Joe looks up from his plate and smiles sheepishly. "Well, regardless we should all head back to Camelot. Maybe take a few days. I just realized my coronation may he pushed back even further, due to my hidden quest to save Merlynn."
Joe then looks to the gathered Night Hawks. "Here's my problem. When I first came to the Garden to sacrifice, I originally thought as a sacrifice of Balance to The Mistress, I would wish for Morgana Le Fey to be imprisoned as she once was, sadly also sending Merlynn into exile to monitor Morgana. On a fluke of a question, The Mistress gave me the hidden quest in hopes of locking Morgana away while Merlynn would still have her freedom. And by the way The Mistress hinted at, I could wish for Morgana le Fey imprisoned while Merlynn would be free. I'm worried the longer this Dark Orb Wish goes unused the more likely a new dark Soul will rise in it's place."
King Joseph stands at his fullest height. "Guys. You're more than teammates. More than advisors. You're my friends. What do you think I should do? I could easily wish for Escalavar to be restored or have a new template added like Ryada wants to. I want to make the best choice for me, The Night Hawks, and Camelot! What do you think?"
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She looks a bit surprised and relays a bit skeptically, "Your quest is going to take a long time, all I know is that there are many requirements. Your coronation should take place."
"From what I can remember the Dark Soul's can only make a new Dark Soul after a month of the last one being deceased. Also it is more like a magical mantle, I don't think it has anything to do with the wishing stones. Though I will look over Frank's notes and check out his study." She relays with uncertainty at first and builds up to confidence.
"I think Escalavar will be restored soon enough, you just need some undead to kill, which I can produce with my Free XP. Also I know of many places that need undead purged from as well. Joe don't you already have a Seelie Template? You got it when I gained my fey change too, right? I don't think anyone can have more than one template. I could be wrong..." She trails off in thought and then stops. Looking at Joe she exclaims, "We have too many questions, to the library to get answers. Also with Niversal just taking the Draught, we should have him step out while we finish getting answers."
Joe listens to Jellena's advice. "Okay. I think I know what I want to do." Turning to the oracle, Joe asks, "Jellena, I would like for you to use your wishing stone to remove any hindrances or unforeseen circumstances for me to acquire the sublime template. And then, I will use my Dark Orb Wish to change my seelie template to the sublime template."
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With an appraising look she subtly replies, "I would be willing to do that though I would like to reserve the right to use one of your later wishes in return." With his agreement she would pull out her wishing stone and hand it over to him. "You could also use my daily wish should you want or need anything more or less? Perhaps sacrifice your extra gestalt bonuses to increase your fast healing by 2? They won't overlap." She says theorizing. Then she pulls out her obsidian bowl and dice... casting a spell and seeing, "Weal, weal, weal, and woe. With this option you are to lose the regeneration and vigor spell, in return for increaseing your fast healing by 2 more. Though if you wanted nigh 100% chance, then only increase it by 1."
Artemis would just ponder a bit, looking at his own orb as he feasts... taking a little amount of the wolf meat, being his kill and all, Artemis would have a venison steak, along with a based potato and a dry salad. "Well," Artemis starts, "In theory, we can solve the issue of Merlynn and Morgana Le Fey without any issue through the issueage of two wishes. One wish would be to create something as powerful as Merlynn, a force of powerful good, but have it be more... abstract, or a golem. And then the second wish could be used to imprison Morgana using the golem and not Merlynn as its source.
Artemis takes a bite out of his steak, " Since we are most likely not going that route, the question is... after the coronation, should we rush the Merlynn quest first? Or try and get Excalibur restored? We need to figure out the limitations of the Merlynn's quest and just hope it lines up with our side quests I suppose..."
Artemis starts, "In theory, we can solve the issue of Merlynn and Morgana Le Fey without any issue through the issueage of two wishes. One wish would be to create something as powerful as Merlynn, a force of powerful good, but have it be more... abstract, or a golem. And then the second wish could be used to imprison Morgana using the golem and not Merlynn as its source.
King Joseph perks up. "Now that's not a bad idea! What do you guys think of that theory?"
Artemis takes a bite out of his steak, " Since we are most likely not going that route, the question is... after the coronation, should we rush the Merlynn quest first? Or try and get Excalibur restored? We need to figure out the limitations of the Merlynn's quest and just hope it lines up with our side quests I suppose..."
"I don't know. The way The Mistress presented that quest made it seem like a solo quest. I don't know if I'll be allowed to have assistance."
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"More questions and less answers! Come on let's go back to the library. I will help Niversal get out, then we can work on one problem or question at a time." She says as she gets up and walks beside Niversal.
