A Conjuror's journey
- Location
- The Maple Syrup Mountains
[X] Inquire about the state of the possessed automaton, you had been hoping to study it.
Given that the explosion was strong enough to blow up not just Beacon but also the surrounding geography, I doubt anything survived.
Rapunzel
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
"With the CCT destroyed, Vale is isolated and practically helpless." Arthur stated needlessly, the disgraced scientist ever needing to validate himself. An annoying habit, perhaps, but not enough to outweigh his usefulness. "We could strike while we can to secure the relic."
Impatiently tapping away at the table, Hazel's irritated demeanor spoke of impatience for both the other man and the current situation. "The vault could be buried anywhere under that plateau, it'll be unreachable for weeks even with an army of Grimm and nobody to stop them. Leave it to Ozpin to have such a callous fail-safe."
"Yes, quite. However, I was not advocating for simply hunting the relic. You see, if we were to remove Vale from the equation, the other kingdoms would require thirteen months at a minimum to repurpose land and infrastructure toward the same level of food production. Discounting attempts at farming outside their walls where Grimm and the coming winter would set them back, starvation would weaken them severely. Ten months from now, our goals could be achieved with one solid push."
Stopping his tapping, Hazel crossed his scarred arms and looked at the Atlesian in disgust. "Mass suffering and death, riots as people fight each other to feed their families."
"The needs of the many."
As the the large man rose from his seat in anger and Watts just watched him in smug satisfaction, Tyrian's stinger slammed down to pierce the stone table between them. No joviality to be found on the faunus' face for once as he angrily asked, "Can you not see that our Queen is in mourning?!"
Only barely paying attention to the antics of her underlings, Salem didn't bother to look up from the swirling ball of warm colors. Red, Orange, and yellow all flickered and spun around in her hand. Like leaves in autumn and a forest fire at the same time, so much like her daughter's hair; this mass of magic was a sorrowful reminder of bitter memories that she would never let go. That it had suddenly come back to her once again could only mean one thing.
Cinder had succeeded in finding the light she desired, only for Ozma to snuff it out.
Ozma. Everything always lead back to Ozma.
Growing up locked in a tower by an overprotective father, all Salem had ever wanted was freedom. For a while, Ozma had been that freedom. He'd saved her, doing what none other could and they'd been happy together, but then he had to go and die. She struggled, defied gods to bring him back, and in turn was cursed to eons of immortality in a lifeless world while those very same gods washed their hands of their creations. Eventually she decided to end it all, diving into the Pool of Darkness in the hopes of undoing her curse and finally reuniting with her love, but the gods' cruelty is endless.
Drowning in thick, acidic tar, but unable to die or even be wounded beyond what was necessary to feel pain, Salem sank to the very bottom of the pool. By the time she surfaced what felt like years later, the divine energy had seeped into her very soul, tainting it black with the bestial rage of the malevolent deity that had once saw fit to gift man with the destructive power of magic. When she crawled out of the pool to find appearance changed and the god of Darkness' creations waiting for her, she lashed out.
For years she did nothing but kill those beasts, bone armor and shadow flesh rent apart beneath her newfound power. Oh, she'd always been gifted with magic, but the energy she absorbed had magnified that gift. Over time though, the number of beasts never dropped and killing them when they refused to fight back or run away brought no satisfaction. They were not to blame for their creator's misdeeds.
As the years drifted by, Salem's boredom led her to experiment with controlling the otherwise passive beasts and through them she learned of a curious development. When humanity had been destroyed, magic was ripped from everything, yet over time there grew these strange crystals. It had been ages since then and while controlling a black bird in the shape of the pet Ozma had given her, she saw a particularly monolithic crystal coalesce into the shape of a person. Watching it for weeks, she was amazed to see it slowly transform into a fully grown man.
The beasts immediately set upon him and he died as one would expect an inexperienced and unarmed man to do, but his brief life brought her hope. In her rush to relieve herself of isolation, Salem used her magic to construct walls around the largest concentration of crystals and did her best to care for the people. She taught them to build shelter, hunt food, weave clothes. She taught them language, art, math. Every scrap of knowledge that could help them survive and thrive, she gave without hesitation until before she knew it, a fairly large village had come to be.
