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[ { "author": "Ikehara Nhealif", "message": "*The laugh that followed was one of a kind: Few had made Ikehara laugh genuinely, and none with such earnest warmth. Her ears perked up and twitched excitedly, her smile wide as she took his hand and curtsied once more.*\n\"Two commoners playing nobility. Isn't that quite the story...\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He'd grin as she'd take his hand, soon turning away to lead them off towards the Tavern entrance.*\"Funny, the story sounds quite familiar to me. Too bad I cannot remember how it ends.\"*The Elf let out a quiet laugh of his own at how ridiculous it was, eventually glancing back at Ikehara as he'd hold the door open.*\"So, shall we head off to Dezabia?\"*He'd ask more genuinely. Most of it was in asking that she didn't have anything left she still wanted to do here as he could readily go pick up Carl to continue on with their travels preferably before it got too late in the day.*" }, { "author": "Ikehara Nhealif", "message": "\"Mayhaps you'll remember on the way. I'm partial to a well-spun yarn...\"\n*She cooed back, nodding to him readily as she let him lead her outside. A short, shrill whistle with her fingers summoned her stalwart horse, the beast lowering his head as it trotted over.*\n\"For now, I have what I need...\"\n*She returned, examining him one last time with a smirk; then hoisting herself onto the back of her steed, switching out the blunt bolt in her crossbow for a live one, kissing the end before drawing it ready.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would look up at her as her steed came running to allow her to hoist herself up on them. Consider him a bit impressed by it. The Elf would remove his glove, lifting his fingers up to his own mouth as he'd whistle for his horse. There was a moment's pause for a while as Carl took some time to get back, but soon enough his steed would appear galloping along the road towards them. The Elf would mount up on him as he came to a stop, turning his head towards her while she loaded her crossbow. Subtle indeed.*\"Then let's head out.\"*He'd say, snapping the reins of his horse as he'd take off. It was time to continue his travels, though now it seemed he'd have company with him for the time being.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*Azrael is walking down the dirt road within the wilderness, far from civilization. Hes carrying his backpack which has a spear tied to the side. While he walks, hes mumbling and muttering to himself, holding a very untidy and disorganized looking book, papers and notes jutting out from between the pages in no particular order*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "Around the same time some distant commotion was heard and past some random bushes Romi, a 7 foot tall Minotaur with a disabled knee was shooing away some crows, he had gotten leftover chunks of wheat on his fur and was trying to take it away, when the crows swooped down and started to peck at his fur. He thrashed around, and when he got frustrated he stomped his hoove and pointed menacingly at a crow that was gonna swoop down to his fur again \"I dare you!\" He said but the crow pecked his finger and he jolted back, dropping his bag which spilled open and spilled some books he had inside \"Dammit—\" He sighed, deadpanning" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*Upon hearing the commotion he looks up and around for the source of it, his eyes falling on the Brayer as he drops his books. He tilts his head slightly, his expression returning to blank as he puts his research book away into a pocket inside his jacket and starts walking directly towards the Brayer*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He sighed again hearing the crows, having not yet noticed the fae as he leaned down with a bit of difficulty due to his knee and picked up his bag, trying to collect his books before he jerked back feeling one of the crows pick at his knee brace, he moved his arm around, shooing the crow again \"Not that!\" He said, finally shooing them away successfully he fixes his bag before looking up, finally noticing the fae he had a confused 'face' despite not being able to see his eyes\n\n\"Ah— sorry if I disturbed you—\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He observes the brayer for a few moments in silence before nodding slightly*\n\"Whats a Brayer doing all the way in Lymia?\"\n\n\"Thought you all live mostly in the beastkin lands\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He stayed silent for a bit, almost like he was thinking of an asset before he spoke softly \"I got lost\"\n\n\"Somehow\" He uttered, rubbing the back of his neck with his darkened fingers" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He stares at him for a few seconds before slowly repeating*\n\"You got lost\"\n\n\"How exactly did you get lost\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He slowly nodded scratching the back of his neck \"We'll, in reality I did mean to travel far but on the way to the wanted location I did originally wanna go to— I fell into a pile of wheat.. And the goth birds attacked me\" He said and his voice got more and more silent as he spoke, a bit embarrassed\n\nHe slowly nodded scratching the back of his neck \"In reality I intended to travel far but on the way— I fell into a pile of wheat.. And the goth birds attacked me\" His voice got more and more silent as he spoke, a bit embarrassed" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He keeps staring at him for a few seconds, staying silent as he considers if this is how the world will start to slowly devolve into morons*\n\n\"And how did you fall into wheat exactly?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He hummed silently and pointed to his leg. It had a brace on it that connected to the lower portion of his hoove. A metal bar connecting them both as well. Straps on it with yellow accents keeping the brace tight on his hoove \n\n\"I have a bad limp, so when I went down a hill my brace snapped for a moment and it made me trip into the wheat pile\" He said in honesty, looking down at the fae. But he smiled \"Are you a fairy?\" He mused" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "He just slowly nods at the brayer, pretending to understand\n\"Well yes and no. Im an Ardent Macen, which is a type of fae with the physical properties of a Macen\"\n\n\"Most Ardent think theyre just a type of Macen but on a biological level we are closer to Fae\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He nodded and watched him for a moment, like he was taking a moment listening to the smaller one before he nodded . \"Ah. I see..\" He said silently before he leaned down and picked up his journal from the floor, dusting it off any grass.\n\n\"You think I am a bit stupid don't you?\" He said with a chuckle as he fixed the papers of his journal" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "He just stares at him blankly with that exact same dead expression he's had the whole time\n\n\"Everyone is stupid until proven otherwise\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He hummed, surprised as he closed his journal, finally looking down at the smaller one before him as he chuckled \"That is.. A very strong inferiority complex..\" He said silently before nodding. \"I heard a lot of muttering earlier— I'm gonna guess that was from you\" He said after." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "He simply shrugs \n\"Superiority is the word youre looking for. And yes that was me. Rather surprised you heard that considering the distance between us\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He hummed \"It can go both ways, even if I said inferiority... Nevermind that\" He said before tilting his head, pointing to his fluffy ears that moved at the slightest background noise. Like he was attentive \"I'm very focused on my sorroundings when it comes to sound\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He rubs his chin and his wings flutter*\n\"So Brayer have a more sensitive hearing?\"\n\n\"Or whatever you are. You dont really look quite like a Brayer\"\n\n\"Similar, but not quite\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Ah\" He said silently as his gaze falters to the fluttering wings, which made his head tilt to the side in curiosity as he adverted his gaze back up to azrael. \"Im Romi, Romi Priestley\" He said silently and extended his large hand" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*The stares at hus hand for a few seconds, debating whether to shake it or not. But he relents and cautiously lifts his hand and shakes his*\n\"Azrael Ufenhort\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He shook his hand, having a rough feeling to his but let go once he did shake it. Stepping back only a bit \"Azrael\" He repeated \"That's a very.. Unique name\" He hummed, but smiled \"I mean it in a good way of course. That aside.. Yes I'm a Brayer.. Minotaur, we'll. Half Macen half Minotaur.\" He mused as he looked down at Az" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He retracts his hand and puts it in his jacket pocket, his wings twitching*\n\"Interesting. A Brayer-Macen mix. Judging by your name you inherited most of it from your Macen parent. What are you traveling all the way out here for?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He tilted his head at the curious words , humming in thought before he nodded \"We'll. In full honesty I was supposed to travel to find some blank books and some specific inks and such. But a big part of me wanted to explore for a while\" He said in full honesty. Smiling a bit" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head slightly as he shifts his weight onto one leg*\n\"Youre looking for blank books and ink? But somehow you ended up all the way in Lymia?\"\n\n\"Seems rather far fetched\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck he shifted in his spot a bit \"Well.. I got distracted very easily. But it's not too bad. I explored a lot and got attacked by goth birds\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"Theyre crows. You were attacked by crows. And the crows wanted the wheat grain stuck to your fur\"\n\n\"They also now know what you look like\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Ah i know that part but they did get a little harsh on the pecking\" He said \"Back where I live now I feed a lot of them, I can make my own little crow army\" He chuckled" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"I heavily advise against attempting to create a crow army. If you slight even one of them on accident your entire army is going to have it out for you\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He smiled \"I know, I've read a lot about them and their species\" He mused" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He raises an eyebrow skeptically*\n\"You can read?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "*He tilts his head* \"I've gotten that a lot.. I'm suspecting beastkin are not known for reading\" *He muttered rubbing the stubble on his chin*" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"Its because the average literacy rate is so low\" *He grumbles*\n\n\"You know how many people cant read or write? Too bloody many\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"I.. Didn't know that\" He said in honesty, tilting his head to the words of the fae. But at the same time his tail starting swaying from side to side." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*His attention wanders over to the tail cuz movement*\n\"So what did you say you were out here to get? Blank books?\"\n\n\"What would you need blank books for? Journal? Notes?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He hummed and nodded \"Yea, and because I've been wanting to help fill out my library, we'll the guildhalls library. There's many shelves I want to fill\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"How exactly would a *Blank* Book help with that? Youre not intending on putting empty books on the shelves are you?\" *His expression visibly turned to mild disgust and disdain at the prospect of blank books on the library shelves*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Not at all\" He chuckled \"Let me clear up what I mean, I want blank books so that I can fill them with information, useful one and put them there but while I look for blank books I want to look for other books that have writings in them. To put them in the blank shells\" He said" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He slowly nods, still suspicious of him for now*\n\"And where are you copying the information from? Hard to read books with bad handwriting or blurred words?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Both if I can.\" He mused but said with his hands on his hips now. \"If anything I should be able to do my own writings as well if needed.\" He said and smiled again" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He looks him up and down*\n\"Your own writings? You dont look like youre particularly knowledgeable with the organisms around. Or artifacts. Or magic\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"I was hoping to fill in a story\" He said in full honesty, now his gaze drifting away. \"I don't remember anything of my past and I'm tired of hiding so I figured I could fill in journals or entry's\" He chuckled" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He just stares at him skeptically*\n\"An autobiography?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"No i—\" He hesitates, no rethinking his whole idea \"No I— I meant. Just an entry of my discovering. Not of my story\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"Whats the difference between that and an autobiography? If by discovering you mean scientific facts and the like then great, just get official expertise.\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He stared at him \"You are incredibly stubborn, and grumpy\" He stated in a matter-of-fact voice. But chuckled \"Sorry, didn't mean to sound so blunt—\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "He stares blankly at him for a few seconds\n\n\"Im well aware. But I prefer it when people are blunt. Gets the point across faster and more effectively\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Ah\" He scratches the back of his neck, clearing his throat \"You're a researcher— maybe?\" He asked in curiosity" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"Howd you come to that conclusion?\" *He questions, genuine curiosity flitting across his oh so blank face*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He rubs the back of his neck again, though his eyes hidden his lips held a frown to them \"Just a guess at the unique questions\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "He raises an eyebrow then shrugs dismissively\n\"Yes Im a researcher. I'll give you props for being observant at least\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He nodded and tilted his head \"Are you speaking to me because you find me unique?\" He questions, putting his hands back on his hips, his tail continuing to sway just a little slower now and his head is cocked to the side" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He shrugs dismissively again, his wings fluttering*\n\"Mostly yes. Half Macen-half Brayer, stumbles in with a bizarre story about crows and wheat, librarian in some guild\"\n\n\"Sounds like some badly thought out plot point doesn't it\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He slowly nods \"Ah— I almost forgot\" He said trying his best to just ease up the tensed moment. \"If you ever need information you can stop by my library at the—\" He pauses then lifted his hand. His finger pointing at a direction \"That way\" He said. Yes. He didn't know his north or south." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"I sincerely doubt that youd have anything that would interest me or that I dont already have. But I'll humor you, where is this library located. Simply pointing in a direction isnt particularly accurate\"\n\n*He idly rummages through his pocket and takes out a box of cigarettes, proceeding to remove one and hold his finger up to the tip, a spark of fire lighting at his finger. He then, of course, proceeds to take a drag of the cigarette while putting the box away*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He watched the smaller Fae take a drag of the cigarette and hummed and rubbed at the stubble of his chin in though, his darkened lip pursing in a line as he thought. Before he smiled. Lifting his darkened fingers \"West of lake Agan just by the beastkin warlords lands there resides a small town and past that up and past a hill; the Guildhall and inside the library that holds over 1000 books\" He said way too specifically. He doesn't know directions but for some reason remembers far too specifically the place." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He turns his head away from Romi and blows out the smoke, intentionally avoiding throwing smoke in the tall bastards face*\n\"Thats certainly specific. Does this village have a name?\"\n\n\"Oh and you do realize lake Agu is bloody far right? How lost are you?\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He chuckled, then cleared his throat as his tail stops swaying. He defintely didn't think his journey through \"I'm quite lost\" He admits in defeat. Dead panning." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"So youre lost but at the same time you know exactly where to go to get to the library?\"\n\n*He raises an eyebrow at him, taking another drag of the cigarette*" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Well I know the exact location of the library I just don't know where I am currently\"\n\nHe frowned, looking down at the fae" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He shakes his head in some sense of defeat*\n\"Youre in the Republic of Lymia. Several nations away from Lake Aguć" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Ahhh lymia. I've heard a lot of this place but haven't visited it until now\" He responded with a chuckle as he glanced around for a moment" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"You hear a lot about every nation except the beastkin and island ones. And Amangoko, or however you pronounce the name.\"\n\n\"Unfortunately it makes it difficult to filter out useful information\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He nodded \"Indeed\" He said silently then hummed, looking at the sky as it progressively got darker and darker \"Maybe this is a sign as we should part ways?\" He suggested, tilting his head to the side \"I do hope to see you at my library one day\" He gave of a gentle smile." }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He glances at the sky and nods*\n\"Rain. Well that's unfortunate. No new specimens for me I suppose.\"\n\n*He grumbles and takes another drag of his cigarette and blows out the smoke*\n\"I suggest getting a map or carriage ride back to that village\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "\"Im afraid because of my height carriages will be difficult\" He chuckled \"But I'll make it, no need to worry\"\n\n\"But I will trace my steps back if you're wondering— hopefully it works\"" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "\"Dont see how a carriage will be difficult but whatever\"\n*He drops his cigarette and stomps it out*\n\"I'll be taking my leave now. Good luck on your... Retracing\"" }, { "author": "Romi Priestley", "message": "He gave him another smile and nodded. \"Good luck on.. Research I suppose\" He said and turned, fixing the bag that was slung on his shoulder before he started his trut on the way back, having waved back at Az before disappearing in the distance" }, { "author": "Azrael Ufenhort", "message": "*He simply turns around and walks off back on the road, heading home to Pepor*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Night had fallen by the time Terrel had managed to cross the border to make it to the city. It was hard moving wolves place to place, even more so for the wolves than him half the time. Home was still the entire country away, though, glancing back at the furry creatures that followed him, he could tell they didn't want to continue on much further. It was admirable at least for the young wolves he had to continue on for this long, each destination seeming temporary before they'd have to get on the long road again. Perhaps they did deserve some rest from it all. He came to a stop at the side of the road, his wolves catching up to him. They moved like shadows in the darkness, small bodies milling around one another. The wolves would have seemed no more than rats with how they went about the place, if not for what they actually looked. Most of them had completely black fur, the only one standing out in the pack being one of pure white. The oldest of the bunch. He waited for them to gather around his feet, each of them look up at him with desperation in their tired eyes.*\"Alright, alright...\"*He said, glancing around at the mostly empty road until he got a glint of light in the distance to signify some place being open for them to rest at for a bit.*\"How about I treat you guys tonight for being well behaved?\"*Of course the wolves didn't understand any word of what he said outside of 'treat' perhaps, though that was enough to get a wag out of their tails.*\n\n*He guided them along the road, the light of a cafe growing brighter as they neared it. Terrel halted for a moment, watching the people gathered at it from the shadows.*\"Seems like a fancy place we got here. Wouldn't have expected such for this city.\"*He said before glancing down at his pack.*\"I'm sure they wouldn't mind a few extra guests.\"*He said with a light smirk. Terrel waited for a few other people to head inside, noting the person seemingly standing guard in front of it. Making each of his wolves sit for the time being, Terrel decided to approach alone, giving a light greeting so as to enter the place more inconspicuously. Heading inside, he felt himself welcomed to a much warmer atmosphere. At least compared to the cooling weather of the outdoors. He idly passed by the other patrons, his red cloak almost dragging at his feet while he kept a steady look out behind him.*\n\n*When he was sure the attention was off of him, he grabbed at the whistle around his neck, blowing into it quietly before waiting a few moments. The noise wasn't enough to penetrate the sound of conversation around him, though the frequency was enough to get the wolves' attention. It seemed Terrel didn't have to wait long, as one by one, the dark bodies of wolves quickly brushed their way through the entrance, the amount of them growing by the minute as a dark mass of fur seemed to fill the space around him. It had become obvious how much the young wolves had grown now in the light of the cafe which seemed to raise some gasps from the patrons, too surprised by how many there were. Some quickly moving away from the beasts, others merely bewildered by them. With the white wolf being the last to follow, Terrel was assured that it was all of them. Around ten it seemed to be crowding the space at his feet for the time being. He walked along, ignoring the stares of those in the cafe as he looked for a seat for them all which was easier said than done. He decided to take over one table for the time being, some of the wolves moving to find a place under it, while others leaped up into the empty chairs sitting around it. It was a rather silly sight, though it seemed the Silnari didn't think much of it.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "And...~ it's that time of the day again, well, night, as the shop shift to it's more fancy form. Stool and tables being switched out for their more grandiose counterparts, scented candles and dark brown and bronze umbrellas, and now live music which has been promptly interrupted by the furry balls of wolfos.\n\nIn the midst of the hustle and bustle of the now *More* Then two permanent staff moving about is a little one, measuring at around 4'9\" Wearing a small little hat and foreign looking fine clothes with long white hair that's braided near the back, and another smaller braid near their left cheek, yeah it isn't really clear if this 'Child' is a boy or girl but nonetheless they can be seen overseeing the entire operation while also writing something on their notes.\n\nIts been a frickin great day for Roland, his old crew brought back some mighty fine stuff, an actual freaking treasure trove of goodies, and their completely legal so he can put em out on display!, The shipment of Runranesse ingredients also just arrived, plus his new body guard Pretty lady got em some notoriety and marketing, das fun.\n\nHe goes inside the shop and to the kitchen to check everything one last time, nodding in satisfaction, he's not really a trained cook per say, but he'll give you a run for your money if you dare compete with him on his specialties, and that is exactly what this shop sells at night.\n\nHe goes back out of the kitchen, this time checking the store and the goods, aight the potions are good, the medicines are decent, all other general goods are also good, and hm...\n\nHe goes to check one of the cool things the crew brought em that he's making tonight's centerpiece, a gold and bronze trident with carvings of an underwater temple, it can also shoot water as old codgers found out the hard way few hours ago at the docks.\n\nHe goes ahead and flips the sign to open one last time for tonight.\n\n\"And the emporium/cafe is open.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel took the time to settle his wolves, some of the younger ones growing quite excited in the midst of so many people that they couldn't help but wander beyond the table for a better look. The white wolf seemed to be making quick work of keeping them rounded up, nipping at a few to move them back to the table where they were meant to be. Terrel seemed to ignore their curiosity for the time being, entrusting the eldest with keeping them together while he tried to get a better look at what the place had to offer. He idly watched the staff for the time being, his attention no longer focused on the patrons and them growing used to the addition of new guests while passing a glance every now and then. Whoever it was taking charge of the place seemed to be going all out on the decor which Terrel could find admirable enough considering he didn't think much of this city. He leaned back in his chair for the time being, figuring he could put in an order later if anything caught his interest over the table of already hungry wolves.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "Maize (the Waitress) would most likely go ahead and walk over to handle this particular customer, since the newbies might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of wolfos, she helps Roland deal with the less innocent side of Cesinor so it takes a decent lot to scare her.\n\nShe gives him the Menu for tonight, so apparently the chef wanted to work overtime and experiment with fine Silnarian cusine so in addition to Runranesse delicacies there's also some fine local specialties on the menu.\n\nShe'd also tell him about the shop part of the establishment and tonight's centerpiece items, and also about the unique way the place operates, yeah she's a really good waitress, she smiles and waits for her to order or maybe to ask any questions." }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The wolves turned to her, eagerly sniffing about her as she handed him the menu to which Terrel casually took as if he wasn't being swarmed by a bunch of canines. He listened to her idly while he opened the menu, figuring he'd have to make several separate orders for them. He decides to order some steak for each of the wolves, getting some pasta for himself with water all around for the sake of making it easier. That is if they do so sell it here anyways before sliding her the menu back with the second hardest thing out of the way. It was surprising enough that the wolves could keep still as much as they were, even more so that the waitress hardly batted an eye at them. Some chaotic things must really be going on in this place.\n\nThough the shop portion should make that evident enough. Seemed like this place received different treasures in a way to double as a shop and fancy restaurant. Whoever decided to put this together must have been very ambitious.*\"Got anything of interest not on display?\"*He decided to ask her casually in glancing over towards the centerpiece. The trident seemed to catch his interest a bit, though less of a want for it rather than the evidence that they went out to see often. He wondered if it had history similar to his own, not that he knew what that history was to begin with.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "Maize the waitress would go ahead and write down all hid orders, smilingly mysteriously while secretly glad that this customer wasn't another asshat for hynes to punt.\n\n\"Well for an adventurer such as yourself who I've heard has been through some rather exciting escapades, we do provide Potions, Medicines, and even some information on Silanarian Politics.\"\n\n*She whispered that last part.*\n\n\"We also have your general goods bits and bobbles, and Silanarian Accoutrements if your into a little bit of fashion.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*A curious expression crossed his face, perhaps from both the goods she mentioned and the fact of her hearing somewhat of him. Maybe Ryza was right in that case.*\"I may be.\"*He said casually after she finished listing all the things from the general store place. Terrel didn't see the problem with stocking up at least, remembering that he was collecting gear for later plans. He never really got to see much of potions outside of a book one Macen allowed him to look through. Maybe there would be something of interest there.*\"I'll check it out after dinner.\"*The Silnari patted one of the wolves sitting next to him, keeping them calm for the time being. At least the restaurant didn't seem to mind them much.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "Maize the waitress would probably stick around for a while bit, cracking some probably dark jokes while also motioning for some other staff to send the order to the back, until of course her shin was beat by what looks to be a child.\n\nYes, a child, 4'9\", wearing a small little hat and foreign looking fine clothes.\n\nChild: \"Somone want's to *Explore a piggy bank*, time to show em some of your girl power, and probably some hynes power if needed.\"\n\n*The child chukled, before looking at terrel.*\n\n\"Hemlo ;-;, how is your night going Mr. Pig mask?\"\n\n*Maize goes ahead and sets off with a helpless expression, signaling a get ready to Hynes.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel conversed for a while with the waitress, finding amusement in their shared humor for the time being until some child eventually walked up to her before she had headed off, leaving Terrel with this newcomer. At first he didn't really seem to pay much mind to him, it not quite occurring to him that he indeed worked here as he was suddenly asked a question. He glanced down at him, shifting his gaze back towards Maize as if half expecting for her to come back to pick up the child she had left behind. Though it seemed like for the time being, he was here to stay. He scratched at the side of his head before soon responding.*\"Fine, I suppose. The wolves seemed to be having a good time, so that's good enough for me.\"*He answered, giving the eldest wolf a pat on the head in doing so.*\"Need something kid?\"" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*The child looks at you curiously, while also thinks to themselve.*\n\n\"Hnmmm, well to be perfectly honest i'm bored of talking with the other hoity toity peeps, they look at me weird, and you seem fun ;-;\"\n\n*Already indulging themselve in the floofers.*\n\n\"And floof..., Mainly the floof, sorry...\"\n\n*After a few minutes of indulging in floof, he'll look up and finally ask the pig mask.*\n\n\"Ne Pig Mask-san, what brings you to Cesinor, and to my little place of all things?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"The wolves?\"*He questioned at the mention of the floof.*\"Understandable.\"*Terrel gave a casual nod.*\"They are pretty floofy. It's the reason why I call this one Floof.\"*He said, gesturing to the eldest wolf. The white-furred canine practically stood out like a beacon amongst the dark-furred ones, though he didn't seem to mind nonetheless as the wolf's tongue hung out in a light pant.*\"Just passing through to head back home with these guys.\"*He continued, deciding there was little harm in answering the kid's question.*\"Takes a lot to keep them all together and figured they could use the break from all the traveling.\"" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "\"I want to ask where your home is, but that seems a bit much so lets ask it broadly, from whence do you hail Mr. Pig Mask~!, *Rubs floofy*, I'm from Keguntan btw.*\n\n*Is now sitting, possibly riding ontop of the floof, their hands supporting their chin looking at you with child like wonder.*\n\n\"Also, who made your mask mister?, I want a fox mask ;-;\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The wolves that weren't able to get into the seats, found themselves swarming around Roland. Some of them sniffing at the small person, others playfully licking at him. Terrel though about his question for a moment, eventually giving a light shrug.*\"Made it myself a while ago.\"*He answered. There was probably a long history to it with the years of wearing the mask, though Terrel doubted a kid could pay attention that long.*\"I can see you being a snow fox of sorts. Who knows, maybe there will be some winter festival here where you can go buy a mask. They're never too uncommon. Especially during large gatherings. I'm from the steppes, though I travel enough to forget I suppose.\"" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*After a bit the food would arrive, the staff bringing the the beeg order of meat and pasta, and that is when Roland was feeling a bit peckish, so he motioned one of the staff over.*\n\n\"Hey Armand, could you be a dear and grab me some Caesar salad and Apple Juice **Replicant**?\"\n\n*They say this while still indulging in the floofers, not a care in the world.*\n\nArmand: \"Ok boss, coming right away.\"\n\n*The waiter gives a playful salute before going back into the kitchen.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*There was hardly an interval of time between the staff bringing over the food and the wolves suddenly tearing away at it. Terrel had to take his own pasta, moving it out of the way of the feasting wolves before it unintentionally became a part of their meal. He ate his food more slowly, only to stop as Roland asked one of the staff to get him something to eat. For a brief moment, his face was contorted with confusion, or well what could be seen of his face anyways.*\"You know the staff here?\"*He questioned the kid, not quite putting two and two together yet, though it made some sense towards why this child was just going about the restaurant without anyone really watching him.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*Gives Terrell a thumbs up while rubbing her face on the floofers, they are in bliss right now, this might make em skip the weekly Fann dose!*\n\n\"Yewss!, *Nuzzle nuzzle* I built this place from the ground up with the help of my crew, got tired of life at sea, though she still calls me from time to time, the sea i mean.\"\n\n*A melancholic smile shows up on their face as they stop nuzzling for a bit.*\n\n\"The gold, the rum, the wind through my hair..., I must admit the freedom was pleasant to say the least.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Poetic one aren't you.\"*He commented. Terrel idly began eating his pasta while he was listening to the kid ramble on for a bit only for his words to finally catch his ear. Built this place? Crew? Boss? Okay, maybe that last word was a bit late to catch with woman having already left, though now it was starting to click with him. Or at least he thought so, but it made little sense to him.*\"You... Built this place...?\"*He questioned slowly, eyes narrowing as part of him assuming it to be of the kid's imagination. Surely something as fancy as this was beyond realistic.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*And with that Armand comes back from the kitchen, a bowl of caesar salad and what looks to be a glass wine bottle, within a thicc bloody liquid, as he opens it fragrance of apple fills the night around.*\n\n*The \"Child\" Vaults up the rather high chair and settles down, the Apple juice replicant poured and the inviting caesar salad was stabbed by a fork before gliding into their mouth, a sip of dark red, almost bloody liquid as a happy, content smile fills the \"Child\", he raises the glass to you.*\n\n\"Cheers, to the Mr. Pigmask who brought floofers that brightened my day, and talked with this one.\"\n\n\"And yes, it took a bit, but i indeed built this place, well not literally since i *Bought* The building, but you get my point ;-;.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel eyed the kid for a moment upon him receiving his drink and raising his glass to what felt like just a regular conversation. This place definitely had some weird vibes going on here, though Terrel just decided to go along with it. This is what he gets for bringing his wolves to dinner.*\"You guys have some funky looking Apple juice here.\"*He said, ignoring what attention was already being brought to the table. Terrel hardly considered Apple juice and salad to go together as is, though he couldn't question a kid's food combination choice. It was never bound to make sense.*\"You bought this place... With who's money...?\"*He questioned more skeptically towards the answer he gave. What idiot sold this place to a toddler? They really must have had nothing to lose with that idea.*" }, { "author": "robaldobaldo", "message": "Sorry, been super busy, I'll try and squeeze in a reply in a bit" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*He continues to eat his salad and sipping the apple smelling blood like liquid, an obvious satisfied smile on her face.*\n\n\"Well, when i was still at sea i didn't really spend that much money, And apparently the crew haven't been visiting 'Special needs woman' ever since i became captain according to my first mate.\"\n\n*Nyem nyem nyem, swallow, sip.*\n\n\"All that extra money ended up becoming this shop.\"\n\n*Shrugs, continuing his little feast.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel sat in silence for a while, trying to process what he was saying. Captain of a crew at sea?*\"Could have fooled me kid.\"*He said, idly, giving a light shake of his head.*\"You look too young to be running this place, but I guess with enough money anyone can be in charge give or take.\"*The Silnari eyed the thickly coated beverage he was drinking while he sipped his own water, it almost seeming familiar to him in a way, though apple juice was hardly the name he'd give it.*" }, { "author": "Xylon", "message": "\"...What\" *To be honest he sorta blacked out halfway through the conversation and couldn't remember anything, wait how was he even here in the first place? Where was he?!* \n\n*In his hand was a small beautifully decorated teacup previously having something liquidy inside it as evident of small droplets of some kind of black thick liquid sat at it's bottom... When had he drank it? And what the hell did he drink-*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*This everyone is what you call a reality shift, Xylon has always been there everyone knows that, well, their all unsure of how exactly it ended up like this, but that is beside the point.*\n\n*Roland finishes up his meal and takes another little sip of his Apple Juice flavoured replicant, a satisfied smile on her face as he looks at everyone.*\n\n\"Hmm, so anything we can talk about, ooooh~ maybe share some gossip and news about stuff?\"\n\n*He said, his legs waving in delight under the table.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel glanced over at Xylon as the Silnari finally came to.*\"Nice to see you present again.\"*He said, flicking the raccoon on his forehead before leaning back and deciding to actually continue eating his pasta while he spoke to Roland.*\"I'm sure my ally here has a lot to say about why he keeps disappearing off.\"*The Silnari said, figuring he'd be more up to sharing stuff that happened. Terrel didn't speak as often when it isn't needed, allowing others to say their piece while he idly listened.*" }, { "author": "Xylon", "message": "\"Huh? Oh uh..\" *He trailed off again trying to remember some things leading up to this event, but he came up blank so he decided to just roll with it.*\n\n\"Well i don't have any gossip nor do i got a story to tell so uh i can't really share much\" *He sets down the teacup and kicked his leg though not in any mood just force of habit at this point.*" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "\"Oh come on Mr. Racoon, you must have *Something* Hidden deep down under that you wanna let out, mmm~?\"\n\nThe 'Child' shuffles in their seat now totally invested in this little racoon man, a subtle smile reminiscent to how cruel a child can actually be.\n\n\"If you tell us then I'll give you a free drink~!\"" }, { "author": "Xylon", "message": "\"...That sounds weird, anyway no amount of free stuff is getting you answers that i don't have- it's like that word that means nothing uh... It's no- nonexi- oh god dammit-\" *He continues to struggle on the word before slamming his head on the table shaking the trinkets and utensils on it in frustration* \"I can't say it but you still won't get answers- though free drinks are tempting.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Keep your head on.\"*The Silnari said to Xylon, gradually finishing the food on his plate and placing it down for all the wolves to begin investigating with their own food long gone. He turned to face Roland for the time being, saying:*\"I wouldn't mind taking a look at this shop of yours if you're fine with that. My wolves here seem about finished up with their meals and they tend to get antsy if I be too long.\"" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "\"Sure thing!, Let me finish up first thought.\"\n\n*She quickly finishes her meals and tidies her self, not even thinking about the bronze, rose embossed vial on her left pocket.*\n\n\"Okay I'm all set, *Claps hand*, follow me, right, and the floofers.\"\n\n*A difficult expression appears on her face because on one hand, she wants cuddles from floofers, on the other hand, the floofers might just wreck the shop if she let them all in.*\n\n\"Hnmmmmm, nnmmmmm..\"" }, { "author": "Xylon", "message": "\"What about the floofers?\" *He asked curiously now seemingly forgotten his spelling mistakes though he still felt abit bitter.* \"Also I'm also curious on what you have in this place aside from weird drinks that make people's heads fuzzy?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel gave a nod and got out of his seat, the action alone causing all his wolves to jump out of their chairs in a cascade of darkness to see where he was going. He allowed the two children to talk amongst each other, most of his focus on the items placed around the restaurant before he glanced back towards Xylon.*\"You coming?\"*He asked.*\"Better to continue conversation on the way.\"" }, { "author": "Xylon", "message": "\"Yeah I'm coming, all this sitting around is making my legs itch\" *He got out of his seat whilst watching the wolves jump at attention to follow their pink haired leader anywhere inside the restaurant but after saying something to the white haired girl(?)* \"Does this place offer \"Free samples\" Of everything?\"" }, { "author": "Roland", "message": "*Into the sbop you both go, and what greets you first is a pleasant if not medicinn'y scent pluming from an Alchemy kit to your left, to your right is racks filled with random goods and knicknacks, Infront of you a little bit to the right is an alleyway, and inside it in the bottom middle of the left wall is a sneaky little fireplace.*\n\n\"The sea brought goods plus the more special ones are inside if your interested ;-;\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel followed after Roland, idly taking in the place with the random items it carried. Part of him doubted he'd find too many things of interest, but there was no shame in stocking up before having to get on the road again. Besides, there was still the chance of the special items being as good as he let on.*\"Alright.\"*He said in response.*\"Let's see what this place has to offer.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "The weather was starting to change, and the changes were starting to bother her. It made her want to hide away under the shade in daytime, and so that was exactly what Sanna did; crawling into a sack (after neatly piling its contents by the side) within a nice, cool shaded area.\n\nShe then curled up and promptly fell asleep." }, { "author": "Uallach Arrachtain", "message": "This random sack happened to be the property of a particular Lathian Silnari. She didn't much care for the rather unglamorous form of storage. It was therefore left on the edge of camp with the rest of her baggage. Miraculously, most of her spider companions were resting in the shade inside a pair of tents. Uallach was sitting by an extinguished campfire, reading through a book she'd purchased at the last town.\n\nAfter a few hours, the book was finished. The Silnari rose to her feet and headed to her baggage to stow the tome. It was only then that she noticed the displaced items stacked neatly in a pile. She frowned slightly, perplexed at how this might have come to be. Despite this, the sack seemed even more full than before!! She reached over to open the sack, peering inside. Setting eyes on the stranger, Uallach attempted to gently shake her awake.\n\n\"You there... Why are you sleeping in my bag?\"" }, { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "It would take a bit more shaking on the other's part, but eventually Sanna would tumble headfirst out of the dream where she was enjoying some sort of flavored ice - and out of the sack too, for that matter, smacking headfirst onto the floor with a thud. That shook her out of her slumber.\n\n\"Mmm... Hello, good lady...\" She sat up slowly, still rubbing away at her eyes. \"Has the sun gone down yet...?\"\n\nShe hadn't really answered the question, but at the same time, she kind of did." }, { "author": "Uallach Arrachtain", "message": "At the question, Uallach blinked with confusion. She glanced up to the bright sky. The sun was headed towards the horizon, it was evening by now. However, there was still enough light for the pair to see each other. The Lathian Silnari had thought that proof enough of the sun's presence. Nevertheless, she shook her head.\n\n\"It doesn't seem so...\" The woman replied slowly, turning her gaze back to this stranger. \"But I will need my bag to store my belongings.\"\n\nUallach held up her book as an example. It seemed rather fancy with a leather cover and gold leaf lettering. The title read, *How to Manage Unruly Summons for Dummies.* It was probably best she didn't let Gormlaith catch sight of that one." }, { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "\"Mhm, I see...\"\n\nIt took another short while for her to escape the confines of the sack (that she'd willingly entered, but that was another matter) but ultimately Sanna would be handing the now vacated premises back to Uallach. She herself then cast a glance skyward, as though confirming the time, before taking a closer look at the book.\n\n*!!!*\n\nIf Sanna had been drowsy up to this point, she was now 120% awake.\n\n\"Are you a summoner too?\" She stuck out an arm. \"It's nice to meet you, good lady. I'm Sanna.\"" }, { "author": "Uallach Arrachtain", "message": "\"Much appreciated.\" \n\n*The Tholian bowed her head politely as she retrieved the bag. Thankfully, it seemed to be in much the same shape it had been before. Uallach kneeled atop the soft green grass and began to carefully place her belongings in the rather worn bag. She saved the book for last. It was not lost Uallach that this stranger seemed to reenergize at the sight of her tome. But before she could inquire, Sanna beat her to it.*\n\n\"Why yes, I am!\" *The woman nodded, raising an eyebrow in surprise.* \"And you are too?\" *She stood up quickly to shake the hand that had been offered.* \"My name is Uallach, it's a pleasure to meet you. What type of summons do have?\"\n\n*The Tholian tilted her head to the side slightly, eyes gleaming curiously.*" }, { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "\"Umu, that is so!\" Having bumped into a fellow summoner, she was now in a very great mood - the sun was still out, but this much she could accept, having found another of her ilk. Although in her excitement, Sanna ended up overlooking a few things; such as, for example, that not everyone was a fan of arthropods.\n\n\"Mhm, I've got scorpions of many kinds!\" Fiddling with her own hair. \"And my two good friends as well. What about you?\"" }, { "author": "Uallach Arrachtain", "message": "\"Aha! Scorpions, you say? How delightful,\" Uallach nodded in approval, \"You'll have to show me sometime.\"\n\nShe'd never actually *See* A scorpion before, but the Tholian had certainly read about them in books before, and had a vague idea of what they looked like. Honestly, they seemed more similar to spiders than they were different.\n\n\"I have something similar—Spiders!\" She announced with a small grin, clearly proud of her ability to tame the creatures. Though, admittedly, Uallach had had some help with that. From a particular specter of an individual who was less than pleasant... But thankfully they had withdrawn for now." }, { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "\"I definitely could, but it'll have to wait until night falls. They're not the fondest of the heat and the sunlight, after all.\"\n\nOoh, spiders. She'd seen a few, gotten bitten by a few more, and even eaten one before during a particularly bad harvest year - though that last part probably shouldn't be said aloud to her newfound acquaintance.\n\n\"I've heard there's a species that are particularly hairy.\" Was it nice to touch, she wondered. \"Is that true?\"" }, { "author": "Uallach Arrachtain", "message": "Upon hearing a rendezvous with Sanna's summons would have to wait till night, Uallach nodded in understanding. She wasn't keen to make potentially dangerous summons more irritated than need be. The Tholian well know how that could end poorly.\n\n\"Hairy? I suppose some of them can be,\" Uallach conceded with a small nod. \"But others are just a little prickly, or smooth to the touch. It really depends on the type of spider.\" She explained with a chuckle.\n\n\"...Are your scorpions poisonous? I heard they can sting things, but you never know what to expect with those sorts of things.\"" }, { "author": "Sanna of the Swamplands", "message": "*So no cuddling? Aww...*Sanna puffed her cheeks slightly, but a mischievious smile quickly took its place when she heard the question.\n\n\"Yes, but not to worry. They only sting in self-defence and the poison isn't lethal; I've also got the corresponding antivenom at hand on the off chance that they do.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "\"Easy Juniper-\"*The Canifor would quietly murmur, hanging off the side of Airstrider as she would try to find the best way to mount the bird. It had been only a few months since Juniper had hatched from her egg, and just in that time she had already grown to be nearly Juna's height. Juna was never good around mounts, this being the first one she's ever had. However, she had seen others ride Airstriders before which left her believing that maybe she should try as well.\n\nThe bird would let out a series of chirps, shifting and moving all about to the disappointment of the Canifor as she would soon fall off the side of the bird with a quiet 'oof' upon impact with the ground. It wasn't a hard fall, but it was enough to leave her discouraged about it. Juniper would wander about the area they were in, a nice secluded spot in the forest some ways away from the camp. Her Jackal lounged not too far away, the heat of midday clearly getting to him in his mild laziness.*\n\n\"Juniper-\"*Juna would say again with a sigh as she forced herself back up and tried to bring her wandering bird back into the center. She was getting so big now. Juna was grateful the bird wasn't as loud or aggressive as some of the one's she met, but that didn't remove the bird's childish wanderings completely.*\"Please stay close...\"*Juna would whisper to her. Of course, the bird didn't understand her, which only served to make her job much harder.*" }, { "author": "Sigrid Thraindottir", "message": "*A pair of pointed ears perked up as the sound of a twig snapping was heard, the figure slowly grabbing the weapon by their side and getting into their feet while remaining low. The sound of talking, whining really, was obvious through the blowing wind and rustling of small critters in nearby trees. She thought the area had been desolate, not expecting to meet anyone ever, really. But clearly that wasn't the case.*\n\n*It had been so long since they'd ever seen any person since the departure from their clan, let alone hear a voice. Their eyes narrowed in suspicion as they kept their profile low, crouching amongst the bushes, approaching her 'prey' near silently, listening in on the conversation they had with what seemed to be a bird. Rather small though, likely young, and based on how the small handler seemed to be talking to it, it didn't seem well trained. Their eyes scanned the surrounding area in search of any followers, taking note of the lack of any other persons around, save for a small jackal that didn't seem to be the most competent. But they knew better than to count out smaller beasts just because of their demeanor. They learned that the hard way.*\n\n*Deciding to make a move and get some answers, and to be more safe than sorry, the figure soon started to skulk their way up behind the small brown haired woman, doing their best to stay as quiet as possible, and as they closed the distance their weapon was slowly extended out. The tip of their spear poked lightly into the young handler's back, not very hard, but hard enough to be very, __very__ noticeable.* \n\n\"Who are you? State your business.\" *The voice was that of a woman's. It was a deep, husky even, one that held a sense of power and held it with pride. Her words were stern and demanding, trying to pull an answer out with little convincing, and whatever lack of convincing she was able to do, the spear that she held to their back surely did the rest of the talking.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*A point in her back. Juna could only feel the sharpened edge of the spear as she would draw still. Very still. The words would come next, her ears instinctively turning back at the sound of another's voice. Someone had snuck up on her and whoever it was, they seemed deathly close to puncturing her.\n\nA yelp couldn't even leave her in time to her realization of her predicament, merely finding her hands tightly holding on to her feathered bird in front of her. She was between the person and Juniper at least. That was a plus, right? The fur along her would stand on end as the tension grew, but no words were able to leave her.\n\nHer ears would lower on her head, tears threatening to break the barrier as a burning sensation crept up her throat. She couldn't bring herself to turn around and face the person, but the back of her mind tended to fill in the gaps for her. Juna had imagined it being like one of the wolves from her dreams, much like the tall stark one that had haunted her before winding up dead by a vampire lady one morning.\n\nWas this another coming hunt her down in reality? Surely nothing else could have snuck up on her so easily. Where was her protector that promised he'd be here? She was a fool for depending on a figment of her unconsciousness.*\n\n*Her Jackal's head would lift up from the tension he picked up in the air, his gaze soon landing on the woman threatening his owner as a low growl would escape his throat. Juna didn't make a move to stop him, not really sure if him doing anything would make of a difference to whatever this person's plans was with her. \n\nShould she even try answering the questions? She didn't know. But with the growling filling the air, it was the only noise that could stop her from losing her grasp on reality.*" }, { "author": "Sigrid Thraindottir", "message": "*The woman's eyes stared at the small handler, cold and calculating while watching for any sudden movements. She expected a bit of a shock factor from suddenly being threatened with a weapon, but the silence that dragged on was a lot more than what she thought was even possible. An eyebrow was raised in confusion, but before she could repeat herself the growling was heard, and her eyes quickly darted over to the jackal that she had taken note of earlier.*\n\n*They ever so slightly applied pressure of the spear to the Canifor's back, starting to pierce clothing deciding not to take any unnecessary chances.* \"Listen, girl. I do not wish to harm you if I do not have to. I have slain many beasts larger than your dog over there. Tell him to stay down, or I will use lethal force. Once you do, state your intentions. I will not be asking again, young woman.\" *She spoke clearly and in such a way that made sure that her prey knew she would follow through with her words should her demands not be met, feet shifting in preparation for a fight. It was bothersome that the girl wouldn't just comply and had to overcomplicate things.*\n\n*Back where she was from, her word alone would have forced a thousand words out of the mouths of those she asked. The unfamiliar lands certainly did hold new things, both in beasts and people alike. It was very resource bountiful, but she couldn't take any chances. Was it a bad idea to make enemies so soon? Probably. Not like she had much of a choice though with how much she knew of the area, however the girl didn't seem like she was very sociable if she froze up at the concept of being held up.*" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna would wince as the sharp point of the spear dug further into the leather than protected her, feeling it dig further into her back as a single pressurized point. A single jab back into her situation, though finding words was proving to be more difficult than she would have hoped.*\"If you don't wish to harm me...\"*She'd begin, her words coming slowly and staggered as if the spear was choking her out and leaving her with little air to speak.*\"Why do you prod me with the spear...?\"*She'd continue, her question sounding like a death wish with every second she didn't answer the woman's question. Her words conflicted her actions, so much to the point where she wondered if she would kill her anyways with her questions answered.\n\nHer ears would angle towards Jace, though she wouldn't turn to look towards him. The thought of someone else going in to attack her animal again rested too heavy in her mind for her to have to witness it again. Call him off, call him off. He had been doing so well lately to be called off for doing what his mind knows is right, that she knows is right.*\"He thinks you're harming me...\"*She'd say, the edge feeling sharper and sharper.*\"You are... Harming me...\"\n\n*She fell silent again, feeling her hands tightening her grip on her Airstrider in her lack of compliance. The Canifor supposed that there was a time when someone said she'd have to protect the ones she cared about. Juna didn't envision it happening like this, sharp and quick much like the assassination attempt on her traveling along the pathways. Her ears would lower on her head.*\"He will attack you so long as you continue... His stress is... My stress...\"*She'd murmur. Juna supposed she could always tell him to run off, but this scenario was much different from the battle beaten Jackal he was upon fleeing. He knew he could still fight unlike before. He would fight.*" }, { "author": "Sigrid Thraindottir", "message": "*The woman's eyes studied her captive's every move, watching their hands as if anticipating some sort of counter attack, or seeing if they were trying to reach for any sort of weapon. The girl may have seemed innocent enough, but there was no way to tell for sure. Not without a proper interrogation, that is. And that was what she intended to do, but as long as the girl continued to be non compliant with a simple question... They didn't consider themselves to have a short fuse, but her patience had started to run a bit thin, admittedly.* \"Listen girl, I do not care about what your.. Dog, thinks. I am only doing what is necessary for assuring my safety.\" \n\n*Her words were laced with poison, stating her intentions in clear, albeit a tad bit broken speech. Like she wasn't too familiar with the tongue that she spoke. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced up and down the Canifor woman's body, grip strengthening on her weapon.* \"I do not wish to unnecessarily harm those who have no ill intentions. But until you tell me what yours are, I can only assume you are here to cause harm. Your refusal to answer a very simple question doesn't give me a good impression of you, girl.\" *Truly they didn't want to hurt the girl if they didn't have to, but the sheer reluctance to answer her question not once but twice set off a few red flags that only enhanced their distrust.*\n\n\"Now, one last time. What. Are. Your intentions.\"" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna remained motionless, the only thing moving from her being he small furs as a breeze would cause them to shift. The woman demanded to know her intentions, yet it was hard to have any with her being jabbed at from behind. She spoke of Juna not giving off a good impression, yet Juna wasn't the one that walked up to her. She spoke of her trying to protect herself without looking to hurt others, yet she came up behind the Canifor with sharpened stick for extra measure. Juna could feel the emotion in her chest hardening, beginning to sharpen and take mold from her lack of control in the situation. Reddened and puffy eyes would close for a moment, allowing the burning sensation from the air in them to pass before she'd open them once more.*\"Run Juni...\"*She'd murmur to her bird before releasing the Airstrider. With the tension, already built, the bird would turn and dash off, moving with such agility despite its youth.\n\nNow it was just the three of them. Juna would shift her gaze to the side, part of her imagining a wolf the size of the bear, spiritual at most as if her own spirit wolves had come back to haunt her from losing her connection from them.*\"I had no intention.\"*She'd say to the woman, taking a couple step forward so that she no longer had feel the weight of the spear in her back. Jace would move in step with her, coming to circle around Sigrid from behind.*\"I didn't even want to make an impression...\"*Again a couple more steps, she just needed a small bit of space, breathing room and area for movement.*\"You see someone with their pets and your first thought is that they're here to cause harm... If that's what you think... Then you're as big as a hypocrite as... Me...\"*Her tone would fade off at the last word, finally turning around fully to look upon the stranger working to interrogate her. She wasn't a wolf, yet wolf-like to the point where she could have been. Juna supposed she shouldn't have expected any different.*\n\n*Jace didn't seem to let up his own anger, growls coming from behind the woman.*\"Now... I want to ask... Who are you... And what are your intentions...?\"*Her voice carried much softer than Sigrid's though not with any lack of weight to it. Juna seemed unarmed enough at any rate. That was a good thing, right?*" }, { "author": "Sigrid Thraindottir", "message": "*Her ears quickly perked up as the bird ran off, assuming that was what the whispering was about before she turned her attention back to the small girl, an opinion forming, molding and shaping with every action they took. She truly didn't __want__ to hurt anyone, but when a competent warrior as such as herself was met with new lands, tasked with the sole objective to save her clan, she couldn't be taking any chances. Her hands gripped the spear even tighter as brunette started to speak, listening intently to every word spoken with bated breath. She allowed her to move away, just slightly enough for a bit of breathing room knowing that if by chance the girl wasn't guilty, she would need it, and as they turned around the tall, savage looking woman took one quick glance to gauge their equipment. It didn't seem like she had much, but with how it seemed like they were crying, she didn't feel the need to worry about any weapons. For now at least. The anger in her voice could have meant she would attack out of spite but, she supposed she deserved that. Slightly, at least.*\n\n*The tall woman took one last look over before their posture seemed to relax in one big sigh, standing up straight and setting the staff of their spear to the ground. She set her other hand on her waist and bowed her head slightly, hopefully getting the gesture of respect across.* \"My name is Sigrid. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I must take any action I can to ensure my safety. I was setting down a temporary resting place nearby, and heard some noises, then decided to investigate.\" *Sigrid bowed one more time, before looking out to where the girl's bird had ran off, letting out a softer, less impactful sigh.* \"I apologize for your, uh... Bird. I did not mean for it to run away.\" *Sigrid's head turned back towards the small Canifor, a look of slight guilt on her face.* \"I do not mean you harm but, when coming to new lands, I cannot take the risk to be so passive. May I ask what your name is, l" }, { "author": "Juna Carse", "message": "*Juna wouldn't avert her gaze from the woman as she would speak, half an ear being pointed in the direction that Juniper was going in her running off. She'd have to go back and get her eventually, though right now she'd prefer to keep her distance from this woman. Seeing her relax before offering an apologetic bow, Juna couldn't bring herself to trust this woman anymore than she tried to convince her to. She was the one that came up to her and threatened her life for knowledge of something she wasn't even planning to do. She'd wait for her to finish with what she was going to say before Juna would eventually respond back.*\n\n\"You're on my land.\"*She'd say simply. In the knowledge of her building a makeshift camp around here, Sigrid was of course the one to talk about protecting herself. Juna would walk off only to stoop down and pick up her staff that she had left lying in the grass. With Jace still growling in the background, Juna would give a light flick of her tongue to get his attention before pointing of in the direction that Juniper had gone in.*\"Go find.\"*She'd tell him, waiting for the Jackal to soon notice the threat was neutralized before he'd slowly walk off as well.\n\nJuna would look back at Sigrid, the annoyance having not yet left her gaze. Being asked what her name was, Juna would plant her staff in the ground to use it as better support.*\"I'm Lady...\"*She'd say to her, looking the woman over. She was definitely foreign to this land with the Canifor never having seen her before, though that was nothing new to her in living out in the forests.*\"If you're worried of your safety so much... Then leave for the the Capitol... The forests here were never safe for travelers...\"" } ]

