Betwixt and Between (Magical Curio Shop Quest)
- Thread starter Wistways
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Plan What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Koshchei the Captive, instead of the Deathless? Interesting.
Seems like the shop had a nice variety of guests, including a possible shopkeeper.
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
Seems like the shop had a nice variety of guests, including a possible shopkeeper.
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
- Location
- Lasha Tumbai
Could be our mirror friend!
Vote closed
9. Apotheosis
Wistways
You friendly neighborhood artist
- Location
- Australia
[X] Plan: Easy Does It
-[X] Spend time in the Kitchen - AD 3
-[X] Explore the Betwixt and Between AD 1
-[X] Investigate what has happened here. AD 1
-[X] Books, Books, and More Books AD 1
-[X] Spend time in the Kitchen - AD 3
-[X] Explore the Betwixt and Between AD 1
-[X] Investigate what has happened here. AD 1
-[X] Books, Books, and More Books AD 1
Mahogany was so very tired. The work she was doing in her manascape, the investigating and exploring. Everything together just had her drained. She could push through, she had done so before. Unbidden a memory came back to her.
She was in the Crystal Towers graduate library, several heavy reference tomes on the book wheel and she span it back and forth seeking the right combination of words to prove her point. She was sure that the Melakanis law of the fifth movement was using the same principles as the Xanzi Rythmn songs. If so it could be that those principles could be dragged into other disciplines than bardic. Maybe they could even be translated into inscription. She just needed to find a clear reference or enough supporting evidence so she could then convince a Magus to test her theory. She squashed the fleeting feeling of anger at her inability. Those emotions were pointless and unhelpful.
"Maahoooogannnny!", a familiar voice called, far too loud for the research library. "Bumblebeeee where are youuuu?" She stepped out of her alcove to interrupt the caller.
"You are going to get us both kicked out!" She said in a hissed whisper to the rouge yeller. He gave her a cheeky grin and held up his hands as if to ward her off.
"Star forbid I wouldn't want that. Not Bumblebee removed from the safety of her hive. Whatever would she do?" The tone was still far too loud, but joking and jovial. Other students were now looking up from their work at this interaction. The young man smiled at them and gave a small wave to one of them he recognized.
"Shhhhhh!!!" She grabbed his sleeve and dragged him into her alcove. "Sit and be quiet for once in your life Milos."
"But Mahogany I ventured all the way here to bring you news. " He sat on the chair and leaned over her desk idly picking up the books she had stacked there. "Don't you want to know?"
"Those are in order Milos. Put it back." She turned her back to him not letting him see her grin. Milos was annoying and far too determined to interrupt her to ever be denied, but she enjoyed the old familiar play of it.
Milos sighed theatrically and placed the book back. Taking off his round glasses he started cleaning the frames on his grey student robes. "Mahogany, Mahogany, My dearest bumblebee." He said with a head shake."If I didn't come and drag you out of the library you would spend all your time here. Or in some dreary lab doing scut work or ...." He kept going with his list gesturing with his glasses at every phrase.
Mahogany turned to look at him, it seemed he was starting up to a real oration, a testimony of all the things Mahogany did that Milos thought was 'boring'. "....or stuck assisting Professor Gartenfool with his eternal classification of the states of the ephemeral soul. Or..."
"Milos. What news?"
"What?" Milos faltered, train of thought running to a halt.
"The news you so desperately needed to tell me." Mahogany said smiling, she didn't take it personally. She did do all the things that Milos just described.
"Right! News!." He snapped his fingers and stood up flicking back his hair and placing his glasses back on his face. "I got forecast for the Starfall tonight and it's going to be best from the eastern lake tower. I managed to reserve it before anyone else did. Snapped up the whole rooftop." He smiled triumphantly.
"Hmmmm... Good for you." She said, voice flat, and turned back to her book wheel. 'Nothing to do with her then, starfalls were only of value to certain magical disciplines. Not people like her.' she thought disappointedly.
She felt a gentle grab of her sleeve and turned back around. Milos let go quickly dropping his hand to his side as he said "Bumblebee I know that starfalls are not your..." and he halted discomfort on his face as he searched for a diplomatic word. "Thing. But come out with me. I'll bring food, it will be nice." He looked away from her face turning once again to peruse her pile of books. There was something in his voice she didn't recognize. Higher, more hopeful.
Mahogany felt something in her stomach flip, a vision came to her of Milos smiling softly at her, blonde hair and glasses reflecting a night's sky of falling stars. She internally shied away from this vision like a skittish horse. "I... " she swallowed, her voice coming out weaker than she wanted. Again she spoke firmer this time. "I can't Milos, I'm sorry. Thank you though. But I really can't spare the time." The words came out in a rushing tumble said to his half-turned body wishing she could see his face.
There was a pause just half a second too long and before Mahogany had a chance to say sorry again Milos turned back to her. That familiar smile was back in place. "Oh no worries Bumblebee, I knew that is probably what you would say. No time for worker bees to smell the flowers after all." He placed the book he was fidgeting with back, in the correct order, on the pile.
"If you change your mind you know where I will be." He said stepping towards the entrance of the alcove. He looked at her face in her eyes and once again Mahogany found herself uncomfortable with the expression she saw but didn't understand. The smile was softer than usual, the glint in his eyes that usually meant he was about to tease her gone, and instead they were looking, really looking at her. She reached her hand to grip her braid.
"I just worry about you. Don't burn yourself out Mahogany. You are allowed to have moments that are for yourself." And with that soft admonishment, he left.
