File: j1.jpg (52 KB, 600x411)

52 KB JPG

>>37934009

~

The morning sun greets you more eagerly than you greet it.

Some time should be taken to wait before delving again. Your grandfather’s journal mentions at least a day. The guild forces its members to wait much longer than that, oftentimes years go by before they’re permitted to delve again. That reason being why you absolutely
refuse to join with them, but other than that you’re on good terms with them. A visit should be taken to let them know that you’re not a pile of guts in a metal tub.

There’s also the matter of your newly found items. The blue "Fidelis Stone" and this disgusting, still living Vigor Leech. Your grandfather’s journal has no entries on any items from the second realm, and you doubt the guild will be any more knowledgeable about them so experimentation will be necessary. The only question remains, on whom…

>Take the items with you to the guild.

>Leave the items here.

>Write in

>>37934076

This was me. I still don't know why the name field disappears.

>>37934076
>Take the leech with you but leave the stone here.

>>37934243
>>37934076
This works, Hi Auri!
Taking a break from Otherworldly?

>>37934076
>>37934243
Was going to say leave them both, but this guy might have a plan. Seconding.

>>37934243
>>37934353
>>37934354
Hello everyone! Otherworldly Arboretum is actually scheduled to run tomorrow.
>Writing

>>37934243
Makes sense. Too high a risk of the leech having a short lifespan.

File: ss.jpg (2.03 MB, 1500x1060)

2.03 MB JPG

>>37934382

(Splitting up the posts weirdly because of pictures.)

It’d be easier to test one out at a time. You place the blue stone back into a drawer for safe keeping, transfer the leech into a smaller more discrete vial and then head out.

You walk with a bit of pep in your gait. This isn’t a journey to try to poach some candles from a shadier member, but one to announce that you’re a full-fledged Occultist. Only about one in five occultists live their first delving, and the odds are even worse if you’re not a guild member.

You channel your giddy excitement into humming and enjoy the brisk morning air on your walk. The many abandoned houses watch as you pass by, their constructed boundaries overrun with vegetation.

[1/3]

File: guild.jpg (631 KB, 2491x2719)

631 KB JPG

>>37935177

No one alive remembers what caused humanity to decline so much, but perhaps the answers can be found through the occult. Or at least, that’s your hope. Regardless of finding out about the past, you find much promise for the future if you keep up your research.

After reaching the town, your goal finally comes into sight, and it only elicits an annoyed sigh from you. Who was disturbed enough to think that such a macabre construction would make for an appropriate design for a building. No wonder why normal people think occultists are weird at best.

Under the giant skull that makes up the entrance of the building is a familiar person, and again all he elicits from you is a sigh. So much for that pep you had earlier.

>>37935177
>Only about one in five occultists live their first delving, and the odds are even worse if you’re not a guild member.
WHY are you doing this again!?

File: ma1.jpg (102 KB, 600x622)

102 KB JPG

>>37935220
“Morning, Sophia. I was sure I would get the order to scoop up your guts and notes soon.” The man quips.

Matthias might have an intimidating appearance, but only to a person who didn’t know him. You had the misfortune to grow up with him as friends? Rivals? Whatever the case, he’s more annoying than anything else. The leech vial clinks against your side.


>Greet courteously

>Greet in a similar fashion.

>Ignore him and go inside.

>Write in

>>37935291
Ask if he's free to go in with you. He might find the thing she found VERY interesting.

>>37935291
>Greet in a similar fashion.
Try to use the leech on him.

>>37935235
The supernatural beckons, plus having very detailed notes from an accomplished occultist doesn't hurt too.

>>37935291
>Greet in a similar fashion.

>>37935291

I put a post it note to remind me to check if the name field is correct, these posts were all me.

>>37935291
>Greet courteously

>>37935338
>>37935387
>>37935417
>Greet in similar fashion and ask if he can go in with you.
Holding off on the leech usage, there will be an opportunity to use it later on him if you wish.

>>37935508

“I’m sure the guild would have want to send a MAN on such a mission.” You pull the hood off. “Let’s not forget that time when you were thirteen and cried because we saw the results of a failed delving for the first time.”

Matthias bursts in laughter. “Sharp as always I see. I look forward to the day that tongue of your gets cut off by a fiend.”
“Haha.” You respond with mock laughter. “I’ll still be able to do the incantations better than you. Anyway enough of the greetings. Are the elders present?”

