This quest seems like it could be fun! I'll go with this as my vote.
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] B
As nice as Artemis seems, we've only just met her. Let's keep some of our abilities as a secret until we know more about the world around us, ya?
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] B
[x] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[x] Be sneaky. Pretend to agree, then sneak out after her.
Let's be an untrustworthy dragon. That is just tremendously appropriate for a dragon.
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] B
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
Simultaneously allowing that we do not need to keep secrets but neither do we need to share everything.
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
If she asks, we'll tell her.
If she doesn't ask, we won't tell her.
Whatever assumptions she comes up with as a result of that is no concern of ours unless it decides to be.
Simple, no? ／人◕‿‿◕人＼
In all seriousness, we did pick the Standard FE Lord character. Trustworthiness is practically their defining trait, considering their ability to lead armies as varied as they typically end up being. Leave the 'don't trust the leader' bit to the Navarre or Julian archetype we'll eventually pick up.
As for the appearance bit, well, we picked lightning/light for our heritage. We are contractually obligated to possess blonde hair as a result.
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] B
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
Ryza has already held something back from Artemis, choosing to distract her by telling her to sleep instead of telling her who she is. It only makes sense that she would hold this policy consistently. And it will make for a better story if Ryza doesn't just spill all the beans immediately and instead her and Artemis' relationship develops to a point where she eventually does tell Artemis the things she's hiding.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
My original appearance vote. She's clearly somewhat spoiled, and well-off. B is too active for a Thoughtful, magically-inclined girl.
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
Voting will close tomorrow at about 2 Pacific time.
Adhoc vote count started by SoaringHawk218 on Dec 4, 2021 at 4:43 PM, finished with 32 posts and 30 votes.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] B
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] E
Adhoc vote count started by SoaringHawk218 on Dec 5, 2021 at 4:58 PM, finished with 38 posts and 32 votes.
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
[X] You can't shake Mother's words. You need Artemis, and you're grateful she woke you up, but you don't really know her. Maybe keeping a few things back wouldn't be bad…
[X] Father's speaks more to you: You don't want to mistrust Artemis. She seems kind, and nice, and she gives good hugs. So you'll trust her.
[X] E
[X] Be persuasive: "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention. And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
"Two in harmony surpass one in perfection."
"So, which of the five exits are you going to leave by?"
Artemis blinks at your blunt question. "I- What do you mean?"
"There are five separate places I would use when I was going outside to play. I know where they all are. Do you?"
"…I… do not, no. It was dark, and I didn't want to light a torch for fear of being seen."
Oh yeah, humans didn't have very good vision in darkness, did they? All the more reason for you to go along! "Well, it's a good thing that I'm here to help you, then!" you say cheerfully. "This is my home: I know it well. I know how to get us out of here without attracting attention." Artemis starts to open her mouth, but you continue quickly. "And don't underestimate my magic: I am very good at it."
The human takes a deep breath. "Ryza, I'm touched that you want to help. Truly, I am. It speaks well of your character that your first instinct is to try and give aid to those you feel need it." She sighs. "But Ryza, I… I can't take that risk. I can't put you in harm's way to save myself."
"Well it's a good thing that you're not doing that, isn't it Lady Artemis," you shoot back. "I'm putting myself in harm's way to save you."
"But you're still a child, Ryza." Artemis counters. "You're young and don't know what you're getting yourself into. I have to be the responsible one." She looks around. "Beside, how sure are you that you'll be able to find your way after spirits' only know how long this place has deteriorated? I barely recognized the door I came in as a door: who knows how many of the others you remember are still there?"
Right, Artemis had mentioned that your home seemed run down. Still… "Maybe one or two of them," you say, "but still, my being there gives you more information than you had before. More than the people who are after you do. Besides," you continue with sudden inspiration. "They don't know about me! They're just going to be expecting you, so they'll probably be searching in groups that would be able to stop you, but with me things will go better."
Artemis leans back; finally, finally looking thoughtful rather than fearful. You press your advantage. "Besides, you're going to be helping me as much as I'm helping you. I have no idea where to go, what to do once I get off this mountain. You can tell me where I should go; that way we both win."
