You stepped out of your car and instinctively adjusted your tie, the crisp air biting slightly as you straightened your jacket. A sudden meeting of the cult was rarely a good sign, especially with an Endbringer attack predicted to occur sometime this month. It wasn't a certainty, of course, but the three-month pattern had held steady for as long as anyone could remember. That looming possibility weighed heavily on your mind as you approached the bar.
The place was empty, a stark contrast to its usual low hum of background noise. Jane was behind the counter, her usual infectious grin in place as she teased Anatoly, whose stony face remained unreadable. She caught sight of you entering and waved you over a little too cheerfully for the circumstances.
"And the spooky man arrives!" Jane crowed, raising a glass of water like it was a celebratory shot. Predictably, the water sloshed over the rim and splashed onto the counter, earning a frown from Anatoly as he wiped it up with his ever-present small towel.
"Greetings. This is a sudden meeting," you noted, taking a seat at the counter, keeping your hands far from Jane's increasingly wet counter.
"It sure is, Captain Obvious," Jane snarked, hopping from her stool to the one next to you, her drink somehow managing to stay intact as she leaned on your shoulder. "So, what do you think's got the Master all yappin' today?" she asked, her voice flippant as usual, though you caught the faint tremor beneath her words. It was always there, hidden just under her irreverent tone.
"Most likely the upcoming attack," you replied dryly, causing a visible wince among your fellow cult members. Nobody liked talking about Endbringers. It was a morbid topic.
"That's a morbid topic to bring up," a soft voice cut in, making you flinch slightly. You turned your head slowly to see Ai seated beside you. She had appeared so silently, her presence nearly invisible until she spoke. Jane, on the other hand, fell off her stool with a dramatic thud, groaning exaggeratedly on the floor.
You glanced down at Jane, quickly assessing that she wasn't hurt, just playing it up. Shifting your focus back to Ai, you saw a very slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Perhaps," you conceded, "but it's a valid concern."
Ai shrugged, sipping from her glass, clearly unbothered by the conversation. You knew better than to press the issue, and instead, you settled into a patient silence, waiting for the others to arrive.
It wasn't long before Arch strolled in, waving as he made his way toward the bar. He gave you an almost hesitant pat on the shoulder, his touch lighter than usual. You nodded in greeting, grateful that your shoulder had healed enough for it not to matter.
"Afternoon. How's it going?" Arch asked, stepping over Jane's prone form as she sprang back to life, causing him to stumble and catch himself on the counter. He shot her an annoyed glare, but Jane just laughed, settling back into her seat with a smirk as she downed her drink.
"Acceptable," you replied evenly.
"Boring," Jane chimed in, rolling her eyes. "Just waiting for the pants-wetting terror from the little slip upstairs," she added with a grin, making the rest of the group exchange weary glances. Jane's quirks had long since become part of the group's dynamic, even if they sometimes frayed nerves.
Anatoly, who had been quietly wiping down the counter, suddenly stopped, his head tilting slightly. "Come. The meeting starts now," he announced, already heading toward the stairs that led to the upper room.
You all followed him, climbing the stairs into the meeting space where the Master waited. As you entered, you noticed her posture—more sedate than usual. That nagging sense you'd had the last time you saw her, the one where her presence didn't feel quite as overwhelming, returned. She wasn't as terrifying as she once was, but that didn't stop the faint tingle of fear from creeping along your spine. The power she wielded was still there, even if it had dimmed slightly.
The Master turned from the window, her gaze sweeping over the room as everyone took their seats in a loose circle. She began pacing, her steps slow and deliberate, and though she wasn't as overtly fearsome, the tension in the room thickened with each passing second.
"An Endbringer will attack soon," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. The words hung in the air, grim but expected. The possibility of an Endbringer attack was always there, looming like a dark cloud, but hearing it confirmed still sent a ripple of unease through the group.
"We are moving too slowly," she growled, her voice deepening in frustration. The warning bells in your mind rang louder as her pacing quickened. "Doors are closing, and we must act faster," she continued, her voice rising with urgency, though not quite reaching a shout. Still, the intensity in her tone was enough to make your skin prickle.
"Jane," she snapped, turning to the woman beside you, "I expect our members ready. Induct them in the basics of rituals."
Jane nodded, her usual bravado faltering for just a moment under the Master's gaze.
"Ai, the mayor must be under your thrall. No exceptions," she ordered, her tone brooking no disobedience. Ai blinked once, a slow, deliberate acknowledgment that seemed to satisfy the Master.
She prowled behind Arch next, her presence looming as she spoke. "You will understand a ritual. I will personally teach you," she said, her words laced with a strange intensity. Arch nodded, though you noticed the slight tremor in his hands as he gripped his knees.
"Anatoly," she said, turning to the stoic man, "find us a place. Make sure no one is watching."
Anatoly nodded, his face as impassive as ever, like it had been carved from stone.
