“What in the… how’d I gain a skill level?” Even before chomping into her food, Danielle swiped her fingers across her arm, revealing the notification from the system. “Oh! Aura of Refinement? I haven't seen an upgrade in this skill for more than a year. It’s… what!”
Skill increase! Aura of Refinement [Level 8 (Extensive) → Level 9 (Master)]!
Requirement to advance to level 10: Decide what a beautiful life looks like to you...
2024-11-04 12:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostMoments after they crossed the threshold into the manor, the clattering and screeching of metal and mechanics went quiet as cables and hoses descended from the shadows of the ceiling. After only a few moments, the Beast had been hooked into the system and was gently lifted a few inches off the floor. Then, with a quiet *hiss* of steam from above, the towering entity began gliding through the stone hallway like the ghost of an entire workshop.
Although Danielle was uncertain whe...
2024-11-01 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostDanielle settled into her bed in the room provided by the automatons with a sigh. Though she was relatively safe and well-fed, her inquisitive mind was starting to grow bored. The first few days when she’d been not-quite a guest had been a whirlwind of mechanical marvels and interesting concepts. Now, she was simply growing frustrated, as the machines she truly wanted to study—the automated kitchen, wall guardians, and Beast—were far out of her reach.
“Sneezy, any chance the Bea...
2024-10-30 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostThe ground shook beneath her feet, and Danielle yelped while instinctively bracing for impact—fully expecting to be crushed by the terrifying metal contraption. Instead, it abruptly halted only a few feet away, its looming form draping a dark shadow over her. A half-dozen glowing, crystalline structures in the shape of eyes fixated on her with menacing intensity, a cold blue light sweeping over Danielle as it thoroughly scanned her.
Though her heart was still racing from the ini...
2024-10-28 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostDanielle stood alone at the edge of town, her mind flooded with confusion and determination. To her great surprise, she was to find her way to the Artificer’s estate on her own. “They gave me a pack of food, clothes that aren't my own, and a map. Why? Why would they send me out on my own, knowing I might simply make a run for it?”
Taking the first step was the hardest, as the soldier’s pack they had given her felt immense and threw her balance off. For just a moment, she hesitat...
2024-10-25 11:00:18 +0000 UTC View PostSwaying on her feet, Danielle nodded several times. “So there's nothing I can do to save him?”
“As I told you before, I'm a merciful man.” Gasteel opened his arms once more, though this time only half as far as before, leaving him in a slightly guarded position. “Were you to become my wife, both of our desires would be fulfilled. I certainly wouldn't accrue demerits for having my wife help me recruit people, and no one would think twice about my father-in-law being confined to...
2024-10-23 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostDanielle's eyes burned from the strain of poring over the dense, convoluted laws of Verdelune. The language of the text was a labyrinth of legal jargon seemingly designed to confuse, deter, and be impenetrable to the common reader—and it certainly might have been to someone less determined.
Luckily, the Enchantress had a solid foundation learning how to parse blueprints, technical manuals, and philosophical debates, thanks to her long years of attempting to persuade the system t...
2024-10-21 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostBy noon, Danielle was seated in a tent erected in the center of the town square, tasked with assisting Lefroupe with the inprocessing of the new Greenhorns and conscripts. The air was thick with tension between the two groups, as there was already a clear divide growing.
Those who had taken the leap and volunteered—whether out of patriotism, a thirst for adventure, or simply to avoid the shame of being unfavorably compared to Danielle—now stood tall and proudly. Their chins we...
2024-10-18 11:00:09 +0000 UTC View PostAs they marched into town, the eyes of all of the townspeople turned on to them, and a flare of golden text scrawled along Danielle's arm.
Skill increase! Unified Radiance [Level 1 (Minimal) → Level 2 (Limited)]!
Requirement to advance to level 3: Enhance 100 objects and sell them for at least a 50% increase in price OR publicly receive a sincere marriage proposal.
“Fifty people were envious of me? For this embarrassment?...
2024-10-16 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostThe following morning, Danielle was startled awake by a small explosion and the exuberant voice of Henri, her father. “Happy birthday, my dear!”
Her bleary eyes opened to the sight of confetti raining down around her, focusing in on a face beaming with an infectious cheerfulness. “No~o. It's too early to be my birthday.”
