Of course, I wouldn’t let the chance to turn in divine
quests all at once go! Not only did it give me a chance to do all of this in
one fell swoop, but I was able to keep my word and gain experience, but those
who weren’t part of my guild got to see that several different gods gave me quests
in my attack on the city, which would be useful politically. From my inventory,
I pulled the sheathed blade that my people had recovered from the Temple of
Sezphy. Holding it flat in two hands, I walked up to the Red Knight, and said, “My
Lady, here is the Knightblade, wrongfully stolen by the servants of Sezphy, now
returned to you, as agreed.”
The Red Knight bowed her head as she took the blade from me,
and, for a moment, was silent. Looking up at me, she smiled, and said, “You
have proven to be a man of your word, Zayn Darkmore, a trait all too rare
amongst those who walk in darkness. I look forward to seeing what strategies
you come up with in the future.”
Return the Knightblade
The Red Knight has tasked you with entering
the vaults of the Temple of Sezphy in Ograin’s capitol and recovering the
Knightblade, an artifact of her making which she bestows on those who prove
worthy. The blade currently rests in the vaults of the temple in Duskhaven.
You fought your way through the Temple
of Sezphy and even conquered a goddess in her true form, allowing you to
search through the vaults and reclaim the Knightblade, which you returned to
the Red Knight.
|
|
Rank
|
Divine
|
Success
|
Return the Knightblade to a temple or
shrine of the Red Knight, or give it to her directly.
|
Failure
|
Claim the Knightblade for your own, or
give it away.
|
Rewards
|
Experience
Supreme Map of the Strategist
Knight’s Move
|
Supreme Map of the Strategist
|
|||
Type
|
Tool
|
Rank
|
Divine
|
This map, a lesser copy of one used by
the Red Knight herself, is enchanted to display whatever area the user commands,
though the amount of detail depends on the level of knowledge the user has of
the area. This can be anything from a single battlefield to an entire
continent. This map perfectly plots the position of allied forces and known
enemy forces, providing a +50% bonus to the creation of strategies and
tactics for battle that stacks with all similar bonuses save those that come
from lesser versions of this map. Should a previously unsighted enemy make
their presence known in the field, their position will appear on the map.
|
|||
Knight’s Move
|
|||
Type
|
Tool
|
Rank
|
Divine
|
Few pieces on the lanceboard have the flexibility
and creative strategies available to them as the Knight does. This necklace, when
worn, provides the wearer with a portion of that flexibility.
Flanking Position – Teleport instantly
to the rear of any enemy, allowing for use of backstabs or other such
maneuvers, forcing an enemy to react to your presence. Cost: 200 MP, 30
second cooldown.
Rapid Escape – 25% chance when
receiving a critical hit to teleport to a safe position up to 15 feet away,
negating the hit. Also applies to attacks the wearer is not aware of.
|
|||
I bowed to the Red Knight. The experience I’d gained from
the quest was enough to push me up a few more levels, but I’d worry about
checking just how far later. More interesting to me were the items she gave me
for completing the quest. These were no mere trinkets, even if they appeared
less impressive than weapons and armor. I smiled widely as I read their descriptions
to myself. To a strategist, these weapons were far more useful than weapons and
armor in the long run.
Next, I turned my attention to Mystra. The goddess of magic
regarded me cooly as I approached. I did not doubt that she still found my
actions repugnant, but she was, at least, not one to let her emotions run wild.
I bowed before her, and said, “My Lady, I am certain you know it already, but
allow me to confirm that, under my direction, forces of the Shadow Alliance
protected the Temple of Mystra and the Mage’s College from attacks launched by certain
other temples during the chaos of our assault, such that not one enemy made it
inside your temple, much less had the ability to defile it.”
