My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.

"...umm "

Part two of the noodle demon.
Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Subtle Foes: Certain foes are stealthy when at a distance. They become visible when near a Guardian.
• Increased Vanguard Rank: All Vanguard Rank point gains are increased!
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Avatara's Psyche: Supers recharge more quickly.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Iron: Enemies have more health and are not staggered by damage.
• Stasis Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Stasis damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Chill Touch: Being hit by a melee attack slows you.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Divining Hall -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant)
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Denial: Taken Vandals summon their shields significantly more often.
• Overcharged Shotgun: 25% bonus to Shotgun damage.
• Overcharged Linear Fusion Rifle: 25% bonus to Linear Fusion Rifle damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Helmet

Scavenger's Den: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Scavenger's Den: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Límíng Harbor Weapon: Synchronic Roulette (Submachine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Defend Weapon: Tarnation (Grenade Launcher)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Heretic (Rocket Launcher)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Cold Denial	Kinetic Pulse Rifle	Arrowhead Brake // Full Bore	Armor-Piercing Rounds // Ricochet Rounds	Grave Robber	Multikill Clip	Tier 2: Stability
Code Duello	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Hard Launch	Black Powder // Impact Casing	Auto-Loading Holster	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Blast Radius
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Corkscrew Rifling // Fluted Barrel	Steady Rounds // Flared Magwell	Outlaw	Multikill Clip	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Lunulata-4b	Kinetic Combat Bow	Natural String // Polymer String	Carbon Arrow Shaft // Compact Arrow Shaft	Ensemble	Adrenaline Junkie	Tier 4: Target Acquisition
Aurvandil FR6	Kinetic Fusion Rifle	Corkscrew Rifling // Polygonal Rifling	Particle Repeater // Projection Fuse	Hip-Fire Grip	Demolitionist	Tier 2: Stability

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Rocketing to Prominence	Defeat combatants with Heavy ammo. Rocket Launcher final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+
In Their Face	Defeat combatants with Special ammo. Shotgun final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Shotgun] Shotgun	XP+
Rapid Combustion	Defeat combatants in Vanguard playlists with Solar abilities. Defeating scorched combatants and detonating ignitions grants additional progress.	50 [Solar] Solar ability	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
Calm Like a Bomb	Defeat opponents with Solar ignition damage.	1 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+
Area of Effect	Defeat opponents with grenades.	1 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
In the Zone	In Control, capture zones.	3 Zones	XP+

Saint-14, Trials of Osiris

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Orbs of Lit	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using grenade final blows in Trials of Osiris.	5 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Lane Plinker	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using Scout Rifle final blows in Trials of Osiris.	20 [Scout Rifle] Scout Rifle	XP+
Katake's Retribution	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using Fusion Rifle final blows in Trials of Osiris.	15 [Fusion Rifle] Fusion Rifle	XP+
Voidswept Precipice	As a fireteam, defeat opponents with Void weapon final blows in Trials of Osiris.	20 [Void] Void weapon	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sun Charred	Use Solar abilities to defeat enemies in Gambit. Defeated Guardians are worth extra points.	15 [Solar] Solar ability	XP+
Envoy While It Lasts	Defeat Primeval envoys during Gambit matches.	2 Envoys	XP+
Final Ploy	Defeat combatants with finisher final blows.	5 Finisher	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Bow Calibration	Calibrate Bows against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Bow] Bow	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Sidearm Calibration	Calibrate Sidearms against any target. Earn bonus progress against targets at close range and opposing Guardians.	100 [Sidearm] Sidearm	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Machine Gun Calibration	Calibrate Machine Guns against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated without reloading.	100 [Machine Gun] Machine Gun	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Kinetic Calibration	Calibrate Kinetic weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision and against opposing Guardians.	100 Kinetic weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Snipers of Myth	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with precision final blows. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Headshot] Precision	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Finish Majeure	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with finishers. Powerful combatants grant additional progress.	10 Finisher	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Energetic Havoc	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Energy weapons.	25 Energy weapon	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Riven's Chosen	Successfully clear a pathway in Riven's Lair.	1 Lair Pathway	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Shoot Out	Defeat targets with Hand Cannons. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Fallen Down On The Job	Defeat Fallen. Those defeated in Onslaught are worth more.	100 Fallen	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Will of the People	Complete public events in the Dreaming City. Heroic completions are worth more.	6 Public events	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Rapid Lair Defense	Rapidly defeat combatants. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	60 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Sting	Defeat targets with Bows or Hand Cannons. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Bow] or [Hand Cannon] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonflame	Defeat targets with Solar or Stasis damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Solar] or [Stasis] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Subtle Foes: Certain foes are stealthy when at a distance. They become visible when near a Guardian.
• Increased Vanguard Rank: All Vanguard Rank point gains are increased!
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Avatara's Psyche: Supers recharge more quickly.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Iron: Enemies have more health and are not staggered by damage.
• Stasis Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Stasis damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Chill Touch: Being hit by a melee attack slows you.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Divining Hall -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant)
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Denial: Taken Vandals summon their shields significantly more often.
• Overcharged Shotgun: 25% bonus to Shotgun damage.
• Overcharged Linear Fusion Rifle: 25% bonus to Linear Fusion Rifle damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Helmet

Scavenger's Den: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Scavenger's Den: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Límíng Harbor Weapon: Synchronic Roulette (Submachine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Defend Weapon: Tarnation (Grenade Launcher)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Heretic (Rocket Launcher)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Cold Denial	Kinetic Pulse Rifle	Arrowhead Brake // Full Bore	Armor-Piercing Rounds // Ricochet Rounds	Grave Robber	Multikill Clip	Tier 2: Stability
Code Duello	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Hard Launch	Black Powder // Impact Casing	Auto-Loading Holster	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Blast Radius
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Corkscrew Rifling // Fluted Barrel	Steady Rounds // Flared Magwell	Outlaw	Multikill Clip	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Lunulata-4b	Kinetic Combat Bow	Natural String // Polymer String	Carbon Arrow Shaft // Compact Arrow Shaft	Ensemble	Adrenaline Junkie	Tier 4: Target Acquisition
Aurvandil FR6	Kinetic Fusion Rifle	Corkscrew Rifling // Polygonal Rifling	Particle Repeater // Projection Fuse	Hip-Fire Grip	Demolitionist	Tier 2: Stability

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Rocketing to Prominence	Defeat combatants with Heavy ammo. Rocket Launcher final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+
In Their Face	Defeat combatants with Special ammo. Shotgun final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Shotgun] Shotgun	XP+
Rapid Combustion	Defeat combatants in Vanguard playlists with Solar abilities. Defeating scorched combatants and detonating ignitions grants additional progress.	50 [Solar] Solar ability	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
Calm Like a Bomb	Defeat opponents with Solar ignition damage.	1 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+
Area of Effect	Defeat opponents with grenades.	1 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
In the Zone	In Control, capture zones.	3 Zones	XP+

Saint-14, Trials of Osiris

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Orbs of Lit	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using grenade final blows in Trials of Osiris.	5 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Lane Plinker	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using Scout Rifle final blows in Trials of Osiris.	20 [Scout Rifle] Scout Rifle	XP+
Katake's Retribution	As a fireteam, defeat opponents using Fusion Rifle final blows in Trials of Osiris.	15 [Fusion Rifle] Fusion Rifle	XP+
Voidswept Precipice	As a fireteam, defeat opponents with Void weapon final blows in Trials of Osiris.	20 [Void] Void weapon	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sun Charred	Use Solar abilities to defeat enemies in Gambit. Defeated Guardians are worth extra points.	15 [Solar] Solar ability	XP+
Envoy While It Lasts	Defeat Primeval envoys during Gambit matches.	2 Envoys	XP+
Final Ploy	Defeat combatants with finisher final blows.	5 Finisher	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Bow Calibration	Calibrate Bows against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Bow] Bow	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Sidearm Calibration	Calibrate Sidearms against any target. Earn bonus progress against targets at close range and opposing Guardians.	100 [Sidearm] Sidearm	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Machine Gun Calibration	Calibrate Machine Guns against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated without reloading.	100 [Machine Gun] Machine Gun	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Kinetic Calibration	Calibrate Kinetic weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision and against opposing Guardians.	100 Kinetic weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Snipers of Myth	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with precision final blows. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Headshot] Precision	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Finish Majeure	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with finishers. Powerful combatants grant additional progress.	10 Finisher	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Energetic Havoc	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Energy weapons.	25 Energy weapon	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Riven's Chosen	Successfully clear a pathway in Riven's Lair.	1 Lair Pathway	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Shoot Out	Defeat targets with Hand Cannons. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Fallen Down On The Job	Defeat Fallen. Those defeated in Onslaught are worth more.	100 Fallen	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Will of the People	Complete public events in the Dreaming City. Heroic completions are worth more.	6 Public events	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Rapid Lair Defense	Rapidly defeat combatants. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	60 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Sting	Defeat targets with Bows or Hand Cannons. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Bow] or [Hand Cannon] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonflame	Defeat targets with Solar or Stasis damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Solar] or [Stasis] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Whats good buds. I hope I did not keep you all waiting too long for a new chapter. I am back with a new fun section of the interlude story between Human Trauma 2 and 3. This time we get a big peak into our leading man's mind and our leading ladies. one being a stuck-up spoiled brat, the other a gruff and too stubborn for his own good gunslinger.
Let's go save our bread
Conor slowly descended the stairs, muscling past a drunken pair of Purletric dancers loitering at the bottom. Once on the ground floor, he vanished into the crowd of undulating, grinding bodies.
None of the dancers paid him any mind as he weaved in and out of their groups. All were far too inebriated to note the predator stalking past or any weapons he carried beneath his jacket. Be it the knife on his hip, the pistol in hand, or the stun granades on his belt.
Clutching the pistol in his metallic hand, Conor wondered what the worn stippling was like to hold. It had been years since his right hand could feel, and the L1-JKL was nowhere near as sharp as when it was manufactured hundreds of standard years ago by Nekarilaqa arms.
At this point, the JKL was ancient, being over tenfold his age. But the Slug thrower was still effective and was integrally suppressed. Those who loved the weapon model would call it the Jackle; Conor was not one of those people.
He preferred to call it the Joker because the pistol was the perfect weapon for his needs or as helpful as breathing on someone. At least the suppressor would make it impossible to hear the weapons report beyond a few meters —-especially with loud base drums.
In an environment as ridiculously voluminous as the nightclub, Conor would not even be able to hear the weapon going off, much less the drunk and high partygoers keying their senses into the ear-splitting music.
Conor’s theory on the level of ignorance the inebriated attendees was given credence when he wrapped his hand on the slimy mouth of one of the Voodal mooks and sent four slugs through his back, blood and viscera showering a group of scantily clad dancers; all of them none the wiser that the warm liquid glowing neon in the club lights was the orange blood of the amphibian.
Instead of taking the time to hide the body in a trashcan like this was a B-rate hollow-flick, Conor shoved the limp body off to the side. the Voodal collapsed against the damp, durecrete wall with a dull thud.
Club security would find the body soon enough and toss it in the alleyway outback, likely assuming he passed out. Until then, the dancers would continue blissfully unaware of the cadaver in their midst. Conor just knew he would likely have to explain to Zyntle why he and Brakul were conducting business in his nightclub; that was in a way taboo for the duo.
“Good kill. Move to the right,” Brakul instructed through the radio. “Next target is lazed.”
“Copy,” Conor muttered coldly into his mask's communication device.
While he passed a pair of green-skinned Kubutals grinding hard against one another, Conor spotted Brakul's laser stock steady on the chest of the next Voodal. He moved quickly, distancing himself from the couple that was only two layers of cloth away from fucking on the dancefloor, needing to speed things up if he was going to win the bet
Once past them, Conor closed the gap between him and the next target, pulling her close. Before the woman registered that she now had a new and less-than-provocative dance partner, Conor slammed her against the wall, pushed his suppressed pistol into her groin, and stitched off four quick shots.
Usually, a bullet smashing your pelvic girdle would cause uncontrolled screaming, But with Conor's metallic elbow crushing the amphibian's trachea, she could only muster a weak croak.
As the Kyrail woman thrashed, her windpipe cracked and crackled; She struggled against Conor like an untamed Rehal: kicking, punching, clawing, all in a desperate animalistic desire to survive. But that could not last forever, and they both knew it; after half a minute, the fight in her amber eyes faded, having drained out with the blood coating her and Conor's boots.
“You better hurry it up; there are only four left,” Brakul mocked as Conor let the dead woman's corpse slump against the wall, and running her pockets.
“You could fucking help me, you Nurlik!” Conor flippantly replied while pulling a bag of visage from the woman's pocket.
“I am helping, just not too much; I still have crit riding on you failing—-remember,” Brakul sniggered.
“This was your idea,” Conor grumbled, leaving the woman gbehind and wafting past another dancer towards the next Kyrail.
Thankfully Brakul did not comment further while Conor was actively dealing with the next target; Brakul might be an asshole, but he was a professional and knew to let Conor work.
Conor covered the gang member's nose with the open bag and drove a swift knee into his grundle; the man’s autonomic functions did the rest. The strike caused them to gasp and breathe in a lungful of the acrid yellowish powder.
The amphibian coughed, bluckling over as his brain was forced to error code by the narcotic. Conor silently thanked Orphian Manufacturing that filters in his mask saved him from the zombifying cloud, unlike the other patrons within arms reach of his last target who also began to fall tot he deck.
“Do I have to remind you of our bet on the Driltol mining platform? Because last I checked, that was your idea,” Brakul commented, shifting his laser to the next target.
Conor huffed in annoyance, remembering that bet and horrible day all too well. He lost five thousand crit and his arm over the course of an hour. All because he was young, inexperienced, hot-headed, and not keeping keyed in on the task.
On top of the physical and financial damage, Conor also learned two important lessons about this line of work. Firstly, he had to stay focused on his current objective while being aware of what was happening nearby.
The second lesson he learned was to trust Brakul's wisdom and counsel. The older mercenary had a far better sense of business and an uncanny ability to tell when a gig would go bottoms up, and they needed to pop smoke.
Those lessons were things Conor still had to remind himself of regularly. He was far more reliable and wise than those days but could not hold a candle up to Brakul.
“Are there any updates on the others?” Conor questioned, slipped behind a pillar, pulling the trigger and splattering another Voodal ganger's brains on the bar, wall, and an unsepecting Farun’se.
“You better hurry up, conman. They just figured out something is going on and are starting to move,” Brakul said calmly.
Grunting to confirm he understood, Conor gave up on flowing like an unseen predator through the crowd and started to force the comparatively diminutive aliens out of the way. Sometimes speed was safety, and with his time hack being measured in seconds—now was one of those times.
Conor pushed through the last group of dancers, most falling to the ground with painful yelps. Once through, he finally had sight of the group of Kyrail. One of the Kyrail was bleeding out on the deck, and two were left standing.
One was a hulking brute with a beer gut, grey scales, and wore a tight tunic like cloth. The red scaled woman was using the older lizard like a shield, yelling something at the Voodal gangers, but the club's music drowned out her voice.
Conor had to give it to the old fool; he had some balls. Even though he was outnumbered and unarmed, he stood stalwart against the last three Voodal gangers, closing the short gap between them.
Balls or not, the Kyrail were not in a winning scenario and would be overwhelmed quickly. With their back-to-wall, Conor had to act fast; there was no way he would lose another bet. Brakul would never let him live that down.
—--
“Stay behind me,” Torkla hissed, pushing Eivaley back from the three aliens.
Eivaley clutched tightly to Torklas clothes and did what she was told. He was the champion appointed ot her by her father; and would fill most of the rolls of a champion until she found someone who could best him.
Her heart was slamming like a hammer and anvil in her chest while the three aliens cackled and kept getting closer. The only question running through her mind and body right now was, what was happening?
This was supposed to be an enjoyable trip, not whatever this nightmare was now.
Daddy had invited her to Heavalun and the COS to get a feeling for the city and the area of space his shipping company was expanding into.
Her father, Vuraley, handled all the tedious paperwork: setting up contacts, buying warehouses, hiring security, and setting up a private spaceport. All she was supposed to do was stay out of trouble, look pretty at a few meetings with clients, and stay close to her security detail.
Now Eivaley was cowering behind the back of one of her clans proudest warriors while three meter-and-a-half tall bipedal frogs brandished weapons and were threatening them. She could not imagine what Daddy would say about this when she got home. Would he cut her allowance? Not let her go out in town again? Or worst of all, not let her go out and see her friends anymore?
Either way, she was not looking forward to what he would do to her—it wasn’t like any of this was her fault.
“Oi, soljah, ‘and, ‘er ovah, and we hont ‘urt yah,” one of the grey-skinned toads croaked, pointing a pistol at Vuraley and flicking off the weapons safety.
“You had better get out of here,” Eivaley hissed reflexively, far to use to having others of her species following her everyword like gospel. “My daddy will have none of this; he will make you all regret this,”
“Stop talking,” Torkla yelled, keeping his eyes on the encroaching Voodal. “you’re not helping.”
What in the grand broods name? Torkla yelled at her. He never yelled at her, even though he had been guarding her since she was a little girl. Torkla was under Oath to obey her, and keep her safe; that includes listening to her. He should not be able to yell at her.
“Yah lil’ lady, yah should listen. We know yer daddy and don’t care, and you are worth too much to pass up,” The Voodal sniggered. “So soljah, yah gonna ‘and ‘er ovah?”
Torkla looked over the men who had paused, slinking closer, and were waiting for his answer. Then he glanced over his shoulder at Eivaley. The girl he might as well have helped raise was shaking like a leaf and needed him to be a rock right now.
“No deal,” Torkla replied, drawing a knife and readying to fight off the aliens or die trying.
The front toad clicked his tongue and languidly twirled the pistol while stepping off to the side. “Come on, no reason tah die fer ‘er. Be reasonable,”
“Torkla would never—” Eivaley started, but he yelled at her again.
“I said shut up,” Torkla barked. “You can get made at me later.”
Eivaley jumped then clutched his jacket and nodded silently, not wanting him to yell anymore. While yes she might be in charge of Torkla and the others her father assigned to her; until she found her own champion she would never have any true power.
“I said no deal,” Torkla affirmed.
The lead toad rolled his eyes and sighed while raising the weapon toward Torkla, readying to slump the stupid royal guardsman.
Once the pistol was full raised they nodded. Both accepting accepting that there was only one way this would go. One of them would end up in a body bag. While the Kyrail and Voodal had many differences this was one thing both accepted.
Neither group would detest giving someone a good death—even though both thought it would be others turn to hit the deck.
The next few seconds were some of the longest, most horrendous moments of Eivaley’s life.
Torkla roared like a beast dredged up from the bottomless dark pits of hell, shot forward, and tried to slip the pistol from the Kyrail’s grip; his fangs snapping as his potent venom trailed passed his lips.
But at his age, Torkla was not the young proud palace guard he was when he was first assigned to be Eivaley’s personal guard.
Now that he was pushing fifty, he was old, slow, and more willing than ever to lay it all on the line for the few people he was bound to protect. Right now, he regrettably could not meet the bill.
A deafening, unsuppressed shot cracked like thunder just as Torklas claws caressed the handgun. The round ripped through his palm and carved a deep canyon in the old warriors skull, showering Eivaley in blood, bone, and brain matter of the man who earlier was chuckling and asking her to dress more modestly.
The crack of the weapon turned the nightclub into pure bedlam. Drunken partygoers screamed while they shoved and trampled one another, desperately trying to get away. Their panic blaring overwhelmed the club's music and Eivaley’s screams.
As soon as the first Kyrail shot Torkla, the others tossed their bags of visage onto Eivaley, showering her in the drug that burned the image of Torkla’s canyoned skull and slumping body into her mind. An image she would remember until her dying breath.
Over her life she would se many more, and had seen hundreds if not thousands of commoners die so far. That one death meant something more to here; but how much it affected her would take many years for her to understand.
“Grab ‘er,” The lead croaker said just before the metallic hand of a massive beast grabbed his head and crushed it like an egg, blood glowing as it squirted between shining metallic fingers.
Whoever just killed the man who shot Torkla picked up the lead ganger and effortlessly tossed the corpse into another one of the gang members. As soon as he was done with that, he lifted his handgun and fired three rounds into the remaining mook, not even bothering to glance fully at them.
In her drug-induced stupor, Eivaley’s mind and body could not focus on anything beyond critical details. Sparse things that stood out so much she could never forget them.
One of the mans arms was covered in metal; whether it was armor or cybernetics, she did not know, nor could she care. At this moment, it was the shining armor of a night of yor: strong, valiant, and rescuing a damsel in distress.
The vissages causing her neurons to misfire, rocketed stories of strong brave men rushing to the rescue of the noble women when their homes were under siege. And as far as seh saw it, this situation was just that.
Her guards failed,and now as if summoned by the gods themselves a brave knight burst forth from nowhere and defied the darkness threatening the dainty princess. No it did not matter she was the 5th princess and would never be queen, just that she had her champion, and it seems that chose her.
Before the visage entirely took effect, Eivaley heard the man say a few words. It was difficult to listen to him through the skull art covered mask he wore, but her savior's voice was deep, reverberating, and filled with clear, driven intent.
“I got the girl; meet you at Stitches’s place,” the man said just as he tossed Eivaley’s now near limp body over his heavily muscled shoulder and rushed through the crowd.
The last thing Eivaley could remember before the visage sunk its fangs deep into her mind was the man kicking open the back door and rushing out into the Heavalun night, bright neon signs, and the dingy alley welcoming them into their midst.
So how did you like this one? nothing to bad right? we are just getting started, and have a fat chunk of chapters left. like my other stories, expect well-timed and thought-out violence and inter-character moments. I hope you give my new tale a chance.
Please do not forget to updoot and comment.
Your baking Buddy
-Pirate
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Clover

Five humans, missing...