“Not even a little! Now come on, breakfast is ready, and I have something special for you!” The man paused for a moment, but Danielle o...
2024-10-14 11:00:11 +0000 UTC View PostDanielle Marie Tinkersdottir walked down the cobbled streets of Frontière, a small town in the furthest reaches of Verdelune. Each step was filled with confidence and poise, an undeniable natural grace shining through despite her best efforts to hide it. She wore plain clothes befitting her station as the daughter of a humble Tinkerer, a toymaker who earned just enough to allow them to live peacefully in the sleepy border town.
Only one small addition to her clothing set her apar...
2024-10-11 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostThe high stone walls of the castle loomed over Sir Gasteel Anton Leiter as he marched through the gates with his chest thrust out and shoulders pulled back, saluting each High Knight he walked past. Even though he had been invited here by the king himself, ignoring military protocol would have been enough reason for the High Knights to delay him and ruin his introduction to the peerage.
Once he passed every living obstacle, a smirk found itself lucky enough to grace his lips. It o...
2024-10-09 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostThe throne room of the Spring Palace shimmered with a thousand hues as sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows far overhead. The marble floors had colorful patterns dancing across them, meticulously arranged decorations of flowers and silks coated the room and thousands of candles sparkling throughout the area.
Bella stood in front of the throne, heart fluttering as she tried to swallow down her nervousness. She shifted side to side, somewhat uncomfortable in the elega...
2024-10-07 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostBella was rocked gently to and fro as Bibbidy’s carriage clattered along the cobblestones. Her godmother looked at her, a small smile on her face, “That was quite shocking, wasn't it?”
“She bluntly proposed to me on behalf of her son.” Bella shook her head ever so slowly. “That's not how it's supposed to work, is it? Marriage is supposed to be for love.”
“Let's just say there are many reasons to get married, and some are certainly more valid than oth...
2024-10-04 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostHello, friends!
I wanted to let you know that I started an awesome high-end kickstarter project!
You can find it here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dakotakrout/ritualist-grimoire-edition
I hope you come take a look, and consider being a part of it! We're adding in cool new stretch goals, and soon adding in a tier for numbered editions as ...
2024-10-03 18:03:19 +0000 UTC View Post“Bella!” Bibbidy screamed in horror, only for Cinder’s furious bellow to drown her out.
Sparks flew off of him, swirling through the air and bursting into massive explosions all over the area—everywhere except where the Witch stood, holding her dangling stepdaughter. “Ahh, ha-ha-ha-haaa! Don’t even want to char her corpse, prince of flames? Then I have an effective shield, don’t I?”
*Hiss.* A black and white tail lifted thr...
2024-10-02 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post“You have no power here, Fairy!” Matringa screeched as she jabbed a finger at Bibbidy. “What are you going to do, sell me something? You're on my land, and I didn't start this fight! I haven't broken any of the accords, so you can't get involved.”
“I’m here for Bella,” the ageless woman sternly explained, remaining cautious but confident. Through her exhaustion, Bella felt a swell of love and gratitude for her godmother, finding the energy to hold on just...
2024-09-30 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post“You should know better than to anger a Witch!” Matringa’s howling voice convinced Bella to work harder to shift herself from under the table, but no matter how she pushed, she couldn't move the several hundred pounds of wood caging her in. “It can put you in a prickly situation!”
The house shook under Bella as the roof and mobile hedge slammed into the ground, damaging the walls of the main floor. Shredded and splintered items fell to the ground all around h...
2024-09-27 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostThe death of the first tiger sent the others into a rage, all five of the enormous Beasts focusing their fury on the source of the flame: Prince Cinder. Bella had rushed back to the blasted-out window, the cacophony of battle drawing her to return, even though the shards of glass cut into her feet. Angry roars were countered with grunts of exertion and sharp orders from the royal guards protecting the prince, and huge paws were caught on the standard-issue kite shields they were required to c...
2024-09-25 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post- Bella -
“Those are some intense hedges.” Bella deepened her voice as she made up the conversation that must be happening among the people in the procession driving onto the lawn at this very moment. “Yes, indeed, obviously, those are completely natural. Let's walk past them and expect to be able to leave whenever we want. Because, why wouldn't we be able to?”
She shook her head angrily, looking away from the window and dashing away the tears threat...
2024-09-23 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostGiving Bella a glare of warning as she stalked out of the room, Matringa marched to the main door and yanked it open.