The human studies you quietly, her thoughts clearly racing. Putting out your best puppy eyes, you stare back at her, hoping that she'll see reason.
"You make some good points, Ryza," Artemis said finally. You force yourself not to cheer: another victory for facts and logic! "However…" she sighs. "… Let's make a deal, okay? We'll go together, just like you want. We'll do everything we can to avoid trouble. If we make it out, I'll bring you back to my home, and I'll make sure there's a place for you." She takes a breath. "However… if we do run into trouble, I want you to run. Run, keep going, and I'll lead them away. Go east, down the mountains, and you'll find people who can help you." She offers her hand. "Do we have an agreement, Ryza?"
Well, it's better than before, but still… "Counteroffer," you say. "If we run into trouble that we can't get out of, I'll do as you say." Not that you actually have any intention of leaving her, not after Father's letter said that you'd chosen her to help you, but you can tell she needed some concession from you. Besides, there aren't many things a dragon can't get out of, so you aren't worried.
Artemis's lips twists into a wry smile. "You strike a hard bargain, and I get the feeling you're playing fast and loose with honesty," she says. "But… you also make a good point. Very well, against my better judgement, I'll allow this." Kneeling down, she places her hands on your shoulders and looks into your eyes. "But promise me, Ryza. Promise me that you'll keep yourself safe. Remember, they don't want to hurt me too badly. You have no such protection."
You nod. "I will, Lady Artemis."
"Thank you." Artemis says, rising to her feet. "Now, let's figure out how to get out of this place."
You move over to the other side of the alter, closing your eyes for a moment as you focus on your magic. A few seconds later, soft arcs of lightning start to spread from your fingers, forming a rough map. "Good idea," you say. "Now, where did you come in."
Artemis doesn't answer immediately, and when you look at her you see she's staring at your lightning with that strange, half-confused-half-suspicious look on her face. When she notices you looking, she shakes her head and shrugs. "I'm not really sure," she said. "It was too dark to see anything; I was just feeling my way along." She closes her eyes, her brow furrowed in thought. "It was… a wide door, I think. At least three times my width, maybe more, though how much of that was damage and how much was intentional I don't know. I think there was an open area just inside: I was following the wall but I made a few turns quickly…" She shakes her head. "Whatever it was, we shouldn't use it: they probably followed me right to it."
You nod. "I guess that makes sense," you say, marking the front door and entrance hall off with some lighting. "And we can probably forget the balcony door at the peak as well; you need to be able to fly to get anywhere from there." You point to the remaining three doors. "That leaves us with these three: they're pretty small, not sure why Father and Mother had them, but hopefully they're still there."
Artemis studies the map for a few seconds. "How accurate is this?"
"I have a good memory, and I lived here all my life, so it's pretty good."
She starts to point to one of the doors, only to pull her finger back with a yelp when it gets too close to the lightning and a bit arcs out before you can tame it. "Ow! Shi…oooot," she mutters.
"Sorry!" you say. "Sorry, I forgot that could hurt you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," she says, sucking on the finger briefly before giving you a reassuring smile. "I had worse when I was learning to use my bow." The frown comes back. "But… are you not hurt by lightning?"
"Not my own," you say, running your hand through your map to demonstrate. "And not by Father's either, though that did tickle a bit. You were saying?"
She shook her head. "Right, right," though you got the feeling she was filing that piece of information for in the back of her mind some reason. "As I was about to say; I think we should skip this one," she carefully points to one of the doors. "It's pretty close to the front entrance, if they spread out in a search pattern, they've probably already found it." She glanced around before grabbing one of her arrows and pointing carefully at another exit. "This one looks okay: there's this narrow passage you have marked leading to it, they might have missed that. Of course, it might have collapsed…"
"But it's the best shot we have," you finish. "Okay, that sounds good. I can get us there from here."
"Alright," Artemis says before glancing at the box. "I don't know how long it will be before we can return here. If there's anything in that box that you cannot live without, make sure to take it now." She straightened up. "However, I give my word: if we make it safely back to my father, I will see to it that this place is restored to you. My oath upon it."
