>>1090698
This was apparently a god of "protection of the ugly", so all those races worshiping it tracks.
Might explain why the czar turned a whole city of people into sprites; an "ugly," easily influenced people that could be convinced to worship this totem. Either so the czar can be it's right hand man or perhaps claim to be this god himself and let the worship empower him.

Ask Pendle if that's even possible.

Well, with a name we can start asking questions. You should probably ask Moira if any of her people know anything about Odu Rumux, and also ask the local goblins. Maybe one of them is old enough to recognize the name.

But first, you should grab Pendle and your other magically inclined friends and check out the cave.

>>1090700
I was wondering a related thing - what happens to the king of a large enough group of people? Is he affected by their beliefs? If he does a good job (or good PR) and his people believe him kind, wise, strong, infallible, does he become unnaturally moreso?

>>1090697
Is such a being technically sapient or are they the aggregate sentience of a generalized algorithmic average?

Mmmoving on!

>>1090698
Hm. What if we simply made our own interpretation?
I don't like rewriting scripture, but it doesn't stop the fact that such gods require updates. Especially after what we saw among the Orcish elite.
Let's make this an open-source discussion among our lands. If this kingdom is going to be ruled by a god, it had better be the kingdom's god, not yours, not ours, and not any one faction's.

>>1090697
Shaped by belief, but it sounds glacially slow.
Measured in generational faith.

This trait, if it is indeed a thing you wish to control, doesnt strike me as something you will live long enough to see.

If you choose to enact a plan to shape a god, you'll metaphorically be planting trees that even your grandchildren will be waiting to see fruit.

A truly long lived species may have a perspective on this.
Perhaps itll be a good topic for pillow talk with the magnificent sadie.

>>1090702
Most likely not...

not without the use of some kind of item of power that could allow such a thing to happen. Something like a physical totem or idol, like maybe that amulet.

All assumptions, but it's something to go off as we move forward.

>>1090702
Well, it would depend on the number of followers and the rate of worship required to turn a mortal into a god.
However, turning a royal lineage literally part-divine over generations? That's... scary.
Can we... not do that? Please?

>>1090698

Would it be possible to widen the entrance to the mysterious pillar-chamber and let Pendle here have a look?

I'm thinking it might prove enlightening; either to our current search regarding the amulet, or perhaps our new benefactor in Mr. Lollypop.

>>1090698
old goblin tongue?
Better ask Finnie about that. Maybe make an evening out of it Boss.

Some fine wine, cold cuts and cheese. Ideal for a long conversation.

>>1090712
I would say "visit the goblin village and make use of their collected knowledge", but they might need some time to rest after their mass hysteria/orgy thing.
Besides, Finnie seems like the nerdiest of them all, so asking just her might be enough.

>>1090698
What I'm wondering, though: Pendle, do any of those worshippers trace back to Czar Bomba's region? As in, did he dig it up from a local area, or did he come into possession of this relic during an expedition, a journey or a conquest?

Is this run by the original Weaver from /tg/? I'm a tourist, sorry for the ignorance.

If so, I wanted to drop a line that Ruby and Tom from Rubyquest were nominated for /qst/'s King and Queen of /qst/ contest. Ruby lost out in the highly competitive qualification round, but Tom made it through qualifiers and is about to compete in the official King Contest as soon as that gets posted (complete with commissioned art from one of our drawfags).

It's been a long time since you ran on 4chan, but the questing community there still has a lot of respect and admiration for you, and new quests visibly inspired by Rubyquest still pop up fairly often. Thanks for everything.

>>1090791
>As in, did he dig it up from a local area, or did he come into possession of this relic during an expedition, a journey or a conquest?

The Czar never had it. He wanted to kill us for it. We found it in Redfang's possession, who was probably randomly worshiping it like all the other gods.

New plan. Become a god. Dragons are attracted to power, and gods are powerful, ergo a dragon would be attracted to a god.

>>1090798
https://questden.org/kusaba/questdis/res/4059.html
>Discussion board

>>1090791
Gotta take into account that she may be older than anyone in the village (Or the village itself).

