Welcome to Modern Fantasy Quest, where we play as Tristan. If you're still here, you know who he is.

Questions/Comments/Criticisms are welcome at any time pls no bully

>>3961977
> ”Yes. Is there something wrong with that?”

>>3961977
>It's the way I've always drunk it

>>3961977

>>3962470 and then >>3962023

>Combine Options

“It’s the way I’ve always drunk it,” You reply, “Is there something wrong with black coffee?”

“No, it’s just … It’s so bitter!” Ike grimaces.

“There’s nothing wrong with bitterness,” You sip at the coffee.

“There’s nothing nice about it either,” Ike responds.

You shrug and make yourself a bowl of cereal. “What are your plans for the day?”

“Let’s see … I’ll probably train a bit in the morning to burn off breakfast, then complete my preparations for our foray tonight. I found a blueprint for the hotel … How about you, Tristan?”

>Join Ike for training.

>Clean your folding straightsword. It’s been a while.

>Study Isolde’s notes. They were quite extensive and you only read the important sections.

>Go back to sleep. You need your rest.

>3963817
>Study Isolde’s notes. They were quite extensive and you only read the important sections.

>>3963817
>Study Isolde’s notes. They were quite extensive and you only read the important sections.

>Study Isolde’s notes

“I’m going to look over the notes I received on Winterpine,” You tell Ike.

Ike nods, “I see. I’ll be in the backyard if you need anything ...”

…

You return to your room and sit down at your desk. In the corner were Ike’s texts of reconditioning, but they weren’t the texts you were concerning yourself with now.

It was a miracle that you still had Isolde’s notes on Winterpine. If you hadn’t stuffed them in your windbreaker’s pocket before leaving for Jungczant’s office, they would have been lost like the rest of your supplies. You had never really finished reading them in their entirety in detail. Isolde had organized them by order of relevance, and you had only skimmed over most of the information. However, you had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with information you had dismissed as unimportant now …

Profile: Jungczant* (Sanctioned Mage)

Date of Birth - Unknown
Earliest Confirmed Record - 1857

Date of Sanction - 1910

Description:
Brown hair, brown eyes. Of european descent. Thin, late 40’s. Habitually wears long, ornate nail guards on his right ring and little finger which serve as his catalyst.

Abilities:
As a Mage, Jungczant has the ability to cast almost any cantrip at will and learn simple spells upon experiencing their effects firsthand. He is highly proficient in illusion magic and highly proficient at infectuous and memetic mental spells as well as barriers and constructing arcane boundaries. He specializes in divination* of the higher planes as well as summoning entities from them. Physically, he is below average.

General Information:
As a Sanctioned Mage, Jungczant’s research has provided exceptional insight into the nature of magic as well as the advance of spell composition and invocation. His field of research mainly deals with metaphysics and the structure of the higher planes as well as the interactions and relationships between different entities within the planes. Jungczant has collaborated with Templar researchers on multiple research projects, including the reorganization of the Templar theories of Magic. His work is highly valued in the arcane world.

Biography:
Jungczant was first found in New York City via the tracking of the dissemination of his research through contacts in the Mage community. Prior to that, his location was unknown, although he is recorded as having resided in Vienna. He relocated his workshop to San Diego in 1966, and resided there until moving to Winterpine in 20XX, being offered a superior location by the Templar _________
_______________________________________________________

Combat:
Theoretically, none of Jungczant’s abilities should pose a real threat to a Templar. His barriers are specialized for immaterial entities, his illusions and mental attacks should be easily countered by standard Templar mental wards. His speciality is too esoteric and arcane to be applied to combat. However, Jungczant as a Mage is still unpredictable and should be approached with a degree of caution. Note that due to his status as a sanctioned mage, all of this is reasonably informed speculation and no combat experience has ever been collected of him.

Known Transgressions:
None
_________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

*Real name unknown
*Not applicable to the mundane world

…

You stop reading after a few hours to get up and stretch your arms and legs. A sizeable portion of Isolde’s notes were on information you didn’t need to know. Important public buildings, local demographic and cultural data, nice secluded cafes. You came across information relevant to your situation here and there, but it was rare. You had already read everything that was relevant.

>See if Ike is still sparring

>Clean your weapons

>Take advantage of the quiet as an opportunity to pray

>You’re free to recover your sleep now

>Other

>3964158
>Take advantage of the quiet as an opportunity to pray

>>3964158
>You're free to recover your sleep now

Can't spy on del with tiredness maluses

>>3964158
>Take advantage of the quiet as an opportunity to pray

>Take opportunity to pray

Putting away your notes, you realize how quiet your room was. There was no sound other than the occasional passing car outside. You had always found there to be a holy quality to silence, a solace that forced introspection and self-reflection. Silence combined with free time was a good opportunity to pray for you.

You crouch in front of the window and bow your head in prayer …

God in heaven, hallowed be thy name, I thank you for my trustworthy companion, Ike, and the vigour and zeal he possesses and serves your will with. I thank you that such a companion could be found in such a dangerous city. I also give thanks that I will get my equipment back tonight, so that I will be able to return to practising the skills and talents you have blessed me with to their greatest potential in your name.

I pray that you will continue to be with us as we investigate Delilah tonight. I pray that our investigations will make the situation in this city clearer to us so that we will know how best to protect the innocent citizens of Winterpine against the horrors in the dark, and I pray that no one innocent be caught up in our work for your kingdom. It is my wish that you shall continue using me as an instrument with which to safeguard those without the strength or wisdom in which to guard themselves. In the name of Jesus Christ and your endless grace, Amen.

Finishing your prayer, you fall into a quiet contemplation and appreciation of the nature of God. In the quiet, it was as if you could feel him in the room with you if you cleared your mind of wayward thoughts and concentrated on his presence hard enough.