None of it filled the hole in her heart and seeing that they could sustain themselves, she left. Centuries passed as she continued the pattern of creating havens for humanity and she noticed that those spawned from the increasingly rare crystals near the pools of Darkness and Light were different; bearing fangs, tails, horns, and all manner of beastly appendage. These others were 'born' far less frequently and whenever they encountered normal humans, they inevitably clashed. Eventually the humans seemed to have forgotten about her aid, for some that saw her attacked her as well due to her appearance. They were easily dealt with, but the attacks became more frequent as time went on and Salem decided to stay near one village where the inhabitants were still friendly, if cautious of her.
It was not long after, relatively speaking, that there came a knock on the door at her woodland home. Curious as to who would seek out the 'witch' of the forest, she opened it to find none other than Ozma standing before her. Though they both had changed, it was a wondrous reunion. Together with the magic that the new humans lacked, the two of them worked to unite the lands. All the peoples Salem had raised up and left to their own devices were to be gathered together into a single kingdom, ruled by Ozma and herself... and their four lovely daughters.
Yes, Salem had found new joy in motherhood. So much like what she'd done with humanity, but different in indescribable ways. Annabelle with her fiery passion for anything and everything that caught her interest, Dorothy's curiosity that often led her to sneak off and wander the streets despite her parents' warnings, Helen's fondness for the little black birds that Salem would create and who took most after her mother, and little Lois who was just taking her first steps; Salem loved them all more than she'd ever thought herself capable.
And then Ozma threw it all away over a passing remark! Foolishly believing that those cruel gods hadn't sunken their depraved claws into her love's soul, Salem had voiced her thought on the state of their world. How the people needed some sort of guiding hand, how they needed a height to aspire toward, how she knew that eventually their children would intermingle with this new humanity and the spread of magic would lead to racial superiority that she knew would end with the magic-less being bred out. Rather than talk about his concerns when she mentioned all this, rather than speak up over what she could only assume was a misunderstanding on his part, Ozma chose to steal her daughters in the dead of night!
Her rage, fed by the divine power inside her, was too much to contain as the ensuing fight went on and she lost control. When Salem pulled herself out of the rubble that was once their palace, she rushed to save her children and even Ozma... but all she found were broken bodies. It was her deepest regret and one she would live with forever.
The next time she saw Ozma, and she could feel that it was him no matter the body, he paid no heed to the tears in her eyes as she approached. She couldn't be sure if he even saw her distress as he fled as fast as his childish body could carry him, but he certainly didn't care when he returned as an adult to slit her throat in her sleep.
"-een?" Pulled out of the endless well of her own mind, Salem looked from the captured magic to Tyrian's worried face.
Disregarding what little she'd heard of their bickering, the 'Queen of the Grimm' stated firmly, "Arthur will meet with Haven's headmaster while Hazel goes to persuade the Branwen tribe to align themselves to our side. Love, justice, reverence; remember what drives you and do not let the death of one of our own be in vain."
"At once." Watts agrees with a bow, Hazel following as he leaves.
In her hand was the proof that the lone survivor she'd rescued a scant decade ago had been thinking of her when she died, whether because of love or fear. While it wasn't the same and there Salem's heart had been tempered by loss and time, Salem had raised her with care and a firm hand when needed. Ozma had taken another young girl from her. The power that Cinder had so desperately pursued pulsed in agitation, the magic so clearly modeled after sweet little Annabelle by that zealous madman she used to love, but Salem ignored how it burned desperately to escape as they all did when finding their way into her ageless body. She never could find it in herself to force the matter and it wasn't as if another drop in the bucket of her power would make much of a difference since assimilating it would likely mean losing the unique essence needed for Ozma's little vaults.
"What would you ask of me, Your Grace?"
"Make your way to Vale and avoid alerting Ozpin's henchmen to your presence." She instructed the faunus she'd rescued as a teen when he'd hid in her own childhood home, the building still standing after all this time as if in mockery of her. The sun-crazed boy had been locked in her old room atop the tower, dehydrated and talking to a portrait of her when she stepped through the window from the back of a Nevermore. "I would like you to find out more about this woman... discreetly."
Sliding a Scroll featuring a particular pink haired female across the table, she left for her chamber atop the tower. Once again she would hold onto the Maiden power until she could find a suitable host and once again Ozma would do his damnedest to kill whoever she chose and impede her plans. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. A lonely girl, trapped in a prison by those that thought themselves wise.
