Solo Adventures/RP Submissions
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Uasal
The Swiftest Shot In The West
A collection of solo stories and adventures.
This thread is where you can post your solo adventures and RPS in an essay like format. Please see the rules thread for more details on Solo RP's.
This thread is where you can post your solo adventures and RPS in an essay like format. Please see the rules thread for more details on Solo RP's.
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Maxxob
The Overseer
The following essay expand upon the events which made Adelhein acquire the title "Wanted By: Crimson Cutthroats"
Adelhein El-Melloi von Breyer / Saber Alter
Titles - Adelhein: [Isekai], [Human], [Wanted by: Crimson Cutthroats], [Adept Magus]
Saber Alter: [Isekai], [Construct], [Adept Swordsman]
Adelhein and Saber Alter finds themselves in a dark forest, having had their victory plucked from their hands. The young magus tries to get his bearings, getting up on his feet and looking around the forest, sensing they are not in Fuyuki anymore. There is a distinct lack of any traces of the Holy Grail, other Servants or Masters. Letting out a long sigh, he looks over, already seeing Saber Alter up, her towering frame casting an ominous shadow along with her own aura.
"Tsk, figures a spellcaster like Kiritsugu would end up destroying the whole ritual. I guess 'uncle' Kayneth was right for hating his guts." Adelhein said in a tone of annoyance. His crimson eyes would leave her form, looking around the forest, understanding they were now in unknown territory. "Shall we try and figure out where we are?" His crimson eyes gazes upon her golden ones, having noticed how much his Servant has changed. But, even then, the corruption now present in both resonated, making it clear to him that she has become something else and, gradually, so would he.
Saber Alter, now standing beside Adelhein in the dark forest, felt the remnants of the black mud from the corrupted Holy Grail still clinging to her being. The transformation had left her colder, more ruthless, but a twisted sense of loyalty towards Adelhein burned within her darkened heart. As she listened to her Master's words, a feral gleam in her golden eyes hinted at the depths of her newfound darkness.
The towering figure of Saber Alter, with her imposing height, cast a chilling presence in the shadowy forest. Her once noble demeanor tainted by the corruption, she exuded an aura of power and danger that resonated with the twisted magic of this new world they found themselves in.
At Adelhein's question, Saber Alter's gaze pierced through the darkness, scanning the surroundings with an intensity that spoke of her readiness for whatever challenges lay ahead. A low, ominous chuckle rumbled in her throat as she replied in a voice laced with malice, "We are no longer bound by the constraints of Fuyuki. This world is ripe for the taking, and we shall carve our path through its mysteries and dangers."
With a predatory grace, Saber Alter took a step forward, her black armor glinting ominously in the dim light filtering through the dense canopy above. "Lead the way, Master," she murmured, her voice a chilling echo of her former self. "Together, we shall conquer this new realm and bend it to our will."
As both advanced through the dark forest, Adelhein following close behind Saber Alter, as she took point. After a few minutes of walking, with the fallen dried leaves on the earthy ground crunching slightly with each step beneath their feet, they would begin to hear faint voices up ahead. Their vision was obscured by a sizeable and, when peered over, the pair would see a clearing. The place was surrounded by a sea of green, branches from the trees overreached the clearing and the leaves allowed only for a few rays of sunshine to peer through the dense canopy.
Right in the middle of the clearing, stood four males, all of different heights and builds. Two of them were couching down, each one patting down a different body of unknown species: one appeared to be a male, while the other a female. There were two trails of blood leading from one of the edges of the clearing to where the bodies were located. The four individuals were dressed in various assortments of equipments: some with leather armor, others with battered iron ones. Their weapons were equally inconsistent: a bigger, muscular looking humanoid, with greenish skin and fangs which protruded from his lower jaw, held a massive double axe. Meanwhile, the smaller one, with no more than 4ft of height, held two daggers. The two men who were patting down the bodies for valuables may have, looked human, having spiked clubs in a leather loop on their belts. A few ways from the quartet, a female stood, her face very akin to one of a fox and clad in leather clothing. On her hands, she held a wooden crossbow.
There was one thing, however, that all of them had in common: a red armband with a black dagger draw on it. "Hah! It looks like we made a killing today!" The bigger man shouted, in a rumbling, sarcastic voice, which earned a chuckle from all the others. Then the crossbowman's eyes who had been keeping guard, suddenly zeroed in both Adelhein and Saber Alter, making the female lift her left hand to point a them, while shouting. "Look! We have company!" The warning made all the others turn towards the ‘intruders’, with both that had been searching the bodies getting up and drawing their spiked clubs. The muscular orc opened a toothy grin, his eyes gleaming with greed and killing intent. "Well well well, look what we have here! Some little noble and their bodyguard, huh? I bet the kid will fetch quite many rykens!" He said, in a mocking tone, mistaking Adelhein for a noble because of his adorned magecraft coat. Next, it was the smaller male’s turn to talk. "And look at her armor and sword! I bet those will be quite the trophy for the boss! I saw we kill her and hold the brat for ransom." He said in his high-pitched voice, twirling his double daggers in his hands. It is clear diplomacy is out of the question in this encounter, and only violence can get both Master and Servant through this predicament.
The young Adelhein smirked, looking at the situation he faced, together with Saber Alter. Without wasting time, he activated his magic circuits, letting his mana flow through his body. As the energy with a blue-hue started to flow through his veins, like blood, a magecraft circle appeared under him. Focusing his efforts on his catalyst, a signet ring of the El-Melloi family on his right index, he concentrated on both him and Saber Alter. "Magnam Ferro Corpus!" With a sudden burst of magic, the ground next to them would burst open, bathing both Adelhein and Saber Alter with a type of liquid metal, coating them in an extra armor. "Saber, show them what you are made of." Adelhein said, looking at the thugs without any worry.
Saber Alter, clad in the liquid metal armor summoned by Adelhein's powerful magecraft, stood ready for battle as her Master's command echoed through the clearing. The menacing quartet of thugs, with their mismatched armor and weapons, sneered at the sight of the young noble and his armored bodyguard. Unbeknownst to them, they faced a formidable force in Saber Alter, corrupted and deadly, her golden eyes ablaze with a hunger for combat.
With a swift nod at Adelhein's directive, Saber Alter's form blurred as she moved with inhuman speed towards the group of thugs in the center of the clearing. Her blackened sword gleamed ominously in the dim light, ready to strike with brutal strength. As she closed the distance, her dark aura crackled with malevolent power, preparing to unleash a devastating attack on all four of her enemies at once.
With a graceful yet deadly arc of her sword, Saber Alter unleashed the power of Dark Excalibur Nova III, the air crackling with dark energy as the blade sliced through the space towards the thugs. The force of her attack aimed to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies, to show them the true power of a corrupted Servant bound by a twisted loyalty to her Master.
As the dark energy surged towards the group of thugs, Saber Alter's gaze remained fixed on her targets, her mind focused solely on the battle at hand. The clash of metal and magic echoed through the clearing, setting the stage for a brutal confrontation between the forces of darkness and the unsuspecting band of thugs.
As Saber Alter unleashed her most powerful ability, the darkness imbued sword cleaved through her opponents. Even though the four bandits weren't caught by surprise, their attempts to block the brutal attack were useless. Out of the four, only the muscular one would be left standing. His chest iron armor would be left with a long and deep horizontal cut. From it, a crimson liquid began leaking through it, staining the bottom part of the armor, as well as dripping down to the ground of the forest, making the soil wet with his life essence. With much difficulty, the man manage to bring his massive axe up and aimed it against her head. "Die bitch!" He bellowed, as he swung the axe in an overhead motion, aiming to cleave her head. However, due to a combination of the injuries he had sustained, Saber Alter's own defenses and the protective barrier who had been formed around her thanks to Adelhein's magecraft, the attack bounced off, not managing to even clip her form.
The total lack of form of the attack, however, hinted the group was very green. That could have been further confirmed as the crossbowman, watching the horrific brutal display of seeing her comrades' bloody corpses, dropped the bolt she was trying to load into her weapon. The female began reaching into her quiver to retrieve another bolt. The young magus watched the effectiveness of his Servant with pride brimming on his crimson eyes. He didn't remain passive, however. Channeling his mana on his magecraft once more, bringing both his hands forward. "Fervor Mei Sanguine!" He uttered, making two metallic tendrils burst out of the ground near him. The appendages moved like whips, in an almost liquid form, one of them darting towards the muscular thug who had survived Saber Alter's attack, while the other sought the crossbowman.
The metallic tentacle, which hunted for the muscular thug, made a sharp turn as soon as it reached Saber Alter's back, making a sharp turn over her shoulder during its trajectory, before skewering the male in the chest and bringing him down. The other one, aimed at the crossbowman's hand, as she tried to nervously get another bold from her quiver. It pierced her hand, from the back of the palm, rendering it useless at the moment. Afterward, the tendril exploded in a metallic cloud, mangling her hand. What remained of the appendage dangled, as the female screamed in pain and dropped her crossbow to try and tend to her injured hand. Adelhein looked at his and his Servant's work, with a dark smile on his lips. "Come on, run away now. It might be the only chance you have!" The teen said in a mocking tone, his crimson eyes narrowing. The last remaining attacker flight instinct kicked in, rushing away from the clearing, while holding her bleeding hand. While almost tripping in the process, the female’s figure would become smaller and smaller, until finally disappearing through the dark forest. Turning to Saber, Adelhein expression softened a bit, a proud smile on his lips. "You never cease to amaze me, Saber. You truly are the best Servant I could have summoned."
Saber Alter stood amidst the chaos of battle, her darkened form a vision of ruthless power as she effortlessly dispatched her foes with a single devastating strike. The male with the massive axe, his chest grievously wounded by her dark blade, roared in defiance as he swung his weapon towards her. However, the attack was futile against the barrier of protection that surrounded Saber Alter, the axe rebounding harmlessly off her armored form.
As the attacker's failed strike echoed through the clearing, the young magus Adelhein unleashed his own magic, summoning metallic tendrils from the earth to strike down the remaining threats. With precision and lethal force, the tendrils skewered the surviving thug and incapacitated the crossbowman, leaving them writhing in pain on the forest floor. The sound of agony mingled with the metallic clang of Adelhein's magic, a symphony of destruction that marked their swift and merciless victory.
Adelhein's dark smile spoke of his satisfaction at the swift and brutal efficiency of their tactics, his crimson eyes gleaming with a hint of malice. As the last attacker fled in fear, her hand clutching the wound inflicted by Adelhein's magic, the young magus mocked her retreat with a taunting grin. Saber Alter, standing tall and imposing beside her Master, exuded a sense of silent menace, her golden eyes gleaming with a dark light that hinted at the depths of her power.
At Adelhein's words of praise, a rare flicker of emotion crossed Saber Alter's stoic features. Despite the corruption that now tainted her being, a sense of loyalty and dedication to her Master burned fiercely within her darkened heart. With a subtle nod of acknowledgment, Saber Alter's gaze met Adelhein's, a silent understanding passing between them. At that moment, amidst the aftermath of battle, a bond forged in darkness and blood bound them together as Master and Servant, their fates entwined in a world ripe for conquest.
Adelhein would then approach the bodies, kneeling down and searching for anything useful in them. He had managed to find a heavy coin pouch. Its contents were quite bountiful: around twelve golden rykens, twenty silver rykens and many more copper rykens. Satisfied with the bounty they received from the would be attackers, the young magus would tie the coin pouch and place it inside the side pocket of his coat. Furthermore, he would also end up grabbing one of the red armbands, thinking they could end up being useful for identifying who these thugs worked for. Tucking the piece of cloth also inside one of his pockets, he would rise up and start looking around the dark forest. "Well, let's continue?" He asked his Servant and guardian, trusting completely in her battle-earned experience.
Saber Alter observed as Adelhein meticulously searched the bodies of their fallen enemies, his keen eyes scanning for any useful items among the remnants of their attackers. The heavy coin pouch he uncovered glinted in the dim light of the forest, its contents a small fortune in golden, silver, and copper rykens. Adelhein's deft fingers secured the pouch, tucking it safely away in the pocket of his magecraft coat, a small trophy from their victory.
As Adelhein also retrieved one of the red armbands, a token of the thugs' allegiance, Saber Alter nodded approvingly at his foresight. The armband could indeed prove useful in identifying the faction or group to which their assailants belonged, providing valuable information for their continued journey through the dark forest.
With the spoils of their battle secured, Adelhein rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping the shadowed expanse of the surrounding forest. His question hung in the air, a silent plea for guidance that Saber Alter was more than willing to provide. With a regal nod, she acknowledged his trust in her experience, her corrupted form radiating a sense of dark resolve and unwavering determination.
"Let us press on," Saber Alter declared, her voice low and commanding, a promise of further trials and triumphs to come. With Adelhein by her side, she ventured deeper into the ominous depths of the dark forest, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with a warrior's skill and a corrupted Servant's unyielding strength.
As both of them left the clearing and ventured into the dark forest, eventually they would come about one of its edges. Beyond it, they saw a cobbled road, which led both ways. The vision of infrastructure could mean that there was some sort of civilization in the location they were at. At the very side of the road, there was a well maintained sign which read "Ryken" pointing towards one of the sides of the road. Adelhein thought for a moment, thinking it would be wise for them to leave the wilderness and find more about the village, town or city the sign hinted at. "Maybe it is better for us to follow the sign. We could find out exactly where we are." He offered Saber, looking at her fierce visage, wanting her own input.