…
……
………

The sound of the doorbell ringing disturbs your quiet meditation. Someone loudly and quickly rushes down from the top floor to answer the door … by their gate, Cornelius.

The door opens.

“Why hello miss … How may I help you?”

“Hello,” A girl’s voice replied, “I was told that this was where Tristan was staying? I have a package for him ...”
That voice. You remembered it. It was Isolde’s … But what was she doing here? An Exorcist would have more important tasks than to drop off a package, even if it was an entire Portable Atelier. That meant that she had business in Winterpine … But what kind of business?”

You get up and walk over to the door. Sure enough, on the porch stood the infamous Maverick Exorcist, dressed slightly too formally and neatly to be a normal pedestrian, just like the last time you saw her.

“Hello Tristan,” Isolde smiles, “I hope Winterpine hasn’t been too unkind to you …”
Her tone was not overtly accusatory, but there was a slightly barbed quality to them. As a high-ranking member of the Templar, Isolde would have had access to reports concerning your recent activity on request.

“No, it’s been quite comfortable,” You lie for Cornelius’ sake, “Ike’s family has been incredibly hospitable.”

>Ask Cornelius to lend you the porch so the two of you can speak in private.

>Ask Cornelius if she can come inside

>Ask Cornelius to get Ike, your conversation will probably involve him

>Just retrieve your atelier and thank her for delivering it. That’s all the business you have with her.

>>3965558
>Ask Cornelius if she can come inside.

Time to cry and complain A LOT

>Ask Cornelius if she can come inside

“Cornelius, we need to talk and it will probably take a while. Could she come inside?” You ask.

“Oh sure, it’ll be no trouble at all …” Cornelius assures you.

You and Isolde thank Cornelius for his generosity, then walk down the hallway to your room.

“I didn’t know you’d get in such a mess as soon as you set foot in Winterpine, Tristan,” Isolde says as soon as you close the door.

Your frustration almost bubbles over at her light giggling. You almost died two separate times! And on no small part due to her notes being vastly insufficient for grasping the situation in Winterpine.

>”The situation … was not what I expected it to be.”

>”What were you thinking sending me here by myself? This city would take an execution-team to handle!”

>”Your notes were not enough for me to avoid getting into such a mess.”

>Ignore your anger and stay silent.

>Other

>>3967319
>”Your notes were not enough for me to avoid getting into such a mess.”

All of these are kind of passing the buck, but with a direct targeting on her, perhaps we can see her logic in the insufficient notes.

>>3967319
>The situation. .. was not what I expected it to be.

Also we should ask her about Delilah. If she confirms Del isn't a demon Ike will hopefully abandon his suicide mission.

>Combine Options

“The situation … was not what I expected it to be,” You admit. Although, what had you been expecting? Certainly not this mess, a city where you lacked any shelter or contacts. “Unfortunately, your notes misled me.”

“Well, I didn’t expect Father Cullen to go missing,” Isolde admits, “He was supposed to serve as your guide in this city. And your contact, Jungczant going rogue is completely unexpected as well, considering how long he’s been sanctioned without any trouble at all … On the bright side, the police are no longer looking for you!”

You nod. “Thank you for letting me know. That’s one less thing for me and my companion to worry about …”
It was about time someone from the more covert arms of the Templar took care of that minor issue. But the police had never been more than a minor issue.

“Ah yes, I heard Ike was here as well,” Isolde says, before looking upwards in askance, “Seriously, the Main Temple complains about me going where I please, but they’ll let a rookie like Ike travel from city to city without any trouble …”

“With all due respect, Ike makes regular reports …”

“Look, that’s not my point here,” Isolde snaps in annoyance, “Can’t you understand, Tristan? It’s not a question of whether one makes regular reports or not. It’s a question of being free to go where you can be as effective as possible!”

>”Isn’t making regular reports and coordinating with the Main Temple necessary for maximizing efficiency?”

>”If so, then why did you send me here to replace me? Why not a more experienced Templar?”

>”If you’re here, then you’re business in Los Angeles is finished. Did you find what you were looking for?”

>”In which case, I’m glad you came back to Winterpine. Me and Ike are dealing with an issue where your help would be appreciated …” (Talk about Delilah)

>>3968827
>”If you’re here, then you’re business in Los Angeles is finished. Did you find what you were looking for?”

>>3968827
>”In which case, I’m glad you came back to Winterpine. Me and Ike are dealing with an issue where your help would be appreciated …” (Talk about Delilah

>>3968827
>”In which case, I’m glad you came back to Winterpine. Me and Ike are dealing with an issue where your help would be appreciated …” (Talk about Delilah)

>>3968827
>"In which case, I'm glad you came back to Winterpine. Ike and I are in so far over our heads with this issue...(talk about Delilah)"

>Talk about Delilah

“If it’s about being where you’ll be as effective as possible, then I’m glad you chose to return to Winterpine when you did,” You tell Isolde, “Me and Ike are dealing with an issue where your help would be appreciated, an extremely dangerous woman named Delilah who we suspect of being a fully manifested Demon.”

“I know,” Isolde says, “I’ve read the transcripts of your reports.”

“As an exorcist, I was wondering if you have information me or Ike wouldn’t have access to,” You say, “So I would like to ask you … Do you know whether this Delilah is really a demon or not?”

“Well Tristan,” Isolde smiles enigmatically, “What makes you think I would tell you this information even if I had it? It’s not information you would have access to after all?”

“Me and Ike are going to investigate Delilah tonight regardless of whether you tell us or not,” You reply, “For both the citizens in Winterpine and our holy duty, we cannot let her wander free if she is.”

Delilah laughs “How brave of you, Tristan. It’s good you asked though, as a Templar, you should always be seeking to uncover what is hidden. But don’t worry about Delilah, she isn’t a problem you or Ike have to deal with anymore.”

You’re confused. “Why would you say that?”

