Turn 7 results.
[X] Plan: Forging Steel From Stone
-[X] Irregular potential (DC 50, higher gives a better result): Surely some of the irregulars could be folded into your more specialized groups where their innate talents could be put to better use?
--[X] The Lady of Darkling, Sieglinde
-[X] Silent allies-Catarina-(No DC???): Reach out to a kingdom and see if you can make some friends before the big reveal now that you have a firm grip of about half of Lordran, or maybe some military or trade based support.
-[X] A proper workplace (DC 30): The giant blacksmith is a kindly sort. He deserves better than simply hunching over an anvil in a corner. Andre would also appreciate a larger workspace. Costs one income.
-[X] The man in red (DC: 60): Someone has seized control of the undead of the graveyard. A surviving necromancer? Some lieutenant of Nito's? Regardless it's better to know rather than not.
--[X] Oswald
-[X] Demonomicon (250/300): The art of living stone and fleshcrafting. Gargoyles, golems, the batwings, the crow-women, among other things. Your batwings are extremely useful, and you would be loathe to be without them. Best find a way to make more, along with other things you won't miss if they fell.
-[X] Darkmoon greatswords (DC 60): The moonlight greatsword has given you ideas. Perhaps you could change it's attunement from intelligence to faith? It would make it so Anna and the others could more effectively use it.
--[X] Rhea
-[X] Gwyndolin
--[X] Visit Priscilla: The way is open. You can go in at your leisure- but you're not sure what you'll find.
-[X] The Lady of Darkling
--[X] Study way of white miracles: You can cast darkmoon blade- but a few other tricks up your sleeve is always a good idea.
-[X] Sieglinde
--[X] Improve sword: Your weapon has served you well- but perhaps the giant blacksmith can do something to make it more... fitting?
-[X] Rhea
--[X] Codify Path of Harmony: You now have a more certain path- but you need to get it down in writing so it can be passed around and properly taught.
-[X] Oswald
--[X] Make a shrine to Velka: You don't need an ostentatious church- the amount of people that need or want Velka is too small for that. You prefer a… more intimate setting, only enough room for a few and a statue. You're even willing to pay out of pocket.
-[X] Irregular potential (DC 50, higher gives a better result): Surely some of the irregulars could be folded into your more specialized groups where their innate talents could be put to better use?
--[X] The Lady of Darkling, Sieglinde
-[X] Silent allies-Catarina-(No DC???): Reach out to a kingdom and see if you can make some friends before the big reveal now that you have a firm grip of about half of Lordran, or maybe some military or trade based support.
-[X] A proper workplace (DC 30): The giant blacksmith is a kindly sort. He deserves better than simply hunching over an anvil in a corner. Andre would also appreciate a larger workspace. Costs one income.
-[X] The man in red (DC: 60): Someone has seized control of the undead of the graveyard. A surviving necromancer? Some lieutenant of Nito's? Regardless it's better to know rather than not.
--[X] Oswald
-[X] Demonomicon (250/300): The art of living stone and fleshcrafting. Gargoyles, golems, the batwings, the crow-women, among other things. Your batwings are extremely useful, and you would be loathe to be without them. Best find a way to make more, along with other things you won't miss if they fell.
-[X] Darkmoon greatswords (DC 60): The moonlight greatsword has given you ideas. Perhaps you could change it's attunement from intelligence to faith? It would make it so Anna and the others could more effectively use it.
--[X] Rhea
-[X] Gwyndolin
--[X] Visit Priscilla: The way is open. You can go in at your leisure- but you're not sure what you'll find.
-[X] The Lady of Darkling
--[X] Study way of white miracles: You can cast darkmoon blade- but a few other tricks up your sleeve is always a good idea.
-[X] Sieglinde
--[X] Improve sword: Your weapon has served you well- but perhaps the giant blacksmith can do something to make it more... fitting?
-[X] Rhea
--[X] Codify Path of Harmony: You now have a more certain path- but you need to get it down in writing so it can be passed around and properly taught.