Spoilers for all of Undertale Yellow's main routes below
Undertale Yellow is a fan-made prequel to the hit indie game Undertale. While Undertale follows the story of Frisk, the seventh human child to fall into the monster ruled Underground, Undertale Yellow follows the story of their immediate predecessor. Meet Clover, the sixth human. Unlike the humans that fell before, this gun-toting cowboy is unique in the sense that their journey to the Underground was no accident. Clover entered the Underground voluntarily in order to investigate the disappearances of the previous five humans and, if it turned out they perished at some point after their fall, hoped to avenge their deaths. See, while Frisk possessed a red SOUL that embodied Determination, Clover's SOUL is yellow for the trait of Justice. Clover's journey would lead them all throughout the Underground, meeting some monsters that will be familiar to those who have played Undertale and some brand new faces as well.
Like Undertale before it, Undertale Yellow's story can be altered significantly depending on the player's actions. Perhaps Clover befriends the monsters they meet and determines they were unfairly trapped underground, deciding to sacrifice themselves to bring monster kind closer to freedom. Or maybe Clover will blame the monsters for the deaths of the previous human children, avenging them with swift cruelty. Either way, Clover will act in the way they believe they can best embody Justice.

So How Do the Fights Work Anyway?

Like its predecessor, Undertale Yellow tends to treat RPG mechanics as literal aspects of the game's world. Due to the abstract nature of fights in both Undertale and Undertale Yellow, with enemy monsters targeting Clover's SOUL rather than their physical body, it's understandable that there may be some confusion about how Clover actually scales to certain monsters. Luckily, this is a bit more clear in Undertale Yellow than it was in the original game, as the reveal trailer shows that the attacks of monster are things that Clover physically has to react to and dodge (we even see this same attack utilized in game) even though the battle menu only shows their SOUL.
But this is just for when encounters have already begun, what about before that? And what triggers encounters anyway? There's an area in the Wild East where boulders are falling onto the path that Clover needs to dodge. If they fail to avoid them, this begins an encounter too, where Clover is given the opportunity to avoid the "attacks" in the battle menu to negate damage. Other examples include Clover escaping damage from hot steam after touching it and avoiding damage from Axis' energy balls after they hit them. What this means for standard versus fights is a little vague, but it likely means that any attack that would deal meaningful damage starts an encounter and that it would be impossible to simply kill Clover with a sneak attack. Even if it hit them, Clover would still get the opportunity to dodge before the proper fight begins. That said, there is one example of Clover dying without triggering an encounter at the end of the Neutral Route. It's possible this is because it was an unescapable situation but the mechanics of it are still vague and unclear.
As seen with the previous examples such as the falling boulders and steam, it seems that attacks that hit Clover's SOUL and their physical body are more or less interchangeable. Or rather, it isn't possible to circumvent the SOUL to only hit the physical body because even attacks that hit Clover's physical body will trigger an encounter that can then be dodged or endured by the SOUL.
Finally, it's worth noting that the sizes of objects can vary from their appearances in the battle to what they look like in the overworld. We see Clover's SOUL alongside their physical body a few times throughout the game and it's pretty consistently a little larger than their torso. So this thread will describe feats with that scale in mind.

Other Things To Note

• At the end of certain routes, Clover acquires certain abilities/powerups that don't necessarily apply to the rest of the game. Feats or items that are limited to those routes will be marked with the corresponding route.
  
  • [Pacifist] Feat
• Like your standard RPG's, Undertale Yellow possesses a leveling system that will increase the more enemies that Clover kills, with certain abilities being unlocked after certain levels are achieved. However, in the Genocide route Clover showed off the ability to level up rapidly simply by being filled with enough righteous fury. Abilities that are locked behind certain levels will also be marked accordingly.
  
  • Feat^{LV 19}
• The majority of feats will come from Undertale Yellow, but occasionally clips from trailers and other promotional material on the director of the game's Youtube channel will be used, which will be labeled with a T like so:
  
  • Feat^T

Physicals

Strength

• Breaks a piece of wood that had jammed an elevator door with a pickaxe, which broke the pickaxe despite it being described as sturdy previously
• Pushes aside a cabinet
• While physically holding the lid of a trash can Clover is able to deflect Axis' energy attacks back at him which destroyed portable generators about as tall as Axis himself
  • Clover also uses this lid to deflect Axis' bombs
• [Anti-Feat] Needs Martlet's help moving a table

Speed/Agility

• Runs roughly 2/3rds faster than they walk, traveling the same distance in 1.5 seconds that it took them 2.5 seconds to walk
• Climbs a good distance up a rope, though Flowey resets the timeline before they reach the top
• While fighting Decibat they react and move relatively to various attacks that appear to be sound-based
  • Note that blue attacks don't harm you if you're standing still and orange attacks don't if you're moving
• Passes over a bridge when the boards were constantly elevating and lowering
• Moves out of the way of Dunebud's arrows
  • We see in the game's reveal trailer that these arrows move much faster than their in-game counterparts would suggest
• Avoids the soundwaves produced by Starlo's bell attack
• Escapes Axis during their chase
• Jukes the hell out of Axis
• Moves relatively to the arrows and flintlock pistol shots of a pair of mini robots
• Climbs a laundry chute

Durability
Blunt

• A tumbleweed knocks them onto a lower platform and they don't even flinch
• Even while using the Patch, Clover's starting accessory that offers no extra defense, Clover can withstand several giant boulders smashing into them
  • While using the Steel Buckle or superior defensive items, this damage is totally negligible
• Takes several blows from Ed that launch massive boulders into the air
• Withstands the Guardener's attacks which could smash giant gears that are larger than Clover
• [Genocide] Gets hit by large meteors summoned by Zenith Martlet

Falling

• Jumps down a hole into the Underground and lands on a bed of flowers
• Falls through the floor of the Ruins and lands in a bed of flowers in the Dark Ruins, quickly jumping to their feet afterwards
• Crashes a speeding boat over a ledge, sending them over and into the mines
  • Flowey did comment they seemed pretty hurt by this
• Falls down a trap door

Heat

• Survives in the Steamworks with no issue, which was hot enough to light Moe's clothes and stand on fire over the course of their conversation
• Withstands multiple fire attacks from Asgore before eventually succumbing to them (with Asgore being the strongest non-final boss monster in the original Undertale)

Other

• Gets shocked repeatedly by Dalv's electrical attacks, enduring four before eventually succumbing
• A giant fan produces a sandstorm that pushes them back a considerable distance
• Gets hit by dynamite thrown by Starlo
• Survives multiple shots from Starlo's revolver
• Withstands hits from Axis' energy balls which later destroy Axis' portal generators
  • During Axis' boss fight, Clover takes no damage from this at all
• With the highest defensive accessory they take negligible damage from Ceroba's attacks which shatter stone pillars (they also take a glancing blow from these attacks in a cutscene without damage, though it takes them some time to return to their feet)
  • [Pacifist] Clover later withstands Ceroba's attacks after she had powered up into her Kitsune form, which dealt double damage compared to her previous attacks (2HP with the best defensive item instead of 1HP)
• [Pacifist] Endures for a little over a minute after their soul had been extracted from their body (though they were too weak to do anything but crawl)
• [Genocide] Gets crushed by blocks with enough force to shatter them which are not affected by their SOUL's energy beams
• [Genocide] Here is the top of UG Apartments before Clover's battle with Zenith Martlet compared to after, which assuming Martlet's attacks were responsible for any of this damage means that Clover would scale to it
• [Genocide] Clover grows so powerful that Asgore's trident shatters against their SOUL^{LV 20}

Skill

• Shoots a hat off a dummy
• Beats Starlo in a quickdraw contest
• After being fully lasso'd by Starlo, Clover is still able to effectively avoid his attacks and even tricks him into shooting his own lasso twice
  • Starlo is accurate enough to shoot sticks of dynamite out of the air
  • Clover is still able to fight back as well
• Can shoot something as small as a micro froggit
• Opens a door by shooting its control panel
• Plays a mean harmonica^T
• Holy shit they're so sick with it^T

Justice SOUL

• Flowey talks about how Boss Monsters are stronger than others and that a human SOUL is even more powerful than them
• [Pacifist] During the final boss, Clover is powered up and given a plethora of different abilities (the reason for this isn't explicitly stated, but it's likely because they felt their cause was just, more so than they ever had in the rest of the game)^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Endures repeated enraged attacks from Ceroba that should have killed them before returning to full HP as the next phase of the boss starts^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Can fire energy blasts from their SOUL which are strong enough to overpower Ceroba's own charged blasts^{LV 1}
    • They can quickly fire smaller shots on top of the more powerful charge shots^{LV 1}
    • A weaker version of Ceroba's attacks could shatter stone pillars^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Is able to phase through attacks, including otherwise unavoidable AOE attacks^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Hope, allowing them to take an extra hit without damage^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Endure, regenerating health from a range of 5HP to 10HP^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Remember, granting them a speed buff over the course of that turn^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] After cracking Ceroba's Kitsune mask, Clover is able to see a memory of her past talking to her dying husband^{LV 1}
• [Genocide] After hearing that Axis, the penultimate boss, killed a human child, Clover is filled with such rage and a desire for justice that they automatically leveled up and developed the ability to shoot energy blasts from their SOUL. The first blast obliterated the trash can lid Axis was using as a shield and after further leveling up they fired a massive beam that obliterated Axis entirely. Clover also gained an assortment of other abilities at this point^{LV 15/19}
  • [Genocide] Smaller shots can be rapid fired and a brief charge allows Clover to fire the beam^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] It required two small shots to destroy the meteors Zenith Martlet summons and they're completely obliterated by the beam^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] With enough shots Clover destroys Martlet's armor that their gun was completely useless against (based on the fact that the Fight button is locked during the phase of the fight that she's wearing the armor)^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] Clover's beam is strong enough to completely obliterate Asgore as well as his throne and the wall behind him^{LV 20}
  • [Genocide] Like in the Pacifist ending, Clover is able to dash which smashes blocks that their shots and beams couldn't break and allows them to phase through otherwise unavoidable attacks without damage^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] After destroying Martlet's armor, Clover is able to see into mind and witness her backstory^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] Clover is able to Endure, automatically recovering anywhere from 20HP to 25HP^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] Here is the top of UG Apartments before Clover's battle with Zenith Martlet compared to after, with Clover presumably being responsible for at least some of the damage^{LV 19}
• [Genocide] Throughout the game, Clover is able to undo mistakes thanks to the SAVE function. Primarily, this is thanks to Flowey doing so for you, becoming an in-universe stand-in for standard RPG Saving and Loading and ultimately allowing them to revive at the latest SAVE point for standard enemies or directly back into the battle for Boss encounters. However, at the end of the Genocide route Clover levels up enough to steal Flowey's control of the timeline, ultimately taking the SAVE ability for themselves which they can use to SAVE and LOAD in the middle of battle^{LV 20}

Gear

Note that while Clover can store excess items in boxes they find around the Underground, they can only carry eight items in their inventory not including their current Weapon, Ammo, Armor, and Accessory. Later in the game they discovered the Dimensional Satchel which allows them to access the boxes from anywhere, but they still only have eight slots to bring into an encounter.
Weapons
Guns

• Toy Gun - Clover's default weapon is a simple toy gun
• Wild Revolver - A gift from Starlo, purchased from Blackjack's shop
  • While the Toy Gun only fires once per turn, the Wild Revolver is fired six times in a row
  • While the Wild Revolver looks and functions like a typical revolver, note that Blackjack does say that he made it so as not to be lethal (though the following line about how anything could be lethal if used enough times consecutively makes this seem more like a meta joke about RPG fight mechanics, even going so far as to mention the ballet shoes that are a weapon in the original Undertale)

Feats
Note that cutscenes will always play out the same regardless of whether the Toy Gun or Wild Revolver is being used, so while the Revolver is obviously the more powerful of the two the Toy Gun is much more powerful than it's name would suggest and the following feats apply to both weapons.

• Damages machinery
• Critically damages Axis who could withstand his own energy balls being reflected back at him with no physical damage, merely draining his power instead
  • After being rebounded Axis' attacks destroyed portable generators as tall as Axis himself
• Destroys robots with repeated shots
• Executes undamaged monsters in cutscenes/scripted fights in both the Pacifist and Genocide routes
• [Anti-Feat] Was unable to destroy the trash can lid Axis was using as a shield

Ammo
Rather amusingly, Clover will jam whatever odd materials they can find into their weapon which somehow works perfectly^T

• Rubber Ammo (AT 0) - The default ammo that Clover started their journey with
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Pebble Ammo (AT 3) - Small rocks that Clover discovered in the Dark Ruins
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Ice Ammo (AT 6) - Discovered near the start of Snowdin, these fragments of a shattered ice crystal don't melt and cool Clover's gun upon being loaded
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Coffee Ammo (AT 4 + 1 SPEED after perfect attack) - Found in a barrel near the exit of Snowdin
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
  • Compare the increased speed to Clover's normal battle speed
• Flint Ammo (AT 9) - Salvaged from an ore deposit outside the East Mines
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
    • Note that the shots make small explosions upon impact
• Glass Ammo (AT 5 + 2HP) - Taken from a shattered glass in the Dunes Gift Shop
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Silver Ammo (AT 3 + Bonus Damage for Perfect Shot) - Purchased from Blackjack's shop
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Nails (AT 10) - Found in a box in the Steamworks greenhouse
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• [Neutral/Genocide] Friendliness Pellets (AT 11) - A gift from Flowey, acquired outside of the Steamworks
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver

Armor

• Warn Hat - The default armor that Clover started their journey with
• [Pacifist/Neutral] Nice Hat - Visually identical to Clover's old one and offers no extra defense or benefits, but it is a pretty nice hat

Accessories

• Patch (Armor DF 0) - The default accessory that Clover started their journey with
• Feather (Armor DF 2) - A stray feather located in the tunnels near Dalv's house
• Honeydew Pin (Armor DF 4) - Purchased at the Honeydew Resort shop
• Band Merch Pin (Armor DF 5) - A pin given to Clover by a band's super fan in Honeydew Resort
• Steel Buckle (Armor DF 7) - Found inside a cubby in the East Mines
• Safety Jacket (Armor DF 6) - Found on a hook in the East Mines
• Fancy Holster (Armor DF 8) - Purchased from Blackjack's shop
• Safety Goggles (Armor DF 9) - Acquired from Vendy in the Steamworks
• Silver Scarf (Armor DF 6 and +2HP Every Turn) - Given to Clover by Slurpy in Snowdin after freeing his tongue from a frozen pole
  • Here is the scarf in use
• Delta Run Patch (Armor DF 10) - Purchased from Bits and Bites at UG Apartments
• Golden Bandana (Armor DF 12) - Found in a chest in the Steamworks
  • This did come at the cost of sacrificing the Golden Pear, Golden Coffee, and Golden Cactus

Food/Healing Items
Note that at their weakest (LV 1), Clover has 20HP and at their strongest (LV20), Clover has 100HP
Single Use

• Lemonade - 7HP
• Lukewarm Pop - 8HP
• Candy Corn - 9HP
• Packing Peanuts - 10HP
• Sea Tea - 10HP (+ Temporary Speed Increase)
  • Here is the Sea Tea in use
• Monster Candy - 10HP
• Corn Dog - 12HP
• Cold Pop - 12 HP
• Sponge Cake - 14HP
• Hot Pop -14 HP
• Trail Mix - 14HP
• Corn Chowder - 15HP
• Moss Salad - 17HP
• Ice Tea - 20HP
• Green Tea - 21HP
• Flower Stew - 20HP
• Hot Dog - 20HP
• Fruitcake -25HP
• [Pacifist/Genocide] Adult Soda - ???HP
  • It's actually 20HP
• [Genocide] Oasis Latte - 25HP
• [Neutral] Cake - 30HP
• [Genocide] Cinnamon Cookie - 35HP
• Golden Pear - Invulnerability for two hits
  • Here is the G. Pear in use
• Golden Coffee - Increases Clover's speed for 3 turns
  • Here is the G. Coffee in use (also note that this buff carries on to future encounters if the three turns aren't used)
• Golden Cactus - 15HP for 3 turns (Lose 5HP after first bite)

Two Uses

• Grassy Fries - 14HP
• Beef Jerky - 16HP

Unlimited Supply

• Spider Donut - 12HP
• Popato Chisps - 13HP
• Honeydew Coffee - 14HP
• Honeydew Pancake - 16HP
• Ice Water - 15HP
• Monster Candy+ - 15HP
• Root Beer - 18HP
• G.B. Bear - 20HP
• Dihydrogen Monoxide - 20HP
• Feisty Slider - 30HP
• Gravity Granola - 30HP
• Cinnamon Butterscotch Strudel - 30HP
• Floral Cupcake - 50HP
• Gun Powder - ???HP
  • Completely maxes out Clover's HP
  • Note that Clover can only acquire one of these on the Genocide Route

Misc

• Solves Martlet's extremely complicated lava rock puzzle
• Beats the infamous Shuffler gang at their own game
• Uses flint and a steel buckle to burn a thick stick that was jamming an elevator
• Keeps up with El Bailador during their dance off, who was out of breath after the fact
• [Pacifist/Neutral] The Doc in the Wild East can overcharge Clover's health with a one time extra 15HP (nearly double their health at LV 1)
• Stealthily creeps around the Steamworks factory, figuring out a passcode while staying out of Axis' view
• Clover has incredible willpower, since even after Flowey kills them and attempts to absorb their SOUL, Clover is able to resist him for the entirety of the ensuing boss fight which ends when Flowey realizes they'd be fighting for all eternity if they continued and opts to simply reset the timeline instead
• Breaks it down

Somebody calls for help
You answer the call

Played the new season for maybe 12ish hours, but item rework is an improvement andwhere it should have been at launch. However, still has some glaring issues that need work. And some other things that would be great additions. Honestly feels like this last year was Blizzards way of beta testing the game prior to their new expansion.

