Welcome to the Betwixt and Between! An emporium of magical curios, that you can find only if you really need it.
Acting as the first step in adventure for 1000 years and providing perfect narrative placement for numberless lost magical artifacts.
You have been called here to be the new proprietor. The shopkeeper who can make suggestions and bargains, protecting your potential adventurers and guiding the narrative destiny of their tale.
Of course its not all calls to adventure. You have to keep the shop hidden from threats, source new items to keep the stock levels high, serve troublesome magical customers and well… you'll find out.
It's there in every story.
Hidden in a side street, appearing in an alley. The shop that you have never seen before, never noticed. Except today.
The name is worn and illegible, and the windows dusty, but you can see a light inside and there are strange lamps and statues in the window. Glittering eyes look down from stone faces and you feel the wind kick up, pushing you towards the door. This moment feels paused. Like you are on the bubble of a Destiny.
You reach out and grasp the door handle that is shaped into what looks like a coiled dragon.
It's warm under your palm.
You push open the door.
A bell rings above you, tinkling like starlight.
It all begins now.
Welcome to the Betwixt and Between! An emporium of magical curios, that you can find only if you really need it.
Acting as the first step in adventure for 1000 years and providing perfect narrative placement for numberless lost magical artifacts.
You have been called here to be the new proprietor. The shopkeeper who can make suggestions and bargains, protecting your potential adventurers and guiding the narrative destiny of their tale.
Of course its not all calls to adventure. You have to keep the shop hidden from threats, source new items to keep the stock levels high, serve troublesome magical customers and well… you'll find out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello! I'm Wistways!
I am so excited to write this quest with you. This is a real love letter to adventure stories, mythic fiction and the nature of stories. In this quest all things are real and possible, and I will be SHAMLESSLY stealing from fiction and fable.
I am also hoping to make this community created world. If you create content (omakes or illustration) and they fit the *vibes* of what I'm going for I will canonize it and reward it. All stories exist somewhere.
General Themes : Mutiverses of adapted fiction, Heavy use of adventure tropes, classic myth and legend, cosy vibes.
Please have a look at the Origins below and the Mechanics post explaining the system.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So you have arrived. Where are you from?
What is your Gender?
[ ] Male
[ ] Female
And can I know your Name? (Please choose a name that matches the origin)
[ ] Write in :
And where to you come from?
[ ] The Mundane World.
You have never encountered magic or myth other than what you have found in stories. You share much with your potentiats, having been thrust into adventure yourself. (No bonus or knowledge of magical practices, but you are likewise not bound to any rules.) Starting Stats: +1 to Quick, Perseverance, Empathy and Reason, All other stats start at 0. Starting Trait:Common Sense - When using a Perseverance or Empathy Skill you have a 10% chance to gain an Insight. Magical actions are locked until you are tutored or otherwise learn them.
[ ] The Sunlit Lands.
A Seelie of the Fae, it was read in the shadows of your crib that this would be your destiny, and you are eager for it to start. You may be young for one of the Fae and this may be your first time leaving your home, but those are but paltry obstacles in your path. (All Fae have ability to cast glamor and make contact the Fae realms, Fae cannot lie, are injured with the touch of cold iron and cannot break a deal they have made in action or word.) Starting Stats: +1 to Quick, +1 to Magic of Craft, +1 to Magic of Illusion, -1 to Destiny, -1 to Reason Starting Item: Mirrorglass box : An item that will let you contact the Fae realms and your court.
[ ] A Country of Myth.
You are a Citizen of a Storyland, a place made real with mythic weight. You were a sailor, and in a storm you washed up literally on this doorstep. You are familiar with the purpose of this shop and even met several heroes who wield items from it. You are ready to play your part in this tale. (Citizens are in tune with the Narrative Weave and sometimes can predict the future, Citizens find it very difficult to act out of their narrative step.) Starting Stats: +1 to Destiny, +1 Empathy, +1 to Magic of Intent , -1 Reason, -1 Hidden Knowledge Starting Insight: And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won 't even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storms all about.
[ ] Running from Destiny.
You have escaped! Or, at least, you hope so- you feel like you have run for years, the hot breath of your pursuers on your neck. This shop is a safe haven, a miracle, one in which you feel miraculously at home. (In tune with the Magic of Betwixt and Between, you are hunted.) Starting Stats: +1 Hidden Knowledge, +1 Perseverance, + 1 Reason, -1 Magic of Words, -1 Destiny Starting Trait:Perfect Synergy - Your soul sings the same song as this place. On failure of a task have a 10% chance to restore 1 condition to Betwixt and Between.
[ ] The Crystal Towers.
Yesterday, you were sure your academic career was over. Never had you seen someone at the Academy get no offers at all! You might as well pack up your staff and books and head back home. When you got a letter from this address offering apprenticeship, you really didn't have any other options. (Knowledge of all Magics, skilled in none. Must find a way to overcome inability to do magic. Ability to appraise magical items) Starting Stats: +1 Hidden Knowledge, +1 Reason, +1 Destiny, +1 Empathy Starting Trait: What is this? - You know how to read magic and have studied it. Will gain the ability to reroll failures on tasks that involve wonderitems. Magical actions are locked until you overcome your inability to cast.
[ ] Return Visitor.
You said when you first received the Penumbral Umbrella that you would bring it back when it stopped raining. It's been.... well, if you are being honest, it has been quite a long time, but you are finally making good on your promise.
(Has the Penumbral Umbrella, a wonderitem, in your possession. Has knowledge of the store. Has friends in another world) Starting Stats: +1 Perseverance, +1 Quick, +1 Magic of Elements, -1 Destiny, -1 Magic of Intent Starting Item:The Penumbral Umbrella (a wonderitem) - This umbrella can shield a person from both rain and magic. It is also quite sharp.
This quest operates on a plan based system. This system is adapted from the fantastic game Citizen Sleeper, which I have no involvement with but am a big fan.
Each turn you get a number of Action Dice, these dice get assigned to Tasks. The total of the dice and your skills sets the probability of a Great Success, Neutral or Failure result. This result may effect the Condition of the Betwixt and Between, your own personal energy or provide you with items and insights.
You will discover during play various quests you can complete and problems you can solve. Completing quests will grant you with skill points to level up.
Skills
These are what you are good at. There are mundane skills, mystery skills and magical skills.
