Jun 27 2019, 04:54 AM
The first of them began to trickle in. Some were limping. Some were bloodied, burned, wounded, or trailed broken limbs behind them.
This was not unexpected.
What was unexpected was the sheer percentage of survivors. It mattered little, to the Merchant: what mattered was that these had proven worthy. This was good. "Come. Present your trophy," he told them, as the exhausted competitors arrived at last in the slightly-cooler cave mouth.
"And be... rewarded."
He waited. Feathers. Claws. The Matriarch's entire head. And after the last of the trophies were turned in, the Merchant--Vargas now pacing up to sit beside him--raised his hands.
Power crackled. Black. Inky.
Down it swept, engulfing those who had returned. Agony--brief, overwhelming. The mind slipping away. All Gembound who returned a trophy would be struck by this magic: powerful enough to instantly return them to their chrysalis. Those who did not return a trophy would be struck dead on the spot.
"A... success," the Merchant said.
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All Gembound who successfully return a trophy to the Masked Merchant in this final posting round will be struck by a flash of powerful, painful black energy and returned to their chrysalis. You may choose one of the following mutations for your character to awaken with--or forego a mutation, and choose instead the option to return at a later date to ask the Merchant to guarantee a Gembound's successful Give Life spellcast on any stone. Amazon will not awaken with a Hydra mutation, but rather a special alteration which allows her to survive low-level radioactivity. All Gembound will awaken with any wounds sustained in Hydra having healed, though scars may be left behind.
1. Mutation: Vulture Wings - long-feathered black OR soft-skinned beige wings, large enough to carry the Gembound.
2. Mutation: Scorpion Tail - a curved, segmented tail with a venomous barb at the tip, which can whip over quadrapedal Gembound to sting an enemy and poison them.
3. Mutation: Sandworm - sandy-colored scales sprout over the back and flank and bristles along the spine, and if they choose, massive mandibles; if chosen, the Gembound will be able to use these to chew rapidly through soft substrate and to burrow.
4. Mutation: Bone Hare - the Gembound's color is changed entirely to a sandy brown, with white bone-like markings over it which mirror its skeleton.
5. Mutation: Quillmouse - the Gembound's back and flank will be covered in long, stiffly-flexible spines. These are easily shed on impact to impale attackers, and are extremely difficult to remove, working their way deeper over time.
6. A guaranteed-success Give Life assistance from the Masked Merchant. This can be redeemed at any time; the Gembound will need to come to the Merchant, and ask him to aid them, at which point he will guarantee that their Give Life spell succeeds regardless of roll.
After exiting this thread, Gembound may begin to awaken from their chrysalis in the current time, whether in new threads or off screen.
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1. Garnet Five-Seven-Nine
2. Desert Rose Thirty-Five
3. Lapis Ninety-Five
4. Labradorite Five-Four-Six
5. Yoosung
6. Reseda
7. Opal Three-Seven-Six
8. Asimona
9. Quartz Eight-Six-Zero
10. Styx
11. Quartz Five-Two-Four
12. Amazon & Imp
13. Shango
14. Mayngo
15. Agate Two-Three-Six
This was not unexpected.
What was unexpected was the sheer percentage of survivors. It mattered little, to the Merchant: what mattered was that these had proven worthy. This was good. "Come. Present your trophy," he told them, as the exhausted competitors arrived at last in the slightly-cooler cave mouth.
"And be... rewarded."
He waited. Feathers. Claws. The Matriarch's entire head. And after the last of the trophies were turned in, the Merchant--Vargas now pacing up to sit beside him--raised his hands.
Power crackled. Black. Inky.
Down it swept, engulfing those who had returned. Agony--brief, overwhelming. The mind slipping away. All Gembound who returned a trophy would be struck by this magic: powerful enough to instantly return them to their chrysalis. Those who did not return a trophy would be struck dead on the spot.
"A... success," the Merchant said.