Saber Alter stood at the edge of the dark forest, her crimson eyes scanning the cobbled road that stretched out before them. The sight of civilization, indicated by the well-maintained sign pointing towards the village of Ryken, offered a glimmer of hope amidst the oppressive darkness of the wilderness. Adelhein's suggestion to follow the sign and seek out more information about their surroundings was met with a thoughtful silence from the corrupted Servant.
After a moment of contemplation, Saber Alter turned her gaze towards Adelhein, a rare flicker of something akin to curiosity crossing her features. The prospect of exploring the nearby village intrigued her, offering the possibility of gathering valuable information and resources for their journey ahead. With a subtle nod of agreement, Saber Alter indicated her readiness to follow Adelhein's lead, her loyalty to her Master unwavering in the face of uncertainty.
"Let us proceed to Ryken," Saber Alter intoned, her voice a low rumble that carried a sense of determination and purpose. With a silent understanding between Master and Servant, they set off down the cobbled road, leaving the dark forest behind as they ventured towards the mysterious village that beckoned to them with promises of discovery and intrigue. As they walked, the shadows of the trees began to recede, replaced by the faint glow of distant lights that marked the outskirts of Ryken, their destination on this new leg of their journey.
As both Adelhein and Saber Alter got closer to Ryken, the place betrayed their expectations: instead of a simple village, it was revealed to be a bustling merchant metropolis which had been built by river. As they got closer to its gates, they could see guards standing right in front of it. The guards of the entrance wore heavy armor, all armed with halberds. "Halt!" One of them ordered, as both Adelhein and Saber Alter got close enough to the gates. "If you wish to enter the city, first both of you need to place your hands on the Black Orb, one at the time." He said, extending his free hand forward, in which said orb was being held. The other guards shifted slightly, as if preparing for something, as they waited for both the young Master and the Servant to comply with the order.
Saber Alter and Adelhein approached the bustling city of Ryken, their expectations shattered by the sight of a thriving merchant metropolis that sprawled along the riverbanks. The imposing gates of the city loomed before them, guarded by stern figures in heavy armor wielding halberds with practiced ease. As they drew near, the commanding voice of one of the guards rang out, demanding that they halt and submit to a peculiar ritual before entering the city.
The guard's order to place their hands on the Black Orb held an air of mystery and authority, prompting a subtle tension to ripple through the ranks of the guards. Saber Alter, ever vigilant and attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, exchanged a knowing glance with Adelhein, silently communicating their readiness to comply with the guard's request. With a nod of acknowledgment, Saber Alter stepped forward, her armored hand reaching out to touch the cool surface of the black orb held out by the guard.
As her hand made contact with the orb, a faint hum of energy pulsed through her armored form, a sensation that was both unnerving and intriguing. The other guards watched intently, their expressions unreadable behind their imposing helmets, as Saber Alter awaited the outcome of the mysterious ritual. Adelhein stood beside her, his crimson eyes alight with a mixture of curiosity and caution, ready to follow his Servant's lead into the enigmatic depths of Ryken, a city teeming with secrets and possibilities.
As Saber Alter's armored hand was placed on the black orb, it hummed with energy for a moment. The guard's eyes were locked on the ebony surface of the orb. However, nothing showed up on it. "You are good to go, welcome to Ryke." He gave a nod to the Servant, the other guards relaxing their stances slightly. Then, the man who held the orb turned towards Adelhein. "Now it is your turn." He said with bureaucratic efficiency, offering the orb to the young magus next. Approaching, the teen's gloved hand reached the orb, and he was able to feel its coolness through the fabric which protected his hand. Once more, the security device hummed with energy, for a moment, before nothing showing up on its surface. "Good, you can enter as well. Welcome to Ryken." The guard said, stepping aside and letting both of them through the gates. Adelhein's crimson eyes were fixed on the orb a moment longer, wondering what that was about. That only lasted a moment, as he would soon begin to step into the metropolis along with Saber Alter.
In it, they would discover more of where they were at. Both were inside a country called Protectorate of Ryke, a small yet rich country, which shared borders with The Republic, East Empire and The See. The country seemed pretty medieval in its foundation, having a few quasi-modern oddities here and there, which weren't common place. Having a Nobles as its ruling faction in the usual European hierarchy. Besides the Nobles, there also was the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Guild and the Church. The last one was compromised of an organized body which decided which faiths were true and which ones were heresies, cults or extremist groups.
Not only that, they would also come in contact with curious creatures, some looking humanoid with bestial traits, other beings outright sentient animals, as well as elves, pixies and too many others to describe. Fortunately, the gold Adelhein had procured from the bandits had been more than enough for the pair to procure supplies of all sorts, as well as acquiring lodging in the city itself. As things became more clear and calm, Adelhein turned to Saber Alter, his crimson eyes looking into her golden ones. "This world is different, yet full of possibilities which we would have never found in Fuyuki. We should set our goals in this territory. Either inside this realm or in any of the others."
Saber Alter and Adelhein passed through the gates of Ryken, the mysterious ritual with the black orb behind them, as they ventured into the bustling metropolis. The sights and sounds of the city enveloped them, a tapestry of medieval architecture interwoven with glimpses of quasi-modern oddities that hinted at a world beyond their previous experiences.
As they delved deeper into the heart of the Protectorate of Ryke, they discovered a land rich in history and complexity, its ruling factions and societal structures a blend of nobility, guilds, and religious institutions. The presence of the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Guild, and the Church added layers of intrigue to their surroundings, each playing a crucial role in the fabric of this vibrant realm.
Curious creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed the streets of Ryken, their presence adding a touch of whimsy and wonder to the cityscape. From humanoid beings with bestial traits to sentient animals, elves, pixies, and other fantastical beings, the diversity of life in the Protectorate of Ryke spoke of a world teeming with untold possibilities and untapped potential.
Adelhein's words resonated with Saber Alter, his gaze meeting hers in a silent exchange of understanding and determination. The young magus's crimson eyes held a spark of ambition and curiosity as he spoke of setting goals in this new territory, of exploring the vast expanse of this world and beyond. Saber Alter, her golden eyes reflecting the flickering light of the surrounding city, nodded in agreement, a silent promise of loyalty and dedication to their shared cause.
"In this realm or any other, we shall carve our path," Saber Alter declared, her voice a low rumble that carried a sense of certainty and resolve. With Adelhein by her side, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in this unfamiliar yet intriguing land. Together, Master and Servant stood poised on the threshold of a new adventure, their fates intertwined in a world ripe for exploration and conquest.
Adelhein El-Melloi von Breyer / Saber Alter
Titles - Adelhein: [Isekai], [Human], [Wanted by: Crimson Cutthroats], [Adept Magus]
Saber Alter: [Isekai], [Construct], [Adept Swordsman]
Adelhein and Saber Alter finds themselves in a dark forest, having had their victory plucked from their hands. The young magus tries to get his bearings, getting up on his feet and looking around the forest, sensing they are not in Fuyuki anymore. There is a distinct lack of any traces of the Holy Grail, other Servants or Masters. Letting out a long sigh, he looks over, already seeing Saber Alter up, her towering frame casting an ominous shadow along with her own aura.
"Tsk, figures a spellcaster like Kiritsugu would end up destroying the whole ritual. I guess 'uncle' Kayneth was right for hating his guts." Adelhein said in a tone of annoyance. His crimson eyes would leave her form, looking around the forest, understanding they were now in unknown territory. "Shall we try and figure out where we are?" His crimson eyes gazes upon her golden ones, having noticed how much his Servant has changed. But, even then, the corruption now present in both resonated, making it clear to him that she has become something else and, gradually, so would he.
-//-
Saber Alter, now standing beside Adelhein in the dark forest, felt the remnants of the black mud from the corrupted Holy Grail still clinging to her being. The transformation had left her colder, more ruthless, but a twisted sense of loyalty towards Adelhein burned within her darkened heart. As she listened to her Master's words, a feral gleam in her golden eyes hinted at the depths of her newfound darkness.
The towering figure of Saber Alter, with her imposing height, cast a chilling presence in the shadowy forest. Her once noble demeanor tainted by the corruption, she exuded an aura of power and danger that resonated with the twisted magic of this new world they found themselves in.
At Adelhein's question, Saber Alter's gaze pierced through the darkness, scanning the surroundings with an intensity that spoke of her readiness for whatever challenges lay ahead. A low, ominous chuckle rumbled in her throat as she replied in a voice laced with malice, "We are no longer bound by the constraints of Fuyuki. This world is ripe for the taking, and we shall carve our path through its mysteries and dangers."
With a predatory grace, Saber Alter took a step forward, her black armor glinting ominously in the dim light filtering through the dense canopy above. "Lead the way, Master," she murmured, her voice a chilling echo of her former self. "Together, we shall conquer this new realm and bend it to our will."
-//-
As both advanced through the dark forest, Adelhein following close behind Saber Alter, as she took point. After a few minutes of walking, with the fallen dried leaves on the earthy ground crunching slightly with each step beneath their feet, they would begin to hear faint voices up ahead. Their vision was obscured by a sizeable and, when peered over, the pair would see a clearing. The place was surrounded by a sea of green, branches from the trees overreached the clearing and the leaves allowed only for a few rays of sunshine to peer through the dense canopy.
Right in the middle of the clearing, stood four males, all of different heights and builds. Two of them were couching down, each one patting down a different body of unknown species: one appeared to be a male, while the other a female. There were two trails of blood leading from one of the edges of the clearing to where the bodies were located. The four individuals were dressed in various assortments of equipments: some with leather armor, others with battered iron ones. Their weapons were equally inconsistent: a bigger, muscular looking humanoid, with greenish skin and fangs which protruded from his lower jaw, held a massive double axe. Meanwhile, the smaller one, with no more than 4ft of height, held two daggers. The two men who were patting down the bodies for valuables may have, looked human, having spiked clubs in a leather loop on their belts. A few ways from the quartet, a female stood, her face very akin to one of a fox and clad in leather clothing. On her hands, she held a wooden crossbow.
There was one thing, however, that all of them had in common: a red armband with a black dagger draw on it. "Hah! It looks like we made a killing today!" The bigger man shouted, in a rumbling, sarcastic voice, which earned a chuckle from all the others. Then the crossbowman's eyes who had been keeping guard, suddenly zeroed in both Adelhein and Saber Alter, making the female lift her left hand to point a them, while shouting. "Look! We have company!" The warning made all the others turn towards the ‘intruders’, with both that had been searching the bodies getting up and drawing their spiked clubs. The muscular orc opened a toothy grin, his eyes gleaming with greed and killing intent. "Well well well, look what we have here! Some little noble and their bodyguard, huh? I bet the kid will fetch quite many rykens!" He said, in a mocking tone, mistaking Adelhein for a noble because of his adorned magecraft coat. Next, it was the smaller male’s turn to talk. "And look at her armor and sword! I bet those will be quite the trophy for the boss! I saw we kill her and hold the brat for ransom." He said in his high-pitched voice, twirling his double daggers in his hands. It is clear diplomacy is out of the question in this encounter, and only violence can get both Master and Servant through this predicament.
The young Adelhein smirked, looking at the situation he faced, together with Saber Alter. Without wasting time, he activated his magic circuits, letting his mana flow through his body. As the energy with a blue-hue started to flow through his veins, like blood, a magecraft circle appeared under him. Focusing his efforts on his catalyst, a signet ring of the El-Melloi family on his right index, he concentrated on both him and Saber Alter. "Magnam Ferro Corpus!" With a sudden burst of magic, the ground next to them would burst open, bathing both Adelhein and Saber Alter with a type of liquid metal, coating them in an extra armor. "Saber, show them what you are made of." Adelhein said, looking at the thugs without any worry.
-//-
Saber Alter, clad in the liquid metal armor summoned by Adelhein's powerful magecraft, stood ready for battle as her Master's command echoed through the clearing. The menacing quartet of thugs, with their mismatched armor and weapons, sneered at the sight of the young noble and his armored bodyguard. Unbeknownst to them, they faced a formidable force in Saber Alter, corrupted and deadly, her golden eyes ablaze with a hunger for combat.
With a swift nod at Adelhein's directive, Saber Alter's form blurred as she moved with inhuman speed towards the group of thugs in the center of the clearing. Her blackened sword gleamed ominously in the dim light, ready to strike with brutal strength. As she closed the distance, her dark aura crackled with malevolent power, preparing to unleash a devastating attack on all four of her enemies at once.
With a graceful yet deadly arc of her sword, Saber Alter unleashed the power of Dark Excalibur Nova III, the air crackling with dark energy as the blade sliced through the space towards the thugs. The force of her attack aimed to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies, to show them the true power of a corrupted Servant bound by a twisted loyalty to her Master.
As the dark energy surged towards the group of thugs, Saber Alter's gaze remained fixed on her targets, her mind focused solely on the battle at hand. The clash of metal and magic echoed through the clearing, setting the stage for a brutal confrontation between the forces of darkness and the unsuspecting band of thugs.