Skills will range in rating from -1 to +2. Leveling up a skill may gain a unique Trait. The Mundane skills are skills of the body, all people have some skill in a combination of these.
Quick - Is used for any action that required fast action, agility, or small dexterous physical action.
Perseverance - Is used for physical action to resist, lift, persist and endure.
Empathy - Is used when trying to understand and connect to others.
Reason - Is used to plan, solve puzzles and resist outside influence.
The Mystery skills are those that interact with higher concepts.
These are very important in your job as the shopkeeper of a magical curio shop.
Destiny - See the weave of the narrative, understand the best path. This is how much power you have to effect and change what will and is.
Hidden Knowledge - Knowledge of the arcane, the strange and the magical. Insight into the unknowable.
The Magic skills refer to specific concepts and practices of magic.
In a magical world you may have to deal with magical effects or yourself cast them. It is unusual to have skill in all 5 categories of Magic.
Magic of Words - Deals and contracts, true naming.
Magic of Intent - Sympathetic magic, Scrying, Ritual
Magic of Illusion - Glamor, Emotion and Mind
Magic of Craft - Runecrafter, Wonderitem maker, realm walker
Magic of Elements - wind and fire, earth and water.
Condition
This is the most important tracker of this game. Condition is the magical and physical state of the Betwixt and Between, the magical curio shop. If condition reaches zero the store is destroyed and the quest is over.
Condition is tracked constantly. At the start of every new turn the Betwixt and Between loses 1 condition as the first event. Every 4 points of condition is equal to 1 'Action Dice'. Condition can be gained or lost through various tasks, it's your job to find what these are.
Action Die
Action dice are what you assign to various tasks to set the probability of success.
The number of Action Dice you generate at the start of turn is dependent on the total Condition of the Betwixt and Between. The Betwixt and Between has a current max condition of 20. Each block of 4 points of condition is equal to 1 action die.
When the condition number falls you get less 'Action Dice' and less opportunity to succeed.
Currently the condition of the Betwixt and Between is 16/20, I received 5 action die. After I have used all the die in a turn it proceeds to a new turn. At the start of every new turn I lose 1 condition and 2 energy. Because my condition has dropped to 15/20 I have lost use of an Action Die. The number of dice I generate for this new turn is 4.
Action Die are generated at the start of every turn based on the total condition. Action die are a d6. Action die are assigned to tasks which then add to your Skill level, this total sets the probability of success on that task.
These Dice totals equal the following probability.
1 and 2 - 50% Neutral / 50% Failure
3 and 4 - 25% Great Success /50% Neutral / 25% Failure
5 - 50% Great Success / 50% Neutral
6 - 100% Great Success
Some tasks instead of making a probability roll, require a specific Action dice number instead to complete them. This number will be clearly stated in the task.
Energy
Energy is the personal strength of your character. Some tasks will cost energy to complete, or require energy on failure. You currently have a base energy pool of 5. If energy reaches zero, you will not be able to do tasks that require energy. Also all condition effects will be doubled as the Betwixt and Between is focused on keeping you alive.
Tasks
On each turn there is many different tasks that are available. Most tasks will have to be completed multiple times to fill the completion counter.
Travel through the Wierdway
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill : Hidden Knowledge
Difficulty : RISKY
You seek to navigate the Betwixt and Between through the shifting shadows of the Wierdway towards the Golden Celestial City.
What is in a Task. Completion Counter
Some tasks need to be completed multiple times to fill up a counter. Points to this counter are granted always on a Great Success and often on a Neutral. Some tasks have a failure counter, if you fail multiple times you may cause narrative changes or be locked out of a task forever!
Skill
The skill associated with the task. The level of your skill is added to the Action Dice you assign. (Eg. I have a +1 in Hidden Knowledge and I am attempting a Hidden Knowledge Task. Therefore my 4 Action Dice becomes a 5 Action dice and I have a better probability of a Great Success)
Difficulty
There are 3 levels of difficulty to a task.
SAFE - This task will never cause a loss of condition or energy.
Rewards on a Safe Task.
Great Success - Receive energy or an Item, possible add to condition, add to completion counter.
Neutral - Receive energy or an Item.
Failure - Limited or no rewards.
RISKY - This task will have consequences for Failure and Neutral results.
Great Success - Receive item/insight/energy/condition, large total added to the Completion Counter.
Neutral - Receive item/insight, low add to Completion Counter, lose energy
Failure - Lose condition/energy, negative or no total added to Completion Counter, possible failure counter addition.
DANGEROUS - This task will have very negative consequences on Failure
Great Success- Receive item/insight/energy/condition, large total added to Completion Counter change, narrative changes.
Neutral - Receive small total added to Completion Counter, lose energy
Failure - Lose item/plot failure, negative change to Completion Counter, locked out for 3 turns.
Crafting and Magic
Tasks which involve crafting wonderitems or magical practice are different from regular tasks.
These tasks will only be completable if you have the Items, correct Action Dice result and insight/knowledge required. You do not have to roll probability for these tasks. But there may be a loss/transformation of items or/and a loss of energy.
Crafting a Wonderitem
Requires : Action dice 3, Insight, Item of Potential.
It's time to add a new item to your stock and to breathe magical life into an object.
Creation of a Wonderitem will trigger an additional vote, this is to determine the Insight and Item of potential you want to use. User submissions on the effect of the wonderitem are judged on a approval vote.
Name : Mahogany Gelt
Gender: Female
Origin: The Crystal Towers, Xanzi. (Formerly Piecrow Isle)
Appearance:
Mahogany has thick, dark hair typically pulled back into a braid. She has pale skin and hazel eyes and no magemark at all. She looks very tired and a little too thin. She is currently wearing her Student robes from the Crystal Towers.
Mundane Skills
Quick : 0
Is used for any action that requires fast action, agility, or small dexterous physical action.
Perseverance : 0
Is used for physical actions to resist, list, persist and endure.
Empathy: +1
Is used when trying to understand and connect to others.
Reason : +1
Is used to plan, solve puzzles and resist outside influence.
Mystery Skills
Hidden Knowledge : +1
Knowledge of the arcane, the strange and the magical. Insight into the unknowable.
Destiny : +1
See the weave of the narrative, understand the best path. This is how much power you have to effect and change what will and is.
