After using the card you see a beam of light from above, as you feel something smash into the ground. As the fog dissipates or at least is pushed back you see a large figure kneeling in a small ten foot crater. The light fades and you see his skin slightly glowing and Matthew looks up at the group. His beard has grown back, his hair is long, his clothes are in bloodied tatters, and his adamantine falchion is ready in hand.
A great smile crosses his face as he recognizes you. He gingerly stands and stabs his blade into the ground, embracing Zaidel.
"LOCKE!!"
Zaidel quickly closed the distance to kneel before his lost friend. the satyr hugged him, then quickly checked for any injuries.
Matthew seems without any damage but closer inspection reveals ability score damage and possibly some drain. Also he seems to have tasseled with vampires or other undead with similar draining abilities.
"..Damn." Zaidel cursed to himself. "Matt. Matthew! It's me, Zaidel. Can you walk? C'mon, let's have Alia have a look at you. She missed you horribly."
If Matthew can't walk, the cleric will carry him back to the boats and back into The Spire. Regardless, Zaidel puts his new magical items and trophies in his Screen Safe.
Stratton chooses a displacer beast trophy, the blessed loot box, and Primal Wrath Strike.
When Matthew returns, Stratton lets out a cheer and offers a hand on his shoulder in friendship.
He opens his screen to find information on boost cards.
"..Damn." Zaidel cursed to himself. "Matt. Matthew! It's me, Zaidel. Can you walk? C'mon, let's have Alia have a look at you. She missed you horribly."
If Matthew can't walk, the cleric will carry him back to the boats and back into The Spire. Regardless, Zaidel puts his new magical items and trophies in his Screen Safe.
With what he thinks might be a shocking revalation he asks, "How long have I been gone?!" He stands up and nods in agreement.
---
At Stratton's hand on his shoulder he looks up and smiles. He also states, "Its good to be with friends again."
Zaidel helps steady the errant warden. "A few days, nearly a week, I think. For us at least. You look like you've had some energy drain attacks. What can you tell us?"
He sighs in relief, and replies in a simple manner, "Oh good, so not long. I was afraid the months I endured in the trials would have elapsed here as well." With a flare of anger he curses, "The Olympians are still @ssh0les! They never give up a grudge. Well at least until you prove yourself. I was able to take everything they threw at me and more. Though every month they forced a magical elixir down my throat and took my experience. That is partially why I was drained." He was calming down and continued to explain in a calm voice, "I fought many different kinds of enemies. The undead and the abberations were the worst! With my excellent rating of the trials, they can't touch me for a century and a day." He gets excited and a bit worried as he states, "We need to hurry to accomplish our quest line! Look at the countdown for the greed quest!"
He shows the golden screen and it says:
Rights of Ascension
☆☆☆
Legendary Quest
☆☆☆
You will become a mythic character.
☆☆☆
Requirements:
1) Take apart of the quest: Mandrake of Greed. One of your team must attain at least one fruit.
2) Finish the quest: Of Lions and bears, Oh My! Big Game Hunter I
3) Sacrifice 500 offerings to the deity you follow.
☆☆☆
Difficulty: C
[b]Mandrake of Greed
☆☆☆
Epic Quest
☆☆☆
This is a monthly event find the Mandrake of Greed and be ready to participate in the event. Quest ready in 2 days, 1 hours, 29 minutes.
☆☆☆
Possible Rewards: Fruit of Ascension, Leaves of Greed, Loot Goblin card
Guaranteed Reward: boost card +3, Loot Card V.
☆☆☆
Bonus: Kill five enemies during the event
Reward: ???
☆☆☆
Difficult: C
"Not sure Krazok is going to be thrilled with waiting a couple of extra days, but I agree a chance for Mythic ascension is too important to waste. Maybe you can talk with him Zaidel, get him to wait a bit longer, or maybe find a way we can catch up with him after?" Stratton suggests.
Zaidel's expression soured. "Aeria Gloris. We just got Matthew back from The Frickin' Olympian Gods!" The back of the satyr's neck bristled with momentary anger. "The Mandrake Quest is a monthly occurence, so says the Blue Screens."
Zaidel takes a moment to breathe. "We need to stop thinking as we once did. We are Sublime now. We can afford to take the 'long view' on matters. We have our individual manors to delouse. Connections to make." Zaidel stared upward at the sky. "Gods to interrogate."
Zaidel sighed. "I need to make sure Matthew and The Locke are all okay after such an experience; before I take on another."
"That reminds me, I have a title and token for each of you. I bestow upon the members of Aeria Gloris the title of Fateweaver. This chausible is but a token of what I have had and freely give."
The chausible is on a mithril chain. It glows with a swirl of colors including green, yellow, and white. He shows you the motion to seal the chausible.
