The Claytons and Alice are British. Not French. And those parts are under siege by undead and fae. Plus Alice is currently a monster door. And I don't think Lady Clayton will leave her brother.
They are also our main points of contact with the club and losing them would be not great. They could reform the club eventually.
Right, Gaston would be taking them with him because Britain is perpetually unsafe and underdeveloped, while France is relatively stable and wealthy.
As for taking over the Club, that's an uphill battle when Big C himself is behind the organization. It would be a lot easier for the good people to escape IMO.
The Aurora does not destroy - it changes and reveals the parts of ourselves that we long deny, weighs our choices and exposes the reflection of ourselves behind the masks we wear to the world.
A man's inner thoughts and desires could at once be wholly different from what is presented to the world and so wholly radically different that one is left wondering if one ever knew the person at all.
It is ultimately up to the sum of choices that define and weigh us down.
And the Aurora is, in itself, not a malevolent being that thrives off of the inhumane cruelty of a cruel and dangerous world.
Family does wha is best for us, that is the power of the Aurora.
It merely reveals and tests who we truly are.
Some change into who they truly want to be, regardless of past sins and pain.
Others…embrace a far different mindset that like a fire is all-consuming sorrow!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Two years ago, I saw things that changed my life…and showed me just who some people are.
It even told me…who I really am.
(Kit Carson POV)
"Kit…come on buddy, wake up. I will dunk you the next chance we get!" a half-jovial voice said in a tone of sincerity and good-naturedly fun. Jim Bridger was, among other things, practical and with a mighty vitality.
And much like Kit, he was a man of the frontier, a bit older, debatably wiser, of an excellent constitution, and one of the fairest shots in the west; heck, he was one of the men who still had things to teach you at times.
"I'm up, god darn it…ain't you something better to do than slap your gums at me, Jim?" Kit said, throwing the blanket off of himself, putting on his, and looking at Jim.
"I thought you'd rise earlier?" Jim said.
"I was tired last night, the watch was longer than expected and Fremont was riding my hide for it," Kit continued, "I get we're in Mexico now, but that doesn't mean we can allow ourselves to be run ragged."
"Well that'll be the point, but you got to deal with all that nonsense of whatever Fremont wants." Jim said.
" He wants to see me?" Kit stretched as he began to roll up his mat and blanket.
"Among other things, he's been in a bit of a hurry lately like he wants to get us up and running fast." Jim said " Here I thought he'd be open to getting some trout."
There goes Jim, wanting to go fishing nowadays, keeps the mind from wandering around and worrying.
Because, well, things have been tense lately. What with all the mess of what may or may not happen.
Kit sighed. "We gotta climb the mountain first. Then we gotta get the map boy sketching up, you really think after we get moving we'll find a good brook to fish in?"
Jim would have belly laughed had he not trained to leave it a low chuckle. "Kit, have you forgotten who I am?"
Kit smiled "Alright Jimmy, but only if you find it not me. That's the wager."
He waved you off and then Carson marched off to be… god knows what John wanted today.
——————————-
Captain John C. Fremont looked over his shoulder as Kit sauntered over, "Kit, where in Sam Hill have you been? I needed you bright and early today, we're gonna hit up that mountain yonder."
He pointed at the partly cloud-covered mountain a fair distance away from the camp, just out of sight from the tree line. It was big alright; covered in pine, oak, and fir trees.
Hmm, the bounty of the golden lands of California.
"That's quite a hike, and you're probably bringing the map maker with us aren't you? Sir, far be it from me to tell you how to properly map the valley but..wouldn't we be in better shape if we stay with the main group." Kit explained to his captain of the mountain's feasibility to their plans.
John smiled "I knew you'd point it out. It'll be just you, me and Jim, we'll be faster together and we'll
be back and meet up with the others before sundown."
That is a foolhardy and risky plan, John…we're fast but we'll be in trouble if we get caught in the open. Kit thought, they had been lucky so far and the confidence was well-earned but even so.
"It's a bit risky, shouldn't we just stick to the plan?" Kit decided diplomatically speaking his mind.
John smiled "It'll help us know what's happening in the next valley Kit. It's best to take the risk so we know, even if it's a bit of a detour."
Well, it was good sense even when all of his instincts told him to stay. "And why are we even bringing Jim?"
"He told me there was a good brook for fishing and I'd hoped he could point it out while we were up there," he said.
Oh now Jim was cheating…that ain't right. Of course, he'd use John to get a leg up.
"Beat we get going if we're gonna stay ahead." John insisted.
"Yes, let's." Kit finished.
———————————-
The mountain was bigger than they anticipated; they were only halfway up it. It was partway through mid-day that Kit and Jim looked at each other as John was out of earshot. "Well, he said it would be a short detour."
"God damn, you know when he said it would be a short one I expected him to be better about this," Jim complained. "If we don't find that fishing brook I'll consider this a waste."
"Why do you even want to go fishing today, can't we just-" Kit started.
"Do you want to babysit the guy who does plants or the nature artist?" Jim asked sardonically. "That's why I'm pushing for it."
Well, that was a very good point and one that everyone can agree on at least for one day. And well the view of this couldn't be that bad.
"Well boys, feast your eyes on that valley," John said. "Soon, it'll be in good, honest American hands…"
"It'll be expensive as hell, John…either through lives or money…" Jim said. "Leave the big thinking to the government."
"I'm a representative of the US government as a Captain…as far as the situation goes I'm the eye in the region," John retorted.
There he goes again, jumping on his self-importance to the mission. The only reason I'm here is because of a hundred dollars a month. A man must provide for his family.
Kit nodded and went to grab the telescope and looked into the valley to survey the land and see if anything was coming their way.
"Smoke…odd," Kit said as he saw something rising and coming toward the valley.
Something big was coming towards them.
He scanned down into the valley and saw a small child alone in the wild - an Indian, seemingly abandoned to an unknown fate.
And then he saw the distant glow of orange like a rising sun in the morning, in the shape of flying fiery wings.
A monster made of fire and flesh. Not like a dragon, but more a bird of wings and feathers, only these feathers-
"A Monster," Kit said nervously, looking again at the child alone in the valley, before handing the telescope over to Jim and John.
"And it's coming towards us all," John said, warbling fear creeping into his voice. "We need to get to the others and get the hell out of the valley."
Jim looked into the area Kit had scanned earlier. "John, there's a child down there."
"It's already dead, we don't know how far away it is or how fast the fire will spread," Fremont said dismissively. "We have our own to look out for, not something that was left to die in the forest. I'm making it an order. Don't."
No one deserves to die like that, because of a monster raining fire upon the world…this is the Devil's work, Kit thought.
Fire reveals more about ourselves than we ever imagined about ourselves, from our character, our beliefs to even our very souls.
What is revealed?
DC: 30
Kit Carson:24+8=32
John C. Fremont: 6+7=13
Jim Bridger: 13+6=19
"Then let the devil take the savage soul, if it has one," John said scornfully. Meanwhile, Jim turned away in fear as the bird got closer and closer. It was flying slow and low, as if it was trying to get all the spots in the valley on the other side of the mountains.
