Big Fish, Big Pond

[SlugSLinger]

The world burns.

Fire reaches up to boil the clouds and paint the sky red with its heat. Ash rains down like snowflakes amidst piles of broken war machines and pulped corpses. A castle is wreathed in killing flame, its heat roasting those still within its sturdy walls and rendering much of its surrounding greenery into char and cinders.

A young man walks among the destruction, weapon pointed low and eyes seeking movement from those still clinging to their rapidly vanishing lives. He find one.

Their body is a ruined mess; three limbs gone, face heavily disfigured, and most of their flesh partially charred and glowing from lingering heat. They crawl along with their remaining limb, trying in vain to flee while some small ember of life still roiled in their chest. They plead for mercy when he flips them over.

He gives it to them with a bullet to the skull.

Clearing out a fortress occupied by a demonic cult is by no means an easy task; the planning alone is a nightmare, let alone pulling off the actual assault. But it is necessary for continued regional stability and peace, as well as to head off whatever devious plots the cultist have cooking in those partially possessed skulls of theirs. Why no-one else was sent to do it is simple; there were no better people for the task. Eradicating demonic cults had to be a guaranteed success, lest survivors escape and start cults of their own elsewhere with knowledge and experience needed to evade future attempts at culling.

He still wished the task could have fallen onto someone else' shoulders, however.

The young man looked around and sighed at the destruction. It was a nice countryside with plenty of greenery before they came, and the castle itself held some historical significance. A shame it all had to be burned, but alas, one had to be thorough in removing demonic taint or else it would fester and develop into something worse down the line.

But just as the young man was about to move on, he felt the ground shake and turned to the burning castle in time to see it crumble inwards; releasing the great fires within its stone walls in a massive explosion. From that detonation, a comet shoots out and furls a pair of smoking demonic wings. Power radiates from it, visibly distorting the air around with its aura of evil and wrongness. It roars, a bone rattling sound so malicious that it could chill blood and freeze beating hearts.

Three things answer the winged demon's roar--

The raging fire twisting itself into an enormous pillar. A figure bursts through the flames and grabs the demon, punching it twice, before hurling it upwards into the heavens. The abomination spins once, twice, before arresting its momentum with its wings. It's sole, remaining wing.

The second is a crescent of holy light so strong that it momentarily turns the nigh into day. It travels through the air and shears off the demon's remaining wing and its left arm, travelling higher into the heavens until the very clouds are cut open; revealing the bright full moon against a backdrop of stars.

The third is a beam of concentrated magic the color of bright pink sunfire. It shoots upwards like a spear and hits the wingless demon like a physical force; shattering what little willpower it still had and sending it plummeting into the earth like a falling boulder.

It is an amazing display of power, the kind normally seen during large-scale wars. A bit overkill, but then demons are a tricky lot and warrant such things. With a grin, the young man lazily strolls over to the crater made by the falling Hellspawn. He reaches the rim and slides down the side to the bottom, where the emaciated and broken-limbed spawn of Hell writhes and sobs with a voice like distorted thunder.

He stops before the demon and it looks up are him with a charred face, a burst eye, and stumps where three horns used to be on its forehead. It's remaining eye bulges and it tries to wriggle away.

"No!" the demon begs. "No, please! Not the Void, ANYTHING but the Void! I don't want to suffer an eternity of nothing!" The young man holds it in place with a boot and flip it onto its back. "I-I'll do anything! I'll be a good demon and go back to Hell! I'll swear a geas to not come back! Please, just let me go!" He puts a hand over its remaining eye, the motion almost gentle. "No! NOOOOOOOOO--!!"

From within the crater, a ripple in reality spreads outwards from the crater and the demon within screams. Seconds later, the screams cease forever and reality straightens back to its natural shape. The young man climbs out soon after, dusting his hands as he approaches his gathered fellows.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X​

The Kingdom of Lunabreck is a small nation bordered by giants to its north and east, bracketed to the sea on its west and a monster infested forest to its south. Within its borders is the world-famous Luna Academy for Magic and Higher Learning, where the young and talented from all over the world attend to hone their skills and prepare for their brilliant futures.

The students of the prestigious school come from all walks of life, divided only by their ability to utilize magic. A gulf exists in that divide, as it always does in schools that educate both mages and non-mages, and with it are rules that keep the divide from causing too much harm to the students, enforced by teachers who will do whatever it takes to keep their workloads light and the students from killing each other.

But there will always be moments when the threats of detention and displeased teachers are not enough to deter some from breaking the rules. In those moments, a certain measure must be deployed.

Enter the Special Student Services Club, or the SSS.

A unique student club formed under the direct supervision of the Academy Headmaster himself, it was originally an initiative to help straighten out particularly troubling students and delinquents under the Headmaster's stern gaze. It has since evolved into a volunteer club that aids other students' with troubles (so long as those troubles do not infringe upon the laws both foreign and domestic or break Academy rules) in exchange for a geas to help the SSS in a similar or equivalent manner in the future.

Or so the official story goes.

Unofficially, the SSS also stood for 'Solution for Serious Situations'; a term first used by a Lunabreckian General when he first heard of how powerful the members of the SSS are. They are the people called in to deal with problems no-one else could handle; slaying a dragon rampaging across the countryside without sparking international tensions, assassinating someone important without making it look like an assassination, killing demon lords if the heroes destined to beat them failed, so on and so forth.

There were a surprising amount of Serious Situations and many were the emergency sorties you had to rush onto, but luckily you and yours weren't needed often enough to warrant living at the student dormitories. The stories you've heard of how crazy dorm students could get at times were downright scary at times.

But enough about that.

You blink the light out of your eyes as the long-range teleportation spell did its job and deposited you and your fellow SSS members in the specially made teleportation chamber of the SSS club room. Greeting your arrival is the Academy Headmaster and his Deputy Headmistress. All of you march to them and stand at attention side by side, presenting yourselves for inspection.

There are four of you in all, each and every one powerful in their own right. Of the four, who are you?

...:
[] Mellow Proudmoore, the Silver Bullet. Wielder of the legendary Nullforce, a power that awes and terrifies all things supernatural in equal measure. Your mere presence has thrown the threads of destiny into disarray, and many are the prophecies and champions you have ended with a swing of your blade or the pull of your trigger.

[] Jacques Sinclaire, the Blade Saint. A Half-Fae, born with powers of an immortal coursing through mortal flesh. You fight with any melee weapon with the skill of masters, use legendary weapons to the extent that their myths and legends dictate, and command the allegiance of spirits and elementals with your mere presence.

[] Tyriel Steelheart, the Barbarian Elf. A half-breed born between a High Elf princess and a Black Orc warlord. You possess the immense physical strength and martial inclination of a Black Orc, and the incredible magic talent of Elven royalty; which allows you to do feats of martial prowess and magic that masters of either race cannot.

[] Caligo Heitinga, the Ebony Demon. A Beastkin hailed as 'Merlin Reborn' and one of the strongest mages of your generation. You are blessed with magical power the likes of which rival elementals, demigods, and centuries-old Archmages, a mind that can adapt knowledge on the fly, and wield a relic weapon fabled for its history of godslaying.

 

[SlugSLinger]

CHARACTER SHEET​

Name: Caligo Heitinga
Titles: Ebony Demon, Merlin Reborn, Skyshatter
Age: 23
Species: Beastkin (Wolf)

Specialty:
- Anti-Army/Fortification Mage, Bombardment Mage, High-Powered Spellcasting

Bio:
Caligo Heitinga is the eldest daughter to a bookstore owner and a seamstress, and is the oldest of three siblings. She originally awakened her potent magic abilities one fateful evening when she accidentally animated he favorite plush toy in search of companionship after a rough day at school.

She practiced with her abilities in secret until it was exposed not long after she turned 16; when a severe bout of bullying at the hands of her schoolmates forced her to call upon her powers to defend herself. The event destroyed the entire school, injuring hundreds of students and staff, and killing dozens. She was promptly detained by law enforcement and imprisoned, with the court being bribed by the families of those she inadvertantly killed to give her the death penalty. She was brought to one Oliver Pence, then serving as an advisor for the UBC's then-fledgling Bureau of Magic, for a brief examination to prevent future cases from happening again.

The results of the examination led to Oliver declaring her as Merlin reborn, and appealing to the Coalition court for her to avoid the death penalty; instead serving her sentencing under his personal supervision abroad in the Kingdom of Lunabreck. The court agreed, and changed her sentencing to a twenty-year exile instead.

She has since studied under Headmaster Oliver Pence, and has begun developing her powers under the enigmatic individual's tutoring.

Feat Points: 16

DRAMATIS PERSONAE​

Spoiler: The SSS Club

Spoiler: The Enemy of Heaven

Name: Mellow Proudmoore
Titles: The Silver Bullet, Anathema, Enemy of Heaven
Age: 25
Species: Human

Specialty:
- Living Anti-Supernatural WMD, Stealth/Infiltration Specialist, Generalist Combatant

Bio:
Mellow Proudmoore is an orphan; originally a baby left at the door of an orphanage and raised there. He was eventually adopted by the Proudmoore family and brought to the small town of Salva, bordering the Ever-Hungry Wood south of Lunabreck.

He grew up participating heavily in sports and academics, dreaming of becoming a lawyer in the future. However, such dreams were cut short by the arrival of a group of adventurers bearing Divine Marks, who were urged there by their gods to kill a great danger before it could grow into a god-killer. Thinking the threat to be a monster, the group ventured past the security cordon separating Salva from the Ever-Hungry Wood and battled the beasts within. They ventured too deep and caught the ire of an Ancient Dragon, which proceeded to chase them out of the Ever-Hungry Wood, past the security cordon, and into Salva.

The monster annihilated the town, killing all but a handful of people in its pursuit of the adventurer group. The Proudmoores died trying to save each other from the dragon's rampage, leaving Mellow the sole surviving Proudmoore. The event granted him access to the Nullforce, resulting in the dragon's very soul being erased into non-existence.

He was recovered by the military rapid response force and his existence covered up by the Kingdom. He underwent training to control his gift and was subsequently placed as a student under Headmaster Oliver Pence's supervision.

Spoiler: The Thousand-Sword Chosen

Name: Jacques Sinclaire
Titles: Blade Saint, Thousand-Sword Chosen, Terror Gale
Age: 24
Species: Human/Fae

Specialty:
- Legendary/Mythic Weapon Wielder, Swordsmanship, Fiction Factualization

Bio:
Jacques Sinclaire is the oldest of six siblings, and the only child of his father's first marriage. He grew up in a Gallian farming town of Paimpolle, and got a long well with his step-siblings and step mother despite their differing origins.

From a young age, Jacques was fascinated with history and mythology; often devouring what information he could find about either in his small hometown. He developed dreams of becoming a scholar looking to unearth the secrets of the past to enlighten those in the present and future. Such dreams would be cut short with the arrival of the Gallian Mafia in Paimpolle, who began buying local docks and warehouses as fonts for their drug trafficking operations. The Mafia then began forcing local farmers to switch to narcotic crops, and silenced those that protested. When Jacques' father refused to comply, the Mafia sent goons to the estate and brutally beat the older man.

Enraged, Jacques confronted the men and was beaten as well. He was found in a ditch by the town's local librarian, who took him to her house to treat his injuries. Jacques confided in her his anger at the Mafia taking over their hometown and moved her with his passion. She gave him an old sword, said to have been wielded by the founder of Paimpolle to cut down monsters that threatened to destroy the settlement when it was first built.

The blade resonated with Jacques' Fae heritage and he rushed to confront the goons again, proving victorious over them. This, however, prompted the Mafia to send in their mages and swordsmen after Jacques; who beat him to near death and then forced him to watch as they executed his family before his eyes.

He was recovered shortly after by a government taskforce, and his peculiar gift earned him a visit from Oliver Pence; who discovered the young man's hidden heritage. The young man was then sent to Luna Academy for training and safety from the Gallian Mafia.

