They said the difference between a calculated risk and a reckless attack was whether the results bore fruit at the end.

Morrigan was no stranger to plunging themselves headfirst into danger when the outcome was for their own benefit. There was no ledge they’d throw themselves off of if the chance of triumph glimmered akin to a light at the end of the tunnel. And right now, bathed in the Pyrrhic victory of their own blood, ragged to the bone, heartbeat a frantic tempo where their heart had leapt into their throat - the melodic hum of their blade where metal struck flesh, one last swan song - the fight felt all the sweeter as her eyelids finally began to droop. They’d won.

There would be nothing else to call this in the books but a calculated conquest.

History was always dictated by the winners, after all.

Which would be quite favorable, considering Morrigan was about at their wits end.

Every inch of their body, from the tips of their horns to the point of their tail, felt as if it has been dipped in acid and left to dry in the hot Zeinavian sun. It was fortunate that their training with performers and circus professionals had instilled within them the instinct to maintain the charade, all the way until the final curtain call. It made it easier to hold themselves together, even when their own constitution felt paper-thin. One more blow, and they would be having a very different conversation with themselves.

One more blow, and they might not have been able to do much at all.

Such a tantalizing difference a few seconds made between glory and shame.

And yet.

Morrigan was still here.

Now might have been the perfect time to deliver a rousing speech; the eleventh hour, the last seconds before the other shoe dropped. They only had scant seconds before the poison wore off - her form was enormous enough that any poison in her bloodstream would likely lack the potency to stick for long. As Morrigan put distance between themselves and the slumped-over queen, there was nothing else to add but -

“HURRY, NOW’S YOUR CHANCE! TEAR HER A NEW ASSHOLE BEFORE SHE WAKES!”

There. That was motivational enough to rouse the crowd.

As for Morrigan…

They took to the air, wind whipping at their hair and robes, water and wind splashing haphazardly in every direction as the queen slammed into the ground. Down was up and up was down and this false realm was so damn twisted that they were quite done with the bullshit, to be honest. Morrigan was the only one allowed to be cryptic and charming at the same time. It was time to put an end to this farce.

Once they were high enough, practiced hands fiddled with precious glass vials containing liquids in all colors of the rainbow, until they landed on a particularly nasty-colored one.^[1] Another hand procured a colorful box, one tied neatly with a bright pink silk ribbon. They couldn’t help the coy smile that danced across their features as they flicked open the box, poured in the liquid - which fizzled and popped dangerously as it was exposed to the air - and tied up the bow once more. A quick fire-starter from their alchemy kit made quick work of the ribbon, a homebrew fuse made from cloth soaked in a crude oil.

“They say parting is such sweet sorrow… but fret not, your majesty. I’ve prepared you a farewell gift.”

They curled a hand in a wave, as sweet as saccharine, as they dropped the bomb.

“Bye-bye~!”

They did have to take a special sort of pleasure in knowing that the queen of the realm of wonder - the living embodiment of magic - was vanquished so readily by one without a drop of mana to their existence. Perhaps she might have found that irony humorous as well… if it weren’t for the glitter bomb that promptly hit her in the face.

---

ROUND SUMMARY

Morrigan is still in the PORTAL.

They pour a vial of Parasite Poison on their Glitter Nuke (Goblin Slag Bomb), fly into the air, and LAUNCH THE BOMB AT THE QUEEN.

GLITTERSPLOSION

1. BUFF ACTION - Morrigan coats their Goblin Bomb with Parasite Poison.

SPOILER: Click to show

A tiny glass bottle filled with lavender liquid. This liquid can be applied to objects or even applied directly to the target. When the liquid is applied to the skin, it will begin to eat away at the top layer of skin, almost like burning it away. This will expose the wound and make it vulnerable to more damage, as well as deal damage itself.

2. ATTACK ACTION - Morrigan drops a GOBLIN BOMB on the Fae queen

SPOILER: Click to show

This rather insidious creation that was adopted from goblin tribes who used random objects to create devestating weapons. A small box made from wood is slam packed with random items, like nails, shards of glass or metal, thorny plants or other sharp edged objects. The rest of the space is filled with black powder or oil and the box fitted with a fuse. This fuse can be lit, and within 10 seconds the box will explode out in a 20 foot diameter, showering the area with the jagged, sharp, random items. Anyone caught in the blast will suffer high amounts of surface level wounds, such as cuts and scratches.

Major Wounds - 2
Minor Wounds - 0

Beist’s Transmutation Tonic ACTIVE
Wings
Breath Gland - Ice

Active Subclasses
Scarab
Transmuter

Passives

Gauntlets of Ginma (0/1 Hit Prevention)

SPOILER: Click to show

A pair of overgrown, magical gauntlets made of stone and covered in moss and small white flowers. These gauntlets provide one hit prevention, and allow the wearer to smash through stone as if it were glass, and lift natural boulders more than twice their weight. The abilities of these gauntlets will last as long as they have a hit prevention left.

Crystal Ball

SPOILER: Click to show

A small, weightless glass ball that is magical in nature but seems to have no unique qualities. It weighs nothing, can not be used as a weapon and appears to just float around your person. It can not be controlled or commanded, and passively hovers around you with a mind of its own. However this magical ball has a unique effect, it records everything that the owner sees, keeping a collection of their memories and experiences within the glass ball. While not in combat you can hold the glass orb and watch your memories play out through it. Whatever the glass orb was able to record can be retrieved and viewed later.

Arcane Glasses

SPOILER: Click to show

When wearing these special glasses, one can easily see magic in effect. By focusing their gaze and concentration on an object they can discern permanent enchantments from temporary enchantments, and even one wholly unskilled in magic can discern magic effects. While looking at a spell or enchanted weapon, you learn everything about that spell or enchantment. You can also identify what kind of magical effect or enchantment is placed on a weapon or item.

Disjoint Tattoo

SPOILER: Click to show

This tattoo allows you to manipulate your joints in a very abnormal way. This means you can do things like spinning your head completely around, rotate your arms and legs in awkward directions and even get creative with the way you move your limbs. This only effects the joints and does not apply to body parts that could not normally move.

Witcher Pitcher Leaf

SPOILER: Click to show

A tattoo of a leaf from the Witcher Pitcher plant found in the Marsh Flats. While dormant, this tattoo can detect magic, and will vibrate the closer it gets to rare and mysterious magic. It will ignore you and any of those you are frequently around, however if a new source of magic is detected, it will vibrate.

