Hentaiwizard
Grand Magus of the Lewd
And we bring in some stray dogs to piss in their yard just to fuck with them
How Ba-a-a-ad Can I Be? (A Paw Patrol SUPERVILLAIN Quest (Yes, Really))
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(Canon) Lessons on Power: Xsplora
Lessons on Power.
Consider the view of a hypothetical watcher in a Pine valley just before dawn. They are following the faintest trace of an overgrown trail towards a cave. As the watcher walks, the sky gradually brightens, before the Sun triumphantly breaks the horizon. Rays of golden light strike the very top of the trees as the surrounding granite cliffs begin to sparkle with colour. The watchers movement barely outpaces the receding shadows as the Suns rise illuminates a tree filled valley spotted with boulders. Rock outcroppings sparkle with morning dew as a smallish river wind gently away down the valley. A log over the river forms an impromptu bridge while dark water washes under the fallen tree. All the while the Sun continues its majestic rise. Its rays pierce the mist still hugging the bases of the thinning trees and skittering across the rocks and boulders surrounding a small mountain. Golden Bronze light flickers and dances giving the entire world an almost magical aura, Puffs of Moisture go past like the breaths of some enormous creature, Miniature rainbows sparkling within. Following the rise of the path out of the retreating trees our hypothetical watcher finds themselves at a granite outcropping near the base of that small mountain. The moist puffs of air seem to come from somewhere nearby .
With the rise of the sun and the new vantage point of the hypothetical watcher the Suns rays now carve their way deeper into the shadows, revealing dazzling arrays of drops on leaves, branches and spiderwebs strung between trees. The watcher shakes off its distraction and forces itself towards the outcropping with uncommon determination before noting the light is now refracting... oddly. The observers eyes tell them that there is nothing there, That it's just a shadow behind that large boulder. And the trick of the light. No, it's a shallow cave, and the yellow is obviously the light reflecting off something. The watcher Closes their eyes and Concentrates then takes another step and then another on the path their feet tell them is still there but their eyes insist no longer exists. Blinking their eyes open the cave is deeper, the Sun is now higher but somehow the shadows here are harsher than they were before the Sun rose. An unpleasant tint of something refracts from a rock and the beauty of the scene is fractured like a wrong note in a symphony, The watcher forces themselves forward again. The Cave is now deeper than it was before and the yellow is Rock not a sunbeam. that Rock moved, that enormous ten ton bolder moved up and down. Then the Yellow is Bronze. And the Bronze is an Arm. An enormous Arm. An enormous Draconic Arm. Then the arm is attached to a body, attached to a head but the head has its eyes closed. And then it does not. And then? And then it is too late for the hypothetical watcher.
Iskender opened his eyes again and looked out through the early morning mist from the entrance to the cave, the faintest trace of magic arising from the banishment of potentially malicious but probably unlucky Watcher.
"Still not quite right." he mused to himself "That watcher should not have been able to get close as it did ".
He twitched his arm Just So and pulled. To his eyes the wards that concealed this place moved just slightly ringing with a not-sound that suggested distraction. The not sound of boredom and inattention ringing from the construct. The dragon Frowned and looked to the path.
'Not quite right. What is interfering with the harmonic? …aha."
A small boulder a mere ten tonnes eased itself across to the side and the Claw was again twisted just so. This time the not-note that it played was more pure than before more precise and properly focused on the overgrown path leading out of the valley. Nodding in satisfaction Iskander retreated back to his lair for an early morning Buffalo haunch. Cows where all well and good but nothing beat the occasional buffalo that you caught yourself.
Cows themselves had changed over his lifetime. The smaller forms of his youth had given way to these massive creatures. From herd living animals that barely obeyed their human farmers to domesticated creatures with barely a thought in their heads. Times changed. But they didn't change that much. Here he was once again living rough and educating a small child. He was also enjoying himself more than he had in centuries. Still, he found his thoughts returning to another child and a warm evening and an eventful meeting, a few millennia back.
It is a warm evening. The sun sets on a rocky hillside in a country that would eventually be known as Macedonia. A rocky spur surrounded by natural seating has had its point perfectly flattened and a circular design of arcane glyphs cut into its surface making a crude stage. At the cardinal points of the circle stand ornate bronze braziers. The braziers' engravings show remarkably lifelike depictions of snakes and other reptilian beasts. A path winds its way up and around the hill towards the peak,
Making the path in the twilight is a small procession led by a child. The child wears a finely woven toga, holds a large, faceted diamond with glyphs describing arcane secrets scratched into its faces. A small ritual blade on his belt bounces slightly in time with his step. Following the child is a series of humanoid figures that carry flaming torches, their forms concealed with heavy dark cloaks. Another few steps Behind the figures, a tall, dark-haired woman follows imperiously, seemingly in command of the whole procession. She, in turn, is followed by a small group of nervous spear-carrying soldiers.
The group reaches the top of the outcropping as the Sun sinks to the horizon. The cloaked figures step forward as one splitting and moving in an almost dance till they stand just behind the serpent-carved bronze braziers.
Carve the Rune, Blood the Stone. Comes the simultaneous echoing call from each cultist,
The child swallows nervously before stepping into the circle. The gemstone is placed on a small plinth, and the ritual blade is taken from the child's belt. A look of concentration crosses the child's face, illuminated by the otherworldly glow of the ritual blade as it cuts effortlessly into the impossibly hard Diamond completing the final rune. Diamond dust sparkles catching the unearthly glow of the cutting blade before seeming to dissolve into nothing leaving the plinth unnaturally clean.
The child contemplates his left palm for a moment before he cuts the meaty part of his left hand. The woman looks on in approval. The boy hisses in pain as he places his left hand on the carved Diamond, and blood seeps into the glyphs. To mystical senses something begins to pulse like a beacon in the night as the Katadesmos, the magical contract between child and familiar is completed precisely as the last rays of the sun disappear beneath the horizon.
It may be a trick of the dying sunlight or the spark of flickering torchlight, but the Diamond seems to glow for a moment.
"It is done, child." comes the command from the woman. "Now come, and I will bind your wound."
As the child leaves the circle, the darkness swallows the Diamond on the plinth.
"Your part is done." The woman declares as the child approaches, drawing out a piece of clean linen. "You will soon have a servant unmatched by any other."
"Father always says a good advisor is worth his weight in gold." The child replies, wincing at the rough bandaging of his hand.
A sneer flickers across the woman's face for a moment
"Perhaps. But this ritual will bind you the service of a fearsome beast of war. Now be silent. This next part requires my concentration."
Satisfied with her work bandaging, she lets the child's hand go and steps forward to the only unattended Brazier.
"Light the fires with the flames of Apollo."
The echoing call of the cultists rings out. The lit torches are thrust into their respective Brazier's oil, momentarily plunging the site into darkness before almost all the braziers roar into burning light.
Green fire comes from the Woman's empty hand and strikes the surface of the oil, Igniting it. A spire of Green flame momentarily dominates the ritual before shrinking and transforming into a more normal colour. Satisfied at her display of power, She takes a step forward to match the position of the other cultists behind the braziers and raises her voice to lead as they begin chanting in a strange, almost hissing manner. The guards and child remain warily silent at the display.
Chanting echoes from the stage, Fire light flickers and the engravings on the braziers almost seem to move in time with the chanting. Nothing seems to happen for a moment as the world seems to hold its breath, and then, with a Hiss the braziers contents transform from small fires to serpents made of flame, massively increasing the scene's brightness.
Now visible, the fist sized Diamond sits in the middle of the carved circle, glinting ominously as the fire snakes writhe around the perimeter. The carvings in the Rock and cracks beyond the polished edges of the stage are now deeper and darker, hinting at impossible depths. Red blood coats the Diamond, sinking into the magically cut words adorning its surface. A flicker of something and the reflected light from the diamond somehow is brighter than the Flaming serpents that it originates from, dominating the scene and casting eerie shadows and reflections around the gemstone that perfectly line up with the bottomless glyphs cut into the stage.
The chanting continues, and the fire serpents grow further in size, towering over the cultists. With each repetition of the verse, a cultist steps back deferentially and ceases his efforts head bowed toward his flaming construct, his serpent brazier fully awake and following the lead of the largest, the flaming serpent with green eyes in front of the Woman. With each flame serpent, the light grows revealing more and more of the scene. Finally by herself the last verse is sung and rather than deferral retreat the woman almost contemptuously struts back to the child, illuminated from behind by her Working. A ring of flaming serpents rising from the braziers their tails still trapped within seem to loom over her shoulder surrounding the unnatural reflections from the diamond within the circle.
She comes to face the child, stopping angled slightly to ensure the guardsman behind him have the best view of the situation and affixes a look of concern on her face as she gestures towards the child's hand.
"Does it still Hurt? "She asks in a tone that implies the answer will be no. Barely waiting for him to shake his head in denial she looks him in the eye and continues.
"Watch closely. This is true power, the ability to bind the Titans to your will. Your father never showed you this. He could not. He is not capable of it."
"Yes Mother"
The woman continues her monologue as if the child had not spoken "The Ritual is one of the secrets that are known only to the mystery cult of serpents and will bind the mighty Py Thon to your service. Imagine a titan at the forefront of your armies, a vicious beast capable of obliterating any opponent against you. You will not need to bow or even treat with those Persian savages, and no Greek noble will be willing to speak against your command."
"What if the summoned creature disagrees with the terms of the contract as written?" A deep voice from behind the woman calls.
Staying focused on the child willing him to remember the moment and who gave it to him she answers back to the deep voice sharply. "Impossible. The Ritual was taken from the oracle of Delphi. The Titan Python himself was slain when he refused to Kneel to Apollo. My working will be more than enough to entrap one of his brood. Now be silent I feel something approaches."
"Mother that was not one of the Guards."
Rage flashes across her face as she turns away from the child, breaking the dramatic scene she was crafting, peering into the darkness she demands "Who Dares approach without Invitation."
