The Water-bearer

[Solarstream]

Character Sheet​

Zarya: That's you. A (former) debt-peon now once possessed by a demon an alien.
-"Demon": Formless and shapeless... a glowing unknown mass of bubbles. (An alien in truth!) (Freed!)
-Spiritual Aptitude: Zarya gains access to the following spells after praying to the Water-bearer statue in Antioch, which is permanently infused with a Spiritual Aptitude of 60.
--Spell: Momentum (enhanced movement speed)
--Spell: Dissolution (split apart into a mass of bubbles)
--Spell: Amorphization (transition of body shape between human and alien)
--Spell: Hydration (manipulation of already existing water)
--Spell: Kryation (manipulation of already existing ice)
-Characteristics
--Cautious I: requires 75+% voter approval to interact with any HM or MP without a (+) mark
--Cautious II: requires 75+% voter approval to reveal demon-possessed status on purpose
--Disciplined I: gain (+) with any HM or MP after following a direct order from her
--Disciplined II: gain (-) with any HM or MP after disobeying a direct order from her
--Water I: the more water you are near, the easier it is to use your magic
--Water II: must be near a body of water (or another source) to use your magic
--Water-bearer: Zarya has constructed a statue in Antioch and poured all of the spiritual essence she's acquired over the past few months into it. She must pray to this statue to use spells as of The Moon.
-Additional notes: One of your black eyes has turned blue, as have the tips of your black hair. Currently resolved to control her Demon. Has made progress in suppressing it. Has not yet attempted to manifest it. Currently traveling with Linza, Philippos, Libra Venus, Theodora, and Capricorn Saturn, with the aim of helping Theodora take revenge against the cultists who sacrificed her, and their allies inside the military and the church. Now able to manifest her "Demon" for a up to ten minutes at a time after meditating on JOY or BEAUTY while being around WATER for a few minutes. If in the ocean, the manifestation is immediate and can be held indefinitely. Has agreed to join the church, though it may be was temporary. Currently residing in Antioch. Has learned that her "Demon" is actually an alien being from another world, and is aiming for an amicable separation. Can sculpt ice with her powers, and will learn to work with other materials. Has traveled to Sardis on behalf of the Antiochian Church... and with her mission done, it's time to go! She's returned to Antioch with a warning... a rogue Angel is on the attack! While in Antioch, waiting for the attack, she constructed the WATER-BEARER statue and transferred her spiritual power to it. Not long afterwards, she was separated from The Being, and the two defeated the Angel by working together. Later, she would be instrumental in defeating the Demon known as BELIAL.

Martin Aurelius of Sardis (-): Your former master, who resides in Sardis. He is a wealthy businessman and landowner. He owns several workshops that provide various goods, such as agricultural equipment, weapons, industrial and mining tools, and so on. He's dead, murdered by cultists and sacrificed to a Demon.
-Cornelia Prima (+): His wife, and your former mistress. Despite Martin owning your debt, Cornelia had roped you into her service and not his. She treated you well enough and kept you close. Now the captive of Dione. Was traveling with your group, and left in Ephesus.
-Lucian Aurelius: Their young son. Travelling with his mother.
-Aurelia Prima: Their young daughter. Travelling with her mother.
-Julian Aurelius: Martin's brother, and an artisan. Status unknown.
-Aurelia Prima: Martin's sister, seeking marriage and now possessed by the same Demon that once possessed Theodora. Looks like she wants to escape, so maybe there's an opportunity to work together. Was traveling with your group, having been denied an opportunity to sacrifice avenge herself, and left in Ephesus.
-Mettia Prima: Martin's elderly mother, a widow. Status unknow.
-Fellow former slaves: Linza (+) (she); Eusebius (+; in Ephesus) (he); Philippos (+) (he); Anacletus (he); Hypatos (he); Lucretia (she; in Sardis); Theokleia (she; in Sardis); and many others...
-- Linza and Philippos are currently accompanying Zarya travelling with Capricorn Saturn.

