Mas Bagus

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

@Valkon

”This is ultimately what I joined this mission for. Whatever remains within, I must see for myself.”

As they stood in the middle of that antechamber, the elves realized, clearly, things were not as complicated as they thought earlier. Both exits were viable, and Arcan was no longer an obstacle. They are free to take any path they wish.

But their route had been decided too, and Rezello had stated his intention twice already, and Miwa supported him, and Verdant and Fia didn't mind. So, what was the holdup?

Mr Elc, one of the advisors, looked back at the Knight, dully noting his cautiousness, and replied with encouragement. "I think you will find no objection from me, Miss Jazdia, or Master Vesemir. This is an important part of your journey, Master Rezello. You do the honor and open the door. We are right behind you."

Looking at the silence that had gripped the party, he wasn't so sure, and Elc was unwilling to add even more awkwardness to the decision they had decided for themselves. Well, they could always retreat from that terrible room if it was indeed really bad.

He hoped that this vault really honored the promise Arcan had given to them.

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Arcan's eyes darted at the jewelry renounced, and his hands instinctively held on to them. Hard to discern if the ancient djinn was disappointed or satisfied with how things were turned, but any movement he made to respond to Fia's gingerly attitude was careful and measured, as if honoring a sacred repudiation.

Yet, the flicker in Fia's eyes---her thirst for knowledge and power---was well noticed, and in that moment, another small, insignificant detail dawned in him. All things considered, maybe her personal eagerness to jump straight into a contract was not a blind foolishness. Still foolish, yes; but in his long lifetime, Arcan had seen what mortal obsession could do when fused with the inherent ambition of mankind.

Only time will tell, and only if fate would grace him with more of it.

“I guess we’ll be leaving now.”

"Wise," the ancient djinn replied. "Go now in peace. And I shall fulfill the end of my bargain with contentment, for it is the only deal forged today."

****

“Mad? Maybe. But I’m not going to poke the bear any further here. I don’t mean to worry you. Sometimes a girl just can’t help but want to leave with something shiny. Like I said, I misunderstood Arcan’s generosity when we first arrived. I think we pushed fate enough today. You want to leave? By all means, lets. Come dear Miwa, I’m sure there are other curses within these cursed lands for you to cleanse away from here.”

The deal remained unmade, and the moment Fia playfully showed her well-won prize, Jazdia went so pale with relief she looked ready to faint on the spot.

"You little...! But yes, we have no reason to stay here any longer."

Weakly, but without any wasted movement, Jazdia spun and exited the antechamber. Vesmir and the others seemed to already have an inkling of how the last interaction with the djinn was concluded, but were reluctant to bring it up.

Everyone was finally grouped in the first antechamber. Doors leading to the tunnel, the main exit was still closed, and so was the door leading to the ominous broken room. There was no sign that Vesemir's access card couldn't open the main door, and it seemed the broken room, too, could be pryed open by removing its pathetically simple door bar.

"Well, anyone want to open it? Otherwise, we'll take the exit door. What do you say?"

@Randomness@13org@A5G

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

"I agree with Vesemir. Any deal with him will bring nothing but danger. The sooner we live Theriadore's Gallery the better."

@13org

The impudence did not escape Arcan. And in some way caused his ethereal form to flinch, so much that he seemed to swallow his pride to correct himself.

"Thank you for your correction, Priestess."

Noticing that Fia seemed to be frozen under the weight of her own recklessness and the untimely interruption from Miwa, Arcan lowered the hand he had previously extended. Yet he stood there, sighing, waiting for a conclusion that was now rendered joyless.

______
@Randomness

Vesemir, followed by Mr Elc, retreated from that stalled negotiation. Eblana and Stepan followed suit. Grim was the air as they walked through that heavy door that was still wide open. And a huge feeling of relief washed over them as they left behind its threshold, even when right behind them, the ominous door leading to the dark room still murmurs sinister whispers.

Jazdia was there, the most eager to leave, yet her tone was solicitous as she noticed that the others did not follow. "Why are Fia and Miwa still there?"

Vesemir tried to explain the aftermath of Fia's admission and her reckless display of temerity; hearing it, the elven ranger immediately rushed back into the vault where the deal was ongoing. Arcan's intimidating figure did not fail to faze, but her exasperation steeled her. Miwa was there right beside her, and knowing the Miko, and the fact that they are still there, that tells enough of Fia's resolve.

Use whatever artifacts I’m able to walk out with? Is she for real?

"Are you... mad?" she said harshly. "Surrender these items and get out of here!"

It galled her that she had to spill it out--- that Fia would even consider Arcan's most insidious offer. The deal reeked of faustian, and the memory of her own circumstance was still razor sharp that Jazdia's concern grew into agitation at the vacillation the human sorceress showed. Yet deep in her heart, she shuddered at the terrible mistake that could have been averted.