“You were only here to look after the city for me while I was elsewhere. Now I’m back. You’re free to return to Los Angeles.” Isolde explains, “I’ll be sending Ike back to wherever he was before as well, he shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

>”Are you sure you should send me back so soon? I know Delilah personally, I might be useful.”

>”Nathan’s after me no matter where I go, I might as well deal with him in Winterpine on my own terms.”

>”Ike’s here for personal reasons. It might be hard to convince him to leave on such a short notice.”

>”Are you sure you’re going to be able to deal with all the problems in Winterpine by yourself?”

>Other

>>3970492

>”Ike’s here for personal reasons. It might be hard to convince him to leave on such a short notice.”

>”Are you sure you’re going to be able to deal with all the problems in Winterpine by yourself?”

like real talk can you take Del?

>>3970492
>Delilah laughs

But yeah. On board here >>3970524

>>3970492
>”Nathan’s after me no matter where I go, I might as well deal with him in Winterpine on my own terms.”

>”Are you sure you’re going to be able to deal with all the problems in Winterpine by yourself?”
>”Ike’s here for personal reasons. It might be hard to convince him to leave on such a short notice.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be able to deal with all the problems in Winterpine by yourself?” You ask Isolde.

“Why would it be a problem?” Isolde asks, “I was investigating Winterpine and it’s intrigues just fine before you came. The only new factors are Delilah and Nathan.”

“So you are confident in your ability to take on the two of them?”

“Oh yes, definitely,” Isolde confirms, “I’ll get the situation in this city back to normal within the week.”

You nod. As expected of an infamous exorcist. You decide to trust that Isolde’s reputation was well-founded, she would be dead by now if it weren’t.

“There’s a small problem though,” You admit, “Ike’s in Winterpine on personal business. It might be hard to convince him to leave on such a short notice.”

“I know,” Isolde smiles sadly, “Father Cullen, right? I heard Ike was close to him. I can understand how he feels … but we can’t let personal feelings get in the way of our duty. If necessary, I have the authority to assign short-term missions. I could assign him an errand, if only to get him out of Winterpine so I can work undisturbed.”

You consider that.

>”I can’t help but find that a bit … manipulative.”

>”Would Ike’s presence in Winterpine really impede your work that much?”

>”I think it is only right for Ike to uncover the truth behind Father Cullen’s disappearance.”

>”If you’re going to send Ike on an errand, I would like to ask to accompany him.”

>>3973288
>”Would Ike’s presence in Winterpine really impede your work that much?”

>>3973288
>"If you're going to send Ike on an errand I'd like to accompany him."

Someone has to watch his back while he charges into demon lairs in a suicidal manner.

>>3973630
this is a good point. Changing to this.

“If you do send Ike on an errand, I’d like to accompany him.” You tell Isolde.

“Oh?” She says, “And why is that?”

“Ike is courageous,” You reply, “He was the one who originally suggested to investigate Delilah even though he was aware of how dangerous she was. He is courageous to the point of abandoning caution. Ike would only be involved in this errand because of Winterpine, and in the business of Winterpine, we are companions. As his companion, it is my responsibility to make sure he doesn’t bite off more than he can chew.”

“So you are claiming to be Ike’s keeper.”

You nod. “It is only my responsibility to be my brother’s keeper.”

“Very well then,” Isolde agrees, “If I assign Ike something, I’ll assign you as well. But Tristan, aren’t you overreacting a little? I wouldn’t be assigning Ike anything more dangerous than what he would be dealing if in his regular duties.”

“If I am perfectly honest, you have a record of underestimating the risks of such assignments,” You tell Isolde.”

Isolde pouts. “That wasn’t very polite. But I’ll forgive you this time. So … where is Ike?”

AS AN EXORCIST, ISOLDE IS A SKILLED MAGIC USER

>Ask her about your conditioning

>Ask her about your mercury poisoning

>Just take her to Ike

>Other

>>3974562
>Ask her about your mercury poisoning

>>3974562
>Ask her about your mercury poisoning

So exorcists know all types of magic and not just banishing? What makes them different from mages like Jung?

>>3974797
It's less that exorcists know all types of magic and more as usually high-ranking Templar, they have access to more of the magic knowledge the Templar have collected over their history. Also, as exorcists, they naturally have more defenses against magic and so are trusted with more of it since they're more-or-less incorruptible.

To be an exorcist is to have a natural gift, an ability to purify magic and impurity. That natural gift is often accompanied by an aptitude to magic.

But to be a mage is to have a flat-out talent for magic honed over a period of time often decades in length and focused on a very narrow field to the point that the pursuit of knowledge in that field changes the way a mage thinks. In Jung's case, divination into the higher planes of reality is his chosen field. Isolde is extremely skilled in magic compared to Tristan, let alone what the average joe can achieve with a spellbook. But she's no mage. However, Isolde's chosen to become very good at magic that are more applicable to not-dying-to-ghouls than the average mage.

>Ask her about your mercury poisoning

“Ike’s in the backyard training, he’s probably not going anywhere anytime soon,” You tell Isolde, “But before you speak to him and finish your business here, I have a question I would like to ask you.”

“Is it your possible mercury poisoning?” Isolde asks, “That was in Ike’s report as well.”

“I know, I was there when he gave his report. But what I wanted to ask was if there is a way to detect mercury poisoning quickly, and if there is, to cure it.”

“Oh yes,” Isolde says, “There definitely is for both. It will take an hour or so as well as a wide open space, preferably enclosed and isolated though.”

You nod. “I understand. Thank you.”

“Glad to help,” Isolde says, before glancing at the door, “So … Let’s talk to Ike now, shall we?”

