Middara: Unintentional Malum - The Complete Trilogy

Day 14: Buff Blighted Monsters!
almost 5 years ago – Mon, Jul 08, 2019 at 01:16:10 AM

 Hey guys! We've a short and sweet update for you today!

Blighted guardians have plagued Elenia as long as there have been people living there. The infectious nature of the parasite means that care must be taken any time a blighted guardian is seen near a populated area. Fortunately, these unholy nightmares are filled with a mindless drive to destroy, and aren't very bright.

Now, troubling reports have surfaced concerning a blighted guardian that exhibits signs of enhanced intelligence. A small village has been terrorized by this mutated guardian. It comes into town at night, killing and eating people who are out in the streets, but it always retreats before it can be dealt with. 

So far, it has been content to leave the buildings alone. However, as the news spreads, there are very few people out at night, and the villagers worry that it will start attacking people in their homes. This new threat must be dealt with before anyone else falls victim to its voracious appetite. To this end, the town has posted a bounty on the monster's head.

While this "Blighted Terror," as it is being called, looks like a very large version of more common blighted guardians, it is frighteningly intelligent, and anything that can be done to stop any more of these terrors from being created would be a great service to the people of Elenia. Fortunately, this intelligent guardian has killed all of its victims. While tragic, it has ensured that no one else has turned into similar monsters.

When confronted by armed adventurers in the streets, the mutant retreated. They pursued it to a nearby system of caves, but didn't dare face it on its own territory. There doesn't seem to be any other exits from the caves, so for now, the blighted terror is held at bay by guards outside of the forest where it’s cavern is thought to be. Its hunger grows, however, and it's only a matter of time before it emerges again. 

For our Day 14 unlock, we will be adding a miniature to the KS2 Promo Box for the Blighted Brute Standee, featured in Unintentional Malum: Act 1. 

To be clear, this miniature is part of the KS2 Promo Box and is being given away for free as part of every pledge level at the "Through the Portal" level or higher. 

The cardboard standee version that is already a part of the contents of Unintentional Malum: Act 1 will remain a standee. 

Day 13: Beautiful Boys, Dream Killers, and Hatchet Ramifications!
almost 5 years ago – Sun, Jul 07, 2019 at 01:39:37 AM

While twin sivani seem very similar to humans physically, they have some differences that distinctly separate both their physiology and culture. Without exception, all sivani have a twin. They are born, live, and typically die together. Sivani are seen as a single entity by other sivani, and it’s not uncommon for them to refer to themselves as a single person.

Culturally, this brings about other strange differences. When sivani fall in love, it is always in pairs, meaning that their relationships are always in sets of four. They mate in pairs, and the resulting pregnancies are almost always simultaneously successful, or simultaneously a failure. This means that despite being from two separate biological parents, the offspring is always a set of identical twins, born in pairs, one from each female. 

 While a pair of twin sivani do not seem to truly share a single consciousness or a telepathic link, they are as close to being one person as two minds can be. In fact, twin sivani seems to be able to survive just fine without their twin, despite an overwhelming cultural stigma against it. Those who separate from their twins are typically voluntarily treated as pariahs, expelled from their homes and forced to live in isolation. However, very few sivani ever choose to leave their twin voluntarily. More often than not, a sivani is only without a twin if their other half met some horrible fate. 

When a sivani is left alone, the solitude tends to drive them mad. It seems that they are built for a life of close companionship, insomuch that when a sivani dies from old age, it is expected of their twin to commits ritual suicide. Religious customs amongst their people believe that their souls should be sent together to the afterlife. 

The reasons that twin sivani become espers are as varied as humans who opt to be summoned to other realms themselves. Each have their own agenda, known only to them and their twin. One thing that is always in their summoning contracts, however, is that they not be separated from their twin. This is usually seen as a bonus to summoners, as they get the assistance of two for the price of one.

For our Day 13 unlock, we will be adding two figures to the KS2 Promo Box. One fore Titus, the other for Quinn. These two are featured in Unintentional Malum: Act 1. 

To be clear, these two miniatures are part of the KS2 Promo Box and are being given away for free as part of every pledge level at the "Through the Portal" level or higher. 

The cardboard standee versions that are already a part of the contents of Unintentional Malum: Act 1 will remain a standees. 

When summoning an exalted esper, Nyx could rarely count on any individual call to be answered.  Espers had their own desires, their own timelines and motivations. But there was one spirit she could always call, one that she knew would be listening through the Aether for danger. I’d be grateful for your help right now, Wyrm. I’ve got more gold for you. You want more gold, right?