Once per topic you can activate the tattoo to cause two large plant vines to sprout from the tattoo, directed at someone within arms reach of you. The vines will wrap around one of the targets limbs and will prevent that person from using that limb or moving away from you for one post.

Tracker Extraordinaire

SPOILER: Click to show

On top of the Hunter’s Investigation Kit, they have a collection of heightened physical and innate senses. Physical senses such as smell, touch, hear, sight, and taste. Innate senses like, a perfect sense of direction, the feeling that something seems off or misplaced, and other such subconscious communications. This allows the hunter to pick up on clues or tracks that would other wise be hidden.

Vail’s rage is unyielding even as the queen voices her protest; it’s only when the massive figure falls still that his barrage ceases. The ashlander’s eyes widen as he realizes that his foe has fallen into slumber, likely the work of the other adventurers. For a brief moment his rage abates. His blue eyes stare down at the results of his strikes, seemingly pondering whether further aggression is warranted.

The ashlander’s grip releases as he rises to his feet, standing on the wounded neck. His eyes close momentarily as energy gathers around his fists^[1], when the sudden sound of a child’s voice catches his ears. His eyes shoot upward, catching sight of a small, armored, gremlin child soaring through the air with an oversized hammer. Realizing the oncoming collision, Vail hastens his plans, drawing his hands together as he aims them down at the queen’s nape.

In a burst of light, a beam erupts from Vail’s hands^[2], launching him upwards and out of Astrid’s impact zone. The ashlander soars through the air before landing on the watery landscape with a dramatic slide, holding one hand against the ground to slow his momentum. As he stops his eyes lock back onto the fae queen, watching for any movement after his and his fellow adventurers’ combined strikes.

---

Summary
Vail pauses his strikes as he realizes the queen his asleep. He enters the Art of the Soul trance before launching himself off the queen using the beam attack. He lands on the watery surface with an Akira slide reference.

1. Buff action: activates Art of the Soul
2. Offensive action: Fires Art of the Soul beam into the queens neck.

SPOILER: Click to show

Some monks ignore the elemental energy of the world around them and instead harness their own raw spirit. You enter a unique trance for the next three post, increasing the range of all your martial attacks by ten feet. When you make an attack with a melee attack, such as a punch or sword slice, a wave of spiritual energy will be released from the attack, allowing the attack to become ranged. Once during this duration, you can channel all of the spiritual energy to fire out a 20 foot long beam of raw energy. This will end the Art early but will prevent any one struck by the beam from using spells or class abilities for their next post.

Wounds: 1/3 Major, 1 Minor

Active passives:
Controlled Immunity - poison/toxic reduction
Bulls Strength Tattoo - Double Strength
Shadow Sight
Pass without a trace
Hands are weapons
Iron Grip
Dashing Enchantment: Master Unarmed built-in enchantment
Two Piece
Hands are weapons
Berserkers Rage (2/3) posts
Art of the Soul (1/1) Begun and Ended same post
Undying Rage

Equipped items:
Phantom Plate (Cuirass) (3/3)HP
Smoldering Cape (Clothing)
Hand Wraps (Unarmed Weapon): Life Link, Cold Iron, Double Strike

Gwendolyn barks out orders at her crowd, directing them to attack the burgeoning bomb that was the shield around Keyke. Siathriah had dissipated herself when it was obvious the threat to her rule was no longer apparent. Meanwhile, Gwen uses the chaos to sneak around to an unseen corner of the Fae Queen. She places a hand on the gross skin, and absorbs as much of the magic as possible.



Gwen Vs Queen attack action Major Vampiric Healing (That big succ)

Gwen Vs Queen attack action Minor Vampiric Healing (the tiny suc)

Mori Vs Keyke attack action Fire Bolt

Millicent Vs Keyke attack action Lightning Bolt

Jessica Vs Keyke attack action Ice Spike



Minor Vampiric Healing



You are able to heal surface level wounds, light burns, and regain energy through a minor feeding of arcane or lifeforce energy. This process leaves the donor feeling tired and lightheaded due to arcana or blood loss; they may have trouble remaining steady, or casting spells.
This may be used on animal or humanoid NPC's or PC's.





Major Vampiric Healing



You are able to heal deep wounds, severe burns, and even regenerate amputated limbs through a major feeding of arcane or lifeforce energy. This process leaves the donor feeling exhausted; they will be on the verge of passing out due to loss of arcane or blood loss. They will be unable to fight or cast spells, and may be at risk of death if left untreated.
This may only be used on humanoid NPC's or PC's.


Ice Spike

You create a large spike made of pure ice in your hand. This spike is about as long as a spear and can be used just like one. It has a pointed tip, making it great for stabbing and piercing. It can also be thrown for ranged damage. If it stabs into something, it will break, leaving a chunk of ice behind.


-Fire Bolt -By summoning a small mote of flames in your hand, you can then fire the bolt outwards to deal fire damage. A small basketball sized ball of fire forms and can be held in hand until ready to fire. It can be fired up to medium ranges and splashes when it collides with something.

-Deals fire damage-



-Lightning Bolt: By pointing your finger, you send forth a thin, quick beam of lighting shooting out. It will crackle and course through the air in a straight line, blasting through anything in the path of your finger. While it is a thin, easy to dodge beam, it delivers a high amount of damage.

-Deals lightning damage-

Javal leans against the snow barricade he created and feels the heavy impacts of the Fae Queen’s tail as it slams against it. Thankfully it manages to tank the damage enough for him and Nadia to not be hurt. The fellblood raised his head over the wall to look towards the field checking if it was all clear before booking it towards the final boss as fast as he could. Nadia follows quickly behind holding on to the Ray bow tightly as they get closer to the main action.

The moon elf kneels on one foot and aims her final shot against the queen seeing her dazed state, she pulls against the bowstring and aims directly between her closed eyes firing an arrow of light toward her head.

A wide excited grin appears on the fellblood’s face as he calls out, “Evil creature, your grave misdeeds and threats to the innocent people of Charon have gone on long enough. May the call of justice and conviction guide my strike. Uriel heeded my call and granted me the strength to serve this villain's judgment. Now Fae Queen your evil nature shall be judged here and now so count up your sins”.