"Thank you, Lady Artemis," you say. "But we need to focus on getting out of here safely." You look around. "I've spent my entire life here: I can be away from it for a bit. It'll be an adventure!"
Giggling, Artemis reaches out and ruffles your hair. "That's the spirit, Ryza," she says. "Now gather your things; I'll make sure there's nobody right outside." She turns and heads over to press her ear against the wall, leaving you with your box of treasures. After some thought, you realize that, in addition to enough food to last you a week and some extra clothes, you have room for about six more objects.
What do you bring with you? (Vote for as many as you want, top six will be chosen)
[] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
[] Extra Food: You don't know how long it will be before you fid someplace with food, you should probably be prepared.
[] Gemstones, Gold and Silver: These precious materials will be invaluable if you want to make runes like your father's. You'll have to learn how first, of course.
[] Good Clothes: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [] Beyond your Stone: A Guide to Practical Magic
- [] On Humans: Cousins or Parasites?
- [] From Dragon to Manakete: A History of our People
- [] Runewrighting: Making Magical Masterpieces
- [] A Mother's Wisdom: Words from the First Mother
- [] Beast, Bird and Monster
- [] A Traveler's Guide to the Tribal Lands
- [] The Dragon Within: How to get along with yours
[] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
- [] Thunder's Cry: An enhancer for lightning magic, your specialty. With this, you'll be able to do a lot more damage with lightning.
- [] Firecall: An enhancer for the Red tribe's fire magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser fire magic.
- [] Hurricane: An enhancer for the Green tribe's wind magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser wind magic.
- [] Mother's Hymn: An enhancer for the White tribe's light magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser light magic.
- [] Dark Shroud: An enhancer for the Black tribe's shadow magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser shadow magic.
After puzzling your way through what you were going to bring, Artemis beckons you over. "Alright, I think we're clear," she says. "We should go."
"Right," you say, forcing the flap of the backpack closed before putting it on with an oof. It was heavier than you thought it was going to be.
Artemis frowns. "Do you want me to carry that?"
"No, I'll be fine," you say. "You need to be able to use your bow." You throw your cloak around you: there wasn't enough space in the backpack to fit it and you didn't want to leave it behind. Quickly feeling your pocket to make sure your dragonstone was still there, you nod firmly. "I'm ready, let's go!"
The human studies you for a second. "Ryza… I'm sure I know what your answer is going to be, but please think about it anyways: you don't have to come. Just by giving me a place to rest, you've done more than enough to help. I won't think any less of you if you want to stay."
"Maybe you won't think less of me," you say. "But I'll think less of me. Father and Mother always said that you should help people who help you. You woke me up. Therefore, I need to help you."
"I see you won't be dissuaded," she says softly. "Just…stay close. They have to be careful if I'm nearby; they don't want to hit me. Don't leave my side."
You nod. "Okay."
With that, the two of you make your way to the wall. Placing your hand on it, you are able to find the faint trickle of your own magic. This time, you don't even need your stone: the wall recognizes you and teleports away at your touch. Stepping out, you look around in the dim light from the fading runes.
It… actually doesn't look that much different than you remember. Maybe a bit of rubble scattered around, certainly more dust, but from what Artemis had been saying you'd expected boulders to be scattered everywhere. "Alright," you say, reaching back through the gap, reactivating it and yanking your hand out before the wall can return. "I know the way. Follow me."
"Be sure to keep your light low," Artemis whispered as darkness fell over you both.
"We might not need it," you say, looking around. "I can see well enough."
"…what?" Artemis says, staring at a point half a foot to your left.
"I mean, I can't see everything, but so long as we move slowly we'll be fine. That means we'll be able to listen for any sort of trouble." [5,4 + 2]
Artemis pauses for a moment before sighing. "I… guess that makes sense. Lead the way, Ryza."
