Under popular demand, I have decided to archive the Persecles Subplot so that anyone can read it. Please be reminded that this is canon, so this can be read similarly to the real thing! As such, spoilers (if any) will be unmarked, since this is just like reading the real thing, if just in a different place. Feel free to discuss in the comments below.

If you're going to read this on the regular update, any text marked in indigo is part of the subplot.

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Archive Begins Here



It was a good idea to go to the temple today. Such a respite is necessary every once in a while for such a battler. One's mind cannot consist all of battle plans and the cries of your soldiers hungering for war. While I am grateful for this wealthy empire to provide such fruitful gifts, it feels good to pray every once in a while.

I should really introduce myself to these observers.

I am Major Persecles of the Cerulean Empire. In days long past, the Argynth people fought over swathes of territory in the vast ocean, forming their own kingdoms to do so which rose and fell. This continues to this day as a stage of conquest is about, with advancing armies both claiming new lands and clashing with each other. I hail from the Cerulean Empire, an empire that is young and hungry for territory. I, as Major, have led some successful battles and thus gained a lot of lands for my home. For these, I was awarded the title of Prince of a small city for my victories. More information should come with time.

Wait, I'm betting some human observers are wondering what I'm doing carrying a FREAKING TRIDENT to a holy site. In my culture, three is a holy number and represents communion with the divine. Thus, many Argynths carry a three-pronged spear to prayer.

As of now, I feel that my resolve has been hardened and I turn back to the town I rule, yet something appears on the horizon that doesn't seem... natural.



Odd. Within the distance I see three levitating monsters headed inland. I wonder if this calls to something... Nevertheless, I should rally my troops to investigate. I am a Major, after all. I begin to turn back from the temple to spread news of my discovery.



I go back to the main part of town- oddly enough, this section of the street is rather empty. I'll need to get into my armor to make my statement or otherwise plan anything military. It's time to head home to my palace and get my gear. Otherwise, I could just find my lieutenant and ask him to arrange these operations while I'm at home donning my armor and preparing for the investigation.



And here he comes now! I am approached by my young and energetic lieutenant, Thucedotus.
// You can see here I'm not a master of the 90-degree angle!

"Percy, I've got something exciting for you!", he says.

"What now? This is the last day we're supposed to be off-duty and I'm trying to spend the day right." I respond.

"I challenge you to a friendly crossbow-shooting challenge.", Thucedotus claims. "We'll see who can fire 40 arrows the fastest and the most accurately."

"Well, I'm already in my sports clothing," I say, "but I'm just coming back from a spot of prayer (Note to the observers: Our gods promote modesty during prayer, being land and sea gods). I'll go back home to get to my crossbow, especially since I was already heading there."

"Alright then,", he boasts, "see you at the crossbow range. We both know our way around- we're both military officers, aren't we?"

"I wouldn't be prince of this city if I wasn't," I explain. Having finished, I leave him in the street, going home to pick up my gear.

With my lieutenant out of the way and a challenge to settle, I decide to head back to my palace. As prince of the city, I progress through the streets, going through in order to reach the palace to pick up my gear.



Welcome home.

I enter the doors of my palace and rush up to my chamber. Thankfully, I don't have guests at this hour. I must do everything with hurry as to not draw attention. I've got a contest to get to.

After reaching my chamber, I place my Violium Trident on its appropriate rack, and then stop for a second to marvel at my other collection of warlike instruments.



I turn and smile proudly at my collection.

Everything is in place... my Aegisalt Major's armor, issued to officers of my rank. And of course, my trident, the business end of which is unfortunately blocked by me in this angle. My crossbow and shotgun are mounted on the wall.

Wait, how'd I manage to procure a shotgun in the middle of the ocean? Down here, we can't manufacture our own ammo, since the water would ruin the gunpowder. Plus, ballistics don't work particularly well in the depths of the sea.
I use it myself when I go on land, where I managed to obtain it, but that's a story for another time.

I came here for a single thing: the crossbow. I grab it and the spare magazine in case I need it. With that out of the way, it's time to make my way to a meeting with Thucedotus.

Oh yeah, and I'd better grab my armor just in case.

I, with my crossbow in hand, head over to the archery range in the military barracks. I would be a particularly welcome sight, but this place is vacant, as those under my command are on their last days off-duty. I spot Thucedotus across the range and we spot each other. He is in a similar state to what I am, but less obscured due to the vibrant shade of his scales contrasting with the water.



I approach him and strike up a conversation.

"This contest should be over quickly," I begin. "Don't expect me to go easy on you just because we share an army."
"And I you," Thucedotus replies.
"The victor is clear.", I retort.
"Indeed it is- you're looking at him!" he boasts. "Let's get this over with so I can go home accomplished...", but Thucedotus pauses and looks to my inconsistently drawn feet. "Hey, why are you in your combat boots and aegisalt-lined skilt (for any human readers out there, that's a cross between a kilt and a skirt, hence the portmanteau.)?"



"Want to know why?" I ask. "Well, it's a secret for now, but I'll tell you- I'm preparing to announce something soon, so I decided to don part of my uniform. I left the rest of it with the guy who's maintaining the place."
"So you are...", he realizes. "Should I gather the troops for the speech, Major?" he asks.
"That should be done," I confirm, "but first let's get this contest done."

