- Location
- Somewhere
Interesting events are afoot. Definitely want to see the rest. I can wait however.
Renascence: A Homura Quest
- Thread starter Higure
- Start date
- Crossover Fantasy Mystery
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
So, a little ways back, I made mention that I wanted to try and max off Sayaka's Social Link this loop, or at least get it considerably higher. Since then, we've seen that Homura hasn't really gotten close to Sayaka in any loops prior to this one; Combine that with Sayaka having EMIYA as a sword and her decision to be our bodyguard (her words, not mine), and it seems like now is the time. So, looking over our actions, what are things that we can Request Sayaka along to help with or train her in?
Investigations: In general, we don't know what Sayaka's Investigation stat is. However, it is a way to Request her along, as well as get her a little more time doing 'hero' things beyond just fighting. I could see some appeal here.
- Mysteries:
-- Friends: Madoka is already working on this, yes, but I see no reason that we might not invite Sayaka along if we spend an Investigative Action on it. The fact that Madoka independently acting on it would enable her Socialize to also help advance Sayaka's Social Link is all gravy.
-- Black Cats: I'm not entirely clear on Bernkastel's presence beyond it being a pretty dangerous thing, but if this intefered with Madoka, that's probably enough for Sayaka to want to help out investigating it.
- Locations:
-- Yuuko's Shop: Homura and Sayaka shared the discovery of the shop. Could be good to take a look around together as well.
-- Swiftfoot Arcade: If Kyouko wasn't spending most of her time at Miyazaki Books, then this might be the place where she met Sayaka in canon.
-- Yamato's Cavern: Introducing Ruki to Sayaka could be cute. Not sure if Sayaka could do much to help out the Yamato, but... it could happen.
-- Madoka's House: Looking around Madoka's House could work if Madoka was invited along.
-- Sayaka's Apartment: Investigating around Home isn't that weird.
-- Matoko's House: We might to explain what was going on with the Witch in the gardens... But I guess this could be a possibility.
-- Homura's Apartment: Could be a good opportunity to introduce her to Kyouko and Mami.
-- The Akemi Workshop: I forget if she's already been here before. Depending on her approach to Tracing, and our ability to make clockwork weaponry, this could be a good oppurtunity to make relatively simple devices (for a given definition of the word) for her to try and Trace.
-- Miyazaki Books: We don't know if she's a Book Lover, but you know what she could possibly get? A book on Magical Theory. That could be helpful for Magecraft, if it is a specialty Skill under Magical Theory. And Investigating it would be yet another opportunity for her to meet Kyouko.
Social Actions:
- Junko Kaname/Tomohisa Kaname: Would it be a surprise for Sayaka that Homura knows Madoka's parents? Maybe. But, it could still be interesting.
- Kayaba Akihiko: If Sayaka enjoys the game and the swordplay, there could be potential for interaction here?
- Houhouin Kyouma: I don't know why, but this seems like it could be fun.
Home Actions:
- Training Melee with Miho Miki: Sayaka getting swept up in the practice has already happened once, and it might help as well with developing the Sword Specialist trait?
Mission Actions:
- Witch Hunt: She wanted to be our bodyguard. Let's see if we can't get her more accustomed to working with Homura without it being a max threat level raid boss.
- Training Actions:
-- Combat Skills
--- Melee: She's definitely still better than Homura at swordplay, if nothing else. Could be helpful as a teacher.
--- Evasion: This might not have factored as much into her swordplay as it has into Homura dodging ranged attacks. Dodging attacks also lessens the need for her to recover from injury.
--- Combat Analysis: She's probably around Homura's level, if not better. Training this is probably pretty difficult, but with big Witches out there, knowing when to let loose and when to hold fast could be pretty dang helpful.
--- Stealth: Sneaking out of the house maybe?
-- Mental Skills
--- Research: Knowing how to conduct research helps out with school. Probably.
--- Engineering: To better create a tool, know how the tools works.
--- Socialize: Help Homura become better at Socialize please...
--- Social Analysis: It could help defuse the Hitomi bomb?
-- Magic Skills
--- Magecraft: Yes Sayaka, we can help you train.
--- Magical Theory: But what if you also understood the principles of magic?
--- Development: Knowing more than one spell could be handy, I guess.
-- Crafting Skills: To better create a tool, know how to make the tool in the first place.
Not much of this is relevant until we get back to Mitakihara, but I felt like putting it together for discussion.
Investigations: In general, we don't know what Sayaka's Investigation stat is. However, it is a way to Request her along, as well as get her a little more time doing 'hero' things beyond just fighting. I could see some appeal here.
- Mysteries:
-- Friends: Madoka is already working on this, yes, but I see no reason that we might not invite Sayaka along if we spend an Investigative Action on it. The fact that Madoka independently acting on it would enable her Socialize to also help advance Sayaka's Social Link is all gravy.
-- Black Cats: I'm not entirely clear on Bernkastel's presence beyond it being a pretty dangerous thing, but if this intefered with Madoka, that's probably enough for Sayaka to want to help out investigating it.
- Locations:
-- Yuuko's Shop: Homura and Sayaka shared the discovery of the shop. Could be good to take a look around together as well.
-- Swiftfoot Arcade: If Kyouko wasn't spending most of her time at Miyazaki Books, then this might be the place where she met Sayaka in canon.
-- Yamato's Cavern: Introducing Ruki to Sayaka could be cute. Not sure if Sayaka could do much to help out the Yamato, but... it could happen.
-- Madoka's House: Looking around Madoka's House could work if Madoka was invited along.
-- Sayaka's Apartment: Investigating around Home isn't that weird.
-- Matoko's House: We might to explain what was going on with the Witch in the gardens... But I guess this could be a possibility.
-- Homura's Apartment: Could be a good opportunity to introduce her to Kyouko and Mami.
-- The Akemi Workshop: I forget if she's already been here before. Depending on her approach to Tracing, and our ability to make clockwork weaponry, this could be a good oppurtunity to make relatively simple devices (for a given definition of the word) for her to try and Trace.
-- Miyazaki Books: We don't know if she's a Book Lover, but you know what she could possibly get? A book on Magical Theory. That could be helpful for Magecraft, if it is a specialty Skill under Magical Theory. And Investigating it would be yet another opportunity for her to meet Kyouko.
Social Actions:
- Junko Kaname/Tomohisa Kaname: Would it be a surprise for Sayaka that Homura knows Madoka's parents? Maybe. But, it could still be interesting.
- Kayaba Akihiko: If Sayaka enjoys the game and the swordplay, there could be potential for interaction here?
- Houhouin Kyouma: I don't know why, but this seems like it could be fun.
Home Actions:
- Training Melee with Miho Miki: Sayaka getting swept up in the practice has already happened once, and it might help as well with developing the Sword Specialist trait?
Mission Actions:
- Witch Hunt: She wanted to be our bodyguard. Let's see if we can't get her more accustomed to working with Homura without it being a max threat level raid boss.
- Training Actions:
-- Combat Skills
--- Melee: She's definitely still better than Homura at swordplay, if nothing else. Could be helpful as a teacher.
--- Evasion: This might not have factored as much into her swordplay as it has into Homura dodging ranged attacks. Dodging attacks also lessens the need for her to recover from injury.
--- Combat Analysis: She's probably around Homura's level, if not better. Training this is probably pretty difficult, but with big Witches out there, knowing when to let loose and when to hold fast could be pretty dang helpful.
--- Stealth: Sneaking out of the house maybe?
-- Mental Skills
--- Research: Knowing how to conduct research helps out with school. Probably.
--- Engineering: To better create a tool, know how the tools works.
--- Socialize: Help Homura become better at Socialize please...
--- Social Analysis: It could help defuse the Hitomi bomb?
-- Magic Skills
--- Magecraft: Yes Sayaka, we can help you train.
--- Magical Theory: But what if you also understood the principles of magic?
--- Development: Knowing more than one spell could be handy, I guess.
-- Crafting Skills: To better create a tool, know how to make the tool in the first place.
Not much of this is relevant until we get back to Mitakihara, but I felt like putting it together for discussion.
- Location
- Somewhere
Sayaka of this loop was already introduced to Kyouko and Mami. She met Kyouko at the arcade on the first day (or at least I think it was the first day, second at latest) when we were going to see the Nanoha movie. She then met Mami a day or so later when they all went to Red Lobster and things went spectacularly bad due to one or two of the bombs being placed on Sakura and Tomoe. Now, Sayaka hasn't had a chance to really get friendly with them yet, unless she's taking our absence as an opportunity to do so, so we could always try to get them to social with each other some more.
If I recall correctly, Sayaka and Madoka are childhood friends. Since they're only in junior high/middle school I would be real surprised if Sayaka never met Junko before now.
As for your other ideas, I'm all for more training, social, and patrols with Sayaka. I also want to get Sayaka's social up as high as we can to potentially activate Arcana or Momento Magica status. I suspect the two are not the same thing even though I initially did think so based on how close together the two were introduced coupled with Kyouko being the first we were revealed in both.
So far it appears that Arcana Magica get their memories of previous loops while Momento Magica allow Homura to temporarily become the previous loop version of them with their voice in her head afterwards. Of course, more evidence for Arcana Magica is needed to be certain. However, presuming my ideas are accurate, they're both good means of keeping this version of Sayaka around for help in future loops and both seem to be in some way tied to how close they are to Homura, so upping her social is just a good idea for that goal.
- Location
- America
Ok, so that touhou thing I mentioned earlier's name is "5.8" on Thp.moe
Can't link it because you can technically click your way to the 18+ board in 2 clicks
Now onto the more relevant things, What are on the list of things that have to be done at the start of the loop?
Can't link it because you can technically click your way to the 18+ board in 2 clicks
Now onto the more relevant things, What are on the list of things that have to be done at the start of the loop?
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
I just realized something. When Kyuubey requested that we look into Sherlock Holmes, they said that his agency was setting off their sensors quite severely. Sherlock Holmes didn't say what he was in as many words, but it would not surprise me if he was a Servant. If he is, it would certainly explain why Kyuubey's sensors would be displaying his agency so clearly. You don't just get a human sized construction of magic that defies the rules of the world by merely existing without it being incredibly obvious to any kind of sensor that detects expenditure of magic.
- Location
- Somewhere
Or, considering the fragile nature of the world's borders at the moment, it could be simply that Holmes' is simply from another world and has suddenly appeared in this one. It would explain why the Incubators' specifically requested our investigation of Holmes' agency rather than just the man himself, which I would more expect if he were a Servant that just spontaneously summoned without a Master.
I know that happens a lot in Fate/Grand Order, but so far we have very little evidence that our world has become a Singularity where such an event would happen, meaning it would require other explanations for Servants to appear to self-summon. I'd also like to point out, of all the Servants that have appeared so far outside of omakes, none have yet been identified as such, with only Heracles appearing in any way to have a nature similar to that of a Servant. King Arthur here so far appears to be a Magical Girl that's stayed alive for over a thousand years. Archer is somehow a sword. So, with two of our known Servants so far appearing to not be Servants, with the nature of the third being severely shrouded in mystery, it would be unusual for Holmes to be a Servant, especially without a Master running around.
I know that happens a lot in Fate/Grand Order, but so far we have very little evidence that our world has become a Singularity where such an event would happen, meaning it would require other explanations for Servants to appear to self-summon. I'd also like to point out, of all the Servants that have appeared so far outside of omakes, none have yet been identified as such, with only Heracles appearing in any way to have a nature similar to that of a Servant. King Arthur here so far appears to be a Magical Girl that's stayed alive for over a thousand years. Archer is somehow a sword. So, with two of our known Servants so far appearing to not be Servants, with the nature of the third being severely shrouded in mystery, it would be unusual for Holmes to be a Servant, especially without a Master running around.
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
Yep. Last month or so has been pretty shit, but there has been at least some progress every week. Hopefully soon.
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
Hope that things are going alright Higure!
Also, Christmas is in twoish weeks, for those who celebrate it. What do people think various members of the Friends would give each other for christmas presents, if they celebrated the season?
Madoka gives everyone another chair.
Also, Christmas is in twoish weeks, for those who celebrate it. What do people think various members of the Friends would give each other for christmas presents, if they celebrated the season?
- Location
- Somewhere
If the anime and manga I was watching and reading back in the late 90s and early 00s were any indication, then Japan does indeed celebrate Christmas. The Tenchi Muyo franchise had a movie where the antagonist started her rampage because she saw Tenchi's family and harem celebrating Christmas. There was a story in Love Hina that revolved around Keitaro trying to save enough money for a Christmas gift for Naru if I recall correctly. Those Who Hunt Elves had an episode revolving around the party finding out about the fantasy world version of holiday and the military nut highschool girl's memory of an event when she was younger and met the real Santa back home. Want to say Christmas played a background role in the Sailor Moon R movie. Those are just some examples.
I also recently watched a youtube video about some things Japan does that sounds strange to us Westerners and one of those was ordering KFC for Christmas dinner. Yes, in Japan Kentucky Fried Chicken has some Christmas meal special you can order and pickup or have delivered on Christmas Eve and it allegedly is a very popular tradition.
With all that said...I imagine Kyouko somehow being involved in a Christmas gift (or gifts) of a KFC dinner...likely the recipient of but I can also see her giving those as gifts.
The rest...not really sure what they'd give.
I also recently watched a youtube video about some things Japan does that sounds strange to us Westerners and one of those was ordering KFC for Christmas dinner. Yes, in Japan Kentucky Fried Chicken has some Christmas meal special you can order and pickup or have delivered on Christmas Eve and it allegedly is a very popular tradition.
With all that said...I imagine Kyouko somehow being involved in a Christmas gift (or gifts) of a KFC dinner...likely the recipient of but I can also see her giving those as gifts.
The rest...not really sure what they'd give.
- Location
- Gainful Employment
- Pronouns
- He/They
So I was looking back through my bookmarks, and found one tagged Important Red.
forums.sufficientvelocity.com
We must do this one day, once the quest comes back.
Renascence: A Homura Quest Crossover - Fantasy - Mystery
You can make Catgirls with Grief Seed Power, a bit of Magic, and some knowledge.
forums.sufficientvelocity.com
We must do this one day, once the quest comes back.
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
It's probably pretty deep in the Research actions, and would require a lot of Development and/or Magical Theory I imagine, but it would be funny.
- Location
- Somewhere
This is enough to make me want to have that as one of our overall goals for the Quest. Tis not a Golden Ending without us using Grief Seeds to make catgirls.
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
Catgirls are doable. Motivation may be tough for Homu, but there's plenty of ways to achieve it, in theory.
Might be easier if you unlock a more mad sciencey Arcana Magus (guaranteeing nothing).
Anyway, quest isn't dead, but I've been in crunch at work for several months, and time/energy for writing have been low.
I'm also trying to figure out how I want to handle a few things moving forward. Have made a lot of mistakes along the way, and those are weighing down my enthusiasm/planning. I have definitely gone a bit crazy at times here, and while that was very fun, I worry I've burned this quest with some things I should not have.
Will return sooner or later, but that's where I am right now.
Might be easier if you unlock a more mad sciencey Arcana Magus (guaranteeing nothing).
Anyway, quest isn't dead, but I've been in crunch at work for several months, and time/energy for writing have been low.
I'm also trying to figure out how I want to handle a few things moving forward. Have made a lot of mistakes along the way, and those are weighing down my enthusiasm/planning. I have definitely gone a bit crazy at times here, and while that was very fun, I worry I've burned this quest with some things I should not have.
Will return sooner or later, but that's where I am right now.
- Location
- Somewhere
I understand that. This is the main reason I don't really finish or post my fanfictions. I notice several little mistakes I made here and there throughout what I did write that I cannot quite reconcile and then just...lose my ability to plan it and desire to write. Take your time, figure out what you want. I, for one, will be here when you're ready.
I'm curious what crazy and fun things you did that you feel might have burned this quest. Maybe one of us can give some insight into how to recover it if so, or reassure that the quest wasn't burned if not.
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
Not in the sense of being bad, per say--I don't dislike them--but I think the sheer amount of crossover content kind of took over the identity of the work, and also created a lot of bloat. While I don't mind having Nanoha around, for example, she doesn't really add much narratively, and adding more value to her would further pull away from Renascence's core plot...and make things slower. Same with some others, if not all.
Also, Akemi Madness, while something I've deeply loved, has (again) become very defining, when I should have put more emphasis on Homura's own unique mental problems. The current arc is partially about bringing those together some.
The skill system, combined with Homura's age and experience, is kinda hard to support. Amnesia helps justify it some, but...not enough? Much like the Time Stop nerf, it's half narrative and half balance patch, so-to-speak. I don't like it, but I also want some mechanical challenge, because this is intended as a game as much as a story.
Early narrative was paced recklessly. Homura and Sayaka got too close too fast, IC, and Sayaka got her sword before a good impetus existed. Leaves me in a weird space on their interactions.
Foreshadowing has been insufficient and vague. I'd expected people to pick every detail apart super easily, and overcompensated.
??? Content has been handled worse than I'd like, but not horribly. Should've introduced it much sooner, in hindsight. Same with Igor.
Some of the deep lore also really appealed to me back when this was made, and now I worry it's a bit off-base for Rena's tone, but changing it would be pretty risky at this point.
Bit more than silly stuff, but feeling like sharing, lol.
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
At the risk of repeating something that you might have considered yourself and/or play devils advocate...
Do you think that if you restarted the Quest with the current rules and your experience having run it so far, you would be able to write it more to your satisfaction?
- Location
- Gainful Employment
- Pronouns
- He/They
On the subject of Akemi Madness, it is such a core part of this quest's identity in my mind that I can't imagine the quest without it. Everything else you mentioned, I can imagine a world where that wasn't part of this, but a quest without Akemi Madness just isn't Renascence.
- Location
- Somewhere
I have to say, I really don't want this quest rebooted. If for no other reason than I don't want to lose just how attached to Homura this quest's version of Sayaka is. It's something I don't often if ever see in Madoka Magica stories and thus is something that's a bit core to this Quest in my mind alongside Akemi Madness. Nanoha, Ruki, finding out we're Merlin's descendent, all these, unfortunately, I can easily imagine the Quest without. Sayaka and Akemi Madness? That's not Renascence: A Homura Quest.