Mystra grudgingly nodded, which was as close to thanks or
praise as I was going to get from her at the moment. With a smile, I pulled two
books from my bag, took a breath, and said, “You gave me one other task, and,
with the aid of my guild, it is complete. In the world we Travelers come from,
much knowledge has been lost at one time or another when disaster or conflict
destroyed libraries or reaped the lives of those who held the knowledge before
they could pass it on. In recent times, those who value knowledge have taken
the precaution of creating copies of valuable materials, kept separately from each
other, to prevent their knowledge from being lost. One of Aria’s mages developed
a simple spell to copy the words from one tome to another, though they cannot
copy any enchantments or magical effects laid upon them. Another of our mages has
enchanted a tome to contain far more information than should be possible,
allowing a single book to house an entire library’s worth of knowledge. Because
of this, I present to you an official archival copy of all the materials we
found in the libraries of Lithaes Castle and House Sylrya.”
Now, Mystra’s eyes truly shone like stars as she looked over
the books I handed her. The idea of keeping duplicate records was not a new one
in this world, and while there were other, less refined versions of the spell
that copied a book into a new tome (and a couple more specific versions, such
as one to copy a wizard’s spellbook), the one our scholar came up with was far
more efficient. Of course, that would still leave one with the problem of
having to store and protect TWO libraries instead of one. The spellwork for the
enchanted Archival Tome arose from reverse-engineering the ‘Archival Disks’ we
found in that Alchera so very long ago. Keeping a backup tome safe was far
simpler than keeping a backup library safe, after all.
Defense of the Temple
The Temple of Mystra in Duskhaven and
her worshippers have been harried by the zealots of the Theocracy, as magic
comes to all in their measure, despite their alleigiances or morals. When the
fighting begins, Mystra’s divinations have shown hints that the zealots may
attempt to sack her temple directly. Help defend the temple from those who
would sack it in the chaos.
Your forces protected the Temple of
Mystra, preventing all comers from entering the Temple or raiding its
libraries or treasuries. Going above and beyond, you also protected the Mage’s
College under Mystra’s protection without being required to do so.
|
|
Rank
|
Divine
|
Success
|
Prevent looters or Theocratic soldiers
from entering the Temple of Mystra during the attack upon Duskhaven.
|
Failure
|
The Temple’s libraries and treasuries
are ransacked.
|
Reward
|
Increased Reputation with Mystra and
her church.
Knowledge of how to create your avatar
upon ascension to godhood.
(Bonus: Reputation gain also applied to
all Shadow Alliance members and those who fought to defend the Temple.)
|
The Archives of the Aria of the
Twilight
The Aria of the Twilight as a guild has
come into possession of two troves of tomes and knowledge from ancient times,
including several tomes with arcane knowledge that had been thought lost to
the world. You are charged with providing the Goddess of Magic with copies of
these troves.
With the aid of your guild, you created
a solution to a problem that has been plaguing archivists in this world since
the dawn of the written word.
|
|
Rank
|
Divine
|
Success
|
Provide copies of all tomes, scrolls,
maps, and other such materials recovered from the vaults of Lithaes Castle in
Wyrmwood and House Sylrya in Have Dorei to Mystra (either in person or at one
of her temples) within two years.
|
Failure
|
Fail to provide copies of the matierals
within the allotted time.
|
Rewards
|
Aria of the Twilight gains the Blessing
of Mystra, decreasing all MP costs by 25%.
|
I got a notification that my reputation with Mystra had improved
to ‘Neutral’. As an added bonus for going above and beyond, the rep bump got spread
to the entire alliance and the locals we got to defend the temple. Not exactly
a ringing endorsement, but it wasn’t nothing. The knowledge of how to create my
Avatar was something that normally had to be worked out for an ascended god on
their own, and typically took many years, if not centuries, during which time
they could only descend or possess a follower if they wished to make impacts on
the material world. And the decreased MP costs from her blessing certainly made
my guildies happy. I wasn’t exactly displeased, either.
Finally, I walked over to Loviatar, and said, “My Lady, you
commanded me to take three people prisoner, and to make example of them before
their followers. I am happy to report that all three of the targets you gave me
have been captured, and preparations are underway for the example to be made. I
invite you, and and all the gods present here, to that feast, where we shall be
eating more pleasurable fare while the followers of Ilmater, Sezphy, and Pelor
eat.” I paused for a moment, and then said to all the gathered deities, “Though
I understand if some of you would rather return home and enjoy time with those
you are fond of, rather than witnessing this punishment.”