-//-
As Saber Alter unleashed her most powerful ability, the darkness imbued sword cleaved through her opponents. Even though the four bandits weren't caught by surprise, their attempts to block the brutal attack were useless. Out of the four, only the muscular one would be left standing. His chest iron armor would be left with a long and deep horizontal cut. From it, a crimson liquid began leaking through it, staining the bottom part of the armor, as well as dripping down to the ground of the forest, making the soil wet with his life essence. With much difficulty, the man manage to bring his massive axe up and aimed it against her head. "Die bitch!" He bellowed, as he swung the axe in an overhead motion, aiming to cleave her head. However, due to a combination of the injuries he had sustained, Saber Alter's own defenses and the protective barrier who had been formed around her thanks to Adelhein's magecraft, the attack bounced off, not managing to even clip her form.
The total lack of form of the attack, however, hinted the group was very green. That could have been further confirmed as the crossbowman, watching the horrific brutal display of seeing her comrades' bloody corpses, dropped the bolt she was trying to load into her weapon. The female began reaching into her quiver to retrieve another bolt. The young magus watched the effectiveness of his Servant with pride brimming on his crimson eyes. He didn't remain passive, however. Channeling his mana on his magecraft once more, bringing both his hands forward. "Fervor Mei Sanguine!" He uttered, making two metallic tendrils burst out of the ground near him. The appendages moved like whips, in an almost liquid form, one of them darting towards the muscular thug who had survived Saber Alter's attack, while the other sought the crossbowman.
The metallic tentacle, which hunted for the muscular thug, made a sharp turn as soon as it reached Saber Alter's back, making a sharp turn over her shoulder during its trajectory, before skewering the male in the chest and bringing him down. The other one, aimed at the crossbowman's hand, as she tried to nervously get another bold from her quiver. It pierced her hand, from the back of the palm, rendering it useless at the moment. Afterward, the tendril exploded in a metallic cloud, mangling her hand. What remained of the appendage dangled, as the female screamed in pain and dropped her crossbow to try and tend to her injured hand. Adelhein looked at his and his Servant's work, with a dark smile on his lips. "Come on, run away now. It might be the only chance you have!" The teen said in a mocking tone, his crimson eyes narrowing. The last remaining attacker flight instinct kicked in, rushing away from the clearing, while holding her bleeding hand. While almost tripping in the process, the female’s figure would become smaller and smaller, until finally disappearing through the dark forest. Turning to Saber, Adelhein expression softened a bit, a proud smile on his lips. "You never cease to amaze me, Saber. You truly are the best Servant I could have summoned."
-//-
Saber Alter stood amidst the chaos of battle, her darkened form a vision of ruthless power as she effortlessly dispatched her foes with a single devastating strike. The male with the massive axe, his chest grievously wounded by her dark blade, roared in defiance as he swung his weapon towards her. However, the attack was futile against the barrier of protection that surrounded Saber Alter, the axe rebounding harmlessly off her armored form.
As the attacker's failed strike echoed through the clearing, the young magus Adelhein unleashed his own magic, summoning metallic tendrils from the earth to strike down the remaining threats. With precision and lethal force, the tendrils skewered the surviving thug and incapacitated the crossbowman, leaving them writhing in pain on the forest floor. The sound of agony mingled with the metallic clang of Adelhein's magic, a symphony of destruction that marked their swift and merciless victory.
Adelhein's dark smile spoke of his satisfaction at the swift and brutal efficiency of their tactics, his crimson eyes gleaming with a hint of malice. As the last attacker fled in fear, her hand clutching the wound inflicted by Adelhein's magic, the young magus mocked her retreat with a taunting grin. Saber Alter, standing tall and imposing beside her Master, exuded a sense of silent menace, her golden eyes gleaming with a dark light that hinted at the depths of her power.
At Adelhein's words of praise, a rare flicker of emotion crossed Saber Alter's stoic features. Despite the corruption that now tainted her being, a sense of loyalty and dedication to her Master burned fiercely within her darkened heart. With a subtle nod of acknowledgment, Saber Alter's gaze met Adelhein's, a silent understanding passing between them. At that moment, amidst the aftermath of battle, a bond forged in darkness and blood bound them together as Master and Servant, their fates entwined in a world ripe for conquest.
-//-
Adelhein would then approach the bodies, kneeling down and searching for anything useful in them. He had managed to find a heavy coin pouch. Its contents were quite bountiful: around twelve golden rykens, twenty silver rykens and many more copper rykens. Satisfied with the bounty they received from the would be attackers, the young magus would tie the coin pouch and place it inside the side pocket of his coat. Furthermore, he would also end up grabbing one of the red armbands, thinking they could end up being useful for identifying who these thugs worked for. Tucking the piece of cloth also inside one of his pockets, he would rise up and start looking around the dark forest. "Well, let's continue?" He asked his Servant and guardian, trusting completely in her battle-earned experience.
-//-
Saber Alter observed as Adelhein meticulously searched the bodies of their fallen enemies, his keen eyes scanning for any useful items among the remnants of their attackers. The heavy coin pouch he uncovered glinted in the dim light of the forest, its contents a small fortune in golden, silver, and copper rykens. Adelhein's deft fingers secured the pouch, tucking it safely away in the pocket of his magecraft coat, a small trophy from their victory.
As Adelhein also retrieved one of the red armbands, a token of the thugs' allegiance, Saber Alter nodded approvingly at his foresight. The armband could indeed prove useful in identifying the faction or group to which their assailants belonged, providing valuable information for their continued journey through the dark forest.
With the spoils of their battle secured, Adelhein rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping the shadowed expanse of the surrounding forest. His question hung in the air, a silent plea for guidance that Saber Alter was more than willing to provide. With a regal nod, she acknowledged his trust in her experience, her corrupted form radiating a sense of dark resolve and unwavering determination.
"Let us press on," Saber Alter declared, her voice low and commanding, a promise of further trials and triumphs to come. With Adelhein by her side, she ventured deeper into the ominous depths of the dark forest, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with a warrior's skill and a corrupted Servant's unyielding strength.
-//-
As both of them left the clearing and ventured into the dark forest, eventually they would come about one of its edges. Beyond it, they saw a cobbled road, which led both ways. The vision of infrastructure could mean that there was some sort of civilization in the location they were at. At the very side of the road, there was a well maintained sign which read "Ryken" pointing towards one of the sides of the road. Adelhein thought for a moment, thinking it would be wise for them to leave the wilderness and find more about the village, town or city the sign hinted at. "Maybe it is better for us to follow the sign. We could find out exactly where we are." He offered Saber, looking at her fierce visage, wanting her own input.
-//-
Saber Alter stood at the edge of the dark forest, her crimson eyes scanning the cobbled road that stretched out before them. The sight of civilization, indicated by the well-maintained sign pointing towards the village of Ryken, offered a glimmer of hope amidst the oppressive darkness of the wilderness. Adelhein's suggestion to follow the sign and seek out more information about their surroundings was met with a thoughtful silence from the corrupted Servant.
After a moment of contemplation, Saber Alter turned her gaze towards Adelhein, a rare flicker of something akin to curiosity crossing her features. The prospect of exploring the nearby village intrigued her, offering the possibility of gathering valuable information and resources for their journey ahead. With a subtle nod of agreement, Saber Alter indicated her readiness to follow Adelhein's lead, her loyalty to her Master unwavering in the face of uncertainty.
"Let us proceed to Ryken," Saber Alter intoned, her voice a low rumble that carried a sense of determination and purpose. With a silent understanding between Master and Servant, they set off down the cobbled road, leaving the dark forest behind as they ventured towards the mysterious village that beckoned to them with promises of discovery and intrigue. As they walked, the shadows of the trees began to recede, replaced by the faint glow of distant lights that marked the outskirts of Ryken, their destination on this new leg of their journey.
-//-
As both Adelhein and Saber Alter got closer to Ryken, the place betrayed their expectations: instead of a simple village, it was revealed to be a bustling merchant metropolis which had been built by river. As they got closer to its gates, they could see guards standing right in front of it. The guards of the entrance wore heavy armor, all armed with halberds. "Halt!" One of them ordered, as both Adelhein and Saber Alter got close enough to the gates. "If you wish to enter the city, first both of you need to place your hands on the Black Orb, one at the time." He said, extending his free hand forward, in which said orb was being held. The other guards shifted slightly, as if preparing for something, as they waited for both the young Master and the Servant to comply with the order.
-//-
Saber Alter and Adelhein approached the bustling city of Ryken, their expectations shattered by the sight of a thriving merchant metropolis that sprawled along the riverbanks. The imposing gates of the city loomed before them, guarded by stern figures in heavy armor wielding halberds with practiced ease. As they drew near, the commanding voice of one of the guards rang out, demanding that they halt and submit to a peculiar ritual before entering the city.
The guard's order to place their hands on the Black Orb held an air of mystery and authority, prompting a subtle tension to ripple through the ranks of the guards. Saber Alter, ever vigilant and attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, exchanged a knowing glance with Adelhein, silently communicating their readiness to comply with the guard's request. With a nod of acknowledgment, Saber Alter stepped forward, her armored hand reaching out to touch the cool surface of the black orb held out by the guard.
As her hand made contact with the orb, a faint hum of energy pulsed through her armored form, a sensation that was both unnerving and intriguing. The other guards watched intently, their expressions unreadable behind their imposing helmets, as Saber Alter awaited the outcome of the mysterious ritual. Adelhein stood beside her, his crimson eyes alight with a mixture of curiosity and caution, ready to follow his Servant's lead into the enigmatic depths of Ryken, a city teeming with secrets and possibilities.
-//-
As Saber Alter's armored hand was placed on the black orb, it hummed with energy for a moment. The guard's eyes were locked on the ebony surface of the orb. However, nothing showed up on it. "You are good to go, welcome to Ryke." He gave a nod to the Servant, the other guards relaxing their stances slightly. Then, the man who held the orb turned towards Adelhein. "Now it is your turn." He said with bureaucratic efficiency, offering the orb to the young magus next. Approaching, the teen's gloved hand reached the orb, and he was able to feel its coolness through the fabric which protected his hand. Once more, the security device hummed with energy, for a moment, before nothing showing up on its surface. "Good, you can enter as well. Welcome to Ryken." The guard said, stepping aside and letting both of them through the gates. Adelhein's crimson eyes were fixed on the orb a moment longer, wondering what that was about. That only lasted a moment, as he would soon begin to step into the metropolis along with Saber Alter.
In it, they would discover more of where they were at. Both were inside a country called Protectorate of Ryke, a small yet rich country, which shared borders with The Republic, East Empire and The See. The country seemed pretty medieval in its foundation, having a few quasi-modern oddities here and there, which weren't common place. Having a Nobles as its ruling faction in the usual European hierarchy. Besides the Nobles, there also was the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Guild and the Church. The last one was compromised of an organized body which decided which faiths were true and which ones were heresies, cults or extremist groups.
Not only that, they would also come in contact with curious creatures, some looking humanoid with bestial traits, other beings outright sentient animals, as well as elves, pixies and too many others to describe. Fortunately, the gold Adelhein had procured from the bandits had been more than enough for the pair to procure supplies of all sorts, as well as acquiring lodging in the city itself. As things became more clear and calm, Adelhein turned to Saber Alter, his crimson eyes looking into her golden ones. "This world is different, yet full of possibilities which we would have never found in Fuyuki. We should set our goals in this territory. Either inside this realm or in any of the others."
-//-
Saber Alter and Adelhein passed through the gates of Ryken, the mysterious ritual with the black orb behind them, as they ventured into the bustling metropolis. The sights and sounds of the city enveloped them, a tapestry of medieval architecture interwoven with glimpses of quasi-modern oddities that hinted at a world beyond their previous experiences.
As they delved deeper into the heart of the Protectorate of Ryke, they discovered a land rich in history and complexity, its ruling factions and societal structures a blend of nobility, guilds, and religious institutions. The presence of the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Guild, and the Church added layers of intrigue to their surroundings, each playing a crucial role in the fabric of this vibrant realm.
Curious creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed the streets of Ryken, their presence adding a touch of whimsy and wonder to the cityscape. From humanoid beings with bestial traits to sentient animals, elves, pixies, and other fantastical beings, the diversity of life in the Protectorate of Ryke spoke of a world teeming with untold possibilities and untapped potential.
Adelhein's words resonated with Saber Alter, his gaze meeting hers in a silent exchange of understanding and determination. The young magus's crimson eyes held a spark of ambition and curiosity as he spoke of setting goals in this new territory, of exploring the vast expanse of this world and beyond. Saber Alter, her golden eyes reflecting the flickering light of the surrounding city, nodded in agreement, a silent promise of loyalty and dedication to their shared cause.
"In this realm or any other, we shall carve our path," Saber Alter declared, her voice a low rumble that carried a sense of certainty and resolve. With Adelhein by her side, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in this unfamiliar yet intriguing land. Together, Master and Servant stood poised on the threshold of a new adventure, their fates intertwined in a world ripe for exploration and conquest.
Wheatley
New Member
It was single handily the WORST tavern experience he has ever had in his life. He saw a lil fae girl with tiny little hands trying to handle a comically sized seafood sandwich her species was never even meant to fathom. Gilgram stared at her idly as sauce from that lil fae’s sandwich was compressed out like sky rocketing dysentery. She was squeezing it with all her fucking effort trying to smash it down thin enough to eat. Tomatoes and lettuce flew out in rampage like she was casting a forest spell to kill his eastern empire looking ass. Gilgramfried and other tavern dwellers ducked down and dived, sadly one of them got a mayonnaise drenched slap of sloppy greens against his neck. Gilgramfried was in absolute shock “No!” cried as he saw a limped body fall to the ground.