"Come along we don't want to waste those magical effects!" She says in earnest. She quickly guides you into the library, across to the main entrance. There she presses several buttons and moves a few crystals in rapid succession. Then the door opens and she would walk you out. Outside she says, "We will be back in a few minutes. Maybe an hour." With that she would answer a quick question before going back through the magical portal.
Now at the table with those who are researching she asks, "Who could we summon as summoning would be a lot easier than creating a construct for this purpose? Assuming you want to focus on the Merlynn problem first?"
"Well, we need to find someone, a being, more than capable, to do the job of keeping Morgana imprisoned. I'll start looking for extraplanar beings who would be ideal jailors."
Joe paused for a moment. "I'm researching for [u]my[/u] wish. No one is under any order or compulsion to assist me. You are free and autonomous to do as you wish."
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Joe finds 3 meaningful books on good powerful planar creatures. He also finds a magical text too, you may suggest what 'magic' is within the book otherwise I will come up with something.
He runs around, hoping someone will throw him a stick or a ball. He accepts any rubs. Eventually he goes off and plays with Brandon.
Joe finds 3 meaningful books on good powerful planar creatures. He also finds a magical text too, you may suggest what 'magic' is within the book otherwise I will come up with something.
Joe finds a magical case study, written in an high form Celestial. It spoke of several angelic host captains coming together to discuss the problematic distribution and confinement of damned souls.
One of these host captains disapproved of the damned souls going anywhere benefical to the Forces of Evil. This angelic host captain, named Aareshica, predicted that those damned souls sent to Hell would eventually become weaponized by The Lords of Hell (which did happen in the creation of lesser devils from the most damned mortal souls).
These angelic host captains experimented in creating a angelic being capable of 'dislodging' the mortal soul from the cosmos to eventually be forgotten, removing Hell and the other lower planes from claiming these damned souls as a resource.
Since Hell was originally suppose to be 'removed from the presence of The Gods", this angelic 'jailer' would allow the damned soul to remain in Heaven, but unable to interact in any way with the universe, only observe the happiness of others enjoying Heaven's bounty, to quickly be forgotten by all others, even Hell itself.
The notes were inconclusive about why Project: Jailer was not backed and funded. Someone wrote their theory in the columns: Empyreal politics. Or Project: Jailer worked too well, eventually leaving it's creation forgotten.
"You know that might work! Let me do some research on which champion or spirit would be best. I will need to find a crystal to power the summoning circle but seeing how the Library works, you might have one in storage that is not being used." She relays in excitement!
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Niversal stands outside having drank the draught but not feeling any different yet and then his back starts to tingle a bit and starts to eat really stiff and he frowns thinking it must be humid. And then he looks over at a tree about a fifty yards away and it starts to focus in and out and he rubs his eyes a little bit...
Serill nods at the Mistress inside Jellena, acknowledging the danger. "I will be cautious of the dangers. I shall make my wish with a promise." He holds out the orb that is his. "There are those few umbral dragons that have resisted the evil corruption that has befallen many of their brethren, keeping rememberance of their former selves when they made their home in the shadow plane. With this example, I wish to become brother to those umbral dragons, of the most ancient and pure of their bloodline."
"I will see that the shadow is used for its purpose in keeping balance with all things. The elect of the Mistress bear witness to this promise." Having made such a binding covenant, Serill waits for the wish to transform him.
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As Niversal continues to stand there his ears start to ring and he starts to hear the birds chirping for the first time in thirty years and his hip and knee start to really hurt as the bullet fragments in his hip get healed around and the broken wrist bone from the through and through starts to mend and his grip in the right hand starts to return. Niversal bends a bit at the waist with a deep breath as things begin to rapidly change now. He starts to sweat and his compressed spine starts to heal from one too many parachute jumps and his hair starts to change from deep salt to pepper and his beard loses its long grey streaks. Niversal pukes as his eyes get back to better then twenty twenty and cragged lines of his face from being in the sun and wind and rain smooth away. The muscles rebuild strength lost due to pain and time and at the end Niversal stands up over six feet two no longer bent, legs strong and pain gone glasses laying in the dirt.
In the book about the jailer you find a summoning ritual.
At the end of the day of studying, Joe approaches Merlynn and Jellena with the celestial journal and explains what the paladin found about Project Jailer.
Serill nods at the Mistress inside Jellena, acknowledging the danger. "I will be cautious of the dangers. I shall make my wish with a promise." He holds out the orb that is his. "There are those few umbral dragons that have resisted the evil corruption that has befallen many of their brethren, keeping rememberance of their former selves when they made their home in the shadow plane. With this example, I wish to become brother to those umbral dragons, of the most ancient and pure of their bloodline."
