>>5363160
Earf

>>5363160
>An Earthbound One, born deep in the caves of Algetty. Your life was full of hardship and magic would be forever denied to you.

>>5363160
>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.

>>5363160
>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.
I want to fireball some nerds.

>>5363160
>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.
Can't wait to lose it all

>>5363160
>>An Earthbound One, born deep in the caves of Algetty. Your life was full of hardship and magic would be forever denied to you.

>>5363160
>An Earthbound One, born deep in the caves of Algetty. Your life was full of hardship and magic would be forever denied to you.
Time to nig out with the unga bunga gang.

>>5363160
>>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.

>>5363160
>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.

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>>5363160
>>An Earthbound One, born deep in the caves of Algetty. Your life was full of hardship and magic would be forever denied to you.

>>5363160
>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.

>An Earthbound One, born deep in the caves of Algetty. Your life was full of hardship and magic would be forever denied to you.
>>5363239
>>5363247
>>5363323
>>5363368
>>5363650

>An Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright.
>>5363264
>>5363269
>>5363294
>>5363438
>>5363543
>>5363687

I'm gonna call it here and start writing. Living in the clouds wins by one.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igEGKynYxRY

You were an Enlightened One, born and raised in luxury on the floating islands of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal. Magic was your birthright. Your father was a battlemage, serving with distinction in the Zeal Expeditionary Corps. Your mother, Sara, was a renowned scholar and a healer. Both were overjoyed to have you. As you later learned, it was a troubled pregnancy, and not even the most advanced medicines and healing arts of the Magical Kingdom were able to help. Yet both of you lived and suffered no ill effects. It was nothing short of a miracle, one that was attributed to Lavos's blessing by some.

You were named...

>Aeneas
>Boreas
>Jacob
>Julius

Your early childhood was a happy one. Your family lived in Kajar, the City of Magic, home to scholars seeking to advance the Magical Arts as well as the main staging ground for the Kingdom's army. After her recovery, your mother abandoned her scholarly pursuits to dedicate herself to her family, but she never refused those who came seeking her healing expertise. Her old colleagues considered it a waste and kept unsuccessfully trying to convince her to return for a time. You always felt uneasy around her Nu assistant. There was something unsettling about its round, blue form, its giant face, its lack of a head and ungainly movements. Your father kept training himself, all the better to defend his family and the Kingdom. He would occassionaly be sent to expeditions down below, always coming back with another exciting tale of adventure and danger in the cold wasteland. Your parents were loving, both to each other and towards you. Their open, and frequent, displays of affection embarrassed you at the time, but those were some memories that you would later look back on fondly.

On your sixth birthday, you were escorted to the ceremonial chamber of the Revealing, the ritual that would show what your element was. You hoped that it would be...

>Light: A noble element with spells that deal Light damage to opponents, as if calling down the judgement of a deity, in addition to being able to heal wounds.
>Shadow: a versatile element that offers many powerful spells at the cost of its difficulty to truly master, resistance to Shadow magic is very rare.
>Fire: An almost entirely offensive element that focuses on rapid destruction and sheer firepower, easy to learn but hard to control.
>Water: The traditional element of the healers of Zeal, those with this magic are able to easily learn to use it to cure others of almost any wound, however it can be used offensively too, should it be required.
>Wind: A mostly offensive element that uses the wind to attack, it is more effective against flying enemies and has a focus on spells to increase mobility.
>Earth: A mostly defensive element that uses Earth in order to grant defensive and offensive buffs as well as attack using the Earth.

>>5364061
>Joshua
>Wind
Wait, is our mom Schala?

>>5364061
>Gaius
The most chad of greek names.
>Water: The traditional element of the healers of Zeal, those with this magic are able to easily learn to use it to cure others of almost any wound, however it can be used offensively too, should it be required.
Hear me out, anons.
Mom is a fuckin expert in this shit, so we have a readily available trainer to optimize our initial gains with it.
From then on we can abuse the SHIT out of healing magic to get our body into the absolute peak physical condition so that we're not a squishy mage but in fact a muscle wizard.
Healing magic will absolutely be fantastic to augment our physical capabilities. And I'm sure if we delve into it enough we can use it to buff ourselves in other ways...

>>5364072
I like the way you think. As a tip for the people who haven't played CT, magic kind of sucks, relatively. It's best use is to boost physical attacks because otherwise these just outperform spells in damage, it's only more convenient when you are killing multiple weak enemies with a single spell and even then your fighters can do the same in most occasions. Healing magic isn't great since healing items are plentiful and cheap, statuses are kind of useless and the good ones that you can apply to yourself? You are better off equiping magical items that do the same without wasting turns.

>>5364072
>+1
to this anon, i like his idea

>>5364061
>>5364067 +1

>>5364061
>Gaius
>Shadow: a versatile element that offers many powerful spells at the cost of its difficulty to truly master, resistance to Shadow magic is very rare.

>>5364061
>Shadow: a versatile element that offers many powerful spells at the cost of its difficulty to truly master, resistance to Shadow magic is very rare
>Aeneas

>>5364061
>Gaius
>Water

>>5364061
>Gaius
>Shadow

>Joshua
>>5364067
>>5364113

>Gaius
>>5364072
>>5364098
>>5364133
>>5364229
>>5365117

>Aeneas
>>5364219


>Wind: A mostly offensive element that uses the wind to attack, it is more effective against flying enemies and has a focus on spells to increase mobility.
>>5364067
>>5364113

>Water: The traditional element of the healers of Zeal, those with this magic are able to easily learn to use it to cure others of almost any wound, however it can be used offensively too, should it be required.
>>5364072
>>5364098
>>5364229

>Shadow: a versatile element that offers many powerful spells at the cost of its difficulty to truly master, resistance to Shadow magic is very rare.
>>5364133
>>5364219
>>5365117


Gaius it is. It's actually a Roman name, not Greek, but it doesn't really matter.

We're tied on the element though.

>>5365193
Close! It’s the greek version of the roman name Caius.

Let me see if I can convince any of the lads to swap over to water.
Water is an incredibly versatile element. In-game, we see that it has access to Ice for damage (and in story terms could probably be used for a lot of trickier shit or for buying time by sealing enemies/areas for a little bit), Cure for the main strategy to get physical gains, Arise for literally resurrecting someone on death's door, and the all-important Haste to be way faster at acting than our enemies.
The ease of learning Water just means it'll be a lot quicker for us to get into the true depths of what Water can offer. Or, alternatively, we can learn our basic Water spells then start learning from other elements of magic - Magus proves that you're NOT restricted solely to your affinity, you can learn things outside of it with some effort.

>>5365241
Without trying to sway anyone for or against, I'm fine with any element winning here, I can confirm that all of them will indeed have more uses than they did in game, but also that they won't work exactly as they did in game. Water, specifically, won't give you access to Haste, it never made sense to me that it did. But you'll get plenty of goodies either way.

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>>5365290
I have two guesses for why Haste would be associated with Water.
One would be that it's basically supercharging your perception, which sounds viable enough if you can already heal someone with water. Biological over-clocking for a bit. Or I guess literal overclocking with Robo...actually, why the fuck can it heal Robo? The fuck?
My other guess is that it might tie deeper into the thematics of Water in CT. Both water and ice are associated with quite a few powerful things in CT and CC (i'm looking at you, Frozen Flame), and the time portals open up to an ocean-like trip, and Lavos himself is fought in some kind of an ocean.

>>5364113
>>5365241
I'm willing to change to water for tie breaking purposes

You were named Gaius, a name chosen by your parents to signify the joy that you had brought to them. You rather liked it, and what it meant.

As you approached the chamber, you were not sure what you hoped for. Was it Shadow, the element of your father, Notus? You couldn't help but be influenced by his stories. Cloaking himself in shadows, blinding monsters before smacking them with his staff, or just blowing them up with a Dark Bomb, you couldn't deny that you found the idea appealing.

Or Water? It was the traditional element of the healers of Zeal, the same element that your mother had. You had watched first hand as wounded and sick would come seeking her help. Those that had lost their health and their hope would regain both with the help of her spells and potions. You could see her joy at saving people. She was happy when she helped others be happy. Was this what you wanted as well?

Though if you were to be honest with yourself, you had a second, more selfish motive for liking Water. Your father's tales always had one thing in common: No matter the danger encountered, the trials he overcame, it was always the Water Mage in his squad who patched them up and made sure they all returned home. Even if you decided to follow in your father's footsteps and become a warrior like him, Water would prove invaluable.

You entered the sphere full of apprehension. Your parents had been unclear on the specifics of the ritual, but had reassured you that there was nothing to be worried about. The attendants began chanting as the sphere rose in the air and lighted up with all the known elements. Earth, Water, Wind and Fire in the four cardinal directions. Shadow below and Light above. All was as it should be. Soon, you saw Water expand from its position and cover the entire sphere. Did this mean that...?

A red flash. Darkness engulfed you. As you were floating in a featureless void, you began to panic. Was this supposed to happen? You could see nothing, hear nothing. Your senses stubbornly refused to work, until suddenly, you saw a red light emanate from a single point far, far in the distance. You tried to focus on it, but could make out no details. A sense of malevolence permeated you. You heard your own voice intone, without you willing it to:

"From Earth springs Water"
"Water summons Wind"
"Wind makes Fire dance"
"In Time, Fire burns all"
"Fire gives out Light"
"In Time, Light flickers"
"and Light is smothered by Shadow."
In Time, Shadow consumes all.

No, that was wrong. Every child of Zeal knew the Elements' rhyme. Fire chases Shadow and Shadow is pierced by Light. Why were the last lines different? What-?!

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You opened your eyes, lying uncomfortably on your back in the now inert sphere. Your parents had rushed to your side. Your mother quickly examined you before pulling you in a tight embrace, seemingly satisfied with the result. The attendants informed you that the result was conclusive: You were a Water Mage, and an exceptionally powerful one at that, if the reaction was anything to go by. But you didn't care about that. In your mother's arms, you knew that everything would be alright.

You soon put the incident out of your mind. You were sure it was nothing to worry about, and you were excited to begin your schooling. Over the next years, you would focus on:

>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.
>Athletics. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Sports and martial arts came naturally to you. With your father's training, you were a cut above your peers.
>Making friends. You were a charismatic kid with many friends. Even adults found it hard to resist your charm.

>>5365455
>Athletics. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Sports and martial arts came naturally to you. With your father's training, you were a cut above your peers.
Time to abuse healing magic to truly excel in physical progress.

>>5365455
>Athletics. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Sports and martial arts came naturally to you. With your father's training, you were a cut above your peers.

>>5365455
>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.

>>5365455
>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.

>>5365459
>>5365512
>>5365554
>>5365562
If we remain tied...
Then I propose a balanced upbringing, studying just as much as we train our body. Hell, maybe even practicing magic or reading books WHILE we work out.
Which, hey, suits the idea of going musclewizard just fine. Being able to heal from our training will make up for sinking in less time overall to physical conditioning.

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>>5365193
>It's actually a Roman name, not Greek, but it doesn't really matter.