A dark shape coalesces from the evening gloom. A heavy footfall lands on a bush at the base of the hill, and the tension of the scene is mocked by the smell of crushed Strawberries.
"Without invitation? Me? I was merely going past looking for strawberries when I heard the call." the shape Chuckles a deep echo rumbling the bones of the earth "What is this Ritual but a demand for me to come? You have the words, the sacred fire and even the stone you intend to bind me with. Why should I not come? Was this not your purpose?"
Satisfaction Strikes across the Woman's face " Ah. You are the beast of war I demanded. Know your place. Your opinion does not matter. I have Magic enough to know that you have been ensnared by the Katadesmos. The contract may not be fully formed but there is no way for you to deny its completion. Your future is a beast of war for my son to conquer the world. You will speak only when I desire it, and you will obey without hesitation. You have no power here to change that. No piece of bronze cast by God or Man can alter that Diamond now it is bound to you."
Another laugh as the beast stepped closer, impossibly heavy footsteps as the beast Slowly trekked up the hill, taking seconds to do what took the party minutes before. As he approached the Ritual site, the flaming serpents illuminated a six limbed form, four enormous clawed feet, two bat like wings and a snakelike neck and tail topped with a reptilian head. Bronze scales shimmered as they reflected ritual fires across the now nervous cultists and soldiers.
"If you had done the ritual perfectly, then Perhaps that would have been true." Disbelief drops from each word of the Dragon as his giant stride takes him swiftly past the woman, child, cultists and guards and towards the ritual Circle. "Perhaps." he repeats as he pauses just outside range of the flame serpents, studying the carvings in the Rock and the lights and shadows cast by the Diamond even as a bronze mist begins to be pulled from his chest.
"Interesting Enchantment." The dragon turns to regard the woman fully "What your child desires and what you have written are not the same. Now, now, don't look surprised you poured your child's life force into a stone that you then attempted to convince Magic and the World that that Diamond and I are one and the same, The words you had written on that stone have been written into my being. It is me and I am it. So why would I not read what you have so freely given? But that is not why we are here."
The Dragon lifts a foot and scrapes the remains of a crushed strawberry bush off before casually tossing it towards the flaming serpents. The green-eyed one snatches the projectile out of the air swallowing it down with relish before turning again to the Dragon.
"You are certain you have the perfect trap for me. A stone so hard that cannot be cut but by Magic, and a circle of fire lit by a spark of your magic and that burns Oil and my Essence as fuel. I congratulate you on your skill Magi, No tool, magic or otherwise that I hold after the fires where lit can change the words on that Rock, and No magic of mine can touch it without being consumed. And even if I could touch it you have surrounded it with magic eating serpents of flame. A trap that wiggles tighter the more I resist. If I follow your instructions, I will have perhaps a century to live before it consumes me. However…"
A titanic step towards the ritual space. The green-eyed fame serpent attempts to strike only to be foiled as a bronze paw lazily catches it around its neck and casually pins it to the ground. The flame snake writhes futilely for a moment before going still. The Dragon briefly looks back towards the woman with annoyance written on its features.
"Serpents of fire formed of my magic and the sacred flame of Apollo but guided by your will. It should be a Challenge. It is not. The construct has power but its execution is so clumsy that the blood of one of Demeter's wild subjects on my paw is enough to prevent its bite. I find myself disappointed Magi."
The dragon lets go of the serpent's neck and all the flame serpents suddenly retreat as far as they are able while still tethered at the tail to the braziers from which they arose. Unimpeded and a little annoyed the dragon steps into the ritual space.
The Dragon sits back on his haunches towering over flame serpents and reaches down with a scorched paw and exactly picks up the oh so small in comparison bloody Diamond by the tips of his claws and lifts the gemstone his eye and pulses his aura. A ring of power emanates form the dragon that the Diamond greedily consumes. The frown on the dragon's face lessens.
"Interesting. You have also made it so my touch on the gem will drain me even faster. You have indeed tricked the gemstone into believing that I am the Diamond, and the Diamond is me. Anything I turn against it will be repeated on myself. However, because you have chosen to try to bind my essence in such an intimate way you have also revealed your magics in this as completely as if you had whispered all your secrets in my ear. You reveal to me all the little flaws in this contract. Myrtale mother of Iskander. Can you see the error in the writing you have carved into this Diamond?"
Recovering her courage, the woman yells back, " I am Olympia, wife of Phillip king of Greece. It matters not what you have found nor that you have bypassed its guardians. Your essence is trapped, Beast. As long as that Diamond hold your Magic and the Text on it exists, you will serve my son and through him me. That is what is written, and that is what will be. "
The booming chuckle again. "Are you Certain? Bet your life on it certain, Myrtale, Forth Wife of Phillip the Second, Mother of Iskander."
"I am certain you will serve me, Beast."
"Will I? Then I shall begin my service by asking you a question. Why did you do all of this? Drama and ceremony are unneeded to cast magics unless your purpose is spectacle. A street magician makes big showy gestures to cover minor cantrips to awe and amaze the spectators. If you had truly wanted your son to have an ally of my capacity, you would have needed less than a candle marks worth of work in a forest clearing alone except for yourself and the boy. Was this about him or about you? Myratle daughter of Neoptolemus of Epirus?"
There is a slight hesitation in her voice as she yells back "For my son."
The Dragon's tone is dismissive as he looks away and plays with something in his far paw. "You have built yourself a theatre, Cast yourself as the director with myself and your son as the actors, Have these magi as a Greek chorus and have brought an audience in the form of your guards. You wanted a spectacle now and whispers of your power in the future you not a Spell cast now and an ally for your son In the future. But in theatre the bigger the production the more likely small details go missing and allow for the unexpected to, Heh, steal the show."
And with that the dragon lifts his second paw revealing, cradled delicately between two claws a ceremonial dagger, a very familiar ceremonial dagger.
A flicker of confusion as she looks between the boy and the tiny Blade the dragon holds. The boy's belt is empty and the Blade still rests between two enormous claws.
" You made magic such a spectacle, demanded such attention that a dragon was able to steal a knife from a belt in your audience. Admittedly I am very sneaky for a dragon, but you Sought spectacle above all. If you had just acted Well… but that is not now."
A precise tap with the Blade and small flakes of diamond dust fall, as do a few bronze scales. Another tap, more scales, more diamond dust, another, and thin sheets of Diamond fall off the Stone, taking the magically carved text with them, the worn skin of the Dragon likewise peeling revealing shining fresh scales underneath.
"Have to remember that trick next moulting season. Now can you see the problem with your writing on this Diamond?"
The dragon holds the now pristine and features Dimond out briefly before returning to work on it with the blade.
The woman is agitated now "So you have some small skill beast. I am practitioner enough that I know much of your essence remains in the gem, you are weak enough that all I need to do is take the gem from you and I will be able to rewrite the commands. And I will do so deeper this time. I will have your obedience. And your silence. I am Olympia of Macedonia and I will not be denied."
"Really well don't let me stop you, then reach out with your magic and take control, She who is called Olympia." The dragons continues, running the Blade casually around the outside of the gem leaving minor scratches "And how did you get that name I wonder? I heard a rumour that your name was changed because your husband won a horserace?" the blade goes the other direction the scratches enhanced into jagged words for those that have eyes to see them. The woman blinded by her fury does not.
"Silence Beast." She yells as green fire gathers around the woman's hand as she reaches towards the now clearly glowing gem held In the Dragon's claw.
The fire flies fast across the distance between the writhing flame serpents towards the fist-sized gemstone.
It almost makes it. The Dragon pushes the Blade into the gem, twisting the Blade and turning the central glow of the gem to dust. A flash and the dust seemingly explodes, turning into a miniature dragon that takes flight, evading the green fire which is immediately caught by the now bowl shaped remains of the stone.
"No." came the yell as the green fire is pulled towards the now empty egg of a gemstone the Dragon holds. Power rips itself unwillingly from the woman's fingers pouring into the vessel as the dust dragon lands on the Real dragon's head.
"And your power fills a small vessel much as you hoped to do to me." the Dragon continues its tone somewhere between casual and malicious. "A diamond capable of containing the full magic of a dragon is more than capable of containing several Magi's, especially if the leader was incautious enough to throw power at the vessel while it sits in the centre of a circle of her own design powered by her own Magic. Especially with how clumsily she prepared the stone and incautiously revealed ALL her secrets in the process."
The green fire comes unwillingly from the woman in larger and larger waves until it suddenly it did not. Then like a thread being pulled or a rope buried under the sand the green fire pulls forward leaving her hand, first circling the ritual site. Then the circle from the cultists, finally the green-eyed flame serpent now desperate to get away but still tethered to the Brazier holding its tail. All back to the tiny gemstone vessel held by the Dragon.
"You cannot do this. I am Olympia wife of Phillip you will obey me. You…" she sways, and sits hard on the rocky path, "You would kill me, Beast?"
The Fires of the flame serpents are extinguished. The only light is the green witch's fire, stolen from her and contained in a Diamond cup below the Dragon's face.
"You will not perish though you may prefer to have been slain. You and yours will live without magics. This is your punishment for your hubris. You do not command me; you cannot control me. This was short-sighted and foolish. You never stopped to consider if I might have allies or even a mate who likes strawberries. Had you less ego and less surety about your place in the world you might have considered negotiating. I would have never served you Olympia Fourth wife of Philip the Second of Macedonia, but I might have found your child interesting enough to advise occasionally.
"Now you have given your Magic to me and your child's life. Prey, you will not bother me further."
The woman tries to answer even as the dragon turns his attention away but is unable to make her mouth work. She falls back to fully lie on the ground breathing heavily, a victim of her sudden weakness.
The dragon fully focuses on the boy still standing there watching and not cowering as the cultists or the soldiers do "Child, you are either brave or foolish to still be here, and having tasted your life I believe it is the former. I will allow one question."
