Once and Future (WormxFate)

[TJones]

It's basically me handing you a free power up in terms of amount.

Click to shrink...

Is there an explanation of Glory thresholds anywhere? I found the glory tracker, but it doesn't explain the thresholds. For that matter I could also not find a list of upgrades that have previously been taken or even how many since upgrades there have been, unless they are recorded somewhere else I haven't found.

 

[Aldsan]

Is there an explanation of Glory thresholds anywhere? I found the glory tracker, but it doesn't explain the thresholds. For that matter I could also not find a list of upgrades that have previously been taken or even how many since upgrades there have been, unless they are recorded somewhere else I haven't found.

Click to shrink...

You get an upgrade every 500 Glory. The character sheet has a Powers section for those powers that you've taken.

 

[TJones]

You get an upgrade every 500 Glory. The character sheet has a Powers section for those powers that you've taken.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. So 5 prior upgrades/ milestones then.

May I ask if the other part, i.e

First, you may increase any Trait, Passion, Characteristic, or Skill by one, ignoring any usual restrictions.

Click to shrink...

Was it recorded which increases/changes to these were previously taken?

 

[tuttut48]

Cool beans!

Seems like more wounds or magic resistance would be the smarter choices.

Click to shrink...

I'd agree that those two are the top options with my personal preference being Wounds since it will help now and in future fights with mundane and powered foes

 

[Aldsan]

Thanks. So 5 prior upgrades/ milestones then.

May I ask if the other part, i.e


Was it recorded which increases/changes to these were previously taken?

Click to shrink...

I record the voting results at the start of any following chapter, but otherwise no, I just increase the relevant stat on the character sheet.

 

[Martenzo]

I'd say spend the Glory on bumping STR up to 10 (might be relevant to rescuing people that are stuck or incapacitated) and upgrade Chivalry to B for increased resilience. Prudent tactics are probably the highest I would consider: we're here to help out S&R while keeping ourselves reasonably safe. And Behemoth is probably the most directly lethal of the Endbringers, so us contributing to the fight directly seems like a bit of stretch.

Got the math nerd itch and analysed the logic of the tactics choices a bit. If the fight lasts no more than ten rounds (not a guarantee) So Cowardly would see us in combat (and at risk of being hit) for 3 to 5 rounds, Prudent would be 4 to 7 rounds, Valorous and Reckless would be 4 to 8 rounds. If the fight goes really well (or really poorly) for the PRT and lasts the minimum of 5 rounds, Prudent, Valorous and Reckless have us spending the same number of rounds in combat, just distributed differently, and Cowardly would have us fighting only one fewer round. And if the fight lasts exactly 8 rounds, Prudent and Valorous again line up to spend the same number of rounds in combat.

X = In Combat, 0 = Rest
Cowardly: X0X0X0X0X0
 Prudent: XX0XX0XX0X
Valorous: XXX0XXX0XX
Reckless: XXXX0XXXX0

 

[Aldsan]

Alright, going to go ahead and close voting.

 

[Aldsan]

Voting

[X] [Tactics] Prudent
[X] [Glory] Power
[X] [Power] Magic Resistance (D)

Behemoth Battle

Round 1

Protectorate Strategy: 5 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 13
Behemoth advances one space. (1/5)

Behemoth attacks: 35 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 4

Round 2

Protectorate Strategy: 16 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 2
Protectorate pushes back. (1/5)

Behemoth attacks: 64 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 6

Round 3

Protectorate Strategy: 12 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 6
Protectorate pushes back. (2/5)

Elaine withdraws to the rear.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 12

Round 4

Protectorate Strategy: 15 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 6
Protectorate pushes back. (3/5)

Behemoth attacks: 67 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 14

Round 5

Protectorate Strategy: 5 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 3
Protectorate pushes back. (4/5)

Behemoth attacks: 79 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 19
Elaine takes 4 Fire Damage (31/41 HP)

Round 6

Protectorate Strategy: 12 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 20 = Critical
Behemoth advances two spaces. (3/5)

Elaine withdraws to the rear.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 20

Round 7

Protectorate Strategy: 1 (+2) || Behemoth Move: 14
Behemoth advances one space. (4/5)

Behemoth attacks: 12 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 21
Elaine takes 6 Fire Damage (25/40 HP)

Round 8

Protectorate Strategy: 19 (+2) = Critical || Behemoth Move: 12
Protectorate pushes back. (6/5)

Behemoth attacks: 35 = Elaine is not hit.
Fire Intensity: (+1d6) = 26
Elaine takes 11 Fire Damage (14/40 HP)

We arrived to smoke and fire. Lightning flashed in the distance, more red than yellow. We weren't on the frontlines just yet, we'd arrived far enough away to give us a moment to breathe, but there was no telling how long that would last. Pulling the cloak Erin had given me tight around myself to ward off the heat, I took a moment to assess the situation.

There was some fortune in Behemoth's choice of target this time. The Palo Verde Generating Station was located out in the desert, a good thirty miles away from the nearest major city. That wasn't to say there weren't any civilians living out here, but at the very least, there weren't very many.

That was where the good luck ended. The lack of a city meant there were no buildings, no cover for the defenders to hide behind. The terrain was flat, covered with dry scrub brush. A fire was quickly spreading to envelop the landscape. If Behemoth actually managed to reach the nuclear plant, the fallout would cover far more than a mere thirty miles.

The more experienced members of the Protectorate were already on the move. That left only a few of us behind, trying to figure out what to do. I looked at Vista and Shadow Stalker. Both of them looked just as lost as I was. No. More so. I at least had the memories of the King to fall back on. This looked like it was the first time either of them had been in an encounter on this scale.

"We need to come up with a strategy for how we're helping."

"I can try and put some extra distance between him and the station," Vista said uncertainly. "Make a sort of treadmill to keep him from getting closer."

I frowned underneath my helmet. If she kept that up too long, she would definitely get Behemoth's attention. Attention that would be deadly for her.

"I can make my bolts intangible," Shadow Stalker added. "Might be able to do some damage to him if I can get them deep enough."

Gain a check to Prudent.

Click to shrink...

I pursed my lips and looked out at the field. "Very well. We are going to utilize guerilla tactics. We do not stay in one place. We continue moving. We move in, delay him, get a few bolts off, then move out again. Do we have any supplies, anything I can bring with us to help?"

"Local PRT might have some confoam?"

Lore: 4 | 2 = Failure

Click to shrink...

"Will that help against Behemoth?"

"It's temperature resistant. I've seen troopers use it to put out fires before."

I paused and then nodded. The spreading fire was a danger all on its own. Not just because of the heat, but the smoke as well. "Okay. I'll grab that and then we'll move out."

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

Flames licked at our heels. Overhead, a group of fliers moved past, only for a flash of actinic light to strike one. The man fell with a scream into the inferno below. I pulled the trigger on the containment foam sprayer, trying to force a path to the man. Vista opened the small path I'd made wider and Shadow Stalker leapt through, pulling the man out to our relative safety.

He was in bad shape. His flesh was seared, both by lightning and by flame, but I could still see the faint rise and fall of his chest.

"Get him back to the infirmary!"

I gave another wide sweep with my containment foam, pushing back the flames that had begun creeping closer to us. The canister ran out half way and I pulled it free, letting another manifest into my hand before jamming it into place.

A Servant's spiritual manifestation should not allow me to do that. Not with mundane objects such as this. No, in the first place, I was not even a true Servant. A Heroic Spirit's power might be flowing into me, but I still had a body of flesh and blood. My ability to banish items away only to summon them to myself later did not make sense.

No. Focus. It was a question for later. There were more important things right now.

Shadow Stalker was already sprinting with the man back to safety, leaving me as Vista's sole protection against the flames. She'd been doing well in slowing Behemoth down. Her treadmill ploy had bought the Protectorate enough time to get other Shakers into position. A stone wall had gone up in the beast's path, getting steadily higher and thicker with each minute we bought.

Legend and Eidolon hounded Behemoth. Legend was a blur in the air, too quick to pin down. Whenever the Endbringer would target Eidolon, the hero would simply teleport away from the blow. Two bolts of continuous electricity cut in a line, and the two heroes were forced to dodge, only to be replaced by Alexandria slamming into Behemoth. Behemoth did not move an inch, as though completely unaffected by her blow, but the ground shuddered and cracked beneath him.

