Heimurn Chronicles (No, SV, you're a young valkyrie in the middle of a bizarre and dangerous journey)

Teloch · Aug 16, 2017

your team of lunatics so far

Lucifina (aka you, aka Lu, aka Lucy, aka Sparkling, aka Gosling)

Race: the new nameless humanoid species
Gender: Female
Age: biological - around 21 in human years; actual(?) - almost half a year (?).
Background: protege of a natural science scholar, unknown origins
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):
"Follow the white cat" - you have a moody guiding spirit at your side who can boost your spirit aspect advancement should you get on its better side (+1 spirit arcane charge point after passing hard charisma attribute check (18)), expect its occasional interference.

"No one is an island" - you get 1 + n bonus to all social influence skills and CHA rolls when applied to teammates, where n is the number of steps of the target's affection tier beyond neutral (applies to both positive and negative affection dimensions). Additionally, get +3 to the mentioned bonuses if Amalia is around and can provide quick advice. Passive effect: unearth more insights on followers.

"It's in my blood" - you get a permanent +1 bonus to Intelligence and +1 to arcane skill. Actions that train arcane aspects have a 1/6 chance to double the yields unless the base earning equals or exceeds one full level. You are more prone to magic-related actions and thoughts. You might find it harder to resist the allure of magic in some situations.

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	9		9	4
Constitution	16		16	11
Mobility	10	(+2 cond.)	10 (12 cond.)	5 (7 cond.)
Perception	11		11	6
Coordination	14		14	9
Micromotorics	13		13	8
Intellect	18(+1/3)		18	13
Wisdom	17		17	12
Charisma	20		20	15
Luck	4		4	4
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Dice bonus
Melee combat	1	4		5
Ranged combat	2			2
Arcane skill	7	7	(+1 cnd.day)	14 (15 cnd.day)
Defense	3	4	1 (+2 cnd.w.)	8 (10 cnd.w.)
Objects usage	2			2
Mounted combat	3			3
Willpower	7	1		8
Balance	2		(+2 cnd.w.)	2 (4 cnd.w.)
Sneaking	3			3
Reconnaissance	5	1		6
Persuasion	10	2		12
Intimidation	6			6
Haggle	7			7
Performance	8			8
Seduction	8			8
Geography lore	7	2		9
Nature lore	7	1		8
Arcane lore	7	5		12
Social and cultural lore	9	2		11
Craft lore	7	2		9
Lingual lore	9			9
Daily craft	6	2		8
Pharma and treatment	7	3		10
Weaponsmithing	4			4
Armorsmithing	6			6
Tailoring	7	2		9
Art	7			7
Artificery	6	1		7
Burglary	5			5
Huntsmanship	4			4
Alchemy	7			7
Sorcery	7			7

Flight and wing-related traits

Wings skill level	13
Flight mastery level	advanced
Normal speed	above average, can forcefully accelerate to considerably fast
Maximum range	considerably far, anywhere up to twenty-eight kilometers.
Maximum height	considerably high (up to 250 meters)
Maximum extra lifting weight	low (10 kg)
Balance	above average, withstands weather and can try to regain without landing
Launching surfaces	solid grounds
Air feats	diving, gliding, hovering, thrusting, basic aerial spellcasting
Land feats	dodge extra propulsion, posing, enhanced balance, enhanced surface acceleration, shielding with wings

#1) Thaumaturgy level 7 (6/7 to level 8):

You can sense the activity of the entropic aspects within ~1000 meters radius, and unusual concentration/malfunction of other aspects within ~200 meters radius.
You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to constitution
You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to wisdom
You regain mental strengths a little bit faster during the daytime.
Using thaumaturgy during the daytime requires less mental and physical effort.,
You can allegedly see prophetic dreams
You can temporarily nullify magic in ~30 meters radius or in a 45 meters-long 30' cone a few times a day, or emit an anti-magic field up to ~15 meters radius a few times a day.
you can temporarily amplify the aspects power around you once a day
you can temporarily amplify or suppress the aspects power of a target up to two times a day
You can try to scan surrounding areas for traces of planar breaching with very high odds to succeed and sense the short residue of extraplanar entities.
You can conjure light on the basic level (sparks, flashes, rays)
You can shape light on the basic level (flash explosions, molding into orbs, luminal barriers, luminal domes, wedges of solidified light, sparks strike)
You passively gain +1 to arcane skill when exposed to the sun but also get -1 to arcane skill at night AND in dark places.

#2) Spirit level 7:

You are able of an advanced Nether-realm vision
You can assess the memory traces of objects and entities via nether-realm vision and tactile contact
You can sense soul sparks in ~75 meters radius
You can sense the sparks of the living, undead, minor spiritual beings, bound spirits, phantasms, genius loci, and some other spirits
You can sense concentrations of the Limbus energies, the thickness of the barrier, and traces of spirits from the material plane
You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to perception
You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to wisdom
You can scan the target's soul characteristics and receive advanced-depth results
You can try to smite a spirit
You can try to disperse a spirit
You can try to temporarily bind or scare off a singular lesser spiritual being
You can communicate with discovered spiritual beings

#3) ~Open affinity slot~

Your journal, a comfortable set of clothes, a plain dress, a custom-made set of lightened composite armor, an arming sword ("Holly"), a high-quality rondel ("Mercy"), a decorative blue ribbon, a silver necktie with a bounded spirit, superb leather harness.

Capable of crudely repairing clothes, making basic tailoring items like belts and patches, and producing low-effort/cost items like stuffed toys. Capable of applying first aid to prevent bleeding. Knows how to make and disinfect bandageware.

Ulren Kyres (aka Ren, aka Mountain boy)

Race: Bhiroth
Gender: Male
Age: 68
Background: mercenary, former soldier, outcast
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):
"Not on my watch, not again" - shields Lucy from considerable harm in combat situations at own expense.

"I promise you that" - when in the same group as Lucifina, will make the second set of saving rolls to avoid critical health conditions.

