Raineh Daze

Fantasy Anime Space Opera Type Thingy

For countless years the old empire has stood, ruling a lion’s share of the galaxy from its seat around Jupiter. Once more has the emperor died under mysterious circumstances; the old emperor is dead, long live the empress. Yet even while the outer systems are filled once more with mutterings of dissent, the bureaucracy rumbles on; great freighters still flow along the leylines as they radiate out from Earth and keep the lives of countless trillions in order.

Do the leylines and human life really come from Earth, as official doctrine says, or is is merely a convenient fiction to justify rule from its system, coinciding with how no other nexus is quite so rich in magic? A question for scholars – few of whom, no matter their achievement, will ever be permitted to look upon the verdant planet, let alone step on it.

For those few not fortunate enough to be born there, Earth’s soil is the preserve of mages, as here magic is at its strongest, and here the empire trains those with the aptitude: healers, navigators, sorcerers, and stranger arts yet. It is naught more than a name spoken in hushed whispers or with derision, a myth more than a place.

But what do you care? For one reason or another, you find yourself on the fringes of the empire, free from its rigid stratification but also its relative security. Free to mingle with aliens and things stranger yet… and always wondering where the next job will come from.

Your captain is a strange one, a woman somehow born on Earth, and with the magical background to show for it – a good healer, and enough of a knack for navigation to flit between systems without proper leyline routes – but now constantly indebted and with naught more than her clothes and ship. But she’s the one who brought you on board, and why you’re still here.

---

So, the idea is a very science fantasy vibe. Yes, there’s spaceships and plasma guns and robots; but there’s also mages, weirdos running around with swords, and zombies. The Empire might be restrictive and stratified, but for the majority of its citizens it still keeps things running well enough – and its size is so huge that a full uprising, even of multiple systems that once formed rival kingdoms, can scarcely dislodge it.

But out on the edges, things are free and riskier and, for one reason or another, you’ve found yourself with a link to this ship and its captain (for better or worse) and form its crew. Very much an authority in name only, she’s one to go with whatever seems interesting…

---

So, space-fantasy thing, very much a kitchen sink. For inspirations… mostly I was thinking Rogue Trader for something of the aesthetic, but I suppose the structure is more Traveller? And in non-TTRPG logic, I really had Outlaw Star on the mind, and a couple of other things here and there.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Farm

The assembled adventurers weren't there long, maybe minutes, before there was movement over at the farmhouse, a man emerging and making his way over. Despite his hair receding and the lines on his face, his shoulders were still broad and body strong, and a steady gaze swept over them. Much like his farmhouse, his clothes were plain and hard-wearing, but new and well maintained; normally, this farm would be thriving. "You're the adventurers, eh? Come on, then, there's not much light left."

Whether they followed or not, he stomped over to the barn, then to a small pen within it. "Never seen anything like it, it ain't a normal illness."

Sure enough, the few sheep sequestered away there were visibly sick – barely reacting to their arrival, but black ichor weeping from sores around eyes and out of their mouths.

@Rune_Alchemist@HereComesTheSnow@Octo@ERode@VitaVitaAR

---

Corinne and Liliane

After the first day's travel, Corinne was no less cheery than she had been on her initial introduction to the little group – some alchemical concoction Liliane had whipped up no doubt helping with that – but had become altogether far more shy, all but hiding behind Liliane for the majority of the journey. Actually hiding behind the wiry woman would have been a major achievement.

This was fine by Liliane, it gave her more time to focus on learning what everyone could do. Or, at least, what they were willing to share. As the ranking adventurer, she'd take the lion's share of the blame if anyone came home horrifically mangled or not at all… especially when they were bringing two novices along when the request had been quite clear. Couldn't someone more experienced have come over to distract the drunk Hundi?

She hadn't really been able to pin down what the elf's skill set was, but that was fine – everyone else was a lot more clear. One heavily armoured dwarf, one sneaky type, and one all-out fighter. If they could get an idea of how the goblins were laid out, then they could probably overwhelm them before they mounted any sort of co-ordinated resistance, especially if Corinne didn't freeze up and could contribute something explosive…

She was at least glad this was goblins and not bandits. Less moral qualms to get in the way.

But Reeva would do much better in such a situation if she could go for whichever goblin might be in charge, and they just weren't armoured enough as a group to rush in blindly. Which was why Corinne's first request on arriving was to ask the woman to look around for them.

She could probably have done it herself, but with two coppers to keep an eye on…

@The Otter @Psyker Landshark @Eisenhorn @Animal

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Miina Malina

With no personal investment in the Skaelan military – for or against – and no connections to anything they should object to beyond maybe the Kirins themselves if things had gone badly wrong, which it seemed that hadn't, Miina was confident to just stand and wait while the airship descended, then follow onboard without a word.

