Dawn of Heroes

[Oshha]

[X] [Power] Upgrade the power of Talatine.
-[X] [Power] Decrease the effort that it takes to summon Talatine back to your hand. Reduces Standard action needed to summon Talatine to a Move action.
[X] [Power] Upgrade the might of Torlyn.
-[X] [Power] Use your magic to improve its protectiveness. Gain Impervious Protection 1.
[X] [Squire] Empower your squire's Mystic Wardrobe.
-[X] [Squire] Make the clothing of the wardrobe blend into the background. Sapphire Squire gains Partial Concealment 1 (Normal Vision).
[X] [Skill] Study magic and the mystic arts alongside your squire. Increase Expertise: Magic Skill.
[X] [Skill] Have your squire teach you about modern technology. Increase Technology skill.
[X] [Life] Investigate Manchester to determine why the Druid teleported Sapphire Squire there. Take a trip to Manchester to follow your lead on the Druid.
[X] [Life] Sapphire Squire has proven to be an incredibly useful ally and perhaps it is time to look for another individual to take as another second squire. Look for candidates to be your second squire.

The rest of April goes without any major incidents. No dangerous villains showing up as you only have to deal with the regular run of the mill criminals. The only downside is that is a lot of them and Inspector Brown privately confesses to you that one of his concerns is prison space as the gang war finally heats up.

You don't personally pay attention to events, but both Inspector Brown and Sapphire Squire keep you up to date. The Golden Order quickly shows why it needed a coalition to keep it in check as it smashes apart its rivals. Both the Regal Ravens and the Silent Brotherhood hold their own for the most part, but the Night Wolves have taken heavy losses and the gang is barely holding it together. The rising star that is the Crow Crew finds itself unable to keep its recent acquisitions from collapse of the Consortium Coalition as the last major gang finds its star being snuffed out by the Golden Knight and his followers.

You find your hands full keeping a lid on it all. In many ways, it is a blessing that the Golden Order is doing so well as you and the Golden Knight have something of a private understanding. The Golden Order doesn't mess with the innocent or cross certain lines and in turn, you turn a blind eye to their activities unless your hand is forced. While it pains you to leave some brigands be, the city benefits from the arrangement as the Golden Order deliberately limits itself to avoid your just wrath.

But even as the gang war gets rolling, it is not all that dominates your life. You channel your power to enhance Torlyn, further refining the protection that the silver plate provides and empowering the armour's magic. While not a major boost compared to the defence that Torlyn already provides, you have no doubts that it will come in useful as you continue to face more and more extraordinary foes.

You also practice your ability to recall Talatine, both improving your skill so you can more easily recall it and enhancing the magic of the glistening blade so the sword takes less energy and effort to recall to your hand. While you don't think you can get summoning time any further without some major reworks to Talatine's magic, you can now recall Talatine to hand at will. Given your plans to use the sword as throwing weapon, this will no doubt be the first step down that path though it is important to bear in mind that Talatine won't ever be as effective thrown as it is in your hand.

That said, you do make the breakthrough of being able to reserve the summoning so rather than calling Talatine your hand, you can teleport to Talatine. The range is limited to only a few metres, but you are sure that this extra trick will prove useful someday.

Another improvement that you make is helping Sapphire Squire upgrade her Mystic Wardrobe so just as it provides extra protection, it also makes her partially invisible to the regular eye. Whilst she can still be seen with the naked human eye, your squire is half-faded out of view, partially blurry and partially blending into the background. It isn't the full invisibility of the rings that Sapphire Squire makes, but it doesn't require two hours of preparation before running out after a few hours of use.

***​

"You've gotten good at this," you note as you watch Sapphire Squire work on the latest enchantment, weaving magic into ring with such skill and ease that what would have taken her hours mere months ago only takes her hours.

Your squire isn't the most skilled you've seen at these arts as back home, you have watched spellcasters make more powerful artefacts in a shorter length of time, but it is a good start for Sapphire Squire. If she can do this after just months, who knows where she'll be in a few years? She has certainly exceeded your ability with rituals.

"Thanks," says Sapphire Squire, "It turns out that having to replace gear all the time by hand makes you skilled at it. Boomerangs, smoke bombs, rings of invisible, necklaces of charisma, none of it is that powerful, but I go through a lot of them."

"If you ever need any help...?" you offer.

"Nah, just keep bringing me materials and I can handle it," replies your squire, "That's my main bottleneck alongside time. I need both materials and time to make all my gear. Now I can finally begin to afford to some of my more complicated ideas now that I don't have to spend so much time on simple stuff."

"Complicated ideas?" you inquire, curious about just what sort of things that your genius of a squire has thought up in that clever head of hers.

"Shapeshifting mainly," answers Sapphire Squire, "I'm inspired by your own abilities and if I'm honest, I find the idea of temporarily becoming something else to be intriguing."

"I am something of an expert on shapeshifting," you tell her, "I would be happy to help you in any way I can."

"Well, I got a basic idea of how shapeshifting works from observing you do it," replies Sapphire Squire, "I want to start with something familiar and human to get started with and then work from there. With that in mind, the ideal thing would be to create something that turns me into your Tamara Lyn-"

Your squire doesn't get to finish as you let out a squeal of excitement.

"You want to turn into me!" you exclaim in joy, startling Sapphire Squire into silence, "Me as your first transformation! Of course, I'll help you with that. I'll let you get all the measurements; let you study me doing it and we can go as far as you want. You won't be able to copy Talatine or Torlyn, but if you could definitely get my skills and knowledge, perhaps some of my memories. Maybe we shouldn't go that far on the first time, but perhaps once you got the hang of it..."

"You seem very okay with this," says Sapphire Squire slowly.

"I'm excited and probably making a big deal out of it than it really is," you admit, but still ready to burst into joy again, "Shapeshifting is a big deal to me and the fact that you want to turn into me as your first shapeshifted form means a great deal to me."

"I will endeavour to enjoy being you," says Sapphire Squire before giggling, "Oh that is such a weird thing to say. But yeah, I'll be happy to shapeshift into you."

***​

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that," you hear one of your own voices talking back to you, "I've got an understanding of how they work and I've could definitely improvise in an emergency, but I don't know how to drive one properly or how to teach someone else how to do it. I bet Inspector Brown or Mr Wallis could do it, but it is something I can't help you with. Sorry."

"You help with plenty of other stuff," you reassure your squire as you both currently wear the body of Tamara Lyn though she has gone for a more casual dress over a maid uniform like the one you are in, "It is okay to not be good at everything. Nobody is."

"Except for Jesus," Sapphire Squire points out reasonably, "But he was the son of God so maybe he doesn't count. Hmm, would Jesus count as a demigod?"

"I don't know much about human religions," you reply.

"Yeah, that makes sense," says Sapphire Squire, "Anyway, I can explain how a car works to you, but I cannot teach you how to drive one."

"That is a shame," you say, "All of this modern technology is rather interesting."

"Yes, it is," agrees Sapphire Squire, "I bet-actually, what sort of stuff do you have in the Fairy Kingdom? I assumed it was medieval with you being a knight and all that, but you can do all sorts of magic so I guess it could be more advanced than our world, just with magic instead of tech."

"Medieval is a surprising adept description," you say, "Our magical nature gets rid of the drudgery and mundane tasks of life, but we have our Queen, our princes and princesses and rest of the nobility whilst never having a need or desire to move beyond what we had. Plus the Fairy Kingdom is timeless. It goes on, but people remain the same and things don't change."

"I guess we have the advantage of being able to advance," notes Sapphire Squire, "Though I expect that we have yet to catch up to your people's magic from what you've told me."

"The magic of the fey still exceeds the technology of the humans," you confirm, "I suspect that will not always be the case, but I cannot say it will be within your lifetime. However, we are getting off-topic as we are suppose to be discussing technology not magic."

"Right," agrees Sapphire Squire as she shifts position and giggles, "Sorry, it is just weird to not be in my own body. I'm in someone else's body and is so cool. Umm, I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you, but at some point, I would like to do something as you."

"That can be arranged," you tell her, "I trust you not to do anything untoward with my secret identity so feel free to use my body as you wish. Now let us discuss something like your gauntlets."

"Sure, but are you serious okay with me just going around doing things in your body?" asks Sapphire Squire, "I mean, I know you are, but how?"

"I don't have any single body to be attached to like you and most others," you explain, "It is just one of many that I can use and the main attachment to it is the secret identity tied to it. So long as you don't compromise my identity as Tamara Lyn, which I know you won't, I don't care what you physically do with it."

"Thank you for your faith in me," says Sapphire Squire, "So tech right? Want to take a look at my grappling gauntlets or my smoke bombs? They've my most complex gadgets."

"I'd love to," you tell her and you watch the smile blossom on the face of your doppelganger.

***​

"Learn anything interesting?" you ask Sapphire Squire as she returns to the temporary hideout that the two of you are using for trip to Manchester.

The trip is only going to last a couple days as Sapphire Squire can only cover up a singe night of absence in her secret identity and she can't afford to miss any school days. So you leave one Saturday morning with the intentions of returning the following night, taking the train in disguised forms.

The two of you prepared for the trip ahead of time, which basically amounted to Sapphire Squire spending a few night come up with a supply of charms and enchantments to make use of. One was the temporary body she used on the train to pass as your younger sister whilst another was goggles of detecting magic. The latter has proven to be especially useful and you don't know what you would have done if Sapphire Squire hadn't had the foresight to create it and bring it with her.

While you had initially hoped to investigate the area that Sapphire Squire was teleported to for clues, that plan soon proved to be a mistake. Even with the skills of your squire, you were unable to find anything to give you a lead on the Druid. That all changed when Sapphire Squire got out her enchanted goggles.

It quickly became apparent that the Druid was not prepared for magical opponents and had taken no measures to conceal himself from trackers of the supernatural. It was hilariously easy to pick up the magical trails that the Druid had left behind and from there, it was just a matter of checking out the places where he did the most magic.

You found out the Druid's secret identity on the Saturday afternoon simply by tracking down his home. A Welshman by the name of Owen Powell, he wasn't that impressive. A lonely man who spent most of his time studying the occult, you would have felt pity for the man if it wasn't for his actions back in March.

Still, it is a starting point and it gives you an advantage over the Druid in any future encounters. With another night and day to hunt for information, you begin to look into the Druid's connections, which led to you and your squire splitting up to cover more ground.

"Xavier Crawford is a local businessman is the employer of Owen Powell and a former Consortium boss," replies Sapphire Squire.

"Former boss?" you inquire.

"I caught him just as he was leaving on business so I got the change to sniff about his office," answers Sapphire Squire with a shrug, "I don't how your outing went, but mine was very informative. Xavier Crawford was a member of the top Consortium leadership, but he inherited the position from his dad. So while old man Crawford was a Consortium loyalist, Xavier is more ambitious. He didn't want to take orders from someone called Elizabeth anymore and he took recent string of defeats that the Consortium has suffered to be break free."

"And they just let him do that?" you ask, surprised at the usually ruthless Consortium would let such betrayal go unpunished.

"Mutual blackmail and the Consortium being stretched too thin," explains Sapphire Squire, "Crawford and the Consortium have enough sensitive information on each other that could hurt the other badly and while Crawford would come off worse, he is currently entrenched enough that the Consortium doesn't have the resources to root out right now. As a result, they ignore each other for now, but that isn't the most interesting part."

"What is the most interesting part then?" you inquire, letting your squire lead you on.

"Crawford has been investigating the supernatural after you starting defeating the Consortium in London and someone called Ghostgirl started doing the same to the various criminals up somewhere in Scotland," continues Sapphire Squire, "That's how he recruited Druid. He has been studying the magic tomes that the Druid has you write up and this may mean more to you than it does to me, but Crawford wants to contract with a Celestial. And going by your face, you know what that means."

"I certainly do," you confirm as you rake through the horrible possibilities of a powerful crime lord getting in bed with a Celestial, "Celestials are some of the most powerful beings out that. Closest things you'll find to gods and whilst they got limited ability to act most of the time, they are more than capable of empowering mortal champions."

"How bad would it be for Crawford to become one of those champions?" inquires Sapphire Squire thoughtfully.

"Very," you tell her, "Champions are basically demigods. Actually, the only real difference between a demigod of a Celestial and a champion of the Celestial is that the former is born with their power whilst the latter is granted it."

"So do you want to take down Crawford or something?" asks Sapphire Squire.

"Not enough time today unless he is close?" you reply and your squire shakes her head, "Then we got time. Crawford cannot be allowed to contract with a Celestial, but I doubt he will succeed any time soon."

"Then in that case, can we explore the city?" asks Sapphire Squire and you shoot her a look, "We got the rest of the afternoon to visit places open to the public and we can look about other places in the evening. I've got a spare disguise ring for it and I'll never know when I'll get to visit Manchester again."

"You planned for this," you accuse her.

"I never planned for it," protests Sapphire Squire before shifting guilty under the look you give her, "But I'll admit I prepared for it by making an extra disguise ring and looking up some places to check out."

"I suppose we got enough information to spare the afternoon and some of evening," you admit and Sapphire Squire grins at you.

***​

With Sapphire Squire proving to be a most useful ally both on the battlefield and off of it, you decide that it might be worth acquiring a second squire to help you out. You wouldn't force anyone down that path nor would you accept someone not cut out for it, but you are certain that in a city the size of London, you can surely find at least one individual that is a suitable candidate to be your squire.

It takes you the better part of a month, but one day you get lucky and find someone who meets the match.

Who does Fairy Knight stumble across?
[] A strapping young lad who seeks the right the wrongs of his criminal father by doing good where he does wrong.
[] A lass full of righteous rage who lost her brother in the Great War, but not at the hands of the enemy.
[] A sullen youth who has been casted out by his family and seeks to carve his place in the world via acts of justice.

Spoiler: Rolls

Investigating Manchester. (Sapphire Squire)
Investigation Check, DC20: 2+10+5-5 = 12, 2 DoF. Luck Reroll!
Investigation Check, DC20: 20+10+5-5 = 35, 4 DoS.

***​

This update took way too long to write. More info on the Druid and his mysterious boss whilst you start off this arc by choosing someone to be your new squire.

Please note that Fairy Knight only finds one candidate, which you pick by vote. Said candidate will automatically be recruited so you don't need to worry about failing to convince them.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] A strapping young lad who seeks the right the wrongs of his criminal father by doing good where he does wrong.

You didn't approach David White straight away. While he caught your interest, it took time to determine if he was a suitable candidate to be your squire and that meant watching him until you got a good feel for his personality.

David White was older than yours squire and almost of age by the laws of the kingdom. Yet you could not deny that he didn't match up to Sapphire Squire. That was okay because you knew that your current protégé is exceptional and you would be unlikely to find anyone else in her league.

But even if he failed to live up to you or your squire, David White was still a cut above the average thug on the street. The lad was tough, able to deal out some powerful punches whilst avoiding getting hit in turn. For someone bound by human limitations, he was doing rather well for himself.

And then there was what you could tell of his motivations. As you had first spotted him fighting criminals, it came as a surprise to learn that he came from a family of one. His father was a member of the Royal Ravens before splitting off to join the Regal Ravens and as expected of a bad man, Jacob White was a bad father.

Drunk half of the time, Jacob White would take out his frustrations from work on his sons, unfairly lashing out at them. Combined with Jacob training his sons to follow in his footsteps, you could see why David White had gotten his endurance from.

You could also see why David White rejected the criminal ways of his father. He suffered greatly due to the actions of a bad man and thanks to that suffering combined with a goodness that you assumed he got from his mother, David White seeks to become the opposite of his father.

A shame that his younger brother Saul seems to prefer the idea of following in his father's footsteps than taking the path that his brother has chosen.

***​

You watch David White leave one of the few remaining outposts of the Crow Crew, having beaten the three men inside unconscious.

Wearing dark hooded clothing and a black scarf that covers the lower half of his face, David is without doubt an impressive specimen with a tall, muscular build, short black hair and sharp blue eyes.

Bloody brass knuckles rest on his fists and the kid has a black eye from where one of his foes got a good hit in. With your magic concealing you from view, you watch from the side as you wait for David to pass you. When he does, you finally speak up as you let the spell drop.

"Want some healing kid?" you ask David White and he jumps at the sound of your voice and your sudden appearance.

"Fairy Knight!" yelps David, "What in God's-what do you want?"

"To offer you some healing and to make a recruitment pitch," you tell him honestly and you hold up your hand as you call up the golden glow of your healing spell.

"R-right, healing sounds good," says David as he begins to calm down from the unexpected surprise you gave him, "And a recruitment pitch?"

"I am looking to take on another squire," you answer as you move in to healing him, "I feel that you would fit the position if you are willingly."

"Why me?" asks David, visibly untensing as you heal his injuries.

"You are competent, moral and are already involving yourself in our fight," you explain, "Of those I consider being just and good to be the most important trait, but almost as important is the fact that you are choosing to involve yourself. I would not drag someone who was not part of this fight into it. You being competent is just a bonus as I can deal with having a squire who requires training."

"I see," says David and he hesitates as he starts to speak.

"You have questions?" you inquire.

"I suppose I should," replies David, "I want to say yes, but I guess I should now what you are getting into."

"You would fight alongside myself and Sapphire Squire," you tell him, "I will warn you that I won't fully bring you in the fold until you have proven your trustworthiness and Sapphire Squire has secrets that she keeps even from me. I will also offer you training and healing."

"That sounds like a good deal," says David, "And you are a proper hero and I'm probably more likely to survive signing up with you than doing this on my own so what the heck. I'll sign up."

***​

"I expected you to be young from all of the stories," comments David, meeting Sapphire Squire for the first time as you introduce your two squires to each other, "They made you out to be something like a twelve or thirteen year old."

"I'm almost fifteen," corrects Sapphire Squire.

"You're my brother's age!" exclaims David earning a glower from the girl for his words.

"And I've defeated Redcoat, brought down gangs and wield supernatural power beyond the sciences of man," retorts Sapphire Squire as she summons her wings and hovers a foot above the ground, "I can also kick your butt."

"She can kick your butt," you helpfully confirm before David can say anything.

"Right," says David as he gives Sapphire Squire a slightly wary look, "You're a sexy, badass magical girl. Got it."

"I am?" says Sapphire Squire, blinking in surprise, "Well, that does describe me accurately, but that is the first time anyone has told me that."

"It is true," you tell her and you can almost swear that she blushed for a moment, "You are a sexy badass magical girl. Anyway, this is David White, my new Onyx Squire. He will be joining us in our fight for justice and I was hoping you could help set him up with gear."

"Sure," replies Sapphire Squire as she gives David an appraising look, "Let me get his measurements and I've got enough spares to whip up some stuff in the morning. He'll need proper instruction before he can use some of it, but I get can him kitted out."

"Good," you say before turning to David, "Onyx Squire, go with Sapphire Squire to get your measurements taken and then I shall spar with you. I have seen you fight as an observer, but I want to get a first-hand feel for what you can do."

***​

There are several things which will instantly grab your attention. A known criminal, someone being attacked, a close friend of yours and something blatantly supernatural all count as one of those several things. So when you spot a man in plate armour made of a fiery orange light flying over Whitechapel, you go to investigate him.

Made invisible by your magic, you watch the man does a few loops around the sky as he is completely unaware of your presence. Despite his blatantly magical abilities, it is clear that he doesn't have the capability to spot you when you are invisible.

After several minutes of flying have passed and Sapphire Squire has found you after noticing the man herself, the man finally lands on a rooftop.

"Going to confront him?" whispers Sapphire Squire to you.

"Of course," you whisper back.

Moving together, the two of you approach the rooftop that the formerly flying man has landed on and is apparently waiting for something or someone.

"May I ask who you are and what you are doing here?" you greet the man as you drop your invisibly spell and Sapphire Squire does the same, hovering in the air slightly behind you.

"I am Galahad, a fellow hero from Hampshire," answers the man as he looks at you than at your squire, "You must be Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire."

"We are," you reply cautiously, "I presume you aren't the original Galahad."

This Galahad fellow seems trustworthy enough from what you can tell. He is honest and open without appearing to be trying to hide anything. He certainly believes himself a hero, but so do Templar and Golden Knight so that doesn't necessarily make him one.

"I just named myself after the original," clarifies Galahad, "Umm, how old is your squire? She looks like just a kid."

"A kid who kicks plenty of butt," shoots back Sapphire Squire, "Also a girl if you want to state the obvious."

"Isn't she too young to be out finding criminals?" says Galahad to you, "You're letting a kid endanger herself like this."

"Sapphire Squire has proven herself on multiple occasions and I trust her with my life and the lives of those living in the city," you tell the man sharply, "And even if I wanted to, it is not within my ability to stop her fighting for justice. Do you have an actual reasoning for being here or do you just wish to waste my time?"

