Fantasy Throne Of Heaven

[Cosmo]

The Throne of Heaven stands empty, the gods have gone silent, no loner answering the prayers of the faithful and the world has begun to unravel without the power of divinity to hold it together. Around the world, 'Words', aspects of the divine power of the throne, have attached themselves to mortals turning them into 'Godbound', beings with the power to ascend and, one day, become gods, if they can survive long enough. Every season that passes, brings the world closer and closer to annihilation as the Throne of Heaven unravels and reality starts to tear itself asunder as creatures from beyond this reality seek to devour all within.

Turn 1
Spring

Panic spreads throughout the land as the people woke up to find the sun did not shine, light had been consumed by darkness and the world grew cold.. This phenomenon lasted just a week, but has sent ripples of terror throughout the populace as there was no warning, not from prophets, doomsayers or priest. During this week, many people went missing, stories of growling and screaming in the night, and when the sun finally shone once more, homes were found where the doors were torn off, walls showed marks where claws had torn into the brick and wood like paper, blood scattered across the room as people were dragged from their beds.. Yet not a single person saw what did it. The only thing they heard was the growls and screams of their neighbors, as they huddle around their fires and prayed it did not come for them.

Many fields had to be replanted which has made the future year seem a bit bleak, and while it only lasted a week, people around the world report that the sun has been 'flickering', darkness spreading just for a moment, and while many people have played it off as a 'strange blink' a momentary lapse in their focus, the truth is not so hopeful. Something is happening to the sun, something is happening to the light of the world, darkness is coming and within the darkness, things have come for them. Formless things, Nameless things.

Prepare quickly godbound, for the darkness is coming and the light fades.
​

 

[Kent]

Turn 1
Minerva, Hooman of Cloud and Lucy, Proud fur mom

Minerva + Lord Gloom
"Minerva, you have got to help me!" Lord Gloom clung to the hem of Lady Minerva’s robe like a child desperate for candy. "I-I promise to do one thing for you, no questions asked! This great being is requesting for your assistance! You should be honored! Thousands of powerful beings would line up just to have the chance to assist me and earn my favor."

Minerva, Supreme Witch of the Valley, took a slow sip of her coffee and turned a page in her book with an amused face. Many would be annoyed at the imp's incessant begging, but it's actually been music to her ears since it started. The great lord gloom, finally humbled, at least to a degree. She has never seen this 'Great Being' look as pitiful as he is right now. To even resort to begging her? What a great start to her day.

Lord Gloom seeing that Minerva is unmoved stomped his tiny feet in frustration. "Fine! I didn't want to resort to this..."

"If you ask the Magpie to return my ability to fly... I will..." A tear welled in the Lord Gloom's eye as he choked on the words. "I will open my great demonic vault and return Lucy her favorite bone...."

The sound of Minerva’s book snapping shut echoed like thunder. Her eyes slowly lifted to meet his, a brow arching in dangerous curiosity.

"You. Took. It?"

The slight smile on her lips made Lord Gloom shiver. He knew that smile. That was the smile, the one she wore before destroying foreign expedition parties into the valley and turning enemy mages into retards. Of course, it wasn’t just about the bone. It was about Lucy.

When the golden retriever had lost her favorite bone, Boney #1, an ancient monster bone, she sunk into a heart-wrenching depression. She’d stopped eating, stopped playing. She just curled up and whimpered for days.

Minerva had done everything she could, she even summoned an earth elemental to excavate the land and commissioned the adventurer's guild in search of another ancient bone. The sight of Lucy in that state… even Lord Gloom swore he saw Minerva shed a tear.

Now, Lucy stirred from her nap beside Minerva's chair, groggy but alert. Her eyes locked onto Lord Gloom with a mix of betrayal and heartbreak.

Boney #1 had been stolen.

By him. His flying friend.

Cloud appeared from nowhere, being oblivious at what was happening, yawned, and made himself comfortable in the middle of Lord Gloom and Minerva before dozing off.

"Listen..." Lord Gloom stammered, "This Great Being a-a-apologizes...?"

Minerva raised a finger, and the imp began to float. With a slow, deliberate grace, she rose and walked toward him until their faces were mere inches apart. "You will take me to your vault."

"Hey, hey. That is NOT part of the agreement." Lord Gloom protests and even tried to float backward, only to remember, in his horror that he was deprived of his innate ability to fly and he currently wasn't flying on his own.

“Minerva, come on! Don’t ask men about their height, don’t ask women about their weight, and definitely don’t ask Lord Gloom where his vault is! Those are the three sacred laws of existence! If we start breaking rules, what are we? Demons?—okay, yes, I am a demon, but that’s not the point—”

"Lead me to your vault," Minerva said coldly, "or you will never be able to fly again. And... I'm sending you to the Bitch Queen of the Atrakian Foothills for a little cultural exchange."

She leaned in for a whisper, "Do you know what they eat for breakfast over there?"

Lord Gloom paled, or whatever the closest an imp could get to being pale. "W-what?"

“Imps, my dear Lord Gloom. And that’s just the appetizer. They breed foulspawns. Some grown into abominations with appetites..."

"F-Fine! "Lord Gloom cracked completely, tears streaming down his face. Minerva blinked since she hadn’t expected him to break that easily. She actually felt kind of guilty now. She gently lowered him into the ground.

"I’m not after your treasures,” she said softly. “Just the toys. Cloud’s missing his obsidian chew and Lucy’s favorite bone. Also, I know you took my circlet."

"R-really??" Lord Gloom sniffled and wiped his tears off.

"Yes."

"Okay, follow me." Lord Gloom turned around. As he began to walk, a small, wicked smile crept onto his face. ‘Fufufu… what Supreme Witch? So easy to trick.’

Did she really think he, Lord Gloom, would cry over something like this?

‘She fell right into my trap. That performance was flawless. All thanks to the ancient tome I discovered by sheer fate. "How to Act," by the great Montague Navarro. A true master of deception. A genius among men. Yes… soon, the world shall know that Lord Gloom is not only powerful, he is also a thespian!.’

Minerva + Cloud and Lucy
"Lucy! Look what I got! hehehehe!" Minerva skipped toward the golden retriever, holding something behind her back. Lucy, lounging on the floor, perked up the moment she saw what was in Minerva’s hand. Her ears shot up, her tail began wagging so fast it looked like a blur, it was her favorite bone! Boney #1 was back! He hadn't abandoned her after all!

"Woof! Woof!" Lucy barked with pure joy, hopping in circles around Minerva. She's so happy! She's the happiest dog alive right now! Her hips dancing as she couldn't contain the happiness bubbling out of her right now. The Witch, seeing Lucy so happy was moved to tears. "Go!" She tossed the bone across the yard. Lucy quickly bolted after it, chasing her most beloved treasure.

Behind them, Cloud stirred from the commotion. The fluffy walking cloud lifted his head, gave them a sleepy glanced, yawned, and flopped back down to sleep. Minerva grinned and strolled over to ruffle his floofy head. “Have a great sleep, my sleepy giant cloud.”

"wrrf! wrrf!" Lucy returned, head held high and the bone proudly clutched in her mouth. Minerva couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, her heart feeling so full right now that it might burst from the sheer cuteness. She was experiencing full-blown cuteness aggression. 'I WANNA PINCH THOSE CHEEKS SO HARD'

Lucy dropped the bone at her feet, then crouched into a perfect play-bow, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She was ready. Round two.

Minerva bent down, picking up the bone with a grin. "Okay! okay! We'll play all day to celebrate! hehehe!"

Lady Minerva, the Supreme Witch, Matriarch of the Valley

Minerva + Elizabeth
"Are YOU insane?!" Minerva couldn't believe what she just heard and looked at Elizabeth as if she was crazy. Elizabeth, one of the Witches of the Valley, stood her ground and matched Minerva's glare head on. "Minerva, I am of sound mind, thank you. I want to do this. Let me do this."

Minerva exhaled sharply and closed her eyes in frustration. Elizabeth, one of her closest sisters, approached her upon hearing of the offer from the Bitch Queen of the Atrakian Foothills. She volunteered to be the Witch for the proposed "Union bound in flesh and blood". A binding that Minerva had opposed from the beginning for the cost was too high.

"Do you even know what will happen? Do you even understand?!" Minerva snapped in anger, still in disbelief that Elizabeth would even consider this. Elizabeth, unfazed by her superior's fury simply nodded, "I am aware, sister. I know of the practices of the Fernagu Pack."

"THEN WHY? They craft flesh with no regard for the soul. They play with the forbidden magic of blood. In this area, they are barely better than the depraved blood mages of the First City."

"For you, for the sisters of this valley." Minerva paused. Her eyes searched Elizabeth’s face. She waited. Elizabeth continued, "I know I’m not powerful, at least, not compared to the rest of the Sisters. I always lag behind. I always have. But this time... I want to help. Matriarch Vesta herself offered to oversee the ritual. She swore I would return. You opened up the Valley to the rest of the world, to fight for the continued existence of our home and the safety of our sisters. I want to share your burden even a little even if it costs me." Her voice cracked.

"I know this is like making a deal with devils. I know I might not come back whole or even come back as me but I accept that." Tears welled in her eyes. "I’m tired of falling behind. I want to stand beside you, Minerva. I want to be beside you as you challenge the world."

Minerva looked into Elizabeth's eyes and what she saw broke her heart. Determination. Will. Love. As a leader, she should admite it. This union could strengthen ties with the Pack, and perhaps bring them a powerful champion. But as a sister, she mourned it.

To see someone so gentle choose to walk willingly into corruption... into the arms of monsters... It wasn’t pride she felt. It was grief. Because if Elizabeth truly meant what she said, then Minerva knew that no matter the outcome, a part of her would be lost.

"I will always be Elizabeth of the Witch Society." Elizabeth whispered, pulling Minerva into a tight embrace. "Your sister."

Minerva smiled sadly and hugged her back. Then quietly, but with unmistakable weight, she spoke

"Two weeks ago, the Pack razed an entire village in the Atrakian Foothills. Before that? A caravan, slaughtered. Innocents, torn apart, and then eaten for their parts. Four weeks. One massacre after another..."

Elizabeth stiffened. She pulled back, her expression full of disbelief. Minerva met her gaze unwavering.

“I can list more, if you like. Stories some of your sisters and I buried just so the rest of you could sleep at night. You do not know the Fernagu Pack like I do. They are not misunderstood. They are not just wild.” Minerva paused. "They are monsters."

Elizabeth’s mouth opened, but no words came.

“Maybe you won’t become one of them,” Minerva continued, her voice now cold and deliberate. “Maybe. But if you bind yourself to them, if you allow their flesh to twist with yours, can you still claim innocence? Can you truly say you’ll still be you?”

The Supreme Witch stepped closer which made Elizabeth instinctively step back.

"If you became a monster..."

Another step.

“I would be the one to slay you. With my own hands.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught as she looks at Minerva in horror. She took another step back, but Minerva didn’t stop. Her presence was suffocating now, her eyes locked on Elizabeth.

“Forget this.”

Minerva took another step forward. Elizabeth didn’t move but something changed in the room. The air grew heavier. In her eyes, Minerva began to loom, her presence swelling until she seemed an imposing Goddess. Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat.

'Yes...' Elizabeth thought. 'This is Lady Minerva. The Supreme Witch of the Society. Matriarch of the Valley. They often forgot. She acted like a sister, gentle, warm, even playful at times especially with her dogs. But when she chose to stand tall, truly tall, she became a giant among them. A pillar for the Witches, unshaking and immovable.

Minerva looked down at her, not with cruelty, but with the weight of duty as her superior. “Return to your quarters. I’ll send you the records, everything we know about the Pack and their atrocities.”

Elizabeth gulped, her gaze still fixed on Lady Minerva. Then slowly, she bowed her head.

