Text | Evening of August 2nd

[rollstoseduce]

[It's finally time for the fantasy trio to leave for Kanto and start a new badge journey, and like last time, they're taking a night train to sleep through it. Or that's the idea anyway - because also like last time, Jaskier wants to take the chance to chat a bit with the network. And after a little misunderstanding from the steward regarding Kiri, there's a topic that won't leave his mind.]

Many a similarity I've found among the realms us otherworlders hail from, yet there's one thing from mine (besides witchers!) I haven't found anywhere else: the Law of Surprise.

It's a custom as old as humanity itself, the granting of a seemingly impossible wish, the price a man who saves another can demand:

"Give me that which you already have but do not know yet".

It is a request for something which neither the savior nor the saved knows the nature of, until the saved man returns home. It could be a cute little pup or a mere crop, mayhap a new pair of shoes... or even a baby. So many heroic stories from my world were starred by a Child Surprise, often known as the Children of Destiny.

So imagine yourselves, if you will, in front of a powerful king or queen that asks you what reward you'd like for your service. What is your answer?

Do you ask for gold? A lady's hand in marriage?

Or do you dare to ask for the Law of Surprise to see what Destiny has in store in for you?



((As always, Jaskier needs to be super extra with his font. Lmk if you need me to drop it!))

Comments

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[instrumentally]

How would one know if they are a child of destiny?

[rollstoseduce]

Usually their new guardians raise them without hiding the fact they're a Child Surprise, although some tales do add a later discovery for the excitement of a reveal.

[instrumentally]

Do you think it is possible for other worlds to have Children of Surprise? Or do they only exist in the world that you know best?

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[lanceroflove]

I have only one wish; of that to see and be reunited with my beloved again.

[rollstoseduce]

Such a pure wish - I'm sorry you've been separated from your beloved, good sir or madam. And I do wish it comes true as soon as possible. I'm afraid, however, that does not answer my question.

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[scourgingstars]

What a most charming custom.

Destiny's never had much of worth in store for me. I might just be satisfied with something a bit less exciting.

[rollstoseduce]

And what can be less exciting than "not much of worth"? Would the monarchs' gratitude be enough reward for you?

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[fearinahandfulof]

I have no wish.

[rollstoseduce]

I do not believe it, but may as well. What reward you'd be asking for then?

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[dreamsofahero]

An interesting custom, but does that not presume much on the matter of ownership? Surely a child would 'belong' as much to the mother as the father, after all, so how could the father be presumed to speak for both in making such a deal?

[rollstoseduce]

Unlike this realm, the place I come from don't allow women to have much of a voice (unless they're terrifying sorceresses).

[angewiesen]

Why in the world would anyone want a surprise? Especially if you could have anything. That's weird.

[rollstoseduce]

"Anything" is relative, since there are things not even royalty can achieve. Many a person believe the Law of Surprise will bring them a blessing from Destiny.

text; without the fancy font please

[schachmeister]

How would the saved person know what to gift if they do not even know it is something they possess? How does the saviour know it is something that is going to be useful to them? You said even children can be gifted this way, but surely not everybody would be pleased to suddenly receive another person's child. Or a puppy.

As for your question, I don't really believe in destiny, so I guess that is my answer.

[He also wouldn't trust royalty not to screw him over on such an open-ended request.]

:)b

[rollstoseduce]

Nobody knows what it is, that's why it's called the Law of Surprise. The saved person will learn what to gift when they arrive at their home, and the savour is indeed taking a risk: it could be something useless, but it could also be something wonderful. You are correct, not everyone is happy to receive a child [Like Geralt.] but they consider the risk worth it anyway. Think of it like gambling: many a person lose their money this way, but they keep trying for that possibility of success.

Or maybe they just don't happen to have enough imagination to ask for an actual reward, who knows~

[ G E R A L T ]

I believe Destiny is just the embodiment of the soul's desire to grow. But alright - what reward would you ask for then? The coin?

[happyhalloween]

oh!!!! like a fairy tale!!!

i think i remember this happening in hans my hedgehog??? or maybe it was something else sort of like that, i forget.

[rollstoseduce]

A fairy tale indeed! Which is quite an interesting name when you think about it, since stories usually present fae to be crueller than this. Any tales from your realm to share?

[disownedbytime]

Hey, how did you make your writing all fancy like that? Did you write on the screen somehow?

Hmm, what a question! On the one hand, I love surprises - life's no fun if you know everything that's coming! On the other hand, my father always says that we make our OWN destiny through the bonds we have with each other, and that we are the masters of our own fates. Hmm hm hm.

I still think I'd take the surprise. Even if destiny tries to give me lemons, I'm very talented at making lemonade!

What would YOU choose?

[rollstoseduce]

Pretty, is it not?

[He attaches a staryutube tutorial. Have fun, Morgan!]

"We make our own destiny through the bonds we have with each other and we are the masters of our own fates" is a very inspiring, poetic quote. Your father must be a very wise man, I wish it could be possible to meet him.

Oh my, we have someone claiming the Surprise! I hadn't been sure if I would find any takers outside my realm, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised from the little I know about you.

Personally I would ask for the reward directly. A bottle of wine from Toussaint, mayhap, or a piece of jewelry from the royal treasure. I've seen the Law of Surprise in action - Destiny can be a ruthless mistress.

I want you to know I coded a special keyboard shortcut in my phone just for replying to Jaskier

[necrodentia]

Nua doesn't have anything like the Law of Surprise, or at least not that I've heard of. So it's definitely an interesting thing to think about, that question you asked.

If I was in a position to ask for a reward from a King and/or Queen, I think I would probably not take the chance of a surprise, and instead try to go for a sure thing. Honestly, if this was happening back on Nua, I'd most likely ask them for a job! My previous career prospects all sort of dried up, shortly before I was brought here. Nobody really wants to pay for a villain anymore.

I'm honored

[rollstoseduce]

I'm sorry, Rainer, I'm sure we could have a lovely talk about surprises and career prospects, but there's a little detail I'm going to need you to expand on.

Pay for a villain?

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[aroyalflush]

A baby!? Law of surprise or not. How could you feel good about taking someone's baby??

[rollstoseduce]

[the same way you'd take someone's hand in marriage through a slap!]

I wouldn't say everyone feels good about it - it's about the obligation. They feel they must keep their word, and they fear the consequences Destiny could unleash on them if they don't. The tales behind those that didn't keep their promise aren't exactly uplifting.

text;

[apshot]

(( ooc: not trying to be a pain, but please drop the fancy font in responses? i don't think my brain is doing a good job picking it apart today... again! sorry! ))

Nothing. I don't need anything for doing something "heroic."

np o7

[rollstoseduce]

Interesting use of quotation marks. What's the issue with heroic deeds, may I ask?