Racknar waited patiently for the King to make his way to him, checking back at the prince who was still tightly gripping his sword. The archmage whispered something else in his ear and the second thing got the prince to ease up, still glaring at Racknar. The King gestured to Racknar who dropped to one knee and bowed. The King put the flat on Racknar's shoulders one after the other. “I hereby dub thee, Sir Racknar of family Aradae. You may rise.” Racknar stood, his instincts were still telling him that King William was up to something. “With the tournament concluded, there is a new line of succession to the crown. My youngest daughter Elizabeth Anne Victoria Bramble is now the crown princess and hair to the throne with her eldest brother William the Second being second in line after her.”
There were cheers from parts of the crowd, the cheering spread quickly to the parts that hesitated. The King raised his hands to quiet the crowd. “Since her arranged marriage fell through due to circumstances outside her control, Elizabeth is no longer betrothed. Our laws are clear that the crown heir must be engaged so as to have a King consort should they inherit the throne.”
The King then directly addresses Elizabeth. “You have one year to select from any suitors that try to court you during that time. If this can't be accomplished then the position will fall to the next in line. In addition to the normal rules of them being more than six degrees of separation from you but within six degrees of separation from a noble I'll add one more requirement any potential suitors must pass before they can even attempt to court my daughter. I want her betrothed and future King consort to have the same potential for leadership as her. Thus, they must first be able to pull the sword from the stone.”
Racknar cursed under his breath. “Shit, that puts a wrench in things.” The King continued. “However we will not worry about that today, for today will be a celebration. I declare a feast!” The King throws up his hands into the air. “And everyone here is invited!” The crowd goes wild. Elizabeth makes her way over to Racknar. “You have a plan, right?” Racknar grumbled. “I'll… think of something.” “(So that was the deal? The King’s entire plan was to abuse the rules to get his eldest son as the rightful heir over his daughter? I feel like I'm missing something.)” “Let's just enjoy the feast and worry about that later.”
The Monster Mash eats at Elizabeth's side with Racknar being placed at the seat next to her on the main table with the royal family with the arena attendants being given a separate table with both tables being served food by wizards that were summoning it with magic. The party enjoyed some small talk and lots of food, or at least the three that needed to eat did. Krys'tal simply sat in front of an empty spot on the table since it's well known her kind don't eat food. Marionette had to be sneaky to make it look like she was eating. Racknar had to also be careful, covering his face and acting like he was putting food behind a helmet.
Prince William the Second stood up and clinked a spoon on a champagne glass to get everyone's attention and calm the cacophony of the crowd. Meredith also stood with him for a reason that would soon be made clear. “I would like to take this moment to announce that before the tournament I had been courting Meredith McConnell in private. Since we have all these witnesses, we are officially announcing our engagement as of today.” Parts of the crowd cheer and the feast resumes.
After the feast, everyone was dismissed and the Monster Mash had some time alone to talk privately with Elizabeth. “So have you thought of anything to get the plan back on track since my father and brother threw things way off the rails?” Racknar let out a loud sigh. “We have a year to figure something out, but you might have to become engaged with some rando that pulls the sword. We have a year so I say for now we focus on what we can do. You get friendly with members of the royal court while my party gets the next artifact of Arachne and hope for a lead.” Davy lets out a sigh. “Too bad none of us can lift the sword. Elizabeth could always marry someone else after the King dies.”
Racknar felt the need to clarify. “We actually don't know if any of you could, but even if you could, this nation and the Empire at large only recognizes marriages between men and women. Meaning Mari, Charity, and Krys are all ineligible even if they could pull it. I highly doubt Davy could pull the sword considering the requirements.” Davy looked at Racknar with knitted eyebrows. “Should I be offended?” Racknar replied “Do you consider yourself the leader type?” Davy shook his head and Racknar continued. “Then no.”