"Odd kind of friendship" - when Ulren and Sephorah are fighting crowd-controllable enemies (not giants, flying creatures, etc.) in the same team, the one who makes the lowest total offensive or defensive score out of two can reroll that offensive or defensive roll set (only the highest score counts).

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	21	+1	22	17
Constitution	21	+1	22	17
Mobility	14	-1	13	8
Perception	12		12	7
Coordination	15		15	10
Micromotorics	13		13	8
Intellect	14		14	9
Wisdom	18		18	13
Charisma	9		9	4
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	9	9		18
Ranged combat	5	5		10
Arcane skill	6			6
Defense	10	10		20
Objects usage	6	3		9
Mounted combat	8			8
Willpower	6		-3	3
Balance	7			7
Sneaking	4		-5	-1
Reconnaissance	5	4		9
Persuasion	4			4
Intimidation	9			9
Haggle	3			3
Performance	3			3
Seduction	5			5
Geography lore	6	5		11
Nature lore	6	3		9
Arcane lore	6			6
Social and cultural lore	5			5
Craft lore	6	6		12
Lingual lore	5			5
Daily craft	6	4		10
Pharma and treatment	5	2		7
Weaponsmithing	6	6		12
Armorsmithing	6	6		12
Tailoring	3			3
Art	4			4
Artificery	5	7		12
Burglary	4			4
Huntsmanship	5	2		7
Alchemy	6			6
Sorcery	6			6

Unknown, but he demonstrated feats of great balance, stability, and hardiness. Perhaps, he might have an undiscovered arcane aspect bound.

A very worn half-plate armor set, worn set of clothes, a glaive, mechanical mace with spare heads, heater shield, hand crossbow, one quiver of bolts, enchanted amulet (+1 STR +1 CON - MOB)

Semi-proficient in the daily craft. Adept in smithing (martial-level weapons and armor). Proficient in artificiery (lesser contraptions). Expert in picking/maintaining war gear, and capable of minor mechanical upgrades of such. Knows the basics of hunting and skinning.

Sephorah of house Terphor (aka Seph, aka Sephie, aka Princess)

Race: Daeva
Gender: Female
Age: Adult
Background: Rosaline's agent, former slave, voluntary expatriate.
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):

"Odd kind of friendship" - when Ulren and Sephorah are fighting crowd-controllable enemies (not giants, flying creatures, etc.) in the same team, the one who makes the lowest total offensive or defensive score out of two can reroll that offensive or defensive roll set (only the highest score counts).

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	15		15	10
Constitution	15		15	10
Mobility	16		16	11
Perception	14		14	9
Coordination	18		18	13
Micromotorics	12		12	7
Intellect	14		14	9
Wisdom	12		12	7
Charisma	18		18	13
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	7	6	1	14
Ranged combat	4			4
Arcane skill	4			4
Defense	6	5	2	13
Objects usage	4	5		9
Mounted combat	7			7
Willpower	4			4
Balance	8	8		16
Sneaking	7	8		15
Reconnaissance	4	4		8
Persuasion	6	5		11
Intimidation	7			7
Haggle	6	2		8
Performance	6	7		13
Seduction	8	7		15
Geography lore	4			4
Nature lore	4			4
Arcane lore	4			4
Social and cultural lore	5	6		11
Craft lore	3			3
Lingual lore	5			5
Daily craft	3	2		5
Pharma and treatment	4			4
Weaponsmithing	4			4
Armorsmithing	4			4
Tailoring	5			5
Art	5			5
Artificery	3			3
Burglary	4	6		10
Huntsmanship	6			6
Alchemy	4			4
Sorcery	4			4

Unknown if any. No signs of her having seeds of arcane aspects bound so far.

A set of clothes and undergarments, a superb set of compositive medium armor (manticore materials), a superb leather harness for bags and tools, a qualitative longsword "Ember", a parrying dagger, a quiver of tossing knives, a kit with burglar's tools.

You suspect she's incapable of legal manual labor aside from the bare basics of daily routines.

Karl Norskov (aka Mage, aka 'that' mage)

Race: Human (unknown heritage)
Gender: Male
Age: appears to be in the late thirties to early forties
Background: elementalist mage, major arcane enthusiast, disowned son of a noble family.
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):

"Old habits die hard" - when making an offensive arcane skill roll in combat and getting less or equal to four, reroll it (only the highest score counts). This perk also applies to combat rounds where Karl makes an arcane skill roll only for the defensive score.

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	11		11	6
Constitution	11		11	6
Mobility	11		11	6
Perception	13		13	8
Coordination	10		10	5
Micromotorics	16		16	11
Intellect	20		20	15
Wisdom	16		16	11
Charisma	14		14	9
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	1			1
Ranged combat	4			4
Arcane skill	8	9		17
Defense	1	2		3
Objects usage	5	5		10
Mounted combat	2			2
Willpower	7	6	-2	11
Balance	1			1
Sneaking	2			2
Reconnaissance	6			6
Persuation	7			7
Intimidation	2			2
Haggle	5	1		6
Performance	6			6
Seduction	3			3
Geography lore	7			7
Nature lore	7			7
Arcane lore	7	9		16
Social and cultural lore	8	5		13
Craft lore	8			8
Lingual lore	8	7		15
Daily craft	8			8
Pharma and treatment	9			9
Weaponsmithing	7			7
Armorsmithing	7			7
Tailorng	8			8
Art	6			6
Artificery	8			8
Burglary	7			7
Huntsmanship	3			3
Alchemy	9			9
Sorcery	8	3		11

#1) Conflagration and radiation level 7:

You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to strength.
You have gained the permanent +1 bonus to intellect.
Your casting in dry weather or nearby fire sources amplifies pyromancy.
You can regain mental strengths faster near the heat sources.
You can sense and read the heat sources in a vast area.
You can channel the arcane powers to temporarily amplify own physical strength.
Your spellcasting uses both mental and physical strengths or the varying proportions of such.
You can temporarily infuse objects (including tools and weapons) with pyromancy powers.
You can conjure heat on the intermediate level (sufficient to melt iron)
You can suppress and channel heat on the intermediate level (rays, waves, charges, orbs, tactile)
You passively gain +1 to arcane skill for every 3 points of STR above 10. This trait also applies -1 penalty to arcane skill for every 2 points of STR below 10. Does not apply in the case of arcane self-empowerment.