Mahogany let the memory go with a soft exhale. She had seen Milos many times since then, always irreverent, always pushing her to take a break. But he hadn't invited her to anything again. She gathered herself up and began to wander past the counter of the Betwixt and Between, hand trailing on the smooth silk of the polished wood. 'Maybe,' she thought to herself, 'There is a limit to how many times you can ask a question to only get the same answer.'
She did work very hard then. But was it worth it? She didn't get an apprenticeship like she was promised. She looked around the building feeling the growing connection between her and it. "But was this from hard work? Or just Fate?" she thought. She stepped into the Kitchen thinking of Milos once again. Maybe she should take his advice, and take a slower day. Try to rest properly.
She looked out the window of the Kitchen seeing the whirls of the fog in their pretty hypnotic patterns. "I wish I could send him a letter, I don't even know how his apprenticeship is going."
---------
[ ] Spend time in the Kitchen - AD 3
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty: Safe
The comfort of a hot meal and some time at rest.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 3 + Skill (Empathy +1) = 4
Probability: 25% Great Success / 50 % Neutral / 25% Failure
RESULT: FAILURE
She sat there at the kitchen table looking out the window for a time. The fog had a pattern to it she noticed as she idly watched it. The swirls in it undulate back and forth in a natural motion. Like water under the influence of the tide. The kitchen had made for her a fresh fried egg on toast. The egg had crispy edges with a golden gooey yolk and the toast had a smear of some sort of onion jam, sweet and tart at the same time.
She wanted to sleep. She thought of the perfectly soft bed upstairs in the bedroom, how nice it had been when she had lain on it previously. But then she remembered the room's, other inhabitants. Mirror Being was sure to keep her awake out of spite, with its endless chatter and demands. Or it might not. Mahogany wasn't sure she felt that she didn't know what the creature wanted or its temperament to be able to predict its actions.
She stood up and washed her face free of crumbs with the hot lemon-scented towel served on a small honey-yellow plate. "Thank you, Kitchen." She said politely and the drum span on its axis with a squeak in response.
Even if she couldn't rest right now she could finish exploring. She had found one more door that she could enter. Or at least the doors that the magical alive store had chosen to reveal to her.
Energy +1
----------
Explore the Betwixt and Between - AD 1
Completion Counter: 8/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Let's have a look around.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 1+ Skill (Reason +1) = 2
Probability: 50 % Neutral / 50% Failure
RESULT: NEUTRAL
Mahogany came to the last door and when she looked at it it seemed that this door lacked any sort of handle. She pushed on it with her hand where one might usually find one to see if it would swing open, and was unsurprised when it didn't move at all. She stepped back looking at it. She could feel *something* in the air like the building was watching to see what she might do.
She closed her eyes and sunk into her magic. Not a full dive but enough that she was floating there just beneath the surface of her skin. It was so much easier now, she felt internally the flow of it. Still trapped beneath the surface but like ice on the surface of a spring pond, it was thinner and thinner each day. She felt around, groping in the magical darkness, for the connection that was between her and the Betwixt and Between. Ah! Gotcha!
In her mind, she lifted her hand, and in the physical world, she copied the movement. Reaching out she found the latch that opened the door and with a soft 'click' the magic and connection engaged.
She opened her eyes to see the door slowly move inward under her outstretched hand. Mahogany laughed with delight. She just did magic! Real intentional magic! Some sort of simple reflexive sympathy, an action in a magical space reflected in a physical one.
She stood there at the threshold of the room trying to sink the sensation into her memory. How long did it take? What did it feel like, taste like? Did it cost her anything in energy?
She couldn't stop laughing to herself. "Anyone looking at me would say I was mad," she said between chuckles. "Woman opens the door, loses mind."
Mahogany tried to take a steady breath and walked into the room.
This room had a ceiling that towered far above her at least 10 meters high. The dominating item was a cylinder stretching from high above to the floor in the center, the cylinder was filled with gears and clockwork. A complex machine of labyrinthine construction. Feeding through this cylinder collected in coiled ropes were countless threads. The threads were braided and intertwined in patterns mahogany couldn't expect to understand and casting strange shadows on her face as she looked up. The threads stretched from this cylinder to the walls which looked like they were lined with cabinets. Hundreds of doors stretched onwards and upwards to the roof of the room which was a leadlight stained glass dome showing the pale sky of the borderlands outside and filtering down pale yellow colored light.
Mahogany walked around the room stepping and ducking over threads, working her way in a spiral to the cylinder. As she drew closer she noticed that the floor changed from wooden herringbone patterned boards to a small step and then a fine white sand. She stepped down carefully, the sand was much deeper than she expected. Walking carefully towards the cylinder she saw that gears in the great mechanism had begun to rotate, waking up with her presence. Rotating and spinning like a puzzle box the gears moved until there was a narrow but very clear doorway made in the machine. She stepped into the space, fear fluttering in her with the intrusive thought. "What if it starts to move again and crush me inside." Walking a few steps forward slowly, the hallway continued to form in front of her until she stepped into a very small room. This room was circular in miniature to the cylinder outside. In the center floating at eye height was a white softly glowing moat. On the walls were thousands of keys of all styles and descriptions, each attached to a thread that fed back into the internal mechanism.
One key was not in the wall. Mahogany crouched down to look at the object that was on the floor directly below the floating mote. It was a simple brass circle about the size of a dinner plate, in the center of it was a large keyhole with a key turned what looked a half-turn counter-clockwise. This key looked like it was steel grey, angular in shape but with inlaid blue stones that seemed to be filled with the same roiling smoke as outside.