…

The two of you find Ike shirtless in the backyard, executing a martial arts drill, a sequence of abrupt, fast, and lethal close-range strikes from every hard part of his body, from his clenched fists to his elbows and knees to even his hip and shoulder. Sweat glistened off his powerful muscles in every movement, from his power-generating stomp to the pivoting of his torso to the palm, fist, or elbow strike that followed a fraction of a second later.

There was no elegance and very little subtlety to any of his movements, each one was explosively direct in it’s intended approach. The movements were ones you had seen a thousand times before, when your Mentor, Bentham had finished supervising your training to hone his own fighting skills … or whenever he had sparred with you for real. But there was a slight difference in Ike’s movements to your Mentors. Ike’s movements lacked a polish to them, as if he was visibly putting the power into his blows instead of letting them generate their own power. But at the same time, there was a vigour and energy to Ike’s blows that your Mentor’s had lacked. You could almost feel the force of the blow radiating away from his fist.

Ike was skilled, you had never doubted that. But watching in the dozen or so seconds before Ike noticed the two of you at the doorway, you couldn’t help but wonder who between the two of you was the more skilled one.

It didn’t take long for Ike to notice the two of you watching and stop.

“Oh. Hey, Tristan and …” Ike pauses, seeing the unfamiliar Isolde at your side.

“Ike, I presume?” Isolde calls out to him.

“Depends,” Ike replies, “Have you ever eaten anything impure or unclean?”

“Do not call anything impure that I have made clean.” Isolde cautioned.

“Strange,” Ike said, “That was a correct passcode, but the words were different than what I know … You said I instead of … You’re an exorcist!?”

“That’s right,” Isolde confirms, “I’m Isolde, an exorcist and servant of the New Covenant Temple.”

“Isolde,” Ike muses, “Wait, do you mean Isolde, the Maverick Exorcist?”

“Indeed,” Isolde confirms, “I guess my reputation precedes me ...”

“What’s a high-ranking exorcist like you doing here at my base of operations?” Ike asks, “Can I be of service to your operations somehow?”

Isolde laughs, “It’s gallant of you, but not this time, I’m afraid. I saw your report. Winterpine has a potential demon problem, doesn’t it?”

“I’m surprised and a little honored that my report reached someone as high-ranking as you, sister,” Ike says with uncharacteristic respect, “I was wondering if me and Tristan would need to take measures against it ourselves to the best of our abilities ...”

“That’s quite a brave thing to do,” Isolde praises Ike, “A demon is not an enemy that can be confronted lightly.”

“I’m glad you understand,” Ike says, “As knights, sometimes it’s our responsibility to deal with threats we can’t overcome.”

“Of course I understand responsibility,” Isolde replies, “But fortunately for you, confronting this potential demon will no longer be your responsibility.”

“I’m sorry?” Ike says, confused.

“I’ve been made aware of the overall situation in Winterpine,” Isolde says, “I’m taking full responsibility for the affairs in this city.”

“Wait, do you mean you and your retinue?”

“No, I mean me as in myself.”

Ike mulls this over for a second before responding, “Sorry, but with all due respect, if the Demon is as dangerous as you say it is, then I can’t let you confront it alone. I wouldn’t be able to call myself honorable if I didn’t insist on giving you my assistance.”

>It doesn’t seem Isolde will be able to convince Ike to leave. Perhaps now is the time for you as his close companion to speak some sense into him. (What say)

>Rely on Isolde to convince Ike to leave.

>Other

>>3976510
>Rely on Isolde to convince Ike to leave.

>>3976510
>It doesn’t seem Isolde will be able to convince Ike to leave. Perhaps now is the time for you as his close companion to speak some sense into him. (What say)

We have a lot of evidence that Delilah isn't a demon. Plus there's a big power gap here, we might actually just be a hinderance to Isolde.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

It's tied so I'll roll a 1d6 to decide what we go with.

>Odds - Rely on Isolde
>Evens - Chime in

>Speak some sense into Ike.

“Ike, your evidence that Delilah is a demon is circumstantial at best,” You remind him, “And regardless of what she is, she’s considered enough of a danger that her file contained explicit instructions to avoid her.”

“But that’s exactly what I’m saying!” Ike protests, “If whatever Delilah is is so dangerous, then how can I expect to let my Sister confront it by herself?”

“Keep your voice down, or the entire neighbourhood will know who we are,” Isolde warns, before continuing, “You might not have served long enough to know this, but the files sent to Exorcists are different than the ones sent to Knights,”

“No, I know but …”

“Winterpine has been judged to be a situation serious enough to be dealt with by Exorcists,” You continue, “Their methods are different from ours. What we presume to offer as assistance might only get in their way.”

Ike fumes, looking down as if thinking of a possible counterargument. But before he can, Isolde speaks.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re not really refusing out of concern for my well being …”

“Huh?” Ike exclaims, “What do you mean?”

“Don’t misunderstand, I’m sure you have some concern for anyone who ends up confronting a demon, but that’s not the main reason you insist on coming with me to do so.” Isolde clarifies, “Although I’m not sure what your main motivation is … Not that it matters. You have more important places to be in other than Winterpine, don’t you Ike? What were you pursuing before you came?”

“I was in India, pursuing a lead,” Ike says, “But I put that on hold because I was called here on request by Father Cullen. His disappearance is what I’ve been inspecting ...”

“I was just making sure you didn’t have anything urgent to do outside of Winterpine,” Isolde says, “Alright then, if you’re not willing to leave Winterpine, I’ll give you an assignment somewhere outside Winterpine.”

“What? Ike exclaims, “That’s ridiculous! Just to get me out of Winterpine?”

“I told you to keep your voice down,” Isolde hisses, “And It’s perfectly within my authority. I’ll send you the details tonight. Stand by until then. Also, before I leave, I’d like to speak to your uncle.”

Ike grumbles, but he obliges. A minute later, Cornelius steps into the backyard.

“I heard some yelling,” He says, “Is everything all right?”

