"Greetings, fine sirs. What a splendid night! Pray tell, is it to late in the evening to visit the office of Owl City's Mayor? Our adventuring party, Aeria Gloris, cleared out all the mites at the lumberyard, and were told the mayor holds the reward for such a feat."
"Oh nice! Yeah Rognar would love to hear that! Lady Narisce has working hours until 11. She would be glad to have you. Would you like an escort to the mansion?" He says happily.
"That would very kindly, gentlemen. Please", the cleric said, giving as humble bow.
The guards nod and escort Zaidel and the rest of your group that follows down the road some hundred feet to a very large house. There are lots of floating lights around the house, the only building with light outside.
The guards walk up to the gate and their leader says, "Mighty Seven the Owl watches." You hear the rustling of vines and vegetation. Then they open the gate and walk up to the door. He also adds, "Security words to the fey protections." He knocks on the door three times with the brass knocker. Then turns back to your group, "Have a good night, they will take good care of you." Then the three guards begin to walk out to the gate.
Once they get to the gate the door opens and you see a pretty young woman in a simple green dress. She offers, "Do you need an audience with Lady Narisce and what business shall I tell her you come for?"
Like everyone, Zaidel is shocked to see beam shoot down from the darkness and radiate on Mia.
She looks to the group and asks, "What wish should I make, the luck of the gods? Anyone can be a Chosen, they must grasp onto their values and strive to do better, to save others and be a hero. To that end I shall be a Chosen One of Cayden Cailean."
With that said a terrier with silver glowing eyes appears beside her. She lightly strokes its head. She adds, "Zaidel, do you have an extra holy symbol?"
The look of shock on Zaidel's bearded face changes to pure elation! "OH MY GODS! MIA! You're a paladin of Cayden?!"
The satyr sweeps the new paladin in his arms and hugs her.
"I can't believe it!! I'm so proud! And soooo jealous! That's so unbelievably cool!" Zaidel laughed. "No, I don't have any extra holy symbol, but we'll find you one at the earliest convenience!"
The caydenites part as Zaidel puts Mia down, then immediately kneels down before the silver-eyed terrier.
"Hello, friend. It is good to meet you!"
The elation on Zaidel's face is matched by her own, "Yes I am a paladin of Cayden! Now our bond has even more overlaps!"
She smiles as Zaidel interacts with her new familiar.
---
She follows the guards at Zaidel's side and asks questions of the guards, "So what kind of protections are you talking about? Fey creatures or plants?!"
As the guards go to the gate she says, "Thank you for your help, may Cayden bless your travels."
As the young woman answers the door she looks to Zaidel if he will answer her.
Zaidel bows low again. "Good evening, miss. Our adventuring party wish to meet her Mayorship, concerning the reward for clearing the lumberyard of the mite infestation."
He soaks in all the conversation and smiles when some of them are gleeful. He moved to the back of the group letting the charismatic individuals take point on the talking.
She smiles at what Zaidel says and responds with, "Excellent, please follow me. I will take you into the foyer." She pulls the door completely open and waits for the group to enter. She indicates the door with her hand. Once everyone is in she closes the door and follows the group into the foyer. There she states, "Please help yourselves to a drink. I will inform Lady Narcise that you are here." With that said she closes the door, locks it, and walks down the hallway.
The mansion has all sorts of vines, flowers and such growing out of every corner possible. The couches are comfy and a small wooden table holds a tray with glasses. There is also a pitcher of water and a bottle of wine on the tray. There is plenty of books on the shelves but that is mainly the thing of interest in the room.
A few minutes pass then the door unlocks. A strikingly beautiful creature walks into the room in a long flowing red gown. It is see through, so you can see all her curves, though whatever is wrapped on her makes it so you can't see her skin. She has a bouquet of flowers in her hair. Her eyes nearly glow green and her lips are black. A large amount of tasteful makeup covers her face. She says as she sashays into the room, "I am Lady Narcise, mayor and protector of Owl Port and its surrounding domain. You have cleared the mites of the lumberyard, excellent." With a wave of her hand a bag for each of you appears on the wooden table. "A meager sum for adventurers. How else can I be of service?" The young woman in the blue dress enters the room and closes the door. If anyone doesn't have a drink she walks over to your side, then waits for a pause in the conversation to ask what you would like.
