Underneath the twisted blue moon

LordPenguin · Apr 13, 2019

Autumn 1984

Dace decided to focus on recovering and decided to trust his advisors to know what they were doing. In the meantime, he decided to spend a bit of time with the people he knew, to hopefully get to know him better. Ava was unavailable, and actively avoided him when he said he was looking for Myriam. When he found her, it was in an office covered from floor to ceiling in strange diagrams, charts, and numbers. The entire room was similar to a cocoon made from paper. The woman was scribbling at her desk, a bottle next to her work.

Dace walked in without knocking, making Myriam jump a bit, before glaring at him and patting her chest.

"I was busy, British businesses just don't want to come over here." The 'why are you here' was obvious enough that Dace managed to pick up on the hidden question. Dace shrugged.

"I heard you had difficulties when I was... Indisposed. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Myriam looked at him, before whipping her wand at him.

"What did I tell you the last time we went drinking?" Her hand was inching ever so close to the 'panic button' Ishmael insisted was installed in every advisor's desk. The man was not amused and conveyed it to her as he spoke dryly.

"You said that during your time at the academy, you were called 'Bitch-queen of Economy' as well as 'The Nutcracker Witch', that you were an expert at high heel sniping, and that you used to wear-"

"Okay! I believe you! Enough!" Myriam shouted, interrupting him and looking around for eavesdroppers, before sitting down and sighing, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry about that, with the strained budget from last year, things aren't going very well here. Have to compensate."

Dace hummed in agreement as the stressed woman began spilling everything that bothered her, in other words, everything from the internal council disputes to the several people trying to draw in the remnants of industry and the ensuing competition. Then, she got the alcohol out, something called 'Bruichladdich X4' and she began to drink. She offered some to Dace and he had to keep himself from spitting it out. This was strong. Myriam's expression and cackle irritated, however, and he drunk his glass with dignity.

The alcohol was very, very strong.

They both ended up very drunk, theorizing about things their sober selves couldn't imagine, and woke up with a massive hangover, though, thankfully, Dace had a potion or two to help with that.

Still, he felt as if he understood both Myriam and economics a little bit better after this.

-[X] Spend time with Social Links.(+2 RP)
--[X] Myriam Wells
92 + 15 (accounting) = 107 : Tier 4+ (7degrees) success : +2 St, +10 accounting, +6 RP, Stewardship Limit Break I : Base stewardship may now be raised to 13

Emboldened by his success at bonding with Myriam, Dace decided to go and see his son, Craidd. He was a small thing, and according to his minders, he was rather prone to illnesses and not very bright, though the strength of his lungs was undeniable.

Well, so was the strength in his fingers. Dace thought, having given up on trying to dislodge the child currently on his lap. He may have some experience in the domain of child-rearing, however, it still made him somewhat uncomfortable to have to be responsible for someone who can't look after themselves.

The child was his, clearly, the blue of his eyes had long turned into green, and the small tuft of ginger hair did remind him of some rather uncomfortable things. Still, he had to try, as it was his responsibility to do so.

So he did and took care of saving a few hours each day to try and connect with the child. He wasn't sure if it worked, but at the very least, the child recognized him enough not to vomit on him on sight as he did to some more zealous caretakers.

-[X] Meet your son
45 + 40 (empathy) + 20 (synergy) = 105 : Tier 2 success : +5 empathy (cap reached), SL unlocked
-[X] Spend time with Social Links.(+2 RP)
--[X] Craidd
94 + 40 (empathy) + 20 (synergy) = 154 : Tier 3 success : +5 empathy (cap reached), 1/3 towards Diplomacy Limit break I + 2 RP

During this period of time, while physically demanding work was forbidden, he could still do some research. Of course with the help of the somewhat reluctant miss Danvers, he did manage to make some progress in learning what exactly was wrong with him.

From what he found out, his problem was twofold. The first, deadly part was a defect on the genetic level, he could expect it. What was new was that, while it was curable, some strange energy always brought it back. Due to his recent high profile encounters, he finally knew what it was.

A divine curse.

From what he understood, he had two ways to proceed. Use means inaccessible to current deities, or find someone among said deities to null the curses. And if they're anything like the legends say, this was going to be an uphill battle.

-[X] Investigate the illness.
85 + 40 (lore) = 125 : Tier 3 success : +5 lore, +1/3 towards Mysticism Limit break I
-[X] Restoration (Way of Life:Magic)(Pride): (500,000G this turn)

All in all, Autumn started well. Then, it quickly went down to hell. First, his research on the Nature Anchor, while a success, only yielded a minimal amount of information from records, since he didn't have the genuine article on hand. Speaking of the genuine article, it appears that he was not the first one to have come here, and had to come back home empty-handed, but if it was only that, he wouldn't have cared that much.

-[X] The old tales are sometimes true.
--[X] Nature Anchor
71 + 70 (research) + 20 (synergy) = 161 = Tier 2 success, +5 research
-[X] Anchor hunting.
--[X] Nature
62 + 45 (lore) + 20 (synergy) + 20 (PS) + 20 (Snake) = 167 : Tier 3 success, + 5 Lore, +1/3 towards Mysticism Limit break I VERSUS 84 VERSUS 179. FAILURE
-[X] Personal supervision.
--[X] Anchor hunting

No, things started to get out of hand in late October, after he launched his operation to get back at Parkinson...
He should have thought to keep people at home, or at least have people patrolling his territory.

[INTRIGUE INTERRUPT]

He lifted his head up, interrupting his reading when he heard someone hurriedly knock at his door. He shouted at them to open and saw a disheveled miss Danvers, bags under her eyes, stopped her explanation in panic. Upon hearing it, he frowned, promptly got up, and headed towards the research room, to find it in chaos.

Papers were lying around in a disorganized manner, and he could see some files had paper sheets ripped out of them.

He'd been robbed, he realized numbly.

Someone copied your research on [Mobile tactics], -200 Research points.

-[X] Research.
--[X] Innovation recuperation (wizarding): 0/40 complete:
---[X] Excess: Wizarding, then Blood Magic

Rolled 66 + 70 (Research) = 136
[X][Sally] Not enough coffee : Sally's research skill is doubled this turn (40 becomes 80)
Research : 35 (leader/2) + 40 (Learning advisor/2) +25 (cities)= +100 / Turn (passive)
= +236 research – 200 (enemy intrigue)
= +36 research
=36/40 to Innovation recuperation (wizarding)[/SPOILER]

However, he could do nothing about it all, for now, so he had to focus on what the could do, as the time of the attack was near, and he had decided to help with the agents infiltrating Parkinson's stronghold...

[X]Investigation (Bull's Rest/Strathearn)
Rolled: 84 + 50 (rookie spy) = 134 : Tier 2 success.

First thing first, however, he had to look into some of the more notable pureblood change around here. For example, Bulstrode, who for some reason separated from the core of the Terrorist's forces and went off on his own with his family and his in-laws, the Travers. It was very interesting, as it made it so the floo system was effectively outside of the enemy's direct sphere of influence. The report from his spy over here was also very interesting.

The very first thing your spy has noticed was that Bulstrode was building farms. Not any kind of farm though, but a type of farm that was much more advanced than what was available with the current technology. It allied precise muggle and magical techniques and after having Sally look over the spy's description, she also agreed it was a sustainable one. In other words, Bulstrode likely had his own research laboratory and made his own advances.

That also explained a lot about their sudden trades for materials, as they were working on something huge. First estimates of the building base were one square kilometer, which made it a very ambitious first project, Dace mused, thinking about the project Sally came up with. Considering the theme and materials required, this may be a nature-related magical secret project...

New info!
Bulstrode researched [Ecological studies]
Bulstrode is building the [Hanging Gardens] Secret Project

-[X]Investigation (Where the Blacks go when defeated/Northumberland)
--[X] Monitoring
Rolled: 17 + 50 (rookie spy) + 60 (perception) = 127: Tier 2 success, +5 perception.

As his dream suggested, the Blacks indeed lost the war against Voldemort and had to flee from their ancestral home, no doubt with their rarest and most powerful artifact. However, they aren't very good at keeping a low profile due to their usual temper, so it provided Dace with the unique opportunity to learn more about where all of those pureblood families went once they bowed out of the fight.

However, the difficulty came up when they got out of Northumberland. Your agent saw them go. However, after that, a tall figure entirely clad in black appeared before them, and they all disappeared in a shower of blue light spheres. All your spy could catch was that they were heading South.

-[X]Sabotage (Parkinson/Dyfed) (4 agents)
--[X] Monitoring
Rolled 24/15/19/64 + 65 (perception)= 89/80/84/129 Versus
Versus: 68 (their roll)+ 40(strategy) +10(prep bonuses) = 118
3 Failures, 1 success.

Now came the time to set up the bases for the attack. Or so Dace would have liked to say, sighing at the result of the sabotage mission. Three agents dead. This was an unacceptable loss, especially considering the other spies' successes. That Nott girl was obviously expecting him to do something like this and laid traps for his men. Still, one lone spy, who was late to the infiltration, managed to avoid the opening salvo of spells and infiltrated the building. He managed to find a rather critical place of the building left unattended and proceeded to sabotage it.

In what way did the spy sabotage Parkinson's holding?