Javal places every single ounce of power and strength he has into his arms as he charges forward. Swinging his blade into the air and catching it in his arms almost as if he were dancing adds momentum to Theseus’s power (1). He then closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before raising his blade in the air and yelling as loud as he could, “JAVAL STYLE: FAE QUEEN KILLING SLASH”, (2) slashing down against her with all of his weight before twisting his grip on the handle of his sword reversing the direction of his slash and cutting upwards.

SUMMARY:

Nadia fires off her final ray bow shot. Javal gives a conviction filled speech dispelling and discouraging the fae queen's evilness. He then runs towards her using blade dance to gather momentum on his sword. He then uses Gerhart's Final Strike buffed by his passives to land a super strong katana slash on the Fae Queen. 

Javal is at the INSIDE THE PORTAL

---

Javal Zarrias
1. Buff Action: Blade Dance
2. Offensive Action: Gerhart’s Final Strike (Passives: Bull’s Strength, Angelic Light, Water, Double Strike)
Nadia Sadrine
1. Offensive Action: Fires off Ray Bow

Taki watched with a bit of vicious delight as those within the Portal's strange battlefield sensed the Queen's waning strength. Powerful spells, flashy attacks, and precious kept secrets were being hurled at the writhing mass of a Fae. Confident, she waded forward along the creature's body as various spell's effects washed over and through her. This was perhaps the most exhilarating experience she'd had yet with her new skills, though it was one she was grateful to be wrapping up. With a light and graceful step, the Orochi sailed high over the creature's back. While tumbling through the air, her wildly flailing weapon returned to her pack before coming to a silent landing.

After a brief moment to gauge her distance, and proximity to the others, she pulled two slips of paper from her robes. Scrawled with intricate arcane symbols, intertwined with traditional calligraphy, they were an interesting tool that produced a surprising array of effects. This pair were the most offensive among those she herself could make, and would add quite nicely to the many devastating abilities being unleashed by the other adventurers. Charging the talismans with a gentle coaxing of her own mana, Taki sent them flying towards the Queen with a quick flick of the wrist. The pair of projectiles followed one another, tandem to each other with a split second of travel time between. As the first made contact with the Queen's body, it burst with incredible kinetic and pyrotechnic force. As the first explosive blast dissipated into trails of thick, pungent smoke, the second scroll triggered.

A voluminous cone of multicolored fire hungrily expanded outward towards the Queen, it's blistering petals colored in hues of purple, then pink, white, yellow-orange, and lastly a deep red. The blossoming cone of flame pressed it's searing embrace into the spot Taki had just blasted a moment before, whistling and screeching angrily as the air tried to contend with the sudden change in pressure, temperature and velocity. Seeing the effects of the scrolls always was fascinatingly terrifying, but being right up next to them was something right out of a fictional war novel. How that kind of effect could be produced from a slip of paper and some ink still unnerved the former shaman in many ways, though the skill involved in creating them was no simple matter.

Ready for whatever final, desperate flailing the Queen might offer, Taki watched the unfolding string of attacks ready to continue.

---

Summary: Taki watches for a moment as the portal party unleash powerful attacks and spells, then adds her own to the mix. First to land is the Concussive Scroll, followed quickly by the Fire Flower Scroll (Talismans) while she enjoys the wonderful benefits of Finale 2: Serpent Boogaloo

Taki - 0/6 Wounds, 3/3 HP, 1/1 HP vs. Fire

Action 1: Concussive Scroll
Action 2: Fire Flower Scroll

Rina - 2/4 Wounds, Flitten

Action 1: None - hiding out

Kamina - 2/4 Wounds, Lightning Pixie II

Action 1: None - hiding out

SPOILER: Click to show

Prestige: Sharpshooter 4, Shadow Dancer 4, Brawler 3, BV: Dancer 4

Subclasses: Oniwanban Shadow, Oniwanban Footsoldier

Passives: Aura of Vulcadreus, Surface Scaling, Silent Step, Mystic Bells, One with the Shadows, Shooter's Sense, Far Sight, Quick Draw, Hands are Weapons, Iron Grip, Fighter's Sense, Throwing Arts

Items: 4/12

Augments: Baloth Muscles x7, Bull's Strength, Claws, Disjoint, Extra Arms, Fangs, Gills, Prehensile Tail, Tongue Lash, Troll King's Heart, Kijin Guisegraft

Wearing: Morph Suit, Spring Broach, Summer's Embrace Cloak, Kishin Earthswimmers, Fire Dancer's Bangles

Weapons: Kusarigama [Tourney Favor], Folding Shuriken, Hydra Blood Needles, Walking Sword, Gun Brace, Monk's Spade

Misc: Dragon/Storm/Blizzard Chocolate, Spirit Bottle, Tent, Tool Pouch, Medical Kit, House Key, Sleigh Bell [Rina]

It is a mercy that the end of this mess finally seems like it’s in sight.

It’s usually a good sign– or at least partially a good sign– when the haughty airs of the force you’re fighting finally start to drop: when their tongue goes blunt and they can’t think of anything else to say or do but express just how angry they are. It’s an indicator that they’ve lost the upper hand and the confidence that comes with it, and that no matter how much is left to chip away, victory is getting closer by the moment.

Kvasir couldn’t be happier at this point, really; this whole ordeal feels like it’s lasted ages, and more than anything, he just wants this to wrap up as quickly as it can so he can walk on back to the Oasis, dissolve into an overindulgent hour-or-two-long bath– flowers and bath oils non-negotiable–, and then sleep through an entire day to follow.

…Realistically, of course, he’s well aware that no such thing will happen, and that he’s not even really the sort to just… disappear after something like this; he has his responsibilities as a doctor, and the first thing he needs to do as soon as this mess has truly concluded is go around and treat people’s wounds, evaluate any damage, offer whatever help he can, so on and so forth. That always takes precedence, no matter what: it’s his life’s work, at the end of the day, and so he can let himself rest once he’s certain everyone present is as put-together as they can possibly be before they go.

It’s still nice to fantasize a little bit, though, even if he knows he’s not going to give himself the time off. At least he can definitely make the bath happen. It may be a while off, but it can definitely happen.

