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Chapter I - Act II: Games of Chance

Sooth Deck: The Enticing Jewel

Effects: Effective level of all Invisible magic is raised by 1, or Sorcery cost reduced by 1

Divination: "When the Enticing Jewel is turned, everything focuses upon it. Most of the time, this is one of the most positive cards that can be revealed. It indicates success in one’s endeavor. It suggests beauty and wealth. At the very least, even if not actual success, the Enticing Jewel is the potential for success, which in itself can be encouraging (because sometimes there is no possibility for success). Still, the card has a darker side, because it also suggests greed and a love of wealth, and the dangers of such things."

The gathered Vislae responded as their kind almost always did to unexpected provocation, with the weaving of magic. The air suddenly became heavy, laden with the energy of multiple crafted sorceries, words of power and arcane gestures filling the space with intent. Most of it was deadly, and none more so than the crafting of the Maker. Her transformation was horrifying, the promise of violence made all the more real by the savagery she had evidently inflicted upon herself to achieve it. It was the physical manifestation of her inner psyche, the turmoil of countless souls bubbling to the surface and bellowing a Demonic challenge.

For Aldrion the magic was a far subtler thing, a shimmering of the light in the shape of an orb, resting just in front of his raised hand. So quick, so easy to miss, easy to overlook. It would take but a thought, a flick of fingers, and that neigh invisible orb could be expanded. The connection he felt to his own could be built upon, grown, shared. Yes, it allowed him to contain and control, but it was more than that. It was extending that connection to the Actuality itself.

Shuistliel’s workings were swift as a cutting blade, sharp as a piercing fang. There was a sharp moment, a piercing twist, a cutting of reality itself, and suddenly they were in the nest. She didn't even wobble, her feet finding firm purchase beneath her on the soft surface. The creature twisted in shocked surprise at their sudden appearance, almost retreating from her in fear. Then it seemed to find itself, standing its ground. All shape and color had retreated from in in that moment, leaving only a vague outline of a humanoid form filled with the night sky, bereft of all but a handful of stars. Into that eerie form came one of the faces again, avian and wise, yet diminished and lost. Its features looked about, confused, before again the fog of oblivion took it from Liel's sight.

Xanah felt the spell leave them even as they shaped it, the almost divine understanding fading away as if into shadow. It was a euphoric and yet devastating thing, to give up magic thus. To feel comprehension and understanding of one of the secrets of the Actuality be released into the world. To push Sorcery into a spell was to push power into it, raw and primal. This though? This was something else entirely, and though it was exhilarating it was always also a little melancholy. The magic took Xanah’s words and twisted them, reshaping them to the eyes, ears, and minds of all present. It was not a subtle enchantment, it didn’t need to be. Runes rose from their lips, reshaping the words, and instead of the blunt insults all present both heard and saw the pleasantries she spoke.

“Our most sincere apologies for intruding upon your domain, Lord of the Citadel. Many are the tales of your great wisdom, and thus we come before you not to make demands, but to humbly beseech you to hear our questions. Penitent as we are.” "Our bloody conceited arse wipe up there might have something to say before we feed its innards to the birds. Remember what kind of powerful beings it was stupid enough to steal from. Never in my life have I seen such a gormless bastard. It's going to wish it hadn't left the leaky orifice it was squeezed out of if it doesn't give back what it stole.

Let's let it talk its way out of this. I'd rather hate to waste the ammunition on it."

Its featureless head shifted back and forth between Xanah and Shuistliel, and though it had no eyes to speak of, Shuistliel could feel the weighted gaze upon her axe.

“Lord of the Citadel, yes.”

It whispered, in a voice that was not the voice it had used a moment before. It was dreamlike, hazy and heady. A voice meant to sing a lullaby. This voice vibrated with power, a cloak it wove from the dreamstuff which made up its own form. Its own spellwork joined the heady mix that filled the air, the hazy images of countless ravens within its body. These grew, still shrouded in mist, a mantle of black feathers that rested upon its back.

“That is what I have always been. This is my nest, you are the penitents.”

Was it trying to convince them, or itself?

Writing Prompts

• Shuistliel has bought a moment’s reprieve before the fight starts, but the entity has drawn on its own unknown magic as well.
• If you choose to continue dialogue, keep it to a sentence or four at most, as we’re still in Action Mode.
• I’ve described a bit about what your magic looks like and feels like, if you decide to skip the parlay and get straight to spell slinging, be sure to expand upon that.

