During the untamed times, when the 9 hells remained the 10, Heat beat down upon the harsh deserts, rain gouged the earth of the coastline, and cold broke apart mountain stone. Daemon beasts rampaged freely across the landscape, and the souled races, who were never more than slaves, cowered under the monstrous shadow of Tiamat, the Queen of the 10th hell, the master of greed, pestulence, storm, ice, and fire. None could defend against her horde daemon beasts, at least not alone. In the land, there were 20 heroes, each a prodigy in their own right. Together, they pushed back the hordes and did battle with Tiamat, the Queen of pride, and bound her to the 9th layer of hell. This loosened the grip of the hells on what is now known as the [[material plane.]]The gods could now reach down to earth and exhibit their influence, but the daemons below could do the same. While the sun still scorches, the rains still flood, and the cold still bites, after that moment, the material became a land of uncertainty, where individuals had control over their own fate, whether for better or worse. To give stability and battle uncertainty, the twenty heroes went on to found the country of Drenglaria. Seeing that the weak of the land needed protections, the twenty heroes became the twenty captains, and created 20 eldritch guardian guilds to continue to serve and protect when the twenty passed on. When these guilds needed new recruits, they held contests to see who was true of heart and was willing to serve the people. This eventually became the [[eldritch guardian selection games.]]This year's festival has hundreds of aspirants traveling to Drenglaria for the selection. Which aspirant would you like to play as?
[[Jacob Armont]]: The youngest son of a Human Royal Guardian house, directly decended from one of the 20 heroes. Jacob grew up in the inner city of Drenglaria and has only left on occasion. Finding that his magic was much weaker than his siblings, he feels like he needs to prove himself as a hero and leader to his father despite his arcane ineptitude marking him as the black sheep of the family.
[[The Sparrow of the woods]]: A foxfolk vigilante with a kind heart and budding natural magic that is as versatile as he is. Growing up in the forest without any memory of his childhood, he considers the forest his family and home. Working to take from oppressors and give to the oppressed, his next target is the big wigs running the eldritch guard games.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Alright then. You look east rising sun shining through the edge of the forest. The sweeping drenglarian plains stretching off as far as the eye can see, and past them, the faintest outline of the capitol city which shares the country's namesake. As beautiful as the sights are, you are focused on[[the task at hand]].Alright then.
As you wake up in a large room, furnished nicely with cloth and hardwood, a knock comes from the door and a demure voice can be [[heard]] from the other side.
(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))She happily enters the room, a thin woman with neat blonde hair and a maid uniform. She closes the door behind her and slowly pours the tea.
"Your father wanted to meet you in his study when you woke"
The tea is as superb as always, but, as you shake off the drowsiness, you don't think much of her company, as there are larger things on your mind. Or rather, (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[larger people]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, I'll just tell the cooks to brew a pot every 30 minutes or so..."
Her voice trails off as you fall deep into (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[slumber]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))As your eyes close once again, you have on odd sensation of falling, then a sharp pain, in the back of your head, yelling, clanging of metal, fizzling of magic. You open your eyes to see the usually beatiful cobblestone boulevards of Drenglaria city is scattered with (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[blood and flames]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Your brother, Phillip Armont, the vice captain of the Blue Dragons eldritch guardian guild in gleaming silver armor, is leading a charge against an army of the damned. Flesh dangling from (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[charred bone]]. As he rallies the troops he pauses for a moments and reaches out his (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[hand]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Looking past your brother's shoulder you focus in on the mangled face of one of the undead monstrosities before you. Deep past the blackened bone of the skull, you see familiar eyes. They look... Sad, dissappointed even. The blue brown eyes that fade to blue could only be one person's... William Armont, (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[your father]]. (enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You reach out to grasp your brother's hand as he lifts you out of the filth, as your focus shifts from the battlefield around you to him.
"Remember Jacob, skill and experience cut much deeper than any spell of augmentation or evocation."
You look around once more to see the setting has changed, the clanging of a chaotic battle has been replaced by the thwacking of wooden swords rattling against eachother.
