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Recent Events Summary:

You turn your gaze upon the final shard waiting at the Frozen Hand - Wrath. But first, you need to have a conversation with Ellendra Kalladar - the elven Queen that started all this so long ago.

But flying straight to the xenophobic elvish isles could pose many problems. But you know another elf - Valeria Kavanere - leader of those that call the Great Forest home, and members of your growing northern alliance.

Valeria is distant cousins with the elf queen, Kalladar - and they've been in contact. You gained great insight into your own nature, and the nature of the world. It was Queen Kalladar who gave you the ability to resist and deform from Erebus's programming - which was the only thing that stopped his ultimate goal of erasing Chaos. As you've reforged yourself, the burden on the queen has lessened.

But at the same time, Chaos is growing uncontrollably. Magic is getting stronger. Demons grow more powerful. How long can Venia last in a world of god-like titans? It must be brought back under control, or it, too, could consume the world.

Verlia and the queen agree that only Erebus's true might can do the job that must be done. With the future poised on a knife's edge, you traveled to the Palace of Shadow, Erebus's old base. First, you must subdue the final shard, and then set out to the place beyond Venia - from where Erebus originally came.

Your battle with Wrath has torn open the palace and spilled out onto the snow-covered ice of the Frozen Hand.

Commence hype

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Ability Tree

GREEN abilities have been unlocked and learned.

BLUE abilties are unlocked, but are not yet purchased.

RED abilities are revealed, but locked due to prerequisites.

UNDERLINED abilities are active-use, as opposed to passive. Not all active abilities require mana.

All Revealed Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/UVzVKdyA

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/dAXR00gP

Character Sheet including learned abilities and other important information:

http://pastebin.com/QzURqEAL

Andherewego.gif

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Current Statistics:

HP: 76/81
Mana: 24/58
EXP: 2

Shards of Erebus:
-none-

New Shards:
(Maker) - Normal
(Silence) - Normal
(Peace) - Empowered
(Breeze) - Strong
(Hammer) - Strong
(Ardor) - Empowered
{Resolve} - Strong
{Humanity} - Resonant

--Summoned--

Wisp - 1 mana to order

--Automatons--

Earthen Construct (currently in Haven)

--Equipment--

Utility belt with purse

--Inventory--

Sun-Moon Key
Lightning Key

--Teleport Anchor--

Haven - Inner Fortress

--Current Location--

The Frozen Hand, just outside the Palace of Shadow

---------
---------

Known Mana Pools:

Jacob's Field - entrance to Hecate's tomb - Spirit
Palthair Mines - Magnock's Lair - Spirit
Archon - Spirit District - Spirit
Archon - Shadow District - Shadow
Archon - Earth District - Earth
Archon - Water Distric - Water
Haven - Shadow
Abbotsford - Shadow
The Frozen Hand - Palace of Shadow - Shadow

Woohoo!

Hope your car troubles weren't too taxing SM. Gotta watch out for them saboteurs!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HqAlF_D0Q

You blast out of the snow as fast as you can - but the ice makes a poor launching pad. You try to gather your aura behind you for a burst of speed as you move, but Wrath's arm catches up with you first. A titanic fist smashes into your back, and you're sent flying across the drifts. You skip across the snow like a pebble across a pond, eventually coming to a long, sliding halt.

After a moment, you clamber back up, dazed, but alive. Wrath pounds through the snow after you - but he starts to shrink. His size decreases until he's no larger than he was before. Still, he's charging full speed, wings flared to give him an extra boost. It's only a moment before he arrives.

You spread your legs wide, ready to dodge. But as you make your move, your feet falter on a ridge of ice buried under the snow. You flap your wings, which stops your falling, but you don't have enough momentum to get out the way!

Breeze answers your call.

A ring of purple light flashes over either of your wings. Your second flap brings you forward with an incredible speed. It feels less like you've moved, and more as if the world has moved around you. In an instant, you're at Wrath's side.

Wrath, caught off-guard, tries to bring himself around to face you, but now the ice is on your side. His feet slip and stumble as he tries to slow his momentum. He shoots out tentacles of shadow to pierce the ice and drag himself to a halt.

But while he tries to right himself, you have the initiative.

What do you do?

----------------
----------------

>>27943450

Fucking cold while I waited for AAA, but not really the end of the world.

Short thread tonight, though. Let's see if you can wrap this up.

>>27943489
>Darkness Within, TIME TO SLAM AND JAM.