[]Explosive charges at the Gate.
Enemy reinforcements crippled during the attack.

[]Explosive charges in the council room.
A chance to kill council members.

[]Burnt documents in the study.
Holding advancement slowed for 2 turns.

[]Stolen resources.
+100k G, +20Stone, +20Wood (thank for whoever invented those expansion bags)

[]Stolen Treasure.
Choose between:
-[] Talisman of Mana
Class: treasure
Slot: Misc
Effect: Hero recovers 2 extra mana points per day
Part of the [Wizard's Well] Item set.
-[] Sanguine sword
Class: Major
Slot: Hand
Effect: +10 Damage, +10% attack, inflicts life drains to the enemy on contact.
Parkinson family heirloom

-[X]Theft (Ollivander's Notes/Dyfed) (2 agents)
--[X] Monitoring
Rolled 27/55 + 65 (perception) = 92/120
Versus: 68 (their roll)+ 40(strategy) +10(prep bonuses) +60 (Nott) = 188

"Hello there!" A cheerful, feminine voice rang out from Dace's monitoring equipment as the agents finished to scream. "Rafaela Nott here, and you must be Gwallawg huh? Now now, I get it, you're annoyed at the upstart on your lawn and all, and then there was the attack, but don't you think you're overreacting a bit? What's that I learned about an army coming this way?"

Annoyed, he tried to find a way to counter this, but be couldn't, not really, since attacking was his objective. However, as he opened his mouth, a flash of foreign inspiration took him over, and he smirked.

"It seems you and I have a different idea about what constitutes an army, lady Nott." Dace interrupted smoothly before she went straight for the condemnation. "One would think half a hundred death eaters would constitute a more than acceptable attack force, am I not correct? Unless the rumors are true and you are that strapped for manpower that you would accept anybody, including muggles?" He made a point of adding a derisive tone as he spoke about the nonmagical kind."No, we are here merely to say hello. I also do not appreciate you killing my diplomats and envoys."

The woman wheezed in disbelief.

"You can't think I'll believe-"
"They entered through the front door, did they not?" The idiots went left unsaid, but he thought about it very hard."
"Yes but-"
"And save for the essentials, they were unarmed, were they not?"
"Will you stop-"
"Then what, did you expect me to launch a two-man attack from within your own base? Please, if I did that, there would be at least some poisoning here. I am competent at what I do. "Contrary to Parkinson was also very much suggested. "If you must point fingers, I suggest you point them East. I heard Rowle has been meeting with a certain man with a white mask."

In other words, trade information he saw in a dream that is relevant to her master's objective, in exchange for her looking the other way in this case. The woman paused, then finally answered.

"Very well."

Dace felt oddly weak as he leaned back against his chair, and from the side of his eye, he saw one of his patrons. Odin slapped him upside the head.

"Now get back your son already."

Wait, what?

[INTRIGUE INTERRUPT]

They had the form of a woman in her forties, with honey blond hair, black eyes, and a kindly disposition. They ingratiated themselves among the staff in less than a few hours and, after a freak case of food poisoning, they proposed to replace the person currently in charge to watch Craidd.

They took the place of the maid.

Walked up to the room where the child slept.

Took him.

And simply walked out, with nobody noticing her.

Dace was not angry like he was when he learned of the research theft. He was furious.

Craidd abducted! Save for Aife, you no longer have any possible heir!

Realistically, he couldn't run out to find who did this, because all of his agents and armies were deployed elsewhere. Still, this would not be forgotten or forgiven
Dace now has was presented with a choice, that wasn't really one, considering he was being glared at by someone he really shouldn't annoy.
Therefore, he got up and decided to muster everything he could, in order to get his son back. The attack will lead itself on its own, he decided.

But how would he go around to doing it?

[] Write-in

Next time on DaceQuest : The Craidd rescue arc ! 72 hours votes~

Lysbeth · Apr 16, 2019

Snippets of Delphine's life.

After the incident with the unidentified... Thing... Delphine felt smaller and lonelier than ever. Her father still wasn't getting over his habit of eating those little sna-House elves, whereas her mother was spending more and more time in the training room that she had claimed for herself to make on-demand ominous predictions, telling them to anyone who asked, but especially to those who didn't.

Time passed slowly since the Incident and the first flowers were already blooming. For her greater despair, the little girl didn't have any friend and only had a house elf appointed as her confidante.

"You know Flowey, I love spring. I love the fact that the sun thinks my skin would look more fetching once roasted, I love the flowers that assault me using theyr sweet, sweet pollen as weapons to smother me, shutting down my nose and eyes. Really, I looove this season!"

Continuing to babble with a harmless expression to Flowey, the house elf head hung on the living room's wall, she didn't, and would never, notice the mysterious eyes staring at her weirdly.
---

Delphine was reading in her big, comfy bed. She could now convincingly pretend that, in addition to being able to speak both French and English, she knew enough latin to actually understand what kinds of spells those incantations meant.

However! She wouldn't, she refused to waste her potential by stopping to study language. Who cared the rest of the world was gone? It was still one of the easier things for her to learn! It was still one of the most relevant things to learn to become an Important Woman. Plus she had absolutely zero skills with the sword in dagger. If her enemy was a one-legged dwarf wielding a butter knife then sure, she would have a chance, and still, her victory wouldn't be certain.

One of her most ambitious dreams was to go out and travel the world, what was beyond that veil of Darkness. The world... Such a magnificent world to her ears. Sometimes her father, between two elves, would tell her stories about his own travels. He only had visited three countries other than France and England, but she always heard him talk about them with great enthusiasm.

However, each time she asked why she didn't get to travel abroad, even before the Dark, she only ever got vague answers, her begging and screaming never bearing fruit. Then, after each denial, each crying session and each lonely moment, she was learning.
---

Heat, insomnia, reddened and sensitive skin. There was no doubt.

Summer is coming.
---

Delphine was pumped up, akin to a battery, even though she had no idea what all of this meant. For your average muggle child, she would seem strange, but looking at the calendar in her bedroom, one could guess what made her so happy. Five, then four, then three, then two, then one, then nothing left.

Today, despite her mother's reluctance, and helped by her bribed father, she was going to Hogwarts! The place where her Fate awaited her!
---

There weren't many people at the train station, the Hogwarts express only going through Scotland now, due to the unrest, but she didn't let it bother her. After all, her goal was to find a car far from any and all human life, alnimals and other strange things.

Half an hour later after her perfect discovery, two strange children dressed in an almost identical fashion entered. Twins, she thought, a boy and a girl. The girl had blond hair and warm amber eyes, while the boy had strawberry blond hair and a blue lagoon gaze. Both had an elfin face, though the boy's face seemed a bit rougher.

Having finished her observations, she noticed they were staring at her too. Then, as all the manners lessons she ever had demanded, she put on a neutral expression and introduced herself.

"Greeting. My name is Delphine Bellatrix Noir, from the ancient and noble house of Noir. Who might you be?"

"Hi! I'm Heley Smith, and this is my brother Gawain!" Despite her cheerful introduction, she had that haughty yet sneaky air about her, and all of her teacher told her : "When you see that kind of people, watch your words and swallow back your remarks!" Pfeh, as if she didn't already know that! Thankfully, she had ensured those teachers were fired, how dare they insult her superior intellect!

The girl's brother continued.

"If you aren't waiting for someone, may we sit down?."

He had an innocent expression, and his smile was so sweet that she could almost believe he was harmless.

Almost.

Yet, she didn't have any reason to refuse them, and as such, graciously allowed them to sit down. Half an hour passed now, and if the first few seconds were to be trusted, she hated those two already. In reality, she didn't really know if she hated them, she didn't get enough contact with other people her age to know that, but she still didn't want to stay with them, they made her feel uncomfortable. Especially the boy.
---

Ten minutes later, her savior in high socks arrived.

The very moment Delphine saw her, she knew both of them would be great allies!
---

When she arrived, Delphine escaped from the Smith twins and stuck to her savior like glue, whose name was Betelgeuse "Betty's shorter" Hope. As they boarded the barks towards the castle, taking in the magnificent nocturnal scenery, they were accompanied by two boys, one of whom looked at her in a terrified manner, and the other who was reading his book and ignoring the rest of the world.

Delphine didn't see where the problem was. Today, she had light-absorbing dark plum hair, milky white skin and garnet red eyes. Her father even approved of her looks, and people from that side of the family usually had an eye for beauty!

Still, she understood. Outsiders judged with different standards, and, filled with disappointment, she morphed, because while she didn't mind having people terrified of her, the smell of urine was not appreciated at all. She entered the Great Hall with lilac colored hair and big, green eyes under the stupefied gaze of Betelgeuse.
---

Being among the first to be sorted, it was nothing. Being THE first, however, was an entirely different beast altogether? If she did the slightest mistake, her reputation would never recover. Rearranging her clothes, neatening her hair and putting on a (fake) wondering expression on her face, the simple-minded will see an ordinary girl, the smarter ones, a potential enemy.
---

All of her life, she had prepared for that moment and she wasn't about to give up now!
Hogwarts had no idea of what just entered its halls.
---
The Hat barely touched her wonderfully noble hair when it screamed.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"

She barely paid attention to the sorting, too busy glaring at those who seemed surprised of her House.