"No, I came here to get in touch with you as fellow heroes," says Galahad quickly, "We've got a few of us in the Isles now and I've been trying to get some connections in place between us. Or least I am going to try to since you are the first on my list."

"You have a list?" you inquire.

"You and your squire here in London," replies Galahad, "Me in Winchester and Hampshire, Sentinel in Southampton, Robyn Hood in Notthingham, Lionheart in Birmingham, Boudica in Norwich and Lady Ghost in Edinburgh. Sentinel and I have been working together since autumn last year, but I figured out was a good time to branch out after the Germans got their Wonder League now."

"Wonder League?" you ask, unfamiliar with the term.

"New government team of vigilantes over in German," answers Sapphire Squire, "Their leader Talent apparently has divine powers from God. I'm also not sure if they count as vigilantes anymore if they are working for the government."

"They are a new branch of law enforcement so no, they don't," says Galahad, "They consist of Talent, Peregrine and Blackwing. Talent has the ability to strengthen his existing traits within certain limits that the Germans are keeping a state secret whilst Peregrine is basically the German version of the Night. Blackwing is an agile sort who relies on hitting others with his fists whilst not getting hit himself."

"So you want to put together your own team of vigilantes," you state, mentally noting how Sturmschwert or Sportlerin aren't part of the German Wonder League.

"Maybe," replies Galahad, "I'm not sure yet. I've got Sentinel as a partner, but us British heroes are too spread out for a team to be easily formed. I thinking more of a support network where we are in touch with each other and can help each other out if necessary. Maybe provide some behind the scenes help when we got unique assets."

"That's a viable plan," says Sapphire Squire as she gives Galahad an appraising look, "We would need some kind of quick long distance communication and any support network would have to make sure that those involved are capable of getting along with each other. Some call Templar a hero, but I certainly wouldn't join anything involving him given how he goes after innocent people for being infidels and heretics."

"I got the second one covered," says Galahad, "I've chosen the people I am going to talk to careful. All of them are true heroes and if I was going for more controversial candidate, then I could have doubled or even tripled my list of prospects. As for the communications issue, Sentinel and I are already working on it. "

Apparently satisfied with Galahad's response, Sapphire Squire glances at you and you realise that it is your chance to ask questions.

What does Fairy Knight ask Galahad about? (Pick 5 options)
[] Ask him about what ideas he has on solving the communications issue.
[] Ask about himself, his powers and his partner Sentinel.
[] Ask him what he knows of the Consortium and other criminal groups.
[] Ask him what he knows about magic and the extraordinary.
[] Ask if he is willingly to spar with you as two individuals with supernatural powers.
[] Let him know that you have recently recruited a new squire.
[] Exchange stories regarding your various adventures.
[] Write-in.

***​

I've wanted to introduce Galahad for a while now. He is one of the first characters in the setting that I came up with. While I can't say for certain that he is the most powerful British character, he is the most powerful superhero in the British Isles and up there with the other most powerful individuals. Well, he will be anyway as I'm currently reducing his stats from what they are actually are for the first two of three years of his career to represent his growth. This means you are dealing with a nerfed Galahad rather than the full deal should you spar him.

You also get your new squire. David White is an agile brawler. He hits things with his fists and avoids getting hit in turn. He is social savvy and has some experience when it comes to be deceitful. He hasn't got any special abilities, but he can hold his own in a fight and probably do so better than Sapphire Squire can.

As I mentioned before, this arc and maybe the next (I might have two separate arcs or I may merged them into a single one) will be more social heavy and dealing with non-player entities changing the status quo.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] Ask him about what ideas he has on solving the communications issue.
[X] Ask about himself, his powers and his partner Sentinel.
[X] Ask him what he knows of the Consortium and other criminal groups.
[X] Ask him what he knows about magic and the extraordinary.
[X] Exchange stories regarding your various adventures.

"What can you do?" you ask, giving the man an appraising look, "I know you can fly, but I don't know much about you beyond what I have personally witnessed you do."

"That is a fair enough starting point," replies Galahad, "Like I suspect you do, I got a few different abilities. I've got two broad powers and then the rest are either a mixture of individual specific powers or another big broad one. I don't actually know how they interact with each other beyond the effects I can get from them. The biggest one is what I call the Blaze. I basically got this brazier of fire that I can call upon and shape. I only have so much of it, but I can shape it into weapons, armour and tools, but I can also fire it off as blasts of fire or just expel it from me to burn everything around me. I'm using it right now for my armour. Look."

And with that word, Galahad summons a sword to his hand, made of the same fiery light that his armour is made of before replacing it with a spanner.

"Next I got the Radiance, which is like the Blaze, but is light rather than fire so I got his basin of liquid light to draw upon," continues Galahad, "The light of the Radiance will just seep into my body and heal me if I leave it alone, but I can also direct it if I want to. I can diffuse into my body to speed up the healing at the cost of making it less potent and I can also heal someone else by touching them and letting the Radiance flow into them. I can also just expel it from my body like I can with the Blaze except the Radiance heals rather than burns. I would show you it, but that would require someone being hurt."

"Those would be the two broad abilities that you understand," you comment, privately curious about just how strong this Blaze and this Radiance are, "What about the rest?"

"I've got my flight, which you've seen," says Galahad, "I can just fly under my power and can go faster than everything I've encountered. Beyond that, I am strong enough to juggle cars and I've got toughness to match. I've been shot and blown up without any injury done to me and I can just endure for longer. I barely need to sleep anymore and I done need to eat or drink as much either."

"That is an impressive power set," you tell Galahad as even back home, that set of abilities would have been dangerous to deal with, "Does Sentinel have similar abilities to you?"

"No, Sentinel and I aren't connected beyond working together as partners," answers Galahad, "He is a smart kid who relies upon his genius and the inventions he comes up with rather than any innate abilities."

"What kind of inventions?" asks Sapphire Squire, perking up at the mention of another heroic inventor.

"Stun batons which are basically electrified pipes," answers Galahad, "Scrap armour which needs to be pretty much remade each time but is shockingly effective and a couple of other tricks that I shouldn't tell you about without permission."

"I've got smoke bombs, grappling gauntlets and an armoured costume amongst other things," Sapphire Squire tells Galahad, "If Sentinel would like to talk shop sometime, I would be happy to."

"I'll pass that on to him Sapphire Squire," says Galahad, "I can't promise that he'll take the offer up though."

"Judging from what you mentioned about Sentinel using his inventions, I presume that you are looking into a technological solution for quick long-range communication?" you inquire.

"Sort of," replies Galahad, "How much do you know about Merlin?"

"Merlin Ambrosius, also known as Myrddin Wyllt, is the greatest known magic user," you answer instantly as every fairy knows who Merlin is, "He served as the court wizard of King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot before being sealed away in a Realm. He has brought down gods and kingdoms even if he lacks their ability to have widespread influence."

"Ah, so you do know about Merlin," says Galahad as he gives you an inquiring look.

"All of the Fair Folk do," you explain, "As does any competent magic user. You can't be properly educated in magic without knowing who Merlin is."

"That is good to know," says Galahad, "Anyway, Merlin is mentoring me and Sentinel in the sort of mysterious mentor-y way. Basically just advice and wisdom over directly helping us or getting actively involved. But anyway, Sentinel is thinking of using Merlin's help to get a technological base system with magic covering the details and shortcomings. Given the current limits of science, it looking increasingly like the better idea than going pure tech."

"Magic works well at covering the weak spots of technology," comments Sapphire Squire, "I'm talking from experience here."

"Are you good at both magic and tech?" inquires Galahad, glancing over at Sapphire Squire.

"About equally good at both these days," answers Sapphire Squire, "I find it best to use a blend of both rather than relying solely on one or the other."

"And I trust my squire's judgement in these sorts of matters," you declare, earning a grin from the lass in questions, "So you have experience with the supernatural?"

"A little and only a little," admits Galahad, "I know Merlin, but he keeps his secrets close to his chest and frankly, he is my main source of the extraordinary outside of my own abilities. I fought a man with strength equal to my own called Bull, but that was the only thing special about him. Apart from meeting you two, that is all."

"Was this Bull stout, muscular and wearing leather armour all over?" demands Sapphire Squire.

"Yes, he was," answers Galahad, "You know him?"

"Kick his butt back in March," replies Sapphire Squire, "He got away thanks to his partner at the time and he went down quick enough that I didn't get to see what he could do. He didn't even land a hit before I took him out. The fact that he has super strength is something nice to know if he ever shows up again."

"You had your fair share of adventures too huh?" says Galahad, half-asking and half-stating.

"Mostly against the Consortium," you answer, "Whilst I have encountered a few other foes, we spend most of our time battling the Consortium here in London."

"The Consortium are all over the country," replies Galahad, "I spent most of my time fighting them down south as well. They've got their hooks into the local authorities so I find it most effective to physically knock out their street operations. Are things different here?"

"Not as much as I would like," you tell him, "We got some allies in the local authorities and the Consortium has a rival in the form of the Golden Order, but they still hold overall control. Or at least they did until recently. We've broken their dominance of the streets and their attempt to get it back fell apart whilst they have overplayed their hand amongst the local law enforcement so the lawmen of the city are currently against the Consortium for the most part."

"They had the local MP in their pocket in Winchester," says Galahad before pausing, "I guess it is more of a has than a had despite my best efforts. I've been hiding their street operation for over a year now, but I've haven't been able to drive them out of their legitimate positions of power even if they got those positions via corruption and crimes."

"Same here," you comment, "I know that the one of the important politicians, a man called Barnaby May-Porter, is part of the Consortium's leadership, but their power within the kingdom has kept me from directly striking at them."

"Wait, Barnaby May-Porter is in bed with the Consortium?" exclaims Galahad, staring directly at you.

"I have enough evidence to put in him in jail if it wasn't for the corruption within the government protecting him," you inform Galahad, "He is actually one of those that leads the Consortium."

"And here I thought things were bad enough," mutters Galahad with a sign, "Still, more knowledge is better than less. Thanks for letting me know this Fairy Knight."

"You are welcome Galahad," you say, "If you do not mind sharing, what motivated you to become a vigilante?"

"I had been blessed with powers from God and there was evil and injustice about," answers Galahad, "I had to do something to help others and I ended up being Galahad. You?"

"Exiled from the Kingdom of the Faeries due to my father being human," you answer back, "I ended up in London and decided to investigate what happened to the Night. I found evidence of corruption within the government and then I took down a gang that was moving into the neighbourhood due to the Night's absence. After that, I just have done my duty as a knight to protect the innocent and fight evil."

With your respective stories exchange, the two of you turn to face Sapphire Squire.

"I wanted to make a difference by doing some good," says Sapphire Squire, "I also wanted to, well, be me and do things without being held back by my gender. I ran into Fairy Knight and she took me on as her squire. Since then...I've been going meaningful good, I'm happy and I get to do my best."

"What about Sentinel?" you inquire and Galahad pauses.

"I don't actually know his origins now that I think about it," admits Galahad, "I only met him after he was already active for a bit and we haven't actually talked about it."

"How did you meet?" asks Sapphire Squire.

"Well, that is a bit of a story," says Galahad, "I'm happy to tell you, but it might take a while unless I cut some of the details."

"I got time," you tell him as you glance at your squire, who knows at your unspoken question, "And so does my squire."

***​

The story of Galahad meeting Sentinel was that surprising simple once you got down to it and cut the build up to it. Merlin had been scouting out potential heroes other than Galahad and when investigating Sentinel, Sentinel had detected he was being watched and had gone to ground.

You have to admit that is rather impressive to get one over Merlin like that. Especially since neither you nor Sapphire Squire have noticed Merlin spying on you.

Due to that, Merlin had Galahad approach Sentinel where they have a brief chase where Sentinel barely failed to get away. They talked and the two of them came to an agreement where Sentinel would provide support for Galahad whilst Galahad took the field.

Of course, Galahad put much more detail into the story and took several minutes to tell it. From there, Galahad inquires after how you and Sapphire Squire met, leading to an exchange of stories as the two of you regale your fight against Redcoat.

Galahad finds how it involved multiple battles across several days before telling you about his own fight against Redcoat back in October. Like he had against you, Redcoat resorted to using explosives and long ranged guns against Galahad. The other hero tells you how the sniper failed to hurt him and Redcoat discarded it after a brief melee tussle. Galahad sheepishly explains despite his superior strength, the assassin's skill with his fist proved too much for the vigilante even if Redcoat wasn't able to take Galahad down. The affair ended with Redcoat bringing down a building on Galahad, by exploding it whilst Galahad was still inside. Galahad was left unconscious, but alive and Redcoat decided to call it a day after that.

Then it is your turn as you tell both Galahad and Sapphire Squire about your clash with the Templar, how he attacked the innocent and you were unable to stop him from running off after he succeeded in his vile crime. You go on to say how you found yourself overwhelmed in the first trap you set before taking down Templar with ease in your third and final encounter.

After that, Sapphire Squire takes a turn as she expands on her fight with the Bull, telling Galahad about both the lead up to it and the Bull's partner Druid. Galahad is left concerned by the possibility of mind control and to a lesser extent, being teleported across the country.

With that story concluded, Galahad takes the opportunity to tell you about Gallowswoman, a self-proclaimed vigilante who is truthfully a serial killer. Gallowswoman took it upon herself to bring 'justice' to those that she believed escaped it, which basically meant she went around killing criminals. It wasn't until she had slain over fifty people, including several innocent bystanders that she was finally stopped with Gallowswoman finding her match in Galahad.

The last tale of heroics shared between the three of you is a recent one as Galahad listens to you and Sapphire Squire inform about your team up with Sturmschwert to defeat Eisenfaust. To your surprise, Galahad already knows who Sturmschwert and Eisenfaust are even if he lacks the details that you acquired from first-hand encounters through the monster you fought is something that he knows nothing about.

When that tale is over, Galahad begs his leaves as he has obligations back in Hampshire that he has to tend to. He takes off, leaving you and Sapphire Squire to figure out just what this encounter means for the two of you.

***​

Of all the things you were expecting to return home to, Lydia having green hair was not one of them.

"What happened?" you ask the Woodsworth sisters as they sit at the table, getting your guard up at the sight of the impossibility.

"Your sister apparently," says Ellen, "She showed up looking for you and did magic on Lydia when she got snappy and then left us with a note."

"What did she look like and did she give her name?" you demand, taking the possibility of one of your many siblings showing up very seriously.

Your family are not nice people and if one of them has shown up in London, possibly looking for you...

Well, you've been out of touch with the politics back home long enough that you aren't sure what it means. What your aunt did was unprecedented and nobody knew what the future would hold at the time of your exile.

"Tall, slender with blonde hair and blue eyes," answers Ellen, "Called Moira."

"Moira," you whisper, recognising the name of your favourite sister and the one you love the most.

Even as you grew excited at the prospect of seeing her again, you wonder on what she of all people is doing here. Moira was trusted and liked by Mother enough that she ruled over one of the six Realms that make up the Kingdom of the Fairies. She shouldn't be here looking for you unless...

You don't know what she would be doing here. She might have been exiled by the usurper Taenya or perhaps the usurper has been usurped herself and Moira is looking to bring you back from your exile. Or maybe Moira just wants to visit you or maybe Taenya has revoked Moira's rule or even usurped herself. Perhaps Moira is here looking for you on Taenya's orders.

Whatever the reason, you really want to see your sister again. The only downside is that your sister is fey and not human so if the situation requires, Moira wouldn't hesitate to act against you and she is powerful enough that you would struggle in a fight against her. If her interests don't align with hers...you know that she cares for you enough not to do anything too untoward, but she will always put what is best for her over what is best for you.

"Well, she didn't exactly give us her name," continues Ellen as she glances at her sister, "But..."

"Since Mistress Moira used her magic on me, I can only refer to her as Mistress Moira and you as Mistress Tamara," says Lydia, flushing red with embarrassment, "Mistress Tamara, you can undo this right? I am not going to be stuck like this forever?"

"Let me check," you tell her housemate as move into read the magic being used on her, "Hmm...give me a moment to find the magic she has used on it. Looks like a couple of impromptu spells she came up with on the spot. They'll wear off shortly, no more than two hours. I would offer to break them myself, but it would take longer for me to come up with something to do that than it would for them to wear off."

"Thanks Mistress Tamara," says Lydia with a grateful smile as Ellen lets out a sigh of relief, "I suppose I shouldn't be snappy with Mistress Moira in the future."

"That would be for the best," you tell both of them, "Don't be rude or anything other than polite and respectful with a fairy, but especially Moira. They won't hesitate to extract proper restitution for the insult and even it being unintentional would only lower the reparation that they seek. This is especially the case with Moira as she is one of the most powerful out there, more so than me. If she decides to do anything to you on a more permanent basis, I could only ask her nicely to not do it."

Technically not true, but close enough and it will serve the point of getting her housemates to understand that they shouldn't mess with your sister.

Now you just need to deal with your sister. Taking the note that Ellen offers you, it has a time and place for you to meet her tonight. You will certainly take her up on it, but you will invite with you.

Who does Tamara take with her to meet Moira?
[] No one. You will face your sister on your own.
[] Your squires. You will take both of your squires to face Moira.
[] Sapphire Squire. You will take your oldest and most capable squire to deal with Moira.
[] Onyx Squire. You will take your newer squire with you to deal with Moira to give him the experience.
[] Write-in.

***​

This update took me a while to get done. I didn't have Fairy Knight ask each question individually but tried to weave the winning votes into the conversation. With the exchange of stories, I had them summarised as it would have taken too long to write all out individually.

You also get to see the return of Moira and this will be the main shake up of the status quo through you will get some influence on it. There will be changes, but you will get some player agency over them if not total player agency.

I hoped to get an interlude of Tamara telling Sapphire Squire about Moira out before reaching this point but was unable to. So now you get to go in blind as players.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] No one. You will face your sister on your own.

In the end, you decide to go alone. Both of your squires are kids and not ready for the type of threat that Moira would pose. Besides, this is a family matter and you can trust Moira as much as you can any fae. She won't do anything to hurt you if she can help it.

Moira wants to meet in a mansion in one of the higher-class parts of London. You can't help but wonder how she got access to it. Did the previous users benefit or suffer from your sister deciding she wanted to use it?

Something to ask her when you see her. Taking the form of a blue tit, you fly to the mansion in question. A window has been helpfully left open and if you know Moira, then your sister has deliberately left it open for you to use.

There is certainly some kind of trap waiting for you should you use the entrance, but you are equally certain it will just be a sisterly prank. Even if Moira has ill intentions for you, she would only make a serious move against you after having a chat.

You decide to take advantage of the window and deal whatever Moira has set in store for you. For all you know, you could just be overthinking things and perhaps the window just happened to be left open.

In the end, you never find out as while you feel your sister's magic wash over you as you end the window, it originates from Moira herself and not the window or something prepared. You land in a heap as you are forced from bird form into a human form.

Groaning slightly from the unexpected crash landing, you take a moment to inspect the new body that Moira has given you. Human and female of course, but the rest of it is odd. Clearly not a body made for combat judging from the slender, muscles and the oversized bosom, which is at least as big as your squire's and far too large for your tastes. You check your hair to find wavy locks of red hair, the same shade as your squire's and wait a moment...

Making your way to a mirror that is conventionally there, you quickly realise that you look a lot like Sapphire Squire, if she was adult, exchanged her muscles for a curvier figure and wore blue dress that really reveals too much of your figure when you think about it. Oh, and while the face easily fits this body, you know from what little you've seen of Sapphire Squire's face that one you have right now looked nothing like hers.

"Like it?" inquires Moira from behind you, startling you with her unexpected presence.

Moira looks like you currently do apart from her hair being blonde and having blue eyes instead of green whilst her dress is red rather than blue. In fact, you are pretty sure she just gave you her own body, but with some different colours.

"I would prefer a bit more muscle and a bit less chest, but I like it," you tell her, deciding that you wear your squire's look well, "Are the similarities intentional?"

"I know about your squire yes," answers Moira as she inspects your body, "And I also know that we have differently coloured versions of the same body right now. I originally planned to just make you look like your squire, but I liked the look enough that I decided to try it out myself. With some colour changes to avoid looking too much like your squire of course."

"Is there a catch?" you inquire, "Seems pretty tame for you."

"You are stuck in that form for the next twenty-four hours," replies Moira with a grin on her face, "Plenty of time for you to show it your squire. Speaking of which, how is she is in bed?"

"I beg your pardon?" you say, staring at Moira as you are certain that you misheard her.

"The squire of yours," says Moira, her grin growing wider, "How good is she at sex? She seems like a feisty one like you."

"Moira!" you exclaimed, shocked your sister's lascivious words, "Sapphire Squire is just a kid. She isn't even fifteen year."

"Seriously?" asks a surprised Moira and you nod, "Moon and Stars, I've seen your squire and she is definitely more of a young lady than a girl."

"She is an early bloomer and a prodigy," you tell your sister, "Whilst she might look of age, she will only be turning fifteen in the next month."