Threads

• Go talk to the Unkindness
  • Talk with Magister Kuros about flight
    • Accept the Magister's bargain
  • Learn more about names from Magister Lui
  • Discover what has invaded the Nest
• Retrieve five Cordovin Stones from the Ruined Expanses Bleed

Chapter I - Act II: Games of Chance

Sooth Deck: The Enticing Jewel

Effects: Effective level of all Invisible magic is raised by 1, or Sorcery cost reduced by 1

Divination: "When the Enticing Jewel is turned, everything focuses upon it. Most of the time, this is one of the most positive cards that can be revealed. It indicates success in one’s endeavor. It suggests beauty and wealth. At the very least, even if not actual success, the Enticing Jewel is the potential for success, which in itself can be encouraging (because sometimes there is no possibility for success). Still, the card has a darker side, because it also suggests greed and a love of wealth, and the dangers of such things."

The gathered Vislae responded as their kind almost always did to unexpected provocation, with the weaving of magic. The air suddenly became heavy, laden with the energy of multiple crafted sorceries, words of power and arcane gestures filling the space with intent. Most of it was deadly, and none more so than the crafting of the Maker. Her transformation was horrifying, the promise of violence made all the more real by the savagery she had evidently inflicted upon herself to achieve it. It was the physical manifestation of her inner psyche, the turmoil of countless souls bubbling to the surface and bellowing a Demonic challenge.

For Aldrion the magic was a far subtler thing, a shimmering of the light in the shape of an orb, resting just in front of his raised hand. So quick, so easy to miss, easy to overlook. It would take but a thought, a flick of fingers, and that neigh invisible orb could be expanded. The connection he felt to his own could be built upon, grown, shared. Yes, it allowed him to contain and control, but it was more than that. It was extending that connection to the Actuality itself.

Shuistliel’s workings were swift as a cutting blade, sharp as a piercing fang. There was a sharp moment, a piercing twist, a cutting of reality itself, and suddenly they were in the nest. She didn't even wobble, her feet finding firm purchase beneath her on the soft surface. The creature twisted in shocked surprise at their sudden appearance, almost retreating from her in fear. Then it seemed to find itself, standing its ground. All shape and color had retreated from in in that moment, leaving only a vague outline of a humanoid form filled with the night sky, bereft of all but a handful of stars. Into that eerie form came one of the faces again, avian and wise, yet diminished and lost. Its features looked about, confused, before again the fog of oblivion took it from Liel's sight.

Xanah felt the spell leave them even as they shaped it, the almost divine understanding fading away as if into shadow. It was a euphoric and yet devastating thing, to give up magic thus. To feel comprehension and understanding of one of the secrets of the Actuality be released into the world. To push Sorcery into a spell was to push power into it, raw and primal. This though? This was something else entirely, and though it was exhilarating it was always also a little melancholy. The magic took Xanah’s words and twisted them, reshaping them to the eyes, ears, and minds of all present. It was not a subtle enchantment, it didn’t need to be. Runes rose from their lips, reshaping the words, and instead of the blunt insults all present both heard and saw the pleasantries she spoke.

“Our most sincere apologies for intruding upon your domain, Lord of the Citadel. Many are the tales of your great wisdom, and thus we come before you not to make demands, but to humbly beseech you to hear our questions. Penitent as we are.”

Its featureless head shifted back and forth between Xanah and Shuistliel, and though it had no eyes to speak of, Shuistliel could feel the weighted gaze upon her axe.

“Lord of the Citadel, yes.”

It whispered, in a voice that was not the voice it had used a moment before. It was dreamlike, hazy and heady. A voice meant to sing a lullaby. This voice vibrated with power, a cloak it wove from the dreamstuff which made up its own form. Its own spellwork joined the heady mix that filled the air, the hazy images of countless ravens within its body. These grew, still shrouded in mist, a mantle of black feathers that rested upon its back.

“That is what I have always been. This is my nest, you are the penitents.”

Was it trying to convince them, or itself?

Writing Prompts

• Shuistliel has bought a moment’s reprieve before the fight starts, but the entity has drawn on its own unknown magic as well.
• If you choose to continue dialogue, keep it to a sentence or four at most, as we’re still in Action Mode.
• I’ve described a bit about what your magic looks like and feels like, if you decide to skip the parlay and get straight to spell slinging, be sure to expand upon that.