The creature didn’t respond in words, but she felt her call answered even so. A distant roar shook the field, so quiet that the twisted version of Jalen didn’t even notice. He kept advancing on her, sharp teeth dripping with sickly venom. “We didn’t have to do this. All you had to do was stay away, and we would’ve kept to ourselves. Then when the Dark Mother arrived, you would have learned to revel as we do. She would’ve accepted you, Nyx, the way she accepted me.”

Either he didn’t see Lymn standing behind him, or he didn’t care. Nyx glanced desperately to the wolf, but she shook her head. “I’m working on it.”

What does that mean?

The sky split open, and a massive dragon blasted overhead, his green scales so dark they blotted out the moon. Little bits of jewelry tumbled away from his wings as he passed—twisted bracelets, half-melted crowns, all gold.

“What did you—” Jalen’s parody looked up in horror, suddenly retreating. “This was our dream! I didn’t say you could bring visitors.”

Fire rained down on him from above, turning the half-rotten imitation of Nyx’s old boyfriend into a completely ashy parody before she could move. Heat scoured the ground all around where he had been standing, and Nyx had to shield her eyes with one arm until the flames passed. 

The Wyrm didn’t even stop, just kept flying forward, burning the dream-clearing to ashes around them. His roars shook the clearing, and the city beyond, though they brought Nyx no fear, only satisfaction.

“Well, that’s done with.” Nyx shook out her wings, running one finger around her throat. She felt like she might be sore for days. “I’d expect them to be smarter than this. Invading our dreams, did they really think that would get them anywhere?”

“It wasn’t just your dreams.” Lymn’s eyes never left the Wyrm, as though she expected it to turn on them next. “This spell might be destroyed, but the caster lives. A Coven Mother has crept upon you while you sleep. You must wake now, or perish.”

“I what—”

Lymn didn’t even give her time to think. She twisted around, lunging forward at Nyx’s head with sharp teeth. There was a brief flash of pain, and Nyx jolted to alertness.

Nyx woke with a muffled scream, kicking and squirming in her bed. She was bound, wrapped in something ropey and muscled. She glanced down in horror, and saw moist red flesh binding her to the bed by wrists and ankles. Strange symbols coated the bed around the edges, written there in something she had a grim certainty was her own blood.

 A face appeared above her, the face of a woman who was wrapped so completely with fleshy growth that it was impossible to see where sinuous limbs ended and raw muscle began. She looked over Nyx, drawing one claw across her lips. “Hush,” she whispered, in Jalen’s voice. “Scream again, and I’ll take your tongue.”

Nyx didn’t scream. Something had still been wrapped around her mouth, making any real attempt to speak impossible.

“Your pet ruined my spell—pity. Now you must wait your turn to die less pleasurably.” She turned away, lifted at her waist by the swollen, muscled masses. They carried her across the room to where Christopher slept. Nyx couldn’t tilt her head far, but she could see similar runes written around him, along with the same tendrils holding him down. Without Lymn or an Exalted Esper to call upon, he wouldn’t be escaping either.

A pair of figures moved suddenly between Nyx and her helpless companion. Young men, tall and lean and muscled. Not just the Advancement—both were covered in little scars, and had near-identical dark red eyes. She felt sudden, frightening certainty that she was looking at hollow shells, just like with Jalen. Behind perfect skin and backward-curving horns was a rotten horror.

“You should’ve joined us,” one whispered, his voice so soft and inviting. “Terrible waste. The Dark Mother would’ve taught you wonderful things.”

“She taught us,” said the other. He settled down on the other side of the bed, tracing her trapped arm for one sensual second. Then his hand found her throat. 

“How did you… even find us?” Nyx asked, or tried to ask through her gag. The words came out slimy and mangled, but what else could she do to try and buy time? Would Charlotte notice what was happening in her inn? Was she even still alive? Nyx glanced desperately for the door, but it was shut and undamaged, betraying nothing of how this had happened.

To her surprise, the grip around her neck relaxed. The figure—Incubus, she guessed—seemed almost thoughtful. “I forget what it was like. Not to hear her.”

The other reached down into Nyx’s pack, still hanging from the wall on its hook. He fumbled for a moment, until he drew out the cloth envelope with the withered tongue inside. “Sandra told us everything. Where you went, what your plans were. She was listening, and we were listening to her.”