"Thank you, Lady Minerva," she said quietly, with a trembling but sincere voice "I… will forget about this."

She turned and left without another word, her footsteps so brisk, any faster and she would be running. From the shadows, Lord Gloom emerged, his eyes fixed on the door Elizabeth had just walked through. "Did you really have to be so cruel? The poor girl almost fainted. You could have explained it gently and with patience like you always do."

Minerva didn’t look at him right away. She just stared at the door Elizabeth had disappeared through, her eyes unreadable.

"Kindness would have only fed the illusion." Minerva finally said. "My words must wound now, or she'll bleed later alone, unprepared."

She turned to Lord Gloom, her expression firm, tired.

"It is my duty to break illusions. Especially the beautiful ones." She stepped back to her chair, picked up her book, and sat with slow precision. "Being a leader isn’t about softness. It’s about choosing who gets to carry the weight… and who doesn’t. If I must be cruel to keep my sisters whole then cruel I shall be."

Lord Gloom said nothing for a moment, then gave a sigh.

"As you say... also, I'm here to ask if I could have-"

"No. Leave."

"So mean! Okay!" And once again, the shadows swallowed Lord Gloom whole leaving Minerva alone in the room.​

---

Action 1: Rituals for All!

Spoiler: Order Details

- 2 Astral Pearls will be used to summon a Harpy Trio (One Gamayun, 2 Sirin). Lady Minerva uses "Call Forth Champions" to ensure the Gamayun is a Hero (Magic 4+ Please) and possibly one if not both the Sirin. I am Legion is used to double the number of summon.
- 1 Death Gem will be used to summon a Jahi, doubled with I am Legion, and boosted by "Call Forth Champions" (if possible) (Also, this is tentative, idk if Taran actually successfully rolled for a death gem)
- Lord Gloom will be mechanically summoned as a Hero.

Action 2: Go on a disco

Spoiler: Order Details

Ha! You thought there was something here? But no! It's a secret action! You have been tricked! Now, move along, loser.

 

[CaptainSully]

VULKAN

scroll

“Domina!” Called out a young boy, his voice trembling as his eyes caught a glimpse of true horror. His sister, his confidant, his protector, caught in the grasp of a being beyond comprehension.

“R…r…” she tried to speak as a tentacle gripped tighter and tighter around her neck. Eventually through gritted teeth she forced out one word, “...run!”

The young boy watched as her eyes began to bulge as the grip on her neck grew tighter and tighter. Within seconds he watched his sister's head pop like the head of a spot, a fountain of gore and viscera covering her attacker. A high pitched scream was all the boy could manage before turning and running.

His feet slipped on the strange astral grass beneath his feet and before he could gain traction he felt an ice cold tentacle grip his leg. It was a sensation he had never felt before, coldness but with a horrific burning pain. He wriggled furiously as his body was lifted off the floor, leaving him to dangle in the air.

The young boy soon stopped and turned to his sister's killer. One lone eye stared at him, it's pupil expanding as it eyed him up. Several layers of pulsating flesh rolled backwards to reveal a maw filled with rows upon rows of teeth. A strange, horrifying gurgling escaped the gigantic mouth, making the boy even more fearful. He could feel the grip on his ankle loosen until he was free falling. Time appeared to slow as the array of teeth drew closer. The boy was completely helpless, tears streaming down his face…then darkness.

Vulkan opened his eyes and stared out across the calming sea. Who needed to sleep when such a horrific memory was burnt into his brain? The Dhampir sat beneath the shade of a tree, the chirping of birds and wash of the water soothing him deeply. The relaxation was soon disturbed however.

“Vulkan sir…” the voice was soft and quiet, yet one of the most familiar he knew, “...it's time for the announcement.”

The voice came from a Tortle, attendant and ultimately best friend to Vulkan, Astix. His blue flesh and stone black shell were a familiar sight, accompanying the leader of Kvarth almost everywhere he went. Taking his hands from his waist Vulkan turned to Astix with his trademark grin.

“You always have the worst time ya blue prick,” he said accompanied by a chuckle. Moving towards his friend he wrapped his arm around him warmly and slowly began to move the Tortle to the city square. Astix and his kind often stood the same height as humans, but their bulk made them seem comparably massive. “Let's go and tell the public the great news eh?”

After a walk from the secluded beach, through several streets and alleyways, security checkpoints and heavily guarded gates, the pair finally reached the purposefully built wooden stage sat in front of the ever growing crowd. One of the organisers tried to hustle Vulkan along, his exasperated expression solely down to his decision to take in his favourite view of Kvarth.

“Time to go and say hello to everyone I guess…make sure you're here when I'm done, we’re going back to mine so you can tell me about your wedding plans,” said Vulkan as he walked towards the staircase leading up to the stage platform. Astix simply looked at him in surprise, he had told nobody about his recent proposal to his significant other.

“Don't look so surprised, as soon as you'd done it she came and told me,” Vulkan said laughing, punching his friend in the arm. “She wanted permission to use the city hall, but you should have told me ya I'm uncultured.”

Vulkan winked and waved at Astix before ascending the stairs. As the wooden wall to his side made way, a vast sea of people came into view. His emergence was accompanied by a vast cheer throughout the square. He crossed the stage, heading towards the other council members. They all gently clapped along but their expressions weren't exactly warm. They had spent the last hour talking to the public, only for Vulkan to arrive at the last minute to deliver the biggest news.

The Dhampir approached the pedestal and raised his arms into the air. Bringing them down slowly to bring the cheers to little more than a gentle murmur. He took a moment to look at his people, waving to a pair of excited children at the front row.

“People of Kvarth, thank you for making a lowly Dhampir like me feel loved to the point my heart starts beating once more,” he said to glorious applause.

“I want to thank the rest of the council for stepping in up to this point, without their help, knowledge and dedication to you all, the prosperity we all revel in would not be possible.” Vulkan began to clap, turning towards the other council members as the rest of the crowd joined in the applause. The council members smiled to the populace and waved but still regarded Vulkan with steely looks of frustration. As the applause died down Vulkan continued.

“As you all know, Kvarth has been a haven for everyone and anyone who wants to better their lives for themselves and their families. People who don't fit in with the standards or norms of other places come here and work to help make this city great. Our motto has always been, one people, one city. The council exists solely to ensure this vision is realised, no one person on this stage is any more important than any of you. Yet this world, this dark cruel world, allows people to have ownership over other living creatures. This…this fundamentally goes against the very principles of what we all here believe and so, with great honour, I hereby announce that from this day forth, slave ownership will be outlawed in the city of Kvarth!”

The crowd became enraptured, the loudest they had been that day. The city had often been seen as a haven for former slaves and almost everyone in the city knew someone who has been touched by the horrid practise.

“Please…please…” he said gesturing with his hands and a smile, finally calming the people down. “In addition to this, Kvarth is going to officially become a safe haven for slaves. Those who come here seeking to break their chains will be granted sanctuary and freedom. To help these people, the council has levied the funds to create a new, purpose built facility. This facility will be used to welcome new arrivals, provide them with accomodation, food, water and ultimately to understand their own needs but also what skills they can bring to the city. Once a place has been found for them, they will be introduced to the wider city and become part of our home. Our family will grow and no more will anyone be able to claim another person as their property!”


Actions

- Scene - Join the Flaustan Exhibition.

- Action 1 - Send people out into the world to acquire books, tomes, scrolls and any other records or knowledge of The Astral Seas.

[Bonus: Witches information network will assist with leads etc]

- Action 2 - Slavery is now outlawed within Kvarth and Kvarth is now a safe haven for slaves. Immediate construction of a new processing centre for slaves who arrive into Kvarth and have somewhere to live until they settle in. They will be helped to find jobs and ultimately contribute and improve the economy. Spend 1 EP to construct the building and if there is any leftover, buy the freedom of some slaves.

[Perk: City of Trade - You will have slightly higher relations with your neighbors [if you have NPC neighbours!], making EP through actions is a bit easier, but if your EP hits certain thresholds, pirates and other such folk may start being a pest!]

© reveriee

 

[Dest]

Akiko, Lady of Flames
Turn 1​

---

‘I truly never will get used to the funeral traditions of the Tanuki,’ Akiko though to herself, watching as the procession bearing her predecessor approached. ‘To be buried in the ground, body left to rot, it simply feels unnatural.’ As they drew to a stop in front of her she gave a sad smile towards the body of her friend and mentor. ‘Tozo, how I will miss our talks and the advice which you have long given me. May your spirit find it’s place among our ancestors.’

Waiting a few more moments for the procession to lower the bier, the Kitsune stepped forward and looked out over the gathered mass of Yōkai and humans that had come to see their beloved ruler laid to rest. Many openly shed tears as they watched the procession, even more had their heads bowed hiding them from those around them.

“Today we are gathered to lay to rest Lord Tozo, leader of our beautiful lands for the last thirty years,” she began the speech that she had long agonized over, trying to figure out how to sum up the experiences of the one who had taught her nearly all she knew about both leadership and life. “Lord Tozo took control of Tokuzo at a time of strife, the provinces were in chaos and several were in an open rebellion. And yet, rather than dragging us into a civil war that would have devastated us, he travelled, he learned, he understood their strife and their worries. And, when he had learned all that he could? He presented himself the leaders of those provinces and negotiated with them, bring solutions to the problems that they had presented and aided them and their people,” Akiko took a moment to take a breath after that statement, gauging the crowd for a moment. “Lord Tozo brough what could have been the very end of Tokuzo as it was, and instead he returned us to an ever-greater glory than we had ever experienced. And this type of leadership and rule continued for the three decades in which he graced us, negotiations and trade instead of war and raiding. Even onto his deathbed Lord Tozo continued his work, leaving with me his final instructions for our people. And now, we finally lay this wonderful Tanuki to his long deserved rest.”

Stepping to the side, Akiko watched as the tanuki who had been carrying the body began to lower it into the hole slowly, all around her singing began as chosen yōkai began to let out the funeral dirges. And, as she took a final moment to bow her head and give a quiet prayer, she allowed her voice to join theirs, for the final time her voice just being another among dozens.
​

---

Actions

Action 1: Explore the lands of Tokuzo
"If I am to rule our kingdom, I will ensure that all of my people have the chance to see me."
- Lady Akiko, Year 1301 of the Eighth Age, Talirus Calender

Action 2: Rituals (Contact Rhuax, Augery)
'I must contact my patron if I am to find a way to gain more strength.'
- Diary of Lady Akiko, unknown time​

 

[palmtree219]

Aisyr
Turn 1​

---

Alone. Exiled by mine own will. And in mine absence, so brief it was, the gods themselves hath gone silent... Were I not to have forsaken my duty, would thee have remained, Mercy? Art thou safe, whither thou hast ventured?

I will carry out thy will in thy stead, till thou returns. Hope will return to this darkening plane.​

---

Actions

1) Aisyr will arrive upon the mortal plane in the Atrakor Foothills, heading steadily towards the Ghostwall. She will grant protection and hope to any she wanders across who are in need, but otherwise will be focused on reaching the Ghostwall and determining its current state.

2) Listen for prayers. If someone needs protection, Aisyr will answer their call, teleporting to their location. If not, Aisyr will simply continue wandering, searching for evil or other threats to mortal life to purge.​

 

[Mechking]

Nythandr
Turn 1​

A lone hunter stalked through a forest, only to freeze when he saw a sleeping hydra. One of the heads is wasn't asleep though and spotted them quickly.
"FLEE!"
It bellowed out in common and the hunter ran away in fear. Startled from the noise the other two heads of the hydra stirred awake and its body slowly got up.