The warped space under Behemoth faltered and then snapped back into place. I looked back and saw Vista coughing, the smoke having grown too much for her.

"We're pulling back."

"No! I can keep going!"

"You need healing. We're pulling back. You can get back out here once your lungs have been looked at."

Vista looked rebellious for a moment, but another hacking cough ended that and she finally nodded. "Fine."

We fought our way back through the flames to where the medics and healers were stationed. I was sweating beneath my armor, the heat having grown past the point of tolerability even with the protective cloak Erin had given me. I was not sure how Vista had lasted as long as she had, but I suspected she would be out of the rest of the right. Both of us were covered in soot, the original bright colors of our costumes painted over with black.

"What injury?" A nurse asked us as we approached.

"Smoke inhalation and lung damage," I answered. The tent was a swarm of activity, the chirurgeons hard at work saving those they could, but the patients were many, too many.

The nurse nodded and motioned to a bed. "Low priority, green. You'll have to wait until we get to you."

I guided Vista to the bed, the girl a bit unsteady on her feet. "Can't believe I'm sitting this out because of a cough," she complained.

"You are not sitting this out. You are simply taking a moment to get healed. In any fight of length, you cannot keep fighters constantly on the frontline. They need to rotate in and out, taking the opportunity to rest."

"Ugh. I know you're right, but…"

"I understand. You have a strong power. You can make a difference. You will not make that difference if you are dead, however. Take the opportunity to heal."

Vista nodded meekly and I reached out to squeeze her hand before turning to leave. Outside the tent, I saw Shadow Stalker looking around. The dark heroine had her own edge of weariness about her shoulders, but she had not hit her limit quite yet.

"Where's the pipsqueak?" she asked.

"I am forcing her to take a break. We will be on our own for a bit."

"I'm not sure how much longer I can go myself. Even with the confoam, this isn't a good battle to be on the ground."

Strategy: 3 | 4 = Success

Click to shrink...

I nodded grimly. "We have made a good show of things so far, but the defenders are starting to flag. Too many have fallen, and those that are still alive are suffering from the heat."

"So what do we do?"

It was hard to see anything on the field, it had become so thick with smoke. Still… "Let us go reinforce whichever Shaker was putting up that wall. Short of–"

A roar encapsulated the field, so loud I felt my bones rattle. So loud that the smoke was blown away for a brief moment and I could see Behemoth standing there, his single cyclopian eye staring balefully out at us. Then the sound suddenly cut off, vanished as though it had never been, as the Endbringer changed it, converted the sonic energy into pure kinetic force.

The wall the Protectorate had been building shattered. Layer after layer of stone and metal broke. We'd bought time for a ten-layer wall and it had not made a difference in the end. Behemoth advanced through the breach, uncaring for the attacks that hit him, moving towards his target without fail.

A litany of cape names flowed through the communicator bracelets we had been given. People downed or slain by the shrapnel. Taking a deep breath I dove into the flames, intent to rescue as many as I could.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

Missy sat in the infirmary, trying hard not to jitter. She should be out there, doing something. She kept hearing the announcements of people dying and she was just sitting here. There hadn't been many from Brockton Bay thankfully. Battery was downed, but not dead. She'd seen the older heroine dragged in. She'd seen Miss Militia pass through briefly before getting back out onto the field.

She'd almost cried when the communicator announced that Shrike had died. The man was young, had only been with the Protectorate for a year. She'd been there longer than he had. He'd always had time to stop in and visit with the Wards though. He didn't treat them as afterthoughts or junior heroes.

He'd almost stopped her from coming. Had known with a look that Missy had been lying when she said her parents had given her permission to come. He'd made her promise to try and stay back and stay safe. Now he was gone.

Her communicator crackled to life again and Missy tensed, dreading whatever news would come next.

"Yahallo! I'm looking for the spatial warper who was on the field earlier. Are you still alive?"

"This is Vista. I'm still alive," Missy rasped. "What do you need?"

"Great! I've got an idea to slow down Behemoth, but I'll need your help. Where are you?"

"The infirmary. I don't think I can help."

"You can! I'll be there in just a second to pick you up."

Pick her up? Missy furrowed her brow, but pushed herself out of bed, hobbling to the entrance, only to hop back as a streak of light descended through the sky like a shooting star. It resolved into a girl riding some sort of Master projection. An animal with the head and wings of an eagle, but the body of a horse.

"What is that?" she couldn't help but ask.

"It's a hippogryph! Vista right?" The girl bounced off the hippogryph, her vividly pink hair bouncing in the wind. Her skirt flared as she spun around, motioning to Missy. "Come on, hop on!"

A wracking cough escaped Missy, but she stepped forward anyway. "What's the plan?"

The girl helped pull her up onto the hippogryph and the pair of them launched into the air. "I've got a Striker ability I can use with my lance, but to use it I need to get close enough to hit Behemoth and I won't survive that."

Missy nodded as the two flew above the battlefield. The projection they were riding was fast, covering the distance in a matter of seconds. "So you need me to make your lance longer, to hit him from a distance."

"Exactly!" the girl chirped.

"Funny. Usually it's guys asking for their lances to be longer," Missy said dryly.

"Well, I guess that works since I am a guy." The girl – the boy?? replied. He turned and struck a pose, his fingers in a V, framing one of his eyes. "Trans-Icon of the New York Wards, Astolfo at your service."

"Eh? But you look so… I mean…"

"Guys can look cute too, silly." The boy bopped her nose. "Now come on. Embiggen my lance."

Missy rolled her eyes. "Fine. Hold it still. It'll be easier if you're not waving it around all over the place."

Astolfo grinned and held their lance out straight. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, Missy worked her power into it. She knew it wasn't actually that slow in terms of real time, but it always felt that way when she was in a fight. She always wished she could make things happen just a bit quicker.

Ten feet. Twenty feet. Thirty feet. The lance stretched out and out. Astolfo waited until they hit fifty feet to suddenly dive, his lance thrusting down to hit Behemoth square in the shoulder. Missy felt a pang of disappointment as they flew back up, without even a scratch left on the Endbringer.

Then Behemoth fell down.

"What?"

Behemoth tried to put its hands underneath it, to push itself back to its feet, but every time it tried, it simply fell down again. The Endbringer seemed almost confused by its predicament. The Protectorate did not hesitate to use the chance it had been given. Every bit of ranged artillery they had slammed into Behemoth's back. Missy saw chunks of flesh ripped away from it, scoring lines through the beast.

Behemoth gave up on trying to stand up and simply began crawling his way forward, sinking its claws into the earth and pulling its body forward one lunge at a time. Eidolon hit it with something and for a brief moment all the color in the world seemed to invert. A great smoking crater was left in the Endbringer, where its heart should have been were it a human.

The Endbringer began glowing, his gray skin turning white, going brighter and brighter. Screams came from the capes down below and –

Missy found herself flying through a forest, on the back of the hippogryph. The air was so thick here, it didn't feel like she could breathe. It wasn't like the smoke before, more like she was being filled to bursting, and –

They were back on the battlefield. A massive crater remained where Behemoth had been before. The Endbringer itself was gone. He'd left one final gift, one final bit of devastation before departing.

Down below, Missy could hear cheers begin to go up from the surviving capes.

---

First Aid

Protectorate First Aid: 14 | 20 = Success > Wound 4 Treated (18/41 HP)
Protectorate First Aid: 14 | 20 = Success > Wound 6 Treated (23/41 HP)
Protectorate First Aid: 14 | 20 = Success > Wound 11 Treated (28/41 HP)

Glory

I was reviewing the passive Glory I previously gave and I think I might have mistakenly been giving you 15 for fair appeal instead of the 10 you should be at for your current level of appeal. I'll leave any past Glory as is, but so that you're aware going forward.

Gain 300 (50x6 Rounds) Glory for participating in an Endbringer fight.
Gain 200 Glory for successfully defending against Behemoth.
Gain 130 [(15 x 3 Famous Traits or Passions) + (10 Fair Appeal) + 75 (Heroic Ideal)] Glory

We have hit a new Glory milestone.

