Of Royal Blood - The Legend Of Zelda

[]As you wrack your brain to figure out what's happening you can't help but realize the awful possibility the clues are pointing to. Romani's curse, connected to the Deku Babas and the fruits and vegetables in town. The strange behaviors of the villagers and the boarded up inns. Malon's sudden declaration of plant life dying.
-[]And then you suddenly remember something utterly insignificant: that Irene has been complaining of allergies almost the whole time you were here. At that point it all clicks into place.
-[]"It's the plants. Irene's the Sage of the Forest, and something is cursing the plants...and I think the whole town might be affected."

"It's the plants..." You say, realization hitting you like a tidal wave, "Irene is the Maiden of Forests, she doesn't just control plants and trees she's connected to them in some way. If the plants are what's being affected by the curse then she'd suffer just as they are."

"Wait, hold on. So the reasons all the plants outside just died..." Malon says gesturing to the open door, looking absolutely overwhelmed.

"It's a symbiotic link..." Zelda finishes Malon's sentence, holding a hand to her chin in thought as her eyes slowly widened in horror, "Whatever evil is in this place must have been slowly poisoning her, that's why she was getting sicker even with the Fairy Tonic until..."

"Then we need to take her out of here, tonight," Mipha states, looking up from the pale witch resolutely, "If the plants are all dying around us as a symptom I don't want to know what it's doing to Irene. Maybe with the Great Fairy I could heal whatever damage is being done-"

"N-no..." A weak voice mutters, hoarse and nearly silent. You all look to Irene, held close in Mipha's scaly arms just barely able to crack an eye open, raising a shaking hand to point at the distressed redhead, "M-malon... w-we need too..."

"It won't work," Your shadow interjects, "Tch, and I thought only Link was ignorant on magic..." A shadowy form in the shape of the Twili princess materialized on the wall, far from any source of natural light but from its depths you could see the red-yellow eyes wincing, "Take her from this place and all you'll do is take the evil with her, all of nature dying around the witch as it reacts to her suffering. All we'll have managed to do is simply spread the poison and make her far worse."

"But then what're you supposed to do, just let her die?" Malon half-shouts to the shadow.

"She isn't dying, at least the curse isn't killing her," Midna curtly responds, "Normally those who draw power from something are weakened but given you're all so inexperienced it could be just wreaking havoc on her body, but I am only applying my knowledge of magic to this. I'm no scholar and not from this world unlike other's here," She looks to Zelda, who can only shake her head.

"I mean, there are stories of spirits that fit, we saw it happen with Navi but Irene's a Hylian not a spirit," Zelda states, looking to Irene utterly at a loss of what to do, "I didn't even think with the title of Maiden of Forests that..."

"We shouldn't get hung up on the why and focus on what we do know," You interrupt, stepping forward to draw everyone's attention, "We should get Irene into bed, treat it like a fever. Midna, can you figure out if anything at the ranch is cursed?"

"If there was something I would have noticed it, everything here is clean," Midna says as you and Malon assist Mipha in picking up Irene comfortably and carry her to her room.

"I'll stay with you, help manage her fever," You say to Mipha as she lays Irene into bed.

"I can get some rags," Malon adds, before giving a long sad look to the shivering witch, "I thought I understood how low the Gorman's would sink, but if they're responsible for this... for Romani..." She grits her teeth, eyes flaring wide as she practically spits out "We need to bring them to justice! Maybe not today or until Romani's safe, but they can't be allowed to hurt people like this!"

"I agree Malon," You state with a nod, "Though I fear they've unknowingly found a way to keep us at bay," You look back to Irene, Mipha keeping a glowing hand on her forehead, "Gods I hope it's unknowingly..."

Malon gives you a small smile, holding a hand to the centre of her chest, "You'll find a way, I know it. You all won't be alone in this either, I may not know much beyond a pitchfork but you can count on me to do anything for you all," She then looks towards the girl lying in the bed, "and I'll start by helping break Irene's fever."

You give your thanks as Malon leaves before looking back to Mipha, "We'll need to determine what is the exact effect it's having on her... body..." You trail off as you finally notice what Mipha was doing. While she kept one hand over Irene's head it was trembling slightly, her clawed fingers twitching as if ready to ball into a fist. Her other hand was gripping the headboard of the bed, digging her nails into the carved wood with such intensity it was shaving off the wood. Her teeth were bared, making it very clear how jagged and sharp they were as her pupils were contracted into almost invisible slits, "Mipha?"

"It wasn't starvation..." She hisses, not even looking at you or acknowledging your existence in any way. You weren't even sure she heard you, "It wasn't starvation..."

Ah...

"Mipha, it's like Midna said, once we figure out what's going on with everyone's powers we'll be able to work through this. Even when things are bad, we'll look out for each other. Just like you are with Irene-"

Mipha only shakes her head, anger in an instant replaced with utter despair, "I could at any minute join her for all I know," Tears begin to form at the corner of her eyes, "Water... i-if they think to poison the water I'll... What they've done to my home even at the very edges of its lands nearly robbed me o-of the one part of me I s-still love," She takes a shuddering breath before looking away, whispering, "D-did it poison my mind as well? D-did I even have control until they f-found me..?"

