O-Lord's Game (Jakelad)

[Tikobe]

"Sir Cauthrien," the knight replies.

"William," the village head with broken leg says.

The three look at the enemy village head.

"Bug off, I ain't telling her my name," he says.

"That's fine, when I get back to Rembes I'll have charges reader under which I can have you arrested. She'll find out then," Sir Cauthrien replies. "Anyways, Zynna, Harsvold, when you're ready.

(Normally I'd have a small plot arc for the travels but A) I'm feeling lazy and B) you kinda already had one with this quarry duel and all and I even got to implement a story arc I originally didn't plan to use (It was about a DLC O-Lord had planned but scrapped it however elements of it started popping up and after a bit of thought I scrapped it and now I'm using it. Funny, huh?) so I'm just gonna skip the trip and just send you over to Rembes. No reason to mention that, just was bored.)

[official clown business]

(And so we travel through time and finally arrive at the wonderful settlement of Rembes in the span of half an hour. No problem with that, I'd love to see the town of Rembes in all its glory, at this very moment. I don't really have much to say until I get some sort of description or 'we're here guys!' bit. If it took more than a day to get there, we're going to say I'm asleep or something right now.

Man look at all these random spells I could've cast during the ride here. I could've cast this, this, this, this, and this. What a shame. Maybe next time, though.)

[Tikobe]

(Aight. Let's go Dorothy. (And dang. This took a while to write))

Your group took two days to finish the journey to Rembes. Along the way you learned a great many things (Said things exist on your original O-Lord's Game on Roblox and you can refer to that for info on the great dragons of Thesland and Thesland's government system. For now I'll just add some additional info to sate curiosities), including the origins of the elemental stones.

Apparently, there aren't only windstones in existence. Rather, there are a great many type of elemental metals brought into existence by a great dragon's presence. After all, if a castle-sized entity with a god-like affinity for an element stays in one place too long, some weird things are going to happen in nature. It wasn't until around a couple of centuries or so when humans found out that if they channeled magic of a specific element into a stone of said element, it generates a powerful effect. A small handful of legendary elemental weapons as such exist, although to make one is excruciatingly difficult as the great dragons are not only territorial, but they are incredibly protective of these elemental metals. As such, the most common of these metals out there are windstones, as the neighboring kingdom of Valiese has a custom where the king contracts with the great wind dragon Rakasmil for a number of benefits, including the harvesting of windstone from Rakasmil's lair. However, the kingdom of Valiese tightly monitors and controls the use of their windstone.

You also learned of the religion of Thesland. Evidently, the kingdom believed a great god named the Grand Light created the world and the Great Dragons, and in the creation of this, known only as the Earliest of Days, the Great Dragons shaped the world and the primal elements of nature itself. Once that was done, the Grand Light made many races such as the Elves, the Dwarves and the Orcs. But from these races came the humans, the most populous race of them all. The Grant Light brought to their understanding that the humans were a blight, but gave them a chance to redeem themselves if they spent their entire life in penance for being human. And as such, the Chapel of the Grand Light was made. You hadn't actually heard many of the beliefs of this religion, but they all dealt in the same idea: Being human was a sin and human should beg for forgiveness.

You noted in your conversations that the Grand Light sounded remarkably similar to O-Lord.

Rembes was an impressive city, to say the last. Outside of it's wall was nearly an entire army in the midst of training, and the city in the walls was heavily fortified, with many checkpoints stopping you for a good deal of time. Apparently, it would've been longer had Sir Cauthrien not been with you. Even then, once in the city, it took you three whole hours to reach the baron's castle.

The castle was a large dark grey building that was pretty sizable. From the looks it had four whole floors, and the city around it left it enough room to hold a marathon in it's outer yard. Above the door was a sign that held the castle's name. It seemed to be named after the baron's family: Castle Cyvler.

You and Harsvold followed after Sir Cauthrien as he approaches the guards at the Castle's front doors.

"State your name," the guard in front ask Sir Cauthrien.

"Selfer Cauthrien, Captain of the 2nd Cyvler platoon."

"Very well. Enter the castle."