What? Am I judging your socks' color huh?

Right!

The only names she remembered were Betelgeuse Hope who went to Slytherin, the reverse reader was Aldebaran Lovegood, her fellow Hufflepuff, while Gawain and Heley Smith went to Gryffindor. She was happy not to have been sorted with the Smith, even though she knew that keeping tabs on them wouldn't be free.

The reader next to her seemed to make people around them run away.

An alliance was born.

LordPenguin · Apr 17, 2019

Chasing the Badger (1)

Dace felt the need to swear when Angus grimaced, telling him that contact with the army was lost, but he carried on. His golems were too slow, although he would have liked to have the red sons with him for this fight. It was probably going to be a fighting retreat on the opponent's part, the obvious problems here being that he had no idea where the opponent was headed to, what were their abilities, or even who they-

A flash of inspiration went through his mind and he held his head. The slight pain he felt was familiar. This was the same pain he felt when he acquired the memories from that time.
Several concepts forcefully embedded themselves within his head. The Court of Hearts, the Corruption, but more important was the fact that his opponent was Helga Hufflepuff. He had his doubts when he encountered the black lion, however, this? This he could trust. He sent out a message to everybody he could think of, then ran towards his library in order to get an idea of what he was about to fight.

Helga Hufflepuff, born from minor nobility whose claim to fame was apiculture and exportation. She was a learned woman, with a silver tongue and great administrative abilities. She also had a way with plants and nature in general that only the first Rosiers could pretend to equal.

Nothing was said about her combat abilities, and she was notable for her utter lack of ruse, being at times overly trusting. In hindsight, this should have been the most telling thing about her, for how would someone so guileless manage to hold together a group including Salazar Slytherin in their ranks?

If the woman wasn't currently running away with his child, he would admit to feeling quite a bit of respect for a thousand-year-old subterfuge. However, something very concerning arose, as the fate of the Founders wasn't a nice one. Helga Hufflepuff and Godric Gryffindor were the first two to disappear, never to be seen again after a legion of werewolves attacked Hogwarts. The beasts were slain at the cost of two of the founders, and at the time, people thought the price had been their lives. Obviously, this wasn't the case.

Rowena Ravenclaw, refusing to accept that result, and now it seemed obvious the remaining two were aware of what happened, began to travel around the world, coming back sporadically to the school. Salazar Slytherin began great construction projects, but he never kept any written notes of his works, so they have been lost to history, the only remaining trace of those events having ever happened being the rumors of a hidden room, the Chamber of Secrets.

Yet, Salazar also ended up disappearing. Rowena went after him, but the reports on this were confused. Everyone agreed that there were shouts, spells flung, and a giant column of light. After that, Rowena was the only one who came back, and it is assumed she killed Slytherin in a wizard's duel, though she denied it herself.

There were a few reports along the centuries, about a woman who matched her description appearing sporadically before disappearing again, but they were restricted to Ireland and therefore, not relevant, though it may explain in part why Ireland is inaccessible. Though, there has been a recent sighting of her in Scotland. That reminded him, he'd need to look into the Smiths soon. They were her descendants, after all.

The really interesting thing was how people reacted to it. The Longbottoms were particularly involved during that period, and it is very likely they know more about it. The Blacks obviously do, as they are attracted to death and carnage like carrion birds. The Shafiq might, though they are foreigners, their obsessive curiosity may have helped them unearth some secret.
The beginnings of a plan were forming in his mind, and he wrote a note to one of his maids to sent word for Frank Longbottom. The man was in a relatively stable political situation right now and was his best chance of getting some explanations or help.

In the same vein, he sent a message to the Terrorist. Since there was technically an attack going on and he was moving with known enemies of his, Dace would rather he did not get the wrong idea about it. He also sent his discoveries about the Court of Hearts and a copy of his own reports on the subject, it couldn't hurt.

All in all, he had a good idea of who Helga Hufflepuff was, and an average estimation of her abilities. This didn't tell him where she was headed, of course, but it was a good starting point. As he went out of his library, someone came up with a report from his saboteur. He apparently burnt all of Parkinson's research. Good.

As he entered his living room, the fireplace flared emerald, which surprised him, as he thought Travers would have taken the Floo system on the Terrorist's orders. He must have settled for monitoring the movements instead.
Out of it came Frank Longbottom, followed by Kingsley Shackelbolt, and the infamous Bellatrix Black.

Frank seemed to have, at least in part, recovered from his wife's death. Standing taller, and thrumming with Willpower. He and Dace stared at each other, both immediately sensing the other, though Frank's furrowed brow was unwelcome. Shacklebolt was also active, but it was Black who was the most ominous, as her skin was paler than he remembered and her eyes and hair had turned black. He didn't quite know the significance of that, but her too big, twisted smile put him on edge. He signaled for them to sit when the fireplace flared emerald once more.

Out of it came a familiar and unwelcome figure. His wayward daughter, who looked very much like she didn't want to be here, followed by Regulus Black and Serafina Abbott

Regulus looked tired, but he had nothing on the Abbott matriarch, who looked about to just fall asleep on the spot, her make up was messy, her eyes red, and Dace was fairly sure somebody else clothed her because she simply didn't look up to the task.

They looked at each other in silence, tension running high until Aife spoke up.

"I've contacted the ministry to warn them about us, they shouldn't get spooked." It was clear she wanted to say something else, but chose against it, starting hard at Dace.

"I have done the same with the Terrorist." He answered.

Silence reigned in the room until Bellatrix got up.

"I have known cemeteries that were livelier!" She proclaimed exuberantly, eliciting a groan from Abbott, before swanning towards her cousin. " My oh my, lookie here, it's itty bitty Reggie!" She stood before him, waving and shouting as if he was several rooms away.

"Bella, this is serious." He was massaging his temples, long brown hair falling on his face, but his tone unyielding. As he leaned slightly forward, a heavy, golden locket came into view, ornated with an emerald studded, S-shaped snake. Bella just leaned away, pouting.

"I know that! Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, but you know, they're getting away quickly!" She spread her arms and began twirling, giggling, causing her green robes to flutter before she stopped as her back was turned to the fireplace, and she was facing everyone. "Especially since, you know, she's headed down there." she pointed down, her hand at the level of her sternum with an impish smile.

"Bella..." Regulus repeated, warning tinging his voice this time.

"You're no fun! Fine, let's do it the boring way then!" Her expression immediately changed, her childish mania replaced by an uncomfortably intense seriousness and focus. "Hufflepuff is in Gloucester. Likely headed towards Cornwall as well. She seems to be retreating quickly and hidden troops along the way. It usually wouldn't be a concern, but her final destination is worrying on several levels. If the child wasn't a person of interest to those two, I would have advised letting the Hearts have their victory." She crossed her arms, staring into the distance. "However, they have shown to have the ability to hide children, even from their own blood relations or divine interference, and the events of Oakvale are only proof of what they're able of..." She trailed off, shaking her head, before turning back to her too-cheerful self. "In other words! We either need to get that kid back or make sure Hufflepuff doesn't die in Cornwall!"

That... Was easier said than done. Speed was the key here, and the golems were just too slow, so the group set out, full speed, towards Helga's last known location, brooms being capital for speed's sake. However, as they arrived, a cloud of small beings, fairies, he remembered, attacked them and made them fall from their brooms, even though they managed to kill off some. As he fell, while he cast a cushioning charm, he saw the woman further ahead before his sight was blocked by the forest. Touching down, he also realized that Abbott was nowhere to be found...

Combat tutorial!

As far as he could see, there were 4 groups of hostile fairies (purple is Helga's faction's color) while he (Red), Longbottom's faction (Blue), and Aife's faction (Green)

Experience: 1500/6,200

Level 5 Hero: All spells cost half mana/willpower to cast.

Personal stats:
Luck: 0 Each time the unit attacks, a dice sill be rolled. The DC is 100 - Luckx10
Morale: 0 Each time the unit attacks, a dice sill be rolled. The DC is 100 - Moralex10
Damage: 15 Each times the unit attacks, this is the base damage they inflict
Hitpoints: 150 the Unit's health
Speed: 7 The maximum anount of cases the unit dan walk per battle turns. May not move diagonally.
Movement: 23 The speed of the unit on the Strategic Map
Mana: 10 (+1/day) the unit's mana pool.
Willpower: 330 the unit's mana reserve.

10% Melee Attack enhances damage, and neutralizes defense (10% attack vs 10% defense becomes nulled.)
10% Ranged Attack enhances damage, and neutralizes ranged defense
10 % Melee Defense reduces damage taken
10 % Ranged defense reduces ranged damage taken
0% Magic resistance chances to null magical effects.

Tutorial hint: The order of battle is determined by the army's speed average. The higher it is, the faster it gets to attack.

Looking for [Tactics] skill...
[Tactics] Skill found: Aife: Green Faction gets an extra turn. Green faction gets to affack first each turn.

Turn 0: Tactics

As far as you can see, the enemy army is divided in 4 stacks of 10 corrupted fairies!

Aife moves and attacks! 4 corrupted fairies die!
Regulus moves and attacks! 1 corrupted fairy dies!