"Mipha-"

"I don't know if I can keep my promise to you, to Zelda," Mipha says, straightening up, the tears falling down her cheeks glowing faintly blue before they splashed against Irene's form, Mipha's hand not once leaving the witch's forehead, "I-I can't even return to my home," She looks over to you, shaking her head. You've never seen someone look so at a loss, her head-fins drooping and without any sense of life, "Y-you are our only hope. Everyone... w-we can only rely on you."

You gently put your hands on the Zora's slender shoulders, feeling her tense slightly as she looks down, not meeting your eyes, "I know this has been shocking. Whatever way they try to hurt us we'll find a way to counter, and what we can't prepare for we'll weather it together. There will always be hope."

Mipha nods, but still refuses to meet your gaze. You pull back and she returns to looking over Irene, not saying a word.

You open your mouth to say something but before you can even think of anything to say a knock interrupts your thoughts. You turn, spotting a pair of red eyes under a crimson tattoo staring at you, "Paya?"

"M-master Link? L-lady Mipha?" Came the nervous reply, the eyes disappearing, "M-may I come in?"

"Of course," You say, stepping back from the door to let her come into the room.

Paya enters, shy as ever, her Sheikah tattoo's and hairstyle contrasting sharply with the Hylian dress she was wearing. Yet there was a sag to her shoulders that wasn't there when you saw her before, "I-I'm h-here to help," She says, not looking at you but each word seemed to be followed with a wince, "I-I know I-I'm useless b-but-"

"You're not useless-"

For what you think is the first time you see Paya shake her head in disagreement to you, "I-I'm not like any of you... I-if Irene was so hurt by this i-if a poe shows up..." She pauses, shuddering slightly before continuing, "I-if s-something happens y-you'll need Irene more then m-me..."

"Paya that isn't true-"

Paya just shakes her head, and before you can say anything you hear a voice call from the door, "Link? Can I see you for a minute?"

You turn to see Zelda, shaking her head back and forth rapidly before gesturing at you to follow. You sigh, before saying to your two despondent friends "I'll leave Irene in both your hands then. We'll get through this, alright?"

Mipha and Paya just nod in response. Before you turn to Zelda you kneel down to Irene, taking her hand in your own, "We'll get through this," You repeat, giving it a squeeze. You see Irene's eyes flicker, and you feel her squeeze your hand back, "I promise you all, we'll beat this."

No one in the room responds, and you are lightly tugged out of the room by your tunic. Out in the hall Zelda lets go of you, shaking your head, "I know you want to make them feel better, but they need time," She sighs, "This was a blow to the group's morale and we were already running on fumes. The worst part is no one told us we had this, Irene should have never been in danger."

"This is a pretty big thing to just omit," You say, "If they knew they'd have told us."

"That's the thing Link," Zelda responds, her expression turning serious, "Someone or some group does know, and they know more than even Navi," she shakes her head, looking away, "and every monster sent against us seems to be a part of this. We need information. Hopefully, Midna and I can find something on whatever is hurting Romani and Irene tonight."

"And then..?"

She turns back to you, crimson eyes flashing with determination and a simmering rage as she growls through gritted teeth, "We drive the master sword through its heart."

You are Zelda Saria Ilia Hyrule and let out a low muffled breath as you silently land on a rooftop close to the town hall, having left Link hidden nearby in case things really go south.

"None of the patrolling guards noticed you," You hear Midna whisper in your ear, "My, I can't even hear you breathe with that cloth."

You don't say a word, mind focused on the building ahead and what a building it was. Even in the darkness of night you could make out the magnificent architecture, it's style dating it to 700 years ago, during the classical revival period. The astronomical clock was a wonder of Hylian engineering, neither Goron or Sheikah involved in its construction from the unique and distinctively Hylian style. It was also melancholic in a way, as despite being an ancient design you doubted anyone had the technological skill to recreate it. When it finally stops moving it may never work again and with the empire in charge it'll likely be destroyed, another piece of Hylian history lost forever...

So with your eyes taking in every square inch of history you break into a silent sprint before kicking off the very edge of the roof, sailing through the air above the heads of the guards, hands reaching out, fingers finding purchase on the tiniest outcroppings of stone and mortar. You scramble up, a shadow disappearing out of sight of any on the ground. High above the town now you look out, seeing only the tiniest flickers of lantern light from the guards patrolling. Balancing on the roof with only one foot without even the slightest bit of strain you look over your shoulder to the shadowy form of Midna materializing beside you, her robes drawn tightly around her to conceal her form in darkness.

"I'll look ahead, make sure there's a safe place for you to teleport in," She tells you, her typical playful tone gone and replaced with a deadly serious one just before she winks out, fading through the bars of the belltower as a dark mist.

