Tori had come with Banshy today to check out the wishing stone. she'd been sick so she hadn't had a chance to beforehand but now she's here! exciting!

she walked towards the stone when Banshy was done, and sniffed the stone curiously. it granted wishes they had said. so what did she want to wish for?

hm.

"Could i some rocks?" she asked. "not like. magical ones. just pretty ones! its hard to find any that aren't just pebbles or regular grey stones, i want like. crystals and geodes and other cool stuff, like the kind i saw in one of the rock books in cepheus. can i just have some rocks? please and thank you!"

she just.. really wanted a rock collection it seemed. huh.

(feel free to ignore this if its last minute!)

what might this be..?

On this final day, the Wishing Stone continued to greet its visitors with cheerful chimes. But now, its notes had taken on an almost weary aspect, and its colors seemed almost to be fading. With each wish granted today, the colors dimmed a little more, the song weakening further. And at last, after the final wish was granted, it went dim--and silent.

Perhaps someday it would reawaken--but for now, its magic seemed to be expended.

---

Khavur was given a kind farewell--and on their return, a bright chime of greeting. Their request was met with a halting song, as the Wishing Stone searched the caves' magic with its own, though now it seemed to take more effort than anything had before. After some faltering flashes, knowledge came to Khavur.

There would be no guarantees. In fact, such a wish was unlikely to be granted--not that Draconua could not be killed, but simply because a replacement would be treated merely as an addition, another monster in the arsenal, another soldier to the army. If Vargas had wished her replaced, he might have tried, but--and here came a quiet, cryptic piece of secret knowledge--'he would be unable. Not for thousands of years; for her creation was nothing so simple as a design and a birth.' A strange and awful sense of time slipping past at breakneck speed would rush through Khavur's mind, a dizzying and crushing feeling of lying millennia in the dark, Chaos seeping into every vein, permeating every cell.

Yet the Wishing Stone would attempt to grant this wish, regardless--its warning was merely that: caveat emptor, buyer beware, this gift may not fulfill all dreams and destinies, please read the fine print. A second vision curled through Khavur's mind. A vision that swept their eyes from Polaris, through a short and rocky, icy tunnel and into snow-swept mountain plains. As if flying, their vision would whip over the snowdrifts, tear between the mountains, plunging through freezing fog and into the shadows of the Drowned Forest beyond. The skeletal trees still reached for the sky, but Khavur's eyes dove below, deeper and deeper: below the lush canopies growing in the near-freezing water, down to the very bottom. It died here--the one they sent to root her out. They tried to keep it as a trophy. But it sank, and they are not so very good at swimming. And here it was: a massive Oilstone chunk, dodecahedron in shape, lying shrouded in green growth as if waiting for them.

Khavur receives: directions to a massive Oilstone, guaranteed revive, GM designed.

OOC reward:
YspobDon has won their choice of a Tier Five reward, and may claim a Winner's Choice in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel!

---

The Catawampus's chanted poem was met with at first hesitant, and then increasingly confident, harmonization from the Wishing Stone. A slow thump of low notes provided the beat, and a few higher-pitched chimes, the cheerful, slightly sinister melody. And when the Catawampus had finished, the Wishing Stone immediately popped out its gift.

One might have expected a small, magical bag, or an enchanted box or the like. But the Wishing Stone provided something a little... different: a very large, but lightweight, suitcase. A brand name on the front had been rubbed off by wear or an accident until only the word "Sam" remained. Otherwise it was like new: well-built, with a multitude of pockets behind sturdy zippers, the faux leather exterior waterproof, a light but strong steel frame keeping the inside nice and sturdy, and the entire thing done in a stylish black. The bottom had wheels, and an extendable handle could be pulled out to haul it easily along, and also locked in place. Speaking of locks: the crime bit seemed to be well-covered here. Each zipper held a small combination lock, and the whisper of the Wishing Stone through the mind of the Catawampus was so: 'four-six-two-four.' And, of course, the images of those numbers, seared into its memory. There was a magic to the suitcase, and the Catawampus would be made aware: inputting the wrong code was very likely to set one's digits on fire.