The child looks between the Dragon generous in its victory, and his mother, defeated and on the ground, still unable to speak. "How do I get your weight in gold so you serve as my advisor?"
Deep Laughter rolled over the countryside "You do not lack for audacity child. There is not enough Gold in Greece and Persia combined. To match my weight in gold you would need to conquer the world. Consider though, how does your father reward his advisors? Do you have to give me my weight in gold for my advice and does it need to be given all at once?"
"Your Point is well made. What would a few lessons cost?"
The dragon looks at the still glowing cup containing the magics of the boys mother and her cultists.
"I seem to have my first Payment. I will remain in the area. Bring a Oxen to this hill and I will share with you my wisdom, keep your men from seeking deeply in yonder mountains for my cave and I will grant you may council. Know this child, I have little trust at present. I have felt your spirit and I approve but I will not be your beast of war, nor will I assist your mother in any way. She has poisoned that well most effectively. If I detect treachery I will repay in kind."
"Understood. May I ask another Question?"
The dragon's eyes pointedly flick to the cup and back to the child. "Ask. I may not answer."
The child waited in contemplation for a few second then asked. "If mother had cast the spell in a garden with just myself as a witness, would you have been willing to hear her out?"
"If she had approached in good faith, I would have considered it, haughty as she was. But she came with magic and guile, so I defeated her with magic and guile. She is lucky it was me who was closest. Your stories say I am the child of Python, a titan and peer of your gods. Would you have Approached one of the gods this way? Why then would you approach one of the children of the Titans with such a lack of respect? Surely your stories tell you the possible outcomes?"
Silence for a moment as the child considers the Dragons words.
"Did mother do anything of this right?"
"Not since she decided on theatre instead of magic." Came the almost laughing reply. "She did not consider that I might have allies, a mate or children who might chose to avenge me. I have all of those. Your men's spears are far too short to bother me so your mother had no recourse if her magics failed, Worst she overestimated her command of magics and secrets or she would not have picked a ritual site with strawberries growing nearby. Strawberries can make Binding rituals unpredictable."
"I thank you for your wisdom. If you are to be my teacher, what do you wish for me to call you?"
The dragon looks at the glowing diamond cup one last time and turns back to the boy. "I shall gift you this for your audacity and as a taste of what you can gain if you remain True. I once answered to Python but your mother used that to bind me. I will take what She has Given knowingly or otherwise. I shall be Iskander and when your foes or mine search for the great Iskander they will be Frustrated.
With that, the Dragon leapt into the night sky. Leaving an unconscious magicless witch and Powerless Cultists, some terrified guards, and a pensive child.
Consider the view of a hypothetical watcher in a stony valley just before dawn. A young man drives a pair of oxen along a rocky dirt path towards a rocky spur of a hill. The path winds its way around and around the hill towards the flattened outcropping. Gouges that could be text or the claw marks of a giant beast mar the otherwise perfectly flat surface. Within the deepest gouges in the rock strawberries compete with all manner of plants fertilised with the ash from multiple fires. Natural stone seating is interspaced with strategically placed boulders and carved rock, a natural theatre augmented by the direction of intelligence into a place where plays can be watched, and debates held.
The sun rises as the cows are half way up the dirt path.
Rays of light stretch leadingly across a misty valley floor. The sun is momentarily blinding as a dark shadow moves overhead. Suddenly there is only one cow. The young man seems unconcerned as he prods the remaining confused cow back into motion. Another flicker and there are no cows. Still unconcerned the young man tosses the stick he was using to guide the cows aside and picks up his pace towards the outcropping and the natural theatre.
Cresting the ridge, he is momentarily silhouetted against the early morning sky as he walks down the rows of seating, towards the stage and a crude fire built on it. Above the fire rests part of a cracked and broken brazier with strips of raw beef slowly cooking on the heated metal.
The young man sits near the fire on a conveniently placed boulder looking out over the valley and contemplating the start of the day. As he waits for the met to cook the sun rises creeping over the landscape filling in all the dark hollows below gradually revealing the detailed tapestry of the terrain. The smell of beef gradually grows overcoming the Faint smell of strawberries on the breeze.
"Normally you would have begun eating by now. What is on your mind, Iskander?" the deep voice seemes to come from everywhere and nowhere.
The boy starts and then sheepishly reaches for a piece of cooking meat, eating it carefully to avoid burning his fingers. After swallowing the first bite he answers to the air. "Father has declared that Aristotle is to be my teacher at the academy at the Temple of the Nymphs."
"An opportunity." Comes the reply. "Philosopher he may be but his teacher was also a Wrestler of some repute."
"Yes Plato or Broad Shoulders is the name his teacher went by. Are you not jealous that I have a new teacher?"
Laughter. "Lad I am a Dragon you are Human. There are things that I will never be able to tell you because I cannot know them."
A shadow moves and a Large bronze dragon head appears over the edge of the Stage.
"It will mean that I have less time I can sneak off and see you. There is only so much time I can say I am off hunting or playing the lyre."
"That may not be a bad thing. From what you have spoken apart from Cletus, your wetnurses son do you have any true companions?"
"When could I make them? Leonidas, my uncle has no tolerance for what he calls the softer things in life, and Lysimachus flattery makes me wonder if any he introduces are true or just want me for what I can do for them."
"So what will this change bring and how can you profit?"
The boy groaned and bit savagely into his meat. "You are going to make a lesson of it are you not?"
"You appreciated the lesson on different eyes found in nature and why a horse's eyes would make it scared of its shadow did you not? What did you name that creature? Something about a cow?"
The boy flushed swallowed his mouthful and continued speaking as if the dragon had not spoken. "Away from Court and Leonidas I will have a chance to interact with my nearest peers in nobility and take their measure. You said these will likely become the Pillars of Power that will hold me high when I rule, if I in turn steady the pillars beneath them."
"And?" the dragon asks leadingly.
"I will consider all of them on their merits because the men needed to conquer are not aways the same as those needed to rule the conquered country." He paused and turned to face the dragon "Does that mean I should recruit Persians as Pillars if I manage to take their Land?"
"If they have the skill. Consider what you want. If you rule with a light hand and respect local religions and customs no one will complain when you deal harshly with the few who rise against you anyway. This will make Pillars Recruited from the conquered easier to maintain as you will not be so aligned against their beliefs. You may find it harder to bind such a conquest together but the land you take and control will be greater. "
"And more land means more people from whom I can find the truly skilled who believe in my dreams to make my pillars of power." The young man nods as he finishes.
"Or those pillars that can be persuaded to truly support your rule. Remember Time and Treasure have limits. Rewards that build a pillar that does not support you may as well be thrown away. A pillar that becomes useless as times and circumstances change is much the same. The trick is knowing when to move on and replace the faulty pillar.
"How do I know then, o wise dragon?"
"Start to by going to the temple of nymphs, Learn who your Greek Pillars would be and make your judgments."
Meat eaten the boy jumped to his feet and started towards the path energy in his step. "You have my thanks, Dragon both for the breakfast and advice. I will return in half a year and tell you of my successes."
"I thank you for the cows and my Breakfast. See that you do return Child. I will eagerly hear your story."
There where more Stories Breakfasts and Cows but in hindsight that was the turing point when Iskander the child looked outward and Started to become Iskander the Man. A man that would leave his draconic tutor behind as the dragon had bound himself not to march to war with the young man as that would represent a win for the boys still flitting about in the background mother.
It was amusing to watch the child learn and grow to combine the lessons with the Philosopher Aristotle that the child's father King Phillip the second, had hired to educate the Child. An altogether more sensible if also more harsh Man than his wife.
The Child had continued to return if less and less as the years went on. When the child, and then young man did, he related tales of his exploits and challenges while continuing to seek the dragons advice. The dragon accepted the stories with humor and continued the lessons and advice offered with a fond Smile on his draconic face.
Lessons turned from formal instructions to chats about the politics in Greece, to the relative political instability thought Greece and Persia and what would be needed to take advantage of it. Armies and battlefields, tactics and weapons. All that and more He shared freely the insigts he had gained over the Dragons Millenia of existence. Iskander enjoyed his discussions with the Boy.
His mate had lovingly teased him about his attachment and the miniature Dragon made of Diamond and Magic, Life force and Blood. He was saddened to see the child move from Macedonia and move to Athens as his father bid. The move ending their regular lessons religating times togther to stolen moments infrequently while the man was on campaign. He eagerly listened for rumours and tales told by travellers about the boys conquests and occasionally flew over to see his latest prize and the next city the child had named after his dragon mentor.
He had felt intense sadness when the small diamond dragon failed to wake and move when Iskandar the child was a mere 30 or so years old. It took the better part of a decade and the efforts of his wonderful mate to cheer him up. And now she was gone too.
Iskander the dragon shook the memories off again. Once again returning the here and now, to a small, wooded valley on a different continent Millenia later. Wandering into the cave he found himself before a rooster statue that he gently tilted back. Concealed beneath the base was a few valuable keepsakes, treasures he would not abandon except in the direst of circumstances.
Among them a small dragon forever sleeping within an egg-shaped cup both of diamond the echoes of an ancient Katadesmos still visible for eyes to see. Bound in Blood and Magic was a contract for advice and guidance paid for with Gold and Valuables. Ended now due to the death of the contracted.
He wrapped himself around the statue and stared at the gemstone before tuning his senses to anther Katadesmos. This one was carved into a more humble stone that he had to dig out of a ritual site himself but it was still live and the request, well the request was far more palatable than to being a beast of war for a conqueror.
A pulse of power reassured him that the contracted on the other end was safe and well as he closed his eyes. A short nap to keep his energy up in case he needed to fly to her rescue later was a sensible use of his time and if he dreamed of Strawberries and his departed mate playing with a small diamond dragon, well that was his own business.
