1.63

A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.

aka hyena-people, dog-people +8

““The Prognugator role was never meant for specialized action. Moreover, it was thought that the Worker form would allow a Prognugator to blend in to reduce the dangers of assassination during times of war. This new form will greatly improve my abilities.””

““They died well. I would not have expected mere—they rose above what they were. For that, I honor them.””

““If you’re going to try and shake her, you might as well give up. She doesn’t respond.””

““She has no coin or anything else. Everything she owned was lost in the Ruins. Her comrades, her pride, her health—what more would you take from her, good Captain?””

““Will she recover, Ressa? She looks as Ulva did after Petra died.””

““Is something wrong, Guildmistress? I hope you do not wish to bring up—the past at this moment.””

““Some wouldn’t mind your presence. I—personally think you’re a dangerous distraction. But fine. You have a right to see her. You two are related, aren’t you?””

““A scar will haunt her—perhaps she will want it. But one cannot be undone. Something, Ressa.””

““You have lost more than you can dream. Yet, and yet, Yvlon Byres—mourn. Weep. Sit there as long as you must. But Izril will demand you to one day rise again and stand. You must. You will.””

““There is much that must be done. Reparations must be made to the city. The Antinium did not honor their promise. We must rebuild, put up barriers outside the Ruins.””

““Why didn’t you, then? I mean—he. Ksmvr. Ksmvr…didn’t fight?””

““The Council wants to hold someone responsible. And if it won’t be the adventurers, it will be this Guild. You choose which one.””

““All the adventurers who went in are dead. Only a handful remain, and they’re in no condition to repay anyone for anything. They’ve suffered enough. Leave them alone.””

““—I just thought that if you were here, you could settle this young woman’s accommodations. Especially if you aren’t taking her. Liscor is rebuilding, and the Adventurer’s Guild doesn’t take charity.””

““They have nothing. Nothing will be gained from blaming them, either. The Council was glad enough when they volunteered to explore the ruins. This is on their tails as much as ours.””

““Ksmvr was a fool. He nearly cost the Hive the city, our position here and status across the continent, and…other assets. I will deal with him soon enough.””

““One moment, Teriarch. Ressa—I am speaking to an old man with difficulties in splitting his attention. Really, do you think this is appropriate?””

““…There are those who did not seek this. Something is happening, Yvlon. I need to seek it out. This time—I can’t be too late.””

““I’m just going to lie down for a while.””

““She might die out here. She didn’t look like she was doing well. Theofore claims she’s mostly stealing.””

““…I would rather take all my time for those who try for everything. Should I have meddled?””

““—If only I could catch them as they fell.””

““Others? Ah. You mean the individuals who were once Workers. No.””

““It is called the Rite of Anastases. It is a…process which the Queen of the Antinium may undertake. It allows the dead to be reborn into a new body. A secret of the Antinium.””

““Stubborn child. If you really wish to push this—Selys!””

““I want those Humans responsible for unleashing the undead held accountable!””

““It should be more beautiful than that. It must be. I have to prove to her why I am different. Why I am—better.””

““I don’t bother with holding tails. I let the young make their own mistakes. It worked with me.””

““I can’t say. She’s tough. Her entire family is.””

““Over two hundred guardsmen and nearly a thousand civilians perished before the Hive was mobilized. Had they broken the Watch Captain’s lines, the number would be tenfold despite our sortie. She acted very bravely.””

““Very good, Lady Reinhart. I shall take the carriage around back.””

““That girl. What of her, Ressa? Yes, I saw her. Yes, she made it far. Commendable in some respects.””

““No. No, Guildmistress. I am not here. In fact, I should be grateful if you let me tarry a moment…then I will depart. Without interfering in your city or falling afoul of your Council. I know that I am not—well liked here.””

““It’s Guildmaster. This way, Reinhart. You won’t take her?””

““She has quite a lot on her. If I took her in, then what? She would be the most insufferable headache imaginable. To me, personally, to you…””

““I am sorry, Yvlon. I am so…I hoped you would come out of there covered in glory. I did not know. I cannot be everywhere. I should be, but I am one woman. Even now, you will not see me for some time. I am going north. Leaving all of you to your fates.””