Catawampus receives: an enchanted suitcase named Sam. (See below for details)

---

It was a day, it seemed, for impossible wishes. Well--impossible wishes, and suitcases. But the Wishing Stone let Madhukar know, as it had warned Khavur, that such a promise was indeed much to ask. It could not guarantee such a life. But it could, at least, guarantee a life.

A trickle of magic (and the Stone almost seemed to struggle, here) made its way into the stone, and Madhukar would know: no matter who gave this stone life, and how weak their attempt, it would still take. The stone, at least, would live. But there was a strange sense of almost... advice, if tentative, from the stone: 'what matters is, you care.'

Madhukar receives: Twisted gemstone made a Guaranteed Revive.

---

Fleas was greeted with a series of cheerful, if weakened, chimes. At her question, the Wishing Stone (almost relieved, it felt, at not having another true Wish to grant) seemed to settle in to flood Fleas' mind with visions.

She would see glimpses--a dozen or more--of the Jester pushing the jokes just that bit too far, and being smashed back into a chrysalis, again and again and again. Edgy punchlines led straight into visions of a ruby gemstone; and Fleas would understand that this was, in a sense, almost part of the act. Not that it was intentional on the Jester's part--but they did accept it with a sort of cynical resignation. No--it was more part of the act on the audience's behalf. They always knew it'd come, eventually, and that made it all the more hilarious.

It was one last joke, now, that Fleas beheld: a memory of the Jester on-stage, weary with a long night's performance. The Jester had pushed things a little too far, yet again--only this time, at the expense of a visiting dignitary, one not really "in" on the joke. The memory seemed to shroud in shadow--and someone took the collar away.

The next few scenes seemed almost to be set to a backdrop of a comically loud sad trombone: the Jester wandering a rainy street (one that did not exist within the cave) kicking a can along, staring off a dock into Fornax, and finally, sleeping curled up in a tunnel, tucked into an alcove beside a river. It felt very distinctly like, for some reason, there were liberties being taken with this--artistic liberties, perhaps--but the message was clear enough; the Jester had misstepped, been fired, and had fallen into obscurity. Perhaps he, or his stone, still rested somewhere within the tunnel where he'd been seen-... But the Wishing Stone was too weak to continue the vision, to show exactly where the Jester had been. ('It's in Tunnel E, though,' came the whisper, with a sensation like a wink.)

Fleas receives: An overly complex set of visions of the Jester.

OOC Reward:
Gortys has won their choice of a Tier Two reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Medium Spell Borrow, 500 Magicka, or Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Hybrid Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

The bear's sheer anxiety was met with a soothing chime from the Wishing Stone. At the very least, Sergei's request was simple enough: there were certainly magics to help him detect fungus, and it would be easy enough to impart their knowledge to him. Yet-... the Wishing Stone seemed to struggle, as it did so.

And when it had finished, its chime sounded friendly... but exhausted.

Sergei receives: Grey Sense.

OOC Reward:
Dark has won their choice of a Tier Five reward, and may claim a Winner's Choice in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel!

---

Oliver's wish--not the first to be selfless, but certainly still as kind--was met with a series of gentle chimes from the Wishing Stone. It felt as though the stone considered, for a moment.

There wasn't a simple magic to teach such things, but-... One click later, and a small compass had clicked to the ground beside Oliver. 'Pick it up,' the Wishing Stone seemed to whisper, an excited urge. When Oliver did so, he would find that the needle was spinning--as if trying to point to itself; and the inner cap held a mirror whose reflection would shimmer and change, depicting instead... the compass itself. Oliver would know, instinctively, that the compass would show a willing target's deepest desires--and if they knew what they wanted, and if it were something within the caves, the compass would point toward it, too. Otherwise-... well, it would just spin!

Oliver receives: Trueheart Compass. (See below for details)

---

Brandle's request was met, almost, with relief. This was a simple enough request, and the Wishing Stone was glad to be able to easily grant it. Not that the result was simple, no.

What thunked to the stone by Brandle's side was a toolbox--but not just any toolbox, not some cheap plastic-clad thing. No: it was beautifully-tooled, polished oak, with gleaming brass hinges and clips. Within, the tools were gorgeously crafted, more oak with dark steel. Wrenches and clamps, hammers and shears, even screwdrivers lay within--everything one might expect to find in a typical toolbox.