-[X] Oswald
--[X] Make a shrine to Velka: You don't need an ostentatious church- the amount of people that need or want Velka is too small for that. You prefer a… more intimate setting, only enough room for a few and a statue. You're even willing to pay out of pocket.
(Darkwraith suppression roll: 39)
In some bad news, a party of Darkwraiths managed to sneak up from the lower burg and butcher a party of civilians before the sunlight warriors came down on them like a hammer on a nail. They were routed- but not before 20 lied dead, drained of their humanity. Morale falters a bit among those still living in the burg. It still holds at high for now for now but another breach like this... Well, once is a tragedy, twice is a pattern.
Martial
Irregular potential 86+17+10=103
Extreme success!
Drillmaster activates!
Perhaps the most shocking development is when one of the refugees reveals he used to be a paladin of the way of white before his untimely exile and disgrace due to becoming undead. He had just been too ashamed to bring it up until fairly recently due to your efforts at integrating the remaining undead into society. He is quickly inducted into your order, and winds up helping his new compatriots as a mentor figure of sorts.
(Future simpler order activities, like building/establishing chapter houses and diplomizing with minor nobles more likely to succeed)
Otherwise, the encouragement of Sieglinde and the stern and sharp words of the knightess drive the irregulars to new heights, and even inspire onlooking civilians to join the militia. By the end of the day things are looking up- even if most don't seem to have the drive required to join the darkmoons, or the faith required to join the sunlight warriors, at the very least your burgeoning Forest Hunters have a windfall of recruits due to the average Lordranite being suited to hit and run tactics- and your total number of Irregulars actually increased slightly!
Darkmoons Increased by 12
Paladins increased by 1
Sunlight warriors increase by 10
Forest hunters increased by 25
Net gain of Irregulars by 12
Diplomacy
-[X] Silent allies-Catarina
Your correspondence is directed to a Baron Heilbronner, Sieglinde's former liege that her father served under for a great many years. According to Sieglinde, her father was very well regarded in his court, his adrenaline-loving nature aside. The baron at the very least seems transparent and honest in his friendliness. He explains that Catarina, while rich and prosperous, wasn't exactly the greatest of powers- especially since Carim to the north is still sore about Catarina splitting off from it not too long ago. And their only other neighbors are Xena, the Delta, and the Great Swamp- not exactly the staunchest of available allies. The rest are either too far to really be concerned or not interested in fighting Carim, which is still the largest nation despite its fractured nature. While they doubt war is on the horizon with the still ongoing recovery from the Age of Strife as it's coming to be known, the peace of mind of an influential ally (particularly one versed in intrigue as their own spies don't quite pass muster compared to international standards) would be more than enough for them. In exchange, they would offer their services as the gateway of worlds, offering treasures and knowledge from all corners through trade- and passage should it be required. The Baron promises he can get the ear of the king- and have him support your fledgling nation when you declare it.
Catarina positives
+Access to esoteric lores, items, and creatures (seriously what is a Horse?)
+Extremely unlikely to double cross you.
+Access to unusual places like the far south, the east, and the Delta.
+/- Have a navy, but only a middling one, meant more to discourage pirates than war on the open seas.
Catarina Negatives
-Unfriendly with Carim, their largest neighbor.
-A bit far from Lordran to offer any timely aid, especially since they would have to navigate Carim.
-Not the best at spycraft.
Embrace Friendship with Catarina?
[] Yes, to hell with Carim, you'd rather have the surefire ally you can get now.
[] No, you're not willing to anger Carim yet- not at this vital stage.
Stewardship
A proper workplace- 73+18-3+10 (both giants went to help)=98
Great success!
You had a flash of inspiration when finally considering this proposition. The quarters of the long dead god of smithing would make for quite the upgrade in terms of facilities. To boot there were resources for Golemancy within, and that fact alone gave you an idea- especially since your Demonology research was just about done.
