Moonlit Sonata

In Pursuit of Coin

Welcome to the city of Deln, recently voted by the annual Archmages Magazine survey as the best town to start a career in! Whether you're a budding mage looking for a school, a car salesman looking to set up shop, a demon who's just arrived in this world from the Infernal Plane, an electrical engineer looking to get a jumpstart on his career, or any manner of other things, there's something for everyone here in Deln!

Enjoy the scenery as you walk down the lovely Elanis River. Grab a bite to eat at the nationally-renowned Jacques Creperie. Cheer on our Deln Phoenixes in their big football game this Sunday against the Selc Tigers. The possibilities are endless!

---

...alright, enough of that tourism spiel. You get the idea, I'm not gonna make you sit through more of that saccharine shit than you need to.

Look, I know you. You've done some good heists for me in the past, but this one's on another level. Pull it off, and the rewards you'll get from it will make that time we had you steal that priceless painting look like chump change. I've called in a few other people I've worked with in the past like you. I know, you usually work alone, but for this kind of a heist you're gonna need a team.

I've gotten you all a couple of hotel rooms in one of the nicer city districts. You'll all be meeting there at 10:00 on Monday morning, I'll send you the plane ticket once we finish up here.

Hm? "What are you gonna steal"? Oh, kid, you don't know the half of it. It's pretty simple, really.

The entire city of Deln. Every coin, every heirloom, every scrap of food, every bit of building material, every piece of clothing off a resident's back. Everything but the people themselves. Your team's job is to steal the city of Deln.

You can do it in chunks. You should do it in chunks, honestly. Raid a museum, then when they shut it down you can take the museum itself apart. Same for restaurants, for businesses, for everything. Can't steal a house? Drive property values down until you're practically getting begged to take it off the owners' hands. Don't care how you do it, but within the next three months, Deln shouldn't exist anymore, and every asset it had should be transferred over to me. Do that, and I'll see to it that you and the rest of your team get rich enough that your personal wealth'll outstrip most countries. You don't need to give a fuck about what's in it for me. Yeah, exactly, same as usual, good to see you haven't changed.

I'm sending you a stipend with the plane tickets. Should be enough to get two or three magical artifacts to help you out with the job. You're smart, so don't screw this up. If you hit a big snag, give me a call, but I'm counting on you guys to be competent enough to handle it for the most part. This is the big one.

Apotheosis

Sabu

"Hm?" It seemed that one of the younglings was doubting his illustrious ancestry. Well, he would humor the child a bit, then. The prospect of showing off a bit more certainly wasn't something he was about to complain about.

"Gahaha! You must not have been paying attention during my bout with the General, eh?" Sabu remarked with a brazen laugh, indicating the human woman who had been nearby only to realize that she had already left to head back to the human town. Shrugging off the momentary lapse, he continued on, not seeming to even acknowledge the newborn's mention of his own Gift. Why would he do anything involving that when he had a much better-looking method at his disposal?

"Well, I suppose I can give a more involved demonstration. I don't usually employ this sort of thing in combat since it takes a bit too long to prepare for my taste, and the efficiency of it's much lower compared to what you saw earlier, but I can always use it as a little demonstration. Ah, you should probably take a few steps back, though."

"Explode, Potential Release."

After speaking, that same red fog started to emanate from Sabu's body, his muscles tensing. The air around him grew thick with a form of power far distinct from the faint air of the forest's Lord that permeated his domain. For a moment, the Goblin's eyes changed, a glint entering them that was removed from his prior demeanor, one of a tyrannical indifference that faded as soon as it had appeared.

Space bent. That silhouette that had taken shape behind him during the earlier spar once more appeared, but this time its shape was less hazy. Its immaterial form was made visible through the red fog, scales glinting and a hundred heads writhing. With its appearance, with its roar that shook the air, a "pressure" that was practically palpable manifested. It was not mere physical force, no, it was something beyond that. An attack on the soul, the force of subjugation, the nature of the "king of beasts" that demanded the subordination of all those before it. A speck in the hand of a bodhisattva, a mortal staring into the depths of an eyeless god, it was a tyrannical power that could tautologically be called nothing but tyrannical.

