Lev Tahor

[Rickshaw]

The room was stuffy. Too stuffy. That was the first thing you came to focus on as the fuzziness in your mind faded and you awoke. How you could barely breathe because of how hot the air was. The creaking wood and crackling flames came as the first bit of grogginess slipped away. You frown. You don't remember having a fireplace. Where was that coming from?

In a moment you will never forget, you open your eyes.

Right in front of you is the face of a beautiful young woman, blue hair framing her delicate face. Her smile fills you with comfort and you reach a hand towards her.

Mom? You try to say, but what escapes your throat is sound somewhere between a horrendous cough and a screech. You curl into yourself, hacking blood and soot onto the floor. When you're done, you again look at your mother. This time, you scream properly.

Her blue hair is matted with blood, a rivulet pouring down her brow and over one dead eye. Her smile is not gentle, but wild and desperate. She, like you, is lying on the floor. Her clothes are shredded beyond recognition, covering nothing important except a long-dried bloodstain on her torso.

You jump back, horrified. You slip on something and feel a sudden surge of pain in your leg. You look down to find yourself in a similar state of undress, a loose collection of cloth that might have been a dress hanging from your shoulder and wrapping around your waist. Below that, nothing, giving you full view of the gash tracing down the length of your thigh. A splintered floorboard peaks up beside you, the top coated in a fresh paint of crimson.

A groan echoes loudly, forcing you to look up. What used to be a house is now a flaming ruin. The carpets and furniture are crushed and ablaze. Every wall has blackened as the flames lick up their length. The stairwell collapsed under the stress of the inferno. The ceiling is buckling under the weight of the-

The ceiling is falling!

You scramble in the general direction of the door you know is behind you. Your body feels like it's on fire, your wounded leg like an icy dead weight. Foot by foot you drag yourself towards the safety of not here as the groaning increases, more and more of the upper floor peeking through points the blaze has already consumed.

A great CRACK sounds as the upper floor finally crumbles under itself, hurtling towards you. With the last of your strength, you force yourself to ignore the pain in your leg and leap through the aperture. For a brief moment, relief floods you as the icy night air crashes into you as you do the same to the cobblestone street on which your home resides.

That moment is cut short as you feel a sudden heat against your back. Before you can react, a weight falls atop you. A hot, painful weight. You can't move, pinned as you are by the dislodged door. The fire begins to crawl down the wood, licking at your skin. You scream. You scream for your mother, for your father, for anyone who can hear. You thrash and wail as the door holds you down and scorches your back. You whimper when you realize nobody is coming to help you. Despite the pain, you start to cry.

And as suddenly as it came upon you, the weight and the pain is lifted. You feel something wrap around your waist and the ground fall away from you. There is a loud crash behind you and a soothing cool flows along your back. Your feet touch the ground once again and you wipe away the tears from your eyes.

Before you stands an older man dressed in a plain white tunic. He looks at you with eyes like the ocean, flowing with concern and relief. "Are you okay, little miss?" He has a kind voice, you think.

You look at yourself. A single strap of your dress sits on your shoulder, covering a small portion of your own modesty with a fragile grip. Your legs are covered in blood, your left leg leaking from a jagged wound and small rivulets working down your inner thighs from- Funny, you didn't think you'd hit puberty yet.

You quickly turn to look at your back. It hurts to do so and feels very stiff. You give up after a moment and nod at the man with a wince.

He holds out a long white robe. "Please, put this on." You oblige. As you do, he continues to look at you with those kind eyes. "Can you tell me your name, little girl?"

You pause, quickly finishing up your new dress. The robe is exceptionally long and trails several feet behind you, obviously meant for an adult. However, the extra length works in your favor as you pull it in to cover yourself properly. "Anna," you say with your small voice.

The man smiles. "What a lovely name."

Something rushes through you at that and you feel your heart stop dead in its tracks. It kicks back into gear a moment later, though your breathing feels just a little more rushed.

He reaches a hand towards you. "Come with me, Anna. I have a place we can go to fix up those nasty injuries."

You stare at the hand for just a moment, before putting your own in it. His palm dwarfs yours, but you manage to cling on just fine.

"Okay."

-:-:-;-:-:-​

If you have read this far, then you've just completed the "opening cutscene" of this Quest. The little girl you have just met is but one of many characters you may find yourself interacting within this Quest. Sadly, she is not yet under your direct control. You might be able to change that if you work hard enough. For the moment, "Den" has graciously volunteered to fill that role.

Your goal in this Quest is to complete the primary goal of one or all of the playable characters, particularly "Den" and Anna, who will explain and elaborate on them as the story progresses. You can complete them in any way, shape or form, after all a technical victory is still a victory, right?

-:-:-;-:-:-​

You feel the wind blow through your hair as the cart canters down the open road. The sun shines on your face, the grass on either side of the path stretches out for miles until it reaches the distant mountains and forests. For a moment, you have not a care in the world.

"Oi, kid. We're almost there." The gruff voice calls from the front bench into the bed of the cart, disturbing your fleeting rest. "Start packin' your things, can't have my wagon lookin' like a mess of… whatever all that is." He waves a burly arm at the various books and items spread upon the floor of the cart.

And I was just starting my break, too. You think before you shrug off the errant thought. The driver wasn't wrong, even from this distance the white walls surrounding Temple City were impossible to miss. They seemed to glow with a radiant aura, even in the daylight. Beyond that, the golden dome that capped the titular Temple Synagogue peaked well above the other structures of the city, sparkling like a beacon to any pilgrim seeking a place to go.

Which is exactly what you were, a pilgrim. A pilgrim seeking a knowledge unobtainable in any other part of this world: Spiritual Magic.

As you packed away the myriad books and manuscripts spread about the wagon floor, you're made aware of just how obsessive you've become over it. Magical theories, formulas, and hypotheses on spells and their functions, enough study and information to make any aspiring mage salivate. And still, you haven't found a hint of the spell you're looking for. Despite its name, the Magical Kingdom of Zoroaster was unable to help you on your quest. But that didn't really discourage you. Zak was just as magically proficient a nation.

Maybe here, in its capital, you'd find a spell that could take you home.

As Temple City filled more of the horizon, so too did you finish filling your pack to the brim. A quick glance reveals you still have a few items left lying out. A bit of nostalgia fills you looking at them. Maybe you don't need to put everything away just yet?

-:-:-;-:-:-​

[] Pick up the Demon's Claw Necklace. Maybe it won't give you the heebie-jeebies this time?

[] Open the Divine Tome. Hopefully, you'll be able to make some sense of the spells inside?

[] Play a song on your Mandolin. The day is too beautiful to waste with more study.

