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armoredisopod · 3 months ago

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Arknights Thank You Celebration 2024 PVs

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New Operators

Figurino, 5* Merchant Specialist

I have a lot to learn, and right now, i'd like to start by making a new suit.

Crownslayer, 6* Welfare Executor Specialist

"Crownslayer", that's the name we're familiar with, let's keep it.

Vulpisfoglia, 6* Pioneer Vanguard

I appreciate the acknowledgement. But you know this means in the future the people who are hunting me for bounty will come to Rhodes Island first. Will that be fine?

Lappland the Decadenza, 6* Limited Mech-Accord Caster

Is this your way of trying to get me to settle down, or do you also think this game needs more excitement...

I just can't guess you, no wonder i like your trust in me!

2 new operators to the voucher shop

Contrail, 4* 巡空者 (Air Patrol) Specialist

Philae, 5* 本源铁卫 (Primal Protector) Defender

Operator Outfits Update

Total of 6 new outfits, 2 new additions for the Cambrian brand, 1 new addition for the Epoque brand, 2 new additions for the Test Collection brand and 1 new addition for the 0011/Tempest brand

Cambrian

At the Warm Velvet Corner - Warmy

Travel Freely - Sussurro (Login Event)

Epoque

Il Segreto Della Notte - Texas the Omertosa (21 OP)

Test Collection

Allmind As One - Executor the Ex Foedere (24 OP)

The city lights up. I can sense everyone's presence, and everyone's absence. We are together——— as one "Laterano".

Diversity Oneness - Virtuosa (24 OP)

Please stay, Sankta. Please tell me, is the Laterano of now a place that is connected to the rest of the land?

0011/Tempest

Ignis Fatuus - Lessing

Lessing's outfit will be up for sale during Zwillingstürme im Herbst Retrospect

Announced outfit reruns

Young Branch - Muelsyse

Red Countess - Skadi the Corrupting Heart

Operator Modules Update

All the new operators (except the red cert shop ops) being part of branches with modules immediately get their modules

FUN-X module base effect increases the starting damage of Lappland the Decadenza's drones to 35% of her ATK

SOL-X module base effect gives Vulpisfoglia +8% ATK and DEF when blocking

EXE-X module base effect makes it so retreating Crownslayer refunds 80% of her current DP Cost

MER-X module base effect reduces the DP drained by Figurino's trait effect

Ritualist Supporter branch gets 1 module type

Lessing gets his second module

DRE-Y module base effect allows Lessing to survive a single fatal blow, healing back to full and gaining +30 ASPD at the cost of -60% Max HP, this effect only activates once per deployment

Angelina and Rosmontis get Integrated Strategies specialized modules

These modules' effects are unknown at the time of writing

Events and Stories

I Portatori Dei Velluti, a Siracusa side story event

Put on your masks and dresses, the show is about to begin in the streets.

Come on, don't be boring - you're probably the least "Carnival" of the bunch!

Stronghold Protocol, limited time autobattler gamemode, opens during the third week of I Portatori Dei Velluti

Zwillingstürme im Herbst Retrospect, scheduled after I Portatori Dei Velluti

Operator Archives update for Lessing, Jieyun, Schwarz, Sora, Totter and Vigil

Misc Stuff

New QoL changes

Added the ability to have preset base loadouts that you can easily swap between

Added the ability to instantly send every exhausted operator into dormitories with one button

Max Sanity cap increased by +45

Refilling sanity using Originite Prime will refill 135 sanity regardless of level/max cap

Added the ability to instantly move to required lower materials when crafting and a button to move back the higher tier material that required it

Mountain, Kafka and Pinecone added to recruitment

Bagpipe's [Queen, No.1] outfit will be available in the certs shop to players that don't have it

Livestream Stuff

Showcased Lappland the Decadenza, a hyper offensive 6* Mech-Accord Caster with potent self buffs and powerful debuffs

First talent makes her stronger the longer she stays on the field, getting the following buffs in order: increased drone damage cap, ability to inflict Silence, gains more drones

Second talent increases the initial SP of all [Siracusa] operators when she's in the squad

Skill 1 has a passive effect that immediately gives her an additional drone, when the skill activates she gains ATK, releases her drones to attack enemies and her drones will attack idling enemies anywhere on the field

Skill 2 expands her attack range, increases her ATK, gives her more drones and releases her drones to attack enemies randomly within range, her drones have a chance to inflict Panic

Skill 3 increases her ATK and gives her more drones, then releases special drones that actively seek out and hunt enemies, the special drones inflict Panic upon reaching a target and locks onto them; enemies near the drones will have decreased movement speed and take Arts damage every second

Showcased Vulpisfoglia, a 6* Pioneer Vanguard with a strong battlefield presence

First talent makes her attacks deal additional Arts damage for a few seconds after the first time hitting them

Second talent increases the natural DP regeneration by a small amount and lets her recover HP when she hasn't taken damage for a few seconds

Skill 1 is a power strike skill that makes her next attack deal Arts damage and generate some DP, this skill can store charges

Skill 2 lets her immediately deal Arts damage in an area in front of her, Slows the hit enemies and generates some DP. If the enemies were already under the effects of Slow they will be Stunned instead, this skill can store charges

Skill 3 immediately generates DP, expands her attack range, increases her ATK, gives a massive decaying ASPD boost, allows her to attack enemies equal to block count and each attack briefly Stuns the hit enemies. If she defeats any enemy during the skill she will gain Camouflage at the end of the skill that lasts until the next skill activation

Showcased Crownslayer, a 6* Executor Specialist with a unique disruptive kit

First talent sprays a smokescreen on the 8 surrounding tiles around her during skill duration, reducing the Physical and Arts Hit Rate of ground enemies in those tiles

Second talent lets her deal increased Physical damage to enemies that have not landed a hit on her

Skill 1 gives her increased ATK and some amount of Physical and Arts Dodge

Skill 2 stops her from attacking upon deployment, makes her less likely to be attacked and increases the amount of Physical and Arts Hit Rate the smokescreen decreases, when skill ends she will deal a certain % of ATK as Physical damage to all enemies within range

Skill 3 increases her first talent range, gives her Invisibility and sets her Block Count to 0, every few seconds she will appear to attack an enemy within the talent range dealing a certain % of ATK as Physical damage and Stunning them for a few seconds

Showcased the event mechanic, a fireworks machine that will apply effects on a number of tiles around it when activated

While the machine is active, operators on those tiles will take periodic damage and cannot be healed but will not have their HP go below 1, enemies on those tiles will take constant damage

Players can additionally customize which tiles will be affected by the fireworks machine and have it apply additional bonus effects in the event menu

Showcased Contrail, an experimental 4* of a neat new branch 巡空者 (Air Patrol), a Specialist branch that consists of operators that have 2 Block Count and utilizes the new status "Takeoff"

Takeoff: Does not block ground enemies and will not be attacked by ground enemies, can block aerial enemies

S1 makes her takeoff immediately upon deployment, expands her attack range, increases her ATK and gives her some Physical Dodge

S2 makes her takeoff when activated, expands her attack range, increases her ATK, lets her attack 2 targets at once and is able to attack an additional aerial enemy and her attacks inflict Slow to aerial enemies

Showed footage of the new base loadouts feature

Work rooms and Dormitories are now in separate tabs

You can set up to 3 loadouts for each individual room and press a button to immediately swap out exhausted operators, there is also a button to immediately do this in every room all at once

Showed the button that immediately sends all exhausted operators into the dorms

Teased even more base QoL features planned for the next Sui sibling event update

Expanded the Reception Room and added the ability to decorate it

Added activity rooms, operators assigned to this room can be manually controlled and move around the base

Announced the ability to register your birthday, players will receive gift furniture on their set birthday and operators have special birthday voicelines

Announced the ability to have a list of rotating assistant operators that change every day

Announced the ability to make loadouts for the main menu background/UI theme/assistant operators for quick switching

SSS will get a skip feature, uses the same PRTS Proxy Cards used for annihilation skip

The older SSS maps will become playable again

Stronghold Protocol, limited time autobattler gamemode

In the gamemode the player will have to prepare their squad and operators before each battle, the player can hire additional operators and have multiple copies of them deployed or combined into a higher tier of that operator