Spoiler: The Twin Thrones Inheritor

Name: Tyriel Steelheart
Titles: Barbarian Elf, The Odd Orc, Twin Thrones Inheritor
Age: 23
Species: Elf/Black Orc

Specialty:
- Magic-Enhanced Melee Combatant, Heavy Assault Specialist, Muscle-Based Support Mage

Bio:
Tyriel Steelheart is the illegitimate child of one Princess Illyriel Starsong and Black Orc Warlord Harridan Elf-Breaker, a result of Harridan forcing himself upon Illyriel after ambushing the convoy ferrying her to the capital of the Elven Kingdom of Ulthier from the military base she was training in.

Tyriel's mother was forced to disown and kill him by her family after his birth to escape the shame of bearing a half-breed child, giving him to a trusted confidant so she didn't need to commit infanticide. However, the confidant could not bring themselves to kill Tyriel; instead choosing to smuggle the baby out of the kingdom to a pair of Human adoptees, entrusting them to gift him letters that would reveal his origins on his 18th​ birthday. Tyriel grew up strong and found a love for the culinary arts, wanting to follow after their footsteps. But such a path was cut short when he was subjected to an assassination attempt by Elf rogues, who were investigating rumors of an Orc-Elf half-breed. Tyriel dispatched them easily, but they fled and swore to finish the job in the future.

Fearful for their lives, the Tyriel's adopted parents reached out to the own who gave them Tyriel long ago and they received a letter and instructions directing them to Lunabreck for a meeting with the headmaster of the Luna Academy for Magic and Higher Learning. They complied and ventured to Lunabreck, with Tyriel fending off Elf and Orc attackers throughout the journey and on some occasions being forced to kill the attackers in self defense.

They reached Lunabreck and met Headmaster Oliver Pence, who read the letter and promised that he would personally look after them as well as hide Tyriel from future attackers on the condition that he be enrolled into the Academy. They complied readily.

 

[SlugSLinger]

LORE​

Spoiler: The World of Potentia

In the beginning, the universe was but a void of pure potential. Over several hundred millennia, some of this potential coalesced into a single entity that would become known as the Ur-God in the present day. The Ur-God beheld the expanse of potential and grasped it with all its might, and began shaping it.

First, it created matter, and with it made the universe. It forged the forces of physics and brought the elements into being, which it then shaped into a world of its own. On that world, it planted the seeds of life and wrestled the elements so that they would nurture the seeds instead of killing them outright.

But its titanic efforts drained the Primordial Being of its strength and it collapsed; falling to its newly created world and shattering into thousands of pieces. These pieces, each and every one of them sentient and independent of one another, would go on to become the many gods that would form the many Pantheons of the current day.

These Pantheons would go one to make many races to worship and fight for them, birth wonders and terrors that would endure to the modern era, and contest each others' dominance by wars or the deeds of their chosen ones. But all of them would agree that this world, the one they so frequently squabble over, would be named Potentia; in honor of their origins as fragments of a being that wrought everything from nothing but pure potential.

Potentia itself is separated into two supercontinents; Pria on its northern hemisphere and Secara on its southern.

Spoiler: The Nations of Potentia

On Potentia, civilizations have risen and fallen across the timeless ages; whether it be the result of mortal foolishness or literal divine intervention. However, while those nations last, their peaks are almost always a sight to behold. In the current age stand eight notable nations among the dozens of smaller powers vying for power among each other.

• The United Beastkin Coalition
  A coalition of several dozen Beastkin countries that have allied together for the shared benefits of a single sovereign entity, currently encompassing the entire southern half of the Prian supercontinent. The Coalition has no singular ruler; it is instead led by a council of rulers from affiliated nations, mostly Beastkin with some Humans as well. The Coalition has yet to properly unify, resulting in system that is needlessly complex with plenty of pointless functions and laws. Similarly, Coalition military forces vary between dragon-riding knights to mage-supported fireteams to tactical magitek spec-ops teams. However, they are the largest country on the Prian supercontinent and are further protected from the rest of the continent by the Ever-Hungry Wood.
  
  
• The Vasilicus Empire
  A Human-dominated empire occupying most of the north-western, northern, and central regions of the Prian supercontinent. Ruled by the Imperial Family, it is a militaristic country that has grown twice its original size in the last five decades by either annexing or conquering smaller neighbouring countries under the leadership of its Emperor and his Military Council. They are also among the few countries left on Potentia that practices slavery, with most of their labor force consisting of captured freedom fighters of previously conquered/annexed states, political opposition, and Beastkin. They are currently engaging their neighbour, the Exellan Republic, in a series of small border skirmishes to probe for weaknesses.
  
  
• The Exellan Republic
  The biggest republican state in Potentia and also the most advanced nation in Potentia, occupying the northeast and eastern regions of the supercontinent. It is a scholarly nation that is mainly focused on the study of ancient relics and the innovation of modern inventions; as such, much of their population are studious and intelligent. To protect themselves against the Empire, they made their infamous Iron Legion; an army of magitek drones led by a core of elite power-armored commanders and their attendants squads wielding devastating anti-army weapons. Their technology and knowledge make them invaluable to the other nations of Potentia, yet many are wary of their automaton warriors.
  
  
• The Nippon Isles
  A maritime state occupying the largest island chain on Potentia, located between the Pria and Secara supercontinents and supposedly the remains of a third continent that was destroyed during a cataclysmic battle whose name is long lost to history. It is led by a Sea-Empress and her council of eighteen Shogun, who each govern a several islands. Their navy is the best in the world, with fleets working in alongside sorcerers that can command the oceans in their Sea-Empress' stead. Nipponese goods fetch quite the pretty penny abroad, and earn the country a fine profit on the world stage.
  
  
• The Queendom of Gallia
  An arguably archaic country on the Secaran supercontinent, it occupies the south-western and western regions of the continent. The are famed for their high-quality ores and enchanted weaponry, as well as their legions of chivalrous warriors that wield such armaments into battle. They are led by the world's greatest warrior, Queen Aurelia Pendragon, and her advisors, the Gallian Knight-Saints. Though the Queen has not been seen recently; having taken a back seat in leading her country and armies to raise her youngest daughter instead while her two eldest daughters temporarily take her place. Currently engaged in open war against a force of Orc invaders to their northeastern regions.
  
  
• The Ulthieran Realm
  A large Elf kingdom that occupies the north, north-east, and eastern regions of the Secaran supercontinent, it is the oldest nation on Potentia; celebrating the three-thousandth year anniversary of its founding. It is led by High King Nathaniel Windblade Ulthier and supported by his seven underling Kings that each govern a kingdom of a part of the Realm. Recently, the Elven nation celebrated the marriage of King Ulthier's daughter Princess Illyriel Starsong Ulthier to the hero Gabriel Orcslayer Laequasyl, famed for his slaying of Black Orc Harridan Elfbreaker who led a dastardly ambush on Princess Illyrieal over two decades prior. Currently engaged in open against the Black Orcs to their north.
  
  
• The Orc Enclave
  Though few would call this wasteland a proper 'nation', the Orc enclave nonetheless covers a significant area of the Secaran supercontinent; controlling the southwestern, south, southeastern, and central regions of the supercontinent. The Enclave has no proper leadership; the closest they come to proper law is a yearly gathering of various clans to establish taboos, address wrongs, and consult a clan of Shamans for predictions on future fortunes or harvest cycles. Any attacks done on the nations beyond the enclaves are usually the result of independant clans seeking to obtain some resource for their use; be it food, weapons, or even slaves. Recently, however, an unexpectedly large amount of clans have begun invading Gallia and the Ulthieran Realm for some unknown reason.
  
  
• The Kingdom of Lunabreck
  A middling country on the Prian supercontinent occupying a modest amount of territory on the western region of the supercontinent, and the largest of the smaller countries not yet annexed by the Empire or have willingly joining the Exellan Republic. Effectively cornered by two giants with the sea and the Ever-Hungry Wood at their backs, many wonder how this small nation can retain its independence. Stories abound of a team of living superweapons, strong enough slaughter whole armies overnight and slay even divine-empowered heroes on their lonesome, yet nothing concrete of this supposed team has surfaced. Yet.

Spoiler: Races of Potentia

Throughout the ages, Potentia has seen the rise of many races; large and small, weak and mighty, physical or intangible, birthed by the gods or forged by mortal artifice. As time passed, many of these races went extinct; either through sickness or war or literal divine intervention. However, four of the myriad races survived the test of time, and managed to prosper in the silences following the great purges of life. These races include;

Humanity
Though they may not look like it, Humans are the oldest of the Potentia Races; having existed since earliest ages of the world and endured the cataclysms that always reset the globe back to a new beginning. Humans lack any sort of natural advantages or weaknesses present in other races, but make up for it in their ability to adapt to seemingly any environment; allowing them to survive and prosper where other races cannot.

Elves
A race of exceedingly attractive, long-lived beings that possess incredible natural talent wielding magic. Originally, they were made by a god as a warrior race to battle another god's warrior race in a divine-equivalent of RISK; but they were able to break free from their god's control when one of their number turned on their creator. They are very arrogant and smug to non-Elves, believing that them breaking free from their creator's control makes them inherently superior to others, and are natural enemies of Orcs. Elves are further separated into three sub-species:

• High Elf: Elves possessing high magic power and talent in utilizing said gift; the mages and spellweavers.
• Dark Elf: Elves possessing high physical prowess and aptitude for physical action; the warriors and assassins.
• Elfling: Elves that possess middling magical power and physical aptitude; the fodder troops.

Orcs
A race of mighty brutes, possessing incredible physical might and short tempers; they were originally created as a warrior race to battle another god's warrior race in a divine-equivalent of RISK; but their god lost interest in them after its opponent was killed by its own creations. They are divided into multiple sub-species, conveniently separated by skin color.

• Blue Orcs: Blue-skinned Orcs that possess gills and a physiology that enables them to survive in deep water.
• Green Orcs: Green-skinned Orcs that possess an instinctive understanding of plants; specifically herbs and poisons.
• White Orcs: White-skinned Orcs that are highly resistant to cold and heat, with a natural inclination for shamanism.
• Brown Orcs: Brown-skinned Orcs that have an instinctive understanding of animal rearing and medicine.
• Red Orcs: Red-skinned Orcs that are superb miners and produce good metal-smithing works.
• Black Orcs: Black-skinned Orcs that are incredible warriors and exceedingly charismatic leaders… for Orcs.

Beastkin
A race of Human-Animal hybrids, originally made in an alchemist's lab as slaves and pleasure dolls. Over the course of a millennia, they were able to earn the right and distinction of being a proper race rather than humanoids with animal bits. But due to how recent this development is, they are still largely looked down upon and discriminated by some people of other races. Beastkin can reproduce rapidly and possesses greater physical abilities as well as keener senses of smell, sight, and hearing.

Spoiler: The Origins, Rise, and Fall of the Fae

The Origin​

The Fae began as a nameless Human city in a region of Potentia that would one day become the Fae Field of Gallia. They were but humble farmers and craftsmen ruled by a fair King and Queen, who delighted in the telling and retelling of legends and stories both old and new. They wanted for nothing, and thus had everything they could have ever wanted.

Unbeknownst to them, however, destiny had greater plans for them.

In the heavens far above their city, a pair of gods squabbled over the city; one was a god of magic, who desired to uplift the city into a place of mages and magic. The other was a god of stories, who saw a place of where he could find worshippers. Their squabble escalated into an all out brawl, and the two divinities drew blood in their fighting. B the time their godly compatriots stopped them, it was already too late.

Their divine blood rained from the skies unexpectedly, soaking the city, its immediate lands, and its inhabitants. Most of those Humans died, their mortal frames unable to cope with the stresses of sudden exposure to divine substance. Yett many survived, in enough numbers that the city rebuilt and persevered in spite of the sudden calamity. The survivors rebuilt their families and homes, prospering with children and a strange windfall of good fortune; plentiful harvests, a long peace, and bountiful yields from their lands.

This was but a prelude to things to come.