Gilgramfried crawled down on his belly avoiding the sandwich artillery fire. He checked the fallen man's vitals but he was oiled up in so much grease and sweat that it was even hard to get a grip of him. Gil’s hands were stained with gooey sludge as he tried to shovel shapeless clumps of bubbling mayonnaise and tartar sauce off this man's body. He was a goner but Gil wasn’t going give up on him just yet-
Feeling the hands of another survivor wrap around his wrist, Gil was pulled off the man and back into the confines of a flipped over table. He was saved just before a compressed gulp of oysters catapulted out of the sandwich and landed where Gilgramfried was trying to help that mayonnaise victim. Looking back, a mass of gurgling seafood stank the area as it immediately crumbled underneath its own mass and lubricated heat. “WHAT’S HAPPENING?!?” The world around him started to shake.
The sandwich was winning.
Buns flexed outward. Puss and wind vented out of the ovenburnt buns in retaliation. Screaming gusts of steamed heat farted out of the sandwich. The lil fae girl was struggling to contain what she had started. Her fingers gobbled and stabbed a sandwich that was taking an exalted form. What little muscles she had to compress her meal were at their breaking point, he had to help her. They all had to.
Gilgram voyaged upwards towards the lil fae who had begun to levitate with the ascension of her sandwich. Gigantic sounds of divinity grew out of their aura, battling each other in fantastical orchestra. “Take my hand!” The warrior shouted.
“I can’t!” Energy was quickly dissipating from her voice. It was as if the sandwich's density had increased so much that her hands and arms were magnetized, she couldn’t get away.
He only had one option. Resolve jolted out of his legs and a mighty leap reached out for her. As soon as contact was made her power started to leech his energy. Suspended in her gravitation field he felt the spoil of tiredness and fatigue violently wash over him.
In the end the fae girl had won. Meats and sauce antagonistically deteriorated the taverns inners, overfilling it with a surplus of food. “What spell was that?!” Screaming at her.
“Red Lobster..”
Gilgramfried crawled down on his belly avoiding the sandwich artillery fire. He checked the fallen man's vitals but he was oiled up in so much grease and sweat that it was even hard to get a grip of him. Gil’s hands were stained with gooey sludge as he tried to shovel shapeless clumps of bubbling mayonnaise and tartar sauce off this man's body. He was a goner but Gil wasn’t going give up on him just yet-
Feeling the hands of another survivor wrap around his wrist, Gil was pulled off the man and back into the confines of a flipped over table. He was saved just before a compressed gulp of oysters catapulted out of the sandwich and landed where Gilgramfried was trying to help that mayonnaise victim. Looking back, a mass of gurgling seafood stank the area as it immediately crumbled underneath its own mass and lubricated heat. “WHAT’S HAPPENING?!?” The world around him started to shake.
The sandwich was winning.
Buns flexed outward. Puss and wind vented out of the ovenburnt buns in retaliation. Screaming gusts of steamed heat farted out of the sandwich. The lil fae girl was struggling to contain what she had started. Her fingers gobbled and stabbed a sandwich that was taking an exalted form. What little muscles she had to compress her meal were at their breaking point, he had to help her. They all had to.
Gilgram voyaged upwards towards the lil fae who had begun to levitate with the ascension of her sandwich. Gigantic sounds of divinity grew out of their aura, battling each other in fantastical orchestra. “Take my hand!” The warrior shouted.
“I can’t!” Energy was quickly dissipating from her voice. It was as if the sandwich's density had increased so much that her hands and arms were magnetized, she couldn’t get away.
He only had one option. Resolve jolted out of his legs and a mighty leap reached out for her. As soon as contact was made her power started to leech his energy. Suspended in her gravitation field he felt the spoil of tiredness and fatigue violently wash over him.
In the end the fae girl had won. Meats and sauce antagonistically deteriorated the taverns inners, overfilling it with a surplus of food. “What spell was that?!” Screaming at her.
“Red Lobster..”
Lolory
RWBY Tuesdays
- One on One
- Group
- Off-site
Elvyra Highwater | A Night in Gambler's Row
(A short story about Elvyra exploring a city in Widersia that will help set up the events of a future RP + create a new city in Widersia for others to visit)
(A short story about Elvyra exploring a city in Widersia that will help set up the events of a future RP + create a new city in Widersia for others to visit)
Gambler's Row was a nostalgic city for Elvyra, even though she'd never stepped foot in it before tonight. It reminded her a lot of Blackwell city; it's seedy dark alleyways, and uncleaned streets with stray bottles of booze and newspapers strewn about like props on a stage were present reminders of her old life. It was also an incredibly windy city, seeing as it was nestled right between the bosoms of large rolling hill country and housed tall apartment buildings built in that familiar art deco style she was so used to in her previous life. If anything she felt like the universe had done her a disservice putting her in Ryke instead of in Widersia. This place is just like home...She breathed in deeply as she walked down the sidewalk, the breezy night air filled with the scent of sweet cigar smoke and cheap booze.She smiled to herself, If it's really like home, conning people will be easier than expected. She could only hope so; getting back to her previous level of fame and notoriety was a lot harder than her old life. Living amongst monsters made her terrible actions and behavior a common occurrence, and something that was even encouraged and nurtured by that horrid environment. But this world was far different, there were rules every where she went. Laws that she had never even knew could exist or be enforced were common sense to most citizens in every nation. She'd even taken the time to ask Winrey about the "laws" of this world, and some of them made her head spin. If she wanted to get back to where she used to be, she'd have to be the one to foster that kind of environment all on her own without the guidance or help of other people. Elvyra shivered, and buried deeper in her coat as she walked. Not from the cold, but from the sordid thoughts that came to her mind when she thought about being "The first" to start some kind of trouble.
I can't be handed everything on a silver platter, I guess...Some thing's must be done by my hand alone. It just unnerved her to be so alone in that endeavor. It's just like old times, back when I was starting out. She still remembered the mistakes she'd made, the risks she'd taken in Blackwell city, and how they had almost cost her her life multiple times. She'd at least had the weight of her family name, until even that had been forgotten by monster society entirely. Here in this new world, she had nothing. She'd spent her time in Ryke trying desperately to find a new means of gaining power over others, at least something that would help her gain more control over the nobles. But all she was led to were dead ends. Or mistakes she'd made in her old life. She recalled beating a nobleman to give her an answer on where the money she'd lent him had gone, only to learn it had ended up in the hands of one of her oldest and most annoying competitors: Madame Oakwell.
Elvyra wasn't surprised to learn that Oakwell existed in this world too, albeit a different version of her separate from the one that Elvyra had grown to hate over centuries. Their rivalry was a bloody one back in Blackwell, and she'd never even gotten the chance to glare at Oakwell in this reality. God must have a grudge against me, putting that old crazy bat above me in status...She had purposefully crumpled any news clippings and reports talking about Oakwell, not wanting to fill her mind with the idea that Oakwell was succeeding where she was not. She'd only been happy when she learned that Oakwell had landed herself in the Azuran city dungeons for the foreseeable future.
But in Oakwell's wake, there was a space left for someone else to take her place quite easily. The nobles of Azuran were finicky and hard to please. They only cared about entertaining themselves, or bolstering their own ego, and money wasn't something any of them worried about. Which meant that they were easy to con but harder to get latch on to. If you were a nobody, they didn't pay you any attention and treated you like a lamppost on the street they walked by each day. And becoming an Noble meant hard work and dedication and time that Elvyra didn't feel like spending all over again. So to get her mind off of things, she decided she needed a change of scenery.
Hence the vacation to Gambler's Row. She'd heard Clockhaven was a great place to visit if you liked technological advancements, but that Gambler's Row was a quieter place that paved the way for entertainment. Casinos, jazz halls, even theatres lined the streets of this small but tall city. The locals were always going some place and never spent time talking on the street. Conversation was saved for the bar or a lounge. Women were much more fashionable here, their style a mix between the coats and corsets of Clockhaven, and the glittery scene of a party in Gambler's Row.
Music wafted from an open door of one of the many music venues that were open that night, this one seemingly packed for business. The low croon of a singers voice came from the dark room, and Elvyra felt an urge to peek her head in and spend the evening there instead of aimlessly walking the streets. As she came to the entrance, a man with a ticket counter in hand was there, and he tipped his hat toward her. "Evening miss, here for the performances tonight at the Cogston theater?" He asked her, holding the ticket machine out. It was, much like all Widersian tech, operated entirely by a complicated mess of cogs and spurs that constantly ticked like a clock. A single ticket stuck out of the lip of the machine as he held it out toward her. "Ticket's are only 5 gold tonight, it's a special occasion."
Elvyra took a ticket from the machine, another readily taking its place as she tore it from it's metal grasp, and thanked the ticket master as she walked into the theater. It was crowded just as she had seen from the entrance, but she elegantly made her way to a spot in a lounge area just in time for the performance to end. As she settled down into the plush leather seats that curved around her, the audience clapped their hands as the next act came on stage. She wasn't familiar with the singers at all, but that wouldn't matter, spending time here with a drink and a smoke would be lovely either way.
A low coffee table was before her, and she noticed it too whirred with the noise of cogs and machinery. A part of the table flipped open to unveil a single glass, and next to it a selection of drinks were available that slowly rose up from underneath the table. Elvyra decided that she'd just help herself and pay later. As she poured herself a drink, two men next to her were in deep conversation, gossiping about something in the paper that day. She had arrived late to Gambler's Row, and thus had no clue about what had happened in the city prior to that night.
"I can't believe it...Old man Clover, dead already! And just when he was going to open his business up to more of the locals in Clockhaven!" One man said. He wore a bowler hat and a loosened tie, his friend next to him was much more put together with his hair still perfectly coifed and slicked back. The well manicured man took a shot of whiskey before pushing the glass back on the table.
"And they're saying it was...murder? That's unbelievable. But not too surprising. You don't think it has anything to do with the war, do you?" He wondered, and Elvyra had to stop herself from interjecting. She'd known about that ceaseless war between Widersia and The See, though she'd never felt the effects of it at all since Ryke was more or less separated from that whole fiasco.
"I doubt it. He was from The Republic, wasn't he? His family wouldn't know anything just because they live here now. The Guards will figure it out, I'm sure."
"What'll happen to the Goldpot now, I wonder? It's the best casino in the Row there's no way they'll just go out of business because the head of the Jiang family's gone! At least I hope not, I still have unfinished business there!" His friend laughed at him and patted his shoulder.
"You mean 'unfinished games' to play. You should just give up on making any of that money back, pal! Your lucks just rotten, it's a lost cause." He picked the newspaper up and Elvyra eyed it from her small corner. The two men were too drunk to notice her obvious eavesdropping. "And look here, they're announcing something big at the Goldpot soon. I heard they're auctioning off a lot of his old items." Now that peaked Elvyra's interests.
"Excuse me boys, I couldn't help but overhear you mentioning an auction?" She spoke up. The two men stuttered as they gathered the newspaper up for Elvyra to see clearer, prominent blush across their face as they stared at her. She read the headline, and an idea began to form in her head the more words she took in.
Murder at the Goldpot Casino!
Jiang "Clover" Xu found dead in his own office under mysterious circumstances.
The remaining Jiang family have not wanted to comment on the deadly case that happened under their own roof, however Xiang Lu the new management of the Goldpot Casino and Jiang Xu's Eldest son has announced that he will be holding an
important announcement for the public very soon, perhaps tomorrow. Many are speculating that it has to do with the fabled hoard hidden underneath the Casino that old Clover loved to brag about owning when he was alive.
Customers of the Goldpot have lined up tonight to be the first to enter the casino when Jiang Lu opens the doors for his speech. The press have been granted free entry as well, which is quite uncommon for a business man of any stature to allow. Only time will tell what important announcement awaits the public.
Elvyra couldn't help it, the sense that there was something big here in these pages was calling to her. "Who are these Jiang fella's anyway? They anyone important I should know about?" She asked. "I'm not from around here, you see. I came all the way from Ryke a day or two ago." Jiang "Clover" Xu found dead in his own office under mysterious circumstances.
The remaining Jiang family have not wanted to comment on the deadly case that happened under their own roof, however Xiang Lu the new management of the Goldpot Casino and Jiang Xu's Eldest son has announced that he will be holding an
important announcement for the public very soon, perhaps tomorrow. Many are speculating that it has to do with the fabled hoard hidden underneath the Casino that old Clover loved to brag about owning when he was alive.
Customers of the Goldpot have lined up tonight to be the first to enter the casino when Jiang Lu opens the doors for his speech. The press have been granted free entry as well, which is quite uncommon for a business man of any stature to allow. Only time will tell what important announcement awaits the public.
"Oh the Jiang family are only the most important people in Gambler's Row aside from the Guards who try and keep this city safe! They run the Goldpot Casino, lovely place, you gotta visit sometime!" The man in the bowler hat said.