No really, we've got him on the back foot now. Let's seize the advantage and crush him.

>>27943489
Shattenkrieg him in to the ground as he slips.

>>27943489
Cone of Destruction. Hit him hard.

>>27943489
resolve cone of darkness followed by ardor CONSUME

>>27943526
Supporting. Blast the fucker.

>>27943489
We can manipulate the ice, right?

Easy then; break the ice under him with something and let him fall into the water below, then re-freeze the water. Smash whatever still sticking up into submission.

>>27943489

Slight correction to current statistics:

>HP: 54/81

Forgot to update that after he connected with a Titanic fist.

>>27943546
That sounds like one of those AWSUMMM PLANZ that's actually a very bad idea.

>>27943562
Yeah, I agree. He's probably hella resistant to non magical cold seeing as he's, yknow, out in the middle of a freaking tundra.

>>27943526
>>27943527
2nding cone then eat

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Remember to feed your Good Wolf

Does tearing count as slicing as far as Hydra's concerned?

>>27943595
feed both

>>27943489
Cone of Destruction and then CONSUME!

>>27943600

No. Having a limb torn off and having it cut off are two completely different things.

>>27943621
Hydra a shit. I can't remember the last time we took slicing damage.

>>27943621
What about magically enhanced slicing; something along the lines of Flint's light-edged sword?

>>27943625
It's not necessarily hydra that is utterly amazing, it's what lies beyond that will be FOR SURE amazing.

>>27943638

Any slicing damage, magical or mundane, is fully covered. Your example is good; another that could work would be a slicing beam of wind magic.

>>27943671
So, if we decided to hover in a dark room, we could tank the sky sever indefinately. Neat.

>>27943642
We won't be able to get it until we finish the entire middle tree, though.

Honestly, I want to focus on magic to counteract our shitty rolls. Grab Ray of Darkness and Void Ring, get those useful Earth skills, purchase the summoning skills that we at least need for other trees, finish the Spirit tree.

Cone of Destruction seems to be the majority opinion.

>extremely close range bonus!

Roll 1d100

>>27943688
Well sure, I'm still part of the Dynamo Institute. I just want to see what the hell lies beyond Hydra to sate my horrifying curiosity.

Rolled 98

>>27943698
ROLLIN FOR MAXIMUM MAGIKA

Rolled 76

>>27943698

Rolled 3

>>27943698

Rolled 76

>>27943698
I rolled nothing but 85+ in a different quest earlier.

Time for the good old SQ curse

Rolled 45

>>27943698
Shame I didn't get here in time to encourage the use of resolve as suggested the previous thread...

SHOTGUN!

>>27943717
>>27943720

Yeeeessssss.

As much as the shotgun spell is a good choice theoretically when close range are we seriously shooting a Darkness Elemental with Darkness magic?

>>27943754
Yes because AWSUMMM PLANZZZ

>>27943717
>>27943720

>>27943698
You make me happy, anon.

>>27943754
maybe use resolve to help? new-temerity ought to provide an even better boost to those two good rolls

>>27943754
It doesn't matter. We can still get smacked with shadow magic if we get hit hard enough, or did you conveniently forget our battle against Temerity way back in the Archonium?

>>27943787
Temerity literally crippled our resistance that battle.

>>27943754
While I agree that conceptually the plan was probably not the best because... Shadow on shadow, at least it's not going to hurt us terribly because of the good rolls.
Blah blah opportunity cost blah blah

>>27943775
>implying our Shadow Magic is anywhere near as powerful as Temerity's

got best results, no more rolls plz

>>27943820
no? i did the opposite. silly anon!

>>27943809
Got any more anal vore?

>>27943847
Aww damn. Quoted the wrong post. Meant to quote >>27943787

A ball of shadow gathers in front of you, your mana, concentrated into a small point. As if in slow motion, Wrath turns, eyes wide, trying to move. He's not fast enough.

A tiny pinprick of the ball of mana distorts. The concentrated power erupts out of that weak point and straight into Wrath's face. You feel the odd pressure of Shadow on Shadow, but while the resistance usually forces the magic to roll around the target, there's simply not enough room for it to go anywhere. The sheer force of the spell smashes Wrath's upper body backward snow, ripping and tearing in a cyclone of destruction.

A moment later, Wrath sits at the back of a cone-shaped crater driven through the ice. His body, effectively torn in half, is climbing to its feet. He is rapidly regenerating, but that definitely hurt him.