The Holy Maidens: Seven powerful and virtuous women based on in specific major cities.
-Humility (+): Resides in Sardis. Can detect lies, among other abilities. Was in Antioch / Ephesus, aiming to crush cultists. Now resides in Ephesus, having gained firm control over the city and its politics. Has retaken her hometown.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 84
-Kindness (+): Resides in Pergamum. Can heal any injury, among other abilities. Was sent to Sardis on Humility's order. Fled to Ephesus after Dione tried to capture her. Joined up with you temporarily to fight the rogue Angel, and now heading out to Pergamum once more. Has now taken charge of her home.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 57
---Spell: Healing I → Healing II → Healing III (cures wounds)
---Spell: Understanding I → Understanding II → Understanding III (connect minds)
---Spell: Reciprocating I → Reciprocating II → Reciprocating III (shares feelings)
-Charity: Resides in Thyatira. Can grant powers to the Mystic Priestesses. Traitor. Defeated and sent to Antioch, where she lives outside the city in a villa.
-Diligence: Formerly resided in Ephesus. Status unknown. Dead.
-Patience: Resides in Philadelphia.
-Chastity: Resides in Smyrna. Can block magic (?). Murdered by invaders from Antioch.
-Temperance: Resides in Laodicea. Status unknown, probably either heading to Sardis or already there. Found in Sardis, and rescued! Now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea, having just retaken the former.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 51
---Spell: Balanced Mind: Emotion (reduces emotional fluctuations)
---Spell: Balanced Body: Attack (strengthens body when attacking)
---Spell: Balanced Body: Defense (strengthens body when defending)
---Spell: Balanced Soul: Flow (occasionally slips around enemy attacks)

The Mystic Priestesses: Twelve powerful and virtuous women who wander the land.
-Libra Venus / Melina (+): First encountered outside Philadelphia. Skilled with the cithara. Very friendly. Now travelling with Zarya. Now travelling to Laodicea with Scorpio Mars, having met up in Antioch. Will be captured in Sardis unless you step in! Has rejoined your group and evaded capture! Lived with you in Antioch until her encounter with the rogue Angel, at which point she abandoned her old identity and renamed herself Melina. She's also put down her blessed cithara and now lives in a small commune.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 75
---Spell: Song of Roaring Flames (encourages and emboldens)
---Spell: Song of Calm Waters (relaxes and subdues)
---Spell: Song of Magnetism (attracts to a specific target)
---Spell: Song of the Sunshine (inspires warmth and joy)
---Spell: Song of Growth (draws out hidden powers)
---Spell: Song of Affection (draws out tender memories)
-Leo Sun: Deceased. (see also Theodora) Restored!
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85
--Spell: Block! (grow furred armor)
--Spell: Slash! (grow fire claws)
--Spell: Move! (gain super-speed)
--Spell: Strike! (gain super-strength)
--Spell: Roar! (intimidate)
--Spell: Burn! (gain fire breath)
--Spell: Transform! (lion aura coat)
-Sagittarius Jupiter: Resides in Sardis. Can command lightning. Now located in Ephesus and without her powers, aiding Humility. Has her powers once more.
-Taurus Venus: First encountered outside Philadelphia. Resides there.
-??? Pisces Jupiter: Resides in Sardis. Can command emotions. (see Dione)
-Virgo Mercury I / Virginia (-): First encountered in Ephesus. Can command demons and influence people. Searched for the Holy Maiden of Diligence on the orders of the Sovereign Priest of Antioch. Encountered again outside Antioch, and formed a temporary alliance. But the alliance is now broken, and it seems like she can only see Zarya as an enemy over circumstances that were not Zarya's fault. After having betrayed the Church and sided with the cultists in Ephesus, she was captured, brought back to Antioch, and stripped of her position. Is now called Virginia. Possessed by BELIAL (formerly).
--Spiritual Aptitude: 50 0 !?!?!? 0
-Gemini Mercury: Resided in Thyatira. Has some sort of magical hearing ability. Now in custody in Antioch.
-Capricorn Saturn (+): First encountered in Smyrna. Can predict events. Now travelling with Zarya. Heading back to Smyrna. Aiding the attack on Thyatira. Currently helping to restore Church control in Thyatira. Status unknown. Recovered from the rogue Angel's grasp and heading back to Smyrna, but not before warning you of a future disaster! Now on the way to Thyatira to restore that city, having restored Smyrna to a functional state.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 50
---Spell: Forewarn (predicts one upcoming disaster per day)
----Capricorn Saturn does not learn more spells. Instead, the quality of her warnings is improved.
-Aries Mars (+): Resides in Laodicea. Former friend of Theodora. Was in Antioch, now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea. Helped to retake Sardis.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 75
---Aries Mars does not gain her own spells. Instead, her ability to draw out the full might of the Sword of Savage Strength increases.
-Scorpio Mars (+): Resides in Laodicea. Now travelling to Laodicea with Libra Venus, having met up in Antioch. Will be captured in Sardis unless you step in! Has joined your group and evaded capture! Now marching towards Sardis and Laodicea. Helped to retake Sardis.
--Spiritual Aptitude: 51
---Scorpio Mars does not gain her own spells. Instead, her ability to draw out the full might of the Shield of Sturdy Strength increases.
-Cancer Moon (+): Resides in Antioch. Status is unknown. Searching for her. Found her and joined forces to take down the Advocates. Convinced Zarya to join the Church and exorcised the Demon from Theodora. Planning to exorcise the Demon from Zarya as well. Having been made aware that The Being was an alien and not a Demon, she would successfully exorcise it from Zarya. Has been kidnapped by BELIAL, and is now free and restored.
-Aquarius Saturn (+): Was found in a dungeon in Thyatira after having been presumed dead. Was helping to restore Church control in Thyatira, now in Antioch. Can witness the past. Gave you a kind warning.
-Virgo Mercury II: Virginia's replacement. Seems to be loyal to the church. Resides in Antioch and helps the Sovereign Priest of Antioch.