“Not that it matters,” said the other. “You’ve gone too far—your life is over now. Pity: your essence is wasted this way. But you could still swear to Her. Still join Her in eternal bliss when your soul leaves your body. We don’t have to make it hurt.”

“I’d rather… be in Hell,” Nyx spat. The gag cut off most of what she was trying to say, but the two clearly got the message. A hand clenched firmly around her neck, and this time there was none of the blissful dream Jalen’s attack had brought. She was going to die in agony, and not even be able to scream.

There was no way to turn and look, but from the ecstatic muttering coming from the witch looming over Christopher, he would soon join her.

Then the door ripped right off its hinges, flying right over Nyx and smacking into one of the Incubi, throwing him into the far wall. The one crouched over her relaxed his grip just a little, staring through the open door with shock just as she was.

Nyx got a brief glimpse of a tiny, familiar figure standing there, then darkness concentrated around her again. She blurred through the room, passing Nyx in a faint gasp of air before smashing bodily into the staring Coven Mother. 

Then Ai Chen became solid again, slashing through a meaty tendril with one claw while the second cut up through the witch’s face from below. Gore exploded from the wound, and her whole body twitched and spasmed once. Then the claw retracted and she dropped to the ground, sliding through the ghosts of fleshy tendrils as they faded back to whatever realm she’d summoned them from. 

From the bed, Christopher suddenly sat upright, taking a desperate breath like someone who’d just been drowning. “What… where… am I?”

“Hurry and kill her!” urged the Incubus from the other side of the room, kicking the door aside and drawing a dagger into each hand. Where the heavy wood had struck him, only rotten ichor leaked instead of blood.

Nyx squealed in protest as the hands around her throat suddenly tightened. There was no subtlety to it now, no trying to make this quiet and dignified. He was going to crush her throat. The tendrils holding her hands suddenly released, and Nyx’s eyes widened. 

Instead of smacking her fists uselessly against someone who was far stronger than she was, Nyx reached for her bedside table. The leg-drop sheath still hung there, the axe inside tantalizingly close. Her fingers fumbled with the clasp for a few seconds, finally tearing it open and gripping the handle just below the blade. She swung it forward with all the strength she had, right for the Incubus’s head.

He caught her wrist in his free hand with contemptuous ease, grinning wider. The color drained from the world around him, all except for those dark red eyes. “We do the will of a goddess,” he whispered into her ear, almost lovingly. “If it makes your death any easier, know that it was Her will too. In this moment, you’re Her servant as much as me.”

The axe dropped from her fingers, tumbling end-over-end and out of reach. Nyx didn’t even have the strength to struggle anymore as the world faded.

Something smashed into him, something wrapped in green cloth with a pair of bright red claws. They went rolling together, spiraling away from her. She rolled to one side, hacking and coughing as the air went rushing back into her lungs. She watched as Christopher finally got his feet under him, drawing the sword from his bedside and charging into the already-injured Incubus. 

The demon parried one blow with a dagger, before Christopher caught it by the blade and swept it away through the air with contempt. With his next swing, he stabbed the sword straight into the demon’s gut. “God judges you through me, demon. Guilty.”

Nyx twisted the other way, finding a little of the color coming back. Maybe Ai’s fight with the other Incubus was going as well?

She rolled around just in time to watch it smash a dagger into her belly. The blade slowed in the air, as the demon strained against a barrier produced by Ai’s unseen Core. Then he was through, shoving it down into her guts.

“I’m… coming…” Nyx wheezed, snatching the axe from where it had fallen and lurching forward.

The world swam, and her legs fell out from under her like jelly. Everything went black.

Day 12: A Wyrm Draped In Gold and Community highlights.
almost 5 years ago – Sat, Jul 06, 2019 at 12:46:29 AM

Community Highlights

We're super stoked to see so many people excited about Middara! 

Over at Succubus Publishing we love talking business and we also love games. Seeing other entrepreneurs set out to create unique products for themselves is amazing! Below are some of the creations for Middara we thought were really cool. 

*A special note: We make no commission off of any of these. In fact, we haven't even talked to these companies. This means we cant speak for their business practices or ethical positions. We just really liked what they were doing and thought we'd share. 

FancyButFunctional on Etsy has put out some really neat wooden playmats with dials. You can check out his web store here. 

