Alfarell

Challenge #04604-L220: Much Ado in Ynsmuth

The leader of a coastal polity must renew a marriage alliance with the merfolk kingdom. Except he believes he has no daughter to offer. And so the leader’s youngest child must imbibe a transformative potion to wed the undersea prince. However, the intended bride seems upbeat at the prospect, for she is eager for the chance of changing into a more fitting form… -- Deathshead419

Ynsmuth had to renew its treaty with the merfolk in the deeps near their harbour. Part arranged marriage, part hostage exchange, part trading deal. A daughter for the shore, a daughter for the deeps, this time. Last time, it was a son each.

The problem being that King Laronnai Ynsmuth III had only sired sons. A baker's dozen of them, until his Lady wife put her foot down and announced that enough was enough. Each prince raised with all the best that Ynsmuth could give. And since he was loyal to his lady, there weren't any less-than-legitimate princesses to gift to the sea.

That was a potential offering, thanks to earlier negotiations.

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Challenge #04603-L219: Look Upon My Works, Ye Mighty

A great king is perturbed when, whilst excavating the site for his masterwork, the monument which will secure his place in eternity, the workmen discover ancient statues and old foundations hinting that some unknown empire may have tried to do so before him.

And even worse, it seems like that empire might have been mightier than his. Someone needs to look into what’s going on here… -- Deathshead419

It was almost the perfect place to put his monument to himself as

Challenge #04602-L218: Sew the Story Goes...

A lonely old woman sews a daughter for herself from soft cloth, downy feathers, and well worn buttons. It would be blessing if some fae creature or god breathed life into the dear one, wouldn’t it…? -- Deathshead419

You know the stories, don't you? Once upon a time, there was a lonely old... miller, baker, tailor, tinker, dressmaker, toymaker, pick one... who didn't have a spouse or a family as they began to grow old. What happened next changes from tale

Challenge #04601-L217: The Last Great Lords

The skies darken over three decrepit lords and their ancient castles which time has passed by. What will become of their traditions, their secrets, their eon old rivalries, as the world beyond seeps in bit by bit? -- Deathshead419

At their mightiest peak, the Elves split this continent into three civilised realms. Their names once caused lesser beings[1] to tremble, and were nigh unpronouncable to all but Elven tongues. Nursery tales would reduce them in later centuries to Lord Forest, Lord

Challenge #04593-L209: One Hell of a Portent

Deep in the woodlands is a small town in the shadow of an obelisk. Upon this monument is a clock which has been counting down for centuries. No one remembers where it came from, what it means, but it is about to strike midnight and toll the centuries silent bell. -- Anon Guest

The clock has always been there. Attempts to find when it was built have resulted in nothing but frustration. Even the first images of Lumberhill, back when it was

Challenge #04592-L208: They're Brand New

Save for their wings, you'd think they were human. They were wild and free-spirited. And their only desire was to learn about the world. The good parts, the bad parts, and everything in between. They were not angel, they were not demon, just... themselves. -- Anon Guest

"What'cha doin'?"

Barthus was used to hearing that kind of question from someone between three and eight years old. Not, and they had to look up from their work to check, an adult-shaped entity literally

Challenge #04590-L206: You Were Warned

Oh my God, Spiders, millions of them, pouring out of the walls, everybody RUN! -- Anon Guest

Across the multiverse, there are constants. No matter the nature of civilisation, no matter the fiscal structure, there is always the roommate who freeloads, steals treats, and denies it. Some call them 'goldbricks', some call them 'assholes'. Some call them 'scabs'. Rickerd called hir annoying housemate Horb, because that was hir name.

Horb was a young Elf, 'merely' thirty-seven[1], with rather indulgent parents who

Challenge #04584-L200: Never Lie to Dragons

They had been rescued from a rich family that had kept them prisoner due to both their immense healing gift, and their emerald eyes, and gemstone horn and hooves. The dragon guised as a gnome knew what it was like to be so imprisoned and treated. And that experience helped them aid the distraught being. -- Anon Guest

Jade had been kept in the Gilded Palace since she hatched. She might have been there before she hatched, but there was no proof.

