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cornelius-sfm · 1 month

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Order of the Immortal Mystic

Intro

To see how good a subclass is, I've decided to try and go through Tactician solo and see if it's possible for that subclass to beat the game, and if not, how far they can make it. The only restrictions I gave myself are to not multiclass, no tadpoles, and to not abuse Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength. Multiclassing would defeat the purpose of seeing how good the class is, and using Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength take away some of the impact of planning ability scores.

To start off this hopefully comprehensive series, I decided to make the brilliant decision of going with the Order of the Immortal Mystic (simply "Immortal" going forward), a modded class based on the Mystic UA of 5e. The class has various balancing changes, and with the Mystic Expansion addon which I chose to use (which will be obvious why soon) gives the class plenty of options. For this subclass, and any future Mystic runs, I've decided to limit myself to the Psionic Disciplines that are tied to the class.

For race, I decided to try Duergar out of pure luck, and this turned out to be run saving. I didn't realize it upon picking them, but Duergar get at will Invisibility at level 5, which was so important for some of the bigger fights with a lot of enemies.

The Acts

Act 1: The early levels of this act are spent like any other run, with most exp coming from social encounters and talking your way out of fights. Once I hit level 4, things became a lot easier as Mystics gain access to an early +1 shortbow which uses their Int modifier, and when paired with the Psionic Weapon focus, is way better than any of their Psionic Talents. To help with some of the encounters, I decided to get branded, plus it helps deal with Priestess Glut. After that, I continued through the story until I hit level 5, where I then headed to the Zentharims to get the Titanstring Bow, which when paired with the Club of Hill Giant Strength and Gloves of Dexterity became my best damage option and let me take care of most the encounters with little trouble. The hardest fight of Act 1 was easily the Nere fight, which required me to team up with Nere to stand a chance, however even he died during it. Despite some difficulties, the fight was still beatable after 1 or 2 attempts. The other notable fight of this act was the Creche, which required me to use the Iron Flask from easiler to help mop up the rest of the Gith while I mowed down the Inquisitor. After that, I started Act 2.

Act 2: For most of this act, it was quite a breeze. Most of the harder fights can be talked out of which still granted good exp. The only notable encounter for most of the act was the attack on Last Light Inn, which took about 5 attempts due to Isobel dying constantly. It wasn't until I got a good turn in and was able to take out Marcus in 1 turn that I was able to succeed. The rest of the act was smooth sailing, including the Moonrise Tower assault, a fight that I was really worried about. Before the assault, I also obtained the Shar's Blessings to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma, which made my attacks even better since I was using the bow that used my Intelligence modifier. I was also able to hit level 8 and 9, where I grabbed Sharpshooter. Even the Kethric rooftop fight was easy, and I was able to take care of the small encounters with ease in the Mind Flayer Colony, where I also went ahead and obtained the Resonance Stone for any future boss fights I may have trouble with. Then I got to the Apostle of Myrkul... This fight was incredibly difficult. I honestly thought it was impossible for a good bit. It was impossible to outdamage the healing from the necromites, and the combination of Gaze of the Dead (which he had despite only being tactician difficult?) and Call of the Damned meant I was supremely screwed. After a few hours of just trying and trying, I finally found the solution. The only way that I found to beat him was to find an area where he couldn't pull me using Call of the Damned and to spam Mind Thrust, a Psionic Talent that dealt 2d10. That strategy mixed with a good bit of health potions eventually let me defeat him, especially since he stops spawning the necromites at round 22. After that, I headed to Act 3, where my build would change drastically.

Act 3: Throughout the game, I had been collecting hella loot and gold, saving up as much as I could because I knew that once I got to Act 3, I'd be spending a lot of money on new gear. To make a long story short (I'll explain the gear at the end as this was my end game set up), I went from a Sharpshooter archer to a spear wielding GWM user. While this made me more susceptible to getting hit, I also had a much higher AC, jumping from 22 to 27. This + the Cloak of Displacement meant I was never getting hit. After doing a variety of quests, I finally got to level 12, bumping my Dex to 20 (and thus my armor to 28), and decided to fight some bosses.

Act 3 Bosses:

Cazador: I went into this fight assuming it would be the hardest one, however the fight was more odd than anything. The first few turns was quite annoying, as Chatterteeth kept casting Eyebite: Asleep and I kept failing. Once he was taking care of, the fight was mainly a breeze. Cazador and most of the enemies didn't actually try to attack me, except for the occasional Call Lightning, so I was free to just wipe the Sacrifices out before killing Cazador.

Orin: This fight was very similar to Cazador. The first few rounds consisted of me using Blade Flurry to bypass Sanctuary and kill all of the worshippers before hitting Orin a lot until she died. There were a few times where she got some good hits in or poisoned me, but I was able to use Psionic Restoration if things ever started looking hairy.

Steel Watcher Titan: This fight was extremely tedious. The Steel Watchers have immunity to Psychic damage, which meant my damage output was awful. On top of that, they had the ability to use Hellfire, which overrode any Fire resistance I may have. Luckily they didn't use Hellfire too often, so I was able to eventually widdle them away.

Viconia: I regret not doing this fight earlier since it would have granted me a +2 Intelligence. The fight itself was similarly tedious to the Steel Watch Titan, but for different reasons. While the former was tedious due to lack of damage, this fight was tedious due to the sheer number of enemies. I was actually able to kill Viconia on Turn 2, but then I spent a bunch of time just killing the random Shar worshippers.

Raphael: Another user of Hellfire, and the only fight that took me multiple times. I freed Hope to be nice, but she was mostly useless. I do feel a bit bad about this fight as I think I somewhat cheesed it, however fighting it legitimately was getting me nowhere. I luckily had 4 scrolls of Disintegrate, and just zapped the pillars before using Psionic Restoration to wait out his Hellfire spells. Once he was down to just Multiattacks, I took care of him easily.

Gortash: Probably the easiest fight. I snuck up behind him before hitting him real hard with a Devastating Strike. I then did this again next turn and it was over. I even got the Fancy Footwork achievement which was cool.

Ansur: This was the final boss of Act 3 before the endgame, and it honestly wasn't too hard. Thanks to Adaptive Body, I was able to be immune to all of his lightning attacks. I would occasionally be knocked prone and have to reuse my Energy Immunity, but other than that it was easy.

Final Fight: After fighting my way to the brain stem, I finally made it to the final fight. The fight was actually quite fast, and showed how strong the Immortal Mystic could be. Using Devastating Strike and the Resonance Stone, I carved my way to the Netherbrain, using a Globe of Invulnerability to help Orpheus concentrate. Once at the Netherbrain, it was even faster. I used my first turn to get to the brain, and on turn 2, I used Surge of Action to hit the brain with 4 max level Devastating Strikes, ending it.

Final Build:

I switched between two builds: the dual-wielding build shown here and a GWM built that used Longinus. Both played the same way, but the dual-wielding build was more consistent and did similar damage. However, if I were to replay this Order again, I think I’d stick with GWM simply for the cool look of an unarmored man with a simple spear.

Combat was fairly simple. I simply used Devastating Strike for 2 Psi Points every attack and used my bonus action for Slice and Dice. The Fount of Knowledge and Longinus made it so all of this was free, and I could reserve Psi Points for survivability or big burst damage.

Gear:

Head - Fount of Knowledge: Granted 2 Psi Points per turn, allowing for basically free Devastating Strikes.

Cloak - Cloak of Displacement: Made it nearly impossible for enemies to hit us thanks to our very high AC.

Armor - Cloth of the Goliath: Helped survivability by offering damage reduction equal to our Intelligence modifier as well as 2 AC.

Bracers - Bracers of Defense: +2 AC to be even more immortal.

Boots - Evasive Shoes: +1 AC to be even more immortal.

Necklace - Amulet of Greater Health: Our Unarmored Defense was based on Dexterity and Constitution, so this helped ease the MADness.

Ring 1 - Whispering Promise: A free Bless thanks to Ring of Regeneration, though I probably should have replaced it since I bought the 5k gold stone statue which also gave free Bless.

Ring 2 - Ring of Regeneration: I felt this fit thematically plus it isn't too bad of an option.

Melee Weapons - Bloodthirst/Longinus: Bloodthirst made enemies vulnerable to Piercing, which when paired with the Resonance Stone, meant any non-immune enemy was screwed. Longinus granted a Psi Point back on hit, which worked with the dagger, meaning we were very self-sufficient, rarely running out.

Ranged Weapon - Deadshot: Reduced number to crit, which is always nice for a class like this.

Overall Thoughts: Order of the Immortal was quite the bumpy ride. Levels 1-4 were very difficult, however that was too be expected. Once I hit level 5, it was mostly smooth sailing thanks to Psionic Alacrity granting Extra Attack. Levels 8-9 started to get tough again, as the damage was falling off near the end of Act 2, but everything picked up once again in Act 3, becoming an actual breeze. Thanks to various Psionic Disciplines, Immortal played a lot like a Paladin, yet somehow even more powerful. Through most of Act 3, I mainly used a GWM build, but eventually switched to dual-wielding as I felt it was more consistent all while having roughly a 30 AC and resistance to damage when needed. Overall, I'd rate this an A tier subclass.

Pros:

Very powerful late game, very consistent and high damage.

Can easily switch between being a melee and ranged character.

Damn near unkillable.

Cons:

Somewhat weak early and mid game.

Screwed if fighting an enemy with Psychic immunity.

Gear is super important.

Psionic Disciplines: Here is where I'm going to rate each Discipline from 1-5, and give a small thought about each one. This is coming from the viewpoint of a Lone Wolf Run, so some that are more ally based will rate lower.

Adaptive Body: 4/5

Psychic Focus: Not really useful since you can just send things to camp.

Environmental Adaptation (2 Psi Points): A cheap buff, but these conditions aren't too common so not super useful.

Adaptive Shield (3 Psi Points): Nice for when you're about to suddenly take a huge bit of elemental damage.

Energy Adaptation (5 Psi Points): The fact it takes Concentration makes it pretty bad.

Energy Immunity (7 Psi Points): The fact it takes Concentration doesn't matter as Immunity is great, especially in certain fights.