• blue/white items have 0 value after WT2 and shouldn't ever drop. No reason. Instead, drop a pile of gold equivalent to what the average sell price is instead.
• Rare items are essentially useless past WT3. Would rather just see a large sum of gold and/or crystals drop instead. Just as if you were to salvage it
• everything is so damn expensive. Remember when game initially released, how everyone was up in arms because it cost so much to do just about anything? It's gone right back to it. Seems like the gring up to lvl 70 was so expensive because you swap gear so much. At level 79 and finding most of my end-game gear, the amount of gold dished out slowed and am finally seeing more than $2 million steady in account. Prob more noticeable now because less trash loot equals less income from selling. I always sell rares/blue/white, then salvage the legendaries, even in new season. Have plenty of crystals so salvaging rares isn't needed.
• is red the only color pallet you can choose from in helltide? EVERYTHING is a variant of red. When summoning the new boss, it can get extremely hard to see what's going on since it all blends in together.
• we need a "Quality of life" section in gameplay settings.
  • add/remove highlight from monsters and scenery.
  • option for map overlay
  • option for sharper contrast in skill effects, lingering effects, and overworld scenery.
  • option for auto pickup when walking over item. FOR ALL ITEMS, not just consumables. Then have a slider for pickup radius.
  • zoom distance slider. Have a further zoom distance and a slider to adjust distance.
  • loot filter. There may be less items, but still a lot of trash. I still go to town and sell 90% of the items I pickup.
• we should not have our ability to socket gear locked behind world bosses. If you are going to lock it behind world bosses, then have them spawn more frequently. Or have them align with helltide more often and award multiples. Some people rarely see a world boss because of real life events. Those individuals can no longer make use of crafted gems.
• can we add mechanics, health or something to make world bosses seems more impact full? Maybe start with 1 mechanic and have an additional mechanic each of the potion ticks. So after the third tick, theres 4 mechanics the boss has actively running. Or something similar, because as of now It's a loot piniata that takes less than 10 sec to kill. Would rather click a daily login button and claim the loot as a daily login bonus.
• I've been playing druid, so I don't know about other classes, but been having issues with casting skills and character orientation. Will cast pulverize to my left, but character will face the right. I've had an entire NM dungeon where my char faced right lol. Stuff casts where it should, just trippy when it happens. Running around a dungeon always oriented in one direction is highly entertaining.
• capstone bosses are a complete joke. 1 hit first boss at lvl 40 w/ pulverize druid and completed 2nd boss to go into WT4 at lvl 50 in less than 10 sec. WAAAY to easy lol.
• feel like this game in general is just easy. Devs said in the various streams that they want to keep it easy and not complicate things, but I wonder if they say that because they truly just want an easy experience or if Microsoft wants them to keep it easily playable to boost numbers and subscriptions through game pass?
• make glyph levels sync across all characters. This will make making alts WAY more fun!
• beam colors and effects. The greater affix indicator isn't enough to catch they eye of someone speedrunning, especially since some walls and environments are similar colors and may blend together. They didn't seem to interested in beam color changes during Streams, but what about effects? Keep the colors, but add a bright blue(or other color) shock pulse that surrounds the beam and let's you know that an item with greater affix dropped? I'm almost at the point, level 79, where I'm not picking up legendaried anymore. Have the gear with affixes, tempering that I need and are all 900+. So I'm just picking them up now to upgrade the codex. Anything thats is an upgrade, is minimal percentages at this point. Having something to let me know there's an upgraded item laying there would be huge. The lightning pulse surrounding beam and framing item in inventory would be much appreciated.
• I would like to see something to distinguish Ubers from Regular Unique items as well. Maybe Ubers should have the solid red beam and knarly effect, if it has greater affixes, to get you stoked about it dropping.
• Don't feel like glyphs get enough xp from NM dungeons. From lvl 63 to lvl 79 and 2 glyphs are at 15. I took all my powder off of bonus xp from kills and put it all on glyph xp, but doesnt seems like it's a noticeable increase. Would be nice to see a secondary way to earn glyph xp. Maybe ability to craft a potion that gives you an amount in glyph XP equal to number of cinders spent in helltide. Lasts like 30min or something. Only applicable to WT its crafted in and takes cinders just to make. For example, 200 cinders and X amount of herbs craft a potion that grants you 1 glyph xp for all future cinders spent in 30-60 minutes. With helltide buffed to a level where it doesn't feel like a chore to do anymore, why not have something else to make it even more rewarding.
• buff overworld events and side quests to keep them relevant. Helltide is fun, but need a break from it and NM dungeons periodically. If you buffed side quests and overworked events, would be a nice relief and change of pace.
• we should get a choice to keep the existing or take the new temper. Also xant stand spending 4 tempers and rolling the same stat all 4 times. Pretty depressing.

Game updates are overall good. Brought it back to where it should have been at launch. Will it keep me entertained the entire season? Not a chance. Im 2 days in and getting bored of the repetition. Helltides to WT4, then NM dungeon until glyphs at least lvl 15, then to the 100 stuff, if not there already. But ive also already made each character and leveled to 100 in previous seasons. So i guess the desire to make alts isnt there now, but may be for newer people playing. If you bought the game, then there's no reason why you shouldn't give it a run for a day or two, but I wouldn't buy the game just because of this patch.
Not a fan of making us pay 4 additional times just to fight the lords of hell though. What's a Diablo game without Diablo!!

Ruby groaned as the alarm went off signaling that one of her charges had arrived back from their mission. While troublesome in its own right, what really got under her skin was that she only had one charge at the moment, and that edge lord piece of shit wasn’t supposed to complete his task for AT LEAST another 4 deca-cycles according to the prediction algorithm. Grumbling to herself, she rolled out of bed and poured herself a glass of water to offset the hangover she was trying to recover from.

A few moments later she was gliding down the hall to the meeting room. She knew Jason was going to pitch a fit that she had left him waiting, the self-entitled brat always did think the world revolved around him; but perhaps he should have thought about that before freaking dying so early. If he wanted her to be there to meet him upon death, he could at least have the decency to not die the morning after one of her binges.

Other staff members gave her a wide berth, even if it was a hollow title, she was still technically far above basically anyone else in the pecking order, at least those who had a physical presence within the Agency. She knew they all mocked her behind her back, even divine beings were sadly prone towards gossip. She put the anger at her subordinates/coworkers out of her mind for now; even if she didn’t particularly LIKE Jason, he still didn’t deserve her coming in with baggage.

Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed that she’d arrived in front of the conference room door. She had been mulling over her thoughts, just staring into nothingness, for several minutes before she finally snapped back to the present. With a soft rap on the door, she opened it and floated inside. Jason was lounging, sprawled out on the regally padded chair throne he so fancied.

They exchanged pleasantries before she sat down to go over the mission summary. Upon seeing the cause of death, she had regrettably lost her composure and started to laugh uncontrollably. Her mighty subordinate had been felled by a goblin?! The mighty Jason Alexander Coyle, “mercenary extraordinaire”, had gotten his shit kicked in by a lowly goblin using what looked like a shiny butter knife. Oh, it was just too rich to not laugh at the absurdity.

It took her much longer than she would like to admit, to stop laughing. Jason of course wore a sour look through the entire endeavor. She shrugged it off, she had little doubt that if the same thing had happened to someone else, he would have been right beside her doubled over in laughter. Hell, once he was in a less pissy mood, she might even be able to get him to laugh about it later.

As luck would have it, it appeared that Jason’s actions had been enough to alter the tides of the war. The kingdom, and its divinity, would still lose many to the battles ahead, but Jason had done enough that the Agency could still bill the client for services rendered. As she spoke, she could see the disdain the man had for her, he always complained that she was drunk and reeked of liquor. Sure, that was often true, but he didn’t need to be such a stick in the mud about it all.

She went ahead and authorized the transfer of credits to Jason’s account. As soon as she did so, he opened up the store page and tuned her out. She watched him open up the back-channel site and purchase something, a small part of her wondered who was going to get roasted over the coals this time for allowing their admin privileges to be hacked. She toyed with the idea of bringing up his illegal actions, but truth be told she didn’t really give a shit. The other divinities were far too lax with their security, it had been child's play for one of her previous wards to hack into the Agency’s system and build the black site.

She’d ask him once about the whole thing, didn’t really grasp as much as she would have liked, but basically it functioned by spoofing a handler's credentials. This allowed the user to gain access to encrypted parts of the network, specifically access to certain privileged services that handlers enjoyed and most importantly, access to the mission assignment database. Users could buy and sell restricted or banned goods, and a part of the profits would be siphoned off to her ward’s personal account.

With Jason’s attention otherwise occupied, Ruby went ahead and reviewed the logs for his previous mission. Something about it was nagging at her. She couldn’t put it into words; however, the whole series of events just didn’t feel like ‘bad luck’. Using her divine authority, she rewound events, watching Jason’s lungs unfill with blood and refill with air.

The goblin skulked back to its den of corpses, resheathing the dagger at its hips, and reburied itself underneath the bodies. She let it rewind another few moments before stopping the feed and letting it run at normal time. She watched the goblin, slowly shifting the bodies out of the way, making sure they made no noise when it moved them. Slowly, carefully, it began to creep towards Jason’s exposed back. It drew the blade, again slowly and quietly. It closed the distance making sure to never let Jason see it or to give him any reason to think someone was behind him. Then in a flash of movement it leapt, burying the dagger right into a joint in Jason’s armor. The placement was perfect, no resistance, so the blade sank to the hilt. Allowing it to puncture Jason’s right lung.

Ruby rewound the log once more. This was wrong, very wrong. The goblin was way too good to just be some random grunt. Its movements were too smooth, its aim too precise. No, she was sure of it now, this was not a normal goblin. She focused her attention on the thing, aiming to scan the goblin for abnormalities, the dust covering it offering a surprising level of resistance to her scan. Not enough to stop her from doing what she wanted, but more resistance than she felt was reasonable for the anti-magic powder.

When she finally gained access to the monster’s stat block, her suspicions were proven correct. That was no normal goblin, that was a Redcap, a Redcap assassin no less. What in the dozen hells was a Redcap assassin doing in the middle of a freaking battlefield?! Such a valuable unit wouldn’t be used on the front lines, their skill set was terribly suited for the chaos that was an active battle. No, something was very wrong here and Ruby was going to figure out what.

As her mind raced trying to puzzle out what the actual fuck was going on, something else about the goblin flagged in her mind. It had come out of the corpse pile with the dagger already in its possession. She highlighted the various bodies that had made up the goblin's hidey hole, and then rewound the scene back. Every time one of the highlighted bodies met their fate, she froze the moment and pulled the scene into a separate window. It took a few minutes, but she eventually had all of the corpses frozen in the heartbeat before their deaths. She went through and scanned every single individual. Not a single one had been equipped with a magic disruptor blade. “So, where the fuck did the Redcap get a kingdom issued disruptor?”

Looking up, she saw that Jason was still fiddling with whatever it was that he bought. She tried to make idle conversation with the man, but he had gone full auto pilot, giving curt one-to-two word answers when asked a question or having to respond to a comment. She rolled her eyes, as much as she and him butted heads, she did have to admit that she did kind of like the guy. He had been going a little too hard into the whole dark and brooding edge lord thing recently, but that was hardly his fault. The human soul was ill suited to withstand the trauma of death, much less multiple deaths. The Agency usually did a memory scrub every couple missions, to prevent that kind of issue, but Jason had been dodging the screenings. For a moment she considered just letting sleeping dogs lie. Jason was dead and the mission was over regardless of what she might find, but the whole thing just rubbed her the wrong way.

Taking a little nip from her pocket flask, she once more focuses her attention on the Redcap. After scrubbing through the last several months of the creature’s life, she finally finds what she was looking for. The blade had come from one of Jason’s personal guards.

Ruby did a deep dive on the guard, and what came back made her blood run cold. The man had recently lost his lover. Jason had ordered a company to mop up a fleeing enemy force, before it could regroup and cause more issues. The entire thing had been a ruse and the company had been slaughtered to the last. The guard's lover had been part of that company. The loss had hit the man hard, driving him to the only rock left in his life. His deep belief in the kingdom’s divinity.

And wouldn’t you know it, apparently the kingdom’s divinity had some issues with Jason that it couldn’t be bothered to address through the proper channels. So instead of letting Ruby handle the trainwreck that was Jason’s social skills, this little scum lord of a God, had taken upon themself to deal with the issue. Several months of holy visions were enough to convince the grieving widow to betray everyone and everything he had ever known.

Once the guard had been properly brainwashed into turning his coat, it had been a simple matter to worm his way on to all of Jason’s post-fight surveys of the battlefield. The magic scanners that were exclusive to Jason’s retinue, had allowed him to see that Jason’s inhuman ability to avoid taking damage was really just a creative use of high-level magic. High-level magic that could have easily been used to save many of the kingdom’s soldiers. But of course, Jason believed himself too good to give the common man a means to protect themselves and those they loved. All this knowledge was of course worthless to the guard, he was nowhere near skilled enough to actually challenge Jason. But wouldn’t you know it, the divinity had thought of that too.

The podunk worm had brokered a secret deal with the enemy he’d contracted the Agency to deal with. In exchange for getting rid of a thorn in the God’s side, it would use its powers to scale back the war. Instead of facing a war of eradication, the enemy would be allowed to keep some of the land it had conquered.

At the urging of his God, the guard held a series of clandestine meetings with the Redcap. Imparting all the information he had learned in the months of shadowing Jason. He also gave the beast two gifts, the first was a Disruptor blade the guard had swiped from a fellow honor guard; when Jason’s corpse was found the blade would be traced back to the unfortunate guard instead of the traitor. The second was a satchel of Grarothian powder that had been blessed by the divinity, to ensure that Jason wouldn’t see the attack coming. It had worked of course; Jason hadn’t even known he was in danger till the blade was already buried in his lung. Oh, she was going to have the wannabe God’s head on a pike after this.

It pained her to admit it, but Jason deserved the final say in how this was all going to go down. She attempted to grab his attention, but the man was lost in his own little world. She tried waving her hands, ignored. She tried snapping her fingers in his ears, ignored. She even went so far as to beat her wings, blasting his face with the wind force of just under a category 1 hurricane; again ignored. Her rage was starting to reach fever pitch. So, she defaulted to the most tried and true method of stress reduction she had in her arsenal. She decided the only way for herself and Jason, once he knew the truth, to calm down would be to relax with a drink of the finest Earth treats.

With a heavy heart she opened up her most beloved extra planer storage space. This place was used for the only two things Ruby really cared about anymore. It was where she kept her most prized and coveted liquor, and where she kept the last few mementos, she possessed of her fallen wards. Her eyes scanned the room, she needed to pick the right apology gift. As she carefully made her way towards the back, she saw it. Tucked in about two thirds of the way to the back wall, stood a single hogshead of ancient scotch whiskey. The second to last gift she had received from one of her dearest friends, all those years ago.

Yes, this was the correct one. She felt it deep within her chest, a proper atonement requires a proper level of sacrifice. With a heavy heart she lifted the barrel over her head and began to stride out of the extra dimensional space. As she neared the opening, the soft clink of something falling and a flash of gold caught her eye. Sitting on a tiny end table was a small pouch of coins, one of which had somehow gotten loose and tumbled face up onto the polished table face.

For a moment she hesitated, she knew exactly what those coins were; and knew how much trouble she would get into if upper management found out she had them. That said, she also knew a sign when she saw one. The artifacts that she held within this place were the last remnants of those she had failed most of all. She pondered the meaning behind the fact that two of her previous charges seemed to have taken a shine to Jason, offering up to him their most precious of gifts. With a heavy heart and a plea to those long lost, she grabbed the coin before closing the pocket dimension.

With a loud *CLUNK* She set the hogshead down. Apparently, the sound of the barrel had finally made enough noise to draw Jason’s attention away from his screen. From a much smaller storage pocket she produced two crystal glasses. Pouring a hefty serving into each glass, she set one down in front of herself and the other in front of Jason. Locking eyes with the man, she said a single word.

“Drink”

The man twisted his face up in disgust at the sight of the liquor.

“Thanks, but no thanks, I’m not inclined to degr...”

“I said, DRINK!” Ruby growl bellows, casting the Command spell on the last word. Jason, despite his best efforts to ignore the compulsion, is forced to do as he is told, and takes a hearty swig of his hundred-year-old Scotch. With a smile on her lips, Ruby takes the opportunity to sip the illustrious gift. The hours melt away as they both sip and savor the deep complex flavors of this legendary brew.

As the drink flows her recollection of events becomes just a tad bit hazy. She can’t really remember how long it takes, but she does eventually come clean about the reason for this impromptu bout of drinking. It comes as little shock that Jason is... less than pleased to learn about the events that led to his death. He downs the rest of his drink in a single gulp, a waste of grand booze in Ruby’s opinion, and demands she fill his next one to the brim. For the first time in FAR too long, Ruby gets to see the Jason she had known all those years ago was still in there.

As the festivities carried on, she would occasionally catch him fiddling with the token he had bought. Curiosity finally getting the better of her, she decided to ask him about it, deciding to NOT mention that she knew it was illicitly purchased. He was cagey about it at first, but eventually loosened up and told her the truth.

He had grown bored with the usual missions that he had been assigned. He was sick of always having to play support, always cleaning up someone else’s messes, always laying the groundwork for someone else’s story. So, he had decided to cash in his points, and finally make use of the vacation time he had accrued. He had picked out what looked to be a pretty basic Isekai mission. Ruby suggested not mentioning his luck to anyone else, even she was aware how rare and coveted those missions were.

As the night wound to a close, they said their goodbyes. Before taking her leave, Ruby remembered the other present she had for Jason. A sharp whistle was the only warning she gave him before flicking the coin at his head. Even drunk, the man’s senses were still a thing to marvel at as he caught it in midair .

“The fuck is this?”

“Think of it as a gift.” She snorts.

“Oh, how generous of you. A whole gold coin, whatever will I spend it on.” Jason responds as he jangles the large coin pouch at his hip.

“Oh, fuck off. I’ll take it back if you’re going to be a brat about it.”

Jason drops the coin into his wallet and shakes it again for good measure. “Oops, too late now. Guess you’ll just have to let me keep it.” He gives her a smug grin.

She scoffed before turning around and making for the door. She could hear him activate the token as she closed the door behind her. As she wandered down the hallways back to her room, she pondered the events of the day. The rogue client would need to be dealt with, but she still wasn’t sure if burying him in legal paperwork for the next millennia or two, or just giving him a good old fashion human curb stomping, was the better punishment for his actions.

The choices bounced around in her head till she finally reached her residence. Having made no real progress in deciding her actions, she elected to just table the decision till she woke up next. The God was small time, so it wasn’t like it was going anywhere.

She took her time getting ready to sleep. Being a divine being herself, she didn’t actually NEED to sleep, but she did so enjoy the human customs surrounding the whole process. She took a long hot bath to unwind, before summoning a pair of adorable pajamas. Her body clean, and her mind at peace she laid down in her oversized excessively fluffy bed.

She had barely closed her eyes and began to drift off to blissful sleep, before she was awoken once again by the sound of her alarm going off.

“You have got to be shitting me. HOW?!?!”
< l l Next>

My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.

"...umm "

Part two of the noodle demon.
Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.

This is an expansion of a recent post and also incorporates some ideas from this theory (by u/ndependent-Design17). Throughout the series the reader is repeatedly reminded that "only death can pay for life" — that magic, especially powerful magic, comes at great cost.

"Only death can pay for life, my lord. A great gift requires a great sacrifice.”

Davos, ASOS
This phrase or variations of this phrase are repeated by Melisandre, Mirri, etc. at various points throughout the series. That which follows is a highly speculative theory on the nature of the cost of magic in the series. Specifically, that souls are central to the exercise of magic and can be used as magic currency.

1. establishing the concept of the soul

Oh, to be sure, there is much we do not understand. The years pass in their hundreds and their thousands, and what does any man see of life but a few summers, a few winters? We look at mountains and call them eternal, and so they seem… but in the course of time, mountains rise and fall, rivers change their courses, stars fall from the sky, and great cities sink beneath the sea. Even gods die, we think. Everything changes.

