Fractured Fantasy: A CK2 Style Final Fantasy quest

You hired Shadow.
[Shadow joins as a guest for 6 Months.]
[Costs 3 Funds]

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Try Getting Closer To The Returners (Alfyn)

DC: 60
D100= 48+ 21+ 10 (Flower of the Slums)+ 27= 106
Success!

---

"Why would we need a country hick in the Returners? Uh, no offense," The Returner Agent was dressed as nondescript as possible, shapeless clothes and a bandanna covering most of his face. What you could see was scarred.

"Fair question." Alfyn brushed the mild insult off. "See, I'm an Apothecary, I make medicine, bandage people up, and it's not my forte but I've cut up a few monsters before. And that's before getting into all my friends."

"That's really great and all, but… this is The Empire kid. Killers, conquerors, and a few butchers, I'm sure. There's a reason we hide, giving the Empire a fight is a good way to die."

"Well, it's true. I don't like fighting people. Because I hate to see people get hurt. But that's why I want to help you. If half the stories I've heard are true, the empire leaves a long trail of hurt people behind it."

The old Returner huffed dismissively. "What use is a salve maker against an army?"

"Dunno. What use is a soldier against an infection?" Alfyn softly rebuked. "Look, I don't see what the problem is. The Empire hurts people, and I heal people. It's simple, isn't it?"

"... I suppose it is." The Returner sighed and relented. "Fine, but I better not regret this."

"Great! So uh, is there anything you need me for?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Hey, it's not all cloak and dagger or daring escapades. Half the time we're just keeping an eye on things, watching the signs, and making sure they get to the right people."

"Huh. Well, make sure you share those signs with me, alright? Oh, and it's alright if my friends join too, right?"

"Wha- We're a rebellion! Not a club!"

[He didn't say no though…]
[From now on, the Returners will share information about The Gesthalian Empire's movements. They may also request your faction's assistance, or aid you in turn.]

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Open A Store (Agnea)

DC: 60
D100= 44+ 16+ 15+11 (Entreat)= 86
Success!

---

The plan was pretty simple in concept. But a lot harder to execute in practice. Not because any individual step was difficult, just because of the sheer volume of things that had to be done.

First, you had to get a building, which was quick and painless (aside from the pain of emptying your wallet.) The process of converting the now-empty building into a shop wasn't quick and painless. You needed counters, tables, shelves, rugs, and a few other things. Not only to make it comfortable, but also to make it look respectable and professional.

Agnea proved surprisingly helpful in this stage. She had experience helping out around her hometown, and while setting up for a festival wasn't quite the same thing, it did take a lot of the same skills.

When you weren't helping set up the shop itself, you were helping Alfyn make products to stock those shelves with. It was a lighter load than what Alfyn had to make for Clan Centurio, and between the two of you, it wasn't so bad. It did put a bit of a strain on your garden, though.

There were a few things you still needed to figure out, like staffing for when you were away. Right now, you and your friends will have to take turns watching the store while you look for a trustworthy manager.

Still, by the end of the month, you had a small but rather professional-looking shop and a game plan for opening day. You'd run the actual shop, and Agnea would walk around with samples, enticing people into giving the shop a try.

There was just one final little hurdle for you to solve.

What to name it?

[Cost 6 Funds]
[The name of the shop will be up for a vote.]
[Aerith's Shop will produce 2 Funds of passive income per turn. It can also later be upgraded to increase fund generation and add other benefits.]

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Look For The Thief (Shadow)

D100= 70+ 17+ 30= 117
DC: 110/90
Success!

---

The early steps of the investigation were easy enough. The spent shells and arrows in the waterway painted a clear path, where they broke into the palace and then broke out. From there, you found the exit that spilled out into the desert…

And then the investigation became awful.

Most people have no idea how hard it is to find tracks or evidence in any environment. Forests are bad enough, all the foliage and plant life make searching difficult by obscuring vision and covering up clues. Swamps might be the worst, the mud and silt making it alarmingly easy to hide anything smaller than a Magitek armor by simply burying it.

Deserts are a close second for one simple reason: sand.

Sand can be blown around to cover or uncover almost anything. While not hard to remove from an object it's covering, finding the object itself might be nearly impossible.

On top of that… what were you even looking for? A thief who could look like just about anyone? A camp hidden somewhere in the desert? Spent bullets from an utterly generic weapon sold in Dalmasca's shops?

But it's the mission you were given, so you devoted yourself to combing the desert day after day. And eventually, you were lucky enough to find something.

Hidden behind one of the rocky crags of the Dalmascan sands was an airship anchor, a massive metal spear impaled into the rock, with a massive chain trailing up and up and up towards… nothing.

Or rather, what appeared to be nothing. It was impossible to see more than the shape of it, a shimmering silhouette that hid all the details. You wouldn't have seen it at all if it weren't for the chain.