Players can hire reserve operators should they lack usable units and also hire up to 8 friend support operators

Teased the next event involving Thorns and the history of alchemy in Iberia

Announced some kind of mini game collection "Poly Vision Museum"

Announced the second expansion update for IS#5

A 5th ending exploring the story of an alternate universe Amiya

The ability to share seeds of runs you completed to other players, completing a seeded run will not unlock higher difficulty/new relics/etc

Max difficulty increased beyond 15

New starting squads

New collectibles and thoughts (IS5 gimmick items)

Teased Arknights anime season 3 [RISE FROM EMBER]

Announced U-Official mini series

Announced Ambience Synesthesia 2025: Best Song Award, the song lineup featured in the concert will be decided via community polling

INVESTIGATED TERRA lore video covering the history and development of Originium on Terra and the technology that sprouted from it narrated by Kal'tsit

#arknights #arknights CN news #long post #livestream stuff under the readmore

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danwhobrowses · 2 months ago

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Since Critical Role's big endgame battle has begun (as of ep. 113) and looks to give us a fair handful of Lv. 20 combat across the board with VM and later the Nein - and also since the Omen Archive are yet to do a level up overview for Bell's Hells to Lv. 15 like I expected them to do after ep. 112 - I find myself optimistically and curiously wondering how Bells Hells would shape up should they reach Lv. 20.

Admittedly, I do remain worried about how underleveled they are; I know it's intended since the Hells are the 'underdogs not meant to be in this position' group but still, for comparison Essek debuted at Lv. 15 in C2 and Vox Machina ended their campaign at Lv. 18 when the stakes were slightly lower than what we have with Ludinus, the Vanguard, the Imperium, and Predathos. Still, with nothing we can do but pray they make it out alive - and I hope they do - I've decided to indulge that rare bout of optimism and deep dive into what would their Lv. 20 state look like? While also considering what they may add during this final arc should they level up in between like they did the last time they were on Ruidus.

We're gonna go through each character one by one for this, so I'll start with my favourite (aka the one I wanna talk/ramble the most about).

Ashton is perhaps the easiest endgame build to tell class-wise, it's likely Tal will have them go the full 20 since Grog has already done the Fighter dip and there's not many other multiclasses that can be of a greater benefit to them; the intrigue however with Ashton focuses on the ASI they get at levels 16 and 19, the first one particularly if there's still a level up mid-battle. The obvious route for the first ASI is to get back the CON they lost in the shard incident - which I still find an unfair penalty since they gained nothing from surviving the bold and deemed impossible action, 'your reward is you get to live' doesn't stick with me given that the 10 rolls (well, 9 plus the resurrection ring) are proof of survival anyway - and absorbing Dusk Hunger sadly didn't give back, adding to their DEX instead - which, also kinda stubborn of Matt, adding 1 AC isn't exactly worthy of absorbing a legendary item especially compared to what Orym got with Ishta, they were better off trying to dual wield it if Matt's not gonna give stats that'll suit Ashton's wheelhouse, STR and CON, and let the tank be a tank - so it will likely fall into Tal's hands to get Ashton's stats to where they want them to be. Either way, Ashton's STR and CON are going up if they hit Lv. 20 as pure Barbarian, Primal Champion adds 4 to both and increases their max to 24, so without ASI Ashton will have 22 STR and 20 CON by Lv. 20 anyway, with ASI however Ashton can go 24/22 in either direction - and we can't rule out more absorption in the future, since Legendary loot may be yielded from this endgame battle plus Otohan's Backpack, Zathuda's storage cloak and maybe any other armour from the two could be Legendary items just gathering dust among the group, but if Ashton were to take any of them they'd have to wait a day since the Harness only grants 1 permanent and 1 temporary buff per person, and each person who uses it on the same day risks it breaking by 20%. However, we also can't rule out Ashton taking a feat instead of ASI, it's a slim chance but there are some feats that can be of use for Ashton in general or specifically vs Ludinus; Mage Slayer, Strike of the Giants (Hill or Stone Strike, of the two I'd go for Hill because of it causing the prone condition, which will help Ashton and allies, like Orym with that 1d6 extra Force Damage, stack critical damage), and Great Weapon Master could be powerful if they don't focus on ASI. The Tough feat is always good for being tanky too, but such a feat would likely only be used at the Lv. 19 ASI/Feat domain to get the most out of it. The only other places Ashton can get major potential buffs - outside of any new enchanted items that aren't armour - are from Dunamancy and their Titan powers, but neither have provided a clear opening for improvement as of yet. Ashton hit their final Dunamancy path at Lv. 14, where they got Mark of the Messy End (which compared to Essek getting access to stuff like Reality Break doesn't seem to balance out but I guess Wizards are glass cannons so Dunamancy does more with them), but there is a quiet, lingering mystery over how Potions of Possibility and Luxon Beacons will behave if Ashton and their Dunamancy brain interacts with them, given how they have many potions on hand, in general and gifted to them by the Kryn Dynasty before they met with the Nein, and Ludinus using Luxon Beacons as power sources, there is potential for Ashton's Dunamancy to increase that way - or simply through Matt adding an extra Dunamancy path in place of an ASI/Feat, a Dunamancy-based feat, or swapping Primal Champion with something else. The Titan Form could also improve by level, and I kinda hope it does, it's powerful but given the time limit and Exhaustion it's still below the level of Grog's Titanstone Knuckles in terms of utility, if more power or less limitations are imposed the higher their level it could scale Ashton up further in a similar manner to having a Vestige or, in Orym's case, a Relic of the Red Solstice.

Speaking of Orym, you'd assume that he'll also go for the clean 20, but this is Liam O'Brien we're talking about - he gave Vax a Druid level for his love of Keyleth, so you can't put it past him to add a level in Bard for Dorian. Like Ashton, Orym has 2 ASI waiting for him at levels 16 and 19, due to maxing his DEX - and absorbing Ishta overclocking it (a DEX increase that actually makes sense as a Finesse blade Fighter, adding +1 to AC and attack rolls and a higher DC for enemies to save against superiority die attacks) - Orym has already dipped into feats a lot but could always find room for more. Great Weapon Master, Shield Master, Mage Slayer, and Tough again at level 19 are viable options for Orym and his build, but there's also a unique option of, instead of taking a level in Bard, Magic Initiate: Bard in lieu of Dorian; taking the feat lets him gain the 4th attack Lv. 20 Fighter yields while adding some handy Bard magic such as Friends, Thunderwave, Command, Bane or Cure Wounds - all of which are Level 1 Bard spells. While adding a level in Bard would be a nice gesture, the Magic Initiate feat would probably work better for Orym's build if he wanted to reference his connection to Dorian this way, since he doesn't need 4 extra 1st level spells and he already has a lot of proficiencies and bonuses to cover his rolls anyway, plus he still carries the sending stone if he doesn't want to do either. If he went for ASI, Orym could try to rival Ayden's passive perception by buffing his WIS, but I doubt anybody would hold it against him to be less perceptive than a god. Regardless of ASI and feats, a pure 20 in Fighter does up Orym's lethality immensely, getting a potential 12 attacks with two Action Surges - the second gained in Lv. 17 - in one round (16 attacks if hastened and 17 if hastened and a Time Rage Mark of the Messy End - which I believe allows you to attack with Bonus Actions - is used on an enemy), which would make him an extra efficient killer and protector for combat, which suits his character as well. While multiclassing is an uncommon trait to reference a partner, in Orym's case it's probably moreso cute but unnecessary flavouring.