Brandle receives: An Ornate Toolbox.

OOC Reward:
Snail has won their choice of a Tier One reward, and may claim any of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Low Spell Borrow, 300 Magicka, Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Earth Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

V-Labradorite-One's request was met with a series of thoughtful-sounding chimes. And at last, almost tentative, the Wishing Stone send them... a vision.

They would see themselves as though hurtling through Polaris, through Origin's tunnels, into the jungles of Eridanus. There, against a wall, and up behind a ledge, there was a cave. It wasn't clear why the Wishing Stone would send V-Labradorite-One to this cave--but there was a hint, a trickle, that it might be... an ally? If Labradorite could gain it, perhaps, as a... friend.

V-Labradorite-One receives: Directions to a cave in Eridanus.

---

Toboggan's wish was met with a single, apologetic chime. This wish, quite simply, could not be granted. There were reasons for this-... And as if in hint, or perhaps reassurance, a single feather floated from thin air to land delicately at the canine's paws. It was creamy tan up one side of its quill, and white on the other; a slightly darker brown tip led into similarly dark stripes banding the feather's length. The feather was long, and very soft: an owl's feather.

It wasn't clear what this meant, but it was clearly a gift--and with it came a whisper: the Wishing Stone's magic was not stuck here; not at all.

Toboggan receives: A single feather.

---

Bayo's wish was met with quiet, thoughtful chiming that seemed to go on far longer than it had for his prior visits. He would understand, as if by instinct, that the Wishing Stone could not quite grant this wish, not as Bayo wanted it: the horses of the caves were their own creatures (though he could certainly try to befriend one!), and the Lessers counted no horses among their number.

But-... perhaps there was something the Wishing Stone could offer: a token, of sorts. A click hit the stone behind Bayo: a little horse's head, whittled from wood and carefully polished, then hung on a rough twine cord. The moment Bayo touched it, there'd be a strange scent, like warm wind carrying iron-rich sand; manure could be smelled atop it, and the fresh odor of prairie grass. A distant lowing of cows would flit through his mind, and the rustle of the wind through the grass whispered alongside it. He would catch a glimpse of distant canyons gleaming red in a sunset--and then it faded.

Bayo receives: Ranch Hand's Talisman

OOC Reward:
Charlie has won their choice of a Tier Two reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Medium Spell Borrow, 500 Magicka, or Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Hybrid Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

Nothing needed be added; the Wishing Stone had all it needed. But a weapon, on fire? -Easily enough delivered! ...Still, the Stone seemed to strain for a time, its initial greeting of flashing lights dimming as it almost struggled.

After a moment, a big, flaming weapon clattered to the ground beside Akane. The fire quickly sizzled out and dimmed, though a flaming aura lingered; future strikes with it would come with bursts of flame. The Wishing Stone hummed hopefully: was this what the Oni had wanted?

Akane receives: Incinerating Axe-Flail

OOC Reward:
Navy has won their choice of a Tier Three reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: High Spell Borrow, 1000 Magicka, Uncommon Character Slot (UCS), Lost Stone (Alien/Valkhound, GM-Designed, Guaranteed Revive), High Intensity Non-Elemental Spell (Sensorial Link, Familiar Forge, Affix Dye, Enchant), or Mutation Slot

---

The Wishing Stone harmonized with Pip nonetheless, seeming to deliberately chime its notes to the fading melody to make it sound, well... better. The question of "can you talk" was met with another chime; seemingly, the answer was "no." The wish, too, was met with further chimes.

It did not take long.

Little Blue suddenly sprouted legs: two of them, black and noodly, with simple lines for feet. They were fibrous, linked to the stone via some form of arcane magic; but they looked rather comical, almost cartoonish in a sense. There we go, the Wishing Stone seemed to say, content with its fine work.

Pip receives: Legs for Little Blue.

---

The Wishing Stone was touched. As much as a stone could be, anyway. It could likely sense just how selfish Effluvium truly was, and how much a like-for-like gift--even that of pebbles and dust--meant. It hummed and flashed through a rainbow of different colors, settling finally on... red.