First, you may increase any Trait, Passion, Characteristic, or Skill by one, ignoring any usual restrictions.
[ ] [Glory] (Write-In Increase)

Second, you get another Parahuman Power upgrade:
[ ] [Power] Chivalry (B)
>Gain an additional 3 armor and increase Major Wound threshold by 2.
[ ] [Power] Mana Burst (D)
>Gain an additional +1d6 Weapon and Charge damage and +3 to Movement checks.
[ ] [Power] Instinct (E)
>Enemy attacks suffer a -3 threshold penalty.
[ ] [Power] Riding (E)
>Knockdown Threshold increased by 3.
[ ] [Power] Charisma (E)
>Roll Parahuman Power at -10. On a success, gain a +5 threshold bonus to any Social roll.
[ ] [Power] Magic Resistance (C)
>Roll Parahuman Power opposed to parahuman powers that target you. On success, the effect is negated.

I am redoing your Adventure and Activity votes in case you want to change your mind in light of the damage you took during the Behemoth fight.

Adventure

What adventure do you pursue next?
[ ] [Adventure] The Damsel of Distress
>The villain known as the Damsel of Distress is causing trouble in a nearby town, Durham.
[ ] [Adventure] The Uncatchable Undersiders
>The Undersiders have proven to be masters of escape. Can you catch them?
[ ] [Adventure] Takedown the Clown
>Circus is out robbing various stores. A clown can't be too hard of an opponent, right?
[ ] [Adventure] The Dog Rings
>Hookwolf supposedly runs dog fighting pits. Close him down.
[ ] [Adventure] To the Victor, the Spoils
>Victor is known for stealing the skills of minorities. He must be stopped.
[ ] [Adventure] The Merchants of Death
>The Archer's Bridge Merchants are a relatively weak gang. If you were to take out their leadership, they may fall apart.
[ ] [Adventure] Twisted Metal
>A deadly street race is being run on the outskirts of town. You can go shut them down – or try to win for the prize money.
[ ] [Adventure] The Sealed Apartment
>Elaine has sealed the Dead into the apartment you found. Who knows how long it will last however.
[ ] [Adventure] Patrolling the City
-[ ] [Patrol] With Victoria
-[ ] [Patrol] With Erin
-[ ] [Patrol] With the Wards
-[ ] [Patrol] Alone
>Go on patrol to stop criminal activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] Explore the Woods
-[ ] [Woods] With Erin
-[ ] [Woods] Alone
>Search the woods for supernatural activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] None
>Hold off on adventures to rest up. Gain a second Activity vote.

Activity

Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Focus on the Student Council
>You will be doing work for the Student Council regardless, this is to spend extra time devoted to the task.
[ ] [Activity] Study Group
>Spend some extra time studying for your classes.
[ ] [Activity] Party
>You've been invited to a house party by Chelsea and Megan.
[ ] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.
[ ] [Activity] Gala
>Your parents want you to attend more high society events.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>You were offered to make regular appearances with the modeling agency. It would be good for PR, maybe, and they'd pay you.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work at the local homeless shelter.
[ ] [Activity] Sparring
>You have people you can practice your fighting with now.
[ ] [Activity] Church
>Visit Caren at the church.
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise and it'd help blow off steam.
[ ] [Activity] Browse the Internet
>Amy spends a lot of time on the Internet. Maybe it'd be worth browsing.
[ ] [Activity] Research Parahumans
>Do more research on Parahumans in the area.
[ ] [Activity] Study the Occult
>It might be good to brush up on your faerie lore.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)

 

[Herofox]

Wait did Behemoth just die?

Huh. Also, is Astolfo like Elaine? A Heroic Spirit summoned into a human? Can't really imagine another reason for him being trans all of a sudden.

 

[Skitzyfrenic]

Yas! Astolfo!

It's not gae if it's it's for Astolfo bae.

 

[Aldsan]

Wait did Behemoth just die?

Huh. Also, is Astolfo like Elaine? A Heroic Spirit summoned into a human? Can't really imagine another reason for him being trans all of a sudden.

Click to shrink...

Behemoth is not dead. He just did a massive explosion to kill off some more people before leaving.

Yes, Astolfo is also a pseudo servant. The person whose body he was put into, in this case, is trans and wanted to make a statement of it when they joined the Wards, much like Legend did for gay men.

 

[Buaidh]

[x] [Adventure] None
[x] [Activity] Dating
[x] [Activity] Party
-[x] Bring Amy

 

[iamweirdo]

[x] [Adventure] None
[x] [Activity] Dating
[x] [Activity] Party
-[x] Bring Amy

 

[Aldsan]

Voting is closed.

 

[Aldsan]

Voting

[X] [Glory] Melee
[X] [Power] Instinct (E)
[X] [Adventure] The Sealed Apartment
[X] [Activity] Study the Occult
[X] [Social] Caren Ortensia

"Clariance of North Humberland, Idres of Cornwall, Cradelmas of North Wales, Brandegoris of Stranggore, and Anguish of Ireland have joined Lot's rebellion. That makes eleven."

Eleven kings who had risen up against her declaring they would not bow to this boy king. Eleven men who were not foreign invaders, but her own countrymen.

Leodegrance grimaced, tracing a finger across the map. "Those are not good odds, Your Majesty."

"They will need to take Bedegraine. The castle there is too much of a threat for them to leave alone. We can use that to our advantage. We ambush them from out of the forest and smash them against the walls."

Leodegrance pulled at his beard. "It could work. It will be bloody business though."

"War always is."

There was a short bit of other conversation before their council broke and the girl stepped away. A part of her wished she could sigh, but that would be beneath the King's dignity. She had to maintain her composure now, always.

Leodegrance was correct. The coming days would be bloody. It was with a heavy heart that the girl wandered into Leodegrance's gardens, hoping for a moment of peace.

She should not have been surprised to find someone else there, and yet somehow she was still taken aback. The garden's other occupant was breathtaking. That was the only word the girl could ascribe to her. A vision so beautiful, she was not sure she would ever see the like again.

"Ah? I'm sorry, I did not think anyone else would come here. I can leave if you wish for privacy."

"No. I am the visitor. I am sorry to have disturbed you." Come to think of it, Leodegrance was said to have a daughter, was he not? "May I have the honor of your name?"

"My name is Guinevere. It is an honor to meet you, my Lord."

Guinevere. The girl burned the name into her memory.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

Recover 5 hit points via Natural Healing. HP: 33/41

Click to shrink...

My sword cut through another zombie, sending it falling to the floor. I followed up by stomping my foot down upon its head, pulping the mass. Another tried to ambush me from behind and I pulled my blade through its neck, separating its head from its shoulders.

"Clear," I said, and Erin stepped inside, a flashlight in one hand and her staff in the other. She moved to the center of the room and set her staff to the floor, using its tip to draw a sigil upon the wooden boards.

"That makes three," she said.

"Three more to go."

Erin nodded and we moved to the stairwell, climbing to the next floor. Erin glanced at me. "So you never did tell me what happened with Behemoth."

"I do not know that there is much to tell. It was… There was little I could do in that fight. I could only focus on saving each life in front of me as best I could."

It had been Hell on Earth. It had reminded me of a dream. A memory I had once seen. Not my own, but someone else's.

"I heard the defenders drove him off this time though."

"They did. From what I heard, there was only a forty percent casualty rate this time. Low, for a Behemoth fight. Whichever power Eidolon used near the end managed to actually deal significant damage to the beast. Not enough to kill it, but enough for it to retreat."

"Hopefully he can pull that trick out again."

"I did hear something interesting after the battle. Vista said she worked with someone calling themselves Astolfo," I said casually, glancing sideways at Erin. "One of yours?"

"Not mine personally, obviously. He is a pseudoservant though, if that's what you're asking. Sephora's project."

I hummed, filing the name away for later, before turning to kick in an apartment door. I moved in, checking for any corpses, but… None. There was blood everywhere, but no corpses. I moved through the apartment, checking the kitchen, the bedroom, finally the bathroom. It was the final one where I found a zombie, the woman lunging out of the shower at me.