[ { "author": "rosettahorse", "message": "O'er the highland winds and whistling against fallen leaves, the wayfarer's homecoming was decorated by the sparce, quiet life of idle possibilities. From afar, crows could be seen listlessly picking at the barren dirt, their beady eyes fixed onto the potential danger of a newly trained warrior. \nLess auspiciously, with their blurred figure creeping between brittle walls and even peeking from above thatched rooves, was the being making a poor attempt to follow the rouge in any stealthy manner. \n\nA new addition to the faded landscape, their bleached body did little in terms of subtlety, unmistakable like the obnoxious glare of the sun despite the layer of dust that covered them. After several long minutes of cautious observation and a touch of awkward eye contact, they appear again upon the rooftop adjoining the street where the Uto stands, long hair rolling forward and billowing out against the eves in loops.\n\nA glimmer, \nThen a single, shiny coin tumbles through the air to land at his feet. The lone silver glimmers up from the dust, it's surface polished and patiently cared for. The pale figure above shrinks back, but still watches, their apprehension reflected in the spots of pale blue swimming among dusty white." }, { "author": "Kynia Cael", "message": "*Meeting eyes with others in the Mattan towns was rare, much less one with a glimmer of fascination in them. The Uto watched curiously, trilling softly as he glanced about momentarily - seeing no-one else in the street, as was normal. He sighed, pondering how such a barren land kept itself sovereign, before recalling the lucrative exports of the region- Then recalling he had recited this recently...*\n\"Lost? Or just being sneaky\"\n*He offered few words, unsure if the stranger understood him- the avian tongue mixed in with Silnarian making it difficult to parse for most.*" }, { "author": "rosettahorse", "message": "A moment of further apprehension, then drifting softly from the rooftops was the stranger's own coarse birdsong; whistles, and twittering croaks of wild animal speech closely related to the Uto dialect. \nShyly, they twittered meekly, docility greeting the avian with ample crowing of reverence and servitude. The mass of white above shifts, and another shard of light hits the dirt at his feet. \nAs the second, brilliant silver gleams up from the dirt, a whisper of Silnarian words follow.\n\"*Bird... Wonderful...*\"" }, { "author": "Kynia Cael", "message": "*Kynia cocked his head, his brow furrowing at this display. He recognised a few of the chirps, but it was similar to how a foreigner with rudimentary knowledge of a language would throw out terms in a vain attempt to communicate. He trotted closer, examining the silver buried in the ground with a talon, then picking up whatever gave the sheen.*\n\"I am not bird. I am Uto. Birds have small minds, my mind is wide.\"\n*He explained, unfurling his wings as he said 'wide' to demonstrate his meaning.*" } ]

[ { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[lol we will soon decide who will not be included]\n\n[Melody, because shes level 3]" }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "The buzzling tavern of Thunush, a city sitting between East Mentia and the Empire of Salvainia— these two honourable civilisations, standing in respect for each other's culture welcomed one another's visitors. Today, a guard from East Mentia, against the cold winds of the night and even colder touch of its rain, shared burden with a fellow Centaur warrior in equal calibre, Melody, and arrived safely under the warm roof of the city's tavern. \n\nThe Centaur, in all her broad connections and knowings, brought the disgraced guard into mercenary work, where a knightly man would soon be company after brief acquaintance. The two shared a drink or two amongst the lively atmosphere. Wine filled their stomachs; mirth filled their minds." }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "Sitting on a stool, the guard held his mug loosely, lightly twirling the contents within seemingly without purpose as he stared mindlessly at the weathered table of the bar— the traces of cuts and chipped wood, with mold growing to fill the gaps.\n\n\"... And then, you know. We were in the woods, right. We were hungry. I tried to fish. Tried, anyways.\" — nervously he chuckled — \"The fish didn't seem to be hungry that day... And... And... When *Melody*... Gave it a go instead, the fish seemed to swarm all over her. Three catches in one hour. It's...\"\n\nHe ended his sentence, shaking his head as his smile slowly disappeared into a frown.\n\n\"So,\" Vaulter turned sideways, facing the knightly man with a faked smile, \"I haven't gotten your name yet.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "The knight downed half the contents of his pint of beer as the man told his story, before slamming it down on the table with gusto, droplets flew out of the tankard and the table and all that was upon it shook as he dropped it. He wiped the foam off his mustache.\n\"Sir Dismas Eldrige, of Upper Mentia.\" He said politely with a chuckle. Mother always told him first impressions were important and that one should always be polite even if the man was stuttering like a fool. \"And what may be yours comrade?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She burst through the door, completely interrupting the whole tavern's loud commotion. Her tails swayed, as she smiled, her usual self.*\n\"Aye hello!\" *She spoke to the bartender, maybe her old coworker?\nEveryone turns to look at her, it isn't common to have a kemonomimi in salvainia, especially not such a beautiful one.*\n*She looks around, finally noticing the mysterious guard she met at the fighting pit. She goes over to him, excited to see this man who has indeed never talked to a woman.*\n\"There you aaaare! How are ya? Still haven't talked to any women other than me?\" *She said, clearly mocking him. She ends the sentence with a giggle, hoping to hit a nerve once again.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard took a defensive sip from the mug, facing away, as the knight's pint was swallowed in one *Powerful* Swig. When he turned back around to face him, he blinked from the sheer shock of the slam, shaking not only the wooden tools, but also his core, it seemed. \n\nTo that, he could only clear his throat.\n\n\"Mengele. It's Mengele. E- East Mentia-, uh, comrade.\" \n\nHis fake smile appeared just as quickly as it disappeared. With that said, he took another sip, and retreated to the comfort inside the darkness of his mug.\n\n\"Aye hello!\"\n\nVaulter almost puked. Immediately, he frantically looked around him as if the earth itself started shaking with wrathfulness and he was looking for a hole. \n\nHe knew that voice, and could do *Nothing* While the footsteps slowly resonated closer, and closer to his disposition. At the end, he decided to only stare at the table, again.\n\n\"There you aaaare! How are ya? Still haven't talked to any women other than me?\"\n\nTo that, the guard only peeked at Sir Dismas, as if to say: I don't know who she was. Please help me." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*A bit of panic erupted from Dismas' mind. The... Thing, with animalistic ears adorned above it's brow and a tail protruding from it's buttocks. \"What... Mage toward did they arise from!?\" He thought to himself, he'd never seen such a thing, never in person that is. The voices cried danger, told it was some mythical beast ready to devour all that surrounds it, with claws that could rip to shreds the strongest of men like fine vellum and an acidic spit that could melt and burn... He stopped himself, this was all madness, his psyche trying to get to him, but surely he could control it, right?*\n*He let go of the hilt of his sword, resting neatly within his scabbard, as the thing approached them and did it's song and dance. To remain polite and hide his true nature, to the best of his efforts was what he wanted to do, that angry demon he used to be was all in the past. But it seems like this... Person was bothering his newfound brother in arms, he needed to act, in the name of newly friendships!*\n\"Excuse you. Have you any business with my friend here?\" *He said sternly to the animal thing.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She started laughing, manically almost.*\n\"Hun, your little friend here, is a coward of a man that has never talked to a woman!\" *She said, thinking to herself that she can never get sick of this.*\n*She then goes on to order a beer. After that, she grabs a stool and sits in the middle of the both of them, definitely noticing the way this knight she just met is looking at her.*\n\"What? Am I that pretty?\" *She giggles.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The coward of a man coughed. \n\nHe shifted away from her as she assertively declared her territory between them. More silence from him, with occasional glances at the knight, — *Now, the beast challenges you. Stay strong, or perish!* — and occasional sips at the mug." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"A woman?! Pretty?!\" *He said in a surprised tone. The little insult just put more coal in the fire, already he wasn't having the greatest of days and now the cacophony of voices urged him to crack this putrid spawn of bestiality in half! But he held himself back, only a little, if it was a verbal joust she wanted, it was what she was going to get. * \"You're a freak's cheap strumpet at best.\" *He took a swig from his tankard.* \"Which one of your parents decided to get frisky with an animal? Your mother or your father, assuming they even dared to stay in the first place...\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard sat frozen in place for a moment, gulps digesting the words that came out of him." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Ah I see.. So you're another dumb ass of a man!\" *She cleared her throat, and began explaining what she is.*\n\"Hun, I'm sorry to break it to ya, but I ain't an animal. I'm a kemonomimi, otherwise known as a kitsune. I don't get a choice ya know. And did ya just say women aren't pretty!? Of course ya did.. Asshole.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "Vaulter shifted again in his seat, half-heartedly facing them as if about to say something, but only an ajar jaw came out of that thought." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Me? No!\" *He said, almost insulted.* \"I would never! Women come in many different forms, shapes and sizes, curvy, large, thin, with each having a plethora of different personalities, some being better than others I will admit, but they surely are all beautiful in every single sense of the word.\" *He took another swig from his pint and leaned forward and locked eyes with the kitsune, fearless.* \"You, however, are none of those.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard wanted to speak, meekly pointing up a singular index finger. \"Uhh...\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Lord you're stubborn.. Afraid to admit I'm pretty?\" *She chuckled, mocking the man once again.*\n\"And not to mention.. Your face is nearly touching mine! Awww lil Knight wants to kiss me!\" *She cackled, loving the way she's teasing him.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "Vaulter stood up from his idleness and, gingerly, put a hand on the woman's back shoulder— just a light tap. \n\n\"Hey... Listen, umm, Miss.\"\n\nHe started, putting forth a pathetic attempt of a friendly smile before clearing his throat." }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "\"I don't think Sir Dismas, here, appreciates it. He's made his stance fairly clear.\" — then, he gestured around the tavern with his broad hands — \"I'm sure, in this wonderful tavern, there are plenty others who would love your company.\"\n\nThen, Mengele dropped his arms limp besides him, an expression that knitted his eyebrows together— that spelt: irritation.\n\n\"But not Sir Dismas.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*His mustache moved slightly as he sniffled.* \"Really? Is that it?\" *He said, leaning back disappointed.* \"And here I thought I would have a good few clever phrases to put in the journal.\" *He sighed* \"But alas...\" *He tried taking another sip of his pint, only find out it was empty after the multiple swigs. Even more disappointed he leaned in again to again ask for the kitsune to state her business, but then, Mengele stood up.*\n\n*After the stunt Dismas slouched in his seat and raised his eyebrow, impressed, yet also a tad bit confused. This man, who mostly stumbled over his words like a clumsy fool for all the time he spent with him, now had the gall to stand up and put his foot down, what happened? Did the alcohol finally kick in?*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Ah.. This'll be interesting..\"\n*She takes a sip of her beer, anticipating what happens next. Maybe, just maybe, the coward of a guard is actually.. Not a coward?*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "Mengele watched as the fox whispered her words and momentarily retreated from the knightly, taking a seat between them as if she had known them for decades beforehand. \n\nRecently, Vaulter had shifted away from her. There was a distance between them. From afar, facing him sideways, her lustrous glance and lucrative eyelashes, her voice like the clouds, and crossing of her legs attracting the gaze of tens in the tavern— everyone's eyes were upon her, and *Him* —she challenged him. \n\nGritted teeth, balled fists, he stood tall with a wide stance. \n\nHere, in his mind, his world, he grasped all that was his and didn't let go. \n\nThe guard tilted his head, a severe frown that could've crushed iron between those ridges on his forehead.\n\nAbruptly, Mengele advanced, invaded her personal space, and came inches away from the Kemonomimi. His body language relaxed, looking down on her furry details, he did not sit down." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*The whole tavern stared. Dismas took the opportunity to snatch another pint from an unsuspecting barmaid, while everyone was engrossed in the scene. He sat back down, smiling, he wanted to see what would come next. He took an excited sip of the pint before pulling out his journal and documenting what was happening in front of his very eyes, sketching the scene onto the blank pages of paper, messing up the kitsune's form and anatomy, one or too many times.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She smiled sinisterly, noticing how everyone was staring at her features. Her tails swayed, her ears moved. Multiple guards and knights in the bar looked at her, she looked back. This made her giggle as she knew the effect she had on people.* \"Hm? Why are ya standing up?\" *She asked, noticing his strong features while he relaxed them.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "The air was still with anticipation. \n\nStrong, he was, an Earth Macen's arm like the trunk of a tree— hearty and stalwart even without the pretence of heavy armour. Such rough outlook, it is pale and covered in sparse brownish hair, slowly moving up to reach for the exotic woman's face. A finger extended, and it touched her cheek, pressing gingerly against the silk-like skin, guiding her to face him, eyes to eyes with no twist or turns in between— a straight line." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She blushed, flustered and anxious about what the hunk of a man was about to do next.* \"A-Aye?\" *She said in a confused noise, the mystery rising by the second.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas straightened his back, lifting his head from his book. He gonna slap her or kiss her? He thought to himself, raising an eyebrow. Part of him felt like he was watching some sort of smutty theatre piece, but he knew that wouldn't happen, right?*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "Expression barely showing a sign of enthusiasm: still only the frown, still only the slit on his lips, he stooped, bent forward, and his mouth was intimately close to her ear.\n\nThe audience should gasp with disgust— by what right did this guard have himself the privilege to do such things to a woman like so? \n\n`By the right of boldness.`\n\nMengele parted his lips, breathed in, and whispered: \n\n\"*I've met, talked, and slept with women much more beautiful than you, and you could never, ever in your life, ever compete with their beauty and femininity*.\" \n\n...\n\n...\n\nAnd then, Mengele stepped backwards, walked away, stood in front of a man — that man stood up — and grabbed himself a new chair. This chair, good as new, unlike the weathered old stool he had been sitting on for the last few hours. He placed it in front of the bar, then, walking behind it, grabbed himself a bottle of new beer in front of the bartender, and poured himself a new mug." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She walked over to him, with an expression blank as a canvas.*\n\"..\"\n*She then bends over the same way he did, but this time, even closer. She grabs him by the chin and starts whispering.*\n\"Oh hun, are ya afraid you're not big enough?\" *She giggles as she sits next to him once again, resting her large chest on the bar.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas watched in awe as the whole charade unfolded. He lifted his arm up to take another swig of his pint, but without even noticing, his pint was empty. \"I need something stronger.\" He thought. He put his journal away and grabbed his helmet and bag, lord knows how many sneaky pick pocketers were around and walked up to the bar, casually pushing the katsune aside to sit by his friend and order something stronger. Whiskey, cognac, schnapps, wine, he'd even settle for moonshine, anything that would hit harder than just beer.* \n\"So, finally grew spine, eh, chum?\" *He wrapped his arm around Vaulter and patted him on the back amicably.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She stared at the man, shocked. She takes his arm, holding it tight with her sharp nails. She continued to say:*\n\"Never,\" *She digs her nails into his skin.* \"Disrespect me like that again. You filthy,\" *She digs them deeper, eventually a little blood came out.* \"Filthy guard.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas turned to kitsune unfazed by the scratch but clearly irritated. The nails didn't hurt much, padding and his heavily calloused and tough skin made sure of that, he was an earth macen after all. However, what the lady did do to hurt him, is ruin his nice dyed padded doublet, the one in which he recently got done patching up, only to get another tear. He grabbed the lady's hand, tossing aside with his superior strength and the took his right gauntlet off just to follow up with a strong backhand to her face.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "Mengele only looked blankly at the ceiling." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Hm. Alright.\" *She said with slight tears in her face, this was her worst ever experience in a bar.\n\nAfter a few minutes of her looking away, a messenger guard came and gave her a letter.*\n\n\"Thank you dear, you can go now. Thanks for delivering this.\"\n\n..\n...\n\n*She broke down crying, with no absolute explanation.*\n*She let out in a shaky voice:*\n\"He.. Died.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Hmpf, how convenient.\" *He said sitting back down before starting to examine his wound, it may have not hurt, but who knows what type of grime were in her nails, could lead to an infection.* \"Hey tavern keep, how is it on that whiskey? I'm dying of thirst here.\" *His usual politeness was diluted by alcohol and a bad evening, but at least he got to see Vaunter stand up for himself, that was the silver lining.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She fell to the floor, everyone staring at her.*\n\"...\" *She has no words but greif, loss and pain. She cried and cried, like a woman in danger.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The cry of a woman reached his ears, and Vaulter turned slightly around in curiosity. He gave Dismas a small frown, before slowly, almost drunkenly, getting down from his chair and knelt down next to the Miss. \n\n\"Hey, hey hey,\" He put a hand on her back, \"Are you... Okay?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"He.. Died..! My dad.. My only place of comfort.. He's gone...\" *She screamed in anguish and grief. It was already something when her mom died in front of her own two eyes, but this is different.*" }, { "author": "_duckerman", "message": "*Dismas turned around and watched the girl cry out like a banshee. He did feel a little bit bad, who wouldn't? The alcohol and bad mood showed his true demeanor, or at least parts of it, a violent man who couldn't care less, even if he wanted to, a far cry from the heroes of virtue in the fairytales he always strived to be like. He took a deep sigh, maybe it could still be salvaged.* \"How'd he die?\" *He asked, clearly not out of pity but rather out of curiosity.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"He burnt.. They burnt him..\" *She managed to let out, with a shaky voice and buckets of tears that could fill a river. All she wanted right now.. Was a simple hug.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "Naturally, the guard, reopening his sensors towards the outside world, felt the vying eyes of the public. Out of shame, guilt, embarrassment, he spoke the truth in his heart.\n\n\"Let's get out of this place, Sir Dismas,\" He said under his breath, \"This is not the place.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"I see...\" *Being burnt to death, not an uncommon death when a hate mob grows rather ravenous. He stood up, putting his gauntlet back on, helmet wrapped around his arm.* \"And who may be the whoresons who condemned him with this very fate?\" *He said bluntly, acknowledging Vaulter's suggestion, but chose not to comply until he got his answer.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I.. I don't know. It just says he burnt. It just says a group of savages burnt him..\" *She wiped her tears, but there was more. At this point enough to fill a whole ocean, just because of this poor woman's greif.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "He stood up, half-heartedly with his arms, waving the crowd away as if shooing a flock of crows from the wheat fields. \n\"N- nothing to see here, friends. Nothing to see here.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Not exactly a narrowing description, but it'll have to do.\" He stood up grabbing the cup of whiskey he so desperately needed to shut the constant yammering of voices in the back of his head, this talk of parental death reminded him of when his father died and how little he regretted it, despite the voices guilting him for it. \"Well if the image of the aggressors grows clearer and perhaps if fate dares make our paths cross again... Well, just don't be afraid to holler.\" He took a solid gulp from his cup and grabbed his bag gesturing Mengele to follow him as he walked towards the exit. \"Alright Mengele, you were right, it's about time we left.\"" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[Vaulter told him his name was \"Mengele\"]\n\n[reply to it, then type \"Tul!Edit [your text here]\"]" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"You're just.. Going to leave me? Just like that?\"\n*Her voice started getting louder.*\n\"You fucking shits! You fucking cowards!\" *Her voice started to get quite again.* \"I'm nothing. I'm nothing, to all of you. My dad.. The only person I have, burnt. And this is your reaction?! You're all the fucking same. Fucking.. Fucking shits!\" *She stopped crying, but instead shouting, begging for just a hug.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard almost physically flinched from the screams— it was like the banshees. Out of instinct almost, he wrapped his arms under hers like a half-hug to get the Miss on her feet, while saying: \"You're alright.\" Repeatedly, mostly to himself, partly to her, attempting to drag her to the exit.\n\n\"We're bringing you; we're bringing you. This is just not the place.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas sighed, it was a deep sigh of irritation, but he tried not to snap back at the poor lady. He turned back to her and bent down to meet her at her level.* \"Well sorry, unless you've a better description, I'm afraid we can't do much.\" *After Mengele hinted at the idea of tagging her along he was... Immediately against it, he didn't want to baby sit some stuck up princess for the rest of his travels, but then again, so many eyes, his honor was at stake.* \"Fine, we can bring her along, maybe she'll be able to point us in the right direction... But if she decides to yammer again... I won't hesitate to leave her in the dust.\" *He said, picking up her thin body as Mengele was dragging her, holding her in his arms as he went for the exit.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She sniffled and wiped her tears, letting out a sigh and then a small forced smile.* \"Thank you..\"" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "``` The Three Musketeers (End)```" } ]

[ { "author": "Narrator", "message": "Night fell, the incessant chattering downstairs relented, and the streets grew dangerously dark. The tavern lit up like a guiding beacon in the murky sea, its torches outside splendid for the travellers, obnoxious for mice and criminals, who poked their heads out and shuffled into entrance from their shelter against the day.\n\nThe inn's hallway was dim, lit up only with a few candles." }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "There he stood, features cloaked under a deep shadow. Outside a room's door, he had his hand up, ready to knock— yet, courage failed him and he could only stare blankly at its rough wooden material— weathered, old, dusty, pathetic." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "She sat there in her room, painting away. Not many people knew painting was her hobby. She heard a knock and a creek, only to find the strong man standing before her. She didn't honestly mind him so she just looked away and got back to painting, hinting for him to come in." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas walked down the hallway, armor clanking loudly as he passed by and saw Mengele staring at a door and knowing him he knew he'd not have balls to knock whoever's door he was gazing upon so he approached him.* \"What are you waiting for? You gonna knock or are you just gonna stand there, admiring the door's rough surface?.\" *He said amicably, he clearly wasn't mocking him for sure.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard first reacted to the clanking of armour— Sir Dismas, and his instincts told him to knock on the door, thrice. \n\n\"It's... *Her*, room.\" The guard then explained, \"I just... Don't know if I should be bothering her during this hour, but... I think we need to make sure she doesn't do anything *Stupid* Tonight.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "She heard the knocking and rushed to the door, opening it quick.\n\"Yes-? Oh, it's you. Come in.\"\nShe sat back down at her chair.\n\"Why are you here?\" She asked with a curious tone." }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "Arms loosely besides his shifting body, he gave his knightly friend a glance, before clearing his throat and gulped. \n\n\"I- I'm sorry... For what happened earlier. It was... Not me,\" — his hands drew circles in the air — \"I- it was probably the alcohol,\" He concluded, \"And I- I've never been good with it. The things I said- I.\"\n\nHe pursed his lips. A pause held still in the air, as he stabled himself with heels dug deep. \n\n\"Listen,\" He made a gesture as if he was surrendering, \"Whatever I said, it's not true- and I- I'm sorry, too, about your father, I mean. It was wrong of me.\" \n\nThen, he backed away, putting Sir Dismas in front of himself as if to say: \"*It's your turn to apologise.*\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Why are you apologising?\" *She giggles, and this surprised the sober Knight.*\n\"I found that part funny! The things you said did kinda hurt but.. Its okay.\" *She puts on a slightly forced smile.*\n\"And about my dad.. I'll.. Be okay. I can survive without him.. I'll just miss him. A lot..\" *She frowned.*\n\"Now enough of the grief! I'm okay now and that's all that matters.\" *She smiled once again but this time, it felt — and looked — real.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard looked at Sir Dismas again for a reaction, before carefully making eye contact with the girl with a smirk that spelled \"Awkward\" Than \"Genuine\"." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Hm? What are you looking at?\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas stood there motionless, thinking of words to fall from his mouth. He was dragged into it and he was never good with apologies, unsure if it was because he he couldn't muster up the words or that it was the part of him that didn't care. But of course, now sober, he had control, a leash to hold himself back, he could force himself. He takes a deep sigh, voice echoing from his helmet.* \"Surprisingly, as our first encounter was... Rough. I'm not usually a terrible person I-\" *He took a pause and sighed before rephrasing.* \"...I'm not usually a rude- person, it's just... The alcohol, it casts a strange spell on men that leaves us unhinged and violent.\" *He took another sigh. He refused to lift his visor, didn't want to show her his vulnerability, his lack of confidence, how he refused to meet her eyes and how he was partially lying out of his teeth.* \"And as for your father, I say this with full honesty, I'm sorry. I know...\" *He sighs* \"I know what it's like to lose parents... And I know how rough it feels so know that I speak truly when I say I'm sorry.\" *He clears his throat, going back to his more blunt tone.* \"And if we find the perpetrators, know that we will surely make them pay, thoroughly.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "\"Y-yeah, the alcohol. We really should keep ourselves away from that thing huh?\"\n\nThe guard concluded with a half-hearted chuckle, tapping the shoulder of Sir Dismas very curtly, before putting both hands behind as he rocked back and forth— heels and toes. \n\n\"Ahem, well. I'm sure... Sir Dismas and I are... *Plenty* Glad, that you are back on your feet so quick. When tomorrow comes, we'll just-\" He glanced over to Sir Dismas, \"Let... You... Go on your own...?\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Come on Mengele, where are your manners?\" He said with his usual gallantry. \"This woman payed for our rooms and now, the way I see it, she's got no one, the least we could do is stay till someone more who's more responsible is willing to take the job, that is if that's what she wants. After all, a rarity such as her could be quite in danger roaming about in Salvainia all alone. Plus, I doubt she'd be able to avenge her father on her own.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "He could only senselessly nod along the knight with his knightly lines and bravado, seemingly in accordance. However, he spoke this: \"So... How long do you think... We should be waiting? I mean- avenging one's father sounds... Quite the overarching mission. If we waited for mercenaries...\" — he tilted his head in thought — \"... She might have another problem at hand, financially.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Not to worry, dearies. I have multiple aunts in the North to hand me money! And we will avenge my father, I will not back down. Anyway! Since we are in an Inn we could go get some dinner.\" *She smiled, trying her best to hide her grief and to be honest, shame.*" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[Vaulter: \"What do you mean 'we'\" Lmao]" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Mercenary bands...\" *He said in response to Mengele* \"They're a double edged sword, on the one hand they're expendable, well kitted and some times even well trained, on the other hand, they mostly consist of honorless sods, just about to do anything for coin, in this case anything could be anything, rush into the fray mace in hand or stab you in the back. Plus the lot are usually undisciplined, just about to break formation in order to loot, raid, pillage and rape a nearby town, relying on them is... Well risky business. They're no diffrent from brigands for hire.\" *He turns to the Kitsune, hands on his hip in a gallant stance.* \"Well it's good to know you've got the spirit and will and I think dinner would be nice, it's a rarity that I get to eat proper. But one last thing before we head off, I'm afraid we haven't introduced ourselves properly, what may be your name m'lady?\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "\"Mercenaries are like that...—\" He curtly tilted his head \"—... Well, maybe. But, what I meant is-\" The guard raised his hand, about to explain in great details. However, Sir Dismas already seemed disinterested in the topic, so have the kitsune moved onto the next: dinner and avenging her father... *Together*?\n\n\"Wait, wait wait wait, what do you mea—\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She smiled, this time positive they'll be a trio.* \"Kiro! Kiro Hatsumi, your local kemonomimi.\" *She giggles and looks at the two of them, comparing their height in her mind. The guard is taller.. Maybe? She wasn't sure, but then she looks back at Mengele, the buff man, handsome yet intimidating. She didn't like him romantically at all, but if she did, he wouldn't date her and she knew that. Then she looks back at the knight, only being able to see his strong arms and a glimpse of his face, she realised both of them were equally handsome. Yes, there were things that made one or the other more handsome, but she settled on her decision. She then refocuses on their conversation.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"A pleasure to meet you madam Hatsumi.\" *He said, mispronouncing.* \"It's quite the foreign name but of course it need not matter.\" *He said before raising his right hand to his chest, stretching his left far back behind him before bending his back knee in a elegant bow.* \"As for me, I am dubbed Sir Dismas of House Eldrige, knight errant.\" *He stands back up* \"So, shall we converse more over dinner? If we are to travel together it'd be better to get in touch with one another, Mengele included, he who I surmise, has already been acquainted to you, correct?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"C... Correct!\" *She thinks of their first meeting, her teasing him, almost cornering him. It was so fun hehe! — she thought.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "\"Yeah, I- I'm Mengele.\" He muttered, \"Guard from East Mentia.\"\n\nThe last sentence was so soft that they could barely hear it." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Splendid! Now, let us go dine, I assume, they've a menu of goods downstairs.\" *He said leaving the room on his way to the stairs.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Mengele.. Can you stay for a moment..?\" *She asked, expecting him to say no.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas chuckled under his breath as Mengele scurried out first, his voice muffled by the visor of his helmet. That man despite looking older than him reminded Dismas of his own cowardness in his early days, unable to even aim a bow at a deer without shaking like a fool, unsure if it was due to his lack of strength or his nervousness at the time. He'd have to fix that somehow, fear and anxiety is only but a warriors enemy, for one can have all the training, physique, equipment and wit they need, but if they lack courage, they might as well hang themselves.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard, \"Mengele\", could only flatten his mouth, stretching his lips across as if unsatisfied. His gaze dropped to the floor, before raising both his hands again. \n\n\"Sure, why not. Let's get dinner.\"" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "Sorry for the wait folks. Went outside for takeaway" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Ah.. Alright..\" *She follows them both, excited to eat since its been quite some time.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas went downstairs and scouted a table, eventually walking up to a fine large table. It wasn't hard to pick as there weren't many people at the inn, most folks were either sleeping or at the tavern, however Dismas' brief life in high society made him know that having a table was only half a luxury, the quality of both the table and where it was seated at was most important.*" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*Kiro was only just coming downstairs, her tails swayed as soft as silk. She held on to her clothing as she didn't want an accident to happen.*\n\n*Eventually when she was down, she saw Dismas. She came over and sat next to him, waiting for Mengele.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard followed closely behind Kiro, her five tails swinging around like a fox's— now he understood the concern and awe-inducing speech that Sir Dismas did when they first met." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*As she sat down, her tails intertwined with the chairs legs. This was common and she couldn't always control it, so she decided to leave it be.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas sat down, removing his helmet and coif. He groaned as he jolted his head to the right as he brushed his hair aside, it had been a while since he had cut it or shaved for that matter. He started counting he amount of silver in his purse as he looked at the menu. He had already spent it mostly on drinks, oils, provisions for the roads and a bunch of other things and despite the kind donation from a kind nobleman he got before his arrival in Salvainia, he was already short on coin.*" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"Dismas you know I could pay right? It's fine, no need to worry!\" *She said in a reassuring voice. She's not as bad as she seems.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard sat down eventually. He reached down from underneath, and was just about to pull out a purse— but when Kiro declared that, he came up with no coins in his hands." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Your payment for the room was sufficient, I don't need your income.\" *He said almost offended, he didn't like to rely on others, it showed weakness, lack of discipline, father taught him that most of the world was out to get him and he couldn't rely on the help of others, only himself. Plus if he let himself be swayed by greater finance from a rich noblewoman for no work whatsoever he'd get tempted by the claws of greed, which could spiral him into degeneracy. He counted his coin and murmured under his breath.* \"Aw... Cripes...\" *He didn't have enough for a nice porkchop or any form of meat for that matter. No matter he had just about enough for a bowl of lentil soup, peasant food.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The guard gave the knight a quick glance, before he looked over to Kiro. He stayed quiet." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She sighed, she wanted to pay for them. She had nowhere else to spend the money anyway.* \"Alright, fine. I'll pay for me and Mengele's food then. Sounds okay?\" *She smiled.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Sure\" *He said, raising his hand to a waitress.* \"I'll have a bowl of lentil soup and... Well that's it.\" *He then turned to Mengele and Kiro.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I'd like some soba if that's possible.\" *She smiled and the waitress and thought, oh.. She's really pretty.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "He gave Kiro a nod, before looking at Dismas to order— there he went. The waitress stood next to him, and he simply uttered: \"I'll... Uhh, have what Sir Dismas is having.\"\n\n\"... And a pint of beer.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas raised his eyebrow, surely he'd get something more... Luxurious than lentil soup since Kiro is paying, maybe he was a vegetarian, then again it was probably his lack of social skills, even for a dullard he was quite shy, Dismas spent his life reading books and training rather than socializing, his only company from other woman being mostly strumpets, dull noblewomen and his wife, yet even he had some resemblance of social skills. No matter, he thought shrugging before turning to Kiro.* \"You've quite the coin the spare, you're nobility in your lands I surmise? Methinks your family were vassals, dukes and barons and all?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She giggles at the thought of him thinking that in keguntan they had dukes and barons.* \"Well.. I suppose. We don't have dukes barons or vassals though! We have things similar, just in keguntanese.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"I see...\" *He said reaching for his belt and pulling out a water skin* \"...I don't know much of the north only heard of it through books, merchants and items nobles buy from there.\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"It's quite pretty, though it's uncommon there to have your kind there. It's usually either pale skinned women with alluring eyes, or dark skin women with lethal eyes. It's quite diverse but to see a salvainian there, not common.\" *She explained, happy she got to talk about her home country. She missed it a lot, the mountains, the houses, the beautiful kimonos and yukatas.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas chuckles lightly.* \"Interesting, very. But you mistaken, I'm no Salvainian, I hale from Mentia, just like Mengele, but from a different region. Have you ever been to Mentia?\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"Ah no.. However we should visit one time together!\" *She smiled, thinking about how fun it would be.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Maybe... Although we should take caution on which region. It can get quite pretty depending on how the war is going and which region, where I'm from, Upper Mentia, in the south, the scenery can get quite... Depressing, due to the constant warring. However besides that, you'll find that it's quite the place to live in, filled with culture, lush green forests, large beautiful towns and the best drinks in the land...\" *He said continuing to describe his homeland in detail. His views on Upper Mentia were quite mixed, sometimes he described loving the music and energy of the taverns and the hospitality of the people, other times he described hating the people and how stuck up and patriotic they could be. But of course it all depended on perspective and what his social status was.*" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"Ah.. That's so interesting..!\" *She says with pure excitement in her voice.* \n\n*She then takes a sip of her water, and then a bite out of her soba.* \"So, do you have a wife? Or a husband! Or anything else of course-\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas took bite... Or sip whatever it was, out of his lentil soup. It wasn't the best tasting but it certainly was better than dry biscuits and carrots.* \"I have a wife yes, a wife and son to be precise, been so for a few years now... Although I haven't seen them in a while, didn't even get to hear my son's first words.\" *He turns to Mengele, staying fairly silent.* \"How about you friend, got anyone special in mind?\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger", "message": "His jaw moved monotonously as sustenance was crushed inside his mouth. Vaulter had his eyes forward, looking at the other table, which was *So* Empty, and the extinguished candle that dripped wax onto the wooden surface.\n\n\"Hm?\" The guard snapped his head to Sir Dismas, \"Huh? Sorry. Anyone special, uhh.\" — he pursed his lips, and his next sentence became quieter — \"I— no one in particular.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She frowned, looking away. She thought to herself: \"Hm.. Maybe if I pretend.. He'll get jealous!\" I'm so smart hehe..* \"I have someone special! I'm so glad to have him..\" *She said in a genuine sounding tone.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Really now? Was it forced marriage for politics?\" *He said jokingly.* \"I jest, but do tell us more about him, I could've sworn remembering you saying that your dad was the only source of comfort in your life, but I might be mistaken. I wonder what makes for a good partner in your culture.\" *He asked out of pure curiosity. He knew that social views on what makes a good spouse is different in certain cultures and Dismas Eldridge was always a curious one, a man always wanting to learn about different perspectives and cultures.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"He's not exactly comforting, but we only just got together!\" *She made eye contact with Mengele, hoping to hit a nerve. She then went back to talking.* \"He's handsome! He has amazing hands.. Soft hair I always touch and play with.. He's so sweet!" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger", "message": "The guard gave the fox-girl a side-glance, hearing her words mixed together with the echoing sounds of his crunching in this empty tavern. \nShe spoke of joy, and pleasantry, and love, and she was only barely adult. \n\nVaulter decided to look away, gazing at the candle on their own table, bright yet slowly eating itself away, and he could only give a nervous chuckle." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"And one time he took me home too! It was the most amazing night of my life.. I might go to his house later!\" *She took out a blush from her bag while talking, dabbing the crimson red color on the soft cushiony cheeks softly. She closed it and put it back, hoping she looks better.* \"Anyway! Enough about me and my new lover.. What's happening with you two?\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas stared at the two, starting with confusion before realizing what she was hinting at. He exhaled once before silently wheezing, the pathetic sight had him short of breath and he was holding back his laughter, turning red as the laugh silently died within him.* \"Oh um... *Ahem* I- er...\" *He said catching his breath before clearing his throat.* \"I haven't seen my wife in 2 years, more than that actually. Last I saw her, she had her back turned from me in bed, sleeping, that was the night I left to go campaigning with my father.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She silently giggled at Dismas, fully knowing he knows. She then turns to have a more serious expression.* \"That's sad.. I'm sorry that happened.\" *She said with the tiniest smirk.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"It's-\" *He paused, his next line was going to be it's fine, but it wasn't. Nothing tragic happened between him and his wife, she didn't die nor did she hate him, that is last time he saw her. What really happened was, he just left, no drama, no house bursting in flames or men ready at his house to drag her to the gallows, nothing, he just left her and never came back. Did he feel bad? Of course he did, some part of him at least, but he left for a reason and part of him, didn't really care which made him feel bad about it.* \"Yeah it's quite sad... But it certainly won't hold me down.\" *He said, coldly staring off into the distance. He stayed pretty silent after that engrossed in thought, trying to think of a way to change the subject before things got more... Personal.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "\"It better not hold you down.\"\n\nMengele reached out, two fingers heading a straight line towards the candlelight, and snuffed out the flame. \n\n\"Don't *Allow* It to hold you down,\" He said, grabbing the mug of beer, \"Men like us, there is no retreat.\"\n\nHe took a swig. Seeing the, presumably, quizzical glances that went his way, he shrugged his shoulder. \n\n\"It's bothering me. Too bright.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She rolls her eyes, thinking : \"Of course he said shit like men like us blah blah blah.. They're like all the others.\" She then sighs.*" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[ let's wait for Funguy ]" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "Done with her tupper! Hip hip hoorayy" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Indeed, we give up and the whole world burns...\" He said not looking up from his soup. He didn't have much to say anymore, talking about personal things felt taboo for the man. His life wasn't always so isolated, he had to talk diplomacy, socialize and gather a many talking skills in order to be a good knight. However, while he may have had quite the plentiful entourage, even if he wasn't alone, he always felt alone and to expose himself too a bunch of strangers he had just met? No, it would be too much." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She didn't pay attention at all, pulling out her brush from her pouch looking bag and dabbing it on gently. Then taking out her lip tint, or lipstick, and putting only a miniscule bit on her plump lips. She looks back up while putting them back into her bag.* \"You're quite, mengele. Ya okay?\" *She asks in a genuine tone.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "Mengele sat still for a moment, his ears absorbing the whispering words of the knight like a sponge to water. Sir Dismas had said too much already. \n\nMengele turned to the other side, facing Kiro straight-on. Without another word, he got to the point: \"What are you going to do, once we get to Runra?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Huh?\" *She said in a confused voice.* \"I'm not sure..\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "\"Well,\" He shifted on his seat again, looking at the empty space between the two, \"Maybe that's something ought to be talked about tonight.\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She took another sip and bite of her soba, not saying a word. She thought this dinner was for them to bond or so.. She didn't want it to go this way.* \"..Hm.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Absolutely, if we are to travel north a plan must be in check. Something we should get to as soon as possible.\" *He said taking another bite of his lentil soup, making weird face as he struck and unknown legume with his teeth." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"I don't plan on doing that.\" *She said in a serious tone, her soft red eyes now full of rage, almost like they're on fire. She glanced at both of them and started speaking again.* \"First, instead of travelling to the North, we get potential witnesses or suspects.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas raised a finger, as if he was about object, but then he lowered it and scratched his chin.* \"Actually, that's a fair point, we don't even know much about your father's death, only that he was burned upon a pyre. We don't even know where he died.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "\"I will be visiting the local library tomorrow,\" He declared, answering to Sir Dismas, \"Witnesses or not, no one will suspect a little crew of three heading North. The route will be determined *After* I found a map.\" \n\nThen, he turned to Kiro again. \n\n\"What we need to talk about, is how you want to deal with *Them*,\" Mengele emphasised, \"The killers.\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She nods.* \"We will find his killers, and if we ever do find the body, we shall Bury him in keguntan. He will be in a safe grave.\" *She slightly smiled thinking about him.*\n\n\"I will have a word with them.\" *She said in a firm voice.*" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[Funguy, you're on]" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Well we should also prepare for travel in general, provisions, tents, blankets, I doubt it's warm in the north so coats would be necessary as well, along with plenty of other things. So far the only horse we have is Jezbel, my horse, getting more would be preferable, a carriage would be great if we do hire mercenaries.\" *He took a swig from his waterskin.* \"I'll focus on getting provisions tomorrow and Mengele, if you are planning on going to the library, could you also see if there are any bestiaries perchance? Take notes, I doubt the numerous fiends that plague the wilderness would be the same up north.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "Mengele clasped his hands together and rested them on the table after Kiro's uncharacteristically ominous remark. The man couldn't hold back a smirk, before turning his attention to Sir Dismas once more in the middle of his talk. \n\n\"Sure,\" He answered nonchalantly, \"Healers, too. Don't want any of us dying out there, do we?\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She glanced at his smirk with furious eyes, lethal almost. Eyes that could rip a man's guts out. Then she looked back at Dismas.* \"Hm.. Agreed. Your argument is fair enough.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"They would certainly preferable, although I've enough experience to apply first aid and dress wounds, if needs be.\" *After spending most of his life on the road, both traveling alone and campaigning, he had many tricks up his sleeve, like how he would mix his water skin with a bit a vinegar or alcohol to keep it from going bad.* \"And perhaps someone with hunter expertise lest any of you have already, feeding a group of three is harder than one, being able to live off the land would certainly be useful.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "The man chuckled and brought the mug closer to him, before holding it close to his mouth. \n\n\"Apply first aid to Kiro when she's surrounded by trolls. See how that'd turn out,\" With a flashing grin, he poured down the sustenance of potent rage." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She lightly giggled, then taking another bite of her food. She's nearly finished, unfortunately. The aroma of the soba, full of spices, filled the diner. The noodles, tasty as ever, looked back at her.*" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Then I'd be ripped to shreds, but if I drag her to a safer place or if she's still injured once the coast is clear I can do enough to treat her wounds or at least keep her going for a bit longer until we find more appropriate means of healing.\" *He said, lifting his bowl to his mouth and gulping up all the soup.* \"Speaking of Kiro, we'll have to settle some ground rules. Note, this won't be some vacation trip, we're not an escort of armed men, so I simply ask you to behave and know when to swallow your pride, if we warn you of anything, you listen, understand?\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "\"Or... We can just have a healer look at her general direction once.\" \n\nHe spoke under his breath, and shrugged with an attitude. It didn't matter now." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"Why would I let a musty old man tell me what to do? An if you're talking about me flirting with every hot guy I see, that is ***Not*** Our problem!\" — she continues to mumble: — \"And besides, if they're hot I should be able to flirt with them..\"" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[just Funguy and chichi now. I'll let you two duke it out while Mengele stays quiet]" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"That, that is what I'm afraid of, that stubborn rebellious behavior.\" *He said groaning.* \"Flirt with anyone you like, unless if you bed some suspicious gigolo who runs off with our coin, it makes no difference to me. All I ask is for you is to drop that attitude and listen to us when we tell you not to venture into some abandoned cavern filled with beast lest we have to and to not pull off anything stupid while on our travels, something as simple as drinking dirty water or eating suspicious berries can lead to death. And even then, I'd suggest you don't run your mouth too much, avoid attention, for all we know your father's killers have an agenda in mind and you might be next on chopping block, or stake...\" *He said before wiping his mouth with handkerchief.* \"Also Mengele is older than me, which would make you into men that are even older and musty.\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She scoffed.* \"I am NOT into mengele! He's an ugly asshole with no taste but in elegant pretty women!\" *She said furiously.* \"And anyway, I will try to not run my mouth. Happy, ass?\" *She said, clearly failing what she just said she was about to not do.*" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "[Kiro what the fuck are you talking about]" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"**Of course.**\" *He said sarcastically staring at her with no change in his face, she could deny all she wanted but he knew.* \"Now that we have it all settled, I hope your hot tempered attitude will be gone in the morning. I believe it's getting quite late, we should get some rest, go to our rooms and such.\"" }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "\"Absolutely NOT! I don't want to go to sleep. I want to get drunk ya know! Or not dunno, I just wanna stay up.\"" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "\"Well in that case don't blame me when we pull you out of bed sleep deprived. Although do use it wisely, I would advise against spending it all on drinks, lest you've a source of income or you're still in touch with your family, you're like us now, the penniless downtrodden with naught for even a morsel.\" *He stood up, grabbing his helmet and heading towards the stairs.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Ugh fine we can go to bed..\" *She said in a sad tone, as she wanted to stay up all night with them, maybe even watch the sunset together. She just wanted to talk and have fun..*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "He took one last swig,and slammed the mug onto the table before standing up. He stretched freely in this empty tavern without the gazes of others.\n\nWith relaxation on his side, he gave Kiro a quick point. The same smirk returned, almost jokingly, he said: \"I'm not in you too.\" \n\nBefore turning around and followed Sir Dismas." }, { "author": "Kiro Hatsumi.", "message": "*She ran after him, shouting:* \"I KNOW YOU ARE DUMBASS!\"" }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "``` The Three Musketeers — Aftermath (End) ```" } ]