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
I've considered it, but ultimately I cherish too much of what all of my players added to this to start fresh, and things I maybe would have handled differently are part of that too.
This is something special, and I can't let it go.
Just need to figure out how to tie it all back together is all.
- Location
- Somewhere
Have you thought of trying to drop or quietly write out some of the aspects that no longer fit? Example, Nanoha could disappear from the world just as easily as she appeared. If you need some sort of explanation, you could have her attempting to teleport to a planet that she knows the TSAB knows about to get back in touch and just never have her return until you have some actual use for her or the TSAB. Players/readers can just assume they aren't able to get back to Homura's Earth for some reason.
If you can find similar reasons to have the "troublesome" aspects to disappear without disrespecting they're presence in the Quest to begin with, that might help with tying everything together.
If you can find similar reasons to have the "troublesome" aspects to disappear without disrespecting they're presence in the Quest to begin with, that might help with tying everything together.
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
I have, but ultimately, there's more crazy planned, and I like using Nanoha unconventially like this.
Instead, my hope is that I can find a way to work these elements into the themes and narrative in a way that turns them into assets.
For that to work, I need to take a step back, look at what Renascence is, not what it was planned to be, and find the most natural way for me to weave these together.
That may mean big changes, or it may not, but I don't think I'll need to erase anything, at least. Well, maybe some very minor things, but probably not anything noticeable.
- Pronouns
- They/Them/Their
Whatever changes you feel that need to be made, and however long it takes, we'll be here for you Higure.
In the meantime, maybe I'll manage to write an omake.
Monday, March 28th
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
QM Note: While I'm still not quite sure what to do about the aforementioned issues, I know I don't want Rena to sit dormant forever, so here's the long awaited update.
I'm experimenting with replacing invisitext with small font text--please understand this continues to represent thoughts or sounds the POV character is not fully cognizant of or refusing to acknowledge.
You've spent so many loops trying to keep them alive, but you can do so much more for them, and you've barely even thought about it.
First, there's her misplaced guilt. You hope that looking into Kyrie and the Church will maybe offer some insight that will help alleviate that. If it doesn't, then you'll simply have to show her that she can be a hero anyway. You have proof, after all, even if you're wary of sharing that directly.
Then, there's her Magic. You could--no, you have someone you can ask about that.
"Kyouko, what broke your Magic? You must have figured that out by now, if you had time to figure me out."
"Rejecting my Wish, like anyone. That's not as simple as it might seem, though. It's not enough to reject a single aspect of the Wish--for example, my spoken intention to force people to blindly believe my father. You also have to reject the underlying foundation. In my case, it was my belief in my own wisdom. I came to believe that I was too foolish and evil to tell others what is good, or what they should do."
You consider this for a moment. Kyouko's Wish was, really, about getting people to listen to someone she thought could teach them. It benefited her family, but it sounds like she truly believed that was the best thing for everyone.
You recall her words to you yesterday. How she had forced you to confront yourself. How she's poked and prodded you, trying to get you to think things through, drawing your attention to things in need of it.
"Do you think you know better than everyone and should have the right to dictate their lives?" You ask, seeking clarity. If it's something that extreme, you will need more time to cultivate that, but if it's something less, you may be able to help more quickly.
There's a long pause, "Can't believe that wasn't an insult, Braids. No, I don't think I'm omniscient and omnibenevolent, not that I don't do my best." She chuckles slightly, "I just know I'm wise enough to be worth listening to. You don't need to know everything to guide people somewhere better, you know?"
So, it's just confidence in her own judgement? You can work with that.
You knock on the door of Kyouko's room. "Come on in. Want to talk to you about something." She sounds not quite angry, but confrontational, for certain. You recall that she did say something about needing to talk about your secrets.
You suppose it was inevitable. You've slipped up too many times, and acted too strangely, this loop.
You open the door to find Kyouko sitting on her bed, legs folded as she reads from Friendship, then puts the book down to look you in the eye.
Her posture shifts slightly, as she does. A hint of fear. She realizes something's changed, or maybe she's simply noticed your family's Madness is in play.
It is fortunate there are no Clocks in this room. You wonder if she removed one.
She relaxes, seemingly forcibly, "C'mon, Ribbons, sit down."
You do so, sitting on the bed next to her--the chair might have seemed more oppositional, and smile slightly as she shuffles away a bit. She's still wary, but you'll prove her wrong to feel that way sooner or later.
"So, before you go full crazy on me, I'm going to jump to the point, Ribbons. You're a Time Traveler." Her eyes lock with yours, watching for any response.
Yesterday morning, you'd have gone rigid--this was not in your plans, and accommodating for it would make it harder to keep things on course. It's also the kind of information she could use to disrupt your social position.
Today, you realize that's irrelevant. This is an opportunity--convincing someone you're a Time Traveler can be hard, but having someone come to that conclusion naturally means you can bring them in on things, like you have with Madoka.
You're not sure you should share that much--the full weight of the truth is something you know Madoka can carry, but--actually, you should just ask.
"Can she handle it?"
"Nope. Not until she's gotten her head back on straight. Right now, I think she'd probably either bail to escape Walpurgisnacht--probably try to get everyone to come with her--or fall into despair, if she knew how bad things are."
Accepting your Kyouko's wisdom, you give the one in the room a steady look for a moment, before nodding, "Yes, I am."
"Because you started talking to someone named Koko, back with Sachiel, and you seem to just know things, and you're clearly a veteran but you've only been--" She launches into a furious explanation for a moment, before blinking, confused, "Wait, what? Just like that?"
You nod gravely, maintaining eye contact, "Yes, just like that. You've figured me out, and now this is your problem, too." You smile wanly at her, "Welcome to the Time Travel conspiracy. There's no escaping, until the clock turns back again."
She's unnerved, seeming to shrink slightly. It hurts to see her like that, afraid and off balance because of you. Some part of you insists that you're doing this wrong. That you should have let her have control here, and denied it, so that she could feel like she won this from you, rather than being honest and giving her her answers up front.
It's easier. She'll be happier, probably, if you say what she wants and expects.
That part of you, refusing to think, refusing to change, has been ruling your life for too long, though. This may be frightening, but she can do so much more if she understands what's happening--all you have to do is convince her.
You couldn't do that, when you started these loops, but that was a long time ago.
You give her a moment to regather herself. You could press the advantage, but you're trying to convince her to cooperate, not pressure her until she runs away.
After a moment, she stands--creating distance, elevating herself to try to assert some control--and moves to the chair, twisting it around backwards to look over the back at you, "So…wait. Alright, so you are a time traveler. I guess that the next question's when you're from, and what you want."
---
Kyouko PoV
Ribbons looks me in the eye and tells me, almost lounging as she does so. Her tone is dead serious, and I can audibly hear pain in her voice as she explains, but I get the strange impression her story seems perfectly reasonable to her--as if this were something traumatic, but normal.
She's been doing this for a while, clearly. She doesn't tell me how many "loops" she's been through--or how those loops went, except that we lost--but I get the picture well enough.
Things are pretty fucked, by the sound of it. She's been trying to find a way to change things for a long time, and she's still not found a way. Explains why she's come looking for help from Arthur--if our group can't win this, then getting backup makes sense.
It seems wrong, though. Everything about this seems wrong. It's--it's too clear. Too simple.
"Alright, so, what? You need me to help you kill her?" I force on a smirk, "Don't worry, Ribbons! We've got this! I'll talk Mami around, we can grab Nanoha and your Ruki, and we'll blow her to bits!" I know she wouldn't be such a mess if that was all it took to fix this, but it'd be really nice if it was.
There's no doubt that Ribbons is a mess, though. She's a badass and a veteran Magical Girl who could kick my ass, but she's always on the brink of falling apart. It's why the Blueberry's always hanging on to her--because she needs someone to anchor her. Hell, it's part of the reason I came out here. I can handle her going clock-crazed and charismatic--that's normal, sort of, and even then she's clearly her.
The Homura I'm talking to right now, though, is barely recognizable. Some part of me thinks I need to kill her--that she's an imposter--but I know she's not. She still feels like Homura, to my Magic, and I can't detect any sign of Enchantment on her.
She's just crazy, but I don't know what to make of this brand of crazy.
"I cannot beat Walpurgisnacht alone, and I cannot beat Walpurgisnacht with only the help of those in our immediate circle--not anymore, at least. Thus, we need to find every ally we can--to salvage every opportunity, gather every resource, and learn every new skill that could give us an advantage. Merlin's writings, which he left behind, for example, may be of great use in furthering our mission." She explains, speaking with a kind of rising fervor that is alien to her, as I've known her, "Arturia's offering some of her Knights, and I believe I can perhaps convince Snow to get the Military and Mercenary Magi on our side, as well. Tokyo may be difficult, considering their history with Mami. Ruki--" I realize that she isn't going to stop. That what I'm hearing right now is probably running through her head on the regular, waiting to be shared, but I am not ready to deal with the logistics right now.
"Slow down, Ribbons." I interject, putting as much force as I can into my voice while keeping my voice down, "I think I get the picture, but wow are we getting ahead of ourselves here. For starters, if it's that bad, why the hell aren't we running away?"
She jerks slightly--almost a flinch, as she's pulled out of her diatribe. A different kind of crazy, but still crazy. It's almost good to see, somehow.
"I've tried that before, and it failed. It finds us, no matter where we run. If we split up, it targets as many as possible, then comes for the rest. Walpurgisnacht isn't coming for Mitakihara, it's coming for us." A low tone of hysteria is audible in her voice, and a chill goes down my spine.
I stare at her for a long moment, struggling to find an answer to that absurd statement.
"You're kidding, right? Like, Mitakihara's full of people and Witches just waiting to be eaten or whatever. No way it's actually out to get us--like you, me, and Mami us--in particular. Do you mean that it chases evac groups or something? Because we can just go, and take anyone we need to save with us, you know?"
She abandons her relaxed posture, leaning forward and gazing steadily at me as if to show me she's dead serious. Her eyes are not dead like they sometimes are, but they are still profoundly tired, as she explains, "I mean me, you, Mami, Sayaka, Madoka, Oriko, and Kirika. I also believe it will go out of its way to target Yuma Chitose, Akagi Matoko, Nagisa Momoe, and a number of other specific girls from Mitakihara, although I have not tested it with them."
I want to ask why she suspects those additional girls, but it doesn't matter, right now. All that matters is that the Conglomerate Witch is apparently targeting us in particular. That we can't escape or survive without killing it. The rest can wait.
I sit there in silence for a long moment, trying to find the will to speak, and, eventually, I manage to stammer out that single word, "Why?"
She shrugs. She, with all her time travel and magic and insanity, fucking shrugs, "I don't know, Kyouko. There are things I still can't tell you, but I can promise you I have no idea why Walpurgisnacht is hunting us. I just know I have to save you all, no matter what it takes, and she will find us no matter where we run."
I begin to feel nauseous, and split myself from my body a bit further--perks of being a rock, it turns out--before taking my Soul Gem out on a hunch. I'm already halfway to full; a full quarter increase since this conversation began.
I set my Soul Gem on the nearby writing desk--I'll cleanse when it gets higher.
"So, we can't run, and we can't win. Well, what do we do, challenge it to a dance off? Because I don't think DDR's gonna count against Walpurgisnacht." I joke, trying to keep myself from panicking. I scrabble against my emotions, trying to hold them down, trying to keep myself from screaming,
Because I believe her. Ribbons is crazy, but Ribbons is my friend. Keeping secrets is one thing, but lying about something like this? I don't believe it.
Besides, it makes too much sense. It explains why she seems to know everyone before she meets them. It explains why she's crazy, too, and who "Koko" was--me, I'd guess, even if it's a weird nickname.
'So I'm going to die, then, huh? I wonder if there's a chance our Father will still have me?'
"Kyouko!" Ribbons' voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look forward to seeing her pressing a Grief Seed to my Soul Gem--I was over three quarters, by the look of it.
I can feel a pressure lift off my shoulders as that blackness drains, but I still don't feel anywhere near okay.
"So we're gonna lose, huh? There's no hope." I look her in the eye, daring her to lie to me.
She shakes her head, "No, there's still hope. I have a plan--one that I think I can pull off in the next few loops--but, before then, we can still try. Maybe we can win without it. If not--if not, I can guarantee you that I'll see you again, even if you don't remember me."
It's a horrible feeling, imagining everything that's happened vanishing. Going back to being alone in Kazamino, hunting Witches without anyone beside me.
"Ribbons, if that's what happens, you have to help me again, okay?" I stare those sharp eyes of hers down, "I'm happy for the first time in a long time, and I don't want to lose that, but if I do--if I do, you have to save me again. Please." My chest hurts--not literally, since I'm not feeling pain from my body right now, but I feel it anyway.
She nods, looking me solemnly in the eye, "I swear I will, Kyouko. I will save you, and everyone else."
She means it. Ribbons is good at hiding shit, but she's not that good.
Well, that answers that, I guess. I'm probably gonna die, but Ribbons is going to save me anyway. All I can do is everything that I can to help.
I get the feeling I'm gonna have nightmares for a while, though.
"Alright, I'm in then. Let's get to work. Where do we start?"
Her smile is brilliant, like this.
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko (400/400) > Link Up! > Kyouko(0/500) > 96 + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20 (Golden Bonds) > (145/500)
Kyouko > 5
"You're kidding me? First mission to stop Walpurgisnacht, and its souvenir shopping?" Kyouko is understandably a bit upset about the wild switch in focus, from fighting for our lives to buying gifts for friends.
She has no context for understanding exactly how powerful gifts are. How essential it is to maintain everyone's psychological well-being and promote strong bonds between us. She's likely still thinking in terms of combat and recruiting, failing to realize that just getting these girls to the battlefield is a great struggle in and of itself.
"Don't underestimate it, Kyouko. They won't stand and fight if they don't trust us or don't consider us worth fighting with. Friendship is important." You explain, appealing to her pragmatism.
"Yeah, yeah, but Mami's gonna be all-in anyway, and Ruki basically worships you, and Nanoha's Nanoha, so I'm pretty sure she'll show up. So, who're you buying for? The Military teams? Oriko?"
She raises a good point, really. Your allies are either already set up to fight beside you, or not the sort that a metal statue of Big Ben will sway. Although, maybe some of the others among the Fifteen would care? Yuma would probably enjoy a stuffed animal.
You look around for something suitably fluffy, and eventually settle on an oversized lion plushie, with the Union Jack on the side. She'll probably like it--she's still a kid, in theory, and likely has not had anything cute to cuddle, considering her home life--oh! You could bring her proof of her parents' untimely demise, too, you suppose. She might like that. No, that might disturb her. You should get permission before murdering them.
"Okay, Ribbons, you've got a look in your eye I'm not sure about, but I'm pretty sure there's more to this, isn't there? You're not in mission mode." She pulls up next to you, looking at a small statue of the Sword in the Stone--you wonder if that was Elizabeth or Arturia who pushed that one. Probably Arturia, to help ease the transition if she reveals herself.
You turn to her and raise an eyebrow, "Mission mode?" You suspect you know what she means, but you want to hear her put it into words.
She chuckles, "You know, when you look like you forgot how to human, and you move everywhere with obvious purpose--like, even when you're pretending to wander around, you're obviously not wandering, but moving between locations you've clearly picked out to linger at. That kind of thing. Right now, you're actually just wandering around looking at things, which tells me that you're not in mission mode, even if you've got a goal here. So, what else is going on?"
You're fairly certain you're blushing, by the warmth you feel in your face. You had not realized you were that obvious. You kneel down to inspect a collection of porcelain tea cups, again marked with the Union Jack, and answer idly as you ponder them, "I suppose I just wanted to buy some nice things for the people I love, really. It's not like money's an issue."
Her response is delayed for a long moment, "Never heard that word out of your mouth before, Ribbons. You got anyone in particular in mind? 'Doka maybe?"
Her tone is much more serious than expected, so you glance up at her. She's giving you an odd look, as if trying to understand something, but you're not exactly sure what she's trying to get at, for a moment.
Then you realize exactly what you'd said, and laugh lightly, "Oh, it's not--I didn't mean eros, Kyouko. I'm not sure I even know what that feels like anymore."
She blinks heavily, looking perturbed again for some reason, "What do you mean, anymore? If it's not that, then--like, what do you mean by love? Philia?"
You are really happy you have a friend like her, who can follow this sort of multilingual conversation based in European roots in spite of being Japanese. She's wonderful, in that way.
"It's honestly much simpler than people have made it out to be, you know? There's only one kind of love, really--the wish for someone's dreams and wishes to come true; for them to live and die and, if at all possible, live again, without regrets or grief." You smile at her, imagining a future where she can stand at the front of a Church without guilt, or go out and save lives without reticence.
You go on, explaining your thoughts on the matter of love further, "Eros, storge, and philia are just words people use to excuse themselves--either by justifying their earnest feelings because they're embarrassed, or justifying why they claim to love someone when they don't. I love you all--I have for a very long time--and that's why I've kept fighting. Not because you're family and I'm stuck with you, or because we're friends and I need you, or because I want a romantic relationship with one of you so I won't be lonely, but simply because I love who you are, and your existence and happiness bring me joy. I love you all, and there's no point in making excuses."
Kyouko blushes brightly at that, yet still manages to glare at you, "That's not fair, Ribbons, you know that? You can't just say it's agape and say something like that without any warning or build up."
You shrug, "I don't know what to tell you. I'm just speaking honestly." You pick up the teacups--Mami will like them, you think--and stand, smiling at Kyouko, "Any ideas for anyone?"
She gives you a deadpan stare, "Yeah, that's the thing, Ribbons. People don't just speak honestly like that. I don't mind this new brand of crazy, but it's definitely crossing some social lines."
You really couldn't care less, to be honest, "I'm fine with that. Better than being someone I'm not. Anyway, souvenirs?"
She sighs, glancing around the room, "Eh, Sayaka will like the Excalibur replica over there." She points at what appears to be an actual, metal replica of the King's sword. You're now sure that Arturia's pushing merchandising, but Kyouko's certainly right that Sayaka will like it.
"Good call! Alright, what about--"
---
An hour later, you have gifts for all of your friends and acquaintances, and a few other random items besides, in case you forgot someone.
"So is that the day's mission? Do we, what, go back to the Palace and chat with Agravain, or…?" Kyouko asks, clearly trying to get a feeling for how you work.