"What was it?"
"Some human."
"I'm hungry."
"We're always hungry!"
"Why not eat humans?"
"We don't eat humans, they're gonna hunt us down. Too many of them."
"So, we don't eat them..."
"Yes."
"Except when they're strong!"
"Or tasty."
"NO!...You're gonna be the death of me."
"But we ate some before."
"Yes and do you know why?"
"Because they attacked us."
"True, but I didn't ask you!"
"But we're all 'me'!"
"Urgh...Let's just get something to eat."


A herd of deer were grazing peacefully nearby, the sun bathing them in its warm (undarkened) glow. The ears of a few of them perked up and they cautiously looked around until suddenly a wave of electricity washed over them, killing them instantly.

"This is way better than with acid!"
"Or poison."
"Not like we had other options before."
"Guess we got lucky when the gods left."
"Seems like it, at least for now."
"Since when did they ever do anything for us?"
"Oh, I don't know, they were keeping Elysium together?"
"Bloody smartass..."
"Shut it and finish eating you two!"

The deer got devoured whole, not a bone was spared. Soon the munching and crunching stopped, and all three heads let out a loud burp.

"Now that we had a meal...I want to hunt something strong to eat."
"I want to eat something special or unique!"
"Let's eat both before we eat each other. Or I eat YOU!"
"Calm down, we already did that yesterday..."


Actions Turn 1

Action 1: Find and eat something special or unique, such as unique resources or rare creatures

Action 2: Hunt something strong or worthy to eat, preferably a monster with a collection of loot

Movement: Throughout the region, but not leaving it

Relevant stats and traits: Might 3, Water 1, Death 1, Spirit Sight, Keen Senses, Amphibious

 

[LadyOfStars]

Iustitia Sylaise

Mentions: Kent​

'Days of the vanishing Sun' was the title given to the collection of records archived by the court during the week when the sun was not fulfilling its duties. Chronicling day-to-day events is abnormal for the court's stenographers, but its heavy activity during that terrifying week made it impossible to avoid. When the world went dark Sylaise's faint glow made him a magnet for the cowering masses which greatly increased the efficiency of his court. He followed the chaos of the week and headed north along a river that fed and watered his court. But the chaos eventually came to an end and the entourage he had garnered thinned until Sylaise was left alone once more.

Valley of Witches​

Enveloped in rays of warm, new sunlight, Sylaise bathed in the river to wash away the blood and sins of the guilty. On the bank of the river stood his cane, firmly planted in the soft soil and keeping watch over the godbound. "Where do you plan to go from here elf?!" Called the broken, squawking voice of Kulhar from within the skull. "You have no entourage, you have no leads on the wanted, and Agartha grows more powerful with each passing -." The rambling came to an end as Sylaise dragged his right hand through the air and zipped Kulhar figurative lips.

"The black sun was not Agartha's doing." As he protested Kulhar's insinuation, Sylaise pulled his iridescent robes up from the surface of the water and wrapped them back around his still wet form. Had he been suffering one of his episodes then he may have fallen for that tale and perhaps even started to panic, but the Judge was stable, for now. He knew bigger threats loomed over the horizon than what Agartha alone could produce. "And I am not without aim." He corrected.

"We are heading north, where the previous stenographer said there were witches." The species brought a smile to the elf's face as he stepped back on to dry land and snatched his cane. "Your blood would sizzle if you had any." Sylaise mocked. "Seeing your greatest pupil seek out lowly witches to replace you."


Actions:

1. Train Death Magic in the Valley of Witches
2. Search for criminals along the path to the Valley.

 

[ThatWhichShouldBe]

Han Liuyang
Turn 1

10 years ago….
The child is matted with dirt. His hair caught into clumps by some nameless sticky substance. And yet, he is smiling happily as he walks down the back-streets of the city. Three swords he had carted off the battlefield- each one a fine thing, barely damaged, and exchanged to the iron-monger for a few silvers. He would be able to buy dumplings today. Now, he was coming back with four more blades, to earn his stay in the stables at the inn. It was going to rain tonight, so he didn’t want to sleep on the street.

Han stops on his way, turning to look down the alleyway. There was sound there common to his ears- the sound of someone being beaten to a pulp for their coin. Another group of thugs- they all blurred together, were kicking someone on the ground.

Hm. He recognized that person though. Those white feathers and green tunic. It was Mr. Cluckson, wasn’t it? He liked Mr. Cluckson. When he bought dumplings from him, Mr. Cluckson gave him the deluxe ones, the ones with the little eggs in them, for the cost of the normal ones. Yes. He liked Mr. Cluckson.

His little feet carry him down the alleyway, Han shifting the weight of the swords on his back a bit. The thugs turn to look at him, grinning.

“Well, well, well. Look who brought us some fine-lookin’ gear. Right, you’re just a kid, so hand ‘em over and things won’t get ugly.”

The leader of the group has a bit of a limp. An old injury to the knee, Han figured.

“We’re all tired from kickin’ this idiot anyhow,” the one on the left says, scratching his chin. He’s got an eyepatch over the right eye- that was a blindspot.

The last one… yes, the last one is drunk. Han can smell the rice wine from here. Han tilts his head, thinking for a moment. He could give them the swords, and they’d be off after kicking him a little, and he could help Mr. Cluckson. But Han didn’t want to. Han looks at the swords for a moment. He’d seen how they were used before. How did it go…? He grabs one of their hilts, drawing it forward with a *schwing*- it’s heavy enough he has to carry it in two hands. The thugs just chuckle.

“Alright kiddo, guess we’re gonna have to teach you a lesson. Then sell ya. They’re always looking for bloo-”

Then leader’s head is gone. The other two can only follow its path through the air in shock, as it bounces off of the alley wall to land on the ground. Han turns to face them- standing protectively in front of the fallen Mr. Cluckson. He’d been a handful of meters away just a few moments before. The young man’s eyes are shining with something… indescribable. A flame that had lid the moment he had drawn that blade.

The thugs’ eyes look upon him in fear. But it’s already too late. Han steps forward….
===================
2 years ago…

The young man has two swords on his back as he steps out of the orphanage’s door. He knows he won’t be coming back. Not for a long while. He stands there on the porch, hesitating. Han his head back, wondering if he had anything more to say to his… father. But he’d already said many words, hadn’t he?

He faces the outside world, and steps forward.

How many times had he dreamed of setting for the horizon? How many times had he looked at a map of the world and wondered, how much it had to offer?

There were miracles waiting for him. He just had to find them.

Action 1 - Darkening Days
Han has negotiated the assistance of the Valley of Witch's advisors and magical experts, and so he will go about using the Valley's intelligence network to seek information in Kvarth that may offer some answer for the cause behind the Week of Darkness, and perhaps some clues as to what monsters are behind it. With Kvarth a trade city, its libraries and scholars collect tomes from all over the world, and information and news can be found in abundance from travellers. Perhaps there is some pattern to be found, some hidden bit of lore.... All the world is abuzz with fear and rumor and with the aid of the wise Witches, he can only hope to find truth amidst the chaos.

Action 2 - The Search
Han will whisper ‘Sites’ to the Atlas, searching for them in Kvarth.
Site Order: Astral, Fire, Earth, Nature, Water, Nature, Blood, Air, Death

Misc
Scene Request - Joining Auri’s scene exploring Flaustan, ferried to Flaustan and back by Vulkan’s astral teleport.
2 Heartwood from Auri, Assistance from the Valley of Witches due to a deal
Kloudy is preventing bad event. Giving Kloudy a Fate Point to do so.

Movement: Starting in Kvarth, Flying -> Atrakor foothills -> Atrakor forest -> Flaustan

 

[Trektek]

Throne of Heaven 2

Reginald Penbrook


Drip, drip, drip.

The sound of water droplets hitting the cavern floor echoed down the corridor as the dwarven made machine stepped out of its alcove. It had been there for so long in an endless slumber, hidden away from the Dangerous All Powerful God that wished him and all his ilk dead and destroyed.

His sleek Blacksteel frame was being covered up by an outfit that would be worn by a nobleman that he pulled out of a glass cabinet along with a wooden cane tipped with a steel head of a ram.

There could be two options that he was finally awakened from the darkest depths. Option one, The Sovereign changed their mind about technology and all would be going swimmingly for the dwarves and the world at large. Or Option Two, that the something happened to the Sovereign and they are no longer manning the desk.

Option two seemed the much more likely one. He could feel the steam coursing through his metallic systems as his mind was racing a mile a minute. The ability to create vast technology that was above what the world at large was capable of was at his fingertips.

As he bought himself out of the vast underground system that had kept him safe for this countless amount of time, he could see the land before him. It was a trade hub. He could tell that much from what he could see. The hustle and bustle of the city below made his eyes light up with wonder.

Yes. This would make a great place to set up a headquarters for his soon to be worldwide organization of INDUSTRY. He needed to spread technology to the people to allow them to better grow and find themselves.

How many people died due to lack of equipment or medicine or shelter which could be easily mass produced on a large scale. He would do better for all of them. He would raise the world up. Starting with this nation. And then, all the ones that wished to be a part of this brand new future that lay before all of them.


Passive Improvement roll for Kvar
**Result**: 3d100 (69, 91, 25)
**Total**: 185

Action 1: Build a Weapons Factory in Sully’s City

Action 2: Craft a Steam Tank using 3 Adamantium for Myself. Craft a Chain Axe with 1 Adamantium For Sully

 

[Abstracty]

Turn 1 - Feiye Jinzi, The Golden Goose, Supreme Trade Lord of the Quack Dynasty


Slowly waddling along a neatly cobble road, Feiye Jinzi made many quick notes of what his scribes were reporting. The Supreme Trade Lord had decided to have a grand inspection of fields and granaries, after the the sky had turned dark on the land. "Everything is in order, your excellence. The commune doesn't report any crop failure.", a bailiff proudly reported, gesturing over the rice fields they could survey from the top of a small hill they soon reached. "Excellent indeed. Make sure to report precise numbers of anything you harvest or lose out on harvesting.", the golden goose instructed, before waddling back to his flying wok, waiting further down the road. He would visit many different communities and speak to their leaders, trying to investigate first-hand what ramifications the Quack Dynasty might deal with after losing the sun so unexpectedly.

The further he flew, the more confident he grew, as Feiye Jinzi realized, that a golden opportunity presented itself amongst all the worries. Their crops had not failed them, but reports from other realms told how lucky they were. Or how careful and dilligent. As Supreme Trade Lord it was his duty to ensure his peoples enduring prosperity and after a lot of fields had been inspected and numbers crunched, his top advisors were in agreement with him. They needed to expand their farming and export food to the other realms after creating safe stockpiles for themselves. But whilst the economical side was quickly dealt with, there was the looming threat of another, longer period of darkness. How fortunate was it then to receive word from the Witches of the Valley, inviting Feiye Jinzi to their home. New friends were needed and Jinzi saw it as an ideal chance to strengthen his magic, something he would no doubt need if he wanted to decipher the meaning behind the worlds sun growing tired. But first, it was time to rest before the journey. Jinzi eagerly waddled towards the smell of hot noodle soup.


Action 1: Ensuring the food supply
The Quack Dynasty will increase their agricultural efforts and make an effort to create additional fields, also diversifying their crops to attempt to lessen the impact of any further sun outtage. 1 EP is invested for this effort. (Doubles due to Responsible Spending)("Welcome to the Rice Fields, Mothacluckas" will likely also help)

Free Action: Draw gems from the Vault of Plenty. Rolled for on Discord. Choose one black gem and one green gem.
Free Action: Eye of the Merchant - Examine the green gem for value and properties

Action 2: As per agreement on Discord, one black gem is payed to Kent Lady Minerva for premium tutoring in the valley, Feiye Jinzi hopes to improve his magic spheres as much as he can. (Currently Nature 2, Water 2, Earth 1)
Movement: To the Valley to learn magics

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

Turn 1 - Rudus the Lost​

Somewhere in the Shrine City, a fresh eyed, young man stood in front of a pair of large wooden doors. He gingerly brushed his shirt, removing any creases he could find and cleared his throat. Taking a deep breath, the young man opened the doors and stepped in. "Hello! My name is Xenophon! I am here to inquire about the adventurer position." The young man loudly said only to walk into a quiet reception lobby where a young lady behind a counter glanced up at him from the pile of paper work that sat before her. The lady said "Please take a seat, sir. I will check with Mr. Rudus to see if he is available." as she quietly rose from her seat behind the counter and walked towards an ornate looking office door.