Bella was standing near the door of the dining room and peered through the crack between the door and its frame to try and see what was happening. All she could see was a sudden tension in her stepmother's posture before she was roughly shoved out of the way by Malvagio.
“Move!” the older girl hissed at Bella, who flinched away in horror as she saw the da...
2024-09-20 11:00:12 +0000 UTC View Post- Bella -
The night passed fitfully for Bella as she tried to get any sleep she possibly could, but only managed to snatch small sections of shuteye. Early, very early, she heard her stepfamily arrive home. They burst into the house, practically shouting in excitement, with Cattiva running around and sending plumes of dust falling from the floorboards above Bella's head. The one voice the Beast Singer was dreading the most, Matringa, was silent.
She waited and waited...
2024-09-18 11:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post- Prince Cinder -
Cinder turned and walked away from the doors of the palace, knowing there was nothing he should do to catch up to the fleeing Bella. He held the glass slipper in his hand, staring at it with confusion. “She gave me her shoe. Why would she give me her shoe? She already told me who she was and where to find her. What am I supposed to do with this?”
Returning to the masquerade, he put an easy smile on his face and started making his way through...
2024-09-16 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostShe was struggling to escape his arms, as Ash had reflexively clamped down when she turned to run. “Bella! What's the matter with you? You need to come with me and meet the queen, you don't understand-”
“You don't understand!” She frantically yanked her arm away, turning and diving into the crowd. He moved along with her, keeping pace despite her desperate speed.
“With a Breakthrough Skill, you are a strategic resource of the kingdom,” Ash informed her w...
2024-09-13 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post- Bella -
The two of them sat in their small alcove, both staring at each other without saying a word. Ash raised an eyebrow, his skepticism barely concealed by the mask he was wearing. When he finally broke the silence, his tone was laden with doubt. “I've made several conversational faux pas with you today, and I don't want to make another… but… you're claiming to have earned a Breakthrough Skill, and it's unawakened? I suppose I don't need to tell you how unlikely...
2024-09-11 11:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post- Cinder -
Prince Cinder staggered to the refreshment table, reaching over and snagging a cup of ice-cold punch. Tossing it back in one quick pull, he grabbed another before swaying slightly in exhaustion as he turned to survey the grand ballroom. As he slowly sipped the second drink, he watched as lines of masked dancers swirled around, dancing to the lively tune the musicians were playing. Between the formal wear, the masks, the lowered lighting, and the bright glow coming from...
2024-09-09 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostAfter quickly switching out her fancy, Matringa-provided dress for a simple, already-dirty servant’s version, Bella stuffed the straw satchel down the front and carefully pulled herself into the tunnel head-first.
As it was still spring, the dirt around her was damp and cool to the touch, barely firm enough to remain in place as she began crawling forward, jamming one elbow forward at a time and pushing through. Small scrapes began to accumulate as she shoved past small rocks, h...
2024-09-06 11:00:11 +0000 UTC View PostBella was shaken awake a short while later and blinked in surprise as she looked around. She expected to be back at House Vigatori, with the greasy driver tossing her out so he could get back to his own bed, so she couldn't quite believe her eyes when she saw the familiar face of her godmother, Bibbidy.
“You don't have much time, sweet girl.” Her Godmother smiled sadly. “I feel the power of a system oath in your heart. Already it is calling you, reminding you to fulfill its purpos...
2024-09-04 11:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post- Bella -
Bella stood in front of the full-length mirror, the reflection showing a pale, weary ghost of a girl framed in an elegant, completely out-of-style dress. It was slate gray with intricate embroidery subtly hinting at an allegiance to a foreign kingdom. Overall, her appearance was that of an exhausted person who was perhaps attending the royal ball to create some anti-kingdom sentiment. “No one’s going to be sad seeing me leave tonight, that's for sure.”
Though she k...
2024-09-02 11:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post“Are you quite certain, Your Highness?” The high level Captain of the Royal Guard looked around the massive open meadow as though assassins were hiding behind the daffodils. “I know Her Majesty the Queen permitted this outing, but I’d been hoping you would be open to an escort. Only for your safety. I would even swear to tell no one of your deeds this day, even if… perhaps you have a young lady from one of the noble families meeting you out here?”
“Nothing so risq...
2024-08-30 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post