Don't make me angry, Gaius.

>>5365650
If the QM allows it I'll support.

>>5365455
>>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.
Sorry man. Magic made me. Mage classes in RPGs made me.

>>5365455
>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.

>>5365650
>>5365672
We're no longer tied, but I'd be fine with a Balanced write-in if you want it. You have 9-10 hours before I call.

>>5365654
Shut up Six, you're not even real.

>>5365455
>Athletics. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Sports and martial arts came naturally to you. With your father's training, you were a cut above your peers.

>>Athletics. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Sports and martial arts came naturally to you. With your father's training, you were a cut above your peers.
>>5365459
>>5365512
>>5366199

>Studying. Your element would be easy to use, but that didn't mean you could neglect it. And besides your Magic, there were so many other interesting topics! Under your mother's tutelage, you excelled in academics.
>>5365554
>>5365562
>>5365680
>>5365743

You studied like hell.

You focused on studying. How else would you learn how to be a better mage? From almost the moment you learned how to read, you would constantly be found with a book in your hands. You practically devoured books on anything: Water Magic, the Theory of Magic, the relationship between the elements, more mundane topics like History, Mythology, or even Architecture. And fiction, of course. Your mother was more than happy to teach you what she knew about the human body, what could go wrong with it and how to fix it, and help you with any topic that gave you trouble. Before long, you knew enough to assist her in turn.

Learned Water Manipulation I
Learned Water I
Learned Cure I
Learned Remedy I
Learned Alchemy I

Your teachers were proud and expected great things from you. But your academic prowess did not come without a cost. You were respected and admired by most of your schoolmates, envied by some, but you were also kept at a distance. You had no real friends growing up, but that suited you fine. The other kids your age were so dull, and knew so little. How could they compete with the knowledge contained in a fine book, or the experience of an adult?

Your father's expeditions grew longer and more frequent over the years. When he was home he would try to teach you how to use a staff, the traditional weapon of the warriors of Zeal, but defending yourself was not a topic that interested you very much. Still, you learned the basics, if little else. If your father was disappointed in your lack of martial prowess, it was something he never showed.

As you approached your teenage years, you learned that the utopia you lived in was not as firm as you had thought. The Sunstone that powered everything on the floating islands was slowly being drained. It would be decades, perhaps centuries, before it completely ran out, but it was still a matter of concern. Secretly, you hoped that you would be the one to discover a solution to this problem. You dreamed of the day when your name would be compared to the wisest men of Zeal: The three gurus, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

Alas, your secret hopes were dashed before you had even had the chance to finish forming them. Before your thirteenth birthday, the gurus, true to their reputation, discovered that solution in the form of an immense source of mana deep under the ocean - under Water, your own element! King Consort Magnus himself organized an expedition to study and secure it, even acquiring the assistance of Earthbound guides, and your father was one of the people selected to escort him. Your mother pleaded to join as well, and put her healing talents to use, but she was flatly denied. She was a civilian and she had no place in such a dangerous enterprise. Your father reassured her however. He promised he would come back, same as always. He could never stay away from you two for too long.

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You will never forget the day when tragedy struck. You were in your room, engrossed in a book like usual, when you heard a knock on the front door, which you promptly ignored. Your mother would call if it was something important. You rushed downstairs when it was followed by a loud thud, only to see your mother had fainted and a blond, unfamiliar man with long, wavy hair and an eyepatch stood at the door. While you tended to her, the man excused himself and left with an infuriating smirk. When she came to, she shared the news in between sobs: The expedition had proven more dangerous than anyone had expected. Your father had broken his promise. He would not be coming back.

He was not the only one. Many had perished, including the King himself. A state funeral was held for all the deceased. You two, along with the families of all who had perished, stood at the side of the royal family as Queen Zeal, her voice breaking, spoke about the heroes who had sacrificed their lives to ensure everyone else would have a future. Your mother was composed as you stood steady at her side despite the void in the pit of your stomach. Yet you couldn't help but steal glances at the girl standing next to the Queen. Princess Schala, her eyes as red and puffy as your mother's, held her little brother, Prince Janus, in her arms. She was a few months younger than you and prettier than what you had heard. The ceremony ended eventually, and so did the procession of strangers offering their condolences to you. The royal family was escorted away by their guards, but as you guided your mother back home, a guilty thought rose to the surface: Would you ever see the Princess again?

Life went on. Your father's sacrifice had indeed not been in vain. Despite the losses the expedition had been a success and soon the Guru of Life Melchior would begin work on the Mammon Machine, designed to be operated by Princess Schala in order to harness that nearly infinite power and distribute it across the Kingdom. And you had to think about your future as well. At age 20, you would be considered an adult and allowed to forge your own path. How would you spend your teenage years in preparation for this?

You would: (Choose up to three)
>Study advanced offensive Water Magic
>Study advanced curative Water Magic
>Study defensive Water Magic
>Study Ice Magic
>Study a second element (what?) (only one)
>Study advanced Alchemy
>Study another subject (what?)
>Practice with the Staff
>Learn how to use another weapon (what?)
>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends.
>Other (write-in) (within reason)

And here's your character sheet: https://pastebin.com/PwdXKC9M

Thanks for sticking with me for what was a pretty lengthy character creation process. Unfortunately I'll be busy and unable to write tomorrow. We'll resume the day after with the real beginning.

>>5366440
>Learn how to use another weapon, the claw.

>>5366440
>study advanced curative water magic
>go out of your comfort zone and make some friends

for the third I'm torn between practicing with the staff because when doing so it's like dad is there with us, or going for defensive water magic instead. But I reckon we're better off going with
>defensive Water magic

>>5366440
>Study Ice Magic
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow
>Practice with the Staff
Dad's element, dad's weapon and more options with ice.

>>5366440
>Practice with the Staff
To honor our father.
>Study advanced curative Water Magic
To cure ourselves and those around us better.
>Begin to train your body as thoroughly as you can, using your knowledge of Curative magic to decrease the recovery time needed and to work your body for longer.

>>5366440
>Study advanced curative Water Magic
>Practice with the Staff
>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends.

>>5366440
>Study defensive Water Magic
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow
>Practice with the Staff

Schala a cute

Musclewizard bros, now is the time to unite! We have Cure now, this is the perfect time to enact the plan. Even if you disagree with my other choices, surely you can spare one of your three for rigorous workout routines followed by self curing.

>>5366440
>Practice with the Staff
>Study advanced curative Water Magic
>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends.

>>5366058
Cue Gaius having his head slammed into a desk.

"Am I real now, Gaius?"

>>5366440
>>Study defensive Water Magic
>>Study Ice Magic
>>Study a second element (what?) (only one) shadow

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My staff suggestion for Gaius...

>>5367880
A staf like that served Ridcully from Discworld well

>>5366440
>Study advanced curative Water Magic
>Practice with the Staff
>Study Ice Magic

>Learn how to use another weapon, the claw.
>>5366495

>Study advanced curative water magic
>>5366499
>>5366523
>>5367097
>>5367461
>>5368516

>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends
>>5366499
>>5367097
>>5367461

>Study defensive Water magic
>>5366499
>>5367172
>>5367699

>Study Ice Magic
>>5366506
>>5367699
>>5368516

>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow
>>5366506
>>5367172
>>5367699

>Practice with the Staff
>>5366506
>>5366523
>>5367097
>>5367172
>>5367461
>>5368516

>Begin to train your body as thoroughly as you can, using your knowledge of Curative magic to decrease the recovery time needed and to work your body for longer.
>>5366523

Staff practice and Curative Water Magic are the clear first choices, but we have a for third place. Since it'd be a clusterfuck if I asked people to switch votes to break it, I'm gonna leave a new round of voting open for a few hours.

Pick one out of:
>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends
>Study defensive Water magic
>Study Ice Magic
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow

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>>5368607
>Go out of your comfort zone and make some friends

Maximum Friendship!

>>5368607
Well, if I had to pick one of the tied ones, it'd be...
>Study defensive Water magic
Because buffs are king!

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>>5368607
The power of friendship!
Picture hopefully unrelated.

>>5368607
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow

>>5368607
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow

My id changed I am >>5366506

>>5368607
>Study a second element (what?) (only one) Shadow

>Power of friendship
>>5368680
>>5368711

>Power of defense
>>5368683

>Power of shadows
>>5368716
>>5368720
>>5368766

Alright, I'll be calling it now. I hope to get an update out today.

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With your father gone, your mother retreated to herself. It was like a light had gone out inside her. She would spend much of her days lost in her thoughts, sitting on a chair, looking outside the window, waiting for someone who would never come back. She blamed herself, she admitted one night. She should have listened to her bad feeling and insisted to go with him. If she had been there, she would have been able to save him. Though in your opinion this would have only lead to her following him to an early grave, you were unable to get her to see your point of view on this. With her depression, she found it harder and harder to treat her patients. You tried to ease her burden by helping as much as you could and learned even more under her direction. While they praised your diligence, the trickle of the wounded and sick gradually came to a stop. After all, they came to seek her help, not that of her untested teenage son.

Learned Cure II
Learned Remedy II

The man you saw on that day, "Lord" Dalton, kept visiting for some time, bringing extravagant gifts and crudely hitting on her. Life could be difficult for a young, beautiful widow like her, especially with a child, and he could make it much easier - his words, not yours. Your mother remained polite yet firm in her dismissals. You wanted to be considerably less polite, but it was one of the few things she ever forbade you. Dalton was also part of the expedition that had claimed your father's life, his survival meant that he was a formidable warrior. And he had since risen to become the Queen's right hand man and perhaps something more if the lascivious rumors could be trusted. She didn't want you getting hurt on her behalf, and her patience was rewarded when Dalton gave up.

You channeled your frustration into honing your skill with the staff, as your father had taught you. As you repeated the drills he had shown you, you could almost feel his presence behind you, guiding your swings, correcting your stance, urging you to strike faster and harder. It left a bitter taste in your mouth. You became interested in what he wanted to teach you only after he no longer could. You would practice for long hours, working through the pain and using your knowledge of the healing arts on yourself, healing your bruises and hurt muscles so you could practice even more. It was unhealthy, you knew, to hurt yourself like this, but you still couldn't stop doing it. Perhaps you too blamed yourself for your father's absence.

Learned Whirlwind Attack

The Mammon Machine was completed a few months after the expedition. Like many others, you attended the inauguration ceremony that would herald a new age of plenty for the Kingdom. Princess Schala, like usual, stood at her mother's side as she addressed the crowd. Prince Janus was absent, though you weren't surprised. It was said that he was a difficult child. Even from afar, the Princess's smile seemed strained. Was she looking at you? No, she couldn't have. You were just another face in the crowd. Soon they disappeared into the bowels of the palace. Everyone could feel the exact moment she turned it on as raw mana flooded the atmosphere and spellcasting became almost effortless in an instant. But you found using the Machine's power to be disquieting. You couldn't really explain it, and no one seemed to share your apprehension, but it felt... red. Still, that power made your inner reserves largely irrelevant and it proved useful in your attempts to study spells from outside your element, something usually extraordinarily difficult. You focused on spells belonging to Shadow, your father's element, and despite the difficulty, you were met with success.