There was more rumbling of machinery and the keys on the walls jangled slightly in the vibration of it. Mahogany stood back up and looked at the mote again. Her hair was starting to stand up on her arms and she was feeling a little lightheaded. This was... This thing was.....
She didn't know. Not even enough to take a guess. She wasn't a particularly faithful person, not an adherent of the Arcana except in profanity or desperation. But this felt if she had to describe it, divine.
She stepped back and bowed her head low. "Um... I am Mahogany Gelt, Apprentice Magus. I think... um.. " her voice grew quieter, losing confidence. "I think that you chose me as your shopkeeper."
There was no change to the room. The vibrations of machinery, the soft divine light of the mote, the chiming of keys. "I'm sorry um... Betwixt and Between? I'm guessing? I'm sorry if that's wrong um... " She breathed in and tried to reach out, to resonate her magical intention to match her words. "I wish to learn and be of service. Can you give me any knowledge of this place and what I am supposed to do?"
She felt a thrum in her and heard a loud click as it seemed hundreds of switches activated at once. There was a rumbling wave that was rushing down the room around her the keys all ringing wildly as they swang on the threads. She couldn't step back into the tunnel it was now moving and the floor itself began to rotate, rocking her as she spread her stance wider to keep her footing.
The mote glowed white bright, enough that she had to squint her eyes closed. the sensation of spinning, the sound of machinery, the pull on her magic all of it together was overwhelming. It was like she was being spun herself, braided into a long cord of fate. Mahogany clutched her chest not out of pain but it was all deeply uncomfortable and she was so lightheaded she felt she could pass out at any moment.
She cracked open one of her eyes, squinting into the bright light. The mote had changed? She opened the other eye, looking up and focusing. It was a key, floating surrounded by hovering lights. She stood up unsteady, the room still spinning, and reached out to grab it. As soon as she grasped it there was a thrashing hum of force pushed, branded into her core.
This place was the Destiny Engine, and as she felt her magical signature lock into ownership of the Betwixt and Between her comprehension expanded again and again. The drawers were all the possible worlds times and locations, the keys the manner of travel, the great machine powered by and manipulation of fate. She felt her mind brush against a few. She tasted the dust and starlit streets of the Crystal Towers. A closed door and a card turn later and she was in a wintery forest the sound of sleighbells in the distance, pushing through tree boughs that felt more and more like fur she then fell on her hands and knees on a beach in the distance the white cloud sails of tall ships lifted off into the sky. The sand dissolved under her and she was falling. Possible worlds shedding away like petals and she felt herself merging in apotheosis with the building and its purpose.
The Kitchen, buzzing void of possibility and care, soft batting against her face of fuzzy motes, a dance to guide her to new flowers and places of value.
Welcomewelcomeweloveyou.
The Library and the inventory were part of a history that was unbroken for a millennium. A pen poised to record her. What will you do? What will you make? What are your choices?
Upstairs now, the boards of the floor her skin and the windows able to look onto any vista. There was a burr here and she felt the Mirror Being noticed as she passed, feather-touch light she brushed its frame and felt the bone-deep chill of loneliness. The rooms wanted to mold themselves to her preferences, to fit her like a second skin. Eager to expand and serve however she required.
The Wonderforge and the hot pulse of silver fire spread through her blood and she itched to make new. Possibilities were endless and within reach. Here she felt a presence, less overwhelming than the Kitchen, more like a Mentor standing back and watching what their student may do. A being cloaked in a flame of soft fire reached out and pushed her onwards.
She tumbled into a whirlwind around the storefront, every item rattled and spun, the guardians of the Betwixt and Between turning sightless stone eyes and expelling a hot smoky breath at her as she passed. She was then pulled, back down and into the Destiny Engine gears spinning and interlocking and following the thread back to herself.
Mahogany came to on her knees leaning against the wall in the control room of the Destiny Engine, keys imprinting themselves on her cheek she pulled away and stood up on slightly shakey legs.
The mote was whole once more, floating innocently in the air. The key to the Borderlands was still inserted into the controls. The room was exactly how it looked when she came in. Except for her, she was changed, and around her neck was a golden key on fine braided gold and platinum chain. The key had the symbol of Betwixt and Between, that monogram of intertwined B&B on the bow. It was a heavy key, her proof of ownership and access.
"Interesting way to give answers." She rubbed her forehead, she was surprised at how well she felt, how well the store felt. Oh, that was new, she could feel the store now. She flexed this new muscle and felt the fireplace in the kitchen light. She grinned, "Fun!"
She bowed to the mote once more and turned to the doorway forming in the gearwork walls. It should be easier to complete certain tasks here now she had full control.
Place discovered Destiny Engine.
Completion Counter: +2
Task complete: Explore the Betwixt and Between
Rewards:
Condition Fully restored 20/20
Energy expanded: +1
Energy Restored: 6/6
Trait Unlocked: Owner of the Betwixt and Between
**Destiny Engine**
The Destiny Engine allows you to travel to different realms and locations to intersect with possible customers touched by fate. It is the most valuable place is the Betwixt and Between containing a stable mote of fate. This goes without saying would be disastrous in the wrong hands. Upon selection of the Destiny Engine option you will be given the choices of potential customers you may intersect with and the locations they are at. The store can transform itself to fit in with the aesthetic of that realm or not if the owner wishes to remain incongruous with its surroundings. The Destiny Engine also allows you to nudge the fates of those you have sold a Wonderitem to. Remember the Betwixt and Between only gets a benefit if those you have sold a Wonderitem to are successful in completing their story. It is the completion of a Fate that gets a benefit, not just selling a wonderitem.