Brambletoe on Etsy is making Middara gear holders! These bad boys look like they can hold the cards sleeved in an organized way out on your table. I think I'm going to get a set of these for our playtesters. You can check out his web store here. 

 And finally a backer made some fan art of Nightingale! You can check out more of their art here. 

You must be so rich that you can pay to have something else do all the killing for you!

The community has chosen the Opulent Wyrm... My nerd cred has been seriously damaged by calling it a Wurm with a "U". That's okay, we'll get it fixed before print. 

Nyx Summons the Exalted Esper The Opulent Wyrm! I'd imagine it's on the king's dime too. 

"How much?" Rikert wondered, thumbing at his handful of gold.

Sharon was less than enthused about the idea, but she only shrugged. “As much as it wants really…” 

“What if we get robbed?” Rikert frowned, still looking at his gold. This was months worth of wages. The thought of losing it all was heart-wrenching.

“Robbed by a dragon?” Sharon giggled. 

“Hey! This is serious.” Rikert turned on her, one hand on his hip. “I’ve heard that sometimes these things just steal your money! It’s like a fantasy New York mugging, but it’s a dragon holding you at gunpoint!” 

“Is it going to steal your sneakers too?” Sharon laughed, still not taking the idea seriously.  “I mean, if we really need to pull down some serious hate in record time, I'd’wager that a stack of gold would be worth trading for your life. It’s not like you’re going to be asking a giant lizard to help you with the laundry.” 

She kept snickering.

“I guess…” Rikert was still unsure about the whole idea. He’d heard the horror stories and they weren’t as funny. Not only did you gamble on the greedy monster to not take your gold for nothing, but the Esper didn’t just take your worldly possessions if you couldn’t pay what it wanted. 

If you were unlucky, it would take so much more. 

For our Day 12 unlock, we will be adding the community chosen Exalted Esper to the KS2 Promo Box. This creature can be used in the Assemblage tree via the Discipline Exalted Summoning! 

To be clear, this Tarot sized card is part of the KS2 Promo Box and is being given away for free as part of every pledge level at the "Through the Portal" level or higher. 

Day 11: A Ninja's Best Friend, Something Smokey, and Opulence vs Death!
almost 5 years ago – Fri, Jul 05, 2019 at 01:51:45 AM

 "Brea," Cassius called to her. "Can I have a word?" He beckoned with a calloused hand.

Brea followed him into the next room. "What is it?" She asked. She was pretty sure she already knew.

"I need you to go with Zafir. He's determined to go back to Elenia." Cassius sighed. He looked very tired, and Brea was sure that his discussions with Zafir hadn't helped. "He believes that we must take action to keep Charon at bay."

It was as Brea had expected. Zafir had been more eccentric than usual lately. Cassius and the other leaders of the Anointed were no doubt worried that he would go off half-cocked and do something regrettable, like usual. Zafir was still a respected member of the Anointed, though. He was the last remaining founding member, after all, and Brea admired his tenacity.

"I'm not sure if there will be anything of use to us in Elenia, but it is certain to be dangerous. Keep an eye on him." Cassius said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course." Brea agreed. "Do you think that Zafir is..." She looked away, too ashamed to finish her sentence.

"Crazy?" Cassius asked. "No. Zafir has seen a lot in his lifetime, more than any of us. I think that he tends to lose sight of what's important sometimes. He puts Charon's imprisonment above finding the rest of the Council of Abhorrence. It's hard to blame him, but we can't spare too many resources dealing with a threat that is already contained."

"I understand." Brea saluted. "Will there be anything else?"

"No, you are free to go." Cassius concluded. "Make sure you are well prepared… You know about Zafir's history leading adventuring parties into danger."

Brea sighed. She did know.

 For our Day 11 unlock, we will be adding a figure to the KS2 Promo Box for the Brea Standee, featured in Unintentional Malum: Act 1. 

To be clear, this miniature is part of the KS2 Promo Box and is being given away for free as part of every pledge level at the "Through the Portal" level or higher. 

The cardboard standee version that is already a part of the contents of Unintentional Malum: Act 1 will remain a standee. 

The hatchet was probably the smarter choice. Nyx removed it carefully, securing it in place on her leg. It would be harder to hide, but also more useful if she really needed it. Nyx could even get through a door with it, if she was determined enough.

They left later that night, joining a caravan of privateers bound for Rhamsted. The trip took them to established trails, along onyx cliffs. Occasionally the fog would lift, and Nyx caught a brief glimpse of shattered islands seeming almost close enough to swim to.