Bestial Form: 5/5

Psychic Focus: Just barely better than useless.

Bestial Claws (1 Psi Point): Not the worst offensive option since it's a to-hit, but still not great.

Bestial Transformation (Varies): Makes this Discipline a must take. Gives a handful of amazing buffs.

Brute Force: 1/5

Psychic Focus: Not many Athletic checks that really matter other than shoving.

Brute Strike (1 Psi Point): An ok damage boost, but requiring your bonus actions means it'll rarely be used.

Knock Back (1 Psi Point): Can sometimes be useful to push enemies off cliffs, but that's about it.

Mighty Leap (1 Psi Point): Nice for when you gotta go far distances over gaps.

Feat of Strength (2 Psi Points): Similarly to the Psychic Focus, not many checks where this will matter unless you're shoving.

Celerity: 5/5

Psychic Focus: A nice little boost, but rarely the best option.

Rapid Step (1 Psi Point): Good for when you gotta cross the battlefield in one turn.

Agile Defense (2 Psi Points): Solid early on, but by the late game, you'll have better things to spend your bonus action on.

Blur of Motion (2 Psi Points): More useful outside of combat to sneak past vision cones.

Surge of Speed (2 Psi Points): Another nice ability early on, but falls off later on.

Surge of Action (5 Psi Points): A slightly shittier Action Surge is still a really good ability.

Corrosive Metabolism: 3/5

Psychic Focus: 2 Resistances is nice, especially somewhat common elemental damage types.

Corrosive Touch (1 Psi Point): Needs a rider ability to be worth it.

Venom Strike (1 Psi Point): Poisoning an enemy is nice, but the damage is bad and Poison isn't great.

Acid Spray (2 Psi Points): The damage is good but there are better things to use your reaction on.

Breath of the Black Dragon (5 Psi Points): Solid damage and one of the few AOE's immortal gets, but it falls off.

Breath of the Green Dragon (7 Psi Points): Would be fantastic if it wasn't Poison damage.

Crimson Harvest: 3/5

Psychic Focus: Good for Act 2, but not much else.

Transfusion (1 Psi Point): The healing part is nice, but the damage isn't there.

Crimson Eruption (3 Psi Points): A nice little AOE, but somewhat risky since it's centered on you and this is more of a caster Discipline.

Blood Frenzy (5 Psi Points): A solid ability, however Immortal already gets temp HP every turn, so not the most useful.

Sanguine Infusion (6 Psi Points): The damage resistance is kinda mid, but the advantage on saves is good.

Diminution: 3/5

Psychic Focus: Not really great, but isn't completely useless.

Miniature Form (2 Psi Points): Very rarely gonna be useful.

Toppling Shift (2 Psi Points): Knocking an enemy prone with just a bonus action is nice, especially if you're built for melee.

Sudden Shift (5 Psi Points): Great for when you're about to get crit to hell.

Microscopic Form (7 Psi Points): Good for when you need to run away, but you'll rarely want to at this level.

Giant Growth: 2/5

Psychic Focus: Nice for when you want to kite enemies with a pole arm.

Ogre Form (2 Psi Points): Solid buffs, but the fact it's concentration means you'll probably drop it a lot at early levels.

Giant Form (7 Psi Points): Not the worst thing to concentrate on, but at later levels, you'll probably have something else you'll want.

Iron Durability: 4/5

Psychic Focus: Basic, but great at early levels.

Iron Hide (1 Psi Point): A shittier Shield spell is still a great ability throughout the game.

Steel Hide (2 Psi Points): A solid ability, especially early on before your AC gets good.

Iron Resistance (7 Psi Points): If you know you're gonna be against a specific damage type, then it's a good ability to use.

Psionic Restoration: 2/5

Psychic Focus: Very quickly become negligable, especially since it only applies to Disciplines.

Mend Wounds (1 Psi Point): Not a great use of your action in combat, but a nice out-of-combat option to top yourself off.

Restore Health (2 Psi Points): Very situational, and there's Antidotes for a reason.

Restore Life (5 Psi Points): Completely useless in a Lone Wolf run.

Restore Vigor (7 Psi Points): You can buy Remove Curse scrolls, and if you're stunned or petrified in Lone Wolf, you might as well pack it up.

Psionic Skirmishing: 5/5

Psychic Focus: Not bad if you're using two weapons.

Slice and Dice (2 Psi Points): Quite strong as it's two attacks for one bonus actin, but it's worth mentioning that this uses your main hand weapon rather than your offhand.

Energy Infusion (3 Psi Points): Not great since it requires your bonus action, but if you have nothing better, then go for it.

Psionic Alacrity (5 Psi Points): A requirement for any weapon build.

Blade Flurry (5 Psi Points): Excellent if you get surrounded or if you're fighting an enemy with Sanctuary since this bypasses it.

Psionic Weapon: 5/5

Psychic Focus: Always gonna be good, but especially early on.

Ethereal Weapon (1 Psi Point): Not great, but not the worst if you want to be a weapon user without using Psionic Skirmish.

Lethal Strike (1 Psi Point): A solid damage boost, but you'll have better things to use your bonus action on.

Devastating Strike (1 Psi Point): Worth taking for this alone as it lets you LARP as a paladin with psychic damage and ranged weapons.

Augmented Weapon (5 Psi Points): The damage adds up and the bonus to hit means you'll rarely miss.

Soul Reaper: 4/5

Psychic Focus: Probably the best late game Focus as it makes you feel immortal.

Soul Harvest (1 Psi Point): An ok damage option, especially since it gets a solid boost on enemies with less than half HP.

Soul Grip (3 Psi Points): I never used this ability.

Souleater (5 Psi Points): Incredibly useful in late Act 1 if you can get it to chain, especially since it refreshes actions from Elixir of Bloodlust or Surge of Action.

Doom (6 Psi Points): When it's useful, it's very useful.

Titanic Presence: 4/5

Psychic Focus: Incredibly useful, especially to avoid dropping concentration.

Provoke (1 Psi Point): In Lone Wolf, this is the last thing you want.

Titan's Rage (3 Psi Points): A super solid option for melee builds, also somewhat invalidates the resistances from Iron Durability.

Intervene (3 Psi Points): Useless in Lone Wolf.

Menacing Presence (3 Psi Points): Also useless in Lone Wolf.

Titanic Leap (5 Psi Points): Great for closing the gap + knocking enemies prone means your melee attacks are more likely to crit.

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3

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euanpc · 10 months

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Saw your dialogue idea. Might I ask what is your Paradigm AU?

oh its what I named the idea for my au of egghog, based after the events of your fic with the main character being the dormant AI tanner prower, the idea there was sort of inbetween tanner and HH sonic, i havent fully worked out how HH sonic would end up in a conversation with tanner considering tanner is currently, free and sonic is currently a prisoner onboard egghogs capital ship, but I did think that mabye later into the au egghog might send sonic there to try and cause chaos, seeing his connection to tanner who was currently leading it.

The general idea of the au is that tanner manages to escape the destruction of his own universe due to a safe gaurd tails implemented in his code, and ends up in the universe known as paradigm, a colony on the outskirts of the democratic federation of the british empire (sorry its a sort of thing I world built and is kind of similar to the federation from star trek, except more steampunky in certain areas and with a completely different design ethos for their ships). tanner under a new directive and final pre recorded message from his late father, is now tasked with trying to identify and stop this unknown threats reign of terror.

Its been sort of proccessed in my head for a really long time, and I had come up with a few space battles involving egghog such as a shocking destruction of one of the good guys most advances super heavy (space) battle ships in a skirmish against egghog forces, I planned to make it even more jarring by showing the ship in action earlier on plowing through enemy fleets like butter (although I did give the ship a silly name) the ship is boarded and flooded with a deadly substance to kill of most of the security forces, before one of the frontal batteries is taken over and pointed towards the control tower. when the captain realises that all hope is lost he starts singing the chorus to "its a long way to tipperary" before the battery finally turns to its position and fires after the line "so long leister square" killing him as the rest of the crew continue singing, the ship manages to fire a last shell containing its black box information (the black box is a thing found on planes that stores everything that happens on the plane and is used in case of a crash) to ensure that allied forces can obtain enough information on the ship. egghog leaves the ships corpse in an attempt to demoralise allied forces. Before this there was also the destruction of a artillery support fleet that was caused more by a cocky admiral underestimating egghog and disobeying direct orders to send his ships into the heat of battle, they last about 5 minutes and a single ship manages to return heavily wounded and only surviving due to being antiqucated.

I also planned for a major character death with a person who had grown close to the MC ramming a heavily damaged ship (HMS wittenbane) into egghogs capital ship before boarding as the ships ai already believing all hope is lost plays daisy bell, the song continues to play as the character fights his way onboard the capital amongst a squad of special forces before finally being mowed down.

I sort of struggled making both sides seem competent and not completely dwarf one another and for some reason in world building I think I put way to much efort into world building the british (and in the areas youll probably never see) and im really sorry if this is bad but I hope you enjoyed it and that it sort of made sense. sorry. thanks for your interest though!

#tw mentions of death #tw war #egghog.exe #paradigm

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runwithskizzers · 3 years

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youtube

Okay so I have never heard of this man before, but he's an Indian revolutionary who was hanged for assassinating a former Lt Governor of Punjab for orchestrating a horrible massacre. I've never seen our history presented in this way, from the perspective of the oppressed. And I'm furious I've never heard of Udham Singh before. Some highlights from his wiki are:

THIS ENTIRE SPEECH HE GAVE AT HIS SENTENCING WHICH WAS NOT RELEASED UNTIL 1997:

"I say down with British Imperialism. You say India do not have peace. We have only slavery Generations of so called civilisation has brought us everything filthy and degenerating. known to the human race. All you have to do is read your own history. If you have any human decency about you, you should die with shame. The brutality and blood thirsty way in which the so called intellectuals who call themselves rulers of civilisation in the world are bastard blood . . ."

