Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rose, Ranger of Patch Island and Hero of the Land, ventures on the open road on the way to the capital city of the land. Winter’s first snow falls across the open plains, and it crunches beneath her boots. The human girl has eyes as silver as this world’s sun, and the bleached-gray moon shines down upon her. As she walks forward, she stops as she perceptively notices a collection of creatures approaching- Dire Wolves, horse-sized hunters with dark coats and red eyes.

With a smirk on her face, she waits patiently for the creature to approach. As the wolves lunge for her, even their pack tactics are no match for her ability to dodge, vanishing into rose petals and reappearing high in the sky…as she descends, her special weapon, Crescent Rose, emerges from its mechanism and fires energy downward before swinging downward to take on the Dire Wolves!

Wolf after wolf, Rose uses a combination of magic and battle prowess to eviscerate the wolves! She may not emerge unscathed, but she emerges victorious. Her cloak billows behind her, and her silver eyes glisten with a grin of victory. Her black hair, highlighted by red, is tied into a wolf tail behind her head, and her fine leather armor is well-used but sturdy.

~=~

“WOOHOO!” Ruby stands up and cheers. “Take that, Dire Wolves!”

Taiyang laughs goodheartedly as he sees his daughter’s celebration at her latest victory in their home game. Tai always loved the game, but for a while now, it was only him and Ruby. Ruby was a smart girl, just a little different…a lot like her Mother, really. 17 years old, and she’s already skipped two grades ahead, taking classes with her sister. Ruby’s got a brilliant mind for math and creative writing…which, of course, also makes her a stupendous Dungeons & Dragons player. Ruby gets sucked into the world, seeking to carve a story out for her characters, whether they make it to glory or die in tragedy.

“Looks like Rose the Ranger is doing great!” Tai smiles. “I’m starting to run out of ideas, honestly.”

“Aw, come on, dad, there’s gotta be more!” Ruby pouts. “We barely play anymore!”

That much is true. Tai’s a teacher, and unfortunately, he’s transferring to teach at a new school- still in the same town, so moving isn’t a danger- but it’s left him working hard, and even as summer break approaches, he’s gonna have almost no free time. For the most part, that’s fine! Ruby and Yang have always been very self-sufficient girls, he knows they can take care of themselves. But alas, Ruby is truly in love with the game, even without…

Without…hm. There’s an idea.

“Well, you know Ruby, I may know someone who could run a game for you. An old friend of ours.” Tai strokes his chin and smiles.

“Old friend…?” Ruby’s eyes widen. “Ooh! Is this the game where you met Mom?”

Yes, as utterly nerdy as it sounds, Tai met Summer playing Dungeons & Dragons. The story of how they met was one that’s been practiced and told a million times: the two met as part of an adventuring party, their characters had great chemistry, fell in love, and quickly realized that such affections weren’t limited to their characters.

“The very same. He’s still got a game shop in town, though I don’t visit him much.” Tai explains. “I think Qrow keeps in contact with him, though. Between you and me, I think he still plays in his world from time to time.”

“He always runs the same world, right? I’d be playing STRQ: The Sequel?” Ruby grins.

“That’d be the idea.” Tai chuckles, then gets serious. “But I gotta tell you, Ruby, his games…they’re no joke. They’re a heck of a commitment, and they’ll draw you into the game like you wouldn’t believe. This game could eat away at your Summer and more in no time-”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve already sold me, stop with the sales pitch!” Ruby hops up and down, unable to contain her excitement.

“Yeah, that’s par for the course,” Tai smiles fondly. “You have your Mother’s excitement.”

“I am going to spend all summer playing!” Ruby excitedly gets her things together: a character sheet, dice, and her notebook. “Oooh, I need to know everything about the world!”

“Well, I don’t know about everything…” Tai chuckles. “But I could make a call to my friend, and tell you a few stories.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Ruby cheers.

~=~

It took Ruby three days to get her things ready, and she hardly slept in her excitement. Maybe some people thought she took this game a bit too seriously, but there was just something special about it!

Not to mention that Dad told her to “bring a friend or two” to the game shop! Naturally, Ruby sent a message to her friends Weiss and Jaune, and Yang!

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” Weiss frowns, giving Ruby a ride to the game store in a chauffeured car.

“Well, of course I did! We’re best friends!” Ruby hugs Weiss, who gets red in the face and pushes her away.

“We are classmates who happen to work well together.” Weiss retorts. “I’m only doing this because you insist this strange game helps you use your brain. Just be warned, the moment I determine it’s the reason you’re such a dolt, I’m out.”

“You say that now, but you’ll love it!” Ruby grins. “I think you’d be a good spellcasting class. You’d like how complicated they are.” She says, and Weiss narrows her eyes, yet doesn’t retort.

“So long as this keeps me out of the house this summer, I don’t care.” Weiss frowns. “But do we really need to play with Jaune?”

“What’s wrong with Jaune?” Ruby asks.

“I’m personally not looking forward to him giving his “macho suave” personality to an entire character.” Weiss huffs.

“Come on, it’s all just pretend! Besides, I’m sure he’s gotten better at reeling it in.” Ruby expresses. “And hey, these characters aren’t us unless we want them to be…you could throw him a bone by letting your character be a little interested~”

“Not a chance in hell,” Weiss says coldly. “What about you? Why don’t you throw him a bone?”

“You know, I would,” Ruby grins mischievously, “but I’m afraid Rose the Ranger is as raging a lesbian as I am.”

“We have arrived, Miss Schnee.” the driver says, stopping in front of the shop.

“YES!” Ruby barrels out of the car, and Weiss sighs.

“You can go,” Weiss dismisses the driver, “I can get a ride from someone.”

“As you say, Miss Schnee.” the driver drives away, and Weiss looks out to observe the game shop.

It looks…strange. Somehow, it stands out in the middle of town, yet she’d never actually noticed it before now. The sign overlooking the shop reads “Seifer’s Emporium,” and is emblazoned on the left side with a large purple eye, with an iris like a reptile or cat, she can’t tell which. It’s a dark wood building, and just looking through the window, the rows of games and books have what Weiss can only presume to be accessories for the game. She can’t see anyone at the front desk, though…

“Hi, guys!” Ruby’s voice snaps her out of her scrutinizing gaze, and she sees that Yang’s motorcycle has pulled up, as well as…Pyrhha’s car?

“Hey, Ruby!” Jaune gets out of Pyrhha’s car, explaining why it’s here: Pyrhha gave him a ride. That does not explain the two people in the back seat, or the woman riding with Yang.

Yang’s passenger pulls off her helmet, and she looks around, at a beautiful woman with black hair.

“Guys, this is Blake!” Yang smiles. “She’s my partner in crime.”

“There are better ways to put it,” Blake mutters.

“Oh, is this the girl you met in a bar fight?” Ruby asks with an innocent smile.

“I’m sorry, what?” Weiss asks.

“Relax, I wasn’t drinking, just kicking ass,” Yang smirks.

“Which you needed me to pull you out of,” Blake smirks.

“Oh, you wish.” Yang chuckles.

“Hey, guys!” Nora Valkyrie, is recognizable as being a bubbly (and crazy) girl alongside her quiet boyfriend(?) Lie Ren, both step out from the back of Pyrrha’s car, and Pyrrha walks next to Jaune.

“Hello, everyone!” Pyrrha smiles. “I hope you don’t mind, but Jaune invited us to play.”

“Yang did the same with me,” Blake says. “Is this okay? From the podcasts I’ve listened to, this seems like a lot of people for one game.”

“I mean, sure, this is like…twice as many people as Mom and Dad’s party had,” Ruby says, bringing some quiet nervousness, but she smiles. “But I’m sure it’s fine! Dad always talked highly about this guy, I’m sure he can handle it!”

“Well, only one way to find out.” Yang shrugs.

“Right! Let’s go play!” Ruby rushes in.

“...how many of us have actually played?” Weiss asks. Yang and Pyrhha are the only ones who raise their hands.

“I’ve heard podcasts and like fantasy books,” Blake says, and Ren hums, as though agreeing that he shares Blake’s experience.

“Great. This’ll be a disaster.” Weiss sighs.

“Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport!” Yang walks past her. “Come on, give it a try for Ruby!”

“I am not doing this for Ruby.” Weiss walks in.

“Keep telling yourself that, ice queen.” Nora snickers.

Inside the game shop, Weiss narrows her eyes as she notices that all of a sudden, a man is standing behind the front desk. She didn’t see him from the window.

“Welcome, all of you!” the man smiles. “You two must be Ruby and Yang. You’re the spitting image of your parents.”

“That’s right, Mister Seifer!” Ruby smiles.

“Just “Seifer” is fine,” the man smiles. “Have to say though, I’m surprised to see so many people.”

“Yeah, it kinda got out of hand…” Ruby chuckles nervously. “It’s okay, right?”

“Of course it is. I’ve done more with…well, more.” Seifer chuckles. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people with interest in the game. We’re going to tell a beautiful story together, I can already tell.”

“So, how does this work?” Pyrhha asks. “Most of us aren’t sure how to play.”

“Oh, I already have everything set up in the game room! Come with me,” Seifer says and guides them into a back room. “For simplicity’s sake, we’re going to start you all at level 1.”

“Aw, what?” Ruby frowns. “But I’m proud of my character…”

“Consider it a reboot for a new setting!” Seifer smiles. “You want to ease your friends in, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Ruby sighs.

The back room is a dimly lit room with a large table set with enough chairs for everyone, including the end with the DM screen in front of it. There’s a map on the table with several markers of different colors on it, and there are shelves with many different game pieces and monster miniatures.

“Did you know there’d be eight of us…?” Weiss mutters, observing the number of chairs.

“I just like to be prepared!” Seifer shrugs and smiles. He sits down at the head of the table. “Now…Ruby, since I’m pretty sure you have Rose figured out, why don’t you pass these around, whip up a level one version, and help your friends with their characters? After we come up with the basics, you can all come up with backstories over the next week and we’ll meet back here to play.”

“Okay, sure!” Ruby smiles and takes the papers. “Any special creation rules?”

“Use the Standard Array of stats so you all stay on par with each other,” Seifer instructs, “and then I’ll help you each design a custom item for yourselves, plus you guys each get a bonus feature based on your background.”

Ruby squeals in excitement as she passes out the character sheets. “Oh, that means I can get my Crescent Rose!”

“So, Seifer, why don’t you give us the rundown of this world?” Yang asks as she takes a character sheet. “Ruby and I have heard a bit from Dad, but knowing more could help.”

“Yes, of course…” Seifer smiles and clicks a button on his desk, making the lightning more ominous. “Welcome, children, to Terran. Almost two decades after the adventures of Team STRQ, a new story begins. And Terran is a world of stories! In the ancient past, Terran was a place of magic and gods. Where demigods roamed the land as heroes, all working to join their divine parents…but alas, that was a lifetime ago. Before the Godwar…a deadly conflict that threatened to tear Terran itself apart. And at the last moment, where it seemed all was lost…the gods left. They abandoned this world, leaving it godless for one hundred years, allowing a Kingdom of Darkness to rise…until the prayers of the people were answered by Aetherius! This new god now rules from beyond the veil, and his following, the Elysian Chamber, keeps the peace. The species of Terran made their lands, but they are all so very different…it led to conflict. It led to the War of Division. In the year we’re playing in, this war ended one hundred years ago. It ended when the species of this world ceased fire with the help of the Elysian Chamber. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Taurens, and Gnomes each have their lands, where their rulers carry the Divine Right to Rule! Which is, appropriately enough, the name of this campaign.”

“Whoa…” Jaune blinks, in total awe.

“Is this a game about political intrigue?” Blake asks curiously.

“It can be,” Seifer smiles. “Events will transpire, but what exactly happens to you depends on the choices you make! Though, I will warn you. The Elysian Chamber is like our modern church at its darkest…Divine Magic is only allowed if it’s connected to Aetherius, and anything else is labeled Witchcraft, and so is all Nature and Arcane magic. Practitioners get Purified.”

“Please tell me ‘purified’ is like a slap on the wrist…” Jaune mutters.

“I’m afraid not,” Seifer says. “There’s a bunch of religious stuff I can get into, if needed. You’re allowed to make characters like this, I just want you to remember that you need to keep your powers secret unless you’re a Court Witch of your people. There are only ever two: a Master and an Apprentice.”

“Hm…” Weiss skims the Player’s Handbook. “Wizard does seem interesting…maybe I can be one of these Court Witches.”

“Well, not me!” Ruby stands up dramatically. “Rose the Ranger is her own woman! She uses Nature magic to fight the good fight, and if you don’t like it, you’ll have to catch her first! Nothing’s gonna stop her from being a Knight of Arcadia!”

“I see Taiyang told you about Arcadia…” Seifer chuckles. “I can tell this is going to be interesting. So, let’s spend the day figuring out what everyone wants to do.”

“But a backstory?” Weiss huffs. “That’s so troublesome…”

“Just be yourself!” Ruby smiles. “That’s what I did! Rose the Ranger is basically just me!”

“Yeah, mine’s probably just gonna be “Rose the Ranger’s sister,”” Yang smiles. “I’ll be a Barbarian! Ruby could use the muscle. What do you think, Blake?”

“I have some ideas…” Blake mutters, swiftly writing in her character’s basic info on her character sheet. “I’m going to be a Rogue.”

“I’ll be a Barbarian! No, Sorcerer! No…” Nora rants.

“We’ll have to take a look at it and get back to you,” Ren says.

“It’s silly, but I’ve always been partial to Fighters.” Pyrrha smiles. “They’re simple, but fun!”

“Really? I’ll do that, too!” Jaune smiles. “I’m gonna need some help with this.”

“Doubling up on classes? Perfectly fine.” Seifer smiles and nods in approval. “Once you have your character in mind, just tell me a little of their fighting style, and I can whip up an item for you. And Ruby, send me the stats of Crescent Rose, and I’ll refine them a little to make sure it fits for this level.”

“Can wizards use swords?” Weiss asks. “I think if I’m the Court Witch, I’d be taught how to fence.”

“I think I have an idea for that,” Seifer smiles.

“Told you you’d get into it,” Ruby nudges Weiss, and she blushes.

“I’m just making sure I’m doing it right!” Weiss hisses.

“Of course, this is only the start!” Seifer smiles. “We have work to do.”

~=~

If Ruby thought the last week took forever, this time was even worse! This whole time since meeting Seifer, Ruby has been fine-tuning Rose the Ranger, making sure that she’s absolutely perfect for the game! Meeting everyone back at the game shop, she’s practically vibrating in her seat.

“I’m looking forward to this!” Seifer smiles. “You all wrote such interesting stories.”

“Aw I dunno, I was probably pretty simple…” Jaune chuckles.

“I just did what Ruby said,” Weiss shrugs.

“I want everyone to introduce their characters,” Seifer smiles, “so, Ruby, why don’t you go first?”

“Yes!” Ruby grins. “I’m Rose the Ranger! The canonical daughter of the legendary Team STRQ. I grew up on an island off the coast of Solace, Arcadia’s capital, and I’ve spent all my life in the Human Kingdom! I wanna help the people and be a Knight of Arcadia, but I also love magic! I practice it in secret, and I’m always looking for more. I hope one day, I won’t have to hide anymore.”

“Ranger, hm?” Ren hums. “I suppose that means you’re the Guide background.”

“Nope! Artisan!” Ruby grins.

“...huh?” Blake tilts her head.

“Rose loves weapons!” Ruby says. “She made Crescent Rose herself! It’s a marvel of blacksmithing and revolutionary clockwork technology! Part scythe, part crossbow, all killing machine!”

Seifer places a homemade character card down on the table for everyone to observe.

Rose Stark (F, Human Ranger)

STR: 14 / DEX: 17 / CON: 12 / INT: 10 / WIS: 12 / CHA: 8

Background Feat: Crafter

Skills: Athletics, Investigation, Perception, Persuasion, Survival

Tools: Leatherworker Tools, Smith Tools, Tinker Tools, Woodcarver Tools

Languages: Babel, Dwarvish, Goblin

“She made all her own equipment.” Ruby beams proudly and turns to Weiss. “You next, Weiss! I’m excited! I can’t wait for our friends to be besties!”

Weiss sighs. “Well, my character actually obeys the law. Princess Blanche Frost carries the elven Divine Right to Rule.”

“Wow, Weiss playing an actual Princess. Who’d’a thought?” Yang rolls her eyes teasingly, and Weiss huffs.

“She’s the Court Witch Apprentice under her elder sister,” Weiss explains. “She’s traveling because she’s trying to make a name for herself. Her weapon is Myrtenaster, a fencing rapier that has special properties based on the spells she casts.”

Seifer places the next card down.

Princess Blanche Frost (F, Elf Wizard)

STR: 8 / DEX: 13 / CON: 10 / INT: 16 / WIS: 12 / CHA: 16

Background Feat: Skilled

Skills: Acrobatics, Arcana, History, Insight, Nature, Performance, Persuasion, Religion

Tools: Chess Set

Languages: Babel, Elvish, Draconic

“Blake, how about you, next?” Seifer asks.

“Hmm…I’ve got Belladonna. She’s a rogue, but she doens’t really rob people. She just kinda sneaks around.” Blake says simply. “Her weapon is this crossbow sword whip thing…” Seifer begins to put the next card down.

“Wait, that’s it?” Yang asks. “Gotta admit, I was expecting… more.”

Blake shrugs, and Seifer puts down the next card.

Belladonna (F, Human Rogue)

STR: 8 / DEX: 17 / CON: 12 / INT: 14 / WIS: 10 / CHA: 14 

Skills: Acrobatics, Deception (Expert), Intimidation, Investigation, Sleight of Hand, Stealth (Expert)

Tools: Disguise Kit, Lockpicking Kit

Languages: Babel, Elvish, Orcish, Infernal, Sylvan, Thieves Cant

“How do you know so many languages?!” Weiss exclaims, and Blake shrugs.

“Hmm, interesting combination of languages…” Ruby hums.

“Well, I guess I’ll go next,” Yang says. “I’m playing Ying, perfect name I know, sister of the Ranger! I’m a Barbarian who works as a Bounty Hunter! I get into bar fights, hunt monsters, and charm the folks who see me in action.” she flexes with a grin. “My little sister made me my weapons, this cool pair of gauntlets!”

“Unarmed fighting isn’t usually a Barbarian staple, but Ying’s Tavern Brawler feat and these gauntlets make it a viable strategy,” Seifer explains as he puts down the next character card.

Ying Stark (F, Fireborn Barbarian)

STR: 16 / DEX: 13 / CON: 16 / INT: 8 / WIS: 10 / CHA: 12

Background Feat: Tavern Brawler

Skills: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Persuasion

Tools: Playing Cards, Lockpicking Kit

Languages: Common, Elemental

“Fireborn…?” Jaune asks.

“Oh! Right!” Yang chuckles. “Almost forgot. I’m a creature called a Fireborn! I was born during a magical event, and now I’m infused with the power of Elemental Fire! I can’t really harness it in public, though, or the Elysian Chamber’s gonna come after me.”

“Yeah! We both think the Chamber’s rules are trash!” Ruby cheers, and she and Yang high five.

“Uh…I can probably go next…” Jaune says as he writes something on his character sheet.

“You aren’t done yet?” Nora asks.

“I thought he was…did we forget something, Jaune?” Pyrrha asks.

“Yeah, uh…we forgot to name my character,” Jaune says sheepishly, and Pyrrha blushes, embarrassed.

“Oops…sorry…” Pyrrha says.

“Can my name be a title? Like “The Rusted Knight” or something?” Jaune asks.

“That could work if you wanna try being an anonymous character,” Seifer nods. “But you probably aren’t an actual knight.”

“I don’t think he looks like one, either. I was thinking his armor is all rusted, and they’re all hand-me-downs.” Jaune explains.

“Hmm, Crocea Mors is a pretty simple item…that could certainly work.” Seifer smiles. “I’ll even make it seem like you’re wearing full Plate Mail, but because it’s all rusted and used, it uses the stats of Chain Mail.”

“Oh! Cool. I wasn’t sure how that’d work.” Jaune smiles. “Um…I’ve got a merchant background, cause Pyrrha said I could have humble beginnings. My strength is kinda average, I wanted a guy who could tank a hit so my constitution is higher…I’m not sure what else to say.” he sheepishly admits, and Seifer puts down the next card after writing down the name.

The Rusted Knight (M, Human Fighter)

STR: 14 / DEX: 8 / CON: 17 / INT: 10 / WIS: 12 / CHA: 14

Background Feats: Lucky (Background), Tough (Human Bonus)

Skills: Animal Handling, Athletics, Perception, Persuasion, Survival

Tools: Navigation Tools

Languages: Babel, Sign Language, Elvish

“Oh, can I go next? My story is kind of connected with Jaune’s.” Pyrrha requests.

“By all means,” Seifer says.

“My character is a Half Giant named Sellicha. She’s a promising and powerful warrior, and she has some unique abilities she’s able to harness! She’s also allowed to use them as the Court Witch Apprentice of her homeland, Olympia, though she’s not a mage in any capacity.” Pyrrha explains. “Her weapon is actually a sword and shield combination, like Crocea Mors, called Milo and Akuo. Sellicha has traveled to Arcadia to gain renown. She wants to become at least an honorary Knight, and in the process she met Jaune’s character! She’s been a mentor for him ever since, and she’s come to really like him. Um, they’re good friends, I mean.” Pyrrha chuckles.

“Hey, Ren and my backstories are connected, too!” Nora says.

“Then you two can go next,” Seifer says as he puts down the next card.

Sellicha (F, Half Giant Fighter)

STR: 17 / DEX: 14 / CON: 14 / INT: 10 / WIS: 12 / CHA: 8

Background Feat: Savage Attacker

Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, Survival

Tools: Chess Set

Languages: Babel, Giant, Tauren

“Ren and I are from Verdaan!” Nora grins. “It’s the continent next to Ingentes!”

“There’s another continent?!” Ruby and Yang exclaim.

“Dad never mentioned that…” Ruby mutters.

“He might not know,” Seifer shrugs. “Contact with Verdaan is almost nonexistent. In Verdaan, the people revere magic, so the Elysian Chamber deems them a nation of savages.”

“It’s also in the middle of an intense Feudal Era of constant warfare,” Ren remarks.

“Ren and I escaped Verdaan to find refuge here! It took me a while, but I settled on Paladin.” Nora says. “They hit hard, and the oath I plan on taking is awesome! My weapon, Magnhild, is also really cool! I can hit hard and do lightning damage!”

“What’s your character’s name?” Blake asks.

“Thora!” Nora grins shamelessly. Yang laughs, and most others groan.

“I’m not any better,” Ren shrugs, “I just kept the name “Ren.” It’s already basically a nickname anyway.”

“Yeah! Ren’s this badass ninja with these sickle things! We’re here to find a new life in Ingentes, all while keeping ourselves hidden from the Elysian Chamber.” Nora says dramatically.

“They have a very promising shared backstory,” Seifer says and puts down their character cards.

Thora (F, Dwarf Paladin)

STR: 15 / DEX: 13 / CON: 14 / INT: 10 / WIS: 8 / CHA: 15

Background Feat: Lucky

Skills: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Stealth

Tools: Lockpick Kit

Languages: Babel, Dwarvish, Draconic

Ren (M, Draconian Monk)

STR: 10 / DEX: 15 / CON: 14 / INT: 12 / WIS: 16 / CHA: 8

Background Feat: Healer

Skills: Acrobatics, Medicine, Religion, Stealth

Tools: Painting Supplies, Herbalist Kit

Languages: Common, Sign Language, Draconic

“Well, that’s everyone!” Seifer smiles. “I think it might be time to get started.” he starts to pull out some dice. “I’m going to start with all of you separated, in three groups. You’ll steadily be able to find yourselves and join up into a larger group. I hope you’re all ready…”

“Uh, can I borrow some dice?” Jaune asks.

“Oh, you’ll all get your own dice.” Seifer smiles as he takes out a small box that fits in his palm.

“What’s that?” Yang asks.

“Your Dad probably told you that my game and world is unlike anything else…” Seifer opens the box, revealing an amethyst die with a strange eye in place of the “20.” “Did he ever tell you how?”

Everyone’s eyes widen as purple light fills the room…

~=~

Rose the Ranger is laying against a tree, taking a quick rest on her journey. She groans as the light hits her through the canopy of trees.

“What…where…?” she blinks, letting her silver eyes adjust to the light. She slowly sits up. “Where’d everyone go? Where am I…?” she looks down at herself. “What am I wear…wait…” Rose looks around and rushes toward a recent puddle on the ground, and her eyes widen.

Her hair is tied back into a wolf tail, her leather armor is lined with metal, and she wears a red cloak, hiding the shape of her dormant Crescent Rose on her back.

“I’m…I’m Rose?!” She clutches her face, realizing precisely what her Dad and Uncle Qrow always meant about these games. “This…this is…” her eyes light up in wonder. “So awesome!”

Chapter Text

Arcadia is the Kingdom of Humans. It’s a land of rolling hills, beautiful forests, and safe valleys. The Humans were mercenaries for most of the War of Division, but it was their First King, the one gifted the Divine Right to Rule at the end of the war, who started to take them in a brighter direction. Their second King streamlined the codes of honor his father had created, and officially created the Arcadian Knighthood. The concept of a Knight has become the true goal of any Arcadian warrior, and none know this better than Rose Stark, daughter of a band of Retired Knights. Team STRQ is said to have vanished into the Arcadian wilds years ago after their last adventure, and their fates remain unknown…

“Ooh, there’s narration, too!” Rose giggles as she walks through the woods. “Hmm, but I need to find the others…I’m level one now, so I can’t do all the stuff I’m used to,” she sighs and brings her left hand to her forehead. “Think, Rose, think…” she narrows her eyes and notices something on her left wrist. On her wrist is some kind of black tattoo, resembling a d20. “Hm, that’s weird…this isn’t part of my design for me…” Rose’s right hand rests against her arm, and she runs her thumb over the marking…

Suddenly, energy comes from the tattoo and becomes a glowing blue screen before her, like a hologram! It displays her character sheet and abilities.

“Whoa!” Rose grins. “Alright, this is pretty useful.”

This scroll function allows you to easily access your abilities so you always know what you’re capable of. People not of Earth won’t be able to see the scroll function.

“So you are talking to me…” Rose mutters. “You can probably hear me, too. Alright, then let’s do this right! I want to try and find any sign of people! I’m gonna climb the highest tree I can find, and then look out!” Rose runs through the forest and starts climbing a random tree.

Beyond her view, dice react to her actions.

Athletics to climb: 14 + 4 = 18 (Success)

Perception to find people: 16 + 4 = 20 (Success)

With all the grace Ruby sees in Rose, the ranger scales a tree to a tall branch and starts to look out across the forest. Looking out, she soon sees a main road, and on it, strange and beautiful palanquins with elves on horseback.

I’m going to have you roll some History, just to see how much you know.

History for information: 11 + 0 = 11 (Average)

“The design’s elven…” Rose mutters as the information enters her mind. “But palanquins? It’s definitely fancy!” she grins. “Oh! Can I ask for direct skill checks?”

If they’re appropriate.

“Then, I wanna roll insight!” Rose requests. “I want to know if this procession looks royal.”

Insight: 17 + 2 = 19 (Success)

There are some fine guards with this procession, but strangely enough, it’s missing anyone from the Elysian Chamber. Which means…

“The guards make it a Royal Procession, but the Chamber wouldn’t care enough to guard a Witch.” Rose giggles excitedly. “Oh, yes, it’s her! Oh. But I should play it cool. Our characters haven’t met, so I need to do this right…I’m gonna try and approach quietly.”

Stealth: 7 + 3 = 10

Rose starts to leap through the treetops, unaware yet of just how not stealthy her approach is.

~=~

Weiss Schnee is not having a good day. “Play D&D,” Ruby said, “it’ll be fun!” Ruby said. Now they’ve been sucked into a fantasy world with seemingly no way out, and Weiss is stuck in the body of an Elven Princess on some procession!