"Uh, we could take you out on the town, if you'd like! We love welcoming newcomers!" His friend said with a slightly lecherous smile on his face. Elvyra smiled to hide the disgust she felt as she folded the newspaper up. "I think I'll pass. I'm not much for gambling. But...I do adore a good auction hall." And a potential new tool to put to use. This could be my ticket in. It seemed like a long shot, but most of the risks she'd taken had been quite similar in nature. She took the paper from the two gentleman, ignoring their disappointed looks as they watched her walk away, and paid her tab early. She decided she'd head to the Goldpot Casino herself the next morning. What had become a vacation had suddenly turned into a business opportunity she couldn't let slip away.
SETTING: Widersia, Gambler's Row | TITLES: Moon Blessed Vampire, VIP | VOICE: 
Clyvelle
Memorial Mob
Dawn at the Sun Temple
Here on the bank of the pond sat Jareth, watching the water smolder with the coming dawn. He had done so ever since first noticing nature’s beautiful display the morning after his arrival here with the Leilosis monks. Here at their new temple, the atmosphere always held a certain tranquility, but on the edge of the pond just before dawn, the stillness could arrest one at times. No longer having the interruptions of bodily functions and needs, Jareth could truly lose himself in the moment.
As was fitting of one in her station, the head Leilosis monk also enjoyed occasionally walking along the edge of the water as she expectantly awaited the celestial embodiment of her deity. It was common for her to stalk past Jareth in the stillness of those mornings, but she rarely said anything–most likely to preserve the sanctity of the moment. Jareth, naturally being a man of few words, reciprocated her silence. They would watch the sunrise together, then the head monk would quietly leave to lead morning obeisance to Leilosis. Jareth would rouse himself eventually as well in order to help restore the temple the monks had reclaimed.
This morning would be far different from those Jareth had known thus far in the company of his generous host. He sat on the shore as he had done many times before. The softest of steps–only barely perceptible to Jareth due to his tremorsense–began to approach from the temple as they had done many times before. This scene had played out many times already, so Jareth did not feel compelled to even glance in the head monk’s direction at her coming. He was too busy basking in the moment, like an audience anxiously awaiting the start of a stage play. She walked her usual path around the pond to where he sat, diverting behind him so as not to interrupt his view. Jareth expected her steps to continue, but they stopped there just behind him. He would have missed it had he not felt two feet suddenly perch on his shoulders. Jareth curiously looked up to see the head monk standing on top of him, staring out at the scenery as though nothing were out of the ordinary.
“Can…I…help you…?” Jareth asked uncertainly.
The head monk looked down at him with a mock surprised expression.
“The stone speaks! And here I thought you had been trying to become part of the landscape all this time.” She gracefully dismounted to stand next to him. Jareth wasn’t sure what to make of her sudden engagement with him.
“I…just like the view, ma’am.” said he, returning his gaze to the red-orange sky.“It is indeed a wonderful sight: a view some might be jealous of to be certain, but…is this your view, adventurer?”
Her question brought his attention back to her once more. His view?
“I’m…not sure I understand, high priestess.” Jareth said honestly.
“Leilosis is a generous deity. He bestows his light on all, but his light does not come without a command. You have been with us for a while now. Have you learned what Leilosis commands of us who bask in his light?” she quizzed Jareth.
Jareth thought of the many meetings and discussions he had overheard while spending time with the Leilosis monks. The answer seemed ingrained into every aspect of their life: from the glittering stones that make up their temple to the sheen in the fabrics of their clothing.
“He commands you to…shine…?” Jareth said, inflecting his voice to hint he is guessing.
“Partly right. We are to shine, yes, but that goes beyond ordinary reflection. When the sun shines on a flower, for example, does the flower shine? Not literally, but the flower does take the sunlight and use it to grow and flourish, thus brightening our day by becoming as beautiful as it can. Similarly, we as the worshippers of Leilosis, take his sunlight and radiate it to all around us. We wear these bright garments. We build glittering temples. We use the gifts granted us by Leilosis to defend ourselves and others. It is about receiving and passing on the light given to us.
“Which brings us back to this moment with you sitting there by the water awaiting the sun to rise as it has these many days you have spent with us. Leilosis has shined on you all this time, but, tell me, adventurer, have you received anything from it? Do you sit here each morning expecting to receive a gift? Or are you just waiting to turn into stone?”
Now the priestess’s point was laid bare. Jareth turned away from her in contemplation. He looked at the water reflecting the sun as it began cresting the distant hills, then he looked down at his leg. Ever since he left Ryke to escort the monks here, his body had been turning into solid stone. After finally arriving and spending his days here, it seemed like the process had accelerated. He could no longer dispel the stone his lower leg had become. It would surely continue to progress.
“If I am to turn to stone…why not do so here in this peaceful place?” Jareth asked.
“It does not take the divine guidance of a deity to see how that fate does not sit well with you.”
Though Jareth had never consciously considered these things, the truth was that she was right: the idea of turning to stone did bother him. He still had to return to Ryken and Master Nolan. He wanted to see Michael again as well and go on more adventures with him.
“What I see when Leilosis shines on you is glittering sand that goes wherever the wind sends it, not a stone that sinks into the ground.”
Jareth’s gaze looked up to the high priestess, resolve beginning to fill his eyes.
“So what must I do?”
“You must find the wind that will send you to the ends of the world, dear boy.”
“Does such a wind exist?” Jareth said as the sun swelled above the horizon now.
“Dawn breaks and with it a north wind blows down from the mountains. I cannot say if this is the wind you seek, but if you follow it, your answer is sure to be found.” said the priestess pointing to the south.
Jareth stood and stared in the direction she indicated. What was waiting for him out there? He looked back to the high priestess. She took a step back from him as a smile spread across her face. Forming a circle with her thumbs and fingers, she traced an arc over her head from left to right, then, bringing the circle to the center of her torso, she pushed it outwards toward Jareth, ending with a slight bow.
“May Leilosis continue to dawn on you in your travels.” she said, a common farewell among those of the faith.
Jareth nodded and began walking to the south.
Develius
"Kaiju Enthusiast"
Journal I - "A Baptism of Fire"
(Takes Place after "Never too Young to be a Goblin Slayer")
(Updates/Changes WIP)
The road back to Faeremeadow was met with a haze of silent somberness. Flare kept to themself as they walked with her head down, barely saying anything outside of a direction question or comment from the party. The events which happened down in the goblin dungeon had been nothing but traumatic for everyone involved. Though everyone agreed that out of everyone in the party, Amice had unquestionably gotten the worst of it. While everyone was thankful that she had not succumbed to the repugnant ritual by those green fucks, the damage had already been done. Nothing could be done. All they could do was make it back to the guildhall and get their earnings, as well as to rest and refuel for the next day. Flare knew they were going to get nightmares tonight... or dream of purging goblins while bathing in their spilt blood and charred remains.
There was one thing they looked forward to though. The craftswoman they met in the beginning was supposed to reward them with a new weapon or some sort of upgrade for the party members upon completing the quest. Flare already had an idea of what they wanted; after all they've been through it was the least she could do to compensate them for the horrendous ordeal.
But upon returning to the guildhall, they'd find that she was absent. Flare's mounting disappointment grew into a boiling lament. They thought they'd gotten scammed at first, readying to blow their top about how this was totally not worth it. Though before they'd have a chance to roar their disapproval, a familiar face came barging into the hall.
"Flare!" called an auburn haired man wearing goggles, "There you are! Oh thank the stars you're alright!"
Immediately recognizing it, the fire elemental turned to see their artificer friend, before being glomped with a hug against the OVEN's warm metal exterior. "F-Fraust!" they stammered, being caught off guard before wrapping a metal arm around him, "Gods am I glad to see you..." They were more than relieved to see him.
"Are you hurt?" Fraust asked concernedly as he began examining the suit. Flare groaned. "Are you talking physically or mentally? Because to be honest I-"
"Oy vey..." interrupted the artificer as they looked at the damaged arm with a dissatisfied tone, "Something scratched you good there. Didn't get too deep but golly whatever was doing it was reaaaaaaally desperate. I'll get it patched up later, don't you worry!"
The elemental chuckled tiredly. "I'm OK, but t-thanks..." Good ole' Fraust ensuring that they're in tip top shape. Though Flare was indeed very tired, given the steam emitting off their suit and the low amount of heat. The artificer took notice and looked at where Flare's face is, giving a warm understanding smile. "You look tired, Flare." The fire elemental simply nodded. "Yeah... Yeah I am..." Patting their suit, Fraust motioned for them to follow, "Come. I have a gnome blacksmith friend here who was kind enough to lend us their workspace to stay in for the night. You can tell me all about it there."
The mere mention of a gnome was enough to have Flare feel mildly uncomfortable. Still, she went along accordingly.
Later that evening, the two would make themselves at home in the blacksmith's forge. Fraust was in the main workshop working on the OVEN, while Flare stayed nice and cozy in a nearby furnace. The fire elemental wouldn't immediately go into depth about the quest, but after gaining enough composure and being prodded about it they would. They told him everything that happened, from the moment the group got together, right up to the point they got back. Fraust was a good multitasker; being wholly concentrated on his work, while still hearing everything that was being mentioned to him clearly. Upon getting to the end of the recap, he gave an exhausted sigh on behalf of his friend's anguish.
"Why all of that is... awful." the artificer commented with a somber undertone, "I can't even imagine what was going through your head through all this."
"I was scared." Flare replied, "Really fuckin' terrified. I mean, even in this suit I felt powerless to do anything that risked harming her. Heh... It's funny, in a morbid sorta way. This big hulking flaming guy stomping in and burning everything before pressed into submission by tiny green shits using the victim as leverage."
"Goblins are exceptionally crafty - deceivingly so. Honestly, I'm surprised that a little gnome like Amice was even allowed to go on such a mission. Even with her animal guardians - er, catalysts - assisting her, it's an incredibly risky ordeal. Without them she's practically-."
Flare gave a stern glare at the artificer, their fire seeming to intensify just slightly; not wanting him to finish what they were saying. Catching his words, the artificer nodded and changed his statement. "-Well, she's vulnerable, is all I'll say. I think we can both agree on that."
The fire elemental silently agreed. She was a little girl after all. Magically gifted, sure, but still needed practice. "I don't think I'll be able to unsee or un-hear what I heard down there... all the pain and suffering she went through... I didn't mean for this to happen."
"No one is blaming you Flare. Unfortunately, stuff like that happens sometimes. It's all completely out of our control. The forces of Chaos incarnated. We just need to learn from those events, recognize the mistakes, and be better prepared for next time."
"How am I going to look at her or her family in the eyes again? I hope she knew what I..."
"I'm sure she'd understand." he reassured, "Certain of it."
He'd ruminate for a moment before proceeded to work back on fixing the suit.
"You know, being in a hostage crisis is NOT easy. Especially as the negotiator. Most people would just completely breakdown or lash out prematurely, but you've done exceptionally well for your first time. And lucky, let's not forget about that."
"And getting out of it made me even more exposed. Naked even. Like... what if the others didn't come in time? What if I was actually sacrificed for that ritual?"
"That's why I also said you were VERY lucky. But you're quite crafty. I think you would've found another way through... but that also couples with experience. Lots of it. In the grand scheme, you're still a newborn in a sense."
Flare's eyebrow twitched confusingly.
"N-No, I don't- not literally a newborn. Like, time wise compared to-? Y-You know what I mean."
"Yeah... I think...?"
By this point, Fraust had already put down his tools as he sat in front of Flare's furnace. He saw their saddened eyes, filled with remorse and guilt.
"Look, Flare... every quest comes with such risks. At least quests like the one you took. The risk of getting hurt or killed, or just disappearing is a very REAL possibility, yes. But such odds are typically far lower with a well-established and well-organized party. Even the party you joined wasn't nearly as bad as what they could've been."
"But what if that happens? What if someone dies? And worse what if it's my fault? O-Or I could've saved them but I-"
"I doubt that's going to happen... but in the theoretical case that it does, consider it a valuable lesson of caution and care... depending of course what happens. Whether they happen by our hand or theirs; bad days happen. Everyone knows the risks. One just has to keep going from it."
"Tch. Well, you seem AWFULLY calm about it." Flare scoffed.
"Just saying what I know, is all."
"The question for you, however, is if you still wanna do these quests with the guild knowing the risks involved?"
"Yeah... Yeah why not. As you said, this was a bad day. Those happen once in awhile. I'm sure the next one oughta be better right? I mean, at the end of the day I just wanna explore the world and like improve myself and getting to know my powers. It's not gonna be easy, but one slip up shouldn't put me down. Bring it on!"
Fraust gave a warm smile, one of confidence of their abilities and their decision. Patting the furnace, he got up and went back to working on the OVEN.
"Oh! Just one other thing. Do you know anything about the Spirit King?"
"Nothing besides the basics. From what I've read he's the ruler of the entire Fae See. A Living God for all intents and purposes. Can't say I know too much beyond that; haven't dabbled in Fae text terribly much."
"A living God? Huh...." Flare mumbled peculiarly, "Remember when I mentioned that when Amice first saw me? She thought I was in league with him. Apparently she thought that like... all elemental spirits were his helpers. I mean, she still thought I was cool and all... but it brought up a few burning questions. I should've asked her a bit more about it when I had the chance..."
Flare thought about it for a moment before raising their head and declaring:
"I wanna meet Him."
"An audience with the Spirit King?" Fraust chuckled, pausing work on the suit to look at Flare directly. "Well that's one thing to aspire for. Lofty but... well, I suppose all you need is to make a good impression."
