Here we go again.
“This part of the System is strange,” Merril said as he took stock of everything, finally watching the giant cards as they slowly rotated around the platform.
“I have to select the cards,” Sammy said flatly, feeling emotionally drained and facing another terrifying set of random choices. “But you can either pick or let me-”
He pointed at a card and said, “That one. Let’s get this over with if it's all random.”
Sammy stared a...
2023-07-24 22:38:48 +0000 UTC
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Estara and the other medic rushed to the fallen man, as the priestess whispered, “I can heal a bit with a spell.” She hovered her hand over his ruined leg and a glow surrounded it, staunching the loss of blood and apparently some of the pain and injury, as his face held shock and relief. They soon helped the man up to lean on a spear, holding his shield in the other hand. A chance, at least.
Sammy watched it all with a mortified grimace, as the whole matter delayed the whole group, ...
2023-07-23 22:38:48 +0000 UTC
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Sammy had no words for what she saw, so she once more sent imagery to Carlisle and her other Followers, emphasizing the marchioness in the cage. As their shock and alarm fired back and information was spread, she finally sent, “Move quickly, begin any buffs — she doesn’t have long — it’s some kind of sacrifice! Be as quiet as possible, so we can preserve surprise!”
Carlisle had the group running ahead, still with more tunnel ahead of them before the wide cavern open...
2023-07-22 23:07:42 +0000 UTC
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The journey into the cave was soon underway. It was an exceptionally unassuming hole in a rocky break from the general dominance of the forest, and it would be hidden and missed unless stumbled directly onto. At most, two abreast could fit through, though it widened quickly.
One hand-sized hole in the top of the cave created an aura of sunlight, the last of the day before the darkness beyond it.
The party was Lord Carlisle, Dax, Merril, Theron, Sir Finley, Mekias, Bob, Estara, two...
2023-07-21 03:02:15 +0000 UTC
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The first thing Sammy thought about was Redberry, but any query was ignored, even when she expressed urgency. The nature goddess was just flat-out busy or uninterested, Sammy wasn’t sure. Probably something she should expect, but…
Frustrating! Where’s my Momma Bear when I need her?! She wouldn’t like me using that term for her, would she?
She pinged the mirrors, still getting nothing other than confirmation they were down the trail.
The only other thing ther...
2023-07-21 02:59:51 +0000 UTC
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Sammy peeked in the mirror as a very lightly-dressed Azure was finishing the last of packing things up into bags. Presumably, more of her things would be crammed into other boxes or crates as there wouldn’t be much room in a ‘person crate’ that would no doubt involve her being crouched or sitting cross-legged to fit.
In addition to her quality hand mirror, Azure had a little necklace mirror she had altered from a locket type that opened — now it had the hinge removed and was jus...
2023-07-21 02:54:12 +0000 UTC
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Before Sammy conferred with Carlisle about the coming forest excursion (and he had been very prepared for a nighttime raid, with tons of sentries around a camp on a hill), Bast woke up uncharacteristically early and queried her through the prayer channel.
“So, Your Majesty,” Bast began, in a manner of uncertainty and something of annoyance, “Did you… send me dreams of… sex with dryads? Because it feels like you sent me dreams of sex with dryads.”
2023-07-21 02:47:49 +0000 UTC
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I gotta be missing something here. Or he’s just a cocky dumbass. He’s not supposed to be high level according to Redberry…
Two soldiers were dragging a beaten-looking, half-unconscious man between them, who was dressed rather well despite soiling and blood, almost certainly a knight or nobility.
The two soldiers pretty much dropped him at the feet of the Demon King, then they bowed low. “Your Imperial Majesty, sir,” one of them said in a gravelly voice. “Here ...
2023-07-21 02:43:45 +0000 UTC
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Pesky arcane secrets, always requiring research and mentors! Wish I could just pretend to fireblast some imaginary trees and learn how to do the real thing eventually. Wouldn’t that be more fun? YES. Though I feel like the dryads would still know, somehow, and judge me…
With the runebooks complete and no ‘wizardly direction’ temporarily, Sammy had to use her energy somehow, so she sat on her throne and spied. She spied in the most secret, spy-like way of spies, intent...
2023-07-21 02:20:59 +0000 UTC
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First come, first served! Please let me know — publicly, publicly here if possible! If you don't want one, well, no worries, I understand. Your favorite might be gone by now lol.
Name in ( ) will be whatever goes on RoyalRoad thank you/credits and stuff (if different, that is)! Let me know!