The Rise​

Suddenly, many years later, the children of those that survived the Rains of Blood began to develop peculiar abilities; bodies stronger than mortal men, the gifts of magic that out-performed mortal mages, agelessness past their thirty-fifth birthday, ethereal beauty and attractiveness, and the ability to turn the stories they once delighted in into fact.

Soon, the people from this city began utilizing their powers for their own betterment; folk tales of benevolent spirits became folk truths as gentle beings and protective guardians emerged from the forests and farms and rivers at the people's behest. Weapons cut easier and mages cast better after following seemingly useless deeds, such as naming their weapons or chanting the spell aloud. Greater bounties were gained from the land and harvests after practicing traditions that seemingly had little effect prior to the Rains of Blood.

The ruling family in particular bore these new gifts exceptionally well, and were almost likened to physical gods than actual mortals by those they ruled. The King, Oberon, sensing the dawn of a new age, renamed their city 'Avalon' and ordered that their tales be spread far and wide.

And indeed, they would be spread far. In the modern age, there is not a place or a person who does not know of Avalon and the mythical Fae that could turn fiction into fact. Children play make believe games with their name, and scholars still pour over what little knowldge they left behind. But alas, there would be a reason why the Fae are only known of in stories instead of historic fact.

The Fall​

The legends of Avalon and its Fae people spread far with the migration of Fae into foreign lands and kingdoms. These travelling Fae showed their power and awed many, performing deeds and forging awesome relics that would last millennia. This brought them no small amount of attention, both good and bad.

All too soon, the wicked and selfish began to lust for their power; enslaving what Fae they could capture or killing them for their blood, which was a potent magical ingredient for alchemical rituals. More and more began desiring the power of the Fae, and came to Avalon for it. First with messengers, demanding their fealty. Then it was with armies and champions, demanding their total obedience. Even the gods took notice, and dispatched their champions to obtain the power of the Fae for their own godly whims.

War enveloped the city soon enough, and before long Avalon fell under siege by the forces of the world.

Surrounded and facing enslavement or worse, King Oberon ordered his Queen, Titania, to enact a ritual that would rip Avalon from the mortal plane and into a place where no-one, not even the gods themselves, could reach. He marched out with his armies and heroes, armed with their finest weapons and girded with their greatest treasure, to buy the time needed for the ritual to be completed.

A mighty battle rang out for five days and four nights; where the powers of legends and myths made manifest laid low entire armies and humbled even the greatest of heaven's mortal champions.

But for all their power, Fae were still mortal, and so they died and died and died beneath sheer weight of numbers and the might of heaven. Fae warriors fell in the thousands until only Oberon remained, and he dueled the armies of mortal and divinity alike alone until he was slain at last on the dawn of the fifth day.

Not a moment later, Avalon vanished in an explosion of light and power so great that it burned the gods observing the battlefield from their heavenly thrones. No trace of it was found, and even the gods gave up searching for it after a millennia of failure.

Now, thousands of years later, Avalon has faded into memory and myth; remembered only as stories told to the young and the innocent. Yet their legacy remains, in the hands of Queen Aurelia Pendragon and her Knight-Saints; wielded into battle at a paltry fraction of their power.

Spoiler: Story Ender: The Deicide Jewel

Story Ender is a breathtakingly-beautiful ruby gemstone as large as a child's palm, set into an enchanted platinum pendant that projects a chain of pure mana around the wearer's neck. The jewel itself is ridiculously enchanted, allowing the user to funnel mana into it and project a physical form they are most comfortable using.

Its origins can be traced back to a miner of a long-extinct race of subterranean lizard people, who claimed its discovery was a herald for great things to come. They were eventually driven to extinction from infighting, and the jewel was found in their runs centuries later by an aspiring adventurer. The adventurer would sell the gemstone to a smith, who would fashion it into a spectacular necklace for a prince. The prince wore it to an important religious event, and caught the attention of divinity.

The god manifested onto the mortal plane, drawn by the beauty of the jewel and wanting it for themselves. The prince refused, and was struck down with divine lightning for his impudence.

When word of this reached the prince's father, the king grew so furious that he banned all worship of that god in his kingdom, arranged bounties for every worshipper's head, and personally burned down every temple. To exact further vengeance on the god who killed his son, he went to a cabal of mages raising the one that would become Merlin and asked if there was a way to commit deicide.

The mages were apprehensive at first, dreading the divine wrath such an act would incur. But young Merlin, ever curious and ambitious even as a youth, said that there was was a way and told the king of a ritual that could fulfil his vengeance at a great price.

Thus a magic circle spanning a kingdom was built and a grand ritual conceived; to scry the Divine Realm in secret for the treasure, find it, and through cast a spell empowered to ludicrous heights with the magic drawn from the land. With all the kingdom's mages at its head, the ritual was successfully conducted, and the god, so transfixed by the beauty of the jewel it held, died within the seat of its power.

It's death sent terror and indignation through heaven, and the gods mustered their power to punish such mortal impudence by cursing the kingdom responsible; turning its inhabitants into monsters and the land they dwelt on into a nest of abominations that would grow into the Ever-Hungry Wood.

As for the jewel itself, it fell from the dead god's lifeless fingers and plunged back into the Mortal Plane, crashing into a wizard's tower. Recognizing the power it held, the wizard began enchanting it so that it's power could be properly channeled. Unfortunately, the wizard succumbed to old age before he could put the jewel to the test, but his work would be found by another, and passed down through history from one mage to the next as a potent god-killing weapon and magic foci. Even Merlin would come to wield it for a time, eventually discarding it to focus on his research into the secrets of the divine.

Now, it rests in the care of Caligo Heitinga, a mage of such power not seen since Merlin himself. Who knows what deeds she will accomplish with such a potent object.

Spoiler: Magic of Potentia

Magic in Potentia is defined as energy released from the planet and the beings that inhabit it, given potency by the remnants of power left by the Ur-God when it fell to the world, and shaped by the will of those blessed with the ability to wield said energy. Magic energy is often referred to under the blanket term 'Mana'.

Casting spells requires a foci to channel and direct the energies needed to create the desired effect. These foci range from simple wands to staves to gemstones to ritual circles, depending on the desired effect and the type of mana used. Stronger spells require better quality or more heavily enchanted foci, while large-scale spells require more mana to cast.

Mana is separated further into two types; Int and Ott.

Int refers to the individual's magic ability, where a mage uses the power their souls create to cast effects in reality. This form of mana is the most widespread and easiest way to perform magic with, as the caster can instinctively feel and control the power they call upon; often comparing their casting to a car engine and their mana as fuel. Overuse of one's Int can cause dangerous effects; from being unable to cast anymore to explosively destabilizing in the middle of casting.

Spells cast using Int are often small-scale, varying between harmless to anti-structure in power. The strongest known spell cast by a mage using only Int, done by Merlin, was powerful enough to kill a god but could only be done once.

Ott, on the other hand, refers to the ambient mana in the environment, utilized by rituals to cast spells magnitudes greater than any Int user could possibly make. This form of mana is much more difficult to cast with, as the caster must construct a ritual circle with appropriate ingredients, and use their Int to guide and control the flow or amount of Ott man being used; something best done with multiple mages rather than just one. Too little Ott would not result in any effect, while too much would explosively destroy the ritual site and killing any within it.

Spells cast using Ott are often large-scale, varying from anti-personnel to anti-fortress in power. The strongest known spell cast using Ott resulted in a god being forcibly summoned from their divine realm and enslaved as a living superweapon by a long defunct nation.

Spoiler: Spells of Potentia

The spells available to casters are separated into five types; battle, buff, hex, heal, cantrip.

• Battle spells are combat-oriented spells specifically used for battle. They range from the tried and true magic missile to the popular fireball to the exotic death beam.
• Buff spells are support-oriented spells specifically used to enhance or protect the caster or their targets. They range from physical strength enhancement to forcefield projection.
• Hex spells are support oriented spells specifically used to weaken or otherwise impede their targets. These range from physical restraints to targeted individual time-lock.
• Heal spells are spells focused on repairing physical and magical damage inflicted onto their target. Such spells range from healing bruises to removing curses.
• Cantrip spells are minor or lesser versions of the above mentioned spell categories; usually performed for every day tasks or helping with chores.

These spell types are further separated into four categories, based on how much power they are cast with; low-grade, medium-grade, high-grade, and ultimate-grade.

Low-grade spells possess little to no potency, with barely enough power to cause any significant effects on others or the environment. Low-grade spells are often used at home or at most civilian-level jobs, and cannot directly cause harm without creative application by the caster.

Medium-grade spells possess light to moderate potency, with enough power to cause direct harm to singular or small groups of people and light to heavy structures or vehicles. Medium-grade spells are often used at industrial or specialized civilian-level jobs, law enforcement, and most light military units in various countries around the world.

High-grade spells have great potency, with enough power to cause direct harm to a large group of people and heavy to superheavy vehicles and even military-grade structures or fortresses. High-grade spells are often used in war, as heavy bombardment and area-denial assets meant to stop advancing armies or even destroy them outright.

Ultimate-grade spells are especially potent, as they carry enough power to reshape landscapes or outright erase individuals or even large groups of individuals from existence. Spells of these caliber are rarely if ever used by mortals and are what gods are expected to field if they physically manifest. Nonetheless, exceptions to that rule do exist in the form of hyper-powerful mortal mages; such as Merlin, the Nipponese Sea Empress, certain members of Elf royalty, and Caligo Heitinga.

LOCATIONS OF NOTE​

Spoiler: Kingdom of Lunabreck

The Lunabreck Royal Palace - Home of the Lunabreck royal family and their seat of power since the founding of the kingdom, located in the capital of Lunabreck, Lunaria. It is an old castle that has undergone many renovations and upgrades in the two centuries following Lunabreck's founding, from a humble stone manor to a sprawling castle covering over 45 acres of land. It possesses almost 850 rooms, 250 live-in staff, built-in anti-air and and artillery defenses, enchanted runic shielding, and a force of 250 elite Lunabreck Watchers stationed at all times. Twice a month, the Royal Palace holds an impressive lightshow for the inhabitants of Lunaria, drawing tourists from all over Potentia.

Luna Academy for Magic and Higher Learning - The premier higher education institute in Lunabreck, built on an artificial island and staffed with teachers handpicked by the enigmatic Headmaster Oliver Pence. It is famed for producing some of the best scholars and mages in Potentia, with many graduates being invited to work for foreign kingdoms as well as the Lunabreckian government. Of particular note is the Academy's infamous Special Student Services Club, composed of the institutes best and brightest under the direct supervision of Headmaster Oliver Pence.

Lunaria - The capital of the Kingdom of Lunabreck, and home to both the Lunabreck Royal Palace and the Luna Academy for Magic and Higher Learning. It possesses a population of 1.3 million with a thriving supernatural underground scene where magical girls, monsters, sentai teams, and even wannabe superheroes are active.

Selaria - An agricultural hub of the Kingdom and the capital of Lunabreck's southern territories. It possesses a population of eight hundred thousand and is protected by the well-fortified Hudson Military Base to its southwest.

Marnaget - An industrial hub of the Kingdom and capital of Lunabreck's western territories. It possesses a population of five hundred and fifty thousand and is located on a mineral-rich mountain. It is home to a Lunabreck's sole regiment of drake riders.

Valley of Spirits - A valley located in the border region between Lunabreck and the Vasilicus Empire. It is famed for possessing a high concentration of spirits and other ethereal beings, that gathering at the bottom of the valley once a month for reasons unknown. Researchesr that have attempted to examine this phenomena have often been subjected to sudden and inexplicable monster attacks that drive them away.

Pence Tower - Oliver Pence's wizard tower, located in the southern region of Lunabreck. It is a place of mystery and much speculation, and many attempts to enter the construction have resulted in the intruders being teleported into a nearby lake.

New Salva - A farming town built near the newest cordon of the Ever-Hungry Wood, encompassing the ruins of Old Salva . The people there live in close proximity to Lunabreckian military, and have adapted their local economy appropriately. Some adventuring parties still venture past the cordon to loot the remains of Old Salva, but face stiff resistance from monsters that have settled into the ruins.