Gaius Helvius of Philadelphia: The son and heir of a wealthy farmer of the same name from the Philadelphia area.
-Ennia Segunda: His wife.

Theodora (+): The former Mystic Priestess Leo Sun. Was used as a human sacrifice to summon a Demon that now possesses her. NO LONGER IN CONTROL. Back in control, and no longer possessed... though her eyes have been permanently changed. Has a small grudge towards Zarya, but is mostly over it. Restored as the Mystic Priestess Leo Sun. Crusher of a Demon of Darkness (with help from her friend and ally Zarya).
-Demon: What must assuredly be some sort of water-dwelling dragon.
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85 0 (see Leo Sun)
--Spell: Block! (grow scale armor)
--Spell: Crunch! (grow fangs)
--Spell: Slash! (grow claws)
--Spell: Swipe! (grow a tail)
--Spell: Seek! (improve eyesight; gain night vision)
--Spell: Move! (gain super-speed)
--Spell: Rampage! (gain strength; lose control)
-Allies: Eugenios, Thais, Daniel (three heretics that Theodora met in a small town near the desert)

The Sovereign Priest of Antioch: A virtuous (?) man in charge of the Church of the Followers of the Way. Currently residing in Smyrna after being chased out of Antioch by an Advocate-led rebellion. Was critically injured and recovered in Smyrna before returning to Antioch. His return has been controversial amongst the people of the city.

!?!?!? Kavouras / Celso Longinus (-): A man formerly possessed by a Crab-shaped Demon. Fought Theodora outside Smyrna and was defeated. However, his soldiers managed to recover his body. Is likely licking his wounds and heading to Antioch. His abilities include growing shell armor, turning his arms into pincers, and transforming into a big crab. He was chased out of Antioch and is likely recovering in fled to Ephesus. Goal: defeat him for good! He was burned alive by Humility in Ephesus and is either dead or close to it. Regardless, he is no longer possessed by the Demon Crab!
-Demon: An otherwise ordinary looking crab, if quite larger than a man.
-Spiritual Aptitude: 85
--Spell: Protect. (grow shell armor)
--Spell: Pincer. (grow pincers)
--Spell: Molt. (shed shell armor healing)
--Spell: Carcinize. (full body transformation)
--Spell: Tidal. (control water)
--Spell: Swell. (increase size)
--Spell: Shrink. (reduce size)

???: A man possessed by a demonic serpent, who is likely near Sardis... if he's still alive. (He's not.)

Silvina (+) and Silas (+): Two house slaves, currently under the command of the Livius estate in Ephesus. They're brother and sister. Currently Were last seen working with spies loyal to the Antiochian church to break cultist control over the city and end slavery there. They have succeeded.

Dione (-): The former Mystic Priestess Pisces Jupiter. A holy woman who is also a snake, as she's the possessor of a Demon Serpent. However, she seems to be the one in control of the snake... and also in control of Sardis, having wrested spiritual control away from the Followers of the Way. Wants you to be her ally... is not doing a good job of it. Alerted you to a vision of death and despair... could it be true? (You made it false!) Has lost Sardis and fled from this world... to another place, not death.

Apollonia (+): A cultist woman who is knowledgeable about spirits and curious about the Being. Once the Being is free from you, she wants to study it for herself. Hopes that you'll come back to Sardis soon. Instead came down to Antioch to visit you. Now travelling the land with The Being for company.
-"Demon": ZIZ, King of the Birds
-Spiritual Aptitude: 55
--Spell: RAVEN (send messages of bad fortune)
--Spell: CHICKEN (send messages of good fortune)
--Spell: GOOSE (defend self from wickedness)
--Spell: CALADRIUS (treat sickness and wounds)

BELIAL (-): A demon of living darkness and the shadow of the angels. Uses cultists like puppets, and now possessing Virginia. Looking to possess the Trinity. Has kidnapped Cancer Moon. Has been defeated!

