Rules

Ok guys, I'm starting to get done with all this advertisements, everywhere I go I see and campaign advertisement, I go to the bathroom, I see an advertisement. When I go to my usual bar to take some drinks, a candidate is in the corner is making a show just for the sake to get attention.

And the worst part is that whenever two of these candidates stumble across emselves in the middle of these ""shows"" that's where shit gets messy, they start fighting for who gets more attention in a very stupid way, molesting the bypassing people who don't care about these kind of things.

If you try to sell me your stupid campaigns, I'll be very pissed and attack you...

Uw/ obviously I'm not pissed about the elections, I just find funny that Zhyros gets grumpy about that...lol

https://strawpoll.com/e2naXL0lAyB

He emerged from the manhole that led to the semblance of a sewer system. The night was chill and the streets were busy. He removed his scent mask and took a deep breath. The rotten smell of the slums hit his nose with an overwhelming odor. He smiled, eyes brimming with determination. Compared to what he was forced to inhale deep below the sewers every single day, this was revitalising.

Wretches that were barely surviving on the streets at first cowered in fear and skittered away like lowly insects. But soon after greed has overcome them, for this man, dressed in a perfectly tailored leather armor, with a haversack filled with shiny steel tools that looked like knives on his back, certainly would promise them a quick buck if they generously help him alleviate the burden of his possessions. And what if he had a strange tail, that seemingly moved on it's own? These poor souls began to encircle the man, confident that law enforcers consider it above themselves to even set foot in their polished boots down here in the slums, where a human life is worth less than nothing.

The man simply put the mask back on. Ptomaine, better known as corpse poison, isn't healthy even for his organism after all. And, after being surrounded by these starving madmen, ready to plunge their makeshift weapons into his throat, he muttered only one word:

"Heskel."

A hulking shadow appeared behind him, emitting a strong scent of flowers. One blurred movement and two people are flying into the wall, a broken dolls.

"These would make for a subpar material, they all are malnourished and many of their body parts are clearly damaged. You can get rid of them all. We need to find healthier specimens. It's what Grandfather wanted after all."

The Flesh Carver begins calmly walking towards wealthier regions of the city, while behind his back a massacre unfolds, in which the Wight folds poor creatures in two, punches them with enough force to explode their heads and tear off limbs, draws sigils in the air which cause their bodies to turn inside out and more. Right before their death, these people can see that this monster, standing at more than two meters tall, with perfect musculature and quick precise movements, is stitched from the skin of multiple creatures. Come to think of it, wasn't that man's haversack also the color of human skin, as well as his apron?

...

"You sure took your time with them, Heskel. Excited to finally return to the surface?"

"Mission."

"I know, i know. Can't a young man in his prime enjoy some of the wonders this miserable world can offer?"

"..."

"Ehh, you're right, who am i kidding. Alright, let's start experimenting."

The slums are separated from the rest of the city by a high wall, heavily fortified and patrolled. But why trying to scale it, when you can just crawl under it? Entering the familiar sewage, thanks to Heskel's memory, they were quickly able to emerge in the trading district.

"I'm going to need you to protect me without letting potential material see you, otherwise they'll just freak out."

"Dangerous."

"I know, but such is the nature of humans. They can't comprehend something that looks even a little not like them. And don't worry, I'm not a little boy anymore."

"..."

"Glad we came to an agreement. Alright, I'm moving."

After taking off his scent mask and pulling out a face of a beautiful woman from his apron, he puts it on his own and mutters an incantation. The face then suddenly comes to life, as if it was his all this time. Adjusting the width of the armor in certain places, Flesh Carver sets off to look for a creature that fits his criteria.

...

"Hey sweetie, you seem tired standing on your post all day. Wanna come with me and have some fun?"

"Khmm...as a protector of common folk, i sure am eligible for a big discount, isn't that right, miss...?"

"Oh, of course, a very generous discount. As for my name, don't think too much about it, unless you would want to become my regular client, sweetie. Now, let's go, i know a good place for us to get some privacy in."

...

crackle "aaaaAAA-" thud

"Hmmm, what do you think, Heskel?"

"Strong bones."

"Perfect. Let's begin then."

With some effort, he forces the broken bone back in its rightful place. And to ensure that it'll be properly healed, he cites the Amalgam Hymn, a spell of Grandfather's own creation, making all the bone and tissue to firmly bond with eachother.