And based on the sheer quantity of glitter Morrigan Moonweaver is electing to grace the whole battlefield with, it’s really going to need to, as well.

…That, too, is an affair for later.

All Kvasir can do for now is sigh and launch himself right back into action– which seems to be the correct move, considering the Queen is both restrained and weakened, meaning that there is no better time than now to strike with everything he possibly has.

Others seem to be echoing the sentiment: there’s a whole flurry of steel and spells headed the Queen’s way– enough so that Kvasir almost feels bad for her. Almost.–, each of them promising as much power and devastation as their wielders can possibly muster. Well, even though Kvasir would hardly call himself anything of a prime combatant, he’s an archer and a mage as well as a medic, and so regardless of the fact that his hands were sculpted for stitches, bandages, and salves, a bow feels just as natural as any of them.

A surge of light flowers to life in his palm, floating forward and blossoming outward into a platform much like the ones from earlier, and Kvasir is quick to step onto it and send it up to a respectable point in the sky– nothing too far up, but just high enough to give him a decent view of the Queen. [1] It’s certainly better than staring up from the ground, of course– with targets as big as these, sometimes it’s better to… make your surroundings adapt to you instead of adapting to your surroundings.

As soon as he’s perched at a decent point, Kvasir lifts Laleh-Vahzgun up again, the carvings on the curve and its bowstring already flaring with golden light, as though the sun itself was contained within it, as though it’s been urging him to take a shot for a while now. Hah. It’s funny– and terrifying–, really, how objects can gain a life of their own like this, how they can just… convey things without words or true actions. It’s not something to reflect on too much, though; above all else, he just needs to do what it seems like it’s asking.

…Gods above, that sounds crazy. Maybe he should ruminate on that some more another time.

Kvasir reaches back to pull an arrow from the quiver at his back, and as soon as he sets it in place, it blazes to life, burning like the sun as he draws the bowstring back and takes aim at the Queen. [2] [3] [4] He pauses for one moment, waiting, ensuring that he’s lined it up right–

And then he fires, and hopes that this will be the end of it.

---

SUMMARY: KVASIR cheers for the impending DEATH OF THE QUEEN (death to the monarchy), LAMENTS the GLITTER he will have to clean up, and CREATES A PLATFORM so he can get better leverage to SHOOT AN ARROW. Aided by his CELESTIAL BLESSING AND CHARGED LIFE SPARK EARRING, he FIRES AN ARROW at the QUEEN.

LYCORIS is having a very FUN TIME doing NOTHING.

1. Casts Wall of Light to use as an archer's perch

2. Fires an arrow at the Queen.

3. Life Spark Earring activated

4. Angelic Light

TEMP PASSIVES:

Blizzard Chocolate (unused)

Wall of Light - 1/3

WOUNDS:

- One MAJOR wound

PETS:

1. Lycoris, "Moth Dragon" (reflavored Snow Owl) - counts as a pet

SPOILER: Click to show

A strange moth Kvasir encountered in the Lantern Light Wood on a mission for the Consortium with Morrigan Moonweaver and Cantio von Lumen. This creature has the ability to manifest as a cat-sized moth around the house, bearing resemblance to a Death's Head Hawkmoth in terms of appearance, but when the time comes, it can transform into a vast, imposing moth-like dragon, capable of casting magic.

Can cast Snow Flurry and Heavy Blizzard once per topic.

2. Sparkle-lings (reflavored Snowlings) - do not count against NPC cap

SPOILER: Click to show

A round bottle of what appears to be never-melting snow... but tip the bottle, and snowlings will pour out. Snowlings, little round snowballs (about the size of a golf ball) with legs, are eager to help perform tasks, chores, carry an item, or cause a distraction— but they have no combat abilities, and cannot speak. The entire group of Snowlings may be assigned one type of task at a time.

PASSIVES:

- Night Vision

SPOILER: Click to show

Any and all eyes you have are altered to be able to see in the dark. These eyes are given the ability to see regardless of how dark it is. This does not effect your normal eye sight and will not hinder you if it is bright out. These only work in normally darkness and will not see in darkness created by magic.

- Controlled Immunity

SPOILER: Click to show

Gaining mastery over the human body has increased your control over your own body. You have now become resistant to poison and toxins, your body able to fend them off with ease. Any poison or toxic effect last for one turn less on you and will not effect you as much as normal.

- Angelic Light

SPOILER: Click to show

The light within the celestial now flows through you, invigorating you and filling you with holiness. All of your physical attacks now deal light damage in addition to their normal damage types, so your sword slices, arrows strikes and hammer smashes all deal light damage, making you effective against those of evil and death. Your attacks that deal light damage now deal double damage against those who are of the Evil Alignment.

- Morrigan Moonweaver's Eternity Ring

SPOILER: Click to show

A single ornate ring that is said to magically bind itself to your soul upon receiving the ring. This ring is not for you to wear, instead it is meant to be given to another like someone you love, trust, care about or value immensely. While someone is wearing your ring, they are able to read your emotions or mood, and tell if you are happy, sad, scared, etc. The wearer of your ring is also able to cast one spell, or use one martial/stealth ability that you own (is in your inventory) once per topic. They cast the ability at the same level you posses (Novice, Master or Exalted) and can be used without needing to be in the topic together. A ring can only be bound to one person at a time and you cannot wear multiple peoples' rings.

- Life Spark Earring

SPOILER: Click to show

A small, yellow sun shaped ear ring that can be attached to the ear in any manner. Worn by paladins, clerics and battle medics to dish out damage while still protecting their comrades. While this is worn, if you healed someone last post, all of your damage this post will ignore resistances, immunities and hit preventions.

- Inked Marking (from Hyll)

SPOILER: Click to show

The Quillomancer's tool of the trade is a small, glass vial of black writing ink, which all Quillomancers keep on them. By infusing your magic into this ink, you can place your hand on a target, transferring the ink onto their skin in the form of a tattoo of your own design. You can make three tattoos per topic, which are permanent and stay until the end of the topic, morphing back into ink when the topic ends. Anyone who has an Inked Marking will be able to telepathically communicate with others who also have an Inked Marking, even if they are unable to see one another. Those with an Inked Marking will also know the exact whereabouts of others with the markings, able to speak with and track others affected by the tattoos. An individual can only have one Inked Marking applied.