Second part of update to come shortly. I just got tired. Wistways
Someone able to take "No" as an answer and still be a friend. A rare treasure.
At least we still get something on a failure.
From the narrative hints we will get better energy economy once the bedroom is usable.
Well now. That is a lot.
Kitchen-chan remains cute.
Very nice rewards. Should keep us going for a while yet.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Love you too, Kitchen 🥰
Really Neat Wistways, thanks for the update!
Excited to choose our first customer and figure out what we can make to help them!
...and preferably figure out how our predecessor died so we can prevent it from happening again lol.
...and preferably figure out how our predecessor died so we can prevent it from happening again lol.
10. An Echo Play
Wistways
You friendly neighborhood artist
- Location
- Australia
Investigate what has happened here. - AD 1
Completion Counter: 8/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Something has happened here. Have a look around and see if you can figure it out.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 1+ Skill (Reason +1) = 2
Probability: 50 % Neutral / 50% Failure
RESULT: FAILURE
------------------
"It's time to get answers." Mahogany thought as she walked out of the Destiny Engine. She had never felt more in tune with her surroundings, doors opening and closing at her approach. She strode into the front of the store, the countertop lifting the hinged hatch for her to pass by as she strode out into the middle of the shop floor.
Putting her hands on her hips she looked towards the front of the store. "I know that you are more capable than you are telling me." She said sternly addressing the dragon door and the adorned sentinels. "You were here. Why did you let Bloyse come to harm? Why have you failed in your duties?"
She received a strong sensation of dissatisfaction from both the dragon door and the statues. Gems fell to the ground in the window as the peacock statue slowly turned to face her, tail beginning to raise with a scrape of heavy stone.
The door swung open and closed and a cloud of thick blue smoke, heavy smelling of volcanic sulfur crawled into the room, sullen and looming.
Mahogany refused to be intimidated by her own store. She must know what has happened. She had a duty now, she couldn't have strange threats out there in the mist ready to come back and do the same to her.
"I know people have been injured and taken, that we had two new visitors that arrived at the same time that items have been lost or stolen. You must communicate to me what has happened in whatever way you can." Her voice was more demanding now.
There was a halt in the advance in the smoke and it seemed to cool into a lighter blue. The glass eyes in the peacock's tail flashed with flickering rays.
Mahogany stepped back as the smoke swirled and light flashed and watch as it came together to form a ghostly illusion.
The door opened and in came a thin grey figure made of smoke, they were of height with her with what looked like shaggy hair and wearing a cape. Details of the figure were hard to determine but it was enough for Mahogany to intuit that they were showing her an echo of what had happened.
The thin figure, she was guessing male from the broadness of the shoulder and the way of the walk, seemed to pause at the doorway. Another figure came into being, this one lighter in colored smoke with an outfit with long trailing sleeves, and appeared behind the counter of the storefront.
"Ok so that one must be Bloyse, and this one either Ferrow Askinlilt or Koshchei the Captive according to the logbook." She thought as she watched the smokey Bloyse greet them. "They must be someone touched by destiny or the dragon door would of never let them in."
There was no sound to the smoke so she could only guess what they were talking about. They had a discussion, with Bloyse coming around the countertop to walk to a shelf and offer a ribbon-like item. There was a shake of the head from the other figure and they began to gesture. Were they trying to ask for something specific? From what Mahogany knew that wasn't how it worked, usually, the shopkeeper would prepare something or suggest an item. The Betwixt and Between didn't take requests from normal customers.
The first figure once again shook his head, more insistently. Mahogany noticed that around their feet there was a roiling black smoke appearing. She wasn't sure if this was part of the echo play or from the dragon door until it exploded in a torrent of feathers and a very tall black smoke figure clambered out of the shadow of the first. When the smoke settled once again there was a tall figure with a fist in the shirt of Bloyse's figure, lifting him high above the ground, legs kicking and arms scrabbling.
There were also two very large black feathered creatures flying around the store knocking over spectral furniture and colliding with the first figure. He silently cried out in pain clutching an arm and falling to the ground. The dark large figure was standing speaking to Bloyse as he held him at his mercy. Mahogany saw there was a dark shadow connecting to the feet of the first man lying on the shop floor.
Bloyse said something and snapped a hand up, a crimson burst of smoke came from the tall shadowy one and Bloyse crashed to the ground as he was dropped. He yelled something and threw the ribbon at the first man on the ground, who caught it from the air. As he did this the large birds both descended on him in a tumultuous storm of feathers and claws. The shadowy figure turned to the first figure who had now scrabbled his way to the door, it seemed to speak to them, maybe to entice him to stay.
The first man declined this offer with a rude gesture and on stepping out the door tied the ribbon around his neck and immediately began to shrink down, down, down, into a small black bird, which after a small stumble, winged its way into the mist.
As soon as the first man left the doorstop of the Betwixt and Between, several things happened at once. First, the black connection between the first man and the tall shadowy figure snapped. The dark figure began to shink in on itself and seemed to scream out as more and more of its smokey essence seemed to be released and dissipated into the air. At this same time, a white smoke formed into a large statue, a sword appearing in a hand as it walked slowly towards them. The front door opened like a jaw and the shadowy figure was pushed by some force towards it. It seemed to yell out a command and the two large shadow birds both latched onto a part of Bloyse and dragged him towards the door, red ribbons of smoke leaking from the limp still echo body.