 

[Rickshaw]

A Few Good Rules (because I'm simple and like order):

1. Be polite and courteous (Everyone says this but it's important).
2. Be intelligent and please argue/debate with more than just the fiery passion of a ranting nerd. You can still be a ranting nerd, just be a ranting nerd with grounded points.
3. Write-ins are encouraged and can be put in any vote.
4. Votes work like so: at least 3 people need to vote on an action before I start updating. That means 3 people agreeing, not just 3 total votes. I'll update daily if I can, but oftentimes I'm forced to wait longer because nobody is voting or agreeing on what to do.
5. If you have an issue with anything in the thread I say (e.g. if I say something stupid or outright wrong in regards to a discussion topic) please PM me. Nobody likes to read a debate between a reader and the author in-thread.
6. This space for another serious rule as needed. Some posts are hiding something. Some aren't. Paranoia of the invisitext is rewarded.
7. Seven is a lucky number and any time it appears in the quest should be celebrated with COLOR.
8. As exemplified in Rule 7 and the lack of Rule 6, absurdity is appreciated and encouraged.

Spoiler: Mechanics

Stats
Lev Tahor takes a lot of inspiration from the Persona series in some ways but does have its differences. Like Persona, you'll meet a lot of characters you'll want to interact with. Most will require you to complete a certain questline in order to max your Social Link with, and as a reward they'll bolster your stats. Unlike Persona, these stats aren't Social, but rather Magical.



At the start, you aren't all that proficient in any of these areas. With a little Research, however, you can easily progress in any one of these. Watch out though, as choosing to specialize in one area may prevent you from progressing further in another. Choose carefully what you Research, which branches you take down the line, and how that Magic might affect your relationships with other characters. Research now provides abilities rather than points. Both characters must roll a die to determine the results of the Researching: Den's selects what story or fable he reads, which determines if he gets an ability and what it is, and Anna's measures her focus on the spellwork and whether she learns anything new from it.

Advancing in any of the stats is now exclusively tied to your progression with key supporting characters. As an example, Den cannot use Spiritual Magic at the start. He'll have to find a character who is both proficient in the stat and willing to teach it first.

Day Segments

Each day is split into four major segments: Morning, Midday, Afternoon, and Evening. Each lasts four hours and can be spent in a variety of ways. Some actions may only take half an hour, while others will take up the full four-hour time slot. Daily routines, like practicing music for Den or doing chores for Anna, will allow players to skip ahead in the day and have a small chance of earning them new abilities. There is little downside to this, so feel free to take advantage of this ability.

Every very night you have the option of changing protagonists. On update X - when your character goes to sleep - there will be a vote on whether you'd like to change protagonists. The next morning - in update Y - perspective will be from whoever won the vote.

DIE ROLLS

Dice are being simplified because I hate numbers but they can also be helpful sometimes. Players will roll a d20 for combat actions and those related to one of the magic systems. Rolls can have a modifier based on how proficient they are in the appropriate stat:
LV 0 gives a -2d6 to the roll
LV 1 is -1d6
LV 2 +0
LV 3 +1d6
LV 4 +2d6
LV 5 +3d6 and, as it shows mastery of a stat, comes with access to exclusive spells.

Additionally, dice results are grouped into success and failure ranges as such:
(1) or less [OH GOD NO]
(2) -- (6) [FAILURE]
(7) -- (8) [KINDA SUCCESS]
(9) -- (12) [LEGITIMATE SUCCESS]
(13) -- (19) [DANG GOOD SUCCESS]
(20) -- (37) [THIS IS THE ROLL THAT WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS]
(38) ['Make a wish, Madoka. Anything you want, you could even become a god.']

More mechanics will be posted as they become relevant.

Mechanics Post Master List:
Research and Research Points
Combat

FAQ:

1. What is the purpose of this quest?
Like a lot of other quests, Lev Tahor is written in order for me to improve my writing ability. Until this point in my writing career, I've mostly stuck to short stories and the occasional 30-page screenplay usually written over the course of several months. However, this quest is designed to condition me to write on a regular basis and work on longer story arcs and character development. I'm very open to criticism and critique on story elements and narrative in addition to the usual spelling and grammar issues.

2. What are the major themes of Lev Tahor?
I don't know about a lot of other quests, but rather than having a lot of fun with mechanics and world design, I decided to focus this one on themes. Mechanics and world design are still important here, but both were developed after I had come up with the questions this story would ask. The biggest and most important one is this: what does it mean to be "pure"? In case you didn't know, "Lev Tahor" means "pure-hearted" in Hebrew, and as such you'll see the theme referenced a lot. Is purity another word for innocence? Goodness? Is it something you can regain, or once lost is it gone forever? Those are the main questions of this quest, and your decisions will help Den and Anna arrive at their own conclusions about them. Every other theme, like "how far does corruption go" and "what does our past mean for our future" stems from how you players decide to answer that first question.

3. What is the author's deal and why is his writing incoherent?
I am bad at explaining things. I'll be very honest, I have always had an issue making myself clear and if you find that to be the case anywhere, be it in the story itself or in one of my other posts, do not hesitate to point it out and ask for clarification. Sometimes I flub my words or missay something, so bringing it to my attention gives me the opportunity to make it clearer for everyone.

 

[Rickshaw]

Character Sheets: Read at your own risk of spoilers.

Player Characters

Den - The Spoony Bard Anna - The Battlepriest

• The Traveler
  
  Bio Stats Inventory

  • 
    If Den could be anyone, he'd probably pick Shinji. Forget giant robots that are also your mom, Den would kill to have that skill with a cello.
    Age: 21
    
    Occupation: Bard, Traveler
    
    Physical Description: Thin, average height, short brown hair and grey eyes. A scarlet "T" over his heart, and a series of chalky blue runes on his left shoulder.
    
    Money: Okay-ish
    
    Goal: Escape Zak, Return to Hafenport
    
    History:
    Den wasn't always your name. For nineteen years it was Jakob Weiseborn. For nineteen years you laughed, sang, and danced to that name. You were mischievous, naive, and whimsical, never taking the word "seriously" very seriously. The world seemed to be bending over backward to give you what you wanted, and you gladly took advantage of it.
    
    If Fate whispered to you, "a storm is coming," your response was "I am the storm."
    
    Not everyone appreciated your attitude. A few saw you as just a kid who'd grow up eventually, but the majority of people simply referred to you as a menace. Those you fooled swore you'd get yours one day, but you laughed them off like you did everyone else. If karma hadn't caught up to you yet, it never would.
    
    And then you met Ophelia Jacobs, a kindred soul, and you realized the strength of Fate's storm.
    
    Four months you spent in the eye of that storm. Four more you were tossed about its edge. Four final where you lay in the wake of its passing with nothing more than an empty feeling of failure.
    
    At its end, you had lost everything and everyone you knew. You were alone, far from home, and without a penny to your name. You scrounged up enough to buy yourself a beat up fifth-hand mandolin and spent a month starving as you learned to play it. You don't remember much from that time despite the cold, the pain, and the smell of piss.
    
    That changed the day you played your first song on the instrument. The winds had rushed around you, the clouds peeled back and the world seemed to bend over backward to give you this moment of hope.
    