Xenophon looked around the empty lobby. It was sparkling clean and brand new, which was rather confusing. He had heard that this building was an orphanage not too long ago, but an Adventurer's guild had set up shop recently. Xenophon walked to a seat, but as soon as he sat, the reception lady came back "Mr. Rudus will see you now." Xenophon awkwardly stood immediately back up and adjusted his belt. He walked towards the office door and entered. Before him was a fancy looking office room, with a lot of wooden furniture. Numerous paintings hung on the walls of happy looking young kids, yet one thing that was constant among all the paintings was a little red smiling doll. In fact, said red doll sat on top of the large office desk, smiling and looking at the doorway. Was this the Guild's mascot or something? Where was Mr. Rudus? Perhaps, he would enter soon.

Xenophon sat in a chair in front of the desk, continuing to look at the doll. It was an odd looking doll. He couldn't tell what kind of material it was made out of. Out of curiosity, Xenophon reached over to grab the doll when Xenophon suddenly heard a nasally, high pitched voice. "AHAHAHA! Whoa whoa! At least buy me some dinner before touching me! I'm ticklish!" Xenophon pulled his hand back and looked around confused. Where had the voice come from? "Well, I suppose you're doing a better job than the last fella we interviewed. He just sat there silently for twenty minutes before I finally said something." Xenophon then looked at the doll. The voice seemed to originate from there. "Mr. Rudus?" Xenophon replied.

"The one and only!" The doll replied. "You know, it's usually custom to introduce yourself when you enter an interview, but I'll at least give you a point for being curious." Xenophon with an aghast look on his face was mortified. "I... I am sorry, Mr. Rudus. I, I didn't expect a doll to be a Guild Master." The doll replied "Well, I hope you get used to it quickly cause there's a lot stranger things out there than a talking doll." Xenophon nodded silently before speaking "I hope you can forgive me, Mr. Rudus. I am Xenophon. I am here to inquire about the Adventurer position. I believe I have a lot to offer." The doll replied "Everyone who walks through that door says the same thing, but not all of them are made of the right stuff. Let's see if you are, Xena... yea... I'm going to just call you Xen from now on. You can call me Red. Anyways! Let's not waste much more time. It's time to prove yourself with a quest. Let's go see Helen up front to see if there's new quests submitted. You'll pick one and complete it as your entrance exam."

"Yes, sir!" Xenophon said with eagerness as he stood up and began to walk towards the door back to the lobby. "Hey! You forgot about me!" Xenophon heard from behind. "Oh, sorry sir." Xenophon replied as he turned back around and picked up the doll from the desk. "Now put me on your shoulders and let's go see Helen. She's my assistant. Known her since she was a little girl." Xenophon put the doll on his shoulders and felt a light pull on his head. Questions filled Xenophon's head, but seeing how confused and chaotic this interview had been, he did not have the gall to start asking a million questions. He was here for the job after all and it seemed that he was given a chance. "Good! Now, on wards my noble steed!" Xenophon heard as he began to walk back towards the Guild Hall lobby to speak with Helen about the new quests. Xenophon had little idea that his new life as an adventurer and noble steed was about to begin in unexpected ways.

---

Action 1: Quests!

Action 2: TP to Talirus cause of Kent and then build another Adventurer's Guildhall in Talirus with the assistance of Senator Gracchus

Artifact Rolls:

Heyitsjiwon
Result: 1d6 (6)
Total: 6

Heyitsjiwon
Result: 1d100 (12)
Total: 12

 

[Crocodile]

Sacho the Beast
Turn 01
Clowning Around
​

---

The jingle of bells announced the approach of the clown to no one in particular. Honestly there wasn't anyone on this road to speak of save for the damn clown. She looked bored and was considering things as she trotted away from the Valley while humming to herself. Her orange and gold eyes roam about, searching for something to focus on, something to do after all the excitement of finally arriving on this silly little plane of existence. The Sovereign being out of the equation was kind of depressing. Who was supposed to be the morally uptight repressive ass she could entice people away from?!? And now the sun was flickering like a sputtering torch after some jackass went and switched if off for a little. That wouldn't do. This world was too fun to let fall off into oblivion. Too much Sin to seed and spread. So much lost potential if the sun sputtered away for good.

Sacho looks around again as she continues her jaunty walk that some could have considered purposefully enticing. She did embody Sin and her body was built for Lust. The word of Sin sung out in her in all ways and she reveled in every second of it. Boredom won out as she rummages in her pocket and suddenly produces a devil shaped hand puppet. The puppet shakes like a dog trying to get pocket lint off itself.

"Yuck! Put me in the other pocket with Mr. Shiny! That stupid rope leaves stringy bits that cling to me!" Mr. Flibble declared to Sacho, her mouth moving to voice his side of things in a grizzly little voice.

"Oh calm down, Mr. Rope needs to be there with you. I can't trust you with Mr. Shiny. You might scuff him," Sacho retorted to the puppet atop her left hand as she continues her one person show with no audience to be seen.

"Bleh! Rope bits, rope bits, I should call it quits!" Mr. Flibble rhymed and looks around. "This is boring."

"That's why I pulled you out, dummy. We need to plot," Sacho sad and flicks the puppets nose.

"Ow! Fine! What's the plan? The boss got what he wanted, are we gonna keep working that?" Mr. Flibble asked as his little stubby puppet hands come up to rub his nose.

"Well yeah, gotta do our job, right? I'm thinking more about getting that tasty info from that Fae in Dur-Callum. Three offering options, but I think gluttony is best. We'll give her this precious Jack she's so eager to have. A soul is something I'm more comfortable with trading."

"Jack, Jack, what a Hack! Jack, Jack, in the Sack!" Mr flibble declares and cackles madly for a moment before coughing and straightening. "So, we get to have FUN?"

"Yes, Mr. Flibble, we get to have FUN," Sacho said as she flashes her sharp teeth.

"Is that ALL the fun we get to have?" He tilts his head as if almost begging for more in posture and tone.

"Oh please, you think I'm going to pass up spreading a bit of Sin in those lands. The people there seem perfect for more Gluttony. They love a good fight and raiding, but they feast just as much. Now isn't the time for Wrath. We need to fatten people up, make them stronger, more eager, more ambitious," Sacho said and licks her lips at the thought of priming the surrounding lands for greater acts of SIn. "So delicious."

"Oooooh, so we get them to feast with their neighbors? Maybe battle the local troubles as they slowly sink into cesspools of pride and glory?" Mr Flibbles offers with a giggle of dark delight.

"Sounds about right. We need the mortals more ready to throw at problems. Whatever is screwing with the sun isn't from our end. So we have to push it off the board. This world is OURS."

The pair cackle at that as they continued their walk along the road to Dur-Callum. Idle hands truly were the devil's plaything as Mr. Flibble began to croon more terrible song lyrics about this Jack fellow that Sacho was off to harvest for a bargain.

---

Actions
Move: Move from the Valley into Dur-Callum
1: Pursue Jack to capture his soul as an offering for a bargain with a Fae in Dur-Callum in possession of valuable information.
2: Seek out and spread acts of Gluttony to inspire the locals of Dur-Callum to feed their neighbors to help them recover from the Long Night that has occurred.

 

[LecternOfJasper]

Vesta Fernagu
Turn 1
​

The Mother of Monsters glared at the bed where Gharrik typically lay. The Long Dark (as the beastmen began to call it) had shaken them all. Worse still was the scene before her.



It was a small cave. Gharrik was not a small man. He could have done well and earned a greater place to stay had he any drive in the Hunts, but he was always the easy going sort, content to dream, sing terribly, and gather apples in the fall.... The thought almost brought a smile to Vesta's face.



Instead, she sniffed at the cave walls, where long, jagged marks had been scored into the stone as if it were air. Nothing, save the blood pooled in them that long since dried. It was everywhere, splattered along the cave walls as if it couldn't wait to escape. The air was lousy with the smell of it. And panic. And fear.



And Gharrik.



The trail, if you'd call it that, vanished at the entrance of the cave. Whatever had got him had simply disappeared. It was... not right. Unnatural. Her nose was good. Far better than she remembered, these days. But this... whatever had grabbed her son - they were all her sons, to the Mother - didn't fucking smell like anything.



She wasn't accustomed to mysteries. And the sobbing beastkin at the mouth of the cave certainly wasn't either.



"THEEY TOOK MY GHARRRY," the crying woman bellowed between gasps for air. Poor soul, Vesta thought, recalling the first time one she loved was taken from her. She moved to comfort the wretch, wrapping an arm around her narrow shoulders and walking her further into the fresh air. "I Will find it. What beast that did this," she said, uncertain of the promise even now.



The stench of blood and death wafted over from other caves and houses. Some of the dwellings had collapsed from the force of whatever had come. And no one had even seen the creatures. Ghosts? They could be dealt with. Even if much of the family can't, there's very little a proper werewolf can't bite if need be.



But if the ones you love are taken by nothing at all.... That is something beyond her ken.



She shed a tear for Gharrik and held the beastkin for some time. Bireny was never quick to pick up knowledge or put down emotions, and her initiation didn't help matters, but Vesta loved all her children. She would do all she could to keep them from suffering. Especially when it's suffering like this.



Maybe... someone had to know what was going on. And if they weren't here, then she'd just have to find them somewhere else. After all, what wouldn't she do for her family?



She pulled Bireny off her, the poor girl having clung to her like she lost her feet along with her lover, and gave the beastkin a reassuring smile. "I Will. Find him," Vesta says through teeth that did not open. "They will all be returned to us. You know our way," she continues, as he teeth and face begin to lengthen. In a process that is certainly sickening to those that aren't accustomed to it, she transforms into a large wolf and bounds away. She couldn't help, even with the red stench of her family's blood washing over the hills and a complete lack of a trail, to feel the thrill of the Hunt rising in her bones.



The sun watched her from its uncertain perch in the sky, the ball of fire seeming now to be both a measure if time and the end of it. She stopped on a hilltop and howled her outrage, the call picked up by her pack and heard by all those in the Atrakian Foothills. It spoke of rage, and loss, and vengeance. It spoke of the black journey of the sun, and the Hunt of that which lurks in the Long Dark. It spoke of the beauty of the new morning.



It was a beautiful morning, after all. After a week, any morning is beautiful.

---

Action 1: Seeking Answers

The Fernagu Pack is sending out members of the Unturned and some of the smarter werewolves to try and gather information on the Long Dark, and what being might have set this curse upon their land. Vesta herself will be pouring over the last places her taken family members were seen, hoping for any shred of evidence or understanding of what these beasts are.

Useful traits: Werewolves (enhanced senses, stealth, etc), Mistress of the Hunt, Beast Tongue

Action 2: A Greater Whole

Among other things, the recent tragedy has proven that the Pack is weak to impossibly sneaky shadow creatures that leave no trace and can slice up stone like butter. There's not much they can do against all that, but leave it to the werewolves to find a bone to pick. They will train, and they will train, and they will train... hell, maybe they'll make somewhere to train in. They have some big caves around; why not focus some energy towards honing their skills fighting in near total darkness? And so the idea for the Greater Whole was hatched.