"Huh, I guess you aren't going at it with her," says Moira, "You want me to solve the issue of her age?"

"No, she is not a romantic partner for me," you answer firmly, "I love Sapphire Squire, but my love for her is platonic or familial, not romantic. Besides even if you did age up her body, she would still only be fourteen."

"Please, I can do more than just change a body," retorts Moira with a roll of her eyes, "I am the Princess of the Little Court of England. A little change to reality here and there is within my power. It would be leave me drained for a bit, but I could totally rewrite history a little add a few extra years to your squire's age. I'll even accept playing matchmaker for my favourite sister as payment."

"While I appreciate the offer, I already told you what sort of love I hold for Sapphire Squire," you reply, "I am her knight and she is my squire. I am happy being a responsible adult to her whom she trusts and respects."

"Hmm," hums Moira and you feel a presence invading your mind.

You instinctively try to repel it before you recognise it as your sister's touch. Deciding to extent some trust to Moira, you give relent a little before her. While you don't let her fully getting into her head, you let her have some access.

"Now that is interesting," says Moira after a few seconds, "You do care about your squire that way. Let me amend my offer. Instead of a girlfriend, how about a daughter? Same principles, I'll just alter history a bit to add you into it and then make your squire your daughter."

"Not my choice," you reply instantly, "While I would love to have a daughter like Sapphire Squire, it would be up to her to decide if she wanted me as her mother. I would happily have her as my daughter if that is what she wishes, but if she wants to keep her old family, then she has my full support in that."

"Fair enough," replies Moira, "Give me a moment to teleport her here so we can ask her."

"Please don't," you interrupt as you sense Moira weaving a spell, "She is at school right now and I don't want to disrupt her secret identity by teleporting her about in it."

"Alright," says Moira, "Oh, congratulations on finding a squire like that Tamara. She is truly worthy of you."

"Speaking of my squire, if she does anything to offend or disrespect you, I will take full responsibility for it," you tell Moira as something occurs to you, "I really want to avoid you two not getting along because you felt the need to extract restitution from her."

"Deal," agrees Moira, "Do you want to talk about home yet?"

"Is it good for me?" you ask warily.

"Not particularly," answers Moira with a grimace, "But you got lucky being exiled. Taenya isn't exactly popular or has high legitimacy. Things have been falling apart back home and Taenya has been lashing out. If you hadn't been exiled, I'm fairly certain that you would have been added to Taenya's wardrobe on a permanent basis, probably by merging you into Torlyn."

"That bad huh," you comment, wincing at how your aunt is going insane enough to break rules of equivalent exchange.

"Yes, it is," confirms Moira, "Speaking of which, Taenya would like to drag you back home to make an example of you. Apparently the backlash to her rule is made her decided that just exiling you was a mistake and she should have more permanently dealt with you."

"Why are you here Moira?" you ask quietly.

"Well, I'm not here just to turn you over to Taenya," says Moira, "You are my favourite sister of course. But would it really be so bad to be part of my wardrobe? I would make sure to wear you often and change up your form to keep things from getting dull. I would even talk and chat to you."

"No, it wouldn't," you admit, thinking of the many worse fates that could befall you, "But I have a life here. I would stay here and uphold my duties as both Tamara Lyn and Fairy Knight."

"Do you trust me Tamara?" asks Moira, grinning at you.

"Yes, but not as much I once did," you tell her honestly as you suddenly get wary, "After the Usurpation, I don't know what to make of home anymore or those I once knew."

"Then I'll just have to prove that you can still trust," declares Moira cheerfully and you feel her presence in your mind, trying to seize control of it.

"Stop it Moira!" you yell, summoning Talatine and Torlyn in to you as you attempt to reject Moira from your mind.

Unfortunately for you, Moira's magic is too strong for you and for the third time this year, you feel yourself losing control to someone else. You have to admit that you miscalculated as while you expected trouble, you also expected Moira to chat for longer or at least give you some indication that something is wrong.

You lose control of your body, but not completely as whilst you are forced to obey your sister's will, you have some ability to deny her whims. Yet it is not enough as Moira forces you to let her touch you, letting her use a more powerful spell on you.

"Trust me Tamara," says Moira in a cheerful voice as she hits you with a different spell.

It is another spell targeted at your mind, but not one meant to control it. No, this spell is meant to break your mental defences and then Moira will take the opportunity to completely control you. You resist as best you can and while you repulse the new spell initially, you are unable to break Moira's hold over your mind and a second casting of the new spell is enough to shatter your mental defences.

You are helpless as Moira attempts to seize control of your mind with nothing standing in her way and then confused. Why were you resisting your beloved sister? You trust her because of course you can trust her.

"I told you could trust me," says Moira as she smirks at you and you cannot believe that you didn't trust her.

***​

It takes four hours for the spell to wear off, letting your mind return to your control. You glare at a smirking Moira before relenting as this was clearly the rest of the prank she had planned for you. Tricking into thinking she was here to go after you on the usurper's orders and proving that she wasn't.

Two hours of telling her about everything which happened since you arrived in London and then an hour of showing off your maid skills as Moira found your job to be utterly hilarious and properly insulting to Taenya. The latest hour has been explaining the modern technology of the humans to your sister and you were explaining how trains worked when the mind control wore off.

"I take it you aren't here to hand me over to Taenya?" you ask quietly, standing up from your seat.

"Our aunt is a bitch and you are my favourite sister," replies Moira idly, "I would never place what she wants over what you want. I would be totally okay with you joining my wardrobe, but only if that is what you want and I am certainly not letting the usurper have you."

"So why are you truly here?" you ask.

"Zelphar is supporting Taenya as her son, but he is the only Little Court ruler who supports her," answers Moira, "Tiarnach isn't quite in open rebellion and is just stopping short of it. He refuses to acknowledge her as the rightful queen and Taenya hasn't been able to make him yet. Maeryn is supporting Tiarnach and I'm thinking about doing the same."

"Elphane, Scotland and Wales versus Ireland, Cornwall and potentially England," you muse, "That sounds like a nasty fight. So what are you doing here?"

"I want your support," answers Moira, "You were one of the best and I would like you to help in the fight to bring down Taenya."

"I'm not a match for Taenya," you tell her with a frown, "You and her are in a different league to me and if Taenya has Mother's powers..."

"She doesn't," interrupts Moira, "Taenya is no stronger and arguably weaker due to being split between Elphane and Scotland. Her authority is more nominal than not across the kingdom and I don't need your help fighting her directly. Me and Tiarnach can take her while Maeryn will deal with Zelphar. I just want your help dealing some of Taenya's warriors because you can take them."

"I'll need to think about it," you reply, "As you know, I have responsibilities here to take care of."

"If we win, I can return you to this world at the moment you left," says Moira, "Once Tiarnach becomes king, I can smooth things out especially if you help out."

"I will need to speak with my squires first," you say.

"Of course," agrees Moira with a smile.

***​

"Are you going to go?" asks Sapphire Squire as she and David-no, Onyx Squire sit with you at a table in the Nighthouse.

"I am leaning towards going," you reply, "While I would stay here in London with my new life, I would like to remove my exile and overthrow my aunt. I may not wish to live there anymore, but I would like to visit home. Besides Taenya is a tyrant who is going insane while Tiarnach is a fair if stern ruler. Replacing her with him would be a good deed on its own merits."

"Well, you've got my support on whatever you choose," says Sapphire Squire, "If you want to go home, I will join you if you want the back up, but I am also willing to stay here to hold down the fort while you are gone or take over your place should you fail."

"I'm going to be honest and say that most of this is going over my head," admits Onyx Squire, "I am still getting used to all this magic business, but I am willingly to fight bad guys."

"We got your back Fairy Knight," says Sapphire Squire and Onyx Squire nods his agreement, "Just tell us where you need us to have your back."

"I appreciate the support, but I have yet to decide if I am going," you tell them, "I will let you know how you can best help once I have made my choice."

"I'm going back to my workshop then," says Sapphire Squire, "I've got some enchanting I want to get done."

"I am going to hit the gym to practice using my new gear," says Onyx Squire.

You watch both of your squires head off before following after Sapphire Squire, wanting to speak with the lass privately.

"Sapphire Squire, can I have a private word with you?" you ask her from the doorway of her workshop.

"Of course," replies Sapphire Squire, "It won't take too long will it? I wasn't kidding about wanting to get some enchantments done."

"I will endeavour not to take too long," you reassure her, "I just wanted to speak to you about an offer that Moira made. My sister gave me the choice, but I feel that it a choice that you should make."

"Sure, but can I ask you something first?" asks Sapphire Squire as she looks up and down.

"Ask away," you let her know.

"Why are you in that body?" inquires Sapphire Squire, "I know it isn't your style and it looks way too much like I do to be coincidence."

"Moira thought it would be funny to make me look like you for the until the same time the next day," you explain, "I am indulging her and letting the spell play out instead of breaking it. It may not have all of my preferences, but I like it enough to deal with the inconvenience. I hope you don't mind me looking like you?"

"Looking like me is fine," says Sapphire Squire, "Actually, I might use that body to practise shapeshifting."

"If you don't mind having this body, might I suggest getting Moira to transform you into it when I introduce you?" you suggest, "It would be a good way to get off to a good start with my sister and I really want the two of you to get along."

"I'll give it a shot if you think it is a good idea," replies your squire, "Now what was the choice that you felt I should make?"

"Remember what I told you about Celestials?" you inquire and Sapphire Squire nods, "Well, my mother, the former Queen of the Faeries was basically one due to how powerful she was. She delegated some of that power alongside rulership of the smaller Realms that make up the Kingdom of the Faeries. As one of those rulers, Moira has limited ability to reshape reality and she offered to rewrite history so you would be my daughter. I have no problem with that so the choice is yours."

Several emotion flicker across what you can see of Sapphire Squire's face and she opens her mouth a couple of times to speak before changing her mind as she closes it again.

"I am touched and honoured, but I am going to decline," finally says your squire after several seconds of silence, "Things aren't so great at home, but I have a good, caring family and I love them. I mean I would love to have you as my mother, but I've already got one. Should something really bad happen, I would like you as replacement, but I'm not replacing my current family unless they are taken from me. Hug?"

"Hug," you confirm and the girl darts over to give you a hug.

"I don't know what you are to me, but I love you Tamara," says Sapphire Squire as the two of you embrace.

"I also don't know what to call our relationship, but I love you too my squire."

What does Tamara decide to do?
[] Stay in London and not get involved in the affairs of her old home.
[] Help Moira overthrow their aunt and go back with her sister alone.
[] Help Moira overthrow their aunt and go back with her sister with Sapphire Squire.
[] Help Moira overthrow their aunt and go back with her sister with Onyx Squire.
[] Help Moira overthrow their aunt and go back with her sister with both of her squires.
[] Write-in.

Spoiler: Rolls

Sisterly Prank.
Fortitude Check, DC22: 4+7 = 11, 3 DoF, Tamara is transformed.

Being truth-checked.
Will Check, DC22: 11+10-5 = 16, 2 DoS.

You can trust me Tamara.
Will Check, DC22: 15+10 = 25, 1 DoS, Tamara is unaffected. Luck Reroll!
Will Check, DC22: 3+10 = 13, 2 DoF, Tamara is Compelled.

Breaking free.
Will Check, DC22: 2+10-2 = 10, 3 DoF, Tamara is still Compelled.

Weakening Tamara's mental defences.
Will Check, DC30: 19+10 = 29, 1 DoF, -1 Will Penalty,

Breaking free.
Will Check, DC22: 10+10-2 = 18, 1 DoF, Tamara is still Compelled.

Breaking Tamara's mental defences.
Will Check, DC30: 4+10 = 14, 1 DoF, -16 Will Penalty,

Breaking free.
Will Check, DC22: 11-6-2 = 3, 4 DoF, Tamara is still Compelled.

You really can trust me Tamara.
Will Check, DC22: 6-5 = 1, 5 DoS, Tamara is Controlled.

Regaining control. (First Hour)
Will Check, DC22: 17+10-2 = 25, 1 DoS, Tamara is no longer Controlled. Luck Reroll!
Will Check, DC22: 10+10-2 = 18, 1 DoF, Tamara is still Controlled.

Regaining control. (Second Hour)
Will Check, DC22: 6+10-2 = 14, 2 DoF, Tamara is still Controlled.

Regaining control. (Third Hour)
Will Check, DC22: 3+10-2 = 11, 3 DoF, Tamara is still Controlled.

Regaining control. (Fourth Hour)
Will Check, DC22: 15+10-2 = 23, 1 DoS, Tamara is no longer Controlled.

***​

This vote is where you get the chance to go on an optional adventure. If you choose not to help overthrow Tamara's aunt, I will roll for how things go in the background. If you do choose to help, then there will be a single arc of it where Tamara and whoever she brings with her help out.

Also, Moira is going to be one of the more powerful characters out there. She isn't invincible and even Tamara stands a shot at taking her out, but she is definitely going to be out of your league for a while.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] Help Moira overthrow their aunt and go back with her sister alone.

You debate the pros and cons, but you ultimately cannot deny that you want to go back home. Your old home that is as you have made a second home here in London. Taenya is not just an usurper who throw you out of your home, but a tyrant who is becoming unhinged and a danger to her subjects. There is good in bringing her down and when you think about it, that it is worth doing even without the benefits that it would bring you.

You consider seeking out Galahad or Merlin for advice, but you decide against it. This is matter of your family and your old home. You aren't going to drag humans or your new life into it and for that reason, you are going to go back with Moira alone. Sapphire Squire can stay here in London with Onyx Squire.

Your choice made, you decide to head back to Moira to let her know that you have made your decision. Flying over to the mansion that you met her in yesterday, you hope that your sister will still be there. If she isn't...then hopefully Moira will have left something for you to follow.

Arriving through the same open window as yesterday, you are surprised to find no traps waiting for you. Even as you take the lack of traps as a sign that Moira is no longer here, you find yourself even more surprised to hear your squire's voice as she should be at school right now. That confusion soon gives way to wariness as you hear Moira's voice as well. Going through the building towards the sound of the voices, you find Moira and Sapphire Squire sitting around a table in a comfy study. While Moira is still in the same body that she was in yesterday with a silky red dress, you are surprised to see that Sapphire Squire is still in her own body, wearing a mask and the same dress as your sister except in blue.

"Tamara dearest!" exclaims Moira as you enter the room, "We were just talking about you."

"I see that the two of you are getting along," you comment neutrally, hoping that two most important ladies in your life have ended up as friends.

"Your squire is wonderful," says Moira cheerfully, "I knew you spoke highly about her, but she is a charming and talented girl. She has so much potential and if she wasn't already your squire, I would be taking her as an apprentice."

Satisfied that Moira and Sapphire Squire will be on good terms with each other, you glance at Sapphire Squire for the details.

"Moira wanted to come and see me so she flooded my school so I would be free to spend the day with her without compromising my secret identity," explains Sapphire Squire, "Which she did by flooding every school and then intercepting me after using magic to find out where I would be as the Sapphire Squire."

"It was completely worth it," says Moira, "We had an excellent day. You see, I have decide to keep this body as my main whilst here in the human world. It will be my own secret identity once I've finalise the details after Taenya is dealt with. Of course I will need to figure out what I will wear will when in it and Sapphire Squire here offered to help me out with that by being a model for me. You see, her Mystic Wardrobe was ideal for trying out all of the different outfits."

"I spent most of the day in Moira's body or at least she turned my body into a copy of hers," picks up Sapphire Squire with a little smile on her face, "I have to admit it was fun to try out all of those dresses and other sets of clothing. Weird not being in my own body, but it was a cool body to be in. The best bit was when we went out for lunch. Moira switched up my colouring to make me look like how you looked yesterday and we went out to a restaurant. We pretended to be sisters and Moira payed for everything using money from a bunch of Consortium assets that I pointed out to her."

"Sounds like you had a good day then my squire," you say, "Congratulations. I take it that I don't need to worry about you two clashing with each other."

"Stars and Moons no!" exclaims Moira, "Your squire is family as far as I am concerned and I will treat her with appropriate respect she deserves for that."

"In any case, we resolved the main issues early on," says Sapphire Squire, "We came to a compromise that we both found acceptable. We came up with a list of transformations and other pranks that I find acceptable and Moira will limit herself to that list when doing stuff to me. That way Moira still gets to surprise me, but I won't have to worry about something I find unacceptable or won't enjoy."

"I also agree not to compromise her secret identity or hinder her activities as the Sapphire Squire," says Moira, "And honestly? The limitations aren't that bad and they even make things interesting as I can't just do whatever I feel like. It is all limited to female humans or half-humans right now, but I plan to ease Sapphire Squire into shapeshifting and once she is more comfortable with it, we can branch out into other transformations such as animals or mental."

"That sounds about as good as I hoped, but I have to ask 'half-humans'?" you inquire, glancing at your squire.

"Being a centauress or a mermaid is something I would be okay with," explains Sapphire Squire, "It isn't just transformations by the way. We discussed other acceptable pranks. Making the clocks slightly faster, hitting me with stuff that I can get rid of by switching my outfit, making music play when I do certain things and other minor stuff like that. Not too often because I don't want to end up with paranoia about stuff or have too many inconveniences at once."

"That said, I find transformations to be the most fun," says Moira, "There is just something exciting about using your power to bend someone to your will. That's the point of power right? Being strong to do what you want and impose your will. The little transformations are my personal favourites. Make a minor change to their body or mind and let them go about their business until they realise what you've done to them."

"Is that why you didn't change my butt back alongside the rest of me?" inquires Sapphire Squire and Moira blinks.

"Yes actually," answers your sister, "You noticed?"

"Not at first, but when we were sitting down, I realised that my proportions wrong," says Sapphire Squire, "I didn't mention it as I didn't want to raise a fuss and being larger bottomside isn't as troublesome as being larger topside."

"Speaking of which, did you know that human breasts are affected by gravity Tamara?" says Moira suddenly, "It makes sense with them being non-magical, but it never occurred to me until your squire started complaining about it. We've going to work on a magic spell together to help her deal with that. It will be a fun little project between us and it will let me just how much Sapphire Squire has learnt from you."

"She plenty from me and more than just a bit on her own," you comment, giving your squire a proud smile, "I have come to my decision regarding your offer. I will go back with you while my squires will remain here in London."

"Oh?" says Moira as both she and Sapphire Squire look surprised at the last bit.

"You're leaving me here," says Sapphire Squire in a tone that you can't quite recognise.

"It is matter of family and being fey for me," you tell her, "I won't drag you into a fight that isn't your own."

"I see," says Sapphire Squire in a quiet voice and you wonder if you have made a mistake for a moment before such fleeting thoughts pass from your mind.

"I shouldn't be gone long," you promise your squire, "It shouldn't even be noticeable that I am gone."

"Uh-huh," replies Sapphire Squire as she glances at Moira, "Give me a moment to speak with Moira please."

***​

You let a long sigh at the sight of the tall forests and rolling fields of the Kingdom of the Faeries with cloud free skies and a beaming sun that covers pretty much everywhere. This is just the Little Court of England and not the Great Court of Elphane that you grew up in, but it has been over a year since you got exiled. You can feel the magic in the air and feel excited to return to a Realm where magic is commonplace and the supernatural is rife.

London is where you have made a life and will return to, but the Kingdom of the Faeries will always be your home and you only just realised how true that is now that you are back here. You yearn to turn into an animal and run wild, but you have to remember that you are not supposed to be here. You are still exiled and you can't think of any good coming from anyone, but especially Taenya, learning that you have illegally returned home.

"So what now Moira?" you ask your sister, "I assume that you have a plan in place."

"My palace is compromised by Taenya," says Moira as she steps forward to stand next to you, "I will need to get in touch with Tiarnach and Maeryn so they know that you and your squire are joining us and to make the final arrangements. In the meantime, you will be hidden away in one of my hunting estates. You'll have to spend the time cooped up, but it shouldn't last more than a few days.

"Fair en-wait, my squire?" you reply, moving your head to stare at your sister rather than the landscape.

"Hi," says Sapphire Squire from behind you, her voice firm and defiant.

"What are you doing here?" you demand, matching her glare with one of your own.

"While this promises to be interesting conversation, it will have to wait until I got the two of you hidden away," interrupts Moira and you find yourself in a bedroom.

A moment later and Sapphire Squire appears next to you and another moment after that Moira rejoins you.

"Don't leave the building and I've enchanted it to make sure that you don't," warns Moira, "In the meantime, enjoy yourself. I'll swing by when I've got the time, but you'll spend most of it on your own and the estate staff."

"Estate staff?" you inquire.

"Three maids like you Tamara dearest," answers Moira, "To be precise, two housemaids and a kitchenmaid. All of them were loyal and trustworthy even before I took extra measures to ensure loyalty and trustworthiness. They will follow your commands and treat both of you like royalty, which you are as far as I am concerned. Bye now!"