As Aeria Gloris waits in the foyer, Zaidel points out to the group. "Eh, stay away from those 'flowers', they're venus flytraps. Some of them look nasty."
"I am Lady Narcise, mayor and protector of Owl Port and its surrounding domain. You have cleared the mites of the lumberyard, excellent." With a wave of her hand a bag for each of you appears on the wooden table. "A meager sum for adventurers. How else can I be of service?"
Dammit, Zaidel thinks to himself. Why are all the women on this world extremely attractive? Maybe it's part of being a satyr, I don't know.
"Thank you very much, Lady Narcise", Zaidel answers with a courtly bow. "Our band are on our way to New Faces. There are two more quests in the area that we'd like to complete before we leave the area. One is the clear the Elrick Ruins, and the other is to slay The Abolen. We will likely be staying at the inn for the next few days."Zaidel pauses go others can ask some questions.
She relays information based on what Jean asked, "I could give directions to the Elrick manor, north, I will have a guide take you there. The Abolen dwells in the waters of the river. You could inquire among the common folk and you might uncover a more precise location or proper bait."
You know that the young woman is not fey. Though with your check you know Lady Narisce is fey.
The satyr takes a seat on the comfy couch and takes an offered hot tea.
"Lady Narcise, how it is that a fey lady became a leader and protector of mortals? I've heard something about the former evil mayor?"
She sits down to regale you with the story, "The previous mayor did not start out as evil. He slowly became power hungry as his fear of the losing the power grew. A couple of months ago some Chosen came through and killed the previous mayor and freed all those imprisoned including myself. Their names were Joe the Paladin, Jellena the Oracle, Frank Steel the Warlord, and Artemis. The fey have always had a tenuous relationship with Owl Port. I claimed the mayorship as most did not have the skills to do so. Thus the tensions between the fey and the town have been more than manageable with one of their own in charge of the town."
Zaidel smiled. "Well, congratulations to your and Owl City's success. I'm glad both the townspeople and their relationship with the local fey are healing. Any 'old guard' detractors still giving you grief?" The satyr takes another sip of his tea.
"Nothing of the like. I have infused the town with work and pay. No beggars remain and we make good progress on the road and other endeavors." She relays. Then she adds, "We could continue idle chat though you have a quest to accomplish and one to learn about. Maybe picking up the trail to the manor tomorrow would be ideal as it is about a 45 minute walk and you will unlikely get it cleared out within a few hours. Though as Chosen you set your own path. My wisps will guide you to the manor should you head north. Unless you had some other business with me, Ash will see you out."
Zaidel gets up from the couch. "Thank you, Lady Narcise. The hour is late. Thank you for the hospitality." The satyr sets down his finished cup of tea, and follows Ash to the manor door.
"I'd say 'what harm can plants do?' but I've seen Little Shop of Horrors," Jon sad wryly.
"I wonder if Lady Narcise connected to one of the Faerie Courts?" Zaidel wonder aloud, out of hearing from the manor. "She puts out that kind of aura or authority."
A blue light floats up to the group and in a high pitched voice you hear the words blur together as it said faster than ever before. Then it stops takes a breath before it sighs and says, "Sorry I have to slow down so you can understand. Oh yes she is apart of the seelie court. The name is Wyrm Will, I will be your guide to the Elrich manor, you ready to head out that way."
---
In response to Locke he answers at your normal pace which he obviously has to work through, "Yes of course thank you for bringing up the subject. I am a pixie. I can naturally go invisible." Of which then he becomes visible flying next to Locke. The blue orb of light continues to float near Zaidel. Then he continues, "I can cast all sorts of illusion magic. And my arrows are magical! They put biggins asleep. But invisibility is my trump card." Then he dissappears again.
---
In response to Angelica he screams, "YOU WILL NOT! THE ABOLEN IS A PEACEFUL CREATURE!!! It is not a fey but still a unique creature that should be protected not hunted!"
He adds to the discussion before the blue orb appears, "Those were some pretty creepy Venus flytraps, I don't think I have ever seen one so large!"