You wait for a moment, eyes closed as you listen.

Then another.

Then finally There was a shifting in the air, an almost discordant sound as Midna again materialized behind you, "Follow my voice, use your magic to appear where it is."

You give her a silent nod, drawing the teleport Ofuda from your pouch, eyes still closed as you listen. Suddenly a tinkle of laughter, an impish giggle that had fascinated you since you first heard it. Adrenaline suddenly surged, muscles tensing as your eyes shot open, paper charms falling from your hands as they contorted quickly into different shapes. They suddenly lit up, not enough to create a noticeable glow yet your vision turned bright as the air rushed out from you before sucking back in, your feet landing silently onto a wooden floor. Charms drifted down around you, crumbling into ash.

44 Teleportation Charm Packs

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Click to shrink...

"There's no one around, it seems we have the run of the place," Midna says, materializing beside you, "I wouldn't recommend making any noises though, this place is remarkably well surrounded."

"It's where the recently collected taxes are kept, before they probably end up in the Gorman's vaults," You tell her, looking around the interior, it seems you were in a hallway with a few decorative landscape paintings on the wall. Local artists surely, and most likely copies or the ones viewed to be of poor value. You also noticed there wasn't many signs of Imperial crests, mostly the same you'd seen on the merchants and what you assumed were the Gorman's.

You take out your Sheikah Slate, making sure you have the item collection function ready. The plan wasn't even to bother going through every book here. Instead you'd simply grab everything and then bolt, you and Paya going through every document back safely at the ranch.

"So I must ask, as neither you or Link mentioned it but how are you covering your tracks?" Midna suddenly asked, floating near with a curious look, "Surely it'd be good to set this place aflame?"

You shake your head, "That'd be too mundane, magics rare here and none of us look like mages other then Irene, and she's kept it hidden while here. We'd probably be less likely to be suspected."

"This is a strange place then, still if magic is rare then well..." She grins, beckoning to a shadow beside you. A shadowy hand reached out, flexing its claws as it sunk into the wood, "I suppose that means a bit of damage to not waste any time would be appreciated?"

"More than, we have a lot of ground to cover-"

"Including the treasury? As the princess I'm sure there are some long-overdue taxes you are owed~" Midna says with mischief in her eyes, giggling as she lightly pushes off you and floats away as if in water.

"Well," You say with a slight cough, looking away, "We should look everywhere. We don't know where the records we're looking for are kept."

Which lead to the plan. How will you approach this?

The building was constructed with vaulted ceilings, most of the chambers for court and Alderman meetings were below, with the great hall on the second floor where you were.
The great hall would likely contain locked "Money closets" where documents and other valuables would be kept that wouldn't go into the treasury. However, the town scribe office might have the info you need. The Chancery might also some documents, but they'll likely be related to the interpretation of laws. Admittedly, those might have been useful if you were staying here with Malon, though Impa might be able to provide some context. While you do have some training in law, being a princess and all, you tended to prefer books on frogs and aren't the most well-versed. The other offices might have info, as certainly you doubted that any curse or magical phenomenon would be something anyone could have access too. On the other hand that could also mean it would be kept at the Gorman's manor, wherever that is. There was also the treasury and basement wine cellar, and you would bet rupees on there being a hidden vault in the wine cellar, if not some expensive wines. What could be kept there you couldn't guess, as you have no idea what the Gorman's did with all the items that were here before the empire took over. Anything truly valuable would be kept at their manor.

There was also Midna's suggestion. Whatever old Hylian historical iconography would have probably been removed, so a bit of magical vandalism might help cover your tracks. However going excessive might not be a great idea, especially if it's done for no rhyme or reason. Even deliberately attacking Imperial heraldry would be a bit too obvious. Midna would certainly be silent about it, so while there was a bit of worry of attracting attention from the guards it wasn't a pressing concern. She'll also happily deal with anything locked, as you literally have no idea how to lockpick.

Or perhaps there was a plan you hadn't yet thought of. Or at least a way to approach this intelligently.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE FOR MULTIPLE OPTIONS. VOTES WILL BE COUNTED BY GROUP, NOT INDIVIDUALLY.
[] Inspect the Great Hall "Money Closet"
[] Inspect the Chancery
[] Inspect the Chapel
[] Inspect the Treasury
[] Inspect the Council's Office
[] Inspect the Lord's office
[] Inspect the Town Scribe's Office
[] Inspect the Wine Cellar
[] Vandalize the Great Hall
[] Vandalize the House of Commons
[] Vandalize the Court Chamber
[] Vandalize the Trade Hall
[] Vandalize the Council Chambers

[] Write in a Plan, or consolidate votes like (EX: [] Inspect the Great Hall, Chancery, Chapel, etc etc etc)


GM NOTE: I caught a shitty cold.

Also for those curious the layout of this building is based on gothic-style town halls from the 15th century, such as Tallin town hall and Wroclaw town hall. The floor plans are actually the floor plans of Wroclaw town hall.