Finally able to take a break, Mike put his hands behind his head and tried to catch his breath. Looking around, he saw that he wasn’t the only one having trouble with the pace the battle leader was setting. ‘That tiny woman is a monster,’ he thought with a smile.
Neither he nor anyone else was complaining though. As a group, they were making their way through the kobald’s fortification faster than the army, and there was a strong sense of accomplishment in the air....
2024-07-17 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Cathleen Averett felt the rush of battle subside as she took a deep drink from her canteen. She ran her eyes over the troops, subtly judging them on how well they were holding up.
‘They’re not as weak as I thought they’d be,’ she thought to herself.
Although she would never admit it, she owed the little lord a thank you. Fighting a war, as a battle leader no less, had been a dream of hers since she was a little girl. Her brothers and sisters are currently ser...
2024-07-15 22:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Arch-mage Jennings tapped his chin with his finger, looking both curious and impressed at what he was seeing.
“Are you serious? You think he’s absorbing soul remnants? That’s a rather outrageous conclusion to make without evidence,” Made-adept Newgate said reproachfully.
Shrugging, the arch-mage replied, “Well, we know he’s capable of isolating and utilizing the soul stream. You and I both saw him do it during that portal fiasco. You can’t hav...
2024-07-12 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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It had taken some careful maneuvering, but King Oliver Oglivarch’s entire day was free. What meetings he couldn’t reschedule, he’d arranged to be canceled by the party he would have been meeting. Simple plots, all of them, but amusing nonetheless. Lately, all too often, events hadn’t quite progressed in the manner he thought they would. So, it was nice to play some simple games that played out as expected.
He was currently on the highest floor of his tower, spending some time in...
2024-07-10 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Specialist Howard heard Sergeant Blackwood’s voice over the command channel they’d set up for their unit, “Are you sure you can combat cast in these conditions?”
Mentally scoffing, Specialist Howard replied, “It shouldn’t be a problem, Sergeant. Lower kobalds don’t exactly have a strong ethereal presence. Even with their numbers, their harmonic force is practically non-existent. I shouldn’t have a problem isolating what I need.”
<...
2024-07-08 22:31:58 +0000 UTC
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“After disseminating the new monitoring policies throughout the gates, we were able to confirm that our initial projections were based on incomplete data sets. We weren’t able to ascertain what caused the inaccurate reporting, but based on the Thought-Hub registration numbers, we now know the number of immigrants reported by the guards was off by at least 11%,” declared Lord Mott.
If one didn’t know her, they would think City Lord Cosgrave was paying close atten...
2024-07-05 22:30:05 +0000 UTC
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The local chapter of the Knights of Oglivarch was created during the founding of Dorchester. Since its inception, they have served as the backbone of Dorchester’s military arm. Even when the Dorchens rebelled against the crown, the knights took up arms in defense of the citizenry. While the Populators and Dorchen’s forces fought for control of the city, it was the knights who protected the people. And it had cost them greatly.
In the aftermath of the rebellion, their ke...
2024-07-03 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Standing still in the middle of the turmoil going on all around him, Harold Angleton stared blankly up at the smoke-filled sky. Despite the battle hub facilitating a direct connection with his mind, the voices of command and his sergeants felt far away. He knew he needed to deal with them, but he just wasn’t up to it at the moment.
He was a captain in the army of Dorchester, a respected and decorated soldier who’d served with both honor and distinction for over 4 decade...
2024-07-01 22:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Academian Quincy, Scholar Idrius, and the other evaluators all sat comfortably on the edge of the earthen roof, their feet hanging over the edge of the roof they were sitting on.
They’d chosen this spot for several reasons. It was close enough to the battle to keep watch over Lord Walker, while also out of the way enough that they weren’t in danger of getting involved. All it took was a little flight spell, another spell or two to reinforce the roof for thei...
2024-06-28 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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In the Hennings Tower of Magic, time was both an abundant resource and one that required careful budgeting. Research projects, paperwork, meetings with subordinates, meetings with superiors, studying, training, and whatever personal pursuits one chose to indulge in… there was always something that needed doing. Luckily, a skilled mage had hundreds of years to get it all done. Life in the tower was a constant struggle, one which felt like it would never end.
Or, at least t...