Magic Skills
Magic skills are locked at this current time, Mahogany has an inability to cast magic.
Magic of Words - Deals and contracts, true naming.
Magic of Intent - Sympathetic magic, Scrying, Ritual
Magic of Illusion - Glamor, Emotion and Mind
Magic of Craft - Runecrafter, Wonderitem maker, realm walker
Magic of Elements - Wind and fire, earth and water
Traits
Owner of the Betwixt and Between - Proof that you are who you say you are. Your identity is proven and authority established.
What is This? - You know how to read magic and have studied it. Will reroll failures on tasks that involve wonderitems.
Current Quests
Unlock your Potential - Find a Wonderitem and sell it to someone marked by Destiny.
Mirrorglass - "Could this be my own face, I wondered. My heart pounded at the idea, and the face in the mirror grew more and more unfamiliar."
Sunshine - "Keep your face always to the sun and shadows will fall behind you."
Wounds - "Oblivion cures the old wounds"
Mentor - "Children must be taught how to think, not what to think."
Betrayal - "Trust, once lost, could not be easily found. Not in a year, perhaps not even in a lifetime."
Feast - "Sweet to tongue and sound to eye, Come buy, Come buy."
(2) 'Magic Crystals'
The Raven Feathered Band - Created by Shopkeeper Bloyse
Current Status: Lost
Current Location: The Borderlands
This band allows the wearer to turn into a black raven at will. The user will remember they were a human.
Needle of Capture - Created by Shopkeeper Bloyse
Current Status: Stolen
Current Location: The Borderlands
This needle can sew anything. Whatever it has sewn is bound forever until the needle is broken.
Lyre of the Maiden - Created by Adremia the Grey Walker
Current Status: Stolen
Current Location: The Borderlands
Strung with the hair of a long dead maiden, it sings in her voice. The song will be the sweetest and saddest the listener has ever heard and will send the listener into despair.
Connections -
Current Location - The Borderlands
A space between worlds existing in the absence between things and only in habited by natives of the Lost. Currently the Betwixt and Between is not hidden magically.
Betwixt and Between
Something terrible has happened here recently. Though you can still taste wonder in the air, the shimmer-sharp taste of it is watered down. You have cleaned up most of the evidence of violence though scars remain still, the shelves that should be filled with treasures are mostly empty. Several doors remain locked to you.
Current Condition : 19/20
Energy : 5/6
Wheel of Destiny
An Empty Teapot (7 turns) - The last teaspoon of a legendary blend has been used, soon they will return for more.
Lost on Black wings (3 turns) - I have been pursued for so long. It's peaceful... easy to be like this.
Confined (8 turns) - It won't stop bleeding. It's slow but will not stop. A cursed blade perhaps.
Yellow eyed Vengance (14 turns) - They will pay for what they have done. I refuse to be the last.
Looming Shadow (5 turns) - A shadow comes for the Betwixt and Between out of the Mists.
The Mirror Being : Blue skinned, mirror eyed, ash haired. This being is inside the mirror in the bedroom of the Betwixt and Between. It has been .... uncoperative, and seems to only desire the mirror to be smashed and it released.
The Raven Feathered Band - Created by Shopkeeper Bloyse
Current Status : Lost
Current Location : The Borderlands
This band allows the wearer to turn into a black raven at will. The user will remember they were a human.
Needle of Capture - Created by Shopkeeper Bloyse
Current Status : Stolen
Current Location : The Borderlands
This needle can sew anything. Whatever it has sewn is bound forever until the needle is broken.
Lyre of the Maiden - Created by Adremia the Grey Walker
Current Status : Stolen
Current Location : The Borderlands
Strung with the hair of a long dead maiden, it sings in her voice. The song will be the sweetest and saddest the listener has ever heard and will send the listener into despair.
[X] Those that can't do... own a shop?
-[X] Female
-[X] Write in : Mahogany Gelt
-[X] The Crystal Towers.
The transmission porter sighed and scrubbed his face in frustration before looking up at the frantic student in front of him. Taking a deep breath and summoning up every portion of his professional demeanor, "Look, Miss.."
"Mahogany Gelt, Third Resonant."
".... Miss Gelt. I cannot give you what I do not have. And there is no 'back room' to check and there is no 'mistake'.
Mahogany slams her hand down on the desk, a desperate look in her eyes. "But there must! I scored well above the listed benchmark on the finals of the theoretical and I have gone beyond the recommended hours in the alchemical, ritual, and summoning halls."
"I understand that Miss but.."
She interrupts the porter and begins to pace back and forth tugging on her dark braid in anxiety. " And I swept up all the straw, and watched that stupid pitch drop for days, and kept the demonic blazes lit, and harvested endless amount of sleepgrass. I worked even in my dreams! "
She slumps down, the porter narrowly picks up his cup of coffee before it takes a spill, and collapses on the transmission desk. "And after years of hard work, of proven effort, I get no applications of apprenticeship at all?! Just because I have one small area of deficiency?"
The porter stood back, looking at the collapsed student. He would like to say that this was uncommon but at this time of year he regularly had to deal with graduating student meltdowns. Getting a good apprenticeship was vital to attendees of the Crystal Towers. In fact, a positive recommendation from a Master Magus at the end of the apprenticeship was the only way to become a Magus yourself. So it goes without saying apprenticeship with the right Master Magus was essential and competition was fierce.
He sighed, "Miss Gelt, I understand your distress. But this is simply not the appropriate place for such a display. Please return to your room. I can ensure you that as soon as I or any in the transmission halls receive a missive for you it will be delivered." He looks at the suncounter on his desk, "You still have at least two hours of light yet before nightfall. Enough time for a last-minute missive."
The acidic look that Mahogany gave him was proof that his tone was not convincing. She stood, straightening up and shaking out her long grey student robes. "Of course." She said in a tight voice, "I understand. Thank you for your efforts. May Arcana turn in your favor." She bowed her head slightly with one arm crossed over her chest.
The porter returned the bow, "May the Wheel of Fortune intercede in your path."
She flinched slightly with this clear dismissal. The Wheel of Fortune was a particularly harsh card to invoke to her. Indicating that only the whims of destiny were enough to help her now. There was no other option but to gather up her dignity and return to her rooms.