The mortal workers barely have to do anything for as all three giants tromp around, shifting odds and ends to make room for the new accommodations, to be split between smiths. The giant blacksmith insisted he didn't need all of it- and so a series of servant chambers were also expanded to better accommodate more smiths. At the end of the day the giant blacksmith and Andre send you a gift to show his appreciation- a robe inlaid with thin plates. Not enough to withstand an attack of true force- but enough to deflect arrow fire, and light enough that even you could manage it. You hear Anna sigh in relief at the sight of you in armor, clearly concerned with your well-being even now. You make a mental note to thank them personally- especially if they could help in your project with demonology…
(Personal martial increased by 1)
Intrigue
The man in red: 78+22+17=127
Extreme success!
Oswald frowns as he stands at the entrance to the graveyard, weighing the blessed rapier in his hands. The balance and heft of it was inferior to his usual rapier- but the blacksmith insisted he take it if he were to tromp around gormlessly in the graveyard. Truthfully he would leave it to the darkmoons normally- but he needed the exercise, especially if he was to properly impress his goddess. He took three steps forward around a corner- and froze. His target for observation was standing right there, behind a row of skeletons of all sizes- even some of the oft-maligned bonewheels were up and about. The man in red wore a beaklike mask- and at this range there was no mistaking what they were.
"A sealer?"
"A pardoner?" The man's shoulders sag in relief. "You're an awfully strange sight, I expected a horde of Darkwraiths after the last month or so of peace and quiet.
"I could say much the same, especially with your… allies." Oswald lowered his blade- but kept it in his hand.
"Ah, I don't blame your wariness. Truthfully, you needn't worry overmuch. The moving dead aren't exactly intelligent baring a few notable exceptions- but easily directed with the right magics." The man stabbed his staff into the ground and rose a hand- and the piles of bones clattered to nothing. Only for him to repeat the action to cause the bones to quite suddenly reanimate. "When the darkwraiths came up from below, I didn't like my chances of getting back down there in one piece to say the very least. But then I noticed some bald fellow making his way back into the graveyard, and followed him out of curiosity, after all this would usually be a deathtrap after all." He eyes one of the bonewheels with a particular disdain evident by body language alone.
"And I presume you found the knowledge needed to control the dead?" Oswald had heard rumors of a masked madman working out of the catacombs below- no relation to the one before him.
"A whole treasure trove for it! It was quite reminiscent of sorcery in some ways, and it took me a good few months- but I returned with a vengeance against those detestable life stealers."
"I see, truly an impressive effort. But why have you not come to Anor Londo, to treat with Lord Gwyndolin?"
The man froze, craning his neck down. "Are you saying, that one of Gwyn's children still rules in Anor Londo? I can presume then that the recent guardians of Firelink, the ones who have been fortifying it are not in fact Darkwraiths?"
"No, perfectly peaceable. You didn't know?"
"…I have been in a cave for half a year now waging a shadow war in quite a literal sense. Ever since Patches moved out, I haven't exactly had a source of gossip."
"I understand, you might want to take a seat then, it's quite a tale, one I was in a good position to hear the majority of…"
By the end of the day, the old sealer, Ingward, sends a missive with Oswald to pledge his loyalty to the royal family once more. Though he has devoted himself to tending to the catacombs and the tomb of the giants below, so he can't exactly fill the same role as your other advisors. It seems he was content to trade one form of guarding over another. Though he did also send a grumpy skeleton with a metal beard up to join Andre and the Giant blacksmith. It is fortunate that you recently made room for him.
Force gained! Army of the dead! The art of animating bones is rare, as Nito was not the type to take many disciples, and usually passed on his arts to the Milifinito and similar creations. Such forces are rarely mustered away from their graves- but when the times call for it, the dead will heed the living's call. 400 skeletons, 50 giant skeletons, 20 skeletal beasts, 30 bonewheels. The amount that can be deployed outside Lordran varies with distance, as the remains are loath to leave their graveyards.
Traits- Rise and Rise again, Lynchpin army. Poor attack and defense, unbreakable morale, terrifying.
