A Wise decision

The group stands together, the decision made.

Amber grins. “I’m feeling lucky today. Let’s just go.”

“Let’s go to the Temple of Luck,” Daiki repeats. “And try our luck.”

They set off. It’s a short walk—about fifteen minutes—from where they are now.

“You know, we could take a carriage,” Tachibana suggests with a small smile.

“No, I’m joking,” he adds quickly, before anyone can take him seriously.

The walk ends at a vast, cathedral-like temple. Arched golden ceilings rise high above them, sunlight filtering softly through stained-glass skylights depicting lucky omens: four-leaf clovers, coins, dice, and stars. The air is scented with jasmine and myrrh, rich with a quiet, anticipatory energy—like the moment before dice are thrown.

A polished semicircular altar of white marble stands in the center, inlaid with golden runes. Embedded in its surface is a gigantic ceremonial golden die, a d20, which pilgrims line up to turn. Offerings lie scattered about—coins, trinkets, and keepsakes. A mural covers an entire wall: Ludivine, serene, with hair like cascading starlight, holds scales perfectly balanced—gold on one side, dice on the other.

The domed ceiling above them shifts magically, displaying constellations that slowly change if one watches long enough. In each corner, a ten-foot statue stands: a merchant, a gambler, a believer, and a vagabond, each radiating calm, divine presence.

Amber spots a crowd gathered around something and makes her way toward it, curiosity piqued. She weaves between onlookers until she sees it—a golden wishing pool, rimmed with sapphire and mother-of-pearl. Visitors toss coins in, whispering their desires.

A child murmurs, “I wish to do good on my test at school tomorrow.” The coins shimmer faintly in response.

Amber crouches beside the boy. “You know, when you actually talk about your dream, you have to keep it secret. If somebody hears it, it doesn’t come true.”

The boy frowns. “I thought that was for birthday wishes and wishing on stars. But this is the wishing pool—people should know.”

Amber laughs softly. “Ah, bien sûr. That makes sense. Of course. Thank you, little one. You taught me something today.”

“I’m not that little,” he insists. “I’m fifteen. Don’t call me little kid.”

“Have you seen me? I’m a tree,” Amber teases. “Anyway—nice talking to you.”

With a final smile, she tosses her own coin into the pool, making a silent wish that they find Huliavar and that he will bring Wolfgang back.

Nearby, Daiki watches. He approaches Ashira. “Can I get one of those little coins? I want to try what Amber did.”

Ash hands him a gold piece. “Sure.”

Daiki beams, clutching the coin, and walks quickly—almost skipping—to the pool. He tosses it in without quite knowing what to wish for, imitating Amber.

Meanwhile, Tachibana takes a slow walk around the temple’s perimeter, studying the niches, statues, and murals. He pauses at the statue of the believer, placing a gold coin at its base. In one side alcove, he notices a pale, bald man with glowing eyes and a white cloak. A large book floats in the air before him, and the man writes steadily in it.

Approaching, Tachibana asks, “Good day. I was just interested in what it is you are doing. I have a particular fondness for books—and yours is floating magically.”

“This is the Ledger of Faith,” the man replies. “If you wish, you may write your blessing to invoke Ludivine’s favour.”

Tachibana tilts his head. “Does it help?”

“Of course. May the odds be ever in your favour.”

They speak briefly, and when the man introduces himself as Huliavar, Tachibana smiles. “It seems luck is indeed on my side. You are the person I was looking for today.”

Huliavar leads him toward a quieter corner, where Tachibana discreetly messages the others to join him. Amber pushes through the crowd with polite but firm “Excuse me”s, Daiki happily following in her wake. Ashira drifts toward them, still glancing upward at the constellations.

In the side chamber, Huliavar studies each of them, speaking both aloud and directly into their minds. When he hears Wolfgang’s name, his expression changes. “This is not a conversation we should have here,” he says, ushering them into an even smaller, private room.

There, he explains: he is a dreamer, able to slip into the dreams of others. Recently, he dreamt of Wolfgang—seeing him lead the group into a cave where yellow eyes glowed above a green serpent’s body. The memory feels real, yet none of them recalls such a thing.

Huliavar tells them there may still be time to save Wolfgang. The soul, he says, remains in the body for eight days before journeying to be judged. If they act quickly, and if they are willing to contribute something valuable to tip the Lady of Luck’s scales, they might bring him back.

The body, however, must be retrieved first.

Tachibana nods. “We can go get it right now.”