"I will see that the shadow is used for its purpose in keeping balance with all things. The elect of the Mistress bear witness to this promise." Having made such a binding covenant, Serill waits for the wish to transform him.
With his wish made a dark miasma comes over Serill and through it you can see his form changing in a rapid state, blood gushes from his previous form as changes take over his new form. As his muscles are growing you can see scales forming within the skin, even more larger scales burst through the skin which seem to be much thicker. His torso seems to be pale as the scales are dull and dark. His eyes change to be more reptilian or at least animalistic, taking on the characteristic glowing as if lit from within by crimson embers. From his back wings begin to grow out slowly. The wings quickly grow to full ability as they stretch and strengthen. His fingers change as the nails get pushed out as strong serrated talons form from the appendages. His mouth loses all his teeth as it elongates into a draconic snout, being rapidly replaced by sharp and much larger incisors.
The creature that replaces Serill is a sleek, dark humanoid dragon that moves with a disturbing, serpentine grace. He has a sinister and starved appearance. Upon his head are backward-sweeping horns.
Joe looks on in horror at Serill's transformation.
"Serill?! Are you alright?!"
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At Serill's abrupt and obviously painful change she is about ready to cast a healing but then shakes her head stating, "He will be with us again soon, just wait. I know the transformation looks painful and it is but it is needed. Right Artemis the transformation would not have been complete if the growth was not there?"
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"Project Jailer would seem to be a more permanent solution to the problem we have. Though the seven seraphim feathers might be hard to come by, Merlynn?"
"Yes, this second option seems very viable, thank you Joe. I will begin to look into that and how to acquire the necessary items. There is several extra crystals in storage that could work as energy capacitors. While you go work on your coronation I will be here checking all the options." She states and if there is no other questions she gets back to the books before her.
"Merlynn? I'd like to keep the Dark Orb in your company, for safe keeping and on how it will be used in your freedom." King Joseph asks his Court Wizard.
She pushes back from the table as Serill begins to change, her sword half drawn. At the words of Jellena she sheathes it again.
She would in stride pull the orb from her pocket and wish as well, "May all that is holy and righteous be mine, may this wish benefit me and not hinder another, may I remain an elf and myself gaining the holy template that I may be stronger and more capable to fight evil in the coming days."
The orb would crumble in her hand. The green, white, yellow, and golden colors emerge from the remnants of the orb. They swirl around her and leave behind Ryada with radiant glowing silver tattoos upon her arms, forehead, and body. Though she remains still herself physcially and mentally.
She smiles at those around her.
Joe stares dumbly at the newly-transformed Ryada.
Why? Oh why am I such a sucker for the 'good girls'?! Joe thought to himself. Speak, stupid! Use words! Lips! Move!
"Ahh..you look amazing, Ryada. How do you feel?"
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Jellena thinks about doing research on the hidden quest for the king of Avalon called 'One for Another.' She confers with the group of who would have the best chance to look into the history of such a quest and finds out it would be Serill.
She then puts out the other items and questions that needs to be investigated:
Dark Souls...
She would look over Frank's notes then do some research for herself specifically on how a Dark Soul forms. She comes up with nothing new though.
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"Frank's notes and books talk about a mantle having to be passed from the deceased Dark Soul to another by a ritual done by another Dark Soul. Nothing that I have seen says that the wishing stones have anything to do with it. Though it is only what I got from Frank's notes and his books. I could not find anything else on the subject." She also adds at the meeting about the jailer and summoning.
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She watches Joe as Ryada changes and waits for him to put his shoe in his mouth...
"I feel stronger overall, though still myself! Thanks for asking!" She beams positivity towards Joe.
"Uh... Serill how are you feeling?" She states knowing that a full transformation that he likely went through would likely be strenuous to say the least.
She smirks looking at you and states, "Joe... I can tell you still want me and your feelings are pretty obvious. Why won't you change to be an elf?!"
"Frank's notes and books talk about a mantle having to be passed from the deceased Dark Soul to another by a ritual done by another Dark Soul. Nothing that I have seen says that the wishing stones have anything to do with it. Though it is only what I got from Frank's notes and his books. I could not find anything else on the subject." She also adds at the meeting about the jailer and summoning.
"Thank you, Jellena. That's a huge weight off my mind."
The paladin turn around to face the elf bard. "Astute as always, Ryada." Joe asked Ryada to sit next to him and held her hand.
