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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.

With the death of Don Kotrick, the mad mage Ellin, and all their supporters, the end of your first adventure has come. Now, you just need to prepare to face the blizzard outside, and travel safely home, to prepare for the next leg of the trip: to reach Skyborn, the flying city of the Harpies, alongside Master Sun of the Firesouls.


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

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Victory. It’s hard to imagine.

You snuggle down under the covers, feeling the soft sheets against your bare skin and listening to the wrath of the blizzard outside. You aren’t worried about assassins coming in through the window, you’re not worried about blackmailers coming after your parents or thugs assaulting your husband, you’re not worried about bombs in the mail.

You won.

“I’m safe,” you whisper, smiling against the pillow. You stretch luxuriously under the thick blankets and pull them up over your eartips. “I’m free…”

You tap the Gem, just to talk with your brother. {Kerin?}

~Elsa!~ Kerin says happily. ~I hear you have good news for me!~

{I won,} you tell him, relishing both syllables. {And I saved every single hostage.}

~Mai’te’s grace on your spirit, sister,~ Kerin says reverently. ~A tall order.~

{It wasn’t perfect, but…}

~But what mad woman expects that from battle? You did as well as you could have, all things given and taken, I’m sure,~ he says.


>”Yeah. It’s what comes next that scares me.”
>”I can’t wait to go home!”
>”How’s things in the Sacred Home?”
>Writein

>>36991003
>”How’s things in the Sacred Home?”

>”Yeah. It’s what comes next that scares me.”
>”I can’t wait to go home!”
>”How’s things in the Sacred Home?”

All of these interest me.

>>36991280
Glad I saw that before I posted, then.

{How about yourself? How’s things in Sacred Home?}

~I’m just fine. Jerome popped in a few days ago, just to say hello and acquaint himself with the place. The King is opening up the road to visitors in ten days. Why he’s waiting, I don’t know.~

{Probably shifting resources around on the civil war front,} you remark. {It’ll get easier now that these conspirators are all beaten.}

[I should think so,] Asa breaks in. [If only because now I won’t be appearing before him every six hours, chewing his ear off.]

{Do you think he minded your visits?} you ask, surprised.

[Only because I was so often the bearer of bad news,] Asa admits. [So… the storm should end where you are soon. I would wait a few hours after the snowfall stops before heading out, just so that the mages can get rid of some of the snow.]

{I planned to.} You pull the blankets up over your ear-tips and close your eyes. {It feels strange, not having an enemy at all times.}

~Well, enjoy it, Sister.~

{Oh, I intend to,} you murmur contentedly in your mind. {Believe me. It’s what comes next that scares me. A journey with Master Sun! Can I even keep up with him?}

[He’s just a powerful human, sister. You’ll be fine. I suspect you’ll get along famously.]

{Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.} You sigh into the fabric. {I’m just so eager to be going home!}

~Oh, I know,~ Kerin chuckles. ~And you deserve a rest.~

{Sun said we’d be going immediately.}

[He was in a huge hurry when he wrote that letter, Elsa. I’m sure he’ll give you a few days.] Her voice lightens. [Skyborn isn’t going anywhere, and all three of us are stronger than ever now, thanks to the power of that Felis demon and Ardraebel. Tarsh is safe, for now.]

{Good to know,} you say softly.


(con’t)

When the sun rises at last, you lounge in the nice, comfy bed and relax, just meditating and daydreaming. After a few hours, you bathe and dress, and wander off to find other people in the winter wonderland.

Inside the Baron’s home, there’s nobody but servantry, who tell you that the Baron has gone into town to speak with the miner representatives about who will and won’t be staying onboard. In town itself, you find Dervich chatting with Cassandra in the Golden Horse.

He looks up and beams. “Elsa! You’re up and about!” he says, rising to his feet.

Cassandra looks over her shoulder at you and nods. “Herald, welcome back to the land of the living,” she says quietly. “How’s your arm?”

“Good as new,” you tell her.


>”And how’s your chest?”
>”Where are the other Sisters?”
>”Are you staying in town?”
>”I’m heading back to Clen soon. Want to come along?”
>writein

>>36991412

Well...Where ARE the other Sisters?

You slide into the chair opposite her and roll your shoulders. “Mmm… feels good to be up and around. Last I saw you, you were riding a lift counterweight,” you remark.

Cassandra’s eyes turn down. “That was insane. If I had not cut that chain when I did… I would have incinerated.”

“But you’re okay?” you press.

“I’m fine.”

“Where are your sisters?” you ask, looking around.

“Donali is sleeping off some healing magic. Gannet is with her,” Cassandra says, sipping her tea. “I’m heading out when the mages clear the road a bit. I want to go home, rest, collect my pay.”

“Me too,” you say feelingly. “And I want to give the King the good news in person.”

She looks out the window into the endless fields of white, broken only occasionally by houses, their blocky outlines softened by snow. “I wonder how he’ll react, frankly,” she says. “And Culler. The Master was growing weary of war, and his Brothers and Sisters being hired to reconnoiter for the King.”

“As long as he doesn’t ask us to fight, too,” Alan grunts.


>Just while away the hours with your friends
>Go do something in town (secure supplies? Get weather report/casualty count?)
>Find a person (Toller? Vein-finder? Mavos? Calver? Curtis?)
>writein

>>36991769
>Just while away the hours with your friends
Rest status: Deserved

>>36991853
Agreed

You walk up to the bar and order some hot bread and soup, and take it back to enjoy with the others. Cassandra seems a bit down about something, but she cheers up and joins you and Dervich in eating and talking before long.

Dervich is especially upbeat, even cheerful. “I just want to go home and sleep for as long as I can,” he chuckles. “Then go hit the bars and get ripshit blasted. Chase some skirt, eat something greasy and bad for you, and relax!”

“Sounds like a plan,” you tell him, tipping your drink in his direction. “Probably do something similar myself. Then we’re off to Skyborn,” you remind him.

He pauses. “Oh. Well, duh, I knew that,” he says.

You stare. “You thought you weren’t coming with us?”

“Well, I guess I knew. Anyway, I like travel, so that’s not a thing,” he says, shrugging it off, and looking very unperturbed. “But a few days of pure R&R, that’s what I want.”

“You’ll get it,” you promise.


Cassandra rises to her feet after a few hours of chatter and pulls on her cloak. “The roads are heating,” she points out. Some of the town mages are using fire spells to heat up the stones of the road, melting the snow. It’s not going to be enough to melt away all the snow on the stone, but it looks to be more than enough to put a layer of crust on the top, and lower the level enough for horses to get through.

>”Then we should get going as soon as we can.”
>”Want to join us on the road, Sister?”
>”I should check in with (person) first.”
>Page Asa and ask if she has any follow-up questions to ask of the Baron
>writein

>>36991977
>”I should check in with the Baron first.”
>Page Asa and ask if she has any follow-up questions to ask of the Baron

>>36991977
Kindness goes a long way...

Want to join us on the road?

>”Then we should get going as soon as we can.”
>”Want to join us on the road, Sister?”

“I should check in on the Baron before I go, but these roads look awful,” you remark. “Would you like to journey with us, Sister Cassandra?”

She considers. “I think I would like to, actually, yes,” she says. “Perhaps it will be safer.”

“Great! I just need to go talk to the Baron, and we can meet in the stables in… we’ll say forty minutes?” you ask the table.

Cassandra and Dervich both nod. “So be it,” Cassandra says, dusting off her dainty fingers and finishing her drink. “I’ll see you then.”


Bundled up in cloak and hood, you walk through the shin-deep snow to the manor, paging Asa as you walk. {Sister, is there anything you want me to ask the Baron?}

[Yes, actually,] Asa replies. [I would appreciate it if you asked him to notify the King by encrypted mail if any more of Saren and Kotrick’s artifacts turn up.]

Your stomach sinks. {Are some unaccounted for?}

[Only a few lesser items, they were lost in the chaos of the fire,] she replies. [I’m not concerned, but they could hurt a miner if not disposed of properly.]

{I‘ll bring that up. Don’t scare me like that!} you chide.

She laughs. [Sorry.]

(con't)

The manor is gradually filling up, now that the Baron and his retainers are back. He welcomes you in with lines around his eyes and cheer in his expression. “Herald Ledren, welcome back!” he says. “We feared for you, but you’re strong of mettle, it seems!”

“Thank you, your Lordship,” you say with a bow. “I am indeed alright. I’m returning to Clen by the fastest route as soon as my horse is ready to travel in the snow.”

“So I hear, and the Mercenaries set out this morning,” he remarks. “The Alchemists and mages will stay a bit longer, I suspect, to help clean up the mine. We harvest alchemic ingredients there, you know, and I asked them to help assess the damage.”

You remember the horrible stink of burning mercury and iron and wince. “Good luck with that, your Lordship,” you say feelingly. “And I should tell you that the Pantheon has asked me to ensure that the King is notified if any other artifacts turn up. Nothing as powerful as an Orb remains, I’m told, but a few smaller items may have escaped the fire, and an encrypted message to the King will them dealt with promptly.”

Mavos cocks an eyebrow. “Ah, so? I’ll keep my ears open.”


>”Thank you for your hospitality, but I must depart.”
>”Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
>”Have you any messages for the King, in turn?”
>”How many losses did we endure?”
>”What shape is the mine in?”
>”Did we capture any prisoners?”
>writein

>>36992691
>”Have you any messages for the King, in turn?”
>”How many losses did we endure?”
>”What shape is the mine in?”

“Dare I ask about the shape of the mine?” you inquire, looking out the front window in the direction of the underground caverns that nearly became your tomb.

“It’s a mess,” Mavos sighs. “It will take fifteen years to clean all the slag out, rebuild the tunnels, and fix the damage to the vents.”

“Did the sleeping gas corrode them?” you ask, surprised. Clendenin didn’t make anything that dangerous, did he?

The Baron shakes his head. “No, no, but the melting cinnabar released gas that did,” he says. “As for the main tunnels, they’re flooded with melted stone. The miners assure me it can be fixed, but… who knows how long that will take? That was magic fire.”

“Of course, and I’m sorry to hear that,” you tell him. “How many losses did we endure?”

Curtis speaks up. “It was worse for the teams that were hitting the other two entrances,” he says darkly. “They were changing shifts at the same time as the one we hit, so the troops coming down into the gallery were caught off-guard, but then there were the troops at the barricades behind them. We lost probably twenty soldiers in those tunnels alone, and another fifteen in the gallery. A few Mercenary Guildsmen, the rest were Guard.”

You look down at the floor. “I’m very sorry, Legionnaire. Please pass along my condolences.”

“I shall.”


(con’t)

You look back up the Baron and note his weariness. “Sir, before I go, do you have any messages for the King, in turn?”