"May the Grand Light redeem you and our brothers fallen," the guard and Sir Cauthrien say at the same time as the guards opened the door. You and Harsvold follow him behind.

"Captain?" Harsvold asks. "Why didn't they let you in on sight then?"

"It's a formality," Sir Cauthrien explains.

When you enter the castle you see a large number of guards lining the wall of the entrance hall. Walking down the red carpet was a knight adorned in decorative armor, with messy brown hair. He was talking to a man in black robes with silver blonde hair. Behind this man was a woman in a green dress who held a wooden staff, obviously a mage of some sort.

"Reyael, thanks for your assistance," the knight tells the mage, clearly Reyael.

"Not at all. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help to your situation," she explains.

"It's fine. I do suppose that finding Prince Nelsus comes first before any matter about memories," he explains.

"Ethan, I promise you, if I ever find out anything about your situation or the Prince you'll be the second to know, with only the Queen herself taking priority over you," the long hair man assured.

"Thank you, Baron Cyvler," the knight, Ethan, says. "But for now it looks like you have guests."

The Baron looks surprised as he glances over at the front door.

"Sir Cauthrien!" he exclaims. "You've returned from the quarry at last."

"Indeed, my liege," Sir Cauthrien says, bowing to the Baron.

The Baron looks at Harvold and then you, "And you brought... friends? A traveler of some sort?"

It was easy to guess that the Baron was like all others, and hadn't seen a kobold of your sort at all.

[official clown business]

I do one of those quick little curtsy like I've always done on stage, and I begin with the usual "My name is Zynna. I'm a stage magician, as you might be able to tell from the outfit. I'm a newcomer to Rembes, but I can definitely tell you what's happened on the way here.

"I met our good friend Sir Cauthrien at-" god damn it, I didn't get the name of the town either- "at the village near the quarry. To keep a long story short, the two villages challenged each other to a duel, with Harsvold here-" I nod to the blacksmith as I say this- "ultimately winning the duel for our side. We weren't quite sure what to think of that mysterious swordsman and his wind magic, but I have to say I had quite the interesting day at the quarry."

If no one else is about to say anything yet, I gesture at the knight and go "Well, I think I'll let Sir Cauthrien take the stage from here."

[Tikobe]

Everyone but the guards standing at the walls looked at you funny, however the Baron chose to brake the silence by addressing Sir Cauthrien.

"Sir Cauthrien, could you clarify on that?"

"O- Of course, my liege. Gladly."

"Well, it looks like this is a matter that doesn't involve me," Ethan says. "Therefore, I'll take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality, Baron Cyvler."

"Your welcome, Ethan. Guards! Open the door for Ethan. Give him a formal exit."

The guards held the door open for Ethan, and stood in two straight lines around the knight, giving him a salute of sorts as he walked out. As he reached the end of the line, they all shouted out "May the Grand Light redeem you and our fallen brothers!" before returning to their original posts.

"Now, Sir Cauthrien, begin."

"Yes, my liege. One of the towns stuck gold in their mines and as such the other town demanded they give their quarry to them. When refused, the other town rioted and incited a violent and hostile situation in the quarry. Unfortunately, they were so riled up I could not safely make an arrest without worsening the situation. So I opted for a peace talk, but than that town challenged the other to a duel. These two, who I brought as witnesses, fought for the side of the defending town. On the other side was the village head and stranger. He dressed himself in a way that I could not see his face. These two won, and the challenging village said that it was all the stranger's idea. However, before I could interrogate him, he flew away on boot lined with windstone."

"Windstone? What weapons did this stranger use?" the Baron asks.

"Two swords with circular guards that had a symbol of a spiral on them. They had no hilts, and it seems that the stranger moved them with magic."

The Baron looks troubled by this, but after a pause he finally says, "Very well. I expect your report filled out by tomorrow. You two. Sir Cauthrien says you challenged this man? And won? He is a man beyond the ability of most. Had even Cauthrien challenged him he'd have surely died."

"You know this stranger?" Reyael asks.

"Not exactly, but when I compare it to that merchant who tried to buy the trading rights to that quarry three days ago, I certainly get an idea," the Baron replies before returning to you two. "Both of you, you were brave and skilled to have fought him. I will see to it that you are rewarded. However, I must get my resources together. How about for now Sir Cauthrien, Reyael and I give you a tour of the castle? Very few commoners ever make it beyond the entrance hall, you know."