Lady Kamille Verlithax can hear her thanks to the magics of the inked markings, but Cypress Springleap can't, then. Good to know.

"Thank you most kindly for your generous offer, Miss Kamille. Would that I could more eagerly accept the invitation, but my plans for after the dust settles on all of this are... uncertain."

This Fae Queen may ultimately fail in her attempts to literally devour Charon, but her machinations have succeeded in eating away at Beak's confidence about her place in all this. The way those knights told her to her face that the only thing wrong here was what an undead such as herself would be doing venturing so close to a populated area, as if they'd rather she just rot by herself in a lonely swamp somewhere. As if that wasn't what she'd already been doing for decades before she finally, finally met anyone willing to look beyond her appearance and make her feel welcome. And what became of them? Oh, right; those same knights screamed "NECROMANCER!" and drew their swords on them for the crime of healing themselves.

And she knows that wasn't just the charm spell speaking, either. Maybe when the knights are themselves again, they'll admit that this weird mushroom illusion city wasn't natural. They may even very grudgingly offer some sort of thanks for rescuing them. But they still won't be comfortable with Beak's presence. No one--or at least no one in a position of authority--ever is.

"And I do believe this is my stop. Thank you ever so kindly... and give Miss Cypress my thanks, as well. If more people were like you, things... might be different."

She gives Cypress a friendly nod to at least acknowledge that she heard her, but otherwise departs before explaining or elaborating on that thought any further. She has business to attend to, now.

The Queen.

She runs forward.

Time slows down. Not for any magical reasons, mind. She's simply in that state of mind where she's so focused, where her thoughts are in a million places at once yet simultaneously all directed with the same level of clarity at the same target, that she feels like days pass between when one foot strikes the ground and when the other follows it. The rest of the world fades away. It's just her and the Queen.

When she heard word of this threat to the realm, she stood shoulder to shoulder with her family in defense of it. This is the part where she was expecting to give some grand speech about how this is our world, how after fifty years she's finally found her place in it, and how she won't let anyone take that away again.

But they already have, haven't they?

She's alone now--surrounded by fellow adventurers everywhere, many of which are undoubtedly as kind-hearted as her cloud-riding saviors are--yet she hasn't felt this alone since her days in the swamp. Her loved ones gave her the courage to stop hiding, to trade away her walking stick, to face this threat and the world without having to disguise herself anymore... and the world rejected her. And them. She can hardly give the Queen a rousing "this is our world" speech when it's not.

She had such plans when that spark of life was finally returned to her. She was going to save everyone. She was going to change the world.

But this is their world, and it doesn't want to be changed.

One foot hits the ground.

So, what's left for a simple unwanted undead?

Another.

Why keep fighting for those who will never thank you?

And another.

Spite. Pure, raw, unmitigated spite.

It's not the most inspirational or heartwarming answer, but when she's searching desperately for a reason it's still worth standing up again when she's knocked down, it'll do. The Queen devoured Beak's future. Beak will stop her from devouring Charon--not to save anyone, but just to make sure the Queen can't have it.

And there she is.

Closing the distance in the blink of an eye, the wrathful wraith attacks with a blur-like flurry of blows.¹ Every frustration, every setback, every ounce of bitterness she's ever felt is driven right into Her Majesty's big stupid face, the way one would attack a punching bag just to blow off steam. Once the flurry winds down, she caps it off with one final blow. Her every drop of remaining strength, her anger, her resentment... she's feeling so many things right now and she pours all of them to punching the Queen as hard as she can with one final, mighty, decisive blow², making sure to use the cold iron glove just for good measure. Because up yours, that's why.

She doesn't know what the future holds for anyone, least of all her and her family, but she knows that this Queen will not be a part of it.

---

SUMMARY:
Beak expresses her gratitude toward Lady Kamille Verlithax and Cypress Springleap , angsts, and takes out her aggression on the downed Queen in one final defiant display of what Ibekki warriors once offered this world. By which we mean Beak beats the stuffing out of her.

Ending round INSIDE THE PORTAL, IN MELEE RANGE WITH THE QUEEN.
¹ Action 1 (Attack): Standard attack on the Queen

• Body enhancement (Unarmed Mastery): Double Strike
• Clawed Glove: Unarmed, Slashing, Hand to Hand, Serrated
• Blackfeather Glove: Unarmed, Bludgeoning, Hand to Hand, Offhand, Cold Iron, Dash
  

² Action 2 (Attack): Lunging Haymaker on the Queen

• Blackfeather Glove: Unarmed, Bludgeoning, Hand to Hand, Offhand, Cold Iron, Dash

SPOILER: Click to show

Health and Status
- 1/3 Major Wounds taken

Sources of healing used up this Raid Event
- Meditate

Weapons
- Clawed Glove

• Attributes: Unarmed, Slashing, Hand to Hand
  
• Enhancements: Serrated
  

- Blackfeather Glove

• Attributes: Unarmed, Bludgeoning, Hand to Hand
  
• Enhancements: Offhand, Cold Iron, Dash
  

Active Items
- Luminous Medallion (reflavored Sun Heart Ring)

• Lighting up the area immediately around Beak

Active Passives
- Fluency

• Can understand all intelligent languages (i.e., excluding animal speech)

- Inked Marking from Lady Kamille Verlithax

• 0/2 Hit Preventions used (Hit Preventions are specifically vs. spells of any domain)
• Can communicate telepathically with Lady Kamille Verlithax as a free action

- Art of the Iron Fist (3/3 posts--will expire next round)

• Extra Earth damage to melee attacks
• 0/1 Hit Preventions used per limb

Cooldown status
- All abilities fully recharged and ready to use again

With their one chance in sight, the adventurers, large and small, launch into a barrage of attacks. Punches are thrown, arrows make their mark, weapons collide with flesh, magic tears through the strands of kelp-like hair, a tornado, fireball, and beam all batter the giant fae’s form while attacks aim to tear her limb from limb. And not to mention the explosion of glitter to the face.

The queen, unable to move or defend herself is obliterated. Her body turns to black ichor, and beads of it scramble to escape but are caught in the crossfire. A few zip by only to be picked off by the remaining knights who have come to their senses.

Not all is well though, as the fae’s form leeches into the sodden lands, tainting the waters black, the sky itself shatters like glass. The veil between the Queen’s domain and the reality the adventurer’s call home is collapsing in on itself.