They arrived in Rhamsted after two days of hard travel, and Nyx practically dragged her erstwhile travel companion to her favorite inn.

“High street is that way,” Christopher muttered, pointing obstinately away from the inn door. Its over-sized sign, only slightly faded in the unforgiving sun, still proclaimed “Padric’s Dragon Arms: Guns, Grog, and Tattoos.” He stopped, staring up at the sign. “You’re joking. This is an English joke, yes? When is it funny?”

She punched his shoulder, as hard as she could. “Now it’s funny.” She shoved the door open before he could say something else annoying.

She wasn’t fast enough. “Keep your punch line. I’m going to visit the docks. I’ll be back when I’m finished.”

Nyx rolled her eyes, scanning the familiar common room. Padric’s wasn’t exactly luxury accommodations—it was barely a step above a hostel, with plenty of worn furniture scattered about the bottom floor in whatever clumps the last patrons had left it. 

First-time visitors could sometimes be a little confused by the shop tucked away in the inn’s common room. Padric’s real passion, the only reason he bothered keeping up the place. That was where Nyx went, crossing the common room to where an interlocking metal sign covered the display of custom weapons. His tattoo gun hung from a hook, gathering dust.

“Oi!” called a voice from behind the bar.

Nyx spun. “Charlotte? Where’s the innkeeper? I need some grog for the road, and…” She glanced over her shoulder. “Somewhere with two beds, if you’ve got any left.”

“You’re looking at her,” Charlotte said, folding her arms and glaring. She hadn’t changed much since the last time Nyx had visited—her skin was still brown, without any new tattoos from Padric. “The boss went off adventuring with the princess…” She counted off on her fingers, then shrugged. “Maybe a month ago? I always ran the place better than he did.”

“Shayliss was out here?” Nyx perked up in spite of everything, coming alert again at the hint of something familiar. “What was she doing? Did she say how long she’d be gone?”

“Not her,” Charlotte met her eyes, just a hint of suspicion on her face. “Younger one.”

“Nightingale? But she just graduated, she shouldn’t even…” she trailed off suddenly, feeling the eyes on her. I can’t forget who owns this city. She was already dealing with enough without getting the Black Hand involved.

Nyx had a few precious minutes to herself to unpack most of her belongings into a cramped room, picking the sturdier-looking bed. Then she returned to the common room, mouth already watering at the prospect of Padric’s micro brew. She found an empty table and slumped into it, then held up two fingers. 

Someone settled heavily into the seat across from her only seconds later, dropping his heavy pack beside him loud enough to shake the whole inn. Several patrons looked up, then returned to whatever they were doing.

“I have been making travel arrangements,” Christopher declared, removing a rolled map from a pocket and spreading it on the table between them. “There are a few captains who know about the Ziggurat. But most…” He shook his head, exasperated. “You Elenians make no sense, say impossible things. It’s a massive temple, visible for hundreds of miles. But everyone says it’s impossible. They won’t sell me passage there.”

Nyx nodded weakly. “You think King Balthazar was happy about something called the ‘Witch’s Ziggurat’ overlooking populated cities? Navy can’t burn it if they can’t get to it. We’ll figure something out tomorrow. Right now, I want a hot bath, something to take the edge off, and a good night’s sleep. Not in that order.”

Front | Back

Charlotte arrived seconds later, two bottles clutched by the neck in one hand. She set them on the table between them. “Ten each for the bottles, fifty for the room.”

“Put it on the Arsen tab,” Nyx said, snatching the bottle before Charlotte could refuse. “We’re on royal business.”

The young innkeeper swore under her breath. “Oh sure, what’s a few hundred more gold on that tab? Who needs to get paid, anyway?” But whatever her annoyance, she didn’t argue.

Nyx took the bottle, scooping a dusty glass off the table and pouring herself a shot. She turned the bottle over in her hands, smiling at the design. Padric never brewed things the same way twice. And he’d be insult if she drank it any way but neat.

She drained the shot, feeling the burn as it went down. But soon enough she was smiling, and she relaxed into her seat. She poured another shot, but didn’t drink it yet. Finally she looked across the table, to where Christopher had taken his bottle. 

He glowered at it, apparently unimpressed with the label. “The house doesn’t serve wine wine?”

She nodded. “Not much grows up here, and nobody in Rhamsted wants to waste time getting drunk. This is better.”