[official clown business]

My face turns to a delightful beam. "Absolutely. I would be thrilled to explore the castle of Rembes!"

They don't have that many castles where I come from. I never quite lived the kind of lifestyle where I got to visit castles often either. That is, until this very moment.

[Tikobe]

"Very well then! Let us start!" the Baron says.

"Actually, my liege," Sir Cauthrien says, getting up, "forgive me for about speaking out of turn, but I was wondering about your earlier conversation."

"What about it?"

"Prince Nelsus. Did you say he was... uh..."

Sir Cauthrien looks awkwardly to you two then the Baron.

"It's alright. If nothing is done in a few more days they'll find out anyways," the Baron replies. "Yes. As of two days ago, Prince Nelsus has disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Sir Cauthrien questions. "Was he kidnapped or did he run?"

"No clue," Reyael says, "the last report of him was from the palace maids who said he was sound asleep in his chambers. Palace security is very tight, and there was no mention that the door had been opened even once since that last report. The only other way to leave that room would be the balcony, but that'd lead us to a murder investigation and not a missing royal."

"Reyael, that last joke was distasteful," the Baron warns.

"My apologies. I was only speaking frankly."

"Reyael, how do you know all of this?" Sir Cauthrien questions.

"Because, it is none other than I who the Baron appointed for the investigation of this in his barony.

"Although I may reconsider as your mind is on other matters," Baron Cyvler once more warns.

"Other matters? What could be more important than the prince!?"

"Heheh, I'd gladly tell you but," Reyael looks to you and Harsvold.

"I see, very well then. Sir Cauthrien, Reyael, we shall meet with each other later," exclaims the Baron.

"Yes, my liege," they both say as Reyael guides Sir Cauthrien elsewhere for a private conversation.

"You'll have to forgive me for that. Come, let us not be disturbed by it. Speaking of which, I didn't catch your name," Baron Cyvler asks Harsvold.

"My apologies. My name is Harsvold. I'm a blacksmith from the town."

"Blacksmith? But Zynna made it out as you were the cause of your victory."

"Aye. I intimidated the enemy village head as he was weak and unarmed. However, if Zynna didn't handle that stranger like she did, I might've not been standing here today."

"Huh," the Baron says, before looking at you. "Zynna, you said you were a 'magician?' What is that? The name of your race?"

[official clown business]

"No, I'm a kobold. And have you never seen a magician or jester or anything like that before?"

I take off my hat and wave it around a little. "Magicians are generally skilled in stage magic and arcane mimicry. Before just a few days ago, I used to be part of a travelling circus, where I learned all sorts of stage tricks and spells. Some people would say magicians merely cast magic wildly, praying for the right spell at the right moment, but I like to say it's much more than that. Perhaps you would be more interested in a demonstration than an explanation, by any chance?"

[Tikobe]

"Hmm... You're like a jester you say? Yet you can handle someone like that man? Indeed, I'd be very interested," the Baron says, smiling out of amusement.

All of a sudden, your amulet glows blue. By the lack of a reaction, you can tell that only you can see this.

"Oh hey, Transgender Furry Freak, or as I'm now gonna say TFF! It's your favorite god O-Lord here. Yeah, well, in a couple of days, weeks, maybe months, I'm not really sure, something bad may or may not happen. All I'm gonna do is apologize in advance and explain I didn't make it, I'm not responsible for it, so don't complain to me when it happens. Goodbye!"

From the looks, or lack there of, on Harsvold's and the Baron's face they clearly didn't hear that. For now, it looks like the Baron's expecting you do walk on water or something.

[official clown business]

(Ah, the perils of work. Luckily, Tuesday and Wednesday are the days for me this week.)

Funny enough, I can in fact make people walk on water. But I'd rather go for the hard-earned victory instead.

"First things first," I begin. "I'm going to need to get my stage assistant ready."

First thing I'm going to do is get my hat ready, rummage through it, and use my Hocus Pocus to pull out a random Companion!