Then, the man unsheathes his ritual dagger and slices his palm. Blood starts pouring out of it in far greater capacity than seemingly possible from such a small cut. After collecting all blood in a special container, he dips a special brush in it and begins drawing a ritual circle around the unconscious man.

After finishing the outer circle, he goes on to draw on the guard's body itself, making sure that all lines are correct with the help of Heskel's watchful eye.

Fifteen tedious minutes have passed, before he could proudly declare to have finished his first binding ritual.

"Incantation."

"Thanks, i almost forgot. Khm khm."

"With this rite I lay claim to what I am owed as Lord. With this rite I enslave this soul to me."

The blood that made the ritual circle flew into the man. After the last drop entered guard's body, he opened his eyes.

"Your name." Flesh carver demanded.

"...CALLUM." The guard replied in a deep otherworldly voice.

"Callum. You will help me find a place nearby where I can work undisturbed."

"...YES, MY LORD."

"You can call me...Lòke. Let's go, we have a lot of work to do."

For Context: https://www.reddit.com/r/wizardposting/s/TPMDNBAWIj

Many hunters had tried... And many hunters had failed. Only one had managed to best Talios... His good friend and rival, Mokarith no less. The score was now 0-1, their first battle having ended in a draw...

None of Talios's fights were easy persay, though... He had been forced to adapt to his opponents time and time again, varying skillsets making for a brand new challenge each time...

All this battle, these threats... Talios had missed it. It was a thrill he had been longing for, having reached it's peak near the end of his loss against Mokarith...

Yet, unbeknownst to all... Deep within the Dynast Realm, hundreds upon thousands of meters beneath the ground...

Where Chaos's prison lies...

A plot had been hatched.

Making use of an old Sending Spell Chaos had learned to mimic, thanks to a single Dr. Larry Palmer... Chaos modified it, using Change to better suit her goal.

All she had to do was wait. 24/7, Chaos would be using Sending spell after Sending spell... She was hoping to strike a very particular type of person.

The hopeless kind. The kind easily manipulated by what could be considered "divine" contact.

Neither Ash nor Talios had predicted Chaos being able to use magic in this form, and thus hadn't thought to make any magic wards or the like... Not like they really could.

It would take 23 days, 2 hours and 34 seconds for Chaos to get a response worth noting. And that was when she knew... She had found her victim.

She continued to speak to them, acting as a benevolent god, sealed away by an evil deity walking amongst humans. It was all too easy to fool the man she had found. She got him to start a small cult in short order.

In the shadows, the cult grew. Worshipping the one of Chaos, and condemning the so-called "Obscured One" who banished her.

Human minds were so fragile... So... Malleable. Chaos found it cute.

She created a narrative for these pathetic followers to listen to... The Obscured One was once under her command, but he grew rebellious and turned into a sinner... Her closest ally, turned against her as she called it. A cruel betrayal that a fair maiden like her did not deserve... The narrative wasn't entirely untrue, to be fair. Merely biased.

It did not take long for their religious fervor to become blinding.

And it was at that point that Chaos told them how they could do the ultimate service to her, of returning the Obscured One to her.

She ordered them to forge a dagger that could force the Obscured One to return to his primal form. She told them this was necessary to regain control over the Obscured One... They listened to her instructions without an inch of doubt.

Then... The time came to strike.

.............................................

Talios is making his way towards the town bounty board today, aiming to pick up a few bounties of his own to take care of... When he feels it.

Follower. No... Followers.

He's being tailed.

Talios remains calm. Looks like he hadn't scared off all the hunters yet.

He continues on his original path... But doesn't stop at the bounty board. He walks straight past, continuing onwards.

He continues straight to the exit of town. The assailants continue to follow.

Two, three... Five? Maybe more. Probably a coordinated group.

Could be difficult.

Talios heads into the forest nearby... And it's at this point that he gets down to business. He dashes away, through the trees. The hunters begin to sprint after him, but quickly lose sight of Talios as he leaps up onto a tree, having moved with incredible speed.

"He can't be far! Find Obscurity!"

Obscurity..?

Do they know what he is? Who are these people...

The hunters stay relatively close to eachother as they begin searching through the forest. He won't be able to silently take them all down...

But he'll be able to get the jump on at least one.

So Talios waits... Waits... Waits...

Now!

Talios leaps from his hiding spot on the tree, pouncing onto one of the hunters like a beast. He slams the palm of his right into the neck of the hunter, the hidden blade in the wrist thrusting out and stabbing into the neck.

One down. Four... No. There was more he missed, damn it!