The hidden airship was about as suspicious as it gets, but since it wasn't in a proper dock… how to get into it? It was hovering far above any of the rock formations or dunes, so there was nothing to… climb…

You looked at the chain again. Experimentally, you put your hand inside the loop and tried to grab it. The chain was too big for you to close your hand around an individual chain link, but you could grab the top half and pull yourself up.

Not safe, not at all. But since when was your line of work safe?

You started your long climb up the chain. In some ways, it was easier than what you normally climbed. A castle wall or mountain would have smaller, more irregular handholds, while the chain had then in an extremely regular pattern. On the other hand, the chain was dangling several hundred feet in the air, at an angle, with a loose enough connection that it shifted slightly with every step.

If you slipped, you would die, so you paid careful attention to the chain as you slowly worked your way up. Once you were close enough the shimmering effect around the ship was weak enough for you to see the outline. Finally, you grab onto the side and haul yourself up-

And come face to face with Balthier, smirking as he levels a gun at your head.

"Quite a novel turn of events, being invaded by a man I sought to hire. In different circumstances, I may have welcomed you onto this ship."

You stand frozen, hands itching to reach for your dagger, but you were certain Balthier could shoot long before you could strike.

"I assure you, I have no intention of using violence, unless provoked. I'm sure we can settle this like civilized folks. Weapons away?"

"You first."

"Hardly in a position to make demands." Despite his words, Balthier set the pistol down and motioned for you to do the same. You slowly drew your daggers and placed them on the floor. As long as he doesn't notice-

"Shuriken too."

Damn. You drop them as well. After giving you a once-over to make sure you're properly disarmed, Balthier stepped to the side and motioned for Fran to lower her bow. You didn't even see her.

"Now… let's talk."

---

To make a long, flowery, overly verbose story short, Balthier admitted to stealing a 'certain item' from the palace. Of course, a Sky Pirate would never willingly return their bounty, but he was amenable to a trade of sorts. In neutral territory, he had no desire to be drawn and quartered.

Upon receiving this news, Ashe immediately attempted to storm the airship, but by the time she arrived, Balthier had moved on.

[Ashe is not happy about the results, but is glad for a name and an update.]
[Balthier has slipped away…]

---

Visit Padarak

DC: None
D100= 11+ 11= 22
Success

---

Padarak was a very odd kingdom, in a charming way.

For starters, it was quite small. The entire kingdom inside the walls was about the size of one of Dalmasca's districts, or perhaps a sector in Midgar. It was in semi medieval style, with a huge castle at the back, a vast stone wall around every building, several empty plots where more buildings would no doubt be built, and stone roads connecting it all. On the other hand, they had streetlamps which seemed awfully advanced for a kingdom that, as far as you know, didn't have electricity. Maybe they were magic?

A gleaming blue crystal sat near the front of the castle, but it wasn't one of The Eight Crystals. You couldn't feel any elemental properties when you walked past it, but it still felt… calming.

Padarak also contained an eclectic mix of different peoples: the human-looking Clavat, the miniature Lilty, the slender Selkie, and the… Yuki. Who appeared to be animated suits of armor? Or wearing armor?

Best not to question it too much.

The community seemed tight-knit, but inviting. Once you left the caravan and walked into the city, it seemed like everyone wanted to chat with you.

"Let me be the first to say welcome to Padarak!"

"Hey, are you enjoying Padarak so far?"

"Nice to meet you, miss."

"Hello traveler, where are you from?"

"I've been trying a new type of pastry, would you like to try one? Oh, put the Gil away, it's on the house!"

'Everyone seems really nice here.' You expected to get a single pastry, not a cloth bundle with a dozen inside. You'll take the rest back to the others, but you do want to try one so you sit down at a nearby bench and people watch as you munch on your sample.

It's delicious, by the way.

The majority of people here were just normal citizens, but every so often you saw someone armed for combat walking by. They moved in groups of four, and everyone seemed to give them respectful nods and pats on the back. Were they soldiers or hunters?

"May I sit here?" You look down to see a kid with blonde hair and an apple shaped hairpin standing to one side of the bench. You nod and slide to the side, allowing him to clamber into the seat.

He sighs in relief and leans back against the bench. He has his own little pouch with him, with cookies instead of pastries. "Thanks traveler. Are you enjoying Padarak?"

"I am. Everyone has been really welcoming, the whole city seems cozy, and I got a free sample from the bakery. Padarak must be a nice place to live."

"Thanks, we try to be welcoming." The kid smiles and chomps happily at his cookies. But before long you hear the distant ring of a bell. Not from a clock tower, but from the castle.

"… Oh! I lost track of time." He hopped to his feet and brushed the crumbs off his shorts. After a moment of consideration, he shoved the rest of the cookies into your hands. "Have a good day miss!"

