Liviana, the Goddess of Mercy

It is dark when they arrive at the city of Magiadmirari. Two guards stand at the gate, nervously gripping their weapons at the sight of Free Stuff. After some explanation from GG, the guards graciously welcome the party through, pointing them to the nearest inn. Using some of the money Gambit sacrilegiously looted from the corpses of the fallen soldiers, they are able to afford a room. Tomorrow will mark the fifth day after entering the game, and while no one wants to mention it, especially in front of Mira, their eyes speak multitudes.

The party finds their way to their two rooms, and sleep as comfortably as they can. Upon the sun’s rise, the party is able to get a better view of the city. Magiadmirari, a city known for its colorful banners, worship of Faefora, and study of magic and artistry, has changed. The knights of Magiadmirari now dress in dark metals and cover their faces, and the citizens seem to wear rags; their faces covered in dirt and emaciated. The prismatic banners have been replaced with black banners depicting a crying woman in a veil, and align every white stone wall that protects and divides the town.

“This is… different.” Narco says while looking out of his room’s window. Gambit and Free Stuff join him in taking in the changes.

“I’ve never heard of this faction before. Did a crying lady take over the town?” Free Stuff yawns.

Gambit’s eyes meticulously inspect everything, his gears clearly turning in his head. Then he gets an idea. “The woman is wearing a veil. Do you think she could be associated with Pluto and the other Mad Gods?”

Narco looks at Gambit, then back to the banner. “Yeah. I think you’re right. I guess we’re lucky because she should be the easiest to take down. It’s essentially just illusion magic.”

“Actually it was considered necromancy in the game.” Free Stuff turns toward the door, uninterested in this guessing game.

The two follow suit, and they head towards the inn’s lobby. The innkeeper eyes them with interest, as they wait for GG and Mira. Free Stuff is uncomfortable, feeling almost naked in his orcish skin.

“What’s your problem, man?” He doesn’t hesitate to call out the innkeeper’s behavior, but it catches the other two by surprise as they didn’t even notice his staring.

The innkeeper’s fervent eyes rest, relaxing into a foggy facade. “Just need to keep track of the comings and goings of shady folk like yourself. I’ve never seen a sketchier bunch. An orc and a shadowborn? I pity those two elf girls.”

Free Stuff grips his dragon club tightly. “Say that again!”

Narco puts his hand on Free Stuff and urges him to calm down. He faces the innkeeper. “It’s rude to judge people like that, sir. We’re just adventurers looking to help around the city.”

“Help? Your pet there was about to bash my brains in. No one needs your help here. We are all under Goddess Liviana’s protection. We don’t need godless outsiders coming in and mucking about.”

Narco is beginning to lose his patience too. “Godless? We have a member of the Sunshine Church with us. And if you’re so against us being here, why did you welcome us in the first place?”

“All who don’t worship Liviana are godless heathens in this land. I only took you in because that beautiful, ebon-haired, elf maiden asked so kindly. The rest of you lot could learn a thing or two about manners from her. Especially that beast you tamed. Did you teach it the common tongue? Or did it steal it like all orcs do?”

Narco’s fist tightens, threatening to do something he knows he shouldn’t. Before any more words could be said, Free Stuff walks outside. Narco joins him to cool off, while Gambit waits for the rest of the party in the lobby.

“What’s the matter, dark eyed? You ain’t leaving as well?” The innkeeper bites into a hard loaf of bread.

Gambit sighs. He leans against a post in the inn, and tilts his head. “I’m waiting for my friends. So what’s the deal with this Liviana character?”

The innkeeper spits on the floor at Gambit’s question. “How dare you speak of her so casually, heathen. I could have you skewered for that. Luckily, the Goddess teaches us to be merciful and giving, so I’ll overlook this transgression. Primarily because you seem so ill-informed.”

Gambit grows tired of his rude behavior. He puts on a sarcastic tone. “Oh, woe is me. So shamefully ignorant am I. Please sir, enlighten me of the Goddess of Mercy, Liana.”