Learned Shadow Manipulation I
Learned Blind

Years passed. The Guru of Reason Balthazar, fresh after the assembly of the Blackbird, an impressive flying machine that was unfortunately placed under the command of Dalton, came up with an even more ambitious plan: The construction of a palace on the ocean floor, as close as possible to what had been identified as Lavos's resting place. Even more power could be harnessed by moving the Mammon Machine closer to the source of its power. Enough to make every single Enlightened One immortal. Thinking of your mother eternally waiting besides that window made you doubt the wisdom of this plan, but dissent had become unwise in the Kingdom of Zeal.

The Guru of Life Melchior publicly spoke up against this Ocean Palace, citing the need to further study the effects it would have. He promptly disappeared. The Guru of Time Gaspar was nowhere to be found. They said he had gone insane, secluded himself in a small island and began fruitless experiments on Time travel, working on some sort of Time Egg. Even Balthazar, despite being the architect of the project, withdrew from public life, leaving Dalton in charge of its construction. To supplement the workforce Dalton began forcibly conscripting Earthbound Ones. Some even applauded. The Earthbound guides had been blamed for the losses of the expedition, and this was seen as an opportunity to "contribute to the glory of Zeal".

You kept your head down during all this. Rumours swirled that the Queen had changed practically overnight after the Mammon Machine was completed and anyone, no matter how unimportant, who criticized her would disappear. And what could you do? You were just a man, barely even an adult.

PROLOGUE END

"Gaius..."

"Gaius!"

"Good morning, Gaius!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQv1Xz2uKZ8

"Come on, sleepy head. This isn't like you."

A bright light forced you to open your eyes as you heard your mother draw the curtains. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm like always. In the distance, the sound of the Blackbird's guns thundered.

"You were so anxious that you didn't sleep well, did you...?"

She was absolutely right. You had the feeling that your dreams had been unpleasant, though you couldn't remember. You groggily shifted in your bed and saw her smile.

"Take your time, I'll be downstairs."

You didn't have the strength to answer her as she left and closed the door behind her. You struggled to get out of your bed and get ready. What was the matter with you? This really wasn't like you at all.

After an inordinate amount of time, you were finally ready. You yawned and stretched as you walked down the stairs and your mother rushed to pull you in a hug. "Happy birthday, my little boy! Oh, how you've grown up. If only your father could see you now..." Her voice faltered for a moment and you squeezed her back "You'll make a girl very happy one day..."

"Mom!" you yelled as you removed yourself from her arms.

"What? I hope to see grandchildren some day, you know. Sooner rather than later." She chuckled and wiped her moist eyes before taking her familiar place by the window.

"Now, go on! Have some fun with your friends. Just don't be late for dinner, I want to celebrate properly tonight."

"Don't worry mom. I promise to be back on time!" You looked at her one last time as you absent-mindedly secured your staff on your back and opened the door. Now, where would you go?

>The library of Kajar. Reading books is fun!
>Enhasa, the City of Dreams. Dreams could be fun.
>The staging ground of the Blackbird. Perhaps you'd arrive in time to watch its maneuvers?
>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.
>The palace. Its common areas were still open to the public.
>Other (write-in)

>>5368830
>The library of Kajar
so what are we going to research? Alternative energy sources? Disappearing act? Experimental medicine?
Maybe we could help someone in their studies instead...

Dalton is going to be a source of problems, that's for sure.

>>5368830
>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.
Sounds comfy

>>5368830
>The palace. Its common areas were still open to the public.

>>5368846
>Dalton is going to be a source of problems, that's for sure.
Oh for sure. Never trust someone who delivers the news of a man's death to his family *with a smirk*

>>5368830
>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.

>>5368830
>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.

https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5363160/

I have archived this thread just in case. If it gets deleted, I will make a new one asap and announce it on /qtg/.

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>>5368830
>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.

>>5368680
You don't post Cross content at all in this thread. Do it again and get reported. And I am so serious.

>>5369277
Sorry, didn't mean to chrono cross you and make you chrono triggered.

File: 7790E05D-BD33-4499-A227-5(...).png (45 KB, 360x543)

45 KB PNG

>>5369277
I want Harle to cast Diminish on me

>>5368830
>The staging ground of the Blackbird. Perhaps you'd arrive in time to watch its maneuvers?

>>5368830
>The palace. Its common areas were still open to the public.

>The library of Kajar. Reading books is fun!
>>5368846

>The waterfalls that lead to the clouds beneath you. You always found them soothing.
>>5368861
>>5368906
>>5368980
>>5369251

>The palace. Its common areas were still open to the public.
>>5368889
>>5369695

>The staging ground of the Blackbird. Perhaps you'd arrive in time to watch its maneuvers?
>>5369418

Next stop: Zeal's scenic waterfalls.

>>5369251
This is now canon. Gaius looks like DQV's hero. Cool game, with nice artwork.

Closing the door behind you, you considered your options. But there was ultimately only one place where you could think to go. Still feeling lethargic, you set out on a brisk walk to the waterfalls that lead to the clouds below. There was a nice, quiet spot there that always helped you relax.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPIyuGoH_24

You came across more people than you expected on the way there and paused briefly only to greet a couple guards that you knew, politely evading their questions about when you'd be enlisting, without telling them the true reason you were hesitating. Placing yourself under Dalton's command did not sound very appealing. Few things sounded less appealing than that, actually.

Children were playing tag around the neat, trimmed forest, and as you glared at the harsh morning sun that hadn't bothered you before, you suddenly realized the reason it was busier than you were used to: This was not your usual time to come here. You'd normally be in a classroom, listening to one lecture or another at this hour. You'd be free to visit the waterfalls either earlier, when you didn't sleep in, or much later during the day. These days were over though, and the thought made you feel a little nostalgic already.

You steered clear of some people arguing about the nature of the relationship between the elements on the lake's coast. The last thing you needed right now was to get drawn into a prolonged, meaningless debate with an idiot. And that guy really was an idiot, his arguments little more than a passionate contrarianism. Light and Shadow were obviously opposed elements, even those children you saw earlier could tell him that!

The distant sounds of the Blackbird's guns fell silent right on time as you jumped from stone to stone to cross the river without getting your tunic and cloak wet. You found your usual, quiet spot in between the two waterfalls and let out a drawn out sigh as you plopped your staff next to you and sat down on the moist grass. You could only feel the grass that you touched, only hear the sounds of the waterfalls to your left and right, only watch the empty, vast horizon above the clouds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfYB0RAVlGY

You shifted to sit cross-legged, closed your eyes and tried to relax. You remembered the first time you had come here. Was it ten years ago? Probably even more. Your father had put you on his shoulders and prepared to jump to cross the river with you on his back, but your mother had simply laughed and created an ice bridge wide enough for you all to comfortably cross. He was a little peeved that he hadn't gotten the chance to show off. You were scared to death to approach the edge of the waterfall and the water cascading down into nothing, but over many visits your father had encouraged you to inch closer and closer, first grasping his hand and later by yourself. A man would have to master his fears, he had said, to protect what was important to him. Was he afraid then at the end, in some deep, dark hole so far away from home...?

You abruptly shifted your thoughts. This whole system, the waterfalls, rivers and lake were all a testament to the ingenuity of the Enlightened Ones. A Skyway had been embedded in a cave up in the mountain, halfway on the path to the palace. It was permanently linked to another one like it below the surface of the ocean, providing an endless supply of water. An ingenious device filtered and purified this water, making it sweet and safe to drink. You'd like to study its workings one day, perhaps even improve it. But really? Was this what you wanted to do with your life? Minute improvements on Zeal's infrastructure? After the Ocean Palace was completed and made everyone immortal - if it worked as advertised - was this how you would spend eternity? And what if it didn't work? What if it lead to ruin, as Melchior had warned? What could you do then? Would the Princess...?

No, one more try. You emptied your mind of all thought, ignored the splash of a stone falling on the river to your right, ignored the Mammon Machine's scratching in the back of your head. Calm your thoughts. Meditate, like your mother had showed you such a long time ago, when she first taught you how to harness your element and make it manifest on the world. But it was no use. You were too anxious. Your thoughts swirled about the past and the future, yours and the kingdom's. All of them ominous. You couldn't unwind.

What would you do now?
>Keep trying, you just need to be more persistent.
>Pick up your staff and go through some stances.
>Practice your magic.
>Go somewhere else (where?)
>Other (write-in)

>>5369947
>One more try, with an alternate approach: rather than forcing the thoughts into calm, try to ride the current of the swirl. This might lead us nowhere as we end up bouncing back and forth, or it might allow the threads to untangle themselves into a more stoic stance...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxOWhdY1goA

>>5369971
+1

>>5369947
>Keep trying, you just need to be more persistent.

>>5369947
>>5369971
Supporting

>>5369971
>>5369947
Support

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>>5369947
>>5369971
support

May I suggest Doric as Gaius' father?

>One more try, with an alternate approach: rather than forcing the thoughts into calm, try to ride the current of the swirl. This might lead us nowhere as we end up bouncing back and forth, or it might allow the threads to untangle themselves into a more stoic stance...
>>5369971
>>5369988
>>5370082
>>5370118
>>5370162
>>5370247

That was easy to tally.

>>5370247
A little too old and too muscley for what I had in mind. I'm imagining Gaius's parents as high school sweethearts who got married asap and wanted a big family. His mother is in her early forties now, and his father was in his mid thirties when he died seven years ago. And dad's fighting style relied more on trickery, using Shadow to create openings to be exploited instead of brute strength.

One more try, with an alternate approach. This wasn't how you had been taught. Your mind was not a ball of yarn that you could untangle by pulling at one end. It was an ocean, and you couldn't force water to be still with will alone. You had to ride the current, let the waves carry you. When the winds were howling it was natural for the seas to be rough. These were your thoughts, but they weren't all that you were. They didn't define you. You were more than just that. You were...

Calm.

A sudden noise brought you out of your trance. Someone was near you, probably a child playing. You opened your eyes in annoyance and turned to look at the source of the interruption, only to see a slim figure wearing a purple robe with long sleeves that obscured their hands and a hooded cloak pulled up to conceal their face. They were far too tall to be a child, just a little shorter than you, but you couldn't immediately tell if it was a woman or a particularly slender man. The question was answered when the figure took a half step back, raised their hand in an apologetic motion and said in a soft, feminine voice: "Oh, I'm-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you. You seemed troubled. I'll go now..." Was that a hint of blue hair underneath her hood?

How would you respond?
>Introduce yourself.
>Ask her who she is.
>Tell her of your troubles.
>Let her go.
>Other (write-in)

>>5370675
>I'll show you mine if you show me yours

just kidding.

>"It's fine. You're not wrong. But I get the feeling it takes one to know one, or am I mistaken?"
>introduce yourself

>>5369351
You've avoided being reported only because that was a clever bar.

>>5369355
Verging on the final straw.