"Our last real talk was shortly before Mayor McCorrmick's party. The night my life changed forever, again!
The same reason I haven't changed my race to an elf is the same reason you haven't changed yours to a human. We both like being who we are. We are individuals first. But two individuals can come together to be something greater than it's parts."
The young king took a deep breath. "I'm in love with you, Ryada. You are a beautiful person, both in outer and inner beauty. You care for others as I do. One day, I want you to be my Queen. And I want to father your children."
"Now. I know how you feel about half-elf children, but I want you to consider some facts. Our children with the princes and princesses of the realm. They will have the love of two amazing parents. They will grow up to want for nothing. Our children would have every opportunity we never had growing up, with access to the greatest healers, teachers, clerics, and doctors in all of Arcanium. They have the blessing of The Mistress. And all our positive traits will also be theirs. They may even be aasimar."
Joe got down on both knees before Ryada. "We can have as long of a courtship as you like. Be my queen. Be the mother to our children and the next in line to the throne of Avalon."
"Please?"
Serill almost regretted the wish as soon as the transformation began. Only his determination to not fall to the ground saw him struggle through the pain. After a thousand years it was finally done. He flexed and observed the changes in himself, summoning a tiny magical mirror to help him. He was taller, stronger. His clothes had been torn or ripped open by increased muscles, sharp scales, wings and tail. He tore them off and let them fall, useless to him now as he stretched his wings out fully, almost knocking you over if you stood too close.
"Fear not my king. The pain has passed. I feel fine now. You may all relax." He folded his wings away. There was not unlimited room here. He responds to Ryada, "It is strange to look into this mirror and see another. Perhaps some of you know this feeling already. I am still the same. But. Better."
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Upon Serill's words of him being 'Better'. With a wave of her hand, she produced a simple large set of pants made of black cloth. Still averting her eyes from the new half dragon to her side, she offers, "To help with decency that we females may speak to you rather than to the side!" She smiles at this joke knowing full well the likelihood of what comes with such transformations.
"Serill most of us know this feeling from watching, as Artemis, Niversal, Frank, and yourself have made major changes." She says blushing a bit and averting her eyes from the other likely large extension he would likely have.
She smiles sweetly at your words and lets you continue without interruption.
She obviously was not ready for such a proclamation. She moves in her seat fidgeting a bit. "I will say yes but will hold you to that courting...You are always so earnest." She leaves it at that knowing full well that he will soon have her in his arms once more where she belongs. Caught up in emotions that have never stopped stirring in her.
"Thankyou Jellena." Serill accepts the pants and finds they are a good fit. He still felt strange being naked, though it was the least thing on his mind currently.
Like this but the horns are the wrong way and no stupid mane
Serill's Dragon Face
At Serill's abrupt and obviously painful change she is about ready to cast a healing but then shakes her head stating, "He will be with us again soon, just wait. I know the transformation looks painful and it is but it is needed. Right Artemis the transformation would not have been complete if the growth was not there?"
"I... I will have to assume so, my... transformation was more instantaneous, I just stepped through and assumed my new... current form..." Artemis says, just blinking a bit as he realizes he has to look up at Serill and that he has lost the mantle of being the tallest party member.
Looking at Serill directly, Artemis would start, "I.. I'm going to give you some advice Serill, learn to duck and be prepared for weather jokes, though considering that you are now part dragon, not sure if anyone besides the bravest of souls will want to ask you that..." With that, Artemis will go back to doing some alchemist research.
2 Negative Effects, 18 Meaningful Material, 1 Magical Text, 1 Magical Tome
"I could feel my bones reforming, skin changing into scales, new teeth and nails growing. And horns. It wasn't exactly enjoyable. But I have already almost forgotten it."
His scaly hands feel the contour of his horns while Artemis speaks. "Do any mock you, fiendish as you are? I had many short friends in another life. The jokes go both ways." His smile seemed more sinister than usual on his new face.
One for Another quest
Gather Information: hours
Knowledge (History):
Result: Meaningful Material = 4
Umbral Dragon Corruption
Gather Information: hours
Knowledge (History):
Result: Meaningful Material = 4
Umbral Dragon Quests
Gather Information: hours
Knowledge (History):
Result: Meaningful Material = 4
1d100: 1-5 a negative effect happens, 6-89 you find meaningful material, 90-99 you find a magical text, 100 gain a magical tome and re-roll.
Artemis with your large stack of meaningful books on alchemy and the arcane, no actual spells are among them.
You do find 3 extracts/wizard spells you can extract:
2nd - iron skin
2nd - invisibility
3rd - Thorn body
Among those books is a ritual spell which takes 10 minutes to cast. 1/day. Spell: Tongues.