At length, a slab of reddish, very porous stone thunked to the ground before the shambling horror. Effluvium would know--immediately, instinctively--to feed it: to feed it water, and plants. And in return? ...The stone was already sprouting meat. Not quite enough for a meal, no--but the weird, shapeless red flesh bubbling from the stone could be gnawed off like meat from the bone, a neat snack whenever it desired.

Effluvium receives: Ever-Growing Marrow. (See below for details.)

---

Kaimana--and her friendly cheer--was met with happy chiming. The Wishing Stone seemed to like her, and her wish was--after only a moment--quickly granted.

A pair of bags, attached to a velcro strap, tumbled haphazardly to the stone beside Kaimana. They were the sort of bags one might strap to a dog, while hiking: saddlebags, sort of, with velcro flap-tops and spacious interiors. Except, of course, these were fitted for a jaguar.

Kaimana receives: 'Saddle'bags.

---

Skein would find the Wishing Stone's intentions, at least, were good. Whether the stone itself, or some other force, was unknown--but the color, at least, wasn't red.

---

Friend's request was met with almost sad chiming. What a dire strait to be stuck in! The Wishing Stone could give him an item, of course, to let him breathe the air--but what use would that be, to a fish flopping around on the rock? And if he dropped it--well, he'd be dead!

Instead, the Wishing Stone sent a glimmer of magic to the fish--and an instruction. 'Sleep.' The changes would then come.

Friend receives: Free mutation, should he so wish, to impart the ability to breathe the air (and possibly aid locomotion on land).

---

Wilder's wish was swiftly granted, a cheerful, reassuring hum from the Wishing Stone accompanying. A big (slightly larger, even, than Wilder) male Pitch Rat, jet black and with bright yellow eyes, and with a dim purple Taaffeite gem on its foreleg, came hesitantly into view. The poor thing was battered, scar-ridden and with chipped ears, old wounds healed across his dark tail. His demeanor--and Wilder could feel it, now--was unnaturally gentle, even afraid. Clearly, this was a Pitch Rat who had been too timid to survive among the other, more typically savage of his kind, and had been driven from his pack. Perhaps he could find a new friend in Wilder?

Wilder receives: Pitch Rat familiar and Familiar Forge spell.

OOC Reward:
Jaymie has won their choice of a Tier One reward, and may claim any of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Low Spell Borrow, 300 Magicka, Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Earth Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

Vasil's wish was met with chimes that sounded almost as though they were pondering. And at length, a single item was spat out. An item wasn't an adventure; what was this?

The item was old metal--iron or brass, it wasn't clear past all the wear and tear. It looked, sort of, like a stylized sun, with a face and a ring of rays that connected in an outer ring. On the back was a single word inscribed: LACERTA. With this strange gift came a brief flicker of a vision in Vasil's mind: the froth of waves lapping at a pebbly beach, no other land in sight. A shimmer of magic crossed the sun sigil, and faded. 'You may want to bring friends. It will be a lot to explore,' the Wishing Stone suddenly promised, and it felt... almost mischievous.

Vasil receives: a key to adventure in a Long-Lost Location in Fornax... (starts a Quest!)

---

Miriam was greeted with a familiar humming from the Wishing Stone. This wish seemed simple enough to grant, and after a few moments, a small leather case thunked to the ground by her side. It was beautifully-tooled, a rich and oiled brown; a brass buckle on the latch kept it closed.

Once it was opened, Miriam would find, within, a small whittling and carving kit. A little chisel, a hammer, and long little triangular blades on wooden handles for carving wood, all lay on a red felt cloth tucked neatly inside. All were large enough that Miriam's digits should be able to use them, with time and practice.

Miriam receives: Wood-whittling and stone-carving kit.

OOC Reward:
Nemesis has won their choice of a Tier Two reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Medium Spell Borrow, 500 Magicka, or Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Hybrid Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

The Wishing Stone hummed with thought at Nameless's request. It was... pondering, really. It had learned something these last few days: that many of the Gembounds here wished to help others, but that more often than not, they didn't know how--or didn't know how to truly contact one another. It was hard for all of them to help one another without first knowing what was needed. And healing was good, but it would not give happiness to those who needed that.