"Do not repeat my mistake," she added, whispering, almost pleading and mourning. "Power comes with a price."

And to Arcan, Jazdia had lost for words. She glared at him bitterly. Some hypocrite he was, calling her personal imperative for survival foolish and dreading Lythiel's dark accomplishment, yet at this very moment, he flaunted a fatal bargain.

"Listen to your friends, if you wish," Arcan drawled, his voice a smooth contrast to Jazdia's agitation. "Stay safe. Stay small. Stay 'logical.' But do not pretend that warning is similar to wisdom. A mistake is the result of short-sightedness and failure to assess the risk. Are you short-sighted?"

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

--

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

The horror in Vesemir's face did not recede. Through his monocle, he dreaded the offer, and such dread intensified at the admission.

"I like the sound of that."

Vesemir did not like it one bit. As much as he respected Arcan, he knew the risk was real, and often irreversible. So when Stepan clumsily returned back to the lines, and Mr Elc shook his head but still watched with anticipation, the scholar approached... and his dread tripled at the obliviousness to madness.

“Well, I’ll be sure to use whatever artifacts I’m able to walk out with. Though, I have a feeling that isn’t my decision to make alone. So darlings, if no one has an objection, I might just accept."

"I object." For the first time in this journey, Vesemir Barandir voiced his dissent with iron, yet his stare at Fia was akin to a protective patriarch scolding a reckless daughter. His whisper was rough with harsh sibilance. "We got what we need. What he offered was not just ancient trinkets. Such a pact is dangerous—long-lasting and sinister! Not even I want them. But I am not you."

Only then did he release her from his patronizing stare, and at the same time, the ancient Djinn walked forth. His steps... deliberate. A faint, almost unnoticeable smile curved in his otherwise emotionless mien.

"Have you made your decision? If yes, let us seal the deal."

In front of Fia, Arcan extended his hand. Vesemir could only watch, for the freedom to choose was not in his prerogative. Such a stance was almost deliberate, as if all risk had been assessed, and in the moment when he remembered Mr Elc's warning to Fia this morning, he acknowledged the risk would be intrinsic.

Feelings about RPGs with Strong Narratives

I have been GM-ing RPs that most people would call an RP with a strong narrative. It is a constant learning curve for me to balance player agency and the flow of my story.

But it is actually the least difficult part of it.

Yes, you get it right, player ghosting is one of them.

I have learned that, in an RP where the GM provides the direction of the story, this kind of RP, if managed improperly is exhausting and high-risk for the GM. The weight of seeing the RP gets abandoned is like watching a half-finished construction that keeps being there. And all it takes is just a simple misunderstanding or expectation mismatch to have it burned to the ground.

I started off as the kind of GM who tries to cater to as many playing styles as possible, and after 4 years, I now know what I have been doing is a mistake. Vetting is as important as running it. Expectations need to be aligned thoroughly in session zero. Communication between the GM and players is very important, really.

I have come to terms that doing a narrative-driven RP means the size of my table would be small, and it is actually an acceptable trade-off. The effort of running a narrative-driven RP does not mean neglecting player agency, but boundaries need to be set that everyone joining agrees that we are working together to write a particular theme that we have agreed upon when joining the particular RP. This might sound intuitive, but in my experience, it is often harder than it looks. And for some, it might look like a railroading being advertised upfront.

This is my experience for the past 4 years; you might have gotten over these hurdles, while I am still figuring it out. So I want to know as well if my pivots are sound.

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

@Randomness

Stepan stepped sideways as Fia presented three trinkets. While the revelation caused Vesemir to struggle with another confusion, Arcan watched with solemn quietude. Neither troubled, nor amused, slightly irritated, maybe, but one could feel it wasn't because of the sifting but rather at the crafty attempt to minimize the disadvantage... at the moment where one should come clean.

“If Vesemir would be so kind then, might he claim this item as his second?”

Vesemir shot her a terrified glare. Eblana and Stepan backed a step further. In that moment where the curator weighed his options, a solution seemed to dawn on him. Yet he maintained his stony facade, and thus he spoke.

"This is the Sentinel Leaf-Broch," he hovered his fingers above that one trinket brazenly proposed to be claimed legally. It was a green piece of jewelry shaped like two green leaves conjoined by a silver star. Of everyone present in that room, Mr Elc and Jazdia seemed to know what it signifies, but neither elf said anything. "Awarded only to those who saved multiple souls from the brink. My master requisitioned one, enchanted it so that the bearer would be granted to remain steadfast even under duress. He intended to give it to a dear friend who spent decades taking care of Thealeone. The person in question refused, and here it is."