As she walked through the halls of the Crystal Towers she couldn't help but notice how empty they now were. At the start of the day it had been filled with graduates and their belongings, all heading to their apprenticeships and the next stage of their Magus career. It echoed now, the blue crystal hallways only showing her single figure reflected into infinity.
Mahogany Gelt was not particularly distinctive compared to the other students, she had no outward mage mark. No eyes like living gems, no hair the color of a sunset. She had no birthmarks or symbols of hidden ancestry. She was just.... herself. Dark hair, thick, pulled back into a braid. Eyes hazel, skin pale, height average for a human. She could see the evidence of her hard work for over three years on her body in the endless reflections, always willing to show flaws. The nails on her hands were bitten and red, and the skin cracked from hard work. Dark shadows around her eyes from chronic late nights, her clothes too big for her frame, weight had been lost recently from stress.
She made her way back to her room. And closed the door behind her.
Immediately she burst into tears. 'It wasn't fair!' She thought. 'Why would they let me work for years if I never even had a chance? I did everything they asked. "Of course, a Magus will be able to unlock your abilities Miss Gelt, but first you must prove you have the learning and aptitude." "The ability to cast is not technically a requirement for a student, with hard work I'm sure you can get the attention of a Master."
She pushed past her packed suitcase and book bundles, packed by a past hopeful, happy Mahogany, and flopped down on the bed, pushing a face into her pillow. 'What am I going to do now?' she thought, tears running down her face to pool into the cotton cover. "I can't possibly go back to my village in disgrace, not after I left the way I did."
Mahogany turned over looking out the window at the darkening sky. Maybe only a single hour left of the day. Once the sun had set and no offers had come that's it for her. The bursar will come to her rooms, she will be asked, told, to leave the Towers. No repeats. No chances. You only get to turn the cards once.
She looks at that horizon, past the shimmering towers of Xanzi and into the closing darkness. The pinprick lights of the Arcana start to be seen faintly.
She prays, voice quiet and tear-thick, "Wheel of Fortune. This humble child of magic begs your intercession. Please gather up my lost threads and spin them into a favorable destiny. I... " she swallows, formal prayer form forgotten, "I need this. I don't know how to do anything else. I don't have anything else. Please. " She begs desperately. She feels her breath grow tight and seem to clench around her heart. "Please!"
A long moment of silence in the growing darkness.
Then a click and pneumatic whoosh. She leaps from the bed, falling and tangled in the sheets, piles of books knocked over as she rushes towards the message hatch in the wall.
She scrambles and scratches the message from its tube seeing the familiar blue-edged letter as being an official off-dimension communication from a Magus.
Her hands are trembling so much that she has to take several calming breaths before she can read the following.
"Mahogany Gelt of Piecrow Isle, Third Resonant,
You are offered an Apprenticeship in the service of a Merchant of Destiny.
Please use a standard transportation scription with the variables of quartz and under the auspice of the Fool.
You are expected with all haste.
From the desk of Betwixt and Between.
B."
Mahogany sat back, "Oh by Star and Moon, I can't believe it." She looked out the window seeing the light of the Wheel of Fortune sparkling. "Thank you. Thank you. I don't ... I can't...." words had failed her. When all hope is lost a karmic turn of destiny.
You are expected with all haste.
" Oh, may the Tower burn!" Mahogany swore, "I must Hurry!"
She gathered her suitcase, retied her books up into a stack and grabbed her Alderwood staff from beside the door, and rushed out of the door, tears forgotten. Her footsteps rang out in the halls as she rushed towards the transportation halls, hopeful there was still an attendant there.
She slid into the hall leading to it to see an employee lighting the lamp and closing the door. "WAIT!" She yelled, "Wait I have an offer!"
The employee started turning around, "Cutting it late are you not? I was just about to go." Mahogany dashed up to them, "Yes. I understand but it just came through."
The employee of the transportation halls frowned, "Well I was just about to go home. You can run the transport yourself right?"
Mahogany's face blushed red "Ah... No. I can't exactly."
"No talent for scription?" The employee said lifting an eyebrow.
"Ah.. well yes... and no... you see..." Mahogany replied trailing off into quiet mumbles.
The employee sniffed. "Well can't have you standing here all night for someone else." And they opened the door to the hall again. The transportation hall was huge, made for all entrances and exits to the Crystal Towers. They walked over to a circle carved into the dark glass of the floor, a smaller one for personal transport.
"Do you have the variations?" The employee asked standing over by an apothecary cabinet. "Quartz and Fool, arriving as myself Mahogany Gelt of Piecrow Isle" replied Mahogany stepping into the circle with her items.
The employee brought over a large fist-sized quartz and a printed pasteboard card. The quartz was placed into the section of the circle required and the card was handed to Mahogany.
"Thank you."
"Hmmm...." the employee said stepping back out of the circle. "Stand-by."
"Oh, Arcana of the Fool you have been called to bring this one, Mahogany Gelt of Piecrow Isle on a journey. Let her be guided and protected by the soul of the crystal quartz. This one gives the power to make it so." A gold light fell from the cupped hands of the employee and flowed across the floor and filling the carved circles' lines and whirls.
The employee made eye contact with Mahogany over the swirling light. "Ready?" They asked.
Mahogany gulped "Yes." Of course, she was... she wasn't nervous at all.
The employee lifted their hands and brought them together in a sharp clap. And with that Mahogany was gone.
-----------------
The Borderlands is a place both liminal and strange, made of fog and forgotten things. The area in which Mahogany found herself with the flash and crack of teleportation, the Fool clutched in one hand was typical for the Borderlands in all but one thing. Directly in front of her was a small shop.
It was clear it was a shop of course, there was above the green painted door a hanging sign. 'Betwixt and Between' and on the large glass window inscribed in faded gold signwriting. "Curios and Delights"
It looks to be two stories in height, the second had small circular windows with shutters. From where Mahogany stood there did not seem to be a light on inside, or it could be that the murk of the unwashed window was obscuring it completely.
Mahogany stepped towards it, pocketing the Fool in her grey students robes and picking up her suitcase. As she stepped forward she had the cold sensation that she had not had time to change, nor prepare herself for meeting with her new Master. She hoped that this 'B' did not mind her current dishevelled appearance, and that she could make a good impression.
The doorknob was shaped like a small coiled dragon, drawing her notice because it seemed to be enchanted with a curious warmth. 'Bit of a waste of an artefact to have a heat aspect on a doorknob' she thought, as she stepped into the doorway.