Muschio 2024/05/14(Tue)09:38 No. 1090944 ID: 46e818
File 171570469713.png - (10.16KB , 800x600 , 2183.png )

"I could ask Finesse for her insight."
>"If you like. It's an archaic old tongue, so I doubt she'd know, but it couldn't hurt to ask."

"Well, I've come to tell you we've excavated what may be an old chamber of worship. I'd like your expertise."
>"Ah, well! I was not expecting such an opportunity right at home. Very well, give me a moment to collect myself."

Muschio 2024/05/14(Tue)09:39 No. 1090945 ID: 46e818
File 171570476509.png - (7.93KB , 800x600 , 2184.png )

"One more thought on totem gods -- would it be possible for a widely respected mortal, like a king, to be deified in this way?"
>"No, I don't believe so. A totem god is created to fill a void, to create a new entity where worship is being directed. If there's already someone there, I don't think anything in particular would happen.
>Besides, even if something similar were possible, it would likely take generations. A long-term plan, to say the least. The only way--

>...hm."

"What is it?"
>"No, I just-- this discussion has given me a strange inkling. I-- it may need more time to percolate."

Uh oh.
UHHH.
Wait a minute. If the amulet is capable of turning mortals into totemtic gods and we currently possess it...

>We've been protecting, helping and saving peoples who would be regarded as "ugly"
>The seer saying "We've met before, haven't we?"
>The demon saying "Now I see what you are. Only now, at the end, do I recognize you."
>Then tearing it apart with your mind

Congrats, you're a fledgling god.

Test this theory out by going outside and trying your fire knack at the maximum power you can muster. Make sure you don't point it at anything you don't want to lose.

...Wait.
>Voltos are going extinct
>Rebels are angry over lack of overrepresentation of Voltos
>Finesse is really @#$%ing old and has worshipped your family for generations
Crap.
I think this is a species-wide conspiracy.
They... know that representing other races is more profitable in the long run. They saw that King Muschio was popular and that produced more yield. They saw their fortunes rise more than if they took over themselves... and the new royals didn't care. Because your father was on the verge of dissolving the divinity that was in their grasp - and of course, they wanted that divinity for themselves.
I think this would explain a lot about society's obsession with absolute power over more power.

Please ask Babrakus to make taller bunk beds. Pendle has to hunch down just to fit on the lower bed. The guy's got enough mental reasons to hunch over as it is, no need to encourage it.

>>1090949
He was possessed at the time when he asked for his own quarters, but might as well ask now that's he's demon-free if he still wants his own room.

>>1090946
This theory might actually hold some water, and it would make sense as to why the Czar wanted it.

No, it's not Muschio. It's us.

We should probably find out from Finnie how long goblins usually live. Just in case.

>>1090955
We are supposed to be the result of a curse.
Boss, what can you recall of the events that brought us into being?

>>1090951
Agreed, though i wouldnt be surprised if he prefers the billets.
The last thing he may want right now is to be left alone with his thoughts.
Company, even background white noise of the presence of others, may be a balm right now.

>>1090977
Best I can remember is "When I fled my dying kingdom, that's when things became hectic. I found my way to Iniziare Citta and lived there in quiet secrecy for a while before it became clear the rebels weren't looking for me. My mind was fractured by a gypsy curse -- but you know this. The fragile part of my subconscious, that part which brews up ideas and decisions, that part which every man hears so constantly day in and day out, whispering passing thoughts to himself without even noticing its voices, which produces in him strange mental images and peculiar, fleeting notions -- that part is you. Ripped from my psyche and stuffed into this orb, a physical container of a part of my own mind I can never re-integrate.
"It is a rather schizophrenic feeling. To be honest, I believe there's an element of psychosis involved in all this."

Muschio 2024/05/15(Wed)13:48 No. 1091008 ID: 46e818
File 171580613788.png - (18.34KB , 800x600 , 2185.png )

"Well, you'll have to explain it to me once you've got it more figured out."
>"But of course, Prince."

"I'll ask Finesse about this shortly, but for now, let's focus on exploring this new chamber."
>"Yes, very well."