And with that, Moira disappears, leaving you and Sapphire Squire alone together.

"What are you doing here?" you demand of her once again, "I told you to wait for me back in London."

"I changed my mind after I found out that you were leaving me behind for no reason," retorts Sapphire Squire as she crosses her arms over her chest.

"You said you were fine holding down the fort while I was gone," you tell her.

"That was before I found out there wasn't a fort to hold down," says Sapphire Squire, "I thought you might be gone for days or even weeks, but then Moira told me how she was going to use timey-wimey magic to let you return just after you left. So I decide that I would be coming along regardless of you wanting to ditch me."

"I was not ditching you," you argue back, "This is not your fight and I don't want to drag you into it. This is a matter of my family and being a faerie to me."

"First of all, we both know that I am part fey and who is responsible for that," states Sapphire Squire as she stares at you, "Secondly, you are not dragging me into this. I am choosing to help you and I am fighting alongside you because of my own decision. Finally, I thought we are basically family."

"And you think to didn't mention any of this to me?" you ask her, "If this is how you felt, we could have discussed this without you needing to go behind my back."

"You didn't tell me stuff," retorts Sapphire Squire as she crosses her arms, "And besides, if you didn't know I was coming, you couldn't stop me from coming along."

"There is no guarantee that you will be coming home from this," you point out, "You could be killed or executed by Taenya's forces and if you are really unlucky, my aunt might end up keeping you as a trophy."

"I'll take my chances," says Sapphire Squire stubbornly and you sigh.

"How did you even follow me here?" you ask exasperated by your squire's antics.

"I've convinced Moira to bring me along," answers Sapphire Squire, "She was happy to have me help in the fight to overthrow Taenya."

What are you thinking Moira? You are definitely going to have words with your sister when this is all done. Dragging your squire into this dangerous mess without even consulting you.

"I'm going to explore the estate now," says Sapphire Squire as she turns to leave the room, "Maybe speak with the maids."

Watching your stubborn and foolish squire leave, you are wondering how you are doing to deal with this mess.

How does Tamara feel about her squire's actions? (Pick 1 Option)
[] Angry. Whatever her reasons, Sapphire Squire has gone behind your back and needlessly endangered herself in by acting foolishly and recklessly.
[] Sympathetic. Sapphire Squire is understandable upset and while she is going about it the wrong way, she does have a point.
[] Acceptance. Sapphire Squire is your squire, but she is rather independent despite that fact and is still a kid despite how capable she is.
[] Write-in.

How does Tamara do about her squire's actions? (Pick 1 Option)
[] Ignore them. Sapphire Squire is here now and nothing is going to change that. Focus on the future and now the past.
[] Chastise her. Whatever her reasons, Sapphire Squire has been dangerously reckless by refusing to communicate with you and acting behind your back. Make sure she understands the potential dangers of acting like this.
[] Apologise to her. Regardless of how you feel about her actions, Sapphire Squire has some points and you will apologise for not discussing this matter further with her before making your decision.
[] Write-in.

How does Tamara spend her time? (Pick 3 Options)
[] Work with Moira to give Sapphire Squire a taste of fey life by having a quick prank war between the three of you.
[] See if Moira is able to give you and Sapphire Squire any boosts in the upcoming battle.
[] Work with Sapphire Squire to produce some extra boosts for the upcoming fight.
[] Relax and enjoy the comforts of home with Sapphire Squire and when she pops by, Moira.
[] Educate Sapphire Squire in the various foes that she will likely encounter in the upcoming battle.
[] Research what has happened in the Kingdom of the Faeries since your exile.
[] Write-in.

1 Hero Point gained for Sapphire Squire defying you and coming along anyway.

Spoiler: Rolls

Is Sapphire Squire okay?
Insight Check, DC15: 6+7 = 13, 1 DoF.

***​

Character conflict yay! For the record, this wasn't exactly predictable or at least I didn't intentionally leave any hints that this might happen. Tamara had a chance to pick up how Sapphire Squire was feeling in this update, but as you can see, she failed the roll so missed her squire's unhappiness.

In general, I'm going to try and avoid commenting too much on the fight between Tamara and Brenda, leaving up to the posters to decide who is in the right and who is in the wrong. Sapphire Squire's actions and the resulting fight between her and Tamara weren't pre-planned and things played out as they did due to player choices, character personality and how the dice rolls turned out. I also awarded you your first Hero Point for it.

With Brenda and Moira, I ruled to see how well they would get along with each other. Moira's opinion of Brenda got just shy of a crit success on a scale of "Tolerating her sister's favourite pet to adopting Brenda as a sister" whilst Brenda rolled high on her opinion of Moira on a scale of "Tolerating this inhuman monster to finding a second Tamara". The end result is that Moira adores Brenda on her own merits and considers her to be Tamara's daughter or something while Brenda likes Moira a lot, but not as much as Tamara due to being wary of Moira's inhuman nature.

I also went with Tamara's reasoning for leaving her squires behind as her as her not wanting to involve humans in her new life in matters of her old life/her family/being fey.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] Regretful. You didn't make the wrong choice. But you should have seen Sapphire Squires reaction coming and could have handled the situation better.
[X] A problem for a later date. Clearly there was miscommunication here and you need to fix that, but immediately before throwing a coup is a terrible time to have an argument, instead you'll bring it up when you're back in London.
[X] Work with Moira to give Sapphire Squire a taste of fey life by having a quick prank war between the three of you.
[X] Educate Sapphire Squire in the various foes that she will likely encounter in the upcoming battle.
[X] Research what has happened in the Kingdom of the Faeries since your exile.

It doesn't take long for you decide on how to deal with Sapphire Squire insubordination. For starters, now is not a good time to deal with it. You are on the verge of overthrowing the usurper and picking now as the moment to have an argument with Sapphire Squire about your authority is a poor choice. Better to let it until you are back in the safety of London rather risk causing tensions between you when you are going into a battle of life, death and worse than death.

That said, you do feel regretful about how things went down. You did make the right choice and you are certain of that, but things could have been handled differently. While you don't agree with it, Sapphire Squire's action was something you should have seen coming and in hindsight, it was obvious she would react like that. Your squire has always had an independent streak and you can't remember her backing down from a fight.

So instead of dwelling on the past, you decide to focus on the future. That means making sure that Sapphire Squire is made aware of what she has gotten herself into. For that matter, it means making yourself aware of what you have gotten yourself into. Moira has caught you up on the bare basics, but you need to find more details about what has occurred since your exile.

Of course, you won't spend all your time on preparation as important as it is. Regardless of your original intentions on the matter, this is Sapphire Squire's first time in the Kingdom of the Faeries and given that you are confined to Moira's hunting estate, what better way than to do that than to have a quick prank war.

***​

"This will be fun," declares Moira in a cheerful mood, "I'll definitely stop by at least once each day now. No wait, make that twice a day."

"I am going to be terrible at this," comments Sapphire Squire, but despite her words, she doesn't sound upset or otherwise put out.

"You are okay with this?" you inquire as Moira strides out of the room.

"As funny as it may seem, I am," replies Sapphire Squire, "Actually, I am looking forward to it. I just think of it as magical fun and honestly, the idea of being in a magical land and getting to use magic is just too cool a concept for me to be unhappy with. Err, you don't mind if I play pranks on you, do you?"

"That is the point of a prank war," you point out, "I am definitely going to play pranks on you if only because Moira is a bit out of my league. You are okay with that?"

"I look forward to seeing what you come up with," answers your squire, "You looked at the list I made for Moira right?"

"I will respect what you are comfortable with," you reassure her, "As will Moira. You don't need to worry about holding back against me and Moira. She will take whatever you can give and I will accept whatever you do to me. I will encourage you to spread your wings and test your capabilities."

"Hey Tamara, Sapphire!" calls Moira from another room, "How do you two feel about balloons?"

"I'm fine with it!" you call back whilst Sapphire Squire hesitates, "You okay?"

"Just needed a moment to think through the possibilities," she replies to you before replying to Moira, "Partial please! I want to see what it is like first before deciding either way."

This is going to be fun.

***​

You are frowning and not just because of the stinky cheese smell that you are emitting thanks to your squire. You had known that Taenya had gone insane or was in the process of it, but that simple knowledge isn't the same thing as seeing the descent in the documents that you are reading. Looking through both the decrees that your aunt has sent out and the reports that your sister's agents have collected, Taenya has gone crazy with power or paranoia.

It started off mild at first, just simple actions of someone with tenuous legitimacy taking action to assert their authority. A bit heavy handed, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then the hand kept getting heavier and the reasoning behind the actions or the actions themselves became increasing questionable. This in turn led to unhappiness and discontent, which Taenya reacted to by cracking down on it, which just led to an escalating cycle of the usurper's attempts quell dissent just causing more of it.

At some point not too long ago, Taenya's limited authority across the Kingdom of the Faeries broke down as Tiarnach chose to stop following her commands and he was shortly followed by Moira and Maeryn. Even as you long for the consistent passage of time that the human world has, you note that the brewing civil war lies between your mother's side of the family and your aunt's side. Tiarnach, Moira and Maeryn are all children of your mother while Zelphar is the eldest son of Taenya. Even you are siding with your mother's side against your aunt.

The reports also make you feel confident about the chances of success. Taenya's purges have been bleeding her supporters and draining her loyal forces. She has lost maybe a third to half of her forces to her own actions whilst the rebels Courts have remained mostly intact.

Which explains why Taenya has let half of her lands go into borderline revolt against her. She simply lacks the power to force your half-siblings to do anything when she barely has enough manpower to hold her own lands.

"Hey Tamara, I am ready to stop being a portrait now," comments Sapphire Squire from where she is leaning against the side of the frame she is as a moving painting, "It gets boring after a while."

"That is because you are keeping your human mind," you tell her as you put the report you are reading back in the pile, "Most of the time, you adjust the mind to match the body to avoid difficulties from dysphoria. When you turn into an animal, you give the animal's instincts so you can use the body correct. When you turn someone into the other gender, you adjust their mind to match their body to avoid discomfort from being in the wrong body. When you turn someone into clothing or furniture, you make their minds go dull or blank when not in use so they don't insane from lack of simulation."

"And if I don't want mental changes?" asks Sapphire Squire.

"You risk harm due to differences between your mind and your body," you answer, "Depending on various factors, it can range from simple discomfort to insanity and sometimes it isn't irreversible. To give an example, my mother wants turned one of her enemies into a pair of shoes whilst leaving his mind unchanged. She didn't turn him back until decades had passed and during that time, his mind had partially adjusted to his circumstances. When he was restored to his fairy form, his mind was split between one that was meant for his original body and one that had adjusted to being a set of shoes. He wasn't comfortable in either form and eventually he had his mind rewritten completely to get some peace."

"Okay then, I am definitely ready to turn back," says Sapphire Squire quickly.

"Give me a moment to break the spell" you ask her, "Also can you pick something nicer than the smell of cheese next time? If I am to spell of something, I would like it be some pleasant."

"I'll keep that in mind," says Sapphire Squire, "Let me know if you got any preferences."

***​

"One hour-long shrinking potion," you say as you toss the bottle to Sapphire Squire, where she leans against the side of the bath with a blue mermaid tail from the stomach down that Moira gave her.

"Thanks," says your squire as she catches the bottle in question, "Do I drink it or pour it into the water?"

"Drink it," you tell her, "It would probably work if you pour it in, but only at reduced effectiveness. If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular reason you want it off?"

"The bath is big, like three times bigger than what we got at home, but I still can't really swim about in it and it isn't deep enough to try out the breathing underwater element that Moira told me about," answers Sapphire Squire as she uncorks the bottle, "So I figured that why not make myself smaller so I have more room to swim about in. I also want to make dives and swim around below the surface."

"A logical solution," you comment as you watch Sapphire Squire gulp down the contents.

You smile as Sapphire Squire loses her grip on the side of the bath as she grows too small to maintain her current position. As she grows out of sight, you lean in to grin down at the mermaid who is barely longer than one of your fingers.

"This is a bit more terrifying than I expected it to be," admits Sapphire Squire as she stares up at you, "You are so big."

"Technically you are tiny," you point out, "Do not worry my squire, I shall guard you with my life. Enjoy your swim."

"I will, but can I ask something of you?" inquires Sapphire Squire.

"You may always ask me questions," you reply.

"Could explain to me what to expect?" asks Sapphire Squire, "I am not afraid or anything, but I would like to know what I will be facing in battle. I don't want to assume that everyone is like you or Moira."

"Actually, Moira and I are good examples to use," you say, "Would you mind if I took a relaxing bath as I speak?"

"Just keep your clothes on and don't squish me," says Sapphire Squire.

"As I was saying, there will be two main types of fighters, knights and sorcerers," you say as you swap out summon Torlyn and desummon it in exchange for a swimsuit whilst switching to your Tamara Lyn form, "They will vary in skill, but fey fighter will either focus on physical prowess or magical prowess. You can usually expect an extra something from the nobility such as my shapeshifting or Moira's reality warping, but you have those two archetypes."

You pause for a moment as you climb into the bath and let yourself sink into the hot water. You don't need to bath, but just as you would enjoy a good meal or a pleasant drink or a peaceful sleep, you enjoy a nice soak. On the other, you are quickly reminded that you are in a prank war as the water quickly transforms your legs into a tail like your squires except your scales are silver instead of blue. Glancing down at the remains of your swimsuit, you replace with a version of Torlyn that covers your upper body before raising an eyebrow at Sapphire Squire.

"I reused one of Moira's pranks?" says your squire sheepishly and you pluck her out of the water as she swims, holding her by the tail fins between a finger and thumb.

"Put me down!" shouts Sapphire Squire as she wiggles about, futilely trying to escape your grasp, "This is scary Tamara!"

"No my dearest squire, this is a prank," you tell her in a deadpan voice before letting her go, "Enjoy your dive."

Despite your words, you do keep an eye on her as she falls screaming. Fortunately, Sapphire Squire emerges giggling after plunging into the water.

"Okay, you got me good," says your squire as she swims up to your arm rests on it, "So what were you saying before about knights and sorcerers?"

"You can expect knights to try and kill you whilst a sorcerer will try to transform you in either mind or body," you continue with your earlier explanation, "Knights can be more dangerous, but you know how to deal with them. Most will lack ranged weapons so you can fly about them out of their reach. It will be the sorcerers that will cause you problems because you never know what spells they got in their arsenal until they starting casting them. Try to avoid them if you can and if you can't, don't take them head on. They will not respect your wishes about what transformations you are comfortable with and some might just blast you out of the sky with a lightning bolt or fire ball."

"That is what I don't get," says Sapphire Squire as she swims up close to you, "Why not just go for the kill straight away?"

"Because while I have shown you the fun side of transformation, it can be worse than killing in many ways," you answer, "Or perhaps better from the right perspective. If you kill someone, that is that, but a transformation has so much variety to it. You can incapacitate them by changing in a way that keeps from moving or you can turn a foe into an ally with a mental transformation. You can even get rid of an opponent as good as death if you turn them into something else and give them a new mind to match. Combined with transformations being easier to both cast and undo than death, there is no reason for a magic user to kill their foes over transforming them."

"Transformations are terrifying," declares Sapphire Squire as she glances at the tail she has instead of legs.

"Yes, they certainly can be," you agree.

***​

"I can't believe that I fell for you telling me that Sapphire would be terrible," says Moira as she smells of strawberries and you dance with her under magical compulsion by your sister that has claimed both of you.

"Oh, I honestly believed she would be terrible," you admit as you twirl, "I just focused on her offensive capabilities that I forgot about how good she is at seeing through attempts to manipulate her."

"She is good at spotting all of my tricks," agrees Moira, "I can only get her when I go directly after her or when she decides that she wants to be a victim of the prank. And while it has only happened a few times, she has gotten me."

"The strawberries?" you inquire, "And how long are we going to be dancing like this?"

"Yeah, she got me with the strawberries," confirms Moira, "She even got herself with it to get me. Your squire enchanted some food with a delayed effect and then eat some herself to prove me that they were fine. I can't believe I fell for it. About the next ten minutes unless your squire walks in which case we spend that time as her clothing, dress for you and underwear for me. You don't mind that?"

"I can put up with a few minutes of being worn by my squire," you reply with a chuckle, "So how are things looking?"

"We'll be ready to move in the next two or three days and we got the cat in the bag," says Moira, "Maeryn and her court will take Zelphar and the Little Court of Wales. He won't stand a chance against her with half of his army gone. Meanwhile Tiarnach and the Little Court of Ireland will go after Elphane. I will be joining him in the fight against Taenya since the two of us can easily take her while my court handles the Little Court of Scotland."

"And what of myself and my squire?" you inquire.

"Sapphire Squire will stick with you and I figured I would let you choose whether to join the attack on Elphane or help the assault on Scotland," answers Moira, "You aren't exactly needed for any of the attacks, but you will definitely be a boon for taking out the enemy elites and since you know how the two of you operate best, I'll let you pick which fight to join."

"Thank you for your confidence in me," you tell her.

"You earned it from your actions in the human world," says Moira, "You have grown into a true warrior Tamara. And you are going to go back once this is all over aren't you?"

"London is my home now and I have a life there," you say, "Here will always be home to me, but it isn't where I want to make my life. That won't be a problem will it?"

"While I would ideally keep my two favourite ladies here in my court, I will respect your wishes," replies Moira, "I must confess that I don't particularly care for any of what you to get up. Skulking about under a fake guise to beat up brigands holds zero appeal to me and I can't say hold any fondness for humanity either outside an exception or two. Their discoveries are intriguing and their politics look like they could entertain me so I suppose that humanity isn't all bad."

"I will visit you once my exile is lifted," you promise your sister.

"I will definitely visit you and your squire," she promises back, "I also intend to establish my own secret identity to interact with human society and my favourite vigilantes. How does Tamara Lyn feel about having her rich and talented half-sister Moira Lyn living in London with her?"

"She would love it," you say.

"Wait, is Moira going to be moving to London as well?" asks Sapphire Squire as she enters the room and you barely have time to exchange a grin with your sister before the two of you let the magic transform you.

***​

"What are you staring at?" you inquire as you walk into the kitchen where Sapphire Squire is standing before a plate of biscuits and a jug of liquid.

Well, you assume it is your squire. You are currently looking at Tamara Lyn the maid, but you seen your squire enough times in that form to recognise the body language.

"According to this, Balloon Bosom Juice and Balloon Butt Biscuits," answers the Tamara Lyn as she holds up a sheet of paper, "Both of them won't last more than an hour. Moira left them here after turning me into you. Well, I assume it was her who did that and not you. Anyway, she says I shouldn't eat more than three biscuits or drink more than a single glass at a time and not both at the same time. You would mind experimenting with them first?"

"Of course," you say as you stride up to the plates, "Which one do you think I could try first? I fancy trying my ballooning butt first, but I'll let you choose."

"That is not a sentence that should be spoken, but yeah, let's try ballooning your butt first," replies Sapphire Squire with a cringe, "Which is another sentence which shouldn't be spoken and yet I still said it."

"Thank you," you say before popping one of the small round biscuits in your mouth.

As the blueberry flavoured food goes down your throat, you feel the magic take place and make no effort to resist it. As you expected given the name of biscuits, you feel your rear-end expanding slightly and feeling sort of hollow.

"Looks bigger," comments Sapphire Squire, "I can't really tell under the clothing."

"It feels hollow and bigger, but I can't really see anything," you comment as you look down at your butt, "I'm going to see if I can shift it away."

It turns out that you can as when you shift into a copy of Sapphire Squire's regular body, your altered buttocks change with you.

"Hey Tamara, can I ask you something?" asks Sapphire Squire.

"Sure," you reply.

"Thanks and why doesn't feel that weird to be talking in each other's voices whilst in each other's body," says Sapphire Squire.

"You are getting used to shapeshifting," you say with a shrug, "I presume that wasn't what you wanted to ask me."

"No, I wanted to know why Moira is being so direct in her pranks now," says Sapphire Squire, "She does some subtle stuff, but then she is just so blatant like this morning when she just showed up, left the balloon stuff and then transformed me before leaving. I thought pranks were supposed to be tricks and cunning, but I don't get how just popping up and transforming me is either of those things."

"You have proved tricky enough that Moira has given up on trying to deceive and outwit you," you reply, "So for her pranks on you, she resorts to just playing jokes on you without misdirection."

"Huh, I am really that good?" inquires Sapphire Squire.

"You are downright impossible to fool," you tell her as you pour yourself a glass of the juice.

"Does leaving these here with instruction count as a prank?" asks Sapphire Squire out loud as you chug down half of the strawberry flavoured juice, "I am fairly certain she is just testing a couple of new spells on us."