Spoiler: Vasilicus Empire

The Imperial Palace - A sprawling palace estate covering almost three kilometers of land located in the capital of the Vasilicus Empire, Vasili, and home to the Imperial Family. It is the seat of the Vasilicus Empire's power and protected by the Empire's legendary Valkyries. The Emperor himself rules from his throne in the deepest chamber of the palace, attended by no less than fifty Beastkin servants, his most trusted advisors, and his Empress-Wife.

Vasili - Capital of the Vasilicus Empire, home to the Imperial Palace and the prestigious Valhalla Military Academy; where the best warriors of the Empire are sent to hone their talents and learn more of the empire they serve. Possesses a population of over 3 million people, and protected by four Valkyrie Wings.

Concor - Capital of the Vasilicus Empire's western territories as well as it's agricultural hub and breadbasket, where farmers and statesmen toil day and night to feed the Empire's many hungry denizens. Possesses a population of 1.5 million and guarded by two fortresses, each with two Valkyrie Wings.

Kraam - Capital of the Vasilicus Empire's eastern territories. Possesses a population of over one million and is protected by a fortress and its complimentary Valkyrie Wings. Its citizens are almost always prepared to enter military drafts if the Emperor calls them to war.

Salzen - Capital of the Vasilicus Empire's northern territories and home to the Imperial Dockyard, a massive shipyard and naval servicing facility capable of housing up to five fleets at once. Posseses a population of 1.5 million and protected by the ENV Over the Rainbow; a supercarrier carrying a formidable force of ten Valkyrie Wings.

Valhalla Military Academy - The most prestigious military academy in the world, producing some of the finest soldiers and generals in Potentia; all of whom enter military service after they graduate and sent to conflict theaters all over the globe. Of note are the Valkyries, an all-female organization comprised of the Empire's finest warriors and mages who serve as both battlefield commanders and trump cards of the Imperial Military.

Aarl - The Empire's greatest industrial and mining complex located on the slopes of the Hollow Mountain. The people there work tirelessly to extract the raw material to feed the Empire's warmachines as it continues its skirmishes against the Exellan Republic.

Eural - The Empire's greatest off-shore resource extraction complex located in Empire-controlled waters off the western coast. It is guarded by an Imperial Naval Fleet with its two Valkyrie Wings, and is effectively ceaseless in its efforts to extract every bit of usable material from the ocean depths.

The Hollow Mountain - Originally the Hadrian Mountain Range, it and the country it formerly belonged to were conquered by the Empire long ago and its mineral rich interior has been excavated by the Aarl industrial complex. Such is the intensity of the Empire's mining operations that it has been effectively hollowed out over the course of several decades.

The Iron Boundary - An immense warzone that spans the entire eastern border of the Empire, where its armies and heroes engage in regular skirmishes against the Iron Legions fielded by the Exellan Republic. It is monitored by multiple fortresses and military bases, with a standing garrison numbering in the hundred of thousands.

The Council of Nine - The Headquarters of the Imperial Valkyries, where the nine generals of the Valkyries convene to discuss matters relating to the Valkyries. It is a fortress atop a low mountain, heavily guarded by Imperial Military as well as a permanent garrison of twenty full Valkyrie Wings and the personal Valkyrie Wings subordinate to an individual Valkyrie general.

Spoiler: The Exellan Republic

Exella - The capital of the Exellan republic and the largest city on Potentia; housing approximately twelve million people within a one hundred thousand square kilometer area. It is also completely self-sufficient, complete with defenses, ten Iron Legions, and ten Ravens stioned there for defense.

The House of Equals - The most prominent legislative building in the Exellan Republic, built for significant discussions and nation-wide decisions requiring a majority vote.

Pillar of Rule - An underground complex where the current elected president governs from alongside their support staff and advisors. It is an underground complex built to mirror a pillar; with the president's office located at the lowest floor.

Hoffnung - The Exellan Republic's economic hub, a coastal city guarded by an Iron Legion naval fleet and the latest in drone magitech developed by Exellan scientists and mage-scholars.

The Iron Well - The deepest and largest open mining pit in the world, yielding a frankly ludicrous amount of mineral resource; either ores and precious metals alike. Much of what's harvested there is used for the production of Iron Legion units.

Hearthtown - A popular tourist locale built at the foot of the Mount Hogan, an active volcano. It boasts a large number of hotsprings and plentiful nature scene, including animals that are surprisingly well-used to human presence and even allow visitors to pet them.
The Resource Bed - The largest collection of natural resources, be it as fuel or magical regeants or even animal meat, in Potentia; composing nearly a third of the nation's landmass. Refineries, logging camps, and nature reserves dot the region.

The Adamantine Blade - A large transmission tower and server containing several A.I that are collectively known as Otsdarva. They are responsible for maintaining and directing the Iron Legion in their operations against the Vasilicus Empire and other missions in the Republic's name. They are overseen by a council of the Republic's best generals, who double-check any operation plans Otsdarva makes and advise it should it ask.

Spirit of Motherwill - An enormous six-legged mobile fortress with many outposts/forward operating bases stationed all along the Iron Boundary, tasked with monitoring and repelling at attempted expansion efforts by the neighbouring Empire. Possesses building sized main gun batteries with a range of over two thousand five hundred miles.

The Nimbus - A flying city and home to Potentia's best and brightest, who labor to unlock the secrets contained within ancient relics and push the limits of what's possible with magic and science. Guarded by the best Raven in the Republic; White Glint.

Raven's Nest - A fortress built into the side of a cliff, where the Exellan Republic's greatest warriors and warmachines, the Ravens, are housed and built. When needed, the Ravens are deployed into combat via teleportation array behind enemy lines for maximum effect.

Spoiler: The United Beastkin Coalition

Harmony - The UBC capital city and home to over two million people. It boasts a large and diverse culture, with Beastkin of various shapes and sizes and jobs living in peacefully together. Protected by several military bases and a Titan warbeast designated 'Godzilla'.

Calidae - The capital of the UBC's western territories, primarily the Breadbasket. The nation's economic heart and the main recepient of incoming Beastkin refugees from beyond the UBC. Possesses a population of 850, 000 and protected by the Titan warbest designated 'Behemoth'.

Zanzibar - The capital of the UBC's nothern territories and steward of the UBC's side of the Ever-Hungry Wood. A heavily defended and populated with but 365, 000 people, the city is the least populous UBC's major cities and is heavily fortified against monster attacks. Protected by a Titan warbeast designated 'Methuselah'.

Aguacidae - The capital of the UBC's southern territories, in charge of maintaining and overseeing the activities of the region's various tourist traps, and the Titan Den. Populated with over 600, 000 people and protected by a Titan warbeast designated 'Tiamat' and several military bases.

The Breadbasket - A vast field of fertile field with multiple rivers running through it all the way to the ocean. Provides most of the food to the UBC, as well as most of the nation's income.

The Steel Range - A nameless mountain range rich with mineral resources, becoming the hub of the UBC's industry efforts as well as the centre of development for UBC military armaments.

Fort Kinsley - The UBC's largest military base, currently undergoing a series of reformations and reorganizations to streamline the nation's military so that they could match their peers in foreign countries.

Megalith - A city-sized naval vessel, serving as both military base and a dockyard for the UBC's navy. It is heavily armed and protected with at least one UBC fleet as well as an aquatic Titan warbeast designated 'Kraken'. Some speculate that Megalith was not wholly of UBC design and was instead a merger of multiple schematics stolen from the Vasilicus Empire.

Marbelle - A small town in the interior region of UBC and hometown of Caligo Heitinga.

Spoiler: The Queendom of Gallia

Pendragon Palace - Home of the Pendragon Royal Family, it is a large castle that the city of Camelot is built around. Its walls are enchanted to a degree matched only by the fortifications in the neighbouring Elf lands and are manned by thousands of Gallian Knights trained by Queen Aurelia herself.

Camelot - The capital of the country and home to over 500,000 people. It is the heart of the nation and where the Pendragon Royal Palace is located. The city is protected by Gallian military forces, Knights, and Paladins under the command of two Knight-Saints; Gawain, Knight of the Sword and Lancelot, Knight of the Lance.

Charlemange - A fortress-monastery and headquarters of the Gallian Military, where the Gallian Knight-Saints and important government officials gather to discuss matters only themselves and the Gallian Royal Family know of. It is protected by a force of Musketeers, Knights, and Pladin commanders, overseen by Rickert; Knight of the Twin Blades.

Marseille - The capital of Gallia's western territories and main draw of tourists from all over Potentia. It has a population of over 750,000 people and hosts the famous Dragonheart fortress-monastery where young men and women go to see if they are worthy of knighthood. Protected by Samson, Knight of the Mace, who is currently engaged in a cold war with the Gallian Mafia.

Corrone - The capital of Gallia's southern territories. Most of the 600,000 people living there are trained warriors who regularly repel Orc invasions from the neighbouring Orc Enclave as well as the beasts from the Sea of Monsters. The city itself is defended by Gallian military and Paladins under the command of Gareth, Knight of the Shield.

Glasgow - The capital of Gallia's eastern territories bordering the Ulthieran Realm to the east. The knights stationed there are friendly rivals to their Elven counterparts, and they frequently engage in contests of arms under the supervision of Bérengier, Knight of the Bow. Frequent illegal activities are run there by Mafia smugglers and poachers, who take advantage of the Gallian-Ulthieran rivalry to hide their operations.

Londinium - The capital of Gallia's northern regions and home to the bulk of the Gallian naval fleet. It is the largest city in Gallian, possessing a population of well over a million people, and is the most technologically advanced in the Queendom. The knightly garrisons there share the same task of guarding the city alongside the Gallian Musketeers, with whom they possess a fierce rivalry with. It is further guarded by Knight-Saint Girard, Knight of the Axe.

Albion - A sacred island off the western coast of Gallia, where deceased members of the royal family are consecrated and buried. It regularly deals with the beasts that leave the Sea of Monsters under the leadership of Knight-Saint Gilles, Knight of the Tome.

Dragonspire - A military base and fortress-monastery built at the foot of Mount Lannis, home to the largest concentration of drakes and dragons in Potentia. Many Knights come here seeking to becme Paladins, though only a few earn that privilege. Supposedly home to the greatest Ancient Dragon in all of Potentia; Y Ddraig Wen.

Calvacae - The immediate area surrounding the Blade of Kings, where a flourishing tourist town has been built to accommodate the influx of tourists and youths who seek to try their luck with removing the sword from the stone.

Paimpolle - A farming town in the western territory of Gallia and hometown of Jacques Sinclaire. Under heavy Mafia control.

Spoiler: Notable Locations

The Glass Wastes - A large tract of semi-arid desert plain rich with natural resources located in the border region between the Empire Vasilicus and the Kingodm of Lunabreck, it is infamous for being an important battleground for countless conflicts waged in the past and present. Such is its infamy that the locale has been frequently used a duelling arena for Divine Chosen, and the Empire has formed a joint organization with Lnabreck specifically for Chosen to schedule duels to avoid collateral damage.

The Ever-Hungry Wood - A monster infested forest bordering the Kingdom of Lunabreck, the Exellan Republic, and the United Beastkin Coalition. Such is the density of monsters within the forest that all three nations have dedicated military forces to keep any of the terrible monstrosities within from coming out and laying waste to any nearby towns and cities.

Cracked Fang Range - A mountain range that makes up the Vasilicus Empire's north-most border, named such due to how alike the mountain range's various peaks resemble the cracked fangs of some titanic monster. According to legend, young women sometimes receive mysterious dreams that beckon them there. The few who make the journey and return become the fabled warrior queens that would inspire the creation of the Empire's elite Valkyries.

The Dead Marshes - A stretch of swampland along a the UBC's southeastern coast, home to all sorts of undead, monstrosities, undead monstrosities, and necromancers. At the center of it is an old ruined castle, supposedly containing the source of all the undead threats in the region. Whether that source is a magic relic or a necromancer is unknown, as all who have ventured to check have never returned.