There’s no time to waste as the adventurers are forced to collect those who have fallen in battle, and flee back through the rips in the fabric of time and space.

On the other side, the knights are quick to aid those making their return, and hastily evacuate the immediate area once everyone is accounted for.

For a moment, things look dire as the air warps and shifts unnaturally from the destabilization. There’s a loud boom, almost like thunder with too much reverb and the distortions seem to fold in themselves, pulling the odd colors from the surrounding grasses into them before blinking out of existence.

A few seconds of silence follow, then a light breeze rustles through the grasses. There’s no remnants of the city that once seemed to occupy the land where the battles took place, though there are signs that the battle happened. A crater here, an odd number of worm tunnels, a slain deeptusk, a few other scorched areas.

What happened here was real. At least some of it was. It is difficult to discern just how much was real and how much was all some elaborate trick of the senses…the possibility that the whole of the final battle had just been an elaborate rouse isn’t completely out of the question, at least not yet. More information would be needed to confirm what has transpired here on this day…but for now, that could wait.

For now, things seem to have returned to normal, whatever that is. Returning to Thunderhoof, the adventurers would find the knights are eager to ask questions, as well as consolidate what little they remember before they were mind controlled. There is a push for each and every adventurer to submit their testimony of the events that unfolded here so that the knights can provide a comprehensive report to the appropriate experts.

They, however, are not so proud as to not profuse their thanks for the service the adventurers have done for King’s Valley, and possibly all of Charon. They are also well aware of the care the adventurers took to incapacitate them without resorting to lethal force. Acknowledging this, the knights do look the other way when it comes to those adventurers who may not exactly fit the crown’s ideas of model citizen. It’s the least they can do.

With the danger seemingly passed, the adventurers now have a chance to process all they just experienced and decide what they will do next in response.

---

THIS IS THE CONCLUDING ROUND. 

This is the last round of the event! You can use this round to wrap up your character's involvement in the event to bookend their personal experience. There will be one final staff post at the end of the event that will summarize the greater affects this world plot event had on Charon as a whole. 

The deadline to get your reply in for this round is Tuesday October 8 at 11:59 pm ET

Fish feels themselves suddenly falling through the air as the fae queen explodes into an inky mess. The wound on their side still stings, the known risk they took to get in close and help set up this ending. Somewhere deep down Fish knew they were only a small part of the collective effort to take her down, but as they fell the prideful selfishness entered their thoughts.

They were the tiny little bird that toppled this massive monster. Without their knowledge of ki and intense physical training, this would not have been possible. Fish should be falling towards an adoring crowd ready to cheer them and shower them in praise for their bravery and prowess.

Instead they find themselves hitting the chest of a familiar fellblood.

"...hello Morrigan Moonweaver ."

"I've heard of it raining men, but never raining birds!"

For a brief moment, Fish considers grabbing their gun...but they don't. 9 times out of 10 Fish would despise being cradled like this, but given their injuries and what they can see on Morrigan as well it is not worth it today. It was hard not to recognize how much of a help Morrigan had been.

There was a very, very strange camaraderie between the two. Fish appreciated Morrigan's willingness to help figure out the magic of the portals without bickering back and forth. They also appreciated the fellblood similarly tossing themselves at this creature. Neither of them were the heroic types to land killing blows on grand beasts, but they were Knights of Galvance damnit. They could at the very least put on a show.

Fish catches Kvasir Sigurrós coming their way and hops down from Morrigan's arms. They do not wish to be caught inbetween the sap. Their eyes immediately flicker to the ichor, skittering off to collect a sample before it all escapes or is destroyed. This is also a convienient attempt to avoid the scolding from Uncle Doctor Kvasir for being reckless.

Regardless, this was certainly a big departure from what Fish would normally do. Even at the end of it they still couldn't quite articulate why they bothered to come out for this quest. They didn't particularly care about being a hero or the fae nonsense. So why were they here? It would have to be something they would consider for awhile after this event. Was this just a pre-emptive move to boost their reputation a bit to help their burgeoning informational network? Or was it the long lingering influence of Del and Cyran, pushing them outside of their comfort zone to help others? 

Hylltywyll paid little attention to the chaos of his surroundings, the attacks, explosions, and everything demolishing the Fae Queen, as he felt the dense magic being drained from the Fae Queen into him. Like drinking ice cold water, the powerful sea domain magic flowed down his throat and into his body. It took him a few moments to realize when the magic that felt like he was gulping down water suddenly was water as the Queen dissolved into a black ichor in his mouth and all around him. He'd already swallowed several mouthfuls of the stuff before he pulled away and coughed in disgust.

But he could already feel all that magic having an effect. He'd have his own sea domain magic soon. He could feel it. And he would make much better use of it than that stupid queen ever could. That water hand spell he borrowed was only a small taste.

The body of the Fae Queen fully dissolved and Hylltywyll standing on her back was lowered into the waters that were turning black with the inky remains. His summoned stone titan also dissolved into black seafoam and mixed with the water, though it seemed content after ripping one of her arms off and swallowing it. With him and all the adventurers around, that Queen didn't stand a chance. What her goal was, he had no idea.

Around him, little globs of what remained of the Queen were evidently trying to escape. It looked like she had a little more up her sleeve than expected, but those were being cut down by the knights who had returned to their senses. Returned to their senses, and, ugh, were taking statements from everyone. No thanks. Hylltywyll wasn't one for respecting authority figures. He got what he wanted, and now it was time to leave before he got caught in one of those collapsing distortions.

Well, except for one more thing he wanted to do. A little payback for some serious rudeness and cutting off his magic without his permission. Hylltywyll waded through the water quietly, sneaking up behind Morrigan Moonweaver with a toothy smile. Oh, were they giving some kind of heartfelt speech or something? Feeling serious feelings after a harrowing battle? That just made this even better.

With a chuckle and a wave of Hylltywyll's hand, Morrigan's head began to change. Hair morphed and shortened, the individual strands combining into thicker quills and then fanning out to form lilac feathers. More feathers grew to cover their bare skin. Neck elongated, head shrank and changed shape, and mouth and nose combined and stretched into a darker purple beak. In mere moments, Morrigan's head and neck had been replaced with a purple goose's.