The dark figure grabbed at the shelves as it was pushed out, laying a hand on a harp as it was ejected roughly back into the mists of the Borderlands. Dark birds swoop out the doorway holding Bloyse between them. The door slammed shut after them and with that the smokey echo play was over.
The peacock closed its fanned tail, cutting off the shining lights and returning to the window. The smoke dissipated, a faint chime from the front door and coolness in the air. Mahogany got the distinct impression that this was a one-time thing, born of her recent connection and control of the Betwixt and Between,
She went and leaned against the counter, taking notes of what she saw. She believed she had the full idea of what had happened. Concerning the lost items, the Raven feathered band is in the hands of the unwilling first man. The Needle of Capture and the Lyre of the Maiden are in the hands of the second more violent figure. Bloyse the previous shopkeeper is either dead or under the control of the second figure.
She looked out the window into the mist thinking. Both of those were last seen outside in the Borderlands, there was a part of her who hated to leave events half finished. Also, she did not want to abandon Bloyse here if he was alive, he was her master. Or maybe a co-worker? Not sure. But no one deserved to be attacked and hurt. Also, there was that bird she saw before. Maybe that was the first figure transformed? Maybe she could help them and find out more about what had been going on here.
Completion Counter +2
Task Complete: Investigate what happened here.
New Borderlands Tasks unlocked!
Reward :
Insight : Betrayal - Trust, once lost, could not be easily found. Not in a year, perhaps not even in a lifetime
----------------
Books, Books and More Books - AD 1
Completion Counter: 0/8
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
See if you can figure out the purpose of this collection
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 1+ Skill (Hidden Knowledge +1) = 2
Probability: 50 % Neutral / 50% Failure
RESULT: FAILURE
---------------------------
You could tell a lot about the objects that someone chooses to surround themselves with. A room is often a reflection of the mental state of a person. Mahogany pondered on this as she looked through the shelves of books Bloyse had in his study. They were not organized by any library system or by author. Instead as she flicked through them she discovered they seemed to be sorted by topic. The ones on the shelves were stories from far off lands, each about a young adventurer who finds a magical item of some kind and then goes on some sort of wild adventure.
"Well that's a familiar story." She said to herself as she browsed the titles. Why were these here instead of in the Inventory. That's where all the stores records were located. She picked up another volume and her eyebrows rose when the text on the cover reformed before her eyes, translating into a language that she could understand.
"Is this just in the Betwixt and Between or can I read everything now?" She commented watching the text change as she flicked open the book. This one seemed to be a story from a place called the Phantasma of the 'Siege of the Moonlight
stress."
"We must remain! The stair always needs to be guarded!" Bellowed the Pine spirit as it slammed a resin filled fist onto the great table of the meeting hall. There was a chorus of voices both of assent and dissent as order was lost.
Allison Shaxby watched the discord from under the cool shadow of the Penumberal Umbrella. "I wished they had decided they were going to give up before they summoned me." She span the umbrella idly. "Could of saved a lot of time and stress."
She closed the book. It looked to her like the shelves contained many stories repeated, several volumes telling the same story from different points of view or written by different authors. It reminded her of a type of collection, near identical items but structured around a theme. But what could the theme be? She picked up another book. Well the only way to find out was to start reading.
Completion Counter +2
(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.)
Action Dice from Conditon = 5
Action Dice Results : 6, 4, 2, 4, 1
----------------------
BORDERLANDS
[ ] 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.
[ ] Movement in the Fog
Skill: Quick (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Was that something moving outside? No, surely not. You must be imagining things.
[ ] Seek out the Bird
Skill : Quick (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
Step outside and look to the sky. Let's track down a Raven.
(This task will prompt a longer trip out of the Betwixt and Between, be ready)
[ ] A Mentor Taken
Skill: Magic of Intent (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
See if you can track down what has happened to Bloyse.
(This task will prompt a longer trip out of the Betwixt and Between, be ready)
[ ] Find the Lost Wonderitems
Completion Counter: 0/8
Skill: Magic of Intent (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Locate the lost Wonderitems and return them to the store.
--------------------
STOREFRONT
[ ] Empty Pages
Completion Counter: 3/4
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
Communicate with the book? Spirit? in the Ledger.
[ ] The Dragon and Many Eyed Watcher
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill : Magic of Craft (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
Improve security of the store and change the rules of entry.
-------------------
PERSONAL TASKS
[ ] A Keen Mind and a Clear Spirit.
Completion Counter : 6/10
Failure Counter : 0/10
Skill : Magic of Craft (0)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
You have managed to find your manascape, in a dark cave in your soul. Spend time filling the basin on the Alter of Craft.
[ ] A Letter Home
Skill : Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Cost : 2 "Magic" Crystals
Surely this job was never intended as an exile. Maybe we could try get in touch with home through the Destiny Engine. But maybe I should be keeping this all a secret.
-------------------
INVENTORY
[ ] Research in the Inventory
Skill : Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
So there is something you want to know about wonderitems. In here it has the information both past and present.
(Please list what sort of information you want to look for.)
[ ] A Request for the Betwixt and Between
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
There is something you require the Betwixt and Between to provide you. Flex your connection and see if you can make it happen.
