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A cataclysmic war, referred to hereafter as the Collapse, erupted about one thousand years into creation, and all but three demigods, all but two races, and all the gods died off. The tattered remnants of the world held together through the power of the three surviving demigods, including yours; the female demigod of the elves, named Asa. Three huge alchemic weather machines keep the world habitable, while the demigods have dispensed with the use of Heralds in favor of Avatars: physical projections of themselves that can walk and talk like people.

The afterlife was dismantled in the wake of the Collapse, and now, all souls are simply ‘inverted’ in the seas of Chaos outside reality after death, and absorbed by their corresponding demigod.

You were assigned by your King to track down a gang of bandits that had sided with the secessionists in the southlands, but were ambushed and nearly murdered by the conspiracy and their ancient weapon, the Orb of the Feathered Demon. Because the weapon can kill demigods, the Pantheon survivors made you a Herald in secret, and have charged you with killing the ten conspirators who survived the battle in the woods.

Previously, you learned that an alchemic jammer can be used to disable the teleporter Soutri has acquired. You spread the jammers and blew up the building in which Soutri lived, but did so after not realizing he had taken several hostages; they all died in the blast. The King and Asa have both had stern words for you because of this. After some soul-searching, you agreed to address the public in person, and to undertake a quest of absolution at some point.


All mechanics are based on a 1d100+modifier roll.

CHAPTER NINE: DIVINE POWER RISING

A golden disc and a silver chip. Apparently, when combined, something happens.

“That’s a lot to go on,” you mutter.

You’re sitting at the breakfast table, staring at the little items. The disc was a gift from Haret, the chip from Kelscik. When the chip is slotted into the disc and the disc is overlaid on your God Gem, you can channel Asa’s powers longer.

The disc didn’t seem to have a slot in it for anything when you first found it, but the depression on one side is just barely deep enough to fit the little silver shard inside. You gingerly place the metal object in the depression, and it snaps out of your fingers, making you jump. “Whoa! What?” you ask the air.

Nothing happens. Slowly, tentatively, you lift the disc and press it to your forehead.

An odd sense of distraction flows into your mind. You close your eyes and focus.

[Only if now chance fly uprising migration iceberg mountain keyboard wishing world] your mind whispers. It’s in Asa’s voice.

{Lady Asa?}

[Hmm?]

{Uh, what are you talking about? I hear your voice in my mind.}

[You do?]

{I’m using the disc that Haret gave me, and the amplifier Kescik gave me, and I can hear you talking abou migrations and mountains and stuff,}

[…Odd. Maybe human Heraldic relics don’t work well on elves. Try mounting the disc on your tiara of office and going again.]

{Okay.} You troop upstairs and grab the tiara, but there’s no place to put the disc on its narrow metal band. {Uh, how?}

[There’s no slot for it?]

{No.}


(con’t)

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1.23 MB JPG

[Hmph. I guess you can just carry it and use it when you need to, even if it is a bit unwieldy.]

{All right.} You pocket the disc and sit down on the bed while Jerome makes noise in the shower. {I’m nervous about the speech.}

[You’ll do fine. Heralds were specifically created for public speaking.] Asa’s voice is filled with quiet confidence. [This is the closest thing to your stated purpose that I’ve had you do so far.]

{Anything I should do first?}

[I strongly recommend that you go talk to Arisa first. You should go see how far they’ve spread the word.]


>What else should you do before you go see the King?

>Visit ally X (Kelscik, Culler, Gherta, Hanren, Dietrich, Ekrine)
>Go see Arisa and nobody else
>Skip Arisa and go see Maas
>writein

ALSO

What do you wear to the speech?

>Heraldic armor
>Heraldic robes
>Military uniform (shadow/logistician/Auxilia)
>Civvies (nice/casual/peasant)

Bumping for the IRC voters.

>>34511491
>>Go see Arisa and nobody else
Not sure on the clothes yet. I want to think about it a bit.

>>34512121
So needy. I was eating dinner.

>>34511491
>Go see Arisa and nobody else

{I will,} you promise. {What do you think I should wear?}

[The Heraldic robes and tiara, and have the disc in your pocket when you go,] Asa informs you. [The King will have a spell ready to allow you to speak to the people. It may not happen until tonight, as well.]

You push the butterflies in your stomach into a corner as Jerome emerges from the shower, drying his hair. {Okay. Wish me luck, Asa.}

[You’ll be fine, sister,] Asa replies slyly. [You won’t need luck.]

“Good morning,” Jerome yawns. “Did you settle things with Asa last night?”

You glance up at him. “You heard us?”