---
He nods in agreement and states, "Yes we don't need to track down the Mandrake of Greed this time. I was just making sure the time table was alerted to you. Yes let's return and gather. For Stratton's sake.I believe we should be well on our way to help Krazok."
Zaidel grins as he accepts his chausible and title. "Fateweaver, eh? Well, it certainly looks nice."
The satyr smiles as he sees his friend and teammate again. "I feel like I want to celebrate, but if you want a quiet night with the family to recover, I will more than understand. Maybe I can get a tour of the Spire from Mia and Angelica in the meantime."
"A quiet and restful night sounds good. I should also eat." He states in reservations.
Stratton smiles broadly. "Yeah, we should celebrate Matthew's return first and foremost, and get him back to his family. Then, we can help Krazok as promised and return to clear and claim our homes. I believe Krazok's quest is currently the most time sensitive. Plus Old Lady Black's been on my back for a few days about moving forward."
"Excellent idea, Stratton", Zaidel agreed.
The group collects at the boats and after reuniting Matthew with his family, you head off to the Spire.
Zaidel felt a close connection to Jellena, due to her being the only other cleric-type Chosen he's met so far. The satyr reminds himself to text her soon, since her number is in his magic cellphone. Studying Jellena's strand, Zaidel is shocked to find out the raven-haired beauty's Chosen ability is to wish for any item once a day! To Zaidel, that sounded amazing! So the cleric wrapped a small amount of slack in Jellena's strand and linked it to his chausible. The feeling of connection was almost immediate.
In his mind, Zaidel traveled down his strand back to Cayden Cailean. Looking at his options, The cleric knew he couldn't be a satyr AND a dragon, which stymied Zaidel. Why couldn't he be both? I mean dragons have been making half-dragons since dragons met other races. Zaidel nevertheless explored the other strands of his fellow Familia. Examinging Alia's strand, Zaidel could see the higher Boost earnings the elven druid has been making, due to her Chosen ability. Zaidel really like the Boost System offered by The Blue Screens. He's been able to purchase some great personal upgrades and feats. Even allowing Zaidel to put his hoof in the door of being a godling with his Spark of Divinity feat. And the thought of being able to gain more Boost Points faster was very appealing to Zaidel. So the caydenite cleric took some slack of Alia's strand, and linked that to his chausible as well. Zaidel could feel the general good will Alia has for the well-meaning satyr, hoping the elf druid could feel the same feelings from Zaidel.
With the strands of Fate in place in his chausible, Zaidel's focus returned to the waking world.
I wonder if anyone else will want to become a satyr? Or a Dragon? Or a Oni? Zaidel thought. The cleric's mind quicked drifted to a dream scenerio where Satyr-Mia and Satyr-Angelica stared back at him with wanton eyes. The thought sent a shiver down Zaidel's loins.
Stratton travels with the others back to the spire, keeping an eye open for dangers along the way, all the while contemplating what to do with this newly given gift. He decided to trace his history and the chosen involved in it when given the chance.
Giving Matthew time to reconnect with his family once he has been reunited, Stratton finds some time to use Matthew's gift. He begins tracing his own story as a Chosen and the people he's met along the way, the chausible guiding his thoughts towards the fates and feats of the chosen he's met along the way.
Alia and Jellana certainly had useful abilities, and Zaidel's and Jean's wishes seemed incompatible with his own wish to be an Oni. Alexandr was the chosen he had spent the most time with aside from Matthew, Jean, and Zaidel, but his ability was pretty redundant at this point. He reached back further, tracing his steps from the moment he arrived in New Faces. Yes, Sir Drystan had something that might work as well...
Yes, being a half-celestial sublime Oni seemed ideal. Stratton looped his chausible around the strings of Alia and Sir Drystan.
He then pulls up his screen to discover what he can about boost cards, as well as any logged open quests he might have.
As Stratton attempts to use his chausible, he sees a blue screen appear:
Do you wish to overwrite your template: Sublime.
With the template: half-celestial.
Yes / No
---
The Locke family includes anyone in their festivities. Its more like a dinner with drinks than anything special. After all they barely noticed that he was gone busy with their own training and such.
The next day,
The Locke family includes anyone in their festivities. Its more like a dinner with drinks than anything special. After all they barely noticed that he was gone busy with their own training and such.
Zaidel from across the table to see the Locke family whole again. The meal was served with love and tasted delicious. The cleric made sure everyone had plenty to drink, making fruity and fizzy drinks for the children, and whatever liquors the adults wanted. It was great to see Queen Mia and Angelica as well; Aeria Gloris felt whole again. After the meal, everyone drank and told stories or jokes, and just generally relaxed together as a group. As a family. Zaidel was very content.