The elemental's mood lightened, as did their flames. "So... you'll actually help me with that?"
He nodded confidently with a cheeky smile. "Of course! Especially if it helps connect with who you are. Besides, there's definitely things that need to be worked on before presenting yourself... for one, your suit. Definitely needs more upgrades and equipment in order to give that knightly visage. Though you can leave that to me."
Feeling overjoyed at his acceptance, Flare began rattling in their furnace excitedly. They were already looking forward to it.
"Hoo boy. That means I gotta train to get stronger and like research stuff about this King... But where do I even start?"
"Best to check the libraries first to see if you can gather some basics. As would a visit to the "See of Fae" be in order. And should you encounter more elementals, or anyone you think has connections to the King, ask them if they know anything about Him. Maybe they can help you get you an audience?"
"Sounds like a start!"
The two companions would traverse a bit more before calling it a night. Flare would dream of their future adventure, a culmination of many imaginary notable events - big and small - all leading up to them bowing within the Spirit King's presence. This was only the beginning of what was yet to come...
Mephisto
The King of Swing
- One on One
- Group
There was a young girl named Sophia. She lived in beautiful Ryke, on a peaceful farm with her mother and father. She didn’t have any siblings and lived every day in anticipation of frolicking with her animal friends.
Over time, she became aware of something. She knew all about how some of the animals went to market. That didn’t bother her. But eventually her parents didn’t bring new animals back and sold most of what they had. They explained it as a recession, and that they needed to take the farm into consideration.
Her parents moved out to the edge of the forest and built a cottage. They made ends meet by keeping bees, but Sophia knew something was wrong.
Her mother became very sick one day. No medicine worked, and her father quit working to take care of her constantly. Sophia would go out into the woods looking for herbs and whatever else she could use to make soups. Nothing improved her mother’s condition.
She went deeper into the woods. It became a vicious cycle of disappointment. Soon, her father forbade her from leaving the house altogether. He didn’t want to think of losing her as well.
But Sophia kept trying.
She went out late at night when her father was asleep. She found all sorts of mushrooms and berries, mixing them into her mother’s food. Surprisingly, she seemed to become more energetic and even spoke - although most of what she said was gibberish.
Her father realized how brave his young daughter was. He was too old and tired to make the expeditions necessary into the woods. He gave Sophia all the equipment she needed for a proper adventure and sent her out on one condition.
He’d be cutting wood for the fireplace every night. Before night fell, he’d ring the bell on the front porch and wait. If she was back home late even once, she had gone too far and would be banned from going outside. Instead, he would make the long journey to the nearest city to use their last scraps of money to buy medicine.
Sophia promised to be safe and made her first exploration.
The deeper she went, the more her mother seemed to recover from the herbs Sophia found. But Sophia noticed that the forest surrounded a small pond in an area close to the cottage. She investigated the crystal clear water.
Before she could pull away, a dozen amphibious lizards popped their heads out of the depths and tilted their heads at her. She introduced herself and, to her surprise, they responded in kind.
They were the keepers of Lizard Island. Looking out towards the middle of the lake, Sophia saw the island and asked if she could see what was on it. The lizards weren’t sure and only allowed her to enter if she agreed to be their queen.
Seeing no harm in it, she agreed and investigated their little island. She found herbs that she never saw before and collected some samples. She left the island when she heard her father ringing the bell and made some pastes from the plants.
The ones from the island were pleasantly earthy and gave her a sudden boost of energy. She made some medicine for her mother. After a while, nothing seemed to be happening. Sophia and her father left the room and started going about their nightly routine.
Later, they heard a noise coming from the bedroom. Her father cracked open the door and - to their surprise - Sophia’s mother was standing up and stretching!
Sophia hugged her mother and her father stood in the doorway, fighting back tears. Her mother asked where she had gotten the medicine and Sophia explained about the lizards, after which her mother’s smile faded.
She warned Sophia that she had to find a way out of the deal as soon as possible. Sophia promised, but she was too overjoyed when she went to bed and completely forgot about it. She ventured into the woods and avoided the lake and Lizard Island for a couple of days.
But on the third, the lizards approached her and cornered her near a boulder. They kept calling her their queen and telling her to come back to the island, but she refused. They told her it was only fair. She replied by saying she only wanted the plants in their home. The lizards started biting her, chomping pieces of flesh from her, and she ran back to her father screaming.
Her father sliced and stabbed the lizards with his knife. Her mother told Sophia that she had to break the deal and that her father should go with her. Sophia agreed and went to the lake with her father, who held an ax.
She demanded that the lizards forget that she was ever queen and that they should leave her and her family alone. They were angry as she took their possessions to save her mother while also killing some of their number.
They agreed that she would not be queen anymore, and that she should be executed since that’s how angry subjects treated bad queens who lied about what they were going to do.
Her father told her to run away and he started chopping down the island, cutting the moss and lily pads keeping it afloat. Some lizards chased her but the majority tried fighting her father. He smashed their tiny bodies and crushed them underfoot, heaving and wheezing as he did so.
Sophia ran home, noticing that the lizards chasing her suddenly lost interest. They scurried away like actual animals. She rang the bell just like her father did and, when he emerged from the woods covered in blood and wounds, she dressed them and her mother made soup for dinner.
They were never harassed by the lizards again, for they returned to their instincts and scattered to the woods. The mystery of the island was chopped to pieces and Sophia’s father never spoke of it again. He always kept his promise about ringing the bell before night fell, however. Sophia never ventured too deep into the woods again, and they all lived a long and happy life together.
Lolory
RWBY Tuesdays
- One on One
- Group
- Off-site
UMBRA BLACKWELL | LAST TRAIN TO NIFLEHEIM
(This is a short story about a small remote village in Rotia suffering from an unknown disease featuring NPCs, it will help set up a future RP and create a new setting that others can visit. While Umbra isn't directly featured in the short story, he and other players will go on the train mentioned and help with the situation.)
(This is a short story about a small remote village in Rotia suffering from an unknown disease featuring NPCs, it will help set up a future RP and create a new setting that others can visit. While Umbra isn't directly featured in the short story, he and other players will go on the train mentioned and help with the situation.)
The comm's tent is quiet and lonely, the only company for Bryn is her Fuller's transponder radio which is situated on an old rickety workbench. They often used this tent to house other old forgotten parts, so alongside her Fuller's pieces lay old ores and mining tools that showed years of disuse. Her mind wandered as she messed with the dials and buttons, in a desperate search for a signal anywhere beyond the storm that raged on outside. This week has been pretty bad all things considered...A small tinny whine came from the speaker, and she gasped softly. "Hello? This is Pilot Regita, reporting from Niflheim. Is there anyone to receive this message? Over." She waited with bated breath for someone else to answer, but all she could hear in response was the dead air of the transponder. She sighed, and pushed away from the table. The tent flap opened behind her and she swiveled in her chair to find a familiar face. Orissa, with her locced hair dusted lightly with snow and no hood on her tough blacksmithing jacket to cover her, had a grim look on her face as she entered. "Hey Brynn Any luck today?" She asked with a small smile.
Brynn just shook her head. Orissa nodded sullenly, and handed Bryn a warm cannister of that day's soup. "You've been at it all day, but I guess the storm beat us to a clear sky."
"Like always." Bryn answered. She took a sip from the cannister, kept her face neutral at the strong taste of onion and mint. Even after so many years, she had never been able to get used to the bitter tasting soup. Her eyebrows perked as she glanced to Orissa, "I've been meaning to visit the sick beds today but it...slipped my mind. How is everyone?"
Orissa opened her mouth to answer, than thought better of it. She laid her hand out in front of her and tilted it from side to side, with a shrug. Bryn's shoulder's sagged lower than before as she held her cannister of soup in both hands to warm them. "Thought so. Well, there's no use moping around. We should head back to-"
A noise that sounded nothing like the radio and far too human came from the Transponder radio.
Bryn turned in her chair immediately and held the headpiece to her ear to listen in better.
"...ello..? Hello...? ug....This thin..g it neve...works."
"Yes! Hello! My name is Bryn Regita, I'm a Fuller Pilot, and-!"
"Whoa whoa whoa, lady slow your roll! This isn't some military outpost line, I'm just a worker for a railway!" Bryn and Orissa both stared dumbfounded at the transponder, until the voice continued. "I think there's been a mistake on our end. The Magia Express communication system is supposed to be the only magically linked radio transmissions system in the whole Duchy! As a matter of fact, it's the Magia Express rail's brand new advancement in magitech and-"
Bryn grew annoyed, "Can you please send help? Or relay a message for me! I'm in dire need of medical assistance out here!" She exclaimed. The person on the other hand had a very chirpy pitched voice that threatened to rattle on and on about pointless magitech if they didn't change the point of conversation. "As I said previously, my name is Bryn Regita. I'm a Fuller Pilot from Rotia who's been stationed in Niflheim village for 12 years now. I was sent as apart of a medical team, but...I'm all that's left. Please! The village is in dire need of help, we're running out of supplies and...I'm not sure how long anyone can last at this rate."
The wind outside of the tent began to bellow. "...Ello? Hello...? Sorry I couldn't-...your voice dropped out after saying your name! I didn't catch-"
The transponder died and cut the mysterious voice off from speaking. Orissa looked back at the tent's entrance which threatened to rip open from the violent winds. "Ugh, the generator must have used too much! We haven't refueled at all today..." She looked back at Bryn, expecting to console her. "I'm sorry Bryn. Maybe if we refuel we can-"
Bryn wasn't listening however. Her mind was reeling with what just happened. It seemed hopeless at first, but the more she dwelled on it..."There's a railway that runs through this part of Rotia..." She said in an awed tone. "Orissa. Do you know what that means?"
Orissa looked at her with a skeptical eye. "There's no way a train can make a pitstop here, not with the storm outside."
"Maybe not a pitstop...but we can certainly make one crash." She stood up then with a purposeful air, and looked towards the old parts of her dismantled Fullet suit. "And I know a thing or two about making things crash." Orissa smiled then, widely and with an excited glint in her eye as she turned to leave. No doubt she was going to start the furnace up to burn ore for extra parts.
Alyss banged her hand against the shiny new magitech radio system in the trains engine room. Oh come on, it was just working! Isn't this supposed to be state of the art magitech? What an embarrassment to the railway...She decided to give it a rest, hopefully whichever Rotian military base she accidently linked to wouldn't get too much of a scare. I suppose I can explain when I make it to Rotia myself! If the signal came through, it must just be an outpost near the border...Trains normally didn't pass through Rotia for obvious reasons, and many in the Duchy thought the Magia Express rail line was the most foolhardy rail company to ever exist, seeing as they'd make it
their mission to be the first to breach Rotia's snowy bug ladden borders. Alyss, who was all to escatic about the idea of working for such a rail company, had spent her time training to become the first conductor for the Magia Express who would bravely go where no conductor had gone before! She was also...very very interested in the advancements made in the Magitech department, and seeing as it was a niche hobby of hers she'd signed up without really thinking any of it through.
She yawned widely, the train was totally empty and docked at the station. The trip to Rotia was last on the itinerary even though it was an important moment in railway history. They weren't truly going to stop, just pass through an under utilised part of the border to reach Widersia through a scenic route. Not a terribly confusing trip, I can certainly get through it! She didn't feel like heading home to sleep, so she'd bunk in the engine room and sleep on the comfy, plush seating of the trains interior. Tomorrow marked the day she'd finally make history, and be a part of history. She smiled as she slept, not once did she ever think about the odd nature of the call she'd just had.
Ersatra
Why Does This Keep Changing?
A Birthday Dinner
The grand dining hall of the Von Arbin estate exuded an air of opulence and history. The expansive room, with its high ceilings and ornate chandeliers, was filled with the warm glow of a hundred candles reflecting off polished marble floors and walls adorned with intricate gold leaf. Tonight, the hall was alive with the hum of hushed conversation and the soft clinking of fine silverware as servants moved gracefully among the long tables, serving a feast fit for nobility. The occasion was special—a dinner to celebrate the 19th birthday of Anastasia Von Arbin, the youngest granddaughter of the family’s formidable patriarch.
Seated at the head of the table, Lord Gregor Von Arbin commanded the room with his mere presence. He was a man of indomitable will, whose sharp, discerning eyes missed nothing. His reputation as a shrewd and ruthless merchant lord had been earned over decades, and it preceded him wherever he went. He wore a deep burgundy velvet coat, embroidered with the family crest—a lion’s head with its mouth open in a silent roar. Around his neck hung a heavy gold chain that symbolized his status as the head of the Von Arbin family, and he radiated authority with an almost tangible force.
Anastasia sat a few seats down from her grandfather, her place marked by a delicate arrangement of roses. She wore a dress of the same deep burgundy as her grandfather’s coat, the color highlighting the striking white of her hair, which was elegantly styled to cascade down her back. She kept a polite smile on her face, but her mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of the dinner's likely turn toward serious matters. Despite her best efforts, she felt the familiar weight of her grandfather's gaze settle upon her.
The dinner progressed, and the light chatter slowly dwindled, replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to fill the hall. Lord Gregor set down his silver goblet with a deliberate motion, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room. All eyes turned toward him. He fixed Anastasia with a penetrating stare, and she struggled to meet his gaze, feeling the intensity of his aura pressing down on her. Her heart quickened, and she had to force herself to hold his eyes, though it took every ounce of her willpower.