"Wait-" but he's already sprinting off, leaving you with more baked goods than you know what to do with.

'Can't say I've ever had a problem with people being too generous before.' You smile and put your goodies away. Enough sightseeing, time to look for what could be useful.

---

A lot, as it turned out.

Padarak has several weapon and armor shops, strategically located next to training grounds for their adventurers. Most of them were fairly standard fare, but you couldn't help but feel your eyes being drawn to a fancy sword with a wave pattern on it, or an axe with intricate runes on the head. You would have looked closer, but... You were broke.

The training areas were also pretty significant. On top of the standard building where people trained with weapons, there were schools dedicated to the understanding of black and white magic, though they were less of a full school with a curriculum and more like a place for mages to gather and practice. The gaming hall seemed to be Setzer's speed, but you weren't all that interested.

You are about to quit exploring for the day when you notice a crowd gathering. They seemed excited about something, and on a whim, you followed them. What seems like a hundred people are all standing around one of the kingdom's empty plots, eyes drawn to a figure standing apart from the rest.

A small figure with a bright red crown and cape is tapping a finger against his chin, seemingly considering something. After a moment, he makes up his mind and snaps his finger.

Blue light erupts from the empty space, chunks of wood and stone seeming to appear from nowhere and swirling together like a miniature tornado. But somehow, each and every piece ends up exactly where it's supposed to.

When the spell ends, a Dalmascan-style building sits comfortably in the space between the others, out of place in style but looking as if it had stood there for centuries. A Dalmascan from the crown stumbles forward, looking stunned at how quickly it had been done.

The little figure turns and makes a theatrical bow as the people gathered clap enthusiastically and welcome their new neighbor. But you are a little preoccupied by a different realization.

'... I got gifted a cookie by a king.'

[Actions related to Padarak are now available.]
[King Leo's Trait Revealed: Architekt: The unique power of King Leo, a magic spell that allows the king to instantly create buildings by spending the stored power within Padarak's Crystal.[Rather than paying the resource cost for a construction-type action, King Leo can substitute energy from Padarak's Crystal. Any action performed this way counts as a Personal Action, not a Faction Action. The amount of energy taken is based on the normal cost and difficulty of the construction project.]

---

Visit Lostime (Aerith)

D100= 65

You were a bit nervous. It was okay to be nervous, right? Last time you met one of your old friends they didn't recognize you, but surely Barret would know you on sight. Surely he would be happy to see you...

[To Be Continued...]

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Read About Dalmascan Folklore (Alfyn)

D100= 70

The elderly Nu Mou had the air of someone who lived and breathed every tale about Dalmasca's divinity. But rather than preaching like a Cleric she talked like a Scholar, like it wasn't enough to know the stories, she had to know the meanings behind them too.

She managed to talk you into a bit of a cultural exchange, where each of you would trade stories back and forth. You had a book from the library, but honestly talking about it seemed way more fun than just reading about it.

So you told her a few inspiring tales about Dohtor, and one or two about the other gods. You weren't as well-versed in most of them, but Dohtor was your second biggest inspiration and hero. The first of course, was the man who saved your life as a child. Sorry Dohtor, but that unnamed man would always be your favorite pick.

Satisfied by your offering, the Nu Mou told you the tale of the Age of Gods, a period in Ivalice that far predated written history. It was said that incredibly powerful, omniscient beings ruled over Ivalice, carefully controlling and curating the world to keep it safe and healthy. But while there were stories of their greatness and leadership, there were also stories of their cruelty.

The tale of the Espers was one such story. Each Esper was born and crafted for a specific role, a duty that had to be done. They were blessed with strength and intellect, power both physical and magical beyond that of what mortals were capable of. Because of this strength and capability, they became proud and rebellious.

Enraged by this betrayal, the gods cast them to earth and branded them each with a curse. They will never know the freedom that they sought, as they would only live when summoned and shackled to the will of another. It's said they prowl in places where the mist is strong, waiting for someone to claim them…

Or to kill a would-be summoner.

She told you a bit about the individual espers, but their stories were fragmented and incomplete. The one that stuck with you the most was Cúchulainn, created to capture the filth and pestilence of the world. But in the end, it was too much, the being became a twisted fountain of disease. He is said to be armed with a scorpion tail and a bloated body full of toxins too foul to purify.

… Didn't Freya say the monster in the waterway left venom-filled puncture wounds?

[Learned about Ivalice's Espers]
[The monster in the Waterway. Could it be Cúchulainn?]

---

Catch Up With Zidane (Freya)

D100= 31

"I guess I'm just glad we were all so close to each other," Zidane confessed, before sipping his ale. "I'd have been fine on my own, but Cinna wouldn't."

You made a non-committal hum, well aware that Zidane being on his own would have troubled the thief. Though his comment about Tantalus's engineer wasn't without merit.