As it started to get late, Queen Mia and Angelica lead Stratton, Jean, Cayden Cailean, Aurora, and Zaidel to some guest rooms. Jean had a super-large bed to sleep in, instead of on the floor. Zaidel walked past the Harem Hall, waving a hello as he passed. The satyr didn't press the issue for company, so once Zaidel was shown his guest room, the cleric kissed both Mia and Angelica and went to bed. Once in bed, Zaidel poured himself some wine to help him finish his evening prayers.
As he laid in bed, Zaidel's thoughts dwelt back to The Olympian Gods, and how they had to be dealt with. The satyr set his alarm on his cellphone and went to bed.
The next day,
Zaidel awoke to the alarm, began his morning prayers.Zaidel decided to pray for the Elixir of Strength, which appear on his holy symbol as it does every morning. Zaidel drunk the elixir and got dressed. And the cleric then went exploring The Spire for a place to do his Daily Quest. After a while, the satyr found a wide area to exercise. The one thing Zaidel grimaced about was his hoof footfalls echoed off the Spire walls, surely announcing to anyone nearby of his presence.
30 minutes
Zaidel takes an hour rest.
30 minutes
30 minutes
Zaidel takes an hour rest.
30 minutes
Total time: 4 1/2 hours
Rewards:
Status Recovery (It refreshes at midnight)
Boost Points +3 (x5 from Chausible of The Fateweaver)
Stratton enjoys the fellowship of the welcoming party, making small talk but generally just listening and enjoying the vibe. He seems a bit lost in thought at times, but dismisses any inquiry as to the nature of those thoughts.
He awakens early the next day as is his way now, working on getting the dailies done before the others wakes up. He uses his run time to return to New Beginnings to spend the early morning hours helping the townsfolk with tasks again before jogging back to the Spire.
100 Pushups Str take 10 vs DC 10 1 hour
100 Situps Str take 10 vs DC 12 1 hour
100 squats Str take 10 vs DC 14 1 hour
100 jumping jacks Dex take 10 vs DC 16 1hour
rest an hour
run 5k Con take 10 vs DC 15 1/2 hour
5.5 hours total
As you select Jellena a prompt appears, Which item do you wish to imprint upon or make?
Many of, if not all, denizens of the Spire wake up at about 5, just before sunrise. They work on their dailies and/or pray.
He then pulls up his screen to discover what he can about boost cards, as well as any logged open quests he might have.
You need to keep track of your own quests, I do my best to keep a log.
Do I need to give you the rundown of the Boost System or what?
Here's Zaidel's Boost System on the Green Screens.
*Reward System*
~Boost Points Exchange Chart~
Ability Point Cost, Reward
1 boost point, Gain +1 HP (Max 10) (2/10)
3 boost points, Gain 1 Bonus skill point (Max 5)
5, Gain 1st bonus feat
7, Gain +1 to an ability score below 18
10, Gain +2 HP (Max 10)
10, Gain 2 Bonus skill points (Max 5)
10, Gain 2nd bonus feat
15, Gain +1 to an ability score below 21
You have 93 points would you like to use any of them now?
** spoiler omitted **
Many of, if not all, denizens of the Spire wake up at about 5, just before sunrise. They work on their dailies and/or pray.
He then pulls up his screen to discover what he can about boost cards, as well as any logged open quests he might have.You need to keep track of your own quests, I do my best to keep a log.
Do I need to give you the rundown of the Boost System or what?
"I wish to create a battery for my cell phone that always remains charged." Stratton says.
Your phone has been imprinted with your wish ability.
A battery pack appears on the ground beside you, it is the size of a small cottage.
The battery appears in your room taking up half of the room's space. The window is blocked. A jack connected to a cable winds out towards Stratton.
☆☆☆
Zaidel you get a text message!
Resting after his Daily Quest was completed, an unfamiliar chime came from Zaidel's pocket. The cleric smiled to see the message from Jellena.
"This sounds like it's gonna be a social day", the satyr said to himself. "And I'm all about the Social!"
☆☆☆
Zaidel explored The Spire until he was able to find Mia. The satyr bowed before Queen Mia in a courtly fashion. "Hail to thee, Queen Mia. I have a comminication from Jellena Darkling. She is a Chosen Oracle of The Mistress and part of her Familia."
Zaidel shows the text to the paladinic sorceress. "Queen Mia. If I may make a suggestion. If you plan on parking The Spire here in the lake, I would recommend you meet with Owl Port's Mayor, Lady Narcise. She is a fey noble and local leader. It was her that gave Jean, Stratton, and myself titles and manors."
"Also, has Cayden talked to you about where he plans on staying here in the region? I'm sure he'd prefer The Spire, but if he wishes to live with me in my manor, I'm certainly not opposed to it."
"Yikes! F&+@ing Money Paw wishes!" Stratton yelps. Nothing to do about it now, I guess. He plugs in his phone to charge.