“I do, actually,” Mavos says. “The bandit camp on the roads has been wiped out by an unknown party of adventurers, so he doesn’t have to send reinforcements.”

“That must have been what I saw on the road,” you remark. “I saw a sign of struggle with people using Brotherhood-tier weapons on my way here.”

“Indeed.” The Baron clasps your hands and bows low. “Do fare well, your Eminence, for you have saved Hafdal,” he says gravely. “You will always, always be welcome in my home.”

“And thank you in turn for your help and hospitality,” you say, bowing back. “Mai’te’s grace be on you.”


>Time to go! Anything you want to buy or do in town before leaving?
>writein

>>36993045
>Time to go!

You take your leave, shaking the hands of a few well-wishers as you go. Outside, the harsh sun glints off of the snow, nearly blinding you with the glare, until you pull the hood low over your eyes and force your gaze above the horizon. You make your way to the stables, where Dervich is sorting your bags. “Hey, chief, we’re just about ready,” he says jauntily. “Cassandra’s just packing her arrows.”

“Cool.” You stick your hands in your bags and pull out a scarf to wear on the road, just in case the wind comes back. “How’s the younger Sisters? Think they’ll be fit to travel?”

“Gannet’s injury from the ice maul was pretty bad,” Dervich says dolefully. “But she and Donali are healing each other. I think we’ll miss them.”

“A shame.” You mount your horse as soon as your gear is all packed. “All right. We’re heading home!”

He pumps his fist and grins. “Hell yeah.”


The road’s snow covering is halfway to melted when you arrive. The mages are done for now – they have Utility jobs to perform, after all – but it’s enough that the horses don’t slow much. Cassandra joins you outside the tavern in her snake armor and her cloak, and the three of you take off.

The first three entire days of riding are pure boredom, just slogging through the snow and slush on the roads. The third night warms up above freezing, and melting snow works its way into every place you want to keep dry. A thoroughly miserable fourth day follows, with an even warmer day after that. Your polished leather boots keep your feet dry, but you can tell the horses are quite fed up with the snow before too long.

At night, the two of you entertain Cassandra with stories about military life, while she opens up a bit about her own time in the Brotherhood.


(con’t)

“I was a member of a party of five,” she says quietly around a feeble fire one night. “I’m the only one to make it to fifty.”

“You don’t look a day over twenty eight,” Dervich assures her.

She smiles faintly in the flickering light. “Thank you, Alan. The Well is a powerful thing.” She nibbles at her dried meat sandwich as you throw more wood on the fire. “I was trying to say, though, that I’m just glad Gannet and Sheya made it out. Older Brothers and Sisters sort of look out for the younger ones on difficult missions like this. I would have blamed myself if they didn’t make it.”

“Well, they did, but I understand what you mean,” you tell her. “I felt the same way whenever somebody in my squad took a hit.”

She nods slowly, gazing into the fire. “Yes.” She pulls the cloak up over her shoulders and huddles her arms around her armored knees. “So… what will you do now?”

“I need to travel to the site of the demon corpse that was powering the Orb we discussed before,” you tell her. “I have to destroy it. I just have to.”

“I understand,” she says. “I would offer to go with, but I want to stay in Clen. I love that city.”

“So do I,” you tell her. “Where were you born?”

“In Ronchet,” she says, naming one of the tiny feudal republics that borders Cender. “If you do leave soon, though, Elsa, please stop by the Chapter house, so Culler can be appraised. He’d like to say goodbye in person, I think.”


>”I may not have a choice.”
>”If I can, sure.”
>”What for?”
>”I’d rather just disappear.”

>>36993695
>”If I can, sure.”

>>36993695
>>”If I can, sure.”

“Well, I can’t promise anything, thanks to my strange schedule,” you caution her, “but I will if I can.”

She nods and downs the rest of her food. “Good. He’d like that. I daresay he’s become quite a supporter of yours, albeit within the bounds of propriety and his station. I don’t recall him taking to the field against a target like he did for you in my lifetime.”

“He said he had, but yeah, it can’t be common,” you say modestly.

Cassandra smiles faintly. “No.”


The road calls you out again the next day. The endless snow breaks up more and more frequently with copses of trees and little farms, which gradually become large farms, which become the former latifundae that could run over the horizon in every single direction. The trees get more sparse with every hour, until there are few left that aren’t living fences between lots and the occasional wodded thicket.

After the end of the fifth day, you ride north again, and you grin behind your scarf as you see the anomalously large wedge of trees that hides Sacred Home and the Shrine of Discretion.


>Want to stop in and say hello to Kerin before going home?

>Yes
>No

>>36994027
>Yes

>>36994027
>Yes

>>36994027
>>Yes

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“I think I’m going to stop off in the grove, before I head home,” you tell Dervich. “Cassandra, would you like to come?”

Her eyes grow wide. “What? Shrine?”

“A few missions back, I rescued a demon, named Kerin, from the enemy,” you tell her. “By the time we get back to the city, the King will have announced it publicly. He’ll be letting people know so they can come and meet him in a few days, and I own a temple nearby,” you finish, sparing her the details. “Want to come?”

She looks back and froth from you to Dervich, who just nods. “Yes,” she finally says in a very small voice. “Yes, I would like that.”


She follows you and your Paladin into the grove, watching in awe as the mist melts away around you and reforms behind. The hardened Sister stares in wonder at the temple, and dismounts to follow you as if in a daze as you arrive at the shrine.

Kerin is standing with his back to you, facing the fountain and staring into its depths. When you get close enough, he turns with a smile. “Sister, I’m so glad you came,” he says warmly. “Do come in and feel comfortable again.”

You step gratefully into the blissful warmth of his shrine and feel your shoulders relax. “Many thanks, brother,” you say, shedding your outer gear to dry in the seventy-degree heat. “And this, by the way, is Sister Cassandra, of the Clen Brotherhood of Adventurers.”

“Ah, the Brotherhood survived the wars, eh?” he asks. “Good! Adventurers came to me often in the old days,” he says cheerfully. He extends one hand and beckons her in. “Welcome, daughter of Mai’te.”


(con’t)
NEW ART! I'm so happy I got to show this to you!

>>36994310
kerin looks a lot more human than I expected

>>36994348
Demons were specifically designed to be palette-swap of their mortal counterparts. If he looked like anything but an elf, that would be fairly odd.

When Elsa transforms into her demonic form, she looks like a female, mid-thirties light elf with eyes made of ruby. Kerin looks like a super-pale light elf male of around thirty and has golden eyes.

>>36994386
yeah, but there's like not even an aura
how can people tell his power level if he has no aura

>>36994425
Oh, he has one, but he confines it to his shrine. It's like watered-down rapture. He doesn't walk around zapping people with heaven.

He can project light from his body, too, and so can Elsa when she's in demon form, but he doesn't feel like he needs to do that particularly often. He's not one of the demons who took their triumph over death as carte blanche to flaunt their power.

Cassandra bows, visibly stunned by his appearance. “Holy one, I’m… this is a true honor,” she says faintly. She wasn’t this emotional when she was falling into a pit of magic lava. When she steps into the marble shrine, she seems to swoon a bit, so much tension leaves her back. “Oh, my goodness,” she breathes.

“It’s quite a sensation,” Kerin says. “Take a moment and gain your balance.”

“What is this?” she asks, looking around her as you and Dervich stretch your gear out to dry.

Kerin smiles. “Mai’te’s love, sister.”

“I see,” she says, just to say something. After a moment, she focuses on Kerin himself, who is still waiting patiently. “Well… I understand we have your sister to thank for this rare opportunity.”

“Elsa saved me,” he says, looking over at you. “That is true.”

“I’m glad.” Cassandra bows low, her composure back in place. “So… forgive me, but the old protocols are lost.”

“Simply make a small offering to me and then pray, and I will answer your prayer with a blessing,” Kerin explains. While he shows her what an appropriate offering might be, you walk over to where Dervich is stretching and enjoying the heat.

“So, you unlock any new powers from your brand?” you ask him quietly.

“Actually, yeah,” Dervich says. He flexes his hand and a tiny spark of light leaps between two fingers. “I think I have a watered-down version of your Harvesting power. I’m not going to test it here, obviously.”

“Cool. You should ask Haret about it.”

“I think I will.” You both fall silent as Cassandra bows her head. Kerin rests a hand on her shoulder and speaks to her quietly, and her mouth makes a little O shape as his knowledge arrives. “I love watching that,” Alan chuckles.

“It’s the look of a child, figuring out a new concept,” you observe.


(con’t)

When they’re done, you take a moment to catch Kerin up on the story of the battle in the mine. He listens intently as you describe it all, and finish with your new arm.

“Interesting,” he says as you show him the patchwork of new scars and divine flesh. You swear it glimmers in the light of the sun, very slightly. “I’m glad you’re recovering, sister.”

“Thanks.” You roll your sleeve back down and crack your back as you stand. “Welp. I need to head out, brother.”

“Of course,” Kerin says. “Return anytime, all of you. Do travel safely.”


Out in the ancient, wooded, cobble path that leads to the road, Cassandra casts one last look over her shoulder at the demon in his tiny home. “That was… incredible,” she says quietly. “Thank you very much, Elsa.”

“You’re welcome, sister. Remember, the place is open to the public in four or five days,” you say. “You can take him up on that offer.”


>Go straight home
>Go see the King
>Go see Arisa
>Go see Culler
>writein

>>36994684
Torn between going home and seeing the King...

There's a tunnel from the castle to the house. You can go report and then go home, if you want.

>>36994718
sounds good

also how does one water down an auto-death move?

>>36994735
Dunno. Maybe you should ask Asa.

>>36994762
Let's tack that on next time we contact her then. I'm curious.

>>36994817

Yeaaaa...that could be nice to have a conversation about.

“I think I need to report to the King, and quickly,” you tell the others as the wall appears. “Then, I’m going to go take a a hot bath.”

“That sounds excellent,” Dervich sighs. “Will you need me to be around after the meeting with the King?”

“How badly do you want to see me greet my husband after two weeks?” you ask drily.

“I don’t even want to be in the same city,” Alan chuckles.


The three of you ride off towards the city walls and pass inside after a cursory talk with the gate Guards. Cassandra peels off as you pass the Chapter house. “Thank you for the mission, Elsa, that was a unique experience to say the least,” she says. “Do drop by again.”

“I will, Sister, and farewell,” you say, shaking her hand after she dismounts.

“Farewell, Alan,” Cassandra says.

You Paladin grabs her hand too. “Goodbye, Sister.”


The stables at the north gate accept your horses, and you note that the ones from the wagon are there, too. Jerome must have sent them here to get them out of the backyard. You jog off to the castle on the slushy streets, already composing your report in your head.