>HP: 58/81 (mighty regen)
>mana: 16/58

What do you do?

>>27943872
We have Temerity fully on our side now. If I recall shards give a passive bonus when aligned, so I'd imagine Temerity would boost our shadow magic's raw damage.

>>27943872
That was copyfriend, anon, but if he's still around I'm sure he'd be happy to oblige.
Please restrain yourself until the end of the thread though.

>>27943893
CONSUME with Ardour support.

>>27943893
NOW we Darkness Within while he's trying to regenerate. Get him weak enough to consume.

>>27943893
CONSUME
Use Ardor.

>>27943901
>Please restrain yourself until the end of the thread though.
I don't see why they should. You never seem to.

>>27943893
Get up close and toxic smog to distort his regen before going for consume.

>>27943893
I'm in favor of jumping on him right now and pummeling him. An erode first may help, but I don't think it's strictly necessary.

>>27943893
Shattenkrieg, consume

>>27943893
eat em, reforge em

War shard here we come.

>>27943893
Alright, let's use erode to prevent him from fighting back at as while we consume.

>remember; gotta boost those bonuses

Guys we really should beat him down first. Remember what happened last time we tried to consume a resilient shard? He would up tearing us apart as we consumed him, because we got too jumpy. We're fighting our strongest shard yet.

>>27943964
Let's call him Vengeance
>implying sm hasn't named him already

>>27943984
agreed. Beat his shit around the block

>>27943984
I'll second beating him down after first casting another erode.

>>27943984
He's literally torn in half.

We don't want to completely break him.

>>27944035
And "rapidly regenerating".

Vote 1:
>consume + ardor

Vote 2:
>darkness within

Vote 3:
>erode, then darkness within

Vote 4:
>schattenkrieg

hey if we cast erode again maybe we should try boosting it with shaper? i recall it being something that aids earth magic and something else.

>>27944049
4

>>27944049
4

>>27944049
3

>>27944049
3

>>27944035
well, we do that anyway right before reforging

>>27944049
3

>>27944049
4

>>27944049
3

>>27944049
1

>>27944049
3

Roll 1d100

Fifteen rolls for all this FUN

First three are erode, then the rest for DW

Rolled 20

>>27944150
ITS GO TIME!

Rolled 81

>>27944150

Rolled 19

>>27944150

Rolled 54

>>27944150

>>27944150

Rolled 57

>>27944150

Rolled 78

>>27944150

>>27944160
>>27944161
>>27944168
Soooo, about boosting our erode roll with Maker...

Rolled 17

>>27944150

Rolled 68

>>27944150

>>27943625

Finally people are realizing what I realized long ago

Hydra is a shitty power that's very situational.

>>27943642
Yeah, just like Kindle.

Team hydra should rename themselves to Pure Darkness.

That is For Sure Amazing by itself! It confers all of our regeneration, mana regeneration, and passive bonuses all the time. Literally everywhere.

Rolled 78

>>27944150

Rolled 82

>>27944150

>>27944191
If the DW is good enough I don't think it matters. Just beat the guy up.

Rolled 60

>>27944150
>these great DW rolls
I am getting paranoid.

Rolled 86

>>27944150

>>27944218
It kinda matters because he can counterattack while we're in DW. It's just eliminating more options for the enemy is all.

Jesus fuck, what is with this average?

Rolled 52

>>27944150

Rolled 67

>>27944150
One more set~

Rolled 77

>>27944150

20, 81, 19

54, 57, 78

17, 68, 78

82, 60, 86

52, 67, 77

------------
------------

Would you like to use Maker to boost your Erode magic?

Vote 1:
>yes

Vote 2:
>no

>>27944300
We might as well.

>>27944300
1

>>27944300
1

>>27944300
2

>>27944300
1

>>27944300
2

>>27944300
1

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Rolled 22

>>27944300
2

>>27944366
Ah Sorry, rolling & voting. Harken ye to a simpler time.

>>27944300
2

>>27944300

2

DONT WEAKEN SHARDS UNNECESSARILY

>>27944366
>Hurrr how do I into vote
No rolling, yo. You know this shit.

>>27944300

Maker is a go.

Writing

>>27944399
Uhhhh.

>>27944393
It's not unnecessary when only one of three rolls is good.
We also discovered last time that using shards for their intended purpose doesn't weaken them incredibly.