But Ozma never seemed to realize that he was fighting the tide and she would have her freedom, even if she had to tear the key from her jailers' hearts to get it.
--------------------------------------
A/N: This interlude takes place on the second day after Beacon exploded.
Salem became an ageless immortal at a relatively young age, certainly no older than Raven judging by what little we can infer from their appearances(chiefly around the eyes). As you said, the rules for Maidenhood are vaguely defined.
Impatiently tapping away at the table, Hazel's irritated demeanor spoke of impatience for both the other man and the current situation. "The vault could be buried anywhere under that plateau, it'll be unreachable for weeks even with an army of Grimm and nobody to stop them. Leave it to Ozpin to have such a callous fail-safe."
"Yes, quite. However, I was not advocating for simply hunting the relic. You see, if we were to remove Vale from the equation, the other kingdoms would require thirteen months at a minimum to repurpose land and infrastructure toward the same level of food production. Discounting attempts at farming outside their walls where Grimm and the coming winter would set them back, starvation would weaken them severely. Ten months from now, our goals could be achieved with one solid push."
Stopping his tapping, Hazel crossed his scarred arms and looked at the Atlesian in disgust. "Mass suffering and death, riots as people fight each other to feed their families."
"The needs of the many."
As the the large man rose from his seat in anger and Watts just watched him in smug satisfaction, Tyrian's stinger slammed down to pierce the stone table between them. No joviality to be found on the faunus' face for once as he angrily asked, "Can you not see that our Queen is in mourning?!"
Only barely paying attention to the antics of her underlings, Salem didn't bother to look up from the swirling ball of warm colors. Red, Orange, and yellow all flickered and spun around in her hand. Like leaves in autumn and a forest fire at the same time, so much like her daughter's hair; this mass of magic was a sorrowful reminder of bitter memories that she would never let go. That it had suddenly come back to her once again could only mean one thing.
Cinder had succeeded in finding the light she desired, only for Ozma to snuff it out.
Ozma. Everything always lead back to Ozma.
Growing up locked in a tower by an overprotective father, all Salem had ever wanted was freedom. For a while, Ozma had been that freedom. He'd saved her, doing what none other could and they'd been happy together, but then he had to go and die. She struggled, defied gods to bring him back, and in turn was cursed to eons of immortality in a lifeless world while those very same gods washed their hands of their creations. Eventually she decided to end it all, diving into the Pool of Darkness in the hopes of undoing her curse and finally reuniting with her love, but the gods' cruelty is endless.
Drowning in thick, acidic tar, but unable to die or even be wounded beyond what was necessary to feel pain, Salem sank to the very bottom of the pool. By the time she surfaced what felt like years later, the divine energy had seeped into her very soul, tainting it black with the bestial rage of the malevolent deity that had once saw fit to gift man with the destructive power of magic. When she crawled out of the pool to find appearance changed and the god of Darkness' creations waiting for her, she lashed out.
For years she did nothing but kill those beasts, bone armor and shadow flesh rent apart beneath her newfound power. Oh, she'd always been gifted with magic, but the energy she absorbed had magnified that gift. Over time though, the number of beasts never dropped and killing them when they refused to fight back or run away brought no satisfaction. They were not to blame for their creator's misdeeds.
As the years drifted by, Salem's boredom led her to experiment with controlling the otherwise passive beasts and through them she learned of a curious development. When humanity had been destroyed, magic was ripped from everything, yet over time there grew these strange crystals. It had been ages since then and while controlling a black bird in the shape of the pet Ozma had given her, she saw a particularly monolithic crystal coalesce into the shape of a person. Watching it for weeks, she was amazed to see it slowly transform into a fully grown man.
The beasts immediately set upon him and he died as one would expect an inexperienced and unarmed man to do, but his brief life brought her hope. In her rush to relieve herself of isolation, Salem used her magic to construct walls around the largest concentration of crystals and did her best to care for the people. She taught them to build shelter, hunt food, weave clothes. She taught them language, art, math. Every scrap of knowledge that could help them survive and thrive, she gave without hesitation until before she knew it, a fairly large village had come to be.
None of it filled the hole in her heart and seeing that they could sustain themselves, she left. Centuries passed as she continued the pattern of creating havens for humanity and she noticed that those spawned from the increasingly rare crystals near the pools of Darkness and Light were different; bearing fangs, tails, horns, and all manner of beastly appendage. These others were 'born' far less frequently and whenever they encountered normal humans, they inevitably clashed. Eventually the humans seemed to have forgotten about her aid, for some that saw her attacked her as well due to her appearance. They were easily dealt with, but the attacks became more frequent as time went on and Salem decided to stay near one village where the inhabitants were still friendly, if cautious of her.