“It’s Liviana, you vegetated meat pie!” The innkeeper takes a moment to recompose himself. “I’m sorry. Our Goddess is grateful to have a new devotee join her assembly.”

Gambit rolls his eyes, but the innkeeper appears quite serious. “I didn’t agree to any-”

“O’hoho, but you will. Once you meet her, you will. I knew I took you for a smart young man, thiefkin as you are. All children need God in their life.” The innkeeper’s enthusiasm slowly becomes more offputting, as Gambit slides closer to the door.

GG and Mira walk into the lobby with well-rested expressions. “Hey Gambit.” GG says, catching the innkeeper’s attention.

“Why if it isn’t Ms. Mira and Ms. GG.” The innkeeper says with an unnatural smile. “I was just telling your shadowborn friend about our glorious Goddess Liviana. I’m sure two flowers as sweet as you would love to hear about her many mercies as well.”

The two feel grossed out by the vigor in his speech and the way he emphasizes certain words. Though none of the party wishes to endure this man for any longer than they need to, Gambit gives a subtle nod to GG. “Actually, we should go check on our friends.” GG says to the innkeeper. “Where did Free Stuff and Narco run off to?” She asks Gambit.

“The orc and its master went outside. You two can join them if you don’t want to hear about our Goddess of Mercy.” He bats his hand dismissively.

The two gladly leave.

“Now that all the lost souls have left, we can get back on track.” The innkeeper cracks his knuckles, inhaling deeply for what most assuredly is about to be a long-winded monologue.

Gambit, having spent his entire life spamming the play button to skip through dialogue and cutscenes, has developed a sixth sense for monologues, but he realizes he can’t derail the train before it leaves the station. The information is too vital. He makes some incomprehensible noises, resisting the urge to cut the innkeeper off. His face contorts slightly as if there were an itch he can’t scratch.

“It happened not too long after the disappearance of the Demon King.” The innkeeper uses abnormal hand gestures to try and create an atmosphere for the story. “So many died in the Demon King’s War, and what remained were cities of broken people, lives left with missing pieces. It was an insufferable emptiness brought on by losing people who could never be replaced. Parents, children, friends, lovers: the remnants of sets forever to be incomplete.” The innkeeper’s exaggerated story telling softens, and so too does Gambit start to genuinely listen to him. “Then one day she appeared. Our Goddess of Mercy, Liviana. She came to our city, and showed us proof of the afterlife. That what we lost, was still in reach.”

Gambit stops leaning and takes a step forward. He sees the innkeeper starting to tear up. As he steps, the innkeeper rushes his hand up to acknowledge Gambit’s acknowledgement and he gestures that there is no need to continue with whatever nicety he was about to offer.

“I’m fine.” He continues. “I was about 11 years old when she showed me that my parents were happy. I make sure to visit her every year so I can see them. They’re so happy to see me, and she has so mercifully let them. No matter the cost, getting to see them is worth it. She even promises me that I can join them if I follow her teachings.” His eyes glisten with faith and hope. Gambit on the other hand, can’t help but feel pity for him. He is horrified with how this ‘Liviana’ character uses Pluto’s Veil. “Doesn’t it sound amazing? I’m sure I can put in a good word for you with her clergy, and you’ll be on the path to enlightenment in no time. Paradise will welcome you, even your prior misdeeds. That is her mercy. That is her love. Don’t you want to join us?”

Gambit takes a step closer to the door, unsure of how to help this delusional man. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can commit right now. I suffer from exhaustive search analysis, where I can’t make a decision until I know the complete ramifications of it. I need to know which choices give which rewards, and which paths get blocked by taking other paths. So I’ll take it into consideration, but…” Gambit is already one foot out the door. “Bye!”

Gambit sprints out the door, but the innkeeper was never going to chase him. He sees his friends standing by a well, and casually walks over to them.

Free Stuff is still bothered by his interaction with the innkeeper. “So, anything?” He asks with an annoyed tone.

“Yeah. Oh boy.” Gambit shakes his head. “It’s worse than we thought.”