"Anastasia," he began, his voice deep and commanding, cutting through the silence like a knife. "I trust you’ve received the list I sent you."
Anastasia’s hand trembled slightly as she set down her own glass of wine. She knew exactly what he meant: the list of potential marriage candidates he had prepared for her. She had received it weeks ago but had made little progress in reviewing it. Under his intense scrutiny, she could feel her resolve wavering.
“Yes, Grandfather,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She struggled to keep her tone steady, but the weight of his gaze bore down on her, making it difficult to maintain eye contact. She finally looked down, unable to withstand the pressure any longer.
Lord Gregor’s lips tightened into a thin line, his displeasure palpable. “And yet, I have heard nothing from you,” he continued, his tone growing colder. “No thoughts, no decisions, no actions. Do you take this matter so lightly that you believe it does not warrant your immediate attention?”
Anastasia’s cheeks flushed, her hands clenching in her lap beneath the table. She dared not look up, feeling the shame of her grandfather's rebuke. “No, Grandfather,” she managed to say, her voice barely steady. “I understand the importance.”
“Do you?” he pressed, his voice rising slightly, the power behind it causing a shiver to run down her spine. “Your future—and the future of this family—depend on the alliances you forge. Every day you delay is a day lost, an opportunity wasted. You cannot afford such carelessness.”
Anastasia swallowed hard, feeling the eyes of the entire family on her, a mixture of pity and expectation. She nodded, though she still did not meet his gaze. “I will begin immediately, Grandfather,” she promised softly.
Lord Gregor studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he seemed to accept her answer, though his disapproval still hung in the air like a dark cloud. “See that you do,” he said sternly. “You will meet with several of the candidates in the coming week. I will not tolerate any excuses or delays. This is a duty you owe to this family.”
“Yes, Grandfather,” Anastasia replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I understand.”
Satisfied for the moment, Lord Gregor shifted his attention to her eldest cousin, Sebastian Von Arbin, who sat directly across the table from Anastasia. Sebastian was the very image of what their grandfather valued: recently graduated from the prestigious Imperial Logia Academy of Ryken, an institution known for producing the finest minds in governance and arcane studies. Sebastian had excelled there, graduating at the top of his class. He sat with a posture of relaxed confidence, his chin held high, a faint smile of self-satisfaction playing on his lips as he met his grandfather’s gaze.
“Sebastian,” Lord Gregor said, his tone softening slightly as he addressed his favored grandson, “you have shown great dedication to this family’s name. Graduating from the Imperial Logia Academy of Ryken with such distinction—this is no small achievement. You make us proud.”
Sebastian inclined his head in acknowledgment, his smile broadening. “Thank you, Grandfather,” he replied smoothly. “It was a challenge I was well prepared for. I understand the weight of our family’s legacy and the responsibility that comes with it.”
Lord Gregor nodded approvingly. “Indeed,” he said. “A lesson your cousin would do well to learn,” he added pointedly, his gaze sliding back to Anastasia, who remained silent. “Perhaps, Anastasia, you could take a page from Sebastian’s book. He understands what it means to bear the Von Arbin name, to honor its history and safeguard its future. You would be wise to follow his example.”
Anastasia’s jaw tightened, but she kept her expression neutral, the polite smile still fixed on her face. “I appreciate your advice, Grandfather,” she said softly, without looking up. “And I am proud of Sebastian’s accomplishments, as we all are.”
Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with triumph, and he leaned back in his chair, his expression one of barely concealed arrogance. “Thank you, Anastasia,” he said with a condescending smile. “Perhaps, in time, you’ll come to see the wisdom in Grandfather’s words and find your own way to contribute to our family’s greatness.”
Anastasia’s hands tightened in her lap, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Perhaps,” she murmured, “though I believe each of us must find our own path to honor.”
Lord Gregor’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, the weight of his expectations clear in his eyes. “See that you remember that, Anastasia,” he said finally, his tone heavy with warning. “And do not disappoint me.”
The conversation moved on, but Anastasia’s mind remained fixed on her grandfather’s words and the smug smile on Sebastian’s face. She knew she was being measured against her cousins, found lacking in the eyes of her family’s patriarch. But she had no intention of following the path that had been laid out for her. Her ambitions were her own, and she was determined to carve out a future that was hers alone.
To take the title of Family Head for her own.
The grand dining hall of the Von Arbin estate exuded an air of opulence and history. The expansive room, with its high ceilings and ornate chandeliers, was filled with the warm glow of a hundred candles reflecting off polished marble floors and walls adorned with intricate gold leaf. Tonight, the hall was alive with the hum of hushed conversation and the soft clinking of fine silverware as servants moved gracefully among the long tables, serving a feast fit for nobility. The occasion was special—a dinner to celebrate the 19th birthday of Anastasia Von Arbin, the youngest granddaughter of the family’s formidable patriarch.
Seated at the head of the table, Lord Gregor Von Arbin commanded the room with his mere presence. He was a man of indomitable will, whose sharp, discerning eyes missed nothing. His reputation as a shrewd and ruthless merchant lord had been earned over decades, and it preceded him wherever he went. He wore a deep burgundy velvet coat, embroidered with the family crest—a lion’s head with its mouth open in a silent roar. Around his neck hung a heavy gold chain that symbolized his status as the head of the Von Arbin family, and he radiated authority with an almost tangible force.
Anastasia sat a few seats down from her grandfather, her place marked by a delicate arrangement of roses. She wore a dress of the same deep burgundy as her grandfather’s coat, the color highlighting the striking white of her hair, which was elegantly styled to cascade down her back. She kept a polite smile on her face, but her mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of the dinner's likely turn toward serious matters. Despite her best efforts, she felt the familiar weight of her grandfather's gaze settle upon her.
The dinner progressed, and the light chatter slowly dwindled, replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to fill the hall. Lord Gregor set down his silver goblet with a deliberate motion, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room. All eyes turned toward him. He fixed Anastasia with a penetrating stare, and she struggled to meet his gaze, feeling the intensity of his aura pressing down on her. Her heart quickened, and she had to force herself to hold his eyes, though it took every ounce of her willpower.
"Anastasia," he began, his voice deep and commanding, cutting through the silence like a knife. "I trust you’ve received the list I sent you."
Anastasia’s hand trembled slightly as she set down her own glass of wine. She knew exactly what he meant: the list of potential marriage candidates he had prepared for her. She had received it weeks ago but had made little progress in reviewing it. Under his intense scrutiny, she could feel her resolve wavering.
“Yes, Grandfather,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She struggled to keep her tone steady, but the weight of his gaze bore down on her, making it difficult to maintain eye contact. She finally looked down, unable to withstand the pressure any longer.
Lord Gregor’s lips tightened into a thin line, his displeasure palpable. “And yet, I have heard nothing from you,” he continued, his tone growing colder. “No thoughts, no decisions, no actions. Do you take this matter so lightly that you believe it does not warrant your immediate attention?”
Anastasia’s cheeks flushed, her hands clenching in her lap beneath the table. She dared not look up, feeling the shame of her grandfather's rebuke. “No, Grandfather,” she managed to say, her voice barely steady. “I understand the importance.”
“Do you?” he pressed, his voice rising slightly, the power behind it causing a shiver to run down her spine. “Your future—and the future of this family—depend on the alliances you forge. Every day you delay is a day lost, an opportunity wasted. You cannot afford such carelessness.”
Anastasia swallowed hard, feeling the eyes of the entire family on her, a mixture of pity and expectation. She nodded, though she still did not meet his gaze. “I will begin immediately, Grandfather,” she promised softly.
Lord Gregor studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he seemed to accept her answer, though his disapproval still hung in the air like a dark cloud. “See that you do,” he said sternly. “You will meet with several of the candidates in the coming week. I will not tolerate any excuses or delays. This is a duty you owe to this family.”
“Yes, Grandfather,” Anastasia replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I understand.”
Satisfied for the moment, Lord Gregor shifted his attention to her eldest cousin, Sebastian Von Arbin, who sat directly across the table from Anastasia. Sebastian was the very image of what their grandfather valued: recently graduated from the prestigious Imperial Logia Academy of Ryken, an institution known for producing the finest minds in governance and arcane studies. Sebastian had excelled there, graduating at the top of his class. He sat with a posture of relaxed confidence, his chin held high, a faint smile of self-satisfaction playing on his lips as he met his grandfather’s gaze.
“Sebastian,” Lord Gregor said, his tone softening slightly as he addressed his favored grandson, “you have shown great dedication to this family’s name. Graduating from the Imperial Logia Academy of Ryken with such distinction—this is no small achievement. You make us proud.”
Sebastian inclined his head in acknowledgment, his smile broadening. “Thank you, Grandfather,” he replied smoothly. “It was a challenge I was well prepared for. I understand the weight of our family’s legacy and the responsibility that comes with it.”
Lord Gregor nodded approvingly. “Indeed,” he said. “A lesson your cousin would do well to learn,” he added pointedly, his gaze sliding back to Anastasia, who remained silent. “Perhaps, Anastasia, you could take a page from Sebastian’s book. He understands what it means to bear the Von Arbin name, to honor its history and safeguard its future. You would be wise to follow his example.”
Anastasia’s jaw tightened, but she kept her expression neutral, the polite smile still fixed on her face. “I appreciate your advice, Grandfather,” she said softly, without looking up. “And I am proud of Sebastian’s accomplishments, as we all are.”
Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with triumph, and he leaned back in his chair, his expression one of barely concealed arrogance. “Thank you, Anastasia,” he said with a condescending smile. “Perhaps, in time, you’ll come to see the wisdom in Grandfather’s words and find your own way to contribute to our family’s greatness.”
Anastasia’s hands tightened in her lap, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Perhaps,” she murmured, “though I believe each of us must find our own path to honor.”
Lord Gregor’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, the weight of his expectations clear in his eyes. “See that you remember that, Anastasia,” he said finally, his tone heavy with warning. “And do not disappoint me.”
The conversation moved on, but Anastasia’s mind remained fixed on her grandfather’s words and the smug smile on Sebastian’s face. She knew she was being measured against her cousins, found lacking in the eyes of her family’s patriarch. But she had no intention of following the path that had been laid out for her. Her ambitions were her own, and she was determined to carve out a future that was hers alone.
To take the title of Family Head for her own.
Voider
Professional of Nonsensical Tangents
The Nature of One's Nature
Hello!
I feel like the quality of this isn't great, especially compared to some of my other character short-stories, but alas, I'll be here forever wasting time if I don't just post it. I'll probably think of ways I could've improved this later.
So, an explanation to why I'm making this in the first place. Simply put, it's to establish and important point in Glacier's story as a character; when he finally makes the "breakthrough" and harnesses his ice magic, etc.
You see, I was saving up for the "Magic Domain" skill for Glacier, to give him access to all of the affinities and tie it to ice. It was a great plan I thought, and perfect for his character. "He can do practically any variation of magic, as long as it's made of ice or related to ice." It cost 70 points, and rightly so, for such an interesting and useful skill. Therefore, I saved up his points. Whenever other characters mentioned his (then non-existent) ice magic, or noticed he didn't have it, I'd wave it away as "Well, he hasn't made his breakthrough yet, since he's still on a personal journey to really get a hold of his nature."
Then the Magic Domain skill was changed. Suffice to say, it no longer felt like a good fit for him, neither narratively nor mechanically. It's all fine in the end, since I can still do exactly what I wanted with Glacier without that skill, but it was a bit disappointing. It's also the reason I'm making this story, since Glacier's entire experience was leading up to this moment; and I spent all of those saved up points at once, so it's basically the same effect. Regardless, I'm still happy with things, and I'm really glad I didn't give Glacier the skill before the change.
Well, thanks for reading this! Have a good day.
I feel like the quality of this isn't great, especially compared to some of my other character short-stories, but alas, I'll be here forever wasting time if I don't just post it. I'll probably think of ways I could've improved this later.
So, an explanation to why I'm making this in the first place. Simply put, it's to establish and important point in Glacier's story as a character; when he finally makes the "breakthrough" and harnesses his ice magic, etc.
You see, I was saving up for the "Magic Domain" skill for Glacier, to give him access to all of the affinities and tie it to ice. It was a great plan I thought, and perfect for his character. "He can do practically any variation of magic, as long as it's made of ice or related to ice." It cost 70 points, and rightly so, for such an interesting and useful skill. Therefore, I saved up his points. Whenever other characters mentioned his (then non-existent) ice magic, or noticed he didn't have it, I'd wave it away as "Well, he hasn't made his breakthrough yet, since he's still on a personal journey to really get a hold of his nature."
Then the Magic Domain skill was changed. Suffice to say, it no longer felt like a good fit for him, neither narratively nor mechanically. It's all fine in the end, since I can still do exactly what I wanted with Glacier without that skill, but it was a bit disappointing. It's also the reason I'm making this story, since Glacier's entire experience was leading up to this moment; and I spent all of those saved up points at once, so it's basically the same effect. Regardless, I'm still happy with things, and I'm really glad I didn't give Glacier the skill before the change.
Well, thanks for reading this! Have a good day.