Princess Blanche Frost wears a long and beautiful white dress, and her crown is actually two crowns combined: the uncomfortably tight iron circlet of the Court Witch Apprentice and the beautiful ivory circlet of a Princess. She’s scrolling through her character sheet, reading the details of her spells.

Princess Blanche, far away from home, is on her way to the village of Elkross. This is both a move on her own part to get distance from her family, as well as a piece in some unknown machinations her family has with the Arcadian Royal Family, the Pendragons. Alas, it is a way to get far from that Palace, so a win is a win.

Oh, and then there’s Seifer’s voice narrating everything! Blanche grits her teeth and clenches her fists. She doesn’t want to risk talking to him, lest these apparent servants hear. If she hadn’t been quick to keep some kind of cool, she may have caused undue chaos immediately. Luckily, this palanquin is private, so she can silently panic all she wants. Myrtenaster is in a case to her right, and she occasionally opens it up to look at the weapon. When she touches it, there’s a sense of familiarity, an instinct that she knows how to use it…this makes Blanche quickly close the case again. Whatever all of this is, it’s merged her with her character. She needs to know more before doing anything else, especially if she’s stuck here for a while. First thing’s first: she needs to find anyone.

“Halt! Who goes there?” one of Blanche’s guards shouts, and Weiss perks up. She walks forward and peeks out of the palanquin.

The warriors of Alfemir, the Elven Kingdom, come in two forms. They are the archers, a modern practice of poise and precision, or the marauders, warriors who practice ancient arts of harnessing nature’s wrath without magic. Your procession is widely made up of archers, and many of them point toward the treeline. Suddenly, a red shape bursts from the treeline to land in front of the procession dramatically…

Athletics: 14 + 4 = 18 (Success)

As the figure lands, Blanche immediately recognizes the figure to be Rose Stark, Ruby’s character that she is always talking about.

“Greetings, elves, and welcome to Arcadia!” Rose grins. “I am Rose, ranger of the lands, and I seek to help all travelers I find on my journey! Do you need any help navigating the woods of my fair homeland?”

Persuasion: 14 + 1 = 15 (Success)

The elves look around and lower their weapons. “Stay where you are, human.”

One elf comes to Blanche’s palanquin, and she quickly ducks back in. The curtain opens.

“Pardon me, Princess,” the guard requests, “a human has come offering to be our guide. She appears to be genuine.”

Blanche clears her throat, trying to act natural.

“Bring her to me,” Blanche orders.

The elf nods, and in a few moments, the palanquin is lowered and Rose walks in.

“Greetings, Princess Blanche Frost, Court Witch Apprentice…” Rose bows. “Hm…any other names I should know?”

History: 11 + 0 = 11

“Man, I do not know much about elves.” Rose deadpans, but her smile never leaves her face.

“Leave us,” Blanche orders her guard, “I will determine in my own way whether this human is being genuine.”

Intimidation-

“Wait, I’m not trying to be intimidating!” Blanche whisper-scolds.

You made it sound like you were going to use your magic, and Witchcraft is something even many elves are afraid of. They’re taught to fear even their own natural magic, so the indication you might be using it as a form of interrogation is enough to scare people.

“Urgh…fine.” Blanche huffs.

Intimidation: 4 + 3 = 7 (Failure)

…of course, with a failure like that, I suppose your tone could allow Persuasion.

Persuasion: 6 + 5 = 11 (Success)

“As you wish, Princess.” the guard calmly says and leaves the two of them be.

Blanche takes a deep breath, and then stares at Rose with a worried expression. “What the hell happened to us?!” she whisper-yells.

“Well, I’m pretty sure we’re in Ingentes. Isn’t this cool?!” Rose laughs. “Oh, I feel so powerful! So strong, so fast, the Nature around me! I can feel the breath of the wind and the creaking of trees…” Rose raises her hands, and ethereal rose petals begin to appear.

“Stop!” Blanche grabs her wrists. “You remember what he said. Anyone not wearing one of these when using magic,” she points at her circlet (the part marking her a Court Witch) “Gets purified!”

“Do we even know what that means?” Rose asks.

History or Religion, either works.

Rose’s History Check: 15 + 0 = 15 (Success)

Blanche’s History Check: 5 + 5 = 10 (Success, barely)

Both Rose and Blanche’s faces pale.

“Hm…yeah, I don’t want that to happen to me. Fair point.” Rose nods. “But it’s not like we can actually die here! It’s a game!”

“Do you know that?” Blanche asks.

“Well…I guess not,” Rose shrugs, “but my parents played with him constantly! Look, I know everything about this game, I can show you how it works!”

Blanche sighs and facepalms. “Well…I suppose having you as a guide would help keep us together, for now.”

“Yeah, exactly!” Rose puts her arm around Blanche. “Just stick with me, Blanche! I may be a bit of a mess back home, but here? I’m the most badass ranger around.”

“You’re also still just a kid, here.” Blanche huffs. “Even in this world, you’re seventeen.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s for the sake of us being our true selves or something? I dunno.” Rose shrugs. “How old are you, anyway? Don’t elf ages work differently?”

“I’m…” Blanche trails off. “How old am I?”

Blanche Frost is 50 years old.

“Fifty-?!” Blanche coughs in surprise. “How?!”

“Oh, elves live for a bonkers long time,” Rose explains. “You age normally until you’re 20, and then you only age like…one year for every decade that goes by. You’re not socially considered an adult until you’re 100, though. So you’re gonna be a kid longer than me!” Rose sticks out her tongue.

“Oh, this is just perfect.” Blanche sighs. “Why couldn’t I be an adult?”

Because Blanche’s elder sister is turning 100 this year. It’s a big milestone, she shares her birthday with the anniversary of the War of Division’s end.

“I suppose that makes sense…” Blanche strokes her chin. “Are there any rules I should know about etiquette?”

You’ll notice your outfit is quite concealing. You have sleeve-length clothes, a concealing dress, and even a hood you can choose to wear or not. This is known as “Modesty Garb” and is required for all elves below adulthood to wear outside of Alfemir. Aside from that, your own knowledge of etiquette will suffice.

“Alright!” Rose smiles. “Time to get out there and have some fun! Rose and Blanche, against the world!”

“When it’s just us, you can call me Blanche, Rose…” Blanche pauses. “Blanche. Rose. Blanche. Rose. BLANCHE. ROSE.” she becomes increasingly frustrated.

“Oh, yeah, I figured that out while thinking out loud on the way here,” Rose says, “we can’t use our real names.”

“What?!” Blanche exclaims.

“It’s for immersion, maybe?” Rose shrugs. “I can still talk about rubies regarding treasure, but whenever I try to say my name, all that comes out is Rose Stark.”

Blanche sighs, realizing in this moment that neither of them have been able to say Seifer’s name, either. “Well…at least it means we can’t slip up.”

“Yeah! Silver lining.” Rose smiles. “Now come on, let’s go address your people!”

Blanche takes a deep breath and steps outside. This might not be so bad, especially with Ruby, or Rose, or whoever she is at her side. Weiss Schnee had longed for a way to escape home, and now she has something. Dangerous as this might be, it will be fine so long as she has someone looking out for her.

“This is Rose Stark,” Blanche announces to her guards and servants, “she will be our guide through the forest and beyond. A local guide will serve us well, so despite her age, treat her with respect.”

The servants and guards bow, and Blanche narrows her eyes. Some memories begin to shine through…there aren’t even a dozen guards or servants here. Typically, there should be more, a lot more. Just another way to hinder her wants to break free of her Father…

Blanche shakes her head, Weiss shakes her head. She can’t get distracted thinking about “Blanche’s” story. It’s more or less a facsimile of Weiss’s actual life, a life she needs to get back to.

“Get to guiding,” Blanche tells Rose and heads back into her palanquin.

“Alright! Talk to you later, Princess!” Rose says and heads to the front of the procession. “Hm, so how good am I at actually guiding?”

Survival for navigation: Natural 20 (Critical Success)

“Oh, heck yes! I know a shortcut!” Rose cheers.

~=~

Arcadia is full of forests, and many of them have twisting paths and hidden ways, long-overgrown paths from a bygone age. Only those who know their presence still use them…and that includes Rose Stark, who knows of a perfect shortcut that’s also intact enough for a group of this size.

Rose leads the way for the elves. She enjoys the narration praising her! It helps prove that she’s the hero she’s played for years now. And she’s so excited to reach the point she’s been at before! At level 5, she’s so powerful…but for now, she needs to help bring her friends with her. Once she and Blanche get to the next village, they’ll start looking for their friends!

“Hm…come to think of it, why is Blanche here? Like, what’s the reason in-universe?” Rose asks aloud.

You never got that information.

“Hm…I’ll have to ask her later.” Rose shrugs.

Of course, journeys are rarely peaceful.

“...wait, wha-”

“Help! Please, help!” a voice calls through the woods, and Rose perks up. Racing out of the tree line is a young human man, running through the woods aimlessly, just fleeing something.

“All of you, stand back!” Rose says, and then rushes to the man. “Hey! Are you okay?” she asks, and the young man jumps in fright.

“You…help! Please!” he begs. “You, you can fight, right? You-you have armor, a weapon!”

“Calm down!” Rose says, putting her hands on the man’s shoulders. “What’s going on?”

Persuasion to calm: 14 + 1 = 15 (Success)

The young man shudders, but starts to breathe. “Monsters…there were monsters…” he looks around conspiratorially.

“Try to make some sense,” Rose encourages, “there are a lot of monsters around here. What happened to you?”

“S-some Knights passed by my farm a few days ago,” the man says. “They hired me to care for their horses on the road for a bit. They were following rumors of dangerous creatures in the area, and…and then we were attacked! I ran away, and they fought.”

“How far away?” Rose asks.

“Just back that way!” the man directs back the way he came.

“What’s going on?” Blanche approaches. “I heard a commotion.”

“Monsters,” Rose says. “Stay here, I’m going to go and investigate! It’s directly the way we’re going.”

“Rose, I have guards, let them come with!” Blanche protests.

“No time,” Rose frowns. “I want to make a stealthy approach, and besides…I work better without a crowd.”

Blanche curses under her breath. “Fine. But I’m coming with you. I can’t have you go off and get yourself killed. Bring me Myrtenaster!” she orders a servant, who bows and rushes off.

“Princess, please,” one guard says, “you can’t go on without any guards! We are here to protect you.”

“I am more than capable of protecting myself,” Blanche says as her blade is brought to her, and she removes it from the box. “I intend to unleash my power, and I need as little collateral as possible. You are to stay here and wait for us. If we do not return in thirty minutes, you may make your way to us and aid.”

Hm… authoritative, but not domineering. I’ll allow Persuasion.

Persuasion: 18 + 5 = 23 (Success!)

The guard bows. “Yes, of course. As you wish, Princess.”

“Good,” Blanche sighs. “Lead the way, Rose.”

Rose smiles and leads her friend through the woods. Time to be stealthy!

Rose’s Stealth: 13 + 3 = 16 (Success!)

Blanche’s Stealth: 13 + 1 = 14 (Success!)

You creep through the brush, keeping outside of the path, and you soon see a clearing ahead. You blend in the shadows for now, but what you see in the clearing disturbs you…

Well, he’s not wrong. The clearing they’ve come across only half a mile ahead of the procession has a crashed cart and the corpses of three Knights, their armor marred with blood. Four strange creatures are crawling over the corpses. They have pitch-black flesh and appear to be some kind of mixture of wolf and humanoid, but they’re walking on all fours and have bizarre bone-like masks with red eyes and markings. They growl and simply prowl, clearly the culprits behind the deaths, but they’re not doing anything else. They’re not even eating the bodies.

“What are those things…?” Rose wonders softly.

Nature: Natural 1 (Critical Fail)

“Well, that’s not great…” Rose sighs.

“Whatever they are, they’re disgusting.” Blanche shudders, watching as strange smoke peels off of them.

One of the creatures tilts their head and prowls toward the duo.

“Stay quiet…” Rose encourages.

The beast sniffs the air, looking around and growling as it wanders around.

“Did it hear us?” Blanche asks.

“I don’t think so…” Rose narrows her eyes. “It’s sensing something, though…maybe if I insight it, I can get a better idea…”

??? Stealth: 13 + 7 = 20 (Success)

??? Stealth: Natural 1 (Critical Failure)

“Hey, uglies!” a voice cries out as someone leaps onto the battlefield. “Come at me!” a blonde woman grins. She appears to be human, but her blonde hair looks very bright in the light, and she has runic lines across her body that burn like a campfire.

“Ying!” Rose gasps.

Time for Initiative! This determines in what order attacks are made.

Initiative Order: Ying (20), Belladonna (16), Beowolves (14), Rose (7), Blanche (6)

“It’s Ying!” Rose gasps.

“Time to see if these things work,” Ying declares, and a pair of bracers on her arms extend and become full gauntlets! The gauntlets are made of iron painted yellow, and they have a furnace-like design on the knuckles, which constantly let out sparks and heat.

Ying Stark wields Ember Celica, a pair of gauntlets enchanted with enough arcane fire in them to act as individual furnaces. They amplify her unarmed attacks, shoot fire at her foes, and propel herself across the battlefield.

“Commentary on a fight, huh? That’s new.” Ying smirks. “But I kinda like it! Time to Ignite!” Ying blasts backward, propelling herself toward one of the Beowolves and swinging her fist toward it!

Ying’s Attack: 17 + 6 = 23 to hit, hits! Inflicts 6 (2+4) bludgeoning damage and 3 fire damage, plus an additional 2 (1+1) bludgeoning damage from being propelled!

Beowolf A Hit Points: 22 -> 11

Ying’s first hit slams into the Beowolf, and her Tavern Brawler ability activates, forcing it away from her!

The creature skids on the ground, and the four wolves snarl as they turn onto the Fireborn!

“Oh, I’m not done with you fools, yet!” Ying points her two gauntlets forward and unleashes the second property of Ember Celica! She hops into the air and unleashes a jet of fire that engulfs the four Beowolves and allows her to launch herself backward back out of the fray!

With the burning energy, the four monsters must each make a Dexterity Saving Throw. If they get at least a 15, they’ll take half damage, but Yang gets to roll an extra die of damage since she used Ignite this turn.

“I Burn” Damage: 14 (1+6+4+3) fire damage

Beowolf Saving Throws (From A to D): Nat 20, 4, 13, 11

The monster Ying just hit, seeming a bit more intelligent than its comrades, and dives behind the nearby crashed cart to avoid the fire while the other three are engulfed!

Beowolf B Hit Points: 22 -> 8

Beowolf C Hit Points: 22 -> 8

Beowolf D Hit Points: 22 -> 8

“You’re up, Belladonna!” Ying declares, and a shape emerges from the treeline!

Belladonna is a hooded human woman wearing shades of purple and black, as well as a black bandana over the lower half of her face. As she leaps into the fray, she draws out Gambol Shroud and dual wields with both the sheath and the sword, unleashing a flurry of attacks upon the monsters, starting with the one that dodged the fire!

Because Belladonna is leaving stealth, her first attack has an advantage to hit. And yes, she can attack more than once! Thanks to the lightweight nature of her weapons and the sword have a special property, she can attack a total of three times if she spends her entire turn attacking!

“Which I will be more than happy to do,” Belladonna smirks and flourishes her blades!

Belladonna’s First Attack: Natural 20, critical hit!

Belladonna’s Damage: 8 (4+4) slashing damage plus 5 slashing damage via Sneak Attack, multiplied by 2 to total 26 damage!

Beowolf A Hit Points: 11 -> 0

As Belladonna cuts down the first Wolf, she charges for the next one, going for the larger group!

Belladonna’s Second Attack: 10 + 6 = 16, hits!

Belladonna’s Damage: 7 (3+4) slashing damage!

Beowolf B Hit Points: 8 -> 1

Belladonna’s Third Attack: 8 + 6 = 14, hits!

Damage roll not required.

Beowolf B Hit Points: 1 -> 0

After cutting into the second one, Belladonna uses the sheath to bash the creature’s head in! However, she arches her eyebrow when she sees the two corpses begin to fade into smoke.

“What the…?” Belladonna ponders.

Unfortunately, Belladonna won’t have the chance to uncover the mystery of the vanishing bodies, for now the Beowolves attack! They have an ability called “Pack Tactics,” which gives them an advantage whenever an ally is within range of a target, made deadlier by their Multiattack!

“Wait, what?!” Belladonna turns to see the Beowolves charging at her!

Beowolf C Attack 1: 8 + 3 = 11, miss!

Beowolf C Attack 2: Nat 20, crit!

“GRK!” Belladonna gasps for air as the claw digs into her stomach!

Beowolf Claw Damage: 5 (4 + 1) slashing damage, multiplied by 2 to equal 10.

Belladonna Hit Points: 9 -> 0

Belladonna falls to the ground, gasping for air and barely conscious. The other Beowolf charges, but halts. It sniffs the air and looks around, almost as if it’s confused.

“What’s it doing…?” Rose wonders, but the creature turns away from Belladonna and charges at Ying! “Why’d it abandon Belladonna? It won’t have an advantage against Ying…”

Beowolf D Attack 1: 19 + 3 = 22, hits!

Beowolf Claw Damage: 4 (3 + 1) slashing damage!

Ying Hit Points: 15 -? 11

Beowolf D Attack 2: 3 + 3 = 6, miss!

The Beowolf claws Ying once, but she blocks the other attack with her gauntlets!

Rose can feel a sense of invigoration and adrenaline course through her body.

“Oh…must be my turn!” Rose bursts from the brush. “Come on, we gotta help!” she tells Blanche as she aims at the Beowolf over Belladonna, keeping Crescent Rose in crossbow form for now! “And since I was hidden, I’ve got an advantage, right?”

Right you are.

“Perfect.” Rose grins and pulls the trigger, launching a bolt at the Beowolf!

Rose’s Attack: 19 + 6 = 25, hit!

Rose’s Damage: 8 (4 + 4) piercing damage!

Beowolf C Hit Points: 8 -> 0

Rose’s bolt pierces the monster’s head, and it falls, fading into mist!

Blanche hops out of the brush next and raises Myrtenaster, using it to send a bolt of fire at the last monster!

At an advantage!

Blanche’s Fire Bolt: 9 + 6 = 15, hit!

Fire Bolt Damage: 10 fire damage!

Beowolf D Hit Points: 8 -> 0

The bolt of fire surges forward and impacts the Beowolf, causing it to fall and dissolve like all the others.

“Whoo! Teamwork!” Ying cheers, then rushes over to Belladonna. “Alright, we don’t have any healing, so…lemme see here…”

Ying’s Medicine: 19 + 0 = 19, success!

“Alright,” Ying staunches the wound, stabilizing her companion. “I think that’ll work…can any of you help more?”

“Lemme take a look…” Rose comes over to help sit Belladonna up, tending to her.

???: 4 + 1 = 5

Belladonna’s Hit Points: 0 -> 5

“Urgh…” Belladonna blinks back to consciousness. “Well…it certainly hurts to get hurt.”

“Ok, good, you’re alright!” Rose helps her up and grins. “Isn’t this awesome?!”

“I guess this is what Dad always meant when he said that he does it unlike anyone else.” Ying pauses. “I can’t even say his name, I just say he?!”

“Oh, good, that’s not ominous.” Blanche scoffs. “We should get back to my procession. We can talk more when we make camp.”

“Fine by me!” Ying says. “This is all kinda weird, huh? Do you think they were some kinda Werewolf Ghosts?”

“No idea. And I don’t think they can see, not like most creatures.” Rose says. “I wonder how they sense things…” she mutters, then her eyes widen as she feels the ground rumble. “Hold on…we’re not alone.”

Suddenly, bursting through the treeline, another creature emerges! It is immense, and it chitters, a massive scorpion that nonetheless shares similarities with the monsters the group just fought!

You had a round of respite. Initiative resumes. Welcome to the boss fight~

Initiative Order: Ying (20), Belladonna (16), Rose (7), Blanche (6), Deathstalker (4)

Chapter Text

The day has been long-traveled. The sun was setting when our heroes stumbled upon this carnage, and now the deep black of the night sky looms overhead as a new monster emerges from the darkness. It is wildly different than the other creatures you fought, and yet, the similarities are unmistakable: the creatures are connected somehow.

“Who cares? This thing’s going down, too!” Ying declares. “You wanna throw a boss at us? Sure thing! Let’s do this!” Ying slams her fists together and activates her Rage!

Ah, the Barbarian Rage! A powerful ability that boosts her damage and resistance.

Ying rushes forward to slam her fist into the creature!

Ying’s Attack: 12 + 6 = 18, hits!

Ember Celica damage: 7 (3+4) bludgeoning damage plus 1 fire damage, +2 damage from Rage, totaling 10 damage!

Deathstalker Hit Points: 52 -> 42

“Oh…” Rose stares up at the healthbar above the Deathstalker that doesn’t move much. “That’s terrifying.”

“I’m going to try and get some distance!” Belladonna backs up and shifts Gambol Shroud into a hand crossbow form before firing!

Belladonna’s Attack: 3 + 6 = 9, misses!

The Deathstalker raises a claw, and the bolt ricochets harmlessly off of it!

“I’m coming, sis!” Rose rushes forward, and hitting a button on Crescent Rose, the crossbow folds and transforms into an immense scythe! “Take this, you rotten scorpion!” she shouts and swings on the monster!

Rose’s Attack: 8 + 6 = 14, miss!

The scythe scratches the chitinous armor on the Deathstalker, but otherwise leaves it unharmed!

“What’s this thing made of?!” Rose exclaims.

“I think I have an idea!” Blanche declares and weaves spellcraft with Myrtenaster, then digs the blade into the ground to conjure an ice sheet beneath the Deathstalker! The creature begins to slip!

Deathstalker’s Dexterity Save against Grease: 19 + 1 = 20

The Deathstalker digs its legs into the ground, past the ice, and continues to loom ominously!

“Oh, come on!” Blanche complains.

“We gotta brace ourselves!” Rose exclaims as the Deathstalker looms.

The Deathstalker thrusts both claws forward…both at Ying?!”

Deathstalker Attack 1: 15 + 5 = 20, hits!

Deathstalker Attack 2: 12 + 5 = 17, hits!

Claw 1 Damage: 5 + 3 = 8 bludgeoning damage, halved to 4 from Rage! Ying is Grappled by the claw!

Claw 2 Damage: 5 + 3 = 8 bludgeoning damage, halved to 4 from Rage!

Ying Hit Points: 11 -> 7 -> 3

“Agh, dammit!” Ying growls. “I know I’m tryna be the tank, but this is ridic-” She’s cut off by the stinger jabbing into her chest!

Ying’s Constitution Save against the Stinger: 5 + 5 = 10, fail!

Stinger Damage: 8 + 7 = 15 poison damage!

Ying Hit Points: 3 -> 0

Ying is Poisoned, and Paralyzed for the duration of the poison.

Ying seizes up and fades into unconsciousness.

“Ying, no!” Rose cries out. “Alright, gotta make a plan, gotta…gotta pull her out of its grasp…”

The Deathstalker, out of nowhere, drops the unconscious Ying as she begins to bleed, and then turns toward Rose and chitters, as though it’s forgotten about Ying entirely!

When we enter a person’s turn while they’re unconscious, they make a death saving throw.

Six empty dots appear over Ying’s body.

Three red dots mean death, and three green dots means they stabilize.

Ying’s Death Save: 6

The first red dot appears.

“No, come on, no!” Rose growls. “Belladonna, help her!”

“On it!” Belladonna rushes over to try and help Ying like she did for her.

Belladonna’s Medicine: 7, failure

“Crap…I’m not making it worse, am I?!” Belladonna exclaims.

Calm down. Failure on this won’t affect her unless it’s critical.

“I gotta help Yang…” Rose weaves spellcraft around herself. “Zephyr Strike!” she declares dramatically. Rose petals surround her form, and she races away, too fast for the Deathstalker to react! The high-speed Ranger makes it next to Ying’s unconscious body, and she makes her own attempt to help her!

“Can’t you do what you did for me?” Belladonna asks.

“I…I don’t even know what I did!” Rose clutches her head. “Was it even me? I feel like I’m forgetting something…”

Aspects of your character they wouldn’t know are forgotten while you’re playing.

“Oh, come on! I wrote like three plot twists into my backstory, and now I can’t remember any of them?!” Rose complains.

“Rose, focus!” Blanche hisses.

“Right, right!” Rose gets to work.

Rose’s Medicine: Natural 20

Well, I suppose I’ll reward a critical success.

Ying’s Hit Points: 0 -> 1

Ying groans. “Thanks, sis…”

“We’re not outta the woods yet,” Rose says.

“I’ll try to slow it down!” Blanche flourishes her rapier and sends a Ray of Frost at the Deathstalker!

Blanche’s Ray of Frost: 14 + 6 = 20, hits!

Ray of Frost Damage: 5 cold damage, the target’s speed is reduced!

Deathstalker HP: 42 -> 37

The Deathstalker’s legs freeze a bit, and as it tries moving, it has to try and save against against Blanche’s Ice Sheet!

Deathstalker Dex Save: 16 + 1 = 17, success!

The Deathstalker drags itself off of the ice, even with some of its legs frozen…and this time, it beelines for Rose!

“Ugh! I can’t figure these things out!” Ying growls. “How the hell do they work?!” she shouts in frustration, and the Deathstalker hesitates. This time, it sends one claw at each sister!

Deathstalker Attack 1 (Target: Ying): 4 + 5 = 9, miss!

Ying grabs the claw before it can close around her, keeping it at bay!

“Urgh…what, can it understand us?!” Ying exclaims.

Let’s have some fun with this.

Rose Insight: Natural 20, critical success!

Blanche Insight: 10 + 3 = 13 (Failure)

Belladonna Insight: 7 + 0 = 7 (Failure)

Ying Insight: Natural 1, critical failure!

Hm. That’s actually quite appropriate.

“It’s not us…” Rose realizes. “It came right for me not just after you went down, but you going down made me angry! Those wolves came toward Blanche and me when Blanche was disgusted! It was drawn to you while you were raging! These things…they’re drawn to negativity!”  

The Deathstalker’s other claw comes right at Rose!

Deathstalker Attack 2 (Target: Rose): 13 + 5 = 18, hit!

It clenches around Rose…but hits only rose petals.

Ah, the infamous power of Crescent Rose! To reposition yourself elsewhere on the battlefield. Where will you go…?

Thirty feet above the ground, directly above the Ice Sheet, the shape of Rose Stark silhouettes in the moonlight.

“She went up?!” Blanche and Belladonna exclaim.

Well. That’s a new one. You know you’re going to fall when your turn starts?

“Counting on it,” Rose grins. “Ying, Rage can’t protect you when you’re this weak! Focus on getting this guy back on ice!”

“On it!” Ying uses Ignite to launch herself at the Deathstalker!

Ying Attack: 18 + 6 = 24, hits!

Ember Celica Damage: 8 (4+4) bludgeoning damage plus 4 fire damage, plus 5 (2+3) bludgeoning damage! Totals 17 damage!

Deathstalker Hit Points: 37 -> 20

Ying hits the Deathstalker with all her strength and launches it backward! It’s partially back on the ice sheet, but…

“One more hit should do it!” Ying rushes at the Deathstalker and swings her fist!

Ying Attack: 4 + 6 = 10, miss!

Ying’s fist impacts the chitin, but it remains unmoved!

“No…!” Ying’s eyes widen.

“Belladonna!” Rose calls.

“On it!” Belladonna rushes forward! In ranged form, the whip function is activate, so she throws it and uses the enchanted whip to wrap itself around the Deathstalker!

Belladonna’s Attack: 4 + 6 = 10, miss!

The ribbon wraps around the tail, but the Deathstalker swings, shaking off Belladonna immediately!

“Well, this is just perfect…” Blanche groans.