It was not long after, relatively speaking, that there came a knock on the door at her woodland home. Curious as to who would seek out the 'witch' of the forest, she opened it to find none other than Ozma standing before her. Though they both had changed, it was a wondrous reunion. Together with the magic that the new humans lacked, the two of them worked to unite the lands. All the peoples Salem had raised up and left to their own devices were to be gathered together into a single kingdom, ruled by Ozma and herself... and their four lovely daughters.
Yes, Salem had found new joy in motherhood. So much like what she'd done with humanity, but different in indescribable ways. Annabelle with her fiery passion for anything and everything that caught her interest, Dorothy's curiosity that often led her to sneak off and wander the streets despite her parents' warnings, Helen's fondness for the little black birds that Salem would create and who took most after her mother, and little Lois who was just taking her first steps; Salem loved them all more than she'd ever thought herself capable.
And then Ozma threw it all away over a passing remark! Foolishly believing that those cruel gods hadn't sunken their depraved claws into her love's soul, Salem had voiced her thought on the state of their world. How the people needed some sort of guiding hand, how they needed a height to aspire toward, how she knew that eventually their children would intermingle with this new humanity and the spread of magic would lead to racial superiority that she knew would end with the magic-less being bred out. Rather than talk about his concerns when she mentioned all this, rather than speak up over what she could only assume was a misunderstanding on his part, Ozma chose to steal her daughters in the dead of night!
Her rage, fed by the divine power inside her, was too much to contain as the ensuing fight went on and she lost control. When Salem pulled herself out of the rubble that was once their palace, she rushed to save her children and even Ozma... but all she found were broken bodies. It was her deepest regret and one she would live with forever.
The next time she saw Ozma, and she could feel that it was him no matter the body, he paid no heed to the tears in her eyes as she approached. She couldn't be sure if he even saw her distress as he fled as fast as his childish body could carry him, but he certainly didn't care when he returned as an adult to slit her throat in her sleep.
"-een?" Pulled out of the endless well of her own mind, Salem looked from the captured magic to Tyrian's worried face.
Disregarding what little she'd heard of their bickering, the 'Queen of the Grimm' stated firmly, "Arthur will meet with Haven's headmaster while Hazel goes to persuade the Branwen tribe to align themselves to our side. Love, justice, reverence; remember what drives you and do not let the death of one of our own be in vain."
"At once." Watts agrees with a bow, Hazel following as he leaves.
In her hand was the proof that the lone survivor she'd rescued a scant decade ago had been thinking of her when she died, whether because of love or fear. While it wasn't the same and there Salem's heart had been tempered by loss and time, Salem had raised her with care and a firm hand when needed. Ozma had taken another young girl from her. The power that Cinder had so desperately pursued pulsed in agitation, the magic so clearly modeled after sweet little Annabelle by that zealous madman she used to love, but Salem ignored how it burned desperately to escape as they all did when finding their way into her ageless body. She never could find it in herself to force the matter and it wasn't as if another drop in the bucket of her power would make much of a difference since assimilating it would likely mean losing the unique essence needed for Ozma's little vaults.
"What would you ask of me, Your Grace?"
"Make your way to Vale and avoid alerting Ozpin's henchmen to your presence." She instructed the faunus she'd rescued as a teen when he'd hid in her own childhood home, the building still standing after all this time as if in mockery of her. The sun-crazed boy had been locked in her old room atop the tower, dehydrated and talking to a portrait of her when she stepped through the window from the back of a Nevermore. "I would like you to find out more about this woman... discreetly."
Sliding a Scroll featuring a particular pink haired female across the table, she left for her chamber atop the tower. Once again she would hold onto the Maiden power until she could find a suitable host and once again Ozma would do his damnedest to kill whoever she chose and impede her plans. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. A lonely girl, trapped in a prison by those that thought themselves wise.
But Ozma never seemed to realize that he was fighting the tide and she would have her freedom, even if she had to tear the key from her jailers' hearts to get it.
--------------------------------------
A/N: This interlude takes place on the second day after Beacon exploded.