>>5370675
>Tell her of your troubles.
The black wind howls...

>>5370675
>Introduce yourself.
Manners first. Everyone remembers a healer with poor bedside manners.

>>5370675
>>5370678
Support

>>5370675
>Ask her who she is.

>>5370675
>Tell her of your troubles.

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>>5370675
>>5370675
>Tell her of your troubles.
I have no friends, my dad's dead, and Dalton wants to marry my mom...how're you?

>>5370675
>>Tell her of your troubles.

>>5370675
>Introduce yourself.

>"It's fine. You're not wrong. But I get the feeling it takes one to know one, or am I mistaken?"
>introduce yourself
>>5370678
>>5370789

>Tell her of your troubles.
>>5370708
>>5371115
>>5371159
>>5371212

>>Introduce yourself.
>>5370726
>>5371241

>Ask her who she is.
>>5370824

Calling early because I'd like to try to write more than one update today.

"Troubled? You could say that. But it's fine, you're not a bother. Please don't go, there's more than enough room for the both of us." You motioned at the grass around you, with not another soul in sight, and she hesitated for a few long moments before silently sitting next to you. Her delicate hands were pale and thin. Too thin your mother would have said, before offering her some food.

The silence extended and you decided to break it with what had been on your mind. "It's just... I have to decide what I want to do with my life, but how am I supposed to do that? I want to help people, I know that much, and the Kingdom of course, but... I don't know how I can do that..."

Her voice sounded strained as she replied. "It is difficult to predict the future. And not everyone has a choice like you do. I envy that, a little. Is this why you came here?"

"Yeah. I like this spot. It's so quiet and peaceful, far away from everyone. I wanted to sit by myself and think without distractions but..."

"I'm sorry... I didn't expect to find someone here. I shouldn't have come..."

"Oh no, no! Don't apologize, it's not your fault. I couldn't be at peace anyway. You see, I first came here with my parents when I was a kid and I keep thinking about those days. My d... my father, he died seven years ago. He had tried to teach me how to fight while he was alive, but I was more interested in learning from my mother. She's a healer, a really good one, and a Water mage like me. She taught me much. I don't regret that choice but I... I just wish I had spent more time with him when I still could... I guess I just miss him more than usual today."

"I see. I'm very sorry for your loss..." She hesitated, but you could tell she wanted to say more, so you waited patiently for her to continue "I... Um... can I ask you a difficult question?"

"Hm? Of course. What is it?"

"Was it hard for you? After you lost your father?"

"It... Yes, it was. My mother... She wasn't the same after. She never got over it. Even now, I can see her grief when she thinks I'm not looking. And Dalton... He made things worse. He tried to hit on her from the day after the funeral, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. I wish I could have done more to protect her from him and help her move on, but... I'm not as strong as I wish I was..."

"I know how you feel. I also lost Father seven years ago. It was hard for me and my little brother too. And Dalton didn't help at all." She let out a soft chuckle. Was your mother not the only widow that Dalton had harassed?

File: Schala.png (179 KB, 210x600)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ6kaNcsw4Q

An unexpected breeze ruffled your hair and cloak. She tugged at her hood to keep it up, but couldn't prevent a few strands of long, blue hair from escaping. It suddenly dawned on you, her identity, and you silently cursed yourself for not realising it sooner.

"P-Princess Schala?!!!"

She turned her head towards you and let her hood drop, not bothering to conceal her face anymore now that you had guessed. Her long ponytail swayed in the wind and her green eyes met yours. She looked sad and tired and beautiful... "Yes, that's right. Does it make a difference?"

"Of course it does!" you replied instantly. "You're the Princess, and I've done nothing but ramble! I'm sorry! Please forgive me, your Highness!"

"Oh..." She simply said, as she turned back to gaze at the horizon, pulling her legs closer to her body and hugging her knees. You felt like a wall had risen between you. You cursed yourself again. How could you make such a mistake?

It was her turn to break the now awkward silence when she turned again to look at you, saying with more conviction than before "Can I ask you another question?" You silently nodded, and she continued. "What do you think about the Earthbound Ones?"

The Earthbound Ones? You didn't know what you had expected her to ask, but it certainly wasn't that. You felt you couldn't lie to her, not now. You had no choice but to tell her the truth.

What did you think about the Earthbound Ones?
>"I hate them. They're responsible for my father's death. They're worthless without magic, and Dalton putting them to work was the only good thing that fool ever did."
>"I pity them. They live hard and destitute lives down there in the cold. I wish there was a way to help them."
>"I admire them. They refuse to give up hope despite their harsh environment and lack of power. My problems are nothing compared to theirs."
>"I don't really think about them all that much to be honest."
>Other (write-in)

>>5371405
>"I don't really think about them all that much to be honest."

>>5371405
>"I'm not sure myself, honestly... on one hand, I feel sorry for them that many of the marvels of our realm are out of their reach. It seems unfair. On the other hand, they don't let their burdens crush them. Perhaps that is something they have over us."

I suppose we don't have any reason to actually think Earthbound are in any way responsible for our father's death. If anything, Dalton's actions may strike us as suspicious in that respect.
But we also don't have any reason to be overly familiar with Earthbound ones so we can only assume they are capable of maintaining a working society with their own ways of finding joy and love in the daily life.

>>5371405
>"I don't really think about them all that much to be honest."

>>5371405
>"I admire them. They refuse to give up hope despite their harsh environment and lack of power. My problems are nothing compared to theirs."
>"Although they probably do enjoy the silence from being so far from the Mammon Machine. I've been hearing it nonstop since it was turned on - must be worse for you since you live at the palace, right?"

>>5371422
>>5371405
Support

>>5371405
>>5371497
Support

>"I don't really think about them all that much to be honest."
>>5371411
>>5371448

>"I'm not sure myself, honestly... on one hand, I feel sorry for them that many of the marvels of our realm are out of their reach. It seems unfair. On the other hand, they don't let their burdens crush them. Perhaps that is something they have over us."
>>5371422
>>5371501

>"I admire them. They refuse to give up hope despite their harsh environment and lack of power. My problems are nothing compared to theirs."
>"Although they probably do enjoy the silence from being so far from the Mammon Machine. I've been hearing it nonstop since it was turned on - must be worse for you since you live at the palace, right?"
>>5371497
>>5371512

A rare triple tie. Someone please break it before I have to roll.

>>5371405
>>"I'm not sure myself, honestly... on one hand, I feel sorry for them that many of the marvels of our realm are out of their reach. It seems unfair. On the other hand, they don't let their burdens crush them. Perhaps that is something they have over us."
Tie broken

"I'm not sure myself, honestly... on one hand, I feel sorry for them. All the marvels of our realm are out of their reach. It seems unfair. But on the other hand, they don't let their burdens crush them. Perhaps that is something they have over us."

"An even-handed view. That's a rarity among our people... You're right, it is unfair. We have been given all this..." she gestured at the floating islands, from the Sun Temple barely visible far to the west, to the palace towering above you and Enhasa far to the east. "and they have been given nothing..." she continued "just because we were born lucky and they weren't. Or maybe they're the lucky ones...?"

She fell silent again, lost in her thoughts and you couldn't think of something to say either before she continued. "I admire them. They have something over us, that's for sure... Say, you've never met an Earthbound One before, have you?" she asked earnestly.

"No, I haven't. I've never been outside Zeal, to tell the truth. Err, that is, the kingdom, not your mother. I mean, the Queen, err, I mean..."

She stopped your floundering with a hearty chuckle "Don't worry. I know how confusing it can get to have the Queen change her name after her Kingdom. Try being a little girl and having to learn the difference between the two!"

You imagined her as a little girl. No, you remembered her, back at the funeral. She didn't seem to remember you though. Was that a pang of sadness that you felt? "I hope you don't change yours when you become Queen. Schala is a beautiful name."

Her eyes widened in surprise at your compliment and she smiled. "Thank you, but... me, the Queen Zeal? I can hardly imagine it. No, I really can't imagine it..." she repeated with a sadder tone.

"I'm sure you'll be a fine Queen one day. Everyone is!" maybe better than your mother, you left unsaid.

She didn't reply to your comment and you couldn't see her expression as she said "Um, you said you're a healer, right? And that you want to help people?"

"Yes, that's right. Does it make a difference?" You echoed her earlier statement without thinking. She bit her lips, struggling about something, before seeming to come to a decision.

"Perhaps... If you don't have something better to do today, would you like to come with me to Algetty? That's the name of the Earthbound village. They're earnest, hardworking people. They would welcome your help. It's not a dangerous journey, I've been by myself there sometimes. I've tried to help them when I could, but... I know no healing magic and my alchemy... it's not enough. It's not too far away either, we'll be back by sundown! I have to be back at the palace before Mother sends someone to search for me... So, what do you say?"

As you looked at her expectant face, you could only:
>Accept
>Propose something different you can do together (what?)
>Decline
>Other (write-in)

>>5371790
>Accept

>>5371790
>>Accept

>>5371790
>Accept

>>5371790
>Accept

>>5371790
>Accept

>>5371790
>Accept

>Accept
>>5371795
>>5371796
>>5371804
>>5371808
>>5371829
>>5371830

huh, that was much faster than I thought. Let's see, can I write a third one today?

"Sure! I don't have any plans for today." You had promised your mother you'd be back for dinner, but Schala had to be back too. It'd be fine.

Her face beamed at your answer. "I'm so glad! Then it's a date!" You choked and almost fell backwards at her confident proclamation while she rose in one swift motion and offered her hand to help you up, still beaming. You recovered, grasped it and pulled yourself up while taking your staff with your other hand from where it lay on the grass.

You secured your staff on your back once again while she pulled the hood of her cloak back up. "Come on, let's go!" she said "We don't have time to waste." She rushed ahead but you quickly caught up to her with just a few long strides and began walking at her side.

[Princess Schala has joined your party]

You retraced your steps towards the river closer to Kajar. It would have been faster to head to the other direction, straight towards the Skyway, but that river was deeper and wider. You'd have to swim across, and going for a swim was a terrible idea if you were heading to the frozen wastes below. Although... swimming with the Princess... maybe some other t-

Your mind was pulled out of the gutter when she turned her head towards you and asked "Your staff... you know how to fight?"

"I've been trained and I have practiced, yes. I've never been in a real fight though."

"A healer and a warrior. You're a man of many talents Mr..."

Your eyes widened in shock and you broke out in a cold sweat. You stopped in your tracks and cursed yourself, again. You couldn't believe it! In all the excitement of meeting the Princess, you had forgotten to introduce yourself!

"I-I'm Gaius! Please forgive me your Highness. It completely slipped my mind!"

"Gaius. A joyful name. I like it! But please, Gaius, call me Schala. Just Schala."

"As you wish, Pr... Schala." you said, with some difficulty and you resumed your place at her side.

"I wanted to learn how to fight too after Father was gone but Mother... had other plans."

"Maybe I can teach you when we next meet?"

"When next we meet... I think I'd like that." Your joy was palpable but... why was her voice so sad when she said that?

