DoubleChecker

[The Grand Duchy] Echoes of the Verdant Heart

Severin Vaust

​

Titles
[Monster], [Undead], [Monster - Mundane], [Monster - Evolved], [Necromancer] - [#2d7d38]
Noteworthy Perks: [Evolved] - gain the title evolved. Something about your physiology or aura identifies to others you are of a higher species than your peers. Gain a +1 to social exchanges with others of your racial tree.
[Menace] - An aura of fear emanates from the creature at all times that makes lower grade creatures take a -1 effectiveness on attacks against monster or monster allies.

Noteworthy Perks: Resilient C (28) [Aging/Fatigue and Exhaustion/Suffocation/Surprised]

Asset Goal: ?

Severin watched the chaotic turn of events with narrowing eyes. The child received the least of his attention, his hazel eyes instead were focused on the new being that was brought forth, taking the guise of Penny. ‘How interesting…’ He thought to himself, his gaze turning appraisingly as it examined the ancient being.

It was time.

Not a single movement came from him, as a wave of energy burst from him as the epicenter, Illusion being used to cloak its origins. [Action 1] His targets however were rather peculiar: the Scrying Orbs themselves. Only when he heard each of the cracking, like glass, would he finally address Esther’s question.

“This is rather different from simply yanking Penny out of it. My best guess is that this is a possession, not too different by those employed by lowly ghosts, wraiths and spirits, but in a different level altogether.” He brought a gloved to his own lips, thumb and index grooming his own mustache. “Even with us being out of a cleric or priest, we shouldn’t count ourselves out of luck. There are more ways than one to handle this type of… puppeteering.”

His eyes became bright azure, his mind focused on the ancient being in front of them, both spirit and vessel, as he peered under the veneer. “Let’s see what I can gleam from it. Knowledge!” And, at the same time, arcanic chains were shot from his sides, aiming to wrap around the avatar’s limbs and keep her in place, at least long enough until he had the knowledge he desired. [Action 2/3]

He would not allow for competition.

Actions:
1 - Illusory Blast - Magic E + Magic Range F (30ft distance) + Magic AoE (15ft radius) + Magic Targets F (up to 5 targets) + Illusion E + Energized E + Selective Magic E + Componentless Magic E (Targeting only the Scrying Orbs) - Grade E 0 Post Cooldown
2/3 - Knowledge! - Magic D + Magic Range F + Appraisal D + Religion D + Arcana D + Academia D + Sixth Sense D (21) [Spirits and Soul-tethers] + Affinity Tangle E + Selective Magic E + Energized D - Grade D 1 Post Cooldown - 12 Base Effectiveness

CDs: D 0/1

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Titles: [Construct], [Order-Keeper] - #bc8dbf

"So THAT is what they were hiding behind those silly tubes. I told we were going to fight some dart-blowing natives for a moment." What sounded quite close to a snort came out from Von Mackstein's voice modulator, unafraid despite the rising seriousness of the situation (and the flying projectiles against the group).

"Counter-fire! Show just how Deutsche Ingenieurskunst blows whatever they try to throw at us out of the water!" Having ordered its troops [Von Mackstein - Action 1], the commanding unit raised its rifle, aiming at the incoming projectile itself. And, with a squeeze of the trigger, fired against it. [Von Mackstein - Action 2 and 3]

All the five Line Fusiliers quickly shifted their iron sights towards the incoming projectiles. "DOWN." They said in unison, before squeezing the triggers of the carbines, exploding rounds being used in a counter-fire initiative, before squeezing the trigger once more, this time firing slightly weaker, but still explosive ammunition.

Line Fusiliers #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 actions (Counter-fire):
1 - Aim at the incoming projectiles
2 - Explosive Cartridge - Fighting Style D + Range E (30ft) + Area E (15ft radius) - Precision B (5) + Carbine C (4) = Precision B (5) + Carbine C (4) + Ability D (3) = 12 Base Effectiveness each x 5
3 - Explosive Cartridge - Fighting Style F + Range F (10ft) + Area F (5ft radius) - +1 combo
Total 13 Base Effectiveness

Cooldown E 1/1 D 0/2

[The Beastkin Republic] Will They Know Respite?