"Hello, " She called, trying to sound confident and clear. "This one is Mahogany Gelt come to take up Apprenticeship in the Service of a Merchant of Destiny. I greet the store of Betwixt and Between."
Silence echoed back.
Mahogany placed her bags down just inside the doorway and looked around. If it was a shop it was obviously a very poor one. There were large areas of the store with no inventory at all. Shelves completely bare.
[REASON CHECK - REQUIRES 1 : PASS]
As she looks around Mahogony realizes something has happened here. Something recent and terrible. She starts when she looks at the dirty floor and realizes that what she had thought was mud is actually a dried bloodstain. And hidden in the shadows of the unlit gloom there are great scratches in the dark wooden floorboards. On the walls there are tapestries that she recognises as starscapes. There is her sky! But she dosn't recognise the others. Everything is covered in a thick layer of grey dust.
She can tell that this place is magical in some way, that small scratchy shifty feeling that makes her hair rise is easy to sense. But it is faded.... lesser. Like a Crystaline soul drained to nothing but dregs.
There is something here. Mahogany can feel that there is almost a fluttering of moth wings on her mind, someone is trying to get her attention.
"Hello? Is someone here?" She calls out again.
Shopkeeeper.... Mistressss.... a whisper in her ear. Mahogany whips her head around, staff extended in a firm grip.
Nothing but the doorway and her luggage.
She turns back to the empty store and looks at the long counter that divides the public area of the store from what she assumes are the backrooms. A shaft of light comes from a high window, and illuminates a large ledger sitting on the counter. The book is covered in dark fabric, an embossed gilded monogram of intertwined B's is on the cover. Below it is the name Betwixt and Between.
Mahogany looks around again. Empty bloodstained store, in the middle of a misty voidlike place. No Magus, no welcome. She can't even leave, she could script a circle but she has no ability to power it or enough information to make sure the variables don't trap her somewhere.
The book sits there, silent.
Curiosity overwhelms her, even though this may be a grand overstep to her new master she slides the book over to her and opens it to the first page.
As she looks at the page text starts to be scribed by an invisible hand. It is in a pale grey shimmer and a loose, looping cursive.
"Greetings Mahogany Gelt." The page reads, "Thankyou for coming. I'm sorry I cannot greet you properly."
Mahogany looks around her, expecting a person to be hiding somewhere. Is this a joke of some kind? A prank on the new apprentice?
Nothing but dust.
"What is going on?" she says quietly. As she she finishes speaking another line of writing starts to appear.
"You have been selected to take up a grand and glorious position. Shopkeeper of the Betwixt and Between. Do not ask why you have been chosen, you simply have. In fact you always were to be here."
"But I applied for an apprenticeship..." Mahogany says.
"This is a better position."
"Well," Mahogany thinks, 'I'm not really sure what to do now. Do I argue with this book? No, I think i'll just play along for now. See what rules this artifact runs on. Maybe the Magus is testing me."
"I understand." She says drawing herself up and placing her hand across her chest to bow. "Please inform me..." She pauses, "Uh.... Noble tome, what duties I must perform to be Shopkeeper."
"I am damaged...My doors are shut. My treasures ransacked. I need to serve destiny. To help others. You must make this so again."
There is a shock through the air. She feels knowledge placed into her mind, she can feel the condition of the Betwixt and Between. A sharp viola hum, citrus in her mouth, her hairs stand up on her arms. There is so much magic here. Surely there must be something she can do here that will allow her to use it.
Mahogany looks around the store hands on hip. "Well," she thinks "It's not like I'm a stranger to hard work."
Welcome to your very first turn!
As you can see Mahogany has a number of tasks she can do. We better get her sorted and working on them!
Every turn you will have several Action Dice that will be rolled. The number of action dice comes from the condition of the Betwixt and Between. Those dice are then rolled by me (they are 6 sided dice btw) to give you several numbers. This number when added to the skill level you have in the skill listed in the task gives you the probablity for success. Higher the total number, the more favorable the probability.
1 and 2 - 50% Neutral / 50% Failure
3 and 4 - 25% Great Success /50% Neutral / 25% Failure
5 - 50% Great Success / 50% Neutral
6+ - 100% Great Success
I have made a comprehensive Mechanics post which details more about all the numbers and extra details on tasks.
But basically you have 4 action dice right now (see above) Where would you like to assign them?
I would like plans to be done in the following format
[X] Very cool Plan Name
-[X] Task Name One
--[X] Action Dice - 4
-[X] Task Name Two
--[X] Action Dice - 3
-[X] Task Name Three
--[X] Action Dice - 4
-[X] Task Name Four
--[X] Action Dice - 5
Tasks may be taken multiple times in the same turn. Tasks will be completed in order from the first in the list to the last. If an action in an earlier task invalidates a later task the dice spent on that task is lost.
[ ] Investigate what has happened here.
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill : Reason (+1)
Difficulty : SAFE
Something has happened here. Have a look around see if you can figure it out?
[ ] A Clean sweep.
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill: Perseverance (0)
Difficulty: SAFE
There is dust and blood on the floors, you think you see a broom behind the counter.
[ ] Where in the World am I?
Completion Counter : 0/5
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
You look outside the window and you recognize nothing, maybe it might be good to familiarize yourself.
[ ] Explore the Betwixt and Between
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Let's have a look around.
[ ] Empty Pages
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill : Empathy (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
Communicate with the book? Spirit? in the Ledger.
[ ] A Keen Mind and a Clear Spirit. ( Unlocked by the Crystal Towers Origin)
Completion Counter : 0/10
Failure Counter : 0/10
Skill : Any Magic Skill (0)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
You were never able to actually do magic before. But maybe now you are here in a new place it can be different!
[x] Plan: Let's Get Dangerous
-[x] A Clean sweep. - Dice 3
-[x] Where in the World am I? - Dice 4
-[x] Empty Pages - Dice 4
-[x] A Keen Mind and a Clear Spirit. ( Unlocked by the Crystal Towers Origin) - Dice 5
[X] Know Thy Store
-[X] Investigate what has happened here.
—[X] Action Dice- 3
-[X] A Clean sweep.