There's... Six of them still alive.

And they've certainly taken notice of Talios now.

"There he is! Get him!"

Two of them immediately charge for Talios, the others slightly unnerved by the death of their comrade.

One hunter, approaching from behind, aims a stab at the back of Talios's neck. The other, a slash at Talios's torso in front.

Talios quickly ducks his head to the side, avoiding the stab. He grabs the wrist of the attacker, flipping them over his back and using them as a meatshield to block the slash... Afterwards, Talios tosses the hunter to the side, summoning the Epitome of Emotion to his hand and quickly cleaving the other one in two.

Four left.

Three of them charge at Talios now, the last still staying back... Seemingly charging something.

One on each side of Talios. One in front.

《Speed》

Talios charges for the one in front, closing the distance and grabbing his face before he can react, slamming him to the ground.

《Imbue: Chaos》

As he grabs hold of the hunter, Talios imbues their body with a fraction of chaos. He lifts them up, turning to the two still approaching. Talios tosses the lifeless hunter he holds towards them...

《Chaos Swap》

Swapping positions with the body before it hits the two hunters though, stabbing one through the gut and lifting them over his head, throwing them away. The final approaching hunter attempts a wild slash, but Talios parries and counterattacks with precision... Talios noticed that the imbue was unecessary on the hunter he had grabbed, as they'd... Already been imbued before? But that should be impossible.

He shakes his head. Focus.

One left.

"F-FIREBALL!"

"BEGONE OBSCURED ONE!"

A fireball is launched at Talios by the final hunter... But it's weak. Talios raises his left hand to the fireball, grabbing it and dispelling it with his anti-magic...

Then, Talios dashes forward with a left handed gut punch, lifting the hunter in the air with the momentum. Talios subsequently grabs the hunter by the neck and throws him at a tree, knocking him out cold.

None left.

Talios sighs... A group of weak people is still ultimately, a weak group.

Although...

Talios approaches one of them. Deep crimson robes, with erratic, seemingly random lines of black running through them. Talios picks up one of their blades... An undulating dagger.

Cultists? Did he amass some sort of following by becoming the Dynast Of Obscurity?

No, that can't be. They wouldn't have tried to kill him then, would they?

But they knew what he was... Something is wrong here.

On top of all that... The dagger appears to be imbued with some kind of magic, a purple glow surrounding the undulating blade.

Talios drops the knife, not wanting to disturb it further... He stands, preparing to leave.

Until he feels a blade slip through an opening in his armor, underneath the armpit from behind.

Shit. He let his guard down!

The hunter's form flickers into view, the invisibility wearing off. So there were eight in total?

"Got you... Obscurity."

"Release your true form... Become the object you always once were."

"For her."

Talios feels something surge within himself. He swiftly yanks the dagger out, spinning on a dime with an immensely powerful back knuckle strike, sending the hunter flying away.

《Manifest Obscurity: Humanity》

《Mode Five》

Talios feels as though a small piece of himself is eaten away at. But he also feels... Stronger.

Talios pushes past this feeling as he tries to make his way out of the forest... He feels... Dazed. Confused...

《Manifest Obscurity: Humanity》

《Mode Four》

Black energy surrounds Talios's hands, turning into gauntlets of Obscurity energy. More of himself is eaten away.

He grows physically stronger... Larger.

He keeps trying to walk... But he stumbles to his knees.

《Manifest Obscurity: Humanity》

《Mode Three》

The gauntlets extend all the way up his arms now, to the shoulders. His legs become engulfed in the energy as well.

Talios staggers to his feet. He's physically grown again.

He slams his fist into a tree in an attempt to hold himself upright... The tree shakes from the immense power.

"Not... Like this..."

《Manifest Obscurity: Humanity》

《Mode Two》

The Obscurity extends to his chest.

Talios slumps down once more. He's grown noticeably larger from his original size now... Talios attempts to crawl his way out of the forest.

"No... No no..."

《Manifest Obscurity: Humanity》

《Mode One》

The Obscurity begins to creep up his neck... Up his head...

Talios wants to scream. But he no longer can.

He slumps prone now. He feels so... Drained. So... Tired.

"N-Nagisa..."

He reaches out... Trying to grasp at anything... Anything.

But... It'd be so easy to just... Disappear...

The Obscurity consumes the entirety of Talios's head.

《Mode》

《Zero》

And the Dynast Of Obscurity disappears without a trace.