It was a bit of a stretch, but after a moment, the Wishing Stone reached out a tentative thread of magic--and imparted it into the goose. With this, Nameless would be able to feel what others were feeling, be it pain or love or fear or even something so simple as cold--and, so attuned, perhaps find what would help them best. Somehow, the Wishing Stone felt that this was what would help Nameless most in her request.

Nameless receives: Greater Empathy.

---

Porkchop's arrival was met with a humming sound of greeting. And his request, with a flash of brightly-colored amusement. The Wishing Stone knew just the thing!

After a moment, a single, shining golden Twinkie tumbled to the ground in front of Porkchop. The scent was sickly sweet, its insides full of gooey white cream. And the moment the pig went for it, a second Twinkie would tumble from the air above his back--and a third, a fourth--and suddenly, it would be as if someone had upended a wheelbarrow's worth of Twinkies above Porkchop's shoulders. They cascaded down around him in a flood of golden flashes, bouncing around his hooves, filling his nostrils with their scent. For a moment, Porkchop would be in a heaven made of processed desserts.

Porkchop receives: one hundred Twinkies.

OOC Reward:
Cicada has won their choice of a Tier Three reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: High Spell Borrow, 1000 Magicka, Uncommon Character Slot (UCS), Lost Stone (Alien/Valkhound, GM-Designed, Guaranteed Revive), High Intensity Non-Elemental Spell (Sensorial Link, Familiar Forge, Affix Dye, Enchant), or Mutation Slot

---

Long, shining... beautiful, magical, and elegant. Zhusha's request was met with a flicker of light from the Wishing Stone--a sort of exhausted faltering. Yet it provided.

A clatter of bright gold slipped to the rock at his feet. He might need help putting it on: a combination of armor and weapon, in five pieces, but once it was on, it would look glorious. The first two pieces were wing-blades: simple straps would slide between the feathers of his wings to clasp outward-pointed blades, like claws, from the wrist joints. A flap of wings could slash a foe with this, and would protect his wings from battering. The next two were long, golden spurs, which would strap around his ankles and allow him to kick at a foe. And lastly, there was a helmet: a long, sleek one, with a back-swept spike curling up and away from his head, and a sheathe that extended out in a long point several inches past his beak. It buckled beneath the chin, and was clearly designed to both protect the skull, and allow him to pierce an enemy with a strike.

Zhusha receives: Armor of the Eagle King. (See details below)

---

The gift of flowers were met with cheered humming, the Wishing Stone reacting, it seemed, with gratitude.

Bebby's wish was straightforward, and simple enough to grant, yet it seemed to falter. Its lights failed and dimmed, the colors fading gray--for a moment, it appeared it might simply 'turn off' altogether. But after a moment, it seemed to gather itself: and Bebby would feel that faint flicker of magic as a new spell was taught to her. 'You will need to plant the seeds... but then, you can bloom them into flowers.' This knowledge, somehow, seemed to come with a smile.

Bebby receives: Blossom.

OOC Reward:
Josie has won their choice of a Tier Two reward, and may claim any one of the following for ANY of their characters in Update Me or Discord's Requests channel: Medium Spell Borrow, 500 Magicka, or Lost Stone (Guaranteed Revive, Hybrid Animal, GM-Rolled)

---

Archfey's wish was met with a brief moment's pause. There were so many ways to discover beauty, after all; and this one was too young to know which way would be best. The Wishing Stone deliberated, and then chose one.

The young hybrid would feel a new magic imparted to her, and know that here was a way to find lost beauty--the beauty of lost souls, and the sparkle of a gem.

Archfey receives: Detect Magic.

---

The Wishing Stone did, in its defense, attempt to impart Bebby's greeting. But without words, it could not communicate this well; so the message to Genevive was more a vague sensation of the rainbow-cat's hello.

The wish, however, was met with a moment's humming chime--and then a flash of bright gold inspiration. Magic flickered out, weakly (and the stone's colors briefly dimmed), imparting a new knowledge to Genevive.

Genevive receives: Lesser Empathy.

