Fantasy World Creations

Location: ???
Date: ???

When you woke up, you found yourself floating seemingly in midair. You were clothed in civilian clothing, and you soon realized it was your own clothes. The memories of what had just happened flooded into you then, but there were no wounds at all. You were surrounded in complete darkness, save for a glowing sphere-like structure was in front of you. It looked like an eye of some sort, and eventually, it began to speak.

Carrie looked on for a moment, not quite believing what she was seeing. Perhaps seeing wasn't the right word. Given the lack of wounds, it was clear to her that the images weren't being perceived through a set of eyes. She wondered then briefly just how she was seeing before the weight of the words the orb had apparently spoken finally sunk in. This was the afterlife. Carrie had died.

On the one hand, she had known what the outcome of the battle was going to be. She had called in a massive airstrike on her own position, after all. On the other, she now had a chance to think back on her choices with the benefit of hindsight. Her family was going to be devastated by the news of her demise. For all they had worried about her while she had been deployed overseas on highly classified operations, to lose her after she had been brought back state-side to train new recruits would be a particularly harsh blow.

She knew that her Father would take the news particularly hard. While her mother had been dead-set against Carrie joining the Marine Corps, her father had been exceptionally proud of her decision to follow the same set of ideals that had led him to enlist when he had been her age. She knew that he would likely blame himself to some degree for setting her on the path that he had. The fact that it was unlikely there would be much left of her to bury wasn't going to help matters. She only hoped that whatever accolades she had earned during her final day on earth would give the retired gunnery sergeant that was her father enough solace to carry on. Carrie knew that there would be no consoling her mother though. Even if she had gone out of the world in about as spectacular a fashion as it was possible to, the simple fact was that no parent is ever meant to bury their child.

Strangely, Carrie herself felt little sorrow concerning the end of her life. What little she did feel was reserved for those who cared about her, and would no doubt suffer greatly for her loss. Carrie had enjoyed life to the fullest while she was alive. Even though her time had been relatively short, she didn't have any regrets. Only fond memories remained. Carrie realized that she hadn't left anything unfinished. She had no loose ends to tie up. She was at peace. It was with this understanding of the situation that she finally responded to the blue glowing ball before her.

"That was one hell of a ride.", she commented, then inquired with mild confusion, "What exactly am I looking at here?"

The being spoke, but in a very monotone voice. When it spoke, the glow that made it up seemed to flash. It was much like seeing a person move his mouth to speak, but instead of movement, the glow of light would either get brighter or dimmer.

"This is my domain. To others, it is a void. But for you, it's a simple stop until your next destination. This is a place between worlds, where there is nothing but what I will to be here."

Right next to it, a projection of some sort appeared, it was a recording of what looked to be the metallic creatures who seemed to be in some sort of dark void, similar to space but without stars, bashing into something, forming cracks on it. Eventually the cracks gave way, showcasing a view of your hone planet in between the cracks.

"Their presence. A mistake."

Next, the image on the projection changed. It was now one of you succumbing to your bleeding wounds the moment you had killed the metallic creature.

"Your death. A mistake."

Next the images changed again, and this time it show-cased many flashing images of destruction one after another, on every part of the world.

"3,583,233,843 human lives lost. A mistake."

The being willed you to move closer, and you found yourself drifting closer to it, it seemed to loom over you, almost staring into your eyes, if it even had one.

"Your presence here. A mistake." It paused for a few seconds.

"A second chance you will be given. Reparations must be granted."

As Carrie watched and listened, in abject horror at the images flashing before her, she finally found her voice as she began to question one of the core values that had comprised her world view.

"Three point five billion lives lost because of some colossal cosmic fuckup?", she spat acerbically, "So much for the idea of an all knowing, all powerful god running the show."

Carrie then realized in that moment that one of the common phrases she had uttered over the course of her life wasn't actually true.

"So not everything is part of a big master plan after all........", she notes with growing disappointment, "I feel like a complete idiot."

While Carrie had heard the mention of a second chance, her focus remained firmly planted on the gravity of the preceding revelation that nearly half the human population had been wiped out, and the fact that her entire world view, indeed the very foundation upon which her core values had been built, had just been completely upended.

Carrie had already begun to consider the many different ways her life could have potentially unfolded had she known what she now understood to be true. Faith, it seemed, could not be the answer to any of life's questions, even if there was some form of cosmic entity waiting to greet her at the end. Clearly, fallibility was not the exclusive domain of mankind. She now wondered if a cosmic being like the glowing blue orb before her was capable of learning from a mistake as any human being would. Finally, after a great deal of introspection in a very short time, Carrie responded to its last utterance.

"What exactly is involved with this second chance?", she inquired warily. While she didn't know if this specific being was responsible for the error that had left half the human race dead or not, she wasn't about to simply trust it blindly. Not after that sort of disclosure.

"Correction. There are 486 beings known as gods. Your race's faith in predestination is an incorrect assumption. Levels of sovereignty affect probability, and upon equal measures there is no guaranteed continuity."

"Your second chance will involve a new world. Your old world is an invalid target. Complications arise. Binding laws forbid it."

"As reparations. I will grant boons to ensure life is satisfactory in the next world."

His next words didn't come off as a question.

"Accept."

"I suppose that would create something of a paradox if I suddenly reappeared after that mess.", Carrie replied a bit disappointed she couldn't simply pick up where she had left off. The revelation that no deity controlled her fate was at once both mollifying and yet liberating. Regardless of the disappointment Carrie felt over not being able to go back where she came from, the prospect of starting over with this new knowledge seemed more than trivially appealing. It would be, after all, better than staying dead. With a sigh, Carrie responds to the monotone entity. Despite still having a great deal of thinking to do, she could at least give the being her answer.

"Fine. Just try not to drop me in whatever world those things came from, would ya?"

Carrie couldn't help but crack wise at the cosmic entity, knowing now that they were no more perfect than she was.

"Arguable, the source of the metallum. However, your request is granted to the limitations of their nature."

A glow of light suddenly appeared next to you. It was bright to look at, but for some reason, it wasn't hurting your eyes at all. You also were gently lowered, and you found that you were able to stand on your two feet. The ground though, was invisible, it was as if you were stepping on the air itself somehow.

"Step through the portal. State your final requests or comments."

As Carrie eyed the portal warily, a thought occurred to her, given that the being didn't actually know with certainty where the creatures, Metallum it had called them, had come from. She decided that it would be worth a try to take the being up on its offer to state a final request.

"When I step out the other side, I'd like to be decked out in a fresh set of my standard issue gear.", Carrie tentatively requested, "If that's not possible, at least let me keep what I'm wearing. As much as that could even apply in this situation..... I'd just rather not be stepping through a portal to who knows where with literally nothing. You follow?"

Carrie makes this request as she approaches the portal. Regardless of the answer, favorable or not, she would walk through once it was known.

The light around you started to get brighter and brighter, overpowering anything else. Finally when the being was almost out of sight, you heard it's response.

"Your request. Granted."

---

Location: New World - ???
Date: Day 1

When the light disappeared, you found yourself standing, in your arms was your standard issue M4 Carbine. Double checking everything else, you seemed to be fully equipped. You even had a fairly heavy backpack on as well.

All of a sudden, a stream of notifications appeared in a translucent green window.

At that moment, some sort of snake-lady called out to you.


There were other snakewomen in there, and they all had bowed their heads.

Carrie's first sight as she entered the new world being some sort of translucent green window like would be found in a game thoroughly confused her. The list of notifications puzzled her as well but was relatively informative. Summoned hero for one, made a bit of sense given how she had just entered the world. Translate all was plain as day. It also left her thoroughly annoyed. A linguist who didn't need to make use of foreign languages to communicate wasn't going to have any fun learning new ones. Magic reflect and magicless left Carrie more curious than confused. If the world she had just entered did indeed have some form of actual magic, reflecting it would be an incredible boon for someone that didn't know the first thing about it. Program and programmer seemed to indicate that the world she had just entered had at least some level of technology involving computers. Otherwise, she reasoned, what good would anything having to do with programming be? The final few lines were the ones that left Carrie somewhat in disbelief. Level up. Level 26. She didn't have any time to express herself on the point though as a voice suddenly caught her attention. Turning to see that the speaker wasn't exactly human, and the snake-like visage wasn't some trick of the light or a fluke, Carrie utters the first words of her time in the new world.

"Right. Now I've seen fuckin' everything."

Carrie sighs, briefly face-palming at the perceived absurdity of the whole scene. She had expected a different world, but hadn't stopped to wonder just how different it was going to be. Realizing that this was her new reality, Carrie takes a moment to mentally compose herself before responding, electing not to immediately answer the snake-woman's plea but to inquire about the cause.

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific than that.", she informs one upright reptillian woman, "Which humans are you referring to, and what exactly are they doing that you're seeking to be liberated from?"

Carrie was certainly no friend to any tyrant or bully anywhere, but when it came to giving anybody the benefit of the doubt, today was simply not the day for it. Carrie would be more than happy to aid the beings that had apparently summoned her, if they turned out to be forthright with her about the situation. Carrie was, however, very aware of the fact that she had been brought to this world specifically because this group wanted something from her. She sincerely hoped that she wouldn't discover an attempt at manipulation.

