Long ago, when mankind was young, torn from the chaos of the world by the light of the Judge of All Things, they struggled to understand the world that had been given to them. As order overcame nature, they were surprised and dismayed by the unpleasantness of their world. It was cold, ferocious, and desolate, where the strong devoured the weak alive, and life before the division of heaven and earth was a mad struggle to kill, or die.
“Judge Above,” Mankind lamented, “Is our lot truly naught but to suffer? If so, then take from us this curse of life, so we may at least find peace.”
In those days, the Judge was said to not be silent, as he was even when the First Saint was bequeathed his law, as Mankind was pitifully young. “Despair not,” spoke he, however he did so, “Warm yourselves with the strength you find in one another and that I have given you yourselves. The darkest day shall pass, and afterwards, the light of Judgement and Order will set aflame a new morning, and your world will be a beauteous paradise beyond your imagination. So it shall be forevermore.”
The people were doubtful of the latter claim, but did believe a day darker than they had known would come. So they stood against it, resolved to endure, and survived, but indeed, that day was the darkest to ever descend upon Mankind. Afterwards, the great cold and dark was broken, never to return, as Mankind was fully freed by the light of Order. In celebration and reverence, Mankind would celebrate the Darkest Day of each year as what is known as Langenachtfest in the Grossreich. For what better cause to celebrate could there be, than the beginning of the end of winter? The remembrance of the terrible times of old, and how they came to an end- whatever grim tides may rise, shall be endured, and in its wake, stand Mankind resilient…
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<span class="mu-i">December 21, 1933</span>
Langenachtfest season, here in Ysenhof. A city in the heartlands of the Grossreich of Czeiss, the most powerful, greatest nation on the continent, but one that wasn’t so big, and rather west to be anywhere happening and hip. A blanket of snow rested atop the canopy of the city, a fresh dusting covering surfaces previously swept and scraped clean. Twinkling, warm lights were hung alongside holly and winterbloom wherever it could be fit, paper recreations of fruit dangling from the branches of park trees regardless of if they were even the sort to sprout it. Couples could be found all over- most of them fresh in the making, which would be lucky to last. ‘Twas the season.
This is part 4 of the "side quest" for "Disappearing Hogwarts". An unofficial alternate timeline based on HeadQM´s highly praised quest, Disappearing Hogwarts. Reading the original story is not exactly necessary but heavily encouraged. Created mostly as a place to wait while HeadQM was away for a while but slowly evolved into his own thing.
Quick recap so far: Recently graduated Ravenclaw student is hired at Hogwarts as the new Caretaker. Something dangerous and mysterious is happening. Harry Potter is the new Headmaster of Hogwarts and extremely stressed. Somehow, you can see ancient magic. Peeves ripped out your foot. Merlin himself is stuck in your head and slowly recovering his memories. Potter’s daughter also had a powerful wizard inside her head. Tactically used your enormous penis to somehow turn said wizard into a metaphorical vegetable by erasing his mind. You have a sportsy German girlfriend. And you are now in a coma and she is the new MC for a bit. What will happen now? Let's find out!
Your old colleague, Lux, spread her arms on the circular table. She clasped her hands and shook with her head flat on the table. Her blond hair shimmered under the cloudless sunny day. A gentle breeze waved past, cooling the surrounding area of the outdoor cafe you sat in. Her canine ears drooped down.
"How did this come by anyways?"
Lux pulled herself back up. She ate a mouthful of her slice of strawberry cake. Her eyes closed tight in a brief, blissful, sugar high. The coffee, topped with five sugar cube and cream, was raised by Lux, she jerked her head back and downed the sugary abomination of what was a Lunarian Coffee. Lux let out a long and content sigh.
"Our headmistress wanted us faculties to look for new teachers, not from our usual alumnis or the list of candidates. Someone outside of the student's... lifestyle. They need a teacher who needs to ground them in relaity."
You are Kuroda Haruka and <span class="mu-r">King Lot of Lothian, Orkney and Camelot.</span>
It's been an interesting week, you've sparred against Dread Agreste, learned a bit more about the personalities populating Camelot like the Candy Maker and Spy, tried to figure out more about the Romans and their empire and got gifted a very useful Relic by Emperor Lucius Hiberius.