There are other characters, of course, but they'll be added over time.


​

Other Notes:
(+) = favored towards you
(-) = biased against you

 

[Nevill]

[x][SSS] Don't take the weapon, as it's not for you. "But that's her gift to you. You should keep it."
[x][Legion] You're outnumbered. You need to retreat... hide out in the city for a while, then return to the domus.

 

[Solarstream]

looking for a tie-breaker vote to come in by the following time: Jun 25, 2023 at 5:30 PM

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

[X][SSS] Don't take the weapon, as it's not for you. "But that's her gift to you. You should keep it."
[X][Legion] You're outnumbered. You need to retreat... hide out in the city for a while, then return to the domus.

 

[Solarstream]

as i'll be busy this afternoon, I'll be closing the vote now

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X][SSS] Don't take the weapon, as it's not for you. "But that's her gift to you. You should keep it."
[X][Legion] You're outnumbered. You need to retreat... hide out in the city for a while, then return to the domus.

Judgement (XIV)​

You and Linza glance at each other. The two of you are out-numbered. Without the Sword of Savage Strength, there's no way you two can beat a bunch of demons in a fight. No, you'll have to come back with reinforcements. Maybe even with Libra Venus and Scorpio Mars if they're in town...

You still don't know if they're in town, but you do know that this city, fille with demons and shades, won't be safe for them if they blindly enter. You'll need to be a distraction for them and hope that it works out!

The women possessed by the piece of Legion growls at the both of you. "I told you both to turn back!"

Linza prepares to draw her weapon, but you bid her to stop. "Is there a reason you're stopping us from touring the city?" you ask, feigning innocent curiosity. "You know that we're Dione's guests, don't you?"

"Hmph! Hospitality only goes so far! Only a foolish host lets their guests do anything they please inside their home."

"Are you calling your holy leader Dione a fool?" asks Linza, amused.

"What!? No! She had granted us the wisdom to control and purify Demons!"

Before you can ask if that holy aura you sense has anything to do with that, the demon dogs come into view. They're possessed a man and a woman, and their bodies have transformed into dog-headed people, eyes glittering with malice.

"...they don't look pure to me..." comments Linza, and then the demonic trio decide that they've had enough of you both and move in to attack...

...just in time for you and Linza to run off, you making a mental note of where exactly in Sardis you are. If you can get your hands on a map, you can direct everyone straight to this area later. Having given up your enhanced speed, you have to run at the pace of a normal woman... which is slower than Linza's, since she'd been training her body over the past few months. But you're still able to outpace the demon dogs, especially when you use your spells to trip them up.

However, you run into a worse problem.

"Halt!"

It's hard to outrun someone who can be in multiple places at once. Another piece of Legion, another woman, confronts you and Linza while you were running away from the other one.

Well, this won't do!

Thinking on your feet, you take hold of some water in a nearby building, draw it out, and throw it at her face!

"Ah!?"

She dodges the flowing water, shutting her eyes, losing sight of you and Linza. You both slow down and walk away from your pursuers, conserving energy, and you suppress your spiritual presence once more. Hiding in an alley, you hear footsteps and chatter... going... going... and gone.

You both relax, letting out sighs.

Linza turns to you. "Should we try to find Temperance again?"

You shake your head. "No, not by ourselves. Now that we know roughly where she is, we can call in reinforcements to rescue. I'd especially want Libra Venus and Scorpio Mars around..."

Linza frowns while motioning for you to follow her. "Let's head away from the domus for now. So, you want to search for them?"

"Hmmm... no. I want them to find us... or, rather, find Aries Mars. But they won't be able to enter safely unless these demons are kept busy..."

Linza nods. "Right, you want us to harass them for a while. That will give them plenty of time to slip into Sardis if they haven't already, maybe even do some scouting of their own." She then gives you a smile. "As long as you can keep me out of their hands, we shouldn't have any problems."

"With how much water there is around here, I'll have no problems casting spells. If we could find an ice cellar, things would be even easier..."

Linza chuckles as you both walk openly but warily in the city streets of Sardis. "Let's not commit any actual crimes while we're here, Zarya."

"I'm sure they won't... oh! There's a Demon nearby, let's get moving!"

You both slip into the crowd, pursued by demon dogs and watched over by the eyes of Legion.

.

.

.

The two of you spend several hours leading Legion and the demon dogs under its command on a wild goose chase throughout Sardis. You're both now free, but only because one of the Legion-possessed people had a realization.