Adding an element of their partner into their build is something Imogen has done already with decent effect, however. Imogen is another pure 20 likelihood; she has 2 ASI, a Metamagic choice, her final Origin Feature - Warping Implosion: essentially you teleport and anyone within 30 feet will be caught in a gravity fissure - and Sorcerous Restoration - 4 sorcery points restored per short rest - waiting for her at the full 20. As alluded, she already has Laudna influences in the Shadow Touched feat and a vial of her blood in her equipment so she needn't use a feat or a multiclass in further reference to her, which means it comes down to what options she chooses for her ASI/Feats and future skills. With her CHA maxed out already, the two ASI would need to go elsewhere or to feats; War Caster could be used to help her concentration spells, such as the reskinned Hunger of Hadar, Telekinesis, and Investiture of Lightning, unused spells such as her mother's Reverse Gravity, Hold Person, or Globe of Invulnerability, or future 8th-9th level spells such as Dominate Monster, Gate, and Mass Polymorph (turn them all into horses!). Otherwise using one of those ASI to add 1 to INT and WIS will add to saving throws of those stats (+1 for INT and +2 for WIS), she can also remove all her stat negatives by adding an ASI to her STR in place of a feat. Imogen also has options with choosing a final Metamagic from Sorcerer; she has Quickened, Distant, and Twinned Spell already, so the next one needs to also be helpful in combat; the potential of Extended and Transmuted Spell are decent, but Heightened Spell may be the best fit for her - spending 3 Sorcery points to impose disadvantage on a spell save can be very useful when using Imogen's spells such as Psychic Lance, especially against powerful magic users like Ludinus. Going a little extra meta with things, Imogen at Lv. 20 is only going to exist in one-shots or guest appearances - which means short rests aren't likely to faze her as much, also recovering 4 out of a total of 20 Sorcery Points per short rest isn't a lot when you get all of them back after a Long Rest. If Imogen were to pull a swerve and multiclass she could simply sacrifice an ASI for an 18/2 split or just take a 19/1 dip without it doing any negative effect to her current build. Of the multiclassing options, I find that the Tempest Cleric could gel pretty well with her build; connecting her lightning magic and her storm analogies (and her attempt to reach out to the Stormlord) from a narrative perspective, while combat-wise she'd get to use Wrath of the Storm to damage anyone that attacks her (as many times as her WIS, so 1-3 depending on her ASI usage) and, if she goes for the 18/2 split, she can use the class' Channel Divinity to max out a spell's lightning damage - which if used on a 9th Level Lightning Bolt is 76 damage without enhancements! - she also gets some minor healing to add to her repertoire, and with a group without a pure Cleric you can't really have a shortage of players who can heal even if it's a little bit. I can't see any other dip doing her as much benefit, so the full 20 is more likely, even if the maxed out Lightning Bolt would work wonders.

You know who also knows Lightning Bolt? Well, a fair amount of players and NPCs but also Dorian! Let's talk our Boy in Blue - no I did not say 'Blue in Boy' in my head when typing, shush! - he's our last PC likely to be a pure 20 of the group, also because the rest have already multiclassed, but like Imogen there is also the opening for a little bit of multiclassing. The ASI in levels 16 and 19 are probably best put into maxing his CHA stat that's currently at 16, DEX could also go up to 20 for additional Gambolcleft damage but the sword is pretty powerful as it is - it depends if Robbie wants Dorian to focus on Spell or Melee output for stats, but casting is probably the better way to go. Not many feats would help Dorian outside of maybe Tough and War Caster, perhaps Slasher but they do seem like minor additions he can go without, so ASI is likely the best route to take for him. Unlike with Orym where a dip in Bard wouldn't do much good mechanically, Dorian could easily take a dip in Fighter and have it be a solid investment; the Bard's Lv. 20 ability Superior Inspiration only helps if you've used up all of your Inspiration, and as said with Imogen that probably won't come up in a one-shot scenario where Lv. 20 Dorian would likely appear, but by Lv. 19 he will already have added spells from any magic class via his final dip into Magical Secrets - and honestly I have no clue what one he could take because like, all of the spells! Wish is probably the go-to one but Dorian doesn't want anything from the gods so maybe not? - and he'll already have a 9th level spell slot from earlier levels. A 1-level dip in Fighter can give Dorian Second Wind for some self-healing and another Fighting Style to choose from: either Superior Technique - like Orym has - or Duelist would suit best, and if Robbie sacrifices an ASI he can go up to a 2nd level for Action Surge, which is handy should he focus on melee. There aren't many other 1-level dips that would suit Dorian narratively, there was probably Warlock potential in EXU: Prime when the crown was in play but since, again, the group lacks a pure healer, Dorian is probably better off investing his stats and skills towards Bard spells - which in turn bolsters DPS as well as healing.

From one Bard/DPS healer to another, Braius debuted with some pretty high stats to begin with, with only WIS being a negative modifier. As a 12/3 multiclass he can go a few different directions - much like his character arc and selection of deity - but it leaves him at a crossroads - also like his character arc. The 12 levels in Oath of the Ancients Paladin means he's locked out of getting Bard's Magical Secrets, if he maxes out his remaining levels in Bard he gets 2 ASI, a College of Tragedy feature (make crits be at rolls 18, 19 and 20 after an ally is hit with a crit plus a '+10 on a roll but a -10 penalty on the next' skill), Countercharm, and his Bardic Inspiration dice will go up to 1d8, but all of those are kinda covered by Dorian's higher level Bard class and Ashton's Mark of the Messy End while in Luck Rage to a higher or better extent. The 3 levels in Bard however has locked Braius out of Paladin's Aura improvements and the big Elder Champion buff, which is a big loss, if maxed out in Paladin they'll get Cleansing Touch - end a spell on yourself or anyone you can touch as many times as your CHA, one ASI, a 5th level spell slot (handy for Banishing Smite, Circle of Power, Destructive Wave, and Summon Celestial), and Undying Sentinel - which is just a once-a-long-rest Relentless Rage with no CON save. Build-wise, it would be best for Braius to go one of three different paths; either go for a 15/5 split - so no 5th level spell but he gets 1 ASI, Undying Sentinel, and Font of Inspiration for the 1d8 inspiration - a 14/6 split - where we swap Undying Sentinel for the college feature, or go the unique path and add a third class - while the 5th level spell slot has powerful spells Braius' combat is much more melee-based so it is a less likely option. A 14/3/3 triple split sacrifices his ASI/feats but 3 levels in Fighter gives him another Fighting Style, Action Surge, Second Wind, and a Fighter subclass to add to his combat prowess. One unlikely Fighter subclass that could suit Braius is the Rune Knight; with 3 levels Braius will have access to 2 runes, which can be tied to his character's artistry, to add to his gear - the Fire and Cloud Runes being the most useful to him from what I see - they would also get Giant's Might as a skill for an extra 1d6 of damage once per turn. Fighter isn't the only class Braius can benefit from though; he would only need to dip 2 levels in Cleric or Druid to gain their subclass-based abilities; a Shepherd Druid would give the group a slight benefit with the Hawk Spirit skill, using a reaction to attack with advantage and having advantage on perception checks, but similar to Imogen he'd probably benefit a bit more from dipping into Cleric - particularly Grave, War, Ambition, and Peace Domain Clerics, who each have abilities that can further empower him. A dip in Barbarian would be handy for Danger Sense - not so much Rage because you can't use spells - maybe opting for the Zealot path subclass, which also suits narratively, for an extra 1d6 damage, or a dip in the Monster Hunter Ranger to aid in picking out weaknesses. A 12/4/4 split could also work, forgoing Cleansing Touch to grant Braius 2 ASI or feats if Sam wanted them; with that they can balance their WIS to 10 and then max out their CHA and another +1 elsewhere, or just do a feat like Fey Touched - since he was touched plenty by a Fey Hag all across her manor - to max the CHA and gain a spell like Hunter's Mark to aid in combat.