Huliavar smiles faintly. “Think about what you will offer. I’ll prepare the chapel of unlucky souls.”

---

Ash announces, “I’m going to write my song.”

Tachibana replies that he’s heading to the Tower to find books on how donations increase the chance of success.

“That sounds boring,” Daiki says. “I think I’ll stay with Ash. That sounds way more adventurous.”

Ash adds, “Daiki wouldn’t go to the library. It’s like literally a room full of dead trees.”

“What? There are trees? Why?” Daiki asks.

“That’s how they make books.”

“They make books out of trees?”

Tachibana explains that there are books made from all kinds of materials—trees, animal hides, stone inscriptions.

“Why don’t they use human skin? There are plenty of humans,” Daiki wonders aloud.

Tachibana admits, “Actually, there are some books made with human skin.”

“I think I prefer those books,” Daiki says.

They part ways. Daiki decides to follow Ash’s lead and suggests, “Oh, Ash, maybe we can write a song for Wolfgang already.”

The group discusses where to meet that night. Amber proposes, “We can meet at the library if you want.” But talk shifts to where they will sleep, and Amber suggests returning to the Old Peanut Pub. Eventually, they settle on the Bronze Gnome Inn.

Masaki goes towards the Tower of Ioun, the library. Meanwhile, Amber makes her way outside of the temple of the Lady of Luck, questioning visitors about their wishes and offerings. She learns from various people—a devoted elderly woman, a wealthy man, and a tiefling priest—that the size of an offering matters less than its personal value, and that faith and personal effort often determine whether a wish comes true.

Back with Ash and Daiki, Ash speaks of needing inspiration. “I think we should go to some royal palace. I feel like that’s really evoking Wolfgang’s vibe for me.”

Daiki suggests visiting Lord Wise’s estate, perhaps to find a painting Wolfgang once mentioned. Ash agrees, adding that it might help strengthen Wolfgang’s memory. They decide to travel there by carriage, just as Wolfgang would have done.

After a few failed attempts at hailing one, a carriage stops. Ash gives the driver directions, though they have to correct him more than once as he veers off course. Ash leans into the ride, adjusting her posture, hair, and clothing to appear more regal, even slightly more masculine in style. Daiki compliments the look.

When they arrive, Ash thanks the driver with two silver pieces. Standing before the grand mansion, she walks slowly toward it, channeling her “inner Wolfgang.” Daiki adopts the role of bodyguard, knocking on the door a bit too forcefully.

Tachibana reaches the Spiral Archive. The tower rises high into the sky, gleaming white marble with countless floors lined with books. Inside, floating arcane spheres drift between shelves. After navigating the stairs, he reaches the seventeenth floor in search of information on donations to the Lady of Luck. He finds a promising book, only to discover that the crucial pages have been torn out.

Reporting the damage to a cleric, he learns it’s the only copy. A second search yields a book suggesting that offerings should be meaningful and connected to the wish itself, rather than simply expensive.

Before leaving, Tachibana asks about resources on Onis and portals. The cleric directs him to floor thirteen for Oni lore and floor forty-two for portals. Learning of a permanent levitation spell in the building, Tachibana takes the enchanted lift, first returning the damaged book to its place.

---

Daiki and Ashira make their way to Lord Wise’s lair and knock on the door. After a pause, it creaks open to reveal a thin man.

“Yes, how can I help you?” the butler, James Baggins, asks.

“Lord… Lord Ash is here to see Lord Wise,” Daiki says.

“We’re looking for Lord Wise,” Ash adds.

James tilts his head. “Do you have an appointment?”

“Um, we do not,” Ash admits.

“It’s about a certain Count Rüppelshammer,” Daiki adds quickly.

James nods. “I will let him know. Please, wait here.” He closes the door. Footsteps echo away, fade, then return several minutes later.

“Lord Wise will see you in ten minutes if you can wait. You may sit inside the first room; I can bring you refreshments.”

“Thank you very much,” Ash says as they step in.

“I am thirsty,” Daiki remarks in a mock-Wolfgang tone, requesting water. Ash opts for tea, recalling Wolfgang once drank it.

James leads them into a chamber where a bald man in a black-and-red cloak sits with a staff topped by a red gem.

“Welcome, Lord Ash,” the man says. “Have we met? You seem familiar.”

“For today, I am Lord Ash,” she replies, “though you may know me as Ashira.”

“That was in the past,” she continues when he expresses confusion.