(Please specify the item and its use of it in the plan. This cannot provide magic items or new rooms. Some things cannot be created or are out of setting for this quest and are up to GM discretion)
--------------------
🐝 KITCHEN 🐝
[ ] Spend time in the Kitchen
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
The comfort of a hot meal and some time at rest.
[ ] A Busy Bee
Skill : Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
Cost : 2 'Magic' Crystals
The Kitchen has communicated to you that it can create special meals for you. But all wonderous things have a cost.
---------------------
BEDROOM
[ ] Mirror, Mirror
Failure Counter : 0/3
Skill : Empathy (+1) or Magic of Illusion (N/A)
Difficulty: RISKY
The Mirror being is both rude and uncontrollable. Maybe it's time to have a discussion.
[ ] See into the Past
Failure Counter: 0/4
Skill: Magic of Intent (N/A)
Difficulty: RISKY
I know the actions and ritual to see into the past to find out what happened in the moment of violence in the store. If only i had a way to power it.
[ ] Echo in my Hand
Failure Counter: 0/4
Skill: Magic of Craft (N/A)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
You can modify the runes on the large mirror as well as add your own. This would allow the mirror being to enter the hand mirror and by controlled by your will.
[ ] To Sleep, perchance to Dream?
Failure Counter : 0/5
Skill : Destiny (+1)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
The objects around the bed seemed to be tuned to have a purpose while sleeping.
[ ] Messy Room
Completion Counter : 1/4
Skill : Quick (0)
Difficulty: SAFE
Rummage through the belongings of the previous shopkeeper and maybe your supposed to be Master.
----------------------
PERSONAL STUDY
[ ] Red strings and Pages
Completion Counter : 0/5
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty : SAFE
What could of the former shopkeeper been tracking?
[ ] A Puzzle Locked Desk
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill: Quick (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
There is nothing more tempting than a locked box in plain sight.
[ ] Books, Books and More Books
Completion Counter: 2/8
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
See if you can figure out the purpose of this collection.
-----------------------
WONDERFORGE
[ ] Create a Wonderitem
Requires AD : 4 , 1
Skill : Magic of Craft or other Magic Skill
Create a Wonderitem at the forge. (This will trigger a vote to determine what item.)
-----------------------
DESTINY ENGINE
[ ] Realm traveller
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Cost: 4 Condition
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Pick a new realm to travel to.
(Please note this may change or fail quests/tasks/narrative that you have not completed)
[ ] Touched by Destiny
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
Locate possible customers for the Betwixt and Between.
[ ] Lay a hand on the Loom
Failure Counter : 0/5
Skill: Destiny (+1) and a Magic Skill
Difficulty : RISKY
Look into a story being woven and make your own edits to the narrative.
-------------------
Completion Counter: 8/10
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Something has happened here. Have a look around and see if you can figure it out.
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 1+ Skill (Reason +1) = 2
Probability: 50 % Neutral / 50% Failure
RESULT: FAILURE
------------------
"It's time to get answers." Mahogany thought as she walked out of the Destiny Engine. She had never felt more in tune with her surroundings, doors opening and closing at her approach. She strode into the front of the store, the countertop lifting the hinged hatch for her to pass by as she strode out into the middle of the shop floor.
Putting her hands on her hips she looked towards the front of the store. "I know that you are more capable than you are telling me." She said sternly addressing the dragon door and the adorned sentinels. "You were here. Why did you let Bloyse come to harm? Why have you failed in your duties?"
She received a strong sensation of dissatisfaction from both the dragon door and the statues. Gems fell to the ground in the window as the peacock statue slowly turned to face her, tail beginning to raise with a scrape of heavy stone.
The door swung open and closed and a cloud of thick blue smoke, heavy smelling of volcanic sulfur crawled into the room, sullen and looming.
Mahogany refused to be intimidated by her own store. She must know what has happened. She had a duty now, she couldn't have strange threats out there in the mist ready to come back and do the same to her.
"I know people have been injured and taken, that we had two new visitors that arrived at the same time that items have been lost or stolen. You must communicate to me what has happened in whatever way you can." Her voice was more demanding now.
There was a halt in the advance in the smoke and it seemed to cool into a lighter blue. The glass eyes in the peacock's tail flashed with flickering rays.
Mahogany stepped back as the smoke swirled and light flashed and watch as it came together to form a ghostly illusion.
The door opened and in came a thin grey figure made of smoke, they were of height with her with what looked like shaggy hair and wearing a cape. Details of the figure were hard to determine but it was enough for Mahogany to intuit that they were showing her an echo of what had happened.
The thin figure, she was guessing male from the broadness of the shoulder and the way of the walk, seemed to pause at the doorway. Another figure came into being, this one lighter in colored smoke with an outfit with long trailing sleeves, and appeared behind the counter of the storefront.
"Ok so that one must be Bloyse, and this one either Ferrow Askinlilt or Koshchei the Captive according to the logbook." She thought as she watched the smokey Bloyse greet them. "They must be someone touched by destiny or the dragon door would of never let them in."
There was no sound to the smoke so she could only guess what they were talking about. They had a discussion, with Bloyse coming around the countertop to walk to a shelf and offer a ribbon-like item. There was a shake of the head from the other figure and they began to gesture. Were they trying to ask for something specific? From what Mahogany knew that wasn't how it worked, usually, the shopkeeper would prepare something or suggest an item. The Betwixt and Between didn't take requests from normal customers.
