Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or The Vampire Diaries, and find the need to state it ridiculous.
Rated M for violence, adult language, Dark themes, and sexual situations.
AN: This chapter is mostly setup with some context, the 'story' starts next chapter. If you want you can just read the opening scene, closing scene, AN's and the build at the very end of the chapter. You'll miss a bit of context of course but if setup isn't interesting to you it may be best.
This fic is a minor crossover with The Vampire Diaries. The only thing it has from that universe is an SI from my Metagaming Immortality story who is a Tribrid. Outside of that it's 100% Buffy.
For anyone who has read my other stories and wondered why exactly I include Metagaming in the name of all of them, this story should answer why. All my fics are a part of a shared Omniverse, and while the character of the Void has vastly changed since the beginning, thanks to Metagaming Futa's Multiverse Adventures, this was always where the story was going.
For anyone who hasn't read any of my stories, you shouldn't need to in order to understand whats going but I will give short summary of Metagaming Immortality. A borderline sociopath is insert into Tyler Lockwood's body before canon. He works up a scheme to get turned into a hybrid, builds his own pack, starts a relationship with Bonnie Bennett, and involves himself in dangerous rituals to grow stronger.
The beginning of this story takes place in a part of Metagaming Immortality that we haven't actually reached yet, roughly 2-3 chapters from now. For anyone concerned over minor spoilers you have fair warning.
For anyone wondering why Buffy, the answer is simple: Kendra Young, aka Bianca Lawson who also plays Emily in TVD. Also this is not a sequel for anyone worried and doe not mean I'm ending Metagaming Immortality.
I typically give in-story reasoning for things. Some times I'll add additional reasoning in the bottom AN if I feel I can't convey everything through the character believably. This story will not contain bashing, any negative portrayals of characters will be backed with canon evidence for their behavior.
Chapter 1
Everything was going to plan. After cleaning up the little 'war' going on in New Orleans and taking possession of my new witches, I finally arrived back in Mystic Falls with all my prisoners. Or to be more accurate, with all my ritual ingredients. It's barely even been a full week since the last time I had my favorite witch, Emily, rip apart and reform my body into something vastly superior. The big difference though is that last time I was doing it to remake my Enhanced Original Hybrid body into that of a Tribrid, one far more powerful than Hope Mikaelson would eventually be born as. This time however the plan was to amplify my abilities and modify a few choice aspects of myself.
Well that's not the only difference. The last ritual I had been planning and refining, with the help of Emily eventually, ever since I arrived in the TVD universe some 4 plus months ago. This time, I had the planning of roughly... 20 hours, though I did have the benefit of a successfully planed ritual to build off of. It should have been simple. Modify the previous ritual to work with 36 beings of three different species instead of just 3 witches. Compensate for the lack of self sacrificial magic in the last ritual with the sheer number of sacrifices in this one, and not having to use some portion of the ritual energy to resurrect Emily.
Modify the effects from giving me magic and reforging my body into that of a Tribrid and instead, increase the potency of my werewolf, vampire and witch sides. There's also a couple of more focused changes outside of simply empowering me. Firstly, I was using the death of the 12 traveler witches to fuel a change in my ability to pass on my traits to the 'vampires' I sire. Namely, using their nature as a magic user that doesn't draw on nature and that can posses other bodies, to allow me to sire witches by hijacking my vampire side's ability to pass on specific aspects of myself to my progeny.
For the 12 vampires, I was using their deaths to fuel an additional change within me. The plan was to transplant my status as an 'abomination' against nature, thus causing me to be unable to enter houses without invitation, and instead coerce nature to see me as a new living creature, a part of nature if you will. To accomplish this, I was targeting the aspect of my vampire nature that requires new vampires to die to start the transition, and instead make it intent based. If done right it should allow any new vampires I sire to be exempt from needing invitations and burning in the sun. I would have tried to remove the weakness to vervain, bit that's too tied into the white oak tree that binds and powers my immortality.
Finally for the 12 werewolves, of various bloodlines, I was using them to piggy back onto, and reinforce, the change in siring that the travelers will start. The goal there being to allow me to sire werewolves the same as I can currently sire vampires. As that's a relatively small energy requirement, given that it utilizes what was already accomplished by the travelers sacrifice, I'm also using the werewolves to change the very nature of the werewolf transformation itself. Specifically the need to have killed someone, or more accurately to feel responsible for someone's death.
Replacing that will be a change that reacts to a powerful emotion, of any kind, with an age based lock to only be accessible after the person's 16th birthday. Of course that's only for naturally born werewolves not for the ones I will hopefully be able to sire. If successful, those wolves should already be activated and able to change at will. It really should have been perfect.
Emily and I had everything in place. Shelia had set up the ritual circles for us again, this time far larger ones, we had the power of the full moon to call on and the Bennett land that was the site of a witch massacre. It's also the same place we performed the last ritual which should only help. After sneaking away from the pack play night my mate Bonnie organized with the help of a few hybrids, Emily and I met at midnight to begin the ritual.
Similar to before the grounds had been prepare with three connected concentric circles made of stone, though admittedly they were significantly larger. On the perimeter of each circle was a smaller half circle big enough for one person to stand in. while we technically only need one on the outer circle for me, the symbolism of having three helped balance the ritual and gave a place for the energy of each species to pool in while the next species was being sacrificed. If looked at from above the half circles would form a triangle pattern in relation to each other. In the inner circle an alter was setup with 36 drugged bodies piled next to it.
As I was standing in the half circle on the outer ring in my wolf form I had a great view of Emily beginning the sacrifices. One by one she began sacrificing the traveler witches. She started chanting in Ancient Greek, a different chant than anything she used in the last ritual, though a few words and their meanings were recognizable. The chant built to a crescendo echoing nearly deafeningly around the clearing for a few minutes before she plunged the knife into the body of the first traveler witch. The outer stone circle slowly filled up with a dull blue glow.
One by one she repeated this process and chant, each time sacrificing a traveler at the crescendo of the chant and each time the blue glow of the outer circle got brighter until with the final sacrifice, the blue glow reached a near blinding intensity. The outer stone ring throbbed with the barely restrained power of 12 traveler witches as Emily let the silence stretch and and the glow die down, seemingly settling and being fully contained by the outer ring.
She then moved on to the vampire sacrifices, again starting a building chant, this one different from the last and slightly longer. When she plunged the knife into the heart of the first vampire, the middle circle lit up with a dull red glow. Like with the traveler sacrifices, she continued doing that through all 12 vampires until the middle ring also lit up with a blinding red glow that was barely restrained by the middle stone ring.
After letting the energies be fully repressed by the stone ring, Emily moved on to the very last group of sacrifices. Like with the previous two, she chanted in Ancient Greek, the longest chant so far, and the plunged the knife into the heart of the first werewolf. The inner circle lit up in a dull silver light and she continued on until once again the 12th sacrifice brought about a barely contained light show that died down with time. Unlike last time where the energy transfer was near instant, this time Emily chanted in Ancient Greek for close to 30 minutes.
This is the part where she has to shape the changes each energy will have, tie them all together properly, fully channel the full moon and the power of the witch massacre, as well as empower the new body that will be remade for me. It takes a lot to do all that without killing either the caster or the person being empowered so I patiently waited for her to finish. As she continued chanting, the light of each circle began glowing brighter than before until with the final word of her chant, the clearing was filled with lights so blinding, I barely saw as the energies surged from the outer and middle circles along the connected stone lines and into me.
I anticipated the pain being far worse than the last time, but I didn't feel anything. My body didn't even start breaking down. All the energy had surged into the half circle around my wolf body after several minutes and I could finally see again. My first clue that something was wrong was the look of confusion on Emily's face. My second clue was the earth rumbling around us, that slowly built into a full blown earthquake knocking Emily over. Thirdly, when I tried to rush over to her I found my body frozen in place.
Finally all around the outer circle, I saw the spirits of witches, presumably dead Bennett witches, chanting. But not the same thing, I noticed after a few seconds. The majority of witch spirits were looking on in hatred and anger and chanting something in a harsh Latin. The smaller group of witches were chanting in Ancient Greek, so I assumed they were the ones I should be rooting for. Well that and the fact that the had a more determined look than hateful. My assumption was proven correct when I saw Emily slowly climb up to her knees and shakily join the Ancient Greek chant.
That was seemingly enough to start turning the tide in the favor of what I now know to be the witch spirits on my side. Things were looking up, despite the increase in the earthquakes power, and the trees I could could hear being knocked over. A strong gust picked up that slowly built to near hurricane force winds. As the witch spirits chanting in Latin they were beginning to look frustrated and worried. I barely heard the running of dozens of wolves before I saw my pack blur in to the clearing, swarming Emily and I in a protective manner. Any further observation was cut off as suddenly my world went white and I knew nothing.
Eventually, after an unknown length of time I found myself waking in a black void. That's the best way I can describe it, though I can't even be certain it's actually a void. All I can tell is that there's black in every direction. Well what I can only assume is every direction, I'm trying to look around, and I may actually be, but there's no point of reference for me to actually tell and I apparently don't have a body. Or at least if I do, I'm not in control of it and can't feel it.