(If the Companion I pull out can speak, can I have it speak only in the language of Abracadab? It's a very unique language, as you'll come to find out.)

[Tikobe]

(Err... We'll just say it does cause I have no clue how to make that work)

Out of the hat comes a gigantic pig man in robes. The voice in your head tells you that it's a porcish alchemist with the Doomed attribute.

The baron stands with his jaw wide open and Harsvold looked even more surprised then before.

"First Derius and now... this? Actually, what happened to Derius? I forgot all about him at the quarry."

While Harsvold speaks, a brick falls off an over head beam of wood and lands on the alchemist's head, killing him. Guess he really was doomed. The porc falls over, blood dripping on the carpet from his head. Before anyone could do anything, a great vacuum comes from your hat and sucks up the porc's corpse.

"S- Someone just died. In my entrance hall," the Baron says tranquilly as the shock from the summoning and death of a giant pig man kicks in.

[official clown business]

I kneel down where the Porc died and say what I recognize as an entire eulogy, but to everyone sounds like "Yes, yes... yes."

As I get up, I say "I won't deny it. The magician's trade is sometimes a dangerous one, with the wild magic and such, and I have seen accidents happen on the stage before."

"But like any other trade," I say as I pull out a deck of cards, showing the first one to the audience, "there are ways to reduce the risks involved." I shuffle the cards vigorously, stow them away, and snap my fingers. In a few seconds, the baron will discover an object in one of his pockets, revealing to be the very card the audience was shown. And yes, this was in fact an actual card trick.

I take a few steps away from the others, and announce that "it's time for the show to truly start!"

For this magic show, I will be attempting to cast at least 5 of the most impressive spells I can draw, unless someone stops me beforehand or a bad accident happens.

"Before I cast the first spell, is there anyone who would like to volunteer as an assistant, at least until the end of the show?"

[Tikobe]

The guards, and Harsvold, all looked at you like you were crazy to ask for a volunteer after a man literally died in your tricks, yet the Baron, after the trauma passed, stepped forward.

"I was always a fan of testing my luck. Lets see what you have," he smiles.

[official clown business]

"That's the spirit!" I exclaim as the Baron walks forward. "As my stage assistant, I will have your implied permission to perform all but the most dangerous of spells on you for the entertainment of our royal audience." Before they can respond, I immediately move to pull a spell out of my top hat.

For my first of many spells, my two choices are Fireball EX and Amplify, which is shown as a dangerous-looking fire spell in my left hand and a powerful purpley-green spell in my right. Naturally, they've both been pulled out of my hat. I'm going with Amplify for this one, and I shoot this spell at only the Baron, causing a temporary size enhancement.

Still before anyone can react, I prepare a Polymorph spell in my right hand just for fun. Thanks to the cards I also have the option of casting Malnourish, which appears in the form of spores, but I'm going with Polymorph for sure, aimed at my brave assistant. Let's see which beast the Baron shall become this day!

(I pulled a fourth, invalid spell just for kicks and got Erase. One day I'll pull this spell in a battle. One day!)

[Tikobe]

(Watch it be against a character that was supposed to be unbeatable. Knowing my luck...)

The Barons blinks as he increases in size, and then blinks once more as he transforms into an elven bonedancer (Still the base person so I'll ignore the attribute I flipped).

"Now this... This is one strange magic you've got there.

[official clown business]

(Hold on, it's gotta be a random beast companion since it's Polymorph. Let's see what animal we get!)

[Tikobe]

(Oh. Oops. Forgot about that. Alright, here we go. Sunhound, apparently...)

The Baron transforms into a dog. The amount of disbelief that their lord was now a giant, supersized hound was apparently too stunning of a concept for their words. The Baron-Hound simply lied down and whined a little.

[official clown business]

"Hmm," I say. "Best if we lighten the load for this next one."

I go to cast Featherfye. The second option presented to me is Torpedo, but I'm already set on my choice and I've snapped my fingers, making the Baron light as a feather.

I immediately follow up with another random spell out of my top hat, which is going to be either Ray of Frost or... Featherguard. Definitely Featherguard, which will hit me and the Baron. It won't actually help here, but damn if it isn't a thematic combo with Featherfye. That'll definitely bring up the showmanship factor. I'm gonna act like that was all one spell.