Reruns on Demand

Hey, what's up, chat?

Alright, so. The polls have opened. Bunch of the people I expected to be at the top. Hirk, Vanio, Ulrick... Koranth is lagging a bit behind but I think she still stands a chance. Good policy all around. I'm not dropping out until I absolutely have to, but when that comes, I'm endorsing all of those candidates I just mentioned. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, Glimbo and Agnu as well.

(The screen scrolls down until his own name appears on the list, near the bottom.) Though, the time I'm going to have to drop out is almost definitely soon. I dunno. For some reason, all those campaign posters I put up get torn down by unseen forces the second I stop looking. I've checked. I've made sure there's no "post no bills" sign everywhere I post bills. The forces of the universe are colluding on me, and telling me "Maybe politics isn't your thing." I'm going to keep trying, though. I can't throw in the towel, I have too much integrity for that. (Zack pauses and looks over to the left.) Maybe my integrity is the reason no one's biting. (Chuckling.)

But... viewers, I don't know how many of you haven't seen this, but I think it's worth it to rerun my little speech:

First and foremost, provisions for up-and-coming mages, and those who take apprentices under their wing. These people are the lifeblood of our craft, as much as some of you hate to admit it.

I'm also hoping to rework and simplify tax code as a kind of "more carrot than stick" method to tackle the widespread tax evasion these realms have had to endure. Maybe this way our coffers will have real, actual coin in them.

The main thing I'm running on, however, is R&D on magicite production. If we can figure out how to produce a significant amount, and make it renewable and less expensive, then a fair amount of possibilities will open themselves up to us. We can reduce our dependence on natural ley lines, and even cultivate our own, just in case someone else decides to mess those up.

I'm willing to work with anyone who is willing to work with me. It's that simple. I take care of business. Going out of my way to start bad blood? Counterproductive. Trite. Meaningless.

I will wreak creation where others have wrought destruction. In fact, as part of my campaign, I've put to use the same magic I've been using to reassemble the moon to reassemble communities.

As for curses, every charm has its countercharm. Every mess is capable of being cleaned. With the help of the wise and the well-learned spellsmiths of the realms, we will take every measure we can to purge the corrupting forces at work.

I'll be honest. I haven't exactly planned that far ahead. I... more or less decided to enter the election purely on a whim. I don't have that much maturity, but I have gumption, and I have dreams. All I need is the right circumstance so that I can see my dreams... (He glances toward the audience.) ...Our dreams, can become reality.

Not to mention, there was that moon base I had a while ago that became the framework for that lunar defense matrix... the one that got hijacked by the Cabal when that moon thing happened... But the fact that THEY kept that shit up and just locked me out of it and preventing my access to that lunar outpost I was working on... That's at least something, right? Not to mention that I'M at least part of the reason there was a moon to hijack in the first place...

Wait, I forgot about something. The required Cabal dissing just made me remember. Check this out. (The screen goes back to the polls, at the top of the list.) I'd say you would NEVER believe who's at the top, but the political climate has been so fucked that even I knew this guy, this FUCKING guy, with his two-bit impersonation of a two-bit politician... I mean, he's just straight-up campaigning on useless forever wars that exist only to line pockets, HIS pockets, and people are- people are VOTING for that?!? Yeah, maybe I'd be higher up on the polls if I campaigned on, like, "Kill all elves" or some baloney like that. (He starts laughing again.) But again, integrity, thou art a heartless bitch.

There's another really fucked up part, too - I kinda had to resign from my position as an architect to even run in the first place. Even trained a replacement and all. So... I dunno what's happening there. The podcastmancy will continue as long as I feel like doing it, and before too long, I'll be back to actual guerilla journalism, maybe even the next recording I do, I may see if R&A has any positions open I can grab, whatever. Really.

But anyways, goodnight, chat, and if you have dreams, vote for Zack Lucier, Locrian Technomancer, if you share the drive to see those dreams become reality.

https://preview.redd.it/vj04f06c08ce1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=064bdc58bbf8e70fbd4f6bb4a0936028d0b46459

The closing of Mary's notebook marked the end her classes for today. Her time at the Aqshy Academy had been productive. She enjoyed the environment she enjoyed studying the curriculum learning about the world, its history, the peoples that inhabited it, the civilizations and creatures that lived and thrived amongst it. She was quickly turning into quite the student; it appears she only needed a chance to thrive.

Mary quickly packed away her notebook and school supplies before signing goodbye to professor lazulite.