---

The chiming that met Forgraves was distinctly weary. The colors of the Wishing Stone had dulled even further, the lights glimmering in an intermittent sort of way. Yet the wish was a good one--that yearning for other worlds that the Stone often struggled to grant.

After a moment, a simple pendant tumbled forth from thin air. It was a silver locket, on a silver chain, the locket itself a circle some three inches in diameter. When opened, however, the locket depicted a starry sky--remarkably realistic, each star giving off soft, bright light. If Forgraves inspected it more closely, he might find how it had been made: a simple, thin sheet of obsidian layered over a Baubled pane of white quartz. The obsidian, then, had pinprick points of holes through it, allowing the light to pierce the dark. It was not perfect--and it was not the sky--but it was a sheet of stars that Forgraves could take with him wherever he went, and show anyone who wanted to see.

Forgraves receives: Baubled Star Locket.

---

Banshy's wish was simple, easy, and the Wishing Stone was glad to so easily please someone! The cloak that swept downward, landing atop Banshy's shoulders, was of fine make: thick but light, warm and soft, with a hood and a cloth clasp for the throat. More interesting, it matched Banshy to some extent: while the whole thing was, as requested, dark, the cloth had been dyed in a smooth gradient. The top--the hood and shoulders--were jet black, but this faded toward the bottom, to a worn dark gray.

Banshy receives: a Hooded Cloak.

---

The Wishing Stone was a little puzzled, at Oka's request. Each magic it began to reach for, it found that Oka already knew! It could grow the plants, keep them healthy, even urge them into blossoming. Puzzled, the Wishing Stone considered. It could grant magic, perhaps, to preserve the plants--but better yet, perhaps it could teach Oka to aid these plants to truly flourish? A moment later, the decision was made: and with a gentle chime, the magic was imparted to the snail. With luck, this would answer its desires.

Oka receives: Flourish.

---

The Wishing Stone's light was nearly out. Astoria's wish, however, was a simple one--and the Wishing Stone was pleased that it could grant this one, final request. A chime was sent out, with a reassuring note--it would fade, but this was not the Gembounds' fault. The stone had fulfilled its purpose here.

Well-... almost. There was this one last thing.

A drawstring bag of soft, tan cloth clinked to the ground beside Astoria. Clinked, because inside were a hundred or so small rocks of many different colors, shapes, and textures. Some were polished, some rough; some were translucent, and some opaque. Some were gleaming gemstones--hunks of raw ruby or amethyst--and others, stones like Hematite, or pink granite with shining specks of mica.

And with this last, final wish, the Wishing Stone faded: its light went dim, its chiming settling into a gentle lullaby that, for now, went silent.

Astoria receives: A Collection of Pretty Rocks.

---

Spells and enchanted item inventory icons will be given out shortly!

Identified Item!

The Catawampus has retrieved an item from The Wishing Stone!

1★ Sam, the Suitcase A black fabric suitcase with locked zippers.

☆★★★★★ Sam, the Suitcase A black fabric suitcase with locked zippers. Waterproof and well-built, the item's brand name has been worn away until only 'Sam' remains. Features wheels, an extendible locking handle, and a strong but light internal steel frame. ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 50 DURABILITY: 60 SPECIAL: Any failed attempt to open the four-digit lock (code 4624) will result in a flash of fire attempting to ignite the area around the lock, potentially burning or even setting on fire anyone failing the code. MATERIAL: Black fabric, steel ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 25 EQUIP: Carry Currently owned by: The Catawampus

Identified Item!

Oliver has received an identified item from The Wishing Stone!

3★ Trueheart Compass An old, but somewhat ornate, compass with a mysterious lid.

☆☆☆★★★ Trueheart Compass An old but somewhat ornate compass made of beautifully-tooled brass-colored metal, glass, and magnetic metal. ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 80 DURABILITY: 20 SPECIAL: The inside of the lid, when opened, shows one of the bearer's heart's desires--even if they don't know it, themselves. If possible, and if the target is within the caves, the needle points toward them; otherwise, it spins. MATERIAL: Metal, glass ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: 0 WEIGHT: 2 EQUIP: Carry Currently owned by: Oliver

Identified Item!