If you don't RR, you can scope the latest chapter (usually a chapter or two after I respond to you here in comments) on RR from 2023-07-20 17:39:09 +0000 UTC
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“Thank you, Your Majesty! I couldn’t be happier to serve you. I will dedicate my life to this and make you proud.” Estara moved up to the mirror and placed her palm on it.
Smiling, Sammy placed her palm up to the portal in match, so that it was much like they were touching. “Indeed you will, my Falcon. Note there is a minor healing spell in the repertoire available… and now there should be some sort of illusion capabilities.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Estara said as she...
2023-07-20 16:32:24 +0000 UTC
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Samantha… Sammy… felt a little odd after tapping into whatever she had tapped into. Surreal. It was something alien and comforting mixed together. Divinity and humanity warring within, sparring, dancing, yet in balance. If she could keep it that way, so be it. She could draw on the deific side, on potentially infinite potential. But she could also let it go and be a mere mortal.
If divinity began to overtake her…
I have to keep who I am inside. The little alcove...
2023-07-19 06:49:10 +0000 UTC
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____________________________________________________________
The Precepts of Samantha
In the truth and light of the Goddess Samantha, whom the truth-seeking and dream-making are canny to seek, there is a spirit of good conduct in fellows of the order, to each other and to the goddess herself, who watches over and judges the worthy and the unworthy. All is to a goal of supreme inner knowledge and mastery of self, to reflect outward in manifestation over reality.
2023-07-19 06:47:11 +0000 UTC
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Lord Carlisle was somewhat surprised by the news about Estara. “That slip of a girl is really coming up in the world. Very well. And is that… the same as Mystagogue, Your Majesty?”
Just as Tashome said, it’s an issue…
“No. I am planning to drop some information soon on ranks. You will be a Luminous, above her despite not being clergy. Eventually, we’ll do some sort of ceremony. But it is appropriate, as your extensive experience and knowledge il...
2023-07-19 06:43:50 +0000 UTC
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Sammy split the time her Followers’ sleep periods allowed between runebook cramming and deliberating about ranks and precepts. Not only did she want ranks in the cult to play with — and needed both priest and non-priest versions — she wanted codenames for any needed use outside closed doors. She decided to go with birds and made her own ‘form’ for the ranks.
It was a pain to summon it...
2023-07-19 06:39:58 +0000 UTC
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Immediately, Samantha felt it.
Felt an intrinsic change within her, from the domain access, from an aspect and concept of reality opening up, from the link through the class surging up, drawing her into it like an irresistible suggestion. A thousand different faces cast slightly in another light, a million reflections draped in new shadows stared back at her, tempting and teasing every conception of what she could be. And what they could be.
Anything. Anywhere. She was al...
2023-07-19 06:34:16 +0000 UTC
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With Tashome staring expectantly at the mirror face of the staff, Sammy wasn’t inclined to disappoint. His instant acceptance of her was far too appealing and intriguing.
Samantha spoke with her subdued, yet epic reverb voice, “I am indeed present… in a manner of speaking. Greetings, Tashome. Canmore. I acknowledge your honor and return it.” Despite a pause, no one spoke. Canmore was a bit white-faced. So she continued, “You are very familiar with spirits, Tashome? I am in fac...
2023-07-19 06:30:09 +0000 UTC
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With all but one of her Followers in the midst of some form of travel, Sammy checked in on Bast and found him to be in some measure of distress. She tracked a nearby mirror, one she’d not yet accessed, and was greeted by her Follower’s back in a bedroom, as he hugged a woman who was facing it with her eyes closed as she hugged back, tightly and teary-eyed.
She was middle-aged and quite beautiful, still in a kind of ageless prime and the template of queenly feminine nobility.
...
2023-07-19 06:28:16 +0000 UTC
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Lord Carlisle touched the mirror and recited the words with cold, firm stoicism. He meant them like a man who’d decided an oath and took them deathly serious, but certainly not from passion.
Follower conversion successful. 1 FE gained. 1 Daily FE gained (total: 14).
One more! One more and the next quest is complete. I wonder what level 2 will be like… still have to save the FE up, though. I’m a bit over 500 FE, and gains would be 330. Need quest...
2023-07-19 06:10:26 +0000 UTC
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Her Followers other than Estara and Azure were asleep, Azure probably close to it, but she didn’t seem to need as much sleep as others, while she had also been napping during the day.
Sammy touched base with her briefly. She’d spent pretty much the entire day in the crate room and would spend more just the same, her existence on the ship apparently a closely-guarded secret even among the crew. Only brief nighttime visits occurred with the captain and his first mate, dealing with all...