Turn 1:

Green:

Aife attacks! 9 corrupted fairies die !
Regulus moves and attacks! 1 corrupted fairy dies!

Purple:

Helga flees!
Fairies move and attack Regulus! -54hp (46/100) [No Retaliation] Activated, retaliation impossible!
Fairies move and attack Regulus! -30 hp (16/100) [No Retaliation] Activated, retaliation impossible!
Fairies move and attack Dace! -24 hp (126/150) [No Retaliation] Activated, retaliation impossible!

Blue:

Frank moves and uses bind wounds on: Regulus gains 36 hp (52/100)
Bellatrix moves and attacks! 3 corrupted fairies die!
Kingsley moves and attacks! 2 corrupted fairies die!

Red:

What does Dace do?
[] Move (write-in cases and directions)
[] Attack (Write in target)
[X] Ranged attack (Single fairy)

Tutorial hints:
You may move before attacking, but not after attacking, save if you have a special ability.
The number of cases you may move through depends on your character's Speed
If you use a ranged attack on an enemy without the ability to attack at range, that enemy will not be able to retaliate.
Each time you attack a unit, that unit may retaliate. In other words, it will attack back unless abilities like [No retaliation] are used, of specific conditions are in play (aka, you use a ranged attack on a unit who doesn't have one)

Dace attacks:

Blast attack: 15 damage, 10% ranged attack
Corrupted fairies (1) : 7 hp , 10% ranged defense
15 damage inflicted
Fairy dead

Turn 2:

Green:

Aife moves and attacks! 9 corrupted fairies die!
Regulus moves and attacks! 1 corrupted fairy dies!

Purple:

The fairies flee South towards the trees. [Stealth] Activates. The fairies have left the fight!

Fight won!

Casualties : 31 corrupted fairies!

No looted item

Every hero gets 36 exp!

Dace waved his wand to get rid of the black ichor he was covered in when that fairy exploded, but it did nothing more than bubble. Sighing, he got a handkerchief and wiped his cheek, looking around. Dozens of those dark parodies of the fairies he used to know were littering the floor, lifeless as Aife killed them en masse with ease. If anything, she looked rather motivated.

He looked around and took stock of the situation. Abbott had been separated from them in their fall, and the fairies disappeared in the direction they were heading towards. If, as he suspected, Hufflepuff got her hands on the power of Nature, he'll have to expect more of those twisted creatures. Possibly even more powerful ones.

He could try to convince the others to walk up, then go along the water to avoid the vegetation, though it would take more time and could allow Hufflepuff to escape if they took too much time.

Then came the problem of Serafina Abbott. She could be alive, she could be dead, or she could be captured, but she should still be around. Looking for her could take a lot of time, however.

What does Dace choose to do?

[] Go on ahead. It may be a trap, but there's no time to lose.
[] Find another way. Safer, but it will take more time.
[] Look for Serafina. She's important and should not be left alone and powerless.

More maths for me ! Yay !
Tutorials!
Also, you weren't allowed to vote for battle that turn, but next one you'll get to drive. Unless...

Do you want to activate auto-battle?
[] Yes.
[] No.

(24 hours voting phase~)

Kufufu · Apr 20, 2019

Freds Shopping Extravaganza!

Finding a smith who can craft an item of the caliber you seek is no simple matter even in the heart of The Old Kingdom. Of all the territories claimed by that lost empire, it is the old heartland that remembers best the traditions of The Old Kingdom. It was no accident that your deceased family members sealed their ancestral blade so wholly. It is truly a pity that means of its construction had been lost to time as in spite of all the wrongs your ancestors committed during their time one cannot deny the simple virtue of Mastersteel. It holds an edge sharper then one would generally be able to put on a weapon of war and it keeps that pristine quality no matter how it is used. Regardless, it was your grandfather who sent of on this hunt for a craftsman so you knew there must be someone with the skills required...

DC: 100, 110
roll: 70+ 30 =100

Using his rank to open doors and coin to grease palms you finally succeed in tracking down a possible god trained smith.
The house you find yourself before creeks mournfully in the wind from the sea, you catch the sound of a broken window-blind slamming against a wall... not a very prosperous smith then. The manservant that greets you at the door speaks in an indescribable accent that could only come from a sailor's polyglot wanderings. His breath smells of cheese onions and a hint of spirits. Not the most impeccable of servants, but perhaps he has hidden talents. On hearing you would wish to speak to his master he is silent a long while... uncertainty or sadness?

"What would you be wanting with master Cadwallader ?" he asks, bluntly. Etiquette is most certainly not his first concern.

"We have need of his services to forge a blade of timeless quality," you reply. "We have heard he possess this rarest of gifts."

"The master can't do any more of that these days," the servant answers. This time the wistfulness is clear. "He's getting busier these days..."

"Does he still have the knowledge?" you ask. "plenty of cheap labor to go around."
"Kind ser..." the manservant begins then hesitates. "He'd probably tell you better himself. He'd welcome your company for sure."

You are lead into what is not quite a living room, though the smells of smoke and sea breezes waft through the air. "Welcome," a soft voice calls out. Carwyn of Lancaster

When he lays eyes on you, he is very amused. "I've been commissioned on a handful of times thus far, but I must be doing something right if the likes of you have come all this way." The youth's voice is layered with amusement and pride.

Diplomacy Roll: 86

you are rather taken with the man, drinking and telling stories, You smile at Carwyn's stories of family, and reciprocate with a few of your own. In the end, you decide to stay for dinner, talking of magic, history and even art and current events.

Finally, you come to the object of your visit. " Master Cadwallader you have been an exceedingly gracious host, but I feel its time we got to the heart of the matter. I need a blade forged for my family, trying times are ahead, and it is imperative that we are prepared." the smith is quiet for a time, and he takes several sips of his wine while he makes no secret of his examination of you.

"I could craft a blade for you," he says at last. "it is said The Old Kingdom once produced the finest arms known to man, but I'm sure I'm a close second! Do be aware though; this will cost no small amount of gold."

"I'm sure we can afford it, master Cadwallader," you reply. "But I would learn further of this price before I agree to anything."

"A reasonable enough request." You notice his eyes take on a mischievous glint and suddenly you fear for your vaults. "I believe around four-hundred sixty-five thousand Galleons should cover my services, though that leaves the cost of all these frankly exceedingly expensive materials I will need to procure for you."

You begin to suspect that this man was neither as poor as his house suggested nor as kind as that smile lead you to believe.
What do you reply?

[X] Agree to his price (Grandfather sent you here for a reason, let's not disappoint him ey? (Mr.Piggy will haunt your dreams))

[] The moment the room stops spinning you are leaving,! Never in all your life have you spent so much money on a single object and you aren't about to start now! ( Grandfather is displeased, Mr.Piggy will be safe...for now)

*****************

Madam Pandamonium said:
Poor Mr.Piggy...

Rook Schneizel said:
Eh, I still say Miss Kermit is the coin bank we should have chosen.

Madam Pandamonium said:
How Dare you?! do you net see that plump, pink skin, those little legs, and those small, trusting eyes? Have you no heart at all?!

Rook Schneziel said:
I have a heart. I just also prefer bacon to fried frog legs

madam Pandamonium said:
... Anyways. You could buy a small castle at that price, are we sure we want to proceed with it? We could still go dungeon diving, heard something about Wales...

Hogerr said:
Our money

Martial player3 said:
Still though, a high-quality sword that could last us forever is worth it. No replacements add up long term and all the money in the world won't matter if we're dead.

skeptical pork said:
Are we even sure he's the right guy?
I mean, he looks shifty to me...
For all we know, the old drunk was the true master, and we're failing his test right now!

Martial player2 said:
If he's trying to test us while we're trying to buy his wares why should we care? He should be glad to have our services. Not many people can afford these expensive prices after all. His loss basically.

GOOD QM said:
Can confirm, this is a master. second best in the isle!

Rook Schneizel said:
Whose the first?

Miss Piggy said:
My question exactly.

GOOD QM said:
said:
His mother of course.
you can't afford her though, besides she is far too busy looking aftter....stuff.....and....things. Like the structural security of the wine cellar!

Rook Schneizel said:
So the best master on the isle is a drunkard, just great.

Skeptical pork said:
see?
I was right!
Well, half-right.

GOOD QM said:
* Does background rolls *
If you aren't drinking by the next end of the next arc Ill give you a miracle point.

Bad luck magnet said:
Oh? Now I'm interested.

GOOD QM said:
good Luck
you're going to need it

the chronic Alcoholic said:
haha, joke's on you, I'm allergic to alcohol, so there!
Now gimme my MP!

Community Pig said:
Hey, we all have to decide how to use it. It was given to the thread as a whole here.

GOOD QM said:
trust me, allergies won't keep you from the bottle. Not when Dace memes are involved!

The Guy in the Know said:
Dace huh...

GOOD QM said:
yep!

Miss Pandamonium said:
hey guys, remember that thing in Wales you guys judged was just my paranoia?
Because I think we're gonna get involved in it

Helgas Spy said:
Hey, we haven't heard anything specific. We can still safely call it paranoia.

Forensic Linguist said:
(Dace is a Welsh name, ergo, the dace in question is Welsh. Perfect logic)

Rook Schneziel said:
It's a European name. All of them overlap pretty heavily enough that pinning a name to a single country doesn't work.