Once they were in the air, she had to admit it was a nice view. Perched on the side with her legs threaded through the railing, dangling precariously over the abyss, was a perfect vantage point to just… watch. Everything seemed so small, and she could only wonder how many stares they would attract. Or hostile attention, if Valheim was considering contesting airspace. In which case, this was really a dangerous place to sit, even more than her disregard for the risk of falling already was.

But she had Galahad's tips, and magic, so mostly it would be an inconvenience. Probably for her, she'd need to catch up on foot. Unless they were stupid enough to descend after one overboard cat…

Not that she was sitting here to admire the view, it just kept her somewhat out of the way. At first, Miina had considered more in-depth healing, but she didn't want to completely exhaust herself just in case of an ambush or something, although the trip would be too short for that to seem like a major possibility after Garland's retreat. Too short to go study that exit materia, too, and she didn't want to consider where that might leave her if it was activated.

So instead, she'd decided to make an effort to repair some of the rips in her coat. Threading the damn needle had been hard enough, but at least she'd had her mouth, but the actual sewing was another entirely. Obviously, she couldn't steady it, just relying on how heavy it was, and trying to keep the repairs some form of neat…

Well, it would be better than rips. As frustrating as it was. And as much as not having the coat on reminded her how cold it was up here, but she could always cheat with magic if that got too much. Even if it would cut into her remaining combat utility for the day.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Corinne and Liliane

The world was swaying slightly, so Corinne slid back into her seat and waved her hand to indicate... something, "It's just a courtesy title; it's not real. Maman is happy for me to be up here and not back in Tiffauges. It's a good learning experience!"

Her tail wagging slowed, the wine offering no answer as she hummed and thought about the idea of getting the wrong job...

"You're right, they might push for undead, and they're scary," once again the Hundi girl popped to her feet, swiping up the wine and wending her way over to the growing group – immediately throwing her arms around her wife.

"Liliiiiii, we aren't fighting undead, right?"

"I... don't think so? Cori, I don't speak Elvish."

@The Otter

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

"Well, I should hope so," Fiadh replied, following along and ignoring the attention that was being garnered by a fairy being so close to the tournament – to the city proper. It was hardly considered welcoming, even the smallest were uncommon… and Fiadh was very green, "If people weren't talking about us, then we must be boring, and what would be worse than that?"

@The Otter

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Royal Box

Unexpectedly, it was Maletha who spoke up this time – quiet, yes, but awe on her voice, "Sir Fionn did that?"

When Gertrude confirmed that, yes, Fionn had destroyed a giant wooded snake with a magical slash, the younger princess giggled, a quiet, "My stalwart ball knight was a good choice after all…"

Well, at least Fionn had one fan in the crowd.

---

"Oh, I plan to officiate it," Haizea said, tail wagging at… well, either the thought of the wedding, or the pats she was receiving. Either way, she didn't seem to mind the taller blonde being so forward, despite her rank and station.

"I do hope Fleuri joins in the duels, it would be nice to see how far the Flower of the North has come. He had promise, but…" the hundi woman raised her hands towards the ceiling, "To be so close to the service of Reon, yet revelling only in the glory of winning – that's no way to maintain the Goddesses' favour."

"Well, he's humbled now, but I hope we don't need too much divine intercession. The Valours Tournament is an entirely worldly affair," Tyaethe said, before tilting her head slightly, "… Don't think this means you can go patting every paladin you meet, okay?"

@Octo

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Miina Malina

"Cura," she hissed, seeing no need to conserve herself further now the enemy was running away. As always, it was imperfect battlefield healing… but that was enough to close her numerous lacerations (and damaged eardrums) up, which was the important thing. Maybe she was still close enough to get one of the others? If not, then she could just get over there and cast again…

As far as battles went, this was technically the Kirins' victory, Miina supposed. Valheim had been denied their objective – even if they hadn't secured Garuda as an ally – and none of them had died or suffered a permanent life-changing injury. Probably. Hm, numb arm was still attached, just down one sling, and pushing herself upright… okay, nobody else had lost a limb or anything and that probably got most of the things she couldn't heal.

But she felt they were worse off regardless. Wherever that general had been dug up from, he was a match for all of them, and so many of their trump cards had been played in this initial bout (where had Chisato even been keeping that?). Garland had been somewhat battered but hadn't had to stretch himself or show anything that might have been held in reserve.

And Miina didn't have anything that could swing the balance, which was frustrating. Even if she had helped, rather than her dispel only being a fraction as strong as it needed to be, it wouldn't change anything.

And there was no way they were getting through Skael without running into him again.