Consider the view of a hypothetical watcher in a Pine valley just before dawn. They are following the faintest trace of an overgrown trail towards a cave. As the watcher walks, the sky gradually brightens, before the Sun triumphantly breaks the horizon. Rays of golden light strike the very top of the trees as the surrounding granite cliffs begin to sparkle with colour. The watchers movement barely outpaces the receding shadows as the Suns rise illuminates a tree filled valley spotted with boulders. Rock outcroppings sparkle with morning dew as a smallish river wind gently away down the valley. A log over the river forms an impromptu bridge while dark water washes under the fallen tree. All the while the Sun continues its majestic rise. Its rays pierce the mist still hugging the bases of the thinning trees and skittering across the rocks and boulders surrounding a small mountain. Golden Bronze light flickers and dances giving the entire world an almost magical aura, Puffs of Moisture go past like the breaths of some enormous creature, Miniature rainbows sparkling within. Following the rise of the path out of the retreating trees our hypothetical watcher finds themselves at a granite outcropping near the base of that small mountain. The moist puffs of air seem to come from somewhere nearby .
With the rise of the sun and the new vantage point of the hypothetical watcher the Suns rays now carve their way deeper into the shadows, revealing dazzling arrays of drops on leaves, branches and spiderwebs strung between trees. The watcher shakes off its distraction and forces itself towards the outcropping with uncommon determination before noting the light is now refracting... oddly. The observers eyes tell them that there is nothing there, That it's just a shadow behind that large boulder. And the trick of the light. No, it's a shallow cave, and the yellow is obviously the light reflecting off something. The watcher Closes their eyes and Concentrates then takes another step and then another on the path their feet tell them is still there but their eyes insist no longer exists. Blinking their eyes open the cave is deeper, the Sun is now higher but somehow the shadows here are harsher than they were before the Sun rose. An unpleasant tint of something refracts from a rock and the beauty of the scene is fractured like a wrong note in a symphony, The watcher forces themselves forward again. The Cave is now deeper than it was before and the yellow is Rock not a sunbeam. that Rock moved, that enormous ten ton bolder moved up and down. Then the Yellow is Bronze. And the Bronze is an Arm. An enormous Arm. An enormous Draconic Arm. Then the arm is attached to a body, attached to a head but the head has its eyes closed. And then it does not. And then? And then it is too late for the hypothetical watcher.
Iskender opened his eyes again and looked out through the early morning mist from the entrance to the cave, the faintest trace of magic arising from the banishment of potentially malicious but probably unlucky Watcher.
"Still not quite right." he mused to himself "That watcher should not have been able to get close as it did ".
He twitched his arm Just So and pulled. To his eyes the wards that concealed this place moved just slightly ringing with a not-sound that suggested distraction. The not sound of boredom and inattention ringing from the construct. The dragon Frowned and looked to the path.
'Not quite right. What is interfering with the harmonic? …aha."
A small boulder a mere ten tonnes eased itself across to the side and the Claw was again twisted just so. This time the not-note that it played was more pure than before more precise and properly focused on the overgrown path leading out of the valley. Nodding in satisfaction Iskander retreated back to his lair for an early morning Buffalo haunch. Cows where all well and good but nothing beat the occasional buffalo that you caught yourself.
Cows themselves had changed over his lifetime. The smaller forms of his youth had given way to these massive creatures. From herd living animals that barely obeyed their human farmers to domesticated creatures with barely a thought in their heads. Times changed. But they didn't change that much. Here he was once again living rough and educating a small child. He was also enjoying himself more than he had in centuries. Still, he found his thoughts returning to another child and a warm evening and an eventful meeting, a few millennia back.
It is a warm evening. The sun sets on a rocky hillside in a country that would eventually be known as Macedonia. A rocky spur surrounded by natural seating has had its point perfectly flattened and a circular design of arcane glyphs cut into its surface making a crude stage. At the cardinal points of the circle stand ornate bronze braziers. The braziers' engravings show remarkably lifelike depictions of snakes and other reptilian beasts. A path winds its way up and around the hill towards the peak,
Making the path in the twilight is a small procession led by a child. The child wears a finely woven toga, holds a large, faceted diamond with glyphs describing arcane secrets scratched into its faces. A small ritual blade on his belt bounces slightly in time with his step. Following the child is a series of humanoid figures that carry flaming torches, their forms concealed with heavy dark cloaks. Another few steps Behind the figures, a tall, dark-haired woman follows imperiously, seemingly in command of the whole procession. She, in turn, is followed by a small group of nervous spear-carrying soldiers.
The group reaches the top of the outcropping as the Sun sinks to the horizon. The cloaked figures step forward as one splitting and moving in an almost dance till they stand just behind the serpent-carved bronze braziers.
Carve the Rune, Blood the Stone. Comes the simultaneous echoing call from each cultist,
The child swallows nervously before stepping into the circle. The gemstone is placed on a small plinth, and the ritual blade is taken from the child's belt. A look of concentration crosses the child's face, illuminated by the otherworldly glow of the ritual blade as it cuts effortlessly into the impossibly hard Diamond completing the final rune. Diamond dust sparkles catching the unearthly glow of the cutting blade before seeming to dissolve into nothing leaving the plinth unnaturally clean.
The child contemplates his left palm for a moment before he cuts the meaty part of his left hand. The woman looks on in approval. The boy hisses in pain as he places his left hand on the carved Diamond, and blood seeps into the glyphs. To mystical senses something begins to pulse like a beacon in the night as the Katadesmos, the magical contract between child and familiar is completed precisely as the last rays of the sun disappear beneath the horizon.
It may be a trick of the dying sunlight or the spark of flickering torchlight, but the Diamond seems to glow for a moment.
"It is done, child." comes the command from the woman. "Now come, and I will bind your wound."
As the child leaves the circle, the darkness swallows the Diamond on the plinth.
"Your part is done." The woman declares as the child approaches, drawing out a piece of clean linen. "You will soon have a servant unmatched by any other."
"Father always says a good advisor is worth his weight in gold." The child replies, wincing at the rough bandaging of his hand.
A sneer flickers across the woman's face for a moment
"Perhaps. But this ritual will bind you the service of a fearsome beast of war. Now be silent. This next part requires my concentration."
Satisfied with her work bandaging, she lets the child's hand go and steps forward to the only unattended Brazier.
"Light the fires with the flames of Apollo."
The echoing call of the cultists rings out. The lit torches are thrust into their respective Brazier's oil, momentarily plunging the site into darkness before almost all the braziers roar into burning light.
Green fire comes from the Woman's empty hand and strikes the surface of the oil, Igniting it. A spire of Green flame momentarily dominates the ritual before shrinking and transforming into a more normal colour. Satisfied at her display of power, She takes a step forward to match the position of the other cultists behind the braziers and raises her voice to lead as they begin chanting in a strange, almost hissing manner. The guards and child remain warily silent at the display.
Chanting echoes from the stage, Fire light flickers and the engravings on the braziers almost seem to move in time with the chanting. Nothing seems to happen for a moment as the world seems to hold its breath, and then, with a Hiss the braziers contents transform from small fires to serpents made of flame, massively increasing the scene's brightness.
Now visible, the fist sized Diamond sits in the middle of the carved circle, glinting ominously as the fire snakes writhe around the perimeter. The carvings in the Rock and cracks beyond the polished edges of the stage are now deeper and darker, hinting at impossible depths. Red blood coats the Diamond, sinking into the magically cut words adorning its surface. A flicker of something and the reflected light from the diamond somehow is brighter than the Flaming serpents that it originates from, dominating the scene and casting eerie shadows and reflections around the gemstone that perfectly line up with the bottomless glyphs cut into the stage.
The chanting continues, and the fire serpents grow further in size, towering over the cultists. With each repetition of the verse, a cultist steps back deferentially and ceases his efforts head bowed toward his flaming construct, his serpent brazier fully awake and following the lead of the largest, the flaming serpent with green eyes in front of the Woman. With each flame serpent, the light grows revealing more and more of the scene. Finally by herself the last verse is sung and rather than deferral retreat the woman almost contemptuously struts back to the child, illuminated from behind by her Working. A ring of flaming serpents rising from the braziers their tails still trapped within seem to loom over her shoulder surrounding the unnatural reflections from the diamond within the circle.
She comes to face the child, stopping angled slightly to ensure the guardsman behind him have the best view of the situation and affixes a look of concern on her face as she gestures towards the child's hand.
"Does it still Hurt? "She asks in a tone that implies the answer will be no. Barely waiting for him to shake his head in denial she looks him in the eye and continues.
"Watch closely. This is true power, the ability to bind the Titans to your will. Your father never showed you this. He could not. He is not capable of it."
"Yes Mother"
The woman continues her monologue as if the child had not spoken "The Ritual is one of the secrets that are known only to the mystery cult of serpents and will bind the mighty Py Thon to your service. Imagine a titan at the forefront of your armies, a vicious beast capable of obliterating any opponent against you. You will not need to bow or even treat with those Persian savages, and no Greek noble will be willing to speak against your command."
"What if the summoned creature disagrees with the terms of the contract as written?" A deep voice from behind the woman calls.
Staying focused on the child willing him to remember the moment and who gave it to him she answers back to the deep voice sharply. "Impossible. The Ritual was taken from the oracle of Delphi. The Titan Python himself was slain when he refused to Kneel to Apollo. My working will be more than enough to entrap one of his brood. Now be silent I feel something approaches."
"Mother that was not one of the Guards."
Rage flashes across her face as she turns away from the child, breaking the dramatic scene she was crafting, peering into the darkness she demands "Who Dares approach without Invitation."
A dark shape coalesces from the evening gloom. A heavy footfall lands on a bush at the base of the hill, and the tension of the scene is mocked by the smell of crushed Strawberries.
"Without invitation? Me? I was merely going past looking for strawberries when I heard the call." the shape Chuckles a deep echo rumbling the bones of the earth "What is this Ritual but a demand for me to come? You have the words, the sacred fire and even the stone you intend to bind me with. Why should I not come? Was this not your purpose?"