>Frank and quick – he must have the details from Asa by now
>Give the full accounting, including Mavos’ message
>Emphasize something specific (what?)
>writein

>>36994936
>Give the full accounting, including Mavos’ message

>>36995089
>Frank and quick but include Mavo's message at least.

“Alright, boss, gameplan?” Alan asks.

“We’re going to give a quick report, but the Baron had a message he wanted passed along as well,” you tell him as you walk in from the parade ground.

“Gotcha. Then I go bathe, sleep, get drunk, find some tail, all that civilized stuff,” Alan says dreamily.

“Is chasing skirt all you think about?” you ask him with a chuckle.

“No, but by mentioning it often, it diverts your attention from my fathomless mental trauma,” he deadpans. You shoot him a worried look that turns into a frown when you see him hiding his smile. “Just kidding, Elsa, Haret healed me. I just learned that it makes good joke material. I can stop if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Forget it.” The two of you fall silent as you pass a Shadow checkpoint and walk into the Royal Quarters. The King himself awaits you in his study, which you enter after surrending your coat, cloak, and weapons to a few porters outside.


“Ah, Herald,” Maas says from his chair by the fireside. “I understand congratulations are in order.”

You bow before your King as Alan does the same. “We are victorious, Sire,” letting your satisfaction seep into your voice. “I must say, it feels very good.”

“I imagine,” the King says. He rises to his feet and gestures out the window. “So ends the story of the Harpy weapons lab, and the Explorer with no soul who raided it.”

“So it ends,” you echo. “Cender is safe from ancient weapons and divine panic.”

“And pleased I am to hear it,” Maas says.

The three of you sit at his beckoning and you tell the story, emphasizing a few details here and there, and closing with the message from Mavos. “So the bandits are taken care of, on that stretch of road, anyway,” you tell him.


(con’t)

“I’m quite glad to hear it,” the King says. “And you, yourself, are recovered from your injuries?”

You show him your new flesh. “I am.”

“Then all is well,” Maas says. He digs a piece of paper from his pocket and shows it to you. “Here, look.”

Written on the paper is a single line.

BUDGET: 137,102,379 Acerts


You take in the figure and shake your head. “So that’s what’s left of Hooks’ laundered cash?” you ask.

“Yes, after we filtered every bill for counterfeits, removed the money for paying various experts and suppliers, and hid it in my quarters,” he reminds you. He takes the paper back and throws it in the fire. “As per my original plan, one hundred million is going into the warchest, to fund the efforts to crush the rebels in the south.” He leans forward. “The other thirty seven point one million is yours, Herald.”

Your stomach drops out. Alan’s jaw drops. “I beg your pardon?” you ask after a moment.

“Thirty seven million, one hundred two thousand, three hundred seventy nine Acerts,” the King says. “A small price to pay for the utter defeat of the vermin who dared butcher my Auxilia, who dared provoke the Pantheon, and for the safe return of a demon in my land.”


>”…Alan, I know how I’m paying you now.”
>”Somebody let me off the room, it’s spinning too fast.”
>”I can’t! The military will be bled dry by the war effort!”
>”I’m in your debt, Sire…”
>writein

For reference, a gold Acert (the currency up there) is enough to buy a day’s food for a household of five. Half a gold, or fifty silver, rents you a horse for a day’s walk across the city. Thirty seven million is enough to buy more or less any property in the city, so you don’t wind up homeless if you decide not to live in the Temple after you get kicked out of the Auxilia housing.

>>36995407
>”Somebody let me off the room, it’s spinning too fast.”
shiiieeeet
Not hiring Firesouls more often paid off
Literally.

>>36995507
Yeah, hiring Firesouls more or less counted as the Easy button of this quest. Then, the King was just going to keep all the money until you let him meet Kerin, and confirmed his children had Gifts far enough in advance for him to prepare them for it.

>>36995407
>>”Somebody let me off the room, it’s spinning too fast.”

The King looks at you, Dervich stares at you, and you just slowly lean back in your seat. “…The world is spinning,” you say faintly.

Maas smiles, white teeth in night-black skin. “I’m sure you’ll find a good place to spend it, your Eminence, since I agreed to pay for your housing until your adventure ended and no farther,” he says drily. “Though I’m not so cruel as to turn you out while you’re out with Master Sun.”

“You heard about that?” you ask, holding your hand to your head.

“Asa told me,” the King reminds you. “Of course, it’s no trouble to quarter your husband while you’re away, but after that, you’ll need a new place to live.”

“I understand that there are some vacancies in the Keen, Moor, and Kotrick family estates,” Alan says with a grim laugh.


(con’t)

To your surprise, the King laughs too, though it’s more surprise than humor. “Hmm, well said, Paladin,” he says drily. “Though the irony there would be sweet indeed, if you did wind up purchasing one of their homes.”

You can’t really hear the banter. You’re rich.

You’re FUCKING RICH. That’s enough money that you and your husband would never have to work again and you could live off of it for decades. Of course, you’ll need to spend some on a new home if you decide to stay in the city until you start having kids, but still!

“Thank you, your Majesty,” you finally manage. “That’s incredibly kind of you.”

“Think nothing of it, your Eminence, for now our debts are paid alike,” he says pointedly. “It was not enough for you to simply revenge yourself against the enemy, but make Cender stronger for it. Holy Kerin is returned to us, the rebels are weakened for your snooping and fighting, and our ties to the Brotherhood and Firesouls are closer now.”

“All I was doing was stopping our enemy,” you assert.

“And doing well,” Maas says. “You made up for every mistake and capitalized on every success.” He stands and spreads his hands. “Thank you.”

You slowly rise, reeling. “…You’re most welcome, Sire,” you finally say.


>Any other remarks for the King, or is it time to go tell Jerome you’re filthy rich without much warning?

>”…Alan, I know how I’m paying you now.”

Will be said when very far removed from the king.

>>36995873
>Go tell Jerome with absolutely no warning

>>36995906
This. Just, this.

>>36995906
Agreed.

“By your leave, Sire, I need to go tell my husband about an abrupt turn of our fortunes,” you tell your King.

He grins again. “Of course. When do you expect Master Sun?”

You pause. “Uh, it’s Monday, right? So he should have arrived a few days ago…”

“My people tell me he isn’t in the city yet, perhaps due to the weather,” Maas says. “When he arrives, he’ll stop by the castle first, I’m sure, but I’ll send him your way when we’re done.” He produces the same leather case in which you first found the money in Hooks’ apartment and sets it on the table.

“Oh, take your time, Sire,” you manage. That briefcase is overflowing with money.


In the halls below, you lean over to Alan and whisper. “Al, I just figured out how to pay you,” you say sotto voce.

He snorts. “I was gonna say, that fixes that problem.”

You part ways at the bottom floor, and you walk down the dank tunnel in the darkness, feeling the heft of your prize, even under all your gear. Your weapons and armor clatter against each other in the dank air all the way to your house.

Inside the house itself, you walk up into the living room to find Jerome sprawled out over the couch in his work uniform, boots hanging next to the fire on string to dry. His eyes are shut when you walk in, but they snap open when he hears you. “Elsa!” he exclaims, clambering up.

“Hi!” you greet him, quickly shucking your shields. He rushes up and hugs you, sweeping you clean off the floor for a moment.

Your lips lock with his in a passionate kiss that he takes his time breaking. “You did it!” he says eagerly. “You won, right?”


(con’t)

“I won,” you confirm. “A few new scars, a really long story, and a few boring horse rides, that’s all it took.”

“Ah, sweetheart, that’s great,” he says, though he rests his hand over your arm. “Asa told me last night, but she explained that it’s as good as new this time, and you didn’t… you know, it’s not like when you fought that other guy,” he says awkwardly.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good, forget about that,” you hasten to assure him. “Hey, how’s yourself?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m just lifting boxes,” he says.

“Well, that’ll come to a halt,” you say, picking up the briefcase.

“Huh?”

You drop the case on the table and pop it open.

Jerome just stares, slowly placing his hand over his mouth. “What?” he asks.

“Thirty seven million and change,” you tell him. “The King’s reward for the victory over the conspiracy.”

Your husband sinks into a chair, staring. “…We’re rich?”

“We could pave the backyard with gold bars,” you chuckle. “We won’t, though, that’s expensive.”

He manages a truncated laugh. “So… wow…”

“Yep.” You walk around behind him and join him in staring at the money. “Things are gonna get a lot smoother now.”


[Temporary End of Thread]

Sup/tg/ is down, so it is vitally important that this thread stay bumped overnight. Thanks.

>>36996329
yea suptg has been awful lately
theres always archive.moe in the worst case

>>36996471
bump

>>36997835
bump

>>36998821
bump

awesome!

You leave Jerome to gape at the money as you tap your Gem. {Sister, the King decided to give me a cash reward. It’s… hefty,} you say with relish, grinning over Jerome’s shoulder at your prize.

[Ah, so he did go through with the idea?] Asa laughs. [Well, I hope it helps you. If you’re worried about spending it all, remember that Arisa has an investment banker who manages her wealth while she runs the Circle.]

{Ooh, good call.} You glance over the rows and rows of bills and the few coins. {It doesn’t feel real yet,} you admit. {Both of us working together make just under a hundred thousand Acerts every year. This is… an order of magnitude more.}

[Several,] Asa chuckles. [But believe me: you’ve earned it. The King took the trouble to withhold the resources needed to pay for the memorials and scholarships and whatnot for the three families, and the mercenaries are already paid, so it’s all yours.]

~Do you intend to buy a home in the city with it?~ Kerin asks.

{Well, yeah, I have to. This Auxilia housing isn’t mine, it’s the military’s. I don’t own it part-and-parcel.}

~But you’ll also own the Temple,~ Kerin observes.

{Jerome and I came to an agreement, anyway. We’ll move back and forth between the two as my duties as Herald dictate. Remember your blessing to me? Where you said I should be a guide and consultant, not a noble? We thought it was pretty smart.}

~Ha ha ha! Well, I’m glad it helped,~ he laughs.


>Go see your parents
>Go see Arisa
>Go see Culler
>Go see Kelscik
>Stay here and lounge the day away
>writein

>Go see your parents
>Go see Arisa
>Go see Culler
>Go see Kelscik

Family first, then friends, then business.

>>37001146
>Go see your parents

Cool. Just so I don't have to ask later...


>Do you want to tell them about the money?
>Do you want to tell them about yours and Jerome's plans about moving back and forth as duty calls?
>Do you want to tell them about Sun's missive?
>Do you want to talk about the mine fight?
>anything else?

>>37001308
>Do you want to tell them about yours and Jerome's plans about moving back and forth as duty calls?
this and
>Do you want to tell them about the money?

