Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

13th January 2011

---

Danny and Taylor stood at the edge of the water, looking out at the half-sunken ship that would become their base of operations. The ship was large, its hull partially submerged in the water, with the upper decks still intact. It was the perfect blend of concealment and accessibility, hidden from notice but easily reachable by boat.

As they waded through the shallow water towards the ship, Danny couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This would be their secret hideout.

Once they reached the container ship, they climbed aboard and began to explore. The wheelhouse was dark and musty, with water pooling in the inclined areas. The ship had clearly been abandoned for some time, but it was surprisingly intact. There were several rooms that could be repurposed for their needs, including a large cargo hold that could serve as a training area.

As they made their way through the ship, Taylor's bugs scouted ahead, ensuring that there were no unwanted guests. Danny was impressed by her control over the insects, marveling at how she could see through their eyes and command them with such precision.

As they explored, they found that the interior of the ship was in remarkably good shape, with many of the rooms still furnished and relatively dry. It was clear that the ship had been abandoned in a hurry, but it seemed like it had been well-maintained before that.

They explored the ship from top to bottom, finding several rooms that would be perfect for their needs. There was a large common area that could serve as a meeting room, as well as several smaller rooms that could be used for storage or sleeping quarters. They even found a kitchen that was still stocked with supplies like pots and pans, though most of the food had long since rotted.

As they continued to explore, they discovered that only around 25% of the hull was damaged. The rest of it was in surprisingly good condition, with the potential to be restored to its former glory.

FOUND: Ship Hull mostly Intact and very sturdy. You can patch the holes and pump the water out to fully float the ship.

When entering the ship's cargo hold, they were hit with a pervasive smell of decay. A single step and they found the source of the odor, the ship's cargo hold was filled with rotting crates and barrels. It seemed that whatever the ship had been carrying had been left to spoil long ago.

Danny and Taylor exchanged worried looks. Cleaning out the cargo hold would be a massive undertaking. They would need to remove all the rotten cargo, clean and disinfect the area, and then dispose of the waste. It was a daunting task, but one that was necessary if they wanted to use the ship as their base.

FOUND: Rotten Cargo. Cleaning is required if you do not want to get infected with something nasty. At least Taylor can get rid of the pests but the rotting cargo is up to you.

As Danny and Taylor ventured into the engine room, they were met with a disheartening sight. The room was in a state of severe disrepair, with rust covering most of the machinery and large sections of the floor and walls crumbling away.

Taylor frowned, examining the damage. "This is going to take a lot of work to fix," she said, her voice echoing in the empty room.

Danny nodded, his expression grave. "Yeah, it looks like most of the equipment is beyond salvage. We'll need to strip it all out and start from scratch."

FOUND: Engines are a total write off. But hey, you can rebuild it. Better...stronger...faster. You have the Charms, or you would if you trained it.

Continuing their explorations, Danny and Taylor were pleasantly surprised to find that the electrical systems were in much better condition than they had expected. The wiring was mostly intact, with only a few areas where repairs would be needed.

Taylor grinned as she inspected the wiring. "This is great!."

Danny nodded, his expression one of relief. "Yeah, it looks like most of the damage is superficial. We'll need to replace some of the corroded wiring and clean up the connections, but overall, it's in good shape."

They spent the next hour carefully repairing the damaged wiring with the supplies found in the ship's hold, taking care to ensure that everything was done safely and correctly.

By the time they were finished, the electrical systems were functioning perfectly. Plugging the local area into a power generator they found and filled with fuel, the lights flickered to life briefly before Danny pulled the switch.

Danny and Taylor stood back, admiring their handiwork. "It's amazing what a little elbow grease can do," Taylor said, a smile on her face.

Danny nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Yeah, it is."

FOUND: Ships electrical systems repaired and now functional. You still need to pump out the lower decks before it would be completely safe.

As they continued to explore the partly sunken ship, Taylor noticed a group of crabs and other aquatic crustaceans scuttling along the seabed nearby. A thought occurred to her, and she focused her attention on the creatures, extending her control over them.

With a mental command, Taylor directed the crabs to investigate the sunken areas of the ship. The crustaceans moved with surprising agility, their sharp claws clicking against the metal hull as they explored the damaged sections.