“Yeah, when I got up to pee. I heard you talking. Figured you didn’t need my input,” he says, sitting down to make some food. “Are you going to go see the King?”

“I am,” you confirm. “I need to drop in on some allies first, but I am.”

“Whar are you going to ask these ‘allies?’” Jerome asks.


>Ask Arisa if she could provide some Circle members to provide hidden security at the square
>Ask Arisa to bring some elf and human relics from the warehouse for show
>Ask Arisa to tell you how many people have been ‘told’ of your arrival through the rumors her people are spreading
>Ask Arisa to come in person

CHOOSE ANY NUMBER OF THESE

>>34512538
>>Ask Arisa to come in person
+ the rest of the circle
Going public, may as well make everyone show up.

I was just saying we should give her a heads up about the announcement so she can handle any problems that arise in the circle.

>>34512538
>Ask Arisa to tell you how many people have been ‘told’ of your arrival through the rumors her people are spreading
>Wear the Heraldic robes

“I’m heading to Arisa’s place to gather some information before I do anything else,” you let him know. “And I’m going in my Heraldic robes.”

“Okay.” He tightens his hands on the mug he’s filling with tea. “I should be there. In the crowd at least.”

“Not at work, though? I mean, when the King sends out the criers, they’ll let you leave work, I’m sure,” you say awkwardly. “Do you mean you want to be there early?”

“I should be there for you,” he says simply. “You’ve been through a lot.”

Touched, you reach over and run your hand along his bare arm. “Of course. When the criers go out, you’ll be there.”

“I mean, I want to be on the stage behind you,” he says.


>Bad idea
>Good idea
>writein

>>34512945
>"Thank you. I could use your support up there."

“Then you will,” you promise. “I really appreciate it.”

He smiles into his toast. “Thanks, Elsa. How are you feeling?” he asks, changing the subject.

You shrug uncomfortably. “Asa and I have decided that I’m going to pursue a sort of quest of absolution, to make up for what I did.”

“Okay… what does that entail?” he asks.

“Not sure yet, but it’s apparently happened before, so we’ll see,” you reply.

“Okay… well, as always, I’m here to help,” he says gamely.

You lean over and kiss him. “I know.”


Upstairs, you carefully don the robes of the Herald, complete with the deep green uniform tunic and pants. It’s a decidedly eye-catching look; you snug the tiara on over your head and it’s complete.

You look yourself in the mirror and take a deep breath. It’s time.


You slip into a cloak that conceals your clothing and head out the back door, taking alleys and side streets until you arrive at Arisa’s home. You knock on the front door and look around, hoping you weren’t followed.

The door creaks open. Arisa’s standing there, staring. “Elsa! What happened? Come in!”

“Thanks, Arisa,” you mutter, walking in and discarding the cloak. “Last night got a bit crazy.”

“I’ll say! And what happened with the battle in the street?” she demands. “And… and what are you wearing?”


>”No time to explain. Just tell me how many people you’ve contacted so far.”
>”Well, it went like this… (explain everything/some things [PLEASE CHOOSE])
>writein

>>34513458
>”Well, it went like this… (explain everything but the we kinda killed everyone and let Asa sort them out part)

>>34512538
>>Ask Arisa to tell you how many people have been ‘told’ of your arrival through the rumors her people are spreading
>Ask Arisa to come in person

>>34513458
> sneak around streets in herald uniform
> hope to not be followed
That was sure a bright idea. We meant she should put it on for the speech, not wear it to Arisa's.

>>34513865
this

...Huh.

Okay, noted.

“It’s my uniform,” you tell her as you hang up the cloak. “I’m appearing in front of the whole city this evening.”

“You are?” she gasps. “Already?”

“I don’t have a choice,” you say grimly. “The conspiracy has already started leaking my identity.”

“And can you do anything about that?” Arisa asks urgently.

“No. That’s why I need to know how many people the five of your Circle members have told of my arrival,” you reply.

“Oh. Well…” she says, thinking quickly. “Er, perhaps forty.”

You feel your heart sink at that. “What? You had almost three weeks!”

Arisa flushes defensively. “We had to be subtle!”


>Now what?

>”Can I borrow civilian clothes? It occurs to me that I shouldn’t be seen in public like this yet.”
>writein

>>34514219
Damage is probably done on the robes already
Just ask Arisa to ramp up the telling of everyone as fast as possible to combat Soutri's filthy lies.

Also have her guys ask the people they tell the truth to to show up at the announcement we're gonna make so the heckling isn't more awful than it has to be.

