Yeah, but she is "inactive" and "not a player" in the matters of the greater world. I understand not wanting to poke a Name of the Nowhere Hour, but from a doylist perspective she won't do anything bad to us. It would simply not make sense for her to insta-kill us or have her do something else bad to us just by coming there.
Because we have Heritage of the Wheel, I consider going to the Temple a priority. I believe we will progress, or get a way to progress said heritage if we'll go there.
Alright, I have made the changes, let's see if the tally will play nice now.
Adhoc vote count started by Talon TigerDino on Mar 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM, finished with 47 posts and 13 votes.
[X] Plan Summon Spamming While Edge Nabbing
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)d
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] There's been a problem, one that requires time off (Gain three extra actions, a few people may notice.)
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge) X2
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark X2
-[X] On Charlotte, and her aid (These are actions exclusive to Charlotte)
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Good Baldomerian and her brilliance (These are actions exclusive to Baldomerian)
--[X] Also Summon a Dappled Wing
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
[X] Plan: Creating a cure
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual (Ask [Charlotte] for help)
--[X] Acquire supplies and tools to aid your research
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] From the Cult's very own library (Gain 1 scrap of the chosen Lore)
---[X] Forge
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] [Baldomerian] What ritual are you casting? (The Reflection of the Tapestry, Search for three circle ritual spot with a Lantern bonus)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] The Woods
---[X] Return to that ancient, ruined temple and Aunt Mopsy who dwells within
--[X] The Desolate Stairways
---[X] 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
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] Something else? (Go to The Boston Library)
[X] Plan: Sharpening the Blade
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] Edge (x2)
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] The Attention of the Laws (Heart)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark
--[X] (Charlotte) Summon a Dappled Wing
--[X] (Baldomerian) The Reflection of the Tapestry (Best method(s) to permanently increase our income substantially)
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
--[X] (Free) Alert the Inner Circle about the Gunpowder's Cradle and your desire to complete it to acquire a powerful artifact weapon to use at the Haustorium
-[X] On furthering the cause.
--[X] Take money from the Discretionary Reserve (50 Funds)
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Prepare a plan for somebody, granting them a single reroll
---[X] Emir
[X] Plan: Creating a cure - Artifact ver.
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual (Ask [Charlotte] for help)
--[X] Acquire supplies and tools to aid your research
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] [Baldomerian] What ritual are you casting? (The Reflection of the Tapestry, level 6 Forge weapon)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] The Woods
---[X] Return to that ancient, ruined temple and Aunt Mopsy who dwells within
--[X] The Desolate Stairways
---[X] 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
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Spend time with somebody
---[X] Who? (Sol)
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] Something else? (Go to The Boston Library)
[X]Plan: Prepare and summon
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual
---[X]Try to create a ritual for healing mental afflictions
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] Edge (x2)
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Spend time with somebody
---[X] Sol
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X]The Boston library expedition
-[X] On furthering the cause.
--[X] Take money from the Discretionary Reserve (50 Funds)
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] AotL, Knock
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
Winning Vote:
[X] Plan Summon Spamming While Edge Nabbing
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)d
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] There's been a problem, one that requires time off (Gain three extra actions, a few people may notice.)
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge) X2
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark X2
-[X] On Charlotte, and her aid (These are actions exclusive to Charlotte)
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Good Baldomerian and her brilliance (These are actions exclusive to Baldomerian)
--[X] Also Summon a Dappled Wing
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
Scheduled vote count started by Witherbrine26 on Mar 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM, finished with 49 posts and 14 votes.
[X] Plan Summon Spamming While Edge Nabbing
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)d
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] There's been a problem, one that requires time off (Gain three extra actions, a few people may notice.)
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge) X2
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark X2
-[X] On Charlotte, and her aid (These are actions exclusive to Charlotte)
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Good Baldomerian and her brilliance (These are actions exclusive to Baldomerian)
--[X] Also Summon a Dappled Wing
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
[X] Plan: Creating a cure
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual (Ask [Charlotte] for help)
--[X] Acquire supplies and tools to aid your research
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] From the Cult's very own library (Gain 1 scrap of the chosen Lore)
---[X] Forge
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] [Baldomerian] What ritual are you casting? (The Reflection of the Tapestry, Search for three circle ritual spot with a Lantern bonus)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] The Woods
---[X] Return to that ancient, ruined temple and Aunt Mopsy who dwells within
--[X] The Desolate Stairways
---[X] 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
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] Something else? (Go to The Boston Library)
[X] Plan: Sharpening the Blade
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] Edge (x2)
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] The Attention of the Laws (Heart)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark
--[X] (Charlotte) Summon a Dappled Wing
--[X] (Baldomerian) The Reflection of the Tapestry (Best method(s) to permanently increase our income substantially)
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
--[X] (Free) Alert the Inner Circle about the Gunpowder's Cradle and your desire to complete it to acquire a powerful artifact weapon to use at the Haustorium
-[X] On furthering the cause.
