Since I have a day to kill before the meeting, I decide to visit the exotics market. It's a legal venue for Tool makers and mages to get their hands on rare and/or dangerous items. According to World Knowledge, it's the only one of its kind in Parshura, and was created to stem the tide of fakes and imitations that flood the illegal black market.
Fakes and imitations of what? Well, monster parts, components to magical tools, and magic crystals. The prices here seem high, so I'm guessing spending money on a fake would sting anyone's pocket.
Still, this feels all sorts of shady, even if this is a legal market. I guess it just comes with the territory that a stall selling pickled or dried monster parts looks hella creepy. I walk over to a stand filled with crystals of various shapes and colors. I can see the magic emanating off of them, even without focusing my eyes.
Used as cores for wands, staves or tomes, these crystals are usually harvested from the remnants of elementals. There's also other uses, such as for Weapon Twisting or Armor Warping, but those require high purity crystals. I refrain from touching any of them, as just getting close to them seems to cause the magic within to swell, as if it was feeding off of my own magic.
I'm not looking for anything in particular, so I just wander the market until I'm bored. Checking my time display, I've still got six hours to kill before supper. I decide to head to the waterfront. B'dur sits next to a man-made lake, kept filled via the weather manipulating powers of the Tear of Ashala.
The season's moving towards fall, but there weather is still warm. Maybe I'll finally get to go for a swim without almost drowning? Nah, better not push it. I head down to the docks, walking close to the edge and looking into the water.
I used to do this in my previous life as well. Stare into the water and try to spot fish. I don't have much luck though, as the waters around the docks are filled with algae, making it impossible to even see the bottom. I look across the lake, several fishing boats lie out by the middle of the lake.
Meandering around the docks for a while, I eventually start heading back towards the Guild Hall. I spend until supper sitting in the bar, listening in on the myriad of conversations that happen around me. It's nothing out of the usual, what someone was doing yesterday, a tale of a hunt, etc.
I decide to go to bed early, so once I've eaten I go right to bed. My Draugr Servants are still in their bag. I look them over just to be sure, but their HP, MP and SP are all full. Seems these fellows don't require much upkeep, huh. I put the bag back onto the chest of drawers before laying down to sleep.
Bunsen greets me outside the Guild Hall the next morning. "Please follow me" He instructs before leading me to the castle once more. This time, we do not head for the throne room, but instead into a different wing of the castle. "Please enter here, the maids will take care of you." He holds open the door for me, closing it after I've entered.
The room seems to be a bathroom of sorts, with tiled floors and drains. A rolling table and a wall covered in assorted brushes and scissors indicate that this is in fact, a grooming room. Probably for royal companion monsters? "Greetings, your majesty. His Highness wishes you to look your best before the meeting, we're here to make that happen." A sweet-voiced Photian curtsies at me.
Along with her there's a somber looking Accan, both of them dressed in something closely resembling a Gothic maid uniform. "If you'd please assume your true form, we'll get started." I do as she says, noting that both their expressions shift only slightly when I revert. Maybe they're real professionals?
It takes a while, since I'm so big, but eventually I'm sparkling clean. My furry half is soft and groomed, my scaly half is polished almost to a mirror sheen. They even brushed my teeth! Next, the Accan woman brings out an armored case with a heavy lock on it. "Some decorations, his Majesty insisted." She explains, her voice somewhere emotionless and simply dis-interested.
A jeweled collar is fitted around my neck, by the weight of it I'm guessing its got a high gold content in it. Gilded tips are placed on my horns as well, blunting their tips. I look real fancy now! "Please, come with us." the Photian gestures towards a set of double doors. Ah, yes, it would be a bit difficult getting out of the door I entered without shifting again, huh.
We end up in a different corridor, and I'm guided through the hallways until we get to another waiting room. But this time no waiting is needed. I'm immediately let into the neighboring room. A sizable room, with a raised platform that seems to be meant for an orchestra judging by the arrangement of the chairs and the music stands.
Moments later, Dervix enters the room, alongside Actvi and Bunsen. Behind Bunsen, several servants follow, bringing in chairs, a large table, food and drinks. In no time at all, the room has been prepared for the meeting.
"You look marvelous, Millibelle." Dervix remarks, nodding in satisfaction. "The other representatives will be here in just a bit, so let's go over how we're going to do this." He continues. "Do not let them know that you can speak to them. It's going to be much easier on both of us if that remains a secret. Secondly, do not take offence. If I know Foreign Minister Seul, he's gonna send someone disposable." He paces back and forth as he explains this to me.
"The goal would be to incite you to attack the rep, and thus give them an excuse to declare you a danger to the public. Let's try to prevent that at all costs, hm?" He finishes pacing, he's clearly nervous. "I think that would be the important points. Otherwise, let me handle the talking and just play along." He nods to Bunsen, who leaves the room, presumably to ready the others.