You shake your head, though, "No, not yet. I would like to look into Galahad a bit further. I'm curious what she actually does for the Church."
"That makes two of us." Kyouko grumbles, clearly still upset about the Church's involvement with Magical Girls, as expected, "So, what, just go ask her about it?"
"Simple, but I can't see any reason not to."
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko(125/500) > 79 + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20(Golden Bonds) / 2> (188/500)
Acquired Souvenirs!
Acquired Decorative Excalibur Replica!
You start to just accept that--you can talk to her when she gets back--but Kyouko interrupts, "Where? Kinda important, so we'll go to her."
Kallen frowns slightly, "I'm not really sure I should tell you. It's her personal business, after all."
"Please!" Kyouko steps forward, too close to Kallen for comfort, "I have to know the truth behind this stuff, and I'm not going to find that out by staying away from it! Please, tell me so I can see for myself!"
You get a faint feeling of affirmation from the elder Kyouko at those words, clearly curious herself, though you don't notice the desperation you hear in her younger counterpart's voice.
"We have no intention of interfering with her work. We need these answers, though, and seeing her work in person could help greatly." You prod, throwing in your support.
Kallen, leaning next to the Throne Room door--apparently, she's currently operating as the King's guard in Galahad's absence--ponders it for a moment, before heaving a sigh. Raising her eyes to focus on first Kyouko, then you, she eventually relents, "Fine. I'll text you the address. Be careful, and don't mess things up for her. I don't know a lot about her work, but it's apparently not entirely safe."
"Gotcha, don't worry. Just gonna talk to her." Kyouko assures, though Kallen does not seem satisfied with that.
----
"So, this is the place, huh? Not what I expected, to be honest." Kyouko remarks, looking the building over as you approach.
It looks like a warehouse, really, devoid of meaningful adornment--there are no logos or symbols, no clear indication of a purpose. You'd think it abandoned, were it not for the guards standing at the double doors that appear to be the building's only entrance.
It's a simple matter to stop time and lead Kyouko through them, the guards none-the-wiser.
What you find inside is both very much not at all what you expected.
As you expected, you see Galahad, currently doing her job, you assume.
On the other hand, you do not see a person thrashing around or screaming, or even charging at her or floating in midair.
No, what you see is a floating, winged, horned demon, wreathed in what you assume to be hellfire, with a magic seal of a school you do not know floating at its back. It looms over Galahad, lashing out with a whip of fire at the girl, who is rushing towards it with her shield pulled back, as if to strike the demon with it.
Around you, the warehouse has become something unnatural, the walls covered in what seems to be a twisted amalgam of flesh and chitin.
Worst of all, perhaps, is that every inch of the place feels wrong, in the way you have come to associate with Witch Barriers.
"Fucking Witches." Kyouko comments at your side, "That's what this is, right? Right?! We stumbled into a barrier."
You'd like to think so, but it doesn't fit--the dimensions of this place match the warehouse, for one thing, but something also feels different. Something subtle, you can almost…
A shiver goes up your spine as you realize. A Witch's Barrier is always oppressive, in an indistinct way. It reminds you of a funeral--thick with grief and pain. You'd thought that was just the cues from the environment, that you were just subconsciously noticing hints of what the Witch has endured, but you realize now it was probably you picking up on the Witch's emotions.
This place is not heavy with grief and pain, no. You feel, even within time stop, hatred and malice seeping into you ever so faintly. An urge to ruin and maim, to pillage and corrupt. Not the feeling of a child cursing the world for hurting her and hiding away, but the feeling of a deep grudge and a lust for vengeance.
"It's not a Witch, and this is not a Barrier, but we have to kill it anyway. Do not hold back, Kyouko--it will not stop until we're all dead."
She looks at you with wide eyes, and you give her a slight nod, confirming your words as you begin deploying your weapons.
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Three Minutes Earlier - Kyrie Lux POV
"That bitch." The man in front of me, Booker Brown, looks at me with dead eyes, seemingly at the brink of weeping, but I can feel Wrath in the air around us.
I reach out, and lay a hand on his shoulder, reaching out with magic, feeling for the source.
"She cheated on me. I worked hard, every single day, and she…she just…" He finally breaks down weeping, "What's going on? Where are we? Did she put you up to this?"
I recall the crying woman who came into the church, begging us to help her husband, and the tall man who came with her, carrying the poor man with an expression of shame on his face.
'Nothing is ever simple.' I think, as I rest my hand on the man's shoulder, "You had an attack. You're here to receive treatment."
I find it. Like a barbed tumor, rooted in his soul. I reach for it.
He looks up at me, "You're…a nurse? A doctor? Wait, I've seen you somewhere--" He cuts off sharply, voice becoming a brief scream that is silenced as his body explodes violently.
Around us, the entirety of the warehouse's walls and floors suddenly turn to oozing, twisted flesh and eyes, among which are hints of the human form, writhing in pain, or perhaps in ecstasy. Distorted human faces stare at me, moaning as they do so, eyes dead and empty of intelligence.
I was too slow.
The wicked, winged horror that burst from within Booker lunges without hesitation, a whip of fire bursting into existence in its grip, lashing for me as the Demon's arm whips out. I leap back, raising my shield to protect myself as I try to get a read on. It seems to be a Class B, properly defined by Wrath for the moment, and--
Two explosions erupt from the Demon, sending me stumbling back, as a redheaded girl bursts into view and slams into it, a crimson light shining from her spear as the two exchange blows, eventually allowing her to get a clean strike on it, though that seems to do little.
Suddenly beside me, Miss Akemi--the one the King is apparently looking to appoint Emrys--fires off a rocket from a strangely ornate rocket launcher, even as the Demon's whip strikes the redhead--that must be Kyouko Sakura, I realize--eliciting a howl of pain from the girl, as she leaps back from it.
"Does she not know how to turn off pain, Miss Akemi?" I ask as I raise my shield, gathering magic to invoke its power.
"She knows. Some ability of the creature?" She asks.
I simply nod in return, and slam my shield down the moment Miss Sakura is far enough back from the creature, crying my invocation, "LORD CAMELOT! "
I feed Magic into my shield, seeming to emerge from the ground beneath my feet as Britain lends me her strength. Behind me, they rise--the walls of Camelot, stalwart against all Evil, shining between my sudden comrades and the demon, while the shield itself shines in my own defense.
They rise none too soon, either, as the demon sweeps its hand forward, and a massive, seemingly sourceless explosion erupts against the surface of Camelot's Walls, shaking the room as fire cascades across them..
I pour my Magic into those walls, and sacrifice it to turn the Demon's attack back upon it, flames and force alike gathering together before rebounding back to pummel their source.
Only to sputter out against its flesh, the Demon seemingly unfazed.
"Fool. I am Eligos of Wrath. I will sear your flesh from your bones, until nothing--" One moment, the Demon stands proud as I gather Magic to reflect the next attack, hoping my allies can find a way to slay it as I protect them.
The next, a flurry of explosions erupt from Eligos as it gives a ghastly scream, its form shaking violently before shattering like a broken mirror, leaving nothing behind but empty air, a twisted warehouse covered in gaping, distorted, burnt flesh…and the remains of Booker Brown, splattered across the hellscape.
Another day. Another life lost, but another massacre averted.
If only it didn't feel so awful.
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Sakura Kyouko POV
I look at the horrors around us, the aberrations of human flesh and insect chitin, and a chill goes down my spine. I've seen shit like this before, of course, in Witch Barriers, but…those went away.
That thing is dead, but this is still here.
"Hey, uh, Galahad? You sure it's dead, the room…" I let myself trail off, not really wanting to put it to words.
She nods, grimacing, then turns to me and forces a weak smile, "Yeah, it's done. This is permanent. We'll get someone over to burn it all later."
My stomach twists at those words. Permanent? That's not how things work. Magic…Magic's temporary. You do stuff, and sure, people can die, but the world goes back to normal, and it's not so different from someone getting shot in an alleyway, at that point.
It doesn't scar the world like this.
I decide against trying to speak, not trusting myself to keep my lunch down, even as I sever myself from my sense of smell.
Burning flesh is always bad, but this place…something smells awful. Like rotten eggs or…sulfur.
'No fucking way.'
Galahad looks from me to Ribbons and back, "How'd you know to come? Did the King send you? Agravain?"
Ribbons barely seems to notice the room. As if this is normal, like walking down the street, she answers smoothly, albeit with that odd intensity that she seems to have suddenly picked up, "No, it was luck. We were looking to talk to you, and managed to get directions out of Kallen with some prying. Is this the usual, for exorcisms?"
Galahad's shield vanishes, and she raises her hand, twisting it back and forth in a so-so gesture, "Not the usual, but not unheard of. Most Exorcisms that get to me are just Witch Kisses. Most of the ones that are more than that are what we call Class C--the host is possessed, and performs supernatural feats such as levitating or attacking with superhuman strength. Class Bs, like this one, are rare, but I get one every couple of months."
Ribbons hesitates, probably trying to come up with a measured response, but I find myself jumping in before I realize it, "Wait, if this is Class B, that means…" I trail off. This thing was comparable to a strong Witch. I would definitely not want to face it alone. If there's something stronger, then I'm surprised I haven't seen them on the news or something.
Galahad--Kyrie, I guess--nods, eyes soft with something that looks irritatingly like pity, "Class A. Class B Demons resemble classical depictions--horned, winged fiends, or something similar. Class A Demons don't. They can be anything--a fire that can't be extinguished without magic and burns metal as easily as wood, a disease that spreads subtly with few symptoms before suddenly becoming lethal, a cat that spreads deadly misfortune to anyone that sees it, a name that drives people mad when they hear it. Those are all recorded Class As. There are many more."
I shudder involuntarily, thinking back through history as I try to figure out what disasters might have been unnatural. The Plague? Any of the historical fires? Natural disasters?
I think of Walpurgisnacht, which is compared to a hurricane, wiping out cities. Walpurgisnacht, which Homura wants me to help her fight.
Kyrie smiles weakly, patting me on the shoulder, and I realize I've frozen up, "I can tell you more, if you want. Just…not here." She indicates the walls covered in perverse, human-like tumors, "We can talk tomorrow. I need to report back." I nod, reluctantly, as does Homura, when Kyrie turns to look at her.
I'll have a lot to ask Kyrie tomorrow.
Homura Rolled Investigation | Kyrie Lux(110/150) > 19(1d100) + 30 (Investigation) + 10 (Love) > (169/150) > Breakthrough!
Kyouko Rolled Investigation | Kyrie Lux(0/200) > 40(1d100) + 10 (Investigation) > (50/200)
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko(188/500) > 100(1d100) + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20 (Golden Bonds) / 2 > Critical! Progress Doubled! > (324/500)
Gained Ally: Kyrie Lux
A fine component of the great clock, in its own way--it's amazing, really, to stand here, beholding one of the most famous clocks on the planet. For all that its accuracy is adjusted with a stack of coins due to its profound imperfection--having not made by Akemi hands, after all--it's still a monument to the glory of clocks. Thus--
"Akemi-san, please." Kallen's voice cuts through your distraction, and you draw your attention away from the cables, visions of the mechanisms you observed upon your previous visit slipping away as you direct your attention back to the actual issue.
There's something hidden here, you believe. Some source for that noise you heard before.
You transform your Soul Gem into its egg-like form, holding it up to search for any sign of a Barrier, but get no response. Not unexpected--you'd probably have noticed a Witch's presence already.
"Hmm…" You ponder it for a moment, then attempt to open yourself to the nearby emotions, like Merlin's study forced you to. It's difficult to grasp, even though you're doing it passively with your family's Madness--your inheritance--already flowing through you so strongly, but you do.
A flicker of something--not as strong an impression as Merlin left, but an impression nonetheless. A quiet pensiveness, standing strangely alongside a rare sense of wonder.
You reach for it--there's a word. Not a name, exactly, but a label. If you can just guess it, you think…
"Home. Lair. Shelter." You try a few, feeling for the right word, as Kallen gives you a perplexed look.
Your eyes narrow, a smirk quirking up the corners of your lips, "Hideout."
A shift, and the room seems to ripple for a moment before you find yourself in something that looks more like an attic than anything.
"It's not a barrier, or anything else I've seen before." Kallen says from beside you, seemingly brought along for the ride, "I wonder who set this place up."
You nod, frowning slightly, "Good question. Strange place."
The room is almost paradoxical, you reflect--an attic, simple and barely adorned, at first glance. Yet, the atmosphere, the emotions…the room is pensive and weighty. Like the simple aesthetic is dressing, and the actual heart of the room…
Your eyes flick to the poster, "Take Your Heart. Curious. I was thinking the same thing. A heart…"
Kallen, rummaging through a drawer near the PC, glances over, "Hearts? What?"
You find yourself walking over towards a closed cabinet, almost automatically opening it up. Within, you find a Shogi board, set out on a shelf of its own, obviously set aside for use.
"Agravain would like this person." You say, smirking slightly as you examine the board state--one player is on their last leg, with most of their pieces currently out of play, though their King's not in any particular danger for the moment, at least.
Considering it, you think you could learn something from this--to track something linked to an emotion, like this strange pensiveness. Something to research later, perhaps. It might help with investigations, among other things.
"What have you found?" You ask Kallen, who seems to be suddenly concerned, to your amusement.
She jerks slightly as you snap her out of her jealous reverie, "Oh, right, yeah. Some kind of vigilante group, I think." She points a thumb over towards the drawers she was searching earlier, "Got signs of corporate espionage, spying on government officials, that kind of thing. Even got some on the Round Table, which is a bit scary, not gonna lie."
"Someone dangerous, then. Magic, expertise, and an agenda. Sounds like my sort of person." You muse, eliciting an aggravated look.
"She's a criminal." Your redheaded companion of the moment protests.
"So are you, I believe. High Treason, is it? Or are revolutionary activities handled distinctly? Coups? Shadow governments?" Your lips twitch upwards, even as she sighs and stalks off towards the apparent entrance--a simple door.
"Fine. You talk to the thief or whatever. I'm going to report in." She opens the door, revealing a spiral of black and red, and walks through, vanishing.
You, instead, settle in, waiting to see who arrives.
It takes an hour before someone does--a figure like liquid shadow that emerges from nowhere, before resolving slowly into the form of a young Japanese woman in a red coat, accompanied by a matching hair ornament. She is, you reflect, almost dull looking, with such dark hair and faintly-colored green eyes. Yet, her gaze is sharp, and she quietly puts her hand on the weapon at her side--a wakizashi, oddly--with no change of expression or body language.
"I'm afraid we haven't met. You are?" She asks, as if you aren't waiting for her inside her hideout.
"Homura Akemi. Magical Girl." You stand, from where you've been lounging on her couch, but restrain the urge to engage in some showboating by summoning a weapon.
This insanity does make you ostentatious--best to watch out for foolish thoughts.
She smiles politely, "General. Phantom Thief of Hearts. How did you find your way in? I would like to shore up my security against future incidents."
"I guessed your password. Magic did the rest."
That brings her up short, eyes widening minutely--she's skilled at hiding her tells, but you've been lying constantly for centuries.
"It isn't a password, exactly, but close enough. What do you want, then? Are you here to arrest me? Kill me, Magical Girl?" The air behind her shimmers slightly--some sort of Magic, you assume.
You need to figure out what makes her tick. She's definitely got some attachment to Shogi, and is working hard to not just look calm, but remain calm. She could probably gain some advantage by feigning emotion here, though, if only by feeding you misinformation--that tells you she, like you, is not particularly good at feigning emotion.
'So, I just need to engage her like an equal--let her feel like she's got more leverage than she does, and she'll engage honestly. If I make her feel helpless, she'll probably run, but she won't play at all if she doesn't feel threatened. Once she's committed, though, she'll be reluctant to abandon the game entirely.'
You summon your regalia and your shield, the ticking of clocks momentarily filling your mind, but hold off on any offensive gestures, raising your palms to indicate you mean no harm, even if you don't expect her to believe that.
She'll probably take this as you "developing your board" or something, you imagine. Much like her calling on whatever she did a moment ago--trying to give herself an advantage in this social interaction by establishing her strength.
"No, I don't think there's any need for that." You answer her, implying you could, "Rather, I'm curious about who you are, and whether you might be interested in collaborating on something."
You can never have too many allies, after all.
She tilts her head, indicating interest, but the tension in her shoulders indicates far greater worry. She thinks you're trying to drag her into something dangerous--and likely that you intend to do it against her will.
She is half right about that, but you will definitely save her, so she doesn't need to worry.
"Are you perhaps concerned about the so-called King?" She asks, "She's the biggest news, for the moment, so I must imagine--"
"No." You cut her off, "King Arthur will do an excellent job, I believe. Instead, I'm trying to prevent a certain disaster--one back home, in Japan."
You don't give her too much, but she's obviously Japanese, and so you know what to expect.
She tenses, a slight fear crossing her expression, "Explain."
Several minutes of simplified explanation later, the two of you find yourselves looking at each other across a card table. "General" looks crestfallen and conflicted, hands tightened into fists.
"Are you familiar with Walpurgisnacht?" You ask, receiving a shake of her head in return. Surprising, but not unbelievable, particularly from someone who doesn't seem to be a Puella Magus, as far as you can tell.
And so, you explain--about Walpurgisnacht, her arrival, and your search for allies when that day comes.
She seems to recover her composure as you do, strangely, expression calming. After, she gives a slight nod, "I see. My seniors once dealt with something comparable, though I never faced it myself. They're not here, however, so I suppose responsibility falls upon me. I will see what I can do to assist, but I'm afraid I will need to explore some possible avenues before I can offer anything substantial. May I have your contact information?"
You pass that info off to her with a nod, and she returns the favor--her card does not list her real name, instead marking her as "General" of the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts," but she adds it on the back in precise handwriting, "Hifumi Togo."
You hadn't particularly expected a proper logo from such a group, and it gives them a surprising level of class.
"I'll be in touch." She assures you, and you accept it, making your departure.
Homura Rolled to Train | Investigation(50/100) > 15(1d100) + 30 (Investigation) + 10 (Love) > (105/100) > Breakthrough! > Location Exhausted!
Discovered: Hifumi's Hideout
Gained Ally: Hifumi Togo of the Phantom Thieves
Kallen (200/200) > Breakthrough Ready!
