The Eternal Empire has stood for 14 millennia and has endured hundreds of wars, calamities, and rulers of every type. For the first time under the reign of House Heinrich, an armed expedition has been sent into the Lost Reaches.
Far from an exploration attempt, it's chasing the promise of piratical treasure.
>Year 1209, Great Tree Moon >24 Years After the Conclusion of the Fodlan Unification War
You are Tristain d’Rusalka. Your entire life, you were told that you were the spitting image of your late father, Rex. A great warrior of the late Adrestian Empire, Rex had terrorized battlefields throughout the continent of Fodlan during the era of its warring three nations. Though you’d never met him, stories of his battles and deeds had hounded you your entire life. You’d heard how he’d ventured into the old enemy nation of Almyra, defeating their warlords and claiming a legendary spear. How he’d sacked the city of Charon, putting its rulers to the sword. And, ultimately, how he’d met his end just before you were born, in a fateful duel against his adopted sister, the Countess Blair. The bards of Rusalka at least had the common decency to refrain from performing that last tale in your presence.
And why wouldn’t they? For it was not just Rex’s appearance that you’d inherited. You possessed the same innate martial talent that had made your father so feared. You and your mother had been taken in by his slayer and treated like family. There was no expense spared in your upbringing. From an early age, you had an affinity for warfare. You’d attended the Officer’s Academy of Garreg Mach, where you were afforded a good education and a mastery of arms. You obtained a solid understanding of battlefield tactics and fundamentals. You’d even shown an aptitude for magic, which you had learned from your mother, an adept sorceress. Even with all these talents, the Goddess must have felt you were not yet a complete package, for you’d also been bestowed with two unique gifts: The Crests of Indech and Macuil. Though the nature of Crests was still largely unknown, you had the ability to call upon innate power that few others in this world could claim.
With all of these boons, it was no secret that you were destined for greatness. You had the potential to be the most powerful warrior Fodlan ever knew. A conqueror who commanded armies with strength and zeal, laying waste to all in his path. The Goddess’ perfect killing machine. Even your own father would pale in comparison to the deeds you would achieve.
There was only one problem.
You were born in an era of unending, ceaseless peace. It was this poor stroke of fate that found you now sitting alone on a merchant ship sailing on the high seas, drunk off strong, Almyran rum.
You winced as you took a swig from your faithful flask. Sure, peace was all well and nice if you were an olive merchant or a playwright. You were certain that the infirm and overweight also slept soundly at night. But what about the warriors?! Those who threw themselves into adventure and glory, treading where none would dare? How were you meant to find your place in this world?
With the majority of the Seventh Universe united under the banner of the PTO, Emperor Cooler at its head, the universe has known a time of unrivaled peace. But in the shadows threats have been growing, nursing grudges against the PTO and the Saiyan race in particular. And now those threats are rising, stepping out of the shadows to openly challenge the established order. Seeking nothing short of the destruction of New Salda and the extinction of the entire Saiyan race, can you prevent this outcome? Or will the Saiyan race be reduced to nothing more than memories, their heroes nothing more than ink in the pages of the history books?
You the players will (most often) control Karn; wielder of the mighty Berserker Soul and hope of the entire PTO, not only the Saiyan race. From his lowly beginnings as a Saiyan Brawler with a sub-3000 powerlevel in Age 733, only a few years into his time as a member of the PTO, he has grown in power and skill, overcoming the world-ending threats that have come for the Saiyans to become the strongest Saiyan of his time at AGE 758. From the massive Covenant empire to demonic incursions, mad cultists to vengeful gods, none have been strong or clever enough to put down Karn for good. But will one man's power be enough to protect everyone from the rising threats? Or will death come from those who you least expect it from? Your choices may mean the difference between survival and extinction, so choose carefully.
