/qst/ - Quests » Thread #6196406

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A Tale of Monsters - Old Promise

InsertNameHere ID:c9MjDjZ3 Fri 14 Feb 2025 20:27:58 No.6196406 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By:

Welcome boys and girls to the beginning of a new fantasy quest, one where investigations will be even more important to solving your problem than violence and power. Ultimately the methods will be up to you and I do apologize in advance if the opening feels a bit stiff because we've got a big handful of character customization to go through...

For general communication outside the thread, see this twitter https://x.com/TaleOfMonsters
I'll try my best to update once every two days at a minimum until I unrust, then once a day will be a good pace.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sun 16 Mar 2025 18:15:04 No.6213544 Report

Quoted By: >>6214001

>>6213536
Still think it's something we'd think about. Mother Earth surely wouldn't be so cruel as to condemn the Mamonos to such a horrible fate. There's gotta be a better way!

Still, I think we're a girl who's too nice for her own good. A poor sweet summer child who hopefully doesn't have to learn how cruel the world is the hard way.

I vote to trust the dude. Courtly politics is a nasty business. He's probably nowhere near as bad as they're making him out to be. Probably...

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Sun 16 Mar 2025 19:40:29 No.6213625 Report

Quoted By: >>6214001

>>6213509
>Tell him you'd like to think about it a little longer and exit his room. Indecision is cowardice but in this case, not entirely unreasonable. [Delay]
damn, I forgot Augustine painted him as being worse than the ray pist forces, although we don't know if it's just because of him trying to get in her good graces after her kid died or if he really tried something else on her.

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Sun 16 Mar 2025 19:42:24 No.6213627 Report

Quoted By:

I'll force a tiebreaker tomorrow

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:NhilVv4f Mon 17 Mar 2025 12:20:00 No.6214001 Report

Quoted By:

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6213544
>>6213625
Let's see where things go between trust or caution, I'm honestly surprised you guys are giving him a chance.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Mon 17 Mar 2025 12:28:10 No.6214003 Report

Quoted By: >>6214012

Rolled 16 (1d20)

Interesting development.

And now for the infiltration itself...which won't need any rolls because
Good prep work+Magical Cloak+Sneaking training+Being invited into Thibault Room+Trusting are too many advantages for me to ask for a roll, I'd just be fishing for crit fails at this point. I'm gonna try my best not to take too long for this next update, let's go inside the innards of a tree!
Also, don't mind this roll, this is for a potential long-term complication.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:cDCcMGrr Mon 17 Mar 2025 12:44:46 No.6214006 Report

Quoted By:

>>6213509
>>Ultimately, you've only heard the opinions of others. Thibault hasn't given you any reason to distrust him, why not help him build bridges with the monster village? [Accept his friendship.]

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Mon 17 Mar 2025 13:04:51 No.6214012 Report

Quoted By: >>6214015

>>6214003
Oh my that's a high roll. I don't know if I should be worried about that...

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Mon 17 Mar 2025 13:08:54 No.6214015 Report

Quoted By:

>>6214012
That's not a complication you have to worry about for this thread, worry not worry not. I couldn't make up my mind about a little something and now I have my answer.

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Tue 18 Mar 2025 20:05:55 No.6214585 Report

Quoted By:

Gonna do my best to answer in the next two days, this won't be the end-of-thread update, there's one more decision to make... I gotta make sure I deliver the right information.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 19:39:15 No.6215994 Report

Quoted By:

''I don't know if I can return your thunder, mysir.'' His patience deserves your honesty. ''I do wish to do what I can to help the Mamonos and my new home, I'd be glad to be counting you amongst my friends.'' You reach for his hand, fingers brushing his before you gently grasp it. His smile is warm, and genuine it's hard not to feel a little lighter in his presence. Don’t get nervous. The heat on your face is entirely because the manor is too warm.

''Thank you milady, I won't ask for more. I intend to visit the city during the next few weeks... Would you be open to my sending messengers to make it easier for us to coordinate?''

''Of course.'' I should try doing the same with Augustine, gods how can I begin to tell about her dead son having visited me? I should be certain I know that boy truly is him first... You can only hope the apprehension gnawing inside your chest isn't visible on your face.

You'll try to trust him, you aren't sure you can do it wholeheartedly yet, but Thibault honesty deserves respect.

You shouldn't linger here. You gently undo your joined hands and step back, and he understands your intention, returning his hands to his pockets.

"Goodnight, sir. I hope our cooperation will help the village," you announce and promptly exit the room. There's something else you need to do tonight, and now... you've been guided into the perfect spot of the manor to do it silently.

--

In normal circumstances going down from the second floor, leaving through the western exit, and reaching the Elemental Tree would take ten minutes.

Your journey to reach your destination took more than an hour.

From the insides of the manor, over the wall, and taking the long way around the newly built palisade, your progress had been a trial of patience. Keeping a low profile and exiting the manor had been surprisingly swift thanks to your earlier preparations but making it over the walls... demanded you stay put and wait for a gap in the patrols, your father's cloak protected you from the lights of torches revealing your position from a distance. It took an eternity for the two men to give you an opportunity; when one of them descended into the guardhouse and the other had to find a privy, you took your chance to silently climb the ladder and use your rope to awkwardly reach down the walls without incident.