Speaking of Hunters, Chetney may not have been designed to survive the campaign but with Travis rolling the fatal 0 when playing as Grog that old man is still, somehow, kicking. If Travis doesn't pull a Bertrand and allows him to continue defying the odds and live to Lv. 20, Chetney would be in a similar position to Braius - having gone the Tealeaf route and locked himself out of the full 20 in Blood Hunter by having a dip in Rogue - in being in a crossroads of classes. If he invests his remaining levels in Blood Hunter to 19, he still gets a lot from the class; 2 Order Features (advantages on bloodlust saving throws and on any branded creature, then unlimited hybrid transformations on the next feature), 2 ASI, and an extra Blood Maledict. Chetney's 1-level dip in Rogue however means he could also invest into any Rogue subclass for a 17/3 split (or a 16/4 split if he sacrifices a Blood Maledict for 2 ASI over one) instead; Assassin would help his damage output especially since he likes going Invisible, but the Revived subclass would be funny implying that he died but miraculously came back and no longer needed to risk dying in his sleep because he doesn't need to sleep anymore. Chet could also triple class like we suggested with Braius; 3-5 levels in Artificer - since he's a toymaker his toys can be infused beyond the enchanted distractions, going for the Armorer subclass can also be handy for the Thunder Gauntlets ability too, 2 levels in Fighter - for Action Surge, 2-4 levels in Monk - which has decent potential if his chisel is made a dedicated weapon plus the possible boons from Kensei, Mercy, or Open Hand paths, or even 3 levels in Ranger - where Hunter, Gloom Stalker, and Monster Slayer subclasses each have skills that could help Chet in combat, can all be seen as options, but it can also run the risk of being overcomplicated. Despite a Feat sidestepping Chet losing control in his Hybrid Form, logic says that Chet would likely stick with the 19/1 route since the feat only imposes a disadvantage against losing control and he can still do collateral damage, character-wise he'd likely want to keep his Lycanthropy on lock as much as he can. Plus, going to 19 Blood Hunter levels yields unlimited transformations and the second ASI hits at Lv. 19; with the two ASI - which he cannot get from triple classing - he can max out his STR and buff up his CON, DEX, and/or CHA for any additional bonuses, he has no negative stats so any are fair game. I don't see any feats that'd be too helpful, but outside of AC or DC boosts from increasing CON or DEX, upping CHA could also help with persuasion and being persuasive and tricksy.

Persuasive and Tricksy are some of many words you can use to define Fearne, who is also a Rogue multiclass. Her current 10/5 with Wildfire Druid as the majority allows her some wiggle room for her to go a few different directions. The 5 levels in Rogue have locked her out of a second ASI in Druid, the timeless body (not really a big deal for a fey), additional Wild Shape perks, and the 9th Level Spell Slot though, but if she invests only into Druid levels for the full 15 she does still gain one ASI and her Wildfire Feature 'Blazing Revival' - where once per long rest Mister can sacrifice himself (I don't think it's a permadeath sacrifice just like an 'off the board until resummoned' sacrifice) to revive her to half HP if she's downed - alongside a 6th, 7th and 8th level spell slot. If she goes for an even spread of 10 levels each with Rogue's Arcane Trickster however, she gains 2 ASI, 2 more proficiencies, Evasion, Magical Ambush, and a few more lower level spells. Both have valid directions - and as much as Fearne is a 'collector' I think a third class probably won't suit her and will perplex Ashley further - for her character even with mixing the level splits; a 12/8 split will grant her 2 ASI and a 6th level spell slot, while a 14/6 split grants one ASI, a 6th and 7th level spell slot, the Blazing Revival, and 2 proficiencies. Since Fearne doesn't do many sneak attacks and uses her Rogue abilities more for pickpocketing, it would probably be sensible to lean more towards Druid; a 15/5 split if she wants that 8th level spell slot for Sunburst, Incendiary Cloud, or Feeblemind, but a 14/6 split if she can do without - Plane Shift could narratively be on her radar so she can travel to the Feywild as she pleases, but Fire Storm is still a mighty 7th level spell that can be additionally buffed by her titan form which as mentioned with Ashton could also potentially scale up with levels - would give her more stuff to work with, plus extra Druid Levels buffs up Mister's health so he could be looking at 75-80 total HP (5+(Druid Level x 5)) depending on whether Fearne goes level 14 or 15. Since Fearne took War Caster already from her last level and her WIS is already maxed out, ASI to CON could be looked into to add health, AC, and DC, while also improving her chances at holding concentration for her saving throws, alternatively she can up her DEX to improve her pickpocketing so she can finally claim one of those eggs, since she's tragically 0-2 on that. Feat-wise, there is still the Elemental Adept: Fire feat to bypass enemy resistances to Fire too, lots of enemies will have Fire Resistance after all, so if she doesn't want to use ASI there is still that to use it on. So level-wise there is some wiggle room but class-wise she is better off picking one to focus on.

Our final member of the Hells Laudna has already picked her focused class; on a 12/3 Sorlock with her patron bound to a soul anchor - get fucked Delilah - she has implied to go pure Sorcerer from herein. Marisha has previously stated that she saw no gain in any more Warlock levels even when Delilah was still active and while a 6th level in Warlock would grant her an ASI at Lv.4 and unlocks Grave Touched - change damage to Necrotic plus 1 extra damage die when in Form of Dread, which is pretty solid - it does indeed suit narratively for Laudna to avoid more Warlock levels. The 3 levels she has gained from Warlock though have (war)locked her out of her final Sorcery feature of Umbral Form - which would've made her resistant to everything but Force and Radiant Damage, so like Braius' Primal Champion it's quite the loss - but she still looks to get Shadow Walk which aids her mobility, providing that there's darkness or shadows in the vicinity, as well as one ASI and another Metamagic option by continuing the Sorcerer's path, not to mention a dangerous 9th level spell slot. Unlike Imogen, Laudna opted for Empowered Spell in her current Metamagics alongside Quickened and Twinned, doing Heightened or Transmuted probably wouldn't suit Laudna like it does her partner though. Instead, Careful Spell could be a good choice for Laudna since her CHA is maxed out, so she could pick 5 creatures to auto-succeed a saving throw to a spell she sends, but since she doesn't have many AoE spells Extended Spell may be the better fit to keep up concentration on spells like Animate Objects, Mirror Image, or any future powerful concentration spells she'll have access to like Eyebite, Globe of Invulnerability, Reverse Gravity, or Blade of Disaster - which Delilah used pretty effectively in Aeor - ongoing. Even so, the one ASI remains; the Amulet of Health puts her CON to a fixed 19 so if she added one CON it'd be 16 without attunement, which is still pretty good but worthless if she just keeps using the amulet, she could put +1 in her woeful STR so it's a -2 rather than -3, or opt for feats such as War Caster - for those powerful concentration spells - or another Eldritch Invocation with Eldritch Adept, such as Armor of Shadows or Eldritch Spear, which may be more fitting for her fun scary nature.

And that's all of them, for a TL/DR I expect Ashton, Orym, Dorian and Imogen to do the pure 20 for their classes, while Chetney will go 19/1, Braius and Fearne go 14/6, and Laudna goes 17/3. But if it were me, the only ones I'd adjust from those would be Dorian (19/1, adding Fighter), Imogen (18/2, adding Tempest Cleric), and Braius (14/3/3, adding Rune Knight Fighter) just from a meta/fun perspective. Either way I'll just be happy to see them make Level 20, so fingers and every other digit I have stay crossed for whichever route they choose.

#critical role #bells hells #cr spoilers #cr speculation #c3 spoilers #spoilers up to c3e113 #ashton greymoore #fearne calloway #orym of the air ashari #dorian storm #imogen temult #laudna #chetney pock o'pea #braius doomseed #matthew mercer #taliesin jaffe #ashley johnson #liam o'brien #robbie daymond #laura bailey #marisha ray #travis willingham #sam riegel #yes I'm still miffed Ashton got a DEX increase from Dusk Hunger it just feels like they got something an enchanted uncommon item would give #the 3d6 fire damage per short rest and +1 AC doesn't balance vs Orym's +1 attack +1 AC +1 Maneuver DC and +1d6 Force damage on Proned foes #Orym can trip attack 6 times per rest to get prone but Ashton only gets to add fire damage (which resistance drops to 1/2-9 damage) once #the shipper in me definitely looked into shared dips/feats for Ashton and Fearne but Barbarians can't do spells while raging so sadly not #they still have the titan form though - which I do hope improves by level we're still yet to see a titan combo attack #2 levels of tempest cleric for Imogen though is so out of pocket I know but somehow it works pretty well #and 3 levels of Rune Knight Braius would still be pretty awesome he and Imogen were my deep dives into multiclassing

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anon-e-miss · 1 month ago

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Broken Vows - 9

“‘M gonna go look at habs for ya when ya have a rest,” Jazz told Prowl. He avoided the glyph nap which seemed a little mocking to him. As his frame continued to integrate the delicate repairs and with a fragile self-respair systems, Prowl ran out of energy quickly and recharged off and on throughout the mega-cycle.