Fire and Chaos weapons available to craft!
Option to study the ghost blades
Transient curse research dc reduced
Necromancy options unlocked! It is not viewed as an inherently evil art- it is borne of one of the lords after all. But few will shy away from admitting that it gives them the willies.
Option to repair the catacombs unlocked!
Learning
Demonomicon 33+22-3=62
Project finish!
"Damn, what hit this thing? Hawkeye Gough?" Andre muttered as he considered the remains of the construct before him.
"Greatsword. Swung by a bloody monster though." Vamos grunted, tapping a bony foot. "I don't think even the giant skeletons could have managed this."
"You need only repair the outer shell, leave the internals to me." You mutter, looking over the substance before you. One of the bones of Adrigan, the wind dragon. A superbly rare material to say the least. With delicate hands and now-familiar tools and vials, you go to work, crafting a replacement core that would power the metal creature. This was to be your opus for the foreseeable future, due to a lack of materials. The Iron Golem, while devised as one final test to cap off Sen's fortress, was still a fearsome creature, if a bit easy to knock off balance due to its top-heavy structure.
"I fix!" The giant blacksmith declared jubilantly, before hefting a detached arm unto his anvil. The four of you work in focus, the crackling of fire, the hum of soul magic, and the clank of metal and the swish of carving tools against bone. It takes three days and three nights, but by the end of it all except Vamos were satisfied with their work. With the help of the giant propping, it up, you carefully insert the core- and the Iron Golem slowly rises once more. It grips its axe, and rises it in front of it's face in an on-guard position. You let a grin grace your lips- the result of all your hard work, now another barrier between Lordran and the world at large. While you doubt you could make such a thing on your own, even being able to repair it is a feather in your cap.
"Should we name it?"
"…What?" You turn to Andre.
"Most great works like this have names, just thought I would ask." He muttered. Typical Astoran romanticism… though on the other hand, maybe it wasn't entirely ridiculous. A name for soldiers to call out could improve morale….
[] (write in)
[] "No, this is silly."
Iron Golem gained! This boss monster is a beast and a half on the battlefield, though not on par with any of the four knights, it could theoretically best a giant in single combat!
Gwyndolin's learning increases by 1!
Piety:
Darkmoon greatswords: 19+40=59
Are you kidding me? Failure by 1 point.
You're too busy with your research and putting the golem through its paces, but it works out because Rhea is also busy with her own personal project, and not taking time with the sword means she can devote more to her project regarding her alterations to the way of white.
Reward: Rhea gets a pity +5 to her personal roll.
Oswald
A quiet little corner near the tomb of Gwyn is where the pardoner decided to ply his trade. It was close enough to the main thoroughfare to be convenient, but quiet enough to not draw much attention. Sinners were oft private in their manners.
Except for this one.
"Is kicking someone off a ledge a sin?"
"No, not in and of itself I believe. Weird surely, but not a sin. Did they die on impact?"
"Ah, no but let's say hypothetically, something nasty jumped up and bit em after they fell. No way I coulda known about that right?"
Oswald sighed.
Reward: Confessional setup. While it doesn't provide any outright mechanical bonuses, it shows you're serious about the pardoners and Velka, and gives some subjects some peace of mind.
Anna
You spend a few long afternoons taking in the stories of the gods. None of them were harder than darkmoon blade, so aptitude isn't exactly an issue. Most of them you knew, but not exactly in the way they were described in the text of a miracle. While you can't say you're truly any deadlier, you can at the very least say that you have more tools at your disposal.
Reward: Anna expands her repitoire.
Sieglinde
Improve blade: 69+15(three smiths)=84
Nice success.
"You're not undead so I wouldn't recommend a chaos weapon." Vamos grunted, looking over the long blade she carried. "I suggest talking to the big one. Now begone, you interrupt my focus."
………………………………………………………….
"You already lightning, yes?"