If Redd had not, in fact, chosen to step away from Sabu then he would have been forced to his knees by the pressure, bones creaking under the strain as the very act of thought became momentarily impossible. The others would not be nearly so affected, but would nearly be paralyzed; merely breathing felt like an ordeal, and attempting to move even slightly would be almost impossible without putting their all into it. Even the chief seemed to be affected in some regard, albeit not nearly as much.

And just as quickly as the image had appeared, it vanished, the pressure lifting and the red fog receding back into Sabu's body.

"Gahaha! Quite impressive for a 'bed-time story', no?"

At this point, his grin could be said to have adopted qualities that those of another world would likely call "shit-eating".

Apotheosis

Much hastier post than I'd like cause some stuff came up, but it'll at least keep things moving

Apotheosis

Sabu, Kichi

"Gahaha! If it's market pricing you want, then no need to worry, that's all rather well defined. As for magic testing...hm, well there are certainly ways to do that, but all of them will cost money. I suppose I can cover you for this time, consider it a welcoming gift to the tribe!" Sabu replied to the three Goblins who had spoken with a brazen grin, executing the human gesture known as a "thumbs-up", though its meaning would certainly be lost on the lot of them. "Remember to always continue pursuing the peak of power, and before long you too will be capable of feats like my own! More important than talent is hard work, and more important than hard work is luck, so all you need to do is create your own luck!"

It was gradually becoming apparent why Aya didn't seem very fond of the chief's son.

At Iris's question, Kichi looked at her with a trace of confusion before voicing his reply. "For the most part, your instincts should fill in the gaps of knowledge when you're out hunting. You can learn by example, though; we generally hunt in parties to minimize the risk, in case one of the stronger monsters in the forest happens to come along. Though, save for Lord Yggdrasil, I'm proud to say that none of them are stronger than myself." He explained, donning a grin that indicated at least a shard of the family resemblance between himself and his son.

At Iris's next question, though, this expression faltered a bit. "...ah, Sabu can be a bit...overenthusiastic when it comes to humans. Raw food makes up the bulk of our diet simply because it's more efficient for our bodies, but we will occasionally cook things, albeit rarely meat. The humans are...something of spoiled creatures that can only eat food in very particular manners, though. Sabu's taken on some of that, thanks to being with them so often."

Apotheosis

Since we've only got three posts in the last batch, I've been holding off on posting for a bit. That said, it's been a while now so I'll get something put up tonight.

Fate/Empty Providence

Dulle Griet, Foreigner's Graveyard

As Nakae fled, the madman laughed. A harsh, keening noise that shattered the air under the lonely moon. Was it for the defeat of her enemy, the despair of his Master, or something else entirely?

Well, it wasn't as if what occurred in her mental world was within the understanding of the sane regardless.

"Hey, I was just thinking. Since he's not a Master anymore, ya think that command from Ruler still applies?" She remarked aloud to nobody, a manic grin splitting her face in two as, directly above her own head, that hole in the world to the black capital appeared. The hilt of a blade slid from the gateway, like the Sword of Damocles hanging overhead, ready to drop into her hand.

"Eh, well even if it did, I don't wanna get more on Ruler's bad side. Not yet, anyway."

Saying this with a dismissive tone, the Berserker closed the overhead gate, glancing to the running figure of the defeated boy.

"Now then, back to searching for him."

Saying these words, Hell's conqueror made her departure.

---

Ruler, Church Interior

@Beloss @Holy Grail @DrowsyPangolin @Cu Chulainn

Another new arrival? This day was seeming to be infinitely more active than yesterday had been. Maybe the cookies should have been prepared for today instead. Ah well, hindsight was 20/20.