>>27944300
2

>>27944376
I don't think it changes double posting rules, but yeah. I forgot to clear my email field.

>>27944415
That was because it didn't take much to save that dodge roll because Wrath was so slow. Furthermore, all the rolls for DW were good on an already significantly weakened shard, we didn't need to save that Erode roll.

>>27944427
Rolling allows you to vote twice. Clear ya field

>>27944448
I disagree. Anything that helps rolls against foes for little to no cost is something I'll take to supplement other powerful rolls.

>>27944478
Oh. Well, good to know.
Thank you, anon.

>>27944496
Wasting shards is not little cost. We don't get many opportunities to recharge them so we shouldn't be using them and weakening them when they aren't necessary.

>>27944448
>we didn't need to save that Erode roll.
y'know this entire thing about using tactics, right? just leaving a potential hole in power because we get some good rolls on the main attack doesn't mean we can just trust everything to the dice.

>>27944520
Why don't you wait for the actual post before calling it a "waste"?
You don't yet know if it was weakened significantly or slightly, or just how much it helped or didn't help our erode.

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>mana: 0/58

You cast Erode.

A cloud of earth magic surrounds Wrath, fighting his aura - but this time, it seems to overwhelm your magic. You call upon a shard of your power for help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml0g7q4Kipg

Maker answers that call. And with the passion he forged a tomb fit for kings, Erode is doubled in strength, and then doubled again. The frayed cloud of Earth turns into a fog that sits over Wrath, smothering his aura of strength.

>Maker - Weak

Wrath is on the ropes. He's weakened; he's hurt. The time is now. You throw yourself forward through the blizzard of snow.

What follows is one of the strangest battles you've ever fought. The regenerating Wrath has lost most of his solid form. You create an array of deadly tentacles - fists, sharp-edged swords, points like spears - and so does he. You duel at high speed, arms clashing, points tearing and piercing, fists meeting one another only to warp and Ink around to try and gain some new advantage. It's like fighting a mirror of yourself.

But step by step, you gain the advantage. You take punches, but they're light. His swords cut you, but they're only shallow scratches. His spears and Shadows pierce your body, but only skin deep.

You step forward and drive him back. Eventually, he's pinned to the back of the crater that you made. You drive him into the ice, hammering, slamming him flat against the frozen surface.

Desperate for an escape, Wrath attempts to grapple you - but his strength is no match, at the moment. You use his own grip as leverage to pick him up off the ice, and then you run him through with several limbs combined into one dagger point. You throw him back down. The ice cracks when he hits it. Snow flies up into the air.

Your focus returns. Wrath lies before you in a torn, pooled-up mess. Even now, driven by a singular goal, it tries to pierce itself back together.

What do you do?

>>27944300
I just realized that 2 would have won if
>>27944366
>>27944393
didn't fuck up voting.

Oh well. Erode probably won't hurt anything - I don't foresee the shard exploding or anything. Just felt unnecessary.

>>27944647
>What do you do?

Consume

>>27944647

>HP: 52/81 (10 damage - 4 regen)

>>27944647
Consume.

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>>27944647
Consume.

>>27944647
And we see that Maker was turned from normal to weak, while our erode would've failed without its aid.
Final verdict: Good use.

>>27944647
Consume?

>>27944647

HOly fuck

earth magic rules

Every time we need it to save the day, it DELIVERS.

Fucking tao just made it relevant, too! yay defense boost!

Why the fuck aren't we loading up on all this delicious earth magic?

>>27944647
Consume

>>27944647
consume, humanize.

we should come with a better name for that. integrate?

>>27944647
Consume and reforge.

>>27944702
Consume is fine, I think. "Integrate" would give me creepy evil politician vibes, considering that we're integrating" them against their will.

Roll 1d100 to consume

Rolled 42

>>27944744
Get dat final shard.

Rolled 37

>>27944744
eff

Rolled 11

>>27944744
Remember to possibly boost this with ardor if the roll sucks.

Rolled 22

>>27944744

Rolled 10

>>27944744
BROTHER!

Rolled 83

>>27944744

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>>27944750
>>27944751
>>27944752
>>27944758
>>27944766

Rolled 22

>>27944744

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ARDOR!

>>27944773
At least we know where our average went during DW.

>>27944744

Hunger shart dat shit!

>>27944697

because team hydra a shit, anon

You Consume Wrath.