At this point he was interrupted by the judge, but after some discussion he continued:

"I do not care about sentence of death. It means nothing at all. I do not care about dying or anything. I do not worry about it at all. I am dying for a purpose.’ Thumping the rail of the dock, he exclaimed, ‘We are suffering from the British Empire.’ Udham Singh continued more quietly. ‘I am not afraid to die. I am proud to die, to have to free my native land and I hope that when I am gone, I hope that in my place will come thousands of my countrymen to drive you dirty dogs out; to free my country.

"I am standing before an English jury. I am in an English court. You people go to India and when you come back you are given a prize and put in the House of Commons. We come to England and we are sentenced to death.’

"I never meant anything; but I will take it. I do not care anything about it, but when you dirty dogs come to India there comes a time when you will be cleaned out of India. All your British Imperialism will be smashed.’

"Machine guns on the streets of India mow down thousands of poor women and children wherever your so-called flag of democracy and Christianity flies.’

"Your conduct, your conduct – I am talking about the British government. I have nothing against the English people at all. I have more English friends living in England than I have in India. I have great sympathy with the workers of England. I am against the Imperialist Government.’

"You people are suffering – workers. Everyone are suffering through these dirty dogs; these mad beasts. India is only slavery. Killing, mutilating and destroying – British Imperialism. People do not read about it in the papers. We know what is going on in India."

At this point the judge refused to hear any more, but Singh continued:

"You ask me what I have to say. I am saying it. Because you people are dirty. You do not want to hear from us what you are doing in India.

He then thrust his glasses back into his pocket, and exclaimed three words in Hindustani and then shouted:

'Down with British Imperialism! Down with British dirty dogs!"

He turned to leave the dock, spitting across the solicitor's table.

and

While in custody, he called himself "Ram Mohammad Singh Azad": the first three words of the name reflect the three major religious communities of Punjab (Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh); the last word "azad" (literally "free") reflects his anti-colonial sentiment.

I'll definitely be watching this movie, and picking up whatever books I can find on him, but you can see his wiki here.

#history #india #imperialism #colonialism #Youtube #Udham Singh #Vicky Kaushal

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thejudgingtrash · 4 years

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(unedited and I’m not a native speaker so please point out if you see something odd!)

One day (1,4k)

A quiet day. The air was warm and dry. The wind chimes sang the melody of the clouds and the invisible currents. The paint of the old house was brittle. It would take days to repaint it, if a professional painter would take the job it would tear through savings. But the money was tight, and Percy knew that he had to put his efforts into elsewhere. The hand he was holding reminded him of that. The green on the wood that was decades old could be blown away to reveal the natural layer underneath it. The old Colonial stood in front of them, proud and almighty, but it was nothing more than a lie that has been fed through generations.

The lawn looked nearly identical to the last time Percy had visited. Wild. Unkept. A fight of nature taken back what was rightfully its. And it was he that had mown it to keep it in somewhat of a shape. The old swing had been removed as it was broken beyond repair. It laid in the basement, waiting for a small child to beg for its usage once again.

Attempts to make her move into something smaller and easier have failed. In some cases, it triggered her, and she began to scream and cry. The hands that were thrown weren’t of violence. They were of despair and the deepest pain. That was the sign when Percy knew he had overstepped his welcome. But the misunderstood clouds of sorrow and deep hatred passed and revealed her other side. The motherly side. The sunny side that loved to live and love.

Percy Jackson had returned. It was his semiannual visit to Westport, Connecticut. The youth had vanished from his face, although not entirely. It was a weird state where old and young stood in front of each other. The youth wanted to remain, but the adulthood came to claim its place. A not so young man who had both legs fully integrated in life rang the bell that gave a soft jingle and knocked on the turquoise door.

It swung open after a while. “Oh, hello Percy!” May smiled. She recognized him. Relief. There were times when she did not. “Is it time again?”

“Hello May,” Percy greeted her and entered. Little steps followed him.

The house had been decluttered. May had a knack for keeping everything she deemed interesting and never threw it out. Percy would come with the big blue bags and make her decide what items were necessary and which she wanted to keep. It upset her. But she understood it. At least Percy hoped she did.

“I have made cookies. I might have burnt them a little bit. Oopsie.” Her gaze shifted to the right into another twinkling pair of eyes.

May got on one knee. Her morning dress was clean this time and not burned and pungent like the many times before. “Luke!” she cried with big eyes. “You’re back!”

Her hands grabbed the soft cheeks. “But you are so small,” she whispered. It broke Percy’s heart. “Weren’t you taller?” May Castellan tilted her head and the silver hair fell down her shoulder. She had aged. It had been more than a decade ago, closer to two.

“It’s me, grandma May. It’s me, Theo,” the young boy said.

“My son, May. Do you remember?” Percy asked her.

A wondrous expression rested on her face. “You have become a big brother,” she remembered slowly. “A little girl!”

Theo began to grin and proudly showed his two missing front teeth. “Yes, I’m a big brother now! Ari is so pretty!”

“When will I see your little sister?” May asked and clapped her hands in excitement.

The fact that Annabeth was against a visit with young Ariadne as a safety measurement was something that Percy just couldn’t voice. He knew his wife was right. And still his consciousness made him do these visits. The aged demigod couldn’t save her son, but he refused to fail May Castellan. So, he visited her. Only for certain amounts of times, of course. He never blamed Annabeth and Thalia for staying away. He never blamed Nico for bringing him to this place for the first time. It was destined and running away from the Moirai was never the best option. That was something that had been etched into his mind since he had been a young boy of twelve years in his first year at Camp Half-Blood.

“You will see her soon once she’s grown a little bit more,” he deflected.

“I bet she is a pretty baby. Just like Luke was.”

“Yes. Yes, she is,” Percy said. Was the air getting stuffier? Or why did he feel the tears coming? His chest was heavy and filled with regrets. He blinked the pesky wetness away.

Fatherhood made him come to realize more. It made him understand more. Patience. Love. Forgiveness. It made him understand the complete and utter injustice that was the broken shell of May Castellan. The living contradiction. More dead than alive, a broken record. A mother that was yearning for her son. A mother that was screaming for her son. A son that would never return home again. A mother that couldn’t see that her son would never return home again. Yet the broken fragments of her mind would never let her rest. It would never make it easy for her until she would have her last breath. And what lied beyond that was something that Percy could not imagine.

The wicked ways of the ancient forces. The same gods that had blessed her, had thrown her into despair. They had turned their backs. Even her former lover. A tunnel of sadness where only in certain times and particular angles an illusion of light shone through. That was May Castellan.

The three moved into the kitchen where Percy let his son only eat two cookies and for once little Theo listened to his father. May Castellan didn’t lie, she really had burnt the cookies. But the younger Jackson was too polite to not eat some and thanked May as she wanted to give him more.

“Shall we clean the yard, May?” Percy proposed like he always did.

“Oh yes!” agreed May with glowing eyes like she always did.

He would mow the lawn and trim the bushes and May would take care after the roses. She loved the roses. The roses, the tulips and the sweet lavender that the bumblebees loved to dance around. All reminders of a better and safer time. Times that had passed as flowers would wither in mere moments. Especially those that were unkempt.

Theo played with Rhodius, the son of Blackjack, another young and wild pegasus that let the young boy sit on his back. The Jacksons had used him as a means of transportation. Percy eyed them closely as he did a little bit of yard work. Rest assured; the Pegasus was an excellent babysitter.

After an hour and a half of work, the adults sat down on the porch. Percy brushed the sweat off his forehead. May rushed into the house and brought out glasses of orange juice. Percy tried to not pull a face as he came to realization that she had confused the salt and sugar containers once again. “Luke, my boy,” May said. A dreamy expression rested on her face as she watched young Theo play and chase after the trained legs of the magical creature.

“Percy, when will Luke come back? When will I see my boy?” May asked and turned around to him. Her eyes. They were glazed. The cerulean eyes were so full of life yet mirrored death. Were it the tears or were it the wretched prophecy and the following illusions of the future that haunted her ever since? He would never know. How could he ever know?

“When will my Luke come back?” she cried.

Stomping through the grass. Theo stood in front of his father and saw the heartbroken Mrs. Castellan.

Theo looked up to his father. Even the small boy knew that May Castellan was sick. Slowly dying of a broken heart that could never be mended. Slowly dying of the visions that haunted her and had driven her into her unsafe state.

Percy had subconsciously pressed Theo’s hand as the child sat down on his father’s lap. Percy looked apologizing into the sea green eyes that mirrored his. Only the gray ring and the gray dots that looked like they have been splashed with a paint brush reminded Percy of his mother. His wife. His dear Annabeth.

His heart was heavy and the frown on his face aged the demigod even more. The white in his hair had come back. The streaks had been thicker even.

“One day, May. One day,” he said. One day, he promised.

#pjo #Percy Jackson #percy jackson and the olympians #percy jackson fanfiction #Annabeth chase #may castellan #luke castellan #the last olympian #pjo fanfic #mel writes #percabeth

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aboyandhisstarship · 4 years

Text

Humans are weird Purity/ the emergency broad cast system

The TV tones pulsed three times before a forth long one the TV flashed “this is not a test.” As a voice said “this is the Emergency broadcast system, colonial authorities advise the public to proceed to safe area’s and to follow the lead of lead of armed Military Personal, be alert and carry with you one personal bag, this is not a drill…this is the emergency broadcast system…”

A jet engine blasted over head as the TV flickered off.

24 hours earlier:

T’Las sat in her quarters as she started to write “being on a human warship puts me in a strange circumstance…many people have contacted me hoping to learn if the humans have as powerful weapons as some rumors claim…well after much cajoling and the agreement to let a Human military officer read and if necessary reedit this report (say hello LT!) Hey guys…this is weird…does this microphone actually work…anyway don’t worry not much ended up being cut.

Now first off is the main offensive weapon of Human war ships, the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (M.A.C.) a M.A.C. gun speeds up a shell to a percentage of the speed of the speed of light (for ships usually between 12 and 15 percent) firing the shell into the enemy ship…this is incredibly effective it is predicted a low powered human M.A.C. round could punch through 4 ships before slowing down and being combat ineffective. It is also the main planetary defense platform of earth and her colonies, these M.A.C.S are two kilometre long behemoths. This one works the same way but fire there slugs 25 % of the speed of light…and spirits help you if it hits your ship.