"I'm sorry hero... Let me explain." Synithise said. You noticed when she talked, her mouths moved differently than the sounds you were hearing in your head.

"I am the clan matriarch of my people, my name is Synithise. You are in the kingdom of Darmona. The humans call this the 'Monsterkin Kingdom', and they don't... they don't really treat us like people." She sighed. "There's a lot to go through... We could serve you some food then we can continue talking?" She asked.

"I wouldn't mind something to eat..."

Seeing a complete lack of hostility followed by a proper introduction, Carrie reciprocates and removes her helmet before introducing herself as well.

"My name's Carrie.", she answers, momentarily puzzled by the appearance of a 'bad dub' when speaking with someone face to face before recalling the notification about a 'translate all', "I won't turn down your hospitality, but I hope you won't be offended if I don't have much of an appetite. After what I've seen already today, I'm not sure a full meal would stay put. I could very much go for a stiff drink right about now though."

Carrie's voice at the moment begins to convey the full weight of the day's events beginning to catch up with her, as well as a haunting sense of the sheer abject madness that she had not so long ago been caught up in. She was beginning to suffer from a case of mental and emotional overload, and for the first time in her life the idea of dulling her wits actually had a certain appeal to it. Well, second life anyway. That thought wouldn't get out of Carrie's mind and it was really starting to bother her. She hoped that an opportunity to relax and unwind while learning a thing or two about a new culture would help to calm her gradually fraying nerves. Even if that new culture happened to be some sort of snake people.

Carrie muttered under her breath, "This is my new normal now isn't it?"

The snake lady, Synithise, nodded as she beckoned you forward. She then started to lead the way as the other snakewomen moved out of the way.

"Hero Carrie. Well, that's fine! I like both food and drink." She said, perhaps a little too eagerly. "But... Yes, I suppose this is your new life..." Synithise said staring carefully at you watching your reactions, and gauging how you'll react. She continued to speak before you could interrupt however.

"But you'll have food! So don't worry about that! We are also prepared to give you anything you desire, if we can provide it... Our country is rather fragmented after our queen left us, but we, the Lamia Priestesses, have treasures that we've gathered over the hundreds of years..." Eventually the two of you made it to a room a short distance away from where you were first brought here. She pointed over to a well-adorned long table, with two chairs on it. On the table were all sorts of different food stuffs, primarily meats, but there were things that looked like salads and bread as well. There were some goblets that were filled with a red wine of some sort as well. Two other snakewomen had followed behind, the two of them holding guard at the door.

"These are human food... One of the things I like about your people is actually the food." She licked her lips out of habit as she stared at the table. "But, please, come and enjoy yourself."

One of the guards who had followed spoke next.

"It's because of Synthise that we learned all of this... But truth be told, the ritual to summon hero was foretold to always be a human, so it's our custom to prepare dishes like these." The guard explained while Synithise herself seemed to be staring at the food perhaps too fondly.

---

Whether or not you chose to eat the food, Synithise would start gorging herself on the foodstuff. Often times, speaking with her mouth still full.

"These underground tunnels you are in now, and the summoning ritual you came out of is a treasure that we, the Lamia Priestesses- Oh, you should try this chicken, it's really good." She absentmindedly handed you the stick she was eating, then paused. "Oh, right, humans have things called manners..."

"Anyways! We've have long guarded these ruins. We're the keepers of these ruins. To keep close guard and watch over the summoning runes. But truth be told... According to the human countries around us, summoning you is illegal. But... You're not going to tell them that, right? If they even found out about us, the next thing that'll happen is an army of them marching down into these ruins..." She shivered.

Carrie's gaze suddenly shifted as she heard Synithise respond to the sentence she had muttered, surprised that she had managed to understand it.

"It seems you've quite a keen sense of hearing.", Carrie comments, as she unslings her rifle from her shoulder and rests it against the table next to her, "Most of the time, nobody even notices me thinking aloud like that." Carrie eyes the assembled feast for a few moments before reaching for the simplest food item on the table, bread, and a goblet. Not being keen on testing her stomach quite yet, she sips the wine first taking the time to savor the flavors of whatever it was made from, all while she listens to her host explain the situation to her. A single sentence that Synithise spoke stood out to Carrie as being extremely odd.

"Illegal?", Carrie inquired, "Do you mean to tell me that another country is currently governing Darmona? Are you not an independent nation?"

The mention of an army marching into what she now knew were underground ruins also struck her as an odd thing to say, not necessarily because she disbelieved it, but because she could think of more than one way to turn such an event to the advantage of the inhabitants. The lack of a recognized ruler for the people of the land to unite behind was, at least in Carrie's view, far more problematic. A fractured nation that functioned as many small fiefdoms would inevitably have far more issues with its neighbors taking advantage of them than would a unified people. Carrie believed that she was beginning to piece together the puzzle behind her being summoned by those present. If the information she was currently being fed proved true, Carrie knew already exactly the best way to deal with these people's enemies.

"More importantly,", Carrie further inquired, "Where did your queen go, and why? Is there any chance she'll return?"

Synithise's appetite was insatiable as she continued to eat the feast. The guards at the door stared almost disapprovingly, but they chose not to say anything.

The snake lady nodded.

"The human kingdom... Well, they're not really a kingdom... Actually, thinking about it, Darmona isn't really a kingdom either! Without a queen or anything... But they call themselves the Felencorp United Alliance. They have the reigns now of our country... Oh it's a long story... Where to begin..."

She paused for a few seconds, then as she grabbed another large steak of some sort of unidentifiable meat, she continued.

"Hero Carrie you really should try this." She said drooling. "Yes... Anyways! The Darmona kingdom was lead by our proud and gentle queen. Life was normal back then. But then two years ago, something weird happened. The people of this world call it the 'Shifting', but... All of a sudden a large chunk of our kingdom suddenly vanished. The royal city, hundreds of other tribes... And instead all that was left was a couple of cities and villages, along with these tunnels that we protect. Our queen was a strong one. It was through ler leadership that she united the many races of our country into one. Unfortunately... When the Shifting occured, our queen disappeared too. The land of Darmona, or rather... What's left of it, is far from its former glory. We were a country that spanned hundreds upon hundreds of miles! But now..." She shook her head sadly. Though, biting into a piece of bread seemed to cheer her right up.

"Now all that's left are a tribe leaders, or, ones they've chosen amongst themselves. And to make matters worse, the human neighbors we had suddenly marched into our cities, and demanded reparations! As I recall... They said something about losing their sovereign lands, people, and infrastructure for their war-effort."

"Naturally, we didn't take kind to this of course. But without a standing army of any sort, they easily subjugated us. We're forced into slavery to the humans, as part of the reparations, and are sent to the front lines of the war they are fighting. That said... I do agree with the war in the fact that demon countries are attacking the civilized nations of this world, but..." She sighed. "We never wanted to be a part of this 'Shifting'. Our people has had enough of it."

"It's said that the hero summoned from the summoning ritual would aid us in our time of need. We thought long and hard about it... But us, the Lamia Priestesses, decided that this was a time to do it. The only problem is... The humans don't really know that we've summoned you. They are aware that most of the other countries in this world have their own summoning ritual, and at least within their sphere of influence, the summoning of heroes is something done that is closely monitored. Thankfully, not a lot of my other people know about the Lamia Priestesses, it was one of the secrets of the royal family line, in case a hero is ever needed."

She slowed down her eating to look up at you.

"Umm... I know this is kinda late, but..." with a slight blush, she stood up from the chair, and began to bow down towards you, with her forehead touching the floor.

"On behalf of the Lamia Priestesses and the Darmona Kingdom, we ask forgiveness from taking you from your world, but also to please save us from the humans of this one!" She peeked up slightly.

While her host was tearing through the feast laid out before them, Carrie pointedly stuck to the least rich fare that she could find. The bread seemed to sit well, but she doubted much else would. The wine, however, was doing wonders for Carrie's stress levels. As she tried to relax though, what she was hearing from Synithise was leaving her more and more irritated. A people suddenly transported to a new world, separated from most of their leadership, and apparently blamed for another nation's losses. The mention of people being sold into slavery particularly got Carrie's attention and roused her ire. However, Carrie's anger was tempered by the fact that she was simultaneously making an assessment of the information she was being given, and just how feasible the request that had been made of her was. She had reached a conclusion on one point though, voicing her decision aloud.

"If your neighbors don't know I'm here, then we had best keep it that way.", Carrie agrees, then cautions Synithise concerning her plea for aid, "I'd certainly be willing to aid you in putting an end to outside forces running roughshod over your people, but let's be clear on one point; I'm not invincible. I can't single-handedly overthrow an entire occupying force. I'll aid, advise, and train your people in any way that I can, but taking back control of your country is ultimately your peoples' battle to fight. Your freedom isn't something that another person can simply give you. If you're not prepared to fight for it yourselves, the next tyrant that comes along won't have much trouble robbing you of it again. After all, even if I were some kind of invincible champion I'd still only be able to protect you for the span of a single lifetime."