--[X] Take money from the Discretionary Reserve (50 Funds)
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Prepare a plan for somebody, granting them a single reroll
---[X] Emir
[X] Plan: Creating a cure - Artifact ver.
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual (Ask [Charlotte] for help)
--[X] Acquire supplies and tools to aid your research
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] [Baldomerian] What ritual are you casting? (The Reflection of the Tapestry, level 6 Forge weapon)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] The Woods
---[X] Return to that ancient, ruined temple and Aunt Mopsy who dwells within
--[X] The Desolate Stairways
---[X] 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
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Spend time with somebody
---[X] Who? (Sol)
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] Something else? (Go to The Boston Library)
[X]Plan: Prepare and summon
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] 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.)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals, and summoned creatures
--[X] Create a Ritual
---[X]Try to create a ritual for healing mental afflictions
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] Edge (x2)
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Spend time with somebody
---[X] Sol
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X]The Boston library expedition
-[X] On furthering the cause.
--[X] Take money from the Discretionary Reserve (50 Funds)
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] AotL, Knock
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
We could've asked a random mook to summon a Dappled WIng and they would have succeeded. We have a Lantern/SH Name and this is how we use her. This was an inefficient allocation of resources that didn't even have a narrative reason for it.
Well, the majority has spoken, I can only hope next voting turn will go better.
We could've asked a random mook to summon a Dappled WIng and they would have succeeded. We have a Lantern/SH Name and this is how we use her. This was an inefficient allocation of resources that didn't even have a narrative reason for it.
Show me where in the turn options we have a pool of Random Mook AP to draw on to do such a thing.
And your plans had her scrying for a 3 Circle Spot with a Lantern Bonus for summoning Sun Sparks when Emir already is guaranteed to summon Sun Sparks (barring nat 1s being auto-fails), or for increasing the odds of getting a max-level Lantern Influence when the Baldomerian can simply dispense a Max-Level Lantern Influence when asked. Or for scrying another Level 6 Artifact when we aren't even prepared for going after the first one. The Wings, in contrast, have more immediate utility, and can work for us while we do other things. They barely slow anything down. And the narrative reason is simple: Emir wants Artifacts for the high-difficulty Expeditions coming up to shore up those more... limited, in their Lores, and Dappled Wings have an option for nabbing such things on the cheap.
This card indicates someone in your life that is a pleasure to be around if they are on your side. If they are not, expect plenty of problems. They know just who to talk to open or close any door for you.
This card marks the starting steps of exploration, for now, you feel you need guidance in how to move forward. This will be useful for a time, but once your senses grow strong enough you won't need them. Leave them so someone else may start their journey. If anything, recognize that you are not alone in your explorations.
This card understands that change is a painful but unavoidable process. Where the previous card is one of being willing to lose an old identity, this one is a card that revels in the transformation. You gain so much in comparison to what is lost, and your desire to change is so intrinsic that you were never able to resist it. No pupa can keep themselves from turning into a moth.
This card recognizes that while something may be over, the remains of this thing can still be of use. Explore the possibilities if it will fuel your ambitions. If this is too horrific for you to consider, accept that it is gone and disturb it no more.
If I'm correct, I think the reading is primarily focused on the EDGE realization we're about to achieve. Considering the positioning of Change in relation to the cards around it, I believe that the realization will likely remove Emir's 'Frightened' debuff.
After the EDGE realization, I will make another reading for the Boston Library expedition specifically.
That would be the part where we can ask cult's adepts for help. With the Cadre's and Place's bonus, a Knock cultist will guarantee a Dappled Wing's summoning. But I concede that we likely can't ask for an entire extra AP.
And your plans had her scrying for a 3 Circle Spot with a Lantern Bonus for summoning Sun Sparks when Emir already is guaranteed to summon Sun Sparks (barring nat 1s being auto-fails), or for increasing the odds of getting a max-level Lantern Influence when the Baldomerian can simply dispense a Max-Level Lantern Influence when asked.
True, but I wish to note that having a way to guarantee calling Max-Level Lantern Influence means that Teresa doesn't need to give it, freeing her AP. The called Influence also last two turns, so it also frees up AP in general. We are going to use Lantern Influence in the near and far future, as we'll want to study the artifacts and high-level books we are going to get, so getting it was just a long-term investment.