    Fate whispered to you "your storm has passed" and you whispered back a quiet thanks.
  • Harmonic Lvl 2 (neutral) - Fulfill the Innkeeper's contract
    
    The ability of a Musician to affect the mind of those who hear their song. Can amplify the emotions of the caster via an appropriate song. Also affects persuasion rolls. Spells are essentially sections of music intended to inspire specific emotions.​
    ​
    Divine Lvl 2 (neutral) - Meet an Angel, Run an errand for the Artificer
    
    The attunement of a Mage to Angelic power. Primarily used to protect, heal, and buff allies from harm. Counter-spells exist at high levels. Functions by requesting Angels to assist you or an ally in a certain way. Complex incantations (with advanced results) only available at higher levels.​
    ​
    Demonic Lvl 2 (neutral) - Meet a Demon, Find evidence of the Demon King
    
    The connection between a Mage and a Demon. Manifests a Demon's destructive potential as attacks, debuffs, and damage-returning shields. Functions by shaping malicious Demonic energy as it passes from a catalyst through you. Complex incantations (with advanced results) only available at higher levels.​
    ​
    Spirit Lvl 1 (-1d6) - Activate your Taint, Find a Teacher
    
    The inherent power of the Soul, your very being. It's something to do with "will taking form" but how you'd go about that is well beyond you.​
  • On your person:
    
    • 1 Mandolin
    • 1 Ancient Tome
    • 1 Demon Claw Necklace
    • 2 Magical Seals
    • 1 Angelic Shoggoth (in your spine?)
    • 1 Durable Jacket
    • 1 Scarf
    In your Lodging:
    
    • A cartload of magical research material
    Missing:
    
    • A way home
• The Tainted Maiden
  
  Bio Stats Inventory

  • 
    Unlike Index, Anna is a true connoisseur of the human body. Why bite the head when the leg will do? Plus, it doubles as a comfy pillow.
    Age: 20
    
    Occupation: Holy Maiden of the Zakran Synagogue
    
    Physical Description: Small, marginally taller than the average woman. Long blue hair and grey eyes. Has a scarlet "T" over her heart, as well as an ancient runic script which wraps her left shoulder.
    
    Money: Poorer than dirt
    
    Goal: Learn the secrets of Spiritual Magic, Find people who accept her as she is
    
    History: You were just a young girl when you were crawled out of the wreckage of your home, hacking and bleeding. Only the grace of a kind stranger allowed you to survive. It's been ten years since then. You've given your life to pay back that kindness by working under him at the Temple Synagogue. You're pretty sure you're the only Tainted there, but that only makes his kindness that much more meaningful. You really do owe him everything.
    
    Especially now. You don't know how it happened, but you've been Soulbound to a complete stranger. A stranger who killed two Maidens just to protect you. It would have been three, had you not stopped him. And yet, you can't bring yourself to blame him. Why? Why don't you feel sorry for their deaths? Why are you happy with him? Happy to see your former bully lose everything? What is wrong with you? How do you even sleep at night?
    
    Is this cruelty, this viciousness, is this what it means to be Tainted? It feels wrong. It feels strange. It feels...
    
    It feels good.
  • Harmonic Lvl 0 (-2d6) - Learn an instrument
    
    It's the soul behind music. If you push a little magic into it, it becomes more than just noise but true Magic. You have no experience with using it yet.​
    ​
    Divine Lvl 0 (-2d6) - Acquire a Tome or Grimoire
    
    The Will of God made reality. It is not practiced in Zak, as its power rightfully belongs to the Angels. Humans don't even cast it, technically, they just ask an Angel to do it for them.​
    ​
    Demonic Lvl 0 (-2d6) - Acquire a Catalyst
    
    This Magic occurs when a portion of reality is offered to a Demon. This is not practiced in Zak, as a misstep could potentially result in the Second Coming of the Demon King.​
    ​
    Spiritual Lvl 3 (+1d6) - Reach the bottom of the Labyrinth with a fellow Maiden
    
    The purity of the Soul made manifest. The deeper your study into your type of Soul, the stronger it becomes. This magic consists entirely of incantations which help to shape the Soul as it externalizes, though with enough of the proper practice and control over the Soul such incantations become unnecessary. This Magic is generally considered "backwards" because of this feature.​
    ​
    Spoiler: Known Incantations

    Calm - Relax your mind and those of your allies​

    Energize - Remove fatigue and grant a minor increase to speed and strength​

    Curse - General debuff. Can slow or stun an enemy depending on intensity.​

    Cure - Forcibly removes curses or toxins from the body. If not affected by the Curse spell or a toxin, attempts to calm other spiritual maladies like anger or hate. Does not work on the Taint.​
  • On your person:
    
    • 2 Magical Seals
    • 1(?) Angelic Shoggoth (residing inside your Seals)
    In your Lodging:
    
    • 1 Complete Study of the Spirit Spellbook
    • 1 Gallon of Fire Retardant.
    Missing:
    
    • An ounce of dignity

Spoiler: Supporting Cast and Minor Characters

Absalom Aurelia David Icarus Loammi Lo-Ruhammah Mary Miriam Naomi Ophelia Yad-Caph

• Age: 50s
  
  Occupation: High Priest of Zak's Temple Synagogue
  
  Physical Description: Partially hunched with gray, balding hair. He is just under average height. He has very emotive eyes, colored like the sea.
  
  Goal: To Understand and Cure the Taint
  
  History: Ten years ago, when he was just an average priest, he found a girl crawling out of a burning building and saved her from a burning door that fell on her. He brought her into the Synagogue and discovered she had somehow become Tainted. Since then, he has studied the condition much more intimately, searching through ancient Zakran texts to see what exactly are its causes, effects, and how it's connected to the human soul.
  
  Now facing the possibility of his own encroaching death, Absalom has taken to training the newly instated Father Loammi as the next High Priest. Despite their frequent disagreements, he views the young man as his own son and believes he has the will to handle the tough decisions required as the Synagogue's leader.
• Age: 23
  
  Occupation: Princess of Zoroaster, Heir to the Emerald Throne, Songstress
  
  Physical Description: Long blonde hair and emerald eyes. Slightly taller than the average male, and with a thin frame very close to "traditional beauty."
  
  Goal: Retake Zoroaster from the Warlord of the Nomads
  
  History: Aurelia never knew what it was like to be royalty. She grew up in a dirty and simple home, helping her mother wait tables in a tavern with her adopted brother David. She knew the stories of the old Royalty and the beauty of the Emerald City, but both were just stories to her until her 18th birthday when her mother revealed her true identity: she was the old Princess, who'd been chased out of Zoroaster when she was young. Aurelia set out to retake her heritage with David in tow.
  
  It didn't go so well. The two were exiled to Zak, where she refused to give up and instead began to make connections with the wealthy and powerful throughout the nation. Moonlighting as a singer, she raised funds for multiple charities which supported her revolution and was able to secure herself enough resources to outfit an army. Armed with such, she and David set out to retake her throne and free her people.
• Age: 23
  
  Occupation: Knight to Princess Aurelia
  
  Physical Description: Tall, and average build. Black hair and blue eyes.
  