In the end, only Mirelth, Beshaba, Loviatar, Lolth,
Malcanthet, and Sharess stayed, while the other gods and goddesses left, not
wishing to witness the grim spectacle I was making. In the grand dining room of
Castle Duskhaven, we gathered at the high table, while the captured followers
of the fallen gods sat glumly at the lower tables, compelled to stay there by
their slave collars. I sat in the Slave-Queen Helen sat in the high seat, since
this was now her kingdom, with Loviatar on her right and myself on her left,
while Sharess was seated next to me, and the rest of the table filled with the
assembled gods and officers of Aria and the Shadow Alliance. Under the table, I
made certain that slaves attended to those sitting at the high table throughout
the meal, and Lolth looked to be extremely pleased with me, for I had stationed
Elistraee between her mother’s thighs.
When the dinner was served, there were cries of anguish, as
the worshippers saw their high priests carried in, still alive upon their
enchanted spits, though their skin was browned and they smelled just as a roast
ham might. As I had said, the high table had a more palatable meal, as Tailong
and Zephara provided the meat for the high table. As we ate, Loviatar looked
over to me, her cheeks flushed from the attentions the slave under the table
was giving her and her eyes sparkling at the delicious suffering of those at
the low tables, and she said, “Oh, Zayn, you are such a delight! This is everything
I could have hoped for when I gave you that quest!”
Divine Example
The Maiden of Pain has commanded you to
seek out the High Priests of Pelor, Ilmater, and Sezphy in Duskhaven, and to
capture them for slow tortures in front of their followers as an example of
the consequences of acting rashly against another diety’s followers.
You have followed Loviatar’s commands
to the letter, and allowed her to witness the suffering of her enemies in person,
surpassing her wildest expectations.
|
|
Rank
|
S (Divine)
|
Success
|
The High Priests of Pelor, Ilmater, and
Sezphy are to be captured alive, spitted, roasted, and fed to their
followers, all while kept alive with the Healing Spits. If a High Priest is
killed in the fighting, the highest ranking priest under them may be
substituted. The ‘sacrifices’ must remain alive long enough to witness their
followers consume their flesh.
|
Failure
|
The sacrifices are not kept alive long
enough to witness their followers consume them.
|
Rewards
|
Hopeslayer Title
Reputation with Loviatar becomes
Exalted
Blackthorn Whip of Violation
|
New Title Gained!
Hopeslayer
Everywhere you go, hope dies in the
hearts of your enemies, and despair sets in. Those who know you and your reputation
for cruelty are increasingly likely to lose heart when they see you on the
opposing side, suffering a morale penalty to all actions and an increased
chance of attempting to flee or surrender equal to (Your Level + 10 - Target
Level)%, (min 0%). Effects double within 100 feet. Only applies during
combat. This is a mind-affecting Fear effect.
|
Blackthorn Whip of Violation
|
|||
Type
|
Whip
|
Rank
|
Divine Artifact
|
Damage
|
1 – 5 %
|
Damage Type
|
Piercing
|
This whip was made from a blackthorn
rose bush grown and tended by Loviatar herself, and crafted by her hand. Almost
unheard of amongst weapons, this whip does damage proportional to the max HP
of the victim, rather than a fixed range or being based on the wielder’s
abilities. If that were the extent of its abilities, then this whip would
still have a place in any sadist’s arsenal, but its powers go far beyond
that.
Requires: Reputation with Loviatar –
Exalted
Requires: Must be given to the wielder
by Loviatar herself.
+1000 Attack
Ignores all Armor and Resistance
Bleeding Wounds – All attacks leave
bleeding wounds on the target, causing bleed damage equal to the the initial
damage over 5 seconds.
Unending Torment – All damage caused by
this weapon, including bleed damage, cannot reduce the target below 1 HP.
