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Board & Conquest 22: Old Curses
🕑 Added 2025-02-06 09:07:32 +0000 UTC---------
By the time Goreville and his group returned to Narc, Victoire had mostly recovered from her existential depression and had taken charge again. She spent most of her time traveling between Icefall and Narc to oversee their defenses and construction progress; a newfound enthusiasm which relieved her squire and god alike. While it disappointed Wepwawet that his first Champion had lost faith in him, he was glad she took his warning about the titans and magmorians to heart.
Goreville and Sagesse gave their report to Wepwawet, though he already knew how their meeting with Peridot went. He immediately tasked them to join Viviane on a diplomatic mission to the eastern city of Roynimalia in order to hammer out an alliance. As for Victoire, she would run her own expedition north to contact the Glarmes Order beyond the Glacis Mountains.
Seizing new Altar spots would be each group’s secondary priority, both to bolster their god’s mana production and provide quick teleportation relays to return in a pinch.
Wepwawet didn’t trust Peridot’s ultimatum. He needed at least one Commander and a handful of Champions in Narc in case the magmorians launched another assault ahead of time. Considering how Wintresse’s past and demonic nature would come across to Roynimalia and the Glarmes Order, Wepwawet would leave her in charge of Narc and Icefall under his close supervision.
On the plus side, the influx of settlers coming to his capital finally allowed Narc to break through the one-thousand inhabitant population ceiling. Wepwawet welcomed the appropriate System notifications with glee.
Quest: A Town of Prospect, completed! You gained the Skill: Treasure Hunter Rank 2 Revelation Miracle!
Skill: Treasure Hunter
Rank 2 Revelation
Teaches a Champion the Treasure Hunter Passive Perk: Allows the target to smell gold, silver, gemstones, or treasures of value within one mile per Rank, ignoring all forms of magical protection. This Perk does not reveal the target’s exact location, only its presence somewhere within range.
Quest: Proselytism III, completed! You gained the Dimensional Fortress Rank 8 Doctrine Miracle!
Dimensional Fortress
Rank 8 Doctrine
You can block all forms of interdimensional travel within your Influence, such as teleportation spells or actions, including attempts to enter it from the outside or to escape its borders from within. If you choose not to block the attempt, you can instead redirect it to a spot within your realm of Influence. Maintenance Cost: 3.
Wepwawet looked over Dimensional Fortress’ description twice, first grinning ear to ear when he saw all the advantages, and then grimacing upon seeing the maintenance cost. This Miracle was simply too useful not to be cast, but the hefty mana drain would limit his ability to build up his reserves.
Narc should provide me with seven mana points a day with its current thousand-strong population, and Icefall with five, Wepwawet calculated. The presence of lumber, docile livestock, amber, and ready-made fortifications had caused the latter settlement to attract a few local tribes. All my Doctrines will cost me five mana to maintain, which leaves me with seven points to spend or stockpile. I can manage with that.
As for the Skill: Treasure Hunter, Wepwawet briefly considered it underwhelming considering his Providence ability let him already do that for free within his realm of Influence… until he realized that that the perk covered miles around the Champion. This meant that they could forage for treasures far beyond his Influence’s limits!
I can already imagine Mistouffe salivating when I bless her with it, Wepwawet mused. Alpine would benefit from it too, since her Perks let her explore difficult terrain easily. I’ll have both of them scout around Narc and Icefall in case we missed anything. Maybe they’ll even find a new Artifact!
Wepwawet quickly replaced two of his copies of Sacred Beast with his new Miracles. He had little use in summoning more spirit-wolves now that Animal Kingdom let him completely control fauna within his realm of Influence and he had already built a large pack. One copy of the Miracle should suffice from now on.
New Quest: A City of Ambitions
Transform Narc into a city capable of supporting over eight thousand inhabitants.
Reward: Revelation Miracle.
New Quest: Proselytism IV
Convert over 10,000 worshipers.
Reward: Doctrine Miracle.
Well, those two would take a while to fulfill unless he managed to convert entire towns to his side.
How many inhabitants live in Roynimalia and Promesse again? Wepwawet doubted the Glarmes Order would welcome his cult with open arms considering their anti-wereling bent and isolationism, but Roynimalia should prove fertile ground for proselytism. Thankfully for him, a few of his followers had already shown the potential to become clerics after performing his Obedience.