  Goal: Keep his sister from getting herself killed
  
  History: Originally an orphan, David was adopted into the Zoroaster family by the exiled Princess. When he learned of his adopted family's true heritage, he refused to consider himself part of the royal line. Instead, he relegated himself to the role of Knight to his sister, the true Heir to the Emerald Throne. He tends to act as the cool head to Aurelia's hot-blooded nature and often works to prevent her from taking reckless action, or if he's too late he does his best to limit the potential fallout.
  
  Rumors of unrest across the world have put David on edge. Despite his unwavering loyalty to his sister, he wonders what effect their civil war will have on the surrounding nations.
• Age: late 30s
  
  Occupation: Tailor
  
  Physical Description: Middle-aged, short greying hair and a muscular build. Sky blue eyes and a perpetual stony expression. He's a bit short but only by half a head.
  
  Goal: Craft magical attire worthy of legend.
  
  History: A skilled craftsman claiming to be the second-best designer in the world, with the first being his father. Nobody knows where he came from or who his father was, but none can deny the unique nature of his work. He's an incredibly talented mage, and frequently uses Magic and exotic materials in his products to give them unnatural properties. The Synagogue and Mage's Association have repeatedly offered to make him a dedicated outfitter, only to be turned down. He refuses to state why.
• Age: 27
  
  Occupation: Father-rank Priest of the Zakran Order, Choir Member
  
  Physical Description: Half a head taller than the average male, with curly black hair and cyan eyes. He's got a thinner, toned frame that downplays his musculature.
  
  Goal: End the Taint
  
  History: The older brother of Lo-Ruhammah, he became a priest at 16, and as a consequence became a victim to the violence of the Riots which nearly destroyed Temple City. Since then, he's dedicated himself to the martial and mystic practices of the Choir. His discipline and adherence to the goals of the Order caught the attention of High Priest Absalom. Like the leader of the Synagogue, Loammi seeks to end the spread of the Taint, though the two constantly bicker over the viability of a peaceful solution. He is currently being groomed to assume the role of his mentor at the end of his tenure.
  
  Like all Choir members, he had to prove himself capable of utilizing all four types of Magic, and is a natural baritone vocalist. Though he struggles to cast Divine, he finds himself especially talented with Demonic Magic. Some take this as a bad omen, but Absalom has defended his pupil's leanings as appropriate for a strong-willed leader.
• Age: 22
  
  Occupation: Holy Maiden
  
  Physical Description: Average female height, with a slight hourglass figure. Her raven hair and emerald eyes are her most noticeable features. She has a wide scar that wraps around one elbow, hidden by bandages which cover her entire arm.
  
  Goal: ???
  
  History: Lo-Ru is well known as the "problem child" Maiden, even more so than Anna. Lo-Ru is malicious and violent, often looking down on those around her. The daughter of a noble house, as well as a part of the holiest sect of the Synagogue, she considers herself superior to just about everyone. The only people she considers equals are her lackeys, Deborah and Priscilla. Though they follow her without question, she considers them friends and has on more than one occasion acted completely out of normal character to protect them.
  
  Following Incident Three Hundred and Thirteen (known to most as the Temple Killings) and its aftermath, Lo-Ru's personality underwent drastic shifts, as well as her own preconceptions of the world around her. Of note, she began to question her own worth.
• Age: 20s
  
  Occupation: Innkeep
  
  Physical Description: Short, with mid-length blonde hair and blue eyes. She's got the build of someone who with their hands all day, despite how often she reads instead of working.
  
  Goal: Make the Marching Mare into the most popular tavern in Zak, and earn enough not to worry about tomorrow.
  
  History: She runs the Marching Mare. She approves of Den's appreciation for books and convinced him to play in the tavern in exchange for a discounted rate. She feels she got the better part of the deal.
  
  She started her tavern at the age of 18, using the majority of her family's inheritance in order to acquire a building on the main thoroughfare. The remainder of her funds went into filling her stores, and through sheer grit and elbow grease, she's kept it afloat all these years. She considers it to be a symbol of her independence and spite, claiming her family was convinced she would never be a successful entrepreneur. If they were only alive to see her now.
• Age: 22
  
  Occupation: Holy Maiden
  
  Physical Description: Average height and build, with chestnut hair and hazel eyes.
  
  Goal: ???
  
  History: Miriam is one of the only Maidens willing to talk to Anna for any period of time. She believes Purification can act as a temporary cure for the Taint, and as such is not bothered with being around Anna as long as she's keeping up with her schedule. To call her Anna's only real friend in the Synagogue would be a massive understatement.
• Age: ???
  
  Occupation: Holy Sister of the Zakran Order
  
  Physical Description: Short and small. She has straight brown hair cut at her shoulders, a tiny button nose, and eyes that seem perpetually shut. Nobody knows what color they are.
  
  Goal: Keep the Maidens in line and ensure their safety.
  
  History: Sister Naomi is the taskmaster who oversees the duties of the Holy Maidens living on the third floor of Temple Synagogue. She has a reputation as Sister No-fun due to her strict rules, violent punishments, and penchant for cursing (of both verbal and magical nature). Her two most troublesome wards are Anna and Lo-Ruhammah.
  
  She is exceptionally hard on Anna, the only Maiden with a Taint. Father Absalom claims it's to bring out her potential, but she could also just be a bitch. It's hard to tell with her. At least she limits Anna's punishments to increased workloads instead of "magical lab rat." Lo-Ruhammah has often earned that role in her stead.
  
  After Incident Three Hundred and Thirteen (also called the Temple Killings) Naomi stepped down from many of her duties in order to better focus on Maiden safety and the prevention of more deaths.
• Age: 20
  
  Occupation: Singer
  
  Physical Description: Slightly taller than the average female, with long and voluminous red hair, shaved to the skin on her left side. Her green eyes are reflective like a cat's, and her thin and fragile frame belies a powerful voice.
  
  Goal: Touch the hearts of everyone who hears her sing
  
  History: She was an... interesting character. She could never get her music career off the ground until she met Jakob Weiseborn and Johann Belarus. She teamed up with them to form an incredibly popular acoustic group. She and Jakob became romantically involved early in their professional relationship, months before they actually played their first gig. Once she hit it big at a concert she planned to be her last, she had a change of heart and put all her attention into her career. This drove her and Jakob apart, ultimately resulting in Jakob's disappearance.
• Age: 18
  
  Occupation: Holy Maiden
  
  Physical Description: Short, small frame that's almost child-like. Grey eyes that never seem to focus right and shoulder-length white hair. She's so pale she could be mistaken for a corpse.
  
  Goal: ???
  
  History: The child of an affair, Yad-Caph's biological parents were near the Tainted district when her mother, still pregnant with her, was publically raped and killed. Enraged, her father just barely saved her life by cutting her out of her mother's corpse. He returned to the Synagogue with the body and baby, demanding vengeance. Yad-Caph only survived due to the Synagogue's magic, but they could not save her eyes or heal her fragility. Her father raised her in his house as if she were a legitimate child, much to the chagrin of his wife and sons.
  