Carrie paused for a few long moments to let the idea she sought to convey sink in, then continues, "As for the demon countries attacking the civilized world,........for all I know they might have as valid a reason to fight as your people. Have any of your people tried reaching out to them diplomatically? For that matter, are there any neighboring nations or people who haven't acted in a hostile manner toward Darmona and its citizens? If there's any chance of your people reclaiming their land and liberty, I'm going to need to know exactly what the political situation looks like in this area of the world. If there are any friends to be made, it would be in our best interests to forge those alliances, whether economically or militarily. Of course, any political maneuvers would need to be made by a central governing authority of some kind. With your queen absent, that presents our primary disadvantage. Your people need leadership, and they need it soon. What do Darmona's laws have to say concerning the event of a monarch being unable to rule?"

Before a response can be started, Carrie takes the opportunity to address something she hadn't felt important to her, but realized might be very much so to her host. "By the way, you need not apologize for bringing me here.", Carrie reassures Synithise, "I wound up departing from my world for reasons completely unrelated to being summoned. I'm fairly certain that your summoning ritual had an effect only on which world I wound up in after departing mine. There's really no need whatsoever for formality toward me either. Just Carrie is fine."

Carrie holds out her hand to the prostrate priestess before her, standing now, wordlessly bidding her to rise. She also takes a moment to make another important point as Synithise no doubt rises to meet her gaze once more, "Just......don't write off all humans in this world quite yet, okay? Your people have suffered a great deal to be sure, but I'm walking, living proof that not all harbor such prejudice. Take great care that you and your people don't become for others the very thing which you seek to combat."

By the final sentence, Carrie's voice had become quite soft, filled with concern and an understanding that could only come from having seen the ugly face of prejudice and hate first hand.

"Thank you... I know you're a human, but the hero was always an existence that stood for justice. According to our texts of course. And I know you aren't invincible... But the blessing of the goddess should have granted you abilities too. Let's see... Try saying 'Status'?"

"And that reminds me... Is that... black thing your holding part of your goddess blessing?" She asked as she pointed towards your M4.

"I know there are stories of heroes being summoned with items too. Each hero have some basic blessings that are shared among them, but they generally have a few that are unique to them... What are yours? If I can ask..."

"My people personally have never made dealings with the demons that the humans of this world are fighting... But I do know that the demons make use of what humans call 'monsterkin'. Though... Those tribes that the demons influence swear fealty to their own demonic lords, and they are generally more savage... They are reminiscent of us in the times before our own royal family, and before our country of Darmona was founded hundreds of years ago."

"But for the humans nations... Let's see! Actually! Wait here! We have a map!" She turned towards one of the guards and got her attention, btu the guard already knew what she wanted as the two priestesses at the door were listening to the conversation. One of them disappeared, and shortly after, came back with a scroll in her hands. She passed it to Synithise, who, of course, had to momentarily stop eating in order to receive it.

QuoteLink to map (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXP667uaveO5u9l-E4seygm7373mTRXi/view?usp=sharing). Autoupdates to the latest whenever I make changes. Lets the Lamia Priestess tunnels be exact center of Darmona kingdom. I'll update that next time I can.

"We have the bad bad Felencorp United Alliance. They have the strongest military in this world... And have been fighting the demons the longest. Their war has been one that has been going on over a hundred years as they tell us. Then to our west is the Kingdom of Bürsteig. They have recently appeared in this world... Before they were there, the Felencorp United Alliance was a single... blob... around us. But that human kingdom appeared a year ago, and from what I know, the Felencorp United Alliance are trying to get reparations from them too, in much the same way as us. Anyways! When they appeared, they split the Alliance into a northern and southern section. Then we have the Baolong Dynasty to our east. They've been here for much longer than us. At least a decade or two. Their slavers are much worse... Most of the tribes that live on the outskirts have already either been raided, conscripted by the Felencorp United Alliance, have gone into hiding, like us, or are trying to avoid attention in some of our larger cities. All of these human lands around us send forth slavers though... And each time we try to complain to the Alliance that governs our lands, they don't listen."

She moved the map over to you, for you to look at, as she began to dig back into her food.

"We... Have no leader. According to Darmona law, it's the royal family that has succession rights. The entire royal city is gone though, along with many of the cities near it. If we're going by the most authority... That might... actually that's probably you. Which... you being the hero, I should call you by your title, and you know, show proper manners, and noble etiquette, and things like that." She said as she continued to messily eat the food, and had even started licking her fingers.

"I haven't tried much of the fruits or these things called salads, but all of these meats are really good!"

As Synithise responds to Carrie's cautionary statement, she makes a mental note to try saying status at an opportune moment. In the immediate moment, however, she responds to her host's question concerning the M-4.

"No. This has nothing to do with any blessings." Carrie explains with a suddenly somber demeanor, noting that firearms are clearly foreign to her host, "Some would even go so far as to call it a curse, but if it is it's a necessary one. This object is a weapon of war. It fires lead projectiles over long distances at high speeds and can fire many such projectiles very rapidly. It also makes an exceptionally loud noise when fired. The proliferation of weapons like these made the wars fought where I came from dramatically more deadly. It's designed for the sole purpose of causing the death of whatever living thing it's fired at. In case you haven't already guessed, I served as a soldier before I came here."

Carrie took a moment simply to banish recent memories from her mind before continuing to answer Synithise, this time concerning what blessings she had been given.

"As for what blessings I've received........ I did notice several notifications appear within my field of vision.", Carrie explains, then runs down the list, saving one particular item for last, suspecting it might annoy her with something else in her field of vision, "Summoned Hero, Quick Learner, Mana sensitivity, Translate All, Magic Reflect, Magicless, Program, Programmer, apparently twenty six unspent points of some type, and.........."

Carrie utters the last one with a voice that conveys an expectant anticipation of something.

"Personal Status."

(For the moment Carrie will ignore any field of vision obstruction as best she can and simply continue the conversation)

Carrie then takes a look at the map, taking careful note of all the features and nearby nations. What she finds doesn't leave her pleased. Surrounded by nations that consistently enslave their people, and their people press-ganged by two halves of a nation to the north and south, the strategic situation was a worst-case scenario. Though perhaps there might be an unlikely ally to their west. If they were being pressured to make 'reparations' by Felencorp as well, they might be willing to look for aid in unusual places. The Baolong Dynasty was a wild card in the mix. If they too had suddenly appeared within territory occupied by the Felencorp Alliance, things would likely have gone very differently, in Carrie's estimation. The similarity in land area alone spoke to much greater access to resources than either Darmona or Bursteig, not to mention that the Northeastern Felencorp Alliance would have been separated from the rest when they arrived. The Baolong Dynasty was likely a neighbor that the Felencorp Alliance lived with because they had to rather than as a result of any sort of goodwill. Bursteig though was an interesting case to Carrie. Despite its smaller size, the Felencorp Alliance hadn't managed to simply run roughshod over them like they apparently had Darmona. Clearly, Bursteig was being viewed by Felencorp as a legitimate obstacle that they didn't wish to challenge militarily. The key word being obstacle rather than rival. If they were seeking 'reparations' from them, they clearly had designs to take power much like they had in Darmona. It was then that Carrie came to a sudden realization. Control over Darmona gave the Felencorp's northern and southern territories a direct link between each other. With this new information, Carrie instantly knew that they would not sit idly and let Darmona go. The road from the northern territory to the southern would no doubt be vital to their efforts against the demons. Strategically speaking, Darmona was a giant problem for them.

Carrie then addressed the idea that she had the most authority out of anyone in Darmona.

"Yes, well, if these Felencorp bastards hear that I exist it'd bring them right down on our heads, wouldn't it? And calling me by that title makes it all the more likely that somebody might realize what happened here and inform them, whether they intend to or not.", Carrie reminds Synithise, "Besides, I'm a soldier. I know how to lead people in battle, and how to gather intelligence on an enemy in the field, but I don't have the first clue about managing a nation. We need someone who all of your people will accept, and can inspire your people to follow them wherever they might lead. If you're telling me that I'm the only option, on the other hand, that'll be a whole different can of worms. It becomes very difficult to lead people without being present and visible. An obvious predicament if we don't want Felencorp to come calling. On the topic of Felencorp,...... our position may actually be a real pain in their ass. Looking at the map, it seems like their territories were split by both the Baolong Dynasty and Bursteig which I can only surmise would make relations between those two powers and Felencorp rather tense. If, as I suspect, they're unable to move troops or supplies for their war effort through either of those nations, that would leave Darmona as their only option. If so, there would be regular large scale troop movements and supply convoys through this country. Can you confirm for me whether or not this is the case?"

It wasn't long after asking that last question that Carrie's mental focus finally snapped. Whether it was reduced inhibitions brought on by the wine, or simply the accumulated stress of the day's events, the constant offers of red meats and her host's tearing consumption thereof had finally gotten under the traumatized marine's skin. As Synithise tore into yet another chunk of whatever steak she had, Carrie reflexively reached out to take hold of the other woman's wrist with a trembling hand.

"Could you,.......please, just,........stop.", Carrie manages to choke out, her voice wavering, while attempting to keep down a rising bile, continuing once she was sure her stomach had somewhat settled again, "Look,..... I'm going to put this bluntly. Before I came here, I was on a battlefield fighting against towering purple creatures with blades for legs that decapitated my friends, eviscerated my superiors, and sliced the recruits I had been training to ribbons. I've seen more dead bodies than I can count with faces I can put a name to, and been covered in more blood and entrails than a fucking butcher, so forgive me if watching you tear into bleeding red meat is just a little bit more than I can take right now!"