You ignore the descriptor for the moment, "I could have refused, you know? I have much to do."
He chuckles slightly, standing and making his way to the window to look at the street below, silhouetting himself, "You could have, but you wouldn't. You're desperate, Akemi-san--desperate for answers--and the skills I have to offer you are desperately useful in that pursuit. On top of that, you're a fan Mr. Doyle's work; your friend is even moreso, but you instinctively show me more respect than I would be afforded if you were unfamiliar or apathetic to my past work. Thus, it was inevitable you would visit, seeking tutelage."
You weigh his words, then intentionally smile slightly as you find the trick in them, "No, Mr. Holmes, you suspected I would, and you deduced what times I would have available today, but you are also desperate--desperate to escape the monotony of your current life. You have no great rivals here--no Moriarty, no Mycroft--and there are no great, nefarious crimes to solve. On top of that, you have reason to believe my employer, or some other group, may have you killed. You, Sherlock Holmes, were ready to wait for days, then reverse justify your apparent prediction of my arrival, weren't you? Just for pageantry's sake."
He turns around, frowning, eyes narrowed as you as he focuses on you, "Yes, I'm afraid you've seen right through me. You're also mirroring me, however, Akemi-san. I had thought it was incidental last time, but it's compulsive, isn't it? Some special talent, or just a coping mechanism? A way to deal with disparate personalities without having to have your own eccentricities accepted by others?"
You do not allow yourself to react, even as Kyouko's voice teases from the back of your mind, "He's got you dead to rights, Braids."
"Yes, I suppose so. One of my magical abilities compounds the issue, but I honest do not have time to develop deep, genuine bonds with everyone within each loop, or the luxury of letting go of people who I cannot find real common ground with. I also do not need those things to help them." You pause, "I am working on it, as my more honest self seems to get excellent results now, but it is more difficult with people I do not know well, you understand."
He frowns, "You say you do not need those things to help them, showing broad concern for others, but no worry for yourself. Not a hint. That is unnatural, Akemi-san. Some would call it noble, but certainly not sane. I wonder what selfish act drove you to react so harshly against it."
You have no idea what he's talking about, and simply raise an eyebrow at the comment.
"Slight tilt of the head. You're not certain either. Artificial mentality, or some quirk of the mind? A repressed memory, or brain damage, perhaps. Something that has influenced your development, but is no longer accessible to you in the present. Fascinating. Well, no matter, we are not here for in-depth psychoanalysis of each other, as enjoyable as that might be. Instead, let us discuss the case."
He hands you a manilla folder, "There have been seven distinct disappearances in London within the last three weeks. The police do not see the connection, but there is a line of commonality that speaks otherwise. I have not deduced the abductor's identity yet--if there even is an abductor--but I am certain they are all-together one matter. Take a look, and see if you can figure it out."
Eager to turn the topic away from yourself, you quickly set to work, cataloging the details of the victims' lives and final days in the public eye.
Gained 50 Progress towards the "A Missing Memory" Investigation!
Homura Rolled to Train | Investigation(0/155) > 41(1d100) + 200 (Teacher) + 20 (Love/Akemi Madness) > (261/155) > Level Up! > (101/160)
Investigation 30 > 31
Let me open by explaining that the phenomenon you know as "Akemi Madness" is not a form of insanity at all. While there is certainly a mania associated with it that I have not been able to determine the exact cause of, your family's "Madness" is nothing less than a mutation passed down from me--one that originates in a certain "Dark Magic" that allowed one to internalize Spells and Magical Power for use in combat, among other things.
Constant use of this technique eventually caused it to permanently alter my nature--it rendered me immortal, but also inhuman. I'm alright with this, to be honest, but it does make things complicated for my descendants.
In your case, your universe's Magic is rooted in Emotions, which are the energy naturally produced by the Soul--not to be confused with emotions, which are actual feelings you experience, although they're so interconnected it may not make a difference.
We'll explore the details of local Metabiology later. For now, just remember that Emotions are the root of most Magic in your universe, and that they're generated by your Soul.
Human beings from your universe naturally expire unused Emotions--they release them into the air passively. This is important, because excess Emotions building up within someone's Mind can have serious consequences.
The essential nature of our "Dark Magic" is to become an all-consuming black hole. Metaphorically, I mean. We take in and internalize Magic. As I used it, this allowed me to alter my body drastically, becoming akin to the Elemental Spirits my universe works with to perform Magic.
Your universe operates on entirely different principles, though--while you can certainly use my School of Magic in this universe, you do so by interacting with Free Emotion--that is, Emotion that has been expired and lingers in our surroundings--and having it imitate my universe's spirits and laws.
What this means, for you, is that your variation on Dark Magic has evolved to devour Emotion, rather than my universe's Magical Energy. It also isn't a source of nigh-infinite energy, although human Souls are, so it makes little difference in most situations. I'll be referring to this as Anima Erebea from here on, for the sake of clarity.
A large portion of this book is dedicated to helping you effectively leverage this ability as more than a form of supernatural empathy. All of this, however, will require you to inspire Emotions--either those within others, or Free Emotion--and store it within your Mind. This would be fine, but due to the incubator the Incubators have fitted your Soul Cage with, you will not be able to expire negatively charged Emotions without one of their Grief Seeds.
The first Spell in this book is a very simple one, but you'll need the foundational principles of my School in order to use it properly--not a minor thing, in my universe, but a tremendous undertaking in yours, without some assistance.
Fortunately, I've managed to devise a special type of Focus that works in this universe! While I hope you'll eventually learn to use this School without depending on a tool of this sort, it will, for now, automate Emulation of Law and Spirit for you--it should be fine for spells of two elements, four lines, and two circles or less. The focus is a small onyx rod with an amethyst tip, which should fit your theming!
The only purpose of this first Spell is to prevent the inspiration of negative Emotions when using Anima Erebea. It's a simple filtration spell, combining a Detection Array to distinguish the type of Emotion being inspired with a Rejection Barrier that--if used alone--attempts to repel all phenomena. Note that these are the hallmarks of a Light Elemental Magic--Light reveals, judges, and destroys. Darkness, in contrast, conceals, consumes, and grows.
Elemental theory aside--there are plenty of books on that in the library I've left for you--this Spell will make sure that you do not accidentally consume negative Emotion and become a Witch.
Please do not overestimate this Spell--while it is very useful as a protection against the consumption of ambient Emotion, it will not hold up under an onslaught of it. Until you have the skill for something more powerful, Anima Erebea will still be unreasonably dangerous to use with the boundaries of a Witch barrier or similar region.
You'll find the incantation just below, and the spell circles below--as usual, you must understand, memorize, and visualize the latter, while incanting the former and brandishing your focus.
Desperandum Negata
Spiritus lucis, ante me disponite et desperationem dividite.
Sta mihi custodes, et interfice dolorem.
Homura Rolled Magical Theory | Desperandum Negata (DC 60) : 99(1d100 + 16 (Magical Theory) + 10 (Love) = 125 | Success!
Spell Gained!
Desperandum Negata - Prevents the inspiration of negative Emotions (Grief) when using Anima Erebea. Costs 10 Magic/hour, and is not sufficient protection within Witch Barriers.
Emrys' Tome Exhausted until Magical Theory reaches 25
Beside you, Kallen's eyebrows shoot up, "Huh, I thought it was just a myth when I brought it up. You got some kind of mechanical Magic going on? Or secret revealing, maybe?"
You shake your head, recalling the Akemi workshop's many hidden paths and traps, and briefly explain, "No, just experience with hidden doors. Let's see where…"
You stride through the hidden door, half expecting ancient treasures or dark old secrets locked away, but instead find yourself in a spacious, yet crowded, office. Piles and piles of paperwork line the walls, shelved where they can be and stacked on the ground where they cannot. The room is elegant, but not a tenth as ostentatious as most of the palace.
If you had to guess, this place was probably built so some royal or another could have somewhere to get some peace away from their staff and family.
The large oaken desk at the center of the room is likewise piled high with paperwork, and, amidst it all, you can see a familiar figure seated.
There's something different about the King, though--even maddened, you could still feel her force of personality crashing down on you like an ocean. You just didn't care, that was all--you could hardly puzzle her out, much less help her, if you were too busy being in awe of her.
Now, though, there's none of that. She's cute, you notice. A petite young woman with shining golden hair and bright green eyes that anyone would just adore, you're sure.
Except she's usually somewhere between awe-inspiring and terrifying.
The King looks up from her desk, eyes going wide in surprise, "Oh! How did you--that is--" She pauses, obviously scrambling to find words, "--I see you found my hiding spot! D-did you need something, you two?" She visibly cringes at the stutter.
"T-that is, no, your Majesty, we just--" Kallen stammers out the beginning of a response before running out of words, looking flabbergasted by the King's demeanor.
You don't have it in you to respond even that much, as you are struck by the imagining of a young, purple-eyed girl with two long braids sitting in that chair, eyes wide with panic, fidgeting as she tries to look cool.
After several seconds of silence from both of you, Arturia pouts slightly, stands and approaches, grabbing you both gently by the shoulders, "Then please leave. I have a tremendous amount of work to do. Britain's laws have become a bloated mess since I left, and I can't do a thing about that until I know them inside and out, so…" She gently shoves you both towards the door, "Out. Talk to me when I'm not busy in here."
You would later take some comfort in the fact you were not in your right mind at the moment, as you reach up and pat her on the head--inducing a blush--before being launched out into the hallway in a flash of light, Kallen apologizing and sprinting out after you before the door slams closed, again hidden away.
The redhead helps you up from where you lay dazed against the wall--not meaningfully injured, but completely confused.
"You know, Homura, I know you're crazy, but there are limits." She pauses, frowning as she looks you in the eyes, "It's not contagious, is it? Because I could have sworn I just saw…"
You can only shrug, "I do not believe so, but it's possible. Otherwise, the King is…"
There's a pause, as the two of you glance to the hidden door and back, hesitant, and Kallen finishes the sentence, "Adorable, yeah. Let's not mention this again anytime soon."
You nod, accepting her wisdom.
Buckingham Palace(217/300) > (89|1d100) + 40 > Breakthrough! > Area Exhausted!
Discovered: King Arthur's Hidden Office
Discovered a Clue for the King Arthur Investigation.
Investigation: King Arthur (41/200) > Clue Breakthrough! > (41/300)
Homura Rolled Socialize | King Arthur(20/200) > 51(1d100) + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) / 2 > (59/200)
Kallen (200/200) > Breakthrough Ready!
"It doesn't feel like I can just do it the same way. Maybe it's because my Shield isn't made for this. If I could build something else…a different Clock, that operates in a different way…"
You puzzle over it. You know your Time Stop is tied to the grains of Sand in your Shield's hourglass, and that one grain is used each time you loop. Your increasing Magic expenditure is definitely related to the decreasing grains of Sand, you can tell. You're certain you can't make more, though--even with your relatively limited magical skill, you can sense the power in each of those grains. More than your Soul Gem could ever hold, you think.
So, you'll need something else--either a different system that doesn't depend on the Sand, or a variation that uses that power much more efficiently.
You think you could make it more efficient, maybe, by sacrificing power. If you gave up some of your interaction--perhaps so that you could move in Time Stop, but allowed objects to snap back into their original positions? You would probably need to keep your equipment in your Shield to move it with you, in those conditions, and you doubt you could take it out then. A scouting or travel tool, instead of your ultimate weapon. You're not sure how you'd even start on that, though, of if it's possible.
Alternatively, you could try to find another power source--it would need to be tremendous to match the Sand, though, and you aren't familiar with harvesting external power in that way. Maybe if you knew more about Merlin's Magic, you could pull it from elsewhere, or you could use ambient emotions with Anima Erebea?
Maybe you could simply find a different way to stop time? Even if it's not true Time Stop, something that works the same most of the time would be fine. You don't feel like super speed or something would be possible for you, but you might be able to do something to step between moments, or something, instead of actually stopping all time throughout the universe. Possible.
You'll need to study a lot more.
[Homura has some ideas, but nothing concrete. She gets the impression that the highest Ambition variations may require extreme innovation and require multiple schools of Magical Theory, but lower Ambition variants with trade-offs may be possible more easily.]
Base "Time Stop" Research DC: 15
Ambition DC Increase: 50
Research DC: 65
Homura Rolled Research | Time Stop (DC 65) : 2(1d100) + 12 (Research) + 10 (Love) = 24 > Failure!
Unlike Emrys' Tome, these books are, while extremely useful, clearly not aimed at people from this universe. They manage to explain well the principles of his universe's Magic, but it's now very clear why he made you a focus to help with Emulation of Law and Spirit. You don't even have the faintest idea how you would do that, and it will be a necessity to use anything from these books.
They are fascinating, though. More advanced than anything in the Mitakihara Curriculum, for certain, but the subject matter is far more practical for the moment.
Comparing it to what you know about the Magic of Puella Magi, it's radically different, but you also see potential to take advantage of these principles, too--for example, their Circles work like entire Spells, which then build on each other, and you could probably use something like programming principles to do something similar with your own Magic--for example, having a Spell that first gathers information, then acts on it accordingly.
That level of complexity feels awkward for Magic as you've used it in the past, though--even the most advanced Magic is instinctive to use, if not to develop, but these kinds of rules and structures will require more than an intention and an emotion to use. You'd need preparation, or, perhaps, you could hybridize the schools somehow.
You will need to learn a lot more, to do something like that.
Homura Rolled to Train | Magical Theory(19/80) > 84(1d100) + 75 (Emrys Library) + 10 (Love) > (188/80) > Level Up! > (103/85) > Level Up! > (13/90)
Magical Theory 16 > 18
Homura
Grief: 660/1000
Sanity: 422/1000
Bloodheat: 100/100
Kyouko
Grief: 170/1000
Sanity: 500/1000
[Daily Events]
Madoka: "I'm going on a trip to Odaiba for a couple of days, so don't worry if I'm not home when you get back. Should be back soon."
Homura: "That's new. Did something happen?"
Madoka: "Something happened there years ago, and I think it's worth investigating, for Walpurgisnacht."
Homura: "Please take someone with you. Mami--no, not Mami, you might start a war. Ruki, maybe, or see if Oriko will help."
Madoka: "...Umm...I already asked Mami. She seemed pretty lonely, so..."
Homura: "Don't let the Tokyo girls find out she's there. It will get ugly if they do."
Madoka: "I'll do my best--and we'll try to talk it out if that doesn't work!"
Homura: "Please be careful."
Madoka: "I will. See you soon!"
[Arcana Magi, Requests, and Akemi Madness]
If you wish to perform an Action as a different Arcana Magi (Kyouko, for now), simply add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Arcana - Kyouko
If you wish to Request help from another character(s) for an action, add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Request - (Character Names)
If you wish to use Akemi Madness for an action, add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Akemi Madness
[Available Characters]
The following characters you can contact for Requests. Keep in mind that Allies will sometimes expect a Favor in return, while Friends will help as long as they have time and are willing. You do not get information on willingness and availability prior to the vote, due to the amount of complexity this would add to the process. Social Links values are listed here--multiply these by 10 to determine the size of the die they will roll when assisting with an Action.
Keep in mind some characters may not be suitable for some Actions--Homura will simply not involve a mundane individual in magical combat, for example, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. If you really feel the need to involve someone in something they normally should not be (like involving Miho Miki in a Witch Hunt, or anything Magical), please include a justification as a subvote, for mine and Homura's consideration.
Mysteries
[ ]Friends? (705/2000) [Madoka]
"Igor claims there are 14 special friends I need to find. I should try to find more of them…and maybe find out how they're my friends if I don't know them."
"I did experience a strange connection to Nagisa when I met her, and she's apparently "The Death."
"I have a strange memory of Matoko, which led me to her Barrier. She was clearly older--in her late teens, I'd say--and I'd swear I was the same age, in that moment. It's impossible, but the memory remains."
"I encountered Yuma Chitose, and she has appeared among the list of Arcana Magi in the Velvet Room, as the Wheel of Fortune."
[ ] Igor's Contract (Progress 0/1000)
"I don't remember signing any Contract with Igor, but he insists I did."
[ ] False Memories (121/200)
"I have doubled memories of my first meeting with Weiss. I'm sure there are probably others I haven't noticed yet, too. Maybe if I can recognize them, I can figure out more about this strange timeline?"
"I got in touch with Clovis Britannia, apparently a childhood friend as well. His family's background seems to mesh poorly with the rest of history, suggesting he is an artificial addition, rather than someone that's supposed to be in this timeline."
[ ] A Missing Memory (50/1000)
"When I was talking to Igor, there was a memory that I couldn't find. It was something about selfishness? The Devil? What could have happened?"
"Sherlock believes I've forgotten a moment of selfishness that I have reacted against. Could he mean this?"
[ ] Akemi Madness (500/500) (Breakthrough Ready!)
"There's a strange inherited insanity in our family. It's always been a fact of life before, but others seem scared by it. Maybe I should try to find out more? Looking into our family's history should be a good place to start."
"My Father apparently knows something about this. Meeting with him might help me make some headway, too." (You can spend a Social Action with Takeshi Akemi for a Clue)
"Akemi Madness apparently traces to the demonic blood of Merlin, of all things, and involves the absorption of Emotions from those around us, but that leaves many aspects of it unexplained."
[-] Detective Agency (Exhausted)
"Sherlock Holmes was exactly who he appeared to be. I look forward to studying under him in the near future."
[ ] Britannia Family (0/100)
City
[ ] London
Known Locations
[-] Buckingham Palace (Exhausted)
"I found King Arthur's Hidden Office, and met her there, but she was behaving oddly.
[ ] King Arthur's Hidden Office (0/100)
[-] Big Ben (Exhausted)
"There was someone hiding inside Big Ben. I couldn't find them, but they may return."
"I met Hifumi Togo of the Phantom Thieves, inside her hideout here."