“Perhaps you might like to take Smokescreen with you?” Prowl offered. “He would benefit from fresh air.”

“Are ya sure?” Jazz asked.

“I trust you,” Prowl said.

“What about you and Blue?” Smokescreen asked.

“We need more rest than you, Bravespark,” Prowl told him. “I know it is not terribly fun for you when we recharge. There is a fine playground in the park your progenitor and I used to walk in.”

“I’d love to,” Jazz said. “What do ya say, Smokey?”

“Okay!”

“I’ll give ya a list o’ favourites,” Jazz offered Prowl. Prowl just shook his helm.

“I trust you and Smokescreen to select it,” he said. “You know how little I concerned myself with my habsuite.”

“A’ight,” Jazz said. “We’ll do our best.”

Smokescreen was nervous, Jazz knew. His genitor was nervous too. Jazz held Smokescreen’s servo in a firm grip as they walked down the hall and made their way to the tram that would drop them off at the metro. It was faster to drive, of course but Jazz was too nervous to drive Smokescreen and the mechling was far too young to drive on his own. Smokescreen would not have wheels of his own until he was a youngling. Sooner or later, Jazz would give him a ride somewhere but Smokescreen had already gotten lost once on his watch and he was not going to risk getting in a crash with him on their first trip off base. The media were all gone, having been chased off by the Primal Vanguard after Prime had given his speech. That did not mean there might not be opportunists who would sneak a quick shot but Jazz had a plan for that.

“I want ya to wear this,” Jazz told Smokescreen as he magnetized a small device to the collar of his armour.

“What’s it for?” Smokescreen asked.

“If anyone tries to take a picture o’ ya, this’ll scramble it,” Jazz told him. “I know yer ori don’t want yer face all o’er the news.”

“It was the same in Praxus,” Smokescreen said. “He didn’t want me in portraits. He didn’t want Blue either but he wasn’t allowed to say no.”

“‘M sorry yer Ori had to make that choice,” Jazz told him. “I’m sorry I bout’m in that spot.”

“Origin loves you,” Smokescreen said. “And it makes him sad. It always made him sad.”

“He’s got good reason, Sweetspark,” Jazz told him. “I broke his spark. I did it on purpose.”

“You were sick,” Smokescreen defended him and Jazz ruffled his helm. After everything Jazz had said and done, Prowl had excused him to their creation. It was a kindness Jazz did not think he deserved.

“Don’t make the damage any easier to live with, Bitlet,” he said.

“Hmm,” Smokescreen took a seat in the window and Jazz sat next to him. “You feel bad about it.”

“Sure do,” Jazz told him. “I didn’t know I’d kindled ya wit Prowl until I saw yer designation next to his on the casualties list. Even when I was better, I was too scared to face your Ori, even the memories o‘m so I didn’t read his letters, ‘n I lied to myself ‘bout how bad I’d behaved. I didn’t want to remember how bad I’d been. When I saw yer designation I had to face what a monster I’d been. I didn’t think I deserved to mourn ya, either o’ ya. But I needed to. I still carry the ultrasound photos he sent me.”

“Really?” Smokescreen asked. Jazz showed him the ultrasound. “I was just a blob.”

“We all start out that way.”

Jazz knew Smokescreen hoped his procreators would get back together and raise him and his brother together. It was something Jazz was a bit too scared to hope for himself. He loved Prowl dearly. With all the clarity in the world now, Jazz did not shy from this truth. The reality was, however he had hurt Prowl terribly and he had driven him away, laying the groundwork for the direction the Praxian’s life had taken. Every awful thing that had happened after could be placed at Jazz’s peds. At some point, if Prowl ever wanted to hear it, Jazz would like to apologize probably, to make sure he knew that Jazz took responsibility, that he had no excuses for everything he had said and done. He could not ask for a chance to be better for Prowl, for Smokescreen and for Bluestreak. Jazz would have to be better and to let the chips fall however they might.

“I know Origin’s originator and grandcreators were afts,” Smokescreen said. “What about yours? Origin never told me about them.”

“That’s ‘cause I never told’m,” Jazz explained. “My genitors were split-spark twins. They died in a riot in Polyhex ‘n losin’em broke my Ori ’n made ‘m go mad... sorta like I did, I guess. Me ‘n my brother, my twin split up... blamin’ different mecha for what happened. I know they’re alive but that’s all I know.”

“You got better,” Smokescreen said. “I bet he will too.”

Counterpunch had sent Jazz another of his rants just that light-cycle. As always, it made no sense. There was no threat to Jazz in particular or the Autobots in general. It was just random glyphs, not even in sentences but almost just splattered across the page. Because Counterpunch did not know he had creations, because Punch had always considered his family to be his and not his alter’s, that he even had the code to the commlink Jazz had only ever shared with his family was still a bit unnerving. Talk of a mechanical spark and grinding gears, even when Jazz read it together with the other notes he had received lately, he found no meaning in it. He wondered if Ricochet got notes like these. His twin would never tell him. Ricochet had blamed Sentinel Prime for the deaths of their progenitors and the madness of their originator, in hindsight Jazz had come to realize that he had been right. Ricochet did not forgive Jazz lending is allegiance to that prime. Whether Ricochet called himself a Decepticon or freelanced, as had been the family business, Jazz did not know. He had not spoken to his twin in millenia and had not laid optics on him for even longer.

“This is our stop,” Jazz took Smokescreen servo and led him down the escalator and out onto the street.

It was just around the corner from Mirror’s, nearer than even Prowl’s old hab and been and a short walk to the park. There were other habsuite on his list to look at but if this one was even close to as good as the ad had suggested, he thought it would be perfect. Smokescreen, of course, would be the one to cast the deciding vote. The property manager shook Smokescreen’s servo after he shook Jazz’s and that was a point in his favour. There were lots of families in the building, or so said the manager and that was a point for the building. No one had lived in the habsuite for a while so it was a completely blank slate. Imagining how it might be set up was not a problem to Jazz. He laughed as Smokescreen ran about, checking every room. The mechling definitely needed sometime in the park to release some energy.

“This room for Origin, because it has a pretty view,” Smokescreen pulled Jazz along for a tour. “This room’s for Blue because its right next door. This rooms for me and this rooms for my grandori and uncle when they come to visit.”

“He’s so sweet,” the property manager said. “And so well behaved.”

“His Ori gets all the credit,” Jazz replied.

“Origin’s going to love it,” Smokescreen declared as they left, key card stored in Jazz’s subspace. As Jazz was an officer in the Autobot Corp, the property manager was quick to sign the habsuite over to Jazz, even having never met the principle tenant. Security was good, it would be better when Jazz added encryptions to the lock. Smokescreen had picked a good room for Prowl, it had a few of the park. He would love it.

“He’ll love that ya picked it for’m,” Jazz said. “How ‘bout we go to the park now ‘n ya can run ‘round like a wild mechanimal?”

“Okay!”

“And who is this?” Jazz jumped. The voice was husky. He knew without looking that it belonged to a wispy femme about his originator’s age.

“Dipole!” Jazz exclaimed. He had met her when she had returned from burying her progenitor. The funds that had seen her get there had been stolen and Prowl had hunted the thief down and returned them too her.

“I’m Smokescreen, Ms Dipole!”

“You look just like your Origin, doin’t you?” Dipole said. “Mirror mentioned you stopped by, to pick up a peace offering. Than she saw the news and she’s been as close to a wreck as I’ve ever seen her.”

“Mirror makes the yummy rust sticks, right?” Smokescreen asked.

“That’s right,” the femme replied.

“Prowl’s got some more healin’ to do but he’ll visit soon,” Jazz promised.

“Mirror always thought of Prowl as something of an adoptive grandcreation,” Dipole said. “What with him being all but orphaned.”

“Can we say hi?” Smokescreen asked.

“Uh...” Jazz thought on it. “I don’t want to take the wind outta yer Ori’s sails, Bravespark.”

“Eh?”

“I thought yer Ori outta be the one to introduce ya to Mirror,” Jazz said.