Itsy

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Titles:
Beastkin - Mundane, Small (4ft) - 6ecff6

As Itsy sat upon the chair at the back, he had to lean a bit to the side to be able to see Ryota as they addressed the room, as the beastkin in front of him fully blocked his vision, which wasn't very rare. The fencer hadn’t realized things were this dire, and each new word added another layer of unease. "U-undead..." He murmured in a tone barely above a whisper, a tiny gulp left his throat as one leg began nervously moving, booted ankle hitting the leg of the chair with each movement.

"S-so... we just need to hold them off until the Fae arrive." He said in a louder voice this time, barely carrying through the room. His long snouted nose moved left and right a bit, round hazel eyes locking on the man with the Imperial clothes, eyebrows furrowing a bit, but soon relaxing. "He has a good point. E-engaging them in open field gives their numbers... advantage. Choke points are how we make our numbers count..."

He said nothing about the assassination plan of the woman holding the scythe. It just sounded even more dangerous.

[The Duchy: Aslan] .·:★・¨༺ 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔡𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔤𝔢 ༻¨・★:·.

Sir Edwin Stormcrest?

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@Moonberry
@Tellussoil

Titles
[Human - Mundane], [Noble Ryke Baron] B, [Apprentice Lancer], [Power Potential], [Get Looped], [Dark Knight], [Knight in Black], [Dark Horseman] - #0E0101
Noteworthy Skills: [Resilient Surprised], Regeneration F
Asset Goal: ?

It seems that needed not to go after the masked man, as he instead came back from the very same corridor he had gone inside. Edwin watched the man, one golden eyebrow raised, icy orbs locked on his golden mask. And as the man passed him, the darkened horseman lifted the delicate goblet, bringing it to his lips and taking a sip of it.

That had to be their mark.

The sudden shift in those surrounding him was accepted with chilling apathy. Only the smallest ‘humphs’ left the nobleman’s lips. Being adored by the people of the Duchy had never been his objective in the first place. “I see now… delightful.” Murmuring, his lips flattened, turning around as the announcement of the remaining participants was made.

Wasting little time to get ready, Edwin would leave his goblet atop any surface he found along the way while he searched for the attendant with his lance. And, upon finding them, he would simply wrench the armament for their hand, before marching towards the western arena, prepared for whatever tricks waited for him. Or, at the very least, that was what he thought.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Titles: [Construct], [Order-Keeper] - #bc8dbf

While Alaerin was drawing the sketches of the hieroglyphs and symbols, Von Mackstein began walking towards the very mouth of the pit on the left side. The crimson lenses of its gas mask gleamed against the darkness, as the machine attently observed the metal orb at the very end of the path, the prize if they managed to clear it. "So, three of those are needed to proceed into the main chamber, and we already have one of them..." The construct crossed its arms momentarily, as if thinking about something.

Its optical sensors caught the small tubes jutting out of the walls. "Guerrilla tactics... so primitive." With the synthetic voice dripping with contempt, one finger pointed towards one tube in specific, before sliding across each of them. Then a series of beeps and boops left its voice modulator: an order had been given.

All the five Line Fusiliers began marching towards the same mouth of the pit, rifles being raised, aimed right on those small tubes. "DOWN." They said in unison, before squeezing the triggers of the carbines, exploding rounds being shot along the extension of the wall.

Line Fusiliers #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 actions:
1 - Move to the mouth of the pit
2 - Aim at the tubes
3 - Explosive Cartridge - Fighting Style E + Range E (30ft) + Area (15ft radius) - Precision B (5) + Carbine C (4) = Precision B (5) + Carbine C (4) + Ability E (2) = 11 Base Effectiveness each x 5
Cooldown E 0/1

[The Beastkin Republic] Will They Know Respite?

Itsy

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Titles:
Beastkin - Mundane, Small (4ft) - 6ecff6

As the carriage stopped, Itsy would wait a few moments inside of it still. His round, beady eyes looking from the back window (which he had to stand on top of the seat, kneeling to reach it). "Uhhhh... t-that doesn't look good... at all!" He muttered in the tiniest, high-pitched voice, long snout scrunching, moving left and right. With a small sigh, Itsy steeled his resolve, jumping from the seat to land standing on the floor of the carriage with an insignificant THUD.

