Welcome to Old City Anew - my first quest and one of my first attempts at writing.
Information about the voting system can be found in the next post, please read it before you vote.
The quest is based Changeling: The Lost, but I will not always strictly adhere to the source material.
If you want to start reading right away, feel free to. Otherwise, here is a short description of what awaits you, including minor spoilers:
You grew up in the late middle ages and after escaping some kind of torment you can not fully remember, you awake in modern day Vienna.
The time away has changed you and even the city itself, making you a foreigner in the place you once considered home. Even the language has changed.
All the while you will never be sure if you actually got away, or if you are still being hunted.
Sometimes dreams reveal parts of what you have forgotten, though if this is a good thing, you are not sure about.
Between the realms of men and Fae,
there lies the ever-changing hedge.
Within do never lose your way,
the thorns will shear like razor's edge.
Slowly you open your eyes, only to shut them again instantly, when you find yourself staring into a bright light. Your entire body hurts from the scratches you inflicted on yourself while fleeing, the razor sharp thorns tearing on your body and mind alike.
What you fled from, you are not sure. It was terrible, that you know, and even if you escaped for now, at some point it will find you, if you do not remain vigilant.
But more important than what happened to you is where you are now. What use to you are thoughts of getting away, when you die here?
Again you open your eyes, careful not to stare straight upwards. Around you are what only could be houses, though among the highest you have ever seen and without any visible wood or bricks. Despite what you previously thought, you were not staring at the sun earlier, instead it is a lamp, glowing whiter than any fire you have seen before. The height at which it is attached makes you feel bad for whoever is in charge of lighting it.
You shake yourself from your reverie, pain shooting through your body from the motion. Now is not the time to care for such minor matters, you should leave as long as you still can.
With these thoughts, you attempt to stand, only to fall back onto the ground, your legs deciding that it is too late already.
Copy this and fill in a preference order:
[][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
Before you drift away again, you think about your past. Even though wherever you just came from avoids your grasp, you still have your earlier memories, however long ago it was. There is one moment you remember that seems to be connected to your current situation.
Propose any number of plans, but do not vote yet. To be eligible for voting later on, a plan has to be seconded. You may second as many plans as you want, as long as you didn't make them.
This quest will not deal with skills per se, you can simply do what is appropriate for your background. That said, I will note things down sometimes.
The options are equal, but all should have their merits.
For your age keep in mind that time has passed since, how much will be decided in later vote. The plan reflects how old you were in that memory.
Choose a name appropriate for the time in a (Middle High) German speaking area. Your name might be more important than you think.
Fluff and descriptions of your appearance are appreciated.
Choose one and select sub-options. Write-in of sub-options is allowed, if appropriate.
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the oldest son of the master baker.
At some point you should have taken over the bakery and as such you have been learning his craft.
You are the only daughter of the master baker.
The baker's guild has not been around for long, but your father had a rather high position. In the hopes to climb the ladder even higher, he wanted you to marry the son of one of the most highly regarded masters. As such you have been learning your numbers and letters to be useful to him.
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
It is your bakery after all, and it was ever since you took it over from your father.
Fill in:
Name:
Age:
Only an hour's walk outside of the city, you lived at the shore of the Danube.
Choose one:
You are a fisherman and have been one your entire life.
Ever since your wife died, you have been living alone with your son and daughter. It is hard to come by, but you manage.
You are the fisherman's son.
Though you yearned to make more of your life, you helped your father with his work. Sometimes you feel guilty for your mother's death shortly after your birth, but your father didn't seem to blame you for it.
You are the fisherman's daughter.
After your mother's death, you took over most of her duties at home, including taking care of your younger brother. At least you would make a good wife, if you ever found a man willing to marry someone in your position.
Fill in:
Name:
Age:
Year: (1221 - 1400)
It had only been a year since you began your apprenticeship as a locksmith in 1422.
Your master was strict and beat you for any shortcomings, but you have to admit that you learned a lot.
Fill in:
Name:
Age:
Sex:
If you choose to be female, explain how you got this position. (E.g. you somehow pretended to be male.)