“He won’t mind,” Smokescreen said. “Especially if we bring more rust sticks. And... if Ms Mirror is worried about Origin, she’ll feel better and Origin’ll feel better knowing she’s not worrying anymore.”

“He is very clever,” Dipole said.

“All credit goes to his Ori,” Jazz replied. “Okay, we’ll say hi to Mirror.”

“They were really buried for vorns?” Dipole asked, softly as they headed to the bakery.

“Yeah,” Jazz replied.

“Mirror wouldn’t look at the casualty list,” Dipole explained. “After he said goodbye, she always figured he’d come back. She said he belonged here and not in Praxus but... well he never came back and then Praxus was gone. She didn’t want to know because if she didn’t know than she could imagine he was well, wherever he was.”

“I promise he’s okay now,” Jazz said. “He thought Smokey outta get out ‘n get some exercise while ‘m ‘n the bitty rest more.”

“It’ll be good to see him,” Dipole said. “He was always one of Mirror’s favourites.”

As was always the case, Jazz smelled Mirror’s Glaze before he saw it. She was both baker and goodie maker and she was a master of everything she touch. Something she did that her customers loves was she decorated some cakes upfront where customers could watch. Jazz remembered how much the sparklings he had watched had seemed to love that. The elderly femme was at that very counter, pouring her signature multi-colour glaze over a collection of small cakes. There was a mechling kneeling on the bench in front of the counter, watching Mirror work. Smokescreen let go of Jazz’s servo and inched up to take a perch next to the stranger. Jazz stood back with Dipole and watched. With the precision of millennia of practice, Mirror swiped a long spatula across the tops of the cakes as the excess glaze dripped own into the trail. She raised her helm from her work and smiled at the mechlings as the other other got up to go. Her optics widened and she looked up and saw Jazz with Dipole. She managed a little wave to the mechling who had been watching her work.

“This is...?” She asked, plating almost ashen.

“Smokescreen,” Jazz said. “Smokey, this is Mirror. One o’ yer Ori’s favourite mechanisms.”

“Hello Ma’am,” Smokescreen said. “Nice to meet you.”

“My goodness you look like your originator,” Mirror gasped. “With just a touch of your progenitor.”

“Origin says I have Genitor’s smile,” Smokescreen declared.

“You do,” Mirror agreed.

“Dipole saw us on the street and Smokey couldn’t wait to meet ya,” Jazz explained. “Prowl’s doin’ great. Just needs a lot o’ recharge right now.”

“Don’t you dare let him rush himself,” Mirror ordered and Smokescreen giggled.

“Better listen, Genitor, she means it.”

“Clever mechling,” Mirror praised him.

Smokescreen decided they should bring cakes to the medbay, to thank the medics and nurses of helping them. Jazz could not deny it was a sweet idea. Really, he could not deny Smokescreen anything just yet, something that was going to get him into trouble with Prowl if he was not careful. It was Smokescreen who suggested maybe Mirror or Dipole might want to come visit Prowl and Bluestreak on base and Jazz also thought it was a decent idea. Prowl was very much in a daze, though he was entirely lucid, his world had been blown to pieces and he was too out of sorts to even begin putting it back together. The Autobots were not the same as the ones who had chased him off. Optimus was as different from Sentinel as monochrome and technicolor. Mirror and Dipole were the same though, absolutely the same, on the surface as they had always been and it might be good for Prowl to have a bit of that familiarity. He would check with Prowl first. For now, he had the comm for the bakery.

“Genitor, genitor!” Smokescreen pulled on Jazz’s bracer as Dipole helped Mirror back up the cakes.

“What’s up, Smokey?” Jazz asked. His creation was in a panic.

“He doesn’t want to go with him!” Smokescreen pointed to the very mechling that had been watching Mirror work. Someone had him by the wrist, tugging him along as the mechling struggled. “He’s scared. He’s really scared.”

He was. Jazz understood now how Smokescreen could be as perceptive as he was.

“Stay here,” he ordered. “Watch Smokey, okay? Be ready to comm the enforcers.”

“Let go! Let go!” The mechling was squirming. He saw Jazz coming and struggled even harder. “Let me go!”

“Hey!” Jazz called to the mech as he grabbed his shoulder. He did not finish his sentence. As the mech turned, brushing his servo away, Jazz knew exactly who this was. “Lockdown! Got some cogs showin’ yer face in Iacon.”

“Outta my way, shortstack,” Lockdown sneered.

“Let him go!” Smokescreen yelled as he kicked Lockdown in the leg. Even as Lockdown started to turn, Jazz saw white he pulled a blaster from his subspace and brought the butt down on Lockdown’s helm. Dipole was there, swooping both mechlings up and out of harms way.

“I’m so sorry,” Dipole said. “He’s fast!”

“He is,” Jazz agreed. “‘N real brave.”

“Devcon, are you okay?” Dipole asked. “Where’s your Origin?”

“Down there,” Devcon, the mechling, pointed towards the park. “He’s dead!”

“Hole up,” Jazz crouched low, cuffing Lockdown with his strongest stasis cuffs. “Dipole comm the enforcer. Sweetspark, what happened?”

“Lockdown’s my genitor,” Devcon explained. “Origin took me and ran away. He thought Iacon would be save but he found us. He shot Origin in the park.”

“‘M so sorry, Sweetspark,” Jazz said. Smokescreen hugged Devcon as the mechlings grief swelled up in him. Devcon clung to him and cried.

Ironhide came, shooing the enforcers away to deal with the murder scene and taking custody of the bounty hunter, very literally Iacon’s most wanted. Jazz and Smokescreen stayed with Devcon until SPS came to take him away. If he had family safe to sent him to, they would find them. If not, they would find him a foster family. His life had changed forever, Jazz hoped whoever took charge of him, they would be prepared to help him make his way through it. It was joors before they were done with the enforcers and SPS. Jazz held Smokescreen’s servo tight as they made their way back to base. Though he had commed Ratchet to explain to Prowl what was up, some of it, Jazz was going to have to explain himself.

“Ya can feel what other mecha are feelin’, can’t ya Smokey?” Jazz asked.

“Yeah,” Smokescreen replied.

“It’s rough sometimes, ain’t it?” Jazz asked.

“Mhm,” Smokescreen said. “It’s not normal, is it?”

“It ain’t,” Jazz said. “But it don’t mean anything’s wrong wit ya. Means yer and empath. I am too. I’ll teach ya how to shield when it’s too much.”

“Oh!” Smokescreen exclaimed. “You feel guilty.”

“Ya, Mechlin’,” Jazz chuckled. “It gave me a bit o’ a rough time. I don’t want that for ya, Sweetspark.”

“Is that why you were sick?” Smokescreen asked.

“It was part of it,” Jazz told him. “I didn’t know how to shield. I do now, once I teach ya, ya’ll be safe from dealin’ wit what I did.”

“Okay.”

Jazz looked straight ahead. Prowl was not going to take this well.

#anon-e-miss writes #maccadams #tf prowl #tf jazz #valveplug #mechpreg #tf smokescreen #broken vows

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cozzzynook · 2 months ago

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The Functionist universe and Megs’ adventures there are ripe with potential and I’d like to share this. Senator Shockwave survived and/or cut a deal with the Functionist Council and got the hell out of dodge along with the cold constructed or like minded mechs like Dai Atlas.

Orion Pax, as part of the Primal Vanguard, discovered their hidden world and was delighted to be reunited with Shockwave. Shockwave was trying to convince Orion to stay when he got the strange call from Roller. From there, Orion learns about the growing resistance from Megatron and feels like he has to return to make a difference. Shockwave doesn’t want to see him go but Orion feels he can’t turn his back on Cybertron, not again.

Orion joins the AVL like in canon and does have a reunion with Shockwave. Unfortunately they’re still doomed by the narrative and die together.