  Yad-Caph, or Caph for short, is a more recent addition to the Maidens. She was forced to join at her father's command only four years ago, and as such is still considered "in-training" until her fifth year is completed. She's been Anna's bunkmate since she came and, surprisingly, has never once complained about being paired with a Tainted. Unlike most Maidens, she tends to surround herself with the older and more knowledgeable Sisters, preferring their company to those her own age.

 

[Rickshaw]

[X] Play a song on your Mandolin. The day is too beautiful to waste with more study.

You eye the Demon's Claw and the Divine Tome. Yeah, best not mess around with unfamiliar magic again. Especially when your only mode of transportation is currently in the potential blast radius. Instead, you pick up the worn neck of the only friend you've had this past year.

The Mandolin is nothing particularly special. It's visually a lot like a small guitar, with a few extra strings and a little less polish. You're pretty certain that was the reason you initially picked it up. It was a familiar sight in an unfamiliar land.

Of course, it turned out the mandolin was nothing like the guitar. What a rough and penniless month that mistake caused.

Still, even as you lie in the back of the cart, a familiar pattern works its way down your fingers against the strings and you feel yourself slip away. You can hear the strings and winds pick up around you as you play. You're almost certain you catch the tinkling of keys in the soft breeze. Your own mandolin fades into the background, simply plucking along to the melody. A smile crosses your face as you let the Harmonic Magic fill the air around you. You'll never quite get used to the way music works in this land, acting as a vessel for your emotions and realizing the song from your mind into reality. You let your sense of wonder flow into the tune for a moment.

You sing aloud the words as they come. Your voice is not special, but you can carry a tune and that's all that matters here. The words and song, introspective as they are, drag you into yourself. You remember the first time you heard this song, sitting on your roof as you watched the stars pass by. You remember the rambling conversation from that night, punctuated by a voice singing softly. The corner of your mouth twitches up.

You sing the chorus and another memory surfaces. A quickly written letter flashes briefly across your mind. Quickly written, forever remembered. Your smile falters.

…

"We're here," the driver informs you.

You mute the strings and the accompaniment stops, fading out into the wind. In a moment you've slung your pack across your back, put on the Necklace, and hooked the Tome to your waist. You keep hold of your Mandolin. You really can't let that go, can you?

The driver flicks the reigns, eliciting a whine from the horses drawing the cart. "Thank God, that was depressin'." He mutters under his breath.

The white walls of Temple City loom over you, shining brightly in the Sunlight. They tower at least a hundred feet above you, making the gate you stop before seem minuscule. Even then, you think you could fit a cart twice as high and three times as wide as your ride through the entrance without trouble.

A trio of guards stands between you and the heavy wooden doors of the city, coated in shining silver armor and wrapped in white cloth. Each carries a pike and shield, the former pristinely kept and the latter polished so as to make the Synagogue's emblem seem to glow. One of them, sporting a bushy mustache, breaks off and approaches the driver. As he moves closer, you see just how huge that thing is. It takes up almost his entire lower face!

"Merchant?"

"Trav'ler," the burly man corrects, pointing back to you. "Ferryin' some sorta scholar or bard."

The guard's eyes drift to you for a moment before he spots your Mandolin. "Ah. Leaving come morning?"

"Aye."

The mustache nods before pulling out a paper and writing something down. After a few short moments, in which you idly sit in the cart bed twiddling a tuning peg, the guard nods at his paperwork and turns to you. "Alright, just a few questions and you can head in."

Wait, a test? Oh no! You explicitly remember shirking any sort of study in order to play your mandolin! Oh karma, why are you so cruel?

-:-:-;-:-:-​

Good news, you've made it to Character Creation. Bad News, you've now got lots of choices to make. Don't expect this choice dump to be a recurring thing, I'll try to keep it to one or two in the future, once we move out of "Setup an Unfamiliar World" and into what I really want for this Quest: Persona but a fantasy world.

You think I'm joking, I'm not.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

Um, hello? Sir? Can you answer my questions now? Thank you.


What is your name?

[] Stick with "Den." You've been using it for almost a year now, it's just starting to feel normal.
[] Give him your birth name. You can't hide forever.
[] ...You reeeaaaaallllyyy should have studied for this. Come up with a new name. (Write-in)


What is your occupation?

[] Full-time scholar. You spent most of your time pouring over the texts you've amassed, only working for as long as it took to have a roof over your head and a meal in your belly. You don't have a lot of money, but the knowledge you've gained more than makes up for it. You think. (Impoverished/ Increased Research Modifier)

[] Mercenary. Magic is an incredibly practical solution to a myriad of problems. It took you doing a few odd jobs by hand, but afterward, you became a mage-for-hire, willing to magically solve anyone's problems as long as they had the money for it. Your studies did suffer somewhat, but that shouldn't be a problem any longer. (Wealthy/ Reduced Research Modifier)

[] Bard. Once you discovered you could cast magic and make money by playing music, you never stopped. By day you would study a tome in a back corner of a tavern, and by night you'd earn your keep as the local entertainment. Your sleep schedule is probably forever ruined, but at least you don't need to worry about money or your studies. (Average/ No Research Modifier)


Has a Zakran Mage diagnosed you with Tainted Soul?

[]Yes. He was incredibly rude about it too. Wouldn't even talk to you afterward.

[]No. You've never even met a Zakran Mage. What does that even mean, anyway?


Do you agree to submit yourself to a Soul Screening within the next week?

[] Yes. Whatever it takes to get you into the city.

[] No. The heck is a Soul Screening? That sounds incredibly suspicious to you.

 

[Rickshaw]

Good music choices

Click to shrink...

There is a non-zero chance that this Quest was created as an excuse to listen to more Josh Garrels.

Yes I am a zakran mage

Click to shrink...

Guard: I thought Zakran Mages all wore fancy robes and funny hats?

Den: Don't be ridiculous. Robes have been out of style for over a century!

Guard: ...and the funny hats?

Den: Well. Um. I definitely have one. It's just. Um. At the cleaners?

Guard: ...

Den: ...

Guard: Good enough for me! Welcome to Temple City, your eminence!

And so our hero passed through immigration by claiming he was the equivalent of an FBI agent who forgot his badge.

EDIT: Rules and FAQ sheet updated with basic mechanics (and a graphic to help explain!!).

 

[Rickshaw]

Funny story, googling this quest today revealed an article with a Jewish cult of the same name which had come under numerous allegations of kidnapping and abuse. Both issues were planned months ago as part of certain characters backstories in this quest. It's complete coincidence, but I find the similarities to be amusing and appropriate.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

[X] Call Me Den
[X] Bards Are Best
[X] I Totally Know What Tainted Souls Are, but Explain Them to Me Anyways
[X] I Stopped Paying Attention to the Fine Print and Just Signed My Name at the Bottom

"Tavern's o'er there." Your driver points down the road a bit. "Should be willin' to put up a bard o' your type for a song or two."