For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
Choose one:
Your name is Hans Puchsbaum.
It was your responsibility to see the construction to its end, and to do so faster than anyone else could. That is what you had promised to get this position after all.
Your name is Maria <Surname>
Your fiancé was the master builder in charge of the cathedral's construction and you did everything you could to help him in this.
After all, it was only this position that made your wealthy father allow your betrothal.
I aim to update this quest somewhere between once per day and once every fortnight. Chapter length will vary, but hopefully increase with time. It seems I am unable to hold to any kind of schedule at the moment. Chapters will come irregularly, but this quest is still alive.
Voting System
Voting is mostly done with Preference Orders, i.e.
[1][Bla] Option A
[3][Bla] Option B
[2][Bla] Option C
means you like Option A best and Option B least.
The following is also valid:
[1][Bla] Option A
[1][Bla] Option B
[2][Bla] Option C
meaning you like Option A and Option B equally, but more than Option C. This can also be written as
[1][Bla] Option A
[1][Bla] Option B
In rare cases I might use Approval Voting instead. This works similar to Plurality Vote, but you may vote for more than one option, i.e.
[X][Bla] Option A
[X][Bla] Option B
gives a point to both Option A and Option B.
Write-Ins
Unless otherwise noted, write-ins are only allowed with approval.
When I explicitly include a Write-In option, I retain veto rights. Please note that if earlier voters don't adjust their vote, your write-in will be considered to be placed last by them.
Changing Votes
Editing the vote or making a new post are both valid.
Plans
Sometimes, but hopefully rarely, I will ask you to create plans. In that case, voting takes place in two parts:
First you are allowed to create plans and to second them, for both there is no limit to how often you may do that. You are not allowed to second your own plans, obviously.
In the second part, all seconded plans will be available for voting as described above.
Mechanics
None planned.
If you find any mistakes (spelling, grammar, or otherwise), please tell me.
Dorothea Ascher
(Fire burned your true name in exchange for the Contracts of Communion.)
Others:
Edmund Holtzer
(Used in lock smithing career, disguised as your brother.)
Beatrix
(Name given to hospital staff.)
Important Dates
Birthday:
?.?.1411
Relatives
Father:
?
Mother:
?
Twin Brother
Edmund Holtzer
Many think he is not reliable, but you know he would not abandon you like this. Something must have happened to him.
Other siblings
?
Known Skills
Mundane:
Locksmithing
For a few years in your past you had supernatural skill at the forge. This time has passed, but memories remain and you still deserve your title as Master.
Supernatural:
Shapeshifting (Humans/Changelings only)
Fire and heat cannot harm you without intention while you are in your true form or bear some representation of fire.
You can detect fire and strong sources of heat in a small area by meditating for a few minutes.
Fire and other strong sources of heat may inform you of recent happenings in their direct vicinity if you give a small offering.
Losses and Payments
A burned body with skin made of coal, ash and blisters.
Marked by flames in payment for the Cloak of Fire.
Dorothea Holtzer became Dorothea Ascher, when the fire burned your True Name in exchange for the Contracts of Communion.
Unable to taste sweetness.
Background
(As written by veekie)
You were taken in by the master locksmith in place of your twin brother, who had run off to parts unknown. To avoid the brutal fines for breach of apprenticeship contract, your parents cut your hair, dressed you in his clothes, and passed you off as your brother. Fortunately the master had started growing nearsighted by the time you started, and you THINK he had yet to catch on yet.
Appearance
Mask:
?
Mien:
Frame of a fifteen year old girl, but
- Muscled
- Charred skin
- Forked tongue
- Sharp teeth
[1][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
[2][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[3][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[4][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[] Plan Miss Locks
-[] It had only been a year since you began your apprenticeship as a locksmith in 1422.
--[] Name: Dorothea 'Edmund' Holtzer
--[] Age: 12
--[] Gender: Female
--[] You were taken in by the master locksmith in place of your twin brother, who had run off to parts unknown. To avoid the brutal fines for breach of apprenticeship contract, your parents cut your hair, dressed you in his clothes, and passed you off as your brother. Fortunately the master had started growing nearsighted by the time you started, and you THINK he had yet to catch on yet.