A worn set of travel clothes, a backpack, a grimoire (or a diary), an old pocket chornometer with a chain, an intricate smoking pipe

None you know about

Amalia Brant (aka Lia)

Race: Human (Eastlander)
Gender: Female
Age: Young adult
Background: Former maidservant
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):
"Shipper on deck" - +3 To all social skill rolls against the companions with positive affection levels (neutrality affection level excluded). If previously gossiped with about other characters that she knows, can provide a one-time boost of +3 to all types of social interaction skill rolls to the requester.

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	12		12	7
Constitution	15		15	10
Mobility	11		11	6
Perception	16		16	11
Coordination	12		12	7
Micromotorics	18		18	13
Intellect	12		12	7
Wisdom	20		20	15
Charisma	11		11	6
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	2			2
Ranged combat	7	3		10
Arcane skill	5			5
Defense	4	1		5
Objects usage	7	3		10
Mounted combat	4			4
Willpower	8	3		11
Balance	2			2
Sneaking	4			4
Reconnaissance	7			7
Persuasion	5			5
Intimidation	4			4
Haggle	5	4		9
Performance	6			6
Seduction	3			3
Geography lore	8	2		10
Nature lore	8			8
Arcane lore	8			8
Social and cultural lore	6	2		8
Craft lore	8	3		11
Lingual lore	6			6
Daily craft	8	10		18
Pharma and treatment	7			7
Weaponsmithing	6			6
Armorsmithing	6			6
Tailoring	5	9		14
Art	7	3		10
Artificery	8			8
Burglary	7			7
Huntsmanship	7			7
Alchemy	7			7
Sorcery	6			6

Uknown if any

Leather camisole of fair quality, compositive crossbow, a quiver of bolts, a bag of small tools, a rucksack, a set of road clothes, a plain cloak, a knife, a belt water bag.

Master of daily craft and inventory management. Fairly good cook (specializes in fried snacks) and knows how to correctly ration different foods. Good tailor, capable of qualitative repair of clothes and production of professional effort/materials goods like suits and dresses. Her designs lean towards practicality rather than fanciness.

Isaac

Race: Human (unknown heritage)
Gender: Male
Age: Young adult
Background: Healer apprentice
Status: Healthy

Perk(s):
"We are of one blood" - Any non-hostile actions towards animals or beast folk have +4 bonus to attributes or skill rolls. Can use WIS instead of CHA for interactions with animals and beast folk (aka empathetic approach).

Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	13		13	8
Constitution	15		15	10
Mobility	12		12	7
Perception	14		14	9
Coordination	10		10	5
Micromotorics	17		17	12
Intellect	15		15	10
Wisdom	14		14	9
Charisma	7		7	2
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	2		-5	-3
Ranged combat	5		-5	0
Arcane skill	6	6		12
Defense	4	1		5
Objects usage	6		-5	1
Mounted combat	3		-7	-4
Willpower	5	7		12
Balance	2			2
Sneaking	2			2
Reconnaissance	5			5
Persuasion	1			1
Intimidation	3			3
Haggle	1			1
Performance	2			2
Seduction	1			1
Geography lore	5			5
Nature lore	5	2		7
Arcane lore	5	5		10
Social and cultural lore	3			3
Craft lore	6			6
Lingual lore	3			3
Daily craft	6	3		9
Pharma and treatment	6	7		13
Weaponsmithing	6			6
Armorsmithing	7			7
Tailoring	5			5
Art	4			4
Artificery	7			7
Burglary	7			7
Huntsmanship	3			3
Alchemy	6			6
Sorcery	5			5

#1) Body level 5:

You can sense breathing and blood pulse of living entities in ~100 meters radius.
You gain the permanent +1 bonus to constitution.
You gain the permanent +1 bonus to charisma
You can scan the detailed physiological state of a target in many details including sicknesses, inflammations, as well as the state of physical integrity.
You can make an attempt for a minuscule boost of the physical performance of oneself or a target at the cost of own mental strengths.
You can accelerate the metabolism (and so, often times, the recovery from ailments or traumas) of living creatures at the cost of own mental and physical strengths.
You can try to numb the minor pain of a target living creature at the cost of both mental and physical strengths or share it with yourself with the low transference loss ratio

A robe with a hood, a bag with bandages and medications, an old iron amulet, a belt with tincures

Good at applying and synthesizing remedies. Capable of providing first and complex medical aid. Has some skills in inventory management.

Jorgen Ostgard (aka Jory, aka Craven)

Race: Human (Lyflander?)
Gender: Male
Age: Young adult
Background: Alchemist assistant
Status: Healthy


Attributes	Base value	Modified value	Total value	Dice bonus
Strength	11		11	6
Constitution	11		11	6
Mobility	12		12	7
Perception	18		18	13
Coordination	12		12	7
Micromotorics	15		15	10
Intellect	16		16	11
Wisdom	13		13	8
Charisma	9		9	4
Luck	2		2	2
Misfortune	2		2	2

Skill	Attribute value	Learned value	Modified value	Total value / Dice bonus
Melee combat	2			2
Ranged combat	6	1		7
Arcane skill	5			5
Defense	2			2
Objects usage	6	4		10
Mounted combat	3			3
Willpower	6			6
Balance	2			2
Sneaking	5	4		9
Reconnaissance	7	5		12
Persuation	2			2
Intimidation	1			1
Haggle	3			3
Performance	2			2
Seduction	1			1
Geography lore	6			6
Nature lore	6	4		10
Arcane lore	6	3		9
Social and cultural lore	4			4
Craft lore	5	6		11
Lingual lore	4			4
Daily craft	5	3		8
Pharma and treatment	6			6
Weaponsmithing	5			5
Armorsmithing	5			5
Tailoring	5			5
Art	3			3
Artificery	6			6
Burglary	7			7
Huntsmanship	6			6
Alchemy	6	6		12
Sorcery	6			6

Unknown if any

A robe with a hood, a traveling cane, a bag with small instruments, a belt with glasses, a rucksack

Good at synthesizing remedies or other compounds from both organic and inorganic ingredients. Fairly good at understanding how chemistry works and has an eye for experimentation. Capable of locating and recognizing substances. Has basic skills in inventory management and knows a thing or two about craftworks.