After the blue orb appears and speaks to the group he asks, "Hopefully it won't be rude, would you please tell us about your magnificence including your powers?"
---
He looks to the group and offers, "We don't have to do any quests. Though if everyone is ready we could try the manor. Or sleep and be ready in the morning."
She says, "Oh, oooh, wow," and other such sounds as she is mesmerized by the flying fey and his abilities.
She points out, "Thank you Wyrm Will. Though we wont be heading that way until morning. You can join us and perhaps help us with learning where the Abolen lives or what bait might be used to catch it."
A blue light floats up to the group and in a high pitched voice you hear the words blur together as it said faster than ever before. Then it stops takes a breath before it sighs and says, "Sorry I have to slow down so you can understand. Oh yes she is apart of the seelie court. The name is Wyrm Will, I will be your guide to the Elrich manor, you ready to head out that way."
""Ah. Good evening, Mr. Hill", Zaidel smiles at the fellow fey. "Any help you'd like to offer would be immensely appreciated."
Matt looks to the group and offers, "We don't have to do any quests. Though if everyone is ready we could try the manor. Or sleep and be ready in the morning."
"Matt, I appreciate your dedication to your badass-atry", Zaidel sighed, "but we've been on the road for 8 hours, then had a huge fight with mites and ogres. It's near midnight. Many of us do not have darkvision. But if Aeria Gloris votes to go to the ruins now to complete the quest, we should just spend the day relaxing tomorrow, because we'll be so beat", the cleric offered.
"Sleep, I say we should sleep." She offers then yawns to accentuate her words.
"Yes. Sleep!" She says agreeing with Mia and Zaidel.
"We should listen to our cleric, get a good night's rest and then deal with the manor tomorrow or the next day." He says changing his attitude based on all the tired bodies around him. Whereas he is brimming with light. He then channels just to make sure everyone is topped off.
Your rooms await.
"How do you channel energy, Matt?" Zaidel questioned. "I never see a holy symbol on you."
Your rooms await.
Unless someone else stepped forward, Zaidel payed for all of them and one dinner meal.
When Aeria Gloris return to the inn, Zaidel wants to check on Alia, who surely has some questions for both the cleric and the warder.
"That is true my good man. I am a sublime creature, one infused with positive energy. With it I am able to channel among many other nice bonuses. If you are interested I could tell you more." He responds to Zaidel.
Whisper is still with your group just being Jon's shadow most of the time.
Then he accepts the random loot box from his quest screen. The box drops to the floor and he presses the button. A bag of coins lands beside the box with a few precious pieces on top. He pulls out the sparkling diamond choker. Worth about 250 gp. Also a potion of enlarge person. Labeled and everything saying it will last 1 minute.
He slips the choker and bag of coins into his backpack and then puts the potion in one of his pouches. He would look at the other chosen in the room and ask, "What did you get?"
The next morning Whisper offers to pay for everyone's breakfast and whatever you want to drink. Though with Zaidel's standing offer the drinks are not necessary. He offers the 4 gp to Zaidel as the breakfasts were covered for most of the group but dinner was not, so he offers to pay for last nights dinners. He asks the group, "I know I am a quest right now. Do you want me to stick with your group or what?"
He enthusiasticly relays all the special abilities of the sublime template. He also adds, "if you do a ritual before doing that wish with me it should let you transfer the wish to another target, or at least something of the like!"
Zaidel walks next to Matthew, talking enthusiastically about the ritual.
”On my old world, Earth.. Oh Gods, how do I begin? Okay. Stories where an individual travels to another world and has adventures are called Isekai, and they are very popular. So popular, many have wondered what they would do if given the change to travel to a whole new world and start again. I have. I knew that if I was ever 'isekai'd', I'd want a more..robust sex life.”
”Okay. So”, Zaidel tries to explain. ”Growing up, you would read and watch stories about princesses being courted..Nope, I'll start again.” The satyr scratched his head. ”Damn. This is hard.” ”Okay. My father cheated on my mother with the babysitter. Broke up my family. He started a new one, while still visiting mine on the weekends. I was determined not to make the same mistakes my Dad did. I would often say a prayer, 'Gods please protect me from myself'. I didn't want to ever cheat on my wife if I got married.”
