[X] Travel to Greenbough, the trip is longer, but safer, and it's easier to find, just follow the river.
[X] Take Alena, she might not be able to fight but she still has all her skills
Anyway, since the brief "vacation" that I used to get this started has ended, I'm going to head to an update pattern of every second day, to avoid staying up till TOO EARLY in the morning getting stuff sorted out again (Also I might want to play vidya or something at some point ). I should however, be capable of maintaining that pace indefinitely as long as people continue to validate my existence vote and comment
[X] Travel to the Invector outpost, shorter trip, likely more dangerous, and you're more likely to get lost.
[X] Take Veesa, she certainly believes she's well enough to travel and fight, and can still sorta fight, and she does have some skills
(You can Ignore the Tutorial and Mechanics if you want, it's not really necessary to enjoy the quest and It'll only be on this Chapter)
"I'm sorry Veesa, I'm sure you're a great Invector." she certainly fought harder than anyone Nozomi had seen anyway, "But I think we need to go to Greenbough, and my mother's been travelling the river for my whole life", never mind that you've been up from deadly gut wounds for less than a few minutes, she decides not to add.
Alena nods, and Veesa sinks back down to the ground, "That's okay, I guess, I could probably use another couple of weeks of sleep anyway." she makes a face at Nozomi that's at least as much grimace as smile.
Nozomi leans over and touches her forehead to her father's. She stands up and looks at her mother, "I think we should leave as soon as possible." she takes a deep breath and walks out of the tent, grabbing her traveler's staff on the way past
Nozomi paces back and forth a couple times before her mother follows her out, "So Greenbough is just that way?" she says pointing south along the river.
Attributes and Skills TUTORIAL said:
Dice rolls are based on a proprietary stat system known as "CPIP" for: Co-Ordination: Using your body to accomplish task that require practice and skill. Firing a weapon, piloting a shuttle, dancing, and painting all come under this heading. Physicality: The willingness of the flesh to accomplish a task, raw lifting power, athletic endurance, and resistance to illness all fall under this Intellect: Raw intelligence and the ability to BE SMART LIKE COMPUTER Perspicacity: Emotional strength and intelligence and spiritual intelligence, a fancy way of putting Wisdom and Charisma together.
Each of these attributes may have up to four (4) levels. Four each level of an attribute you may have two skills in that area, with up to three (3) levels each. These may be further modified with two specialization in that skill. And each specialization can be further modified with a highly specific specialization specialization.]
Add up all the levels in a skill you wish to use and roll d6 equal to that number. 4 and 5 fives are successes and 6 is two successes.
They will be compared against five levels of success:
Very Easy: 1 Succes
Easy: 2 Successes
Average: 3 Successes
Hard: 4 Successes
Very Hard: 5 Successes
Nozomi's Party needs to pass a skill check of "Easy" to reach Greenbough. (Additional levels of success above "Easy" will result in bonuses as determined by SINGER'S QUEST's proprietary "QUEST MASTER" program.
Alena has two (2) levels in the Intelligence attribute, two (2) levels in the Pathfinding skill, and one (1) level in the "Gan River Area" specialization for Pathfinding; giving Alena a total of five (5) dice to roll!
Alena rolls: 5,4,5,4,2 giving her "4" successes (Which is a 44% of four successes or less on five dice!) and reaching the success level of "Hard"!
Alena stops and thinks for a moment before turning back to her daughter, "Yes, we can follow the river, but I remember taking a trip with merchant about ten years ago that cuts through this area running along the river." she frowns, "I think it's the remains of a road from before the Betrayal. You'd have to ask your father to be..."
As her mother looks back at the small shelter, Nozomi interrupts, "Well I guess we need to get going then!" anything to keep her mother's mind off her father she thinks.
"Yes we'll have to travel along the river about a half click from here when we should see…" Nozomi and her mother take off at a fair pace southwards along the river bank.
A few hours later Nozomi is lagging slightly behind her mother, who is clearly pacing herself to let her daughter keep on the overgrown road, when something steps down off the road:
It's a Tree Growler; six legged, wolf sized, solitary predators that usually hunt at night and are not usually known to attack people, even Drab.
The brown beast's paws squelch on the wet overgrown road as it growls and slowly sidles towards the two women.
"Look at it, it's so skinny"
"I would back away, if it's desperate enough to approach us, that must mean that it's starving"
The beast growls again, it's about ten meters away from them now.
"I don't think I have anything to feed it?" whisper's Nozomi.
"IT'S NOT BEGGING FOR SCRAPS" Alena shouts as it charges toward them.
Combat TUTORIAL said:
Combat uses a similar system of dice rolling as skill checks, except now you are trying to roll enough dice to overcome your opponent's Defence (Def) rating and deplete its hit points (HP)
HP is 4x the Physicality attribute
Defence is the highest of Co-ordination or Physicality (The difference is a cosmetic: evasion versus just taking the attack on armour for instance) plus any bonuses granted by armour, and any granted by magic.
Attack dice and Def rating may be modified by items and spells.
Nozomi has a Physical attribute level of one (1) and her "Traveler's Staff grants her an additional +1 Dice on melee attacks if used. For a total of two dice
Nozomi rolls: 4,3 gaining her one success
The Weak Tree Growler has Defence 2, from 1 phys and +1from its "Thick Hide"
Nozomi swings her staff at the Tree Growler, but despite lightly connecting it just shrugs off the attack and takes a swipe at her.
Weak Tree Growler rolls two dice (Phys 1 +1 Melee =2)
Results: 2,1.
No hits
The creature attempts to swipe at Nozomi, but she sidesteps the clumsy attack and steps back, away from it, splashing up water from a puddle.
Alena's eyes suddenly glow a bright blue and the faint blue lines of Inherent Magic circling her eyes make patterns in her skin, pulsing a vibrant blue.
Magic Use TUTORIAL said:
Magic spells can be equipped in nine slots on the body: Head, upper and lower arms, hands, upper and lower torso, upper and lower legs, and feet. Certain spells will only fit in certain body slots and cannot usually be stacked.
Spells will also cost a certain amount of "Magic Power" produced by the body, MP is twice Physicality plus twice Perspicacity!
Alena is using the "Eagle Eyes+" spell! It costs one MP and adds +1 dice to all melee attacks, and +1 automatic die success (AD) on ranged attacks.
Learn new spells by leveling up and praying at Harmony Shrines!
Alena aims a kick at the aggressive beast, trying to land an attack between its first and second set of limbs.
Alena, 5 dice: Phys-2, + Melee-2, +1die from "Eagle Eyes+".