Eyes flitting to the newly-entered Master and Servant, Ruler gave a slight nod to himself upon verification of identity. Yes, compared to that Berserker who had just stopped by, this was a much more reasonable hero to expect in a Grail War.

"Welcome, competitors. I am this war's overseer, Servant Ruler. Excuse the mess, another Servant was in a rush." He explained with a brash laugh.

---

@Berserk Gene

Joshua Abraham Norton died in the year 1880.

Joshua Abraham Norton does not belong in the current era.

Joshua Abraham Norton's status is "alive".

Joshua Abraham Norton belongs in the current era.

False: Body is that of a Ghost Liner-class spiritual entity. Materialization has not occurred.

Analyze. Analyze. Analyze.

The former Boxzerker did not fade. Not yet, at least. And yet, it was obvious that the current arrangement could not be a long-term one. With the prana of the Command Seals fueling him and Imperial Decree at least temporarily confusing the force pledged to crushing his existence, it was possible to sustain his existence without killing his current Master.

Given his nature as a Berserker, a day would be the maximum. Less if he fought.

This was equivalent to a death sentence. The war will not end in a mere day, and when his time runs out, he will certainly fade.

It can only be called beyond fortunate, then, that elsewhere a boy with one leg was beginning to awaken.

---

???

"...good, you managed to retrieve him before he faded."

The black-haired man who had acted as a blight on the war appeared, a dying figure in his grip: the Servant who had, mere minutes previously, entered that other world that Dulle Griet called Hell. And before him...

You will be beloved by God.

You will be struck down by God.

You will tear apart mankind.

Before him stood another figure, sweat dotting their brow as they straightened up from their previously-doubled over position. Vomit stained the floor before them, their face pallid.

"That Lancer, he really was beyond my expectations. What a monstrous figure, a true idol of rebellion, processing him as the first one was a mistake." They murmured under their breath, a trace of admiration flickering over their face before being wiped over with new resolution. "...we need to speed things up. I'd wanted to keep working on him for a few days, but the schedule will need to be bumped up. Let the boy go."

The black-haired man gave a silent nod before taking his leave, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. The body of the Servant, lacking a Master to keep him in this world and with his limbs crippled at the hands of the man who had taken him from Hell, fell haplessly to the floor.

They stepped forwards, a somber expression on their face. "...there's no need to worry. I'm sorry, you've suffered a lot, but it will end here."

A single hand was placed on the Servant just as his body began to fade, and before he could perish, something impossible happened.

Dying wasn't supposed to feel like this.

You will be steeped in rage.

You will forge something terrible.

You will herald the end of life.

Before he could fade, Muramasa felt it. Through his body and out through that hand pressed against him, something flowed. Strength had long since left his limbs, but now it was like something entirely different was being sapped from him. The world around him did not grow black with the release of death, but grey as that "something" was torn from his spiritual core. This was not something within the rules of conventional logic, this was a conceptual attack on his very being.

And as that greyness overtook everything, he finally realized.

It was "him".

That hand was taking away what made him "him".

Unable to stop the outflow, unable to fight back, unable to scream, the Servant Muramasa left this world.

Fate/Empty Providence

I could app a Master as well if we still need more, on that note.

@Berserk Gene

By all means.

Fate/Empty Providence

@Player 2
This probably won't be relevant, but Jester will be negated by Discernment of the Poor or equivalent skills of equivalent or greater rank.

Nature of the Critic to C++, specializing in humans.

Justify Confused Presence.

Four Personal Skills, so cut one out.

Alrighty, so on the NP, you'll have to make it something more like Prelati's Grand Illusion that "surpasses even the environment to deceive the very texture of the world" and etc. So in the case of a lie directed at the world, it's like Grand Illusion. In the case of a lie directed at himself or at another Servant, though, it'll become more akin to Imperial Privilege in terms of deceiving the target into forced alteration of the Saint Graph through delusion. Similarly to Prelati, though, after several days the lie will implicitly fade; the precise speed of that will be case-by-case (for instance, the world will realize what's up faster than a person). At the time of a lie fading, you'll undergo a check for the manifestation of the Beast, and failing it means it appears. The use of the third lie will make it appear 100% if it hasn't already.