The last magical tome can be 50,000 gp or less of your choice.
Also 2 will saves: DC 18 and 12.
The One for Another quest has only been done three times.
The first journal is torn, burnt, bloody and not much can be gathered from it other than it was a hard quest. He was a low level paladin with few friends. He died or at least the last journal entry was 35 days after he started the quest.
The next book tells of the legend of Arthur taking on a quest that cost him many of his knights. It talks more of legends and myths and gives no true specifics about the quest.
The last two books tell of Markas Jotunheim, his own journal and his bard's. These tell much about the quest. The quest was given to free his love from magical imprisonment. His rival Barielem Vorhallow had kidnapped Sera. Markas had to do many quests to gain items and power.
1 slay a dragon
2 defeat a champion without killing and gaining the admiration of a rival tribe/people
3 Answers the sphinx's 3 questions on your own
4 attain a holy or divine suit of armor or metal equipment
5 collect a fresh fallen star
6 gain a rod of rulership or command
7 have a willing companion to take the place of those imprisoned, or a magical way to cancel the spell.
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Umbral Dragon Corruption
With having such power one can easily be corrupted.
Umbral Dragons are raised to be cruel.
Etc.
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Umbral Dragon Quests
Please come up with 3 quests and I will do the same!
King Joseph joins the others with a large smile on his face. "Maybe I should have Niversal standing behind my left and Artemis on my right, then it would look like The Throne of Avalon has both the Powers of Heaven and Hell at it's disposal!"
"But no fighting, you two! I mean it." Joe added with a well-meaning grin.
At Jellena's request/suggestion, Serill had done some research about the quest that had been given to King Joseph and later gathered both of them to reveal what he had found.
"I have found at least 1 unfinished account of a young paladin taking this quest. From the state of the journal he either died or abandoned the quest."
"Another book speaks of Arthur incurring a cost of many knights while on a quest but gives no real details. Perhaps Merlynn might remember more about this?"
"Two more books tell of a 'Markas Jotunheim' and give much detail." He gives all of the books to Joe to look over on his own if he wants. "A rival had imprisoned his love. He had to do many things to get her back: 1 - slay a dragon. 2 - defeat a champion without killing and gaining the admiration of a rival tribe/people. 3 - Answers the sphinx's 3 questions on your own. 4 - attain a holy or divine suit of armor or metal equipment. 5 - collect a fresh fallen star. 6 - gain a rod of rulership or command. 7 - have a willing companion to take the place of those imprisoned, or a magical way to cancel the spell."
King Joseph takes the offered books and explanations. "Wow! You didn't have to do that, Serill. Thank you. I appreciate it."
The holy warrior takes a few moments to read on Markas Jotenheim's journey. "Markas sounds like he might have giant blood within him. This quest is epic! Worthy of it's own legend!"
The day had come and gone...
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At dinner after the day of research on the 6th day she asks the group, "So we have more information on Joe's quest. Most of it we can help him with it. At least if it is the same as Markas. Anything else we should research or develop before heading to Camelot?"
"Oh, also no one had used my wish yesterday so I created a cloak of resist +5, should someone want it? Markas made an item for himself, I crafted a wand, Castria worked with Delman on an item for him, and Merlynn worked on Serill's item. Did I miss anything else? Also each of you should take some time and learn at least one crafting feat!"
At dinner after the day of research on the 6th day she asks the group, "So we have more information on Joe's quest. Most of it we can help him with it. At least if it is the same as Markas. Anything else we should research or develop before heading to Camelot?"
"Not for me. I'm waiting to see if Merlynn has everything she needs for her summoning", Joe explained.
"Oh, also no one had used my wish yesterday so I created a cloak of resist +5, should someone want it? Markas made an item for himself, I crafted a wand, Castria worked with Delman on an item for him, and Merlynn worked on Serill's item. Did I miss anything else? Also each of you should take some time and learn at least one crafting feat!"
"Other than the cloak, what did you guys create? Can we see them?"
At first, the thought of a paladin creating magical items seemed crazy; Joe was no spellcaster. Yet, actually has was. Paladins did have a small list of spells and conceivably some of those can be used in item creation. As a King Of Avalon, funds aren't an issue anymore.
He slips off his boots and puts them on their sides on the table. He states with a proud air to his manner, "Boots of the Cat. These high-soled blue boots provide a great deal of comfort and arch support while also making the wearer appear a little bit taller than normal.
The boot’s wearer always takes the minimum possible damage from falls and at the end of a fall always lands on his feet."