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Multiple Settings Fractal Realities In Character Thread

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Noah Nakano
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  • A Frozen Graveyard
    The nausea hit like a truck, with Noah's insides being flung all over the place as he traversed to the new dimension, though just as quickly as it hit, that nausea was swept away by the cruel icy winds of his new realm. Though he preferred coolness to warmth, he was after all just an ordinary human raised in a temperature-controlled environment. He couldn't help but miss the warm radiators and hot chocolates of his home land, tugging the fur of his long coat tighter around his neck at the thought.

    His plain eyes wandered around carefully. It was just as both the data and the Madam described, a never-ending near-lifeless frozen taiga in all directions, as if spawning atop such a gigantic glacier was not enough of a tell to his situation. An abandoned campsite by the ground, a raging volcano to the south-east, a cloaked human running away and what seemed to be a large indent in the earth in the far north-west. There were surely many strange occurrences to investigate, which his fellow mote bearers had already set out exploring, yet he chose to stay safe and keep with the group wandering towards the civilizations directly west of their location. The Madam's warnings were still held in the back of his mind. To dig for info first, and not rush into things. Perhaps he was less brave and confident than his fellow bearers, but he chalked that up to the vast differences between them, after all, one was part giant robot, one was some goddess... he truly felt a bit out of place here, as just an ordinary human.

    Mira, the brown-haired human of his group, seemed to have requested something of him and a few others earlier. To find a cure for the undead, or a solution to the King's barrier. Noah wasn't particularly against the idea of doing some research, but he wouldn't necessarily pursue her requests over his own interests either. Fortunately, since this was his first fractal, and he was still somewhat new to his abilities, he didn't have very clear ideas on what else he wanted to achieve yet. If he found out anything, he'd likely pass it on if she was within a close enough vicinity.

    Regardless, to civilisation it was, accompanied by his own loyal creations no less. The Edge of Creation was a magical and wondrous place, his newfound abilities even more so. But, now was certainly not the time or place to delve into the why or what of those things. Surviving and gathering information first and foremost, was.
 
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Trektek Trektek PatriasLover PatriasLover [Mira WIP]
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[Travel Theme]


  • The whistles of snow and pine broke the soft moaning of dead. Mists of snow flooded off of the glacier, coming from the east. It probably had not been warm for a long time here. As you descended down the glacier, the scattering of human corpses in the woods and to the road once you reached it was staggering. There looked to be many kinds, but most of them were human. From your medical experience Reginald, you could tell most of these bodies had been decaying for at least a year, even more. Tempted as you both were to respect the dead. Heaven only knows if they were contagious, playing dead, cursed. Hard to say what is causing the dead to walk again.

    Their constant presence around you started to concern you. Out in the random wilderness, it looked the be 500 dead in a small area. Probably many more that you couldn't see. Thankfully, Reginald's machine nature didn't encourage much from the dead. They almost know what is biologically alive as to what is not despite their lack of mental facilities. One apparently wrapped their legs in an old hunter's trap and rolled around on the ground like a mole. Amusing to say the least. Mira demonstrated to be a skilled rogue as the dead had yet to spot her the whole trip to Gatford. Well, skilled enough that the dead never knew she was there. But, with punching trees and rolling around on the ground, it probably wasn't too hard. From your combined experience, the dead didn't prove much of a threat, more of a logistical nightmare as it increased the overall danger of doing anything for most people. If they could be controlled, however, that would be a different story. Even the mindless processed incredible strength and speed. They were just too dumb to use it. You suspected that the dead keep the populace to their homes as Maura mentioned. And a frozen landscape without technology to assist, spells disaster for populations of Spring or Summer do not come around.

    Life was hard here, and for most people, it seemed to be unforgiving. It felt like the train for Reginald as there was this open landscape, but it felt more out a window than anything. For Mira, the dead were a major issue in securing a bright future for the locals. And it gave way to bad memories of the Tsar as if his crimes had somehow translated here. It also was lit enough to see, but it was uncomfortably dark. Certainly imposing to any population which could be easily capitalized on for ill.

    After traveling, you arrived in the town of Gatford. You and Mira separated once you arrived.
 
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Misuteeku Misuteeku

Order 1:
You followed Ukemin for sometime, keeping a distance thanks to your food gathering and cooking. Stopping periodically to prepare food. Your wildborn have incredible difficulty finding food, but with some cooking, you're able to find some anyway. You find 8 units of food, and along the way, you melted and purified 10 units of water as well. You notice that the snow is quite toxic due to decaying flesh. Thankfully, you had the water purifier to clean out all of those toxins. You traveled on the coast, keeping a mind on the dead in the distance, but they don't bother you.

Order 2:

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As you continued to follow Ukemin, you come across Winkhampton, a dwarven hold built into the volcano. You scanned to see Ukemin speaking with a rabbit outside of the gates. You shrugged and entered the dwarven hold. They seemed suspicious, but Mercurius' pain had dulled their suspicions. He and his band went throughout the city, asking the locals to spare their coin. With the rabbits outside, the locals hoped for fortune and blessings from their gods. A siege was coming. They prayed that their gods would hear their pleeds, and in that moment, Mercurius felt many coins come into his possession. He gained 1740 credits from the populace, and he was allowed visit the shrine on the inside. Supposedly, the dwarves gave great respect to Axulux, who they explained was the patron god for all races that accepted him, even elves. Mercurius was left alone in the shrine with his followers, some sort of tradition the dwarves had. You moved towards the shrine seeing many locked caskets. The chains looked to be made of some eldritch material of red and black hue. But, even locked, you felt a great power there. You felt it best to leave what's there alone. You looked towards the statue, seeing three. Each denoting some form Axulux, God of Death has been seen in since the dawn of record. One of the above picture, another as a normal man, and lastly as a mix between the two. Only the one pictured above was maintained well. Nothing could be made out of the other two than the generalities of what was described on their signs. Axulux had made multiple appearances across history, including at the birth of the current king of the human kingdom that the hold borders, the exile of the Elves from the north, and the Day of Starfall, a day where the lights of heaven came down to the earth. The shrine itself seemed to have two inner chambers, but the dwarves forbade him from entering.

All around the chamber that he could see writings of some kind. But, they were unintelligible to him. Maybe someone would know.

Winkhampton Unrest reduced by 8.
 
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The Prophecy
ERode ERode



  • On the Outskirts of Winkhampton Ukemin approaches an army awaiting to siege the Dwarven hold only to discover yet another oddity

    Scene:
    Ukemin approaches from the coastline, minding the dead bonking the boulders and stones of the volcano. They seem to ignore her, or at the very least, attempt to boop her snout. Which she probably cares not for. As she continued walking, she gained a reprieve from the smell of rotten flesh for smoked rabbit and rabbit squeaks. Concerning... As she approached the army, she noticed that each solder was a rabbit. A humanoid rabbit flailing about as they prepared to siege. As she looks through the lines...

    Ukemin noticed what appeared to be an army of 10k, with pikes, swords and more ready to charge. It appeared tha Ukemin arrive just some hours before the siege. As she approached, a rabbit in a red tunic holding up a shield with a eagle print on it stopped her. "Oi, you there. You are entering the camp of his Majesty's army. State your business!"

    An army of rabbits who ate their own? Or was the smell of smoked rabbit simply owing to a couple unlucky fellows being blasted to bits by the exhalations of little Sengen? No matter cannibalism (gotta be delicious cannibalism, looking at the meatiness of those thighs) or her sister snoring a bit too loudly, Ukemin was good to take things into stride, and smiled serenely at the well-dressed rabbitfolk who stepped up to her. "Me and mine," she spoke, gesturing towards the small following of humans behind her, "are wanderers by necessity, and artists by trade. A desire for inspiration drew us to your army, and if his Majesty wishes it, this humble self would like to trade a song or two for the stories of his men."

    The guard looks side to side, rubbing his rabbit chin, "If ye be a dwarf, I'd suspect. But from a fellow human, I could see. Hear me. Follow me, I shall take ye to General Hagustus."

    Fascinating! Did these rabbits believe themselves to be humans, despite the marked difference between them and herself? Or was it the charm of this 'General Hagustus', who granted rabbits, far more capable of repopulating than humans, the capabilities of the kami's progeny? "I will be glad for it. You may introduce me as Ukemin, leader of the Sunblossom Troupe. Could I have the pleasure of thine name as well?"

    You notice there to be a shimmering effect all around the guard's body. It felt weird, and you can't quite make out what it is. As the guard guides you through the camp, you see rabbits with beards and mustaches. Some of the younger ones with boyish haircuts. None of them appeared to be in armor, and a couple were still trying to get in it, despite that their rabbit form wouldn't fit in human plate armor. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed some tears in the world that only one of your status would be able to see. Something was clearly not right here. The rabbits didn't even realize they're rabbits... As you approached a red tent, you see a normal human man busy looking over drawings of the mountain fortress with rabbit men standing guard. The guard who welcomed you spoke to them, "Hear ye, I have come with a bard who seeks to sing for us and tell the stories of our men!" The tent guards shuffled briefly before the tent flapped opened and the normal man walked out. "Really? Well, come in then."

    What mattered, then, was what this 'normal' human's involvement with the form of his men were. Beyond looking tasty, after all, what tactical advantage did the mere 'appearance' of a rabbit have to offer? Ukemin glanced at the other four who she deigned to accompany her, ascertaining that they still appeared human to her, before stepping into the tent. "You must be the valiant General Hagustus then. I am Ukemin, far-travelled but a stranger to this part of the world nonetheless. Pray tell, whom do you wish to vanquish upon this fire-spitting mount, General? I've heard tale of dwarves, but my own experience has been limited to humans, rabbits, and the ever-plentiful undead."

    As Ukemin paid close attention to the general, he paid no notice to rabbits, but undead however, he was much more intrigued by undead. His hands touched his nose before he responded, "I am. These Dwarves have came from the south and have invaded the sacred lands of our god Axulux. We intend to drive them from this peak and restore the sacred shrine within to its glory! Of course, it must be a hot day. Would you like a drink?" As one of the guards poured a glass of wine for Ukemin, the General continued, "And what about undead? That's a child's fairy tale. Undead don't exist. Our god would never allow such defiers of his scythe exist."

    "Such temperatures feel cold to me, from whence I came. But I will indulge in a sip, thank you." Taking the glass of wine, she swirled it once, breathing in the fermented aroma, before tilting it back and giving it a taste. The oddities of this particular area was misaligned with all the knowledge that Maura had deemed fit to share with them. Could this be what 'corruption' was then? Not just something strictly evil, but more of an illogical fusion of universes? Sounded fascinating! "Perhaps then," Ukemin giggled, "me and mine were simply accosted by ruffians in very poor garb. You must forgive me for my flights of fancy. On another topic, however, do you intend to strike against the Dwarves soon then, General? I'm not a woman accustomed to violence, but the opportunity to witness the restoration of Axulux's sacred shrine would be undoubtedly a charmed moment."

    Hagustus smiled, "You are pardoned miss. Why yes, if my guards tell me well, you are a bard. And by Axulux will this siege be remembered! My king is a well-intentioned man, but he is quite the... attention seeker. I shall allow you to join us, maybe enjoy some biscuits, if you can prove to me that you can sing! For I am a man in need of a voice. How does that fare madam?"

    "So long as you regale me with the stories of your campaigns and the valor of your men in return," Ukemin responded, dipping her head down slightly. She turned her face slightly towards the shore, closing her eyes briefly. The ebb and the flow. The bubbling of seafoam and the whispers of the under tide. Jagged rocks resolute, whistling in the boreal winds. Good weather for a rouser, less so for a banger. "If you could spare my troupe a moment then, to set up by the shoreline?"

    Hagustus stretched out his arm, "You have plenty of time madam. These dwarves never sally out. Course, they dare not with our banner."

    The woman bowed once more, then stepped out of the tent. With the quartet that she brought with her, she drew them to the shoreline. A song for an army, out by the sea, prepared for a siege, was it? And these people saw this wintry day as a summer one. But they recognized the presence of the shoreline and the mountain, at the very least, so when it came to large landmarks, those were altered, but not wholly erased. That was fine then. "Mafuno, Nakaya," she spoke, dropping the liquid-steel ball that was the 'default' variation of her Instrument Morpher onto the ground. "I'll leave the percussions to you. When I make this sign, strike the gong in four beats. Otherwise, keep with the rhythm I taught you." And from the ground rose an orchestral percussion set, brass gleaming dully in the overcast day. "And Kume, Kani? You two can provide backup vocals where you feel appropriate. The throughline here is 'Golden age will return again', so where appropriate, echo me. Otherwise, move how you feel, ok?" The four humans nodded, some with more certainty than others. It was a shame that LOCK was still outside this encampment, keeping quick alongside the Terrain Bike. That robot's skills would truly be appreciated right now, but Ukemin was fine with winging it. Back when she was still doing guerilla performances outside train stations, she didn't even have a backing track, after all. So this was good. This was great. This was going to be fun! After a couple warm-ups and last-minute checks, she caught the eye of a younger (?) rabbit-human footsoldier and said, “Could you tell the General that we are now ready to perform?” To perform the first song of this new world, to make her true interdimensional debut! She pulled the string that tied her hair back and shook her head out, neon locks fanning out like the unceasing currents behind her. Salt stung the air and the voices of the flames sparked all around, but those were background sensory details compared to the artistry of her performance, the rigor of her discipline. She waited, allowed whatever crowd to form to gather, her assistants standing behind her. One hand on her neck, feeling for the scar hidden behind the collar. One hand outstretched, grasping for the substance of fractured reality. “I thank you for coming today, warriors. My voice has serenaded the lost and celebrated the merry, but on this day, bright with faith, allow me to grant you a strength neither physical nor spiritual.” And both hands closed in, pulling off her coat in a single movement to reveal the ample, graceful body beneath, brimming with a strength drawn from the very nature of the world. “Hit it, Nakaya!” Drums thrummed, and with the crash of brass, Ukemin sang from the depths of her chest, a booming voice that matched the war drums of the conflicting factions as they sought to unify the lands bathed by sunrise.

    “Remember when the days were young
    Nation’s future, bright as the sun
    We whisper as the steel is drawn
    The Golden Age will return again.
    The morning sky warns of threatening seas
    Years go by, don’t forget our belief
    And the storm we must endure, my friend
    Before the Golden Age will return again.
    The Golden Age, returns again!”

    As the music came to a close, Ukemin could hear clapping in the background. The soldiers seemed starstruck as Ukemin and her merry band could play music they never heard before. Ukemin's voice carried over them like a Renaissance and they looked visibly uplifted from her performance. Hagustus stopped clapping and held up his fist. The soldiers died down and when they did, the general spoke, "So, not only a bard, but also a competent mage. Excellent. It appears you have upheld your end. Now it is time to uphold mine. Come with me, we have some time yet before we drive these dwarves out. Thought, might I ask, would such a mage as yourself be willing to join us?" Hagustus jiggles a bag of coins in an offer to pay you.

    Ukemin let out a long breath, pushing the strands of hair stuck to her face back. Behind her, Kani in particular looked enthused, the red-eyed man's body still thrumming with a desire to move, to dance, as the last echoes of the song reverberated through his bones. It was a short one, but a good one. She would have more opportunity to perform, more chances to show them the wonders that could only exist within the vibrato of the life-molded wind. "It is a tempting proposition, General," Ukemin spoke. "But me and mine are wanderers by necessity, and, as you can see, do not possess much in terms of arms. I am willing, nonetheless, to assist you fellows from the backlines, as we have some understanding of the life-preserving arts. In exchange..." She paused. A feigned hesitance. An artful contemplation. The goddess knew what she wanted, and money was merely a middleman that bridged her desires. "...the roads are long, and we are few. Rather than coinage, could you spare some food, as well as a carriage to transport it and some simple weapons to protect it?"

    General Hagustus sighed deeply, "The Kingdom of Xoltan Tolar once had deep pockets, but that was before she made great gains overseas and mountains in faraway lands. Madam Ukemin, I sadly cannot provide you with weapons or transportation. But, these bountiful lands do boast fine harvests." Hagustus claps his hands three times, and you see soldiers deliver Ukemin 8 units of food. Hagustus waits until they finish before he speaks again, "Now, the dwarves have carriages themselves though I seldomly do not recognize them. If you can use them oh sorceress, then they are yours to take. Oh, even better, my King has instructed me not to take any of the Dwarvin machinations with me. They are to be destroyed. However, you may take your pick of the Dwarve's wares, as Axulux instructs chastity to waste. Even those machines have their purpose."

    "To have a pick of the spoils of your upcoming conquest is a kindness rarely afforded upon wanderers like ourselves. I shall receive this gratefully, General. " Hefty as the load of food was, Ukemin and her cadre managed to split the load, and she put her coat back on as well, tying her hair into the ponytail it had been before the performance began. The percussions too, morphed back into a ball of fluid silver, sliding deep into her pockets, before her gaze settled back on the military man. "Now, let us speak of the mythos of Xoltan Tolar and of legends being woven still. It will be a pleasure to add a new set of heroic tales to my compositions."

    General Hagustus smiled, "Well then a wanderer like yourself should know the greatest prophecy that rocks the land. It goes simply:

    The Seeds of the Reaper will be planted in seven
    Each shall grow in life, but soon they shall fall cold from its waters.
    As their father, the Reaper, reaps them in his savagery.
    They shall walk once more, bound to hell where life and death mean nothing.
    The seventh seed born of stone will shatter.
    The first and second seeds born of fire will suffocate.
    The third and fourth seeds born of air will be discarded.
    The fifth and sixth seeds born of light will be chained in shadow.
    But they shall prevail, facing the shadow of the reaper. And deliver us from his savage ways."

    And with that General Hagustus guided Ukemin back to his tent.

Notes:

Pomegranate: 1 Unit of Food: Turn 0 from transformation
 
Laszalet Laszalet



  • Order 1: Training Medicine - [Progress 'til next point: 50 Progress Made this turn: 12 Remaining: 38]

    The realization of your new situation encouraged you to build an understanding of medicine, in case you would need it.

    You started experimenting in pressure, bandaging techniques, and other ideas you had to see how it would work. You started to understand what the basics are: keep things in that are suppose to be in there.

    Order 2: Exploration Mote Feature

    With Ukemin's permission, Gasem manifests an echo of himself and investigates the surrounding area for corruption. Gasem, through his echo, scans the surrounding cells for corruption. He manages to find what appears to be a disguised corruption deep within the volcano. It appeared to have taken the form of a shovel in what looks like to be a crypt. Gasem looks around, seeing the stone walls covered in a red and black mesh. It looked solid, gaseous, and liquid all at once. It made no sense, but he heard a soft voice tell him what he was looking at. Corruption in a hive-like state. As it finished, Gasem felt it leave as he continued to look around. There were many here, hundreds. Iron deposits, gems, and other resources laid in here. The drone continued searching noticing a whiteish material surrounding the volcano. While you could not identify it, you noticed that it seemed to absorb light and other affects. Could it be some sort of shielding from being discovered? You could hear language of some sort, and you searched for doors or anything else really. It didn't look to be attached to anything. You look up and see the ceiling is the same as the walls.

    The drones looked confused as your intrusion has disrupted their hivemind network. However, you notice some pointy eared humans with red and black tendrils coming out of their backs. They notice the drone you're commanding, and the drone is lifted in the air. They tell it that is out of compliance, and immediately they eliminate it, ending your enthrallment. You're unsure if the intrusion had been discovered or if the leadership had strict holds.


Research: (Orbi Contributes: 2) Foundations of Magic: (2/400 this turn)
 
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Twist Twist

Order 1: Investigating the starting Zone & the Camp

Kal's inner reporter senses tingled at the camp. Why would someone camp on top of a glacier? You scanned the indent of the tent, finding that hands scoped up snow and patted it down. Whoever left had already started on leaving. You scanned the earth underneath the snow. There wasn't any. You dug some more into snow, to find ice. And deep below the ice, you could see many claw marks, blood, and other signs of struggle. Tuffs of black hair frozen below, and next to it, you find a letter. It looked to have been down there for maybe a day or so. Yet, the ice refroze quickly. You use a pickaxe to break through the axe and collected the letter. It was hard to read, but you could read it. The corners were bent, and the ink was in the color of blood. Though, Kal's experience showed that wasn't the case. Reviewing the paper, it looked to be of the early medieval period, but he noticed that the addressee was a simple soldier. Yet, it used quite strong verbiage. Remembering about the medieval era on Earth, Kal suspected that addressee was educated to a great degree.

It was addressed to Mars Lokk, someone detached out here as the paper outlined.

"
Mars,

As orders of King Karn, you are to patrol the roads in search missing persons, especially for King Karn's children. You are to deliver them to Ore'Asenahet once you find them all. You need not worry about how to subdue them. Any way will do. We want them alive. For one of them is the bearer and must be brought to awaken the sleeping one.

"

After that, you observed some strange symbols on the paper, and you couldn't begin to place where were from. There looked to be no indication of the author either. With the short letter in hand, Kal investigated the bootprints. They looked like normal boots, leather and some good quality to them. Kal memorized the print in case it would be important later. But, otherwise, did not yield anything.

The earth shards seemed to be the most interest. They were formed perfectly with serration in them. They also had internal swirls in them from the composition of the earth. The swirls were made of limestone. Kal decided to collect a piece in case it could be useful later. Scanning the rest of the scene, Kal didn't find anything else.

Order 2: Gathering Wood/ Eggs

Luck would befall Kal as the Kameraz struck a section of wood underneath the glacier. Not trees par say, but there was a massive cache of planks with a cart that they could use as well.

You gain a cart that could be horse drawn. It can hold 5 units of resources or 10 units of food (Can mix and match too, total 10 and resources cost 2) and you also gain 8 units of wood along with 2 units of food from the small trees that were cut down.

Scout: Northeast & Northwest

One of the spirits discovered a bag out in the wilderness, towards the northwest. Some back and red aura was emanating from it. And that prevented them from seeing clearly what was in the bag.

The other spirit traveled north east, seeing a massive blockade of the dead. I stretched from the coast, to far inland. But, they couldn't see why this was happening.
 
Scatterbrain Scatterbrain

Scout: The cell of the volcano: Shadow advanced upon the Volcano, scanning the surfaces and terrain for resources and other oddities. He discovered a tunnel that led deeper into volcano, but due to its tight space, decided to wait until investigating the rest of the area. The area around the volcano had plenty of volcanic ash, molten rock, and magma. Could be a lot of materials and metals lying waiting within them, but it would require some processing to strip away the waste rock. You saw a dramatic increase in temperature surrounding the volcano, but nothing that would be growable. Too active for that. The northern side of the volcano seemed to be prime real estate as well. The glacier you arrived on blocked a good bit of the entries into the side of the volcano, leaving only the way you came in from the beach and an inland one. Could be a nice place to settle if Shadow deemed it good. There were trees, some other plant life that could be useful. Of course the dead were an issue. More of a clearing out issue. While you didn't expect them to provide much insight as more complex targets. They'll do nevertheless.

Order 1 & 2: Begin curbing the zombie infestation. (I do believe that the recruitment feature does not take an action. So I counted #1 twice.)

Shadow Android analyzed the zombie horde. They all crowded like those at a rock concert. So the best strategy was to swipe through the 100,000 zombie horde, least the number he could see, and pick off those on the outside. Shadow went to work as the dead kept being drawn to the volcano after each swipe, exploring in the meanwhile as they return drawn back to the volcano. These undead were not easy to kill with a knife. They disobeyed common conceptions of weakness. Many of them swiped without heads, somehow managing to attack him without being about to see. Of course, their attacks were pathetic and easily dodged, but this slowed down Shadow Android as their attacks seemed quite capable of dealing damage to his hull. Divine and some other energy flowed through them. Shadow needed to be careful. Over the course of the week. Shadow managed to defeat 100 of the dead. Quite uninspiring and their undead nature did not feed Shadow Android as much as real enemies would, but they could suffice (25 Dead = 1 stack). After making a small dent, Shadow secluded himself and used his energies to summon summon minions to his side. Maybe they could get some other things done while he cleared the dead. Afterall, he was the ultimate battle lifeform. They could handle the more boring work like construction and gathering of materials. Maybe build him something to help with the killing of zombies. Maybe the dead could be a safe and easy way to begin his empire.

Afterall, it wasn't like his fellow dimensional travels seemed so key on him anyway.

Generated Units:

New Race option: (Due to none in the shop)

Hedgehogoid Robot: [Add 3 to cost] These drones are of an unique design. Something that Eggman made. Some modifications of course. These are mechanical units that require electricity. But they work much faster than most other machines. This unit gathers an additional unit of resources when gathering as part of a order action. It also gains an additional 5 defense due to speed and has a natural thorns

[Hedgehogoid - Acumen/Glamour - Unit Value 5] x2
 
Start of Turn 2
Klein Moretti, the Fool
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Free: Interaction with the Princes, Lord's Announcement, Training of Lord Fro

My fellow Gatfordians, upon my request and the consent given by His Royal Majesty, I will be departing to the East along with a number of guards to secure rations, resources, and reinforcements for the town of Gatford. We know the east is bountiful and the land of the giants so Food is more abundant there compared to this cold region of ours. Of course, the giants are not so kind but I will offer them as much as what I have to secure a better future for the town of Gatford. This is not just for us but for the future generation!

WE are all aware how dangerous this journey is gonna be which is why I will be bringing 10 escorts with me. Do not worry, however, as 5 guards will remain in Gatford to maintain the flame walls and I have selected a 12 Gatfordians to form a council and execute decisions in my stead. With the recent explosion, whatever that may have been, undead threats in the vicinity has been eliminated. I will also be leaving 10 units of food and 2 units of wine to be distributed to the citizens when needed to ensure nobody struggles because of starvation.

I just request that no trouble be stirred while I am away. If you must, then wait for me to return. I do not wish to come home to a town wrecked not by undead but by some trouble-makers. I know this journey will be tough, but for the future of Gatford, I will brave through all these dangers! For Gatford! For our children! For our future!

Movement: Move towards the location of the Fallen Rock. (Collect Food on the way(Passive), should be within the death explosion blast range)

Order 1: Explore the Tile. Objective: Fallen Rock Part 1
Order 2: Explore the Tile: Objective: Fallen Rock Part 2


 
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Last Response of Turn 1
SilverFeathers SilverFeathers

Order Action 1: Exploring Town

Noah and his gang moved through town in various directions, some staying outside to carefully gather food. The white fire walls kept the dead somewhat away allowing for some food. (1 Unit)

Inside of town, Noah takes a tour of town, seeing a decent ecosystem of trade and public utilities. The state of living is quite poor. Most have enough to get by and live decently, but not much better. Food is dwindling, and the townsfolk fear the dead incredibly as part of their religious views towards Axulux, who became popular amongst the world some time before most of the townsfolk were born. In days past, the townsfolk used to be gathers and farmers, holding passions of building and statecraft. But with incursions by the elves, their children abandoned that field out of fear they would become monsters just like them. The serpent townsfolk fear greatly not fulfilling their lives and cling to any idea on how to avoid failing their ancestors. Culturally, the snakes are homeless. They used to carry great oral traditions only for the elves to poison and manipulate them to their bidding. Only when King Karn revealed the truth, did the serpents flee to Xoltan Tolar and settle on the Island of Nosér. Since then, the snakes have been trying to carve out a destiny for themselves to no avail. He instead looked into monarchal culture, or the culture of the humans that took the serpents in. The serpents were neonates to it, but you gathered some about it. The humans generally celebrate a culture that is focused on discovery, martial strength, and harmony. Many of the highest positions in government are held by great minds with creative visions, aspirations of knowledge. In the face of elvish industrialization, Humanity seems bent to do so better with better regards to the world around them. Noah felt amused that Humanity seemed to be more eco friendly in this world than his. But, he continued gathering.

The Royal Name, Meshin, comes from a strong line of tacticians who generally are terrible liars, but they think quickly and think many steps ahead. They also seem to come from a line of incredible mages that mastered transmutation and perfected projecting one's energies into the elements around them, creating the magical techniques that modern elemental masters use outside of the confines of spells. The Meshin Family would become the royal family as their elemental magic was uncounterable at the time, and their minds of ideas and flexibility quickly gave Humanity the edge it needed to establish itself. Xoltan Tar was named after the ancient spell for transmutation lost history. It is said the spell would create heat from water and fuse materials together to make new things. In the rise of power, the Meshin Family singled down onto one strand where through magic and some advanced knowledge on medicine, birth one child to ascend to the throne and built a culture where only direct children of the Meshin Monarch could have the crown. Despite being incredibly risky, the Meshin's succeeded to the present day where King Karn Meshin would break that sentiment and have six children, surprisingly all sons.

Karn's loyalty to family traditions was sparse, and seemed to want a large family. Truly, the authors in the books claim that Karn wanted more kids than he ended up having. But something stopped him at his youngest. Not a lot is known why. But, there are some rumors. Axulux told him to stop, risking political stability. Karn understood the wisdom of his father Geralt, or even that was tired of caring for kids. The last one seemed incredibly implausible. A king could certainly get help raising his children.

But, Noah found a library. And it would hold even more information on the Meshin Family. And he seemingly stumbled on two humans who claimed to be King Karn's eldest sons. How convenient to see them in person. They looked to be in a vicious argument with the local lord. Lord Fro it was as he gathered. Their clothes were in piss poor shape, but stature and overall profile lend credence to their validity as Lord Fro commissioned that they weren't. Despite their clothes, they looked incredibly clean and well kept. It seemed to calm Noah's obsession seeing them. Some people who bathed as regularly as he did, what a miracle.

