Chapter 51: More Tricks in the Pocket

Carlisle, Agatha, and Estara spoke briefly about events as well as vague aspersions to their goddess and the future possibilities therein. This was mostly punted to later by Carlisle, out of Samantha’s paranoia about ears in the walls or the like. While she doubted it, it was best to be cautious.

Eventually, the relief arrived in the cavern full of the dead. Carlisle had a rather utilitarian outlook about the potential loot of the place: he wanted all of it. As such, he was planning to send two more parties in, one in the night and one in the morning, to ‘take everything that wasn’t bolted down.’

This guy had to have been a thief in a prior life…

The tiles that made up the rune circle were exceptionally resistant to damage, but the thin glue of sorts meticulously holding them together was not, so at least the circle was broken by breaking the tiles from one another, then moving part of it elsewhere in the cavern.

Sammy was rather uncertain how much she wanted it entirely destroyed. There was no way it would function split apart, yet wasn’t it a potential access point if it was figured out — if it was possible to figure it out at all? Zadkiel couldn’t take the tiles with him. He may have wanted to. His nonchalance could’ve been a ruse.

Ultimately, she intervened and instructed them to hide all portions of the tiles in four different spots but keep them intact, and to take a small portion with them for storage somewhere offsite. They were to be completely packed away and treated as potentially dangerous. Sammy didn’t think they were, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

She conspired to have a few mirror shards hidden at a select few spots. She didn’t want to go overboard if Zadkiel sent his own agents back into the place at some later date, but she wanted to know if he did poke around.

It was at this point she discovered she could disguise her mirror faces and hold that disguise, that illusion, indefinitely. She was positive she couldn’t do that before she obtained the Illusion domain. It was some sort of synergistic effect.

Her inner gremlin had a little laugh of glee. The only issue is that it is probably detectable with active spellcraft.

She queried the System, “If someone uses, say, Identify on an illusionary mirror face… would they be able to see through the illusion and see the mirror?”

No. Identify would only reveal an Illusion effect with basic information, such as Effective Level. Seeing through the illusion requires higher-level specific spells or ability effects.

“Can they tell the effect is of divine origin?”

The Illusion domain makes all powers customizable in apparent origin. The default assumption is generic Arcane.

“Sweet!” She could sense it, as she specifically thought about it. She could change it to whatever she wanted for each power. ‘Arcane,’ ‘Shamanistic,’ ‘Witchcraft,’ ‘Jelly Donut,’ ‘Your Mother.’ Sadly, trollish customizations would probably make it obvious a trickster was at work.

“But it can’t really affect touch. They’d feel the smooth surface. Hmm. Better at higher levels… less obvious mirror faces.”

Without it triggering passive senses, and camouflaged into terrain, though, she could hide them with the reasonable expectation of not being discovered.

Merril’s fear effect wore off, and the result was a very ashamed, melancholy, and quiet kitty. Dax led him back to the primary camp… where she motivated him to get himself cleaned up before passing out asleep.

Sammy took a look at the debuff on him.

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Despair

You have depressed bouts of hopelessness and not wanting to do anything. During such an episode — which has a variable duration — all of your actions are at -1 Effective Class Levels, if you bother at all.

Note that this debuff is an interpretation of the user’s mental state and is removable by non-magical, psychological changes, or certain other extreme effects.
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Huh. Do they have psychiatrists here? Medicine? I bet the fucking sages do… too bad that is completely out of the question. Even if they have such a thing as a softer touch than their punishments for criminals.

Whatever the case, she was going to help him through it, somehow.

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New Quest unlocked: “Ninth Life or Bust” — Help Merril remove his Despair.
● Rewards: +50 FE, 5 exp in [Bard], 3 exp in [Wizard], Inspire Ally (1/day).
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Sammy stared squinty-eyed at the quest name. “What the fuck is with that, Sys? Is that being cute and maudlin or does he really have some kind of nine lives shit going on? He would hate that.”

The System cannot provide information on private user status information outside of relevant ability use. Quest titles are chosen based on distinctiveness.

Sammy rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

It reminded her that she still needed to select her exp target…

Um, yeah, fuck Bard.