It was time for him to organize his first missionary mission.
—-----------
Three days had passed since her god told her the truth about her world, and Victoire never thought she would spend them planning a return trip to Promesse.
She hadn’t left the Glarmes on the best of terms, though Lord-Commander Raymond said that she would be welcomed back whenever she ‘adjusted her attitude;’ something she had refused to do and had no desire to change. Reaching Promesse would be difficult enough, let alone convincing the Glarmes to help.
“That should be enough,” Victoire said after reviewing Lourson’s newest creations: a set of dragon-shaped silver statuettes forged from their mines’ bounty. “We’ll put in a few gemstones for good measure.”
“This is quite the treasure we’ve gathered, Milady,” Filou replied. All in all, they had gathered a sack’s worth of gold and silver.
“Will that be enough to buy the Glarmes’ assistance?” Lourson asked. The sound of clashing steel echoed in his forge as his new apprentice and associates hammered out the settlement’s newest set of weapons. Victoire had the distinct impression that the smith’s staff increased in number with each of her visits.
“This treasure is not meant for the Glarmes,” Victoire replied. The insular order had little need for gold. “It’s for the dragons.”
“Dr-dr-dragons, Milady?” Filou gasped in fear.
“Oh, true,” Lourson muttered to himself. “I’ve heard rumors that a few of them live in the Glacis Mountains.”
“They mostly hibernate during winter and awaken when the ice melts,” Victoire confirmed. She had only encountered one in the past, and had no desire to face another. “Thankfully, dragons are a vain and greedy lot. We should be able to bribe our way out of a confrontation with some proper compensation.”
“Should?” This aroused Lourson’s curiosity. “Did you encounter a dragon in the past?”
“A-are they as fearful and majestic as the tales say?” Filou inquired.
“Dragons are…” Victoire shuddered upon recalling her last encounter with one. “Special.”
Poor Filou, who didn’t know any better, squinted in confusion. “Special? In what way?”
“Believe me, it will be better for everyone if we don’t cross a dragon’s path,” Victoire replied without answering. Her friends wouldn’t believe her if she told them the truth, and besides, it wasn’t like they could fend off one of those creatures should they piss it off.
While proud of her skills, Victoire’s clash with Grudu had sharply reminded her of her limits. The power Lord Wepwawet granted her might not be enough to make up for the gulf in strength separating warriors from Verglane’s mightiest monsters.
Will that gap ever close? Victoire’s conversation with her god continued to hang in her mind. Lord Wepwawet had insisted she would eventually grow in power enough to fight the titans’ servants, but her confidence faltered each time she recalled those undead monsters that they fought in Icefall. I have to pray that he’s right.
It wasn’t like she had any other choice. Lord Wepwawet’s duel with that giant shadow had given her a glimpse of the battles to come, and there was no way her people could pull through without divine assistance. She would have to take her god at his word and follow his directions for no.
Victoire heard movement behind her and turned around to see Mistouffe and Alpine entering the forge, with the former carrying a bag full of old antiques. Neither made too much noise, yet Victoire picked up on their approach before they even crossed the threshold. Her senses had sharpened greatly since her last ‘Rank-Up.’
“Greetings!” Mistouffe declared as she proudly unloaded her bag. “Look at what Grudu and I found buried in the Boisblanc Forest today!”
Victoire checked her friend’s finds. Most of her gathered treasures looked like ancient junk or equally old ceramics, but she spotted a few interesting items among them: a broken crimson shield with a closed eye-like symbol carved on its surface and a split staff made of a black metal she didn’t recognize. Both radiated magic.
“Good finds,” Victoire congratulated Mistouffe. “Where did you find them?”
“Buried deep in the forest, near the spot where I found the amber,” Mistouffe replied proudly.
“His Godliness bestowed a new blessing on us both this morning,” Alpine said with a small smile. “We’ve been putting it to the test ever since.”
“My new blessing is pawsome!” Mistouffe replied with a wide grin. “My whiskers tremble with anticipation whenever I get close to treasure! It’s addictive!”
“I’ve also discovered a new silver vein’s location near Narc, alongside buried copper,” Alpine informed them. “Wintresse suggested that we exploit them both for coinage. She said, and I quote, ‘a unified economy buys more than victory.’”