Alena Rolls: 1,5,1,6,5
4 hits vs. 2 Def
Nozomi's mother manages to land a solid kick causing the beast to back off and run yelping into the woods, "I'm glad that's over. We can't waste anytime heading to Greenbough."
The two women have made excellent time, taking the road, and when it ended taking animal paths and natural paths that Alena is able to notice due to her long experience of wilderness travel.
The sun is slowly sinking into the forest when Nozomi and Alena are stopped by an Invector watchman on the road leading into the village, he waves at them, and notices their grim expressions, "What news?"
Nozomi starts to spill everything in one long stream of words but catches herself, "We need a healer, my father was hurt by a Remnant Sorcerer attack!"
The Invector barely spends any time in open mouthed shock before turning and running towards Greenbough, waving for them to follow, "WHERE WAS THIS?" he shouts as he skids around a corner, heading towards the Temple in the Village's middle.
Alena let's Nozomi take the lead as she starts to explain to first the guard and then a clearly shocked Priest, "A Remnant SORCERER?" the man asks open mouthed.
"Yes, he attacked up a day's journey up the Gan, he said he wanted me because I was a Chosen" Nozomi says, "Please we need to leave with a healer now" she begs.
The Priest gasps and the Invector bows, "Of course my lady, but should we not wait until dawn if there is a Sorcerer about?"
Nozomi shakes her head impatiently, "We managed to fight him off, but my father is dying, he stepped in front of the Sorcerer to save my life."
"Please, my husband is hurt badly"
The elderly Priest sighs and looks at the Invector, "Toya, go get Cadus. Quickly"
As the Invector takes off at a run, the old Speaker man turns back to Nozomi, "I could go… but the time when I could easily traverse banks of the Gan even during the day are long gone" the man sighs, "Cadus is my great grandson, he's a good healer, and a good man, even if he is… impulsive sometimes"
The Invector comes skidding around the corner followed closely by a young Speaker man, slightly older than Nozomi. He's slightly taller than Nozomi, and has the same straight black hair as her, but has a more athletic build.
The men skid to a stop just in front of the aged Priest, the Speaker almost tripping into him, "SORRY GRAndfather" he pants, "I came as fast as I could, someone needs help?" he looks at Nozomi and Alena.
"Yes go with these two women, there are hurt people from an attack" he stops and turns back to the Invector, "Toya, get your brothers, escort the Chosen to her father, meet them at the north road"
Cadus starts, "Did. You. Say. Chosen?" he asks, before bowing, "It is my honour to assist you"
Alena shakes her head, "Please, we have no time for that we need to same my husband"
This night, as was the one of the attack, is a blur.
Nozomi, Alena, Cadus, Toya and his two brothers race up the river in the driving rain, Alena and Nozomi following a slightly more efficient path that Toya knows from his many patrols in the area.
They reach the camp slightly before sun-up and Alena all but drags Cadus into the shelter, blowing past Airid without a word. Nozomi follows behind, sprinting through the rain.
Nozomi ducks into the shelter just in time to see Cadus kneel down on the ground next to Tarim and see his palms light up blue.
Tarim is barely breathing, and Veesa leans in to Nozomi, "I did my best with the little bit of training I have… but sometimes you need the sort of spells a Speaker has in addition to Invector heart"
They three women watch as Cadus spends the next hour slowly going over Tarim's body with his magic, the glowing blue of his palms, and the lines of coruscating blue streaming up his arms, outlining his own veins and arteries from the effort of putting his own power into healing someone else.
Finally Cadus has to sit back, and wipe his forehead, "I think he's going to be okay… He still looks bad, but I stabilized the worst of it… If there was someone else here, or if I had a Tythean rose, I could finish the treatment today…"
He sighs, and Nozomi is about to open her mouth to tell him that she does have a White Tythean, when Tarim's eyes flutter open and he grasps Cadus' arm, "What? What is ha..?"
There isn't time for a reply from the young healer before Alena and Nozomi have dropped to Tarim's side and hugged him tightly, weeping.
Everyone is in an actually happy mood the next day when Cadus finishes up healing Veesa, Tarim, Alena and the others. Even the wheather has finally cleared up
"That's awfully annoying, It couldn't have done that something like three days ago?" Veesa says to Nozomi over the makeshift wooden box table that they're eating breakfast off of.
Nozomi nods, "Yeah, that could have gone better" she pauses briefly, "I'm just ahppy that everything worked out well."
"Next time you should use some of that pull with the SInger you Chosen have to clear it up right away, ok?" Veesa grins, and does a sitting bow, "No disrespect meant, of course, Chosen Nozomi!"
Nozomi laughs and does sloppy Invector salute, "Of course Invector Veesa"
Tarim comes out of the shelter, supported by his wife, and talking to Airid, and the Toya brothers when they look over and see a smallish boat sailing up the river towards them.
A half hour later, Toya and his brothers are in the boat, and the boat's captain is explaining to Airid that the Priest in Greenbough sent him and his boat the Gan as soon as the weather cleared up.
Nozomi is standing next to them talking with her parents, about what do next. They, or rather Nozomi still needs to reach Serenity, the options when they get back to Greenbough are to either try to catch a ride on another river barge, hire a boat like this one, or take the road out from Greenbough and take the Trasen Forest road to Serenity on foot.
------------------------------------------------
So, yeah that was mostly Tutorial, it's not super important if you don't care. Before each combat, I'll be sure to give you the opportunity to activate spells if you want, spells can be helpful in non-combat manners as well, for skill checks for instance, or even to unlock other gameplay options!
[ ] Wait for another Barge, The Hunter may still be on the Gan, but safety in numbers!
[ ] Hire a boat. The Hunter may still be on the Gan, but safety in speed!
[ ] Walk the Trasen road, it'll take way longer, but The Hunter may not realise you've gone inland and lose the scent
SINGER'S QUEST GOTY Edition said:
(Combat numbers will default to off, you may re-enable them in the settings menu)
Caste: Speaker
Location: Head
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic brackets the eyes and a line sweeps up from the middle of each bracket to disappear at the temple
Active Appearance: The same as above but the addition that the eyes themselves glow a vibrant blue
Effect Description: It is possible to analyse a face or body language in detail; the user instinctively reads the emotions of the target, up to and including sorting truth from lies without a word.