Titan Den - An entrance to a vast underground cavern that is home to UBC's military trump cards; the Titan warbeasts. Every now and then, a Titan emerges from this opening into the Deep and seeks out a Beastkin to bond with. This bond allows the Titan to communicate with their chosen rider, and together they form the greatest military asset the UBC has to defend their homeland.

The Sea of Monsters - An inland sea in the Gallian Queendom's southernmost territories that is filled to the brim with aquatic or amphibious monsters that regularly venture onto land to either find land-based food or travel to the sea for greener pastures. Hailed as the birthplace of the legendary Scylla; a city-sized monster that spawned an army of terrible lesser monsters on its way to the sea.

Fae Field - An expanse of land where the fabled city of Avalon once occupied prior to it's vanishing. Despite the eons, there is still enough magic soaking the land to make the ground glow. Gallian knights frequently venture there to rub some of its soil on their weapons to imbuing them with magic potency.

The Blade of Kings - A powerful magic weapon that Queen Aurelia planted into a stone after repeated attempts to gain her hand in marriage following the death of her husband. She decreed that she will marry the one who manages to pull the weapon free from its stone. None have managed to thus far.

The Ancient Battleground - A vast semi-frozen field in the central region of the Secaran supercontinent, where Orc clans gather to wage war with other Orc clans as the ancient laws demand. Tales abound of wars being waged between Orcs and Elves in bygone eras on this very ground, though only the oldest of the Orcs know if those stories hold any truth.

The Isle of Blades - A famous island of the Nippon Isles that hosts the annual Blade Festival, where swordsmen from across the world gather to represent one of the 18 Shogun and battle one another in a display of skill and power. Famed for its stadium arena, whose roof is made up of thousands of sword blades.

The Pillar of Heaven - Another famous island of the Nippon Isles, made up of an enormous pillar-like stone formation so tall that it breaks through the clouds. Dotted along the base and sides of the island are settlements carved into the island or protruding outwards from platforms. The very top of the island is a castle supposedly home to a demigoddess so beautiful that she can drive men insane with a mere glimpse of her face.

Forge of Myths - A legendary location within the Ultheiran Realm, where Elf Royalty and some famous Elven heroes venture to make their personal arms and regalia. The smith there is famed for how selective he is of his clients, and even turned away some Elf Kings when they proved unworthy of wielding an item he has made.

Tower of Destiny - A wizarding tower in the Ulthieran Realm home to three exceedingly poweful Elf mages known as the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone; all of whom possess an unparalleled ability to see the future and predict fortunes. Strangely, or ominously, they refuse to predict the future of the Kingdom of Lunabreck; fearful of something there that they say will punish them for doing so.

PEOPLE OF NOTE​

Spoiler: Kingdom of Lunabreck

King George Lunabreck II - King of Lunabreck and skilled diplomat. A wise man whose feats of diplomatic prowess have enabled his nation to remain free from the conquest of the Empire or total assimilation by the Republic.

Queen Lynn Lunabreck - Queen of Lunabreck and season military strategist. A veteran mercenary who married into the Lunabreck Royal family after King George impressed her with his diplomatic prowess. Personally oversees training of new military recruits in between teaching her son how to properly lead.

Princess Slyvester Lunabreck - Princess and designated heir to the Lunabreck throne, Sylvester is the oldest of the Royal Family's three children. A skilled orator and warrior like her parents. Currently attending her final year of university at the Exellan Republic.

Princess Josephine Lunabreck - Princess and second oldest child of the Lunabreck Royal Family. She is disappointingly frail in body, but possesses a silver tongue and a mind for politics that outstrips even that of her father.

Prince Arnold Lunabreck - Crown prince of the Lunabreck Royal family and rising star in the Lunabreck military corps. Mighty in body and keen of mind, he is expected to surpass his mother as a soldier and general once he is ready.

Oliver Pence - The current Headmaster of the Luna Academy of Magic and Higher Learning. A well-travelled individual who has been to every nation in Potentia, earning as much knowledge as a mortal mind can store. Current instructing Caligo Heitinga on how to properly wield magic in between his duties as a Headmaster.

Sylvia Hartmann - Deputy Headmistress of the Luna Academy of Magic and Higher Learning and personal assistant to Oliver Pence. An Elf Matron who emigrated to Lunabreck following Oliver Pence after supposedly losing a bet with the man.

General Fabian Leichester - A general of the Lunabreck Royal Military, infamous for his hatred of the Vasilicus Empire's Valkyries; the Valkyrie Queen in particular for the near total annihilation of the forces he commanded during a skirmish against her.

Minister Albert Foemann - Prime Minister of Lunabreck and general head of state, second only to the Royal Family. A decent man and as honest as a politician can be, though he has admitted to disliking his coworkers immensely on multiple occasions.

Spoiler: Vasilicus Empire

Emperor Leonid Augustus Vasilicus IX - Emperor of the Vasilicus Empire. A self-proclaimed conqueror-king who inherited his father's ambition of an entire Prian supercontinent united under the Imperial flag. A skilled tactician and who pilots a personal warmachine, Victor Ascendant.

Empress Tatiana Cyra Vasilicus - Empress-Wife of Emperor Leonid. She is known among the nobility of Empire as the Lion's Leash, and deals with the finer arts of statemanship that her Lord-Husband deigns not to. Much more pacifistic than her husband, and does not desire war as her children's future.

Prince Julian Fou Vasilicus - Crown Prince of the Vasilicus Empire and seasoned veteran of multiple wars. Disillusioned by the horrors he witnessed in the many conflicts he has fought in his father's name, he staunchly support's his mother's efforts for peace.

Prince Able Irfane Vasilicus - Prince of the Vasilicus Empire and current steward of the Empire's largest industrial complex, Aarl. A staunch supporter of his father's ambitions to see Pria united under Imperial rule. Commands the loyalty of several Valkyrie wings, and is rumored to be the one to succeed the Allfather when the commander finally retires.

Prince Gregory Field Vasilicus - Prince of the Vasilicus Empire and rising star in the Valhallan Military Academy, famed for his martial prowess and physical might that make him a match for Valkyries. Leads a group of rookie warriors who call themselves the Valhalla Wolves, famed for their deeds on and off campus.

Princess Stella Lafan Vasilicus - Princess of the Vasilicus Empire and wielder of the magic sword Laevatein. Famed for her prodigious talent with both blade and pyromancy, as well as her benevolence towards the Beastkin of the Empire. Sigrun, the Valkyrie Queen, has expressed interest in recruiting her into the Valkyries.

Prince Alric Rapha Vasilicus - The youngest of the Emperor's children and Prince of the Vasilicus Empire. He is still a young boy, but dreams of going to the Exellan Republic and learning of their famed Ravens so that he may make one for himself.

General Jonah Hildebarn - The greatest military commander in Vasilicus Empire and commanding officer of the Valkyries. Known also as the Allfather, he commands the loyalty of most of the Valkyries as well as the Empire's finest infantry corps, the Einherjar, and is rumored to be romantically involved with Sigrun, the Valkyrie Queen. However, he is approaching retirement age and seeks a worthy successor to replace him.

Colonel Minna Wagner - A high-rank Valkyrie and leader of the Council of Nine. Known as Sigrun, the Valkyrie Queen and greatest of the Valkyries. Is rumored to have made the journey to and from Cracked Fang Range and found worthy by whatever summoned her there.

Colonel Gertrude Möller - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Eir, she is the healer of the Valkyries and is Sigrun's second-in-command. Commands the best Valkyrie wing in the Empire and renders them, and herself, near-unkillable through her healing magics.

Colonel Roza Kuzmina - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Hildr, she is the deadliest of the Nine as she can curse fog and blizzards and rain with poison and weakening effects, allowing her to kill targets without having to fight them at al.

Colonel Veronique Lesauvage - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Gondul, she is famed for being the best pyromancer in the Empire bar none; capable of unleashing firestorms and causing volcanic eruptions at will.

Colonel Roxanne Granger - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Olrun, she is undoubtedly the fastest Valkyrie in the Empire. Such is her speed that some have claimed she is faster than teleportation magics.

Colonel Caroline Matherson - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known and Rota, she is skilled in flight and an aerial combat. She commands not only the best Valkyrie fliers but also the famed aerial warship the Hraesvelgr.

Colonel Do Eun-Kyung - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Kara, she possesses an affinity for teleportation, transport, and summoning magics; allowing her to bring whole armies to her location if given time.

Colonel Luja Diab - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Geirdriful, she is responsible for the training and arming of both Valkyries and Einherjar. A generalist combatant combining melee with magic.

Colonel Eufémia Escobar - A high-rank Valkyrie and member of the Council of Nine. Known as Gunnr, she is responsible for vetting applicants seeking to join the Valkyries or the Einherjar. A melee-oriented combatant.

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MECHANICS​

Deviating From my use of dice and numbers to focus on a more narrative-driven style, I've decided to go with something what I call the Feat Points. Feat Points are a number of points that represent plot armor, story significance, or in-universe displays of power. Actions involving Feat Points are significant or grand in some degree, and allow the characters to do pull off some amazing things, such as;

• Getting and using a sword meant for a Chosen One despite not being one
• NTR-ing a harem protagonist's harem members
• Tanking a shounen anime protag's Season 1 Ultimate Move without a scratch
• Successfully give talk no jutsu to a BBEG without beating him up beforehand
• Skipping a dungeon sequence to fight the End Boss directly
• Literally storming the gates of a literal afterlife and killing the god squatting in it

Of course, it's not that simple. Some feats done by certain characters cannot be replicated by other characters without getting/preparing certain items or abilities beforehand, and some feats cost more Feat Points to do with other characters or are outright exclusive to certain characters only. Furthermore, the greater and more complex the feat, the more Feat Points it will cost to perform.

Luckily, Feat Points have no cap and can be gained by completing SSS Club tasks, SSS Missions, or undergoing a significant social event with someone. Moreover, Feat Point costs can be haggled down in intervening votes with a solid argument.

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Caligo Heitinga, the Ebony Demon. A Beastkin hailed as 'Merlin Reborn' and one of the strongest mages of your generation. You are blessed with magical power the likes of which rival elementals, demigods, and centuries-old Archmages, a mind that can adapt knowledge on the fly, and wield a relic weapon fabled for its history of godslaying.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-​

Your name is Caligo Heitinga.

You are a young Beastkin woman, 23 years old, attending your second year at Luna cademy of Magic and Higher Learning. You hail from the United Beastkin Coalition, on the southern end of the continent, and possess magical power the likes of which have not been seen since the fabled Merlin left his enchanted tower to spread the arcane knowledge he gleaned from a Divine Realm.

You are the oldest of three siblings and a daughter to a humble bookstore owner and seamstress. You have endured the ire and disdain of the older races, who look down upon your kind's recent acceptance as a proper 'race', and worked hard to prove that you and your kind are no longer the artificial constructs birthed in an alchemist's test-tube over a millennia ago. You have come far.

"Old timer," Proudmoore smirks. "You wouldn't believe the amount of property damage these three did to the AO."

"Mellow!" Tyriel groans, stance relaxing to facepalm.

"I swear to god…!" Jacques glares deathly at Mellow.

And you are prepared to throw it all away to shut that son of a bitch's mouth with a Bombardment Spell--!

"Alright, alright, settle down." Headmaster Oliver laughs, gesturing disarmingly with his hands. "No need to get all prickly so late in the night. I'm sure you're all tired from your mission earlier, so tempers might flare." he tilts his head at the traitor. "But since you spoke earlier, you can start with your report first Mister Proudmoore."

"Sure." the devil in Human skin shrugs, assuming a parade rest. "We dropped into the AO at 0100 hours local time and proceeded on foot towards the target location. We arrived there and visually surveyed the area, identifying over one hundred combatants and several dozen warmachines bearing demonic taint. We convened and agreed that stealth infiltration was not possible, thus resorting to immediate use of force." he pauses. "From there, we sorta went our separate ways."

"Sort of?" Deputy Headmistress Sylvia Hartmann sighs.