But, he couldn't stay long. His senses picked up corruption in the area. Noah notices through his corruption vision. A blurp of corruption in town with a crown over it. He goes to investigate with Ash. There he sees a metal man peeking much closer. Thanks to Noah's vision, he notices what appears to be a cloaked figure passing flowers (See Trektek's response from me) to a red scaled snake. The metal man looked familiar, and Noah guessed that it was one of his fellow travelers. Noah can't seem to identify the pair passing flowers, especially distracted by the incredible danger the figure possesses. Noah tracked the figure for a couple miles as it leaved town towards the west. They didn't seem to do anything, and the figure twitched considerably once they left sight of town. Noah noticed it as it walked away.

Order Action 2: Lore Gathering

Noah spent a deal of time in the library, reading up on the undead.

To Noah's surprise, the undead are fabled to be hard to remove if Axulux raises them himself. That didn't bode well if it was true. However, due to their mindlessness, Noah could conclude that Axulux wasn't controlling them. So they were attracted to the smell of volcanic ash and extreme temperatures along with pumpkin pie for some reason. Or pumpkins in general it seemed. Though, Axulux has little taste for pumpkins himself. However, the big lead was Axulux's sister Horéne who assists and soothes Axulux when his temper is reached. Her power seems to be generating the white fire walls, at least how they were made. While there was not much on what this was or how it worked, it seemed taboo to ask. The only clue Noah gathered was that Axulux's power when in an untamed or locked up state can be calmed with the application of another divine's power to calm it. But, the library did not have much more.

Scanning the flora revealed them to have adapted to the cold. The few that still lived seemed content on the cold. There were some fruiting plants, but they grow so slowly that borderline looked useless for feeding populations. However, they seem to have some medicinal applications. Matilda met with Claire on their properties. The fruit of what Matilda calls the Frostbell seems to help with frostbite, allowing heat to return to those parts of the body. It also appears to be rich in nutrients that would assist in healing the area, helping reverse the damage. It also could have general healing applications but should be used with caution on burns as it could make it worse.

1 unit of Frostbells, could be made into creams etc. Also gain 1 unit of seeds for them.

Together, Matilda and Claire worked together and their help gained them 200 credits from the locals.

Ash tried talking with the guards, but they all wandered off and signed contracts after they could move their hands. Suddenly after, they seemed much less talkative and celebrated their promotion amongst themselves and some happy comments about the strange umbrella wielding man.

Ticks:

1 Food is Gathered
1/3 for Roomba
 


Fractal 1 Assets

3 Kameraz of the Peace - [Add 4 to cost] Kameraz that focused on more peaceful pursuits. These Kameraz use their systems to forward art and foster knowledge in other races. Kameraz of the Peace decrease crafting times by 1 turn for crafting projects they are on. (minimum 2)
Primary Stat: Will
Lowest Stat: Strength
Blessing: 1 - Creed: The unit's loyalty to you is its greatest asset. This unit cannot lose loyalty to you and will warp logic to stay loyal and believe you are good.
Unit Value 1
Cost 4/1/1 (2)= 7 x3 = 21

Small Animals - 1 shards [Birds/Mice] x2

Medium Animals - 2 shards [Dogs]

Nanoweave Armor[Cost: 25]: A suit of space age material that fits relatively well to the skin without feeling like spandex. The armor forms rings like platemail, using heat from the body to move and adjust to blows. If the suit is EMP'd, the bearer's movement speed is halved. This suit provides the bearer with 2 damage mitigation and absorbs energy from long falls, preventing fall damage.
Hand-held tools[Cost: 5]: A hammer, a pickaxe, a shovel, etc. for construction and harvesting resources. Units can use these tools and burn 1 energy to gather resources.
Steel Knife
Basic Clothes
Cart: Can be horsedrawn and carries up to 10 units of stuff (Resources cost 2)

2 Unit of Steel [Cost: 30]
4 Units of Food
8 Units of Wood

Pistol Taser[Cost: 10]: A taser typical of police forces across the world. Deals torpor damage equal to 3d4. If the target's health is less than the amount of torpor damage they have, they are knocked out. At the end of each round, creatures with torpor lose 1d4 + a quarter of their essence score. The pistol also deals 1 point of electric damage. Range: Short, (penalty) Long
Grappling Hook[Cost:5]: A hook that allows you to scale tall cliffs or buildings. It has a range of 60ft. (x2)



Superman-Logo-Transparent-Background.png



Kal El had finished his investigation of the campsite, coming away with plenty of clues and one important question. In what way were King Karn's children important? he thought holding the letter of the late Mars Lokk. Maura Demonsmoke, their mysterious host had revealed to him and to the others certain details, one of which was their objective on this icy island, that of Defense. Was their goal here to defend these stray children, or to protect others from them?

With signs of a struggle, and of blood, there had obviously been a fight, Clark quickly inferring the black hair within the ice belonged to the panicked youth who had so quickly ran from them when they had arrived. With the theory that the young man was Mar Lokk easily pushed aside, his clothes, age, mannerisms not matching that of a soldier, that left the quite likely conclusion that he had been attacked by the searching soldier. But the tufts of raven hair, had they been pulled from the youths scalp as he tried to get away, Mars Lokk grabbing at him in an attempt to restrain him or maybe Mars had been the victim, trying to pull away his adolescent attacker as they grappled amongst the snow....

So many questions pondered Clark. With no bodies to be found and the Daily Planet reporter already having scoured the area, that left only one option. That being to question the boy who had so hastily retreated. Looking down the Glacier, Superman knew the boy had a good head start already on him but the spirit of Jor El had duly followed the raven haired runners path down the slope. Hopefully the blizzard had slowed him down long enough for his father to keep pace.

Almost on que, the phantom Jor El appeared from out of the snow, looking up at his pondering progeny. Though the youth was not in tow, it seemed the ghostly guide had found something, beckoning Kal El to follow. Heading into the throes of a blizzard, Clark took a moment to dress himself within the clothes that Maura had so kindly given to him and the others, the baggy shirt and boots of the simple attire some protection from the freezing winds.

With the innocent eyes of his spiritual steward never leaving Kal El, the Kryptonian followed Jor El through the white wilderness, passing by the small shrubs and frost bitten flora until his father stopped. Motioning towards a bag that lay discarded amid the slowly swallowing snow, Superman approached his father's find. Remembering the young man had been throwing around something, until the eyes of him and his fellows had scared him off, Superman scooped up the item even with the unsettling aura of red and black emanating from it. Looking to Jor El, for any inclination on the bags contents, the spirit simply shook it's head. It seemed the bag's aura made it undiscernible to ethereal eyes, much like lead to Superman's own X ray vision.

Placing it within the pocket of his shirt, Ka El took a moment to check his surroundings, looking to the trees and soft snow for any signs of disturbance, the boot prints fresh in his mind. Standing amongst the wind swept wilderness, Superman could feel the subtle streams of light from the sun upon him, empowering him in his search but with his powers diminished he would need a more creative solution to his current dilemma.

Heading back to the glacier an up it's slippery slope, Kal El could see the Kameraz stocking a cart with their harvest, as well the other resources he had accumulated upon his entry to Nozer. They reminded him of Keelex and the other robotic caretakers of the Fortress of Solitude, his private sanctum where he had learned to control his ever growing powers, the hologram of his late father Jor El his loving guide. Even here, on the Edge of Creation, his biological father remained the same. With Johnathon returning from his foray northwards and Jor El following him back, he gathered his two dads together.

"Pa. Father" he spoke softly, looking at them in turn. "Can you go to back to where the bag was found and search for anyone out in the snow. They couldn't have gotten too far in this blizzard."

Kal El rested his gaze on Jor El. "Jor El knows the way."

The spirits nodded their heads, taking off together with his Kryptonian father taking the lead. With that, Superman went amongst the animal assemblage he had formed when he arrived, all manner of canine companion strolling around without a care in the world. With everything so far formed from his own memory, these dogs surely came from his childhood remembrances of the Kent Farm, the corralling canines of their fellow farmers as they herded sheep, or chased away the wild animals that often threatened the chickens. One dog stood out among them, his nose sniffing around the ice where the letter had lain, his fur as white as the snow around him.

With a minor chuckle, Superman approached the dog as it circled and pawed at the spot, it's ears perking and tail wagging as it sensed his approach, turning to him with it's tongue lolling from it's mouth.

Getting on one knee, Kal El opened his arms wide, the goofiest of grins on his face. "Hey there big fella." He grabbed the dog round the neck, as it rushed him, holding him in a warm embrace for a few moments. "Mind if i call you Krypto?" asked the Kryptonian, pulling his face from the dogs fur, only to receive a few good licks in reply.

Kal El let out a mighty laugh "I'll take that as a yes!" he chortled. " You and me have work to do."


Orders

Paid Actions: Superman trains the medium sized dogs, to become better trackers/ hunters (World Knowledge (2) trait applied) with food and wood used as incentives

3 Kameraz of the Peace gather ice from the glacier using hand held tools.


Free Actions: Superman goes Northwest to pick up the bag (Belayed Movement from Last turn) before returning to camp (Grappling Hook used? Racial Trait used?) to examine it

Two Spirits go North and West respectively from where the bag was found to scout.


[/font]


Fractal 1 Assets

3 Kameraz of the Peace - [Add 4 to cost] Kameraz that focused on more peaceful pursuits. These Kameraz use their systems to forward art and foster knowledge in other races. Kameraz of the Peace decrease crafting times by 1 turn for crafting projects they are on. (minimum 2)
Primary Stat: Will
Lowest Stat: Strength
Blessing: 1 - Creed: The unit's loyalty to you is its greatest asset. This unit cannot lose loyalty to you and will warp logic to stay loyal and believe you are good.
Unit Value 1
Cost 4/1/1 (2)= 7 x3 = 21

Small Animals - 1 shards [Birds/Mice] x2

Medium Animals - 2 shards [Dogs]

Nanoweave Armor[Cost: 25]: A suit of space age material that fits relatively well to the skin without feeling like spandex. The armor forms rings like platemail, using heat from the body to move and adjust to blows. If the suit is EMP'd, the bearer's movement speed is halved. This suit provides the bearer with 2 damage mitigation and absorbs energy from long falls, preventing fall damage.
Hand-held tools[Cost: 5]: A hammer, a pickaxe, a shovel, etc. for construction and harvesting resources. Units can use these tools and burn 1 energy to gather resources.
Steel Knife
Basic Clothes
Cart: Can be horsedrawn and carries up to 10 units of stuff (Resources cost 2)

2 Unit of Steel [Cost: 30]
4 Units of Food
8 Units of Wood

Pistol Taser[Cost: 10]: A taser typical of police forces across the world. Deals torpor damage equal to 3d4. If the target's health is less than the amount of torpor damage they have, they are knocked out. At the end of each round, creatures with torpor lose 1d4 + a quarter of their essence score. The pistol also deals 1 point of electric damage. Range: Short, (penalty) Long
Grappling Hook[Cost:5]: A hook that allows you to scale tall cliffs or buildings. It has a range of 60ft. (x2)



Superman-Logo-Transparent-Background.png



Kal El had finished his investigation of the campsite, coming away with plenty of clues and one important question. In what way were King Karn's children important? he thought holding the letter of the late Mars Lokk. Maura Demonsmoke, their mysterious host had revealed to him and to the others certain details, one of which was their objective on this icy island, that of Defense. Was their goal here to defend these stray children, or to protect others from them?

With signs of a struggle, and of blood, there had obviously been a fight, Clark quickly inferring the black hair within the ice belonged to the panicked youth who had so quickly ran from them when they had arrived. With the theory that the young man was Mar Lokk easily pushed aside, his clothes, age, mannerisms not matching that of a soldier, that left the quite likely conclusion that he had been attacked by the searching soldier. But the tufts of raven hair, had they been pulled from the youths scalp as he tried to get away, Mars Lokk grabbing at him in an attempt to restrain him or maybe Mars had been the victim, trying to pull away his adolescent attacker as they grappled amongst the snow....

So many questions pondered Clark. With no bodies to be found and the Daily Planet reporter already having scoured the area, that left only one option. That being to question the boy who had so hastily retreated. Looking down the Glacier, Superman knew the boy had a good head start already on him but the spirit of Jor El had duly followed the raven haired runners path down the slope. Hopefully the blizzard had slowed him down long enough for his father to keep pace.

Almost on que, the phantom Jor El appeared from out of the snow, looking up at his pondering progeny. Though the youth was not in tow, it seemed the ghostly guide had found something, beckoning Kal El to follow. Heading into the throes of a blizzard, Clark took a moment to dress himself within the clothes that Maura had so kindly given to him and the others, the baggy shirt and boots of the simple attire some protection from the freezing winds.

With the innocent eyes of his spiritual steward never leaving Kal El, the Kryptonian followed Jor El through the white wilderness, passing by the small shrubs and frost bitten flora until his father stopped. Motioning towards a bag that lay discarded amid the slowly swallowing snow, Superman approached his father's find. Remembering the young man had been throwing around something, until the eyes of him and his fellows had scared him off, Superman scooped up the item even with the unsettling aura of red and black emanating from it. Looking to Jor El, for any inclination on the bags contents, the spirit simply shook it's head. It seemed the bag's aura made it undiscernible to ethereal eyes, much like lead to Superman's own X ray vision.

Placing it within the pocket of his shirt, Ka El took a moment to check his surroundings, looking to the trees and soft snow for any signs of disturbance, the boot prints fresh in his mind. Standing amongst the wind swept wilderness, Superman could feel the subtle streams of light from the sun upon him, empowering him in his search but with his powers diminished he would need a more creative solution to his current dilemma.

Heading back to the glacier an up it's slippery slope, Kal El could see the Kameraz stocking a cart with their harvest, as well the other resources he had accumulated upon his entry to Nozer. They reminded him of Keelex and the other robotic caretakers of the Fortress of Solitude, his private sanctum where he had learned to control his ever growing powers, the hologram of his late father Jor El his loving guide. Even here, on the Edge of Creation, his biological father remained the same. With Johnathon returning from his foray northwards and Jor El following him back, he gathered his two dads together.

"Pa. Father" he spoke softly, looking at them in turn. "Can you go to back to where the bag was found and search for anyone out in the snow. They couldn't have gotten too far in this blizzard."

Kal El rested his gaze on Jor El. "Jor El knows the way."

The spirits nodded their heads, taking off together with his Kryptonian father taking the lead. With that, Superman went amongst the animal assemblage he had formed when he arrived, all manner of canine companion strolling around without a care in the world. With everything so far formed from his own memory, these dogs surely came from his childhood remembrances of the Kent Farm, the corralling canines of their fellow farmers as they herded sheep, or chased away the wild animals that often threatened the chickens. One dog stood out among them, his nose sniffing around the ice where the letter had lain, his fur as white as the snow around him.

With a minor chuckle, Superman approached the dog as it circled and pawed at the spot, it's ears perking and tail wagging as it sensed his approach, turning to him with it's tongue lolling from it's mouth.

Getting on one knee, Kal El opened his arms wide, the goofiest of grins on his face. "Hey there big fella." He grabbed the dog round the neck, as it rushed him, holding him in a warm embrace for a few moments. "Mind if i call you Krypto?" asked the Kryptonian, pulling his face from the dogs fur, only to receive a few good licks in reply.

Kal El let out a mighty laugh "I'll take that as a yes!" he chortled. " You and me have work to do."


Orders

Paid Actions: Superman trains the medium sized dogs, to become better trackers/ hunters (World Knowledge (2) trait applied) with food and wood used as incentives

3 Kameraz of the Peace gather ice from the glacier using hand held tools.


Free Actions: Superman goes Northwest to pick up the bag (Belayed Movement from Last turn) before returning to camp (Grappling Hook used? Racial Trait used?) to examine it

Two Spirits go North and West respectively from where the bag was found to scout.
 
Last edited:

  • dLnaOG0.png

“Gasem!”

A voice roused the masked entity from his mental projection, and as his senses returned, he found himself in the tent that Ukemin had appropriated from the army of rabbit-humans for her personal use. Outside, the sound of men running back and forth was a constant distraction, and even within the confines of the tent, the wild born and the Kameraz were kept busy with the task of preparing and organizing medical supplies for the battle ahead.

Such matters, however, paled in comparison to what knowledge Gasem was able to plunder with the utilization of his own abilities, and Ukemin poured him a glass of diluted wine, practically pushing it into his hands.

“Drink up,” she said, sitting back. The goddess tilted her head, trying to read the expression in the doppelgänger’s singular exposed eye, but evidently found it an exercise in futility and went to chomp on an apple instead. “What did you see? Any corruption within the mountain?”

Gasem put the glass away.

“I’ll have to decline such a generous gesture. It’d be better if I talk without any… outside influences. But, enough.

To answer your question, yes, there was corruption in the volcano in a state that… just defies logic! Solid yet a liquid. Liquid, yet at the same time a gas! Everything, yet clearly it was impossible for it to be any of them… A hivemind of corruption, or at least that is what a voice whispered to me. Maybe an aftereffect of my abilities? Or a helpful entity? Possibly one with malicious intent? I do not know, however considering what I witnessed, it had to be caused by corruption.

At the very least, there was something less… confusing in there. Hundreds and hundreds deposits of iron, gems and other resources. And a very special white material. No clue what it actually is, but from what few glimpses I was capable of catching, the properties of said material entailed the absorption of light and similar… energies; Probably there to hide their operations? To not get noticed? Yes. Or another purpose. Important, very important, since, at least I assume based on their swift reaction to my intrusion, it was in their very inner sanctum so to speak. Sadly, as I’ve said, they reacted quickly and destroyed the body I took control over.

Whether it was out of pure coincidence or they actually detected me, I do not know. However, one more significant detail is, that they lifted my vessel into the air. Their capabilities in psionics or magic should therefore be somewhat substantial. Caution is advised.”

*Sigh*

“It seems, my time is running out. This vessel won’t last long. One last thing. I’ve encountered a wall of dead blocking my way north, as I lack any ways to traverse it I plan to travel further east. As such, it may take some time until we meet again. Till then, farewell.”

“Pause for a moment,” Ukemin said. “I am not so unkind a deity to withhold reward from a task well accomplished. Gasem, the ways of the world are more clearly visible to me than to you, and the fracturing of reality is something that I feel within my very form. The distortions in this world are caused almost entirely by the actions of the divine, and the corruption that you sensed within the volcano may very easily be all that is present within this world. And if it is knowledge you seek…”

Ukemin leaned forwards slightly, her voice dropping into a tone conspiratory.

“...dragons, ageless and void born, roam this world. They dig into crude mounts, where the earth is coarse and dry. Though one may doubt whether practical wisdom may be carried in the wings of such ancient beings, that may, perhaps be a trail worth pursuing.”


She was wading in blood and found herself wondering.

How could it be that the blood of one race could so easily differ? Shades of scarlet and crimson, as bright as fresh paint against white canvas, or as dark as a week-old scab. Ochres and vermilions, reminiscent of the sun-eating firebirds, mingling with the blackened rot of swamp-drowned oaks. All around, the cacophony of the unkind demise resounded, echoing within the chamber of her vessel, a discordance brought upon by violence, and as she examined her fingernails in passing, she found them reddened both inside and out, throbbing from the task of bandaging and cleaning, of holding down patients while foreign objects were pulled out of their ruined bodies.

For all that she had boasted with regards to being experienced in saving lives, she was only doing what LOCK had told her to do, the Kameraz’s functionalities and gift for improvisation allowing it to appropriate anything and everything to the task of making up for the medical supplies that they didn’t have. The wildborn under its command were working effectively as well, with Kume being a standout amongst them, though perhaps an unenviable one. His turquoise eyes, dulled by dim light and chilled by a logic so cold that even LOCK looked empathetic in comparison, scanned through the carts of wounded that were brought in and practically flung them off into different sections of the tent.

Triage, it was. The prioritization of those whom medical attention could actually save. Those who only had broken bones or ruptured tendons could be left to wallow in their misery. Those who suffered from injuries too brutal to be survived were given the choice of whether to cling on for as long as they could, or meet their end at the point of Nakaya’s knife. Those who were bleeding though? Those were the ones whom could still be rescued. Mafuno stripped and boiled bandages, while Kani helped Ukemin with staunching the unending flow, the chaos of battlefield medicine undercut with the promises of an afterlife, of a rebirth, all held within the grasp of a goddess who fell so far to become human once more.

She clutched the hands of those who were fighting, and reminded them of the home they could still return to.

She grasped the hands of those who were dying, and spoke to them of the golden fields in which they’ll be laid to rest.

She pulled the hands of who were cooling, and wheeled their bodies out of the tent, the mountain of corpses ever growing as the mountain of the dwarves fell.

And through it all, the dirge remained in her throat, humming out in sonorous harmony with the distortions of reality, with the cries of the living. Sweat stung her eyes. Blood clogged her nose. Thoughts deformed in her mind. Ukemin continued to work, to wade in blood, to become naught more than a machine.

Hold and pull. Wrap and tie.
Rhythms upon rhythms, ‘til they cease and die.
Up it climbs, the hill of the dead.
Down we go, for there’ll be more ahead.

In the distance, a clarion call sounded, the Pyrrhic victory cry signalling the end of the General’s bloody crusade. But until LOCK approached, reminding her in its stilted voice that she had an appointment to make, Ukemin did not stop.

For this too, was opportunity.

As the desperate clung to life, despite the cruel reality of their circumstances, the Goddess of Food, of Life Consuming Life, offered them an accord. If they so wished it, they could swear their everything to her, and she, in exchange, will grant them as many lives as they wished, transmigrating them through divine spheres they could hardly comprehend.

And perhaps even this was kindness, compared to what she felt prickling the core of her essence, the deathly wind that swirled high above human comprehension.

A premonition of dread. The rage and grief of a god, perhaps.

Ukemin released the hand of the youth who laid there, his complexion ashen even through the rabbit fur that obscured it. She stroked his cheek once, then closed his eyes to the nightmares around. Blood flaked off from her fingernails, and she let out a breath.

“Stay here and continue your work,” she spoke, gaze settling onto Kani as he rose to join her. “This venerable self shall enter alone into the mountainous tomb.”

Winkhampton looked marvelous still. Only the gates of the fortress-city were heavily damaged, and while supplies were scattered upon the streets and belongings forgotten in the curb, the architecture of the city itself looked largely untouched. It was lived in, after all. Though the only dwarves she had seen were dead, abandoned in the rush to escape once the city’s defenses fell, it must have been a city filled with them. Rationing supplies and sharpening steel. Securing escape routes and lashing together the siege machinery that now laid broken by the sundered walls.

A shell of a city, populated by the ghost of memory.

Her fingers grazed the side of a building’s wall and she stopped, gazing through the window to see the firepit within, a cauldron still bubbling with nutritious, tasteless sludge. Upon an alcove, the statue of an idol, facial features obscured, wielding a scythe like a farmer rather than a warrior. These were holy grounds, without doubt. Filled with stories as comprehensible as a painting made of scattered glass. In the distance, the survivors of the human army braced against the broken walls, Hagustus’s voice sounding out even now to hold the door. The undead horde remained and raged, an extension of divine fury brought upon by a conflict that perhaps drove too close to home.

A blood feud over religious views, was it? It was enough for Ukemin to let out a laugh as she strode to the shrine. Would she be like this too, if she saw someone slain with noble impunity?

Likely, for once spilled, blood did not reverse its flow.

But before it came to that, she would have words to say. And a god who did not speak was simply asking for their actions to be misinterpreted, until everyone was mucking about, pursuing different beliefs and warring with people who ought to be their brethren.

Amongst bound caskets and the three statues, Ukemin stood tall, her eyes as bright as the summer sky, her hair flowing as cascading sea.

“I am Ogetsu-hime, known colloquially as Ukemochi, now bearing the moniker of Ukemin. God of this world’s Death, the one that mortals now proclaim as Axulux, grant me the pleasure of thine true name, so that we may converse without façade.”

The once populated shrine was soon left vacated by the dwarves after the invaders managed to breach their walls successfully. Mercurius only stood back and watched the chaos unfold from the shrine. Nobody cared for his presence as both humans and dwarves hurried around like shadows flickering from a fireplace. While the dwarves had shown hospitality to him, he did not make an effort to help. He merely accepted their help and left it as is.

There was something else that caught his attention. Other than the unknown writing on the wall, there were a few caskets of interest. Looking at the caskets, the chains seemed to have been made with some otherworldly material that contained the underworldly power inside the caskets. Mercurius was a little curious about what was inside but decided he would deal with it.

However, before he could craft a purifier with the despair he had generated, he detected a presence entering the shrine. While a few others had come in before, Mercurius didn't bother to hide as he didn't see them as a potential threat.

The presence that had just entered, however, felt different. Mercurius and his companion quickly hid in the shadowy corners of the shrine as the person in question walked in.

It was... Like-min? Was that it?

The girl looked familiar, but Mercurius couldn't recall her name correctly. Age must have gotten to him if it was becoming this bad. Though he didn't give himself a proper introduction either, that was another reason.

Mercurius watched from the shadows as Ogetsu-hime, or Ukemochi, the formerly known Uiki-min, declared something to a God of Death. The duck also seemed keen on watching with great intent as Ukemin attempted to commune with the God of Death.

It was a soft, somber moment waiting for a response. Ukemin had called Axulux down at the shrine. And she waited. And waited. She couldn't feel anything coming until the shrine grew dark and a shadow began to form on the volcanic floor. It formed in a humanoid appearance, transmuting and looking like flesh. As soon as it finished, the light returned. Ukemin looked at the newcomer; while he looked human, he was no human. He wasn't divine in the traditional sense. You expect this not to be Axulux, but you looked at him. You noticed what looked to be a strong, purple scar emanating light on the front portion of his neck.It was growing dimmer. In his tunic of shadows, you could just barely see another one punching directly in his chest. This one looked more like a string of pools of purple energy and it appeared to have been fading for quite a while. Squarish chin, wide forehead, large dimples, and crimson as rose lips that were a little bit thin but visible quite clearly. Had a thinner build but was muscular, stood about 6'2", and carried pure black eyes. All around him, you noticed shadows coming off of him like he was some monster let loose.

"Sorry, he's not on the phone right now. Probably won't be for a while, maybe a couple million years. Do hope you can wait that long Ogetsu-hime. Of course, I haven't met someone from your world yet. Though, I hadn't seen much in my previous occupation. So, why you here girly? Come to say hi? Maybe to remove those dead from outside the front door? Aww, you poor thing."

Excellent! So her call had brought forth someone after all! Honestly, considering how far removed the nature of the gods of this world was from her own, Ukemin had fully expected things to just be miserably quiet and then would have gotten her hands dirty dealing with those curious links of corruption that Gasem had first told her about and then she had confirmed with her own eyes...but this handsome, broken young man was a real treat for the eyes.

"Oh please," Ukemin laughed, disposing of her more venerable attitude. "Didn't I say it before? I go by Ukemin now. Anyways, thanks for showing up, and you're pretty right in a couple of ways, but...names now, bro! C'mon, what's yours?"

A million years was a long time, taken seriously. More likely that Axulux was either involuntarily restrained or voluntarily holed up in a little cave. Izanami or Amaterasu, which one was it...

"And while you're here, perhaps you could answer my actual question too? Heard the Death God's got a human name and everything, so I'm here, firstly, to hear what it is."

The shadow laughed, "Now come on dear I don't know that. He's quite secretive. He never told anyone. Not even his sister knows. Though, that's quite the tea. Names? For me? Oh, I don't think I have one. And don't particularly want one. Call me R." R twirled haphazardly, "Though, how did you get here might I ask?"

"Mm, the tall, dark, and reclusive type, ne? Be such a hit with the girls too..." Ukemin stepped forth, leaning against the human statue of Axulux, before turning towards R. "As for how I got here though...well, the army sieged the gates and busted them open. Got a bad feeling, so I decided to invite myself in, and the rest is, well, super recent history!"

Ukemin gestured them to sit with her. "But in truth, I'm not all THAT concerned about the zombie horde, good R. Comes with being well-acquainted with ironclad barbarians and zealots, y'see. It's nice to chat with someone who doesn't speak like something else's mouthpiece though, so if you've the time for it, could I bother you with some tea and snacks?"

"Hmm, that is true. A mouthpiece is truly annoying and hardily gets anything down." R sits down with you, "So overzealous and ironclad barbarians huh, well isn't that adorable. How did you enthrall two boneheads to work for you?"

"Please, do I look like the type to celebrate having an army of bloodthirsty do-gooders?" Ukemin brushed her hair back. "One follows the creed of Freedom, and engages in good ol' violence freely. The other is a paladin of a Lady, the moral and upright but also gratuitously violent type...but our goals intersect on enough occasions that I have them both on speed-dial."

She nodded to herself. Khamsin and Sigismund really were odd fellows. A mismatched couple meant for each other though, and they weren't total lost causes so long as their hearts were in the right place.

"They'd be a lot happier if they got themselves a life, I feel. Still, those are long term thoughts. Can't do much with culture and civilization when Death himself is busy settling petty mortal grudges." A shrug. "What's it like, being his receptionist?"

"Eh, it's okay. Normal stuff. Laying around, reanimating dead. The usual."

"Getting paid? Or is this just for exposure?"

"Sadly neither, got brought into this world as a shard and made this way. And through a series of fantastical waiting, I'm still waiting. So while he's away, I play."

Ukemin nodded. Certainly, that was a buncha interesting crap. "By making zombies and shit?"

"Hey, it's a dual purpose. Keeps the little demons away and keeps everything nice and quiet. Though the locals suffer, but there isn't a lot that can done after all. Not like I can control them. But I need to refresh the stock."

"Relax, I'm only pissed if you're doing this outta some tantrum thing, ya know?" Ukemin waved. "If that's basically just your job description though, I'm not going to throw you under the bus for it."

She leaned forward, propping her body up with her elbows against her knees.

"What's this about demons though? 'fore I got here, those soldiers didn't even think that undead were a thing."

"I'm not sure. Some debacle over some interdimensional crisis that's been going on forever. Don't know how the dead fit into that, but I'm sure someone will figure it out. These things are all kinds of strange. Never seen em before, though, I've haven't been around long. Less than a year I say."