You didn't see your father once. If that rope ended up found, so be it.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 19:43:32 No.6215997 Report

Quoted By:

''I'm here now.'' You whispered to yourself after finally reaching the Tree. Because of your earlier exploration, you knew where to find the entrance: a rotund opening carved into the base of the trunk created a cavern similar in size to your home living room. The tiniest of white lusters coming out of a few places in the woods hinted about the truly magical nature of this great Tree, the intensity was enough to help your night vision without risking giving away your presence. Seeing remained difficult, and the uneven ground demanded consideration as you made your way to the end before removing your protective cloak.

Darkness is your tool. Your mother's simplest and harshest lesson. Training how to move in a dark forest had been a thoroughly unpleasant experience, especially after you understood that Outsiders navigated by seeing souls. Having your nerves frayed back then had done wonders today, thankfully...

There's something eerie about that estate. On this black night, the light of patrolling torches created uneven shadows with the buildings yet simply looking back tingled this unexplainable sense of dread... A sense you should never wholly discard but it can feed needless paranoia.

''How do I announce myself?'' You whispered as you reached the very end of this cavern formation. The angle masked your view of the manor and the three palisade guards, the far-off forest almost transformed into a sea of inky blackness when the wind rose.

Now that you've reached your destination, what in the world are you supposed to do? Nothing but wood and a smell of oak around you, the strange white lights that came from various openings revealed nothing but an endless stream of lunar glow whenever you risked your eyesight in them.

''Good Mother, don't tell me I...You do not know I am here?'' Or perhaps you should have revealed your presence by going into the estate chapel? It has a connection to her Web, how can you expect a goddess to always pay attention to you? Perhaps she disapproves of your faith? You've never been able to find that spark of intensity, yet... your father can wield powerful miracles and he admitted to doubting the divines for so long, Mother Earth likely wouldn't judge her chil-

Wait, her Web. Touching the Focii in your pocket revealed a slight warmth that shouldn't be possible with tonight's coldness. Miracles are loaned magic, surely...

With eyes well adjusted to your surroundings, you cast a longer examination behind you; your angle did hide you from the manor, the estates, and the guards but the light of the aegis could reveal you. Perhaps, if Thibault is looking from his faraway room he'd see streaks of gold, or maybe one of the three guards pretending to do their job will get curious.

If you don't knock, how can you expect anyone to come looking?

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 19:47:39 No.6215999 Report

Quoted By:

6\7 Using your statue of the Good Mother as nexus, the aegis of mankind spread like a butterfly around your arm, covering your forearm in a layer of soft gold whilst the shape of your shield hardens; a manifestation of protective Holy energy that you can take at your leisure and... you promptly shove it against the nearby wooden wall to keep the golden luminosity to a minimum.
"I'm here! I'm here," you whisper, trying your best to stifle your rising panic. The aegis didn't shine like an actual torch; its luminosity wasn't any different from the surrounding starlights.
Don't overract Mother Earth color remains striking, this is a risk that could undo all of your hard work. Only your father knows you are here, that's a good advantage...right? Furibol stressed the need for secrecy, surely being here is all you needed to do.

''Good Mother, A soul touched by your divine hands waits here.'' You whisper, doing your best to stifle the light of your butterfly shield.
...
 Please don't let my father's faith extinguish to nothing with your silence.
... You can only wait. Wait for your desperation to be replaced by frustration, then the abject sting of failure. Your nerves make it impossible to measure the passing of time accurately. The disappearance of the cloak of clouds marked at least two hours.
...
Movement coming from the cavern's entrance replaces the dark cloud in your head with alarm; you nearly whirl around to protect yourself with your magical shield because only one kind of entity can move without noise.

A butterfly gently flies into the soft light, a flying insect of a beautiful golden color without luminosity of its own.
Unity
''A-Avatars? One of Her Avatars?'' You nearly forget to whisper.
The golden butterflies of Mother Earth are representations of her daughters. From guides to messengers, this is the form they choose to move in the world without causing small wounds in reality.

Your question finds no answer, the divine manifestation ignores you while casually reaching a nearby wall. Before your stupefied eyes, the thick wooden interior parts retract like thousands of tiny interlocking roots willingly moving away, revealing a tunnel bathed in starlight.
''Ah...wait?'' It doesn't, the golden butterfly flies inside without hesitation. ''Okay.'' So you follow.

With the light of the aegis, you proceed inside the wooden tunnel whereupon you notice the strange root-likes wood was making up the entire material of this uncomfortably tight fit. Streaks of silvery-white lights peeked through uneven openings of these vines at all kinds of angles; up, down, and sideways, making the light of your aegis redundant.
No way am I going to release Mother Earth gift, this is beyond creepy. The pace of the butterfly was just enough to force you into a steady walk to keep up while the gentle downward slop of this long, maybe endless tunnel demanded a minimum of attention to keep your footing.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 20:01:00 No.6216000 Report

Quoted By:

I don't think running back here will be a good idea, I'd need magical fire to go through the layers of roots that made that entrance. If I need to run away... I guess I'll have to adapt. As you followed the messenger, you silently thanked your study into Outsiders. These vile beings have been known to mimic human speech, bodies, and animals but insects -particularly Mother Earth golden ones- haven't had any recorded incidents.

You kept going, walking inside this uncomfortable tunnel surrounded by white light became almost hypnotic. The soft noise of flowing water didn't help, the gradual pain in your legs felt like the only thing to anchor you with a sense of progress and time until, finally, the familiar crawl of moving roots opened a doorway for you and your golden guide.