—[X] Action Dice- 4
-[X] Explore the Betwixt and Between
-[X] Empty Pages
—[X] Action Dice- 5
[x] Plan Fuck Around and Find Out
-[X] Investigate what has happened here.
—[X] Action Dice- 3
-[X] Where in the World am I?
—[X] Action Dice- 4
-[X] Empty Pages
—[X] Action Dice- 5
-[X] Explore the Betwixt and Between
[X] Know Thy Store
-[X] Investigate what has happened here.
—[X] Action Dice- 3
-[X] A Clean sweep.
—[X] Action Dice- 4
-[X] Explore the Betwixt and Between
-[X] Empty Pages
—[X] Action Dice- 5
Turn 1 Results
Investigate what has happened here. - AD - 3
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill : Reason
Difficulty : Safe
Something has happened here. Have a look around see if you can figure it out?
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 3 + Skill (Reason +1 ) = 4
Probability: 25% Great Success / 50% Neutral / 25% Failure
NEUTRAL RESULT.
"Well, no use just standing around." Mahogany said to herself, she took off her exterior robe and folded it up, placing it on the counter. "First thing to do is to figure out what has happened here, make sure whatever caused those bloodstains isn't just hiding in the shadows."
Holding her staff out in front of her Mahogany was determined to poke ever tapestry and look at every shelf. If there was something here she was sure that she could find it. She started at the door.
She would never admit it out loud but she had in her time at the Crystal Towers, a need to break into her own room several times. As she left the key inside or forgot what the variation was changed to this month. So she looked at the lock and doorframe for any signs of tampering. "Surely," she thought, "If something came in and did violence here there would be signs of it on the door?"
She did not step outside, nervous of the grey, opaque mist swirling just beyond the steps. There could be anything out there and she would never see it before it leaped out. The exterior doorknob was the same coiled dragon she saw when first entering, but this time when Mahogany touched it a vision of intense flame and heat flashed into her mind before she snatched her hand away. When she looked at her palm it was completely unmarked, not burned like she had thought.
"Ahhh I see. You are not just a little warming charm are you dragon? But a very dangerous and scary defense system? I bet no-one gets in here unless they are supposed to?" She cooed at it. She always did have a fondness for clever little artifacts.
The dragon doorknob did not move but instead a thin stream of white steam curled from the nostrils.
"So. Whoever came in was supposed to be here. Don't suppose you can talk little doorknob?" Mahogany smiled and lay a hand on its carved head. No response. "Alright. Keep your secrets."
"So," she thought, "Not a break in." and she headed back into the shop.
Looking at the floor was her next clue. It seemed like most of the blood and scratches were here in the center of the store. It seemed like the scratches were from some sort of large beast of some kind? They seemed to be in clusters of three, so a three toed beastly claw mark? Mahogany wrote down these observations in a small notebook.
The blood was also a interesting aspect, she noted. A large pool here in the center of the floor, evidence of boot-marks as someone walked through the pool and then maybe a big smear? Was whoever got injured dragged? Moved in some way? It seemed to head towards the door but then it was lifted partway.
"There is a lot of blood here," Mahogany thought, as she tallied each mark. "I'm not sure how big this person was who was injured but I hope they survived."
While down on the floor Mahogany found a very large feather underneath one of the knocked over shelves. It was as long as her forearm and inky black. When she held it up to the light it glimmered iridescent, like oil on dark water.
+2 Completion Counter
Item of Potential found: Iridescent Feather
Items of Potential
These items have been touched in someway by magic or destiny, with the right knowledge, insight and skill they can be turned into Wonderitems.
-----------
A Clean sweep. - AD 4
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill: Perseverance
Difficulty: Safe
There is dust and blood on the floors, you think you see a broom behind the counter.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 4 + Skill (Perseverance 0 ) = 4
Probability: 25% Great Success/50% Neutral/25% Failure
GREAT SUCCESS
Getting up from the floor Mahogany tried in vain to shake off the heavy grey dust that was over her skirt and hands. She shook them in the air, clouds of motes rising into the weak illumination. She said out loud, "You'd think a magic store would be cleaner," in an absentminded tone. On saying this there was a loud, metallic clank from behind the counter. Mahogany squeaked and jumped towards her staff, clutching it and holding it out in front of her to ward from whatever made that noise. Heart racing, she scanned the room. Nothing here in front of the counter.
She stepped towards the left of the counter, where there was a hatch in the wood she could lift up to step under and go to the other side. On the other side of the counter she could see a number of small drawers. Giving one labeled 'Providers' an absent minded tug it seemed like it was locked or stuck.
It became clear as soon as she stepped around the counter, what it was that made the 'clank'. A dented, metallic bucket full of water, a mop laying on the ground and a small wooden basket of cloths and scrub brushes had appeared sitting on the floor behind the counter.
"Are you serious?" Mahogany asked to the air, voice disbelieving, "You are obviously a magic building and the first magic thing you actually do is make me clean up your mess? If you can summon buckets why am I doing the cleaning? You can't animate the brushes yourself? That's like, a first year ritual!"
There was no response.
"Well.. I can't do the ritual either. So touché Betwixt and Between." She sighed, reluctantly and started to push up her sleeves.
------
Much later in the day (or night, the sky didn't seem to change outside) Mahogany sat on the newly polished and cleaned counter. She had found the wood polish much like she had found the bucket and mop. When she needed it, it had appeared with a clatter on the top of the counter.
She looked around the room in front of her. It was much improved! The wood paneling and shelves were a soft honey gold, now they were not covered in dust. The tapestries on the walls depicting images of dragon slaying, tower climbing and other journeys fantastical glimmered with bright colors. The shelves, bare as they were, she had straightened and rearranged along the walls. They seemed almost.... anticipatory.
The floors had taken the most work. Bucket after bucket of soapy water and it seemed like loomful of rags, she had scrubbed them until they shone. The scratches were still there but seemed shallower now, old scars rather than fresh wounds. She had even given a go at the window display. But something had seemed to halt her there, the statues and draped displays of jewels seeming to glint threateningly at her. She wasn't sure how an azurite necklace could display outright rejection, but this one sure did.
She glanced down at a few curious items she had found when cleaning up the main room. The first of these was several small, white crystals. They were irregular in size, but none bigger than her thumb, and when Mahogany held one up to the light it was occluded in the center, as if on the inside was a tiny cloud.