“Plans can go awry…that’s why you gotta improvise.” Rose takes a deep breath as she starts to fall, and she positions herself properly. “My scythe has reach, so I can still hit it…and Zephyr Strike has another effect.”

That’s right. Zephyr Strike doesn’t just let you move without provoking attack, it also lets you give yourself an advantage for a single attack, letting it also deal some extra damage. Your speed also increases the turn you use that ability.

“I’m going to land on this thing, cut it apart, and let the momentum of my fall dig into it!” Rose declares.

Interesting idea… a fall can indeed damage both the faller and anyone they land on. Let’s see if you can pull it off.

Rose plummets toward the Deathstalker and swings, letting rose petals flow around the scythe itself!

Rose’s Attack: 14 + 6 = 20, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 9 + 4 = 13 slashing damage, plus 8 force damage from Zephyr Strike!

Rose’s Athletics: 18 + 4 = 22, success!

Descent Strike Damage: 11 (3+6+2) additional slashing damage.

Total Damage: 32

Rose hooks onto the Deathstalker’s tail and uses it as an anchor to swing around and slash, cutting the Deathstalker directly in two, revealing nothing but smoky red innards!

Deathstalker Hit Points: 20 -> 0

Rose lands safely on the ground, and the Deathstalker slowly dissolves into darkness.

“Are we good now?!” Blanche exclaims.

Initiative has ended.

“Oh, thank god…” Ying sighs. “So, uh…good to see you guys!” she says, and Rose hugs her!

“We need to rest…” Rose says.

“We can get back to my procession. I’ll have my servants set up camp.” Blanche declares.

“You have servants?” Ying questions.

“I am a Princess.” Blanche huffs.

~=~

It took a few hours, but the group eventually has some privacy. The guards were hesitant to accept two more strange faces, but now they all sit together.

“So…this is really freaky,” Belladonna says.

“Ugh, thank you!” Blanche groans. “This one has been enjoying herself!”

“But this is so cool!” Rose exclaims. “You agree, right sis?!”

“Sure, it’s cool,” Ying says, “but I’m probably a good few minutes away from a mental breakdown. This is all just…unbelievable.”

“But it’s happening to us.” Blanche frowns. “We’re in a fantasy world. I’m an elf, an actual Princess! We’re the characters we made, and now we’re on an adventure.”

“Which reminds me, we should try to figure out what those monsters were!” Rose says excitedly. “I mean, that was weird, right?! They must be something homebrew! Monsters that take different shapes, but are attracted to negativity? They don’t stick around after dying, either, and the inside of that Deathstalker thing didn’t have any organs! These things, do they even need to hunt? Why did they attack? Ah! So many questions!” Rose squeals excitedly.

“Hey, are we able to ask you questions?” Belladonna asks the disembodied voice.

I reserve the right to refuse to answer.

“Okay, well, Belladonna and I came pretty close to biting it back there. If we die here, do we die for real?” Ying asks.

Y o u r  e a r s  f i l l  w i t h  s t a t i c

“Agh!” they all cover their ears.

Does that answer your question?

“What the hell?! No?!” Ying exclaims.

Ah, I should explain. I’ve answered your question, but because it’s not something for your characters to know, you can’t remember it. We can talk about it more later, I’m sure.

“Ugh…” Belladonna huffs. “Maybe we should focus on what’s in front of us. That was a pretty tough first fight, but we made it through. I think if we start working together, things will get simpler.”

“Right! That reminds me!” Rose claps her hands together. “We’re on our way to the next village, but I don’t know what brings Blanche here! So, Princess, what diplomatic mission brings you to Arcadia?”

Blanche sighs. “I barely know, myself.” she lays on the ground, exasperated. “I don’t know how much of my family is like…well…my family, but I can only imagine it’s similar. I can practically imagine it now, but I can’t imagine the exact reasons. I only know that it has to do with Arcadia’s Court With Apprentice. My sister wants me to meet her and help her with…something.”

“You don’t even know the details?” Ying asks.

“Nope.” Blanche sighs. “Though, that’s pretty much like how Winter is…she means well, I know she does, but it’s just… argh.” she covers her face with her hands. “I feel tired.”

“We’ve had a pretty long day.” Rose lays on the ground, too. “We should probably rest soon.”

“...do you guys think we’re stuck here?” Ying asks. “Until we finish our adventure, like Dad did?”

“Well…” Belladonna looks up at the sky. “It’s not such a bad place to be stuck, is it?”

The four of them look up at the beautiful, star-filled sky, devoid of light pollution.

“Sure, there are monsters, but…we have the power to fight them,” Belladonna says.

“Yeah…maybe you’re right.” Ying nods a little.

“I do love all of this,” Rose says, “but I understand your worries. How about for now, we take it one day at a time?”

“I can live with that,” Blanche nods. “...how do you think the others are doing?”

“They’re probably doing great!” Ying smiles. “Trust me, Pyrrha spent a lot of time on her character, so she’s a beast. Whatever, they have to go through, they’ll ace it.”

~=~

“Interesting theory…” Seifer smiles to himself. “Perhaps it’s about time I checked up on them.”

Chapter Text

It is a dark night. Terran’s bleached-gray moon hangs high in the sky, and here across the plains of Arcadia, we are close to the Olympian Border. The stars twinkle high above, bringing with it a tranquil calm-

“WE’RE GONNA DIE HERE!”

…to your otherwise panic-stricken situation.

The hero formerly known as Jaune Arc wears rusty plate armor and a helmet, with a glittering (albeit basic) enchantment on his sword and shield, which are rusty yet still remain fairly intact.

“Try to calm down, my friend…” Sellicha purses her lips. “We need to figure out what your character’s name is, I can’t just keep being forced to call you vague things.” The half-giant is a towering amazon of a woman with stonelike skin, eyes glittering like gemstones, and hair the color of rubies. She wears beautiful brass armor, matching perfectly the design she envisioned for her character: like a hero from Greek mythology. Or well, Olympian mythology in this world. Would it be mythology or history?

Regardless, she has a friend to comfort.

“How aren’t you panicking, Sellicha?!” The Rusted Knight exclaims. “We’ve been trapped in a fantasy world! What if we never find our way home?!”

“We’ll never find a way home if we panic.” Sellicha sighs. “This is more than any of us expected, but if this is the game world, it still has rules.”

“What do you mean?” The Rusted Knight asks.

“I mean there’s something we can do. Ask for help.” Sellicha smiles. “The Dungeon Master is never an adversary, he’s the storyteller, and we’re the protagonists in the story.”

“But he put us here!” The Rusted Knight exclaims.

“Maybe so,” Sellicha sighs, “but it’s our best bet. Dungeon Master!” she calls to the voice. “We’re telling a story, right? Why are we out on this road?”

A fine question, Sellicha. Tonight is an important night: the night of a Full Moon. Further down the road is an Arcadian ruin known locally as “The Witch Stones.” The Elysian Chamber has never been able to destroy this structure, and local legend suggests that ancient magic can be harnessed here on nights of the Full Moon.

“Perfect!” Sellicha smiles. “We might find Rose there. She wants to find ancient magic, remember?”

“Hmm…yeah, maybe.” The Rusted Knight nervously nods. “We definitely need to find her. She knows what she’s doing.”

“Agreed,” Sellicha smiles, “so in the meantime, shall we get to walking?”

“Please,” The Rusted Knight sighs, “I need to try and take my mind off… all of this.”

~=~

The Witch Stones are a circle of enchanted standing stones located away from the main route. An archway leads into a spacious yard illuminated by radiant runes on the stones, which shimmer with mystical sigils. In the middle, among the stones, lies a solitary stone dais adorned with luminous lunar symbols.

And as the Rusted Knight and Sellicha approach, they find that they’re not alone. Ahead of them, a stout dwarven woman with bright orange hair is standing beside a tall and thin draconian, a dragon-like creature with a tail and green scales, and Ren is hornless.

“Ren! Thora!” The Rusted Knight calls, and facepalms. “Ugh, why didn’t we all keep our actual names? It’s gonna be awkward calling you that…”

“You mean funny!” Thora grins. “Hey, guys! Isn’t this cool?”

“I’m glad to see you two are taking this better than I did…” The Rusted Knight sighs.

“Eh, Ren’s freaking out in his own way,” Thora says, looking back at the silent and vigil monk, “and yeah, this is all freaky, but come on! It is kinda cool, you gotta admit!”

The Rusted Knight stares at her, and hangs his head with a sigh. “Yeah, okay, it’s a little cool…” he mutters.

“Yeah!” Thora cheers. “So, what do you guys think the deal with this place is?”

“Supposedly, ancient magic is at work here,” Sellicha walks to the dais at the center of the stones. “Hm…I’m not magic yet, but I still have the build planned…” Her fingers trail to her tight iron circlet, which has had bronze incorporated into it. “Maybe I can try something.”

Sellicha places her hand on the dais and begins to focus.

Sellicha’s Arcana: 16 + 0 = 16 (Success!)

You can feel magnetic pieces of the runework deep in the earth…slowly turning your hand clockwise, you feel something begin to happen.

Sellicha focuses and turns her hand, and the ground rumbles. She stands up and takes a step back as the dais sinks into the ground and opens up, revealing a spiral staircase going downward.

“All right, go Sellicha!” Thora cheers.

“Whoa. How’d you do that?” Rusted Knight asks.

“I suppose it was…magic.” Sellicha smiles softly. That felt… strange, using magic, but not a bad strange.

“Well…shall we?” Sellicha asks.

“You and I should lead the way,” Rusted Knight suggests. “We’re supposed to be, uh, “Tanks,” right? Leading the charge?”

“That’s right, friend!” Sellicha smiles. “I’ll lead the way. This may be a new experience, but I know the things to watch out for.”

The stairs descend into a wide rotunda with black stone floors and walls carved with elaborate runes. The interior is empty, save for a single pedestal at the room’s center. Atop the pedestal, an ornate key balances on its tip with a castle design on one end. On the opposite side of the room, there’s a keyhole in the wall…and as the four of them step off of the stairs, the staircase spirals into the ceiling, sealing them in!

“It seems as though we’ve come across a puzzle.” Ren remarks.

“Pft, some puzzle! All we gotta do is take the-” Thora walks forward and is halted immediately as she walks into an invisible wall.

“An invisible wall? This could be challenging…” Sellicha says, touching the unseen surface. “I don’t think any of us have ways to dispel or teleport.”

“...what if it’s not a wall?” The Rusted Knight places his hand on the wall, runs across it…and finds a bend. “It’s not an invisible wall…it’s an invisible maze!”

“How bizarre…” Ren strokes his chin. “It may take us hours to navigate it.”

“Aw, man! I wanted to see cool stuff, not boring mazes!” Thora groans.

“Hm…” The Rusted Knight thinks.

“Is something the matter?” Sellicha asks.

“No, I think I’ve thought of something,” the Rusted Knight says. “While we were making my character, I skimmed all the basic species.” he turns to look at Thora. “Can’t dwarves sense anything touching the ground?”

“Huh…? Oh!” Thora touches the mark on her wrist to pull up her character sheet. “Where is it…here it is! Twice a day, I can give myself “Tremorsense” for 10 minutes!”

“We planned to weaponize that against invisible creatures,” Ren says, “but perhaps objects could work, too.”

“Only one way to find out!” Thora places her hand on the ground and focuses, taking a deep breath. She closes her eyes, and she soon smiles. “I can feel it! The walls of the maze…it’s like I can see the whole thing from above.” she stands up. “Everyone, follow me!”

In a single-file line, the four of them make their way through the invisible maze. With complete ease, they make their way to the center of the maze, and Thora snatches up the key.

“I’m Queen of the Castle~” Thora sing-songs with the key. “Come on, this way’s the way out!”

They exit the maze to reach the other wall. Thora approaches the keyhole.

“Everyone, draw your weapons,” Pyrrha instructs, drawing her sword. “There’s no telling the danger that lies ahead…”

They draw their weapons out, and Nora uses the key to unlock the lock. The entire complex shakes…and then the roof opens, and a new spiral staircase descends.

“...kinda expected the wall to move,” Thora mutters.

“We’re not that far from the Witch Stones…we didn’t see anything else, did we?” Ren questions.

“Let’s head up,” the Rusted Knight instructs. “But keep your guards up.”

They slowly go up, but find themselves back at the Witch Stones, out of the same hole they descended in.

“Well, I guess that’s magic,” Thora says.

“But…what was the point of everything?” Ren asks.

“Maybe we missed…something…” The Rusted Knight turns back toward the hole, only to find the dais has inexplicably returned, and there’s something resting on it: a scroll.

“Spooky.” Nora says, and the Rusted Knight walks forward to pick it up.

The scroll is tied shut with a symbol of an all-seeing eye on it. The Rusted Knight unties the ribbon and unfurls the scroll, looking at the strange runic designs and constellation-like patterns on it.

“What is this…?” The Rusted Knight wonders.

Rusted Knight Arcana: 3 + 0 = 3 (Failure)

Sellicha Arcana: 8 + 0 = 8 (Failure)

Thora Arcana: Natural 1 (Failure)

Ren Arcana: 6 + 1 = 7 (Failure)

Well. That’s unfortunate.

“Not a clue!” Thora declares.

The Rusted Knight rolls it back up, re-fastens the ribbon, and sighs. “Well, it seems like it might be important. We should keep it, just in case.”

“You should hold onto it,” Sellicha smiles. “We couldn’t have done it without your leadership.”

“Leadership?” The Rusted Knight blinks.

“Yeah! I didn’t remember I had that ability.” Thora smiles.

“Well…it was a little simple…” The Rusted Knight says sheepishly.

“Call it a reward for a job well done.” Sellicha smiles. “We should rest soon.”

“Is that really it for here, though?” Ren ponders.

This game is more than battles and mayhem. Especially at your level, some encounters aren’t for combat…of course, that doesn’t stop you from going above and beyond.

“First thing in the morning, we’ll head north until we reach a village.” Rusted Knight says. “Maybe we can ask around about finding the others.”

“Good idea!” Thora grins.

“I go camping with my family, sometimes. I’m not sure how much my knowledge of our world translates here, but it’ll hopefully help.” Ren explains.

~=~

“Such a wonderful eight heroes I’ve found…” Seifer smiles. “And more powerful than I thought. The Deathstalker was supposed to be something to run away from before finding their allies and taking it on…clearly, I’ve underestimated them. And the other four have the Keystone Scroll, but have no idea what it is or does…such is the beauty of the game.” He pulls out some papers. “Hmm…I think I have time for one more encounter. Let’s make a splash.”

Chapter Text

Eight new heroes have traveled across this beautiful world. Their goals are as varied as they are, but the threads of fate have bound them onto similar paths. It is in the dark of the night that rain begins…and lightning FLASHES, awakening you with a stark!

Rose gasps as she opens her eyes and sits up. Her entire party stirs alongside her. They’re not where they were before…they’re in the middle of some kind of forest. And they’re not alone. Four more shapes stir into consciousness. It must be…

“Guys!” Rose leaps forward and tackles the Rusted Knight in a hug!

“Rose!” The Rusted Knight exclaims, and everyone gets up quickly.

“You guys!” Thora cheers.

“We found you! Or, well, I suppose we found each other.” Sellicha chuckles.

“Well, at least we can stand united now.” Blanche sighs.

“Yeah! The party is formed!” Rose pumps her fist in glee.

“Wow…you’re really enjoying this, huh?” The Rusted Knight asks. “‘Is this coping, or…?”

“No, she’s just actually this much into it.” Blanche sighs. “It’s exhausting.”

“I’m starting to see the appeal,” Belladonna admits. “I think we can make the most of this.”

“Speaking of making the most of this, where are we?” Ying looks around. “Was this where you guys fell asleep? It’s not where we fell asleep.”

“No, we fell asleep in a field…” Rusted Knight looks around.

As you look around…

“Ah, here we go…” Ying mutters.

You see a structure beyond the treeline. It seems to be a crumbling building of marble, with immense columns along the entryway. It’s falling apart, and a tree is growing through the roof. A single, empty doorframe leads inside.

“Is that…?” Sellicha walks forward and steps beyond the trees. “It’s a Parthenon.”

“Like the thing in Olympia?” Rose pauses when she joins Sellicha. “Hm. Guess we can’t say locations from home, either…”

“Olympia was based on that place,” Sellicha says, “so it stands to reason there’d be a Parthenon. Hm…let’s see if I know anything about it.”

Sellicha’s History: 7 + 0 = 7

You’re getting better at prompting, Pyrrha, but I must respect the results.

“Huh. Well, we learned that he can say our names!” Rose says.

“Even with a fail, I remember some things…” Sellicha explains. “I know that there’s a Parthenon in Olympia that acts as the main headquarters for the Elysian Chamber…but that’s all I know.”

“Probably not this one, then.” Blanche says. “It looks abandoned.”

“Hold on…” Rose says. “We’re all mysteriously together, in the middle of nowhere, at a strange abandoned location that shouldn’t be in Arcadia?” Rose squeals excitedly. “We’re in a dream sequence!”

“...which means we haven’t actually reunited.” Ren surmises, and the party (sans Rose) sighs.

“Alright, we’re heading to a village called Elkross!” Blanche states. “Meet us there, we’ll wait for you.”

“Elkross. Got it.” The Rusted Knight nods.

“And in the meantime…” Rose inches closer to the Parthenon.

“Rose.” Ying stares at her.

“What? I’m just following the plot threads!” Rose protests.

Ying sighs. “Come on, guys. We might as well face this together.”

The group steps into the Parthenon and soon comes into the main hall. It’s filled with statues, all depicting different larger-than-life figures. In the center of the room, gold has been inlaid to the ground to depict a five-pointed star with a circle around it, and between the spokes outside the circle are five more statues: an Oriental Dragon, a Fairy, a woman with a forest as her dress and a waterfall as her hair, a man with a cloudy beard, and a Sphinx wearing a blindfold with an all-seeing eye emblazoned on it.

“Oh, hey!” Thora runs over to the statue of the man. “This one’s mine!”

“What do you mean?” Belladonna asks.

“This is the god I follow, since I’m a Paladin! Rokar, God of Natural Disasters and Strength.” Thora explains. “I feel like he’d get me, you know?”

“Yeah, sounds about right.” Ying chuckles.

“Wait…these are all gods? The ones that abandoned the world?” Sellicha asks and looks around. “There are…so many of them.”

“Oh, right!” Thora snaps her fingers. “In Verdaan, no one says the Gods abandoned the world!”

“What?” Rose questions, curious.

“Yeah, uh, they’re gone for sure! But they’re still worshipped. No one knows what happened to them, though.” Thora explains. “Can’t be too far gone, though! I mean, Rokar’s been giving me power!”

“Hm…” The Rusted Knight reaches into his pouch and pulls out the scroll, then holds it up to compare the seal on the ribbon to the sphinx’s veil. “It’s the same symbol. Thora, Ren, if you worship the Old Gods, do you know who this is?”

Thora’s Religion: 6 + 0 = 6 (Failure)

Ren’s Religion: 14 + 3 = 17 (Success!)

“That is Iris,” Ren says, “Goddess of Knowledge and Fate. Legend says that even losing her eyes didn’t diminish her omnipotent sight. She, and the other four Gods in the middle here, are known as the Five Heroes. They were Terran’s First Gods.”

“I guess that’s why they’re in the center,” Belladonna surmises.

“What’s that you’ve got?” Rose asks the Rusted Knight.

“It’s a scroll. We found it before falling asleep, and I’ve got no idea what it does…” the Rusted Knight says, but as he talks, the gold on the floor begins to glow brighter, and fills the room with light!

Everyone pulls up their arms to shield their eyes, and when they lower their arms, they see that the locale has changed. They’re in the same building, but it is somehow both more decrepit and fixed up. The statues of the Old Gods have been worn away by the test of time, with only a pillar remaining of each of them that you would never be able to tell it was once a statue. The floors have been cleaned, the holes in the walls and ceilings fixed, and the place looks lived-in. Completing the renovated look is a new statue, this one in the center of the star. Unlike the others, this one is made of glistening white marble! It depicts a figure wearing great armor, his long hair spills out from beneath his helm, and while the lower half of his face is visible, it’s impossible to tell due to the helm whether this creature is a Human or Elf. He wields no weapon, only a grandiose shield that depicts a divine symbol: a broadsword pointing downward with a shield on its crossguard, and the hilt pointing upward resembles the head of a scepter.

There is no Religion check needed for most of you to understand who this depicts.

“Aetherius…” Sellicha mutters.

In addition, you are no longer alone in this chamber.

Bowing on their hands and knees before the statue, head down, is a figure wreathed in black silk and armor, hood over their head. This individual is muttering something, and an ominous presence practically radiates off of him.

Everyone draws their weapons…but the figure doesn’t budge. They all hear footsteps, and look up. On a higher level, yet behind the statue, is another figure: a woman. She’s wreathed in shadow, and all they can make out is her glowing orange-yellow eyes and glowing runes on her red dress. The figure then lifts themself up, and they speak louder!

Blanche, Thora, and Red all widen their eyes. They can understand the man, for the language he speaks is Draconic: to Blanche, it is a language of ancient magic, but to Thora and Ren, it is their native tongue.

<“Ignorance is a layman’s bliss, Knowledge is a King’s burden,”> he chants and repeats, over and over again.

“AUGH THAT’S FREAKY,” Thora readies her hammer. “Do I hit him?!”

“Uh, maybe we could try talking…?” Rose begins, but suddenly, a hairline crack appears on the statue of Aetherius.

“...is this good? Is this bad? Do we like Aetherius or not?” Ying asks.

“I don’t know!” Rose exclaims. “This is framed like it might be a bad thing!”

“Sir, whoever you are, please stop!” Sellicha walks and grabs his shoulder to turn him around.

As he turns, they see a plain white porcelain mask over his face, and sulphuric yellow reptilian eyes looking back through. Sellicha steps back in fear, and he says something else.

<“Is one’s nature their soul or their body?”>

The woman above raises her hand, and the cracks across the statue grow bigger and crawl across faster. She sends out a burst of fire, and when it impacts the statue, it bursts!

“Take cover!” Rose cries out, and as the statue is destroyed, a geyser of pitch-black liquid flowers out of it to flood the Parthenon and engulf the party!

Rose tries to swim, they all try to swim, and with the tidal wave knocking the wind from their lungs, they fear for their lives as flowing black fills their vision. As Rose reaches upward, her arm breaks the surface…and she, along with her friends, fall upward, onto the…ground? The party, all around them, see paved cobblestone streets, city walls, and a rising plateau in the center of the city.

Arcadians, make History checks…Ren and Thora can too, since they would have passed through here during their “immigration.”

Rose’s History: 3 + 0 = 3 (Failure)

Ying’s History: 3 - 1 = 2 (Failure)

Rusted Knight’s History: 17 + 0 = 17 (Success)

Thora’s History: 19 + 0 = 19 (Success)

Ren’s History: 12 + 1 = 13 (Success)

It’s not too surprising, the girls tend to keep to the wilderness and townsteads. You probably only come here when there’s a party. But this place is the capital of Arcaida, the place Thora and Ren would have stepped off the boat into when they arrived in Ingentes. This is Solace. And it is on fire.

The sky is lit in orange, and a shape bigger than the castle atop Camelot Plateau looms in the sky. Its scales are black as night and alight in molten flame! The dragon’s quadrupedal with an immense pair of wings, breathes devastation down onto the city of Solace!

“A Dragon?!” Ying exclaims.

“We-we’re only level one, we’re not ready for-” Rose is cut off as another gout of flames wash over the city, engulfing the party!

…and you wake with a start.

~=~

“The bonds forged in battle will last for an eternity. There are mysteries afoot…strange monsters attacking without reason, a scroll with an unknown purpose, and a vision linking eight people together, complete with a promise to meet in Elkross. Was that vision the future? Who’s to say, as visions can be strange…but one thing’s for certain. Your adventure has only just begun.” Seifer snaps his book closed and smiles.

Around him, sitting at the table, his eight players blink as they realize they’re back on Earth.

“What the…?” Blake mutters.

“Aw, it’s over already?” Ruby pouts.

“Already?!” Weiss exclaims. “Ruby, we’ve been gone for who knows how long?! Hours, certainly! What time is it?!” she snaps at Seifer.

Seifer checks his watch. “About 4:30 PM.”

“Wait…” Yang blinks. “We started playing at 12:30. It’s only been four hours?!”

“Time is relative to me, and we can even shift that around a bit based on what you want or need.” Seifer smiles. “You’re hardly prisoners in my world. I run for those who wish to play, and give a truly unique experience to the heroes. But it’s not for everyone. So, if you still wanna play, when do you wanna continue?”

“Tomorrow!” Ruby slams her hands on the table excitedly.

“Ruby!” Yang frowns.

“What?!” Ruby exclaims. “That was amazing! That’s the best I’ve ever felt! It was amazing!”

“Perhaps I can give you all a week to think it over,” Seifer smiles, “you might want the time. I’m letting you all level up to Level 2.”

“Before we agree to anything,” Ren says, “we have questions.”

“I can’t guarantee all the answers you’re looking for,” Seifer says, “but you at least deserve that. Ask away.”

“Then let’s start with the big one,” Yang says. “I understand we won’t be able to remember this answer in character…but we need it now. What happens when a character dies?”

Seifer answers.

Chapter Text

Taiyang Xiao Long has ordered pizza for tonight. He wants to hear all about his daughters’ first adventure in Terran, and he’s eager to hear how much has changed since Team STRQ had their adventures! He smiles fondly down at a framed picture of the four of them celebrating their official victory and end to the campaign…all of them posing dramatically in front of the game shop.

That was over two decades ago, now… Tai thinks to himself and sighs again. He tucks the photograph back into his pocket. No time to think about that, now. The girls won’t be playing with people who were strangers before the game, they’re playing with people they’re friends with! It’s not gonna end the same way.

The door to the home bursts open, and Yang comes in dragging Ruby.

“I don’t wanna wait a week!” Ruby whines.

“I still can’t believe how well you took all that craziness!” Yang sighs, and her glare turns to her Dad. “You! You’ve got a lotta explaining to do, Dad!”

“Yeah!” Ruby throws her arms up. “You knew about a way to make D&D real, and you never told us?!”

“Not what I meant, Ruby!” Yang sighs.

“I take it you girls had fun?” Tai asks with an amused smirk.

“Yes!” Ruby grins.

“It…” Yang sighs. “It was cool, yeah, but Seifer’s cryptic as hell! All I got were answers about the game, not how it works. He won’t even tell us where the heck he got that weird die that sent us there!”

“Your Uncle and I have our theories,” Tai says, “but he’s always been like that. You’re not gonna get answers out of him, just a game.”

“And you just let us go there without any big warning?” Yang asks.

“I didn’t get a warning!” Tai chuckles, “I know it’s a lot. It takes a lot of getting used to…but it’s worth it in the end, isn’t it?”

“Yes!” Ruby immediately says.

Yang sighs. “We’re going back next week to play again…everyone agreed.”

“Oh, yeah? How many people showed up?” Tai asks curiously and takes a sip of his soda.

“Eight!” Ruby smiles, and Tai coughs.

“Eight?!” Tai exclaims. “That, uh…that’s more than I expected.”

“There’s so much cool stuff in this game!” Ruby says. “We saw weird monsters attracted to negativity and statues of gods, and a vision of the future we’ve gotta avert!”

Yang sighs again, but can’t help but smile at her sister’s enthusiasm. “I gotta admit, fighting is a heck of an adrenaline rush…”

“I understand it’ll take a lot of getting used to,” Tai says, “but how about we start with the basics? I can tell you about Team STRQ’s adventures, the real adventures, just how I remember them, and you girls can tell me all about yours.”

Yang sits down on the couch. “Alright…I guess that works.”

“Good. There’s pizza in the kitchen, when you’re ready.” Tai says.

“Ooh, pizza!” Ruby rushes into the kitchen.