"I do throw lightning around, yes." Sieglinde wouldn't admit it, but she shuffled a bit under the giant's gaze, having anything that big focusing on you wasn't exactly a good time, even with his friendly demeanor.
"Then no need more Lightning. Crystal useless except for arrows. Talk to Andre maybe?"
……………………………………………………………
"Alright, just give me a moment with it."
"You're not going to infuse it with anything?"
"Why would I? We're not warring with the dead anytime soon, so divine isn't very useful, and only the naturally weak like lady Dusk or lord Gwyndolin need a raw weapon." He gingerly takes the bastard sword, as if it were something precious rather than a hunk of metal. "For warriors like you, who have both a strong body and strong miracles, slow and steady improvements of the base are the most important thing. Whatever you do with you magics, a basic blade can never fail you. Even almighty lightning or the carving chaos weaponry meet their match sometimes- but a foe is seldom strong against three types of damage."
"I see then, thank you for your wisdom once more Andre." As the smith went to work inlaying the titanite into the blade, the knightess couldn't help but speak up. "Pray tell, you speak as if you were experienced. Were you…"
"A warrior? Once upon a time lass. I was here with the first wave of knights, though I wasn't one of em." The rhythm of metal on metal sounded as the titanite was pounded into the blade. "God Hand Andre was my nickname then. Berenike stock my parents were, before they moved to Astora. Inherited their strength." He takes a moment to heat the blade, memories dancing across his eyes. "I punched and pummeled and kicked and grappled my way all across the burg and most of Darkroot, seeking out the mysteries of Lordran. I even managed to recover the crest of Artorias, but I never found out how to use the bloody thing. Wound up selling it later on. But eventually everything started going wrong. Weapons snapped, armor broke, men hollowed. My pa was a smith you see- and so I actually had knowledge of how to fix things, so I offered to do so for my compatriots. When I started however, I found it hard to stop."
The clanking resumed. "I found a peace in it, of making, fixing, correcting, and so on. No worries about having to fight my friends, not on guard for ambushing hollows. Just a job to do. I knew just from lookin at it, Sen's fortress would be my end, so I decided. If I couldn't be chosen- I would make weapons so someone could. And then you bloody sun-lovers ruined my peace and quiet." He playfully groused as he offered the blade back to Sieglinde. "I would normally tell you not to go hollow at this point, but you don't need it. Have a gander."
Sieglinde considered the blade. It was the same… just moreso. Much like herself compared to when she started this journey. "Thank you very much Andre. Your time and skill are appreciated."
"And your kindness to an old blacksmith is appreciated all the same. Good luck Sieglinde."
Reward: Sieglinde personal martial increased by 3
Rhea
Establish Doctrine: 60+20+5(pity bonus)=85
With Gwyndolin holed up in his lab, you take some time to consider the path. The way of white was primarily based around the three lords and Allfather Lloyd, and following in their examples. There was however now, the tiny matter of all four being dead.
You sigh considering the waste of potential. The way of White had more resources than some kingdoms, the backing of gods and men all over. And it was being wasted all on… chasing memories. Memories of people that would never come back. Unbidden, her mind turns back to a particular encounter-
"Do you want to do right by them? Then live for yourself, and find purpose. That is the only advice I can give." The jovial warrior bore the weight of experience in his voice, his eyes distant…
Living for the dead only got you so far. A living breathing world required living, breathing people. Or at least thinking ones, you're fairly sure some forms of life don't actually breathe.
You purge any notion of restraint of heresy from your mind, and begin to write.
The Way of White has a long and illustrious history that has only lead to misery ever since the beginning of the Age of Strife. Furthermore, there are no signs of change among the leadership and ethos that drives them onwards. A paradigm shift is needed.
The relationship between god and man is entirely beneficial to both parties, but while there are many gods, there are relatively few that follow an individual one. Attention must turn from the icons of the past to the leaders of the future, and the question must be asked, what can we do for each other?
You pause, too confrontational? No, you're challenging the world you once knew here.