“And,” Ukemin motioned towards the caskets, oozing and chained as they were with corruption, “those red-and-black bits have anything to do with the demons? That stuff’s looking pretty corrupting to me, personally.”

"You're probably right. I don't really know these things. But, if its chained up, there's something in there. They're mostly for decoration, so hard to say what's in there. Why there's chained up? Who knows. Like I said, I don't know much. I'm getting use to things myself."

“Mm…”

Ukemin paused, striking an artful contemplation, the picturesque pose of a scholarly woman. But there was no particular reason for that, for she knew already what she wished to say next.

“Listen, R, as it turns out, the stars are well-aligned, and there are individuals abound who make it their business to uncover secrets and dissect demons. Real brainiac types, ya see? So I was wondering…if you’re basically out here doing nothing, and if your boss is going to be gone for another million or so years, why not go on a road trip with me? I could go call smart folks over to examine the weird shit that you’ve yet to figure out, and you can tell me about places that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to!”

From the folds of her clothing, Ukemin pulled out the silvery mass that was her Instrument Morpher and transformed it into an electric guitar, complete with a juiced up amp. She played a riff, fingers dancing upon the strings like lightning through circuitry.

“And if you’ve got any way of making that horde over at the gates go away, I’ll even give you first-class seats to the party I was gonna host today!”

"Hmm, I don't think he'll mind. A bard. Fascinating. I suppose I try something to shoo them away. Of course, they're uncontrollable by myself. We'd have to find the lich that Axulux put down here. Course, I don't think the lich is here. Well, I suppose I'll go see if I can shoo those dead. Want to come with? It could be useful information."

R stands up, expecting Ukemin to follow, and leaves to move towards the wall. He passes by the panicking soldiers and ruins of the Dwarves with large indifference. As R approached the wall, he casted out a stone that glowed a pink tint. The stone vibrated profusely, spraying some sort of dust that would spread out and then return to the stone. The dead seemed quite attracted to it and ran off into the distance to the northwest.

"They'll lose their potency after a while. By then, they'll be just a nuisance to you. Good?"

Ukemin wondered, briefly, what Sigismund would feel about this. Happy, that no more lives were lost? Sad, that he missed out on a chance to kill a horde? Sheesh, what even was northwest?

She didn’t let any of those feelings show, however, and instead, raised a fist to bump with R’s.

“That’s some lit shit, R. Glad to be partying with ya then!”

"Thank you, I appreciate the enthusiasm. Now bard, enlighten me on your music. I've been deprived of it for quite a long time."

"Well, you can start by calling me an 'idol'."
"And that," Ukemin clapped her hands together, "is how I met R here!"

There was, perhaps quite understandably, a lengthy pause afterwards. Neither the humans nor the Kameraz were really certain how to approach the latest 'member' of Ukemin's entourage. It was a big difference, after all, from savage humans and artificial lifeforms to a minor god who looked to be singularly responsible for raising the hordes of undead that practically plagued the entire Fractal. Doubly so when it appeared that the expectation that their goddess had for the rest of them was to treat this god's actions as...not a problem? Not villainous? Not deserving of suspicion?

LOCK was, by the nature of its face, unreadable. Mafuno clutched her steel knife, fixing R with an even steelier gaze. Kuni struck a pose of impassive distrust, his arms crossed as he leaned against the supporting pillar of the tent. Kume looked uncharacteristically hesitant here, eyes clearly focused on the strange wounds that the godling bore, as well as the energy that continued to wisp off from it. Nakaya, thankfully, was well-mannered enough to put forth a greeting, if only out of engrained habit.

"A pleasure," the young woman said, bowing her head. "I do hope we get along, R, regardless of our stations."

Ukemin beamed at that, pleased enough that none of them looked incredibly put-off by this, and went onto other topics instead. "Anyways, with that out of the way, I'll be asking all of you to help with scavenging what you can from Winkhampton now! With the horde out of the way, it's best to see if we can find a carriage or two to better transport our supplies."

"Is there a need?"
Kume spoke up, gesturing towards LOCK's woodwork, as well as the partitioned sacks of food. "Carrying too much with us will only invite trouble of the human sort, and you intend on spending most of our food on your festival plans, no?"

"Kid,"
Kani said, red eyes sliding slowly towards the calculating youth. "We can snag iron tools from there as well. Proper weapons too, with luck. Read between the lines."

Ukemin let out a sigh, even as Kume narrowed his eyes at a perceived insult. Good save on the old man's part. "Yup, that's basically the gist of that, y'know? Gotta be flexible and multi-task and everything~"

There was a clicking of gears, and then LOCK draped a cloak over its bodies once more. "I suppose. I shall come. Mechanical knowledge rests in my design, Ukemin."

"Yup! Was counting on that, my dude!"

"And will you,"
Nakaya said, "be staying behind to prepare your setlist?"

"Not this time~ Gotta hit up the General about it first. Don't think he'll be too against it, cause, y'know, gotta wash out the bad taste of a shit-tory."


Kani rose up, kicking up an axe from the toolbox and hefting it up over his shoulder. "Then I shall escort you, my Goddess."

It was slight, but Mafuno certainly rolled her eyes as she snuck out of the tent.

"Of course," Ukemin said, even as her gestures rapidly signaled someone to go after the wild child. "Now let's get this party started!"

She raised her fist in the air, a shining symbol of camraderie.

But, alas, only Nakaya had the courtesy to follow suit.

Movement Action: None for now.

Passive (?) Action: Ukemin would have offered any soldier who was dying but also desperately wanted to live, to accept a contract with her and become her unit, exchanging their loyalty in exchange for the certainty of renewed life.

Order Action: 3 Wildborn and 1 Kameraz enter Winkhampton, searching for salvageable supplies. Main focus would be on uncovering usable vehicles for transportation. Secondary focus would be on searching for metal weapons and tools, or metal ingots. 1 Wildborn assists Ukemin in preparing for the festival, by cleaning up the largest plaza in Winkhampton, as well as cooking up food! Ukemin herself will try to strongarm General Hagustus into properly burying everyone who fell during the siege, including the dwarf soldiers and civilians, in exchange for her morale-boosting music festival.

Order Action: Ukemin uses 10 food and throws a festival the night after the siege, set in Winkhampton's largest plaza. With the Kameraz managing the lights and the Wildborn serving as backup instrumentals and dancers, she makes a statement of how the dead are best honoured through living life to the fullest, before kicking things off for the night, fully intent on making sure all the soldiers go wild and suffer from hellish hangovers, muscle pain, and digestion problems the morning after.
 
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A Lich.

So that was one of the problems that were inside this fractal. Mercurius watched as Ogetsu-Hime and R left to touch the wall. He wanted to interject into the conversation; however, due to his poor social skills failed to find a good time to enter the conversation. However, it seemed a definite fact that Auxlux's presence within the fractal was missing. Though, that meant little to Mercurius at the time.

Finding that there was nothing left to hear, Mercurius decided that it was time to leave the room. With his presence seemingly unnoticed, Mercurius quickly made his way out of the room while they were getting to know each other. Entering one of two of the different tunnels that the dwarves had guarded during his stay here, Mercurius figured it was time to purify this place. The place at least had some malevolent feeling coming from the caskets. Seeing that it was a duty he was assigned to fight the corruption, Mercurius opened the palm of his hand.

For seemingly minutes, nothing seemed to have happened until it did. Something manifested in his hand. There was no beginning nor a process that could have been observed within the mortal eyes. It was as if any meaning involved in crafting was left missing at the end. Though, that didn't matter to Mercurius at the moment at all. Once it had manifested in his hand, he dropped it to the ground.

It sunk to the ground and slowly disappeared. Now all that was left to do was to watch what happened. With that done, Mercurius thought it was best to finllay made contact with his fellow factal traveler. After finding the proper words, he came out of the shadows. "I am Mercurius. I believe we have met before," Mercurius said completely out of nowere. "If I may, can I join this endeavor?" The duck on top of his head face palmed as Mercurius not only entered the conversation awkwardly, but out of no where as well.

ERode ERode

Actions:
Move Action: None Used As Of Right Now
Order Action 1: Using 1 Mote of Despair to Create Purifier
Order Action 2: Using Purifier On Current Cell
 
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SHADOW ANDROID
The Ultimate Battle Life Form

Items
Decayed Chaos Crystal: 100 Shards [Crystal, Legendary, Quality: 250] This crystal is not what it was. The corruption has taken away most of its power. But, there is still a little left. What remains of its power gives Shadow Android a significant boost. Whenever he uses his chaos blast ability, his allies around him gains Minor Chaos that grant them either positive or negative chaos energy (pick one). With positive energy, allies project a shield that pushes Medium or smaller creatures away by 25ft. With negative energy, allies throw a spear that deals 2d6 chaos damage and destroys terrain underneath where lands, creating 10ft craters.
Basic Clothes
1 Steel Knife
[Melee Weapon, Quality 10].
Resources
2 food
Units
(x2) Hedgehogoid Robot [Hedgehogoid - Acumen/Glamour - Unit Value 5] These drones are of an unique design. Something that Eggman made. Some modifications of course. These are mechanical units that require electricity. But they work much faster than most other machines. This unit gathers an additional unit of resources when gathering as part of a order action. It also gains an additional 5 defence due to speed and has a natural thorns.

Shadow Android sat on a small rock in a quiet place near the volcano's summit. He held his steel knife in one hand and was cleaning it off with a piece of fabric that he had torn from the clothing given to him, and his fellow dimensional travellers, by the purple witch when they first arrived in Nosér. It had become a ritual of sorts for the android over this past week as he attempted to thin out the undead horde. What he initially thought was going to be an easy job, had devolved into a Sisyphean task. Though they hardly posed a threat for the ultimate battle life form, their attacks were far too slow and lumbering for that, the zombies had proven extremely difficult to kill. Shadow Android's knife would quickly dull and become covered in blood and other foul fluids as he hacked and cut his way through the mob so he would have to stop frequently to clean and sharpen the inferior blade so it could be used again. If he wanted to work any real progress in reducing their numbers he would need a proper weapon, but, in order to craft one, he would first need materials.

In that regard at least, Shadow Android's efforts against the horde hadn't been completely for naught. With the corrupted energies amassed from the undead, he summoned two robots to his side using his Mote of Creation. These Hedgehogoids were worker/gatherers, not combat models like himself. The robotic hedgehog speculated that the need for resources that preoccupied his electronic thoughts as of late had played a large part in their overall design. After all, he wasn't going to sully his hands digging around in the dirt for raw materials if he could avoid it. He was the ultimate battle life form, destined to rule the multiverse from the throne of his android empire. That was far beneath one of his stature. The aspiring emperor ordered the Hedgehogoids to begin stripping away the waste rock to mine for materials while he and his Shadow Monitor investigated the volcano further. The Shadow Monitor would explore the tunnel that led deeper inside the volcano and Shadow Android would inspect the northern side personally to assess its suitability for settlement.

Actions/Orders
Free Actions
1.
Send Scout (Shadow Monitor) to investigate the tunnel leading deeper into the Volcano.
2. Move North towards the northern side of the Volcano to investigate further using Mote (Exploration).

Orders
1.
Hedgehogoid Robots will start stripping away the waste rock around the volcano to access the materials underneath using crude tools crafted from objects in the vicinity (e.g. wood/rocks etc.) to speed up the process (Use 2nd order as well if necessary). Shadow Android will also provide protection if needed (Prioritise this over movement action).
2. With the waste rock removed, Hedgehogoids will became gathering materials from the surrounding area with a focus on those required for the construction of a weapon, tools and power providing structures.

 
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[ERode, Misuteeku and Cosmo Collab Part 1]
Flames, rendered beams of multi-colored light through creative usage of dyed fabrics, lit up the conquered, but emptied fortress-city of Winkhampton as celebrations of birthdays past and future were drowned out by the excitement of the crowd and the songs of the divine diva. Underneath the rainbow-hued lights, she sang to her heart’s content, the sweat on her forehead glistening like stars in the night, her outlandish, anachronistic attire finally feeling entirely at home on the artificial stage that was raised. To the austere, it may be crass to celebrate so lavishly in a world of such scarcity. To the ascetic, it may be crude to celebrate so gluttonously in the caverns of a city whose original participants had just recently been driven out.

Such things were true, perhaps, but those people were blowhards. The blood price was already paid, after all, and it was a battle between armies, not between the rebels and the oppressors. More importantly, Ukemin was simply not someone who got hung up on good and evil the way that human philosophers did. It was nice if things were alive, but if things died, that was just the cycle of life consuming life!

And for the dead and fallen? What else could she grant them but a requiem that shook the souls of the living, one that filled the crypts with the vibrance of absolute FLAMING hype?!

Amidst cheers and jumps, headbops and footstomps, Ukemin drove the soldiers to the apex of excitement and then dropped them all the way back down to earth.

There would be no encore tonight.

They had fallen over already, from drunkenness and exhaustion.



“Good work, everyone,” the goddess said, taking a moment to brush the sticky hair out of Mafuno’s face. After a musical workout like that, a bath was absolutely mandatory…but also wholly impossible, beyond the ol’ bucket-and-towel measure. This late at night, after all, it would be suicide to brave the night currents for an ocean dip, while Winkhampton’s plumbing also left much to be desired in the eyes of the modern Japanese gal Ukemin.

LOCK shimmied down the improvised scaffolding that they used to hoist up the lanterns. “Are you to return. With us?”

“No. Y’all oughta go take your sleep while you can. Figure it’s gonna get real busy tomorrow!”

“More the reason,” Nakaya said, “that you should too.”

“Nope.”

“Uk-”

“Sorry,” the goddess spoke, in a tone that allowed no reproach. “But nope. Get going now, ok?”

The squad looked at each other, uncertain. But who were they to question the edicts of the divine? In the end, if she was stalwart, there would be no reason for them to disobey, especially when such an order was benign. Kume, first to seize the futility of prolonging all this, caught Mafuno by the scruff of the neck and dragged her away. The others followed after as well, and finally, Ukemin could relax, alone on the stage.

Well, alone, until she cast her eyes towards the silhouettes that she had spotted within the crowd during the festivities. Silhouettes that cut shapes so different from the medieval footsoldiers that laid snoring.

“Good evening,” Ukemin spoke, hopping off her pedestal. “It pleases me, that my summons were responded to so swiftly.”

For the most part, Mercurius found himself watching the festivities from a distance and watching people indulge themselves in the emotion of joy. He, himself, was also affected by the atmosphere of the party though he rationalised it was because of Ukemin’s mote of creation. Though like all things, it faded away as the party ended.

Mercurius looked over towards his trio of companions. There were no words exchanged, but they understood. Though the duck seemed to have other thoughts seeing that it quacked and flapped its wings, they obeyed his commands and waited somewhere else. With them now away, it was time for him to meet with the other fractal travellers.

Coming out of the crowd of shadows, Mercurius emerged from the shadows. “We meet again, Lady Ukemin” With a simple bow of respect, Mercurius greeted the blue haired idol. He could feel his back crack at the sheer movement, but he ignored it.

“If I may inquire, what have you come to know? It must be important.” Even though he listened in on Ukemin’s conversation with R, Mercurius was curious on what Ukemin was going to say. Mercurius wasn’t going to reveal either that he knew already since nobody asked.

Sigismund had arrived at a sight he had not expected. It was like no battle he had ever seen, yet the screaming and hollering of the massed soldiers and the stench of dried blood and split bowels still clung to the air had struck some cords of familiarity within him.

So the battle was over. The dead had been buried, or burned, whichever the case may be by their religious customs. It was.. regrettable. He had hoped to arrive with his companion in time to halt the madness, but he was used to arriving too late. To find only destroyed villages and broken bodies, too often his job had been less about justice and more about retribution. It was his fate, to be the slayer of monsters but so rarely did they mention the days of toil where he buried the bokens bodies left in their wake. Probably wouldn't sound as good to the impressionable youth.

As the music died down, and the soldiers fell where they stood, succumbing to drink and exhaustion, Sigismund felt his own muscles relax. He was not tired as they were, although it had been a hard ride, he had not liked being around so many people. Having them press in around him as they nodded and stomped their feet in time, or, well, badly timed, rhythm with the music Ukemin was playing. They looked at him as if he was one of them, almost unaware that he was a stranger in their midst, as if he belonged.

The paladin of the Lady stepped over the bodies of the sleeping soldiers, some still bandaged in dirty, bloody cloth that was likely to kill them in the coming weeks. He picked his way through the veritable minefield as he made his way to Ukemin upon her pedestal, surrounded by once adoring men. An older man, with a small group, reached her first and the older man seemed familiar but Sigismund could not place him. Had he seen him before? Was he a traveller like them?

"I apologise for my tardiness," Sigismund called as he lightly touched his brow and bent his head, "It seems I have missed the war brewed from holy contempt."

“Wait what, I didn’t invite you.”

That was the first thing that Ukemin blurted as Mercurius emerged out from the shadows, the old man looking as if he had practically always been there. Was definitely just a bit creepy, but after a couple moments, she rationalized that it probably made sense for him to end up in this same spot, if they were headed in the same direction. Which, of course, brought up the other question of where the hell he was during all that had transpired in the week before, but, well, such things could be considered later. The actual guest of the afterparty had arrived, after all, clad in ethereal armour and posing in as dour a form as ever.

“Anyhow,” she said, shaking her head free of obtrusive thoughts, “yes, you did miss it. Honestly surprised me too, that they would launch such a reckless, hasty onslaught. Personally wouldn’t have interpreted a life-rending wave of energy as a good omen, but well” Ukemin gestured around her “the results speak for themselves.” It was nothing to dwell on though, and she gestured the two to follow after her to a more suitable locale for conversation. They circled around the impromptu dance pit and ducked into one of the tents that were erected for food preparation and cooking. Though only embers remained of the fire pit, there were still some leftovers to snack on, and Ukemin pulled out a stool to sit upon as she poured herself a mug of spiced wine.

“I’m sure we’re all well-travelled by now though, so let’s swap stories and findings circularly. First two things are as follows. A prophecy, and a problem.”

Ukemin sipped at her beverage, let out a small sigh, and then recited from memory:

The Seeds of the Reaper will be planted in seven
Each shall grow in life, but soon they shall fall cold from its waters.
As their father, the Reaper, reaps them in his savagery.
They shall walk once more, bound to hell where life and death mean nothing.
The seventh seed born of stone will shatter.
The first and second seeds born of fire will suffocate.
The third and fourth seeds born of air will be discarded.
The fifth and sixth seeds born of light will be chained in shadow.
But they shall prevail, facing the shadow of the reaper. And deliver us from his savage ways.


“In this case, the ‘reaper’ refers to Axulux, the God of Death. His motif is the scythe, and he is believed to disdain the existence of the undead, to the point that worshippers of his laugh at the mere thought that zombies could walk the earth.” The regressed deity raised two fingers. “Which brings us to the problem: Axulux, from my attempts to commune with him, has either forsaken the world, or has been sealed away. This, perhaps, relates to what little Demonsmoke spoke of when she first introduced us to the Fractal, but the immediate consequence of this manifests in the form of a new deity being birthed, serving as Death’s…intermediary, as well as the source of the reanimation of corpses.”

At this point, she let out a laugh.

“And even then, these undead were brought forth for the purpose of keeping corruption at bay. And though there may be no true correlation between these factors, I will say this: true corruption in this Fractal is very low. Low to the point of it being miraculous to have stumbled upon it so soon.”

Sigismund eyed the old man, so he was part of their group. How had he never noticed him? Or perhaps he had and had merely forgotten. A face in the crowd, easily overlooked. "Sigismund, Paladin of the Lady," he gave as a form of introduction and greeting to the elder man, should he not know his name.

His gaze trailed off from Ukemin to gaze upon the mountains and the sleeping men around it. What was it about this mountain that made it worth the lives of these men? How many orphans and widows were going to be created in the aftermath of this 'victory'? And for what? To push out some dwarves who seemingly had lived here long enough to carve out a city within its stone? The madness of mortals, it gladdened his heart that he placed his faith in the Lady's Light rather than mortal ambition.

The paladin shifted a bit as Ukemin spoke of the life-rending wave, among the mountain and volcano, Sigismund had not been sure how far it had reached or the damage it would cause to the local communities and wildlife, but it had to be done. Such a creature, fully formed and free to roam the land, would have been the recipe for catastrophe, but he did not speak up about it. He could always inform her after she was done about their efforts this last week.

A prophecy. Axulux being missing did not surprise Sigismund, Maureen spoke much the same, but Ukemin confirming it was noteworthy. If a deity could not contact another, it did not bode well. Although, a part of him wondered if she had ever tried to reach out to the Lady.. Sigismund gave a small shake of his head to dispel the thought, "A new diety?" he questioned, this was the first he had ever heard of such a thing. Nature abhors a vacuum, so it was reasonable that something would rise to fill the void left by Axulux. The fact this new diety decided that the proper course was to raise the walking dead, threatening the lives of everyone in this land, rather than reach out to the mortals and establish order did not sit well with the Paladin.

Was the corruption in the Fractal low? Sigismund did not quite have that much experience with demonic corruption and these realities to really gauge that. He had assumed it was fairly normal, but this was the first time he had ever done this, so perhaps Ukemin had more experience than he? She was a goddess, diminutive stature or not, afterall, perhaps she merely knew more about this than he? Seemed plausible. So did she believe that the raising of the dead to contain the corruption was good? Or did her laugh mean she thought it was foolhardy? Perhaps something more along the lines of not being able to pick up glass once shattered? It was hard to gauge her preference, Sigismund's interpersonal skills were lacklustre even at the best of times.

"The wave of energy was us, Khamsin and myself," Sigismund said, assuming it was his turn to share what had transpired, "The demon he found was not a demon. It was an Angel of Death, servant of Axulux. It was still forming, but it seemed sadistic and cruel, so we banished it back to the darkness from whence it came," he didn't go too much into details about 'Angels of Death', Ukemin was a goddess, and she would certainly know about them, probably, more than he knew.

Sigismund paused a bit before continuing, "We discovered it had been summoned, so we tracked down the one who did it. His name is Maureen, youngest son of the king of this realm. A potent earth mage, from the information he gave me, his father is King Karn, Swindler of Death. He claimed to have a personal relationship with Axulux, although I did not ask about the nature of it. The boy had summoned the angel when he tried to pray to Axulux's sister, Horéne, for guidance, when she did not answer, he tried to take his own life. His wounds were healing before my eyes and they were similar to the wounds and purple aura of the Angel of Death."

He paused a bit to gather his breath, not used to talking this much, "Maureen said Axulux's sister, is gone, dead or imprisoned with Axulux. He claimed that foreigners showed up in the kingdom and started to corrupt it. His father bade him flee. I convinced the young prince to emerge from his home and set right this kingdom. He met up with two of his brothers at the town of Gatford, I believe he is waiting for more to arrive and that they are heading to the realm of the Giants."

Sigismund reached into one of the pouches at his waist and pulled out the vial of holy blood, "I found this at the site where the angel was summoned. It does not feel like it came from the angel, the angel was wrong. When I peered into it, I saw glimpses of a vision, but I could not withstand it on my own. I had thought, given your nature, we could try together and discover what tale it has."

It seemed that both of his fractal travellers seemed surprised by his sudden appearance. Both of their surprises brought a small grin to his face, but it quickly disappeared. Mercurius didn’t know he was smiling to himself. Though that wasn’t the point. He looked over towards Ukemin as she began to inform the both of them the information she had gathered.

“Mercurius.” With that the old man fell silent again. He didn’t feel the need to extend anything more than that, nor did he have anything to add.

Most of the information that Ukemin had told was information that Mercurius knew after listening in to her conversation with R. Though, he didn’t know the part about the prophecy. It was an entertaining tale that brought Mercurius an iota of nostalgia. Had he heard a prophecy before? Not this one, but back when his country wasn’t shattered by the earth splitting divine light. What was it-

No. Now wasn’t the time.

“Hoh, so that was the explosion was your doing?” Mercurius said at Sigimund’s tale. There was a lot to unpack from what the Paladin of Lady told him. To think that immediately after emerging into the fractal the first thing they did was kill an Angel of Death and multiple of death. That was respectable.

“There wasn’t much on my side. Lady Ukemin most likely saw what I did as we travelled in the same direction,” Mercurius said. There was a small pause before he remembered something. “Say, Ukemin, what were your thoughts on the caskets in the shrine? I saw you in the shrine not too long ago.” If he remembered correctly the caskets seemed to have something powerful contained within them. Whether it was evil or good was something he could nor infer.

In retrospect maybe he shouldn’t have used the purifier immediately. The chains were made out an evil-like energy, but he supposed he couldn’t do anything about it anymore.

“A new diety,” Ukemin repeated. “They go by the moniker of R and were kind enough to mention several…interesting things. The fellow’s amiable enough, after all, and was born from a shard, whilst being aware of interdimensional conflict. That sounds familiar, does it not?”

What was spoken of the Angel of Death and its swift demise, however, was enough to cause her to raise a brow. Axulux’s servants could be manifested, even in the absence of the god itself? Perhaps it was just a facsimile of the real thing, if such a being could be vanquished so easily…unless the Motes of Creation granted a divinity-surpassing might to those who manifested their gifts in such manner. That Maureen kid as well was a curious case. Was the entire royal family tied, one way or the other, to a now-departed god? Hrm, this was certainly a lot more scheming than she was accustomed to dealing with. So many micro-conflicts, compared to the terraforming she did while her world was still in its infancy.

“There is good chance that many of the king’s progeny have ties with Axulux, really. Heard a spicy rumor that this Jon princeling was a stillborn, only to be miraculously resuscitated with a divine flash of light. Second youngest prince, if that matters.” Ukemin snapped her fingers, a shot of inspiration coming through. “And if we speak of prophecies, Axulux’s human origins mean that it could be quite possible that those of his bloodline roam this Fractal still. But yes, Sigismund, I would be perfectly happy to assist you with divining that blood vial you carry. In exchange…”

Ukemin nodded towards Mercurius.

“There are more pressing matters to attend to first. There are caskets, you see, in the shrine of Axulux. Caskets chained down with energy that Gasem, y’know, masked dude who reads a lot, identified as corruption. And further within this crude mount, there lingers…creatures possessing psionic energies. Creatures who surround themselves with a strange ore that, according to him, works to shroud their activities.”

There was still more to say, of course. Of Axulux’s lich, the being that made the undead into a force of terror. Of the Primordial Beings, whom R shares the same naming convention as. Of the great disparities in the perception of seasons.

“If you’ve eaten your fill and roused your spirits, and if there are no grander matters that need attending to, I think some post-feast exercise may be called for.”

Sigismund wasn't sure what kind of deity went by such a simple moniker but who was he to question a divine being, if that is truly what they were? Still, perhaps this deity should consider a name with more gravitas. Unless they were some deity of jest? His brow furrowed under his helm as he considered it, would it be apt for a deity of frivolity to have a name that eschewed the expected naming conventions? However, he doubted this 'R' was such a being, if there was a prankster god that found humor in the hordes of mindless dead, he had yet to hear of it.

"The one that talks so much they become exhausted?" Sigismund asked as she mentioned Gasem and he took a second to recall the thin man. He noted she had called him by his name this time instead of 'Sigi', was the previous name a slip of the tongue or had he simply misheard it in the rush of the other world? Did it matter? Probably not. Was the caskets chained down by corrupt energy the 'vault' she asked for his aid with or was it the creatures that worked with the strange ore? Would chains of corruption be used to bind something good? Or would they be used to bound a larger, greater evil? Perhaps something was inside the caskets, growing, and the chains were a protection, of sorts, to guard it? Either way, it seemed like it would be better to deal with it now rather than later. He had faith that the blade of his Lady could shatter chains of darkness.

He opened his mouth to suggest they go now, rather than stand around when she brought up a post-feast exercise. Exercise? This hardly seemed like the time or place. Sigismund paused and took a moment to examine Ukemin, "Your body does not seem to possess much weight, are you perhaps thinking of adding more bulk? I am not sure someone of your size will gain much from it but I do know some exercises that could aid in your efforts, but I believe we should handle the threats fi-" Sigismund's voice died off as his mind finally figured it out. She was being coy. She meant the exercise would be dealing with the.. Oh.

"I-Yes, you're right, exercise in-," Sigismund fumbled a bit as he tried to figure out what to do in this scenario. What was the 'protocole'? "Lead on to the caskets," he said as he tried to withdraw into himself and find solace in action.

“Divine Light, hm?” Mercurius mumbled to himself. The mural had something similar depicted in it. Perhaps, if he had a native speaker, he would be able to understand the meaning behind him. “I wonder if it has anything to do with the murals within the shrine.” Mercurius said his thoughts out loud.

“In any case, it wouldn’t be surprising if the royal bloodline of this fractal had a connection to a god. Something about ‘divine right?’ Not to mention Axulux was present when the current king was born if I were to interpret the murals correctly.” It would seem that it was time to go back and investigate the shrine. He wondered if the caskets would be opened by the time they got back.
“In that case, follow me, I explored the shrine when the dwarves around. Though, I haven’t explored all of it, I do know where the caskets are.” With that Mercurius began to walk inside the shrine. They would have to deal with what inevitably came out of the caskets once they were open.

Mercurius also didn’t understand what Sigimund was flushed about. Ukemin seemed to be of healthy weight and being a goddess must have perfected her form, unless his lady got fat as well. Whatever the case, it didn’t matter.

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Orders
Free Action
Escort Maureen to Gatford and do some quick trading of 3 [or however many they can afford to get] gold ingots to acquire a horse [or horses if Maureen and his brothers decide to follow Sigismund and Khamsin]. If possible, any other credits he gets will be donated to the local church/orphanage [or failing that], he will give out all the credits to those in need. He will use the horse [if he acquired it] to continue down to the road towards Ukemin's position.