“She’s taken to it all so naturally…” Yang says. “All the stuff she describes her character doing on the fly, she can do that with just as much ease in that world.” she purses her lips. “Dad…is that world real? Is this really some magic taking us somewhere else, or is this some drug or virtual reality trick?”

“Well, he didn’t drug you,” Tai chuckles and pauses. “It’s real, Yang. Trust me on that. I believe Seifer is the creator of this world, Author or otherwise, and he uses the dice to let people in. It’s like…the players are a second opinion. We’re wild cards, affecting the world in ways he can’t foresee.”

“How can you be sure it’s all real? It just seems like the game with extra steps, to me.” Yang says.

“Don’t approach it like that,” Tai answers quickly. “Just…trust me. Those people, the stakes, they’re all real, Yang. That world and everyone in it is real.”

“...did the game have anything to do with Mom leaving?” Yang asks quietly, and Tai flinches.

“She…” Tai trails off, and Ruby suddenly comes back in with a plate full of pizza and cookies she raided from the pantry. “Wha- Ruby!”

“I can’t hear you! I’m planning my level up!” Ruby snickers, and Yang can’t help but smile as her Dad chases her down.

Tai hopes that Yang really will take it in stride. Seifer offers almost no answers, but it’s hard to be skeptical when you live through it so personally…his girls will make it through this. They’ll be better heroes.

Rose Stark has reached Level 2!

• Rose has gained the “Great Weapon Fighting” Fighting Style!
• Rose has learned the Primordial and Elvish languages!
• Rose’s Perception has reached Expert level!

Ying Stark has reached Level 2!

• Ying has gained Danger Sense!
• Ying has gained Reckless Attack!

~=~

The Schnee Family lives in a manor on the edge of town. Weiss’s Father is a Tycoon in an unfortunate number of ways, but right now the daily family drama is only secondary. Weiss has been shown an entirely new world…a world she, unfortunately, put her own family into as an elven facsimile of themselves. Things are undoubtedly going to be very different from reality, but despite how unbelievable and terrifying it is…it’s also freeing.

That world could become an escape and a fantasy for her. Not just an escape from her real family, but by playing someone with the power and drive to leave them behind, she can live through all her wildest fantasies of running away from home. They’re ridiculous fantasies…she’s the heiress to her Father’s fortune, after all, ever since Winter joined the military.

For years, Weiss has used any time to herself to escape from reality, be it art or writing. Weiss pulls up a document on her laptop, the one containing Blanche’s story. Seifer has access to it, and before they began, he’s assured her that he’ll try to work in any additions if she makes a good case for it. Her family is none the wiser of what she’s gone through, so for now, she decides to work on leveling up Blanche and writing some things down.

Addition 1: Expectations

Even before the War of Division, the clan that would become the Elven Royal Family was known for its magical prowess. They wielded weapons and magic together, as begun by Blanche’s Grandfather, an Elven Hero named Klaus. He was a scholar, a soldier, and a leader. It was this combination of traits that led to him accepting the peace talks that ended the War of Division, and he swore off all magic when the war ended for the sake of peace. Blanche’s Mother, Wallow, certainly has magical potential, though she never sought to be the Court Witch. Instead that duty fell to Winter, Blanche’s elder sister when she was noticed by the Court Witch Master…

“Can I really not think of a better name than Winter’s actual name?” Weiss shakes her head. “Ugh, beyond that, I need more information about Alfemir…I don’t even know who the Court Witch before Winter was,” she mutters to herself. “If I’m going to play Princess, I need to know everything.”

Regardless of who the Court Witch Master at the time was, Winter is the Master now, and took on Blanche as her apprentice. Now, Blanche struggles with the aspect of magic her family is best known for: Conjuration. The ability to summon creatures to fight for them makes the witches of their line true leaders, and they have cast more scrutiny from the Chamber over them for being “demon summoners.” Blanche considers her inability to summon both a blessing and a curse: the Elysian Chamber will not view her with as much scrutiny, but it also means she cannot do something her sister can do…so she ventures outward to Arcadia. Maybe there, she can become stronger…

Weiss sighs and leans back on her bed. “I should ask for info about all the royals…and the other Court Witches. A Princess would know those things,” she mutters to herself and closes her eyes. There’s yelling downstairs, and she huffs. The only reason she’s going along with all of this is because it’s a perfect escape from this house.

Princess Blanche Frost has reached Level 2!

• Blanche’s Arcana has reached Expert level!

~=~

Blake walks through the streets as night falls. She dips into an alleyway and makes sure no one’s following her…and then she scales the wall of an abandoned apartment complex, slipping through a window into what she calls her home. There’s a sleeping bag, a handful of battery-powered implements to help her survive, and she always has her wallet on her, which has in it her parents’ credit card, somehow still working after all this time…even if she rarely uses it. Blake pulls out a copy of her character’s backstory, which is multiple pages long. Despite her facade of a simple character, she made someone complex and deep to fit into this beautiful world. She stopped by the game shop every day to ask Seifer questions about the world and the person her character could be. She wanted it to be similar to her own life, for some kind of therapy, but…

“I’m okay,” Blake sighs in relief as she skims the story. “There’s just my parents and a bad situation, but there’s no ex, no charismatic man, there’s no… him in that world.” Blake sighs in relief. “I’m not going to see him there…” she chuckles grimly. “I’m safe from him when I’m there…”

Blake tucks into her sleeping bag, and the alternate copy of her character sheet sticks out of her bag.

NAME: Beauty, Scion of the Shadow Clan

SPECIES: Stygian

“Belladonna” has reached Level 2!

• Belladonna has gained Cunning Action!

~=~

Jaune’s a pretty proud guy, he’s not afraid to admit that Pyrrha might just be the best thing to ever happen to him. She’s helped him study for a while now to make sure he doesn’t have to drop out, and now they have plans to go on to college together! She’s his best friend, and they’ve always been very close. That now leads them to their discussion about what happened today.

“An entire world…it’s incredible, isn’t it?” Pyrrha asks.

“Yeah…it makes me feel a little guilty, though, how simple the Rusted Knight is.” Jaune frowns. “He doesn’t even have a name…”

“Well, we can at least fix that tonight.” Pyrrha thinks. “You didn’t like how the names changed, right?”

“I mean, I can live with it, it’s just an adjustment period.” Jaune frowns. “What if I choose a real name but forget it in the moment? Should I really just use my name?”

“How about…Jean? J-E-A-N? It’s pronounced the same as your name, but different enough on paper to be properly different.” Pyrrha smiles.

“Hm…yeah, that sounds good to me.” Jaune shrugs and chuckles. “I think it fits. I am looking forward to seeing your character in action, though! That magic stuff you did was pretty cool.”

“Oh, that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Pyrrha laughs bashfully. “I can’t wait to see what you can do! You’re taking to it well.”

“Thanks!” Jaune chuckles. “So, uh, help me figure out how exactly this works…what’s the difference between an action and an attack?”

Pyrrha chuckles. “Well, it’s like this…”

The two talk into the night about their characters and what they plan to do next session…

Jean, the Rusted Knight has reached Level 2!

• Jean has gained Tactical Mind!
• Jean has gained Action Surge!

Sellicha has reached Level 2!

• Sellicha has gained Tactical Mind!
• Sellicha has gained Action Surge!

~=~

Ren has managed to convince Nora not to tell his parents about what they have come across, and the two of them sit in Ren’s room leveling up their characters.

“This is gonna be awesome!” Nora grins. “It’s still pretty freaky, but I’m excited! Seifer approved this homebrewed thing before we left, since I don’t think all the holy stuff fits me…I think this is gonna be really fun, though!”

Ren smiles quietly. Seeing Nora this happy, and having some of their questions answered by Seifer back in the game shop…well, he’s inclined to agree. This is going to be quite the game.

Thora has reached Level 2!

• Thora has gained the “Great Weapon Fighting” Fighting Style!
• Thora has gained Paladin’s Smite!
• Homebrew Ability gained: “Rokar’s Wrath” (All radiant damage Thora inflicts with the spell “Divine Smite” is converted into lightning damage)

Ren has reached Level 2!

• Ren has gained Monk’s Focus!
• Ren has gained Unarmored Movement!
• Ren has gained Uncanny Metabolism!

~=~

In the week that passes, Seifer prepares the next steps for this party of eight. Will they stick together or split off more? Only time will tell. Regardless of their plans, he has plans as well. The entire group returns when the next week comes, and he smiles when he sees them sit down.

“It seems like everyone’s still interested!” Seifer says jovially.

“Yeah!” Ruby grins. “We’re all leveled up and ready!”

“Then it’s time to get started,” Seifer opens up the dice box, and light fills the room. “Our adventure resumes when you all find your way to the Arcadian village of Elkross…”

Author’s Note: From here on out, segments on “Earth” will be intermissions between levels until stated otherwise. We’ll be going straight on in the campaign from here, and it’s safe to assume that these adventures happen over multiple sessions, even if the start and end of sessions aren’t always shown.

Chapter Text

Elkross. It is by far the smallest settlement in Arcadia, and yet, it is also the most vital. Only a few days' journey away from Solace, this humble town has roving farmlands for miles around! Elkross supplies Arcadia with almost 90% of its total crop yield, often ensuring it is rich and well-protected.

The Elven Royal Procession enters the village, and the human population gazes at the elves with curiosity, and their curiosity is only increased by the bizarre few that join them. Rose, Ying, we established last time that you two have rarely, if ever, been to Solace, so let’s see what you know about Elkross. A high result will mean that you’ve been here before.

Rose’s History: 11 + 0 = 11

Ying’s History: 4 - 1 = 3

“I like to think Ying and I have only really passed through here on the way to Solace for big festivals, and so we don’t really know anything about these places,” Rose says. “We just go to party!”

Hm…yes, that works with those results. You, Rose, at least know some basic information on Elkross.

Aside from that, you see that there’s a welcoming committee of sorts! A well-dressed and heavyset human man sits alongside a number of guards, at attention. They are clearly an attempt to show off more than any need for defense. Several buildings stand out to you in Elkross as you travel through: aside from the farmlands, you can see a General Store, a Blacksmith’s Forge, a Town Hall, a Noble Estate, and looming over the village is an ancient keep with ivy growing up the walls.

“A noble estate and a keep?” Belladonna mutters.

“Welcome, Princess Blanche Frost of Alfemir!” the heavy human bows. “I am Baron Kendell, the humble ruler of our fair village!”

“Greetings, Baron Kendell.” Blanche steps regally out of her palanquin. “I was told that we’d be meeting the Court Witch here.”

“Yes, erm…our country Court Witch was here recently! She’s just…not here right now.” the Baron says sheepishly.

“Where is she?” Blanche scrunches up her nose in annoyance.

“The Court Witch tends to pay well for monster parts from adventuring sorts, but she also likes to go out and do it herself.” the Baron explains.

“The Arcadian Court Witch is a monster hunter? That’s so cool!” Rose’s silver eyes glitter in wonder.

“And inconvenient…” Blanche huffs. “When will she return?”

“We don’t know,” Kendell says. “She keeps to herself and her experiments. She doesn’t tell anyone anything…b-but! While we await her return, you are welcome here as our honored guest!”

“Very well,” Blanche sighs. “Where shall my procession and I be staying?”

“We’ll supply you with the finest room in the Dripstone Inn, Princess!” Kendell explains.

“What about that keep?” Ying points a thumb toward the keep, positioned behind them. “It looks like there’s plenty of room there.”

“Oh, um…that is Thornveil Keep. It belongs to an Order of Knights, though they don’t use it anymore. They own the land and building, given to them by the late Queen. The only ones who still live there are their leader and his steward.” Kendell explains. “I don’t believe they’re a very, erm, political bunch.”

“I’m sure an inn will suit us just fine!” Rose smiles. “Right, Princess?”

“Fine, then.” Blanche sighs. “You’ve done well as my guide, Rose Stark. I expect you to continue to do so, and I assure you that you will be well compensated.”

“She is really doing better at staying in character already,” Belladonna mutters.

“Eh, for her, it’s not really a “character,”” Ying quips, and Blanche holds back a scoff.

“As for you all,” Blanche turns back toward her servants, “You may unload my belongings, then you are excused.”

“Um…pardon me, ma’am?” one of them asks.

“I will be remaining in Arcadia for an extended period of time. I shall continue to use the status and wealth befitting my position, but in the meantime, these three have proved to be more than capable when it comes to protecting me. Therefore, you are excused.” Blanche explains.

Blanche’s Persuasion: 10 + 5 = 15 (Success!)

“Understood, Princess.” a guard bows. “We will simply resupply and begin our journey back to Alfemir in the morning.”

“Very well. Run along, now.” Blanche says, and when they clear out, Rose smiles.

“Wow, Blanche! I didn’t think you were the type to just get rid of servants.” she teases.

Blanche frowns and yanks on Rose’s ear. “I am doing this so we can speak plainly without prying ears and so no one’s at risk of seeing your magic, you dolt.”

“Ow…” Rose pouts and rubs her ear. “Yeah, that makes sense…”

“But hey, we got an inn to check out!” Ying grins. “Inns and taverns are where adventures are born! Let’s wait there, the others’ll find their way there too.”

Blanche sighs. “Fine, then.”

The four walk into the Dripstone Inn and find it to be quaint. There are a handful of people around gawking at the strange group of people that has entered, and a motherly human woman behind the bar smiles jovially at them.

“Ah, hello there!” she greets. “You must be the Princess,” she looks at Blanche, “you’ll be glad to know that you’re getting our finest room!”

“Excellent,” Blanche smiles haughtily. “I’ll need rooms for my companions, as well. You can bill it all to my name.”

“But of course, Princess!” the woman bows her head.

“Good,” Blanche nods, and Rose meanderingly leads her team to a corner booth.

“Alright! So, while we wait for the others,” Rose says, “what’s our plan?”

“Well, I presumed the Court Witch was going to have something to do with our quest…I guess not.” Blanche huffs.

“What’s the deal with this Court Witch, anyway?” Ying asks.

Well, Blanche could roll a History check-

“No!” Blanche interrupts. “I’m not going to risk not knowing something. I’ll be getting information about all the nobility after the session, I can wait.”

“Right.” Ying sighs. “In the meantime, Rose and I can give it a shot. Though, with our track record…”

Ying’s History: 6 - 1 = 5 (Failure)

“Yeah, that tracks…”

Rose’s History: Natural 20!

“Oh!” Rose’s eyes gleam a little. “I’ve met her before! Her name’s Aloysia Nivix. She makes all these cool potions, and experiments with the monster parts she buys from people! She’s very scary.” Rose pauses. “And a little hot, to be honest, seeing what she looks like in my head. But like, the scary kinda hot.” she taps her chin. “Is it safe to say I’ve worked for her before?”

With a Natural 20, she’s most certainly called on you before to hunt down a rare plant or monster. Your reputation precedes you.

“Well, cool, we’ve got an in!” Ying smiles.

“I’m supposed to meet her! That’s already an in!” Blanche protests.

“A non-business in,” Ying clarifies.

“She’s also kinda cranky,” Rose says. “There’s not really another way to put it. I dunno why, though, she was the youngest person to ever be named Court Witch!” She smiles. “It’s so weird to have new info in my head like this…cool weird! It’s like I’m actually just remembering something!”

“What a novel sensation I’ll never experience at this rate,” Ying chuckles.

“You are really enjoying all this, aren’t you?” Belladonna asks Rose.

“It’s just so cool!” Rose grins.

“She’s been talking about this all week,” Ying sighs.

“When the others get here, we gotta talk to everyone in town!” Rose encourages. “We gotta find quests!”

“You have to admit, her positivity is infectious.” Belladonna smiles a little.

“Yeah…” Ying chuckles.

Suddenly, the door to the inn is kicked open, and a boisterous loud voice rings out “BRING ME FOOD AND ALE!”

“Well, Thora’s arrived.” Ying chuckles.

The rest of Thora’s party comes in, with Sellicha profusely apologizing for the scene being caused.

“Hey! Over here!” Rose waves them down, and the other four smile when they see the group and pull up a table to join them.

“Alright, we’re all together!” Thora grins.

“It’s good to see you all in person, this time.” Sellicha remarks. “You all look even more impressive in the proper light, and not on a dark and rainy night.”

“Same to all of you!” Rose smiles. “Oh, we should start by catching each other up…”

Chapter Text

After conversing about recent events, the party decided to split up to explore Elkross in an attempt to find quests! First, let’s take a look at Ren and Thora, presently looking around the farms that make up most of Elkross’s land. The people look at them in wonder, most of them have never even heard of a creature as bizarre as a Draconian before!

“So, what’s the deal?” Thora asks, gladly showing off her muscles. “Are there monsters in the woods? Bandits on the road? Something devouring crops like a plague?!”

“Oh, nothing like that!” a farmer remarks. “There are always rumors of monsters around…but the Knights take care of it, like Sir Beckett! She’s a local hero.”

“So…you don’t have any work for adventurers?” Thora asks.

“Um…no.” the farmer answers honestly, and Thora grumbles as she walks away with Ren.

“So much for that,” Thora huffs. “So, what’s the plan now? Head back to the inn and wait? That’s the fifth farmer with nothing…”

“Perhaps we should take this opportunity to talk amongst ourselves,” Ren says. Even in this world, he’s quiet, though speaks more often when he’s alone with Nora.

“About what?” Thora asks.

Ren stops walking. They’re standing under a tree on the border between the town and the farms. “Do you…remember when Ying asked him about death?”

“Kinda?” Thora frowns and stops walking. “Don’t remember his answer.”

“Neither do I. I also don’t remember how we reacted to the answer.” Ren says worriedly.

“Ren, I know where you’re going with this. Don’t worry! We wouldn’t be here if we were in any real danger!” Thora insists.

“How can we be sure of that?” Ren asks, and Thora hesitates. “Our links to each other…they’re like a chain reaction. If there was a threat, Rose might remain anyway. You’ve seen how she thrives and adores this world. Belladonna and Blanche also seem to be using this place as some kind of escapism…and that’s where the chains begin. Ying will always be there for Rose, if Jean or Sellicha chose to join her for the same reason, the other would go with…”

“And so would we.” Thora frowns, realizing his point. “This could all boil down to us protecting each other, and we wouldn’t even remember it.”

“We need to play things safe,” Ren insists. “I sincerely hope we never learn the answer to our worries…”

“Then we’ll work to keep everyone alive.” Thora smiles. “We’ll do simple quests! Only doing what we know we can handle.”

Ren smiles. “Agreed.”

The two walk back to Elkross, resolved in their pact.

~=~

Our next duo makes their way to the Shrine of the Cornucopia. Elkross does not have a dedicated church building, it is simply a shrine to Aetherius attended to by some acolytes and a single priest. The shrine features a silver shield emblazoned with Aetherius’s crest, which doubles as the coat of arms for the Elysian Chamber. Offerings cover the altar, made with the hope of a good harvest. Jean and Sellicha approach the shrine, seeing some acolytes currently tending to and cleaning the shrine.

“Ugh…I need new armor.” Jean pulls off his helmet, “I’m just glad I can take this thing off now…”

Sellicha giggles. “You know, you, Rose, and Belladonna both look just like yourselves.”

“Well, excuse us for deigning to be human!” Jean laughs as they reach the shrine. One of the acolytes looks up and walks forward, bowing. The acolyte is a hooded human in white robes with a golden trim.

“Greetings, travelers, and welcome to the Shrine of the Cornucopia. Have you come to make an offering?” the acolyte asks.

“I’d like to insight to see if he recognizes my circlet…” Sellicha mutters soft enough that only Seifer can hear.

Sellicha’s Insight: 18 + 1 = 19 (Success)

You don’t believe he does. His eyes trailed to it for a moment, but the fact that you’ve painted it bronze seems to give it some camouflage. Circlets are expected to be made of silver or iron, after all.

Jean smiles. Well, if this guy doesn’t know, it won’t hurt him to stay in ignorance.

“My friend and I are part of a group of adventurers. Freelancers. Mercenaries?” Jean gets a bit nervous, unsure of what the correct terminology is. “A-anyway, we’re asking around town to see if anyone has work for us!”

“Not at the moment,” the acolyte answers, “and even then, Sir Beckett takes care of those things. Even if her judgment may be flawed as of late in her old age…”

“Did something happen?” Sellicha asks.

The acolyte sighs. “The woman’s kindness has been misplaced, that’s all. Three years ago, she brought a monster into our village and has been attempting to raise it as her squire.”

Jean and Sellicha look toward each other.

“That sounds concerning…” Sellicha says. “What kind of monster?”

“One of the hell-touched,” the Acolyte sneers, “a stygian.”

“A what?” Jean asks, finding the word concerning.

“Hang on, I remember this…” Sellicha mutters. “That’s this world’s word for tieflings, isn’t it?”

You may each roll Nature, Religion, or History to determine what you know of stygians. What you roll will determine the information you get.

“Well, they’re all the same for both of us, and we want facts, so…” Jean mutters.

Jean’s Nature: 16 + 0 = 16

Sellicha’s Nature: 15 + 0 = 15

Stygians are strange creatures. They are born one of three ways: first, born as the child of a stygian, whose lineage acts as a magically-enhanced dominant gene, manifesting as a stygian no matter how much cross-breeding occurs; second, as the result of a true fiend and a mortal, for the same reason; or finally, by a faustian bargain in which you promise a fiend the soul of your firstborn, transforming them into a stygian before they are born. Stygians are naturally resistant to some dark forces and can wield such forces as their own power, which has led many to consider them inherently evil. However, they are “allowed” to exist in polite society so long as they keep their power in check, just like any species with innate magical ability.

“...thank you for the information,” Sellicha says, and the two turn and leave.

“Well, that was uncomfortable,” Jean frowns.

“I can’t stand blind hate like that,” Sellicha says venemously. “I thought such words would be isolated to magic…”

“I think we’re just in a time period where the world kinda sucks,” Jean shrugs. “But hey, at least we’re decent people, right?”

Sellicha laughs. “Yes, I suppose we are. And this Sir Beckett, too. We should meet her at some point, I’d like to give some words of encouragement to her squire.”

“Hey, that’s a great idea!” Jean smiles. “Won’t be hard to spot them, right? Just look for the old lady and someone with horns.”

Sellicha giggles. “I suppose so!”

“We should probably head back to the inn to meet the others first, though,” Jean says.

~=~

It was hardly early in the day when the party began their search. In fact, the brunt of the search commences at sundown. As orange washes over the sky, Ying and Belladonna decide to search a place like where Yang and Blake first met: the seediest bar they could find. Which, in a place as nice as Elkross, still makes is rather nice…even if this place, the Just Right Tavern, attracts the scum of Terran. The people who come to drink here are mercenaries, bounty hunters, and off-duty bandits here to rest in a quiet, well-defended town. As Ying and Belladonna enter the bar, they notice the bartender is a hulking Ursin, a kind of bear-folk! They’re more commonly seen in the wilds, acting as bandits alongside goblins. He’s speaking gruffly to a redheaded human in a white coat, who walks away after their brief conversation.

“Dive bar! Just the place you wanna go for some adventuring.” Ying grins. “I’m gonna see what the big guy knows, you do your rogue thing and see if you can overhear anything juicy, yeah?”

Belladonna wordlessly nods and walks to blend with the shadows.

Belladonna’s Stealth: Natural 20

“...and she’s gone. Wow, she’s good at that.” Ying notes and walks to the bar. “Hey, what are the chances I know something about this guy? It’s established my sister and I have passed through this town sometimes…maybe I don’t know much 'cause I go to places like this?”

Ying’s History: Natural 20

Well, this is getting ridiculous now. Alas, the dice tell a story. Ying, you’ve heard of this fellow alright! I’m going to keep what we’ve established of you not tending to mingle around these places often, so you haven’t met this guy despite the crit, since that would go against what we know. Instead, you know him by reputation alone. This is Junior, formerly a member of a notorious Ursin bandit clan, he now runs this place in safety by supplying the town guard with some hush money. He makes his wealth not just from this tavern, but by acting as an information broker between those on both sides of the law. He knows everything about everyone outside of Solace, and a few in Solace! The man doesn’t have the influence to make a move on the capital, though…not yet.

Ying grins and approaches the black-furred Ursin. “I’ll take whatever’s fruitiest.”

Junior looks over her scrutinizingly. “Aren’t you just a couple years too young to be drinking at my bar, blondie?”

“Aren’t you just a couple years too old to have a name like ‘Junior?’” Ying retorts.

“So, you know who I am. You got a name, sweetheart?” Junior asks.

“Yes, Junior, I’ve got several. But instead of ‘sweetheart,’ you can just call me sir.” Ying grabs the taller creature by the collar and yanks him down to her level, and he gasps! Ember Celica, even deactivated, thrums with burning magic, and smoke rises from Junior’s collar as the cloth is singed.

“They say you know everyone and everything,” Ying says, “my pals and I are looking for some work. If you know about anyone that needs something done, or any big scores going down anytime soon, I’m gonna wanna know about it. Spill the beans, and I’ll let you go before I ruin this lovely shirt of yours.”

Goodness, you can make the Intimidation at an advantage!

Ying’s Intimidation: 15 + 3 = 18

“L-look, hold on!” Junior says. “Easy on the shirt, it’s custom made, you know how hard it is to get clothes tailor-made for a guy my size?”

“Then unless you wanna get a new outfit, start talking.” Ying orders.

“Alright, alright!” Junior says. “There’s these guys, they’re freaky. They’re going to all the nearby bandit camps, gathering people for some big score. One of them was here, you just missed him!”

“What’s the score?” Ying asks.

“I don’t know!” Junior says. “He just came for some extra muscle! I don’t know why.”

“Gimme a name, Junior!” Ying orders.

“Ah! Torchwick! Roman Torchwick!” Junior says, and Ying’s eyes widen. She lets go of Junior and takes a step back.

“That can’t be…” Ying curses. “Oh, dammit, Rose…she didn’t…”

She did~

“Alright, we gotta get outta here and regroup…” Ying says, heading for the door, but stops when she sees a pair of thugs guarding it. She glares backward toward Junior, and two half-elven women (one in white and one in red) step forward to join him as he vaults over the bar. Ying finds herself surrounded.

“What makes you think you’re getting out of here in one piece?” Junior cracks his knuckles.

Ying looks around with a scowl, then smiles a little with her back to Junior. She turns around and sports a false smile.

“Aw, come on Junior, you’re not really taking this personally, are you? Come on, let’s kiss and make up.” Ying goads.

Ying’s Deception: 12 + 1 = 13 (Success!)

Junior is quite gullible, you only need a 10 or higher to lie to him.

Junior arches an eyebrow, but approaches the 19-year-old cautiously. Ying perks up and waits patiently, for just the right moment…

I see what you’re going to do, and with this string of successes, I’m absolutely allowing it.

Ying grins, and when he’s close enough…

Ying’s Attack: 12 + 6 = 18, hit!

Ember Celica damage: 8 (4+4) bludgeoning damage, plus 2 fire damage!

Junior Hit Points: 33 -> 23

Junior is knocked back! Taking advantage of her surprise turn, Ying’s eyes flare red and her hair burns as she enters into her Rage!

“Let’s do this!” Ying smirks.

~=~

As strange as it may seem, we will now shift to what Rose and Blanche are doing. The Stone Hand is Elkross’s resident blacksmithing shop! Which is to say, it’s one of the smallest buildings in the village. All Blacksmithing in the village appears to be done for decorate purposes or in constructing metal farming implements: no weapons are for sale, and you’d wager the weapons the guards use are imported from Solace.

“Aw, man…” Rose pouts.

“Well, it is a farming community,” Blanche remarks.

“Yeah, but I wanted to compare notes on making weapons!” Rose whines.

“We can do that another time,” Blanche scoffs, “for now, we want information.”

Blanche and Rose enter the smith’s shop and see an older fellow working on some kind of horseshoe. It looks small, too small for any horse. Regardless, the human looks over to them and arches an eyebrow.

“Ah, hello there. Can I help you?” he asks.