Carrie's mind then produced an image of a slashed marine with her own face staring blankly back at her. Carrie's body suddenly tenses, and she speaks once more with an entirely changed tone of voice, no longer hysterical but very intensely matter of fact instead.

"I'm going to be sick."

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Dining Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

The moment you finished saying Personal Status, a translucent green window appeared. It however in the air, and you suspected that it was visibly only to you.

Synithise stiffened up.

"I'm so sorry!" Synithise said dropping the food she was eating as she hurriedly went over to a napkin and bowl of water to clean her hands. Right after that, she immediately went down to her knees, or what you imagined could be her knees if she were human, and bowed her head, or rather, begged for forgiveness. At the same time, realizing their matriarch was asking forgiveness, the two other guardswomen at the door also bowed their heads low.

"It will never happen again hero Carrie! Err... Carrie! I will quit eating meat and eat... salads! And breads... and water..." She seemed to grimaced, but she shook herself out of it quickly. While still on the ground, she continued to speak.

"I thought your clothing was weird... But heroes from other worlds are said to wear different and strange clothes, so I didn't think you were some sort of soldier. I'm sorry. The matriarch of the Lamia Priestesses beg for your forgiveness hero."

"Maybe... we can take some of the wine and bread and go to a proper room? I was planning to show you where you were going to spend the night. I can talk to you about some of those blessings you mentioned too. Oh, we should bring the salads too. And if we get thirsty, the water and juice? Umm... Oh about those pies? They're fruits... One is chicken... Oh! How about the fruits too?" She stopped herself from continuing as she realized what that she wasn't really being a proper host.

"... Okay... how about just the wine and some bread to go?"

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - On the way to Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

Synithise eventually lead the way to your room. While heading there, she began to answer more of your questions, along with more details of how their country now operates. The two guardswomen from before continued to follow behind.

"There are many caravans and troops that move between the northern and southern halves of their country. Our people had been ordered to create a large highway stretching from the north end to our southern end. It's along this road that the majority of the traffic goes through."

"Apart from you... There are the tribe leaders of each tribe remaining here. There are many... Even among the race of Lamia, I am only matriarch of this clan, the Lamia Priestesses, but I know there are other Lamia tribes too, headed by their own matriarch. Likewise there are the other races. The harpy tribes, the various beastmen tribes, the spiderfolk tribes, the goblin tribes, the mermaid tribes, the lizardfolk tribes, the centaur tribes... Those make the largest groups. But there's other individuals from our country that made it here with us, though, their homes didn't make it with them. Usually they're ones who decide to move to the cities, or work as adventurers. Nightwalkers, members from the dullahan tribes..."

Carrie doesn't hear a word from Synithise, instead reaching for the nearest bowl, and quickly dumping its contents before she begins violently retching into it. This continues for roughly the next ten minute with a pattern beginning to emerge where every time Synithise mentions food, Carrie resumes the process of dry-heaving for lack of anything remaining in her stomach to come back up. Eventually, when Synithise stops mentioning things to eat, Carrie's fit of nausea starts to subside. Finally setting the bowl and its new contents down, Carrie takes a moment to address Synithise, who was clearly prostrate once again, her voice now somewhat distant, audibly fatigued, and continuing to waver, though to a lesser extent than before.

"It's not your fault.", Carrie explains simply admitting, "Normally, how others eat doesn't bother me, but seeing so many people all cut up like carcasses in a butcher's shop got to me. Today just isn't my day, it seems. Let's forget about the idea of feasting for now and just talk somewhere else. I need a change of scenery."

---

Carrie sluggishly follows behind Synithise, once more able to focus on what she's saying and glad to be away from the feasting hall. Despite her exhausted and mentally spent condition, the mention of a large highway used by many caravans and troops captures Carrie's attention in a way that only a soldier specializing in reconnaissance can understand. What Synithise had just told Carrie, combined with the information she had gleaned from the map, generated what was referred to as Grade A Human Intelligence. Confirming her suspicion told Carrie that relations were indeed sour between Felencorp and its two larger neighbors, as well as made clear to her just why Darmona was being so harshly treated.

"Well, what do you know?", Carrie comments, "Felencorp is actually afraid of Darmona's people. They're not just taking advantage of a fractured society, they're trying to rule through fear so that nobody gets the bright idea to grab them by the short 'n curlies!"

Carrie found the situation quite comical indeed. Despite the fact that the Felencorp United Alliance was seemingly the strongest military power, Darmona, if it managed to actually unite and organize, could clearly create a strategic catastrophe for their adversary.

Carrie listens intently as Synithise lists off the different races that comprise the people of Darmona. She recognizes more of the races by name than she had expected to, in particular the mention of Dullahan conjuring a terrifying image she was all too familiar with from legends originating from her own Irish heritage and culture. There was one type of people Synithise had named that Carrie couldn't quite determine the nature of though.

"Oddly, I recognize most of these races from legends and tall tales where I came from.", Carrie explains, then inquires further about the ones she's not so sure about, "I'm not sure which legends the Nightwalkers you're referring to come from, nor am I all that familiar with the idea of Beastmen. Could you provide more information concerning those two?"

Carrie had a nagging feeling that Nightwalkers were exactly what she thought they were. As various images of old school Nosferatu began to fill her mind, she found herself irritated at having to banish a certain sparkly variant from her mind and replace it with something more appropriate to the legends.

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Dining Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

"Then... Let's head to your future room. And we can talk there!" Synithise suggested as she smiled. Soon enough she started to lead the way.

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - On the way to Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

"Nightwalkers... It is a broad category actually. The dullahan tribes are similar... But nightwalkers are anything that are ghoulish. The majority of nightwalkers appear only at night, due to the daytime sun being too painful for their eyes or body. But generally, when we say nightwalker it can include monsters that are undead. Though, only with a level of intelligence that they don't... you know, eat everything in sight? Vampires are one such class of them too. Though, there are some that can appear in the sun... but we still call them as such."

"As for beastmen... they are different from the demihumans that are part of human societies. Like the nightwalkers, they are a broad category too. Anything that looks like an animal, but shares a level of intelligence for communication and willingness to abide by laws are accepted in the Darmona Kingdom. Imagine... If a giant wolf stood on its hind legs, with a large muscled body, and could speak? Those are the wolfmen, but there are other tribes in the category of beastmen too."

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

The room was fairly wide and spacious. The bed too looked well-furnished, and it seemed like there were no expenses spared when it came to decorating the room and making it comfortable. Synithise made herself comfortable at one of the tables.

"Most heroes are given a few specific blessings. Quick Learner, Mana Sensitivity, Translate All, Personal Status, correct? Quick Learner allows you to learn faster. Much faster than normal... Mastering a whole new style of combat for example, could be as short as a week or two, whereas for others, that process might take months. Mana Sensitivity allows you to see mana. Usually it's invisible to us normal people. Translate All lets us communicate with each other, along with any other people you come across. Lastly Personal Status gives you an overview of who you are. Then you mentioned two others... Umm... Magic Reflect sounds pretty straight forward, but the other one was... Pog-ham?" Synithise said the word hesitantly, and you also noticed that the translation effect didn't trigger, as Synithise was attempting to pronounce the actual word.

As Carrie Listened to Synithise describe the beastmen, she suddenly recalled a Greek myth she had read in high school, and gave voice to the obvious question, "Hang on a sec. Do you mean to tell me that your people have Minotaurs among their numbers?"

Carrie's expression had changed from curiosity to outright shock. If the kingdom of Darmona had minotaurs that matched the legend, just how the Felencorp United Alliance had managed to actually subjugate Darmona became a more and more pertinent question. Minotaurs, for heaven's sake!

"Okay. It's pretty clear at this point that the strength of your people lies both in their diversity, and their unique capabilities. If I'm going to provide your people with sound advice, particularly where matters of war or state security are concerned, I'm going to need a complete list of just which races exist within these lands, how many there are of each, and a full accounting of their capabilities relative to the average human. Before we can figure out any sort of strategy, we must first know our own capabilities."

Carrie's mind was still on vampires to some extent though. She knew the legends of the blood sucking undead relatively well given their prevalence in pop-culture. At least........ they were until the thought of a more dangerous type of undead suddenly appeared front and center in her mind.

Carrie couldn't help but keep seeking confirmation of what various types of legendary creatures might be present in Darmona.

"I forgot about Liches. They would qualify as Nightwalkers too, wouldn't they? If there's even one lich in these lands that has been around for any real length of time, we'd be well served to touch base with them sooner rather than later."

---

As Carrie took a seat on the bed, listening to Synithise speak, she realized that much of what she had initially surmised concerning the notifications that had appeared when she arrived in this world was true. Program and Programmer were still a wild card though. Carrie also noted that the word program wasn't translated into her host's tongue. Carrie gathered that the word simply didn't exist in that language, and was therefore impossible to translate. Since saying status had opened a window like Carrie suspected it would, she decided to put the knowledge to use.

"Status.", she states purposefully, immediately followed by, "Program."

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - On the way to Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

Synithise nodded.