1. Sigismund will approach Ukemin for assistance in understanding the vision from the holy blood and offer assistance, in kind, to discovering what lay within the vault.

2. TBD [If the horse + roads aren't enough to reach Ukemin's position, this order can be a double move to get him there, just let me know if it is so I know its been used!]​



 
Last edited:
First Response of Turn 2
Kent Kent



  • Back in Gatford, Maureen is dropped off by Sigismund and Khamsin to see the status of his eldest brothers who happen to be responding to a letter from Klein. Klein's minions have alerted them of the princes' arrival and he goes out to meet them.

    Klein arrives from Lord Fro's Manor just as Maureen, Sho, and Saun meet on the outskirts of town. You would think any of them would mind the dead, but they don't seem to particularly care. It was a rainy day so the light of the partially blocked sun was dimmed even more. If Klein had not known better, he'd think he slept all day. Of course, he knew better. But, an air-filled excitement chased into Klein's lungs. He could almost feel the tension and hurt from the trio all around him. Some incredibly contentious conversation was about to begin, and oh how excited Klein was!


    The townsfolk remained mostly in their homes, but some of the uproar from Klein's colleagues made things somewhat uneasy. The dead seemed to be a little more numerous today, but Klein wasn't too worried.

    Maureen waited at the small opening in the firewalls. He must have heard Sho and Saun coming. Onsight of Maureen, Sho rushed to him and patted his back while Saun rolled his eyes and kept his distance. His arms crossed and his eyes shut. Maureen stood still, not reacting to Sho's comforting gesture. Sho tried to smile, but it could be seen that his jaw trembled a little. "Maur Maur, hey. We've been looking for you all over! Where've you been?" "That doesn't matter really. I just have to ask... Was it necessary?" Maureen stepped forward, turning to face away from Klein towards Sho and Saun. His fists clenched.

    "Do you want to see it? He did make it quite prominent." Sho stuttered, "No, I rather not." Maureen untied his tunic, letting fall down to the street. Sho kneeled his head and stepped to the side only to have his throat gag as he saw it. His name was made clear across Maureen's full-back, with dried blood and blisters everywhere. It looked to be a couple centimeters thick. Maureen had a tear leave his eye before he opened his mouth again. "Can't handle it? It's hurt every damn day. Thankfully for you, I sleep on my stomach. Otherwise, I would have dug you into the earth and left you there. But, there are go making threats we both know I won't do."

    Sho looked into Maureen's eyes, "I'm sorry... I'-" Maureen clasped his mouth, "Let's take this elsewhere. Know a place? You canker blossom?" Maureen turned to Saun. Saun yawned, "Supposedly, a friend of ours has befriended Lord Fro. So, we could try the bastard's manor."

    Klein dispelled the effects of his umbrella to the trio and made a slight bow to the royals. He exuded an aura of goodwill and trust. Of course, that was artificial and came from Klein's innate powers. What goodwill? What trust? "Your Highnesses, friends, please follow me to the Villa. You could continue your conversation there and even ask our Serpentine Lord some questions."

    Maureen raised his left eyebrow, but he waited for Sho to decide, scratching his head and grabbing his tunics. Sho shrugged his shoulders, "Alright, lead the way." Together, all four meet in Lord Fro's Manor, sitting down.

    Sho sat beside Maureen, leaning towards him. Maureen laid back towards the left, closing his eyes as seemingly began to rest. Saun stood, leaning in the far back. Farthest away from everyone. The smell of tea and raspberries filled the air as drinks and snacks were placed on the table. "Maur Maur, are you okay?" Sho asked sheepishly. It seemed hard to believe. He looked lethargic while Saun looked ready to beat the shit out of Maureen at a moment's notice. Sho rubbed Maureen's shoulder as Maureen wept softly. "I'm fine, thanks. You can have Lord Fro say whatever you want, you probably have him scared to death." "Why did you come? And why are you back? We've never seen you. I've been looking for you."

    Saun laughed, "Yeah you, none of the rest of us have. And look, he didn't take my advice."

    Lord Fro was ordered to walk in but also to not give indication that he was under Klein's control. Instead, he should just act "grateful" for freeing him from the Elves' control. He was to answer any questions of the Princes except anything about Klein.

    The three brothers watched Lord Fro enter the room with disgust. They leaned up, ready for bullshit almost in unison. Their eyes glared at Lord Fro. He was in incredible danger. Feet ready arched and ready, a flicker of flame in hand, and Maureen's eyes began to darken a bit. They all forgot what they were talking about with Sho leaning more towards Maureen as if to intercept anything on him. Maureen darted his eyes to his eldest brother, confused but bubbling with a little bit of relief. Sho growled and stretched his left arm in front of Maureen, "Hey there, you bastard. You got some talking to do. Talk or you'll be in the campfire. Now, Maureen, would you like to go first?" Maureen nodded, "Sure meathead, I'll go. Who did you hire to kill Sho and Saun? We both damn well know you and your pathetic lackeys couldn't have done it yourselves." Both of the elder twins were taken aback.

    Lord Fro coughed, speaking slowly, "Oh, I know. You see. I didn't expect many on the island to handle such a dynamic duo like yourself, so I hired some giants to help me with that problem. I mean I was considering elves, but I couldn't remember why I didn't pick them instead." Saun rolled his eyes in amusement, "Really? Giants? You'd think a giant would do you any good? Big guys are our specialty." Maureen murmured, "Saun, that isn't important. Because he's lying, it was elves that were coming and I must have scared them off somehow. Now, would you like to fix your answer?"

    Lord Fro looked confused, "I don't know what you're talking about. I hired giants. I have the contract here." Lord Fro frayed out a contract detailing giant assassins for their target of Sho and Saun, supposedly not for Maureen. Maureen scanned the document as Sho looked over his shoulder. Saun stayed back, looking back out onto the street. "Hmm, you're not lying for once. I rather you be lying as this makes things much easier. But, the truth is stranger than fiction."

    Sho looked at the document closer as Maureen focused on Lord Fro. He continued to read the document until he stumbled across something. He tugged Maureen's tunic. "Hey, you may wanna look at this. A clause on disposing of our bodies in a meeting location near the Dodbroles hills, something only the giants know about. And how exactly do you know that Lord Fro hired people?" "Because I saw it happen, both of your deaths by elvish blades. I saw Gatford and you speaking with Lord Fro. I connected the dots to him hiring elves to kill you, but now it seems I was wrong in the hiring part. But, you'd both be dead if I didn't come here to at least figure out what was happening. I didn't..." (edited)

    "Maur Maur, elves hate Serpent kind. Why would they talk to Lord Fro?" "A bigger piece on the board. A bigger prize and we've always suspected Lord Fro got his title for some setup against father and the crown. Maybe the elves are responsible. But, I didn't come here to speak with this Serpent. I came here to talk to you two." Sho massaged Maureen's neck, "Really? You came to talk to us? Why? After everything?" Saun held his hand over his mouth, seemingly bored. Sho glared at him and he waved it off. Sho looked back at Maureen, "I'm sorry for everything. I've... been thinking." Maureen sighed, "That's terrifying. You and thinking? But, yes. After everything, I wanted to talk and maybe start over. Forget everything."

    Saun rolled his eyes, "That is not happening. You're a little shit that took away my father and reveled in the joy it brought you. You don't give a damn. Do you remember the countless times you rubbed it in my face? The number of times you put Harg in my food? I still have problems because of it. Why now, out of the blue, are you doing these things for us. Only a year ago did you tell us to our faces that you hated us and wished us dead. You suddenly expect me to just take you back? I still got more to go through, and somehow you got Sho to believe your lies. Sho, for the love of Axulux, just put this down and leave Maureen behind. He isn't worth it." Maureen sighed, "I was just a damn kid who didn't know any better. Who didn't understand what was really happening. What was I supposed to do? Not enjoy the love of my father? Was I to assign myself the same hell you guys got? I pleaded with him almost daily to give you guys some love because he was suffocating me. Every damn second of my life was managed and scheduled. I couldn't be a kid like you guys could. I never got to meet anyone outside of politics because of it. Do you think I had it any better with no control over my own life?" Saun laughed, "Look at all the lying you're doing. Come on, you were being raised as the new crown prince as the youngest son. Stealing it from Sho. Who did dad talk about at dinner? YOU. Who did everyone other than women want to talk to at functions, YOU. Because we didn't matter. We're not of any concern. Mom wasn't around. Dad wasn't around. We were left to our own accords. Remember when Jon almost died because Dad didn't give a fuck? Yeah, that's on you. Sure, you can say you were a kid. But, no kid hogs up dad's attention when his brother is DYING."

    Sho stood up between them, "Just stop. This is none of our fault. Just stop blaming each other please?" Maureen and Saun yelled back, "Stay out of this."

    Maureen sighed, "How in the fuck was I supposed to know he was dying? Not like I saw you guys often. I barely know you even though you're the last family I have, and that's why I'm here. Once I knew it was safe. I came here to find you guys and make some amends. I'm not asking for you to forgive me for everything and be happy. I'm asking for a chance to show you guys that I care about you." Saun stepped closer, Sho pushed him back, "Don't you dare." Saun growled, "I will. Stand in my way and things will get hot fast. I'm tired of you being a traitor."

    Lord Fro whispers to Klein as they are distracted amongst themselves, "What should I do?"

    Klein closed his eyes and breathed the tense hair with a smile. He then looked at the Dimitri and gestured for him to use his powers to calm down the room. "My friends, let's all calm down, shall we? Allow me to mediate for the both of you." Klein's voice was low but it resounded in the room and influenced the Princes to further calm down. "But first of all, the elves are behind everything. How do I know? Because Lord Fro here was their slave before my arrival." He tossed fragments of the elves' gem on the table in the middle. "Now, moving on to the next issue at hand. Your dear father, his Royal Majesty, the King of Xaltan Toral, wanted all of you dead." He pulled out a document from thin air and unfurled it in front of the princes. Showing the King's order to Lord Fro. "My, my, little princes. You guys are surrounded by intrigue from inside and outside. If you still value your lives and perhaps even those of your siblings, perhaps you should redirect your focus instead of meaningless squabble?"

    Sho looked at Maureen; they nodded together. Maureen breathed carefully, sighing as he laid back in his chair. He opened up his tunic, revealing the mass vertical line of freckles on his chest. Sho looked concerned, and Mauren rolled his eyes and waved it off. Sho nodded. Mauren then cleared his throat and spoke. "Yes, they found me and alerted me to their actions of defeating an Angel of Death. One that I had managed to spawn at the Horéne's fountain nearby. Sigismund seemed to be a good man. Definitely overzealous to his cause. But, I think that isn't a bad thing. I'm glad our altercation in my mine did not go further as it could have spelled disaster for his life. Of course, I don't trust you. Anyone that is here right now could be a suspect. Sho and Saun may, but I won't. I know too much." Klein sees a boulder outside behind him, "Cross me or them, and I will end you." Saun looked up, confused but he dozed off back to the street. "Khamsin is definitely a competent warrior. Brave, daring, and lustful for blood. His metal body is very interesting. Though, I've heard whispers of how that could be. I think they both are good people. I just fear what they may make of my brothers and I."

    Maureen glared at Klein before sitting back down. Sho sat down as well, and Saun returned to the back, looking out onto the street. It seemed the Dimitri's powers had worked, but only so much. The three brothers looked at Klein with concern. Maureen broke the silence, "Our 'squabble' is hardly pointless, but," Maureen sighed as he looked to be breaking down a bit. However, he regained his composure, "There are others things we need to take care of. Saun, can we work together for the time being?" "If it keeps me breathing, fine. But, this isn't over." Maureen looked afraid and tense, but he seemed to be calm otherwise. Sho patted his shoulder softly. "Let me take it from here. You two take a breather. So, what are you proposing?"

    "Like I said since we first interacted, I'd like to help you, friends. As for the reason... well, to sum it up, I'm a good man. And as opposed to a crazy king, some hostile elves, some dumb snakes, and weird giants, of course I'd choose you. Although, with this frail body, I cannot actually physically fight with you guys but I can offer my help elsewhere" Klein smiled at Sho and then immediately coughed as if the talk and the travel to pick them up was taxing on his body. With his legitimately frail body, faking such illness with or without his powers is quite easy. Also, who would put much suspicion on a frail and sickly man? He then looked at Maureen and asked, "I assume you met my friends? Khamsin and Sigismund, what are your impressions of them?"

    Klein just nodded as the Prince spoke. "They are good men indeed, both with their quirks but nevertheless they serve for the greater good. I'm glad they were able to deal with the angel of death otherwise it could have resulted in great trouble for Gatford." Klein covered his mouth as he intensely coughed. He seemed as if he was struggling and he supported himself with his umbrella. Lord Fro tried to approach with concern but Klein waved him off. Klein quickly wiped his mouth with his handkerchief but he couldn't hide the severity of his condition when the white clothe was stained red. "Pardon me, that was nothing. Just a minor cough." "Sir Klein, are you okay?" Lord Fro was gonna approach Klein but was blocked by one of the scarred humans. "Stand away, snake. Lord Klein suffered a backlash from the Elves gem when he forcefully dispelled its effects just to free you from slavery. If not for his kindness, he wouldn't be like this. If something happens to him, I swear that I will-" "Enough Gerald! Let's not embarrass ourselves in front of the Princes." Klein frowned as he dismissed his reluctant companion. "Apologies, I hope we did not embarrass ourselves. Like I said, that was nothing. You have nothing to worry about." He then proceeded to drink the tea that was handed to him before speaking again, "You do not have to threaten me, my friend, what can this body even do to any of you? And likewise, I do not fully trust any of you, I just arrived at this world and I'm immediately met with intense intrigue. But as it currently stands, it seems like I'm the only one willing to help any of you and you people the only one I can rely on for help." Klein's eyes and words were full of sincerity. "And you might be able to help me go back to my world and family as well... This world is not mine and I do not wish to stay here forever. And as for my peers, whatever they might try to do, I will stand by your side. So I put forward a proposal of cooperation." (edited)

    "As my first show of sincerity, I'd like to ask Lord Fro to return the belongings of the Princes." Klein looked at Lord Fro. Lord Fro hesitated for a second before sighing and gesturing to one of the guards to bring the items.

    Sho looked at the handkerchief with some concern. He looked like he wanted to say something to Maureen, but from what you can gather and what you know about Sho. He looks to be trying to mend his relationship with Maureen, and out of not rocking the boat any more than Saun has, he kept quiet, mostly trying to calm Maureen with some back rubs. Maureen doesn't seem to be resisting, just on edge. Maureen nodded softly, looking back a Saun. "No, I am not working with you, bastard." "If that's what you want then that's fine, wounds take time to heal." "I'm not healing your bullshit." Maureen just tapped his feet, "Saun, Meshins are terrible liars. And I'm probably one of the worst people to lie to. Vibrations considered. You've obviously considered something that someone has said because you would not have come with Sho to find me. He alone could have handled Lord Fro's posse. But, thank you for giving back our belongings." A guard comes in and gives the princes their belongings. Sho nodded, "Thank you. So, what is your proposal?"

    "I cannot fight nor can I use magic like you three, perhaps in time, but currently I don't have the education or training. But what I can lend you guys is my mind and otherworldly education. Those are the weapons that allowed me to survive in this cruel universe despite my weakness. I know you do not trust me but unfortunately, that's the only way I can be of help." Klein smiled wryly with his hand that was holding the bloody handkerchief clenching, as if he was frustrated about his own weakness. "If only..." He then sighed and shook his head as if dismissing the thoughts. He then requested a map from his companion and laid it out on the table. He pointed at a location and spoke, "I'd first like to investigate a rock that fell from the sky the moment we first appeared. I believe it certainly is an item of interest. Afterwards... we are against big organizations and we don't have resources to compare. From the information provided to me by Lord Fro, might I suggest that we head East to the town of giants and make a withdrawal representing the crown? If your dad is after you, might as well use the resources he could use against you for your own benefit. What do you guys think or do you have better ideas?"

    Klein picked up a notebook and flipped through its pages, looking at some for a couple of seconds in thought. He then took out a pen and wrote as if he was writing some new information to consider.

    Suddenly, the door bursts open and one of the Serpent guards enters with a sword. It charges in and attempts to assassinate Klein. Gerald gracefully parries the strike, causing the Serpent to pace back and cleanly cut off the head of one of the servants. Panic ensures across the manor as servants run amuck. Drinks flood everywhere, and the Serpent shouts, "You should not have attempted to join this game. I might have failed but the others will not.". Swiftly afterward, the serpent is surrounded in flames and pressed together like a pancake as Saun reached from the back and turned him to ash.

    Klein was coughing up blood intensely behind Gerald as the sudden shock and horror made his afflictions erupt. "What does this mean, Lord Fro?" Gerald looked at Lord Fro with hostility as he pointed his sword at the Snakeman Lord. "I-I-I don't know. I don't have anything to do with it! It could either be an agent of the King that I don't know of or a death servant of the Elves... I was already redeemed from both with Sir Klein's help so I definitely am not involved." Lord Fro quickly explained himself. Klein's raised his hand as he continued to cough. When his fit subsided, he slumped back on the chair. "It's not Lord Fro, spare him the hostility, Gerald... That was an attempt on my life and failing that, a warning." He then chuckled and sighed, "It's too late to go back, I guess I'm involved in the game now as well... but I never intended to go back. Whatever path I choose, I will walk to the end.' (edited)

    His eyes was full of determination and bravery. Despite his weak body, he seemed as if he was a valiant warrior. He then looked at Saun and slightly bowed his head. "You have my thanks but it would have been better if we captured him. Nevertheless, I'm still grateful and I owe you."

    Sho and Saun gazed at one another, tossing thoughts around in their heads. Maureen seemed shocked, but still brooding on more personal things. As the scene began to calm down, the three looked at one another before Sho spoke with Maureen. "You fine with bringing everyone together? They should be around soon. If we go, we should go with all of us." "That's fine, as long as you can keep things civil." "Saun seems civil enough. So, it should work out." Maureen nodded, "It's better we stay together. So, as long as you guys can make it work, I am willing." Saun sighed and stretched, "Do you expect the giants to let us withdraw? You knew that stuff well mouse man." "Yes, I think they will. I doubt they would have received the stop order. You guys will need to stay out of sight while I go do this. If they see you, they'll stop me. And I'll need some nicer clothes. Could you procure that for us Mr. Klein? Maybe for all of us?"

    "Of course. Lord Fro? Might you have some spare? I assume you might have some... vanity closet. If not, we can have some made."

    Lord Fro slithers his tongue, "I can make something work. Human clothes are not something I keep around. I wasn't going to dress you in anything nice. That be a waste." Maureen scoffed, "Well, at least you're not always wasteful. Saun, Sho, when do you knuckleheads think they'll be here. Cause we all know things are going to get hot once they see me." Sho rubbed Maureen's shoulder, "I'll calm them down. Least I could do." Maureen sighed, feeling fear and doubt again, "Thank you Sho. I do appreciate you coming back. I... need some time to process, and I don't think we ever could get back to what we could've been. But, I want to be wrong, for all of our's sake."

    Saun murmured, "Should be any moment, just wait for Targen to ask for a bar loudly." On cue, you could hear outside. "IS THERE A BAR HERE?" Maureen raised his eyebrows, "Did he become hearing challenged like everything else or?" "No, he's excited about beer as Sho is about women. Though at least, roughing the beer up too much from his strength is not much of a problem for Targen."

    "Oh, it's going to be a family reunion. How exciting. Should I leave you Princes to catch up with each other?"

    Maureen sighed, "Considering your fragility, wouldn't be a bad idea. There could be a fight." Sho nodded. Saun laughed in agreeance.

    "Indeed. I would like to thank you, Princes. I will return to my chambers now, just ask for me if you need me and I will answer." Klein once again bowed to the Princes and was escorted by Gerald back to his chambers.

 
Twist Twist


  • Order 1: Dog Training

    Training dogs always is a stress relieving activity, watching them prance around in the snow with their tongues hanging out. Dogs came from wolves who found comfort around humans long ago. As such, they still held onto their tracking abilities from their primordial nature. Of course, dogs were far better in the trainability department than other creatures thanks to their long history with humans. While Kal wasn't human, dogs can't tell anyways. Kal practiced tracking with the small animals he could find nearby. The dogs seem more interested in booping them than hunting them at first, but with some prodding from Kal, they managed to reawaken their ancient instincts. Soon, they were chasing after the little bunnies and squirrels that have managed to survive thus far. Gathering a modest 1 Food from the surrounding small animals, but it seems that the dogs have begun their tracking journey. While not the most controllable at the moment, it worked nevertheless.

    Kal's dogs gain Minor Tracking allowing them to add an additional 1d4 units of food to any food gathering operation in a woodland cell or other appropriate cells. This trait is also now applied to future dogs that Kal manifests thanks to understanding them on a deeper level.

    Order 2: Ice Gathering

    The operation to gather ice went smoothly. Naturally, the glacier didn't have too much activity, and Kameraz were quite good at not slipping. However, they were not the strongest. And ice is like water, to a lesser degree, as in being quite heavy. But, with some teamwork, you manage to excavate some ice from the ground. Underneath looked to be more ice, but the surface became clearer. There looked to be a massive nest underneath the glacier. I wonder where that goes?

    After some time, you collect five units of ice. Wonder what they will do.

    Scout & Items in the Bag:

    The bag seemed to be somewhat worn, plain, brownish leather. It had a strap that has "Remember Who You Are" on it. Inside, Kal finds a mirage of items.

    1. A Map that leads to the mountain range to the north with "Investigate Wizard artifacts" on it. There appears to be some markings there, but they didn't make much sense.
    2. A pouch full of credits: 200 credits to be exact.
    3. A longsword attached to the bag's holster.
    4. What looks like a flash drive. It looked completely out of place. What could they mean?
    Scouting Results

    More of the taiga awaits Kal until one of the spirits return from the north, from the higher elevations. There appears to be metal pipes there. What could that mean? However, there also appeared to be a great deal of dead blocking the mountain path that the pipes come from.

[tab=Orders][/tab]
 
ERode ERode

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  • Order Action 1: Searching for Supplies, Cleaning and Prepping for the Festival.

    Winkhampton was a tremendous sight once time allowed it to be viewed as a whole. An expansive hold with some "open air" sections that shaped like a triangle on a circle. The circle consisted of the lower areas. Homes of the commonfolk, mines, and shelves for the statuettes of families, usually idols for each family in the hold, ancestors of bygone eras. A capable few still remained from the siege and the army destroying them. Ukemin could feel some sort of connection to above, but it had been incomplete, like whatever they go to had not accepted them. Or that they weren't there. But the idols offered little more than speculation. Ukemin stumbled on a stable or garage of sorts. The army had cleared out most of the place, but they left behind a steamcar of some sort. Some early engine technology that while inefficient as compared to your space age bike, was capable enough as needed. The car looked to have a cage on the back to hold wood and a large column made to ignite the wood placed in the engine in the back of the car. While not the best place for it as Ukemin would off-handly know, it would suffice. It uses a medium sized red gem to light a fire that travels through the tube to the wood in the engine.

    Gain one Steam-Wagon, a four person car that consumes 1 unit of Wood for each turn it is used. It increases movement by 1 each turn. It also can store 4 units of materials. Can take 3 hits before being destroyed

    Farther in the triangle, you stumble across a server room of sorts that seemed to be sealed incredibly well. Ukemin could feel the residue from the locks. It looked completely out of place. She wasn't sure why it had power, but it did. She scanned across the consoles. They looked to be in some foreign language. But, it looked to be a mass data dump and not connected to anything else. There was also no where to unlock the computer besides a chamber for a vial. What it needed was unclear.

    What would Ukemin do with it?

    Order Action 2: Festival Unique Action

    Ukemin gains 1 Fame

    Units: 6 Points to Spend

    1 - Tolarian Human Recruit: A Soldier that recently joined the army, cured of the fractal glitch by your mote of creation. - Strength, Will - Blessing (Shard Cost 5): Unglitched: A creature that used to be glitched by a fractal. Due to its unstable nature, it occasionally causes the unit to change and grow stronger. After each fractal, if this unit survives, it gains 1 in unit value.

    2 - Dogs: Wandering dogs of the hold that Ukemin can gather and tame to her cause.

    3 - Tolarian Human Private: A more experience warrior that was also cured of the glitch of the fractal. - Strength, Will - Skill: Melee 1 Blessing (Shard Cost 5): Unglitched: A creature that used to be glitched by a fractal. Due to its unstable nature, it occasionally causes the unit to change and grow stronger. After each fractal, if this unit survives, it gains 1 in unit value.

    4 - Uncured Rabbit: A uncured member of the army that wields some of the powers of a reality glitc. - Strength, Acumen - Blessing (Shard Cost 4): Glitchy: This creature occasionally causes the last effect they benefited or suffered, to happen again, once the original effect ends. (roll 1d20 on hit with an effect, if a 20, it happens again, exactly), Precise Focus.

    5 - Tolarian Human Veteran: While not crazy good, definitely has some experience to them and understands what their doing. Skills: Melee 2, Ranged 1. - Blessings: Precise Focus. Comes with a Quality 50 Longsword and Longbow. Armor not included due to fractal shennigans

    Passive Action: Tending to the Injured and recruiting the dying.

    Rolled an additional 1d4 for the festival recruitment and added 1 more to the total points, not the max unit value.

 
Misuteeku Misuteeku ( Cosmo Cosmo ERode ERode Lazaro1505 Lazaro1505 )



  • Order 1: Constructing a Purifier & Order 2: Cleansing of Fasington

    Mercurius stowed away from the commotion of the Goddess, the army, and the others that would arrive. He collected his despair and began to form it into a purifier. Ukemin spoke of corruption here. So, looks like he could cleanse it and find peace. So he began to craft it, thinking of his love and the sadness it brought. It slowly formed into a mini castle with many features of the castle he once guarded. It sprayed white light and cream tendrils of energy. It would purge corruption, but with everything, it took time. The army got glances every so often, mostly in curiosity to Mercurius's mystical arts. The shrine room began to glow white in response from the purifier. But, Mercurius and all those in the hold could feel sudden vibrations and faint cries. Something did not appreciate the purifier's presence, but it acted not to it yet...

    However, as Mercurius activated the purifier in the shrine, a louder scream could be heard. Something was pissed. Digging, you could faintly hear digging... Something was coming for you. And you could only imagine one thing... Corruption. It would not idly be cleansed. No, it would fight. It sounded to be hundreds burrowing towards you now. It seemed you had some time before it befallen you. Fasington was a massive volcano. It seemed you had 2 turns from now before they were burrow to you. The chains would also disappear once the corruption is cleansed from the cell.

    Fasington Cleansing Progress: 40% (30% uncorrupted + 10% cleansed) The purifier cleanses 1d10% each turn. Multiple purifiers can be used to increase speed.

    Event: After 2 turns, a horde of corruption will breach and attack Winkhampton.
 
Gasem
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  • "Now what am I to do?" There he was standing and mumbling to himself, just far enough away from the wall of dead, to avoid any more incidents. The prior one had already been quite a hassle. It still was plaguing his mind, had he been detected? Or had it just been an unfortunate coincidence? If they had noticed, then were they coming for him? Unlikely, even if they tracked back his doppelgänger, he was right here. Far away from them and any danger they posed, so his hopes. Dying was after all not an experience, he wished to add to his collection so soon.

    'Clack' 'Clack' 'Clack'

    Gasem couldn't dwell upon this potential problem any further. His compatriot's clockwork and inner construct was rattling without pause. Why? Shouldn't that be obvious? To research, develop something new! He hadn't expected to be given such an interesting companion, from, well he didn't know from where he had gotten Orbi, but that little robot proved so far to be extremely useful. Or at least to possess tremendous potential. So far, it had only gathered data to construct an easy to read and easy to understand basic knowledge guide to magic. However, according to the memories that Gasem had acquired through some outside force, Orbi was capable of constructing entire buildings all on its own, without the need for further aid in any way!

    But alas… Since Gasem had found it to be essential to keep moving, there wasn't much use for constructing anything just yet. And that wouldn't change anytime soon, at least if the situation did not abruptly change. After all, his first and foremost goal was still to experience this newly-opened outside world. Staying in one place, while not necessarily having any negative influence, was most likely not going to aid that goal of his. As such, Orbi was not the most useful just yet. As from what he could gather, Orbi would take at least several more weeks to gain considerable progress on its research, too long if one were to take into consideration what had already unfolded.

    There was not much time left, that Gasem was oddly enough certain of without a shred of doubt. Yet while Orbi could not provide much help in any direct way, its very presence, was comfortable to Gasem. While he did not actively seek out others, he still appreciated the company of another, especially since despite so far not being able to talk back, Orbi proved to be an excellent listener, even responding back with some strange noises. Who knew? Orbi seemed to be the construct of an extremely advanced civilization, if Gasem found enough parts to upgrade him or just with time, he might very well be able to talk finally back with more than just a few noises.

    Till then, Gasem however had to find a way around this blockade, his current combat prowess was a joke, fighting was therefore out of the question. And while he had been curious to an extreme degree about what was behind these sheer masses of dead, it was not to an extent where he'd risk his life just yet. There was still plenty to explore in any other direction. Therefore, he just decided to go east, hoping he might just at some point sneak around these undead or find at the very least something else that could pique his interest.
 
Scatterbrain Scatterbrain

Scout: You scouted the tunnel where you find scraps from what looks like to be an evacuation of some kind. A spread of useful materials left behind. Nothing too numerous, but the ultimate battle lifeform was able to quickly gather them up before continuing forward.

1 unit of steel ingots
3 units of copper ingots
A set of improved hand-held tools, increases gathering rates by 2 units.

You continue moving forward, spotting what looks like to be a series of steam pipes leading into the volcano. They look to be disconnected, but of good quality iron. Could be a useful salvage opportunity. You expect around 10 units of iron ingots if you salvage the pipes. Plenty for some metal tools or other items. Oh, the possibilities.