Name generated randomly
The name in quotes is the one she's going under as her brother's name.
Age flexible, but IIRC apprenticeships start around this age?
[4][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[2][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[1][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[3][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
Seconded: Plan Miss Locks
[ ] Plan Foreman
-[ ] For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
--[ ] Name: Hans Puchsbaum.
--[ ] Age: 48
--[ ] Gender: Male
--[ ] It was your responsibility to see the construction to its end, and to do so faster than anyone else could. That is what you had promised to get this position after all.
[4][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[2][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[1][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[3][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
I'm allowed to vote anyways, even if no guessing, aren't I?
[1][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[3][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[4][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[2][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
[] Plan Baker's Brat
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
If I'm allowed to add this (may I, @Unseelie?): You also found a lot of other things more interesting than baking, and dreamed of doing anything but with your life, even if you're slowly getting too old for dreams. For this purpose, the part of your lessons that probably went best are your numbers and letters. The street's also given you a decent command of differing languages that traders (and their kids) use, including some bits of Latin, but mostly all the languages spoken along the Danube. You're pretty good at picking up languages, if you dare say so yourself. Your family's got Hungarian roots somewhere back, so you're especially strong in that.
Fill in:
Name: baptized Johannes Bäcker, but more often called Hänsel or János - prefers János over Johannes over Hänsel.
Age: 13
Reasoning behind the write-in: We do not want to be stuck speaking Middle High German in modern Austria for too long, and an affinity for languages might always come in useful.
Also some useful places for finding names:This might be helpful, even if it's not quite for the right regions.
Hmm, I originally planned for only the sister to have any noticeable skill in reading/maths, but you will have been taught the basics and could have asked her for help.
A bit of Latin...well, church Latin, why not. Suggests an above average interest in religion though.
Hmm, I originally planned for only the sister to have any noticeable skill in reading/maths, but you will have been taught the basics and could have asked her for help.
A bit of Latin...well, church Latin, why not. Suggests an above average interest in religion though.
[] Plan Fishing
Only an hour's walk outside of the city, you lived at the shore of the Danube.
Choose one:
You are the fisherman's daughter.
After your mother's death, you took over most of her duties at home, including taking care of your younger brother. At least you would make a good wife, if you ever found a man willing to marry someone in your position.
If allowed, write-in: You've also done your best to make sure you know your way around as many things as you can - from making nets to pottery, even sometimes helping your father with the catch if it was necessary, you're an extremely hands-on kind of person.
Fill in:
Name: Anna
Age: 17
Year: 1309
[] Plan Maria Stefferl
For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
Choose one:
Your name is Maria Stefferl
Your fiancé was the master builder in charge of the cathedral's construction and you did everything you could to help him in this.
After all, it was only this position that made your wealthy father allow your betrothal.
Write-in, if allowed: You're educated, good with your sums, especially the rather recent Arabic numerals; you can read, write, speak different languages, do books, and lead a household. Well, that last one in theory, at least. Actually, nearly all you can do is theory.
If allowed, write-in: You've also done your best to make sure you know your way around as many things as you can - from making nets to pottery, even sometimes helping your father with the catch if it was necessary, you're an extremely hands-on kind of person.
Fair warning: If you just stack skills on skills, you will have disadvantages in other areas. In this case I'd say you will be a rather conservative person and will have a hard time adapting to change. First lesson: Nothing comes without a price.
The baker plan earlier will miss out on the streetsmarts and brawling skills I'd usually give the youngest son, and you will be a rather devout person and will have a more negative reaction to unnatural happenings than other characters. Of course this can be a very healthy trait.
Write-in, if allowed: You're educated, good with your sums, especially the rather recent Arabic numerals; you can read, write, speak different languages, do books, and lead a household. Well, that last one in theory, at least. Actually, nearly all you can do is theory.
Fair warning: If you just stack skills on skills, you will have disadvantages in other areas. In this case I'd say you will be a rather conservative person and will have a hard time adapting to change. First lesson: Nothing comes without a price.