Elizabeth gestured at Racknar. “You seem like a natural born leader considering how you are the leader of the Monster Mash. Could you pull the sword?” It seemed her brother had finally left the feasting area after shaking hands and schmoozing with the crowd just in time to overhear the last part. “What's this? Is my sister thinking of allowing a non-human servant to be her betrothed just to avoid losing the crown? Can't say I blame you for your willingness to do whatever it takes to keep your position. In fact, I respect it. Unfortunately for you however, I already know Sir Aradae can't lift the sword from the stone. Father asked him to try before allowing him to negotiate with the golden dragon. I saw it myself.”
Elizabeth looked at Racknar. “Is that true?” Racknar looked away from Elizabeth and cleared his throat. “Your brother is not lying about what he saw. Your father did indeed ask me to pull the sword from the stone. It was not removed.” The brother then laughs. “It's too bad really, it would have been funny to see the court react to you becoming engaged to a beast-kin. Anyway, me and my betrothed have business to attend to. Come dear.” Junior and Meredith walk their way out, both giving Elizabeth smug grins. Elizabeth groaned. “Let's take this outside and cast some anti-observation spells.”
The group moves outside and the first thing Marionette noticed as soon as the spells were activated was the death glare from Elizabeth aimed at Racknar's back. “Why is she looking at him like that?” Elizabeth scowled at Racknar. “You're doing that thing again, aren't you?” Racknar crossed his arms. You'll have to be more specific.” She lets out a sound of frustration. “Gah! Damn it Racknar, I've known you across two lifetimes. Why are you pulling this now of all times?” Racknar looked away from Elizabeth, avoiding her gaze. “Everything I do has a reason behind it.” Elizabeth growled at him. “Racknar.”
Racknar sighs. “Can you just… let it go? Just this once. Please.” Elizabeth sighed and eased up her angry body language. “I guess I'll have to.” Krys'tal looked at Ariagoria. “Am I the only one lost right now?” Everyone else shakes their head, Marionette saying: “I've already tried asking what's going on.” Elizabeth huffs. “Racknar has this… annoying habit when it comes to… deception. He never truly lies so when he wants to deceive someone he pulls these loopholes. He'll say something that's technically true or dodge the question. He'll choose his wording so he never lies even if he's being dishonest. It's annoying as hell.”
Marionette nodded. “I see, I see. I see I'm still completely lost and have no idea what you two are talking about.” Elizabeth sighed. “Yeah, I know. But unfortunately we'll have to leave it that way for now. Racknar's too stubborn anyway.” Ariagoria sighs. “So Racknar is being sneaky about something? I guess it's fine. As long as it doesn't harm us.” Racknar realized in all the commotion he missed something. “...Shit. I just remembered we were supposed to have you fuse the four Excalibur swords as part of your display. I mean it's not exactly necessary so I guess we can skip it.”
Elizabeth has also forgotten but the moment has passed. “Just go out there and get those artifacts. I'll be doing my part here.” Racknar nodded, Monster Mash collected their things and returned to old Camelot in order to prepare for the next quest. Ivory provided them with potions as Davy attempted to flirt with her, then the party went to Lisa's to get Racknar's swords. “Did you figure it out?” Lisa handed Racknar the swords. “Took me a bit to be able to replicate the technology, but thanks to your various notes I managed to get around a few different restrictions. Using magic crystals as batteries.”
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Lisa handed Racknar two dragon bone shields, circular and with teeth on the edges. Clearly made to function in the same way as the swords. “I didn't know what, if any, enchantments you wanted so I haven't enchanted them yet.” Racknar looked over the shields and handed his two normal dragon bone swords to Lisa. “That's fine. I'll allow you to sell the old gear we don't need anymore like these and Charity's old mace.” Lisa nodded. “I'll send someone to take care of that.” Racknar stretched. “As for enchantment I drew up an idea I had but am.not sure if it'll work.” He handed her a paper. Lisa looked at it, turning it from side to side. “This is… genius. I've never considered trying something like this on a weapon before but it should be doable.”