TheCorn said:
you see, that's the flaw in your logic.
There's no Europe anymore
plus, Wales is pretty rad if you ignore the mind controlled armies in the South!

Rook Schneziel said:
So? The origins of the names still can't be pinned down.
And are you kidding? That makes it more interesting.
Dangerous, sure. Interesting? Yes.

He who underestimates the power of the expensive sword said:
an overpriced stabby sword won't protect us against the Imperio though

GOOD QM said:
You know what? Miss Piggy, feel free to share some of that meta knowledge, bedazzle the boys and girls if you would be so kind!
the bit about Dace and his recent family outing.

Mr. Piggy said:
Miss Piggy! Save your husband's life from a needless sacrifice!

Miss Piggy said:
Ooooh~you mean that...
Yes. I heard that man had a rather open-door policy(edited)
thankfully (for some), he should learn to be a bit more wary after being so incessantly badgered by his neighbor because of his terrible skills at keeping track of his children~

Rook Schneziel said:
And who is the neighbor in this case?

[i]THE BEES[/i] said:
the local bee keeper~

Christopher robin said:
Pooh Bear? Is that you

Kufufu · Apr 21, 2019

Carwyn Cadwallader Negaverse

Diplomacy

[X] [Forging a connection] The Good Father has come to your house seeking two things: medical aid for his charge and a weapon to ensure that it's harder for her enemies to leave her damaged like this again. You know what the weapon must be made of, but you are drawing a blank on what exactly to make. Well, there's a simple solution here, meet this girl and ask her what weapon she would have from you. It's not exactly like she has other things to do.
Cost: Personal action.
Potential Reward: SL opened, Bonus to [Forge the Blade]
Required roll: 40, 70
Rolled: 59+10=69 (romantic critical success)

You have never felt this...awkward. The conversation started innocently enough; you asked the girl (Starla or something) if she was recovering well, she responded well to this, so well in fact that her dilated eyes haven't left your person since you started talking. When it seemed as though she was slowing down, you asked her about how she came by her wounds and *that* particular story went on for a good two hours. When did talking to the fairer sex, become so easy?

(Rewards: Starley (Starla? Stacy?) is interested in you! She wants a Bastard Sword! SL opened)

[X] [Squirrls and diamonds and...wait, what?]
Some way, Somehow, the local squirrel population has formed a Mafia of sorts. While strange, so long as they gave you your cut of the profits for letting them act in your territory, you wouldn't care, however: the Don has made contact, and he has an offer for you.
Roll required:??? (its squirrels, who can know?)
Rolled: 100+ 10= 110 (crit success )

The Don had more than an offer; he had a plan! See he had heard about your need for diamonds (from where you ask? forget about it!) and he's willing to help you out so long as you agree to let him as his "family" operate in your territory free of charge for ten years. And Just because he likes your face, he'll keep out competitors from your "turf" for free.
Naturally, you accept this generous offer.

(continued in the"Life's Gone Nutty" interlude)

(Rewards: plenty of diamonds for the Sword, Positive first contact with the Squirrel Faction, Wanted for Various Crimes in Pictland, Gained rival: Pictland Law enforcement)

Stewardship:

[X] [Hunt for Titanium] You have spent a good long while building up a trade network for just the purpose! Now is the time for your traders to show their worth a bring you a beautiful (hopefully cheap) hunk of Titanium!
Cost: 10,000 Gold or 100,000 Gold
Potential Reward: Titanium for a low price
Roll required: 60, 80.
Rolled:30+30+10=70

Good news! Your traders succeed after only two weeks of searching!
Bad news! It was horrendously expensive, and your coin purse is exceedingly displeased with you, you are displeased with your traders, and your traders are ashamed of themselves, as they should be.
(Result: Lost 100,000 Gold, Gained 1 Titanium!)

Intrigue:

[X] [Supply and Demand] You had the novel idea of paying some travelers to inform you of the wants and needs of other nations, here's to hoping you get some valuable information!
Cost: 500 Gold
Potential Reward: Inside Information on other faction economic status.
Roll required: 50, 60, 70 , 80, 90, 100,110, 120
Rolled: 30+13=43

While your Idea was sound in concept, you merely didn't receive a great deal of useful information here, save that the Shafiq are now in the market for real estate, which would be helpful if you were involved in said market.

(Result: Minor Failure.)

Learning:

[X] [prepare the Ritual] You've spent an inordinate amount of money on this project, everything must go perfectly! You will make certain it does! pre-prepare the rituals required, warm the forges and get some rest before three days ( Hopefully ) of work.
Cost: 10000 gold
Reward: Massive Bonus (+20) to [Forge The Blade]
Roll Required: 80
Rolled: 57+32= 89

The time you spend here is time well spent, you actually manage to streamline the process by a margin, ensuring that you will finish the process in a timely manner. The rituals are charged, the circles are, and The Forge is warm.
You are ready.

(result: Massive bonus to [Forge The Blade], hidden malis removed, [Forge The Blade] will finish this turn. )

[X] [Forge The Blade]
The Preparations Have been made, its time to forge the weapon before the priest leaves.
Cost: 1 Titanium, 10 Diamond
Reward: Adamantine Bastard sword Forged, Commission Finished, Pay received!
Roll Required:80
Rolled: 73+80+20= 173

You spend three days in the workshop.
You do not eat.
You do not sleep.
You do not stop.
Dozens of Alchemical Rights and transfusions are performed, and the diamonds grow into each other.
Spell is weaved into spell, creating a grand tapestry that only you can see, until finally the Titanium has been shaped to your specifications and the Diamonds continue to grow around it.
You spend what feels like hours at the Forge, crafting and enchanting each metal piece particularly to enhance their durability so that they might be just as unbreakable as their sister parts.
Finally after three days and two nights you come out of the workshop, tired and overwhelmingly pleased with yourself.
The sword will be worth every copper, every heist and every drop of sweat you put into it and more importantly, will pay for itself three times over.

(Reward: Major artifact crafted, Commission is finished, and your coin purse is singing again! Literally. why did you enchant it to do that again?)

Mysticism:

[X] [Find a Mysticism adviser]
You are what one would call a powerful man, but only a fool would delve into the more profound mysteries unaccompanied. You are no Fool!
Cost: 1000 Gold
Reward: A Qualified Learning Adviser.
Roll Required: 60+25 (high standards) = 85
Rolled: 41+32 = 73

Unfortunately, your search is fruitless, you have failed to find a qualified researcher in time. You have, however, managed to thin the crowd considerably. So much so in fact that you feel that you should find a qualified person by the end of the next season.

(result: Action Locked for next turn, one less Learning slot next turn. DC decreased)

************************

Make a comment below with your desired negaverse name if you want to have a negaverse comment.
Have fun on vacation Lord Penguin!

SocsoD · May 1, 2019

EmperorKillerWhale said:
The world you knew had ended.

It didn't come quietly, like so many of the preachers you had heard proclaim. It started by taking America down under an impenetrable black cloud. The panic was palpable even then, but it would've been manageable. It would've been survivable.

And then the monsters began to show up. Giant, hulking wolves that roamed most of the streets, feasting on corpses of those who couldn't get away or those hunted down. Feral and terrifying, they walked with impunity, without fear.

[X] Bomb Shelter

On the outside at least. You'd managed to find a place to hole up in with your friends, and you couldn't have been more thankful. The earth covering up the sides and the aggressive vegetation reclaiming the land helped give it a good amount of coverage, where you were less likely to be found, and though small, it provided a good amount of protection, especially with the solid steel door that blocked out the world.

It was more than a bit small though.

[X] Minecraft Steve

[X] Macho Martin

Despite the few rooms, you could fit yourself and your two buddies Steven and Martin inside, and have passable room to live in. The two were both a part of your construction company that had gotten a job to create renovations for the new wing of a school building, but had to scramble after the first monsters started showing up. Steven's hobbies and interests had managed to save your hides when he'd discovered this place, and in a rare miracle, you saw Martin complimenting Steve for what he'd pulled off.

There were still some funds you had managed to keep your hands on when everything went to hell from the job you were here for. They probably wouldn't be asking you to return it now, when they were occupied with bigger things.

How were you going to spend it while the world still took wads of paper as anything worth something?

May 1st, 1981

Available Funds: +++++
[ ] Food
[ ] Weapons
[ ] Construction
[ ] Energy

(Options can be selected more than once)

Queen Mary said:
Glad to see us on the front lines of hell. We're probably in for really fun times thanks to hard mode.

EmperorKillerWhale said:
No, that's not here. I can show you a great example of the actual front lines of hell later, though!

SocksOn said:
Goddamnit, why do you always do this Mary. Is it too much to ask for you not to tempt fate for once in your life?

CrimsonMöbiusStrip said:
For once I agree. Mary is going to get us killed, no question.

Queen Mary said:
You say that as if sockdice won't be the prevalent cause of death.

MMMARL said:
Lmao cursed sockdice

EmperorKillerWhale said:
What's sockdice?

Don't mind me, ask LordPenguin for details

Lysbeth · May 2, 2019

HeartsQuest Negaverse: Helga wants a husband!