"But m-m-maybe we'll find how Valheim has an actual m-mage," she wondered aloud, slowly walking back to the rest of the group, sword sheathed and golden light playing across her fingers. She really ought to focus on who needed healing most, but that… now she thought about it, wasn't that bizarre? All that technology, as well as whatever Valheim's connection was to the blight, and one of their generals was a black mage. Well, that's what he'd shown off… and whatever teleporting was.

Maybe she could learn that one, she had the Exit materia as a reference…

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Corinne

"Oh, no, we don't need to look! Lili will pick a good one and bring it back," Corinne announced with a cherry wave and an even brighter smile, "And it looks like she's found some more friends! That's wonderful, more people is safer, she always says, and we don't need to worry about taking a double share..."

The mage didn't elaborate any further, grabbing her nearly forgotten glass and taking another drink – only to gasp in horror as she realised what a vital step she'd missed. Maman would be so disappointed in her for that! But there was still time and so, with an abundance of caution, Corinne placed the glass down, climbed to her feet to look Calaphindë roughly in the eyes (or at least the right direction) and said:

"The Countess Vérigny, at your service! Oh, but just call me Corinne, everyone does."

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Chisato and Miina

_{After Behemoth}

“... Very well, Malina-san. It will be just a moment.”

If she requires assistance, then I won’t reject her request. She is unable to carry it out herself, after all. Even if I find the rest time requested of me to be frustrating, I can still walk and carry food despite the mild protest of my torso.

I’ve concealed myself as a server before, so it’s not like it’s unfamiliar to me, either.

I quietly shut the door and set about getting dressed.

… Well, okay then. There wasn’t anything that Miina could do except wait for the other girl to be done, just standing and watching the door the entire time. Obviously, she’d normally just go get things herself and not bother, but that wasn’t an option for at least the next few days until she could maybe power through some healing magic.

How did normal people manage when they broke arms or something? She’d always just healed it, that was the entire reason she’d learned how to do this in the first place, but… her first instinct would be to try and use magic to compensate, and ignore anyone who thought that was entirely overkill or morally deficient somehow. But that wasn’t the normal response either.

—Had there been a way to avoid Malina-san’s injuries?

As I dress, I consider the question.

If I had taken further harm instead, perhaps some of my allies would have remained less injured. Maybe I could have used myself as a decoy…

There is little point in the consideration beyond evaluating my own performance and adjusting my approach for the future. My allies are crucial to completing this mission, after all.

—And there’s no need for them to be seriously harmed if I can help it.

Having finished dressing, I return to the door and open it.

With Chisato back, Miina snapped out of her thoughts and led the way downstairs, stopping in what she assumed was some sort of communal area or kitchen – not her specialty, she didn’t really care. What was clear was that someone had left food out for them… all local stuff, but importantly things that could be eaten cold. Probably not Izayoi, then? She would still be recovering too, after all.

And then… she stopped, ears and tail twitching slightly. Right, she couldn’t really do much here, if they wanted to take anything upstairs for multiple people it’d need to be some sort of board or platter, and she couldn’t carry – ah, over there, Miina raised her good arm to point it out to Chisato – it. She could put things on it here or there, probably…

—I don’t like this.

Her body’s functionality is failing her already? That arm is probably useless, probably forever.

I had retreated in that battle because I believed it was the best way to launch a surprise attack and assist my allies. Vanishing into the darkness and striking unexpectedly is one of my greatest skills.

But did that lead to her injury?

I silently nod to her and turn, approaching the tray she pointed out and picking it up. Assisting now is all that I can do.

The redhead picked out bits one at a time onto the tray, trying to keep it balanced – this did have to feed four people, after all; she assumed Chisato hadn’t eaten either. Not something that needed talking, but…

The look in the ninja’s eyes was annoying. Almost pitying, and with how inexpressive the other girl was, that could mean a lot. “I c-c-can heal, remember?”

She hadn’t yet, true, but it wasn’t like they had any specialised healers, and given how badly she reacted to magic right now…

—

Had I done something to offend her? It was not my intent.

“---Yes,” I respond, after a moment. I do not like uncertainty if it can be avoided, and at the moment that unpleasant sensation has rooted into my core. What do I say now? There is an acceptable amount of friction between allies, as long as we perform our necessary duties, and I am not certain what that level of friction is in regards to Malina-san.

“But, you are clearly in need of assistance now, therefore…”

I trail off as the words escape me.

Miina made an inarticulate grunt, drumming her fingers against the table. What could she do to get Chisato to stop… moping? Was that what she was doing? It was probably good the resident assassin was feeling guilt or the like but, at the same time, she didn’t want to be pitied.

Even if she needed the help. But that did give her an idea; this other girl was super into duty and doing her job, right?

“Are you g-g-g…” right, that was probably rude anyway, moving on, “D-Do you want to help until I heal?”

“...”