Satisfaction Strikes across the Woman's face " Ah. You are the beast of war I demanded. Know your place. Your opinion does not matter. I have Magic enough to know that you have been ensnared by the Katadesmos. The contract may not be fully formed but there is no way for you to deny its completion. Your future is a beast of war for my son to conquer the world. You will speak only when I desire it, and you will obey without hesitation. You have no power here to change that. No piece of bronze cast by God or Man can alter that Diamond now it is bound to you."
Another laugh as the beast stepped closer, impossibly heavy footsteps as the beast Slowly trekked up the hill, taking seconds to do what took the party minutes before. As he approached the Ritual site, the flaming serpents illuminated a six limbed form, four enormous clawed feet, two bat like wings and a snakelike neck and tail topped with a reptilian head. Bronze scales shimmered as they reflected ritual fires across the now nervous cultists and soldiers.
"If you had done the ritual perfectly, then Perhaps that would have been true." Disbelief drops from each word of the Dragon as his giant stride takes him swiftly past the woman, child, cultists and guards and towards the ritual Circle. "Perhaps." he repeats as he pauses just outside range of the flame serpents, studying the carvings in the Rock and the lights and shadows cast by the Diamond even as a bronze mist begins to be pulled from his chest.
"Interesting Enchantment." The dragon turns to regard the woman fully "What your child desires and what you have written are not the same. Now, now, don't look surprised you poured your child's life force into a stone that you then attempted to convince Magic and the World that that Diamond and I are one and the same, The words you had written on that stone have been written into my being. It is me and I am it. So why would I not read what you have so freely given? But that is not why we are here."
The Dragon lifts a foot and scrapes the remains of a crushed strawberry bush off before casually tossing it towards the flaming serpents. The green-eyed one snatches the projectile out of the air swallowing it down with relish before turning again to the Dragon.
"You are certain you have the perfect trap for me. A stone so hard that cannot be cut but by Magic, and a circle of fire lit by a spark of your magic and that burns Oil and my Essence as fuel. I congratulate you on your skill Magi, No tool, magic or otherwise that I hold after the fires where lit can change the words on that Rock, and No magic of mine can touch it without being consumed. And even if I could touch it you have surrounded it with magic eating serpents of flame. A trap that wiggles tighter the more I resist. If I follow your instructions, I will have perhaps a century to live before it consumes me. However…"
A titanic step towards the ritual space. The green-eyed fame serpent attempts to strike only to be foiled as a bronze paw lazily catches it around its neck and casually pins it to the ground. The flame snake writhes futilely for a moment before going still. The Dragon briefly looks back towards the woman with annoyance written on its features.
"Serpents of fire formed of my magic and the sacred flame of Apollo but guided by your will. It should be a Challenge. It is not. The construct has power but its execution is so clumsy that the blood of one of Demeter's wild subjects on my paw is enough to prevent its bite. I find myself disappointed Magi."
The dragon lets go of the serpent's neck and all the flame serpents suddenly retreat as far as they are able while still tethered at the tail to the braziers from which they arose. Unimpeded and a little annoyed the dragon steps into the ritual space.
The Dragon sits back on his haunches towering over flame serpents and reaches down with a scorched paw and exactly picks up the oh so small in comparison bloody Diamond by the tips of his claws and lifts the gemstone his eye and pulses his aura. A ring of power emanates form the dragon that the Diamond greedily consumes. The frown on the dragon's face lessens.
"Interesting. You have also made it so my touch on the gem will drain me even faster. You have indeed tricked the gemstone into believing that I am the Diamond, and the Diamond is me. Anything I turn against it will be repeated on myself. However, because you have chosen to try to bind my essence in such an intimate way you have also revealed your magics in this as completely as if you had whispered all your secrets in my ear. You reveal to me all the little flaws in this contract. Myrtale mother of Iskander. Can you see the error in the writing you have carved into this Diamond?"
Recovering her courage, the woman yells back, " I am Olympia, wife of Phillip king of Greece. It matters not what you have found nor that you have bypassed its guardians. Your essence is trapped, Beast. As long as that Diamond hold your Magic and the Text on it exists, you will serve my son and through him me. That is what is written, and that is what will be. "
The booming chuckle again. "Are you Certain? Bet your life on it certain, Myrtale, Forth Wife of Phillip the Second, Mother of Iskander."
"I am certain you will serve me, Beast."
"Will I? Then I shall begin my service by asking you a question. Why did you do all of this? Drama and ceremony are unneeded to cast magics unless your purpose is spectacle. A street magician makes big showy gestures to cover minor cantrips to awe and amaze the spectators. If you had truly wanted your son to have an ally of my capacity, you would have needed less than a candle marks worth of work in a forest clearing alone except for yourself and the boy. Was this about him or about you? Myratle daughter of Neoptolemus of Epirus?"
There is a slight hesitation in her voice as she yells back "For my son."
The Dragon's tone is dismissive as he looks away and plays with something in his far paw. "You have built yourself a theatre, Cast yourself as the director with myself and your son as the actors, Have these magi as a Greek chorus and have brought an audience in the form of your guards. You wanted a spectacle now and whispers of your power in the future you not a Spell cast now and an ally for your son In the future. But in theatre the bigger the production the more likely small details go missing and allow for the unexpected to, Heh, steal the show."
And with that the dragon lifts his second paw revealing, cradled delicately between two claws a ceremonial dagger, a very familiar ceremonial dagger.
A flicker of confusion as she looks between the boy and the tiny Blade the dragon holds. The boy's belt is empty and the Blade still rests between two enormous claws.
" You made magic such a spectacle, demanded such attention that a dragon was able to steal a knife from a belt in your audience. Admittedly I am very sneaky for a dragon, but you Sought spectacle above all. If you had just acted Well… but that is not now."
A precise tap with the Blade and small flakes of diamond dust fall, as do a few bronze scales. Another tap, more scales, more diamond dust, another, and thin sheets of Diamond fall off the Stone, taking the magically carved text with them, the worn skin of the Dragon likewise peeling revealing shining fresh scales underneath.
"Have to remember that trick next moulting season. Now can you see the problem with your writing on this Diamond?"
The dragon holds the now pristine and features Dimond out briefly before returning to work on it with the blade.
The woman is agitated now "So you have some small skill beast. I am practitioner enough that I know much of your essence remains in the gem, you are weak enough that all I need to do is take the gem from you and I will be able to rewrite the commands. And I will do so deeper this time. I will have your obedience. And your silence. I am Olympia of Macedonia and I will not be denied."
"Really well don't let me stop you, then reach out with your magic and take control, She who is called Olympia." The dragons continues, running the Blade casually around the outside of the gem leaving minor scratches "And how did you get that name I wonder? I heard a rumour that your name was changed because your husband won a horserace?" the blade goes the other direction the scratches enhanced into jagged words for those that have eyes to see them. The woman blinded by her fury does not.
"Silence Beast." She yells as green fire gathers around the woman's hand as she reaches towards the now clearly glowing gem held In the Dragon's claw.
The fire flies fast across the distance between the writhing flame serpents towards the fist-sized gemstone.
It almost makes it. The Dragon pushes the Blade into the gem, twisting the Blade and turning the central glow of the gem to dust. A flash and the dust seemingly explodes, turning into a miniature dragon that takes flight, evading the green fire which is immediately caught by the now bowl shaped remains of the stone.
"No." came the yell as the green fire is pulled towards the now empty egg of a gemstone the Dragon holds. Power rips itself unwillingly from the woman's fingers pouring into the vessel as the dust dragon lands on the Real dragon's head.
"And your power fills a small vessel much as you hoped to do to me." the Dragon continues its tone somewhere between casual and malicious. "A diamond capable of containing the full magic of a dragon is more than capable of containing several Magi's, especially if the leader was incautious enough to throw power at the vessel while it sits in the centre of a circle of her own design powered by her own Magic. Especially with how clumsily she prepared the stone and incautiously revealed ALL her secrets in the process."
The green fire comes unwillingly from the woman in larger and larger waves until it suddenly it did not. Then like a thread being pulled or a rope buried under the sand the green fire pulls forward leaving her hand, first circling the ritual site. Then the circle from the cultists, finally the green-eyed flame serpent now desperate to get away but still tethered to the Brazier holding its tail. All back to the tiny gemstone vessel held by the Dragon.
"You cannot do this. I am Olympia wife of Phillip you will obey me. You…" she sways, and sits hard on the rocky path, "You would kill me, Beast?"
The Fires of the flame serpents are extinguished. The only light is the green witch's fire, stolen from her and contained in a Diamond cup below the Dragon's face.
"You will not perish though you may prefer to have been slain. You and yours will live without magics. This is your punishment for your hubris. You do not command me; you cannot control me. This was short-sighted and foolish. You never stopped to consider if I might have allies or even a mate who likes strawberries. Had you less ego and less surety about your place in the world you might have considered negotiating. I would have never served you Olympia Fourth wife of Philip the Second of Macedonia, but I might have found your child interesting enough to advise occasionally.
"Now you have given your Magic to me and your child's life. Prey, you will not bother me further."
The woman tries to answer even as the dragon turns his attention away but is unable to make her mouth work. She falls back to fully lie on the ground breathing heavily, a victim of her sudden weakness.
The dragon fully focuses on the boy still standing there watching and not cowering as the cultists or the soldiers do "Child, you are either brave or foolish to still be here, and having tasted your life I believe it is the former. I will allow one question."
The child looks between the Dragon generous in its victory, and his mother, defeated and on the ground, still unable to speak. "How do I get your weight in gold so you serve as my advisor?"
Deep Laughter rolled over the countryside "You do not lack for audacity child. There is not enough Gold in Greece and Persia combined. To match my weight in gold you would need to conquer the world. Consider though, how does your father reward his advisors? Do you have to give me my weight in gold for my advice and does it need to be given all at once?"