Useful traits: None lmao

 

[Cosmo]

Lady Minerva
Turn 1
Kent

Deals had been made, gems had been gathered and so summoning would be done! Minerva peeled back the veil between worlds and beckoned creatures forward. But it took more strength and mana then she had, even with her considerable reserves so eager was she to push the boundaries of her power [2 Fate Used, Stamina at 30%]. There was a moment of silence as the green tear in reality flickered before them... Before two large beautiful women flew through it and into Minerva's ritual chambers, circling around the chamber, interweaving with one another before they 'landed' before her and bowed. They harpies with resplendent blue and purple feathered wings with talon feet that looked like they could easily pierce a man and carry them off.. which is exactly what they were for. The one on the left had long blond hair that fell around her bare torso in waves while the one on the left had short black hair, trimmed neatly to frame her face, they spook in voices of music, "Norena," the blond said with a mischievous smile, "Lyvete" the black haired gamayun said with a solicitous wink as she folded her wings around herself to give Minerva a 'bashful' glance up and down, "What a lovely new mistress we have, isn't she Norena?"

"Oh, yes, Lyvete, so lovely, I hope they have room for the little ones.."

As if on que, the portal spat out a large group of Sirin, with green and golden feathers, they looked a lot like their larger sisters, although somehow 'less'. They were smaller, more the size of child and seemed to be more interested in prancing around the room, looking at everything then following some kind of protocol, but eventually, they too lined up and bowed before their new mistress, a chorus of music hitting the witch's ears as they greeted her.

Gain
Norena and Lyvete [Identical]
Might 3
Air 2
Astral 2

[Awe] [Flight] [Intelligent]

Sirin
Minerva gains enough Sirin to always declare there are Sirin within the Valley, and whenever she marches to war, she may always request Sirin as a military unit. Sirin are a flying unit with a good amount of stealth, before a battle, sirin can attempt to seduce the enemy into deserting the force and 'running away' with them.

The harpies enjoy their time here, but eventually are told to depart elsewhere so Minerva can continue her rituals.. This time a black portal opens, a tear in reality as if all light had simply vanished. She waited, and she waited... But nothing happened. Until a hand touched her face, whirling around she found two naked women with great wings appearing from their backs leaning on her, "Oh who is this lovely little thing, sister?" a dark red haired woman said, her ruby lips peeling back to reveal a row of white teeth, her emerald eyes glowing with curiosity.

"I don't know pet," a winged woman said, her long black hair swung behind her as her almond eyes gazed up and down Minerva, as if stripping her bare, "I think we've been stolen from our dear husband by this creature~"

"Oh my!" The red head said and placed a hand over her mouth, but it couldn't hide the wide almost predatory smile, "He's going to be so upset~ But she does look so tasty."

"We will just have to have our fun with our new," there was a pause before they both said the word together, as if excited for the way it felt in their mouth to say, "Mistress! I hope our husband doesn't find us soon," the almond eyed Jahi said and it was hard to tell if she meant it or was merely pretending, "Please, pet, if you die, know you will be in our hearts for ever," she said as she gently placed Minerva's hand on her naked chest, "And we will so look forward to eating yours."

Gained
Ananya and Shakti [Identical]
Might 3
Death 3

[Life Drain] [Dream Seduction] [Stealth] [Flight]

Action 2...
IS A SECRET!​

 

[Cosmo]

Vulkan
Turn 1
CaptainSully

With the witches aid and guidance, the scouts Vulkan sent around looking for ancient tomes and lore proves fruitful. They come back with scrolls, books, and copies taken from ancient libraries and reserves from their neighbors and one even manages to find out that a nearby noble has an entire warehouse full of Talirus records on the subject. A fair collection was gathered and from this collection he'd have his choice on what to study... But what would he study? What would end up falling by the wayside to be forgotten? Options will be sent to DM. Only Minerva Kent will know what you picked [as it was his witches who aided you]. The witches have proven useful and, as such, they are a featured part of Kvarth and many people of means and wealth make use of their talents, after all, Vulkan did and to good results!

The Emancipation Proclamation

To declare Kvarth a 'free city', and not only that, but to outright declare that any slaves the run there are also free is... interesting. It is extremely popular with some, extremely unpopular with others and is a bold statement to all the nations of the world that 'if they don't like it, they can come and do something about it'. The idea of a refugee haven, is a strong one, but talks about 'slave ownership' and 'returns', is often something done behind closed doors or but the dragging of feet to make it all pointless, but the open declaration is.. bold especially with Belos so close. Atrakor is displeased but too disjointed to really make a large ruckus about it, while further nations are watching Kvarth to see if they will back up their words when it comes down to the wire.

The wealthy in the city, most of whom had slaves [imported from Belos] or simply dislike being told what to do, are extremely upset and already attempting to petition this order, but so far, it will stand... Although this may cause blood to rise, sooner or later. Many people are happy to see the trade end, but are less happy at the notion of these 'freed slaves' taking their work [this ignores that slaves were often already used for labor that could have had a wage attached] or the idea of a surge of refugees fleeing to their city instead of staying away and where they are, the processing center helps with this, the idea that these refugees will be 'locked up' and slowly interviewed to weed out the undesirables [likely not what was intended, but what they may believe], but this processing center strikes a nasty cord within many who support freedom as they see it as an unnecessary chain and burden on those already on the run. Run from bondage just to be locked up again and questioned? How long would they be in there?

In general, the populace are.... concerned, and tensions are growing rapidly, fights have broken out in bars and taverns over disagreements on what this should be and it has only been made worse by the darkening of the skies that some of the more insane claim is because Vulkan, and the Kvarth leadership, have abandoned the path of the gods and getting them all punished. Morale Of Kvarth is Very Low

This can be recovered, but it has created a 'fracture point' in your society that some may seek to exploit.

Processing Center
The Processing Center is to be constructed... But how grand of a building should it be? How should they do it? What should it look like? What is its purpose?

Pick One
[NOTE: The 1 EP you said was used for this was not used]

Welcome Center
Cost 1 EP

A welcoming building that is open to all people, even from the city, to explore it and take a look around, to see what's what. To check on the slaves, to ensure they are being treated fairly. This will greatly please the 'pro-freedom' segment of Kvarth but is not particularly protected or defended, and so, will be open to attack or riots from the city.

Processing Center
Cost 1 EP

This building is reasonably well defended, guards patrol it, the doors are sturdy and walls strong. People can schedule to walk its floors to see it, see how the freed slaves are being treated during operational hours. Xenophobic civilians will like this but freedom orientated civilians will be upset. Riots or attacks may breach this place, but it is unlikely a lone person would make much of an issue.

Interment Prison
Cost 2

A fort acting like a processing center. It has walls, a garrison, patrols. No one gets in, or out, without their say so. For the safety of those inside, no one can enter until they're released. This will infuriate the wealthy and freedom civilians but xenophobic civilians will adore this. If a riot large enough to breach this prison starts, there is likely a bigger issue going on.

REMINDER
You can spend more EP then you have, but doing so will put you into 'Debt'.​

 

[Kloudy]

The City of Shrines
médeis the Ineffable Gaze

Fluff/code wip for the moment

Action 1: Tell Fortune to npc
Action 2: Reform!

 

[Cosmo]

Akiko
Turn 1
Dest

There was lot to explore in Tokuzo, from the mist covered hills, to the dark forest that many yokai made homes or one of the hundreds of Torri gates that led to fantastical realms and sub-realities containing danger, treasure and wonder... But one of the primary things that was desired were the legendary shards of the Shikon No Tama. Scouts scoured the land and came back with a large amount of goods gathered from a Tengu vault that was abandoned:

Gain
1 Unit of Bloodsteel
10 Units of Rubies and Emeralds
6 Units of Spirit Wood

Its hard to say who this Tengu was, but it seems they had managed to gather a fair amount which isn't too uncommon. Tengu tend to love shiny things and make a habit out of acquiring large amounts of them.. While they don't know what happened to it, the fact the inside of the vault is covered in bloodstains and feathers, they believe that this tengu was taken during the darkening of the sun.

They did not find any shards of the Shikon No Tama, at least, unclaimed shards, but they have a lead. There is a great Dai Oni leading a large party of human brigands, that it uses to raid into the Quack Dyansty as well as people within Tokuzo, and many whisper that shards have been embedded into its forehead and the massive demon was using them to empower itself to great heights.

Possible Scene [Face the Dai Oni]

Site Searching

Akiko taps into her mastery of fire magic and spreads her mind across the land, and as she does this, three places call to her... Three places of great power. A site searching spell consumes all Akiko's stamina, she will be helpless for the rest of the turn.. Unless she has fate to use to replenish her stamina [1 Fate = 50% Stamina]

Pick One
The Eternal Flame
Within Tokuzo, there is a blue flame that burns. This flame will always burn, granting light and warmth to all that come to it, and has been burning for as long as the Titans walked this earth. This flame is feed from the Elemental Plane of Fire, itself, and so long as it is burned, the area around it is protected, and anyone taking shelter under this flame is granted [Sanctuary]. Each season, a Fire Gem will manifest within the flame that can be taken out and collected. On the turn Sanctuary is declared, two fire gems will be created.

Sanctuary - Once a year, you may declare 'Sanctuary' and Tokuzo will be protected from a global event.

Solar Lens
A large telescope lens floats upon a small hill. This lens seems impervious to damage and cannot be moved, it merely.. floats there. However, if fire magic is directed through it, the lens will begin to move, aiming at distant lands.. Ritual fire spells cast through this lens would be greatly empowered, have further range and cost less gems to do. Using the Solar Lens, a fire mage could rain untold devastation on the world. The lens does not produce gems.

Portal to the Blood War
The Blood War is the ancient war between Inferno and Hell that has raged since their creation. Battles wage constantly over the first layers of those respective realms as the Archdevil Ethanim and Demonlord Carthrax do battle. Blood, suffering and death on a scale unimaginable to Elysium reigns... And here, within Tokuzo is a portal that oversees this war. The Demons and Devils do not seem aware of the portals existence, but someone watching could 'reach in' and grab the raw essence of Hell and Inferno and pull them out. This would generate one Fire and one Blood Gem every season.. But that is not alll they could pull. The portal seems to 'jump' each season, between the realms, to different areas in them, focusing on different battles, the owner could reach through and pluck resources and items valiable only in these realms, but if they are not careful, those on the other side may become aware of this portal. [Each turn, gain 1 Blood gem and 1 Fire gem, you can roll a d100 to try and take more stuff, but on a low roll, something else may come out]

Rhaux, the Fire King

Akiko meditates near a large fire of her own making, closes her eyes, and sends her mind and thoughts to the raging fire nearby..

Heat washes over her body, her flesh sears from the bone before it is pulled back into place only to sear away again. Her skeletal hand, blackened and burnt, moves before her eyes.. Then she is whole, yet again. Standing before her is a world aflame. Obsidian rocks an ocean of lava, the clouds burn as sulphur rains from the sky and chokes the air from her lungs. A mountain emerges from the ocean, covered in obsidian plates and black metal, a figure rises to dominate the horizon, it extends down a single massive hand the size of a castle that Akiko climbs onto and begins the long trek to the center of the palm. Lava and fire crackle between the obidian and metal, but they do not burn, it is warm, like a blanket drapped over her shoulders on a cold evening.

The hand rises into the air, and she comes face to face with Rhaux, Primordial King of the Elemental Plane of Fire. His face is solid obsidian, numerous horns rise out from his head like flames twisting above, his eyes are hollow and blaze like the caldera of a volcano as streams of molten metal run down them like tears. He opens his mouth and the heat washes over her as Rhaux speaks...