As the two of you evaded capture yet again, with you using water to wet the ground and make your pursuers slip onto the ground, another Legion-possessed man confronted you. This was the same man you'd run into at the main church the other day.

"You... is this a distraction?" he asked, looking both of you over.

"A distraction from what?" asks Linza. "Your bad hospitality? Honestly, making us run around like this when we were just minding our own business..."

"As if you were... but what could you be up to...? No one from your group has come near Temperance... she once mentioned something about Libra Venus and Scorpio Mars... you must be keeping us away from them! So, tell us where they are!"

His demand was punctuated by him drawing his weapon, a longer sword meant for slashing – a spatha.

Linza reaches for her weapon, again, but you bid her to stop. Instead, you ask a simple question.

"What makes you think we know where they are?"

The man's eyes narrow and he draws in closer. "You have to know! All of you holy people stick together... you're all planning to stop us from our own mission..."

You and Linza back away, but before the man can get too close, he stops, as if listening to something. You watch his face. He looks like he's arguing with someone... could it be Dione? His eyes narrow and he clenches his weapon tightly... but after a few moments, he sheathes his sword once more. Disappointed, he leaves the both of you, leaving behind two messages.

One – do not go near Temperance again. Dione plans to keep her in Sardis.

Two – your presence is requested by Dione once more, at the main church.

After that, you can still notice demons here and there, but they by and large ignore you. Now in a better position, you and Linza can return to the Aurelius domus. By the time you both get back, the sun is starting to set, and you see that Aurelia Prima and Cornelia Prima have already left. Philippos is the first to notice you and waves you inside, where Aries Mars and Theodora are meditating over prayers.

"Did you find her?" he asks.

"That's right. And not just that..." and so, you fill him in on Temperance's location, your encounter with Legion and the invitation from Dione. He then fills you in on what you've missed – two big events. One – Aurelia Prima and Cornelia Prima have broken out of Dione's control. Two – Scorpio Mars and Libra Venus came by, having left with them to the villa outside the city walls. All that's left now is to rescue Temperance and Sagittarius Jupiter, and then you can finally leave this place...

Once Aries Mars and Theodora end their meditation, you fill them in and all start making a plan together.

(Choose your flavor.)
[] Zarya will go alone to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.
[] Zarya and one other person (who?) will go to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.
[] The group of Zarya, Linza, Philippos, Aries Mars, and Theodora will go to meet with Dione. Aurelia Prima, Libra Venus, and Scorpio Mars will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.
[] Skip the meeting. Everyone moves to secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon. (Gains (-) with Dione automatically)
[] (perhaps there's another way to do things...?)



Spiritual Aptitude: 40
QM Note: I'll be moving soon, so next week's update may be delayed. I'll let you know.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

[X] Zarya will go alone to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.

It's suspicious, but it looks like she'll have to - Zarya has a power well suited to escaping, so it's safest for her to play the role of a distraction.

 

[Zaealix]

[X] Zarya will go alone to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.

 

[Solarstream]

yeah, no update tomorrow. might do something during the week?

 

[Nevill]

[x] Zarya will go alone to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.

 

[Solarstream]

Hey ya'll, hope you're doing well. I won't be doing a regular update tomorrow, so that'll be next week.

What I will do in the mean time is pop by every now and then to answer any questions you might have related to the quest. These can be related to this vote, or be general ones.

The Q&A period will be open until Jul 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM , which is when the vote will close.

 

[Zaealix]

Hum…
A question: if we had kept Discipline would we have been able to manifest that virtue as another path to magic, one that is properly Church-aligned?

 

[Nevill]

What is the endgoal/endgame for the quest? When I saw the option to decouple from the Being, I thought it was naturally heading towards the ending once a major crisis has passed, but there have been plenty more, it seems.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

I'm curious what exactly is the difference between demons and spirits, and why the latter seem to be such a rarity. Can Zarya become Mystic Priestess or Holy Maiden, and if so, what would be required? Also, what would the quest be like if we didn't choose to cooperate with the Church and fight together instead of trying to avoid them?

 

[Solarstream]

Hum…
A question: if we had kept Discipline would we have been able to manifest that virtue as another path to magic, one that is properly Church-aligned?

Click to shrink...

I think I only would have gone for that had you formally joined the Church. My original idea was for Zarya to take on the powers of one of the Mystic Priestesses had you all agreed to join up.

What is the endgoal/endgame for the quest? When I saw the option to decouple from the Being, I thought it was naturally heading towards the ending once a major crisis has passed, but there have been plenty more, it seems.

Click to shrink...