"I still think you can be the best of us, just maybe not the strongest". (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[As Phillip winks]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))"You have always been to weak to serve your station. A dissapointment on the Armont name and too shallow minded to think of the big picture."
The boned clawed hands of your father dig into the skin of your temples.
"You will never see, you will (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[never be my son]]"(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You wake up in a cold sweat, grab your bow and storm out of the castle. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Phillip beckoning you, but at this point, stopping was never an option. You storm across the hall, down the foyer steps and into the grand hall. Pausing a moment to glare at the armont family crest, the crest of the blue dragons, and continue through the palace gates without looking back, vowing to prove yourself worthy of the Armont name or die trying. The cool torchlit room bursts into a shining afternoon sun as you march out of the courtyard, bow in your hands and towards whatever shall lie ahead.
You got the selfish ending.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))His dirty blond hair is swept behind his right ear and his firm jawline loosens into a smile. A paragon of good and encouragement, its... unbelievably frustrating.
He thinks himself better than you, born with all the gifts that are typical of one of his status. Demigod like strength, wisdom above his years and enough arcane power to bring down the most stalwart of foes. You grit your teeth and (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[draw your bow]] as Phillip smiles.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You hear a shriek as Marilyn jumps back, startled by your quick draw of your bow, nearly spilling the tea she had prepared for you. You set it at your side, take the tea that she had brought, and get your belongings together. Your 5 (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[finests sets of clothes]], extra arrows for your quiver, and your bow, a gift from Philip.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000))) you take your time to get ready, you notice Phillip beckoning you. When you approach, he invelops you in a large bear hug.
"It's okay to be weak. Goodness is it's own strength, Jacob. You'll do great."
Frustrated and encouraged, you make your way towards the door, vowing to yourself to never come back to the armont hold until you have seen the world and proven that you have the strength to make it better.
You got the Brotherly Bonds ending.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Finishing your morning refreshment, you bid marilyn ado for the time being, get dressed, and make your way out of your room and down the long hallway leading to your father's study. Paintings of all the Armont heirs line the walls all the way from Gael Armont, member of the twenty heroes, to William Armont, your father. (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[His study]] residing at the end of the hall.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You knock firmly on the door.
"Who is it? It is a grand day and the inturruption had better be necessary"
The large man opens the door, standing about six foot three with meaty forearms and shoulders resting upon a grand belly. A grey and brown beard tidily groomed sprouting from what was once a warrior's jawline.
"Ahh, Jacob, I have a moment. (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[Come in]]"(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))The study is not elaborate as the rest of the castle is. Instead it consists of a single large desk with thousands of papers scattered in piles accross it.
"Jacob, I wanted to tell you. It's okay if you don't join the magic guard guilds".
"You do not think me good enough."
"I simply want you to know that surviving trumps proving a point"
"And I am a man who has outgrown your sneers and coddling."
You storm back towards (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[the foyer]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))As you walk back, you can see Marilyn smiling weakly at you from the top of the stairs.
"How, did it go?"
Her voice always shook and she frequently added odd pauses inbetween words. The only other person in this castle who wasn't perfect in every outward facing way, and as such a perfect (text-colour:(hsl:180,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[traveling companion]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Upon your request, together you prepare for the trial ahead. Only one in every hundred aspirants ends up being chosen for a guardian guild. But you will triumph over this, you must. You march forth into the bright fall day, the beginning of the selection games, and the beginning of your journey, with Marilyn at your side.
You got the Canon Ending.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))The woods break into morning light as you reach the edge of the forest. In front of you sprawls a quaint little town and a feild of multi-colored flowers, the flower garden where you drop off your redistribution efforts. As you make your way through the grass square towards the garden, you notice two eldritch guards berating a man just off of the square.
Would you like to.