Gently, your reach out and pull her hand to your shoulder. "Stay close. I'll get us out of here." With those, the two of you take your first steps on your journey together. [4, 6]
The further you walk; the more things change. You can see claw marks and scorches on the wall, rubble strewing the floor. Stale, deathly air hangs like a fog, assaulting your nose and making you want to gag. You shudder as you remember the roars and shrieks you heard that day, that day which had just passed yesterday from your perspective. You see faceless dragons in your mind's eye, stalking through the halls, blood on their teeth and hatred in their hearts. You're scared, you tremble, you want light and Father and Mother…
However, despite this, your steps remain true. Artemis is relying you, your parents' sacrifice hangs upon your ability to endure this trial.
You will not let any of them down!
Gently but firmly, you guide Artemis through the darkness, ignoring your own fears and pain. You step over and around fallen pillars, work your way around blocked paths, and doggedly continue on your path towards salvation. You will make it out, you will help your friend, you will find a new home. Mother guide you, you will survive!
Suddenly, Artemis tightens her grip on your shoulder. "Stop, do you see that?" she breaths.
As you peer ahead, you realize that the hall ahead is a tiny bit brighter than what had come before, enough that Artemis's human eyes must have picked it up. You mentally check your map: you're still deep within your home: there's no way that's natural light. Besides, you can't smell any fresh air.
That could only mean that the bad men after Artemis were ahead of you. Perking your ears, you listen.
"… what I'm going to do to that highborn bitch when I get my hands on her!"
A male voice. Rough, angry. Footsteps: booted, heavy, though there were some lighter ones as well. The scrape of metal against stone.
You look up at Artemis, who glances in your vague direction. Anger and fear are warring on her face as she grits her teeth.
"We should-
[] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
[] confront them. I don't think there's more than two, maybe three. We can take them by surprise."
AN: I mentioned at the beginning that I might make some rolls in the background to give myself some randomness to work with/around. I am doing that, so know that not everything is preordained.
[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[X] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
- [X] Thunder's Cry: An enhancer for lightning magic, your specialty. With this, you'll be able to do a lot more damage with lightning.
[X] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
[X] Extra Food: You don't know how long it will be before you fid someplace with food, you should probably be prepared.
[X] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [X] Runewrighting: Making Magical Masterpieces
[X] Gemstones, Gold and Silver: These precious materials will be invaluable if you want to make runes like your father's. You'll have to learn how first, of course.
[X] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[X] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
- [X] Thunder's Cry: An enhancer for lightning magic, your specialty. With this, you'll be able to do a lot more damage with lightning.
-[X]Mother's Hymn: An enhancer for the White tribe's light magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser light magic.
[X] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
[X] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [x] The Dragon Within: How to get along with yours
[x] Extra Food: You don't know how long it will be before you fid someplace with food, you should probably be prepared
[x] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
I'm going to make a plan vote. The basic goal is the ability to progress one of Ryza's skills (her magic) and exist safely. Certain items are more likely to be looted before Ryza's return than others (the precious gems especially), and those are also taken.
Two tablets are taken because they are not likely to exist anywhere else. Wind is taken in addition to lightning, as it might synergize with Ryza's flight, but shadow magic is also a feasible alternative in my eyes, for the purposes of stealth, which is immediately and generally useful.
e - I've decided to prefer shadow magic over wind, since Hurricane sounds a bit too violent for the flight-related uses I was imagining, while Dark Shroud sounds like the exact thing I wanted out of shadow magic, utility to supplement Ryza's lightning.
The scroll could be either Dragon Within or Runewrighting, IMO. I've leaned towards Runewrighting, as Ryza was visibly excited to find it, and we're bringing the gemstones anyway. Beyond your Stone is also feasible, since it's one of the scrolls we know Ryza hasn't read, and it's...well, practical. Very practical.
e - Practical is practical. Hard to beat practical. Masterpieces are all well and good but they are undoubtedly very expensive, both in time and effort, and the simpler things are probably more achievable and useful to Ryza in the immediate future.
Ryza is not a waif and I don't think she would appreciate being treated as a refugee because she had only rags. Always carry additional clothing while traveling, anyway, as a simple matter of avoiding becoming sick from wet.