"Your Point is well made. What would a few lessons cost?"
The dragon looks at the still glowing cup containing the magics of the boys mother and her cultists.
"I seem to have my first Payment. I will remain in the area. Bring a Oxen to this hill and I will share with you my wisdom, keep your men from seeking deeply in yonder mountains for my cave and I will grant you may council. Know this child, I have little trust at present. I have felt your spirit and I approve but I will not be your beast of war, nor will I assist your mother in any way. She has poisoned that well most effectively. If I detect treachery I will repay in kind."
"Understood. May I ask another Question?"
The dragon's eyes pointedly flick to the cup and back to the child. "Ask. I may not answer."
The child waited in contemplation for a few second then asked. "If mother had cast the spell in a garden with just myself as a witness, would you have been willing to hear her out?"
"If she had approached in good faith, I would have considered it, haughty as she was. But she came with magic and guile, so I defeated her with magic and guile. She is lucky it was me who was closest. Your stories say I am the child of Python, a titan and peer of your gods. Would you have Approached one of the gods this way? Why then would you approach one of the children of the Titans with such a lack of respect? Surely your stories tell you the possible outcomes?"
Silence for a moment as the child considers the Dragons words.
"Did mother do anything of this right?"
"Not since she decided on theatre instead of magic." Came the almost laughing reply. "She did not consider that I might have allies, a mate or children who might chose to avenge me. I have all of those. Your men's spears are far too short to bother me so your mother had no recourse if her magics failed, Worst she overestimated her command of magics and secrets or she would not have picked a ritual site with strawberries growing nearby. Strawberries can make Binding rituals unpredictable."
"I thank you for your wisdom. If you are to be my teacher, what do you wish for me to call you?"
The dragon looks at the glowing diamond cup one last time and turns back to the boy. "I shall gift you this for your audacity and as a taste of what you can gain if you remain True. I once answered to Python but your mother used that to bind me. I will take what She has Given knowingly or otherwise. I shall be Iskander and when your foes or mine search for the great Iskander they will be Frustrated.
With that, the Dragon leapt into the night sky. Leaving an unconscious magicless witch and Powerless Cultists, some terrified guards, and a pensive child.
Consider the view of a hypothetical watcher in a stony valley just before dawn. A young man drives a pair of oxen along a rocky dirt path towards a rocky spur of a hill. The path winds its way around and around the hill towards the flattened outcropping. Gouges that could be text or the claw marks of a giant beast mar the otherwise perfectly flat surface. Within the deepest gouges in the rock strawberries compete with all manner of plants fertilised with the ash from multiple fires. Natural stone seating is interspaced with strategically placed boulders and carved rock, a natural theatre augmented by the direction of intelligence into a place where plays can be watched, and debates held.
The sun rises as the cows are half way up the dirt path.
Rays of light stretch leadingly across a misty valley floor. The sun is momentarily blinding as a dark shadow moves overhead. Suddenly there is only one cow. The young man seems unconcerned as he prods the remaining confused cow back into motion. Another flicker and there are no cows. Still unconcerned the young man tosses the stick he was using to guide the cows aside and picks up his pace towards the outcropping and the natural theatre.
Cresting the ridge, he is momentarily silhouetted against the early morning sky as he walks down the rows of seating, towards the stage and a crude fire built on it. Above the fire rests part of a cracked and broken brazier with strips of raw beef slowly cooking on the heated metal.
The young man sits near the fire on a conveniently placed boulder looking out over the valley and contemplating the start of the day. As he waits for the met to cook the sun rises creeping over the landscape filling in all the dark hollows below gradually revealing the detailed tapestry of the terrain. The smell of beef gradually grows overcoming the Faint smell of strawberries on the breeze.
"Normally you would have begun eating by now. What is on your mind, Iskander?" the deep voice seemes to come from everywhere and nowhere.
The boy starts and then sheepishly reaches for a piece of cooking meat, eating it carefully to avoid burning his fingers. After swallowing the first bite he answers to the air. "Father has declared that Aristotle is to be my teacher at the academy at the Temple of the Nymphs."
"An opportunity." Comes the reply. "Philosopher he may be but his teacher was also a Wrestler of some repute."
"Yes Plato or Broad Shoulders is the name his teacher went by. Are you not jealous that I have a new teacher?"
Laughter. "Lad I am a Dragon you are Human. There are things that I will never be able to tell you because I cannot know them."
A shadow moves and a Large bronze dragon head appears over the edge of the Stage.
"It will mean that I have less time I can sneak off and see you. There is only so much time I can say I am off hunting or playing the lyre."
"That may not be a bad thing. From what you have spoken apart from Cletus, your wetnurses son do you have any true companions?"
"When could I make them? Leonidas, my uncle has no tolerance for what he calls the softer things in life, and Lysimachus flattery makes me wonder if any he introduces are true or just want me for what I can do for them."
"So what will this change bring and how can you profit?"
The boy groaned and bit savagely into his meat. "You are going to make a lesson of it are you not?"
"You appreciated the lesson on different eyes found in nature and why a horse's eyes would make it scared of its shadow did you not? What did you name that creature? Something about a cow?"
The boy flushed swallowed his mouthful and continued speaking as if the dragon had not spoken. "Away from Court and Leonidas I will have a chance to interact with my nearest peers in nobility and take their measure. You said these will likely become the Pillars of Power that will hold me high when I rule, if I in turn steady the pillars beneath them."
"And?" the dragon asks leadingly.
"I will consider all of them on their merits because the men needed to conquer are not aways the same as those needed to rule the conquered country." He paused and turned to face the dragon "Does that mean I should recruit Persians as Pillars if I manage to take their Land?"
"If they have the skill. Consider what you want. If you rule with a light hand and respect local religions and customs no one will complain when you deal harshly with the few who rise against you anyway. This will make Pillars Recruited from the conquered easier to maintain as you will not be so aligned against their beliefs. You may find it harder to bind such a conquest together but the land you take and control will be greater. "
"And more land means more people from whom I can find the truly skilled who believe in my dreams to make my pillars of power." The young man nods as he finishes.
"Or those pillars that can be persuaded to truly support your rule. Remember Time and Treasure have limits. Rewards that build a pillar that does not support you may as well be thrown away. A pillar that becomes useless as times and circumstances change is much the same. The trick is knowing when to move on and replace the faulty pillar.
"How do I know then, o wise dragon?"
"Start to by going to the temple of nymphs, Learn who your Greek Pillars would be and make your judgments."
Meat eaten the boy jumped to his feet and started towards the path energy in his step. "You have my thanks, Dragon both for the breakfast and advice. I will return in half a year and tell you of my successes."
"I thank you for the cows and my Breakfast. See that you do return Child. I will eagerly hear your story."
There where more Stories Breakfasts and Cows but in hindsight that was the turing point when Iskander the child looked outward and Started to become Iskander the Man. A man that would leave his draconic tutor behind as the dragon had bound himself not to march to war with the young man as that would represent a win for the boys still flitting about in the background mother.
It was amusing to watch the child learn and grow to combine the lessons with the Philosopher Aristotle that the child's father King Phillip the second, had hired to educate the Child. An altogether more sensible if also more harsh Man than his wife.
The Child had continued to return if less and less as the years went on. When the child, and then young man did, he related tales of his exploits and challenges while continuing to seek the dragons advice. The dragon accepted the stories with humor and continued the lessons and advice offered with a fond Smile on his draconic face.
Lessons turned from formal instructions to chats about the politics in Greece, to the relative political instability thought Greece and Persia and what would be needed to take advantage of it. Armies and battlefields, tactics and weapons. All that and more He shared freely the insigts he had gained over the Dragons Millenia of existence. Iskander enjoyed his discussions with the Boy.
His mate had lovingly teased him about his attachment and the miniature Dragon made of Diamond and Magic, Life force and Blood. He was saddened to see the child move from Macedonia and move to Athens as his father bid. The move ending their regular lessons religating times togther to stolen moments infrequently while the man was on campaign. He eagerly listened for rumours and tales told by travellers about the boys conquests and occasionally flew over to see his latest prize and the next city the child had named after his dragon mentor.
He had felt intense sadness when the small diamond dragon failed to wake and move when Iskandar the child was a mere 30 or so years old. It took the better part of a decade and the efforts of his wonderful mate to cheer him up. And now she was gone too.
Iskander the dragon shook the memories off again. Once again returning the here and now, to a small, wooded valley on a different continent Millenia later. Wandering into the cave he found himself before a rooster statue that he gently tilted back. Concealed beneath the base was a few valuable keepsakes, treasures he would not abandon except in the direst of circumstances.
Among them a small dragon forever sleeping within an egg-shaped cup both of diamond the echoes of an ancient Katadesmos still visible for eyes to see. Bound in Blood and Magic was a contract for advice and guidance paid for with Gold and Valuables. Ended now due to the death of the contracted.
He wrapped himself around the statue and stared at the gemstone before tuning his senses to anther Katadesmos. This one was carved into a more humble stone that he had to dig out of a ritual site himself but it was still live and the request, well the request was far more palatable than to being a beast of war for a conqueror.
A pulse of power reassured him that the contracted on the other end was safe and well as he closed his eyes. A short nap to keep his energy up in case he needed to fly to her rescue later was a sensible use of his time and if he dreamed of Strawberries and his departed mate playing with a small diamond dragon, well that was his own business.
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ConfusedPotato
Unverified Verifier
- Location
- Australia
Annnnnd... Cut to the ad break.
This was awesome. "Stealthy for a Dragon," knew more about magic than the Magi, even capped off the confrontation by tricking the vainglorious ass and her entire coven into losing all of their magic.
You even called back to the proscription on Strawberry-Scented Candles and had an explanation for it.