“Oh yes,” Isolde replies, “Everything’s fine. You will forget everything that happened since I visited, including that I visited.”

“Yes I will?” Cornelius replies confusedly, before staring straight ahead, blank-eyed.

“I’ll be leaving now then,” Isolde says, before doing so. Five minutes later, Cornelius looks around the backyard as if wondering why he walked outside for no reason, before deciding on sitting down on a swinging couch on the patio and taking a nap in the summer air.

>See how Ike’s doing

>Examine your new Atelier

>Contact Benjamin and make a report. It’s been a while.

>Chase down Isolde. You have some questions for her.

>Other

>>3978684
>Examine your new Atelier

>>3978684
> Make a report to Benjamin

>Combine Options

Well, the first priority you had was to take inventory. You had your atelier back, after all, Isolde had left it in your room.

You shut the door as soon as you return. Then, you open your atelier, and begin checking that all of the standard contents were inside. Of course there were the bare necessities, a radio with a magical link to the Main Temple, a first-aid kit and survival kit.There were the standard spellbooks and texts of magical lore. A laptop, a minature alchemy kit, a pocket-grimoire, a Bible, and a pack of chalk for drawing magic runes or circles. Secured to the roof of the atelier were three extra folding straightswords, a tactical knife, a ritual dagger, and a small revolver. Also inside was an envelope with some pocket money, 2,000 dollars in small bills. This was almost as necessary as your radio - If lost, credit and debit cards were as useful as hair or fresh blood in sympathetic magic.

You smile inwardly to yourself. Everything was here. You had all you needed to be self-sufficient now. As soon as Isolde performed whatever ritual was needed to check if you were poisoned or not, you would be free to stop relying on Ike’s hospitality … Isolde hadn’t told you when she would perform this ritual, but she had mentioned needing a wide open space. One which was secure would be hard to find, and you assume she would contact you as soon as she found one.

But in the meantime, you decide you better report that the atelier had arrived. You pull out your radio, turn to the proper channel, and bring the microphone to your lips.

“Tristan to Paris, Tristan to Paris …”

The radio buzzes before Benjamin’s voice begins emanating from the speakers. “Tristan? Hey!”

“I would like to report that my atelier has reached it’s intended destination.”

“Message received,” Ike acknowledges, “Anything to report?”

“A sizeable amount,” You reply, before beginning to summarize what has happened to you since your last report.

>Focus on fainting after trying to cast the ward

>Focus on the dead body you found and Ike’s connection to it and a Demon presence

>Focus on the cameras you found outside the Chapel

>Focus on Ike’s reluctance to leave Winterpine

>Other

>>3980364
>Focus on the dead body you found and Ike’s connection to it and a Demon presence

>>3980364
>Focus on the dead body you found and Ike’s connection to it and a Demon presence

>>3980364
>Focus on the cameras

Ike is crazy obsessed and I think Templar turf getting rigged by an unknown party is a pretty big deal.

I an unable to update tonight. Sorry.

>Focus on dead body

“... Ike extrapolated all of that from one dead body?”

“He did,” You confirm to Benjamin, “He’s spent large parts of his career chasing after a demon. At this point, I don’t know how much of his conclusion was due to him actively looking for a demon as the answer.”

“Well, it is one of the risks we face.” Ike says. Obsession was an ever-present risk for members of the Templar. It was the inevitable risk that came of dedicating your life and entire sum of being to a cause, and no amount of mental conditioning could change that without also changing the psyche in a way that severely impaired creativity and individuality. Templar history was replete with examples of knights, many great knights, who had grown obsessed with one thing or another in the line of duty. Their stories were cautionary tales of how obsession could be a fuel for the brightest flames of dedication and zeal, but it was a flame that always burned itself out.

“But what course of action did Ike decide on?” Benjamin asks, “He had one, right?”

“He did,” You admit, “He was planning on doing some scouting on Delilah, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Isolde reassigned us away from Winterpine.”

You hear Benjamin snort through the radio. “Seriously Tristan, why do you keep bumping into famous people?”

“I’ve only bumped into one,” You correct Ike, “You don’t sound so surprised Isolde showed up.”

“It’s her city, after all.” Benjamin explains, “Also, she contacted an operator recently and gave a report that she was returning to Winterpine. She also requested copies of your report transcriptions. After that, she notified us that she would take care of delivering your new atelier.”

You nod. “The Maverick Exorcist is a bit strangely high-ranked to be doing courier work.”

Benjamin laughs. “That’s true. Anyways, if you’re concerned about whether Ike’s unhealthily obsessed with tracking down demons or not, I can take a look at his files for you, see if I find anything unusual …”

>”That would prove useful. See what you can find.”

>”I’ll decline that. It might violate Ike’s trust in me if he finds out.”

>”Please do, but don’t leave records that you did.” (This is against protocol)

>Other

>>3984099
>”I’ll decline that. It might violate Ike’s trust in me if he finds out.”

>>3984099
>”I’ll decline that. It might violate Ike’s trust in me if he finds out.”

If you unofficially hear any gossip though...

>”I’ll decline that. It might violate Ike’s trust in me if he finds out.”

“I’ll decline that,” You tell Benjamin, “It might violate Ike’s trust in me if he finds out.”

“There’s nothing you can object to about checking personnel files, especially if you’re involved in long-term missions with them,” Benjamin points out, “It’s not against the rules.”

“Yes, but it implies distrust and distrust is repaid in kind,” You respond.

“Well, it’s your own decision,” Benjamin says, “You’re only worried about Ike having the wrong priorities after all. If he was dangerous or traitorous, then I’d disagree with your decision.”

“Which isn’t the case. If anything, his obsession with hunting demons hints at excessive zeal.”

“True, true,” Benjamin agrees.

You continue your report, and finish soon after.