General condition: High morale, everyone's healthy, two weeks worth of food supplies, sufficiently-budgeted, low on alchemic reagents.
Money: 1081 Talers
Food: 82 food units (9 full days of sustenance on Bloom 28)
Food consumption: 8.5 food units per day

Lucifina - 1
Ulren - 2
Sephorah - 1.5
Karl - 1
Amalia - 1
Isaac -1
Jory - 1
Mount(s) - n/a (pasturing season)

Medication: 5 medicine units
Alchemy stash: 4 reagent units, 5 blank alchemical basis compounds (crafting boosters & subsidizes)

Free stash space: up to 130 kg

1 Incindiary bomb (great)
1 Regeneration potion (superb)
1 Regeneration potion (weak)
1 Stimulator/painkiller potion (weak)
1 Potion of momentum (Temp: +3 STR +3 SPD +3 COOR - 1 INT - 1 WIS - 1 CHA) (standard)

A bundle of books from Dalgaard's library, Yvie's ulchaar (Morinth's parcel)

Mounts: 1 workhorse (Softie)
Team's reputation:
Kheree hunters (Tevon-Talab militia) - CELEBRATED
The Lyf Kingdom (Lyflanders) - WELCOMED
Eastern Freelanders (Baathorians) - CELEBRATED
Central Freelanders (Tevons) - UNKNOWN
Western Freelanders (Ertanghalians) - UNKNOWN
Nyth-Rhathon (Bhiroths) - UNKNOWN?
Olfadir (Westlanders) - UNKNOWN?

Ship-o-meter

Lucifina

Ulren

Sephorah

Karl

Amalia

Isaac

Jorgen

Lucifina

X

Devotion (96)

Comradery (82)

Amiability (12)

Friendship (70)

Sympathy (44)

Neutrality (10)

Ulren

Devotion (96)

X

Friendship (58)

Amiability (13)

Sympathy (38)

Amiability (20)

Neutrality (4)

Sephorah

Comradery (82)

Friendship (58)

X

Suspicion (-11)

Sympathy (34)

Amiability (16)

Neutrality (0)

Karl

Amiability (12)

Amiability (13)

Suspicion (-11)

X

Neutrality (9)

Amiability (13)

Amiability (14)

Amalia

Friendship (70)

Sympathy (38)

Sympathy (34)

Neutrality (9)

X

Sympathy (47)

Sympathy (32)

Isaac

Sympathy (44)

Amiability (20)

Amiability (16)

Amiability (13)

Sympathy (47)

X

Friendship (51)

Jorgen

Neutrality (10)

Neutrality (4)

Neutrality (0)

Amiability (14)

Sympathy (32)

Friendship (51)

X

Tier	Relative numeric scale	Description
Devotion	91 to 100	You would likely self-sacrifice for each other if necessary
Comradery	71 to 90	You are deeply loyal to each other
Friendship	51 to 70	You have each other's trust
Sympathy	31 to 50	You have common interests, views, or simply find each other nice
Amiability	11 to 30	You are polite and good-willing toward each other
Neutrality	-10 to 10	You are strangers or largely indifferent towards each other
Suspicion	-11 to -30	You question each other's views and values
Distaste	-31 to -50	You avoid and distrust each other, but remain rational
Intolerance	-51 to -70	You dislike and disrespect each other
Scorn	-71 to -90	You avert and loathe each other, even if irrationally
Hatred	-91 to -100	You are at each other's throats

Teloch · Nov 17, 2018

FYI: I'm alive and writing the next one. ETA: tomorrow. More precise ETA: ~16 hours
PS: can't say that I'm all that well ATM, but hey, I have the luxury to whine in here!

Teloch · Nov 19, 2018

Your mentor left you be but the token of the insecurity and pressure she was experiencing now crept under your skin. The notion of these very walls not being impenetrable to the outside evil irritated you greatly, leaving more questions than answers. Why would anyone wish ill to your patron? For how long this supposed spy watched over you and everyone else? And, most importantly, who could it possibly be? A slight chill ran your back. With this new knowledge, planning out chores in the house that began to feel less like home was not easy, but, with some minor effort, you figured out some of the routines that may either calm you down a bit or even provide some hints on the context of the problem. In contrast to your usually martial training sessions (which paid off the previous evening), you decided to follow up on the plea you voiced to Ulren and to learn how to make things - not only break them. In light of how badly Amalia took the yesterday events, you decided to help her out with the sewing chores and to listen to what thoughts she might have for share.

As you expected, your friendly maid wasn't objecting against your not quite expected urge to help her out. If anything, your appearance on the first floor's service premises made her slightly less tense, or at least that's what you managed to reckon from the shift in her mimics. In a short while, both of you were fixing up worn attires and torn curtains. Surprisingly for you, there was quite a lot of work to be done, making the rise of a more or less casual chatter the question of timing rather than probability.

"You're doing very well - the stitches are subtle and the folds are barely visible," she told you with an oddly-enthusiastic voice, which sounded more like her attempting at being more cheery than she really was, "you may even have a knack for tailoring".

"That's good, I guess?" you answered, to which she looked at you with a wry smile.

"With those wings of yours, it sure may come handy. There aren't many seamstresses ready to tackle an order from you, so a plenty of practice may save you the hassle".

"Not quite sure how much practice I need to make me a dress, but we do have quite a lot on our hands right now".

Amalia gave you a skeptic look with a lopsided grin, "Not even a half of what we have had to work through a few weeks prior", she spoke and failed to notice how her face regained its more natural expression, which happened to be concerned, "when the whole situation started, madam Dalgaard ordered us to work for her efforts of gathering, preparing, and distributing the goods and clothes to those who left without anything. And that's only our part of the effort: I told you already that Claudius, Isaac, and Jory also put a lot of work to the same ends".