“She’s not wrong,” Victoire conceded. A few large settlements across Verglane produced their own coins, but smaller villages like Narc mostly relied on bartering. “A common currency would bind our communities tighter together.”
“Do you want me to work on it?” Lourson asked. “I’m almost finished with the sawmill pieces.”
Victoire shook her head. “I want you and Alpine to join me and Filou on the Glacis Mountains trip.”
Lourson frowned. “Why’s that? I don’t mind accompanying you, but I do my best work behind a forge.”
“The Glarmes produce the best weapons and armor in all of Verglane,” Victoire explained. “They might be willing to supply us with equipment even if they deny us direct military assistance. As our head blacksmith, I think your presence would both help along our negotiations and teach you a few things. You and Alpine also need more field experience.”
“Good point…” Alpine conceded. “I suppose we can’t be expected to stay away from the frontlines while the rest of you risk your lives all the time.”
Victoire nodded sharply. Moreover, Lord Wepwawet had told her that while Champions could earn new Perks through non-violent activities, they progressed more quickly when facing harsher ordeals. She had no idea whether a diplomatic mission would fit the mold, but it was a start.
“You’re sure you don’t want us to come with you too, Vicky?” Mistouffe asked. “No one will dare to pick on you with Grudu around!”
“I’m sure about that, Mistouffe,” Victoire replied. “Grudu is difficult enough to manage at the best of times, and he’s quick to anger. That might lead to an incident with my former comrades. His strength will serve us better in defending Narc and Icefall from an attack.”
Their towns would be short on powerful defenders for a while with Goreville, Renarde, and Viviane escorting Sagesse to Roynimalia as well. Having Grudu and Wintresse staying behind to assist Lord Wepwawet should secure Narc and Icefall in their absence.
Speaking of the wolf god, the deity’s spirit swiftly materialized in the forge. Hardly anyone reacted; everyone had grown used to Lord Wepwawet showing up unannounced by now.
“And you would be right, Victoire,” he said with a nod and a tone that could pass for wise. “Besides, I will require Mistouffe’s assistance on the coinage project.”
“Oh, will I get a cut, Boss?” Mistouffe asked immediately before knowing any details on the project.
“No, but you will receive shares and a salary!” Lord Wepwawet examined Mistouffe’s new finds. “Good job on your treasure hunt! I’ll restore these two relics shortly!”
The god waved his hand at the treasures and magically repaired them. The shield regained its golden and red luster, while the black crooked staff shed off its rust and reassembled itself.
“This shield shall I bestow upon you, Victoire,” Lord Wepwawet declared with magnanimity. “Use it well in the defense of others!”
“I… I shall prove worthy of it, Lord Wepwawet,” Victoire replied. She tried to sound enthusiastic, but she couldn’t muster that level of solemnity after her previous discussion with her god.
“As for that staff…” Lord Wepwawet didn’t finish his sentence, his eyes staring at the second object with a tiny bit of concern. “That staff…”
“Boss?” Mistouffe asked out loud.
“That staff… that staff has no place in my church,” Lord Wepwawet said, his uneasy tone taking Victoire aback. “It is…” The god clearly hesitated for a moment until he found the right word. “Cursed! Yes, it’s a cursed treasure!”
“Cursed?” Alpine covered her mouth. “Oh my!”
“It doesn’t look especially dangerous to me,” Lourson said, a feeling which Victoire shared but kept quiet about.
“W-what does that mean?” Mistouffe panicked. “I’ve found that treasure, so did the curse pass on to me? I can’t have misfortune striking before I open my first big business!”
“Don’t worry, Mistouffe, you’re completely fine!” Lord Wepwawet reassured her. “In fact, Victoire and I will be sealing it beneath my first temple to keep its evil safely contained!”
He’s as subtle as a blizzard sometimes. “Then we shall dispose of this cursed relic immediately,” Victoire said upon seizing the staff and shield. “Filou, Lourson, Alpine, I want you to be ready for tomorrow morning. We’ll leave at dawn.”
“As you say,” Alpine replied with a gentle giggle, while the others nodded in assent. “I haven’t gone hiking in a very long time.”
Victoire left the forge alongside her god’s spirit, began to climb the cliffs leading to his Idol, and then waited until they had walked out of anyone’s earshot to confront him. “What was that?”