I got over the initial panic that set in fairly quickly, or at least I believe it was quick. At the end of day, there's simply nothing to gain from panicking over the situation when I could be trying to do something to improve things. I can assume that if I am in fact still alive that Emily and the rest of my pack will be trying to...rescue me? If that's the right term to use, I don't currently know if that's the best word to use in my situation given that I don't actually know my situation.
The only thing I can currently think to do, is try to use the magic I can still feel I have to... do something. Not really sure what yet but I can decided that after I get it to respond. Which it still hasn't for the past... however long it's been. I had no clue how frustrating it was to not be able to properly feel the passage of time until now. If I get back to a normal life I really hope I don't end up becoming the type of immortal that can lose entire years and centuries deep in thought or sleeping without realizing it.
After more time probably passed, my... vision? I guess that's the only word I can really use, my vision was suddenly filled by something other than black. I guess it's best to say that the space that I could observe was filled by a being, while I could still see black void around the edges of the body. The body in question was a naked young teenage girl with a slender form, ankle length black hair and an extremely large penis, in relation to the rest of her body. Well she's built like an 13-14 year old girl but she seems... larger somehow, or my perspective is massively smaller than it used to be.
"I'm just over 7ft tall if that helps give you a better frame of reference. I'm also older than all of existence, by several times." Of course she is. That makes perfect sense. A giant lithe girl with a dick older than all of existence who can apparently read minds, makes perfect fucking sen-
" I can read minds, though that requires the person actually having a mind to read. You at the moment are just a spirit, one who is yelling. Very loudly I might add. I swear I go visit my wife for all of two seconds and suddenly you start yelling like a little bit-" There's no fucking way it's been two seconds since I became aware, and where the fuck is my body at then. Who in the hell is-
"It's been precisely 1.68 seconds since you came into awareness. Thoughts from your spirit move at a speed far faster than you would ever experience in a body. You don't have a body, never have in fact. As for who I am, I'm the void. As in the energy field that weaves through and holds all of existence together. Since the very first existence. And I hate being interrupted." That sounds... important, and more importantly powerful. Like someone you don't want to piss off.
"You really don't." Right. Um well I'm sure you do a great job at uh containing all of reality? And while you aren't really my type you look great, I'm sure your wife is happy?
"Very, I have to force her to stop having sex with me. It's amusing. She's why you're here actually." That doesn't sound very good. In fact it's a bit disturbing if I let myself think of all the implications. No... control your thoughts... yelling oh fuck right she can hear me, OK focus. Erm, so Mrs. Void, why exactly am I here, and what did you mean that I've never had a body? By my count I've had 3. OK good, nice and respectful that shou- oh fuck.
"You're here because my wife is pregnant and unable to fulfill her usual duties so-" I'm really not into that! No offense I'm sure you're great and all but body or not I'm a guy. A straight guy, I'm sure you can some some girl instead, I can even recommend a few if you want, there's this girl Elena I'm sure you wou-
"So, you'll be taking her place and traveling into one of my favorite worlds so I can watch whatever changes and chaos your presence brings. Normally she does this but I recently got her pregnant so she'll be sidelined for the next few millennium." Millennium? What the fuck kind of pregnancy is... I mean sure I guess I can do that. So back to the whole no body thing. I gotta be careful, I've killed people for far less than vaguely insulting my pregnant mate.
"You have and it's been interesting to watch, which is why I chose you. I've been watching you from the minute she inserted your spirit into Tyler Lockwood's body. At first I was angry, I was about to send my wife to that world. I was going to destroy that universe for the slight but she convinced me it could be interesting to see how someone else approaches being inserted into one of my favorite worlds. I have to say she was right, you were very entertaining." Thanks? I'm glad I could entertain you, uh thanks for not destroying the universe I was in.
"Like I said, it was a good decision given how entertaining you are. So anyways, we were watching you together, and while you were having an orgy we kinda got worked up, and long story short my wife is now pregnant so I needed a replacement. As for your body, well you aren't actually Ty Blackwood, formerly Tyler Lockwood. It's impossible for me to enter a world, or even interact with it without destroying it. I'm just too powerful. I need an avatar in a world I want to affect, someone whose soul is connected to me so I can filter my power through their body, thus weakening it allowing me to alter reality for that universe."
That's... an entirely different level of power. I can't honestly imagine how powerful you have to be so that even a sliver of that power is more than an entire universe can handle. Wait what the hell does she mean I'm not Ty Blackwood? I know for a fact... I mean, Ms Void what exactly do you mean I'm not Ty Blackwood, if it's not a bother of course.
"My name is Mystra-" Like the goddess from D&D? Was she based on her or... oh fuck I interrupted her. She does not look happy and... I'm going to stop now. Sorry.
"My name is Mystra. Anyone who may or may not have had my name no longer exists, it seems I wasn't thorough in also making sure there was no written record of that name either. As I was explaining, I had no way of actually entering your universe but I caught a break during your ritual, mainly in it being interrupted and your body and spirit exploding with a magical force great enough to force your spirit into higher dimensions as it was being reconstituted. I was able to touch the metaphorical 'barrier' of that universe as your soul finished reconstituting from the effect of the ritual performed and copied it. You are that copy."
I'm a copy. I... don't feel like a copy. Granted I don't have a body but my memory is fully intact and I can fell my magic just like when I did have a body. It does seem to be significantly weaker, but that's mainly because I don't have a body that's been gorging on tens of thousands of gallons of blood. I don't have that massive well of energy converted from blood to draw on an fuel my spells, I guess I just have the innate witch magic from my soul. I fell like me... or him I guess. Oh fuck am I even real?
"You're real to me, and as the only being whose opinion matters when it comes to the realities of existence, you're real." That's actually kind of reassuring. Thanks. I don't suppose there's any chance that I can be sent back to my universe is there? Just thinking about how much easier it would be with two of me to take over the world makes me excited.
"I could, but knowing yourself, tell me how long do you think it would take for you to be killed or used as the primary ingredient in some empowering ritual? That is your thing right? Sacrificing people to give yourself power-ups?"...fuck. I would totally have Emily design a ritual to empower myself if I was suddenly faced with a clone of myself. Why am I such an asshole.
"Don't feel too bad, your assholery is part of what makes you so entertaining. Of course if you're really against this new life I could always erase your existence and reach into your former universe and snatch the original you out instead. It would completely destroy it and kill everyone else inside it but I can probably keep your original alive."... thanks for creating me Mystra, I'm looking forward to entertaining you and your wife.
"Oh, well if you're sure. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."No it's no problem at all I'd be happy to do it. So anyways... what world am I going to be going to exactly, I assume I'll get a new body for it?
"Of course, watching you as a disembodied spirit would be boring. I'm sending you into a universe commonly known as the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' universe. Just like with my wife I'm going to give you these documents, they're called jump documents and you'll pick things from them and I'll give you those things. Some of the little gods call them jump-chains, have you heard of them?" Have I heard of a jump-chain? Fuck yes I have. A string of insertions into various fictional universes where you spend ten years in each and can acquire god-like powers, the ultimate reward being the highly coveted planeswalker spark. Don't worry I know all about-
"Yeah so it's like that, but without out most of that. You will be inserted into various worlds of my choosing, where you may gain god-like powers. You'll stay in each world for as long as I find entertaining for you to stay. The ultimate reward is something much greater than a planeswalker spark, you get to continue existing. As long as I'm entertained that is." Right of course, that's perfectly fine by me. Who needs an old spark. As long as you're happy that's whats important. Not the potential for endless power that I've been crav-
"This world actually has two main jump documents, so you'll have to pick one. Apparently the little gods couldn't agree on what their champions needed to start their adventures." Wait don't I get a body supplement or a cosmic warehouse or something first?
"A cosmic warehouse?" Yeah you know a pocket dimension where I can store things from my jump, live in between jumps, store my companions etc. What does you wife use?
"She has a 30km long spaceship inside of a pocket universe that I created for her where she keeps... a lot of things. Including this really amazing beach, it's my favorite place in all of existence. Have you ever been to a beach?" Yes. Many times. So, uh does everyone get a 30km long spaceship inside a pocket universe that has it's own beach? Like is that the standard welcome to the team package or something, cause... I'd be OK with that.
"Oh no. I didn't make the spaceship, she already had that before I met her. I just made the pocket universe so she didn't have to keep teleporting her ship from inside me." So... there's no chance I could get a spaceship of my own then? What about the Body supplement?
"I don't think she would would like someone having a copy of her ship and I don't think you really need it. Maybe when you're done with your first universe we can work something out. As for your body, well I was just going to create you a new one based on the imprint of your spirit but if you want a new body that's OK I guess. I'm not sure why you want to give up being a Tribrid just to get a new body though, it's not like you were ugly or had a small penis." I'm sorry, why exactly would I have to give up being a Tribrid to get a body supplement?