It was making sure its fire spread.
"I'm going down there to get the kid John. Go and warn the others if you want, but I'm going." Kit said, his heart beset by guilt and terror and the primal anger in his soul.
You're risking your life for an Indian child, you've killed so many already and you're choosing now to risk your neck for it? WHY!
Kit looked at John as he gazed upon the great Firebird…THE MONSTER and made his choice.
"You're not going Kit, it's all but desertion," John said, trying to appeal to the man who was acting under his command. He wasn't the soldier, John was, but he had the authority to kill him, he was the law here.
To hell with it.
"Then stop me," Kit hissed.
"I think we're long passed that," John snarled as he grabbed Kit by the collar and tried to drag him down the mountain
---------------------------------------
Martial Check: Mountain Side Rolling AKA Punch Fremont
DC:40/60/75
Rolled: 43!
It felt good to finally tell that arrogant little map man who thought he was better than everyone how you really felt as you decked him in the face.
That barely staggered him?
"So it's insubordination as well." John said, wiping his lip as he looked out into the valley.
He pulled out his fine sword and looked at Kit.
"In accordance with the Articles of War and the Laws of the United States of America: Christopher Carson, I sentence you to-"
Jim Bridger Intrigue Check: Knock out John
DC:70-30( Sneak attack)-10 (John's Distracted)
Rolled: 85!
A loud crack echoed through the cliff as Captain John C. Fremont fell to the ground like a bag of barley.
"Jim?" Kit asked incredulously.
"Go…I'll tell him you did it when he wakes up," Jim said. " Go now…I don't need your reasons!"
"Thank you Jim, for everything," Kit replied, slinging his rifle and his gear and then looking down the mountain.
Martial CHECK: INTO THE FIRE AND FLAME to Save An Innocent Life
DC: 40/60/100/ 120
Rolled: 78!
Kit Carson was, in the dime novels and paperbacks, the swiftest man in the west; able to shoot a man from a hundred yards on horseback while moving, able to outfight a wolf with one hand and a fox with the other.
He was a wily man who knew every manner of healing plants and could set a bone and get you home before sundown with a grin on his face.
But Kit Carson was only a man. He drank, swore, killed animals and people alike; he hated the Blackfeet Tribe and called them the "mountain man's greatest foe"...he was afraid of bears and panthers.
He lost his father to a falling branch from a tree, he ran away from home when he was sixteen looking for a way out of his life that was at that point constraining him. He'd been married twice already to Natives, he had a daughter named Adaline, and had already buried another daughter.
He was a disappointment or a hero depending on who you asked…some would be cruel enough to call him a monster.
He was every single thing they called him, and yet was none of them at the same time.
Because a life is not deeds…it's choices.
And sometimes, in a rare moon, you might just learn from them.
Because deeds and their consequences are choices that echo.
-----------------------
Diplomacy Check: "It's going to be alright"
DC :70
Kit: 71!
The child was crying, afraid…terrified and alone.
The smoke was rising and getting closer and closer.
The fires fell like rain in the forest, setting the trees alight.
Kit looked at the child as the sky was torn asunder in an otherworldly glow.
"It's gonna be okay." He spoke in the language of his wife, Waanibe, Singing Grass, the Arapaho.
He looked at him, tears in his eyes and quiet as a mouse, only the rumbling flames roaring towards them.
"I won't let go," Kit continued. "It will be okay."
The child clung to him as he buried his face into Kit's heart.
It was a lie…maybe.
No one deserved to die alone.
As the sky turned unnaturally beautiful, a rainbow haze of colors in the orange and black all he could do was pray.
"Spare the Child." He begged. "NO ONE SHOULD DIE LIKE THIS! Please…"
He then watched as the sky answered.
And all was dark.
---------------------------
In the land of the Aurora, the days blend together, hunting and fishing, teaching the boy…
They rarely spoke beyond their own words and confusion at times, but life had spared them the flame and sent them to the coldest of comforts.
Kit knew they were being watched, wondering and observing. Judging.
But they were calm, those quiet days. Calmer than the days he had lived ages ago.
Finally they entered the camp and sat by the fire playing and talking with the boy.
And he knew this was the end of their time together.
"Thank you," the once fearful eyes of the child said, even if his mouth couldn't say.
Kit sat with him - a stranger in his world, but still a part of it.
It reminded him of the time with his wife, and her people not so long ago.
The elder of the group pointed at how the stars were different from before, and that it would be difficult to find one's way home.
It would be hard, but not impossible.
Kit then drew in the dirt, the Firebird, the wrathful force of nature that seemingly had brought him here.
"No more innocents," he said.
The older man nodded but said in his own words "Impossible; foolish… reckless."
"Maybe, but I have to try…it's all I have left." Kit replied.
The older man nodded, as if pleased by his answer.
Then as day broke, Kit nodded and walked away, south of the land of the Aurora, to the world he had left behind.
Maybe he'd be back, maybe he would never return.
Life, like change, is uncertain, but we can't stay the same forever.
Let's go Home…to the golden hills scorched by fire.
The Firebird, nature's wrath, and fire would not take another innocent life away, not as long as he drew breath.
And he swore, leaving the land of the Aurora for a different world.
And so Kit Carson changed forevermore.
AN: Blame Brother Bear's fantastic dialogue for inspiring me to figure out how best to change a very complicated man for better.
Thank you @TirelessTraveler for the various edit work needed to make this better.
--[X] Apply Hub McCann
With all of the issues that are springing up that require a martial solution, Ahmed is looking at expanding his staff to better handle all of the moving pieces without letting anything fall between the cracks logistically or martially. Gain a second Martial Action.
DC: 80 (Heroes assigned to this task may substitute their Learning for Martial)
Cost: 2,000 Gold, 500 Gold Upkeep per turn after.
It was with great relief that Ahmed went over the new rosters of clerks and the newest cadre of fresh officers with Aladdin. His support corps was now replenished from what he'd been forced to leave in the North, with the only downside being that most of them were so new that they squeaked if they turned too fast. With the new additions to his staff Ahmed was finally able to spread his focus. Ironically enough the arrangement and streamlining of the system had given Ahmed some surprising insights into warfare and battlefield control based on logistical trains.
Second Martial action unlocked! Ahmed's Martial increases by +1 due to Simon_Jester's great way to deal with a certain issue.
With the research for the prosthetics having borne fruit, your people are ready to begin manufacturing and exporting them. Granted, many will be custom pieces, but there is more than enough demand to make it a viable market. Everything from hands to feet to arms and full legs. Gain additional income of 3,000 Gold per turn, Ababwa's reputation increases. Upkeep cost of 750 Gold per turn due to the small market and amount of materials needed, combined with each prosthetic needing to be custom made.