Combat

Elaine invokes passion: Honor: 16 | 15 = Failure
Passion Crisis: 8 | 15 = Elaine becomes Melancholic.
>Gain 10 Glory, suffer -5 to all Skill and Passion checks

Modifiers:

Round 1

Elaine Melee: 16 | 17 || Dead Claws: 3 | 12 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (8d6) = 24 Damage (34/58 HP)
>>Dead Knockdown: 13 | 16 = Success

Erin Magic: 17 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 16 Damage (18/58 HP)

Round 2

Elaine Melee: 5 | 17 || Dead Claws: 14 | 12 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (8d6) = 20 Damage (-2/58 HP)

The corpse did not make it far. I ducked, allowing its clumsy attempt to charge me to send it stumbling into the wall instead, and brought my sword around to carve through the thing's back. Not a sound escaped its lips, and the grievous wound did not hinder it whatsoever. Even still, it was not long for this world.

Erin's magic struck it in the shoulder, sending it spinning around, and my blade split its head like a melon.

Letting out a slow breath, I looked down at the carnage. This corpse looked fresher than the others we had encountered. Had it been a woman hiding here, trapped with no salvation in sight? Could she have been saved had I not listened to Erin's counsel and acted to clear this place immediately?

There was no way of telling, but a heavy stone hung about my heart.

"You said last time that this was the work of a Dead Apostle. What does that mean?"

"The Apostles of the Crimson Moon. Vampires."

"Yes, but what does that actually mean? What strengths do they have? What weaknesses? What can they do?"

Erin grimaced. "That depends a lot on the Dead Apostle. They vary a great deal in strength. At the minimum, you're looking at enhanced speed and strength, some regeneration. The ability to turn those they kill into familiars to collect more blood for them. That's just the tip of the iceberg though, the things that even the weakest among them can do. Those are the sort that get hunted down by the Church all the time."

"What of the stronger of their number?"

"Those are the ones that you have to watch out for. Pretty much all of them will have developed some sort of esoteric ability, something unique to them that's allowed them to stay alive as long as they have. There's no real predicting what it might be, unless you already know the identity of the Dead Apostle that you're hunting."

That meant discovering the identity of the vampire in question was vital to any strategy you would develop to counter them. It was not too dissimilar to Servants in a Grail War. Knowing their True Name would reveal their strengths and weaknesses, everything that came with their legend.

Gain a check to Lore.

Click to shrink...

"Do you have any thoughts on who this one might be then?"

"No," Erin shook her head. "Sorry. We just haven't seen enough of what they can do."

I nodded. I had thought as much, but it was worth asking. The two of us moved on. The next apartment was clear. As was the one after that. The fourth apartment on this floor however…

This room was swarming with the Dead. They waited until we were inside, away from the door, before springing their attack, rising from prone positions behind the furniture and closing in on us. I would not have thought them intelligent enough for it, and indeed, I was able to swiftly maneuver to put Erin behind me and present myself as a wall, but that did not simplify my task.

Again, I had to wonder if this was the result of my inaction. If these undead were not smart enough to ambush us themselves, then had the vampire realized what was happening and commanded them to do so?

Combat

Elaine invokes passion: Heroism: 15 | 17 (-5 Melancholic) = Failure
Passion Crisis: 7 | 17 (-5) = Elaine remains Melancholic.

Modifiers: -10 (Multiple Opponents)

Round 1

Elaine Melee: 14 | 17 (-10) || Dead1 Claws: 18 | 12 (-3)

Elaine Melee: 3 | 17 (-10) || Dead2 Claws: 14 | 12 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (8d6) = 25 Damage (33/58 HP)
>>Dead2 Knockdown: 13 | 16 = Success

Elaine Melee: 12 | 17 (-10) || Dead3 Claws: 8 | 12 (-3)
>Dead3 Damage (8d6) = 29 (-24 AR) = 5 Damage (28/41 HP)
>>Elaine Knockdown: 18 | 14 = Elaine is knocked down.

Erin Magic: 15 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 17 Damage D1 (41/58 HP)

Round 2

Elaine Defensive: 9 | 17 (-5) || Dead1 Claws: 3 | 12 (+2)

Elaine Defensive: 13 | 17 (-5) || Dead2 Claws: 13 | 12 (+2)
>Dead2 Damage (8d6) = 31 (-24 AR) = 7 Damage (21/41 HP)
>>Double Elaine's knockdown. Automatically knocked down.

Elaine Defensive: 10 | 17 (-5) || Dead3 Claws: 9 | 12 (+2)

Erin Magic: 3 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 20 Damage D1 (21/58 HP)
>>Dead1 Knockdown: 11 | 16 = Success

Round 3

Elaine Defensive: 14 | 17 (-5) || Dead1 Claws: 13 | 12 (+2)
>Dead1 Damage (8d6) = 25 (-24 AR) = 1 Damage (20/41 HP)
>>Elaine Knockdown: 5 | 14 = Success
>>Elaine begins climbing to her feet.

Elaine Defensive: 3 | 17 (-5) || Dead2 Claws: 18 | 12 (+2)

Elaine Defensive: 10 | 17 (-5) || Dead3 Claws: 9 | 12 (+2)

Erin Magic: 1 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 22 Damage D1 (-1/58 HP)
>Dead1 is slain.

Round 4

Elaine Defensive: 18 | 17 || Dead2 Claws: 8 | 12 (+2)
>Dead2 Damage (8d6) = 28 (-24 AR) = 4 Damage (16/41 HP)
>>Elaine Knockdown: 5 | 14 = Success
>>Elaine finishes climbing to her feet.

Elaine Defensive: 17 | 17 || Dead3 Claws: 20 | 12 (+2)
>Gain a check to Melee.

Erin Magic: 6 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 20 Damage D2 (13/58 HP)
>>Dead2 Knockdown: 9 | 16 = Success

Round 5

Elaine Defensive: 8 (+2) | 17 (+5) || Dead2 Claws: 11 | 12 (+2)
>Dead2 Damage (8d6) = 25 (-27 AR) = 0 Damage (16/41 HP)
>>Elaine Knockdown: 11 | 14 = Success
>>Elaine finishes climbing to her feet.

Elaine Defensive: 7 | 17 || Dead3 Claws: 15 | 12 (+2)

Erin Magic: 17 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 18 Damage D2 (-5/58 HP)
>>Dead2 is slain.

Round 6

Elaine Melee: 11 | 17 || Dead3 Claws: 11 | 12 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (8d6) = 31 Damage (27/58 HP)
>>Dead3 Knockdown: 15 | 16 = Success

Erin Magic: 2 | 18 = Success
>Erin Damage (5d6) = 28 Damage D3 (-1/58 HP)
>>Dead3 is slain.

Swinging, I warded off one corpse, only for another to grab hold of my arm, pulling me off balance as another sunk its teeth into my shoulder. I kicked out at the one that had taken hold of me, pushing it away, but it was replaced by another, the bodies swarming over me.

Their sheer weight bore me to the ground and then I was buried beneath a mass of fangs and claws, chunks taken out of me a piece at a time. Time turned into a blur. Everything was a blur of motion and color as I focused simply on defending myself against the onslaught. Claws slipped through my armor to rake against my hip and I could not help the scream that escaped me.

One of the corpses fell away, slain by Erin's magic, and it was enough to buy me a bit of breathing room. Enough to at least gather my bearings. A cut sank into my thigh, but not deep enough to debilitate me. I struggled to my feet, thankful for the armor I'd put together helping to prevent the worst of it.

Another corpse died, blades of air cutting into it. That just left one, and I'd found my feet again. Snarling, I pierced it with my sword, pinning it to the wall long enough for Erin to deal a final blow. A flash of light saw its head pop, much as one would a ripened grape.

In the aftermath, I was left panting, out of breath, covered in blood; both mine and those of the corpses I'd fought. I looked grimly back at Erin. "I think we may have underestimated the force we are up against. We need to retreat for now."

Her lips thinned and she glanced around the room. "You're right. I'll reinforce the boundary field for now, but…"

I knew what she wished to say. If we were having this much trouble with mere corpses, then how would we handle the Dead Apostle itself?

First Aid

Erin First Aid: 13 | 10 = Wound (5) Failure
Erin First Aid: 4 | 10 = Wound (7) Success = Heal 5 (21/41 HP)
Erin First Aid: 19 | 10 = Wound (1) Failure
Erin First Aid: 5 | 10 = Wound (4) Success = Heal 4 (25/41 HP)

Glory

Gain 80 (40x4/2 Fighters) Glory for killing the Dead.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

The next day saw me sitting at the Boardwalk, staring out at the ocean. The salt air stung at my wounds, but I did not care. My failure stung worse. I turned the situation over in my head, wondering where I could have done better.