The first figure once again shook his head, more insistently. Mahogany noticed that around their feet there was a roiling black smoke appearing. She wasn't sure if this was part of the echo play or from the dragon door until it exploded in a torrent of feathers and a very tall black smoke figure clambered out of the shadow of the first. When the smoke settled once again there was a tall figure with a fist in the shirt of Bloyse's figure, lifting him high above the ground, legs kicking and arms scrabbling.
There were also two very large black feathered creatures flying around the store knocking over spectral furniture and colliding with the first figure. He silently cried out in pain clutching an arm and falling to the ground. The dark large figure was standing speaking to Bloyse as he held him at his mercy. Mahogany saw there was a dark shadow connecting to the feet of the first man lying on the shop floor.
Bloyse said something and snapped a hand up, a crimson burst of smoke came from the tall shadowy one and Bloyse crashed to the ground as he was dropped. He yelled something and threw the ribbon at the first man on the ground, who caught it from the air. As he did this the large birds both descended on him in a tumultuous storm of feathers and claws. The shadowy figure turned to the first figure who had now scrabbled his way to the door, it seemed to speak to them, maybe to entice him to stay.
The first man declined this offer with a rude gesture and on stepping out the door tied the ribbon around his neck and immediately began to shrink down, down, down, into a small black bird, which after a small stumble, winged its way into the mist.
As soon as the first man left the doorstop of the Betwixt and Between, several things happened at once. First, the black connection between the first man and the tall shadowy figure snapped. The dark figure began to shink in on itself and seemed to scream out as more and more of its smokey essence seemed to be released and dissipated into the air. At this same time, a white smoke formed into a large statue, a sword appearing in a hand as it walked slowly towards them. The front door opened like a jaw and the shadowy figure was pushed by some force towards it. It seemed to yell out a command and the two large shadow birds both latched onto a part of Bloyse and dragged him towards the door, red ribbons of smoke leaking from the limp still echo body.
The dark figure grabbed at the shelves as it was pushed out, laying a hand on a harp as it was ejected roughly back into the mists of the Borderlands. Dark birds swoop out the doorway holding Bloyse between them. The door slammed shut after them and with that the smokey echo play was over.
The peacock closed its fanned tail, cutting off the shining lights and returning to the window. The smoke dissipated, a faint chime from the front door and coolness in the air. Mahogany got the distinct impression that this was a one-time thing, born of her recent connection and control of the Betwixt and Between,
She went and leaned against the counter, taking notes of what she saw. She believed she had the full idea of what had happened. Concerning the lost items, the Raven feathered band is in the hands of the unwilling first man. The Needle of Capture and the Lyre of the Maiden are in the hands of the second more violent figure. Bloyse the previous shopkeeper is either dead or under the control of the second figure.
She looked out the window into the mist thinking. Both of those were last seen outside in the Borderlands, there was a part of her who hated to leave events half finished. Also, she did not want to abandon Bloyse here if he was alive, he was her master. Or maybe a co-worker? Not sure. But no one deserved to be attacked and hurt. Also, there was that bird she saw before. Maybe that was the first figure transformed? Maybe she could help them and find out more about what had been going on here.
Completion Counter +2
Task Complete: Investigate what happened here.
New Borderlands Tasks unlocked!
Reward :
Insight : Betrayal - Trust, once lost, could not be easily found. Not in a year, perhaps not even in a lifetime
----------------
Books, Books and More Books - AD 1
Completion Counter: 0/8
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
See if you can figure out the purpose of this collection
FINAL TOTAL (Action Dice 1+ Skill (Hidden Knowledge +1) = 2
Probability: 50 % Neutral / 50% Failure
RESULT: FAILURE
---------------------------
You could tell a lot about the objects that someone chooses to surround themselves with. A room is often a reflection of the mental state of a person. Mahogany pondered on this as she looked through the shelves of books Bloyse had in his study. They were not organized by any library system or by author. Instead as she flicked through them she discovered they seemed to be sorted by topic. The ones on the shelves were stories from far off lands, each about a young adventurer who finds a magical item of some kind and then goes on some sort of wild adventure.
"Well that's a familiar story." She said to herself as she browsed the titles. Why were these here instead of in the Inventory. That's where all the stores records were located. She picked up another volume and her eyebrows rose when the text on the cover reformed before her eyes, translating into a language that she could understand.
"Is this just in the Betwixt and Between or can I read everything now?" She commented watching the text change as she flicked open the book. This one seemed to be a story from a place called the Phantasma of the 'Siege of the Moonlight
stress."
*********************
The castle had been under siege for weeks, hope and supplies dwindling as the last Spirits of the Stair argued about what was to be done. The choices they had left narrowed as more and more of them abandoned hope and this realm as they ascended the Moonlight Stair. The horde outside sought the stair also, to ascend into the spirit realm and plunder the treasure there.
"We must remain! The stair always needs to be guarded!" Bellowed the Pine spirit as it slammed a resin filled fist onto the great table of the meeting hall. There was a chorus of voices both of assent and dissent as order was lost.
Allison Shaxby watched the discord from under the cool shadow of the Penumberal Umbrella. "I wished they had decided they were going to give up before they summoned me." She span the umbrella idly. "Could of saved a lot of time and stress."
*********************
She closed the book. It looked to her like the shelves contained many stories repeated, several volumes telling the same story from different points of view or written by different authors. It reminded her of a type of collection, near identical items but structured around a theme. But what could the theme be? She picked up another book. Well the only way to find out was to start reading.