You exchanged no more words after that. You helped her over the stones across the river, though she didn't need it, as she'd already crossed before by herself. But it was the polite thing to do. Your mother would have killed you if she ever found out that you hadn't.

You headed right towards the bridge across the lake instead of straight towards the road to Kajar and home, and approached that group you had seen earlier. They were still busy arguing and paid you no mind as you passed by them. You silently prayed to Lavos not to meet anyone you knew on the way to Enhasa. You didn't trust yourself not to act suspiciously if they asked where you were going, or about the mysterious girl you were escorting. The Pr... Schala had to keep quiet too, in fear of someone recognizing her voice and ending this charade.

You arrived at the Skyway to Enhasa's island without incident, though you felt oddly anxious as you passed the garden, between the columns and ascended the stairs to the portal with the Pr... Schala at your side. It was a little disorienting, like always, to be beamed across, but nothing more. Just a straight stretch of road was between you and the other Skyway near Enhasa, the only Skyway leading to the surface, when Schala abruptly stopped and tugged at your arm.

"Wait, your clothes..."

"My clothes? What about them?"

"They're too light. My cloak is enchanted to resist cold, but your clothes are not, are they?"

"...no, they are not."

"I'm sorry, I should have thought of this sooner. You should head into the city and buy something warmer, they have appropriate gear in stock for travellers. You'll freeze otherwise. Hurry, I'll wait for you by the Skyway!"

You remembered your father's warnings about the cold, and how easily it could cause frostbite, lost fingers or worse. And now Schala's advice... Would you follow it?
>No. This was a bad idea. We should head back.
>No. You can tough it out. How cold can it really be?
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak.
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?
>Other (write-in)

>>5371966
>>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak.

>>5371966
> Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?
However, do not lose any time looking for one or thinking it over too much. Maybe some keepsake reminiscent of the late king? Or something small that would fit with her colour theme. She’s a princess so it should be heartfelt rather than expensive.

Or… nah, that would be a stretch and weird, but something she could share with Janus, like a 2 player game or something.

>>5371966
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?

>>5371966
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?

>>5371966
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?
Part of me feels like this is cutting it close, but I want Schala to think well of me

>>5371966
>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?

>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak.
>>5371982

>Yes. Head into the city to buy a heavier cloak, but also a gift for her. She called it a date, right?
>>5371997
>>5371998
>>5372120
>>5372395
>>5372401

A gift for the Princess, coming right up!

File: Masa and Mune.png (325 KB, 480x500)

325 KB PNG

"You're right, I'll meet you there." After you agreed, she produced a leather pouch heavy with coin from underneath her voluminous robes and made a move to give it to you, but you simply nodded negatively and run off. She'd called it a date! You'd be damned if you let a girl pay for you in a date, no matter how rich she was!

You rushed to Enhasa, city of Dreams. You didn't come here often. It was on the other side of the kingdom on a different island entirely from Kajar, and it did not have much to offer you. It was full of public beds where the dreamers would lie and "seek truth and enlightenment in the bliss of sleep", or something like that, while nonhuman servants took care of their every need. You didn't often remember your dreams, but when you did it was always after waking up sweaty from the grip of a nightmare. The dreaming world was not for you. All you cared about was in the real world.

As you entered the city, you were greeted by a small, yellow creature with pointy ears wearing a white robe. Some sort of created servant no doubt, though you hadn't seen its kind before. It tilted its head and looked at you quizzically. "In the eternal Magical Kingdom of Zeal, all dreams can come true. But how steep of a price will you end up willing to pay?" Before you had a chance to respond, she jumped, turned a circle around herself in the air and vanished.

You didn't have time to dwell on the weird encounter though. You hurried through the city, searching for what you needed. You saw a bed with a small Poyozo Doll on it and briefly paused, wondering where the child that owned it was and why it had left its fluffy white plushie behind, when the doll turned to face you all by itself and asked "Do you believe in Fate? That everything in the world ιs preordained?"

"I don't have time for this!" you shouted and dashed away. Who the hell had thought it was a good idea to give sentience to a stuffed toy? It was inevitable that it'd suffer from an existential crisis! By Lavos, you hated this place!

You finally reached the market, purposely avoiding anyone and anything else that might want to talk to you. You easily found a shop selling protective gear for the cold, just like the Princess had said. It had enchanted cloaks for sale, but at a steep price. You definitely couldn't afford that. You'd have to settle for more mundane equipment. A heavy, fur trimmed coat, long enough to cover your entire body would do nicely. And a set of fur gloves, of course, body heat escaped through the extremities more than through any other part of the body. They'd hinder you in a fight, but no beasts were supposed to exist that close to civilization. You already had a nice pair of boots and your existing cloak could serve as scarf and cap, protecting your head and ears.

You made your purchases and began heading back when you came to a sudden realization: Schala had called this a date, but was it really one? You'd done nothing to warrant calling it that. Only rambled about yourself as she listened patiently, barely let her talk or asked her anything in turn, scarcely touched, and you were now headed to a bleak area to help people other than her! You, err, didn't have much experience in this area, or any at all really, other than what you had read in your books, but this whole day did not sound like a date at all. And - your heart tightened at the thought - you might never see her again this close after today. No matter what she asked you to call her in private, she was the Princess and you were a nobody. You might not get another chance to fix this. You had to do something while you still could.

A gift. You should buy her a gift. But what? Something small and not that expensive. You were not poor, no one in Zeal was, but you were not that wealthy either. And you doubted that something gaudy and extravagant would impress her. You didn't have much time to search either. What could it be, what could it be? You thought of maybe something reminding her of her late father, but there was no way you'd be able to find something like that in such a short notice. And besides, you weren't sure it'd be wise to link her memories of this "date" with her memories of him. There, a jewelry store. All girls liked jewelry, right? She already wore a set of large golden earrings, so that was out. You also saw the chain of a pendant while you talked, so that was out as well. A ring? No, that would be absurd. You'd only seen her from afar three times total and only properly met her today. You couldn't give her a ring just like that. A bracelet! There was nothing on her thin, slender wrists. You mentally congratulated yourself and you began browsing for a cute bracelet, when you caught something even better with the corner of your eye. A small hair ornament. A hairpin in the shape of a flower, golden like her earrings, with a red gemstone set in its center like the simple red ribbon she tied her ponytail with. It'd be perfect. Or, at least you hoped so. The seller congratulated you on your choice and explained that it was gold-plated silver and the gemstone was not a real ruby, but you didn't care and you were sure she wouldn't either. If she liked it...

You paid quickly - a little more expensive than you thought but still well within your means - pocketed the hairpin and raced back to your rendezvous point, near the Skyway to the surface. You saw her hooded figure from afar, waiting right where she said she would. She'd have been very suspicious for someone not in the know, but luckily this Skyway was not well travelled. Few Enlightened Ones saw a reason to travel to the surface. She waved at you and you slowed your pace to catch your breath. It wouldn't do to be panting as you talked to her.

File: 85314548_p2.jpg (273 KB, 750x900)

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"Sorry I kept you waiting." you told her when you approached enough that you no longer had to shout.

"Oh, don't worry. It wasn't that long. And it was my fault, I should have thought of it sooner. You should have at least let me pay for your cloak, you wouldn't have needed it if it wasn't for me."

"No, I shouldn't have. In fact..." You fumbled in your pockets for the hairpin, suddenly feeling very nervous. What if this was a mistake? Well, only one way to find out. A man had to face his fears...

"Here... I, err, I got you something... A gift, to remember our date... It's, err, it's not much, but..." your heart raced as you fumbled your words, withdrew your hand from your pocket and presented her with the hairpin on your open palm.

She was stunned, completely frozen for a moment, before she rewarded you with a wide, happy smile. "Oh Gaius, you shouldn't have..." She took the pin from your outstretched palm, her fingers brushing against yours "It's beautiful..." And she embraced you with the pin still in her hand, pulling her warmth right next to you, with only her hood standing between your heads "Thank you! I will treasure it always... along with the memories of this date..."

You returned her embrace after a brief delay, but she removed herself from your arms in what felt like far too short of a time. "We should go. You won't have time to do more than meet the Elder." You nodded, not trusting your voice. And then your heart sunk when the pin disappeared inside her robes, same as her pouch had been. She didn't really like it... She would have put it on if she had...

You spiritlessly followed her to the magic circle on top of the Skyway and beamed down right behind her. The other side looked very different. Instead of a pyramid in the middle of a garden, it was a squat round building, gold and purple and emblazoned with the symbol of Zeal.

You turned to look at the Princess and found her securing the hair pin near the red ribbon that held her ponytail in place. Of course! She couldn't pull her hood down above. You were such an idiot...

When she was satisfied, she turned to you and asked "How do I look?"

"Beautiful" you ardently replied.

She smiled again and moved to the door. "Then, shall we?"

You could hear the wind howling, though it didn't look like it was snowing outside the door. It'd make a conversation more difficult than it had been in the calm waterfalls, but maybe not impossible.

What would you do on the way to Algetty?
>Walk in silence. The wind was too strong.
>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.
>Ask her why she came to the waterfalls.
>Ask her about the Mammon Machine.
>Other (Write-in)

>>5372816
>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.

>>5372816
>>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.

Might as well get the scoop on where we're heading.

>>5372816
>>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.
it's clearly not her first time down there. And something tells me she'd rather talk about anything else, including interior decoration, than the mammon machine.

Also, why do I have this sinking feeling that we're going to see [Schala has left the party] within next three updates and then we have to go through no less than three separate time periods before seeing her again?

>>5372816
>Ask her why she came to the waterfalls.

>>5372816
>Ask her why she came to the waterfalls.

>>5372838
>Also, why do I have this sinking feeling that we're going to see [Schala has left the party] within next three updates and then we have to go through no less than three separate time periods before seeing her again?
Such is the fate of (presumably) star-crossed lovers, usually.

>>5372816
>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.

>Ask her about the Earthbound Ones and their village.
>>5372822
>>5372824
>>5372838
>>5373355

>Ask her why she came to the waterfalls.
>>5372843
>>5372891

You're gonna ask her about your destination.

File: Antiquity.png (523 KB, 726x408)

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You exited the Skyway behind Schala and it was like you had entered another world entirely. The hard ground was covered in snow. So was the round building that you had just exited and the four glowing beacons that surrounded it. You supposed they had something to do with the function of this particular Skyway, but you didn't know for sure. The winds were louder than you were used too, though it wasn't snowing at the moment, thank Lavos.

https://music.mega64.net/ct/403.mp3

A decently sized forest lay to the east. To the south, a solitary mountain. Smaller pockets of green to the west, with a huge mountain range looming in the distance. The ocean to the north was full of white patches of ice. Everything was white. Even the sky was white and full of clouds. The sun was nowhere in sight.

It was cold. Colder than you had ever felt in your life. You could see your breath as you exhaled and felt that if it was just a tiny bit colder, the vapors would freeze and fall to your feet. With shivering fingers you tightened your new cloak around you and put on your gloves. You were grateful to have this protection. In that moment, it felt like the best purchase you had ever made. Well, second best, you felt as you glanced at the ornament adorning Schala's hair.