““Old man? You go too far, child. First, you give me orders to find people as if I were your personal [Diviner]. Then you lecture me on—””

““Okay. I understand. I think. Then…does that mean you can revive the others who died?””

““Ksmvr believed the Queen had to be protected above all else. He withdrew all Soldiers into the Hive while she finished the Rite of Anastases.””

““Take Zevara to the leader of the adventurers she wants to blame so badly. Let her make her case there.””

““Has she considered working? One imagines she could.””

““She made it all the way here. That’s actually commendable. Was that—kind?””

““Lady Reinhart. Is that how I should address you?””

““Yvlon? My dear—it’s me. Can you hear me?””

““You have lost your team. Your friends. This moment must seem unbearable.””

““And you’re going to do it? You’re the new Prognugator? Or does Ksmvr still have that job?””

““Ressa. I have so much to do. And so little time for someone who does nothing with everything. I would rather…””

““Yes. I am swifter, more mobile, and possess several changes to my anatomy not incorporated into other Antinium. The older design of four arms was inefficient. This new body will serve me better.””

““No…nor does she seem keen on speaking with any Drakes or Gnolls. But her gold’s run out.””

““I think the Watch Captain will appreciate it. It will keep her from jailing the survivors. Selys, send a Runner for the Merchant’s Guild and make a list of the homes that got wrecked. And the families that lost members of the Watch. That idiot, Lism, might know about children.””

““There were other material costs as well. The Hive would not be able to support such an action more than once or twice. The others—””

““Hey, Toren! Get your bony butt down here and help me lift this thing!””

““No. I let my family make their own choices, for better or worse. I do not interfere. Would you think less of me for that?””

““Thank you, Reynold. I—I may take a while.””

““That is broadly correct, yes.””

““Harder, better, faster, stronger, huh?””

““Ressa, can you…? An ointment or something?””

““In truth, only a Prognugator would be considered…worthy of the effort and time required for such an act. Moreover, it is not something done lightly. There are consequences. I have lost ten levels in every class. A considerable setback, although my new body reduces the impact on my abilities quite significantly. And the time it took—my Queen labored for nearly two weeks without rest to restore my being.””

““A war would be tenfold higher at the very least. A hundredfold. It was a small price to pay and would have been smaller still had my predecessor not erred. Had we fought alongside the Watch, we would have pushed the undead back without taking nearly so many losses. Had they held the gates, less than a hundred might have died.””

““How many Antinium? Your people…?””

““Why did he do that? What Rite?””

““How did you come back?””

““That’s a lot of work.””

““Two arms are better than four?””

““Oh. Are you here for your guest? If you want to take her…””

““How else would they rise?””

““She may want the scar.””

““I wish I could stay.””

““Magnolia! Magnolia Reinhart! It’s me!””

““Miss Solstice. Are you alright?””

““You did all you could. You…were so brave. I am sure you were. If I could have—I always hope you succeed. You did not need me. That was what I thought. I am an unkind [Lady] of House Reinhart because I always expect it of you and all the others. I truly did think I would see you at a party in your honor. Now, I wish I could stay. But…””

““It was nothing.””

““Get away from them. Get—””

““Um. Hi. Follow me, Watch Captain.””

““No. Nonono. It wasn’t her, was it?””

““It was something.””

““He does not.””

““Thanks for saving me. Really.””

““What’s with the new body? Upgrades?””

““I get it.””

““Someone must pay.””

““You let them try.””

““Not at all.””

““Will—this do? For lodging?””

““Are they…eating it?””

““Y-yes, Grandmother.””

““No. Did she do this? Did—””

““Shit.””

““Human.””

““Guildmistress.””

““Very well.””

““Distantly.””

““Yes. Many things.””

““Ceria? Calruz?””

““How many?””

““…Really?””

““Klbkch?””

““Why not?””

““…Hello?””

““Yes.””

““Yes.””

““Yes, Erin?””

““Oh.””

““Oh.””

““Thanks.””

““Okay.””

““Yes.””