Bran, AGOT
What happens after we die? Is there some part of us that lives on or do we simply cease to exist. These are fundamental questions that are essentially unanswerable in life but not in ASOIAF. The reader is given a point-of-view account of death in the prologue of ADWD. After unsuccessfully attempting to steal the body of Thistle, a wildling spearwife, Varamyr dies and briefly becomes a disembodied consciousness:

The white world turned and fell away. For a moment it was as if he were inside the weirwood, gazing out through carved red eyes as a dying man twitched feebly on the ground and a madwoman danced blind and bloody underneath the moon, weeping red tears and ripping at her clothes. Then both were gone and he was rising, melting, his spirit borne on some cold wind. He was in the snow and in the clouds, he was a sparrow, a squirrel, an oak. A horned owl flew silently between his trees, hunting a hare; Varamyr was inside the owl, inside the hare, inside the trees. Deep below the frozen ground, earthworms burrowed blindly in the dark, and he was them as well. I am the wood, and everything that’s in it, he thought, exulting.

Prologue, ADWD
Afterward his "spirit," or soul, is eventually transferred into a body of wolf and he begins his second life. This event, and the process of skin-changing more generally, appears to involve projection or transfer of a soul from one body into another. The process of projecting or transferring souls to either animal vessels or the weirwoods is central to the magic of the Children of the Forest.

“Someone else was in the raven,” he told Lord Brynden, once he had returned to his own skin. “Some girl. I felt her.”
“A woman, of those who sing the song of earth,” his teacher said. “Long dead, yet a part of her remains, just as a part of you would remain in Summer if your boy’s flesh were to die upon the morrow. A shadow on the soul. She will not harm you.”
"Do all the birds have singers in them?"
“All,” Lord Brynden said.

Bran, ADWD
After death a "shadow on the soul" of the Singers remain in the crows. The soul of Orell is also described as living on in the body of his eagle after his death.
This process appears to take two forms: the soul can be temporarily projected from one body into another (e.g., as happens when Bran skin-changes into Hodor) or can be permanently transferred as is described in the separate examples above.
These transferred souls merge with their recipient, at least to some degree, and may decay over time:

"The wolf is part of you from that day on, and you’re part of him. Both of you will change.”
Other beasts were best left alone, the hunter had declared. Cats were vain and cruel, always ready to turn on you. Elk and deer were prey; wear their skins too long, and even the bravest man became a coward. Bears, boars, badgers, weasels … Haggon did not hold with such. “Some skins you never want to wear, boy. You won’t like what you’d become.” Birds were the worst, to hear him tell it. “Men were not meant to leave the earth. Spend too much time in the clouds and you never want to come back down again.
...
"They say you forget," Haggon had told him, a few weeks before his own death.
"When the man's flesh dies, his spirit lives on inside the beast, but every day his memory fades, and the beast becomes a little less a warg, a little more a wolf, until nothing of the man is left and only the beast remains."

Prologue, ADWD
Bran is provided with similar warnings about the danger of spending too much time in Summer's skin by Jojen.

2. shadow magic requires souls

As above the reader is repeatedly reminded throughout the series that "only death can pay for life." What is specifically being sacrificed, though? Is the magic being fueled by the blood of the sacrificed or by something else?
To answer this let us examine one of the most concrete example of magic in the series, the use or exchange of Stannis Baratheon's "life-fire" in order for Melisandre to manifest the shadows used to kill Renly Baratheon and Courtney Penrose.

Shadows only live when given birth by light, and the king's fires burn so low I dare not draw off any more to make another son. It might well kill him."
Melisandre moved closer.
"With another man, though... a man whose flames still burn hot and high... if you truly wish to serve your king's cause, come to my chamber one night. I could give you pleasure such as you have never known, and with your life-fire I could make..."

Davos, ASOS
According to this explanation, the cost of producing these shadow appears to have been part of his "life-fire," or soul. The shadow is specifically described as having the shape Stannis supporting this. Whether this applies to other types of magic — specifically blood magic or fire magic — is less clear but shadow magic very much appears to require the use of souls.
This type of exchange is also directly referenced in the story of the Night's King provided by Old Nan:

A woman was his downfall; a woman glimpsed from atop the Wall, with skin as white as the moon and eyes like blue stars. Fearing nothing, he chased her and caught her and loved her, though her skin was cold as ice, and when he gave his seed to her he gave his soul as well. (Credit to u/DigLost5791 for this reference.)

Bran, ASOS
Stannis is described by Davos afterward as follows:

The look of him was a shock. He seemed ten years older than the man that Davos had left at Storm’s End when he set sail for the Blackwater and the battle that would be their undoing. The king’s close-cropped beard was spiderwebbed with grey hairs, and he had dropped two stone or more of weight. He had never been a fleshy man, but now the bones moved beneath his skin like spears, fighting to cut free. Even his crown seemed too large for his head. His eyes were blue pits lost in deep hollows, and the shape of a skull could be seen beneath his face.

Davos, ASOS
Asha later describes Stannis as appearing life a "man with one foot in the grave."

What little flesh he’d carried on his tall, spare frame at Deepwood Motte had melted away during the march. The shape of his skull could be seen under his skin, and his jaw was clenched so hard Asha feared his teeth might shatter.

Asha, ADWD
These descriptions seem appropriate for a character that has lost part of their "life-fire" or soul.
Throughout the series Stannis is forced to make a series of increasingly difficult decisions. The most significant of these decisions regards the fate of his nephew, Eric Storm. Melisandre repeatedly urges him to "give [her] the boy," presumably to be burned, but is rebuffed by Stannis.

“I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need Melisandre to tell me what that means? Or you?” The king moved, so his shadow fell upon King’s Landing.
"…what is the life of one bastard boy against a kingdom?”
“Everything,” said Davos, softly.

Davos, ASOS
Is the life of this bastard boy worth the lives of millions that would die if the Others break through the Wall? Making a deal with the devil and literally selling his soul in pursuit of some greater good seems very appropriate for his character, thematically. The description of his flesh turning to ash in this vision is representative also supports this interpretation.

3. blood and fire magic

As opposed to the creation of the shadows described above, we are also provided an example of so-called blood magic in the leech burning ritual.

“Give me the boy, Your Grace. It is the surer way. The better way. Give me the boy and I shall wake the stone dragon.”
...
Melisandre bowed her head stiffly, and said, “As my king commands.” Reaching up her left sleeve with her right hand, she flung a handful of powder into the brazier. The coals roared. As pale flames writhed atop them, the red woman retrieved the silver dish and brought it to the king. Davos watched her lift the lid. Beneath were three large black leeches, fat with blood. The boy’s blood, Davos knew. A king’s blood. Stannis stretched forth a hand, and his fingers closed around one of the leeches.
“Say the name,” Melisandre commanded.

Davos, ASOS
Following this ritual all of the mentioned individuals do die but do so as the part of separate conspiracies (e.g., Robb Stark is betrayed by the Freys and Boltons, Joffrey Baratheon by Littlefinger and the Tyrells, etc.) which were already in place. It is left intentionally ambiguous by the author but it does not appear that the ritual meaningfully contributed to their deaths.
The creation of the shadows is said by Melisandre to have required part of Stannis' "life-fire" or soul. Could it be that the leech burning ritual was unsuccessful because blood alone is not sufficient as a sacrifice?
These forms of magic are frequently described in the community as "shadow magic" and "blood magic." These concepts — "fire and blood" and "flame and shadow" — are highly associated with one another in the text:

“Shadow?" Davos felt his flesh prickling. "A shadow is a thing of darkness."
”You are more ignorant than a child, ser knight. There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows."

Davos, ACOK
I speculate that these are different expressions of the same concept; that all of these fall under the general umbrella of fire magic and share common principles. "Fire consumes and in the end there's nothing left."

4. dancing shadows

The tent was aglow with the light of braziers within. Through the blood-spattered sandsilk, she glimpsed shadows moving.
Mirri Maz Duur was dancing, and not alone.
...
No, Dany wanted to say, no, not that, you mustn’t, but when she opened her mouth, a long wail of pain escaped, and the sweat broke over her skin. What was wrong with them, couldn’t they see?
Inside the tent the shapes were dancing, circling the brazier and the bloody bath, dark against the sandsilk, and some did not look human. She glimpsed the shadow of a great wolf, and another like a man wreathed in flames.
“The Lamb Woman knows the secrets of the birthing bed,” Irri said. “She said so, I heard her.”
“Yes,” Doreah agreed, “I heard her too.”
No, she shouted, or perhaps she only thought it, for no whisper of sound escaped her lips. She was being carried. Her eyes opened to gaze up at a flat dead sky, black and bleak and starless. Please, no. The sound of Mirri Maz Duur’s voice grew louder, until it filled the world. The shapes! She screamed. The dancers!
Ser Jorah carried her inside the tent.

Daenerys, AGOT
The introduction of shadow magic in the series is provided above with Mirri Max Duur. Following this ritual Drogo is described as a lifeless husk:

"He seems to like the warmth, Princess," Ser Jorah said. "His eyes follow the sun, though he does not see it. He can walk after a fashion. He will go where you lead him, but no farther. He will eat if you put food in his mouth, drink if you dribble water on his lips."

Daenerys, AGOT
It has previously been speculated that Mirri "reverse skin-changed" Drogo (e.g., "strength of the mount go into the rider, strength of the beast go into the man."). The description provided is less consistent with a horse soul inhabiting a human body than it is with the complete or near-complete absence of a soul. It appears more likely in retrospect that Mirri sacrificed part of Drogo's soul to summon the shadows and likely as a means to kill Daenerys' unborn child.

“The stallion who mounts the world will burn no cities now. His khalasar shall trample no nations into dust."

Daenerys, AGOT

5. reanimation

If "only death can pay for life" and souls are used as a form of magical currency how does one explain the reanimation or resurrection process?
There is a paucity of information on the reanimation of the dead in the series. The resurrection of Beric Dondarrion, for example, appears to be different in fundamental ways from that of the wights or Cold Hands. (We are potentially given a point-of-view account of this process if you accept that Victarion died in ADWD.)

“Thoros, how many times have you brought me back now?”
The red priest bowed his head. “It is R’hllor who brings you back, my lord. The Lord of Light. I am only his instrument.”
“How many times?” Lord Beric insisted.
“Six,” Thoros said reluctantly.
“And each time is harder. You have grown reckless, my lord. Is death so very sweet?”
Arya, ASOS

There is no immediately identifiable magical cost for these "kisses of life," at least at first glance. Thoros later tells us that he breathed part of his "flames" or soul into Beric:

“That first time, his lordship had a hole right through him and blood in his mouth, I knew there was no hope. So when his poor torn chest stopped moving, I gave him the good god's own kiss to send him on his way. I filled my mouth with fire and breathed the flames inside him, down his throat to lungs and heart and soul. The last kiss it is called, and many a time I saw the old priests bestow it on the Lord's servants as they died." (Credit to u/watchersontheweb for providing this quote in the initial thread.)

Arya, ASOS
Thoros is also described as appearing very different after performing this ritual several times in a way that is not entirely dissimilar to the changes in Stannis’ appearance referenced above.

“Here’s the wizard, skinny squirrel. You’ll get your answers now.”
He pointed toward the fire, where Tom Sevenstrings stood talking to a tall thin man with oddments of old armor buckled on over his ratty pink robes. That can’t be Thoros of Myr. Arya remembered the red priest as fat, with a smooth face and a shiny bald head. This man had a droopy face and a full head of shaggy grey hair.
...
“Thoros of Myr. You used to shave your head.”
“To betoken a humble heart, but in truth my heart was vain. Besides, I lost my razor in the woods.” The priest slapped his belly. “I am less than I was, but more. A year in the wild will melt the flesh off a man. Would that I could find a tailor to take in my skin. I might look young again, and pretty maids would shower me with kisses.”

Arya, ASOS
Thoros attributes these changes to his renewed devotion to the Red God and spending "a year in the wild" as above although he is not exactly forthcoming with Arya about the resurrection process. It is also likely that he does not entirely understand what specifically is being exchanged here.
Later he describes Beric giving the "kiss of life" to the corpse of Catelyn Stark:

“The Freys slashed her throat from ear to ear. When we found her by the river she was three days dead. Harwin begged me to give her the kiss of life, but it had been too long. I would not do it, so Lord Beric put his lips to hers instead, and the flame of life passed from him to her. And… she rose. May the Lord of Light protect us. She rose.”

Brienne, AFFC
Notably, this process produces a reanimated Catelyn (a.k.a. Lady Stoneheart). The soul of Beric, or at least whatever is left of his soul at this point in the series, is consumed in order to resurrect Catelyn and not transferred.

6. cold shadows (wild speculation)

The terms "white shadows," "pale shadows," and "cold shadows" are repeated used to describe the Others. The Others are also highly associated with ghosts — the spirits or souls of the dead bound to the earth. (The forrest in which they are introduced is literally called the Haunted Forrest.)

The Others made no sound.
Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone. Branches stirred gently in the wind, scratching at one another with wooden fingers. Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and the words seemed to freeze in his throat. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps it had only been a bird, a reflection on the snow, some trick of the moonlight. What had he seen, after all?
“Will, where are you?” Ser Waymar called up. “Can you see anything?” He was turning in a slow circle, suddenly wary, his sword in hand. He must have felt them, as Will felt them. There was nothing to see. “Answer me! Why is it so cold?” It was cold.
Shivering, Will clung more tightly to his perch. His face pressed hard against the trunk of the sentinel. He could feel the sweet, sticky sap on his cheek. A shadow emerged from the dark of the wood. It stood in front of Royce. Tall, it was, and gaunt and hard as old bones, with flesh pale as milk. Its armor seemed to change color as it moved; here it was white as new-fallen snow, there black as shadow, everywhere dappled with the deep grey-green of the trees. The patterns ran like moonlight on water with every step it took. Will heard the breath go out of Ser Waymar Royce in a long hiss. ...
The Other slid forward on silent feet. In its hand was a longsword like none that Will had ever seen. No human metal had gone into the forging of that blade. It was alive with moonlight, translucent, a shard of crystal so thin that it seemed almost to vanish when seen edge-on. There was a faint blue shimmer to the thing, a ghost-light that played around its edges, and somehow Will knew it was sharper than any razor.

Prologue, AGOT
This is again highly speculative but it seems reasonable to consider that these cold shadows are not "ice demons" or "ice zombies" but are in fact ghosts, the spirits or souls of men that are bound to the earth through magic by the Children of the Forest. (The textual evidence of the creation of the Others by the Children has previously been discussed at length in the community in separate posts.) "Fire consumes, but cold preserves."
This would explain several of the unusual characteristics of the Others described by Tormund:

“Tormund,” Jon said, as they watched four old women pull a cartful of children toward the gate, “tell me of our foe. I would know all there is to know of the Others.”
The wildling rubbed his mouth. “Not here,” he mumbled, “not this side o’ your Wall.” The old man glanced uneasily toward the trees in their white mantles. “They’re never far, you know. They won’t come out by day, not when that old sun’s shining, but don’t think that means they went away. Shadows never go away. Might be you don’t see them, but they’re always clinging to your heels.”
...
Tormund turned back.
"You know nothing. You killed a dead man, aye, I heard. Mance killed a hundred. A man can fight the dead, but when their masters come, when the white mists rise up… how do you fight a mist, crow? Shadows with teeth … air so cold it hurts to breathe, like a knife inside your chest … you do not know, you cannot know … can your sword cut cold?"

Jon, ADWD
A reasonable interpretation of this information is that the Others are present during the day, at least in some capacity, and are only able to assume corporeal form at night.
The Others are also described as "going lightly upon the snow" which would also supports the idea that they are ghosts:

“The white walkers go lightly on the snow,” the ranger said. “You’ll find no prints to mark their passage.”

Samwell, ASOS

7. conclusions

This highly speculative theory attempts to reconcile several seemingly disparate concepts in the series related to magic, namely the actual nature of magical sacrifice ("only death can pay for life") and shadows or shadow magic. More specifically, I suggest that souls are the primary magical currency and can be consumed using fire magic to summon shadows, create glamours, etc. I also speculate that similar processes took place during Mirri Maz Duur's shadow-binding ritual in AGOT and during the repeated resurrections of Berric Dondarrion in ASOS. I further suggest that the Others are ghosts, the spirits or souls of the dead bound to the earth.
EDIT: edited several times to address formatting issues

This is an expansion of a recent post and also incorporates some ideas from this theory (by u/ndependent-Design17). Throughout the series the reader is repeatedly reminded that "only death can pay for life" — that magic, especially powerful magic, comes at great cost.

"Only death can pay for life, my lord. A great gift requires a great sacrifice.”

Davos, ASOS
This phrase or variations of this phrase are repeated by Melisandre, Mirri, etc. at various points throughout the series. That which follows is a highly speculative theory on the nature of the cost of magic in the series. Specifically, that souls are central to the exercise of magic and can be used as magic currency.

1. establishing the concept of the soul

Oh, to be sure, there is much we do not understand. The years pass in their hundreds and their thousands, and what does any man see of life but a few summers, a few winters? We look at mountains and call them eternal, and so they seem… but in the course of time, mountains rise and fall, rivers change their courses, stars fall from the sky, and great cities sink beneath the sea. Even gods die, we think. Everything changes.

Bran, AGOT
What happens after we die? Is there some part of us that lives on or do we simply cease to exist. These are fundamental questions that are essentially unanswerable in life but not in ASOIAF. The reader is given a point-of-view account of death in the prologue of ADWD. After unsuccessfully attempting to steal the body of Thistle, a wildling spearwife, Varamyr dies and briefly becomes a disembodied consciousness:

The white world turned and fell away. For a moment it was as if he were inside the weirwood, gazing out through carved red eyes as a dying man twitched feebly on the ground and a madwoman danced blind and bloody underneath the moon, weeping red tears and ripping at her clothes. Then both were gone and he was rising, melting, his spirit borne on some cold wind. He was in the snow and in the clouds, he was a sparrow, a squirrel, an oak. A horned owl flew silently between his trees, hunting a hare; Varamyr was inside the owl, inside the hare, inside the trees. Deep below the frozen ground, earthworms burrowed blindly in the dark, and he was them as well. I am the wood, and everything that’s in it, he thought, exulting.

Prologue, ADWD
Afterward his "spirit," or soul, is eventually transferred into a body of wolf and he begins his second life. This event, and the process of skin-changing more generally, appears to involve projection or transfer of a soul from one body into another. The process of projecting or transferring souls to either animal vessels or the weirwoods is central to the magic of the Children of the Forest.

“Someone else was in the raven,” he told Lord Brynden, once he had returned to his own skin. “Some girl. I felt her.”
“A woman, of those who sing the song of earth,” his teacher said. “Long dead, yet a part of her remains, just as a part of you would remain in Summer if your boy’s flesh were to die upon the morrow. A shadow on the soul. She will not harm you.”
"Do all the birds have singers in them?"
“All,” Lord Brynden said.

Bran, ADWD
After death a "shadow on the soul" of the Singers remain in the crows. The soul of Orell is also described as living on in the body of his eagle after his death.
This process appears to take two forms: the soul can be temporarily projected from one body into another (e.g., as happens when Bran skin-changes into Hodor) or can be permanently transferred as is described in the separate examples above.
These transferred souls merge with their recipient, at least to some degree, and may decay over time:

"The wolf is part of you from that day on, and you’re part of him. Both of you will change.”
Other beasts were best left alone, the hunter had declared. Cats were vain and cruel, always ready to turn on you. Elk and deer were prey; wear their skins too long, and even the bravest man became a coward. Bears, boars, badgers, weasels … Haggon did not hold with such. “Some skins you never want to wear, boy. You won’t like what you’d become.” Birds were the worst, to hear him tell it. “Men were not meant to leave the earth. Spend too much time in the clouds and you never want to come back down again.
...
"They say you forget," Haggon had told him, a few weeks before his own death.
"When the man's flesh dies, his spirit lives on inside the beast, but every day his memory fades, and the beast becomes a little less a warg, a little more a wolf, until nothing of the man is left and only the beast remains."

Prologue, ADWD
Bran is provided with similar warnings about the danger of spending too much time in Summer's skin by Jojen.

2. shadow magic requires souls

As above the reader is repeatedly reminded throughout the series that "only death can pay for life." What is specifically being sacrificed, though? Is the magic being fueled by the blood of the sacrificed or by something else?
To answer this let us examine one of the most concrete example of magic in the series, the use or exchange of Stannis Baratheon's "life-fire" in order for Melisandre to manifest the shadows used to kill Renly Baratheon and Courtney Penrose.