If we had moved earlier… I would not have had my armor. I would have surely perished under a similar ambush. Was there anything else we could have done to prepare? Anything else I could do to improve myself?

I am not sure how long I sat there, simply watching the waves roll beneath the pier. For the King that Was, the ocean had never been a happy place. It had ever brought tidings of invaders to her land. Angle and Saxon conquerors. Irish raiders. Roman arrogance.

My emotions were more complicated. For all that the King was now a part of me, would always be a part of me, the girl Elaine had once been held memories of playing at the beach. Memories of sand castles and jet skiing and splashing her brother in the water. Joy mixed with sorrow and bitter despair.

Another person settled onto the bench beside me. I was not particularly in the mood for company, but I turned to look at who had joined me, only to double take as I realized their identity.

"Caren?"

"Good afternoon, my Lost Lamb."

A smile crept itself onto my face, despite my best efforts. "Is that how you plan to always address me going forward?"

"So long as it remains applicable, perhaps." A ghost of a smirk etched itself onto Caren's features in response. "If you dislike it, perhaps you should work to change yourself."

For a moment, I felt an urge to roll my eyes. It was a behavior so antithetical to Artoria or my current self, that I could only wonder where it came from. Except… It would have been a very Elaine behavior to do so once upon a time. The moment passed and I simply let out a small huff of air.

"Somehow, I am surprised to see you out and about and not sequestered away within your church."

Caren pouted. "Even the clergy still live day to day lives. I do not spend all my time in the church and nowhere else."

Despite her protestations, I did note that Caren was still wearing her nun's habit. Perhaps she might leave the church, but I was not so sure that the Church ever left her.

"I am aware. It simply did not match my image of you. I was taken off guard."

Caren shot me a suspicious glance but nodded in acquiescence. "Then what troubles you today, Miss Stansfield?"

"Elaine."

"Hm?"

"There is no need for formality. I prefer my given name," I said. I was tempted to also comment on how she was still taking confessions despite it being her day off. It was better to let some sleeping bears lie, however.

"If that's what you would prefer, Elaine. You did not answer my question though."

"Of course not. After all, the last time we met, I did promise I would be listening to your troubles instead, did I not?"

Caren's eyes widened in surprise. "So you did, come to think of it. My own troubles… what would those be?"

I sat quietly, patiently waiting for her to continue. Only she could answer that question, after all. I watched as Caren furrowed her brow, thinking over what to say.

"I suppose it would not hurt to tell you. Our church is to be hosting guests come January. They are fairly important, so things have been somewhat hectic in preparing for their arrival."

"Father DiMaggio still has not returned to assist you?" I asked.

Caren twisted her lips into a sour expression. "No. His business is indefinitely delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"If you do not mind being put to work, then I am sure I can find a use for you." Caren lifted a delicate eyebrow, a sadistic edge entering her eyes. "If nothing else, the church always needs cleaning."

"Then, if I have time, I shall endeavor to visit."

"Good. That's better than some layabouts I could name."

Awareness 12 | 4 (-5 Melancholic) = Failure

Click to shrink...

Smiling, I stood up, my mood lifted, only for the flutter of wings to catch my attention. I glanced up at where the sound had come from, but… Nothing. Well, it was probably just a pigeon or some such.

Nothing to worry about.

Bond with Caren increased to 2.

Click to shrink...

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

"A little more towards the left, if you would, Austin."

"Got it, boss!"

"We should flip the lights, see how it looks in the dark."

"Elaine, I've got the tables! Where would you like them set up?"

"Just along the wall there, please."

"Do we have all the snacks ready to go?"

"Yes, Kayla said she would be bringing them in later."

"I think this string of lights has burnt out, Elaine. We'll need a replacement."

"We should have extra boxes in the storage room. Take one of those."

The end of the year was a busy time for the Student Council. There were a number of events we had to organize. Various games for the school sports. Performances for the Choir, Orchestra, and Band. Perhaps the largest event though was the Winter Formal. Both I and the rest of the Student Council had been busy all week long setting the stage for the school dance.

Sometimes it surprised me just how hectic it could be to prepare for such a simple thing. As King, I had hosted a Pentecost Feast each year, an event far larger than this small dance. Yet, I had never needed to personally prepare the food or the decorations or the entertainment. I had simply given the necessary orders and turned my attention to tasks of more import.

It gave me fresh appreciation for the common folk of my kingdom.

In a rare moment of peace, I sat down on the edge of the stage, staring up at the dangling paper snowflakes and fairy lights that we had strung up from the ceiling. I became a small island of calm amongst the bustling activity all around me. For this small moment, I could sit back and simply enjoy these few peaceful days.

---

Well, that was some spectacularly poor luck. Makes up for all the good luck you've had in the quest thus far, I suppose. A few bookkeeping notes.

>I checked the rules for Melancholic, given the move to using the 6E Core book. It no longer applies to combat rolls. Lucky you. It does still apply to Passion rolls and any Skill Checks outside of combat. For this quest, if you incur Melancholy, it will persist until the end of the chapter segment. (So in this case, it will be cleared for 7.2).

>I've updated the rules for Parties and Social Events to be more in line with 6E Core. Please look at the Rules: Parties informational when you get the chance.
>>In line with this, I've removed Jewelry as a purchasable item from the Shop. You have to rely on Fine Clothes for your potential Geniality bonus. Per request, the Fine Clothes bonus can still apply while in costume, should you by chance attend some sort of social function while in disguise as Pendragon.

It is December of 2010.

Winter Formal

The Winter Formal has arrived for Arcadia. As the President of the Student Council, you will need to attend. Given that you are dating Amy, you will be taking her along as your date.

In addition to normal party activities, what would you like to focus on while there?
[ ] [Winter Formal] Gossiping
>Spend time talking with other students for the latest gossip.
[ ] [Winter Formal] Dancing
>Focus on a more wholesome date with Amy, dancing on the floor.
[ ] [Winter Formal] Flirting
>Sneak off with Amy to make-out where no one can see you.
[ ] [Winter Formal] Indulging
>Load up on the available food to chow down.

Shop

Remember, if at any time you wish to buy something from the shop, please do a write in as below, and I will add it to the next vote.
[ ] [Shop] (Write-In)

Adventure

What adventure do you pursue next?
[ ] [Adventure] The Damsel of Distress
>The villain known as the Damsel of Distress is causing trouble in a nearby town, Durham.
[ ] [Adventure] The Uncatchable Undersiders
>The Undersiders have proven to be masters of escape. Can you catch them?
[ ] [Adventure] Takedown the Clown
>Circus is out robbing various stores. A clown can't be too hard of an opponent, right?
[ ] [Adventure] The Dog Rings
>Hookwolf supposedly runs dog fighting pits. Close him down.
[ ] [Adventure] To the Victor, the Spoils
>Victor is known for stealing the skills of minorities. He must be stopped.
[ ] [Adventure] The Merchants of Death
>The Archer's Bridge Merchants are a relatively weak gang. If you were to take out their leadership, they may fall apart.
[ ] [Adventure] Twisted Metal
>A deadly street race is being run on the outskirts of town. You can go shut them down – or try to win for the prize money.
[ ] [Adventure] The Sealed Apartment
>Elaine has sealed the Dead into the apartment you found. Who knows how long it will last however.
[ ] [Adventure] Patrolling the City
-[ ] [Patrol] With Victoria
-[ ] [Patrol] With Erin
-[ ] [Patrol] With the Wards
-[ ] [Patrol] Alone
>Go on patrol to stop criminal activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] Explore the Woods
-[ ] [Woods] With Erin
-[ ] [Woods] Alone
>Search the woods for supernatural activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] None
>Hold off on adventures to rest up. Gain a second Activity vote.