DC: 75
Cost: 5,000 Gold
1d100+11 (Aladdin) + 15 (Sinbad) +15 (XP) = 94
Aladdin smiled as he watched the young man wobble a bit before getting his balance. The crude flex spring in the leg allowed him to walk with minimal stumbling and not having to do the stumping steps that people with peg legs or other prosthetics for the foot and leg were forced to do in order to account for their prosthetic and variable terrain. The doctor had measured the young man's remaining leg and gotten his weight, working with a tinkerer in order to have a leaf spring of enough strength made to support the teen's body while allowing for it to absorb the shock of stepping like the sole and heel of a foot was supposed to do.
There was already a large number of veterans and other people that were setting up their own appointments to have their own personal prosthesis. But the greatest reward was seeing the teen's mother crying tears of joy as her son walked into her hug with minimal aid.
Ababwa has begun producing bespoke prosthetic limbs with technical improvements that make them much easier to adjust to and live with. Gain 3,000 gold per turn, upkeep of 750 Gold per turn.
Sinbad will go through an exhaustive list of candidates from around Ababwa to pick out the best potential administrators and leaders to take over from the Commanders, allowing the army units stationed there to slowly stand down and return to Ababwa proper while the new local city guards are trained. Removes upkeep cost from Northern Satraps, makes them Protectorates of Ababwa. (Incompatible with "Hire Local" and "Setting Down Roots".)
DC: 100
Cost: 4,000 Gold
1d100 + 11 (Aladdin) + 15 (Sinbad) + 15 (XP) = 59
Sinbad let out a breath as he sorted through the paperwork that the attempt to hire new administrators for the Northern Satraps had generated. Looking over one of the scrolls, he couldn't help the growl as he very nearly tore the thing in half. He'd been forced to personally sift through these notes and then conduct personal interviews after his suspicions in regard to how smoothly the process had been going reared their heads.
Once again, the old man was glad that he'd listened to his gut feeling. There had been dozens of people in the applications that should have never made it past initial vetting. Scoundrels, philanderers, and even one Haroud's own men, a pickpocket no less! Granted the last had been a test of their paperwork, but the fact that it had gotten through at all painted dire implications about the state of Sinbad's staff, and their competency. Or worse, their loyalties...
Action failed. DC lowered to 95, DC for Holding the Bag(man) lowered to 75. Cost for action halved.
Nemo has extended an invitation to dine with him to Aladdin. While actually getting him to the Nautilus and back isn't as difficult as it could be, you'll still need to arrange things so that his schedule is completely clear during that time and then some to adjust for possible... complications.
DC: 75 67
Cost: 1500 Gold
Two years ago, Aladdin wouldn't have had a clue how to deal with the array of cutlery and the fine porcelain plates that the meals were being served on. Two years ago Scheherazade hadn't had a chance to run him through dining drills, pop quizzes, and surprise meals. Now he not only knew what to use the tiny fork at the end for, he knew why. Granted, it wasn't invaluable knowledge, but it certainly helped him look less the fool in front of other important people.
From his large heavy chair at the head of the table, Captain Nemo was slowly savoring the steak that his cooks had made with the side of beef that Aladdin had brought as a gift. While Nemo himself eschewed the trappings of the land as much as he could, he wasn't going to turn down a gift.
Professor Arronax and his assistant Conseil were both happy to indulge as well. The Professor was more than happy to fill any silences in the meal, recounting some of the less nerve-wracking or secretive adventures that he'd been part of while onboard the submersible. Aladdin nearly choked on his seaweed wine when the tale about the bath bombs that had led Nemo to his innovation to fake his vessel being sunk concluded.
"Varian sounds like he's got quite the mind." Nemo nodded, chuckling softly as well. "I actually have some news to pass on thanks to the gossip chain." That had the craggy old captain's brows to rise, along with the Professor and his aide to both fall silent expectantly.
"Thanks to aid from Atlantis, after some close shaves, not to mention apparently facing off with the late and unlamented Queen Grimhilde and her consort, they managed to not only find the Sundrop that they were looking for, but transporting them back to Corona to free his father from the magic amber he was trapped in. He, his father and the Sundrop are all now safely in Atlantis and well out of the reach of any backlash."
"Maaf karen; excuse me. But you said 'them' in relation to the Sundrop. I was under the impression the Sundrop was an 'it'." Aladdin winced while the professor and his aide focused on the young prince. From his position near the door, Ishmael made a clicking sound, and the servers immediately set down their trays on available surfaces and quickly filed out. Once they'd left, the man closed the heavy door and then sealed the togs on it before giving the nod to his captain.
"I understand that this is likely sensitive information Prince Aladdin. But I would ask, in the name of our alliance, that you satisfy my curiosity." For a moment Aladdin studied the older man, before he saw what he was looking for. A spark of concern, concern for Varian, that was hidden deep in the man's dark eyes.
"Apparently the Sundrop had become a flower, before being used by the King of Corona to create a healing elixir to help his deathly ill wife. She was healed, but was also pregnant at the time. And the baby was born with golden hair, when both of the royals are brunettes." The Professor raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Blonds do not occur in either family tree either do they? Or else this wouldn't be so notable." Aladdin nodded.
"Correct, Professor. It turned out that the Sundrop had been absorbed by the baby and was manifesting through her hair. With specific chants, she's able to invoke the alchemical aspects of the sun; both healing and destruction to heal people and even stave off old age. Which is why the woman that had been using the Sundrop for centuries to keep herself alive stole her away in the night. Until Grimhilde apparently found her." What happened next had already been expanded upon.
"Fascinating; truly the world has become so much stranger than we ever conceived," the Professor mused. Nemo nodded.
"There's one other thing, Captain. Varian extended an invitation, one that the Council of Atlantis agreed to, to invite you to the city. If you're willing I have coordinates and a date to meet with a Martek that could lead you to the underwater harbor. And then transport you to the city. And before you bring up your vow captain, technically this does not violate it as you're still beneath the surface of the earth rather than upon it."
All four of the other men chuckled, including the captain himself. "Well, when presented with such a logical argument, what can I do but accept? Now then, to celebrate, you must try the sea cucumber gelato!" Aladdin's smile got a little strained.
The gelato turned out to be delicious.
Aladdin has made an incredibly favorable impression on Captain Nemo. The alliance between Ababwa and Nemo has been further strengthened. Should Ababwa require assistance on the seas, Nemo will answer the call. Certain Diplomacy actions have been modified.
Captain Nemo has been extended an invitation to Atlantis to visit Varian; and lay eyes upon the mysterious Sundrop. Stewardship action to publish Moby Dick for Ishmael unlocked.
Diamond in the Rough activates, Aladdin gains +1 Diplomacy
With the great relationship between Ababwa and Xiang-Wu at this point in time, setting up a diplomatic embassy would go a long way towards allowing Ababwan operations to move through the area faster, as well as allow for a quicker capitalization on any new developments in regards to the kingdom.