Threads

• Go talk to the Unkindness
  • Talk with Magister Kuros about flight
    • Accept the Magister's bargain
  • Learn more about names from Magister Lui
  • Discover what has invaded the Nest
• Retrieve five Cordovin Stones from the Ruined Expanses Bleed

Chapter I - Act II: Games of Chance

Sooth Deck: The Enticing Jewel

Effects: Effective level of all Invisible magic is raised by 1, or Sorcery cost reduced by 1

Divination: "When the Enticing Jewel is turned, everything focuses upon it. Most of the time, this is one of the most positive cards that can be revealed. It indicates success in one’s endeavor. It suggests beauty and wealth. At the very least, even if not actual success, the Enticing Jewel is the potential for success, which in itself can be encouraging (because sometimes there is no possibility for success). Still, the card has a darker side, because it also suggests greed and a love of wealth, and the dangers of such things."

The gathered Vislae responded as their kind almost always did to unexpected provocation, with the weaving of magic. The air suddenly became heavy, laden with the energy of multiple crafted sorceries, words of power and arcane gestures filling the space with intent. Most of it was deadly, and none more so than the crafting of the Maker. Her transformation was horrifying, the promise of violence made all the more real by the savagery she had evidently inflicted upon herself to achieve it. It was the physical manifestation of her inner psyche, the turmoil of countless souls bubbling to the surface and bellowing a Demonic challenge.

For Aldrion the magic was a far subtler thing, a shimmering of the light in the shape of an orb, resting just in front of his raised hand. So quick, so easy to miss, easy to overlook. It would take but a thought, a flick of fingers, and that neigh invisible orb could be expanded. The connection he felt to his own could be built upon, grown, shared. Yes, it allowed him to contain and control, but it was more than that. It was extending that connection to the Actuality itself.

Shuistliel’s workings were swift as a cutting blade, sharp as a piercing fang. There was a sharp moment, a piercing twist, a cutting of reality itself, and suddenly they were in the nest. The creature twisted in shocked surprise at their sudden appearance, almost retreating from her in fear. Then it seemed to find itself, standing its ground. All shape and color had retreated from in in that moment, leaving only a vague outline of a humanoid form filled with the night sky, bereft of all but a handful of stars. Into that eerie form came one of the faces again, avian and wise, yet diminished and lost. Its features looked about, confused, before again the fog of oblivion took it from Liel's sight.

Xanah felt the spell leave them even as they shaped it, the almost divine understanding fading away as if into shadow. It was a euphoric and yet devastating thing, to give up magic thus. To feel comprehension and understanding of one of the secrets of the Actuality be released into the world. To push Sorcery into a spell was to push power into it, raw and primal. This though? This was something else entirely, and though it was exhilarating it was always also a little melancholy. The magic took Xanah’s words and twisted them, reshaping them to the eyes, ears, and minds of all present. It was not a subtle enchantment, it didn’t need to be. Runes rose from their lips, reshaping the words, and instead of the blunt insults all present both heard and saw the pleasantries she spoke.

“Our most sincere apologies for intruding upon your domain, Lord of the Citadel. Many are the tales of your great wisdom, and thus we come before you not to make demands, but to humbly beseech you to hear our questions. Penitent as we are.”

Its featureless head shifted back and forth between Xanah and Shuistliel, and though it had no eyes to speak of, Shuistliel could feel the weighted gaze upon her axe.

“Lord of the Citadel, yes.”

It whispered, in a voice that was not the voice it had used a moment before. It was dreamlike, hazy and heady. A voice meant to sing a lullaby. This voice vibrated with power, a cloak it wove from the dreamstuff which made up its own form. Its own spellwork joined the heady mix that filled the air, the hazy images of countless ravens within its body. These grew, still shrouded in mist, a mantle of black feathers that rested upon its back.

“That is what I have always been. This is my nest, you are the penitents.”

Was it trying to convince them, or itself?

Writing Prompts

• Shuistliel has bought a moment’s reprieve before the fight starts, but the entity has drawn on its own unknown magic as well.
• If you choose to continue dialogue, keep it to a sentence or four at most, as we’re still in Action Mode.
• I’ve described a bit about what your magic looks like and feels like, if you decide to skip the parlay and get straight to spell slinging, be sure to expand upon that.

Threads

• Go talk to the Unkindness
  • Talk with Magister Kuros about flight
    • Accept the Magister's bargain
  • Learn more about names from Magister Lui
  • Discover what has invaded the Nest
• Retrieve five Cordovin Stones from the Ruined Expanses Bleed