With a roar, Wrath battles back - but he's helpless to resist. Just too weakened - too far gone. You envelope him, and in a moment, there is no dividing line between you and him.

Humanity's flame burns in the corner of your sensation. Wrath isn't fully integrated. Now is the time to make a difference...

What do you do?

>leave Wrath as it is
>burn Wrath to ashes
>reforge Wrath

>>27944807
>Reforge.

Please, like we'd do anything else.

>reforge Wrath

>>27944807
>reforge Wrath

>>27944807
Well here's the big final decision of self balance.

...Reforge!

>>27944807

>You envelope him
>envelope

HOLD ON WRATH WE CAN STILL REACH THE POST OFFICE IF WE HYPERSONIC!

>>27944807
Reforge
<Temerity said the same as you.>

>>27944807
Reforge, we've gotten this far without destroying any shards, lets make a complete set.

>>27944807
>>burn Wrath to ashes

Wait!
Stop!

Decision time!

this is a REALLY INTERESTING prompt/choice

>>27944807
>reforge Wrath

>>27944807
>reforge Wrath

>>27944807
FORGE BABY FORGE

>>27944807
Reforge. It's the whole plan, after all. Need to do it to get the Elf Queen and set all this balance shit up.

>>27944841
It's the same as the other shards. We either let Humanity burn the shard out or reforge it as a balanced shard.
>obviously, we're going to choose reforging as usual.

>implying anyone was going to choose anything else

Roll 1d100

Rolled 25

>>27944881
Time to go...postal.

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>>27944863
>all this consensus

Rolled 43

>>27944881

Rolled 85

>>27944881

Rolled 84

>>27944881
Oh boy hurr we go

Rolled 55

>>27944881

>>27944841

To elaborate:

Look, we were told we were given a CHOICE to reject the drive to reassemble and become erebus.

This is what temerity wanted all along.

What if we trigger some unknowable final plan by reuniting ourselves?

Sm wouldn't prompt this if it weren't a viable third option.

Rolled 19

>>27944881

Rolled 91

>>27944881

>>27944887
>>27944889
Not bat, not bat at all.

>>27944904
Yes bat. 43 muy bat

>>27944896
It's already happened.
Anything you may be paranoid about will crop up in the next post anyways.

>>27944896
You're forgetting the part where we reforged all our other shards and that this was the Elf Queen's plan for Balance all along. Also, we already reunited with all our shards when we consumed him.

>>27944896
Settle down, anon. Rampant paranoia has overtaken you.

Rolled 66

>>27944881

Rolled 30

>>27944881

Rolled 41

>>27944881

I kinda want to incorporate all the other elementals and become the ultimate Lord of Balance.

Can't have wars between the Elemental Lords when you're all of them.

>>27944985
>why don't you just eat them Mr. Shadow? it's always worked before!

>>27944985
But if we're having this much trouble controlling beings of order that are technically us, imagine controlling separate beings made of chaos!

><Geb, stop throwing tantrums I WILL TURN THIS BODY AROUND MISTER.>

>>27945039
Throw em in a box with Humanity for a bit.

>>27944985
>>27945009
We should ditch all of the rebalanced shards and construct brand new ones out of raw elements. Then we consume the ancient elemental lords and become the lord of magic.
We can rule the world as a benevolent dictator, with total mastery of all the elements.

>Raijin! Stop pulling Hecate's hair! Hyperion, get down from there! Leviathan stop wetting yourself! Damnit all! I need some ignorance potions.

>>27945064
Gah. Meant to quote >>27945039

>>27945064
>but shadow-kun~, thats how we got into this mess!

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>>27945064
>Hyperion, get down from there! Leviathan stop wetting yourself!

Sooooo I take it this huge lull is SM writing how we're ascending to new recombined power?

>>27945064
>>27945079
>It's produced as a Japanese harem anime, with all of the Elemental lords genderswapped to be female and Erebus as the protagonist.

>>27945181
Or us failing miserably.

>>27945181
either that or hes detailing our tragic demise

>>27945181
Something big is happening, that's for sure.

>>27945181
Shh, no speculating.
In the quiet between exposition, we shit post.
Join us.

>>27945181
Probably spending a lot of time picking the right music. Maybe.

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>>27945181
Appropriate?

>>27945217
fag

Don't forget he has that natural 1 stored away.

>>27945237
>Wrath just busted free Temerity

>>27945237
Are you implying he's not using that to kill Flint?