Bayo has retrieved an item from The Wishing Stone!

1★ Ranch Hand's Talisman A polished, whittled horse's head necklace on twine.

☆★★★★★ Ranch Hand's Talisman A beautifully-carved, polished wooden horse's head on a length of rough twine. Intended to be worn as a pendant. ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 50 DURABILITY: 25 SPECIAL: Touching and focusing on the talisman grants the user fleeting, vague sensations as though they were somewhere in a western desert or prairie, with sweeping winds, red sands, horses, cattle, and sunsets. MATERIAL: Wood, twine ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 3 EQUIP: Neck Currently owned by: Bayo

Identified Item!

Zhusha has retrieved an item from The Wishing Stone!

1★ Armor of the Eagle King Beautifully wrought golden armor, intended for a bird.

☆★★★★★ Armor of the Eagle King Beautifully-wrought golden armor doubling as weapons, intended for a large bird: wing-blades, ankle-spurs, and a helmet with a backswept spike and spear-like beak cover. ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 50 DURABILITY: 50 SPECIAL: Enchanted with the Barrier spell, slightly reducing all incoming damage. MATERIAL: Gold, leather ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 15 EQUIP: Armor Currently owned by: Zhusha

Identified Item!

Effluvium has retrieved an item from The Wishing Stone!

1★ Ever-Growing Marrow An ugly slab of very porous, dark red-orange stone.

☆★★★★★ Ever-Growing Marrow An ugly slab of very porous, dark red-orange stone. ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 50 DURABILITY: 75 SPECIAL: Enchanted. Can gradually absorb water and plant matter, and in turn, undefinable 'meat' grows from its broad pores. MATERIAL: Stone ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 15 EQUIP: ...No Currently owned by: Effluvium

@Khavur (Catawampus, Madhukar, Kaimana) @Oliver (Sergei) @Fleas (Effluvium, Fleas) @Brandle (V-Labradorite-One) @Toboggan @Bayo @Akane @Pip @Skein @Friend @Wilder @Vasil @Miriam @Porkchop @Zhusha @Bebby (Archfey, Forgraves, Banshy) @Astoria

She looked up as movement enters her peripherals and immediately took a step back, hackles raising in alarm as the pitch rat trotted forward. She was about to turn tail and flee or cast a spell to defend herself when she felt something in her mind. Something opening. Not unlike the experience of reading minds but deeper, more permanent. She paused and turned her attention to it as she sensed a sort of...shyness. And it was coming from the rat himself, who had stopped a few feet away to stare her down, head bowed submissively. Was it...him who she could feel?

It's me. It wasn't words that came through their link, only a feeling that Wilder could understand to mean the same thing. She blinked and stepped forward, still regarding the rat - which was larger then her - with a wary gaze, but now wondering what this was that the stone had given her. "You can...hear me? My thoughts?" The rat shuffled its feet and sent along and affirming thought that had Wilder pausing again.

No home. No pack. Don't wanna fight. Can I go with you? Again, wordless feelings pushed their way into her mind and she wondered how a Lesser was capable of such a thing. A work of the stone, perhaps? Or was it latching onto her own magic, growing smarter, and bound to her? She glanced back at the wishing stone, which was glowing dimly at her side, before turning back to the rat and approaching, carefully, but more confidently then before. The rat cowered where he was, trembling, until she was right in front of him, reaching forward with a paw to gently touch his snout. He didn't snap at her, he didn't attack, he just stood there and waited, and she could feel anxiety of rejection, fear that she'd send him away or worse, kill him outright.

She felt herself saddened and sympathetic to him, having felt a similar feeling herself in a time long past that still haunted her steps to this day. She retracted her paw and purred. "Of course you can. Do you have a name?"

Joy flooded the link and the rat looked back up at her, its dark eyes glittering happily. I don't. Do you want to name me? It was a big question to ask of Wilder and she took a moment to flit through her head to think of a good one. Her mind immediately took her to the world outside, to mountains as far as the eye can see, the great endless sky and the planet hanging above, the sun and the patches of snow and Tamulus's gentle voice. "Does Vaati sound okay to you?" The pitch rat perked up and nodded, not fully understanding what he'd seen in her mind, but felt the weight and meaning of the name in her heart.