In the interest of not making his Noble Phantasm a killswitch for everything, what manifests will not be the Beast itself but a shadow of it. It will still possess the burden of existence and authorities that it implicitly has, but it will simply be "something sufficient to kill Fable 13" rather than "something seven Guardians would be needed to restrain" since Gaia's not wasteful.

Fate/Empty Providence

Also, for everyone's viewing pleasure, the first episode of the roleplay's official Tiger Dojo has been added to the bottom of the OOC OP. Please enjoy.

Apotheosis

Sabu

One Goblin wanting to go learn how to speak Human, one wanting to learn magic. Well, at least they knew what they were after in life. "Gahaha! Good, it's important you take life by the horns and ride it like a Greater Dragon! Fair warning, though, if it's magic you're after then you'd better hope you've got the aptitude. Most Goblins don't have the talent enough to make a specialty out of it; there's a reason Aya's the only one currently around who we'd call a magic specialist in the tribe." He replied, nodding at the two younglings with a toothy grin. Looking to Kluuto, Sabu nodded contemplatively.

"Language comprehension, eh? That's a useful one. The others are gonna have to learn Human the old fashioned away, unless they feel like buying a Stored Knowledge Matrix and getting themselves in debt." He remarked, pausing for a moment after speaking.

"Right, you won't know what those are. Okay, so, humans are great. Don't get me wrong, Dad, Goblins are cool too, but humans are something else. They've created all sorts of weapons, from swords and spears to these things that fire tiny flaming chunks of metal, to more magic foundations than you cann fill a library with, to libraries, it's amazing. But so, one thing they've put together is this thing called a Stored Knowledge Matrix. You need a magician who's skilled in the Thought Transmutation branch of Alchemy and who's also really really good at runic inscriptions, he takes a jewel and is able to copy some of his knowledge into it."

"Then, by using the jewel, you get the knowledge in it streamed right into your head. See, amazing right? Spells, geography, just about anything can be put into one. They didn't originally have ones for the human language cause why would they, they're humans, but a few human language ones have been getting made since more and more towns are working out alliances with monsters nowadays. Problem is, given the requirements you need to make one, they're super rare and as a result, super expensive. I'd barely be able to afford one if I used all my savings. Also there's the risk of the engraver's personality contaminating your own, but that's never been proven to actually happen, so eh." He explained, shrugging helplessly. A moment later, though, he seemed to realize that he'd gone off on a tangent, slapping his head with his free hand. "Well enough of that. I'll tell you more about cool stuff the humans have worked out later. So, if you wanna check out the human town, I can take you there now I guess. Could use some food. You haven't eaten till you've tried food from a human restaurant, going back to raw meat and veg is just impossible after that. Any of your pals want to come with?"

---

Sabu

"Not that I know of, no." Kichi replied to Iris, shooting a brief glare at Sabu as he extolled the greatness of human society. This was what he was worried about, his human-phile of a son going and converting the younglings to his way of thinking. Sabu refused to even eat food that didn't use those damn imported human spices anymore. "Only my line has a non-Goblin ancestry we're aware of, and even that was a bit nebulous before Sabu came along and confirmed that it was very much a dragon's bloodline." He explained.

At the next question, his expression grew somewhat complicated. "...Madam Archmage was-...is, rather, the greatest magic-user our tribe has ever produced. She's the oldest member of the tribe, and while I haven't sparred with her since my Evolution, I can still confidently say that she's the strongest member of our tribe by a fair margin. The only magic-user I know of who surpasses her would be humanity's greatest magician, the madman who has managed to equal the might of Knoth and Anekanta's chosen heroes with nothing short of willpower and magical talent. She's off traveling, currently, exploring the world and training herself further. Aya is actually one of her descendants, though there's a few generations separating them."