[Edit] Looking back at wabbitking's ritual, Myrtale really did do everything wrong:
* Ritual site is some kind of shrine or open-air altar instead of somewhere abandoned by humanity
* Sunset instead of Noon or Midnight
* Addressed the responding creature as a soon-to-be-slave instead of as a friend
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This has Saw vibes NGL.
Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
That was a bit of the inspiration, yeah.
Though, I will note that that quote is all I know about the Saw franchise, other than the popular theory that Kevin McCallister grew up to become the main villain of Saw.
Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
YOooooo, this is sick!
I love the Iskander lore you've created, and how you've woven other omake lore into this to make it even better.
Absolutely Canon, and I'll make it so that Iskander now provides +7.5 to mastering or learning spells, since he is still a dragon.
Pups Save the Puppets: Game On
Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
July 22, 2015: Adventure Bay, California
(POV: Ryder Collins)
Clenching his fist, Ryder took a moment to pause and take a steadying breath. Lashing out on the Puppeteer would do him no favors and could potentially lead to Mayor Goodway getting hurt.
"Alright, then." Ryder finally breathed out, trying his best to stay calm. "I'll play your game, Miss Puppeteer."
"My, my. So polite of you." The Puppeteer mockingly remarked, pursing her lips and tilting her head. "And that deserves a reward."
She's a villain, Ryder, she's a villain...
"To be frank with you," that irritating puppet Presto now spoke up, "we quite thoroughly enjoyed our last encounter, so the Puppeteer figured: why not stage another one? It'd make for a great introduction your new puppies."
"I find they're more receptive to greeting cards and flowers than high-speed chases." Ryder deadpanned.
"Boo hoo. You're such a killjoy, Ryder." The Puppeteer pouted a little adorably(STOP THAT) before shifting back into a smug expression. She then leaned forward, a sinister grin on her face as she placed her chin on both of her hands.
"Earlier this morning, I wandered across town all sneaky-like and puppetified four out of the five more prominent citizens of Adventure Bay on my list. The last person on the list is Mayor Goodway, who I sincerely thank for allowing me to volunteer her into the role."
As Mayor Goodway very hesitantly cheered at the Puppeteer's statement, Ryder's mind raced at the implications.
The Puppeteer has grown stronger. The Puppeteer can now turn people into puppets. She'll turn Mayor Goodway into a puppet. Are her victims even still alive? What will she-
She's kinda cute-STOP.
"No need to clap Mayor Goodway, an entertainer's worst enemy is fake applause," the Puppeteer's mocking "reassurances" interrupted Ryder's thoughts as she turned to face him again, a smug smirk on her face..
"And for the record, my volunteers aren't dead. Murder is far too crass an act, in my humble opinion. Though, I wouldn't say they're living much either."
"If I may be blunt, Puppeteer," Ryder, as politely as he could, interrupted, "While this banter has been... fun, may I ask that you please get to explaining the game's rules?"
"Patience, my dear Ryder," the Puppeteer giggled, covering her mouth with her hand for a second. "A girl must have her fun, after all."
Hrrnngghh...
"But since you're being so polite, I shall oblige you and move onto that. With each puppet, I've left cards with little riddles written on them. Your task, starting with Mayor Goodway's card, is to follow the trail of cards in order and find the puppetified people. The last puppet's card will then lead you to me, and we'll have just the greatest of finales, I assure you." The Puppeteer smirked, waiting for a response.
"And what happens if we decide to not follow them in order, or if I just send the pups on a city-wide search for your victims," Ryder pressed the villainess, "What happens if we just decide your rules aren't worth following?"
"Then you'll have to explain to the public why you couldn't save the mayor and their friends. Why you couldn't be the heroes they needed."
A chill went down Ryder's spine at that.
The Puppeteer then smiled, which Ryder couldn't be sure if it was genuine or mocking. "But I know you're not the type of person who cheats like that. You have until tonight to win our little game. Good lu-uck."
As she finished saying this, Presto began to wind up his wand beside her. Ryder had a terrible feeling that he knew what would happen next.
"Oh no!" Ryder could hear Mayor Goodway cry out in fear, and he could only watch what was unfolding before him in abject horror, unable to do anything to stop the Puppeteer.
"Abra Kadabra! Alakazam!"
Bright sparks of purple magic flew from the wand, there was a great flash off-screen, chaotic noise assaulted Ryder's ears-
And then there was silence.
And then the Puppeteer turned to face him. She winked, blew him a kiss, and hung up.
|--------------------------------------------|
(POV: Simon the Vex)
Simon slowly peeked his head out from behind the tree, watching and waiting for the right moment. Jo had entrusted him with watching the Paw Patrol Lookout and warn them of when they left, and he would do that duty with 110% effort!
So he waited.
And waited.
Waited.
Waited-wait.
Waitedy-wait-wait.
Ughh... Waiting is so boring!
One. Hour. Later.
Finally, after waiting so long, Simon looked up and saw that the Lookout's flashy light things on top were flashing a lot, which Jo had said would happen when the Paw Patrol were going in a mission. Perking up, Simon now began to pay close attention to the Lookout.
After a few minutes, the circle of vehicles began to turn, and that pup called... Chaste, maybe, went down that really fun-looking slide and into his pup vehicle. Then Marshle, Ski, Rocky, Rabble, Zamu, and the other pups followed close behind.
They must really love Jo if they all want to see her. Simon thought to himself as all the pups drove off along with Ryder.
Oh, they've all left! Now's the time.
Quickly, Simon rushed to a nearby tree with a large hole in the center of it. Flying inside, Simon quickly flew back out with a pair of blue balloons. Checking them over, he then let go of them and watched as they soared away.
Bye bye, balloons. Simon sadly thought, saluting the balloons and their sacrifice.
|--------------------------------------------|
(POV: Johanna Kairi / The Puppeteer)
After Iskander landed next to the Lookout, you quickly jumped off of him and set your minions to run through the Lookout and make sure no alarms were set.
"You remember the code, Iskander?" You asked.
"Blue balloons mean everything's according to plan, yellow means you've run into some difficulties, red means emergency evacuation, and green means to prepare for the grand finale." Iskander calmly replied, to which you nodded in response as Razor, one of your Vexes, flew up to you and reported that the security systems had been taken care of.
"Thank you, Razor, I'll be with you shortly," you nodded as Razor saluted and rushed back into the Lookout, before turning back to Iskander. "Stay out of sight, Iskander."
"And you stay safe, Master Johanna." Iskander curtly replied before quickly flying off back to where you'd been previously hiding.
After watching him fly away, you took a deep breath and walked into the Lookout.
There was so much to do, and so little time to do it.
What do you plan on doing to mess with the Lookout while waiting for the Paw Patrol? (Write in four actions. Actions will be subject to possible QM veto.)
[] Write-In
|--------------------------------------------|
A/N:
Hope this chapter landed well.
I've named the Allays and Vexes after some of this quest's questers, including @Aria the Mage mage and @Simon. Andersen.
In the last update, I gave some little hints as to what happened before Johanna puppetified the people.
I'd like to know how you all view Johanna as a SUPERVILLAIN and how she would compare to other kid's show villains like Slade, Hawkmoth, and such.
Also, as a personal request, I'd love to see some omakes about internet forums reacting to the newest appearance of the Puppeteer.
Also also, I hid some invisitext in Ryder's section, so see if you can find it.
Enjoy, and with sincere regards,
Duke William of.
(POV: Ryder Collins)
Clenching his fist, Ryder took a moment to pause and take a steadying breath. Lashing out on the Puppeteer would do him no favors and could potentially lead to Mayor Goodway getting hurt.
"Alright, then." Ryder finally breathed out, trying his best to stay calm. "I'll play your game, Miss Puppeteer."
"My, my. So polite of you." The Puppeteer mockingly remarked, pursing her lips and tilting her head. "And that deserves a reward."
She's a villain, Ryder, she's a villain...
"To be frank with you," that irritating puppet Presto now spoke up, "we quite thoroughly enjoyed our last encounter, so the Puppeteer figured: why not stage another one? It'd make for a great introduction your new puppies."
"I find they're more receptive to greeting cards and flowers than high-speed chases." Ryder deadpanned.
"Boo hoo. You're such a killjoy, Ryder." The Puppeteer pouted a little adorably(STOP THAT) before shifting back into a smug expression. She then leaned forward, a sinister grin on her face as she placed her chin on both of her hands.
"Earlier this morning, I wandered across town all sneaky-like and puppetified four out of the five more prominent citizens of Adventure Bay on my list. The last person on the list is Mayor Goodway, who I sincerely thank for allowing me to volunteer her into the role."
As Mayor Goodway very hesitantly cheered at the Puppeteer's statement, Ryder's mind raced at the implications.
The Puppeteer has grown stronger. The Puppeteer can now turn people into puppets. She'll turn Mayor Goodway into a puppet. Are her victims even still alive? What will she-
She's kinda cute-STOP.
"No need to clap Mayor Goodway, an entertainer's worst enemy is fake applause," the Puppeteer's mocking "reassurances" interrupted Ryder's thoughts as she turned to face him again, a smug smirk on her face..
"And for the record, my volunteers aren't dead. Murder is far too crass an act, in my humble opinion. Though, I wouldn't say they're living much either."
"If I may be blunt, Puppeteer," Ryder, as politely as he could, interrupted, "While this banter has been... fun, may I ask that you please get to explaining the game's rules?"
"Patience, my dear Ryder," the Puppeteer giggled, covering her mouth with her hand for a second. "A girl must have her fun, after all."
Hrrnngghh...
"But since you're being so polite, I shall oblige you and move onto that. With each puppet, I've left cards with little riddles written on them. Your task, starting with Mayor Goodway's card, is to follow the trail of cards in order and find the puppetified people. The last puppet's card will then lead you to me, and we'll have just the greatest of finales, I assure you." The Puppeteer smirked, waiting for a response.
"And what happens if we decide to not follow them in order, or if I just send the pups on a city-wide search for your victims," Ryder pressed the villainess, "What happens if we just decide your rules aren't worth following?"