The landscape was covered in vast tracks of snow, glistening in the sun's rays that cut through the cold air. Patches of grass and dirt were scattered throughout, providing a glimpse of the spring soon to come, and signaling this winter's impending end. Another winter of existence in this world, another winter of seeing new places, and another winter of attempting to figure out his nature.
With the imitation of a sigh, Glacier relaxed by a frozen over pond, pondering over many things. He could not breath, so why did he feel the need to do it? Was it linked to the true source of his consciousness, or some trait of being part beast? Glacier did not know, and possibly never would, but the errant thoughts persisted nonetheless. Just as he had many times now, he let those thoughts go; perhaps in the future, he would have time to search for the answers of his existence.
However, there was one issue that plagued his mind, practically demanding it's attention every day: His nature. More specifically, his inability to wield ice. For the average creature, it would be unsurprising to hear that they could not use ice magic. When that creature is made of ice himself, it is a bit surprising. When that same creature claims wielding ice is it's very purpose, then it is quite surprising. Yet, Glacier not only knew it was there, but felt it.
Glacier pondered how he could put it into words, for others to understand if they ever asked. It felt like a vast, invisible blizzard in another dimension, brimming with power to be siphoned from, but with a small, impenetrable gateway located at his very core. Any attempt to reach out a magical tether and break through failed, and trying to pull from it only amounted to a useless trickle. In spite of this, the well if icy power was always there, an integral part of himself, and always within his metaphorical grasp... but resistant to Glacier's wishes to claim his natural right.
That, that is what Glacier had been struggling with, every day and night, since he woke up in that mountain cave. To make a breakthrough, and finally achieve what he was meant to be; this is what Glacier wanted. Anything else, from making a home, or becoming a paragon of ice, was all secondary to this.
Just as he had countless times before, Glacier reached out to the untamable source of ice, part of him hopeful that this would be it, part of him already given up. A shove, a stab; nothing. A pull, a pry; a trickle of it, a fleeting taste, then nothing. While an outsider would see nothing going on, the effort of this ethereal work put a strain on Glacier that gradually grew, always forcing him to stop each and every time.
Growing tired and frustrated as always, Glacier was about to pull away, but a rare feeling found itself building up in his throat. The beastial side of himself, usually uncaring or suppressed, seemed as though it had finally had enough of this constant repeat through the months. "<No!>" With a sudden growl, Glacier reached out the metaphysical tether and wrapped it around his core, not letting go.
There Glacier sat, appearing completely serene to any observer, whilst doing his utmost to keep the tether intact. He did not try to get past or pull, but simply kept steady, unmoving in his grip on the core. It was not easy; it felt draining on his stamina, with an almost painful sensation beginning to emanate across his body. Yet, Glacier remained as unyielding as his namesake.
Then, Glacier felt something. His magic, wrapped so tightly around his core, began to... meld with it. So much so, that it became impossible to tell where his conscious magic ended and where the depths of his core began. As this occurred, his core's light flashed brightly, and a practical flood of raw, icy magic poured into him. With a start, Glacier tore his conscious magic away, breaking apart the connection.
Was... was that it? Is that all that was required of Glacier? Not to break into it, or take from it, but to... combine with it. Was he not imbued with this during his creation? Surely, he could use it as he wished; but was that really true? Maybe... maybe Glacier had been looking at this incorrectly the whole time. He was not the claimant of this power, no... he was it's equal. He had finally realized the one thing he must have needed all this time.
Glacier was a manifestation of the cold; he knew that before, but not to an enough extent. He was not a controller of it, but a representative of it, a conduit for raw ice magic. Artificially crafted, perhaps, but no less true. That was Glacier's nature, and only through that knowledge could he truly be one with it, as he had wished to be since the beginning.
With this idea firmly planted in his mind, Glacier was about to enter a new stage in his journey.
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Maverick Six
This party stinks
Timeline: Post-The Shadow of IllyrosRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING
An incessant ringing. Tetanus as some had taken to calling it. Marcus felt himself in a strange place where some part of him wished to remain resting. And yet to remain resting was to remain ignorant and to be beholden to nothing but that pain. Nothing to keep him company but that sore ringing. He awakened and stirred. Thoughts came to the forefront. And the more that came -- the more he wanted to get up despite it all
Are they all safe? Did I succeed in my mission? Am I dead?
The thoughts came one by one, tending to come in the order of personal importance. It didn't matter how much pain he was in. Now he had to awaken. His fingers clutched along the bed -- veins showcasing his own bloodpressure. His eyes shot open into the darkness as he was greeted by naught but a dim torch and soon a voice.
His chest heaved as he stood there frozen for a moment, eyes settling upon Darius as he became oriented to where he was.
He was in a camp in his home. The sounds of trumpets and dutiful activity indicative of morning reveille were heard. And with that sound was a soothing familiarity. Everything, and yet, with that sound, he could bring himself to finally process Darius' words.
"An explosion. I see. It took me out, did it...?"
The memories came flooding back of his heavy, armored body being dragged out with Darius' own encouragement.
"Thank you." He said. While he had gone in alone and grown strong, it seemed he still wasn't beyond needing the help of others. Yet despite the danger posed to him, he could only feel blessed as to have someone there to watch his back. Giving thanks was his final imperative.
"Where would I be, without my brothers and sisters?" A rhetorical question that seemed to leave little room for an answer. That "thank you" seemed to be the last thing on his mind. As he fell back down to his pillow, the comfort seemed to be too much. He simply fell back into rest once more, embraced by dreams. In spite of all the pain -- there no longer was that lingering tension that had come with failure.
There were days that he failed. There would likely continue to be days in which he would not. Yet today was not one of them. Today, he had won.
The Next Day
His eyes opened, and he would feel the ramifications of his actions. Currently, he is alone. Darius had long been gone from his side, having likely returned to duty or otherwise have been resting elsewhere, leaving Marcus to reflect upon himself.
His joints ached, particularly along the shoulders. The explosion had slipped through his defenses and filled the gaps of his armor, shock spreading out from that point. And he couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right choice.
The threat had been dealt with. And as it stood, it seemed to be a net good. Yet he never really understood what exactly the things he was fighting in Illyros' ruins were. The machines of some sort had called onto a great power that he could hardly claim to understand. As he ran through the accursed ruins of that forsaken city, he'd barely the time to understand what he was fighting, and that opportunity was gone now.
The only reason this had mattered was because he had idea as to whether or not this would pop up again. If it were to be a heretical deity of sorts, would it pop up again as it received more worshippers?
Yet in learning, he couldn't help but wonder if it's corrupting influence might sway the hearts of his comrades, who might see fit to use it for themselves. With so many unknowns, it became difficult to say whether or not his actions would achieve his protection goals.
What's done is done.
One part of the conclusion. He found himself to be not one to dwell. Yet he did not wish to shy away from the past. Reflecting upon it was learning and planning. And so to he came to the other part of the conclusion.
If I encounter this again, I shall endeavor to learn about it.
It was the only solution. All he could do now was endeavor to move on. His eyes looked over to his armor and weapon at his side. Both of them seemed to need polishing. A new and worthy task assuredly awaited him. If not here within the empire -- then beyond. Though as time went on, he did catch wind of some murmurs. Dwarves they'd said -- who live beneath the empire's very feet. Unknown neighbors. Assuredly, it seemed something worth learning of -- if it so had turned to be true.
As he brought his polished helm up to his face, a more personal question had spawned in his mind. He looked into his helmet -- and spoke to it as though it were a person. Memories of the armor's previous owner came to mind and Marcus spoke to his hand-me-down armor as though it were him.
"I hope I have proven myself worthy of your armor, my master."
Develius
"Kaiju Enthusiast"
Journal II - "Opposites Attract"
(Takes Place between "Puppet on the Run" and "River of Redemption II: Overshadowed Eclipse")
(Updates/Changes WIP)
"Hmmm... Fascinating." Fraust hummed as he inspected the amulet Flare gave to him in his fingers, "It's quite finely crafted. I've heard elemental crystals being used with wizards and mages, but never thought I'd get to see one up close..."
"I almost thought about leaving it with Tonin," Flare explained as they sat down on a metal chair "But then I had the idea to see if you could incorporate into my arsenal."
"Well, if you're thinking to wield ice or water with it... I suppose I shouldn't tell you why I think that isn't a good idea. Let alone one that can work with your... elemental make up."
"Oh pssht, of course not! I'm not expecting to wield ice from this. It'll melt! And god forbid I accidentally douse myself with water... noooo sir I'm staying far away from it as possible. But no, I was thinking... since the amulets are attuned to the nature of their wielder, I assume its different for every individual yeah? Like the puppet's personality was... cold and calculating. So the amulet tapped into that "cold" emotion and made ice from it. So maybe given my hot personality and make-up - ehe, no pun intended - then-"
"-your fire heats up the water to boiling temperatures and produces... Ahhh! I see where you're going with this! You're not wanting to use water in its liquid or solid forms... you want to boil the water into its gaseous form and manipulate that as an additional power. The power... of steam!"
"Yeah exactly! You think you can accomplish this for me?"
"I mean sure. ...Actually, you know what- How well do you know of the other elements?"
"I mean besides my own fire? Uhhh, like I dunno-"
Fraust quickly scuttled into a nearby closet and rolled out an old chalkboard. Plastered atop it was a map comprised of circular shapes and various labels. "I have this poster of all the elemental "planes" from when I was in university." the eager scientist explained as he pushed up his goggles, "Haven't used it in awhile - not even sure if it's up to date - but most of the information provided should still hold up to our current understanding. I think it'll help you better understand your place within the elemental sphere."
"So okay. You already know there's four main elemental forces that makes up the world as we know it. Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. There's also light and darkness but they're kinda their own thing and don't directly apply to this chart- so don't worry about them. Here they've labeled the main four elements as "planes", which are basically little pocket realms of each element that elementals like yourself gain your powers from. Where they are arranged in the grand scheme is understood to be in a 'Great Wheel' format surrounding the material world and both Fae realms."
"As you can evidently see, these main four aren't the only elements present here. Bordering each of them are these "para-elementals" which are formed when neighboring elements collide with each other, thus making their own elemental realms. And for the elements directly below the main four, these are influenced by where they stand within the Fae-realms. For instance, in fire's case, it has three sub-categories: smoke bordering air, magma bordering Earth, and Ash bordering the Shadowfell. Ash is the solid remnants left by a fire's wake after burning something, essentially a solid byproduct of fire. Smoke is the gaseous byproduct made up of various toxic gas and particles of combusted materials. And magma is essentially molten superheated rock that blacksmiths use to forge metals as well as what's seen in volcanoes."
"Same type of logic goes with water and the other elements, though given the positions of Air and Earth the central elements are divided between which Fae-realm they reside by."
"Now that's when things get interesting. In regards to steam, you can see that it's the central border underneath water. It takes its energy from the Feywild. This SHOULD mean that steam is a para-element only usable by water elements. But, as we've mentioned, steam is essentially the gaseous form of water. And how does it form? When water evaporates. And what causes evaporation? That's right, heat. And the hotter the heat the faster water evaporates. We can see this with how the natural water cycle operates on a grand scheme or by simply boiling water in a kettle under an open flame. Thus it is the ONLY para-element in this chart that can be directly affected by an opposing element... you can't make the same comparison with Earth and Air's para-elementals. Even ash is exempt from this, as water doesn't contribute to creating ash."
"In essence, you can consider steam as fire's direct counter to water... but ONLY through very high concentrated heat. So a super SUPER hot firewall for instance can evaporate water upon contact with minimal to no degradation. Otherwise overwhelming amounts of water would beat fire nearly every time. Oh! And I almost forgot water is NOT great at extinguishing fires consisting of oil, grease, gasoline, chemical, or flammable liquids. So if you have access to any of them those water fellas are only going to make things worse!"
"Okay so... great science lesson. Really learned a lot from this. But what are you implying with all this? Like are you suggesting that... I find the other elemental rings and just wear them to make the other para-elements smoke and magma?"
"Exactly! In fact, I'll do you one better..."
"I'll make a custom gauntlet for one of your arms where you can insert the gems within one of three sockets and use their powers on command! They'll basically be embedded into your suit and you can activate each gem depending on what you're looking for. Like you wanna play the literal game of "the floor is lava"? You can with the earth gem! Need smoke to cover your escape? Air gem has you covered! And as for steam... have you heard of steam engines?"
"Because not only can they be used for offensive capabilities but also for practical situations. Steam could power steam-based machines for essentially near infinite energy. Having your own personal supply of lava would make any blacksmith's dream come true! Or ash, like... I don't see it really used for battle but like its great for fertilizer and stuff. Kinda niche but I'm sure you can find other unique ways of using them..."
"Oh shit, I haven't though of it in that way... Tsk. Fraust. Has anyone told you how much of a nerd you are? Because man you are an utter dork... and an absolute GENIUS!"
"Hehe, oh you know... one might say it's my job."
"So! I'll get to work on designing that gauntlet! The only thing you'll need to supply are the remaining Niji Amulets. You already have water, which already means that the worst SHOULD be behind you. All you need now are Earth and Air amulets."
"I'll ask Tonin for more info the next time I see him... though he did say they're not too incredibly hard to find in Kuridan? I'll let you know once I get my hands on one."
"Fantastic! Needless to say... I think this is going to open up quite a few new avenues for you to manipulate your powers."