"Yes, there are minotaurs too." Synithise suggested as she smiled. Soon enough she started to lead the way. "For exact numbers... I'm not sure how accurate any of the city records have. At the very least, since our country has been sent into disarray, record keeping, especially without a government, is something that had become a lower priority... I would imagine each of the tribe leaders would know their numbers though. And perhaps someone in the cities might have that information. At the very least... functions of the government have all but ceased since, though, I am sure there are some in the cities who are still attempting to manage it. But likely, they have been replaced by human counterparts."

"I can tell you about us though... There are 200 Lamia Priestesses in these tunnels, around 50 of them keep their mates with them too, so about 250 altogether."

Synithise started going through every race. The number of different races was staggering. It seemed like they welcomed any kind of monster who could both follow laws, and be able to effectively communicate with the rest of the society.

"Many of us have been culled though... Especially the more 'abhorrent' races to the humans. primarily the undead ones... Unfortunately even the Guild of Darmona is strictly run by the Felencorp, with quest postings of killing undead, most of them are in hiding."

"There were well-known liches back in our original country. The advisor to the crown was one himself... I am unsure if there are any still around in our little corner. Usually the nightwalker citizens aren't looked upon too favorably even among the others, but there generally isn't many of them. The Dullahan, and the Vampires make up the most."

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - On the way to Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

When you spoke the Status keyword, the familiar screen reappeared.

Next you spoke Program, and you were greeting with another notification.

As Carrie realizes that she had likely managed to select whatever program was for activation, and incorrectly at that, she takes a moment to explain to Synithise what it meant relative to her own experience.

"Program, where I come from, refers to a set of complex instructions given to a device that we use for the ease and convenience with which it allows us to handle and manipulate information.", Carrie explains, "However, I never learned how to program such devices and given how you appear completely unfamiliar with the word I suspect they don't even exist here, to begin with. That blessing is going to require some effort to figure out with any degree of certainty."

Carrie then opts to address the lack of information concerning Darmona's inhabitants, and once more goes back to the topic of leadership.

"If the individual leaders will be more able to inform us, then our definitive next step will be to gather those leaders to discuss the state of Darmona as a whole, as well as the selection of a new leader for all of Darmona's people.", Carrie informs Synithise with a sigh, "Given the number of different tribes, making this happen is most likely going to be a logistical nightmare. We're also going to need to decide who can be trusted with the knowledge that a hero has been summoned, and whether or not that information will be imparted to the gathered leaders."

Carrie then comes up with an idea, well in line with a plan she had to conceal from any of this world's inhabitants that she was a summoned hero at all. The primary indicator that she was a hero, it seemed, would be the translate all function. As convenient as it was, the appearance of a bad dub while conversing with someone would give away the presence of communication magic instantly. Accordingly, Carrie puts her most short term plan of action into motion.

"As useful as this translate all ability is, anyone conversing with me will realize something's off nearly immediately.", She tells Synithise, "If I'm to have any hope of moving about without Felencorp's people realizing I'm out of the ordinary, I need to learn their language, or at the very least a common trade language. I'd also like to learn whatever common language the many tribes that inhabit this land use to communicate with each other. I'm going to try something. Wait a tic."

Carrie decides to try something that seems intuitive in an attempt to interact with the translate all blessing.

"Translate all, off. Do you still understand me?"

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Carrie's Room
Date: Day 1 - Evening

Every time you mentioned 'Program' out-loud, notifications appeared. However, since you were talking and focusing on Synithise, the notification was different this time around.

"A gathering of all leaders... That honestly hasn't happened since we were first brought into this world. After that, dealing with the demands from the Felencorp, along with slavery of our citizens, it had been hard to simply rally the tribe leaders. There are a few tribes that respect and revere the Lamia Priestess tribe, for our role... As for whether or not the hero will be summoned, so far, only my tribe knows of this. There are other heroes too... I know the Felencorp have a hero or two that they send out where they're needed... The Kingdom of Bürsteig had declared they would be initiating their summoning ritual too a few months back. Though, I haven't heard anything more recent."

The moment you thought about turning off the Translate Languages blessing, and spoke, Synithise's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She proceeded to reply back to you, which confirmed your idea.

"Windras hamdok? Zu'u slaak't mindoraan hi. Drey hi tzux oizan faal trazaak? Zu'u slaak't mindok tol sizaan polaas!"

"Translate all, on.", Carrie says, looking rather amazed by the degree to which the blessing had facilitated communication, then explains herself to Synithise, "While the blessing is active, I don't actually hear the words that make up your language. If I intend to learn to speak it, I need to be able to hear how to pronounce it. I've also inadvertently learned something about the less obvious blessing we've been discussing. Apparently, it applies only to inanimate objects. I'm likely to need to exercise caution where the use of the blessing's name is concerned, otherwise, it might affect an object I don't intend it to."

Carrie then addresses the news that Bursteig was in the process of summoning or had already summoned a hero, as well as the news that the Felencorp United Alliance had at least one of their own if not more.

"The Felencorp Alliances having heroes of their own complicates matters. We should assume until proven otherwise that their heroes are just as capable as I am, but we shouldn't forget that those heroes come from a different world. They may not share the ideals of their summoners, though that is an assumption that we shouldn't make. As for Bursteig....... if they're not on great terms with the Felencorp Alliances I can't imagine the Felencorp leadership being happy about the summoning of a hero by a country they're looking to annex. For that to happen, one of two things must be true. Either the Felencorp Alliances are getting something out of the situation, or else Bursteig's military is threatening enough that the Felencorp leadership doesn't dare even provoke them. They might win eventually given they have the strongest military, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a catastrophic event given they're already at war with the demons in the south. It's entirely possible that both factors may be in play..... Dare I say it.....? I think the Felencorp Alliances might be in far more desperate a position than they at first appear. Ironically, if they can be made to listen, their hand at the negotiating table would be quite weak."

Carrie's curiosity then, despite mental exhaustion and emotional drain, takes hold of her. She looks at the door to the room and says, "Program."

"Oh fascinating. You can turn off the translation blessing? That's not something we have recorded... As for Bürsteig, it wouldn't surprise me if the Felencorp humans demanded any hero summonings be turned over to them. Believe me... If they knew that we could summon you, they would have forced us to, then simply take you to the front lines after training you up, and fight the demon lords."

"If they ever find out that we summoned a hero, they will demand us to hand you over to them as well."





When you focused on the door, and spoke the keyword 'Program'. You were granted a new display.

The moment you thought about the '『CONDITION』', all of a sudden your mind was filled with various items. Conditions such as if the door was opened, if the door was closed, if the door was touched, if the door is destroyed, if any other particular condition happens, among many, many others as well.

When you glanced at the 『STATEMENT』, the same thing happened. Statements could be it blowing up, opening itself, closing itself, locking, unlocking, among many other options.

QuoteFeel free to get creative.

"It seems heroes are popular people.", Carrie cracks wise, continuing, "These Felencorp people piss me off the more I hear about them. They seem to enjoy governing by force. Something that would be a colossal mistake if they try it with me."

As Carrie sees the new menu and the relevant choices open up before her, she utters two words laden with astonishment and excitement.

"Oh shit."

A half elated, half murderous grin slowly creeps across her face as she realizes exactly what the Program blessing does.

"This is exactly my kind of blessing."

Carrie then makes a rather basic set of choices for the door. "Condition: The number 1776 is spoken aloud in any language, Statement: Unlock and Open. Save Program."

Carrie then turns to Synithise once more, explaining, "Apparently, I can give a set of instructions to any inanimate object I come across."

Carrie pauses momentarily.

"Let's keep this ability between us for the moment.", Carrie requests, "This ability is incredibly useful, but if it becomes widely known who employs it, it turns into a sort of signature whenever it's used."

Carrie is silent for several long moments before speaking again.

"Yeah, I'm totally drained. Anyway, Tomorrow I'd like to begin learning the two languages I mentioned earlier, and we should get the ball rolling on a meeting of the various leaders to discuss unifying this land and its people under one banner. Before I rack out for the evening though, Is there a place where I could freshen up a bit?"

When you thought about including two Statements, one for both Unlock, and the other for Open, you received an error.

However, you worked around the issue by instead using the ability twice with the exact same condition.

"Instructions to any object?" Synithise thought for a moment. "... like an ancient artifact? Magical things?"

Synithise agreed with you.

"Any of a hero's powers, apart from their blessings they all share, are treated as secrets. Fear not about us and the Lamia Priestesses! We know that fact very well. If there was a sudden influx of magical things... Well, that would draw suspicion too."

"I can teach you then... Our country has many languages, though, the language I use is considered the common tongue for my people. As for the Felencorp... They share the same language used by the Antwarch Dragon Knight Kingdom. All of the other countries on this world had been summoned have their own languages though. For me, personally, apart from the languages I know of my people, I am proficient in the Felencorp's language, and can teach you!"

"Freshen up? Yes! The next best thing from eating is bathing!" Synithise happily said. "Come follow me!"

[include u=2]Carrie MP Used: 2[/include]

"It might be possible.", Carrie answered while following Synithise, "I intend to test the limitations of this blessing thoroughly when I have some free time tomorrow. Knowing its maximum range would be extremely useful, for example."