And thus we pick up our crossbows and are ready for the competition to begin.

"Ready!"

The tension thickens in the water.

"Aim!"

My finger hovers over the trigger, ready to pounce.

"BEGIN!"



The barracks erupts into a flurry of crossbow shots and lever flicks. My arms pump to maintain succession of fire, stopping only when the magazine runs dry. My competition stays solid with his more deliberate yet still quick shots.



At the end of the contest, we get to see our results. For some reason, the water has become so deep that the ground is difficult to see. I managed to finish a lot faster than my loyal lieutenant, but this has come at the cost of accuracy. I look over at his target and find that he has scored in the center much more consistently than I have. There are only eight bolts per target, otherwise it would have been even more of a hassle to draw.

I decide to engage in a post-contest conversation with Thucedotus.



"Well," he says, "we seem pretty even overall. Want to call this a draw?"
"Sure thing," I reply. "Now I gotta get back home and prepare my speech for the investigation."
"I figure that it would help if I get into my military gear," my lieutenant responds.
"Of course it would," I answer. "Meet me over by my palace at my podium. It'd help to spread word by mouth as well."
"Will do," he obeys.

And with that, we both part ways with my plan in action.

It’s been some time since my lieutenant and I discussed our plan. I sit in my palace steeling myself for a speech. I must appreciate Thucedotus for spreading the word to the city in such short notice. Confiding in myself, I step outside before an excited yet tame crowd of city folk. I clear my throat and step up to the podium commandingly…



“Greetings, citizens of Spearhead! I’m grateful that many of you came on such short notice, as I feel like this matter may threaten us. As I took a respite at the temple today, I noticed a few imposing dark figures come from a star-laden rift in the late morning sky. I feel as if we should investigate the shadowy figures to seek an answer to these mysteries. They were reminiscent of demons, so if we do not act then they are likely to cause havoc and panic elsewhere. Thus, I call for my troops to mobilize as soon as possible and we will leave to investigate these demonic figures. I, as well, suffer from the loss of the second half of our last day of leave, however, this should not be a large issue and we should return later today. That is all.”

The crowd erupts into applause as I take my leave.



As I get my equipment ready, my soldiers gear up by the thousands as well. Calvary units mount their steeds of battle. Spears are inspected. Crossbows are loaded. My loyal army moves and awakes as a single being. I appear at the barracks to guide them and lead them to the outskirts of the city to begin our march.



“Let’s start moving! Onwards to inquiry!”

And just like that, my troops call out in spirit and we move forward on our investigation.



Well, this is it. My forces and I have made landfall. Here is where we will find answers to the habits of the mysterious demons who have fallen from the stars. I should relax, the air still smells of the sea here. Not that the land is any less familiar to me.

I plant my trident in the ground some distance away and signal to my troops to come forward.



My troops emerge in an column and rise from the water, taking in the unusual sights and sounds of the land. Some troops seem uneased, but they should be comforted once they know that this mission will be short. I intend not to take unnecessary risks with my men, but I will get down to the bottom of this, and hopefully end any threat the demons may pose. Hunting on land is not as exciting as stalking the monstrosities of the deep, but land-monsters are considerably more numerous, allowing me to hunt with ease.

Well, now that I'm back on dry land, I'll have a use for this trustworthy device again.



Originally posted on 2016-05-01 22:20:00

Well, looks like I was caught up in some form of low-level account purge, according to Soup a while back. Good news, though, I made another account, and from here on out the Persecles Subplot Archive is back in business.



The demons’ haunting presence is close. I can smell it.

My column follows close behind me, each soldier armed, collected, and prepared. I shall not stray from my course- these demons will be investigated and defeated is necessary.

As I proceed to the clearing, something unnerves me, and I halt my troops.





Nothing remains of the entities that landed in this clearing. The landscape has been marred with battle and otherworldly energies… some terrible carnage must have taken place here. I cautiously urge my soldiers forward prepared for the worst, weapons in hand.





My troops jump back, reeling in surprise at the sudden appearance of this incandescent entity. I wasn’t expecting our work to be done for us- I demand answers from the glowing humanoid, presumably as shaken as my soldiers are.



“I am Major Persecles of the Cerulean Empire, and in the name of the sanctity of this world, identify your motives!”

Surprisingly, the humanoid responds.

"Greetings. I am the Operator, and the protector of this world, but alas, I'm not as strong as I would like. To be truly effective, I require a corporeal host body. Without it, I am but a mere shade."

“Some evil figures touched down here, but this hellscape emerged before I could respond. I assume you destroyed them?”

"Yes. I destroyed them. Every last trace."

“What kind of malevolent force would summon such foul entities?”

"I have no doubt. These creatures were summoned by the Players."



“Then I must confront and defeat these Players before they wreak more havoc upon this place.”

"Wait! Before you confront them, please consider! The Players are a force for good! They're fighting against an even greater, more immediate evil that has to be dealt with as soon as possible!"

“I am confident that I can deal with both.”

"Suit yourself. Follow your foolish vision."

With that, I turn and order my troops to march towards the shoreline, intent on completing our new mission. If it takes my company or all of the force that the Cerulean Empire may muster.

At this point, the Persecles Subplot intertwined with the main plot.