Activity

Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Focus on the Student Council
>You will be doing work for the Student Council regardless, this is to spend extra time devoted to the task.
[ ] [Activity] Study Group
>Spend some extra time studying for your classes.
[ ] [Activity] Party
>You've been invited to a house party by Chelsea and Megan.
[ ] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.
[ ] [Activity] Gala
>Your parents want you to attend more high society events.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>You were offered to make regular appearances with the modeling agency. It would be good for PR, maybe, and they'd pay you.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work at the local homeless shelter.
[ ] [Activity] Sparring
>You have people you can practice your fighting with now.
[ ] [Activity] Church
>Visit Caren at the church.
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise and it'd help blow off steam.
[ ] [Activity] Browse the Internet
>Amy spends a lot of time on the Internet. Maybe it'd be worth browsing.
[ ] [Activity] Research Parahumans
>Do more research on Parahumans in the area.
[ ] [Activity] Study the Occult
>It might be good to brush up on your faerie lore.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)

Social

Choose someone to spend time with.
[ ] [Social] Dean Stansfield
[ ] [Social] Victoria Dallon
[ ] [Social] Amy Dallon
[ ] [Social] Erin Archelot
[ ] [Social] Vedika Dhawan
[ ] [Social] Chelsea and Megan
[ ] [Social] Theo Anders
[ ] [Social] Tammi Herren
[ ] [Social] Madison Clements
[ ] [Social] Caren Ortensia
[ ] [Social] (Write-In)

 

[iamweirdo]

[X] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.

[X] [Social] Amy Dallon

 

[Howelll]

Well done weaving the melancholy and its end into the interactions.

[X] [Winter Formal] Dancing
>Focus on a more wholesome date with Amy, dancing on the floor.
[X] [Winter Formal] Flirting
>Sneak off with Amy to make-out where no one can see you.
Have to pay attention to Amy here.

[X] [Adventure] Patrolling the City
-[X] [Patrol] With Victoria
[X] [Adventure] None
>Hold off on adventures to rest up. Gain a second Activity vote.
Take a turn with little to no chance to take damage.

[X] [Activity] Church
>Visit Caren at the church.
[X] [Activity] Focus on the Student Council
>You will be doing work for the Student Council regardless, this is to spend extra time devoted to the task.
[X] [Social] Dean Stansfield

 

[SkyLing]

Hmm is the vote supposed to be like this?
[X] [Winter Formal] Dancing
>Focus on a more wholesome date with Amy, dancing on the floor.
[X] [Winter Formal] Flirting
>Sneak off with Amy to make-out where no one can see you.
[X] [Adventure] None
>Hold off on adventures to rest up. Gain a second Activity vote.
[X] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.
[X] [Social] Amy Dallon

 

[Buaidh]

[x] [Winter Formal] Dancing
[x] [Adventure] None
[x] [Activity] Dating
[x] [Activity] Church
[x] [Social] Dean Stansfield

 

[Aldsan]

Hmm is the vote supposed to be like this?

Click to shrink...

Yes, that works perfectly.

 

[Aldsan]

Voting is now closed.

 

[Aldsan]

Voting

[X] [Winter Formal] Dancing
[X] [Adventure] The Merchants of Death
[X] [Activity] Church
[X] [Social] Amy Dallon

Recover 5 hit points via Natural Healing. HP: 30/41

Click to shrink...

"Stop fussing, Ellie. You look great."

"I look adequate. Acceptable."

The dress I had was old, something purchased from before my coma. It had grown tight in some places, loose in others. It was just a bit too short – I'd preferred shorter skirts back then. The girl I'd once been had chased fashion, so I could not fault her knowledge, but my tastes had clearly changed since then.

Objectively, the dress was not bad. However, this would be my first formal event with Amy since we had become a couple. I wanted it to be better than simply not bad.

"You look fine." Dean smiled and placed his hand on top of my head, mussing my hair ever so slightly. I glared at him and reached up to fix it. "I promise Amy will have her socks knocked off."

"Easy enough for you to say. Perhaps I should have dressed like you and worn a suit."

"A suit?" Dean asked, bewildered.

"I believe I could pull it off. Do you not?"

"I –" Dean paused and considered. "Yeah, I guess I could see it. Would you be happy with that though? The whole reason you're upset is because you wanted to show off a bit."

"Cease being so reasonable," I said, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Else I remind you of how long you spent fussing for your first date with Victoria."

Dean held his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I give up. You look terrible and Amy will hate you."

I punched my brother in the arm. He just laughed it off and went to grab his keys. A short while later, the two of us sitting in his car, he glanced over at me.

"I do mean it, you know. Even if the dress isn't perfect, Amy will still love it on you."

I silently nodded, my lips pressed into a tight line. I knew he was right, but…

Dean gave my shoulder a final squeeze as we pulled up to the Dallons' house before getting out of the car. He'd barely knocked on the door when Victoria burst out, sweeping him up in a hug that had the two of them floating a foot off the ground. Amy was slower in coming out, but I had eyes for nothing but her once she did.

A long red dress hugged at her curves. It left her shoulders and arms bare, exposing a smattering of freckles across her pale skin, her hair falling in waves behind her. The shimmering fabric glistened in the light, looking almost liquid as it flowed with her movements. She stepped up to me, a small, shy smile on her face.

Flirting: 17 | 1 (+8 Bond) = Failure

Click to shrink...

Words failed me. I tried to say something, only for it to get caught in my throat, heat building in my face.

"Well?" she asked. "Are you going to say anything?"

I opened my mouth again. Closed it when nothing came. I finally managed on the third attempt. "You look stunning, Amy," I said simply, reaching out to take her hands.

Amy snorted softly and leaned in to press a kiss to my lips. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment. Come on, let's go pull our siblings apart and get to the dance," she said, threading her fingers through mine.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

Winter Formal

Round 1

Keep Dancing (+1 Geniality)
You are moved or invited to dance the night away.
Unopposed Etiquette

Etiquette: 16 || 8 (+2)
Failure: You'll get it right! You may keep this card until the next Round and play it again instead of drawing a card.
If you do not, or you fumbled this roll, –2 Geniality.

Geniality: 2

Round 2

Keep Dancing
You are moved or invited to dance the night away.
Unopposed Etiquette

Etiquette: 10 || 8 (+3)
Success: Your dancing attracts the gaze of an eligible partner. Flirting ☑.

Geniality: 3

Round 3

A Love Poem (+1 Geniality)
A person is struggling to compose a love poem.
Unopposed Orate

Etiquette: 2 | 6 (+5) = Success
Success: They return the favor. You gain +5 on any one Skill roll during this feast. +1 Geniality.

Geniality: 6

Glory

Gain 60 Glory [(14 Appeal + 6 Geniality) * 3]

Perhaps it was simply a sign of how the night was going that I misstepped and squashed Amy's toes on our first dance of the evening. Amy simply grit her teeth and insisted we keep going for dance after dance. The girl never seemed to tire. I could feel sweat beading my own brow as the night wore on, but not a speck stained Amy.

Eventually the music slowed and she held me close, the more active dancing replaced for a more simple embrace. Amy was not a particularly tall girl, but I remained shorter than her, and my head rested against the crook of her neck as the two of us swayed back and forth.

"You don't need to stress so much, Ellie," she murmured in my ear. "Tonight has been lovely. A few bruised toes doesn't change that."

Gain a check to Etiquette.

Click to shrink...

"I know. I just…"

I just was used to holding myself to a higher standard. Anything short of perfection was a failure. I let out a small huff and tilted my head up to look at her.

"I am sorry," I said. "I have been so annoyed with myself that I allowed it to affect our date."

"You're doing it again. Relax." Amy shook her head with a smile and leaned in to kiss me. For a brief instant, my world was contained in those lips.

Then a wolf whistle cut through the moment and we both turned to glare at its source. Dennis sat at a table off to the side, grinning insouciantly at the both of us. His date jabbed him in the ribs, but it failed to kill his smirk – or hers for that matter. A sigh escaped me as I realized her identity. If the whole school had not already noticed Amy kissing me on the dance floor, they would surely know by tomorrow. Megan was an incorrigible gossip.

"Ignore them," Amy said, turning my head back to her. "Who cares what they think?"

She drew me back into another kiss. When it finally ended, I was left light-headed. My thoughts scattered to the winds. I stumbled a bit, weak at the knees – and Amy, with all the smugness of a cat that had been given a bowl of cream, led me off the dance floor.

I eyed her as we sat down. She had certainly grown much more confident than she had been half a year ago. I could not imagine the Amy of when I had first woken up being anywhere near so bold. I did not mind. It was refreshing to have someone who so clearly wanted me for who I was, even if it could be embarrassing at times like this.

Leaning into her side, I let the music wash over me, taking a moment to simply relax.