Upon arriving at their destination, Carrie eagerly removes her pack and rests her rifle and helmet against it before unfastening the velcro closures at the sides of her body armor and doffing that as well. She then goes about locating towels and bathrobes. Carrie goes about this task in silence, not really focusing anymore. Mentally, she seeks a calm 'center', having been completely burned out by the day's events. If Synithise happens to meet her gaze, a 'thousand-yard stare' would be found settling into Carrie's eyes.

Once she had found what she was looking for, Carrie would simply take a seat and wait for the bath to be ready. Still and silent, unless Synithise decided to prompt a response.

Synithise went ahead of you into the bathroom itself. It was a large communal bath, though, it seemed like Synithise went ahead to ensure that it was cleared out. On the journey there, the snake lady mentioned that her people, being the Lamia Priestesses, absolutely loved soaking themselves in the warm water, and it was usually busy all day and night around. They simply liked the warmth.

Synithise mentioned that she'd replaced the water and heat it all up, but said the process could take up to half an hour.

QuoteIf you want to do potential experiments in that time frame, feel free to do so, just spawn a side thread in the Side Stories, or we can just save that for later.

Soon enough she came out beaming.

"Alright hero Carrie!" Synithise said happily, you noticed she used 'hero' again, but she didn't seem to notice. "The water is all warm! Do you need anything? Maybe something nice and warm to drink? Milk? Milk is really popular for bathes... Oh! Do you need anyone to wash your back? Any of the priestesses, including I, will be willing to help."

QuotePlanning on moving on from this thread soon unless significant character development looks likely. Carrie's just looking to soak for a bit before bed.

As Synithise informs Carrie that the bath was ready, she doesn't even notice the use of the title Hero. She barely even registers Synithise asking her if she wants someone to wash her back as she enters, absent-mindedly answering, "Sure." The answer was more a reflex than it was an actual desire for assistance. As Carrie silently disrobes and slips into the water, on top of everything else a deep sadness begins to creep into her expression while she begins washing. It isn't long before Carrie begins washing her hands repeatedly as if trying to clean something off them that stubbornly refuses to wash away.

So much for finding a calm center....

Throughout it all, Synithise kept talking about random things while she assisted you bathe. The topics weren't really of anything consequential, but she at least didn't talk about food or foodstuffs. During the bath, you realized that the soap they used didn't really lather as well as what you were used to. But Synithise did try her best, and she had even attempted to wash and clean your hair as well.

The snake lady seem to preoccupied telling you random stories and washing, that she didn't really seem to notice your quiet behavior.

QuoteIf you have any plans for the rest of the evening, feel free to do them. It's around 7 PM currently. If not, we'll start Day 2, if so, feel free to wrap up the rest of the evening if you don't plan to do anything big.

Eventually, Carrie reached the point at which she could barely keep her eyes open anymore and finally exits the bath, dries herself off, and dons a robe before heading back toward her room, Uniform and gear in hand. She thanks Synithise for her help and bids her a good night before locking the door behind her. She sets her possessions in a corner and slips into bed for what turns out to be a fitful night of sleep punctuated by horrible nightmares. Morning for Carrie comes all too soon.

There were two other snake ladies who were posted at your door, outside, the same ones who were there during the feast from the day before. There were no windows in this underground room, with the only light source being soft-glowing crystals, and the torches positioned on the walls. The lack of the sun made things a bit harder to get a feel for the time, but eventually you drifted off. The dreams you had were turbulent to say the least. But you managed to get a full night's rest.

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Carrie's Room
Date: Day 2 - Morning

QuoteFeel free to choose the exact time you wake up.

The morning after, you were awoken by a soft knocking on your door, along with a familiar voice.

"Good morning hero Carrie!" It was Synithise. There was some hesitance as she paused for a second.

"Would you care for... breakfast?"

QuoteLets say 9AM

As Carrie slowly came to, wiping the sleep from her eyes, she answered the voice at the door. While she still wasn't sure just what her stomach could handle, her stomach was empty and letting her know it.

"I had better at least try to eat something.", comes the groggy response as Carrie sits up in bed, "Give me a few minutes to get dressed."

Carrie then goes about donning her uniform again, it being the only clothing she currently had available and sets about looking for a brush with which to tame an unruly case of bed-head. She also briefly looked about for the hair tie she had been wearing the previous day before taking a moment to reflect on the fact that she was never going to be subject to Marine Corps regulations again. The thought brought such a deep sorrow to Carrie's heart that she immediately located the hair tie and continued to follow regulation anyway as a sort of tribute or remembrance of those marines that had fought at her side defending Paris Island. She mentally included those recruits that had fought alongside their instructors, firmly believing that anyone who gave their life for the Corps alongside those who had been fully trained, even battle-hardened, could never be anything less than a full-fledged Marine. After all, their crucible had been far more trying than had any previous,

Once she was presentable, Carrie then proceeded to make her bed, keeping her morning routine as if it were any other day in the corps. She then proceeded to unlock the door and exit, prepared to follow Synithise to wherever the food was to be served. She also takes a moment to address the first words she had heard this morning.

"Now, what did I tell you about that title?", she asks Synithise, gently reminding her that the fewer people heard it, the better.

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Outside Carrie's Room
Date: Day 2 - 9 AM

"Yes... That's right... Because we need to make sure no one else apart from the Lamia Priestesses know that you're a hero. Please forgive me Carrie." Synithise said.

"We can go back to the dining room... There is a large selection of breakfast we can choose from. Or... I don't mind going there myself and getting you something! You need to have your strength today, because today I get to teach you magic. You should learn fast! That Mana Sensitivity and Quick Learner blessing from before will make it a breeze."

"I think it's best if I see what's available and choose based on what seems appealing at that moment.", Carrie answers, gesturing for Synithise to lead the way, "It'll save us time and trouble. Magic's on the agenda today, is it? I hope that Magicless bit I saw when looking at that personal......information window doesn't get in the way."

Carrie nearly says status again but catches herself. Discussing something of the sort without having an annoying menu pop open in her field of vision was going to be seriously irritating to manage. Carrie then takes a moment to acknowledge the difficulty, anxiety, and worry that Synithise has likely gone through up to this point.

"I really appreciate how you've been so accommodating, by the way.", Carrie compliments the priestess, "Yesterday you saw me in a state that was far from my best. I know that must have been a source of great frustration and anxiety on your part. I doubt I'll be completely back to normal for a while yet, but I want you to know that making sure you didn't leave me alone anywhere was more helpful than even I realized at the time. Thank you."

Carrie continues with an offer of her own, "If there's anything that you'd like to learn from me, I'd be happy to teach you what I can as well."

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Outside Carrie's Room
Date: Day 2 - 9 AM

Synithise smiled genuinely when you thanked her.

"Aww..." She was about to reach her arms forward to hug you, but paused, and withdrew, as a slight tint of pink colored her features. "Sorry, I'm the matriarch of my people, and everyone tells me I still kinda act like a kid sometimes!"

Instead Synithise reached for your hands.

QuoteAssumptions made, if different we can tweak this.

"It's the duty of the Lamia Priestesses to make sure you, the hero, are always taken cared of. I'll promise I'll always be here for you, and every step of the way. You'll be amazing Carrie! And I want to see that happen." Synithise said as she let go a moment later.

"Anyways, well... there is one thing I'd like to learn... Actually... umm... how to put this..." She said hesitating a bit.

"Recipes for human food? Your world specifically!"

For the first time since arriving in this new world, Carrie manages to genuinely smile. Synithise, despite being from a completely different world had managed to remind Carrie why she had enlisted in the first place. Protecting kind, gentle people like her was exactly what Carrie had wanted to do with her life.

"You know, there are some things kids get right that adults have trouble with.", Carrie replies, "Being genuine with others like you are is one of them. When it comes to recipes from my world, you probably couldn't be more in luck. We'll have to raid the pantry and spice cabinet to see if we have what we need first though. There's no telling how similar or different the plants and animals are between the two worlds. At least we already know we have chicken to work with."

Carrie continues to walk with Synithise toward the dining room, now beginning to understand the exuberant priestess. Much like Carrie herself, she clearly enjoyed experiencing what other cultures had to offer. Food was often one of the best ways to put yourself in the shoes of others, granting insight into the daily lives of those who prepared and consumed it. Carrie wondered just how Synithise would like the varied combinations of ingredients though, given how pointedly she had stuck to meats the evening before.

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Towards the dining room
Date: Day 2 - 9 AM

Synithise smiled brightly at your offer to showcase her recipes from your own world.

Once you reached the dining room, displayed on the same tables as the night before was an array of food. It looked similar to what you would expect from a typical English breakfast, though, there were some dishes that were different.

"Most of these are recipes from the Felencorp... It's typical food that they eat. But we included some too that the few humans in our country eat in the morning."

"Does your world have magic, Carrie?"

As Carrie looked over the spread laid out before her, she was relieved to see that it was so similar to the sort of breakfast she had been used to back home on the farm. The aromas in the room made Carrie's mouth water and confirmed for her that there was indeed some degree of similarity in food types between the two worlds. She quickly filled her plate with the most familiar fare. Eggs, bacon, toast,........Carrie avoided sausages for the moment. There was one unusual dish that caught her eye as she responded to Synithise though.