Alright, so you don't want them to know about the mine fight or the mission from Sun? I'm just trying to get a sense of the conversation path. This will be the last chance you get to talk to your parents for seven or eight months.

>>37001794
I'm cool with them knowing everything.

“Well, I should go break the news to my parents,” you tell him. “And Asa says Arisa has an investment banker we can use.”

“A what?” Jerome asks, looking bewildered.

“He can help us invest the money safely,” you let him know. “So we don’t waste it, you know. Not that I think we would, but lottery winners go bankrupt pretty often, so...”

“Yeah.” He slowly stands and closes the case. “I think I should go hide this or something,” he says nervously. “Just… this is a lot of money.”

“Heh. Yeah, it is,” you agree, feeling that funny sensation in your stomach again.


Outside, after dinner, you slog through the snow towards your parents’ place with Jerome. You take back roads and such to avoid the crowds, and arrive in good time.

Your parents’ place is fully repaired from the riot damage, and your key lets you in. The two of them look up from their seat by the fire as you enter. “Elsa! Sweetheart, you’re back!” Belle exclaims, rising to hug you.

“Mmm, hey, mom,” you say, returning it. “Yeah, I’m fine. Everything went as well as it could have, I think,” you tell her. “Hi, Dad.”

“Welcome home, Elsa,” Coby says, getting his hug in too. “Tell us what you can!”


Over the next few hours, you tell them everything, from Sun’s message, to the mines, to the decisions you made about residences, to the money.

“So we don’t have to save for retirement, is what you’re saying,” Coby deadpans, though even he looks surprised by the King’s generosity.

“Hey now, we’re gonna need that, that’s the kids’ college fund right there,” you quip back. “But yeah. Things are gonna be boring around here for a while, I think. I’ll be on the road with Sun for seven or eight months.”

“Well, you stay safe out there,” Belle fusses.


>”Are people acting oddly around you two now that my name is public?”
>”Is the fact that my enemy owned your factory causing you trouble?”
>writein

>>37002423
>>”Are people acting oddly around you two now that my name is public?”

>>37002423
>”Are people acting oddly around you two now that my name is public?”

“I’ll be fine. It’s you two I’m worried about,” you tell them. “My name is public now. Are people treating you oddly?”

Coby shrugs awkwardly. “A bit, but I work as an evening-shift security captain, so I don’t get a lot of nonsense.”

“People walk up to me and ask, but it’s not as common as it was right after your speech.” Your mother fusses over a teapot while she speaks. “It’s not so bad, really, I’m just not used to the attention. Will you be giving public appearances?”

“I will, eventually, but I need to destroy the corpse in Skyborn first,” you tell them. “I simply can’t leave it up there. Orbs can be replaced, you know.”

“Right.” You mother pours you all some tea as you sit by the fire. “Well… the King is opening up the Shrine in a few days, I know, and I wanted you to be there since you did all the work, but will you even be here?”


>”Sun isn’t even in the city yet. I may get the chance.”
>”I don’t want to be there. This is Kerin’s time to shine, not mine.”
>”I want to spend some time basking in the light of victory.”
>”I may, if he wants me.”
>writein

>>37002669
>”Sun isn’t even in the city yet. I may get the chance.”

“Well, Sun said he’d be here by now, and he must be held up by something, so maybe I’ll get the chance.” You sip some tea and lean back in your chair. “Anyway. You all should take care while I’m gone. Go see Kerin as often as he’ll let you, go see Arisa at the Circle. The King said he’ll let us stay in the Auxilia housing until I get back, so you don’t need to go house-shopping while I’m gone.”

“That’s a relief,” Jerome says, relaxing in his seat.


After another hour of small talk, you lever up and say your goodbyes, before heading back out to the streets. You peel off from Jerome and head for the house where Arisa lives, paging Asa as you go. {Sister, I’m popping in on Arisa in a moment. Anything to pass along?}

[No, I’m fine.]

{Okay. By the way, Alan said he felt like he gained a new power today. Some ‘watered-down’ version of my Harvesting spell. Any idea what that is?}

[Ah, yes, To Shield The Pious. A useful ability. Where yours causes death, his causes recoil.]

{Oh, it’s a knockback spell, to protect the person the Paladin is guarding?} you ask.

[Yes. Feels like a huge static discharge.]

{Cool. I’ll let him know.)

(Con’t)

Ducking out for chores, be back in a half hour.

After walking through the darkened streets, you arrive at Arisa’s home. After knocking, you wait mere moments before she opens the door and gasps. “Elsa! Come in, come in, you’re back!” she says.

You walk in gratefully, accepting another hug. You’re getting plenty today. “Hello, Priestess Arisa,” you say. “How are you doing?”

“Busy busy!” she says, folding your cloak over a peg. “I’ve been working non-stop!”

“Oh? Good busy or bad busy?”

“Good!” she says excitedly. “The Brotherhood had a bunch of new recruits of late, you know, and many of them are taking to the hills, hunting bandits, clearing ruins, capturing magical beasts and so forth, and one of their teams stumbled upon some ancient relics. One of our members in the Explorers’ Guild bought some she recognized as Crusades-era weaponry, and I’ve been working with Roland to examine and classify them.”

“Oh, hey, that’s good news,” you tell her. “Congratulations!”

“Thank you. How did your battle go, or don’t I want to know?” she says as she leads you into the kitchen.

“As well as it could, though we lost some people. But the conspiracy is broken,” you inform her, giving her the short version. “Now, I’m off to destroy flying city of Skyborn. The Harpies’ weapons have to be broken at the source.”

“Oh, do be safe,” she says worriedly.

“Thank you.”


>”The King is opening Kerin’s shrine in a few days. Will you be there?”
>”Are you getting a recruitment surge now that you’re sanctioned?”
>”How’s Roland?”
>”Did the warehouse get fixed before the storms?”
>writein

Sorry, NOW I'm leaving.

>>37003146
>”How’s Roland?”
>”The King is opening Kerin’s shrine in a few days. Will you be there?”

“And how is Roland?” you ask.

“Oh, he’s fine,” Arisa says. “I daresay his brush with divinity has him all fired up.”

“Hah, excellent,” you chuckle. “By the by, did you know that the King is opening up Kerin’s shrine to the faithful soon?”

“No!” Arisa exclaims. She looks at you, agape. “When?”

“Four days. I think it would be appropriate if you were there, just because you can help people with the protocols,” you tell her. “Nobody remembers them like the Circle.”

“Oh, my,” she breathes, running her hands together. “I… shall certainly try. But won’t the King be angry that I’m there?” she asks, looking back up at you. “I mean, he’s never trusted us.”

“Asa has negotiated you the Royal blind eye,” you remind her. “And Kerin likes you. He won’t feel upstaged.”

Arisa blushes heavily, looking down. “He likes me?”

“He was so grateful to you for letting him recover in his home. Called you a gem,” you remember with a smile. “He’ll be quite happy with you being there.”

“Oh, Elsa, I’m flushing,” Arisa titters. “Of course I’ll be there.”

“Good. Do you happen to have the address of your financial advisor handy, apropos of nothing?” you ask her. “I’m leaving town for eight months, and I want somebody to be able to manage my portfolio while I’m gone.”

“Oh, yes. His name is Robert Ezeklie, he’s a Circle member,” Arisa says. “I’ll mail his address to you.”

“Great.” You wrap your arm around her back and squeeze. “In case I can’t come back to the shrine in a few days, Arisa, thank you. You’ve been a stalwart ally, and I won’t forget that.”

Arisa hugs back. “It was an honor and a privilege,” she promises you. “Stay safe in the Harpy city.”


(con’t)

Off again you go, this time to the Royal War Mages’ college. It’s not a terribly long walk, but the sky is darker than rotting pitch by the time you get there.

Voyager Kelscik is just putting his coat on when you walk into his office. He looks up and blinks. “Herald Ledren! You’re back, I see.”

“Voyager, hello.” You exchange brisk handshakes as he sets his coat back down. “I wanted to check in to let you know. Kotrick and Saren are dead. The conspiracy is broken.”

“So I have heard, yes,” Kelscik says. “And well done. I take it you will be sojourning to the tomb of the feathered demon?”

You half-grin, betraying your nervousness. “I am.”


>”What is Master Sun like?”
>”Did your research turn up anything else?”
>”There’s a Brotherhood member in Kepple who’s been up to the abandoned cities. Any idea who that may be?”
>”Did the King give you any crap for charging him fifty million Acerts?”
>”Thanks for saving Paladin Dervich’s life.”
>writein

>>37003637
>”What is Master Sun like?”
>”Did your research turn up anything else?”
>”There’s a Brotherhood member in Kepple who’s been up to the abandoned cities. Any idea who that may be?”
>”Did the King give you any crap for charging him fifty million Acerts?”
>”Thanks for saving Paladin Dervich’s life.”
These are all good

“You seem a bit worried about it,” the ancient mage says wryly.

“It’s… it’s Master Sun!” you say. “He’s the Living God!”

“He’s a man, and a reasonable one at that,” Kelscik says firmly. “Titles don’t matter as much to him as you seem to think, I assure you.”

“I guess I’m just nervous,” you grumble. “What is he like?”

Danto Kelscik sits back down in his chair and thinks that over. “He’s very clever. He likes learning new things, and he likes meeting new people. Or do you mean his personality? He likes music and books, no other form of entertainment really appeals to him,” Kelscik says. “When he’s being a teacher, he goes slowly, which may seem a bit odd, since all of his students are Well-tapped mages of incredible power.”

“That does seem a bit strange.”

Kelscik grins faintly. “His teaching style is as much leadership as instruction. He knows his students are all mages in their own right, and well studied. He assumes we know how to learn and study already, before we even meet him. The thing to remember is that his knowledge extends back into a period of magical power that no longer exists. He has to impart ways of thinking and behaving to us that no mind besides his can process or recall.”

“Wow.”

“Yes. As for his history… you know what you need to. He’s human, male, unmarried, and the son of a Herald.”

“All right.” You blow out a deep breath. “I’ll learn what I need to on the road, I guess.”

“Quite.”

“And your research? Did you learn anything new about the old Harpy defenses I could use?” you ask hopefully.


(con’t)

The venerable mage nods. “A bit, actually. The Harpies used a form of Locksmith’s Cages to protect their demons. Cages that can only be opened by somebody who already knows where the lock is going to be before they arrive, and have some magic. The Master can take care of those. The problem is that only those with divine shields and powers can open the next series of gates, which I’ve never seen in person.”

“Good to know, regardless,” you say gratefully.

“I hope it helps,” he says, nodding majestically.

“Speaking of the flying cities, I’m told by my friends in the Brotherhood that there may be a man in Kepple who’s actually been up there,” you inform him. “Any ideas who that may be and how to reach them?”