After saying that, Amalia slightly toned down her work pacing, it was obvious to you that something of the essence was on her mind, and she sure noticed you at trying to read what was on her mind, which resulted in her exhaling, and starting to give you the answer before you could even voice it.

"Dalgaards are well-known in Kirhol for supporting the guilds, helping the little men, and treating foreigners fairly, unlike some of the other noble houses. If the matters are as dire as they appear, why would commoners assail our mistress and not some other noble who, unlike her, had never bothered to step down to the streets and see what the life really is for everyone?" After saying that, Amalia looked down to her piece of cloth, sadly continuing to sew it up, "I can only hope that this misfortune will not change her stance on the common folk, even if that would be nothing but a natural response to the act of ungratefulness from the city she endured yesterday".

You could easily read that Amalia did not possess the entirety of the information regarding the yesterday event, which does trouble her mightily - almost on the personal level if you could read it right.

"What did you mean by saying about matters being as dire as they appear? I'm not sure I understand it correctly," you subtly pulled the string.

"You do remember what I said about my origins, don't you? Back then, me and my mum were not different from those poor souls that are now camping behind the city walls and prowling the city for any job that would feed them and their families at least a little bit. Maybe there weren't as many refugees back then, but the situation was more or less handled in a few weeks. But now?" Amalia shook her head as if not entirely believing in what she says, "Despite all the efforts of the guards, nobility, and the state, the things are getting worse with each day: the public discord is at its highest and there are even rumors of skirmishes and entire families disappearances. It as if something foul entered the play after the day that poor sod fell to his death in the center of the city. Something that benefits from the chaos rising on the streets".

You always suspected Amalia to be awkwardly perceptive, which made you even more curious about the reason behind it. Feeling a little bit guilty for invading something as personal as someone's soul spark, you decided to investigate what or why might make her think and feel the way she does. With that, you closed your eyes, evened your breath, and began to focus, letting the scenery out of the picture of your supernatural sense.

The feedback from it came in shortly: the girl's soul was not hard to partially read, but it sure did look novel to your previous readings. Her soul wasn't as tortured as Sephorah's or Ulren's, with only minors dents compared to the potholes of these two, and its shimmer was bright, just like any young person would have. However, in that shimmer was an interesting detail: it seemed to be much brighter closer to the core, with paler edges. Her soul reminded an object constrained in chains, causing the surface illy conceal the inner radiance. You could tell that there was something underneath the outer facade of her; something akin to an intense passion, constrained and thus causing the dull, slow, and excruciating sort of inner pain. What was the source of that shimmer or what was the nature of the constraints were unable to pinpoint, but you could certainly identify that Amalia wasn't just a regular maid whose mind was preoccupied with the routine household chores and nothing else.

"...vigilant for own and everyone's sake" - was Amalia's part of the phrase to which you snapped out of the trance-like state, missing its first part.

"... Uhmm... Sorry. I have just spaced out for a moment," was your awkward excuse, to which Amalia grinned for what seemed to be the first time that day.

"Wields crazy magics, scatters the local laggers, and can't handle a humble maid's rant. Now, aren't you something?"

You could only apologetically shrug with your wings to that and put an adorable grimace, wondering under facade whether your ability to inspect people's very essence without them knowing is a bad thing to do or not.

_________________________

The next day, you decided to continue your practice in the arts not lethal. Namely - the basics of medical aid. Fortunately for you, Claudius was attending a patient by the time you came down to pester him about learning some medical help basics. The patient happened to be one of the guards who accompanied you and Rosaline earlier - the sleepy one. The minor bruises which he obtained in the course of the skirmish proved to be the perfect grounds for Claudius to show and elaborate you on such topics as the common types of physical injuries, the essence and the function of blood, why and how should you stop the bleeding, and listed a whole plethora of other ways the changing of the blood condition can affect body. Isaac wasn't around for the duration of this lecture so, in addition to listening to Claudius, you had to assist him in by applying the balm, crafting the linen compress with fixating belts, and administering the skin of the patient, who was quite merry about receiving your attention.

But the case of this guardsman was very minor, which you didn't miss to point out during the conversation with Claudius that ensued after the procedures.

"Thank you for teaching me, sir Claudius. I've heard that you frequently have a stuffed schedule, which makes me even more grateful for the time you spent on me".

"Aw, quite that decorum, Lucy, and just call me Claud. Teaching people the basics barely takes any time and effort, and you did offer your help".

"To be frank, it didn't feel like what I was doing was much of a help," you said while humbly folding your wings.

"It may be trivial, but it still helped, so don't you humble yourself that much: everyone has to start somewhere".

"I can only think that the man who assailed us a couple of days ago was a much more challenging task," you began to stir the route of the conversation.

"True that: you've poked that sod almost like a professional. The training you had with Ulren sure left a couple of nasty dents on that man; his full recovery will likely be long and problematic".

You touched your forearm and lowered your gaze before replying, "And that bothers me, Claudius: lady Rosaline told me that he is just a local dweller who cracked under the pressure of circumstances".

Claudius sighed and put his heavy palm on your shoulder, "It may be so, but he knew what he was doing, and it is at the breaking point when people act true to whom they are. You should be proud of yourself: in that crisis, your intervention might have averted the tragedy, and believe me when I say that the Dalgaard family will not endure any more of such".

"Thank you for the encouraging words. I just needed to vent this feeling of guilt. Right or wrong, but I did inflict harm with my actions, and, to be honest, this isn't the only regret on my memory". Saying that you carefully brushed off his palm and took it in the both of yours, empowering the gesture by locking down the eye contact, "It may be just better to share the thoughts that cause these regrets than to leave them to take roots".

The combination of your words and gestures was a precise shot though Claudius's defenses, and for a relatively long moment he watched you in the eyes; his face changed in expressions rapidly for a few times: surprise, understanding, indecisiveness, shame, and finally poorly-subdued sadness graced his face in the exact order. He understood what you were trying to make him do, but either due to the way you addressed it or because of the plain shame of someone knowing about his weakness, in the end, he did not share his burden with you. Instead, he recoiled, apologized embarrassingly for the uncomfortable situation you put him in and hurried to set you free, turning his face away from you, which now looked a bit older than usual. Talented you may be in the art of reaching others according to Sephorah, but it was evident that the talent alone would hardly suffice.