[ { "author": "Kiko Lin.", "message": "*She walks through the ethereal looking entry way, her heels clanking against the floor. This wasn't her first library visit, but it certainly was for this one. She looked around, her elegant walk following. Her light soft skin, her cloudy eyes, her soft pink (almost kissable) lips, and of course, her pure **Perfection.***\n\n\"Hm.\" *She said in a quite tone trying not to attract anyone. She held her soft hands together, her clean nails shining. She looked ethereal, almost unreal. Her ears, soft and fluffy, moved as she looked around.*" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere lets out a sigh of relief before she looks back at her books, trying to ignore the awkwardness of the conversation. She has no idea why the man would think she would be willing to work with him or even be interested in joining him in any capacity. It's possible he's just desperate or from his words it seems he may be looking for a partner for something else. She tries to put the whole thing behind her as she goes back to browsing the shelves. Her gaze soft and her fingertip brushing over the titles with a fragile heavenly guidance until she finds something that looks interesting. It's a book about the history of the city of Salvania and the religions that came with it. It's a large book filled with pictures and stories that make the place come alive for her. She picks it up and sets it in her lap as she looks for a chair planning to sit down to read.*\n\n*Her earrings are soft blue gemstones twinkling in the dim lights of the ethereal setting. Her hair taking in the orange and pinkish hues of the sunset outside, gleaming like a white hot iron alloy. Her eyes allure like that of a platinum coin or full moon. Her strawberry red lips lustrous and full, and her body as fertile as the early spring thaw.*" }, { "author": "Kiko Lin.", "message": "*As she looks around she sees the mysterious angelic woman, and decides to grab a book, one about the elegance of oneself, and sit down next to her. A few seconds later she took out her light orange pink blush and dabbed it on lightly, taking out a royal looking mirror to check if it looks good. She was in a black blue silk dress, that costed quite a lot. Her heels made her very tall, as she say in her chair, back straight up, elegant pose. Her eyelashes fluttered as she read the book, revealing her silver cloudy eyes, so alluring you could dive into them as if in a fairy tale. Her lips pouted, clearly finding the book boring. She never had interest in polotics, or history or such. Nor did she have any interest in romance. But the girl next to her.. Looked like she was from another planet. She didn't blush, just looked away. This isn't right for a woman to find another woman this attractive.. At least that's what her parents taught her.*" }, { "author": "misriz", "message": "You are comfusing me" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "\"Ahh~\" *Vivere beams,* \"How *Interesting*...\" *She whispers to herself as she flips through the first pages. Her eyes are wide with wonderment while she reads the stories of the people who lived here. She doesn't look up at the other woman beside her for enough time to get a good look at her, but when she does can tell she is reading a book about beauty and elegance. She smiles softly to herself and continues to flip through the pages before she sneaks a good glance at the other lady out of the corner of her eye. A few seconds later she closes the book and puts it down on her lap as her fingers gently caress over the cover in little circles. She looks at the other woman for a moment before she speaks, the voice flowing out sweetly like a light nappage.* \"It'd make sense you wouldn't find anything in there. I'm sure you don't need to learn how to be more any more beautiful than you are.\" *She giggles softly after she offers the innocent compliment. She then looks at the other woman curiously, espeically her bunny ears. Her expression showing how much she is fighting her impatience to touch the fluff as she shifts around a little.*" }, { "author": "Kiko Lin.", "message": "*Her ears twitch as she hears those words, turning around. Her gentle eyelashes flutter as if they're hinting at something. She smiles slightly.* \"Oh.. Thank you dear.\" *Her bunny ears lower down, facing the floor. She looks at the book the other lady is reading.* \"You find that interesting..?\" *She asks in a curious tone. She prefers books about love, and of course secret relationships. She doesn't read them to fulfill her non existence desire for a husband, she reads them to see or wonder how love would feel like. She's never properly experienced it before it seems.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere enters the library of Salvainia for the first time. She hasn't been in the city long, so she's taken the dravidian to learn more of how the people here operate before engaging too heavily with the community. She's heard a few things of the location and even has had some of her brothers and sisters describe their religious visits in the region. Her church mainly doing work to spread the religion's dominance and to strengthen the roots in the area. She's come here with a similar motive, albeit more independent, and also wishes to simply explore the culture and see something new. Whether or not she has minor or major success doesn't matter to her with a greater focus on discovery while on her trail.*\n\n*As she goes forth her eyes skim over the tall shelves amongst her with curiosity and wonder gleaming in her cloudy silver white irises. Her posture is delicate and peaceful, and her expression is innocent and doughy. Her tall posture intertwined with her pious grace is similar to that of a beautiful white orchid in a summers breeze. When she begins to move deeper into the library her regal heels thud with a hesitant politeness for the readers and her shifting meek gaze clearly revealing her as a tourist to the area.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "\"*Runra... Runra... Runra...*\"\n\nHe moved through the hallway of books, each shelf hosting an abundance of knowledge.\n\n`...And knowledge, is power`. The guard could only tell himself such.\n\n The constant need to look up, browsing through lines of small texts slowly accumulated stress upon his neck. Knowledge is power, but it doesn't help with willpower. He stared at the ceiling and stretched. \n\n*Hm, a strange smell is filling the air. Like... Like... Orchid?*\n\nThe next thing he felt was a shove — against him, against the thing that he had crashed into — and then a warmth, which he had reacted to quickly by backstepping. \n\n\"Oh, ohh! I... Am *Very sorry*. I-\"\n\nHis eyes locked onto hers— two silvery pearls, slightly looking down on him. What he saw could only be responded with a silence: two ears pointed outward declared her superior heritage; her skin, perfectly cared for, smooth like alabaster silk; her lips, that of a true woman's, lustrously thick with redness— and then some. He was a peasant who stumbled across a king's palace. \n\nThe guard had his jaw slightly ajar, before conscious returned to power and shut it close, *Tight*. Red on his face, he could only utter: \"H-hey.\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "Vivere was walking through a section of books on various countries and cultures when suddenly she felt her side press into a figure of bristly might. She turns quickly with an analytically apologetic look upon her face as the man apologizes himself. When he does she graciously lunges forward to softly brush her hand on the edge of his cheek. The motion as if she is a parent checking their child for an injury, even lifting his face towards the light more as she does a quick look over. She then speaks, and her words flow sweetly like nectar, the tone within bright like a perfect summers day.* \"I'm the one who should be saying that,\" *Her eyes are piercing with a serene warmth and a challenging conviction. The expression on her face kind and compassionate, but also full of a tender worry.* \"Are you alright dear?\" *She quickly withdraws her hand realizing the man may have wanted his space and rests her palms over her thighs as she squats down slightly to lower her height to his as she patiently awaits his response.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "The hands made contact with only a small area of his skin, but every pore on his body was flaring up with its sensation. A Lathian Silnarian, flesh and blood, occupied the top 10 of the most beautiful women of *All history*, giving him, a nameless guard, this much attention. \n\n`Dirwe be damned, what's with the women I've been meeting recently?`\n\nWith a silly smirk— one that the Lathian must've encountered plenty in her life, he coughed out: \"Uh-huh, uhh. Yeah.\"\n\nUnconsciously, he puffed out his chest and flexed his shoulders, briskly rubbing his hands together while staring at the floor as if ready to flip a kettlebell over his head. Time to brush up his *Silnarian*. \n\n\"Well, umm...\"\n\n...\n\n`How do you begin a conversation in Silnarian?????`" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere looks down at him and tilts her head with a soft smile. She sees his posture is stiff, watches as his hands rub together, and notices that he seems tense. Her expression reveals a newfound sense of hopeful pity as she wonders what is making him so anxious. She reaches out and places a hand over his shoulder as a part of it brushes against his neck, her fingers warm and comforting as they caress his skin. She leans in closer with her tone lower and near a whisper, yet the same brightness remaining in her speech,* \"You seem to be having a rough day,\" *She says, her words soothing and calming,* \"What can I do to help?\" *She pulls away slightly and stands upright. Her eyes studying the man's features carefully trying to find what it could be that was causing his behavior. As she stares into his eyes, she feels a tugging deep within herself. It's like a weight, pulling her closer, urging her to give him comfort.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "\"Oh, no. No it's nothing,\" The woman leaned __in__ and the man __away__— *Despite how tempting it was to just stay still*, \"I'm just... Looking for a few books on... Uh, Runru- I mean *Runra*.\"\n\nHe tried to explain with an air of casualness, but the crimson, red, ruby, bloody, tomato face helped as much as by adding oil to the fire. \n\n\"Haha, strange Northern names, am I right?\" He cleared his throat with a cough, and the smirk disappeared into a slit between his lips, \"Anyways, hmm. Mhmm.\"\n\n`She's not gonna kill you.`\n\n\"Runra...\" He sighed, looking her in the eyes at last, \"Books. Maps. Anything. Well, maybe maps— more than anything.\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*The Lathian nods and glances around the room. The bookshelves are quite large and there are several rows surrounding them. Though there are many choices around them they aren't far from the books the man was searching for.* \"I can help you look through them if you'd like,\" *Vivere beams, her smile radiant as her eyes dance over the books around them,* \"I'm trying to learn more about *This* Place myself, and Runra has always seemed unique too.. I'm sure it is just as interesting as it's name.. Though I must ask what makes you want to learn of it?\" *Vivere's voice has a soft, musical quality to it, like a song sung by a choir of angels, yet it is also full of wisdom. She then walks over to the nearest shelf and begins to scan over the titles,* \"It looks like books on *Runra* Will be a bit further down...\" *She points towards where the man was headed before they happened to collide. She didn't seem to have much concern in waiting for the man to approve of her help either with her generous nature taking the reigns.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "He lifted his hand as if to half-heartedly reach out to her.\n\n\"There really is no need for that. It's probably gonna—...\" He scowled. And there she went, further down the hallway with that clicking and clacking— what was with those boots anyways?\n\nThe Mentian followed her footsteps, eyes doing their best to keep looking at anything beside her. Difficult would be an understatement.\n\n\"A friend... Of ours—*Mine*, is headed that way; I made a promise,\" He thought about it deeper, and curtly tilted his head, \"Well, n-not exactly, but I will be needing help finding our way there. Detailed maps that point to a safe route. Don't want us to be... Swallowed by some trolls, or something.\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*As she wanders the shelf she eventually sees what she believes is the right spot. She then takes a small wooden stepladder and walks up it as she begins to scan the titles humming melodically taking joy in browsing. While she does, her Elvish ears twitch at Vaulter's words and she looks at him with intrigue from the corner of her eye smirking a bit when she hears the man speak of a friend. That is usually a good sign. She focused back on the shelf and runs her finger along the titles before she asks him,* \"A friend?\" *Her tone is full of curiosity as she suddenly moves her gaze over to some books in a section labeled by a small blue ribbon as 'Runra, Baninta, Irunia. It looks like she isn't unfamiliar with how a library works.'* \"Let's see.. Runra: A History of the North, The Secret History of Runra, The Topography of Runra...\" *She mumbles the titles to herself before skimming past some titles in a language she doesn't understand. She also doesn't pay as much mind to others with names centered around violence such as 'The Wars of Runra, Baninta, and Irunia' or 'The Armaments of the North.' A slight sense of discomfort being felt by her when seeing such. It also seems her eyes are taking note of some particular titles like 'The Traditions of Runra' 'The Plants of Runra' or 'The Religions of the North.'*\n\n*When she finally finds one that seems to be of the best use, she slips it out and looks over to the man once again. She reads the cover out loud to him with steady precision but slowly enough to be well received,* \"Here's one that *Should* Be fitting: A Cartography of Runra, Baninta, and Irunia: The Explorers Guide to the North.\" *The book appears to be an older work. It has a scratched and worn black cover with golden lettering and is tied with a fragile red ribbon. Her eyes looks at it proudly as she moves down the stepladder, albeit cautiously as it wasn't simple in heels. When she gets down she closes the distance between the two again and extends the book out\n\nWith two hands and a modest dip of her head. The gesture full of subservience and reverence.* \"For *You*.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger", "message": "She looked at him with the corner of her eyes, and something small tugged at the corner of her lips. \n`\"A friend?\"` she asked.\n\nSlowly, he turned his head away from his own book, to look at her— body." }, { "author": "Vaulter Junger?", "message": "A scowl grew on his forehead unconsciously. \n\n\"Yeah.\" He answered simply and certainly, as she continued looking. Mengele returned to the contents of the book, but he found that he couldn't focus.\n\nSilence reigned until she clacked her way back down the ladder. The guard glared at her every move. \n\n\"The Explorer's Guide to the North\"— the book was within his reach. For a moment, he stared at it, a smile flashing in and out of existence. Eventually, he reached for the book and, slowly, took it from her hands. \n\nMengele had a raised chin, and an interrogating stare, not a bit shying away from her enchanting eyes. \n\n\"... Do you find it strange?\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere smiles happily— a contended feeling filling her chest as she watches the man examine the book in his hands— the one she spent so long searching for, the one she picked out specifically for his goal. The question he asked made her wonder what she may find strange, the friends, the location? If she was correct in understanding his response, he was either confused, surprised, suspicious, or a number of other things that might arise from a strangers interest in him. She looks down briefly in hesitance unsure how to proceed as she was no diplomat, but she still wanted to do the best she could to aid him and learn with him.*\n\n*She then lifts her head again to meet the man's eyes with a soft expression, she starts slowly and politely with a slight smile on her plump lips. She only hoped he saw her intentions for what they were and also hoped that she wouldn't be burned for asking such things. She wasn't well accustomed to the Macen's ways.* \"Strange? It is a bit odd to encounter someone so eager to learn about traveling to a region that isn't theirs. Especially all that way...\" *She speaks with no sense of judgment or ridicule to her tone, but rather interest and intrigue. Her presentation of the idea soothing and sympathetic. When she finishes speaking her eyes remain sharply locked onto Vaulter's in an attempt at willing him to speak further without hiding behind his typical bluntness. Her form still and her body's voluptuousness able to be seen clearer than when she's in motion, but she was to never present it in a way that was vulgar. Her face up close being angular yet chubby as she was also not one to avoid the occasional treat, yet even still her Lathian blood kept her skin flawless and her form perfectly put together. Despite her straightforwardness and imposing height she was always doing her best to sway her motives with graciousness over intimidation. No doubt she is trying hard to help this man gain trust in her.*" }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "Wrath is a man's greatest flaw, but also his greatest asset, for wrath can bring great destruction, and from great destruction, change, against a corrupted system. Wrath had blinded him, but love was a remedy that Mengele had yet to expect. Perhaps it was the smile that felt too genuine; perhaps it was the words that sounded like honey; perhaps it was the stare; perhaps it was lust. The resentment in his heart drained in two simple sentences, and simply by the way she presented herself." }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "The frown that held so harshly onto his forehead melted off slightly; his eyes became a little more focused as his pupils grew back larger. The man lowered his chin and, once again, gazed at her with glance withholding malice. However, that silly smile did not return. \n\n\"We are travelling not because we care about what is up there,\" Mengele articulated in a half-whisper, before he surveyed around him with his eyes, and looked over his shoulder.\n\nHe gave a dramatic pause, \"I am a bounty-hunter, and a client— *Friend*,\" —he lightly clapped his hand, and declared with a tilt of his head— \"I *Suppose*; her father was murdered.\"\n\nHis lips folded inward.\n\n\"Yeah. Unfortunate news,\" Said him without a change in tone, \"He lived in Runra. Gangs, mercenaries, assassins, who knew what happened. That is why... *We are taking a boat there*.\"\n\nMengele decided to give her mere seconds to digest, and he was about to shove another \"Occasional treat\" Into her mouth: \"*Do you know why...*\" He lowered his voice, \"*I'm telling you this?*\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*As Vivere listens she crosses her arms under her breasts and leans forward slightly. She wasn't sure what to do with the information that he was a bounty hunter, but a slightly fearful and timid look began to mix into her eyes.* \"Is that so..?\" *She sways about a bit and seems as if she's looking for a chance to exit the situation. The discussion of violence being one she isn't well suited for. She feels her heart begin to beat a bit faster as she gives the man a glance of both worry and caution for his endeavors, and her poise represented the same concern for herself. What would happen if he were to find those he sought? Would there be bloodshed? The question he asked only made her wonder the kind of person he was, what would happen if she was to get on his bad side? Empathy bubbles into her mind like a pot on a stove at the mention of the death of the father, yet she still can't reason why an eye for an eye, or the vengeful nature that may be found on the journey seems necessary.*\n\n\"What do you mean by that?\" *She speaks in a firm, yet still peaceful manner. It was who she was to have her voice express exactly what she meant. If he means harm should he be left alone? Who are the people 'we' he will be going with? Are they the same? As she considers the possibilities her posture grows stiff but remains elegant—though while she is trying to remain as composed as possible there is a look of sadness within her innocent silvery white eyes. Her previous smile has shifted off her face and she doesn't seem to be happy about where the discussion has gone. If there was any underlying message at this point, it'd be a sense that she no longer wants any part of it.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "The man stood still after she asked the question. He saw them: the smile gone, her body language shifting towards the nearest exit, the eyes. However, he only squinted his eyes and gritted his teeth, the intense scowl returning to his forehead. \n\n\"A girl just got orphaned because a crew of evil-doers killed her father. That's what I mean.\"\n\nMengele muttered and allowed the words to sink in...\n\n\"You should've seen her, yesterday. I got into bounty-hunting just a day ago. Go back one more week I was a nameless guard in East Mentia with no one batting another eye to me,\" — he dramatically pointed behind him — \"But when I saw her crumble to the ground that night in the tavern and cry her lungs out. I've decided to do something *Actually* Impactful to the world.\"\n\nHe shaped a dome with his hands, before they gripped into fists as words passed by his mouth faster. \"Make it a better place than just another... **Global orphanage**.\"\n\n\"We are a band of few. There are only three of us. I mean even the *Client* Herself is supposed to be part of our team and she can barely swing a dagger,\" Mengele leaned in, voice becoming coarse as if it was his own father, \"If she gets hurt in the journey, with roads filled with goblins and trolls and bandits and *Ädelqin*-knows-what. If she gets hurt... I-\" \n\nHe slumped his shoulders and his arms went limp, \"I wouldn't know what to do.\"\n\nBook readers chattered in the far distance. The floorboard creaked quietly for passersby.\n\n\"She's a good girl and if I ever had a daughter, I would want... Someone like her.\"\n\nMengele softened his features, raising his eyebrows and smiled with faint hope in his eyes.\n\n\"But I don't know if we can make this journey without a Healer.\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*That last statement seemed to strike her mind quite powerfully, she purses her full lips as she thinks carefully on what to say. Her thoughts at that moment were purely of kindness and respect for the stranger that appeared before her in the library, yet deep down she felt fear and worry for all that which he said. A man who might end up risking everything to help a stranger and to aid the orphans of the world. She hadn't thought much of the adventure, but hearing the man speak of how desperate his circumstances had moved her greatly. She then decides to address the matter head on and thinks of how to respond to the statements he made. The possibility of if there was anything she could do to help. If she could come along. She also wondered if he would be able to rely on her, and more importantly, if she could rely on him.*\n*For Vivere is a healer after all, and she too has faced life threatening situations, but with enough skill and care has found her way out of them. While she was also unaware of what the man sought and what sort of danger lurked in the wild, she couldn't deny the slight fluttering of curiosity that possessed her mind at what fate all of them would face together. She goes on, her voice trickling out delicately like a coating of sugar,* \"Well... I am a trained healer, and my religion asks me to seek out the betterment of all living beings... Even the ones who will never return my love.\" *She is impassioned in her words and continues speaking as she steps closer to the man, placing her hand gently upon his arm.* \"And while there is nothing wrong with using weapons in the heat of battle for fight against injustice... So long as your cause is noble, and you treat others with respect... Then I think we would both find common ground. But...\" *She looks him in the eyes with great conviction,* \"If you wish for me to pursue this endeavor, please remember that healing something is more powerful than hurting something.\"\n\n*Her words are soft and thoughtful, but also quite firm. She slips her hand off his arm as she straightens her back once more and her warmth begins to return to his favor with a slight smile,* \"And, if we are to become companions... A name would be helpful.\" *She finishes her words off with a modest giggle as she patiently awaits his response.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "She straightened her back, finished talking, gave the most beautiful smile— and Mengele gave his best impression of a statue. His smile faded a little as he broke eye-contact with her, again staring at the floor, the clean, dustless, refined oakwood floors. He had just felt her touch a moment ago, but instead of a heavenly feeling returning a mirthful and innocent grin, he had only given her touching a brief glance; her tall figure became a blur. \n\n\"Then... You're joining?\" He whispered.\n\nA few more seconds passed by. The bounty-hunter raised his head again. The scowl, and the grin that spread across his entire face, contorting his cheeks but not reaching his eyes: \"Mengele. Bounty-hunter.\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "\"Vivere,\" *Came her voice softly, as if a prayer, while she savored the name from his tongue. She held a gaze on him that embodied her heavenly mercy for a moment longer before it wandered over to the door of the library. She paused to consider the situation, but wasn't sure if she wanted to fully commit herself to it yet. She'd need to learn more of this man and the others. It wasn't as if she could simply ask those of her temple about the people and their habits as was often done at home. It may be safe to go on, but it would be unwise for her to simply dive in with a man such as Mengele. With a smile and words unsaid still lingering on her lips, she speaks again. Her tone as sweet as spring rain falling on a field of flowers.* \"I'll need to hear more about the conditions... Meet the others... Know the route... Then I'll make my decision.\" *She continued standing at ease with her hands now clasped behind her back, looking towards a window watching as the sun began to set with its orange and pink rays beaming through fluffy clouds putting even the best artists to shame.* \"It'd be for the best if we spent some time getting closer before then...\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "His grin disappeared quickly when her voice, despite holding elegance like the gentle spring rain, once again weakly and timidly spelled out her doubts— a voice that held no conviction, not one like the summer downpour. \n\nHands on his hips and puffed out chest, Mengele breathed out loudly. \n`Maybe it's not worth it.`\n\nEventually, his arms dropped. Then, he turned halfway around and froze there." }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere watches him puff out his chest and let's out a little sigh. She's seen behavior like this many times before, and thinks of those moments. Generals going to war, those in an argument. She wasn't one to enjoy such brazen acts of increasing self-confidence through physicality. As he turns she stands there and watches him for a moment crossing her arms under her breasts once more being left without any words. She then does the same herself, turning back to the bookshelves to search for what she came here for. Information on the city, and of places she may come to visit. She speaks hesitantly as the man goes to leave.* \"May Dyarin guide you.\" *Her voice rings out calmly like a church bell while never being raised high enough to disturb the readers.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "His lips folded inwards, heart beating quickly. In the distance, he saw a Salvainian guard wearing his country's insignia, staring blankly in the distance with a weapon in his hand. \n\nHe gritted his teeth. \n\nJust as the woman was about to turn around herself, Mengele returned to her. \n\n\"Lady Vivere, wait.\"\n\nHe held out his hand as if to reach out to her. Then, he gestured patting down the air, motioning her to halt. Once he was sure he got her attention, Mengele cleared his throat.\n\n\"I'm sure you and I are both familiar with the concept of 'cost of time'. The more time we spend snooping around in Salvainia, the more time we give evildoers to commit more... *Unspeakable acts*.\" He emphasised those two words, as if believing they were truly unspeakable. \n\nMengele opened his arms. \n\n\"Now why should we ever give injustice any rest? Those people are brutal. Absolutely brutal. But, okay. You say you need to trust my allies first,\" He bopped his head to-and-fro, \"Fine. We could arrange a meeting tomorrow, *And* 1000 silver pieces.\"\n\nHe pointed at her futilely, looking to emphasise the amount of money. \n\n\"1000 silver pieces, just for the initial recruitment. Tenfold afterwards, when we finish the mission,\" He used his hand, fingers curling and extending, \"1, 2, 3, 4, 5- ten-thousand silver pieces. A significant stride towards money to buy— you're a Dyarin-worshipper? — to buy your own church. A Dyarin church, of your own.\" \n\nHis lips curled downwards and his head tilted sideways. That *Was* A lot of money. \n\n\"Once we are on our merry way up the river of Salvainia, we will have plenty of time, to get to know each other, *And* You get to keep the 1000 silver pieces, for doing *Absolutely nothing*.\" \n\nMengele breathed in deep, and he kept his arms to his side, still with anticipation." }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere's eyes widen and she gives a small gasp. She looks back at him, her expression still soft as the warmest spring breeze, but her thoughts are far from calm. She has never heard of a man offering so much money before and the fact that he had offered it so readily made her pause. Vivere was never one to take a bribe. She wasn't a healer for turning a profit. She didn't do anything for money, but rather for the sake of helping others. It was her belief that if she did so she'd stay in the favor of Dyarin and the rest of her gods. It was also in her nature as a person of faith that she doesn't wish to accept a man's payment for services she feels she could offer freely to those in need.* \n\n\"That is a generous offer,\" *She says after a moment of thought.* \"But, I'm afraid that I am no longer interested.\" *She continues speaking, her tone like a warm silky blanket. Some parts of this just didn't add up.* \"I believe that your intentions are good and that you want to help others, and that is admirable of you. It seems to me though that the people you've recruited and the mission you're about to embark upon will be quite dangerous and will lead to unnecessary harm to those who don't deserve it...\" *She holds a heavily-weighted gaze on him as she speaks, her eyes sharply assessing the man as if reading his scales of good and evil.*\n\n*Vivere then thinks over her next words carefully, and when she speaks again her voice carries the weight of someone who has seen many tragedies in their life. One who knows all too well how cruel life can be. Her tone is straightforward and her mind firm in its standing, her voice unwavering and full of passion.* \"I am a Dyarin-worshiper and my gods have chosen to allow me to seek and heal those who are hurt. Your friend who faced death won't find a resolution in her vengefulness, and neither would I.\" *She adjusts her posture and looks at him with a flicker of disappointment,* \"May Dyarin guide you.\"\n\n*She offers him a brief dip of the head and a clasping of her hands as if in prayer before she turns once more to browse the books, yet this time it seems she is not interesting in being engaged further. Her eyes wary and her face in a saddened innocence.*" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "`\"May Dyarin guide—\"`\n\n\"Wait, just wait a second,\" Mengele interrupted her blessing as she turned half-way around, about to return to her bookshelves, \"What do you mean 'unnecessary harm'; we won't be burning down villages, or killing animals for fun?\" He joked with a nervous chuckle.\n\n\"We are fighting against injustice, like you said. I-\" Mengele laughed, feigning obliviousness as if he had just found a dagger tucked away in a haystack, \"What do you mean, 'you're not interested'?\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere looks back at the man with a bit of a frown. She tilts her head slightly as he speaks, his words making her feel uneasy. It seems he wasn't lying about his intentions, but the way he spoke made her feel uncomfortable. Especially the mentions of all the violence. It showed her that those may be the very things that cross the man's mind. She glances down at the books in front of her as if in thought. It takes her a moment, but eventually she looks up at him once more.* \"And if I were to agree to work alongside you... What exactly would you expect me to do? Why is it *You* Need the healer instead of being the one healing others?\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "It was at this moment that Mengele realised he was still holding the book: \"A Cartography of Runra, Baninta, and Irunia: The Explorers Guide to the North\". He held it up like a trophy, before leaning onto the bookshelf with his free elbow, certain that it wouldn't tumble over. \n\nHe leaned forward with his upperbody, and alchemised a smile from the residue of his laugh.\n\n\"When you went through all that trouble to give me this book, wearing that tight dress and those strange boots... You didn't even know me,\" He nodded admirably, before pointing at her with the corner of the book, \"That is when I... Just knew.\"\n\nThe smile faded away. \n\n\"You're a healer. You learned spells, and you chose to worship Dyarin.\" He pointed at himself, \"I am a border-guard— *Was*. I learned how to use shields, and I chose to worship Adelqin...\"\n\nMengele straightened his back and unconsciously puffed out his chest again, \"Understand what I'm... *Insinuating*?\"" }, { "author": "Vivere", "message": "*Vivere nods slowly. She does understand what he's saying, but she doesn't seem to be buying it. She glances down at the books in front of her as she thinks over what he has said. The crudeness of it. Her simple act of kindness turning her into a tool for the man's goals which he isn't being clear about. While she may have been more interested when the cause seemed just it appears now she is more distant from it. After a moment she looks back up at him with a small smile.* \"I see.\" *Her eyes watch him patiently with a calculating gaze while her hands go to sit clasped together in front of her.* \"I'd like to hear more about what it is you plan on doing when you get to Runra.\"" }, { "author": "Vaulter \"Mengele\" Junger?", "message": "He shifted weight onto his right heel uncomfortably, looked aside as if to escape her gaze." }, { "author": "yanzhifeifu", "message": "``` The Good Silnarian (End)```" } ]

[ { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*After a light breakfast, Sirdan would propose for Yukine to come with him to the New Sunlight Training ground - specifically the one outside of the city. It would be a long walk, around 2 miles - with no way to shorten it by riding on a horse through the city street*\n\n*Sirdan walked astride with Yukine - not holding her hand or anything, such public display of affection was best to be avoided*\n\n\"The trip to Runra has to be postponed.' *He said, not bothering to mince his word, and lowering his volume, making sure to only speak when no one is within earshot*\n\n\"Hu Lang and I need to deal with some family troubles here in the city, and we need someone or two we can trust to fight on our behalf. You're my wife, and you know your way around weapons. Would you be up to help us? We can talk details once we are at the guild.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "The kitsune's ear leaned forward, it was not necessary to speak so loudly so he could hear. Her crimson eyes surveyed the place around them, mimicking Sirdan's tone of voice to answer him.\n\n\"Oh, fight? You know I'd love to fight alongside you, love. But I don't know if I'm still as good as before, I mean, in recent years I've given up my adventurous life and risks to become a housewife-\"\n\nShe adjusted the red cape that covered her tails and body." }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "The couple would continue their walk, getting closer to the city gate.* \n\n\"Yes. Fight. We met in a fight together, randomly in Runra, and then in New Sunlight. Then things got a bit... Uhm. Physical.\" *He chuckled,*\"And I feel the same. I have two gorgeous wife, house, all the wealth I could think of. I might've gained a few pounds recently too..\" \n\n*He shook his head.*\n\n\"But I don't feel like retiring yet - So much more to strive for, to fight. I enjoy fighting and the thrills that come with it, even though I don't feel like I am fighting for anything.\" \n\n*He grabbed Yukine's hand.*\n\n\"Still, I'd love you to join me in fighting again - I admire strong, powerful woman.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Well, I think you'll soon find something to fight for. We just need to wait and it will come.\" \n\nYukine squeezed Sirdan's hand lightly, following him through the crowd.\n\n\"I will do my best, my love. But in return I want you to help me find my true power again. What reminds me of this-.\"\n\nShe pulled a thick book out of her leather bag, the cover had a red stone in the middle embedded in the cover. It looked old, except for the ruby ​​glow.\n\n\"I feel like I should have brought this book, the one Katarina gave me. It might end up helping.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Perhaps. Maybe we could travel to Mentia and fight for someone or something there. There's plenty of fighting to be had. But I don't know if you or I care that much for the Mentian.\" \n\nHe continued to take her to the training yard, holding her hands tighter.\n\n\"Ever since I started adventuring, I've been pursuing simple goals - trying to save up enough to buy a set of plate armor, and then enough for my house, and then enough for comfortable living. It just feels like... I have everything now. I have two gorgeous wives and enough to live comfortably. I feel... Like stagnating. Don't know where's the drive to pursue immortality anymore, you know?\"\n\nThe elf arrived in front of New Sunlight, and then turned to look at the book, releasing Yukine's hand. \n\n\"This book? To find your true power? Let's go to the mage training yard. Have you been out of practice since that fight in Silnaria? I can find a summoner or mage instructor to help you.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Well, even my vampirism doesn't give me that many advantages. Since I came to this place I don't remember what my real goal was. Maybe survive...\"\n\nShe thought for a moment. *Survive for those who failed.* Maybe it was too dramatic. But her longing for her family was immeasurable, and this trip to Runra would bring that feeling to her chest constantly. Arriving at the place, she released Sirdan's hand, showing the book.\n\n\"I think so, I need to get back into the habit again.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Survive...? Mmmm, I am sure you can aim for a goal more ambitious than that, with your talents for magic. Maybe become a great alchemist, or a warrior!\" \n\nHe would bring her to the mage's training yard - which was also used for archery. There were five booths total, with bench and places to put down your belongings. \n\n\"Let's start with the type of magic you would wish to practice... Or hell, would you still like to practice magical fighting? Or do you want to take up the blade. Do you fancy yourself a commander?\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "*\"I feel that this trip will tell me...\"* Yukine thought, without the courage to turn her thought into concrete words. \"I hope so.\"\n\nWhen they reached the magic training area, she put the leather bag aside, remaining only with Katarina's book.\n\n\"Commander? Well, magic interests me more, but I love to command others. And learning something about weapons would be useful too...\" She began to think, her tail going from side to side. \"I think magic.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"So, somewhere between a summoner, a mage and a spellblade. But one cannot be all three at once without being horrifyingly bad at all of them.\" Sirdan mutterd. \n\n\"Wait here for a moment.\" He would head away toward the offices of the guild, and came back with a young looking mage,\"I can't teach magic, so they can do that and I'll stand here and watch.\" \n\n\"For your first spell, why not try the classic? A fire blast aimed at the dummy over there?\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Mhm.\"\n\nYukine nodded, leaving the book beside her bag and showing Sirdan where it was. What she wanted least was to lose that damn book. She then positioned herself in the place she remembered was the correct one, looking attentively at the targets he was supposed to hit. She took off her glove and raised her hand, pointing at the first target and trying to feel the heat of magic again.\n\nAn instant later, flames shot towards the dummy. They seemed a bit out of control, aggressive and fierce." }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"I'm not expert in magic, but that doesn't look as good as it should be.\" Sirdan commented. \n\nThe mage agreed,\"Try to control the flame - when you imagine it forming in front of your finger, feeling it about to burst forth, try to hold it together, and then try again.\" \n\nSirdan crossed his arm, and then sat down by the sides, not sure how much he can intervene. \n\n\"You know, Yukine, have you considered moving to say, Lymia?\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine's ears perked up briefly upon hearing the comments. Following the instructions, she closed her eyes and concentrated on what she wanted. \n\nA spark, small and weak.\n\nThe flame grew, its heat increasing. Until...\n\nThis time the cloud of flames came out of the kitsune's hand with a bit more control, it was still a bit fierce and raw but there was a certain change.\n\n\"Lymia? I think I've only visited there once.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*The mage observed Yukine carefully.* \n\n\"Now, once you feel it is about to burst forth, let go of your control, and then aim it at the target in front of you.\" \n\n*Sirdan waited for Yukine to unleash the fireball - lest he ended up scorched by accident due to distracting her.* \n\n\"I've only visited the place once - landed in the port when I was on my way to Silnaria for that mission. It was a crowded, bustling place - great food and people. I heard property rights are quite valued there.\" \n\n\"Maybe we could become rich and not worry about anyone taking our money away.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "*\"Seems like an interesting place to visit. I've traveled to many places, unfortunately not all.\"*\n\n*Yukine looked at the next target, her hand pointing and again releasing a cloud of flames, this time more normal than before.*\n\n*\"I'm starting to wonder if this is really a good idea... I want to learn new things.\"*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Mmmm. I've came up with a new idea - Have you heard of the wars in Mentia? I think we should - Hu Lang, you and I, all three of us, travel there, and look for some opportunities to make our name. Feel what it is like to be fighting again.\" \n\nSirdan would lift up his hand and concentrate his power, preparing another fireball and firing it at the target. \n\n\"Do you fancy fighting with sword and shield? Maybe as a summoner? Maybe as a master of magic? Perhaps as a master of machine? Or an alchemist?\"\n\nWhile taking a break, the elf decided to pat both of Yukine's fluffy ears - one of his favorite activity." } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak is seen walking through the sand dunes. His physiology allows him to withstand the heat without much need for water. He gets to the top of a sand dune to look around.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*A small tent barely held by sticks lied at the bed of the dunes, protected from the wind under the cool shade of the dune behind it, there was someone resting beneath the roof of cloth*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak notices the tent with someone inside. He slides down the dune about 10 feet from the tent. He slowly gets closer to take a better look. He has his sword ready, just in case the person attacks.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*The person was covered in old, bloodied bandages, he was wearing a large, tattered black cloak and a small robe that reached down to his knees, he was breathing coarsely, like he was sick or dehydrated, the small amount of skin that was visible was pale and grayish, almost like a corpse, he clearly did not have a good run with the desert*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak had two canteens of water from an oasis he passed by. He decided to pour a canteen of water, a little bit at a time to prevent drowning, down the person's mouth. He doesn't need the water more than the person.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*He gagged a little and coughed, not expecting the random encounter, he pulled out his dagger in reflex and crawled back a few feet, presenting the dagger forward and covering his mouth with the bandages, his right eye was exposed, it's red iris looking at Rhak with a mix of startled surprise and caution*\nAlkai: w-what the hell?! Who are you?\n*His voice was raspy and coarse, but he was very much alive*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak also instinctively put his hand on his sword, but has no intention of using it. He put his hand away from his sword.* \"I'm Rhak. And the one that probably saved your life. Now, do you mind telling me who you are?\"" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*He sighed and sheathed his dagger, pulling his cloak forward so the hood would cover his forehead*\nAlkai: I'm... A traveler... Just a traveler... I'm not sure what you expected... I've got nothing to give or offer... \n*He huddled up under the tent and hugged his knees*\nAlkai: if you know what you're worth, you'll continue on your path and forget this happened... It's best if we part ways..." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I'm sorry, but you probably won't survive out here alone, and I'm not asking anything in return. Think of it as a gesture of kindness. Also, I could help you get out of here. I am heading to Itchsunia. I could take you there if you are heading in the same direction.\" *Rhak obviously doesn't know Alkai is a high elf.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: ah... You are not like the others, are you? Or perhaps my garments deceive you? \n*He lifted his head a little, his straight, black hair falling through the bandages, he sounded a bit relieved, and perhaps a bit hopeful*\nAlkai: oh, no matter... Perhaps I misjudged you... Either way, I'm not sure that you will enjoy my company... Even if you are fine with a wretched creature like myself... I'm not good at making friends...\n*He tilted his head, allowing the cloak to hang, his pointy ear poking out a bit from the bandages*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak notices the ear and immediately got a bit alert.* \"What kind of elf are you? My kind has been raided and stolen to be slaves for the high elves.\" *One of his hand is resting on his sword.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*He sighed in disappointment and closed his eye*\nAlkai: no... No, of course you're no different...\n*He looked away and rested his cheek on his knees*\nAlkai: I told you it would be best if you left...\n*He sounded disappointed more than afraid or threatened, he didn't move from his position, as if waiting for Rhak to do something*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I don't know. You thought I was different when you saw me be nice to you. Maybe you are different that the rest of the high elves. You do look different than the others. I just have a grudge against the high elves, but not to ones that don't walk that path.\" *Rhak moved his hand away from his sword and sat down on the floor.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*He looked up, resting his chin on his crossed arms*\nAlkai: perhaps... However... You should know that despite my hatred for my own culture... I am still a wretch... We high elves are monsters... And I am no exception... I'm just a different kind of monster to most of the prideful bastards... \n*He opened his eye, his skin looked dry and rough unlike most other elves*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Well, I base that off of the answer they give to this question I'm going to ask you. Do you want the enslavement of beastkin to continue?\" *That was his determining factor for gaining his trust, for determining if he thought the person is a monster in his own terms.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: I do not wish slavery to continue on anyone, everything deserves the freedom to live and prosper... But I've lived long enough to understand that it won't happen any time soon, even with my best efforts... \n*He looked down and tightened the bandages around his face*" } ]

[ { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Well then, you aren't a monster. At least to me anyway. I don't know about the rest of the beastkin, though.\" *Rhak starts moving closer to Alkai.* \"Oh, I never got your name.\"" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: name's Alkai... The blood heretic as I'm called back at that wretched place... \n*He took a slightly more relaxed position, a bit nervous about the size difference and the fact he had a sword*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"That is a nice name. And why are you called the blood heretic, if you don't mind me asking? Is it because of how you looked?\" *Rhak scooted a bit closer to Alkai. He is starting to trust Alkai.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: no... My appearance is a biproduct of why they call me that... \n*He sighed and sat upright*\nAlkai: I'm a red sorcerer... \n*He paused for a moment*\nAlkai: I... Use blood to empower my magic... It bears the soul of macen kind... Something which corrupts the appearance of elves... Gives us flaws... Shows our true selves... I embraced this darkness... And thus it earned me that name... Now I am but an outcast... \n*He looked down in nostalgia and melancholy, trying to hide his sorrow*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak was thinking about the response. He gets an idea.* \"Hey, actually I am going to the Salvainian Empire. Do you want to come with?\"" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: I... I don't know... I'm unfamiliar with the culture... What if I don't fit in?\n*He looked over to him, curling up his legs and hugging his knees*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"I heard that anyone can fit in at the Salvainian Empire. Even high elves, also some beastkin. I believe it is in that direction.\" *He points to the direction of the closest town in the Salvainian Empire.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*He looked down and remained quiet for a moment*\nAlkai: maybe... Alright then... Lead the way... \n*He tightened his bandages and accommodated his cloak over his shoulders*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak adjusted his leather armour and walked out of the tent. He looked over his shoulder to look at Alkai.* \"If you want to grab something of value to you, you can. I'll wait. Just come out if you're ready to head towards the Salvainian Empire.\"" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "Alkai: alright, it'll be a moment... \n*He stood up, his robe reaching down to his knees and his cloak wrapping around his body, he reached for a black canvas bag in the back of the tent and gathered a few papers and neatly placed them in the bag*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak used this moment to polish his sword. He hadn't used it because it was mainly used for intimidation. He does know how to use it and knows some moves, just in case the opponent doesn't feel intimidated by a reptilian with a sword. He wants to make sure it is in pristine condition. In fact, it looked better than when he got the sword.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*After about a minute, Alkai walked out with the bag under his cloak*\nAlkai: well, I'm ready if you are... \n*The ragged cloak reached down to his ankles*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Rhak smiled as he put his sword away.* \"Alright lets go. And if you are feeling tired, just tell me and we can stop so you could rest.\" *Rhak starts walking in the direction of the Salvainian Empire.*" }, { "author": "waveralpha", "message": "*Alkai followed behind, keeping his head low and his sight on Rhak's footprints*" } ]

[ { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte sat at a small campfire, cooking a small meal of some meat she had gathered, and looked around faintly, sitting down with a quiet thought. She looked around, and brushed a hand into her hair, sighing softly. She waited for her meal to be cooked, and yawned faintly, in boredom. She's been travelling for awhile, on her own, and has been feeling a bit lonely.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel gave a soft hum, the sun was so low now that even on the back of her Ox she could make out only a faint purplish glow. It didn't matter to her, only the journey did and those she met on the way to her destination. Quickly giving Old Iron a pat on his head and then swiveling around on his broad back to check the three baskets in which her foxes slept. Lifting the lids off each and then kicking her legs and almond falling off the Ox due to how cute they looked to her, she noted they were all there.\n\nAn hour or so into her travels and the sun had completely set and in the close distance Heysel saw a campfire, quickly spurring Old Iron into a sort of trot and making him get there faster." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*The High Elf relaxed, and ate her meal, shifting with a soft sigh as she laid back on the ground. A part of her wondered why she was here, in this dry, desolate land, but she shook it off. Adventure was in her blood, and it always had been.*\n*She smiled faintly, as she looked into the fire, she fed the fire a little more, and sighed sitting back up, as sh reached into her pack, to cook some more meat. She glanced about, noticing someone approached, and a hand went towards her Jian, instinctively.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel arrived a few feet from the fire and gave the Ox a pat on his side, causing him to lay down. She hadn't taken the figure of the camp in yet but now that she did the chubby Macen found herself blushing, she was looking at an elf and a good looking one at that. She waved a gauntleted hand in greetings and spoke up. \"Oh hello, I'm Heysel of Uplugech, do you mind if I rest here with you?\" Her eyes flashed to the blade at the elves hand and wariness crept up, although she made sure to keep her own hands away from her blades." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte looked at her, tilting her head faintly, before flashing a smile, and removing her hand from her blade. She noted the Macen, and nodded faintly in approval.*\n\n\"Hello, Heysel of Uplugech. I am Shannalotte Maela Selvinia. And yes, you may rest here. My campfire is available to all to rest at.\"\n\n*She said, nodding her head, relaxing a little more. She didn't suspect this woman was going to try and attack her. She did note the blush, and a half-grin formed for a second. She had a good feeling of his Heysel woman.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel beamed her cheeky little smile before sitting, laying her legs down one way and an arm on top of that, using her free arm as a sort of brace. \"You're the first elf I've met who has spoken to me without crossing swords or me having to do a little trick first, it's refreshing.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She raised an eyebrow faintly, upon hearing that, and relaxed in her seated position. She reached into her pack, glancing at Heysel, with a smile.*\n\n\"Hungry?\" *She asked.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel began to shuffle over to the Shanalotte and when she got next to her, resigned to a squat. \"Yes I am hungry thank you, would you happen to have something that isn't meat? I don't partake of animal flesh for food.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She looked into her backpack, rummaging in it, with a slow nod. She smiled faintly, and glanced at the meat she was cooking, making sure she still had time, which she did. She hummed faintly, and took out a small container, handing it over to Heysel.*\n\n\"Here, is some vegetables, and I've got an apple or two in here somewhere...\"\n\n*She remarked, continuing to search in her bag, furrowing her brow faintly. She knew she still had some, and she knew she'd need to clean her bag out, next time she reached a town.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel took the food before producing a pot from Old Iron's satchels. She pulled out a flask of water and a rack for the pot too, hanging it above the flame to boil the water. \"Thank you very much, so tell me, what brings an elf such as yourself out here?\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte took a minute, taking out an apple, and handing it over to Heysel, and stretched faintly, as she grabbed her meal from the fire, letting it cool down.*\n\n\"Well, I suffer from wanderlust. I crave adventure, and excitement. Always have since I was a child, actually. It actually got me into trouble a few times, as a child.\"\n\n*She laughed, remembering her childhood, and her various adventures, with a smile.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "*Wanderlust eh?* Heysel found it funny Shanalotte had used that choice of wordage because Heysel found its what her eyes were doing, right now. Maybe she just had a thing for elves, or maybe like father said she was nosy. \"Oh I see, perhaps we are of similar escapades then? I left home to become a Knight although. . .\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte smiled faintly, and thought for a moment, before responding. She nodded, and took in a breath, as she ripped off a piece of meat, chewing on it for a moment.*\n\n\"It would seem similar, yes. How has your attempt to become a knight, gone? It would appear its gone well enough, I presume?\"\n\n*She asked, taking the moment to look over the would-be Knight, her smile growing slightly in approval.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "\"It has not gone. . . As well as I thought, turns out to be a right and proper knight you need to be highborn.\" Heysel gave a small sigh before returning to stir her pot and with the apple Shanalotte gave her, quickly peeling and slicing it before putting it in as well. \"So what are you out here searching for?\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte nodded, listening to her, and reached over, patting her shoulder, reassuringly. She felt like she understood how the Macen felt, life didn't pan out perfectly for herself, either.*\n\n\"Ah, I see. A shame one as beautiful as you couldn't make the cut. I don't know what I'm searching for, admittedly. I just... Pick a direction, and travel, and every so often, I return to my home, and take care of my equipment, or just relax after a long while adventuring, y'know?\"" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "\"Oh well, thank you.\" Heysel blushed a little bit more and sat back, trying to hide her face in her scarf. \"Well that's a bit odd but I think I understand, you never know what you're searching for, not for awhile until you find something and you realize that's not it.\" Heysel turned her head to Shanalotte and smirked. \"And I'd say your the better looking of us two.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte blushed faintly, at the compliment, and she ate her meal, thinking of what to respond with. She looked away, her cheeks reddening more as she struggled to find something to say.*\n\n\"Oh... Well, thank you.\"\n\n*She finally said, embarrassedly.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Watching the elf girls reaction gave Heysel more than a few laughs and in her bout of humor, she forgot to pay attention, grabbing the bottom of the pot which had just been over fire and burning her hand, pulling it back with a yelp. Cradling her hurt finger which was mostly fine, Heysel sort of curled into a ball and rocked back and forth while saying ow quite a bit and protecting her finger." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte grew more embarrassed at the laughs, but turned to look at her concernedly upon hearing her yelp, and rushed over, concernedly, as she set a hand on her shoulder, concernedly.*\n\n\"You okay?\"\n\n*She asked, realizing as she asked, how dumb that was. Of course the poor girl is in pain!.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "\"Mhmmmm\" Heysel gave a wordless and drawn out answer through lips pursed together, that fucking hurt. After a few minutes of wallowing, she poured cold water on it and then let it rest, still in pain so she kept it near her chest. \"I'm fine now, thank you.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte gently set a hand over the injured hand, and her hand began to glow with blue energy. The energy flowed towards Heysel's finger, and began to numb the pain, and gently having a calming sensation.*\n\n``Numb used, 5 Mana spent, 95 Mana Remaining.``\n\n\"No problem, Heysel.\"" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "\"Oh you don't have to-\" Heysel was cut short by Shanalotte placing her hand atop Heysel's and then healing it. The action still made the girl blush despite it's not inherent intimacy. \"Th-thank you again. . .\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte smiled reassuringly, a grin forming faintly as she noticed the blush. She slowly let go of her hand, and nodded.*\n\n\"It was no trouble. Its the same sort of reason why I learned healing magic.\"\n\n*She said, shrugging faintly, and sat back down, though now she's closer to Heysel, incase she gets another injury.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel began to eat her, not soup or stew but concoction. It wasn't the tastiest given what she had to work with but it helped stave off hunger and it'd keep her alive enough to keep moving the next day. \"I have some magic I can show you, though it's nothing as fancy as fixing broken bones.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She watched Heysel for a moment, resting her head on her hand, before looking at her backpack and thinking. She glanced back when she heard her speak, growing curious.*\n\n\"Oh? What magic do you know?\"\n\n*She asked, quite interestedly. Magic was one thing that fascinated her curiosity of wandering, even if she didn't **Technically** Travel to find out about it.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel took a moment, began to meditate and after a few seconds her body began to change, a bright light enveloped her and soon, standing in her place, trying to scramble out of a cuirass that was quite to large was a fox. This fox was Heysel and she was stuck.\n\n```Transformation used, 5 Mana spent, 115 remaining.```" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She watched Heysel, blinking in surprise. She was a bit speechless and looked at the fox, going to undo the straps of the cuirass so Heysel would get out of it.*\n\n\"Wow...\"\n\n*She whispered, amazed, and reached to pet the Macen-turned Fox.*" } ]

[ { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel yipped a thanks before removing herself from the clutches of the mail shirt and cuirass. She would let Shanalotte pet her before sitting down and then reverting back to her human body,now dressed only in an Aketon. \"Did you like? I use it as a fancy way to get noblewomen to undress and leave their purses unattended but it's also good for avoid city guards, hiding the likes.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte watched her, nodding, rather impressed. She hadn't thought of such a clever use of magic, to do something like that, before.*\n\n\"I bet it is, if you're willing to abandon armor, of course. But, wow... That's clever.\"" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "\"Thank you, I taught it to myself since I took the Fox as my symbol.\" Heysel scooted closer to Shanalotte and put her hand next to the elf womans, not fully touching but enough that their pinkies would graze. \"You know, I'm quite glad I met you, if I hadn't I'd be sleeping on Irons back which is less than comfortable.\"" }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She watched the Macen, and blushed when their pinkies grazed. She took in a deep breath, calming herself, as she smiled.*\n\n\"The Foxy knight then, I suspect is your self-proclaimed title? And I can imagine is no royal bedchamber on your ox.\"" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel snickered at that, Foxy. \"Oh I wish, I may be a little too plump to be the Foxy Knight do for now it's just Fox but thank you for the compliment.\" \n\nHeysel moved her hand again, this time covering Shana's with her own and gently squeezing it." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte hesitated the moment her hand was squeezed, and she took in a deep breath. She looked at Heysel, smiling faintly. Then, she spoke, feeling her confidence return.*\n\n\"Oh, you'll be quite fine as is. But no problem, for the compliment for the beautiful woman.\"" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel felt her face heat up and turned away for a second before looking back at Shanalotte. \"You're more of a silver tongue than I thought, I'll have to be careful around you!\" Heysel punctuated her last word with a laugh and then leaned into Shanalotte. As far as first meetings went, this one went quite well to her." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte smiled, setting a hand on Heysel's shoulder, pulling her a little close with a faint grin, upon being called a silver tongue.*\n\n\"Well, perhaps you will need to be careful around me.\"\n\n*She joked, giggling faintly. She was certainly happy over this meet-up, for sure.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel had both arms around Shanalotte and she enjoyed the cuddling by a fire even if they met only a few hours ago. She felt something to the woman and she was the type to wear her heart on her sleeve. She lifted her head from it's rested position and moved one to Shana's face, going to pull her head in and try to kiss her." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*Shanalotte blushed heavily, watching Heysel's face slowly approach. She ran a few scenarios in her head, hesitating before slowly moving to meet her for the kiss, closing her eyes. She felt... So calm, now in those moments.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel let her body take over and when she broke the kiss, pressed her forehead to Shanalotte's, breathing softly. Her eyes went to meet the elves and she then gave her another quick peck on the lips, letting it linger almost a second too long. Then fluffing a blanket roll for a pillow and placing one next to her for Shanalotte. \"We should. . . Rest.\"\n\nKnowing that the night was only going to get longer, because the amount of tension would prevent sleep, she layed thick quilts down as a mattress and put a small tent over them." }, { "author": "Shanalotte Maela Selvinia", "message": "*She took in a breath, sighing happily, as she relaxed more by the second. She felt at peace, in those moments, and she smiled, laying back.*\n\n\"Rest... Yeah, that sounds nice.\"\n\n*She agreed, closing her eyes, yawning faintly.*" }, { "author": "pokara", "message": "Heysel laid next to her. . . Companion and pulled a thin blanket over them, the tent had an open front blocked by flaps but the night could get cold and so she held Shanalotte just in case. \"Night, love.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Though her brows furrowed briefly at the prospect that Rásmos didn't remember her name (because she decidedly remembered his!), she let it go after a moment and greeted the big man with a wave. She led Treacle over by the reins though she was walking on foot as it was easier to navigate the crowd. The silnarian smiled warmly at the brayer, pleased to have at least a semi-familiar face to pass the time with. \n\n\"Rásmos! Fancy meeting you here.\" Orlaith said with some amusement despite their tragic and boring situation. Of course, he brought up the lute. She sighed and shook her head. \"No. No lute. I'm still planning on returning to Lymia for another but...\" She gestured eastward then shrugged. \"So here we are. Although—oh! I bought a recorder.\" \n\nWith that and a brief surge of happiness to keep her displeasure at bay, she dipped a hand into her satchel and produced a slender wooden recorder which she promptly played a delightful little ditty on. A few heads raised nearby to the sound of song rising over the cacophony of chattering, merchants, livestock and tradesmen. She gave a little smile once her short song was done and then cast a curious look to the brayer.\n\n\"How have things been for you since we parted? Not too quiet, I hope.\" A bit of bard's humor, that was. She even winked at him." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Rásmos gave a consolatory shrug and bob of his head as Orlaith confirmed her lute was gone for good. Yet when she drew out the recorder and played him a song, his spirits were shot up into the sky. He began to clap to the beat, even tapping a sturdy hoof on the earth as the music comforted and soothed him after wearying travel.\n\n\"Hey, that was great!\" The brayer praised, shifting his steady claps into light applause once she completed her little song. \"You really are a bard! I thought you might've been faking back at the inn in order for me to buy you drinks, haha!\"\n\nThen he gestured for her to take a seat beside the fire as he answered her question.\n\n\"Well, it was pretty quiet. Ran into some cattle farmers, had a chat about livestock which was kinda refreshing. Not a lot of folks enjoy discussing the best types of feed for pigs, y'know.\" He grunted. \"But otherwise the only real issue I had was with those damn guards. Won't let me through the gate because of 'goblin tribal warfare' or some shit.\"\n\nHe snorted with indignance, blowing up a bit of dust with the heaviness of his breath.\n\n\"Nearly started swinging at those fuckers before they outnumbered me and shoved me away. 'For my own safety' they said.\" He said derisively, sweeping a hand towards the silnari gate guardians.\n\nThen there was a pause as he lightly shook his head and put his hands to the fire for warmth.\n\n\"How about you? Anything good? You still look deadly and fancy, so I'm guessing no bandit attacks?\" He asked with a little smirk." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Orlaith gave an elegant bow at the end of her song and smiled brightly to Rásmos' applause. \n\n\"Hah! Well, that'd only work for so long before you'd start demanding music, wouldn't it? Though I suppose I've seen people do plenty worse!\" She agreed with humor. At the brayer's gesture for her to join him at fireside, the silnarian nodded and walked Treacle over to a nearby tree. Small and scraggly though it was, she looped the reins around the sturdiest looking branch and left her horse there to munch and relax. \n\nRejoining Rásmos at the campfire, Orlaith settled in beside him. \n\n\"Oooh, is *That* What's happening? Every so often the goblins go to war with one another. Silnaria used to try to regulate it and intervene but... They tend to choose these wide open plains anyway. It's just disasterous to be around. Once when leaving Ulnoor with my father we were surrounded by them—they didn't care about us, but they sure cared about each other. We spent a night in a tree to avoid them.\" She gave a knowing nod as if everything had fallen into place and made sense now, though she did give Rásmos a bit of a querying look.\n\n\"You tried to fight the guardsmen? That's...\" She trailed off then laughed. \"Is that common in Anushken?\" \n\nShe dipped a hand into her satchel and wordlessly handed Rásmos a small leaf-wrapped package, making no comment on it and instead speaking of her journey. \"Oh, it's been fine enough. Treacle and I got caught in a dust storm a few days ago, had to hunker down for most of that day else we might've been through here already. No bandits though, thank the Five. I hope not having people to discuss animal care with was the worst of it for you.\" \n\nWithin the parcel Orlaith handed him was a sticky mixture of rice and well-seasoned spicy pork and pickled radish. She produced another such parcel for herself and carefully unwrapped it enough so that she could hold the outside of the leaf and not get messy." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"I didn't try to fight them! I just tried to walk through and then there was a lot of shoving and shouting... And we mutually agreed to split up at the end of it.\" Rásmos protested, folding his arms across his chest. \"I'm not *Stupid*, Orlaith... Just determined. So no, we don't do that in Anushken. Honor duels though, we do those.\"\n\nHe unwrapped the package with a faintly lifted brow as she recounted her own travels, sniffing it a few times before taking a nibble of it.\n\n\"Mm! Pork!\" The brayer exclaimed with joyous surprise. \"And it's not bad, either. It's not *To Jinkkyok* Quality, but how can you expect that from outside the Federation?\"\n\nBig teeth chomped down on the offered treat with gusto and the noises of pleasure he made while eating it were plentiful.\n\n\"Th'nks.\" He said with a mouth half-full, holding up the leaf-wrapped pork and rice treat before swallowing.\n\nWith how pleasant and generous she was being, it made Rásmos wonder why she had chosen not to travel with him. Sharing food was not something done casually while on the road, let alone good pork.\n\n\"So I gotta ask you... What made you change your mind about traveling together?\" He asked, not shying away from the topic. \"I'm friendly, you're friendly... We're getting along now like we did before. Is it because I'm a brayer? Did you think I was gonna rob you? Or something else?\"\n\nThe manner in which he asked was not one of offense, but baffled curiosity. He watched her casually, taking another bite of the treat while he waited for her response." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "The silnarian returned Rásmos' bout of indignation with a sly smile though she said nothing on the matter and continued eating in silence for a time. \n\n\"I'm not sure I've had *To Jinkkyok* Pork. Is that the region, or a certain breed...?\" Her inquiry trailed off, hoping that Rásmos would fill in the gaps of her knowledge which were obviously quite large on the matter. \"You're welcome.\" She replied amiably. \n\n\"It's not because you're a brayer.\" Orlaith confirmed quickly, hoping to make that point clear in her reply. Then she paused and seemed to think about phrase was it *Was* Because of. \"And not so much that I thought you were going to rob me, but...\" She glanced away and gave a soft sigh before finally managing to bring her gaze back to Rásmos. \"In these steppes there are wide open plains as you've seen. We often make camp on our own without seeing another soul for days at a time unless we're on a trade route. If I took someone else with me, that would mean being alone with them dozens of miles from the next nearest person. It's not that I dislike anything about you, Rásmos, quite the opposite from what I've seen of you, but I simply don't *Know* You.\"\n\nJust as he spoke matter-of-factly, she replied in earnest but not bluntly. There was a soft, heart-felt feeling to her words." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"It's the name of my tribe. We're famous for our farms, our pigs, and all the tasty products made from pigs. Not to mention our reputation as wardens of the southern forests in Anushken!\" The brayer explained with merry pride between bites of his meal. \"I could tell you all about the best methods for raising pigs and curing pork, but I know it's not fun for those not in the trade to hear.\"\n\nHe chuckled knowingly, but as he let Orlaith weave into her response concerning his previous question he seemed more somber.\n\n*Hardly matters now anyway. Haven't got any pigs and my parents were the better pig herders anyway... And they're gone too.* He thought as he listened to the silnari woman explain why she decided against joining up on the road. She made good points and he couldn't fault her for her caution, really. Just as he thought she was faking being a bard to secure free drinks, perhaps she secretly thought he was a wayward ruffian.\n\nYet the more she spoke, the more it seemed that it truly wasn't anything about *Him* That instilled concern. Her words held a touch of honey to them and they made him sit up a little straighter and put a faintly flattered smile on his face.\n\n\"Huh. So you're just as wary and savvy as you are deadly and fancy.\" Rásmos remarked with an understanding tone. A few moments passed as he thoughtfully poked the fire with a stick, resulting in him nodding with amicable resolve and looking up to meet Orlaith's eyes.\n\n\"Alright! So now that we've moved past that little roadblock, what's next?\" He asked with playful optimism." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Orlaith nodded along as Rásmos spoke of his tribe, finding his words to be wholesome and clearly quite appropriately full of pride for his homeland and his people. Her pleasant expression faltered slightly as she considered her own family. There were some mixed feelings there that just wouldn't do to go into now. Still, she offered her encouragement. At least one of them could have a happy home life to speak of. \n\n\"I don't know... Over a campfire, perhaps with an ale in my hand, I wouldn't mind hearing all about something you're passionate about.\" She replied warmly. Soon, however, her demeanor became more serious and thoughtful. \n\n\"Pragmatic.\" She commented on the brayer's handling of such things and intent to quickly move on. It sounded like it might of been a compliment. \"I'm glad you understand. Though... Perhaps while we're stuck here, maybe I'll learn some things about you. What do you think of that?\" She inquired with a brow raised. \n\nShe finished off her rice meal and after plucking up Rásmos' leaf wrapping Orlaith walked over to offer them to Treacle who began munching away with gusto. Upon her return, she sat across the small fire from the brayer and peered at him over the flickering flames. \"What is your favorite sort of music, Rásmos? I'd play you a song if I had my damn lute, but maybe we can manage something with what we've got.\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"I think I'd like that.\" The brayer responded with a little lift of his brows. A beat passed as they held one another's gaze, but it was broken by a good natured guffaw from Rásmos. \"I also think I could talk about myself for a long time. You might get stuck here listening until this damn blockade is lifted!\"\n\nHe thrust a hand towards the guards and shook his horned head before pushing out a snort.\n\n\"Favorite sort of music? Oh, that's tough.\" The brayer remarked thoughtfully. He rubbed his hands together and shimmied a bit, turning to face the silnari as he dove into his explanation. \"On one hand, you've got your war chants. Fierce singing, lots of stomping... Gets the blood fucking *Pounding!\"*\n\nHe capped off his initial remark with a hefty slam of his fist into his armored chest, making the metal rattle. Another snort escaped him, this one deeper and rougher as it was fueled by his sudden rise of excitement. \n\n\"Nothing better than those for when you need to get hyped.\" He continued, though his zeal seemed to be ebbing. In its place was a bit of sheepishness as he rubbed the back of his neck.\n\n\"But I also like... Well... Sad stuff. What's the word? Melancholy?\" He added. \"Y'know... Since you don't always need to go beat the shit out of someone... Melancholy songs get me thinking.\"\n\nThere was another brief pause before the brayer cleared his throat and spoke up again.\n\n\"But uh, how about you? You must like all kinds of weird stuff I've never heard of before, being a bard!\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "The brayer's surprise to Orlaith's preferred genre of music was conveyed in a taken-aback chuff of breath.\n\n\"Tavern songs? You're not messing with me? Because yeah, I was for sure thinking you were too fancy to enjoy that kind of stuff.\" He said while shaking his head, as if the gesture could help him overcome his surprise.\n\nWhen she rose and milled about for a few moments, he watched her curiously. When he realized she was going to perform for him, his brow shot up and he leaned towards her with interest from where he sat cross-legged on the earth. His ears flicked rapidly and he released a soft breath of excitement in the moments before her lips met the mouthpiece of her recorder. He bobbed his head from side to side in merriment as the tune lifted his spirits as she toyed around with the melody. She might have thought it was 'just' a recorder, but Rásmos was not the jaded musician that she was. Nobody in his family had any sort of musical talent or aptitude, so it was a lovely treat to hear even something so brief and simple.\n\nWhen she tossed him the jingling tambourine, his orange eyes went wide with a mixture of alarm and enthusiasm. Thick fingers fumbled with it for a bit as he tried not to drop or crush it. Once his awkward grip was settled, he looked at Orlaith and he gave her a huge smile.\n\n\"I'm gonna mess this up a lot.\" He laughed as he started slowly shaking the instrument. It was a bit of a struggle for him to find a consistent beat, but once he envisioned himself plodding down a long road and shaking the tambourine in time with step it became a manageable rhythm." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "The silnarian smirked to Rásmos' surprise, both anticipating it and perhaps finding some amusement in it. What she enjoyed even more though was his look of shock and interest at suddenly receiving a tambourine in his lap. What a charming, if somewhat beastly, smile! That smile was precisely why she loved music in general, and more specifically tavern songs. They were accessible, they were easy to engage with and they brought music to places there might otherwise be none—such as at a roadblock camp out in the Silnarian countryside. \n\n\"You'll be fine, love. Just keep going.\" The bard offered in encouragement before she set her lips to her recorder once again. For the first several beats they were obviously not attuned and even earned a look of confusion from some of the nearby country folk. However, a few beats more and soon Rásmos was making a steady, slow jingle that Orlaith tittered and trilled around as she began to also physically walk around him. It was a delightful little jig they made together and soon it earned the attention of others. \n\nA macen family started listening in with one father clapping his hands to match Rásmos' pace while the other led their young daughter out to the open space of dirt around the campfire to begin laughing and dancing. More heads turned and soon an older ursine pulled up to sit on the log beside the brayer and began to pat and slap the pair of animal skin drums in his lap. A lathian couple joined the girl and her father in dancing and a lora woman started to pluck at a cello that was somewhat taller than she was. \n\nIn short order more dancers and musicians joined in and Rásmos and Orlaith stood at the center of a wild, beautiful jam session with the diverse and varied travelers of central Moluinwar." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Orlaith's encouraging words straightened his back with determination and pride. This charming, mysterious silnari bard believed in him and he *Refused* To let her down. Focusing through the initial awkwardness, the brayer eventually linked up into that beat which brought all of the others into the fold.\n\n\"Does everyone but me carry an instrument on the road?!\" Rásmos asked with bewildered excitement amidst this chaotic carnival of song and dance.\n\nThough he briefly chatted and laughed with several others who were not off-put by either his war gear or the size of him, Rásmos's eyes often wandered back towards Orlaith. Even through the hectic merriment and the unspoken connection all of the refugees had suddenly developed through music, there was a newfound warmth and respect for the dusky-skinned silnari that rose above the rest. A blossoming kinship that the brayer was equal measures pleased and surprised to experience.\n\nActing on that sense of friendship, Rásmos hopped to his feet and picked his way through the others until he was right next to Orlaith. He flashed a flat-toothed brayer smile her way as he started to shimmy around with her as he continued to shake and tap the tambourine. He laughed delightedly both at his heavy-hooved movements and at the carefree nature of this simple little duo in the middle of an impromptu celebration of music.\n\nEventually the miniature concert came to a thrilling crescendo of instrumental and wordless vocalizations that lingered for several scintillating moments before closing out on a final, punchy beat. The magic finally broke, leaving the collection of travelers to applaud and cheer as the improvised song came to an end.\n\n\"Slop and swine!\" Rásmos exclaimed, gently nudging the bard in the shoulder with an arm. \"Look what you did, Orlaith. That was amazing, hah!\"" } ]

[ { "author": "elskele", "message": "*The night was dark and cold, there would be no stars in the sky. As one approached the village, fires could be seen, screams could be heard and death could be sensed. The number of people dead among the villagers and bandits was not small, the villagers fought valliantly to protect the women, children and elderly, though the armed villagers were all defeated, either dead or wounded. If no help arrived soon the same fate would befall the rest of the village.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*And so then, Akiron noticed the fire in the distance. He then halted, taking out his hands. HE placed 2 fingers on his right ear, 2 fingers on his left ear, activating his Perk, Hawkeye. He saw the destruction from a far distance. He then looked back at Lucy.* ***``\"It seems the village is now a Pillage... Joergen, stay here. Whenever I whistle, come running toward me, alright?\"``*** *He communicated with his horse, getting off and then taking a deep breathe in, then out to focus his mana.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Meanwhile seeing the light in the distance she leaped off joergon and knocked an arrow mocking quickly and silently among the grass... The field of silence benefiting her among the chaos. As soon as she got close enough to see a target she let loose the arrow at the bandit **They will pay** She thought to herself." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As they approached the village closer, they would be able to see the remaining bandits around the town centre. Four in total. Two of them would be equipped with full leather armor, both of them would have a short bow on their backs. Another would seem to be rather lightly equipped. A mage perhaps, wearing a dark robe. The last bandit would be the biggest, wearing plate armor and helmet and weilding a small axe with a medium sized wooden shield. Unfortunately for Lucy the closest bandit to her would have been the biggest one so a max range arrow would not have done much more than put a scratch in his armor as well as alerting them of Lucy's position. They would now be on alert with the mage running in between some houses and the other three facing the direction of Akiron and Lucy. The big bandits shield would be up.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then climbed up a tree with swift movements, wearing his Armor too. It was against arrows which was pretty much useful. Akiron then used Electric Bolt, attempting to through a surprise war-arrowed sized electric bolt. He was aiming for the biggiest one, since his Metalic armor would only make the Lightning worse. He aimed for their head in attempt to knock the big one in one fell swoop. His yellow-tainted armor looked Golden, which usually made others be afraid of him. Though the Mage could be quite a hassle... He was either gonna fight close-range in complete danger, or fight far-ranged. His Mana pool was drained to 85. He needed to take out the big one first in order to make it easier.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Lucy would at that point drop her bow and quiver and pull out her spear and cast psychic speed boosting her general speed by .2 soon (Mana at 85 general speed 1.6) rushing the heavy soldier she fainted an attack at the side and then aimed for the throat if it failed or succeeded she would then leap back 10 feet back from the heavy and prepared to dodge any attacks that came at her." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Despite looking heavy and armored the combined attack of Lucy and Akiron make quick work of him. Due to his focus lying on the charging girl he would not block the electric bolt which came at his head at lightning speed, causing minor burns as he is paralyzed for a short duration, allowing the spear to sink into his neck causing a bloody mess as it is pulled out. Lucy would now be 15 feet away from the twin rogues but that would not be quite far enough to be out of heir reach. They would both run at her from opposing sides at 22mph. The one on her left would attempt to slash at her armed arm with his dagger while the other one would attempt to stab her leg. No attacks are aimed at Akiron though he may notice a crow flying over the tree he's on.*\n\n*Due to the psyonic speed increasing her reaction timing she is able to parry the slashing attack from the rogue. The one stabbing her leg would instead hit the barrier which would not yet have broken. The crow that was circling Akiron would now turn it's focus to Lucy. Hearing the crow \"Caw-caw\", the rogues would each jump back 7 feet tossing two throwing knives each at her torso. The crow which would be at a height of 3 ft above ground and at a distance of 30 ft away from Lucy, would open it's beak as a magic circle appears infront of it, nothing comes out yet though.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Looking back at what cause the rouges to jump back she saw the magic circle and charged the rouges spinning around them to put them in the line of fire before she casts lightning bolt at the crow hoping it gets there in time to interupt the attack. If not her idea is that they take friendly fire from the attack and their bodies blunt a portion of the damage \"Good try. But I was trained by the best and am the most talented our village has to offer. If you think you can get me that easy then your wrong\" She looks back and around looking for the mage. Her armor shining in the light of the flames" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then jumped down, looking at the rogues. He knew she was gonna be able to handle it. He began running toward the Village with 27 MPH. He seemed to be searching for the Mage, being ready to activate his Steel skill whenever needed. He sighed then drew his sword. He used Predatorial Senses and hid inside a house. (VoiceHe was planning to hear the Mage's breathing/footsteps, while also being hidden. For the next two turns, he is +400% as Sensetive to noises, also +400% Smell sentivity. He already had his Hawkeye perk on, which made him quite perceptive. It was the perfect combination.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*The crow is rooted for the duration of casting the spell so would not be able to dodge the attack fired at it, it would drop from the sky in one hit, disintigrating to dust as it hits the ground. Maybe looking for the mage was not the best idea for Lucy as she is once again charged by both rogues, this time having neither the shield, nor the psyonic speed to help her, Akiron was not there either. One of them would throw a kick to her side while the other would attack her with the blunt side of his knife from behind. Akiron would hear a \"Tssk\" Coming from the mage that was in a building around 15 feet away, though his exact location would be difficult to track as the sound seemed to come from three different places in the same general direction. Akiron would have to get closer to pinpoint him.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then slowly got out of the Building, approaching the Location. He knew he was gonna be Ambushed, but he had to act fast as soon as he had reached there. Akiron gained +10 mana to his pool. He looked for the Mage one last time.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "She would catch the kick with her open hand and attempt to parry the blade with her own...\"Fucking a just go down already!\" She back stepped five feet before she rushed as close to one of the rouges and uppercut him with a point blank force blast knowing it would do more then any punch she could pull off" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Unfortunately for Lucy, with her psyonic speed running out she could no longer hope to block both of their attacks as she could previous and would not be in time to block the one behind her, being hit in on her lower back with the metal hilt of the dagger. This would surely hurt causing her followup attack not be as precise as she would have hoped, still knocking the rogue to the floor for one turn but not knocking him out entirely. The other rogue would go for a follow up heel kick to the back of Lucy's knee. As Akiron approached the houses, he would hear such loud noises that it would almost become unbareable with his heightened senses. In the left building there would be loud stomping as if there was an ogre in there, while in the right one there would be a loud growl like a wild beast. Which one would he pick?*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then placed his hands on his ears, getting a headache. Surely enough, the Senses ran out. He saw the robes of the man in black. They were also lightly equipped. Either they're simply a ranged attacker, or a Mage. Or it could be a Civillian too... The thoughts were swirling around his head. He then listened to the sound of the wild beast. Being an Elf, he could understand and speak to animals. If it truly is a beast, then it would spea proper words of its' kind. If not, then it's an Illusion.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*The bear would indeed just be roaring, not being a normal bear and not speaking whatever language bears speak. The roars got louder as did the stomps, as if they were trying to intimidate Akiron.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "She slices verticly upward at the rouge behind her casting valient strike as she does, her eyes glaring at him before she insulted him \"You think your good? You basterds can't do anything without numbers. A pack of rats is what you are can't even take down an outnumbered woman\" She grinned as she beared the pain of the strike, the pain simply fueling her desire to see them dead" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then sighed, before drawing his sword. He knew it was probably some kind of spell and that both of them would be traps. So he just raised his eyebrows.* ***``\"If you show yourself, I'll give you all my Gold and let you go. How about that?\"``***" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With her having to turn in order to strike, the rogue had that extra bit of time to dodge the attack slightly making it non fatal. He would still have his chest piece sliced. He would grin back at her, speaking for the first time.* \"Yet those same rats killed your friends~ That's why you're so angry right?~\" *Right after saying those words he would strike with his blade, a straight thrust. His blade had a blue aura to it, he must have cast a spell on it while distracting Lucy with small talk. If the hit is successful, it would knock her back 5 feet. Enough to make her trip over his partner who would just be starting to get up from the floor. As Akiron stands outside the houses, no further sound is heard, it goes completely silent as no one comes out.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron grabbed his blade, holding it tight. The amount of killed Civillians irritated him. He then decided to go help Lucelia. He rushed, running at 27 MPH and using Vibrant strike to strike harder. He also used Steel Skin to make himself extremely resistant to Blunt/Sword attacks. He had rushed in a quick sequence, taking the short-cut and surprise attacking them. He had lots of Mana and Stamina to go, so he was just gonna help Lucy in the meantime.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Even with how fast he was running it would take an extra turn for him to reach her, so this turn for Akiron goes towards travelling.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "...\"Hmm so the rat knows some tricks\" She cast electric bolt near his leg the bolt flying at 100 fps she was hoping it would paralyse it and then she just stepped aside and let the bandit fall slashing across his neck even if she failed it would give her a better chance to dodge and that was the least she was hoping for \"Doesn't mean he is any thing more then a rat\" Whichever happened she was practically done. The kindness and patience she once held gone. Right. Now she wanted them dead. Rotting. Fed to the wolves. Her ice cold eyes held a hatred she never felt and she simply smiled a deadly smile." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*From the range she was at it would be near impossible to slash the rogues throat with a rapier, and while he was falling to the ground due to having his leg paralyzed he would slash at her ankle instead. By this time his partner would already be up and behind her, causing her to have to take one of their attacks, he would aim his knee and strike behind her so that if she jumps back to dodge his slash she would isntead get knee'd. As Akiron is running towards the battle the two creatures in the houses give chase, the bear travelling at 35 mph and getting there in one turn though unable to attack, the ice golem would make it there in another turn due to only have 20 mph travel speed.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Casting defensive barrier to block both and she took the moment and ran and thrust the blade down into the rouges head. Letting go of the blade her defence barrier down she quickly looked around and stood there spining around to kick rouge in the gut \"Like I said. Rats... Rats that will bleed and die like the animals you are\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Since Akiron hadn't reached the location yet, he didn't activate his spells yet. He looked at the Ice Golem, then at the bear. He then gulped, taking out his sword. This was gonna be a long night, wasn't it? Akiron then threw Electric bolt at the Bear's heart in attempt to paralyze it, getting in a pose then pointing his sword at the Golem. Was he seriously planning to challenge them head on...? Akiron wouldn't be able to possibly fight one faster and one stronger than him at the same time. So he Attempted to Paralyze the Bear then cut it's head off when he had the chance. Due to the turn used, he was back to 100 Mana pool, and he currently had 85 Mana left.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*The rogue would already be in the process of kicking Lucy so all that would happen is their legs would collide, causing pain for both parties. The rogue would then proceed to do a thrust with both baldes from either side of Lucy, in an attempt to avenge his fallen brother, not seeming to care about dying in the process. At the range they were at it was very likely that if Lucy went for a strike aswell atleast on of the daggers would strike her. Akiron may not have noticed but the bear would infact be running on all fours so hitting the heart was a lost cause and due to aimint he low the attack would barely graze its fur, burning it off. The bear would raise it's massive right paw, swinging it attempting to thrash Akiron accross the chest. The golem was just getting there but from that distance Akiron would now be able to see that it was weilding a 9 ft Zweihander and would itself be 9ft tall.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "She decided to cast psyonic speed and with one quick moment she attempted to catch both armsand pull him into a grapple grabbing his arms and breaking both of them at once with a quick twist and a snap taking advantage of his careless momentum to flip him onto the ground on his back" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then casted Vibrant Strike, then Steel Skin. He was able to withstand the Palm strike, though he thrusted his sword into the Bear's throat in attempt to End it as quick as possible. While it didn't hurt him much, it knocked him away from the blunt force. He skid from the force, getting in his fighting pose. If his attack was successfull, then he hoped the Bear would choke/bleed to death.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With Akiron wasting so much time focusing on casting his spells he wouldnt' actually be able to get his attack in. Therefore the bear would get yet another chance to attack, mauling at the human with its massive jaw. The golem would have now reached it's attacking range and would at the same time strike its Zweihander down at Akiron. Lucy would get rather abitious with her movements expecting the rogue not to react at all to her hand movements and even though she was faster than him he would still be able to knee her in the gut with all his might giving her no other option but to let go unless she wanted to take the damage and her arms were both occupied. He would also be as strong as her even with the buffs she recieved so twisting his arms to the point of breaking would me a very tall order.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Instead of letting go she would tumble backwards with the momentum of the strike to flip him on his back. Kicking dust into his face once he was on the ground then rushing to her rapier to retrieve it quickly spining around to prepare herself" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron then got an idea. He ran away from the golem and blocked the hit of the Bear, being launched backwards again. He was planning to draw the two away from the caster in order to make them disappear. That was the only way... Akiron disabled his Steel Skin, rushing through the trees. He climbed up a tree and began jumping from tree to tree, almost falling each time, but making it in time. He was trying to get as far away as he could from the caster. The growls weren't actual animal groans, so it should be right!*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Little did Akiron know that the strategy would never work since apart from being a summoner, the mage could also transform and that's how the bear got there in the first place. They would both give chase to Akiron. The difference in distance between the two fights is now 10 feet. The rogue would get up but have to take some time to get ready for her next attack again, while he wouldn't attack his blade would glow blue.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "She charged at the rouge and fainted with a thrust to the stomach before pulling back and swiping sideways casting valient strike before her real strike if that was to fail she would run off into the fires hiding herself in the smoke with her elven stealth slowly catching her breath and recovering." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Akiron seemed to slowly lose hope, looking down at the bear then at the Golem. He thought:* {W-What...? I thought summons...} *Akiron then leaped off the tree and rushed down using Vibrant Strike to strike the Bear's head precisely. He wasn't gonna waste his mana on Crack the Sky. It was to end the Bear completely. The golem would probably not be at the same place Akiron and the Bear with due to the Bear's speed. Akiron used Steel Skin too. It was now or never.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*The golem's reach would extend to almost 12 feet due to the length of it's arm and the length of its sword so it would be just at the edge of blocking the hit, causing it to parry instead, cutting off the bear's ear clean. Lucy may have thought that running would cause the rogue to chase her but instead after hearing the bear's pained roar he would charge to them pulling out his shortbow and shooting a shot at Akiron's foot, trying to put distance between him and the bear. To retaliate the bear would attempt to bite on the overextended arm.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Using the smoke as cover she would watch and move from shadow to shadow taking advantage of the chaos once more as she dashed at full speed toward the other fight. **That's it ignore me** She thought as she got into a position allowing akiron to see her and waving him toward her" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*As his bow shot went off however it would instead hit the ground creating a massive smoke screen using Fog Seed. He would then yell out something along the lines of* \"That's enough Kayn, boss is telling us to recall.\" *And with that they would disappear without a trace, leaving the corpses of their allies at the village. Slowly the alive villagers would come out of hiding, thanking the two adventurers for saving them, even though what saved them was something else. Lucy and Akiron may both recieve 1G from the armor of the fallen bandits. For their efforts in combat they also recieve 1 PP.*\n\n*End of Combat.*" }, { "author": "failtastica", "message": "Looking and glaring at he corpses she walked off not a word to her family. Not a word for her friends. The kind woman had a fury in her eyes. Not a raging inferno but cold as ice and calm. As if her heart had been turned just as cold {exit lucillia}" } ]

[ { "author": "Amos", "message": "Amos had been free for, well, barely anytime at all really. He hadn't slept so much as napped lightly, stomach twisting in knots that threatened to expel the food he had consumed. After barely an hour he had simply ditched the Inn, ditched his 'savior' and gotten out of that small area. His clothes were still a visible issue; Thin and effectively useless against the elements, but at least his nose was no longer bloodied. There was, in fact, nothing left behind to suggest any violence had occurred. \n\nThings felt to move quickly once he got on the streets. First he had found... Not help, but a job. Then figured out what was needed of him. Now? Now he was trying to clear his head. His hair was at least *Kept* Now, and luckily no body hair to be concerned of. He had seen his reflection once and avoided it. Golden eyes, silver hair of high elves, but the red horns? Those look like an Oni. \n\nHe might just go with that for a while." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "Renae was wandering as usual, tired of traveling. Who would have predicted that the journey would stretch for so long? Definitely not her, and even if she liked being alone there was a limit even for her. Even a macen would be good company at this point... No, she prefered being alone a bit longer than having to get along with one of them.\n\nWhy did she start that pointless journey?, it was better to stay in salvainia anyways. Not even she knew why. \n\n\"I should have brought more water with me, this damn thirst is killing me\"\nShe muttered to herself" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "He noticed the tell tale signs of a High Elf, and felt his insides twist though his stride didn't change or falter. Doing *That* Was a sure fire way to wind up back in chains. Still, despite himself, he pulled his sleeves down a touch further to hide the smooth rubbed rings on his wrists.\n\nHe heard the complaints however and smirked. The smart ass in him came out. Really it was about all that was left.\n\n\"Perish the thought of going without, eh?\" He commented as he passed fairly close by, stepping to the side to avoid touching her entirely. He could feel the meager supply of water slosh in the cheap container he had, quite close to empty. But he was used to going without." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "She grinned, surprised by the sudden company, maybe she should go thank the goddesses later. Yes, she was that bored but that probably was more of a coincidence than a divine intervention, or perhaps her incredible luck stepping just in the right moment. \n\n\"Given the fact that apparently I need water to survive, I probably should be disappointed of myself for not thinking of that\" She responded a little tense by the proximity of the traveler, after all she had had several encounters with thieves in the past, and being too close to someone while traveling was really risky" } ]