"They kind of remind me of a crystalline soul? Except smaller and less alive. Maybe they are just magic?" She stuck her tongue out and gave one a tentative lick. It immediately shocked her, sharp and ozone like. "Temperance's Tits!" She said recoiling away. "Well that was stupid. Don't put your mouth on weird magic rocks Mahogany."
Another thing she found was a long staff, about shoulder height and thick as her wrist. It was of a grey and black mottled color. She couldn't determine exactly what it was made of but it has that same feeling as the Iridescent feather she found earlier. What were these things? What was she supposed to do with them?
+3 to Completion Counter
Item of Potential Found : Piebald Staff
Currency Found : 5 'Magic Crystals'
------------
Explore the Betwixt and Between - AD 4
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill: Reason
Difficulty: Safe
Let's have a look around.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 4 + Skill (Reason +1) = 5
Probability: 50% Great Success/50% Neutral
NEUTRAL
Mahogany had cleaned the entire front of the store, investigated the doorknob and even given the antagonistic statues a swipe with a feather duster. She had been here for hours and hours. Honestly, she was exhausted. But still she felt trepidation about going past that faded black curtain behind the counter. She could feel there were more rooms, a staircase and other interesting things. Mahogany wasn't sure how she knew this, but know she did.
Was it the thought that going in there felt like trespassing? What would she say if she did meet someone in these private areas? Mahogany shook her head at these thoughts, wondering how that conversation would go, "Hello I'm the new Shopkeeper? Oh no, I was supposed to be an apprentice but my Master Magus wasn't here and I got hired by a book."
"Arcana bless, she chided herself "I'm being ridiculous."
Mahogany gathered up her suitcase, and ducked behind the counter. "First things First." she thought "There must be somewhere I can sleep in this place." She pushed aside the curtain to see a long hallway, two doors on both the right and the left of the hall. She pushed open the first one on the left, or at least tried too. The door was locked.
[Crystal Towers Origin] "Not locked, warded," Mahogany thought as she looked closer at the door handle. Runes unfamiliar to her but arranged in a familiar chain pattern. An ownership ward.
Next door then. The second one on the left did open and led into a large, brightly lit room. There was a long wooden table with six chairs tucked underneath it. Upon the table was a tray with a pitcher, cold with condensation, and a flower-patterned glass sitting on it.
"Water!" Mahogany exclaimed happily, rushing into the room. The water was cold with an aftertaste of fresh mint. She drank one glass and immediately poured herself a second sipping on it more slowly while looking around the rest of the room. There was a fireplace with a fire screen on one wall, fire merrily crackling within and a window on the other, near where the table was. Set up as if the people sitting at the table could look out onto the landscape. Along the wall past the fireplace was a number of cups, platters and serving ware in open shelves. By the door where she came in was a small chaise lounge tucked into the corner and a ottoman.
"Maybe they are to be used when you want to sit around the fireplace?" Mahogany pondered to herself.
On the back wall across from the door where she came in was the most curious part of the room. A large drum like device protruded from the back of the wall. As she walked over to look at it there was a clattering sound and the squeak of a mechanism and the drum turned on a central axis. Mahogany tensed, what was this strange device going to reveal or do?
It was actually a circular hatch and the inside was painted a cheery, cherry red. But the best part was that inside the hatch was a bowl of porridge, drowned in hot milk and honey, with the fragrant smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in the air. Next to it lay a spoon, a napkin and a small origami bee.
Mahogany laughed for what seemed like the first time in years.
+2 to Completion Counter
'Kitchen' location unlocked.
-------------
Empty Pages - AD 5
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill : Empathy
Difficulty : Risky
Communicate with the book? Spirit? in the Ledger.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 5 + Skill (Empathy +1) = 6
Probability: 100% Great Success
GREAT SUCCESS
Mundane needs taken care of for now, Mahogany thought it was about time to go and interrogate a book. She thought she had been very agreeable up to now and it was obvious that there was no Master Magus here. "It's time to get some answers from you." She muttered mulishly as she walked back towards the front of the store.
The book lay there on the counter, just as she left it. She walked over and flipped open the cover feeling as she did something drain from her. Energy lost, but still pushing forward she turned to the first page.
Lose 1 Energy
+3 to Completion Counter
On a Great Success you get to ask the book of Betwixt and Between TWO questions. (Please note these questions are at the approval of me, I'll let you know if I'm not cool with it. )
[X] What makes this shop so important? More so than an apprenticeship?
[X] How can I get my ability to cast unlocked with the resources available in the shop?
"Hello, Book?" Mahogany said "I've cleaned the shop of... blood. And played along until now. I think I need some questions answered." The silver grey cursive starts to appear on the page.
Of course Mahogany Gelt. What are your questions?
"What is all this?!" She snaps out, "I was supposed to meet my Master Magus for an apprenticeship." She pulls the letter from her pocket. "See it says it here clearly, 'Apprenticeship with a Merchant of Destiny.' Why am I now being told to be some sort of magical shopkeeper? What is this place? Why is this better?" She reaches the end of her rant, waiting for the book.
The book starts to show new text, this time it appears in gold.
Once upon a time, a boy was crying, he fled those who were attacking him for nothing more than begging in the street. He ran down the streets of the old city until he came to an alley and ducked into the closest door he saw, hoping to hide.
The door was actually to a shop and he found himself in a room filled with wonder. Glass shining lamps, weapons arranged on the wall, and shelves full of items. He wandered touching items as he passed, a green gem shaped into a cat eye strung on a rope of pearls, a bowl the inside crusted with barnacles and a completely blunt copper knife. He ran his fingertips over all these items walking further into the shop interior.
The shopkeeper spoke to him, and asked him about his troubles, the boy answered that his life was unfair. That there was no one he could turn to, that the world was needlessly cruel. The shopkeeper nodded listening to the boy and said that they have just the thing. The boy followed the shopkeeper to a shelf and was presented with...
"Presented him with a deck of cards, golden edged and showing the blank spaces in the sky." Mahogany echoed the words as they were written, a feeling like ice water running down her spine. She knew this story! Everyone knew this story! It was the tale of the Star Shepard, the original Fool himself!
"So you are the shop? In the story? I thought it was just.... like allegorical." She asked.
I am all the shops. The book wrote back in that silvery cursive.