“Hello, sir,” Blanche greets him, “my associate and I were wondering if there was any work you needed done, or if something strange has happened recently. Perhaps trouble with a shipment?”

“Hmm…no, everything’s done well thus far.” the man answers, pausing his work. “Well, there is one strange thing. It’s…more just something I’m putting off doing.”

“What is it?” Rose asks.

“The Court Witch asked me to build her a cage.” the man shudders.

“A cage?” Rose and Blanche question.

“Big ol’ thing. The specs she gave me would make it big enough to hold a person…maybe something a little bigger than a person,” he explains. “Gave me enough silver to make it entirely out of the stuff. I’m not sure I’m too comfortable helping her make something so concerning out of a sacred metal…”

“What’s the cage for?” Rose asks.

“She said she found “something new” she wanted to study. Some new beastie, I’d wager, which is all too concerning in and of itself.” the blacksmith explains.

“What kind of creature?” Rose questions.

“I didn’t ask,” the blacksmith shrugs.

“You think it could be those things we saw?” Blanche asks Rose.

“She is a monster hunter,” Rose says, “and you can’t exactly perform of autopsy on those creatures…capturing one alive would be her best bet to study one.”

“But if she’s as ‘cranky’ as you say she is…” Blanche frowns. “If she’s out looking for them, they might be attracted to her.”

“We need to find her.” Rose resolves. “Thank you for the help, sir!” she tells the blacksmith.

“Um…you’re welcome?” the blacksmith blinks, unsure of how he helped.

~=~

Initiative: Junior (17), Ying (15), Melanie & Miltia (9), Belladonna (6), Bandits (5)

Now, don’t be ashamed if you have to end up running…you are surrounded by essentially three minibosses and six bandits.

“Let’s play it by ear,” Ying smirks.

Junior rushes back to his bar and pulls out an immense spiked club, but that’s all for this turn!

Ying cracks her knuckles as Ember Celica crawls across her arms, and she takes a few steps forward! Then, she turns around and blasts fire outward, engulfing four Bandits with burning fire and letting her land on the bar behind Junior!

Bandit A Dex Save: 5 + 1 = 6 (Failure)

Bandit B Dex Save: 18 + 1 = 19 (Success)

Bandit C Dex Save: Nat 1 (Critical Fail; Homebrew Rule: When a Natural 1 is rolled against a damage-dealing saving throw, damage to said target is doubled. Conversely, a Natural 20 will avoid all damage.)

Bandit D Dex Save: 13 + 1 = 14 (Failure)

“I Burn” Damage: 11 (2+6+3) fire damage (20 to the critical failure)!

Bandit A Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Bandit B Hit Points: 11 -> 6

Bandit C Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Bandit D Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Ying then blasts herself toward one of the closer Bandits, an undamaged one, to rocket and punch him!

Ying Attack: Natural 1 (Crit Fail!)

Here’s a bit of homebrew: when someone gets a Natural 1 against a target, that target can make an opportunity attack with their reaction. The bandit tries to counter with his cutlass!

Bandit Attack: 2 + 3 = 5, miss!

Ying and the Bandit are locked in combat, and the two elves move to guard Junior, preparing themselves for battle without making a move yet.

Suddenly, Belladonna lunges from the shadows, blade and scabbard drawn, to take on the other undamaged Bandit!

Belladonna’s Attack: 17 + 6 = 23, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 6 (2+4) slashing damage plus 5 sneak attack damage, totaling 11!

Bandit F Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Belladonna rushes forward to take on the foe Ying is locked in combat with!

Belladonna’s Attack: 18 + 6 = 24, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 10 (6+4) slashing damage!

Bandit E Hit Points: 11 -> 1

She swings one more time, using the scabbard this time!

Belladonna’s Attack: 8 + 6 = 14, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 7 (3+4) bludgeoning damage!

Bandit E Hit Points: 1 -> 0

As the bandits fall, they are knocked out. Belladonna has told me ahead of time, none of her attacks against Humanoids are lethal unless she specifies they are.

“Oh, shit…should I be doing that, too?” Ying asks. “Are those guys I burned screwed?”

They are…at the very least going to wake up with very severe burns. You didn’t realize it was an option, I won’t punish you for that, and I’d wager Rose would have made the fire not directly lethal.

“Yeah, it’s a whole character thing, where our family are monster hunters but we don’t actually kill people-”

“Ying, we are in a fight.” Belladonna interrupts.

“Shit, right!” Ying readies herself, and the last Bandit rushes forward with his cutlass to attack Ying!

Bandit B Attack: 11 + 3 = 14, hit!

Scimitar Damage: 4 (3+1) slashing damage, halved to 2 from Ying’s Rage!

Ying Hit Points: 25 -> 23

Despite Ying’s ability to shrug off damage, Ying isn’t given any respite! Junior rushes forward, and the two ladies use their held actions to join him! The three attack united against Ying!

Junior’s Attack: 14 + 4 = 18, hits!

Spiked Club Damage: 14 (6+6+2) bludgeoning damage, halved to 7!

Melanie’s Attack: 3 + 4 = 7, miss!

Miltia’s Attack: 12 + 4 = 16, hits!

Bladed Bracers Damage: 3 (1+2) piercing damage halved to 1, plus 7 (1+6) poison damage that isn’t reduced!

Ying Hit Points: 23 -> 16 -> 8

“Shit-!” Ying growls as she manages to block Melanie’s bladed leg bracers, but Miltia and Junior both get a good hit on her! The poison doesn’t seem to do any lasting damage, but the damage already done is knocking her lower.

“Now, come here!” Junior goes to grab her!

Contesting Grapple!

Junior’s Athletics: Natural 1, crit fail!

Ying’s Athletics: 18 + 5 = 23

Ying wins, resists the grapple!

Ying resists being grabbed, but Junior yanks out some of her hair! Ying’s eyes flare, and she looks back. She’s basically surrounded…so she has a plan. But it’s risky.

“Belladonna…can you take a hit?” Ying asks.

“What?” Belladonna asks.

“I have a plan, but it’ll require some friendly fire! Do you trust me?” Ying asks.

“...yeah. I trust you.” Belladonna says hesitantly.

“Cool. Time to take a page from Rose’s book.” Ying takes a deep breath and uses “I Burn” again, blasting herself into the air and creating a wave of fire that impacts everyone below her while she rises toward the ceiling!

Junior’s Dex Save: 15 + 2 = 17, success!

Melanie’s Dex Save: 12 + 2 = 14, failure!

Miltia’s Dex Save: 4 + 2 = 6, failure!

Bandit B’s Dex Save: 15 + 1 = 16, success!

Belladonna’s Dex Save: Natural 20, critical success!

At just the right moment, Belladonna uses her reflexes to kick up a nearby table and position it in front of herself to shield her from the fire, taking no damage!!

“I Burn” Damage: 13 (6+2+5) fire damage, halved to 6 against those who succeed!

Junior Hit Points: 23 -> 17

Melanie’s Hit Points: 27 -> 14

Miltia’s Hit Points: 27 -> 14

Bandit B Hit Points: 6 -> 0

Yang activates Ignite again, bringing the attack down on Junior, and she activates Reckless to give herself an advantage and give him the full force of gravity!

Of course, since you’re only ten feet in the air, that’s only an extra d6…

Ying Attack: Natural 20 (Critical Hit!)

Dear god.

Ember Celica Damage: 6 (2+4) bludgeoning damage, plus 4 fire damage, plus 6 (4+2) bludgeoning damage from Ignite, plus 7 (4+3) fire damage because Ignite was used after I Burn, plus 6 from gravity, plus 2 damage from Rage. Multiplied by 2 because of the crit.

Total Damage: 62 damage (34 bludgeoning damage & 22 fire damage)

Let me do some math real quick…

17 + 14 + 14 is only 45…

Sure, let’s give you a cool moment.

As the full force of burning gravity slams into the ground of the tavern, it creates a shockwave that blasts out all of the windows and blasts Ying’s three remaining opponents in all directions! Melanie and Miltia are blasted into the wall, knocked unconscious instantly, and Junior is shot out of the door, knocking it off of its hinges!

~=~

At the Dripstone Inn, everyone except Ying and Belladonna are out front, having already gathered as night falls.

“You don’t think something happened to them, do you?” Jean asks. “They should be back by now, right?”

“I’ll go look for them,” Blanche sighs. “You all stay here in case they come back.”

“Hmm…actually, I’m gonna check out the General Store before it closes,” Rose says. “I’ll see if there’s any useful gear for sale!”

“Fine,” Blanche sighs and sets off.

~=~

Blanche approaches the “Just Right Tavern,” and just as she does, the door is blasted off of its hinges as an Ursin lands, unconscious! Ying and Belladonna then walk out of the tavern together.

“Well…that was a thing,” Ying says.

“Reminds me of the time we met.” Belladonna chuckles.

“I’m just kickass at bar fights no matter the reality,” Ying poses, “ain’t that right, Bella?”

“Bella?” Belladonna questions.

“Well, I’m not just gonna call you “Belladonna” forever, it’s a bit of a mouthful. So…yeah. Bella.” Ying smiles. “Is that okay?”

“...yeah.” Bella’s bandana hides a smile. “Yeah, that’s alright.” she tucks some hair behind her ear.

“You’ve been getting into bar fights?!” Blanche exclaims, and the girls freeze up.

“Oh, hey, Blanche!” Ying chuckles nervously. “I swear, it’s not what it looks like! I got us info! Useful info!”

“I can’t believe you two are so reckless!” Blanche hisses. “We had a near-death experience the last time we fought, and you go on and fight more people?! With just you two?! Of all the reckless, irresponsible, idiotic-”

“Witch!” someone calls out from deeper in the village. “I saw a witch! At the General Store!”

“...oh, god dammit-”

~=~

Rose hums to herself as she looks over the things at the decently packed General Store.

“Do I need a Grappling Hook? Probably not, right…?” Rose mutters to herself.

“Hand over the map…”

Rose’s Perception: 2 + 6 = 8 (Failure)

Well, that’s unfortunate.

“Hm? You say something?” Rose asks the bodiless voice.

Nothing. Continue.

“Hrm…” Rose hums and looks over more things. “No potions? I guess making potions would be considered Witchcraft, huh? Hey, is Alchemy in this setting? How does that relate to everything-?”

“HEY!” a gruff voice says, and Rose turns around to see a ruffian with his blade drawn. “I said, hands in the air!”

“Are you… robbing me?” Rose asks incredulously.

“Yes!” the bandit says, exasperated.

“Oh…” Rose hums and smirks.

Initiative: Rose (22), Roman (15), Bandits (12)

Rose’s Attack: 8 + 6 = 14, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 9 (5+4) piercing damage!

Rose unveils Crescent Rose and blasts a bolt into his chest, knocking him back!

Bandit A Hit Points: 11 -> 2

Ruby swiftly casts Zephyr Strike and rushes upon rose petals out the window, readying herself in a more open space so she isn’t cornered, and unveiling Crescent Rose in all her glory!

“Okay…” the figure in charge starts to step out, still shrouded in shadow. “Get her!” he orders, exasperated.

The four Bandits, including the injure one, rush out with their swords to try and strike at Rose!

Bandit A Attack: 2 + 3 = 5, miss!

Bandit B Attack: 5 + 3 = 8, miss!

Bandit C Attack: 18 + 3 = 21, hit!

Bandit D Attack: 7 + 3 = 10, miss!

Ruby flips and dodges the attacks, and uses Crescent Rose to teleport in a flurry of rose petals away from the one that would hit! She then swings on the one that almost hit her, channeling Zephyr Strike into ti!

Rose’s Attack: 13 + 6 = 19, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 9 (5+4) slashing damage, plus 3 force damage!

Bandit C Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Rose knocks out the bandit and weaves her magic again, creating a flurry of rose petals and leaving a Hunter’s Mark on another bandit!

The remaining Bandits try to slash at her!

Bandit A Attack: 5 + 3 = 8, misses!

Bandit B Attack: 17 + 3 = 20, hits!

Bandit D Attack: 14 + 3 = 17, hits!

Rose uses Crescent Rose again to teleport away from the second attack, but the third attack impacts her!

Bandit D’s Scimitar Damage: 2 (1+1) slashing damage.

Rose’s Hit Points: 18 -> 16

Rose’s Concentration Saving Throw: 11 + 1 = 12 (Success)

Rose swings Crescent Rose upon the marked Bandit, Bandit A!

Rose’s Attack: 2 + 6 = 8, miss!

When Crescent Rose misses a target, its Graze property inflicts 4 slashing damage to the target anyway.

Bandit A Hit Points: 2 -> 0

Rose takes down another Bandit and moves the mark down the line.

The Bandits keep trying to attack her!

Bandit B Attack: Natural 1, critical failure!

Bandit D Attack: 13 + 3 = 16, hit!

Rose uses her reaction to counter Bandit B instead of fleeing Bandit D, since Bandit B is the marked one!

Rose’s Attack: 6 + 6 = 12, hit!

Crescent Rose Damage: 8 (4+4) slashing damage plus 5 force damage from Hunter’s Mark!

Bandit B Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Bandit B is countered and taken down, but Bandit D strikes her!

Bandit D Scimitar Damage: 2 (1+1) slashing damage!

Rose’s Hit Points: 16 -> 14

Rose swings herself around using her scythe, moving Hunter’s Mark to the final Bandit before swinging!

Rose’s Attack: 13 + 6 = 19, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 8 (4+4) slashing damage plus 6 force damage from Hunter’s Mark!

Bandit D Hit Points: 11 -> 0

Rose takes down the final Bandit, leaving all four out cold.

“You were worth every coin, truly you were.” the criminal in charge remarks behind her. She whips around, ready to take him on, but her eyes widen.

Bowler hat…red hair…white coat…and a cane.

“Well, hello again, red!” Roman chuckles. “Been a while. Still getting in my way, huh?”

Roman Torchwick. A character Ruby Rose thought up to be Rose’s adversary in their home game: her direct opposite in every way. A liar, a cheater, a thief. A man of cities, without magic, armed only with a magic cane. Unfortunately, she did too good a job. Back when Ruby’s dad ran the game, neither Ruby nor Yang could ever beat him- not that he ever beat them, either, he just always outpaced them and got away.

“As much as I’d like to catch up,” Roman raises Melodic Cudgel, and the rune on the bottom of the cane glows, “I’m afraid this is where we part ways.” Roman sends a Meteor Shot from the bottom of his cane, something it’s able to do six times every day.

Rose’s Dexterity Saving Throw: 8 + 5 = 13, success!

Meteor Shot Damage: 7 (5+2) fire damage, halved to 3 from success!

Rose Hit Points: 14 -> 11

Concentration Save: 10 + 1 = 11, success!

…and, unfortunately, twice per turn.

Rose’s Dexterity Saving Throw: 16 + 5 = 21, success!

Meteor Shot Damage: 8 (6+2) fire damage, halved to 4 from success!

Rose Hit Points: 11 -> 7

Concentration Save: 8 + 1 = 9, failure! Hunter’s Mark ends.

Roman points the cane toward a nearby roof and fires the hook like a grappling hook, pulling himself up to a roof to start his escape!

“Agh!” Rose coughs as the rose petals around her singe. “Why did I give that cane so much versatility?! Urgh…” Rose growls. “New campaign. You’re not getting away from me this time.”

Rose petals surge around Rose’s legs, and she leaps, amplified by the Jump spell! Rose petals swirl around her momentarily during the jump, and disperse when she lands on the roof!

“Hey!” she calls after the fleeing Torchwick, and he scoffs.

“Persistent…” he mutters.

Suddenly, Rose hears something on the edge of her hearing…

“Witch!” “I saw a witch!” “I didn’t see her face…” “There are roses everywhere!”

“Oh…shit,” Rose mutters. “I forgot…”

“Not so easy to fight me amid civilization, huh?” Roman mocks. “Well, hey, some new friends of mine agree with you!”

Fire begins to swirl around Roman, and someone apparates from the ashes that gather: shrouded in shadow, a woman in a red dress with glowing eyes.

“The woman from the vision…!” Rose’s eyes widen.

“End of the line, Red!” Roman points his cane at Rose and fires twice again!

“Crap…I might not be able to withstand that-!” Rose’s eyes widen, and suddenly, in a flash of light, something blocks the bursts!

Standing resolute is a blonde woman wearing a short cape and wielding a riding crop. As she waves it in the air, the crop transmutes, becoming a wand! The witch pushes her glasses up her nose, and launches a barrage of Magic Missiles at the duo! The shadowed woman counters them with a simple Shield, and in a burst of fire, the two criminals are gone without a trace, leaving only ashes in their wake.

“Whoa…” Rose’s eyes widen. “You…that was magic! Real magic, powerful magic! That was amazing!”

“And you were reckless,” the woman looks back at Rose scrutinizingly. “I normally wouldn’t interfere, no matter what…but someone wishes to speak with you.”

A sigil sequence appears on the ground below them, and as it glows, Rose gasps as they change locations!

Looking around, Rose sees stone walls, the same night sky, and a towering keep within courtyard walls that looks familiar…

“Thornveil Keep.” Rose realizes. “You’re the steward.”

“Indeed,” the woman says, “my name is Glynda. The Master of the Keep wishes to speak with you.”

The doors open with a foreboding creak, and Glyda leads a nervous Rose in.

“I-I should probably get back to my…friends…” Rose says meekly as they enter a fine dining room. There is a feast upon it, and a strange figure sits at one end.

The figure wears black leather armor, and not a piece of his flesh is exposed to the light. Silver hair spills out from his hood, and he wears an ivory mask that seems eerily similar to the “masks” those monsters wore.

“Miss Rose, Daughter of STRQ…” the man says. “You have Silver Eyes.”

Chapter Text

“Miss Rose, Daughter of STRQ…” the stranger says. “You have Silver Eyes. Just like your Mother.”

“Um…” Rose blinks, at a loss for words. “My Mother…?”

“So,” the stranger continues, “I’m told you used a combination of weaponry and witchcraft. Where did you learn how to fight so expertly?”

“Um…I’m self-taught?” Rose says. She’s pretty sure she can at least trust this guy with knowledge of her power, since Glynda uses magic, too.

“You taught yourself how to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed, and used it in tandem with the forces of nature?” he asks.

“Well, I taught myself how to use the magic and how to combine it with my scythe skills,” Rose says, “I guess, logically…it was my Uncle who taught me how to use my scythe. He also uses one.” she smiles. “Yeah…that’s what happened. He took me under his wing, and taught me how to use my scythe.”

“Ah yes, Quirrel the Crow…” the man hums. “You sounded unsure of yourself just now. As though this was a fact you only just determined.”

Rose hesitates. No other NPC had been able to catch onto that before…then again, she hasn’t spoken like that in front of NPCs often…

“In any case, I have a question,” he continues, “What is an adorable girl like yourself putting yourself on the line for, training how to use dangerous weapons and illegal magic?”

“Well,” Rose says, “I want to be an adventurer.”

“You want to fight monsters?” the stranger asks.

“Well, more than that!” Rose insists. “I want to do the right thing! I want to save people, to show them this magic isn’t something to be afraid of. I want to save people, end corruption, and explore this world! It’s just so awesome, I can practically hear it calling to me, you know?!”

The stranger hums in approval. “Do you know who I am?” he asks.

“I think so, but…” Rose mutters.

Rose’s History: 15 + 0 = 15 (Success)

“You’re Oz,” Rose says, “you were Team STRQ’s patron and ally.”

Oz smiles. “Hello.”

“Nice to meet you,” Rose nods to him, but purses her lips. Uncle Qrow had always been vague about Oz’s appearance and gender, but Ruby’s Dad always made Oz sound like a short woman based on their stories. Maybe she’s misremembering.

“You wish to follow in Team STRQ’s footsteps?” Oz asks her.

“More than anything,” Rose says sincerely.

Oz smiles. “Well, okay.”

~=~

Within the Dripstone Inn, seven adventurers are in the midst of panicking.

“We need to find her!” Thora exclaims.

“We need to hurry until she’s caught!” Ying panics. “I’m not letting my sister get purified!”

“Alright, everyone, calm down!” Jean says. “No one could say anything specific about the “witch” other than that they saw flower petals.”

“I spread some whispers across the people from the shadows,” Belladonna says, “talking them down from Rose Petals to Flower Petals.”

“Weaponizing rumors by making your own. Well done.” Ren nods.

“Not to mention Roman Torchwick must be involved…” Ying huffs. “I can’t believe Rose wrote him into her backstory.”

“She did say she wanted to build up like her home game did. That probably includes this guy.” Belladonna reasons.

“But we’ve never beaten him!” Ying exclaims.

“We must first focus on finding Rose,” Sellicha says.

“She’s right,” Jean says. “There’s no point arguing about it while she’s lost. We can split up and scour the village. It’s night, so we probably won’t have many around to see us. We won’t rest until we find her!”

Suddenly, Rose bursts into the inn! “Guys!” she says excitedly.

“Rose!” most of them exclaim, and Ying rushes forward to hug her!

“Where have you been?!” Ying exclaims. “You can’t just run off and get in trouble! Do you know how worried I was?! You need to be more careful!”

“Weren’t you in a bar fight tonight?” Blanche critiques, and Ying blushes.

“S-semantics!” Ying claims, not letting go of her sister.

“Agh…I know, I know! I’m sorry.” Rose says. “But! Good news! And bad news.”

“Oh, great…” Blanche facepalms.

“What’s the bad news…?” Jean asks nervously.

“I found Roman Torchwick!” Rose says. “He’s a guy I made up to-”

“Yeah, Yang filled us in,” Jean says, “but hey! Even if you found him, there’s more of us now!”

“Oh…me finding Torchwick wasn’t the bad news,” Rose says. “The bad news is he’s working with that red dress glowy lady from our vision.”

“Oh, that’s…concerning.” Sellicha frowns. “I didn’t think we’d be seeing anything from the vision so soon…”

“We should probably discuss that at some point…” Ren advises.

“Yeah, yeah, there’s a lot to talk about!” Rose pulls herself out of Ying’s hug. “But listen! The good news! I found Oz!”

“What?” Ying exclaims, and Belladonna arches an eyebrow.

“Who’s Oz?” Jean asks.

“He’s basically Team STRQ’s boss,” Rose says.

“He…?” Ying questions.

“Yeah, I’m a little confused about that, too. But it’s for sure him!” Rose explains. “The Order of Knights that owns Thornveil Keep is Team STRQ! Apparently, Elkross knows them as the “Brotherhood of Stark.””

“Huh. I guess we can stay there for some privacy then!” Ying smiles, then frowns. “You’d think Dad’d mention we have a family keep.”

“Come on! I told him a little bit about what we’ve seen, we should talk to him more! He knows something about the monsters we saw!” Rose explains. “He was the one that sent Team STRQ on their quests, I’ll bet he can do the same for us!”

“Well, I do think we need somewhere more private to plan…” Blanche sighs. “Fine. Let’s go, then.”

~=~

“There are eight of you?” Glynda questions when the entire team stands in their dining hall. “This is unprecedented, Oz…”

“These are unprecedented times we live in,” Oz shrugs. “It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

“Um…right.” Jean frowns. “Do you have to wear the mask? It’s a little offputting.”

“I’m afraid I must insist on anonymity, for the time being,” Oz says and holds out a very old book. It looks centuries old, yet kept in decent condition. “But regardless of any trust you have in me, this may serve you well.”

Rose takes the book and flips through it. Her eyes widen. “This is…!”

“A book detailing the monsters you faced, and many more of their species. They are known as the Creatures of Grimm.” Oz explains. “Manifestations of darkness that hunt without need and kill without purpose. They are perhaps the only creatures in this world that could be defined as Pure Evil.”

“Beowolves and Deathstalkers…those are the creatures we faced before,” Rose mutters and flips through the book, finding artistic depictions of these creatures, their methods, their natures…their weaknesses.

“This journal was written by an ancient hero who sought to defeat the Grimm,” Oz explains.

Rose observes the figures drawn in the book time and time again, the three heroes that originally fought against the Grimm, all of them human. A dark-skinned and dark-haired man with a sword, a similar-looking younger man with a shield, and a lighter-skinned woman with a scepter.

“It says here they’re from Floura. Isn’t that a village to the north of here?” Rose asks.

“Floura is a village in a forest valley with many natural defenses, yes,” Oz nods. “It is the oldest human village in existence. The people there used to name their children after flowers, and some continue that tradition to this day.”

“That’s where my Mother was born…” Rose mutters, and blinks. She surprised herself with that one…she supposes the story and memory thing goes both ways, she would be affected by whatever backstory her Mother made.

“That’s right,” Oz nods. “And that tradition has continued with you.”

Rose smiles warmly. “What happened to the heroes?” she flips toward the end of the book.

“The final passages prove that this trio succeeded in their quest,” Oz says.

“We have found the Brothers Grimm, or as my dear brother calls them, the Pools of Annihilation.” Rose reads. “We can bring an end to this threat once and for all. We will bring light to the darkness and save this world.”

“Kinda open-ended. That sounds to me like they failed,” Ying critiques.

“And yet, there have been no Grimm for over four centuries.” Oz retorts.

“Then…what happened? What changed?” Jean asks.

“I don’t know,” Oz answers honestly. “This is an ill omen, indeed. In an era as hateful as this, the Grimm will find ample prey. They are attracted to negativity, and will feast endlessly if given the chance.”

“We need to do something.” Rose snaps the book shut. “The Creatures of Grimm aren’t like normal monsters. These things…they aren’t natural at all.”

“Then it appears that we’ve found our adversary in our adventures,” Sellicha says, “but what does this have to do with our vision?”

“Yes, Miss Rose informed us of this vision,” Glynda says. “I believe her observation that one of the figures you saw is the one who escaped with Roman Torchwick is correct.”

“Visions can mean many things,” Oz says, “but the dragon Miss Rose described…you’re certain you saw it right?”

“Pretty sure,” Rose nods. “It wasn’t Grimm or anything, it was just a black-scaled dragon.”

“That dragon matches the description of the Ashbringer,” Oz says solemnly. “He was a dragon that emerged thirty years ago and terrorized Terran for eight subsequent years, until Team STRQ brought a violent end to his tyranny.”

“Oh, shit,” Ying says. “That was the dragon they fought?!”

“It was their final adventure together…” Oz says solemnly.

“Then…we saw the past?” Jean asks, but Oz shakes his head.

“Ashbringer never attacked Solace.” Oz answers. “And his body is buried under several tons of magma and rock. His lair collapsed upon his death.”

“Mysteries upon mysteries…” Belladonna mutters.

“So…to recap…” Blanche says, “We have the Creatures of Grimm, a pair of bizarre Aetherius-hating Witches, and a Dragon… and we have no idea how any of them are connected to each other.”

“That about sums it up,” Belladonna says.

“Oh, don’t forget what the Court Witch is doing,” Rose says.

“Oh, of course! How could I forget?!” Blanche huffs. “She’s trying to capture one of those things!”

“Yeah, the book makes it clear that’s a bad idea…” Rose mutters.

“Your first and foremost mission should be to locate and help Court Witch Aloysia before she does something she regrets,” Oz stands up. “In the meantime, though, the Keep is yours to explore and use at your leisure. Rooms have already been prepared for you. There is a war room on the second floor with maps you can use for planning. For now, I must rest. Good evening.”

“Uh, good night!” Rose calls, and when Oz and Glynda leave, she sighs. “Wow…this is a lot.”

“We somehow have both more and less information than when we started.” Blanche scoffs.

“Well, may as well have some food!” Thora sits down and starts eating some of the food at the dining hall’s table.

“What do we do?” Jean asks. “I mean, we obviously need to help Aloysia, but after that?”

“We need to go to Solace!” Blanche says like it’s obvious. “I can get us an audience with the King. We’ll tell him of our vision, and-”

“He won’t take us seriously.” Belladonna interrupts.

“Of course, he will! I’m a Princess of an allied nation!” Blanche declares.

“You’re also a Witch,” Belladonna remarks. “Even if you’re allowed to exist, anything you say will be taken with several grains of salt.”