While it's plugged in, he makes his way to one of the common areas of the Spires to await the others' daily completions.
|
Jean does his dailies. He then goes to see what everyone else is up to.
I take breaks as necessary to keep the DCs at 10.
100 pushups Str DC 10: Take 10 +9 Str = 19
100 situps Str DC 12: Take 10 +9 Str = 19
100 squats Str DC 14: Take 10 + 10 Con = 20
100 jumping jacks Con DC 16: Take 10 + 10 Con = 20
Run 5 K Con DC 18: Take 10 + 10 Con = 20
"Hey Stratton, how goes your day?" Jean asks when he sees him.
"Hiya, Jean. Going pretty well so far, if a few hiccups in my plans. Thinking about collecting Krazok and hitting the road now we have Matthew back. Figured I'd wait around and see how that fits into everyone else's plans. By the way this whole Jellana wish thing seems to be a bit of a Monkey's Paw deal. Also, apparently we can't use Mathew's gift to stack templates." Stratton converses with the dragon. "Don't suppose you've any other ideas on who we can hook the chausible up to?"
She simply shakes her head in exasperation at Zaidel's antics. But she doesn't stop him. Her eyes get a bit bigger at the mention of Jellena and Oracle. Seeing the message she sighs and states, "Yes the Spire is parked for at least a week. The batteries have to recharge. Lady Narcise, sounds like a good idea. Cayden will be staying here with me and anyone else that wishes to stay. At least until your manor is ready for dwelling."
---
A chime goes off and Mia's voice states, "Breakfast will be ready in the next half hour. Another chime will notify you of the time."
The phone is charged in 15 minutes.
At the second chime many if not all move down to the main hall and there is a large spread of breakfast foods.
Zaidel goes into the main hall for another surprising lavish breakfast. Stacks of pancakes, syrups, eggs, sausage, bacon. The bardic cleric serves any beverages the diners wish.
|
He tucks in nicely enjoying all of the offered food. He seems to be nearly a bottomless pit. As talk of the trip is brought up again he listens to the conversation more.
He walks into the buffet with a bowl of diced fruit and some berry filled danishes. As he puts the plate on the table he states, "These danishes are nearly to die for filled with a berry mix and cream cheese." There are several empty spots already. He still takes one and places it on a nearby plate before taking healthy portions of many of the offered food. He sits down and asks, "Who is going?" He flips open the blue screen and opens the quest. "So it looks like we are at the stage of 3c. Bring sacrifices.
3d. Ritual of introduction.
4a. Ritual of Blood
4b. Ritual of Polymorph
4c. Ritual of the Simulacron
4d. Ritual of Eternity
Looking at these rituals the Ritual of Blood and of Eternity would likely be the easiest for us since we have the needed materials for most of them. Though I can't understand half of the jargon as I don't cast spells.
5a. Ritual of Empowerment
5b. Trial of Sacrifice
6. Ritual of Bonding
Jean or Zaidel what do you think?
Alia and the children come in a bit late as they freshened up some before coming down to eat.
"Do we have that quest? I don't think so..." she relays unsure about the quest.
She shakes her head to indicate no while she is grabbing the plate of danishes, dividing them up as she walked around with a large mug of milk fresh from Zaidel!
She takes her time to slowly eat what she wants when the danishes get picked up she flips her hand which makes one of them float off the platter in her direction slowly.
He was walking around restlessly but does not look distraught, just in thought.
Zaidel reads the text from Jellena. "It appears Jellena is inbetween quests, and will be making the journey to The Spire. Through her, Jellena intents to finalize the wish ability she possesses in those who chose it. I assume The Mistress will be involved somehow."
"Who is going?" He flips open the blue screen and opens the quest. "So it looks like we are at the stage of 3c. Bring sacrifices.
3d. Ritual of introduction.
4a. Ritual of Blood
4b. Ritual of Polymorph
4c. Ritual of the Simulacron
4d. Ritual of Eternity
Looking at these rituals the Ritual of Blood and of Eternity would likely be the easiest for us since we have the needed materials for most of them. Though I can't understand half of the jargon as I don't cast spells.
5a. Ritual of Empowerment
5b. Trial of Sacrifice
6. Ritual of Bonding
Jean or Zaidel what do you think?
"Well, from our side of things, the success of The Ritual of Introduction is based if Krazok will invite us to his homeland to complete the ritual." Zaidel stands up from the table and bows to the half-gold dragon barbarian. "Krazok, will you allow us entry into your tribe's lands?"
He was walking around restlessly but does not look distraught, just in thought.
"Boss, you want something to drink?" Cayden's cleric asks. "Has Mia told you about where the Harem Hall is?" The satyr winked.
He finishes the food in his mouth before answering, "I uhhh, I thought that was the plan. I had a few visits to make to make the path safer. On the way back again, I was hoping for some new adventurers but you are a much better choice. Let alone cheaper."