In the end, we all want Emir to succeed, we just all see different ways on how to do that.
We can ask Teresa for CoI, we only need her personal Influence when we already have a Called one.
Though it still means we need to use her AP for the Influence once in two turns.
...I think we need more Social actions though, raise people to the level of Close Friends. This also has an effect of improving our Grail Realization about them, as far as I understand. Worked this way with Ashley, on the Friend level we had a vague direction, on the Close Friend we got a specific condition.
[X] Plan Summon Spamming While Edge Nabbing
-[X] 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)
--[X] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll three recovery dice. +20/+20/+20)d
---[X] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] There's been a problem, one that requires time off (Gain three extra actions, a few people may notice.)
-[X] On learning the Lores
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge) X2
-[X] Cast a Ritual
--[X] What ritual are you casting? (AotL, Knock)
--[X] Summon a Sun Spark X2
-[X] On Charlotte, and her aid (These are actions exclusive to Charlotte)
--[X] Summon a Dappled Wing[Charlotte]
-[X] On Good Baldomerian and her brilliance (These are actions exclusive to Baldomerian)
--[X] Also Summon a Dappled Wing
-[X] On Sun Sparks and their leadership (These are actions exclusive to Sun Sparks)
--[X] Work over the checkbooks, squeeze a bit more money from them
-[X] On matters outside the cult.
--[X] Talk to Baldomerian about the letter your other self? gave you
-[X] On helping and teaching Ashley
--[X] Continue to help Ashley control her powers
-[X] Something else?
--[X] Lead an expedition (The Boston Library)
Tension coiled within you, subtle but insistent, a persistent weight that had settled at the back of your mind since you entered Lady Mylissa's manor. There was no tangible reason for it, no immediate threat or cause for alarm.
You were here for a simple purpose—to learn more about Edge, and Lady Mylissa was always ready to offer her guidance. Yet, despite the familiar surroundings, a strange unease tugged at your nerves.
You hadn't even seen her yet, but the tension remained, a knot tightening just beneath your skin.
You exhaled softly, forcing a smile onto your lips, and rolled your shoulders in an attempt to dispel the nervous energy. Your limbs felt taut, your muscles stiff. A moment of focus and control, you reminded yourself, was all you needed.
With measured steps, you strode into the conservatory, your gaze immediately falling upon Lady Mylissa. She stood in elegant repose, her attention drawn to a small, delicate bee that had just landed on her outstretched finger.
"Ah, Emir," she said in that familiar, lilting tone, a hand resting gracefully behind her back as she turned to face you. The bee, undisturbed by her movement, lingered a moment longer before buzzing away, its wings fluttering past your ear. You flinched, the sound sharp in your mind, and for a fleeting moment, that tension spiked again.
Still, you smiled. "Lady Mylissa," you began, your voice steady despite the undercurrent of unease. "Would you mind teaching me about Edge?"
Her eyes—sharp, perceptive—scanned you, a faint smile touching her lips. It was the same kindly smile she so often wore, yet today, there was something different about it. Something that only heightened your tension, as if she could sense the restlessness in your posture and enjoyed it.
"Of course," she replied, her voice smooth as silk. She turned, her back straight as she strode from the conservatory without another glance your way. "Please, follow me."
There was nothing for it but to follow, her invitation more a command than a request. The sound of her footsteps echoed lightly through the hallways as you trailed behind, winding deeper into the manor's labyrinthine corridors. The air seemed to thicken as you walked, the quiet of the manor settling over you like a shroud.
Eventually, you arrived in a large, open chamber. The room felt isolated, untouched by time. Weapons of all shapes and sizes adorned the walls, gleaming in the soft light that filtered in from high windows. The floor was scuffed, worn from years of use, yet the space bore no sign of neglect. Not a single speck of dust marred its pristine condition.
"It has been some time since I last wielded a weapon," Lady Mylissa mused, her gaze drifting over the armaments as she approached the wall. With a slow, deliberate movement, she lifted a blade—a longsword, to your eyes—though in her hands, it appeared more akin to a short sword. The steel shimmered faintly, catching the light as she turned it in her grasp.
"What weapon would you prefer?" she asked, her eyes locking on yours as she gestured to the array of blades before you.
You stepped forward, scanning the weapons with a thoughtful hum. Swords of every variety lined the walls, though there were a few heavier weapons—maces, mauls—tucked among them. Still, it was a blade you needed, especially if this lesson would proceed as you expected.