Why…why did you do this to me? 😩

At least they had each other

#transformers #shockwave #senator shockwave #orion pax #shockop #shockwave x orion pax

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deletarius-draws · 12 days ago

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Angaria 'Red Scale' Axia Portrait Illustration

Angaria “Red Scale” Axia – (Majestic Ferocity & Feral Discipline, she had been born for such things. – Valindra Xarann). Angaria was forged from a harrowing blend of Feywild fungal, draconic and other monstrous DNA, an experiment in brutality and loyalty orchestrated by Jhulqira. (Known in the hells as “Deiva-Deivos” & “The Baleful Executor”, stated by Jhulqira). Her origins shrouded in mystery, even to those within the Rubellyn Feywild, Angaria emerged from the trials unrecognizable. Her pale icy blue gaze, harbors a primal rage, her bloodshot eyes with serpentine veins envelops her sclera. Her appearance alone portrays the monstrous nature of her creation. Angaria’s maw, lined with unnaturally sharp dense fangs, reveals the genetic tampering and alchemical manipulations that birthed her. Her strengthen beastly maw causes her to speak with an intense growl and low brazen voice. Due to her beastly slightly overgrown teeth, Jhulqira’s Drow colleagues and assistants are assigned to teach her how to speak. Improving her annunciation in several languages, more specifically common. Angaria’s strengthened and sharpened maw makes her capable of tearing and rending through armor and flesh alike. This further increases ferocity in close-quarters combat.

Standing tall with pronounced musculature and draconic red scales along the sides of her body, she is a fearsome sight graceful in figure yet terrifying, a wild beast tamed for a singular purpose. Jhulqira’s experimental creation drew disapproval and fear among the Feywild beings, seen as an affront to their natural order. Which called fourth an Rubellyn Archfey Court gathering to discuss whether Angaria’s creation would benefit or destroy the Rubellyn Feywild. Nevertheless, he assured them of her unwavering loyalty, her unparalleled ferocity in defense of Rubellyn. Angaria’s brutal transformation, unlike any other Axi, was marked by intense, extensive trials and missions within the Underdark, where she was initially an uncontrollable force of destruction. It is speculated by others that Jhulqira sends her down there for his own personal dubious reasons. Only through severe excruciating conditioning, affirmation sessions, mental scraping and programming, was she controlled and instilled with a semblance of honor and discipline.

Her moniker, “Red Scale” was given to her due to her draconic scales that adorn the sides of her body, furthering speculation of her having some relation to Red Dragons. The red draconic scales provide natural armor, enhancing her durability and giving her a fearsome appearance. Angaria’s relentless hell spawn slaying aligns her closely with Jhulqira’s designs, her very existence forged as a weapon against the Hells’ infernal forces. Angaria’s musculature and height give her immense strength, allowing her to perform feats of raw power such as ripping enemies apart or smashing through barriers. Excelling in unbridled offense, often serving as the vanguard in battle. Her combat style is highly aggressive and unabating, inevitably overwhelming enemies with sheer force. With heightened senses that allow her to detect enemies even in complete darkness or through magical concealments sniffing them out like a hound, (though only literally, not really). Her intellect, masked by her barbaric behavior and exterior, allows her to communicate and strategize, though she remains perceived as a feral beast by many. Angaria’s assigned attacks on the specific strongholds within the Hells are legendary. Missions where she single-handedly decimated demon battalions and brought down towering infernal constructs, her Feywild fungal DNA allowing her to return even after obliteration, much to the dread of her enemies. The Feywild fungal essence she carries enables her to regenerate over time from fatal wounds, making her nearly indestructible on the battlefield. It is her form of self-restoration.

Those of the Hells view her with a mixture of fear and hatred, recognizing her as an unstoppable force designed to annihilate their kind. Angaria’s reputation as a relentless demon killer is well-known in the Hells. Her ability to return after being obliterated strikes fear in to the hearts of her infernal foes. Her presence on the battlefield is a harbinger of doom for any infernal forces that cross her path. This also makes her a target for infernal warriors seeking to challenge her, out of hatred and a modicum of respect.

Her relationship with other Aximand warriors and Feywild beings is complex; they see her as a necessary but very unsettling presence, a feral protector whose loyalty lies solely with the Axi military. Even so, her ferocious dedication to Rubellyn commands a grudging respect, marking her as a unique and indispensable warrior in their ranks. Angaria is a dreadful testament to Jhulqira’s twisted ingenuity and a symbol of Rubellyn’s more ruthless resolve to safeguard their realm.

Jhulqira, to further inflict pain for Angaria’s ravaging combat prowess, he implanted enhanced organs within her. Organs that cause immense sharp pains throughout her body and resulting in severe migraines that push her to perpetually slaughter her foes. If she were to stop for even a millisecond she would feel excruciating pain, the pain lessens somewhat when she continues her onslaught. Many who witness her on the battlefield are always in awe, as she cleaves through enemy lines like a worker in a field, leaving her enemies fatally wounded to bleed out if they survive her clean sweep of an onslaught.

Angaria’s existence is always in question, even by her own allies. Her being an elf seems impossible; most find it hard to believe a high-elf behaves or even fights with such graceless brutality. For those of the Feywild, no one knows which of the High-elves Angaria originated from, Aelvaren, Eladrin or any the Tel-quessir.

“In order to combat the unyielding monstrosities arrayed against us, why not create a formidable force of our own, one that embodies our ideals, values, and the very essence of our realm’s safety? I put fourth, and firmly believe, that Angaria is the quintessential embodiment of this vision. Let us set her loose upon our adversaries.” -Jhulqira Frier’athen

Angaria’s origins are shrouded in mystery. It is unknown who she was before her transformation, or as the Axi call it, “Rebirth”, and even those of the Feywild are unsure of who or what she was before, it is speculated that this is what Jhulqira intended. Jhulqira’s experiments were severe, involving genetic essence and alchemical mixture of monstrous DNA. Angaria’s trials in the Underdark left her unhinged and feral, until she would be subdued and mentally conditioned for loyalty. While Angaria is fiercely loyal to the Aximand Axia and Rubellyn, she harbors a deep-seated resentment for the torture she endured and the implanted pain mechanisms she continues to experience. The Feywild beings view Angaria with a mixture of fear and respect. Her ferocity is seen as a necessary evil, but her presence is unsettling to those who value the natural order.

Angaria’s presence to certain divine orders and societies fill them with unease, questioning where her true nature and loyalties lie, she is expected to prove herself far more than the other Axi. The two goddesses and some of those that follow them work in allegiance with the Axi and Rubellyn. Selûne (Goddess of the Moon) views Angaria with a blend of shock and concern. Her creation, blending fungal and draconic DNA, seems to defy the natural order that Selûne upholds. However, over time, Selûne comes to Angaria’s unwavering dedication to protecting Rubellyn. While she remains wary of the methods used to create Angaria, she respects her loyalty and ferocity in combat.

Mystra (Goddess of Magic) is fascinated by Angaria’s creation. The blend of fungal regeneration and draconic traits presents a unique magical phenomenon that piques her interest. Mystra sees the potential in Angaria’s abilities and may offer guidance to refine her magical prowess. She respects the intellectual aspect of Angaria, recognizing her ability to adapt and strategize.

Angaria’s great two-handed Axe, “Mother Ichor”

Crudely yet Efficiently Forged

“All I know and will ever know, is the crawling black of my mind, seeing the crimson spread, and watching it flow.” – Angaria ‘Red-Scale’ Axia

The axe is forged with a primal, almost barbaric efficiency. Its crude design contrasts with the elegance of the typical Axi weapons, highlighting Angaria’s untamed nature. The axe’s blade is a shimmering golden-red, with iridescent accents of red swirling within its hue. This unique coloration adds an eerie beauty to the weapon, making it stand out on the battlefield. Mother Ichor is an exceptionally large and heavy weapon, requiring immense strength to wield. Its sheer size and weight makes it a devastating tool in combat. The edge of Mother Ichor is designed to inflict perpetual bleeding upon its targets. Each strike slices deeply, causing opponents to suffer continuous damage as they bleed out. This bleeding effect adds to Angaria’s ferocity, ensuring that her enemies are not only incapacitated but also left to suffer the consequences of their wounds.

