Since the dawn of time, nothing had stoked mankind’s greed quite like the allure of power. It called to them in times of hardship, seduced them with the possibility of something more: the strength to overcome any obstacle, the knowledge to solve any conundrum, and most importantly… the ecstasy of freedom, knowing there existed none left above them.
Maugris was a complicated man. Lucius did not doubt that the priest had good intentions — oh yes, he did care...
2025-07-12 02:10:54 +0000 UTC
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———
Maugris
Ever since I was but a small babe, priesthood appeared to be my inevitable calling. It was no wonder, for my own parents were senior members of the faith. But they were not like others. Not like the other common folk. No, they were of high prestige — children of a long, honored lineage of bishops just like their fathers and their forefathers before them. I was born into such a family, and so it was that I was taught from the very moment I emerge...
2025-07-09 23:52:50 +0000 UTC
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“Hold,” Renaud said, squinting his eyes in unease as the group came to a stop. Here, before them, laid the spire’s sole treasure; all they n
“Hold,” Renaud said, squinting his eyes in unease as the group came to a stop. Here, before them, laid the spire’s sole treasure; all they needed to do was reach out and take it. What would happen afterward? Well, Lucius had his suspicions, and none of them were good.
>[Main Questline (To the Domain of the Beast Lord) h...
2025-07-09 00:24:53 +0000 UTC
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I will not have time to write for the next few upcoming days due to some personal related matters; however, to make up for it, I will try to have both chapters 78 and 79 release on Tuesday at the same time. Thank you!
2025-07-03 21:49:09 +0000 UTC
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A spine-curdling noise sounded around the expedition as something greater, larger, in size than any demon or beast they had encountered thus
A spine-curdling noise sounded around the expedition as something greater, larger, in size than any demon or beast they had encountered thus far coiled around the corrupted treetops. It was a single body — a long winding torso hidden from sight, but nonetheless Lucius could make out the faint silhouettes of thousands upon thousands of legs scuttl...
2025-07-02 01:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Fortunately, there were no casualties amongst the expedition. Lucius had already anticipated as much, but the Franks truly were a hardy people. They shrugged off stab wounds and gashes with little more than a splash of alcohol (that fellow who stoked the campfire emerged unharmed, surprisingly, and apologized to Sir Maugris for attacking him), and those more critically injured were tended to by the priests of the Order. The players were also in, relatively, good condition. Those who ha...
2025-06-28 00:00:09 +0000 UTC
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———
Nameless Paladin
The time is currently twenty-three hundred hours, fifth day of Arboursmonth, 1324 A.D of the Imperial Calendar. We have made great progress into the lands untamed. Sir Renaud the Peer of Stratagem has ordered us to make encampment here for the night, right on the border of Sleepy Hollow. I and the others of my regiment obey, but I must admit there is an unease that chills my spine, growing colder the longer we stay.
This land is bot...
2025-06-25 00:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Although the expedition’s plan was to rest until midnight, Sir Renaud changed his mind and instead allowed them to rise at the first break o
Although the expedition’s plan was to rest until midnight, Sir Renaud changed his mind and instead allowed them to rise at the first break of dawn. A capable leader was one who knew when to reassess and pivot depending on the circumstances, or so the man had once pompously told Lucius; and indeed his decision had wrought great morale from his w...
2025-06-22 00:21:32 +0000 UTC
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Unfortunately a personal matter came up so I will not have time to write today, but I am free all day tomorrow so I should be able to get it out then. Thank you for your patience!
2025-06-20 13:21:13 +0000 UTC
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Lucius gave his fellows an enthusiastic round of applause and welcomed them back as the storm began to wane. The clouds parted, the rain les
Lucius gave his fellows an enthusiastic round of applause and welcomed them back as the storm began to wane. The clouds parted, the rain lessened, and even the ever-prevalent mist seemed to float away: like the light sprinkle of morning dew after a long, long shower.
Mili promptly fell onto her rear and muttered a groan. She slowly stood up, ...