"Ok." Mahogany felt a little shocked. She wasn't just kidnapped, but she had also fallen into what looks like a storybook tale.
"Alright, so you are a very magical and important shop that sells items to um.... heroes?"
Sometimes heroes, and villains, all and any. Always marked by destiny. Sometimes people come here looking for items in particular. I also take a trade.
"But what does that have to do with me!" Mahogany said plaintively "I'm not a hero, I just want to work with a Magus and unlock my potential. If that isn't going to happen I do not want to be here." Marking her words with sharp hand motions.
You asked for the help of Fate, Mahogany Gelt. Fate has interceded.
You are being offered the chance to be a part of a chain of people who help Destiny, who bring change and wonder into the world. A lifetime of magic and importance. Is that not what you wanted?
Mahogany has a vivid memory of her last night at Piecrow Isle looking into the small mirror in the bathroom of her family's cabin. A younger Mahogany looked back, cut lip and bruised eye. 'I'll show you all, I'm going to be one of the great Magus, not one of you can stop me. I'll be in all the books and one day everyone will know my name."
This place has many things to offer someone smart, hardworking, and ambitious. It is a powerful safe haven, it can travel wherever Destiny wills it, and it has knowledge you will never find anywhere else. Should you take ownership you will have access to all these things.
Familiar with contracts and deal-making in the summoning hall, Mahogany thought that this maybe sounded too good to be true. "What's the catch? There always is one. Do you want my soul? My memories? Ability to lie?" She listed off common prices for power.
It is a lifetime position. You will never be the hero, you will be mentioned in tales but people will not know your name.
Mahogany read over what she had been told. A lifetime of work at the whims of fate, unacknowledged. This was not sounding like a very good deal at all. She twisted her braid in her hands, contemplating the choice.
Would you like to know how to cast magic Mahogany Gelt?
She looked at the book. "Yes, more than anything." She said, trying to keep the yearning out of her voice.
Betwixt and Between is a partner with its shopkeeper. We can grant various abilities, talents, and long life. It would be easy to unlock your magic.
"Can you do it now?!" Mahogany exclaims, eyes shining.
No. The store is damaged. Find a Wonderitem, and sell it to a person marked by Destiny. Once you have done that Betwixt and Between will have power enough to do so.
Mahogany pondered on what she had been told. She was a practical person and like to think through her problems. She started to pace back and forth, thinking.
Pros: Magical, mysterious shop promising food, housing, and magical knowledge. Possibility of unlocking her magic with work (Which isn't what she was going to do anyway), Travel (maybe dimensional travel?), and Job security.
Cons: Lifetime position, and from the looks of the place when she arrived that life could be cut short. Danger. Messing with Fate and Destiny is well out of her area of expertise. No credit for anything. Can she again point out to herself the vast amount of blood on the floor and the missing previous owner?
She looked around the room. The empty shelves, the bright tapestries. There was something here, she could see it. Feel it. The potential to make something, real and present and entirely hers. It was dangerous and not at all part of her 10-year plan. Mahogany shivered again. It was exciting!
"Ok Book. How do I become your partner?" She said.
The book flipped its pages until it reached the front bookplate. The page had upon it a monogram of two intertwined B's, underneath several names, the first and second are almost completed faded, just a shimmer of gold scribble. The third is written in a strong, masculine hand. Bloyse its says.
Mahogany gets the gist. Sign the book.
She pulls her pen from her pocket and without giving herself another second to worry about it, signs her name. Mahogany Gelt.
As she finished the last stroke she feels a great amount of energy drain from her, sucked down and into the page. The name shines gold, and the book slams shut. She grabs onto the counter swaying. She feels everything... It's too much.
She staggers back down the hallway and collapses onto the lounge in front of the fireplace. The new weight of everything pulls her into a dark and deep sleep.
Lose 1 Energy
Quest Found: Unlock your Potential - Find a Wonderitem and sell it to someone marked by Destiny.
-------------
(Reminder: at the start of every new turn you lose 1 condition from the Betwixt and Between, and 2 energy. If energy reaches zero condition effects are doubled as the store has to expend effort to keep you alive.)
Every turn you will have several Action Dice that will be rolled. The number of action dice comes from the condition of the Betwixt and Between. Those dice are then rolled by me (they are 6 sided dice btw) to give you several numbers. This number when added to the skill level you have in the skill listed in the task gives you the probablity for success. Higher the total number, the more favorable the probability.
1 and 2 - 50% Neutral / 50% Failure
3 and 4 - 25% Great Success /50% Neutral / 25% Failure
5 - 50% Great Success / 50% Neutral
6+ - 100% Great Success
I have made a comprehensive Mechanics post which details more about all the numbers and extra details on tasks.
But basically you have 4 action dice right now (see above) Where would you like to assign them?
I would like plans to be done in the following format
[X] Very cool Plan Name
-[X] Task Name One
--[X] Action Dice - 4
-[X] Task Name Two
--[X] Action Dice - 3
-[X] Task Name Three
--[X] Action Dice - 4
-[X] Task Name Four
--[X] Action Dice - 5
Tasks may be taken multiple times in the same turn. Tasks will be completed in order from the first in the list to the last. If an action in an earlier task invalidates a later task the dice spent on that task is lost.
[ ] Investigate what has happened here.
Completion Counter: 2/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Something has happened here. Have a look around and see if you can figure it out.
[ ] A Clean sweep.
Completion Counter: 3/4
Skill: Perseverance (0)
Difficulty: SAFE
There is still that front window with the aggressive statues to clean.
[ ] Where in the World am I?
Completion Counter: 0/5
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
You look outside the window and you recognize nothing, maybe it might be good to familiarize yourself.
[ ] Explore the Betwixt and Between
Completion Counter: 2/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Let's have a look around.
[ ] Investigate the Warded Door
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
There is a door here that is locked, nothing more sharpens the curiosity.
[ ] Spend time in the Kitchen
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
The comfort of a hot meal and some time at rest.
[ ] Empty Pages
Completion Counter: 3/4
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
Communicate with the book? Spirit? in the Ledger.
[ ] A Keen Mind and a Clear Spirit. ( Unlocked by the Crystal Towers Origin)
Completion Counter: 0/10
Failure Counter: 0/10
Skill: Any Magic Skill
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
You were never able to do magic before. But maybe now you are here in a new place it can be different!