[ ] Hifumi's Hideout (0/100)
[ ] The Tower of London
People
[ ] King Arthur (41/300)
[ ] Agravain
[ ] Galahad (110/150)
[ ] Kallen Stadtfield
[X] Kyrie Lux (50/200) [Locked In]
[Social Actions: 1]
[ ] Madoka (Maxed)
[ ] Sayaka (276/500)
[ ] Kyouko (324/500)
[ ] Miho Miki (124/300)
[ ] Takeshi Akemi (6/300)
[ ] Kayaba Akihiko (31/100)
[ ] Soichirou Mikuni (44/100)
[ ] Hououin Kyouma (47/200)
[ ] Kallen Stadtfield (200/200)
[ ] Agravain (171/200)
[ ] King Arthur (59/200)
[ ] Palamedes (22/200)
[ ] Write-In Character
[Home Actions: 2]
[ ] Investigation: Arthur (41/300)
[ ] Investigation: King Arthur's Hidden Office (0/100)
[ ] Social: Kyouko
[ ] Social: Kallen Stadtfield
[ ] Social: Agravain
[-] Study Emrys' Tome [Exhausted - Raise Magical Theory]
[Mission Actions: 1]
[ ] Go Shopping
-[ ] Shopping List
[ ] Go Thieving
-[ ] Thieving List
-[ ] Target Location
[ ] Write-In (Subject to QM Approval, Cannot Overlap with other Action Types.)
[Creative Actions: 1]
Applicable available resources will be used automatically.
Special Actions
[-] Study Emrys' Tome [Exhausted - Raise Magical Theory]
Craft Actions
[ ] Craft Something (Appropriate Craft Roll Required)
-[ ] Product Type (Clock, Gun, Etcetera)
--[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
--[ ] Rough Description
-[ ] Special Product
--[ ] Exact Product Description. (Ambition will be decided by QM. Some products may fail automatically.)
Magic Actions
[ ] Spell Development (Development Roll Required)
-[ ] Existing Prototype Name or Spell Description (Broader descriptions are more likely to produce easily developed Spells.)
[ ] Spell Usage
-[ ] Spell(s)
-[ ] Action.
-[ ] Reason for action.
[ ] Attempt to perform a Magical Working. (Magical Theory Roll Required)
-[ ] Working Objective. (Ambition will be decided by QM. Some workings may fail automatically.)
Research Actions
[ ] Research a Theoretical Crafting Product
-[ ] Product Type (Clock, Gun, Etcetera)
--[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
--[ ] Rough Description.
-[ ] Special Product
--[ ] Exact Product Description.
[ ] Research a Theoretical Spell
-[ ] Spell Purpose
-[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
[ ] Research a Theoretical Magical Working
-[ ] Working Objective.
Grand Undertakings
[ ] The Restoration of the Yamato (389500) [Ruki]
[Training Actions: 1]
Applicable available resources will be used automatically. Students may refuse lessons if they are busy, or don't know you well.
[ ] Train a Skill
-[ ] Skill
-[ ] Investigation with Sherlock
[ ] Train someone else in a Skill.
-[ ] Skill
-[ ] Student
[Sleep Actions: 4]
[ ] Sleep (Gain 20 + Modifiers Sanity)
[ ] Write-In Action of another Type (Cost: 20 Sanity)
I'm experimenting with replacing invisitext with small font text--please understand this continues to represent thoughts or sounds the POV character is not fully cognizant of or refusing to acknowledge.
Social Action: Kyouko
You step out of your bedroom, and make your way to Kyouko's, mind whirling.You've spent so many loops trying to keep them alive, but you can do so much more for them, and you've barely even thought about it.
First, there's her misplaced guilt. You hope that looking into Kyrie and the Church will maybe offer some insight that will help alleviate that. If it doesn't, then you'll simply have to show her that she can be a hero anyway. You have proof, after all, even if you're wary of sharing that directly.
Then, there's her Magic. You could--no, you have someone you can ask about that.
"Kyouko, what broke your Magic? You must have figured that out by now, if you had time to figure me out."
"Rejecting my Wish, like anyone. That's not as simple as it might seem, though. It's not enough to reject a single aspect of the Wish--for example, my spoken intention to force people to blindly believe my father. You also have to reject the underlying foundation. In my case, it was my belief in my own wisdom. I came to believe that I was too foolish and evil to tell others what is good, or what they should do."
You consider this for a moment. Kyouko's Wish was, really, about getting people to listen to someone she thought could teach them. It benefited her family, but it sounds like she truly believed that was the best thing for everyone.
You recall her words to you yesterday. How she had forced you to confront yourself. How she's poked and prodded you, trying to get you to think things through, drawing your attention to things in need of it.
"Do you think you know better than everyone and should have the right to dictate their lives?" You ask, seeking clarity. If it's something that extreme, you will need more time to cultivate that, but if it's something less, you may be able to help more quickly.
There's a long pause, "Can't believe that wasn't an insult, Braids. No, I don't think I'm omniscient and omnibenevolent, not that I don't do my best." She chuckles slightly, "I just know I'm wise enough to be worth listening to. You don't need to know everything to guide people somewhere better, you know?"
So, it's just confidence in her own judgement? You can work with that.
You knock on the door of Kyouko's room. "Come on in. Want to talk to you about something." She sounds not quite angry, but confrontational, for certain. You recall that she did say something about needing to talk about your secrets.
You suppose it was inevitable. You've slipped up too many times, and acted too strangely, this loop.
You open the door to find Kyouko sitting on her bed, legs folded as she reads from Friendship, then puts the book down to look you in the eye.
Her posture shifts slightly, as she does. A hint of fear. She realizes something's changed, or maybe she's simply noticed your family's Madness is in play.
It is fortunate there are no Clocks in this room. You wonder if she removed one.
She relaxes, seemingly forcibly, "C'mon, Ribbons, sit down."
You do so, sitting on the bed next to her--the chair might have seemed more oppositional, and smile slightly as she shuffles away a bit. She's still wary, but you'll prove her wrong to feel that way sooner or later.
"So, before you go full crazy on me, I'm going to jump to the point, Ribbons. You're a Time Traveler." Her eyes lock with yours, watching for any response.
Yesterday morning, you'd have gone rigid--this was not in your plans, and accommodating for it would make it harder to keep things on course. It's also the kind of information she could use to disrupt your social position.
Today, you realize that's irrelevant. This is an opportunity--convincing someone you're a Time Traveler can be hard, but having someone come to that conclusion naturally means you can bring them in on things, like you have with Madoka.
You're not sure you should share that much--the full weight of the truth is something you know Madoka can carry, but--actually, you should just ask.
"Can she handle it?"
"Nope. Not until she's gotten her head back on straight. Right now, I think she'd probably either bail to escape Walpurgisnacht--probably try to get everyone to come with her--or fall into despair, if she knew how bad things are."
Accepting your Kyouko's wisdom, you give the one in the room a steady look for a moment, before nodding, "Yes, I am."
"Because you started talking to someone named Koko, back with Sachiel, and you seem to just know things, and you're clearly a veteran but you've only been--" She launches into a furious explanation for a moment, before blinking, confused, "Wait, what? Just like that?"
You nod gravely, maintaining eye contact, "Yes, just like that. You've figured me out, and now this is your problem, too." You smile wanly at her, "Welcome to the Time Travel conspiracy. There's no escaping, until the clock turns back again."
She's unnerved, seeming to shrink slightly. It hurts to see her like that, afraid and off balance because of you. Some part of you insists that you're doing this wrong. That you should have let her have control here, and denied it, so that she could feel like she won this from you, rather than being honest and giving her her answers up front.
It's easier. She'll be happier, probably, if you say what she wants and expects.
That part of you, refusing to think, refusing to change, has been ruling your life for too long, though. This may be frightening, but she can do so much more if she understands what's happening--all you have to do is convince her.
You couldn't do that, when you started these loops, but that was a long time ago.
You give her a moment to regather herself. You could press the advantage, but you're trying to convince her to cooperate, not pressure her until she runs away.
After a moment, she stands--creating distance, elevating herself to try to assert some control--and moves to the chair, twisting it around backwards to look over the back at you, "So…wait. Alright, so you are a time traveler. I guess that the next question's when you're from, and what you want."
---
Kyouko PoV
Ribbons looks me in the eye and tells me, almost lounging as she does so. Her tone is dead serious, and I can audibly hear pain in her voice as she explains, but I get the strange impression her story seems perfectly reasonable to her--as if this were something traumatic, but normal.
She's been doing this for a while, clearly. She doesn't tell me how many "loops" she's been through--or how those loops went, except that we lost--but I get the picture well enough.
Things are pretty fucked, by the sound of it. She's been trying to find a way to change things for a long time, and she's still not found a way. Explains why she's come looking for help from Arthur--if our group can't win this, then getting backup makes sense.
It seems wrong, though. Everything about this seems wrong. It's--it's too clear. Too simple.
"Alright, so, what? You need me to help you kill her?" I force on a smirk, "Don't worry, Ribbons! We've got this! I'll talk Mami around, we can grab Nanoha and your Ruki, and we'll blow her to bits!" I know she wouldn't be such a mess if that was all it took to fix this, but it'd be really nice if it was.
There's no doubt that Ribbons is a mess, though. She's a badass and a veteran Magical Girl who could kick my ass, but she's always on the brink of falling apart. It's why the Blueberry's always hanging on to her--because she needs someone to anchor her. Hell, it's part of the reason I came out here. I can handle her going clock-crazed and charismatic--that's normal, sort of, and even then she's clearly her.
The Homura I'm talking to right now, though, is barely recognizable. Some part of me thinks I need to kill her--that she's an imposter--but I know she's not. She still feels like Homura, to my Magic, and I can't detect any sign of Enchantment on her.
She's just crazy, but I don't know what to make of this brand of crazy.
"I cannot beat Walpurgisnacht alone, and I cannot beat Walpurgisnacht with only the help of those in our immediate circle--not anymore, at least. Thus, we need to find every ally we can--to salvage every opportunity, gather every resource, and learn every new skill that could give us an advantage. Merlin's writings, which he left behind, for example, may be of great use in furthering our mission." She explains, speaking with a kind of rising fervor that is alien to her, as I've known her, "Arturia's offering some of her Knights, and I believe I can perhaps convince Snow to get the Military and Mercenary Magi on our side, as well. Tokyo may be difficult, considering their history with Mami. Ruki--" I realize that she isn't going to stop. That what I'm hearing right now is probably running through her head on the regular, waiting to be shared, but I am not ready to deal with the logistics right now.
"Slow down, Ribbons." I interject, putting as much force as I can into my voice while keeping my voice down, "I think I get the picture, but wow are we getting ahead of ourselves here. For starters, if it's that bad, why the hell aren't we running away?"
She jerks slightly--almost a flinch, as she's pulled out of her diatribe. A different kind of crazy, but still crazy. It's almost good to see, somehow.
"I've tried that before, and it failed. It finds us, no matter where we run. If we split up, it targets as many as possible, then comes for the rest. Walpurgisnacht isn't coming for Mitakihara, it's coming for us." A low tone of hysteria is audible in her voice, and a chill goes down my spine.
I stare at her for a long moment, struggling to find an answer to that absurd statement.
"You're kidding, right? Like, Mitakihara's full of people and Witches just waiting to be eaten or whatever. No way it's actually out to get us--like you, me, and Mami us--in particular. Do you mean that it chases evac groups or something? Because we can just go, and take anyone we need to save with us, you know?"
She abandons her relaxed posture, leaning forward and gazing steadily at me as if to show me she's dead serious. Her eyes are not dead like they sometimes are, but they are still profoundly tired, as she explains, "I mean me, you, Mami, Sayaka, Madoka, Oriko, and Kirika. I also believe it will go out of its way to target Yuma Chitose, Akagi Matoko, Nagisa Momoe, and a number of other specific girls from Mitakihara, although I have not tested it with them."
I want to ask why she suspects those additional girls, but it doesn't matter, right now. All that matters is that the Conglomerate Witch is apparently targeting us in particular. That we can't escape or survive without killing it. The rest can wait.
I sit there in silence for a long moment, trying to find the will to speak, and, eventually, I manage to stammer out that single word, "Why?"
She shrugs. She, with all her time travel and magic and insanity, fucking shrugs, "I don't know, Kyouko. There are things I still can't tell you, but I can promise you I have no idea why Walpurgisnacht is hunting us. I just know I have to save you all, no matter what it takes, and she will find us no matter where we run."
I begin to feel nauseous, and split myself from my body a bit further--perks of being a rock, it turns out--before taking my Soul Gem out on a hunch. I'm already halfway to full; a full quarter increase since this conversation began.
I set my Soul Gem on the nearby writing desk--I'll cleanse when it gets higher.
"So, we can't run, and we can't win. Well, what do we do, challenge it to a dance off? Because I don't think DDR's gonna count against Walpurgisnacht." I joke, trying to keep myself from panicking. I scrabble against my emotions, trying to hold them down, trying to keep myself from screaming,
Because I believe her. Ribbons is crazy, but Ribbons is my friend. Keeping secrets is one thing, but lying about something like this? I don't believe it.
Besides, it makes too much sense. It explains why she seems to know everyone before she meets them. It explains why she's crazy, too, and who "Koko" was--me, I'd guess, even if it's a weird nickname.
'So I'm going to die, then, huh? I wonder if there's a chance our Father will still have me?'
"Kyouko!" Ribbons' voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look forward to seeing her pressing a Grief Seed to my Soul Gem--I was over three quarters, by the look of it.
I can feel a pressure lift off my shoulders as that blackness drains, but I still don't feel anywhere near okay.
"So we're gonna lose, huh? There's no hope." I look her in the eye, daring her to lie to me.
She shakes her head, "No, there's still hope. I have a plan--one that I think I can pull off in the next few loops--but, before then, we can still try. Maybe we can win without it. If not--if not, I can guarantee you that I'll see you again, even if you don't remember me."
It's a horrible feeling, imagining everything that's happened vanishing. Going back to being alone in Kazamino, hunting Witches without anyone beside me.
"Ribbons, if that's what happens, you have to help me again, okay?" I stare those sharp eyes of hers down, "I'm happy for the first time in a long time, and I don't want to lose that, but if I do--if I do, you have to save me again. Please." My chest hurts--not literally, since I'm not feeling pain from my body right now, but I feel it anyway.
She nods, looking me solemnly in the eye, "I swear I will, Kyouko. I will save you, and everyone else."
She means it. Ribbons is good at hiding shit, but she's not that good.
Well, that answers that, I guess. I'm probably gonna die, but Ribbons is going to save me anyway. All I can do is everything that I can to help.
I get the feeling I'm gonna have nightmares for a while, though.
"Alright, I'm in then. Let's get to work. Where do we start?"
Her smile is brilliant, like this.
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko (400/400) > Link Up! > Kyouko(0/500) > 96 + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20 (Golden Bonds) > (145/500)
Kyouko > 5
Mission Action: Go Souvenir Shopping with Kyouko
Homura PoV"You're kidding me? First mission to stop Walpurgisnacht, and its souvenir shopping?" Kyouko is understandably a bit upset about the wild switch in focus, from fighting for our lives to buying gifts for friends.
She has no context for understanding exactly how powerful gifts are. How essential it is to maintain everyone's psychological well-being and promote strong bonds between us. She's likely still thinking in terms of combat and recruiting, failing to realize that just getting these girls to the battlefield is a great struggle in and of itself.
"Don't underestimate it, Kyouko. They won't stand and fight if they don't trust us or don't consider us worth fighting with. Friendship is important." You explain, appealing to her pragmatism.
"Yeah, yeah, but Mami's gonna be all-in anyway, and Ruki basically worships you, and Nanoha's Nanoha, so I'm pretty sure she'll show up. So, who're you buying for? The Military teams? Oriko?"
She raises a good point, really. Your allies are either already set up to fight beside you, or not the sort that a metal statue of Big Ben will sway. Although, maybe some of the others among the Fifteen would care? Yuma would probably enjoy a stuffed animal.
You look around for something suitably fluffy, and eventually settle on an oversized lion plushie, with the Union Jack on the side. She'll probably like it--she's still a kid, in theory, and likely has not had anything cute to cuddle, considering her home life--oh! You could bring her proof of her parents' untimely demise, too, you suppose. She might like that. No, that might disturb her. You should get permission before murdering them.
"Okay, Ribbons, you've got a look in your eye I'm not sure about, but I'm pretty sure there's more to this, isn't there? You're not in mission mode." She pulls up next to you, looking at a small statue of the Sword in the Stone--you wonder if that was Elizabeth or Arturia who pushed that one. Probably Arturia, to help ease the transition if she reveals herself.
You turn to her and raise an eyebrow, "Mission mode?" You suspect you know what she means, but you want to hear her put it into words.
She chuckles, "You know, when you look like you forgot how to human, and you move everywhere with obvious purpose--like, even when you're pretending to wander around, you're obviously not wandering, but moving between locations you've clearly picked out to linger at. That kind of thing. Right now, you're actually just wandering around looking at things, which tells me that you're not in mission mode, even if you've got a goal here. So, what else is going on?"
You're fairly certain you're blushing, by the warmth you feel in your face. You had not realized you were that obvious. You kneel down to inspect a collection of porcelain tea cups, again marked with the Union Jack, and answer idly as you ponder them, "I suppose I just wanted to buy some nice things for the people I love, really. It's not like money's an issue."
Her response is delayed for a long moment, "Never heard that word out of your mouth before, Ribbons. You got anyone in particular in mind? 'Doka maybe?"
Her tone is much more serious than expected, so you glance up at her. She's giving you an odd look, as if trying to understand something, but you're not exactly sure what she's trying to get at, for a moment.
Then you realize exactly what you'd said, and laugh lightly, "Oh, it's not--I didn't mean eros, Kyouko. I'm not sure I even know what that feels like anymore."
She blinks heavily, looking perturbed again for some reason, "What do you mean, anymore? If it's not that, then--like, what do you mean by love? Philia?"
You are really happy you have a friend like her, who can follow this sort of multilingual conversation based in European roots in spite of being Japanese. She's wonderful, in that way.
"It's honestly much simpler than people have made it out to be, you know? There's only one kind of love, really--the wish for someone's dreams and wishes to come true; for them to live and die and, if at all possible, live again, without regrets or grief." You smile at her, imagining a future where she can stand at the front of a Church without guilt, or go out and save lives without reticence.
You go on, explaining your thoughts on the matter of love further, "Eros, storge, and philia are just words people use to excuse themselves--either by justifying their earnest feelings because they're embarrassed, or justifying why they claim to love someone when they don't. I love you all--I have for a very long time--and that's why I've kept fighting. Not because you're family and I'm stuck with you, or because we're friends and I need you, or because I want a romantic relationship with one of you so I won't be lonely, but simply because I love who you are, and your existence and happiness bring me joy. I love you all, and there's no point in making excuses."