In DMs​

 

[Cosmo]

Aisyr
Turn 1
palmtree219

The world of Elysium was a broken thing. It had always been broken, there was little point in saving these fleshy creatures that were little more then a runaway experiment of the gods, at least, so was the common belief of the angels. But not all had this opinion, some were true believers, lovers of mortals and believed they were worth protecting, worth saving, worth preserving and Aisyr was one such angel. She had embraced mortals and so Heaven had turned its back on her, she was alone now, in this vast world that she did not belong in, but a world that needed her.

Even now, people cried out to the gods for salvations, prayers that would likely go unanswered, but Aisyr was here and she could maybe save some of them... But who would she save?

Decision Point
Pick One
1. Slaves in The First City, Praying for salvation before they are 'merged'
2. A Lost Child caught in a spider's web
3. A husband begging for the bandits to not take his wife
4. Answer None. Wait for Future Prayers {Player Prayers}

The Ghost Wall
The immense wall that spreads across the north would be awe-inspiring to mortals, but it paled in comparison to the wonders of Heaven.. As Aisyr neared, she could hear.. it. The weakening of the wall, the pillars that were trembling, the power that drained with every moment, and she could feel the dead beyond, the dead waiting, the dead were coming..

But Aisyr might be able to slow it, but what.. Would she be willing to sacrifice?

[Choice sent to DM]​

 

[Wew the Polymath]

"All Hands Forge Steel"

✦ Clang of Steel ✦​

Clang! Clang! Clang! The hammers sang a choir out through the factory. The place had a heartbeat, Therion came to realize. It was a vile mockery of the forests' heartbeat, but a heartbeat nonetheless. Sizzling lava cascaded from great iron buckets, splashing scalding embers onto grumbling humans. They were practically held together by caffeine, spite, and painkillers. Finest steel in Dasarka, the company claimed. Really, it was no different than any other human steel, Therion thought to himself. Certainly no songsteel. From the catwalks, foremen circled like buzzards, making sure nobody ended up accidentally turning the mundane metal into redsteel. The whole thing was efficient. Polished to perfection.

Before Therion stood the blast furnace, belching fire like a furious wyvern. With a grunt he tossed a shovelful of coal into the thing. The flames hungrily engulfed it, burning hotter and hotter. And so the human war machine turned. Such violent, evil creatures. Each toss of the shovel wracked his body with pain. His wooden peg-leg struggled to find purchase on the concrete. At least once per shift he'd collapse on the ground, making half the floor snicker. Nobody came to pick him up. They'd just watch- their fat, soot covered faces contorted into filthy smirks.

When he first came to the factory, each clink of metal made him almost jump out of his skin. It reminded him of the Talirussian Cataphracts running his men down after they broke formation. That clinking. Even over the screaming, the pleas for mercy, the beating of hooves- it was the clinking that he couldn't get out of his head. Now, it just reminded him of his old life. Hundreds of years spent learning to fight. Raised from birth to defend Mother Gaia. Now reduced to taking orders from a little imp that wouldn't even be a toddler in elven years.

By the end of the shift those putrid little men would gather in a swarm. Then they'd go and get belligerently drunk at a pub before going home, fucking their wives, and making more demons. Human life, Therion had come to realize, was defined by swarming. They reminded him of the army ants that ruled the forest floor of his home. Each ant was so pitifully small, but practically engineered for ganging up on bigger things. It didn't matter that an elf spent his whole life learning the art of swordplay. Ten men with pointed sticks would spell his doom.

Today one of the ants, Rickon, was feeling feisty. Flanked by several of his kin, he approached Therion with a smile on his face. "Captain Glassbones!" he jeered, arms held wide.

Therion flinched at the nickname, his nostrils flaring with anger. "What do you want of me, peon?" he growled.

Holding hands to his face, Rickon faked a gasp. "I'm a peon now! Fuck I'm gonna get sent to the front lines."

"Have you come just to mock me? The toil of the day has suffused me with torpor. I wish not to partake in these games."

"Nah nah nah. Look. Shaemus reckons you little pixies can't hold your booze. I've seen how you swing that shovel- I think there's more to ya than meets the eye. So I placed a bet. We're gonna see how much you can drink."

Therion's heart sank. The humans looked him with those beady little eyes, just like when he collapsed on his shift. It was like he was a circus animal. A fly with torn off wings that children circled around. His mind raced for what to say. What would these men do if he said no? Were they going to beat him? Therion cursed his peg-leg. He cursed his lack of armor and a blade. "And if I refuse?" he finally replied.

Rickon's face lit up. "Well, Shaemus is our union rep. You want in, you gotta rub elbows. Don't be. A little. Bitch." With each word, Rickon inched closer, wagging his finger with each word for emphasis. "I'll even buy your drinks. You'll be my date. Won't even be gay since you look like a woman." He took a big, exaggerated, sniff in Therion's general direction. "Smell like one too!"

"Fucking old elf vets is how you get laid now Rickon? Didn't know you were that desperate. Tired of your right hand?" A mountain of a woman heckled Rickon. Her voice was gravelly and cracked from a decade of chain smoking. Therion had seen her a few times working the bellows. He was fairly certain she had some orc in her, given how most of the company's coveralls barely fit her muscular frame. She gave a gap-toothed smile to Rickon.

"Anyone else hear a whistling sound when Dasha talks?" Rickon shot back, looking to the group. The guys all howled with laughter. "Anyways, Captain. You're coming with us. Unless you wanna keep up with that uncompensated overtime."

"I suppose I shall."

✦ The Twisted Willow ✦​

The twisted willow after the factories let out was a sight that would bring a dwarf to tears. Throngs of humans poured forth from every orifice of the building. Humans tumbled from the windows, fighting. A pile of vomit oozed from the shrubbery, testament to the potent alcohol that waited within. Rickety, the building was made from cracking wood. Cheap, barely held together, but sufficient for what it was intended for. Dangling from the doorway was a sigil of the twisted willow: a pale willow tree with silhouettes hanging from it. Therion didn't want to think who those were.

The workmen flanked Therion, shoving each other and making crude joke after crude joke. The group caught the eye of another small gang of people, covered in soot and wearing similar uniforms. "Rickon you ugly bitch," a red-bearded man, Shaemus, yelled out. "Took ya long enough!" Shaemus walked up to Rickon, puffing his chest out and bobbing his head. He threw a few jabs, stopping short of Rickon's head. Responding in kind, Rickon threw a small volley himself.

Warm, wet air assaulted Therion when he walked in. It was the first thing he noticed. So many ants, crawling over one another. Yelling. Drinking. Of course, he was the only elf in the damn place. Shaemus and Rickon shoved people out out of the way until they were able to make it to an open table. Everyone stared from their drinks at Therion, like someone dropped meat into a shark tank. None were ballsy enough to do anything. Being flanked by a throng of steelworkers has that effect on people.

A scantily-clad barmaid walked up to the table after some time. "Well well, if it isn't my favorite group of boys. What are we having today?"

"Liquor. Whatever is cheapest," Rickon said with a grin. Unsurprisingly, he slapped her rear as she walked away. She shot around with a glare. "You do that again, it'll be double."

Rickon held his hands up in mock fear. "Sorry, sorry! Couldn't help myself."

The display filled Therion with a deep disgust.

The serving maid came back with shot glasses, and everyone forked over coin. Rickon paid for Therion's drink and leered. "Drink up, pixie." Everyone counted down. "3...2...1" before taking their shots. Therion eyed his glass, the muddy brown liquid swirling in a smiling skull shot glass. With trembling hands he downed the liquid. It burnt like acid going down, sending him into a hacking fit. His coworkers cheered around him. "That's how we do it, pixie!"

All of the humans eagerly chattered around him about nothing. Their family lives, woodcarving obsessions, local sports teams, and of course- sex. Therion estimated a good 50% of what they talked about was sex. At one point, he muttered under his breath "This is why you spread like rats," the booze already making his tongue loose. Dasha overheard and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Yah, we don't need 4 rituals and a court hearing to screw once." The muscles under her skin felt like steel cabling, and she drew him closer. "Don't forget it was a human that fucked you up, glassbones."

After the third round, Therion's head was swimming. "I believe...I believe that I am done," he gasped after downing the latest batch of that foul liquid. It was nothing like the fine, restrained wine he was used to.

Rickon, picking his teeth with a rusted dagger, smirked. "Shame, captain. I thought you could hang with us. Guess you don't want in our union after all..."

Steeling himself, Therion continued drinking. His stomach churned and the room started to spin. Clutching his stomach, he used every ounce of his rapidly dwindling willpower to not vomit. He begged the group to just let him go home. But they all responded the same: slaps on the back, dangling the carrot of union membership, and borderline homophobic remarks.

Eventually, Therion blacked out. He awoke to furious shakes from Rickon. "Fuck, is he finally moving? Thank god." Crickets chirped and firefly's danced in the cool night air. A small crowd surrounded Therion, and he could barely understand what was going on. It was a dim hum, words blending together. It took tremendous focus just to understand what the man in front of him was saying. "Dasha, you get to take him home."

It felt like words were run through a meat grinder and poured into Therion's ears. Dasha roughly grabbed him by the arm and brought him to his feet. "Come on Glassbones. We're taking you home buddy."

The trip was arduous, resulting in a few impromptu vomit sessions where he nearly tagged his Shepard. Eventually they reached the state housing where Therion lived. "I thank you for your guidance. You are the least insufferable of your kind," Therion said with a hiccup. Dasha rolled her eyes and meandered away into the night.

✦ Homefront ✦​

Therion tripped up the stairs until he made it into his dingy apartment unit with his glassy-eyed wife staring at a small potted plant. She was focusing her magic on it. Trying to make it grow. "Where were you, Therion?" she said, not looking up from her plant. He sat down next to her, reeking of alcohol and vomit. She turned her head and gave a sniff, the stench shattering her concentration. "What were you out doing?"

"The humans made me go to the Twisted Willow and drink, Elaris."

"And you obliged them?" she said, her upper lip twitching as she flashed a cold gaze. "Well, I am glad one of us is enjoying our new living arrangements."

Therion just sat in the couch, his swirling mind unable to scrabble for a response. He reached out and touched the wilting plant. It was pathetic. A testament to just how far the pollution of this hellscape could drain the mana from even the most talented of casters. Visions of battles lost played in Therion's head. The spears of the Cataphracts were long, catching his brothers and sisters on the plains, running through their hearts and drinking their blood.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he slumped deeper in the couch. He wept quietly to himself, the hot feeling of alcohol burning his throat alongside the tears. He cried for the friends he lost. The brutal change of scenery. The loss of his leg. Part of him felt angry at himself. Angry for letting this weakness get the better of him.

Sighing, Elaris clutched her temples and tried to refocus on her casting. The weeping did not go away, and it made her work all the more difficult. Every sob, every sniffle, was a distraction for the incantations that normally came so naturally to her. She grabbed her plant with a huff and left for the bedroom- leaving Therion alone to wallow.

The next day, Therion awoke with a thunderous headache. The factory floor was as unforgiving as ever. However, his coworkers were strangely a bit less cruel to him. When he tripped and fell shoveling coal, a young tool runner practically doubled over laughing, and Rickon loudly went "Sounds like you're volunteering to shovel coal too! Go on then buddy. Pick up a shovel!"

The lad's laughter quickly died as it dawned on him that life was about to get very difficult for the next 7 hours. He made sure to call Therion a few slurs between heaves of his shovel. His small teenage arms trembled with exhaustion by the first hour.

When Therion returned home that day, he saw a note sealed with a blackened stamp, a raven's head cawing out. Any man worth his salt in the elven military knew what this was- the mark of the shadow warriors. He carefully peeled the letter open and read its contents.

Captain Nyrelmara,

The war never ended, and we could use a good man like you. Meet under the Goldglass Bridge if you wish to do more with your life than shoveling coal.