I thought about it, but didn't for three reasons; it sets a precedent that could confuse things in future situations, part of how I have decided to make Maiden power function prevents it, and this leaves more wiggle room for me and you guys.
Whose to say she hasn't? She does have Grimm capable of sucking the power out, so she clearly understands how it works and what it is. While you're correct that we aren't seeing Maiden!Salem in this, my reasoning is that it is a conscious decision on her part rather than that she is incapable of it, as I explained in this chapter.
Salem became an ageless immortal at a relatively young age, certainly no older than Raven judging by what little we can infer from their appearances(chiefly around the eyes). As you said, the rules for Maidenhood are vaguely defined.
TimEd
Meteor maker
Well, this paints a picture of what could have been. If only we went to Salem instead of that dickhead Ozpin, then we could have had a powerful ally. Surely Salem would have joined us in traveling to different worlds.
Really, aside from the possibility of recruiting canon characters, going to Ozpin has only led to headaches for us.
Edit: also to add to the Salem benefit, is all the things we lost in Fallout world.
Really, aside from the possibility of recruiting canon characters, going to Ozpin has only led to headaches for us.
Edit: also to add to the Salem benefit, is all the things we lost in Fallout world.
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Vicjer
The One Who Knows Less Than Nothing
- Location
- The Space Between Spaces
Well, let's not be too hasty. We can probably still win her over if we try. It's not like we can't revive Cinder and smooth things over with Salem (if she ever even finds out we're responsible for her death in the first place, that is).
Still, this is a strong argument for siding with Salem. And she'd definitely be able to make Cattleya's quest a fair bit easier if she keeps the Grimm off her.
Not sure how long it takes for souls to move on, or if Cynric would even be able to find Cinder's soul. Always worth a shot I guess.
I reckon it's time to play both sides, and to try and reach out to Salem.
Adam Taurus seems to be linked to Cinder/Salem's faction, which makes me think capturing him could be a good start.
Vicjer
The One Who Knows Less Than Nothing
- Location
- The Space Between Spaces
I think Blake and Asena already dealt with him.
That they did. Mercury Black should still be in Ironwood's custody, so we might be able to use him.
- Location
- US
Was that an actual vote or was it just forced upon us?
- Location
- St. Petersburg
We had the choice between turning to Oz and someone I assume to be Cinder for help upon our arrival to the world.
It was a vote. We could of chose Ozpin, Cinder or stay where we were.
Edifier
Trusted within thoughts.
- Location
- Court of Moon Wizards
At least we didn't have to fight Ozpin, right
Where Cindarella could have really used an motley crew of scientists to help her find her prince.
Tho without the power of hindsight I had not even considered these things.
I wonder, as Cynders last thoughts where of Salem, is Salem a maiden now?
Yup. Unanimously go to the tower where the mysterious OZ and Good Witch are at. Well on reflection, OZ is as the wizard of OZ that OZ has always been - A poser.
Where Cindarella could have really used an motley crew of scientists to help her find her prince.
Tho without the power of hindsight I had not even considered these things.
I wonder, as Cynders last thoughts where of Salem, is Salem a maiden now?
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...Read the frikkin' update?
Edifier
Trusted within thoughts.
- Location
- Court of Moon Wizards
Oh OOH. The seasons are the four daughters of theirs. That's why she went on that tangent, somehow missed that bit which triggered it.
So yes, it did return to her. Now only three of the four are in circulation. Right?
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
Not quite. The Maiden powers aren't actually their daughters, but rather heavily influenced by them in their creation and bring up mixed emotions. For the moment there are only three in circulation, but the fourth won't stay out of play for long.
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Asking After Penny
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
Having left the sisters to their work, you find yourself in the much improved refugee center. With the roof closed and the stands fully converted into segmented shelters, the place is actually looks like somewhere intended to house people, if still rather cramped.
Making your way through the camp of medical tents, you alternate between casting Grand Heal and Absorb Magicka, much to the surprise and awe of those around. When you do reach the General, a small group of reporters are circled around him.
Spotting you, he politely says, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but it appears I'm needed elsewhere."
The news people surprisingly let him go with no argument. Giving a shallow bow to the few that seem excited to recognize you before falling in behind Ironwood, the two of you make your way into one of the side halls as he says, "My men tell me those potions of yours are already making a difference. Not that I doubted they'd work, but I didn't expect it to be so fast."
