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middleofsomewhere2022-01-25 06:00 am
voidtreckermods) wrote in middleofsomewhere2022-01-25 06:00 am
Fissures of Time: Finale
FISSURES OF TIME: FINALE
... POI 12-13
Late into Poi 12, the Voidtreckers receive a call from Zhak through the map on their SCA.
"Hey, hope everyone's doing alright. You're all doing great so far." Zhak is nothing if not encouraging. Though it's a very textbook encouragement, he quickly moves on to the next point of business.
"It seems reports were right in that you lot are effective, and troublesome. But considering all that has happened this last week we believe we are at a crucial changing point on this world. We have been working on a device for a while which we are hoping could... reboot things as such. Give us and the Gods some idea how to move forward, anyway. We plan to set it up tomorrow, and we're expecting resistance. Any help you can give will be great though it's a bit above and beyond your mission brief so I'd like to make it clear you can say no.
We're not expecting this to fix anything, but if we get even a small somethin' out of it, it'll do some good for this place. We'll need some people to help defend the device, and some to keep the area we're working in secure. We suggest some fighters stay in the camps in case anything untoward happens, but we'll have some guards come and boost your numbers."
"It seems reports were right in that you lot are effective, and troublesome. But considering all that has happened this last week we believe we are at a crucial changing point on this world. We have been working on a device for a while which we are hoping could... reboot things as such. Give us and the Gods some idea how to move forward, anyway. We plan to set it up tomorrow, and we're expecting resistance. Any help you can give will be great though it's a bit above and beyond your mission brief so I'd like to make it clear you can say no.
We're not expecting this to fix anything, but if we get even a small somethin' out of it, it'll do some good for this place. We'll need some people to help defend the device, and some to keep the area we're working in secure. We suggest some fighters stay in the camps in case anything untoward happens, but we'll have some guards come and boost your numbers."
POI 12: THE FINAL NIGHT. Whatever the voidtreckers choose individually or as a group, it seems that this mission is coming to a conclusion. There is one last night in the camps altogether; one last night where the sky hangs in an unending sunset. The refugees have been subdued since the day before, and it's a quiet night for the most part. Some of the refugees, perhaps feeling bad about the commotion and trouble or perhaps just thankful for the help the voidtreckers have given them in the last few days, have made foods out of the ingredients from the supplies shared by the Ministry. It's messy given the camps, but they show their cuisine of flavourful dips, vegetables roasted in a special cooking oil that adds an unusual taste, and skewered meats.
Tonight is a night to prepare, but also to rest and save their strength. Tomorrow, they will fight.
MORNING DAWNS. Bright and early the next morning, the camps awaken. There is much to do, to pack and be ready for the day ahead. There are three main tasks to be done: People to go and help the ministry with their plan to mend this people, people to stay and keep dealing with the smaller distortions, and people to stay and defend what camp was left.
If any Voidtreckers decide to stay behind. Regardless, they won't be alone,
... THE FINAL FIGHT
That trouble comes quickly. The ground is already rumbling when the voidtreckers arrive, but as they draw close the air itself seems to erupt, throwing some people backwards towards the equalisers and pulling others inwards as a distortion envelops around them.
INNER CIRCLE. Those who are pulled into the centre find themselves stood in the grounds of a temple. The place is frozen, in temperature and in time. The ministry workers are still there, but they are not alone, golden tendrils swarm out of the temple towards them, picking one of them up by the ankle and pulling them into the air.From the very centre of the temple a figure is emerging. A woman, growing larger than the temple, bursting out and reaching for the voidtreckers with many golden arms like rays of sun, bent and disfigured. Her face is a cracked mask symbolic of the star, surrounded in a halo of tendrils that whip out everywhere in wisps, crackling lightning and winds thrashing in level with her head.
Help the Ministry contractors, and help each other against the tendrils of gold - the equaliser guns work best. But watch out - each touch of the golden ribbons will leave a burning sensation that can't be healed while inside the distortion. A divine curse.