“Not if I want to enjoy what I’m drinking.” Then he took a sip, and any objections he might’ve had faded. He took another one, turning the dark bottle so the label faced him. 

The front door banged open, so loudly that everyone in Padric’s turned to stare. A feminine figure wrapped all in green with a pair of massive armored claws slung over one shoulder and a satchel over the other.

“Can I help you?” Charlotte called, her annoyance plainly rising.

But the stranger ignored her. Her eyes locked instantly on Christopher, and she darted over. “Amaya?” she asked, staring up at him. “Has to be you. Christopher Amaya. It’s a relief to find you.”

He nodded, kicking out the last chair with one leg. “You sound more civilized than most here. Did my sister send you?”

She barely even seemed to see Nyx sitting there, settling her heavy pack over the back of the chair, and collapsing into it cross-legged. “I am Ai Chen—Clairvoyant. Lucia would’ve come herself, but…” Then she trailed off, glancing at Nyx. Her eyes narrowed, and she lowered her voice to a whisper. It didn’t help—they were sitting at the same table.

And now Brahma sends a diplomat. Were you reporting to Brahma behind my back, Christopher? Or maybe one of those privateers was a Kladavent informant.

Christopher waved a dismissive hand. “This is Nyx, uh… no titles for her. Nyx, Ai Chen here is a Clairvoyant. She’s a—”

“She’s who Brahma sends when they don’t think you’re quite worth the price of a Grim Deacon to cut your throat while you sleep,” Nyx said. “I know.”

They both tensed, a little red rising to Ai’s cheeks. But Nyx didn’t much care what they thought—she was only two shots in, but she was three days into traveling with Christopher.

Christopher cut her off before she could say what she was really thinking. “This isn’t about our case, Nyx, or some secret diplomacy. I’ve been waiting to hear from my sister for months now. Please, Ai. Tell me. And you must try this—” He raised a hand, pointing to his bottle. “Grogmonger, please! We desire another!”

Charlotte arrived seconds later, settling the bottle down in front of Ai and glaring daggers at him. “This one’s free, so long as I never hear you say ‘grogmonger’ again. If you were drinking grog, you’d already be under the table. This whisky the softest we can serve for your ‘civilized’ stomachs.” She left before he could get a chance to respond.

Ai took the bottle, then tilted the whole thing back on two fingers. Nyx felt a wing twitch. “You probably shouldn’t drink it like that—”

Ai didn’t drink long. Nyx smiled with satisfaction as she saw Ai’s eyes were red and watering. Apparently she hadn’t been expecting real whisky. Her hands shook a moment, and there was an edge to her voice when she finally spoke. 

“Your sister has completed her last trial and been accepted as a member of the Grim Deacons. She wishes she could visit you in person, but…” She glanced sidelong at Nyx, rolling her eyes. “They’re not exactly welcome in Elenia. She’d be in an Arsen castle cell waiting for execution if she tried.”

Nyx sat up just a little straighter. “Maybe that’s because we still remember what the Grim Deacons did the last time they came to Elenia.” She gestured around with one hand. All around the inn, the other patrons had put down their glasses and cards. Through the haze of however much they’d had to drink already, they’d still heard ‘Grim Deacons.’ “Everybody does.”

Ai lowered her voice. “You don’t seriously believe that Arsen story, do you? We had nothing to do with what happened to Lo Jeong, or anyone else in his family. If Brahma wanted this land back, you’d know.”

“The Grim Deacons aren’t assassins,” Christopher added. “They’re police. Soldiers of God. Someone must keep the darkness out. My sister Lucia joined the Grim Deacons to help people. Not kill upstart royals in new kingdoms.”

Nyx matched their tone, her voice so low that they could barely hear her. “I wouldn’t say things like that where people can hear you. You’re not in Brahma anymore.” She rose from her chair. “I’m turning in. Don’t stay up too late, investigator. We have an early morning tomorrow.”

Nyx walked through swaying fields of green grass, so soft that it didn’t scratch against her legs as she passed through it. The moon shone overhead, lighting the peaceful expanse in a way that promised safety, comfort, and more if she could find it. She could see no stars overhead, but for some reason that didn’t seem strange.

“Nyx…” The voice called right out of memory, memory so old and buried that she couldn’t place it at first. She knew it though, and remembered it was someone she cared about. So she followed. A single red eye watched from the edge of the clearing, unblinking. But what did she care? It was safe here—perfect, even. Distant evergreens ran the edge of the clearing, softening any fear of unwanted visitors finding her here. Real Earth trees, and real Earth grass.