Kyouko blushes brightly at that, yet still manages to glare at you, "That's not fair, Ribbons, you know that? You can't just say it's agape and say something like that without any warning or build up."
You shrug, "I don't know what to tell you. I'm just speaking honestly." You pick up the teacups--Mami will like them, you think--and stand, smiling at Kyouko, "Any ideas for anyone?"
She gives you a deadpan stare, "Yeah, that's the thing, Ribbons. People don't just speak honestly like that. I don't mind this new brand of crazy, but it's definitely crossing some social lines."
You really couldn't care less, to be honest, "I'm fine with that. Better than being someone I'm not. Anyway, souvenirs?"
She sighs, glancing around the room, "Eh, Sayaka will like the Excalibur replica over there." She points at what appears to be an actual, metal replica of the King's sword. You're now sure that Arturia's pushing merchandising, but Kyouko's certainly right that Sayaka will like it.
"Good call! Alright, what about--"
---
An hour later, you have gifts for all of your friends and acquaintances, and a few other random items besides, in case you forgot someone.
"So is that the day's mission? Do we, what, go back to the Palace and chat with Agravain, or…?" Kyouko asks, clearly trying to get a feeling for how you work.
You shake your head, though, "No, not yet. I would like to look into Galahad a bit further. I'm curious what she actually does for the Church."
"That makes two of us." Kyouko grumbles, clearly still upset about the Church's involvement with Magical Girls, as expected, "So, what, just go ask her about it?"
"Simple, but I can't see any reason not to."
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko(125/500) > 79 + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20(Golden Bonds) / 2> (188/500)
Acquired Souvenirs!
Acquired Decorative Excalibur Replica!
Investigation Action: Investigate Galahad with Kyouko
"Galahad? Ah, she's not around, I'm afraid." Kallen explains, "Apparently she was called out on an exorcism job."You start to just accept that--you can talk to her when she gets back--but Kyouko interrupts, "Where? Kinda important, so we'll go to her."
Kallen frowns slightly, "I'm not really sure I should tell you. It's her personal business, after all."
"Please!" Kyouko steps forward, too close to Kallen for comfort, "I have to know the truth behind this stuff, and I'm not going to find that out by staying away from it! Please, tell me so I can see for myself!"
You get a faint feeling of affirmation from the elder Kyouko at those words, clearly curious herself, though you don't notice the desperation you hear in her younger counterpart's voice.
"We have no intention of interfering with her work. We need these answers, though, and seeing her work in person could help greatly." You prod, throwing in your support.
Kallen, leaning next to the Throne Room door--apparently, she's currently operating as the King's guard in Galahad's absence--ponders it for a moment, before heaving a sigh. Raising her eyes to focus on first Kyouko, then you, she eventually relents, "Fine. I'll text you the address. Be careful, and don't mess things up for her. I don't know a lot about her work, but it's apparently not entirely safe."
"Gotcha, don't worry. Just gonna talk to her." Kyouko assures, though Kallen does not seem satisfied with that.
----
"So, this is the place, huh? Not what I expected, to be honest." Kyouko remarks, looking the building over as you approach.
It looks like a warehouse, really, devoid of meaningful adornment--there are no logos or symbols, no clear indication of a purpose. You'd think it abandoned, were it not for the guards standing at the double doors that appear to be the building's only entrance.
It's a simple matter to stop time and lead Kyouko through them, the guards none-the-wiser.
What you find inside is both very much not at all what you expected.
As you expected, you see Galahad, currently doing her job, you assume.
On the other hand, you do not see a person thrashing around or screaming, or even charging at her or floating in midair.
No, what you see is a floating, winged, horned demon, wreathed in what you assume to be hellfire, with a magic seal of a school you do not know floating at its back. It looms over Galahad, lashing out with a whip of fire at the girl, who is rushing towards it with her shield pulled back, as if to strike the demon with it.
Around you, the warehouse has become something unnatural, the walls covered in what seems to be a twisted amalgam of flesh and chitin.
Worst of all, perhaps, is that every inch of the place feels wrong, in the way you have come to associate with Witch Barriers.
"Fucking Witches." Kyouko comments at your side, "That's what this is, right? Right?! We stumbled into a barrier."
You'd like to think so, but it doesn't fit--the dimensions of this place match the warehouse, for one thing, but something also feels different. Something subtle, you can almost…
A shiver goes up your spine as you realize. A Witch's Barrier is always oppressive, in an indistinct way. It reminds you of a funeral--thick with grief and pain. You'd thought that was just the cues from the environment, that you were just subconsciously noticing hints of what the Witch has endured, but you realize now it was probably you picking up on the Witch's emotions.
This place is not heavy with grief and pain, no. You feel, even within time stop, hatred and malice seeping into you ever so faintly. An urge to ruin and maim, to pillage and corrupt. Not the feeling of a child cursing the world for hurting her and hiding away, but the feeling of a deep grudge and a lust for vengeance.
"It's not a Witch, and this is not a Barrier, but we have to kill it anyway. Do not hold back, Kyouko--it will not stop until we're all dead."
She looks at you with wide eyes, and you give her a slight nod, confirming your words as you begin deploying your weapons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Minutes Earlier - Kyrie Lux POV
"That bitch." The man in front of me, Booker Brown, looks at me with dead eyes, seemingly at the brink of weeping, but I can feel Wrath in the air around us.
I reach out, and lay a hand on his shoulder, reaching out with magic, feeling for the source.
"She cheated on me. I worked hard, every single day, and she…she just…" He finally breaks down weeping, "What's going on? Where are we? Did she put you up to this?"
I recall the crying woman who came into the church, begging us to help her husband, and the tall man who came with her, carrying the poor man with an expression of shame on his face.
'Nothing is ever simple.' I think, as I rest my hand on the man's shoulder, "You had an attack. You're here to receive treatment."
I find it. Like a barbed tumor, rooted in his soul. I reach for it.
He looks up at me, "You're…a nurse? A doctor? Wait, I've seen you somewhere--" He cuts off sharply, voice becoming a brief scream that is silenced as his body explodes violently.
Around us, the entirety of the warehouse's walls and floors suddenly turn to oozing, twisted flesh and eyes, among which are hints of the human form, writhing in pain, or perhaps in ecstasy. Distorted human faces stare at me, moaning as they do so, eyes dead and empty of intelligence.
I was too slow.
The wicked, winged horror that burst from within Booker lunges without hesitation, a whip of fire bursting into existence in its grip, lashing for me as the Demon's arm whips out. I leap back, raising my shield to protect myself as I try to get a read on. It seems to be a Class B, properly defined by Wrath for the moment, and--
Two explosions erupt from the Demon, sending me stumbling back, as a redheaded girl bursts into view and slams into it, a crimson light shining from her spear as the two exchange blows, eventually allowing her to get a clean strike on it, though that seems to do little.
Suddenly beside me, Miss Akemi--the one the King is apparently looking to appoint Emrys--fires off a rocket from a strangely ornate rocket launcher, even as the Demon's whip strikes the redhead--that must be Kyouko Sakura, I realize--eliciting a howl of pain from the girl, as she leaps back from it.
"Does she not know how to turn off pain, Miss Akemi?" I ask as I raise my shield, gathering magic to invoke its power.
"She knows. Some ability of the creature?" She asks.
I simply nod in return, and slam my shield down the moment Miss Sakura is far enough back from the creature, crying my invocation, "
I feed Magic into my shield, seeming to emerge from the ground beneath my feet as Britain lends me her strength. Behind me, they rise--the walls of Camelot, stalwart against all Evil, shining between my sudden comrades and the demon, while the shield itself shines in my own defense.
They rise none too soon, either, as the demon sweeps its hand forward, and a massive, seemingly sourceless explosion erupts against the surface of Camelot's Walls, shaking the room as fire cascades across them..
I pour my Magic into those walls, and sacrifice it to turn the Demon's attack back upon it, flames and force alike gathering together before rebounding back to pummel their source.
Only to sputter out against its flesh, the Demon seemingly unfazed.
"Fool. I am Eligos of Wrath. I will sear your flesh from your bones, until nothing--" One moment, the Demon stands proud as I gather Magic to reflect the next attack, hoping my allies can find a way to slay it as I protect them.
The next, a flurry of explosions erupt from Eligos as it gives a ghastly scream, its form shaking violently before shattering like a broken mirror, leaving nothing behind but empty air, a twisted warehouse covered in gaping, distorted, burnt flesh…and the remains of Booker Brown, splattered across the hellscape.
Another day. Another life lost, but another massacre averted.
If only it didn't feel so awful.
Pre-Combat Actions:
Homura - Activate Akemi Madness - +20 Bonus to All Rolls, Additional +10 to Social Rolls, Development, and Mechanical Expertise
Kyouko - Activate Hunger for Violence - +10 Strength, +10 Celerity, -30 to Defensive Reactions
Eligos - Cast Wrath and Ruin - ???
Turn Order:
Eligos - 50
Kyouko - 37
Homura - 30
Kyrie - 20
Round 1
Time Stop Active! Targets: Homura, Kyouko (-20 Magic)
Kyouko's Turn - Cast Spell : Gloria Rosso - Spear (-20 Magic)
Homura's Turn - Cast Spell : Augment [Magic] - Rocket Launcher (-15 Magic)
Round 2
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (27|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 127
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (19|1d100) + 60 = 79
127 > 79 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Kyouko's Turn - Cast Spell : Lancia Rosso [Magic] [Fire] (-50 Magic)
Assault : Lancia Rosso [Magic] | Target: Eligos
Attack Roll : (25|1d100) + 100 = 125
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (59|1d100) + 60 = 119
125 > 119 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 250, Harm = 2
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 40
250 > 100 : Attack Succeeds!
2 - 10 = -8 | Minimum Harm = 1 Wound!
Round 3
Time Stop Ends!
Eligos' Turn : Assault (Hellfire Whip) [Magic] [Fire] [Torturous] - Target Homura
Wrath and Ruin (-20 Magic)
Regeneration 5 (-10 Magic)
Magic Gain (+30 Magic)
Attack Roll (73|1d100) + 60 = 133
Homura's Reaction : Parry (39|1d100) + 39 + 20 ([Shield]) + 20 (Akemi Madness) = 146
133 < 146 : Attack Fails!
Eligos' Trait : Relentless Lash - If an Assault with (Hellfire Whip) fails, redirect the attack to a second target.
Assault (Hellfire Whip) - Target Kyouko (Attack Roll 133)
Kyouko's Reaction: Parry (53|1d100) + 35 - 30 + 20 = 78 (Hunger for Violence)
133 > 78 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 190, Harm = 5
Kyouko's Armor = 10, Resistance = 1
190 > 10 : Attack Succeeds!
5 - 1 = 4 Wounds!
Kyouko Wounds = 5/10
[Torturous] - Kyouko takes -10 to all Rolls for the duration of Combat.
Kyouko's Turn : Assault (Spear) [Magic] - Target Eligos
Regeneration 1 (-10 Magic)
Kyouko Wounds = 6/10
Trait: Berserker : +20 Strength
Attack Roll = (37|1d100) + 35 + 20 (Spear Specialist) + 40 (Spear) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) - 10 (Torturous) = 102
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (10|1d100) + 60 = 70
92 > 70 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation :
Power = 30 + 10 (Hunger for Violence) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) + 70 (Strength) = 130
Harm = 3 + 2 (Gloria Rosso) = 5
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance 10
130 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
5 - 10 = -5 | Minimum Damage = 1
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (50|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 150
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (57|1d100) + 60 = 117
150 > 117 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Kyrie's Turn : Cast Spell : Walls of the Undefiled Kingdom (-100 -80 Magic)
Until her next turn, Kyrie may perform the Parry Action against all enemy attacks, no matter whom they are directed at. If an attack is normally impossible to Parry, Kyrie may make an opposed Ego Check to stop the attack anyway.
Round 4
Regeneration 5 (-10 Magic)
Rage and Ruin (-20 Magic)
Magic Gain (30)
Eligos' Turn : Cast Spell : Cataclysm [Bomb] [Fire] [Magic] (-100 Magic)
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Homura - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction (-50 -30 Magic) - (79|1d100) + 185 = 264
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (-50 -30 Magic) - Assault (Cataclysm) (127) | Target: Eligos
Eligos' Parry Reaction - (83|1d100) + 60 = 143
127 < 143 | Attack Fails!
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Kyouko - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction (-50 -30 Magic) - (78|1d100) + 185 = 263
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (-50 -30 Magic) - Assault (Cataclysm) (127) | Target: Eligos
Eligos' Parry Reaction - (28|1d100) + 60 = 88
127 > 88 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 150, Harm = 10
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 50
150 > 110 : Attack Succeeds!
10 = 10 | [Devastating] Minimum Wounds = 2!
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Kyrie - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction - (58|1d100) + 185 = 243
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (-50 -30 Magic) - Assault (Cataclysm) (127) | Target: Eligos
Eligos' Parr Reaction (61|1d100) + 60 = 121
127 > 121 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 150, Harm = 10
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 50
150 > 110 : Attack Succeeds!
10 = 10 | [Devastating] Minimum Wounds = 2!
Kyouko's Turn - Assault on Eligos (Spear) [Magic] & Develop (Detonate Spear | Ambition 5)
Regeneration 1 (-10 Magic)
Kyouko Wounds = 7/10
Trait: Berserker : +15 Strength
Attack Roll = (70|1d100) + 35 + 20 (Spear Specialist) + 40 (Spear of Fury) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) - 10 (Torturous) = 175
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (83|1d100) + 60 = 143
175 > 143 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation :
Power = 30 + 10 (Hunger for Violence) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) + 70 (Strength) = 130
Harm = 3 + 2 (Gloria Rosso) = 5
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance 10
130 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
Base "Detonate Spear" DC: 10
Ambition DC Increase: 50
Development DC = 70
Development Roll : (73|1d100) + 20 - 10 (Puella Magi Development) = 83 | 83 > 70 : Success!
Spear is destroyed! Harm +10
15 - 10 = 5 Wounds!
Homura's Turn - Cast Spell : Time Stop | Target: Homura
-20 Magic
Round 5
Time Stop Active! -20 Magic
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (85|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 185
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (31|1d100) + 60 = 91
185 > 91 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Round 6
Time Stop Active! -20 Magic
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (57|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 117
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (28|1d100) + 60 = 88
117 > 88 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Eligos Slain!
Homura - Activate Akemi Madness - +20 Bonus to All Rolls, Additional +10 to Social Rolls, Development, and Mechanical Expertise
Kyouko - Activate Hunger for Violence - +10 Strength, +10 Celerity, -30 to Defensive Reactions
Eligos - Cast Wrath and Ruin - ???
Turn Order:
Eligos - 50
Kyouko - 37
Homura - 30
Kyrie - 20
Round 1
Time Stop Active! Targets: Homura, Kyouko (-20 Magic)
Kyouko's Turn - Cast Spell : Gloria Rosso - Spear (-20 Magic)
Homura's Turn - Cast Spell : Augment [Magic] - Rocket Launcher (-15 Magic)
Round 2
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (27|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 127
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (19|1d100) + 60 = 79
127 > 79 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Kyouko's Turn - Cast Spell : Lancia Rosso [Magic] [Fire] (-50 Magic)
Assault : Lancia Rosso [Magic] | Target: Eligos
Attack Roll : (25|1d100) + 100 = 125
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (59|1d100) + 60 = 119
125 > 119 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 250, Harm = 2
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 40
250 > 100 : Attack Succeeds!
2 - 10 = -8 | Minimum Harm = 1 Wound!
Round 3
Time Stop Ends!
Eligos' Turn : Assault (Hellfire Whip) [Magic] [Fire] [Torturous] - Target Homura
Wrath and Ruin (-20 Magic)
Regeneration 5 (-10 Magic)
Magic Gain (+30 Magic)
Attack Roll (73|1d100) + 60 = 133
Homura's Reaction : Parry (39|1d100) + 39 + 20 ([Shield]) + 20 (Akemi Madness) = 146
133 < 146 : Attack Fails!
Eligos' Trait : Relentless Lash - If an Assault with (Hellfire Whip) fails, redirect the attack to a second target.
Assault (Hellfire Whip) - Target Kyouko (Attack Roll 133)
Kyouko's Reaction: Parry (53|1d100) + 35 - 30 + 20 = 78 (Hunger for Violence)
133 > 78 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 190, Harm = 5
Kyouko's Armor = 10, Resistance = 1
190 > 10 : Attack Succeeds!
5 - 1 = 4 Wounds!
Kyouko Wounds = 5/10
[Torturous] - Kyouko takes -10 to all Rolls for the duration of Combat.
Kyouko's Turn : Assault (Spear) [Magic] - Target Eligos
Regeneration 1 (-10 Magic)
Kyouko Wounds = 6/10
Trait: Berserker : +20 Strength
Attack Roll = (37|1d100) + 35 + 20 (Spear Specialist) + 40 (Spear) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) - 10 (Torturous) = 102
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (10|1d100) + 60 = 70
92 > 70 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation :
Power = 30 + 10 (Hunger for Violence) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) + 70 (Strength) = 130
Harm = 3 + 2 (Gloria Rosso) = 5
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance 10
130 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
5 - 10 = -5 | Minimum Damage = 1
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (50|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 150
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (57|1d100) + 60 = 117
150 > 117 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Kyrie's Turn : Cast Spell : Walls of the Undefiled Kingdom (-100 -80 Magic)
Until her next turn, Kyrie may perform the Parry Action against all enemy attacks, no matter whom they are directed at. If an attack is normally impossible to Parry, Kyrie may make an opposed Ego Check to stop the attack anyway.
Round 4
Regeneration 5 (-10 Magic)
Rage and Ruin (-20 Magic)
Magic Gain (30)
Eligos' Turn : Cast Spell : Cataclysm [Bomb] [Fire] [Magic] (-100 Magic)
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Homura - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction (
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (
Eligos' Parry Reaction - (83|1d100) + 60 = 143
127 < 143 | Attack Fails!
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Kyouko - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction (
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (
Eligos' Parry Reaction - (28|1d100) + 60 = 88
127 > 88 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 150, Harm = 10
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 50
150 > 110 : Attack Succeeds!