DC: 50
Cost: 2,500 Gold
The Ababwan diplomat looked a bit shocked as he looked over the modified agreement for the establishment of the embassy. "Forgive me for the seeming ingratitude regarding your generosity, your Lordship; but why have you added a second stipend for the use of the embassy, including accounts for a garden and gardener?"
The Lord of Xiang-Wu smiled, before tapping the armrest of his throne. A servant stepped forward, holding an object covered with a small cloth. "Because your prince unknowingly and with no thought to the possibility of further gain, aided and sheltered the scions of Xiang-Wu's ancient allies." The cloth was removed, revealing a golden statue of a small pot-bellied figure dressed in robes. One with a short snout on their face and small rounded ears.
"The Gummi Bears were instrumental in sealing the Dreaded One away millennia ago, and Xiang-Wu do not forget their friends. Or their debts. As your prince has taken them under his wing, that gratitude and debt has become owed to him in turn."
Xiang-Wu embassy established. Generates 500 Gold per turn through the growth of gummiberries and the brewing of gummiberry cordial thanks to the expanded area and gardens that Xiang-Wu has gifted the embassy.
Diamond in the Rough activates: Aladdin gains +1 Diplomacy
A stranger has arrived in Ababwa; a young man came stumbling off the desert to the west and into the city, accompanied by a flying eel of all things. He hasn't done anything suspicious beyond frequenting the bazaar, but is obsessed with finding magical trinkets. Haroud isn't sure if it's worth your time, but if nothing else the flying eel marks him as an oddity.
DC: ???
Cost: 500 Gold
1d100 + 30 (Aladdin) + 20 (Haroud) + 20 (Spider in His Web) +15 (XP) = 148
DC: 100/120/140
Haroud examined the young man in front of him. It had been a trivial matter to have his agents round him up - he didn't seem to be the best at keeping a low profile, especially with that eel of his. His companion had been a bit better, but this far from the sea pirates had just as hard a time blending in as any seafarer. The subtle sway of their sealegs gave it away. Said pirate was currently in another cell, in another building. Haroud wasn't so novice as to allow the people with opposable thumbs the chance to plan together. The eel was contained in a cage of cold iron, with a steel bottom covered in straw to allow at least a modicum of comfort. It had a built-in lock, one of Iago's projects that he'd co-opted to contain the magical creature.
"So, you're quite the conundrum my friend. You come out of the desert with a pirate and your other companion here, barely two coppers to your name. You've been wandering the city for a few days, but the attempts at putting out feelers by your lackey were decent. So please, tell me, who are you that comes to Ababwa asking leading questions on how to find magic users not affiliated with the Prince?"
Honestly if it hadn't been for the fact that Chiron and Faria's little project had had his men watching the newly "revealed" magic users to ensure that nothing untoward happened, they might have overlooked what this young man was doing.
"My name? Pheh, if you must know, I'm known as Mozenrath. Once lord of the Land of the Black Sands, and future ruler of the Seven Deserts!" The older teen's eyes sparked with ambition as his voice rose. Without looking Haroud kicked backwards, disrupting the eel's attempts to use his tail to grab the keys from Haroud's belt.
"Nice try, but your eyes gave you away." Haroud frowned as he looked at this teen, this Mozenrath. There was something here. Something itching at the back of his brain. What, he wasn't sure, but he was certain that it was important enough to justify his next actions.
"Well Mozenrath, while I applaud ambition usually, what will you do once you become the ruler of the seven deserts?"
That seemed to trip the man up. "What?"
"Once you've achieved your goal. What will you do?"
"I... I'll rule!"
"You don't have the faintest idea, do you boy?" That got a visceral flinch from Mozenrath. Haroud leaned back against the wall, just out of reach of the eel's tail, and contemplated the young man. He seemed torn between anger and despair, only keeping himself from flying to pieces through sheer force of will.
"You're not very disciplined, are you, boy?" Mozenrath's eyes flashed as his head snapped up, snarling at the other man.
"Easy to say from that side of the bars! You have no idea what I've been through. What I've sacrificed. What I've lost!" At the end the young man was standing, gripping the bars with white knuckles as he screamed at Haroud. Haroud's face remained impassive, even as he made a mental note. The way the teen had said "lost" was odd. Almost like he wasn't sure what he'd lost but that he knew he'd lost something. What an intriguing little mystery to fall into his lap. His voice was even and non-judgemental as he responded to the tirade.
"I've been on that side of the bars more than once, boy. And I never put on the kind of tantrum you just did. But that was generally because I had cellmates that would have carved out my lungs if I woke them from a nap. Just as I have no idea what you've gone through, remember that you have no idea what I've been through." He filled a heavy wooden bowl with water, toeing it through the gap at the bottom of the bars. "But for now you can rest and relax in these luxurious accommodations while I decide how to deal with you."
Mozenrath in custody, Xerxes successfully captured, pirate lackey detained. New Intrigue, Occult and Diplomacy actions unlocked.
--[X]Apply Garth McCann, Tai Lung, and Helga Sinclair
With what you now know about Lemuria, you now know the kind of poisonous viper that had tried to worm its way into your ranks. Have your best men begin infiltration of the various petty kingdoms that make up the whole of Lemuria to start figuring out where the strings leading back to the puppet master are. And how to cut them.
DC: 100 90
Cost: 3,500 Gold
Warning: Graphic imagery and descriptions inbound. If you do not wish to read this, skip to the next set of bolded red words when you reach the triple ellipses.
The group you'd sent out to scout the Lemurian city-states had returned near the end of the second month. They'd left under cover of darkness, and Tai Lung had been requested to go with them in case things went catastrophically wrong leading to needing to fight their way out. Haroud's expression was worse than grim, he looked sickened as he brought the three in for a debriefing.
Tai Lung had the look of a man who had seen things he would never be able to forget no matter how much he tried. He shivered even though the room was well heated, taking a seat. The snow leopard seemed to be on edge even now, eyes darting towards corners of the room, ears twitching to every minor sound.
Garth was little better, the man's brother had needed to pull him out of a bottle for this debrief, and even now Hub was hovering worriedly outside of the room waiting for Garth to emerge. From what Aladdin had heard the first thing Garth did upon his return was find his brother and hug him so tightly he nearly cracked Hub's ribs, weeping all the while.
Helga was seemingly the least affected of the three, her demeanor as cool and calm as normal, though Aladdin spotted a spark of sympathy for the men in her eyes as she sat down. Her posture was rigid and the nails on her right hand were tapping a beat against the wood; something that she hadn't been prone to before. Aladdin kept from heaving a sigh. He wasn't going to like anything he heard was he?
...
...
...
He had been wrong. So, so, so wrong. He hadn't just "not liked it", he'd ended up being physically ill. Haroud produced a bucket, showing that he had expected that, and the look of sympathy on his face told Aladdin more than words that the spymaster had had a similar reaction.