“Meditating.” He responds with a note of malice.

“Still? Wasn’t the last time they delved nearly six years ago?” You ask.

“Don’t remind me.” He sighs and scratches his beard. “I made the wrong choice joining up.”

“I won’t argue with that.” You peer past him into the building. “Say, you free to come in with me? My ‘detailed’ report is sure to get an interesting response from them, and I might have something ‘interesting’ to show you.” You fingers finish air quoting.

“You trying to cheer me up?” He flicks his cigarette on the ground and grinds it with his foot. “After you.”

You enter the rundown halls of what you figure was once a school, given the fact that the word ‘school’ can be found in faded writing here and there. Truly the only thing that they put any work in maintaining is that skull in the front.

A few dozen guild member travel through the halls to their next lecture or assigned meditation, with very little actual delving being done.

[1/2]

>>37936223

You arrive at the room you’re looking for and before you can knock, Matthias slides the door open forcefully.

Several hooded men and women sit in a dim candle lit room, some jump at your brusque entrance and grumble among themselves. Their ages range from old to ancient, and you only feel the slightest guilt at never learning any of their names.

“Hello Sophia.” A man’s voice calls out flatly. “Good to see that Andrean’s granddaughter made it through her first delving just fine.”

“Thank you.” You respond courteously. “I’m here to give my report.”

The hooded figure that spoke nods for you to start.

You give a quick and fabricated summary of your events in the second realm. Ultimately it amounted to little more than, you entered, you looked around, and then you left promptly.

Your report provokes a fair share of grumbling from the elders. How dare you give such a lackadaisical report when they spend years carefully pouring over and pondering a single delve.

The voice that spoke to you earlier sighs. “Are you sure that you didn’t see or maybe find something that you have…forgotten to mention?”

Matthias snorts at how helpless and aggravated the elders seem.

>Nothing else, bid them farewell.

>Mention something (Write what.)

>Write in

>>37936245
>Well I did have these sweet ass wings

>>37936245
>Nothing else, bid them farewell.
No need to get caught up in hour long debriefing, or share our hard earned findings with people who didn't help.

>>37936245
>>Mention something (The compass I had with worked and pointed my way home, also I ran into a being asking to trade feathers for goods. I didn't have any feathers so I ran when he started demanding other things)

What's with the secrecy?

>>37936245
>Nothing else, bid them farewell.
Do not mention our wings. They might use us as a regent instead of trading with the dwellers in the other realm.

>>37936434
They'd need to force us through to the other side first. Which they can't do.

>>37936428

An inclination by Sophia to not get entangled with guild affairs for fear of slowing down her own progress.

>>37936448
Who says they can't? They can simply threaten/torture us here to force us to delve or they might be able to use a magical method we currently don't know. They are the guild focused on the occult, who knows what knowledge they have and how desperate they are.

>>37936245
>Nothing else, bid them farewell.

Vote is tied and will go into a tie-breaking roll if not changed.

>>37936245
>Nothing else, bid them farewell.

>>37936245
seconding >>37936406, but add that he threw the vigor leech at us and we luckily caught it safely. It seemed like it was made to be used on humans.

>>37936400
>>37936434
>>37936527
Nevermind.
>Writing
The time until the next update will be slightly longer because I'm getting something to eat.

>>37936400
>>37936434
>>37936527
>>37936552
This still comes out on top.

>>37936503
With the complexity of the rituals they can't torture us and expect us to still be able to perform it correctly, and I feel like if they had additional magics they'd be using them instead of waiting almost a decade between delves.

>>37936744
I see what you mean, but they might torture us so that we delve correctly, and if we're not able to reproduce the same results, that would be bad.

>>37936744
The main reason to delve is to obtain things from the other world. Our wings are regents that they could take without risking their lives by trying to steal from the other dwellers. They could simply enter with us pick our feathers then leave they don't have to hang around and explore which would be the most dangerous part of delving I would guess.

>>37936794
I'm saying after being tortured we would be incapable of delving correctly.

>>37936881
If they could just enter with us that easily they wouldn't go 6+ years between delves.

>>37936971
Did you not read? The most dangerous part I suspect is exploring/stealing inside the realm. If they only need to pick feathers off us it would be safe. By stealing/exploring it alerts the dwellers to the presence of humans which the occultists probably fear as it makes the dwellers more alert for future delvers. That is probably why they wait very long before delving again so that the alert would go down.