“Not the faintest,” Kelscik admits. “Culler may know.”

You think back to the chaos of the warehouse battle and wince. “And also, sir, I feel I must say thank you. You saved Paladin Dervich’s life in the warehouse with your magic.”

He smiles. “I was happy to do it, Herald. Fine young lads like him are a terrible resource to squander.”

“I hope the King didn’t give you too much crap over charging him fifty million Acerts,” you say nervously.

The old mage snorts. “Bah! He got off light. The Dome Of Unending Power is one of the most complex and potent spells in the world. The ingredients aren’t cheap, either. He gave over the money with nary a peep.”

“Good.”


>Any final questions, or is it time to go talk to Culler and then go to bed?
>writein

>>37003963
>Go talk to Culler

You rise to your feet. “You were leaving when I arrived, sir. Don’t let me keep you.”

“Of course.” Kelscik stands and shakes your hand as you don your cloak. “Be safe on your journey, Herald. Best of luck to you.”


Once more into the snow you march, and you walk towards the Brotherhood Chapter House with questions already forming in your mind. At the large structure’s façade, you push back your hood and walk inside.

Culler is in his office as always, but his head’s down on the desk, and he’s clearly asleep. There’s mountains of paperwork all around him, on every table and chair.


>Wake him
>Just go home
>writein

>>37004220
>>Wake him

Considering we won't get another chance, I don't think he'd mind. I figure he'd be more upset at missing his chance.

You clear your throat. “Er, Master Culler, sir?”

He jolts and sits up, rubbing ink from his face. “Hmph… Herald? You’re back, are you,” he grumbles. “What time is it?”

“A bit past nine,” you tell him, looking around the piles and piles of paper. “What happened here?”

“This is what it looks like when a bunch of recruits join at once,” Culler grumbles. “I have to take control of all their posessesions at once. It’s arduous.” He waves you to a seat. “Thanks for coming by, though. Tell me all about it.”


Yet again, you lay out the tale. He shakes his head sadly when you get to Gannet’s serious injury. “What a shame,” he sighs. “The poor lass. She’ll recover?”

“She’ll be fine, eventually, as will Donali and Cassandra,” you tell him. “And Kotrick’s artifacts are destroyed.” Actually, you never did find that sword key, you recall. You quickly tap the Gem. {Sister, did we find that key that Kotrick stole? The one for the Temple?}

[Destroyed in the fire. I can make a new one.]

{Thanks.} “Yes, all destroyed,” you tell Culler.

“Good.” He sits forward. “Then, unless I’m very much mistaken, our business relationship thus concludes?”


>”Unless you can tell me more about the man in Kepple you mentioned who had survived an attempt to reach one of the flying cities.”
>”No, I may need to hire Brothers again in the future.”
>”Yes.”
>writein

>>37004473
>”Unless you can tell me more about the man in Kepple you mentioned who had survived an attempt to reach one of the flying cities.”

>>37004473


>”Unless you can tell me more about the man in Kepple you mentioned who had survived an attempt to reach one of the flying cities.”

“Perhaps not, actually,” you say after a moment’s consideration. After all, it was Culler who clued you into the lead in Kepple in the first place. “What were you saying at that party about a man in Kepple who had survived an attempt to reach the flying cities?”

“Ah, Brother Dalya,” Culler says with a yawn. “Yes. He’s pushing six hundred, but the Well ran deep for him. If you want to know how he did it, you should go track him down.”

“Then indeed, sir, our business concludes,” you say, standing up. “Thank you for everything.”

“It was an honor,” Culler says automatically, shaking your hand with his own ink-smudged one. “When you return, do let me know.”

“Thanks, Master.” You and the old dark elf bow to one another in a final gesture of respect. “Farewell.”


(con’t)

You trudge back home, already dreaming of the hot bath that awaits you. You arrive and push the door open, noting with satisfaction that the squatters on your doorstep are all gone. Your public reprimanding seems to have done the trick.

Inside, you shuck your every layer on the way to the bathroom. Jerome is reading in bed when you wobble in. “Evening,” he calls out. “All your meetings go well?”

“Well enough,” you sigh, shedding your bra and tossing it in the general direction of the hamper. Jerome follows you into the bathroom, and you pause at the edge of the tub. “Oh, you didn’t,” you giggle tiredly. He set up some candles around the tub. “You big sweetheart,” you say fondly.

He helps you into the tub and settles you into his bare lap, and you snuggle down into his arms as he starts up the water. “Figured a nice, long soak would be just what you wanted,” he says smugly, folding his hands around your waist.

You lean back against his shoulder and close your eyes. “Hmmm… I’m all saddlesore and sleepy, too…”

He presses his lips against your crown and holds you close. “Well, we’ll take our time.” Jerome drapes those broad arms around you and cradles you as the tension and soreness bleeds away. “Just relax,” he murmurs.


One thoroughly comfortable hour later, you’re all dried up and snuggled under the covers as he snuffs the candles and lets out the water. You were, in fact, too saddle-sore for the bath to progress beyond a simple soak, but he informed you nonchalantly that he had taken the next day off, so that’s awesome.

Beyond the delightful resumption of home life, though, your new lack of enemies gives you a hell of a lot of free time.


>Are there any final tasks to perform or undertake, any final purchases to make, any final meetings to hold before departing with Sun? The floor is open.

>>37004730
>Find Brother Dalya

He lives in another city entirely. It's on the route, so you can do it later. I meant do you have anything else you can do before Sun arrives?

>>37004880
Nah, I think we're good.

You wake in the middle of the night, as always, and meditate the hours away until Jerome stirs as well. The both of you leisurely enjoy a small breakfast in bed, watching the light snowfall through the windows and enjoying the quiet. You’re done with the food and looking lazily out over the streets when you feel your husband plant a little kiss at your weak spot, the back of your neck. You close your eyes and smile, enjoying the feeling of his hand traveling up your bare flank and down over your breasts.

“No time limit… no enemies outside… no worries,” you murmur.

He whispers your name and gently rolls you onto your back, mounting you in one smooth motion. “Elsa…” he says again.

You open your eyes again and wrap your arms around his chest. “No problems left,” you say softly. “We’re free.”

“Free,” he echoes. He lowers himself down on top of you and braces your head with his hands, slowly kissing you. You settle down into the sheets and snuggle his head on your shoulder. “No more distraction, either,” he says quietly. “You’re all mine.”

“Yours,” you whisper, and you and your husband take your time to make love, utterly carefree.


The days pass gradually, as you rest at home and meditate, speak with your divine siblings, train, and prepare fo the journey. Jerome works and comes home to help pack. As the evenings come and go, the two of you just enjoy a few precious days of boring normalcy, reading and talking. No word comes of Sun’s arrival until the third day.

When you rise on the third full day home, you find a letter in your mail besides the usual fan mail. It’s sealed with the same wax F as his first note. You pop the seal and read. His handwriting is much neater now.


(con’t)

-Herald Ledren,

-Word has reached me of your victory. Congratulations, your Eminence.

-I am delayed, I know, and for that I sincerely apologize. I was held up at the Army checkpoint outside the city by the snow surge; my credentials were hardly suspect, of course, but I was asked to help people trapped in a collapsed building.

-My delay has concluded. I will arrive in the city to meet the King at the end of the day in which you receive this letter.

-I owe you another apology, Herald. In my prior notice, panic fueled my haste. I should not have assumed you would be either willing or able to drop everything and adjourn to destroy a city. I am sorry. Of course we will depart only when you are ready. Were it only that your presence were not needed to bypass the divine shield around the corpse! But alas. I must briefly rob you of your well-earned victory celebration.

-When I arrive, I will remain in the city for a few days, to meet my dear friend Danto and reconnect with my Brotherhood contacts. After that, we can leave when you desire.

-Word has reached me, however, of another development. You have awoken and restored a demon, from my understanding. You and I are the only people left in all existence who understand the importance of that discovery. You have my endless thanks for restoring one tiny piece of our lost world of Tarsh, and bringing one part of its former splendor and radiant divinity back to its proper place. Thank you, a hundred times.

-When we depart, bring no climbing gear. I have a spare set, which I have enchanted to help bypass the sheer cliffs that ring the Mountains of Abandonment which fence the Aerie.


-By the light of the empty thrones, I am very truly yours.

Expeditionary Master Sun, Firesouls
--By All The Coldest Nights, A Fire Can Not Die

You set the letter down, feeling your heart flutter. He’s nearly here.


>Go and meet him when he sees the King
>Wait for him to find you, since you shouldn’t upstage the King now fo all times
>Go see Culler and let him know Sun is coming
>writein

>>37005137
>Wait for him to find you, since you shouldn’t upstage the King now fo all times
Looks like we have time to open that shrine up after all.

Back, sorry. My house is full of guests.

“He’s coming,” you murmur. The empty house doesn’t answer.

He obviously knows where you live, and he doesn’t feel the need to maintain security any longer, or he’d be mailing the barracks, like before. He can find you on his own. You have obligations to uphold.

Plus, you’re fucking nervous.


You let the letter lie on the table and return to your normal activities, which at the moment consist of packing, unpacking, removing things, adding things, and working out. When Jerome comes home, you read him the letter.

“Hard to believe,” he says, shaking his head. “Aren’t you going to go see him?”

“I should be at the re-opening of the shrine tomorrow,” you tell him. “He can come find me.”

“If you’re sure,” he says nervously. “When do you go?”

“Tomorrow morning, early,” you tell him. “Arisa may be there, too, which will be intimidating for her. I should be there for her.”

“Okay. Do you want me to be there? I can take another day off,” he says.


>”No, you shouldn’t play hooky.”
>”Would you? That would be great.”
>writein

>>37005667
>”Would you? That would be great.”

“That won’t get you in trouble?” you ask.

He shrugs. “No, not really. He’s giving some people time off to attend, and I think I can convince him to let me do it too.”

“Then I’d appreciate it,” you tell him thankfully. “You can duck out to the Temple whenever you need.”

“Yeah.” He shrugs out of his jacket and starts on dinner. “Okay. Tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow morning.”


As the sun rises, you pull on a heavy coat and your cloak under it to ward off the bitter cold, and go get the horses from the stable. Jerome can’t really ride, so you hitch up the wagon with Alan helping, since you had summoned him before coming out.

The road is chaos. The King had made Kerin’s existence publicly known some days ago, and had left the location enigmatic so as to prevent a rush on the demon. Today, though, the secret is out. He has what few troops he has left lining the road to the south, just to prevent trampling, and though the Guards make room for you as you pass, it’s still nearly four hours before you arrive at the shrine.


(con’t)

Kerin is pacing in his little marble home, rubbing his hands together in glee and eagerness. Avatars of the Triad are waiting with him, as is Arisa. The crowd outside the misty road can’t get in yet, but it parts for you as you enter.