You give him a nod before you hop off the cart. "Thank you. Will you be staying there, Geoff?"

He shakes his head. "Coaches like mine're asked to stay by the wall. City's not too keen on letting outsiders in if they can help it." He whips the reigns, spurring the horses into a trot. "So long, Den."

You wave him off, watching the cart shrink down the road before slipping out of view down a side street. And so ends the longest contact with another human I've had this last year. You sigh dejectedly, before smacking your cheeks to psych yourself up. It's super effective!

As you approach the building Geoff directed you towards, you realize calling it a tavern is a bit deceiving. The three-story structure looks more akin to a hotel than a bar, with heavy wooden doors and paned windows stretched along its front. Besides the door, a golden stallion rears back upon the establishment's emblem. You feel as though this place is derivative of something, but the exact source eludes you.

Stepping inside, the smell of warm broth and bread crashes into you. For a moment you just stand there, enjoying the warmth and sweet scent of a decent meal before you search for its source. The task proves itself simple enough and you soon find yourself standing at a window between the main area and the kitchen. A young woman sits on the other side, reading a book. She quickly notices you and looks up.

"Can I help you?" The innkeep asks.

You order yourself a simple meal and happily hand her the coins she asks for. She disappears for a moment before returning with a bowl of soup and a few rolls. Thanking her, you take them and seat yourself at one of the many open tables nearby. You're almost certain this place is packed in the evenings due to how nice it is, but it's barely mid-afternoon. Still, you appreciate the moment of quiet for what it is. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to study up on some of your research.

You'd feared that the guards at the gate would take it away from you when they grew suspicious at the answers you provided to their interrogation. It's not entirely your fault though, you're certain anyone would be confused to a seemingly absurd question planted amidst everything else. You are a mage, so you could excuse your initial affirmative response. But that question about being tainted didn't really make sense to you, and you weren't entirely sure what to answer even after they'd explained it. Apparently, the Mages who studied in Temple Synagogue could determine the purity of your Soul. You hadn't met a single Mage who could do that, or if they could then they'd kept quiet about it.

The guards had compromised with you, allowing you to enter as long as you got a Soul Screening in the morning. You agreed, on the basis of wanting to be done with the questions and finally get some rest after a long journey. Two weeks of riding in a rickety cart is not as fun as it sounds.

As you nibble on a roll soaked in broth, you pull out the Divine Tome and begin to skim the early pages again. Most of it is tales a majority of the world considers legend, stories of heroes slaying demons with the assistance of holy blessings and artifacts. That sort of content would turn a good amount of self-respecting scholars away, as they could be better spending their time studying the academic literature on spellcraft and achieve quicker results. You, however, find yourself fascinated with the stories. Some are familiar tales you grew up with, such as the one about a king who united his nation by claiming a long-sealed blade before scouring the land for a magical grail. Others seem more historical, going into detail about the particulars of a nation and their rise or fall. What connects them all are the particular types of magic all the narratives share at their core.

From what you've gleaned in these stories, Divine Magic is not something that comes from within. It's more like summoning power from elsewhere, usually an Angel. The stories make it clear that Demonic Magic works in the same way, though rather obviously from a Demon. You have an inkling that there's more to that distinction than technicality, but you haven't completely figured it out yet.

You look out a nearby window. The sun is still an hour or two away from setting behind the pale walls of the city, at which point you'd probably call it evening. You could keep studying the Tome for more knowledge, or pull out some other material to work on. It might also be a good idea to talk to the innkeep about getting a room for the night. You might even get a discount if you mention you're a bard and willing to play entertainment tonight. Or you could do none of that and just relax or explore. Now that you're not confined to a cart on the road you can do so much more with your day!

-:-:-;-:-:-​

You've completed Character Creation and upgraded your Magic Stats!

Divine -> Lvl 1 (0/???)
Demonic -> Lvl 1 (0/???)
Harmonic -> Lvl 2 (0/???)

Spoiler: Current Stats

-:-:-;-:-:-​

How will you spend your afternoon?

[] Study the Tome
-[] for spells
-[] for hints of what makes Divine and Demonic magics unique

[] Research other materials (1d4 Research Points per hour spent on a subject)
-[] Divine Magic
-[] Demonic Magic
-[] Harmonic Magic

[] Talk to the Innkeep (get a room)
-[] mention you're a Bard
-[] just make small talk, you're too tired to play tonight.

[] Go exploring (choose a cardinal direction)

[] Just relax (skip to evening)

 

[Rickshaw]

That's not very helpful. How many hours do we spend, how many points do we need, and what do those points get us? Or is this one of those 'pick it first to see what it does' options?

Click to shrink...

Assumption error on my part. I mentioned the time here:

The sun is still an hour or two away from setting behind the pale walls of the city, at which point you'd probably call it evening

Click to shrink...

So you've got about 2 hours left until it turns from afternoon to evening. Choosing to Research uses all of the remaining time left in the portion of the day (afternoon here) to study your manuscripts and scrolls. If you choose to Research, it'll net you 1d4 Research Points in the subject(s) of your choice for every hour used so. Because you have two hours left in the afternoon, it'd be 1d4 each in two subjects, or 2d4 in one subject.

Lots of unimportant mechanic rambling that did not actually do anything for the quest.

EDIT: Researching is different from studying the Tome in that Research levels up the appropriate Magic Stat while the tome gives you access to new spells or hints as to unique ways spells can be used. For instance, if you had a spell called Magic Wall, leveling up through Research might give you a stronger wall, but studying the Tome reveals a previous hero used the same spell as a platform to air walk. Sadly, Magic Wall is not a real spell, so Mages had to invent the Shield and Levitate spells separately, but I think you get the idea.

Okay yeah this one kinda is still relevant so it stays but that may change.

EDIT 2: All of this is retroactive garbage. Research is now purely a method of getting new skills, abilities, perks, passives, and other words that mean "Usable magic" or it can further your investigation into a subject (like, say, Spiritual Magic). Leveling up your stats is now exclusively quest-related.

 

[Rickshaw]

This episode of Lev Tahor shortened and delayed to you by Dark Souls II: Scholar of the Effects of Sado-Masochistic Game Design on the Human Mind. I swear From Software laughs at my suffering, but those unfinished trophies won't let me quit just yet.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

[x] Talk to the Innkeep (get a room)
-[x] mention you're a Bard

With a sigh, you close the Tome and reattach it to your belt. You'd already shirked study once today, you could probably afford to do it again. Besides, you had a decent excuse. Sleep and security were just as if not more important needs to fulfill. Plus, you had an ace up your sleeve that ensured you'd get a decent discount. You slung your mandolin over your shoulder and strode towards the counter.

"Is there something else you needed?" The woman asked as you approached, setting her book into her lap. She seemed fairly observant for a bookworm.

"A room, if you have one."

She nods, looking to one side. "We have a few on the second story." She lists off a price just a tad more expensive than you're comfortable with.

No worries, Den. You prepared for this. You think, desperately. "You wouldn't happen to have anything cheaper, would you?" You silently pray for that to be the case.