"Ty got all buff and bust through the main gate like Kool-Aid Man before beating up motherfuckers with other motherfuckers. Jack followed after him and chopped up tanks and APCs left and right. Cali flew to high altitude and started raining doomlasers at weapon emplacements." he grins at your and the other two boys' flustered silences. He made it sound so crude! E-Even if he's not technically wrong... "To be fair, I told them that the place had high historical and cultural value, but when all they had was a hammer…"

"I assume you went to ground to try and mitigate the damage as much as possible?" the Headmaster nods.

"I took the stealth route and snuck in to get intel on where the head cultist was. I got it, and the trio tunnel-visioned on the castle proper." he winces. "It made the head cultist scared enough to summon a Greater Demon. Not that it helped."

"Did the Hellspawn have a name?" Miss Sylvia asks, her magic tome opening and its pages flipping rapidly.

"I think it was L'vak, the Three-Horned One." Jacques supplied, voice accented with his Gallian heritage. "He made a big show proclaiming his name and all, and he had three horns on his forehead."

"I can confirm." Tyriel nods, tattoos flashing blue. "I caught the name on some leather parchment before I incinerated it." he winces. "I… don't think it was from an animal either."

A brief silence passes before Miss Sylvia's tome stops flipping its pages and the Elf Matron shakes her head despairingly, withdrawing an enchanted quill from her cleavage. The Headmaster sighs and Tyriel hands Jacques a wad of cash.

"That's three prophecies this month, Mister Proudmoore. Ruin three more and you'll have broken your personal record." the Headmaster informs the troublemaker, who huffs a laugh.

"Would it kill you to at least think before you go around altering the millennia of work the gods put into their plans?" you hiss at him. The bastard has the gall to smirk at you. "Mellow, this is serious."

"If the peeps upstairs planned their prophecies better, my dumb ass wouldn't be ruining anything ." he shrugs, unapologetic. "But hey, it's not like I can't not do my job; there's no vacation for us problem solvers."

"We could definitely use one, though." Jacques muses, earning him an enthusiastic nod from yourself and Tyriel.

"Lunabreck would be annexed by the time we got back. Not worth it." Mellow heckles.

"Foiling another prophecy aside, how bad was the property damage, Miss Heitinga?" Miss Sylvia turns to you.

You purse your lips, trying to find the best diplomatic answer you could.

"There was…" you start, going over your words a few times in your head. "There was still a castle by the time we finished our mission. The structures were still intact and the constructions sturdy when we left."

"But the priceless relics and artefacts inside were incinerated, weren't they." the Elf Matron sighs, her tome flipping to another page as she prepared her quill. "The paperwork will be ridiculous…"

"You have your magic, Sylvia. It will be fine." the Headmaster dismisses. "And I'm sure the local historians wouldn't have been able to make use of relics and artefacts with demonic taint anyway."

Months ago, when you first saw the dismissive demeanor of Headmaster Oliver towards absurd property damage and the loss of priceless artefacts your group tended to do, you felt no small amount of horror and dread. Now, jaded and used to his antics as you are, you just close your eyes and sigh tiredly.

"Regardless," the older man turns to all of you. "Well done, all of you. Though destructive, your actions tonight have preemptively stopped the build-up a cultist force that would have opened a possible invasion route for the forces of Hell in Lunabreck. You've saved the lives of countless thousands and allowed innocents all over the kingdom to wake safe and happy wherever they are." he bows to your group. "Again, the Kingdom owes you yet another debt."

Mellow pulls out a notebook and quickly jots it down, before joining the trading of fist-bumps and high-fives with yourself, Ty, and Jack. You roll your eyes at his usual antics, but nonetheless crack a smile at the shared jubilation of a job well-done.

It felt good being able to use your powers for the sake of innocents. Even if such a deed wouldn't be publically known for a while, if ever, you did the right thing. Whether or not you get rewarded for it shouldn't even matter.

Even if sometimes you wished it did.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-​

After that, you and your fellows are allowed to enter the SSS Club proper to freshen up and change out of your combat uniforms into your civilian clothes. An hour spent filling up an after-action report later, you were able to leave and get some rest before classes the next day.

It is two in the morning when you and your group step outside Academy grounds proper. The moon hangs overhead, it's silver gaze illuminating the world below over a backdrop of glittering stars. The bright lights of the Lunabreckian capital city, Lunaria, gleam and twinkle in the distance; reflecting off the waters surrounding the Academy's artificial island and making the view even more spectacular. You pause for a moment, bringing up Story Ender in its inert gemstone form to record the sight for future personal perusal.

"Cali." Tyriel's gruff voice pulls you to the side, where he stands wearing a comfy jacket with a fur collar. Further behind him are Jacques and Mellow, engaged in a rock-paper-scissors duel for the front seat of the half-breed's car. "Come on, I'll drop you off at your apartment." he pauses. "Unless there's somewhere you'd want to go first."

"You're not going straight home?" you blink, walking after the taller boy.

"I am. Those two stooges aren't, unfortunately." he laughs. "Jacques wants to swing by Junior's bar for a few drinks. Mellow wants to stop by a convenience store to pick up some stuff for his cat before heading home."

You consider.

Do you want to stop by somewhere before going home?:
[] You know what? Fuck it. You could use a drink or three to relax. Honor Among Thieves
[] Wait, you're low on rice and cooking oil again. Grocery shopping it is. Battle Evil Under Moonlight
[] A quick stop at MagRanolds wouldn't hurt. You feel a little peckish. Who You Gonna Call?
[] Nah, you're good. Some sleep would be nice.

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Wait, you're low on rice and cooking oil again. Grocery shopping it is.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-​

You weren't in a drinking mood, and you're not hungry enough to want to stop by a fast food joint for a bite to eat. You'll just head home and cook something simple to deal with any peckishness--

"Wait." you pause, and grimace. "Damn it, I think I'm low on rice and cooking oil again."

"Grocery shopping it is." the big guy nods. "C'mon. You can take the front seat while the stooges are still squabbling for it."

You do so, skipping past the pair and settling into the comfortable seat with a sigh of relief. Mellow and Jacques eventually see you and take the back seats with no small amount of grumbling, shutting up when Tyriel shoots them a look through the rear-view mirror. You stifle a giggle as the car starts and rumbles into the night.

You settle into your seat, watching the view as Tyriel turns on the bluetooth and plays something corny enough to get Jacques complaining, which prompts Mellow to badly sing along to the lyrics just to piss off the Gallian even more. You watch the same old routine unfold off the reflection of your window, snickering at Jacques' misfortune when Tyriel joins Mellow's singing with his deep baritone. You don't mind this chaos; its a good way to get your mind back into a civilian setting and you've long since gotten used to it by now anyway.

You wonder sometimes, how your family is doing back home. Your exile is still in effect for another thirteen years, and there's only so much you can convey with calls and messages. You're grateful that you can still talk to your family, really… but there's no beating a true face-to-face conversation.

How were they, really? What weren't they telling you, minding that the UBC is monitoring contact between you and them?

These familiar thoughts and worries echo in your mind as Tyriel drives into Lunaria proper, merging and splitting from the late-night traffic and following the long-memorized route to Junior's Bar. The vehicle rounds a corner and slows a stop, long enough for Jacques to step out.

"Don't stay out drinking too long, you hear?" you tell him. "We've still got classes tomorrow."

"I know, I know." he nods. "Just a few shots and I'll be headed home."

"You better." you mock-glare at him as he waves goodbye and trundles towards the bar. You sigh once you're sure he's out of earshot. "He's gonna come in hung over, isn't he?"

"He's a grown man, Cali. Let him deal with the consequences when they catch up to him." Tyriel assures you, revving the car and continuing his drive. He peeks up at the rear-view mirror, looking at Mellow. "Where's that convenience store again, Mellow? Fleet Street?"

"Yep. New place, just opened like a month ago." he confirms, nodding. "Down the road past the usual coffee joint, has a big ass lit sign. Can't miss it."

True to his word, the store is indeed difficult to miss, and Tyriel parks right in front of it.

"I'll wait in the car. Here," he presents you with a wad of cash. "Buy me something sweet, okay?"

"Sure thing!" you smile, opening your door as Mellow opens his. "Anything specific?"

"I'm feeling… fruity." the big guy hums. "Gimme those, uh, jelly candies."

You can't stop the giggle at his seemingly childish choice of sweets, but you don't judge; everyone has a sweet tooth.

The store doors swing open easily, revealing Mellow with a shopping basket in the crook of his elbow. You raise a brow at him.

"Figured I might as well do some shopping of my own while we're here." he shrugs. "C'mon, we can share a basket."

You quirk a brow, but follow him anyway; you weren't going to carry more stuff than you needed to, anyway.

You pick up your cooking oil and rice, and Ty's sweets. Mellow gets catfood, dried and wet varieties, some instant coffee, and creamer. He pauses at the last item, looking it over with a frown.

"What's wrong?" you blink, and he shows it to you. You follow his tapping finger and-- sweet gods, that's expensive.

"This is the biggest load of bull I've seen in a while. Really, that much for creamer?" he shakes his head, exchanging it for a cheaper but arguably inferior brand. "I might as well switch to plain black while I'm at it."

"It's probably something from the manufacturer's side. I don't think there's any economic trouble in Lunabreck recently." you frown. "Still, that big of a price hike in just a few days?"

"I'm guessing we'll have another mission lined up soon enough." he sighs, and you can't help but sigh with him. "We gotta ask for a raise some time."

"I'll be right behind you when the time comes." you shake your head. "C'mon, Ty's waiting and--"

An explosion sounds outside the store, blowing glass in and toppling nearby shelves. You shriek in time to Mellow's yelp, both of you falling to the floor. You blink the surprise away and look out the store, beholding some kind of shadow creature with too many tentacles rising out of a crater in the parking lot. To the side, Tyriel steps out of his car to inspect the damage on his ride. From the pulse of magic you feel in the air, it's pretty bad.

A second figure falls into the parking lot. Clad in powered armor too bulky to be practical, armed with a chainsaw-sword and a boxy SMG almost as large as your torso.

"I BATTLE EVIL UNDER MOONLIGHT!" the figure proclaims through the suit's external speakers, voice unmistakably feminine. "I EARN VICTORY BY DAYLIGHT!"

The shadow creature hisses, drawing into itself to appear taller. The tips of its tentacles morph into blades and barbs and maces that wave threateningly at the armored figure.

"TO EVER BATTLE AGAINST BEINGS MOST FOUL!" the figure brandishes her weapon at the monster. "I AM MAGICAL GIRL BLACK TEMPLAR!"

The monster screeches, hate and malice radiating off its frame like heat from a fire. The now-named Magical girl Black Templar enters a battle stance, gun raised and chainsword held to block and parry.

Tyriel stands up and begins cracking his knuckles.

"Oh shit." Mellow murmurs, pulling you to your feet even as his eyes stay glued to Tyriel. "They're dead."

[] Intervene and save Magical Girl Black Templar from Tyriel's wrath
[] Send Mellow out there to stop Tyriel and save Magical Girl Black Templar (+1 Feat Point)
[] …nah, the magical girl and the monster deserve to be punished. (+2 Feat Points)

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Intervene and save Magical Girl Black Templar from Tyriel's wrath

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- ​

You surge forward out of Mellow's hands, calling Story Ender into your hands and ignoring Mellow's shout to stop.

Tyriel's a good man, but he's got that Black Orc temper. And if he's anything like the kind of Orc he's half descended from, you don't think he'll be able to keep himself from badly hurting someone who pissed him off.

Bright pink light envelops your frame, and similarly colored mist begins to waft off your body; a result of excess mana leakage from your lack of fine control. Nonetheless, you feel power seep into your legs and you kick, launching yourself out of the store with two steps and skidding to a stop between Tyriel and the two troublemakers that dented his car.

From where you stand, you can see the damage of the half-breed's vehicle; the back bumper is dented in multiple places, the thin metal of the left doors and trunk are torn and sporting holes from shrapnel, and almost all the windows have been obliterated. Fuel leaks out of a torn gas tank, filling the immediate air with the strong scent of petrol. Tyriel himself is unharmed save for his clothes, which bear tears and holes themselves.