“Sister!” Kerin says joyfully. “You’re here to witness my debut, are you?”

“I am, of course,” you respond, giving him a hug. “Are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for three thousand years, sister!” he exclaims. “How big is the crowd?”

“A few thousand people at least,” Jerome admits.

Karin’s joy comes crashing down. “What? I can’t bless that many people! It would take a week!” he says, aghast.

“Then they’ll camp out and wait,” you tell him. “You’re worth waiting for.”

He sighs. “I don’t want anybody to get hurt, or go hungry!”

“Then they should have packed rations,” Haret rumbles.


>”Maybe I could go see if I can collect money for food?”
>”Thoughts, friends?”
>writein

>>37006233
>”Thoughts, friends?”

>>37006233
Thoughts, friends? Agreed

“Is there anything we can do?” you ask.

Asa looks down at the marble floor. “Your discretion may be called upon,” she says. “Turn away the humans.”

Kerin sighs. “Yes, I will. That will help. I could only barely help Alan, and he had divine power in him already. And the people who don’t have anything of importance to ask. I won’t waste time. I’ll feel awful, but… what else is there?”

“And we can hurry the process of selecting offerings,” you say unhappily. “Turn away those without them.”

Your brother’s snow-colored face twists in anguish. “But… damn it!”

“Brother, please,” Asa says quietly. “You’re never leaving, you have all the time in the world.”

His eyes close. “I suppose I do,” he says, remorse coloring his words. “Here, at least. Elsa, you brought that wagon?”


(con’t)

“I did,” you affirm, jerking a thumb over your shoulder.

“Here, fill it with these,” he says, waving his hand. Loaves of piping-hot bread appear in bundles of cloth all around you. “I won’t let my supplicants starve. I won’t!” he says, hardening his tone as the other three divine players open their mouths. “Dash your rules on cold rock, my friends, I won’t let it happen. The people have been without me for millennia, I won’t let them starve on my doorstep.”

“We don’t materialize goods people can make on their own,” Vier says uncomfortably.

“We make an exception today,” Kerin says coldly. When he turns to Jerome, your husband recoils from his anger and helpless expression, but the demon’s scowl softens at once. “Brother Jerome, you may do whatever you wish; I’m just glad you’re here. Priestess Arisa, the same goes for you.”

“I’ll feed the shortsighted,” Jerome says. “Elsa?”

“I’ll take the cart,” you say. Asa half-heartedly glares, but says nothing out loud.

[Sister…] her voice says plaintively. [That rule is in place for a reason.]


>{What is it?}
>{Too bad. Kerin being alive is a gift from heaven. We can’t let these people starve in their haste to be pious.}
>{Fine. On your head be the starvations.}
>{Very well. I’ll go find Sun.}
>writein

>>37006671
>{Unless it's world-ending, I'm sure an exception can be made just for today. It's not like we have to tell people Kerin materialized these.}

>>37006671
>>{What is it?}
>>After listening, say keeping it in mind for the future.

I get the feeling it's a good reason

{What reason?} you ask.

[We don’t want to render the mortals whose jobs it may be to do that thing obsolete! The same reason we don’t just dematerialize trash, or cure all sick people everywhere. Who are we to render doctors and garbage men useless? These people should have bought food; who are we to obsolete the grocier?}

{I’ll keep that in mind, but is this going to end the world?} you ask. {I mean, we don’t have to tell anybody Kerin made these.}

She pauses. [True, true.]

~I don’t mean to be obstinate, but this is my literal and exclusive function!~ Kerin nearly wails. ~I’ll never forgive myself if my brothers and sisters die on their way to me!~

[I’ll… try to sell the idea to the others,] Asa says resignedly.


(con’t)

After the barest moment, Haret’s Avatar looks off into the distance, where thousands upon thousands of his children and the friends of his children are waiting to be blessed. “This is going to be total madness,” he says heavily. “How will I explain to the humans out there that they don’t get demonic knowledge?”

Vier grasps his shoulder. “We’ll just be honest with them, brother,” she admits. “The elves were the fortunate ones, to their demon’s misfortune in turn.”

“I’m misfortunate to be giving blessings?” Kerin asks, perplexed.

“The prison, Kerin,” Vier says gently.

“Well, yes.”

Asa looks out at the wagon. “We’ll distribute these ourselves,” she says firmly. “Elsa, Sun is in the city right now. He’s coming here, and he’s expecting to find you. If you want to patrol the road and keep the petitioners comfortable, he will locate you. Or you could just stay here, if you wish,” she adds. “He’ll be here either way.”


>”I’ll stay here so we can meet in the Temple in privacy.”
>”The Guards will drown in bodies if a fight breaks out in the line after we turn the humans away. I need to be out there.”
>writein

>>37007469
>>”The Guards will drown in bodies if a fight breaks out in the line after we turn the humans away. I need to be out there.”

>>37007469
>”The Guards will drown in bodies if a fight breaks out in the line after we turn the humans away. I need to be out there.”

As much as you’d like to stay in this outpost of heaven, where it’s warm, your soul gets a divine massage, and you can be with your friends and family, duty calls. “If a fight breaks out when we turn away the humans, the Guard will drown in bodies,” you say heavily. “I should go help.”

“Take a horse,” Asa says. “And stay safe.”


Out on the road, you feel your heart lock up as you see dejected humans making their way back to the city, heads hung low. All they want is a bit of knowledge, and you have to break their hearts. Some are even crying.

“This is awful,” you mutter to a Guard you pass.

She shakes her head, sending snow scattering. “They should have known it doesn’t cross species borders.”

Well, it does, but only with great struggle. You slump on your horse and trot down the road, keeping an eye out for disturbances. Here and there, you see Avatars providing food to those elves who remain in line, or those humans who are making their way home.

It’s probably been the most racially segregated moment in living memory, you realize sadly. At least the humans have both their demigods.


(con’t)

A few hours into your heartbreaking patrol, though, you see a small disturbance ahead. You ride up your horse, and as you approach, you see a human determinately making his way towards the shrine, against the current.

The whole road is moving, since elves are moving up to take the place of the humans ahead of them in line, and one by one the elves at the front of the line are entering the shrine itself by now. He’s the only human making his way towards the shrine.

He certainly doesn’t look much like a God. He’s about six feet tall, a bit broad in the shoulder, but not bulky. He has light brown hair like Jerome’s, and as you come closer, you see that he’s dressed in a very dignified black tunic and pants, with a cloak over his shoulders in a shade of light grey. He has a small dagger at his belt, and oddly, a small piece of polished wood, about seven inches long and bendy, as if it were just a tree twig, tucked into his belt beside the dagger.

He’s not wearing a Firesoul cloak, though. He has the pin of a Brotherhood member on his collar.


>Approach
>Keep your ground and see if he approaches you instead
>writein

>>37007947
>>Keep your ground and see if he approaches you instead

>>37007947
>Approach cautiously, watch his movements.

>>37007947
>Keep your ground and see if he approaches you instead

You walk your horse out of traffic, squinting as the man walks closer. He’s definitely heading for you.


Roll 1d100+19 for Perception. I take the highest roll.
Sorry for the delay, I'm having some company for dinner.

Rolled 31 + 19 (1d100 + 19)

>>37008533

Rolled 79 + 19 (1d100 + 19)

>>37008533
huh, it didn't roll

That uniform looks very familiar. You let your memory drift back through time… oh! Of course. This was the uniform of the dark elf you saw leaving Garren’s suite before she left town.

The man comes to a halt beside you, keeping a respectful distance. “Your Eminence, I am Gregory Prekline, an emissary of the Master,” he says. His voice is clear and loud enough to hear over the foot traffic. “He wishes you to know that he will be here soon, and has asked me to return to him with your preference of meeting places.”


>”The shrine.”
>”Here on the road while I work.”
>”Back in the city (where?)”
>”Where would he prefer?”
>writein

>>37008969
>"The shrine."

“The shrine,” you tell him. “And… what’s an emissary? Doesn’t the Master just have students?”

The man smiles. “Yes, a few dozen at most. He can hardly be in all places at once, madam.” He bows and steps back. “I will direct him there.” Without another word, he turns on his heel and walks away.

Another hour passes, and the humans of the queue are largely dispersed. People are walking in and out of the shrine at a good clip, now, and the back of the line is moving promptly. Kerin’s not wasting time. The much shorter line lets the Guard consolidate their cover of the gaps considerably, and you ride back to the shrine to see how things are going.

Jerome is in his winter clothes, sitting on the bridge, staring into the glass-flat water. Dervich is standing beside the shrine’s nearest pillar, smiling at the procession of people. The Avatar of Asa is gone, but the Avatars of Haret and Vier are still there, handing out food or gently turning the humans who didn’t leave before back. A few linger, waiting for their elf friends, but most look away, angry or dejected.

Kerin, however, is beaming with delight. He welcomes each elf into his shrine individually, and accepts offerings from those who have them. He’s not turning away those without, though he doesn’t seem to be taking the time with them he takes with the more considerate visitors. You watch in silence as blesses a young man, who immediately bows low, and turns away after some cursory words.

{Where’s your Avatar?} you ask Asa.

[It was stealing the limelight, and I didn’t want to appear to be favoring the elves any more than Kerin already was,] she says dolefully. [I feel horrible for turning away the humans, but… what choice is there?]

{I know,} you commiserate. {An emissary of Master Sun met me, by the way. He’s close.}


(con’t)

[Yes, he travels with a small group of messengers sometimes,] she says. [They’re Brotherhood members, and serve as normal adventurers most of the time, but when he calls, they come running. They’re generally mages who were disciplined enough to complete his training, but lacked the raw magic power.]

{He’s meeting me here.}

[Good. You can talk in the temple.]


Another half an hour passes, and the line grows shorter and shorter as the sky grows darker. You watch as several hundred more people come and meet Kerin, who’s practically bouncing with joy by now. The act of bestowing blessings on people seems to be as simply pleasing to him as you’d guessed. It’s refreshing to see a divine player in their element, unlike the demigods.

Sun’s arrival is quite undramatic. From the line, you hear a few mutters as a human walks past the petitioners, but nobody moves to stop the human fellow who’s cutting. You look back over your shoulder, and immediately shield your eyes.

The blazing, powerful light pouring through the man’s aura is simply too much to look at directly. As soon as you flinch away, though, it vanishes. You gingerly look back to see another human man, a few inches shorter than Jerome and nowhere near as muscular, walking quickly beside the line. He doesn’t have a Firesoul cloak on, but he does have the shimmering blue robes of a mage. As he draws closer, you see he actually has a full aray of glittering pins at his collar, of the Mages’, Alchemist’s, and Explorers’ Guilds, along with the Brotherhood, and a small ruby pin beside it you don’t recognize.


