Earth Elementals will ask that you eat a small amount of soil every day, less than a handful total. This is harmless to the summoner.

Earth Elemental familiars boost the constitutions of their masters, making it harder for them to get sick, tired, or hurt. They do not boost any spells.

>>277044
Those are all interesting, but also better for situation we just aren't in. I mean, unworked stone and plants? Small chance of that being around much, I don't think the requirement to eat soil can even be kept. Poisons are more likely to come across but not by much. Still, of these the moss is the most interesting for stopping blood loss, keeping direction, detecting poison and having human size. But that last part might only be a vulnerability unless it can fight as well and I'm not thinking it can. If it is strong or just very resilient it might be even with the embersprite. But in any case let's consider the final set before deciding.

>>277044
Mosslo seems like a handy dude to have around. Helps with first aid, navigation, and in the long term, ambitious people looking to be in charge of groups with questionable moral fiber should keep an eye out for poisons. That bargain is pretty easy to keep too.

I reckon the Embersprite, Mosslo and Weedling are the main contenders now.

Weedling is nice because it has a sort of ranged attack and plant manipulation could be handy. It could grow moss or lichen on floors to silence your movements or crack stone tiles with root growth, form rope out of ivy etc.

>>277044
>mosslo is adept at stopping bleeding and purifying blood. It can identify poisons with ease

This is the best choice. Blood loss is not only dangerous directly, but it weakens you severely for a long time afterwards. Given that this is the dump for a school of evil minions you can also expect lots of toxic things around.

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/01(Tue)19:18 No. 277324 ID: f88f02
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>>277143
>>277059
>Mosslo

>>277113
>>277053
Undecided/Mosslo?

Well, it seems we almost have a consensus!

Now, for my personal opinion on the matter:

THere are areas of the school where plant life and natural caves exist. Furthermore, light can be produced by the book itself, at no cost. A Familiar is not going to have a strong attack no matter how you slice it: that ray is only going to serve to annoy things, at best.

Therefore, in my personal opinion, I would prefer the Mosslo. It synergizes with my teleportation ability, it's my size and it can thus wear armor or magical items, it has helpful healing and navigatory abilities, as well as an incredibly useful knowledge of one area I woefully lack.

However, you might be able to convince me around, if you like...

>>277324
Nah, Mosslo is a good tactical choice and the best strategic choice.

>>277324
Sounds good.

>>277324
I can get behind Mosslo. Teleportation boosting is pretty bitchin', could help build up your strength in areas neither you nor the fighter girl have, and it's not like you really have the knowledge or subtlety to make poison use effective and worthwhile so you basically lose nothing in exchange.

but just to be sure, lets see the last 3 choices

I like the mosslo and the ashsprite.

The ashsprite because you guys always seem to need a distraction and it seems best at doing that.

but yea, other options before we decide eh?

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/02(Wed)17:21 No. 278428 ID: f88f02
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>>278118
>>278191

>Mosslo is marked as one of the main choices. If no one approves of the last three, then Mosslo will be chosen.

Next three then.

>Air Elemental (small)
Air elementals are creatures made of various gases. Air elementals can absorb clouds of gas, vapor, or dust, and duplicate it. It can also absorb similar spells if its power is great enough, such as Stinking Cloud or Solid Fog, or even Cloudkill. It is a favourite of abjurists, who use the winds it can generate to cause an effect similar to Repel Arrows, or to push smaller enemies away.
The Air elemental is not solid, and cannot be struck by normal weapons, though magical weapons and effects will strike true.
In order to ally with this elemental, you must promise to never contaminate the air with vile fumes or smoke. You must also swear to keep your body in contact with the open air at all times. The Elemental will sheild you from the cold.

The Air elemental will boost spells related to flight and haste, doubling their duration. It also boosts spells that are related to the forces of the winds.

>Shocker Lizard
A simple creature with catlike intellect, the shocker lizard is about the size of a small dog. It is capable of producing prodigious amounts of energy that can stun or unsettle most creatures. It is naturally friendly to other lizards. When in a group with other shocker lizards, they can produce truly terrifying blasts of power that even some evokers cannot match, for this reason, swarms of shocker lizards are sometimes used as a weapon of war.

The Shocker lizard will ask that you tolerate a blast from it once a day. It will also ask you to carry it as often as possible. It can hunt and feed itself.

>Sylph
The sylph is a simple fey with power over the winds and sound. It enjoys playing pranks on both its master and his enemies. It has small arrows that it poisons with various concoctions, and is adept at striking with them.
The Sylph will usually carry a sleeping poison, a paralytic, and a damaging poison for hated foes. It is capable of short term, rapid teleportation.
In order to maintain a contract with the Sylph, you must put up with its various pranks without growing enraged. This is the only condition it imposes... For good reason.