Racknar considered his options. “I guess I can wait a few days before we head out. Once it's set up we're on our way to Midterranus.” After three days Racknar got his swords and shields back, rack with five different colored gems in them. The swords had the gems in the hilts while the shields had them on the faces. The gems were red, white, blue, black, and green respectfully. Once the upgrades were acquired Racknar paid Lisa for her work and the party grabbed the dark elf who they got the swords from and started their journey. This meant going farther south in Ran than ever before and taking a boat. However, no official ferry went from Ran to Midterranus since it wasn't part of the Empire.
“Looks like we'll have to pay for a private boat and go civilian.” Davy commented while looking over the harbor of the town they were in. After a while of looking they eventually found a fisherman willing to take them. After a few hours they were in Midterranus, this world's equivalent to Greece. Racknar looked at the classic Greek architecture. “It seems in this world the Empire never conquered this area and it remained independent. From what I've heard Midterranus is run by a counsel of Kings and democratically elected leaders that run city states similar to how ancient Greece worked. Social structure has remained untouched despite their being actual magic and an increase in technology.”
The party wasn't exactly here for sightseeing though, they had a mission. So they got out of town and Racknar used the badge to summon spiders for them to ride. It took several days touching every gate on the way there. Counting the travel in Ran it took them about two full weeks to get to the location. The dark elf looked really confused. “I have no idea what you people are on about.” Racknar looked over at her. “Oh, right, sorry. We're all reborns from similar worlds so I'm comparing things in this world to that one. Just ignore it. Also I don't think I ever got your name.”
The drow woman nodded. “Just call me Ebony. It's a close approximation of my name translated to the Ranian standard language.” Racknar chuckled. “We just call it Common. Anyway, are we close to the city the temple is in?” Ebony nodded. “It's just a bit ahead.” The city was built in a canyon. Not on it, in it. Carved into the cave walls were passageways and buildings with some buildings at the top and bridges throughout different layers of the city. The population was a mix of humans, beast-kin, orks, drow. “Damn, normally when you see other races in Ran they're all clearly adventurers. These look like actual civilians.” Ariagoria commented.
Ebony went a bit ahead of the party. “The temple is this way.” Members of the group hopped off their spiders and followed, looking around in awe. Marionette felt a bit overwhelmed and clung to Racknar's back. “It's a bit crowded, but the fact they carved paths big enough for carts in this canyon wall is amazing.” Ebony nodded. “And unlike the Empire they aren't nearly as hateful of people just for not being human. As long as you contribute to society, most people leave you alone.”
Ebony led them to a building decorated with sashes that had the symbol of Arachne on them. It was guarded by humans and drow alike. She bowed to the guards. “Hello brothers and sisters, followers of the true spider mother.” She then addressed them in elvish gesturing to Racknar in particular. One guard looked at him and nodded before responding. Ebony bowed then looked at the party. “You may enter. The high priestess will see you.” The party crowded into the temple that was surprisingly spacious and well lit using magic lighting. Ebony walked the group into an inner sanctum where she got down on her knees bowing lowly to the ground at a cloaked and bailed woman in a sparkly and elaborate dress.
The woman addressed Ebony in elvish, resulting in Ebony lifting her head. She gestured to Racknar and spoke in elvish to the priestess. The tall slender woman walked down some steps to them and looked Racknar over, even going as far as smelling him. “I see~” she spoke in Common, her voice sultry and seductive. “Yes~ Very interesting~” The priestess pulled off the veil to show she had multiple spider-like eyes and moved her sleeves to show her arms were covered in a black chitin. “I am the high priestess of the temple of Arachne, you may address me as Noire.”
Racknar let out an exasperated sigh. “I'm going to keep things professional and ask for the artifact of Arachne that's here. The Tapestry of hubris and humility.” The high priestess let out a sad sigh. “We don't have it, never did. We have a fake, the real one was entrusted to an avatar of Arachne. One of her first generation children. However, this trip was not a total waste as we have recovered the armor of Arachne and have a lead on the cloak of spider kind as well as the lyre.” Racknar looked at his party. The only one that could wear heavy armor was Ariagoria. “Alright, I know Charity just got a fancy new weapon but she's the only one of us that can use the armor.”