2025-06-18 05:12:03 +0000 UTC
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The dim light of the morning suns softly trickled through the mist as the expedition, cautious in their steps and tout in their nerves, tram
The dim light of the morning suns softly trickled through the mist as the expedition, cautious in their steps and tout in their nerves, tram
The dim light of the morning suns softly trickled through the mist as the expedition, cautious in their steps and tout in their nerves, trampled through the brown sludge of the Misty Wetlands. The enviro...
2025-06-18 01:00:04 +0000 UTC
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It was much later in the evening that Lucius’s party, one by one, began to stir awake and left their rooms whilst blurry-eyed and yawning, a
It was much later in the evening that Lucius’s party, one by one, began to stir awake and left their rooms whilst blurry-eyed and yawning, along with the rest of the otherworlders. They had slept for the entire day. Though, it was no surprise. The warm blankets, the soft bedding, and the ever-comforting assurance knowing they could rest peacefu...
2025-06-14 01:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Now, Lucius had been trailed by the odd pursuer here and there occasionally in his younger days, but oftentimes it was for a clear reason: s
Now, Lucius had been trailed by the odd pursuer here and there occasionally in his younger days, but oftentimes it was for a clear reason: such as out of frustration after he had defaced the Statue of Liberty, or that one time he caused the collapse of Mount Everest. In this world, however, the gentleman had been on his relatively best beh...
2025-06-11 01:00:04 +0000 UTC
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A soft light rained down upon the congregation through the stained glass above, casting them all in a hallowed glow amidst the sanctum, this
A soft light rained down upon the congregation through the stained glass above, casting them all in a hallowed glow amidst the sanctum, this
A soft light rained down upon the congregation through the stained glass above, casting them all in a hallowed glow amidst the sanctum, this dim, serene church where even the very air felt holy; and the ...
2025-06-07 02:05:29 +0000 UTC
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Oftentimes, the pursuit of influence led man down a harsh and unpredictable road. It was that yearning for power, the desire to exert contro
Oftentimes, the pursuit of influence led man down a harsh and unpredictable road. It was that yearning for power, the desire to exert control over others, that made them seek after greater, higher, more distinguished achievements whilst marching through a thorny path where success was not guaranteed and the starting points for each soul were unjust...
2025-06-04 01:09:29 +0000 UTC
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The Franks all along the expedition began to shift into position. Those suited in heavy armor walked forth and formed a perimeter enclosing
The Franks all along the expedition began to shift into position. Those suited in heavy armor walked forth and formed a perimeter enclosing their surroundings; then, the priests stood behind, raising their staffs high up until the jewels fitted onto the ends flickered to life. Interestingly enough, however, the paladins wielding blade and spear did ...
2025-05-31 01:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Contrary to the otherworlders first voyage outside the city with Ruggiero, the mood amongst the paladins now was anything but casual. At least before they were able to rest in comfortable cabins; but such luxuries had unfortunately ceased to be. There was only the methodical stomp of boots - the slow, advancing crawl of Sir Renaud’s entourage up ahead. No one dared to even speak, for a single disruption would beget a harsh glare from their armored allies.
This was far more serious tha...
2025-05-28 05:54:04 +0000 UTC
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I adore The Distinguished Mr. Rose and plan to be releasing content for many years to come, but writing chapters daily has been quite the exhausting experience. I hope that now, with time in-between uploads, I can dedicate myself to releasing a higher quality story. Chapters will be around 3500 words from now on, except for Chapter 66 (the next one) just because tomorrow falls on a Tuesday for me and is pretty much the equivalent of a daily chapter anyway. Chapter 67 and beyond, though, will ...
2025-05-27 04:45:53 +0000 UTC
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The props used for the ceremony were quickly disassembled and taken away, leaving the servants to guide the Order members out to the city where they could partake in a final round of drink and merriment before the expedition officially departed. As fate would have it, their watering hole of choice was the charming Mary’s Tavern. Lucius had frequented the business a few odd times after the whole ‘city-wide mob’ affair (in disguise of course). He didn’t have a special reason; the good m...
2025-05-27 04:30:11 +0000 UTC
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“What mean ye, that ye use this proverb, saying, the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife… he ...