You put it down as you feel the feel the magic taking effect. Just as it happened with your butt earlier, your bosom is expanded by the magic and it changes from flesh and blood into an air-filled rubber. You are about to ask Sapphire Squire for her opinion when you feel further changes overcoming you as the magic in the juice links up with lingering magic from the biscuits. You feel your butt undergoing the earlier changes again and then it spreads to the rest of your body as transform into a balloon version of your squire.

"Well, that explains why Moira warned me not to both at the same time," muses Sapphire Squire as she inspect you, "You okay being a balloon me? Actually, can you speak like that?"

"I have my mimicry spell," you tell her, "I can use it speak like this just as I can use it to speak as an animal."

"Cool, I'm going to drink the rest of the glass since I doubt you'll be having it," says Sapphire Squire, "Do you think that it will make my chest less heavy?"

"It definitely will," you assure her.

"In that case, bottoms up," says Sapphire Squire as she downs the rest of the glass.

***​

"Today is the big day!" declares Moira as she strides into the room where she has asked you and Sapphire Squire to meet her, "By nightfall, the usurper Taenya will be overthrown."

"Finally," says Sapphire Squire, leaping to her feet and changing into her costume, "No offence to either of you two, but it will be nice to get this done and go home."

"Indeed," you agree, "I am most eager to bring down the tyrant Taenya."

"Glad to hear it," says Moira as she turn to your squire, "Tamara has informed you of the plans?"

"Yes," confirms Sapphire Squire.

"Good," says Moira before turning her attention to you, "Tamara dearest, have you decided if you'll be going to Elphane or Scotland?"

"Of course," you reply.

What has Tamara decided?
[] The Great Court of Elphane. The largest of the Realms that make up the Kingdom of the Faeries, Elphane is where you grew up and where Mother ruled from. The capital of the kingdom, this is where Taenya will be found even if you shall not directly fight against her.
[] The Little Court of Scotland. The seat of Taenya's power and where her support is strongest and the attacking forces are weakest. While the invaders will undoubtedly win, you may be able to make victory quicker and less costly.

You have 1 Hero Point available.

***​

And now the battle begins. I tried not to make this update too filler-y, but I also tried to avoid making it exposition-y as well. I feel that I've got a good mix of the two as I sprinkled plot relevant information into the plenty of character interactions between Tamara, Brenda and Moira. While not strictly necessary for the plot, I figured that you guys would want to see them as the prank war option won.

Beyond what information was voted for, I also given some more information on how magic works, what Moira intends to do once this is all over and what Moira thinks of humanity.

On another note, the first two paragraphs are on the day of arrival, but each new paragraph is a new day. Tamara and Brenda have been here for six days now and it is on the sixth day of their visit that the attack is being launched.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] The Little Court of Scotland. The seat of Taenya's power and where her support is strongest and the attacking forces are weakest. While the invaders will undoubtedly win, you may be able to make victory quicker and less costly.

"So what will this Prince Auraen be like?" asks Sapphire Squire as she flies towards the palace made out of spiral towers with you riding in her pocket as a mouse.

"Sort of like me," you reply, "He is a knight by trade, but dabbles in magic to complement his fighting style and give himself a few extra tricks. Not the brightest, but he is loyal and reliable, which why I suspect Taenya left him as the regent here."

"So dangerous brute?" replies Sapphire Squire.

"A cunning dangerous brute," you correct her, "A fearsome foe and the son of Taenya herself, hence the title of prince."

"Is that a bigger deal around here?" inquires Sapphire Squire, "Humans have royalty back on Earth, but there isn't anything inherently special about them."

"It is different in the Kingdom of the Faeries and other Realms," you say, "Royalty such myself tend to have something about them that puts them above their subjects. For my people, it isn't just royalty, but the nobility in general through as the top of the social pecking order, the royalty is the most inherently superior."

"So how outmatched will I be?" asks Sapphire Squire nervously as she flies you over the unsuspecting wall guards.

"Not too badly," you answer after a moment's thought, "Inherent superiority is just potential like innate talent. You can get by on it, but to make full use of it, you need to put in hard work and skill. Prince Auraen will be better than you physically with better spells and equipment, but you are smarter and more adaptable than he is."

"That is a relief," says Sapphire Squire, "Magic is cool and all, but it is different here. It is commonplace rather than borderline non-existent like it is back in London. I'm not sure how I feel about magic when my enemies have it and they are better at it than I am."

"You deal things just fine, you always do," you reassure her.

"That is less reassuring than it should be," mutters Sapphire Squire, "I don't like having to deal with things on my own and now that I think about it, why are we on our own? Surely they could have spared some back up for this mission."

"We couldn't trust that backup," you say, "My people are not inherently trustworthy and if anything, they are inherently untrustworthy. Moira is the only one that I could trust to have my back in battle and since she has her own job to do, I feel we work best operating as a duo like we do back did in London. Anyway, see that window there? It should be a good entry point."

"I do," says Sapphire Squire and she turns towards it, "Why would they leave it open like that? Don't they realise they are under attack?"

"Either someone forgot to close it if they realised it was open or nobody considered it to be a weakness," you tell her as she swoops in.

Or perhaps it could be a trap you privately decide as your squire finds herself amongst a group of palace defenders. One man is in white plate armour with a spear whilst a second man and a woman are in blue mage robes. The final member of the group is a woman in a red and gold dress.

A knight, a sorcerer and two sorceresses against you and Sapphire Squire. Unpleasant, but you fancy your odds.

As expected of a warrior, the knight is the first to react. With the flying Sapphire Squire out of his reach, the knight adopts a defensive position as he prepares for you or your squire to attack.

Even as you jump out of Sapphire Squire's pocket, the sorcerer strikes Sapphire Squire with a beam of green light. You glimpse your squire almost get turned to stone for a moment as the grey of stone spreads over her body, skin and clothing alike. It is only at the last moment that Sapphire Squire expels the magical energy and the unliving stone across her body vanishes as quickly as it comes.

Finding yourself quite unhappy at the attempted petrification of your squire, you strike at the offending sorcerer as you take on your Fairy Knight form, Torlyn protecting your body and Talatine in your hand.

Knowing that the trick to taking down fey sorcerers is landing a blow on their agile bodies and mystical defences, you aim your blade carefully, sacrificing power in exchanged for increased accuracy.

Talatine strikes true and the silver blade rips through the side of the sorcerer. The man topples over as his blue robes become stained with blue, but you no time to react before the knight is upon you. The spear stabs pass your defence and while you unable to actively defend yourself in time, Torlyn does an excellent passive defence and blocks what would otherwise be a crippling hit.

You duck as a red bolt of light flies over your head as the robed sorceress casts against you and you barely have time to spot the other one in the dress hit Sapphire Squire with her spell. You grimace as for a split-second, your squire grows small, white fur covers her body and a pair of large ears pop out of the top of her head. Thankfully she reverts to normal a moment later, but you can't avoid worrying about how Sapphire Squire is dealing with this many close calls with involuntary transformation.

Fortunately, she seems to be keeping it together for now as she tosses a boomerang at the woman who just almost turned her into a bunny, but the sorceress easily dodges the attack. You don't any more attention to spare for your squire as the enemy knight attacks you again. You fail to parry the attack again, but you take the opportunity to turn your failed defence into a successful offence as you trust in Torlyn to protect you.

Even as you feel a jolt of disorient pain as the spear strikes off of Torlyn, you ram Talatine into your opponent's chest. One of the sorceresses hit you with a spell as you pull out Talatine, but you easily shrug off the attempt to subdue your mind.

Then the other one hits you and you feel yourself stumble as your body stops being what it should be. One of your hands turns into a hoof, you begin to grow snout and an udder bursts out of your belly. You turned into a cow multiple times before and it isn't anything new or something you can't handle, but a forced transformation isn't something you want to deal with in the middle of a fight.

Glaring at the sorceress who casted the spell, you stumble forward, but before you can attack, the woman falls forward. As your enemy collapses in a heap, you proudly take note of the boomerang lodged in her back.

You swing at the last of the guards, but with your unbalanced body and limited to only a single hand, you are unable to land a blow on the agile sorceress. She glances between you and your squire before visible steeling herself and blasting off a blue bolt of magical energy at you.

Unable to avoid, it the magic bolt slams directly into your chest and you go staggering backwards. Sapphire Squire throws a boomerang, but the sorceress easily dodges it before casually sidestepping your own attack, which leads you uneven. Steadying yourself again, your body finally expels the magic of the polymorph spell from earlier and you shapeshift yourself back to normal.

Apparently having decided that you aren't the biggest threat to her anymore, the sorceress turns on your squire, striking her with another spell. You are forced to watch as Sapphire Squire once again almost falls victim to another forced transformed as her body grows smaller and her limbs disappear except for an arm that bends as the hand fuses with her body to become a handle. Before she can finish becoming a mug, Sapphire Squire snaps back to normal and tosses a boomerang at her attacker.

The sorceress laughs as she easily dodges the boomerang and you swiftly silence her by slashing her across her exposed back with Talatine.

"Are you okay?" you ask Sapphire Squire now that the last of your opponents are down.

"Yeah, sort of," replies Sapphire Squire, "Just a few close calls with losing my humanity."

"And you are okay?" you ask again as your squire is being evasive.

"I can continue with the mission," she assures you in a firm voice, "I risked my life on multiple occasions. I can risk being transformed every now and again. I am not just going to back down because the enemy isn't going to be considerate of my feelings. But I may need helping dealing with things once the day is saved."

"Fair enough," you say, letting things go, "Give me a moment to recover from my injuries."

"Are you okay Tamara?" asks Sapphire Squire, "I saw you get half-turned into some horrible magical monster."

"That was a cow," you tell her with a chuckle, "They have those back on Earth."

"Wait, that was-," says Sapphire Squire before cutting herself off and starting again, "I have never actually seen a cow. I've read about them and heard about them, but never actually seen one."

"Let me fix that," you say before shapeshifting into a cow, "This is a cow."

"Hmm," says Sapphire Squire, "Is it safe to spend time doing this?"

"The castle is running a skeleton crew thanks to Mariona having launched the attack already," you tell her as you shift back into a mouse, "Between that and how massively undermanned Taenya's forces are, there will only be a skeleton guard here with the bare minimum to man the walls and strong points."

"Are you sure that you want to continue with this?" asks Sapphire Squire as she picks you up, "Do you think we got heard?"

"What are the odds that we just run into another group of guards so suddenly?" you counter as she deposits you in her pocket again.

"True," agrees Sapphire Squire as she takes to the skies again, "Through these doors?"

"That should lead to the throne room," you reply, "I've only been to my aunt's palace a few times so my memories are limited, but I should be more than capable of finding my way to the throne room."

"That sounds good enough," says Sapphire Squire as she flies down the next corridor, "Do you have any insight on why they kept targeting me over you?"

"I believe it was because you were the more obvious threat," you answer, "They couldn't see me thanks to urban camouflage counting the palace as urban, which made you both a more obvious target and an easier one,"

"That makes sense," muses Sapphire Squire, "Hey Tamara, if I do get transformed, you have to promise me that you'll take good care of me."

"It should go without saying, but I'll look after you should get transformed," you promise her, "I would do that even without the promise."

"I know, I just like the reassurance," says Sapphire Squire, "I'm focused on the mission and all, but I am scared. More than normal. I knew where I stood back home, but here?"

"I get that-" you start only to stop as Sapphire Squire enters another corridor, only to run almost head first into a trio of enemies.

Another sorceress backed up by a pair of knights, Sapphire Squire barely has time to pull out a boomerang before a blast of pink like strikes her in the gut. As you tumble out of the pocket, you glimpse the look of shock and terror on your squire's face as she becomes more dress than human as her legs disappear into a skirt and her torso hollows out while her head begins to pull into her chest. Landing in your Fairy Knight form, you leap into action, swing Talatine at the vermin responsible for half-transforming your squire against her will.

The woman scrambles back and both of the knights dart forward, a man with a sword and a woman with a spear. You easily parry the blade with your own as you sidestep the spear. Sapphire Squire attempts to strike back against her attack with a boomerang, but it goes wide and you are certain she is struggling with her body not being what it should be. With a grin on her face, the sorceress blasts Sapphire Squire again and a golden ball gown flutters down.

"You'll pay for that," you promise the woman as the male barely blocks Talatine with his sword, chipping the inferior blade.

"Make me halfbreed," the sorceress taunts back as you fend off the female knight, "That girl of yours will look lovely on me."

You deflect the sword of the male knight before jumping out of the way of the sorceress' latest spell. You smack the male knight aside as Talatine rips through his armour and the remaining knight seizes the opportunity to strike you while your guard is open. Her spear strikes true, but the steel spearhead bounces off of Torlyn ineffectively. You spot a flash of pink light and as you look around for the spell only to see no sorceress as another dress flutters to the ground.

While you don't understand that turn of events, you aren't going to look this gift horse in the mouth while you still got another enemy to deal with. You strike with Talatine, knocking aside your foe's spear with the blade before reversing the moment of your sword so the hilt slams into the enemy knight's face. The woman stumbles backwards before collapsing in a heap, leaving you to deal with this mess.

Glancing at the ball gown that is your squire, you can't help, but wonder how to deal with this. Moira or any competent spell caster could easily reverse the spell, but you are not counted amongst their number. Yes, you could undo this with a ritual and even if left alone, the spell is weak enough that Sapphire Squire should be able to overcome if given enough time, but you have no time for either of those things right now.

You have a job to do, but you also have a duty to your squire and from what feelings she has expressed on the matter in the past, you worry about just how Sapphire Squire is taking this turn of events. But while it feels cold to acknowledge it, your squire's feelings are a lesser concern right now than dealing with her physical form. You promised you would look after her, but how will you do that? Put her on? Fold her up and carry her? Which solution would Sapphire Squire find the least humiliating?

Then the ball gown is gone as you hold a white blouse in your hands. You frown at this turn of events before the article of clothing changes again, going from the blouse to a white shirt with a pattern of black fabric across the front of it. No, not a pattern, you quickly realise, words.

Sown on to the white shirt in black is the sentence, 'did it work?'

"I believe it did," you tell your squire-turned-shirt, "Can you hear me?"

The words on the change to say a simple 'yes'.

"Are you...?" you start to ask if she is okay, but you already know the answer to that and what you should really be asking, "How are you coping?"

'Embarrassed and weird, but the not total nightmare I was expecting' says Sapphire Squire and after a couple of seconds, she changes the words to 'I still have my mind and powers. I will be okay if given respectful treatment.'

"I will do my best to treat you respectfully, no matter your form," you promise her, "Are you okay with continuing the mission? It will take some time to revert you back to normal without the help of someone like Moira."

'I can continue the mission' is Sapphire Squire's response.

"Understood," you tell her as you decide to accept the situation as it is rather than acknowledge it positively, "Do wish to be worn or carried?"

'This is super weird but worn for the experience' are the latest words on the shirt and you chuckle at Sapphire Squire commenting on the absurdity of what is a nonsensical situation from a human perspective. A few second later, Sapphire Squire updates herself with a further explanation 'I never want to do this again so I don't want to miss the experience now.'

"Anything else before I confront Prince Auraen?" you ask your squire and the shirt changes to 'Hugs and chocolate when this is all over', "Of course. Now you don't mind this request, I would like to wear something in the blue of my squire."

The white shirt changes into a blue blouse and you dismiss Torlyn. Slipping your arms into the sleeves, you feel incredibly awkward with the knowledge that this soft silky blouse is actually your squire. It-she doesn't feel any different to regular clothing, but the knowledge of this blouse's true nature weighs heavily on your mind. If she hadn't requested it, you are certain that you would have carried Sapphire Squire around folded up as you do not feel comfortable wearing her as clothing.

"You were right," you tell your squire as you self-consciously button her up, "This is super weird."

Resummoning Torlyn, you carefully place your silver armour over your new blouse. You aren't sure what happens to your clothing when you replace in favour of Torlyn, but when you find out, it is going to be with someone you don't care about rather than the person who you love the most.

Striding down the corridor, you ready yourself to face Prince Auraen inside the throne room. Sapphire Squire will be fine. You just need to get through this and get her to Moira or one of her spell casters. That means doing your best to defeat Auraen so the conquest of the Little Court of Scotland goes ahead.

Pushing open the double doors, you march into the wide open throne room with marble pillars and a blue carpet leading up to a golden throne. On that throne sits a man in partial plate armour over chainmail as a silver spear leans against the throne. One sorceress casts a map spell in front of the throne whilst a pair of sorcerers handle a series of communication spells. Another sorceress stands off to the side as either a spare or a guard whilst a woman with plate armour and a battleaxe stands tall and ready next to the golden throne.

"How curious," comments Prince Auraen as he looks up from the map and directly at you, "An exiled halfbreed."

"Prince Auraen," you reply as you get the full attention of the other six fay.

"You are not supposed to be here Tamara," says Prince Auraen, "I suppose you got brought back by these rebels and traitors."

"Why would I turn down a chance to get rid of the tyrant who exiled me from my home?" you retort as you look about for something to give you the advantage in this upcoming fight.

"I suppose you were always something of an idiot, as expected of a halfbreed," says Prince Auraen with a sneer on his face, "I'll give you an offer since I've got a battle worry about. Don't distract me any further and I'll let you choose what object you spend the rest of your life as. Refuse and expect to spend your remaining days as a dishcloth or a chamber pot."

As your cousin speaks, you spot an array of magical traps covering the whole room. Powerful and hidden, you are certain that they were made by your aunt as the traps will target anyone in the room who isn't Taenya or marked by her to be unaffected. You just need a little bit of time to figure out how to trigger them.

"What is all this halfbreed nonsense anyway?" you ask, trying to stall for time as you back up towards the door, "It wasn't a thing before my exile."

"Your mother is no longer around to protect you from the consequences of your impurity," declares Prince Auraen imperiously as he rises from the golden throne and grabs his spear.

"No seriously, is Taenya really this worked up about me being half human?" you say as you managed to figure out how to send a fake positive to the activation system of the throne room's traps, "I figured that she just wanted an excuse to overthrow Mother."

There are at least four of them, maybe more, but if there are, not that many more. The first spell is something you recognise easily enough as animal transformations are something that come naturally to you. The second trap is something to do with the mind and you can't tell anything of the last two except one is another transformation effect while the other is direct damage.

"That is Queen Taenya you impure bitch," growls Prince as Auraen as he strides towards you angrily, "Forget being a dishcloth or chamber pot, I'll make you the sponge that I will use to wipe my behind! You spend your time as dirty as your heritage."

"What is it with you and getting filthy?" you taunt Prince Auraen as you realise you are out of time as your cousin strides forward with the knight at his side while the sorcerers form up behind him.

"You will pay for insults wrench!" roars Prince Auraen as he begins to charge and with no more time, you have to make do with what little access you got to the traps of the throne room.

With Prince Auraen charging you, you have the ability to active one of the traps or all of them. Outnumbered and potentially outmatched, you have to decide if you are willingly to take the risk of deploying the traps in this fight.

What does Fairy Knight do about this fight?
[] [Fight] She withdraws due to be outnumbered and outmatched, hoping to lose some if not all of her pursuers within the castle.
[] [Fight] She stands her ground and fights to achieve victory.
[] [Fight] She becomes a dragon to crush Prince Auraen. (Extra Effort)
-[] [Fight] Use 1 Hero Point to pay the cost of Extra Effort.
[] [Fight] Write-in.

What does Fairy Knight do about the traps?
[] [Trap] She activates all of them and hope she is able to get out of their range in time.
[] [Trap] She activates just one of the traps and hope she has enough time to get out of its range.
-[] [Trap] The first trap that turns its victims into animals.
-[] [Trap] The second trap that alters the minds of its victims.
-[] [Trap] The third trap with the unknown transformation effect.
-[] [Trap] The fourth trap that directly damages its victims.
[] [Trap] She doesn't activate any of the traps rather than risk being caught in one of them herself.

Gain 1 Hero Point for Sapphire Squire being transformed. You have 2 available Hero Points.

Spoiler: Rolls

Sneaking past the first line of defences. (Sapphire Squire)
Stealth Check, DC20: 11+9+2 = 22, 1 DoS.

Sneaking past the second line of defences. (Sapphire Squire)
Stealth Check, DC20: 1+9+2 = 7, 3 DoF.

Initiative Check.
Fairy Knight: 14+11 = 25 (3rd)
Sapphire Squire: 5+7 = 12 (6th)
Fey Warrior 1: 14+22 = 36 (1st)
Fey Sorcerer 1: 8+19 = 27 (2nd)
Fey Sorceress 1: 3+19 = 22 (4th)
Fey Sorceress 2: 1+19 = 15 (5th)

Fey Warrior 1 readies an attack.

Fey Sorcerer 1 casts on Sapphire Squire.
Polymorph Attack, DC19: 16+10-2 = 24, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 2+7 = 9, 3 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Transformed. Luck Rerolled!
Fortitude Check, DC20: 19+7 = 26, 2 DoS, Sapphire Squire is unaffected.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Sorcerer 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 8+11+5 = 24, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC19: 10+4 = 14, 1 DoF, Fey Sorcerer 1 is Incapacitated.