Rail-guns: the secondary weapons on a human ships fire rounds rapidly and are designed mostly to take out missiles and rockets (more on those later) but are also use for anti-fighter and anti-ship activates.

Missiles: now humans are quite keen on these and every ship is equipped with several tubes to fire these things. Human have 2 major kinds

Nuclear: a nuclear missile or Nuke as the humans call it are the most powerful in ship to ship combat, it is a reactor rigged to blow and destroy an area usually about 50 km wide.

Electromagnetic plus: the humans want you alive so they fire a different kind of nuke at you, knocks out your power and allow you to be boarded.

T’Las was about to say more when all of a sudden lights went red and The captain went over the inter com saying “we are now in a War state, all hands battle stations.”

*the following report was granted by the SICON Office of Naval intelligence under the freedom of information act*

Cahlti star empire is the official name for hat we have called “fanatical Purifier’s.” a heavily militarized state that believes all other alien life is an front to the their spiritual existence as such relations with these groups are no existent in a peaceful sense, they have often attacked other neighboring species claiming that it is bandits well aware that any race that wishes to fight a war against them would have bad time…there is a phrase on earth “don’t fight a land war in Asia.” Trying to invade the Cahlti would be like fighting a land war in Asia,7 years of hard fighting and would result in millions of dead.

Valley Forge:

The camera flew through the bridge as the ships lights were blaring red a Human Crew member said “ma’am we have 45 boogies on our scanners, all armed…it is unknown how much of the force is left, but they engaged the M.A.C platforms, and have won the engagement.”

Hernandez said “Alight, Chief, where is Battle Group Fortress?”

A coms officer turned her chair around “picking up black box’s ma’am, it seems Fortress was forced to retreat….Manticore is 45 seconds behind us…they will engage the fleet…I am picking up confirmed reports of ground combat.”

Hailey took a deep breath “hard launch we are coming in, get Dagger prepped, there mission is locate the governor, arm rail guns load nukes and Get the M.A.C online…open up as soon as we drop out of Chekov, dump dagger same time.”

Hernandez said “T’Las get geared up…you are dropping.”

The camera cut out and changed to a rocking motion as T’Las screamed in a metal pod as Ericson’s said “Dagger 0-1 to Overlord come in.”

A voice with a drawl answered “we are picking you up Dagger 0-1…”

Ericson said “everyone hold on, we are almost to touch down …Over Lord do you have contact with the Governor!”

Overlord said “that’s a negative Dagger 0-1 we have not been able to locate her before the winter contingency was activated…we will pass on the address to her house, however we have confirmed enemy presence in the region, happy hunting.”

Ericson called “Roger…detach in 4, 3, 2,1!”

T’Las screamed again as her metal shell blew and she was in the air above some neighborhood a pair of human jets blasted through the air above them and her body jerked as her jets kicked in and she crashed through the roof of a house, a human family lay on the floor in a pool of blood, the TV blasting a series of tones...as a robotic voice said “this is the emergency broadcast system…”

Ericson said “Futuba turn that TV off.”

Futuba responded “on it boss!”

Porthos sniffed around as Abebi said “boss, the coordinate’s Overlord gave us are…4 blocks east of us.”

Ericson nodded coldly “Safety’s off, but pick your targets…combat wedge, T’Las you’re in middle stay close.”

T’Las nodded as a jet blasted overhead again the camera cut again.

The camera turned back on as Ericson entered saying “woof….Depoint?”

The woman advanced taking one look at the body saying “can confirm she is dead…tortured to death sir…”

Ericson groaned “confirm it’s her…Overlord this is Dagger o-1 we have a possible ID on the governor…”

Over lord responded “uhh Roger that, Dagger 0-1 what is her status?”

Depoint called “can DNA confirms it LT.”

The camera panned to show T’Las bent over with Abebi patting her back as Porthos whinnied Abebi said “easy let it out.”

Ericson said “Depoint check on T’Las, Overlord…Governor is confirmed KIA…who is next in the chain of command…”

Overlord was clearly nervous cursing “fuck…uh let me get back to you Dagger 0-1.”

T’Las vomited again, a Green sludge coming of her mouth as Depoint said “easy…do you feel dizzy?”

T’Las nodded “a bit.”

Ericson walked over saying “how is she?”

Depoint said “I’m no expert sir, but she is in shock….she may need some care Sir.”

T’Las was visibly shaking saying “they gutted her like fish…I have seen videos of it on earth…but to a living thing.” She bent over again vomiting.

Ericson smiled “what you are feeling is perfectly normal ok, just breath through it…if you ever feel like you are in distress let us know ok.”

Ericson radio cracked to life “Uhh Dagger 0-1 this is overlord…what is your rank?”

The squad look at each other as Ericson said “lieutenant first class, ODT…”

The voice dropped the southern drawl speaking in a British accent “Lieutenant Junior Grade Marco Paul-son sir…uhhh I’m in the logistics core sir…I was in the command center by sheer chance, in the opening attack the hostile’s hit a building…where the rest of Civilian and military leadership, calls came in for the command center…so I pretended to General Barrows….I know I wasn’t supposed to, but no one would have listened…they needed orders…a calm voice in there ear…but I’m over my head…I found it who is highest ranking officer on the planet…it’s me.”

The squad went quiet as Ericson stood straight “listen good son because I am only going to say this once, you have been doing a great job, so stop doubting and start commanding.”

Ericson flicked off the private channel saying “Over lord Dagger 0-1 mission ended in failure where do you need us.”

Overlord had tears in their eyes but shook it off saying “uhhh Right, Dagger 0-1…we have reports of a squad of marines trying to lead a group of civs to safety, these guys are under equipped and terrified, show the flag and help them, it will do wonders for them to see a ODT team.”

Ericson nodded “roger Sir…we have their location.”

3 hour later:

T’Las leaned on a wall as Bullets flew past mowing down the aliens before she look up seeing hundreds of metal pods, Overlord said “all friendlies be aware ODT teams are dropping in quadrant 4 and 6, link up with them if at all possible, all air units cover there landing.” With that the camera cut.

5 hours later:

T’Las was on a stretcher Depoint said “you will be ok.”

Ericson plucked down next to a young man hitting him on the shoulder “how you are holding up?”

The kid formally known as overlord said “I’m a hero apparently…don’t feel like it.”

Ericson grinned “you saved a planet…that sounds like hero work to me.”

The kid laughed “thank you sir.”

The camera cut out.

#Humans Are weird #Emergency broadcast system #Frantic Purifier #SICON VErse

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rpmemesbyarat · 3 years

Conversation

RP meme from Scream Queens Ep 1 "Pilot" & Ep 2 "Hell Week"(Note: Offensive content, use at own discretion)

Something really bad happened.

Did you just get your period all over yourself?

This isn't my blood.

Who told you you could have a baby here tonight?

I'm sure I can walk if I can just get some Gatorade.

I don't care if you can walk.

How are we supposed to get you to the front door without everyone seeing you all gross and postpartum?

No one wants to see that at a party.

This is super embarrassing.

I didn't even know I was pregnant.

You guys, they're playing "Waterfalls."

Is that a baby? Amazing.

I am not missing "Waterfalls" for this. "Waterfalls" is my jam.

Give the baby some mojito to quiet it down.

How do you know she's dead?

These are my minions. I don't know their names. I don't want to know their names.

I have a colonic at 10

Life is a class system.

Oh, still a lot of puke to scrub.

Yeah, you have an amazing skill at telling people what they need to hear.

I'm sorry. Did I ask you to pull down my panties and blow a compliment up my butt?

I hate sororities, and I hate you.

First of all, I'm not a lesbian.

You see, out in the real world, people just don't talk that way to other people. It's not normal.

Well, that sure sounds suspicious.

No one forced that goat to get as drunk as it got.

Historically, short people are sneaky backstabbers, like Napoleon or Paul Shaffer.

I could actually handle that you're built like a Thai ladyboy, but what I can't stand is that you think you're my heir apparent.

Don't you want me to spray-tan you?

I would honestly rather not have you around.

The police still can't figure out who filled that tank with hydrochloric acid.

It's good enough for me, and the D.A., who, last I heard, considers the case closed.

What is that skirt?

Your organization might want to find a lawyer.

I'm a pretty smart cookie.

I would not get personal with me, sweetheart.

I don't fight fair.

I am sentimental.

Look, girls are vicious, okay?

I don't have any of my own memories.

Just like we planned. Three-second silent hug, and then you leave.

Ooh, somebody call CSI, because there was a murder scene in that bathroom.

Someone puked in the sink and I'm pretty sure I saw an actual ringworm climbing up the wall. I'm not afraid of anything, but that bathroom scared the crap out of me.

This is gonna be a year of infinite possibilities.

Hold this. It's too heavy.

You didn't knock!

Look at them. They're the dregs of society.

Each one of these gashes is worse than the next.

She smells like hot dog water, and probably sprained her neck giving blumpkins down at the local bowling alley.

Look, I'm not saying that all heterosexual sex is rape. I'm saying all heterosexual sex is gross, and that deep down, every woman knows this.

All that girl's after is a whole lot of bikini burger.

Hey, girl, can I just ask you, what's up with your outfit?

God knows what they're talking about, basic bitches.

What fresh hell is this?

I need you to stay popular, 'cause if you want to stay at the top of the list of the pieces of ass I'm getting, there's criteria. And the criteria is you got to be popular.

Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there, because I'm getting really pissed off.

Stop fake crying.

Anyone you dated would be popular. I mean, they would be popular because they're dating you.

My ego, it's super strong, ok, but it's not strong enough that I can just go around dating garbage people.

Like, yes, I could find a random girl who wasn't popular, and, yes, if I started dating her she would then become popular.

But you said you loved me.

I do sort of love you.

I would love you a lot more if other people loved you, too.

Okay, I need you to leave because you're bumming me out

We're just trying to have a nice day hitting golf balls at hippies.

Pretty girls, like you and me.

That's why I'm gonna burn your face off.

Ugh! You burned the milk!

Next time, I get you fired, or worse.