You emerged into a round room made of this same wooden roots material bereft of furniture. An altar constructed as a large basin of faint gold stood in the middle with semi-clear milky liquid slowly dripping down without actually touching the soil: the fluid somehow evaporated instants after leaving the round confine occupied by a peculiar object. Sitting in the middle of that thin white water was an...egg? An oval-shaped blue thing sat in the middle of the basin, the material looking slimy and sticky, but also somewhat slick, without stains or other imperfections.

Your flying guide flew above it to reach a sleeping someone who somehow escaped your notice. Wrapped in the wall of roots was a motionless woman, perhaps the most beautiful individual you've laid eyes upon. Glows of gold, soft green, and dark reds gently illuminated a long, thick cascade of silky dark brown violet that reached her legs. Hers was a striking youthful face graceful in sleep, her body wrapped in a thick dark robe with golden streaks.

One of Mother Earth daughters!

''A-ah...I-I am honored!'' Dispelling your aegis, you fell on your knees, taking deep breaths to calm your beating hearts, you didn't dare to look upon such a holy figure anymore.

A sharp intake of breath, movement of ruffled clothes, snapping twigs. The Holy One extracted herself out of her...bed of roots? And landed without disgraceful noise. ''Goodness.'' Unlike the strange background sounds of flowing water, her voice was a calm, clear lake. Yet hearing it seems to make your bones buzz. ''Please rise, my dear, I didn't expect you so soon...You're quieter than a mouse. Don't be afraid to look at me, okay? Let's speak like the equals we are.''

Equals? You? With one of the holiest daughters? Impossible. Your bones grow rigid as you stand straighter than you've ever been. The colors of the beautiful demi-goddess had grown in intensity now that her consciousness had returned, a stunning sight. She walks a little closer, the strange tickling inside your body diminishes.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 20:07:40 No.6216003 Report

Quoted By:

''I'm Nyct, youngest of our Good Mother daughters and you're Rey, yes?''
''I-I...Ah...''
Letting out a soft laugh, Nyct closes the distance to hold your hands, interlocking your fingers in the same way Augustine did yesterday. Wowowow she's warm, she's alive.
''Follow my breath, dear.''
Long inspiration. Hold your breath for five seconds, then an equally long exhale. You follow her lead a few times, your nerves manage to settle.
''Goodness, you're so adorable I could eat you up!''
!?
She extracts herself out of the grasp she created, giggling at your expense. ''Feeling better?''
''I-I think, your holine-''
''Just Nyct.'' She gently grabs her long, glowing hair and shakes the mass gently, letting odd pieces of roots and dirt fall on the ground. ''You're here for answers, Rey?''
You nod. Perhaps more for your father's faith than your own sake. ''Master Furibol... what he said was true? Mother Earth gave me a purpose?'' She knows your name, you were meant to be here.
''His truth. He's a good man, a bit stubborn, but faithful. This ''purpose'' is a choice, not an obligation.'' Now that you're looking into her eyes, you notice they're constantly changing colors. From gold to soft violet and even hints of passionate reds, could they be showing her emotions?

''Here we stand in a rather unique little room.'' The holy daughter continued, extending her arms sideways. ''Those streaks of lights you see is the leyline peeking through the imperfection of this grown room, we're standing directly inside the vein of our Star. Don't worry, you won't run out of air, you're safe here.''
''T-The Leyline...?'' Magic isn't a subject you're particularly knowledgeable about.
''Think of it as a river reclaiming the surplus of souls, magic, Corruption, and Holy, breaking it all down into a harmless fuel. The mold making our reality comes from here.'' She hovers a finger through one streak of lunar whites. ''And that makes it difficult for the Veil to reaffirm itself, especially with this recent surge making it so much stronger; this entire room only has a few weeks left before it gets completely eroded.''

''Mother dearest took great pain to grow it too... But she's always been a bit of a gambler.'' The Avatar. Nyct. She wants to be called Nyct. Keep a gentle smile as she explains.

''I see, I...think I understand. So, you mean this room is a place to...mold reality?'' It almost felt like you've journeyed into the center of this world.

''It's one of Mother Earth forges, a place she used to fulfill oaths made far before our lives.'' Nyct walks beside the basin and gently trails her fingers across the blue egg, then starts walking toward you.

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 20:15:08 No.6216009 Report

Quoted By:

Her forge? Did Her Holiness stand here? The burning need for air makes you realize you've stopped breathing. ''Master Furibol said my soul was touched by Her.'' You dare to look at the divine daughter as she stops a few steps away from you. ''I-I find that so hard to believe, my faith has... it hasn't been the most devoted, I can't think of any services I've done that'd be worth the honor of a Daughter's attention.''

''All faith needs is to be honest and constant.'' Comes Nyct gentle response. ''You've been burdened by our Mother hope since you were born, dear Rey, and somehow managed to become you. You don't need to apologize or feel inadequate.''

"Burdened... I don't think so. I had my troubles, how could she find me worthy?" You've never spoken of your dreams with anyone else; you can't bring yourself to discuss that topic.

Nyct seems to look through you with those intense eyes. The only hole you can crawl into here is the open tunnel behind you. ''Dearest Mother Earth often collects souls that have suffered terrible fates to give them the healing they need... but that often means unorthodox solutions. Metempsychosis Reincarnation.''

A concept often spoken about in all circles of the clergy is to take a soul and put it into another body, to rethread the path of life unburdened by memories. It is unknown what Father Sky ultimately does with people's sentience, so this hypothesis has plenty of adherents.