Taylor's control over the creatures was precise, and she guided them carefully through the tight spaces and debris-filled corridors of the sunken parts of the ship. The crabs' natural instincts helped them navigate the dark and murky waters, and they soon reached the damaged sections of the ship.

To Taylor's delight, the damage was less severe than they had initially thought. The hull was intact in many areas, with only minor breaches that could be easily repaired. The crabs reported back to Taylor, relaying images of the damage through her insect senses.

Excited by the discovery, Taylor called the crabs back to her side. As they scuttled towards her, she turned to Danny, a smile of satisfaction on her face. "The damage isn't as bad as we thought. With some repairs, we should be able to make this ship seaworthy again."

FOUND: The Underwater sections are not badly damaged but will take a lot of repair to fix.

As Danny stood on the deck of the half-sunken ship, the Voice spoke up suddenly.

"You must journey into your inner world, Daniel," the Voice intoned. "Within the Sanctum lies the reagents that will allow you to shape the physical world as you desire." The voice paused.

"The ship can be a valuable asset, however" the Voice continued. "With your power as a Chosen, you can instead use two magic reagents to claim it as part of your inner world. This will allow you to use your right as the Lord of the Land to control and repair it. If destroyed, you can summon it back, improvements and all, whenever you need it."

Claiming the ship instead of the land seemed like a more practical choice, especially considering their limited resources.

Danny considered the proposition. The ship could serve as a mobile base of operations, providing them with a secure and hidden location to plan their next moves. It would also give them access to the sea, opening up new possibilities for travel and exploration.

Danny hesitated, unsure of what he might find within his own mind. "Is traveling to the Sanctum safe?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty., deciding to defer the choice till later.

"Indeed Daniel. The Sanctum is a reflection of your true self. It is a place of power and safety," the Voice reassured him.

Danny considered the Voice's suggestion. "Is it safe to bring Taylor into my inner world? I can't leave her alone." he asked, voicing his concern.

The Voice responded with a reassuring tone, "As long as you are there to guide her, she will be safe."

Danny glanced at Taylor, who was watching him with a mixture of curiosity and trust. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of responsibility for her well-being. "Taylor, do you trust me?" he asked.

Taylor nodded, her expression unwavering. "I trust you, Dad. If it's important, then I'm ready," she replied, her voice filled with determination.

CHOICE: You gain Essence (2) Magic Universal Reagents per Month from your Sanctum.

[] You can use one of them to claim the land that the ship is on.
-[] Bring Taylor with you to claim the reagent. (This is a chance to explore the Worldsoul for a bit)
-[] Do not bring Taylor with you. (This is a time skip)

[] Claim the ship instead and the land later. Uses both Magic reagents for the month. Normally you need 3 Magic reagents but as a Defiler, you can use two.

(This means that the ship counts as part of your inner world and you can use Lord of the Land to control and repair it. If destroyed, it can be summoned back, improvements and all)
-[] Bring Taylor with you to claim the reagent. (This is a chance to explore the Worldsoul for a bit)
-[] Do not bring Taylor with you. (This is a time skip)

13th January 2011

---

They did not know what to expect, when traveling to Danny's Worldsoul, but a blinding light enveloping them was not it. When it faded, they found themselves standing in a vast, otherworldly landscape. The sky above them was a swirling mass of colored clouds, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to pulse with energy.

"What... where are we?" Taylor asked, her voice filled with fear and confusion.

"We're in my Worldsoul," Danny replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I've never been here before, not for long."

As they looked around, they saw that they were surrounded by towering structures that seemed to be made of brass and basalt. Strange creatures flitted about in the distance, and the air was filled with a faint, otherworldly music.

"I think we should try to find a way out of here," Taylor said, her voice echoing in the strange landscape. "I don't think we belong here."

Danny shook his head, his eyes scanning the horizon. "This is my World. As long as you are with me, nothing will harm you. Let's see if we can find someone or something that can help us."

As they began to explore, they encountered all manner of strange sights and sounds.They saw rivers of flowing light, forests of shimmering energy, and mountains that seemed to reach up to the very sky itself.

In the distance, covering the horizon, lay a vast and sprawling fortress, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The fortress was a marvel of architecture, with towering buildings made of shimmering crystal and gleaming brass. It was gigantic and its gates were made primarily of basalt.