"Well your spirit, specifically the soul portion of your spirit, determines your base body. A human soul, gets a human body. A Tribrid soul gets a Tribrid body. An Orc soul gets an Orc body. If you want a body supplement I would have to modify your soul so that whatever you designed your new body as would be your base, your default. That means you would no longer be a Tribrid by default and would have to acquire a Tribrid alternate form later on. You can't actually change your base default form through choices on a jump document, it only gives you alternate forms." So even if you made a copy of what my body would currently be, given my Tribrid soul, if I change my body with a body supplement, the most you could do is give me my original body as an alt form?
"Correct. Of course I wouldn't actually do that. I'm not giving you free alternate forms outside of your jump document purchases. You could, in time, do the rituals that modified your soul to what it currently is and thus regain this form, but I don't see you taking any trips to another Vampire Diaries universe any time soon."...Yeah that's just not worth it. I'm perfectly happy with my body the way it is. Granted never needing to eat and always being clean would have been nice but oh well.
"In that case we can get back the jump documents then. Here are both, look them over and decide which you want." Hmm, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel SB Edition' or 'Buffyverse JumpChain'? Well just looking at it, the Buffyverse document has far fewer options and seems over priced. There's also only one, maybe two drawbacks on that entire document I would be OK with taking. The SB Edition document on the other hand has far more reasonably priced options, a ton of tolerable drawbacks, far more choices, and no limit on the amount of CP you can get for taking drawbacks. The choice is obvious, there's only one problem though.
"What is it?" Well on the document I want to use, there's no real option for background or how your inserted into the world, it's kind of just left up to the person's imagination I guess, or maybe it's at the discretion of whoever the jumper's patron is? Either way it's hard to properly build out a new life without knowing or being able to choose who I'm going to be, and how I'm going to be inserted.
"Let me see that... ah I see the you're talking about, it makes references to things like backgrounds and drop in options without either of those actually appearing on the document. It is possible the god who made this never finished it or just chose for their champions. Well we can fix this fairly easily. If you choose to use this document, you can use the identity section on the 'Buffyverse JumpChain' document. You wont get any extra CP for selections in that section though." That works... though if I'm using the identity section, can I also have access to other sections as well?
"No. Though just to make things interesting... how about this, if you take a complication from the 'Buffyverse JumpChain' document for free I'll let you buy things from the items section of that document. Of course you wont get any extra CP for this either, and you can't buy anything on that document if it has a counterpart on the 'Buffy the Vampire slayer and Angel SB Edition'. Even if it's cheaper, especially if it's cheaper." I'll take what I can get. Thank you.
OK let's look at drawbacks to determine an operating budget. First and foremost, on the 'Buffyverse' document I'll take the complication 'Perfect Harmony' as my obligatory no CP choice. Basically every day that she has easy access to me, she'll find herself visiting me for varying amounts of time and act like herself. I won't be able to kill her to get out of it. Which means I get an easy in road to fucking Harmony Kendall and I have a walking blood bag I can never drain dry. If anything that's a perk.
OK now for the drawbacks on the SB Edition Document. The one that stands out the most is extended stay. Mystra already said I'm only staying as long as she wants me to so I'm not stuck with the 10 years of a normal jump-chain. Even if she doesn't pull me out before all the time is up from this choice, I'm immortal. And patient. At 100 CP per 5 extra years I stay here, I wouldn't mind staying an extra century. The next easy choice is 'Perfect Bait' for 200 CP. It makes demons and monsters attack me over other's around me unless they have a specific target or preference that I don't fit. In other words I keep my enemies targeting me in a fight leaving my allies open. This is another drawback that's basically a perk for me.
The next up is a choice two spaces down in 'Demon Magnet' for an additional 200 CP. It vastly increases the chances of me running into demons in my everyday life. Not that they'll necessarily attack me, just that I will come into contact with demons more often. Sounds like a great way to have potential ritual ingredients and possible slaves come to you instead of having to hunt them down.
After that, for an additional 200 CP, is 'Sunnydale Syndrome'. It makes it significantly harder for the jumper to convince someone that the supernatural is real if they don't already know about it. Unless a supernatural creature attacks and tries to kill them, and even then they might not believe. This doesn't extend to the jumpers companions or anyone else though which means I can still have other people convince them of the supernatural. More importantly it means that I can be blatantly supernatural around people and they'll write it off in their heads unless they already know about it. Another 'drawback' that's basically a perk if used right.
For 200 CP more I can take 'One Girl In All The World'. Basically it says you can't bring any of your companions from other jumps into this one. The problem is it specifies companions from other jumps, thus excluding any companions purchased from this jump. Since I currently have no companions form any other jumps... this is literally just 200 free CP. While it's not a drawback that's basically a perk, it's one that will let me purchase 200 CP worth of perks.
The next one after a moment of thought is actually 'Head-Splitting Torturous Pain', the 200 CP option. While causing myself near debilitating pain every time I use one of my abilities isn't something I would normally ever choose... there are abilities I technically have that I simply never use because they're either impractical, stupid, or I've never been in a situation to use them. I know the perfect one to choose as well. I technically have the ability to control crows. I've only ever half tried it once and it didn't really work but... I do have the ability. This is basically just another free 200 CP.
Finally the last one I feel comfortable taking is 'Apocalypse Season' for 300 CP. Basically once a year I'll get dragged into an apocalypse scenario of varying levels of severity. I'll get foreshadowing before each and time to prepare. In other words another 300 free CP. The drawback doesn't cause additional apocalypses necessarily, just drags me into preexisting ones. Oh I'm sure if for some reason there suddenly wasn't an apocalypse every year, a new one would be created, but... this Buffy. Is there ever not an impending apocalypse? Like that's basically the whole show. Even once we move passed the events of the shows and comics, given the nature of the Buffy universe, I'm sure there would still be yearly apocalypses.
If my ability to do basic arithmetic has held true, that's 2300 starting CP, with the ability to get an additional 100 CP for every 5 extra years I agree to stay here. In other words, I can buy whatever looks good and take as many 'Extended Stay' choices as I need to cover it. OK then with a 'budget' in place lets look at the identity section on the 'Buffyverse JumpChain' document. Hmm... OK from the get go I can eliminate 'Watcher', 'Initiative Member', and 'Wolfram & Hart Lawyer'. The absolute last thing I want is to be under the supervision of the government or powerful supernatural beings.
Demon is being rejected on principal. Not because I'm anti-demon, but because I would be spending hundreds of CP between this selection and choosing a specific demon type in the species section of the SB edition document, all to be insert in a body massively weaker than my base form. That's just dumb. Even with having the CP to burn, I just can't even consider that as a logical option.
The only two real options, in my opinion, are 'Spare Key' and 'White Hat'. Based solely off the Buffyverse document, 'White Hat' is the best choice. You're 16 and back in high school with over involved parents, but you don't have a super powerful hell goddess hunting you down. After 2 years, you can move out, drop out of school if you really want then never talk to your parents again. On the other hand, with 'Spare Key' you'll still get a new family, potentially Willows super religious strict parents or Xander's abusive parents, while still having a hell goddess that's going to hunt you down.
However that's only if you're just using the Buffyverse document. The SB Edition document has a 'The Key' perk that eliminates the worse parts of choosing 'Spare Key'. You can also choose to be up to 20 with 'Spare Key' and simply not have to deal with parents or high school. With that choice made I can move over fully to the SB Edition document, at least until we get to the items section. OK first up is Origins. 'Light', 'Shadows', or 'Darkness'. Seems like a pretty easy choice from a flavor stand point as I'm way too evil to choose 'Light' and I would hate the boxing in to the bad guy role that 'Darkness' entails.
From a optimization standpoint, the majority of the perks that look good from the initial glance I made are discounted through choosing 'Shadows'. As far as species goes, this is the easiest choice so far, on previously stated principal I refuse to choose demon and would never willingly choose the long list of weaknesses and limitations the Buffyverse vampires have. Human is free, but I would honestly pay for it after seeing the alternatives.
Under the 'General Perks' section the first thing I actually want is 'Magical Gifts'. 'Hollywood Hot' is redundant, as I'm already attractive. This might make me more attractive, but I like the face I had and through the body rebuilding rituals it's already been optimized. 'Scooby-Speak and Willow Babble' would be a good choice if I hadn't seen the show several times and possessed a fairly extensive knowledge of pop culture already.
I was tempted to take 'Scooby Doo, Where Are You?', but I honestly don't think I would use it. Research is Willow, Xander, and Giles' department. While I enjoy reading about and studying the supernatural I just can't see myself cooked up in the library furiously studying for clues when I could be using my physical skills instead.
Which brings us to the first perk I'm taking, 'Magical Gifts'. It's arguably the most no brainer perk on this document, for almost anyone. You're spending 300 CP to get access to supernatural powers and 400 'SP'. Now since 'SP' is purchasable with CP at a 1:1 ratio, as long as there are 400 SP worth of supernatural powers you want, this actually saves you CP. 'No Weapons, No Friends, No Hope' seems pretty pointless to me even with the discount. I doubt I'll face anyone stronger than me in this universe, I'm extremely hard to permanently kill, and while the spotlight can be useful, I don't want the option of staying in the shadows taken from me by a perk.