Cost: 1 mana to activate until next rest
Mechanical Effect: +2 autosuccess to any rolls made to detect lies or read emotional state
Inventory
Traveller's Staff
-+1 Dice to Melee attack
Traveller's Clothes
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Traveller's Cloak
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Endless Flask
-Refills up to three and a half liters of pure water each day
White Tythean Rose
-Refills MP by 10x for one day
REACH SERENITY
[ ] FIRST PERSON
[X] THIRD PERSON
===============================
[X] DONT SHOW COMBAT NUMBERS
[ ] SHOW COMBAT NUMBER
===============================
TUTORIAL STATUS: FINISHED
You know what I always enjoy in any type of RPG? Just walking around the towns clicking on things, wandering into random places, and talking to the people. Well because of that, I felt like I should try to replicate that experience in text, or tried to anyway...Without further ado:
GREENBOUGH EXPLORATION:
Much like Nozomi's home village of Fourkeys, Greenbough is a green and pleasant place on a wind in the Gan river in the Trasen Forest
[The Greenbough Piers jut out gently into the river, a few boats are tied up, and the river gently flows contentedly in it's banks]
[Airid is speaking with the Merchant Captain whose barge The Hunter destroyed]
MERHCANT: "It sunk, of course I'm not paying you anything."
AIRID: "Ah, well, that ain't fair Captain. Your crew is alive and most of your cargo safe."
MERCHANT: "But my vessel, my livelyhood is gone."
AIRID: "You hired me to help keep bandits, creatures, and thieves away, not fight Sorcerers. All things considered I'd say my Girl and I did a pretty good job."
MERCHANT: "Ahh, well see, I'll need everything I have just to stay afloat. Figuratively speaking. I'll see what I can spare."
NERVOUS MERCHANT: "Were there really Sorcerers? Maybe I shouldn't run my business along the river until it's safe.... But I can't let my customers down."
FISHERMAN: "Ahh.... rain like this makes the air so clean! Don't you think Ms Speaker?"
[The Greenbough Harmony Shrine is much like the one in Fourkeys, which is comforting to Nozomi after her recent adventures]
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "You did a fine job Cadus, I'm proud of you."
CADUS: "Thank you Grandfather."
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Your parents would be proud as well. Though I think..."
CADUS: "Grandfather?"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Grandson, I've always told you how much I think you can accomplish a lot in life."
CADUS: "I've certainly tried to be there for all our people"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Yes I was wondering if soon it would be time to take your training to the next level..."
CADUS: "What does that mean?"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "I need to take care of something first, then we will talk."
CADUS: "OH! Hello Chosen!"
NOZOMI: "It's Nozomi actually?"
CADUS: "Oh right, sorry, things slip my mind sometimes, not that you would slip my mind. I mean, I remember who you are, You're just the first Chosen that I've ever met."
NOZOMI: "Well what do you think?"
CADUS: "Well, uh.... um"
NOZOMI: "I think I should let you know that I actually do bite!"
CADUS: "Eep!"
NOZOMI: "I'm kidding"
CADUS: "Hee, ah, you're pretty Nice? I think? Yeah!"
Nozomi approaches the Harmony Shrine and prays to the Singer. She can feel the comforting presence of other Devoted nearby and the sense that all is right in the village.
She also feels one with the Singer's Song itself, and it is as if her experiences and memories are being gently examined by a benevolent hand in approval as she prays.
[The markets are only a few shops and some stalls in the Greenbough square. Since it's not market day, it's not very busy...]
[The smell of delicious baked goods waft out from this humble building. Of course most of what they make is bread, but an experianced Baker can make delicious goods with an almost magical effect. Nozomi's parents are inside]
ALENA: "Hello Nozomi, are you feeling better?"
NOZOMI: "I should be asking that of the both of you. I was so worried!"
TARIM: *hugs daughter* "I'm just glad you're okay, that's all I care about"
ALENA: "Hey!"
TARIM: "We've had a good run already...Ha ha ha, okay, I think I'd be upset if I didn't get to live another century with you!"
NOZOMI: "Are you still looking for more travel supplies?"
ALENA: "Well we were... but right now I'm trying to stop your father from stuffing his face full of pies"
TARIM: "She's just lucky there are no Tealberry pies in this shop, otherwise I'd be stuffing my face full of one at this very moment"
[It's a nice little stall, being run by a little Speaker girl about half Nozomi's age. Nozomi wonders if she grew these flowers herself...
FLOWER GIRL: "THREE CHITS A FLOWER"
NOZOMI: "These flowers aren't worth three chits, make it one each and you've got a deal"
FLOWER GIRL: "Are you kidding Ms Speaker? These are artisinally grown, locally sourced flowers. If you care about the environment, you know I can't part with these for anything less than three each."
NOZOMI: "Those grow everywhere down by Fourkeys and I bet it's the same here."
FLOWER GIRL: "Like, I said these are locally sourced in an environmentally friendly manner"
NOZOMI: "You're alright kid"
VEESA: "I dunno, three chits seems like a lot for flowers"
FLOWER GIRL: "Well Ms Invector, These are artisinally grown, locally sourced flowers, grown in a sustainable way."
VEESA: "Well.... That does still seem a little expensive"
FLOWER GIRL: "Well, how about you buy one for your friend here!"
VEESA: "OH! Ah, hello Nozomi, I would say that I didn't see you there, which I suppose would be embarrassing for an Invector of my towering stature."
NOZOMI: "Don't worry Veesa, I'll keep your secret... for a price."
FLOWER GIRL: "Yes! Buy her one of these Flowers! I'll even give you two for four because I like you so much!"
VEESA: "I, uh... Yeah, do you like flowers?"
NOZOMI: "Of course! Especially purple ones!"
VEESA: "Ok, I'll... take two? Yeah!
NOZOMI: "Thank you!"
SINGER'S QUEST: GOTY Edition said:
Nozomi gained two PURPLE FLOWERS! (That was nice of Veesa)
[The fields around Greenbough have been cleared of trees and some enterprising farmers have set up fields to grow common crops, off in the distance Nozomi can see a field full of sheep]
[Toya is standing next to a spot of unearthed dirt next to the road]
TOYA: "I distinctly recall there being some very nice flowers here just a few days ago. I wonder where they went?"
NOZOMI: "..."
[There is a small pack of dogs here next to Toya, they happily run and play while Toya watches.]
NOZOMI: "Awww, they're so happy to see me!"
TOYA: "They're good dogs. One of my talents is animal husbandry, so I raise these dogs for the village, I've got a spell that makes them want to listen to me"
DOG: "BARK! BARK!"
NOZOMI: "OKAY! One pet for you, and one for you, and one for you."
PUPPY: "YIP! YIP!"
NOZOMI: "Wow! There sure are a lot of you, and so cute too!"