The baker plan earlier will miss out on the streetsmarts and brawling skills I'd usually give the youngest son, and you will be a rather devout person and will have a more negative reaction to unnatural happenings than other characters. Of course this can be a very healthy trait.
I wanted to ask what happens without Latin... then I spotted the invisitext...
Still asking: What happens without the Latin, just languages in general?
[1][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
[2][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[3][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[4][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[ ] Plan Foreman
-[ ] For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
--[ ] Name: Hans Puchsbaum.
--[ ] Age: 48
--[ ] Gender: Male
--[ ] It was your responsibility to see the construction to its end, and to do so faster than anyone else could. That is what you had promised to get this position after all.
While I will allow it, note that 48 is a bit old to be engaged in the middle ages.
Edit: Problem due to legends clashing with real history...if this option is chosen, Maria will just be his wife already.
I answered these personally earlier, but for the benefit of other readers:
I wanted to ask what happens without Latin... then I spotted the invisitext...
Still asking: What happens without the Latin, just languages in general?
[] Plan Miss Locks
-[] It had only been a year since you began your apprenticeship as a locksmith in 1422.
--[] Name: Dorothea 'Edmund' Holtzer
--[] Age: 12
--[] Gender: Female
--[] You were taken in by the master locksmith in place of your twin brother, who had run off to parts unknown. To avoid the brutal fines for breach of apprenticeship contract, your parents cut your hair, dressed you in his clothes, and passed you off as your brother. Fortunately the master had started growing nearsighted by the time you started, and you THINK he had yet to catch on yet.
[ ] Plan Foreman
-[ ] For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
--[ ] Name: Hans Puchsbaum.
--[ ] Age: 48
--[ ] Gender: Male
--[ ] It was your responsibility to see the construction to its end, and to do so faster than anyone else could. That is what you had promised to get this position after all.
[] Plan Fishing
Only an hour's walk outside of the city, you lived at the shore of the Danube.
Choose one:
You are the fisherman's daughter.
After your mother's death, you took over most of her duties at home, including taking care of your younger brother. At least you would make a good wife, if you ever found a man willing to marry someone in your position.
If allowed, write-in: You've also done your best to make sure you know your way around as many things as you can - from making nets to pottery, even sometimes helping your father with the catch if it was necessary, you're an extremely hands-on kind of person.
[] Plan Baker's Brat - Merchant Listener Edition
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
A bit modified (is that alright, @Unseelie?): You also found a lot of other things more interesting than baking, and dreamed of doing anything but with your life, even if you're slowly getting too old for dreams. For this purpose, the part of your lessons that probably went best are your numbers and letters. The street's also given you a decent command of differing languages that merchants (and their kids) use, mostly all the languages spoken along the Danube. You're pretty good at picking up languages, if you dare say so yourself. Your family's got Hungarian roots somewhere back, so you're especially strong in that, but languages in general are your forte. Unfortunately, any brawling skills you have are probably the opposite of existant - most older boys had fun teaching you ways to throw punches wrong, or stand wrong, so often they're engrained in your memory - but you did learn when to run away. Occasionally.
Fill in:
Name: baptized Johannes Bäcker, but more often called Hänsel or János - prefers János over Johannes over Hänsel.
[] Plan Baker's Brat
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
If I'm allowed to add this (may I, @Unseelie?): You also found a lot of other things more interesting than baking, and dreamed of doing anything but with your life, even if you're slowly getting too old for dreams. For this purpose, the part of your lessons that probably went best are your numbers and letters. The street's also given you a decent command of differing languages that traders (and their kids) use, including some bits of Latin, but mostly all the languages spoken along the Danube. You're pretty good at picking up languages, if you dare say so yourself. Your family's got Hungarian roots somewhere back, so you're especially strong in that.
Fill in:
Name: baptized Johannes Bäcker, but more often called Hänsel or János - prefers János over Johannes over Hänsel.
For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
Choose one:
Your name is Maria Stefferl
Your fiancé was the master builder in charge of the cathedral's construction and you did everything you could to help him in this.
After all, it was only this position that made your wealthy father allow your betrothal.