Quest rules are as follows(unless otherwise noted): >30 minute vote times >Pick ONLY ONE option when voting >Dice rolls are all best of first three correctly-rolled dice >One dice roll per person per post unless three players have not yet rolled, and ten minutes has passed since your previous roll >Crits are 100 on a d100(a 99 or paired rolls may net you an extra bonus) >Crit fails are a 1/100 with no passing rolls, or if two 1s are rolled regardless of the third >Write-ins are both allowed and encouraged, but OOC options will be ignored >If your goal is simply to troll, at least put in enough effort to make it funny >Have fun
SCQ will usually start on Saturdays at noon Eastern Standard Time, and run throughout the weekend. Also, for updates or schedule changes you can find me on twitter @GrandDragonQM, which I keep as up to date with any scheduling changes as soon as possible.
That morning, under a bright and cold sun, you wake with a good feeling in your gut. A feeling that today might be the day that you leave this damn mountain, hopefully never to return. With each hour that passes, the feeling sinks its claws deeper and deeper into you. Restless, you pace the manor grounds between time spent gazing wistfully through the grimy windows at the path beyond the walls.
Then, finally, you see movement – the first of many wagons to rumble slowly into view. You stare at them for a long moment, as if you can't quite believe that they're really here. To actually see the object of your imagination after so long feels unreal, like you might still be dreaming. Then, shaking off your wonder, you hurry to gather your companions and open the outer gates.
It's time to leave.
-
“So...” Bear begins, looking around in confusion, “Where's the old boy?”
“Munroe is... unavailable,” you answer vaguely, watching as the few remaining servants mechanically unload crates and barrels from the wagons. It's good that they're here - if the King really sends his men to the manor as you hope, they'll need supplies.
“Unavailable,” the heavyset man repeats, squinting up at the manor windows as if expecting to see the old servant peering out. He thinks for what seems like a very long time, then shrugs. “Whatever,” he says, “So long as we're getting paid for this delivery, it really doesn't matter to me. You guys want a lift down the mountain?”
“Absolutely,” you confirm, “I thought you'd never ask.”
-
You're endlessly impressed by the capacity for blindness and deafness that well-paid men are capable of. Despite the fact that you load Eleanora onto a wagon with hands bound and mouth gagged, Bear's men don't even spare her a second glance. They simply make some room on the wagon for the extra passenger and carry on with their work. For her part, the Martense girl glares at you with her pale blue eyes and gnaws at her gag in frustration. You feel no guilt about keeping her gagged – she has nothing to say that might be worth listening to.
After the initial rush of fear and rage cools, you notice a new fascination creep into Eleanora's eyes. She gazes about her as the wagon rumbles down the mountain, passing ridges lined with trees and long grass. This must feel like a whole other reality compared with the dark, subterranean world that she grew up with. A shame, then, that she'll only have the chance to experience this new world for a very short time.
ARKANSAS, USA — Authorities in Arkansas have activated an Amber Alert with hopes of locating a missing teen.
She is described as being 5'00" in height and weighing about 100 pounds with with blue hair and green eyes.
She was last seen wearing a white short shirt that has a large brown stripe and black pants.
Reports say she could be traveling with someone she met online. She was also seen with two backpacks, one of which was blue. She also has a cat with her that is black with brown spots.
She may be traveling in a silver SUV with black wheels that has had the license plate removed.
Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts is urged to contact the Logan County Sheriff's Office at (703) 587-3399.
You are Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, the silver-eyed warrior queen of the kingdom whose name you share as your regnal title, and after years of conflict with the Organization that created you and your cohort things appear to have finally hit peak madness.
Using the flesh and blood of monsters to create monster-hunters with supernatural powers was one thing. Using the flesh and blood of monsters to create the monsters your monster-hunters were ostensibly created to hunt was quite another. Somewhat convoluted if you’re honest, but to be fair there’s a series of internally-consistent reasons behind that which the Organization believed made it necessary. And now that you’ve seen one of the ‘asarakam’ – the monsters used to create the yōma used to create warriors like you – you can’t say you disagree with the conclusion.
So far you’re the only one of your kind who’s actually tried to attack an asarakam, and while you can’t say it was ‘harmless’ the fact remains that you actually bounced off its armored body. That means a large number of warriors here with you won’t be able to do much of anything at all – the ducklings, the former trainees, and even several of the survivors from your initial suicide mission would struggle to make a difference. That means asking them to charge across open ground with you would be asking them to take on a meaningless risk, and you’re not going to do that.