You feel your body sweating yet a strange cold almost makes you tremble. ''Y-you mean...'' It's an evident conclusion. ''My soul...M-my soul isn't mine?''

''You are the daughter of Rikard and Canaan Vesperus, that will always remain undeniable.'' Nyct crosses the threshold of distance to put her arms on your shoulders. ''But you would have been bornwithout a soul and so our dearest Mother decided to place one. You are still you. You are Rey Vesperus,'' She pauses, her changing eyes bearing no deception. One of the Holy Daughters cannot lie!

You are you. I am me. Your dreams slowly but surely nurtured a poisonous fear you've kept to yourself, yet a daughter of the Good Mother already knows. That person playing her flute was you yet not truly you and all you could do to run away from this anxiety was to distract yourself.

''My dreams are...old memories?'' You've never said it out loud. It was such an obvious possibility, perhaps the very first soul affliction your parent discovered. You couldn't accept it. Didn't want to. You've always followed the paths your parents took but has it been -truly- your choice?
Of course it was! I told them about my dreams, my fears... Once I understood how lies can hurt, I never kept any secrets! You place a hand between your breasts, breathing in and out, it's as if something deep within you is stirring, an old bandage coming undone.

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 20:25:52 No.6216018 Report

Quoted By:

''Your parents, this era, the growing humanity of monsters created an opportunity for your soul to grow in safe -yet free- circumstances.'' Nyct continues, forcing your dreary thoughts back into the abyss they emerged from. ''You're not beholden to the past, Rey. Your parents had a problem and Mother dearest thought it was finally the right moment to allow you a chance to live, you understand?''

''I...think so. B-but if my soul was reforged by Mother Earth, why was I plagued by this incessant dream?'' You hold your hands together tight enough to feel your nails dig into your skin.

''Some souls cannot be healed by divine hands without completely shattering. Mother was faced with a choice; to completely obliterate your soul or let you live with some imperfections.'' Nyct walks away to stand beside the basin. ''And this little one here, is a soul just like yours.'' Her hand gently rested on the strange egg.

''The hands of an evil god toyed with this poor victim in a way so merciless that I will not voice these sins for they deserved to be eroded by the river of time. You two were companions.''

''The flute I played... the woman, m-me? She played music...''

''That was how this little one soul remained whole, she resisted the mutations and torture of the Rakshasha, because the woman who inhabits your dream was there to play her song...'' A shadow of bitterness crosses the holy features of the demi-goddess as she gently removes her hand from the egg.

''You were companions long, long ago and my family hoped to repair that, to let your souls meet again but that is ultimately your choice, Rey.'' Nyct gently holds her hands together, rethreading her path to return in front of you.

''Your body and soul have fully matured. You may not feel ready mentally, but if you allow me, I can extinguish the remnants of these memories now that you've grown. This... old scar in your psyche can disappear entirely. Or...'' She stops talking for a moment as she looks at your moving hands. You can't explain why you felt the urge to fetch the flute given to you by the baron out of your bag but holding onto it felt somehow appropriate.

''...You can try your best to find harmony with this memory. Either way, your soul -your existence- is not in any danger.''

You can finally be rid of this dream or...accept it for what it is. A part of yourself. Your musical talent is part of yourself too, from a you that lived very, very long ago. Past life. My past life.

''So this blue little one...Is another soul Mother Earth wishes to heal? We're similar?''

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 20:41:53 No.6216025 Report

Quoted By: >>6216154 >>6216177 >>6216182 >>6216234

''I've honestly hoped for you to grow a little bit older before giving you the chance to see her...but the leyline forced my hands.'' Nervousness seems to travel through Nyct body as she awkwardly interlocks her fingers together. ''As you say, this soul is like yours but she suffered through terrible, terrible damnation. Her body had to be carefully forged by dearest Mother to keep her soul from shattering.''

''Will she... have dreams like I did?'' If it weren't for your parents... would the fear, fatigue, and bad health produced by your dreams weaken you enough to crumble against life trials?

''Unfortunately, I have no certainty. All I want is to give this little one a chance of her own too, find the right circumstances, the right people, the right era...'' Those changing eyes glance at you. ''...and to fulfill an old promise of companionship. Long ago, you were friends, now your souls could reunite.''

''Could?''

''It's your choice, Rey. Dearest Mother rarely imposes herself upon her children...Your soul has been saddled with an unfortunate baggage that is not your burden. My duty is to support your choice; if you are confident that you can take care of this young soul, then...welcome her into your home. You do not need to do anything else. Take your time, Rey.''

''You'll be taking this egg away if I refuse to bring her with me?''

Nyct nods slowly. ''There will be another chance, another era... though this time, she will live on her own.''

Somehow throughout the talking, your hands had fished the baron flute out of your bags. All eyes fall upon the object, a very personal indeed for all the souls meeting here.

You will...
>Replay the only song you know
In doing so, accept your dream as part of yourself; your soul has been given a second chance by Mother Earth, accept it. There must have been wisdom in your past life...
>Snap the flute.
You are Rey Vesperus, not someone else. Rey. Vesperus. The past is something to move on.

And this egg, this new soul nesting inside could become your responsibility...
>Accept it.
>Refuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMP75ZSxRxI&ab_channel=EroSennin

In mechanical term, playing the song could result in awakening to magical musical talent on top of your existing ones. Breaking your flute will greatly reinforce your soul, gaining great resistance to mind-affecting spells and entities and anything else that prey on souls.
The egg... will have you become something of an adoptive parent.
These two choices are, perhaps, the single most important ones to make and sneaking in here completely unnoticed might be the biggest advantage you've gotten for the entire quest.