>>37937177
Not that guy, and what you say sounds solid. But the ritual itself is dangerous too. But our grandfather has probably developed a more effective method perhaps.

>>37937177
I think you're wrong about that. All signs up till now have indicated that performing the ritual incorrectly is the leading cause of death in occultists.

>>37937296
For the first timers I would definitely agree. But for the ones that already successfully performed the ritual the dangers are safely returning from the other world after obtaining something useful to sell/study.

>>37937404
We still have to perform it correctly. I don't think we'd be capable of doing so after being tortured.

>>37936567

“No, I mentioned everything.” You respond firmly.

Again more grumbles from the elders.

“That’s quite enough.” The voice calls out, silencing the rest. “That will be all, Sophia.” He nods to the door.

With that you and Matthias exit much more quietly than you entered. The both of you walk several feet away before Matthias gives into the laughter he was been stifling.

He breathes deeply to collect himself. “Ah, what a joke. No wonder why your grandfather never joined up. They’re so caught up in their fear they don’t see it cages them.”

“Well, I’m sure that they have their reasons. Whether or not their right, who knows.” You wave your hand in front of you. ”Come, let’s catch up.”
The two of you make small talk as you stroll through the building. He mainly talks about the recent happening in the guild, and you tell him of your embarrassing dealings with merchants, much to his delight.

You make your way outside to be free from the musty halls. The flowering trees of the courtyard has been part of your life since childhood and you were excited to see them once again.

A long and peaceful silence is finally broken up by Matthias. “I think I’ll set out on my own, like you.” He takes in his surroundings deeply. “It’s not that I hate this place, I’ve just…outgrown it.”

You smirk at being his source of inspiration. “It’s harder than you think, you know.”

“Yeah, but if you’ve had success, that’s almost a guarantee for me.” He grins knowing what you were thinking.

Something suddenly catches his eye. An unknown young girl stands across the courtyard, very impatiently waving him over.

“It’s not what you think.” He responds quickly to your skeptical eyebrows. “I’ll make it quick, hold on.”

You watch as he briskly walks to see what she wants. From your perspective of how they interact with each other you’d swear that they were brother and sister. You remember the vigor leech in your cloak pocket and are still undecided on how to use it.

[1/2]

File: el2.jpg (111 KB, 705x1000)

111 KB JPG

>>37937949

Unexpectedly he waves you over. You walk over wondering what he could want. Maybe an introduction?

“Sophia, this is Ellie.” He says so almost begrudgingly, introducing the young and proper looking girl.

“Nice to meet you…” You respond still confused as to why you were summoned over.

Ellie immediately bursts into a line of questions. “You really delved? By yourself? Without the guild’s help?” She pushes her body forward.

“Yes?” You respond to all of her questions at once.

Her eyes light up. “Will you help me delve? The guild says I’m still three years off until I can even begin real practice and I’m not going to wait that long.”

You almost feel winded from how quickly she speaks. “First of all, slow down.” You let the quiet sit for a moment, to calm her. “Now, why do you want to delve so badly?”

That question certainly took the wind out of her sails. Was she really expecting you to agree without so much as to hearing her reason?

Finally, and much more hesitantly she begins speaking. “My dreams are filled with the other realm. It feels so real, and it calls out to me every night.” She looks down at her feet. “I have to go.” She says almost bitterly.

“What?” Matthias chimes in. “Those are just dreams, that’s no reason to rush things!”

“They’re more than that!” She responds angrily. “You’re not who I’m asking either.” She turns back to you. “So, will you help me?”

So this is what youthful determination looks like as an observer. It’s kind of bothersome actually.

You sigh. You’re in not really in the mood to play baby sitter especially when you have so much work to do yourself. But given the look of determination in her eye, she’s likely to set off and try to do it herself if you refuse.

>Accept.

>Decline.

>Write in

>>37937987
>Accept.
Fine I'll teach both of you. Let's get into somewhere safe though. My delve story was not entirely accurate.

>>37937987
>Accept
Our party grows!

>>37937987
>Decline.
We ain't got time for this.

>>37938058
>>37938102
>Writing

>>37938243

You rub your eyes, this isn’t exactly what you were expecting when you headed out this morning.