2024-06-26 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Glancing to his left and right, Captain Angleton noted the grim faces of the elites alongside him. His efforts to keep his opinions on their orders to himself had failed miserably. Even Sergeant Blackwood appeared less than happy with what they were about to do.
He felt like grinding his teeth in anger but instead settled on firming his jaw and forcing himself to be unaffected.
On the surface, their orders were simple. He and his relief ...
2024-06-24 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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“Alright you lot, listen up! I need any of you who were part of combat units to head over here, gear up, and form up on me. I mean RIGHT NOW!” yelled the sergeant in charge of the support unit Mike was currently attached to.
Happy that he was done shoveling dirt, he slammed the head of his shovel into the ground and stretched his back with a sigh. Glancing around the hole, he saw several other men and women doing the same. ‘What a shame. How will they ever finish ...
2024-06-21 22:36:31 +0000 UTC
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Commander Dahl tapped his chin in thought while his lips stretched into a feral smile. The hologram displaying the battle in front of him finally showed him the exact kind of opportunity he’d been waiting for. The kobalds were massing an assault on the area directly in front of the support structure containing one of the portable battle-hubs. He knew it would be devastating if the kobalds made it through the line there, and he was positive whoever was commanding the kobalds knew it as well....
2024-06-19 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Reaching out over his command connection, Captain Angleton contacted all the sergeants currently under his command, “It looks like they’re massing another assault further down the line. Expect to see some shamans and Assault Leaders along with the standard grouping of greater and lesser kobalds. I’m told there isn’t any sign of siege wyrms, so it shouldn’t be too bad.”
The moment he finished his transmission, he heard Sergeant Blackwood on his right gro...
2024-06-17 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Well, it's time for another mid-month update. Hopefully, this one finds you all well. Between the massive heat wave, fires, wars, elections, and the controversy around the new Disney adaptation of Star Wars... I'm sure you're all enjoying yourselves. But hey, at least there is still soda to bring you happiness and comfort in your time of need.
Speaking of soda (see what I did there?), I've had a fun month so far. Turns out that sitting at a computer and drinking soda all day is bad ...
2024-06-17 11:09:57 +0000 UTC
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Academian Quincy stood in the middle of their little formation. Scholars Idrius, Mortem, Yarborow, Vaxas, and Dramit stood alongside him on his left and right. All of them were in their combat robes. Yet, only Academian Quincy and Scholar Idrius had enough personal skill and reserves to maintain an enchantment connection, allowing them to use their preferred robes. Unfortunately for the others, the essence in the ether was simply too thin to maintain anything stronger than the basic enchantme...
2024-06-14 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Glancing up from the hologram displaying the real-time scrying feed from the Tower of Magic, Commander Dahl watched Captain Angleton leave the tent. The man was more impressive than he remembered him being. Even his presence was considerably stronger than he recalled.
He’d heard word days ago that the captain had somehow earned the ire of the general. And while he hadn’t been ‘ordered’ to dispose of the man, his superiors had it made very clear that preventing Capta...
2024-06-12 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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After finally joining up with the main assault force beating back the kobalds, Captain Angleton was able to get his elites some fresh supplies and rest. But, before he could enjoy some bunk time, he’d have to check in with whoever was currently in charge.
Making his way to the command tent, he ducked under the entryway and reported to the commander leading the engagement.
Looking up from the table, which was currently displaying a hologram of their forc...
2024-06-10 22:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Arch-mage Jennings knew there were lessons that a person never truly learned. Lessons like the easy way is rarely the best way, or to never underestimate an opponent. Even something as simple as remembering to avoid spicy foods before bed was something he couldn’t seem to remember until after he was suffering the annoyance of late-night indigestion.
Nevertheless, he tried his best to learn from his mistakes.
So, as a result of his recent missteps, he wa...
2024-06-07 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Feeling refreshed after his shower, Nick walked out of the bathroom while using a towel to dry his hair. He looked over to see Vera doing her nightly routine in front of her mirror. As usual, he could tell by the expression on her face that something was once again bothering her.
After hanging up his towel on the drying rack, he asked over his shoulder, “What’s on your mind, dear?”
Vera replied testily, “Nothing of consequence.” Trying to change...