Write-in, if allowed: You're educated, good with your sums, especially the rather recent Arabic numerals; you can read, write, speak different languages, do books, and lead a household. Well, that last one in theory, at least. Actually, nearly all you can do is theory.
[] Plan Baker's Brat - Merchant Listener Edition
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
A bit modified (is that alright, @Unseelie?): You also found a lot of other things more interesting than baking, and dreamed of doing anything but with your life, even if you're slowly getting too old for dreams. For this purpose, the part of your lessons that probably went best are your numbers and letters. The street's also given you a decent command of differing languages that merchants (and their kids) use, mostly all the languages spoken along the Danube. You're pretty good at picking up languages, if you dare say so yourself. Your family's got Hungarian roots somewhere back, so you're especially strong in that, but languages in general are your forte. Unfortunately, any brawling skills you have are probably the opposite of existant - most older boys had fun teaching you ways to throw punches wrong, or stand wrong, so often they're engrained in your memory - but you did learn when to run away. Occasionally.
Fill in:
Name: baptized Johannes Bäcker, but more often called Hänsel or János - prefers János over Johannes over Hänsel.
[3][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[1][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[4][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[2][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
(Proposing no plan because I like the others a lot and can't think of one that is fundamentally different. Very stoked for this though!)
[] Plan Miss Locks
-[] It had only been a year since you began your apprenticeship as a locksmith in 1422.
--[] Name: Dorothea 'Edmund' Holtzer
--[] Age: 12
--[] Gender: Female
--[] You were taken in by the master locksmith in place of your twin brother, who had run off to parts unknown. To avoid the brutal fines for breach of apprenticeship contract, your parents cut your hair, dressed you in his clothes, and passed you off as your brother. Fortunately the master had started growing nearsighted by the time you started, and you THINK he had yet to catch on yet.
[ ] Plan Foreman
-[ ] For more than a century the construction of the Stephansdom has been in progress. (Middle to late 15th century.)
--[ ] Name: Hans Puchsbaum.
--[ ] Age: 48
--[ ] Gender: Male
--[ ] It was your responsibility to see the construction to its end, and to do so faster than anyone else could. That is what you had promised to get this position after all.
[] Plan Fishing
Only an hour's walk outside of the city, you lived at the shore of the Danube.
Choose one:
You are the fisherman's daughter.
After your mother's death, you took over most of her duties at home, including taking care of your younger brother. At least you would make a good wife, if you ever found a man willing to marry someone in your position.
If allowed, write-in: You've also done your best to make sure you know your way around as many things as you can - from making nets to pottery, even sometimes helping your father with the catch if it was necessary, you're an extremely hands-on kind of person.
[] Plan Baker's Brat - Merchant Listener Edition
It was the year of the lord 1212 and as long as you remember, you lived in the bakery in the Schönlaterngasse.
Choose one:
You are the youngest son of the master baker.
Less driven and less minded than your older brother, you have learned the basics of your father's craft, but spent a lot of your time on the streets.
A bit modified (is that alright, @Unseelie?): You also found a lot of other things more interesting than baking, and dreamed of doing anything but with your life, even if you're slowly getting too old for dreams. For this purpose, the part of your lessons that probably went best are your numbers and letters. The street's also given you a decent command of differing languages that merchants (and their kids) use, mostly all the languages spoken along the Danube. You're pretty good at picking up languages, if you dare say so yourself. Your family's got Hungarian roots somewhere back, so you're especially strong in that, but languages in general are your forte. Unfortunately, any brawling skills you have are probably the opposite of existant - most older boys had fun teaching you ways to throw punches wrong, or stand wrong, so often they're engrained in your memory - but you did learn when to run away. Occasionally.
Fill in:
Name: baptized Johannes Bäcker, but more often called Hänsel or János - prefers János over Johannes over Hänsel.
If you haven't done so already, don't forget to vote for a season:
[][Season] At least it is a warm night.
[][Season] The dry leaves you landed on crunch as you move slightly.
[][Season] Hopefully someone finds you soon, no matter their intention. You will not last long in the snow.
[][Season] A pleasant scent of blooming trees is in the air.