Wicked Bite – Damage caused by this
weapon increases the pain felt by the victim by x10.
Violating Thorns – The wielder can
summon up to (Level/10) Violating Blackthorn Bushes, each bush having 10
vines, which can bind and torment a target like an altered version of the
Black Tentacles spell. The vines’ thorns deal damage as the whip itself, and
are treated as if they were attacks by the whip in all respects (including
Unending Torment). Costs 1000 MP + 100 MP/second.
|
|||
I smiled as I looked over the whip. This was the perfect addition
to my arsenal whenever I wished to cause someone pain, but needed them to stay
alive, either because they had information I needed, or because I wanted them
to suffer. I was quickly getting to the point where, even if I used low-ranked
weapons, I would likely kill especially low-leveled creatures with a single blow,
and no low-level weapon would last more than a single swing if I used my full
power with it. I thanked Loviatar, and promised that it would see good use.
With that done, however, I turned my attention to my other
weapons. The fighting through Duskhaven and turning in so many divine quests
had pushed me to Level 200, and my two scaling swords had grown along with me.
Their stats were getting truly fearsome, by any measure you thought to use.
Munsuraisa (Moon Slicer)
|
|||
Type
|
Sword (Katana)
|
Rank
|
Unique – Soulforged
|
Damage
|
1500 – 1800
|
Damage Type
|
Slashing
|
Part of the Heavenly Swordsman’s
Daisho. This Soulforged weapon grows in power as you level up, however, you
suffer a 10% reduction in XP gained.
+120 Attack, +100 Wisdom
40% Chance to ignore Armor on hit.
Crescent Moon Slash – Unleashes a wave
of magic from the blade, damaging all creatures within 20’ in a cone in front
of the wielder. Costs 20 HP.
Vampiric Blade VIII – Heal self equal
to damage dealt.
Sundering Blade IV – 40% chance to
reduce target’s Defense by 40 on hit. Lasts until armor is repaired.
Mantra of the King – Forces all who can
see and hear the wielder to kneel for one hour or until commanded to rise.
Costs 5000 MP. 24 hour Cooldown.
Celestial Bane – Deals double damage to
creatures with Celestial blood.
Keen IV – Critical Hit chance increased
by 40%
Vorpal Blade – All critical hits have a
50% chance of removing a creature’s limb or head depending on the area
attacked.
Heavenly
Swordsman’s Daisho: When equipped with Taiyo no Tsubasa, +100 STR, +100
DEX
|
|||
Taiyo no Tsubasa (Sun Blade)
|
|||
Type
|
Sword (Wakizashi)
|
Rank
|
Unique – Soulforged
|
Damage
|
1200 – 1400
|
Damage Type
|
Slashing
|
Part of the Heavenly Swordsman’s
Daisho. This Soulforged weapon grows in power as you level up, however, you
suffer a 10% reduction in XP gained.
+120 Attack, +100 Charisma
120 - 140 Fire Damage on hit.
Deals double damage to Undead.
Sunflare – Blind enemies within 30 feet
for 30 seconds. Costs 20 HP.
Flamekissed - +20% Fire Resistance
Manavore VIII – Restores MP equal to
the damage dealt.
Spellbane VI – Reduce enemy MP by the
damage dealt.
Infusion of Potent Health – Target’s
maximum HP increases 500% for 5 minutes, healed to (new) full HP. After
duration, target reduced to 1 HP. Touch range. Costs 3000 MP, cannot be used
on same target for 1 week after duration ends.
Dragon Bane – Deals double damage to
Dragons.
Godslayer – Deals double damage to deities
or those with divine blood.
Cauterize – Burn a victim for extra
fire damage to seal their wounds, preventing them from bleeding out.
Heavenly
Swordsman’s Daisho: When equipped with Munsuraisa, +100 CON, +100 INT
|
|||
I smiled to myself. I would certainly not be lightly armed
when I went into my next Trial of Ascension, that was for certain!
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The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T