- Caerith Ash-Blade

✦ Bonus Story — Blessed Blood ✦​

The hulking silhouette of First Minister Youssef Hashem flickered on the wall as he bathed in lantern light. Kaelris braided his long, wavy hair, her pale elven fingers deftly weaving a tapestry. She'd smile and slip in traditional accent pieces, admiring her work as she went. His rich brown eyes gazed into her soul as she worked, humming quietly to herself.

When she was done she held his head in her hands planted a kiss on his forehead. He hugged her. His monstrous physique dwarfed her thin, waifish figure. It was almost comical.

"You have such beautiful hair, my *raukath*. You should keep this all in. Show your friends a bit of elegance they probably aren't used to seeing." She spoke while nuzzling her head into his neck.

Youssef chuckled and withdrew . "Uhh, I dunno. People might start asking questions."

Frowning, Kaelris turned to their daughter to remind herself to not say anything regrettable. A small half-elven girl played with toy soldiers, ramming them into one another. "That's what you get" *clack* "for hurting the Sylvanyr Tree," she said in a serious tone that honestly just sounded cute. The toy elven knight stood proud above the man he vanquished. She danced him around and started saying prayers in crude elven.

Youssefs' eyes widened. Such a command of the elven language at such a young age. He keeled by his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder. The soldier dangled from her fingers. "Little Syra, the battlefield is no place for a lady, you know," he said in a grave tone. "It's where little boys go to die in the mud, and make their mothers cry."

Syra dropped the toy like it was made of hot lead and looked at Youssef, aghast.

Kaelris' face flushed red. "Plenty of strong ladies defended the tree to their last breath. Some of our finest warriors were ladies." She sat down next to Syra and picked the toy back up. She pressed the toy back into Syra's little hands and smiled. "Remember how we pray to my sister every night?"

Syra gave a gap-toothed smile and emphatically nodded.

"She gave her life defending the Sylvanyr Tree. She's a good, strong warrior. Not as good of a spellsinger as me, though," Kaelris said with a airy laugh.

There was so much Youssef wanted to say. He wanted to tell her about how the Sylvanyr Tree burnt that night. How those wounded elven women were carried off into the night by Talirussian soldiers, their hell only beginning. How a rowdy teenage boy could snap one of those graceful soldiers over his knee. Anger burnt in his chest. Why was Kaelris encouraging this? Why was she brainwashing her little girl to die to some peasant's spear, when she could instead be a great scholar or priestess? All he could manage was a sigh. He stared at the ground.

Later that night, as he got ready for bed, Kaelris hugged him from behind. "She has your blood in her veins, Youssef. Divine blood. The leaves whisper she will be a divine warrior."

He squared his jaw. "I don't want my baby girl to end up like your sister. We have thousands of soldiers ready to die for Dasakra. Why do we need one more?"

"Because she will be so much greater. She is blessed, Youssef. My sister's spirit guides her- I see it. My ancestors applaud her birth. A half-elf, with generations of pure bloods heralding her arrival." Her eyes were wide, and her tone was almost manic.

Such a blessing seemed insane to Youssef. His face paled, ever so slightly. Legions of ghosts imparting their death-drive onto Syra. Disgusting. He couldn't stop the words that slipped out of his mouth. "You want her to end up like your sister?" The whiskey glass in his hand trembled.

"She won't, my *raukath*. She will be one of the greatest of our people."

That night, Youssef couldn't sleep. In the morning, he took the braids out of his hair and gently placed the trinkets in a bowl. As he left the house, he saw Syra, whispering to herself by the household shrine.

​

Passive Gains
+2 Songsteel
+1 Hero: Syra, the Black Blade. She is a high-martial assassin with perhaps a touch of death magic. Why does she turn out this way? Find out in my next lore post, nerds.

Free Actions
- Spend 1 Will Point to generate Artavian. He is a low-martial, low-magic hero who excels in domestic public relations and foreign diplomacy. Artavian serves as a close advisor and diplomat to Youssef, focused almost entirely on utility and strategic influence rather than combat or magic.
- Deploy an emissary toward Tryvanos, to the lair of the hydra. He will have birdies and be there next turn hopefully.

Actions

Fucking Spree

Youssef is going to go on a fucking spree to produce more strong heroes for the nation. How will he do this, you ask? Because I can tell you right now, he’s not going to be fucking random barmaids.

Instead, his cabinet will locate ideologically motivated women working in intelligence, magical research, military command, or other high-value fields. This will, of course, all be consensual. Youssef wants people who genuinely want to have a semi-divine child, and he will make it clear that these children grow at an extremely rapid rate, reaching maturity in about nine months.

If that doesn’t work: hookers. But hopefully it doesn’t come to that. In an empire as large as Dasarka, I feel confident there are plenty of women who would be honored to have fantasy Jason Momoa impregnate them in the name of a respectable national ideology.

To maintain order and optics, we will establish the following support structures:
* A high priestess will oversee the entire program to ensure public perception remains reverent and dignified.
* An official will be assigned to verify the identities of all participants and maintain detailed ledgers, so Youssef knows where his children should be.
* Mothers will be granted privileged positions in Dasarkan society. The state will take care of their needs in recognition of their service, and they will be publicly honored. Supporting a handful of devoted citizens in this way will not meaningfully strain the national economy.

Building Time!

The machine of Dasarka rumbles on.

As the world begins to unravel, we must prepare our infrastructure for the coming waves of refugees who will inevitably turn to us for stability and salvation. In response, I am allocating 1 EP for each of the following projects.

I would also like to remind our ministers that I possess the Overseer keyword:
"Youssef naturally attracts the best talent among mankind, including civil engineers and crafters. When a 'build' turn action is used, it can never critically fail and is more likely to succeed with additional bonuses and effects."

1. International Trade Hub
Dasarka needs EP, and what better way to generate it than by becoming the center of commerce for a collapsing world. I propose the construction of a vast international trade hub, complete with secured rail lines, fortified depots, customs houses, and diplomatic lodgings. This site will serve as a focal point for foreign merchants, refugee caravans, and state-run exports.

It will not just move goods. It will project our influence, showcase our efficiency, and allow us to regulate the flow of wealth and information across borders. Within its walls, deals will be struck, cultures will meet, and Dasarka will profit.

If a trade hub cannot mechanically function as a passive EP generator, then I will instead create whatever in-universe structure is necessary to accomplish that goal. However, this structure is preferred, as it fits our national aesthetic and long-term strategy.

2. National Hospital and Medical Training Complex
We are expanding our public services with the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital: a massive facility designed to triage and treat large numbers of people. This includes halting the spread of disease, managing childbirths, and addressing emergency medical needs during times of crisis.

As part of this initiative, we will issue a call to action for elven healers:

"If you are an elf trained in medicine, come to Dasarka. We need you. Help your brothers and sisters survive and thrive."

This facility will also serve as a training ground for new nurses and medics, with a focus on quickly teaching the skills needed to address basic healthcare needs. The core purpose of the complex is to provide high-quality care while maintaining the capacity to rapidly process and stabilize large numbers of patients in times of unrest.

 

[Cosmo]

Nythandr

Turn 1
Mechking


The hydra walked the lands known as 'Tryvanos', its forest and hills, its rivers and lakes, it was a pleasant and varied nation especially in the spring time although the sun going out for a bit was odd, but Nythandr wasn't really perturbed by anything in the dark, so was more of a strange experience then a moment of real crisis. Ny was smart enough to understand that the sun going out was probably not a great thing, but his siblings saw opportunity, all were correct in some manner or another. In their never ending search for food, the three that are one came upon a group of humans with large crates of what smelt like some kind of metal.

Metal and earth... Unprocessed minerals? Raw? Unchanged? The mouths salivated wondering what it would be like to gobble up this mystery metal, so recently dug up from the earth, but the humans around the crates didn't seem as eager to give up their cargo. Many were laborers, although they looked a bit different, perhaps some kind of mineral expedition out looking for new veins? There were a fair number of guards, armed with halberds that form a circle around the civilians to protect against the large Hydra that just wandered in. Fear has settled into the humans and they stare up at the hydra with held breaths...

Decision Point
1. Kill the Humans and consume the metal
2. Allow the humans to go on their way
3. Try to converse {tell me what he is trying to do}

----

The hydra walked because the hydra liked to walk. To feast, it had to find, and to find meant to hunt. It was a simple life, but at least Nythandr was never alone and always had company [even if many of the heads may have sometimes wished they were alone]. As the great beast walked through the forested hills, a scent was picked up on the air. An unfamiliar scent, possible food? New thing to nom and devour? The mass of hydra stalked over to a large opening in the side of the hill, a tunnel going deep into the earth, did he dare enter to see what this prey was?

[Scene]​

 

[Twist]

Kingdom of Kebeske
Turn 1

Name:
Xhoe (pronounced Zoe)

Species:
Sphinx

Stats
Might 3
Earth 1
Water 1

Fate 2
Will 2

Word: Dawn
(Beginnings/ New Day)

Gifts
Passives: New Day, New Project

A new day isn't just for the people, but for all enterprises. A new life isn't just a baby being born, but a city growing, a nation aspiring. Each game turn, Xhoe gains d3 'Inspiration' Tokens. She may use these herself, or give them to friends. These tokens can be used to greatly empower turn actions.

Lesser Gifts [Dawn]
Fugue of Waking
If an unworthy or heroic unit is unconcious or otherwise captured, Xhoe can erase or alter their memories, giving them the chance to start a new life, make a new beginning. These memories can be utterly removed or placed behind a 'wall' so they may learn of their past when they are prepared. Doing this will grant you those heroes/unworthy as they make their way in this new world.

Riddle of Every Language
To properly do a riddle, they must be able to understand it. To help a child take their first step, they must understand her.. Xhoe can speak and read/write all languages in existence, those that are gone, those that still are, or those that never were, all are known by Xhoe.

Knowledge of a New Day
Each day the sun rises, and its light touches a new land, a new tree, a new person. Each turn, you may ask the DM three questions about the going ons in the world, learning things about the world, the development of people far away.. This will not see underground or indoors, but may grant much.

Roar of Dawn
At the cost of Stamina, Xhoe may roar and when she does so, she will call a beam of light to her. This beam is pure sunlight and will dispell debuffs and do damage to enemies of the light. This will inspire all allies. She may cast this regardless of where she is or the time of day.

Nation name:
Kesbeke

Nation Stats
3 MP/ 2 EP

Nation Perks:
Perks
Statues of the Sphinx
Kebeske is an open land and its people live in smaller communities spread out across the great savanah, they are explorers and hunters, sometimes moving their entire villages with them depending on the season or the level of waterfall they had. Because of this, large settlements or construction projects haven't really taken root, not because the people don't understand them {they do}, but because the local terrain just isn't suitable for such things.. At least, not without a large amount of effort... And that is where the wise Xhoe comes in. As a turn action, the Kebeske can construct large statues of Xhue, this 'Sphinx Statues' act as a gathering place for the scattered villages, a place of safety and prosperity. Xhoe picks each spot for the 'ideal' terrain benefits to ensure any city founded around it is likely to succeed. Xhoe may also see and cast spells out of her statues as if she was there, regardless of where she is in the world. As these are built, the Kebeske will industrialize and centralize. Other players may [with Xhoe's permission], build them in their own nations to reap the benefits. The more statues, the more reward Xhoe gains.. This reward is doubled if other players build them in their nations.

Exploration and Understanding
Kebeske has been fairly isolated most of its life, not beause of a distrust of outsiders, just because their spread out nature has made real talking and interaction with out nations, outside of small interactions with merchants at isolated villages, rather difficult. The people of Kebeske have always loved tales of other lands, of great monuments, of strange customs and cultures, they are the stories of many campfire discussions. This unbriddled curosity has never been fulfilled, until the rise of Xhoe. For what is a Sphinx save for the understanding of the unknown? The daring to ask a question even if the answer may not be something you understand? Whenever Xhoe and the Kebeske visit a new nation, they may learn from it. They look at the architecture, the technology, the culture an customs, and they adopt what appeals to them.