"Then you'll have to explain to the public why you couldn't save the mayor and their friends. Why you couldn't be the heroes they needed."
A chill went down Ryder's spine at that.
The Puppeteer then smiled, which Ryder couldn't be sure if it was genuine or mocking. "But I know you're not the type of person who cheats like that. You have until tonight to win our little game. Good lu-uck."
As she finished saying this, Presto began to wind up his wand beside her. Ryder had a terrible feeling that he knew what would happen next.
"Oh no!" Ryder could hear Mayor Goodway cry out in fear, and he could only watch what was unfolding before him in abject horror, unable to do anything to stop the Puppeteer.
"Abra Kadabra! Alakazam!"
Bright sparks of purple magic flew from the wand, there was a great flash off-screen, chaotic noise assaulted Ryder's ears-
And then there was silence.
And then the Puppeteer turned to face him. She winked, blew him a kiss, and hung up.
|--------------------------------------------|
(POV: Simon the Vex)
Simon slowly peeked his head out from behind the tree, watching and waiting for the right moment. Jo had entrusted him with watching the Paw Patrol Lookout and warn them of when they left, and he would do that duty with 110% effort!
So he waited.
And waited.
Waited.
Waited-wait.
Waitedy-wait-wait.
Ughh... Waiting is so boring!
One. Hour. Later.
Finally, after waiting so long, Simon looked up and saw that the Lookout's flashy light things on top were flashing a lot, which Jo had said would happen when the Paw Patrol were going in a mission. Perking up, Simon now began to pay close attention to the Lookout.
After a few minutes, the circle of vehicles began to turn, and that pup called... Chaste, maybe, went down that really fun-looking slide and into his pup vehicle. Then Marshle, Ski, Rocky, Rabble, Zamu, and the other pups followed close behind.
They must really love Jo if they all want to see her. Simon thought to himself as all the pups drove off along with Ryder.
Oh, they've all left! Now's the time.
Quickly, Simon rushed to a nearby tree with a large hole in the center of it. Flying inside, Simon quickly flew back out with a pair of blue balloons. Checking them over, he then let go of them and watched as they soared away.
Bye bye, balloons. Simon sadly thought, saluting the balloons and their sacrifice.
|--------------------------------------------|
(POV: Johanna Kairi / The Puppeteer)
After Iskander landed next to the Lookout, you quickly jumped off of him and set your minions to run through the Lookout and make sure no alarms were set.
"You remember the code, Iskander?" You asked.
"Blue balloons mean everything's according to plan, yellow means you've run into some difficulties, red means emergency evacuation, and green means to prepare for the grand finale." Iskander calmly replied, to which you nodded in response as Razor, one of your Vexes, flew up to you and reported that the security systems had been taken care of.
"Thank you, Razor, I'll be with you shortly," you nodded as Razor saluted and rushed back into the Lookout, before turning back to Iskander. "Stay out of sight, Iskander."
"And you stay safe, Master Johanna." Iskander curtly replied before quickly flying off back to where you'd been previously hiding.
After watching him fly away, you took a deep breath and walked into the Lookout.
There was so much to do, and so little time to do it.
What do you plan on doing to mess with the Lookout while waiting for the Paw Patrol? (Write in four actions. Actions will be subject to possible QM veto.)
[] Write-In
|--------------------------------------------|
A/N:
Hope this chapter landed well.
I've named the Allays and Vexes after some of this quest's questers, including @Aria the Mage mage and @Simon. Andersen.
In the last update, I gave some little hints as to what happened before Johanna puppetified the people.
The loud winds that Captain Turbot heard was Iskander flying to Seal Island. He didn't land on Seal Island, though, because that would have given the jig up.
Johanna used Confractus on the salon's automatic door to confuse and distract Katie.
The "animal" Edmund was trying to help was actually one of Johanna's Allays, Aria, who Johanna used to grab the attention of Edmund.
Johanna used Confractus on the salon's automatic door to confuse and distract Katie.
The "animal" Edmund was trying to help was actually one of Johanna's Allays, Aria, who Johanna used to grab the attention of Edmund.
I'd like to know how you all view Johanna as a SUPERVILLAIN and how she would compare to other kid's show villains like Slade, Hawkmoth, and such.
Also, as a personal request, I'd love to see some omakes about internet forums reacting to the newest appearance of the Puppeteer.
Also also, I hid some invisitext in Ryder's section, so see if you can find it.
Enjoy, and with sincere regards,
Duke William of.
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[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
@Duke William of
4 new write-ins.
[X] mess with the furniture (move everything 2 inches in random directions, hide air fresheners in the dog beds and other harmless but annoying things)
[X] TP the lookout.
[x] put plastic wrap over the doors and in the slides.
[X] find Rider's favorite chair and use that as your throne so you can have a dramatic moment. Have the pups arrive to find you sipping grape juice from a champagne flute so you can say an impressive line and cast the glass aside when the fight starts. (why does a juice bottle with a huge label keep appearing next to you while you hold the glass? Meh who cares.)
[X] TP the lookout.
[x] put plastic wrap over the doors and in the slides.
[X] find Rider's favorite chair and use that as your throne so you can have a dramatic moment. Have the pups arrive to find you sipping grape juice from a champagne flute so you can say an impressive line and cast the glass aside when the fight starts. (why does a juice bottle with a huge label keep appearing next to you while you hold the glass? Meh who cares.)
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Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Valid.
I also nearly forgot to mention this, but this is not a plan vote, so you all can vote for any write-ins and choices you want so long as I approve of them.
I like to imagine this Episode would be a Two-Parter. Not sure if Paw Patrol ever did that in Real Life, but I think it would fit for this one.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprits for Paw Patrol tech.
[X] we shall teepee their home.
[X] sabotage their monitoring equipment
[X] Used Confractus on the Lockout
[X] we shall teepee their home.
[X] sabotage their monitoring equipment
[X] Used Confractus on the Lockout
I would say, she just a below The Joker, but she she dose do a good job at being a villain.
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
I'd say she is like a Joker who leans almost entirely into the Funny Part of Evil Clown, without the horrible murder and all.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprits for Paw Patrol tech.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprits for Paw Patrol tech.
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Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I'm going to assume that this means teleport. If so, I'm afraid it's not a valid action as Johanna does not know how to do that just yet. The rest of the actions are fine, though.
Usually, Paw Patrol episodes are made up of two mini-stories/episodes, so I imagine that this would be a story that tooks up the full runtime of a usual episode.
No plan-voting, btw.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off
[X] Raid Ryder and the Paw Patrols supplies for spare parts to their machines taking Valuable items like the platinum filled catalytic converters slowing Paw Patrol repairs and providing loot or at least something gold colored and gaudy like the chicken statue.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
-[X] Label the surveillance equipment, if one surveillance equipment is left behind, label it #2. If two, label them #1 and #3.
-[X] "Find" the missing camera as a civilian later in exchange for a kiss
[X] Find Ryders comfortable chair and attach a sneaky rope and balloons so when Ryder and the paw patrol confronts you you can escape out the open window by having Iskander pull while you are still seated comftoably on your new chair. You are Going to out style Thantos with His sitting on his foes sofa intimidation Dammit.
[X] Raid Ryder and the Paw Patrols supplies for spare parts to their machines taking Valuable items like the platinum filled catalytic converters slowing Paw Patrol repairs and providing loot or at least something gold colored and gaudy like the chicken statue.
[X] Leave a piece or two of surveilance equipment, so little that it seems obvious there must be more. Let them enjoy the paranoia of what else there is hidden.
-[X] Label the surveillance equipment, if one surveillance equipment is left behind, label it #2. If two, label them #1 and #3.
-[X] "Find" the missing camera as a civilian later in exchange for a kiss
[X] Find Ryders comfortable chair and attach a sneaky rope and balloons so when Ryder and the paw patrol confronts you you can escape out the open window by having Iskander pull while you are still seated comftoably on your new chair. You are Going to out style Thantos with His sitting on his foes sofa intimidation Dammit.
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If WB sponsored a crossover Johanna would blow a gasket at the joker and hunt him down.
TP=toilet paper
Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
- Pronouns
- Him/He/His
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprits for Paw Patrol tech.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
[X] Raid Ryder and the Paw Patrols supplies for spare parts to their machines taking Valuable items like the platinum filled catalytic converters slowing Paw Patrol repairs and providing loot or at least something gold colored and gaudy like the chicken statue.
Let's also get some good stuff while we're at it, it's best to benefit from this opportunity. I'm assuming we're taking Merlin's stuff for ourselves?
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
[X] Raid Ryder and the Paw Patrols supplies for spare parts to their machines taking Valuable items like the platinum filled catalytic converters slowing Paw Patrol repairs and providing loot or at least something gold colored and gaudy like the chicken statue.
Let's also get some good stuff while we're at it, it's best to benefit from this opportunity. I'm assuming we're taking Merlin's stuff for ourselves?
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Duke William of
I really need to finish my quests. :V
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Ahhh... in that case, it's a valid action.
- Pronouns
- He
Yes and some of their blueprits for the tech.
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprints for Paw Patrol tech.
[X] Paint the the whole lookout with as many colors and sprakes as possible
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] have an intercom that blares out a cacophony of bad bagpipe playing and annoying yodeling.
[X] Paint the the whole lookout with as many colors and sprakes as possible
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] have an intercom that blares out a cacophony of bad bagpipe playing and annoying yodeling.
- Location
- Warsaw
[X] Stealing the Notes/blueprits for Paw Patrol tech.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
[X] Move their stuff. Everything, but just a few cm, just so that it feels ... off, without it being clear what is off.
[X] Replace Merlins serious mage stuff with the most childish substitutes you can come up with.
[X] Leave them a congratulatory cake & cookies. Genuinely good baked goods, but only leave them if the Pawpatrol does well, if not take them back with you, leaving only a card expressing your disappointment.
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