ANYWAY: Voting closes tomorrow at 8:33PM PST.
(Hopefully I'll be able to drag myself away from Dragon's Dogma PC long enough to post
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "You did a fine job Cadus, I'm proud of you."
CADUS: "Thank you Grandfather."
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Your parents would be proud as well. Though I think..."
CADUS: "Grandfather?"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Grandson, I've always told you how much I think you can accomplish a lot in life."
CADUS: "I've certainly tried to be there for all our people"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "Yes I was wondering if soon it would be time to take your training to the next level..."
CADUS: "What does that mean?"
GREENBOUGH PRIEST: "I need to take care of something first, then we will talk."
Nozomi walks into the small Shrine, the last of the day's dying light following her in. She walks up the center aisle to where Greenbough's Elderly Priest and de facto village leader kneels in what looks like prayer.
"You, ah, wanted to see me sir?" She asks as she draws near, and see's that he is lighting candles sit in front of the stone altar the crystal Shrine is set into.
The old man nods deeply to hand and holds out a hand to indicate the stone floor next to him, "Ah! Chosen Nozomi, please sit and talk with me".
"I don't see why not" the young woman says as she kneels next to him.
"I was thinking about the lesson that I should try to impart to my flock in the coming week."
"That seems like fun" Nozomi says.
"Do you know that the Song is built out of opportunities?" the old man continues, before Nozomi can reply, he lights another candle and reaches out to touch a facet of the Shrine, "The Harmony is nothing if not a series of opportunities for each member of the community to contribute their part, even when not asked. To find what aligns them with everyone else in the community and do it" he hands Nozomi a candle.
Nozomi nods, and takes the candle; lighting the Shrine to keep it pure in the uncertain night is technically a Priest's ritual, but in a pinch any Speaker can do it… and she supposes it is an honour for a Shrine to be lit by a Chosen.
"And when those opportunities to join the Song are freely chosen without hesitation they benefit not just society but the one that takes that opportunity to contribute to the Song"
"Okay that makes sense" Nozomi says lighting a Candle and touching the next facet of the crystal.
The old Priest lights another candle and suddenly changes tracks on Nozomi, "Chosen, what do you think of my grandson, Cadus?"
Nozomi thinks about this for a moment as she lights the next candle, "He seems like a talented young Speaker, my father certainly seems to think he has a great future as a Healer"
The old man doesn't pause as he nods and continues his ritual, "Much as I've always though. He belongs in Serenity, learning at the feet of the great Speakers there and making a name for himself. Not as an exile in a backwater village" he pauses for a moment before continuing, "You are also going to Serenity. This is an opportunity for him. To arrive in Serenity with a Chosen would be a great honour for him. And this is an opportunity for you too."
Nozomi raises an eyebrow, "How so?"
"I've already taken the liberty of hiring the most… impatient of the river fishermen to take my grandson up the Gan. I may have also given him the impression that my grandson would have company." he finishes lighting the last candle, and rests his hand on the Shrine as he stands up, "It would be my honour to take this opportunity to assist a Chosen"
Nozomi finishes her last candle and stands up as well, "Of course, it would be an honour for me to accept your hospitality, "
-----------------------------------------
Nozomi returns to the inn her family has rented a room in, the night has arrived and the twin moons shine down on her as she crosses the square; her parents are sitting in front of the hearth with Airid and Veesa.
"Good news, Nozomi!" Tarim says as she takes a seat between her father and Veesa, "Airid and Veesa have agreed to be hired as guards for us on the way to Serenity."
Veesa leans over conspiratorially and says in a stage whisper, "Don't tell your parents, but we were going that way anyway"
Airid chuckles, "Aye, that's where our hearth and home is, the wife and wee ones"
Veesa grins, "We're going to have to take the East path out tomorrow morning, no point in waiting around, the road is a long trip"
Nozomi grins, "Well, I've got good news there" she says as she tells them about the Priest's offer, "...and so we get to meet Cadus at the piers at first light."
"Well that's awfully convenient" Veesa says.
"I'd say more like sacred opportunity myself".
---------------------------------
With six passengers and two crew on board the small fishing boat is cramped. The little vessel's master had originally balked at letting two more people on for free, but Nozomi convinced the man by saying how handy it would be to have two experienced Invectors onboard.
Airid chipped in as well, it turning out that for some reason, having spent decades on the river had taught Airid a thing or two about watercraft.
Veesa had tried to help as well, but she stepped aside after the captain explained to her that, her good intentions aside, that she was getting in the way and could she please Just. Stop Helping.
Which meant that Veesa had the time to watch the shore go by, which meant on the second day of the trip, she was the one that saw the beasts first.
"What's that?" Veesa said pointing towards the shore.
"Euh?" Cadus says, looking up from where he was losing his breakfast over the side again, "Wha's wha?"
Nozomi and Alena both look up from where they're discussing finer points of flower distribution and pricing.
"That" Veesa points at where a shadow has slipped behind two trees.
Nozomi frowns, "I don't see anything…?"
Alena frowns as well, using some of her magic, her eyes glowing bright blue and the magic lines swirl on her skin from her forehead and eyes down to her neck, "It looks like some sort of black wolf… but something's wrong. It's not moving properly"
"I didn't think that wolves stalked boats" Cadus says sitting down heavily against a gunwale.
"They don't" Tarim says, "At least in my experience they don't, not unless they've been compelled to for some reason"
Veesa scans the rest of the Gan's banks, "Compelled to by a Hunter, say?"
"It's just barely keeping up" Alena notes, eyes glowing as she focuses on the treeline "I think there might be a couple more, no sign of the Hunter. If we don't slow down or set aground at night we should be fine"
"Are we certain it's the Sorcerer?" Cadus asks, "It really could just be a wolf of some sort."
"It doesn't… look right" Alena says eyes fixed on the shape, "It doesn't move right, it's hard to explain but creatures changed by Sorcery are just too smooth. Magic replaces the imperfections and hesitations of nature… Just trust me when I say this is definitely a creature created or changed by Sorcery"
------------------------------------
"You notice that we're the only thing on the old river?" says Airid to Alena, "Usually you see a few friendly someones going in either direction"
The Captain looks over his shoulder and shouts, "My gal's the fastest thing the Singer ever put to water, no one's going to catch up to us from down the Gan.", he snorts in a friendly manner, and adds, "We've only got a day and a half left before we reach Serenity"
Alena scans the horizon, her eyes glowing, "That doesn't explain the lack of down river traffic from Serenity." she says before adding, "They're still there, but barely keeping up, a regular beast would have given up days ago, but these don't seem to need to eat"
"Do you think that, they know that we know that they're following us?" he pauses, scrunching up his face, "Or is that we know that they know that know that.. wait."