(con’t)

Sun – it has to be Sun – walks up beside where you’ve dismounted. His face is weather-beaten, with a white network of wrinkles and tiny scars, but his eyes are like Garren’s. They’re alert, quick, and very bright. In fact, as you draw closer, you see that his retinas are actually emitting a very faint golden light, like how Garrens’ did when she had her bone-graft mask active. His irises are deep blue, while his hair is bright red. He has a sword at his belt, but you barely notice it. It’s his robe that catches your eyes.

Now that it’s closer, you see that the threads are individual strands of mana. It’s condensed magic energy, as close to indestructible as it’s possible to be and still exist in reality. The blue isn’t just dye, either. It’s not dye at all; it’s actually light, trapped inside the threads of mana, and flickering very slightly, as if the light is coming from a blue fire.

The robe is worth more than a large city’s total value, you estimate, and the sword beneath it – not mana, some alloy – glitters with rubies on the cross-guard, and diamond on the pommel.

The man halts a few paces away from you, searching your face with his eyes. You stand in silence, dumbstruck, before he does the last thing you expect: he kneels.

He lowers his head to face the ground and places one hand on his heart. “Hail the God-speaker,” he says reverently. “Daughter of Mai’te, beloved of her sister.” His voice isn’t resonant, or even particularly forceful, actually. He sounds more tired than powerful.

“The old ways are lost, I know,” he says quietly. “But I am your servant, regardless.” He turns his head up, and a smile sneaks past his restraint. “And I am very honored to meet you, Herald Elsa Ledren. I am Sun, Master of the Firesouls.”


>Very quickly page Asa to see what the protocol is
>Just wing it (and say what?)
>writein

>>37009612
>Very quickly page Asa to see what the protocol is

>>37009612
>>Very quickly page Asa to see what the protocol is

You stab the Gem with one finger. {Asa Asa Asa Sun’s here what do I do oh no}

[Calm, calm, sister,] she giggles.

{He is KNEELING and saying he’s my SERVANT and his aura was so bright it was PAINFUL and}

[Elsa!] Asa says sharply, and your panic fades. [Relax. Just bow your head, tell him to rise, greet him by name, and speak to him normally. Your powers of speech eclipse his.]

You take a deep breath. “Rise, Sun,” you say, and to your endless relief, Asa’s power flows into your voice. “And thank you. I’m glad to see you safe.”

“And you as well,” he says, rising. The dirt doesn’t stick to his clothes. “I understand you were confronted with a dire foe,” he says gravely. “Ancient Harpy weapons?”

“And Spireling, Dwarf, Crawler, and Dragon-man,” you say heavily. The fact that you can converse so calmly with the most powerful person in history who wasn’t a literal divinity is a bit mad, but Asa’s powers are vast too.

“Deplorable.” His face hardens. “Some things are better left buried. Trust me.” He looks over at where Kerin is joyfully greeting another elf. “A real demon,” he says quietly. “I honestly never thought I’d see one.”

His profile makes him look younger, somehow. The blade at his hip glitters with a powerful enchantment, scattering light around. “Kerin is special,” you say vaguely, still taking in the scene.


>Anything you want to ask now, right off the bat? The floor is open.
>”How did you get here so fast?”
>”Are you really Cenderian?”
>writein

>>37009976
>"So, uh, any plans for destroying that corpse?"

>>37009976
>>”Are you really Cenderian?”

Curious about this.

You look at the ancient man, wondering. “Have you… seen one before, though?” you ask.

He nods. “I met one of the human ones. He blessed me, though I understand it was a bit different from the elf blessings.” His creased face smiles in recollection. “The elf ones were kinder, but less direct.”

“Is it true that you’re actually Cenderian, like me?” you ask. “I mean, Cender didn’t exist back then…”

He chuckles. “Entire parts of Tarsh’s surface didn’t exist back then, before the Collapse rearranged the world’s geography. But yes, Cender did not exist by name. I was born perhaps a hundred miles east of here. I’ve been a proud citizen ever since.” He offers you a knowing little grin. “The last few Kings have been fairly unimpressive, but this Maas lad has a good head on his shoulders.”

You feel very young beside this living relic of the older days of the world. “Yeah, he does,” you say.

Sun tilts his head towards the Temple. “Sacred Home, then?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“May we? Our words are not for those unconcerned with demon corpses and flying cities,” he tells you.

You hold out your arm. “Lead the way, Master.”

“Thank you.” He starts over the bridge, walking right by Jerome, who scrambles to his feet at the sight of him.

“Oh! Elsa, are you… is this…” he asks, eyeing Sun.

The ancient mage nods. “Master Sun, at your service.”

Jerome pales and bows. “Jerome Ledren.”

Sun’s face brightens. “Ledren?”

“He’s my husband,” you quickly explain.

Sun bows back, to Jerome’s shock. “A pleasure.” He looks up at the Temple and takes it in at a gesture. “A magnificent place, is it not?”

“Uh, yes, sir, it is,” Jerome stammers.

Sun’s shoulder seem to sag, very slightly. “I’m just going to speak to Lady Ledren for a moment, then I’ll be out of the way of the petitioners,” he says politely.


(con’t)

You follow him past your husband and into the little garden beside the bridge, now covered in frost. “Allow me to ensure we’re not overheard,” he says, and his finger twitches. A glittering mist of gold fills the air around you both for a moment, and his next words sound rather flat. “There. Not that I distrust His Holiness Kerin, or your husband, but our words are grave,” he says, “and I suspect we’re both exhausted.”

“Yes,” you admit. “I’ve been shepherding the line for several hours now.”

“So Gregory tells me,” Sun says. “But to business, then, and I will be brief.”

“Do you have any plans for destroying the demon corpse?” you ask hopefully.

To your relief, he nods. “I do, in fact. Skyborn’s shield, engines, divine screens and security, and other amenities are all tied together in a complex inter-locking system of magical and divine power,” he explains. “But there are redundancies. If we can shut down enough systems to turn off the levitators and divine shields, but not so many that the magic engines themselves deactivate, we can simply bring the city to rest gently on the ground.”


>“Where? The ground below is covered in towns!”
>”How do we know what to destroy?”
>”Will my powers even work there? That divine shield has withstood three thousand years of high-altitude winds and rain.”
>”How long will it take to get there?”
>”How do we get up there? My teleporter won’t take passengers.”
>writein

>>37010605
>“Where? The ground below is covered in towns!”
we already know the rest

You’re no geography expert, but you remember that area being riddled with mines and towns. “Where?” you ask, surprised. “That whole region is populated?”

He nods. “Indeed.” A crafty look enters his eyes. “But the Aeries were over a mile up. If I can propel the city laterally – and I think I can – I can simply land the floating city in the ocean to the east, or Ammu to the south, and just create a whole new island. The problem is that the correction magic on the rock will try to keep it anchored in place. That, we may not be able to dispel from a distance.” He shrugs. “And if we can’t land it safely, we’ll just leave it in place. The corpse isn’t harming anybody now. If somebody makes new Orbs, or Asa’s count missed one, we can destroy it.”

You feel a bit faint at the idea of how much magical power it would take to move a chunk of rock the size of a mountain range. “And, um… the elevation problem?” you ask.

He looks thoughtful. “Well, there were old magical fires that the Harpies used to create thermal updrafts to elevate themselves. We could create a glider.”

“There’s a Brother who’s done it,” you remember, “in Kepple.”

He looks surprised. “Oh? I didn’t know that. We should track him down. Though it will add a few days to the journey,” he admits. “I’d hate to take you from your family and obligations here.”


>”His input could be invaluable.”
>”Yes, we should just get this over with.”
>”Whatever you deem wisest.”
>writein

>>37010818
>"It's already going to take months. A few extra days won't mean much."

“Another few days won’t hurt,” you say ruefully.

He smiles faintly. “I am sorry for my earlier tone, Lady Ledren. I should not have rushed you. Did you get my letters?”

“Both.”

“Latona spoke highly of you,” he says, apropos of nothing. “I’m Sure you impressed Danto, as well. I’m speaking to him tonight.”

“I hope I made a good impression,” you say modestly. It’s a bit startling how fast his tone went from reverent to casual, and yours as well. Maybe Asa’s powers are smoothing things over here more than you realized at first.

“I suspect you did. Danto has an eye for talent.” He looks back across the water to the Shrine. “I wish I could go speak to His Holiness, too, but the line is rather long.” He looks back at you and flicks his hand again. The gold mist flares into visibility once more, then vanishes. “Well. When do you wish to leave? We have a great deal of time. Skyborn is going nowhere, and I love any excuse to stay in Clen for a while.”


>”Can we say a week?”
>”I’ve packed already, so let’s just go.”
>”When’s good for you?”
>”A few days. I want to set my affairs in order.”
>writein

>>37011021
>”I’ve packed already, so let’s just go.”
Shrine opening was all we were waiting for.

>>37011021
>>”Can we say a week?”

I'm leaning towards this.

mmmmmmmmmm
I don't want to go to a coin flip for something so important. I'll leave it up for another short while, just in case another voter comes out of the woodwork.

>>37011021
>>writein
"I've packed already. I'm read to go as soon as you are."

You suck in a long breath and blow it out all at once. “I’m packed, and I’m ready to go,” you tell him. “Let’s just do it.”

He gives you a sympathetic look. “I am very sorry I am taking you from your loved ones, Lady Ledren. If there were anybody left in all the world who could do this, I would ask them instead.” He rests his hands on his hips and looks over at Kerin. “Let’s give you a few days, at least, to bid your family farewell, and give me a chance to examine your gear. I want to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be.”

A bit of relief and apprehension alike enter your mind at that pronouncement. “It’s Friday,” you say aloud. “Say we go on Monday, then?”

“I would like a few days to just enjoy the city and prepare my own equipment,” he says.

“You can’t conjure your gear?” you ask, genuinely a bit surprised.

He looks at you with an air of patience. “Yes, but I don’t like to use my magic that way. I don’t want to put the blacksmiths and craftsmen out of work.”

“That’s what Asa said about her own powers of materialization,” you remember.


(con’t)

“We came to the agreement long ago,” Sun says. He looks off into the past again, his eyes unfocused. “It’s just not fair to those without our means of bypassing the world’s limitations,” he says softly, as if quoting somebody. He snaps himself back to the present and closes his cloak with a flourish. “Well! Monday, then, at the parade grounds of the castle? Or do you have your heart set on immediate departure?”

“Monday is fine,” you say after a moment’s thought.

“Then Monday it is,” he says with a bow. He smiles gently as he stands. “I do apologize if I put you on the spot when I arrived,” he chuckles. “You just looked so much like my mother, in all her regalia and accoutrements, that all the old rituals came back at once. You even have the same color hair as hers, before it changed to grey, Lady Ledren.”