“Alright then.” You concede. “I’ll help you. I’ll help the both of you in fact.”

Matthias looks taken aback and Ellie’s glee returns the gleam back to her eyes.

Matthias speaks up. “I really didn’t expect you to agree to this.” He takes a long hard look at Ellie. “Perhaps it will be for the best.” He turns back to you. “Make sure she gets through it safely, Soph.”

“Aren’t you coming with?” You ask, thinking he’d be eager to have an excuse to leave the guild.

“Soon.” He answers firmly. “I just have to delve at least one time without anyone’s help.”

You’re not sure what exactly he needs to prove, but you nod, giving your blessing.

You direct your attention to the both of them. “I suggest you both gather your belongings right now. Once one of you leaves, they’ll be on the lookout.”

Matthias leaves with a simple nod to you, no other words need be said.

“Thank you!” Ellie cusps your hand before running off herself.

What was that term again…? Right, bad influence.

~

You calmly walk down the halls of the guild, hoping not attract any attention. It doesn’t help that Ellie is hauling along a rather large and hastily packed luggage.

You lean in close to whisper to her. “Listen, if you’re going to delve, you’re going to learn how to do it the way I did it.” You watch as she nods in complete agreement. “Which means you’re going to have to listen to my every word without complaint, got it?”

“Got it.” She responds with chipper tone.

Damn, you were hoping she’d be at least a little resistant, so you wouldn’t feel bad if you ever have to kick her out.

[1/2]

File: ov2.jpg (1.02 MB, 900x900)

1.02 MB JPG

>>37938908

The entrance of the guild is finally in sight, and luckily you made it through without attracting any attention.

You open the door and step outside. Immediately a figure catches your eye. Something about her stare unnerves you, it feels as if she’s talking to you, but she simply watches as the two of you exit the building.
As you walk by her, you finally her voice. “Careful how much you bring in. Something might get the bright idea to leave.”

Her cryptic words leave you confused as how to respond. You piece together that she’s referring to delving, but there has been no recorded instances of something leaving the other realm. Then again, lots of things do tend to go unreported.

>Stay silent and leave.

>Question her meaning.

>Write in.

>>37938936
>>Question her meaning.

>>37938936
>Stay silent and leave.
go be crazy somewhere else lady

>>37938936
>Question her meaning.
But be coy about it. "that's a strange thought to be having as a guild member" or something like that.

>>37938985
>>37939044
>Writing

>>37939121

Is this what fame feels like? You wonder how many people she’s wondered up to and spilled her cryptic words on. Well, she might actually have some meaning to her words, so why not play along?

“It certainly can’t be as easy as leaving here, can it?” You press on.

She gives a toothy smile that perturbs something basic inside you. “You’d be surprised what things can do given the right…push.” She nods to your companion as example.

“Or pull.” You respond, with ever growing suspicion. “Strange notions to be having as a guild member.”

She shows no expression. “Just a word of warning. But words often spur action.”

You take a step forward and plant your feet firmly. “Is that a threat?”

She tilts her head a fraction of a degree, and without another word, walks into the guild building.

You head off with conflicting emotions and a new companion in tow.

Ellie turns back to look at the guild entrance. “Did you know her?”

“Not in the slightest.” You turn and give her a stern look. “Just one of the many risks that comes with delving, I suppose.”

“Huh…” Ellie turns to the path ahead of her deep in thought.

Her words stir in your mind as you walk back home. Just when you started your work there's already complications. Something about her felt off, and the emotion that comes to the forefront of your thoughts is…

>Anger

>Concern

>Intrigue

So emotions probably affect delving. Anyone have any theories how?

>>37939719
>Intrigue

>>37939719
>Intrigue

>>37939719
>Intrigue
Am I the only one who wants the crazy lady to join us?

>>37939719
>Intrigue

>>37939819
>>37939872
>>37939885
>>37939896
>Writing

>>37939921

You don’t find her words to be particularly threatening and you’ve never been quick to anger, so her words leave you simply curious. Maybe her studies have uncovered something you could never have imagined. She seemed unconcerned with the conventions of civility, so you doubt the guild would ever be able to control her. You make a note to try to seek her out if you ever visit the guild again.

You and your guest arrive to the rundown old home of yours. She tiredly sets down her heavy luggage in the entryway causing much dust to be kicked up. You leave her to catch her breath and go fetch your journal.