Enslavement, murder, human sacrifice even; he'd been steeled to hear about that. Not about caves where obscene rituals were performed on willing targets, warping their flesh and forms into something ancient and alien. Of men and women with their wills snuffed out by the insidious scent of cursed incense being guided into the arms of Piscine "lovers", the women returning showing massive, impossibly progressed pregnancies only weeks later - if they came back at all. Not a single man returned, though. Not about the screams of women as newly birthed abominations fed upon their mother's flesh while blank-faced cultists looked on in apathy; or worse yet in joyous celebration raising their voices in obscene chants praising the spawn as being touched by the gods, even as the mother's fate was ignored.
And even worse than that, foul constructs with golden wires holding their fetid limbs together, carcasses strung together with shining strings of greed. Many of the robed and masked soldiers that accompanied the most important members of the Lemurian hierarchy were actually these undead entities; unstoppable juggernauts of bone, sinew and flesh that wielded black steel weapons that could sunder stone.
The perfidy of the EITC, of the clandestine meetings between officials trading their press-ganged crews for more of that strangely cold gold, gold that was brought from the deep by warped entities that had only the barest resemblance to men and women. Gold that seemed to enrapture the officials more each time they handled it, making them willing to provide more and more to Lemuria so long as they can get their hands on more gold.
And of the inhuman grace and beauty of the numerous "cousins" of the Queen of Lemuria, how the lords they had married were reduced to puppets, their desires stoked to the point that many didn't even bother to leave the warm embrace of their seraglios, instead leaving their wives to handle the minutiae of ruling. Or suffering from a malaise that ended with them killing themselves, leaving their queen to rule without hindrance.
Of how the Cult of Dagon seeped in like an incoming tide, gaining purchase with the lowest dregs of society until they climbed up and up and up, claiming the souls of the nobility in a riptide of corruption and carousing ending in literal orgies of violence and death dedicated to the so-called "Tidefather". It painted a much more sinister picture of what the Lemurian diplomat had truly been looking for...
Graphic content ended.
Once you'd rinsed the taste of bile out of your mouth, you looked up at the three agents that had risked far more than their lives in order to bring you this information. "All of you are on a mandatory rest period. I want you speaking to whatever doctors, priests, close friends, anyone to make sure you're not dealing with this on your own. You went far beyond expectations, and you should be rewarded as such."
Tai Lung gives a seated bow, while Helga and Garth nod, taking furtive glances at one another. Helga sucked on her teeth for a moment, unusually pensive, before speaking up. "My old commander told me about dealing with things similar to what we found. Granted it was apparently in Antarctica and not quite the same, but some of the things he described sounded like some of the iconography and architecture we found in the areas where the rituals and... 'weddings' I suppose you could call them, were held."
The true scope of what Lemuria has been hiding has been laid bare. The web of "family" that the Queen of Lemuria had used to ensnare and entrap the other rulers of the Southern Satraps has been unveiled. New Martial, Diplomacy, Occult and Personal actions unlocked. Garth McCann, Helga Sinclair, and Tai Lung must take personal actions next turn.
Diamond in the Rough activates, Aladdin gains +1 Intrigue
--[X][Jose Personal] I'm Old, not Dead
Calla's sudden reveal of magical abilities has Chiron wondering how many other people may have the spark, even unknowingly using it. Search through Ababwa to see if any more potential magicians/sorcerers/wizards/whatever they want to call themselves, can be found.
DC: 90
Cost: 2,000 Gold
Jose pored over the reports that the various agents and general busybodies had filtered up to he and CHiron. The centaur was musing over another sheaf of reports.
"Quite a few people that had been keeping their abilities well hidden. Though I suppose it may just be that we hadn't taken the effort to look." Jose noted absently. Chiron nodded.
"Yes, but there have been quite a few interesting candidates. This young woman who apparently has much more than a green thumb. She's not only been getting an incredible number of harvests from her rooftop garden, but she recently started selling berries. Out of season no less."
"Yes but thankfully it wasn't quite as... energetic a discovery as that chemist apprentice who was coming up with some rather unusual reactions. The resin that he was using cinnabarto create especially seems like it would have some interesting applications in building ships. So long as he can recreate it without more explosions."
"Or without poisoning himself and anyone who he uses as an assistant. I'm quite glad that the doctors made us aware of the nurse who was reacting to patients in distress before anyone else even realized it. Empathic abilities like that can be quite dangerous to the user if they lack the training to shut out overwhelming sensations or correctly interpret what they are receiving."
"I think that Haroud is most interested in that dice shark that was using a form of kinesis to manipulate the dice in mid-roll." Chiron chortled. "Though I think the recruitment pitch was a bit heavy-handed on Haroud's end."
"Better Haroud than one of our enemies snatching him up," Jose retorted with no heat. Chiron could do little but grunt in agreement.
A large number of minor magic users of various skills and schools of thought have been discovered living in Ababwa. Reduced costs and DCs on alchemical related projects, certain Stewardship actions, and new Occult options available.
While Chiron, Iago, and Tai Lung are currently the only non-humans you have as citizens, there's no guarantee that that will remain the case. It may be a good idea to get ahead of the problem and fund a program to work out the kinks and issues of treating non-human beings for injuries and illnesses. Removes any malus in healing non-humans, gives Ababwa a greater reputation as a place of sanctuary for all. Lowers upkeep of hospitals and clinics by half.
DC: 100
Cost: 5,000 Gold
Chiron rubbed at his forehead, but there was a tired smile on his face. It had taken two months, but he'd compiled a medical treatise on how to treat non-human patients. He'd extrapolated quite a lot from some of the tales that Tai Lung had related about his homeland over the past year and some that he'd known the cat, coupled with his own knowledge, as well as what little he could get from Holly whenever the fae child could focus long enough to have a conversation.
Zummi had been the one to give him the lynchpin, the Gummi Bears lore having hundreds of notations about different species. It had simply been a matter of taking all of that separate seemingly randomized knowledge and collating it into a single volume that a trained physician could understand. Honestly some of the techniques could also be used to improve treatment of human patients with specific issues regarding limbs and disfigurements. Treating a Cyclops and a man who lost an eye in battle for damage to their remaining eye was pretty much identical save for the matter of scale.
Treatment malus for non-human patients removed. Methods to cope with human patients needing specific care allows for a streamlining of treatment and making it that much less costly. Cut costs of hospitals and clinics by half.
With the public reveal of the Gummi Bears, Zummi now feels comfortable enough to hire secondary scribes and assistants. While only he, Calla and Cavin, or the other Gummis are allowed to interact with the large tome that they brought with them when they'd first arrived in Ababwa, there's no need for quite so much secrecy anymore. Unlocks second Occult action.
DC: 95
Cost: Cost: 2,000 Gold, 500 Gold Upkeep per turn after
Zummi hummed happily to himself as he and Aladdin began streamlining the process of receiving, analyzing, and implementing plans and programs. Aladdin hadn't really been as involved in the other times that one of his advisors had done one of these, and some of the terms and small facts that Zummi would casually drop as they worked, the plum-colored bear just luxuriating in the face that he could speak without having to really watch his words. But eventually he had to take his leave to attend to some other issue.