Selection acknowledged: Wizard 1 [8/20]

I think wherever I’m along with Wizard, getting to level 2 will just speed up my power and versatility. I’m still going to end up with Bard 1 eventually just from other quests. Will I care by then? Questionable.

Loot and the bodies of the noble slain were carted back out of the cavern. Carlisle originally wanted Merril to walk around trying to detect magic, so Samantha instructed him to take a mask so she could do it herself.

A few items were in fact detected by way of him grabbing or touching everything into the night, including a couple of potions. He even tried touching suspicious walls for ‘hidden doors.’

Holy rolling squirrel nuts, this fucking guy… Sammy had to practically order him to head back to camp to get some rest. He was clearly exhausted.

As they were returning, she did ask through the mental connection, “What the hell was that potion, anyway? On the shield?”

“Something my wife bought ages ago from a traveling merchant. Who got it from an alchemist’s ‘going to the next life’ clearance sale, or so he claimed. A custom enchantment, one she spent a long time studying. Ultimately, she had a professional wizard identify it with advanced spells. Even then, the actual details were fuzzy.

“I knew only that it would absorb… damage of unknown conditions over armor or a shield, and once it reached a certain threshold, the command word would release a portion of it. I didn’t know the portion was… well, it had to be 90% at least.”

Sammy mentally nodded to the assessment. “Fascinating… I feel like it was made hard to identify on purpose… to keep the effect hidden. If someone knew, they’d try to avoid it.”

“Yes, I don’t think the duration was long, but it’s another unknown, I’m afraid. It’s gone after the release, in any case.”

“You love the idea of having a bag of tricks on you, don’t you?”

“Indeed I do, Your Majesty.”

“I bet you even carry pocket sand.”

Amazement came through the connection. Wheels turning. “Pocket sand… that’s brilliant! Right in the eyes, and you don’t even have to reach to the ground! Don’t mind me, just going for my handkerchief- Sand! Ha! I appreciate the idea, Your Majesty.”

Sammy was a bit stunned by his excitement over it. “Eh- d-don’t mention it. At any rate, let me guess: you have a level in Rogue, don’t you?”

He was taken off-guard and slightly embarrassed. “No one knows about… how did you know?”

Keeping the amusement out of her mental voice, Sammy sent, “Just a lucky guess. Your secret is safe with me.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“What about Wizard? Seems a natural fit.”

There was a flash of disappointment. “I just don’t have the right sort of brain for it, I suppose. I did try, but I didn’t get anywhere. My wife was a little more inclined.”

“A shame, but hopefully you’ll build up a new repertoire with connections through our order.”

“That would suit me just fine, Your Majesty.”

Sammy switched over to Estara to check in on her. She seemed perfectly alright, though her exhaustion was clear, mentally, emotionally, and physically. “You did so well in there, Estara. You are an inspiration to me and everyone else.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I wish I could’ve saved them all. Sir Galmore… Uthen… it’s so sad… I’ll never forget their gallantry and strength.”

“I know, Estara… everyone went in expecting to die. They were prepared for it. So were you. You protected each other to the best you were able. You saved lives, even if some were lost to numbers.”

“Of course…”

“Have you leveled from this, by the way?”

“I am 2 exp away, Your Majesty. I have a… well, it appears it must be a leveled quest, but requires a continuous four hours of prayer and meditation in peaceful surroundings. Probably the next is more. But I also can get 2 exp from starting a new life somewhere. I think that is pretty close.”

“Yes, it seems you have options now, with the dame thing.”

“It’s… bewildering how quickly things have changed. It feels unreal. But I would never take a path away from you. Away from being your priestess. That is my focus. There is so much to do! Now isn’t the time to sit on a cushy spot of land and boss squires around… to retire like some old fogey!”

Sammy laughed and didn’t hide it, which secured a smile from Estara in response. “I don’t know that your description is accurate for an honored knight, but point taken, just the same. I am happy to hear it. Now, you get some rest, girl. No more busy-bodying!”