>>27945237
you fool, don't remind him

>>27945237
i think he'd tell us as he used it. so we could sit and wait and fester and hurt while he was writing

>>27945256
>implying SM ever forgets.

>>27945251
Either Flint or Abigail.
Or destroy Haven.
Though if he really wanted to hurt us, he'd use it to take away Joey.

>>27945261
I think SM is less of a quest manager and more of an addictive stockholm syndrome inducer.

>>27945283
I think Abigail has become too divisive to properly upset everyone.

>>27945189
Well, I know what I'm running once SQ ends.

>>27945295
I'd play it.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEVri_j7iyk

You reforge Wrath.

Humanity's light doesn't seep in or burn like it has with other shards; rather, in a blinding flash, the light shines of Wrath. The aura rolling off its arms and limbs change. Its horns, almost demonic in appearance, recede into its head. Left before you is the shape of a simple man - as with all the shards, they become less alien in appearance and sense when reforged - but this one is particularly...human.

<My anger has cooled,> the shard says, <but not vanished. It still simmers...controlled. Waiting to be unleashed.>

<...what shall I call you?> you ask it.

<Retribution,> it says, <for those that stand in our way shall be haunted by the visage of my old Wrath.>

It slips into your core, and you know you've gained a powerful ally.

>Retribution - Strong

Shards of Order and Chaos:

(Retribution) - Strong
(Maker) - Weak
(Silence) - Normal
(Peace) - Empowered
(Breeze) - Strong
(Hammer) - Strong
(Ardor) - Empowered
{Resolve} - Strong
{Humanity} - Resonant

>Titanic now lasts up to five turns, and can be cancelled at any time.

>Dark Wave - Unleash a mighty shockwave of Shadow centered on you. Low offensive power, but high knockback. (3 or 8 experience, 50 foot or half-mile radius, respectively).

--------
--------

And then you feel something change.

The shards inside you begin to hum. It's as if you're holding something that won't stop vibrating, and the feeling in your fingers is being numbed away.

And then, it fades. And a voice you recognize echoes in your mind:

---
---

Note:

All power nodes have been reintegrated. Seal integrity is affirmed. Power grid protocols allow the weakening of up to three nodes before requiring manual override.

Note:

Seal integrity is still below maximal and continues to decline. Chaotic energy increases detected. Recommendation: fully patch core seal.

---
---

>con't

>>27945237
Flint is actually the human incarnation of Hyperion or somehow linked to him. This is why he had so much light magic when the parasite was removed during the Demon Lord fight. It is also why his parasite being removed is necessary to free Geb from the parasite Hyperion placed on him. Since the Elemental Lord's were probably shunted into the Endless Void, when we take Flint there he'll have to resist a roll for Hyperion assuming direct control.

The nat 1 will be used there.

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The voice fades away.

The drifting snow of the Frozen Hand brushes you - and again, you feel its chill. A howling wind fills the air. You are alone in the icy fields before the Palace of Shadows.

What do you do?

>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows
>head back to Maven Lake and follow the trail of Adavan, Ila, and Obis
>some other strategy

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>>27945302
This is it.
We're complete.

It's been a long journey, friends.
This is the beginning of the end.

>>27945336
>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows

Ask Resolve what we are supposed to do now, according to the old directive.

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>>27945337

>he thinks you're complete

I couldn't resist.

>>27945336
>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows
Do this.

Also;
Why would we head back to Maven Lake when we can instead just go to where they headed, get the key, and then sit there with a smug grin on our face?

>>27945302
>>Dark Wave - Unleash a mighty shockwave of Shadow centered on you. Low offensive power, but high knockback. (3 or 8 experience, 50 foot or half-mile radius, respectively).
Jesus...

>>27945336
>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows

>>27945336
>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows

>>27945336
>head back to Maven Lake and follow the trail of Adavan, Ila, and Obis
Weren't they headed somewhere towards our location anyway? I don't remember the exact location off the top of my head but it was not far south from where we're at.

>no xp for that fight
SM YOU THINK YOU KNOW WRATH?!

>>27945354
Yes, in truth we shall never be whole. For though we've regained a vestige of our old power, a new one wells up within us.
The power of love, compassion, and friendship.
Until we at long last meet with our dearest Abigail in eternal unity, we will never be truly complete.

>>27945378
Anon's got a point. Spare some change sir?