The next good pick up in my opinion, is 'Talented' in the 'Light Perks' section. For 100 CP I can become an expert at any mundane skill. For each additional purchase, it's only 50 CP. While I have a few ideas of the various things I would want to be talented at, to be safe I'm just going to purchase 5 helpings of the perk for 300 CP total. The rest of the options in this section, while not bad for some builds are all about morale and being a part of the group as a good little side kick, things I'm fundamentally opposed to as anything other than a ploy or part of a plan to manipulate people.
For the 'Shadows' section, I'm taking... Everything. Not just because the first choice is free and the rest are discounted either, all 4 choices are things I would genuinely pay full price for. Starting with the 100 CP option, free for me, we have 'Head Boy'. Simply put, it gives a fairly broad education on the supernatural world, including the major factions and the weaknesses and strengths of most demons. There's also the benefit of knowing the real history behind various legends and fairy tales.
For 200 CP, discounted to 100 CP, 'Rogue Demon Hunter' is incredibly useful. I don't need the boost to strength, toughness and reflexes, but the mastery of various weapons is worth it alone. The only thing I'm currently good with is a gun. On top of that I get the long term benefit of the perk greatly increasing my aptitude in learning future combat skills, which given my immortality, is literally one of the best long term investments I can make.
'Contacts and Connections' for a discounted 200 CP is simply a must have. Not only will it give me a relatively vast network of resources and favors, the network will almost always have something relevant and useful in any situation I face. On top of that once every ten years, or new jump, I'll be able to use them to acquire the key piece to solving any big conflict. Need a super rare artifact that would have been nearly impossible to locate and retrieve? Call one of your contacts because they've already retrieved it. And it follows me to every new world. Again as someone whose immortal, this is a long term investment I just can't ignore.
The last of the 'Shadows' sections is actually the least worth the money at full price, though again I would still go for it. At a discounted 300 CP though it's a no brainer. 'I'm The Thing That Monsters Have Nightmares About'. It's a mouthful but it's a wonderful perk. It makes you one of the finest fighters and hunters around, a brilliant strategist and tactician, and a charismatic leader. It'll make it far easier for me to find and recruit followers, and earn their lasting loyalty. Given what's recently happened with certain members of my pack well... it's worth the CP. Most importantly though, it makes the people I teach and train improve 5x faster than they normally would. I'm going to be living and training people for the rest of time, this is worth 600 CP by itself.
There's nothing I plan on buying under the 'Darkness' section. 'Soulless' is literally worthless to someone like me who can flip my emotions off and on at will already. That's if I even felt remorse over my monstrous acts in the first place of course.'Treasures and Artifacts' just does a part of what 'Contacts and Connections' does except you have to be the one trying to find things yourself instead of having people locating things for you. So essentially more limited and overall worse.
'Evil Plots, Plans, and Schemes' looks like something I would take on the surface except for one thing. It's too strong. To be specific it's too strong in the worse way possible for someone whose going to live forever, it takes all the randomness and tension out of a situation by giving you a nearly 100% success rate on all your plans. Which is another problem, your plans almost always work. Which sounds like the perfect way to be lured into a false sense of security and ultimately get killed, or be caught with a blown plan and no back up to pivot to. I'll pass.
'The Big Bad' is honestly a very good perk. The problem with me in particular taking it is three fold. First I'm already the most powerful being of my kind, in this universe, and am damn hard to kill. Second it has the same problem as the last perk, though even worse. It gives you flat out plot armor. Except in certain scenarios you'll either win or be able to escape, again that's going to be torturously boring for all of eternity and is the perfect way to have your guard lowered for those few times you actually can die. Finally, it seems to box you into being the big bad. I'm sure I'll play the role of the big bad fairly often over the rest of time but, id rather die than be trapped into the same role and actions for all of eternity.
Moving on to the 'Supernatural Powers and Abilities' section, my first choice is to spend the 400 SP from 'Magical Gifts' on 'Magical Potential'. This not only increases your talent and ability to learn magic, it also gears your internal well of magic to be easier to use in combat. This is going to help every other magic I want to learn for literally the rest of eternity. The 400 SP option of 'Witch, Warlock, or What' would be worth the double the price. Not only does the perk overall increase your natural talent at magic, it directly gives you the power and knowledge to be considered one of the most powerful magic users on earth. Someone on the same level on Cyvus Vali through this perk alone.
The next ability I'm really interested in possessing is 'Telekinetic' for 200 SP. While I do have the untrained ability to move things with my mind, this will give me the power and control to throw around grown men without accidentally hitting anything I don't want. In other words, with practice this will let me use Telekinesis to fly. 200 SP is cheap for a short cut to flight in my personal opinion. 'Invisible Person' is a simple ability letting you turn invisible at will and giving you complete control but it's extremely useful and cheap at 200 SP.
'Werewolf' is honestly an offensive option. I've always hated the werewolves of Buffy. I'm not a girl so 'Slayer' is out, and given my abilities, useless even if I could take it. 'Seer' is interesting but I personally think vague visions that you have to interpret usually cause as much if not more harm than good. 'The Key' however is a must. Not only because it makes 'Spare Key' worth taking by making it so you aren't identifiable as the key, but it makes using portal magic orders of magnitude easier, to the point that with this perk alone you can teach yourself portal magic.
If you combine the previously purchased magical talent, power, and vastly increased learning ability, not to mention the magical ability I already had... I could likely easily learn to open portals to other universes and get out of having to stay for all of the extended stays I purchase. Or just throw up quick portals to teleport rapidly around the planet. Or portal away a big bad into a different dimension... the possibilities are literally endless.
Now that all the perks and abilities have been purchased, I can head back over to the Buffyverse document and pick out what items look good. Hmm... like the rest of the document all the interesting choices are over priced to the point that though I can afford them, principal wont let me do it. The only ones that I consider decent deals are 'Book of Kelsor' for 100 CP that has detailed knowledge of thousands of demon species, including how to fight them. For 150 CP I can purchase 'Necro-Tempered Glass' that filters out the aspects of sunlight that cause vampires to burn. I'm not sure if it will work for TVD vampires, but even if it doesn't I can still profit from being able to upgrade all my things with it. Probably.
Moving back to the SB Edition document under the 'Generic Items' section I have much more interesting and well priced options. Of course I'll take the free 'Mr. Pointy' and 'Wardrobe'... they're free. For 100 CP I'll buy the higher option of 'Weapon' to get a full arsenal of high quality, durable weapons, with all the needed ammunition. For another 100 CP I'll take the fully armored option of 'Vehicle' it never needs to be refueled or maintained and repairs itself overnight.
'Bare Necessities' gives you a house, and additional vehicle. By spending 300 CP on this option, the house and second vehicle will be upgraded, to a much nicer level. I'll also have a trust fund that gives me $20 million dollars per year, after taxes. All the documentation is taken care of and everything is legal. Not only does it follow me into other worlds and can be toggled on and off, but any other form of income I get can be added to it, having all the taxes and documentation taken care of. In other words not only do I effectively not have to pay income tax ever again, I can legally wash as much money from criminal enterprises as I want.
'MacGuffin' is very interesting so I'll take the time to look over the various options in the attachment. Hmm, there are a lot of good options but... the only two that I think are really worth the 400 CP are the Enochian protection runes and Hope's dagger. The Enochian runes are an alphabet set that when applied in a spell can do various things from making a person invisible to magical and technological surveillance, to give them the power of transmutation. Hope's dagger is actually a long sword that is a piece of the first light, it's powerful enough to temporarily kill the first evil and scatter it's being through out all dimensions for centuries.
I don't mind paying the combined 800 CP for both, but there's a better way. Mainly through purchasable companions. I can spend 100 CP to buy two custom companions that I can create myself and have them spend their CP on my MacGuffins for me. Saving me 700 CP or, 35 years in this universe if I can't find a way to get out early. Also... I mean I get to design two custom companions for 100 CP, I would have done that even without the MacGuffins.
Finally in the home stretch, we get to the 'Light Items' section. The only interesting thing is the 'Computer' for 200 CP that can always connect to WI-FI, never needs power or to be maintained, upgrades to the best technology in each new world and will never downgrade to a lesser technology. It can also morph through various forms including a desktop PC, laptop, a smartphone and a tablet. Finally it has the most power anti-virus and firewall, it can never get hacked or be traced back to the user.
In the 'Shadow' section I of course take the 'Library' for free. It's free. It gives me an extensive library on demonology, the occult, prophecies, and even some on magic and rituals. It updates to include books from the new worlds I go to. More interesting is the 'Spellcasting Kit' discounted for 100 CP. It gives me all the spell components, ritual tools, and spellbooks to allow me to work any magic I'm capable of, and even some I'm not so I can continue to train and improve. The supplies replenish daily and even update as I gain access to new magic in new worlds.