However, as you moved further through the tunnel, you find a series of rough patches in the dirt that looks to lead to a large metal door emblazoned with a Gaint wielding a sword of fire. Shadow looked interested in the door. Finely made sliver, could smelt it for 4 units of High quality sliver. You're drones working on waste rock must have caused it to be revealed. A point of interest if you wish to explore.

Order 1:

You have your drones strip away the waste rock. Igneous rock mostly. You get a good stretch of rock as Shadow deals with the dead. About half a mile over the week. The valuable volcanic lava just in view after your excavation. You also use the waste rock to build some partitions from the dead, allowing you to mine much more in peace.

The wall is about six feet tall and is level 1 - Barrier Wall. It will provide 50 shards when this fractal completes. And thanks to Shadow's protection, Shadow no longer needs to protect his drones, allowing for him to gain 2 stacks of Authority. He's halfway to having more drones. Some more dead are killed of course.

Order 2:

With the new set of tools, you set to work quickly on gathering the ores from the volcano. You discover quite the plethora, and if you decide to invest into a mining outpost, you will be able to passively mine these relatively renewable resources:

Iron
Copper
Bronze
Diamond
Cobalt
Aluminum
Nickel
Lithium

You also discover some strange blue ore that your sensors do not recognize, but it does seem to be a candidate as a fuel source. Its puffy, misty, and flaky. So relatively fragile.

And for your mining this turn, you gain

5 Units of Copper Ore
7 Units of Iron Ore
1 Unit of Cobalt Ore.

The nearby area has building materials you could gather to make some forges to smelt these ores into more useful components along with wasterock such as wood, leather, fiber, granite, and other common surface materials.
 
Kent Kent Lazaro1505 Lazaro1505

Scene Transcript:

On the edges of the fields of Havanna, Klein and his minions accompanied by the six princes approach an undead blockade that blocks their passage to the rock. In exploring what they can, they discover a large metal door in a cave.
Scene:

Klein uses his monocle to attempt to see what Maureen saw.

The smell of undead flesh filled the air of the fields of Havana. Golden grasses and a little more sunlight. Much better than the rest of the world as Klein has seen. However, the metal door was locked tight with boards, but it stood on a pedestal as it seemed raised over the minor amounts of ores in the walls of the cave inside. There wasn't a lot, so the picture wasn't that clear. But, it looked to be some multi-roomed structure under the ground. Faintly in the background, through all the stone, you notice some gold and iron objects inside.

Klein was holding his umbrella as he looked at the door. Maureen's reaction seemed interesting to Klein so he was curious as to what actually is down there. It was locked from the inside with boards so it wouldn't be wrong to assume that there are sentient beings inside. He looked at the Dimitri and asked through their mental connection if it could feel any emotions through the door.

The Dimitri could feel a variety of emotions, ranging from animalistic bathing needs to intense rage to a sense of pride. A wide variety of emotions from multiple levels of sentience.

"I suggest we check out the cave. It seems that there are sentient beings inside with how the metal door is sealed from the inside. Would any of you friends be able to open the door?" Klein turned to the Princes.

Maureen sat on a rock and waited. Sho and Saun looked at one another.

Sho stepped forward, "Stand back. I'll melt the door down. Saun would you like to help?"

Saun nodded, "Yes I'll help. No need to have people stuck underground."

The duo began melting down the door, it was a slow process. But, it slowly started to melt. As the inside became clear, Klein could see what looked like to be multitudes of pigs with rabid elves prancing among them. They haven't seemed to notice quite yet, for whatever reason.

"Elves!" Klein and Lord Fro exclaimed and backed off as a trauma response as Gerald drew his sword and frowned. Elves attempted to assassinate Klein earlier so his actions make sense.

Sho and Saun stopped melting the door as Klein mentioned Elves, "Shit. What are they doing here? And how did so many pigs get in there?"

Saun yawned, "Maybe they were trapped down here in an earthquake... Or... Maybe a little brother of ours trapped them here."

Maureen rolled his eyes, "Saun, you could stop with your suspicions. I'm not here for that. I don't know why they're here."

One of the elves approached the door, "HI" he said in a raspy tone before a massive spider entered from the floor and moved further into the structure. There appeared to be alot in here.

"Apologies for the interruption, friend Saun but it cannot be friend Maureen as the doors were barred from the inside." Klein slightly bowed his head as if he was afraid that Saun would be offended by his comment(goody points with Maureen? 🤣 ). He then faced the elves and spoke, "Greetings, Elf. Apologies for the door, but can you tell me of your situation and what you're doing there?"

Saun shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, you don't know what's he's capable of, but sure, it seems unlikely."

Maureen sat beside Jon, Targen, and Agni in the background. They seem to be talking about something in a whisper.

The elf grinned, "Why yes, you see. I collect little sacrifices for my spider lords as tribute in exchange for shelter and food. Well, other things too hehe. Would you like to come in?"

"Spider Lord? Sounds dangerous, could you invite the Spider Lord out? And how can you not protect yourselves? Did you get separated from the rest of the elves?"

"Invite him out? Oh no, there's no need. He doesn't speak with non-adherents. More eat them. But, you seem willing for that! Oh come here, let me prepare you for a special delicacy!" The elf readied a shank and tried to stab at Klein through the melted door. The brothers stood and readied themselves, besides Maureen.

"I have no mercy for people who intends harm on me or my friends harm but you seem not to be of the right mind. Please, take a rest." Klein raised his hands and with the support of the Dimitri to mentally influence the elf to sleeping. On the Elves' perspective, his surroundings suddenly went weird and unusual and he heard a very peaceful sound that is pulling him to sleep(Illusions to break his already broken psyche for a more effective mental influence). Gerald will knock him out forcefully if that fails.

The elf snarled, "So the food has come to us, but wants us to work for it. Oh, we'll work for it alright." The elf began to shriek as the Dimitri attempted to calm down the elf. By the time the illusions took hold, the shriek had sounded the dinnerbell. The pigs did nothing and everything went quiet, too quiet. Klein couldn't hear anything, only the wind and the moans of the dead who were coming in to investigate. It seemed that Klein could be surrounded soon. Fog began to suddenly come in. There was no cloud in the sky. How? Many questions, little time for anything else.

"My god, what a naughty elf." Klein frowns as he turned to the Princes. "We don't seem to have a choice... Inside?"

Sho scanned his brothers for their opinions. Targen smiled and shrugged, Saun cracked his knuckles, Agni woke up from his nap, and Jon silently stayed beside Maureen. Maureen stretched, focusing on something else. Sho sighed,

"Might as well. Let's see if I can break open the door."
Sho swiftly wrecked the door down, and the way became clear. Targen pulled out a flask, drunk half of it and gushed in a strong breeze to freshen the air in the cave.

"Smells better already!"

You look inside, seeing no other elves. But, you were sure they're more. Pigs littered the place everywhere. It became difficult to walk around them. As you finished the foyer, you came to a crossroads. One that lead deeper into the structure and thus down, or to a side room. Deeper lead to many webs while the side room seemed to be intact despite its open nature.

The Dimitry and Vyz deployed their unique detection methods to see which path leads to where there are sentient beings while Klein used his monocle again to scout the paths ahead.

Scanning emotions, the side room looked barren and silent. Deeper, more animalistic emotions came along with strange sentient emotions, not one the Dimtri was familiar with. There were many. For bio signs, there were many down the deeper end. Spider, snake, humanoid, and more. Klein used his monocle and discovered a staircase close by leading down. There were other rooms ahead it seems on this floor.

In the side room, you notice shelving that appears to be littered with supplies and a black, wispy gem on a pedestal inside. The room looked clean and untouched despite the filth of the pigs. It smelled horrible in here.

Well… things seem to be going just fine within the side room… until something crashed through both the door and the doorway leading into the room. The person in question? Why it was none other than Khamsin, casually walking inside with a smirk in his face, saying

“Got a bit distracted back there… but I found my way back to you all here. I’m sure you need the big guns now.”

Maureen held his head as he recovered from the massive amount of vibrations that Khamsin caused, "Welcome aboard tin suit. Let's keep moving. Klein?"
The other brothers stayed silent, stalking the halls.

"Sure. Crazy people deeper on the path, let's check out the side room first." Klein smiled at Khamsin's arrival.

Khamsin only have a chuckle at the sounds of such. “Ah, it seems like you are knowing me already… now, let’s cut this short and get right into it then.” As Khamsin went ahead to the door leading to the side room, before attempting to crash through it like before, yelling it “KNOCK KNOCK HOBOS, FREEDOM IS CALLING!”

Khamsin and Klein quickly enter the side room, shaking the room a bit as Khamsin clipped through the archway that dared be in his path. Rumblings flood through the halls as this occurs, and chittering follows in response, but it seemed somewhat distant. Maureen sighed, holding his hand to his chest before he and his brothers continued down deeper. Targen seemed to be drinking again, and you could hear his slurred speech up until you heard footsteps going down. In the side room, you examine the shelves. It was a fairly sized room, full of trinkets and other oddities. Some tomes, and some useful materials. The gem at the center of the room began to glow brighter, and as you continued to look around, you felt the crackling of fires, steps of some kind. One to two to three. Suddenly, as you look behind you towards the center once more, you notice that the gem transformed into 4 fire elemental wolves who looked displeased with your presence. They give a snarl and state their intentions... your demise. Rolling Initiative.

"Saun, Sho?" Klein nervously asked the two Princes since they were the ones with the power of Fire.

You call out to them, but they have appeared to moved on downwards. You suspect that Maureen may have smiled for a particularly naughty reason. Hoping you would perish... Sadly, you also suspect that Maureen didn't want Khamsin to suffer the same, so maybe they are nearby...

Khamsin and Kent, you and your goons (if applicable) go first. I will process you guys together, then the wolves will go. (Side turns)

The wolves are surrounding the pedestal, each one on a carnal direction. Making a 15ft formation with the center empty.

There are a couple of different reasons. That, the comment you made, and the concerns or fears that you may ruin his chances of reconvening with his brothers. As we discussed, he knows you've lied, and he fears you will use his siblings. While they have not been the best to him, he seems to know why and has forgiven them. He won't let you manipulate them. This is Klein's reasoning for why Maureen's actions.

Okay, Klein and his minions quickly form up illusions of humans that will confuse and hopefully draw attacks away from Khamsin and the rest of the fighting force. The appear close to the front and are made menacing as possible.

The illusions appear and split the attention of the wolves. However, due to their elemental nature, they appear to be startled by their sudden appearance. One of the wolves appears intently at one of the illusions, but the others appear unfazed by the sudden appearances.

The Dimitri quickly uses its emotional powers to overlord the elementals, causing them to paralyze. However, due to the elementals not having actual brains, this effect seems to not work on them. However, the Dimitri's do feel their rage and simple mind to obey their master. It also feels their loneliness.

The snakes leap into action in the direction of the elementals, surrounding the one closest to the door to provide an escape route if necessary. They enter melee combat with the wolves, using their shortswords to swipe at the wolves. Others focus on the one to the "west" of the pedestal, plucking arrows towards it.

Wolves Defense: -10
Western Wolf Cover: -15

Serpent Aim: 62
Melee Striker Final AIM: 52
Ranged Attack Final AIM: 47

14 damage lands on the "southern" wolf. It takes it well, but with a fluff of flame outbursts towards the snakes, causing the strikers to take 2 points of fire damage in return. Total health pool of melee Cohort: 16

The rangers strike with their bows, pulling them back and making an audible hiss with them.

The western wolf dodges most of the arrows with one hitting the pedestal and the other hitting the wolf. It growls as the arrow distorts its flame body before being burned to ash.
Anything else you would like to do Kent, possibly with Lord Fro?

Hmm... No signs of the fire gem, right? He was ordered to take away the valuable grimoires and other gems then run back. The illusion should've covered him.

With the snakes making a route for Lord Fro, he quickly grabs...

2 tomes and dashes out to Klein as he collects what he could. He huffs but manages to collect the oldest tomes.

Khamsin: “Fuckin cowards!”

Khamsin began to slowly put his axe back onto his back, not making much sudden movements as he silently cursed that damn bastard for running away from the fight. Of course he would… that man seemed like a coward the first time he had seen em. But hey, maybe there was a way to… solvin this problem. Maybe there was a way to benefit out of this. Reaching his hand out, Khamsin slowly said.

“Easy there… uh, hellhounds, yeah, good name for ya. Anyway, not here to cause much trouble, in fact, I uh… know who put ya here, big friend of theirs, and well, don’t you wanna just come on out and see em again? I’m sure stayin in here doing nothin all day long is plenty boring. Don’t mind the other guy, don’t know who he is, probably some hobo or something…”

The hounds gaze strangely at Khamsin in confusion. Their simple minds wandered to "Outside" and their servitude annoyed them. Abandoned, their souls were once dogs. Now, they are elementals, but the artifacts are there. They whimper as they pacify and look up at Khamsin. However, being elementals in the middle of nowhere, the amount of unrest in Gatford is increased by 5 over 30.

Khamsin: “You ran off with stuff, coward, I call first dibs on the item”

"I was saving the books! It would be a pity if they get burned."

Scanning the shelves, you both find particular finds. An ivory chess piece of a Queen that appears to be a key of some kind, 4 vials of some sort of venom, a sword that looks awfully familiar to Khamsin to Maureen's ceremonial sword, a dreamcatcher that seems to glow when something is sleeping (pigs are somehow sleeping nearby), and an assortment of wood, iron, and 1 unit of gold.

3 units of wood
2 units of Iron ingots.

“Yeah yeah… let me grab something before you can grab more shit first…”

“Two things for the two things you grabbed earlier”

Lord Fro harrumphed, before he could say anything Klein intervened. "That is only fair. Apologies for Lord Fro's action, friend Khamsin. Please choose two."

Khamsin gave a chuckle, before moving ahead to pick up the chess piece alongside the ceremonial sword, before moving back to allow them to grab a couple things in return.

The two books are titled:

The Secrets of Enchanting Gems: Something that will teach you about enchanting gems and how they could be used.
&
The Art of Bending, authored by Yorsin Meshin.

Khamsin went ahead to grab the remaining resources of the wood, and iron, alongside the gold and went ahead with Lord Fro. Khamsin does try to find Maureen, however.

You quickly exit the side room and moved through the other path. In this mostly pig-infested room, you see the staircase the brothers went down and another room straight ahead. The room ahead looked to have a corpse in it. A rotting human one. The sounds of water dripping also could be faintly heard. At least, you hoped it was water.

Klein glanced at it with interest before proceeding to the staircase. "Let's return to the Princes, it's not good to be separated for long."

Khamsin merely nodded along and said “yeah… been wonderin where they have have been the entire time… probably close by.”

"I too wonder..." Klein mysteriously smiled.

You moved down the staircase, Khamsin causally breaking steps as you stepped down. The dripping grew louder until you saw a mad elf's body strangled as if the air was sucked from its body, its hands burned to crisps, its eyes blinded out by bright light, and the chest impaled with impurity rich iron formed into a spike. The brothers must have gone through here. Klein thought to himself, Why here? Why now? Surely the princes could have killed him anytime without Khamsin there. Maybe Maureen had a plan. Klein scarcely thought at that. He was the one with a Royal education and the one who could stifle Klein's plans the most. The corridor was dark with some glowing mushrooms on the side of the cavern, and even more web. Chitters could faintly be heard, along with crying elves. As you reach the foyer of the deeper level, you see 10 elves in bloody messes, shivs at their sides, along with some dead spiders.

The room forked left and right again. On the right held an iron door adorned with a Red Viper holding a scythe. Left was an open doorway that led to a smaller hallway. The webs became incredibly thick in there.

Khamsin goes ahead to inspect the Red Viper door first… just keeping a eye on it and mostly using his sensor array do see if he can detect anything nearby.

"We're getting left behind the Princes, I suggest we move forward." Klein said as he looked to the open doorway.

Khamsin scans the viper door. Steel in alloy, aged fairly well. A basic lock. There didn't seem to be any electrical components or other such systems. It seemed to be mundane. However, it was eerily lacking dust unlike the rest of this place.

Khamsin only gave a couple more stares at it, before moving back and to the Left to the web filled hallway. Only looking at Klein, he said “and I’m willin to bettin you would let me go first… and as much as I would say ‘ladies first’, we still gotta find where the hell those three went. So just follow behind and don’t run away like before.”

"Six" Klein corrected as the entire party moved forward. "Seems like we were the ones left behind in the side room, not the other way around."

"Seems like we are in a very dangerous place, my friend. Now I wonder if it was the right choice to head to this dungeon." The party then moves forward, Klein hopes they can catch up to the Princes.

As you continue through the web, you have two open doorways, one to the right, and one to the left. To the left, it appears to be filling with some green liquid of some kind. It's filled with coins and skeletons. To the right, the room seems lit like on a summer's day despite no light in it.

"This place is full of crossroads." Gerald muttered annoyingly. (Monocle, Emotion, and Bio Scan again?)

You scan for emotions, there appears to be a hunger emotion from an animal to your right, more in just some animalistic and some human sentient ones below as you felt before. For metal, you do notice some spikes above you in the following corridors. For biosigns, you notice that the green waters appear to be some biological reagent but no active signs anywhere.

For Khamsin, your sensors start to fizzle a bit with their readings.

"It seems like the Giant Spider or some Hungry Animalistic Beast is to the left." Klein opened his eyes as he looked at Khamsin. "Avoid?"

Khamsin turned to the left, at the green goop and some skeletons and mentioned “I don’t trust goin left with that shit around, so the only way to go is right… not sure about avoidin the right but I’m pretty sure I can beat the hell out of it anyway”

"Right then." As they moved forward, they stopped before the spikes and intentionally allowed it to fall(physical or psychic) then collected it.

You disable the spike trap by pressing on the pressure plate in front of it as Klein suspected. It looked untriggered. You collect a unit of iron scrap from the spikes. Scrap can be smelted or refined into 1 unit of iron ingots.

As you step into the room, you enter the light, but nothing happens as you enter. Klein deduces quickly and looks up sees some creature that had a mouth that would attach to the top of skulls and suck the brain tissue out of victims. It appeared to be digging quickly, starting as you entered. Klein's Dimitri noticed fear, intense life or death fear in the creature.

With a +5 bonus, Klein manages to pick up something behind him. Sudden chittering and otherworldly noises softly in the background could be heard. A slithering sensation began to pulsate in the walls, and Klein in his attentiveness could here his Vyr minion speak ever so softly... "I serve the will of the Hive." Then intense but quiet struggle as it had a hard time to breath. Focusing on this, Klein notices his mote's connection to the minion is under threat. So he takes a look around and through his probing discovers a bright red and black wispy aura surrounding the Vyr, with tendrils of the same appearing.

It began to speak louder, "I SERVE. I SERVE. SERVE, SERVE, SERVE". In the background, Klein noticed figures of a liquid shape begin to move. Strangely, chests appeared behind them that were not there before. Klein suddenly feels a sense of dread as he notices a mess of tendrils wielding a scythe leans around the corner, staring at him.

As they realize Klein's discover, they recoil in an eldritch scriek. The quill in Klein's hands from the statute beyond that locked room glowing briefly blue before being consumed in the aura like that of the Vyr. Klein could hear a gnome speak multitudes on fairytales before it said.

"I Gzor, God of Tricks, serve the hive. SERVE, SERVE, SERVE."

Klein realized what he had unleashed. The warnings seemed clear now. Why would a gnome god be in the temple of a snake? Why? But he knew why, because something put it there, the ELVES and their spider masters. Could they be gone as well? Or soon to be to what Klein could remember from Maura's warnings...

CORRUPTION

Klein frowns but then an idea appeared in his mind which made him smirk. He replied in his mind as he exerted his own aura to suppress the quill and resonate his mote of creation with the powers of trickery, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Gnor. I'm a fan of the whole trickery business but shouldn't you drop the act before me? I'd love to talk and.. hmmm... could it be that you need the assistance of a certain Fool?"

At the same time, he also exerted his powers to Fool the corruption in the Vyr and suppress it as the Dimitri attempts to paralyze the Vyr. If that fails, kill the Vyr.

The snake soldiers and Lord Fro also form a circle of defense around Klein. Lord Fro looked at the big walking piece of metal that Klein calls an ally and called out, "Oy, big guy. I think it's time for you to start swinging that big weapon of yours. Mister Klein here is fighting another battle."

It appears that Mister Gzor is nowhere near your location based on your scouting tools thus far. However, he continues to speak mindlessly through the quill. Maybe ti was a refuge from the madness? Now undone by releasing it from the statue?

Together with your Dimitri, you attempt to paralyze the Vyr, however, the corrupted battle form seems to be overtaking the motor functions of the Vyr's brain. It attempts to bite the corruption to try to inflict a bite. But the form's liquid nature makes that basically impossible.

Klein attempts to fool the liquid corruption into coming out of the Vyr's body with his powers and illusion. Making it seem like it's going deeper when in reality it is actually exiting the body.

Klein twists and turns at the corruption.. whatever you could a mind. It starts to be fooled, but suddenly, the others around the corner begin to call in unison and suddenly it snaps back into line. As Klein continued to influence it, he noticed that he was acting UPON ALL OF THEM not just one. A hivemind it seems, and quite hard to trick. But, oh would it be fruitful...

"Time to start hitting stuff, Khamsin!"

Khamsin just gave an amused chuckle, before whistling at the fire wolves in order to transform back to a crystal and hopefully away from the corruption, before moving ahead, charging towards the slime of corruption and attempting to slice it off utilizing the death angel’s scythe. Swinging two times.

"Oy, big guy, lend me the sword you picked up earlier. I don't think ours will work. Let Mr. Klein be witness." Lord Fro shouted at Khamsin.

Khamsin gave a sigh, before tossing the sword towards them and saying “Just make sure to give it back when we are done…”

"Perfect. Just like the sword of that annoying Prince." Lord Fro said as he sliced at the corruption infecting the Vyr.

You wield the death scythe and its purple energies flood through your systems. You feel some strange power imbue you briefly before returning to normal. The scythe flares out as if it was fully formed, casting in purple ice shards, and dark fields covered the shaft. A sense of dread rage-filled Khamsin as the scythe's primal power began to flow. You swosh the scythe across the aisle, creating a wave of power that causes the stone in the aisle to rapidly age... You hit both times. The scythe deals 8d8 damage on hit.

You strike down the vyr, and it pops into a blast of purple energy, creating smoke and rapidly decaying the supports of the roof. You began to hear cracking as multiple of the "chests" deformed and began to hold up the roof. Next, you hear countless footsteps start to approach you as more scythe wielders make their way to you from the shrine. Khamsin's sensors go wild as the corruption signature is climbing from trace to higher amounts incredibly fast. You fear that the amount coming through is of massive size...

After Klein attempts to work something with the quill, you hear the swooshing of wings and an electrical charge of sorts comes on Khamsin's sensors. Suddenly, three-winged mangled, tendril birds rush upon you, their stomachs charged. They quickly spread and detonate into incredible blasts of energy. Rolling saves.

"Oy, we need to dip." Klein's unbothered demeanor broke as sweat began to appear in his forehead. He was inwardly cursing the Princes for abandoning them.

The explosions ripple across the halls, creating rubble and chaos... Smoke climbed in. The explosions in total deal 150 damage. However, thanks to the surrounding infrastructure and Khamsin's preparedness, he takes 10 points of blast damage and others take 1 point of impact damage. You began to feel the earth tremble and the chorus grow louder. More footsteps, more scythes... Many many more were turning the corner to attack you. You also them moving around the other way to likely pin you...

"Collapse it!"

“Already on it!” As Khamsin went ahead to send his drones to deal with the situation.

You move quickly to the next room. Webs slowed you down somewhat as it forced Khamsin to cut it with the scythe. The drones used their laser might to crash the building down, causing a massive landslide to fill in the space. As you head further down, you could hear their calls as they began to dig and prod from where you were. Those on the side had a tight, but open enough passage to slowly squeeze through. You could see the mimic-like creatures begin pushing on the dirt in large quantities. They seem to be becoming the support for the earth. You had some time to run, but not long...
You move down to the next floor of the temple shrine finding a crate and some other odds and ends. It leads only forward into a large room that Klein could see with his Monocle was full of blade and spike traps... that was thankfully disarmed by moving earth... The room began to look more elegant with red and grey paint and fancy etched artwork. You seem to be approaching the old noble area of this structure.

Khamsin only gave a chuckle, and said in return “first time those things actually did damage to me… maybe this will be more fun than simply cruising through zombies..” As Khamsin went ahead to the crate to rip open its top and look inside.

"Good for you, friend. I feel like I'm dying."

You create a myriad of dancing lights and sounds that attract their attention for some time. Not long, however, but it does pause the digging operation briefly... You hear explosions as more of those flyers must be destroying the dirt.

Or cause those flyers to accidentally hit parts of the room to cause more debris to drop... and the myriad dancing lights as well. 4 units could use the blessing.

That happens as well. However, more is destroyed then made thanks to the mimics making support.

It contains only a strange looking ivory medallion that bears the symbol of Snake holding a scythe.
The crate looked quite old and the odds and ends appeared to be miscellaneous primitive tools and pig products.

Khamsin only have a sigh at the medallion, before putting it away within his storage system. Turning to face Klein, he said “Well, we can’t be wasting much time now… gotta make distance.”

"Yes... Let's go."

Lord Fro is frantic in a panic but seems to recognize this as a shrine to a pretender God of death that attempted to defraud Axulux long ago. No one knew what happened to him though. He was very passive and uncaring as you might expect. One day his powers suddenly vanished only for the priest's eyes to boil red and black...

"Good info, but nothing we can use for now. Let's move forward."

And with that, Khamsin went to lead the way for the group, hands still on the Death Angel’s scythe as he waited for something pop up nearby, scanners up to check for any unregistered threats.

Once you exited the trap room, you plunge into a massive hallway that leads an incredibly long length. There appear to be lit torches and you can hear human voices talking in the background. One seemed awfully slurred. The Hallway had a faded red carpet and figurines about. Some scattered snake clothes and papers. Like remains of the apocalypse. One unsettling sign is a desecrated snake corpse that faintly glowed like corruption, but it showed signs of incredible age...
Half way through had a door upon it, but there was another all the way down.

"Let's not skip doors this time..." Klein suggested.

You scan and discern that the voices seem to be human and one seems familiar... Must be Maureen.
The papers liter about scripture and increased prayer in desperate times. There appears to have been a cold snap causing mass food shortage...

Khamsin decided to give a little holler out to try and get their attention. “Hey! Maureen or whatever… you around!? We are in a bit of a pickle with some sort of corruption thing around, and I think we should get the hell out of here before it catches up!”

As you scan and look over the papers, you hear stone raise and footsteps follow behind you. The swooshes of wings and the chorus begin to grow louder. Time is running out...

You call out to Maureen and them. Their voices stop and Maureen responds.

"Corruption? Oh for god's sake. I was hoping the poison trap would rid us of that liar. Instead, he's gone around and messed with something else. Bloody hell. Move through your closest door, its safe. Just the saunctuary. We're almost to the tunnel to the other entrance on the other side of the horde. Come on. Once we reach the surface, I think the dead will handle them."

Khamsin only turned to give a stare at Klein, before rolling his eyes and turning to Lord Fro first… “mind if you hand the sword back…? We seem to be in the clear for now.” As he held out his hand expectantly, before moving ahead to the closest door and moving right in.

"Yes... Friend Maureen." Klein intentionally put more stress on the word. "I suggest we have a conversation later. Some of your actions seem questionable and you have a very very heavy misunderstanding of me."

Lord Fro hands the sword back.

As you speak, another wave of fliers light their stomachs and fly full speed towards you. Mimics are coming behind them to make supports them. This time, two will detonate on the walls, making space for the final third. It flies up into the roof quickly and creates an explosion above you.

"Door! Quickly! In!"

Khamsin expertly manages the blast, mitigating some of its effects on his allies thanks to his large size. He takes 30 points of damage from the naked blast while the others take 15 from the effects. All of Klein's crew is now out of hitpoints. His snakes and other 1 unit value units are heavily injured and will DIE if they take any more damage. The blast also rings in their ears. Klein's crew is deafened for a couple of actions.

"Ah, this is really problematic." Klein grunts as he struggles to stand up again. "Get inside the door."

More scythe wielders approach as the Mimics make supports. You began to see the scythers project energy into more fliers...

Khamsin only gave a nod, before seeing the sight of the corruption finally catching up… shit… it seems like they need to get rid of them, and quickly. And so, Khamsin sends out the drones to blast energy directly into the flyers and the scythe wielders in order to explode them and either take them out entirely or hopefully collapse the hallway.

Suprised and out in the open, all of the drones take a clean, perfect shot just as the birds become charged. A chain reaction occurs causing the structure to tremble and make some rubble, but the mimic supports stand firm and prevents it from collapsing. You have bought some time and killing prevented the use of a charge.

Khamsin wasted no time in running towards the doorway, moving ahead to attempt to collapse the hallway while the others run away by using his giant chainaxe to hit it against the roof twice before making a run for it towards the door.

You flood through the doors as Khamsin breaks them down. Maureen is seen to your right and he makes stone walls to impede the corruption further. The rest of the brothers were ahead in the water-logged hallway with Jon projecting light from his ethereal wings that kept everything easy to see.

"Come on. They won't stop coming, especially with that scythe of yours. It seems to attract them." Maureen ran barefoot through the hallway, turning back to raise more stone. You follow him through multiple more rooms. A music hall, a small lobby then finally to the room of the tunnel where the entrance is formed into a coffin shape. You reunite with the princes who seem worried. Maureen must have told them something about corruption.