2023-07-19 06:04:35 +0000 UTC
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As she expected, as soon as that loud sound blared, all of the other frogmen hastily departed, often from unshuttered windows, leaving the great house burning in twenty different spots and superficially looted — as well as completely wrecked.
Damn it, what can I even do, now? I was too late…
Sammy caught a scene in a hallway of a frogman blocked off by an unarmored soldier with a spear, intent on keeping him back. As the frogman stalked forward he was passing by the m...
2023-07-19 05:58:44 +0000 UTC
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After her short-lived, extremely heroic maniacal laughter, Sammy switched over to Orswyth, who was just settling down in his personal tent. She was vaguely aware that the men had put it up for him, deliberate in not letting him strain himself physically in any way, much to his consternation. The process of him not being self-reliant was going to be tough for him, she could tell. Thankfully, she could help him with fatigue issues.
Just as he was sitting down cross-legged, she appeared in...
2023-07-19 05:51:21 +0000 UTC
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With nothing else pressing, Sammy hit up the runebook she’d been working on, of which she was on number five. She finished it what she thought was very slightly faster than the last. Meanwhile, she was refreshing buffs routinely on the likes of Dax and Merril, in such a subconscious way it was effectively automated. Handy.
It did make her wonder just how complex of a thing her deific mind could turn into ‘like breathing,’ and if it had something to do with levels.
2023-07-19 05:49:18 +0000 UTC
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Sir Galynth’s face only beamed more under the effects of her REX buff’s peaceful and blissful feelings. “It is like the tale of the Maiden on the Lost Waters,” he said breathlessly, “who blessed Sir Aun Azhur in his quest against the three Dragonkings. But there is a staff instead of a sword…”
Right. Sure, dude. Exactly like that. Let’s go get Smaug or whatever. Still, she smiled at him for his adventurous spirit. If he wanted to face long odds heroically, he’...
2023-07-19 05:47:36 +0000 UTC
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Sammy immediately connected to Orswyth’s mind via the prayer vector, projecting an image of her simply being there with him, as best she could. Just so her presence was felt. “Orswyth! Can you move? Are you breathing?!”
Through that profound weakness and the distraction of those around him who were yelling and dealing with horses, he managed, “The breastplate… too heavy… my own flesh, so heavy…”
“Just hold on — I-I’ll figure something ou...
2023-07-19 05:46:05 +0000 UTC
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Sammy spent the morning doing a bit of flitting around, micromanaging things among her Followers. Basic checking in, making sure their REX made sense, adjusting if necessary, and helping them through the day.
Orswyth got up early and kept pressing hard down the road, but fortunately, he was on horseback. She made sure he was as alert as possible with the blessing she gave, and she hoped the curse that would come upon him would wait a little longer.
She checked in with Bast and fou...
2023-07-19 05:41:55 +0000 UTC
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To Sammy’s exclamation, Dax had a small, gremlin-like smile and said, “Well, his morning kitty breath could kill an ox in two seconds fla-”
“Shut the hell up, you crude imbecile!” Merril snarled. “Give me that-'' There was a brief shaking and disorienting blur of images as Merril wrestled with a screeching Dax to wrest the thankfully wooden-inset mirror shard away, with such riveting persuasions as ‘Let go!’ and ‘Hrrnagh!’ ...
2023-07-19 05:24:32 +0000 UTC
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1 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet a Follower.
Azure squeezed her eyes shut, head bowing downward, crying and overcome with emotion for the words delivered to her, awed and unable to speak.
To Sammy, they had been quite a bit beyond her as well, spoken from a place of what she wanted to be, or an ideal of the ‘goddess’ whose shoes she filled so to speak, more than just her. It was an unusual feeling ticking a bit closer to th...
2023-07-19 05:22:06 +0000 UTC
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The ball in the mansion was fit to go well into the night and early morning, though by appearances most exciting festivities other than private ones had ceased. It was all drinking and chatter that went on and on and on. Sammy wondered somewhat at that, then noticed some little powdery blue tablets that were quickly but quite openly dropped into drinks and dissolved in them with a stir and little fanfare.
The people that were chain-drinking those mixes seemed to hold their liquor better...
2023-07-19 05:20:51 +0000 UTC
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1 FE (Mirrors, Illusion) obtained from worship. Converted to Illusion FE.
1 FE (Mirrors, Illusion) obtained from worship. Converted to Illusion FE.
1 FE (Mirrors, Illusion) obtained from worship. Converted to Illusion FE.
Sammy found that she couldn’t help but bask in the glow of their words and impressions — their emotions and swirls of dreams sent to her. It wasn’t about just who and what s...
2023-07-19 05:19:10 +0000 UTC
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