“Goodbye Mary do try not to punch solid objects in the future”

Mary sheepishly tucks the bandaged hand into her pocket, a bruise she got from punching Papa in the pinky. An emotional response born of worry after he got himself injured. A mistake she agreed to make up for by carrying medical supplies to the Azelelions med Bay.

“I won't” Mary signed back.

Mary left the academy in a excited hurry meeting up with first in Brick.

“So kiddo how was school” First asked

“Fine” Mary signed back and Jez translated via radio.

“And how's your hand” Brick asked he wished she can cast healing magic and fix it but he understood that Mary may not be ready for that quite yet”

“Better” Mary responded.

“Well that is great news” brick responded with a smile.

“So let me guess lyreum lectures” said first.

Mary shook her head before gesturing for The mercenaries to follow. Ithacar had gotten Sparrow's daughter to come out of her shell though not quite fully yet. She was less guarded as she wandered the streets occasionally. She would even work up the courage to wave at a random passerby but that took a lot. She still avoided areas where mages frequented and the mercs made her avoid areas nearby major military installations in order to keep the blue cloaks happy.

It took a while but she eventually found one, a mechanical spider the constructs had occupied her curiosity for the longest of time. She wondered how they worked and where they came from. The latter question was one she hoped to answer today. Mary jogged after it a bit to close distance; she did not want to startle the thing if the construct had a will.

Unfortunately Mary's vision isn't very good and her lack of paying attention led to her bumping into something when she tried to follow the spider down an alleyway. Mary felt something slice her cheek something prickly like barbed wire. When she looked up to apologize there was nothing there. Mary's breathing began to quicken. Before she felt bricks reassuring hand on her head.

“Hey kid don't run off like-”

“Oh shit you are bleeding. Hey kid this going to sting a little”

Brick retrieves a black Iron wound hypo spray from his tactical vest designed for minor cuts and scrapes; it was the right tool for the job. Brick sprays a little on his finger which he rubs on the cut. It immediately begins to close and heal but it does indeed sting a little.

Mary decides to put the entire experience behind her as she notices the spider was getting away see gestured for The mercenaries to follow again this time being a little bit more careful. She follows the spider throughout the streets through marketplaces and housing blocks pass crossing traffic circles and train stops. Even briefly stopping at an industrial area and getting dangerously close to the layer of Artemis. But she eventually finds the origin point of the spider.

Meanwhile

Removal of oneself from the song was an extremely taboo act in the culture of the roanite elves. So the fact that this was the fifth one amongst the future seeing Remia Toras was cause for a great alarm.

The fifth brother of the Midai Toras rushes through the ruins of the city of Artemisia while the ancestor trees nor the great trees that they once called home have not regrown yet the jungle is still come to reclaim the city New Life sprouts from the ash of the old and shoots of grass and small bushes

The 5th brother arrives at the home of a simple Hut built on the outskirts of the ruins of the sacred City. Around the hot lies a chain of faithful guardians keeping out alarmed bystanders. The 5th brother pushes his way through and greets one of the faithful guardians.

“Is it the same?” he asks

“Yes’ the guardian replies somberly. The fifth brother hopes the message will be different to give them some clue on how to prevent this dark fate. But he is dismayed to find the same message as all the others.

On the wingless bird the three spiked crown The coronation to burn Roan down.

The nightmare King ascends again to usher the world to its end.

“For once I wish they would not speak in riddles”the fifth brother cursed to themselves.

before adjusting the burial shroud to cover the body.

“Ensure that this one is buried with full honors” The fifth brother orders the holy guardians.

"but holy brother those who remove themselves from the song are not a traditionally entitled to full rights” replies the holy guardian.

“Our sacred City begins to grow anew we must grow with it, change with it” the fifth brother retorts.

A great candidate, who has plans to improve the lives of many! Put so much effort into it, really deserves the position!

u/totally_not_a_cat-

The Corpse of Atriox, the Calamity of Earth, stares unblinking and dignified as Joe the Mutant steps up and speaks:

Joe: “We would like to make the announcement that Lord Atriox is a very ground and down to Earth dragon and see the polls as they stand and considering how far behind he is and that he is highly unlikely to catch up Lord Atriox will now give his concession speech.”

Corpse of Atriox: Staaaaaaaaarrrrrrreee

Joe: “Thank you Lord Calamity for that dignified response. We will now endorse Necrodancer’s bid to the Council. Thank you for those who supported Lord Atriox in his solemn endeavor.”