“And none of us are oracles,” Sellicha says, “they’d have no reason to believe any of us had a vision of the future. We’re witches and nobodies.”

“Worse than nobodies…” Jean frowns. “I’m a dropout from the Knight’s Academy in Solace. No one in the castle would trust anything from me.”

“You okay, Rose?” Ying asks, seeing that her sister is flipping through the book again.

“There are so many…” Rose mutters. “Nevermores, Boarbatusks, Ursa…something called a King Taijitu.” she purses her lips. “This is unlike anything I’ve seen before. And being so attuned to nature, seeing all of these facsimiles of animals makes me sick.” she sighs. “These creatures are going to be an immense threat, if Oz is right. We need to train and make sure we can face them…” Rose pauses and closes the book. “Hmm…training. That’s it!” she smiles. “I know how we can get the King to listen to us!”

“How?” Ying asks.

“We need to become the kind of people they’d believe!” Rose explains, and everyone stares at her blankly. “No, seriously! Team STRQ was knighted when they did enough heroic deeds and caught the Queen’s eye! If we become knights…”

“Then we might have enough respect to be taken seriously!” Jean realizes.

“So, what, we just go around helping people?” Blanche asks.

“Yes!” Rose grins. “We’ll find and help Aloysia first! Then, we’ll take on every job we can until our reputation reaches the King’s ears! He can’t ignore us if all of Arcadia is singing our praises!”

The group looks at each other and shares a smile.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Ying smiles.

“Perfect!” Rose puts the book into her bag. “Get a good night’s rest, everyone! In the morning, we have a Court Witch to find!”

Chapter Text

On a bright new day, our eight heroes gather in Thornveil Keep’s War Room. A map of Arcadia is on the table, and many scrolls line the walls of other maps throughout the ages.

“You know, speaking of scrolls, do you think we should ask Oz about the scroll we found?” Thora asks.

“We already have enough on our plate,” Jean says, looking the map over. “We should worry about the scroll when we have some respite.”

“I agree with Jean,” Rose starts to look over older maps to compare to the current map. “For now, we should focus on finding Aloysia.”

“Right…uh, I kinda wanna try something,” Jean says and pulls out his character’s abilities. “I have Navigator’s Tools that I can use to plot a course…can I use that to try and figure out where Aloysia might be? Like, a good place for observing monsters like Grimm or experiment? What are her experiments?”

“Hmm…mostly potions,” Rose says. “I get the feeling she has a mad scientist kinda vibe. And I’d like to help, if possible! I know Arcadia pretty well.”

Absolutely. You two can work together on a Wisdom-based Navigator’s Tools check, giving Jean an advantage.

Jean & Rose’s Teamup Navigation Check: 15 + 3 = 18 (Success)

Rose flips through the book Oz gave them. “Locations like these fields would be the safest places to observe moving Grimm…”

“And there are old buildings from ruined villages. Like here!” Jean circles a spot on the map. “Just a few miles north of here, there’s a ruined farmstead…”

“Which includes a windmill!” Rose realizes. “That’s the perfect defensible position!”

“So…we’ve got a location?” Ying asks.

“Yep!” Rose grins. “We can head north immediately!”

~=~

The group set off north on foot, but on their journey, they do not travel in silence.

“So…do we trust Oz?” Jean asks.

“Huh? Why wouldn’t we?” Rose asks.

“Doesn’t all of this seem kind of convenient?” Jean asks.

“I have to agree with Jean,” Blanche says, and Jean smiles, but she rolls her eyes. “He knows all about these “Creatures of Grimm,” has a book all about them, and yet he also dresses like one?”

“Maybe he’s an elf!” Rose suggests. “And that’s just how he does his Modesty Clothing?”

“I think Dad mentioned Oz was a vet from the War of Division, so if he’s an elf, he wouldn’t need Modesty Clothing,” Ying explains.

“Maybe he’s deformed under the mask!” Thora suggests. “And he chose a Grimm Mask because it’s less ugly than what he’s hiding! Oh! Or maybe he’s a Grimm under the mask!”

“Grimm aren’t capable of higher thought,” Rose says, reading from the book as they walk. “They exclusively attack Humanoids, too. They completely ignore other monsters and creatures unless they’re attacked first, like in territory skirmishes…”

“Maybe he’s just not who he says he is…” Belladonna says coldly. “It’s a bold claim that he knows your parents, right?”

“I mean…it all adds up, doesn’t it?” Rose shrugs. “Maybe Oz is genderfluid or something, or…oh! Or maybe he’s a Changeling! Some kinda shapeshifter like that.”

“Why would a shapeshifter wear a mask?” Blanche asks.

“I dunno, you guys are the ones trying to see something bad in Oz!” Rose pouts. “Glynda saved me from being caught by villagers, and she seems to trust him, so I trust him too.”

“I suppose he isn’t telling anyone about your magic…” Blanche sighs. “That’s one reason to trust him. Unless he’s planning to blackmail us later…”

“I don’t think he’d go that far,” Belladonna notes, “but I still think he’s lying about who he is.”

“He’s still helping us!” Sellicha says. “I want to give him a chance. If he’s right that the Creatures of Grimm are embodiments of evil, we may need all the help we can get.”

“Well, he is letting us stay at his keep for free,” Ying says. “Sure, it may kinda belong to us since it’s our family, but the whole village probably considers it his keep.”

“The village…that’s it!” Rose smiles. “We’ll get a second opinion!”

“You want to ask the village what they think of him?” Jean asks.

“Yeah, why not?” Rose says. “They’ve had to live with him in their village for years, probably!”

“Well, there is this Knight I’ve been hoping to talk to…” Sellicha nods. “I think that’s a good idea, Rose. We need more information.”

“Yeah, and then you’ll all see I’m right!” Rose says cockily, and Ying rolls her eyes.

“So, Blanche, you got info on royal stuff, right? What’s your take on Aloysia?” Ying asks.

“I only know her by reputation,” Blanche recites. “She never attends parties or leaves the country. She’s a complete and utter introvert.”

“So…you only know other nobles via rumor and meeting them at parties?” Belladonna asks.

“I’m a Princess, Belladonna, how else am I going to know about other nobles?” Blanche scoffs.

“Well, it’s official. I regret making this my name.” Belladonna frowns.

“Yeah, Blanche, when you say her name like that, you sound like you’re just being a bitch about it.” Ying admits.

“What?!” Blanche exclaims. “I call Rose by her name, and it’s also a surname! None of you have problems there!”

“You don’t use the same tone of voice when you talk to Rose,” Thora says.

“Yeah, 'cause we’re besties!” Rose grins and hugs Blanche.

“How are you possibly the most extroverted and introverted person I know?” Blanche huffs.

“People are hard, friends are great!” Rose responds like that explains anything.

“We’ve nearly arrived,” Sellicha remarks from atop a hill, looking forward. “And we need to hurry.”

“Why?” Jean asks.

“Aloysia seems to have successfully caught the attention of Grimm,” Sellicha reports.

~=~

An abandoned farmstead stands to the north of Elkross, past the Elk Forest. Any remnant that would mark who the original inhabitants were is long gone, save for an ancient and decrepit windmill. Travelers have used this windmill for years as shelter…and now, it just be used by the Court Witch of Arcadia. Around the windmill, you see signs of an immense battle! The dissolving carcasses of Beowolves litter the ground, and the land is scarred by fire, acid, and frost. In front of the windmill, two immense Grimm attack it! A Deathstalker tries to break through the bottom while a Nevermore assaults the peak, twenty feet above the ground.

“They’re huge!” Thora exclaims.

“And they’ve seen us,” Ren says as the Nevermore turns toward them and shrieks out!

“If they’re attacking, that means Aloysia must be alive!” Rose says.

“And based on this damage, she must be out of magic…” Blanche realizes.

“Look alive! It’s time to fight!” Sellicha declares.

Initiative: Ren (22), Rose (21), Thora (20), Sellicha (17), Jean (13), Nevermore (12), Belladonna (9), Ying (8), Blanche (7), Deathstalker (6)

Ren rushes forward and draws out Stormflower, a pair of sickles. The sickles glow with runes, and he swings them through the air, sending streaks of blades at the Nevermore in the air!

Ren’s Attack: 11 + 5=16, hits!

Stormflower Damage: 8 (5+3) slashing damage!

Nevermore Hit Points: 68 -> 60

Rose pulls out Crescent Rose and shifts it to crossbow form! “I doubt I’ve confided my abilities in Aloysia, so…time to keep it simple. I can’t risk my magic without a plan.” She aims at the Nevermore.

Rose’s Attack: 2 + 6 = 8, misses!

The bolt goes long, and the Nevermore caws as it prepares to soar upon them! The Deathstalker fully turns around and chitters, ready to face them!

“This is probably gonna be bad…” Jean says.

“Don’t worry, Magnhild’s got a little trick up its sleeve!” Thora grins, and burning red runes appear on the great hammer’s head. “Fire in the hole!” Thora swings her hammer, and a cannonball-sized bead of fire impacts the Deathstalker and then explodes into a forty-foot diameter Fireball!

Deathstalker Dex Save: 10 + 1 = 11 (Failure)

Fireball Damage: 19 Fire damage

Deathstalker Hit Points: 52 -> 33

“Aw, such crappy damage…” Thora huffs.

“Crappy?!” Jean huffs. “How much damage is that supposed to do?!”

“Well, an average amount of damage is like…28 fire damage?” Thora says. “I can only do it once a day, though, and it’s only a 13 to resist.”

“I think this might be the advantage we need!” Sellicha rushes forward and shifts her sword into a javelin! She goes to stab the Javelin directly into the Deathstalker’s eye!

Sellicha’s Attack: Natural 1, Critical Fail!

Just as the javelin is about to connect, the Deathstalker’s claw comes forward to clamp around Sellicha!

Deathstalker’s Attack of Opportunity: 15 + 5 = 20, hits!

Deathstalker Pincer Damage: 4 (2+2) bludgeoning damage, and Sellicha is grappled!

Just as the claw connects, Sellicha hardens her stone to be hard as rock!

Stone’s Endurance: Sellicha reduces up to 11 (9+2) damage, reducing it to 0!

Sellicha is lifted up by the grappling claw of the Deathstalker, though she remains undamaged!

“Sellicha!” Jean rushes forward and stows his shield. He leaps up to wedge his sword into the claw and tries to pry it open!

Jean’s Athletics: 11 + 4 = 15 (Success)

Jean pries it open, and Sellicha lands next to him!

“Thank you, Jean.” Sellicha smiles and gravitates Milo and Akuo into her hands. “Let’s take it on together this time.”

“Fine by me!” Jean draws out his shield again, and the two Fighters stand before the Deathstalker, ready to fight!

The Nevermore soars toward the others and flaps its wings, sending out a barrage of immense feathers toward Ren and Rose!

Nevermore Attack 1 (Target: Ren): 4 + 5 = 9, miss!

Nevermore Attack 2 (Target: Rose): 11 + 5 = 16, hit!

Nevermore Attack 3 (Target: Rose): 5 + 5 = 10, miss!

Feather Shot Damage: 11 (8+3) piercing damage!

Rose cries out in pain as she’s partially impaled!

Rose Hit Points: 18 -> 7

“Agk…okay, holding back isn’t working…” Rose coughs. “I need a plan…”

Belladonna shifts Gambol Shroud into its crossbow form, but instead of using it to shoot, she swings it around like a grappling hook with the ribbon as a whip, and she throws it at the Nevermore!

Belladonna’s Attack: 15 + 6 = 21, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 7 (3+4) slashing damage!

Nevermore Hit Points: 60 -> 53

Belladonna grips the ribbon and activates it! Runes line the ribbon, and it magically begins to wrap around the Nevermore! She attempts to grapple it so she can slam it into the ground and keep it tied up for everyone to rip apart!

Contesting Grapple Check!

Belladonna: 14 - 1 = 13

Nevermore: 10 + 3 = 13

Tied result, resulting in no change; the Nevermore is not grappled.

The Nevermore spreads its wings, ripping the ribbon apart! Belladonna clicks her tongue, and the ribbon repairs itself magically before she yanks on it, pulling Gambol Shroud back into her hand.

“Hm…” Rose watches Belladonna. “That might work…”

Ying rushes toward the Deathstalker! “Get ready, 'cause the bigger they are, the harder they’re gonna fall!” Ying leaps above the Deathstalker and activates I Burn, sending a blast of fire downward to engulf the Deathstalker and propel herself into the air, halfway toward the Nevermore!

Deathstalker Dex Save: 3 + 1 = 4, fails!

“I Burn” Damage: 5 (2+2+1) fire damage!

Deathstalker Hit Points: 33 -> 28

Next, Ying uses Ignite to propel herself the rest of the way to the Nevermore! It opens its beak to try and snap at her, but Ying’s eyes burn red as she makes Ignite’s attack Recklessly!

Ying’s Attack: 18 + 6 = 24, hits!

“I hope you’re hungry, you overgrown raven!” Ying positions herself into the beak and blasts energy into the Nevermore’s throat!

Ignited Ember Celica Damage: 6 (2+4) bludgeoning damage, 2 fire damage! Plus 5 (4+1) bludgeoning damage from Ignite, plus 4 (2+2) fire damage because Ignite was used after I Burn!

Total Damage: 17 (11 bludgeoning, 6 fire)

Nevermore Hit Points: 53 -> 36

As amazing as this is, the Nevermore is going to try and shake you off. Roll Athletics to hold on!

“Psh, easy!” Ying smirks. “Piece of-”

Ying’s Athletics: 3 + 5 = 8 (Failure)

“Shit.”

The Nevermore shakes its head, throwing Ying away toward the ground! Suddenly, a rune appears behind Ying, slowing her descent to safety as Blanche casts Feather Fall!

“Try to be more careful,” Blanche huffs, “I can only do that so many times.”

“No problem, Ice Queen!” Ying smirks.

“Hey!” Blanche snaps.

“Yeah, Ying, it’s Ice Princess,” Belladonna smirks.

“HEY!” Blanche protests. “You want ice? I’ll show you ice!” She points Myrtenaster to the sky and sends out a flurry of ice toward the Nevermore!

Blanche’s Ray of Frost: 16 + 6 = 22, hits!

Ray of Frost Damage: 4 Cold Damage

Nevermore Hit Points: 36 -> 32

As the ice impacts the Nevermore’s wing, it partially freezes it, slowing the creature down.

“Huh…” Rose looks over Blanche, Belladonna, and Ying. “I got it! Girls, I got a plan!” she calls to them.

Meanwhile, the Deathstalker reaches its pincers toward Sellicha and Jean!

Deathstalker Attack 1 (Target: Jean): 7 + 5 = 12, misses!

Deathstalker Attack 2 (Target: Sellicha): 8 + 5 = 13, misses!

Jean and Sellicha mirror positions with their shields to deflect the Deathstalker’s attacks!

And the Deathstalker can only use its Stinger on a target if it’s grappled…staying out of its pincers is the best strategy.

“We’ve got the pincers! Ren, Thora, flank it!” Jean orders.

Ren uses his immense speed to rush behind the Deathstalker and rush at the stinger to cut into it!

Ren’s Attack: 9 + 5 = 14, misses!

The tail swings and knocks Ren away, knocking away Stormflower, but he rushes back forward and attacks twice with unarmed strikes, activating his Flurry of Blows.

Ren Attack 2: 13 + 4 = 17, hit!

Unarmed Damage: 4 (2+2) bludgeoning damage!

Ren Attack 3: 11 + 4 = 15, hit!

Unarmed Damage: 3 (1+2) bludgeoning damage!

Deathstalker Hit Points: 28 -> 24 -> 21

After two swift attacks, Ren lands on the ground and picks Stormflower back up.

Meanwhile, Rose changes Crescent Rose into scythe form and readies herself, holding an action at the same time that the rose petals of Zephyr Strike gather around her.

“There’s enough chaos, that casting the spell shouldn’t draw attention if I stand still…” Rose mutters. “We’re gonna need to do this right.”

While Rose and the girls around her prepare their plan, Thora rushes forward and leaps to slam her hammer down onto the Deathstalker!

Thora’s Attack: 14 + 5 = 19, hits!

Magnhild Damage: 6 (2+1+3) bludgeoning damage!

Nora casts Divine Smite!

Divine Smite Damage: 9 (8+1) lightning damage, plus 6 lightning damage because Grimm are Fiends!

Total Attack Damage: 21 (6 bludgeoning, 15 lightning)

Deathstalker Hit Points: 21 -> 0

Thora swings her hammer down, and sparks peel off of it as she crushes through the Deathstalker’s chitin and crushes its innards (of whatever passes for innards with a Grimm)! The creature starts to dissolve.

“Alright, that’s that down!” Jean looks back toward Rose, Blanche, Belladonna, and Ying. “What are those four doing…?”

The Nevermore, despite slowing down, flaps its wings to send a barrage of feathers toward the nearby Sellicha and Jean!

“Look out!” Sellicha calls out.

Nevermore Attack 1 (Target: Sellicha): 2 + 5 = 7, miss!

Nevermore Attack 2 (Target: Sellicha): 18 + 5 = 23, hit!

Jean rushes forward to position his shield in front of Sellicha, imposing a reroll on the attack with his Protection reaction!

Nevermore Attack 2 (Target: Sellicha): 10 + 5 = 15, miss!

Nevermore Attack 3 (Target: Jean): 6 + 5 = 11, miss!

Sellicha and Jean dodge and deflect the feathers shot down at them!

“It’s time!” Rose calls.

Belladonna responds by throwing Gambol Shroud…at Rose! The whip wraps around her waist and secures itself, and then Ying takes hold of the Ribbon and spins around, spinning Rose like a shotput!

Ying’s Athletics: 12 + 5= 17 (Success)

Ying uses Ignite to blast upward before releasing, sending Rose racing at the Nevermore with the momentum of Ignite at her back! Just before Rose reaches the Nevermore to release her held action, Blanche points her rapier upward and launches a barrage of magic into Magic Missile! The missiles soar and surround Rose to the point of impact, with all that magic around her, it would be impossible to tell their powers apart! Rose unleashes the full power of Zephyr Strike, and the full combination attack goes off!

Blanche’s Magic Missile Damage: 2 (1+1), 2 (1+1), 5 (4+1) force damage, totaling 9 damage!

Rose’s Attack: 13 + 9 = 19, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 14 (10+4) slashing damage, plus 7 force damage, plus 8 (4+4) bludgeoning damage from Ignite’s momentum!

Total Combo Damage: 38

Nevermore Hit Points: 32 -> 0

Rose carves through the Nevermore in a single mighty swing, bisecting it! The Nevermore fades as it falls to the ground, and Rose is falling down! Blanche swings Myrtenaster and uses the last of her powerful magic to cast another Feather Fall! Rose floats safely to the ground, and she grins.

“It worked!” Rose cheers.

“Only you could come up with a plan so reckless.” Blanche huffs.

“But it worked!” Rose reverts Crescent Rose into its storage form and puts it on her waist.

“Rose Stark…” a voice says from the windmill’s doorway, “You know, I really should consider giving you a permanent job for me.”

A figure in her late twenties walks out of the windmill and into the daylight. She looks like she’s been through a fight, but looks no worse for wear, likely attributed to her penchant for healing potions. The human woman has red curly hair that flows down to her shoulders, bright green eyes, and wears thick leather gear akin that looks like a mix between a blacksmith's and a gardener’s attire. A pair of goggles with green lenses hangs around her neck, and one of the lenses has been shattered. She wears a tight iron circlet, nearly identical to the ones Blanche and Sellicha wear. This is Aloysia Nivix, Court Witch Apprentice of Arcadia.

“Hi, Aloysia!” Rose waves happily.

Aloysia sighs. “I have told you to refer to me as “Miss Nivix.””

“And I told you that I’m not gonna do that!” Rose smiles.

Aloysia looks over the group. “No longer traveling alone, though? That’s new. You travel with Witches and Royalty…and those foreign to our land.”

“I think that’s us,” Thora whispers to Ren, who nods.

“Well, you know, I just wanted a change of pace!” Rose smiles, then gets serious. “But Aloysia, we know what you’re doing out here. The Creatures of Grimm are no joke!”

“Creatures of Grimm, hm?” Aloysia pulls out a book. “That’s a good name, Rose. I’ve been calling them Darkspawn. But what do you know about them?”

“They’re something ancient returning,” Jean steps forward. “A man in Elkross calls them embodiments of evil.”

“They’re not animals, despite how they look…” Sellicha adds.

“You all seem to know much. Come on in, we can talk while I pack up.” Aloysia instructs, and they all head inside.

The windmill’s interior has been converted into some kind of laboratory. Strange alchemical apparatus line the walls with countless notes made on the Grimm and observations of them. Aloysia tosses a vial of red liquid to Rose, and does the same for each other person.

“I only have a dozen Potions of Healing left. You can each have one as payment, and I’ll take the rest with me back to Solace. Seems like I’ll have to work from home for a while…” Aloysia glowers. “But, these Grimm! What do you know?”

“There’s this whole book!” Rose pulls out the book that Oz gave them and hands it over. Aloysia flips through it while Rose speaks, “They’re an ancient evil, wiped out hundreds of years ago, but they’re back! And we don’t know why.”

“Can’t be harvested, can’t be tamed, can’t be harnessed…” Aloysia clicks her tongue. “Nothing’s that absent. There has to be something more to them, something this author didn’t know…they’re back, after all.”

“Aloysia, if we weren’t here, you would have died!” Rose insists. “Please…stop this. These things aren’t like anything else. They’re mindless, brutal, and murderous, drawn to negativity! And no offense, but you’re a pretty negative girl. You need to return to Solace, where it’s safe.”

Rose’s Persuasion: 18 + 1 = 19 (Success)

“That…is fair.” Aloysia closes the book and sighs. “I won’t deny that.” she hums. “...how much for the book?”

“What?” Rose blinks.

“My Boss always has me looking into ancient magic, and this might be the most ancient magic. If this is serious, I’ll need this book to research them further.” Aloysia explains.

“It’s not for sale,” Jean says plainly. “It was entrusted to us.”

“Hmm…a shame.” Aloysia tosses it back to Rose. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in Solace. I’ll travel with you back to Elkross, though.” she walks past the group.

“She’s all business, huh?” Ying asks.

“Yeah, basically,” Rose shrugs.

~=~

On the walk back to Elkross, Aloysia approaches Blanche and Sellicha.

“You’re the Court Witch Apprentices or Alfemir and Olympia, right?” Aloysia asks.

“That’s right.” Sellicha smiles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Aloysia!”

“I’ve heard your magic is different than most,” Aloysia looks at Sellicha. “How does it work?”

“I was born with a powerful connection to the earth,” Sellicha explains, “ever since I was young, I’ve found that I could bend metal to my will. I’ve been trained in combat by the Minotaurs and allowed to hone my powers as the Court Witch. I don’t wield spellcraft like a witch normally does, I simply… do.”

“Fascinating…” Aloysia takes notes. “I’m aware you use spellcraft, Princess Blanche. How does it differ from your sister’s?”

“Um…it doesn’t,” Blanche says. “Well, no difference in the magic. We’ve had the same upbringing of study. However, her combat training differs from mine…”

“Yes, your sister has trained with the Dwarves, isn’t that right?” Aloysia asks.

“Not many people know about that…” Blanche frowns. “Yes, Winter has been living in the Silverclaw Archipelago for years. She only comes to Alfemir to visit anymore…”

“I’ve heard it’s because your Father has been attempting to take you and your sister out of the line of succession, based upon the actions and reputation of my predecessor, the Witch Queen of Arcadia…” Aloysia’s eyes narrow. “What are your thoughts on that?”

“My Father may attempt what he wish, but if Winter wishes to give up on the throne, I will not. I will remain in line and will not be swayed by the actions of heretics and courtless witches.” Blanche replies haughtily, and Aloysia rolls her eyes.

“Well, that certainly gave me the answers I was looking for…” Aloysia mutters.

~=~

Back in Elkross, the group watches as Aloysia scolds the blacksmith and takes back the silver she gave him for the cage she wanted.

“Do you think we can trust her?” Ying asks Rose.

“I dunno…” Rose says. “I have memories of Aloysia being a woman of her word. She loves her research and hates people in general, but I don’t know if she’d be a good person to confide in. She’s just an employer, I guess. We could probably get quests from her.”

“Well, there we go.” Ying smiles. “If we’re tight on work, we can find her in Solace. I’m looking forward to checking the city out!”

“Yeah, but it won’t be for a while!” Thora remarks. “We can’t go before we’re ready for the plan! Then it’ll be suspenseful!”

“We should get to rest, the sun’s starting to set.” Ying walks away with the others, and Rose smiles.

Their first quest done! And she can feel the power in her growing…it’s time to level up soon, she knows it! However, before she moves to join them to the end of the session, Aloysia puts her hand on Rose’s shoulder.

“Rose…” Aloysia says, “I wasn’t kidding about the job, you know. If you ever want a permanent position under me in Solace, I can pay you well. You’re powerful, and I can get you the connections and skills to be even greater.”

“Thank you, Aloysia.” Rose smiles. “But I’m gonna stick with my friends for now!”

“If you insist,” Aloysia turns. “But keep my offer in mind. Big things are coming, Rose, the kind of thing you’ll wanna be a part of. Your family was respected and knighted by the Witch Queen…and there are those who would like to see you join that valor.”

Rose is intrigued, but she smiles when she looks toward her friends. “We will join them. Just you wait.”

“Fair enough, then.” Aloysia walks away. “I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

Rose walks toward the Dripstone Inn, and she blinks, finding herself back on Earth as the session ends.

Chapter Text

Ruby hums in her room, writing notes of everything she’s learned in the campaign so far. She’s made a list of all the plot points they’ve uncovered thus far:..there’s so much, yet so little.

• Creatures of Grimm, returning after 400+ years
• Oz, not what he seems / is supposed to be, knows about Grimm
• Masked Man and Witch Lady working against Elysian Chamber (teammates?)
• Witch Lady working with Roman Torchwick
• Aetherius statue burst into black liquid, maybe Grimm-related?
• Aloysia says big things are coming

Ruby hums and sighs. “Hey, Dad?” she calls.

“What’s up, sweetie?” Tai walks in, and chuckles when he sees her notes, and the mess of notes that led to this streamlined list. “Wow, already delving into it, huh?”

“Yeah, there’s a lot already…” Ruby purses her lips. “Dad, is Oz a guy or a girl?”

Tai arches an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

“We met a guy claiming to be Oz, but I thought you referred to them as a woman…he knew who you guys were, though. He told me I looked like Mom.” Ruby explains.

“Hm…yeah, that’s Oz.” Tai smiles. “Oz is… unique. But if he’s a he now, that’s all that matters.”

“And we can trust him?” Ruby asks. “He’s wearing a monster mask.”

Tai frowns. “He’s back on that…?”

“Back on what?” Ruby asks, and Tai sighs.

“Unfortunately, it’s not my story to tell,” Tai shakes his head, “and I don’t even know the full story. Look, Ruby, Oz is mysterious, but at the end of the day, there’s no one better to have in your corner.”

“How am I supposed to convince everyone else of that, though…?” Ruby wonders.

“It can be hard,” Tai sighs, “we had our troubles with it, too.” he frowns. “But he’s a good man, Ruby,” he says determinedly, then smiles warmly. “Yang was working on her next level. What are you going with for your subclass?”

“Swarmkeeper!” Ruby grins.

“What, like bugs?” Tai asks.

“No!” Ruby replies. “The swarm is my rose petals! They fit the theme perfectly. And, Seifer’s letting me play a variant! I get Misty Step and Dimension Door instead of Web and Arcane Eye! This totally fits with the whole mobility build I’m working on.”

“You’re going for mobility, it seems like Yang’s going for raw power…a pretty brutal combo.” Tai nods.

“Oh, she’s such a heavy hitter!” Ruby grins. “She’s already been doing a great job using Ember Celica! You’d think unarmed strikes on a barbarian would be underwhelming, but she’s using the combos perfectly every time!”