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Fri 21 Mar 2025 23:45:32 No.6216091 Report

Quoted By: >>6216143

Oh yeah, free choices are always good too. Forgot to put that

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:cDCcMGrr Sat 22 Mar 2025 01:09:22 No.6216143 Report

Quoted By: >>6216146

>>6216091
The egg, does it prevent certain paths in the future from being taken?

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Sat 22 Mar 2025 01:13:22 No.6216146 Report

Quoted By: >>6216148

>>6216143
No. This choice is purely based if you guys want Rey to have the responsibility associated with taking care of a young lifeform. There might be some... complications, of course, but if anything, taking it might open paths and solutions if you try to understand the entity inside.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:cDCcMGrr Sat 22 Mar 2025 01:17:12 No.6216148 Report

Quoted By: >>6216151

>>6216146
Aren't we a little too young to be a mother?

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Sat 22 Mar 2025 01:24:04 No.6216151 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216148
Somewhat, but this won't exactly be a normal creature/human since Mother Earth herself had to create a unique body to house the soul inside. You won't be alone with her,too

Anonymous

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Anonymous ID:cDCcMGrr Sat 22 Mar 2025 01:30:56 No.6216154 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216025
>Replay the only song you know
>Accept it.

Anonymous

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Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sat 22 Mar 2025 02:41:29 No.6216177 Report

Quoted By: >>6216188

>>6216025
I don't like being vulnerable to soul shenanigans but having access to past memories or even having access to a second "person" inside us in a positive sense unlike what was going on with Kaine in NiER and accepting the entirety of our own existence just sounds more in character.

That and I still hold our girl is too nice for her own good (and a minion is always good) so:
>Replay the only song you know
>Accept it

Anonymous

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Anonymous ID:+RWvrDIH Sat 22 Mar 2025 02:47:59 No.6216182 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216025
>Snap the flute.
>Accept it

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Sat 22 Mar 2025 02:53:10 No.6216188 Report

Quoted By: >>6216194

>>6216177
>accepting the entirety of our own existence just sounds more in character.
I wouldn't say so yet, Rey's been doing her best to just ignore those dreams at this point in her life. Knowing the truth now finally lets her make a decision. Had you ventured in here a week or twoo from now, Rey mindset likely would be different.
>(and a minion is always good
Grim

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sat 22 Mar 2025 03:04:28 No.6216194 Report

Quoted By: >>6216197

>>6216188
I mean, that's what a kid kinda is no matter how you slice it in a pre-industrial society.

Even in an industrial one (if the nuclear family remains an intact institution) they're still a "free" maid/butler. Pamper them too much and they get soft and spoiled.

We're gonna raise it right. Plenty of love and bonding while also putting the little rascal to work here and there to build its character.

Gonna be more emotional in the discipline department. If you got raised by parents with strong personalities you know what's up. That "look" they gave you was enough to keep you in line. Physical beatdowns and other such measures were unnecessary.

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InsertNameHere ID:NhilVv4f Sat 22 Mar 2025 03:10:47 No.6216197 Report

Quoted By: >>6216201 >>6216268

>>6216194
Hm, maybe I should have spent a little more time explaining the creature. It's an entity similar to Rey insofar that it's also a reincarnated soul but the body it's been given by Mother Earth will make it grow up fairly quickly...
Though given that keeping it seems like a unanimous decision, I guess we'll see soon enough.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sat 22 Mar 2025 03:18:48 No.6216201 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216197
I hope it gets a human's lifespan at least. I don't want the poor thing to die a mere decade after it's born.

Such short lived lifeforms are still precious but it's sad if a sentient doesn't even get 50 years (minimum) to live if disease or violence doesn't get a crack at em'.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Sat 22 Mar 2025 04:17:26 No.6216234 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216025
>Replay the only song you know

>Accept it.
let's do it

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sat 22 Mar 2025 05:31:41 No.6216268 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216197
Oh. I just remembered something.

Are you familiar with the "Litany Against Fear"

I can imagine Rey reciting it in some form mentally as she plays the only song she knows.

Such trust in her deity requires that level of mental fortitude. To become that vulnerable even now is, if we're being honest with ourselves, a Herculean feat.

Outsiders don the guise of the gods their poor sorry victims accept because they otherwise would not have fallen for the ruse.

Yet she now knows that Mother Earth is with her on a primal level. Vulnerability to Soul Shenanigans? Like she'd ever let that be a bad thing!

The least among us are the first. Those who trust in her will never be let down just as those who believe Father Sky will not fail to acknowledge the many and painful sacrifices his followers make in his name will not attain a great reward.

Religion is a powerful thing. The power of evil is that it offers a great many things to those unwilling to sacrifice anything.

The power of "Good" is the promise that all your suffering and pain is worth it...

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Sat 22 Mar 2025 20:21:07 No.6216572 Report

Quoted By:

Your hands wrap around the flute you were given earlier today, and your squeeze becomes dangerous, almost painful, as a temptation. No, frustration crashes upon you like a wave, as if you've held it back.

Without Mother Earth's hopes for your soul, you wouldn't be here. She waited - your parents, your era, your soulless body at conception - to shape ''you.'' The dream that's following you is a piece of yourself. Memories from a time so distant that you doubt any history book can accurately describe that era.