While Mother Ichor was forged outside of the typical Axi forges, the schematics of Axi forgery were used in its creation. So that the Axe is not only powerful but also uniquely suited to Angaria’s combat style. The use of Axi schematics signifies the weapon’s significance and connection to Angaria’s role as an Axi warrior. It is both a symbol of her strength and a testament to the brutal process that forged her. Mother Ichor, in Angaria’s hands, becomes a weapon of overwhelming force. Each swing is delivered with a strength that can cleave through armor and bone, leaving devastation in its wake. Designed specifically attuned to her Alkanine essence, it allows her to channel her rage and wild magic into each strike. The Sight of Angaria wielding Mother Ichor strikes fear into her enemies. The weapon’s immense size and brutal make, combined with its wielder’s ferocity, create an intimidating presence on the battlefield. Her perpetual restoration and enhanced physical capabilities allow her to relentlessly pursue her enemies, with Mother Ichor solidifying that each encounter ends in bloodshed.

Jhulqira thought it would be, ‘amusing’, if he used the genetic essence and alchemical mixtures of monstrous DNA to create a wild but tamed weapon, loyal only to the Aximand Axia, the Rubellyn Feywild and most importantly Jhulqira himself. He also mentions in his notes how ludicrous the contrast of her nature and personality would fair alongside other Fey beings. As he puts it mockingly, “She lacks that irritable whimsical nature and silly characteristic of her kin.” Expressing his humor in forging an elf (of sorts), with questionable grace and having others question if she is even an elf anymore at this point.

Angaria’s creation caused a disturbance and disapproval among many Feywild beings, her creation was perceived an insult to Aelvaren, Eladrin and the natural Feywild beings alike. Yet, Jhulqira would reassure that she is still loyal to Rubellyn. A grand hall of the Archfey Council in Rubellyn, led by Lady Dreamweaver, in a magnificent chamber adorned with ancient runes and illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent flora. However, the atmosphere is tense, filled with anticipation and dread as the council gathers to discuss the creation of Angaria.

The meeting begins...

The grand hall of the Archfey Council in Rubellyn was a spectacle of ancient majesty. The chamber, adorned with intricate runes and illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent flora, exuded an otherworldly beauty. The air was suffused with the heady scent of rare blooms, clashing with the grim tension that filled the room. Anticipation and dread hung heavy as the council gathered to discuss the creation of Angaria.

Lady Dreamweaver, resplendent in her ethereal elegance, began the meeting from her high-seated balcony, her voice carrying a melodious yet imposing tone. “Hello my children, tis good to see you all again. Alas, we convene today to address a matter of grave concern. The creation of this…” She glanced at Angaria standing beside Jhulqira, “Angaria ‘Red Scale’ Axia, has stirred unease among us all.”

Illaikus, irked and cautious, whispered just enough for Jhulqira to hear, “Jhulqira, what have you wrought? This... Abomination stands before us, her presence an affront to the very essence of the Feywild.”

Jhulqira, calm and composed, a smirk playing at his lips, addressed Illaikus and the others. “I assure you, Angaria is loyal to Rubellyn and the Axi. Her creation is a calculated necessity to counter the malevolent forces, more targeting our infernal enemies.”

Priallia, her face worrisome and voice fluctuating with involuntary emotion, interjected, “Necessity...? This is a grotesque mockery of Rubellyn values. You’ve twisted her into something barely recognizable as an elf. She embodies an insult to the heritage she once represented and those who allowed us to stay in Rubellyn.” Turning to Lady Dreamweaver, she added, “Our Lady Dreamweaver, I apologize for this involuntary creation.”

Lady Dreamweaver’s glare from atop her balcony was as cold as it was regal. “I only wish to hear what Jhulqira has to say on the matter of this... creation of his.” Jhulqira rolled his eyes under his dark hood, his hair fringing across his eyelids.

An Eladrin elder council member’s voice boomed, yet tinged with fear, “Look at her! She looks like a wild beast, a creature of nightmares. How can we trust such a being to guard us?”

Another council member, her voice low and hesitant, added, “I fear this goes too far. We uphold balance and harmony, yet this... creation is a disruption, a harbinger of chaos.”

Jhulqira, reserved and graceful, raised his hand to speak, his eyes closed, his face tranquil. Lady Dreamweaver’s rich, refined voice bounced off the chamber walls, “Jhulqira...? You may speak.”

Lowering his hand, Jhulqira opened his eyes, focusing on the Archfey above, particularly the frantic Eladrin. “Yes, she is all of those things. I will not deny her unique features are... unsettling. But the purpose of this is not to instill fear into you, but into our enemies. If this scares you, good. I have done my job; I also cannot control your fear. To alleviate it, however, Angaria will spend most of her time in the Feydark underneath Rubellyn with me and my colleagues and will be deployed when necessary.”

Pausing, he glanced at Lady Dreamweaver, who nodded, allowing him to continue. “Angaria’s creation is unorthodox. But I assure you, she is a weapon forged for the sole purpose of protecting Rubellyn. Her ferocity is directed only towards the malevolent, those who seek to bring harm to our realm.”

Arkadius’s voice echoed, imposing and resonant, “Her power is undeniable, but can she maintain control, sanity, and discipline? I’d hate to see her lose herself to this... wrath you speak of.”

Angaria, who had been staring blankly and menacingly, glanced at Arkadius. Her expression remained unreadable, though beneath, she was attentive and the was a small semblance of acknowledgment for her wellbeing. Something that seems alien to her, nonetheless there was an appreciation there. The sudden pain that coursed through her spine like lightning sent waves of agony into her brain, punishing her for feeling anything but suffering. A nosebleed trickled as she abruptly broke eye contact, wiping the blood with the back of her hand, resuming her motionless stance as the pain continued to wrack her pulsating nerves.

Jhulqira replied, “Her loyalty is unwavering. She underwent prolonged mind-scraping, her synapses purged raw and conditioned. She is bound to the Axi company and Rubellyn. I have personally ensured her conditioning and indoctrination. She fights for us, not against us.”

Illaikus, still irritated, finally spoke his mind, “Your words do little to assuage my concerns, Jhulqira. She may be a weapon, but even the most finely crafted blade can turn in its wielder’s hand.”

Priallia, almost pleading, added, “This path we tread is dangerous. Angaria’s very existence challenges our values. We must be sure that such creations do not lead us down a darker road.”

The council of the seeley courts murmured amongst themselves, reluctant yet understanding the increasing invasions and catastrophes wrought against them.

A council member spoke, “We must weigh the potential benefits against our fears. If she can indeed protect us from the encroaching darkness, then perhaps her existence is a necessary evil.”

Another Eladrin councilor added, “But we must establish strict oversight. You must establish strict supervision. Her power must be monitored closely.”

Jhulqira nodded, bowing respectfully, a mockingly wide smirk hidden under his hood. “Agreed. I will ensure that Angaria remains under strict supervision. Her role is to safeguard Rubellyn, nothing more.”

Lady Dreamweaver concluded, “Very well. We shall permit her to remain, but with the utmost caution. Angaria ‘Red Scale’ Axia will be closely monitored. Her actions will determine if she truly is the praetorian Jhulqira claims her to be. Thy gods and allies all, will be watching. Prove their suspicion false.”

The council dispersed, their hearts heavy with lingering doubts and fears. Angaria’s presence left an indelible mark on the assembly, a reminder of the lengths to which they must go to protect their realm. As the hall emptied, Jhulqira and Angaria stood together, eyes fixed on the uncertain path ahead. Jhulqira let out a sigh, glancing up at Angaria, “Hm, that went well...” Angaria said nothing, her gaze unfaltering, still processing the immense pain of the implants within her. Jhulqira, only slightly surprised she didn’t turn to blind rage and lash out. Not that he wanted such a thing to happen, though the thought seemed amusing to him. He smiles at his own caliginous humor before signaling Angaria to follow him out of the assembly chamber. Little did the others know, Angaria was merely a gateway for further projects and augmentations. Angaria was a standard template for another breed of Axi warriors, this time a drow Axi with similar implants. The drow Axi will serve as Angaria’s Auxiliary, a stepping stone towards a Drow super-elven warrior he will soon introduce to Menzoberranzan under his family house’s name. However, this is saved for future plans. For now, Angaria will just have to earn the trust and respect of Rubellyn and her fellow Axi.

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