"I have similar feelings about Cleyra. I could have ended up a continent away, but instead I arrived within the same region."

"Dagger and Rusty ended up a bit further away, with Shinra. Close enough for us to find them, though. Hey… do you know if Alexandria followed us?" Zidane asked, uncharacteristically serious.

"I can't say for certain, but I would think if Alexandria was here, the army of black mages would follow."

"Yeah, if they were up to anything, we would have heard." He reassured himself.

"Have you heard anything about the rest of our companions? Vivi and Quina?"

Zidane shook his head. "Sorry, but no. I'm not worried about Quina, they can handle themselves. Vivi though…"

You sighed and took another drink. Vivi wasn't defenseless, but he was a bit naive. If someone tricked him or tried to exploit him, the poor kid would be hard pressed to spot it.

"I'll keep an eye out for him." You promise.

"Thanks, Freya. I'll do the same." It occurred to you that Zidane was actually quite good company when he wasn't flirting up a storm.

Naturally, he ruined it a few minutes later by hitting on the waitress.

[Vivi and Quina… where did they end up?]

---

Meet Aerith's Friends (Agnea)

D100= 83

"We met briefly at the festival in Cleyra, but let me introduce myself properly. I'm Agnea Bristarni!" You stick out your hand.

"Freya Crescent, I was surprised to see a human performing one of our traditional dances. You did well, though." Freya shook your hand, which you couldn't help but notice was warm and fuzzy, despite the rather large claws.

"Alfyn Greengrass, nice to meet you Agnea!" Alfyn was next, giving your hand an enthusiastic shake. Now that you're close enough to look at his bag and jacket, they look familiar…

"You're an apothecary?"

"Sure am! Follower of Dohtor and all." He smiled broadly.

"You can probably tell, but I follow Sealticge myself."

"Sure can, you're a mighty fine dancer Agnea."

"Oh gosh, thank you! But I'm only starting really, I've got a long way to go."

"Hey, since you're both here, do y'all want to hit the pub with me? It'll be fun, I promise!"

"I don't really drink…" You've had alcohol before but it was always kinda nasty.

"That's fine, it's not really about the booze, it's about the atmosphere, the experience!"

"Alfyn, every week you spend half your coin purse on visits to the nearest inn, bar, or pub." The apothecary laughed sheepishly but didn't deny the accusation. "… it does sound nice though, I will join you. What about you Agnea?"

You weren't used to being in a bar when you weren't performing, but it did sound pretty nice…

"Sure"

Like all friendships, it started from something small.

[But it could grow quite large indeed…]

---

Adventure Prep: The Siege of Traverse Town (Freya)

"I've run blockades before, but I can't say I've ever done it against a swarm of creatures," Setzer said conversationally as he gave the Blackjack some routine maintenance.

"There's a first time for everything. Will the Blackjack be up to it?"

"Hah, you're looking at one of the fastest ships ever built. I can't say it will be painless, but she'll get us through."

"Good." You were put in charge of preparing for the trip, but to be honest there wasn't much to do. There was no money left to buy supplies with, though thankfully, your current stock wasn't so bad.

You tried to go over battle tactics in your head, but there just wasn't enough information on the Shadows for you to make an informed decision. You heard they were dangerous, that they were highly resistant to physical strikes, and that they swarmed quite viciously. Outside of that, you were basically flying blind.

So the only real questions left were who to bring, and if you wanted to call in the favor Clan Centurio owes you.

---

Party Composition: Combatants (Pick up to 4)

[ ] Aerith
[ ] Alfyn
[ ] Freya
[ ] Agnea
[ ] Shadow
[ ] Setzer

Take the Others With You?

[ ] Yes: The Blackjack might not have enough room for everyone to fight, but you'll be going into a Siege after this, and might need all hands on deck. [The characters not chosen as combatants will also come along as support.]
[ ] No: It'll be dangerous. Like, really dangerous. Coming along at all means taking a huge risk. [The characters not chosen as combatants will stay home. Note that even if this option is chosen, Setzer has to fly the ship]

Cash in Clan Centurio's Favor?

[ ] Yes: A cadre of professional monster hunters might be exactly what you need for this. [Clan Centurio will send some Clan Hunters along with you.]
[ ] No: You've heard before that these creatures are resistant to normal weapons and techniques. Clan Centuro might be tough, but can they really handle this? [Save the favor for later]

---

As usual, there will be a 24-hour Moratorium before the vote opens. Use this time to plan and discuss.

Oh and, while the shop's name isn't officially up for a vote, I'd be happy to see what you can come up with. If a name gets a particular amount of attention or praise, I'll use it. Otherwise, I'll pick my favorite from the lot.
Also, sorry it took me so long. Xenoblade X was calling me.