She waited patiently for you to finish your preparations and then pointed north west. "The entrance to Algetty is at the far end of those mountains. Come, this way!" Despite her far lighter clothing, she looked completely unfazed by the biting cold. Enchanted cloak. It was so unfair!

You began your long walk towards the distant mountains. It felt quiet, even with the sound of the wind around you. It took you a while to realize the reason: The Mammon Machine. You didn't have to ignore its infernal buzzing anymore. It was no longer there. You were outside its reach for the first time since it was completed. A profound sense of relief came over you. But if it felt that way to you, who had never been close to that thing, you pondered, how must it have felt like for the Princess, who had to operate the damned thing?

Yet you decided not to broach that subject. Something told you that she'd rather talk about anything else, so you chose a different topic. Something safer. "Do you come here often?"

"As often as my duties allow me, but, um... not as often as I'd like. It's peaceful, isn't it?"

"Yeah. The surface has its charm. I didn't expect it. If only it wasn't so cold..."

She chuckled softly at your complaint. "Have you regretted refusing my help yet?"

"Your help with what?"

She seemed to deflate at your question. "Buying clothes. You could have afforded a cloak like mine if you wanted. Or maybe..." She took a mischievous look and touched the small golden flower on her hair. "you had an ulterior motive for your gift? Were you trying to convince me to trade cloaks with you?"

You laughed. "No, no, don't worry about me Princess. I just like to complain, I guess. And.." You turned to look in her green eyes "I have not regretted a single thing, your Highness." you said seriously.

She blushed and looked away. "I told you to call me Schala..."

"Sorry! It's a tough habit to break." you paused for a while before asking another question "Say, Schala, this place we're heading, what can you tell me about it?"

"Algetty? It's the only village of the Earthbound Ones, very different from our cities. It's a huge cave complex, with its entrance on the side of a mountain. And it's full of green. Did you know there are plants that can actually thrive underground?" you nodded negatively and she continued " It's warm down there, even without magic. Their homes are little more than a room on the side of the cave with a wooden door. Most Enlightened ones would scoff at them, but Algetty's people have done their best to make them cozy. And they're friendly, and humble, and diligent. They're not like our people. They seem more... human, somehow. Oh, I hope you don't mind ladders, they're everywhere. It'd be hard to climb those caves otherwise." You nodded affirmatively this time and gestured for her to continue, smiling all the while. "There's a huge underground lake on the bottom. That's where they draw their water from. They can't use the ocean's salty water like we do, and they don't have enough wood to burn to thaw ice. Have you ever seen a stalactite, Gaius?"

You laughed. Her enthusiasm was contagious, it was obvious she really liked it there. "I've read about them, but I've never seen one."

"They're impressive, these... stone columns, growing from the ceiling above the water. And everything glows without a source of light. Some sort of blue fungus. It looks beautiful. I'm sure you'll like it, with you being a Water mage. It's right in your element!"

"I'm sure I'll love it..."

"Oh, we're getting closer. Not much longer now..."

You looked around. You hadn't even noticed that you'd almost reached the foot of those mountains. Your destination was just on the other side, she had said. Time flown by so fast while you talked...

File: Gosnell.png (750 KB, 867x636)

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As you surveyed the area, you spotted something new. The ground had been completely smooth so far, frozen under snow, but there were large circular holes all around. Craters? Was that where the Blackbird had been firing its guns? But it so was close to the Earthbound village and there were no monsters around. Was Dalton using the Earthbound Ones as target practice?

You didn't share your dark suspicions with Schala. It would have only dampened her mood which seemed to be improving with every step. You quickened your pace, both to leave this area and to arrive sooner, but no sooner had you done that, than you heard something that made you stop.

"RRRROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHH"

You quickly turned towards the source of the roar, pulling Schala behind you in the same motion, and you saw a large beast slowly climbing out of one of the craters that had been to your left. It was looking straight at you, easily twice as tall as you were, with white fur, giant yellow teeth and claws and some primitive decorations on its body. Your blood froze, and not from the cold. You recognized it from one of your father's stories. It was a Gosnell, one of the tougher monsters he had fought. His entire squad had struggled to take it down, and they hadn't succeeded without heavy injuries. What was it doing here? Your father had said that they were native on another continent entirely, and they definitely lacked the sophistication to build boats, even if they could sail the freezing seas. And this area was supposed to be completely safe! What would you do? How could you fight this thing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvg4b9Yup7M

You had to calm down. Wasn't that what you had been preparing for? To protect those that you cared about? You couldn't fail now. You almost wished for the Mammon Machine's power, your mana was limited without it. You'd brought no Ether with you either. And with so many years of being reliant on that machine, you weren't even sure how many spells you could cast on your inner reserves alone. Five spells? More? Probably no more than ten. You'd have to make them count.

The Gosnell was still far away, out of range of your Blind. It'd be a difficult shot with Water I, but not an impossible one. And with it still climbing, it wouldn't have been able to dodge. But was an attack your best move right now?

How would you begin your first real battle?
>Quickly remove your gloves. You can't grip your staff properly with them on.
>Cast Water I at the Gosnell.
>Obscure your and Schala's location with shadows.
>Grab Schala's hand and run!
>Other (write-in)

>>5373864
how fine is our control over the water attack? I'm thinking we could spray the area with water, in the freezing temperature it could make everything slick and the yeti drop back down, giving us chance to hightail it.

>>5373886
(or for Schala to disintegrate it if this is supposed to showcase how much of a monster she is magically)

>>5373886
Water I is a large bubble of water that you could launch at the ground if you wanted. Water Manipulation I allows you to create a small amount of clean water near you. Either could be used to spray an area in different ways.

>>5373864
>Obscure your and Schala's location with shadows.

>>5373896
then I'd say let's throw water I into the creature's path, at its feet, to not risk it flies by.

does shadow block all senses, or just sight? If the creature hunts by smell or sound masking us could be a waste, it's also going straight for us so we'd need to scoot once we hide - and in snow that means tracks, no? although these could be masked with water manipulation maybe?

>>5373904
Supporting anon's suggestion, afterwards we leg it.

>>5373904
>does shadow block all senses, or just sight?
Your shadow blocks only sight at this level.
>although these could be masked with water manipulation maybe?
If you mean moving the snow to cover the tracks, that would fall under Ice Manipulation, which you never studied.

>>5373864
>>5373904
Support

>>5373904
Support

>Obscure your and Schala's location with shadows.
>>5373897

>throw water I into the creature's path, at its feet
>>5373904
>>5373993
>>5374149
>>5374718

Alright, trying to make it slip. It's time to roll me some dice. 1d100, best of 3, DC 60, the higher the better.

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>5374838

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>5374838

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5374838
Shall we embarrass ourselves in front of our surprise date? Performance anxiety is an annoying thing...

You made your decision. An attack would be of no use. You couldn't defeat it, but you didn't have to. You just needed to delay it until you and Schala both reached safety. It couldn't be very far, could it?

Looking at your enemy, you were gripped by fear. Your hands were trembling. But you had to master that fear. You tried your best to push past it, aimed carefully, and...

"Water!"

You cast your spell and instantly felt your mana reserves dip. The bubble of water you just created soared through the air, heading towards the creature's path, at its feet. And without waiting long enough to see if it would hit its mark, you turned, grabbed Schala's hand and yelled "Run!"

She still seemed stunned by the situation, but didn't hesitate to follow you. You both began running towards the mountains. Time, that had seemed to slow down, sped up again. An approaching clamour made you take a quick look back and the cold grip of fear returned stronger than ever: The Gosnell was barreling towards you. You wouldn't make it. It hadn't worked. Had you missed, had it recovered too fast, or had it maintained its balance from the start? No, it wasn't important now. You had to figure out how you could both get out of this alive.

It was getting closer. It would be more difficult to miss, but if you did... best not to think about it.

What would be your second move?
>Try again, it might work this time.
>Blind it.
>Just keep running.
>Stand and fight, tell Schala to keep running. You'll hold it off.
>Other (write-in)

>>5375137
>Blind it.

>>5375137
>Blind it.

>>5375137
>Blind it.

>>5375137
>>Blind it.

>>5375137
>Blind it.

>>5375137
>Blind it
Let’s hope at least this will work properly…

>Blind it
>>5375157
>>5375201
>>5375236
>>5375255
>>5375530
>>5375589

A unanimous decision. Time for the dice. 1d100, BO3, DC:75

Sorry for the delays folks, last couple of days have been a bit busy.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>5375899

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>5375899
no worries m8

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>5375899

You firmly planted your foot in the snow to stop your movement, turned to once again face the Gosnell and began the difficult process of shaping your mana to cast another element's spell. And as always, vocalization was the last step.

"Blind!"

Your mana levels dropped even more than before and the effect was instantaneous: Wisps of pure darkness surrounded its head, making it impossible for the beast to see. It kept galloping for a few more steps before it lost its footing and came crushing down in a jumbled heap. It recovered all too quickly and violently shook its head, attempting to get rid of the nuisance, but it was no use. The shadows clung tightly to its eyes as they were meant to. The beast, functionally blind for as long as the spell lasted, let out a frustrated roar.

Schala cheered. "You did it!" You'd have jumped in joy, but the end of the battle left you drained instead. You'd almost died just now, eaten by a monster you couldn't have possibly beaten. And Schala had almost met a gruesome end because of you. She only came here today because she wanted to show you something beautiful and let you meet some good people who needed your help. And she seemed to come to the same realization, as her smile faded and she looked away from you. Still, you were safe now. Blind would wear off after a few minutes, but you'd be long gone by then. The Gosnell wouldn't be able to follow you if it couldn't see you and it wasn't even looking in the right direction after its fall.

You were about start walking away when you saw it raise its face and begin sniffing. It couldn't be! "No...", you said, barely more than a whisper. Did it really have such a strong sense of smell? You didn't remember your father mentioning anything about that! But it did, and after a few more loud sniffs it turned to approximately face you and began walking at an unsteady rate. It tried dashing towards you only to lose its footing and stumble again and it resumed walking at a more careful pace, sniffing all the while.

And again you took Schala's hand for your retreat. It wasn't like this at all when you imagined holding her hand! At least you weren't in immediate danger, the Gosnell couldn't run while blind. But its giant gait meant that it walked faster than you did. You considered running to try and put some distance between you, but that might have left you too exhausted to react when it regained its sight. Especially Schala, who wasn't nearly as athletic as you were and would get tired faster. It would have been useless anyway if it could track your scent. Better to be able to see it and respond appropriately. Trying to conserve your strength, and beginning to hope in a miracle, you half-walked half-run away from it.

Minutes passed in this tense stalemate. The ground grew more uneven as you reached the foot of the mountain, the wind stronger and the temperature even colder, hard as it was to believe. You wracked your brain trying to figure a way out of this mess. The craters meant that the Blackbird had been firing on it, so Dalton would probably be leading a team to kill it soon, if he hadn't already. You were willing to admit your thoughts may have been too harsh on him. You didn't know why he hadn't landed immediately though. Maybe he wanted reinforcements?