Actions: Personal x 3: spend time with Jack! (getting acquainted)

Actions: Personal x 1: spend time with Jack! (notice me senpai!)

Somewhen in Winter 1983

Ever since She found where Rowena was hiding, Helga had been feeling alone. All Godric could ever speak about was the good old days when Rowena and he were all lovey-dovey.

And to be perfectly honest, she was feeling envious. Her beloved husband died almost a millennium ago, and she's had no relationships with anyone ever since. Furthermore, her current state meant that there would be quite the difficulty to find someone to love for herself.

That's when she saw him.

He was so handsome, with his oh so delicately ornated, strikingly beautiful mask, mastering strength, skill and will with an ease that would leave anyone green with envy. He was one of the most powerful men she'd ever seen, his display of power during one of his rare fits of anger leaving a village of heretics obliterated.

"So manly~" She giggled girlishly. She just knew she had found the perfect man she had been waiting so long for!

And that's when she decided, Jack of Blades would be her future husband.

H̢̞̩̓ͣͦͩͥ̎̆͊͜͞ḛ̮̬̲͇͂͒͋̃̏̒̚ ̡͖̯̟̥̩̅̏̉̔̀d̵̢̽̈̅̋̏̇ͣͣ̉͏̹͕͍̯̪ŏ̿̾̋͊̂҉̯̦ͅe̷̸̫͔̯ͣ̿̉ͬ̋̐͢s͉̺̞͔̹̙̯̣̮͊̍͗̉̀ņ͗ͥͣ̋̀̓҉̱͎́'̴̛̜̟͔̙͖͇͍̳͓̽ͥ͌ͣ̂͢t̤̪͈̤͗̔̃ͬͬͥ ̤̜̹̺̾̌̄̔̈̿h̞̳͚̼̫̦̰͛͆͂̌̇̓͝å̴̷͙͖͎̺̬̈̀v̰̞̔ͭ́ͧ̒̄͊͠é̡͈̮̭͊̔ͬ̑̂ͦ ̏̎̐ͧ̀҉̳̻͎͉̹ͅͅǎ̹̗͕ͦ̐ͥ͐̄̕͘̕ ̴͙̘̭̮̣̭̫͐͑͐̑͛͢ͅc̫͖͖͎̊͑h͕̩͌ͯ̈́͗̈ͨ͊̀̚o͔̯͙̣̙͖̫͚̓̅͐ͪͥ̌̓̚͠ǐ̸͏̣̻̙̞͈̙̱͈̙c͑͒́̽͌҉̯̞̱e̞͉̱̯̯̓̆͆̂͘.ͨ̑̑ͩͬ҉͍͓͎̫̼͙̙̲̖͜

***

A few days later, however, she had to admit that she had forgotten that seducing a man was difficult. Even more so if he did not even notice your existence.

Even though she had tried several times in such a caring and subtle way!

...

If subtlety didn't work, she was going to have to try another method.

***

One day, she decided to take her courage between her two hands and handed the surprised man a basket.

"I don't care that you're going to destroy a village, but you need to eat breakfast, your body needs maintenance even if you're strong! And here, lunch. N-Not that I made it especially for you! I made too much for Godric and myself this morning!"

With these words, Helga turned and ran away.

13 + 110 (empathy) + 20 (presence 100) = 143 Pass

+2 +3 (Empathy 100) RP

Jack of Blades SL Level 1!

***

Another day, she was sewing something, then handing it to a rather bemused Blade representative.

"Jack, Why do you wear such rags? People will not take you seriously and will not respect you! N-not that it worries me or interests me that people make fun of you! J-Just pay attention to yourself will you?!"

With these words, Helga turned and ran away.

61+ 110 (empathy) + 20 (presence 100) = 191 Pass

+2 +3 (Empathy 100) RP

Jack of Blades SL level 2!

***

Then, on a rather sunny day...

Helga put her fists on her hip and looked disapprovingly at the man, who was practicing his swordplay with Godric. Both men bore injuries, and both were injured by their enemies when they really should rest.

"Godric! Jack! You both should be in the infirmary right now!" She gave them the 'disappointed mother' look that never failed before. on her right, Little Nymphadora was eating some freshly baked cookies.

"Mother, I want more of those." The little darling said, crumbs around her mouth and a beatific expression on her face. Helga immediately melted and turned towards her.

"Awww, of course, you can have more sweetheart!"

She saw the little girl make two signs with her fingers, and immediately turned around.

That traitor Godric had run away!

95 + 110 (empathy) + 20 (presence 100) = 225 Tier 2 success! + 5 Empathy

+2 +3 (Empathy 100) RP

Jack of Blades SL level 3!

SL Ability obtained:

[Herald of the Void]: No matter how corrupted you are, people just don't think something's off with you: immune to void detection methods and detection by void.

100 (Why?!) + 20 (manipulation) + 20 (presence 100) = 140 : Tier 7 success

+10 Manipulation

+2 Intrigue

Intrigue: Limit Break! x2

Jack thoroughly seduced. When you weren't even trying. I HATE you. T_T

Nat100 Bonus: +10 on child's genetics rolls

She was fuming, plotting nasty revenge (most likely in the forms of carrot-centered meals for the next few days) when Jack tilted his head, arms crossed, nodded, walked up to Helga, and lifted her off the ground, eliciting a surprised squeal from the woman. He then headed towards her chamber, and Helga's eyes widened in realization.

A few hours later, Helga was feeling triumphant.

Haha! Suck it Godric! I'm the one who got laid first!

Pregnancy? : 52 + 50 (base) + 30 (Blessed) = 132

Congratulations! You are now pregnant.

Genetics rolls? Genetics rolls.

Detailed results:

Intelligence: 100 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 115 (Nat100) : T5 Intelligence trait acquired

Strength: 62 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) +10 (2T4) = 87 : T2 Strength trait acquired

Fertility: 73 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) +10 (1T5) = 98 : T4 Fertility trait acquired

Beauty: 95 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 120 : T4 beauty trait acquired

Height: 9 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 24

Voice (rough): 59 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 74

Voice (soft): 47 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 62

Speed: 55 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) = 70

Magic:63 + 10 (Nat100) + 5 (AK) + 20 (2T5) = 98 : T4 Magic trait acquired

Bloodline (Helga): 91 + 10 (Nat100) : [Badger's Blood] Obtained

Bloodline (Hero of Oakvale): 99 + 10 (Nat100) : [Archon's Blood] Obtained

Rolled 2 : Congratulations, it's a girl.

So that's where all your luck went to huh?

Behold! The monument to your sins! The great power of the dice made manifest! The height of your depravity! Burn into thine eyes the punishing lance of great retribution!

Yeah, I'm totally throwing hard mode at you, next turn. Screw game balance, you're practically Hax mode Gilgamesh at this point.

PinkCircle said:
...Panther, are you okay?

QueenPanther said:
I'm sulking!

Victoria said:
She's totally watching Drakengard to console herself.

QueenPanther said:
Shut up!

Victoria said:
Anyways. Us getting pregnant changes nothing. We're activating plan : Perfect Orphanage is Winning Nicely!

MAARL said:
Not sure this is a good idea. We'd be committing most of our forces to this.

MyopicPrincess said:
Huh. I have a younger sister. Nice.

PinkCircle said:
As if you weren't going to turn coats.

MyopicPrincess said:
I'm not!

MAARL said:
Huh huh

DiscuS said:
HAhAhahAHAHAHhAhahAHAhAh

Hohoho said:
... I'm almost scared to ask

wandaeatscake said:
Huh? Panther, why do I see a turn 4 sheet for me?

DiscuS said:
HAhHAhhahHAHhHAhAHhAhAhHAhAh

QueenPanther said:
Ignore discus, this turn was hard on hard modes.

Hohoho said:
Ominous...

Lysbeth · May 3, 2019

First day at Hogwarts : Morning

The arrival at Hogwarts was ... strange.

Especially in these troubled times, paranoia was ambient, anyone could see it but that would not stop her from becoming the brightest witch of this generation!

Today is the first day of our young witch's adventures in Hogwarts.

However, even for her, what happened when she woke up today was somewhat strange as she saw a mass of white hair on her pillow, and the top of her head felt... empty, for lack of a better word, and her hair had turned colorless without her input, that should not be possible.

It was not particularly unpleasant but rather ... worrying.

A few moments later, her hair became colorful again and her eyes no longer felt compressed. The problem was, one of the girls was awake.

"Delphine? What was it?"

" To be honest, I do not know." And admitting that annoyed her to no end.

" It was weird! Your eyes were glowy white or well, I don't know how to explain know. They were, like, animated or something? But they were looking at something that wasn't there either..."

The other girl in the dorm nodded.

"Yes, you were all weird and muttering about a lance that would pierce the sky and what not. you were weird."

"What do you mean?" Delphine was starting to have an idea of what happened, and she didn't like it at all.

This atmosphere was getting stranger and stranger. The last time the atmosphere was like that when ... The... The thing -

"Your eyes stared at a corner of the wall." The brown haired roommate interrupted her thinking, earning herself some hidden irritation from the other girl.

"A-Anyways! I am a metamorphmagus so if sometimes I am a little different on a physical level or if I suddenly get really clumsy, it's because I'm preparing to change myself. I'm sorry for worrying you." Delphine said with a confidence she wasn't sure she had.