Completion Counter +2
(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.)
|
Condition: 20/20 |
Energy: 6/6 |
Turn 6 |
Action Dice from Conditon = 5
Action Dice Results : 6, 4, 2, 4, 1
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 - AD 4
-[X] Task Name Two - AD 3
-[X] Task Name Three - AD 4
-[X] Task Name Four - AD 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.
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 - AD 4
-[X] Task Name Two - AD 3
-[X] Task Name Three - AD 4
-[X] Task Name Four - AD 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.
----------------------
BORDERLANDS
[ ] 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.
[ ] Movement in the Fog
Skill: Quick (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Was that something moving outside? No, surely not. You must be imagining things.
[ ] Seek out the Bird
Skill : Quick (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
Step outside and look to the sky. Let's track down a Raven.
(This task will prompt a longer trip out of the Betwixt and Between, be ready)
[ ] A Mentor Taken
Skill: Magic of Intent (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
See if you can track down what has happened to Bloyse.
(This task will prompt a longer trip out of the Betwixt and Between, be ready)
[ ] Find the Lost Wonderitems
Completion Counter: 0/8
Skill: Magic of Intent (0)
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Locate the lost Wonderitems and return them to the store.
--------------------
STOREFRONT
[ ] Empty Pages
Completion Counter: 3/4
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
Communicate with the book? Spirit? in the Ledger.
[ ] The Dragon and Many Eyed Watcher
Completion Counter : 0/4
Skill : Magic of Craft (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
Improve security of the store and change the rules of entry.
-------------------
PERSONAL TASKS
[ ] A Keen Mind and a Clear Spirit.
Completion Counter : 6/10
Failure Counter : 0/10
Skill : Magic of Craft (0)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
You have managed to find your manascape, in a dark cave in your soul. Spend time filling the basin on the Alter of Craft.
[ ] A Letter Home
Skill : Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
Cost : 2 "Magic" Crystals
Surely this job was never intended as an exile. Maybe we could try get in touch with home through the Destiny Engine. But maybe I should be keeping this all a secret.
-------------------
INVENTORY
[ ] Research in the Inventory
Skill : Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
So there is something you want to know about wonderitems. In here it has the information both past and present.
(Please list what sort of information you want to look for.)
[ ] A Request for the Betwixt and Between
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
There is something you require the Betwixt and Between to provide you. Flex your connection and see if you can make it happen.
(Please specify the item and its use of it in the plan. This cannot provide magic items or new rooms. Some things cannot be created or are out of setting for this quest and are up to GM discretion)
--------------------
🐝 KITCHEN 🐝
[ ] Spend time in the Kitchen
Skill: Empathy (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
The comfort of a hot meal and some time at rest.
[ ] A Busy Bee
Skill : Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty : RISKY
Cost : 2 'Magic' Crystals
The Kitchen has communicated to you that it can create special meals for you. But all wonderous things have a cost.
---------------------
BEDROOM
[ ] Mirror, Mirror
Failure Counter : 0/3
Skill : Empathy (+1) or Magic of Illusion (N/A)
Difficulty: RISKY
The Mirror being is both rude and uncontrollable. Maybe it's time to have a discussion.
[ ] See into the Past
Failure Counter: 0/4
Skill: Magic of Intent (N/A)
Difficulty: RISKY
I know the actions and ritual to see into the past to find out what happened in the moment of violence in the store. If only i had a way to power it.
[ ] Echo in my Hand
Failure Counter: 0/4
Skill: Magic of Craft (N/A)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
You can modify the runes on the large mirror as well as add your own. This would allow the mirror being to enter the hand mirror and by controlled by your will.
[ ] To Sleep, perchance to Dream?
Failure Counter : 0/5
Skill : Destiny (+1)
Difficulty : DANGEROUS
The objects around the bed seemed to be tuned to have a purpose while sleeping.
[ ] Messy Room
Completion Counter : 1/4
Skill : Quick (0)
Difficulty: SAFE
Rummage through the belongings of the previous shopkeeper and maybe your supposed to be Master.
----------------------
PERSONAL STUDY
[ ] Red strings and Pages
Completion Counter : 0/5
Skill: Reason (+1)
Difficulty : SAFE
What could of the former shopkeeper been tracking?
[ ] A Puzzle Locked Desk
Completion Counter : 0/10
Skill: Quick (0)
Difficulty: RISKY
There is nothing more tempting than a locked box in plain sight.
[ ] Books, Books and More Books
Completion Counter: 2/8
Skill: Hidden Knowledge (+1)
Difficulty: SAFE
See if you can figure out the purpose of this collection.
-----------------------
WONDERFORGE
[ ] Create a Wonderitem
Requires AD : 4 , 1
Skill : Magic of Craft or other Magic Skill
Create a Wonderitem at the forge. (This will trigger a vote to determine what item.)
-----------------------
DESTINY ENGINE
[ ] Realm traveller
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Cost: 4 Condition
Difficulty: DANGEROUS
Pick a new realm to travel to.
(Please note this may change or fail quests/tasks/narrative that you have not completed)
[ ] Touched by Destiny
Skill: Destiny (+1)
Difficulty: RISKY
Locate possible customers for the Betwixt and Between.
[ ] Lay a hand on the Loom
Failure Counter : 0/5
Skill: Destiny (+1) and a Magic Skill
Difficulty : RISKY
Look into a story being woven and make your own edits to the narrative.
-------------------
Phew! This one was a doozy. But so many new tasks and things to do! Have Fun! Wistways
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