Actually, I just want a regular coffee. Those white girl pumpkin spice lattes annoy me.

I like to think of myself, uh, as an investigative reporter.

I had to get a restraining order.

I tend to get a bit passionate about things.

Look, you intentionally led me on.

You kept acting like you liked me just so you could humiliate me.

Enter, ye who dare.

I love a creepy collage.

It's about kicking the living crap out of someone when they disrespect you.

I was just in your room, where I noticed you have a sizeable shrine with evil burning candles, photos of me with my face scratched out and pairs of my stolen panties.

How about I just drown you in it?

Well, of course she's dead! You just burned her face off!

You don't die from getting your face burned off.

There's a dead woman in your kitchen.

I'm going to the authorities.

That's not how I saw it. And my witnesses agree.

You're an awful person.

Who wants cocktails?

How did my life turn into this?

Have you seen the way girls dress on this campus?

I'm sitting in the same office I used to throw bricks into.

You're awful in bed. Are you aware?

I'm gonna take a pair of your panties.

I'm gonna barf on your face unless you get out of here.

Try to figure out who gave you such disgusting mommy issues.

You loaded a dead body into a freezer.

What are you proposing?

I want to help you with your exposé, secretly feed you info.

You need eyes on the inside.

I don't know what to do with the body.

Are you saying dead bodies don't turn you on?

You are so lame, you know that?

God, I love all that death stuff.

Show me the body.

Show me the dead body.

This blood oath will ensure solidarity among us. We are all related now.

I just Googled "blood oath" and this is what came up.

What does this oath even mean?

I just need you all to not say anything about what happened, and I figured a blood oath was cheaper than buying you all presents.

Wait, what about STDs?

Idiot, you don't get STDs from blood oaths.

You get STDs from dirty toilet seats and drinking the water in Mexico.

Um, "STD" stands for "sexually transmitted disease," which means that it's transmitted sexually.

When were you in Mexico?

You know what, forget the blood oath.

I can't stay silent!

I'm calling my mom, and I'm going home.

Okay, Pissy Spacek, you and I have a few differences we need to iron out.

I want you to be one of my minions.

It's the gateway to the top of the heap.

You put on a good front, but you're miserable.

Don't you think any of that has anything to do with the fact that you've created an atmosphere based solely on negativity and raw ambition?

Can we talk for real for a second, please?

I mean, you're so confident without being mean. What antidepressants are you on?

Don't you see that all that's happened isn't a crisis? It's an opportunity.

Yeah, no, I tried. See, I really tried. But all of this flowery, peace-on-Earth crap, it makes me want to puke.

You haven't even seen half of what I'm capable of!

Totally spit in your coffee, bitch.

I don't mean to be a contrarian, but I'm enjoying this.

Is that killer noises or am I hallucinating?

I'm gonna ask one more time, will you speak up?

What can you tell us about the murder?

There's an exodus right now.

The risks are real, but we need to close ranks.

I don't feel comfortable with a man protecting me. It's representative of the patriarchal, post-colonial culture that encourages violence against women.

We buy a pig and feed it the body. Pigs will eat anything.

Don't go skating on those poop lagoons, because if you fall in, you'll drown in the poop and come springtime, there'll be nothing left of your body.

Here's what you should do. Pulverize her teeth, burn off her fingerprints, and disfigure her face. Once her body is unrecognizable, we can create an incision on her inner thigh and drain out all of her bodily fluids. That'll give us more time to deconstruct the body.

Truly grinding down a body takes a lot of work. You need a really good food processor, and you run the risk of fouling the plumbing, which is why you should only do it if you know how to clear out meat and bones from a drain pipe.

I'm willing to help in any way possible.

You're obviously a psychopath and those ideas are insane!

Why are you trying to terrify us?

Can I call you Mom?

I feel so loved and protected by all of you.

Actually, it's a new pop culture trend where young women desperately in need of role models call other girls they look up to Mom.

I thought you'd be cool with it.

I mean, I did just give you several ways to dispose of a body.

Okay, fine. Just stop talking.

You are so friggin' creepy!

Someone just mowed off a deaf girl's head in our backyard.

I mean, as you can see, I'm not licensed to carry a sidearm.

Wait, so you don't have a gun?

I have pepper spray. And I have a walkie talkie that I can use to call the police, who do have guns.

What good are you?

Get the hell out of there. Run away, real fast.

Now, I would give you my number, but my cell phone is off right now.

If you want the place clean, maybe you shouldn't have burned the maid's face off.

Don't you wonder what's in there?

People have been whispering about that house for years, that it's haunted, that something really bad happened. I mean, there's no way there isn't some real-life story behind it, right?

I'm gonna have to break in.

I mean, I don't think anyone's gonna get killed in the 30 minutes we make out, right?

Can you stop talking?

You're kind of ruining whatever was good about it.

Please try to understand the situation I'm in.

I don't give a rat's ass about your job.

You know, I find good parenting incredibly attractive.

You're a snoopy little bugger.

Whose bloody clothes are those?

Supposedly, it was a super fun party.

We're all gonna pay for this.

I think it's all crap. Just a myth.

What happened to the baby?

Sometimes I picture myself like Derek Jeter, you know?

I'm gonna choke you out.

There's a serial killer on the loose.

Please don't say you want to choke me.

I'd love having sex with your corpse.

I'm sorry. This isn't working for me.

Well, I sort of am your boyfriend, and I'm protecting you by having sex with you.

No! I don't need a man to protect me.

How could I have wasted this much time?

Is my self-esteem really that low?

I'm sorry. I think we need to take a break.

I need you to leave right now!

You know, it would really help me feel better if I could just crawl into bed with you for a few minutes.

Are you gonna touch my wiener, or you gonna leave my wiener alone?

I'll leave your wiener alone.

Where are your hands?

He has a huge boner!

Why don't you go in there and ogle his big old boner?

Okay, uh, first of all, I'm not gonna go ogle his big old boner, because I'm not gay.

Look, I'm sorry everybody wants to have sex with me. Okay? I can't help that.

I'm hot. Everybody wants to get with this. Women, men, animals in the zoo, plants, probably.

You're gonna have to go right now, 'cause I am breaking up with you.

Excuse me, I broke up with you!

I regretted what I said, and I just wanted to come here and tell you that I am so sorry.

Well, I accept your apology. And now I'm breaking up with you.

Do you know why I'm breaking up with you?

You can't deal with how hot I am.

Sorry, I just broke up with you.

Can you please put some clothes on?

Um, they said, uh, I shouldn't be alone, you know, in case I fall asleep and die.

Can I just get you a robe or something though?

So you're saying I'm the killer?

Okay, this isn't about me thinking you're boyfriend material.

God, I was so gonna go to third base with you tonight, too.

What if we stapled their earlobes?

Private like the parts on a man you like putting in your mouth?

I want to publicly come out as gay on my own.

I mean, you guys have to accept everybody, right?

I actually think that's illegal.

I will come after you, do you understand that? I will destroy you.

I trust you'll consider my offer.

Name one bad thing that ever happened at a Best Buy parking lot.

You're just, like, super attractive.

Um, well, I was trying to be inconspicuous.

It's better than losing your life.

I have a thing for playlists.

Someone's got a poo belly.

Sweet Yeezus, I don't even know where to begin with you.

Bitch, I'm about to smack you so hard, your tampon's gonna pop out.

I heard screaming.

So you think the serial killer is still up there?

Upstairs to get the killer before he gets away!

You just said that you think the killer is up there, and that's where you want to go?

This is freakin' terrifying!

The killer is in the house! You hear me?

I need my damn inhaler.

What, am I supposed to be scared?

Don't even come out. We plan on getting drunk, and I don't want your bad attitude ruining it.

We're headed down to White Stallion to pick up some sluts, baby!

Yes, okay, I burned her slightly, but stop saying that I killed her.

That was a tragic accident.

I am a kind and devoted and loving friend to all.

I'm not some crazed psychopath.

Maybe you're the killer.

I will not be put on trial.

The truth is we don't know who the killer is, and, yes, I suppose it could be someone in this room.

You want to go first?

I banged, like, 50 chicks.

What took you so long?

#rp meme #rp memes #rp starters #roleplay memes #roleplay meme #roleplay starters #scream queens

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thelastpilot · 4 years

Text

DnD Help Again!

Guess who got to the day before Dming once again with absolutely no preparation whatsoever? Okay so heres the deal I’m not even worrying about stats and shit yet im just trying to make a cool story.

A new player is being added this time so i’m trying to make this one as stunning and descriptive as possible. The gang is looking for revenege against a dwarf who robbed and cheated them. This dwarf has lied and cheated his way to the top of the bandit colony. I already have it set up so that the new player being introduced is an old enemy of this bandit dwarf from childhood, and that the PC has noticed his old foes name getting tossed around a lot. Noting it as odd that he would put himself in a position to lead others when that is out of character, the PC is suspicious of his motivations for doing so and knows he must be plotting something.

The gang is on their way to intercept this dwarf at a meeting (which they learned about from interrogating a bandit in jail) where they will discover that he is meeting with powerful magic users, mercenaries, and other bandit colonies to convince them to join his cause.

What does he want to do?

He has encountered a Kitsune living in the material plane, run out from the Feywild for some reason (i have very little knowledge about other realms im just making this up as I go so forgive me if that typically doesnt happen). He barely escaped with his life and was in awe of her incredible beauty and power. He has learned as much as he could about Kitsunes and plans to mount an attack to steal her soul (which for people who don’t know kitsune lore is embodied by a physical pearl like object which can be taken from them). This dwarf promises that if they join him and succeed that they will be unstoppable with her power. (shes a fuckin god basically shes so insanely strong, this is less about her and more about the dwarf, hes the one they want revenge on).

So heres what im asking. How can i make this as cool as possible? As soon as they said they wanted to hunt down the bandit I was dismayed at the idea of a boring ass bandit camp fight where they just mow down guys because its five level 6 players and even super beefed up bandits are going to be boring. So i’m trying to add some intrigue. What I would love to happen is for my players to help the Kitsune and get into the good graces of an incredibly powerful ally. It would also be visually super dope and impressive because i have a GREAT plan for her. I would like to keep them away from the dwarf somehow until the attack is getting mounted, maybe even have them arrive too late for the meeting and have to track him down and find his forces already heading into her territory.