Daiki interjects, trying to play the bodyguard role, but the exchange devolves into banter over whether Ash is truly a lord. Eventually, she settles on, “You can call me Count Ash.”

They steer the conversation toward Count Wolfgang Rüppelshammer, but the man excuses himself to check on Lord Wise. James returns with water for Daiki and tea for Ash, who drinks it plain, suppressing a grimace at its bitterness.

“What are we going to ask Mr. Wise?” Daiki wonders.

Ash says only, “We need to learn everything about Wolfgang. I want to write a song that captures his contradictions.”

When Lord Wise finally enters, he greets Daiki and studies Ash. “Ashira? You look very different.”

“This is my role for today,” she explains. “To capture Count Wolfgang’s likeness for a proper leitmotif.”

Ash delivers the news of Wolfgang’s death, prompting Lord Wise’s face to pale.

“This was the bad news,” she adds. “The good news is we plan to bring him back to life. The song is part of the process.”

Wise asks after their companions. Ash explains Masaki is researching in the library and Amber is also busy, leaving the two of them to come.

They press him for details about Wolfgang, but Wise admits he knew the father better—“a great man” who saved the queen and slew a dragon. He cannot help further and must return to his duties.

As they leave, Ash thanks him and promises to do their best to bring back “young Count Sir Mr. Wolfgang Lord Rüppelshammer Junior.”

Outside, Ash pauses to question James. “What is your most memorable moment with Lord Count Rüppelshammer Junior?”

“I only served him drinks—whiskey or tea,” the butler replies. “He likes expensive whiskey when appropriate, and plain tea.”

Ash thanks him and presses a silver piece into his hand. James insists it is unnecessary but accepts with gratitude.

---

Amber arrives at the Temple of Auctur, which is known as the Golden Hall. The building is large and beautiful, with a mostly golden appearance, though its design is simple, resembling a bank or law house.

She steps inside and begins looking for a cleric, a paladin, or someone serving the temple. Soon, she finds a high-ranking paladin named Gron. He is a human wearing beautiful armor with golden reflections, and he’s currently without a helmet inside the temple.

Amber approaches him and says, “Bonjour, sir. I have some questions for you about my faith. Could you maybe help me?”

Gron replies, “Of course. May I ask what questions you have?”

Amber explains, “I want to know how to channel my power to also be able to save lives.”

Gron asks her name, and Amber introduces herself as Amber Ablaze. Gron emphasizes the importance of respecting one’s name and introduces himself as a high paladin of the Golden Hall.

Curious, Gron asks, “What makes you want to take this path?”

Amber answers honestly, “Auctur is my faith. I know of the law and my duty. However, my duty is to a friend of mine, someone I had a contract to serve and protect. But he is no longer with us, and I failed my duty. I want to make sure that if we get him back, I will never fail again. So I want to strengthen my belief in Auctur and empower my side that comes with duty.”

Gron listens carefully and asks, “Would you like to make an oath?”

Amber confirms, “Oui, that is my plan.”

Gron explains that making an oath to become a paladin is a serious and very personal commitment. The oath is made to oneself, with the gods as witnesses. He asks what kind of oath Amber plans to make.

She responds, “I know that I will protect those who matter to me and honor my word, whatever the cost may be.”

Gron nods, “An oath of protection. If you come with me, I will teach you the ways of the paladin. After that, you can make your oath.”

Amber agrees and follows him to a side room marked with a symbol of protection.

Gron says, “I’ll give you the most basic training, what you need to know. This can be done quickly, but to grow as a paladin, you’ll need to come back or find others to help you.”

Over the next hour, Amber trains in the ways of the paladin—learning why protection is important, specific paladin moves, and how to use a shield for defense. Many of the physical moves come naturally to her, thanks to her background as a fighter and barbarian, but the magic is more difficult.

Eventually, she manages to channel the basics of first-level paladin magic, like the ability to smite. Gron is impressed by how much she has learned in such a short time.

Finally, Gron tells her it is time for her oath. Amber kneels on a bench as he places a longsword on her shoulders and head. She proclaims, “Oui, I promise and I swear to protect the ones whom I swear to protect.”

Gron declares, “You are hereby granted the beginner ranks of paladin of protection.” He wishes her luck on her journey, reminding her that an oath is a lifelong commitment, even if those she protects may change over time.

Amber thanks him sincerely, saying, “Merci. I truly hope so. You have granted me a great favor. Thank you for letting me become a paladin and be more capable to protect those I swore to protect.”