"...what is it?"
>"Ah. It's just, I'm realizing now we've both lost a part of ourselves, pursuing a greater whole."

Muschio 2024/05/15(Wed)13:49 No. 1091009 ID: 46e818
File 171580617535.png - (13.89KB , 800x600 , 2186.png )

We arrive at the entrance, now widened, if only slightly, by the Odds.

>"I suppose I am ready. Will anyone be joining me or am I to enter alone?"

You should probably go with him, and also bring along Ona and Erisol, just in case there's any magic whojiwhatsits.

>>1091009
As our tinkerer, Finesse should be the best at detecting mechanical traps should there be any.

I mean, yeah, we should totally go in there with him. We wanna scope it out, too, right? Maybe seeing it ourselves will make us think up more questions, besides.
Shouldn't need anyone else, though. It's apparently not a big room, isn't dangerous, and we don't want it to get too crowded. Have the Odd stand by the entrance in case we need it to go fetch something, though.

>>1091009

Let's go with him, Big M. It was our idea, after all.

>>1091009
Enter with him, but before that, tie a rope around your waists and fasten it to something that can carry your weights. It's only a small room, a place of worship - it should be safe. But I don't want us to take any chances with trapdoors and spike pits.

This seems like a job that would benefit from the witchy side of our witch doctor's expertise

>>1091009
Let's have someone knowledgable about traps go in with, as well as someone who can fight off any undead or wild animals there may be in there.

>>1091009
Accompany him big m.
I dont expect danger but a variety of knowledge is the mark of a goodcruler.
Seeing hom at work and his immediage discoveries may be stimulating.

Muschio 2024/05/16(Thu)12:26 No. 1091058 ID: 46e818
File 171588758934.png - (19.47KB , 800x600 , 2187.png )

I send for Miss Openda to join us.

Then, Pendle and I step into the dark chamber beyond.

>>1091058
There's something familiar of this satue on the far-right side, does it tingle something in your mind?

>>1091058
There seems to be a ladder carved in the wall on the right, guess whoever made this place needed some way into the sealed room in the center of a mountain. Can you see what's at the top?

>>1091058
Looks like there's some ladder rungs on the wall. That answers how red fang got in and out of here. Guessing they go up through a secret passage we never found and might have had the odds pave over. Save checking on that for later, we need to look at these idols first.

DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE THE IDOLS

>>1091058

Oh, that's interesting. There's a ladder carved into the wall to the right of Pendle.

Let's move around the chamber first, make sure the movement of the shadows doesn't reveal anything else.

>>1091072
I second. Not just to make sure theres nothing hidden in shadow but the shadows move relative to the light, and we don't grow any extras.

>>1091058
Hey, isn't one of those a sign for The Red One? These are probably all gods' idols. What's the circle in the middle? Don't step in it...
Looks like an alcove in the back?

>>1091058
Seems like Red Fang was praying to whomever he could reach. Not picky about his deities, was he?

One more obvious thing: some of those have charms hanging off the pedestals, but others don't. Presumably, our charm belongs on one of the latter. Anything we can glean by inspecting the pedestals without a charm?

This seems like some sort of multi-purpose praying chamber 6 different gods, with altars and idols for easy access. But like, why? Was Red Fang just a true believer or was there some benefit to praying to different gods at different times?

... it feels unusual, doesn't it?
I mean, most shrines are dedicated to a single god. But this one is apparently dedicated to seven different idols. There's a sigil in the center, which implies to me there was something more going on here than just simple paying respects.

I'm especially interested in that statue in the back on the right. It looks broken, doesn't it? I wonder who it was meant for?

>>1091059
Looks similar to Mr Lollipop's eye, tbh. Was he meant to be part of this congregation? For what purpose, I wonder?

>>1091080
Pretty sure that is Mr. Lollipops eye. I also recognize symbols for Death which is the X-cross, and civilization, the one to the left of Lollipop's eye. I think one could be a symbol for chaos but its upside down. Red Fang may not have been to particular about where his power came from, as long as it benefitted him.

>>1091058
At least there's no ominous stone sarcophagus.