Taylor could not help but exclaim excitedly how its walls stretched up into the sky and how it had towers that reached even higher. Danny instinctively knew that the fortress was the seat of his power, the place where he could command the forces of his Worldsoul.

Surrounding the fortress were various factories and workshops, where countless workers toiled day and night to produce the goods that Danny needed to sustain his Worldsoul. The factories were vast and sprawling, with smokestacks belching out clouds of steam and machinery clanking and whirring.The streets were lined with strange and exotic plants. The air was filled with the sound of machinery and the smell of industry, and everywhere they looked, there were demons going about their business.

As Danny took a single step, the ground beneath him quaked, sending ripples of power through the Worldsoul. The demons, who had been bustling about their tasks, immediately stopped and turned towards him, their eyes wide with awe and reverence.

The demons erupted into cheers, rushing towards Danny and Taylor with joyous abandon. They surrounded them, cheering and chanting his name, their loyalty unwavering.

Suddenly, a carriage appeared before them. It was a magnificent sight to behold, crafted from gleaming brass and adorned with intricate basalt carvings. It was a work of art, with every detail meticulously crafted to perfection. The wheels were massive and sturdy, made to withstand the rough combat. The sides of the chariot were decorated with intricate designs depicting scenes of battle and triumph, a testament to the power and glory of the Lord of the Land.

The demons pulling the carriage were just as impressive. They stood tall and proud, by the Chariot, a team of six majestic demons with fiery red eyes and obsidian-black scales. The demons moved with a grace that belied their size, their muscles rippling beneath their skin as they pulled the chariot effortlessly across the Worldsoul. They bowed before Danny and Taylor, indicating that they were to climb aboard.

Taylor hesitated but with a gentle nod from Danny, they walked towards it. As Danny and Taylor climbed into the chariot, they were greeted with cheers and applause from the surrounding demons. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation. With a flick of the reins, Danny signaled to the demons, and the chariot lurched forward, carrying them towards their destination with speed and purpose.

This close to the demons, Danny and Taylor found just how formidable they truly were. Their massive forms towering over the landscape even as they harnessed themselves to the chariot. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly fire, and their sharp claws dug into the ground as they prepared to pull the chariot.

With a powerful heave, the demons began to move, their muscles straining against the weight of the chariot. Despite their size, they moved with the same surprising speed and agility as before, their movements synchronized as they pulled the chariot forward. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the air was filled with the sound of their heavy breathing and the creaking of the chariot's wheels.

As they pulled the chariot across the Worldsoul, the demons let out a series of deep, rumbling growls, a sound that seemed to echo across the landscape. It was a sound of power and determination, a testament to the demons' strength and loyalty to their master. And as they continued on their journey, their growls grew louder, filling the air with a sense of awe and reverence for these powerful creatures.

As they rode through the streets, the crowds of demons grew thicker and louder. They cheered and waved banners, their excitement palpable. Danny and Taylor were filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the spectacle unfolding around them.

Finally, the carriage arrived at its destination: the gates of the gigantic fortress. As they entered the fortress, they were greeted by a throng of demons, all of them cheering and applauding. At the center of the fortress, on a raised platform, stood the Demon King, a massive statue of Danny with horns and wings that blotted out the sky.

As the cheers of the demons filled the air, Danny felt a surge of power within him. With a deep breath, he embraced his demon form, his body transforming into a cloaked figure radiating a powerful aura.

Raising his arms, Danny focused his will on the sky above. With a gesture, he commanded the clouds to part, revealing the green sun that hung in the sky. The light of the sun bathed the fortress in an otherworldly glow, casting no shadows and illuminating every detail.

He then raised his hands, channeling his authority as the Lord of the Land and immediately, the ground beneath his feet trembled as the landscape began to shift and change.

Mountains rose and fell, rivers diverted their courses, and forests grew and receded at his command. Danny shaped the Worldsoul according to his will, creating new valleys, lakes, and plains. He even crafted a series of hidden tunnels and passages, ensuring that only those he trusted could navigate them.

When he was done, Danny surveyed his work with satisfaction. The Worldsoul had been reshaped.

The demons around him gasped in awe at the display of power. As the demons cheered, Danny turned to their leader, a towering figure with sharp horns and a regal demeanor.

Taylor gazed out at the transformed landscape, her eyes wide with wonder. "What did you just do, Dad?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.