Then she saw him, emerging from a patch of tall grass opposite her. Jalen had stripped down to the waist, his angled features outlined in the moonlight even sharper than she remembered. 

This is wrong. For a second, Nyx’s mind rebelled. Her wings twitched, wings she didn’t even have in the dream. Her eyes widened. “You’re… dead,” she whispered. “You never made it to Middara.”

Jalen reached her, settling one soft hand on her mouth. She didn’t resist him, didn’t resist his other hand wrapping around her back, pulling her in close. She hadn’t felt his grip in so long—decades now. But it was as gentle as she remembered. “The Harbingers told you that. But why should they be honest? I was just another job to them.”

Nyx didn’t resist. Why was she here again? What was bothering her? Jalen leaned forward, letting his weight pull them both down into the grass. It enveloped both of them, concealing them in the gloom, and somehow perfectly smooth against her skin. Earth crickets chirped nearby, soothing her racing heart back into calmness. 

“I found my own way,” Jalen went on. “I’ve been looking so long, and now… I found you.” He leaned in close, settling one hand around her neck. The pressure should’ve hurt as it cut off her breathing, but Nyx found she didn’t care. It was someone else’s pain, drowned away in her relief.

“A-alive…” she repeated, or tried. She didn’t have much air anymore. But what did that matter? She wrapped her arms around him. Her head swam, and her vision started to fuzz.

“Time to rest now, Nyx,” he whispered, his breath hot in her ear. “We’re going to be together now. Forever.”

Something tackled into Jalen, tearing him violently from atop her and tumbling away into the grass. Nyx gasped, breathing in a ragged breath as the world came suddenly into harsh relief. She saw purple fur flash around her, heard claws and teeth from the grass.

It was wrong what people said about dreams—she could still feel his grip around her throat, and her voice came out choppy and pained. “What… the hell…” 

Lymn emerged from the grass ahead of her as Nyx finally struggled to her feet, silent despite the furious conflict of only seconds before. The wolf-creature was watching the grass, and soon Nyx saw why.

Something rose up in front of her—Jalen, shaking off the dirt and bits of torn grass. But as he rose, his neck had bent completely the wrong way, and he straightened it back into place with a pop. The healthy glow to his skin was gone, replaced with a gangrenous pallor with splotches of rot visible underneath. It was a horrific parody of the Advancement, as a set of inward-curving horns grew from his head, and his jaws stretched into a smile that got wider and wider.

“They are all like this,” Lymn whispered. “It is easy for the Dark Mother to make something look beautiful—but the facade is rotten underneath. She can’t give you joy, Nyx. She can’t bring anyone happiness. She’s a reflection of your darkest fantasies—all hollow.”

“It was supposed to be a kind death,” not-Jalen said, not even pretending to his voice anymore. His breath was heady and rotten now, emerging from torn lips and a ripped tongue. “But terror is almost as potent as lust. Either will do as a last feeling.”

Nyx reached down to her thigh, removing the comforting weight of the hatchet she’d picked. She wrapped her fingers around the familiar steel, holding it up high. “Don’t try it!”

Then steel melted. The metal strained, giving way under her hands. A swarm of fat insects buzzed away from her, circling around and nipping at her unprotected skin. A few squished between her fingers as she tried to hold onto the hatchet that was no longer there.

Nyx squeaked in surprise and disgust, retreating from the dispersing swarm. With each backward step she took, not-Jalen took a step closer. 

“This isn’t your dream anymore, it’s her’s,” the illusion said. “The Mother calls you to her festival, Nyx. Her pain is pleasure. Her song is a release. Forget all this, forget forever.”

Behind the illusion, Lymn stalked, remaining in the shadows. The illusion didn’t seem to be able to see or hear her, but Nyx could. Her voice carried on the wind. “Abandon blades and blows. A creature of the insubstantial just be fought on its own terms.”

What did Nyx know that could fight like this? She didn’t have the strength, and apparently Lymn didn’t plan on interfering either. If she couldn’t fight with material weapons, then she needed something from another realm. Could she use Assemblage here, in the world of dreams? There was only one way to find out.

 What Exalted Esper does Nyx call upon to strike down her dream-foe?  

Nyx could call on the Opulent Wurm, a dragon of greed and dominion. It always hungered for more, and would happily consume even a terrible enemy for the right price. Nothing could stand between the Wurm and its payment for long.