All Gembound who successfully return a trophy to the Masked Merchant in this final posting round will be struck by a flash of powerful, painful black energy and returned to their chrysalis. You may choose one of the following mutations for your character to awaken with--or forego a mutation, and choose instead the option to return at a later date to ask the Merchant to guarantee a Gembound's successful Give Life spellcast on any stone. Amazon will not awaken with a Hydra mutation, but rather a special alteration which allows her to survive low-level radioactivity. All Gembound will awaken with any wounds sustained in Hydra having healed, though scars may be left behind.
Survivors' Reward Choice
1. Mutation: Vulture Wings - long-feathered black OR soft-skinned beige wings, large enough to carry the Gembound.
2. Mutation: Scorpion Tail - a curved, segmented tail with a venomous barb at the tip, which can whip over quadrapedal Gembound to sting an enemy and poison them.
3. Mutation: Sandworm - sandy-colored scales sprout over the back and flank and bristles along the spine, and if they choose, massive mandibles; if chosen, the Gembound will be able to use these to chew rapidly through soft substrate and to burrow.
4. Mutation: Bone Hare - the Gembound's color is changed entirely to a sandy brown, with white bone-like markings over it which mirror its skeleton.
5. Mutation: Quillmouse - the Gembound's back and flank will be covered in long, stiffly-flexible spines. These are easily shed on impact to impale attackers, and are extremely difficult to remove, working their way deeper over time.
6. A guaranteed-success Give Life assistance from the Masked Merchant. This can be redeemed at any time; the Gembound will need to come to the Merchant, and ask him to aid them, at which point he will guarantee that their Give Life spell succeeds regardless of roll.
After exiting this thread, Gembound may begin to awaken from their chrysalis in the current time, whether in new threads or off screen.
Click to view final placement rankings.
1. Garnet Five-Seven-Nine
2. Desert Rose Thirty-Five
3. Lapis Ninety-Five
4. Labradorite Five-Four-Six
5. Yoosung
6. Reseda
7. Opal Three-Seven-Six
8. Asimona
9. Quartz Eight-Six-Zero
10. Styx
11. Quartz Five-Two-Four
12. Amazon & Imp
13. Shango
14. Mayngo
15. Agate Two-Three-Six
Additional Rewards & Achievement Claims
Please post in Update Me for the following rewards!
1. [Quest] The Trials - Took part in opening the cave Hydra for the Masked Merchant - All Participants in The Trials Pt. I & Pt. II who aided the Merchant with returning stones and so forth (not single postings for claiming an adoptable) may claim this achievement.
2. Champion of Hydra - Survived the Trial of Hydra - All survivors of the Trial of Hydra (The Trials - Pt. III) may claim this achievement.
New Spell Unlocked: First, Second and Third-Place Winners may claim 1000, 700 and 500 Magicka respectively, along with the following spell.
Desert Heat - Light - High Intensity Manipulation. Focuses atmospheric light to alter a cave's weather to clear, warm and very bright. This can be pleasant and balmy, encouraging plant growth, or stiflingly dry and hot. Works well and lasts longer in already warm, dry areas.
Please post in Update Me for the following rewards!
1. [Quest] The Trials - Took part in opening the cave Hydra for the Masked Merchant - All Participants in The Trials Pt. I & Pt. II who aided the Merchant with returning stones and so forth (not single postings for claiming an adoptable) may claim this achievement. 2. Champion of Hydra - Survived the Trial of Hydra - All survivors of the Trial of Hydra (The Trials - Pt. III) may claim this achievement.New Spell Unlocked: First, Second and Third-Place Winners may claim 1000, 700 and 500 Magicka respectively, along with the following spell.
Desert Heat - Light - High Intensity Manipulation. Focuses atmospheric light to alter a cave's weather to clear, warm and very bright. This can be pleasant and balmy, encouraging plant growth, or stiflingly dry and hot. Works well and lasts longer in already warm, dry areas.@Yoosung @Amazon @Shango @Quartz Eight-Six-Zero @Labradorite Five-Four-Six @Agate Two-Three-Six @Desert Rose Thirty-Five @Garnet Five-Seven-Nine @Lapis Ninety-Five @Quartz Five-Two-Four