I propose that the great congregations that the way of white have be split, and that each finds a god that suits their need or belief. If a new overgod like the lords were to emerge, it would be organic, as opposed to the propping up of the long dead and gone. The result of fine service to many people, rather than clinging to past glory.
This was the thesis you would base these writings upon. You take a slow breath, and settle in to write. This was your purpose, to keep others from falling into the same sort of life you had. Let there be no blind followers of bloated orders, only gods and men.
Dusk personal: 44
Dusk has gained two points of intrigue by studying under the crafty cat Alvina!
Dusk national: 78+25=103
A buzz has emerged from Darkroot up into the burg. Dusk went out into the woods on a walk- and came back riding a butterfly. A butterfly the size of a small house. It seems more akin to a flying artillery piece than anything natural going by descriptions. At the very least, you imagine that it will be easier for her to visit now.
Dusk has tamed a moonlight butterfly! It will be added to Forest Hunter military actions!
Gwyndolin
Enter the painting.
You approach the painting, ignoring the watching eyes of the guardians. Once more you feel the call. You steel yourself, and for the first time you enter the painted world. The world shifts, and your perception warps as you're dragged. You feel as if you're being forced through a sieve, your body becoming almost like liquid to accommodate-
Cold moonlight shines down on you. You rise, slowly, taking in your surroundings. Rickety bridge, ruined fort. This wasn't right.
With an application of your will, you teleport to the other side of the bridge, and look around. A hollow regards you with a vacant expression. For a few brief moments you stare back in surprise. A hollow? You remember Velka did employ exclusively undead for this- but they were carefully chosen, so as to engender a minimal chance of turning hollow due to mutual camaraderie. This… this wasn't right. You teleport around several times, expanding your senses. The crow demons were intact for the most part, the undead dragon and bonewheels Nito placed was still there- but the men, the men have been hollowed to a man- and in some cases worse going by the diseased and the remains of a phalanx. You even find the remains of a pardoner- and the smith holding an ember that blazes with an unsettling light. You don't even dare go near the smith, just the light coming off the ember almost seems to burn right down your soul.
Something terrible happened here. For a brief terrible moment, you worry about Priscilla. In your curiosity you had taken precious time.
Quicker than you had ever moved, you rapidly chain teleports, mind racing with possibilities.
And she is there. The two of you stare in shock at the other, illuminated by the cold moon above.
"Priscilla?" She's grown, no longer the child that hugged your waist.
"Gwyndolin?" You haven't changed in the least- but you also shouldn't be here.
"I came here to see you, please… Tell me everything." You demand, your bow hand gripping your weapon so tight your bones creak.
"Why- why are you here? If one is to see me, why not Lord Gwyn or Lady Velka?"
You freeze at the question. "It seems… we both have stories to tell.
…………………………..
Priscilla clings to you, and you do your best to wrap your arms around her shoulders in turn. It is awkward, and not exactly appropriate given your station, but you are all she has in this one moment. Her family gone, her creator dead, the city abandoned. Meanwhile you chew on the fact that one diseased madman managed to inflict all this on what was once a coordinated fort.
It made some sense. The fort was mainly meant to counter gods, it's occult weaponry a countermeasure to divine power. Some unkillable bastard riddled with disease and throwing around Chaos pyromancy was about as far from conventional as you could get. From what you gather, it was only Priscilla's power that put down the obsessed man- and by then it was too little too late.
"I am… sorry I did not come sooner." You finally say after a long moment of simple companiable silence.
"You could not have known. I imagine you were quite busy with keeping the world afloat- and then the city."
"It's no excuse, I had many opportunities."
"…What is going to happen now?" You hear the pleading note in her voice. While she could keep up a strong front before a stranger, before you, her brother, she was an open book.
"You're going to leave. -"
[] "Just give me some time." The damnable painting guardians need dealing with before you just walk out with their charge. Their exact duty was forgotten over time, but they knew things were supposed to be kept in as well as out.
[] "Right now." To hell with this slow game, Priscilla isn't spending another moment in this prison!
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