Fey Warrior 1 attacks Fairy Knight.
Spear Attack, DC18: 19+11-5 = 25, Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC29: 9+12 = 21, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Mind Control Attack, DC18: 6+10-5 = 11, Miss.

Fey Sorceress 2 casts on Sapphire Squire.
Polymorph Attack, DC19: 15+10-2 = 23, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 2+7 = 9, 3 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Transformed. Luck Rerolled!
Fortitude Check, DC20: 18+7 = 25, 2 DoS, Sapphire Squire is unaffected.

Dealing with nearly losing her humanity. (Sapphire Squire)
Will Check, DC20: 11+9 = 20, 1 DoS.

Sapphire Squire attacks Fey Sorceress 2.
Boomerang Accurate Attack, DC24: 2+9+2 = 13, Miss.

Fey Warrior 1 attacks Fairy Knight.
Spear Attack, DC18: 18+11-5 = 24, Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC29: 8+11 = 20, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Warrior 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 11+11+3 = 25, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC21: 8+8 = 16, 1 DoF, Fey Warrior 1 is Incapacitated.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Mind Control Attack, DC18: 17+10-5 = 22, Successful Hit.
Will Check, DC20: 14+10 = 24, 1 DoS, Fairy Knight is unaffected.

Fey Sorceress 2 casts on Fairy Knight.
Polymorph Attack, DC18: 15+10-5 = 20, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 6+7 = 13, 2 DoF, Fairy Knight is Disabled.

Sapphire Squire attacks Fey Sorceress 2.
Boomerang Accurate Attack, DC24: 13+9+2 = 24, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC19: 3+4 = 7, 3 DoF, Fey Sorceress 2 is Incapacitated.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 2+11+3-5 = 11, Miss.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 2+7-5 = 4, 4 DoF, Fairy Knight is still Disabled.

Keeping her nerve. (Fey Sorceress 1)
Will Check, DC20: 19+11 = 30, 3 DoS.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Mystic Bolt Attack, DC18: 17+10-5 = 22, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC20: 7+10-5 = 12, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Sapphire Squire attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Boomerang Accurate Attack, DC24: 12+9+2 = 23, Miss.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Talatine Charge Attack, DC22: 8+11-2-5 = 12, Miss.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 18+7-5 = 20, 1 DoS, Fairy Knight is no longer Disabled.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Sapphire Squire.
Polymorph Attack, DC19: 16+10-2 = 24, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 1+10 = 6, 4 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Transformed. Luck Rerolled!
Fortitude Check, DC20: 15+10 = 25, 2 DoS, Sapphire Squire is unaffected.

Sapphire Squire attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Boomerang Accurate Attack, DC24: 8+9+2 = 19, Miss.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 8+11+3 = 22, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC21: 4+4 = 8, 3 DoF, Fey Sorceress 1 is Incapacitated.

Sneaking past the third line of defences. (Sapphire Squire)
Stealth Check, DC20: 1+9+2 = 7, 3 DoF.

Initiative Check.
Fairy Knight: 18+11 = 29 (2nd)
Sapphire Squire: 9+7 = 16 (5th)
Fey Warrior 1: 4+22 = 26 (3rd)
Fey Warrior 2: 4+22 = 26 (4th)
Fey Sorceress 1: 15+19 = 34 (1st)

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Sapphire Squire.
Polymorph Attack, DC19: 20+10-2 = 28, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 2+7 = 9, 3 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Transformed. Luck Reroll!
Fortitude Check, DC20: 7+7 = 14, 2 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Disabled.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Warrior 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 2+11+3 = 16, Miss.

Fey Warrior 1 attacks Fairy Knight.
Sword Attack, DC18: 8+11-5 = 14, Miss.

Fey Warrior 2 attacks Fairy Knight.
Spear Attack, DC18: 9+11-5 = 15, Miss.

Sapphire Squire attacks Fey Sorceress 1.
Boomerang Accurate Attack, DC24: 3+9+2-5 = 9, Miss.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 9+7-5 = 11, 2 DoF, Sapphire Squire is still Disabled.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Sapphire Squire.
Polymorph Attack, DC19: 15+10-2 = 23, Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 5+7-5 = 7, 3 DoF, Sapphire Squire is Transformed.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Warrior 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 7+11+3 = 21, Miss.

Fey Warrior 1 attacks Fairy Knight.
Sword Attack, DC18: 9+11-5 = 15, Miss.

Fey Warrior 2 attacks Fairy Knight.
Spear Attack, DC18: 7+11-5 = 13, Miss.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Polymorph Attack, DC18: 12+10-5 = 17, Miss.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Warrior 1.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 11+11+3 = 25, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC21: 11+8 = 19, 1 DoF, Fey Warrior 1 is Incapacitated.

Fey Warrior 2 attacks Fairy Knight.
Spear Attack, DC18: 17+11-5 = 23, Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC24: 12+12 = 24, 1 DoS, Fairy Knight is unharmed.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Polymorph Attack, DC18: 1+10-5 = 6, Critical Miss.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 11+6 = 17, 1 DoF, Fey Sorceress 1 is Transformed.

Fairy Knight attacks Fey Warrior 2.
Talatine Accurate Attack, DC22: 15+11+3 = 29, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC21: 4+8 = 12, 2 DoF, Fey Warrior 1 is Incapacitated.

Staying hidden.
Stealth vs Perception: 4+7+5 vs 16+10 = 16 vs 26, Prince Auraen wins by 3 DoS.

Spotting the traps.
Perception Check, DC20: 19+7 = 26, 2 DoS.

Distracting Auraen.
Deception vs Will: 4+2+2 vs 1+9-2 = 6 vs 3, Fairy Knight wins by 1 DoS.

Seizing remote control of the traps.
Expertise: Magic, DC25: 12+17 = 29, 1 DoS.

***​

A longer update and one with multiple fights. Sapphire Squire got unlucky to crit-fail two stealth rolls, but I decided to say her rerolls for the fights themselves. Speaking of those rerolls, I feel that Sapphire Squire got rather unlucky in the fights. Maybe it was just Fairy Knight doing well, but it felt like Sapphire Squire had a poor showing in this update.

The current vote is a two parter where you choose how to deal with this fight and whether or not you activate the traps. The trade-offs of the first part should be obvious, but the second half of the room is deciding if you are willingly to risk being caught in the traps in order to use them to get the advantage. Right now, Fairy Knight is somewhat outmatched, but not overly so. I would call it a fair fight if she had Sapphire Squire fighting alongside her.

I have also begun to experiment about letting you spent Hero Points in addition to letting you gain them. If you want to use Hero Points outside of provided options, feel free to make write-in suggestions.

I'll admit that I wasn't expecting you to vote for Scotland over Elphane (where I made most of my potential plots) so the mission here is a simple sneak into the enemy headquarters and take out their leader.

I also tried to handle the concept of forced transformations tastefully as I have attempted to portray its horror without excessively dwelling on it. Tamara is somewhat blasé about the whole matter because she is used to it and for a lack of better room, desensitised due to fey cultural norms and her exposure to it throughout her childhood. However she is definitely worried about how Sapphire Squire will take it (and has taken it) as while she is personally fine with it, Tamara is aware of how her squire feels on the matter. Her primary concern is how about Sapphire Squire will take being transformed against her will because Tamara knows that Sapphire Squire is very uncomfortable with the matter.

As for how Sapphire Squire is taking it, well, I am sure by now that you have noticed her tendency of putting up a tough front when the real consequences involved and then letting how she actually feels in private when nothing is at stake.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] [Fight] She becomes a dragon to crush Prince Auraen. (Extra Effort)
-[X] [Fight] Use 1 Hero Point to pay the cost of Extra Effort.
[X] [Trap] She activates just one of the traps and hope she has enough time to get out of its range.
-[X] [Trap] The fourth trap that directly damages its victims.

You are outnumbered and arguably outmatched. You could easily take on any one of your foes, but together they could wear you down via leveraging their superior numbers. Fortunately for you, you have your own tricks to even the playing field and can someone else's trick as well.

You just need to survive the enemy's attack first. Prince Auraen is the first to attack as he flies straight at you with his shining spear. He stabs at you with his weapon, but you easily parry it. You jump back to avoid a bolt of blue light from one of the sorcerers, but leave yourself open to the enemy knight in the process. She brings her battleaxe down on you and while Torln refuses to be breached, the sudden pain leaves you momentarily disoriented.

You stumble back and a pink light slams into you. You quickly recognise as another polymorph spell as your body begins to feel more wooden, just enough to slow you down slightly. Another spell-bolt slams into you, a more directly damaging attack that while it feels to pierce your armour, you are still left reeling even as the last sorceress hits you with further magic.

You stumble as you feel your magic flickering out, just for a moment. For a slight second, you are left completely mundane as your magic is dispelled. Then it is switched back on as you call upon your shapeshifting to become the most fearsome creature that you can think of, a dragon.

Even as you shifting to the mighty creature, you decide to activate the fourth trap. While you don't know exactly what it does, you fancy your chances at dealing with some hurt as a dragon better than you suspect your foes will cope worse than you will. The magical system activates as your new form smashes two of the marble pillars from your size alone.

Now a towering monster, you are nonetheless left staggering as the raw kinetic forces smashes into you and everyone else in the room. Easily recovering from the attack in this powerful form, you are pleased to see that only you and Prince Auraen are left standing as the rest of the fey have been lain low by the trap.

"And now you reveal that you truly are a beast," sneers Prince Auraen and you roll your eyes at his pathetic pretensions.

"A dragon may be a beast, but do you think you can beat me like this," you taunt him.

"Perhaps not," Prince Auraen admits uncharacteristically as he glances at something next to you, "But I am more than capable of ending that filthy human you have brought here."

You follow your cousin's gaze and freeze as you spot Sapphire Squire lying there, facedown and naked. For a moment you have no idea what she is doing there and in that state, but then you remember being hit by the dispel mere moments ago. It must have undone her earlier transformation.

You don't have any more time process what happened to your squire as Prince Auraen forces you to deal with what is going to happen to her. He charges straight at her, his spear aim at her defenceless body. With barely any time to react, you interceed by physically placing your body between your squire and your cousin. The spear glances harmless of your silver scales as you take what could have quite easily been a fatal blow for your squire.

"That was a mistake!" you roar at Prince Aurae as you rake him across the chest with your claws, leaving bloody gashes behind.

You hear a groan beside you and you look down to see Sapphire Squire getting to her feet. Realising that she is still not wearing anything after her restoration, you make sure to look at her face rather than her face and you are shocked to see Brenda Brown standing that.

How did you not notice that your squire was Inspector Brown's daughter? Was she that good at hiding it or were you just that bad? Maybe it was just because you never went looking for her secret identity. In any case, you lock eyes with Brenda before she summons her costume to cover her nude body.

But as major as this revelation is, you still have a fight to focus on. Slow and lumbering, you are all, but helpless to stop Prince Auraen as he jumps on you and plunges his spear into your side. With a roar of pain and anger, you unleash a bout of flame from your maw.

Prince Auraen tries to jump out of the way, but he is to slow to escape the flames entirely. Despite avoiding the majority of your flames, Prince Auraen cries out in pain as the flames burn the front of his body. Sapphire Squire attempts to throw a punch his way, but even half-burnt, Prince Auraen is still too agile for her.

Recovering from the flames, your cousin swings his spear at your squire. You snap in with your maw, but neither you or Prince Auraen strike your targets yet it is still a slight victory for you as Sapphire Squire remains unharmed. Out of position thanks to you, Prince Auraen isn't able to avoid Sapphire Squire's fist as the girl punches him in the face.

Stumbling backwards, Prince Auraen attempts to strike back with more force than the human body can survive. Unwillingly to let your squire suffer such harm, you once again personally intercede by physically intercept the weapon with your own body. The platinum spear of your cousin goes deep in your scaly hide and you stagger over from the sheer force of the blow. The last thing that you see as your eyelid close is Sapphire Squire drop kicking Prince Auraen from above.

***​

"Oh good, you are awake," says Sapphire Squire as you come back around, "I was worried for a moment. I don't exactly know how to treat a dragon."

"What happened?" you demand as you raise your head and look around.

Prince Auraen lies on the ground as does the rest of his retinue. Hardly anything seems to have changed while you were out and you wonder just how long you were unconscious.

"Nothing much," answers Sapphire Squire, "It has only been a few seconds. I don't think any guards are coming, but I can't be certain."

The two of you pause for a few moments in the thrown room, waiting to see if any more enemies are going to show up. But there is silence and you quickly realise it is just the two of you as your temporary burst of magic fades and you return to your regular form.

"No one else is coming," you declare before turning to your squire, "Do you want to talk?"

"We should," says Sapphire Squire, "Just what about?"

"I was thinking either you being transformed against your will or your secret identity," you reply and she slumps.

"So you did recognise me," mutters Sapphire Squire, "You're not mad at me are you?"

"It was your secret to keep Brenda," you reassure her as you place a comforting hand on her shoulder, "I trusted you without knowing who were under the mask and I still trust you now that I have that knowledge. My only regret is that you didn't get to tell me on your own terms."

"It is fine," says Sapphire Squire, "I don't like how someone just found out who I am, but if it has to be someone, I am really glad it was you. On the bright side, we can be more open now."

"A lot of things do make more sense to me now," you agree, "Speaking of which, you have my sympathies regarding your mother."

"About that," says Sapphire Squire, "Do you think that Moira could heal her? Or my brother?"

"While what constitutes healing is debatable, I am certain she could," you tell her, "My sister is one of the best magic users in the Kingdom of the Faeries and what befell your family isn't so out there that it is beyond her. She would demand a price for doing the healing however through she likes you enough that it wouldn't be too onerous."

"I would be willing to pay a price to get my family back," whispers Sapphire Squire with a sigh.

"And on to the other topic, how are you coping with being transformed?" you ask her.

"It wasn't as bad as I feared it would be," admits Sapphire Squire, "It was scary not being able to move and it feel really weird, but it didn't feel bad I guess? I could still change and I just felt thin, hollow and cut off at certain points. The worst part was also the best part as odd as that sounds, which that it didn't feel bad. Good because it wasn't some torturous experience, but also bad because I had lost my humanity and that didn't feel horrible. It is sort of like the reverse of doing something unpleasant that you know is good for you where you do something which feels okay, but you know is bad for you."

"An accurate summary of the situation," you say, "I'll admit that my nature as a shapeshifter means that losing my humanity isn't a big deal to me like it is for you, but I see where you are coming from. I also don't dislike those sorts of transformations, but that is more about losing my ability to move than losing my humanity. Did you get the experience that you were looking for out of it?"

"Sort of," answers Sapphire Squire, "I didn't want to be transformed into clothing, but since I was, I figured I would regret it if I didn't take the opportunity to see what it was like. And...and it wasn't that bad, at least not compared to what I pictured in my head. It was sort of like a hug, but a weird one where the person hugging you were inside you and it was cool when I moved when you moved. I don't like being transformed against my will at all and I like being human or at least part human. It just wasn't the nightmare I feared it would be."

"It was very uncomfortable on my end," you say, "I don't have a problem with wearing transformed people, but I knew it was you and you didn't like the idea of being transformed like that. I couldn't get that out of my mind throughout the process."

"Would it be awkward if I wanted to try it again under more controlled conditions?" asks Sapphire Squire nervously, "Like I don't want to be clothing at all, but I want to get a proper experience of it now that I know that it isn't as horrible as I feared it would be. The scientist in me wants to try it out properly rather than basing my perspective on a forced transformation from an enemy in battle."

"I can't promise it won't be awkward, but if you want to get a proper experience of clothing transformation with someone you trust, I would be honoured to be that individual," you tell her, "Anything else you want to try?"

"Animal transformations," replies Sapphire Squire, "If I can do clothing, I can do animals. I was hoping we could do that together since you are an expert at turning into animals."

"I would be very happy to help you with shapeshifting into animals," you say honestly.

"We'll definitely do that," says Sapphire Squire, "Now two more things. First, please don't tell anyone back home about that. I really don't know want anyone knowing that I got transformed into clothing because it is super weird stuff that I don't want to have to explain or to get weird looks over it."

"Of course," you promise her, "And the second thing?"

"Can you show me how to turn into a dragon as well?" asks Sapphire Squire, "Or give me rides if you can't?"

"I can do both," you answer as you look around again, "Now that our job is done, do you want to sneak back home or explore this place? I bet Taenya has some interesting things hidden away. Or perhaps we could go to Elphane to see how things are going there for Moira?"

What do Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire?
[] They head back to safety until the battle is won.
[] They explore the private chambers of Taenya the Usurper.
[] They go to Elphane to see how Moira is doing.
[] Write-in.

Gain 1 Hero Point for being Incapacitated. You have 2 available Hero Points.

Spoiler: Rolls

Initiative Check.
Fairy Knight: 6+13 = 19
Prince Auraen: 19+22 = 41
Fey Warrior 1: 14+22 = 36
Fey Sorcerer 1: 9+19 = 28
Fey Sorcerer 2: 19+19 = 38
Fey Sorceress 1: 3+19 = 22
Fey Sorceress 2: 2+19 = 21

Prince Auraen attacks Fairy Knight.
Platinum Spear Attack, DC18: 7+9-5 = 11, Miss.

Fey Sorcerer 2 casts on Fairy Knight.
Polymorph Attack, DC18: 2+10-5

Fey Warrior 1 charges Fairy Knight
Battleaxe Charge Attack, DC18 17+11-5-2 = 21. Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC29: 7+14 = 21, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fey Sorcerer 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Polymorph Attack, DC18: 15+10-5 = Successful Hit.
Fortitude Check, DC20: 11+7 = 18, 1 DoF, Fairy Knight is Impaired.

Fey Sorceress 2 casts on Fairy Knight.
Mystic Bolt Attack, DC18: 15+10-5 = Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC25: 4+13-2 = 15, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fey Sorceress 1 casts on Fairy Knight.
Dispel Attack, DC18: 15+10-5 = Successful Hit.
Will Check, DC20: 2+10-2 = 10, 2 DoF, All Magic effects are nullified.

Fairy Knight uses Extra Effort and a Hero Point to remove the fatigue.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap.
Toughness Check, DC27: 5+15 = 20, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Sapphire Squire)
Toughness Check, DC27: 19+6 = 25, 1 DoF, -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Prince Auraen)
Toughness Check, DC27: 11+7 = 18, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Fey Warrior 1)
Toughness Check, DC27: 5+8 = 13, 3 DoF, Incapacitated.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Fey Sorcerer 1)
Toughness Check, DC27: 19+4 = 23, 1 DoF, Incapacitated.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Fey Sorcerer 2)
Toughness Check, DC27: 8+4 = 12, 3 DoF, Incapacitated.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Fey Sorceress 1)
Toughness Check, DC27: 6+4 = 10, 4 DoF, Incapacitated.

Fairy Knight triggers the fourth trap. (Fey Sorceress 2)
Toughness Check, DC27: 11+4 = 15, 3 DoF, Incapacitated.

Prince Auraen charges Sapphire Squire
Platinum Spear Charge Power Attack, DC10: 20+9-2-5 = 22, Successful Critical Hit.
Fairy Knight Interposes
Toughness Check, DC36: 19+14 = 33, 1 DoS, Fairy Knight is unharmed.

Fairy Knight attacks Prince Auraen.
Unarmed Accurate Attack, DC23: 15+10+3 = 28, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC24: 13+6 = 19, 1 DoF, -1 Toughness Penalty.

Recognising your squire?
Perception Check, DC19: 20+10 = 35, 4 DoS.

Prince Auraen attacks Fairy Knight.
Platinum Spear Power Attack, DC15: 17+9-5-5 = 16, Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC36: 17+14 = 31, 1 DoF, -1 Toughness Penalty.

Fairy Knight attacks Prince Auraen
Fiery Breath Accurate Attack, DC23: 10+10+3 = 23, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC24 9+5 = 14, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Sapphire Squire attacks Prince Auraen.
Unarmed Attack, DC23: 12+8 = 20, Miss.

Prince Auraen attacks Sapphire Squire.
Platinum Spear Power Attack, DC18: 5+9-2-3 = 9, Miss.

Fairy Knight attacks Prince Auraen.
Unarmed Accurate Attack, DC23: 3+10+3 = 16, Miss.

Sapphire Squire attacks Prince Auraen.
Unarmed Attack, DC23: 19+8 = 27, Successful Hit.
Toughness Check, DC19: 3+4 = 7, 3 DoF, Staggered & -1 Toughness Penalty.

Prince Auraen attacks Sapphire Squire.
Platinum Spear Power Attack, DC18: 20+9-2-3 = 24, Successful Critical Hit.
Fairy Knight Interposes
Toughness Check, DC34: 3+14 = 17, 4 DoF, Incapacitated.