Danny smiled. "I'm the 'Lord of the Land'," he explained. "In here? I am the king, and I can shape this place as I want to."

Taylor looked at him, her expression unreadable. "So, you're like a god here?" she asked, her voice tinged with emotion.

"In a way, yes," Danny replied, not noticing this. "But I'm still your dad, and you'll always be my little girl."

Taylor nodded, but said nothing else. Danny then turned to the assembled demons.

"Take us to my Sanctum," Danny commanded, his voice carrying authority and power.

The demon bowed deeply. "As you command."

With a wave of its hand, the carriage took off. He knew that in order to claim the magic reagent needed to fully claim the ship as their hideout, he would need to enter his Sanctum within the Worldsoul. However, the journey to the Sanctum was a long and arduous one, requiring them to travel through the vast expanse of the fortress, a journey measured in hours.

But then Danny remembered something the Voice had told him – as the Lord of the Land, he had the power to shape more than just the physical world as he desired. With a focused thought, Danny exerted his authority over the Worldsoul, commanding it to bend to his will. Instantly, the space between them and the Sanctum began to shrink, the vast distance collapsing in on itself until they were mere steps away from their destination.

Taylor looked around in complete disbelief as the landscape shifted and changed around them, the once distant Sanctum now looming large in front of them. Danny smiled, satisfied with his display of power. With a gesture, he commanded the demons to stop, and they came to a halt in front of the grand entrance to the Sanctum.

As they disembarked from the chariot, Danny turned to Taylor. "Welcome to my Sanctum," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

They walked up to the gates, which opened before them. As Danny and Taylor stepped into the divine sanctum, they were greeted with the sight of a vast, sprawling space that seemed to stretch on infinitely, filled with all manner of wonders and mysteries.

They first found themselves in a grand hall, adorned with intricate carvings and ancient tapestries that depicted scenes of great battles and heroic deeds. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft glow of mystical runes illuminated the space, casting long shadows on the walls.

As they explored further, they came across chambers filled with pictures and drawings of strange artifacts and relics from worlds long forgotten. There were descriptions of weapons of unimaginable power, armor that gleamed with an otherworldly light, and books that seemed to whisper secrets of the universe.

But perhaps the most awe-inspiring sight was the central chamber of the sanctum. Here, at the heart of the divine realm, stood a massive, pulsating crystal that seemed to contain the very essence of the Worldsoul. Danny knew that this crystal was the source of what he was here for, the key to his ability to shape the physical world.

As they approached the crystal, Danny could feel its energy coursing through him, filling him with a sense of purpose and strength.

He turned to Taylor. "We have what we came for," he said. "Now, let's go claim our new hideout." And with that, they left the sanctum, ready to embark on the next chapter of their journey.

---

CHOICE: You are claiming the Ship as a part of the Worldsoul. You get one special ability listed below. So choose 1.

[] Restoration: The ability to completely regenerate mundane ship supplies and all ship damage at no cost. This would also restore the engine room and the fuel bunkers as well as apply to any tinker tech and artifact upgrades.

[] Dimensional Anchoring: This ability would allow the ship to anchor itself in a pocket dimension, making it undetectable and unreachable by conventional means.

[] Teleportation: The ship could have the ability to teleport to different locations, providing a quick escape or allowing it to move to a more advantageous position.

[] Shape-shifting: The ability to transform into different forms, such as a land vehicle or even a building, allowing it to blend into urban environments and avoid detection.

[] Levitation or Hovering: The ability to hover above the ground, allowing it to move over land without needing wheels or tracks. This could also provide the advantage of being able to bypass obstacles and rough terrain.

[] Weather Manipulation: The ability to control the weather to provide cover during escape or create advantageous conditions for the ship's activities.

[] Energy Absorption and Redirection: The ability to absorb energy attacks and use that energy to power its systems or as a weapon against enemies.

[] Memory Manipulation: The ability to alter the memories of those who come into contact with it, erasing any knowledge of its existence or activities.

[] Time Dilation: The ability to manipulate time within the ship, allowing for reduction of time for Workings and Craft actions in the ship by one Interval. (Decade to Year to Month to Week to Day to Hour to Minute to Second)

These choices are not mutually exclusive. You can choose the other options later, once you have relevant magic reagents. Or wait till the month end to get more Magic universal reagents.