"Ah, Foreign Minister Seul of the Harmekian Kingdom, I mean- since you probably didn't know. He's the Councilman in charge of foreign affairs, obviously." Dervix explains just as the door opens, revealing a heavyset human man. "Diplomat Harrison Gloombottom, of the Kingdom of Harmek." Bunson announces as the man walks inside.
Behind him, a tall and slender Beastfolk woman, a silvery fox tail swishing behind her. "Dignitary Carmella Raposa, of Yo'ud." She's dressed elegantly, almost like a model of my old world. Behind her, an elderly human woman, clinging to the arm of a heavily muscled human man. Atop the mans left shoulder sits an intimidating looking eagle-like bird.
"Chief-Mother Helcha Eaglecrown, of Eyslef. Protector Haud Eaglecrown, of Eyslef. Grimbeak, of Eyslef." Bunsen lists off all their names. Seems this is standard protocol when dealing with a group of representatives. An Accan female enters next. "Lutjena Tideflow, representing the Tideflow tribe." Oh! She's related to Seagrass. Maybe. I don't know exactly how closely related one has to be to still be considered within the same family in this World.
Lastly, an Ayvin man enters, a silver-colored owl on his shoulder. "Krem Argenfeather, representing the Argenfeather Tribe. Nightfell, of the Argenfeather Tribe." I look from the owl to the eagle. Seems both the Eaglecrowns and Argenfeather favor avian monsters?
*Gilded Eagle
A rare Evolution of the Gloomhen. A diurnal (~active during the day~) Avianoid, it is often considered the opposite to the Argent Owl. It is a monster most often seen in captivity, as the wild specimens prefer remote mountains as their home. It specializes in powerful attacks, using its sharp claws and affinity for the Red Hot Claw Spell. Gilded Eagles are symbols of power for the Eaglecrown Tribe that inhabits the mountains of Eyslef.
Rarely hunted due to its rarity in the wild, and its size, not much is known about potential useful parts from this monster.
Rank: 3 Stars*
*Argent Owl
A rare Evolution of the Gloomhen. A nocturnal (~active during the night~) Avianoid, it is often considered the opposite to the Gilded Eagle. It is a monster most often seen in captivity, as the wild specimens prefer dark forests as their home. It specializes in stealth combined with ranged magical attacks, leaving its prey confused and unsure about where the next attack might come from. Argent Owls are symbols of wisdom for the Argenfeather Tribe that inhabits the forest of Eyslef.
Rarely hunted due to its rarity and size, not much is known about potential useful parts from this monster.
Rank: 3 Stars*
Seems most of the people of Parshura are from other places originally... Makes sense, considering it's such a young Kingdom. Founded by Dervixs grandfather, it's less than a hundred years old. The area used to be arid savannas before the Tear of Ashala was used to modify the weather-patterns to transform it into the more lush plains and forests that cover it now.
At least, that's what World Knowledge tells me.
I wonder what would of happened if I hadn't returned it... My musings are interrupted by Harrison, who walks right up to me, intently looking me in the eyes as he does so. Is- is he trying to scare me? He turns around to Dervix, who looks like he's about to throw hands with the Diplomat.
"Pardon me, your Highness, but wasn't the Monarch supposed to be at this meeting too?" He asks. "You're standing right in front of them, Diplomat Gloombottom." Dervix answers, his voice carefully managed as to prevent any ounce of anger to slip out. "So this is supposed to be the Monarch? Looks more like a drugged up Doppelganger tried to mimic a dragon." Harrison huffs.
"If I knew they'd send such a tool to represent Harmek, I'd have told my son to decline the invitation." Subtitles appear. The old woman, Helcha, is speaking a language I don't recognize. "The Chief-Mother asks that Diplomat Gloombottom retain professional conduct, lest it harms our relations." Seems Haud doubles as an interpreter as well, and not just bodyguard.
"Pardon, I am just disappointed His Highness would try to prove his lies with more lies." Harrison shrugs. "Then why don't we test this "Monarch"?" Carmella approaches me. "Every Monarch has held the Power Osmosis Skill, it is the source of their power, after all." She turns to Dervix.
"What did you have in mind?" He asks. "We perform a simple scientific test. Measuring the Monarchs Statistics, we then have it kill something. When we then remeasure its Statistics, they should have increased from the effect of Power Osmosis." She brings out an ornate magnifying glass. The lens shimmers with magic.
"And what would we offer up for it to kill?" Krem asks, looking slightly unnerved and trying to shift his shoulder as if to hide Slickfeather. "I'm sure His Highness has someone who wouldn't complain if their time came earlier than the Judge told them?" Carmella looks at Dervix, who is clearly distressed by the turn this has taken.
Now, do I interrupt their little discussion, or do I let this play out? I glance over to Dervix, he gives an almost imperceptible shake of the head. Ride and die, I see. "Bunsen, please have the prison registries looked at for someone who'd be suitable." Dervix instructs, as he moves towards the table. "This might take a bit, why don't we sit down meanwhile?"