You crush the sympathetic wince in favor of a stern frown that struggles to stay in place before the murder in his gaze.

"Ty, no." you tell him, voice low. "She's just a kid."

"That kid wrecked my car." he grits out. "Stand aside, Cali."

"You'd maim her." you hiss. "You have trouble enough keeping your strength down when you're calm, you'd break bones if you so much as touch her now."

"Then she shouldn't have brought her make-believe non-sense here." he snarls. "Lunaria's got plenty more parking lots and empty rooftops for her to play at. Do you have any idea how much it'll cost to fix my car? How long it'd take?"

"We just got paid and you can sprint across the city faster in a few minutes, that shouldn't even be an argument." you snarl back. "Be mature!"

"CITIZENS! I WOULD ASK YOU BOTH TO CLEAR THE AREA!" Magical Girl Black Templar booms behind you. "THE MONSTER BEFORE YOU IS EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS!"

Tyriel raises his hand, his tattoos lit--

You move--

The shadow monster disintegrates into a hollowed-out husk, flopping to floor into a mass of fading darkness and negative energy. A car behind the monster crumples inward at the middle section, glass and metal spraying everywhere. The magical girl flinches back from the sound of an anti-material rifle going off at close range and falls back with a yelp.

Story Ender is at Tyriel's raised wrist, forcing it away from where the blast of his finger flick would have hit both the monster and the magical girl. You glare at him and he glares back.

"Sweetheart," you call out to Magical Girl Black Templar, not breaking eye-contact with the half-breed. "I think you should leave."

"You're staying there until I can get your contact information." Tyriel growls at her, meeting your gaze. "You wrecked my car and I'm not paying for someone else's mistake!"

"U-Uhm…" you hear the magical girl stand. "I-I'm sorry for--"

"I said--!" Tyriel breaks eye contact.

You spin into his guard, plant a foot on his stomach, and push him back. As he stumbles, you will Story Ender into its bombardment form and loose a hurricane gale his way.

The big guy brings his arms in front of him and weathers your attack; digging his feet into the ground even as light rubble and motorcycles are sent flying back a good few meters. He snorts and rears back a fist, tattoos glowing red.

You move to counter, Story Ender morphing into its melee form. You brace, readying a reflect spell to send his projectile back at him and--

"Enough!"

Reality distorts. Strength flees from you and Story Ender falls inert. Across from you, Tyriel freezes as his tattoos fall dormant as his power fades. Both of you choke and drop to your knees, gasping for breath as reality straightens in time to Mellow marching out of the busted store you were previously in.

"You two really thought this place was a good place to spar, huh?!" he drags the big guy to his feet and punches him hard enough to draw blood and collapse to the ground. "And you! Fucking casting a high-grade spell in the middle of a city!" he grabs your collar and slaps you so hard that you see stars. "The old man's going to have our heads for this!" he looks behind you. "And you! Going around in the middle of the night in powered armor hunting monsters you're nowhere near ready for!" you hear a yelp, a pained cry, and tearful blubbering. "I don't give a flying fuck if you're a goddamn teenager; if you're stupid enough to do this, then you need some sense knocked into you regardless!"

"M-Mellow…" you groan.

"M-My car…" Tyriel moans.

"No, fuck you both! You're both going home right now and sleeping the headache away!" he pulls out his phone and starts dialing. "Not even a day after a mission and we've already gotten into shit. There goes my sleep!" he scoffs angrily. "Thanks, dipshits!"

[] Try to apologize to Mellow and Tyriel
[] Check on Magical Girl Black Templar
[] Mellow told you to go home and sleep, so you'll comply (+2 Feat Points)

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Check on Magical Girl Black Templar

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-​

It takes you a second to collect yourself, and another second to blink the stars out of your eyes and wince at the stinging on your face.

You shoot the asshole responsible a dirty look, but he's too busy talking on his phone to notice. Not that you have much room to talk; loosing a high-grade spell like that in the middle of a city definitely was a bad idea to begin with, but you had your reason in the face of an angry Tyriel potentially hurting a youngster. You don't blame him for getting mad as he did, and him being so quick to violence could easily be chalked up to his Black Orc heritage acting up.

But of the four of you, Mellow is the one who can best deal with situations like this. His ability is literally anathema to the stuff that you, Ty, Magical Girl Black Templar, and that tentacle shadow monster throw around; he could have stepped in and Null'd everyone into compliance well before you and Ty got a little heated. Why hadn't he?

You spot Mellow sigh and turn around, baring his back; it's covered in dust and tears, too much to have been from the initial blast that knocked you and him to floor back in the store when this started

…you didn't push him to the floor when you flew off to intercept Ty, did you?

…no, you couldn't have.

You turn to Tyriel, watching him stand and nurse his bruised cheek and shoot Mellow's back an apologetic look.

He glances at you, at his immediate surroundings, and looks away in shame. You're tempted to go to him and apologize for taking things too far, but a pained whimper some distance behind you pulls your attention away.

You force yourself up and move towards the downed form of Magical Girl Black Templar, noting her helmet laying on the side with a cracked eye-visor. She's pawing at her face, sobbing through the gaps of her large metal gauntlets. Fighting back the urge to zap Mellow, you approach and kneel beside the distraught youngster.

"Hey." you start, grabbing her armored hands. "Hey, it's alright."

You pull them back, revealing a heart-shaped face with bright green eyes and short black hair. An ugly bruise is forming around her left eye, swelling badly enough that it will eventually cover it. Even if you could put an ice pac on it now, it'll still bruise pretty badly.

"It's not that bad. C'mere, let me get a closer look." you trace circles on the poor thing's cheek and temple as you scratch her scalp. "Shh, it's alright. Take it easy, it won't hurt for much longer." you shoot her a smile despite your own aching face. "Take deep breaths, okay? Can you do that for me?"

She hiccups and nods through her sobs. It takes her a few tries but she manages, and you wipe her tears dry with an encouraging smile to keep her calm.

"There we go. You're doing great." You rise gingerly and tug on her hands, having never let go of them in the first place. "C'mon. Sit up for me?"

She complies, her suit whirring to the motion. She looks you over, then at the devastation around her, and gapes just a little before settling her gaze on you.

"Y-You're really powerful…" she starts. You giggle.

"I'm still a little rough around the edges, though. It's nothing a little time and training can't fix, but all I can manage right now is pure power. No finesse or fine control." you shake your head. "I'm Caligo. What's your name?"

"S-Sachi. Sachi Takemura." she murmurs, a little shy in her seven foot tall suit of powered armor. "Tonight was my first outing as a magical girl. I-I didn't expect to get into something like… like this."

"Most magical girl maiden outings don't end up like this, no." you laugh. "You just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing to get discouraged about." you smile. "There's plenty of other nights for you to go out, you know? More monsters to fight and the name of love and justice."

That makes her giggle, and your smile widens.

"Where in Lunaria are you from, Sachi?" you look her over. "Do you have any parents? Guardians?"

"I live with my dad over at West Arcadia. My mom's in Exella doing some work for a research firm." she answers. "She says she'll be back in time for my birthday this June. I'll be turning 16 then."

"Sweet sixteen!" you cheer. "I'm twenty-three myself. Nothing sweet about it, but it's plenty nice to celebrate birthdays when you can."

"Mm." she hums, glancing around. Her gaze settles on Tyriel's car and she gasps. "Oh no, the guy's car!"

"Oh, don't worry about him. He just got a bit mad and let that get to his head." you console her. "He didn't to scare you like he did; angry people make mistakes all the time, don't they?"

"B-But I--"

"You made a mistake." you cut her off. "Everyone does. No-one learns anything by doing things perfectly; it's part of growing up. You'll get punished for it sometimes, but him getting serious at you is uncalled for." you ruffle her hair a little. "Be sure to learn from this, okay?"

"O-Okay. I'll try to be better next time." she nods. "W-Where is he, actually?"

You turn around, finding the parking lot devoid of the tall boy. You spot what look suspiciously like shoe indents in the asphalt where you last saw him standing on, meaning he's either jumped or ran home.

"He probably just left." you shrug. Sachi gapes at you.

"B-But I wrecked his car!" she protests. "He said he w-wanted my contact information, didn't he?"

"You can give it to me and I'll pass it to him tomorrow. If you're still scared about meeting him, I'll be your intermediary so you won't have to." your Beastkin ears perk up, the sound of distant jet engines warning you of approaching visitors. "C'mon, I think it's time we get out of here."

Sachi picks up her helmet and stands, donning it before retrieving her weapons and putting them on her back.

"A-Actually…" she asks. "Can I… Can I get your number?" you cock a brow. "I-I know I'm asking for a lot but… I-I don't really have a magical girl group to patrol with so I was hoping that maybe…"

[] Give her your contact info (+1 Feat Point)
[] Politely refuse (+1 Feat Point)

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Give her your contact info (+1 Feat Point)

+1 Feat Point! New Total: 11

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x​

You don't see a reason not to, so you whip out your phone and show your number. Sachi dutifully produces her own phone and taps the info down; calling you so you'd get a copy of her own number for the sake of convenience.

"I'm not the best choice for a magical posse though, since I don't have much fine control over my power. At best, I can give you some advice about your future meguca adventures or send my friends to help if you're ever in a snag." you tell her, smiling at how dutifully she nods. "Be sure to behave and keep any fights you get into within remote ares so this," you gesture at your surroundings. "Doesn't happen again, okay?"

"Alright Miss Caligo." she beams.

"Just Caligo's fine, Sachi. I'm too young for the 'Miss' thing anyway." you laugh, willing your magic to life. Pink light and smoke envelope you as you rise into the air.

"W-Wait!" Sachi calls out. "C-Could we… hang out together, sometime?"

"Hmm…" you tap your chin, thinking. "Well, I've got my lessons and side job keeping me occupied most days but…" you shoot her a smile. "We'll see."

With one last parting wink, you take off; zooming into the Lunarian night sky in a streak of pink light, disappearing into the clouds. You can't help the grin that spreads across your lips, amused at the thought of Sachi staring up at your slight path into the heavens. She must be squeeing herself hoarse down there, you reckon.

A shake of your head dispels your thoughts as you will the light show and your flight away; entering free fall.

The wind whips at your hair and roars in your ears as you plunge towards the city, but you have a few seconds to locate your destination from your position so high up.

Catching sight of it, you adjust your form so that your back is facing the ground before you cross your legs; looking like you're reclining on a chair or low couch. You count the seconds and pull out your phone to check through your social media pages and group messages for anything you needed to know.

Three seconds away from the ground, you will your flight back and immediately your downward velocity slows to a stop an inch off the ground. You put your phone away and drop back onto the ground properly, walking out of the alley and rounding a corner to your apartment building.

It's nothing luxurious, but not quite cheap either. The sizable distance between it and the hot locales in Lunaria lowers its property value, but it being in walking distance to a bus line that stops at the Luna Academy main entrance makes it very desirable for the many Academy students who aren't native to the city; yourself included. That it comes with a communal swimming pool, gym, and easy access to various convenience stores and supermarkets is just the cherry on top.

You meander past the snoring security guard, pet his easily excitable guard pooch, and snag an elevator to your place on the top floor.

Moving past the late-night party goers, karaoke addicts, and adolescent relationship arguments audible through the thin walls, you reach your destination. Your keycard permits you entrance and you rest your back against the door as you close it shut.

You sigh.

"Home sweet home…" you murmur, turning on the lights.

It's a comfortable open-space domicile; warm, spacious, and well lived-in. You've decorated it with a few plants, some paintings, an aquarium, and furniture your inexperienced mind thought would look good against drab grey and large windows. You peel off your jacket, pants, and undo your hair as you stagger to your bed and attempt to bury yourself in its plush softness.

In the darkness afforded with your close eyelids, you let the day's stresses ebb out of your weary muscles for a long moment before rolling over to stare at the ceiling.