OUTER CIRCLE. For those who were pushed backwards, they find themselves looking at a swirling whirlwind. Getting through is impossible, but that is not their only problem. The distortion is growing and it takes constant use of the equalisers to keep it under control.As well as growing, the distortion itself seems to be fighting them, with gusts of wind trying to trap them, vines reach out to fling them away. There are also the warriors from history, more transparent and less stable, but their attacks just as damaging as before. Sometimes, stepping in the wrong place might suddenly drop you - and you'll find yourself somewhere else, at some other part of this chaotic mess.
Everything is attacking everyone - the Voidtreckers, others with the Ministry. Help each other, as well as yourself.
CAMPS. Here, things are calmer at least. The minstry workers who have been sent to help out try and organise people to take shifts manning equalisers just in case, but for the most part, tasks are practical ones. Keeping people calm, keeping people fed. There are some smaller distortions that still appear nearby, and so teams are encouraged to go out and deal with them.OOC NOTES
OOC post. Ask questions here. Rewards go here.
TL;DR: Later on Poi 12, the Voidtreckers receive a message that the Ministry are going to attempt a weapon that's been in the works to help do something for the state of the world. Voidtreckers can come help, but don't need to feel obligated to.
We included a few prompts in case anyone wanted to do something lax, if anything at all on the finale log!
Poi 13, those who decide to come to the spot (located on their maps) will find a large area of land bordered by equalisers, as well as a camp. The weapon the Ministry spoke of is a large mirror, which can be seen inside and outside the distortion, reflecting each.
The goal of the boss battles are: 1) to protect the large mirror from attacks. Equaliser guns will be provided, but also trying your own attacks can help.
2) To keep Kolokifi in line with the mirror before it and the distortion starts to crack.
Assume Ministry people are around in the boss battle and outside. To make it easier to read, we won't refer to Ministry folks unless necessary (because boss battles get hectic enough!).
The boss battle is done in rounds with the NPC tag marking the start of the round. Please tag once in each round and don't worry about tagging order between players. If you miss a round don't worry just jump in the next. If you are late don't worry and just jump in the current round. If you accidentally post over someone just repost in response to them. If you need any help just ask a mod.
For those fighting on the border of the distortion (non boss battle) please feel free to play with anything from earlier in the mission. Things are fracturing and going a bit mad so use what you want and have characters be bounced the outskirts for team ups with other voidtreckers.
NOTE FOR BOSS BATTLE PARTICIPATION: 1 character per player per boss battle. Your character can't be in both threads. The Kolokifi fight is more suited to characters with high power levels whereas the mirror protection fight is more suited to characters with more mundane fighting skills.
Don't worry if you don't feel you can post or keep up with this - there won't be any negative consequences for not participating! A conclusion will go up on the 28th.
Art credits: Whirlwind, camp2, sunset, second header
TL;DR: Later on Poi 12, the Voidtreckers receive a message that the Ministry are going to attempt a weapon that's been in the works to help do something for the state of the world. Voidtreckers can come help, but don't need to feel obligated to.
We included a few prompts in case anyone wanted to do something lax, if anything at all on the finale log!
2) To keep Kolokifi in line with the mirror before it and the distortion starts to crack.
Art credits: Whirlwind, camp2, sunset, second header
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Meanwhile here's a dragon, still keeping the storm coming such as he can.
"Balance in all things! Life and death, order and chaos, or else you destroy whatever you're meaning to save! Come on!"
Okay, if Than is going to be like this, let's go ham then and make it count
Maybe Kolokifi can sense how desperately Thanatos wants to help Zagreus, how much he loves him and would do anything for him. Maybe Kolokifi can sense regret over not helping Emporio and his distant relationship with Hypnos and how he wants to do better.
The angry flurry of squeaks that follow Thanatos being grabbed is punctuated by Mort gripping that pointy object he snagged earlier and jamming it into those divine fingers. He is tired of people trying to trap his Thanatos!
As soon as there is a chance for Thanatos to break free, he will, glancing towards Emporio to check on him and then going to Zagreus's side where he belongs.