>>27945336
We already know where the others are heading so just go straight there. The stuff in the palace will still be there since no one ever goes here. Our friends, on the other hand, may need help.

>>27945355
>we can instead just go to where they headed

You don't have that information. You could theoretically beat them to where they were headed, but you need to find out where that is, first.

>>27945390
Oh boy. Fluff guy is here.

>>27945390
god damn it he's back again...

>>27945336
>head back to Maven Lake and follow the trail of Adavan, Ila, and Obis
We can always come back here and explore more. In fact, I think that should be our next course of action AFTER we make sure these guys don't get themselves killed.

>>27945378
>>27945391

The reward was a shard, the new abilities, and being able to weaken three shards without your seal troubles. That was worth a lot of experience.

>>27945390
Fuck you.
I liked the romance, but you're ruining it.

>>27945399
>"The frostbite ocean, north of the Shiprakers," Tyrael says. "Blackwater says Obis was telling them a story about an uncharted island where Leviathan made his home. Apparently his ancestors, Logi's supporters, were involved in conflict there."

Weeeellll, we could just search randomly in that huuuuge area.

>>27945400
>>27945403
Though I am not the fluff cavalier of yester-thread, I would be remiss to not extol his influence and inspiration. If yet more were brought into the light of eloquence and love, all would be the better for it.
Join us, and know true happiness.

>>27945423
Fair enough.

>>27945451
How Civil.

>>27945444

Fair enough.

----
----

I think a slight majority wants to explore the magic while we're here though. So, writing.

IIRC Erebus divided himself into cores because it made things more efficient.

Would unsealing everything just glob our power back together, or would it be horrifically bad for us?

>>27945423
Alright, that placates me. FOR NOW!

>>27945444
Speaking of Tyrael, did we ever figure out if he and Hamil were, y'know, together?

>>27945336
>>explore the magic you saw back at the palace of shadows


Didn't Flint want to talk to us first?

Also, inquire about the power core patch.

>>27945480
>time for GREED AND LOOTING to get more of our friends hurt.
Yay

>>27945481
If we unseal everything, we have a lot more to worry about than what happens to our abilities.

>>27945489
If I remember correctly, that was just a joke Auriel made that /tg/ took too seriously.

>>27945498
We can trust them.

Plus we're also after knowledge.

>>27945434
I would opine that at the speed with which we traverse the landscape, it would take but a moment to seek out our comrades and obtain from them the specifics of their destination.
However, if we wish to appear as the herald of victory cresting the hill of battle and instead bestow upon them the key before they imperil themselves, I suggest we begin our search forthwith. There is much ground to cover.

>>27945512
Ah, fair enough.

>>27945498
I'm surprised we didn't have a Greed shard. Hunger doesn't quite hit it right.

>>27945512
Homosex is serious business.

>>27945523
Ack! I am mistaken, for I meant to give reference to this >>27945444 gentleman.
I apologize, good sirs.

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>>27945523
Please stop.

Now that most of our shards are humanized is it possible that Shadow fully understand how to make jokes?

>>27945584
Alas, the metaphorical nature of Shadow Quest and the manner in which the shards reflect the gentlemen of the thread indicate that there will never come a day when Shadow can fully differentiate between that which is serious and that which is said in jest or parody.

>>27945584
>27945584
Or what alcohol truly is?

>>27945584
Theoretically. But Shadow's Humanity score is higher than his players so there's a certain disparity in execution.

>>27945584
Good jokes?

>>27945584

No, he doesn't stand a Ghost of a chance

"I don't get it guys. Do you understand what's going on?"

Retribution: "No clue. Maybe 'go fuck yourself' wasn't to be taken literally?"

Maker: "I'm not sure. But if you let me build this machine that closely resembles a human's actions, I'm sure we'll be able to make a prediction about future incidents!"

Silence: "I think we did something wrong. Let's just slip out the back and forget about this whole thing."

Peace: "Whatever. Don't listen to them, Judgement. We're better than that."

Breeze: "GOTTA GO FAST!"

Hammer: "They all look like nails! NAILS I TELL YOU!"

Ardor: "I've been thinking about this for awhile now and I still don't get it."

Resolve: "Maybe if we spend the night asking around, someone will clue us in?"

Humanity: "Goddammit, guys."

You glance up to the looming palace. That magic you sense earlier gnaws at your curiosity. Does it hold more answers?

...standing here, in this place, with all your shards together...there's no time like the present. Adavan and company won't get where they're going for some days, at least. You can spare a few minutes.