"Prince Maureen. What is the meaning of this? Abandoning us, I treated all of you with kindness, I showed my sincerity, and you treat me back like this? Calling me a liar and attempting to get me killed? You are biting the hand that fed you!" Klein frowns with a look of disappointment mixed with some anger as he looks at Maureen. This time, he didn't use the friend title but Maureen's official title. He then looked at Sho and Saun who he showed extra kindness before looking away as if in disappointment. He grabbed his hands as he limped away to a corner while coughing intensely. "One of my companions died. Unlike the people of this world, we from our world do not treat lives lightly. He still had a home to return to, you know."

The wounds of the entire party were visible for the Princes to see. And some Dimitri emotion manipulation for some extra pity.

Khamsin just gave a stare towards Klein and Maureen, after having running for their entire lives from the corruption. He just gave a sigh in return before saying in response “would you two hold this conversation until we get out of this hellhole. I don’t want to hear another argument when we have those things crawling out for us now. And if any of you don’t wanna shut up, I’ll pick you up right now and drag you outside!”

"Actually, can you pick me up? I feel like I'm losing the ability to walk." Klein says as his legs were shaking.

Maureen rolled his eyes, "Don't have time for this, and thank you Khamsin, we can deal with this later. I cannot allow them to see me. If they do, we'll have fucking hordes after us. Move. NOW."

Khamsin just gave a look at Klein, before saying “Nah, I’m pretty sure you can walk just fine yourself. Now, hop to it spongy, we are marching out of here!”
“It’s only a small scratch, after all, you don’t see me complaining about getting hit in the face by an explosion”

"Yes, small explosion, definitely." Klein chuckles as he calls Lord Fro for assistance and they move forward.

The tunnel is long and dark. Maureen continues to make more stone barriers as his brothers look back occasionally. Saun murmurs, "Maureen what are you on about? What's your connection with the liquid demons?"
Maureen sighed, "Long ass story that I cannot say. I promised not to tell. Just Move."

Khamsin decided to pip in the conversation while they are moving to leave the dungeon. “Eh, they said it’s related to the scythe I’m carryin, came from an Angel of Death. That corruption is probably related in a way… maybe that failed death god cult in the back.”

Jon sighed, "Korcults was a weird god. Could see why you say it. Maureen, there has to be something there. And I think you know."

Maureen sighed, "I have some ideas, but not the full picture..."

You traveled through the tunnel, hearing blasts in the background from the corruption. They were behind you but gaining on you. You reach the other side where the dead have thinned out, but the ruckus caused them to investigate. You should keep moving to giant ville.
You travel for some time and rest in the warmer grasses. But, between the chaos and stress, quiet fills the air.

Klein still needs an explanation from Maureen and I'd love to see the opinions of the other Princes. That completely disrupted their terms of cooperation.

Khamsin almost forgotten something, and went ahead to hand over the ceremonial sword to Maureen… “here, think that is yours” as Khamsin went shred to grab the red gem from his storage system and bring out the fire dog elementals back outside

Maureen rolled his eyes, "Klein, I hoped you casually walk into a trap so unnecessary intrigue would be avoided. We've survived on our own well enough, and I think trust is sparse to go around. I rather have Khamsin or Sigismund over you. At least they seem honest and decent people. I thought I had a read ago, but now not so sure anymore. Gzor did the same thing to me, so I know it when I see it. Do I want to kill people? Hardily. But, these extreme circumstances require me to protect the valuable thing I hold. Something, it's best I not share. There are many ears after all."

Jon sighed, patting Maureen's head, "I don't like you, and I feel suspicious of you suddenly, but you know a lot. And my senses are going ape shit right now. But, let me heal our compatroits. Least we could do." Jon slowly goes around and uses a heavenly light to heal all of Klein's minions 4 hp. It also seems to have increased Khamsin's auto repair in the background before.

"I am no God of Trickery. I have showed my sincerity to help you guys and you could have simply refused my offer. I have my own intentions, indeed, but that goes for all of us and it was never my intention to cause harm to you siblings. I want to leave this god-forsaken place." This time Klein allowed his "sincerity" to leak out by momentarily disabling his sense distortion.

Maureen nodded, "Thank you, I appreciate it. These swords are mainly used for royal weddings."

Gerald looked at Jon and nodded. "Thank you for healing us, but it doesn't seems slightly wrong to be called compatriot after we were almost indirectly killed by your brother though I have nothing against you."

Jon flapped his wings briefly, "Maureen's with the plan. Somehow Sho convinced Targen and Agni to follow along. I will admit. People overdid my beef with him anyway. I'm glad he's back, and I know everyone can hear me. I'm sure he has his reasons. Your boss got him really tense. I'm surprised he didn't do anything directly. The poison trap thing was quite pathetic in attempts."

"My boss is really weak. He has his tricks but he always follow agreements." Gerald says as he recalls the contracts. Yes... His boss does like agreements...

Maureen rolled his eyes, "Because we can't trust him, Jon we all know Gzor tried to have Sho kill Agni that one time. How will we know that it won't happen again? I know none of you particularly like me, but none of you seem interested in attacking me."

"I think most of us are smart enough not to attack someone who can make elves look like garbage."

"But Mister Klein is not a God. I mean, look at him. He's like a stick and doesn't even know magic." Lord Fro interjected but he earned the glare of Klein, the Lord then immediately shut up.

"But he is right. Your suspicion is too strong, Prince Maureen, which made me realize that you have really struggled in this world otherwise you won't act like that. It has always been my intention for both our parties to help each other so why would I think of harming any of you? I simply don't have any motivation. " Klein stood up and let out a sigh before smiling wryly. "But this doesn't change anything aside my slightly lowered impressions. I don't like being bullied, but as the weaker party, do I have a choice? If this is a game win, you win Prince Maureen."

Maureen sighed, thinking about his past, "So you say, we will see... Jon, I don't want to hurt you guys. Family is Family after all. And you'll understand soon enough."
Jon nodded, "I believe you. I do Maur Maur."

Maureen shed a tear, "Thank you Jon..."

Klein sheds a single tear as he reminisce about his family. But he didn't miss them, definitely not, he was just remembering the schemes he carried out on them. It was too amateur and he could have done better. In the end, he got less excitement than expected.

-Scene-
 

  • dLnaOG0.png

In the hold of Winkhampton as the borrowing continues, Sigismund and Ukemin convene to discuss the vial of blood and the strange computers they found in the hold.

The hold is relatively quiet as the army begins to sleep when the duo finally meet after exchanging messages long distance and in the hold. Will they attempt to see inside of the blood or give the computer what it likely wants?

With news of an impeding invasion that was nevertheless rather far away, the Goddess had no particular reason to hesitate on this matter. While curiosity teased at the corners of her mind, Ukemin was still a goddess, and the ancient predilection of accepting the postulations of a mortal no matter personal cost remained. The matter of that anachronistic vault could be taken up at another time, and if Sigismund hadn't arrived with the vial, she would not even have that as an option.

"Well, Sigi," Ukemin spoke. "Have you showered yet?"

What was a shower? Sigismund brow furrowed under his helm as his hand reached up a bit almost as if he was going to stroke his chin out of muscle memory before the presence of the helm, and the impossibility of the act, made itself known. Was this 'shower' important? Did it hold some significance to whatever it was that they had to do? Was it some sort of ceremony or process he was supposed to do for this to work?

"I do not know what that is," Sigismund admitted, "Was it important? Should I leave to go do that once I know what it is?"

Ukemin's nose wrinkled. So the stench of death was literal, rather than figurative. She let out a sigh, resolved to breathe from her mouth for the time being, before nodding.

"It is a matter of reverence and purification. When dealing with divinity, one will do well to remove what vestiges of the material world that linger upon them before attempting to commune. So, that being said."

She turned her palm in his direction.

"Strip."

"Oh,"
Sigismund said as he tilted his head, he didn't know that was a thing. It seemed... odd, but perhaps she was correct? Perhaps material would interrupt the connection? Perhaps that was why he struggled to understand it the first time. Perhaps to embrace divinity, one had to first embrace their bare humanity? He paused for just a moment, was this a trick? Doubtful, Ukemin had yet to do anything that would make him doubt her words, and she was a goddess, he doubted he was anything she hadn't seen before. Was likely seeing some sort of animal in the wild to them.

"Very well," he said as he unbuckled his blade and set it aside, the ethereal armor that covered his body shimmering and disappearing as the protection was removed. He gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head, pausing only to fold it and set it down next to his blade. Without his armor, Sigismund was... painfully average. If it wasn't for his nose, broken so many times it was offset, the scars that littered his body, if someone were to pass him on the street, they'd never look twice. He started to work on the buckle of his pants, "What is next?" He asked as he worked.

As he disrobed, Ukemin worked the firepit, stoking embers back to life as she set a cauldron of water atop. Spring water would have been ideal, but in a mountain so thoroughly desecrated, it would be good enough just to have water that was drinkable.

The miko would protest though, of course. That was why she hadn't yet allowed any of them by her side.

"Give me a moment," she responded, glancing back to see his own progress. Certainly, the paladin wasn't a knight in shining armor, but he had a healthy enough build, and if he learned some story-telling skills, he could seduce a fair amount of maidens with the legends behind his scars. Thoughts of another time though. Work came first.

The unseasonable fruits and vegetables were still a curious anomaly, but Ukemin was unilaterally grateful for them in this particular moment. She bundled up a couple lemons, figs, and olives in a dishcloth, before taking a mallet to them, pulverizing it to bits. The cloth soaked up the juices and oils well, and like a teabag, she tossed it into the cauldron alongside a bundle of herbs and a pinch of salt. It was a bit of a rushed job, and under normal circumstances, she would have liked to toss in some animal fat to have it solidify into a bar of soap instead, but for now...

Ukemin kicked a stool in front of the steaming cauldron, tapping the seat with a ladle.

"Sit down and close your eyes. Don't swallow; it doesn't taste nearly as good as it smells."

Sigismund opened his mouth to question what she was doing as the steaming cauldron was an oddity in the extreme. Was... Was this truly how they were going to channel the vision from the blood? They hadn't even taken the blood out yet, how was this supposed to work? His confusion only compounded as he undressed fully and she strained some fruit into the water, letting it rest in it, adding herbs and salt. Was she cooking? Was this some sort of potion or tonic that would help them withstand the vision?

"Wha-" He started, they weren't eating it? Was he bathing in it? Was this truly what they had to do to channel the vision? He closed his eyes and offered a prayer to the lady before he sat down on the stool as commanded.

And thus, it began. One ladle at a time, sweeping warm, scented water over the head, the shoulders, the legs, the crotch, rotating in a circular manner. Dirt and sweat slogged off, revealing pale skin beneath, like the inner steel of a rusted blade. As the cauldron emptied, as the cleansing began, Ukemin sang for the paladin. There were few things proper about this, but the intention of ceremony mattered more than the specific steps.

Within the kitchen, by the hearth, licked by flames warm as sun, the aria of the divine seeped out.

"Let us pass, let us pass
Through this pathway, where gold is brass
On the exalted plains, of polar contrasts,
We beseech thee, let us pass.
As ablution cleanses, defilement mends
As divinity presides, impurities die
Our reverence remains in place
My name invokes thine grace.
Let us pass, let us pass
Through mortal realms, to the vision beyond the glass."

Why was it, that the other dimension that seemed to stand beyond space and time, traveling across realities, fighting Angels of Death, Snake People, and princes who could command stone, that this stood out as the oddest experience he had yet to endure? Being bathed by a divine being in the guise of a beautiful woman, a soft smile tilted at the corner of his lips, his younger brother would have loved this. He could almost hear the taunts and teases from the younger paladin, the words that would be tinted with hints of envy and rejection..

Sigismund tensed in surprise when she started to sing, but the tension slowly wore away under the influence of the hot water and the voice, it was beautiful, when was the last time he had truly done something like this? He knew the answer to that, never. He listened and he waited for what, he could only assume, to be the revelation to begin.

"Ok, glad you enjoyed it, but put your clothes back on before you catch a cold."

Sigismund opened his eyes and blinked... then blinked some more, "What about the vision?"

Ukemin giggled. "This was the prep work. Now we actually start."

She pulled another stool out, then sat in front of him, crossing her own legs before motioning for the vial Sigismund...still naked...somehow had on him.

"R, where you at? Might not wanna miss this!"

"I see,"
Sigismund brow furrowed, her laugher did not sound convincing, in the least, but there was a strange sense of logic to it. She didn't need to do it, and was still clothed, because she was a divine being, as a mortal, perhaps some sort of prep was needed? Still, a small nagging voice could not help but whisper that she had just played a joke at his expense.

R walked in on cue, with a smirk. Sigismund stood starstruck... the resemblence. Could it be Maureen? However, the wispy blackness coming from him concluded that it could not be. Not to mention the pure personality from R. Confident, happy, causal; the polar opposite of Maureen's conflicted, reclusive, and heavy-hearted stance. But, it also lacked his hope, his strength, and his willingness to move forward which made him pure in his intentions. Maureen also seemed to be much more sensitive to movement than R was, as was to be expected.

"Oh, that face tells it all. You've met Maur Maur, oh the legend he is. No, I'm not him, though I was made in his image. By who? Not sure, but I do have a liking for him that is sadly not shared." R giggled, "Did he mention me?"

"He did not,"
Sigismund said as he scanned the face of this creature. So... Maureen had truly been favored by his deity.. To think it would create something in his image just to have something around to remind him. For a moment, just a moment, envy flared in his heart, but it was crushed by the rush of shame that he'd allow such thoughts to enter his mind in the first place.

"Okay, now I see you have a vial of his blood. What a precious thing. He hardly bleeds. You can probably guess why. Now, I can show you three memories. They won't be too long, just snapshots, vignettes so to speak. He's about 14 and half about now. So, would you like his early days, 1 through 5, the beginning of his royal days, 6 through10, or his maturing years, 11 through 14. I'll be able to guide it, but there is no guarantee I'll be able to reveal anything new if you go for the final bracket. But, you're likely to pick up big memories, especially unsuppressed, but he has a lot of suppressed memories. And that can make things difficult."

Ukemin arched a brow.

"His blood? Sigismund, explain, would you?"

Sigismund stared at R for a few moments, searching his face for lies, but the entity seemed to be speaking the truth. Why did Maureen have divine blood running through his veins? Was the God he served his father? Was he some sort of demi-god? Or when they had a 'close' relationship, did he somehow take part of the essence into his own? Was that even possible? That explained how he was able to 'guide' the Angels of Death in the past, it also likely explained why he seemed untouched by death and that his attempt would summon an Angel of Death.

"I would if I knew," he said, "Is a mortal with the blood of a god even possible?"

R nodded softly, "It is possible. There are many ways to do it. And many ways have been lost to time and other things. I sadly do not know. A closely guarded secret among all the gods Axulux led. Whatever is up with Maureen, he is important somehow... Now, when would you like to experience first?"

"Eleven to fourteen, we need to see the ones who brought the corruption, how they brought the corruption.. and how it effected the King when he sent Maureen to flee into the wilds."

"Huh, so if this is just blood to induce memories, Sigi, what on earth were you seeing before?"


R nodded, "Very well, Ukemin will be the connection. I will be the guide. Now, don't hold your breath, it feels like water, but it isn't. Figured this is your first time. And brace yourself, things can get dark very quickly in tone. Oh, and you can't change anything, even if you wanted to."

With that, you plunge into what feels like a dark sea, turbulent and full of white caps. However, there appear to be many lights deep within. A wash of emotions quickly moves and passes as it subsides into a memory...
A beautiful sun shines in the distance, tall mountains, and fresh spring breezes. A wonderful landscape to lull one into sleep and rest. In the background, you see a city the size of Waterdeep. Rooves with crystal singles, massive fountains, and spanning markets. The walls are made in a pearly beige with many guards and ballastas. You look around, seeing a garden with red and blue flowers. Bees buzzing about in the warmth of a fresh cup of coffee. You could see a strong, imposing figure speaking out in front of a wedding manor. As he spoke, you could smell fresh mint and blueberries. You stepped closer to the figure, seeing an elegant crown. Beside him was a fully grown Maureen, with much more youth in him and a lot less muscle. But, he looked like he has trained and prepped himself some.

The crowned figure spoke softly, "Give Lord Yoshire my deepest congratulations." The figure appeared to have pure black eyes and spoke with a woman with more honey skin and platinum eyes.

"Thank you King Karn for your attendance today. And you brought your precious boy with you. Oh, he looks so grown up and precious. What are you feeding him?"

King Karn laughed, "Oh, he eats like a hog horse on a buffet. I serve him only the best, as fitting for my prized boy." You could feel the pride and happiness in his voice. But, a strange inflection in the word serve seemed odd. However, the woman didn't seem to mind.

Maureen shuffled a little, smiling softly, "Thank... Thank you Lady JiJi, I appreciate you appreciating my stature. I work hard every day to prepare myself for being the prince I am to be."

Lady Jiji put her hand over her mouth, "Oh, you already are dear. But, you'll get better. And better. My liege has a wee daughter that will be a perfect wife for you!"

Maureen grinned with his eyes wincing at the thought, "Oh, thank you Lady JiJi. I will have many decisions to make soon. How..."

King Karn waved his hands, "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. When that time comes, we can discuss it. I will make no promises. I mean, I have only one to give."

Maureen fought back tears in stillness, desperately trying not to cry. Maureen carefully looked around him, looking for someone. You look as well, and there are only other wedding guests around. Maureen stiffens and raises his shoulders in pain. In the background, you notice the guards begin to shuffle out, escorting servants passing drinks and food. The guards appear to be using magic to analyze the food for any poisons.

"Oh, I'm sure. The others must be a hassle to manage. They always seem to stir everything up. What will you do about them?"

"Maureen learned discipline well. They haven't, and I will place them where they deserve if they do not clean up there act." As King Karn spoke, you could hear Maureen think...

'Oh please father, they don't deserve that. If you only love them, they stop. Please don't hurt them. Will I have to beg you again? And you know that I'm not into... the traditional terms of a partnership. I don't want to get married. A minor Kingdom at best. What benefit will they give? But, if I promise you I will, will you spare my brothers for whatever pain you will wreck upon them?'

A servant comes with a platter and hands King Karn a drink and a letter. King Karn sternly reads the letter before smashing it.

"Now, I need to excuse myself. Something of matter has come to my attention."

King Karn placed his hands on Maureen's shoulders, they looked to be the same height, "Now, entertain Lady JiJi for me until I return. Then, we will meet with Master Kondo for your martial arts lessons for the day."

Maureen nodded, "Yes father. Be safe."

"Of course, my beloved boy. You shine so brightly." King Karn swiftly exits with royal guards, leaving the normal guards to their duties. Maureen and JiJi make small talk before a sudden commotion could come over the wedding. Guests began to scatter as you could hear screams and hushed voices. Suddenly, you hear a strange language and blades being raised. Green armor that looked a little advanced. The guards leaped into action and began to strike at an Elvish infiltration team that looked to have disguised as a circus. The battle rages with blood spreading everywhere. However, as you soaked in the scene, you notice JiJi place a cloth over Maureen's mouth and a prick on Maureen's arm.

"Sleep child, the Priestess demands you sleep so her sermons will finally sway the King. Sleep." You could feel the scene fade to black as more elves began to surround Maureen. The guards were overwhelmed as portals began to open and deploy more elves. A massacre occurred as the elves spared not a woman or child.

Maureen squirmed and tried to breathe. But his heartbeat began to slow, and his body breathed weaker and weaker. Elves began to tie him down and a magician of some sort began incantations over Maureen as he continued to pass out.

'Father?! Father! Someone, please help me. They're going to put me to sleep. Someone? Anyone?' Maureen looked as he could for help. There was none. And as he started to sleep and the scene faded to black, it suddenly returned to normal. 'Please... no...'

And you heard a savage voice, 'I am the one who can help.' One very similar to Maureen's. Maureen's skin began to decay, his hair withered, his eyes darken, and a purple glow echoed from him.

Then you hear R, "When he lost control..."

A rage-filled the scene and you, a primal rage of the ancient days. One of blood and strength. Maureen snapped what looked to be iron chains easily. He looked like a ghoul. The elves sprang back, readying their blades. But, even their speed that Sigismund could see, was not enough. Maureen leaped at one, biting his throat out. A primal scream bellowed out of his mouth, and an aura of sickness surrounded him. The elves began to cough profusely. The flowers and grasses began to die and turn to ash as Maureen unleashed more and more. He clawed with spectral claws, he bit with his teeth, and you slowly notice the dead elves began to move once more... as the walking dead. Maureen unleashed a rampage as a grizzly bear, slaughtering the elves flawlessly. Only a couple of slashes, but that would never be enough. Soon, heads would be slashed in half. Bodies torn to shreds. The armor looked to be useless against him. Sigismund could notice no movements in the earth. Which from his encounters was strange, and maybe it gave credence to an alternative personality.

Soon the elves were dead, and the wedding looked to be a warzone. The only one to remain was Lady JiJi, who was suppressed by zombies.

Maureen approached her in his rage, "You fool. How dare you serve the false prophet? Do you know the price of this betrayal?" Ukemin noticed the voice sounded too god-dy.

Lady JiJi murmured, "So you win this day, but you have set things in motion you cannot undo. The elves shall be your undoing, and this boy will be our instrument."

Maureen snarled, "I am not him, but I understand why." With that Maureen lifted her into the air where she turned to ash slowly. Her bones were barren and then they too turned to ash. Then, all that Maureen held was what Ukemin could see as a mortal soul...

"Oblivion!" Maureen cackled, crushing JiJi's soul. Shattering into millions of pieces, the light of it faded into the rest of the scene.

Then Maureen reverted to normal and kneeled.

The scene became blurred with tears as Maureen lay down and shed tears. He cried in the mass of blood and bodies. Fires raged in the background. The bees are gone, the flowers dead and destroyed. Hours pass before King Karn returns with his troops.

"SON! My boy! Speak to me." King Karn stepped carefully through the ravaged scene until he discovered Maureen, "My son. What has happened?" King Karn took his son into his arms, wiping away his tears, "Oh my boy, are you okay? I will have a doctor come to see you soon." King Karn looked away, "Go get a priest, this is a sad day."

A guard runs as others began investigating. King Karn looked down at Maureen, "It is alright son. Daddy's here. I'll protect you. Did the elves attack you?"

Maureen nodded, "Father, it happened so fast. I turned... I didn't know if I would come back. I...did a lot of savage things. They attacked me, tried to put me to sleep, they tried to put me to sleep forever..."

"It's alright son. Put the thoughts away for now." Maureen closed his eyes and pressed his face against his father's chest. King Karn gave an eerie smile as he did so.

'I love you father. But, what did she mean about priestess? How did she fit?'

And with that, the first memory ended.
"Well," Ukemin said, putting aside the corn that she was popping in the skillet while watching all this, "that was a thing. I would even say that, going by this, Karn is sus af."

R remarked, "The memories are perfect recollections. So, you can trust to the detail that what you saw happened."

"What was a thing?"
Sigismund asked as he turned to look at Ukemin who was.... doing something with strange yellow shaped objects. Food? She was cooking it, so probably food, but how was she cooking it in this... Where did they come from? He rubbed his forehead as a sudden flair of pain emerged from his mortal mind trying to understand what she was saying. What was 'sus af'?

"The movie? What you just saw? That was the thing."

Ukemin nodded to herself, as if that made all that much more sense, then drizzled some diluted honey over the popped corn and tossed it back and forth to coat it evenly.

"Anyhow, it brings to question pretty clearly now: the Priestess looks to be allied with the elves...which I don't really know the significance of, but it seems like ol' Karn's doing subversive stuff too, so they're likely not true allies."

She waved towards the parts of R's body that were also marred by amethyst energies.

"Guessing you really were made in the kid's image, huh?"

"Down to the t. These scars represent the scars on him that remain from his previous deaths. I do not know what they represent in terms of how he died."

"I'm sure we'll find out with the next showings."

"What is a mov-?"
Sigismund started but stopped. Ukemin tended to say a lot of things he didn't understand or comprehend, so if he started asking about every single thing, they'd probably be here until next year and he still would not understand half of what she said.

"I doubt a King such as he has many true allies," Sigismund said as he watched her cook, still not entirely sure what the point of cooking those seed like things were, "Deaths?" Sigismund asked as he looked over to 'R', "How many times has the boy died?"

"Only twice. Within the last year or so."

"So that time, and the time at the fountain?"
Sigismund asked, wanting to be sure that was the death that counted and there was not some other incident they had yet to find out about.

"I don't think so. It would have left a scar... Must be a transformation of some kind."

"Huh, you've got eyes on Maureen this whole time, R?"
Ukemin tilted her head to the side. "Can you tell what he's up to right now?"

Sigismund mulled the information over, perhaps the wound he gave himself triggered that transformation? And in that state he called the Angel of Death and raised the dead and the 'officers' that seemed capable of leading them? What would happen if the boy were to be killed while in that other state? There were many questions, and yet no answers.

"I cannot. However, we have some form of link. When he dies, a scar will appear once he returns to life. Usually representing how he died in an abstract way or in a mark if possible. I don't know what he does. But, I do feel some emotions from time to time."

"Sweet,"
Ukemin said.

It wasn't clear whether she was saying that in response to R's statement or because the snacks were ready now, but the goddess soon had a golden mound of white, fluffy, honeyed carbs. Maybe a bit weird to eat anything that looked like the complexion of Jiji's flesh after seeing the Queen be literally obliterated by a death god, but that sure didn't stop her from offering it to the others.

"Onto to the next, Sigi?"

When the yellow seeds 'popped' Sigismund nearly jumped out of his skin. What kind of seeds popped when heated? Did all seeds pop when heated? Were those seeds? Was this a 'sus af'? Even more surprising was when she just started to eat them by the handful as if it was not only normal but somehow good... Ukemin truly came from a world entirely different from mortals.

"Yes," Sigismund said as he tore his questioning gaze from her food, that he still did not understand how she made or got, and turned his attention back to R.

"Ukemin, how about you make a selection as Sigismund made the last. What timeframe would you like?"

Ukemin balanced a kernel of popcorn on her thumb, flicked it up, and caught it in her mouth.

"That tasted like a 6 to 10 for me. Sure you don't want any?"

R looked down on himself, "I sadly have no uses for food. But, if you are ready, I shall continue. 6 through 10, the begining of the royal days, excellent choice. Surely, another good find on the way."

"Oh, you're offering?" Sigismund asked, surprised. He thought she had made that for herself and that, perhaps, it did not have much energy and so required eating lots of it. He reached out to take one, a single one, and slowly, almost as if he expected it to explode in his mouth, chewed.

It.. was not what he was expecting. It was oddly sweet. Almost too sweet. Oh! That was why she had said 'sweet' earlier. It made a lot of sense now.

You again see the dark sea and the lights beneath the waves. You plunge deep this time.
You appear in a throne room. Bright with a crystal throne and multi-colored murals everywhere, the floors looked to be imitation ivory and polished quite well. Sun rays flooded in easily. The smell of coal and fresh flowers filled your noses. A small Maureen with a cute face played with toys as King Karn sat in the throne room reading letters. King Karn looked exactly the same as he would years later. There was some talking amongst the guards and Maureen made the sounds of horses and clashing metal as he played with his toy army. A woman in an elegant red dress enters the throne room.

"My sweet, you look well." King Karn remarked as he looked up from his papers.

"Oh my dear, how is our little boy?"

"He is wonderful dear, full of imagination and happiness. A truly wonderful boy."

"Excelsior! I came in to tell you about his tutor. Looks like he cannot come in today. A death in the family. Should we get a replacement? I was thinking about charging him to us for a fortnight."

King Karn smiled, "That would be fine. Where should we start?"

"His letters and numbers. The basics."

"Oh, we'll be to algebra in a week." They both laughed. They stopped and looked at one another lovingly before the door to the throne room opened and a ragged man covered in dirt shambles into the throne room. Karn quickly snatched Maureen and his toys as they approached, holding him in his arms. The man yammered on about something, but it wasn't distinguishable from noise. The ears appeared to be pointy.

"Why have you come into my court at such an hour? I will not be receiving an audience today." Maureen looked to be scared as a kid might be.

The dirty elf snarled, pointing behind him, "Do you see it? The clouds speak of doom and famine. Of cold and the end of times. Do you deny it? The signs of priests, of weather, of stars. Your boy will live in ruin! It will dominate him!"

The elf continued, "You think you can swindle the end? You cannot!"

You look into Karn's eyes, seeing a normal eye with a blue iris. He sighed and looked down at Maureen. Maureen stared back.

"I don't know, but I will try. I have to try for my boys. If you speak the truth, I will find a way to save them. You think that I will fail, but I will find a way."

"But you are sick and dying Karn! You deny it, but your sight is not your own, your thoughts of another. You are an imposter within your own body. The young prince will suffer and die three times! I have seen it so! Once by your hand. You shall kill your own child! Beat the others! You shall be a liar and thief! You shall be a monster!"

The woman sighed, "Why do you listen to his mad elf dear? He speaks nonsense. Come on, we have things to attend to."

The elf laughed, "Oh Karn, you know me to be right. Would you like insight? Would you like to see what will come? Would you like to see your hands claiming Maureen's life?"

Karn clenched his fist, "Leave us guards, I have no fear of this elf. Ensure none enter until I come to release you." The guards leave and the windows are shut, along with the door.

"So you come to agreeance? Will you like to see it?! See the blade you will use?"

Karn gave Maureen to the woman, likely the queen, and he stepped down to meet with the elf, "Show me if you desire. I fear not you dirty filth."

Moments pass as Karn and the elf see. Tears flood his face before the elf smiles and return to normal.

"Do you believe me now! Remember the face of your adult son. See the monster you shall make of him, and the monster you shall be!"

Karn clenched his fist, "You damn elves... I will stop this from happening."

The elf smiled, "But it is already in motion! You cannot stop it. Not even your faithful friend, Axulux can stop it. For he has set it in motion!"