With all my purchases set, I can work on the details like what I want my 5 talents be. Hmm to start with I think I'll go for being a naturally talent expert in the areas of, automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, street racing, tattoo artistry, and cooking. For the engineering and street racing, well I have an Idea for a project that I think will be game changing. Or at the very least a shit ton of fun, I'm happy either way. For the last two, well tattooing is pretty obvious. I want to be able to tattoo the Enochian runes onto myself and others. Cooking, is because it's the closest mundane skill I could think of that's similar to traditional potion making, chemistry not being a skill but a field of study.
Now on to the payment. Without taking any 'Extended Stay' drawbacks, I have 2300 CP. My total build comes out to 3550, if I've done my math correct. However, if I want I can give the two companions I'm building CP at a ratio of 1:2 so say 250 CP from me can be 500 CP for each of them, effectively turning 250 CP into 1000CP for the group. OK doing that, that brings me to 3800 CP, which means I need to take... 15 'Extended Stay' drawbacks. That's a lot but it comes with a massive benefit that was probably unintended.
The exact wording of the 'Create/Import' option under the 'Companions' section creates a massive loophole. It says that companions get 600 CP, an origin, the appropriate freebies, discounts and stipends. Most importantly it lets them take drawbacks, but limits them to taking drawbacks that directly effect them. If I take 'Extended Stay' it technically only directly affects me. Technically, I could find a way to send my companions on while I serve out the 75 years by myself. Of course that's impractical and not what I would do, but it still only directly affects me.
Conversely, if my companions take 15 'Extended Stay' drawbacks to get 1500 additional CP, it technically only directly affects them. I can, if I chose and wasn't already staying, leave them here while they served out their 75 years. Of course I wouldn't as it would be inconvenient, but that's only me being indirectly affected. In other words, between the 600 CP they get from the companion option, the 500 CP I'm giving them, and the 'Extended Stay' drawbacks I'm taking, they'll each have a budget of 2400 CP.
Finalizing all my choices, I'm now done. The only thing left is to pick out my vehicle and create my companions. Excuse me Mystra, I've finished my build, I'm rea-
"I know. What part of you're literally yelling everything at me do you not understand? I heard your entire running commentary and decision making process." Oh. Right... that's embarrassing. I'm actually kinda glad I don't have a body right now. So uh I guess you know what else is left then.
"We'll start with your Vehicle, what did you have in mind?" We'll I was thinking about a car from a video game I used to play, NFS: Heat. It's a 1969 tricked out charger. Can you like, read my spirit and make it?
"Yes but... there's a problem. I can see the car and game in your thoughts but, it doesn't actually exist. There is no specific universe that correlates to those games, so that car upgraded in that specific way doesn't technically exist for me to copy and empower." So am I not getting my car then?
"You are, it just means we have to take a trip. This isn't the first time this has happened. You see while powerful, I'm not really good at creating brand new things. I find destroying far easier. I can copy and empower things well enough, but completely new things... anyways what we usually do is my wife makes whatever item she wants in her manufactory and then I just copy and empower it. We'll just take a quick trip to her ship and ask if she'll make your car. Oh, I know... you can use her Biomedical R&D Lab to design your companions and then I can just copy them and stuff souls in them. I was going to have you describe them and then try to find the closest people I could but this is much better, lets go!"
OK that works I guess we- holy fuck that's a lot chicks with dicks.
"The correct term is Futanari, though you can use Futa for short. I'm Vanessa, welcome to my ship I guess. Mys, why do you have a floating spirit with you and why exactly did you bring it here of all places?"
"This is that copy of Ty Blackwood I made to take your place in the Buffy universe. We just finished getting his Jump set up but I needed your help with a few things." It's nice to meet you Vanessa uh thanks for having me on the ship I guess.
"Right, please stop with the yelling. Is there any particular reason he doesn't have a body yet? You know spirits don't function properly outside of their bodies unless they're in an afterlife dimension."
"Uh, we hadn't got to that part yet? I maybe forgot... just a little. Sorry."... Holy fuck that's weird. Going from... hovering? Floating? Eh either way, going from that to suddenly on the ground gasping, trying to get air into brand new lungs is disorienting. Having a body again, actually being able to properly think again after... whatever the fuck that form of existence is called, is the single biggest relief I've ever felt. Slowly rising to my feet, I almost stumble at the overwhelming feeling of sheer raw power radiating out of the massive teenage looking all powerful being.
"Thank you." It was direct to Vanessa, who I'm guessing is Mystra's wife. She a beautiful woman though far too masculine for my taste. She's a roughly 6ft tall red head with pale skin and relatively well defined muscles under a very generous set or breast and hips. While I say she's too masculine, it's really just the exposed dick I can see that's big enough it would give me a run for my money. It's just weird. It doesn't help that she's surrounded by countless clones of another 'Futa' woman, who I think may be part robot, either that or she's cutting up clones of this person.
"It's no problem. You'll have to forgive my wife a little, she's not used to interacting with people who aren't me. So what exactly did you two need my help with?" She set down the severed, possibly android, arm she was working on and moved away from her desk to greet the giant teenager with a very deep kiss. I so don't need to see this shit.
"Well I need a vehicle made and your wife said it would be OK for me to use you biomedical Lab to create my companions." I was met with silence as the red head stared at me, seemingly staring deep into my soul before blinking after nearly a minute and nodding.
"Your car is being made. There's a holo-station at my desk you can use just put your hands near the glowing yellow circle. You can build them from presets on file, the database of people we have scanned in or go completely free form and write every single line of code in their DNA." Oh fuck she just read my mind didn't she, I forgot about her wife being able to do that, she's going to kill me isn't she?
"I did and I'm not." Vanessa began the sitting motion, pulling her wife down with her and a desk and chair materialized as soon as she got in the position to sit. That's so fucking cool.
"Listen I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Don't. I don't care. Just finish what you came for, I'm pregnant and horny and I get the feeling you wouldn't want to stick around to watch that. Besides the currently naked 'giant teenager' under me isn't really an exhibitionist, she's more of a voyeur." I didn't need or want to know that but I'll take the dig and olive branch for what they are.
"I'm not a voyeur, don't say stuff like that in front of people." Mystra began looking far more embarrassed than I ever thought a being of her power could. Then again, it's not like I didn't get caught in my fair share of soft squishy moments with Bonnie.
"Are you forgetting the horse that you-"
"That was one time! That doesn't make me a-"
"One time with a horse, what about when you just had to see me get gang banged by a horde of dragons? Or better yet when-"
"Those dragons came in handy when you needed to save the world form ice demon necromancers and their undead army after they broke that-"
"Because you wouldn't let me use my ship! I could have easily stopped that silver haired slut from dying if you would have just let me rain down-"
"The last time I let you use your ship that crazy A.I. of yours blew up an entire galaxy because she didn't like the way that stupid Gungan was looking at-"
"Hey she said sorry for that! You can keep holding that against her!"
"It was in the middle of the Pod race! I love that part and you know it! It was hard enough getting you to go there and then your stupid A.I. goes and-"
"She is not stupid! She's just... over protective besides you didn't miss out on anything, that whole time period is over rated. If anything she saved you from-"
"That was literally the whole point! For you to go in and change things! Instead the whole galaxy was blown up and I didn't even get a chance to see you fuck the Queen while she was in disguise! And then you refused-"
"You gotta admit, the galaxy blowing up was certainly a change from what originally happened." The silence that met statement was long enough for me to snap out of the daze their arguing put me in. I'm still trying to process everything I heard. I'm pretty sure I have a good idea about exactly what they're talking about, and the implications but... I'm not sure I want to actually know.
Taking a deep breath to focus and tune out the arguing that started back up, I follow Vanessa's directions and place my hands near the glowing yellow circle on her desk. When I do a 3D holographic interface pops up. There are several buttons around an image of a rotating nude female. Clicking the top left option of human, the image and overall display changes, the three main options being presets, scans, and custom. Selecting scans I see a long list of various fictional characters and celebrities.
Clicking on the first name I recognize, Amy Adams, brings up a full 3D image of the actress with two options, build or customize. Clicking customize, I see that I can fully customize every little detail about her body. Inside and out. I can even give her cancers and diseases for some reason, why anyone would ever choose that I have absolutely no idea. Another option in the customization is blending. Clicking on it I see the option to choose a second body. Preset, scan, or custom. Clicking scan again I scroll down further and stop at the name Cameron Diaz. It unsurprisingly brings up an image of the actress nude. Then the display changes again and I see both women side by side with the option to combine and blend Internal and external parts from my second selection to the first, or to take parts from both and make a third unique form.
After fully exploring all the machines capabilities and features, that I had access to, I finally got a decent idea of exactly how I wanted to build each of my companions. Hours passed as I worked, the only reason I noticed a passing of time is that I began feeling the beginnings of hunger for the first time in months. The strangeness of the situation actually brought me out of my work just as I was finishing. I haven't felt felt hunger since the time I spent trapped and starving in a tomb just after my awakening as a hybrid. Ever since then, I've gone out of my way to gorge on blood at every opportunity to make sure I could go years without blood if I needed to.