Then the Master approached you, her steps silent but the air around her crackling with tension. You felt your muscles tighten involuntarily as she neared, your heart pounding in your chest.
"Michael," she growled into your ear, her voice low and predatory. "Look into how their durability works. Have men ready to fight."
You nodded stiffly, your throat dry, unwilling to trust your voice to respond. The Master lingered for a moment longer, her presence pressing down on you before she turned away, her gaze drifting back to the window and the midday sun outside.
"Dismissed," she said with a casual wave of her hand, and the group quickly filed out, moving with purpose but not quite fleeing from her presence.
"Well..." Jane began, trailing off as she struggled to find the right words for the tension hanging in the air.
"I... I'm heading home. Got some research to do," Arch stammered, clearly still shaken as he hurried down the stairs. You followed after him, keeping pace as he made his way to the parking lot.
"Get some rest," you advised, your tone steady but offering a quiet reassurance.
Arch gave you a weak smile. "Thanks. It's just... a lot, you know?"
"Yes, but you are talented," you replied, watching as some of the tension left his shoulders.
"I hope so," he muttered before shaking his head, offering a brief pat on your arm. "You get some rest, too, alright?"
"I will."
"Good," Arch said before climbing into his car. You watched him drive away, standing alone for a moment before turning back to your own vehicle.
It was going to be a busy month.
Please observe a one hour moratorium before voting
Vote by plan
You have 3 months until the cult reconvenes, it would be a very good idea for you to have gained at least some understanding of Endbringer durability and some form of combatants are ready.
Possible Actions: You have 4 Actions each month, more can be gained by spending less time at work.
Current Funds: 444
Income: 100 Funds/Month
[] On work and the challenges it entails.
-[] Leviathan has drowned Saint Petersburg, all hands on deck! (Lose one action this turn. +20 Funds this month. Default pick)
-[] You've got sick days, use them (Gain one extra action, will be noticed by your direct superior, and you will likely be called out on it.)
-[] Something has come up and you'll be out of the office for a week (Gain two extra actions, will be noticed by the Director although the response is not known)
-[] You can't even step foot in the office this month (Gain three extra actions, you will be demanded to explain yourself.)
[] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
-[] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[] Tail her, keep an eye on what she does (Doing this yourself will be less effective then sending somebody else)
-[] Go see Gunsmith, try and pry out anything he knows about her
-[] Keep an eye open and stay on guard (This will make it harder for Alicja to assault, spy on you, etc)
-[] Do something about her, talk to her, trick her, hurt her (Write in your objective)
[] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties.)
-[] You'll stay and work longer hours
-[] You'll put the work in and bust a few gang operations
-[] There are capes out on the streets, you'll put them behind bars
-[] Request some help from Ai, she'll do her best to make sure Carol isn't fit to do her job
[] On the goal. (All of the following options are suspicious. This only applies if you are caught)
-[] Do some research, watch some tapes of the fighting (No suspicion)
-[] Ask around, start seeing what folks know (No suspicion)
-[] Dig into the files, take a peek at confidential information (Major suspicion)
-[] Ask the returning Heroes some questions, see what they learned (No suspicion)
[] On furthering the cause.
-[] Train the fodder, get them up to snuff
-[] Search out the talented, teach them Edge
-[] Build up the loyalty of the cult, ensure they'll listen to you if need be
-[] Assist somebody else in their task
--[] Arch, the Loremaster
---[] Arch is always in need of funds for his books (Write in the amount you'll give him, must be at least 50 Funds. Does not cost an Action)
---[] Arch could use some money for items he may find (Write in the amount you'll give him, must be at least 100 Funds. Does not cost an Action)
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Items and strange artifacts, go search for them. They could be useful
[] On learning the Lores.
-[] Search for books
--[] In the local libraries and bookstores
--[] Stranger and more hidden places
--[] Online, from places abroad (Will cost 10 Funds per book in shipping)
-[] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
--[] What lore? (Write in, she is willing to teach all Lores, except Heart, up to level 2. You will gain 1 scrap of that lore)
-[] The cult's library has a few texts, go read up on them
--[] The manuscript on Heart (You will gain 1 scrap of Heart)
--[] The manuscript on Lantern (You will gain 1 scrap of Lantern)
--[] The manuscript on Forge (You will gain 1 scrap of Forge)
--[] The manuscript on Secret Histories (You will gain 1 scrap of Secret Histories)
-[] You've got your own books now, just read them
--[] Write in (Pick two books, can have been bought this turn)
[] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
-[] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Write in Lore, the first cast is a Free Action)
[] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
-[] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
--[] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
-[] Climb higher, Glory awaits
[] On matters outside the cult.
-[] Spend time with somebody
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Get to know somebody
--[] Who? (Write in, somebody from work, a low level person inside the cult, a random joe on the street etc)
[] Something else? (Write in, must be approved by QM)