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It’s the most damaging spell he’s got at the moment, so he might as well try to use it while he’s got the magic for it.
ROUND CHANGE
--Including the ones holding Zagreus and Thanatos still. The shots from the equalisers had managed to dissipate some portion of her limbs, but not enough. Yet the combination of the darkness spreading across her arms from Nypsia's power having reach, they turn a pale white, shattering from Trunks's potshots and Naoya's spell. The pieces disappear, fading out of sight.
Zagreus will be able to escape while Kolokifi screams, but not one out of pain. What is pain after all, to a God of Life?
'NYPSIA! Nypsia, Nypsia! You--'
But her anger is interrupted by a gasp, an-- 'Eilifi? Eilifi!' that twists her head, attention turning downward. Zagreus and Thanatos's attempts to feel at Kolokifi don't seem to be getting through to her, and Jolyne's strings aimed for the mask vaporise before being able to get close to rip the ugly sucker off.
'Oh, I can't see! Hold on, you pesky Herios-'
A laugh, akin to an adult playing a game with a child, and Kolokifi raises up a group of arms, her being glowing with an intense brightness threatening to blind anyone who doesn't immediately cover their eyes. It brings a stop to the rain and fog, and starts to fight back against Nypsia's dark. And even Persephone's flowers and herself will feel strength from this blossom of Summer's Sun and Life.
Her head looks down, and what arms she still has left - too many, but at least fewer - begin to extend and reach out, searching in the air. One is sure to come for Trunks, whether by accident or because he continues his ki blasts, attempting to whack him out from the air with its width. Another is starting to seek out the Troublesome Trio, and another coming down low to seek out Persephone.
'Child? It's no time to play games... oh, why are there so many things in the way?'
Re: ROUND CHANGE
“Kyoko, change of plans! Your chains, my power! We’ll show her that, together, we can hold her back!”
She grins sheepishly as she reaches out for Kyoko to take her hand as she Sends more threads at Kolokifi
Re: ROUND CHANGE
Death moves in closer. "These aren't the ones you're looking for. They might feel like it, but they're not. You need to face what's happening, what's already happened. Or it's only going to get worse."
Closer still. "You have responsibilities."
And a brief aside. "Thanatos, please be sensible."
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[Kyoko sends out more chains to match Usagi's ribbons, seeking to tangle Kolokifi and limit her mobility. She sends a quick prayer of thanks to Nypsia for sharing her blessing, promising an extra offering later.]
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This isn't working. He's trying to act as a distraction for Kolokifi and protect Zagreus, but he seems to be more of a distraction for his team instead.
"... Don't die, Zagreus. But if you do... I got you." He gives a sad, apologetic look in the direction he senses his God of Life. Zagreus has done something; he can sense that much. But Thanatos has no power here even if he thought he could do something.
Death's words only solidify his next move, if one could call it that. (Though all this still brings to mind the ugly truth he fears that the only favor he can give is to stay away.) This is no longer Thanatos's battle even as Kolokifi searches for him, Merios.
Thanatos shifts further away from Kolokifi and will remain there as a further target, hopefully. Anyone who casts their spell or puts themselves in the way will not find their efforts wasted, and blinded as he is, he could even be enclosed without him trying to flee. Thanatos dismisses his sword, wraps his arms and wings around himself, and waits.
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"I won't," he growls through gritted teeth in response to Than's plea, the Pierced Butterfly glinting in the brilliant light of the Goddess. "And you're not alone, Than. We won't let her take you." Instead of moving to join Thanatos, Zagreus instead starts to climb Kolokifi's towering form, hoping to get toward her head and draw attention.
"They aren't Eilifi, or Herios, or Merios! They're Persephone, Emporio, Thanatos! They come from worlds far past Praeus! Eilifi and Merios are here, in this world, waiting for you to see reason! They're safe! You don't have to protect Lady Eilifi or Lord Merios! They're not in danger!" Excalibur still has Hallowed Ground active for now, but it will fizzle out soon and he'll have to activate it again.