And, as he took the very first steps outside the carriage, one gloved hand already darted to his hat, holding it against the blowing wind. Quickly, he scurried into the Adventurer's Guild itself. As soon as he breached that threshold, his eyes were one of slight worry.

The bigger beasts filled the place, sometimes even taller than two Itsies stacked on top of one another! It brought him bad memories of his training, little lips pursing together. Those small black orbs would fall upon the others, who were more friendly than others... or at least appeared to be. Gathering courage, the 4ft elephant shrew would approach them, removing his plumed hat as he was taught and bowing slightly. "I... I'm Itsy! I look forward to work with all of you!" He introduced himself, rapier hilt tapping his thigh as with the movement.

[The Grand Duchy] Labyrinth of the Primordial Bloom [FINISHED]

1. **Narrators Involved**
Maxxob - Standing S

3. **Summary of the Roleplay**
- The characters were hired by the Ethereal Luminary to take Scrying Orbs to the hearth of a phenomenon, which was said had a primordial creature appear, deep in a forest named 'The Verdant Heart'. They delved into this twisted forest, fighting its corrupted inhabitants. Eventually, they found a shack in a clearing. Inside of it was a crystal that, upon touch, burst with energy of the Verdant Heart itself. The group then is contacted by the Proctor Valeriana from the Ethereal Luminary, being notified that their job is complete, and they should return, however, Penny is missing.

5. **Criminal Acts Perpetrated**
- None

6. **Lore to Establish**
- As long as this rp is a full grade and not a partial, you may submit the the answer to this block to the request mod channel and ping lore mod
- None

7. **Partial Participants**
- None

9. **Full-Time Participants**
- Maxxob - Severin Vaust (Monster) - discord.com/channels/5207614178892185… - Standing S
- Book - Liu Fei (Monster) - discord.com/channels/5207614178892185… - Standing C
- Pkken - Vetreus Draedora - discord.com/channels/5207614178892185… - Standing C
- Red - Esther Keaten - discord.com/channels/5207614178892185… - Standing F
- LS922 - Penny "Iron Maiden of Pax" discord.com/channels/5207614178892185… - Standing F

10. **Characters with Point Boosters**
- Esther Keaten - Attentive Student F

12. **Assets/Titles Roleplayed For**
- Severin Vaust Asset Goal: Grand Duchy Nobility F
- Vetreus Draedora Asset Goal: Harvester Asset Mine F
- Esther Keaten Asset Goal: Fae See Church F

13. **Characters with [Wanted]**
- None

14. Criminal Titles
- None

15. **Special Skills or Assets(downtime activities)**
- None

16. **Transactions Performed**
- None

18. **Character Sheet Oddities**
- None

19. **Aftermath **
- None

20. **Narrator Bonuses**
- None

21. **Additional Notes**
- None

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Titles: [Construct], [Order-Keeper] - #bc8dbf

Von Mackstein stood still for a moment, while Alaerin gave a report of what he had found. The machine would bring its metallic hand to its chin, brushing it as if deep in thought. "There might be quite a few surprises about. We will do well to keep our eyes open. I will have this place marked for a proper flush-out, just to be sure that every single deviant hidden in here is properly dealt with."

Then nodding, it pointed a hand forward, towards the opening on the wall. "Onward, without delay!" And it was already off, marching towards the small space.

[The Grand Duchy] Echoes of the Verdant Heart

[If you are interested in joining a setting like this, check out: roleplayerguild.com/topics/196759-ise…]

RP GOAL - Find Penny?

@DoubleChecker - Severin Vaust Asset Goal: ?
@Book - Liu Fei Asset Goal: ?
@pkken - Vetreus Draedora Asset Goal: ?
@Red Hood - Esther Keaten Asset Goal: ?
@Nakushita - Penny "Iron Maiden of Pax" Asset Goal: ?

The clearing is a scene of surreal devastation and confusion. The shack is a crater of splintered wood, the air thick with dust and the lingering scent of ozone and raw magic. Amidst the wreckage, the party's actions have yielded strange results. A significant portion of the debris has been teleported away, revealing the full extent of the destruction. The scattered, white bones of Fei Liu begin to twitch and skitter across the ashen ground, slowly, magnetically reassembling as his occult nature reasserts itself.