Karn clenched his fist harder, beating the elf's head to mush in one punch, "You may disrespect me, but not him."

"Daddy!"

Maureen called out to Karn with his arms outstretched. He doesn't seem to notice the body. Karn quietly takes Maureen and gives him a hug as he sheds soft tears.

"Why is daddy crying?"

"Because you are my beloved boy. My bright light just like your brothers, and you shine brightly today."

Maureen smiled and waved his arms like holding an airplane. The queen smiled, "Dear, it's just some elf trickery. Don't listen to it. it's such an illusion, my dear. Our son will be a beautiful boy just like our other beloved bois. Sho started projecting fire today. And he's as tall as you are!"

"I am truly proud of him sweetness. They are all fine men. I am glad that my fears can be laid to rest."
"Sheesh. This is more ironic than a midday soap."

Ukemin leaned back on her seat...or she WOULD HAVE IF THE STOOL HAD A BACKREST. The situation was certainly becoming a touch more complex, but these elves certainly looked as if they knew a whole lot about it all. Her gaze turned back to R. Two deaths, was it? So the third would be the prophetic one and, perhaps, the final one.

Blue eyes, blackened into shadow. Bodysnatchers. A god departed, only to carve out a portion of that death-dealing might unto a child. Such powerless deities, this world had, when their followers still numbered so brightly.

She let out a breath, standing up to stretch out her back. When she had first arrived in the Fractal, the corruption of this world was still minimal. But that was in the eyes of a god, not of a human, and in subterfuge, anomalies could still persist.

"So, let's run it back, yeah? Axulux dwells within Maureen. The elves wish to slay him and to presumably prevent ruin. The Priestess is aligned with the elves. The King is possessed by a dark force and has his own designs, centered around this vessel of Axulux's. Everyone else agree on these statements?"

"Was midday soap different then other soap?"
Sigismund asked before he could catch himself. It had been such an odd statement he had spoken before he realized it. Still, it was not an important question in regards to what they had just seen happen. Something had changed in the king, not just his eyes, but his demeaner. A curse? Did madness run in the royal blood line?

As he was thinking about it, Ukemin seemed to have reached a conclusion first, and what she said made sense, "So it would seem." They had one more memory to go, perhaps it would shed even more light on this.

"So, how would you like to decide the last? Truly up to you two. I don't mind either way."

"Hrm."


Ukemin caught Sigismund's eye.

"Wonder what happened to the Queen. The non-Jiji one."

"I doubt she lives,"
Sigismund said as he mulled it over. If he was willing to do that to his children... And she seemed protective of them all, he doubted she would have stood by as he did what he did. Either she died before it happened, or she was gone now. It made little difference, wherever she may be, he prayed her soul was at peace.

"Do we go for a new one, or try to fish again in the last?" He asked content to let Ukemin lead as she undoubtedly knew more about this 'god' business then he.

"If there laid an answer in his blood, then it will be upon his birth."

"Surprising, would you like me to attempt to read into that time? There is no guarantee there will be much there as due to his young age."


She smiled. "Even if there isn't, at least it'll be cute."

R nodded, "Here we go then. Looks to be short..."

You enter the deep sea for the final time. Same as it was before.
You appear by a crib shortly after birth.

You hear the queen's voice, "Honey, what should we name them?"

Karn smiled, "The older one, Anyt. The younger one, Maureen my dear, Molerei. I am glad you are okay."

She smiles, "I am too. But, I am afraid, they will be the last. I can't handle anymore."

"And you won't need to my sweet."

And the final memory ends.
"That was short as I knew it to be. How do you feel if I may ask? Weak in the stomach?"

The vial laid empty to the last drop.

Ukemin did not speak for a moment.

She stared into the flames, clasping her hands together. Pulling at threads and thoughts, weaving them together like song and sound. A Fractal, distorted by a family.

"Anyt does not exist." The words came out decisively. "When speaking of the second youngest prince, the name that arose was Jon."

Sigismund rubbed his chin as he mused the information, so a secret prince that is either gone or lost to history? A fractal broken by a family and by gods? The elves held more information and the 'Mad King' still sat upon the throne. Which should be pursued from here? Which should be brought to heel? Or perhaps gathering the princes or finding out the fate of this 'Anyt' that did not exist was key?

He carefully picked up the vial and moved to put it back into a pouch on his belt that lay on the ground, "Seems we have many leads."

"Yeah, I don't know why you're just putting that vial away too,"
Ukemin said, opening her hand up. "There's another place to check out as well."

"Because such glass is expensive and the money can be used to help someone in need,"
Sigismund responded. Did she not collect rare items that could be used to help people? "I will join you soon," he said as he started to dress.

"Don't keep a lady waiting," Ukemin responded. She pulled out her steel knife, then turned her gaze towards R. "So, mind if I cut you a bit?"

R looked interested and smirked, "I didn't think things would... enter this conversation, all things considered, but if you insist, I will attempt to materialize as best as i can."

Sigismund stopped with his pants halfway back up his legs and raised a brow at Ukemin, he wasn't sure the blood of R would grant them more visions of Maureen but... She likely had some sort of plan.

"Thanks!" And while Sigismund was still fumbling with his pants, Ukemin plucked the vial out of his pouch. "There's an interesting little vault in this fortress, y'see. One that has a container fit perfectly for a vial."

She waited for R to extend his hand, and then pressed the blade against his palm.

"Now, believing in destiny too much may lead one astray, considering the nature of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but if a coincidence lands itself so neatly before me, why reject it?" The goddess winked. "Try to bleed, ok?"

And the blade bit.

R stopped changing his form to have less clothing, "Oh, that's what you meant. Uh, slight problemo. I am a shadow, one with little physical presence."

Ukemin didn't even blink. "So smoke instead?"

R looked confused, "Unless you want to pilth through my quiet "life", that won't get you much. You'll need his blood, his divinity if you want to see more. Or whatever he has."

"You're a god, aren't you? Made in his image? Humor me, R. This is a separate thing from visioning."
Ukemin tapped her finger against her chin. "Two copies could lead different lives but still share the same prints, no?"

"I suppose, though I'm sure Maureen is not. Though, he is confusing... And that could be true, but I do not know what messing with our connection will cause. It may cause unintended side effects, for which no one has ever seen. Axulux told me so."

"And that's the spice of life, ain't it?"

"You truly are the daring type."
R smiled, "I like you. But, brace youself. There's no way to know what he'll do. And hopefully, he isn't around anyone right now."

Ukemin laughed. "What's the worse that can happen? Now let's see if this even works, yeah?"

R nodded, "Alright, both of you take my hands, and brace yourselves. I can allow you to enter, but he could overpower me if he becomes aware of our ruse."

"Oh and make your cuts, that will help."

"What ruse? What is going on?"
Sigismund asked as he belted his blade back to his waist and the armor reformed around him. He did not like the idea of a 'Ruse'.

"Wait, didn't you say something about the vault?"

"Yeah?"
Ukemin screwed her face together. Now she was confused. "Why do you want us to hold hands?"

"There is a vault?"
Sigismund asked as he came to them and tried to understand what was happening. She had taken the vial and said something about a 'container' but he wasn't entirely caught up with what was going on. He knew Ukemin had been trying to gain blood from R, but it did not seem to be working, and was R offering to teleport them into this 'vault?'

"There is. And forgive me, I thought we would do the daring adventure of digging into Maureen's memories through my connection to him. If the vault magic device is what you seek, my smoke should suffice to allow you to interact with it. But, it has little on it. Axulux wiped most of it. However, it should have other of those magical devices noted on its map."

"For a god that abandoned the world, he sure causes lotsa problems,"
Ukemin remarked. "But yeah, I'm a simple-minded gal. If you could oblige us with popping the console open, that would be great, R."

Sigismund looked between them, not truly understanding what was being said. Was this 'console' the vault? It could led to more vaults? Was something in the vault they needed? Or did she wanna see it just to see it?

"I do not know of his intentions when he went silent, but he did love this world. I cannot fathom why. But, yes I can unlock it for you. You have released me from the shrine. As I was bound until a divine would come and ask for my assistance, so I will travel with you for now until a possible permanent arrangement can be made." R walks to the console nearby, echoing shadow into the vial. The console read the smoke until it lit green and granted access. R looked to have made a new user profile with Ukemin's name, and turned back around, "Something blessed should suffice. Something for the device to identify you. Something replacable."

Sigismund tilted his head as 'lights' appeared on the.. thing. 'That's a thing' was what Ukemin had once said, and he was slowly starting to understand that turn of phrase.

She sliced off a lock of her blue hair.

"This work?"

"It will."
R quickly finished the profile before opening the map. It had two markings on it.

Generating....

Fractal_1_Map_Console_Marked.jpeg

"Here is a map of the consoles, (black x's), and it appears the settlements on the island have been marked as well with some flavor crests. Do not know how accurate they are now. There might be some other things about that you can find. However, I know little more."

"Excellent! I'm not too big of a computer whiz myself, but hm...gimme a moment."


A computer was a computer, after all, and while Ukemin wasn't the sort of nerd who ran Linux and wrote pure machine logic, she certainly knew someone who did. And while humans required sleep, Kameraz were functionally just the type of fellows who could turn themselves on and off whenever needed.

Some time later, Ukemin returned with LOCK in tow, the smooth-faced android turning its face from side to side. Haltingly, its processes still not rebooted fully, it said, "So thes-"

"LOCK. Computer! Super wild, right? Can you hackerman it? Restore deleted data and all?"


The Kameraz rotated its face, as if interested in deferring to R's opinion on this first. "This is a machine? Or supernatural?"

"What is a machine? It appears to be magical to me, but not in any magic, I am familiar with. Lightning runs through it."

"C'mon, it'll be fine~"


LOCK remained looking as skeptical as an android with no face could. There was neither a guarantee that the coding logic of one Fractal would be the same across others, and if even the divinity of this world had no clue what a machine was, it may truly be the case that this was craft of pure magic, given only the form of a computer.

Still, work was work, and as long as it didn't directly interface with the circuitry and programming of the console, it was unlikely to explode in an instant. But just in case...

"Best to withdraw a few steps."

And with the removal of its Goddess from the immediate vicinity, LOCK's arm plates peeled away, revealing dozens of miniature digits and appendages, all ready to work at delving deep into the mystery of...whatever this was.

Lock began to interface with the device, finding that it was a normal computer after all. He searched through the databanks for any information. The deleted items seemed gone for good, very good. Whatever had deleted them, did a damn good job to do so. However, there was some excess to be found in cracks and crevices in the memory that only an android could find. The closest device had the description : Tether device in the hopes of assisting the reconstruction of reality planes. Shielded from modification from fractal collapse. Requires power to restart the reactor core and water to keep it cool.

The one farthest away had a short description: For safe keeping so to be never found.

"The console on the mountains...a device that requires electricity and water to...assist in the reconstruction of reality."

"The console northwest...something to be kept secret, and kept away."


LOCK murmured as it read through the information there, its body stilled as its appendages retracted into its form. The Kameraz remained there briefly, tidying up its suit, before turning to Ukemin...whose eyes were absolutely aglow!

"Found it!" She clapped her hands together. "This Fractal's objective! Fucking found it!"

R looked puzzled, "Pardon?"

Sigismund could only stare in silence as they worked on the 'computer'. He had no idea what he was looking at, as soon as he started to understand, that pushing the symbols made something appear on the screen, something new would happen and completely throw him for a loop. What was this? Ukemin and her... person? Seemed familiar with them, were they common where they come from? What was their purpose? Their function? How did they work? Was it magic? He was inclined to believe R, it seemed magical.

He fought down the jolt of surprise that ran through him when Ukemin clapped, "What must we do?" He could not understand this 'computer', but he could understand an objective well enough.

"It's, well, not to fix this whole political situation in particular, R, at least not directly, but..." Ukemin tapped her foot against the stone floor, electrified by this discovery. So much time, saved! She had originally planned to just run a circuit around the range that the objective had been, but now she didn't have to.

"Sigismund, there is an object of great power within the mountains. north of us. One that relies on the might of bottled lightning and vast quantities of water to realize its powers, and one that, if activated and defended over the course of months, could possibly save this world from the corruption that plagues it. To activate this is to draw the ire of all corruption within this Fractal though, so..."

Aw fuck, it would suck if someone was super keen and started all this before they were ready. And the casket was an issue too. Calm down. She's gotta calm down. The Fractal was wide, but her bike travelled far.

"...ok. That's all good information. I'll have to write a song later, but for now, let's lay all the pieces together. Sigi, this is a lot, so do you have anything to write with? Or are you good at remembering things?"

"I'll remember,"
Sigismund said, "So long as you... speak in plain terms."

He wasn't sure they even used the same language sometimes, but he understood that they had to go to the marker in the north. As for turning it on, well, he didn't know how to do that, but he was certain she could do so.

"Do we leave now or cleanse this place first?"

"I am not your Lady, Sigismund. You will decide for yourself, but allow me to speak first."


Ukemin cracked her neck, motioning for LOCK to head back now. The Kameraz still needed its 'sleep', after all, and regardless, what came next only mattered between the leaders either way.

"First off, the mystery of the caskets, and of Axulux's disappearance, remains important. To save the world is not to save its inhabitants, and as a matter of fact, I have heard rumors of a lich wandering these lands, the highest commander of the undead. Even if we stabilize this Fractal, such a being would still exist, not to mention Karn's continued tyranny and the machinations of the elves."

"Second off, the nature of the corruption in this world. Gasem has already uncovered its hive-like nature, but through the fractures of reality, the substance of space and time, I have long divined their nature. Mark these names, Sigismund. Reapers. Mimics. Bomb Birds. Unilaterally corruptions specialized in close combat. These will compose the horde that close upon this fortress city."

"And finally, the consoles. If Axulux sought to shroud their presence, that indicates that there are individuals with a vested interest in befouling this. A Priestess, perhaps, who scorns what was set in motion by the Death God's actions. Once more, it will do good to recall the prophecy that promises the people's salvation at the hands, or at the life, of Maureen."


Ukemin clapped her hands together once more, but this time, there was a sense of ritual.

"I will work to fortify and protect this city, and will convince others to do the same. I desire for more time to build our forces before we advance onto the northern mountains. And I wish for the people of this land to be in as much peace as humanity can be, when we inevitably leave."

She met his eyes. Peered into his mortal soul.

"What sentiments do you have?"

Sigismund tilted his head, his face now once more covered in ethereal steel, he was not sure what her point was with that. She seemed to know more about the situation, and so he was willing to trust her lead in resolving the issue. There was only one Lady and in protecting this realm, he would be serving her.

"You list problems but not how to resolve them," He said, "You have the ability to 'sing' to people beyond the range, I'd ask that you send word to Khamsin of these developments. He is a stalwart warrior, his aid, no matter the situation, would be invaluable. If you intend to face King Karn, Maureen and the fellow princes, who are with Khamsin, will be needed. Once they finish what they are doing in the realm of giants, they may turn back to handle the issue of the throne."

He paused to consider what he would do, "I will help you defend this city against the hive that is coming to destroy it. After, I will head to the land of the Elves to uncover more about their part in this tale."

"Sweet!"


Something loosened in her posture as she turned to walk off.

"Well, I'm going to go sleep and try my luck at converting the army to our cause tomorrow. Figure y'all should too." They had at least two weeks to prepare for the subterranean horde, after all. Plenty of time! "And thanks for your help, R~ Would probably have had to do some weird stuff with my own blood if you weren't here."

R smirked, "Of course, I have my uses."


Day broke, the sunlight peaking out groggily through the overcast skies. Ukemin yawned as she stretched, her gaze drifting over to the sleeping forms of her children. A sweet sight. She tiptoed over, pulling a fallen blanket over Mafuno’s shoulders and nudging a stick a little bit further away from LOCK’s self-charging receptacle. Kume and Kani, still covered in soot, laid out at odd angles before the Steam Wagon that they had taken to cleaning up. And Nakaya…

The sound of emphatic breathing could be heard from the outside. Backlit against the dust-sparked sunshafts of the morning, the Wildborn woman moved in a manner that married the martial with the graceful. Strikes and kicks reminiscent of thundering waterfalls. Footwork evocative of tumbling streams. And, occasionally, a tranquil stillness, a held posture. Like a mirror-sheen lake.

Ukemin smiled at the sight, and snuck out from the other end of the tent. The kiddos were alright. She’d have to make sure they were going to survive this. Which meant getting that conversation in as early as possible.

The man’s room was easy to find. He had already taken the time to establish himself in a well-furnished building, after all, and the particular touches that his personal tent had were transferred over to his new abode. Two guards, bleary-eyed from last night’s festivities, did not stop her as she moved to enter. For better or worse, Ukemin was trusted now.

No, it was purely for the better that she was trusted.

“Good morning, General Hagustus. I come bearing good news, but only for the valorous.”

She smiled thinly, magnanimously. Like a Goddess looking from on high.

“The stars have crossed and the sage has made his divinations. In a fortnight, a horde of demons shall descend upon Axulux’s Shrine, a storm of such ferocity to make the fighting for Winkhampton pale in comparison.” Her fingers turned outwards, rolling against the fabric of space before clenching into a fist. “Knowing this, will you and yours become the bulwark against such great evil? If you do, I shall guide you in all my capacity…”

She brought her fist closer to her chest and allowed that shard of reality-defying power within her to reverberate, an electric energy filling the air as phantasmal lights emerged.

“…as a Wandering Goddess, blessed by human inspiration. And if you choose still to flee?”

Ukemin turned, striding out.

“Then let my back be the last you see.”

There were preparations to be made, no matter the General’s answer. If she could not defend against corruption, even in a world so minimally-corrupted as this, there would be no hope for future Fractals. Whether Hagustus retreated or remained, she would fight.

But, of course, first, she would have to sing.


Free Action: Bless one unit of food [Wine].
Free Action: Ukemin uses FL Studio 64 and sends a message to Khamsin ( Lazaro1505 Lazaro1505 ) and Superman ( Twist Twist ).
Standing by undercurrents
I wipe off the blood, only to lament.
A battle fought, for an absent god
A casket sealed, by heinous rot.
The wizened sage prays for purifying rays
But mounts open up, the horde shakes enraged
The paladin prays for the crusade yet waged
But one saint alone, cannot fill a stage.
So, feel free to act the fool (that’s right)
Feel free to seek out truths (no lie)
But ‘member real hearts beat here (their lives)
Entwinned by divine, destined to die (shadows twice)
I say,
Don’t just call it a day, from grand goals stray
For the people’re pained, even with a world saved
Micro not macro, keep your gaze eye-level
And maybe then, your deeds’ll be reveled.
Southwest of our start, three have joined the braid
With two motes more, our souls will forge the blade.
 
Cosmo Cosmo ERode ERode

In the hold of Winkhampton as the borrowing continues, Sigismund and Ukemin convene to discuss the vial of blood and the strange computers they found in the hold.
Scene:

The hold is relatively quiet as the army begins to sleep when the duo finally meet after exchanging messages long distance and in the hold. Will they attempt to see inside of the blood or give the computer what it likely wants?

With news of an impeding invasion that was nevertheless rather far away, the Goddess had no particular reason to hesitate on this matter. While curiosity teased at the corners of her mind, Ukemin was still a goddess, and the ancient predilection of accepting the postulations of a mortal no matter personal cost remained. The matter of that anachronistic vault could be taken up at another time, and if Sigismund hadn't arrived with the vial, she would not even have that as an option.

"Well, Sigi," Ukemin spoke. "Have you showered yet?"

What was a shower? Sigismund brow furrowed under his helm as his hand reached up a bit almost as if he was going to stroke his chin out of muscle memory before the presence of the helm, and the impossibility of the act, made itself known. Was this 'shower' important? Did it hold some significance to whatever it was that they had to do? Was it some sort of ceremony or process he was supposed to do for this to work?

"I do not know what that is," Sigismund admitted, "Was it important? Should I leave to go do that once I know what it is?"

Ukemin's nose wrinkled. So the stench of death was literal, rather than figurative. She let out a sigh, resolved to breathe from her mouth for the time being, before nodding.

"It is a matter of reverence and purification. When dealing with divinity, one will do well to remove what vestiges of the material world that linger upon them before attempting to commune. So, that being said."

She turned her palm in his direction.

"Strip."

"Oh," Sigismund said as he tilted his head, he didn't know that was a thing. It seemed... odd, but perhaps she was correct? Perhaps material would interrupt the connection? Perhaps that was why he struggled to understand it the first time. Perhaps to embrace divinity, one had to first embrace their bare humanity? He paused for just a moment, was this a trick? Doubtful, Ukemin had yet to do anything that would make him doubt her words, and she was a goddess, he doubted he was anything she hadn't seen before. Was likely seeing some sort of animal in the wild to them.

"Very well," he said as he unbuckled his blade and set it aside, the ethereal armor that covered his body shimmering and disappearing as the protection was removed. He gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head, pausing only to fold it and set it down next to his blade. Without his armor, Sigismund was... painfully average. If it wasn't for his nose, broken so many times it was offset, the scars that littered his body, if someone were to pass him on the street, they'd never look twice. He started to work on the buckle of his pants, "What is next?" He asked as he worked.

As he disrobed, Ukemin worked the firepit, stoking embers back to life as she set a cauldron of water atop. Spring water would have been ideal, but in a mountain so thoroughly desecrated, it would be good enough just to have water that was drinkable.

The miko would protest though, of course. That was why she hadn't yet allowed any of them by her side.

"Give me a moment," she responded, glancing back to see his own progress. Certainly, the paladin wasn't a knight in shining armor, but he had a healthy enough build, and if he learned some story-telling skills, he could seduce a fair amount of maidens with the legends behind his scars. Thoughts of another time though. Work came first.

The unseasonable fruits and vegetables were still a curious anomaly, but Ukemin was unilaterally grateful for them in this particular moment. She bundled up a couple lemons, figs, and olives in a dishcloth, before taking a mallet to them, pulverizing it to bits. The cloth soaked up the juices and oils well, and like a teabag, she tossed it into the cauldron alongside a bundle of herbs and a pinch of salt. It was a bit of a rushed job, and under normal circumstances, she would have liked to toss in some animal fat to have it solidify into a bar of soap instead, but for now...

Ukemin kicked a stool in front of the steaming cauldron, tapping the seat with a ladle.

"Sit down and close your eyes. Don't swallow; it doesn't taste nearly as good as it smells."

Sigismund opened his mouth to question what she was doing as the steaming cauldron was an oddity in the extreme. Was... Was this truly how they were going to channel the vision from the blood? They hadn't even taken the blood out yet, how was this supposed to work? His confusion only compounded as he undressed fully and she strained some fruit into the water, letting it rest in it, adding herbs and salt. Was she cooking? Was this some sort of potion or tonic that would help them withstand the vision?

"Wha-" He started, they weren't eating it? Was he bathing in it? Was this truly what they had to do to channel the vision? He closed his eyes and offered a prayer to the lady before he sat down on the stool as commanded.

And thus, it began. One ladle at a time, sweeping warm, scented water over the head, the shoulders, the legs, the crotch, rotating in a circular manner. Dirt and sweat slogged off, revealing pale skin beneath, like the inner steel of a rusted blade. As the cauldron emptied, as the cleansing began, Ukemin sang for the paladin. There were few things proper about this, but the intention of ceremony mattered more than the specific steps.

Within the kitchen, by the hearth, licked by flames warm as sun, the aria of the divine seeped out.

"Let us pass, let us pass
Through this pathway, where gold is brass
On the exalted plains, of polar contrasts,
We beseech thee, let us pass.

As ablution cleanses, defilement mends
As divinity presides, impurities die
Our reverence remains in place
My name invokes thine grace.

Let us pass, let us pass
Through mortal realms, to the vision beyond the glass."

Why was it, that the other dimension that seemed to stand beyond space and time, traveling across realities, fighting Angels of Death, Snake People, and princes who could command stone, that this stood out as the oddest experience he had yet to endure? Being bathed by a divine being in the guise of a beautiful woman, a soft smile tilted at the corner of his lips, his younger brother would have loved this. He could almost hear the taunts and teases from the younger paladin, the words that would be tinted with hints of envy and rejection..

Sigismund tensed in surprise when she started to sing, but the tension slowly wore away under the influence of the hot water and the voice, it was beautiful, when was the last time he had truly done something like this? He knew the answer to that, never. He listened and he waited for what, he could only assume, to be the revelation to begin.

"Ok, glad you enjoyed it, but put your clothes back on before you catch a cold."

Sigismund opened his eyes and blinked... then blinked some more, "What about the vision?"

Ukemin giggled. "This was the prep work. Now we actually start."

She pulled another stool out, then sat in front of him, crossing her own legs before motioning for the vial Sigismund...still naked...somehow had on him.

"R, where you at? Might not wanna miss this!"

"I see," Sigismund brow furrowed, her laugher did not sound convincing, in the least, but there was a strange sense of logic to it. She didn't need to do it, and was still clothed, because she was a divine being, as a mortal, perhaps some sort of prep was needed? Still, a small nagging voice could not help but whisper that she had just played a joke at his expense.

R walked in on cue, with a smirk. Sigismund stood starstruck... the resemblence. Could it be Maureen? However, the wispy blackness coming from him concluded that it could not be. Not to mention the pure personality from R. Confident, happy, causal; the polar opposite of Maureen's conflicted, reclusive, and heavy-hearted stance. But, it also lacked his hope, his strength, and his willingness to move forward which made him pure in his intentions. Maureen also seemed to be much more sensitive to movement than R was, as was to be expected.

"Oh, that face tells it all. You've met Maur Maur, oh the legend he is. No, I'm not him, though I was made in his image. By who? Not sure, but I do have a liking for him that is sadly not shared." R giggled, "Did he mention me?"

"He did not," Sigismund said as he scanned the face of this creature. So... Maureen had truly been favored by his deity.. To think it would create something in his image just to have something around to remind him. For a moment, just a moment, envy flared in his heart, but it was crushed by the rush of shame that he'd allow such thoughts to enter his mind in the first place.

"Okay, now I see you have a vial of his blood. What a precious thing. He hardly bleeds. You can probably guess why. Now, I can show you three memories. They won't be too long, just snapshots, vignettes so to speak. He's about 14 and half about now. So, would you like his early days, 1 through 5, the beginning of his royal days, 6 through10, or his maturing years, 11 through 14. I'll be able to guide it, but there is no guarantee I'll be able to reveal anything new if you go for the final bracket. But, you're likely to pick up big memories, especially unsuppressed, but he has a lot of suppressed memories. And that can make things difficult."

Ukemin arched a brow.

"His blood? Sigismund, explain, would you?"

Sigismund stared at R for a few moments, searching his face for lies, but the entity seemed to be speaking the truth. Why did Maureen have divine blood running through his veins? Was the God he served his father? Was he some sort of demi-god? Or when they had a 'close' relationship, did he somehow take part of the essence into his own? Was that even possible? That explained how he was able to 'guide' the Angels of Death in the past, it also likely explained why he seemed untouched by death and that his attempt would summon an Angel of Death.

"I would if I knew," he said, "Is a mortal with the blood of a god even possible?"

R nodded softly, "It is possible. There are many ways to do it. And many ways have been lost to time and other things. I sadly do not know. A closely guarded secret among all the gods Axulux led. Whatever is up with Maureen, he is important somehow... Now, when would you like to experience first?"

"Eleven to fourteen, we need to see the ones who brought the corruption, how they brought the corruption.. and how it effected the King when he sent Maureen to flee into the wilds."

"Huh, so if this is just blood to induce memories, Sigi, what on earth were you seeing before?"

R nodded, "Very well, Ukemin will be the connection. I will be the guide. Now, don't hold your breath, it feels like water, but it isn't. Figured this is your first time. And brace yourself, things can get dark very quickly in tone. Oh, and you can't change anything, even if you wanted to."

With that, you plunge into what feels like a dark sea, turbulent and full of white caps. However, there appear to be many lights deep within. A wash of emotions quickly moves and passes as it subsides into a memory...
-----------------
A beautiful sun shines in the distance, tall mountains, and fresh spring breezes. A wonderful landscape to lull one into sleep and rest. In the background, you see a city the size of Waterdeep. Rooves with crystal singles, massive fountains, and spanning markets. The walls are made in a pearly beige with many guards and ballastas. You look around, seeing a garden with red and blue flowers. Bees buzzing about in the warmth of a fresh cup of coffee. You could see a strong, imposing figure speaking out in front of a wedding manor. As he spoke, you could smell fresh mint and blueberries. You stepped closer to the figure, seeing an elegant crown. Beside him was a fully grown Maureen, with much more youth in him and a lot less muscle. But, he looked like he has trained and prepped himself some.

The crowned figure spoke softly, "Give Lord Yoshire my deepest congratulations." The figure appeared to have pure black eyes and spoke with a woman with more honey skin and platinum eyes.

"Thank you King Karn for your attendance today. And you brought your precious boy with you. Oh, he looks so grown up and precious. What are you feeding him?"

King Karn laughed, "Oh, he eats like a hog horse on a buffet. I serve him only the best, as fitting for my prized boy." You could feel the pride and happiness in his voice. But, a strange inflection in the word serve seemed odd. However, the woman didn't seem to mind.

Maureen shuffled a little, smiling softly, "Thank... Thank you Lady JiJi, I appreciate you appreciating my stature. I work hard every day to prepare myself for being the prince I am to be."

Lady Jiji put her hand over her mouth, "Oh, you already are dear. But, you'll get better. And better. My liege has a wee daughter that will be a perfect wife for you!"

Maureen grinned with his eyes wincing at the thought, "Oh, thank you Lady JiJi. I will have many decisions to make soon. How..."

King Karn waved his hands, "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. When that time comes, we can discuss it. I will make no promises. I mean, I have only one to give."