“Sounds like you two have been having a great time,” Tai smiles.

“It’s amazing!” Ruby grins. “I always can’t wait to play! Being in that world just… fits, you know? I feel so me when I’m Rose.”

Tai smiles wistfully. “I always knew you’d love it there…”

“Hey, Ruby!” Yang pokes her head into the room. “I’m ordering pizza, you want anything on it?”

“Bacon!” Ruby cheers.

The family heads to the living room, and Ruby leaves her notebook behind. She has an entire week to plan out their next move.

Rose Stark has reached Level 3!

• Rose takes a variant of the “Swarmkeeper” subclass!
• Rose gains “Gathered Swarm!”
• Rose gains “Swarmkeeper Magic!”

Ying Stark has reached Level 3!

• Ying gains proficiency in Survival via “Primal Knowledge!”
• Ying takes the “Path of the Storm Herald” subclass!
• Ying gains “Fire Storm Aura!”

~=~

Blake sits on a roof across the street from the game shop. It never closes, Seifer never leaves…is he even human? Or maybe he goes into Terran at night? The die, he can presumably use it whenever he wants…he’s the one that sends them in and pulls them out.

Could he choose not to take someone out…? Blake wonders to herself. Where is the line drawn?

Belladonna has reached Level 3!

• Belladonna gains “Steady Aim!”
• Belladonna takes the “Arcane Trickster” subclass!
• Belladonna can now cast spells!
• Belladonna gains “Mage Hand Legerdemain!”

~=~

Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren are all having a get-together party, while Nora is eagerly recounting the events of their fight.

“And then WHAM, I crushed the Deathstalker and killed it!” Nora cheers.

“Yes, Nora, we were there,” Ren says with a small smile.

“That was some great strategy you did there, Jaune,” Pyrrha tells him.

“Aw, geez…I just did what felt right!” Jaune chuckles. “I’m looking forward to seeing more of Elkross, though! We could use some relaxation in the world.”

“There are people I want to meet!” Pyrhha smiles. “And didn’t you say you gave Seifer some more backstory?” she asks.

“Yeah,” Jaune says, “I figured I wanted to know a little more about who my character is. I was kind of inspired by how, when we first met, your tutoring really saved me.” he smiles at Pyrrha. “You really got me out of a depressive funk in High School. If it weren’t for you, I might have dropped out.”

“Oh, Jaune…” Pyrrha blushes.

“So, without meeting someone like you, he did drop out. Which, uh, is a little depressing since most candidates graduate the Knighthood Academy and become squires at 14 years old.” Jaune explains sheepishly, “But there was a cool event he told me about that happened six years ago! It’s probably part of the reason I dropped out.”

“Ooh! What is it?” Nora asks.

“Sorry, Nora, that’ll have to come out during the sessions,” Jaune says teasingly, and Nora groans.

“Aw, man!” Nora huffs, and Pyrrha giggles.

“Whatever happens, we’ll be able to do this together. As a team!” Pyrrha smiles.

Jean the Rusted Knight has reached Level 3!

Sellicha has reached Level 3!

• Sellicha has taken a variant of the “Psi Warrior” subclass!
• Sellicha has gained “Protective Field!”
• Sellicha has gained “Psionic Strike!”
• Sellicha has gained “Telekinetic Movement!”

Thora has reached Level 3!

• Thora has gained “Channel Divinity!”
• Thora has taken the “Oath of the Open Sea” subclass!
• Thora has gained “Marine Layer!”
• Thora has gained “Fury of the Tides!”

Ren has reached Level 3!

• Ren has gained “Deflect Attacks!”
• Ren has taken the “Warrior of Shadow” subclass!
• Ren has gained “Shadow Arts!”

~=~

“You don’t get to decide everything for her, Weiss is an adult!” Winter shouts as Jacques from below.

“And you do not get to march back into this house after leaving us just to critique my parenting skills! You’re not welcome here!” Jacques retorts.

Weiss lays in her bed, doing her best to ignore the horrible shouting below. She grabs her laptop and pulls open her backstory document.

Addition 2: The Trial

Blanche long practiced and desired to become the Court Witch. Legends of the power and prestige that both her own sister and the Witch Queen of Arcadia were able to achieve led her to believe that this was the path to reclaiming the honor her Father had stripped from her family. Now, she was ready to prove it. Her dwarven butler came to fetch her when the trial was ready.

While her Mother, their family’s holder of the Divine Right, drank her woes away, it was her Brother who greeted her on the way to the trial chambers…he was sarcastic and spiteful, just as he had always been.

Blanche proceeded into an immense chamber, normally used as a ballroom. Her Father, the Rightless King, and her sister, the Court Witch Master, known as the Master Enchantress in Alfemir, presided over the coming trial.

To pass her trial, she had to defeat a monster in single combat: a suit of magically-animated armor. It was immense, used a greatsword, and was more than capable of defeating Blanche. She used her speed and her swordplay to wear the creature down, and when the time came, she used her magic to amplify her attacks. With the elemental forces of fire, frost, and wind at her fingertips, Blanche slowly wore the creature down. It would deal great damage to her, even scar her, but she was intelligent. Using a swift combination of spells, she was able to tear through the armor and pass her trial.

“So, Father,” Blanche had spoken, “now that I’ve finished this foolish test, will you let me go to Arcadia now? I am more than capable to serve as a vassal for our will.”

“...have it your way.” the King responded spitefully and left.

Blanche had attained her victory, and earned the right to travel to Arcadia. Though she was still unsure of how things would go, she did know that to become stronger, she had to travel. She would travel to Arcadia, meet the Court Witch Aloysia, and try to determine precisely what she’s meant to do.

But Aloysia was strange. She didn’t speak of her mission, and after a brief conversation, spurned all of Blanche’s attempts to communicate…had she done something wrong? Regardless of Aloysia’s ingratitude, Blanche had found a new mission. There is evil in this land, and if it puts Alfemir in peril, then she shall do everything in her power to stop it. She grows stronger every day, and she has new allies to help her. Two of them may be witches, but…well, Thora is a heretic from a foreign land, that’s hardly Blanche’s jurisdiction. And Rose, she is younger than Blanche, and perhaps she can make Rose her apprentice one day, so it’s really better she doesn’t tell anyone about her, either.

By the time Weiss finishes writing, the shouting has stopped. She shuts her laptop and pulls some papers out of her bag…papers that Seifer had given her. She’s read over most of the documents, but there’s one more addition she has to make after reading the final section on Alfemir thoroughly.

This final section is labeled “The Shadow Clan.”

Princess Blanche Frost has reached Level 3!

• Blanche takes the “Bladesong” subclass!
• Blanche gains “Training in War and Song!”
• Blanche gains “Bladesong!”

Chapter Text

It’s another beautiful day in Elkross! Our eight heroes celebrate their recent victory within the Dripstone Inn, and people seem to be quite abuzz! There’s only a month left of spring, and Autumn will bring with it the Harvest Festival, and then the biggest celebration in the world. Visitors from across the country are flocking to Elkross, either to observe the quaint village’s coming harvest or as a quick stop on their way to Solace. On such a beautiful day, our party has their breakfast just outside of the inn.

“...and then I crushed the Deathstalker in a single bash!” Thora declares.

“She’s been recounting the story every chance she can get,” Ren sighs.

“Jean, are you okay?” Sellicha asks. Jean has his helmet off, looking out into the town with a faraway look in his eye.

“Huh?” Jean blinks a few times. “Yeah, I’m fine!” he rubs his temples. “New memories, they’re…kinda distracting. Rose always makes it seem like it’s easier to adjust than this…”

“It is easy!” Rose huffs. “At least for me…”

They hear laughter, and they see a noble-looking guy in armor picking on some kind of humanoid rabbit creature with brown fur. The man is wearing steel half-plate armor emblazoned with a golden Arcadian Crest: a dragon’s head with a wing outstretched on either side. He has a morningstar of some kind hanging from his belt.

“Who’s that guy? And what’s that creature?” Ying asks.

“Well the man is Cardin Pendragon. He’s the son of Arcadia’s Queen,” Blanche explains. “I’ve never seen a creature like that, though.”

“We have,” Ren says.

“It’s a Leporinian! They’re one of the Beastfolk that are common in Verdaan. They’re pretty rare here in Ingentes, though.” Thora explains.

“That man is a Prince?” Sellicha frowns. “I thought the human Divine Right affects the eyes…”

“It does,” Blanche says, “Cardin was the son of the Queen before she married the King. His younger half-sister carries the Divine Right.”

“So he has none of the right and may not be in line, but he still has all the power of a Prince.” Belladonna scoffs.

“He seems like a bully…” Rose huffs.

“He’s…always been like that.” Jean grips his head. “I’ve met him before. Back at the Knighthood Academy.”

“Man, this is really affecting you, huh?” Thora asks.

“Maybe you should take it easy, Jean,” Sellicha advises.

“Well, I at least wanna try and come up with some context of things he’s done in the past.” Jean frowns.

Well, we can turn it into a little roleplaying assignment. Let’s have a few of you take turns telling stories of what you think Cardin has done to bully Jean in the past!

“Wait, what?” Jean blinks.

“Oh, I’ll go first!” Rose grins. “He knocked stuff out of your hands when you were walking!”

“Nah, he probably did worse than that.” Ying grins. “He probably activated Crocea Mors’ shield when you were walking through a doorway, making it block your way!”

“Oh! I bet he locked you in a chest that was going out of town, and they didn’t realize you were in there until you were almost out of the city!” Thora grins.

“That one seems a bit much, doesn’t it?” Sellicha asks.

“Apparently not, because I now remember all three of those things happening to me. Thanks, guys.” Jean groans.

“Well, no one messes with our leader like that!” Thora says. “So we’ll break his legs!”

“The worst suggestion was your idea,” Ren mutters and facepalms.

“I’m sure that’s not necessary,” Jean says. “Besides, Cardin wasn’t just a jerk to me. He was, and is, a jerk to everyone!”

They all overhear Cardin continuing to pick on the girl, now yanking on her ears!

“Ow, that hurts!” the leporinian protests. “Please, stop…”

“Huh, I guess it’s not some disguise. What a freak…” Cardin and his retinue snickers.

“What an atrocious man…” Sellicha scowls.

Ying growls and takes a step forward, but Belladonna stops her.

“You’re only going to get in trouble,” Belladonna says sadly.

“We can’t just do nothing, can we?” Ying asks.

You won’t have to.

“Hey!” a voice calls out. Attention is drawn toward a new figure approaching.

This figure is a girl. She wears training gear but otherwise appears to be unarmed. She is a stygian with tinted red skin, dark hair, and blue eyes. Her devilish horns curl back across her head, and her mighty-looking tail lashes in anger.

“Is that the squire we heard about?” Jean asks.

“She doesn’t look any older than Rose…” Sellicha mutters.

“To think there’d be a demonspawn in a town like this…” Cardin scoffs. “Keep out of this, hell beast.” he lets go of the rabbit girl.

“You can’t just assault people like that, not in our town!” the girl retorts.

“Your town?” Cardin smirks. “Please. I’m the Prince! This town belongs to the Pendragons.”

“You don’t look like a Pendragon.” the girl shoots, and Cardin frowns.

“You’d best take that back before things get ugly, little fiend,” Cardin lays his hand on his morningstar.

“I’m only afraid of one royal,” the girl says, “and you’re not him.”

Cardin frowns and takes off his weapon. “Boys, let’s teach this little monster a lesson!”

Initiative: Cardin (22), Squire (18), Russel (16), Dove (15), Sky (14)

“Wait- Initiative can happen without us?!” Thora exclaims.

Cardin rushes at the Squire and swings his morningstar!

Cardin Attack 1: 10 + 5 = 15, misses!

Cardin Attack 2: 11 + 5 = 16, hits!

The first attack goes long as the stygian dodges, but the second hits her right in the chest and knocks her back!

Morningstar Damage: 8 (2+3+3) bludgeoning damage!

Squire Hit Points: 26 -> 18

The squire growls and rushes at Cardin! She may not have a weapon, but she’s determined with her strikes!

Squire Attack: Natural 1

Cardin’s Attack of Opportunity: 17 + 5 = 22, hits!

Morningstar Damage: 11 (6+2+3) bludgeoning damage!

The squire’s attack is countered, and she’s knocked away from him! Cardin’s Morningstar hit her square in the chest and forced her away.

Squire Hit Points: 18 -> 7

Cardin smirks, resting his morningstar on his shoulder. “Had enough yet?”

The squire snarls, and she wipes blood from her lip as adrenaline fills her.

Second Wind: 10 + 3 = 13

Squire Hit Points: 7 -> 20

“Was that…?” Jean’s eyes widen.

“Second Wind.” Sellicha realizes. “But…that’s a Fighter ability. Does she have access to player abilities…?”

Russel, Dove, and Sky all charge at the young squire to swarm her!

Russel Attack: 8 + 4 = 12, miss!

Dove Attack: 6 + 4 = 10, miss!

Sky Attack: 5 + 4 = 9, miss!

They swarm her, but the girl ducks and dodges out of the way of the fury!

“Can’t you idiots do anything right?!” Cardin growls and charges at the girl!

And Cardin has Pack Tactics. Like any bully, he’s stronger with his cronies around.

Cardin Attack 1: 17 + 5 = 22, hits!

Morningstar Damage: 7 (3+1+3) bludgeoning damage!

The squire is knocked away again!

Squire Hit Points: 20 -> 13

Cardin charges at her again for his second attack!

Unfortunately, Cardin’s attempts to show off may be his undoing. Cardin’s Morningstar knocks a target 10 feet away when he hits them, which also means when he chases someone down like this, he can’t benefit from Pack Tactics on the second strike.

Cardin Attack 2: Natural 1, critical fail!

The squire dodges and tries to hit Cardin in his weapon arm!

Contesting Athletics!

“What is she doing…?” Jean wonders.

The Squire: 15 + 4 = 19

Cardin: 2 + 3 = 5

The Squire wins!

She elbows him right in the arm, and as he’s forced to drop his weapon, the squire grabs it with her free hand! As her turn comes around, she swings Cardin’s own weapon at him!

Squire Attack: 14 + 4 = 18, hits!

Squire Morningstar Attack: 7 (3+4) bludgeoning damage!

Cardin Hit Points: 82 -> 75

“Holy shit!” Ying laughs and cheers.

“Rrgh…what are you waiting for, you idiots?! Get her!” Cardin orders. His three lackeys rush forward; Russel has a pair of long daggers, Dove has a sword, and Sky uses an axe.

Unfortunately, they all also have Pack Tactics, and the squire has remained next to Cardin.

“Hey, can we do something?!” Jean asks nervously.

Joining the initiative will have to wait until the start of the next round if that’s what you want, but you can do something that doesn’t necessarily attack anyone.

“Sellicha, your shield!” Jean says.

“Got it!” Sellicha throws her shield forward!

Sellicha Accuracy: 18 + 6 = 24 (Success)

Russel Attack: 19 + 4 = 23, hits!

Dove Attack: 11 + 4 = 15, misses!

Sky Attack: 13 + 4 = 17, hits!

Russel’s attack hits the squire!

Russel’s Dual Dagger damage: 4 (2+2) piercing damage

Squire Hit Points: 13 -> 9

Dove swings his sword, but the squire locks the Morningstar with it, blocking the strike! Sky comes up behind her and swings his axe…but at the last moment, Sellicha’s shield interposes and blocks the attack! Everyone’s eyes widen in shock, and the squire instinctually grabs the shield for her own use! She looks back at Jean and Sellicha, who smile, and she smiles a little bit back.

“What the-?!” Cardin looks at the unwelcome intervention and grits his teeth.

“She won’t be able to use the shield’s magic,” Sellicha says, “but it will still function as a normal shield for her.”

“Give me my weapon, you little monster!” Cardin practically tackles the girl to take his morningstar back!

Contesting Athletics!

Cardin: 19 + 3 = 22!

The Squire: 17 + 4 = 21!

Cardin rips the Morningstar back out of her hands, but the squire won’t give her chance to fight back up without a real fight! She grabs onto him back to try and take it back on her turn immediately!

Contesting Athletics:

The Squire: 6 + 4 = 10

Cardin: 14 + 3 = 17

Cardin gets the better of her this time, now knowing what to look for, and he throws her to the ground! He points the morningstar down at her.

“Get her, for real this time!” he orders, and his peons advance!

Russel Attack: 10 + 4 = 14, miss!

Dove Attack: 9 + 4 = 13, miss!

Sky Attack: 10 + 4 = 14, miss!

The squire spins on the ground, forcing herself to her feet! She dodges away from the daggers that are thrust down upon her, she blocks the sword with her shield, and her tail wraps around Sky’s wrist and pulls, throwing him off balance! However, while she’s busy defending herself, Cardin swings his morningstar!

Cardin Attack 1: 16 + 5 = 21, hits!

Morningstar Damage: 12 (7+2+3) bludgeoning damage!

While the squire defends herself, Cardin swings upon her, going right for her head! Sellicha narrows her eyes and starts to raise her hand.

“Maybe I can…”

However, before any intervention can be made to alter the ending to this fight, Cardin’s Morningstar hits metal. Out of nowhere, a human woman in her 70s wearing full plate armor emblazoned with the crest of the Knighthood has interposed herself and is protecting the girl. Despite her advanced age, she carries herself with strength, grace, and dignity.

“Prince Cardin,” the woman says, “please do not harm my squire.”

Cardin growls and takes a step back. “Squire? This monster attacked me!”

“That’s not true!” Sellicha steps forward. “She stopped you from assaulting another! She is unarmed, you were the one to attack first!”

“Rrgh…who asked you?!” Cardin snaps.

“She was also running circles around you and your friends,” Belladonna smirks, “really, you should try to have some grace here.”

I’d like Sellicha or Belladonna to roll Persuasion at advantage, influencing the witnesses.

Belladonna’s Persuasion: 18 + 2 = 20 (Success)

The people around mutter about the strange circumstances of the fight, many of them agreeing that the Prince started the fight, and how admittedly impressive the squire’s persistence was and how long she was able to last.

“Rrgh…” Cardin turns his back. “Whatever! I’m only here to make sure the coming harvest goes smoothly.” he glares at Sellicha and Belladonna, seeming to commit their faces to memory as he walks away.

“Um…” the squire looks up at the Knight. “Thank you, Beckett-”

Beckett gently baps her fist on the top of the girl’s head. Not enough to hurt, but enough to get her disapproval across.

“Picking a fight with the Prince? Come now, Robyn, you know better than to do that.” Beckett frowns.

(Author’s Note: Yes, the squire’s name is Robyn, no it’s not the RWBY Robyn, she is an OC in this campaign)

“I know…” Robyn huffs. “But he was picking on this poor rabbit girl! I couldn’t just do nothing!”

“For the record,” Sellicha walks forward, “I believe your squire did the right thing.” she holds out her hand. “Sir Beckett, I presume? I am Sellicha. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The old woman hums and shakes her hand. “Likewise. I take is that this is your shield that Robyn is using?”

“Ah! Yes.” Sellicha nods, and Robyn gently hands it back over.

“Thank you,” Robyn says, “I probably wouldn’t have lasted too much longer without it.”

“I was actually hoping to meet you both!” Sellicha smiles. “My friends and I wanted to talk to you two. We’re doing some mercenary work as training, and we figured the local knight might have some fine opinions on the dangers going around lately!”

“Well, I’ll certainly do my best.” Sir Beckett smiles. “I owe you that much for helping Robyn. We can speak in my home.”

“Wonderful! I’ll get my friends,” Sellicha says.

~=~

A little ways away, Rose sighs.

“I can’t believe there are people as hateful as that, even in this world.” Rose frowns.

“He’s not the only one,” Belladonna scoffs.

“It must be hard to be a stygian.” Ying frowns.

Blanche says nothing, and Sellicha returns.

“Good news~!” Sellicha smiles. “Sir Beckett is willing to host us in her home! Though, I do worry about there being eight of us…”

“We should split up,” Blanche says, “to cover more ground in our investigation. Some of us can talk to the townsfolk, the rest can talk to Sir Beckett.”

“Good idea, Blanche!” Rose smiles. “Alright! Blanche, Ying, Belladonna, and I will ask the townsfolk, while Sellicha, Jean, Ren, and Thora talk to Beckett and Robyn!”

“Alright, go team!” Ying chuckles.

~=~

Over the course of their day, we’ll need to properly assess how well Rose, Blanche, Belladonna, and Ying do. Therefore, they will each roll a skill check of their choice (if it makes sense) to explain how they intend to get information. They must also explain what information they’re looking for.

“My best skill is Perception, so I guess I’ll go for eavesdropping on people!” Rose says. “I’ll walk through town and keep my ears open for anything about the Creatures of Grimm…or I guess, people talking about creatures that look like them, since I don’t think that phrase is public knowledge yet.”

“Naturally, I’m actually going to talk to people using my Persuasion,” Blanche explains. “I want to know as much about Oz as possible, so I want all the gossip possible!”

“I’m also going to look for info on Oz, using a different strategy,” Belladonna explains. “I’m going to tail Blanche and stick to the shadows using Stealth. After she leaves talking about Oz, I’ll stick around for a little bit to see if they let slip anything to their peers they might not want out-of-towners knowing.”

“I guess my best bet is to go back to that bar and Intimidate some people,” Ying strokes her chin. “With Blanche and Bella on the Oz thing, I’ll do what Rose is doing. I’ll ask about the Grimm.”

Rose’s Perception: 13 + 6 = 19

Blanche’s Persuasion: 7 + 5 = 12

Belladonna’s Stealth: 4 + 7 = 11

Ying’s Intimidation: 15 + 3 = 18

Your results are varied, and yet appropriate.

Over the course of the day, Blanche gets very little out of the townsfolk, and Belladonna doesn’t find them catching anything after she leaves. Oz is as big a mystery to the town as he is to all of you! However, you do gain one new piece of intel, courtesy of Blanche’s simple questioning. Miss Glynda has been the Keep’s caretaker for years, ever since Team STRQ left in fact…but Oz didn’t arrive in Elkross until a year ago.

“Only a year…?” Blanche mutters. “That’s strange, but nothing damning.”

Rose and Ying, on the other hand…happen upon a quest!

“Woo!” the sisters cheer.

A carrier pigeon has arrived from an isolated farmstead on the very edge of Elkross’s expansive farmlands. The guards aren’t sure whether it’s a prank or not, but rumors have spread throughout the village. Rose overheard the guards talking, Ying got the info by interrogating a guard currently accepting bribes. The pigeon carried a message asking for help, for the ranch was under attack by “a pack of werewolves.” Due to the lack of a full moon and this message arriving in the middle of the day, it is believed to be a practical joke…but no guard is yet brave enough to confirm or deny it one way or another.

“Beowolves!” Rose gasps. “They can be mistaken for werewolves!”

“Then we’ve got a mission to accomplish!” Ying says. “Come on, we gotta find the others!”

~=~

Sir Beckett and her squire, Robyn, live in a humble house on a hill on the southeast edge of Elkross’s village, allowing it to look onto both the settlement and the tillage. It is small, and inside what passes for a dining room, chairs are pulled up to a table. Beckett serves some tea while Robyn sits at the table. Jean, Sellicha, Thora, and Ren have sat down, ready to speak to the duo.

“I’ve never met a Court Witch before,” Robyn says, gazing at Sellicha’s circlet. “I didn’t think Court Witches could be warriors…”

“Doesn’t the Court Witch Aloysia come to Elkross sometimes?” Jean asks.

“She doesn’t interact with us locals much,” Beckett sighs. “She keeps to herself and her business.”

“Well, to be honest, it’s my first time meeting a true Knight and squire!” Sellicha smiles. “You’ve certainly set a high bar, Robyn. That was quite impressive.”

“Eh…I was more or less delaying the inevitable.” Robyn admits. “I just wanted to help that woman get away…”

“That is still a noble cause, Robyn.” Sellicha insists. “You’ve been trained well.”

“Robyn has always had a lot of potential,” Beckett explains. “Ever since I picked her up from the Knighthood Academy.”

“You trained at the academy?” Jean asks, and he winces as new memories flow…well, more like clarifying memories. “Oh. You were that stygian! The one two years under me.”

“Um…maybe?” Robyn rubs the back of her head. “I don’t remember anyone from the academy, really, no one except…” she trails off and shakes her head. “I just didn’t interact with people much.”

“Honestly, me neither,” Jean says. “I dropped out a year before graduation.”

“But he’s great now!” Thora insists. “He’ll get on his own path to knighthood in no time!”

“It is good to see such varied people being friends,” Beckett smiles. “Such unity is the dream of an old friend of mine…”

“Can we not talk about Oz?” Robyn requests. “He freaks me out…”

The players look at each other.

“You know Oz?” Jean asks.

“He’s an old friend,” Beckett says, “and he is a good man, Robyn.”

“Logically, I know that!” Robyn holds up her hands defensively. “But he showed up out of nowhere last year, took up residence in the Keep, and you and Miss Glynda are all buddy-buddy with him out of nowhere! I mean, where’s he been all this time? And what’s with the freaky mask and outfit? I’ve never seen him take that stuff off!”

“Oz is a traveler,” Beckett says, “but he’s a trusted friend. I won’t pretend to know his reasons for his paranoia and secrecy, but I trust him with my life. I only hope that one day, you will, too…”

Robyn sighs, and Jean clears his throat. “Well, we’ve met Oz! He seems nice enough, we just have our own…worries. He’s letting us stay at the keep.”

“Really?” Beckett arches an eyebrow. “That’s peculiar. What makes you so special?” her voice isn’t condescending, but pure curiosity.

“Two of our friends are the daughters of Team STRQ,” Sellicha explains, and Beckett’s eyes widen.

“They had kids?!” Beckett exclaims, then clears her throat. “Sorry, just…I suppose that surprises me. Team STRQ never struck me as the kind of people to start a family…well, I suppose their leader was. She was always quite motherly. But the other three? A hopeless flirt, a drunkard mercenary, and someone bordering on a bandit mindset?”

“I hesitate to ask who their Dad could be among those three…” Jean mutters.

“Rose and Ying are very powerful,” Sellicha says. “They were told of Oz and to trust him. Some of us…aren’t sure. They seem to think that Oz doesn’t seem to be the person from the stories?”

Beckett hesitates, but smiles warmly. “Well, things can get muddled up in the telling. I can assure you all, the man in that keep is the man Team STRQ knew! I would know, I was there.”

“Hmm…” Ren hums doubtfully.

Jean’s Insight: 15 + 1 = 16

Sellicha’s Insight: 5 + 1 = 6

Thora’s Insight: 3 + 1 = 4

Ren’s Insight: 16 + 3 = 19

Jean, Ren, Beckett is certainly hiding something, but she hasn’t uttered a lie.

Jean sighs. “We have enough to worry about already…” he mutters, and then smiles. “Thank you, Sir Beckett. Maybe we were overthinking things.”

“These are uncertain times we live in,” Beckett nods. “There’s turmoil and doubt all over the world. A little paranoia can be healthy, so long as it doesn’t stop you from finding friends amidst the doubt.”

“Another reason we were here is work,” Sellicha says. “We want to train and become stronger, and we’ve been able to do that by taking on some…strange monsters that have been cropping up.”

“The Creatures of Grimm,” Beckett hums, “Oz told me such monsters were appearing. I was planning to go out with Robyn to observe and perhaps take some on ourselves…but there may be some work for your group.”

“What is it?” Jean asks.

“There’s a supply run going to a logging camp deep in the woods to the north,” Beckett explains. “It’s a regular supply, but…it’s also normal for a request of resupply to be sent. The time for the resupply has come, but there’s been no request.”

“Something might have happened to them.” Sellicha frowns.

“I considered going myself, but I’m sure the pay is good if you’re looking for work.” Beckett smiles. “Find the caravan, and I’m sure they’d be glad for the extra muscle.”