_________________________

Learning to put your hands to the productive usages was not the only kind of endeavors you decided to attend. Having to prioritize certain aspects of your physical training, you settled on exercising with your wings over other alternatives, which was hardly a surprise in the light of how proud you were because of learning how to fly and the deep-rooted excitement that you felt whenever touching the skies.

During the early half of the sixth week of your stay in Dalgaards mansion, you let your wings lift you for the third time. The feelings were still novel and the thrill was still there, but the fear of heights and falling from the said heights began to recede little by little. This time, you focused your efforts on advancing your speed - stability ratio. Essentially, you've pushed yourself to the limits of your frame, trying to figure out how fast and how many rounds you can go.

Even though it took hours upon hours, you saturated your thirst for flight and improved the way you do it: the stability and average speed increased ever so slightly, you've learned how to thrust yourself while in the air and even made steps towards learning how to regain balance mid-air. Maybe the progress that you have made was not as flashy as the first liftoff, but it still was a huge step forward in learning how to fly reliably. As an additional perk, your exercises that day provided you with the clear understanding that it is not only the technical skills that improve your performance - the overall strength of your frame, its mobility, and endurance would certainly boost up your aerial performance. And, even if you are quite endurant, the mobility and strength of yours leave a vast field for improvement.

_________________________

But as pleasant as it was to indulge in the matters self-centered, the nagging feelings of insecurity and paranoia were still there, slowly poisoning your mood. Amalia didn't seem to know the pieces of knowledge concerning a possible spy in the mansion, judging by your conversation at the week's dawn, or was very good at playing it that way, to which you had no proofs. Claudius was said to be trusted by Rosaline herself, and you can only assume that if he is like a substitute parent for her, he couldn't possibly have any agenda against her. Although, his emotional reaction at the end of your previous exchange was nothing less than odd.

Thinking of how may you 'inspect' the mansion's events and gossips, a certain memory resurfaced, or rather a certain someone. Someone overly-paranoid and jumpy. Someone who may flush out more leads and gossips than there really is. With this insight in mind, you made your way to the alchemical workshop on the second floor, where this 'someone' was inspecting all of the boxed and lockers in the state of growing panic.

The series of knocks on the wooden doorway startled Jory, who threw a swift glance at you which quickly transformed into a glare.

"By Borea's left buttock, did you want to me to have a stroke?! There's a lot of chemicals in here and who knows what might happen if I knock em over!"

"Sorry, I didn't want to scare you," you replied, barely resisting to roll one's eyes, "can I... help you in any way?" you added, hoping to take a shortcut towards him being trustful enough to talk about the topic you wanted, to which he waved his hand dismissively at first but confirmed with a disappointed nod shortly.

"There must be a bottle somewhere - dark green glass, spherical, with big wooden bung - I must find it or else that witch Holt would squeeze my eyeballs out".

"Don't you think it's a little harsh thing to say about your chief?" you inquired while proceeding with the assisted search.

"Hah! You never worked under her to know what exactly is she," he responded, throwing a quick glance at the entrance doorway as if checking whether or not the person in question was listening behind them.

Judging by his reaction, he would not respond well to you pushing the inquiries about his boss, not at the moment. "You do look like someone who is aware of what's going on around," you decided to start with the flattery, "and after that event a few days ago, I don't feel all that secure. Can you, perhaps, tell me your opinion on what caused that ambush and what is going on in the city?"

"Hah!" he burst from that stroke of his ego that you gave him, "People say that a couple more assaults like the one on Dalgaard happened. If that wasn't bad enough, a day ago a rumor started that the city wardens made a rade into the suburbs and found one family slaughtered by the refugee squatters, who made a den for such as themselves out of their victims' house. The streets are swarmed with thugs, spies, and invaders, and even walls have ears!" his last line didn't sound like he was afraid of the walls hearing him, "For one, I've seen trails in the snow around the mansion when I had to go to the artisans quarters two days prior. Who and why would someone cut circles around our fence at night?!"

"Do you have any ideas who may it be?" you asked, playing confused and unconfident.

"It's Olfadir! Or maybe Rabenia! Who else would be interested In provoking unrests in our city and tanning the local nobles?"

"But what does it has to do with Rosaline in particular?"

"Oho-ho, don't tell me you didn't know that our mistress angered those Highfather lunatics with her notorious book. If you want to see a man of cloth going against the virtues of own religion, tell him that nothing was created by a giant old guy with a beard sitting on clouds. As for Rabenia... those serpents would go great lengths to destabilize Lyf, and targeting those nobles who actually worth their salt is the best way to sow chaos".

Due to the lack of political or religious awareness, you failed to completely understand the motivation

"Can you tell me what are we searching right now?"

"A flask of the strong acidic compound that is mostly used to melt down metals," Jory answered not looking at you, "I've seen it as soon as yesterday and now it's gone! Uuugh, Holt gonna unscrew my head if she'd find out it's missing".

Despite your efforts, a flask fitting the description was nowhere to be found, regardless of how hysterically Jory was searching for it. The only thing you could do now was inspecting his soul spark, and so you did. Jory's spark proved to be unique in a way: not very bright and immature, twitching like a fire struggling against the wind and moist, very intricate and uneven. You've gained the impression that Jory is a walking yarn ball of problems hiding under the facade of a goofy chap; you have also sensed the long-living fear in him - plenty of it.

"Whom do you think could've taken it?" you inquired while snapping out of the brief trance.

"Isaac or Claudius could, although I don't see a single reason why would they need it. Rosaline and Holt also can and no way I'm telling the latter about it missing. And that's about it; maidens aren't permitted to dig in the lockers".

You stayed a few minutes longer, but the accursed bottle eluded both of you, so the only thing left for you to do was wishing Jory a good evening (to which he did not respond in kind!) and leave to your room. The situation was growing stranger, and you could only theorize whether or not this little property theft event has anything to do with the risk of spies within the walls. You ran this situation though once more, resting on your bed, and decided your further course of actions for the remainder of the week.