…

“So, this is Isolde’s errand …” Ike muses, examining his copy of the file he had found faxed to him. You had one in your hand as well. It was early in the evening, after a boisterous dinner. Ike hadn’t given a hint of any dissatisfaction or resentment towards Isolde’s assignment, but you knew better than to take that at face value. All Templar were taught how to conceal their emotions in the field, it was a skill that was so painfully obviously necessary to covert operatives that it often wasn’t even mentioned when speaking of the Templar operatives capabilities.

However, at first glance, this assignment didn’t seem like work for an exorcist. The target was an isolated cabin deep in the Black Mountains of South Dakota. Apparently, it was the workshop of some minor mage judged too isolated and untalented to bother sanctioning or eliminating. However, Isolde had found evidence that that mage had somehow stumbled across rare texts that gave them access to magic they were not supposed to be able to handle. With the proper rare grimoire, it wouldn’t matter how untalented the mage was. Even someone with no affinity for magic could use one to learn how to let loose some very dangerous things. Your orders were to find the mage, learn what texts he had acquired and where he had gotten them, retrieve those texts, and destroy his research.

It was an incredibly straightforward assignment.

“Tristan, you’re assigned to this as well.” Ike comments. For an already simple assignment, sending two Templar to deal with the work of one backwoods mage was overkill.

You glance over at Ike. His expression reading the file was unreadable.

>”That’s right, I am. I guess Isolde wants me out of Winterpine as well.”

>”How do you feel about this? Leaving Winterpine for this kind of assignment?”

>”Pride goes before the fall. Don’t lose sight of your duty.”

>Acknowledge Ike and continue reading.

>Other

>>3985952
>Acknowledge Ike and continue reading.

>>3985952
>"Indeed. Isolde must want us both out of Winterpine while she cleans up."

I dunno about the simplicity of this one. If those texts taught him how to summon demons...

>>3986306
Summoning a fully manifested demon isn't possible except with the absolute highest levels of magic. At most, an average mage, even with the best grimoires, would be able to summon a demon as a heavily limited familiar or in a spiritual form.

Also, there are two options so I'll roll to see which one we go with.

>Odds - Acknowledge Ike and continue reading
>Evens - "Indeed. Isolde must want us both out of Winterpine while she cleans up."

Rolled 4 (1d6)

Forgot to roll

>"Indeed. Isolde must want us both out of Winterpine while she cleans up."

“Indeed,” You reply, “Isolde must want us both out of Winterpine while she cleans up.”

Ike ponders this. “So you’re not upset about being reassigned at all?”

“No,” You reply earnestly, “I was only here by request in the first place. I have no personal attachment to Winterpine.”

“Even though you found so many leads and clues?” Ike pushes on, “Are you fine with seeing your own investigation through?”

“I don’t investigate for my investigation’s sake,” You explain, “It will be taken care of, and the work I have done will be put to good use. Meanwhile, I will serve where I am needed.”

“I see …” Ike leaves it at that. His face showed a grudging admittance that he could not find fault in your reasoning. But at the same time, you found it hard to believe that Ike would accept your reasoning to guide his own actions as well.

>”You look like you have more to say.”

>”I think sending two Templar to deal with one backwoods mage is a bit excessive as well.”

>Leave Ike in peace and continue reading

>Other

>>3987251
>Leave Ike in peace and continue reading

>>3987251
>Leave Ike in peace and continue reading

It does kinda suck to just leave, but this is a big mess that needs someone powerful and important like Isolde to sort out.

We were told it would be bad, and that was without rogue Jung and the missing Father.

>Leave Ike in pieace and continue reading

Even if Ike didn’t completely agree with your line of reasoning, he did accept it without complaint and that was good enough for you. You continue reading.

“There’s a note attached to the end …” Ike comments. You nod in affirmation. You had read that far as well. At the end of all the pages of the document detailing the specifics of the assignment, there was an additional page with only a few short lines on it ...

[To Tristan. Found Ritual Site. Bethlehem Public High School Gym, 32 Nightview Rd. Arrive Before 12 PM. MAKE SURE YOU AREN’T FOLLOWED.]

“What’s this all about?” Ike asks, “Why would Isolde need you for a ritual?”

“It’s for my potential mercury poisoning,” You explain, “Isolde offered to check if I was afflicted by it and if so, cure me.”

“I see,” Ike nods, “That’s definitely a good idea. You’re lucky you happen to know a powerful exorcist that’s in town …”

>Bring Ike along to the ritual site. There’s safety in numbers.

>Go alone. You’ll be harder to notice.

>Other

I'm sorry, but updates will probably be much shorter for a while. It seems the curse has finally caught up to me. Please bear with it. I hope you're all enjoying the story so far.

>>3988589
>Go alone. You’ll be harder to notice.

>>3988589

>Go alone. You’ll be harder to notice.

>Go alone. You’ll be harder to notice.

You step out into the evening air, armed with your folding straightsword and pocket grimoire stowed away inside your windbreaker. You were pretty sure it was all you would need. After all, you weren’t planning on facing any resistance tonight - and even if you did, you planned to lose it rather than confront it.

But Bethlehem Public High School was nearly on the other side of the city. You had realized that as soon as you researched the address to find out where it was. You didn’t have the time to walk there, and that reduced the amount of stealth you were capable of. You had two choices: Public transit, or a taxi.

>Take the bus

>Take a cab

>Other

>>3989536
>Take a cab

>>3989536
>Cab

Hopefully a midnight right isn't sus

>Take a cab

Once you’ve walked a fair distance away from the Washington residence, far away enough that you were comfortable that no one would be able to pinpoint where you were staying from the taxi route, you pull out the phone Ike gave you and call a taxi.