Though there were matters still to resolve with Carlisle’s group, it really was late and best to let them sleep, as the adrenaline wore off and the toll began. Soon, nearly everyone was asleep, leaving Sammy to ponder the grave dealings of the day.

She felt… okay. When she turned events over in her head, she felt she’d done largely everything she could. She wanted to be able to do more… and nothing could erase the images of the dying from her head… nothing could replace those men for their loved ones. But others did make it through, and the whole March had been spared potential chaos.

Their blood was the price of the land, the people, and their liege. They paid it gladly. They’re decent people, here. Carlisle, Agatha… and they lead others to be decent. Bob fought like a man possessed for her. They aren’t scumbags. The vipers like Thadeus are the ones Zadkiel exploits. I hope it's the last of them with influence in Oldaster.”

Sammy noticed one Follower had not gone to sleep… and that was because she was waiting patiently on her goddess.

Azure looked quite different from the oval beauty mirror of the guest room she was staying in. She was brushing her dark hair out and had on a thin nightgown, probably due to the heat. She looked miles better than she had in days cooped up in the awful crate on the ship. Obviously, she had enjoyed her bath, from the relaxed state she was in. Only the dreadful mark on her forehead spoiled it all.

The Naugite smiled as Samantha appeared in the mirror, setting the brush down and putting her hands together in the prayer sign. “Your Majesty. I waited for you.”

“I see that, and thank you for your patience. An operation in Oldaster was… it was a success, though the cost was terrible. And very, very involved, suffice to say.”

“I am sorry to hear of difficulties, Goddess. Would you like to talk about it further?”

“Ah, well… your opinion would be desired, but let's kick that to later. For now, something long overdue, hmm?” After a pause to grin, Samantha continued, “Azure, my Devout, my Chameleon, there is surely no better anchor for our order than you, who can guide others in spiritual matters, intuition, and dare I say, the very art we so desperately need: to be whoever we want. To appear as desired to the eyes of the world. You are the best template and example I can imagine.

“For this and for your earnest piousness and dedication, I want you as my priestess. I want you as my High Priestess, my Phoenix rising from the ashes of the past. Will you accept?”

Azure bowed her head solemnly. “So I do, Your Majesty, and hope to satisfy every desire you have of me in all diligence.”

“Then so be it! Rise as my Phoenix and Priestess, Azure!” Samantha thrust out her hand, and light shot through the mirror to envelop the new priestess as she stood, glowing, hands folded over her heart and a soft smile on her lips as her head turned upward, eyes still closed.

Follower is now Ordained as a level 0 [Priestess] and provides 1 additional FE per day.

Then Sammy saw a far too massive mosquito land right on Azure’s cheek, and cleared her throat loudly. When Azure opened her eyes, Sammy was pointing vehemently, then flipped the mirror back to ‘reflection style.’

When Azure finally noticed she yelped and slapped her own cheek.

As the priestess pulled her hand away, they both winced in mirrored disgust at the gigantic, gross, blood-and-guts smear plastered to hand and cheek.

“Got ‘em, though,” Azure muttered sourly.

“You got ‘em,” Sammy agreed, just as sour.

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« Chapter 50 | Table of Contents | Chapter 52: How 'Bout This Tea? »

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Samantha, Virgin Goddess of Mirrors & Illusion
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Goddess Level 1; Fledgling Deity

Domains (2/2): Mirrors, Illusion
Faith Energy: 993/1000
FE (Illusion): 9
Followers: 14 (Daily FE Gain: 20 [22])

Devout: 3
Priests: 3

Brute: 0
Rogue: 0
Wizard: 1 [8/20]
Bard: 0 [2/10]

Special Skills: First Aid, Tarot Reading, Priestly Ordination, Holy Relic Investiture, Read Runes, Spell Construction, Detect Magic

Special Traits: Token User, Immortal, Demiplane Domain, Conceptual Body, Fueled By Faith

Powers: Faith Energy Utilization, Grant Prayer (Illusion), Mirror Sense (at will), Mirror Communication (at will), Create Illusion

Status: Token User Promotional Bonus (5/30), New Deity Grace Period (5/7), Free Minor Divine Enchantment (Accessory; 1-use)