Veesa laughs, "Yeah, actually! We could have a good chance to surprise and ambush them, then the Hunter's minions aren't tracking us!"
Cadus frowns, "Why fight? We're already ahead of them, just keep going"
Alena nods slightly, "No point in wasting time or resources we don't absolutely need to"
Airid looks at the river bank, as the setting sun bathes the treeline in the last of the day's golden rays, "We could get ashore, fight the beasts, and then go inland the last little bit to Serenity, like the good Captain said, we've got a day and a half by boat, but because the way the river bends here, it's probably a day and half by foot as well."
Alena nods, "We could lose him, if he thinks we're traveling the river, but as I said before I'm disinclined to lose time and blood here we don't absolutely need to"
Tarim looks at his daughter, "Nozomi? Why don't you decide what the best course of action is, after all you're the Chosen. I trust you to pick the best way forwards"
-------------------------------------------------
Almost to serenity! Looking forwards to this, I'm hoping to open the game up some more than this first section/warm-up allowed!
Remember if you choose a combat option, you may decide what Spells to activate, and how much MP to spend in advance. Although you'll have access to the basic spell pool of Nozomi, Veesa and Cadus only.
[ ] Just keep sailing to Serenity as you have been
[ ] Try to ambush and kill the pursuing beasts before continuing
[ ] Kill the beasts and travel overland the rest of the way
[ ] Write In?
Caste: Speaker
Location: Head
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic brackets the eyes and a line sweeps up from the middle of each bracket to disappear at the temple
Active Appearance: The same as above but the addition that the eyes themselves glow a vibrant blue
Effect Description: It is possible to analyse a face or body language in detail; the user instinctively reads the emotions of the target, up to and including sorting truth from lies without a word.
Cost: 1 mana to activate until next rest
Mechanical Effect: +2 autosuccess to any rolls made to detect lies or read emotional state
Inventory
Traveller's Staff
-+1 Dice to Melee attack
Traveller's Clothes
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Traveller's Cloak
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Endless Flask
-Refills up to three and a half liters of pure water each day
White Tythean Rose
-Refills MP by 10x for one day
Caste: Invector
Location: Lower Arms
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic runs along the opposite sides of the arm, starting at the base of the hand and running up to the elbow.
Active Appearance: Magic fills out from the blue lines and envelopes the arm and out past (and including) a now rigidly-flat hand, creating a vibrantly blue slashing blade of incredible sharpness
Effect Description: Creates an approximately 70cm blade along the arm that allows the user to swordfight without sustaining damage to the arm itself. While many Invectors choose to use traditional metal blades instead, with this spell a Devoted soldier or lawman is never unarmed.
Costs: 1 mana to activate until next rest
Mechanical Effect: Gain a weapon called "Invector Blade" with +1 auto success, and +1 dice on melee rolls
Caste: Invector
Location: Upper legs
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic outlines the musculature of the legs
Active Appearance: Same as above but pulses with energy in time with the user's heartbeat
Effect Description: The user can run far faster with far less fatigue than normal.
Cost: 1 Mana to activate until rest
Mechanical Effect: +1 to Physicality attribute, +2 to running skill
Inventory:
Veesa's Shortsword
+1 Dice to Melee attacks, +1 Autosuccess dice to Melee attacks
Veesa's Clothes
Invector Armour
+2 Def
Caste: Speaker
Location: Hands
Passive Appearance: the entire palm is covered in the telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic
Active Appearance: The palm is as above but glows brightly with a blue aura.
Effect Description: Placed over any sort of wound, the spell will heal the wound, but will quickly deplete the strength of the user.
Costs: X mana
Mechanical Effect: Heals X HP on target that the user can touch
Inventory:
Cadus' Staff
+1 Dice to Melee Attacks
Cadus' Travel Clothes
+1 Def
Cadus' Robes
+1 Will
REACH SERENITY
[ ] FIRST PERSON
[X] THIRD PERSON
===============================
[X] DONT SHOW COMBAT NUMBERS
[ ] SHOW COMBAT NUMBER
===============================
TUTORIAL STATUS: FINISHED
One of the Black Beasts approaches the firelight cautiously, sniffing at the trees at the outskirts of the treeline, waiting for the rest of its pack to catch up to it. It cautiously watches figures moving around the firepit.
As the Beast paces it leaves a trail of black pawprints on the ground, wherever it's paws have landed the green turns to black ash, this small violation fueling the magical abomination slightly, and in this way its kind sustain themselves for the hunt.
For this particular beast however its hunt is over as an arrow suddenly leaps from an unseen place and pieces it between the eyes.
The beasts may be smart enough to track for days, but they are not smart enough to question why a boat that has sailed for several nights would choose this one to finally set its crew aground for rest.
Panicked, the other Beasts attempt do the thing they are created for: Kill.
Nozomi, Veesa, and Cadus charge out from where they had been pretending to unload something from the boat's little skiff and come face to face with three of the Black Beasts charging into the fake camp.
Veesa leads the charge swinging an old shortsword, and catching the lead beast on the shoulder causing it to turn away and circle around howling furiously.
The three young people fight with their backs to the fire, attempting to close an avenue of attack, as on the other side Tarim, Alena, and Airid fight thier own battle against a larger group of the beasts
Cadus and Nozomi stand next to her, but attempt a slightly different tack. The each distract one of the older beasts, using their traveler's staffs to jab the other two beast and keep them off balance while Veesa's blade swings in arc after arc; resting briefly and then suddenly jumping forwards to strike one of the beasts.
They are not the most co-ordinated team, Nozomi at one point accidentally smacking Veesa in the arm with her staff and at another point Cadus backs into Nozomi and almost knocks her into the fire.
The Beasts fare little better though, they trip over themselves trying to get to avoid hurting Nozomi. The young speaker notices and uses that to her advantage, herding the animals into Veesa's blade and away from Cadus.
"And that's three" Veesa says as she pulls her blade out from the last Beast, and looks up at and notices the corpses of another dozen of the beasts surrounding the camp.
"Four", says Arid, grin at her.
Tarim shrugs,"One" he says,
"Seven" Alena says before suddenly notching an arrow and firing again, "Eight actually" she kneels down to examine one of the Beast corpses. She touches it with a stick and watches as it suddenly catches fire and incinerates almost instantly, creating short, tall, flashes of flame that reach high into the air; and is followed quickly in turn by each of the other corpses.