Tail high, she padded away, Vaati following close behind.

...

She returned the next day with Vaati, to thank the stone again, but to her dismay, she stone had gone quiet and dark. She stood in front of it for a moment, mourning softly, before reaching down to touch one of the pebbles nearby. After a moment, a soft pink glow emanated from the stone and she pawed it over so that it rested against what was once the Wishing Stone. "Thank you for everything," she mewed softly, nosing the stone one last time before she turned and padded off with her familiar, wondering how many other lives the Wishing Stone had changed.

*exit

Bayo was elated to receive such a wonderful gift. A gift of feeling, of somewhere far from here, an escape from reality into a beautiful dream. He looped the talisman around his neck and tucked it under his bandana for safe keeping, bowing his head to the stone.

”Thank you kindly, Wishin' Stone,” he said, before turning tail and bounding off to explore the extent of his wondrous gift.

Exit.

Maximus returned one last time, though not to wish for anything. Instead they'd come with flowers and added them to the rest, taking away any that had wilted so that the bed of blooms remained beautiful.

”Until you next awaken,” they said softly, resting a hand on the dormant stone. ”Thank you for all that you've done for us.”

They stayed for a little longer but ultimately had to leave. With one last farewell they departed into Polaris, looking back once before disappearing into the cave.

Exit

Khavur's heart battered against its chest at the prospect of this, of all things, being proclaimed an ungrantable wish. They were afraid for a moment, and then nearly choking on rage, and then bashed to smithereens by the immense passing of more time than he could even comprehend, and then — salvation. In a deep draw of breath, they would cast off that permeating cloak of entropy and chaos in order to pay excessive diligence to the directions given, mapping out whatever information they could at the speed that it was given. Seemed to be far, although less so by flight, and — oh. Ursa. It died here--the one they sent to root her out. They tried to keep it as a trophy. But it sank, and they are not so very good at swimming. Khavur remembered the bug-like remains strewn about the Black City.

What impressed upon his mind most was the prize itself. A massive gemstone, far more cohesively shaped than any Khavur had seen before, and theirs... if only they could get to it. Seemed this creature was trapped inside by the freezing water and enemy territory, whereas the Reaver was trapped outside by the same.

Emerging from the depths of the vision, Khavur slowly caught their breath now, readjusted, reoriented. Processed. They nodded one head, curt and decisive, to the stone. I understand. Thank you. And then, train of birds in tow, they rumbled away, swaying like a forest of trees. A forest of trees. A forest of trees. They needed to prepare.

- exit -

Madhukar could feel it, in a surreal way — the advice of the gemstone, and the effort it put into this, and the magic the crept into the emerald. Now, Twisted was sure to succeed one part of the process — the most confounding part. Madhukar could not be grateful enough for that. The advice, as well... it left her something to ponder. At least it matters to someone. It was... kind of a dismal thought. A dismal existence, and maybe apathy would end that pain, but... Madhukar wanted to trust those who had been kind to her. Trust what they had taught her. Trust that her heart could do good, that it could be in the right place, and maybe she could participate in some other form of life than destruction and neutrality and...

She thanked the stone rather profusely in her thoughts. She thanked it, retrieved Twisted's emerald, and left. Later that day she would come back with more plants, more soil, even prettier blooms somehow. She would come to a faded stone — not dead, but sleeping. No one home, for now. Madhukar would stand there more a moment, pieces of dirt crumbling with each passing moment like sands of time. She would grimance, shake her head, and continue to spread this garden around the stone anyways. I'm sorry I missed it, she would think. They probably won't still be growing when you come back, if you ever do.

But what matters is that she cared enough to water the plants before she left.

- exit -

After everyone had seemed to be finished forgraves planned to come back, not for a wish, but to thank the stone once more, but when he returned the stone was dim.

he walked toward it, pressing some white roses he had brought, since everyone else had been bringing flowers, onto the edge of the stone, and whispered a thanks, for all it had done, for him and the rest of the people in these caves, and he would leave once more.

*exit forgraves and basically all of josie's characters


"Speech." Thoughts.