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It's very hard to see thanks to all the light, he's going mostly by the feel of energy he can sense from friends and from the Goddess. He'll do his best to keep dodging out of the way of Kolokifi's arms and take potshots with ki still. If anyone looks like they're in need of a blocker, he'll try and zoom to take the hit for them instead. The more he can play distraction and keep those who are being effective in the fight, the better.
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When it's closer, she slams her power into the bushes at her feet, sending the thorns wrapping around the arm and trying to pull it tight to the ground. At least long enough for someone to shoot it.
But she didn't stick around to see if it works, darting around the battlefield like a butterfly, trying to spot Thanatos and Zagreus. Leaves and flowers are growing down her arms and shoulders in her panic.
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With the winds and fog dissipated in blinding light, Jingyi grimaces and tucks his head away, before deciding he really should try using the borrowed gun again. Thankfully, turning into his own bright light again and managing to land in his sword, snatching at his robes and haphazardly tying them around his waist, he pulls the gun free of the material and flies closer, as one does, aiming at the god's arms.
They're helpfully large targets, and he's getting the hang of the gun, so he's actually hitting... at whatever rate the borrowed weapon manages, and while continuing to weave the sword like he's surfing the wind.
It's not useful for protection of his stuff; surely he won't swiftly be regretting that, given the rest are much better targets. (Keep alive, everyone.)
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Bright fireballs, now larger than beach balls, are being cast around her at an alarming rate, striking with precision as though the energy itself senses where to go.
The more intense her power becomes, and the harder she pushes itself, the harder it will be to ignore her. As powerful as many of her allies are (some more powerful than her), Cassie's power is directly antagonistic to godhood - almost conceptually so.
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She'd felt the tearing of the energy earlier, but wasn't certain if it was a good thing or a bad thing. They seemed to be getting through to Kolokifi, but only for a moment or two at a time. Just long enough to give her pause. It wasn't enough. She reached out with the Force using it to lend greater strength to her calming voice, hoping that it would give the other Voidtreckers or deities an opening to push through a bit more. "Lady Kolokifi," she said. "You worry about the damage that Chaos could do. But Order can be just as damaging. I faced a being before who sought to make all worlds into her own vision of perfect Order. Like you, she thought it would be better for everyone. Like you, she was wrong. There must be balance for there to be peace; there must be change for there to be growth. The tighter you hold on, the more will slip through your fingers. You must let go. Rest, and let others have their time."
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(Maybe that's for the best)
But Kolokifi more than that appears unaffected- as he looks to her mask through the rain, all he can see is a twisted facade that makes him ill, a brief spark of something shocking away through the rain.
And then.
'Hold on, you pesky Herios!'
(He wonders, somehow, if that sort of thing is what a mother would have said when he was even younger, with his name, with much more teasing grasps, with-)
"H-G AA..AAAAAAAHHHHG-!"
It's blinding.
Caught in the glare Emporio is quickly careening through the air in a crash course. He can't see- it is only mere instinct and unconscious power that keeps him afloat and away from the ground, the wind around him feeling out what is or isn't something to avoid. Heat is a good indicator at least, but he can only avoid the arms for so long- if indeed he can be fast enough to succeed in that much. Emporio's thoughts whirl, until finally he thinks to cover his face almost entirely with ice- ice, tainted by ash, fabric, and dust, in an attempt to see.
What he sees is a mess- but he sees something else as well.
"Jolyne-!"
He's been separated from Thanatos, but if there's anything they can try it's a plan B, right?
"JOLYNE!" he calls as he swoops closer to her place near Kolokifi, wind gathering to prepare for a carry. The arms of his Stand seem to manifest as clouds, reaching where he's forced to grip his glider. "...REMEMBER WHAT I SAID IN THE GHOST ROOM...!"
Don't let go once he's got you!
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Which works out quite nicely for her in hindsight since the flinch and squeezing her eyes shut to handle this new pain saves her from immediate blinding. That dumb Joestar luck, or something.
It doesn't take her long to pick up on Emporio's being near, the familiar feeling of the Stand being enough to give her a heads up while rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand for residual light nonsense.