“All right, sorry,” you say, running your hand back through your hair. “You’re right. I should have asked you all to be more aggressive. We can still make this work, though. I’ll be addressing the people in the square tonight – can you make sure that as many of these people are present as possible? And all the Circle members too?”

“I can, yes,” she says. “What do you want us to do?”

>”just be there to show support.”
>”Drown out the hecklers, if there are any.”
>”Keep an eye out for anybody packing weapons.”

>>34514571
>>”Drown out the hecklers, if there are any.”
>”Keep an eye out for anybody packing weapons.”

>>34514571
Just try to be a calming influence in case there are any negative reactions.

Forgot to ask!

Do you care what Arisa says to her group members when passing along the instruction? Do you care if she mentions your existence, or the Royal sanction?

>>34514935
No, it's gonna be public knowledge soon enough.

“I would appreciate it if the Circle members just kept the crowd calmed down,” you say. “Feel free to mention that you’re getting a bit of help from the Crown, or the Governor maybe.”

“Do you think that’s appropriate?” she asks, surprised.

“They’ll find out soon enough,” you mutter.


>DECISION TIME

>This is the last chance to do anything before you go public! Is there anything else to do?

>>34515418
freak out and cry

maybe ask for extra security on the stage for Jerome.

>>34515418
Just go already.

“Then…you had better get going, my Lady,” Arisa says gravely. “Is there anything else we can do?”

“Just be there for me,” you reply in the same tone. “This is going to change things.”

An hour later, you’re ducked under your cloak and walking through the halls of the castle, walking for the King’s audience chambers. The bustling crowd gives you some odd looks, but for the most part, they seem to just be assuming that you’re a foreign dignitary or something. After waiting in the sitting room beyond the audience chamber for nearly half an hour, a castle servant in formal livery beckons you into the sweeping room.

The King looks down at you from his throne, and he seems wearied by the effort. His newborn must be a noisy little guy. “So. The time has come, then,” he says without preamble. “My messengers tell me that criers across the city are shouting your name to the clouds.”

“So it seems,” you say heavily, as the courtiers whisper and stare. “I ask your permission to appear in the city square and reveal myself openly.”

“And so you shall, and thank you for it,” Maas says, his shoulders slumping in what looks like totally unfeigned relief. “What do you wish of me? A magical amplifier? An honor guard?”

His generosity is a bit surprising, but welcome. “I would accept both, especially the guard, for my husband, who wishes to stand beside me as I speak,” you inform him. “He works in the armory.”

“I know, and it will be provided,” Maas says with a nod. The courtiers are even louder now, and looks of curiosity and even hostility are showing up on their faces. They’re clearly all surprised by this. You kept the secret better than you thought if Maas’ own people didn’t know. “Is there anything else I can provide for you? Something to ease the message, or its delivery?”

>Do you have any final requests of the King? Security measures, clothing, advice, individuals who should be present, anything at all?

>>34516170
I can't think of anything, we already have the heraldic robes for clothing, the honor guard for security, I'd feel awkward asking for advice in front of everyone, and I can't think of anyone else we want present.

>>34516170
Let's do this.

VERY WELL! I'm writing the speech now! Check back in half an hour or so!

“No, Sire,” you say quietly. “Let us go tell the people.”

Maas slowly stands, lifting a cloak of his own from the empty throne beside him. “We shall indeed,” he says heavily. “Allow me the privilege of the first words?”

“Of course, Sire,” you say with a respectful nod.

“Then we go,” Maas says, and the courtiers, though they’re buzzing with surprise and suspicion, follow.


You don your own cloak against the light breeze and fall in behind the King as he directs a guard of Shadows to clear the square. The soldiers look at you as you pass, and you see more than a few nod in recognition. Perceptive sorts, these.

As you walk through the streets, you hear criers shout from their pedestals. “Beware the criminal who calls herself the Herald!” they shout. “The arsonist and murderer Elsa Ledren, formerly of the Royal Auxilia! She has already killed ten people at least, and seeks to kill more, in her blasphemy!”

You feel a pang of guilt as you walk by, accompanied by a lot of anger, but more than a few criers shrink back as you move past them, staring in shock at your Royal escort. Gratifyingly, some seem to halt their message entirely, and a few even discreetly glance at their notepads, making sure they’re giving the message they’re supposed to.


(con’t)

The square at the center of the city’s noble district is a huge affair, from which a crowd of several thousand could be addressed, if the balconies were packed, and the roads open. The size of the crowd there shocks you. It’s full to capacity. “Sire, did you send ahead?” you ask quietly.