_____________________________

You have three major and one minor action. You can now report someone as a free action if you think you have a good enough evidence or if you trust your senses/intuition (or better yet both), or continue the investigation.

[] (Your custom_name plan)

[] Learn/raise your skills!
-[] Melee combat
-[] Defense
-[] Ranged combat
-[] Arcane skill
-[] Haggling
-[] Persuasion
-[] Armorsmithing
-[] Weaponsmithing
-[] Artificiery
-[] Pharma and treatment
-[] Daily craft
-[] Tailoring
-[] Alchemy

(+1 to a respective skill. Find more people or establish deeper bonds to open more paths of studying)

[] Take the flight session

(+1 to your wings proficiency. Note that your flight secondary traits are also dependent on your attributes such as strength, constitution, mobility, and coordination)

[] Intensive training of attributes
-[] STR
-[] END
-[] MOB
-[] PER
-[] COOR
-[] MICR
-[] INT
-[] WIS
-[] CHA
(each round raises an attribute by 1/2 if the base attribute is X < 14, by 1/3 if the base attribute is 14 =< X =< 17, and by 1/4 if the base attribute is X => 18. Note that the attributes influence the attribute skill bonus and quite often are the subjects of checks)

[] Practice or study your aspects!
-[] Practice thaumaturgy
--[] Bonus 1/2 to melee combat
--[] Bonus 1/2 to defense
-[] Study soul aspect

For thaumaturgy: current level 6 (+5/6), above hard wisdom attribute (18), above hard intelligence attribute (18), hard arcane skill (24) each yields 1/x of the next level + 1/x default for investment. You can pick one of the bonus skills, but the maximum progress per a training session can't exceed 3/x of the next level. For soul aspect: current level 3 (+1/3), normal wisdom attribute (15), normal intelligence attribute (15), easy arcane skill (17) each yields 1/x of the next level + 1/x default for investment.

[] Write-in
In case you want to do something very specific

[] Routine attribute training
-[] STR
-[] END
-[] MOB
-[] PER
-[] COOR
-[] MICR
-[] INT
-[] WIS
-[] CHA
(each round raises an attribute by 1/4 if the base attribute is X < 14, by 1/5 if the base attribute is 14 =< X =< 17, and by 1/6 if the base attribute is X => 18. Note that the attributes influence the attribute skill bonus and quite often are the subjects of checks. You can't pick more than two rounds of the same routine in a half a week)

[] Inspect the place and its inhabitants
-[] The first floor
(one-time-off for each part. Widens the future options and the number of people you know. Can choose multiple in one voting)

[] Socialize with
-[] Rosaline
-[] Morinth
-[] Ulren
-[] Amalia
-[] Claudius
-[] Isaac
-[] Erika
-[] Jory
-[] Karl
-[] Lodric
-[] Gustoff
-[] Andrew
(mention the general attitude, the topics of interest, the discussion, or/and special actions like attempts to study a soul spark in the vote. Construct a special approach and try not to be annoying)

[] Do something / spend your leisure time at the facility (specify the action in the vote)
-[] Bathroom
-[] Kitchen
-[] Salon
-[] Library
-[] Gymnasium
-[] Laboratory
-[] Lecture hall
-[] Greenery
-[] Smithy
-[] Attic
-[] Studio
-[] Your room
-[] The locked observatory

Obviously, specify if necessary.

[] Write-in
In case you want to do something very specific

[] Preset plan: hard control
-[] Intensive training of attributes
--[] STR
---[] Take the opportunity to peek into Lodric's spark
-[] Practice or study your aspects!
--[] Practice thaumaturgy
---[] Bonus 1/2 to melee combat
----[] Take the opportunity to peek into Karl's spark
-[] Learn/raise your skills!
--[] Defense
-[] Socialize with
--[] Ulren
---[] Report that there might be some thievery within the walls and ask him if the guardsmen saw anything suspicious lately.

[] Preset plan: soft touch
-[] Practice or study your aspects!
--[] Practice thaumaturgy
---[] Bonus 1/2 to defense
----[] Take the opportunity to peek into Karl's spark
-[] Learn/raise your skills!
--[] Arcane skill
-[] Socialize with
--[] Erika
---[] Inquire what does she think about the current state of the city and about Jory
----[] peek into her soul spark
-[] Practice or study your aspects!
--[] Study soul aspect

Teloch · Nov 19, 2018

Ship-o-meters and sheets updated, you can vote now.

veekie · Nov 19, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements
-[X] Take the flight session
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Study soul aspect
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Practice thaumaturgy
---[X] Bonus 1/2 to defense
-[X] Socialize with
--[X] Ulren
---[X] Report that there might be some thievery within the walls and ask him if the guardsmen saw anything suspicious lately.

Yanez · Nov 20, 2018

[X] Preset plan: soft touch
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Practice thaumaturgy
---[X] Bonus 1/2 to defense
----[X] Take the opportunity to peek into Karl's spark
-[X] Learn/raise your skills!
--[X] Arcane skill
-[X] Socialize with
--[X] Erika
---[X] Inquire what does she think about the current state of the city and about Jory
----[X] peek into her soul spark
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Study soul aspect

VagueZ · Nov 20, 2018

[X] Preset plan: soft touch
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Practice thaumaturgy
---[X] Bonus 1/2 to defense
----[X] Take the opportunity to peek into Karl's spark
-[X] Learn/raise your skills!
--[X] Arcane skill
-[X] Socialize with
--[X] Erika
---[X] Inquire what does she think about the current state of the city and about Jory
----[X] peek into her soul spark
-[X] Practice or study your aspects!
--[X] Study soul aspect

Martenzo · Nov 20, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements

Teloch · Nov 21, 2018

Excerpt from "On nature and industry", by Julius Kushner, the associated scholar of the zoology division of the flora and fauna studies department, Lyf Academy

Elamsores, or juggernauts in the commonfolk terminology, are the prime example of the prolonged selection, usage, and utilization of an animal species by advanced cultures. Elasmores are muscular, herbivorous quadruped, one and a half to three times larger and heavier than a normal Lyflanderish Shyre horse. Elasmore males possess the distinctive ridge of bone tissue up their snouts, which is often confused for horns, while females have only the comparatively rudimentary analogs. Just like the horses, elasmores possess short bodily fur of various colors, with the jet-black, dark-brown, and ashen-gray being the most common. Tails of these creatures are abruptly short. Their frame is easily recognizable because of the frontal limbs' powerful shoulder muscles forming into a hump.