Using a phone was dangerous in the magic world, anything that allowed communication in the form of two-way energy signals was a superconductor for hexes, curses, and other forms of targeted magic. It was worse for personal cellphones, if captured, they could be used for sympathetic magic which wouldn’t even require the user to be present to receive the curse. However, in the modern world, it was near-impossible to do anything of import without electric devices. That was why when Templar did need to use them, they used cheap and disposable phones. Sure, spells could still be delivered over them somatically, but the phones themselves were used and discarded frequently enough that they never became their user’s possessions symbolically speaking, not enough for sympathetic magic to be cast at least.

Personally, you didn’t like using disposable phones. Waiting for the taxi on the curb, you think back to why. It stemmed from an incident back when you had still been apprenticing, having your first taste of fieldwork. You had received a call from a trusted number only to be blasted by a curse powerful enough to boil a normal man’s brain until it poured out of their ears. Your mental wards had reduced it to a splitting headache. The contact the number had belonged to had been later found at a rendezvous point, ritually dismembered and with a bloody hunting knife in his hand. Evidence suggested that he had done it to himself …

That had been a long investigation. Bentham had taught you many of the basics of mental sanitation on it. And one of those lessons was to never lose your awareness of your surroundings. You glance around surreptitiously to make sure you hadn’t been noticed ...

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>3990522

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>3990522

Technology was supposed to replace magic, not enable it!

>Roll 1d100

By the time the taxi arrives, you’ve decided that there wasn’t anyone watching you. No suspiciously idling cars, no figures peeking out from behind walls, no pedestrians who were strangely close. It would be hard for anyone to escape your notice. But you were glad that no one was watching or tailing you. If there was, you would have had to shake them.

On foot, the journey would have lasted hours. By taxi, it was only one hour. After thanking the taxi driver and paying him, you step out into a location far away enough from Bethlehem High School so that even if someone was monitoring taxi movements in the city, they wouldn’t be able to tell where you were headed.

You find yourself in a residential neighbourhood like the one you had come from. However, this one was built on less hilly land. It was closer to the economic and historic center of Winterpine on the coastal plain. But it was still in relatively recent developed land. Winterpine was a young city, all the buildings were new here.

It had been in a neighbourhood just like this one that you had been ambushed by a Winterpine Ghoul and saved by Delilah. You wonder if she’s finished exterminating them by now. You and Ike hadn’t been attacked by any throughout your walks through Winterpine after dark.

The moon was bright overhead. It was late at night. You still had a few kilometers or so to cover before you got to the school.

>You run. You’ll get there much earlier than Isolde expects that way.

>You’ll jog quickly, easily making it on time.

>You’re not really pressed for time. You’ll walk.

>Other

>>3991793
>You’ll jog quickly, easily making it on time.

>>3991793

>You’ll jog quickly, easily making it on time.

As long as we don't get sweaty.

>You’ll jog quickly, easily making it in time

You set out on a light jog, just fast enough to reach Bethlehem Public High School in good time. Maintaining such a pace for a few kilometers was easy for you, it was barely any physical activity at all by your standards. If you ran, it would be a waste of energy. If you walked, you might not be as punctual as you liked to be. Your light jog was the most efficient option.

…

The schoolyard you enter is bathed in moonlight. It was a gorgeous night, by all accounts. There were only a few wisps of clouds in the sky. It was enough to turn even the desolate schoolyard into beautiful scenery.

You walk up to the front entrance and give it a push. It opens without a problem, and you step inside.

It doesn’t take you long to find the gymnasium. You find it unlit, half-shrouded by dark shadows where it wasn’t illuminated by blue-tinted moonlight or an intricate, faintly glowing magic circle drawn in chalk which filled most of the room.

Amidst it all was a lone figure leaning on the wall by the front entrance, dressed in a nun’s habit with the cowl hanging loosely from her fingers. It took you a second to recognize Isolde in such a different outfit from the one she usually wore.

“Were you followed?” She asks as soon as she notices you.

“Not as far as I’m aware,” you reply honestly.

Isolde nods. “Good. I’ll trust in your judgement then.”

>”The ritual circle was glowing when I came in. Were you doing something before I arrived?”

>”The errand you assigned me and Ike is quite simple. Is there more to it that I should know?”

>”You’re not usually in that outfit …”

>”You don’t need to explain the ritual to me. All I need to know is what I need to do.”

>Other

>>3993497
>”The errand you assigned me and Ike is quite simple. Is there more to it that I should know?”

>”The errand you assigned me and Ike is quite simple. Is there more to it that I should know?”

“Isolde, I’d like to ask you something.” You say.

“Yes, Tristan? What is it?”

“That errand you assigned me and Ike … it’s quite simple.” You tell her.

“It is.” Isolde admits, “Why? Is there an issue with that?”

“No,” you clarify, “I’m just wondering if there’s more to it that I should know.”

“Ah, I understand,” Isolde says, “After all, it would be natural for you to be suspicious of tasks from me seeing how complicated your stay in Winterpine became …”

You don’t deny that.

“Hmmm,” Isolde thinks for a second, “I guess it won’t hurt for you to know this much at least. Even though my errand is pretty simple, It’s also something I need done without fail and as soon as possible. Within the next few days at the most. So that’s why I’m sending both you and Ike, even if just you or just Ike would be more to suffice. It’s to make sure the task gets done.”

“Are the texts that important?” You ask.

“Yes, very.” Isolde confirms, “More importantly, they’re a lead from my investigation back in Los Angeles. Since the two are involved, I would keep an eye out for people affiliated with whoever’s behind Nathan and Jungczant … although I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They shouldn’t know that we know that that cabin exists … now, that’s all I have to tell you, so could we start the ritual now?”

You nod. “By all means. What do I need to do?”

“Well first, you can help me finish setting up the magic circle,” Isolde says, before withdrawing a black leather cylinder from her portable atelier, which was lying open on the ground close by. “Here, take this.”