The look on her face as she observes the state of the wallpaper says it all.

“I certainly hope you weren’t expecting something fancy.” You quip as you shove the heavy tome into her arms which she begins flipping through.

You begin giving her orders. “The third through the eighth pages has details on the ritual, I’m sure they’ve already taught you about the incantation by now, but if you want to review…”

“This is completely different from the incantation I was taught.” She flips through many pages. “It’s a lot longer for one.”

“Well, get to memorizing it. I only have enough blood for one more delve, so I’m going with.” You remove your cloak, taking out the unused leech from the pocket. It looks a little less…vigorous than when you left this morning.

“Is that…Is that from a delve?” Ellie asks tentatively, as if the leech itself could hear her.

“Yes, it is.” You bring the vial to eye level. “It certainly wasn’t cheap.”

“May I see it?” She asks quietly, still as if she were afraid of the thing.

Hmm, maybe there is a plus side to bringing her back home with you. She could serve as a potential test subject, perfectly reasonable payment for what she asks of you.

>Show her on the condition she become your test subject.

>Show her without any conditions.

>Tell her she’ll get to see it when she memorizes the incantation fully.

>Write in.

>>37940530
>Show her on the condition that she become your test subject.

>>37940530
>>Show her on the condition she become your test subject.

>>37940530
>Show her on the condition that she has to study it and protect it when we aren't around. It may be necessary for her to use herself as a test subject.

>>37940530
>Show her on the condition she become your test subject.

>>37940530
>Show her on the condition she become your test subject.
More stuff for the journal.

>>37940644
>>37940654
>>37940707
>>37940759
>>37940762
Overwhelmingly she becomes a test subject. Will add note that she has to study and protect it as well.
>Writing

>>37940786

You turn your gaze to her. “Actually, I have an idea.” The vial uncorks with a wet pop. “As payment for my instruction and use of my materials, you shall become my test subject.”

“What? No!” She holds out her hands to prevent you from coming any closer.

You give her a disappointed look. “Where was that enthusiasm that you had earlier?” You cork the vial. “If you’re not going to listen to me then I suppose you ought to head back to the guild. If you hurry you might be able to make it back before dark.”

She groans and pleads with her eyes, but after seeing that you will take no compromises she eventually gives a quiet, “Okay.”

“Good choice. Wait…” You pull the journal from her and flip it open. “You don’t have any headaches, fevers, or any other type of bodily pains right?” You ask while recording her answers.

“No bodily pains, no.” She takes the time to remove and hang up her coat next to your cloak.

“Swell. I hope you brought something to write on because you will have to study and protect it when I’m not around.” You hand her back the journal and uncork the vial once again.

You motion for her to come closer, which she slowly does. “You’ll be your own test subject as well as mine, so be sure to keep detailed notes.” You slide the small white leech into your palm and then gently grab it with two fingers.

“This thing isn’t going to kill me, right?” She shakily asks with eyes clenched shut.

[1/2]

>>37941437

Her question stops your journey to her arm. “I don’t know actually, probably not.” You continue forward.

You press the front of the small leech to her bare arm and let it sit there for a moment. The slimy leech finally seems to respond to her warmth and then latches on forcefully.

“There. Not so bad, right?” You take her annoyed look as all the answer you need. “Well, there’s food in the pantry, probably, and you can take any room you want besides mine.”

“Thanks.” Ellie responds begrudgingly.

“You’re welcome!” You respond cheerfully, glad to be doing occult research. You begin to head upstairs. “Get to memorizing that incantation, because I will leave without you if you aren’t ready. Also don’t forget to remove that thing from you before you go to sleep. Wouldn’t want you to crush it in your sleep. ”

You stop halfway up the stairs as you remember something important. “Remember this work is crucial, and I ever become successful, I’ll have you to thank.”

With that note you head upstairs to begin figure out your fluid medium dilemma.

~

>>37941461

Okay, that's where I'm ending it for tonight. Thank you very much to everyone that played today. As always if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night, and I hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>37941502
Thanks for running!

>>37941502
Thanks for running Auri, much enjoyment was had here.

>>37941502
Thanks for running!

>>37941550
You're very welcome!
>>37941574
You're welcome and I'm glad to hear it!
>>37941600
You're also very welcome.