'Although almost everything I said was wrong, I could not allow an exceptional witch like me to lose face.'

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Once in the Great Room and a little quieter, I saw most people drowning in their cup of tea ...

Meh. Tea is a drink for the weak, coffee is so much better.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

The principal teachers and the prefects gave them their schedules. Not knowing the castle, She decided to use the 25 minutes she had left to go to class.

The other Hufflepuff decided to follow her, declaring her the leader of their exploration.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

It was 5 minutes before the start of the class that they (finally) found the room.

This course, the one from eight o'clock to ten o'clock in the morning was a new one. It was created in order to educate them as quickly as possible, and didn't this sound particularly ominous. It certainly didn't help with her growing sense of paranoia.

When the teacher lifted their wand, signaling the beginning of the class, all the Hufflepuffs were there but that was far from the case for the Gryffindor. Indeed, only half of their year was present.

But the professor did not seem to want to wait for the last latecomers.

"Hello to all. I am Professor Mizat Maolconaire and I will be your teacher of the newly created class, 'Magical Folk Studies'. The first people I'm going to-"

He was interrupted by the Gryffindors arriving and sighed, before giving them a strict glare.

"I do not usually take points that early in the year, but it seems to instill bad habits. Minus 10 points for Gryffindor. Now find yourself a place and quickly." He turned back towards the rest of the class.

"The first people we are going to study are the Goblin people. I know most of you think you know a lot about them but the points of view are pretty biased in that regard. Goblins have often been at war with us, that much is fact, indeed. They are known to be miserly, cruel, cunning and manipulative creatures.

You can not buy their weapons. You can provide them with materials and fragments of your magic to create objects that they will then lend you, but remember, you can not buy their weapons, they are close. Goblins can even stop the contract when they want the weapon, if it is particularly powerful. According to their own laws, Gryffindor's sword belongs to the Goblin Nation, and wizards are thieves to keep it away from them. The Goblin population has a realm and you all know the name.

Yes it's Gringotts. I advise you to warn your families. The times are getting darker. You do not want to leave your money to a race that will certainly try to overthrow us again."

Ending his discourse on this ominous note, he told us the chapters of our books he wanted us to read. No one spoke up during that lesson.

The next hour she spent into the common room to learn more about her min-comrades.

The one who interested her the most was Aldebaran. A Lovegood saner than the rest of his family doubled with a genius. He was a little more isolated and looked a little familiar to her.

Leaving the room, the Smiths came to meet her and after a long and boring conversation, she took the lead and asked why the teacher of the magical people had spoken for them in the hallways.

The answer stunned her.

The Smiths were muggle-borns.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Delphine's Dia-research notes! They're research notes! Definitely notes! I wouldn't have anything as childish as a diary!

-------------------------------

Hogwarts is weird. Everyone is frowning, nobody speaks loudly, and everyone keeps looking around them! Still, it's the place for the elite, so it's the place for me!

----------------------------------

Day 1

----------------------------------

Waking up, my beloved roommates are screaming loud enough to wake the dead. I'm almost sure I saw the fat friar floating across the room and plugging his ears at one point. Shouldn't it be forbidden? He's a guy! In a girl's dormitory!

Anyways, apparently, I had a moment of absence and changed forms while speaking about weird things. I'm not scared, but this would sound scary.

Apparently, I was talking about a "Lance that would pierce the sky", but the girls didn't remember about anything more about it save a bit about "Six catastrophes for the kings of light and a Seventh for the sleeping child."

Yeah. I'm fairly sure Mother would be ecstatic to learn that.

I just hadn't woken up yet. Yes, it must be that. I say silly things when I'm half-asleep.

---

During Breakfast, people were looking at the teachers. one of them, especially.

I asked a student further down the table who he was.

The sleepy barely understandable answer was:

"Him? * yawn * it's Mizat Maolconaire. They had so much trouble finding a new teacher."

With these words, the larv-student went to drown himself in a cup of tea.

Pooh! How can he drink this thing? Coffee is so much better than that. What a band of ignorants!

-----

9.00

-----

After searching the room for 20 minutes, (Why doesn't Hogwarts have a plan after a thousand years of existence ?!) and finally, finally we finally found it.

-----

11.00

----

During the botany class, we, noble Hufflepuffs, recited our books on the subject to honor our beloved teacher ... Also, in those greenhouses could be seen a large variety of plants, sometimes beautiful and soft, sometimes of dangerous beauty.

I think I will love this course.

-----

11.30

-----

I withdraw what I said.

Why, WE, students need to weed? Aren't the elves normally supposed to deal with these kinds of tasks?!

Lysbeth · May 3, 2019

(Young) Helga Hufflepuff

LordPenguin · May 3, 2019

Chasing the badger (2)

The Wandering wonder wonders.

"My, is that not interesting my child? You sure are a popular one nowadays. Or unpopular. Nevertheless, good job!"

Silence.

"Someone's feeling catty today~ The stench of Despair, my, I'm starting to feel peckish now~"

Silence.

"Awww, but it's time to eat, no?"

Silence.

"You're no fun. Good thing I don't answer to you!"

Silence.

"But everyone else is already here, you know? O-Oh... You didn't know that. My bad~! I'll just see myself out and say hello to my kid!"

The wondering Wanderer wanders.

Dace blinked.

Frank had just finished healing Regulus and they were preparing to ride again when the subject of the missing Abbott came up again.

The choice to look for Serafina was a unanimous one, though he didn't agree with it internally, as it would both take time and no doubt turn into a hostage situation. Which would take even more time. However, he did not fancy going off on his own, considering the kind of creatures roaming around and therefore, he agreed with the rest of the group, if only to assuage their worries. Bellatrix Black began muttering, waving her wand until she lifted her head.

"Little Angel is in the eastern forest~"

Just as she said those words, a scream tore through the air, SouthEast of them. Aife seemed to be able to recognize the scream, as her lips set in a thin, displeased line. It seemed like they had found their missing member. Riding on their transfigured horses, courtesy of the half-dead Regulus, they hurried traveling down the path, until they faced the forest, Dace throwing one last, mournful look at the path Hufflepuff used to run away, footsteps turning into pawprints.

Something else to keep in mind, it seemed.

The forest was dark, darker than it should be for that age and type of vegetation, he remembered, and, concentrating on what he used to feel in his last life, he could see the regular usual emerald tendrils were a sickly brown mottled with black. Not even the Death-tainted nature of the Fortress, already ominously colored like dying leaves, looked that unsettling.

He took a breath and felt his stomach rebel against him, reaching for a power he knew no longer dwelled within.

Annoyance battled with uneasiness and he fought his instinct to flee.

This was a terrible idea.

Leaves were whispering without wind and he stopped his horse, the rest of the group ahead of him. Perhaps it was because of his memories, or simple instinct or even self-preservation.

"Treants." He hissed, causing Bellatrix to turn around, her serious demeanor back.

"What?"

It all came together now.

"It's a ploy to slow us down. Camouflaged treants along the way to Serafina. They'll root and stop us. It doesn't even matter if they die one by one, as long as they stop us one at a time. If we proceed with this plan, Hufflepuff will run."

"Should have watched your son more closely then." She answered mercilessly, before squeezing her horse's flank, causing it to advance once more as she turned back to look in front of her. Still, she looked warier than before, which meant this wasn't a complete loss.

Aife sighed, before throwing a baleful look in Dace's direction.

"I put her in that situation, the least I could do is to not abandon her to her fate."

Longbottom didn't even bother to answer and Dace had to swallow his retort. The forest was looming over them, frail rays of sunlight barely breaking through the canopy, only to be swallowed by the mist, which gave it a gloomy and almost claustrophobic feeling. The fake horses didn't make any noise, there was no wind, no birds, no nothing, save for an echoing high pitched giggled and the distinct impression they were being observed. After a few minutes that seemed to be hours, they found Serafina unconscious to the ground. Aife immediately dismounted and rushed towards the woman's side. Her eyes fluttered a bit, but other than speaking in a low voice, she didn't do more. His wayward daughter's lips thinned, but she said nothing as she hauled the Abbott matriarch up as if she was no heavier than a pillow, and carefully set her behind Regulus before riding out.

Paranoia was at an all-time high as they rode full speed outside of the forest when they came upon an empty, lifeless field. It wasn't that there was no vegetation, though it didn't help, but rather that the soil was grey, there was no wind, and Dace could see come bones jutting out of the ground. Memories came back to the forefront and he mentally swore. The land of the Dead...

The grey field expanded as far as he could see, with the sea being visible on the north, hills being the only things with the ruined, deserted city, that obstructed his view.

He couldn't see any signs of life.

Wait, not quite. He could see several adults, one of them carrying an unconscious child, walking away from them.

Enemy strategy roll: 102
Perception roll : 33 +65 (perception) +5 (DrElsewhere)= 103 : pass.

While their presence seemed suspicious here, Dace already knew that Hufflepuff had turned into a badger, and while the traces were still faint, they were still there. He promptly ignored them, as a witch of Hufflepuff's talent no doubt could have faked them just in case. He was humming and wondering for a while. A badger can't be that fast, and magical means of transportation don't work here, meaning he finally had some time to think.