What are some cool illusions and Kitsune type things I could have in her territory? I want her to attack and defend herself from the bandits not my players, could there be some way for them to enter as friends? a test to see their intentions? or would they have to avoid traps and charms like the bandits will be forced to. Obviously they can fight some bandits themselves if they want to, maybe even some charmed bandits that turn on their comrades?

maybe the bad dwarf actually succeeds somehow? traps her and is in the process of trying to bend her to his will when our heroes arrive? If so how do I make him an actual threat to 5 PC characters? the kitsune is way to strong she would kill them, so I need something properly challenging (the last few boss fights have been too easy and im struggling to get the fights to last longer).

((one of my players is kind of selfish, so im worried that they might try to take the soul stone for themselves. They are way too weak to control a entity like that and it would eventually one way or another turn way bad for the party. It would also be too unbalanced for them to have control over a creature like that. I want to introduce something cool and overpowered to force them to be wary about challenges they cant beat, while finding a way to make sure they dont try and take it themselves.))

so TLDR:

-How do i make a dwarf a big threat to five level 6 PCs?

-What are some cool Kitsune themed traps and enchatments and obstacles i can dot through her territory?

-What are some dope visual inspirations for a Kitsune’s forest? maybe not a forest maybe rocky crags and still lakes? What tickles your imagination with this concept?

- any ideas or inspiration at all? Fae trickster traps and spooky songs and stuff maybe?

- for context, the kitsune in this scenario will look different than traditional kitsunes. Its a massive 15ft tall fox with pure white fur and nine tails. Where its face would be is a hollow space, like a porcelian figurine with the head carefully removed, revealing the inside to be hollow in a way or at least appear to be. Floating over the empty space and suspended would be a porcelain mask shaped like the long face of a fox. It’s mouth would be hinged so it could silently open and close and it would have glowing gold lights in the eye sockets. It’s gorgeous and terrifying

loosely inspired by the spirits and sages from Twilight princess

#dnd help #dnd suggestions #dnd 5e

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episomalvector · 3 years

Text

Alright-- I’m going to try and mow through stuff I owe in the next hour or so because I’m actually going to need to be running myself on EST time (where I’m actually at) instead of my normal flipped schedule. One of my co-workers may have been exposed so I gotta cover for him. Mehhhhhhhh...

But also... here’s some more fun learning on Mami!

None of the duplicates are programmed to think they are going to have a long and prosperous life. Each one of them knows exactly what they are supposed to do and that their usefulness ends after they’ve finished their mission. There can be the possibility of them, sort of, overstepping their boundaries. While it doesn’t anymore? The prime body did used to have feelings and emotions-- after losing, basically, everything but its knowledge and usefulness of its mutation? It took the long hard road to eliminating such things.

No one is actually sure how old the prime body is. The story that any version of Mami tells someone else about losing her parents to disease are both very true-- her mother was lost to pneumonia and her father to cancer. She knows she had a hand in her father’s death-- her powers (as she knows them) first manifesting and running wild blew him through several stages of cancer in moments. She watched him turn into a screaming mass of overgrown and mutated tissue. He went through a life time of pain and suffering in moments. While it was fast? It certainly wasn’t painless and it probably felt like it was lasting as long as it should have.

It didn’t help that she was intercepted from a life that would have given her a second chance. She wasn’t suspect for what happened to her father, Hideaki, and she was going to be rejoining her family back in Japan. But instead was used as a way to fiddle with genetic structures through the use of various retroviruses. Being treated more as a useful instrument rather than a child-- this was where things started to change. She felt far more akin to the pathogens that she worked with (her mutation helping with this as she is not only infectious but also self replicating, and literally made up of a series of single cell organisms that live as a colony and seem like they are a singular creature-- sort of like a hydrozoa ex. Portuguese Man-O’-War)) so why not be more like them? Knowledge of what to do to survive was what she limited herself down to-- but expanding that knowledge was a passion.

That brings us back to the duplicates-- despite the main body working as a suggestive and emotionless head of a hive mind? At the core of it all-- she was very much like anyone else. There was a point where she was just a normal girl-- and that is where the duplicates tend to pick up. They seem to be somewhere in their 20′s (while it’s implied that the main body is in fact far older) and while they start with no links to emotion or feelings? It’s something they can develop. The more that they’re around their intended subject of their studies (yes, she LITERALLY will observe your character like an animal in a nature documentary if you let her. But she will ALSO be willing to offer her own input-- if your character has seen her? It’s most likely the duplicate is being sloppy. It has watched and gathered what it can from afar. Your character was a part of “Planet Earth” and she’s your host, David Attenborough)) the closer she will become to your muse. How she grows and acts depends on how she’s treated-- but you only get one shot with it. If something happens to the duplicate? You have to start allllllllllllll over again. But this one will be a slight bit more wary and will only have memories of what happened like a nature documentary that plays through her mind.

That being said-- while there’s the possibility that when you lose your duplicate there can be a replacement? The dynamic you had will never be the same-- and if your muse was the cause of the last death? You’re not going to get the same polite hello. The main body may not hold a grudge but the duplicates will-- especially since there’s a sense of rivalry among all of them and they get a little annoyed when an outside source destroys valuable energy and worth.

TLDR: Despite an infinite amount of duplicates that can be created? Mami isn’t like a virtual pet. She will remember what happened to her and can even develop feelings or emotions for others if given the correct interactions. Your Mami dies? A new one might show up... but things won’t be the same.

#+studies have concluded+ (About)#death tw #kidnapping tw #cancer tw

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worryinglyinnocent · 4 years

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Fic: The Zombie Outbreak Response Unit

AU-gust Day Five: Post-Apocalypse AU Fandom: Once Upon A Time Pairing: Rumbelle

Rated: T

Summary: Caught up in the middle of an unexpected zombie apocalypse, Belle is rescued by an elite if unusual team: the Zombie Outbreak Response Unit. She quickly becomes close to their leader, the enigmatic Mr Gold.

Note: This is more ‘during-apocalypse’ than ‘post-apocalypse’ but enjoy nonetheless!

===

The Zombie Outbreak Response Unit

When Belle had first seen the advert in the local paper, she had not thought anything of it. She had assumed that someone had put it there for a dare or a prank, and she had left it alone.

When it appeared there again for the second week running, she took notice of it, clipping it out and storing it in her purse. She wasn’t sure why, because she still had no idea why she would ever use the service that was being advertised, but something about its persistence made her wonder. Better safe than sorry, after all.

Now, three weeks later, with the ad having appeared in every edition of the paper since, she knew exactly why she had kept it and exactly why it was there in the first place.

There had been reports on the news of strange occurrences for the past few days, but nothing weird could ever happen in a town as quiet and sleepy as Storybrooke, right? Mad, apocalyptic nightmares like, for example, zombie outbreaks, always started in big cities where they could spread quickly and easily.

Well, that was what Belle had thought until she had woken up this morning and started going about her daily life to realise that the rest of the town had been turned into the flesh-craving undead, and a crowd of them was now converging on the library that she lived above.

Never had she been so happy to have clipped out a newspaper ad on a hunch, as she sat huddled in her flat, looking at the barricaded door and listening to the moaning of the horde that was making its way ever closer, clutching at her phone in one hand and the cricket bat that her mother had insisted on her keeping under her bed in the other. The ad was on the table beside her, and it was with shaking fingers that she dialled the number. It couldn’t be a hoax or a prank, not when she really needed it.

In the event of being caught in a zombie apocalypse, call your local ZOMBIE OUTBREAK RESPONSE UNIT immediately. Our highly trained professionals are on call 24 hours a day to assist you.

The call was answered on the first ring.

“Zombie Outbreak Response Unit for Storybrooke and environs. My name is Emma. Are you in immediate danger from zombies?”

For a moment, Belle was completely struck dumb, amazed that it had worked.

“Hello, are you in immediate danger?”

“No,” she said eventually. “No, I’m barricaded in my apartment.”

“Ok. How many people in the property?”

“Just me.”

“Do you suffer from any medical conditions?”

“No.” Just overwhelming fear.

“We’re sending a team to your location. I’ll stay on the phone with you until they arrive. How easy is it for you to exit your property?”

“Well, I’ve got zombies coming up the front steps and up the fire escape… I guess I could jump out of the window.”

“No jumping will be required although we will probably get you out that way. Can you describe the zombies, are they fast or slow moving? Do they have the power of speech?”

The questions continued in this vein for a little while until Belle heard the rumbling of a large vehicle coming up the main street and Emma instructed her to open a window if it was safe to do so.

Opening her bedroom window, Belle had to gawp at the sight of a heavily armoured black van inching its way down the street, very slowly mowing down zombies as it went. At last it parked up below her, and a team of what appeared to be riot police in full SWAT gear jumped out of the back, setting up a defensive perimeter as one of their number extended a ladder up to Belle’s window and began to climb up.

“Hi!” The voice was female and remarkably chirpy considering the circumstances. “You must be Belle. I’m Ruby. Let’s get you out of here.”

Still shaking with fear and adrenaline, Belle let Ruby help her down the ladder and bundle her into the back of the van with the rest of her colleagues. For a very frightening few moments, Belle wondered if they were in fact government agents who, trying to cover up the fact that there had been a zombie outbreak in her town, were about to kill her and dispose of the evidence. Rationally, they probably would have just let her be eaten by zombies. Or firebombed the entire town with her still in it.

“Do you work for the government?” she hedged to Ruby.

“God no.” Ruby shook her head so vehemently that Belle thought her goggles would fly off. “No, we very much do not work for the government. They are absolutely not interested in saving people from zombie outbreaks. I’m so glad that you called us. We’d picked up some chatter that Storybrooke had been hit and we hoped that there were some survivors, and that they’d seen the ad and would call us before…”

A huge explosion rocked the van.

“…before the government did that,” Ruby finished.

Belle just sat in mute horror. There were no windows in the back of the van, but she knew that her theory about the town being firebombed to wipe out the evidence of the outbreak had just come terribly true.