We are still heading towards the ending; this Sardis stop has just been much longer than I thought it would be >_>.
The last major crisis will be dealing with three old women and their pet snake and then dealing with the aftermath of that.
The names of the updates are based off of the Major Arcana (one for each week in-universe). It looks like we're going to use all of them at this rate.
Zarya's end-goal is still to stay in Antioch and become a sculptor full time, and the Being would like to be freed to explore the land on its own.

I'm curious what exactly is the difference between demons and spirits, and why the latter seem to be such a rarity. Can Zarya become Mystic Priestess or Holy Maiden, and if so, what would be required? Also, what would the quest be like if we didn't choose to cooperate with the Church and fight together instead of trying to avoid them?

Click to shrink...

Spirits are rare because the Church considers everything that's not an Angel to be a Demon, so there's no room for a third category. Demons also come from the Darkness, which is self-reinforcing, while nature-related spirits have to come from nature, which can be rendered unfit for spiritual habitation.

Becoming a Mystic Priestess (a Holy Maiden would be beyond the span of this quest) would have required joining the Church, being active in it, committing to the sacred vows, and being selected for approval by the Sovereign Priest of Antioch, which wouldn't have been too difficult to get if you kept working with him. You also would have needed Charity to bless you with those powers, which would have required defeating her. Assuming everything else stayed the same, you would have had the options of Virgo Mercury and Aquarius Saturn open to you.

Fighting the Church from Day 1 would have led to a very different quest, so it's hard to be sure. A head-on confrontation with Humility would have led to an early death, but it would be possible to try to assassinate her or leave her for later and focus on other holy women. The main focus would have been on taking them out one-by-one in Zarya's struggle to survive / quest for power, I think.

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

Hmm, I wonder how angry the former Virgo Mercury will be if Zarya usurps her position.

 

[Solarstream]

Hmm, I wonder how angry the former Virgo Mercury will be if Zarya usurps her position.

Click to shrink...

Eh, I'm sure she'll be fine~. Please ignore the screaming you can hear all the way from Antioch - it's probably just some geese.

 

[Zaealix]

Eh, I'm sure she'll be fine~. Please ignore the screaming you can hear all the way from Antioch - it's probably just some geese.

Click to shrink...

Frankly woman played herself thinking she could get away with joining the cultists like that. Now you've made going for that position tempting. Dunno if the various Mystic Priestesses have meanings to their names that would disqualify Zarya from doing that to her.

 

[Solarstream]

Frankly woman played herself thinking she could get away with joining the cultists like that. Now you've made going for that position tempting. Dunno if the various Mystic Priestesses have meanings to their names that would disqualify Zarya from doing that to her.

Click to shrink...

I was envisioning her taking up the position of Aquarius Saturn, but I honestly would have been fine with Zarya becoming Virgo Mercury had you all opted to join the Church.

Also, vote closed~!

 

[Solarstream]

Spoiler: Winning vote

Winning vote:
[X] Zarya will go alone to meet with Dione. The rest of the group will secure Temperance and search for Sagittarius Jupiter's weapon.

Judgement (XV)​

It doesn't take long for you to come to a decision, though it's one that you companions have reservations about. You – alone – will go to meet with Dione this night. You'll be armed with your gladius, of course, and you'll have your own abilities in case things go sour, but you'll have to find a way out on your own. The rest of the group will, at the same time, locate and rescue Temperance. If there's an opportunity, they'll also locate and acquire Sagittarius Jupiter's holy weapon, and then her person. Only afterwards will you go to find them at your agreed meeting spot near one of the city gates, at which point you'll all leave Sardis. Once you're out if the city, you'll all take Cornelia Prima and her kids down to either Ephesus or Antioch, at both her and Aurelia Prima's request.

As for Aurelia Prima, she insisted that she would stay and fight Dione. It's for revenge, of course. She wants not only to avenge the death of her brother, but to repay the insults done to both her and her sister-in-law. She'd be alone in that endeavor, of course. None of you would do a thing to honor the memory of that dead man... and besides, you're all escaping while you can. It seems like quite a shame to you to leave her here... Linza and Philippos agree with you, while Aries Mars and Theodora bring up the additional point that she'll need an exorcism to truly be free. She won't get that here.

As you all need to stop by her residence before you leave anyway, you all could make one last attempt to get her to leave with you. Or, you could let her embrace her doom in peace. After deliberating on it a bit longer, you make a decision and commit to it.