"Standard health potions are near instantaneous in most cases unless the wound is particularly grievous, already starting to scar over, some sort of continuous damage is occurring, or there is deific intervention. The same goes for Disease cures, but that has some exceptions depending on the cause of infection." You explain freely, delaying the real reason for your visit until in a secure location.
"Anything in specific we should look out for?"
"Not as far as I know unless consuming elemental Dust is toxic... However, does this world have any deities?"
Glancing sidelong at you, Ironwood asks, "Why do you ask?"
"Two reasons; protection against other deities introducing divine plagues or infectious 'blessings' as well as the risk of any divine artifacts being close enough to Beacon to be damaged and release enough energy as to cause health complications that would require special alchemical solutions."
The General doesn't say anything for several minutes and the two of you ascend a flight of stairs to his office in the announcer's booth before he finally answers, "If you believe Ozpin, the tale of Two Brothers is true. Supposedly gods of creation and destruction that fought all the time. As the story goes, they eventually chose to end their feud by making something with the potential of both gods, Humans. Then the gods left Remnant after gifting humanity with four relics of Creation, Destruction, Knowledge, and Choice."
Obviously the story pertains to the two parasitic beings Hircine commanded Cattleya to hunt, the real and unvoiced reason you asked the question in the first place. This information about relics is new, but largely irrelevant as you know better than to pursue daedric artifacts without a solid understanding of the Prince behind them. On top of that, whatever trinkets these false Princes created will probably lose power whenever they die, so obtaining them would only be of short term value.
Pausing to gauge your reaction, which consists of a raised brow and boredom, he continues, "What the legends don't say is that the relics also serve another purpose: to bring back the gods when all four are gathered together. When that happens, we will be judged and destroyed if found unworthy. I don't know if I believe that part, but Ozpin says gathering them all is Salem's goal, so it isn't something I'm willing to risk."
So it would seem that these artifacts are how you will find Cattleya's intended prey. You stand corrected, they are indeed useful.
"While that is all very interesting and knowing our enemy's intent is no doubt useful in the long term, I am more concerned with now." You tell him, carefully maintaining a mask of impatient disinterest in the subject. "Is there any reason to suspect one might have been hidden in Beacon and damaged in the blast? Divine artifacts hold immense power, could it have been the reason for the explosion?"
"I... That would explain some things." He admits, a look of contemplation and worry on his face as he goes quiet.
Further distanced from the blame, you distract him from thinking too hard on the matter by stating, "I suppose we will simply need to keep an eye out for any unusual illnesses its destruction might cause, but that is not the real reason for my visit."
"If this is about transportation for your food shipments-"
"I understand a slight delay in loading, no. I am actually here to ask after my apprentice's friend and offer assistance if I can, as Louise is currently busy putting her strength use to clearing the streets of rubble."
Status: Healthy
Magicka: (650/650)
Choose:
[] Assure him that you wouldn't put her at risk. Go see her and try to figure out how she works under the guise of helping her.
[] Decline for now, but offer Raymond and Moira's assistance should they send her to Kwama Korp. Having her under your care would be less limiting for your inspection and those two might be necessary to understand her technological parts.
[] Decline the visit and just have him send on Louise's regards. Studying her while incomplete could lead to a fatal misunderstanding in replicating her creation. Instead bring up the communication problems brought on by the CCT tower's destruction and possible solutions.
[] Write in.
Making your way through the camp of medical tents, you alternate between casting Grand Heal and Absorb Magicka, much to the surprise and awe of those around. When you do reach the General, a small group of reporters are circled around him.
Spotting you, he politely says, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but it appears I'm needed elsewhere."
The news people surprisingly let him go with no argument. Giving a shallow bow to the few that seem excited to recognize you before falling in behind Ironwood, the two of you make your way into one of the side halls as he says, "My men tell me those potions of yours are already making a difference. Not that I doubted they'd work, but I didn't expect it to be so fast."
"Standard health potions are near instantaneous in most cases unless the wound is particularly grievous, already starting to scar over, some sort of continuous damage is occurring, or there is deific intervention. The same goes for Disease cures, but that has some exceptions depending on the cause of infection." You explain freely, delaying the real reason for your visit until in a secure location.
"Anything in specific we should look out for?"
"Not as far as I know unless consuming elemental Dust is toxic... However, does this world have any deities?"