"That is a heck of a thing" Airid says scanning the treeline for more beasts, and finds none, "I suppose he probably knows we've killed them now."
------------------------------------------------
Sorry for such a short update, but I literally went insane tonight. So, anyway chose from lame options while I transparently stall for time. Expect a proper sized/large update on Tuesday
Coming into the final stretch, the relief at seeing the outer wall of Serenity is broken by The Hunter:
[ ] Ambushing the boat with a hail of flaming arrows
[ ] Waiting with another pack of Beasts
the party decides to:
[ ] Fight
[ ] Make a break for Serenity
Voting closes at 8 PM PST so that I can actually craft a good reply, where I finish up the first act and start on new, better stuff, now that I'm not distracted by being actually insane.
The small boat slowly works its way up the river in the dark, its occupants carefully scanning the shores and taking quick hopeful glances at the approaching, yet still distant, city walls.
Nozomi peeks a look at the bright white line of Serenity's outermost wall, ten meters high, merely a third the height of the inner thirty meter high walls, but still providing an unparalleled safety to its citizens.
Even from this distance, Nozomi can also see the centrepiece of Serenity: the massive curved grace of the Singer's Tower reaching towards the sky. The white spire reaches for the sky, marred only by a single uneven slash which has removed even higher levels of the structure. The damage the almost indestructible tower has received is a testament to the divine strength of the Betrayer, even in her death throes.
Of course the walls are made from the same material of the Singer's Tower and defended by a legion of the Devoted's finest Invectors. Serenity is the safest place in the world.
And Nozomi prays hopefully, soon, those walls and defenders will keep herself, and her party safe too.
It briefly seems to be a fool's hope when Alena hisses at them all to get down, to hide in the boat, and not to get up again. The boat slowly makes its way up the river (after Alena kicks the Captain and his mate back out on deck with instructions to "act natural")
"Hoy there boat!" someone shouts from the shore in a angry and familiar voice.
"Same to you stranger!" the Captain shouts back
"Have you seen a party pass by this way? Maybe in another boat, or maybe by land? A barge perhaps?"
"Which way sir?" the Captain asks, disguising his nervousness as being chilled by the night air.
"Oh, either. I'm waiting for some... friends" Nozomi hears some barks from the shore, but is not suicidally curious enough to look.
The captain shifts uncomfortably, "No, sir, just heading up to The City"
"I see. You usually travel at night?"
"Not usually, but an Elder has hired me to deliver a message to his Grandson in Serenity. And I must be quick"
"Ah, that's is interesting. I wish you luck with that. It might be harder than you think nowadays!" Nozomi and her mother exchanges glances, what could Hunter mean by that?"
"Sorry Sir?" The Captain shouts, but by now they are too far past to hear the reply and only the faint echos of a laugh.
"This is wrong" the Captain and Nozomi's mother say almost together, they are far past the bend in the river where Hunter had been, "Even at this late hour there should be all kinds of activity on the Gan docks, river trade is the economic lifeblood of the docks."
"Aye" the Captain says squinting at the river, "Something wrong…" he suddenly gasps, pointing at the water.
Nozomi and the others look over and follow his finger. The river is choked with sunken boats, an artificial reef of wood.
"What in the Singer's name…" Tarim whispers.
"I can't imagine that them proud rivermen did that willingly" Airid says.
"We're going to have to get off…" Alena says, "Unless we want to go back"
Airid shakes his head, "I know I got a contract and all, but I need to know what's going on, the family is in there"
Veesa nods in agreement, then adds, "I can't see fires from outside so it can't be an army..."
"There are still guards on the walls, moving about on patrol. Whatever's wrong they don't seem to be that worried about it", Nozomi's mother says, her eyes lit bright blue from using magic to look at the wall with greater visual acuity than any mundane sight.
The boat begins to head around in a wide arc, coming close towards shore, "If you want the skip to take you off, take it now. I'm not waiting around to get my boat sunk"
Everyone looks at Nozomi, "I guess I'm finally in charge. I assume that I can't charge you for these decisions… Hmm" she pauses briefly, thinking, "We came all this way and I'm not turning around for The Hunter to find us."
"I, um, yeah, okay. Grandfather would say that I should show my "Superior Quality" anyways" Cadus adds, "I guess I'm in"
Getting off the boat hadn't been difficult, nor was the walk towards the gates, of course difficult didn't mean time consuming, and the sun was risen high into the sky by the time the small party had made its way towards the gates.
The walls were even more impressive up close then the had been from far way, and so were the gates… which were closed.
As they approached the small collection of buildings that sat next to outer wall's southern gate, a guard came up to them, "The, ah, City is closed."
"We'd gathered that" Nozomi notes dryly, "I was wondering if we could get inside anyway"
"No entry!" the guard repeats.
"I see that" Nozomi says, "How about we talk about that then?"
"No entry!" the guard says again.
"I see you're pretty dedicated to that" Nozomi says, frowning, "How about you let me talk to someone willing to let a Chosen in?"
"Oh!" the Guard says, bowing awkwardly, "Um, No, uh, entry?" he says for a last time before he begins to wilt under the combined glare of Nozomi's party, "Actually, I will go get the Lieutenant… Just wait in the inn" he says backing off quickly and gesturing to a large wooden building with a stable attached that was crowded with horses, some other beasts of burden and some dogs milling about, being tended to be overwhelmed stable boys
"Wait, what's…." Airid says to the guard's rapidly retreating back, "...wrong. These boys are too high strung today" he says holding open the door to the inn, "Should probably wait inside though, at least we can get a hot meal for lunch today"
A number of people in the room look up as the party enters, it's clear that others have been kept outside as well. Nozomi walks in, followed by the others, "And we can find out what's going on."
"Simple" someone says from right behind her, as a man steps off from where he'd been standing against a wall in a cloak, "City's closed, as I knew it would be, incidentally"
Nozomi and the others turn around, "Sorry…?" Nozomi says as the man steps right up to her.
"You'll never find out though. I waited and waited when suddenly trackers told me that you'd already slipped by onto land. I of course couldn't let that stand" a hand draws a wicked and rune marked black blade, "SO!" another lights into flame, "HERE!" the hood falls back as the wearer bolts forwards brushing a stunned Tarim to the floor, "I" Nozomi omphs as she is tackled, "AM"
The Hunter waves his hand violently at the nearest wall, and it bursts into flame and turns to near ash almost instantly, as the inn partons scream and shout, hurling themselves away. Even as her defenders reach for Nozomi, The Hunter has draped her over her shoulder and he bursts through the ashen wall, cinders scattering.