Bond with Amy increased to 9.

Click to shrink...

"Hey Elaine, can I ask for your advice really quick?"

I opened my eyes, glaring at the irritant that had joined us, but could not maintain my animosity. Taking a deep breath, I asked, "What is it?"

"Megan is a friend of yours, right?" Dennis asked, having taken a seat at our table. "Do you have any advice?"

"What, you can't manage a date on your own?" Amy asked waspishly.

"Tonight's our first date," Dennis said easily. "So I was hoping to really wow her. End the night with a bang, you know?

"Where is Megan anyways?" I asked.

"She grabbed Chelsea and said they needed to use the bathroom."

Oh good. That meant we at least had a bit of time while they traded tales.

"What were your ideas thus far?"

Dennis smiled sheepishly. "I was thinking poetry? Maybe a song?"

Amy wrinkled her nose. "That's… kind of lame, isn't it?"

"No," I rejoined. "Megan is a romantic. She will appreciate it. So long as the quality is not atrocious, at least. Perhaps avoid music unless you're confident in your singing voice."

"Gotcha," Dennis winked and shot a pair of finger guns at me. "Thanks for the help, Elaine."

"Do try not to break her heart, Dennis. Else I shall be forced to avenge her."

"Haha," Dennis laughed nervously. "I'm sure you don't need to worry about that and gottagobye."

Awareness: 18 | 4 (+5 A Love Poem) = Failure

Click to shrink...

Amy shifted slightly, and somehow, I could just tell that she was rolling her eyes despite not looking at her. The Winter Formal was winding to a close, but there was time left to go. Once again, I leaned into her, content to share this moment.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

"Achoo!"

My sneeze kicked up the dust, resulting in a second sneeze soon after. I took a moment to come up for clean air before bending back down to scrub the floor once more. It was truly astounding how much dust and dirt could build up in such a small chapel.

It was well that I had decided to 'dress down,' so to speak, for this. A plain t-shirt and jeans, my hair pulled back into a ponytail. Both my clothes and my own body would require a thorough washing after this.

Energetic: 5 | 15 || Lazy: 16 | 5
>Energetic succeeds.

Click to shrink...

"You may quit whenever you like," the nun had said when I started. I was sure she meant it as well. She held me to no obligation here.

All the same, I planned to finish this task that I had given to myself.

The sounds of an organ playing echoed through the church as I worked, allowing me to lose myself in the work to some extent. For a time, despite the aches I was accruing in pursuit of hard labor, I felt untethered from my body. I existed unshackled from the base clay I had been made of.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;

As with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluia.

Gain a check to Spiritual.

Click to shrink...

The song ended. I was brought back to the present. Letting out a sharp breath, I steadied myself and stood up, only to find Caren there, waiting silently in front of me.

"You are quite skilled," I commented, for lack of anything better to say.

Caren preened at the compliment. "I can boast I am second to none. Refining my strong points is my hobby."

I could not help the smile that crossed my face. Who would have thought this nun had a cute side to her? "Did you have anything else you needed help with?"

"Hmm." Caren looked me over before answering. "No, I think you have done enough for today. Allow me to provide refreshments before you leave."

"I would appreciate that," I said, taking a seat in a pew. Caren just smiled and bustled off, apparently pleased with my answer. I had to wonder if she did not often get the chance to host other people. When she returned, I took a cup of tea from her and the two of us sat in silence.

"-------"

"-------"

Neither of us had anything to say. She had no advice to give and I had nothing to inquire over. I simply sipped my tea until it was time to depart.

"Elaine," she said as I got up to leave. "Christmas is coming soon."

I turned, tilting my head in unspoken question.

"Remember that it is not just a time to receive, but a time to give unto others."

"Of course." My pocket book was thin right now, but I would find a way to make it work. "If I do not see you again before then, have a Merry Christmas, Caren."

"A Merry Christmas to you as well, Elaine."

Stepping out into the blinding sunlight, the Church doors closed behind me.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•​

"So why the focus on the Merchants?" Victoria asked as we flew over the city. Well, she flew. I rode piggyback. "They're not really a major gang."

"In part, it is because they are not a major gang. They do not have the support structure the other gangs have. They do not have the sheer number of foot soldiers. If they are removed, it is not likely to set off a power struggle."

Victoria hummed lightly in acknowledgement. "That's not a bad argument. The PRT would probably like it. What's the real reason?"

Vengeful: 5 | 10

Click to shrink...

"I would like to repay Skidmark for the humiliation we suffered in our last encounter."

Victoria twisted to smirk back at me. "That makes two of us, Pendragon."

Hunting: 9 | 2 = Failure

Click to shrink...

Still…

It was a quiet night tonight. For all my bluster, it made little difference if I could not actually find Skidmark. The two of us flew circles around the city for what must have been close to an hour before Victoria's police radio crackled to life.

A break-in at a pharmacy.

Not particularly glamorous, but it was almost certainly someone desperate for drugs. The sort of people the Merchants preyed upon. Victoria landed us outside of the pharmacy and I climbed off of her before we headed inside.

A shower of gunfire greeted us before we even entered the place. Apparently, we had been noticed in our approach. I stepped in front of Victoria and raised my shield, but… Well. Intoxicated criminals proved as poor a shot as they had been in every previous encounter I had with the Merchants. Most of the bullets went wide, some nowhere even near the two of us. Only a handful hit my shield.

Victoria and I shared an exasperated look before advancing together into the building.

Combat

Elaine invokes passion: Heroism: 16 | 17 = Success

Modifiers: -10 (Multiple Opponents) ; +5 (Inspired)

Round 1

Elaine Brawling: 8 | 15 (-5) || Merchant1 Grapple: 6 | 8 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (2d6+6) = 13 Damage (15/28 HP)

Elaine Brawling: 10 | 15 (-5) = Critical! || Merchant2 Grapple: 2 | 8 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (6d6+6) = 23 Damage (5/28 HP)
>>Merchant2 takes a Major Wound.
>Gain a check to Brawling.

Elaine Brawling: 17 | 15 (-5) || Merchant3 Grapple: 14 | 8 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (2d6+6) = 11 Damage (17/28 HP)

Round 2

Elaine Brawling: 3 | 15 || Merchant1 Grapple: 20 | 8 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (2d6+6) = 14 Damage (1/28 HP)
>>Merchant1 suffers a Major Wound

Elaine Brawling: 19 | 15 || Merchant3 Grapple: 11 | 8 (-3)

Round 3

Elaine Brawling: 2 | 15 || Merchant3 Grapple: 8 | 8 (-3)
>Elaine Damage (2d6+6) = 12 Damage (5/28 HP)
>>Merchant3 Falls Unconscious.

Glory

Gain 45 (15 Merchants) Glory for defeating the Merchants.

Six men awaited us inside. I stood in the entryway, guarding Victoria, until the gunshots stopped, their pistols clicking empty.

"You take the ones on the right, I'll take the ones on the left?" Victoria asked.

"Do try not to have too much fun with them," I said dryly.

"No promises! First one done has to call the PRT!" Victoria called out, already launching herself in that direction.

That left three for me. Perhaps I was managing to gather a reputation, because from the fear on the mens' faces, they knew this was a lost fight already.

It did not stop them from trying. With their guns emptied, they had naught but their fists, but these were at least smart enough to realize that fists would do little good against my armor. Instead, they lunged to try and grab hold of me.

It was more clever than I had given them credit for. An armed and armored knight could be defeated even by peasants should they bear that knight to the ground and hold him there. I had not thought they were shrewd enough to have come up with it though, inebriated as they clearly were.

Ultimately, it did not save them. One lunged to grab my dominant arm, only for me to turn and bash my shield into his face. I ducked under the arms of another, turning to bring my baton cracking into the knee of the third. He went down in a heap. Undeterred, the first tried to grab me again, blood streaming down his face from the broken nose I'd given him. I allowed him to close before locking his arm beneath my axilla, holding it tight to my body as I turned, swinging him around to smash into the final remaining brigand.

They went down in a heap. The final man scrambled out from beneath the ruffian I had thrown atop him, half running, half crawling to try and grab his gun. I brought my baton down upon his head and the man went still.

Glancing over at Victoria, I saw her looking smug, all her opponents already beaten.

"My win, Pendragon," she grinned.