With the abovementioned physical traits, elasmores were brought in to the Western Pheotor by Roths in the course of their grand exodus, which is why no historical records of these beasts roaming Blugd-Tur plains or other Pheotorian grasslands exist prior the event. However, nowadays there are some packs of the elasmores ran feral that dwell the aforementioned plain. Much like the masters of their domesticated branches, feral elasmores are the creatures of pack mentality who prefer to gather up in large groups and often exploit such a fascinating defense mechanism as round defensive formation, wherein the males line up in circles, separating cubs and females from predators. Even though not innately aggressive, they do pack a lot of power and are relentless in defense. In addition to that, they are relatively intelligent and adaptable, thus being a perfect dough for selectors.

As for the domesticated branches, they are plenty and are of vital importance to the Roth cultures who, over the centuries of efforts, managed to create the specialized breeds of these creatures. For example, the two largest and strongest bloodlines with distinct dark furs and bristle-like manes are used as work and war mounts, while their smaller and brighter cousins are bred for their milk, meat, and leather. Compared to the conventional horses, elasmores are slower but stronger and, as a consequence of their dietary needs, come with higher maintenance costs. These factors combined make elasmores not only cherished by their immediate masters who brought them to these lands but also highly sought-after by Landers', for they are capable of performing the heavy duty labor better than regular steeds.

Teloch · Nov 21, 2018

Gonna call the vote in one day. Please, untie it by that moment, mkay?

wingstrike96 · Nov 21, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements

Zaealix · Nov 21, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements
*shrugs* For the scarab!

Teloch · Nov 21, 2018

Zaealix said:
*shrugs* For the scarab!

*starts to think what was it about*
*goes out to cook some meats while trying to solve this riddle*

Oh, veekiu's avatar? That's not a scarab, technically.

veekie · Nov 21, 2018

Teloch said:
*starts to think what was it about*
*goes out to cook some meats while trying to solve this riddle*

Oh, veekiu's avatar? That's not a scarab, technically.

*Mechanical Beetle Noises*

Emanyzal · Nov 21, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements

quichwe10 · Nov 21, 2018

[X] Plan Unique Improvements

Teloch · Nov 22, 2018

Alrighty then. The girls goes for wing-jutsu (again) and some street magic.

Teloch said:
For thaumaturgy: current level 6 (+5/6), above hard wisdom attribute (18), above hard intelligence attribute (18), hard arcane skill (24) each yields 1/x of the next level + 1/x default for investment. You can pick one of the bonus skills, but the maximum progress per a training session can't exceed 3/x of the next level. For soul aspect: current level 3 (+1/3), normal wisdom attribute (15), normal intelligence attribute (15), easy arcane skill (17) each yields 1/x of the next level + 1/x default for investment.

Roll me per two d20 for INT, WIS, and arcane

wingstrike96 · Nov 22, 2018

Rolling bones

veekie · Nov 22, 2018

Wisdom for me then? #Regrets

Yanez · Nov 22, 2018

Arcane?

Edit: not bad

Teloch · Nov 22, 2018

So, here are the rolls:

Thaumaturgy training:
10 INT roll + 5 mod = 15 < 18
2 WIS roll + 4 mod = 6 < 18
14 arcane roll + 7 mod = 21 < 24
total: lackluster session with only +1 charge pt. for the effort alone.

Spirit magic training:
16 INT roll + 5 mod = 21 > 15 check
12 WIS roll + 4 mod = 18 > 15 check
10 arcane roll + 7 mod = 17 = 17 check
total: perfect session with +4 charge pts.

Verdict: our girl is going to roughly reach LvL 7 in thaumaturgy and soar to LvL 4 spirit magic with 50% of the progress needed for the next level.

PS: you do realize that you are building her like a straight ~~paladin~~ valkyrie yes?

Martenzo · Nov 22, 2018

Teloch said:
PS: you do realize that you are building her like a straight ~~paladin~~ valkyrie yes?

Gotta work to be ready when we our friends need a Big ~~Damn~~ Holy Angelic Hero to save them.

veekie · Nov 22, 2018

Thats the plan!
Seems like we need to up base stats to get far on Thaumaturgy by now?

Teloch · Nov 23, 2018

veekie said:
Seems like we need to up base stats to get far on Thaumaturgy by now?

Well, yea, some stat up would be nice. However, magic level is not the efficiency of its usage but the wider specter of usage solutions.

Teloch · Nov 23, 2018

Aight. Gonna start writing. May even finish by SUN evening, if everything goes smooth.

Dialogs. Plenty of dialogs. Plenty of dialogs with feels. My nemesisssssssss >.< *hissing sounds*

Teloch · Nov 27, 2018

Lil update: my desctop is rather dead than alive. Digging in its innards now

Edit: the issue seem to be in the system and not the hardware

Edit2: well, seems like ill have to reserve the data and overwrite the operating system from the official build tomorrow

Heimurn Chronicles (No, SV, you're a young valkyrie in the middle of a bizarre and dangerous journey)

Who is the bae? (Yes, we know that it's Lucy, but still - who's your favorite character)

Ulren, because he's a big bro I never had

Sephorah, because of the floor-chair-face dance

Karl, because smug

Amalia, because a cinnamon roll determinator

Isaac, because kuudere

Jory, becuase...

Rosaline, because I miss her

Mia (the ghost cat), because smug^2

Dunno - I need more party members

Dunno - I want more character interactions

Dunno - Where are the shipping battles, QM?

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ

ಠ_ಠ