(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[Drop off your haul]]
(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[Investigate what is happening with the vendor]](enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You continue towards the drop off point, after all, you can't risk your delivery, the people of this town need the money too much. You continue through the small town and sneak around to the back of the garden house. Sliding a large planting slat to the side, you deposit your haul of gold and silver into the chest hidden beneath. Then, you slip soundlessly back into (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[the forest]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Sneaking through the courtyard, you hear the guard's voices.
"Folk like you seem not to have any appreciation for the people who keep you safe"
As the guard grabs an apple and takes a large bite. Not surprising, in recent years, the eldritch guardians are more of a position of status then of responsibility.
"How are we supposed to keep the daemon beasts at bay on an empty stomach... You don't have to stay safe, you know"
The guard (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[steps forward]] towards the vendor.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Upon reaching the safety of the forest, you hear the crackling of fire and the smell of burning leaves.
"Again? Thats the fourth one this month"
You rush off towards the sound of fire, the woods around you a blur as cool air flows through your foxfolk fur. Running deeper into the fire, you feel a buzz and warmth spread as (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[your magic]] blooms.((enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))You can control flames to an extent, but for a raging fire like this, your power is limited. Upon reaching a creek, you see a (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[small boy]] to your left, crying and cowering below a burning tree. On your right, the (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[fire is spreading]] towards the edge of the forest and plains of drenglaria.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Your protective instinct drives you to run to the child, magic coursing in a spiral around the two of you, the flames dancing around the inside of the circle forming wonderous patterns in the air. You don't know how long you staved off the flames, but when the fire had run out of material to consume, you drop your shield and exhaustedly carry the boy to the town. But it (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[didn't go unscathed]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))The fire could spread to the town, and could, if left unchecked, ravage the entire plains, causing several more towns to go up in smoke. The forest is crying out in pain. The livlihoods of hundreds of people and the natural order outweigh the possiblity of saving one boy. You run further along the creek as your magic swells, the water gathering behind you as you run, then seeing a previous path of the creek, you clear a new path for the creek so that it will run along the edge of the forest, protecting the plains. You use the remaining water to put out the fires that spread past the creek until you are satisfied the countryside (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[is safe]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))The flames had spread to the town and many of the homes are damaged if not destroyed in totality. The eldritch guard are on the edge of town trying to stop the spread along the plains. One using earth to smother the flames, the other summoning constructs of ice and water to sweep across the flames. Realizing that you could have prevented this, your only solace is that you rescued the child, and that your delivery should help to pay for at least some of the repairs. You look once again towards the outline of Drenglaria city, slowly making your way to the road, off to try to make a bigger difference.
You got the apprehensive ending.(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000))You lower your head in exhaustion. Bearing the full weight of the life of the boy that you failed to spare. However, this is the natural order of things, even if it could have been prevented. You raise your head towards Drenglaria city, hoping that such decisions won't haunt you in the future.
You got the regretful ending.(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))As you do the same, instinctually stepping between the guard and the vendor. He smirks and attempts to push you out of the way. You bend back his palm and step to his back, using the leverage of his arm to pin him to the ground as the other eldritch guard places a blade to your throat (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[and says]].(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))"I know you. You're the sparrow of the woods, aint ya?"
The guard cuts off the satchel of gold that you were bringing to the townsfolk.
"He comes with his own bounty isnt that nice"
He slips cuffs on your wrists
"You're in for a treat forest rat. We're going to the (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[[big city]]."(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))Little did he know that you were on your way for the eldritch guardian games. Being a guardian also gives you criminal immunity, so this works out nicely. As you quietly join them on their trip back to Drenglaria City, you ponder how you will escape once at the city, but for the time being, you are on a fast track to your destination, a change in environment could do you good.
You got the canon ending.(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.9))[Your Text Here](enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 12, 0,#000000,0.4895,(hsl:120,0.6721,0.2392,0.6),1,#000000)))"H-hello sir armont... D-did you want your regular morning tea"\
She speaks sofly. You would recognize the voice as Marilyn, your personal servant.
Would you like to.
[[Ask for Jasmine tea]]
[[Tell Maralyn off for waking you up so early in the day.]]