Glancing sidelong at you, Ironwood asks, "Why do you ask?"
"Two reasons; protection against other deities introducing divine plagues or infectious 'blessings' as well as the risk of any divine artifacts being close enough to Beacon to be damaged and release enough energy as to cause health complications that would require special alchemical solutions."
The General doesn't say anything for several minutes and the two of you ascend a flight of stairs to his office in the announcer's booth before he finally answers, "If you believe Ozpin, the tale of Two Brothers is true. Supposedly gods of creation and destruction that fought all the time. As the story goes, they eventually chose to end their feud by making something with the potential of both gods, Humans. Then the gods left Remnant after gifting humanity with four relics of Creation, Destruction, Knowledge, and Choice."
Obviously the story pertains to the two parasitic beings Hircine commanded Cattleya to hunt, the real and unvoiced reason you asked the question in the first place. This information about relics is new, but largely irrelevant as you know better than to pursue daedric artifacts without a solid understanding of the Prince behind them. On top of that, whatever trinkets these false Princes created will probably lose power whenever they die, so obtaining them would only be of short term value.
Pausing to gauge your reaction, which consists of a raised brow and boredom, he continues, "What the legends don't say is that the relics also serve another purpose: to bring back the gods when all four are gathered together. When that happens, we will be judged and destroyed if found unworthy. I don't know if I believe that part, but Ozpin says gathering them all is Salem's goal, so it isn't something I'm willing to risk."
So it would seem that these artifacts are how you will find Cattleya's intended prey. You stand corrected, they are indeed useful.
"While that is all very interesting and knowing our enemy's intent is no doubt useful in the long term, I am more concerned with now." You tell him, carefully maintaining a mask of impatient disinterest in the subject. "Is there any reason to suspect one might have been hidden in Beacon and damaged in the blast? Divine artifacts hold immense power, could it have been the reason for the explosion?"
"I... That would explain some things." He admits, a look of contemplation and worry on his face as he goes quiet.
Further distanced from the blame, you distract him from thinking too hard on the matter by stating, "I suppose we will simply need to keep an eye out for any unusual illnesses its destruction might cause, but that is not the real reason for my visit."
"If this is about transportation for your food shipments-"
"I understand a slight delay in loading, no. I am actually here to ask after my apprentice's friend and offer assistance if I can, as Louise is currently busy putting her strength use to clearing the streets of rubble."
Status: Healthy
Magicka: (650/650)
Choose:
[] Assure him that you wouldn't put her at risk. Go see her and try to figure out how she works under the guise of helping her.
[] Decline for now, but offer Raymond and Moira's assistance should they send her to Kwama Korp. Having her under your care would be less limiting for your inspection and those two might be necessary to understand her technological parts.
[] Decline the visit and just have him send on Louise's regards. Studying her while incomplete could lead to a fatal misunderstanding in replicating her creation. Instead bring up the communication problems brought on by the CCT tower's destruction and possible solutions.
[] Write in.
- Location
- canada
[X] Decline the visit and just have him send on Louise's regards. Studying her while incomplete could lead to a fatal misunderstanding in replicating her creation. Instead bring up the communication problems brought on by the CCT tower's destruction and possible solutions.
While understanding penny might be useful, the previous update makes me too worried about the CCT tower's destruction and it's effects on Salem's plans for further invasions to not try to restore the communication network ASAP. That and as the vote itself says, trying to analyze her for tech info while she's damaged could result in errors and mistakes. Heck, even X-COM needed fully intact samples to complete their research trees.
While understanding penny might be useful, the previous update makes me too worried about the CCT tower's destruction and it's effects on Salem's plans for further invasions to not try to restore the communication network ASAP. That and as the vote itself says, trying to analyze her for tech info while she's damaged could result in errors and mistakes. Heck, even X-COM needed fully intact samples to complete their research trees.
- Location
- United States
[X] Decline for now, but offer Raymond and Moira's assistance should they send her to Kwama Korp. Having her under your care would be less limiting for your inspection and those two might be necessary to understand her technological parts.
- Location
- The Maple Syrup Mountains
[X] Decline for now, but offer Raymond and Moira's assistance should they send her to Kwama Korp. Having her under your care would be less limiting for your inspection and those two might be necessary to understand her technological parts.
[X] Assure him that you wouldn't put her at risk. Go see her and try to figure out how she works under the guise of helping her.