“Anyone want to run across that open field with me?” you ask aloud. “Half-awakened and awakened only please.”
Hands go up instantly.
“Helen,” you decide. Her ‘Echo Sword’ helps her change directions rapidly even without partially awakening, which means that in terms of slippery targets for human riflemen and artillery she’s one of the best to call upon.
“Serana.” The Earthbreaker can also be used defensively, even one-handed, to raise a massive cloud of dust and debris. And if you’re being honest, you’re not sure that you can deny her.
“Sabela.” Your mother is pretty much immortal, so asking her to follow you this time is hardly an imposition.
“Justina.” She nods once and says nothing. Of all the half-awakened warriors Justina is the only one who was originally a defensive-type… back when that was more often a meaningful distinction. That means her regenerative capacity is particularly extreme, so if she gets blown up a little it’s more of a temporary setback than an actual problem. >1/2
It is a time of celebration! A grand festival of talent that has swept up all of Chuan, and not just those dwelling within the world of cultivation. The regal and resplendent tournament hosted by your dignified and majestic Palace of Natural Laws Sect (宫殿的野生彝宪, Gōngdiàndīyěshēngyíxiàn) that had excited everyone from the meagerest of pauper to the most venerable of daoist sages, has truly begun, with the little people of Chuan being given precedence and a chance to prove their worth to the arrogant and haughty cultivators, a group whom surely you the ever humble Huanliuxue (欢流血, Happy Bloodshed/ Happy to Shed Blood) the peerless genius founder of the heretical ghostly technique the Ruler of the Great Wheel's Law(统治者的这重大轮回法律, Tǒngzhìzhědīzhèzhòngdàlúnhuífǎl) cannot possibly be counted among. Already, two of the initial contests have produced winners, The tactician's trials narrowly being won by your first disciple, Fu of the two axe's, somewhat delinquent but well meaning little sister Ju, and a true genius emerging in the scholar's tests in the form of Ma Wencheng, former tax collector and imperial scholar.
Though while they have earned themselves a place amongst your disciples, you've found several other competitiors from both of the completed pre Qi condensation contests who could serve you and the palace of natural laws in ways besides filling its roster and becoming your students. Five scholars and eight strategists, much to the indignation of the other sect heads of Chuan, who had been ready to recruit the best of the runner ups before you pulled rank and used your privilege as a host to snatch the best of the losers and bring them into your employ.
And the most annoyed of the venerable, sagacious masters who are supposedly are your peerage, The Current Weiwupo (Great Witch, 伟 巫婆) of the innocent witch court (清白巫婆宫廷, Qīngbáiwūpó gōngtíng), was given the honor of observing the next two contests at your side, along with your friend, Lian Tianhua (莲 天花, Lotus Heavenly flower), the head of the thousand hall (千莲花殿堂, Qiānliánhuādiàntáng) and matriarch of the Lian clan, to whom your genius student Lian Luli, her little sister, unfortunately belongs to considering the inheritance she received from it.
And while the alchemist trials and crafting contests were partially meant to be a way to show off the material wealth of your heretical temple, both of them have proven to be far more exciting than even the most pitched battles of the tactician's bouts! What wonderous treasures these mortals have crafted with materials too rare to be found even in the nine heavens!
You are a masterless wanderer, a spell or sword for hire. The bards and romantics call you an adventurer. You are poor and have no renown, only just starting out. You've come to the Restless West in search of fortune, fame or power. Maybe all three. Your past is behind you and the long road ahead of you.
From where do you hail?
>Each choice gives a cultural Skill and three classes the region is known to produce. Our character doesn't necessarily have to be of those three.
>Mysido the Magical nation (White, black, red mages) Every Mysidan receives a basic understanding of magic and aether, even if you can't cast. You gain the Arcane Adept Skill.