From the center of the crater, a small, soot-covered child stumbles into view. Seeing the group, she freezes for a moment, her eyes wide with terror. Her gaze darts between the imposing figures, the reassembling skeleton, and the monstrous boar carcass where Griselda is now feasting. The child lets out a sharp cry and scrambles away from the wreckage, trying to put distance between herself and the chaos. She trips and falls near the edge of the clearing, curling into a ball and sobbing, her small frame trembling uncontrollably. A familiar, clean scent—the faint aroma of soap and Penny's unique presence—clings to her like a phantom memory.

The forest itself seems to hold its breath. The rhythmic, oppressive THUMP... THUMP... of the Verdant Heart is gone, replaced by an unnerving, expectant silence.

Music

youtube.com/watch?v=x0euNw-4YOo

Suddenly, a new voice echoes through the clearing. It is not spoken from a single point but seems to emanate from the very air, from the trees, and from the corrupted soil itself. It is Penny's voice, yet amplified with an ancient, primordial power that resonates with absolute authority.

"CEASE YOUR PANIC. ALL WILL BE PUT IN ITS PROPER PLACE."

As the words fade, the ground at the center of the crater begins to churn. Roots, thick as pythons, tear through the earth, weaving and knitting together with impossible speed. Moss and glowing fungi sprout and spread across the emerging form. In a matter of seconds, a new being stands where the Heartstone once rested.

It is not a construct of root and moss. It is Penny's physical body, now standing tall and unnaturally poised. Her maid's uniform is pristine, as if it were just cleaned, but her form is subtly changed. A crown of interwoven, glowing roots rests on her head, and faint golden light pulses in a web of fine lines just beneath her skin.

Her face is serene, placid, and unnervingly blank. Her eyes, once familiar, are now orbs of pure, pulsing golden light, devoid of her own personality. This is Penny's body, but the one looking out from it is the ancient entity of the Heart.

Inside, Penny can feel her own consciousness, a frantic, terrified passenger in a vessel that is no longer hers to command. She can feel the entity's immense power flowing through her veins, feel its ancient thoughts overriding her own, feel its cold, absolute purpose to impose "order." The control is slipping away from her, but a flicker of her own will remains, a tiny spark of defiance against the overwhelming presence that has usurped her.

The entity—the Voice—looks upon the party.

"Intruders," it states, the voice coming from Penny's mouth but amplified with primordial power. "You have served your purpose by delivering the vessel. You have disrupted the garden. Your presence is no longer required. You are... disorder."

It raises Penny's hand, and the ground around the party begins to tremble as the forest itself awakens to its new master's command. The battle is not over; it has simply changed.

[The Grand Duchy] Labyrinth of the Primordial Bloom [FINISHED]

[If you are interested in joining a setting like this, check out: roleplayerguild.com/topics/196759-ise…]

@DoubleChecker - Severin Vaust Asset Goal: Grand Duchy Nobility F
@Book - Liu Fei Asset Goal: ?
@pkken - Vetreus Draedora Asset Goal: Harvester Asset Mine F
@Red Hood - Esther Keaten Asset Goal: Fae See Church F
@Nakushita - Penny "Iron Maiden of Pax" Asset Goal: ?

Music

youtube.com/watch?v=EUer-Tto1ZA

In the chaotic aftermath of the explosion, as the dust begins to settle over the ruined shack, a new sound cuts through the air. It is not the groan of splintering wood or the thrum of the forest, but a crisp, magical chime, emanating simultaneously from the Scrying Orbs that still hover silently beside each party member.

The voice of Proctor Valeriana issues from each orb, her tone as sterile and devoid of emotion as it was in the briefing room, completely detached from the violent reality of the situation on the ground.

"Contractors. The Scrying Orbs have registered a massive discharge of chaotic life energy, followed by the cessation of the primary anomaly's signature. Your primary objective—to reach the epicenter and analyze the source of the disturbance—is now complete."
There is a brief, clinical pause.

"The data retrieved is sufficient. Your contract is fulfilled. Return to the extraction point at once to receive your payment. The Luminary is not responsible for any personnel lost or assets expended beyond the completion of the primary objective. Valeriana out."

The chime sounds again, and the orbs go silent. Their recording lights extinguish, leaving the party in the eerie, pulsing gloom of the Verdant Heart.

The end of the first part, grading sheet to come.