To your disappointment, her head shook a negative. "Sadly not."

Time to work your magic. You sigh and turn away, your mandolin swinging along your shoulder. "What a shame!" you proclaim, drawing upon your strongest magic: the Power of Bull(crap). "Here I was hoping to stay in such a lovely establishment, but alas it seems I must seek refuge elsewhere."

Persuasion Check (d20): Roll = 6 (+1 per Harmonic Lvl) Total = 8
[NOT A COLOSSAL FAILURE BUT NOT IDEAL EITHER]

"Yes," she replies, returning to her book. "Quite the shame; I was hoping to keep a fellow bookworm like you around for a while longer."

You immediately burst into frantic stuttering. You were not expecting your wiles to falter so quickly, nor for them to be turned on you so thoroughly. Quick, beat a hasty retreat! Live to bluff another day!

"W-well, um, I c-could stay. I-I mean I don't have a lot of money, per se. B-but I'd be willing to, um, try and e-entertain you tonight as payment…."

You are officially a blubbering fool. A blubbering fool talking to a woman you're beginning to notice is quite pretty, observant, willing to talk to you and oh god did you just insinuate what you think you insinuated.

"N-not like that! I meant the tavern, with my mandolin, or something. Out here, on the main floor, in public, not… ungh." Sweet merciful heaven you are only making this worse.

To your relief, the Innkeep begins to chuckle to herself as she peeks at you from behind her novel. "However fun that'd be, I'm sorry to inform that we already have entertainment for the night."

And hearing that, your frantically beating heart begins to sink like a rock. "Oh…"

"Don't worry," She continues. "Tonight is the last night she's contracted to be here. We'll need someone to fill her role for the next week, and if you're willing I'll happily provide you a discount until you're done."

Revitalization! Just like that, your hopes are soaring once again. In spite of your overwhelming embarrassment, you can't help the smile that crosses your face. A guaranteed week of work is a fantastic opportunity, even if you're only getting a discount instead of the usual free lodging. On one hand, unless you're tipped well you'll still be losing money. On the other hand, a pretty lady has personally requested you to play at her venue. Ugh, but is the gain worth the cost? Decisions, decisions!

-:-:-;-:-:-​

Accept the Innkeep's proposal?

[] Yes (Lodging at discounted price, evening time frame set to "Play at the Marching Mare" for the week)

[] No, pay in full (Lodging for the week, evening time frame free)


The sun seems like it'll be setting soon, what do you plan to do this evening?

[] Watch tonight's entertainment. Who dares steal your limelight?

[] Talk to the Innkeep further
-[] About what? (Write-in)

[] Go exploring (choose a cardinal direction)

[] Go to sleep (skip to morning/Soul Screening)

 

[Rickshaw]

[x] Yes (Lodging at discounted price, evening time frame set to "Play at the Marching Mare" for the week)
[x] Watch tonight's entertainment. Who dares steal your limelight?

You hide away in your corner as the dinner rush begins to trickle in. You're almost glad that you aren't playing tonight because no matter what you tried you were unable to fully calm the blood rushing to your cheeks. Every once in a while you sneak a peek over in Mary's direction, only to find her peeking right back at you with that treacherous smile.

Oh, the innkeep's name is Mary, by the way. It was one of those things she said after you agreed to play to her deal, but were too flustered to properly process. It was jumbled in there with some congratulations on the purchase as well as an exchange of coin. Now that you think about it, she asked for surprisingly little. It might have cost you a bit more than you normally liked to spend, but it was nowhere near the price she initially gave you. You glance her way, wondering why she'd do something like that for a complete strang- oh god she's making eye contact look away before she notices.

On account of the soft chuckling coming from her general direction, you're certain she did just that. So much for keeping your blush to a calm and manageable level. You breathe a heavy sigh of relief when the rush appears in full force and drags her attention away from you. You liked your limelight, but that was just plain awkward.

Speaking of the limelight, you quickly scan the room for anyone who might be tonight's entertainment. Most seem to be the usual crowd for a tavern, if a little wealthier. There's the workers playing card games at their table, a few guards relaxing for the evening, the stereotypical shady crowd in the back, a wealthy gentleman sipping wine with a much younger woman, a small family taking seats near the stage. Now that you're paying attention there seems to be a wider audience than usual for such a place. Are they all here for the girl who's playing tonight?

You spot a man and woman near the back, both about your age. The man has black hair and is in some sort of tunic, while the woman is wearing a plain dress that accents her blonde locks. They're standing there somewhat awkwardly, seemingly looking for a seat before the woman takes off towards the innkeep. The man glances around and, finding all the nearby tables full, begins to walk towards you.

It's at this point you realize that your corner booth is one of the only ones to still have empty seating. The giant pack seated next to you and the manuscripts spread across the table were probably what deterred other customers from intruding, though that doesn't seem to be stopping this man. You quickly begin to pack said objects away.

"Is this seat taken?" he asks, motioning opposite you. You shake your head as he sits down. "I'm David."

"Den," You reply, still cleaning the table. You notice his outstretched hand and hesitate for a moment before grasping it. "Nice to meet you."

He shakes it. He has a strong and calloused grip. He looks around the crowded room. "I assume you're here to see Aurelia perform?"

"Is that the girl who's playing tonight?" You ask. "I only got in town this afternoon and heard about it from the innkeep. Thought I'd see who the fuss was about." You follow David's wandering gaze. "It seems there's a lot of hype for her."

He nods. "With good reason." He seems like he's going to elaborate before pausing mid-breath. Whatever he was going to say is cut off as the sound of a harp softly fills the room

The crowded tavern quiets in less than a moment as the blonde from before, still dressed in that simple dress, stretches her fingers across the heavenly strings. The workers are frozen mid-play, the guards lower their drinks to the table, and even the hunched shoulders of the shady figures in the corner seem to relax. The couple pause with their fingers touching ever so subtly, and the children at the edge of the stage are all stock still, eyes wide as they watch the magic before them.

And what Magic it is. This isn't a mere feeling like your own, but something well beyond anything you've ever witnessed before. From her instrument stretch thin tendrils of magic that spiral and dance through the air, twisting and turning this way and that as they flow with her music. They weave patterns that pull on your heart with a terrible sense of familiarity, but your mind claims you've never seen anything like them.

And yet, your heart tells you these impossible shapes and symbols are the story of a broken Kingdom. That they are the pride that its walls could not be felled, and the horror when they burned instead. They are the desperate cries of help from a despairing people. They are the shattered dreams of a million slaves under a cruel dictator as any chance of escape fades into obscurity.

But they are, too, the unshakeable faith of a child who refuses to give in. They are the illogical assurance that there is still hope to be found. They are the cries of the poor, the weak, and the hopeless made into a rallying cry to hold desperately onto their faith. And it is that hope and faith which shine the strongest, breaking through the despair and filling you with a resolve to do anything and everything to take back the home which you'd lost, which that cruel Warlord had taken from you at any cost. You would climb any mountain, delve any depth, and cross any distance to regain the Kingdom which rightfully belonged to you. For your people, for your heritage, for your mother, and your broth-

Wait a moment.