Shadows only live when given birth by light, and the king's fires burn so low I dare not draw off any more to make another son. It might well kill him."
Melisandre moved closer.
"With another man, though... a man whose flames still burn hot and high... if you truly wish to serve your king's cause, come to my chamber one night. I could give you pleasure such as you have never known, and with your life-fire I could make..."

Davos, ASOS
According to this explanation, the cost of producing these shadow appears to have been part of his "life-fire," or soul. The shadow is specifically described as having the shape Stannis supporting this. Whether this applies to other types of magic — specifically blood magic or fire magic — is less clear but shadow magic very much appears to require the use of souls.
This type of exchange is also directly referenced in the story of the Night's King provided by Old Nan:

A woman was his downfall; a woman glimpsed from atop the Wall, with skin as white as the moon and eyes like blue stars. Fearing nothing, he chased her and caught her and loved her, though her skin was cold as ice, and when he gave his seed to her he gave his soul as well. (Credit to u/DigLost5791 for this reference.)

Bran, ASOS
Stannis is described by Davos afterward as follows:

The look of him was a shock. He seemed ten years older than the man that Davos had left at Storm’s End when he set sail for the Blackwater and the battle that would be their undoing. The king’s close-cropped beard was spiderwebbed with grey hairs, and he had dropped two stone or more of weight. He had never been a fleshy man, but now the bones moved beneath his skin like spears, fighting to cut free. Even his crown seemed too large for his head. His eyes were blue pits lost in deep hollows, and the shape of a skull could be seen beneath his face.

Davos, ASOS
Asha later describes Stannis as appearing life a "man with one foot in the grave."

What little flesh he’d carried on his tall, spare frame at Deepwood Motte had melted away during the march. The shape of his skull could be seen under his skin, and his jaw was clenched so hard Asha feared his teeth might shatter.

Asha, ADWD
These descriptions seem appropriate for a character that has lost part of their "life-fire" or soul.
Throughout the series Stannis is forced to make a series of increasingly difficult decisions. The most significant of these decisions regards the fate of his nephew, Eric Storm. Melisandre repeatedly urges him to "give [her] the boy," presumably to be burned, but is rebuffed by Stannis.

“I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need Melisandre to tell me what that means? Or you?” The king moved, so his shadow fell upon King’s Landing.
"…what is the life of one bastard boy against a kingdom?”
“Everything,” said Davos, softly.

Davos, ASOS
Is the life of this bastard boy worth the lives of millions that would die if the Others break through the Wall? Making a deal with the devil and literally selling his soul in pursuit of some greater good seems very appropriate for his character, thematically. The description of his flesh turning to ash in this vision is representative also supports this interpretation.

3. blood and fire magic

As opposed to the creation of the shadows described above, we are also provided an example of so-called blood magic in the leech burning ritual.

“Give me the boy, Your Grace. It is the surer way. The better way. Give me the boy and I shall wake the stone dragon.”
...
Melisandre bowed her head stiffly, and said, “As my king commands.” Reaching up her left sleeve with her right hand, she flung a handful of powder into the brazier. The coals roared. As pale flames writhed atop them, the red woman retrieved the silver dish and brought it to the king. Davos watched her lift the lid. Beneath were three large black leeches, fat with blood. The boy’s blood, Davos knew. A king’s blood. Stannis stretched forth a hand, and his fingers closed around one of the leeches.
“Say the name,” Melisandre commanded.

Davos, ASOS
Following this ritual all of the mentioned individuals do die but do so as the part of separate conspiracies (e.g., Robb Stark is betrayed by the Freys and Boltons, Joffrey Baratheon by Littlefinger and the Tyrells, etc.) which were already in place. It is left intentionally ambiguous by the author but it does not appear that the ritual meaningfully contributed to their deaths.
The creation of the shadows is said by Melisandre to have required part of Stannis' "life-fire" or soul. Could it be that the leech burning ritual was unsuccessful because blood alone is not sufficient as a sacrifice?
These forms of magic are frequently described in the community as "shadow magic" and "blood magic." These concepts — "fire and blood" and "flame and shadow" — are highly associated with one another in the text:

“Shadow?" Davos felt his flesh prickling. "A shadow is a thing of darkness."
”You are more ignorant than a child, ser knight. There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows."

Davos, ACOK
I speculate that these are different expressions of the same concept; that all of these fall under the general umbrella of fire magic and share common principles. "Fire consumes and in the end there's nothing left."

4. dancing shadows

The tent was aglow with the light of braziers within. Through the blood-spattered sandsilk, she glimpsed shadows moving.
Mirri Maz Duur was dancing, and not alone.
...
No, Dany wanted to say, no, not that, you mustn’t, but when she opened her mouth, a long wail of pain escaped, and the sweat broke over her skin. What was wrong with them, couldn’t they see?
Inside the tent the shapes were dancing, circling the brazier and the bloody bath, dark against the sandsilk, and some did not look human. She glimpsed the shadow of a great wolf, and another like a man wreathed in flames.
“The Lamb Woman knows the secrets of the birthing bed,” Irri said. “She said so, I heard her.”
“Yes,” Doreah agreed, “I heard her too.”
No, she shouted, or perhaps she only thought it, for no whisper of sound escaped her lips. She was being carried. Her eyes opened to gaze up at a flat dead sky, black and bleak and starless. Please, no. The sound of Mirri Maz Duur’s voice grew louder, until it filled the world. The shapes! She screamed. The dancers!
Ser Jorah carried her inside the tent.

Daenerys, AGOT
The introduction of shadow magic in the series is provided above with Mirri Max Duur. Following this ritual Drogo is described as a lifeless husk:

"He seems to like the warmth, Princess," Ser Jorah said. "His eyes follow the sun, though he does not see it. He can walk after a fashion. He will go where you lead him, but no farther. He will eat if you put food in his mouth, drink if you dribble water on his lips."

Daenerys, AGOT
It has previously been speculated that Mirri "reverse skin-changed" Drogo (e.g., "strength of the mount go into the rider, strength of the beast go into the man."). The description provided is less consistent with a horse soul inhabiting a human body than it is with the complete or near-complete absence of a soul. It appears more likely in retrospect that Mirri sacrificed part of Drogo's soul to summon the shadows and likely as a means to kill Daenerys' unborn child.

“The stallion who mounts the world will burn no cities now. His khalasar shall trample no nations into dust."

Daenerys, AGOT

5. reanimation

If "only death can pay for life" and souls are used as a form of magical currency how does one explain the reanimation or resurrection process?
There is a paucity of information on the reanimation of the dead in the series. The resurrection of Beric Dondarrion, for example, appears to be different in fundamental ways from that of the wights or Cold Hands. (We are potentially given a point-of-view account of this process if you accept that Victarion died in ADWD.)

“Thoros, how many times have you brought me back now?”
The red priest bowed his head. “It is R’hllor who brings you back, my lord. The Lord of Light. I am only his instrument.”
“How many times?” Lord Beric insisted.
“Six,” Thoros said reluctantly.
“And each time is harder. You have grown reckless, my lord. Is death so very sweet?”
Arya, ASOS

There is no immediately identifiable magical cost for these "kisses of life," at least at first glance. Thoros later tells us that he breathed part of his "flames" or soul into Beric:

“That first time, his lordship had a hole right through him and blood in his mouth, I knew there was no hope. So when his poor torn chest stopped moving, I gave him the good god's own kiss to send him on his way. I filled my mouth with fire and breathed the flames inside him, down his throat to lungs and heart and soul. The last kiss it is called, and many a time I saw the old priests bestow it on the Lord's servants as they died." (Credit to u/watchersontheweb for providing this quote in the initial thread.)

Arya, ASOS
Thoros is also described as appearing very different after performing this ritual several times in a way that is not entirely dissimilar to the changes in Stannis’ appearance referenced above.

“Here’s the wizard, skinny squirrel. You’ll get your answers now.”
He pointed toward the fire, where Tom Sevenstrings stood talking to a tall thin man with oddments of old armor buckled on over his ratty pink robes. That can’t be Thoros of Myr. Arya remembered the red priest as fat, with a smooth face and a shiny bald head. This man had a droopy face and a full head of shaggy grey hair.
...
“Thoros of Myr. You used to shave your head.”
“To betoken a humble heart, but in truth my heart was vain. Besides, I lost my razor in the woods.” The priest slapped his belly. “I am less than I was, but more. A year in the wild will melt the flesh off a man. Would that I could find a tailor to take in my skin. I might look young again, and pretty maids would shower me with kisses.”

Arya, ASOS
Thoros attributes these changes to his renewed devotion to the Red God and spending "a year in the wild" as above although he is not exactly forthcoming with Arya about the resurrection process. It is also likely that he does not entirely understand what specifically is being exchanged here.
Later he describes Beric giving the "kiss of life" to the corpse of Catelyn Stark:

“The Freys slashed her throat from ear to ear. When we found her by the river she was three days dead. Harwin begged me to give her the kiss of life, but it had been too long. I would not do it, so Lord Beric put his lips to hers instead, and the flame of life passed from him to her. And… she rose. May the Lord of Light protect us. She rose.”

Brienne, AFFC
Notably, this process produces a reanimated Catelyn (a.k.a. Lady Stoneheart). The soul of Beric, or at least whatever is left of his soul at this point in the series, is consumed in order to resurrect Catelyn and not transferred.

6. cold shadows (wild speculation)

The terms "white shadows," "pale shadows," and "cold shadows" are repeated used to describe the Others. The Others are also highly associated with ghosts — the spirits or souls of the dead bound to the earth. (The forrest in which they are introduced is literally called the Haunted Forrest.)

The Others made no sound.
Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone. Branches stirred gently in the wind, scratching at one another with wooden fingers. Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and the words seemed to freeze in his throat. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps it had only been a bird, a reflection on the snow, some trick of the moonlight. What had he seen, after all?
“Will, where are you?” Ser Waymar called up. “Can you see anything?” He was turning in a slow circle, suddenly wary, his sword in hand. He must have felt them, as Will felt them. There was nothing to see. “Answer me! Why is it so cold?” It was cold.
Shivering, Will clung more tightly to his perch. His face pressed hard against the trunk of the sentinel. He could feel the sweet, sticky sap on his cheek. A shadow emerged from the dark of the wood. It stood in front of Royce. Tall, it was, and gaunt and hard as old bones, with flesh pale as milk. Its armor seemed to change color as it moved; here it was white as new-fallen snow, there black as shadow, everywhere dappled with the deep grey-green of the trees. The patterns ran like moonlight on water with every step it took. Will heard the breath go out of Ser Waymar Royce in a long hiss. ...
The Other slid forward on silent feet. In its hand was a longsword like none that Will had ever seen. No human metal had gone into the forging of that blade. It was alive with moonlight, translucent, a shard of crystal so thin that it seemed almost to vanish when seen edge-on. There was a faint blue shimmer to the thing, a ghost-light that played around its edges, and somehow Will knew it was sharper than any razor.

Prologue, AGOT
This is again highly speculative but it seems reasonable to consider that these cold shadows are not "ice demons" or "ice zombies" but are in fact ghosts, the spirits or souls of men that are bound to the earth through magic by the Children of the Forest. (The textual evidence of the creation of the Others by the Children is linked in a separate post here.) "Fire consumes, but cold preserves."
This would explain several of the unusual characteristics of the Others described by Tormund:

“Tormund,” Jon said, as they watched four old women pull a cartful of children toward the gate, “tell me of our foe. I would know all there is to know of the Others.”
The wildling rubbed his mouth. “Not here,” he mumbled, “not this side o’ your Wall.” The old man glanced uneasily toward the trees in their white mantles. “They’re never far, you know. They won’t come out by day, not when that old sun’s shining, but don’t think that means they went away. Shadows never go away. Might be you don’t see them, but they’re always clinging to your heels.”
...
Tormund turned back.
"You know nothing. You killed a dead man, aye, I heard. Mance killed a hundred. A man can fight the dead, but when their masters come, when the white mists rise up… how do you fight a mist, crow? Shadows with teeth … air so cold it hurts to breathe, like a knife inside your chest … you do not know, you cannot know … can your sword cut cold?"

Jon, ADWD
A reasonable interpretation of this information is that the Others are present during the day, at least in some capacity, and are only able to assume corporeal form at night.
The Others are also described as "going lightly upon the snow" which would also supports the idea that they are ghosts:

“The white walkers go lightly on the snow,” the ranger said. “You’ll find no prints to mark their passage.”

Samwell, ASOS

7. conclusions

This highly speculative theory attempts to reconcile several seemingly disparate concepts in the series related to magic, namely the actual nature of magical sacrifice ("only death can pay for life") and shadows or shadow magic. More specifically, I suggest that souls are the primary magical currency and can be consumed using fire magic to summon shadows, create glamours, etc. I also speculate that similar processes took place during Mirri Maz Duur's shadow-binding ritual in AGOT and during the repeated resurrections of Berric Dondarrion in ASOS. I further suggest that the Others are ghosts, the spirits or souls of the dead bound to the earth.
EDIT: edited several times to address formatting issues

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Heavyweight: Power weapons deal more damage, and more ammo is available.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Daodan Surge: Melee abilities deal more damage and recharge much faster.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Blackout: Enemy melee attacks are significantly more powerful, and radar is disabled.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Divining Hall -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant)
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Denial: Taken Vandals summon their shields significantly more often.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Arms

Chamber of Starlight: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Solar] Solar, [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Epitaph

Chamber of Starlight: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Solar] Solar, [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Epitaph

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Límíng Harbor Weapon: Synchronic Roulette (Submachine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Defend Weapon: Father's Sins (Sniper Rifle)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Heretic (Rocket Launcher)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Whispering Slab	Kinetic Combat Bow	Tactile String // Natural String	Helical Fletching // Straight Fletching	Quickdraw	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Draw Time
Iota Draconis	Energy Fusion Rifle	Fluted Barrel // Hammer-Forged Rifling	Ionized Battery // Projection Fuse	Ensemble	Adagio	Tier 2: Range
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Full Bore // Polygonal Rifling	Extended Mag // Alloy Magazine	Ensemble	Explosive Payload	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Piece of Mind	Kinetic Pulse Rifle	Extended Barrel // Fluted Barrel	Ricochet Rounds // Light Mag	Auto-Loading Holster	Vorpal Weapon	Tier 2: Range
Bump in the Night	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Hard Launch	Alloy Casing // Black Powder	Stats for All	Chain Reaction

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Fast and True	Defeat combatants with Primary ammo. Bow final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	75 [Bow] Bow	XP+
Finish Them	Defeat combatants with your finisher in Vanguard playlists.	5 Finisher	XP+
Most Meticulous	Complete Vanguard playlists.	2 Vanguard Ops	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
Scorched Earth	Defeat opponents with Solar scorch damage.	6 [Solar] Solar scorch	XP+
On the Mark	Defeat opponents with precision final blows.	3 [Headshot] Precision	XP+
Scorcher	In Scorched, defeat opponents using the Scorch Cannon.	7  Scorch Cannon	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Envoy While It Lasts	Defeat Primeval envoys during Gambit matches.	2 Envoys	XP+
Sweltering Heat	Use Solar scorch to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	30 [Solar] Solar scorch	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Auto Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Auto Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Auto Rifle] Auto Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Hand Cannon Calibration	Calibrate Hand Cannons against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Stasis Calibration	Calibrate Stasis weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians.	80 [Stasis] Stasis weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
The Old Standby	In Neomuna, defeat combatants. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	90 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Cryogenic Hardening	In Neomuna, defeat combatants affected by Stasis. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Stasis] Stasis	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Distant Doom	In a single life, defeat combatants in Neomuna using Sniper Rifles, Linear Fusion Rifles, Scout Rifles, or Rocket Launchers.	20 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Spire Looter	Open a Witch's Chest in Savathûn's Spire using a Witch's Key.	1 Chests opened	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Close Quarters	Defeat targets with melee abilities. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Melee] Melee	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Big Shocker	Defeat targets with Arc weapons and abilities.	100 [Arc] Arc	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Will of the People	Complete public events in the Dreaming City. Heroic completions are worth more.	6 Public events	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Rapid Lair Defense	Rapidly defeat combatants. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	60 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Fang	Defeat targets with Auto Rifles, Pulse Rifles, or Trace Rifles. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Auto Rifle], [Pulse Rifle], or [Trace Rifle] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Heavyweight: Power weapons deal more damage, and more ammo is available.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Daodan Surge: Melee abilities deal more damage and recharge much faster.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Blackout: Enemy melee attacks are significantly more powerful, and radar is disabled.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Divining Hall -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant)
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Denial: Taken Vandals summon their shields significantly more often.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Arms

Chamber of Starlight: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Solar] Solar, [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Epitaph

Chamber of Starlight: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Solar] Solar, [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Epitaph

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Límíng Harbor Weapon: Synchronic Roulette (Submachine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Defend Weapon: Father's Sins (Sniper Rifle)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Heretic (Rocket Launcher)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Whispering Slab	Kinetic Combat Bow	Tactile String // Natural String	Helical Fletching // Straight Fletching	Quickdraw	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Draw Time
Iota Draconis	Energy Fusion Rifle	Fluted Barrel // Hammer-Forged Rifling	Ionized Battery // Projection Fuse	Ensemble	Adagio	Tier 2: Range
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Full Bore // Polygonal Rifling	Extended Mag // Alloy Magazine	Ensemble	Explosive Payload	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Piece of Mind	Kinetic Pulse Rifle	Extended Barrel // Fluted Barrel	Ricochet Rounds // Light Mag	Auto-Loading Holster	Vorpal Weapon	Tier 2: Range
Bump in the Night	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Hard Launch	Alloy Casing // Black Powder	Stats for All	Chain Reaction

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Fast and True	Defeat combatants with Primary ammo. Bow final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	75 [Bow] Bow	XP+
Finish Them	Defeat combatants with your finisher in Vanguard playlists.	5 Finisher	XP+
Most Meticulous	Complete Vanguard playlists.	2 Vanguard Ops	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
Scorched Earth	Defeat opponents with Solar scorch damage.	6 [Solar] Solar scorch	XP+
On the Mark	Defeat opponents with precision final blows.	3 [Headshot] Precision	XP+
Scorcher	In Scorched, defeat opponents using the Scorch Cannon.	7  Scorch Cannon	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Envoy While It Lasts	Defeat Primeval envoys during Gambit matches.	2 Envoys	XP+
Sweltering Heat	Use Solar scorch to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	30 [Solar] Solar scorch	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Auto Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Auto Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Auto Rifle] Auto Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Hand Cannon Calibration	Calibrate Hand Cannons against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Stasis Calibration	Calibrate Stasis weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians.	80 [Stasis] Stasis weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
The Old Standby	In Neomuna, defeat combatants. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	90 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Cryogenic Hardening	In Neomuna, defeat combatants affected by Stasis. Vex combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Stasis] Stasis	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Distant Doom	In a single life, defeat combatants in Neomuna using Sniper Rifles, Linear Fusion Rifles, Scout Rifles, or Rocket Launchers.	20 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Spire Looter	Open a Witch's Chest in Savathûn's Spire using a Witch's Key.	1 Chests opened	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Close Quarters	Defeat targets with melee abilities. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Melee] Melee	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Big Shocker	Defeat targets with Arc weapons and abilities.	100 [Arc] Arc	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Will of the People	Complete public events in the Dreaming City. Heroic completions are worth more.	6 Public events	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Rapid Lair Defense	Rapidly defeat combatants. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	60 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Fang	Defeat targets with Auto Rifles, Pulse Rifles, or Trace Rifles. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Auto Rifle], [Pulse Rifle], or [Trace Rifle] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