The waiting time was spent discussing import taxes and the like, boring political stuff. I lay down behind Dervixs chair, trying my best to pay attention to anything interesting. Around an hour later, the door I entered through opens. Two armored guards, one in front and one in the back, walk with a shabby-looking Beastfolk man between them.
He is covered in scars, and he has a deranged look to his eyes, as if he's not entirely here, but somewhere within his own world. "This man would be executed next week, repeat offences of bodily harm with intent to kill, three counts of murder and one case of monster abuse." The front guard reads up from a note. He looks up from his note, and seems to only now realize the company he's in.
"A-ah, I hope that's all?" He stammers. Dervix looks to the others. Carmella, Krem, Lutjena and Helcha nod in approval. Harrison seems disinterested, more concerned with his drink than paying attention. Dervix clears his throat. "Diplomat Gloombottom, is this man suitable?" Harrison seems to startle out of whatever thoughts he were in, before nodding hurriedly.
"Excellent. Actvi will take it from here." Dervix dismisses the guards. Carmella gets up from her chair and looks at me through the magnifying glass. "Impressive, even if this isn't the Monarch, it's certainly a very powerful monster." She then points the glass at the prisoner. "Okay, now we just need the Monarch to do its thing."
Actvi guides the prisoner over to me. Am I really doing this? Executing some poor fool because these people want me to prove I'm really the Monarch? I look at Dervix again. "Kill the prisoner." His eyes are steely and looking past me. Fine then. I turn to the prisoner, who seems to sense what's happening. He's fidgeting in his chains, looking from person to person, meeting only cold glares.
I decide to try to make as little mess as possible. I get right in front of the prisoner. A quick bite to decapitate him, killing him instantly. I then use Great Swallow. Tilting my head back, I instantly swallow the prisoner in his entirety, chains and all. A thud nearby reveals that Harrison has fainted.
*Power Osmosis Activated!*
*Osmosis Successful, Displaying Results:*
*+25 STR, +30 CON, +15 INT, +10 WIL, +20 DEX*
*Skills Obtained:
- Earths Blessing (Lesser) - Increases the efficacy of Earth elemental Skills and Spells, also slightly raises Armor and SP.
- Divergent Mind (Normal) - A negative Skill. The users mind fragments, creating two sides. Synergizes with the Body Double Skill, creating two independent copies instead of two bodies controlled by one mind. Affects future Evolution Options.
- Weapon Affinity: Swords (Lesser) - Converted into Skill Expertise.*
*Updating Stats... Complete.*
Nononono let's deactivate the Divergent Mind Skill right the fuck now. I do NOT need that. Wow, how bad could it be, right? Let's just inflict the Monarch with Dissociative Identity Disorder, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I catch myself glaring angrily at Dervix whilst Carmella looks me over with the magnifying glass once again.
"Its Statistics have increased." She triumphantly declares. She then seem to realize the full implications of this. I huff dismissively at her before demonstratively going to lie with my back to the humanoids. "I suppose that settles that, then." Dervix says, his voice sounding shaky. "Someone should probably try to rouse Diplomat Gloombottom..." Krem notes in a disinterested tone.
"Well, that was interesting. Too bad we didn't feed the Diplomat to the Monarch. Though it would probably just get a bellyache from him." Helcha seems pleased by todays events. "The Chief-Mother is impressed that you've managed to tame the legendary Monarch, and hopes that if the need arises, you would aid Eyslef with its power." Haud 'translates'.
They then continue discussing politics for another hour or so. When the meeting is finally adjourned, and the representatives have left the room, I immediately transform into my human form. "What in the name of all that is holy was THAT?!" I thunder at Dervix, who visibly shrinks in my presence.
"Please, understand. This method was the best one!" He pleads. "So me simply telling them I'm the Monarch, performing something only Elder Dragons is thought to be able to, namely communicating with humanoids, wouldn't do?" I hiss at him. Actvi puts a hand on his sword and moves in between me and the King.
"Something tells me that me being able to speak for myself would just lead to them coming to me directly. Depriving you of the power that comes with speaking for the Monarch." By the look on Dervixs face, I hit the nail on the head. "Please-" He starts before looking me in the eyes and going silent.
"I'll still be expecting the information on the Forest King." I tell him, before placing the jewelry I'd been wearing onto the table and leaving the room. I'm so upset! I march straight to the Guild Hall once I leave the castle. I retrieve my bag of Draugr before returning the room key to the clerk at the desk.
I can't be bothered to make a smooth exit. I move to a hidden alley where I spend just a moment adhering the bag to my body, before taking off into the skies. UGH! I knew politics could be nasty, but that was just horrible! Stupid King, stupid Harmekian Diplomat, dumb Carmella who suggested the whole disaster!
I continue fuming as I race towards my Lair. I'm so upset, I don't even notice the stirring of something deep within me.
(~I can't believe I introduced a character and then promptly forgot about her! I'm so sorry Lutjena, but it seems writing when tired makes me forget people entirely.~)