I had not agreed to her contest, but… "Fine. I will call."

Victoria began dragging the men out to the sidewalk and binding them while I called the PRT. It was not a particularly burdensome process. A simple matter of stating my name, location, and the number of criminals that needed to be carried away. The truly onerous part was the report we would need to give once they arrived. Unfortunately for Victoria, there was no deferring that. They would want both of our perspectives.

While I was speaking with the operator, the men began stirring. Closing my phone, I crouched in front of them.

Intrigue: 1 | 10 = Success
>Gain +5 to next Hunting (Skidmark) check.

Click to shrink...

"Good evening. Where is your boss?"

"Wha? What boss?" A man groaned.

"Skidmark."

"Oh man, we ain't Merchants. Skidmark don't talk to us. We just needed a fix, y'know?"

"Man, shut up! Don't talk to cops!"

"I can assure you," I said, "I do not care enough to repeat what you say here to the actual authorities – so long as you tell me what I wish to know, that is."

The men shared a look between each other. "Look… Word is Skidmark stays mobile for the most part. He visits his dealers, they don't visit him. Only time he's sure to show is if he's throwing a party."

"A party?" I asked.

"Sure. Get lots of product in one place. Invite a bunch of people who wouldn't normally be interested, show them a good time. Try and get them hooked on the stuff."

My nose wrinkled in disgust. "Thank you. Your assistance is appreciated."

"So does that mean you're letting us go?"

I looked at the man bewildered. When had I even implied that?

"No?"

"But we're just small-fry. We don't matter, right?"

"You still attempted to rob this store," I rejoined.

"But…"

"Man, just let it go. Feel lucky it's not some vigilante dropping you off a building once they're done."

The man slumped in defeat.

Later, after the PRT had come and collected the men, I sat on the edge of the pharmacy's roof with Victoria, staring up at the stars. It had become a pleasant way to end a patrol with Victoria as of late. The temperature had been swiftly dropping as of late, but Victoria's forcefield and my cloak warded away the worst of the cold.

When the first snowflake hit my nose, I blinked in surprise. This would mark the first snow of Winter. Brockton Bay always got at least a light dusting, though we generally escaped easier than our surroundings. Something about the ocean currents in the area and the nearby mountains led to a relatively mild winter climate.

There was something prickling on the air though. A tinge of something foreign. Cold winds whistled down from the mountains, heralding the season. More snow steadily fell around the two of us, dancing through the midnight air.

Victoria laughed in surprise and opened her mouth, trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

"Victoria," I said, interrupting her fun. "I had a question I have been mulling over."

"Hm?" Victoria spun in the air to face me, floating to hover just over me. "What is it?"

"I have been giving thought to what you said before. Regarding the importance of being backed by an organization."

"Sure…" Victoria began. "I wasn't trying to push you to join the Wards or anything though."

"I know. I was not planning to. Rather… I thought perhaps I could reach out to Independents in the area. Start my own team, as it were."

Adventure discovered: Recruitment.

Click to shrink...

"That's great!" Victoria said. "Did you have anyone in mind?"

"I have at least one who would be interested," I said, placing Erin upon the sacrificial altar. "The question is, would you?"

Leadership: 15 | 6 (+2 Bond) = Failure

Click to shrink...

"I… I don't know. I mean, I'm already part of New Wave."

"You are the only member actively patrolling however."

"The others still respond in emergencies. I… Look, I'm not saying no, but I need to think about it. Okay?"

I let out a slow breath and nodded my acceptance. "Okay. I understand."

Victoria sank down to sit at my side again and the two of us watched snow fall to gently blanket the city in white.

---

I have decided to remove Stealth as a skill. Any sort of stealth rolls will be covered either by Hunting or a straight Dex check depending on the situation. I have instead added back in Politics and given you a few free points in the skill to compensate.

It is December of 2010.

Semester Finals

Midterms are here. You currently have two relevant passions to be used, but six classes to pass. You'll need to decide which classes to use them on. Choose TWO options:
[ ] [Finals] English Literature
[ ] [Finals] Math
[ ] [Finals] Biology
[ ] [Finals] History
[ ] [Finals] Computer Science
[ ] [Finals] Physical Education

Christmas Gifts

It's time to begin thinking about what you want to buy people for Christmas. This will be a two part vote. This stage is just to generate ideas, so please write-in as many as you can think of, and who you would like to give the gifts to.
[ ] [Gifts] (Write-In)

Team Name

It's time to begin thinking about what you want to name your future team. This will be a two part vote. This stage is just to generate ideas, so please write-in as many as you can think of.
[ ] [Team] (Write-In)

Shop

Remember, if at any time you wish to buy something from the shop, please do a write in as below, and I will add it to the next vote.
[ ] [Shop] (Write-In)

Adventure

What adventure do you pursue next?
[ ] [Adventure] Recruitment
>Reach out to other Parahumans about joining your team. More possible recruits may become available based on progression of other quests.
[ ] [Adventure] The Damsel of Distress
>The villain known as the Damsel of Distress is causing trouble in a nearby town, Durham.
[ ] [Adventure] The Uncatchable Undersiders
>The Undersiders have proven to be masters of escape. Can you catch them?
[ ] [Adventure] Takedown the Clown
>Circus is out robbing various stores. A clown can't be too hard of an opponent, right?
[ ] [Adventure] The Dog Rings
>Hookwolf supposedly runs dog fighting pits. Close him down.
[ ] [Adventure] To the Victor, the Spoils
>Victor is known for stealing the skills of minorities. He must be stopped.
[ ] [Adventure] The Merchants of Death
>The Archer's Bridge Merchants are a relatively weak gang. If you were to take out their leadership, they may fall apart.
[ ] [Adventure] Twisted Metal
>A deadly street race is being run on the outskirts of town. You can go shut them down – or try to win for the prize money.
[ ] [Adventure] The Sealed Apartment
>Elaine has sealed the Dead into the apartment you found. Who knows how long it will last however.
[ ] [Adventure] Patrolling the City
-[ ] [Patrol] With Victoria
-[ ] [Patrol] With Erin
-[ ] [Patrol] With the Wards
-[ ] [Patrol] Alone
>Go on patrol to stop criminal activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] Explore the Woods
-[ ] [Woods] With Erin
-[ ] [Woods] Alone
>Search the woods for supernatural activity. Roll the random encounter table.
[ ] [Adventure] None
>Hold off on adventures to rest up. Gain a second Activity vote.

Activity

Choose an activity to participate in:
[ ] [Activity] Focus on the Student Council
>You will be doing work for the Student Council regardless, this is to spend extra time devoted to the task.
[ ] [Activity] Study Group
>Spend some extra time studying for your classes.
[ ] [Activity] Party
>You've been invited to a house party by Chelsea and Megan.
[ ] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.
[ ] [Activity] Gala
>Your parents want you to attend more high society events.
[ ] [Activity] Modeling
>You were offered to make regular appearances with the modeling agency. It would be good for PR, maybe, and they'd pay you.
[ ] [Activity] Charity
>You could do volunteer work at the local homeless shelter.
[ ] [Activity] Sparring
>You have people you can practice your fighting with now.
[ ] [Activity] Church
>Visit Caren at the church.
[ ] [Activity] Sports
>You could use the exercise and it'd help blow off steam.
[ ] [Activity] Browse the Internet
>Amy spends a lot of time on the Internet. Maybe it'd be worth browsing.
[ ] [Activity] Research Parahumans
>Do more research on Parahumans in the area.
[ ] [Activity] Study the Occult
>It might be good to brush up on your faerie lore.
[ ] [Activity] (Write-In)

Social

Choose someone to spend time with.
[ ] [Social] Dean Stansfield
[ ] [Social] Victoria Dallon
[ ] [Social] Amy Dallon
[ ] [Social] Erin Archelot
[ ] [Social] Vedika Dhawan
[ ] [Social] Chelsea and Megan
[ ] [Social] Theo Anders
[ ] [Social] Tammi Herren
[ ] [Social] Madison Clements
[ ] [Social] Caren Ortensia
[ ] [Social] (Write-In)

 

[iamweirdo]

[X] [Activity] Dating
>Go on a date with Amy. Victoria's been trying to get you on a double date for a while now.

 

[Aldsan]

Added another section to the voting. Please look it over if you haven't.