Hylltywyll let out a cackle and then dove into a shadow, getting out of there before Morrigan could honk some kind of threat or curses at him.

With a loud ripping sound that echos across the battlefield, Giant Shaa tears the queens arm clean off. He then proceeds to repeatedly beat her with her own severed arm. Surely she did not see this or the other dozen attacks coming. Little did she know, the Fighters of Charon were getting a lot more experience than one would expect fighting off giant creatures. She was taking a beating from fighters and mages who knew what they were doing. Then, in an instant, the scene changed.

As Shaa continues his beat down, his strike lands and the surface of the queens head turns into black goo. Was that blood? No, Shaa knew better. It was yet another one of those body shifting goo monsters. And it was about to bail. No no no! Shaa screams out srptrinking with desperate fury. Even as he dies so, his improvised arm club melts in his giant hands, flowing down his massive arm. He feels his stomachs drop as the queen melts away into the inky water below. Soon, he finds himself dirty and standing alone amongst the dark water. Get back up here and fight! Shaa starts stomping around to no effect.

The sky above him cracks like broken mirror, causing even more chaos on the scene. The world was literally falling apart around them. For just a moment, Shaa considers staying. This was his chance to strike a definitive blow against these creatures rather than playing defense all of the time. He looks around and several fighters lay injured and unconscious from the battle. With a gruff in his throat, he opts to grab a couple fighters and escape with them through one of the rifts. As much as he wanted to finish this, Vulcana needed his immediate help and he dare not risk the extended battle. With a couple quick steps, they pass through rifts.

The next few moments are confusing. He finds himself his normal size and back in the tunnel that he had originally entered. Off to the side, lay the unconscious body of his trusty Sandworm Dusty who had become exhausted from his extended summoning. Shaa walks over and puts his hands on him. In a flash, the Sandworm vanishes back to its home.

Shaa walks back up through the tunnel and finds that the city that he had left had vanished from existence like the land he had just left. Had any of it been real? He looked around and saw several injured people, some signs of destruction and a dead Deep Tusk. Some of it had been real. His bruises certainly felt real. Shaa delicately takes Vulcana from the spot on his head. She was still unconscious but breathing. The fight was over and he had his priorities. With a nod to some friends, he headed quickly to Thunderhoof village. He was good friends with a certain healer there who would certainly be able to help him. Before he heads out, a releases another low growl deep in his throat. Next time, there would be no escape. 

Attacks rained down on the Queen's bound figure, Scern's wrath halting another gargantuan entity in it's tracks. As the beast on the mountain had, it burst into a gloppy rain of stinking blobs that sank into the marshy ground and turning the waters an inky black. Overhead, a loud crackling signalled the sky splitting apart, as if some great glass dome had been struck. Taki helped rally the others, grabbing an injured party in each of her unnaturally strong limbs (yes, even her tail was toting a weary soul, only her legs free to carry it all). Slipping through the portal, she deposited the injured at a makeshift medical tent the Knights had thrown together.

Taki takes a few moments to collect herself, the strain of using her latest skills making the Orochi's limbs thrum with spasms. Several deep breaths and a few gentle stretches later, and she was okay. Opening her bag, she set down in the grass.

"Alright you two... things are quieting down, for now at least."

There was the sound of tiny objects clattering about somewhere in the depths of her gear, when one of her 'toolkits' suddenly opened from it's end and two sheepish faces peered out at the awaiting serpentine muzzle above. It was unusual to see them so frightened, and it was tough for Taki to tell if they were shaken up by the experience or scared of how she'd react to the situation.

"W... we're sorry Taki... we just...."

Rina burst into tears, and Taki could see she was shaken up and a bit bruised from the impact of the shockwave.

"Is this really why you've gone so much?"

Kamina's question was almost as tough to hear as seeing Rina's tears. Reaching gently into her pack, she scooped the pair of tiny companions out and held them close.

"This is a part of why, yes, my work as of late has been more dangerous... the world at large has been more dangerous... I'm sorry for worrying you, and I'll try to make more time to spend with you both. Now just is a rough time, and I don't have a good way of keeping you safe while tackling situations like this."

The pair nodded, cuddling into Taki's embrace. When they'd calmed down, she had them return to their modified 'toolkit' and joined the others in going about the debriefing process. She wasn't unfamiliar with the process, though she found it grating to work with a few of the crown's personell. They repeatedly tried to pry information from her about her skills, gear, abilities, and any other snippets, but she diverted their questions all over the place until they gave up. Maybe all that time around Morrigan Moonweaver was finally starting to pay off..... Nah, nevermind... couldn't be. While the others seemed to be collecting themselves, she noticed Beak heading off on their own. While she knew they had their reasons for departing, Taki still gave the bony pugilist a warm hug and a few reassuring words to try and ease their mind.

When it was over, she bid farewell to the other adventurers, both known and unknown. There were a surprising number of folks she knew, and looked forward to more formal introductions to those she didn't in the future. Instead of taking a trek home, she pulled an ornate key from her robes and inserted it into a door. Turning the key¹, she opened a portal straight into her home in the Isles. Stepping through, she shut the door firmly behind her and retired to her study to take a much needed break from the day. There was even more work to be done ahead... but that could wait for another day... for now, Taki, Kamina and Rina could rest and recover.

---

1: Using House Key to head home after saying their farewells

A barrage of attacks brings forth the end of the queen. As her form collapses into black ichor, Astrid falls from what’s left of her into the murky water. The sky shatters above them, and Astrid looks up and around, trying to see what to do and deciding to leave it to Kamille to get Cypress to safety because the world is collapsing on itself.

Astrid looks around and spots Buttfellow who, after dealing a decisive blow under his own might, has lost the power to continue on in his active and alert mode. The runes etched into his form flicker weakly. There’s no time to gather everything up, so Astrid pushes on the golem with all her might and forces him through a portal before it collapses behind them, leaving his fallen arm to the mystery of the realm left behind. With a huff, Astrid circles around Buttfellow to take stock of how banged up he is. In all the time she’s had this working prototype, he far exceeded her expectations. It was bound to happen that he would fall apart. Today just happens to be the day that he finally did.

“Yer a bit scuffed, huh?” she laments, rubbing sweat from her face. Better Buttfellow than herself or Cypress. Glancing around, it seems like most folks made it out relatively in one piece. She’ll have to thank Kvasir for keeping Buttfellow on his feet when she takes Cypress to have tea with him. Right now, things are still a bit chaotic.