It's been your chain, your tether, and breaking this flute will be the symbol you need to leave it all behind but...is it the path to healing? To harmony with yourself? When you played that song in your dream, the empathy within it was undeniable and today, you felt it for the first time in years. To play music... You might have been too afraid to admit it interested you.

Who exactly is Rey Vesperus? You've followed your parent's paths your entire life; you love them deeply, but it is not truly enough to live, is it? Your mother taught you how to hunt, how to move in a forest, how to handle Outsiders but learning her skills was out of admiration, not your initiative. Who are you?

A new weight on your lips makes you understand you've absentmindedly let the flute rest there, ready to play.

Your family came to leave in Eichenwald for a clean start, to put a stop to your nomad lifestyle and put some roots. Making new friends is all you've hoped for and you did, didn't you? Augustine yesterday, Thibault today, and likely two more with the Mamonos your father rescued but...

It's not enough. Today you shook hands with the heir of Eichenwald in the hope of preventing a potential tragedy in the Mamonos village.
That green-scaled little girl, she was being dragged by her hair... You force back that image, that memory is yours, not from a distant past or an imposed baggage. Is this why you want to help these monsters? Not out of genuine empathy but a selfish need to atone for only being able to watch that little girl die?

''I know it's impossible to save the world.'' You remember your father speaking. ''If someone asks for my help, if I see an accident or an abuse then I'll act and try to get to the root of the problem, to understand. That's just who I am, I've got some strong opinions but at the end of the day, Rey, I'm simple.

I am me. I am me. You test your flute, already making the first note come to life. I played this song to help ease someone's suffering. That's what that dream was. It's that simple. Were your fears of losing yourself valid? Perhaps. Were you overcomplicating them? Undeniably. This song is part of you so accept it.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Sat 22 Mar 2025 20:27:34 No.6216581 Report

Quoted By:

For the second time tonight your song, your noise, flows out of the Baron gift; a gentle melancholic start that gradually expands in energy, hope, and passion, because despite being stuck in that cavern with only magical food to sustain yourself, you remained optimist.

Magical food? A new detail?

''Beautiful song'' Nyct was beside you. You were so lost in thought you completely forgot her existence.
''I've made my choice, I am who I am, and this little one here, in this egg...Deserve a chance too. I only hope the memories she'll endure won't make her suffer.''
''...Oh!'' Nyct suddenly dives on her knees, shattering your newfound harmony with alarm. ''The egg is moving! She should be the first one to see you!''

Does it tru- She's right. Tiny tremors rock the big egg, causing the flat milky water to pool down with the tiniest of vigor. Nervousness moistens your spine, and a gentle tap on your leg from Nyct encourages you to get closer.

You realize this is no eclosion or hatching. The oval shape of the egg changes into a rotund one, transforming its height to width. A sphere appears in the middle, a tiny pink pearl floats there lazily somehow conjured from the ether of its oceanic substance. Little tremors shake the poor thing.
''It's okay.'' A rise of worry has you gently touch it, the texture is strange; slimy, easy to wield to the tiniest force but also dry despite the water.

From the top, a head starts to form, albeit foggy as if looking through a glassy window. There's a show of humanity there, one you can't define outside of feminine traits.

This round thing isn't a thing. She's a girl.

''Hello there.'' Her body is still ill-defined, a paradox. A human face inside a blob of slime. ''Don't be scared, you liked my song?''

She doesn't answer, you didn't expect any coming from a newborn of course. That cute face looks at you intensely and then slowly but surely, disappears as if walking away, shapeshifting back into a spherical shape inside which the pink peal lazily floats into.

''She's sleeping, goodness me, I honestly didn't expect her to awake so soon...''

''D-Did I do something bad?'' Ruining a newborn Mamono health is -not- a guilt you want to shoulder!

''No, that song resonates with this little one soul. It's the connection Mother Earth left behind. Just...'' A gentle laugh comes out of the demi-goddess as she places her hands on your shoulders to lead you away from the basin. ''I'll need to explain to you some important details, you're certain you want to take her with you?''

''Yes.'' I don't know if this is guilt for that little lamia... I'll put my faith in Mother Earth. ''Mother Earth laid out a path; I am free to walk upon it or reject it.'' Your faith is not intense, it is a simple, constant warmth.

Honest above all.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Sat 22 Mar 2025 20:31:21 No.6216587 Report

Quoted By: >>6216607 >>6216724

''Allow me to bless your flute.'' Your decision seems to have lifted a huge weight off Nyct shoulders, she looks so much more relaxed now. ''Until this little one matures, she'll be much more receptive to songs, or rather the emotions you pour into your music.'' There's a change in Nyct voice and tone, one you can't place... She seems warmer, and authentic.

''You'll be here all night, right?'' You nod, casting a glance at the... girl in the basin then hand over your instrument. ''Good. I'll tell you every pertinent little detail and give you a rejuvenating miracle come morning.''

This entire situation feels completely surreal and for a moment you wonder if something will come barging out of the tunnel you've used to come here but... thankfully, nothing happens.
Her name. I remember it now. A hazy memory, like something you've forgotten during your childhood. Red, black, orange, and white; colors mingle into vague shapes, leaving behind echoes of intense feelings. She's called Usha.

A name from a dead era, a life that shouldn't burden her. Is it fair to return that weight to this newborn's shoulders?