Whenever you visit another nation, NPC or player, for the first time as an action or as a discord diplomacy or for trade, whatever the case may be, ping me. I'll give you options your people managed to learn while visiting and you pick the one to adopt. Once you have visited every nation, this perk will evolve. Be warned, some nations aren't great to learn from [The First City].


Commanders
Warchief
Warchiefs are.. Village Chiefs, they are the leaders of their people. In times of peace, they help look after crops, tend the animals, settle disputes and track migration patterns, but in times of war, they lead their people into battle.. Despite not being as well versed in warfare as other nations, Warchiefs are great leaders because they personally know every single man and woman they are leading, they often live right next door! As such, Warchiefs are adept at rallying their soldiers and holding the line, getting the most out of their fellows, but their equipment, like that of all Kebeske is lacking so they may falter on the actual fighting part.

Shaman
Shaman are the spiritual guides of the Kebeske, speaking to ancestors, communing with the gods and nature and otherwise offering sage advice when it is required. Shaman are a vital and well respected position in any village and each shaman will take one or two disciplies to train them to follow in their footsteps for when they took most take the final Great Journey. Shaman are not great military leaders, but they are trained casters being able to be fielded as: Level 2 Nature, Level 2 Astral *or* as Level 2 Death [These are known as 'Speakers of the Dead'.]

Units
Elephants
Elephants are some of the most powerful beast of wild in the prarie [at least, ones that aren't supernatural]. They are incredibly intelligent, durable and strong, able to lift a man and fling him with their trunk or impale less creatures with their tusk. They are capable of [Trampling] over their foes, but they are known to get frightened easily. The elephant has two riders on their back, one armed with a bow, and another with a long spear to guide the elephant and help fend off attackers. These are very expensive, but have extreme shock value.

Camel Riders
Camels are expensive but incredible useful for their sure footed nature and durable nature in the praries. Only the most wealthy or lucky of villages have some, and they are often used as pack animals, but when times of dire war are called, they are used as mounts. Their rides picking up their trust spears and shields and marching to war. Camels are much stronger then horses and even cause *Fear* in lesser mounts, but they are more expensive.

First Spears
The First Spears are a collection of men and women from all the villages of Kebeske. They are the defenders and caretakers of their home, almost always armed with a bronze tipped spear and rawhide shield. Heavy armor is near impossible to make for such a spread out nation, so most forgo armor [plus its really hot] in favor of moving quickly over the savanna. While individually skilled, and very mobile, they are not used to fighting as a military unit so lack cohesion

Hunters
The hunters are... well, what they say. They and the First Spears actually come from the same 'manpower pool'. Hunters are merely the ones who show up with their bows and arrows because they did not have a spear as many such weapons are passed down, parent to child, then something they all have {bronze isn't cheap}. They are incredibly quick, very accurate but they lack armor like most of Kesbeke.

Herdsmen
The Kebeske make heavy use of herd animals like cattle and goats, but Herdsmen also have reached an 'understanding' with some of the predators of the wilds and are capable of bringing them together into dangerous packs to face enemies of the land. These beast are.. beast so they are not disciplined, but they are incredibly fast and make great flankers and are exceptional at running fleeing units down. When you field a Herdsmen battalion, you will pick between: Hyenas, Kebeske Hounds or Lions. They all have their own benefits and negatives [lions are powerful but expensive]

Unique Resource
Merde
Merde is the shit. Actual shit. This shit comes from immense creatures called 'Dorrogoths' that dwarf even elephants. Where they tread, the ground trembles, and they are one of the reasons trees have such a hard time growing as they chew on the trees themselves, plucking them right out of the ground to chew on like a goat would grass. Their shit is *massive*, steaming piles that dot the plains but this poop holds great use. It is extremely powerful as a fertilizer, able to make even the hardest to grow plants bloom, it is very reactive as a chemical agent and extremely potent as a poison even without anything being done to it.

Turn One

Joh had travelled far these past few days in search of a beast. Though the grassland was smooth and even, the tall grass cut at his legs and the dry soil offered little give. His stomach rumbled loudly, the motion almost knocking him off his tired feet. But still he persevered in his hunt. He had to. While the distance was not too great as the eagle flew from the current home, in the Gewi region, of the Enga, his prey was elusive.

Trekking through the dark, day and night merging into one these past weeks, he had followed the few rays of the Sun, taking it as a sign from the silent Sovereign. But every day, these few rays moved, the black Sun deeming another plot of land worthy of its warmth and light. And so Joh had to backtrack, circle and find new routes all in complete darkness. As a Speaker of the Dead at least he had the company of his ancestors, their advice the key to find the great white beast. In anger and desperation he had beseeched them, but they had remained silently still, as they had been numerous times before. Berating then, beating at the ghostly forms, his dark skin flush with red, Joh suddenly was overcome with realisation. He took a step back and laughed, his parched throat causing a coughing fit instead. After a few minutes, he raised his tired head but he was all smiles "Thank you" he said quietly.

Taking a seat on the dry ground, he rested his arms in his lap and did as the ghosts had done. He remained silent and still in his meditation. In the darkness he knew he would be safe under the watchful eyes of his ancestors. He awoke to a roar like thunder, the sun's rays warming his bare skin for a few beautiful moments. He opened his eyes, to see the beat of great wings above, a cool wind causing the hairs on his body to stand on end. Vigilantly he tracked the path of the giant birds flight, the sun's rays lighting it's path and Joh began his chase. Leaping over rocky outcroppings, and weaving between tall grass beds, the shaman ascended the slope before him as he chased the light.

Within minutes he reached the peak of the small cliff, the light settling around the cliffs edge as he took in the majesty of the beast before him. It's shape was that of a great white lion, its coat of pale moonlight belying the powerful muscles beneath, the massive white paws stretching forward lazily. From it's shoulders spread the wings of an eagle, vast and feathered like falling snow, catching the wind with an elegance that belied their strength. Letting out a mighty yawn that dwarfed the biggest of lions roar, she lowered her head and her face was beautiful. A woman’s face, framed by the soft cascade of a lion’s mane. Her eyes burned with ancient wisdom and her expression was warm, motherly, a presence that could soothe even the most restless of hearts. And yet as she locked eyes with Joh, her smile was that of a predator.

"Ah. A visitor?"

"Oh, great Sphinx" exclaimed Joh, falling to his knees and prostrating himself before the great white beast. "I have come seeking your aid. All of Kebeske is in turmoil. Already struck by drought, the darkening of the sun has only exacerbated our woes and already fear and famine threaten to overwhelm us. The tribes prepare for war, and my fellow shamans call out for aid, seeking signs from nature, the stars and our ancestors. I however believe our answer lies with you. I have followed the few Sun's rays, day and night, and they have led me here, to your presence."

"And what is it, you believe I can do?" she purred, running her tongue over her claws as she spoke.

"I do not know...." Joh admitted, with honest trepidation.

The sphinx's lips curled, revealing rows of dagger like teeth as she laughed. "An honest answer, I like that. Well then..."

She pointed a paw lazily at the shaman who looked back at her with uncertainty. "Joh?" he hesitantly stated.

"Is that a question Joh?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

Joh shook his head. She laughed again, the sound a soft rumble from her throat. "Well then Joh, my name is Xhoe and I am not one to give help so freely. Let me give you a test instead. A riddle"

The sphinx placed her gaze firmly on the shaman "The misuse of time, a life cut short, potential unfulfilled, From one end to the other, Be you great or meek, What am I?"

Joh remained still, his mouth slightly agape. Xhoe leant forward, awaiting a response, her eyes never leaving him. Time passed slowly for the shaman, the cogs of his mind turning but not as quick as his beating heart. He could feel his body tremble. A bead of sweat trickle down his back. He willed himself calm. With a deep breath he focused on the sphinx's words, ignoring her piercing gaze upon him. "The misuse of time. A life cut short. Potential unfulfilled." he mumbled to himself. "From one end to the other. Be you great or meek"

All was silent up on that rocky outcropping, time's passage meaningless at that moment. And then an epiphany. "Waste" he calmly stated.

Suddenly light began to trickle in from the dark skies above. "Wasted time, a waste of life, wasted potential" Joh continued, the sky's becoming bright, and with it the sound of life. "Digestion leads to waste which every man and beast does no matter how great or small."

Xhoe purred, the dagger like teeth replaced with a warm smile. "That is correct. And that is your answer..."

She began to lick herself, her rough tongue caressing her soft white fur. Joh blinked in quick succession, his brow furrowing. "Waste?"

But the sphinx ignored him. The shaman got to his feet, standing still for a few moments. He had been giving an answer but what did it mean?. He turned on his heels and walked away, mumbling the answer to himself all the while.....

Orders
The Kebeske prepare for the worst and ready themselves for war.
Shaman's will seek answers and guidance for the cataclysm, using nature, astral and death magic (Level 2)

 

[Cosmo]

Iustitia Sylaise
Turn 1
LadyOfStars

The Valley of the Witches was a beautiful place, peaceful, outside of the occasional critter or creature Sylvais spotted lurking within the lush valley. It was mostly 'peaceful' and had few crimes, not because the people there were better, there was simply less people there to do them. It was a valley occupied mostly by 'witches', and they seemed to lack many of the the same rules and laws of the outside land with many rules seeming to be more based around 'community' and 'communal' sharing then individual ownership although Sylaise had noticed the stronger witches tended to take a 'larger share' of that communal pie and the others simply didn't say anything, or couldn't say anything. Still this place was bathed in magical energy, perhaps the mountains themselves had something special that 'trapped' the weave in this valley and allowed it to be condensed and that was what sprung up this culture of witches? Or perhaps it was the culture of witches that made this place magical? The chicken or the egg? Well, it hardly mattered.

Able to walk freely in this valley, a rare luxury that most in the world was not afforded, Sylaise was bale to read their ancient tomes and scrolls and practice some of his magic, free from the gaze of others. Nature Magic increases to 3. Blood Magic does not rise as the Witches do not partake in blood magic {at least, not that Sylaise was able to find}. Training within the valley gives special bonuses though as it is the single best place to train magic, and within the valley, special skills unable to be gained anywhere else was possible... Sylaise gains 2 Witch Magic Skills. Please tell me in Discord if you'd like Death, Nature or General Witch Skills {Can mix and match, was going to default to death, but I'll let you pick}

--

Training was not all Sylaise did, for within the Valley were criminals, maybe they were less common, but who could hide from the Eyes of Judgement?

Petty Crimes
One was a small family that had gotten lost traveling Dur-Callum and had crossed into the Valley. The Witches killed intruders, they had ventured into lands not their own and there was only one price to be paid. Their lives. The father was attempting to shield his family as his daughters clutched to his legs, the witch was about to carry out the sentence... Sylaise could intervene {On either side} if he wished.

Moderate Crimes
A large amount of supplies had been stolen from the communal warehouse, one of the witches had stepped forth and admitted it was her and had pleaded guilty to her sisters and was to be punished with light labor. Sylaise could intervene if he wished.

A witch has been murdered... None of them know who did it, and the Witches aren't quite used to such drastic actions. They are trying to investigate, but this is outside of their wheelhouse, Sylaise could intervene if he wished.

Serious Crimes
Sylvais comes across a large caged wagon full of men that all look fairly young men, mostly humans but a few elves were also seen. All fairly handsome. There are some mercenary guards leading it to a clearing nearby, although what their purpose is... Sylaise does not know. He could follow this wagon and intervene if he wished.

You may pick two to auto or one to do as a scene! NOTE: How you handle these will not just effect you, but Kent as well. ​