"Ghost ro-Oh! Yeah, yeah I think I do! Got an idea if you got a way to get me up to that big bitch!" That's not what he means, Jolyne. Though she'll wait until Emporio grabs her for now.
ROUND CHANGE - 1
One part of Kolokifi sounds her indignation, while another laughs in the same celestial breath; with a following condescending tsk tsk that flutters down near to Persephone's ear, into the ground itself. The arm doesn't move.
'Eilifi, Silifi, is that your best? Now, children, no mortal will be impressed by a display like that. Aren't you my children? You have to do better-'
There's a stirring in Persephone's thorns, a few starting to burn - but then Eilifi can be felt, and thorns grow blossoms of pink that give birth to further tendrils of the plant, wrapping tighter along with Persephone's own. Some move towards the ground, which opens up to allow them to anchor into the ground.
('W-w-we have to be quick,' comes Eilifi's voice in Persephone, Emporio, and Zagreus's minds; it is raspy, ghostly, nothing like it had been before.
'Mirror won't hold- damned Moment won't hold,' speaks Silifi's voice, even as weak as their sister's, to Persephone, Zagreus, and Kyoko. 'Hold her, damn it - split her damn open!'
'...I feel him...' speaks Merios's quiet voice, more an echo, to Zagreus, Thanatos, and Death. 'I cannot...approach... but... if thou will help...'
From Thanatos and Death's points, for a time, they will be granted a blessing: to use their energy to protect others on the field from damage if they focus on them. Effects may vary - a large protect-all can be granted through great, draining effort. Damage already done cannot be reversed.)
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[Kyoko summons another giant spear, this time wrapped in her own chains. She'll wait a moment for Usagi to add her ribbons, then send it flying directly for Kolokifi's midsection.]
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'We don't have to accept anything at all!' retorts Kolokifi to Death. Golden ribbons of rays burst up from the ground, circling around Death, reaching as high as they need to. 'You- you're far too trusting of Krios's designs. He will throw away mortal lives before I, Merios. Now, don't be so glum. This will be all over soon.'
For Zagreus, he will be able to climb a way along Kolokifi's frame, until his feet become stuck - stuck in the very body of Kolokifi herself, though Hallowed Ground is reducing some of the damage that feels dangerously close. Her head doesn't turn, but something about her seems to regard Zagreus, or so he feels. Hears.
'Oh? Who are you... you feel like my Eilifi... my little Rebirth...'
Cassie, Jingyi, and Trunks's shots of power and by the gun will hit at Kolokifi - a large target that she is - but only some manage to catch at the arms held by Usagi and Kyoko, helping them to break, to get the worst in front of Cassie and Trunks dropping, atrophying and wilting off.
But the one with Persephone keeps, and as for the shots that found their way to Kolokifi's body - Zagreus will have to be careful for friendly fire. If Kolokifi should care about her losing arms, she seems distracted again as Leia's calming power seems to make her capable of paying a little more attention to certain people.
'Who? So small - what mortal dares speak to me so? You tell me to go to Rest? REST?'
But it might not be such good attention, and a large energy reading (for those using their senses more than their eyes) will feel one coalesce around Leia, spirit or body - such things matter not to the Life that can grab at another life and entrap them in hers.
Leia will need defence and help, quick. But that isn't the only concern, as another gurgle of sound echoes out from Kolokifi, and cracks start to form, in both the ground and even in the air - slits revealing white threads like outlines in an otherwise pure darkness, tears in reality. It almost looks familiar, to Jolyne and Emporio...
But Jingyi will have to worry, when one forms right where his sword is, catches and flips on a tear in reality.
'Everyone!' Shouts a voice through the SCAs - hopefully, some of those present will hear. 'Keep aiming your guns or whatever shit you have at Kolokifi, we're gonna be activating the device! Sylnis is startin' to lose it - this place'll break if we're here any longer! Ask Nypsia to make more restraints if you've got the energy or whatever to spare! Just think the name, they'll hear it!'