The lack of need for subterfuge meant that Zummi's work could be far, far more efficient than what he had been doing earlier. Not having to relay orders through Calla or Cavin, or worrying about a tuft of fur or a bear's nose poking out from under the robes used to conceal their identities, meant that rather more work could be accomplished than they could do previously. The fact that the other Gummi Bears could come out from hiding only furthered that particular achievement.
Insofar as expanding operations went, it was largely a matter of introducing the various craftsmen and suppliers to the other Gummis, delegating the contact needed to obtain necessary supplies, and - most importantly of all - placing the Book of Gummi in a place of honor inside the tower that Prince Aladdin had given them the run of.
Now, with this all accomplished, Zummi gave a sigh of contentment for a job well-done. Brushing off his paws, he ambled off to inform Aladdin that the task was completed, and that they were ready for business. Spotting the prince, he smiled. "Ah, your highness! Things have been put into order and I do believe we're ready to expand our operations. Not only that but, I've been reading the Book of Gummi in my spare time, and now I can share what I've learned without having to make up a story about where I learned it."
Aladdin looked impressed. "Oh, what is it?"
Zummi grinned widely. "It's how to create a magical bookmark that can be used to restore badly damaged books. Gruffi had actually had to journey to an abandoned city to find one when he'd accidentally destroyed the Great Book of Gummi. It not only managed to reconstitute the book from a pile of ashes, but added extra pages to it as well somehow."
Zummi and Aladdin personally worked together to get things more streamlined. Second Occult Action unlocked! Crit gained the ability to create a magical bookmark. A magical bookmark can be used to mitigate the danger of a critical failure or the critical success of an enemy saboteur.
Diamond in the Rough activates, Aladdin gains +1 Occult
Better to stick to how Jasmine wished to conduct things. Pen her a letter, tell her about Ababwa and what's been happening. Barring any state secrets of course... Can affect relationship with Jasmine.
DC: Variable
1d100 + 19 (Aladdin) + 15 (XP) = 57
The Funeral of The Peddler was a large part of Jasmine's letters these past two months. While Aladdin had only met the gregarious man a few times, he'd still liked him immensely. The man had reminded him of Genie with his almost manic energy and keen insights. He'd been unable to attend the funeral due to his own duties. He'd need to rectify that and visit the man's grave. Hearing some of the stories that Jasmine shared, as well as remembering the few times he'd run into the man himself when he'd still been just a lowly street rat had left an impact.
Relationship with Jasmine remains solid. Both reminisce and share stories about their interactions with The Peddler. New Personal Action for Aladdin unlocked.
You've taken the two girls on as your personal assistants, but you don't know all that much about them. Why not take some time to get to know about their past? Reward: Learn about their past, ???
Diplomacy DC: 50/75/100
Aladdin goggled at the two young girls. He'd decided that the best way to try and connect to them had been to start with common ground. He'd gotten more than a few giggles from them in regards to his escapades against the guards of Agrabah, the entire chase where he was barely one jump ahead of their swords leaving the two in stitches; especially when his "magic carpet" escape had left the guards falling into camel dung.
He'd managed to get a few things from them in return. Originally the girls were from Corona, but the upheaval had destroyed the treehouse that they had been living in. Neither one of them wanted to talk about their lives before finding each other, but Aladdin wasn't about to press them on that. The memories of his own mother and father hurt too much to examine closely even all this time later.
He'd also found that "Red" didn't actually like her nickname when he caught her frowning after he'd addressed her by it. He'd managed to get their real names by pointing out that as they were working for him, calling them by their names instead of nicknames was the polite thing to do. After all, he preferred to be called "Aladdin" rather than "Your Highness" all the time even if that was more of a title than a nickname.
It turned out that "Red" was actually named Catalina, and that "Angry" was named Kiera. Neither one of them seemed inclined to give a family name, and Aladdin was more than happy to leave it at that. But what had led to his current gobsmacked expression was when, in the process of the girls attempting to one-up him in tales of thievery, Kiera had impulsively revealed a piece of a golden scarab. A very familiar Golden Scarab.
"I'm guessing you don't know exactly what you've got there?" He asked in a cautious voice. Both girls peered at him suspiciously after this sudden change in tone. Catalina was the one to finally answer.
"Um, it's gold? I mean the Bar-oof!" Kiera had elbowed her fellow thief in the side, cutting off whatever she'd been about to say, but not quickly enough.
"You stole that from the Baron? The guy that was leading the army of bandits? You've got more guts than I gave you credit for, I've heard what kind of person he is from the Pub Thugs." The girls both brightened at that, apparently the former patrons of the Snuggly Duckling had been in the habit of "losing" small parcels of food, clean water, and even bolts of cloth in the vicinity of the girls' hideout. "But what you've got is very special, it's half of a key to a magic cave called the Cave of Wonders. But it only lets certain people in, and even then if you don't follow the rules it gives you... well if not for Carpet, Abu and I would have been cooked. Literally. You can hold on to it, just be careful who else you let know about it, okay?"
Both girls looked stunned at that, before agreeing fervently.
Aladdin has gotten to know "Red" and "Angry" a bit better. He has learned the girls' real names, as well as their former connection to The Baron. Discovered the location of one half of the Golden Scarab that acts as the key to the cave of Wonders. Aladdin has left the piece in the care of the girls as a show of trust.
--[X] Train specifically with the Sirrush
Visit the Menagerie (pick out a mount and/or just stress relief). The Menagerie is a great place to relax and watch the animals just live their lives. The Sirrush has now gained its full growth and can be used as a mount in combat, but that still requires training. And wrangling the pride of a young dragon.
DC: 30
--[X] Train specifically with the Sirrush
Diplomacy DC: 40
Cost: 0 Gold
1d100 + 19 (Aladdin) + 15 (XP) = 55
Aladdin let out a content sigh, pausing in the rubdown he was giving the Sirrush to simply admire the dragon. Their training together had gone well, the modified saddle fitting comfortably and allowing for Aladdin to shift easily from one side to another in order to slash out with his blade and then pull himself back with the Sirrush's help; while the dragon's own claws and fangs tore rents from the wooden targets they were using to practice with. They'd taken a few suggestions from Tai Lung about creating training dummies that would react to being struck in order to prevent the formation of bad habits.
The Sirrush rumbled, looking up from the haunch of venison he had been snacking on. "Okay, okay, I get it." Aladdin chuckles as he resumed giving the Sirrush a rubdown. While the Sirrush was no horse, the muscle groups were similar enough that he enjoyed a rubdown after a hard ride in order to stave off soreness and cramps later on.
Aladdin and Sirrush are now tentatively able to work in tandem; though there is still a long way to go until they're able to move as seamlessly together as some of the horsemen in the Ababwan army.
Iago's network has brought him some interesting news in regards to interlopers from out of the country. Not just the agents of The Professor, but of a... smaller problem of sorts. Mice have been emigrating, and unlike his human counterparts Iago is more than willing to add other animals to his network. Find out where these new immigrants are coming from and more importantly, why they left.