10 = 10 | [Devastating] Minimum Wounds = 2!
Assault (Cataclysm) | Target: Kyrie - (27|1d100) + 100 = 127
Kyrie's Parry Reaction - (58|1d100) + 185 = 243
Kyrie's Spell: Reflect (
Eligos' Parr Reaction (61|1d100) + 60 = 121
127 > 121 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation : Power = 150, Harm = 10
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
[Fire] - Eligos' Fire Armor = 50
150 > 110 : Attack Succeeds!
10 = 10 | [Devastating] Minimum Wounds = 2!
Kyouko's Turn - Assault on Eligos (Spear) [Magic] & Develop (Detonate Spear | Ambition 5)
Regeneration 1 (-10 Magic)
Kyouko Wounds = 7/10
Trait: Berserker : +15 Strength
Attack Roll = (70|1d100) + 35 + 20 (Spear Specialist) + 40 (Spear of Fury) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) - 10 (Torturous) = 175
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (83|1d100) + 60 = 143
175 > 143 : Attack Succeeds!
Damage Calculation :
Power = 30 + 10 (Hunger for Violence) + 20 (Gloria Rosso) + 70 (Strength) = 130
Harm = 3 + 2 (Gloria Rosso) = 5
Eligos' Armor = 60, Resistance 10
130 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
Base "Detonate Spear" DC: 10
Ambition DC Increase: 50
Development DC = 70
Development Roll : (73|1d100) + 20 - 10 (Puella Magi Development) = 83 | 83 > 70 : Success!
Spear is destroyed! Harm +10
15 - 10 = 5 Wounds!
Homura's Turn - Cast Spell : Time Stop | Target: Homura
-20 Magic
Round 5
Time Stop Active! -20 Magic
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (85|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 185
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (31|1d100) + 60 = 91
185 > 91 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Round 6
Time Stop Active! -20 Magic
Homura's Turn - Assault : Rocket Launcher [Magic] | Target : Eligos
Attack Roll : (57|1d100) + 100 + 20 (Akemi Madness) - 20 (Rocket Launcher) = 117
Eligos' Reaction : Parry (28|1d100) + 60 = 88
117 > 88 : Attack Succeeds!
Eligos' [Magical Defense] is negated by [Magic] tag!
Damage Calculation : Power = 100, Harm = 20
Eligos Armor = 60, Resistance = 10
100 > 60 : Attack Succeeds!
20 - 10 = 10 Wounds!
Eligos Slain!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sakura Kyouko POV
I look at the horrors around us, the aberrations of human flesh and insect chitin, and a chill goes down my spine. I've seen shit like this before, of course, in Witch Barriers, but…those went away.
That thing is dead, but this is still here.
"Hey, uh, Galahad? You sure it's dead, the room…" I let myself trail off, not really wanting to put it to words.
She nods, grimacing, then turns to me and forces a weak smile, "Yeah, it's done. This is permanent. We'll get someone over to burn it all later."
My stomach twists at those words. Permanent? That's not how things work. Magic…Magic's temporary. You do stuff, and sure, people can die, but the world goes back to normal, and it's not so different from someone getting shot in an alleyway, at that point.
It doesn't scar the world like this.
I decide against trying to speak, not trusting myself to keep my lunch down, even as I sever myself from my sense of smell.
Burning flesh is always bad, but this place…something smells awful. Like rotten eggs or…sulfur.
'No fucking way.'
Galahad looks from me to Ribbons and back, "How'd you know to come? Did the King send you? Agravain?"
Ribbons barely seems to notice the room. As if this is normal, like walking down the street, she answers smoothly, albeit with that odd intensity that she seems to have suddenly picked up, "No, it was luck. We were looking to talk to you, and managed to get directions out of Kallen with some prying. Is this the usual, for exorcisms?"
Galahad's shield vanishes, and she raises her hand, twisting it back and forth in a so-so gesture, "Not the usual, but not unheard of. Most Exorcisms that get to me are just Witch Kisses. Most of the ones that are more than that are what we call Class C--the host is possessed, and performs supernatural feats such as levitating or attacking with superhuman strength. Class Bs, like this one, are rare, but I get one every couple of months."
Ribbons hesitates, probably trying to come up with a measured response, but I find myself jumping in before I realize it, "Wait, if this is Class B, that means…" I trail off. This thing was comparable to a strong Witch. I would definitely not want to face it alone. If there's something stronger, then I'm surprised I haven't seen them on the news or something.
Galahad--Kyrie, I guess--nods, eyes soft with something that looks irritatingly like pity, "Class A. Class B Demons resemble classical depictions--horned, winged fiends, or something similar. Class A Demons don't. They can be anything--a fire that can't be extinguished without magic and burns metal as easily as wood, a disease that spreads subtly with few symptoms before suddenly becoming lethal, a cat that spreads deadly misfortune to anyone that sees it, a name that drives people mad when they hear it. Those are all recorded Class As. There are many more."
I shudder involuntarily, thinking back through history as I try to figure out what disasters might have been unnatural. The Plague? Any of the historical fires? Natural disasters?
I think of Walpurgisnacht, which is compared to a hurricane, wiping out cities. Walpurgisnacht, which Homura wants me to help her fight.
Kyrie smiles weakly, patting me on the shoulder, and I realize I've frozen up, "I can tell you more, if you want. Just…not here." She indicates the walls covered in perverse, human-like tumors, "We can talk tomorrow. I need to report back." I nod, reluctantly, as does Homura, when Kyrie turns to look at her.
I'll have a lot to ask Kyrie tomorrow.
Homura Rolled Investigation | Kyrie Lux(110/150) > 19(1d100) + 30 (Investigation) + 10 (Love) > (169/150) > Breakthrough!
Kyouko Rolled Investigation | Kyrie Lux(0/200) > 40(1d100) + 10 (Investigation) > (50/200)
Homura Rolled Socialize | Kyouko(188/500) > 100(1d100) + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) + 20 (Golden Bonds) / 2 > Critical! Progress Doubled! > (324/500)
Gained Ally: Kyrie Lux
Investigation Action: Investigate Big Ben with Kallen
You find yourself back in the Link Room, through which the cables ring the bells--including, of course, the actual Big Ben, the primary bell of Elizabeth Tower.A fine component of the great clock, in its own way--it's amazing, really, to stand here, beholding one of the most famous clocks on the planet. For all that its accuracy is adjusted with a stack of coins due to its profound imperfection--having not made by Akemi hands, after all--it's still a monument to the glory of clocks. Thus--
"Akemi-san, please." Kallen's voice cuts through your distraction, and you draw your attention away from the cables, visions of the mechanisms you observed upon your previous visit slipping away as you direct your attention back to the actual issue.
There's something hidden here, you believe. Some source for that noise you heard before.
You transform your Soul Gem into its egg-like form, holding it up to search for any sign of a Barrier, but get no response. Not unexpected--you'd probably have noticed a Witch's presence already.
"Hmm…" You ponder it for a moment, then attempt to open yourself to the nearby emotions, like Merlin's study forced you to. It's difficult to grasp, even though you're doing it passively with your family's Madness--your inheritance--already flowing through you so strongly, but you do.
A flicker of something--not as strong an impression as Merlin left, but an impression nonetheless. A quiet pensiveness, standing strangely alongside a rare sense of wonder.
You reach for it--there's a word. Not a name, exactly, but a label. If you can just guess it, you think…
"Home. Lair. Shelter." You try a few, feeling for the right word, as Kallen gives you a perplexed look.
Your eyes narrow, a smirk quirking up the corners of your lips, "Hideout."
A shift, and the room seems to ripple for a moment before you find yourself in something that looks more like an attic than anything.
"It's not a barrier, or anything else I've seen before." Kallen says from beside you, seemingly brought along for the ride, "I wonder who set this place up."
You nod, frowning slightly, "Good question. Strange place."
The room is almost paradoxical, you reflect--an attic, simple and barely adorned, at first glance. Yet, the atmosphere, the emotions…the room is pensive and weighty. Like the simple aesthetic is dressing, and the actual heart of the room…
Your eyes flick to the poster, "Take Your Heart. Curious. I was thinking the same thing. A heart…"
Kallen, rummaging through a drawer near the PC, glances over, "Hearts? What?"
You find yourself walking over towards a closed cabinet, almost automatically opening it up. Within, you find a Shogi board, set out on a shelf of its own, obviously set aside for use.
"Agravain would like this person." You say, smirking slightly as you examine the board state--one player is on their last leg, with most of their pieces currently out of play, though their King's not in any particular danger for the moment, at least.
Considering it, you think you could learn something from this--to track something linked to an emotion, like this strange pensiveness. Something to research later, perhaps. It might help with investigations, among other things.
"What have you found?" You ask Kallen, who seems to be suddenly concerned, to your amusement.
She jerks slightly as you snap her out of her jealous reverie, "Oh, right, yeah. Some kind of vigilante group, I think." She points a thumb over towards the drawers she was searching earlier, "Got signs of corporate espionage, spying on government officials, that kind of thing. Even got some on the Round Table, which is a bit scary, not gonna lie."
"Someone dangerous, then. Magic, expertise, and an agenda. Sounds like my sort of person." You muse, eliciting an aggravated look.
"She's a criminal." Your redheaded companion of the moment protests.
"So are you, I believe. High Treason, is it? Or are revolutionary activities handled distinctly? Coups? Shadow governments?" Your lips twitch upwards, even as she sighs and stalks off towards the apparent entrance--a simple door.
"Fine. You talk to the thief or whatever. I'm going to report in." She opens the door, revealing a spiral of black and red, and walks through, vanishing.
You, instead, settle in, waiting to see who arrives.
It takes an hour before someone does--a figure like liquid shadow that emerges from nowhere, before resolving slowly into the form of a young Japanese woman in a red coat, accompanied by a matching hair ornament. She is, you reflect, almost dull looking, with such dark hair and faintly-colored green eyes. Yet, her gaze is sharp, and she quietly puts her hand on the weapon at her side--a wakizashi, oddly--with no change of expression or body language.
"I'm afraid we haven't met. You are?" She asks, as if you aren't waiting for her inside her hideout.
"Homura Akemi. Magical Girl." You stand, from where you've been lounging on her couch, but restrain the urge to engage in some showboating by summoning a weapon.
This insanity does make you ostentatious--best to watch out for foolish thoughts.
She smiles politely, "General. Phantom Thief of Hearts. How did you find your way in? I would like to shore up my security against future incidents."
"I guessed your password. Magic did the rest."
That brings her up short, eyes widening minutely--she's skilled at hiding her tells, but you've been lying constantly for centuries.
"It isn't a password, exactly, but close enough. What do you want, then? Are you here to arrest me? Kill me, Magical Girl?" The air behind her shimmers slightly--some sort of Magic, you assume.
You need to figure out what makes her tick. She's definitely got some attachment to Shogi, and is working hard to not just look calm, but remain calm. She could probably gain some advantage by feigning emotion here, though, if only by feeding you misinformation--that tells you she, like you, is not particularly good at feigning emotion.
'So, I just need to engage her like an equal--let her feel like she's got more leverage than she does, and she'll engage honestly. If I make her feel helpless, she'll probably run, but she won't play at all if she doesn't feel threatened. Once she's committed, though, she'll be reluctant to abandon the game entirely.'
You summon your regalia and your shield, the ticking of clocks momentarily filling your mind, but hold off on any offensive gestures, raising your palms to indicate you mean no harm, even if you don't expect her to believe that.
She'll probably take this as you "developing your board" or something, you imagine. Much like her calling on whatever she did a moment ago--trying to give herself an advantage in this social interaction by establishing her strength.
"No, I don't think there's any need for that." You answer her, implying you could, "Rather, I'm curious about who you are, and whether you might be interested in collaborating on something."
You can never have too many allies, after all.
She tilts her head, indicating interest, but the tension in her shoulders indicates far greater worry. She thinks you're trying to drag her into something dangerous--and likely that you intend to do it against her will.
She is half right about that, but you will definitely save her, so she doesn't need to worry.
"Are you perhaps concerned about the so-called King?" She asks, "She's the biggest news, for the moment, so I must imagine--"
"No." You cut her off, "King Arthur will do an excellent job, I believe. Instead, I'm trying to prevent a certain disaster--one back home, in Japan."
You don't give her too much, but she's obviously Japanese, and so you know what to expect.
She tenses, a slight fear crossing her expression, "Explain."
Several minutes of simplified explanation later, the two of you find yourselves looking at each other across a card table. "General" looks crestfallen and conflicted, hands tightened into fists.
"Are you familiar with Walpurgisnacht?" You ask, receiving a shake of her head in return. Surprising, but not unbelievable, particularly from someone who doesn't seem to be a Puella Magus, as far as you can tell.
And so, you explain--about Walpurgisnacht, her arrival, and your search for allies when that day comes.
She seems to recover her composure as you do, strangely, expression calming. After, she gives a slight nod, "I see. My seniors once dealt with something comparable, though I never faced it myself. They're not here, however, so I suppose responsibility falls upon me. I will see what I can do to assist, but I'm afraid I will need to explore some possible avenues before I can offer anything substantial. May I have your contact information?"
You pass that info off to her with a nod, and she returns the favor--her card does not list her real name, instead marking her as "General" of the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts," but she adds it on the back in precise handwriting, "Hifumi Togo."
You hadn't particularly expected a proper logo from such a group, and it gives them a surprising level of class.
"I'll be in touch." She assures you, and you accept it, making your departure.
Homura Rolled to Train | Investigation(50/100) > 15(1d100) + 30 (Investigation) + 10 (Love) > (105/100) > Breakthrough! > Location Exhausted!
Discovered: Hifumi's Hideout
Gained Ally: Hifumi Togo of the Phantom Thieves
Kallen (200/200) > Breakthrough Ready!
Training Action: Train Investigation with Sherlock
"Just in time, Akemi-san. I had worried you might arrive earlier, and then I wouldn't have our documents in order." Detective Sherlock Holmes says from where he sits, "It seems my brilliance will not fail me, however, even in the face of an ancient such as yourself."You ignore the descriptor for the moment, "I could have refused, you know? I have much to do."
He chuckles slightly, standing and making his way to the window to look at the street below, silhouetting himself, "You could have, but you wouldn't. You're desperate, Akemi-san--desperate for answers--and the skills I have to offer you are desperately useful in that pursuit. On top of that, you're a fan Mr. Doyle's work; your friend is even moreso, but you instinctively show me more respect than I would be afforded if you were unfamiliar or apathetic to my past work. Thus, it was inevitable you would visit, seeking tutelage."
You weigh his words, then intentionally smile slightly as you find the trick in them, "No, Mr. Holmes, you suspected I would, and you deduced what times I would have available today, but you are also desperate--desperate to escape the monotony of your current life. You have no great rivals here--no Moriarty, no Mycroft--and there are no great, nefarious crimes to solve. On top of that, you have reason to believe my employer, or some other group, may have you killed. You, Sherlock Holmes, were ready to wait for days, then reverse justify your apparent prediction of my arrival, weren't you? Just for pageantry's sake."
He turns around, frowning, eyes narrowed as you as he focuses on you, "Yes, I'm afraid you've seen right through me. You're also mirroring me, however, Akemi-san. I had thought it was incidental last time, but it's compulsive, isn't it? Some special talent, or just a coping mechanism? A way to deal with disparate personalities without having to have your own eccentricities accepted by others?"
You do not allow yourself to react, even as Kyouko's voice teases from the back of your mind, "He's got you dead to rights, Braids."
"Yes, I suppose so. One of my magical abilities compounds the issue, but I honest do not have time to develop deep, genuine bonds with everyone within each loop, or the luxury of letting go of people who I cannot find real common ground with. I also do not need those things to help them." You pause, "I am working on it, as my more honest self seems to get excellent results now, but it is more difficult with people I do not know well, you understand."
He frowns, "You say you do not need those things to help them, showing broad concern for others, but no worry for yourself. Not a hint. That is unnatural, Akemi-san. Some would call it noble, but certainly not sane. I wonder what selfish act drove you to react so harshly against it."
You have no idea what he's talking about, and simply raise an eyebrow at the comment.
"Slight tilt of the head. You're not certain either. Artificial mentality, or some quirk of the mind? A repressed memory, or brain damage, perhaps. Something that has influenced your development, but is no longer accessible to you in the present. Fascinating. Well, no matter, we are not here for in-depth psychoanalysis of each other, as enjoyable as that might be. Instead, let us discuss the case."
He hands you a manilla folder, "There have been seven distinct disappearances in London within the last three weeks. The police do not see the connection, but there is a line of commonality that speaks otherwise. I have not deduced the abductor's identity yet--if there even is an abductor--but I am certain they are all-together one matter. Take a look, and see if you can figure it out."
Eager to turn the topic away from yourself, you quickly set to work, cataloging the details of the victims' lives and final days in the public eye.
Gained 50 Progress towards the "A Missing Memory" Investigation!
Homura Rolled to Train | Investigation(0/155) > 41(1d100) + 200 (Teacher) + 20 (Love/Akemi Madness) > (261/155) > Level Up! > (101/160)
Investigation 30 > 31
Home Action: Study Emrys' tome using Akemi Madness
On Akemi MadnessLet me open by explaining that the phenomenon you know as "Akemi Madness" is not a form of insanity at all. While there is certainly a mania associated with it that I have not been able to determine the exact cause of, your family's "Madness" is nothing less than a mutation passed down from me--one that originates in a certain "Dark Magic" that allowed one to internalize Spells and Magical Power for use in combat, among other things.
Constant use of this technique eventually caused it to permanently alter my nature--it rendered me immortal, but also inhuman. I'm alright with this, to be honest, but it does make things complicated for my descendants.
In your case, your universe's Magic is rooted in Emotions, which are the energy naturally produced by the Soul--not to be confused with emotions, which are actual feelings you experience, although they're so interconnected it may not make a difference.
We'll explore the details of local Metabiology later. For now, just remember that Emotions are the root of most Magic in your universe, and that they're generated by your Soul.
Human beings from your universe naturally expire unused Emotions--they release them into the air passively. This is important, because excess Emotions building up within someone's Mind can have serious consequences.