You pull yourself out of your reverie, drenched in a cold sweat. That, that was nothing like you'd ever experienced. None of that was your own, not a single memory was yours, and yet it felt like you'd just relived your entire life in an instant. You look towards the woman, Aurelia, with awe. This was the true power of Harmonic Magic? To not only share your feelings, but your past, your history, your ambitions, your very soul?

You look across the table to your bro- to David. You can see the myriad emotions on his face, the pride, the wonder, the pain, the regret. At least this was your first time experiencing it, but you can't imagine what it must be like to relive your own life so vividly and publically.

"It was her last night," he says, perhaps catching your glance. "She wanted to leave an impact before we go."

"She did" you assure him, just as the song builds to its last crescendo. As she belts out the final note, the strings of magic glow brightly, filling the tavern with a warm, resolute light before bursting into nothingness. The crowd which had crammed into the building begins to stir as they exit their stupor. There is a moment of awkward quiet.

Aurelia begins to wilt as the silence grows oppressive. She grasps her harp tightly, like a lifeline, before she finally swallows and bows. She steps off the stage and hurriedly approaches your table, face burning with embarrassment.

"Come on, David. Let's go." She says, hurriedly. He pauses, a conflicted look crossing his face. "Come on." She urges, looking more and more uncomfortable by the second.

Finally, he nods and gets up. "Thank you for the seat." He says to you before holding his sister's arm and heading for the door.

It's as the duo are about to reach the door that the silence is broken by a single clap. Your eyes dart to the young woman from before, seated across the older gentleman. Tears are streaming down her face as she claps again. And again. And again.

Like a match to tinder, the room explodes into applause. Some people are shouting and whistling, others are crying uncontrollably, and everyone is visibly moved by young Aurelia's song. You find yourself cheering and clapping so hard your hands burn.

The siblings are frozen in the doorway like deer in the headlights. The shock on their faces is clear as day. It's only with great effort that Aurelia, tears flowing freely down her face, steps back inside and gives a proper bow. The cheering doubles.

You're quite alright with having your spotlight stolen by someone like her.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

When the cheering dies down sometime later, the tavern is in full celebration mode. The chatter is lively loud, almost everyone has a smile plastered on their face, and the children are running free without a care in the world.

Your table is just as joyful if a bit subdued. Aurelia and David sit beside each other and across from you. Aurelia takes another drink of what you assume to be her fourth glass of water, still attempting to calm down. "I was certain we were about to be driven out of town."

"For that?" You ask, incredulous. "That was the greatest demonstration of Harmonic Magic I'd ever seen! And the song, the emotion!" You fall back into your seat. "I have no idea how you did it."

The siblings share a look. "Well, she's been practicing since the time she could speak." He informs.

"Mother always loved singing, and I wanted to make her proud." She fiddles with her glass. "It probably helps being the rightful heir of a royal bloodline of the literal Magical Kingdom, too."

That had struck you as odd, how the Zoroaster Kingdom didn't actually have a King or Royalty. You hadn't asked when you were there two weeks ago because, honestly, it hadn't seemed important. But from the hopes in Aurelia's song, it seemed these two were planning to start a civil war.

It's a little selfish, but you're honestly a little glad you left the country in time to avoid that. Who knows what would have happened to you if you'd been caught up in something crazy like that.

David puts a hand on her shoulder. "I think she'd be proud of you." The two smile at each other. You feel you've just caught a minor dose of diabetes.

"I'd love to stay and chat more about your Magic," you say, grabbing your pack. "But I just finished riding from Zoroaster to here, and I'm beat."

Aurelia nods. "I'm pretty exhausted, too." She flops against David somewhat unceremoniously. "I think I'll take a nap right here."

David gives you the most longsuffering look you've ever seen. You get the feeling he's not as excited to have a princess sleeping on him as most people would be. "Go on and sleep, I can handle 'her highness' here."

As wave them both goodnight and head to your room. You pass by the counter on your way upstairs, but curiously find another girl in the window instead of Mary. She probably went to bed, it was pretty loud and wild for a bit there and you doubt she would have been able to focus on her book.

As you enter your room you immediately spot the bed on your left. You dump the pack on the floor and flop onto the mattress, exhausted. You have just enough time to remember you have a Soul Screening tomorrow before the mattress's softness becomes too distracting and sleep overtakes you.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

Good news, Prologue's almost over. No IC votes this time since you guys voted "yes" to the screening in the morning. You'll get an update tomorrow that lets you have fun with that (unless this project I've got due tomorrow night delays me, in which case you'll get the chapter Monday night/Tuesday morning), but for this time I'm asking you guys to vote about the entertainment you guys were hired to do.

However fun it would be for me to write seven future updates dedicated purely to you playing music in the Marching Mare, I don't know how fun it'd be for you guys to read. I'll give you some options to choose from, but if you think of a better idea feel free to write it in.

-:-:-;-:-:-​

(OOC)How do you want me to handle the "Play at the Marching Mare" updates?

[] Write a short update with a unique song as the focus (may include lore and backstory snippets)

[] Merge with the afternoon votes (you'll get a short paragraph at the end of those updates mentioning anything important. This will progress time faster)

[] Interludes (view the Marching Mare scenes from someone else's view. May contain worldbuilding).

[] Write-in

 

[Rickshaw]

They were heading for the door, and despite the roaring applause I've not seen them stop. I was fully confident they've left by the time the audience regained their wits, so the next scene caught me by surprise.

Click to shrink...

*eyes the quoted passage* Where the hell did the next line go?
Thank you for spotting that, edited for clarity. I swear I had a line there explaining she'd stopped.

giving concerts at taverns spreading word of their intentions.

Click to shrink...

I didn't say this in the post (because I was dead to the world when I finished writing) but I think I can provide an adequate explanation for that. David would likely have explained this to you as well, seeing as you admitted you'd been to Zoroaster and didn't recognize them.
The Royal Family of Zoroaster was run out of the capital about a generation ago. The King and Queen were killed in the invasion and the Princess was forced into hiding. The conquering Warlord put out a decree saying the Royal Family would not be harmed if they stayed out of the capital (which they have). This is all fairly common knowledge that the last generation would recall as the most important event in recent history. As far as most know, that's the end of it.
What David tells you is that the old Princess had a rebellious child in Aurelia, who on her eighteenth birthday dragged him along with her as she stormed the capital to demand her Kingdom back. The Warlord laughed in their faces before exiling the two from the nation by force. They've been seeking asylum in Zak for the past few years, and Aurelia has been moonlighting as a singer to make connections and get funds for her little revolution. She's more famous here for her musical ability than as a Princess, though people have suspected for a while. This was her big reveal before she goes off, but David doubts whether it was a wise idea to let her do it. He really can't say anything, though. She's the Princess, and he's just a knight who happens to be related to her. He does as she orders.