Outside, he gives a howl, and the dogs suddenly scream in pain and shift, growing larger and… blacker, they leap upon the other animals, mauling them savagely and growing stronger.
The Hunter takes off towards the river as a shout goes up from the wall, some quickly fired arrows from alert Invectors upon the walls come down close before they stop: a hostage over your back is good insurance from being fired upon, even by highly trained Invector guardians.
Veesa and Cadus charge out right behind him, the others moments behind… but even those moments are too much it seems, the Black beasts are upon them heeding their master's call for chaos and carnage.
A stunned Nozomi fights back as best she can, trying to bite and scrape, but his hold on her was too strong and her position to awkward for her to gain any purchase.
Cadus begins to fall behind, a healer might be fit, but one of his inexperience can hardly keep up with an Invector of the same skill level going full tilt, much less an ancient Sorcerer.
Veesa doesn't fall behind though, the blood and muscles in her legs suddenly pulse with blue magic, and she pulls closer to The Hunter, using the magic of her Relentless Pursuit spell. With a shout she uses her other spell, activating her Invector blade, and its glowing magic flows down her forearm and over and past her flattened hand, creating a flat, deadly weapon. She's armed now, and ready to fight this monster again.
In the distance, the other party members and a pair of guards are battling the Black Beasts: rested and fed, these particular monsters are a much greater threat than the ones fought earlier.
"You're going to regret your life, Chosen." Hunter snarls, "I'm still getting you to The Architect, but you're not going to enjoy another moment of your life after this one" he says before suddenly diving into the Gan, narrowly missing a blue blade aimed at his feet as he does so.
Nozomi suddenly stops struggling, clearing her mind as she feels the Hunter's strokes in the water, and his rough kick, as he tries to dive away from the surface. She suddenly sees something off to the side, along the bank and reaches out to grab it.
Whatever it is, Nozomi's able to grab hold of it long enough to throw off The Hunter's strokes, and she kicks a leg in between his legs and they both tumble into a mess of limbs in the water. As her vision grows dark, they both hit the bank, and she pushes herself away from The Hunter with all her might.
In the struggle her cloak comes off and the Hunter looses his grip on her and Nozomi makes a mad dash for what she thinks is the surface. Nothing. She's dove harder into the bank and she begins to struggle in panic until she can feel her hand touch something. The Chosen grabs onto it with all with desperation, and suddenly she is pulled out.
Hands pull her up onto the bank as Cadus and Veesa both struggle to pull her up onto her feet, "WE NEED TO RUN NOW" Cadus shouts, as Nozomi takes stumbling steps away from the River.
"YOU KNOW WHAT?" A voice says from behind them, "NO TOY FOR THE ARCHITECT", the Hunter Rises out of the river, pulling himself out with causal strength, "I'm ending you here, you damned Speaker slave"
Cadus and Veesa stand on either side of her, Veesa with her blade out and Cadus with a whiteknuckle grip on his Staff, "We'll stop you together" Cadus says with quiet determination.
The Hunter throws his cloak off and it flutters to the ground, "You're a new one. Still dead though. I'll kill the rest of you too. Maybe go back and slaughter your pathetic villages. Hear the screams of you families as they die without knowing why"
"My family is in the city actually," Veesa says waiting for Nozomi to get behind her before she suddenly darts forwards and aims a slash at The Hunter.
The Hunter snarls as he steps back and lets the blade hit open air, "Oh please, your city is going to be a pyre in a mere decade if I have my way" he aims another slash back at her, and the Invector girl hollers as he runs his blade down her arm up her arm.
Nozomi takes Cadus' staff and makes a hesitant swing, and the man steps back laughing. This does however give Cadus himself a chance to step forwards and lay his palm on Veesa's arm, the coruscating glow of magic healing the wound right back up.
The Invector attacks again, fury in her eyes, screaming something inarticulate and angry as she does so, jamming the point of her blade through his outfit and even through his magically toughened skin, causing him to recoil back.
"NOT AGAIN INVECTOR SINGER PUPPET" and The Hunter flows past her, blade moving in an arc as he does so, stabbing her in the shoulder, and again Cadus repairs the injury almost instantly, growing weaker as he does so.
Nozomi takes a different tack than before, she picks up a handful of mud and tosses it at hunter. This wouldn't usually be an issue for the man, given his superior reflexes, but she's begun using her only spell. A spell which helps her detect lies, and spot what way someone she is talking to is likely to respond just by watching body language.
Body language which can tell her which way that the Sorcerer is going to move. Nozomi hit him right in the eyes as he tries to dodge left, and her throw anticipating that leads his movement.
Before he can even respond, Veesa has launched another assault and again pierces his defences as he reaches up to clear the mud off his face with a violent swipe, and Nozomi tries again but The Hunter dodges out of the way: onto Veesa blades as she steps into his path and swings, nicking the man again.
"I'M STOPPING YOU RIGHT HERE" Nozomi screams as she swings the staff again, and again misses.
"It's not a question of stopping me he says, as he steps forward to attack again, "It's question of surviving my attack" he says as he withdraws his blade from Veesa's thigh. Cadus stumbles forwards and heals the wound again before, the Speaker man grows pale as his personal life force flows out of him, and the young man falls to his knees, collapsing to the ground afterwards, barely able stay awake, much less kneel.
Veesa and The Hunter Circle each other launching and receiving a series of quick and brutal attacks, Veesa is able to score several small wounds on the Hunter, and side step an number of attacks, luck and bullheaded courage keeping her in the fight until snarling and breathing heavily the Hunter slides past her guard and slides his blade right through her chest, it ignores bone, sinew and cartilage sliding easily out the other side.
Veesa somehow manages another wild swing at her attacker, but misses. He casually kicks her off the blade, and her bleeding body topples backwards to the ground.
"Well that's finally done with" the Sorcerer says as he turns around, towards Nozomi, who has tried to get around behind him, "You won't like this. That makes me happy" he says with a rictus smile, eyes burning bright with hatred... before completely missing her.
"I guess I've got good luck" Nozomi says as Veesa's blue blade cuts through his arm and the Hunter's eyes open wide as he spins around.
"Surprise! Did you miss me?" Veesa says, her armour is still sliced through but the wicked gash in her chest is healed. Behind her stands Cadus, a drained and wilting Tythean Rose in his hand, standing upright.
The Sorcerer sways and looks back at the inn where his Beasts are finally being put down by the others, and over at the gates where a whole company of Invectors are charging down the road southwards.