You've got a few hours before you need to get ready for tomorrow's classes. There's leftovers in the fridge, some unwatched movies in your Netflix account's 'watch later' list, a few chores you were going to do before the mission came up…

You don't feel that tired, to be honest. You could maybe take a nap and wake up ready for the day ahead and do well enough in class to earn yourself another nap at the SSS clubroom on that ridiculously comfy couch Mellow bought a while ago. You already finished what homework your lecturers gave you today, and your study material is safely stored away in your bag that you keep on your study desk.

[] Write-in (anything reasonable, with multiple things at once allowed)

EDIT: Shorter than usual, but I got pulled into overtime at work and I've got the day shift tomorrow so. Yeah.

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] Get a shower, put out some clothes for tomorrow, and do those chores. Put on some soft music while you do them, then take a nap.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

The thought rises up in your to call your family and see how they were doing, and maybe boast about how you managed to get a starry-eyed follower in Lunaria. One of many more, your inner clique-leader cackles.

But you dismiss that thought as you sit up and behold your apartment. It's not the kind of filth that Jacques squats on, but its dishevelled enough to warrant some tidying; and better now than after the boys pay you a surprise visit and Jacques throws your own words about cleanliness back at you.

You pull out your phone and put on your house cleaning playlist before connecting it to a set of speakers. You do your hair up into a pony tail and retrieve the cleaning supplies from your bathroom alongside the necessary cleaning implements for your coming battle with the dust bunnies occupying the underside of your couch and dining table. All the lights come on and the windows swing open to let that cool night air flow in.

You survey the battleground once again before exhaling through your nose and putting on a facemask.

"Let's do this." you say to to yourself, girding yourself for the tasks to come.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

"Are you fucking serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking, Mister Proudmoore?"

"Hell yeah you are! You're barely holding your laughter in, you old sonuvabitch!"

"I'm holding back a coughing fit, not laughter."

"Bullshit."

"Regardless, your instructions are clear; you are to find the criminal gang currently extorting the Academy students taking the marked routes on their way to classes before morning."

"Old man, no offense, that's not something I can do in a few hours."

"You will if you want to avoid filling out the paperwork for the damages Miss Heitinga and Mister Steelheart did during your moment of inattentiveness. And I will remind you that it will involve asking for signatures from the city council as well as a written apology from both of your friends."

"...Can I use lethal force to deal with the gang?"

"Can you make it look like it wasn't your doing?"

"..."

"...Mister Proudmoore, that wasn't a challenge."

"It is now!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

Two and a half hours later, you put away the last of the cleaning supplies and behold the fruits of your labor.

Your apartment sparkles under the light, dust-free and neatly organized in a way that only your expert hands could accomplish. The ceiling fans have been wiped clean of dust, the windows scrubbed spotless, the floor swept clear and then mopped to a mirror finish. You've reorganized the kitchen items and gave the counter a good wiping, then cleared your fridge of all expired foodstuffs; a few shriveled apples and some expired snacks that hid from you for far too long.

A shame too; you were craving some beef jerky right now.

Oh well, what's done is done. With a flick of your tail, you move to your wardrobe and start the process of choosing what you'll be wearing for tomorrow.

Luna Academy has a loose dress code; permitting anything that's not too scandalous for students and staff alike. You usually stuck with long skirts and blouses, but the occasional pants and tee wouldn't be too out of place.

But you did get a nice pair of heels the other day that'd go well with the knee-length culottes you got from Tyriel a few months ago. Oh, but the culotte looks cute with that baggy blouse, too! The colors and shape similarities would make your look like a total party girl~. But maybe you should give the skirts another look through just in case; you think you have a pencil skirt that's go well with a formal shirt or a chiffon top… Wait, do you even have a Chiffon top? Maybe--

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

Fear. It beat in his heart and seeped into the crotch of his pants. It made his vision pulse and breath come in short, desperate puffs.

The figure moved like any ordinary man, wielded a sword that was as ordinary as the many mass-produced ones he and the rest of his guys were told to use by the bosses. He spoke like any ordinary man too; heck, he bled like one too!

But there was something in the way he walked. How he carried himself after every block he struck, every strike he parried, every unconscious body he let flop to the floor. There was malice in it, but also something like surety. The certainty that what he did, he did for the right reasons and couldn't possibly have been wrong. That this, the terror he radiated and the injuries he left in his wake; all of it, was right.

He felt guilt and shame stab him as he looked at the broken remains of the drug lab he was in.

From where he sat, it couldn't have been wrong.

Glass beakers and metal apparatuses crunched under heavy boots. The figure walked out of the darkness wreathed in smoke and magic that reminded him of childhood stories and tall tales told around campfires. He couldn't see anything under the hood it wore, but he was sure it was smiling.

The figure planted the blunted sword it used onto the floor and squatted in front of him. He whimpered, terrified.

"You're the last one, hm?" the figure drawled, voice accented. "Pity. I would've liked a challenge."

"P-Please," he begged. "Let me go."

"I've spent twenty three days tracking down this little druggie hole." the figure rose, gripped his weapon tight. "I'll give you twenty three seconds to make peace with whatever god you worship before I send you to them."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

You wake up to the beeping of your phone's alarm clock.

You shut it off with a yawn and sit up on your bed, stretching the kinks out of your back in time to the sun rising in the horizon. Rubbing the sand out of your eyes, you make your way to the bathroom, feeling refreshed after that quick nap.

Washing the last of the sleep out of your face, you don your clothes, brew up and drink some coffee, before gathering your school things on your way out.

You take the elevator down and take the bus to the Academy gates. From there, its a quick trek through campus to the cafeteria for a quick breakfast before enter the lecture hall with your class.

You get a few scattered hello's and good mornings from the nicer people present, which you return with a smile and your own greetings. A small few of them shoot stink-eyes your way, which you ignore with the long-practiced ease any Beastkin would gain from co-existing with those who still thought your kind were animals with human parts instead of people.

Settling into your seat in the middle row, you do a quick check of your things before settling in to wait for the lecturer to enter.

Movement at the entrance draws your attention, and you spot--

[] Jacques, waggling his brows at a passing girl and looking mighty satisfied with himself.
[] Tyriel, quietly squeezing through the door with his things and a box of… chocolates?
[] Mellow, eyes bloodshot and hunched over as he twitches into the lecture hall.
[] An unfamiliar girl, looking nervously between the lecture hall and the small mecha at her side.
[] An familiar guy, nose deep in a book and rising atop the back of a gigantic dog.

 

[SlugSLinger]

Winning Vote:
[] An unfamiliar girl, looking nervously between the lecture hall and the small mecha at her side.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-​

She is blonde, blue-eyed beneath her spectacles, and blessed with a figure you couldn't help but admire. You weren't vain enough to compare yourself to her, but even you could respect good curves and shapely suppleness when you saw it.

But more than that, you could see the little invention at her side, however blocky it may be. Small, compact, obviously far more advanced than anything in Lunaria at a similar size. It stood on four little legs and lacked any external connections that could conceivably be mistaken for controller ports or power supply chords. You lack the fine control to scan it without blowing it up from too much magic, but even your mundane eyes can tell that the little mecha was special.

The blonde steps inside and almost immediately, eyes fall on her. Gauging, judging, admiring, leering; she tries not to squirm under all the attention, but it's a losing battle.

You raise a hand and wave, catching her notice. You scoot to the left a little and beckon her to your side with a gesture. She brightens and all but hurries to you, her mecha struggling to keep up with its metallic tippy taps on the linoleum flooring.

"T-Thanks!" she says, once within earshot. "I was worried I'd melt out there."

"Don't mention it. I was in your shoes once; couldn't let it happen to someone else." you smile, offering a hand. "Caligo Heitinga."

"Melissa Hardins." she takes your offer. "I'm from the Exellan Republic's foreign exchange program. I'll be in your care for the next year."

"I'll be sure to look after you as well as I can. Welcome to Lunabreck." you nod. "Have you been here long?"

"Oh, just a few days. Had the chance to take a look around Lunaria for a bit, soak in the sights. The castle does an amazing lightshow every few evenings, doesn't it?" she beams. "I haven't been able to catch it myself, but I hope to in the future."

"The lightshow happens on the twelfth and twenty-first of every month." you helpfully supply. "I don't know why, but the King and Queen decreed it and that's how it is."

"Really? Thanks!" she turns to the walking path behind her. "REX, up boy."

The tiny mecha jumps onto the desk, scaring the people sitting in the row ahead. The bot turns to its creator and warbles electronically.

"Mark the twenty-first of this month as 'Lunaria Castle Lightshow Reminde', please." she tells it. "And be sure to include prime seats to watch it from, okay?"

The bot warbles an affirmation.

You take a second to really look at it. Up close, you can see the fine work and craftsmanship put into its creation; seamless welding between metal plates, exact measurements for the space between the joints, almost no sound from its body whenever it moves. It even has a pair of LED lights on its 'head' that blink on and off in a way that makes you think it's blinking. You wouldn't even bother trying to imagine how complex the internals are, let alone its programming.

"You built this?" you can't help but ask.

"Yeap! REX is my pride and joy!" Melissa chirps, happy. "You wouldn't believe how long it took me to build its chassis. Coding the programming for it was worse. But it's worth it; this little can do anything a supercomputer can, completer with predictive software based on past orders." she explains. "It can even order food for you if you give it your phone number."

"...doesn't that need an address too?" you blink.

"A quick search through the internet can find that in no time flat." Melissa laughs. "Seriously, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to access information if you know where to look."

You stare at the little bot in renewed wonder as Melissa continues talking, reconsidering what it could do and how it could do it. A familiar face walking past it pulls you out of your thoughts, and you turn to the new arrival properly.

You wince.

"'sup." Mellow croaks.

"Oh, hel--" Melissa turns, sees Mellow, and promptly shrieks; backing up into you. "Oh my god, are you okay?!"

Mellow certainly does not look okay. His skin is a shade paler than usual, his hair a tangled mess, and eyes so red that you're worried a particularly hard blink could make them bleed. He's hunched over, one hand in his pocket while the other grips the backpack slung over his shoulder. He sighs and squeezes past to sit beside you with a loud flump, setting his bag at his feet and leaning bonelessly into his seat.

"I'm not, no." he murmurs, blinking blearily. "Went a little overboard with the Headmaster's 'punishment' for last night's fuck up."

"The Headmaster?' Melissa blinks, confused. Your expression softens a little bit as you push her back into her seat so you could properly face Mellow. "You know the Luna Academy Headmaster?"

"We're part of a club that he supervises; the Special Student Services Club. A student comes to us with something that they or the Academy staff can't help with and we solve it in exchange for a geas-enforced promise to help the club out in something equivalent." you explain, reaching into your bag to hand Mellow a packet of wet tissues. He takes them and begins wiping at his face. "Last night, another clubmate and I got into some trouble and he covered for us." you turn to Mellow. "He didn't make you do anything too bad, did he?"

"Eh, nothing I couldn't handle." he shrugs. "Just a pest problem that needed a more… permanent solution."

…

You take a deep breath, hold it in for a few seconds, then exhale.

You and Tyriel's quick throw of hands got Mellow his 'pest problem', so you can't complain about anything he does to cover for you and the big guy. You do, however, shoot him the dirtiest look you can muster as you pinch and twist his side through his shirt. Unexpectedly, he hisses and swats your hand away.

"Owowow, damn it." he hisses. "Not there woman, I'm still tender."

"What? What happened?" Melissa asks. "What did Caligo do?"

"Nothing you should be worried about, little missy." Mellow cracks open one eye. "Actually, I haven't seen you before. You new?"

"Uh, y-yeah! Melissa Hardins, Exellan exchange student." she gestures at REX. "And this is REX. My, uhm, passion project."

"Nice to meet ya'. Mellow Proudmoore." the ruffian nods. "Cali, let me borrow your lap for a second, please? I need a pillow and this chair isn't plush enough for my big head."

More movement at the corner of your vision. You see Tyriel and Jacques walking, the big guy wincing at the Gallian's laughter.

[] Give Mellow a lap pillow (+2 Feat Points)
[] Refuse and gently push him onto the empty seats to his far left
[] Ignore him and greet Jacques and Tyriel intead.