- A Tale of Monsters: Old Promise 01 End - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWd_7Ud-Lc&ab_channel=EroSennin

I will be posting an end-of-thread epilogue in a day or two, I just need some time to type it.

So end our first thread of Rey little tale, an impressive show I have to say. The sandbox of mystery will open up properly now, you've acquired all the pieces for the Good End.

I'd like to start thread 02 in around 2 weeks, this should give me enough time to rest and prep but I might need a little more time. I'll keep you guys updated on this twitter/X https://x.com/TaleOfMonsters

Here's a little piece of information to keep you guys hooked.

Usha consumes magic, Holy energy, and Corruption. Her diet will need a supply of all three to keep her healthy and sane. Obviously, she is highly resistant to all these forces and her body being shapeshifting slime also grants her enormous resistance to physical trauma.

The room Nyct is using is one of many forge of souls employed by Mother Earth. It will disappear in around 3 weeks of in-universe time. You'll be able to use it to move into all semi-mature sprouts of the Elemental Tree of Earth as long as it lasts. Being so close to the Leylines means reality veil is weak, and distances don't function as they should; while it is no instantaneous portal, traveling from various openings will allow you to bridge tremendous distances quickly. Very few people know about this, don't waste that boon.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Sat 22 Mar 2025 20:53:38 No.6216607 Report

Quoted By: >>6216617

>>6216587
Thanks OP. Btw shouldn't you continue here since we're still on page 5 ?

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Sat 22 Mar 2025 21:02:23 No.6216617 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216607
I think we've done more than enough to earn a new thread. We've reached page 5 and we'll be moving to other things, the fresh smell of a new thread is something I crave.

I'll post our suptg link here once archive is possible again.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Sun 23 Mar 2025 00:31:47 No.6216724 Report

Quoted By: >>6216753

>>6216587
Oh so she can eat corruption eh? That solves a great many problems but we gotta keep her diet balanced meaning we also need an elemental and a holy mage (hopefully with a pretty big mana gas tank to boot).

Corruption is easy to find, but the next two are gonna be a bit hard unless we can use miracles to supply holy energy. Then we just need a good elementalist.

And we scored waypoints for the next 3 weeks? Sweet!

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Sun 23 Mar 2025 01:21:03 No.6216753 Report

Quoted By:

>>6216724
>miracles to supply holy energy.
That is possible. Healing miracles function by employing Holy energy.
>Then we just need a good elementalist.
Not necessarily, most of Father Sky miracles do not employ Holy energy. The aegis of Mother Earth is a combination of Holy and magic so Usha could eat that... but an elementalist would be very, very useful for sure. You'll get proper details about that conundrum next thread, I need to spend some time finalizing my notes for Usha now that she's an actual part of the cast.
>And we scored waypoints for the next 3 weeks? Sweet!
Indeed, you could go into some potentially dangerous place, who knows where these sprouts could be, who is living around them...

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Mon 24 Mar 2025 21:29:18 No.6217599 Report

Quoted By: >>6217622

The outside world was a mystery of fog and odd shapes. Tree branches swung under a soundless wind, while sometimes imprints of humanoid silhouettes traveled around the lone stained glass window. The coffee room was the same as last time for the two occupants. A luxurious table filled with queenly tableware and pastries created the perfect atmosphere for the most luxurious ambrosia: emotions.

One grandfather clock stood in the corner, quietly announcing its eternal count.

''Quite eager to sign aren't you? Truly I must ask: are you certain?''

One of the two women spoke. A short lady proudly showing her mischievous nature with a pair of fox ears atop her head, nine white tails dancing in an invisible wind made her look similar to an open flower. A sultry black kimono with golden embroidery completed her luxurious appearance. Monster, temptress, and witch all in one.

Facing her was a lady in pink hair and eyes, the color oversaturated compared to the rest of her body. Her skin reflected her soul; pale grayish-white, her sight covered by a slick layer of skin that dug into her skull, it even removed her mouth, leaving behind the outline of a soft feminine jaw. Contrary to the witch facing her, the doll was naked: this same sickly skin removed all temptation.

''To think you nearly exsanguinated yourself... the idea of using animals didn't cross your mind?'' With an éclair in hand, the foxy witch bit into the pastry.

''Does it matter?'' Replies the pink doll, the venom in her voice finally revealing humanity.

''Yesh.'' The short witch replied with her mouth full. ''Creativity, inventiveness, gambling... You're lacking in all three, but there's plenty of good side to you, dear Augustine.''

''Then let me sign and part ways. I'll give you your story, Lady White, with whatever time I have left. Aren't you busy with the Demon Lord knocking on your doorstep?'' Augustine displayed nothing but eery jerks and artificial puppetry in her movements when she straightened her stance.

''Oh puhlease.'' The ninetailed vixen, Lady White, leaned forward on the coffee table to grab the blank piece of parchment left there. ''Me and my audience detest tragedies, dear doctor. Revenge is so dizzyingly intense but I refuse to be bored watching you walk into your grave.'' Playful she was indeed but the intensity inside those damned red eyes forced the doll into obedient silence.

''I promised you a weapon and you will have it.'' Still sprawled across the table, the fox plucked a pearl from behind the paper and let it rest near her sole player. ''An Astral pearl of power my dear. You'll find one when you wake up: swallow it and you will begin forging your weapon of vengeance inside you, not unlike your boy yes?''