Isolde hands you the leather cylinder. You open it and find discs made of different metals inside, with planetary symbols carved into their faces.

“Put the discs in their respective positions in in the magic circle,” Isolde tells you.

You look at the magic circle. It had seven nested rings, but the outermost and most elaborate one was a boundary to enclose the magic circle … Ah, you understood now. It was the Solar System. And the metal discs were the planets. You place the metal discs corresponding to their order in the Solar System. Copper and Iron for Venus and Mars, Tin and Lead for Jupiter and Saturn. Gold for the Sun. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were missing discs so it was an older model of magic … no, the circle was organized in a heliocentric configuration so it was a fusion between traditional and modern methods. This was … unlike the standard model of ritual magic the Templar used ...

“Are you done?” Isolde asks.

“Yes.” You glance over at Isolde. She was standing in the third ring, on the other side of the magic circle. In the time that you had taken to place the discs, she had already drawn a secondary magic circle around herself.

“Everything’s set up now,” Isolde informs you, “Please stand on the first ring, then we can begin.”

You walk over and plant your feet on the chalk circle.

>”So, how is this ritual supposed to work? What am I supposed to expect?”

>”Where did you learn this kind of magic?”

>”This magic isn’t what the Templar use. Is this really a sanctified method of sorcery?”

>”Please. Whenever you are ready.”

>Other

>>3995224
>”So, how is this ritual supposed to work? What am I supposed to expect?”

>>3995224
>"This circle seems rather... innovative. "

>Combine Options

“This circle is rather … innovative,” You comment as you place your feet on the innermost chalk circle, “Are Exorcists usually trained in sorcery of this type?”

“I thought you would notice,” Isolde replies, “It’s my own design.”

“Shouldn’t you be more cautious delving into the secrets of magecraft?” You question, “There’s a reason why the rituals and methods the Templar use are the way they are.”

“There’s a reason why the rituals and methods of using magic are standardized for knights like you,” Isolde responds, “It’s because despite all the mental wards and conditioning you have, a knight isn’t immune to magic’s potential side-effects. But as an exorcist, I am fundamentally resistant to corruption by virtue of my nature. There’s nothing for you to worry about, Tristan.”

You consider Isolde’s words. Templar magic was standardized to take the burden of spellcasting off of the individual as much as possible, to the point where personal ability in magic wasn’t a factor in whether a knight could cast a spell or not. More importantly, and perhaps the real reason behind this, was that it allowed Templar to avoid widespread knowledge of magic’s inner workings, a core doctrine of the Templar. But then again, what did you know about the work of Exorcists? It wasn’t as if Isolde’s circle invoked powerful demons or pagan gods. She was more knowledgeable on the subject. If she said it was safe, you were willing to trust her.

“If you’re feeling uncertain of this ritual, maybe I could explain how it works,” Isolde offers.

“That’s a good suggestion,” You accept, but more out of curiosity held towards Isolde’s unorthodox spellcasting than any trepidation you hold … although you still had some left.

“Well,” Isolde begins, “You’ve probably already realized this, but the magic circle you’re standing in is a representation of the Solar System. It invokes the stability of the Planets as a more-or-less closed and perpetually functioning system on which to give the attribute of stability to the spells cast through it. Do you follow so far?”

“I do,” You answer. This level of magic theory was quite simple, almost all Templar understood it to this level, even if they didn’t have the knowledge to actually cast the spells. “Please, continue.”

“Right then,” Isolde says, “With a completed magic circle, I would theoretically be able to use it to cast a small spell. However, if you haven’t noticed yet, one of the planets is missing …”

“Mercury … I’m standing in it’s position ...”

“For the purposes of this magic circle, you are replacing Mercury,” Isolde explains, “More specifically, the excess mercury which may be in your body is. I will channel magic through the magic circle. If there’s a reaction, then we will know that the circle is complete and that you have mercury in your body. If nothing happens, then you’re in the clear.”

“I understand now.” You say. The ritual was surprisingly simple then, all you needed to do was stand in place. You had expected something more elaborate, and possibly more dangerous, especially with such an unorthdox magic circle. But the ritual was so simple that you couldn’t think of a way in which illicit magic might be involved. There wasn’t even a real spell being cast!

“If you do, then shall we begin?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Isolde reaches into her pocket and draws out a silver orb as well as a well-worn Bible with a leatherbound cover covered in sigils of sealing and divine power. She flips to a very early page and begins chanting in latin.

“Dixit autem Deus: Fiant luminaria in firmamento caeli, et dividant diem ac noctem, et sint in signa et tempora, et dies et annos ...”

At first, there is no reaction in the circle at all. Then suddenly, it blazes bright blue, illuminating all at once.

“What!” Isolde exclaims, stopping her chanting “It shouldn’t be this bright!”

“It shouldn’t?” Just then, you get hit with a splitting headache so intense that you drop to your knees in pain. It felt like your eyes were trying to force their way out of your skull. As you struggle to keep yourself from collapsing on the ground with your hands, you see a dark, pulsing red, the same red as a freshly congealed blood clot, begin emanating from your palms before slowly radiating across the entire magic circle.

That’s the last thing you remember before you pass out ...

END OF THREAD

Another thread finished! I hope you guys had fun!

That being said, unfortunately, I'm going to be going on hiatus for a short while. Hopefully no more than a week or two. I've been thinking about the future of this quest, and I've got a bunch of storylines planned out. However, I've been sorting through them and really thinking about which ideas fit and which ideas don't. I hope you'll be here whenever I resume!

Anyways, since I'm taking a break, it might give me some breathing space to consider any feedback you players have. How do you like the story so far? How do you like the characters? The pace? Etc, etc.

Regardless, thanks for playing for this long. Thank you for the lack of bully

>>3996807
Story and characters are good, pacing is a bit slow. Nice cliffhanger you just set up.