The Sylph enhances illusions that utilize sound, as well as teleportation spells with a short range - It allows three of these to be prepared in advance at any time, as opposed to the usual one.

Air elemental also seems nice, but it looks like you would not get much swimming done if you take that :/

Yea, banking with Mossolo.

>>278428
I'd vote for the Sylph. Triple teleports? Fuck yeah! Also, pranks can be good for training. We'd learn to be on our toes, that's for sure.

>>278428
Sylph has a powerset that I'd want, but it's probably not worth putting up with its shit. Go with Mosslo.

Mosslo is again staying in the lead imo. The air elemental seems like it could be astoundingly useful but that restriction could fuck us over someday- we would be unable to use fire or any gas-related spells. The Sylph seems pretty neat but Mosslo is more useful in general. Also those uh... pranks... could be a problem.

Cutscene Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/14(Mon)21:57 No. 281663 ID: f88f02
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>>>MOSSLO CHOSEN<<<

With its simple restriction and multiple benefits, I decide upon the Mosslo, and begin the summoning. Incanting the words of power and feeling the magic of the book and the circle work in tandem, I feel the powerof both sustain one another, resulting in no loss or gain of Luck overall.

Cutscene Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/14(Mon)21:57 No. 281664 ID: f88f02
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The summoning circle bursts into light, flowing and cascading as transdimensional travel is kicked into motion by arcane powers. I can feel in my heart of hearts the bindings placed upon me by the deal I wrought.

Unable to lie.

Unable to use poison.

It feels strangely ironic to me.

End of Cutscene Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/02/14(Mon)21:57 No. 281665 ID: f88f02
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With a final flash and a curtain of smoke that obscures the circle itself, the Mosslo appears.
"I live to serve, my Lord and Master." she states, falling to one knee.

I now have a familiar.

Most excellent.

>>281665
"Arise and be at ease, formality means far less than loyalty when survival is ones main concern." The give a quick debriefing of the situation.

>>281665
"Glad to hear it. Sam, meet Mosslo, my new familiar. Mosslo, meet Sam, my companion in this dungeon."

'lo Moss. I believe that we shall call you Kate. I am Marcus and this is Sam. We are trying to escape from this place. You will assist us.

Yes, yes of course.
First things first, do you have a preferred moniker or shall I assign one to you?
*wait*
Make introductions.

Do the introductions, explain your situation and ask Mosslo what she can sense of your surroundings. Is there any plant life nearby etc?

Note to self Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/03/04(Fri)13:36 No. 286173 ID: f88f02
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>>281673
Introductions are made. The Mosslo identifies as Chlora.

>>282063
The Mosslo - Or Chlora, I suppose - states that there is plant life on the floor above. A great deal, in fact, which is why she was able to detect it between floors. She further states that several of the plant types are poisonous or otherwise toxic.

>>281670

She says that the main objective is noted and that she will keep in mind that we seek the upper floors and aim to survive with few or no other goals.

>>286173
Email Field: Note to Self, Get Smaller Allies.
Ok, so your familiar is bigger than you. To be honest we thought it was small enough to fit in your hand, but whatever, bright side and all that.
Considering her/its apparent size, what about her/its apparent strength? She/It may need to carry her/its weight around more than we planned hauling and fighting and otherwise...

How does Mosslo/Chlora feel/think? If she is relatively inhuman or alien, then that would be best, insuring no awkward shenanigans between her and Sam.

rolled 3 = 3

---

>>286201
>To be honest we thought it was small enough to fit in your hand, but whatever, bright side and all that.
Uh, no we didn't. Look, right there in its description:
>The mosslo is also unique in that it is the size of a human being.
We got exactly what we expected.


Anyway, time to get moving, I suppose. Check out the doors- are any of them locked? Can Chlora sense anything beyond any of them? I'm tempted to say detect magic at them, but that could be pointless paranoia.

If closer inspection doesn't turn up anything we don't already know, let's d3 and go through that one, counting from the left.

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/03/05(Sat)20:09 No. 286458 ID: f88f02
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>>286201
The mosslo is as strong as the average human, if a bit tougher thanks to its silicon-based structure. Thus far, we haven't needed to carry much... Most of the things we found we wore or used immediately or near enough.

Looking in the various rooms, I find two bedrooms and a room that is locked - it has an emblem like that of a winged staff surrounded by serpents...

I don't see a doorknob, either. How is this supposed to open, anyway?

most likely you say a command phrase and it opens magically. it is a medical area or something.

>>286458

It may be that the either you need to be injured to go in, or you have a healing capability.

Heal the door.

>>286498
Dam, beat me to it.