There were several questions that Belle wanted to ask, ‘where are we going?’ being chief among them, but she couldn’t make her mouth form around the words. The masked figure sitting on the other side of her patted her shoulder awkwardly. It would probably have been less awkward had he not been armed to the teeth with more anti-zombie implements than Belle could name.

“It’s all right,” he said. “It’s always a shock when it happens. We’ve all been through it.”

The rest of the journey was made in silence, and when the van stopped and the doors opened again, Belle found herself in the middle of what appeared to be a disused aircraft hangar, filled with crates stamped ZORU in large letters. She pinched herself, but it was definitely not a dream. She had just been saved from the zombie apocalypse by what appeared to be a private army.

“What… How…” She looked around her new surroundings in disbelief.

“We’ll explain everything later,” Ruby said. “There are a few things you have to do first though.”

The few things turned out to be a decontamination shower and a full medical exam from a cheerful little nurse in heavy-duty hazmat gear named Astrid, who took off her helmet and gave her a huge hug after proclaiming her not to be infected. Having been sourced some clothes that were not a hospital gown, Belle emerged from the medical room into the Zombie Outbreak Response Unit headquarters.

“Hi!”

She jumped out of her skin at the voice, turning to see a tall woman with bright red streaks in her hair.

“It’s Ruby,” she said, holding out a hand. “Now that we’re not in quite such life-threatening circumstances, I think introductions are in order.” She sighed. “It’s quite rare for us to find survivors. Hardly anyone takes our adverts seriously and I can’t say I blame them. Zombies aren’t exactly an everyday occurrence for most people and since the government just blows them all up every time, no one really knows the danger.”

Ruby led her down a corridor into what was obviously the nerve centre of the unit. They were evidently a rather small outfit, but they were meticulously fitted out. A large table was set up in the centre of the room, and there was a control desk with several screens and phone at one end, manned by a young blonde woman in earphones.

“Everyone, this is Belle, Belle, this is, well… everyone.”

Belle looked around the table. The five others she assumed were the rest of the team who had rescued her with Ruby. The blonde at the control desk waved distractedly over her shoulder, that must be Emma who’d taken her call. Astrid rushed into the room and took a seat beside the older man at the head of the table. He had greying hair and dark eyes, and a cane rested on the arm of his chair.

“Mulan, Neal, Jeff, David and Mary Margaret. You’ve met Astrid, you’ve spoken to Emma, and this is Mr Gold, the mastermind of the entire operation.”

The older man held out a hand, which Belle shook before taking the vacant seat that Ruby waved her into. “Welcome to the Unit, Belle. We may only be small, but we do what we can.”

Emma took off her headphones and turned in her wheelie chair; Belle could immediately see why she was the one handling the phones as she rubbed her very pregnant tummy.

“All the government channels are reporting no survivors, we’re in the clear.”

“I have to ask,” Belle began, “what happens to me now?”

“Well, you’ve got a choice,” Gold said. “We can arrange for you to travel to a safe colony for survivors that’s been set up in Seattle, or you can stay here and become part of the unit.”

“We need as much help as we can get.” Jeff was the one to speak, and Belle recognised his voice as the man who’d spoken to her in the van. “It’s up to you, of course.”

“You’re welcome to stay for a few days whilst you make your mind up.” Astrid smiled. “I love it when we have visitors. I need to bake! This is a situation that calls for cupcakes.”

Jeff shook his head with a sigh of mock despair. “Only Astrid could be concerned with frosting and sprinkles in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, but that’s what we love about her.”

Belle didn’t pay much attention to the banter as the unit debriefed from their excursion to rescue her. She couldn’t exactly go back to the life that she’d led before; it was a smoking ruin in the middle of the Maine coastline. Getting as far away as possible sounded like a very inviting prospect, and she couldn’t deny that Seattle was certainly very far away. On the other hand, she couldn’t help wanting to know more about the people whom providence had thrown her in with here.

It took her a moment to realise that the talk had stopped, and everyone was filing out of the room.

“Come on, Belle.” Ruby was standing by the door, waiting for her. “I’ll give you the tour.”

There wasn’t a lot to be seen on the tour, really. The place was a large converted barn, the main area housing the van and all the myriad zombie fighting equipment, and the rest of the building partitioned off into living space.

“You’ll be bunking with Astrid whilst you make your decision,” Ruby explained, showing her into a small room with two beds. One half of the room was a riot of pink and stuffed animals and twinkling fairy lights, and it made Belle smile to see it. Even though it wasn’t her style at all, it was good to see that there was fun and life and personality in the otherwise purely functional building.

All the same, Belle was still having trouble believing that all this was happening and that the zombie apocalypse was underway, much less that she was in the headquarters of the only people who cared about rescuing their fellow humans from said apocalypse, and indeed, she was having a bit of trouble believing that such people even existed in the first place.

“How did this place even come to be?” she asked, once they were back in the main living area. Neal and Emma were there too, and it was clear that they were together. It was nice to see love blooming in adversity.

“Well, you’d have to ask Gold what possessed him to start prepping for the zombie apocalypse. He’s the one who got it off the ground, well, him and Neal. Father-son zombie hunter team.”

“I honestly never thought I’d see the day when Dad’s zombie apocalypse obsession paid off,” Neal said, “but I’m very glad that it did.”

“Anyway,” Ruby continued, “he spent years slowly building up an arsenal and now we’re here today. Apart from Gold, Neal, and Emma, we all came here in the same way as you did – we sensibly called the helpline number and got ourselves rescued.”

“Oh.” It saddened Belle to think that so many of them had lost everything.

“It’s ok.” Ruby patted her shoulder as if she could tell what Belle was thinking. “It’s not all bleak. My granny got out with me; she’s in the safe zone now with Jeff’s daughter and Mulan’s uncle. Sometimes we manage to save quite a few households. There are scientists working in Seattle looking at the causes and triggers and identifying all the different strains of zombie-ism. We’re getting more informed and better at fighting them every day, and we’re all certain that there’s a cure out there somewhere.” She paused. “I know it feels wrong to be positive about it all, and you’re probably feeling about as far from positive as possible right now considering that your home just went up in smoke, but I promise that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Belle was very grateful for Ruby’s hug.

Two days later, Belle made the decision to stay.

She was in the control room when it happened. Gold had been telling her the next chapter in the tale of what made him start the response unit. He’d been happy to tell her when she had asked, but it was a long story, and he was having to give it in instalments in amongst all of his strategic planning and his many phone calls with the leaders of the other units around the country. They hadn’t even got to the part of the story which involved the ZORU branching out into different states yet.

Neal was at the monitoring desk this time, and everything had been nice and quiet until an alarm started going off on one of his screens.

“We’ve got a new cluster. Newport this time.”

Belle went over and peered over his shoulder at the scrolling lines of government and web chatter as Gold settled into the seat beside him and began typing. Everything was talking about a zombie outbreak in Newport. Belle didn’t want to think about how they had access to all this information, but she couldn’t deny that she was glad they did.

“Everyone stand by, we have a new active cluster.” Neal’s voice echoed through the PA system around the building and Belle heard running footsteps as the others raced to their stations. Neal left Gold in charge of the comms as he went to get ready himself.

“We won’t go out unless we get a call,” Gold explained as he continued to monitor the situation. “There’s no point in sending the team out into danger unless we know that there’s a possibility we can save someone.”

It was then that the bright red telephone on the desk began to ring with shrill urgency.

“Zombie Outbreak Response Unit for Storybrooke and environs, my name is Aiden, are you in immediate danger from zombies?”

Belle could only watch in stunned and fearful silence as Gold guided the caller through the same questions that Emma had asked her, at the same time despatching the team and pulling up all kinds of metrics on the computer. On one screen, she could see several camera shots from the van and the team’s body armour as they pounded down the roads towards Newport. Her heart was beating painfully in her mouth at the thought of the danger that they were willingly putting themselves in, and she could only imagine what it must be like for Gold, knowing that his son was going into the fray.

He glanced sideways at her. She had so much admiration for the way he could stay so calm on the phone with the caller, and she had a hugely newfound admiration for Emma, knowing that she had been in just the same nerve-wracking position whilst taking Belle’s own call and watching her boyfriend heading out to save her.

“Ok, we’re here, we can see the survivors.” Neal’s voice came over the internal comms and Gold acknowledged.

“Ok, if you look out of the window you should see the team,” he said to the caller. “Can you confirm to me that you can see them?” He listened to the muffled voice on the other end. “Ok, you’re in safe hands now, I’ll leave you with the team.”

The call ended and Gold could give his full attention to the control screens. Belle watched the camera footage with her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. There were more survivors this time, and Jeff and Ruby were shepherding them towards working vehicles whilst the others covered the exits. She screamed as David was caught by a pair of walkers, his camera going offline.

“David!” Gold was half in and half out of his seat, fingers clutching his cane with white knuckles. “David, report!”

“I’m ok!” David sounded winded, and then Emma saw him getting to his feet on Mary Margaret’s video feed as she ran to help him. “I’m ok, I took them out, but my camera’s shot.”

Gold sank back into his chair with a sigh of relief, but Belle couldn’t release the tension thrumming through her veins until everyone was safely back in the van and they were driving away from the town with the survivors in convoy. Once they were en route, she chanced to take another look at Gold. He was leaning back in his chair, looking satisfied with a job well done, but just as exhausted with fear as she felt.

“Do you get scared when they go out?” she asked.

“Every single time.” He paused. “It does help, having someone else here.”

Belle smiled, her heartrate finally beginning to return to normal, and Gold smiled back. There was something a little shy in the expression, and she had to wonder.

Once the survivors had been brought back to the base and undergone due process, it was decided that they would head straight out to the Seattle safe zone. Three households had been saved, too many people for them to house in the unit headquarters, and there was a general air of jubilation around the place that they had managed to rescue eight people in one go.

Jefferson, who was heading out to Seattle to see his daughter anyway, was going to act as an escort for the long drive, and he came over to Belle.

“If you want to go to Seattle, this is probably the best time to come,” he said.