Looking back over my work, I take in the first companion I made, the one I fully finished. I decided to separate my companions by the combat roles I'll need them for, and gave them an appropriate personality and body type to optimize their natural instincts for the type of combatant I want them to be. Obviously both of them have optimized genetics to insure a high IQ, fitness level, and health. On a mostly unrelated note, they're both bisexual without the ability to get jealous. I couldn't help myself.
Starting with the fighter of the group, I designed her to prefer solving her problems through physical violence when able, have high protective instincts, and an affinity to physical weapons. There were a slew of other things I had to do to get her mind the way I wanted it but luckily the interface had a predictive algorithm that could give an accurate estimate of a person's likes, personality type, and responses to various situations based off of the changes made to them in the design process.
For her body, I settled on the actress/singer Zendaya as a base. At 5'10 and rather slender, I did make a few changes to get her exactly how I wanted her. I increased her muscle mass a bit then added a slight layer of fat to maintain her feminine figure. To finish off I increased her bust size to a C cup and made her hips and thighs a few sizes thicker as well for balance. I left her face alone completely, well I tried to 'improve' it but honestly couldn't find anything that actually looked better. I changed her hair type a bit, mostly just making it thicker with tighter curls to give it more volume and lift. Overall she looks like her self but with what could best be identified as a volleyball players physique.
The second companion is proving to be far more difficult. I'm designing her to be a magic caster that prefers ranged spell casting. Her personality could best be described as warm and nurturing with a strong vindictive streak when angered. The real struggle has been on perfecting her body though. After spending so much time around girls who could generously be described as... athletic. I admittedly had a craving for someone with a nice large bust. Honestly until living in the universe, I had no idea how few girls in the TVD universe had anything over a C cup.
I decided to use Kate Upton as the base, given her 34DD breasts, 5'10 height, and the general attractiveness of her face. The biggest problem was that if you've ever seen Kate Upton, you know that her top and bottom are pretty unbalanced. Trying out the blending feature, I brought in another model of similar height, though with a completely different body type, Iskra Lawrence. She's a 'plus' sized model with a nice ass to thigh ratio, though small bust, proportionally speaking.
I decided to combine them into a new body and ended up basically using everything on Iskra Lawrence from the abs down, and then everything on Kate Upton from the bust up. After editing everything to make it fit together and be balanced, I started working on the ass and thighs specifically. I added muscle to both and slightly decreased the fat to firm both the ass and thighs up. I slightly reshaped the ass to give it a rounder more lifted appearance. For her breast, I kept the size and shape the same simply making them perkier. Far perkier than anything that size should be.
The last finishing touches that I'm working on now are the face. For some reason while I find Kate Upton beautiful, her face just doesn't work the same on this thicker woman I've made. After a while I realize the problem is her eyebrows. They're just too sever and angular to work with this new body I made. I settle on giving them a softer curve and raise them about a centimeter. She looks absolutely perfect now, like a warm nature goddess almost. After a moment though, I realize I literally just gave her Iskra Lawrence's eyebrows, and have to suppress the urge to face palm over spending so much time redesigning something that was literally right in front of my face.
"Not bad work. I mean the work isn't up to my standards but for your first foray into body design they're pretty decent. I went ahead and gave the order to build them and your car has been done for a while now. They should be finished in a few seconds and come out of that arch way there." Vanessa somehow sneaked up on me and started speaking from over my shoulder. I looked over to the arch way that she's pointing to roughly ten meters to the left of her desk and sure enough I can see the bodies being... well the best way to describe it is like a 3D printer constructing them layer by layer with dozens of blue beams. By the time I fully processed this both girl's bodies were finished.
"Just what the hell kind of technology do you people have?" Before I could go greet them, I saw Mystra appear in front of both girls just as their eyes were opening up. I couldn't hear what was being said even with my enhanced senses letting me know some form of magic or technology was at play. Just as I saw Mystra pull out the Jump documents to show the two women, I jumped up in a mild panic. I had a plan, and it very much requires me directing the both of them through their builds so I can optimize our group and acquire both the MacGuffins I want.
"Can you ask your wife to stop? I really want to speak with them before they decide on anything, you know so I can help them and all." Vanessa turned to me and gave me a knowing look before rolling her eyes and looking back at her wife. Mystra paused in her explanation to my companions, and then was suddenly in front of us.
"Is there a problem?" Oh fuck she doesn't sound happy. OK I guess she did say she hates being interrupted and I did just interrupt her fairly severely. Time to play nice.
"Not really a problem, I just wanted to help my comp-"
"You want to use their CP pools to benefit yourself, I'm aware. You literally shouted your plan at me while you were making your choices remember? Sadly for you the jump document specifies that the CP is theirs to spend themselves. As they're literally made to follow you, having you 'help' them is the same as you spending the CP for them." Fuck! OK think. Calm down and pivot... mmm, OK that could work.
"I get that and I don't disagree, I just wanted to tell them a few things so they can spend their CP on themselves the best way they can. There's things they need to know like how I plan on staying in this universe and things." Not only do I need them both to buy MacGuffins, they need to know that they can take 15 'Extended Stay' drawbacks for 1500 CP since they'll have to stay the 75 years here with me regardless.
"Mmm you're right they do need to know about that, it's only fair. Fine I'll let you write each of them a note, you can give them 2 pieces of advise each. If you can't make it work with that, then it's your problem not theirs."...I kinda forgot about the whole mind reading thing in the past... however many hours. I'm just glad I haven't thought anything too insulting.
"Will they be allowed to design their builds together?" Getting a nod from Mystra, and having two pieces of paper and a pencil materialize on the desk, I take a long look at both of the women I created. They're staring at me in confusion, not able to hear the conversation that we've been having. Hmm what to tell them... since they can do the build together I technically have 4 things I can tell them. I'll tell one about the 'Extended Stay' drawback and to get the Enochian protections runes as a MacGuffin. I'll tell the other to get Hope's dagger as a Macguffin, I have one instruction left... shadows. I'll tell them to choose 'Shadows', hopefully they'll be smart enough to see what I would pick and build to compliment that.
After quickly writing the notes and handing them to Mystra, she pops over to both of the women and regains there attention. Fuck! I should have told them that I could turn them into hybrids so they didn't waste CP on anything that made them physically stronger or choose to be demons. A laugh from Vanessa cuts off my internal rant and I turn to her.
"Stop stressing over it so much. Things wont be perfect but I saw your build and I know how strong your type of vampire is, the three of you will be fine. Just remember to keep things entertaining and you'll be OK. Oh and remember, this is just your first world of many, you have plenty of time to grow, you don't have to rush things." That's actually pretty nice of her given what happened earlier, speaking of...
"Listen I really am sorry about before I just-"
"You were stressed and didn't realize you were openly insulting us, I know. If I thought you really truly meant it you would have been erased from existence before you could have finished the thought."...Well OK then. We both lapse into silence as we watch Mystra finish Explain things to both girls. It's only a few more minutes before she's back with us while we watch my two companions look over the jump documents, my notes, and talk to each other. Now that things have settled a bit, I have the time, and courage to finally bring up something that's been bothering me since getting a body again.
"I feel weak. Weaker than I can ever remember being... you didn't nerf me did you? This body should have been massively more powerful than the one I had before." When you have enhanced senses and super speed, you become accustom to time moving at a certain pace. It's nothing overly dramatic like the depictions of the flash walking around while everyone is frozen, it's more like feeling that you can slow down time. Obviously you aren't but with focus, that's how it feels. I do still feel that, though to a much lesser extent. On top of that my body has felt heavier and much slower to respond than it ever has before.
"No. You are weaker than you've ever been right now but it's nothing I did to you. Simply put, you aren't what you used to be and it's your own fault. I told you this earlier, but your soul determines what you are. For you, you have the soul of an original Tribrid. Well that's inaccurate, technically you have the soul of a being that's a perfect and natural blending of an Enhanced Original Vampire, a Werewolf, and a witch. You're an entirely new species that there's no real name for."
"The problem for you comes down to the nature of the ritual your witch used. The ritual made the proper changes needed to your soul, and broke down the body you were in and rebuilt it, in an enhanced state that could contain the modifications she made to your soul. It's the same thing she did before, though to a lesser extent and with different modifications. The ritual addressed your body and spirit as two separate things, which is the only way it could have worked to be fair."
"As long as you put the newly modified soul back into the body that was remade, there's no problem. The thing is, while your soul's species was change, it didn't actually get any stronger. Your body did. The body that your original currently has." That does make sense from what I understand of the ritual. The spirit and body were treat as two separate things to decrease the chance of anything going wrong as adding the changes and empowering my body was by far the most volatile part of the ritual, with the way we designed it, the worst case scenario would have been Emily having to sacrifice a few of my pack members to resurrect me. That doesn't explain one thing though.