[][AP and Aid III] This is what she wants, so let her have it. (Aurelia Prima will aid in your escape, however, so you'll have no issues there... this upsets Cornelia Prima, but not enough to lose (+))
[][AP and Aid III] There's no point in her fighting here. (Lose (+) with Aurelia Prima, and she also won't be able to aid in your escape since you'll have to subdue her to make her go with you all)

With that set, you get ready to leave, but as you do, your companions ask you to stop.

You turn to face them with your differently-colored eyes, confused. "Is something the matter?"

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" asks Theodora. "I don't trust Dione with you..."

You shake your head. "I don't trust her either. But it's better to go along with her whims. As long as she thinks I can be convinced to join her, she'll hesitate to strike me down."

"Hm... is that what you think this meeting is about?" asks Philippos. "It's another attempt to recruit you?"

Linza grunts. "It's got to be! This woman has been obsessed with Zarya ever since we set foot here."

You nod. "Here's what I suspect. She knows that I was never okay with being forced to carry this entity inside me. So, she'll offer to remove this Being and grant me one of my choosing instead if I work with her. What she doesn't understand is that I don't want another union, I want to be fully myself. I'll let this Being live its own life separate from me, and I'll live my own life separate from it. ...but, I don't have to open with that. I'll stall as long as I can."

Aries Mars offers her weapon again, but you turn it down. Going in armed is already a pretty hostile move; there's no need to make it worse by bringing in a holy weapon with you. Besides, she'll almost certainly need it for when she gets into a fight of her own. There's no way these Demon-possessed people will just let her take Temperance and Sagittarius Jupiter away from here. Frankly, you think that she should also get Scorpio Mars to help, but she argues that it'll take too long to get her and then come back... speed is of the essence. Besides, she (along with Libra Venus) will be able to help out on the retreat from the villa.

In any case, you need to get going.

Not long after you leave the former Aurelius domus, you're accosted by someone hosting a fragment of Legion. He's a man with an olive complexion in a dark green tunic. "This way, Zarya..." He doesn't wait for you, simply expecting that you'll follow along. Luckily for him, you will.

As you get closer to the Church, you can feel both Dione's and the Serpent's spiritual presences. They're intertwined, as you'd expect, but they're also clashing. They're also both agitated... is this just about you? Did something happen? You try asking your escort, but he tells you to be silent and then ignores you when you don't comply. Hmph... well, you'll have your answers soon.

The man takes you to what used to be Humility's office and then goes to wait outside. This office is much smaller than the Sovereign Priest of Antioch's office... you think it's even smaller than Martin's personal office in his villa. As such, there's no relief from Dione's intense pressure while you're inside it. Her one visible eye is wide and focused on you, while she's covered the other one up. Snake scales are running down her skin, so there's only one reason for that.

"Zarya," she says, plainly. "You're alone."

"You only asked for me..."

Her eye drifts away from you for a bit before focusing on you again. "No matter. Take a seat."

You do so. She's being quite curt... you ask if something bad has happened, and she laughs at you in response. It's flat and uncomfortable, surrounding you.

She the stops abruptly. "Yes. And worse things will come. We must work together."

Another voice pops out of her mouth, as a hand reaches for her covered eye. "There's no need to talk. Let me-."

Her other hand stops the Serpent. "No."

"Quit wasting your time! Just force her to help you!"

"No," she says more firmly, and then loudly chants her holy recitations. The Serpent's presence does not fully go away, but it is diminished again. Dione does not dare to remove to remove her eye covering, however. She simply turns her focused one-eyed stare back on you. "Zarya. We are all in great danger. I have foreseen it... total devastation! The end of everything!"

You recoil when she shouts at you, so she apologizes. You know that the Serpent can grant people the ability to predict disasters, but... the end of everything? Really? Perhaps there's some trick here...

"Tell me more about this vision."

"An angel, composed of flames and in the shape of a serpent, descends and attacks all of our settlements one by one, killing everyone. I recognized Antioch and Sardis by the ruins. And in the end, all that was left were these ruins. There was no resurrection or judgement, just destruction."

"Are you sure it was an angel? That sounds more like a Demon..." you note.

"It must be an angel, as it being directed by the Trinity and Capricorn Saturn."

"Capricorn Saturn!?" you blurt out. "But she'd never do anything like that!"

"If she was in a major city like Thyatira or Pergamum, they may have struck there first and forced her to join their side. In any case, you must go to Antioch now and warn them! I will...!?"

She's cut off by the Legion-possessed man bursting into the room, armed with a spatha, slashing at you. She freezes in place, but you react at once, having expected this from the start. You let him continue, seemingly killing you... except that you split apart into bubbles instead, and harmlessly reform behind him.

"Legion, what is the meaning of-!?"