Of course, getting something nice and useful doesn't mean that Lucius Hiberius is genuinely interested in befriending you. It seems more like the opening of trying win an oath of fealty to make her Kingdom more powerful. Also, she placed a bounty on capturing 'Queen Guinevere' alive because she fancies the boy... No matter how you think on that, it's not a comfortable discovery.
Oh, and you discovered that Avalon is the grave of many Lost Children gone widdershin'. You've learned the existence of such Blessed as King Urien of Gorre, Augustus and King Pellinore.
Depressing.
Better to focus on the potential to Gate to the island of Romulus through the escaped slave Arminox. The enslaved dollman escaped from the Roman ship, Zama, and is in your custody. If you get gather enough Mana, the Anarchists will attempt to make the journey.
With that goal in mind and the return of the Guides from the Quarries and their resupply of Stones, you are ready to start raiding the World in the morning!
But first, you need to discover who died and cause the stars to fall. Yatagarasu the Guide has suggested going to the Temple...
Your name is Johan, a taxi driver that unfortunately attracted the strange and bizarre. And you were currently on a date. Or what may as well be one.
A certain playful and mischievous mime, whom you happened to meet by chance a couple of days ago in a carnival, was sitting on a chair close to your own, you were both on a table for two. Her name is Mimi. The two of you seemed to bond well, despite not knowing each other for long. This may not be much of a surprise, considering you escaped a fiery inferno with her.
<span class="mu-g">"Johan?"</span>
And yet, here your mind strangely wandered. It went to the past, one perhaps not too far away. You recalled a melancholy smile that greeted you, a woman with golden hair, and a box filled with ammunition.
<span class="mu-g">"Johan!"</span> a hand's waving calls you back to reality. You stare at a fair skinned young woman, two green eyes stare back at you with some concern. A frown adorns her thin lips.
"My apologies," you said "I must've been lost in thought."
It was a bad habit of yours to do that. You hoped it didn't mean anything serious. <span class="mu-g">Perhaps you should start eating more</span>...
You both smile at each other, and she giggles silently. A thought emerged--why did she tend to be so quiet? She was energetic in basically all other things.
You push the thought aside as you dig into your mean. The food was, some cinnamon bagels and coffee, quite nice. The coffee in particular was spectacular, the aftertaste didn't leave much to waste. Much better than that sandwich from earlier. <span class="mu-b">Did she not consume your uneaten half of it? A rather rude act.</span> <span class="mu-r">Then again you did begin eating without her, no?</span> <span class="mu-g">Nonetheless, it seemed like she didn't have many qualms about sharing food and eating before others arrived.</span>
A pleasant silence befalls you both. You think about something to talk with her about.
>"So, you work here part-time?" A relatively safe topic. >"I've noticed you're pretty dedicated to being a mime. What got you into it?" You could get a better look into her personality this way. >"How are you feeling?" She looks fine today, but last you saw her her eyes seemed tired and sad about the place she pantomimed in going up in flames. >Write-in.
The Church of the Sun uncovered an ancient secret about the world - the gods created a powerful ritual which when successfully performed can make a continent raise from the sea floor, but by doing so one or more existing continents might sink! Further research is needed, but it is possible that all major cataclysms in the past were caused by someone performing this ritual.
The ritual was uncovered by translating slabs from an ancient underwater Nagah temple recovered by an intrepid group of adventurers. According to these texts, the ritual can only be performed once per millenium at most. According to the sages calculations, the most recent ritual... was already performed a few years ago and no one noticed.
So there is a whole new continent somewhere in the Endless Ocean to be settled!
The Church of the Sun loses no time and finances an expedition to the unknown continent. Ten vessels, each with 200 crew, are sent to colonize the new land.
Many stormy months later, about half of the vessels crash land against the rocks of an unknown continent.
Sick, starving and cut off from the rest of the world, the new colonists must decide how they are going to live from now on!
