The path to Lady Mylissa's manor was serene as you approached, your mind preoccupied with plans to spend some time with Ashley. Today seemed as good a day as any, and the tranquil surroundings only heightened your anticipation. Yet, the quiet was broken by an unsettling sound, one that made your skin prickle in response.
The hairs on the back of your neck rose instinctively. The sound—sporadic, sputtering—was unfamiliar, yet unmistakably mechanical. Within the borders of Lady Mylissa's estate, where even mundane devices such as a phone were kept to the minimum, such noises were rare and, frankly, concerning.
Trouble within these grounds would no doubt be met with swift consequence, but you couldn't help but be alert as you moved closer to investigate. As your gaze lifted toward the sky, the source of the disturbance became clear: a small plane descending toward the manor's front lawn.
The plane was compact, not much larger than a vessel designed to ferry ten at most. Its shaky, jerking descent sent a jolt of tension through you. Even without any real knowledge of aviation, it was obvious that the pilot was having some difficulty keeping the craft under control. It wasn't a catastrophic fall, but it was headed for a rough landing.
You watched, heart pounding just a little faster, as the plane struck the earth, its tires bouncing violently against the grass. The impact tore up clods of dirt and grass, sending them flying in all directions. You expected worse—perhaps the plane would flip or spin out of control. Instead, it shuddered to a stop, remarkably intact, though the force of the landing had clearly taken its toll.
Dismas was the first to exit, his broad grin shining under a set of flight goggles that he casually lifted onto his forehead. You could almost hear the carefree chuckle that likely accompanied his grin as he swaggered forward, clearly unfazed by the chaos he'd just brought down onto Lady Mylissa's yard.
Delilah, however, was less fortunate. She stumbled out of the opposite side of the plane, clutching her stomach and looking decidedly worse for wear. Her complexion was pallid, and she appeared on the verge of losing her lunch.
Your concern instantly shifted toward her, approaching quickly as she dry-heaved onto the grass. "Are you alright?" you asked, your tone gentle despite the oddness of the situation. Her only response was a weak, irritated gesture—a middle finger flashed in your direction, accompanied by a glare that clearly communicated she was in no mood for conversation. With a sigh, you turned your attention to Dismas, who, in typical fashion, looked utterly unperturbed by the whole affair.
"We didn't have time to deal with all that red tape," he explained breezily, not waiting for you to ask. "So, we bought the plane, and I figured I'd teach myself how to fly it. Not bad for a first attempt, right?"
The sheer nonchalance in his voice as he confessed to being completely untrained was almost admirable in its audacity. You blinked at him, processing the implications of what he'd just admitted. Piloting without proper experience? Here, of all places? The potential for disaster seemed far too real, but Dismas remained unbothered, his lazy grin never faltering. It was clear that safety, for him, was more of an afterthought than a priority.
Still, it wasn't the time to lecture him, so instead, you allowed a slight smirk to tug at the corner of your lips and gave him a playful clap on the shoulder. "Maybe get a bit more practice in before your next stunt. Some of us have weaker stomachs than you do."
He chuckled, his carefree attitude unwavering as Delilah finally straightened up, wiping her mouth and casting him a venomous glare. "You'd better learn to fly that thing properly," she spat, her words sharp with frustration.
Dismas raised his hands in mock surrender, stepping back a pace as if to pacify her. "Don't worry," he said with a grin. "We've got a few months to go before we need to take off again. By then, I'll be a pro."
Delilah rolled her eyes in exasperation, stalking off toward the manor without another word, clearly done with the conversation. Dismas only laughed softly, following her lead with an easygoing stride.
"I would recommend apologizing to Lady Mylissa; you did tear up the lawn," you said, following behind him. Dismas looked back and winced, sucking air through his teeth as if that hadn't even crossed his mind.
"That's a good point," he said as he hustled towards the manor, overtaking Delilah in haste to ensure he got there before Ava. Her interpretation of what he did would be much harsher than Dismas', so him getting their first would be much better for him.
With a sigh, you continued towards the manor. That was a strange interruption, but you had already planned to spend today with Ashley and wouldn't let that interrupt you. Although you would be chatting with him later about the plane if nothing else.
A small plane has been acquired for the cult's uses, kept in the bounds of Lady Mylissa's manor. It reduces the base cost of Medium and Long Expeditions by 3, however you can only take up to 8 people on Expeditions this way.
A Lantern and Grail manuscript have been added to the library.
Sol has learnt more, he is now a Disciple.
Please observe a two hour moratorium. Vote by plan
Possible Actions: You have 4 Actions each month; more can be gained by spending less time at work.
You have access to three extra Actions due to your summons and Confidantes, please mark which actions you are having them do.
-Charlotte
-Sun Spark (Bindings decay at the end of Turn 14)
-Baldomerian (Bindings decay at the end of Turn 15)
Remember that you have Attention of the Laws, a Free Action that doubles your Application bonus for a single Lore on a single Action
You will be going on an expedition at the end of Turn 18, The Haustorium, which will cost you 3 Actions that Turn. You will only be responsible for the costs of anybody you bring beyond the inner circle (Assuming you bring nobody, you will pay nothing). Your task is to prepare for this dangerous expedition, you have great leeway in how you go about this.