So, this idea is a bit of a broad one, but I think it would be a great idea for Mojang to consider when laying out the game's next major updates. I already think Mojang have set up a great foundation with adding a wind variant of the blaze: the breeze, for the Overworld, and how they could build on that for all 5 dimensions. That is, create an elemental mob for all 5 dimensions
And yes, I said 5 dimensions. I know the game only has 3 right now, but this idea will revolve around 2 new ones being added: the Dump and the Abyss, which I'll get more into.
Dimension 1: The Overworld
This'd remain unchanged in the context of this suggestion. We'll have trial chambers and breezes by June, probably, so they'd just need to be integrated into other features.
Now, the trial chambers come with trial spawners and vaults, which I think shouldn't be limited to one structure. Instead, each dimension should have one delegated "trial structure", including a unique pool of trial spawner mobs, and unique vault loot.
Dimension 2: The Nether
Of course, the blaze would be the signature elemental mob here. As for the dimension's "trial structure", why not rework the Nether fortresses, which are in desperate need of an upgrade? It makes sense, considering blazes already spawn here, and it'd make them more consistent with breezes.
Your reward for going to the fortresses would still be blaze rods, Nether wart, and Wither skeleton skulls, but perhaps more unique loot could be added, like a second fortress trim, or a fire banner pattern to match the blaze.
I also think renaming these fortresses "trial fortresses" would make sense. It'd strengthen the implied lore that these fortresses and the chambers were built to test the skills of experienced builders (the ones who built the game's generated structures before the player entered into the world), and sounds a little less generic than just "Nether fortress".
Dimension 3: The End
I have tons of ideas for an End update, but, for the elemental plan, I wanted to share my idea for the bulk: an Earth elemental mob.
Bulks would be rocky in appearance, perhaps made out of obsidian to fit the End's bleak atmosphere. They'd have twice the health of blazes and breezes, and would attack by sending a harmful shockwave your way every time they teleport (since teleportation's already a big thing with End mobs). Perhaps using a pickaxe against them would be more effective than a sword.
These strong elementals would be summoned in during trials in what I'll just dub "trial chateaus", a trial structure in the End I imagine being made primarily out of obisidan blocks (including new ones like bricks, chiseled, polished, etc.) that you'd find at the summit of cliffs in a new biome.
While I'm not sure I can outline every use for these elemental mobs, a major use of bulks would be using the powder from their rods, combined with an echo shard and an Ender pearl (which you'd need to polish into being purple with the help of a trell, a new shulker-like mob that can be found in another new End biome I'll elaborate a bit on in a minute to create an orb of the abyss.
Dimension 4: The Abyss
To get to this dimension, you'd need orbs of the Abyss, and a heavy core to activate the reinfroced deepslate frame of the large warden statue in anicent cities to make a portal.
The Abyss would act as the game's deep sea dimension, because I feel like the Overworld, even with its height increase, couldn't do a proper Minecraft deep sea justice. This dimension would be quite a bit tougher from the main 3, as it'd be entirely submerged in a new liquid: deep water. It acts a bit differently from regular water: such as that:
-It kills mobs that normally survive in regular water, such as fish or sea turtles. Guardians, drowns, and axolotls, however, are intentionally unaffected.
-It's quite a bit darker, and will obscure your vision and FOV quite a bit.
-You'll drown in it even faster without water breathing or conduit power.
-You can swim in it a quaryer faster than regular water to balance out the fact that it covers the whole of the Abyss.
-Sculk sensors will make a sound when submerged in it, but will not detect vibrations from you swimming: only you touching ground nearby. (Or, causing vibrations from things like throwing a trident.)
A unique gimmick with the Abyss is that half the biomes are normal, and half of them are infested with sculk. So, all "normal" biomes have a sculk variant where mobs won't spawn, but you still have to be careful not to set off shriekers, or the scolm, an echolating salamander mob, will appear from the ground, and use its skills to kill you if you make too many missteps. Esentially, a warden, but it can swim, and, well, it looks like an elongated axolotl.
As for how elementals play into this, the trial structure for this dimension would be home to the brine: a water elemental that attacks you by shooting bubbles. If you get hit by these bubbles, you'll become trapped in them, and will be unable to move until they pop. Yes, you'd also be able to create bubble charges so that you can trap mobs in bubbles.
Brines can put out fires, but they'd dehydrate and die after being out of deep water for 2 minutes or so. They'll die immediately if you somehow bring them to the Nether.
Dimension 5: The Dump
Esentially, a realm between the End and Overworld. And, as its name implies, all it's used for is a dumping ground for Endermen to place down all the blocks they collect.
You'd get here from a portal in The End: perhap the same shape and size as the stronghold portal. I'd imagine you'd need some eye of Ender equivalent that uses wind charges and flowers, to simulate that you're going into what would be considered a rather unkempt and unruly dimension which you're "fighting" off with good smells and breezes.
Not much would be going on in this dimension besides an unruly mess of blocks. Endermen would spawn here patrolling the dimension under its weird sky box that would look like TV static, but it'd also be infested with Endermites who love nesting off the Endermen's disorganization.
This is meant to be a "between dimension", so not as adventurous or fleshed out as the other 4. However, there is one unigue generated structure that'll spawn here: compactors, whch will come with at least one spawner that will spawn the buzz: the 5th and last elemental.
Buzzes would act like redstone/electricity elementals. Red in color, buzzes would be weaker than blazes and breezes in health, but have a strong electrical beam attack that takes a moment to charge. Kind of like the warden's sonic boom, but weaker and more fair.
And, no, no trial structures would generate here, as this is meant to be a more incomplete, dilapidated "between realm" ravaged by the Endermen's carelessness on purpose.
Applications for Brewing
Blazes are used to craft brewing stands, and their powder is needed to fuel them. Breeze rods can be used to brew wind charge potions already, but I think all 5 elementals could be incorporated into brewing.
I don't have the whole brewing system rework envisioned, but one thing I'd love to see is to have different powders or charges brew different types of potions.
Blaze powder is already used to brew water potions.
With the End update, I think a new liquid called hydrender (could maybe use a better name): a purple liquid that resembles water, but is perhaps more acidic, should be added. You could use this for new potions, but you'd need to fuel a brewing stand with wind charges instead of blaze powder. Hydrender would spawn in only one End biome, which is also where the trells that polish Ender pearls I mentioned earlier would be found.
Deep water could be used to brew new potions, too, but you'd need bulk powder instead. I feel like the bulk's shockwave ability fits in pretty well with the Abyss' sculk motif, so I think this pairing makes sense.
TLDR
The Overworld: Breezes (Wind Elementals)
The Nether: Blazes (Fire Elementals)
The End: Bulks (Earth/Rock Elementals)
The Abyss (Deep Sea and Sculk Dimension): Brines (Water Elementals)
The Dump (Enderman Block Dropoff dimension between the Overworld and End): Buzzes (Redstone Elementals)
I have more ideas for my elemental plan, including a new boss, but I think that's best reserved for other posts.

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Subtle Foes: Certain foes are stealthy when at a distance. They become visible when near a Guardian.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Keep It Loaded: Guardians deal increased damage with Sidearms.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Grounded: Damage taken while you are airborne is greatly increased.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs weekly. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Divining Hall -Sensorium (Pavilion) -Observatory
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Scorched Earth: Enemies throw grenades significantly more often.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Legs

Bay of Drowned Wishes: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Arc] Arc
• Shields: [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Stalker Shield

Bay of Drowned Wishes: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Arc] Arc
• Shields: [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Stalker Shield

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Ahimsa Park Weapon: Basso Ostinato (Shotgun)
• The Wellspring: Attack Weapon: Fel Taradiddle (Combat Bow)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Apostate (Sniper Rifle)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Whispering Slab	Kinetic Combat Bow	High Tension String // Polymer String	Fiberglass Arrow Shaft // Straight Fletching	Rangefinder	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Draw Time
Cartesian Coordinate	Energy Fusion Rifle	Cleanshot IS // Hitmark IS	Ionized Battery // Particle Repeater	Feeding Frenzy	Vorpal Weapon	Tier 2: Charge Time
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Arrowhead Brake // Smallbore	Appended Mag // Flared Magwell	Encore	Headstone	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Palmyra-B	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Linear Compensator	Black Powder // Implosion Rounds	Auto-Loading Holster	Adrenaline Junkie	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Ogma PR6	Energy Pulse Rifle	Arrowhead Brake // Corkscrew Rifling	Appended Mag // Tactical Mag	Stats for All	One for All	Tier 2: Reload Speed

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Pride Before Destruction	Defeat powerful combatants. Defeating Champions grants additional progress.	10 Powerful combatants	XP+
Vanguardian	Defeat combatants while in Vanguard playlists.	50 Targets	XP+
Fast and True	Defeat combatants with Primary ammo. Bow final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	75 [Bow] Bow	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Burn Bright	Cast your Super.	2 Supers	XP+
Slice and Dice	Defeat opponents using Strand damage from any source.	5 Strand final blows	XP+
On the Mark	Defeat opponents with precision final blows.	3 [Headshot] Precision	XP+
Push the Advantage	In Control, defeat opponents while holding Zone Advantage.	3 Zone Advantage	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Face-to-Face	Summon Primevals in Gambit by filling up your team's bank.	2 Primevals summoned	XP+
Final Ploy	Defeat combatants with finisher final blows.	5 Finisher	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Auto Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Auto Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Auto Rifle] Auto Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Glaive Calibration	Calibrate Glaives against any target. Rapidly defeating targets and defeating Guardians grants additional progress.	100 [Glaive] Glaive	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Solar Calibration	Calibrate Solar weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress using Power weapons and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Solar] Solar weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Invasion Repulsion	In Neomuna, defeat combatants. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	90 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Almighty Scorching	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Solar damage. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Solar] Solar	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Distant Doom	In a single life, defeat combatants in Neomuna using Sniper Rifles, Linear Fusion Rifles, Scout Rifles, or Rocket Launchers.	20 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Angling for a Win	Catch fish throughout the system. Rarer fish grant additional progress.	30 Fish	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Shoot Out	Defeat targets with Hand Cannons. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Fallen Down On The Job	Defeat Fallen. Those defeated in Onslaught are worth more.	100 Fallen	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Wishful Spelunker	Complete a Lost Sector in the Dreaming City.	1 Lost Sectors	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Lair Defense: Power Weapons	Defeat targets with Power weapons. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	20 Power weapon	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Fang	Defeat targets with Auto Rifles, Pulse Rifles, or Trace Rifles. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Auto Rifle], [Pulse Rifle], or [Trace Rifle] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Subtle Foes: Certain foes are stealthy when at a distance. They become visible when near a Guardian.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.

Dares of Eternity

• Keep It Loaded: Guardians deal increased damage with Sidearms.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Grounded: Damage taken while you are airborne is greatly increased.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs weekly. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -First Steps (Temple of the Queen's Wrath) -Divining Hall -Sensorium (Pavilion) -Observatory
• Solar Threat: 25% increase to incoming Solar damage.
• Scorched Earth: Enemies throw grenades significantly more often.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Legs

Bay of Drowned Wishes: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Arc] Arc
• Shields: [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Stalker Shield

Bay of Drowned Wishes: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Disruption] Overload, [Stagger] Unstoppable
• Threat: [Arc] Arc
• Shields: [Void] Void
• Modifiers: Stalker Shield

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Ahimsa Park Weapon: Basso Ostinato (Shotgun)
• The Wellspring: Attack Weapon: Fel Taradiddle (Combat Bow)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Apostate (Sniper Rifle)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Whispering Slab	Kinetic Combat Bow	High Tension String // Polymer String	Fiberglass Arrow Shaft // Straight Fletching	Rangefinder	Unrelenting	Tier 2: Draw Time
Cartesian Coordinate	Energy Fusion Rifle	Cleanshot IS // Hitmark IS	Ionized Battery // Particle Repeater	Feeding Frenzy	Vorpal Weapon	Tier 2: Charge Time
Vulpecula	Kinetic Hand Cannon	Arrowhead Brake // Smallbore	Appended Mag // Flared Magwell	Encore	Headstone	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Palmyra-B	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Volatile Launch // Linear Compensator	Black Powder // Implosion Rounds	Auto-Loading Holster	Adrenaline Junkie	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Ogma PR6	Energy Pulse Rifle	Arrowhead Brake // Corkscrew Rifling	Appended Mag // Tactical Mag	Stats for All	One for All	Tier 2: Reload Speed

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Pride Before Destruction	Defeat powerful combatants. Defeating Champions grants additional progress.	10 Powerful combatants	XP+
Vanguardian	Defeat combatants while in Vanguard playlists.	50 Targets	XP+
Fast and True	Defeat combatants with Primary ammo. Bow final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	75 [Bow] Bow	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Burn Bright	Cast your Super.	2 Supers	XP+
Slice and Dice	Defeat opponents using Strand damage from any source.	5 Strand final blows	XP+
On the Mark	Defeat opponents with precision final blows.	3 [Headshot] Precision	XP+
Push the Advantage	In Control, defeat opponents while holding Zone Advantage.	3 Zone Advantage	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Face-to-Face	Summon Primevals in Gambit by filling up your team's bank.	2 Primevals summoned	XP+
Final Ploy	Defeat combatants with finisher final blows.	5 Finisher	XP+
Like Kindling	Use Solar ignition to defeat targets in Gambit. Defeating Guardians grants more progress.	10 [Solar] Solar ignition	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Auto Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Auto Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Auto Rifle] Auto Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Glaive Calibration	Calibrate Glaives against any target. Rapidly defeating targets and defeating Guardians grants additional progress.	100 [Glaive] Glaive	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Solar Calibration	Calibrate Solar weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress using Power weapons and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Solar] Solar weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Invasion Repulsion	In Neomuna, defeat combatants. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	90 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Almighty Scorching	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Solar damage. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Solar] Solar	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Distant Doom	In a single life, defeat combatants in Neomuna using Sniper Rifles, Linear Fusion Rifles, Scout Rifles, or Rocket Launchers.	20 Targets	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Terminal Rewards	Open chests after completing Terminal Overload.	3 Chests opened	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Defender	Deploy and upgrade defenses in Onslaught.	30 Defenses completed	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Angling for a Win	Catch fish throughout the system. Rarer fish grant additional progress.	30 Fish	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Shoot Out	Defeat targets with Hand Cannons. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Hand Cannon] Hand Cannon	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Fallen Down On The Job	Defeat Fallen. Those defeated in Onslaught are worth more.	100 Fallen	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Wishful Spelunker	Complete a Lost Sector in the Dreaming City.	1 Lost Sectors	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Lair Defense: Power Weapons	Defeat targets with Power weapons. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	20 Power weapon	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Fang	Defeat targets with Auto Rifles, Pulse Rifles, or Trace Rifles. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	30 [Auto Rifle], [Pulse Rifle], or [Trace Rifle] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Day 16: Dawning upon me