But they must decide quickly - the land ahead is unforgiving, and all kinds of amphibious creatures are already beginning to claim it for themselves.
The people decide their new city will be called Naga. They get together and decide on a system of government.
> Feudal Monarchy. The traditional mode of government. Twice as much unrest can be quelled by garrisons. This means taxes can usually be higher. > Trade Republic. No fancy nobles, all government roles are elective. Trade revenue is doubled, but corruption tends to be high as well. > Tribal Confederacy. A loose alliance of clans. All tribe leaders meet in a council to organize mutual defense. Military units cost half to feed. > Theocracy. A single powerful religious order controls the land. There is no unhappiness, but research progress is halved.
You were a black dragon, a terror that haunted the dreams of mortals, your presence alone enough to drive entire regions to despair. The adventurers who dared invade your lair were no match for your might. Their swords clanged harmlessly off your scales, and their magic fizzled like raindrops against a roaring fire. One by one, you dispatched them, your strength undeniable even as their blows left painful scars across your body. The last one, the leader, lay at your feet, gasping his final breath. His defiance burned brighter than his life force. "You will pay for all those girls you kidnapped," he rasped, blood trickling from his lips. "If not in this life, then the next!"
You sneered, the sound like distant thunder. "Your curses are as pitiful as your swordsmanship." With a swift, merciless strike, you silenced him, his body falling limp in a pool of crimson. Turning, you prepared to bask in your victory and indulge in the spoils of your conquest—the captives you’d taken, trembling in the shadows. But before you could take a step, a blinding light illuminated the cavern, its radiance cutting through the darkness.
From the golden glow emerged the avatar of the elf goddess. Her form was ethereal, her silver hair flowing as if caught in a divine breeze, and her emerald eyes burned with righteous fury. You let out a growl, the deep rumble echoing off the cavern walls. "What do you want?" you demanded, your voice weary yet laced with venom. "I’ve had enough interruptions for one day."
"Return the girls, dragon," she commanded, her tone unyielding, "or I will see to it that you are punished."
A low chuckle escaped your maw. "You’re not supposed to meddle in mortal affairs, goddess. Stick to your forests and let me enjoy my spoils. The god of dragons will hear of this interference."
For a moment, the goddess hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes. But her resolve solidified, her voice ringing out like a blade striking steel. "Your atrocities cannot go unanswered. You will know the suffering you’ve inflicted."
"Wait," you began, raising a claw, "perhaps we can—"
But the goddess’s spell was already upon you. Pain seared through your body, and a blinding flash consumed your senses. When it cleared, the cool breeze of the forest replaced the stifling heat of your lair. You opened your eyes, disoriented, and found yourself lying on the forest floor, naked and vulnerable. Gone were your scales and wings, your towering form and fiery breath. You looked down in disbelief, seeing soft, pale skin and human hands.
Rage and panic surged through you. The god of dragons will hear of this, you vowed silently. But first, you had to survive. The forest around you teemed with unfamiliar sounds, and every rustle in the underbrush felt like a potential threat. Your new form was weak, fragile, and unprotected.
We're back. Sorry for the long hiatus but life got a bit hectic there.
Rules are simple: Votes are tallied every hour, with whatever course of action being the most popular being the course of action taken. Write ins are encouraged and non-mutually exclusive votes will be combined if possible.
When a roll is called for, roll however many D100 are specified. 5- is a 'crit fail' and generally means something bad is about to happen. 95+ is a 'crit success' and generally means something good just happened. a 'crit success' trumps a crit fail. User input on both will be taken into consideration.
You are Alex. A newly minted trainer and camping enthusiast just starting out on your journey at the age of seventeen after your father lost his job in order to help pay the bills. On the road, you met Fie, the Fire Gym Leader, Gareth a novice Aura Guardian on pilgrimage and Holly, a runaway heiress using a pseudonym. You've also made enemies of Team Green a group of violent, radical activists looking to abolish pokemon training.
Recently, Fie returned to her gym for the time being.
Last time, Fluffy learned Body Press and Cosmic Power, you reflected on the Golden Rule, you got to know Martha a bit more and you got in a double battle with a pair of triathletes.