The essential nature of our "Dark Magic" is to become an all-consuming black hole. Metaphorically, I mean. We take in and internalize Magic. As I used it, this allowed me to alter my body drastically, becoming akin to the Elemental Spirits my universe works with to perform Magic.
Your universe operates on entirely different principles, though--while you can certainly use my School of Magic in this universe, you do so by interacting with Free Emotion--that is, Emotion that has been expired and lingers in our surroundings--and having it imitate my universe's spirits and laws.
What this means, for you, is that your variation on Dark Magic has evolved to devour Emotion, rather than my universe's Magical Energy. It also isn't a source of nigh-infinite energy, although human Souls are, so it makes little difference in most situations. I'll be referring to this as Anima Erebea from here on, for the sake of clarity.
A large portion of this book is dedicated to helping you effectively leverage this ability as more than a form of supernatural empathy. All of this, however, will require you to inspire Emotions--either those within others, or Free Emotion--and store it within your Mind. This would be fine, but due to the incubator the Incubators have fitted your Soul Cage with, you will not be able to expire negatively charged Emotions without one of their Grief Seeds.
The first Spell in this book is a very simple one, but you'll need the foundational principles of my School in order to use it properly--not a minor thing, in my universe, but a tremendous undertaking in yours, without some assistance.
Fortunately, I've managed to devise a special type of Focus that works in this universe! While I hope you'll eventually learn to use this School without depending on a tool of this sort, it will, for now, automate Emulation of Law and Spirit for you--it should be fine for spells of two elements, four lines, and two circles or less. The focus is a small onyx rod with an amethyst tip, which should fit your theming!
The only purpose of this first Spell is to prevent the inspiration of negative Emotions when using Anima Erebea. It's a simple filtration spell, combining a Detection Array to distinguish the type of Emotion being inspired with a Rejection Barrier that--if used alone--attempts to repel all phenomena. Note that these are the hallmarks of a Light Elemental Magic--Light reveals, judges, and destroys. Darkness, in contrast, conceals, consumes, and grows.
Elemental theory aside--there are plenty of books on that in the library I've left for you--this Spell will make sure that you do not accidentally consume negative Emotion and become a Witch.
Please do not overestimate this Spell--while it is very useful as a protection against the consumption of ambient Emotion, it will not hold up under an onslaught of it. Until you have the skill for something more powerful, Anima Erebea will still be unreasonably dangerous to use with the boundaries of a Witch barrier or similar region.
You'll find the incantation just below, and the spell circles below--as usual, you must understand, memorize, and visualize the latter, while incanting the former and brandishing your focus.
Desperandum Negata
Spiritus lucis, ante me disponite et desperationem dividite.
Sta mihi custodes, et interfice dolorem.
Homura Rolled Magical Theory | Desperandum Negata (DC 60) : 99(1d100 + 16 (Magical Theory) + 10 (Love) = 125 | Success!
Spell Gained!
Desperandum Negata - Prevents the inspiration of negative Emotions (Grief) when using Anima Erebea. Costs 10 Magic/hour, and is not sufficient protection within Witch Barriers.
Emrys' Tome Exhausted until Magical Theory reaches 25
Home Action: Investigate Buckingham Palace with Kallen
The hidden door creaks open as a drop of magic turns the internal mechanism--the hidden switch intended to be linked to it was broken years ago, as far as you can tell.Beside you, Kallen's eyebrows shoot up, "Huh, I thought it was just a myth when I brought it up. You got some kind of mechanical Magic going on? Or secret revealing, maybe?"
You shake your head, recalling the Akemi workshop's many hidden paths and traps, and briefly explain, "No, just experience with hidden doors. Let's see where…"
You stride through the hidden door, half expecting ancient treasures or dark old secrets locked away, but instead find yourself in a spacious, yet crowded, office. Piles and piles of paperwork line the walls, shelved where they can be and stacked on the ground where they cannot. The room is elegant, but not a tenth as ostentatious as most of the palace.
If you had to guess, this place was probably built so some royal or another could have somewhere to get some peace away from their staff and family.
The large oaken desk at the center of the room is likewise piled high with paperwork, and, amidst it all, you can see a familiar figure seated.
There's something different about the King, though--even maddened, you could still feel her force of personality crashing down on you like an ocean. You just didn't care, that was all--you could hardly puzzle her out, much less help her, if you were too busy being in awe of her.
Now, though, there's none of that. She's cute, you notice. A petite young woman with shining golden hair and bright green eyes that anyone would just adore, you're sure.
Except she's usually somewhere between awe-inspiring and terrifying.
The King looks up from her desk, eyes going wide in surprise, "Oh! How did you--that is--" She pauses, obviously scrambling to find words, "--I see you found my hiding spot! D-did you need something, you two?" She visibly cringes at the stutter.
"T-that is, no, your Majesty, we just--" Kallen stammers out the beginning of a response before running out of words, looking flabbergasted by the King's demeanor.
You don't have it in you to respond even that much, as you are struck by the imagining of a young, purple-eyed girl with two long braids sitting in that chair, eyes wide with panic, fidgeting as she tries to look cool.
After several seconds of silence from both of you, Arturia pouts slightly, stands and approaches, grabbing you both gently by the shoulders, "Then please leave. I have a tremendous amount of work to do. Britain's laws have become a bloated mess since I left, and I can't do a thing about that until I know them inside and out, so…" She gently shoves you both towards the door, "Out. Talk to me when I'm not busy in here."
You would later take some comfort in the fact you were not in your right mind at the moment, as you reach up and pat her on the head--inducing a blush--before being launched out into the hallway in a flash of light, Kallen apologizing and sprinting out after you before the door slams closed, again hidden away.
The redhead helps you up from where you lay dazed against the wall--not meaningfully injured, but completely confused.
"You know, Homura, I know you're crazy, but there are limits." She pauses, frowning as she looks you in the eyes, "It's not contagious, is it? Because I could have sworn I just saw…"
You can only shrug, "I do not believe so, but it's possible. Otherwise, the King is…"
There's a pause, as the two of you glance to the hidden door and back, hesitant, and Kallen finishes the sentence, "Adorable, yeah. Let's not mention this again anytime soon."
You nod, accepting her wisdom.
Buckingham Palace(217/300) > (89|1d100) + 40 > Breakthrough! > Area Exhausted!
Discovered: King Arthur's Hidden Office
Discovered a Clue for the King Arthur Investigation.
Investigation: King Arthur (41/200) > Clue Breakthrough! > (41/300)
Homura Rolled Socialize | King Arthur(20/200) > 51(1d100) + 16 (Socialize) + 10 (Love) / 2 > (59/200)
Kallen (200/200) > Breakthrough Ready!
Creative Action: Research a More Efficient Time Stop
You channel your Magic through your Shield, trying to shift the natural shape of the Spell for the fiftieth time, but it simply snaps back into the same Time Stop you've used so many times, which you deactivate as quickly as possible, to avoid wasting Magic."It doesn't feel like I can just do it the same way. Maybe it's because my Shield isn't made for this. If I could build something else…a different Clock, that operates in a different way…"
You puzzle over it. You know your Time Stop is tied to the grains of Sand in your Shield's hourglass, and that one grain is used each time you loop. Your increasing Magic expenditure is definitely related to the decreasing grains of Sand, you can tell. You're certain you can't make more, though--even with your relatively limited magical skill, you can sense the power in each of those grains. More than your Soul Gem could ever hold, you think.
So, you'll need something else--either a different system that doesn't depend on the Sand, or a variation that uses that power much more efficiently.
You think you could make it more efficient, maybe, by sacrificing power. If you gave up some of your interaction--perhaps so that you could move in Time Stop, but allowed objects to snap back into their original positions? You would probably need to keep your equipment in your Shield to move it with you, in those conditions, and you doubt you could take it out then. A scouting or travel tool, instead of your ultimate weapon. You're not sure how you'd even start on that, though, of if it's possible.
Alternatively, you could try to find another power source--it would need to be tremendous to match the Sand, though, and you aren't familiar with harvesting external power in that way. Maybe if you knew more about Merlin's Magic, you could pull it from elsewhere, or you could use ambient emotions with Anima Erebea?
Maybe you could simply find a different way to stop time? Even if it's not true Time Stop, something that works the same most of the time would be fine. You don't feel like super speed or something would be possible for you, but you might be able to do something to step between moments, or something, instead of actually stopping all time throughout the universe. Possible.
You'll need to study a lot more.
[Homura has some ideas, but nothing concrete. She gets the impression that the highest Ambition variations may require extreme innovation and require multiple schools of Magical Theory, but lower Ambition variants with trade-offs may be possible more easily.]
Base "Time Stop" Research DC: 15
Ambition DC Increase: 50
Research DC: 65
Homura Rolled Research | Time Stop (DC 65) : 2(1d100) + 12 (Research) + 10 (Love) = 24 > Failure!
Sleep Action: Train Magical Theory
You take out a few of the books from the library--Palamedes may be willing to lend you a hand commuting during the day, but not in the dead of night--and set to reading.Unlike Emrys' Tome, these books are, while extremely useful, clearly not aimed at people from this universe. They manage to explain well the principles of his universe's Magic, but it's now very clear why he made you a focus to help with Emulation of Law and Spirit. You don't even have the faintest idea how you would do that, and it will be a necessity to use anything from these books.
They are fascinating, though. More advanced than anything in the Mitakihara Curriculum, for certain, but the subject matter is far more practical for the moment.
Comparing it to what you know about the Magic of Puella Magi, it's radically different, but you also see potential to take advantage of these principles, too--for example, their Circles work like entire Spells, which then build on each other, and you could probably use something like programming principles to do something similar with your own Magic--for example, having a Spell that first gathers information, then acts on it accordingly.
That level of complexity feels awkward for Magic as you've used it in the past, though--even the most advanced Magic is instinctive to use, if not to develop, but these kinds of rules and structures will require more than an intention and an emotion to use. You'd need preparation, or, perhaps, you could hybridize the schools somehow.
You will need to learn a lot more, to do something like that.
Homura Rolled to Train | Magical Theory(19/80) > 84(1d100) + 75 (Emrys Library) + 10 (Love) > (188/80) > Level Up! > (103/85) > Level Up! > (13/90)
Magical Theory 16 > 18
Homura
Grief: 660/1000
Sanity: 422/1000
Bloodheat: 100/100
Kyouko
Grief: 170/1000
Sanity: 500/1000
[Daily Events]
- Meeting with Kyrie Lux
- Locked in as one of Homura's Investigation Actions.
Madoka: "I'm going on a trip to Odaiba for a couple of days, so don't worry if I'm not home when you get back. Should be back soon."
Homura: "That's new. Did something happen?"
Madoka: "Something happened there years ago, and I think it's worth investigating, for Walpurgisnacht."
Homura: "Please take someone with you. Mami--no, not Mami, you might start a war. Ruki, maybe, or see if Oriko will help."
Madoka: "...Umm...I already asked Mami. She seemed pretty lonely, so..."
Homura: "Don't let the Tokyo girls find out she's there. It will get ugly if they do."
Madoka: "I'll do my best--and we'll try to talk it out if that doesn't work!"
Homura: "Please be careful."
Madoka: "I will. See you soon!"
[Arcana Magi, Requests, and Akemi Madness]
If you wish to perform an Action as a different Arcana Magi (Kyouko, for now), simply add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Arcana - Kyouko
If you wish to Request help from another character(s) for an action, add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Request - (Character Names)
If you wish to use Akemi Madness for an action, add the following subvote to the action:
-[ ] Akemi Madness
[Available Characters]
The following characters you can contact for Requests. Keep in mind that Allies will sometimes expect a Favor in return, while Friends will help as long as they have time and are willing. You do not get information on willingness and availability prior to the vote, due to the amount of complexity this would add to the process. Social Links values are listed here--multiply these by 10 to determine the size of the die they will roll when assisting with an Action.
Keep in mind some characters may not be suitable for some Actions--Homura will simply not involve a mundane individual in magical combat, for example, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. If you really feel the need to involve someone in something they normally should not be (like involving Miho Miki in a Witch Hunt, or anything Magical), please include a justification as a subvote, for mine and Homura's consideration.
- Friends
- Madoka Kaname : 10
- Sayaka Miki : 5
- Kyouko Sakura : 5
- Mami Tomoe : 3
- Ruki Shironome : 4
- Miho Miki : 3
- Yuma Chitose : 1
- Junko Kaname : 2
- Nagisa : 1
- Hououin Kyouma : 2
- Allies
- Nanoha Takamachi : 2
- Rose : 1
- Freya : 1
- Akane : 1
- Oriko : 3
- Kirika : 2
- Snow : 2
- Clovis Britannia : 2
- Kallen Stadtfield: 2
- King Arthur: 2
- Agravain: 2
- Palamedes: 2
- Kyrie Lux: 1
- Hifumi Togo: 1
Mysteries
[ ]
"Igor claims there are 14 special friends I need to find. I should try to find more of them…and maybe find out how they're my friends if I don't know them."
"I did experience a strange connection to Nagisa when I met her, and she's apparently "The Death."
"I have a strange memory of Matoko, which led me to her Barrier. She was clearly older--in her late teens, I'd say--and I'd swear I was the same age, in that moment. It's impossible, but the memory remains."
"I encountered Yuma Chitose, and she has appeared among the list of Arcana Magi in the Velvet Room, as the Wheel of Fortune."
[ ] Igor's Contract (Progress 0/1000)
"I don't remember signing any Contract with Igor, but he insists I did."
[ ] False Memories (121/200)
"I have doubled memories of my first meeting with Weiss. I'm sure there are probably others I haven't noticed yet, too. Maybe if I can recognize them, I can figure out more about this strange timeline?"
"I got in touch with Clovis Britannia, apparently a childhood friend as well. His family's background seems to mesh poorly with the rest of history, suggesting he is an artificial addition, rather than someone that's supposed to be in this timeline."
[ ] A Missing Memory (50/1000)
"When I was talking to Igor, there was a memory that I couldn't find. It was something about selfishness? The Devil? What could have happened?"
"Sherlock believes I've forgotten a moment of selfishness that I have reacted against. Could he mean this?"
[ ] Akemi Madness (500/500) (Breakthrough Ready!)
"There's a strange inherited insanity in our family. It's always been a fact of life before, but others seem scared by it. Maybe I should try to find out more? Looking into our family's history should be a good place to start."
"My Father apparently knows something about this. Meeting with him might help me make some headway, too." (You can spend a Social Action with Takeshi Akemi for a Clue)
"Akemi Madness apparently traces to the demonic blood of Merlin, of all things, and involves the absorption of Emotions from those around us, but that leaves many aspects of it unexplained."
[-] Detective Agency (Exhausted)
"Sherlock Holmes was exactly who he appeared to be. I look forward to studying under him in the near future."
[ ] Britannia Family (0/100)
City
[ ] London
Known Locations
[-] Buckingham Palace (Exhausted)
"I found King Arthur's Hidden Office, and met her there, but she was behaving oddly.
[ ] King Arthur's Hidden Office (0/100)
[-] Big Ben (Exhausted)
"There was someone hiding inside Big Ben. I couldn't find them, but they may return."
"I met Hifumi Togo of the Phantom Thieves, inside her hideout here."
[ ] Hifumi's Hideout (0/100)
[ ] The Tower of London
People
[ ] King Arthur (41/300)
[ ] Agravain
[ ] Galahad (110/150)
[ ] Kallen Stadtfield
[X] Kyrie Lux (50/200) [Locked In]
[Social Actions: 1]
[ ] Madoka (Maxed)
[ ] Sayaka (276/500)
[ ] Kyouko (324/500)
[ ] Miho Miki (124/300)
[ ] Takeshi Akemi (6/300)
[ ] Kayaba Akihiko (31/100)
[ ] Soichirou Mikuni (44/100)
[ ] Hououin Kyouma (47/200)
[ ] Kallen Stadtfield (200/200)
[ ] Agravain (171/200)
[ ] King Arthur (59/200)
[ ] Palamedes (22/200)
[ ] Write-In Character
[Home Actions: 2]
[ ] Investigation: Arthur (41/300)
[ ] Investigation: King Arthur's Hidden Office (0/100)
[ ] Social: Kyouko
[ ] Social: Kallen Stadtfield
[ ] Social: Agravain
[-] Study Emrys' Tome [Exhausted - Raise Magical Theory]
[Mission Actions: 1]
[ ] Go Shopping
-[ ] Shopping List
[ ] Go Thieving
-[ ] Thieving List
-[ ] Target Location
[ ] Write-In (Subject to QM Approval, Cannot Overlap with other Action Types.)
[Creative Actions: 1]
Applicable available resources will be used automatically.
Special Actions
[-] Study Emrys' Tome [Exhausted - Raise Magical Theory]
Craft Actions
[ ] Craft Something (Appropriate Craft Roll Required)
-[ ] Product Type (Clock, Gun, Etcetera)
--[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
--[ ] Rough Description
-[ ] Special Product
--[ ] Exact Product Description. (Ambition will be decided by QM. Some products may fail automatically.)
Magic Actions
[ ] Spell Development (Development Roll Required)
-[ ] Existing Prototype Name or Spell Description (Broader descriptions are more likely to produce easily developed Spells.)
[ ] Spell Usage
-[ ] Spell(s)
-[ ] Action.
-[ ] Reason for action.
[ ] Attempt to perform a Magical Working. (Magical Theory Roll Required)
-[ ] Working Objective. (Ambition will be decided by QM. Some workings may fail automatically.)
Research Actions
[ ] Research a Theoretical Crafting Product
-[ ] Product Type (Clock, Gun, Etcetera)
--[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
--[ ] Rough Description.
-[ ] Special Product
--[ ] Exact Product Description.
[ ] Research a Theoretical Spell
-[ ] Spell Purpose
-[ ] Ambition (1-20; Higher Ambition produces a better product, but sets a higher DC.)
[ ] Research a Theoretical Magical Working
-[ ] Working Objective.
Grand Undertakings
[Training Actions: 1]
Applicable available resources will be used automatically. Students may refuse lessons if they are busy, or don't know you well.
[ ] Train a Skill
-[ ] Skill
-[ ] Investigation with Sherlock
[ ] Train someone else in a Skill.
-[ ] Skill
-[ ] Student
[Sleep Actions: 4]
[ ] Sleep (Gain 20 + Modifiers Sanity)
[ ] Write-In Action of another Type (Cost: 20 Sanity)
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