You supposed you could keep blinding it until you reached the Earthbound village, but you weren't sure if the mana you had left would be enough. It was one of your more expensive spells and only Schala knew where exactly the village was. And Blind may have worked this time, but there was no guarantee it would work just as well the next one, or the one after. It only needed to fail once to get you both killed.

You thought of drenching you two in water in an effort to wash off your scent and then run, but quickly dismissed the idea. You'd need running water or soap to properly mask it, and you had neither. Besides, Schala's cloak may have kept her safe from the cold, but yours would not be able to do anything to save your skin if you decided to drench yourself in water in sub zero temperatures.

Your ideas were getting more and more far-fetched, when you spotted something that could be your salvation: The small opening of a cave. You pointed it out and asked Schala, your voice full of hope: "Is this it? Did we make it?"

"No..." came her disappointed reply "It's a different cave... There are more than one in those mountains. We're not there yet..."

Approaching this cave, you determined that it might still be good for something. Its entrance was a little shorter than you were and barely wider than two people, but it opened up deeper in. Both you and Schala would fit comfortably inside, but the entrance was definitely far too small for the Gosnell. There was a chance it wasn't empty though. You couldn't see the far end from the entrance. Who knew where it led, if it led anywhere.

The wind was picking up and it was getting even colder. Was a blizzard approaching? Oh Lavos, that was the last thing you needed right now!

How would you use this cave?
>You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.
>You'd both keep going. It was a risk, but you believed you could pull it off. It was the fastest way to reach your destination.
>You'd ask Schala to stay in the cave where it was safe while you'd go by yourself to seek the Earthbound village and ask them for help. She'd be safe, and you could move faster without her.
>Other (write-in)

>>5376268
>You'd both keep going. It was a risk, but you believed you could pull it off. It was the fastest way to reach your destination.

>>5376268
>>You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.

>>5376268
>You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.

>>5376268
>You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.

>>5376268
What an unpleasant situation. Wasting both time and energy for purpose of our trip.

Well I guess safety of the princess takes priority and we can’t ensure that if we keep going or leave her alone. So
> >You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.

Ah well, I guess at least we’ll have some more time to chat with her.

>You'd both keep going. It was a risk, but you believed you could pull it off. It was the fastest way to reach your destination.
>>5376269

>You and Schala would stay in the cave. Either the Gosnell would get bored and leave, or someone would come to drive it out. In the meantime, you'd both be safe in there.
>>5376354
>>5376547
>>5376567
>>5376568

Into the cave you go.

File: Schala's Pendant.png (31 KB, 156x143)

31 KB PNG

"We should get in that cave!" you shouted loud enough to go over the noise of the rising wind.

Schala nodded, shouted back a simple "Right!" and followed you. Her pendant had gotten loose from inside her robes while she run. It was a simple design, round and golden with a large blue gemstone set in its center.

The wind got more quiet as you stepped inside. The cave's walls were lined with bioluminescent mushrooms, giving off a dim green light - not the blue in that underwater lake that Schala had described. With the way things had gone you'd probably not get to see it today after all, but you consoled yourself with the fact that things could have been much worse.

"The entrance is too narrow for the Gosnell to follow us. We'll be safe in here." You projected an air of confidence that you only now were beginning to feel and tried to reassure her.

"Gosnell? Is that how that creature is called? You've fought one before?"

"Yeah, that's their name. And no, this is the first time I saw one. My father was the one to have fought one of them and he told me that story."

"So that's how you knew about it... oh, Gaius, you saved my life! You were amazing back there!"

Amazing? You didn't really feel that way. You'd mostly just panicked and ran away. But if she really thought so... you couldn't deny that her praise made you feel warmer. You didn't know how to respond though, so you just let her continue. "You were so fearless! Me, I could have helped... made it slower or made us faster, but... I just couldn't think. My mind went blank when it roared. I'm so useless..."

She could? That was interesting. But not right now. "It's alright Princess. You didn't have to do anything. We got away, didn't we? I was scared too, to tell the truth, just... better prepared, I guess. You'll help next time, err, not that I want there to be a next time, err, I mean a next time going into danger, I do want there to be a next time to see you... ahem" You coughed to regain your composure before continuing. "We're safe now, that's all that matters. Maybe it'll leave when it sees that it can't eat us. Or we'll be rescued in a few hours. Those craters around where we first saw it must have been made by the Blackbird's guns. I bet Dalton is leading a sortie to kill it as we speak." Your distaste for the man was evident on your face as you spoke his name, but as the commander, he had to do something about a powerful monster so close to the Kingdom, right?

"Dalton..." Schala looked anguished as she spoke. "If we can't get away, if he's the one to find us... please, you'll have to hide. He can't see you. If he does... Mother would never hurt me, but... I couldn't bear to see you getting hurt because of me. You have to keep yourself safe. Please, Gaius, promise me!"

File: Gate.png (72 KB, 244x240)

72 KB PNG

What her words hinted regarding life in the Palace was unpleasant to think about, but there was only one answer you could give. You looked straight at her pleading eyes and took her hands in yours. "I promise you Schala. I'll hide if he gets here. He'll never see me in the shadows. But... he's going to take you away... I want to see you again after today."

"I want to see you too Gaius..." She bit her lip, deep in thought. "One week from today. I won't be able to sneak away again too soon. I'll meet you at the waterfalls when the sun rises. I'll... understand if you don't want to come..."

"In one week, at the waterfalls." you repeated forcefully. "I'll be there. It's a date!" You smiled, echoing the words that now seemed so long ago.

"A date... next time you-"

"RRROOOOOAAAAAARRRRRGGGHH!"

The Gosnell frustrated roar interrupted whatever she wanted to say. You were so engrossed that you hadn't heard it approaching. It was stuck at the entrance, failing to force its way in and impotently clawing at the walls.

You pulled Schala away from it. "We should head further in so it can't see us. And maybe there's another entrance or the cave is connected to the Earthbound caves?" Or maybe it was inhabited by another monster? You didn't voice that part though.

"Right" She nodded and followed you.

The cave wasn't very impressive, if you were to be honest. It was exactly how you imagined a typical cave to be when you had read about them. Just a roughly straight cylindrical corridor going down on a gentle slope, with rocks, stalactites and stalagmites. The green phosphorescent fungi were the most, no the only, interesting thing about it. It wasn't very deep either. You soon reached the far end and let out a disappointed sigh.

"It's a dead end. I guess we're stuck here for now. We should rest a little, then I'll go back to see if it left." You slumped on the side wall and let yourself fall down. Schala slowly moved towards the back. Suddenly exhausted, you closed your eyes and rested your head on the wall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1EFKmiBZA

A cacophony from the back of the cave made you snap them open again. A round red portal had appeared behind Schala. Her pendant was glowing. Blue lightning crackled around her, originating from that pendant. She looked terrified.

"Gaius!" She rose her hand towards you and an instant later - she was gone. The portal shrunk down to a small, red, glowing ball. The pendant fell to the ground.

You...
>Rushed after her.
>Didn't.

You all saw this coming

>>5377117
>Rushed after her.

>>5377117
Gosh, I guess we'll just have to go home...

>Rushed after her.

>>5377117
>>Rushed after her.

>>5377117
>Rushed after her.

>>5377117
>>Rushed after her.

File: B5F283B0-9191-4091-A12D-C(...).jpg (181 KB, 880x558)

181 KB JPG

>>5377117
> >Rushed after her.
Reeee
Well here’s hoping we can at least get to work creating paradoxes rather than trying to sneak royal jewelry past the guards…

>>5377117
>Rushed after her.

>>5377117
>Rushed after her.

>Rushed after her.
>>5377128
>>5377130
>>5377259
>>5377263
>>5377286
>>5377503
>>5377523
>>5377585

And the adventure begins.

File: warp.webm (2.06 MB, 512x448)

2.06 MB WEBM

You rushed after her. That pendant seemed to be the key, so you picked it up. It was warm to the touch. You held it closer to the still glowing floating ball. Blue lightning began crackling around you. The pendant grew hotter but you kept holding it tightly, your knuckles whitening. Your heart raced as the ball expanded into that red gate again and you jumped in before it had even grown to its full size.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRB29nXmq-Q

The journey was... difficult to describe. Like squeezing through a pulsating, radiating tiny straw that expanded infinitely in all directions. You emerged in another cave, illuminated only by the blue glimmer - blue? Wasn't the other portal red? - of the portal. But that light too went out as the portal shrunk and disappeared, leaving nothing behind. Not even that glowing sphere you had seen before. You could see nothing in the pitch black cave. You felt dizzy and struggled to maintain your balance. But there was no time to wait for your lightheadedness to recede.

"SCHALAAA!!!" you yelled at the top of your lungs and waited for long, agonizing moments. No response. You were alone.

[Princess Schala has left your party]

File: unknown.png (87 KB, 252x293)

87 KB PNG

Where was she? Without waiting for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, you put your left hand to the wall and hurried ahead. The shadows were not your enemy. Time was. Your rush caused you to stumble and fall on the jagged rocks, feeling sharp pangs of pain in your hands and knees. The pendant fell from your grasp and, still on your knees, you fumbled in the darkness trying to find it. After your fingers touched its metallic chain, you quickly clutched and pocketed it. You wouldn't lose something important of hers just because you were clumsy. You stood back up and didn't even bother dusting yourself off before continuing. She'd entered the portal mere moments before you. She couldn't have gone far. Had someone taken her?

You could see the dim light of an exit far ahead and you advanced as fast as you could in the shadows. You fell two more times before reaching it. This cave was more uneven than the last. And when you reached the exit... the world you saw was not the one you knew.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7vHLNZxdA

If the surface you had seen underneath the Kingdom of Zeal was white, this one was the opposite. There was not a hint of snow or ice anywhere and no green either. The bare soil was dark and lifeless. The sun was still not visible, but it wasn't blocked by white clouds. Instead, thick, black smoke lingered above like a solid ceiling. Gray ash floated everywhere and clung to your sweaty skin and hair. You looked down at your hands and legs and saw they were full of slowly bleeding cuts. The rocks in that cave must have had sharper edges than you had realized. There was a round burn on your palm, where you had gripped the pendant. You couldn't remember where your gloves were, but it didn't matter. It was still cold, but nowhere near as bad as it was before. You could easily tolerate it without your bulky gear. What was this place? It looked like nothing you had ever read or heard about before.

There were no footprints, but you wouldn't expect there to be on the hard ground. You scanned the horizon for signs of where Schala might be. A road, not well maintained at all, extended from the west to the south. To the south, on one end of that road, was an enormous dome made from some sort of dull, corroded metal. It was large enough to house a city, and a city much larger than Kajar or Enhasa were. On the other end of the road, to the west, lay a far smaller dome, the size of a large building instead of a city. A temple perhaps? A gust of cold wind swept down from behind you and you turned and looked up. You stood at the foot of a mountain range, with most of the mountains as dark and lifeless as the soil around you. Yet the peak directly above you was uniquely cold and snowy.