"As you might've guessed from the Baron's momentary loss of balance, he's now as light as a feather. He can't quite fly, but if there were obstacles such as, say, a bunch of burning coals, a rough mountain, or even an entire lake, this enchantment will let you traverse all three without issue. Even more so if you have someone give you a little push!" I'm not gonna push him this time, though, but someone else can if they want to test it out. I just take another curtsy before I prepare to continue.

[Tikobe]

No one wanted to touch their giant, lightweight dog-lord in feathers. Some also looked at you like you were a witch of some sort. To be fair, you were practicing a kind of magic that no one in this kingdom has apparently ever seen before.

[official clown business]

"Of course, these effects are only temporary," I remind everyone. "Everything will be dispelled at the end of the show!"

The show must continue. This time, I'll try a two spell combo and see what happens.

For my first of two spells, my options are Frost Disc and Pinatamorph. I go with the first option, and with a flick of the wrist a disc of ice is launched into the air like a frisbee above the audience (3 if you roll a High Roll for this, in which case I catch the extra two).

For my second spell, I can cast either Mudshot or Command the Dead. I go with Mudshot, launching a muddy projectile that collides with the disc in midair causing it to explode in a shower of pretty-looking magical frost. And a little mud, I suppose.

This time, it was genuinely fancy. It was basically skeet shooting with magical flair, intended to actually impress those watching.

[Tikobe]

This time you evoked fascination from the crowd. Even Baron Doggy wagged his tail and perked his ears a bit. However, you should probably end it soon before they become so engrossed you lose them.

[official clown business]

(Just like in Pokemon, some spells can be cast for looks or roleplay effects rather than damaging and such. I'm going to be doing that right now.)

The final spell I cast is going to be Round of Applause. I had the option to cast Mark of Missiles instead, but I came in planning this, and this is going to be where the show concludes.

A round of applause slowly begins, echoing around the room as it increases in intensity. Those in the audience who are casters or understand magic well will realize they're hearing the applause in their head as well, but for the most part everyone hears applause all around them, seemly directed at me. It's as if the suggestion is to go along with it and clap as well.

As this is happening, I take a deep bow for a few seconds, occasionally saying "Thank you, thank you!" and "Yes!" as I took in all the applause.

While this magical applause is occuring, the show pretty much ends at that point as I decide to not perform any more magic, and the Baron becomes himself again.

[Tikobe]

The guards begin to cheer, as does the Baron. However, you notice the Baron pulling aside a guard to whisper something in his ear. The guard gives a quick salute and runs off.

"That was fantastic!" he says, smiling as he approaches you and Harsvold. "Now, shall we start the tour of the castle?"

[official clown business]

"Why, of course!" I answer with enthusiasm. "Let's get the tour going as soon as we can!"

[Tikobe]

The castle was large and impressive. It was also a good chance to meet the Cyvler family, which was relatively small with only 36 members. You also found out the Baron's first name, Kellius. You also learned that the Cyvler were one of four baron families related to the royal family Ivelon, which is why most of the Cyvlers had hair so blonde it was almost white, a trait the exists exclusively in Thesland royalty. Although, you also found one small problem with Castle Cyvler: There were guards everywhere. It was as if the country was at war, and last you heard the last war Thesland has was with a kingdom across the sea twenty years ago. The castle was probably more heavily fortified than the city, and the city could easily survive several wars without a scratch with it's strict focus on defense.

After a while, about a couple hours, surprisingly, you and Harsvold were brought to what the Baron had said was his favorite room. It's a circular room on the fourth and highest floor that juts out from the castle walls only a bit. There several really fancy and comfy looking chairs and sofas were placed, all looking out into the window, where a large, majestic view of Rembes could be found.

"Well? What did you think?" the Baron says, as he sits on a couch.

"Too many guards, if you don't mind me saying," Harsvold replies.

"Really? I think it's not a problem if you don't intend to do wrong."

"The problem with that logic," Harsvold begins, "is that it really protects no one. After a while those looking will just make up something wrong to get you in trouble."