>”Do you wish to keep using titles like that? We’re going to be out there a long time.”
>”And your emissaries? What will they be doing? Will they be coming with us?”
>”My Paladin will be with us, too, so you know.”
>”Should we bring anybody else?”
>writein

>>37011673
>>”My Paladin will be with us, too, so you know.”
>>”Do you wish to keep using titles like that? We’re going to be out there a long time.”

>>37011673
>”My Paladin will be with us, too, so you know.”

“So you know, my Paladin will be accompanying us, sir,” you tell him.

He nods. “That is more or less what I’d expected. I’m sure they will be of help, also.”

“It’s a human man, named Alan Dervich, a former comrade of mine in the Auxilia.”

He looks at you in surprise. “A human? Interesting.”

“By the way, Master, do you mean to keep using titles the entire time?” you ask. “We’re going to be together for a long time, out there.”

Sun nods. “For a time, at least, your Eminence. We’ve earned them.” Then he smiles. “I have no doubt that formality will flee us in the travelling, but for the time being, let us address one another as professionals, hm?”


>Any more questions?
>writein

>>37012051
I kinda wanna ask him about fighting that ghost engine thing in the abyss and what that was like, but I don't remember any details about that and forget what thread mentioned it.

>>37012051
we can talk more on the road

“Then, as one professional warrior to another, what was the Horror Engine fight actually like?”

He shakes his head. “Bizarre. I’ll never forget it.” He looks over to where the Emergence points of the Heaven-born stand, and you suspect he can see them. “The Chaos rift was so painful to stand in, I had to deactivate my ability to sense pain.” His face tightens with recalled discomfort. “The ghost was so mad that it couldn’t do anything but fight. The power of Chaos was mingling with its grafts, damaging us both…” He shudders. “I don’t really want to discuss that, your Eminence.”

“All right. We can sort out the rest of the details on the road,” you tell him.

“Of course.” Sun fastens his cloak. “Thank you, Lady Ledren,” he says. “I’ll contact you soon, to send you the gear I’ve commissioned for our journey.”

You shake his hand, and you can feel faint power tingling in his flesh. “Farewell, Master. I’ll be waiting.”


As Sun departs, you slowly walk up the bridge, eyes on the wood floor. You come to a halt as you see Jerome walk up in front of you. “Elsa, are you alright?” he asks, worried. “You look sad.”

You sigh and wrap your arms around his shoulders. “I guess I’m just a bit unhappy that I’m leaving for so long,” you admit. “At least Sun was very understanding.”

“How so?”

“We have all weekend to say goodbye,” you tell him. “Sun will get some gear for me to pack and he’ll send it to the house, but we’re set to leave Monday.”

Jerome buries his head in your hair and sighs. “Okay.”

“Yeah.” You just stand there, silent and unhappy, before you break the hug. “I want to say goodbye to Kerin before I go,” you tell him.


(con’t)

At the Shrine, Kerin is still busily working his way through the supplicants, accepting offerings and placing them in the urns, speaking with them briefly, and blessing them with his silent words. He looks up as you step inside. “Elsa, sister, hello!” he says happily. “Was that this Sun fellow?”

You unclench your shoulders and roll your neck as you enter the shadow of heaven. “Mmm… yes, it was.”

“Then you’re leaving soon?” he asks.

“Sadly,” you sigh. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’m in your head and heart whenever you need me, little sister,” he reminds you.

“That’s true.”


>Anything else to do before you go home?
>writein

>>37012803
I think we're good. We could get a blessing, but I can't think of anything we need answered.

“Are you leaving to prepare?” he asks as the next petitioner enters the shrine with a soft exclamation of wonder.

“I am, yeah,” you confirm glumly. “I should go rest up and finish getting my stuff in line.”

Kerin walks over to one of the urns and reaches in, pulling out a small compass. “Here, sister,” he says. “In lieu of a blessing. Unless you want one?”

“I can’t think of any pressing questions on my soul,” you admit.

He hands you the compass. “May it guide you home, little sister,” he says, giving you a hug.


You and Jerome are quiet on the ride home, just keeping your thoughts to yourselves. You’re quiet at dinner, you’re quiet in front of the fire while you read and relax, you’re quiet as you prepare for bed, and when you’re drifting off to sleep, all you can hear is the beat of his heart.

Saturday comes too soon, and a crate of supplies appears on your doorstep. You bring it in and pry it open, marveling at the contents. There’s cloaks, two of them; there are a few small weapons, some firestarters, a bit of money, and a few maps, but the item that draws your eye at once is a pair of hard leather boots. They’re a similar style to the ones that came with your Heraldic uniform and armor, actually. “Wow,” you murmur, running a thumb over the material. The entire thing, from strings to soles, glows bright with enchantment in the candlelight.


(con’t)

“There was a note in here,” Jerome observes, picking up a scrap of paper from the crate. “ ‘Herald, this is some of the Elf Army gear of which I wrote previously, along with some adventuring kit I think you’ll need. Of course, if you have some preference with regards to equipment, you may bring your own instead of this. Just set aside whatever you don’t need.’ Generous of him,” Jerome mutters.

“Yeah, letting me use my own stuff,” you say sarcastically. “I hope he’s not like this on the road.”

“I think he’s just being careful,” Jerome says diplomatically.

You paw through the gear and select a few choice bits. “There are actually some nice toys in here,” you admit. “The boots, though, these are amazing. I think this is an enchantment of regeneration,” you say. “It heals and energizes you while you wear them.”

“Useful.” Jerome closes the crate after you repack it all, leaving out the items you want.

“Yeah.” You drum your hands on the wood and think. “Okay… what do I still need?”

“I can’t think of anything,” Jerome admits. “But I’m worried anyway.”


>”Yeah, I’m worried too.”
>”With Sun and Dervich to protect me, I bet I’ll be fine.”
>”Over what?”
>writein

>>37013193
>”With Sun and Dervich to protect me, I bet I’ll be fine.”

“With a Paladin and the Master of Firesouls protecting me, I’d wager I’ll be fine,” you point out. “But I understand your worry. This isn’t a safe gig. Is there anything I can do to make this easier?”

He looks away. “No. I understand why this has to be done.”

You look up from the crate and meet Jerome’s eyes. “I’ll be seeing messages as often as I can,” you promise. “Just like before.”

“I know you will, baby, I know,” he sighs. “I just need to stop worrying.” You hug him, resting your head on his collarbone.

You close your eyes and slowly rock back and forth. “When I come home, everything will be better.”

“Yeah, it will,” he says resignedly. “When you come home.”


Sunday is less introspective, which is a small mercy. You pop in on Darril and thank him for keeping an eye on things related to Kotrick for you, and you go for a stroll in the gardens in the city center, answering a few questions, and just generally taking in the city’s sights.

When Monday arrives, you eschew your uniform clothes. They’re pretty and durable, but you need something you can wear in the mountains. You select the training uniform you used in the Auxilia, which is about as rugged and durable as leather, and stuff your Heraldic gear in your bag.

Jerome meets you at the door as you gather all your stuff and sling it in the cart, which you had brought from the stable the previous night. “Stay safe out there, gorgeous,” he asks of you, giving you one last kiss to sweeten the journey.

“I will, Jerome Ledren, don’t you fear,” you reply. You hike up the bag and flash him a grin. “Just think about how much fun we’ll have spending that money when I get back in early summer. What we don’t invest in the long-term, we can spend on a fancy house and everything to fill it.”


(con’t)

“Hey, now you’re talking,” he chuckles. He leans against the doorframe and watches as you drive the cart away, and waves to you as you round the corner and lose sight of him.


In the dark, cold parade ground, the King is waiting to see you off, and he’s deep in conversation with Sun when you arrive. Dervich is already there on his own horse, Saren’s mount, who seems to be unperturbed about now belonging to the man who helped kill his master. “Hey, chief,” Alan says, waving. “You went with the light stuff too, huh?” he asks.

“Figure armor will just slow us down,” you tell him.

Sun finishes his conversation with the King and walks over. His radiant eyes alight on the cart. “Ah, excellent thinking, Lady Ledren, a proper wagon,” he says. “That won’t make it up the mountains, but we can carry enough supplies in there that we won’t even have to stop for weeks at a time.”

“That’s the plan, Master,” you tell him. “Thanks for the gear.”

“Naturally,” he says. “The boots fit?”

“Perfectly.”

“Good, the enchantment worked,” he chuckles. “Perfect Fit is a tricky spell.” He leaps up on his own mount and clops over in front of you. “Shall we go pre-emptively save the world?”

“Let’s,” you tell him.

Alan taps his chest, and your forehead warms. [Sister, are you preparing to go?] Asa asks.

{I am. We’re heading out any second now.}

[Good. You’ll be in Cenderian territory for weeks, so you’ll be fairly safe at first.] Her tone brightens. [I’ll check in on Jerome every few days, just to make sure he’s alright. And I daresay Kerin’s queue of petitioners is as long as ever.]

~Better busy than bored!~ Kerin says happily.


>Any last words for the King?

>>37013683
Thanks for all the help and support
and for being cool

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You ride over to where King Maas stands, surrpunded by his Shadows. “Sire, thank you for everything,” you say straightaway. “Your housing, your martial aid, your understanding, your patience. Truly, your Majesty,” you say feelingly. “Your help was utterly indispensable.”

He acknowledges your words with a nod. “And you, in turn, your Eminence. Thank you for saving my country.”

“It was my honor, Sire.” You salute sharply. “I’ll return to a safer Cender, I know it.”

“You certainly shall,” he says calmly. “Mai’te’s love guide your steps.”

You walk the cart over beside the other two horses and catch the two humans’ eyes. “Gentlemen, I think we’re ready.”

The Firesoul grins. “Then let us go save the world, my friends.”

Dervich pumps his fist, and you all ride out the gate towards distant Kepple, to begin your next adventure.


[The end.]

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Much love, elegan/tg/entlemen.

See you all again someday.

I need a vacation.

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This was an awesome quest, into which I poured ten months of writing and over three years of planning. The art and writeins always made me so happy.

>>37014099
I bet you do! Thank you for running! This was great, and I'd be down to read any sequels or additional stories of the Dead Gods world.

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The adventure took a lot of very strange turns. I never thought you'd eschew an open path to oppose the conspiracy. A lot was left up to the dice, maybe more than I thought you would, and the dreams you rolled were a hell of a lot of fun to make.

Thank you, /tg/, for indulging my desire to tell stories of a world on the edge of existence, where one heroine can make all the difference.

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One last bump for the players on Skype and IRC, then I'm off to bed.

Goodbye!

>>37014723
hope you archived this.

good riddance to maul machine