Maureen fought back tears in stillness, desperately trying not to cry. Maureen carefully looked around him, looking for someone. You look as well, and there are only other wedding guests around. Maureen stiffens and raises his shoulders in pain. In the background, you notice the guards begin to shuffle out, escorting servants passing drinks and food. The guards appear to be using magic to analyze the food for any poisons.

"Oh, I'm sure. The others must be a hassle to manage. They always seem to stir everything up. What will you do about them?"

"Maureen learned discipline well. They haven't, and I will place them where they deserve if they do not clean up there act." As King Karn spoke, you could hear Maureen think...

'Oh please father, they don't deserve that. If you only love them, they stop. Please don't hurt them. Will I have to beg you again? And you know that I'm not into... the traditional terms of a partnership. I don't want to get married. A minor Kingdom at best. What benefit will they give? But, if I promise you I will, will you spare my brothers for whatever pain you will wreck upon them?'

A servant comes with a platter and hands King Karn a drink and a letter. King Karn sternly reads the letter before smashing it.

"Now, I need to excuse myself. Something of matter has come to my attention."

King Karn placed his hands on Maureen's shoulders, they looked to be the same height, "Now, entertain Lady JiJi for me until I return. Then, we will meet with Master Kondo for your martial arts lessons for the day."

Maureen nodded, "Yes father. Be safe."

"Of course, my beloved boy. You shine so brightly." King Karn swiftly exits with royal guards, leaving the normal guards to their duties. Maureen and JiJi make small talk before a sudden commotion could come over the wedding. Guests began to scatter as you could hear screams and hushed voices. Suddenly, you hear a strange language and blades being raised. Green armor that looked a little advanced. The guards leaped into action and began to strike at an Elvish infiltration team that looked to have disguised as a circus. The battle rages with blood spreading everywhere. However, as you soaked in the scene, you notice JiJi place a cloth over Maureen's mouth and a prick on Maureen's arm.

"Sleep child, the Priestess demands you sleep so her sermons will finally sway the King. Sleep." You could feel the scene fade to black as more elves began to surround Maureen. The guards were overwhelmed as portals began to open and deploy more elves. A massacre occurred as the elves spared not a woman or child.

Maureen squirmed and tried to breathe. But his heartbeat began to slow, and his body breathed weaker and weaker. Elves began to tie him down and a magician of some sort began incantations over Maureen as he continued to pass out.

'Father?! Father! Someone, please help me. They're going to put me to sleep. Someone? Anyone?' Maureen looked as he could for help. There was none. And as he started to sleep and the scene faded to black, it suddenly returned to normal. 'Please... no...'

And you heard a savage voice, 'I am the one who can help.' One very similar to Maureen's. Maureen's skin began to decay, his hair withered, his eyes darken, and a purple glow echoed from him.

Then you hear R, "When he lost control..."

A rage-filled the scene and you, a primal rage of the ancient days. One of blood and strength. Maureen snapped what looked to be iron chains easily. He looked like a ghoul. The elves sprang back, readying their blades. But, even their speed that Sigismund could see, was not enough. Maureen leaped at one, biting his throat out. A primal scream bellowed out of his mouth, and an aura of sickness surrounded him. The elves began to cough profusely. The flowers and grasses began to die and turn to ash as Maureen unleashed more and more. He clawed with spectral claws, he bit with his teeth, and you slowly notice the dead elves began to move once more... as the walking dead. Maureen unleashed a rampage as a grizzly bear, slaughtering the elves flawlessly. Only a couple of slashes, but that would never be enough. Soon, heads would be slashed in half. Bodies torn to shreds. The armor looked to be useless against him. Sigismund could notice no movements in the earth. Which from his encounters was strange, and maybe it gave credence to an alternative personality.

Soon the elves were dead, and the wedding looked to be a warzone. The only one to remain was Lady JiJi, who was suppressed by zombies.

Maureen approached her in his rage, "You fool. How dare you serve the false prophet? Do you know the price of this betrayal?" Ukemin noticed the voice sounded too god-dy.

Lady JiJi murmured, "So you win this day, but you have set things in motion you cannot undo. The elves shall be your undoing, and this boy will be our instrument."

Maureen snarled, "I am not him, but I understand why." With that Maureen lifted her into the air where she turned to ash slowly. Her bones were barren and then they too turned to ash. Then, all that Maureen held was what Ukemin could see as a mortal soul...

"Oblivion!" Maureen cackled, crushing JiJi's soul. Shattering into millions of pieces, the light of it faded into the rest of the scene.

Then Maureen reverted to normal and kneeled.

The scene became blurred with tears as Maureen lay down and shed tears. He cried in the mass of blood and bodies. Fires raged in the background. The bees are gone, the flowers dead and destroyed. Hours pass before King Karn returns with his troops.

"SON! My boy! Speak to me." King Karn stepped carefully through the ravaged scene until he discovered Maureen, "My son. What has happened?" King Karn took his son into his arms, wiping away his tears, "Oh my boy, are you okay? I will have a doctor come to see you soon." King Karn looked away, "Go get a priest, this is a sad day."

A guard runs as others began investigating. King Karn looked down at Maureen, "It is alright son. Daddy's here. I'll protect you. Did the elves attack you?"

Maureen nodded, "Father, it happened so fast. I turned... I didn't know if I would come back. I...did a lot of savage things. They attacked me, tried to put me to sleep, they tried to put me to sleep forever..."

"It's alright son. Put the thoughts away for now." Maureen closed his eyes and pressed his face against his father's chest. King Karn gave an eerie smile as he did so.

'I love you father. But, what did she mean about priestess? How did she fit?'

And with that, the first memory ended.

"Well," Ukemin said, putting aside the corn that she had popped in the skillet while watching all this, "that was a thing. I would even say that, going by this, Karn is sus af."

R remarked, "The memories are perfect recollections. So, you can trust to the detail that what you saw happened."

"What was a thing?" Sigismund asked as he turned to look at Ukemin who was.... doing something with strange yellow shaped objects. Food? She was cooking it, so probably food, but how was she cooking it in this... Where did they come from? He rubbed his forehead as a sudden flair of pain emerged from his mortal mind trying to understand what she was saying. What was 'sus af'?

"The movie? What you just saw? That was the thing."

Ukemin nodded to herself, as if that made all that much more sense, then drizzled some diluted honey over the popped corn and tossed it back and forth to coat it evenly.

"Anyhow, it brings to question pretty clearly now: the Priestess looks to be allied with the elves...which I don't really know the significance of, but it seems like ol' Karn's doing subversive stuff too, so they're likely not true allies."

She waved towards the parts of R's body that were also marred by amethyst energies.

"Guessing you really were made in the kid's image, huh?"

"Down to the t. These scars represent the scars on him that remain from his previous deaths. I do not know what they represent in terms of how he died."

"I'm sure we'll find out with the next showings."

"What is a mov-?" Sigismund started but stopped. Ukemin tended to say a lot of things he didn't understand or comprehend, so if he started asking about every single thing, they'd probably be here until next year and he still would not understand half of what she said.

"I doubt a King such as he has many true allies," Sigismund said as he watched her cook, still not entirely sure what the point of cooking those seed like things were, "Deaths?" Sigismund asked as he looked over to 'R', "How many times has the boy died?"

"Only twice. Within the last year or so."

"So that time, and the time at the fountain?" Sigismund asked, wanting to be sure that was the death that counted and there was not some other incident they had yet to find out about.

"I don't think so. It would have left a scar... Must be a transformation of some kind."

"Huh, you've got eyes on Maureen this whole time, R?" Ukemin tilted her head to the side. "Can you tell what he's up to right now?"

Sigismund mulled the information over, perhaps the wound he gave himself triggered that transformation? And in that state he called the Angel of Death and raised the dead and the 'officers' that seemed capable of leading them? What would happen if the boy were to be killed while in that other state? There were many questions, and yet no answers.

"I cannot. However, we have some form of link. When he dies, a scar will appear once he returns to life. Usually representing how he died in an abstract way or in a mark if possible. I don't know what he does. But, I do feel some emotions from time to time."

"Sweet," Ukemin said.

It wasn't clear whether she was saying that in response to R's statement or because the snacks were ready now, but the goddess soon had a golden mound of white, fluffy, honeyed carbs. Maybe a bit weird to eat anything that looked like the complexion of Jiji's flesh after seeing the Queen be literally obliterated by a death god, but that sure didn't stop her from offering it to the others.

"Onto to the next, Sigi?"

When the yellow seeds 'popped' Sigismund nearly jumped out of his skin. What kind of seeds popped when heated? Did all seeds pop when heated? Were those seeds? Was this a 'sus af'? Even more surprising was when she just started to eat them by the handful as if it was not only normal but somehow good... Ukemin truly came from a world entirely different from mortals.

"Yes," Sigismund said as he tore his questioning gaze from her food, that he still did not understand how she made or got, and turned his attention back to R.

"Ukemin, how about you make a selection as Sigismund made the last. What timeframe would you like?"

Ukemin balanced a kernel of popcorn on her thumb, flicked it up, and caught it in her mouth.

"That tasted like a 6 to 10 for me. Sure you don't want any?"

R looked down on himself, "I sadly have no uses for food. But, if you are ready, I shall continue. 6 through 10, the begining of the royal days, excellent choice. Surely, another good find on the way."

"Oh, you're offering?" Sigismund asked, surprised. He thought she had made that for herself and that, perhaps, it did not have much energy and so required eating lots of it. He reached out to take one, a single one, and slowly, almost as if he expected it to explode in his mouth, chewed.

It.. was not what he was expecting. It was oddly sweet. Almost too sweet. Oh! That was why she had said 'sweet' earlier. It made a lot of sense now.

You again see the dark sea and the lights beneath the waves. You plunge deep this time.
------------
You appear in a throne room. Bright with a crystal throne and multi-colored murals everywhere, the floors looked to be imitation ivory and polished quite well. Sun rays flooded in easily. The smell of coal and fresh flowers filled your noses. A small Maureen with a cute face played with toys as King Karn sat in the throne room reading letters. King Karn looked exactly the same as he would years later. There was some talking amongst the guards and Maureen made the sounds of horses and clashing metal as he played with his toy army. A woman in an elegant red dress enters the throne room.

"My sweet, you look well." King Karn remarked as he looked up from his papers.

"Oh my dear, how is our little boy?"

"He is wonderful dear, full of imagination and happiness. A truly wonderful boy."

"Excelsior! I came in to tell you about his tutor. Looks like he cannot come in today. A death in the family. Should we get a replacement? I was thinking about charging him to us for a fortnight."

King Karn smiled, "That would be fine. Where should we start?"

"His letters and numbers. The basics."

"Oh, we'll be to algebra in a week." They both laughed. They stopped and looked at one another lovingly before the door to the throne room opened and a ragged man covered in dirt shambles into the throne room. Karn quickly snatched Maureen and his toys as they approached, holding him in his arms. The man yammered on about something, but it wasn't distinguishable from noise. The ears appeared to be pointy.

"Why have you come into my court at such an hour? I will not be receiving an audience today." Maureen looked to be scared as a kid might be.

The dirty elf snarled, pointing behind him, "Do you see it? The clouds speak of doom and famine. Of cold and the end of times. Do you deny it? The signs of priests, of weather, of stars. Your boy will live in ruin! It will dominate him!"

The elf continued, "You think you can swindle the end? You cannot!"

You look into Karn's eyes, seeing a normal eye with a blue iris. He sighed and looked down at Maureen. Maureen stared back.

"I don't know, but I will try. I have to try for my boys. If you speak the truth, I will find a way to save them. You think that I will fail, but I will find a way."

"But you are sick and dying Karn! You deny it, but your sight is not your own, your thoughts of another. You are an imposter within your own body. The young prince will suffer and die three times! I have seen it so! Once by your hand. You shall kill your own child! Beat the others! You shall be a liar and thief! You shall be a monster!"

The woman sighed, "Why do you listen to his mad elf dear? He speaks nonsense. Come on, we have things to attend to."

The elf laughed, "Oh Karn, you know me to be right. Would you like insight? Would you like to see what will come? Would you like to see your hands claiming Maureen's life?"

Karn clenched his fist, "Leave us guards, I have no fear of this elf. Ensure none enter until I come to release you." The guards leave and the windows are shut, along with the door.

"So you come to agreeance? Will you like to see it?! See the blade you will use?"

Karn gave Maureen to the woman, likely the queen, and he stepped down to meet with the elf, "Show me if you desire. I fear not you dirty filth."

Moments pass as Karn and the elf see. Tears flood his face before the elf smiles and return to normal.

"Do you believe me now! Remember the face of your adult son. See the monster you shall make of him, and the monster you shall be!"

Karn clenched his fist, "You damn elves... I will stop this from happening."

The elf smiled, "But it is already in motion! You cannot stop it. Not even your faithful friend, Axulux can stop it. For he has set it in motion!"

Karn clenched his fist harder, beating the elf's head to mush in one punch, "You may disrespect me, but not him."

"Daddy!"

Maureen called out to Karn with his arms outstretched. He doesn't seem to notice the body. Karn quietly takes Maureen and gives him a hug as he sheds soft tears.

"Why is daddy crying?"

"Because you are my beloved boy. My bright light just like your brothers, and you shine brightly today."

Maureen smiled and waved his arms like holding an airplane. The queen smiled, "Dear, it's just some elf trickery. Don't listen to it. it's such an illusion, my dear. Our son will be a beautiful boy just like our other beloved bois. Sho started projecting fire today. And he's as tall as you are!"

"I am truly proud of him sweetness. They are all fine men. I am glad that my fears can be laid to rest."

"Sheesh. This is more ironic than a midday soap."

Ukemin leaned back on her seat...or she WOULD HAVE IF THE STOOL HAD A BACKREST. The situation was certainly becoming a touch more complex, but these elves certainly looked as if they knew a whole lot about it all. Her gaze turned back to R. Two deaths, was it? So the third would be the prophetic one and, perhaps, the final one.

Blue eyes, blackened into shadow. Bodysnatchers. A god departed, only to carve out a portion of that death-dealing might unto a child. Such powerless deities, this world had, when their followers still numbered so brightly.

She let out a breath, standing up to stretch out her back. When she had first arrived in the Fractal, the corruption of this world was still minimal. But that was in the eyes of a god, not of a human, and in subterfuge, anomalies could still persist.

"So, let's run it back, yeah? Axulux dwells within Maureen. The elves wish to slay him and to presumably prevent ruin. The Priestess is aligned with the elves. The King is possessed by a dark force and has his own designs, centered around this vessel of Axulux's. Everyone else agree on these statements?"

"Was midday soap different then other soap?" Sigismund asked before he could catch himself. It had been such an odd statement he had spoken before he realized it. Still, it was not an important question in regards to what they had just seen happen. Something had changed in the king, not just his eyes, but his demeaner. A curse? Did madness run in the royal blood line?

As he was thinking about it, Ukemin seemed to have reached a conclusion first, and what she said made sense, "So it would seem." They had one more memory to go, perhaps it would shed even more light on this.

"So, how would you like to decide the last?"
"Truly up to you two. I don't mind either way."

"Hrm."

Ukemin caught Sigismund's eye.

"Wonder what happened to the Queen. The non-Jiji one."

"I doubt she lives," Sigismund said as he mulled it over. If he was willing to do that to his children... And she seemed protective of them all, he doubted she would have stood by as he did what he did. Either she died before it happened, or she was gone now. It made little difference, wherever she may be, he prayed her soul was at peace.

"Do we go for a new one, or try to fish again in the last?" He asked content to let Ukemin lead as she undoubtedly knew more about this 'god' business then he.

"If there laid an answer in his blood, then it will be upon his birth."

"Surprising, would you like me to attempt to read into that time? There is no guarantee there will be much there as due to his young age."

She smiled. "Even if there isn't, at least it'll be cute."

R nodded, "Here we go then. Looks to be short..."
-------------
You enter the deep sea for the final time. Same as it was before.
------------
You appear by a crib shortly after birth.

You hear the queen's voice, "Honey, what should we name them?"

Karn smiled, "The older one, Anyt. The younger one, Maureen my dear, Molerei. I am glad you are okay."

She smiles, "I am too. But, I am afraid, they will be the last. I can't handle anymore."

"And you won't need to my sweet."

And the final memory ends.

"That was short as I knew it to be. How do you feel if I may ask? Weak in the stomach?

Ukemin did not speak for a moment.

She stared into the flames, clasping her hands together. Pulling at threads and thoughts, weaving them together like song and sound. A Fractal, distorted by a family.

"Anyt does not exist." The words came out decisively. "When speaking of the second youngest prince, the name that arose was Jon."

The vial laid empty to the last drop.

Sigismund rubbed his chin as he mused the information, so a secret prince that is either gone or lost to history? A fractal broken by a family and by gods? The elves held more information and the 'Mad King' still sat upon the throne. Which should be pursued from here? Which should be brought to heel? Or perhaps gathering the princes or finding out the fate of this 'Anyt' that did not exist was key?

He carefully picked up the vial and moved to put it back into a pouch on his belt that lay on the ground, "Seems we have many leads."

"Yeah, I don't know why you're just putting that vial away too," Ukemin said, opening her hand up. "There's another place to check out as well."

"Because such glass is expensive and the money can be used to help someone in need," Sigismund responded. Did she not collect rare items that could be used to help people? "I will join you soon," he said as he started to dress.

"Don't keep a lady waiting," Ukemin responded. She pulled out her steel knife, then turned her gaze towards R. "So, mind if I cut you a bit?"

R looked interested and smirked, "I didn't think things would... enter this conversation, all things considered, but if you insist, I will attempt to materialize as best as i can."

Sigismund stopped with his pants halfway back up his legs and raised a brow at Ukemin, he wasn't sure the blood of R would grant them more visions of Maureen but... She likely had some sort of plan.

"Thanks!" And while Sigismund was still fumbling with his pants, Ukemin plucked the vial out of his pouch. "There's an interesting little vault in this fortress, y'see. One that has a container fit perfectly for a vial."

She waited for R to extend his hand, and then pressed the blade against his palm.

"Now, believing in destiny too much may lead one astray, considering the nature of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but if a coincidence lands itself so neatly before me, why reject it?" The goddess winked. "Try to bleed, ok?"

And the blade bit.

R stopped changing his form to have less clothing, "Oh, that's what you meant. Uh, slight problemo. I am a shadow, one with little physical presence."

Ukemin didn't even blink. "So smoke instead?"

R looked confused, "Unless you want to pilth through my quiet "life", that won't get you much. You'll need his blood, his divinity if you want to see more."
"Or whatever he has."

"You're a god, aren't you? Made in his image? Humor me, R. This is a separate thing from visioning." Ukemin tapped her finger against her chin. "Two copies could lead different lives but still share the same prints, no?"

"I suppose, though I'm sure Maureen is not. Though, he is confusing... And that could be true, but I do not know what messing with our connection will cause. It may cause unintended side effects, for which no one has ever seen. Axulux told me so."

"And that's the spice of life, ain't it?"

"You truly are the daring type." R smiled, "I like you. But, brace youself. There's no way to know what he'll do. And hopefully, he isn't around anyone right now."

Ukemin laughed. "What's the worse that can happen? Now let's see if this even works, yeah?"

R nodded, "Alright, both of you take my hands, and brace yourselves. I can allow you to enter, but he could overpower me if he becomes aware of our ruse."
"Oh and make your cuts, that will help."

"What ruse? What is going on?" Sigismund asked as he belted his blade back to his waist and the armor reformed around him. He did not like the idea of a 'Ruse'.

"Yeah?" Ukemin screwed her face together. Now she was confused. "Why do you want us to hold hands?"

"There is a vault?" Sigismund asked as he came to them and tried to understand what was happening. She had taken the vial and said something about a 'container' but he wasn't entirely caught up with what was going on. He knew Ukemin had been trying to gain blood from R, but it did not seem to be working, and was R offering to teleport them into this 'vault?'

"There is. And forgive me, I thought we would do the daring adventure of digging into Maureen's memories through my connection to him. If the vault magic device is what you seek, my smoke should suffice to allow you to interact with it. But, it has little on it. Axulux wiped most of it. However, it should have other of those magical devices noted on its map."

"For a god that abandoned the world, he sure causes lotsa problems," Ukemin remarked. "But yeah, I'm a simple-minded gal. If you could oblige us with popping the console open, that would be great, R."

Sigismund looked between them, not truly understanding what was being said. Was this 'console' the vault? It could led to more vaults? Was something in the vault they needed? Or did she wanna see it just to see it?

"I do not know of his intentions when he went silent, but he did love this world. I cannot fathom why. But, yes I can unlock it for you. You have released me from the shrine. As I was bound until a divine would come and ask for my assistance, so I will travel with you for now until a possible permanent arrangement can be made." R walks to the console nearby, echoing shadow into the vial. The console read the smoke until it lit green and granted access. R looked to have made a new user profile with Ukemin's name, and turned back around, "Something blessed should suffice. Something for the device to identify you. Something replacable."

Sigismund tilted his head as 'lights' appeared on the.. thing. 'That's a thing' was what Ukemin had once said, and he was slowly starting to understand that turn of phrase.

She sliced off a lock of her blue hair.

"This work?"

"It will." R quickly finished the profile before opening the map. It had two markings on it.

"Here is a map of the consoles, (black x's), and it appears the settlements on the island have been marked as well with some flavor crests. Do not know how accurate they are now."

"There might be some other things about that you can find. However, I know little more."

"Excellent! I'm not too big of a computer whiz myself, but hm...gimme a moment."

A computer was a computer, after all, and while Ukemin wasn't the sort of nerd who ran Linux and wrote pure machine logic, she certainly knew someone who did. And while humans required sleep, Kameraz were functionally just the type of fellows who could turn themselves on and off whenever needed.

Some time later, Ukemin returned with LOCK in tow, the smooth-faced android turning its face from side to side. Haltingly, its processes still not rebooted fully, it said, "So thes-"

"LOCK. Computer! Super wild, right? Can you hackerman it? Restore deleted data and all?"

The Kameraz rotated its face, as if interested in deferring to R's opinion on this first. "This is a machine? Or supernatural?"

"What is a machine? It appears to be magical to me, but not in any magic, I am familiar with. Lightning runs through it."

"C'mon, it'll be fine~"

LOCK remained looking as skeptical as an android with no face could. There was neither a guarantee that the coding logic of one Fractal would be the same across others, and if even the divinity of this world had no clue what a machine was, it may truly be the case that this was craft of pure magic, given only the form of a computer.

Still, work was work, and as long as it didn't directly interface with the circuitry and programming of the console, it was unlikely to explode in an instant. But just in case...

"Best to withdraw a few steps."

And with the removal of its Goddess from the immediate vicinity, LOCK's arm plates peeled away, revealing dozens of miniature digits and appendages, all ready to work at delving deep into the mystery of...whatever this was.

Lock began to interface with the device, finding that it was a normal computer after all. He searched through the databanks for any information. The deleted items seemed gone for good, very good. Whatever had deleted them, did a damn good job to do so. However, there was some excess to be found in cracks and crevices in the memory that only an android could find. The closest device had the description : Tether device in the hopes of assisting the reconstruction of reality planes. Shielded from modification from fractal collapse. Requires power to restart the reactor core and water to keep it cool.

The one farthest away had a short description: For safe keeping so to be never found.

"The console on the mountains...a device that requires electricity and water to...assist in the reconstruction of reality."

"The console northwest...something to be kept secret, and kept away."

LOCK murmured as it read through the information there, its body stilled as its appendages retracted into its form. The Kameraz remained there briefly, tidying up its suit, before turning to Ukemin...whose eyes were absolutely aglow!

"Found it!" She clapped her hands together. "This Fractal's objective! Fucking found it!"

R looked puzzled, "Pardon?"

Sigismund could only stare in silence as they worked on the 'computer'. He had no idea what he was looking at, as soon as he started to understand, that pushing the symbols made something appear on the screen, something new would happen and completely throw him for a loop. What was this? Ukemin and her... person? Seemed familiar with them, were they common where they come from? What was their purpose? Their function? How did they work? Was it magic? He was inclined to believe R, it seemed magical.

He fought down the jolt of surprise that ran through him when Ukemin clapped, "What must we do?" He could not understand this 'computer', but he could understand an objective well enough.

"It's, well, not to fix this whole political situation in particular, R, at least not directly, but..." Ukemin tapped her foot against the stone floor, electrified by this discovery. So much time, saved! She had originally planned to just run a circuit around the range that the objective had been, but now she didn't have to.

"Sigismund, there is an object of great power within the mountains. north of us. One that relies on the might of bottled lightning and vast quantities of water to realize its powers, and one that, if activated and defended over the course of months, could possibly save this world from the corruption that plagues it. To activate this is to draw the ire of all corruption within this Fractal though, so..."

Aw fuck, it would suck if someone was super keen and started all this before they were ready. And the casket was an issue too. Calm down. She's gotta calm down. The Fractal was wide, but her bike travelled far.

"...ok. That's all good information. I'll have to write a song later, but for now, let's lay all the pieces together. Sigi, this is a lot, so do you have anything to write with? Or are you good at remembering things?"

"I'll remember," Sigismund said, "So long as you... speak in plain terms."

He wasn't sure they even used the same language sometimes, but he understood that they had to go to the marker in the north. As for turning it on, well, he didn't know how to do that, but he was certain she could do so.

"Do we leave now or cleanse this place first?"

"I am not your Lady, Sigismund. You will decide for yourself, but allow me to speak first."

Ukemin cracked her neck, motioning for LOCK to head back now. The Kameraz still needed its 'sleep', after all, and regardless, what came next only mattered between the leaders either way.

"First off, the mystery of the caskets, and of Axulux's disappearance, remains important. To save the world is not to save its inhabitants, and as a matter of fact, I have heard rumors of a lich wandering these lands, the highest commander of the undead. Even if we stabilize this Fractal, such a being would still exist, not to mention Karn's continued tyranny and the machinations of the elves."

"Second off, the nature of the corruption in this world. Gasem has already uncovered its hive-like nature, but through the fractures of reality, the substance of space and time, I have long divined their nature. Mark these names, Sigismund. Reapers. Mimics. Bomb Birds. Unilaterally corruptions specialized in close combat. These will compose the horde that close upon this fortress city."

"And finally, the consoles. If Axulux sought to shroud their presence, that indicates that there are individuals with a vested interest in befouling this. A Priestess, perhaps, who scorns what was set in motion by the Death God's actions. Once more, it will do good to recall the prophecy that promises the people's salvation at the hands, or at the life, of Maureen."

Ukemin clapped her hands together once more, but this time, there was a sense of ritual.

"I will work to fortify and protect this city, and will convince others to do the same. I desire for more time to build our forces before we advance onto the northern mountains. And I wish for the people of this land to be in as much peace as humanity can be, when we inevitably leave."

She met his eyes. Peered into his mortal soul.

"What sentiments do you have?"

Sigismund tilted his head, his face now once more covered in ethereal steel, he was not sure what her point was with that. She seemed to know more about the situation, and so he was willing to trust her lead in resolving the issue. There was only one Lady and in protecting this realm, he would be serving her.

"You list problems but not how to resolve them," He said, "You have the ability to 'sing' to people beyond the range, I'd ask that you send word to Khamsin of these developments. He is a stalwart warrior, his aid, no matter the situation, would be invaluable. If you intend to face King Karn, Maureen and the fellow princes, who are with Khamsin, will be needed. Once they finish what they are doing in the realm of giants, they may turn back to handle the issue of the throne."

He paused to consider what he would do, "I will help you defend this city against the hive that is coming to destroy it. After, I will head to the land of the Elves to uncover more about their part in this tale."

"Sweet!"

Something loosened in her posture as she turned to walk off.

"Well, I'm going to go sleep and try my luck at converting the army to our cause tomorrow. Figure y'all should too." They had at least two weeks to prepare for the subterranean horde, after all. Plenty of time! "And thanks for your help, R~ Would probably have had to do some weird stuff with my own blood if you weren't here."

R smirked, "Of course, I have my uses."

-Scene-
 
Cosmo Cosmo

Trading Gold for a Horse.

You trade 1 gold ingot for 3 horses. The extra gold is handed off for charity. The act raises spirits and reduces unrest by 2, down to 28ish in Gatford. Kent Kent

It also improves relations with Gatford, a +5 universal bonus for those in Gatford for Sigismund.

Order 2: Endurance Training

Sigismund after having his mind overwhelmed by Ukemin, R, and in a roundabout way, Maureen, decided to ease the confusion by murderizing any random dead that wandered in the rest of the week. Sigismund eliminates and keeps the surrounding area around the same zombie population. This reduces the unrest of Winkhampton from 50 to 45 (is currently suppressed by the army). The faith of the lady also increases from his valiant actions. A universal +10 is applied to NPC actors in Winkhampton.

Sigismund also focused on improving his endurance to help with any mass horde in the future, which would at least be one. But, probably more.

Endurance 4: 21/400
 
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Laszalet Laszalet

Order 1 & 2: Training Medicine

After studying the bandages, Gasem makes considerable progress in his medicine. He starts to understand that medicine is about restoration, about the body itself. He could understand a lot about medicine by knowing more about himself. He studies his body, learning where the critical areas are, and how they can be mitigated for if damaged for proper healing. Blood flows to transport things, bones hold things up. Muscles move things. Tendons make connections, etc. From this paradigm, Gasem understood a lot from his books and he even managed to make progress on another field of knowledge at the same time. Chemistry is critical to understanding the body and materials

Medicine 1 complete, Medicine 2: 4/100, Chemistry 1(Material Sciences derivative) : 43/50

Discovery:

As you travel east, following along the zombie barricade, you discover a cove with a increased intensity of purple light that forms a sheet. It becomes 80 or so degrees and beautiful, like under a different sun. Peaceful and lacking dead and with only one into the cove. It looked defensible. Would Gasem head down to the cove and explore? maybe even settle there?

Time will tell....
 

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