Where would you go next?
>The large dome to the south.
>The small dome to the west.
>Up the snowy mountain.
>Nowhere. You'd wait for her here.
>Other (write-in)

>>5378006
Hmm… the smaller dome kind of stands out and might be quicker to check out. But larger dome could have people in it or more opportunity to hide it salvage… in either case hiking could probably wait until we found our bearings, unless we have reason to suspect princess was taken there.

Let’s go with bigger dome first?

>>5378019
Hide or* salvage

>>5378006
>The large dome to the south.

>>5378006
>>The small dome to the west.
cant remember the game well enough where to go

>>5378006
>The large dome to the south.

>>5378006
>Up the snowy mountain.
It's strange territory, might be full of monsters. If the rest of the world isn't cold and snowy, they're probably not adapted to the snow. So she might figure that the cold would ward them off, while she has clothes specialized for the snow to last there a while. Same for us.
At least, that's the kind of logic I imagine we might use...

>>5378006
>>The large dome to the south.
Balthasar might help. Probably won't.

>>5378167
Oh yeah, we got the full power pendant, we could just get the Epoch. If it was finished by now.

>The large dome to the south.
>>5378019
>>5378040
>>5378076
>>5378167

>The small dome to the west.
>>5378050

>Up the snowy mountain.
>>5378097

Can I have some dice? 3d100, BO3, DC: 40

Rolled 34, 79, 18 = 131 (3d100)

>>5378461
lets not get eaten by mutants

Rolled 24, 60, 73 = 157 (3d100)

>>5378461

Rolled 96, 48, 46 = 190 (3d100)

>>5378461
or mugged by robot bikers

The large dome to the south. If it was a city, there would be people there. Maybe they'd seen her. Maybe they'd taken her. At the very least, they'd be able to tell you where you were.

Your heavy cloak wouldn't be needed anymore and would only hinder your movements so you stashed it in an alcove before heading towards the road. You wrapped your old cloak around your face to protect your lungs from the stinging, stale, ash-filled air. The road was black, made from some rough material you hadn't seen before. Its uniform surface was unlike the roads of Zeal and warm to the touch. 'not well maintained at all' had been an understatement. The road was filled with cracks and holes. A cart would have found it impossible to travel on its surface, though it would be merely difficult on foot. You headed south, following the road as it looped around the dome.

From up close the dome looked in a bad shape. The metal was rusted and dented. You found the entrance on its southern side. It was a pair of giant metal doors, in no better condition than the surrounding walls. They were closed and you doubted you could get them open without them falling down on top of you. You searched for another entrance and found it in the form of a rip up on the side of the dome, more than large enough for you to go through.

Climbing the dome wasn't hard at all. There was a catwalk right under you on the inside. You jumped down and surveyed the ruined city from your newfound vantage point. The air was clearer here. Less ash had found its way inside. Its roads were made from the same substance as the one you had just followed and, while wider than those of Kajar, seemed small next to the tall structures. All of the buildings that you could see were crumbling and open to the elements, their metal skeletons visible extruding from their torn walls. On the center of the dome was a building taller, wider and seemingly in somewhat of a better condition than the rest. Rubble filled the streets, making navigation difficult. Strange large machines were buried here and there beneath that rubble. It was eerily quiet other than the groan of metal and the sound of the wind behind you. There were no signs of life, and no indication of what had happened to the inhabitants. Not even their skeletons. What had happened here?

You climbed a rusted ladder down to ground level, only to have it snap and fall after a few steps. You quickly jumped off it and grabbed onto a pair of metal bars jutting out of the wall. Carefully you climbed down the broken wall, landing with no injury. You began the arduous task of navigating the debris-filled streets, heading towards the large building in the center of the dome, when you noticed an alley to your right that seemed to be clearer than the rest. On a hunch, you turned to investigate it and you were rewarded with the first signs of recent habitation: A circle of bricks stacked around a pile of ash that could have only come from a fire. And stuck underneath one of the bricks was a torn fragment of a page, burnt at the edges and hastily written in the language of Zeal.

'...orld is truly dead. I've seen no living beings. Only dead machines and machines that shouldn't be alive. I'll search the west side of the ci...'

What would you do next?
>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.
>Head to that building in the center.
>Leave and go to the smaller dome to the north.
>Return to the cave.
>Climb the snowy mountain.
>Other (write-in)

>>5378738
>>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.

>>5378738
>>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.

>>5378738
>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.

>>5378738
>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.

>>5378738
>>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.

>>5378738
>Head to that building in the center
We're already there, may as well investigate for loot.

>Follow the clue, head to the west side of the city.
>>5378743
>>5378747
>>5378771
>>5378826
>>5378919

>Head to that building in the center
>>5378979

Alright, it's time. 2d100, bo3, DC50.

Rolled 63, 74 = 137 (2d100)

>>5379271

Rolled 17, 83 = 100 (2d100)

>>5379271
let's hope it's friendly, whoever it is

Rolled 27, 98 = 125 (2d100)

>>5379271

File: Iron Staff.png (83 KB, 439x571)

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How long ago was this camp made? Was someone left alive in this city after the catastrophe that befell it and resulted in its current condition? And what did it mean that he knew the language of Zeal? Could it be that someone else from your kingdom had been transported here before Schala and you, only to find it empty? Was it even a he, or a she? Did time pass differently here and what had seemed only moments to you was actually considerably longer? Had Schala spent days, months, years in this world of ruin, wandering alone, waiting for a rescue that would never come? Was she even still... No, you couldn't lose hope. You'd find her and you'd both return home. You'd have to keep going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue04umSaCWU

Following the trail of this mysterious person and the clue he - it had to be a he - had left behind, you headed to the west side of the city. The streets were as difficult to move through as you had expected. More than once you found them blocked by a mountain of debris that you couldn't climb, forcing you to backtrack and search for a different route, setting back your progress and making your frustrations mount. This far in, you could no longer hear the wind outside. There were no sounds other than the ones caused by you and those of the groaning, decaying buildings. The city was eerily quiet. You considered shouting to call for Schala, but decided against it. There was no guarantee that whatever responded would be friendly, and you didn't want to test your chances against something that had killed an entire city and maybe an entire world.

You passed through what must once have been a shopping district. Signs, once inviting and colorful but now faded and broken lined the street. You checked a few of them hoping to find something useful, food especially. You could conjure water, but you wouldn't be able to survive long without food. But there was no such thing to be found. The stores had been picked clean. All that remained were shards of broken glass and the remnants of what had once been up for sale. Humanlike dolls with nothing but colorful wigs and scraps of clothing, small metal devices that had long ago ceased functioning, pieces of packaging decorated with pictures of various different and exotic types of food, long rotten and inedible. You found only two things that were not useless garbage: An upgrade over the staff you had trained with all these years:

Acquired Iron Staff

And a book, torn in half and singed, written by the same shaky hand as that fragment you had found before, with only its last sentence barely readable.

'...ve been alone for so long. Finally we're reunited! Oh, the joy!'

The next pages of the book were all blank. Had something happened to the author, or had he thrown it away now that he apparently had found company? You supposed you would know the answer when you found him, if he was still alive.

You pressed on. Just past the last store in the row, you turned a corner and saw... there were two human figures in the distance, half obstructed by the intervening debris, both with their backs turned to you. One was short and round with a strange faded blue cap, but you could make no other details about him. And the other... she was taller than him, almost as tall as you. Even from this distance you could see that the purple of her flowing robes had faded, but her long, blue hair, set in a ponytail that almost reached her waist made it hard to mistake her for someone else. Was the blue of hair hair a tone lighter than you remembered? No matter, it was her! You had found Schala!

You almost began running to her, but paused when you considered the oddity of the situation. They were both completely still and silent. And from a difficult to determine point to your left, you could hear a repeating, mechanical sound, like metal striking stone with a constant 'tap, tap, tap'. Was this an ambush?

What would you do?
>Ignore the noise, run to her.
>Ignore the noise, approach her carefully.
>Ignore the noise, attack her kidnapper from afar.
>Investigate the source of the noise.
>Surprise the source of the noise with a ranged attack.
>Other (write-in)

I'm trying something different than pastebin for the character sheets.

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/frozen-moment-chronoqm

What do you guys think? It's a bit more work to set this up, but I don't mind if it looks better than raw text. Otherwise, I'll stick with pastebin.

>>5379469
>>Ignore the noise, run to her.

>>5379474
Neat website, I like it.

>>5379469
>Investigate the source of the noise.
Let's not take chances

Website looks fantastic!

>>5379469
>Ignore the noise, run to her.
I wanna be stupid

>>5379469
>Ignore the noise, run to her.
lean into the tropes!

>>5379469
>Approach carefully, but be mindful of the noise, keep track of direction it's coming from.
The noise could also be hostile to both us and them after all.

>>5379474
looking good OP!

>>5379469
>Ignore the noise, run to her.

>Ignore the noise, run to her.
>>5379475
>>5379512
>>5379540
>>5379552

>Investigate the source of the noise.
>>5379493

>Approach carefully, but be mindful of the noise, keep track of direction it's coming from.
>>5379551

So you're gonna run to her. Time to see what happens. 1d100, bo3, DC: 90

I'm glad you all like the page, gonna keep working on it.

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>5379614
Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of my actions

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>5379614
Hello, Dice Gods my old friends~

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>5379614

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You ran to her. The noise wasn't important. It was nothing. But Schala... how much time had passed for her, if her clothes and hair had lost their color like that? Were you late before you'd even began? You couldn't waste a single moment more!

Your adrenaline pumped and you focused on maintaining your footing in the rough road ahead. But as you ran between the rubble, you caught a flash of light coming from the left with the corner of your eye with an accompanying 'zap'. Instinctively, impossibly, you twisted your body to dodge and felt the heat of the blast graze your gut as it passed you by and hit the wall behind you. You turned to look at the source of the blast. It was a small robot, built like a spider with four legs and a laser emitter on its head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpBeAONIgw

You patted your side. Your clothes were singed, but there was no injury. The robot was charging a second shot.

Now what?
>Keep running to Schala.
>Jump back.
>Cast Water I at the robot.
>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.
>Other (write-in)

>>5379678
>>Cast Water I at the robot.

>>5379678
>>Cast Water I at the robot.

>>5379678
>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.

>>5379678
>Cast Water I at the robot
maybe we can short circuit it? let's hope our water is dirty enough for that.

>>5379678
>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.

>>5379678
>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.

>>5379678
>>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.

>>5379678
>Cast Water I at the robot.

>Cast Water I at the robot.
>>5379681
>>5379692
>>5379707
>>5380306

>Run towards it and hit it with your staff.
>>5379697
>>5379881
>>5380012
>>5380020

We're tied.

>>5380506
>Cast Water I at the robot.
Tie breaker!!

>>5380507
In that case, I'll have to ask for some dice. 1d100, bo3, DC: 30, high DC: 75.

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>5380508
none shall stand between us, and the paradox princess!

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>5380508

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>5380508
Roll