>>286458
Throw a coin at it.

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/04/05(Tue)13:54 No. 294137 ID: f88f02
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>>286807
No coins to throw.

>>286461
That is the most likely way. However, I know not the word. I do not wish to stand about guessing like a loon, either.

>>286792
>>286498
I attempt to Mend the door - no dice.

Most bothersome!

At any rate...

I can rest here, returning my Luck to full capacity.

I can review my current abilities and those of my allies.

I can store things here within the chests.

I can teleport to places that I own the keystones for.

I can speak with my allies without immediate concerns.

With an elemental core, I can summon a Familiar to replace this one. Knowing a Familiar's name allows me to call it without issue - So I can potentially have multiple familiars stored here.

Liked boxed pokemon, with a team size of one.

Lastly, I can advance onwards with my current party of Myself, Samantha, and the Mosslo.

What should I do?

>>294137
Ask what has Samantha so perplexed. Is it because her armor is repaired? I assume that's another function of this Safe Point.

Also, get to know her better. Spend some time talking about your respective childhoods, and what life at school is like for the two of you.

may as well pack all the keystones with you, in case you find another teleport. also maybe that i-shop has something to let you use it?

Well I guess you only need one keystone. If you find another circle then you could teleport back and pick up another keystone etc.

How about you sit down and go over things with your two allies before resting and advancing onwards. Like current main goals, your abilities and your formation for proceeding. Is anyone using that illusion armor? If not then could Mosslo wear it?

Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/04/07(Thu)17:21 No. 294821 ID: f88f02
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"So what is puzzling you?" I ask Samantha. She shakes her head.

"It's nothing important." she says. I stare at her for a moment. "No, really. I'm not even sure about it. I'd tell you if I was." she goes on. She seems... conflicted.

"So... you're not angry? About the Geas?"

"No. I don't lie that much anyway." I say.

"You... don't? But I saw your soul... It was..."

"And I manage that with the truth, dear Samantha. The Truth is a much greater weapon than any lie. It can be darker, deeper, meaner. So many people do not know the power of truth... it was all that saved me in my younger days. I had a little black book. And that book was full of wonderful truths. People would fear that book, and the things I would write. 'What does he know', they would think. It was not hard to threaten them with the book even if their name was not there. Because in the end, Samantha... everyone is afraid of the truth." I finish, the memories at the forefront of my mind. Big Joe Bruiser, Thought he ran the dorm. I found his truth. I found his little hiding place. I saw his... ways. He didn't last long after that. The Truth is always there, after all.

She blinks quietly.

"My apologies." I say. "We should review what we can do and what we should. We will rest, and speak in the morning. It will be a long day."

I retreat into my room and Samantha into hers. The Mosslo sits at the end of my bed, legs crossed, in contemplation.

Last chance for any other actions.

who is Big Joe Bruiser and what did you do to him?

and now Chlora seems to be thinking of something too, ask her what's up.

Does Chlora have any particular skills outside of her elemental type standard ones?

How does the teleportation through Mosslo's mediums work anyway? If you stand on say a field of grass can you teleport twice as far?

END OF THREAD 3 Marcus!H508X.HbJ6 2011/04/18(Mon)19:00 No. 297633 ID: a5dbe5
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>>Chlora's abilities are:

>Can sense plants and determine which are poisonous/toxic.
>Can sense toxins and poisons.
>Can do anything a normal, untrained adult can.
>Is made mostly from stone.

>>Medium teleportation is a way to augment teleportative spells and effects. When standing on a medium you can use, you can go twice as far - so long as you end the teleport on the same medium.


Big Joe Bruiser was the strongest Minion in my class, due to being half-Demon. This nature made him extremely vile and rude, as well as murderous. As per our agreement, though, I cannot speak to you of his transgressions - Such would be breaking a blood-signed contract.

Chlora is... Asleep? SHe has turned into a mossy, smooth, statue at the foot of my bed. I assume she is resting for the moment.


It's just as well. I might as well get some sleep myself. Big day ahead!

>>297633
Autoch has gained a level! Please see the Discussion thread for voting and discussion.

http://www1.tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/328400.html

>>297633
It's too bad you can't see the way we see because DAMN, Sam's looking good.

We're part of your mind. What kind of wording did he use to make it so you can't even think about his secret?

[While Marcus is asleep: Use his body to write a note to Sam that says:
"You're good for each other, but his mind is too broken to feel love or joy. Please, help him.
~Myriad"]

>>297633
Chlora has the wound treatment thing too, which is the biggest reason that we chose her.

>>297647
I don't think he would much care, sadly. However Marcus you might like to note that she is meditating and there are visible glowing wings. Not that surprising but still, neat.