DC: 85 (Intrigue)
1D100 + 23 (Iago) + 15 (XP) = 87
Iago's network, or rather "The Raptor's" network was a complex web for all that it had been spun together in a matter of months. A lot of it was merely knowing who was going where and what information they might have picked up in order to ask the right questions. But being who and what he was, Iago was hardly stopping at the humans. While there weren't a great preponderance of intelligent animals like himself in Ababwa to start with (though the Sirrush had a shockingly crude sense of humor for a supposed dragon), there had been more than a few that had come into the kingdom looking to escape one threat or another.
Iago's own personal "office" was located at the back of a restaurant that he'd acquired during that fateful card game. Not only did it mean that good Food was merely a wing gesture away, but it meant that there were plenty of avenues for his people (and "people") to enter and exit without being noticed. He was taking a report from one of a quartet of vultures that had run to the northwest to escape the grasp of the Khan of Tigers, when there was a sudden thumping from outside the window.
Iago held up his wing as he turned to look. The window was guarded by a raven that had apparently hitched a ride on a ship from France because they were tired of dealing with the fae. He heard the bird's voice then. "I toldja, ya gotta wait. Now if you and that chubby little hubby of yours don't go sit down and be quiet I'm gonna-"
WHAM
Iago gestured for the window to be opened by one of the men in the room. Doing so revealed the raven, dropping into the room from where he's been wedged into the crack between the shutters. A trio of mice were out on the window ledge, along with a dragonfly. The mice stood out especially because they all were wearing at least one article of clothing. One was clearly feminine, wearing a string of seed pearls, and a hat that he'd seen a couple of escapees from Russia wearing, called a papakha. Round, furry and somewhat tall. She also had an understated golden ring on her right paw equivalent to a ring finger. She was looking a bit dismayed.
Slightly behind her was another rodent dressed in clothing similar to what he'd seen Selous wearing when out hunting. "Khaki", that was the word. He had a wide brimmed hat with one part of the brim cocked up at an angle, and behind him was a long tail ending in a tuft of fur. He also had absurdly large feet, but Iago had seen similar looking rats out in the dunes around Agrabah. A small, iridescent red dragonfly was perched on the mouse's shoulder. Both it and the rat that it was perching on looked amused.
Lastly was a rotund little mouse wearing an odd flat and circular cap, along with a high-necked shirt made out of what appeared to be wool. His jaw was set and he was coming out of a picture perfect recovery from a world-class haymaker. Upon seeing the window open; he seemed to suddenly shift into a meek and penitent little butterball. Pulling his cap off to fiddle with it, he spoke in accented but fluent Arabic. "Ah, sorry about that sir, but well, nobody threatens my wife." The female mouse gave a fond, exasperated smile, before moving up beside the male. When she spoke it was with a much heavier accent, but one that sounded similar to the accent the Mongolians who spoke Arabic used.
"Really darling, it was just a bit of bluster. Please Mr. Raptor, my Bernard didn't intend permanent harm to your guard." She pointedly ignored the dual snorts from the rat and dragonfly. "We've been on the move for quite some time after all of that horrible unpleasantness, and your city seemed to be our best hope for safety and a bit of peace to at least gather our wits." She gasps then, looking heavily embarrassed. "Oh, my apologies for my rudeness. I am Bianca, this is my husband Bernard, and these two are Jake," the rat tipped the brim of his hat, giving Iago a wary gaze, "And our newest friend, Lance." The dragonfly buzzed, giving Iago a nod. "We are all that we've found remaining of the Rescue Aid Society."
Iago nodded from where he'd been listening, before making a 'come in' gesture. When he spoke, it was in English, having recognized the accent that Bernard possessed. "At the very least I gotta hear what brought you four here to me. Not many people have put The Raptor together with my identity."
Bernard snorted. "That's because they let their preconceptions guide their searches. As members of the RAS part of our ability to assist relies on being able to investigate situations with clear eyes." He put a rather possessive arm around Bianca before the two began using one of the sets of arches and small stairs that Iago had installed in the room for his smaller agents to use for easy access.
Iago smirked. "Oh I can already tell that I'm gonna love you guys."
The tale that the three rodents spun was one of treachery, greed, and loss. A child's life cut horrifically short all in the pursuit of money through the suffering of other creatures. The three rodents tossed through time and space, ending up in England of all places. This "Ratigan" was certainly concerning, though nowhere near the level of The Professor. But the most interesting piece of information was in regards to a certain member of the Huntsmen's Club... He'd have to handle that very carefully.
Iago has met with the Rescuers from Down Under. Bianca is the peacemaker, Jake seems to be an outgoing adventurer type, while Bernard... Bernard is the one that Iago's wary of. Anything that small capable of not only uppercutting a raven almost ten times its size but sending it flying hard enough to embed the bird in the crack between a pair of shutters? While acting diffident and cautious? Yeah, that was a dangerous mouse.
On board the Spirit of Adventure, McLeach feels a chill down his spine.
Iago KNOWS!
--[X]Spar with Tai Lung
Cavin's not been able to really get in some training with his sword and shield for several months. With the new time on his hands, why not act to remedy that? And maybe see if he can make some new friends? Improves Cavin's martial ability and may familiarize him with other members of the Court.
Martial DC: 65
1D100 + 19 (Cavin) + 20 (Tai Lung) +15 (XP) = 112
Cavin had been doing his best to improve his combat capabilities, especially now that he didn't have to hide his origins and could openly wield the sword and shield that Sir Tuxford had gifted him before seeing himself and Calla out of the palace.
Now he was questioning that decision as he did his best to fend off Tai Lung. The Snow Leopard had donned a pair of odd gloves with flat metal studs on the back of the hands, and had been using them with great acuity to block and redirect his strikes. The big cat-man was fast as well as strong, but thankfully Cavin had experience dealing with enemies with both of those qualities. Though usually not at the same time!
Without the extra reach and strength that he'd been developing, it's likely that this spar would have been over already. As it stood there was no doubt in his mind about how the spar would end. But he was going to make the martial artist work for it damnit!
Cavin spars with Tai Lung, increases his martial by 1. The two have found a mutual respect for one another in the sparring ring.
For all her poise and grace, Calla has a surprisingly martial mindset when roused. Now that she has these powers, she wants to figure out how to use them in combat, and how to integrate what she already knows of fighting with bow, blade and buckler into that.
Martial DC: 70
1D100 + 16 (Calla) + 15 (XP) = 80
Seeing Cavin training under the harsh but expert tutelage of Tai Lung had left Calla determined not to fall behind. She had begun to really explore her powers and how to use them in combat, but in order to make the absolute most of them she needed to train to actively fight with blade, buckler, bow and staff while making use of her powers as well. It had taken many long days and sleepless nights, but she'd begun to develop a personalized combat style that took advantage of her mundane martial skills allowing them to work in tandem with her newly discovered esoteric skills to create a more potent and powerful whole.