Ok, time for some final preparations. I decided the easiest one was to get ochette’s beasts. The first and most important one is the dark manta. This one is on the sea. It deals AOE dark damage and increases elemental attack. That’s very useful to help buff my party.
Anyways, I equipped more rare monster, along with evil ward on Osvald, and searched for it at night. After around 10 encounters, I got into an encounter with one.
I used Empoison with hikari and used provoke beasts with ochette to break with mahina. I used donate BP with Partitio on ochette and analyze with Osvald to check its HP (which was 5030).
Next turn, Partitio used darkest night without boosts to deal 1000 damage, Ochette used provoke beasts with mahina but it didn’t break because one of them didn’t hit a weakness, so hikari had to come in with elemental bomb to break it. It’s now at yellow HP, so I should be able to get it next turn.
I defend with everyone except ochette and then fully boost with capture and it was a 100% chance so I got it, replacing it with my old assassin bug. That thing was the first monster I caught but I literally never used it because I remembered beastly howl.
Anyways, now it’s time to go cait hunting. First I travelled back to tropuhapu to break into someone’s house with hikari and obtain some cait powder.
I then got the other cait powder by fast travelling to clockbank and doing the “my beloved Catherine” side quest, which was quite easy as all I needed to do was befriend the quest giver with ochette and go to the next screen.
I equipped both cait powders on Osvald, gave him evil ward and gave ochette more rare monsters. I then fast travelled over to crackridge and began looking for caits at night.
I did also get negotiate schedule on Partitio while looking for caits as it was taking awhile. It’s his first ex skill and I don’t know why I put it off for so long. It effectively gives him an extra turn and deletes the enemy’s turn for leaves, which we have plenty of.
Ok, uh, literally right after I got negotiate schedule I found the cait. I used darkest night with Partitio for 20 damage… and the kill. Come on! Ok, lesson learned, don’t damage it with Partitio.
Ok, it’s been about 30 encounters now with no caits. I decided to head back to the shrine to see if that somehow helps with my cait encounter rate.
Ok, after about 5 more encounters, I got one. Partitio fully boosts with his latent power to use negotiate schedule on the cait. Hikari uses lightning falls on the cait for 24 damage and the kill. Crap! Ok, I’m unequipping their elemental equipment.
Ok, it didn’t take too long to encounter another cait. Hikari uses lightning falls for 7 damage, knocking it to red health. Partitio then uses donate BP on ochette with 1 boost and Ochette fully boosts with capture at a 100% chance to get the cultured cait. I replace it with the treant and beat the rest of the monsters up.
That was a lot harder than I expected. I probably should have unequipped the elemental equipment earlier. Anyways, next up on my list is for hikari to get the learned skill vacant stare. It’s from an elderly lady in crackridge funnily enough, and it was very easy with compound formulae due to her low level. Vacant stare lowers elemental defence, so in a way it’s a more reliable beastly howl.
Anyways, I decided it was finally time for the conjurerer. The conjurerer has very useful skills and is a good job for Ochette as it gives the highest HP boost, in addition to a staff. It’s in Ku and I have to beat 5 bosses to get it. Luckily it isn’t consecutive, so I can actually fast travel and rest to restore my latent power.
I’m going into the tower with cleric throné, arcanist Osvald, armsmassti, and inventor hikari. Let’s do this.
The first trial was against Gken (that’s not a typo, that’s his really name). Castti was up first and used icicle for 3337 damage, hikari was next and used compound formulae for 3300 damage. Throné then used veil of darkness for 1845 damage and Osvald used elemental barrage for around 3000 damage.
Throné used veil of darkness again as Gken used fluid stance… which set up 5 reflects. Uh oh. Hikari used Empoison and Castti concocted a forget me do and a weed, removing the reflects and lowering his elemental attack. Osvald used analyze, revealing he has 16667 HP but no elemental weaknesses.
Hikari then fully boosted with vacant stare to lower his elemental defence for 4 turns. Gken used purple lightning which dealt 1000 damage and caused everyone except Castti to be knocked unconscious. What the heck? I thought this guy was easy. Castti then fully boosted with her latent power using a grape leaf, a cleansing leaf, a pomegranate leaf, a diffusing serum and a strengthen serum to heal and remove ailments.
Next turn, hikari used compound formulae at 2 boost for around 9200 damage. Gken then used cleave in 2 which hit and dealt some damage to hikari. Gken is now at red health, so throné fully boosted with darkest night for win with 14000 damage.
Onto trial 2 with the snake charmer, ichchadhari. Hikari was up first and used compound formulae for around 2800 damage but no shields. Throné used veil of darkness for 1651 damage and Castti uses icicle for 3106 damage. Osvald then used elemental barrage for around 3400 damage and knocked off 2 shields. It seems like it’s only weak to lightning.
The snake charmer then summoned her snake and locked her weaknesses, While missing a paralyzing fang on throné. Hikari used compound formulae for around 3000 damage, knocking a shield off the snake. Throné then used luminescence for around 1500 damage, knocking off a shield from the snake. Castti defended for later and Osvald used the one true magic 2 for 4600 damage and broke the snake.
Next turn, Castti fully boosted, using a plum leaf, a whimsical leaf, a pomegranate leaf, a diffusing serum and a strengthen serum to bring everyone up. Hikari then fully boosted with compound formulae for 10400 and killing the snake. Throné then used her latent power, using a fully boosted veil of darkness on the first for 6705 damage and the second with a 2 boost veil of darkness for 4900 damage. Osvald then fully boosted with his latent power, using the one true magic 2 for around 42000 damage and the win.
Ok, trial 3 with Tyran the seeker. Throné is up first and uses veil of darkness for 2177 damage and knocks off a shield. Hikari uses compound formulae for around 3400 damage and knocks off 2 shields. Osvald uses fire storm for 4000 damage and knocks off 2 shields, as Castti uses 2 darkdelions to knock off 2 shields for around 2500 damage.
Castti then uses another 2 darkdelions to break Tyran for around 3000 damage this time. Throné uses a plum basket to get everyone’s SP up, hikari uses critical scope for extra damage, and Osvald uses advanced magic on throné.
Next turn, Osvald fully boosts with his latent power using the one true magic 2 for 105000 damage and the win. To put that into perspective, that’s half of Vide’s phase one health. So yeah, that’s a lot.
Anyways, trial 4 is with Auðnvarg (I’ll call him Aardvark because that’s easier to spell). Anyways, throné is up first and uses veil of darkness for 1699 damage and his skull roller is killed. Osvald uses elemental barrage for around 3000 damage and knocks off 2 shields. Castti the concocts 2 lilies of light dealing around 2500 damage and knocking off 2 shields. Hikari then 1 boosts with elemental bomb, as I know I won’t break it before it acts if I don’t do it, to knock off 4 shields for around 2000 damage.
Throné then uses holy light for 2355 damage and the break on aardvark. Osvald then uses advanced magic on throné, just in case. Castti then uses icicle for 6153 damage and hikari uses critical scope.
Next turn, throné fully boosts with radiance for around 19000 damage. Hikari then uses vacent stare on aardvark to lower elemental defence, just so that I can see how much damage Osvald can do. Castti then uses icicle at full boost for 46600 damage, knocking it to red health. Osvald then fully boosts with his latent power, but unfortunately he’s too low on SP for the one true magic so he instead uses benediction for around 94000 damage and the kill on aardvark. Just imagine that with the one true magic. I get the feeling it’d do max damage.
Ok, final trial with priestess Hinoekargura. Osvald uses resentment to knock off 2 shields and deal 3600 damage. Throné uses veil of darkness for 2130 damage and another shield off. Hikari uses compound formulae for around 3000 damage and a shield off. Castti then uses 2 dark delions for 2400 damage and knocks off 2 shields.
Throné then uses darkest night for 2762 damage and the break. Osvald uses a medium plum on himself for some SP, hikari uses critical scope, and Castti uses icicle for 7405 damage.
Next turn, Osvald fully boosts with his latent power, using the one true magic for around 105000 damage, knocking her to yellow health. Throné then uses her latent power, fully boosting a darkest night for 21300 damage and using a veil of darkness for 4025 damage. Hikari then fully boosts with compound formulae for around 29000 damage. Castti then uses her latent power, using 4 bluster blooms and a strengthening serum for… 4 damage? What?
Hinoekargura uses conjure flames then attacks hikari for around 1300 fire damage. She then changes to her demon form. Osvald then uses elemental barrage for around 2500 damage, throné uses holy light for 2892 and a shield. Castti then uses 2 lilies of light for… 2 damage? What the heck is happening?! She has insane elemental attack. Hikari then uses empoison in hopes it somehow kills her.
Hinoekargura ends up killing everyone with a fiery dance. What the heck happened to castti’s concocts? She was dealing good damage in the previous fights and it’s not like the priestess has high elemental defence. Ok, let’s go in again for round 2.
First up for round 2 is throné, who uses darkest night for 2762 damage and a shield off. Osvald uses blizzard for 4000 damage and 2 shields off. Hikari then uses critical scope and Castti uses 2 darkdelions for 2 damage.
Throné uses her latent power, using darkest night twice for the break and around 7000 damage. Osvald then uses a medium plum on himself, castti uses icicle for 7400 damage and hikari uses vacant stare at 1 boost to lower her elemental defence for 2 turns.
Next turn, hikari one boosts with Empoison to set up poison for 4 turns, Osvald fully boosts with the one true magic 2 and his latent power for 15600 damage. Not max, but still a lot and it knocks her to red. Throné then fully boosts with darkest night for the win with 32000 damage.
Ok, that was an interesting fight. I’m still curious why the concocts dealt such low damage to her. I hope that doesn’t cause any problems. Anyways, I equip ochette with the conjurerer job and give her the bellowing baton. This will make her thunderbird a bit more potent (if she ever uses it).
I also get all of the conjurerer skills. This allows her to get SP saver (which is very useful for provoke beasts) and BP regeneration. This allows her to effectively spam provoke beasts. Throné unfortunately doesn’t have enough JP to get BP regeneration, so that’s a bit sad.
Anyways, I think it’s time for some of hikari’s other learned skills. Turns out, Plukk is actually weaker than the shield thief guy at only 5 challenge. I was able to beat them easily. Not in one turn like the elderly lady but it was still very easy with compound formulae, lightning falls, and elemental bottle.
This got me the learned skill “let’s end this” which I replaced with Hachimonjigiri, as it’s a sword skill and I can’t use it. Now all I have left in my preparations is shield thief and another monster. Shield thief is obviously very hard so I need a lot of jams.
I fast travelled back to cropdale and fought a villager with ochette. The specific villager I fought can drop refreshing jams 20% of the time. Someone told me about her last playthrough and she was very useful. She’s also quite weak at only a challenge of 1.
I fought her until I got 10 then went back to winterbloom to fight the shield thief guy. The first time I forgot the apothecary job. On the second attempt, I gave hikari the apothecary job along with alpione’s amulet and deal more damage in hopes of it turning the tides if things go south.
With the second attempt, I was able to win with Empoison and weak to poison, along with 5 refreshing jams. The extra damage from alpione’s didn’t help but the extra HP definitely did help a lot. I ended up replacing vacant stare with shield thief, as critical scope did effectively the same thing but better.
I also got SP saver on hikari, which will be extremely useful with shield thief and even compound formulae. With Melia’s amulet, hikari can effectively use his skills all day.
Anyways, the final thing I need is the light sentinel Mk.2, which is in the shrine of ulsterra. This will help break Vide’s final phase, where I can use multishine to break vide almost immediately.
The guard at the entrance was very easy and after several encounters I found it. Hikari used compound formulae which broke both the sentinels in the encounter. Agnea used elemental barrage killing one sentinel but lowering another’s HP to red. Perfect.
Next turn ochette was able to capture it with ease. I replaced the snow drake, as I feel like it not having a secondary effect is holding it back and I need multishine more.
I forgot one item, and it’s in merry hills near the entrance to the shrine of ulsterra funnily enough. It’s called the empowering necklace, and I give it to hikari to help him be a better supportive tank.
Anyways, so that’s all the errands I need to do for the dawn. I think now I’ll share my team’s set up as it probably won’t change much during the dawn. So here they are:
Throné- LV.50 Cleric

• Weapon(s): Heretic’s greatsword, Sunshadow staff
• Shield: crested great shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: blessed vestments
• Accessories: shadowsage necklace, eye of calamity
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Osvald- LV.50 arcanist

• Weapon(s): Battle tested staff
• Shield: Kite shield
• Head: Mermaid circlet
• Body: Mage’s robe
• Accessories: Stone of truth, fang of ferocity
• Support skills: Price of power, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Temenos- LV.50 Merchant

• Weapon(s): Hallowed rod
• Shield: Tattered sacred shield
• Head: Art of Disguise
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Laila’s amulet, librarian’s amulet
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Agnea- LV.50 Scholar

• Weapon(s): Mooneater, lost tribe’s staff
• Shield: Silver shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Mental belt, Blessing in disguise
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Agnea- LV.49 Scholar

• Weapon(s): Mooneater, lost tribe’s staff
• Shield: Silver shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Mental belt, Blessing in disguise
• Support skills: Elemental augmentation, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Partitio- LV.48 Thief

• Weapon(s): Fire starter, fire dragon’s glaive, moonfang, evening mist
• Shield: Spiked shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Mental belt, elemental augmentor
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, peak performance, a step ahead

Hikari- LV.50 Inventor

• Weapon(s): Eclipse edge, Well-worn pole, battle tested axe
• Shield: Silver shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Melia’s amulet, empowering necklace
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, SP saver, a step ahead

Castti- LV.49 Armsmaster

• Weapon(s): Guardian’s ice blade, tornado glaive, wind whisperer, frost axe, tornado bow, staff of carnage
• Shield: iron shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: mage’s robe
• Accessories: Elemental augmentor, mental belt
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, Deal more damage, Peak performance, a step ahead

Ochette- LV.50 Conjurerer

• Weapon(s): Double Tomahawk, shadow bow, bellowing baton
• Shield: Platinum shield
• Head: Ancient circlet
• Body: Sublime ornamental armour
• Accessories: Alpione’s amulet, protective necklace
• Support skills: Upgraded accessories, BP regeneration, SP saver, a step ahead

Now that that’s over with, it’s time to do the cross paths. All of them have no bosses, except for ochette’s and Castti’s. There are some fights in 2 of the second ones (Osvald and hikari’s) if something interesting happens, I’ll tell you about it. Otherwise, assume it went without much issue.
So something interesting happened during Temenos’ and throne’s chapter. In the cavern of the sun and moon, I encountered a chubby cait. Partitio was able to dispatch it with a staggering 198 damage. This still doesn’t get throné enough JP for BP regeneration. I need 12000 and I only have ~8000. Still though, it should be soon.
I forgot about the skill that Yomi gives you called Forlorn requiem. It’s an AOE ice attack that has a chance to sleep. I replace it with lightning falls, as it’s kinda not as good anymore. Plus forlorn requiem is also powered by the battle tested axe, so I shouldn’t be losing much power.
Anyways, next up is ochette and castti’s crosspath. This one is the only one with a true boss fight. I decided that I’m going in with armsmassti, conjurerer ochette, arcanist Osvald, and thief Partitio. Let’s do this.
First up against the creeping shadow is Castti who uses icicle for 2600 damage. Ochette then uses provoke beasts to summon 2 light sentinels and 1 cait, knocking off 4 shields and giving an additional 1 BP to all (perfect). Osvald uses elemental barrage, breaking it for 3400 damage. Partitio then 2 boosts with ember for 14500 damage. Next turn, Osvald fully boosts and uses his latent power with the one true magic 2 for the win with around 59000 damage. Nice.
Now all that’s left is the dawn. I restock up on materials for concoctions like grape leafs, plum leafs, pomegranate leafs, lilies of light, etc. Aswell as medium grapes and plums.
I think this is where I’ll end the session today. I save right in front of where the start of the Dawn will happen. I’m not entering right now because I might have missed a few things, Though I think it won’t really matter as Osvald and temenos are already pretty insane and I’ve prepared pretty darn well. Anyways have a great day/evening and stay safe.
Levels and subjobs at the end of the session:

• Cleric Throné: 52
• Arcanist Osvald: 50
• Merchant Temenos: 51
• Scholar Agnea: 51
• Thief Partitio: 50
• Inventor Hikari: 51
• Armsmaster Castti: 50
• Conjurerer Ochette: 50

14AC
Another writ, another paper, another plan, another request, another bill, another demand, another fucking sheep eaten by another fucking dragon. Orys Baratheon, Lord Protector, One of Three, the half-dragon, the wingless, the shadow, the man who never was. In his office, every name that had ever been levied at him was able to burrow into his mind.
He had ruled and kept the kingdom running for eight years now, he had sought to keep this fucking dream alive, because Aegon, poor… poor Aegon wanted it to be so. He wanted seven kingdoms unified, and he got them. He wanted Dorne, but he never reached them. Rhaenys had managed to though, she had brought herself to Dorne and brought friendship back. Soon enough, they would have an eighth kingdom. It was all but assured through the works of too many people in the right places with the right minds.
“Had Aegon conquered a Kingdom of fools, I would rule in ashes,” he sighed, running a firm, trained, yearning hand through his thick mane of dark hair.
He was a warrior, a general, Aegon’s right hand, and here he sat, alone, in an office in the highest point of the Red Keep… his memorial to Aegon, his gift to the memory of the finest man he knew… and the fool who thought a general and warrior should be the one to sit in King’s Landing, that he should be the one to keep the two most volatile people the world had yet seen in check.
Visenya had her love of the mountains, Rhaenys her solitude in Dorne.
What was it that he had?
“Silence,” he said, and his voice echoed softly in the room.
Silence, and solitude. He was the man that would sit at the pinnacle of power, and still he bound himself to an agreement. He ruled, he was named paramount, but a lord protector’s role was the protection of a kingdom to be inherited.
Were he a warmonger, he would have seized the Stepstones, would have fought in Essos for influence, puppets, client realms. But he was not a warmonger, he was Aegon’s right hand, and his role was singular - ensure the kingdom would rule beneath another. And there were two options now. Growing by the day.
Visenya and Rhaenys had a child each. They were fine by all accounts, neither vicious things, nor a cruel despot in the making. He had yet to hear tales of them killing birds for fun, or threatening servants, but that only made the issue prominent in the back of his mind. As his own son was coming of age, as he was to marry a Dayne of Starfall, he was left to ponder.
“Who comes next?”
A softly growing set of footfalls echoed along the hallway beyond his office. The tower of the hand was but one of the annexes of the tower and few had cause to arrive during the day lest they had need of the man who ran a kingdom. Many sought the masters of laws, ships or coin, perhaps even the mistress of whispers. But few sought Orys. The half-brother to a king who rubberstamped the requests of queens? What purpose served he? What reason had he to be dragged from his plans and his ideas?
Through his door entered a man grown withered by time. Abelard Stone, trapped by time, he was hardly a formidable man. His mind was sharp, none could deny. But he was a strange figure to fill a doorway. Alone he was constantly found, and yet there was an air of certainty. Old as he was, he had been by Orys’ side for years now, before Aegon had perished, the man had seen to finances and funds for him when he could not turn to Darklyn.
And he brought a slip of paper.
“The tabled expenses,” the man said, holding up the slip, the paper rustling and waving about in thin fingers.
And like a whisper, his voice lingered in his ear.
Orys rose from his desk, and the two men could not have been more different. Orys towered over the aged bastard, where he was broad and firm, the man was hunched and slim, but even so, in his eyes Orys found a knowing strength.
The Baratheon met him in the centre of the wide chamber, by a table for meetings of the council. The man handed over the slip, and stood patiently, watching and waiting for the Lord Protector to read.
The numbers were as he had expected - a lot. A grand hunt in the Kingswood? There were only expenses to be found in that, but he had the funds to pay it. He had his own wealth to rely on after all, lands untended, left to Wylde, were still valuable. But there was a notable expense on the sheet that he stopped on. He walked back to his desk with the page in hand.
“You sourced this from where?” he asked, not expecting an honest answer. Not that there was a reason to doubt the loyalty of the man, but there was a certain sense of defensiveness one needed in such moments.
With a smile, the man simply folded his hands and spoke.
“The tabulations come from the best hunters of the area, a Gormon Gaunt, sited the locations himself, ensured there was a strong stock of hart last he checked, and sighted no bandits.
“None?” Orys queried.
The man shook his head slowly.
“There was no sign of them. Whatever it was that led men to those woods after the conquest, that time has passed. Those woods are empty of all but opportunists and game.
Orys set the page down. The costs were acceptable, recoverable by all accounts. And for what it would provide him? Who was to say that such costs were too high. The forests needed to trim their fat, reports had come in that they were becoming abundant with hog and hart, and the maesters argued that would lead to issues in the future. So, pragmatist he was, he decided his son would reach majority there. He would become a man with spear in hand.
And the land would heal after the hunt.
“And what of the rest?” Orys added.
Abelard smiled thinly, and so he had his answer.
He waved the old man away, and the Lord Protector returned to his seat, his own throne of tidy wood kept clean and polished and cushioned. It was far more comfortable than a throne like that made of swords. There was also no threat of slicing open his arm on one of the rests or tripping and skewering himself.
And sinking into his seat, he relaxed. It was truly his. If he were to seek a throne, he would never fit it quite like he did this one. Besides, thrones were for kings in his mind. They ill-suited the right hand man. For every throne needed someone else on hand to keep a kingdom running.
He had two of them, but they were too often of a differing mind more than they ever aligned. One to his North, one to his South.
---
16 AC
Another letter to the pile. This time a joint declaration and request from the south. To hunt for the missing bodies of a few lords and ladies in the Kingswood. He’d allow them to do it of course, there was naught to gain by disallowing them from finding the bodies of their lost family.
He tossed the worn parchment across the table, letting it land upon his pile of others, right next to two from the queens. Costs for expansions, for hunts, for hirings, for fortifications. Things he would say yes to, things the treasury could bear for they had the coin to do so. Though in time he would have to begin working at the Iron Bank and the Bank of the Seven.
For even if the crown’s treasury was well-stocked, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Dannis Darklyn, it was capable of handling the running of the realm, not what Rhaenys sought.
A palace on Highwatch? Had it not been strategically useful to build for the queen, so that the throne could protect its newly acquired possessions on the Stepstones, he would have denied it outright, instead the Lord Protector could only shake his head. They would need quite the sum of money to build it, protect it, staff it and more. There was also the matter of housing for the dragons at each location they lived. An item he had received petitions over from smallfolk and lords alike for nearly a decade.
If he were going to seek a loan from the banks, then he might as well find enough for that too.
And as if summoned by a thought, his doorway was darkened by Abelard Stone once more. He was getting quieter and quieter ever since the Kingswood. Not for any sickness or ill-health. He simply had taken on a much less apparent stature. The man was slight, he was old. Precisely the type people paid no heed to. But Orys knew better than to think the man frail or infirm.
To just look behind his stare told him all he needed. That old bastard worked a hundred plots at any one time.
“You called?” The man asked, and Orys snickered.
“No, but it’s not as if that would have stopped you,” he replied while turning from the hearth and motioning to the table in the office.
“Come, sit.”
The man did as asked, taking the furthest table on the end and sitting politely upon it. Even the high-backed chair helped to make him seem smaller.
“Your bill,” he noted, placing another fucking sheet of paper on the table. He flinched reflexively at its presence, but smiled as he sighed, there was no cause to fear paper, not when it was something he wanted. Though something else was coming to mind.
“How has the cleanup fared? Did Bloodwood do his job?” Asked the Lord Protector.
The small man nodded, “aye. You picked one for the ages in him. Though I cannot say you should trust him.”
“No one should trust him. No one should even be alone with their back to him. His innate duplicity would demand he stab it.” Orys chuckled, but he did not think the man that terrible. He was honourable when he needed to be, and even if his motives were suspect in the wake of Aegon’s death, he still helped identify the perpetrators… all of them? Maybe not, but the Tullys were complicit, their men were there, they wielded the knives. They led the attack.
“I shall keep that in mind then, my lord,” Abelard said.
“As for the bill. How much of it can I afford to pay from my own pocket?” Asked Orys.
The man smiled thinly, this one a somewhat abashed look.
“Your coffers are quite resplendent my lord, but what you seek is not something that we might arrange with pretty words and bribes. You shall need a considerable sum.”
Orys blew a breath as he leaned back, things he could do, accounts he could raise. But… what was one more item on the loans he sought.
He nodded.
“So be it. Thank you, my friend.”
The man gave a polite nod, and as silently as he arrived, he left.
“Well…” he said softly, “if this is ruling the ashes…” he looked about the office. It was well-furnished, large, and atop one of the highest towers of the Red Keep. There were much worse places to rule without ruling. So, he nodded and he rose to his feet. He took the bill from the table and filed it into the pocket of his coat.
“For another day,” he mused.
---
23 AC
From the window of his office, he could see most of the city. Looking down upon it, it was both the most majestic and the most bland thing he had ever seen. So much stood beneath him, in the third largest city. It was bustling, it was vibrant, but it was full of crime, full of corruption, all of which blossomed under the split of the realm. He had returned from Essos only a week before, and he could not help but think to himself.
At least it is the same everywhere.
Pentos was the same, Braavos no different. The world turned on coin, and the men within it no less.
Even ageing as he was, Orys had thought that might made it work. Dragons conquered kingdoms, armies held castles, men and women of renown pulled it all together. Now… now the only thing that he considered to be true of that was the last part. For men of renown were all that he had. A drunkard was his master of ships, but that same drunkard had brought him to Essos, introduced him to Archons and princes in the East. Men Orys had some small connection to from before the conquest, but Valarr had no shortage of friends within.
Dannis was retired now aye, but in his stead was a man so adept with coin and logistics, that Orys thought him the smartest man he had ever met. Maelor Targaryen, Steward of Dragonstone. Were things to go right, Orys would name him the fucking prince of it. He had earned as much.
There was the Ironsand too - a conniving woman, without a match in the city… though he heard many tales of songs sung in the West. Perhaps those singers would have given her a run for her money.
Malwyn was there too. He was always there. A looming presence in anything that occurred. Finding him in your doorway was nothing short of a curse at times, but none could doubt the ruthless efficiency of the man. None.
There was stalwart Allaric too. A man of poise, of strength, of Northern grit. If there was anyone in this whole city that Orys thought was able to pull this all together… perhaps he was the one. If not for himself.
But he had no time to contend with them. Not today.
“Your city is… growing,” said the Pentoshi man. His regal beard of black hair matched his painted brows and forced smile. All an act, all a display to present the perfect image to the man he spoke to. Decades ago, he would have laughed at such a man. But now… now he knew better. He wasn’t able to be the right hand man anymore, the one who simply did as he was asked, to tackle whatever problem his king had with gusto and zeal.
No, now there was no one to do what had to be done.
Once he thought that his role was simply to observe and protect.
He thought of the man he was then as a fool now. Aegon’s children could inherit, but what then? The strings would be pulled by whichever mother threw their child on the throne. And what of him? The moment they had their chance, they'd toss him to Storm’s End. There he could be forgotten, there he could be pushed aside and left to waste.
But Orys was not a man to be forgotten.
He shook his head.
“My city grows, but it is not even mine,” he said softly and turned from the window, facing the powdered man with a smile.
And the powdered man smiled back, politely and forced.
“Yet it remains a place of power and import, not one to be trifled with, and the man atop it reflects it. He shows strength, careful expansion, and something more beneath the surface.”
Orys chuckled softly.
“What? Did I offend?” The man asked and his accent carried a little more in his words. As if to emphasise that he was speaking a language other than his own. Likely to deflect away any blame or any malice that could be detected in his voice. He was a fine actor indeed.
“No, no offence is taken or found. You just remind me of an old friend,” Orys said with a chuckle.
The envoy slowly unwound after that and finally nodded.
“Friends are important,” he added.
Orys gave another nod. They were, and he had scant few that mattered. None that he knew he could turn to and tell of what had to come. If he did, what then? What good did planning do if a queen came with her dragon to ask, to investigate? He knew not. But he did know one thing. If he lacked friends, then it was a simple matter of making more.
“And what of you? Are your friends important?”
The man smiled thinly.
“The Prince’s friends are men anyone should wish to know, and even more, wish to ally.”
Orys nodded. Were Aegon here, he would have said the same thing of his king… but he was not. He might have said the same of the queens, but he wondered how Dorne or the Vale matched against the rest of the world. Powerful people indeed, but how powerful?
He clicked his tongue and he took from his desk a letter.
“Tell me then, do you have friends in Braavos? Myr? Lys? Tyrosh?” He placed the letter on the table before the plate of fruit arrayed for the visitor.
The man held his composure for a moment, barely blinking, lightly breathing, clearly thinking carefully. And with a glance to the door, the Stormcloak took his meaning and stepped out, However beyond the doors, as they closed, he saw the great beast of a man beyond. A hulking figure of pure muscle and power.
Orys was distracted for a moment as he considered who could win a fight? Him in his prime, or that mass of man?
“I have friends across the free cities,” said the envoy, and Orys’ attention returned as the door clicked shut.
“Then explain to them, if you could. That the Stepstones are not the sole property of either the Seven Kingdoms, or the free cities,” he said, pushing the letter across the table as he walked up to the man. On it was a report from his agents in Tyrosh, of a man claiming to want the return of the islands. Orys had thought him a fool a year ago, but that was before he knew the strength of the man’s fleet, of his willingness to amass strength so boldly.
A dragon would burn such a thing… but he did not wish to rely on dragons. Not now at the least.
The envoy glanced down at the letter, gulped and returned a smile to Orys. “Were there any conflicts to arise. I am certain that my friends would be swift in alerting the instigators to the foolishness of such actions. It will be my pleasure to use these friends to bring peace, your lordship.”
“Should there be, then I would hope to hear of this, by letter or messenger,” he said politely.
“Very well,” said the envoy.
“And there is one final matter.” Orys continued, taking from his pocket another slip of paper and placing it before the envoy. “For your eyes alone, and only once you are upon a ship back to Essos.”
The man eyed it suspiciously, and his hand lingered above it, wavering instead of taking it. Hovering in the air, Orys saw it shiver, saw it shake. He watched the man’s resolve battle with his self-preservation and finally he saw one win out. He took the paper and he slid it into his sleeve before folding his arms within them.
“The Prince and his friends will be certain to assess this with all the necessary merits and costs involved.”
Orys nodded.
“And should you doubt this commitment. I leave in your care a gift, from the personal guard of the Prince himself.” The man clapped his hands thrice in quick succession and the doors swung open and through it lumbered the behemoth beyond. Orys had seen the Mountain that was the Royce before, and he was a menace, and a specimen of no small amount of power. But this one, this one was something unique still.
Royce was enormous, but he was also tall.
This man was enormous, but he was as wide as a house. Barrel chested, with arms as thick as Orys’ torso. His head was shaved bald and his eyes had a beady, placid look about them. Orys took a few steps closer to the man and gave a firm nod.
Standing a few feet shy of him now, Orys could only feel the difference between them. The Lord Protector was a strong man, a fierce warrior, dulled by time, yes, but he was a fighter still. But this man made him feel a child. He was far shorter than the Royce, though far shorter meant he was probably six feet and five inches. A tall man under any auspice. But looking at him… Orys could only think… who would win between the two behemoths.
“What do they call you?” Orys asked, and the barrel-chested man gave a great big, toothy smile.
“They call me Vyronno ‘the Blind’ Aneroyor!” cheered the giant.
“The blind?” Orys asked.
“On account of my eyesight… can’t see too well past a few feet.”
“But you can see me well enough?”
The man nodded.
“Then you see well enough.”
---
24 AC
Upon the deck of the ship he watched King’s landing fade away.
No more fucking papers, no more fucking requests, no more gods damned demands for payments or funding or disputes. He was at sea, and that meant he could just sit and plan and prepare. Though… standing there, watching the city, he could not help but feel at a loss.
Abelard would have liked this view.
Fret not old friend, I shall regale you of it soon enough.
Orys Baratheon stepped away from the rear of the ship and descended to the deck below, where Vyronno waited, patiently stood to the side, where his great bulk was not in the way.
There a table was brought together from barrels and planks and the two men played dice.
He had a friend now. He only hoped that he would have more soon.
But…
No. Now was not the time for doubt.
The Kingswood was healing… ten years ago the catastrophe occurred. Now they held a hunt and festivities there, they celebrated eagerly the coming of age of two princes, with no one any closer to sorting who would rule. Though… could he complain? He could have sorted that years ago, he could have pushed one Queen mother one way or the other, but he didn’t.
Some would think him a fool for it.
Some would know why.
None would be ready.