>The Northern Grahla Tribes - (Dark Knight, Dragoon, Ranger) Chill winds and harsh winters carve through the northern fjords and mountain valleys of Grahla. Everyone learns how to survive, hunt, kill, and track prey. You gain the Huntsman Skill.
>The Eastern Ryuukage kingdom (Samurai, ninja, monk) Your politeness and socializing skills are great. You know how to sway and influence people into liking you. You gain the Immaculate Etiquette Skill.
Quest’s Summary: You play as Pangea, the daughter of The Emperor created to be an emotional support for the primarchs after Malcador convinced the Emperor that the primarchs, while powerful, are ultimately human. Pangea would act as a way to secure the primarch’s loyalty to The Emperor by having the primarchs relying Pangea as their emotional support… if Pangea remains loyal that is.
Instead of voidsmen-at-arms, custodians guarded the giant halls. Ceramite shimmered in every corner. Sharp edges and sleek arches decorated the halls, the sign of the Aquila bore in every corner. Tiny clicks and clacks echoed, engines hummed as the techpriests maintained the machines in their strange rituals.
—This is your first time leaving Segmentum Solar, are you nervous?—
“A little.” Pangea said.
The Emperor of Mankind and Pangea sat across from each other at a long table. Pangea still remembered as a child she wanted nothing but Father’s attention. Yet, upon realizing what she was made for, and his attention once Horus had been found, not to mention Alpharius’s advice… <span class="mu-s">A tiny bud of ugly jealousy and infectious doubt rose, hiding beneath a myriad of other emotions.*</span>
—And how is the food?—
“It’s good. Father,”
The Emperor shifted ever so slightly in his seat. He knew the situation. After neglecting her for so long, now that his primarchs are being found he reveals her purpose. To his daughter, it would seem that now that she is useful he is making the overdue connection now. Malcador already warned him to tread carefully, as Pangea was very much human, and a teenager, the worst combination known to humanity. Gifts and a well made apology was the first step, the rest? Not even Malcador truly knew.
Pangea shook her head. “More or less… but the visions does not haunt me anymore. I’ve learned to endure it.”
—Good. That is the result of your training, be sure not to stray from it.—
“Yes, Father.” Pangea said with a brief roll of her eyes.
The clacking of the utensils filled the silence.
>—Has your foresight been giving you trouble?— >—Are there any hobbies that interests you?— >—Has there been anything that has been troubling you?—
A world where might makes right. A world of Jade and Gold, of Phoenix and Dragons, of Pills and Talismans, of Martial and Spiritual arts. A world where diligent training yield strength, meaning freedom. A world where loneliness means death, meaning social chains. A world still unfair, as the ones reaching the heavens are most likely born rich - be it political riches of the aristocrats, power of secret knowledges and hidden realms of clans, or lucky enough to be born one-in-a-thousand genius.
This was not the case of Quiet Word - that is, (You). Your current skill level being on par with said genius of your age? Lucky encounters and a knack for navigating social situations. You know a fair amount of technic for such a young cultivator, but your strength lies in the impressive amount of Bonded Spiritual Beasts - A no-longer Hawk spirit, a Horse spirit, a Snake spirit and a Wolf spirit. Speaking of that last one, you didn't told a world about him to anybody. As a scion of the Primordial Wolf spirit, its father warned you of its worth and how people could want to rip it away from you. Said worth comes from its ability to Fuse without restriction - fusion being a secret of the higher ranking of your sect, secret you have almost completely rediscovered on your own. Alright, the Primordial Wolf might have helped you on that point.
Recently, you discovered a dao more than well suited to you : the way of the Rising Phoenix. Your Hawk spirit evolved into titular Rising Phoenix, the Hawk's Wide Ballet turned into the Rising Phoenix's Wide ballet and you discovered a new mind tempering technique in the Poem of the Rising Phoenix. You are half a step away from opening the Mouth Aperture, the latest small realm before 2nd stage. This is mainly thanks to insane gain reached while you were in your first ever seclusion. Right now, you are getting ready for the Yearly Tournament. Said Yearly Tournament you fully expect to win brightly : one of your trump is strong enough to take down anyone barring Dhundan.