“Yes. I planned to address the crowd whether you were here or not,” the King says sotto voce. The dark elf man nods regally to several Gard troops who salute him. “Not to reveal your name, of course.”

“Of course,” you echo. The churning in your stomach threatens to rise. Talking just isn’t very much fun, damn it. You tap the Gem as you shift the hood of your cloak. {Sister, this is terrifying.}

[Start talking. Watch the fear fade.]

{Sister!}

[Think back to your dreams, Elsa. Were all those people public speakers? No! But they all spoke, and in public! My powers won’t abandon you, sister! Have some faith!]

Before you can say something in reply, a gust of wind kicks up, knocking a few hats astray in the crowd. The King shields his eyes, then slides on a small circlet, made of burnished copper and sapphire. It glimmers with enchantment, though you can’t see which kind.

He steps up to the podium at the corner of the square and raises his hands. The crowd quiets as the wind picks up a bit more.

“My countrymen!” he says, and his voice fills the entire square. Clearly, the circlet has a speech enchant. The crowd’s clamor dies off as you urgently thumb your forehead.

{Sister, do I get a thing that lets me speak to the whole crowd? Like some enchantments?}

[What? No. Why would you need them? Just draw deep, Sister, all will be well.]


(con’t)

Maas lowers his hands. “Today is a day that shall, for ever and all of time, be recalled with reverence and awe!” he declares. “Today, the Pantheon favors us as they have not in three thousand years! Today, a new Herald reveals herself to the world!”

The crowd goes berserk. The people who had heard the criers gasp, the ones who hadn’t just mill about, the people who don’t know history look befuddled, and the Guards and Shadows just try to keep the people at bay. Maas waits for the furor to die down before speaking again. “The Triad has seen the devastation wreaked by the traitors in the forest ambush!” he says grandly. “They decided to spare my city in exchange for my assistance in rooting out the attackers, as I said! To enable this, they have sent a warrior and leader to guide and advise Cender, and to ensure that the traitors find no safe harbor!”

Not what you would have said, but it works. The crowd’s shouts turn to gasps and curious whispers. “Now, my friends, the Herald herself! The woman who has already led our forces to kill over half of the conspiracy!” He gestures grandly and steps aside, proclaiming your name. “I give you Herald Elsa Ledren!”


Roll 1d100.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>34517469
nat 1 inc

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>34517469
Come on, 90 streak from yesterday!

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>34517469

>Explain Avis Barkley's adventure in the north inspiring your own ascension
>Skip straight to your own role and leave the details for subsequent interviews

ALSO

>Ask Asa to join you
>Use one of your abilities to channel her voice instead

ALSO

>Drop phrases for me to consider adding to the speech

>>34517780
"Countrymen. Some of you may have already heard my name from criers this morning. An attack from beyond the grave that presents a twisted version of the truth from one who conspired in the murder of hundreds of Cender soldiers.

(Insert number) weeks ago, I was only Sergent Elsa Ledren of the Auxiliary Army. [recount story of the forest]

Since then I have been striking against the conspiracy that endangers us all."
Then pull Asa out.

Right-O, skipping the events of An Unjust Scourge.

>>34517780
>Explain Avis Barkley's adventure in the north inspiring your own ascension

>Use one of your abilities to channel her voice instead

You step up to the spot the King occupied and try to still your heart. Jerome’s face appears at the edge of the small stage next to the podium, escorted by about six Guards who look very confused, but he doesn’t say a thing, just looks at you with worry. Arisa is nowhere to be seen.

You force calm into your voice and speak. “My friends,” you begin. “I greet you all.” It’s about as banal as it could have been, but the crowd goes nearly silent in an instant. It’s downright unnerving, but not as surprising as the look on Maas’ and Jerome’s faces. What did you do? “As the King has so eloquently stated, my name is Elsa, and I was born perhaps four miles from here,” you say, raising one hand to your shoulder.

Your fear is gone. It’s not relieved, it’s gone. Completely. Your stomach is calm. Your heart rate is normal. What happened?

ABILITY UNLOCKED: I AM THE MESSENGER, AND ALL SHALL HEAR
New Divine Ability unlocked!

I am the Messenger, and All Shall Hear: Elsa has unleashed the truest power of her Gem. Her ability to speak to large groups of people increases proportionally to the number of people present, and all effects of all speech abilities, REGARDLESS OF SOURCE, are both amplified and cumulative. PASSIVE.


“Cender is my homeland, and the land I volunteered to serve, when I joined His Majesty’s Auxilia,” you say. “When I was dispatched to the lands in the south to quell the rebellion there, I was slain in battle.”