”In my old life, despite how nice and respectful I treated women; sometimes putting them on a pedestal, so high I could never reach; I never had much luck with romance. Plus, it took a long time for me to grow my self-confidence; after having it beaten out of me, during grade, middle, and high school. I was social-stunted for most of my late teens and early twenties. I would live vicariously through my friend's romantic exploits. It didn't help that I was overweight most of my life, and after having ridden a bicycle for far too long, unknowingly did irreparable damage to the function of my peni$. So I never had what one might call a normal sex life, when I ever got some. In a way, my prayer was answered. I never cheated on Cyndy, because I could never physically cheat on her.”
Zaidel scratched his beard, then continued. ”So, when the goddess Alethia snatched me from Oblivion, and gave me my second chance at life, I decided I was gonna do things differently. I would save Arcanium, but ultimately, FU<KING ANY GODS-DAMNED THING THAT MOVED!!” Zaidel shouted. ”I lived a good life and went to Heaven. Apparently the Heaven from Earth was so boring, I don't even remember it! I wasn't going to have any regrets! I would live my Ultimate Sex-Crazed Best Self! So I made a wish to become a satyr, because their physical representations of Nature's Need to Breed. And they had amazing Charisma, could play music. Essential Sex, I'd find some Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll! I was set. My plans were made. My destiny fulfilled!”
”So I leave the portal. Materializing on Arcanium. I walk into New Beginnings. And the first person..I came across was this out-on-her-luck beggar. I had no money, but I had shoes I would never need again. So I gave this beggar my shoes. Used a cantrip to clean her off. And she turned out be a beautiful princess-in-exile! Who was exiled for having the courage to help others escape slavery. And yes, she repaid my kindness with mind-blowing sex. Then I learned more about her. That her outer beauty pales to her inner beauty. And she looks at me, and my heart swells. She became a Chosen, by will alone. Transformed herself into a sorcerous paladin of my divine patron”, the satyr breathed. ”So that our bond has even more overlaps, she said.”
Zaidel slumps to his knees before Mia. ”I can't fight it. How can anyone fight their feelings against such an amazing woman, who only comes across your life, if you're extremely lucky. And she was the first person I meet on Arcanium. What odds? What odds?! I don't want to possibly ruin one of the greatest relationships I may ever have, because I decided to be an emotionally-stunted, sex-starved, immature lech.”
”Mia Thornrose, I am deeply in love with you. My heart is your. If you want it. If you want to be exclusive to each other. I will do so. If you like the casual arrangement we have now, and wish to continue it, with any more feelings, I too can abide.” Zaidel gulps. ”I..had to tell you all of that, so you make your decision, knowing actually what I am. What I'm about. And what's been in my heart.”
The satyr lowers his head and stares at the floor, holding his breath, maybe forever.
She lifts your chin with her hand softly and says, "I like you and the sex. I don't know if I am ready for a serious relationship but if it develops then so be it. Now let me tell you my story so you can be informed about me as well." She gives you a soft kiss on your lips before separating to tell her story.
"I was born a princess in every sense of the word. I didn't know the dark side of my country until I turned 16. I was sheltered but educated. I was prepared to aid the royal family in any way. I was such a guillable girl back then."
"I learned more about politics and how the government of Khorvian worked. How it thrived on the use of slaves and undeath. The slaves were used for everything you can think of, fodder, physical work, or farmed. I was appalled by it but as I was a student and had nearly no power could do nothing yet. When I turned 21 I was working for my father as an influencer in the political arena. With my beauty and sharp mind I was able to bend so many to my will. With that I began to influence the nation into awareness and realization of what atrocities were being done in the name of Khorvian. Though to my shock most knew about it and encouraged it. As a neice to the crowned prince, I was given plenty of room to influence others. Though with so many of them in support of slavery I had to guard my words and try to find allies. Demon Prince Wayne of Khorvian, that was my uncle. He too was appalled by the actions of the country which I learned and began working for him. A year later certain laws l, norms, and such were in the works when I met Nathan Pierce. I fell in love with him and we were quickly betrothed. He took my virginity. He I found out too late was a mole for the supporters of Khorvian. He helped me help get some slaves freed and then arrested me with his waiting men. With all the evidence he had me thrown into prison. My Uncle was able to free me but with the laws as they were I was banished and cursed."