You make your way back up to the palace, half-walking over the snow, half flying up the ice-crusted cliffs. The storm slows you only slightly. Heat and cold never posed you much burden.

In short order, you make your way back to the front of the palace. While the entrance was good and destroyed by Wrath's stature, it seems that most of the damage is superficial. The outer wall is collapsed, but the innards are fine - clearly the palace isn't a casual pile of stone. You climb up a heap of rubble and slip into a crack.

In a moment, you're in the grand hall, the sound of the blizzard dulled behind you. You step forward, your legs lengthening and warping to keep your body steady as you go over the wholes and gouges left from Wrath's passing.

At the end of the hall lies the ruined half-arch of stone set against the back wall. At one time, it must have been one continuous piece. Did Wrath have something to do with that?

<Not I,> comes Retribution's voice.

Hmm. Solves that problem.

You move in closer to investigate the magic.

-----
-----

>con't

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiAyUDzdxDw

A vision takes you. You're over the land - high. Impossibly high. Venia stretches below you, the lands and seas, as if you can see it like one of Duke Vellik's maps. And then you fly south, past the edge of the water, past anything altogether, and there is only an endless black nothing.

In the distance, you see the light of the sun - a vast orb floating further in the endless space. Despite the incredible velocity at which you seem to move, it grows no closer. How far must it be?

But then, something ahead.

An island looms in the darkness. It floats alone in the void. The entire thing is...reversed. The darkest corners gleam with light. Open spaces seem pitch black. It's a photo-negative of the world as you know it.

-----
-----

The vision ends. You snap back to reality, sitting in the cold palace, alone.

What was that place?

But then, you already know. The place from which Erebus came. The end of the directive.

The magic seems gone from the archway - used up. Perhaps it was something left in case the archway itself was damaged? The way it is set almost reminds you of a door. Perhaps, originally, there was a link between this place and the island.

Valeria said that Blackwater was the only man known to have sailed to the end of the world. Perhaps he could shed some light, or offer advice on how to proceed.

As you consider what you've seen, a Wind rises at your back.

Roll 1d100

Rolled 10

>>27945748
WHAT
WHAT'S GOIN ON?!

Rolled 100

>>27945748

>>27945766
OH OKAY

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>>27945766
IT'S BEEN SO LONG OLD FRIEND!

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>>27945766

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>>27945766
Finally, finally something good in our rolls. A crit success.

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>>27945766
>my first 100 in SQ

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>>27945766
welp

>>27945766
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. AND WE DO NOT GIVE A FUCK.

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>>27945766
GLORIOUS

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>>27945766

>a 100 on this roll

>i dun even

>>27945787
>Rolls a 100
>Posts Sakuroko
I like you, anon

Rolled 29

>>27945748
Still time for a 1 to cancel it out!

>>27945748
>a Wind rises at your back.

It's the Black Lady aka Melody w/the wind staff.

>Inb4 it was some vampire come to see what the ruckus is
>He bows and "MY LORD!" at us.

>>27945806
Can't tell if gewd or bewd.

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>>27945806
>MFW we get a 100 on a roll that didn't really matter or anything.

>>27945852
It means were about to get our maximum swag on to greet whomever it is.

Rolled 19

>>27945748
Waiting is hard.

Rolled 67

>>27945748
I am driven primarily by boredom, and a small amount of ill-will.

Rolled 33

>>27945748
And so I roll dice. Maybe I'll get a 1, or maybe we'll get another 100? Who can say?

>>27945923
>>27945900
pls stop

Rolled 16

>>27945938
But we still have four (now three) rolls to go!
>>27945748

>>27945766

I find this particularly appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFGQDdQ2lYc

Rolled 38

>>27945938
And because of the one-minute cooldown, I need to hurry. Before SM updates.
>>27945748

Rolled 63

>>27945748

>>27945923
>and a small amount of ill-will.
please ignore this douchebag, SM

>>27945973
He ignored the other guys so I don't think we have anything to worry about.

Rolled 44

>>27945748
Only two left.
>Outlook: Losing hope

>>27945979
You're already 1 roll over ten.

>SM didn't give us xp because he wanted this fight against the staff of winds to be harder since he knew we'd just buy Hydra and make wind magic shit-tier against us

>>27945979
You failed, anon. Put the dice down.

>>27945991
*@ ten.

and what quest is that?