Early Access; Day One
Taiwan
'Kimberly' Hai Ryo Kiriko loved music and she loved the sea. She loved theater and the myths of the past... but she did not like the land that lay across the straits, the greedy and gluttonous behemoth that would see the beauty in the world choked out by factories. That would silence all songs that were not mindless droning of praise for the ones that lead them to ruin. At the same time, she was wise enough to know that she needed to prepare for when the beast came for them. For if the beast stopped eating, it died.
Of course, much of what she did was not as impressive as what the men would be doing. To be sure, she would fight if need be (her grandparents lamented the influence of the decadent and wild Americans), but that was not to say she wished to fight. Rather, as she studied and went with her friends to the arcade, to be under the heel of the mainland was not to live. It was to exist in a state between life and death, as the self was ground down. To have the embers of art and culture snuffed out.
And if any survived, it would be revived as a zombie, broken, twisted and wrong, meant to serve as a pretty mask over the face of a corpse that refuses the peace of the grave. Well, that and she heard rumors. That part of the 'rewards' planned for the invaders? Why, as her home was 'brought back into the fold', its daughters would 'be encouraged to 'build ties of blood to the mainland.' Rumors really, whispers on the wind that blow over the ocean waves. But with far more sons than daughters on the mainland, it was something to consider, as a woman of the fair island.
But, she was but once voice among many. A pretty voice, and one that the boys liked to listen to, but still just a pretty voice. And then the things came. Aliens? Gods? Something both or neither? In a way, it mattered little, save that they offered something of web novels tale, of power and the chance to become more, to have her voice lifted in thunder and might, to turn the very waters of her home against any and all invaders. At least, if they would still be able to muster themselves.
Granted, there was a small issue with what happened. Namely, that it occurred during supper, which was a family affair, and now her family was looking at her, as she transformed in a rush of lightening and mist... but not into the majestic dragon she thought she would be, but rather into what appeared to be a great carp, with a broad and powerful face. Alas, her hands were missing, and instead what she possessed were claws on the end of her now brilliantly scaled arms. However, she was a good daughter, and bowed to her parents and grandparents.
"Forgive me, a spirit approached and offered me power out of a web novel. I accepted, though it appears not to have worked quite as expected." Even as they got ready to speak, shock and confusion clear on their faces... well, she may be a good daughter, but she did have a small mischievous side, as she continued before they spoke. "Oh, and said spirit will be removing the ability of advanced technology to function in seven days when things move from early access to full release."
Ah, her brother got it, as he paled, even as her elders seemed to be shocked and began to speak, frightened and worried.
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Early Access; Day Three
Thankfully, materials were procured and she was able to study some of her new situation, even as she considered things. She was resting in the bathtub, as she was now aquatic until she matured into a T'ien Lung in six years when she turned twenty-six. She was capable of gaining experience and leveling... but apparently the weight of her racial hit dice, while a boon in many ways, would also prove to be limiting in others. Namely, gathering experience would be... difficult.
She could not just go hunting sharks, as they were apparently not worth any. She would need to challenge prey such as giant octopi, squid and sperm whales (given how other more magical creatures were likely not around until full release) if she wanted to barely grow at all, given her effective level thirteen status. In several respects, becoming a dragon was a trap it seemed. To be sure, she had dreams of leading and supporting her people... and she could still do that, even if the first level of Bard was not that impressive. It still had promise.
That, and one of her boons had been used to unlock one of Bethesda's crowing powers. She sighed, as she looked over her unlocked Thu'um. On the one hand, it had been worth the skill point expenditure and feat slot for Dragonspeech. Some utility to go with being a water bound pop-star. At the very least, she would be able to be a good asset to the family? And her friends, once she can convince her father to let them them come over. After all, maybe she would be able to grow by being a protector?
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Wait, was she being a man about this? How shameful.
Thu'um
Description
Cyclone; Ven Gar You unleash a swirling tornado which travels in a straight line 50 feet. Any creature struck by this takes 4d6 damage. In addition, if they fail a DC 18 Fortitude Save they are picked up 1d8x10 feet into the air, before being dropped back down in their original square and taking any fall damage as normal. If an obstacle (such as a ceiling) blocks a creature from reaching its full height, it takes 1d6 damage for every 10 feet of upwards movement it was unable to complete.
The winds are more receptive to your calls. Creatures who fail their Fortitude save are also knocked prone and are dazed for one round after they hit the ground. Bend Will; Gol Hah As a Standard Action, your voice of will is so inspiring that it bends the perception of those around you. Acts as the Spell Charm Person (Will DC 18), but can target multiple targets with an HD total equal to your own.
Bend Will now acts as Charm Monster instead of Charm Person, but can target multiple targets with an HD total equal to your own. Dismay; Faas Ru Maar Your voice expresses the pure nature of Fear. This can affect a number of targets whose HD equals your own. The affected creatures become Frightened for 1d4 rounds. If they succeed on a Will save (DC 18), they are instead Shaken for 1d4 rounds.
The HD limits for targets you can affect increases to double your own HD.
Dismay can now affect those normally immune to fear/mind-affecting effects (such as Constructs/Undead). Unrelenting Force; Fus Ro Dah! Your voice forces the opponents back, pushing them down. As a swift action you can push opponents away. They must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or be Staggered for one round. Unrelenting Force is a 10 foot Line.
Unrelenting Force now Stuns instead of Staggers, and is a 15 foot line.
The power of your voice grows further. On a failed Save, it now Blows Away creatures as well as Stuns them for one round. The size of the effect also increases to a 15 foot Cone. Aura Whisper; Laas Yah As a swift action your voice enhances your senses. Your sight widens and you can perceive the auras of all living creatures within 50 feet for 1d6 rounds. This effect does not pierce walls or other physical obstructions.
The range of Aura Whisper increases to 100 feet. Become Ethereal; Feim As a swift action, you become Ethereal for 1 round, crossing the dimensional lines from Material to Ethereal Plane. Taking any action besides moving instantly ends this effect, and the action resolves as if you were on the Material Plane the entire time. Disarm; Zun Haal As a swift action, your voice shocks those in front of you. Anyone in a 15' Cone must beat 25 on a Disarm check or be Disarmed. Their weapon automatically falls into the square they occupy, and you cannot attempt to grab it, even if unarmed.
Disarmed weapons now falls five to thirty feet away in a random direction.
Still, she had some options and was not quite defenseless. Only being able to use four of the shouts in a combat, and each individual one no more than once.... she had options if there was a fight. And more would come with time and opportunities. Indeed, if the invasion didn't happen in the next few days... well, it all depended on what her father and grandfather would tell the government. In any case, as she sank under the waters and closed her eyes...
She would do her best to make sure Taiwan was safe.