Dione gets cut off once more by the man. "This was a distraction! Her friends have captured the holy maiden! They're trying to escape with her!"

Dione stares at you in shock as you arm yourself and back away. The man follows you into the church, Dione slowly trailing behind him, her aura flickering wildly. The exit is behind you, but the guards haven't noticed anything yet. You can turn and run at any time.

Dione's shocked expression turns into a pained, hateful gaze. "Zarya! I told you that she's staying here! Call off your friends now and I'll let you all go! Otherwise..."

You glance at her covered eye. You know exactly what she's getting at.

Well, you know what to do here.

[][Escape!] Just turn and run. You did your job. Besides, you can't risk her controlling you. You'll use your abilities to aid your escape, of course.
[][Escape!] What you can't risk is continuing to let Dione do as she pleases. Fight her, even if it means risking your own life, and then retreat if you can.
[][Escape!] Comply. Not like this.
[][Escape!] (perhaps there's something else you can do, but you'll have to think fast!)

Spiritual Aptitude: 40
QM Note: Aiming for a second update later this week, probably Thursday.

 

[Zaealix]

Sooo…It sounds like the angels won't brook any dissent? Or the Church doubles down on control at all costs…Which is fustrating. If trustworthy…
[ ] "Has any of your predictions ever been proven wrong? And if so, how!"
I'm genuinely shocked things go THAT far south total destruction happens/is worth it.
Yes Witch up to no good and Dione in her city.
The fomer seems like only maybe a threat unless she's really powerful/she's got a powerful coven backing her. And the latter? Well, I'm not seeing how Humility can't just walk over and clean up the city.
Now, maybe the problem is the Church lost like all the cites but…Why Antioch? I thought that place was clean.

 

[Solarstream]

Now, maybe the problem is the Church lost like all the cites but…Why Antioch? I thought that place was clean.

Click to shrink...

is anything clean enough for a being made of purity?

[ ] "Has any of your predictions ever been proven wrong? And if so, how!"

Click to shrink...

also, Dione / the Serpent are unlikely to actually answer this - Dione believes in this vision, and the Serpent especially will take that as a challenge (which is fine if that's what you want)

 

[Eternal_0bserver]

"Are you sure it was an angel? That sounds more like a Demon..." you note.

"It must be an angel, as it being directed by the Trinity and Capricorn Saturn."

Click to shrink...

*Looks suspiciously at Dione herself.*

It looks like it's going to be one of those prophecies that only starts to make sense when it's already happening, right? Though if it's a fire creature, could it be a spirit from another world, like Zarya's unwitting companion?

[X][Escape!] Just turn and run. You did your job. Besides, you can't risk her controlling you. You'll use your abilities to aid your escape, of course.

Eh, it's useless to think about it now. I would like to ask Dione for details, but I feel that she is not in a position to carry on a conversation.

[X][AP and Aid III] There's no point in her fighting here. (Lose (+) with Aurelia Prima, and she also won't be able to aid in your escape since you'll have to subdue her to make her go with you all)

No, we're not leaving her here where Dione can use her powers to take control of her again.

 

[Solarstream]

vote will close at the following time: Jul 13, 2023 at 8:00 AM

 

[Zaealix]

[X][AP and Aid III] There's no point in her fighting here. (Lose (+) with Aurelia Prima, and she also won't be able to aid in your escape since you'll have to subdue her to make her go with you all)
-[X] Dionne's control powers limit what you can do as a rearguard. You might be able to delay Legion or some of the ohh th we demons but not Dione herself.

[X][Escape!] Just turn and run. You did your job. Besides, you can't risk her controlling you. You'll use your abilities to aid your escape, of course.
-[X]You don't know if Dione or Leigon cares about this, but too many innocents like who you once were are going to be caught in that angel's wrath. If you escape you can try to talk Capricorn Saturn down. If you fail…You can at least try to speak of what Dione has seen or act upon it.

 

[Wardragon]

[X][AP and Aid III] There's no point in her fighting here. (Lose (+) with Aurelia Prima, and she also won't be able to aid in your escape since you'll have to subdue her to make her go with you all)
-[X] Dionne's control powers limit what you can do as a rearguard. You might be able to delay Legion or some of the ohh th we demons but not Dione herself.

[X][Escape!] Just turn and run. You did your job. Besides, you can't risk her controlling you. You'll use your abilities to aid your escape, of course.
-[X]You don't know if Dione or Leigon cares about this, but too many innocents like who you once were are going to be caught in that angel's wrath. If you escape you can try to talk Capricorn Saturn down. If you fail…You can at least try to speak of what Dione has seen or act upon it.