Your fingers settled around the hilt of a short sword, a squat, flat weapon that rested comfortably in your grip. You hadn't trained with this specific blade, but the feel of it in your hand spoke to you.
Lady Mylissa nodded approvingly, stepping to the center of the hall. "Now, take your position across from me."
You complied, your heart beating a little faster as you mirrored her stance, raising your blade to match hers. The faint ringing in your ears was the only sound that accompanied the sudden tightening of your grip, as anticipation coiled in your chest. Her posture was perfect, effortless, in contrast to your talented but still sloppy stance.
"This will go to first blood," she announced, and without another word, the duel began.
The clash of steel rang in your ears, louder than it had any right to be. Lady Mylissa's blade collided with yours, sending a jarring shock up your arm. She pressed forward, her strikes precise and unrelenting, forcing you to retreat.
Your heart raced, the weight of each blow threatening to overwhelm you. Her reach was superior, her strength monstrous, and each time your blades met, it felt as though the ground beneath your feet shifted.
"There was once a method," she began, her voice steady even as her blade sang against yours. The words slipped into your mind like a lesson mid-combat, leaving you scrambling to focus on both the fight and her explanation. "A way to challenge another to single combat, to claim recognition through blood."
You ducked, narrowly avoiding a swipe aimed for your head. The force of her strike cut through the air, a whisper of danger just above you.
"It was called Musvashir," she continued, unphased by your attempt to gain ground. "A rite watched over by all three Hours of combat, binding victor and vanquished alike."
You lunged, trying to catch her off guard, but her sword parried yours effortlessly, nearly disarming you in the process. The sheer weight of her counterattack forced you to backpedal again, your feet skidding across the worn floor as her blade crashed into the ground where you had just stood.
"But even Musvashir was built upon something older," she said, her movements fluid, unstoppable. You managed to parry her next strike, but the force behind it was overwhelming. Your arms trembled, your grip slipping as the blade in your hand began to warp under the pressure. "An ancient law. One older than cities, older than civilization."
Her blade slammed against yours once more, and this time, you couldn't hold it. The impact drove you to your knees, your weapon knocked from your grasp. You gasped, your chest heaving as you looked up at her, your heart thundering in your ears.
"Kill or be killed. Winner take all," she said, her voice low, the finality of her words settling over you like a cold wind.
Before you could react, you felt the cool touch of her blade against your throat. A single drop of blood trickled down your neck, and you let out a resigned sigh. You had lost.
"And I am the victor," she declared, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. The tension in your body peaked as you knelt before her.
Then, her tone shifted. She withdrew her blade, offering you her hand with a faint, knowing smile. "Come, spend the day with me."
Despite her polite words, you knew this was no mere invitation. It was the victor's demand, and you were the spoils. You took her hand, rising with a forced smile, the ringing in your ears still echoing. Clearing your mind, you mentally erased the rest of your day's plans.
You would be spending it with Lady Mylissa, paying the price for the lesson you had learned. To the victor, after all, went the spoils.
You know of old laws, not ones ordained by anything proper but simple laws that one would be hard pressed to observe anymore. Gain 2 scraps of Edge Lore.
I wonder how useful this realization will be for the Expedition. Being ambush resistant is nice, but I could also see that we could set traps as we go, so when we retreat the enemy would set them off. Maybe a perk that could let us fight multiple opponents would synergize well with our large health pool. So many possibilities...
The lesson that pushed us over the Edge was "To the victor goes the spoils", so I'm thinking our Realization might be linked. Something that lets us benefit from winning.
The lesson that pushed us over the Edge was "To the victor goes the spoils", so I'm thinking our Realization might be linked. Something that lets us benefit from winning.
We really need to deal with frightened ASAP. We do not want to carry that into combat-heavy expeditions. We keep putting it off, but we really can't afford to keep doing so - there is no guarantee we can complete such a ritual in one action.
Looking at the edge lore on the character sheet, I think we might be able to force the enemy into a 1 vs 1 fight.
Also, the funny thing is if we didn't have frightened Emir would have a total combat bonus of 24 which is close to the old characters combat bonus of 28 and he is a lot harder to kill.
Edit: And I think we have the broadest lore expertise in the cult with level 3 in every lore but forge. Lastly, if the slaughterhouse 9 show up, I think we should sick Collete or several Maids in the Mirror after them.
That malus was picked during the character creation, so that part isn't her fault. She didn't do anything yet... but we all know what she wants. And more importantly, what she is willing to do to get it.
That malus was picked during the character creation, so that part isn't her fault. She didn't do anything yet... but we all know what she wants. And more importantly, what she is willing to do to get it.