To his right, Regulus was wheezing and holding his head while his body seemed about to fall. Dace caught him before he fell and managed to get a view of his solid blue eyes before the man closed them and turned his head away from him towards the Longbottom, whose eyebrow raised in surprise.

"Sorry about that. Hufflepuff is heading-"

The shrieking of air and the flash of a spell had them turn towards the left, where Bellatrix just launched a spell in the direction of the group. Then something strange happened, as while sanity seemed to be a luxury most Black couldn't afford, power was something they had in spades, and a spell suddenly fizzling out of existence wasn't exactly common. Having Ishmael in his employ, he immediately recognized that this group probably harbored one of those magic-immune 'Blanks', as people had taken to calling them.

Aife shouted and tried to call Bellatrix back, in vain, and Dace was left with a decision to take: Continue the chase or try helping with the fight.

The choice was taken out of his hand when he heard a shrill scream, similar to the sound one would produce by dragging a nail across a chalkboard's surface. He turned towards that direction and saw what could only be called an army...

Perception roll : 82 + 65 (perception) = 147 : Tier 2 success, +5 perception

But not any army, he realized, looking at it more closely. At its front was a tall creature clad in black with glowing red eyes. Behind it was a veritable sea of bodies. Even from what he could see, there were at least ten thousand of them here. Possibly even more.

"Can't-Sirius-here-grk-" At that moment, Regulus whined in pain while holding his head, before almost choking on his own tongue. Then Bellatrix fell off her horse after a particularly well-placed bullet caused her shield to explode. A one-armed muggle leaped forwards, took the horse and began galloping away as a shockwave of some sort of energy paralyzed them all, and all Dace could see was the tides of what his sense informed him were undead were approaching.

Then, from the North comes another scream, as inhuman as the last one, as a pillar of darkness reached up to the sky, before ballooning and blowing up, revealing an island to the distance upon which sat a bone white fortress. Dace recognized it. It was Lundy Island and Riddle's fortress. Above the necropolis, a giant chunk of black stone was floating in the air, pulsating with malicious energy and, directly in front of it, a skeleton in ornated robes was staring down at the field.

The paralysis suddenly wore off as the dead reached him, and his instincts took over immediately. Dace forced the horse to back off, only for it to fall to the ground, its flanks already attacked by the ravenous undead.

Getting up wasn't too hard, he wasn't injured in the fall. However, as he was running back, he noticed he had been separated from the group.

The walls of the necropolis had fallen, revealing a massive amount of ghosts, who poured out like a river of egg whites and clashed against the undead. A shockwave of purple energy appeared due to the strength of the clash. Once, the ground darkened and took a purple tint. Twice, the sky darkened and took a green color. As the third clash happened, however, everything, from the ground to the ghosts, to the undead, the water, and the sky, was covered in dark purple veins.

Dace took a step back, and a squishing noise had him look down, leading him to see that he stepped on some sort of sack filled with what seemed to be blood.

The creatures on the edges of the fight weren't affected by the latest consequence of the fight, but the ones in the middle, on the other hand...
The armies weren't clashing anymore, they were folding, similarly to cloth you would drag up from the center.

The mass of flesh was squirming and warping, slowly changing and merging into a tower that aimed to reach the sky. It was impossibly tall, looking more like a snake jumping up, until it hit some sort of upper limit, a massive thudding noise as it did making Dace's bones rattle. Then, the tower opened its mouth and latched on that barrier, purple veins spreading around it, then stopping.

*Ahem*
Test test 1-2, is it working now? It does! Sorry for interrupting your scheduled zombie apocalypse~ Buuut, there's something interesting you should see, watch!

Helga Hufflepuff looked at the scene apathetically, from the top of a nearby hill, well away from the field. She wiped the dirt off her robe, ignoring the badger-sized hole in the ground right next to her, and stared more closely.

"Oh dear, this doesn't look good at all." She commented as her hand reached inside her robes, revealing a black sphere. "I didn't want to use it for that, but it can't be helped~."

She held her palm horizontally, and she very clearly enunciated [Containment] as the tower prepared to rise. The sphere began floating before it took on two colors. One emeral green, the other dark purple; and the sphere broke horizontally. The purple half lodged itself in the tower and it screamed, the sky becoming just a bit clearer, and the ground just a bit softer, while the green half went far, far North, sailing towards a fortress still in construction and landing in the central plaza like a Meteor, before dissolving into a perfect emerald circle.

Inside the tower, a dark humanoid shape saw two black cubes roll and fall to the ground, before sinking in, eliciting a howl of rage from their owner as in a northern plaza, two emerald cubes emerged from the emerald circle.

Conditions fulfilled.
Limitations defined.
Prophecy issued.
[Babel of Perdition scenario starts!]

Dace ran as fast as he could towards the forest. He didn't fancy his chances against the undead who were spreading around, no longer in a single direction. He hoped the fairies wouldn't try anything as he passed.

That's when he was jumped on by a slobbering, shrieking creature. A snapping noise had his stomach fall to rock bottom. His wand just broke. He tried to get the undead creature off him, but it just growled and bit him.

Dace screamed and tried harder to fight off the thing biting his neck before it did too much damage when a bell-like squeak sound reached his ear and the undead was pushed off him, before a group of shadow fairies fell down on it, tiny fists covered in light sparkles, killing the thing. Dace felt an intense burning on his neck and lifted a hand to it, thankfully the bite was shallow, sat up and just looked at the fairy who landed on his knee.

It was a very smug-looking fairy.

More moaning was heard and he turned his head to see an almost solid block of undead heading his way. Then, roots shot up, entangling them as the very forest around him woke up.

The fairy punched him in the nose, not even causing him any pain, and squeaked again, demanding he paid attention to her.

She then began floating, her fairy sisters lifting him up the ground, though they struggled with his weight, and carried him to the edge of the territory when he could see no more traces of Death magic. As the fairies dropped him onto the ground, he heard a familiar wail, as Craidd was unceremoniously dropped onto his lap.

The fairy mimed a pop with her mouth and he got the message.

Side-along apparition was risky, but in the present situation, he had no choices. He had lots of questions, but right now safety first. He visualized the infirmary, selected it as his destination and-PAIN

The liquid fire in his neck distracted him at a critical moment and he felt himself being torn into two. The nurse screamed upon seeing him, and he blacked out due to the pain. He hated splinching.

Craidd looked at the people going on around him. He was a lot smarter than what people said you know? He just couldn't be bothered with paying attention to people when there were so many floating shiny people around!

They always told him the best stories!

Right now though, he was behaving. Lots of people were crying, but he didn't really understand why. Dace was here, after all, still breathing. Wasn't it enough already? He wondered, looking at the sleeping form of his father.

Besides, he's not that great you know! The nurse said he'd likely never wake up! How lazy could he get?!

Sally came and kneeled in front of him to explain things. He liked Sally, she smelled nice, and the glowing people and the One-eyed man also said they liked her. Ava was weird at times, but really fun too! But that was it, really. People aren't all that nice. They always look at him in a non-fun way, so he sticks with Ava and Sally.

"Hey there Craidd." Sally smiled at him.
"Hello!" Craidd answered in the correct way. Good boys need to speak correctly!
"Do you want me to read something to you?"
"Um." Craidd nodded happily, looking at the strange bracelet she wore, It took all of her 'forearm' and it smelled a lot like metal. It had glowing things on it too, and it was filled with very thick needles. Sally said it was what helped her go over her shyness and made her safe around him, so he didn't say anything.

Dace Gwallawg is comatose and unable to continue his duties. Inheritance mode : Agnatic-cognatic primogeniture
Heir : Craidd Gwallawg.
Jumping...
switching POV character.
Target: Craidd Gwallawg.
POV Switched!

Craidd Gwallawg is currently a minor! therefore, he will need a regent.

Possible regents: Note: the regent will be busy and won't be able to become Craidd's educator.

[]Angus Savage:
Mediocre Diplomacy
Low Stewardship
Very Good Martial
Mediocre Intrigue
Low Learning
Good Mysticism

[]Ava Lloyd:
Very good Diplomacy
Excellent Stewardship
Average Martial
Average Intrigue
Mediocre Learning
Average Mysticism

[]Myriam Wells:
Mediocre Diplomacy
Very Good Stewardship
Mediocre Martial
Average Intrigue
Good Learning
Low Mysticism

[]Sally Danvers
Very Good Diplomacy
Good Stewardship
Good Martial
Good Intrigue
Good Learning
Fantastic Mysticism

Choose an educator for Craidd:
[] Angus
[] Ava
[] Myriam
[] Sally

So. First, apologies for the tardiness.

Then, well. Basically... uh.

Yeah. That happened.

At least you got Craidd back?

24 hours vote! *immediately hides because what the cluck just happened here?!*

Underneath the twisted blue moon

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

LordPenguin

Lysbeth

Réfléchie

LordPenguin

Kufufu

Adequate at best

Kufufu

Adequate at best

SocsoD

Humanity's Oldest NEET

Lysbeth

Réfléchie

Lysbeth

Réfléchie

Lysbeth

Réfléchie

LordPenguin

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks

Recent threadmarks