2024-06-05 22:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Natalie Keening had been aware for some time that her growth had stagnated. It had been years since she’d felt the rush of progress, the indescribable sensation of her identity expanding deeper into the world around her. Without that feeling, she’d felt that the world around her had lost some of its luster. It was as if she’d lost her purpose.
‘The moment a person stops fighting to live, they begin to die,’ she reminded herself as thoughts of the pas...
2024-06-03 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Dorchester’s entire council of leadership was present, although very few actually wanted to be there. They were called in for yet another emergency session for one of City Lord Cosgrave's schemes. And, of course, no one was surprised by the fact that it was once again about the illustrious new Lord Walker, who had now been upgraded in class again. One would think that having him no longer part of the ladder would finally put their minds at ease, but that seemed like wishful th...
2024-05-31 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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While in many ways, dwarves and humans were very much alike, in others, they were drastically different.
As a race, dwarves tended to be forthright and honest. That is to say, they considered lying and scheming both a waste of time and cowardly. So, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when Ambassador Ironwick protested vociferously when he was promoted to his position. No dwarf in their right mind would want to go deal with the lying, thieving humans infesting th...
2024-05-29 22:30:00 +0000 UTC
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The king rubbed his temples, trying to alleviate the headache which had been plaguing him all morning. Too much was happening in too many places that he had to pay attention to. Even with his prodigious mind, he was having trouble keeping it all straight in his head.
Currently, he was sitting at his desk, reviewing the paperwork that had piled up during his absence.
For the past two weeks, he’d been diving the ‘Fields of Oppression’ with several mem...
2024-05-27 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Mike came to with a start. He immediately curled himself into a ball and started sobbing… large heaving sobs. The healer who’d resuscitated him didn’t bother to even pat him on the back, or offer any semblance of emotional support after his traumatic experience. Instead, she hopped quickly to her feet and moved on to the next dead soldier waiting for another chance at life.
Mike could hear the sounds of fighting off to his left. It was like a loud echo forcing him to ...
2024-05-24 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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The coordination it took to hide a meeting like this behind privacy wards was something they’d perfected over the years. Whether it was dealing with a troublesome noble house that needed to be quietly suppressed, or having to simply get their stories straight before they publicly discussed something in the Hall of Leadership, they’d had plenty of practice at this type of thing.
Walking into the room chosen for the meeting, City Lord Cosgrave felt the wards pushing again...
2024-05-22 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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May ‘24 Situation Report
Hello there! I’m hoping you’re all enjoying yourselves out there, wherever you are. It’s springtime, and despite the increasing number of yearly natural disasters, the sky is still blue and the birds are still singing. So, rejoice while keeping your head down, and we can all enjoy another wonderful trip around the sun!
But, well wishes and warnings aside, it’s that time of the month again for my patreon’s sit-rep.&n...
2024-05-20 23:54:24 +0000 UTC
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Seeing how the little lord would be stuck dealing with paperwork and the trappings of nobility for the foreseeable future, Cathleen decided to get some of her questions answered. With Nick, Vera, and the evaluator Quincy all occupied with bothering Lord Walker, Cathleen took Rose to the basement for a little training.
Swatting Rose’s sword away with the palm of her hand, Cathleen watched as the young woman stumbled into an awkward roll. Forcibly maintaining the dispassion...
2024-05-20 22:30:00 +0000 UTC
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After being exiled from Vera’s office by Nero, Academian Quincy, and Nick headed off to see to the tasks they’d been assigned. However, as they were both temporarily going in the same direction, they spent a few awkward minutes walking the estate hallways in silence.
Academian Quincy had been following Nero’s adventures from the very beginning. Therefore, he already knew everything there was to know about Nicholas Salvatore, former director of Dorchester Gate 7 Resear...
2024-05-17 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Mage-adept Newbanks was shocked when Arch-mage Jennings suddenly ended their meeting by shouting, “What the hell is that insufferable woman doing?!?” only to then teleport away and leave her with nothing but questions.
Hurriedly taking a seat in one of the guest chairs and closing her eyes, she reached out to the personal connection she’d set up through the Tower of Magic and sent out a scrying probe to chase after the man so she could determine what was happening.
2024-05-16 22:30:01 +0000 UTC
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