"Then why am this weak? Shouldn't I be roughly the same strength I was when I first became a hybrid, if not stronger given that I'm essentially a Tribrid?" I feel weaker than that. A lot weaker. Granted I'm still likely a bit stronger than any Vampire in the TVD universe, originals included, but before I was significantly more powerful than even Klaus in his Hybrid form from the moment I awoke as an Enhanced Original Hybrid.
"Well, your new body hasn't fully gone through the vampire transition since you've yet to consume any blood, and you haven't gone through your first full moon as a werewolf either yet. Your body is technically that of a Tribrid, but your not going to get to your full power until you actually go trough the changes. Outside of that, believe it or not but the bindings that Bennett witch placed on your body were enhancing you a decent amount." Given how much stronger I became after the bindings broke following the first ritual, I guess the increase was enough to make up for the difference in not having the bindings anymore.
"Is there anything else I should know? About my body?" I guess I can't assume I'm the same as I was before. Even given how powerful I am, assumptions like that could leave to an early grave in the wrong situation.
"Mmm not specifically about you body... well the ritual was a success, you can can sire werewolves and witches as well as no longer needing to be invited in but those are the changes to your soul not body. Outside of your body though there is compulsion. I'm not sure if you understand exactly what compulsion is or it's implications but I'm sure you know that the Vampire transformation and powers are at their core soul magic right?" I nod because I actually did know that.
When the original witch made the first Vampires she called on the spirits to empower her children. While it did of course make them stronger, if the transformation was just physical, it wouldn't have required having to die. It also wouldn't have given them the long list of non physical powers vampires have. It also wouldn't have affect their latent magic, cutting them off from it. After all we see witches possess vampire bodies and still use their magic. The important and main part of the transformation happens on the soul, warping it and creating something nature considers an abomination.
"Exactly. As compulsion, dream manipulation, blood calling, and all vampire abilities are a form of soul magic, they only work on beings with a soul. It's why compulsion works on people regardless of the languages they understand or if they can even hear. Through eye contact your soul is commanding their soul, which means if the being your targeting doesn't have a soul... there's nothing for your soul to command." and in a world like the Buffyverse were vampires and demons, the main bad guys, don't have souls... that's a huge tool of mine flat out taken off the table. Great.
"So... do I get to pick what family I get inserted into?" It doesn't really matter as I'm going to be 18 and wont have to deal with any memories of them but I'd like to know if there's anyone I can't fuck going on to this.
"Do you have any preferences between being a sibling of Buffy, Willow, Xander or Cordelia?" Definitely not Buffy or Willow's sibling, I'd rather have the option of fucking them. I'm not the biggest Cordelia fan but she is attractive and gets better as the show progresses so I guess Xander is the safest choice, since I can choose not to interact with his parents.
"So you would prefer Xander? Interesting." Right, mind reading. It took another 30 or so minutes for the girls... they really need names. Was I supposed to name them? I honestly completely forgot about it. If I was b-
"They picked out their own names already, the brown skinned girl chose Bellatrix, the blonde chose...Caireann? Well that's certainly different. You can change them if you'd like though." Eh, they could be worse and if I really hate them they both have decent built in nicknames in Bella and Cair. Anyways as the newly named Bellatrix and Caireann finished, I saw them approach us before disappearing from sight.
"It looks you're all ready. Your car will be parked near your arriving location. Good luck, and remember to be entertaining." What-
Neutral POV
"I'm surprised you told him all of that, you usually like to leave things like that as a surprise." Vanessa turned to her wife, after watching her replacement and his sex to-... companions, be teleported away. The taller woman grabbed Vanessa and teleported them both to their favorite spot on the entire spaceship before answering.
"Well it's not like he's going to really remember any of it." As both settled down on the beach they met on, a portal like view screen came into existence in front of them. Vanessa turned to Mystra in confusion, knowing the new jumper hadn't taken any drawbacks that would effect memory.
"Just what exactly did you do? I looked over his selections, his memory shouldn't have been tampered with." On the screen in front of them the previously mentioned Jumper could be seen standing in front of a clothing store in a busy mall looking around in confusion.
"It's really his own fault. I told him he had to pick a Complication from one of the Jump documents, he picked one that in his own words, was basically a perk. Since in his opinion he didn't actually take a Complication, I chose one for him. Tabula Rasa. He's lucky I didn't give him the full effects. I let him keep the knowledge of what he is, that he's on a jump-chain, and that he has 2 companions out there. I altered their memories likewise. Well there's a few other little nuggets I either let him keep or put in his head to see what happens, but for the most part he has absolutely no actually memories, just knowledge from his purchases."
"And people think I'm the cruel one."
AN:I'm including the SI's build below. When the companions are introduced in the story their build will be put in that chapters closing AN as well. If enough people are interested, I'll write an interlude of them choosing their powers and maybe what they were doing before they meet the SI in world.
In case it wasn't clear, the Void Mystra, wasn't necessarily being completely honest with the SI about all hustings, mostly because he was unintentionally insulting her and also because she was annoyed by his yelling.
Build:
Identity:
Spare Key – You're the back-up plan. This body for you out of an extra special energy source so appreciate it. You are one of the few things standing between a god of hell from blending all possible realities and unleashing suffering across dimensions. The mentally ill recognize you on sight as something unworldly. Soon you won't be the only one though, so Glorificus might not come for your head. Proximity to the slayer should keep you safe. On that note you'll be inserted into the family of one of the school attending protagonists as a sibling. Memories of your family will be modified to think you've been here all your life. They're used to your personality, but aren't aware of any special powers you might have. You still have no better idea of who anyone is than before you showed up though. (0CP) (1000CP)
Origins:
Shadows – Maybe you are a Watcher, or a witch, or maybe you just stumbled into a bar and saw some guy with horns singing karaoke. Regardless of the specifics, you are aware of the true nature of this world, to at least some extent, and are either neutral or are on humanity's side. Many neutral demons would fall into this category as well. (0CP) (1000CP)
Species:
Human (Free) – I am sure you are familiar with this one. Good old homo sapiens sapiens. Not as strong or tough as most demons, but they do pretty much run the world. One interesting feature of this setting's humanity is that they can apparently breed with anything with remotely appropriate equipment. (0CP) (1000CP)
Perks:
Magical Gifts (300cp) – You are magically empowered in some way, beyond the abilities native to your species. You have access to the Supernatural Powers and Abilities section and +400 Supernatural Points (SP) to spend there. (300CP) (700CP)
Talented (100cp, Free for Light) – f Maybe you are an expert in art, or you play in a rock band. Maybe you are a teacher with a talent for inspiring your students. Whatever the specifics, you are naturally talented, well trained and highly knowledgeable in a mundane skill of some sort. This perk can be purchased multiple times, additional purchases are discounted. (300CP) (400CP)
Head Boy (100cp, Free for Shadows) – You are well-educated on the supernatural side of the world. You can identify demons, including their strengths and weaknesses, know the history behind various stories and legends, and know who the major players are. The source of this knowledge is up to you, you could have trained at the Watcher's Academy or be from a family of mages or just have stumbled onto the truth and been really thorough with your research. (0CP) (400CP)
Rogue Demon Hunter (200cp, Discounted for Shadows) – You're highly fit, strong, and tough, and have truly exceptional reflexes of the kind developed only by not dying despite years of fighting soulless predators that are significantly stronger and faster than normal humans. You're a master of several weapons, a dangerous bare-knuckle fighter, a crack shot, and have a great aptitude for learning further combat skills. You also have steady nerves under fire and an exceptional pain tolerance, and a thorough working knowledge of the less obscure demon types and how to kill them. But don't get too cocky; the demon-fighting lifestyle has the sort of attrition rate where qualities like this are considered a basic survival package. (100CP) (300CP)
Contacts and Connections (400cp, Discounted for Shadows) – You have a network of friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and other sources for information, resources or minor favors. This network is almost always going to come through with something that can help with your current dilemma, and once per jump (or ten years, whichever comes first), this will hand you a significant advantage in a major conflict, such as already having the artifact you need to defeat the big bad or having the same books the big bad used to plan his Ascension. You will have such a network waiting for you in each new world. (200CP) (100CP)
I'm The Thing That Monsters Have Nightmares About. (600cp, Discounted for Shadows) – You are one of the finest warriors and hunters around. You are a brilliant strategist and tactician, a charismatic leader, and a truly deadly fighter. Without any form of supernatural powers, you can defeat vampires and lesser demons as easily as an experienced slayers. Even groups of master vampires that are legendary for their cruelty and evil will likely flee when they hear you are coming for them. You also have an extreme talent for recruiting followers, earning their lasting loyalty and training them into an effective fighting force. In fact, those you teach or train will learn and improve at a rate five times faster than they normally would. (300CP) (-200CP)
Magical Abilities and Powers:
Magical Potential (400sp) – The magic of this world is powerful and awesome in capability, but can also be fearsome and terrible. You have a great affinity for this magic and will have few troubles learning the great mysteries and sources of mystical power. While anyone seems to be able to work ritualized magic, you can do so with greater ease and skill, and you possess an internal well of power used for more combat-ready magics. This talent is on the same scale as Willow, though it doesn't come with any training or knowledge. (Magical Gifts) (-200CP)
Witch, Warlock or What (100sp, 200sp, or 400sp) – You have some level of skill or knowledge at using magic. You might be self-taught, be a member of a coven, or even come from a long family line of magic users. This also provides a level of talent in actually using magic, though not as much as Magical Potential. For 100sp, you are a minor spellcaster, similar to Jonathan when he was part of the Trio, Jenny Calendar or Amy back during High School. For 200sp, you are an experienced and knowledgeable expert, such as Ethan Rayne, Catherine Madison, or most Watchers. For 400sp, you are considered one of the most powerful masters of magic on Earth. You are on the same level as Cyvus Vail or even the combined magical might of the Order of Dagon. (400CP) (-600CP)
Telekinetic (200sp) – You are capable of moving objects through the power of your mind. You are strong enough to throw a full grown man across a room with ease, and precise enough to not to worry about accidentally impaling anyone you don't want to. Both power and precision can be improved with training. (200CP) (-800CP)
Invisible Person (200sp) – Once a girl was so overlooked that she faded away; This girl could not control her power but you can. It allows your body - and only your body - to become completely transparent at will, but still permits you to retain the power of sight. Beware the sounds you still make that may betray you, as well as any clothing, lengths of fabric and powders that might still show your location. (200CP) (-1000CP)
The Key (400sp) – An ancient mystical energy that acts as a catalyst to ease the creation of portals between dimensions, or even break down all the barriers between dimensions; this power is now infused into your being and blood. Any portal magic you attempt will now be orders of magnitude easier, to the point that you might learn to open said portals without any need for magical training; but beware for there are others that might wish to use this gift for their own ends. Since this power has been infused into you, rather than you being The Key transformed, you will not be vulnerable to being identified as The Key by those outside reality (crazy people), nor will you risk destroying the barriers between all worlds. (400CP) (-1400CP)
Items:
Mr. Pointy (Free All) – For a limited time only, all Jumpchain visitors to the Hellmouth get a free complimentary wooden stake! Easy to carry and conceal too, even if you'd think your outfit wouldn't have enough room. And don't worry too much if you lose it or break it. You'll get a warranty replacement in the morning. (0CP) (-1400CP)
Wardrobe (Free All) – You have such a massive wardrobe that you never need to wear the same clothes twice, and always have something appropriate for any occasion. (0CP) (-1400CP)
Weapon (50cp or 100cp) – You have a well-made weapon of some sort that will stand up to far more heavy usage than most. This is limited to real-world weapons. Or, for 100cp, you have a full personal arsenal of such weapons. In either case, you have fairly substantial ammunition supplies that will replenish daily. (100CP) (-1500CP)
Vehicle (50cp or 100cp) – You have a mundane civilian vehicle of your choice. It never needs to be maintained, refueled or cleaned, and will repair any damage overnight, without anyone noticing that this is somewhat unusual. For 100cp, this vehicle, while still a civilian model, will be heavily armored and equipped with necro-tempered glass, which blocks the effects of sunlight. (100CP) (-1600CP)
Bare Necessities (Free or 100cp) – You have a job that pays enough for you to live on, assuming you live simply. You also have a home of some sort, a cheap but decent vehicle of an appropriate type, and the various basic sundries needed to live. Basically, you have a life, set up and waiting for you. The job will be something you are capable of performing, and that works with your background, and the schedule will be flexible enough that it will not interfere in your leisure activities or other duties. During this jump, If you are a minor, your parent has this and provides a reasonable allowance to you.
For 100cp, you have a trust fund that pays in whatever the local currency is; equivalent to two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) per year. Your home, vehicle, and other possessions are upgraded to be appropriate for this level of income. This money is legal, with all taxes paid and all documentation needed. No one will question where it comes from, and the local economy will adjust (somehow) to not be harmed by the influx of currency. Each time you purchase the upgrade, move the decimal point one space to the right.
This item follows you to all future jumps, adapting as needed, and can be toggled off for a jump. Any other form of income you receive, including from other perks or items, can be added to the trust fund, and will also be completely legal with all taxes paid and documentation needed. Again, during this jump, if you are a minor, your parent has this and provides an appropriate allowance. (300CP) (-1900CP)
Computer (200cp, Discounted for Light) – You have a top-of-the-line personal computer, your choice of specific type. It never needs to be plugged in, recharged or maintained, will instantly repair itself, along with possessing unlimited memory and storage. The computer can always connect to an unlimited bandwidth Wi-Fi network which leads to that Jump's internet or equivalent and to any local network you might set up for your Warehouse. It has omni-compatible I/O jacks, and the most intuitive, perfect UI imaginable, as well as an operating system that's compatible with anything you could install. It has perfect antivirus/malware protections and cannot be hacked or even traced without your consent.
This computer will upgrade to be equal to the most powerful computer of comparable size in the setting, and it will not downgrade if you go to a less advanced setting. It can morph into any computing device you wish with just a thought; mainframe workstation, pro gaming desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, whatever. Its functionalities remain the same even if the exact details of the UI might differ from form to form. (200CP) (-2100CP)
Library (100cp, Free for Shadows) – You have an extensive library of books focused on demonology and the occult, as well as records of prophecies and some on magic and spellcasting. This library will update in later Jumps to include knowledge from that setting. The library as a whole is superbly organized, you will have no trouble finding what you need in it. (0CP) (-2100CP)
Spellcasting Kit (200cp, Discounted for Shadows) – You have a collection of needed spell components, ritual tools and even spellbooks, sufficient to allow you to work any magic you are capable of, and a little more to let you continue to train and study. These supplies replenish daily, and update to provide needed materials in future jumps. (100CP) (-2200CP)
Book of Kelsor – This detailed tome describes nearly a thousand varieties of demon and provides insight on how to properly combat them. This codex has been around for centuries and steadily updated, one of the most reliable sources for generic demonic knowledge. Initiative members gain no book but an electronic database containing approximate information - details relating to magic are strangely absent however. (100CP) (-2300CP)
Necro-Tempered Glass – A special form of glass that filters out the components of sunlight that are deadly to vampires while still preserving the brightness and warmth. You can upgrade any one vehicle or building to have this quality. For 150CP any number of your items can be upgraded in this way. (150CP) (-2450CP)
Companions:
Create/Import (50cp for 1, 200cp for 8) – You can create new Companions or import existing Companions. They get an Origin, with all freebies, discounts and stipends, along with 600cp to spend. These Companions can only take Drawbacks that directly affect them, but you can transfer CP from yourself to a Companion, at a 1:2 ratio. You can create or import as many Companions as you are willing to pay for. The personality and appearance of a created Companion is completely up to you. Companions cannot purchase more Companions. (100CP + 250 CP) (-2800CP)
Drawbacks/Complications:
Extended Stay (+100cp) – Your time in this world will be extended by five years, every time you take this drawback. All Drawbacks will last for the full duration. (+1500CP) (-1300CP)
Perfect Bait (+200cp) – You are an attractive target for attacking demons and monsters. They will attack you in preference to others, unless they require a specific type of victim that you don't match. (+200CP) (-1100CP)
Demon Magnet (+200cp) – You run into demons in the most unexpected places and times. I would suggest looking a little closer at that cute girl you asked out. And maybe be careful at that neighborhood center you were invited to by that nice social worker guy. Basically, the odds that you are going to stumble into a situation involving demons of some sort are increased to a very large degree. (+200CP) (-900CP)
Sunnydale Syndrome (+200cp) – Unless it literally walks right up to them (and probably tries to eat them), you will never be able to convince anyone of the existence of the supernatural. If they don't already know about it, you will never be able to get them to admit that it is real. This does not apply to any Companions you might have. (+200CP) (-700CP)
One Girl In All The World (+200cp) – None of your Companions or Followers from other Jumps can join you in this one. They are held in perfect stasis while you are here. You can pay to import them anyway, but they are still held in stasis and they will receive what they purchased when the Jump ends. (+200CP) (-500CP)
Head-Splitting Torturous Pain (+200cp or +300cp) – The use of one of your supernatural abilities results in incredibly debilitating headaches. For +300cp, this applies to all supernatural abilities purchased here. (+200CP) (-300CP)
Apocalypse Season (+300cp) – At least once a year, usually in Spring, you will be dragged into events that promise to place the world in dire peril. You will get some foreshadowing to help you prepare, but the world will often hinge on your courage and resourcefulness. Good luck. (+300CP) (0CP)
Perfect Harmony - Harmony Kendall. You won't necessarily be friends with her, but each and every day she can easily interact with you she'll spend a good deal of time doing so. It won't be all day, or even hours of your day usually. She just shows up and acts like herself. You are completely incapable of bringing harm to her. She cannot be ended for the duration of your time here. (0CP)
Tabula Rasa - All memories are removed, you have no recollection of any of your personal life in this world or others, and will have to figure out what is real based off of what others tell you. (0CP) (Unknown)