I pause for a moment. Did she somehow pick up on what I was thinking? I did think it was suitable, as one of those who contributed to her current state, to assist as best I could until it was no longer required. I suppose I must have been more obvious then I thought.

“---If you would allow me to. I believe it would be for the best, in order to ensure your recovery.”

“Rrrrright, just… I think th-that’s enough…” The platter seemed plenty full, that would be plenty.

---

_{After Rudolf got Betrothed}

It was halfway through undressing that Miina turned back to face Chisato, tilting her head and staring at the ninja with the uncanny unblinking gaze that mystrel alone seemed to possess, tempered somewhat by the redhead’s inability to stop swaying. “You d-d-don’t have to help any m-m-more. It’s not g-g-g-g… it’s perm-an-ent.”

“---I see.”

The damage is permanent? I had never wanted to permanently harm one of my allies. That is not the way an Asakura shinobi is meant to operate. That is not the way I wish to operate. Even without that consideration, it’s permanent damage to the mission by weakening one of those who is carrying it out.

I—

What do I say?

I open my mouth and shut it, slowly.

“... I am sorry,” I settle upon my words after a moment, “Until you are used to it, I will continue to offer my assistance.”

Miina continued to stare, the words rattling around in her head… and then she slumped back onto the bed, unable to go through the effort of standing upright. Or maybe gravity had betrayed her and up was now back? She’d been used to it being side to side. Oh well.

“Why? I d-d-don’t understand.” Chisato didn’t even have Galahad’s level of culpability, so why was she acting like she had any reason to help? Besides – “Even if you did… um… add magic? It was that or d-die. An’ I knew c-c-controlling all that was hard.”

—What doesn’t she understand? She is not only my ally on this mission, but I was still involved with the incident that has caused her permanent harm. What else can I do, but volunteer my assistance until, at the very least, she has become used to her injuries?

If nothing else, it is simply a matter of practicality. I cannot simply overlook this, not with consideration to the duties I have been assigned and my involvement.

“... Even so, it is only right that I offer my assistance.”

The silence that stretched on was even more uncomfortable than before, Miina’s golden eyes boring straight into Chisato’s before the redhead just sighed and turned her gaze back towards the ceiling. ‘Right’ thing to do. What did that mean? The closest that her brother had ever taught her was that the good of the village came before what she wanted to do, and ever since she had found herself with the Kirins, they had been an easy substitution. It was even close enough, Izayoi was her cousin.

But something like this… she didn’t need the help, so what made it right? It wasn’t something they’d ever covered.

Miina hadn’t realised all of this had been spoken aloud.

“...”

—I don’t understand.

Did Malina-san learn anything about how to conduct oneself? No, she must have. She mentioned what they had ‘covered’.

But at the same time, for her to fail to understand the responsibility I now bear to ensure her wellbeing until she has adjusted to her injuries—

It isn’t that she thinks I shouldn’t have to burden myself. She would merely be incorrect in that case.

Rather, she doesn’t comprehend it at all.

Is Malina-san well?

“---Even if you do not understand, that changes little.”

Perhaps she needs more assistance than I realized, though I do not know what sort of assistance would help her best.

Miina’s brow furrowed, the redhead piecing together that she’d been talking more than she thought. That… oh, this was going to cause so much trouble in future… but right now, it didn’t seem like it was affecting Chisato, and there was no point in understanding the ninja, was there? She was determined to do this…

Well, it was still helpful. And she hadn’t been going out of her way to take advantage of the girl, she’d even been trying to get her to stop, so it was fine.

Probably.

“Okay then,” Miina said, giving a sort-of-nod. She didn’t have anything else to say, and she was so sleepy. Enough to fall asleep before Chisato could even formulate a response.

The morning was no less awkward for it.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The Royal Box

Maletha was happy to quietly listen – although even her countenance had brightened slightly, engaged by the the storytelling – but Elisandre was far keener to jump in. "The Moonlit Queen? I thought that such a thing was merely legend, that no fairy really could lay claim to the title…"

Haizea nodded along, absorbing the information, until she came to a complete pause and blinked helplessly, the confusion writ large across her face and body language. "Married? To a Niyar? How did such a thing come about…?"

"There's no actual marriage; the fairy just seems to think she's his wife. He goes along with it well enough, so maybe it's true?" Tyaethe suggested, shrugging. The logistics of their relationship was none of her business, save for Fiadh's confusion whenever Fionn started interacting with the rest of the knights.

"Do you think they would want to be?" Without missing a beat, the pink-haired priest carried on to the only logical conclusion, "I'm sure I can make time for it! Oh, how exciting it would be, a Niyar could make a wedding so pretty too!"

…

"I'll ask."

"Excellent! So, do you know who plans to fight in the duels? Those were always my favourite," And speciality, of course.

@Octo@Raineh Daze