"In my world, the only magic we have isn't actually magic. Performers will make use of sleight of hand, as well as specially designed tools to create the illusion of magic, and they can pull off some very impressive tricks, but they don't actually cast any spells. Their acts are all 'smoke and mirrors' as the saying goes.", Carrie explains, then inquires about an unusual looking dish that smells at once sweet, yet spicy, "What exactly is this one here? It smells a lot like something from my world, but looks nothing like it!"

"Oh... that is an interesting kind of magic too... But it's not really magic? The magic we'll be learning today is the real kind! Heroes are supposed to be very adept at picking it up. So I'm sure you'll get the hang of it."

Synithise grabbed a fork and pierced the food that you pointed at.

"That is one of the dishes the humans of my country eat. It's a crop, mixed with a couple of spices... It tastes similar to the potatoes that the Felencorp country has, but ours are red or purple in color, and they grow on trees."

QuoteFeel free to describe the breakfast scene if you'd like, if you have questions for Synithise, feel free to ask, otherwise we'll move scenes.

QuoteWe can go ahead and move scenes.

Once breakfast was completed, Synithise took you to another room in the underground tunnels. This one was a lot more open-spaced, and reminded you of an underground gymnasium. At the very tops of the room, were a set of openings that let in light, but there was also plenty of torches around. Inside the room were various protrusions of rocks, along with straw dummies. On the sides of the room were racks full of medieval weapons.

"The Lamia Priestesses go through training here. With weapons, and magic... But for you today, we'll be going over magic! If you don't have magic... Then there probably is no mana either? With your Mana Sensitivity blessing though... you should be able to sense it and even see it. Normally... Mana is invisible to everyone but heroes, or those particular sensitive to it. Try this... Close your eyes, and look inwards within yourself. You should see something like a pool or a lake. Then imagine drawing from that pool, and bringing that energy to your hands. Once there... Try imagining a spell being formed. Words would come to your mind then, and upon reciting those words, it will unleash as a spell."

QuoteThe only magic most NPCs know are Elemental Magicka. Think of it as Evocation in D&D.
Take a look at the Spell System doc for an overview. Spell casting in Isekai for elemental magicka goes as follows:

1) Invoke one of the 4 elements.
2) Describe how the spell would be like (the incantation).
3) Unleash the spell by stating the Keyword.

You are given a couple of free spell slots (under the elemental magicka system) that you can define as you see fit, new spells after the free ones, you have to train for using the Training/Technique system/rules.

Synithise closed her eyes. Then in her hands a glow was forming.

"I can't see it... but there's mana in my hands right now. Then..."

"Fires of creation! Become like a beacon of raging flames. Fire Flare!" With that an orb of fire went up into the gymnasium-like room, lighting up the entire area. It lingered for awhile, seeming to slow in mid-air, but eventually it dissipated.

"Alright... now you try, think of any spell."

As Carrie walks into the underground training facility, the first thing to catch her eye is the racks of very medieval weapons lining the walls of the room. Instantly, Carrie realizes that the weapons in the room likely represent the technological level at which warfare occurs in this new world. She takes a moment to attempt to place the general time period of the technology present with respect to her own world. (Knowledge Martial)
Carrie listens intently and watches as Synithise demonstrates. The glow forming in between the priestess' hands surprises her, having never seen anything like it. She was only convinced that magic was more than smoke and mirrors though when she saw the ball of fire rise into the air casting off light and heat. Instantly, Carrie began to suspect that warfare in this new world was nothing like she had ever experienced.

"Well,........... this changes things.", Carrie comments with mild shock, "My world doesn't have any equivalent to that. Okay, lets see what I can do."

Carrie first thinks of an effect that she wants to produce. The first thing that comes to mind is the shape of a giant, purple spider with blades for legs. The mental image gives her an idea though, and Carrie begins to reason through how to create the effect in question. She chooses the air element, hoping that it would let her create the pressure waves required to produce a damaging sonic effect, and comes up with a basic keyword that would state in no uncertain terms what the end goal of the spell would be. Carrie then closes her eyes and looks within as instructed. She finds that her mental image is that of a well, and imagines the fluid within running out through a sort of aqueduct toward her hands.

She then opens her eyes to choose one of the rocks and begins speaking, hoping that removing her attention partially from the glow in her hands wouldn't cause it to dissipate.

"Winds of change......... scream like the banshee.......... and shatter!"

Carrie doesn't expect much to happen the first time around but is hoping to see a cone of space in front of her become filled with dust and chipped rock affected by the vibrating air.

QuoteSince we have multiple people attempting to do sound-based magic through Elemental magicka, I went ahead and added the element of Sound, as a solo combination of just air. It'll be Tier 2 requirement, to reflect the difficulty of using elemental magicka as more than evocation. This will probably be cheaper and easier to cast using Hymnal magicka.

The spell triggered then, and the training dummies were visibly damaged from the attack.

"Amazing! That was Air magicka... You did it on your first try too. But you managed to make it into something like sound? Doing something like that is considered high level too..." Synithise said nodding approvingly. "That's another proof that you are indeed the hero, Carrie!"

QuoteHeroes get some free Techniques, including Elemental Magicka, Elemental Forms, Elemental Fusion Expert. NPCs don't, which means they need to train for this. Since they do not have Quick Learner, they take much longer in training than heroes.

If you really want, you can define the rest of your free spell slots, or save it til later when the need arises. You can cas up to Tier 3 spells, you just need to learn a Tier 3 spell though.

"I wanted to spend this day teaching you how to fight... But..." She glanced at the weapons you carried with you. "If you can fight with what you have, I guess that's already useful..." The snake lady reached out to grab a spear.

"I could teach you to use these too though? Or... I could try teaching you some of the spells I know. I can cast up to the third tier of magic! And I'm pretty handy with most of these weapons."

As the dust settles, Carrie reaches an important conclusion regarding the nature of warfare in this new world. Given the medieval technology, it was becoming very clear very quickly that a single spellcaster had the capacity to eliminate multiple foot soldiers from combat in short order. In short, spellcasters appeared capable of affecting a battlefield much like modern artillery or air power. Carrie makes a mental note to work this realization into any tactical playbook for engaging enemy forces.

Carrie then explains the predicament she currently found herself in where her firearms were concerned to Synithise.

"Well, these weapons are certainly potent, but the issue is that their ammunition is limited.", she elaborates, gesturing toward the weapon racks on the wall, "If weapons like these are representative of what I'd expect to see on a battlefield here, I find it highly unlikely that it's possible to reload the magazines I brought with me. Put simply, if I run out of bullets, these weapons cease to function. I'm going to need to be prepared to use other weaponry both to preserve the ammunition I have, and to fall back on once I do run out. There is still something I want to try though before we get into basic weapons drills."

Carrie once more visualizes drawing out mana to her hands, now with significantly greater confidence in what she was doing given that she now knew she wasn't going to look like a fool. She thinks of another desired effect, this time not of a damaging nature. and composes another incantation that she thinks might just serve her plans in a more long term capacity.

"Mother Earth, grant us the aid of your primordial children! Elemental!"

Carrie was hoping to bring forth an elementally attuned being that would be able to assist with excavation and tunneling. She had no idea how effective the spell might be, but she couldn't help but be curious as to the upper limit of what she could do with it.

"Ammunition... So it works like a crossbow or bow then."

When you began casting the spell, you had the general idea of what you were going for, however, when you recited the words in your head, the spell did not hold and fizzled out.

"Ah... A summoning spell of some sort? Those are difficult... What happens is that you create their physical body here, then through the spell, they are summoned into being and fill that container. Magical runes are usually done to do such things... I can teach you that though, if you would like. We'd need to learn the basics of runes and magic circles... Then, teaching you to draw it with mana after."

QuoteCurrently I have all summoning spells have a Runes spell base, but that requires training, the track Synithise can teach is:

Magicka Circles (unlocks Runes spell base) -> Mana Magicka Circles (able to cast within a full round)

For the time being I placed the spell in your sheet as unlearned.

"It's a very different process propelling the ammunition than with a bow or crossbow.", Carrie explains, "While a bow or crossbow fires an arrow with a springing effect, the weapons I carry make use of a chemical reaction to fire their projectiles. the end goal of putting a projectile through a target is the same, one method just does a better job of it."

Carrie then listened intently as Synithise explained the reason the attempt at casting the spell in question had failed. She decided that as far as magic goes, learning the spell that she had been trying to cast would be the best use of her time toward implementing her plans.

"All right then. It looks like today will be best spent on rune magic and learning a new language.", Carrie informs Synithise, then inquiring, "Of course there's also the matter of calling a gathering of as many tribe leaders as possible in the near future so that leadership can be decided upon. Has the ball started rolling on that course of action yet, or do we need to plan a bit more for that first?"

As eager as Carrie was to learn new things, especially languages, the most important thing on her mind at the moment was to centralize leadership among the many different tribes that lived in Darmona. Once there was some form of central authority supported by the many triebes, organized action would begin to become possible. Before then, changing much of anything in Darmona would be extremely difficult.

"I've sent forth some messengers to the nearest clan leaders... Our tunnels belong to a forest, which is one of the reasons why it's been harder for the Felencorp to realize that we're here... The forest themselves have members of dullahan tribe and batfolk tribe. The two clan leaders want to meet with you later today... Apart from that, our messengers are still on their way to meet up with other nearby clean leaders. Those within a 3 day journey will be notified, with a meeting prepared a week from now."