(con’t)

The crowd gasps. Somehow, your voice is reaching the farthest rows of people in the diamond-shaped expanse, and you’re not shouting at all. A surge of power ripples through the Gem and into your body, and your voice seems to be growing stronger by the moment. “As I fell, our enemy activated an ancient superweapon, and slew the entire battalion, save two of my friends.” You raise both hands to shoulder level and close them, then draw them in over your heart. “Asa raised me from my ghostly form, and endowed me with the ancient power of the God-speakers, the Voices of the Pantheon. I became the first Herald in three thousand years, so that I might purge this city of its criminal conspiracy.”

The crowd erupts in shouts and murmurs, filling its spaces with excited chatter. Maas raises his hands and calls out. “Let the Herald speak, Clen!” he says grandly, and the babble dies off.

You nod gratefully to the King and return your gaze to the crowd. “One month ago, another ancient weapon was activated in the nation of Strevain. The Pantheon was prepared to destroy the city in which it came active, but a mortal soldier allowed for its destruction without divine intervention beyond helping that soldier along.” You spread your arms wide and sweep your gaze over the crowd. “My existence is proof of the Pantheon’s faith in us, that we, the mortal kin, can protect the world without total destruction of those who break the Divine Laws. One soldier stopped the destruction of Strevain, first by the hordes of nomads who found the weapon, then by the Pantheon as a containment plan. Now, my friends, my countrymen and countrywomen, I am here! I am here as proof positive, as what is needed to show not just our own country, but all the world, that mortals can enforce the divine laws when we act as partners to those in the Geode!”


(con’t)

You feel your heart swell as the audience seems to lean forward, enrapt. Whether it’s divine power lending your words authority you don’t have, or your own skill, or whatever it may be, you don’t know, but it’s working. “Cenderians, I tell you all that my presence is a sign that this city is values by those above! They would rather break three thousand years of precedent, and endow me with the ancient power, than destroy it! Though the conspiracy to wield these weapons attempts to slander me for killing one of their members, it will not work! I am not afraid, and neither should you all be!”

You raise your hands to shoulder level and turn your palms to the sky. “Cender! Four weeks ago, I was dead on the ground, and now, I stand before you ascendant! I stand before you endowed with the King’s confidence, the Pantheon’s trust, and the task appointed by both! I shall destroy the conspiracy that threatens us all, and in doing so, I shall make us safe again!”

The crowd erupts in chaos. Some cheer, some shout questions, some just make noise.

To your surprise, Maas steps forward. “The Herald speaks truth, my subjects!” he shouts to the crowd. “The words of the criers are wrong, through no fault of theirs! It is an attack, from beyond the grave, designed to fill you with fear and distrust! The Herald seeks only the end of this great threat, and no more! Is this not true, Lady Ledren?” he asks. Perfect.

You reach deep into your own powers and draw on Asa. Her voice fills yours, and between your new might and hers, the glass in the windows around you shivers. Yet, nobody covers their ears, nobody recoils in pain from the volume. Your words ring from the stone and the glass, the wind and the clouds.


(con’t)

“[Children of Garm and Mai’te, my sister Elsa speaks to you now on my behalf,]” Asa’s voice declares as you activate Asa’s Speech and Voice of the Divine at once. “[The criminals Don Kotrick and Elger Moor seek to destroy the civility and trust of this land, and do so by empowering themselves with ancient and evil weapons, but fear them not! Let my Messenger stand beside you all, and together, you shall drive off this evil!]”


>Add something else
>Drop the mic and bow out

>>34518892
>>34518892
> elsa drops her vocal cords

>>34518892
>Drop the mic and bow out
Don't think we're gonna be topping a demigod.
Also I like dropping mics.

The crowd breaks into cheers at the sound of Asa’s voice, and you sense your role concluding. If it had been up to you, you wouldn’t have revealed the names of your enemies, since they more or less have to run for their lives now, but it’s a tough act to follow. You bow low and step back, and the King’s guards filter in around you.

Maas takes the stage as you walk away, and you hear him ask for calm and understanding, vigilance and loyalty, all that good stuff, but you don’t really hear him. All you hear is your heart pounding in your ears in amazement at what you’ve done, and all you feel is Jerome’s hand grasp yours as he walks beside you.


[END OF THREAD]
AND SO IT HAPPENS!

A couple new powers this weekend, and now you get to redesign the quest from scratch, more or less, since you're no longer covert. I'll see you all next Friday!

>>34519308
nice read meng

>>34519308
Aw yeah
Public speaking power too, inventive.

I thought it made sense for somebody whose literal function in life is talking.