"Then Her people burnt the Land from Sea to Sea to Sea as was Right and Just" he says before stabbing himself in the heart with his blade.
The three young devoted stand above his body for a moment in confusion, until it suddenly begins to melt, the ground bubbling and black fumes starting to rise and spread outwards as if propelled by some force.
The three barely have a chance to react before the black sludge and gas explodes. As the are thrown backwards to the ground the fumes enter them as they gasp for air in panic.
Nozomi blacks out instantly, Veesa grabs her and tries to drage her away beofer collapsing herself. Cadus, strangely lasts the longest, trying to heal himself, but this is no wound we was trained to heal and her passes out just as Alena and Tarim reach the three.
----------------------------------------
Nozomi wakes in a panic. Nozomi wakes up in a nice bed, which is, uh, nice. She wakes up next to her father sitting sitting next to her, which is also nice.
"Hi, honey. We're in Serenity now. Everyone made it. Barely" he touches her face, "I couldn't do anything, but the Serenity healers were, they brought us in despite their orders. I guess they couldn't live with themselves if you were to die." he smiles, "I wouldn't either"
Nozomi's father leans back in his chair and raises his voice, "She's awake!" he smiles and reaches down for a hug, "I love you" he says, a tear sliding down his face.
Welp, that almost ended badly, the White Rose ended up being used to prevent a TPK. Hunter either rolled whiffs or enough dice to almost one shot Veesa on about three occasions, so Cadus needed the MP to recharge and heal her. I guess it's a dramatic use for it?
She killed or avoided the of the Black Beasts that would have fought at his side, which is uhhhh, good. The rest were narrative to split the party away from the level 10s seasoned adventurers.
I'm pretty glad to be here now, the opening Act is finished and I/we can get down to business in The City.
Nozomi, her parents, and her friends have made it! Serenity is the capital of the Devoted world. The center of learning, culture, politics, and trade. Except for some reason the city has cut itself off from the outside world:
[ ] A mysterious and clearly artificial disease is striking without warning, infecting few, but killing all it does touch. The city is in quarantine, under the orders of the city's Invector High Command, which has all but seized control of the city in violation of tradition.
[ ] Thieves have stolen extremely dangerous artifacts and are still at large. The Speaker caste of the city have ordered that the city must be kept sealed to keep from them escaping with. It seems that anyone could be with the thieves and the city is scared and a little paranoid.
[ ] Ominous and confusing orders from the Council of Chosen. They have sealed themselves off from the The City, and instructed Serenity to Seal itself off from the rest of the world. The City's leadership now sits in silence, the people of Serenity carrying out their last order.
Also! Alena managed to recover something from Hunter's remains, surprisingly:
[ ] Rune Marked Blade
-It's the Blade that Hunter used to great effect. It somehow was thrown free before the Hunter's spell destroyed his belongings.
[ ] Hunter's Cloak
-Black with even blacker trim, it's hard to look at and harder to remember, It somehow survived the spell, which is somewhat amazing!
[ ] Tarnished Braces
-These survived the explosion, one wonders what properties they might have. Perhaps they were what made his skin so hard to peirce?
Also: Level Up! Level 2 Get:
[ ] Auto Assign
-Or-
Pick one for each Party Member:
+1 Skill (Either Improve the current one, or add a new one! Use your creativity!)
+1 Skill specialization (Either Improve a current one, or add a new one! Use your Creativity!) +1 Spell (Select a spell form those currently available to the party!)
=========>(Available after Nozomi reaches a Harmony Shrine next update)
Level: 2 (Level Up Available!)
Current EXP: 206
Next Level: 210
Caste: Speaker
Location: Head
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic brackets the eyes and a line sweeps up from the middle of each bracket to disappear at the temple
Active Appearance: The same as above but the addition that the eyes themselves glow a vibrant blue
Effect Description: It is possible to analyse a face or body language in detail; the user instinctively reads the emotions of the target, up to and including sorting truth from lies without a word.
Cost: 1 mana to activate until next rest
Mechanical Effect: +2 autosuccess to any rolls made to detect lies or read emotional state
Inventory
Traveller's Staff
-+1 Dice to Melee attack
Traveller's Clothes
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Traveller's Cloak
-+1 Def (Does not Stack with any other Traveller's set Items)
Endless Flask
-Refills up to three and a half liters of pure water each day
Caste: Invector
Location: Lower Arms
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic runs along the opposite sides of the arm, starting at the base of the hand and running up to the elbow.
Active Appearance: Magic fills out from the blue lines and envelopes the arm and out past (and including) a now rigidly-flat hand, creating a vibrantly blue slashing blade of incredible sharpness
Effect Description: Creates an approximately 70cm blade along the arm that allows the user to swordfight without sustaining damage to the arm itself. While many Invectors choose to use traditional metal blades instead, with this spell a Devoted soldier or lawman is never unarmed.
Costs: 1 mana to activate until next rest
Mechanical Effect: Gain a weapon called "Invector Blade" with +1 auto success, and +1 dice on melee rolls
Caste: Invector
Location: Upper legs
Passive Appearance: The telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic outlines the musculature of the legs
Active Appearance: Same as above but pulses with energy in time with the user's heartbeat
Effect Description: The user can run far faster with far less fatigue than normal.
Cost: 1 Mana to activate until rest
Mechanical Effect: +1 to Physicality attribute, +2 to running skill
Inventory:
Veesa's Shortsword
+1 Dice to Melee attacks, +1 Autosuccess dice to Melee attacks
Veesa's Clothes
Invector Armour
+2 Def
Caste: Speaker
Location: Hands
Passive Appearance: the entire palm is covered in the telltale coruscating crystalline blue of Inherent Magic
Active Appearance: The palm is as above but glows brightly with a blue aura.
Effect Description: Placed over any sort of wound, the spell will heal the wound, but will quickly deplete the strength of the user.
Costs: X mana
Mechanical Effect: Heals X HP on target that the user can touch
Inventory:
Cadus' Staff
+1 Dice to Melee Attacks
Cadus' Travel Clothes
+1 Def
Cadus' Robes
+1 Will
Available after Nozomi reaches a Harmony Shrine and gains knowledge of the spells there
Select Quest Options
[ ] FIRST PERSON
[X] THIRD PERSON
===============================
[X] DONT SHOW COMBAT NUMBERS
[ ] SHOW COMBAT NUMBER
===============================
TUTORIAL STATUS: FINISHED
). I should however, be capable of maintaining that pace indefinitely as long as people continue to 