A gentle shake made the tableware sing when the doll tried to murder her benefactor yet the presence of the little vixen's existence was enough to stop the strangling into a position of statufied violence.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Mon 24 Mar 2025 21:35:23 No.6217604 Report

Quoted By: >>6217622 >>6217637

''So, so intense.'' The fox liked her lips stained by her pastries as she leaned back, papyrus in her hands.

''By this contract.'' Each word burned into the papyrus as the witch talked. ''Lady White promises that Augustine Aurora shall forge her weapon of vengeance by winter end.''

The playful atmosphere changed with those ominous words, all the luxuries occupying the table gradually disappeared like a child erasing his drawing.

''I acce-''
''Hold, hold on my dear player. I'm not a cheat, I need to tell you more.''

Surprised, Augustine settled down, cautiously remaining in her seat. That homicidal rage was boiling her heart but she knew damn well that lashing out here was useless.

''An annoying hound has been on my trail as of late. I have no idea when she'll show up but, by accepting my influence, you'll inevitably be found out so don't grow too comfortable, okay?'' The foxy witch rolled one long strand of pale hair around her finger as she spoke like a sulky child.

Her mood quickly brightened

''Forging your weapon, my dear, need you to be happy.'' She didn't need to see Augustine face to see her confusion.
''Yes, yes.'' Her nine tails wiggled with her mirth. ''Be happy. Live happily!'' She clapped her hands near the floating papyrus. ''Your vengeance doesn't have to be your grave, dear Augustine. Don't embrace your tragedy; every child of our Good Mother deserves happiness so... Live happily!''

''Only then.'' Propping herself with her arms, Lady White leaned on the table, all nine of her tails pointing at her pink-haired doll, like spears. ''Will your soul carve itself into the weapon you need. That nobleson is a strong mage and you're a simple doctor; use your time well.''

Augustine did not hesitate as she reached for the approaching contract.

''Are you sure?''

''My story is nothing more than an epilogue, witch.'' Augustine resolution showed in her soul, the face of a mother momentarily replaced the traitless doll. ''My boy truth and his wishes are still in his journal.''

''Heeehehehehee! Welcome to my game!''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7lpiHRXVZ0&ab_channel=AsK_0

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Mon 24 Mar 2025 22:38:01 No.6217622 Report

Quoted By: >>6217626

>>6217599
damn
>>6217604
for a moment I thought this was gonna be a new augustine, but it's indeed the one we met. fuck.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Mon 24 Mar 2025 22:47:03 No.6217626 Report

Quoted By:

>>6217622
Now now, whatever fluff witch she made a contract with told her to live happily, that's a good sign

Anonymous

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Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Mon 24 Mar 2025 23:18:14 No.6217637 Report

Quoted By: >>6217655 >>6217662

>>6217604
Lady White!? Oh no, oh no no no no. This is bad. This is *really* bad! Poor dumb fool sold their soul to the fluffy devil!

What's worse is they did it with both eyes open no deceit required. At least "The Mark of the Witch" is a detectable thing but we can't just scan for it as we've no reason to suspect her involvement with anything yet.

Oh well, that'll change soon enough. Evil witch has a habit of making it kinda obvious she's involved because it's more fun that way.

For her. For everyone not her not so much.

InsertNameHere

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InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Mon 24 Mar 2025 23:59:59 No.6217655 Report

Quoted By: >>6217698

Got the archive right there
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Tale%20of%20Monsters

I'll keep lurking so feel free to ask anything, I'll be working on writing a bit more info here and there too.

>>6217637
Things should be fiiine

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Tue 25 Mar 2025 00:12:36 No.6217662 Report

Quoted By: >>6217670 >>6217698

>>6217637
there's a witch with a capital W in MGE ?

InsertNameHere

InsertNameHere ID:P/cKvpU+ Tue 25 Mar 2025 00:28:48 No.6217670 Report

Quoted By:

>>6217662
This quest is only loosely based on the MGE at this point. Plenty of inspirations from there of course but nothing is 1;1

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:T194ENBP Tue 25 Mar 2025 01:31:07 No.6217698 Report

Quoted By: >>6225236

>>6217662
This isn't a witch from the MGE. It's more of a title this particular 9-tailed fox has earned for herself.

She loves her some contracts and has an "authority" over them. "Witch of Contracts" is a more complete title.

This is why I'm worried. That power can screw us and anyone involved with her in any number of ways.

>>6217655
No they won't. From what I've gathered Augustine is gunning for the dude we just said we'd be friends with.

Good to know he's at least a B+ to A-rank mage (maybe S-rank but those tend to be famous for being that potent) so we might have our slime's diet settled. We can pump her full of healing, plenty of mamonos around for corruption, and if he's anything other than a holy mage we got raw magic.

Of course she also mentioned her as a "player" so she's already got a whole darn game set up here. Once we discover she's involved finding out what exactly she's after will be a top priority.

If we discover that that is but like I said she can't usually help herself and once we identify all the "players" things will get easier. Well, provided they don't find out we know about Lady White and decide to silence us permanently.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:MqOQdF7q Tue 08 Apr 2025 04:21:56 No.6225236 Report

Quoted By:

>>6217698
I think she went too fast for the revenge thing when we barely know what happened to the boy.

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:gxoIfkEN Wed 09 Apr 2025 19:53:47 No.6226047 Report

Quoted By: >>6234245

New thread when?

Anonymous

Anonymous ID:UVLsBBp7 Sat 03 May 2025 07:20:36 No.6234245 Report

Quoted By:

>>6226047
>>6233926
>>6233926
new thread for those who missed it

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