Sapphire Squire attacks Prince Auraen.
Unarmed Attack, DC23: 20+8 = 28, Successful Critical Hit.
Toughness Check, DC24: 4+3 = 7, 4 DoF, Incapacitated.

Sapphire Squire revives Fairy Knight.
Treatment Check, DC15: 18+8-5-2 = 19, 1 DoS.

Reinforcements? (Enemy Defenders)
Perception Check, DC20: 7+10 = 17, 1 DoF.

***​

The dragon form was less impressive than I hoped thanks to the trap taking out all of the minions, but given the good rolls that Auraen got, I think you needed it. To be honest, while I suspected the minions might go down quickly, I didn't expect Auraen to give as good as a showing as he did.

Sapphire Squire also got restored and Tamara has finally discovered her secret identity. You get some more insight into how Sapphire Squire feels about transformations and how she is dealing with this, which to say that isn't as bad as she feared it would be. That isn't to say that she likes them or enjoys them as it is akin to be pleasantly surprised that you only got a bad bruise instead of breaking an arm or burning your tongue instead of melting your face off.

Onto other news, you managed to regain your spent Hero Point already and have completed your mission. The current vote is basically wait out the arc now, go exploring for hidden secrets or go to see what major events are going down in Elphane right now.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] They explore the private chambers of Taenya the Usurper.

"Let's go and explore your aunt's rooms," says Sapphire Squire, "I want to see what sort of cool stuff a fairy princess would have hidden away and I suspect this will be my only chance to do that."

"Barring something going very wrong, it will be," you tell her, "Give me a moment to deal with these guys and we'll be offer."

"By deal with them..." starts to ask Sapphire Squire in a nervous voice.

"I am not going to kill them," you reassure her, "I will just activate one of the other traps to neutralise them for now."

"Other traps?" inquires Sapphire Squire, "Actually no, I'll just let you handle it. Do I need to get to safety?"

"You shouldn't," you say after a moment's thought, "I've got time to work and properly take control of the traps."

Making sure that Prince Auraen and his retinue don't get up is a simple matter of activating the third trap, which turns out to be a petrification spell that turns the victims into a statue with the option to let the user choose the pose. With time to take full control of the system, you are able to designate both yourself and Sapphire Squire as immune to the effects.

"Statues huh," mutters Sapphire Squire, "What did the others do?"

"The first was for animal transformation based on what fitted the victim's personality while the second was to make the victims loyal and subservient," you answer, "The fourth one which I've already used just blasted everyone in the room with raw force."

"So that was what it was," says Sapphire Squire, "Speaking of earlier, how did I change back?"

"One of the sorceresses dispelled my magic," you explain, "Since you were transformed and I was wearing you, your transformation got caught up in it and was dispelled alongside the rest of my magic."

"I need to learn how to dispel," says Sapphire Squire, "So exploring now?"

"Yes," you confirm, "It will be short of like our investigation work back home except more mystical and booby-trapped. Don't touch something unless you know what it does."

After getting an acknowledgement from your squire, you lead her to one of the doors at the back of the throne room. You don't exactly know that this leads to the private chambers of your aunt, but it is a good as a guess as any. Thankfully, your guess turns out to be correct as you enter a series of rooms and corridors fit for royalty.

Technically speaking, it is all just one room, but Taenya has turned into a pocket dimension to get more space out of it. As a result, you and Sapphire Squire find yourselves looking through multiple plush and very comfortable rooms as you explore a mixture of personal rooms and trophy rooms.

"How many of these are people?" asks Sapphire Squire as you walk through an armoury through it is clearly for display over function.

"More of them are likely to be transformed than not," you admit, "Criminals for the most part. Humans used material compensation and prisons as punishments, but here you are forced to make proper amends for your wrongdoings. Sort of like forced community service."

"Forced community service with a side of horror," says Sapphire Squire, "Is it always transformations or...?"

"Sometimes you get turned into an object to be used or an animal to work, but you can also just be made a servant," you reply, "You could make amends as a farmhand or a maid or a guard and so on. Sometimes there are physical transformations in those cases, but more often than not, it is just a mental one."

"Hmm, I enjoyed visiting here and I would like to come back every now and again, but I think I am ready to go back to England," says Sapphire Squire, "Somewhere I don't have to worry about ending up as a lawn ornament or in someone's wardrobe. A nice bit of regularity is what I need. Hey, what is through there?"

As you explore the place, you let Sapphire Squire take the lead as you usually do in matters like this. This may be the kingdom that you grew up in rather than one that your squire grew up in, but Sapphire Squire is still better than you in these sorts of matters. Between the two of you, you and Sapphire Squire are able to avoid the traps, security measures and other unwanted magics that Taenya has left in her personal quarters.

The loot is good even if you feel uneasy at how comfortable you are rummaging through someone's home. You got several interesting books from here and there alongside diamond tipped sceptre that fuses two things together, which you found amongst several items created by it. While it has a limited charge that restricts how you can use it, you are sure that you can get some use out of it.

Sapphire Squire is far more successful than you as she metaphorically sniffs out what feels like all of Taenya's secrets. Some of it is minor stuff like a blue satin gown that grows to fit the wearer perfectly that Sapphire Squire takes a moment to put on or the golden brooch that when you twist it, it turns your body into water. She got you to try that out one to confirm it worked as it should, stating that she had enough major transformations for the day.

Other things are more powerful like a silver bracelet with an emerald set in it that enhances the prominent traits of the user, which when she briefly had it on, boosted the mind of your squire alongside increasing her muscles and curves. The other major treasure that Sapphire Squire is a handheld harp of a metal that you don't recognise, engraved with a beautiful leafy design. While it takes some figuring out, the two of you eventually uncover that when played, it does its best to make whatever its musician is thinking into reality with power portion to how good the user is. Neither of you are able to see what it can truly do due to your limited musical skills.

Then Sapphire Squire finds the real prize.

"What is this?" asks Sapphire Squire as you inspect a draw of various jewellery.

"Hmm," you hum as you look up to see what your squire has spotted and then almost freeze when you recognise what she is reaching out to touch, "No! Do not touch that!"

"I definitely want to know what this is," says Sapphire Squire as she jerks back from the crown.

The crown is clear supernatural in nature as it is made of a shiny-rainbow metal that has no mundane counterpart. Set into the intricately detail designs of the crown are six unique gemstones, one large white gem alongside a green gem, a blue gem, a red gem, a yellow gem and a purple gem. One of the greatest mystical artefacts to exist in the Kingdom of the Faeries, you have seen your mother's crown enough times to recognise it by sight.

"That is the crown of my mother, the Queen of the Faeries," you inform your squire in a quiet voice, "I do not know what it is doing here, but nothing good can come from touching it, especially for a human like yourself."

"Got it, don't touch the powerful magical artefact," says Sapphire Squire as she steps back and eyes it warily, "What do we do about it?"

"Find a way to pick up without touching it," you tell her as you look around for a way to do that, "Perhaps wrapping it in sheets."

"I'll grab the curtains," says Sapphire Squire before frowning at the window, "Why does she even have a window here? How does it work?"

"It magically displays a view of a certain location rather than just showing what is on the other side," you tell your squire as she begins to pull down the curtains, "I am personally wondering why it is here rather than with Taenya."

"I am really not the person to ask that," replies Sapphire Squire, "You know what it does?"

"No," you admit as you stare at your mother's crown, "Mother had it as the symbol of her rule and it is a very powerful magical artefact, but I don't know any details about it."

"Maybe Taenya left it here for the same reason we don't want to touch it?" suggests Sapphire Squire as the two of you wrap the crown in the curtains.

"It might be that it is too powerful for even the Usurper to safely use," you muse, "Anyway, this is the most significant thing that we will find and while we can continue exploring, we won't find a bigger prize than this."

***​

It takes some hours for the resistance in the Little Court of Scotland to be broken and it takes Prince Tiarnach himself to lead the attack that final smashes the last defensive lines. You would later find out that perhaps you succeeding in your mission wasn't quite a good thing as your aunt's loyalists proved far more effective when they didn't have to follow the orders of Prince Auraen.

But in the end, the forces of your half-siblings just proved to be too much for the defenders and whilst they took heavily losses and were stalled for far longer than they should have been, the invaders ultimately won as reinforcements from other courts poured.

Which leaves you and Sapphire Squire facing your half-brother King Tiarnach, formerly Prince Tiarnach, as he inspects the crown of your mother. With the mystical crown resting on the golden throne as the three of you stand around it, four of your brother's guards block off the throne room while your half-sisters Princess Maeryn and Princess Moira stands off to the side. Moira would have joined you, but your favourite sister is still being collected up after Taenya turned her into water that got scattered during the fight to bring the usurper down. She'll be fine, but only in a day or two.

"I thank you for recovering this," says King Tiarnach as he looks away from the crown and at you and Sapphire Squire.

Your half-brother is an impressive specimen with a tall lean figure, a main of blonde hair and blue eyes. A stern, but fair leader, you consider him the best candidate for kingship as while you love Moira, she has always been more of a sorceress than a princess.

"We were only doing our duty," you tell him, "It would be terrible for Mother's crown to be lost."

"Indeed it would," agrees King Tiarnach, "But even if it was just duty, you should be rewarded for reclaiming this is beyond mere duty. You may formally consider your exile revoked and any crimes you or your squire have committed against the kingdom to be pardoned. You and the Sapphire Squire will always be welcome amongst these lands and when amongst the Kingdom of the Faeries, you will be considered to be my personal guests."

"That is most generous," you reply, "I am honoured."

"Me too your Majesty," says Sapphire Squire.

"It is only what you deserve for services rendered," says King Tiarnach, "While I will need some time to get the kingdom in order, there will be celebrations to celebrate the downfall of Taenya the Usurper and my own ascension to the throne. I would invite you to the ones I will be personally holding in Elphane as my guests for what you have done for the kingdom."

"We would be delighted to attend," you say.

"Then we shall go to Elphane together, where you may reside until it is time for you to return," declares King Tiarnach, "Princess Moira mentioned that you both intended to return to the human world?"

"We do," you answer him, "I have a life and a duty there. I have my home and family here, but I also those things there."

"And while I like it here, I wouldn't want to live here your Majesty," says Sapphire Squire, "I have my home and family in London though I would like to visit here every now and again."

"Understandable," says King Tiarnach, "Now that the Little Court of Scotland has been reclaimed and the last of the usurper's forces have been routed, we shall head back to Elphane."

There are three days of celerations before Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire return to London. What are the highlights of Tamara's time during them? (Pick 3 options)
[] When she is able to catch some of King Tiarnach's precious time to get to know her half-brother better.
[] When she finds Brenda partying and hanging out amongst the Fair Folk despite her humanity.
[] When she and Moira get to spend some time together to have some sisterly time with each other.
[] When she gets to bond with Maeryn over her half-sister's fledging interest in humanity.
[] Write-in.

Spoiler: Rolls

Searching the private chambers.
Investigation Check, DC20: 18+5 = 23, 1 DoS.

Searching the private chambers. (Sapphire Squire)
Investigation Check, DC20: 20+10 = 35, 4 DoS.

Why is it here?
Expertise: Royalty, DC15: 3+7 = 10, 1 DoF.

***​

Not much action in this update and it will be the last one before Tamara and Brenda return to London. The vote is social one where you choose to see what character interactions Tamara has and which bonds she deepens. If there is any scene or character interaction that you want to see in particular or you want to hang out with a character twice or maybe thrice, feel free to make write-in votes.

You managed to get some loot out of it exploring the Taenya's private chambers whilst avoiding any surprise. I did a hidden loot roll for each degree of success that you and Brenda got. Tamara got a decent roll in finding the Sceptre of Fusion while Brenda did somewhat poorly apart from finding the crown of the old queen.

These items won't things that Tamara and Brenda will add to their arsenals with the narrative reasons being limited charges to the enchantment while the real reason is power points limitations. That said, they do serve purposes. Perhaps they will provide a solution to a problem or maybe they will be the cause of a problem. Tamara might decide to give one of them to a new hero or perhaps she and Brenda might be able to reserve-engineer lesser versions of their enchantments.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

 

[Oshha]

[X] When she finds Brenda partying and hanging out amongst the Fair Folk despite her humanity.
[X] When she gets to bond with Maeryn over her half-sister's fledging interest in humanity.
[X] When she and Moira get to spend some time together to have some sisterly time with each other.
[X] When she is able to catch some of King Tiarnach's precious time to get to know her half-brother better.

One of the first things you do in the three day long festival that King Tiarnach announces is to locate Moira. It has been a couple of days since Taenya was defeated and Moira should be back to normal now. Moira has always been your favourite sibling and now that you had your exile officially rescinded, you are eager to hang out with her without worry of being discovered.

It takes some time, but you finally locate her on a balcony overlooking a hall full of dancers. Wearing a short purple dress in a lithe brunette body, Moira is watching the people dancing below as she sips a bottle of wine. In your Tamara Lyn form, you join your sister.

"You had a good fight," you inquire as you stand next to her.

"Ehh, I got turned into water a few seconds into the fight," replies Moira with a wave of her hand, "We won, but that was on Tiarnach not me. You?"

"It was hard-fought and split across three battles, but we defeated Auraen and his guards," you tell her, "But in hindsight, we might have been better off not winning given that it was only after Auraen stopped giving them orders that the defenders began to hold to the line."

"You got some loot out of it and you managed to find the royal crown," says Moira, "I feel it was worth your-and wait a moment, is that...?"

"My squire, yes," you confirm as you indicate towards the blue silky gown that you are wearing, "After getting forcibly transformed in battle, she decided that she wanted to try being clothing in circumstances of her own choosing to get a proper opinion on the matter. So she has chosen to spend today as my attire and I am happy to oblige her."

"How is she coping with it?" inquires Moira as she studies your dress.

"I don't know," you admit, "I haven't been able to ask her yet. Hmm, would you mind...?"

"I'll ask her," says Moira and she pauses for a moment before speaking up again, "She is enjoying her time, but mostly because it is you wearing her and you are doing interesting things. The transformation itself is average on its own and boring because she can't move or do anything. Would you mind if I wear her for a bit?"

"I am not the one you should be asking," you point out, "But Sapphire Squire is hoping to ask a favour or depending how you look at it, a couple of favours. If you are willingly to do grant those, she will certainly be willingly to indulge you."

"She is," confirms Moira before swapping your outfits with a snap of her fingers, "So, who I am healing."

"Eira Brown and her son James Brown," you tell Moira as you glance at the purple dress you are now wearing, "Okay, we are in a couple of different body types, how is our clothing fitting each other?"

"Magic," answers Moira says with a player wiggle of her fingers at you and you let out a snort of laughter, "In more detail, I'm enchanting my body to make any clothing fit it and I extended that effect a bit when I swapped our dresses over. It should have worn off by now, but for the swap, our dress will have adjusted to each other's forms."

"That sounds like you," you say, "How is my squire?"

"She means no offence to you, but she is pleased at being worn by someone who is about to talk with her," replies Moira, "She also says that it is weird thing that shouldn't come up, but that is her life now."

"And that sounds like her," you say with a smile, "Speaking our lives now, what are you planning to do now that this is all over?"

"Get my court in order whilst I let Tiarnach sort out the rest of the kingdom," says Moira, "He is going to take over Elphane and give Ireland, Wales and Scotland to three of his kids. He was going to offer one to you, but you aren't interested apparently."

"I am a knight not a ruler," you explain to her, "A court of my own isn't something I desire now that I've got my life in London."

"And about that life in London," says Moira as she shifts into a tall, curvy blonde body she wore in London, "I am going to be joining you as your half-sister Moira Lyn. It can be something that I can do whilst Tiarnach is sorting out the kingdom. Anything you want to suggest?"

"Just try not to stand out too much and be respectful for people," you tell her, "I don't want to draw attention to my secret identity and it would cause conflict between us if you go around treating humans like fey."

"I am going to be rich and influential," states Moira, "Is that going to be a problem for you?"

"No, it shouldn't and could be useful," you answer, "Just bear in mind that humans have some odd ideas about gender. Some of your fellow rich and influential people might consider you being a woman to be of greater importance than your wealth and power. Even some who are poorer and weaker than you may consider themselves being men as proof of their superiority over you."

"Bah, I can deal with that," says Moira dismissively, "Just another factor in the game of politics to make things more interesting for me. Is that all?"

"Consent is important," you warn her, "At least it is amongst moral humans like my squire. You saw what she was like about you respecting her consent. I'll acknowledge that not all humans care about that, but most of those humans are my enemies and if you act like that, you join them as my foe."

"Consent is important," agrees Moira, "A little annoying, but nothing I can't work around. Anyway, want to dance?"

"Down there?" you inquire as you peer down at the hall full of dancers.

"I'll let of course," says Moira, "I bet you haven't improved your skill at dancing yet."

"I am passable at dancing," you retort.

"Any fairy is passable at dancing," counters your sister, "I am going to be leading."

"Which means you are going to enchant me to follow your lead in the dance," you note.

"You wouldn't be able to keep up with me if I didn't," says Moira, "But if you got a problem with that, I can just temporary give you a suitable level of dancing skill."

"I'm fine with either," you tell her, "Alternate between dances?"

"Sounds good," agrees Moira.

***​

Princess Maeryn of the Little Court of Cornwall rules over the weakest of the courts that makes up the Kingdom of the Faeries. She is also one of your many half-siblings, but not one that you have had much contact with. Yet that is changing as Maeryn is apparently interested in you and humanity and is interested enough to seek you out on the second day of the celebrations.

"Tamara!" calls Maeryn as she approaches you.

If it wasn't for the fact she was your sister, Maeryn would definitely be attractive by your standards. Tall and lush with a nice shade of dark skin with golden eyes and locks of wavy black hair, she is the sort of beauty that the humans would frown upon. Or maybe not. You never quite understand how the humans act in regards to skin colour and you can't say that looking down upon someone for the colour of their skin makes any sense to you. The

"Greetings Maeryn," you reply, trying to remember what you know of her.

Maeryn isn't a bad ruler, but she is about as good as Moira, which is to say that she is more focused on other stuff than managing her court. Compassionate, bold and outgoing, Maeryn focuses on social events just as Moira focuses on magic. You have nothing against her, but at the same time, you don't have much of a connection with her.

"If you aren't too busy, I would like to talk to you about the humans," says your sister, "They sound so interesting from what Moira has been telling me and I would like to get some more detailed information from you."

"Oh, what sort of information?" you inquire, unsure of just what Moira has been telling Maeryn.

"About how they got this technological magic that approaches what true magic is capable of," replies Maeryn, "About how they got large impressive kingdoms and cities with millions of people in them. How they have games of politics and economics with such limiting factors for such silly reasons."

"You are planning on coming back with Moira aren't you?" you note, realising that if Moira finds humanity to be interesting enough to get involved in them, Maeryn certainly is going to be interested as well.

"Maeve Lyn has a nice ring to it," says Maeryn in way of an answer, "How could I pass up the chance to enter a new social area of politics? Oh, don't make that face. I've already spoke to Moira about all those rules you given her and while she might complain about them, I just like the extra challenge."

"That is fair enough," you tell her, "Anything in particular you would like to know about?"

"Your housemates," says Maeryn, "You live with a pair of humans and I would love to know what that is like, but Moira couldn't tell me much about them. Well, she mentioned that one was disrespectful so she made her show some proper respect, but nothing beyond that."

"Lydia and Ellen are friends of mine," you reply, "Not as close as we could have been, but I enjoy their company enough to continue living with them even when I don't need to. I spend more time with Lydia than Ellen as Ellen doesn't often join Lydia and I when we got out for drinks."

"You go out for drinks with a human," states Maeryn in a fascinated tone, "Do you bed her?"

"No," you answer with a hint of amusement, "The majority of humans only find the other gender to be attractive and they find bedding your own gender to be disgusting enough to outlaw it."

"Why in the Courts would they do that?" demands Maeryn, sounding shocked

"I don't know," you tell her truthfully, "It makes no sense to me either and honestly, I may live amongst the humans, but half of their stuff makes no sense to me and a fair bit of it is just downright stupid. Speaking of which, Maeve Lyn is going to have to look like Moira Lyn if you are going fit in."

"I know how non-shapeshifters work," says Maeryn with a roll of her eyes, "So humans, how many are you friends with?"

"My squire is the one I am closest to," you reply, "I would call her my daughter if she didn't already have a loving family. You already know of my housemates and Inspector Brown is one of my closest allies in my work as a knight. A local lawman, we cannot openly associate with each other, but we have worked closely enough for enough time that we have formed a friendship. Amar is my co-worker and we have a good professional relationship. Gareth Wallis is my employer in my secret identity and secretly uses the resources of his house to back my work as a vigilante. Beyond that, I have varying acquaintances across the neighbourhoods I protect, but that is more keeping in touch with those that I am protecting than proper friendships."