"I lived for years on the road getting away from my home country. Begging and stealing to survive. I sold my body to countless men, knowing that was my meal ticket. When I had enough money I continued to venture on. Then I got to New Beginnings and knew I just had to wait for the right person to aid me. And you know the rest since then. Oh I did get a remove disease cast on me by the priests, so don't worry about that."
Later she would ask, "What super power should I get? I have to choose it before officially becoming a Chosen."
*Edit
"So after we get stocked up in New Faces and I boost the group, we can head out for a Dark Soul to get another wish!" He points out after finishing talking about the ritual.
"So..? Are you and Nathan still considered married?"
"Regardless, thank you for telling me. I won't bring up the 'L' word anymore, lest you say it", the satyr nods at the former princess. "I'm glad we know where we stand."
"I am still dedicated to being your friend, mentor and defender", the caydenite said pointedly. "Which is why I'm trying to become a sublime creature like Locke. Being sublime will effectively double the power of my channel energy ability; key to have when undead could knock on your door at any time. And make me damn hard to kill outright."
Later she would ask, "What super power should I get? I have to choose it before officially becoming a Chosen."
"Well, my initial thought would something that could greatly benefit one or both sides of your gestalt class, since wishing your curse isn't safe", Zaidel began. "I'm going to assume that as a Sorcerer-Paladin who can't wear armor without interfering with your arcane gestures, you will focus on ranged attacks. What about wishing for double the spell slots, potentially giving you more arcane and later divine firepower?"
Zaidel turns to the quiet celestial dog. "Say, Jock, as Mia's second religious mentor, would you know Mia might develop a ranged smite evil ability on her own?"
You can tell she is playing with you a bit but means the words, "As is expected that you should continue to be my friend, mentor and defender. Though now that I am a Chosen One, I may be taking the role as defender once I am equipped better!"
"Ah so being a sublime sounds amazing considering Matt's willingness to explain and descriptions." She says cooly.
"That sounds like a really useful ability!" She then opens a blue screen which warns her, that selecting her ability to become a Chosen will sever the cohort link. She looks up at you and presses the 'yes' button.
You both feel the link sever. Then her fingers crackle with magical energy as she rubs them together.
Jock wags his tail and says, she might be able to gain such an ability but it is rare.
She and Zaidel wake up and join the crew soon after day break.
Whisper says, "Thank you Jean. I will see the rest of you in the morning."
He is likely the last one up. He gets down for breakfast if Jean woke him up or gets to breakfast as the last of you finish.
She and Alia get up early and are waiting for the group to come.to breakfast.
"That sounds like a really useful ability!" She then opens a blue screen which warns her, that selecting her ability to become a Chosen will sever the cohort link. She looks up at you and presses the 'yes' button.
You both feel the link sever. Then her fingers crackle with magical energy as she rubs them together.
With the link severed, an odd feeling of loss washed over Zaidel.
"Well, I'm gonna say my nightly prayers then go to bed. Say, Jock, would it be okay to hold you as I say my prayers?"My Lord, don't let my feelings for Mia hold her back. She deserves to live a full caydenite life. In a way, this is good. I can screw around and not hurt Mia's feelings. Like that musuclar barkeep downstairs. Or Angelica. Zaidel breathed.
Does this mean I can get a new co-hort? Nevermind. Please help Mia to become the greatest she can be. Thanks for everything. Good night, Boss
Zaidel, Mia, and Jock get into bed. The satyr doesn't want to force any further issues and due to the lateness of the hour, goes to sleep, with Bonnie Raitt's I can't Make You Love Me running through his mind.
-------
In the morning, Zaidel says his morning prayers and organizes his spells for the coming day. Mia, Jock, and Zaidel come down to breakfast to meet the others. While waiting for his breakfast, the satyr pulls out his panpipes and plays a light morning tune for the customers and staff.
Jon came down and sat with a sigh, listening to Zaidel as he played his pipes. It occurred to him he should mention the cursed scroll he was carrying, and offer up the breastplate since he could form his own armour now, but for now he was content to wait.