“A fine idea, Miss Beckett!” Sellicha smiles. “It was good speaking with you…and Robyn, I think you’ll go on to do great things.”

“Thank you, Miss Sellicha.” Robyn smiles.

~=~

When the party reconvenes in the town square, just outside the Dripstone Inn…

“Two quests?!” Rose exclaims. “Well, I didn’t see that coming…”

“And both seem rather time-sensitive.” Sellicha frowns. “What do we do?”

“Hm…” Jean strokes his chin. “We split up.”

“What?!” Rose exclaims. “Jean, you don’t split the party!”

“Rose, with a group this big, that might have to be a given!” Jean says. “We’re eight people, Team STRQ was four! Our group may just be two teams of four. You, Ying, Belladonna, and Blanche showed great teamwork against the Nevermore, and so did we,” he gestures to himself, Sellicha, Ren, and Thora, “against the Deathstalker.”

“We are all pretty heavy hitters…” Belladonna nods.

“Plus, this could mean we can take on twice as many quests!” Thora exclaims.

“Hmm…” Rose hums. “Well, okay. I guess we can give it a shot.”

“Well. Lead the way, Jean!” Sellicha smiles.

“Lead?” Jean asks.

“Well, yeah! This was your idea, that makes you our team leader!” Thora grins.

“Wha?” Jean asks.

“You are a good strategist.” Ren nods, and while Jean has a minor crisis, we pan over to the burgeoning Team RWBY.

“So, I guess that makes you the leader of our team.” Ying smiles at Rose.

“Guess so!” Rose smiles.

“Leader?!” Blanche scoffs. “I’m the Princess, I should be the leader!”

“No offense, Blanche, but I trust my life in Rose’s hands more than yours.” Belladonna says.

“Yeah! She knows how to play the best out of all of us, she’s a great strategist, she’s super strong, that fight against the Nevermore went great…” Ying lists off.

“Aw, you guys…” Rose blushes.

“No! She’s reckless, she’s impulsive, she’s…” Blanche stops herself and clutches her head. “Ugh…”

“Is something wrong?” Rose asks nervously.

“Yeah, you’re acting like back when you and Rose first met. Like, in our world.” Ying says.

“I…don’t know what came over me.” Blanche shakes her head. “I trust you, Rose, I do. You’ll be a good leader.” she smiles a little.

“Aw, Blanche!” Rose hugs her, and Blanche huffs…and hides a frown. Worry fills her.

~=~

“Ah, the curse of the words you’ve written…” Seifer sighs. “Hmm…Jaune and Weiss have both found difficulty separating themselves, the others have fallen in pretty well. But Weiss, you and Blanche are so similar, and yet so different…I wonder how deep you’ll fall into your character.”

Chapter Text

There’s an air of unease as our heroes make their way toward the ranch that sent a bird for aid. The people are unsure of the truth of these statements, and while word will undoubtedly spread to the people of these strange creatures at some point, it’s hard to prove the existence of a creature that vanishes when it dies. Of course, a little stop doesn’t stop these four from doing the right thing! Rose, Blanche, Belladonna, and Ying make their way towards the ranch, fully expecting a fight.

“Do you think we’ll get another level after this?” Ying asks.

“Probably,” Belladonna says, “those have been happening pretty frequently.”

“I think he’s just getting us ready,” Rose says. “Dad said that they leveled up quickly before they got into actual long, epic questlines that make them longer distances.”

Can confirm; this section is really just to get you all used to things. The campaign really begins at Level 5.

“Oh, well, that’s not ominous or anything.” Blanche huffs.

“Well, it is useful. It eases us in and gets us used to all of our abilities and skillsets.” Belladonna says. “I mean, I have magic now. I may not have done much, but I'm glad I got used to how my skills started before doing anything else.”

“Just make sure not to do it where people can see…” Blanche huffs. “I don’t want to get in trouble for traveling with two witches.”

“Three witches!” Ying smirks. “I’m pretty sure my new powers count as witchcraft.”

“Oh, fantastic.” Blanche groans.

“Don’t worry, Blanche!” Rose smiles. “Everything will be fine! Maybe if we do enough good, we can show the world that magic isn’t so bad.”

“That might be kind of hard,” Belladonna says, “I don’t think any of us have any loyalty to the Elysian Chamber.”

“I mean, if that vision was right, we’re gonna save the Elysian Chamber!” Ying says.

“Or watch it crumble.” Blanche huffs.

“Enough dim and dour talk!” Rose huffs. “Look! We’re here…and we’re not alone.”

The tillage beyond Elkross is made up of flowing fields of wheat and orchards growing fruits and vegetables of nearly every variety! It is a veritable cornucopia, a rainbow of crops…this particular ranch occupies the largest plot of land, nestled between two hills. There is a quaint, two-story farmhouse…however, the rest of the farm is chaos. West of the farmhouse, a barn has been knocked to the ground, and the front door of the farmhouse has been broken off of its hinges. Lurking around the property is a pack of Beowolves. They’re all over the place- in the fields, in the barn’s wreckage, you even see shadows lurking inside the house! The Beowolves are sniffing around, some of them seeming split between staying where they are or making their way toward Elkross, drawn by the uneasy feelings of the populace. However, it is your fresh terror of the situation that is drawing their attention now…

“Alright, everyone, get ready!” Rose pulls out Crescent Rose and shifts it into scythe form. “If they’re still here, they might be sensing survivors!”

“Right!” Ying nods as she, Belladonna, and Blanche ready their weapons!

The four heroes are fifty feet away from the closest Beowolves in the pack…and by the looks of things, there are a dozen in this pack.

These Grimm are in four teams of three! Group 1 (A, B, C) is the one closest to the party, Group 2 (D, E, F) is in the barn’s wreckage, Group 3 (G, H, I) is in the farmhouse, and Group 4 (J, K, L) is in the fields!

Initiative: Beowolf Group 3 (20), Beowolf Group 4 (18), Blanche (16), Belladonna (13), Beowolf Group 2 (10), Rose (8), Ying (6), Beowolf Group 1 (4)

“Well…that’s a concerning order,” Rose says, seeing the initiative on the system screen.

Immediately, two Beowolves burst out of windows on the second floor, and another bursts out of the hole where the front door used to be! Using everything they’ve got, they join Group 1, now gathering the six wolves together, ready to attack! The fields group rushes forward as well for the same purpose, gathering even more together!

“So…nine wolves altogether, ready to charge us.” Blanche huffs. “Just great.” she scrolls through her spell list. “Do I even have anything against a threat of this magnitude?!” she huffs. “I suppose I have no choice but to simply prepare.” Blanche twirls around and creates a rune under her and mutters an incantation. She casts Mage Armor and activates her Bladesong together, allowing a magical combination of power to surround her!

Blanche’s Armor Class: 11 -> 14 -> 17

“Making me harder to hit is a fine start,” Blanche stands ready and points Myrtenaster down toward the Beowolves. “Now, we just need to thin the herd…”

Belladonna draws out Gambol Shroud and sighs. “I suppose I’ll be first in the mix…let’s just hope my new magic is enough to keep me safe.”

Blanche slides down the hill and uses her Cunning Dash to close the distance to the pack of Beowolves! She swings Gambol Shroud’s sword twice upon the first one in her path!

Belladonna Attack 1: 6 + 6 = 12, miss!

Belladonna Attack 2: 14 + 6 = 20, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 5 (1+4) slashing damage!

Beowolf A Hit Points: 22 -> 17

The final group from the barn’s wreckage rushes forward and gathers behind Belladonna! The rogue is now utterly surrounded by Grimm!

“Crap…” Belladonna mutters and looks around at the monsters all around her.

“This isn’t good…” Rose mutters, then gets an idea. “Ying! Take these!” She holds out her hand, and rose petals flow out to surround her sister, casting Jump. “This spell will let you jump further and get into the meat of things!”

“Perfect! Thanks, sis.” Ying grins.

“Now, let’s give Belladonna a way out.” Rose shifts Crescent Rose into crossbow form and stares down the stock, aiming at the Beowolf situation directly between Belladonna’s clearest path back to safety. As she fires, her rose petals travel with the bolt.

Rose’s Attack: 8 + 6 = 14, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 9 (5+4) piercing damage!

Beowolf E Hit Points: 22 -> 13

Beowolf Strength Save: 6 + 1 = 7 (Failure)

Suddenly, the rose petals surround the Beowolf and pushes it past Belladonna, barreling through the other Beowolves!

“You can push creatures around using your attacks now?!” Ying exclaims.

“Yep,” Rose smiles and reloads. “I can also choose to do extra damage or move myself.”

“Alright, let’s get this party started!” Ying rushes forward and uses the rose petals given to her to leap into the air above the pack and Belladonna! “Hmm…I could surround Bella in fire and try to take the ones surrounding her out… or…” Ying smiles and sends out I Burn at the massive group in front of Belladonna!

Fun fact! A 15-foot cone can usually only engulf a total of six creatures…however, this cone is pointing downward, and despite how a d&d map may look, the third dimension still exists. With a 15-foot-diameter area burning downward, that number increases to up to nine targets, not including the Beowolf Rose just shoved into this tight-knit pack! This single strike is about to engulf ten Beowolves…do we expect anything less of Yang?

Oh, and if you’re wondering why none of the Beowolves have attacked yet, they’ve had to take Dash actions to get to their current positions. Group 1 is the one that would be able to attack this round.

Beowolf Saving Throws

A: 4 (Fail)

B: 11 (Fail)

C: 5 (Fail)

E: 6 (Fail)

G: 6 (Fail)

H: 13 (Fail)

I: 14 (Fail)

J: 10 (Fail)

K: 4 (Fail)

L: 5 (Fail)

The dice tell a story. That story is that the Beowolves are as inconsequentially powerful as you think.

Ember Celica Damage: 11 (3+2+6) fire damage!

Beowolf Hit Points:

A: 17 -> 6

B: 22 -> 11

C: 22 -> 11

E: 13 -> 2

G: 22 -> 11

H: 22 -> 11

I: 22 -> 11

J: 22 -> 11

K: 22 -> 11

L: 22 -> 11

“Blanche, catch me!” Ying says as she plummets toward the ground! Blanche weaves her spellcraft and casts Feather Fall, creating runes for Ying to land on and leap to the ground…directly in the middle of the Beowolf pack, on top of Beowolf E!

“What are you doing?!” Belladonna exlaims.

“This!” Ying grins and slams her fists together, entering her rage! Her hair bursts into flames, and fire peels off of her, engulfing the nearby Beowolves!

With Ying’s Fire Storm Aura, she can inflict 2 fire damage to all nearby creatures when she enters her rage, and can choose to inflict that damage again on each turn while she rages!

Beowolf Hit Points:

A: 6 -> 4

B: 11 -> 9

C: 11 -> 9

E: 2 -> 0

G: 11 -> 9

H: 11 -> 9

I: 11 -> 9

J: 11 -> 9

K: 11 -> 9

L: 11 -> 9

“Whoa…” Belladonna’s eyes widen as the ambient heat engulfs her, though the fire doesn’t reach her.

“Come at me!” Ying calls out with a grin as the Beowolf she lands on is reduced to smoke.

“Your sister is insane.” Blanche gawks.

“I know, isn’t she great?” Rose grins.

The Grimm are drawn to Ying’s Rage like moths to a flame! Due to Pack Tactics and the way initiative is set up…Ying, you’re about to be the target of nine Beowolves in a row, each of which can attack twice at advantage, and one of which is simply going to try pouncing on you first since otherwise there’s scarcely room!

“Bring it on.” Ying cracks her knuckles as the first one lunges and tries to tackle her to the ground!

Grapple Contest!

Beowolf A: 4 + 1 = 5

Ying: 6 + 5 = 11

Ying wins!

Because a grapple can replace an attack roll, it’s going to try again!

Grapple Contest:

Beowolf A: 9 + 1 = 10

Ying: 19 + 5 = 24

Ying wins!

Ying wrestles with the Beowolf, evenly matched by it, but the Grimm surrounding her all want a turn! They all leap to lunge at the barbarian!

Beowolf Attacks:

B1: 8 + 3 = 11 (Miss)

B2: 8 + 3 = 11 (Miss)

C1: 7 + 3 = 10 (Miss)

C2: 15 + 3 = 18 (Hit)

G1: 19 + 3 = 22 (Hit)

G2: 15 + 3 = 18 (Hit)

H1: 13 + 3 = 16 (Hit)

H2: 4 + 3 = 7 (Hit)

I1: 12 + 3 = 15 (Hit)

I2: 19 + 3 = 22 (Hit)

J1: 17 + 3 = 20 (Hit)

J2: 14 + 3 = 17 (Hit)

K1: 14 + 3 = 17 (Hit)

K2: 10 + 3 = 13 (Miss)

L1: 16 + 3 = 19 (Hit)

L2: 5 + 3 = 8 (Miss)

Total Hits: 11

Ying manages to deflect and dodge the first few attacks, but as the Beowolf wrestling her starts to put its weight on her, one claws into her, then another, and another, some even biting her as she’s being worn down!

Thankfully, her Rage lets her halve the slashing damage these creatures inflict…

Beowolf Damage:

C2: 2 (1+1), halved to 1

G1: 2 (1+1), halved to 1

G2: 6 (5+1), halved to 3

H1: 5 (4+1), halved to 2

H2: 4 (3+1), halved to 2

I1: 3 (2+1), halved to 1

I2: 4 (3+1), halved to 2

J1: 2 (1+1), halved to 1

J2: 2 (1+1), halved to 1

K1: 4 (3+1), halved to 2

L1: 4 (3+1), halved to 2

Ying’s Hit Points: 35 -> 34 -> 33 -> 30 -> 28 -> 26 -> 25 -> 23 -> 22 -> 21 -> 19 -> 17

“GRAH!” Ying screams, throwing the Beowolf she’s wrestling off of her! “I’m still up, you monsters! Is that all you got?!”

“Don’t antagonize the monsters that halved your hit points!” Belladonna hisses.

“I repeat: your sister is insane,” Blanche says. “Luckily, she’s also drawing their attention. I’ll be able to pick off the Grimm pretty easily like this.” Blanche raises Myrtenaster into the air and unleashes three Scorching Rays, targeting Group 1’s Beowolves!

Scorching Ray 1: 16 + 6 = 22, hits!

Damage: 5 (3+2) fire damage

Scorching Ray 2: 3 + 6 = 9, miss!

Scorching Ray 3: 13 + 6 = 19, hits!

Damage: 9 (3+6) fire damage

Beowolf A Hit Points: 4 -> 0

Beowolf C Hit Points: 9 -> 0

One of her attacks misses the mark, but the other two blast into their targets, reducing two more Beowolves to smoke! Seeing this as an opening, Belladonna rushes in and flourishes her blade and scabbard in her three-attack flurry!

Belladonna Attack 1 (Target: Beowolf B): 18 + 6 = 24, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 7 (3+4) slashing damage plus 7 (4+3) from Sneak Attack:

Beowolf B Hit Points: 9 -> 0

Belladonna Attack 2 (Target: Beowolf G): 5 + 6 = 11, miss!

Belladonna Attack 3 (Target: Beowolf G): 12 + 6 = 18, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 5 bludgeoning damage!

Beowolf G Hit Points: 9 -> 4

Belladonna and Ying now stand back-to-back, surrounded by Grimm! Beowolves D and F, the ones trying to flank Belladonna before, lunge forward! One goes for Belladonna, the other for Ying!

Beowolf D Attack 1 (Target: Belladonna): 15 + 3 = 18, hit…?

Suddenly, shadows coalesce as Belladonna dodges, leaving a shadow clone behind to take the hit!

Belladonna’s Armor Class: 14 -> 19

This is the effect of Belladonna’s Shield spell! While active (until her next turn), Belladonna can leave shadow clones behind to take hits for her, simulated by her higher armor class. It’s not impossible to hit her, though, if the attack is swift and powerful enough!

Beowolf D Attack 2 (Target: Belladonna): 16 + 3 = 19, hit!

…like that, for instance.

Beowolf Claw Damage: 5 (4+1) slashing damage!

Belladonna Hit Points: 21 -> 16

Beowolf F Attack 1 (Target: Ying): 16 + 3 = 19, hits!

Beowolf Claw Damage: 6 (5+1) slashing damage, halved to 3!

Beowolf F Attack 2 (Target: Ying): 8 + 3 = 11, miss!

Ying Hit Points: 17 -> 14

“Alright, they need backup!” Rose rushes towards the fight and weaves her magic, casting Hunter’s Mark on Beowolf G before firing, infusing her bolt with rose petals once more!

Rose Attack: 4 + 6 = 10, miss!

“Agh! I’m no good at shooting and running at the same time…” Rose curses.

“Don’t worry, Rose, we got this!” Ying grins. “Now, I can’t just pulse out more fire with Bella here…so, let’s get to the fun part!” Ying punches the Beowolf that just hurt her, and her eyes flare red as she unleashes her Reckless power!

Ying Attack: Natural 20, crit!

Ember Celica Damage: 7 (3+4) bludgeoning damage, +2 from Rage, +2 from Ember Celica, x2 from Crit

Total Damage: 22

Beowolf F Hit Points: 22 -> 0

Ying punches clean through the Beowolf, then laughs as she uses Ignite to throw herself at another Beowolf!

Ying Attack: 13 + 6 = 19, hits!

Ember Celica Damage: 5 (1+4) bludgeoning damage, +2 from Rage, +2 from Ember Celica, +2 (1+1) from Ignite

Total Damage: 11

Beowolf G Hit Points: 4 -> 0

Only six Beowolves remain, and five of them act together! She blasted herself away from Belladonna, but the Beowolves are now split in their focus.

“Huh? I thought my rage was a beacon for them!” Ying says.

It WAS, until it became pretty clear that for you, “Rage” is just pure, joyous adrenaline.

“...oops,” Ying mutters.

Beowolves I and J go for Belladonna, while J, K, and L go for Ying!

Beowolf Attacks & Damage:

I1: 17 + 3 = 20, hits!

I2: 8 + 3 = 11, misses!

J1: 14 + 3 = 17, misses by shadow clone!

J2: 7 + 3 = 10, misses!

I1 Claw Damage: 5 (4+1) slashing damage!

J1: 3 + 3 = 6, misses!

J2: 12 + 3 = 15, hits!

K1: 18 + 3 = 21, hits!

K2: 15 + 3 = 18, hits!

L1: 8 + 3 = 11, misses!

L2: Nat 20, crit!

J2 Claw Damage: 5 (4+1) slashing damage, halved to 2!

K1 Claw Damage: 3 (2+1) slashing damage, halved to 1!

K2 Claw Damage: 6 (5+1) slashing damage, halved to 3!

L2 Claw Damage: 5 (4+1) slashing damage, doubled to 10 from crit, halved to 5 from Rage!

Belladonna Hit Points: 16 -> 11

Ying Hit Points: 14 -> 12 -> 11 -> 8 -> 3

“Okay…starting to feel it now…” Ying coughs and wipes the blood from her mouth. “But I’m not down yet.”

“Honestly, such recklessness!” Blanche scoffs and unleashes another trio of Scorching Rays! “This is the last I have for this spell…better make it count!”

Scorching Ray 1 (Target: Beowolf J): 10 + 6 = 16, hits!

Damage: 7 (6+1)

Scorching Ray 2 (Target: Beowolf K): 17 + 6 = 23, hits!

Damage: 7 (6+1)

Scorching Ray 3 (Target: Beowolf L): 11 + 6 = 17, hits!

Damage: 5 (3+2)

Beowolf J Hit Points: 9 -> 2

Beowolf K Hit Points: 9 -> 2

Beowolf L Hit Points: 9 -> 4

Belladonna uses her Cunning Disengage to join Ying and swing upon her foes with two slashes of Gambol Shroud!

Belladonna Attack 1 (Target: Beowolf J): 12 + 6 = 18, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 5 (1+4) slashing damage!

Beowolf J Hit Points: 2 -> 0

Belladonna Attack 2 (Target: Beowolf K): 15 + 6 = 21, hits!

Gambol Shroud Damage: 10 (6+4) slashing damage!

Beowolf K Hit Points: 2 -> 0

Two more Beowolves are eviscerated, reduced to smoke! Beowolf D, the only remaining of the flanking wolves, has its attention turned toward the advancing rose-cloaked girl and lunges at her!

Beowolf D Attack 1: 9 + 3 = 12, miss!

Beowolf D Attack 2: 2 + 3 = 5, miss!

Rose expertly dodges aside and transforms Crescent Rose into scythe form, moves Hunter’s Mark to the Beowolf in front of her, and swings!

Rose Attack: 9 + 6 = 15, hits!

Crescent Rose Damage: 14 (10+4) slashing damage plus 6 force damage, plus 5 piercing damage from Gathered Swarm! Totals 25 damage!

Beowolf D Hit Points: 22 -> 0

Rose rushes forward to aid her friends and brandishes her scythe, ready to fight the final three! Ying, on the other hand, takes a deep breath.

“Alright…I could take the potion…” she smirks. “But this fight is basically won.” Ying turns and unleashes I Burn to engulf two Beowolves!

Beowolf H Dex Save: 12, fail!

Beowolf I Dex Save: 2, fail!

“I Burn” Damage: 13 (2+6+5) fire damage!

Beowolf H Hit Points: 9 -> 0

Beowolf I Hit Points: 9 -> 0

Ying then uses Ignite to blast herself at the final Beowolf, leaving the dissolving corpses behind!

Ying Attack: 5 + 6 = 11, miss!

The Beowolf sidesteps at the last moment, and Ying’s fist impacts the ground! “...whuh-oh.” Ying mutters as the final Beowolf lunges at her!

Beowolf Attack 1: 13 + 3 = 16, hit!

Claw Damage: 3 (2+1) slashing damage, halved to 1!

Ying Hit Points: 3 -> 2

Ying grunts as she’s forced back, and the final attack comes for her!

Beowolf Attack 2: 19 + 3 = 22, hits!

Claw Damage: 2 (1+1) slashing damage, halved to 1!

Ying Hit Points: 2 -> 1

Ying stands her ground, breathing heavily. “Not…down…yet…”

Blanche holds up Myrtenaster and unleashes Magic Missiles upon the final beast!

Magic Missiles: 5 (4+1), 4 (3+1), and 3 (2+1) force damage!

Beowolf L Hit Points: 4 -> 0

The final Beowolf is peppered with Magic Missiles, reducing it into mist just before it can lunge any further. Ying takes a deep breath, and then cheers!

“YEAH! We won!” Ying laughs.

“Oh, my gosh, Ying, you gotta be more careful!” Rose rushes to her. She weaves her spellcraft, and roses begin to surround Ying as Rose casts Cure Wounds. The roses settle into the wounds and transmute into flesh and viscera to heal her.

Cure Wounds: 6 + 7 + 2 = 15

Ying Hit Points: 1 -> 16

“Feeling better already. Thanks, Rubes.” Ying pauses. “Hey, nicknames aren’t affected!”

“Too bad that nickname doesn’t make sense in this world.” Rose huffs.

“Alright, alright. I’ll think up something else.” Ying snickers.

“We should search for survivors!” Rose calls as Blanche joins them and sheathes her rapier. Similarly, the rest of the team stows their weapons, though they all keep their guard up just in case they missed any straggling Grimm.

“There was so many…” Belladonna looks over the dissolving bodies of the Beowolves. “Where do they come from…?”

You can each roll Investigation or Perception to search for survivors.

Rose’s Perception: 10 + 6 = 16

Blanche’s Investigation: 12 + 3 = 15

Belladonna’s Investigation: 17 + 4 = 21

Ying’s Perception: 15 + 0 = 15

Our heroes search the farmhouse, finding evidence of a struggle and a few bodies, but not enough to make up the entire ranch staff. Eventually, you all find the basement, which seems like it’s been barricaded from the inside. When it’s clear that you are not the monsters, the few survivors cheer that they’ve been saved and open the doors!

“Thank you so much!” the ranch owner says. “Those monsters came out of nowhere. We’ve dealt with wolves and the occasional monster before, but those things…”

“They’re something new,” Rose says, “spread the word. Those creatures are drawn to negativity more than anything else.”

“We will! Thank you!” the rancher nods. “I’m sorry, we have no way to pay you…certainly not enough for what you deserve.”

“Not a problem at all, sir.” Rose smiles. “We’re just happy to help.”

“But perhaps there is something I can do!” the rancher says. “My brother is the blacksmith in town. I can organize for you all to have some new armor made, and I have some old armor from my Father’s time as a Knight…I believe it may be enchanted.”

Rose looks at her compatriots and smiles. “You know, I think we’ll take you up on that.”

The finest thing about helping people when you’re an adventurer is the connections that can come with it. Your reputation grows, and new armor is commissioned for you! Belladonna and Blanche each attain a set of Studded Leather armor, bringing with it more protection for Belladonna and a shorter dress for Blanche, bringing with it more mobility.

Belladonna Armor Class: 14 -> 15

Blanche Armor Class: 11 -> 13

“With armor like this, I won’t need to worry about Mage Armor anymore.” Blanche smiles.

Rose is given a breastplate as a basic upgrade from her studded leather.

Rose Armor Class: 15 -> 16

While Barbarians don’t always need armor, a little extra armor never hurt anyone. The armor that was described as enchanted is a flexible, mithral suit of half-plate with additional magical protection. As the MVP of the fight, Ying is rewarded with this armor, giving her a welcome boost to her power.

Ying Armor Class: 14 -> 17

“Now this is what I’m talking about!” Ying flexes. The combination of metal and leather on the half-plate allows for a beautiful gold-colored visage that brings with it an intimidating presence.

“Total victory for Team RWBY!” Rose cheers.

“Team RWBY?” Belladonna chuckles.

“Yeah, R-W-B-Y! It’s our names! Our actual names.” Rose smiles. “Like what Team STRQ did!”

“I like it!” Ying grins. “Come on, let’s head back to the keep while we wait for the others.”

A unique reward has been granted to our Team RWBY, and now they plan to wait for their compatriots. Let’s take a look at how THEIR quest has gone…

Chapter Text

Author’s Prelude: Full disclosure, this has been on pause because I’ve been trying to write JNPR’s quest. I know what I want to write, but I just…can’t put it to page. So I’ll explain what happened in my own way…and then just go over the level-up. There’s nothing more to be had during this intermission, consider it a short lead into me continuing this series!

~=~

“...and Jaune crit, finishing off the Ursa!” Nora boasts to her friends after the session. “It was awesome!”

“And thanks to him, Cardin is going to be leaving Elkross,” Pyrrha smiles. “The village won’t have to deal with his bullying anymore.”

“Aw, gee, you guys…” Jaune chuckles. “I just got a little lucky, is all!”

“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Pyrrha smiles. “We’re all coming into our own.”

“We also found something weird!” Nora grins. “There was this totem that was attracting the Grimm. We destroyed it, and we’re bringing the pieces with us since the magic’s all gone.”

“That sounds awesome!” Ruby smiles. “You guys did amazing!”

“You all did incredibly,” Seifer smiles. “And next time, things are going to get interesting! Feel free to start making theories about what’s going on lately. You’ll have to start taking action soon…”

“Do you have to say ominous things at the end of every session?” Weiss deadpans.

“Yes.” Seifer replies, unashamed.

“This is gonna be great!” Ruby grins. “We’re almost at level 5, and we’re all getting stronger!”

~=~

Rose Stark has reached Level 4!

• Rose’s Dexterity increases to 19!

Princess Blanche Frost has reached Level 4!

• Blanche’s Dexterity increases to 14!
• Blanche’s Intelligence increases to 17!
• Blanche’s Armor Class increases to 14!

“Belladonna” has reached Level 4!

• Belladonna’s Dexterity increases to 19!
• Belladonna’s Armor Class increases to 16!

Ying Stark has reached Level 4!

• Ying’s Strength increases to 18!

Jean the Rusted Knight has reached Level 4!

• Jean’s Strength increases to 16!