Challenge #04579-L195: Devoured Conflict

After having too many “brownies” Edward and flora stare at the starry sky above. “Hey Flo, if a vampire drink a fae’s blood, would the fae becomes it thrall? Or the vampire becomes the fae servant due to having fae food without permission?” Flora gaze at her undead friend. “That’s kinky… and how my parents got married…” -- Anon Guest

[AN: One of my favoured quandries.]

Every species of Alfarell and its planar systems has its rules and weaknesses. Some

Challenge #04574-L190: Tools of the Trade

Barber/Doctor Tynmalin has handled plenty of sicknesses, carefully studying the humors of her patients and applying sharp things when needed. However this BD comes upon a delicate case of separating two conjoined twins which will test her finesse and medical/cutting prowess to the limit. -- Anon Guest

Some things are healed with a spell or a prayer. For the outliers in which power cannot help, there is surgery. A job for Barbers once upon an era past. Thus, the League

Challenge #04572-L188: Heroism From Hubris

They were addicted to going into dungeons and trying their luck. The harder, the better. Their skills improved incredibly since they had been doing this since they were young. Of course, immortality didn't hurt either. So what happened to all the loot? There were several temples, hospitals, and care places that didn't have to worry about money thanks to their addiction. -- Anon Guest

Once upon a time, the story goes, there was a soldier who was unbeatable on the field of

Challenge #04567-L183: The One Most in Need

They were in the temple of helping hands, having stayed up all night, yet again, cleaning, putting together the next day's bread, and other such chores. A kindly magic user used a very gentle spell to force them to go to sleep. Then, to protect their health, placed a geas upon them, so they did not work themselves into illness again. -- Anon Guest

Selflessness is a flaw, and few people see it as such. People who indulge in selflessness are seen

Challenge #04566-L182: Bonded Bargain

A student is close to flunking out of a magic school. Desperate, the student turns to the accursed woods where the fairies dwell, hoping to strike a bargain. It's said that there are consequences to dealing with fae magic, but, it can't be worse than flunking out, right? -- Anon Guest

Rin would never make it as a Wizard. Even if he went after forbidden tomes and allowed a powerful spell to reside in his head, he couldn't even be a Wizzard[

Challenge #04562-L178: Under the Thumb of Justice

After a lifetime of flaunting and breaking the law, this rapscallion has reached the end of the line. But that doesn't mean there won't be one last fight... -- Anon Guest

Law should not be allowed to lay traps, strictly in my own, not so humble opinion. Citizens are definitely allowed to protect their treasures with locks and wards, that's just respect. Those who can afford greater security gain greater attention. That much risk is easily associated with fantastically great rewards.

I

Challenge #04556-L172: Stopgap Year

Reason allowed the young man to follow for a time. Even helped them get better clothing especially footwear. Used did not have to mean bad. They helped the youth find someone who could help them learn. And the two promised to remain friends even parting ways.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04476-l092-temporary-apprentice -- Anon Guest

Reason could teach more than ritual magic. They could teach basic survival skills. Archery, foraging, how to prepare and clean a kill, basic cookery. Making certain the

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A 248-post collection

Challenge #04604-L220: Much Ado in Ynsmuth

Challenge #04603-L219: Look Upon My Works, Ye Mighty

Challenge #04602-L218: Sew the Story Goes...

Challenge #04601-L217: The Last Great Lords

Challenge #04593-L209: One Hell of a Portent

Challenge #04592-L208: They're Brand New

Challenge #04590-L206: You Were Warned

Challenge #04584-L200: Never Lie to Dragons

Challenge #04579-L195: Devoured Conflict

Challenge #04574-L190: Tools of the Trade

Challenge #04572-L188: Heroism From Hubris

Challenge #04567-L183: The One Most in Need

Challenge #04566-L182: Bonded Bargain

Challenge #04562-L178: Under the Thumb of Justice

Challenge #04556-L172: Stopgap Year