Calla has synergized her martial ability with her magical ability. She will not take penalties during combat when trying to use both skill sets in tandem.
Linguistic Exercises]
While his Zulu and Swahili are excellent, Selous' Arabic is barely passable. Best to remedy this is he intends to stay here for any length of time, especially if he doesn't want to constantly need to ask for someone to interpret for him.
Learning DC: 70
1d100 + 15 (Selous) + 15 (XP) = 96
Selous gave a tired but satisfied sigh as he received back the scroll from the tutor that he'd acquired. His "final test" so to speak, had been to listen to a conversation being held in Arabic and transcribe it. Also in Arabic.
"Excellently done sir. I congratulate you on your achievement." The tutor gave him a nod and a smile. Selous chuckled.
"There's a phrase from my homeland, 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'. It seems that it's not quite the truism that I once thought it was."
Selous is now able to read, write and speak fluent Arabic. Potential communication maluses with Arabic speakers nullified.
---
Random Event Roll: INTERRUPT
As Aladdin sank into his desk chair, he heaved a massive sigh. Letting his head sink into his arms he started talking to Abu. "I don't know how the Sultan does it Abu. I mean, yeah some of this is stuff that he never had to deal with, but the fact that he's been able to roll with it so well is... I really envy the man. At least Jasmine is really seeming to enjoy her training. Though I guess not being cooped up in the palace anymore is a big part of it."
"Yeah, being stuck in the same place for a long time is enough to drive anybody stir-crazy." Large hands rested on his shoulders and began to gently massage the stiff muscles. Aladdin let out a sigh of relief as some nasty knots began to finally come undone, nodding into his arms.
"Yeah, I guess in some ways her asking to extend the courtship has been a real blessing since it means she's able to explore those facets of life she never got to before."
"Sounds like you've become quite the philosopher Al." The voice was fond and amused.
"Well when you've got a Centaur as an advisor for your scholarly pursuits you tend to pick up a few things Genie."
...
Aladdin's head popped up off of his arms like it was spring-loaded. "GENIE?!" Spinning around, he found himself face to face with a brilliantly white smile framed with a neatly trimmed black beard below a sharp, slightly hooked nose and two laughing brown eyes.
"Heya Al."
"GENIE!" Aladdin dove at his friend, wrapping his arms as far around the large body as he could. "Genie, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so so sorry about what I said. You were right, you were right about all of it."
Genie's chuckle rumbled through his entire body as he returned the hug.
"It's okay Al, I get it. But it sounds like you learned your lesson."
"Yeah, I did, where's your lamp, I'll wish you free right... now." Aladdin pulled back slightly, and then noticed something that he'd failed to realize before. The golden vambraces on genie's arms, the shackles that bound him to his lamp... were gone.
"The fact you said that first thing means more to me than you know Al. But, heh, I've had my own circumstances change a bit too."
To Be Continued in The Lion, the Lamp, and the Warthog
AN: So, yeah there's been some things happening behind the scenes; as you no doubt can tell. Surprise!
Oh thank...whoever managed those dice rolls. Some of them were close, but successes on all the really important shit, and the one failure opens up the board to really start peeling out the assholes in our Stewardship problem.
Also glad to see that not only is the Genie free, but things seem good enough for Al and him to patch things up. RNGesus was kind this turn.
Ababwa has begun producing bespoke prosthetic limbs with technical improvements that make them much easier to adjust to and live with. Gain 3,000 gold per turn, upkeep of 750 Gold per turn.
Aladdin has made an incredibly favorable impression on Captain Nemo. The alliance between Ababwa and Nemo has been further strengthened. Should Ababwa require assistance on the seas, Nemo will answer the call. Certain Diplomacy actions have been modified.
Captain Nemo has been extended an invitation to Atlantis to visit Varian; and lay eyes upon the mysterious Sundrop. Stewardship action to publish Moby Dick for Ishmael unlocked.
A large number of minor magic users of various skills and schools of thought have been discovered living in Ababwa. Reduced costs and DCs on alchemical related projects, certain Stewardship actions, and new Occult options available.
The true scope of what Lemuria has been hiding has been laid bare. The web of "family" that the Queen of Lemuria had used to ensnare and entrap the other rulers of the Southern Satraps has been unveiled. New Martial, Diplomacy, Occult and Personal actions unlocked. Garth McCann, Helga Sinclair, and Tai Lung must take personal actions next turn.
Diamond in the Rough activates, Aladdin gains +1 Intrigue
Iago has met with the Rescuers from Down Under. Bianca is the peacemaker, Jake seems to be an outgoing adventurer type, while Bernard... Bernard is the one that Iago's wary of. Anything that small capable of not only uppercutting a raven almost ten times its size but sending it flying hard enough to embed the bird in the crack between a pair of shutters? While acting diffident and cautious? Yeah, that was a dangerous mouse.
On board the Spirit of Adventure, McLeach feels a chill down his spine.
Absolutely great turn for ababwa and genie is back yes and simba and pumba too are coming great was wondering where they went. Hhm what to do with mozenrath he is powerful and he's been humbled by anubis so maybe he can be redeemed to do better and become sort of a hero.
Lemuria delenda est to stop this madness and the threat of dagon.
I would be very hesitant about that. We don't know if Moz has been humbled to the tune of actually thinking about his previous actions or plotting revenge etc.
Nice idea but we need to consider potential reactions if/when he go to war. While others may suspect, as far as we know; we're the only 'good guys' with solid proof as to what Lemuria really is.
We're going to need to sound out the neighbors and our allies etc.
I would be very hesitant about that. We don't know if Moz has been humbled to the tune of actually thinking about his previous actions or plotting revenge etc.
I'm going to presume that there's gonna be an action to sniff out what the motivations of moz is and to tell whether he can be redeemed or atleast trusted enough to be let out of a cell and work with us so yeah food for thought.
You know, there is the theory that The Peddler was in fact Genie after being freed and losing his magic.
*Conspiracy Board*: What if the Genie was "freed" by the Peddler's death? As in whatever happened during the Upheaval forced Genie into the form of the Peddler (possibly retroactively?), and when the Peddler was killed it was similar to releasing Genie from the Lamp?
*Conspiracy Board*: What if the Genie was "freed" by the Peddler's death? As in whatever happened during the Upheaval forced Genie into the form of the Peddler (possibly retroactively?), and when the Peddler was killed it was similar to releasing Genie from the Lamp?
Gonna pluck this one before it goes too far, as it's a little too similar to the whole "Genie, you're free" picture that Disney posted on Will's death for me to be comfortable with. Here the Genie and Peddler were two separate entities with a lot of similar personality traits.
Gonna pluck this one before it goes too far, as it's a little too similar to the whole "Genie, you're free" picture that Disney posted on Will's death for me to be comfortable with. Here the Genie and Peddler were two separate entities with a lot of similar personality traits.