Or...

Nyx could call on the Palimpsest of the Dead. The Palimpsest was not a single being, but a terrible conglomeration of wasted lives, always eager to destroy and add to their number. Destruction itself was payment enough for the Palimpsest, but its destruction is also far less discriminate.

Day 10: Old Promises, Promotional Balance, a Ninja, and a Bulky Sheath!
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jul 04, 2019 at 01:57:02 AM

The Missing Piece

As some of you may know, we had some trouble with our etched dice on our first campaign. Our backers are even still waiting on the delivery of these specialized dice. Due to our lack of knowledge in the field, specifications on the size colors, and etching, it ended up being very difficult to get these things created. For these reasons we didn't want to offer them on this campaign. 

However, with that said, we've been working with local dice companies to come up with solutions. Gravity Dice was able to successfully produce something that met our specifications and expectations of quality. 

With production paid for, our plan is to get outstanding deliveries squared up. While we do not feel comfortable putting these dice on this Kickstarter campaign (as adding new items unplanned has gotten us into financial trouble in the past.) We will be offering these dice as a pre-order directly on our web site when our web store goes live. That way, new backers and old backers who missed out will be able to pre-order these and receive them post production.

More information about these dice will be offered later on during this campaign when we've confirmed specifics we want to share.  

Currently we plan on having our web store up sometime just after our campaign ends. We'll keep everyone updated and make sure you get notified.

Promotional Items & Balance

We had been pretty candid that the promotional Items from our first campaign weren't properly playtested. We wanted to be equally candid that Items on this campaign will be. In fact, we plan on replacing any old promotional Items that needed changes in the 1.1 Update Pack. These changes will also be reflected in Pirate of Elenia and the Promo Pack. 

So if you see anything weird on these decision Items, go ahead and let us know in the comments. They are alpha versions of cards that haven't hit our table yet, so they are subject to changes if we find something too abusable. With that said, we'll try our hardest to keep the feel and intent of the Items as close as possible to the original designs. You voted for them after-all. 

Zoomable Journal Pages

The Journal Pages were too small to read on some mobile devices. We've added some zoomable links below: 

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

Ezra hit the ground hard. "Damn, I really thought I had you that time." He groaned, sitting up and rubbing at his back.

Zafir looked serious as always. "Get up. Let's go again." A hint of a grin cracked the corner of his stoic facade. "You'll have to be better than this if you expect to fight against the god-like bastards in the Council of Abhorrence. They won't let you walk away from a confrontation."

Ezra nodded as he got to his feet. He loved to train with Zafir. It was grueling, and he always hurt like hell the next morning, but that's how you make progress. Zafir never held back, either. If Ezra wasn't on his toes, Zafir wouldn't hesitate to make him pay for it. Ezra didn't mind though, a few bruised ribs was a small price to pay to survive a real battle later on. 

Ezra had watched Zafir with admiration since he joined the Anointed. His passion and prowess convinced Ezra that this was a cause worth fighting for, and that they could prevail. He hadn't ever had anything to work for before the Anointed found him. He'd take odd jobs or do some salvaging in the ruins around Elenia, but that was just to get by. Now, he lived for something greater than himself. 

He had found his meaning.

Zafir seemed to sense this about him, and had agreed to train with him personally, teaching him combat and survival skills. Zafir had lived much longer than Ezra, who was quite young by Middara's standards, and Ezra took great pleasure in hearing about Zafir's life and adventures. 

Ezra went on the attack again, throwing a feint jab and following it up with a swift strike that caught Zafir in the stomach. In response, Zafir dropped into a roll, sweeping a leg out from under Ezra. It seemed that each time Ezra got a small victory over him, Zafir would quickly even the score. 

He smiled. 

It looked like he'd just have to work that much harder.

For our Day 10 unlock, we will be adding a figure to the KS2 Promo Box for the Ezra Standee, featured in Unintentional Malum: Act 1. 

To be clear, this miniature is part of the KS2 Promo Box and is being given away for free as part of every pledge level at the "Through the Portal" level or higher. 

The cardboard standee version that is already a part of the contents of Unintentional Malum: Act 1 will remain a standee. 

A decisive blow! 

The community has chose a sheath for a bulky, yet powerful weapon! 

Nyx Gains the Common Relic Drop-Leg Sheath! 

(And so do you as a Free Upgrade to the KS2 Promo Box!)