2025-05-26 03:19:59 +0000 UTC
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Lucius stood far back from the happy couple and clapped his hands, allowing them to bask in the spotlight as the paladins gradually began to lead the people away. Some were arrested, of course. No matter how you tried to justify it, beating a man to unconsciousness was not a slight the Order could easily overlook.
But oh what a splendorous show! The gentleman had witnessed many tragedies as of late, so it was quite pleasant to see an uplifting drama for a change. Ruggiero deserved every...
2025-05-25 04:00:20 +0000 UTC
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Humanity was ever so susceptible to the darkness in their hearts. They veiled themselves behind false identities, made excuses and pretenses to justify the burial of that which they refused to acknowledge. For someone like Ruggiero, so mired in resentment, it would not have been a surprise had he collapsed under the weight of it all.
But the man before Lucius now… was different. He came to terms with the ugly truth, and he embraced the name that once brought him only grief. It was no ...
2025-05-24 02:02:16 +0000 UTC
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———
Ruggiero
Many years ago, from a time before my rise to Peership, before the war that would sweep the continent in fire and ash, I was admittedly a very arrogant man. Youthful hubris guided my actions then, for I was among the most skilled in the nation called Moors: a land of green, of wood and nature, yet also constant technological advancement.
We were proud to call ourselves pioneers in the Crystological study, or the Holy Gems as the Franks called it. ...
2025-05-23 06:39:46 +0000 UTC
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2025-05-22 23:09:51 +0000 UTC
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About a week later, Lucius and his companions had gathered together to visit more of the local fare; however, something was… different. Whispers and hushed voices crept about all around them, and a tense mood muddled the air until the people’s faces were darkened into a grim frown.
The Franks huddled in groups. They murmured and spread all that they had heard from their fellow locals: tales distorted from mouth to mouth, each detail subtly changed with each rendition....
2025-05-22 01:18:26 +0000 UTC
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That evening, Lucius’s companions retired to their rooms with hearts heavy in doubt. Should they try to visit Ruggiero again? Confront Ganelon and demand for the Peer’s release? Each option was equally unlikely to work.
The players were but temporary visitors to these lands: outsiders. The citizens and native paladins treated them as friends for now. However, that was because they were obedient. Non-threatening. They had just escaped their negative reputation as brutes after the rum...
2025-05-21 02:48:59 +0000 UTC
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Ruggiero hurriedly rushed the group inside and sat them in a quaint living room full of potted plants and dangling flowers, similar to the ones Lucius had seen outside. They were of fascinating appearance: red and green in color, but unlike ordinary flora, had ribbon-like petals that curved into a spiral. Lucius busied himself with studying the blooms while the good Ruggiero prepared a pot of tea.
“I am thankful for your visit…” he began, steeping a bag of herbs and spices into th...
2025-05-20 00:53:17 +0000 UTC
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“Good evening, Lady Bradamante,” Lucius said, waving at her as she approached the gate with a tired lurch. The good Peer’s usual bravado was all but spent, replaced by a heavy exhaustion no doubt from the previous day’s festivities. He imagined all the coordination and procedure needed to organize such an event was, well, arduous to put it lightly. It was no wonder why the lady stumbled like the living dead.
“... Sir Lucius?” she said, glancing over to his other companions. ...
2025-05-19 00:47:42 +0000 UTC
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Despite their bold proclamations, Lucius’s party still had quite a bit of time before the Order’s leave. Mili suggested that they explore the city now that the players could freely come and go; and thus, they put on their best outfits the next morning and made their way toward the main gate.
A line had already begun forming once they arrived. The other players were just as curious and eager to leave the castle, but first they were subjected to a search by the stationed guards and le...
2025-05-18 01:00:10 +0000 UTC
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By the time the parade ran its course, night had fallen over the still-vibrant city. Citizens wandered through the streets, talking, spreading tales, and spending the day’s last few hours whilst drinking inside the taverns. The festivity did not end, even with the floats returned and the gates shut once more.
Everyone was thoroughly exhausted by all the attention, but they looked much brighter than the previous day. Ganelon and Roland’s plan had worked: the players experienced what ...
2025-05-17 01:01:44 +0000 UTC
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