Belle looked around at the rest of the group who were wishing the survivors well on their way. David and Mary Margaret, Emma and Neal, Mulan and Ruby. Astrid bouncing up and down and around.

And Gold, standing alone, a little apart from the rest, happy at having been able to help save lives and needing no gratitude for it. He caught her eye, tilting his head as if to question. Are you going?

Belle shook her head.

“Thank you, Jeff, but I think I’ll stick around. You’ll need someone to man the phones when Emma goes on maternity leave, after all.”

Jefferson gave her a hug.

“Stay safe,” he whispered to her. “And for what it’s worth, I reckon you’re definitely in with a chance there.”

They both looked over at Gold, who turned away with an embarrassed cough. Belle couldn’t help but laugh.

“Take care of them, Jeff,” she said. “And of yourself, of course. And say hi to Grace for me. Well, she has no idea who I am, so maybe not. You know what I mean.”

“Of course.” He bowed low before going to take his seat in the convoy of cars that would be heading out west. Everyone gathered to wave them off, and Belle found herself going over to Gold at the back of the group.

“So, you’re staying then?”

Belle nodded. “If you’ll have me.”

Gold smiled. “Absolutely. I’m certain that you’ll fit right in. Welcome to the Zombie Outbreak Response Unit, Belle.”

“I still can’t get used to the fact that it exists, let alone the fact that it’s needed.” Belle sighed. It was going to be a strange new life, but one in which, hopefully, she could make a difference to the world. And perhaps to one person in particular.

“I’m glad you’re staying,” Gold said. “I know we haven’t known each other all that long, but I would miss you if you were to leave.”

“I would miss you, too. After all, you still haven’t told me the rest of the unit’s history yet. I couldn’t miss that.”

Gold looked at the rest of the team gathered in the hangar. “We could always resume the tale now if you want. Get away from this lot of rabble rousers.”

Belle laughed at the description. Considering how few of them there were, they were making an inordinate amount of noise. She didn’t mind at all, and she knew that Gold didn’t either. In these times, every little victory ought to be celebrated, and this was more than a little victory.

Still, it would be nice to have some time with Gold without a crisis looming over their heads.

“I’d like that,” she said, and she took his arm when he offered it to her, leading her out of the hangar and into the main living area, settling on the sofa.

He didn’t begin to speak, and for a long time, they both just looked at each other. Belle worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Would it be too forward to just go for it? They’d only known each other for a couple of days, like Gold had said, but Belle knew that there was something there, and there had been something there from practically the first moment that they had spoken to each other properly, and Gold had begun to tell his tale.

She took the plunge, leaning in closer and feeling a huge inward sigh of relief when Gold did the same, meeting her halfway in a soft, tentative kiss.

Belle broke away, looking into his eyes, and on finding only encouragement there, she went back in for another kiss. Gold’s hands came up to cup her face, and she smiled against his mouth.

“I’m so glad that you didn’t go,” Gold breathed once they finally broke apart again. “Thank you for staying.”

Belle pecked her lips to his again. “I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

Maybe it was a little too soon and they were moving a little too fast, but the times they were living in were dangerous, and they had to make the most of all the opportunities they had, just like all the causes for celebration. This was not a time for holding back. This was a time for living.

#rumbelle fic #rumbelle #Belle French #Mr Gold #apocalypse AU #AU-gust #Worry does AU-gust #Fic: The Zombie Outbreak Response Unit

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guidedbygunpla · 3 years

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Gundam Redux Prequel Chapter 3: Father Knows Best

inside the great hall in Zum city, the Zabi family convenes, Degwen the Grand Duke of Zeon sits in a plush gold and red throne, to his left his eldest son Gihren, the Admiral of the Zeon Space Forces, to his right, Dozle, his second oldest son, commander of the Zeon Space Attack Forces, and on a video monitor at the end of the table, calling in from the Moon, where she oversaw the invasion of Afroeurasia, Kycelia Zabi, his Daughter.

“the invasion is going according to plan. Garmas forces are sweeping North America, and Kycelias men are swarming the South of Asia and heading towards Africa. Soon we will be able to force the federation to grant us our independence” Degwin spoke, his voice low and raspy, he was a very old man now, at nearly 90 years old.

“father, you are being too short sited, the federation has completely abandoned all assistance to the colonies, they have abandoned all Martian colonies and autonomous countries, they have abandoned all non Jupiter energy fleet controlled lands around Jupiter as well, the Federation is in shambles, if we can make a rush for Dakar, and a rush for Jaburo, we could end this war in a matter of months. Kycelia has her men working day and night to design a machine capable of punching through the bedrock above Jaburo, and we should have results from Rear Admiral Sahalin or General Mquve soon enough to allow us to not just get our independence but conquer earth.“

“you are right Gihren, we could conquer the earth….but who would rule it? The Federation is built atop the united nations of Earth, established over 200 years ago. They won the trust of the world, they helped establish the colonies, they helped land men on mars, on the moons of Jupiter….they can only rule because the people in the countries aligned to the federation allow them to rule.”

“then like the federation, we will force those counties to put us in charge, to allow us to rule!” Gihren shouted back at his father

“you are short sighted Gihren, yes now we have these….these cyclops monsters, these mobile soldiers, tanks on legs, mowing through the enemy lines, but what happens when the federation fields their own weapons to match ours, or decides the treaty we signed does them no good, and decides to take their plentiful nuclear arsenal and aim it at our homeland, at your soldiers. What then Gihren?”

there was silence in the board room after Degwans remarks, he sat back into his grand throne, Kycelia started in

“father is right, the proper line of action will be to replace the Federation gradually, earn our indepence and then sow distrust in the Federation on Earth, putting Zeon commanders, the bishops and priests of the Contolist church and the Zabi family into places of influence and power, then after we have earned the trust of the earth sphere, we can bring them under our own web of influence, and remove the federation not through war, but through displacement. As the major powers did to the league of nations when it proved unable to protect them from another great world war, do you agree father”

“….while I can see the benefit of growing our Duchies connections outside the bounds of Zeon Controlled territory, I am not sure I wish to replace the federation outright, I would prefer to dissolve the federations control of the colonies and remove the polluters and perverts in power of the federation. So that one day humanity can return to the earth, and not have to live in these giant tin cans floating in the sky.”

“but father” Kycelia continued “ it is the belief of Contolism that man should divorce himself from the earth, so we can grow as a species and evolve, that one day the meek will inherit the earth, but not for generations. The earth must heal, it must return to the form it had during the times of-“

“do not quote Zeon Zum Deikun to me!” Degwin snapped at her “I was there by his side for decades as he preached that gospel, trying to convince us refugees that we would be victorious in the end, and where is he now Kycelia! Where!” Degwin turned to Dozle “do you also want to propose some preposterous idea Dozle?”

“no father, I believe that once we convince the federation to release the shackles of colonialism on us that the rest of the world will see they to are being controlled. I believe that once Garma frees the United States of Northern America for instance they will see that the Federation superseding their own governments right to self govern is a very undemocratic, and near authoritarian idea”

“yes….that we can hope for certainly, the time for a single powerful government ruling the whole of this solar system is behind us, one man cannot control all men, he can control a few, and they can control many, but a few men in Dakar cannot possibly make decisions on what is best for Mars, for Jupiter, for mining colonies in the belt, for us here in Zeon. It should be our right to rule ourselves, as we see fit.” Degwin sat back into his chair, calm now that one of his children saw this all as he did

“and what if one day the people of Zeon decide that they don’t need a Duke sitting atop their parliament? Decide that you being the final say in their governance, what if one day they want to be rid of you? What then father?” Gihren said standing up and staring his father down

“then I will pack my things and leave, lest I watch myself and the rest of my family be beheaded as monarchs of the past were, I rule because the people of Zeon chose me, chose us, to rule them. They believe that through Zeon Zum Deikuns legacy, we will lead them on the correct path…..if that belief changes one day, than I shouldn’t force them to follow our family, and if our defenders, our benefactors refuse to protect us, I will pack my things….and I will leave” Degwin said, reaching into a box on the desk in front of him, and retreiveing a pair of black aviator style sunglasses and placing them over his face as he relaxed his neck into the soft fabric of the chair

“father has lost the will Kycelia, he is a weak man at heart now…..I cant believe what he said back there” Gihren said looking out the bay window in his office, taking a slow sip of scotch as he did so.

“he just wants to follow the will of Deikun, he believes that people of space will ultimately become the Newtypes as mentioned in the gospel, and eventually be worthy of inheriting the earth….he believes the people of Zeon will follow us, as we represent that will, we represent the message of the Gospel to them, we will be the shepherds to that promise land.” Kycelia said as she moved forward, placing a hand on her brothers shoulder

“its all bullshit, we won’t inherit anything save a worthless duchy from that man, we wont inherit the earth, the only way Zeon will get what we want is if we take it……if the federation gives us independence how soon until we are no different than the United states, or the Greater European Union a country in name only, unable to make our own decisions for ourselves, or how soon will we becomer fucking Russia. How soon before the Federation backs a separatist movement against us? How soon until a band of Kievan militia storms our capital city? Father wants to bet that what? People will become Newtypes and rally behind us as the federation slowly kills itself and we watch the earth die as we evolve beyond its need?” he said sipping again “it’s all bullshit Kycelia”

“but Gihren, you of all people should realize that the Newtype phenomena is-“

“be careful what youre about to say sister, I am not as soft as our father”

“Gihren please she’s your-“

“GET OUT!” he shouted throwing his glass of scotch to the floor, shattering the glass “I have told you time and time again to not speak about her or anything related to that women around me.” He said staring daggers into his sisters eyes

“Gihren be reasonable, we need to work together or this war will kill us all” Kycelia said, putting her hand on the gun on her hip

“this war might kill father, and it might kill soft hearted Dozle, and our naive youngest brother, but it won’t harm the two of us….surely one of us is more than enough to steer this ship into port dear sister” he said reaching down to his side arm as well

“….Gihren you sound like you think this war would be easier to win if some members of our family weren’t around anymore”

“too many cooks in the kitchen does have a tendency to spoil the broth does it not?”

#charma #garma #gundam

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