The high priestess had it brought out and they offered it to Racknar, addressing him in elvish. Ariagoria made a face. “What did they just call you?” Davy responded. “Something weaver, I missed part of it.” Racknar grabbed the armor and handed it to Ariagoria. “We can sell the dragon bone stuff later.” Ariagoria holds the armor looking at it. “I'm not sure if I like the style but I guess if it's better armor then that's all that matters.” Racknar nodded. “The dragon bone and scale armor is plus one masterwork half-plate. Seventeen plus dex up to three. Armor of Arachne is plus three full-plate without the Dex penalty. Twenty plus dex. Also it gives the person wearing it spider climb meaning you can go up walls and ceilings like a curtain friendly neighborhood web slinger.”
Ebony gives Racknar a look. “Are you talking about yourself or are there others like you?” Racknar shook his head. “Talking about something from a… entertainment form similar to a play from our old world. Involved a man with spider powers.” Ebony hummed. “I see. Him being the hero tells me your world was more accepting of differences.” Racknar did a so-so gesture. “The creators definitely advocated for acceptance considering one of their biggest stories involved a marginalized group of youngsters fighting against bigots.”
Ebony nodded. “And this was allowed to be shown to the public, yes? Already leagues ahead of the Empire.” Racknar nodded. “Since this was so easy I'm guessing you'll also hand us info on the leads to the other artifacts?” The high priestess nods. “Anything for the champion of Arachne.” Racknar put both hands up. “Woah woah woah there. I'm not some high Cleric or Paladin of Arachne, I'm just…” Racknar paused. Ariagoria waved a hand in front of his face. “You're just what?” Racknar shook himself from whatever thought took him away from the conversation. “I… I don't know to what extent my relationship with Arachne goes. I mean… I'm her descendant and within six degrees of separation from her. So…”
Ariagoria nodded. “An angelblood, I kinda forgot about that because you didn't have the normal traits of one.” Racknar did a stretch. “Maybe I can activate them?” He then put his hands together like he was praying and closed his eyes. After a bit, glowing white markings manifested throughout Racknar's body. These markings took the form of ribbons or ring-like shapes with two lines as borders and Celestial symbols inside the boundaries. He then sprouted wings made of feathers of light that floated a bit off his back. The white glow flickered a few times before new colors crept into the magic tattoos. Parts of the light became a dark blood red while others looked purple. Even the wings changed color with the purple and red flowing through the light like an aurora.
Racknar opened his eyes and looked at the markings. “Well that's interesting. Normally the tattoo color indicates the domain of one's Celestial bloodline. Those without a definitive domain due to mixing or separation usually get white or black tattoos to indicate a normal or fallen angel-blood. However, it seems I'm drawing from two Celestial domains.” Ariagoria looked at the symbols. I learned Celestial from the Church so I'm actually fluent in three languages. Let's see what this says.”
Ariagoria starts at the ring around Racknar's wrists. “This one roughly translates to either rlRip or Sever. This one roughly translates to either Tare or Rend. This one roughly translates to Flay and this last one roughly translates to Thrash.” Racknar nodded. “That makes sense. Since my weapons are soul bound and Celestials often keep soul bound weapons stashed in magic tattoos.” Ariagoria then started to read the larger ones on Racknar's body. “These seem to tie into different aspects that a Celestial would have. Some of these are linked to Arachne, the rest have to do with anger, vengeance, and fire. So it seems you're drawing on the same Celestial domain my father did because of your link to his Infernal realm.”
Racknar hummed. “That makes sense.” The wings of light vanish but the magic tattoos remain. The high priestess hands him a marked map. “These spots mark bandit forts we think two of the other artifacts are at. Feel free to return anytime.” Ebony looked around the temple. “I think I'll stay here for a bit, I made enough money at the arena to last me a while.” The party offers goodbyes before heading out of the temple with the magic armor in tow. The group stayed at an inn and Ariagoria changed before they headed out fresh in the morning aiming for the two artifacts going for the closest one somewhere in Midterranus.