“I’m not sure,” Lord Wepwawet replied. “Does the name ‘Lunarian’ mean anything to you?”
“Absolutely not.” Victoire guessed it had something to do with the moon from the ‘lunar’ part. “Why is that?”
“How should I put it…” Her god scratched the back of his head. “I guess it would be easier if I showed you.”
Lord Wepwawet waved his hand at Victoire. Phantom words and numbers shaped from the spirit’s raw essence began to float above her shield.
Sleeping Magna-Shield
Type: Accessory (Shield)
Quality: B
Weight: 6
Hexlock Protection 3 (three spots): Grants +6 DEF against physical damage, and +3 DEF against magical damage.
A shield carved during an ancient war. Its true power dwells deeper still, waiting for the return of its ancient enemies to be awakened.
“Are those the numbers you told me about?” Victoire asked as she read the words. Hardly half of the description made any sense to her, besides the fact that it would help protect her from danger… like any normal shield. “Ancient enemies? Who are they?”
“I’ve been asking myself the same question for a while,” Lord Wepwawet replied as he summoned a similar string of letters and numbers over the staff. “And I think I finally have a lead.”
Victoire read, and then paled.
Lunarian Slavertaff
Category: Weapon (Rod)
Quality: B
Bonus: + 12 MAG
Accuracy: + 8 AV
Weight: 12
Restriction: Only Bug-Types benefit from its effects.
Wereling Killer (three spots): Inflicts Beastslayer supereffective damage against Beast-Types; this also extends to damaging spells cast by the user.
An archaic weapon crooked from all the times it was used to beat up wereling slaves. It used to be the most popular piece of equipment in the land over a thousand years ago, outside of a certain demographic…
“What the–” Victoire choked in outrage. “Who wrote this? You?”
“No, of course not!” Lord Wepwawet protested. “My magic simply reveals an item’s secrets, and that one has heavy implications.”
“Yes, it does.” A chill traveled down Victoire’s back as she reread the description. “Renarde believes an ancient wereling civilization once ruled Verglane hundreds of years in the past… but this staff’s description would imply that they suffered under another’s yoke.”
“Both these objects belong to the same era as the torc I entrusted Goreville with and old murals buried beneath Narc. I’m starting to wonder if they don’t all connect together.”
“But whoever these Lunarians were, they all perished centuries ago,” Victoire pointed out until a worrying possibility crossed her mind. “Unless… unless what happened to Grudu wasn’t a singular case.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Lord Wepwawet crossed his arms and dissipated the summaries back to nothingness. “A place like Icefall cannot occur naturally, Victoire. Dozens of ancient beasts don’t all end up trapped in the ice in the same area unless they were all frozen together in an instant. There may be other creatures or artifacts buried across Verglane waiting to wake up.”
“You’re thinking about the creature at the Sacred Source,” Victoire guessed. “You believe it could be related to Grudu or these Lunarians in some way?”
“Hey, finding the answer to that question is your job, Victoire.” Lord Wepwawet replied. “I said I would seal away this item, but honestly I think it’s best to destroy it outright. Besides the fact we don’t actually have any werebugs or the like to wield the damn thing, I don’t believe the others will appreciate us using it should its true history come to light.”
“No, probably not.” Victoire stroked her chin as an idea came to mind. “Actually… I say we should show this staff to Wintresse first.”
“Wintresse?” Lord Wepwawet raised an eyebrow. “Victoire, she’s the last person you would want to trust this kind of weapon with.”
“I know, but she’s the wisest mage on this side of Verglane,” Victoire replied. “She might be able to identify the metal used to forge this staff. The more we can learn about its origins and weaknesses, the better prepared we’ll be should anyone ever use it against us; if Mistouffe could find one of these things, so can the magmorians.”
“Mmmm… true.” Lord Wepwawet pondered her point for a moment before nodding to himself. “I guess it doesn’t hurt to have an additional perspective and develop safeguards.”
Is he actually considering what I have to say? Victoire had the distinct impression her god listened more to her viewpoint than usual. Then again, I’m the only one who knows his secret. He must feel he can confide in me more than the others.
It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, though the matter at hand bothered Victoire a bit too much for her to appreciate it. These ‘Lunarians’ had oppressed the ancestors of Verglane’s werelings and left quite a few artifacts behind.
Did any of them survive to this day like Grudu?
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