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Ashes to Ashes: Dealing damage with a Solar weapon now applies scorch to your targets, but your foes also now apply scorch to you when they deal Solar or explosive damage.

Dares of Eternity

• Durandal's Edge: When you're holding a Sword, damage from nearby combatants is reduced.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Grounded: Damage taken while you are airborne is greatly increased.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Sensorium (Pavilion) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant) -Divining Hall -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison)
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Martyr: Exploding units have more health.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Legs

Scavenger's Den: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Scavenger's Den: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Zephyr Concourse Weapon: Circular Logic (Machine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Attack Weapon: Fel Taradiddle (Combat Bow)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Blasphemer (Shotgun)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Dire Promise	Kinetic Hand Cannon	SteadyHand HCS // Sureshot HCS	Armor-Piercing Rounds // Light Mag	Triple Tap	Under Pressure	Tier 4: Stability
Code Duello	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Quick Launch // Smart Drift Control	Alloy Casing // Black Powder	Impulse Amplifier	Lasting Impression	Tier 2: Blast Radius
Ogma PR6	Energy Pulse Rifle	Corkscrew Rifling // Full Bore	Appended Mag // Extended Mag	Adaptive Munitions	Dragonfly	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Lunulata-4b	Kinetic Combat Bow	Elastic String // High Tension String	Carbon Arrow Shaft // Straight Fletching	Shoot to Loot	Wellspring	Tier 3: Stability
Aurvandil FR6	Kinetic Fusion Rifle	Extended Barrel // Full Bore	Ionized Battery // Liquid Coils	Stats for All	Chill Clip	Tier 2: Stability

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Rocketing to Prominence	Defeat combatants with Heavy ammo. Rocket Launcher final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+
Kill It with Fire	Defeat combatants with Solar damage in Vanguard playlists.	25 [Solar] Solar	XP+
Loose Ends	Defeat combatants in Vanguard playlists with Strand damage.	25 Strand final blows	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
High Energy	Defeat opponents using any Energy weapon.	5 Energy weapon	XP+
Area of Effect	Defeat opponents with grenades.	1 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
All for One	In Rumble, complete matches.	1 Crucible matches	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Fistful of Motes	As a fireteam, bank Motes in Gambit matches.	100 Motes banked	XP+
Line 'Em Up	As a fireteam, defeat enemy Guardians in Gambit.	5 Guardians	XP+
Torn to Shreds	Defeat targets in Gambit matches by severing or unraveling them with Strand. Defeating Guardians grants additional progress.	30 Strand severed or unraveled final blows	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Bow Calibration	Calibrate Bows against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Bow] Bow	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Pulse Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Pulse Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Pulse Rifle] Pulse Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Stasis Calibration	Calibrate Stasis weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians.	80 [Stasis] Stasis weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Shockingly Direct	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Arc damage. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Arc] Arc	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Frozen in Motion	In Neomuna, defeat combatants affected by Stasis. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Stasis] Stasis	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Close, Fast, Efficient	In Neomuna, rapidly defeat combatants in groups of 2 or more with Hand Cannons, Trace Rifles, Shotguns, or Swords.	20 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Top Speed Stunts	In Terminal Overload, rapidly defeat combatants in groups of 2 or more.	40 Rapidly defeated	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Destroyer	Clear waves in Onslaught.	5 Waves cleared	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Loot Summoner	Open a Witch's Chest in the Altars of Summoning using a Witch's Key.	1 Chests opened	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Pocket Rocket	Defeat targets with Grenade Launchers. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Grenade Launcher] Grenade Launcher	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Spaced Out	Defeat targets with Void weapons and abilities.	100 [Void] Void	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Questing Beasts	Defeat a boss in the Blind Well, Riven's Lair, or The Coil.	1 Bosses	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Lair Defense: Scorn	Defeat Scorn. Scorn defeated in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	30 Scorn	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Might	Defeat targets with Super abilities. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	10 Super	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

Daily Modifiers

Vanguard Ops

• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Ashes to Ashes: Dealing damage with a Solar weapon now applies scorch to your targets, but your foes also now apply scorch to you when they deal Solar or explosive damage.

Dares of Eternity

• Durandal's Edge: When you're holding a Sword, damage from nearby combatants is reduced.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Onslaught: Playlist

• Onslaught Rules: Defend and repair the ADU against waves of combatants. There are 10 waves to a set. ADU: If the ADU is destroyed, the activity ends. Scraps: An in-activity currency. They are earned by scoring and used to purchase and upgrade defenses at the start of every set and after waves 3 and 6. Rewards: Paid out after every set upon defeating the boss wave. Subsequent sets pay out better rewards. Legend increases rewards. Bonus Objectives: Rewards resources, vendor reputation, and armaments.
• Power Level Disabled: Combatant difficulty is set at a fixed level.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Void Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Void damage.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Champion Foes: You will face [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload, and [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions. Visit the Character or Mod Customization screen to view your active anti-Champion perks.

Riven's Lair

• Mettle: Power Level: All combatants in this activity will be at least 5 points over the player's current Power level.
• Arc Threat: 25% increase to incoming Arc damage.
• Grounded: Damage taken while you are airborne is greatly increased.
• Strand Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Strand damage.
• Solar Surge: 25% bonus to outgoing Solar damage.

The Coil

• The Coil Rules: Successfully complete four pathways inside Riven's Lair. Escalating Difficulty: Player's Power levels are fixed. Starting at 0 each subsequent pathway increases all combatants' Power level over the player's by 5. Wishing Glass: Wishing Glass is an in-activity currency. They drop from combatants, Glass Collectors, and pots. Wishing Glass comes in multiple rarities equating to their worth. Wishing Glass is used to purchase Dragon's Gifts from Riven. Dragon's Gifts: A set of buffs are randomly chosen, once per run. Between pathways, players can purchase buffs from Riven via Wishing Glass. Buffs are separated into three price point tiers. Rewards: After each pathway, players will return to Riven for their rewards. Subsequent pathways pay out better rewards. Breaking through score thresholds unlock secret chests. Finishing The Coil with a platinum score rewards players with access to the lustrous and lucrative Chamber of Wishes.
• Multiplicity: Combatant difficulty scales with fireteam size.
• Limited Revives: Limited fireteam revives. Purchase additional revives from Riven with Wishing Glass. Small chance to drop from destroying pots.
• Full Extinguish: If all your fireteam members fall with 0 Revive Tokens, everyone is returned to orbit.
• Famine: All ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
• Galvanized: Combatants have more health and are more difficult to stun.
• The Pathways: Riven's wish magic stirs. The following are the pathways and their order in The Coil: -Sensorium (Pavilion) -First Steps (Cell of the Sycophant) -Divining Hall -Sensorium (Reaver's Orison)
• Void Threat: 25% increase to incoming Void damage.
• Martyr: Exploding units have more health.
• Overcharged Trace Rifle: 25% bonus to Trace Rifle damage.
• Overcharged Rocket Launcher: 25% bonus to Rocket Launcher damage.

Seasonal

Legend/Master Lost Sector

Exotic armor drop (if solo): Legs

Scavenger's Den: Legend

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Scavenger's Den: Master

• Legend Difficulty: Locked Equipment, Extra Shields
• Champions: [Shield-Piercing] Barrier, [Disruption] Overload
• Threat: [Solar] Solar
• Shields: [Arc] Arc
• Modifiers: Scorched Earth

Misc

• Terminal Overload: Zephyr Concourse Weapon: Circular Logic (Machine Gun)
• The Wellspring: Attack Weapon: Fel Taradiddle (Combat Bow)
• Altars of Sorrow Weapon: Blasphemer (Shotgun)

Guns & Materials

Banshee's Featured Weapons

Name	Type	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Masterwork
Dire Promise	Kinetic Hand Cannon	SteadyHand HCS // Sureshot HCS	Armor-Piercing Rounds // Light Mag	Triple Tap	Under Pressure	Tier 4: Stability
Code Duello	Heavy Rocket Launcher	Quick Launch // Smart Drift Control	Alloy Casing // Black Powder	Impulse Amplifier	Lasting Impression	Tier 2: Blast Radius
Ogma PR6	Energy Pulse Rifle	Corkscrew Rifling // Full Bore	Appended Mag // Extended Mag	Adaptive Munitions	Dragonfly	Tier 2: Reload Speed
Lunulata-4b	Kinetic Combat Bow	Elastic String // High Tension String	Carbon Arrow Shaft // Straight Fletching	Shoot to Loot	Wellspring	Tier 3: Stability
Aurvandil FR6	Kinetic Fusion Rifle	Extended Barrel // Full Bore	Ionized Battery // Liquid Coils	Stats for All	Chill Clip	Tier 2: Stability

Note: Fixed perks on weapons are not displayed

Master Rahool's Material Exchange

• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Legendary Shards)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Dark Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 10 Phantasmal Fragment)
• Purchase Glimmer (10000 for 25 Herealways Piece)
• Enhancement Prism (1 for 10 Enhancement Core & 10000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Shard (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)
• Ascendant Alloy (1 for 10 Enhancement Prism & 50000 Glimmer)

Bounties

Commander Zavala, Vanguard

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades	Defeat combatants with grenades. Defeating them in Vanguard playlists grants additional progress.	20 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
Rocketing to Prominence	Defeat combatants with Heavy ammo. Rocket Launcher final blows in Vanguard playlists grant additional progress.	20 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+
Kill It with Fire	Defeat combatants with Solar damage in Vanguard playlists.	25 [Solar] Solar	XP+
Loose Ends	Defeat combatants in Vanguard playlists with Strand damage.	25 Strand final blows	XP+

Lord Shaxx, Crucible

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Sparring Grounds	Complete matches in any Crucible playlist.	2 Crucible matches	XP+
High Energy	Defeat opponents using any Energy weapon.	5 Energy weapon	XP+
Area of Effect	Defeat opponents with grenades.	1 [Grenade] Grenade	XP+
All for One	In Rumble, complete matches.	1 Crucible matches	XP+

The Drifter, Gambit

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Blockade	Send Blockers; medium and large Blockers contribute more progress.	30 Blockers	XP+
Fistful of Motes	As a fireteam, bank Motes in Gambit matches.	100 Motes banked	XP+
Line 'Em Up	As a fireteam, defeat enemy Guardians in Gambit.	5 Guardians	XP+
Torn to Shreds	Defeat targets in Gambit matches by severing or unraveling them with Strand. Defeating Guardians grants additional progress.	30 Strand severed or unraveled final blows	XP+

Banshee-44, Gunsmith

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Bow Calibration	Calibrate Bows against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Bow] Bow	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Pulse Rifle Calibration	Calibrate Pulse Rifles against any target. Earn bonus progress with precision final blows and against opposing Guardians.	100 [Pulse Rifle] Pulse Rifle	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Rocket Launcher Calibration	Calibrate Rocket Launchers against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians and for additional targets defeated with each shot.	100 [Rocket Launcher] Rocket Launcher	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress
Stasis Calibration	Calibrate Stasis weapons against any target. Earn bonus progress against opposing Guardians.	80 [Stasis] Stasis weapon	XP+ & Enhancement Core & Gunsmith Rank Progress

Nimbus, Neomuna

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Shockingly Direct	In Neomuna, defeat combatants with Arc damage. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Arc] Arc	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Frozen in Motion	In Neomuna, defeat combatants affected by Stasis. Shadow Legion combatants grant additional progress.	60 [Stasis] Stasis	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Close, Fast, Efficient	In Neomuna, rapidly defeat combatants in groups of 2 or more with Hand Cannons, Trace Rifles, Shotguns, or Swords.	20 Rapidly defeated	XP+ & 50 Neomuna Rank
Top Speed Stunts	In Terminal Overload, rapidly defeat combatants in groups of 2 or more.	40 Rapidly defeated	1 Terminal Overload Key & 50 Neomuna Rank & XP+

Lord Shaxx, Hall of Champions

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Onslaught Destroyer	Clear waves in Onslaught.	5 Waves cleared	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Loot Summoner	Open a Witch's Chest in the Altars of Summoning using a Witch's Key.	1 Chests opened	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Pocket Rocket	Defeat targets with Grenade Launchers. Combatants in Onslaught and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Grenade Launcher] Grenade Launcher	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation
Spaced Out	Defeat targets with Void weapons and abilities.	100 [Void] Void	1 XP+ & 25 Lord Shaxx Reputation & 50 Lord Shaxx Reputation

Spirit of Riven, H.E.L.M.

Name	Description	Requirement	Reward
Questing Beasts	Defeat a boss in the Blind Well, Riven's Lair, or The Coil.	1 Bosses	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Lair Defense: Scorn	Defeat Scorn. Scorn defeated in Riven's Lair or The Coil are worth more.	30 Scorn	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragon's Might	Defeat targets with Super abilities. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	10 Super	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation
Dragonthread	Defeat targets with Solar or Strand damage. Combatants in Riven's Lair or The Coil and Guardians are worth more.	100 [Solar] or [Strand] defeats	XP+ & 25 Spirit of Riven Reputation

^{Never forget what has been lost. While the API protests have concluded, Reddit remains hostile to its users as their IPO looms in the horizon. More information can be found here.}

My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.

"...umm "

Part two of the noodle demon.
Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.