"While this," He continued coldly, his eyes set on a white gem the size of a palm. Strangely lightweight for a stone-crystal, with luster that glows vibrantly within. "Heart of Nuria. Or the imitation of it, according to my master. It temporarily produces light that wards off the darkest shadow. A reminder of the elven old Capital, to have it remain here and not in the Alkautsar, pained him greatly, but it was a wish that I could do nothing about."

The last one was another jewel made of gold and ruby. "It is supposed to make channeling fire magic easier, but it no longer holds its brilliance..."

He stared back at Fia and Vesemir before standing straight again. "Visitors, it is hard to forgive your action, but I find your honesty commendable. So I will give you options. You may surrender two of the three artifacts you took here and leave in peace." He beckoned at the flat surface of the fountain's rim. "Or you may take more than that with you, in which I must insist to see that you will use them to good use."

Cryptic as ever, the word 'insist' echoed in that hall as if the entire vault emphasized what the curator had just said. He took a calm, backward step, as if giving the party ample time to think.

How many RPs do you have at the same time?

Only one, as GM and as Player. I feel I am always obligated to direct my entire focus on something I have committed to participating in or managing.

Realistically, I think I can handle two RPs at the same time, provided that the second RP strikes my fancy and the expectations are well aligned. Such an opportunity is rare, however, and I'd prefer not to split my bandwidth by joining impulsively.

What Are You Listening To?

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Medicine applied, smiles and thanks exchanged. Jazdia Crystalspark stood up and placed her palm on her chest to monitor her breathing and feel her own heartbeat; now stabilized in a steady rhythm of 74 beats per minute, with respiratory rate slightly elevated.

It was a small, clinical self-diagnosis that had been a habitual impulse since her magic could no longer heal. An assurance that, despite everything, she retained control.

Bringing herself back to the present, Jazdia resurrected her awareness and let the problem buried in the back of her mind. There was a small quibble between Miwa and Fia, enough for the young Miko to retell the history of her own temple.

"Our kindness is what aids those in need, but our wrath is what keeps them safe."

A strong sense of passion flickered in her eyes. Jazdia walked next to her, placing her palm on Miwa's shoulder. The elf's voice was serene, almost a deliberate contrast with the sheer resoluteness in Miwa's, like a water trying to mend a newly forged steel.

"Thank you for standing up for me, that's very kind of you."

And she moved to Verdant, who just stood a step away. "And you too, Verdant," she reached, trying to pat her too, but in her heart, a pang of reluctance emerged. Her palm hovered above the youkai's head, stalled by uncertainty.

****

Vesemir did not say much. Everyone's voice had been accounted for, and for what it was worth, pretty unanimous regarding their next destination.

"Alright. Let's get moving." Instructions given, and Mr Elc and Stepan led them. While Vesemir, the scholar---seemingly against his own instruction---walked closer toward the crystal. Bright and red, it irritated his psyche just by looking at it, and he wondered what this all meant.

Creator, Star in Heaven. Lead me through the straight path. As he turned to join the group, Vesemir did not look at the painting. He simply... dared not to. For the first time in hundreds of years, Vesemir Barandir found solace in ignoring a clue.

___

The party's departure from that somber part of the library went unimpeded. The fountain was seen, and the wide door leading to the south antechamber was just straight ahead. A small feeling of respite they experienced was slightly tarnished by the presence of the Curator, who stood by the fountain. His eyes watched them with pompous disinterest, yet Vesemir found himself drawn by Arcan's cryptic beckoning.

"Have you decided to conclude your tour in my gallery?" The ancient djinn inquired, mostly toward Vesemir. The door behind him was wide open, and they would not find him physically hindering their path to that antechamber.

"Yes," the scholar answered, gazing back at the towering djinn cautiously. "We are immensely grateful for your hospitality. Sadly, we can't risk returning to the surface at night. So thank you, Curator Arcan."

"Mhm. Have you decided what gifts you would claim?"

"I will have this book," answered Vesemir, tapping the blue cover of the tome he had been carrying. "As for the other one, I don't think I need anything else."

"About that. Perhaps." There was an edge in the Curator's rumbling voice, and he finally looked at the party, not toward Jazdia, or Miwa specifically, but... toward them all. Yet he did not stop them.

"Then I must ask for the surreptitious, unauthorized claims for some artifacts that I am sure are currently in your party's possession. Would you happen to know anything about it, esteemed Ticket Bearer?"

Arcan's tone was thick with accusation, and that intimidated Vesemir somehow. At first, he thought Arcan was joking, but a split-second realization arrived like an unseen blow. He nervously looked to his left and right, and confusion washed over Eblana, Elc, and Stepan, who stood close to him.

"I might look like a thug," Setepan raised his hands and showed his calloused palms. "But sure as hell I ain't a thief."

Subtle as it may be, the implication was clear. But the question remained: Who did that? And what would happen if this case didn't get any closure?