"I want to meet your roommates," declares Maeryn, "Your squire as well, but I will seek her out once we are done talking. This Inspector Brown and your employer Gareth Wallis are both people I would like to meet. Are any of them taken?"

"Lydia and Ellen are women who would not lay with another woman," you answer, "Inspector Brown has a family while Gareth Wallis is an elderly man who has lost all of his children and grandchildren. I can say that he isn't interested in a relationship, but I would be surprised if he was. If you are looking for humans to romance, you would be better off finding someone outside of my social cycle."

"Hmm, do any of them know how to have a good time?" inquires Maeryn.

"Lydia enjoys going out drinking and getting drunk," you reply with a shrug, "That is about it. Most of my activities in the human world are not social related or at least not the fun kind. I go out for drinking with Lydia and sometimes Ellen, I keep in touch with the people I safeguard and I spend plenty of time with my squire."

"You are such an interesting person Tamara," says Maeryn, "As your elder sibling, it is my sisterly duty to show you how to have a good time. Now let's talk about cars. Have you ever driven one?"

***​

"Thank you for speaking with me Your Majesty," you tell your half-brother, "I know you must be busy."

"Not that much busier than I normally am," replies King Tiarnach, "Elphane may be a Great Court and Ireland may be a Little Court, but they are both Courts. My new workload is something I am used and I must confess that I am eager to hear what you have to speak to me about."

"Nothing in particular Your Majesty," you say, "I just wished to get to know the new King of the Faeries better."

"Understandable," says King Tiarnach, "I would to request that you answer a question of my honestly and truthfully. Do you think I will be a good ruler?"

That gives you pause. On the one hand, a bad answer could cause problems for you if give a ruler an answer they don't like. On the other hand, your half-brother is asking you for an honest answer and the truth isn't unpleasant.

"I believe that you will be," you answer truthfully, "You have ruled over the Little Court of Ireland well and I certain believe that you will be a better ruler than Aunt Taenya or even Mother."

"Mother wasn't a good ruler, was she?" states King Tiarnach solemnly.

"She was good in terms of keeping her power, but in terms of looking after her subjects, no, she was not," you agree with him.

"I wish I could persuade you to take rulership over one of the Little Courts," says King Tiarnach, "I could use more people like you. Our people need more individuals like you."

"My place is in London as a knight not in one of the Little Courts as a Princess," you say, "But I am curious about what you are thinking."

"Mother turned our people into tricksters and prankster," replies King Tiarnach, "I seek to changed that under my rule, to turn us into something more, to make us into something better. I could use your aid in that, but I understand you have found your own path elsewhere."

"London needs me," you tell him, "Not as much as it once did, but I am first its foremost protector against a sea of internal evils. Sapphire Squire could take over from me, but she is still my squire and not my fellow knight."

"Hmm, speaking of your squire, I am planning to give her the title of princess," says your half-brother, "She will be considered your honorary daughter and part of the royal family. Will there be any problems with that?"

"No, there will not."

***​

"A mermaid again?" you say as you spot your squire relaxing in a hot spring with her legs replaced by a scaly blue tail.

"I enjoy it," replies Brenda with a grin, "What to join me?"

"Yes, but with legs instead of a tail," you answer as you slip into the hot spring, which is large enough to comfortably fit three people, "Enjoying yourself?"

"I am," answers Brenda before slashing you with her tail, "This is nice. It is going to be hard going back to regular old London after all this."

"You know, you don't have to go back," you tell her, feeling obligated to the point of the option even if you don't want her to take it, "You could stay here. You earnt the right to."

"Nah, I got my life back in London," says Brenda, "I've got my family, my home and all my friends there. Plus I am the Sapphire Squire and I am needed to protect the people of London."

"Speaking of back home, who knows about you?" you ask, deciding to broach the topic of her secret identity.

"Just you, me and Moira," answers Brenda, "You recognised me and I told Moira when I asked her to heal my family. She agreed by the way."

"What was her price?" you inquire, hoping that your sister didn't ask a steep price.

"Nothing much, just to let her wear me for the rest of the day and then to spend a few hours one day letting her dress me up," replies Brenda, "The more onerous part is already done and we already agreed that I can spend a Saturday doing the rest of it."

"That sounds rather generous for Moira," you note, "She must feel like she owes you for something else."

"You know her better than I do," says Brenda with a shrug, "Anyway, I still want to keep my identity secret. The less people that know the better and that means Dad can't know."

"Do you think he could stop you?" you ask her.

"I don't think he could anymore," admits Brenda, "He might try, but I learnt how to take care of myself now. It wouldn't be easy and I would like it, but I could do it. But I don't want to give up my current life and I don't want to drive a wedge between you and Dad if he doesn't want me to be your squire."

"I will keep your secret," you promise her, "How have you been enjoying the celebrations?"

"They've been fun," answers Brenda, "I've been treated with respect as people don't know how to deal with me. I'm a human and I am your squire and now I am the princess who reclaimed the royal crown. Those three things are enough that nobody outside of Moira wants to risk messing with me. So far I've been chatting with various people. A few older folk, but mostly those my own age or at least as much as you get to that here. Just interacting with them has made me realise that they aren't human."

"You only just realised that?" you inquire.

"I knew intellectually, but I only just realised that these people think differently to me on another level," explains Brenda, "You can be a bit odd, but you're pretty human in the head and while Moira is, well, she is herself, but that is just one individual. I didn't properly realise that everyone thought like she did even I knew that intellectually."

"You haven't been having any problems due to that?" you ask.

"As I said, everyone is treating me respectfully," answer Brenda, "I've been doing some answer and telling some stories of the 'human world' as they call it. It has just been kind of hard to socialise with anyone when I can't really befriend them. I would be doing fine if it was all humans, but I'm not sure how to deal with a bunch of faeries yet. I'm pretty sure how to deal with one or two, but a whole group? I'm still figuring that out."

"That is fair," you say, "It took me some time to adjust to how human society operated and unlike you, I had the advantages of shapeshifting and lacking a singular identity that I needed to stick to."

"I have enjoyed the dancing," says Brenda, "I wasn't good at first, but I've gotten the hang of it now. At least I have gained passable dancing skills. I danced with a fair few different partners and it was fun. Exhausting, but fun. And I've got to speak magic with some people and you are right about there being people who vastly outstrip us at magic. I know Moira was way better than me, but that was just her. To meet several people like that..."

"Magic is both wonderous and terrifying," you tell her, "Embrace the former aspect of it, but never forget what else it can be."

"A lot of things are like that," notes Brenda, "Science, the wild, the world at large. So many wonders mixed in the terrors. I look forward to exploring them."

"And I look forward to exploring them with you," you say, "Do you feel up to dancing with me in a bit?"

"I would love Tamara," replies Brenda, "I can't wait to show you my new moves."

"We can do it once you get your legs back Brenda," you say and your squire blinks at you calling her by her name.

"You calling me that is going to take some getting used to," says Sapphire Squire, "Alright, give me another ten minutes than you can go and find Moira to give me my legs back."

***​

"And here we are back in London," says Moira as she steps through the portal she has created, "I've made some changes while we were away."

"What changes?" you ask her as you follow your sister through the portal.

"And how long we have been away?" asks Brenda as she returns to London behind you.

"We've been away for about ten minutes to a day so between an hour and a half to two hours," answers Moira, "As for the changes, there is probably a lot, but I don't know the full extent of them. I just added in the human identities for me, Tamara and Maeryn to use and let reality sort out the changes. Speak of that, I'm going to sleep for a day or two. That used up more power than I was expected even with Maeryn's help. You two can handle yourselves?"

"Of course, we are back in London," you tell her, "Neither I nor my squire require help navigating the city."

"Great," says Moira with a wave of her hand as she walks off, "I will get around to taking a look at Brenda's family when I am rested again. Toodles!"

"Speaking of my family, I feel like checking up on them," says Brenda as Moira exits the room, "It might have been a few hours for them, but it has been over a week since I saw them."

"Same," you tell her, "I am sure that she has been fine, but I am quite eager to see Alex again."

"Who?" asks Brenda as she gives you a startled look.

"My daughter Alexandra," you answer, raising an eyebrow at your squire, "You met her before....oh."

As a test after last time, please use plan voting for this vote.

Pick up to 1 Power Upgrade for Fairy Knight. (You may pick up an unlimited amount of additional options at the cost of 4 Hero Points for each additional option.)

Spoiler

[] [Power] Improve your Shapeshifting.
-[] [Power] Channel your innate magic to let you stretch and elongate your body, extending your reach. Gain Elongation 2.
-[] [Power] Channel your innate magic to let you grow a pair of additional limbs when necessary. Gain Extra Limbs 2 (Sustained).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to expand what you are able to shapeshift into. Gain 2 Alternative Effects, Morph 3 (Monsters) and Morph 3 (Household Items)
[] [Power] Channel your innate magic to create a pair of fairy wings to fly with. Gain Flight 1.

[] [Power] Improve your Faerie Heritage.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to hone your flexibility and grace. Gain Agility.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to hone your precision and coordination. Gain Dexterity.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to hone your senses and instincts. Gain Awareness.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to hone your aura and force of personality. Gain Presence.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to hone your mind and reasoning. Gain Intellect.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to improve your resistance to diseases and poisons. Gain Immunity 1 (Disease) and Immunity 1 (Poison) and Fortitude.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to improve your speed and running ability. Gain Speed 2.
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to improve how quickly your body can accomplish tasks. Gain Quickness 4 (Limited to Physical Tasks).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to improve how quickly your mind can accomplish tasks. Gain Quickness 4 (Limited to Mental Tasks).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to develop the ability to speak to animals. Gain Comprehend 1 (Speak to Animals).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to develop the ability to understand animals. Gain Comprehend 1 (Understand Animals).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to develop the ability to speak any one language. Gain Comprehend 1 (Speak any one language).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to develop the ability to understand any language. Gain Comprehend 1 (Understand Language).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to sharpen your hearing. Gain Senses 2 (Accurate Hearing).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to let your see in the dark. Gain Senses 2 (Darkvision).
-[] [Power] Use your innate magic to improve your eyes and ears. Gain Senses 2 (Extended Vision, Extended Hearing).
-[] [Power] Focus on using your magic to conceal your noises. Gain Concealment 1 (Normal Hearing).
-[] [Power] Focus on using your magic to conceal your smells. Gain Concealment 1 (Normal Smelling and Tasting).
-[] [Power] Focus on using your magic to render yourself harder to see. Gain Partial Concealment 1 (Normal Vision).

[] [Power] Upgrade the power of Talatine.
-[] [Power] Make it easier to disarm and remove the weapons of your foes. Gain Binding and Disarming for Talatine.
-[] [Power] Make it easier to break and cripple the weapons of your foes. Gain Breaking and Smashing for Talatine.
-[] [Power] Empower Talatine so those stuck by its blade have their fighting ability hindered. Gain Weaken Fighting 2.
-[] [Power] Learn how to use Talatine as a throwing weapon against your enemies. Gain throwing Talatine as an Alternative Effect.
[] [Power] Upgrade the might of Torlyn.
-[] [Power] Use your magic to improve its protectiveness. Gain Impervious Protection 1.
-[] [Power] Make it so that Torlyn extends its unyielding nature to the body it protects. Gain Impervious Toughness 2.
-[] [Power] Strengthen Torlyn so that it can resist even the most accurate hits. Gain Immunity 2 (Critical Hits).
-[] [Power] Empower Torlyn to shrug off any attack without any weapons behind it. Gain Partial Immunity 5 (Unarmed damage).
[] [Power] Focus on honing your body and mind.
-[] [Power] Focus fully on honing your mind. Gain Fortitude 2.
-[] [Power] Give your mind and body an equal amount of attention. Gain Fortitude and Will.
-[] [Power] Focus fully on honing your mind. Gain Will 2.

[] [Power] Improve your magical skillset.
-[] [Power] Focus on developing your repertoire of minor spells with new spells. Gain additional 2 Alternative Effects for Minor Spells.
-[] [Power] Focus on improving your healing spell. Gain Healing 2.
-[] [Power] Focus on expanding your arsenal of more powerful spells. (Pick two sub-options as alternative effects)
--[] [Power] Focus on developing a fire-based ranged attack. Gain Ranged Magic/Fire Damage 1.
--[] [Power] Focus on developing a lightning-based ranged attack. Gain Ranged Magic/Electricity Damage 1.
--[] [Power] Focus on developing an ice-based ranged attack. Gain Ranged Magic/Cold Damage 1.
--[] [Power] Focus on developing a teleportation spell. Gain Teleport 1.

Pick up to 1 Power Upgrade for Fairy Knight to help Sapphire Squire with. (You may pick up an unlimited amount of additional options at the cost of 4 Hero Points for each additional option.)

Spoiler

[] [Sapphire] Improve her physical body.
-[] [Sapphire] Help Sapphire Squire set up a routine to improve her strength and muscles. Sapphire Squire gains Strength.
-[] [Sapphire] Assist Sapphire Squire in practicing her precision and coordination. Sapphire Squire gains Dexterity.
-[] [Sapphire] Channel your magic into Sapphire Squire to hone her mind and reasoning. Sapphire Squire gains Intellect.
-[] [Sapphire] Help your squire train her senses and instincts to she may better detect danger and oddities. Sapphire Squire gains Awareness.
-[] [Sapphire] Help Sapphire Squire practice her social ability and force of personality. Sapphire Squire gains Presence.
-[] [Sapphire] Use your healing magic to help Sapphire Squire boost her immune system so she succeeds rather than harming herself. Sapphire Squire gains Immunity 1 (Disease) and Immunity 1 (Poison).
-[] [Sapphire] Channel your innate magic to give your squire a boost when she is improving her running ability. Sapphire Squire gains Speed 2.

[] [Sapphire] Give your squire a magical ability.
-[] [Sapphire] Grant her some of your shapeshifting by giving her a copy of your ethereal beauty via ritual. Sapphire Squire gains a copy of Ethereal Beauty.
-[] [Sapphire] Help Sapphire Squire further empower her wings to increase her flight speed. Sapphire Squire gains Flight 2.
-[] [Sapphire] Use your innate magic to do a ritual that gets rid of her need for air. Sapphire Squire gains Immunity 2 (Suffocation Effects).

[] [Sapphire] Empower your squire's Mystic Wardrobe.
-[] [Sapphire] Improve the quality of the protection that it provides. Sapphire Squire gains Impervious Toughness 2.
-[] [Sapphire] Make the clothing of the wardrobe quieter and allow for silent movement. Sapphire Squire gains Concealment 1 (Normal Hearing).
-[] [Sapphire] Make the clothing of the wardrobe blend into the background. Sapphire Squire gains Concealment 1 (Normal Vision).

Pick up to 1 Power Upgrade for Fairy Knight to help Onyx Squire with. (You may pick up an unlimited amount of additional options at the cost of 4 Hero Points for each additional option.)

Spoiler

[] [Onyx] Improve his physical body.
-[] [Onyx] Assist Onyx Squire in practicing his precision and coordination. Onyx Squire gains Dexterity.
-[] [Onyx] Channel your magic into Onyx Squire to hone his intelligence beyond its natural limits. Onyx Squire gains Intellect.
-[] [Onyx] Help your squire train his senses and instincts to he can notice things that are out of place or dangerous. Onyx Squire gains Awareness.
-[] [Onyx] Help Onyx Squire practice his social skills and projecting his personality. Onyx Squire gains Presence.
-[] [Onyx] Use your healing magic to help Onyx Squire boost his immune system so he can resist diseases and poisons. Onyx Squire gains Immunity 1 (Disease) and Immunity 1 (Poison).
-[] [Onyx] Channel your innate magic to improve your squire's already impressive running ability. Onyx Squire gains Speed 2.

[] [Onyx] Give your squire a magical ability.
-[] [Onyx] Give Onyx Squire a set of fairy wings like you have given Sapphire Squire. Onyx Squire gains Flight 1.
-[] [Onyx] Use your innate magic to do a ritual that gets rid of his need to eat, drink and sleep. Onyx Squire gains Immunity 2 (Starvation & Thirst, Need for Sleep).
-[] [Onyx] Use your innate magic to do a ritual that gets rid of his need for air. Onyx Squire gains Immunity 2 (Suffocation Effects).
-[] [Onyx] Use a ritual to reduce the noise that Onyx Squire makes. Onyx Squire gains Concealment 1 (Normal Hearing).
-[] [Onyx] Use a ritual to make Onyx Squire harder to spot. Onyx Squire gains Partial Concealment 1 (Normal Vision).
-[] [Onyx] Perform a ritual that empowers Onyx Squire's punches with lightning. Onyx Squire gains Affliction 2 (Resisted & Overcome by Fortitude, Dazed/Stunned/Incapacitated, Linked to Unarmed Attacks).
-[] [Onyx] Perform a ritual so that Onyx Squire's punches hinder the fighting ability of those he hits. Onyx Squire gains Weaken Fighting 2 (Linked to Unarmed Attacks).

Pick two areas for Tamara to improve in. (Each option may be chosen multiple times. You may pick up four additional options at the cost of 2 Hero Points for each additional option.)

Spoiler

[] [Skill] Study magic and the mystic arts alongside your squires. Increase Expertise: Magic Skill.
[] [Skill] Have your squire teach you about modern technology. Increase Technology skill.
[] [Skill] Help your squires learn more about the Fair Folk. Increase Expertise: Faeries skill.
[] [Skill] Train and exercise your body alongside your squires. Increase Athletics and Acrobatics skills.
[] [Skill] Learn how to properly investigate matters from Inspector Brown. Increase Investigation skill.
[] [Skill] Have Inspector Brown give you a crash course in how law enforcement works. Increase Expertise: Police Officer and Investigation skills.
[] [Skill] Improve your ability to trick and deceive others. Increase Deception skill.
[] [Skill] Improve your ability to scare and terrorise others. Increase Intimidation skill.
[] [Skill] Improve your ability to socialise and convince others. Increase Persuasion skill.
[] [Skill] Learn how to drive from Inspector Brown. Increase Vehicles skill.
[] [Skill] Teach your squires about unarmed combat and swordplay. Teach Sapphire Squire how to fight like a knight.
[] [Skill] Learn about stealth and trickery from your squires. Increase Deception and Stealth skills.
[] [Skill] Teach Sapphire Squire how to fight with more force. Sapphire Squire gains Power Attack advantage.
[] [Skill] Teach your squires how to attack with more precision. Sapphire Squire and Onyx Squire gain Accurate Attack.
[] [Skill] Have Gareth Wallis teach you about modern politics. Increase Expertise: Politics and Expertise: Current Events skills.
[] [Skill] Have Sapphire Squire teach you got to accurately throw items at a target. Increase Ranged Combat: Throwing skill.

Pick two activities for Tamara to get up to. (You may pick up two additional options at the cost of 1 Hero Point for each additional option)

Spoiler

[] [Life] Investigate the Consortium and their remaining lackeys. Find out more information about the Consortium.
[] [Life] Investigate the Golden Knight and his Golden Order. Find out more information about the Golden Order and its leader.
[] [Life] Investigate the Regal Ravens and the other gangs loyal to the Consortium. Find out more information about the Regal Ravens and other gangs that remain loyal to the Consortium.
[] [Life] Investigate the lesser street gangs of London. Learn more about what the weaker street gangs are up to.
[] [Life] Investigate what Redcoat is up to. Find out what Redcoat is up to and why he isn't in prison.
[] [Life] Investigate what the Templar is up to. Find out what the Templar has been up and is currently up to.
[] [Life] Learn about the other prominent vigilantes in the kingdom. Find out more information about the rest of Britain's vigilantes.
[] [Life] Attempt to meet up with Galahad and/or Sentinel. Attempt to strengthen ties with Galahad and/or Sentinel.
[] [Life] Learn about other influential villains and criminal organisations in the kingdom. Find out more information about other villain and villainous groups in the British Isles.
[] [Life] Gather rumours regarding the supernatural and extraordinary in the kingdom. Find out information on any known extraordinary events in the British Isles.
[] [Life] Properly look through the Night's notes to see what useful information remains even the majority of them are definitely outdated by now. Investigate the Night's notes thoroughly and properly.
[] [Life] Ellen wants to turn you into a symbol of feminism and you have to admit that it sounds intriguing. See what this feminism business is all about.
[] [Life] Write-in (Subject to QM Approval).

After adding Hero Points from past events, you have 31 available Hero Points.

***​

I wasn't going to end it on a cliff hanger like that, but I didn't feel like writing more since this update was long enough in my opinion. The next update will cover the (accidental) changes that Moira has made. As you might have noticed, I put both of the tied options in as picking one or the other was mostly arbitrary. Don't expect this to happen in the future, especially when there are magical implications.

I have also given you the Hero Points from the past events in the quest and given you the option to spend them in the update. The next adventure will be more of an action based one with some potential intrigue as one of Fairy Knight's enemies makes a move against her.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.