"Apart from the clan leaders in our forest... None of the other ones we're telling that a hero had been summoned. Our forest is a bit isolated from the rest, but it's not true for the other tribes."

After she had explained that, Synithise quickly disappeared to grab some books, along with some materials.

"This book has many runes... Though when it comes to magic, the runes themselves need to signify something important or special. For example... runes between two different mages from two different countries and languages, might look totally different, but produce the same effect. Anyways... First is to teach you the runes, and the proper placement of them." She held up what looked to be chalk, then handed you a long stick of it.

"First, we'll teach you the runes themselves... But we'll have to teach you how to draw them with mana too, since... unless you have a lot of time to prepare, it's not very useful to start drawing a circle with runes in the middle of a swordfight..."

QuoteRoll a number of Training check(s). That's a 1d20+5 (Stats!D27 on your character sheet)

You have 8 hours of free training a day that have no drawbacks. Training for more than 8 hours a day, you will have to roll a Constitution check, failure applies Fatigue -> Exhausted, along with nonlethal damage.

Choices:
Regular Training: 4 hours
Expedited Training: 2 hours (but +4 DC)

Attempting to learn:
Magicka Circles
Learn DC: 12
Required Success: 6 -2 (Greater Mana Sensitivity) = 4

"All right, that's good to hear.", Carrie responds to the news, "Keeping the relevant information within the forest, for the time being, is a solid decision. One week from now is excellent."

Carrie takes a moment to express a continuing form of mild shock at the prospect of meeting the subject of myth and legend in Irish culture.

"When I first came here, the last thing I ever expected was to meet a Dullahan.", Carrie admitted, "This world seems to be a place where the legends of mine come to life."

When Synithise returns, Carrie accepts the long stick of chalk and immediately inquires about what she had just heard about the appearance of runes.

"In other words, every spellcaster's runes are unique?", she asks pointedly, "I'll have to be sure I don't leave any lying around if so. The presence of runes would certainly be less likely to give away the hand of a summoned hero in an event or incident though...."

Regardless of the answer, Carrie would proceed with the magic lesson, followed by a lesson in Felencorp's language.

(Magicka Circles, expedited training x2) (New Language, expedited training x2)

QuoteCarrie is going to try to make Cuban sandwiches for both herself and Synithise for lunch in between the training sessions. We can roleplay that out based on how the skill check goes. Carrie's totally average at cooking despite the fact that she enjoys it, so this could be an interesting situation! lol

(Profession, cook)

"Magic runs between casters aren't necessarily different... It more depends on their own background and teaching. For example, an ancient rune from the kingdom of Darmona..." Synithise explained as she took the chalk and began to scribble something on the parchment of paper.

She started drawing a foreign character to you, but eventually, once it was completed, you somehow knew it said 'Fire'.

"If I take this particular rune, and show it to anyone else from present day Darmona, unless they've studied runes or the ancient languages, they wouldn't know that this means 'fire'."

"I could... if I wanted, use the present day word for 'Fire', but the effect isn't powerful, and sometimes, it's weak enough of a symbolic meaning, that a spell doesn't use it anyways. It might be due to the fact older languages are closer to the origin of the concept, or perhaps something with the goddesses preferring the ancient languages... But regardless of the reason, we're not entirely sure why or how that is... but it's just how the magic works anyways."

"Let's start with the basics though! I'll show you each of the runes I know, and once you have a good grasp of each one, I'll have you try creating a magicka circle."

QuoteAnother note, as long as you have an instructor, they too can aid you in your training. The instructor/mentor will then roll a Training check, and if they succeed the DC, you will get another RS (Required Success).

Trainings
Magicka Circles (DC: 12, RS: 6): 2/6
Language (New Felothian, DC: 15, RS: 8): 0/8

The below are just fluff RP descriptions, but doesn't really play a role in mechanics.

You first began learning the runes, and after you got a couple of them down, Synithise began explaining magicka circles themselves. From her explanation, she had described the various components that made up a magicka circle. Including the sub-magicka circles within each circle too, which should correspond with how the spell should be formed. In the example of summoning an earth elemental, Synithise explained that there would be one large magicka circle, with runes explaining the entirety of the spell. After that, there are sub-magicka circles within it, that each describe a component of the spell itself. In the example, one component would have been Earth, another component would have been Calling or Summoning, yet another component would have been Life. Each of these components would then be another smaller circle within the larger one, with smaller runes in each of those depicting their purpose.

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Kitchen
Date: Day 2 - Before 5 PM

QuoteTreating this as Craft (food), rather than Profession (chef) due to higher modifier. Instead of going 'by feel' (wis), your kind of cooking is more centric on following a precise recipe (int).

At that moment when added the final thing to the sandwich, the familiar green translucent window appeared.

Synithise, who was watching you prepare it, began to salivate.

"Are they done? Is it done? That looks really good..."

"Yep!", Carrie replies, handing Synithise a small plate bearing one of the two sandwiches before taking a bite out of her own, "I learned this recipe from......"

The direction that the conversation had taken suddenly turned Carrie's mood from upbeat and enthusiastic to distinctly grief-stricken as she remembered where the friend who had taught her the recipe she had just prepared for Synithise had last been posted: 1st training Battalion, Paris Island. She hadn't had time to think about it while she had been fighting the creatures that had attacked, but she realized now that she could pinpoint the moment in time where his death had been confirmed. She hesitated for several long moments before taking another bite.

Carrie distinctly remembered that she had wanted to do something to help the beleaguered 1st battalion, but that by the time her plan of action had gone into effect they had already been overrun. She couldn't help but wonder now, after the fact, whether or not pushing the trip across the base just a little faster might have made a greater difference. Even if the creatures' presence had been some cosmic mistake, Carrie couldn't shake the thought that in the end, all she could do for the Marines at Paris Island had been to ensure that their enemies likewise didn't leave the battlefield alive. The subsequent revelation that half of the planet's population had perished certainly didn't help Carrie's state of mind.

Her mind continued to go in circles second guessing every choice she had made. If she had done this differently here.......... taken along that person there, been a little more accurate, or took decisive action a little bit quicker........ Carrie knew that hidsight was 20/20, but no matter how many times she told herself that, she couldn't get rid of the sense of guilt that she was feeling in that moment. She had given it everything she had, but her best hadn't been good enough.

The thoughts winding their way through Carrie's mind weren't leaving her with much of an appetite, but she found herself enjoying the sandwich anyway. The recipe now seemed to her almost as if it were a parting gift.

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Kitchen
Date: Day 2 - Before 5 PM

You didn't finish what you were saying from where you learned the recipe from, but when Synithise saw you eat the sandwhich, though a bit mellow, she took that as permission to enjoy the sandwhich herself.

Normally, Synithise would have gorged herself on the foodstuff, but this time the Lamia Priestess matriarch enjoyed the food slowly, her eyes roaming over to you, and staring at you cautiously.

With one hand on the sandwhich, eating it, she placed another hand on your shoulder.

"Carrie... Is everything okay?" She asked.

---

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels
Date: Day 2 - 5:00 PM

"Hero Carrie! Matriarch!" One of the guards said going into the room you were both in.

"The clean heads from the Dullahan and Batfolk clan are here... They're waiting near the entrance of our tunnels, in the meeting room."

QuoteState any preparations you might want to do before then, along with what clothing you might be using, or gear/equipment/weapons.

Carrie took a few moments before she answered, the finality of the words she was about to speak truly sinking in for the first time.

"The person who taught me this recipe is dead.", Carrie answered plainly, an emotional numbness apparent in her voice that was followed by another long pause, then, "A great many people I knew are dead. My entire platoon of recruits..........they're all gone. I've lost people in combat before, but never the whole unit, much less a unit of recruits."

Carrie's gaze remained directed downward, toward the sandwich in her hand, as she remembered the various faces of the Marines she had served with over the years, as well as those of the young recruits she would have been training at the moment,  had Paris Island not been attacked. One face stuck in her mind, causing Carrie to experience a sudden wave of guilt and despair. The face of the recruit she had instructed to lead their platoon-mates toward the position of another Drill instructor during the attack now haunted Carrie. Thinking back on that decision, Carrie began to imagine the terror and confusion that being left in charge in her Drill Instructor's absence must have caused. As proud as the young women that had risen to the occasion to fight alongside her had made Carrie, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the loss of their lives as well as heart wrenching guilt over having left them to essentially fend for themselves in the middle of such a clusterfuck, even if she knew that the course of action she had chosen was logically the best option for everyone.

Carrie was broken out of her thoughts, however, by the voice of one of the guards announcing the arrival of the two clan heads that had been expected.

"Well, we had best not keep them waiting.", Carrie responds, quickly finishing off her Cuban sandwich, "If I had been thinking when I came here, I would have brought my Dress Blues. Oh well. The standard uniform will have to do."

QuoteCarrie will be appearing in her standard utility uniform, given that it's currently the only outfit she has to her name and will make clear she's not from this world. She will also have her sidearm on her hip as usual along with her Ka-bar holstered on the opposite hip.