Minor sentimentality in the form of the Blanket. This could be ditched in favor of another scroll, which would be very convenient for providing Ryza with both achievable and stretch goals in her magic, but...A good blanket never is amiss.
[X] Plan Practical Magic Focus
-[X] Gemstones, Gold and Silver: These precious materials will be invaluable if you want to make runes like your father's. You'll have to learn how first, of course.
-[X] Thunder's Cry: An enhancer for lightning magic, your specialty. With this, you'll be able to do a lot more damage with lightning.
-[X] Dark Shroud: An enhancer for the Black tribe's shadow magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser shadow magic.
-[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
-[X] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
-[X] Beyond your Stone: A Guide to Practical Magic
[X] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
Fighting is very very loud, even in short bursts, and in enclosed spaces sound travels very far and is easy to directionally pinpoint.
[X] Gemstones, Gold and Silver: These precious materials will be invaluable if you want to make runes like your father's. You'll have to learn how first, of course.
[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[X] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [X] Beyond your Stone: A Guide to Practical Magic
- [X]Runewrighting: Making Magical Masterpieces
- [X]The Dragon Within: How to get along with yours
[X] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
- [X] Thunder's Cry: An enhancer for lightning magic, your specialty. With this, you'll be able to do a lot more damage with lightning.
[X] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
[X] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[X] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [X] Beyond your Stone: A Guide to Practical Magic
- [X] Runewrighting: Making Magical Masterpieces
- [X] The Dragon Within: How to get along with yours
[X] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
-[X] Dark Shroud: An enhancer for the Black tribe's shadow magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser shadow magic.
[X] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
Scroll Choice Explanation: Dragon Within seems very useful for the inevitability of using our dragon form and not losing control. I'm hoping that Guide to Practical Magic is able to provide Ryza with some more general purpose spells. My only concern is what passed as "practical magic" at the time of writing, but between Ryza's magical aptitude and thoughtfulness hopefully she can work out some good ideas from it even if the exact text isn't as helpful. Last slot was the toughest for me but I finally went with Runes to hopefully help Ryza learn how to make them in the future. Obviously the downside is the inventory limit here is preventing this loadout from taking the gems for an easy source of them but hopefully by the time we actually learn how we find some elsewhere. Artemis is a noble so in theory she might be able to acquire a few for our use though I suspect that probably won't be an option given her family situation seems to have become a lot more precarious.
Now, originally I took Food for more survival purposes and left the tablets alone... but the fact that they are probably unique is appealing, and then I also realized there's some potential synergy I hadn't thought of at first glance. They're covered in runes. Taken together with the Rune scroll it may provide a kind of reference material and ultimately maybe something Ryza can try to reverse engineer as a longer-term project. With that in mind, I went with Shadow because it sounds stealthy and that's often useful and because if we can ever reach a reverse-engineer level of ability, Ryza can probably make a rudimentary Thunder one for herself further down the line. Or maybe not and my plans will turn to ash later on. Really wish I had a seventh slot now for the Gems but ugh, really don't want to drop anything else now.
[X] Blanket: You don't know how long it'll take you to get to Artemis's home, you'll want to be warm. Besides, Mother made it.
[X] Good Cloths: You find a few extra outfits in the chest, and one of them looks far more finely made than most of what you wear. If you ever want to make a good impression, this might be useful.
[X] Scrolls: Large rolls of parchment with informational texts. You already know what a lot of them of them say, but a few stand out as being about topics you're less knowledgeable about.
- [X] Beyond your Stone: A Guide to Practical Magic
- [X] Runewrighting: Making Magical Masterpieces
- [X] The Dragon Within: How to get along with yours
[X] Tablets: Typically used to aid in spellcasting, these stone tablets have been carved with runes. You can also use these to help you learn new magic, though that will take time.
-[X] Dark Shroud: An enhancer for the Black tribe's shadow magic. You were never trained in this, but with this you could probably use lesser shadow magic.
[X] go around. You said we should try to avoid trouble, and I think I know how to get us around that corridor safely."