For those that do allow themselves to a connection with the God, will find their attacks more draining, but to be shrouded with a night's influence - start firing well, and with purpose.
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"Whatever it is you planned," he shouts, "I hope it involves what those guys on the radio just said..!"
A fumble, and a grunt- Weather's arms still hold Jolyne, and Emporio brings himself higher with her.
"Hermana... ...I know you don't like the idea of any of them...but I think we need their help to finish this; Nypsia is the God of Night- if you're going to try again, I'll help, but you need her help too..."
Well, hopefully she asks Nypsia for it. As it is- Emporio takes them yet higher, until they're near Kolokifi's head and raised arms.
And then their plan can take place. Whatever Jolyne throws, it won't be with precision- if anything it is a mere anchor, aided by Emporio freezing barbs of ice that he asks Nypsia to assist with, stuck upon the string's ends.
From there...they move faster. Emporio takes them around, and around, as fast as possible- intent on tangling the unfurling string around those raised arms and even Kolokifi's face if possible.
They avoid hitting rifts with all they have- but maybe if string pulls across those forming under their path, they can be 'sewn' shut in a sense?
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However, she's taking in what she can of what's going on, teeth grit while her brain works on formulating a plan. Until those threads show up and she's quietly cursing under her breath everything about this. Great, grand, this shit again.
Ask for help? From one of them? Sounds like a dumb-ass ide to her, given what they went through not that long ago. But if he trusts it... Well. Just think the name? That's what they said, wasn't it? She can spare a few moments to try and get Nypsia's attention 'Look, I don't like this anymore than you probably do, Nypsia, if I even thought, said, whatever that right. But if you got some time to assist with the whole bright sun god here for a sec to keep her from burning me up, that'd be cool.' If anyone expected her to be eloquent with anything ever, they'd be sorely mistaken.
But all she can really do at this point is hope that got through to whoever this god is, as she hasn't remotely dealt with them outside of the distortion ghost room incident or... this.
In conjunction with Emporio she'll be extending strings from her hands again to specifically keep them taught with the help of Emporio's ice anchors. To primarily hold, but if they can cut, then even better. As for the rifts in time, the good part about your Stand being integrated is having free control over it and sure, why not try stitching them up with whatever ghost soul nonsense Stands pretend to be while she's at it.
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He listens, and there's little hesitation when he replies, "The light from Kolokifi blinded me, and not everyone has a thread I can sense. Guide me. All I ask is that a bit of my energy be saved in case his thread should break." (The gods should be familiar by now with how incredibly gay Thanatos is for Zagreus as he seems to keep doing so in their presence all mission.)
Thanatos will let himself be used as a conduit for Merios and Nypsia's power whether that be for shielding or restraints, sparing no energy expense save for making sure that Zagreus can still defy death should he need to.
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But, she isn’t feeling too hot. With so much energy being poured in, her brooch is starting to strain, wanting to crack.
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With Nypsia's blessing added to it, Trunks is going to keep firing targeted ki blasts.
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"Kolokifi, please," he manages to gasp out, trying to summon another instance of Hallowed Ground with Excalibur. "My name is Zagreus, I'm-- I'm the son of Lord Hades, God of the Dead, and Persephone, G-Goddess of Verdure--" He continues thrashing, trying to free himself. "We don't want to destroy you or your world. We want to help you, we want you to be-- to be healed of this corruption that took you, that continues to affect Time--" He claws for purchase anywhere he can get it, trying still to free his feet.
Then Zagreus hears the voices of Eilifi, Silifi, Merios in his head, and through the blinding pain he calls out to them, as well as Nypsia when the Ministry requests it over the SCA. "Lady Spring, Honored Nature, Lord Death, Lady Night. Use me as your vessel!" He will allow each God(dess) in turn to use his unique power of borrowing the powers of Gods to essentially act through him, if they have the desire or energy to do so. If they don't, then he will use any Blessings they are willing to provide.
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ROUND CHANGE (tried to make it easier to read)
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1/?
FINISHED