Speaking of… “Cypress!” Of course, Astrid worried about the satyr during the entire battle, but letting herself focus on that too much would have made for an even messier fight, and getting distracted means getting hurt. No, Astrid trusts the people here fighting for Charon to keep each other safe, and safe is how they stayed.

“OI! GRAN! CYPRESS!!” Astrid calls, waving to them on the cloud. “Stay here,” she barks to Buttfellow, who really doesn’t have a choice, because Astrid takes off through the air with the wind carrying her.^[1] She zips up to Cypress and scoops her into her arms or a hug. “HEY! Yer alright!! Good!” She casts a glance at the spirit beside Cypress who looks worse for wear. “Thanks,” she says simply, still having absolutely no fucking clue who that spirit is. The spirit gives a little nod then fades away along with the other spirit that has been following Astrid around.

Back to Cypress.

“Ya did great! Yer alright! I’m alright. Thin’s are fine!” she chirps after giving Cypress a once over. “Did Gran show ya how ta cast a fireball? That’s her thin’. Well, one a’ her favorite thin’s.” The half-dwarf casts a wink at Kamille before looking at Cypress again. “I’m glad ya stayed safe. How’d ya like yer first fight with a big world-endin’ creature?”

Once they finish their idle chatter, the whole idea of finishing their date crosses Astrid’s mind. Except… Well, this isn’t a great place for gathering plants anymore. “Maybe we could spend the rest a’ our date helpin’ out around here. Buttfellow's gonna need... a whole lot a' fixin' once we head back home.”

Down below, Buttfellow's other arm falls off.

---

1. Flight

Lady Kamille Verlithax Cypress Springleap

Oh, fantastic. After everything she did for the entire realm, and after having scorn and swords pointed at her and her family in return, Beak's reward is that the knights will look the other way and allow her to continue to exist. For now. This time.

No, of course she's not still bitter about how this whole episode went down, what are you talking about?

She has half a mind to find the knights who tried to arrest her and give her debriefing and testimony to them, just so she can give them another earful now that they're hopefully un-charmed enough to register it. But... what good would it do? In the end, she's still a skeleton. She's still a walking nightmare, not fit to associate with the good and innocent people of this fair realm, no matter how altruistic she tries to be. The best that ranting at the knights again would do is absolutely nothing; the worst is wearing out their "generosity" and getting her arrested again.

No, let the people the knights approve of have their moment. The part of her that still, even after everything, wants to do good in this world--or any world--feels ill at ease at the prospect of raining on the others' parades anyway, even if it is unfair. Would "if I can't have it, then no one can" type revenge really accomplish anything at this point besides prove all their prejudices about her kind right? And it's not like the others don't deserve their accolades, or that it'd be fair to them were she to crash any parties.

So... fine. She just won't get involved, then.

To those who weren't paying particularly careful attention when the battle ended--those who didn't know her, those who were more focused on the other adventurers in their immediate parties--Beak may as well never have returned from the collapsing portal. Sure, she did get out, but then she left without saying goodbye, so unless someone saw her leaving then there's effectively no difference between that and if she'd simply disappeared along with the Fae Queen's entire cursed realm.

She's fine, though. Somewhere, her family waits for her triumphant return. Every last drop of bitterness in her bones melts like snow in spring when she reminds herself of that.

Yes...

She's going home.

For an undead, the Last Ibekki Voidrunner has never felt more alive.

Once again, Charon’s heroes had come together to defeat something greater than life. Their combined forces - and some punches to the face with her own arm - made the Queen collapse into a black ichor. Her true essence, it would seem. And as far as Kamille’s fascination for the fae went, she couldn’t help but feel her essence to be tainted, in a way.

Cursed.

There was more to it. And she needed to know more.

The sky split open around them, as the illusion of the city faded and they returned to the world as they knew. One of the first things she notices is a loud roar above, as Kalaf expressed his… contentment, perhaps… in seeing her once again.

She finally took her mask off, revealing her half-elven features for the first time since the fight started, and her timing was on point: Lady Astrid Stormstone approached the cloud, taking Cypress Springleap into a hug.

It took all that she had in her not to squeal before the sight of the two girls embrace. But when Astrid took half a step back, she couldn’t contain any longer.

Bringing both of them close into a tight hug, Kamille releases them almost as quickly, but not without giving each one a kiss on the forehead. The Witch looked tired, maybe a bit stressed, her hair an angry black cloud around her head - but her smile was striking and bright.

“You girls did great, both of you! I’m so proud of you both! Ohhhhh you two are just lovely!”

Kamille didn’t seem to contain herself with excitement, but seemed to take a hint when Astrid mentioned a date, giving the girl a subtle wink and half a step back.

“When you girls are ready to get some tea, you know where to find me. Take good care of this lovely lady, Astrid.”

With that, Kamille would take her leave. Her cloud had approached the ground just enough to let everyone down safely, dramatically exploding in a puff of static and lightning. Just in time for her ride home, as Kalaf flew right towards them. The great drake landed a good couple yards away, as he was aware the small things tended to get spooked easily - but also quickly covered the distance that separated them.

He sniffed the air around.

And growled.

“What is this foul smell?”

“I guess it’s the fae queen. Don’t you want to take a bite?”

Kalaf shook his massive head in disgust. He took a bite of something that he regretted. No, it looked like that @shitakibo shaman was right. The fae shouldn’t be eaten.

The Witch chuckled, and then took a moment to look around. People were wounded, but not mortally so, and she would help them get the proper heal they needed.

Touching her Inked marking, she sent a message to Fish the Tinkerer:

“You were awesome today, Fish. I loved seeing you around.”

She thought for a moment, then sent a message to the stranger she exchanged just a few words with:

“Take care, Beak. Don’t worry, you have a place in this world.”

Kamille would stay long enough to aid the wounded, reuniting with Hektor, Poe and Disaster. The day had been long, and despite her will of investigating the happenings further, there would be a time for that.

With tiredness weighing the group, eventually they allowed themselves to be carried by Kalaf back home, where all the explanations and stories could wait a little bit longer.

...Yet, pushing herself through the fatigue, the Witch locked herself in her office to write a few letters.