Current Funds: 425
Income: 60 Funds/Month
-[] You are injured (You currently have one wound. You'll make three rolls at +20 against a DC of 70. You must select one of the below)
--[] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)d
--[] Take a break here and there (Costs one action, roll four recovery dice. +20/+20/+20/+5)
--[] Sit down, take time to care for yourself (Costs two actions, roll five recovery dice +20/+20/+20/+5/-10)
--[] You're near death, you have to slow down (Costs three actions, roll six recovery dice +20/+20/+20/+5/-10/-25)
--[] Even breathing hurts, you'll just use your mind (Costs three actions, roll seven recovery dice +20/+20/+20/+5/-10/-25/-40)
---[] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
---[] The medicine is dark black, it's easy to think you've been poisoned (Costs 30 Funds, one recovery dice will automatically succeed)
---[] A touch here and there of something a bit stronger (Costs 60 Funds, two recovery dice will automatically succeed)
---[] A stay at home nurse, to tend to your wounds and the more unpleasant tasks they require (Costs 90 Funds, three recovery dice will automatically succeed)
---[] His services don't come cheap and his silence is even more expensive (Costs 120 Funds, four recovery dice will automatically succeed)
---[] Potions may sound like fantasy, but this kind of healing comes with power (Costs 150 Funds, five recovery dice will automatically succeed)
-[] On work and the people you preach to.
--[] You'll pray and preach as you have been told to (Gain no extra actions, reduce any worry raised by taking time off, default)
--[] You'll end a few minutes early, nobody will know of course (Gain an extra action)
--[] It is simply a busy month, you'll still be spending plenty of time preaching though (Gain two extra actions, will not be noticed if not done often.)
--[] There's been a problem, one that requires time off (Gain three extra actions, a few people may notice.)
--[] The doors shall be closed, the church will be empty (Gain four extra actions, people will check up on you.)
-[] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[] Search out a Ritual
--[] Research a Ritual
---[] What Lore? (Write in)
--[] Create a Ritual
--[] Search the White Plane for summonable creatures
--[] Search the Desolate Stairways for summonable creatures
--[] Gather supplies
---[] For which ritual? (Write in)
--[] Acquire supplies and tools to aid your research
-[] On furthering the cause.
--[] Assist somebody else in their task
---[] Ava is working on raising money for the cult, why not aid your own expertise?
---[] Charlotte is getting around, ensuring that those who are in town are fanatically loyal, why not lend your face and reputation?
---[] Sol is collecting more scraps of information and Lore for the cult, why not stop by and help him out?
---[] Dismas is learning how to fly a plane, you may not be able to offer much but a second set of eyes should be helpful.
---[] Delilah is stockpiling more mundane supplies. Bandages, tinned cans of meat and such. You could always lend a hand.
--[] Items and strange artifacts, go search for them. They could be useful
---[] Take money from the Discretionary Reserve (Write in)
-[] 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)
--[] From the Cult's very own library (Gain 1 scrap of the chosen Lore)
---[] Forge
--[] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[] What lore? (Write in, she is willing to teach all Lores, up to level four)
-[] Cast a Ritual
--[] What ritual are you casting? (Write in)
-[] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[] The Woods
---[] Return to that ancient, ruined temple and Aunt Mopsy who dwells within
---[] Travel the Wax Melted Trail, perhaps you could learn something else
---[] Descend down into the Luster Drowned Well (Mansus Expedition)
---[] Wander about, see if you can't find those brief pockets of power or scare reagents
--[] The White Plane
---[] Head back to the Lodge of the Sage Knight and Baldomerian who dwells within She is your home, no need to head into the Mansus to talk to her
---[] Return to the Ivory Spires and that splintered moon Requires a Secret Histories Sacrament
---[] Cut through the Overgrown Orchard once again, there may be more to see
---[] In a place as empty as this there is always more to explore, so keep at it
--[] The Desolate Stairways
---[] Return to the Shattered Staircase and dread Coelle who lays impaled upon the summit
---[] Attempt to sail the Painted Ocean once more and commune with those strange sailors
---[] Try and make your way past the barrier
---[] This place is perilous but at the same time there has to be things tucked away. Head up and down the stairs, searching for whatever you can find
--[] Upward, to Glory You must explore at least 2 places in the Desolate Stairways first. 1/2 Explored
-[] On Charlotte, and her aid (These are actions exclusive to Charlotte)
--[] She should double down on increasing local loyalty
-[] On Good Baldomerian and her brilliance (These are actions exclusive to Baldomerian)
--[] Learn from her (Gain a scrap of Lore)
---[] Lantern
---[] Secret Histories
--[] Channel an Influence (You will gain an Influence in the chosen Lore at max level for the entire turn)
---[] Lantern
---[] Secret Histories
--[] She should enjoy herself, spend some money on something she find interesting
---[] How many funds? (Write in, at least 100)
-[] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[] Prepare a plan for somebody, granting them a single reroll
---[] Who? (Write in)
--[] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[] On matters outside the cult.
--[] Spend time with somebody
---[] Who? (Write in)
--[] Get to know somebody
---[] Who? (Write in, one of your parishioners, a low level person inside the cult, a random joe on the street etc)
--[] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
--[] Talk to Charlotte about hope, about the future, about what might be (Will transform her into a minion. Only available while you are under the effects of An Incarnadescence) You are not under the effects of An Incarnadescence
-[] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
--[] Guide her through the cult's library (Will not require a roll) The library must have Edge 3
--[] Teach her about the Lores yourself You must have Edge 3
-[] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[] Licit has been asking around, trying to dig up information about just what went down with Edict and how she died. It may be best to head him off.
-[] Something else? (Write in, must be approved by QM)