[ { "author": "Amos", "message": "He didn't exactly *Inspire* Confidence either. On the thin side with thin, worn down clothes despite the light clink in a pouch at his side. It was all rather contradictory, but so far he hadn't eyed her up like a target. Probably. He seemed to be in the same sort of traveling slog she was; Putting one foot in front of the other until he hopefully reached his destination.\n\n\"Well maybe if you ask kindly enough the sky will open up and pour down rain,\" He said with some fairly obvious sarcasm, ignoring her tenseness. \"Either way, Fuchjuun Valley is close by so just don't *Completely* Die of dehydration before then, mm?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "She sensed this was going to be an interesting conversation, surely she had thought that the last two times but the third is the one or something like that. \nThe guy seemed a bit beaten by life, but he did not give menacing vibes.\n\n\"I think that's a bit difficult, I already died like 5 hours ago, and you're talking to a wandering spirit\" She responded entretained just thinking of how was that conversation going to unfold" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Well then, you've obviously done it *Wrong*, you can't be dead and thirsty. If you are, then remind me not to die anytime soon. I wouldn't want to pass and moan and groan about the damn ham sandwich stuck in my throat,\" He says with considerable dryness, but when she reciprocates instead of becoming offended it takes on and almost... Playful quality? It's nice to have someone about who can have a jest and not be morally offended that you're not taking them absolutely seriously.\n\n\"So where are you going now? To go haunt some poor merchant that sold you a leaky canteen? Curse his family for generations that none of them shall find their cupware whole?\" He inquired, glancing over with golden eyes." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, seems like im one of those damned ghosts that go around complaining about everything and annoying people to death\" That was probably the best conversation she had in a long time, every person that talked with her in the past was painfully formal, it almost was ñike everyone just decided to be royal from one moment to another without telling her.\n\n\"I should really take my ghostful vengance on that merchant, but you you look like a better person to haunt around\" She grinned jokingly" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Sounds like a dinner party. You're a ghost of dinner parties and family reunions,\" He decides, nodding lightly to it. \"Nothing to do with existence but wander from party to party complaining about the lack of drink.\"\n\nAt the claim that *He* Looks like someone to haunt, he places his hand on his chest in mock shock. \"*Me?* I've never wronged anyone who hasn't already balanced the scales for it. Surely you mean someone else in my family. Maybe a Duke or something of that cloth.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"I may be the type of ghost that annoys people at parties. But i have standards, haunt a *Mere* Duke? Huh, nonono I haunt just the best kind of random travelers\" She said in false indigation \n\nShe really was the type of person that when dead would probably complain at dinner parties just to annoy people, but of course she would never admit that in front of anyone" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Shame. I'd have rather liked to see the Duke trying to get ready for a dinner party with a haunting spectre behind him reminding him that he wore those clothes to his *Last* Party, and he *Really should* Have listened to his wife and just gotten another outfit, regardless of how much he may like this one,\" He says, feeling his legs want to cramp but pushing onward. \"Of course it never takes much to make them look a fool either way. Just the off advice they take to heart.\"\n\nWhich was odd to say perhaps but he continued on at his casual pace, \"But surely a number of travelers in Fuchjuun.\" He says as they crest a hill and down below is the sprawling houses, buildings and lights. He exhales, removing a paper to reread and putting it away. \"Well, almost there then.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"It would be terrible if the didn't already do that by themselves, have you ever seen a Duke compleatly relaxed in a party? The get completely neurotic when it comes to be perfect in front of others\" She said in disagreement, \"It gets funny when they have to go get some air, they completely break down thinking lady super fancy didn't like how was the lobster seasoned\"\n\nShe spotted the distant town and felt relieved, the first thing that she would bewitch would of course be a water well, and no one could stop her." }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Twice. Once was a man who'd reached the respectable age of not giving a single fuck because his time was borrowed, and at that point no one could do anything to him anyway. Rather impressive really. His children stayed as far away as possible from him. I imagine they were terrified that he would wrench the stick they had up their ass out in public,\" The man says with all the seriousness of a person who actually witnessed such events. \"I'm sure if he had they would have collapsed in on themselves. There wasn't really anything else in place holding them up.\"\n\nHe started walking again down the hill, feeling a bit light headed. He needed to eat. And rest. And drink his remaining water that he still wasn't bringing out in the company of another." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Wow, that probably must have been hilarious. Its sad that he had to be that old to realize he didn't have to give a fuck about shit\"\n\nShe didn't feel like she would reach the town before becoming a dry ghost for real, so she decided to drink the last drops of water from her almost empty canteen. There there wasn't much left to reach her destination so she suposed it wouldn't be bad. As soon as he arrived he would drink the most amount of water he had ever drunk in his life." }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"I'm sure he realized it sooner, but there's always some amount of pressure to make sure you're standing up properly on your pole. That tends to be what being Noble is; You make sure the stick up your arse is shinier than your fellows and hope no one notices that you've all got sticks up there and no one is really enjoying it.\" Amos shrugged, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling into his bones. Or maybe it was remembering. \"Regardless, everyone has a role to play and only people who haven't much left to lose get to discard it. Everyone else gets to keep going.\"\n\nHe smirked a bit, \"That's why I traded in my feathered coat for these old rags. That and I heard they're very fashionable here. Oriates love them.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"You seem to know a lot about noble life to be a simple peasant, maybe im talking shit about dukes and duchesses in front of an undercover spy. What would lead to me in jail and eventually even more dead than I am already, or maybe im wandering too far and you are just very philosofic.\nEither way I have enjoyed this conversation so far\" Renae joked. The man next to her didn't look refined, and he definitely didn't act refined, she knew by expirience that people often found dificult to drop habits, and the nobility was no exception.\n\nShe felt comfortable talking to this guy, maybe it was because of how relaxed he seemed, or perhaps his tired eyes that inspired confidence in the girl." }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Oh, do I?\" He asked, smirking. \"I suppose I could tell you quite a bit about nobles. I could tell you about how High Elves struggle to have children, then pit them against one another as if raising little spies and backstabbers themselves. Always a bad idea, mind,\" Looking over at her. \"Eventually they learn better than their elders, but then I suppose they're perfectly ready to take their place in the family. I could tell you about how, to be honest, a poor spy is a fine one because high society doesn't notice them. Not their maids, not their cooks, no one because they're too wrapped up in their own worlds which *Must* Be incredibly important and besides, they're barely people either way.\" It was all delivered so... Cheerfully despite his words being so blunt with an element of sarcasm over it. Despite that, it's all quite true too.\n\n\"Though, if I were a spy, I suppose I'm a poor one, because so far all we've discussed is the size of sticks the Nobles carry. I *Suppose* I could be a noble myself, but then I suppose I'm quite some ways from home as well *And* Without my coin purse which is a crime penalized by death of course. Why,\" With faux shock, \"I've not even had my perfumed bath.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"What a troubled life, I guess Ishould be thankful that my parents weren't in the highest class. Having a high position in this society seems like a pile of shit to me already, and im very young.\" She smirked \"At this rate im probably going to end up liking anarchy more than I already do, I wonder if some of those high class kids have already revealed against their parents?\" She said lost in thought \n\n\"Well you should probably hurry and take that bath, it really seems like you need it. I have never in my ghost life seen a noble in such pitful condition, Heck, I could probably mistake you by a mere *Peasant* Like myself and start talking to you like it was nothing...\"" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "\"Oh, it is. A glorified one decorated with gems and flowers, but shit is shit,\" He says with a nod, smirking. \"It's all the ideals on a silver platter; A home you're never safe or happy in, money to cover up the stupid acts you get into, growing up with the supposed knowledge of being better than others... And it's all a lie of course, but if we believed that we would need to accept that we're not better than anyone else. Not by race. Not by status. And then what does that mean.\"\n\nHe said in a soft, faux whisper, \"Just means we're assholes really and no one likes that.\"\n\nAs they reached the city, his pace slowed, eyes on the buildings and feeling a tension grow in his stomach. \"Well, suppose I'll just need to take a bath and try to look the part. Do you suppose after a hundred or so years I could learn how to act the part?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"I believe most of them would be happy if they weren't raised like that, and opposing to fantasy books they probably would like a life in the woods rather than having a silver spoon up their asses, it may depend on how old they are though\" She responded\n\nShe was surprised of how fast they had reached the place, after all it was true that time flies when you are entertained \n\"You probably would have to learn a hole script from memory because I can sense your sass from kilometers away\"" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "He sits down, letting out a breath and giving himself a chance to calm down. Honestly, he wasn't as stressed as he'd expected to be around another elf. It did help however to just... Not be readily identified as one either though. And luckily perhaps the girl didn't seem to readily identify him as anything other than what he presented. It worked well enough.\n\nStill, where did this exhaustion come from? Maybe he'd been walking too long.\n\n\"Probably, but that is *Not* The most popular way to be raised in nobility. You're always right, even if you're wrong. And if someone else happens to be right, then you need to prove them wrong. It's easy. Sometimes,\" He says before laughing at the script comment. \"I thought sharp tongues were necessary for surviving in Nobility? It's a shame if I'm wrong, it's the only thing that's survived these days.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "She sat down next to the man and let a small sigh out of her mouth. It was a long journey and she was frankly exhausted, she still didn't know why she left salvainia, but she didn't want to think of that for now.\n\n\"Well, now I kow why they think they are the best. If you are always right, how can you know when you are wrong? I bet that stupid shit is the reason of various kingomds falling or going into wars.\"\nShe started to think some people are really stupid, why would think your opinion is over someone else's life?\n\n\"Well, one thing is having a sharp tongue, and the other is knowing how to use it subtly, and try to offend just one person at a time. And I guess that's the secret to a toxic noble life\"" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "He looked over, then at the buildings. He was starting to identify an incredibly *Stupid* Anxiety in his gut, but he had figured it would fade with time. Not continue to grow claws and needle his gut. Shame. \n\n\"It's a shameful thing to teach your children, but I suppose they would see concessions and cooperation as some sort of weakness. In general however, yes, the idea that someone must be right and another must be right is the source of a lot of conflict. That and good old boredom, I suppose,\" Amos says, finally removing the old, leaky looking container to drain the almost mouthful of water left. It was half necessity, half distraction.\n\n\"Oh, is it supposed to be one person at a time?\" He raised his brows. \"I'm more of a people pleaser. If I can aptly insult an entire room of people, then that sounds like more efficiency than just one at a time.\"\n\nHe was aware of his focus on the thought of going indoors; Couldn't quite shake it really. His skin felt damp and his fingers tremored as he watched them, frowning. \"Well this is gods damned ridiculous.\" More at himself than anything or anyone else. Exhaling he slowly pushes himself up, looking at her. \"Well, it's about time to get you water I assume?\" Ignoring his own plight." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "Renae did need to get water soon or she would probably faint in front of a stranger, and the last time that passed she didn't get out of that situation without missing some silver and all her food. It was strange, but she had been so interested in that conversation free of formalities and shit that she forgot her urgent and really obvious need for some water.\n\n\" I should really get some of that exclusive and hecking expensive drink you are talking about\" She said jokingly \n\nShe got up, already looking for the nearest source of water." }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "He had already begun walking, noticing where it seemed people were going that looked equally bedraggled and tired. An Inn. Lovely. \"Well, you can probably get some water here.\" He said, though he'd stopped short of even the awning. \n\nWas he tired? Of course. But there was a sense in his gut about being indoors now and he just didn't have the mental energy to go through the acrobatics to justify going inside.\n\nInstead he smirked, \"Best go haunt them for a drink.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "She noticed how many people there were, and immediately got nervous, a lot of people around meant there could be someone behind her, it was stupid but that tiny state of nervousness was the best case. \nHer thoughts were interrupted by the voice of her companion, and she decided to concentrate in the conversation.\n\n\"Huh? Oh yeah, the best payment I have ever known its a good old haunting\" \n\nShe thought about how easy is to talk to someone who's name you don't even know" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "In the end, he found more reasons not to go inside than he had to go in. Had to save coin. He could find another place to sleep. Another place for water. He also had to find his work contact. He had made an agreement in a less than ideal profession, but it would help him regain strength. All that mattered.\n\n\"Well, I think you ought to be fine now. Plenty of folks to haunt and a building to boot,\" As he wipes his sweaty palms off on his shirt. \"I however need to find a place that will take me in *Without* Insisting I delouse myself or something similarly cruel to small parasites.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "She could finally get some water, the inn promised a decent night's sleep and hopefully a good meal. Reane stopped to take a look at the place, it was a dilapidated, smelly and almost in ruins. Maybe not the best place to stay but it would do for a night, and after all it was better than sleeping in the floor.\n\n\"Well, looks like I'll have to be here all night haunting all these people with my *Charming* Personality\" She giggled \"I will settle in here, but seems like you are taking that perfumed bath in an expensive suite *My lord*\" She did a small reverence as she said that mockingly \"And since you forgot your coin purse at home you should accept this small tribute* She threw some silver at him, maybe that was the payment in return of all the sarcasm in that conversation, it wasn't a reward. She was just trying to offend him at least a little" }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "Pushing himself up, Amos resolved to attempt to locate his work contact. Maybe see about getting another set of clothes if he was feeling glamorous enough. Or even a *Bath*. At least he was used to odd smells by now.\n\nHe smirked at the words then blinked at the shine of coin being tossed at him. He caught it without thinking, though to his own shame his first reaction was to flinch as though he were going to be struck. \"Goddammit.\" He muttered under his breath with an irritation directed at himself. How long was *That* Reflex going to last in him? Hopefully folks didn't throw things at him often.\n\n\"Well, I accept this tribute, but only because I've forgotten my coin purse and because no one would believe you either way if you said you met a Noble in rags on the road that had *Completely* Bucked their responsibilities. Also because you're a ghost, and no one believes in them either way,\" Amos said with some great, false dignity in his voice as he pockets the coins, completely ignoring his reflexive response to seeing something come at him.\n\n\"Now go get your water and pretend you drowned in their bath,\" He said, making a shooing motion." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "Renae grinned as they guy catched the coin with an annoyed face, in the end she had achieved his commitment, at least a little bit. Either way she was filled in satisfaction thanks to that conversation and nothing could erase that feeling of her.\n\n\"Do people really not believe in ghosts? If that's true then how are you still talking to me? Maybe you are the only one here who sees me and everyone else is just wondering why you're talking to the air\" She said acting like a ghost.\n\n\"Uuuuuhhhh, im the ghost of the girl that drowned on a bath, what a scary way to die\" She said slowly receding." }, { "author": "Amos", "message": "He seemed to have recovered, more or less, from his stumbling. And the girl hadn't noticed the ingrained fear that had been worked into him over a hundred years. Excellent. \"Obviously I'm simply mad. A time in isolation will do that to you. You lose your dignity, lose your pride, your sanity, and all you're left with is talking to yourself,\" He says with a shrug as he begins to walk away, rubbing one of his wrists. Still felt odd.\n\n\"Well be careful here and don't scare too many folks. Oh,\" A pause as he turns to call, \"And avoid Suimbulime if you don't want to see too many slaves. Have fun!\" As he moves to vanish in with the crowd. He had to eat before anything else. Drink water. Figure things out." }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "That was a very interesting day, she had almost passed out of dehydration one too many times, but at least she wasn't alone, and she got an interesting conversation without having to be stupidly formal for once. A total win, and now that she had arrived to the city she could get some sleep.\n\n\"Well, I like to think you are never left with nothing, you will always have a little bit of strength left, even if it's in the most desolate corner of your soul, with that strength comes the possibility to rise again and stronger than before, and sometimes wiser than ever.\" Renae thought about that time when she felt the same, when she was still blaming herself for not stoping that filthy assassin. There was nothing she could do anymore, but she would seek her revenge no matter what.\n\n\"I will try and not haunt the entire city, bye!\" She turned around and went in the building to finally get that well deserved glass of water." }, { "author": "bebeduckezra", "message": "`` END OF ROLEPLAY ``" } ]

[ { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Echoing footsteps along the cobblestone path, the slapping of bare feet more like. The noises w were loud, the sounds of people talking in the trading city, the sounds of the gentle rain coming down. All of this only strengthened the utter confusion and helplessness the young Mogash runaway felt, his sensitive ears lowered slightly. He had absolutely no idea where he was, and he kept running into people and objects, endlessly apologizing for his stumbling. Where would he find a place to stay for tonight also? Living on the streets was truly getting old, and his stomach was growling with hunger as well. He hadn't eaten in almost four days, trying to keep his lingering rations for pure emergency. He didn't want to resort to stealing especially...*\n\n*Tokki crouched down in a wet corner, not that he minded the rain. He loved water. But this wasn't helping his mood, the loud din and the fact that nobody seemed to care either. He felt bitter, his unseeing eyes trained on the ground. He hoped to maybe stake it out until morning, but his sleeping was always ruined by the lack of food. He was struggling to survive in the new realm he'd discovered, the boy almost wishing he'd never left at this point. But no, he couldn't think that way. He had to stay strong. Maybe there was someone in this city who could help? Maybe if anyone ever noticed him...*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae slowly walked down the street of the city enjoying the rain falling in her face, she was drenched but she didn't care at all. After all it was better to be outside in the cold rain than to go to an inn and have to hear the soldiers harassing her once again. Maybe camping wouldn't be a bad idea after all*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki never noticed, her steps simply colliding with all the other noises. He simply stayed put in his corner, closing his eyes as he wrapped his wet cloak around himself. Well, at least water didn't affect his skin like it did for others. He was safe out here... He hoped. Maybe nobody would notice him and he could sneak a nap or something in the corner, then hurry along. He had to find a place to eat, than stay. He was pretty much useless for now, but once he found somewhere, he knew he could earn a living. He was a good worker at the very least, and his love of cleaning might help him at least a tiny bit. He didn't care if he had to eat crap, he just wanted food. He laid his head against his arm, curling up slightly. It was going to be a long night...*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae looked casually to her right and noticed someone wrapped in a cloak, and for a moment doubted if she should check on them* \n\"Meh, I got more than enough money anyways\" *She mumbled to herself before calling out the curled up figure*\n\"Oi, you seem like you are in a bit of trouble wanna come with me?\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki's ears perked slightly. Was that directed at him? He heard a females voice, who seemed to be addressing someone close by. His eyes opened, not that that helped at all, as he turned his head towards to voice. Who was that? Was someone... Inviting him somewhere? Tokki swallowed nervously, keeping his head down slightly.*\n\n\"I... Are you addressing me, ma'am?\"\n\n*He asked slowly, his heart racing. He really hoped he hasn't messed up and he wouldn't be yelled at. Did it look like he was in trouble? He kind of thought he had been subtle. Ah well.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae looked confused for a minute, she even looked around to see if there was anyone else in there who he could thought she was talking to, but after making sure there wasn't a soul outside in the rain she responded:* \n\"I mean, there isn't anyone alse here unless there's some ghost im not seeing, so yeah im talking to you\" \n*Then she walked a few steps foward, focused on not scaring him away or something*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He listened closely, hearing her approach. Instinctively, he backed away, but he couldn't go back ant further already. He turned his head away, his pulse and heart rate quickening. Was she going to take him back? Was she going to hurt him? He didn't know, but if he tried to touch him... He didn't know what he'd do, but he'd do something!*\n\n\"P-please! I'm sorry, I'll find somewhere else! Don't h-...\"\n\n*He trailed off, not finishing his words. He didn't want to seem weak, he had to stop acting on his bad habits. He couldn't convey his weakness, he had alot to do still.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She inmediatly stopped after hearing this words and went a few steps back, but she slipped in the wet floor and fell*\n\"Oh shoo-\"\n*She didn't get to finish her sentence before hitting the floor, but she was okay and instead of getting up she layed down for a bit and giggled at how dumb the whole situation was*\n\"Well, there goes my honor as the most agile hunter out there\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*His eyes widened. She was a hunter? Of what? What did she hunt for? People? Was she a bounty hunter or just a normal one? His fears swirling, Tokki stayed quiet, listening to her carefully. Maybe she wasn't after him? She hadn't seemed to know who he was. But it could be an act... He bit his lip, deciding it was worth the risk. He needed help after all.*\n\n\"I'm sorry... I was surprised. Why are you out in the rain?\"\n\n*He asked gently, trying not to sound so scared. He had to be brave, to find a new adventure after all. Courage comes with time, but not by itself. He could do this.*" } ]

[ { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She slowly got up, ignoring the slight pain she felt on her back and shook the dirt away from her pants, wich now where a muddy mess and probably the nightmare of anyone who knew how to wash clothes.*\n\n\"I just don't like staying in inn's, and im kinda used to sleeping outside so I thought I'd have a nice walk trough the city and then go hunt some deers in a forest or something\"\n\n*She didn't really have the need to go and hunt because of the gigant boar she caught the day before, but what else was she supposed to do?*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "\"You sleep outside too..? Are you also a slave? Did you run away too?\"\n\n*He turned his attention to her, standing up. He didn't want to seem threatening, which he probably didn't, but he made sure he slouched a little, just in case. He couldn't smell anything off her. How come she had no scent? What was she? He blinked, not sure what to say. Should he accept her offer? Where would they even go if she also stayed outside? Maybe she could help lead him to a place of safety. Or even dinner...*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Yeah, I like to sleep outside when I can, no im not a slave but I hate people who enslave other beings\"\n\n*This conversation was turning out to be very interesting, this was not the first time she had an encounter with an escaped slave and she knew they always had quite the story to tell, after all she ran away from home to learn about other perspectives.*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "\"You do? So... You don't mind helping me? I-I will work for you to repay, I promise!\"\n\n*He offered quickly, digging through his satchel. He had gold, would she want that? Was she going to be able to help him? Or was she in his position also? The Orc bit his lip, unsure what to say. He couldn't offer her much besides gold and service. What if she wanted some sort of relic, or she wanted his service forever? He couldn't stop the swirling of doubts and fears that consumed him, his milky eyes staring unblinking. Now that she was much closer, he did catch her scent. But he couldn't tell what she was. Just... A person. So far.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"No worries, you don't need to pay me and I don't need anyone to work for me, consider this a little help from a kind stranger\"\n\n*She said as she reached her backpack and took a loaf of bread and gave it to him.\nShe was kind of surprised by the reaction as he kind of trusted her inmediatly, this didn't happen so often because of her being a high elve. And her race was famous for their creativr ways of torturing and experimenting on everything that moves, even their own kind*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*The bread his him in the face, and he blinked, carefully stretching his hand out, searching until he touched it. He took a tentative sniff, his face confused.*\n\n\"This is... Bread? Did you not need it anymore?\"\n\n*Unused to being given anything for free, Tokki had no clue what to do with it, wondering if she needed help carrying things. That was probably it. And he didn't have any racial discrimination against her, because he couldn't see her nor did he know what she was. She could have been a talking watermelon and he wouldn't have known.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Yeah, its bread and I have like 3 more pounds of it in my backpack so go on and tell me if you want some more\"\n\n*Renae had cuestioned her decision when she bought thatmany bread since she was always alone and didn't need that many food since she could hunt for it, but at least it came in handy now. \nShe wondered if she should offer him to go to an inn to pass the night, after all the cat calls weren't so bad, and if a soldier was too loud she could always throw a knife for inrimidation*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He stood up fully, taking a small bite. The bread crunched, his face pinkening as he tried not to make a scene. He gingerly set it in his satchel for now. He was hungry yes, but he was also Self conscious. He'd eat later.*\n\n\"Thank you for helping me... Uhm... You. What is your name Ma'am?\"\n\n*He asked, realizing he'd never done that. Or if he had, he'd completely forgotten. Where were they going to go? Tokki felt excitement bubbling up, his eyes wide with new life. Maybe he had finally found someone who could help him get settled!!*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"You are welcome, and im renae soranus at your service\"\n\n*She said as she reverenced jokingly as she always did when prensenting, and then with a playful tone she asked:*\n\n\"May I know your name good sir?\"\n\n*She decided she could bear the soldiers harassing heras long as she could be of help for once instead of sitting in weird places*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He smiled softly, listening to her name. Renae. It was a very pretty name, usually one belonging to those of higher standards where he came from. He turned his attention back to her, his large tusks showing in his grin.*\n\n\"Renae. A good name. I am Tukkotik Qvist, but you can call me Tokki.\"\n\n*He explained, feeling more relaxed now. He had that issue, he was awfully trusting. But it was just in his nature, he couldn't help it much. He was all around a friendly man, so it wasn't completely bad either.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Now that we know eachothers names would you like to come with me to search for somewhere to sleep? Perhaps we can catch a pair of rooms in a motel or something\" \n\n*She said as she briefly looked around to see if there was one near, but there only where a few houses and a small shop, then she leaned over to offer him a hand, and concentrating on not slipping in the floor again.*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He nodded, not noticing her hand, but his step forward caused him to walk into it. He reached forward, touching her small hand gently for a moment before grasping it.*\n\n\"Oh, thank you! I hadn't known where to go.\"\n\n*He mumbled shyly, hoping he wasn't too much a burden already. He'd definitely find a way to repay her for her kindness to him. He smiled, continuing on with her to whatever destination she had planned. He just hoped he hadn't placed his trust in the wrong person.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*As she heard this she helped him get up and went looking for somewhere to stay, perhaps the place she saw the other day could serve, and it looked clean enough to not be infested by ticks and she had heard that they had really good beer*\n\"Lets go then, I think I know a place. Im glad that I can help\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "\"I'll find out how to repay you Renae, I promise. Is where we are going... Safe?\"\n\n*He rose an eyebrow, letting himself be led along. It was obvious to her now that Tokki was blind. Utterly so, his world was just void. However, he didn't seem to mind it, he just needed a little help from time to time.*\n\n\"What is this city called?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Yeah, I don't think there's anything too dangerous in an inn apart from the awful smell and the drunk soldiers, and I wouldn't be taking you there if it wasn't safe, since im sleeping in there too\"\n\n*Renae was locking her eyes on the establishment she was going to, as they approached it they could hear the slight sound of music coming through the walls and the faint smell of beer and alcohol wich she was very familiarized with*\n\n\"I haven't been here for too long but I think the city is called Su-imbu-lime.\nOof that was more difficult to pronounce than I thought, try to say that quick five times haha\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "\"...It's called Su... Suimbelime. Got it. Thank you again Mis-Erm, Renae.\"\n\n*Tokki's nose scrunched up as the scent of alcohol hit them. He was used to the smell, but he hated it still. It brought back too many memories. He listened to the sounds, the gentle music feeling weird. It was like this entire place reeked of evil intent. He shuddered, staying slightly closer, just in case. He was no combat help, but he could at least distract if he needed to.*\n\n\"Are you sure it's safe...?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well this kind of places don't usually give a good vibe, but when you pass the bar and get to the rooms is totally safe, also this guys are so drunk they can't even hurt a faly if they wanted to, mainly because they would miss\"\n\n*Renae said as she approached the door, and opened it carefully before entering. The sound inmediatly surrounded the two of them, and as they walked she heard the drunkens calling her names like 'baby' or 'hot stuff', but she actively ignored them, sometimes giving a fierce glare to some of them. And although they where a lot there was also decent people who looked disgusted at the behaviour of their friends. \nWhen they finally got to the counter Renae called to the innkeeper, who came inmediatly*\n\n\"Oi you got some rooms? I kinda wanna get some sleep so get me two of the most futher away from the main bar\"\n\n*Then she slipped a gold coin in the counter and saw the eyes of the innkeeper glow in greed*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki followed after her, listening to the cat calls. That was nothing new. His teeth flashed as he gave the men a nasty growl, his long tusks extended outward slightly. He hated such behavior. His facial expression had changed from shy and almost childlike to one of hostility, almost animalistic. He turned back towards her as he heard her voice, quickly following after her. He'd deal with the men later, if he needed to. He leaned over her shoulder, inquisitively sniffing the innkeeper. Not that it was too obvious, but he had a strange way of learning without sight. He definitely didn't like how they smelled. He moved back, keeping his hearing on high alert.*\n\n\"Do you need money Renae?\"\n\n*He asked, hearing a coin clink on the counter. Just one? Maybe she was expecting him to pay too. He fumbled with his satchel, trying to find the meager coins he had left.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Oh no, you don't have to pay Tokki, the coin that I just put on the counter was a golden coin, so no worries\"\n\n*She said as she quickly recieved the room keys from the inkeeper, who had inmediatly taken the coin, and quickly put it into a special little chest he had hidden somewhere*\n\n\"Let's go before any of this rats notice that it was a gold coin, I don't wanna deal with 80 gold diggers today\"\n\n*Then she headed to the west wing of the place, alway making sure to not leave Tokki behind*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He nodded, hurrying after her by keeping a firm grasp on her hand. Geez she was fast. He wasn't sure what she meant by gold diggers, but he assumed that was a bad thing. Was someone going to try and steal from them? He hoped not, he'd rather not be angry again.*\n\n\"Alright. I'll sleep on the floor, you can have the bed. I won't be long, I'm sure I'll be okay in the morning. Thank you for helping me.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Umm but you see, there's two rooms because I won't let you sleep in the floor. Just make sure to shake the blankets a little bit before going to sleep, just so the ticks and the lice won't eat you alive\"\n\n*She replied as she handed him the keys slowly, and showed him his room. She had been in a bit of a similar situation before and she really appreciated the person who helped her, so she decided to do the same for someone else and also this was a very entretaining to do, maybe she would start helping more people in the street when she was bored*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*His heart skipped a beat. What?!? Lice and ticks?! EWWW!! Tokki couldn't help but gag a little as he nodded.*\n\n\"Uhm... At that rate I might prefer the outside. But thank you very much for everything Renae. I will find a way to repay you, I swear it. I'm not taking no for an answer.\"\n\n*He informed her, his tone suggesting that he wasn't going to debate her on this. He wobbled his way into the room, sitting on the floor. He had no idea what to say or do now. He was pretty awkward.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae looked with a smile on her face, it probaly was her tendency to exaggerate things when talking that creeped Tokki out, but she couldn't help but to giggle a bit when she saw the disgust in his face when she mentioned the little parasites*\n\n\"Im just kidding, although if you don't like ticks then I think floor isn't quite the best option for you\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He glanced towards her direction, his frown showing. What was he supposed to do? Float? He grimaced as he stood up again, fumbling until he found a chair and sat down on that instead, pulling his legs up. He was much larger than the small chair though, so it was a comical sight to see that he was making the chair creak and groan.*\n\n\"Ugh. Nasty... Why is it so gross here than? Don't they clean it? I thought people come here for a good night's sleep. Inns aren't supposed to be gross. Right?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well its still better than sleeping in the street wich is also full of em' and they get off you with a was or two, but yeah it's kind of a hygiene crime, although cleaning the rooms every single time someone leaves seems like an imposible job since this place is so densly populated\"\n\n*She looked around and behind her, and thought that the place was still cleaner than a lot of inns she had been before, also ticks and lice where a common thing in the floor and specially in the forests, but she didn't want to freak him out even more so she kept quiet about that*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*His mouth wavered a little in disgust, but he managed to keep himself together, nodding his head and closing his eyes. He shouldn't seem ungrateful, even if his hatred of bugs was very grand. He ignored his hunger, not wishing to eat. He had too much on his mind.*\n\n\"If I may ask, what are you? I know you're a girl, but that's all I know.\"\n\n*He explained, his tone soft. He didn't want to make anything sound racist, but he was truly curious.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She was afraid of telling him her race, since she knew people would either freak out or just instantly aske her if she was royalty, wich was not all bad but she had enough people ask her if she knew this or that duke.\nAfter thinkingfor a while she decided to trust her instinct and tell him the trust, so she quietly said*\n\n\"I am umm... A high elf\"\n\n*She looked at the ground and quickly added:*\n\n\"But im not royalty, im a medium class elf\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki didn't react, at least not how she was probably expecting him to. He blinked, looking puzzled. He'd heard of Elves. But what was a high Elf?*\n\n\"Uhm, what's a high Elf? And thats okay, who cares what class you are? I'm a Mogash, at least, that's what people say I am.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Well that was unexpected, now she would have to explain all of her race's war crimes and all, but hey! At least it wasn't instant hate. And honestly she had a lot of stories about victims of her race, and not all where so grim surprisingly*\n\n\"Well high elves are like any other elf race but we are all blonde and tall, with pale skin and one heck of an ego, and usually they are royalty. Also a lot of them are very racist and kind of assholes to every single other living being, but don't worry because im a 'peasant' so I had nice education and... Nice friends\"\n\n\"When she was finishing her explanation wich by the way was really fast she rexalled some grim memories she didn't want to remembered so she slowly stopped talking and for the first time that day she stopped smiling*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He listened attentively, but he wasn't that great at picking it all up. He basically got the gist though. He smiled, walking forward and giving her shoulder a soft pat.*\n\n\"You shouldn't feel responsible for what others within your race do. You're not them Renae. Don't feel embarrassed on their behalf.\"\n\n*He explained, giving her a hug. He wasn't the greatest at detecting sadness, but he had definitely felt a drop in the atmosphere when she had stopped talking.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae felt relieved and really appreciated Tokki's words, she had to endure a lot of hate because of how known her race was for killing people and all, so she never stopped to think that it wasn't her fault*\n\n\"Well thats a relief, since I usually just get hate fro being an elf and I can't even hide it because of how pointy my ears are\"\n\n*She said accepting the hug and smiling again*\n\n\"I could swear I have pricked myself with em' sometimes\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He beamed, moving back and touching his own ears. They were a little pointy too. He bet her ears annoyed her as much as his huge fangs did. Tokki crossed his arms, trying not to seem flustered. He normally never comforted people, but he found it helped him too.*\n\n\"Well, I don't hate you! So there's that if it matters at all. Renae, do you think you are... Uhm, in need of a companion? I haven't anyone else, nor any idea where to go or what to do. Maybe I can help you somehow? I have some skills!\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She smiled and watched the whole act with a smile on her face, then she heard surprised the proposition and thought about it, moved by his words*\n\n\"Well, I I have never had a companion before because I travel a lot, but if you are willing to bear all the travel and my insufferable ego then sure! Maybe I can even teach you to hunt for a living\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki's entire face brightened up greatly as she agreed. He did however doubt she'd teach him to hunt, but he could certainly fish. He excitedly nibbled his fingers before answering her.*\n\n\"Oh! Well, I'm blind. I can't hunt with much. But I know the ocean's very well. I know how to fish! Thank you so much Renae!\"\n\n*He gushed, his deep voice sounding like an excited child. He gave her another hug before moving back and sitting on the chair again.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, its your lucky day since hunting is mainly about hearing your prey, and even if you can't use a bow if you're fast enough you can always do the good ol' jump and stab\"\n\n*She responded.\nThen she inmediatly started planning the next day, since she would have to learn how to teach him in the way because of the lack of expirience. She also planned get some more hunting knives at the market, as well as a fishing rod and some bait*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "\"Uhm, okay. I'll trust you on that. You know better obviously. What exactly are we hunting? There were no animals on my island, save birds. Only fish to catch.\"\n\n*Tokki explained, having never heard a different animal in his life. He had never heard about them either, and he was completely new to the mainland. She had a lot of teaching to do because of his ignorance.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well we can hunt boars wich are like pigs but bigger and more aggressive, or sometimes there's deers, they are like horses but they are smaller and have antlers, but the most easier ones are rabbits, these are super fast, but their meat tastes sweeter because they tend to eat plants\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He nodded slowly, even though he was completely confused as to what those even were. But that was okay, he knew he'd learn. He leaned back, letting out a gentle sigh.*\n\n\"Do you have any family Renae? Or a best friend? What's it like wandering everywhere? Don't you ever want to settle down? Is it hard to be an Elf?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"I had a family but both my parents died of old age, no I don't..., its awesome! You meet lot's of interesting people and get to go on adventures, I have a house I inherited from my parents, but I don't like staying for too long in the same place so I don't go there too often, I mean it's not too hard compared to what others have beared but people often treat me bad and underestimate me and even my own won't take me seriously because im only 18\"\n\n*She took a deep breath after responding to the avalanche of questions and looked around the room. That was an old habit of hers so she was often found checking the rooms she was on, and even when there was no one near she always looked behind her back*" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*He listened carefully, feeling bad for her. He'd never known his parents so he couldn't miss them, but losing them after you knew them? That was probably a terrible thing. He gave her a brave smile, his nose twitching a little.*\n\n\"Hm. You've have a hard life it would seem. I'm sorry for all that. I wish I knew what to do to help, but I don't know enough. I just want you to know I think you're a good person Renae.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Oh that'svery kind of you but don't stress much about it, I don't really have the hardest life out there and im kind of grateful for what I have. I even have a clear goal, and that's more than enough\"\n\n*Renae was happy about finally being able to share a bit about her past, but she changed the theme of the conversation before it went too emotional*\n\n\"So anyways tell me a bit about yourself, after all we've only been talking about me all this time, but I want to know you better, what do you like the most? What do you do for entertainment? Is there any food you dislike? Do you have any friends?\"" }, { "author": "Tokki Qvist", "message": "*Tokki's face fell slightly, just a tiny bit. Uhm, he had a terrible life. What exactly could he tell her? He thought for awhile before answering her, slowly.*\n\n\"Well... Uhm. I never did anything for fun. I had a friend, but I don't know where she is or what happened to her. And I don't like most meats.\"\n\n*He explained vaguely, trying not to go into the conversation too deep. He had a long history, and he didn't feel much like sharing it all with a somewhat stranger still.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae understood that he didn't want to share his story, and she wouldn't froce him to do so. She then changed the conversation topic to something more 'present friendly', she didn't want to fall in awkwardness after all*\n\n\"Hey, by the way do you like plants and stuff? I've been trying to find someone who shares my interest on them, but people often rely on magic so medicinal herbs aren't the thing right now soo...\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Hearing the footsteps of a figure approaching, Lucius took half a side step to give them space. His head turned ever so subtly as he took a quick scan of the stranger. A cloaked, masked man. He acknowledged the simularities in their appearance. Even if the person towered over Lucius he felt indiferent. But his eyes quickly drifted to the newly posted paper. Curious, he began to read it. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel had walked past the man as he turned to head off, only passing a glance towards him and suppressing a chuckle while he went to read the flyer. The paper itself seemed devoid of much writing, simply a calling to devoted mercenaries with a map to Sento's location.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius stepped closer to the board. Seems plain and simple, why not give it a try. He griped the edge of the paper with his glowed hand but then stopped. He felt a little suspicion in his gut from how easily this opportunity presented itself. Or maybe he was just starving. Lucius ripped the paper off the board along with some other small notices and decided to think this over breakfast. Since, with his predicament, he preferred not to eat in public Lucy walked over to a small park by a church. He found the area to be void of people. So, he picked a bench shaded by a tree and began to unravel his wrapped meal.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel continued along his way, silently slipping in another flyer onto the board after the man had walked off with the previous one before searching for other places to put the rest of the sheets of paper around the city. Once he had finished, he slunk off back towards the tavern where he had originally left his stuff at to quickly grab his supplies then continue along the streets to take some leisure time before he'd set off for another city.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius ate his bread and cheese while sorting though the papers. All fliers had short, one day jobs that did not promise large pay. One big flyer stood out from the pile, the one with an actual map. Lucy leaned forward on the bench and scrunched the edge of the paper. All things considered this option seemed to the the most promising. So what the hell, why should he not give it a try. He finished his meal, swiftly put his mask back on and stood up. He tossed the papers into the trash, all but one. \nLucius made his way back to his small forest camp and uncovered his trusted broom from a pile of leaves. He haphazardly destroyed the evidence of him staying there and set off to find wherever this Sento's location might be. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*It had taken quite a few days before Terrel had eventually made his way back to Sento after tossing mercenary propaganda all about the cities of Huiror. While the place was still fresh in production, the construction workers had made such progress that it could easily be mistaken for a large village. By now the construction had made its way to the far side of town, leaving the entrance more bustling with activity by those that lived there. Terrel headed through the entrance, riding atop his mount while idly watching the other passerby's for the time being.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius hovered above what looked to be a neat little village. With his vantage point he could see the construction happening around the area. He studied its layout. Taking a closer look it was evident that the buildings were fresh. That gave Lucy a bit of an uncanny feeling, like he was observing a stage being set, a facade. Satisfied with his observations however, he descended to the the entrance. He dismounted his broom, adjusted the hood of his cape and walked steadily beside it, holding onto the steer with his left hand.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel squinted upwards as he noticed something flying about the sky, a masked expression of surprise forming as he noticed that it was some man riding a broom. Not just anyone either. Wasn't that the guy he had seen taking a flyer earlier? Terrel shook his head to and fro, clearing his view only to notice the man was now at the entrance having dismounted the floating cleaning utensil.*\"You again?\"*Terrel found himself saying idly to him. His voice came very low and monotone as was typical of a Fricharii. Maybe it was the suspicion of being followed or the fact that to this day magic continued to surprise him, but either way he didn't know what to make of the masked individual.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "\"Hm?\" *Lucius turned his head. His glass mask reflected the stangers face. Well, mask. It hard to forget a person with a pig head, it's the flyer guy.* \"You again.\" *He stated, as if returning a greeting. His voice was similarly monotone, tired, perhaps.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel stared back at him for a while, mainly finding himself looking at his own reflection of Lucius' mask. If not for the fact of this being a completely different person, he'd have joked the man being a walking mirror. Actually, he supposed it would have carried some relevance still with him just repeating him, but the man seemed to be one of not many words as is.*\"Okay... Assuming that I'm not talking myself currently, I suppose you must have used the flyer to get here. That or have been following me for the past several days.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius left a lingering pause before speaking up. He wasn't too amused hearing similar jokes before though regardless it's impossible to read his face. He cleared his throat, refusing to make a pig joke in return. *\"I followed the paper. So this is Sento?\" *He turned away and switched his attention to observing the streets and the people on it.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"It is.\"*He said simply as he dismounted off his steed and gave his horse a pat on the side. It seemed like Lucius was more of the serious sort to him. Looks like the jokes will go nowhere with this one.*\"Looking for the guild?\"*He eventually asked.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius slowed to a stop and turned to face Terrel properly.* \"Yes, matter of fact.\" *He griped the steer of his broom with both hands and gently turned it to get it to stop it's forward motion. The broom glided smoothly through the air and reeled to a hovering stop, a few yellow sparkles shooting out of the brush. Lucy glanced at the horse too and found it amusing that he handles his vehicle like a mount.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel stood there in silence, watching the broom before slowly looking back over to Lucius.*\"Right.\"*He said before climbing back up on his horse.*\"Alright, let's go then.\"*With a tap of his heels, his horse began trotting along the pathways of the town. The elf didn't bother looking back to see if the man was following, simply assuming such.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius was confused as to what the stop was for. Dismounting and mounting looked like an effort. Oh well. He swiftly climbed onto the seat of his broom and with a gentle kick to the ground the broom propelled forward, catching up to Terrel. Lucy arrived by his side, matching his height so despite the stranger riding a horse the two were eye level.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel looked over at Lucius as he caught up, glancing down towards the broom.*\"Is riding brooms normal where you're from?\"*The Silnari asked him.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius chuckled. *\"It's a witch thing. You don't see everybody riding them like horses.\" *He finally caught on what Terrel has been wondering about. He wondered, is this guy a stranger to magic?*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Right right, stereotypically anyways. But I've never once seen a mage actually ride one. I figured it was some kind of saying or folklore or something.\"*He said back before raising an eyebrow in question.*\"That the fastest it can go?\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "\"Hm. I'd say it is a stereotype but I think its quite cute, so I modified one. In terms of speed...\" *He did a twisting motion on the right handle, even though it is just made of wood, but the broom shook up slightly and spewed out some more sparkles from its brush. They looked like those produced from hitting metal on metal or, well, sparklers. Curiously, the broom remained silent. Lucius cut his little display short to avoid actually speeding forward. Even though he smiled under his mask his voice remained just as monotone and collected. *\"85mph max. Though I usually drive like a grandma.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Oh yeah?\"*The Elf said in a more challenging tone, a grin appearing on what could be seen on his face.*\"Why don't we test that out.\"*Without saying another word, the Silnari suddenly snapped the reigns of his horse, causing the mount to dash off and leave Lucius behind.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "\"Tsk.\" *Finally, some fun. Lucius seatled into his bike and sprung into a running start. With a few clanking steps, the broom shot forward, rising up. It quickly picked up speed and soon Lucy was matching Terrels pace. His cape flapped in the wind, holding tight and his heels were a foot away from the pig guy's head. Lucius kept his eyes on the road ahead, grinning.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel glanced back over towards him. Not bad. Though that only made him wonder how well in control they were. Once they were free from the main streets and made their way to the outskirts of town, Terrel had suddenly made a sharp turn, forcing his horse to dart out into the open fields that he knew would inevitably lead them to the guild.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius was catching on. He leaned his body to the side and made the turn, though more of a smooth curve than a sharp one. He let himself pass ahead of the horse while keeping his body tilted. Gravity did its thing and he completed a loop. When he was upside down his head was about 20 inches from the ground. He held out a sign with his hand where the middle and ring finger were bent. The motion was fast so soon he steadied himself and rose again.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The Elf gave a snort of amusement, then turned off in another direction where the ferns grew much larger in comparison to the farmed out lands. Perhaps he was looking to see if it were possible to lose the witch, but with the guild not being too far away now, there wasn't time for that little game to continue on much longer.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*That looks uncomfortable, he thought. He followed Terrel's lead and raised his broom higher over the ferns to see clearly the path the horse was creating. Flying up made him loose some speed but he was confident he can easily catch up as he had no obstacles in the air, unlike below.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*With the parting of the ferns, it was easy to see the trail the horse was making. Terrel didn't seem to mind it whatsoever though. Up ahead a large mansion-like building loomed, which could be presumed to be their destination. Terrel continued off towards it, only slowing to a stop at the gates of the courtyard. He dismounted off his horse, and the animal shook itself free of the clinging grass.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*With the objective clear ahead, Lucius ducked down to get himself a little more aero dynamic and zoomed forward. From the speeds he was going at, he could have passed ahead of Terrel but he did not want to turn it into a race. So, he slowed and lowered to the ground. His legs reached the ground and he run the last few steps to a stop by the gate. *\"Well that was neat.\" *He sounded friendlier. He can't refuse an excuse to ride.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Nice to see you more alive now.\"*The Elf said in a tone of satisfaction. He left his horse tied to the gate and began heading towards the main entrance of the guild.*\"Guild isn't looking for corpses.\"*With that said, he opened to dual doors to a large hallway, the main hall. Turning to look back towards the Lucius.*\"Now then, you can refer to me as Terrel. Guildmaster of this fine establishment. How can I help you?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius got off his vehicle and as he did so, it fell stiff into his hand. He propped it up on the fence like a regular broom and followed Terrel to the entrance. *\"Well then, Terrel, what can you tell me about this guild?\" *The elf was right, Lucy was feeling much more energetic. He appreciated the ice breaker of this little ride though he did not expect the big man of this establishment to be the one hanging out flyers.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel made a gesture for Lucius to follow him as he set off across the main hall.*\"The place has had its construction completed not too long ago. A grand establishment built on protecting our ally village and also exploring the outer lands for its riches.\"*He began. His voice echoed quite a bit with how large the room was. Stone pillars supported it on either side of the path they walked. Light streamed in through high sitting windows while the occasional furniture piece sat about to make for a nice seating area.*\n\n\"Many of the contracts here are made local, but we do get the occasional job request from neighboring countries and people seeking assistance for relations in Mentia. Honestly with the whole war going on, you'll find a number of requests from it.\"*As he came to the end of the long hallway, he gestured to a board that sat neatly between a dual set of stairs.*\"Those that work here get access to this place's facilities which includes, but are not limited to housing, training rooms, and better meals in the cafeteria.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius followed, head swivelling to observe the room. The place even smelled new. The architecture seemed modest but with an air of importance. He was quite pleased. He paused by the board. The idea of decent shelter, food and even training appealed to him. Lucy turned and casually put his hands on his hips.* \"What's the catch?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The Silnari eyed him in amusement of his skepticism.*\"The catch is that if you decline you've already flown hundred of miles out here and I'll still get my money's worth in the end, knowing that I'm the reason for it.\"*He said with a hint of sarcasm. The Elf shook his head, a grin catering his look.*\"But up to you, it is a full time employment after all.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*He let out a friendly laugh. It's true, what a big waste of time it would be for him to follow this stranger all this way only to turn away now. *\"So it's just a question of commitment? Maybe it's about time I try out settling in a sort of community.\" *He was normally weary of strangers but for the first time in a while there were no prodding questions. He felt comfortable standing in front of another masked individual guessing that there will be a mutual respect of privacy. That is what he was after the most.* \"What kind of people are recruited?\" *He took a glance at the board and then back around the room. It felt very empty.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He gave a simple nod to the man's first question, turning away and guiding him up the stairwell as he decided to continue to walk and talk.*\"Like I said before.\"*This place is newly built, so we're still in the recruitment process. While the staff is quite easy to find, gathering mercenaries takes a lot more time.\"*Making it to the top of the stairs, he leaned against the railing, gazing out towards the empty hall.*\"We're not discriminatory. I'm sure you couldn't find anyone who could say they haven't killed a man or have come close. There world's not pretty and it'll get worst before it gets better. If I were to be blunt, we'd need people we could trust.\"*He said before soon adding onto it before Lucius could make any comment about it.*\"And when trust is given, it's not automatically given for everything. We'd need people we can trust to protect this town if it ever faces danger, need people to trust to get their jobs done to further ensure this place's wealth continues to expand, need to be able to trust that the person you'd dine with wouldn't be the same one to make an attempt on your life.\"*He tilted his head up slightly in thought.*\"But you know that's hardly common in a world like this which is why finding such mercenaries is easier said than done.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius was satisfied with the man's speech. He appreciated the honesty and felt like with a solid person like Terrel this place must be alright. Lucy nodded along and felt ready to talk details.* \"Right. Let's say I am a fit candidate. What happens if I eventually decide to leave?\" *He too leaned back and gazed into the empty hall rather than facing him. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well then you'll fill out the paperwork accordingly, pack your stuff, and can go.\"*He answered simply, offering a light shrug.*\"I've had my time adventuring, many people are struck with wanderlust and find it hard to settle to one place at times. Me included, but the mercenary work helps in allowing you to travel places you may not normally.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*He nodded in agreement. It was a good point. He stared off in thought for a few moments, then suddenly clasped his hands together. *\"Sounds like you are offering a good deal, Terrel. What do you say, is there a place for a guy like me in here?\" *He turned to face the man. Lucius was already doing basic mercenary work but with no security attached so all things considered, he was happy to try out a more long term agreement. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The Silnari let out a laugh.*\"I say you have pretty good chance here.\"*Standing upright, he looked back over towards Lucius.*\"If you're in agreement I can get you set up with filling out the needed paperwork.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*He chuckled and nodded. He did a step and a half away from the rail waiting for Terrel to lead the way.* \"I will have to fill in a bunch of personal information, eh?\" *He kept a friendly tone but it was a genuine concern. He got used to nobody knowing exactly who he is. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"As much as your skillset and how we should refer to you.\"*He said as he continued down the hallway just past the stairs.*\"After all, I haven't even gotten your name yet.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius paused for a moment. He wondered how long it would take until he needs to give his name, it made his smile. He treated it as a sort of game. *\"I'm Lucius.\" *He said and continued walking. It was fair after all, as the guild master game his first name.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well Lucius. Let's head to my office for you to fill everything out, then I can give you a quick tour and your room.\"*He said. The Elf took him down a series of hallways and another set of stairs, only stopping as he'd finally make his way to one door in particular and opened it into a rather posh looking office space. He headed over to the desk, sitting down in the chair there and grabbing a sheet of paper from one of the drawers. Sliding it across the desk for Lucius alongside an ink and quill, he gestured to the seat across from him.*\"Take a seat.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucy walked into the room slowly. Its posh interior reminded him of home leaving a sour feeling. Seeing Terrel, a guy maybe a few tears older than him, by his guess, achieving all of this did not sit well with him. He briefly wondered about his life's choices but had to shake it off quickly. Before he knew it he was offered a seat. *\"Hm? Right.\" *He pulled back the chair and sat down in one smooth motion, eyes on the paper.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel leaned back in his seat, idly watching Lucius through his mask. Although by elven nature, he was able to decipher emotions quite well, with the mask the man wore, it made it a lot harder for him.*\"Take your time if you need to.\"*He said idly.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius nodded and took the quill in hand. He took his time to read the paper once over before filling anything in. He wrote down the requiered information neatly. It's obvious he had proper manners when it came to working with ink. He gave the paper one last look over before letting out a small sigh and finally leaving his signature.* \"There. Sorry, I hate dealing with paperwork.\" *He chuckled and looked back up. He sat up straight, back into a comfortable sitting position.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Don't we all.\"*He joked, taking the sheet of paper and returning it to the drawer. Opening another drawer, he took out a few keys.*\"Come on, let's get to the fun part where we get to tour around.\"*The Silnari added. He got up from his chair and left the room, gesturing for Lucius to follow as he began heading down the hallway.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*After all is set and done he felt releif. Lucius followed Terrel with his gaze. He stood up, tucked the chair back under the dest and briskly followed.* \"Let's go.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The Elf led Lucius just down the hall, opening one of the doors which led to the Cafeteria. It was pretty open area with seating as well a few places that looked to be where one would order food. Surprisingly enough, there were a few people in there, mostly workers that were chatting amongst themselves while unpacking a few supplies at their end of the room.*\"This is the cafeteria. Where you can dine with others. Guildmembers get a discount on the higher priced meals, so feel free to choose what you'd like if you ever come here. It runs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an hour of time between each.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucius was happy atthe prospect of good food. It has been a while.* \"Ah! When the tour is over, this will be the first place I check out.\" *He found it quite amusing. The area reminded him of a university cafeteria.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Just remember this isn't an all you can eat buffet.\"*The Elf joked. Terrel turned away from the cafeteria, leading him onwards to the next room, the library. He opened the doors and they were met with a two story large room filled with a labyrinth of bookshelves. Being on the bottom floor, there was a counter where the librarian sat behind just ahead of them while the rest of the room was used for the books and seating places.*\"This is the library. Guildmembers can borrow books here for free anyone else would have to purchase. This room is large so try not to get lost in it. And also mind the crows, someone left a window open and now they occasionally fly around in here. Fortunately haven't made a mess though so I suppose they're just there really.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*A nice cafeteria and now a two story library, all staffed? Lucius was stunned. He looked Terrel once over and asked. *\"You organised **All** Of this? It must have taken a while.\" *He did not want to believe that someone simular to him in age could acheive something as big as leading many people and constructing such guild. Granted, he did not actually know Terrels age for certain. Maybe he was just a very good looking older guy? That thought did not make him feel much better. But it was ridiculous so He turned away chuckling. *\"Man...\" *He looked up at the windows almost expecting to see a crow. An idea of corvids visiting the library was sweet. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He watched Lucius take it all in for a bit before turning to head to a set of stairs.*\"Come on, let me show you something.\"*Terrel said to him as he began heading up.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*Lucy took that as a yes, guessing his question was hypothetical. He took one last good look at the library then turned and went right back to following Terrel around.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He made his way to the top floor, heading towards one of the windowed seating areas. A crow was sitting perched there, and upon noticing the two approaching had quickly flown away. The Silnari gestures towards the window, saying:*\"From here you can see our training facilities. Not much to look at from a distance, but I assure you they're much better inside. We won't be heading there today however. Still need to show you to your room.\"*Beyond the window, a cluster of buildings sat apart from the guild. They weren't decorative or anything from the outside, but seemed large enough to each have several rooms to their own. A gym in a way.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*As the climbed up Lucius took note of the crow. There was something curious about them. He felt like he would get to know them later. He walked up close to the window to get a good look outside.* \"Nice and spacious. It's like a proper campus over here.\" *He was quite impressed.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He lets out a chuckle.*Just wait until you see the dormitories.\"*The Elf said, he turned away and headed to a door on the upper half of the library which lead to another hallway. It was needless to say that the guild itself was practically a maze, but in time one can learn all the routes.*\"He took him down one hall, this one seemingly having a long line of doors on either side of it.*\"This is the men's side of the dormitories. You'll eventually be sharing a room with another, but will at least get your own sleeping space within the dorm.\"*He explained.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*In his usual habit, Lucius payed good attention to memorise his surroundings. He could not be too thorough this time as he had to keep up with the guild master but it should not turn into a problem. They reached the dorm hall. *\"Sharing a room?\" *He inquired. Now it really felt like school. He wondered how full the dorms were already with the guild only recently expanding. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*He walked up to one and unlocked the door, opening it up into another room that had a set of doors within it, each leading to an individual room.*\"The original construction plan from this place came with a single large room with beds inside it, but we took the liberty to at least offer each member some privacy in their own space. Granted the walls are thin. Metaphorically speaking.\"*He walked to one of the doors and unlocked it for Lucius, soon handing him the key.*\"The locks are magic, so eventually we'll set you up properly with them so that you don't need a key, but for the time being you'll just use this one.\"" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*He gripped the key and tossed it once in the air, catching it again. He liked the sound of its jingle. *\"Thanks, boss.\" *He grinned the kind of grin you can just hear in someone's voice.* \"But really, this place is impressive, great job organising it all.\" *He was really thankful so he spoke a little quieter this time and the tone evened out. He cleared his throat. *\"I'll get to settiling my stuff then. Maybe I should drag my broom from the yard.\" *He swiped the back of his neck. *" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Right.\"*He said casually.*\"Take the time to get settled in. The bathhouse is at the end of the hall.\"*He turned away, beginning to head out of the room before looking back and saying:*\"If you don't need anything else from here, you should take the time to explore the town. Sometimes there are nightly activities.\"*With that he headed out the room soon after.*" }, { "author": "Lucius", "message": "*He watched him leave, standing in the hallway. He gave the keys one more toss and headed into his room locking the door behind him. He was greeted with a clean smell and a blank canvas of a room. First thing first, he opened the curtains and cracked open a window for some fresh air. He sat his backpack down and slumped into bed. He laid with his arms spread on the bed taking a moment to take all that has happened in. In an instant he realised something. He sat back up and removed his cape, then his chest plate, his gloves and finally - his helmet. A warm light imminating from his skin filled the room. It felt so refreshing to finally have his head out of that fish bowl. He wiped his brow and fell back on the pillow. He decided to take some time like this, in comfort, before doing anything else.*" } ]

[ { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "*Sylvus turned his collar to the hot sun as he trekked towards the ruins in the distance. He had been sent there on a job to recover 'artifacts' from the ruins of a town. Whatever that was supposed to mean.* \n\n\"Such a long trek, and it's bloody hot. With my luck, they're not even going to pay me for this\" *He grumbled to himself as he reached the ruins.* \"I don't even know what I'm looking for\" \n\n*He ran his hand across a wall as he walked down what was once a main street, looking around at the eerily quiet town. This place gave him the creeps. Even with all his travels as a mercenary and the places he has been, ruins were always the worst.*" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "Kaito started walking around looking at the ruins he thought there was a rare animal in the area to hunt down\n\n\"Where is that animal, I thought it was easy to find\" He found a guy walking around \"Who's that guy maybe an enemy!\"\n\nHe quickly grabbed he's bow and hide on a pillar, he looked at Sylvus" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "*Sylvus stepped into a ruined home and began rooting around within it, checking chests, shelves and tables. It seemed mostly stripped clean of anything valuable a long time ago, with naught but dust to be found* \n\n\"The hell counts as a viable artifact? How am I supposed to know what's valuable or not. I'm a ranger not a godsdamned archeologist. Besides, there's nothing in here\" *He grumbled, tossing a long since broken cup to the side and stood up, looking around the barren home. It might have been a happy home once, but then it only seemed desolate and somber*" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "Kaito began walking stealthy towards Sylvus and notice the broken cup flying around\n\n\"I'm starting to get uncomfortable here\" He loaded an arrow and he pointed it on syvlus head \"Your done for\" He fired the arrow" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "\"Oh shit\" *Sylvus heard the man say the threat and quickly moved to dodge the arrow, it barely grazed his head and left a small cut on his cheek. He quickly moved into a defensive stance and drew his daggers*\n\n\"What the hell is wrong with you?\" *Sylvus demanded, staring down his assailant, his stance set to quickly avoid any attack that may come his way, a slight trickle of blood rolls down his cheek, staining it red* \"I have done nothing to you, and you attack me as if I am your sworn enemy. Be warned. Your next shot may not be so lucky\"" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "Kaito looked at him at the eye \"What are you doing here\" He ask as he walked towards him\n\n\"Why are you here throwing stuff\" He loaded another arrow pointing at him \"If you are here to hunt down something I'm here to take it\"" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "*Sylvus narrowed his eyes, taking a step forward, his daggers glinted in the sunlight creeping through the window* \"I am here on a job to collect artifacts for a buyer, and the cup was useless, so I tossed it to the side, but if you say you are here to take what i find, then that makes you a thief, and I will deal with you accordingly\"\n\n*He shifted his daggers to a more threatening stance, they had been sharpened to near perfection, a habit that Sylvus often partook in*\n\"This is your last chance to put down the bow, or else this won't go your way\"" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "Kaito puts hes bow down \"I'm here to hunt a rare animal but I can't find it and I know, you know where it is\" He glared\n\nHe grabbed a fruit on he's bag and takes a bite into it" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "\"You think I know where it is? That's rich. I'm here to get some old stuff for some rich collector who will probably stiff me anyways, why would I care about some animal?\" \n\n*He continued to stare the man down, watching for any other sign of aggression. The open wound on his cheek stung as the dust in the air mixed in with it* \n\n\"You've already struck me once thief, so I'm not in a playing mood\"" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "Kaito stood silent while eating an apple that he bought from the store and looked at him with a uncomfortable face\n\n\"First I'm uncomfortable when I'm looking a people second I'm not a thief and third I'm a hunter, so if you excused me\" \n\nHe walked towards the pillar while loading an arrow" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "\"Hold up now. You don't just fire an arrow at someone and just walk away\" *Sylvus moved to block his path, and crossed his arms* \n\n\"Just who do you think you are? You could have killed me and you're just going to walk away?\" *Sylvus stood his ground as hot dust swirled around his feet, the sun shone bright and bore down on the two men, it's heat near oppressive*" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "\"I kill lots of things with my bow\" Kaito looked at him while pointing he's loaded bow at the sky\n\n\"Don't block my way or you will regret it\" He fired the arrow towards the air" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "\"You sure are a cocky son of a bitch. You don't even have the decency to look someone you'd so quickly murder in the eye before you put an arrow in them?\"\n\n*Sylvus couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this guy so apathetic that he'd shoot someone and not even care? Sweat started to build on his face from the heat, stinging his arrow wound. He drew his own bow and nocked an arrow, staring the man down*\n\n\"I at least want an apology for this nick on my face, either that, or if you're going to attack me again, look me in the eye as you do it, coward\"" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "\"I don't want to apologize\" Kaito walked to the side putting he's bow at he's back looking at the floor\n\n\"Don't follow me, I'm going to find that rare animal to make more money and find a place to stay\"" }, { "author": "ninjagedon5136", "message": "\"You keep saying 'rare animal', do you even know what you're looking for?\" \n\n*Sylus lowered his own bow and continued to frown at the man. He just couldn't fathom how this stranger operated, from so nonchalantly attacking him earlier with the intent to kill, to his manner of speech. Though, Sylvus' stinging wound didn't help much with improving his opinion.*" }, { "author": "whenyouknowyouknow_.", "message": "\"Well the Hunter's guild said it had horns and I don't know if it's a deer or a bull\"\n\nKaito walked around the ruins to find the rare animal, he looked at Sylus \"Hey what's your name?\" He ask while loading he's bow" } ]

[ { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "The lone Guluth wandered throughout the steppes his feet making a thud with each step, his face forward, focused on his journey. He seemed like he had places to be although... He did not. He then stops for a moment and grabs his waterskin from his belt then takes a swig. He then takes a moment and looks around him... Taking in the veiw. He gazes upon the fields spotting the far off pastures and the occasional critter. He then latches his waterskin to his belt once more and continues his journey... Searching..." }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "*Ssessotiss, slithered along the steppes, could be easily spotted due to his large size and unusual look*\n*He would reach into one of his numorus bags strapped to him, and pullout three dead mice by the tail*\n\"If only you where sssstil alive\"\n*He then opens his mouth and eats the mice hole*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "*The Guluth noticing the serpant stop in his tracks and removes his hatchet from its sheathe* \"Who goes there!\" *He shouts in a deep booming voice*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "*Ssessotiss, would continue at his slow pace towards the Man*\n\"I am Ssessotiss, who are you? \"\n*Ssessotiss carry with him a long mace and 12 backpacks*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "\"Stop right there beast!\" *He drops his hatchet and puts his hand on his long axe ready for any hostile move the serpant may take*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "*Ssessotiss stops, to a halt*\n\"I have ssstopped, but I am no Beast, sssso why did you want me to sssssstop?\"\n*Occasionally Ssessotiss' tongue would come out and return (like a snake) *" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "*Laurath looks puzzled snakes arent suppose to talk why is this one?* \"What are you!\" *His voice booms*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "\"I am a naga, What are you\"\n*Ssessotiss, had a curious look to his face, but never expressed emotion*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "*He says in a slightly calmer voice* \"I am a Guluth we are men of the mountains\" *He let's go of his long axes handle and crosses his arms*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "\"I have never ssssssseen a Guluth Before, you look quite the meal but I have already had mine, no need to waste\"\n*Ssessotiss, talked in the same tone as he always, blank and logical*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "\"Hah! You think you could eat me?!\" *He chuckles heartily*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "\"You know little of my kind, and what is that your doing with your chest and that strange sound coming from your mouth?\"\n*Ssessotiss was curious to what this creature was doing, he had never heard such a thing before*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "\"Laughing\" *He picks up his hatchet and sheaths it again then continues to watch the Naga arms crossed waiting for any move it may make*" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "\"Laughing, hmm sssssseems like a waste of time to me, I prefer to sssssspend my time praying and training, do you do other things with your time besidesssss laughing?\"" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "\"Hunting, fishing, Traveling whatever i feel like\" *He pauses for a moment and studies the creature looking over for any hidden weapons or tricks he may have up his sleeves* \"Now... What do you want with me serpent\"" }, { "author": "dragonflywings68", "message": "\"Nothing, you're the one who wanted to talk\"\n*Ssessotiss would begin to slowly slither past the creature*" }, { "author": "mutant_being", "message": "*He watches the serpent go past very confused by the conversation that just occured. He then continues his own journey looking back once more to make sure the Naga is gone for good*" } ]

[ { "author": "Hynes", "message": "The two men, not so different as they might think they were, engaged in a calm discord regarding the details of the accord. It began with pleasantries, though beyond such impractical matters of *'How's the wife?'*. Their conversation ranged from discussing the details of their laborious travels. *'Such and such led us to here and there, but we were stopped on the way by this and that, only to have found out we had been travelling in the wrong direction from such and such'* . . . And so on. For Hynes and The Dame only one question mattered: *Was the situation dangerous or not?* But Zacchaeus ignored this inappropriate question, the whispered discord between himself and Giovanni seemingly ending as a stalemate at negotiations. \n 'Gentlemen,' he said, '**Present your blade!**'\n And with that, the formation of bandits flanking either side of Zacchaeus were quick to draw their weapons from their sheath and hold it in front of them.\n 'Have I made my position clear, *Sir* Giovanni?' Zacchaeus added a mocking tone to his title, his own lips smirking with a disgusting leer like an old bitter man finding himself miraculously winning his hand in vint. \n Hynes remained fixed to the branch like a vulture waiting for the blood to be spilt. Zacchaeus turned his head left to right, seemingly agitated and batting his eyes at her apparent absent. His gaze then turned to look straight at The Dame, with his perverted eyes stripping her in his mind. He then held his hand up, only to bring it downward at a straight point toward her.\n '**Giovanni, I present my final offer!** *Hand me that broad, and we can part this without blood*, and with your carriages significantly heavier.' Zacchaeus cupped his hands together and rubbed in anticipation, by this point his band of hired professionals halting their advance though each one eyeing a target death fully. Zacchaeus remained fixed on The Dame, Hynes remaining seemingly absent throughout the whole ordeal. *'Deal or no deal?'*" }, { "author": "Quintessa G. Haniel", "message": "*Diana, would remain relatively quiet. Being already skeptical about the men's intents. It didn't take a genius to figure out his ill-intents were written across his pig looking face. However, the matter of convincing her already untrustworthy partners— of the scammer that stood in front of them. Those same partners she held no allegiance to would be impossible.*\n\n*Doing so would've been a hard call, a call that would jeopardize the safety and her job. Especially in the face of deliberate greed. Trying to decipher their cryptic or rather casual exchange of words proved be more uninteresting, like making small talk with a stranger you didn't want to in the first place. Eventually, despite her efforts she innately tuned the discussion out and began to wander her eyes and ears elsewhere. Noticing the opposing dealers goons were seemingly all too calm as if they knew what to do— or what soon might happen. . .Diana motioned for the Sellsword behind her to unsheath her Claymore, the male took notice and reached out his hand—*\n\n*The sound of unsheathing blades rang in the air. Diana was unable to draw her blade; As her partner seemed to have did so for her. . . Which would have helped if he wasn't wielding his own Greatsword. \nIn a moronic display of embarrassment. The male Sellsword that stood behind her now held two Greatswords hilts. But neither blade drawn to defend adequately. He was too slow to hand it over before they were surrounded, frozen in place, staring like deers in the face of hunters. With his error it left Diana defenseless to herself, and now her client. Her pupils dilated, in the face of stupidity of amateurs as her face flushed with anger.*\n•••\n\n*Sir. G, frustrated with the failing exchange. Attempted to retaliated at commands of Zacchaeus' men— However, too slow to get his men to draw first. He stood there baffled that he had been outplayed. As Sir Giovanni spoke, his voice agitated and full of fluent mentian accent. Having never been in a stand-off or rather one where his men were caught off guard, or second to draw. He seemed nervous. Angered he was caught with his pants down, his men woefully late drew their blades. Making an attempt to form a defense, but it proved to be utterly useless.*\n\n\"**Hold your blades—!** Negotiations have failed; yet you attempt to strong arm me Eh?— What more do you want, I refused to be scammed taking a one-sided deal.\"\n\n*With chaos bound to ensue if neither party showed compliance, Sir Giovanni soon had a change of heart. As the gesture of his final offer was pointed to. . .\n\nSir Giovanni, Instantaneously became a diplomat in the face of decimation. All due to his greed of currency. Looking over to the young lady with a look of a coward about save his own ass.*\n \"**Your final offer?—** The Mercenary?—T—t—the Dame?\"\n*Sir G. Said with a defensive tone that seemed to end off in consideration.*\n\n*Hearing her name be spoken to life. Woke her up from her trance. Beneath the cowl a paranoid woman ushered her voice rapidly, Diana cursing at the Sellsword behind her to hand her Claymore over, despite the danger it poised. Zacchaeus was throwing out unrealistic offers now. She didn't care what else happens, she needed to ensure the safety of the client. . .— She'd cut down her every single one of them. The Dame would rather go out fighting then sit here and—*\n•••\n\n```He laughed. \n\nLooking directly in the eyes, of Diana. As he took up Zacchaeus final offer. He continued to heckle as he made it clear. He took his offer seriously. Leaving no doubt he was attempting a fluke. This was a genuine exchange for to The Dame. . . \n\n\"Deal, Take the woman. She holds no value to me. She's a 'Blade-for-Hire',Let alone—an actor wanting to play along in a mens game. If I recall, she is one of those trained acolytes from the Upper Mentia. So two for one deal Zacchaeus. A new wife and magus! Just another pretty face from Upper Mentia. You can find plenty, but this one here is one of a kind.\"\n\nAs Sir. Giovanni finished his sales pitch, with a flick of a hand, signaling to what should be done. The Sell-sword behind Diana would promptly take a jab to her leg with the pommel of the sword, causing her to bend the knee. \n\nIn a impulse, Diana tried to stand up and flee but was met by the fine edge of her own Claymore resting on her neck. Her breath grew shaker, grasping for air as she felt the steel she used to cut down many before—Now used to threaten herself, Diana awaiting her fate was anything but obedient in this situation, demanding in a pained voice as she plead for death—either of her own or theirs. As to not bear witness to the betrayal—nor sinisterness of these evil men.```" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "**There is an idea of a Hynes Blücher, some kind of abstraction.** The personification of self-desire, hate, greed and tragedy. One may find such an entity to solely exist therefore in the pursuit of self interest, though such value would in its nature be hollow, empty and meaningless. After all, is not the most selfish act to rid oneself of suffering suicide? Whilst Hynes believed that life may be meaningless, she did not believe for one to therefore live life as if there was something missing without meaning. Suffice to say, when met with the prospect of a youthful delinquent about to be subjugated to a life of servitude, lust and meaningless, she saw it as nothing more than wasteful. If Zacchaeus wanted a whore, there were plenty of consenting skunks littering the back alleys of Ulnoor to satisfy oneself for however many nights they could haemorrhage coins. Though she was not exactly willing to forfeit her rewards if it was to compromise her own interests, perhaps there could be a loophole; or perhaps she simply wanted a consciousness to be fixated on the fact there had been one in the first place, and she would have done so regardless.\n Hynes in her monologue, had failed to recognise the failing branch which stood on the verge of snapping under the tremendous pressure of her combined weight and equipment. The timing could not have been more convenient, as Diana was already on her knees and part of the cargo already exchanged. Leaping with tremendous force from the tree her daggered gauntlet left a gashing scar as Hynes landed on her knee before the crowd. It was quite the grandiose entrance, if not for the falling branches and leaves nearly landing atop her. Having unnaturally burdened the force of the impact, the figure in black plate armour slowly rose holding a shark tipped spear and a titanic tower shield to her left hand.\n *'Holy Shit that's her Isn't it-' One of the men from Giovanni's corner stuttered.*\n\n*'It's the face of death.'*\n *'No fucking way- It's just a coincidence.' Another man answered, the frantic wavering in his voice only rivalled by the rattling of his sword.*\n To the men at the other side of this accord, anyone with even a remote understanding of the dangers of Silnaria, knew stories of one of its most umbral monsters. A *Black Demon*, some described her from the shell of her armour, *White Death*, to the stories regarding her apparent pale snow skin. Of course, for those with only as much information as to scrounger illustrations from rumours, any exact details of the woman were wholly speculative. They perhaps knew of her name, but that might have been as a consequence of a pretender seeking her identity, fooling them into hiring second hand 'services'. \n 'Ah, Hynes! And here I thought you had run away with the coin. I don't suppose it would've *Helped having you during negotiations*.' Zacchaeus said with an illusory smile whilst whispering a spiteful undertone, relating to her absence.\n 'The girl was not part of the deal. Therefore my contract with you has been terminated, Zacchaeus.' The skull helmeted being said, her shield tilted sideways as to allow for both sides to view her in the full light of the moon. Black armour, a skull faced helmet, a red hue emanating from the sockets of its eye which bore directly toward Zacchaeus. It didn't even turn to bat The Dame, who would be able to decipher a muffled feminine voice.\n 'You know, Zacchaeus, my spear arm has been getting rather . . . *Malnourished*. You said you expected them to fight upon your scam, yet here I am waiting for blood to be spilt when you wish to bargain yourself not just gold, but a woman. Was *I* Not enough?'\n\n'Hynes- Hynes, surely you of all people must understand that as a simple trader, I must prioritise maximising profits. It's simply a good business practices, not a personal statement regarding your womanhood . . . Or do you prefer I say *Lack off*?' The greedy merchant spilt with a gleeful twitch, upon then feeling the razored edge of her spear suddenly meet his cheek, somewhat drowning out his smile. He swallowed his thoughts perplexed as to how to negotiate with the reaper.\n 'You're right about that, but I don't believe you have factored in **My interests**. A claw then gripped the man by the collar, piercing his sleazy outer jacket upon gripping him tight with her prosthetic gauntlet. The man now flailed his feet lightly in the air, grabbing onto Hynes' steel hand with his voice quivering as Hynes' vise slowly recoiled only to lock onto his neck .\n '*You may be able to cheat men, Zacchaeus*, **But you can't cheat death.**'\n Zacchaeus hyperventilated, his words racing with his own sprinting heart. Steamy, salty, sweat slobbered on his forehead, at first slowly, tiny droplets forming rapidly upon his wet skin. Heavier now, flowing down his face, getting into his eyes with no chance of wiping them away. He was flooded with sweat. His tongue couldn't motion a single sentence as if he were a cemented statue. The pores simply accumulated like the years of derelict neglect which had led to his belly swelling and his hair receding. Hynes looked with nothing less than bitter disinterest and bitter disgust at the morbid man.\n\nTo The Dame, the force which had lifted her 'buyer', now dreadfully batted its head to face their side. Giovanni detected what could only be described as rupturing nightmares in his eyes. Eyes which, despite baggy with the burden of monstrous fatigue, were seemingly pried to stare open with a vise. . . In a mad craze Zacchaeus began weeping abhorrently and loathed:\n 'Goddamnit Giovanni kill this fucking bastard before it kills all of u- *Argh- Urgh!*'\n **C-R-U-N-C-H**\n The sound of a bone crunching produced a gruelling and agonising tune only surpassed in its terror by the woman who had caused it. It was like a crackling sensation felt on the hairs of their skin. The dark knight manifested the low dreaded nightmare which manifested in a fear that had drooled onto one's nape. Touching one's skin like a slithering snake only to surgically inject its poison into the back of the neck. The red light from her eye shone toward The Dame's eye, then toward the man resting a claymore on Diana's skin. Her blaring red gaze scolded the man, as if to say: 'You're next.' The harbinger remained fixed in its gaze whilst Zacchaeus' limp corpse hung suspended, his loose tongue having choked outside his mouth gurgling in a disgusting manner. The men at Zacchaeus' 'aide' were silent and unmoving, pretending that maybe their presence may not be acknowledged had they merely the patience to stay still. The demon then spoke again, directly to Giovanni.\n 'Now, I believe I recall you saying, *\"She holds no value to me\"*, well if that is the case, surely it is not worth your soul in exchange for her myself is it? You're a smart guy, maybe not smart enough for Zacchaeus, but he's dead. **All I have to offer is the girl, for your lives.** *They say don't make a deal with the devil, but what's to lose here?*''" }, { "author": "Quintessa G. Haniel", "message": "*Diana, sitting on her knees as her cowl was displaced from her head, was a blonde haired maiden, youthful and young. Her chin pointed to sky to expose her neck as easy to the blade, Her eyes colored auburn, now darting—almost rattling in her eye sockets looking for an opportunity—anything inconvenient enough to allow herself to go out fighting than a victim, Diana under the assumption she had been setup from the get go, was certain she would become another victim to an unseen crime. Coming to terms she should've went AWOL, instead of taking up this assignment from her guild. Now she would pay the price.*\n\n*The girl feared few things, but captivity had always been a certainty on the list. The girl remained woefully silent lowering her gaze and beginning to come to terms that there was no saving grace—no divine intervention for people like her about to be subjected to a world of trauma; In those few moments, she truly contemplated wether or not to the paint the blade with her blood and rid herself of suffering whatever these bastards had in store for her once handed over, she couldn't find a distraction long enough to put her 'unconventional' traits use, not while directly underneath a Claymore. . . So she grew still, hoping that her presence would shrink and they'd forget about her entirely and go about their days... Her ears began to ringing, almost deafening as she overwhelmed herself in her thoughts.*\n\n```Like that was going to happen.```\n\n*Heads would turn, and so would Diana at the rustling and crashing of metal hitting the ground.*\n•••\n\n*Sir Giovanni, and his men would more or less become aghast watching the grand entrance of __the Black Demon__—who would soon turn arms against her former boss. . . From the sight alone, and hearing what seemed to be a feminine voice—adorning a clad suit of ebony armor that strangled and snapped the neck of a bulkier man; It was safe to say anyone from Giovanni's side wasn't getting paid, confident, let alone stupid enough to approach the horror that stood before them— Death was an understatement. The suit of armor represented a Boogeyman, a Omen, for not even the eldest, boldest, nor keenest of grown could overcome. Such fear of being in the present of such individual. Standing in front of urban legend—a sociopath—a primordial evil. . .*\n\n**Reinstating the idea no-one dared to tread anywhere near the armored figure.**\n\n*As the Demon turned her attention away from the lifeless body of the slothful fat man, and towards the second party. Fearful murmurs could be heard, some men could be seen backpedaling just to escape the gaze of the blood hungered monster. The male Sellsword, hands visibly quivering to the point he'd eventually dropped the Claymore, leaving it to fall to the ground in-front of the Dame. The Sellsword rushed to protect his boss, despite being intimidated as well.*\n•••\n\n**Diana's ears would gradually stop ringing as she seen her Claymore fall into her reach.**\n\n*In which, she hesitantly placed a her hands on the hilt and pommel affirming that it was real. Diana seemed dazed by the stressfulness of the situation, she was anything but lucid. Unable to meet the Hynes' gaze. Not out of fear, but bewilderment by how fast things had escalated. . . She had a delay realization that the woman before her may have been suffering the same 'aliments'. But used her prowess of it in a more forceful manner. In which, she found an non-verbal connection to Hynes. A blighted hope, in what seemed like her rescue.*\n\n*Sir Giovanni, utterly petrified, stood a still as a statue. Having bare witness to the murder of his paycheck and former business partner. It was suffering he was still able to speak up. However, glad the scammer had been killed, having not learned from his lesson beforehand, he'd still be willing to throw or rather sell anyone to save his own skin. However, it would later show his lacking leadership. So regardless, what happened here his reputation was going to tank.*\n\n\"W—W—Why yes?— Take her!— She's all yours—Uh, F—F—Free of charge, I want no true—Uh, we'll be departing now. . . If that is alright?\"\n**However, he wasn't exactly good at the recalling the details of her exchange, Mishearing his part of the bargaining for his life—?**" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "Each step taken toward the demon took toward The Dame, echoed her malevolent being. Each weighted stride burdened the back of the Sellsword with dreadful regret for not only not running away, but running toward his liege as protectorate, closer to the darkness. Perhaps had they all taken the opportunity to consolidate what they had already taken and fled, the mere inconvenience of catching them weighted the pleasure of their deaths. After all, if one call kill lambs all they wish, with always more for the slaughter; what good is there in chasing a wild rabbit?\n 'You miss understand me. I seek this girl, but that alone would not be fair unless I give something in return. **I offer all of you the sanctity of eternal rest.**'\n The sound of metal hitting the ground grew tenfold as so did the cries of men howling before her as men cry. It was like the sight of a routed army, vastly out-maneuvered recognising their defeat on a map ensured their death in battle. Behind her, all of Zacchaeus' former 'bodyguards' had already turn tail and began un-loosening their horses from the tree. One woman had even decided to take a horse for herself alone, though was speared in the back by the man whom she had bedded the night prior. Desperate times of life and death always bring out the truth in n people. The demon remotely glared at Diana, a stern and scolding glare as if to say: *Get up!*, before fixing her skulled face onto Giovanni.\n '**Conversely**, I can offer another *Alternative*. Hynes said, her spear and shied still held in a non combative position, reflecting the fact that she needn't draw a blade to project her message.\n 'Sellsword. *Kill this man, and your life maybe spared*' An eerie caw followed her words from a raven, the black bird then joined by another, and another . . . The flock then floated down to Hynes' newest corpse, and began devouring the being. It began with them burrowing their beaks into its torn neck, each wetted in blood and flesh." } ]

[ { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*Peridot was walking around here in her iguana form as she returned home, she sniffed a bit around as she walked through the tall grass*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*Slowly walking through the marshlands, Jian tries and fails to keep his tail for getting filthy, muttering to himself.*\n\n\"Well, looks like I'm having a bath at some point soon...\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*The small iguana kept walking, getting impatient that she still hadn't gone out from the tall grass, she began running, but was stopped by someone's foot, making a squeaky sound as she bumped into him*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*Stopping suddenly, he looks down slowly and sees an Iquana. For a moment he just stares at it, before dropping into a crouch and leaning in, peering at her closely.*\n\n\"Well, hello there. You're... Not a normal Iquana, are you?\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*The lizard shook her head as she was a bit disoriented, she looked up finding that she had bumped into a person, she took a step back as she didn't thought she would find someone out here, not responding to the question and giving the impression that she was a normal iguana*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*Still staring, he blinks a few times.*\n\n*Reaching out slowly, he holds his hand out to her.*\n\n\"My names Jian.\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*Peridot get a bit close to his hand, sniffing it lightly before looking back at him and finally saying something* \"I'm... Peridot...\"" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"Hah! Knew it. I was really hoping there was something special about you, or I'd have looked really stupid..\"\n\n*He laughs and stands back up, pushing some of the grass out of her way.*\n\n'\"So what are you doing all the way out here Peridot?\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She wagged her tail as she saw he pushed the grass out of her way and began walking* \"I'm walking back home, I got really far away while exploring, what about you?\" *She looked at him as she walked around*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*He simply shrugs, walking ahead of her and parting the grass, at times even walking backwards to watch her, keeping a steady pace.*\n\n\"I'm just wandering around really. Not any particular destination in mind. You like to explore too huh?\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She nodded her head* \"Yeah, exploring is fun, I really like it! But I might have exaggerated this time\" *She laugh a bit at this, she wished she hadn't gotten soo far away from where she lives*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"Well, I cam escort you home if you'd like, make sure you don't go wandering off again.\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She nodded her head* \"That would be really helpful\"" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*He nods and looks around, scratchinc his head and sighing to himself.*\n\n\"Right well... I have no idea where we're going so. If you'd like, I can carry you and you lead the way, or I can follow you on the ground. \"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "\"Well, I live all the way in the Salvain empire, we'll travel for a while today if you really want to come with me\" \n\n*She was still struggling a bit with the tall grass, she wasn't made for traveling through this kind of environment, she started thinking of alternatives*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*Looking at her and stiffling a chuckle, he reaches down and scoops her up, putting her on his head.*\n\n\"Right. Which way is it from here?\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She just hold onto his hand as he picked her up and then stayed on his head, being careful not to hurt him with her claws*\n\n\"It's... Southeast from her... Thanks for the higher ground\" *She wagged her tail*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"No problem. You'll have to tell me what the world is like from up there.\"\n\n*Turning to the Southeast, Jian begins a leisurely jog in that direction.*" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "\"It's weird to be on someone's head, I don't usually get carried around\" *She looked around at the marshlands as he was running*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"Well, I don't usually come across magical talking Iguanas, so. Looks like today is full of new things.\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She giggled a bit at his comment* \"New things are good, I like learning new things, makes me feel smart\"" } ]

[ { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"Well then hey! If you never stop learning new things, you'll never stop being smart!\"\n\n*He reaches up and gently pats her on the head.*\n\n\"And besides. You're able to talk so, that automatically makes you smarter then... Well, probably every other Iquana? Maybe other can talk? I've got no idea really.\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*She nuzzled her head against his hand as he pat her, wagging her tail*\n\n\"I don't think they can, my Master was the one who gave me the ability to talk and use magic...\"\n\n*While he kept on walking he thought of a way that she could repay him for traveling with her*\n\n\"Do you want me to show you around Salvainia? Take it as my thank you for taking me back home\"" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "\"Sure! I'd love to be shown around, haven't seen much of this place so.. Thanks!\"" }, { "author": "iguanaqueen", "message": "*When they finally reached their destination, they stubbled upon the , Peridot wasn't much of going to bars or taverns but she had heard some people talking about all the fun you have in one so, she suggested they got in*" }, { "author": "themightywolfu", "message": "*Shrugging, Jian enters the bar with Peridot still perched on his head.*\n\n\"Sure.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Sophie-Bellinger", "message": "A sloshing of the mud disturbed the rather calm atmosphere of the marshland. Far away, a rather tall figure made her way through the mud, raising her foot high with every step to free it from the mud. The figure had two distinct horns on their heads, although they didn't look like an Oni. Standing around 7 feet tall, and with no visible weapons, the Minotaur was simply... Walking through the marshland. She was in a long robe that was armored in important places." }, { "author": "Neia", "message": "*Neia continued walking through the mud, before getting to a relatively dry area, letting out a sigh as she drops the bottoms of her robe, sitting down against a tree with her feet in front of her, sticking out of her robes to not spread mud on them. She floats her book over, taking her shoes off it and setting them aside, and opens the book, and beginning to read. The book is titled \"Collected works of Iskenderun: Sigils and you!\" And is filled with dense writing and drawings of odd sigils and runes.*" }, { "author": "Sophie-Bellinger", "message": "It would be a terrible idea to let her robes drop, so Sophie keeps ahold of them, holding them above the mud in an effort to have less cleaning to do later. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots a creature of some sorts. A macen, maybe? It was great to meet people on the road, they tended to have special stories with them. Her curiosity piquing, Sophie approaches the young girl, a smile on her face. Many considered her a bit big, but that didn't get in her way of making new friends. \"Hello there!\"" }, { "author": "Neia", "message": "*Neia looks up from her book, seeming a little startled.* \"Oh— Um, hi... Can I... Help you with something?\" *Her book lies down onto her lap, still open to the page she was so intently reading. One page seems to just have a single, large drawing of an intricate magic circle, with the other having what appears to be some sort of instructions.*" }, { "author": "Sophie-Bellinger", "message": "The Minotaur's voice was clear yet loud, and was quite easy to hear. \"I was just saying hello! Is that a magic circle on your book?\" The Minotaur was pretty curious about a lot of things, especially magic. She seemed to have thrown away her aptitude for it and traded it for her inhuman strength and hardiness." }, { "author": "Neia", "message": "*She looks down to her book, picking it back up, as if hiding it.* \"Um, yeah... Why?\" *She doesn't seem the most confident, nor the best with conversation. She seems a little bit uneasy, as if somewhat intimidated by the minotaur's might.*" }, { "author": "Sophie-Bellinger", "message": "\"It just interests me! Magic is something I simply can't do(because all of my mana pool went into the strong perk).\" Smiling, the Minotaur tilts her head as the girl takes away the book. \"What is the book on? Sorry if I'm acting a bit too close, I just like to talk to people.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Once Zed would reach the intersection between the two Rivers, he would have to walk around to find exactly where the letter meant. However after some time he would see a small hooded frame sitting on a tree branch. Their legs would be swinging back and forth as they hummed a happy tune. If he got a look at their face he would be able to see that it was fully masked so it wouldn't give him any information. In terms of size, the assumed girl would look no older than a teenager.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Zed noticed the small figure on the branch, and seeing as they were the only person there, walked up to the figure. Once he got close, he quietly asked* \"Are you a member of the Rose?\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Hm-hmhm-hm-hmmmm~\" *She continued to hum, now looking in his direction now, she would cock her head to the side as if she didn't understand what he meant, though after a while she would start giggling.* \"You must be the dead man walking~\" *Her voice would also sound childish. She would hop off the branch and approach him.* \"Do you like riddles, Mister? If you get it right, I'll give you the antidote~\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Depends on the riddle. I have no time for foolishness. If it is a challenge, however...\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"No time? I beleive you have all the time! After all your life is now in my hands~\" *She would giggle for a moment before straightening up and clearing her throat.* \"This one is easy. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?~\" *She would then look up at him and await his response. I recommend not cheating and seeing if you can solve it yourself, if not just say so IC since it doesn't actually affect anything.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Zed tilted his head to the side, thinking for a few seconds* \"Is it time? Most riddle answers are abstract\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"You took and left many before you came here~ It's footsteps!~\" *She would giggle while pointing at the ground behind him.* \"Well mister, you weren't scouted for your brains so don't worry! One more easy one for entertainment. What belongs to you, but other people use more than you?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I know that one. It's your name\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*She would clap excitedly.* \"I knew you could do it, mister!\" *She would rummage through the seemingly small pouch around her waist, pulling out a tiny vial from it. She would hand it to him.* \"I believe I owe you this! You should drink it immediately because I wouldn't want your death to be on -my- hands.~\" *She would giggle yet again.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Zed took the small vial, pulled the cork using his long teeth, and drank the vial* \"Now, down to business. What is the rose?\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Right... Right...\" *She would scratch her chin as if in deep thought.* \"Damn... I'm sure I'm forgetting to tell you someth- Oh! Right! I forgot to tell you that the vial has side effects. In about thir- no, it's twenty now. In about twenty seconds you will fall asleep. Carefull you don't hit your head on the way down!\" *She would giggle yet again and wave her hand around in the air, the last thing Zed would see before passing out would be two more hooded and masked figures.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Zed drew his serrated blade and claws before he passed out, but eventually fell to the effects of the potion*" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Right, I caught a nice one, big and health\" *He said quite proud of the deer on his shoulders* \"Hopefully it'll fetch quite a sum...\"\n*He looked towards the view in front of him* \"I would get pretty sick of not having meat quite quickly now that I think of it\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Nice game you've caught there, hunter..\" \nA deep voice resonated behind Kibaru, almost eerily calm.\n\n Had the hunter turned around he would see a dark-furred canine beastkin, a single crimson eye gazing at him. He was covered in a ragged cloak across his body, obscuring all the intricate details underneath. While his clothing stood out as no more than a peasant, his posture emanated with an underlying threat, as if the man had gone through a lot, and was more dangerous than he seemed. \n\n\"Care to share some with a starved brother?\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He would turn around his would ears twitching. Behind him his four fluffy tails swayed slightly more as the stranger asked for some food* \"Certainly, though depending on how I'm feeling, it might even be free\"\n\n*His clothing was a tattered, but it was clean none the less. His blue jacket had a shine to the deep blue with the purple markings clearly standing out. His pants was torn just under his knees and his feet was wrapped in white cloth. His mask wasn't on as he wasn't quite expecting to run into anyone, but it seemed like he didn't even noticed*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"And what would convince you to share that venison for free?\" The dark beast inquired, his own ears flicking underneath his hood. Facial features were dimming under the evening sun, toning his glimmering eyes... And horns? A paired of sharp, sanguine horns that no canifor would normally have laid on top of his head, much more similar to an oni's. He had no mask to hide behind, or anything besides his tattered cloak. No less wary of stranger that he'd been drawn to at the prospect of a free meal, he still maintained a confident posture, light smirking shaping on the edge of his lip." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He smiled at his question* \"Quite simple, not a bad of a deal if I might say so\"\n\n*He would look around and sniff some in the air and get a better sense of his surroundings*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "An odd metallic scent was coming from the beastkin's direction, being able to only catch a distinct hint of it through all the humidity across these plains. He seemed to raise a brow at the sniff, subtly following suit before continuing.\n\"Go on.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well, I am quite hungry myself, so if you could find me some herbs for cooking I'll be willing to cook us both something up to eat\" *He said now looking for a place to cook the meal*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"I can do that. I am not familiar with these plains, but they should have a few familiar herbs and spices for cooking meat.\" He affirmed, certain of his own ability to track down what he needed." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru simply tasked him to find some herbs because he didn't know which to choose right now, he wanted to try something a bit more random and this was his chance* \"Very well\"\n\n*He then saw a patch that would be good enough to make a fire and wasn't to close to any plantations*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "Well, he had a part to play in that, and not one that would be particularly difficult. Being a carnivore himself, he was no stranger to the scent of specific herbs and spices used with meat, a scent he would use to track them down in the plains. It might have taken him less than half an hour to find several branches of each carefully severing them before he'd bring them back where he'd last seen Kibaru.\n\n\"Those will do for now. For what it's worth, at least they're fresh.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He would have already started a small fire and gather some wood* \"Thank you, that should work nicely\" *He then hold his hand out to greet the stranger as he had just realized he hasn't introduced himself* \"Name's Kibaru\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"You may call me Jackal.\" He returned, reaching out one arm for the handshake. Only now would he be able to see that his had was clad in some sort of armor, blackened steel of a sinister shape coiled around it. He wouldn't take the chance to say his real name to a stranger he'd just met, especially in Silnaria where he was likely to have a bounty on his head already, considering previous... Events." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*The same case would have applied with Kibaru as he usually goes by Okami to strangers, but he was to deep in though.*\n\n\"Strange name, but nice to meet you\" *He observed the armor for a bit* \"Prefer to to battle or is it just for protection?\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Likewise... I use it for battle when I must, though it serves as a grim reminder more than anything else.\" The dark beast muttered as he sat by the campfire, distracting himself by grinding and spreading herbs on the venison. The truth about his armor had been far too convoluted to discuss with a stranger, but that is the least he could offer for sharing a meal with him." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well I prefer to do battle without armor, it kind of feels slow. Not my cup of coffee exactly\" *He said as he moved around, picking up twigs and other nearby wood*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Armor has its uses, it's kept me alive for that long, for what it's worth. Though I don't wear enough of it that it would impair my movement.\" Meanwhile, he kept on helping out with preparations, grinding the herbs into dust and flaying the venison with precision using a short blade from his cloak." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well... I have been thinking of maybe getting some armor for my feet and arms\" *He then came and threw more wood on the fire* \"So, how do you want it cook Jackal?\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"I've always had issues with footwear... Though at least that way I remain quick and silent on my feet.\" The beastkin chuckled at the question, flying the remaining pelt away to make sure the food could be cooked properly. \"I'm likely not the best advisor for that. I could eat it raw for all I care, but mild crispyness would be appreciated.\" Using a few branches and a small rope he had, he pierced the venison with a metal rod before placing it above the campfire with several calculated movements. Any mercenary who had to survive nights in the wild would have to learn basic cooking skills, and he was no exception." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I see you at least know the basics. Let me guess, cold hard nights alone?\" *He asked as that was basically how he learned to cook to, but he had a wilder aprouch to cooking at times. He would then sit in front of the fire taking a deep breath in of the meat* \"Mmm, not bad\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Too many.\" He sighed, raising a brow before going back to setting up the meat. Fresh blood dripped from the freshy-flayed venison, causing the campfire to sizzle with every small drop. Yet the pleasant scent of cooked meat and spice would soon permeate the air around the two. \"This part never gets old at least.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Indeed\" *Kibaru said as his tails wagged slightly, but he made sure not to kick up dust and his tails were brushed often for there not to be any loose hairs flying of* \"Now you have me trapped\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Heh. You trapped yourself on that, if anything.\" The dark beast chuckled, weaving the meat around to make sure every side would be well cooked and crisped, all the while teasing both of them with its overwhelming smell." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Yeah, I kinda did, didn't I\" *He said a bit proud at his catch* \"I can't wait to get eating\" *He said as his stomach supported his notion with a growl*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Soon enough.\" Jackal retorted, weaving the now roasted meat for a few final touches. Taking a small cut out of it, he had a small taste, making sure it was well done. He pulled back his hood to reveal the brisk features beneath." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru whimpered a bit as he had a tasted and he dreuled a bit. He was waiting, keeping himself in to not just grab it and stuff himself*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Seems ready, dig in.\" He finally stated, cutting it in several parts to the point either could grab a piece easily to enjoy. Spiced venison, can't go wrong with that." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru happily to some and began to stuff his mouth with his tails wagging faster* \"Mmm, thanks man, this is quite different from what I'm use to\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Hmm, not my finest work, but still better than making with night on an empty stomach.\" He commented, his finesse in table manners lacking significantly in comparison to his cooking skills. \"So what is an okami doing in the middle of elven territory?\" The beastkin finally asked, his tone turning more serious" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well I...\" *He went silent not knowing whether or not he should tell* \n\"Well, to begin with, I am a hunter and merchant, so I catch and sell\" *He wasn't lying, but that wasn't the main reason*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"I see...\" He muttered, seemingly unconvinced. \"I do some hunting of my own, though not exactly the same kind as yours.\" The dark beast savored few more bites out of the roasted meat. \"I don't plan to stay here long. The elves aren't particularly known for their hospitality, especially when it comes to my kind. I suppose I should be thankful I ran into you instead.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Same\" *He said in a sigh of relieve. He has had countless of misunderstood encounter himself, many of which he would have been happy to fight out of if he was a bit more stupid and didn't care about having a bigger bounty*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "The dark beast finished the rest of his meat share quiteetly In a few bites, razor sharp canines effortlessly chewing through meat and bone alike. \"Don't reckon you happen to know any place to spend the night around here, do you? Well, without having to deal with scornful elves, that is.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Mmmm, maybe, but I don't think the misses would like unannounced guests\" *He said talking to himself, but he was talking out loud without noticing it again. He would then think of nearby inns he had no trouble crashing in*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"I can make do with making the night out in the woods, wouldn't be the first time either.\" Jackal exhaled, crossing his legs. \"Can't say I'm fond of this humidity compared to a real bed though.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well I'd much rather sleep outside then deal with any inn with their discussing odors... Pretty sure there is an inn that way that you could call it a night\" *He said pointing in a direction*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"I shall keep that in mind. Perhaps the night hold more surprises for me yet before it's over.\" He stood up, fixing the position of his cloak. Subtle glimmers of crimson metal flickered beneath it as he rose, before giving Kibaru a light bow. \"Thank you for the meal, it's been most pleasant.\"" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well it has been a pleasure, A pleasure indeed. If we meet again, I'll share some of my made food with you\" *He said smiling at the stranger* \"And maybe cross swords while we're at it\"" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"That is definitely something I can look forward to.\" The dark beast waved, putting his hood back on. \"Until then, shadow hide you.\" He ended with an odd farewell said among rogues all over the land. As to what fate held in store for either of them, it remained unseen." }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"And may the god of hunt bless your game\" *He replied with his own farewell as he watched the man slowly fade away. He would then get his stuff ready and clean up campfire and anything else*" } ]

[ { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "An armored figure could be seen traveling rather quickly through the plains. The bright light of the fully risen sun would reflect off them making then quite noticable to anything nearby. A gust of wind threw back their white cape which went about halfway down the back of their legs. Matching the cape was a piece of cloth that came out the back of their helmet and dont to their neck. It gave then a royal look to them.\n\nThe wind revealed a rather expensive kite shield which stayed strapped on their back. On his left thigh was an arming sword which rested in its sheath. Both the sheathe and shield were connected to his body via his sword belt. The knights face was unable to be seen from behind his helmet. The only skin seen was the pale caucasian fingers that extended out of the fingerless gloves they wore. \n\nTheir fingers were rough but surprisingly clean. Seems they hadn't done any dirty work for awhile. In their rough hands of the knight was a lute. One of which they casually tuned and tested via playing small melodies for themself or anyone who were in earshot." }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Not too far away, the muffled sounds of hooves could be heard as a horse trotted through the open field that made up the plains they were in. \nAtop its saddle sat a rather tall figure who seemed to be in no rush to get to where he was heading towards. The man kept his hands at the reigns of the horse, most of his body covered by a red cloak that seemed all the more brighter with the sun that shined overhead. Whatever weapons he carried with him, if any, seemed to have been concealed by it, however, that wasn't the most absurd thing of this person. \n\n\nCovering his face was a mask, a mask that seemed to match the appearance of hog or a pig as some would call it. A large pinkish snout accompanied by tusks made up the front of his face which seemed to trail back, meeting the dark locks of pink hair that took up the back of his head. Pale white eye holes took up the portion of the mask that allowed him to see through, though how well he could was hard to tell from the outside. The only thing that remained uncovered was his mouth that seemed to be the only thing able to give off any traces of facial expressions coming from him, though of course this didn't phase the man whatsoever.\n\n Terrel lifted his head to be met with the soft breeze that passed over, taking in his surroundings as he caught sight of the armored figure traveling by rather quickly as if moving in urgency. He opened his mouth, speaking loud enough to be heard over the wind:*\n\n\"Hey, what's the rush?\" *Whether or not it was his business of where this knight was going or why they seemed to be moving with haste, Terrel didn't seem to care much as he allowed his horse to continue trotting at its own pace.*" }, { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "The knight would be able to hear the horse from 10x further away that he should've. This caused him to merely slowdown slightly and nothing else. As the masked man made his way to Knight and asked his question, the knight would glance over to the man for a moment before looking forward once again. \n\n\"There's no fun to be had out her alone. I was merely attempting to find someone a bit faster. Seems I was going in the wrong direction, though.\"\n\nThe voice which came from the knight made their gender initially unidentifiable. It had the deepness of a man's but was somewhat soft like a womans. With the context clues of the voice and rough hands though, it was a safe guess that this was a man. The knight now took another glance. This time to the horse. He wondered if he should consider getting one though after quick and silent judgment, decided that he was fast enough on his own to the point that a horse would be useless. Plus, another mouth to feed would get expensive. \n\n\"I'm not going as fast as you make think, though. My above average speed just translates to my walking speed so I'm a bit faster than others.\"\n\nHe slowed/quickened(depending how fast its pace was) to the horses pace. Wanting to continue the interaction atleast until they got somewhere I bit more crowded so that he may talk to others.\n\n\"What about you? Anywhere specific that you may be traveling?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel raised a hidden eyebrow at the knight as he studied him in thought. He watched as he adjusted his pacing to match Terrel's horse before Terrel eventually decided to release his hold on the horse's reigns and relax his arms a bit while his horse continued at its slow trot without much recognition of it.*\n\n\"So you were looking for fun then?\" *He asked in his normal monotone voice, staring out to the open plains ahead of them with a neutral look on his face or rather mouth, seeing as that was all that could be seen from him.* \"Maybe you should have brought a traveling companion out here with you to talk to.\"\n\n*It wasn't a suggestion so much as a point to the obvious, Terrel had gone on for a long while without talking to someone as well, however, he was used to the silence save for the trotting of the horse that carried him onwards. Terrel looked back towards him, his gaze transfixed, mostly with the inalterable stare of the blank faced pig mask he wore. At the knight's question, he answered simply:*\n\n\"Not really, just trying to find the nearest town with somewhere to sleep that's not outside again...\" \n\n*Terrel wasn't sure how much longer it would be until he reached said town, though with what he said it was obvious that he had spent way too much time sleeping outdoors and sought someplace that carried less of the wilderness with it.*" }, { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "\"Unfortunately, there are certain reasons I cannot have one as of yet. When you have secrets to hold, your trust on the newly met grows thin.\"\n\nThe knight had used the lute to keep him company when he was on his own. It was not often that he traveled like this though. He normally stayed in an area for about a week or two before moving on in search of those sho need help. Each time he traveled though, he'd often ask if he should head to Lymia. Each time the question was dismissed. \n\nHe listened as Terrel spoke of trying to find somewhere new. As the knight had been living as he did for more than a decade, he knew the general way to most areas. It made him curious though, there were often ones who were younger than him with atleast basic knowledge. He first took Terrel for a possible thief though he'd be quite a unproductive one without knowledge of where people often traveled. \n\n\"I see. If you'd like, I could point you towards the capital.. Uh... What's your name?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Don't have an old companion to keep you company?\" *He questioned at his reasoning. Terrel turned his head to face forwards once more, letting out a quiet sigh at the breeze that blew by while he wondered if this knight usually roamed this area alone for their own sake rather than having much of a purpose to otherwise. Hearing his offer to show him the closest capital, a smile had formed on Terrel's face. Whether or not it was a genuine one was hard to tell at the neutrality of the mask.*\n\n\"That would make my life a lot easier...\" *He responded before eventually answering the knight's question.* \"I'm Terrel...\"\n\n*The Elf would allow some silence to follow before eventually continuing:*\n\n\"I supposed you should introduce yourself too before you show me anything, after all it can be hard to trust the 'newly met.'\"\n\n*His voice remained monotoned to where it could have sounded like a jab at what the knight had said earlier, but there was definitely a hint of jest in his tone.*" } ]

[ { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "Usually laughing at someones introduction would be seen as rude and offensive to most. However, Terrel along with anyone else who crosses paths with this knight will realize that he is not like most. One of the positive aspects of him being diffrent is the fact that he wishes to make others happy. If mery saying his name made someone laugh with joy, he'd repeat his name for days on end. The face behind the helmet was smiling. Not that anyone would know due to it being hidden. \n\nRexford noticed Terrels subtle intrest in the lute. He would've attempted to make that into a conversation though Terrel would remind him of the Capitol. Rexford would point towards Ulnoor. OOC I dont know what direction that is but for the sake of this rp, let's say its directly down the path they're traveling so straight ahead. \n\n\"Continue down this road and take the widest road if you are faced with the option of turning. Using this ideology, you'll find yourself at the gates of Ulnoor. I don't know the exact reason but the roads that lead to cities are usually wider so I just follow them. I know that this path is the way to go for sure as I say in that capitol the most.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*A light tap to Terrel's horse, signified for him to pick up the pace a little. He knew Rex would be able to keep up with the increased speed, allowing him the chance to get to their destination faster while also keeping conversation. After a few seconds of silence passing, he eventually turned to look back to the knight.*\n\n\"Is Ulnoor where you're from?\" *He questioned after giving his horse a light stroke down its neck.* \"You don't seem to be like any other traveler I've come across.\" \n\n*He inclined his head slightly at Rex's gear that seemed to suggest he did more than simply walk from town to town. Terrel could picture Rex working at the Capitol, doing tasks that would entail the Knight to be prepared when walking between civilizations to which Terrel could have found admirable. The lute on the other hand was a throw off as he couldn't see many knights going about being equipped with one. Perhaps it was Rex's own thing. None can deny him of the instrument, at least not out here.*" }, { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "Rexford would indeed keep up with ease. During the seconds of silence, it could be noticed that Rexfords armor was surprisingly quiet. It wasn't silent, not yet, but it was about 50% quieter. As Terrel asked the question he had heard time and time again, Rexford answered the same. \n\n\"I am not.\"\n\nNow that Terrel was possibly looking for clues for where he may be from, he'd realize that Rexford had a quite noticable Irish-esque accent. This accent puts out the possibility that he may be from Lymia if Terrel connected the dots.\n\n\"I do stay in Uldoor the longest out of the other capitals, though. There's many types of people and much to do. If I am given the possibility, I plan to settle down there when I grow old.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel gazed at Rex for a while as if taking in all that he was saying with careful consideration. If he was trying to make connections it was hard to tell with the neutral look the mask gave off and his mouth not being much help to show expression. Eventually, he speaks once more.*\n\n\"Ulnoor must be a great place if it's somewhere you prefer settling that isn't home.\" *The words seem to have some thought put into it, though with his monotone voice it could be mistaken for sarcasm.* \"I can't say I'm from anywhere around here though...\" \n\n*He fell silent temporarily before a question popped into mind as he looked at the knight.*\n\n\"What is it that you do now anyways...? You seem to be dressed for battle... War even...\" *He said with a grin to end off his words. Terrel had to admit, it wouldn't be the strangest to find a traveler over prepared, though he'd expect most to only have such gear if they were planning on fighting something, more so on purpose rather than a chance encounter.*" }, { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "\"My home...\"\n\nHe answered Terrels comment simply. The thought of home. The thought of why he was here. What he had done. Or atleast, what he thought he had done. It almost became suffocating for the moment. \n\nThe silence hadn't helped. He had attempted to quiet his breathing as it was starting to fasten. He figured to just hold his breathe. Though with the lack oxygen he was currently experiencing, he couldn't keep pace. The only visual hints of this would merely be Rexford growing eerily silent and beginning to fall behind. \n\nAs Terrel asked a question though, a wave of relief washed over as he suddenly gasped for air. He tried to speak immediately after. Hopefully keeping Terrel from questioning the sudden loss in character. \n\n\"Ahh.. The armor. I am simply comfortable in it. It protects me so that I may protect others..\"\n\nWhile his word pacing was quick, his message was clear. If only Terrel knew how under exaggerated his comment about it protecting him was." }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel raised an invisible eyebrow in question as he listened to the knight. Part of him debated on whether or not Rex's answer were true while the other part took notice in his quick response.\n\nDeciding to press more, he says:*\n\n\"Protecting you so you can protect others, huh?\" *Terrel gazed back at him, seeing him fall a bit behind.* \"Might have to get new set then, it looks like this armor might be suffocating you.\"\n\n*There was that grin again or rather a smirk now as he watched Rex recuperate himself. There was something off with his response, thought Terrel couldn't quite tell what. Maybe it was the sudden loss of breath or the reverent way he mentioned home.*\n\n\"What is there to protect out here anyhow?\" *He suddenly asked.*" } ]

[ { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "\"If it was Rescue that you needed. I would. I would do the same for anyone that comes to me for aid. Regardless who they are.\"\n\nRexford almost immediately responded. His tone left no room for doubt. Not helping him or anyone for that matter would both be hypocritical and go against Rexfords morals. Obviously though, this way of seeing things could come back to bite him. It hasn't though. Not yet, atleast." }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel raised a hidden eyebrow at their way of going about things. Anyone coming to their aid? Well that could very well be someone looking to escape what they rightfully deserved. Though Terrel cared little of it, he did get a small chuckle out of Rex's forwarded statement. Maybe Terrel could use someone like Rex one day to reach what he sought after, but for now, he'll take the time to humor the overly helpful knight.*\n\n\"You must have saved so many people then.\" *He said, looking on ahead.* \"Much more than what I can say.\"" }, { "author": "sleepinyx", "message": "\"Mhm\"\n\nRexford responded as he faced forward aswell. While this was a good subject and all, it felt a bit tense. Rexford chose to perhaps change the subject aswell as the attention off to Terrel. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. \n\n\"Earlier you said you weren't from anywhere around here. What do you mean by that? This area specifically or somewhere farther?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*The sun was starting to set on the 5th day of their travel, as they found themselves in a large open plain. Jezanne slowed her horse to a slow trot, turning to look at Cecilia* \"It's getting dark, he should set up camp. Also are you doing ok? You probably aren't used to this heat huh?\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Wooaahhh~ Look at this place!~\"\n*Cecilia cooed in awe as they finally reached new pastures, the rolling Silnarian plains a rough tint of yellow-green as the climate chilled further north. The cleric trotted over to a patch of grass, letting her rouncey graze a little.*\n\"Isn't it pretty, Jezanne?\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Yeah, it is\" *She dismounted from her horse.* \"Well here's not a bad spot for camp. You mind setting up the fire? I'll do the tent\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "*OK!~ I know how to do that!\"\n*She chirped happily, running off to gather firewood and kindling, hitching her horse to a tree nearby and summoning her staff to make the task easier.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She smiled, Hitchcock Ng her horse up to the Same tree, before pulling the tent bag off of its saddle*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Need help with the tent?\"\n*She asked as she finished setting up their campfire, covering it all with a rough linen sheet - making sure to hold it down with some nearby rocks, as to stop a passing breeze carrying away all her hard work.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"No, I'm just about done. So, what do you wanna have for dinner? Saw a few rabbits about, could try and shoot a few\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"I've never used a bow...\"\n*She confessed with a bashful giggle, grabbing handfuls of her skirt idly.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Really? Huh. Well, I mean, if you'd like me to teach you, I'd be up for that. But I'll go get us something that isn't just dried meat and nuts\" *She said chuckling*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Yeah!~ Maybe another time, though - the sun's coming down soon.\"\n*She chirruped, returning to the fireplace to finish lighting it.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Ok then. Well, I'll be back in maybe ten minutes\" *She said, walking off as she drew her bow* \"I'll be sure to get back before the sun sets\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"See ya soon!~\"\n*She called with a wave, returning to her bundle of sticks and kindling with a renewed determination.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*About a quarter of an hour later, just as the sun had started to dip below the horizon, Jezanne returned, with a full looking game bag* \"Hey, I'm back.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Welcome back!~ Ohh, you've done well!~\"\n*She gasped at the sight, hopping on the spot excitedly as she prodded the roaring flames.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Yeah. 4 rabbits, a bundle of herbs and some strawberries from a bush I found. Should make a good meal.\" *She sat down on a rock near the fire and pulled one of the rabbits out, beginning to gut it* \"You wanna prepare the other stuff while I do the meat?\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"I can do that! I'll make some garnish and fix up dessert~\"\n*She agreed with a salute, picking up the herbs and strawberries and bringing them over to another flat rock, beginning to prepare them with her knife.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"So Cecilia, why'd you decide to travel with me? It seems a little strange to just start adventuring with a random person\" *She asked, beginning to skin the rabbit*" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"My mama told me that the only surefire way to make friends is to talk to people, whatever the consequences might be - said I was strong enough to get out of trouble if there was any now~\"\n*She replied, poking at the flames with a stick as she lay down her staff, beaming at her.*\n\"Also, you looked real interesting - I haven't seen many of your kind before, so I thought I'd say hello!\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"That's fair enough. So what, there aren't many reptilian in mentia?\" *She began to skewer the rabbit and stick it into the ground, close enough for it to cook*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"There's not much of anyone else in Mentia. Elves, canifor, no others - only Macen.\"\n*She replied, her tone stilted as she thought on her childhood - realising how sheltered she was.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Huh. Well, I'm happy that you came up and talked to me\" *She smiled, picking another rabbit out of the bag and began to gut it*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"I'm happy I talked to you too!~ You turned out to be super nice~\"\n*She chirped back, humming the song she sang in the inn quietly as she continued to prepare the herbs.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She again smiled, skinning the rabbit* \"So, is there anything you wanna know about me?\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Hmmm...\"\n*She thought a moment, remembering the last time she asked about her, a little embarrassed that the last one was quite shallow.*\n\"From where do you hail?\"\n*She asked with a cock of her head, beaming as she sat down cross-legged.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"A small village in the west. In the anosh Federation.\" *She replied simply*" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Ohh~ What was the Federation like? I've only seen it on maps~\"\n*She continued with a lilt in her voice, the anxious undertone reflecting her hope that she wasn't crossing a line again.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"I'm not really sure. I never went very far from the village. Eventually, I left, but I just left the country and went to other places\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Oh, I see~ Did you ever wanna go back, to see what it was like?\"\n*She cocked her head as she asked, her voice lowering as the silence of twilight descended on them.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She goes silent for a second* \"No. Not really...\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Sorry Jezanne... Didn't mean to poke ya'...\"\n*She apologised meekly, shrinking into herself a little as she shrugged, shuffling closer to the blaze, giving it a prod with a stick to keep it alight.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"It's fine. Any questions that don't have to do with where I come from?\" *She asked, weakly smiling*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Hmm...\"\n*She thought on this, tapping her cheek with the non-ashen end of the stick, thinking of a question eventually.*\n\"Oh, what's your favourite legend? Mine's the one about the merman and the fisherwoman~\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Hmmmm... Well, I can't really say I've heard many...\"\n\n\"But... I really liked the one about the dragon kin. My father told me about that one\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"I don't think I've heard that one~\"\n*She cooed, leaning closer in fascination - realising that each nation would most likely have their own set of myths.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"It's... About this woman that one of my ancestors met decades ago. She looked like a reptilian, but was said to be able to breathe fire and fly with large, scaled wings. She said she was from a different world than ours.\" *She explained, taking the rabbit and pulling chunks of meat Out of it, chucking them into her mouth*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Woaaah~ Cool!~\"\n*Cecilia gasped, bouncing on her seat a little in excitement. She thought on the stories told about dragons in her home - all terrible beasts, breathing fire and destroying towns, stealing gold and jewels to amass; eventually slain by a hero in shining armour. As an obvious course, reptilian tales would tell the opposite, it seemed.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She smiled* \"The dragon kin was said to be able to endure hours worth of combat. The one my ancestors met saved them from getting slaughtered by invaders or bandits... Dammit... I've forgotten what comes next...\" *She said, cursing under her breath and tapping her chin*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Do you think they would've worshipped them? A lot of our stories are like that, not as a god but as a hero~\"\n*She suggested spiritedly, beaming at the image in her head as she took one of the prepared rabbits and began seasoning it with the herbs, then cooking it over the flame.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Well, probably. I do remember my dad once telling me that I was named after that dragon kin.\" *She said shrugging, before finishing the rabbit* \"You want this one?\" *She held up the other cooked rabbit*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Ohh, ok~ That's pretty cool~ Oh- Yeah, sure, you have this one~\"\n*She chirped and nodded in return, offering her the seasoned bird as a trade.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She nodded and took the bird, giving her the rabbit* \"Anyways, you got any interesting stories or legends?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Hmm... I know one about a Prince locked in ice and a knight~\"\n*She replied, balling her fists as she grumbled in concentration, trying to remember the story in totality.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Sounds intriguing\" *She began to take bites out of the bird, moving a little closer to the fire. The cold night air seemed to be getting to her.*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Mm, I think it started with the prince having an affair with one of the kingdom's knights, then the knight was banished for his actions. In protest, the prince left as well, but got captured by a sorceress and frozen in ice...\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Huh. That is interesting...\" *She finished taking the meat of off the bird, putting it in a waste bag and standing up* \"I think I'm gonna turn in for the night. It's getting colder.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "*The young girl stays by the fire a while longer, her usually cheerful expression now fading into a forlorn, thoughtful one - mimicking her centaur master, in both expression and thoughts. Eventually, she finished whatever this was, hopping to her feet with the help of her staff, pulling out some mint from her bag to clean her teeth with, dressing down into her own preferred clothes, and joining Jezanne in the tent - shuffling under her blanket and facing her with a small, contented smile, before joining her in sleep as well.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*Several hours later, an hour or two before sunrise, Cecilia is woken up by a loud scream, coming from Jezanne, who's now sitting straight up looking scared, as she takes quick, deep breaths. She seemingly just had a night terror*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "*Cecilia quickly sat up, eyes wide as she summoned her staff with a snap of magic, only to relax and regard Jezanne as warmly as she could in her own panicked state.*\n\"E-Everything OK, Jezanne??\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"I... B-bad dream...\" *She stuttered, seemingly calming down* \"Sorry...\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"It's OK~... You can't help it - it's morning soon anyway, so no harm done~\"\n*She replied softly, planting a reassuring pat on her shoulder before lying back down, her eyes still on her as she beamed warmly.*\n\"You wanna try and get a wink or two more? Or shall we get up?\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"You go to bed... I... I'll just go for a walk or something...\" *She put a coat on over her undershirt, and crawled out of the tent. I'm just gonna go take my mind of things...\"" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Ok... Stay safe~\"\n*She chirped lightly, bringing her blanket up to her nose and nodding to her.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*Half an hour later, jezanne returns, seeming a lot more cheerful, yet she still looks tired, with large bags under her eyes.*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "*Satisfied with the amount of sleep she'd gotten, Cecilia had made to get up already; dressed for the day and rolling up her blankets - turning to Jezanne and grinning happily.*\n\"You seem in a better mood, at least~\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"Yeah... I tend to be after a walk. You sleep well?\" *She asked, walking over and beginning to take down the tent*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"I slept OK, yeah~\"\n*She nodded back, snuffing out the fire and rolling away the various logs they had used for seating.*\n\"Where are we going today?\"" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "\"No idea. You just wanna follow the road some more? We might find a town\" *She suggested, loading the tent bag onto her horse*" }, { "author": "Cecilia Wrestcleaf", "message": "\"Sure!~ Sounds like fun!\"\n*She chirped enthusiastically, placing her bed roll on the back of her steed and hopping on.*" }, { "author": "d0cahkiin", "message": "*She again smiled and mounted Hers, before going into a trot.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*The sound of clanking armor echoed throughout the cave, quite a bold move to keep his armor considering what he was planning. Dismas roamed in the cave, lantern in one hand, the light shinning on the mossy stone and dirty paw prints painted upon the stone and gravel, and a glimmering long chain in the other. A beast roamed at the end of the cave, he had been tracking it for a while now, yet he had no intentions of harming the creature, he had another plan, a plan he hoped to the high heavens would work.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "Before Dismas lay a large dome like cavern, the final destination he had been wading through the dark and damp tunnels for. It was clear for him at a distance that he could make out the figure of a beast on all fours, gnawing and gnashing at the remnants of bone, but there was no evidence of apparent blood or manslaughter. It faced him curiously, and then shifting to its aggressive posture upon coming to realise the shape of the knight.\n\nHynes lay dormant, motionless and un sounding as Dismas walked right past her, the black knight remaining within the shadows and stalking him with her enhanced thermal vision. Stepping into the darkness as it came when his torch left, she remained several paces behind." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*Dismas calmly placed the lantern on the ground and lowered his visor.* \"Okay...\" *He murmured as he held the chain in both his hands and dodged the beasts charge, with some claws merely scratching his armor. It was a werewolf, covered head to toe in fur it was smaller than most, more frail and thin, hunger had clearly over took the beast as the way it fought was nothing more than blood craving.*\n\n*Dismas ducked under a quick swing of the claws, the beast was feral, relentless, yet killing it wasn't something he wanted to do. The beast was suffering, fallen ill to the clutches of a curse, he knew it and although this may not be his expertise, he was determined to lift the curse, with killing only to be used as a last resort. He ducked under another attack before trying to come in close, grasping a grip onto the young wolf as he let himself be hit by a few strikes, he could take it. First attempt was a bust, backed away as the beast was nearing a weak spot, second was closer, laid the chains around it's forearms yet it managed to make itself loose, he jabbed at it's face to make an escape, third time, he almost got it in his grasp, wrapping the chain around it's neck he made sure not to pull on it too tight, the beast bite at his shoulder but the plate, mail and padding underneath rendered a fatal blow to merely a flesh wound.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "**THWACK!**\n\nA grotesque sound punctured the cave, following by the dying whimper of a hound. Dismas suddenly felt no force tugging against the chain, the beast collapsing forward with his momentum and scrapping its jaw open against the hard cold floor. Dismas could not even react before this moment, as before him suddenly appeared a gigantic black spear, piercing the side of the beasts' skull and skewering through the other side with a shark like appendage at the tip. Judging by the direction of the spear, It came from the dark, that abyssal dark which he had come from.\n\nThe only sound formed was of the drooling crimson red liquids flooding out of the werewolf, leaking and forming a pool of dark red across the cave. Until suddenly a thumping thunder came from that darkness. The sounds of heavy boots, each seemingly squeezing the ground of air upon every march.\n\n*Thud*\n\nThud . . .\n\n**Thud . . .**\n\nThere was . . . An *Unnatural* Feeling, a choking heaviness that radiated from that darkness. No, it not merely prevented all the light from shining through, the darkness consumed the light. It was if his lantern wavered and gasped for air that was being sucked out, dancing frantically out of desperation and sudden panic. Rest assured, the Knight come to find his beast yet." }, { "author": "_duckerman", "message": "*Dismas' eyes widened as he let go of the chain, the werewolf falling sideways. He dropped in a crouch checking not the head but the tip of the spear that had penetrated the beast's skull, but it was too covered in crimson to make out the alloy. With a sigh he stood up looking around the room, whoever did it must've had quite the physique as it took an awful amount of strength for one to penetrate a werewolf's skull.* \"Show yourself.\" *He said bluntly, voice echoing from his helmet, grasping the dragon pendant around his neck, he drew his blade, looking around the room.* \"Show yourself **Fiend**.\"" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "Two red flares penetrated that silent darkness. Glowing like a scarlet hue, the tone of the blood witch had been spilt. The heavy thundering stopped, as the masked figure slowly revealed itself plate by plate. Reflecting off the light from his lantern, the outline of a dark knight was apparent, with reflective armoured plates of a clearly supreme craftsmanship. To the side of the figure, a tremendous towering shield stood, standing the height of the warrior and clearly of enormous weight. It as apparent that whoever had penetrated the wolf indeed had an unnatural strength.\n\nAs the helmet came into view, it was sculpted in the form of a skull, with a solid steel sharp jaw and protruding winged horns on the sides. The dead face of this warrior met the slits of Dismas, as if the right beam was penetrating right into his armour and staring at him face to face. It then moved closer to him steadily, the dragging of that weighted shield apparent as it caved in the rocks and left a trail like tracing sand with a stick. A muffled feminine voice then echoed from the chamber of her helmet, monotone but with an expression which could not be contested.\n\n'It seems we have similar business, knight. Your services however, are no longer required. The beast lay slain, and the threat terminated. You may leave at your discretion." }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*It would be a farce to say that Dismas wasn't at all shook. A towering warrior looking like the personification of fear stood before him and although he cringed slightly at the unfashionable harness she donned he knew very well this lady could rip him in two with but her bare hands. Yet after a moment he managed to get a hold of himself, he turned to this knight in not so shining armor, hand grasping his plaque belt.* \n\"The spear, is the tip made of silver?\" *He asked bluntly, raising his visor as he knew there was no threat, not yet yet at least.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "'Silver is unnecessary. It merely permits those of a weaker strand to commit stronger heroics. I don't need such an upgrade, I just need something that holds together.'\n\n.\nThe woman slowly leaned her head, analysing every detail of Dismas, and gathering what information she could from his apparel and mannerisms. This inspection was of course, imperceptible for the knight to ascertain, with her eyes hidden from view in stripping his character. Mid tempered brigandine armour of an adequate quality, an assortment of daggers upon his belt and broad longsword. It was the hallmarks of a pragmatic travelling knight, much more heavily armed than your average sells word or hired mercenary.\n\nThe figure stepped toward the wolf, collecting her spear seamlessly as if it floated in and out the punctured skeleton. Despite how strong she may have been, such a movement was definitely beyond the feats of any normal metal. It was sharp enough to puncture the skull of a werewolf, yet able to flow freely without getting stuck within the grotesque oraphys of the hole.\n\n'Say, that chain - you were trying to capture this dog?'" }, { "author": "Dismas Eldridge", "message": "*He let out a frustrated sigh.* \"Yes, but I suppose it's useless now.\" *He dropped the chain on the floor, stowing his blade in his scabbard and walking up to the lady, turning midway to pick the chain up again. It was made of silver and would offer a nice price if he sold it back.* \"Damnit...\" *He cursed.* \"You didn't have to kill her, she could've been saved!\" *His usually mannerisms scared away by his bad mood. He contemplated how he'd explain it all to her husband.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "'Saved? I did save that child. I did it a favour it owes me tenfold by killing it in one swift blow. Lest it have turned back into a little girl with all of its wounds intact, she would have starved the following day regardless.'\n\nHynes squinted her eyes, now with the impression that this was another of those *Noble knights* Serving their dutiful cause under their own guise of self serving morality. Practically everywhere she looked there were self righteous individuals. Having scanned the perimeter once more she was disgusted by the trail of corpses hung in a pile, half eaten with broken bones and torn limbs, desecrated in one of the dark corners. Her thermal vision had read them all deceased, rapidly eroding and rapidly loosing their signatures to the cold dampness of the cave.\n\nFacing the corpse of the child werewolf she unempathetically opened the cork from a bottle of cheap alcohol, drowning what remained with a pool of stained liquid. Tossing the canteen alongside, Hynes readied her match was prepared to light the body to ash." } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "The Norscar Steppes is a massive expanse west of Etalu. Despite its name, it actually contain multiple belt of arable land. The place is littered with abandoned ruins and once fallow farmland, increasing in frequency as one leave the vicinity of the capital.\n\nThis plantation is fifty miles west of the capital, and getting there would probably warrant passing a ruined village or two. As one approach the plantation, one could see slaves and freemen working the fields diligently. Most of them are insect-like, Qua for the most part, as they make excellent slaves, thanks to their greater strength and low need for food. This plantation seems to be a mixed estate, with wheat grown in most of its land. It seems this plantation in particular grow asparagus, mushrooms and other labour intensive plants, and utilize magical technique to ensure they are harvestable year-round, as evidenced by the intermix of planting and harvesting activities in here.\n\nAn imposing, three-storey manor house stand in middle of the pllantation, and a dark-skinned high elf is sitting on a bench shaded by an umbrella, fanning himself as he supervised the workers around." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss would have taken the quest from the board at the very same tavern he worked at, taking an extended lunch break to do so. He'd be wearing his usual outfit, a leather sleeveless tunic and a pair of light harem pants, likely not protected enough for the mission at hand. His weapons of choice were as usual magic and a dagger.*\n\n*As he passed by the destroyed villages, perhaps he felt some sympathy for the villagers, since he didn't know what he would do if his mother's village were to be destroyed, let alone if the villagers were all massacred. He'd keep going to his objective though, eventually approaching the plantation.*\n\n*He'd pass by some of the Qua workers, them being here clearly meant that he hasn't reached the point of the golem infestation yet. Pulling out the map he'd use to go further across the plantation.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The villages doesn't seems to be devastated by war, given that the buildings showed no sign of burning, but were instead stripped down, its materials reused by settlers elsewhere. Some of the Qua workers looked at the stranger walking into the plantation, chittering and chating, before going back to their work.\n\n The high elf noticed a stranger passing by the plantation, and waved at him vigorously. It was too far away to know what the stranger looked like.*\n\n\"OI! COME OVER HERE!\" *The elf said in Silnari.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Hearing the elf calling out to hear, Quiss' ear would perk up and he'd turn his head in the direction of the sound. Seeing the stranger, he'd walk forward to him. Taking his time in his approach, eyeing the elf up and down as he does so, doing a mental assessment of him. Once close enough he'd speak.*\n\n\"You the employer?\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The high elf looked down at the dark elf, closing his hands together and resting them on his table. He seems to be in thought for a bit. Then, he broke into a smile. Mercenary's mercenary, it doesn't matter what race they are if they get rid of his problem.*\n\n\"Yes, I'm the owner of the plantation. We were clearing out land two miles west of here, when a group of Kuileis came in and tried to kidnap our workers. We fled here, but it seems the Kuileis are very unwilling to leave, so we need some good adventurers to get rid of them.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Good adventurers, huh? Must be nice for you to see a dark elf then, seeing as that way you won't feel a thing if there was a casualty in battle. Two birds with one stone.\"\n\n*He would look down at the high elf. He'd draw his dagger, not necsessarily in a threatening fashion, more so to indicate he's ready for whatever is to come. In any case, even if there was a double meaning behind it, it would remain unsaid.*\n\n\"So two miles west, correct? See you when it's time for you to pay.\"\n\n*Quiss wouldn't seem interested in asking any more questions and would turn on his heels, beginning to head in the direction implied by the employer, cracking his neck by tilting it to the side as he does so.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The elf clenched his hands together, not responding at all to the adventurer's snarky comment. He is experienced enough to know better than to retort or start a fight. A job well done is a job well done.*\n\n\"Yes, over the hill, there's a sparsely forested area there.\"\n\n*After two miles of walk west through mostly cultivated land, he would pass a low hill, with fenced edge, and a sparse woodland on the other side, stretching out for miles. The hill had a gentle slope, and is six meters tall. From this vantage point, Quiss could probably spot some movement within the wood a hundred meters inside.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Khan would twist his dagger around, making sure it's ready for a fight, in the process warming up his main arm a bit, thought the amount of walking he did was likely enough to warm it up as it is. He'd look down the slope, knowing that it is the direction to go.*\n\n\"Let's have some fun, eh?\"\n\n*Who he was talking to was a mystery, but he'd say it anyway, beginning to walk down the slope and into the forest, marking some trees on the way just to make sure he doesn't get lost if the forest gets too deep.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The woodland stayed silent as he approached the forest. The woodland was quite sparse, which meant he could still find his way 200 meters in if he liked. It didn't take long before he attracted the attention of his targets, however.\n\nA pair of two Kuileis appeared in front of him. Thanksfully, all of them were wooden, though both of them used a kite shield, and a short sword, 60cm in length. He is thirty meters away from the golems.*\n\n\"Who are you!?\" *One of the golem bellowed out. Perhaps this is a sign for reinforcement?*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*He'd judge the distance between himeself and the golems, knowing that he's full strength until he starts casting his spells and using up his mana. However in this case, they had swords significantly longer than his dagger, aswell as shields. Seeing as there was a decent distance between him and them, he'd try deal with them both at a longer distance, moving his arms in a wide arch as he brings them before him, he would send out a small ball of concentrated arcane straight down the middle. There would not be any chance of them being hit by the small ball directly so he would hope they wouldn't react to it, adding a \"Shit!\" Right after he threw it, making it look like an accident. Once close enough to get a good a hit as he can he would suddenly close his fist, causing an explosion.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The two Kuileis looked as he moved his arms. The golems weren't experienced enough to know this is a sign for a spell cast, and it threw them off guard. The ball would instinctively lead both of them to raise their shield, blinding their vision. Then, it exploded.\n\nThe blast managed to hit one of the golem, throwing it back onto the ground, while the other golem looked back and forth, confused by what just happened. It is trying to determine the best course of action..*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*'Hit them while they are down.' It was a phrase Quiss grew accustomed with, so that's what he did. He used the fact that the other golem was distracted to raise his arm yet again, this time just one. He'd raise his index and pinky fingers, arcane energy would start forming between them. With a slight delay of 1 second between the two missiles that would soon fly out. Each following it's own trajectory but both aiming for the enemy on the ground, one arching from the left side, the other from the right.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei covered himself with the shield, and one of the missile landed on the golem's shield, piercing partially through the shield. The other one managed to hit it in the upper leg, encumbering it some as it struggled to get upt.\n\nThe other golem charged Quiss while he is busy casting spell. It has figured out that it won't win a long range fight, not at all.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"For fuck sake, when did they make golems that react so fast...\"\n*He'd disperse the arcane energy from his hand, drawing his dagger. The only way he would have an advantage over the golem in close quarter combat would be if he fought it now, while he has the strength to do so. He'd draw his dagger and bend his knees, preparing to attempt to have a direct collision with the golem. Once the golem is close enough he would attempt to jump by it, attempting a slash at the left leg joint of the golem. He'd have read about these creatures before taking the job. Such was his nature.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The other Kuilei seems to be still struggling for his balance thanks to the arcane bolt. \n\nThe one approaching him raised his shield toward the dark elf to cover his approach, and then attempted to ram into the dark elf, just as he predicted. The dark elf has a slight advantage in strength over the golem, though his sidearm would not beat the golem's in length. The golem halted his charged, using the shield to ram it into the dagger in an attempt to block it. This give him some breathing room until the next turn.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*He wouldn't have the time to draw his dagger back, it would collide with the shield, getting stuck. He'd use this to his advantage as he moved the arm holding more dagger forward, moving the shield away in the process. That would result in an opening for him to raise his pinky and index fingers once again, aiming at the joint yet again, releasing 2 more bolts of energy directed right at it. Hoping for a direct hit.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei raised it sword, attempting to push the shield away so it can strike at the dark elf. Unfortunately, the moment the shield was moved away, two bolts flew into its leg joint, penetrating half way through and creating a satisfying crank. A small leak of pure, harmless blue arcane energy bursted forth from the golem's legs - something that the Dark elf's natural magical vision would allow him to see.\n\nThe golem fell onto the ground, and tried to sit up to defend itself. The other Kuilei limped toward Quiss with sword in hand.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss would grin as he sees the leaking. This would indicate that damage has already been done to the golem and that now both enemies would be much slower to advance, so this was the time for him to gain his distance and use his own strengths. He'd leap backwards, forfeiting his dagger to the golems shield. One he lands he'd raise both his hands, each in the casting position. From each a single missile would be fired, aiming at each of the golems heads. Quiss' expression would be that of absolute focus, starting to take this fight seriously.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The golem that had lost its balance managed to sit up, only to find a bolt flying toward its head. Unfortunately, the kite shield was a bit too long to move properly in the way. Its head dropped onto the ground with a satisfying crack, indicating he had succesfully hit and \"Killed\" The golem. \n\nThe other golem raised its shield in time, a loud thud can be heard as the arcane missile impacted the shield. It seems shield is a very formidable, all purpose defensive tool indeed...*\n\n\"ELF HERE! COME HELP!\" *The golem said as he continued to approach the dark elf. Now it is blatantly obvious it is calling for reinforcement. Despite its best effort, it cannot reach the elf with a limping leg at all.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With one golem dead, he had to finish this one before any reinforcements arrived. Attempting to slow it any further would be a lost cause as it was already struggling. He'd drop one if his arms, the arcane in the other growing in size as another two missiles fire. One of them would aim directly for the shield if it was still covering the head, otherwise just got the head. The other would aim for the lower torso. He would attempt to make enough space between the missiles so that the golem could not just use the shield to block both. The shield had already taken two hits, but showed no visible signs of breaking soon so he couldn't just assume he could break it that easily, spreading his damage rather than focusing it at one point.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The golem lowered its shield, as blinding its own vision was a bad idea. Unfortunately and anticlimatically for the golem, a bolt was flying his way the moment the shield was lowered. The bolt flew into its head, splintering it and shattering the gem within. But luckily, the golem fell dead like the other.\n\nYet Quiss would not earn his gold too easily, for he could hear distant footsteps in the distance. The golems lay \"Dead\" On the ground, with their kite shield strapped to their arms, and sword on the floor.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Hearing the footsteps, Quiss would have limited time to prepare for his next battle. He'd rush over to the decapitated golems, taking each of their swords and looking around for a vantage point. It was a forest so there likely wouldn't be an obvious one so he just decided to use the biggest tree around him, holding one of the swords in hand, while sticking the other into the ground next to him Incase he needed it at a later time. Apart from that, he'd lean on the tree and catch his breath until the next enemies arrived.*\n\"He wasn't kidding when he said they weren't planning on going away.\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The reinforcement continued to approach. In the meantime, Quiss had some time to take his breath, allowing him to recover his mana for four turns worth of time, before reinforcements came. Then, a group of three golems appeared to his right, some forty meters away.\n\n It seems that fortune favoured him or not. Depending on his perspective... One golem had a heavy wooden club in his hand, and a kite shield. The other two that appeared also had a club, and had five iron darts strapped to their belt. The other two grabbed their dart and prepared to throw it at him.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*In his head, Quiss analysed the situation. 'One shield, Three maces I should definately not get hit by and many darts.' He'd see the golems prepare to throw the darts but would decide against casting the spell to block them, instead he'd twist around and use the tree as cover as the darts were thrown, that was the purpose of the tree to begin with. He would look down at the sword, trying to assess its capabilities against the mace, if any.*\n*Mana: 105, Strength: 4, no boost to Running Speed.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The dart flew toward him. One did not hit its mark at all, and the other landed in the ground. Both of them had a throwing rope attached to it which extended its range. The golem readied another dart and approached him slowly. They are now within 30 meters.\n\nIt seems the mace were all rather short, at 40cm or so. The sword seems to be made out of iron or steel, and mass produced judging by its lack of flourish. It is well-built and slightly longer at 0.6 meters.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Continuing to analyze... 'If I can get the shielded guy alone, I might have him beat. That means the two darters come first.' Since they have no shield to protect them this time, Quiss would drop the sword, twisting around the other side of the tree onto his knee in casting position, both arms raised. From each a single missile would fly out aimed at each of the golems neck-less heads. That fact was both an advantage and a disadvantage for Quiss. They had less flexibility to dodge but it also meant that a hit to take it off would have to be harder than if they had a weak point like a neck. He'd keep the arcane energy present after he casted the missiles, not having time to move back behind cover.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The two golems had darts ready in their hand as he popped out of cover. Both of them threw their dart at him, as he unleashed his arcane bolt onto them. One was hit right in its eye, penetrating deep within and obscuring its vision. By some miracle it didn't die instantly and shatter its crystal. It seems to be stumbling.\n\nThe other one would be hit in its metaphorical mouth. Without artery to sever, it continued walking toward Quiss menacingly with club in hand. And this time, it is charging.\n\nAnd so is the one with the shield. And there's two darts flying toward him.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss would let out a 'Tsk' as his attack was not quite as effective as planned. Both the darts and the maces seemed menacing at the time and the darts were traveling faster. With the arcane still in his hands he would bring them together, then spread them apart, forming an Arcane Wall, which would block the darts. He wouldn't be able to move during this time, but judging by distance of the golems and their speed, he was hoping to have enough time to not get hit directly from the get go while casting.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The darts flew away harmlessly, bouncing off the arcane wall. The two golems joined into the charge, as they cannot continue launching ranged attack without endangering their teammates. \n\nThe jawed golem continued to limp toward Quiss, taking four turns to get to him. The other two would arrive the next turn. The one with shield has his mace concealed behind his shield, preparing for a downward strike. The one without shield was readying a similar attack, too.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*With no time to run away completely Khan would roll backwards slightly, putting in whatever space he can. He would try using the superior brain of something actually living to his advantage. All patterns in the golems movement indicated an attack from above, and from his location there was nothing he could do to prevent that, so he raised his arms to cast yet another pair of missiles, however unlike the last, these were not aimed at the golems directly, they were both aimed just off a direct hit in an attempt to hit the Golem's arms that held the maces as they were raised to strike him down. It was a desperate maneuver but it was best thing he could think of, which if successful could give him a significant advantage, as it would also show him the reaction time of the golems.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Seeing the projectile about to come out of his hand, the shieldless golem collapsed itself onto Quiss, swinging downward at his torso in an attempt to disable him. The hit flew toward the golem, missing its arm but instead hitting it in its chest. The hit was not fatal, and the golem continued on. The other golem would be hit in the upper shoulder, losing its grip on the mace as it fell. The mace would fly toward Quiss's chest, though with much less energy than if the attack was not interrupted.\n\nThe golem that lost its mace is now readying to punch Quiss.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss quickly realized how grave the situation was and how slim the chances of just slight injury was. Taking the worse of the two options Quiss would do his best to leap to side away from the shielded golem. Taking the hit of the falling mace on his stomach instead. Due to the jump he would not be able to cast or attack leaving him vulnerable to the punch, he'd cross his arms and raise them above himself in an attempt to reduce the damage dealt to him. He was running low on time as it was with the third golem approaching, he had to thinking of something and he had to think of something fast.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Thanksfully, the hit wasn't exactly strong, due to his attacks disrupting the mace's swing. After the first hit, it would take a while for the unshielded golem to ready up another strike. The shielded golem punched as expected. It would hurt, as their hand were made out of wood, but not be fatal at all, thanks to a lack of enchantment or speed or strength boost. They readied a second set of strike, one punch, and one downward strike aimed at his collarbone. He could attempt to move his way out of the strikes, however\n\nThe golems, while not slow, weren't unnaturally fast either. Quiss could gain ground and think of how to better use what option he has.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*He has to think of something and he already had. When he was about to get hit by the punch, he noticed the pair of blades he left, a leap away from him before, but much closer than that now. He didn't know how to dual wield so as soon as he moved back to reach for the first blade, with a shaky arm from the hit, he would swing and let go, attempting to hit the shielded golem as it was mid-strike, hopefully the fact that it was off balance due to the swing would result in the shield not being raised in time, but he couldn't rely on that as he took a single step backwards, awaiting the next set of attacks.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The mace from the unshielded golem landed, though it was not enough to crack a bone - luckily enough for him. The counterstrike with the sword would work, and the sword cut mid way through the golem's head, splitting it in half. The strike destroyed the head crystal, but at least that's one opponent gone. And the sword's quality is now assured.\n\nThe second golem continued its attack, and made another downward strike at the same collarbone from the front, attempting to disable its opponent. The slow golem had finally caught up with the fight, and is now grabbing one of its dart. He is some four meters to the right of the dark elf.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss now has an enemy from both sides, it wasn't looking good, but it was looking better. If he takes the strike from the golem in front of him, there is a good chance it would be enough to break his collarbone, leaving him with only one arm to fight with at best. Though taking the hit from the dart was far from optimal. He decides that he'd take his chances with the dart, seeing as last time they threw them, they weren't that accurate. Letting Lady Luck take the reigns, he would drop the sword, aiming both casting hands forward and shooting out two missiles directly forwards. Towards the striking golems head. In his head it was either he gets hit with the strike or kills it before it connects. He didn't care as much for the headstone as he did for his own survival at this point, so no effort was made to avoid it.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The golem continued its swing. At the same time, Quiss managed to shoot the arcane missiles toward its head. What followed was pure confusion, as a large burst of magical energy would swarm the vision of Quiss very briefly. It appears that the head of the golem turned into a pure fountain of energy, as its crystal was cracked and the head imploded underneath the impact of energy, leaving a headless carcass on the middle. The club landed on the squishy part of his upper arm, thanksfully preventing a collarbone shatter. \n\nThe dart flew toward Quiss, though it was inaccurate and is likely to either graze him or hit him in the thigh, without penetrating deep enough to endanger him. He now has one opponent left. And the opponent is taking out its club.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss was pleased that his assumption about the aim wasn't wrong, though disappointed in the hole in his pants. He would stumble around. Looking down at the sword which was likely a good option, however he decided to use magic instead. The golem was still 4 meters away, it wasn't ideal distance, but it wasn't the worst he had. He would raise his arms in casting position, slowly walking backwards as arcane forms between his raised fingers. Similar to his attack on golem from the last batch, he would aim one missile for the head, while the other was aimed at the arm holding the mace, forcing this time the golem to picks what's worse for it just as they made Quiss pick.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The golem charged forward in an attempt to get a hit in and stop him before the arcane bolt came. Poor little golem didn't bring along a shield. The mace would be swung forward from below, up toward Quiss's solar plexus. Whether it hit or not, the fight would end shortly after, as the golem's lifeless body onto Quiss. It still carry quite a lot of momentum, however..*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss knew this fight was over, but he couldn't risk getting the breath knocked out of him and getting knocked out by it, so brought his arms down to take the hit, fully knowing the risks of one of them breaking, that's why he put his better arm second. At the same time he would try to leap back, hopefully making the blow have less momentum if not miss completely, but no one gets that lucky.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The golem fell onto him. It was as heavy as a normal human, so there wasn't any extra force that could break him. It was sure to hurt, however. There was no sign of more footsteps coming, and it seems Quiss has handled the last of the Kuileis. Perhaps it is time to loot and salvage what he could?*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Huffing as he caught his breath for a moment, he would swiftly move towards the golem that had his dagger in its shield. He would take it out with a strong pull and would quickly get to work at prying the gem eyes out of the golems. Once he was done collecting the one he didn't destroy. He'd then look around, making sure there were no enemies nearby. He didn't want to attempt taking out any torso or head stones with a risk of getting attacked, so he stopped to make sure. If there weren't any, he would take the sword rather than the dagger and carefully cut cut the golem up just as he read in the book. If there were enemies approaching, he would run. Knowing he was much faster on his feet than those golems.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*All would be quiet as he pryed out the eyes. One of the golem lost one of it eyes to a bolt, and another had its head imploded. He would manage to salvage a total of seven eye-stone.\n\nThen, as he moved to consider whether to take a torso or head stone, a branch would crack suddenly. If he looked toward it...\n\nIt was a rabbit, 2 pounds in weight, black and white, thanksfully its mouth was not covered in red and it does not require the intervention of holy explosion to deal with.\n\nOnce he deal with the distraction (If he chose to), he would manage to salvage the head and torso stone. *\n\n**Quiss's kill and loot list:**\nGolem 1: Head destroyed. Eyes intact. Torso Intact. \n90 silver loot.\nGolem 2: Head destroyed. Eyes intact. Torso Intact.\n90 silver loot.\nGolem 3: Head destroyed. One eye destroyed, Torso Intact.\n65 silver loot.\nGolem 4: Head destroyed. Eyes destroyed, Torso Intact.\n40 silver loot.\nGolem 5: Head destroyed. Eyes intact, Torso intact.\n90 silver loot.\n\nSalvaged equipments:\n3 wooden mace, worthless\n2 kite shield, probably could be sold for 20 silver total.\n2 quality mass-produced sword, probably could be sold for 20 silver each.\n\nNow all he need is to return to claim his bounty. If he decide to do so, it is best that he present the crystal to the owner.\n\nHis way to the manor would be safe and unimpeded." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Khan would ignore the rabbit, he grew up near a forest and grew to love it's creatures, he was not hungry so saw no harm in letting it live. He would place the different types of crystals in two separate pouches. One for the eye crystals and one for the torso crystals. He decided that the best way to prove the death of five golems, was five torso crystals, since he didnt have the others to back up his claim, onl y having the eyes of 3 and a half golems and having the heads of none. He would leave the maces where they lay, sheathing the swords using his belt, careful not to cut the belt and carrying the shield in hand. Once he reaches the manor he would announce his return.*\n\n\"Oi high elf! Time to pay up!\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The high elf waved at him and stood up with a kind smile on his face.*\n\n\"You returned quickly, may I see the proof of your victory?\"\n\n*He stepped forward and beckoned a muscular looking Qua servant to follow him. The servant is carrying a heavy chest.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Khan would take the pouch with the torso stones off of his belt, opening it to show the employer five crystals. He would then shift his gaze from the pouch to the high elf, just looking at him.*\n\n\"Five kills, Five Crystals. And unless rabbits are attacking your Qua, there shouldn't be any more issues.\"\n\n*He'd close the pouch once certain the elf has seen the contents, putting it back on his belt.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The elf examined the crystal. It was proof enough. He turned toward the Qua.*\n\n\"I'll fetch your payment.\"\n\n*The Qua and the High Elf returned to the shaded table, and then the Qua opened the chest, taking out 25 deca-silver coins, all of them pristine and real. The qua counted it for the high elf, then, the high elf returned with the coins in a pouch, on his hands.*\n\n\"Your payment is here. Please make sure it is right.\"" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Quiss would go over to the chest and count the amount of coins within. Upon making sure there were 25 and none of them were counterfeit, he would nod. Closing the pouch Quiss would take it and place it right next to the crystals onto his belt. He wouldn't have any plans of sticking around so he would just turn like before.*\n\n\"Hopefully we'll never meet again. Not about Kuileis anyway.\"\n\n*With that he was off to the closest town to sell his obtained loot, having no need for a shield or a sword, let alone two. Plus he had to sell the crystals, they were worth more than the weapons anyway.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*And with that, the quest would be finished, and Quiss had obtained some very hard earned money from the quest.*" } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Yet another day, yet another settlement in need of help. This time, it is another high elven estate requesting help. The farmstead is located in a vast, flat floodplains, much like the prairie in America. Occasional herd of animals roamed through the plains, as much of the steppe has been abandoned to the wilds.\n\nZara's destination - An estate seeking help with a bunch of wooden Kuilei, would be in front of her. A manor lord is nowhere to be seen, but their two storey manor house is definitely visible from the distance.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara arrived at the estate on the cart she hired to bring her to this destination. She got up, climbed out, paid the cart driver, and went to the estate.\nShe read that people were in need of help regarding golems. Pay didn't seem so bad and since it wasn't too risky at first glance, Zara didn't mind taking this one.\nZara adjusted the Katana on her hip and ensured her long Odachi was fastened on her back to prevent dragging on the ground. Such good swords, the last thing she wanted was for one of them to break right before potential battle.\nZara approaches the estate, entering the grounds and declaring herself to any guards or groundskeepers that may be concerned by her presence. She sought the estate master to speak about this problem.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*There would be a Qua worked who directed her to the manor house. After a few minutes, a well dressed female high elf in robe would walk out of the house's front door, and waved at the human.*\n\"Morning stranger. I assume you're an adventurer here to dela with our Kuilei problem, right?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Indeed,\" *Zara confirmed.* \"Have you had problems with these beings in the past, or have they recently arrived?\"\n*Zara wanted to ask questions before heading out to deal with it. Whether they were new or have been here for longer could affect the severity of the problem and how difficult it may be to solve it.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Only a recent arrival, I believe. Been driven here from another estate. Appeared perhaps, a month ago or so. My worker spotted a pair of them in the plains, carrying sword and shield.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara mentally noted the weapons the Kuilei were confirmed to have.*\n\"Are these Kuilei wooden or made of another material?\" *Zara asked. What they were made of could affect Zara's options. If they were stone, Zara's blades may suffer damage and she may be forced to use other strategies to destroy them - if they were wooden, she could use Red Shift with her Nodachi to cleave them into pieces.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"All wooden. We haven't seen anything stone like yet. That'd require quite the experienced adventurer to deal with, anyway. But they probably outnumber you, so you should be careful.\" \n*The manor lord explained.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*'All wooden'. She could use her Nodachi for greater effectiveness.*\n\"Is there anything else I must know about the Kuilei?\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"They have great endurance and a lot of them like to use shields. Sturdy one.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Where do I go from here to find them?\" *She asked. Zara was ready to get to work.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Three miles of here is the Punting Creek, the Kuilei was last spotted somewhere around there. There might be more than two, but the grasses this time of the year isn't tall, so you can find them easily.\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Very well. Thank you, miss.\"\n*If nothing else was to be said or done between the two, Zara would then proceed to leave and make her way to the grounds where the Kuilei were reported to be present.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*After a short walk in the plains, Zara would spot smoke from a campfire in the distance. There would be no tents or anything near where the campfire came from, and there weren't anything to be seen either, except a... Roast rabbit on top of the campfire. However, the grasses is around half a meter tall, so she might need to approach closer to see anything lying down.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara stood still after making the distance to alternate her Radiance Sense and allow her to see 20 metres in all directions from where she was. She detected the smoke, suggesting a campfire.\nZara breathes in and could smell food. Someone was nearby.\nIf anything else moved around her before she started moving, she'd notice.\nZara then proceeded to approach the campfire. She started a moderate-speed run toward the campfire, her revelation returning to normal as a result.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*In the grasses she could sense that three humanoid were lying down, with shield and sword next to them. The campfire didn't obscure her revelation at all.\n\nThere was also spare weapons and cooking pot, and it seems there is a total of five Kuilei who is using the camp. Though only three is present for now.\n\nThe running would alert the Kuileis, who strappes their shield and readied their swords, standing together in a shieldwall formation.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara sensed them coming out to fight, and immediately drew her katana, blade forward and handle held with both hands. She assumed a typical katana stance, with the weapon forward to allow for easy guarding.\nHer Radiance glowed as battle seemed to commence, though Zara did not perform any actions yet. She waited for the enemy to attack first.\nZara's current immobility allowed her Radiance Sense to alternate, giving her the 360 degree radius, 20 metre range revelation again. This would allow her to sense anything sneaking up behind her as well, but only until she moved again.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*All of the Kuilei carried standard sword at 80cm long, manufactured with a simple crossguard. Their kite shield is of standard dimension.*\n\n*One of them walked to 15 meters in front of Zara, staying still while the other two circled to her left and right, keeping the same distance from her.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara continued to keep her stance and kept her focus on the Kuilei. Before battle commences however, she would sheathe her Katana and proceed to pull out her Nodachi.\nIt's a somewhat lengthy process, drawing a Nodachi, as the blade is considerably long and better held in hand during combat. The blade is considerably long, and the handle allows for better force to be applied to blade swings and blocks, allowing for Zara to have good range, potentially deflect attacks, and knock her foes off-balance while also cleaving through their wooden bodies.\nZara took the Nodachi off her back, pulling it from the scabbard and putting the scabbard back afterwards, then holding the blade upright with both hands on the crossguard. Zara shifted her feet for a wider stance to allow for better footwork, and kept her head forward. She was then ready to fight.*\n\n**Condition: Healthy\nStamina: Fine\nMana: 70/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*As the Macen switched weapon, the Kuilei in front stepped in closer, to ten meters away. The other one ran to the left and right, trying to surround her in a triangle shape before launching their attack.*\n\n*To make matter worst, all of them let out a high pitched, seemingly incoherent scream.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara then went for an attack, sprinting forward for the Kuilei in front of her. Though her movement returned her revelation to normal, within a few steps the one puppet would be close enough for her to see.\nShe'd immediately open with a powerful cleave, swinging the Nodachi out at the Kuilei from the side with one hand 'pushing' the handle while the other pulls the end back, allowing for considerable force to be applied to the attack.\nThis attack could deal tremendous damage if it landed, or stagger the enemy if it was blocked.*\n\n**Same Status**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The puppet, thanksfully, had no understanding of her vision problem. But it understand that an angry girl with more strength than expected is charging at him.\n\nHe raised the kite shield and charged forward, slamming the shield to the side in an attempt to deflect the ambitious strike. By presenting the shield perpendicularly, it becomes thicker and also deflect her force. The nodachi might bite into the shield, though it wont cut through. Luckily for her, strong weapon like Nodachi is easy to pull out of the shield.\n\nThe Kuilei attempted to close in for a gut stab. If Zara stopped, her revelation would reveal that the two Kuilei are now charging her from behind, sword raised and shield in front.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara backed up, bringing back the Nodachi out of the shield, and evading the stab.\nShe heard the other Kuilei approaching her from her blind spots. Didn't see, but could hear. She had better hearing to compensate for lack of proper vision.\nZara charged her Radiance, then released a Wave Blast against the Kuilei in front of her to send him away, giving her room to then avoid the other two who approached by swiftly moving out of their attacks.\nShe'd reassume her stance and hold the Nodachi as normal again, preparing to defend from other incoming attacks.*\n\n**Condition: Healthy\nStamina: Slightly Fatigued.\nMana: 60/70**" } ]

[ { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei was sent flying almost twenty feet away, dropping its sword from the sudden blast. It fell onto the ground with a heavy thump, and it would probably take a turn or two to recover.*\n\n*The other two Kuileis was successfully avoided by Zara, and now they once again attempted to surround her and reposition themselves behind Zara.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara went swiftly for the Kuilei that was knocked down by her Wave Blast, opting to execute it before it could get up.\nIf she could make it to the Kuilei in time, Zara would bring up her Nodachi, blade pointed down, and stab into the ground through the Kuilei's back. To ensure it was dead after the fact, she'd then bring the Nodachi back out and perform a slice to take its head off the body, which could guarantee a permanent death depending on their method of animation.\nShe'd enter her defensive stance again afterwards and face the remaining two that approached her.*\n\n**Same Statuses**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei on the ground raised its shield to block the attack. Unfortunately, it was not enough to prevent the Nodachi from piercing through its shield and into its body. As the last bit of artificial life faded from the Kuilei and its torso crystal were shattered, it dragged the shield - and the Nodachi to himself, ensuring the weapon would be stuck for a bit.\n\nMeanwhile, the other two Kuileis continued to charge with their sword, one coming from each diagonal side in front of her, or behind her, trying to take her down from both side at once. They'll reach her the next turn.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara attempted to pull her Nodachi from the other's grip. Time was short and she decided she may fare better abandoning her weapon for the time being to use her Katana.\nAnd so she did - twisting the Nodachi, if possible, to ensure the puppet was dead for certain, Zara then released it, drew her Katana from her side, and held it in the standard stance she had it before, at the beginning of the battle.\nHer still stance allowed her revelation to become alternate again, giving her the twenty-metres range, and allowing her to identify the two coming in.\nWhichever one was coming in first would be the one Zara would attempt to take down in one strike if it was possible. She needed to wait for the perfect moment.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The revelation would reveals that the Kuilei to the right is coming in about two second before the one on the left. Both have their shield up to cover their approach.\n\nThe one on the right would thrust forward the shield first to bind her katana and push it toward her, while attempting to swing downward and cut her on her arm. The other one rounded and simply tried to slam her down with its shield.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara swiftly moved back from the Kuilei that attacked, avoiding its shield attack, and then stepping forward swiftly to deal a downwards strike as a counterattack.\nShe'd then perform a swift spin and slash horizontally, aiming for the chest gem with hopes to either damage it or destroy it outright. It was more than likely only going to deal slight damage as this was a swift, light attack.\nShe'd then step to the side to avoid the other Kuilei's attack, and backstep to make some distance. Zara went back to her nodachi and sheathed her katana, with hopes that she could pull her blade out now.*\n\n**Stamina: Fatigued (from Slightly)**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*A loud thud of metal crashing against wood would indicate the result of her downward strike - The Kuilei simply blocked it with the shield with barely any damage. It would be easy to pull out the katana as it is a dedicated cutting sword. There's no telling how long its edge would hold under abuse though.\n\nThe Kuilei once again slammed the shield forward to block the strike easily, and then made a thrust toward Zara's torso from behind the shield. It was a typical gladius thrust, angled slightly upward.\n\nThe other Kuilei pursued her relentlessly, not giving her time to step away and take back her Nodachi.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*As Zara's attacks were blocked, her other actions after the attacks were cancelled.\nShe'd bring her Katana up to block the blade strike, sending it off to the side. Zara would focus on breaking this enemy's posture, if she was able to do so before being attacked by the other Kuilei.\nOf course, the other one tried to slam her again. She'd shift her focus to it and swiftly move around its shield, then turning the Katana to reverse grip and stabbing it through the Kuilei's back. Whether this went through the gem on its chest or missed and only dealt damage was up to Ansari.\nShe'd pull her Katana back and bring it back to normal grip and standard stance.*\n\n**Same Status**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei she attempted to move around pivoted itself to keep her in front of its shield and avoid an attack. Her evasion meant that the Kuilei is now lined up, stopping the other one from attacking her as it needs to reposition.\n\nIf she chose to continue the stabbing attack, the Kuilei, being the asshole it was, turned the shield toward the katana, attempting to take the hit on the shield and get it stuck. Then, it would slash at Zara's knees. If not, the Kuilei would simply slash at the knee.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara paid attention to its movement, the way it adjusted its shield to block her stab, and instead went low, under its guard, with a sweeping kick to takes its feet out from below. This may be swift enough to interrupt its attempt to attack her but that's up to the GM.\nIn this same action, she would turn her katana back to forward grip and stand back up after. If it fell as a result of the kick, Zara would rise back up with a katana slash across its body as it would be vulnerable while falling. If not, she would not be able to perform this action.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The kick would be enough to interrupt the attack, deflecting its sword to the side momentarily, but it wasn't enough to make it lose its balance. The other one tried to slash at her right hand from above. Kuileis are sure relentless.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara returned to her feet and as she rose she would angle her Katana against the other's sword and move forward. The angle of her blade to its blade served to deflect the attack, allowing Zara to redirect its momentum without stopping it at all, and knocking the Kuilei off-balance, breaking its posture.\nWhile the Kuilei's guard was open as a result of the stagger, Zara would drive her katana into the chest gem if it was an option. If it was not an option, she'd swing a little bit higher to go for the neck with hopes to take the head off.\nZara wasn't sure whether a decapitation could kill the Kuilei, or whether the chest gem must be destroyed. At least this would confirm whichever was the case, depending on which attack came to be true.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*As Zara committed herself to attacking the other Kuilei, the one she ignored would thrust forward, jabbing its sword at her butt since she exposed herself by attacking one opponent without putting the other out of threat range.\n\nThe one she attempted to stagger's strike would be deflected successfully by her, but the Kuilei pulled back its shield, turning into the strike so it would graze against the side of its torso instead of penetrating deep into its chest.\n\nThe sounds of distant footstep intensify.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara was struck by the other attack and attempted to move away to get out of danger before another hit. The strike hit her lower back, and may cause a potential loss in mobility depending on how severe it was.\nShe'd bring up her Katana into another stance, with the handle high beside her and the blade pointed forward. Zara would use this to opt for thrusting attacks where possible.*\n\n**Condition: Slightly Injured, potential mobility damage.\nStamina: Somewhat Fatigued.\nMana: 60/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The cut was quite light, thanksfully. The footsteps sounds was intensifying by the second, and it seems reinforcements might come soon.\n\nThe two Kuilei readied their shield and distanced themselves from her. A shield make thrusting attacks extremely difficult to perform..*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara thought of her potential options. She needed to take these two down before the others got to her.\nShe could potentially use her Augment Melee and Red Shift to drastically increase her strength, to even penetrate a shield and kill one of them outright. Otherwise, she could try to use her Wave Blasts to make them vulnerable to an instant takedown, like the first one. Basic Bolts won't do much considering they could block them easily. As much as Zara tries to circumvent their guards, they manage to recover in time to block her again. She could possibly put away her weapon and try to overwhelm them with Martial Arts and Augment Melee. As an Earth Macen, she had reinforced bone on her arms and fists that allowed for more physical damage, which might possibly be enough to shatter basic wooden shields if she used Augment Melee.\nEventually, she opted to take the last option. Zara sheathed her Katana and then brought up her fists, shifting into a martial arts stance with a close guard and arms up.\nShe'd then charge herself with Radiance, using her Augment Melee ability to increase her strength by 5, now becoming 8 from her base 3, for the next melee attack or series of melee attacks.\nZara then rushed for one of the Kuilei and went for a jumping punch. She opted to aim for the shield, as to be able to break it with her combined strength and reinforced fists and prevent this one from guarding against her anymore.\nIf the strategy worked and the shield was destroyed, there was a possibility that Zara's fist could go straight through and shatter the life gem on the Kuilei's chest, immediately killing it, but that was up to the GMs.*\n\n**Condition: Slightly Injured.\nStamina: Somewhat Fatigued.\nMana: 55/70.**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei knew something was wrong when her hands started to glow, which would indicate an enchantment of some sort. These were seasoned fighters, embedded with memories to fight properly..\n\nThe Kuilei used the iron boss to block the strike if possible, turning its side toward the girl, and then used the sword to bind itself behind the shield to add power to the counterpunch.\n\nThe other one would see Zara committing herself to a punch, and then simply stepped in from the side to slash her back. The shield would hold against the strike. After all, it was designed to endure multiple slashes, even axes and spears. What would an enhanced punch be? It would probably affect its integrity a bit..*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara planted her feet on the shield and kicked off it, staggering the Kuilei further while simultaneously evading the other one's attack. She landed on her feet a short distance away and reassessed the simulation.\nZara underestimated the integrity of the shields. Unfortunately, her bare fists plus Augment Melee wouldn't be able to destroy them, though dealing considerable damage indeed.\nHer other option was to go for her Nodachi again. It had managed to deal damage to one of the shields earlier. If Zara could make it to her Nodachi before being interrupted again, she may be able to pull it out.\nSo Zara went for it, sprinting toward her Nodachi. She'd try to get around the Kuilei where possible, but if she had no other choice, she'd try to go through or over them, depending on what actions they were going to take against her.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*As Zara landed on the ground, the Kuilei that was not staggered charged toward her, trying to ram her down before she can turn around and draw her sword. The one that was staggered is now recovering from the strike.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara rushed toward the one that charged her and made an attempt to vault over its shield. She'd jump for the shield, grabbing onto its top and lifting herself quickly, then jumping over the Kuilei, kicking it in the back to send it further away for good measure if it was possible.\nIf it did work, Zara would continue to her Nodachi. Maybe she made it this turn, and if she did, she'd attempt to pull it out of the ground and the dead one's grip, one more time.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*As Zara tried to grab the shield, the Kuilei swung it away and thrusted its sword toward her leg. With Zara charging toward him, there was no way to change her momentum easily. Perhaps acrobatic move is best not done when one is unarmoured and unarmed.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara would have been struck by the attack and backed up again, then lowering her stance with a hand on her Katana handle. Perhaps the first option was the best after all.\nZara activated her Red Shift, the power of wrath enveloping her and increasing her Strength by 4, to a total of 7. She'd then charge her Radiance again, and activate her Augment Melee, to increase her strength by another 5, to 12.\nBoth actions would take up the full Turn as they both took about half of the time each. Therefore, Zara would be able to unleash her attack next Turn. She waited for the right moment to counterattack for an immediate kill, if it was at all possible.*\n\n**Condition: Somewhat Injured.\nStamina: Fatigued.\nMana: 45/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The sounds of the reinforcement would appear, and two more Kuilei appeared, each holding a 2 meters long two-handed steel-tipped spear, they would make it in the next turn within Zara's sight.\n\nThe Kuileis backed off, knowing what happened last time they got struck by this kind of hit. The two swordman huddled together to support eachother mutually.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara then sprinted forward toward her Nodachi, knowing that the Kuilei refused to fight her with such enhanced strength. As she was not performing an attack, her Augment Melee would stay active. Whether Red Shift did, however, was up to GMs.\nZara made it to her Nodachi. With her already-enhanced strength, she would most definitely be able to pull it from the ground. She never drew her Katana again. Now she has her two-handed weapon back, Zara may fare better than she did before.\nZara would then rush toward one of the Kuilei before her Turn ended, if it was possible. As she approached, she'd swing her Nodachi with immense force, triply enhanced strength. Whether this would kill regardless of defense was also up to GMs.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei watched as she sprinted to pull out her Nodachi. They'd rather not bet their chance against her. And so, they turned around and fled, running quickly to avoid her attack, toward their spear equipped comrades.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara continued to chase her target down, closing in distance before dealing her strike. She moved swiftly towards them and, hopefully, would make it close enough to take one of them down.\nIf her sideways sprinting cleave landed, it'd more than likely cleave a Kuilei in half, assuming they did not turn around to guard with their shield. Perhaps she was fortunate enough to finally be able to kill one more after so long.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Given the two does not actaully have much of a difference in running speed, the Kuileis would continue to maintain distance, forcing Zara to chase them toward their comrades. Their comrades readied their spear in a two-handed, underarm grip, to fend off the angry girl.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara continued to rush toward the group. Her Radiance flared, suggesting she was preparing for a Wave Blast to send them all flying and make them vulnerable to fatal blows.\nAs she closed in, Zara would then unleash her Wave Blast against the four foes. If any of them were knocked over and made vulnerable, she'd immediately approach the individuals to perform the groundstab finisher and destroy the gem, as she did with the first.*\n\n**Mana: 35/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The two running away would know about the wave blast, but not so much the spearman. The two spearman would ready to stab her. The blast managed to hit... One of the individual, sending the two running Kuilei off balance and onto the ground. The two spearman closed in from the side, using the tip of the spear to threaten her, while pulling it back enough so that she cannot ward away its head.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara moved toward one of the spearmen, swiftly spinning with her Nodachi and performing a powerful strike to attack. It was not decided by GMs whether her Red Shift ended, thus this spearman would suffer the full power of Red Shift + Augment Melee - 12 Strength with the Nodachi, would deal tremendous damage to the spearman, or his weapon if he blocked.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuilei had no intention of blocking the strike. His pointy stick is longer than hers, and so he used a bayonet thrust, thrusting toward her knee as she swung. Her comrade, seeing her disrespect for the threat of their weapon, performed the same and thrusted toward her other knee with the spear. The plan is simple - They'll stab her before she hit.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara swiftly moved to the side to evade the thrust of the attack, and seeing that it was targeted toward her lower body, it gave her the perfect window to counter the attack with a skillful step.\nAs the spear passed beside her, Zara brought up her leg and slammed it down to the shaft, forcing the weapon to the ground and disabling the weapon for a short moment - long enough for her to deal a fatal blow as her enemy's posture was broken.\nA swift slash of the Nodachi relieved the Kuilei of its head. As a result of this, her Augment Melee was exhausted and thus Zara's strength declined back to the normal effect as she also dispelled her Red Shift to conserve her mana.\nZara was struck with the other spear as a result, but she was fine with the fact that she managed to kill another Kuilei, finally. She moved back as the spear hit her and took a short moment to recover, ready in time for the next Turn.*\n\n**Condition: Injured.\nStamina: Considerably Fatigued.\nMana: 30/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The other Kuilei who scored a hit ran forward to drive the spear into her knee, so to disable her. Because she spent her time to deflect one attack and a moment to counterattack one spear, she probably couldn't react to another attack, not without supernatural speed.\n\nThe two who fell down picked up their sword and charged her. Perhaps she should run?*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She backed up to get away from the rest of the attackers, moving away with multiple dashes backwards. Zara was overwhelmed and only proved to be able to kill two of them. Her only choices were to flee, or keep fighting until one side failed entirely.\nPerhaps they would listen to demands, implying they knew how to speak. Perhaps she could have started with that before even fighting... But it was too late for that now.\nZara stood ready to defend from any other incoming attacks.*\n\n\nStamina: Considerably Fatigued.\nMana: 30/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*The Kuileis seems to be readying themselves, reforming into a formation with the sword-and-shieldman on the side and the spearman in the middle. This could be her opportunity to move away before they decided to pursue her or not.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara then made her decision - she turned tail and bolted to get away. Better to escape and come back later once she's rested to try again, assuming they stuck around after this.\nShe wasn't finished with them yet.\nDue to the size of her Nodachi, Zara was required to hold it in hand as she ran away. She had no time to stop, take the sheathe out, and put the blade away. It wouldn't slow her down too much, but it would cause a bit of slowness.\nShe would go... Where? Perhaps to the estate to inform the master of what has happened and tell them she'd return later to try again? Or set up camp somewhere and tend to her wounds on her own?\nZara decided to return to the estate, to be upfront with the estate master about this setback. She needed to recover or she wouldn't make it out of this fight victorious.\nSo she continued running, as best as she could. She hoped they weren't able to keep up with her.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Although the Kuilei was more than capable of catching up with them, they decided not to pursue her for whatever reason.\n\nThe estate master would be waiting for her at the manor, and see that she has been injured multiple time, and looked empty handed.*\n\n\"How'd the mission goes?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*As she made it back to the estate, Zara took her scabbard and placed the Nodachi in it to finally put it away.*\n\"They proved to be more capable than I had thought, though I managed to defeat two,\" *Zara explained.* \"Three remain, but I am injured and cannot continue to fight effectively. I need time to recover, only slightly, and then I will return to finish them off.\"\n*Zara was not going to rest until she was back in peak condition - her rest would restore some mana, fatigue, and health states, if she was allowed to do so here. She was not fit to remain in the wilds as the smell of her blood may attract predators to attack.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Mmph. I think you can take a rest here if you wished. Should they flee, I would need proof of their destruction for partial payment.\"\n\n*The manor lord would offer a spot in the lobby for her to rest in, with a Qua worker looking over her*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "\"Of course. When I return, I will collect the heads of those I destroyed and bring them back,\" *Zara offered.\nShe then went with the manor lord/Qua worker to the lobby room she was offered. She thanked the manor lord and entered the room to rest.\nWhile resting, Zara would tend to her blades, inspecting for damage and dullness in the edges. Whatever dullness there was in the blades she would sharpen with a stone. There was nothing she could do right now to repair any present damages as she had no kit, therefore she would need to consult a blacksmith after this was done to repair them.\nZara checked her wounds and allowed the Qua worker to help with restoring her from injury. Multiple of the injuries were on her back due to the Kuilei taking advantage of her lowered guard as she was dealing with another. She'd either need to deal with them all at once, or quickly dispatch each individual before another can take advantage.\nWith that, Zara would rest to recover.*\n\n**Post-Rest Statuses:\nCondition: Slightly Injured\nFatigue: Fine\nMana: 50/70**" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*After the recovery, she could go back to the battlefield, and it seems most of the Kuileis had fled, leaving behind gemstones that were worth 200 silver in total, plus their swords. There was nothing else to be found on the battlefield.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*She returned after her short rest and travel. No Kuilei left besides the bodies and their gems.\nWith that, Zara got to work collecting what was there to take. The swords, she would potentially resell for a profit. The gems, she'd give to the estate master to pay for any damages the Kuilei may have caused to their property. The heads, she'd take as proof of two dead.\nZara kept alert in case they were hiding again...*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*There would be no hiding Kuileis and it seems the camp they were in was now deserted. The gems was rejected, and she could keep it for herself. Since the mission was completed partially, she would be paid 100 silver for her troubles.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Zara returned to the estate after the fact and met with the estate master once more.\nShe turned over the heads as proof, and the gems to compensate for any losses caused by the Kuilei.\nThe only other thing she'd resell was the weapons. The sword (and kite shield unless it was destroyed?), and the spear of both Kuilei units killed.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"I'm not taking your gems, these are yours to keep.\" \n*The estate master doesn't seems interested, but he would take the gems if she insisted. The weapons were salvaged by the Kuileis and nowhere to be found.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Since the estate lord refused the gems, Zara kept them for herself. A small amount of extra profit, at least.\nIf there was nothing else, Zara would take her reward, bid her farewells and leave the estate.\nIt wasn't a complete victory, but at least it wasn't a complete loss. That was good enough for her.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*With that, the quest would come to an end without any further problem. She had received a total of 300 silver worth of reward, and might've learned a thing or two about combat. Not enough to develop an entirely new ability, but perhaps to improve an existing one a bit*" } ]

[ { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "The Steppe is rather windy today, and the sky is blue, with no cloud lessening the sun's shine." }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki is stretching as she's walking to her destination, she's never fought a Kuieli. She's quite excited to see how it goes, with her partner, whom she has no idea their name. Because she wasn't paying attention... At all.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis had just finished a quest with Ralki, and seeing how eager she is to do heroic things he figured he should tag along as he too wanted to be a hero. Besides from what he saw, Ralki could use someone to look after her. Otherwise who knows what sorts of trouble she would get herself into? Not that he expected many things could hurt her given how strong she is, but at the very least he could learn a thing or two from her.*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi continuously stares at the paper he has in his hand. Even if someone were to try and read it... It's in Runran, so not the native language. Something about wooden golems. It's... Well, it's something to get money. He continues to wander to his destination, keeping on the lookout and not staring at the paper as fervently anymore.*\n\n`Hitoshi uses Level 2 Blurry and Silent for stealth.`" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "You three meet up on the destination that the guild set up for you three. It was on a hill, so it is a nice vantage point that the three could use to study the Kuieli below. There are 5 Kuieli that seem to be resting. 2 have kite shields and long swords. 2 have bows, and the last one holds a war hammer and a small, buckler shield. They seemed to be a team, of some sorts." }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki says to Mevis* \"Are these the golems we're here about? Nevos, right?\" *They seem well armed, and they look to be skilled with those.* \"Well, I'm sure we can deal with this!\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis nods at Ralki's question. \"I-It would seems so. Uh, if you think you can handle them, I will do my best to keep up. Just lead the way...\" *He was clearly nervous about these new kinds of monsters. He didn't like dealing with the unknown, but felt some comfort that he had someone as strong as Ralki on his side*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi crouches down and watches the golems silently, naginata in his hand. The beasts look pretty intimidating... But he's certain that with two allies, it should be easy enough. He recognises Mevis, but Ralki is an absolute mystery to him. He tilts his head to the two, nodding at Mevis, who might recognise some aspects of Hitoshi's appearance. He won't be able to see the face though, he's wearing his mask right now.*" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "The Golem still rest, and look to be talking to each other while they were at it. They were incoherent from your hill, and thankfully, they haven't noticed you thanks to the tall grass. You guys would definitely need a plan to take down 5 armed and dangerous wood people, so I urge you to do so. Because this is the steppes, if you were to run at them above the tall grass in the steppe, the golem would notice pretty much immediately. Use this knowledge if your character is smart enough to study their surroundings and experienced enough to know that the grass is hiding them." }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Oh come on, Vevis! You're a very good adventurer, almost as good a me! And that's saying something. You should be able to keep up.\" *Ralki then looks around, and decides the best way to stealthily get close is to go under the earth, so she digs towards the golems with her burrow ability.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis actually didn't notice Hitoshi given his impressive stealth skills, but when he tilts his head and makes his presence known Mevis jumps backwards like a terrified cat, believing they had been ambushed. He attempts to grab Ralki's hand and run but after sensing no hostile action from Hitoshi, he stops and scans his surroundings. He then recognizes that it was that friend that Arthur introduced him to, and eventually calms down.* \n*He blushes slightly as Ralki calls him a good adventure. He knew she was just being nice, but it felt nice to hear that even if it was a lie. Seeing Ralki burrow the earth he nods in approval. Looks like they had similar ideas on how to approach this situation.*\"Once more your abilities prove useful.\" *He waits for Ralki to make a deep enough tunnel before jumping in and following her, motioning for Hitoshi to do the same.*" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Oh shit, I forgot my tunnels stay for a bit when she's burrowing*" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi tilts his head. He would've just snuck through the tall grass, but the burrowing works. Naginata carried at the ready, he walks through the tunnel as well. His grip continually adjusts as he gives his weapon small swings, the buzzing of his vibrating blade ever so slightly audible as he does so. He still utilises his Stealth skills, however.*" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": ")(I'm here, I was walking for a minute or two\n\nThe Kuieli don't notice and keep talking, which was a great opportunity for our three adventurers. Their speech was very... Blocky and guttural, and the three could probably not understand even a word of what they were saying. Their weapons lay close by, close enough to counteract an ambush. However, no creature would expect one from underground. Good decisions, everyone!" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki bursts up out of the earth with her sword above her head when she's near a Kuieli, and swings downwards with all her strength, hopefully hitting its head.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis would be caught off guard by Ralki's sudden attack, but after gathering his bearings he would peak out and evaluate the positioning of the Kuieli while reinforcing his arms and legs with air to prepare for the attack*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``Air Reinforcement was cast. 110/120 mana remain``" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi opts to continue the stealthy approach, using some magic to gain the upper hand with his ambush. He begins motioning to the shadows in the tunnel, muttering under his breath.*\n\n\"Momoko no kunai...\"\n\n*Three shadowy knives emerge from the shadows and form in his right hand, hanging onto his fingers. He takes them off one by one and throws one at each of the melee golems' chests.*\n\n`Hitoshi uses \"Shadow Blind\". 105/125`" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "The Golems notice a sudden, strange sound coming from their direction. Immediately, their conversation halts, and each golem stands up, picking up their weapons and shields. The bow Kuieli dashes into the tall grass, readying an arrow. The melee fighters each stand in guard, their shields ready to intercept a blow. As Ralki pops out of the ground like, 'Fuck is up', the golem is ready for it, and is able to block the strike with its kite shield, and immediately launch a counterattack. As the blade was slightly stuck in the top of the kite shield(because she swung with all her strength), the Kuieli pulls the shield back, attempting to make the Macen lose her balance. Then, with its long sword, the Kuieli swings down at her thigh. The archer fires the arrow at the woman's legs, attempting to immobilize her. Then, it stealthily moves to another location. The other golems start trying to help the first, but thankfully Hitoshi's shadow Kunai come in handy. As the unexpected Kunai hit and sink into their chest, the Kuieli cry out in pain and are blinded for a turn. The blades don't go too deep, as the Kuieli are made of wood. He might as well have saved Ralki's life there. The last Kunai can be chosen to be fired at the Kuieli and risk hitting the Macen, or held and used another time, if that's possible. Mevis is safe for the time being, as no golem is keeping an eye on the hole." }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Man, how rude was that? Stabbing her like that, the arrow too, anyways it won't happen again, no siree! Ralki casts earth investiture to get some armor.* \"Oh yeah! You like stabbing people then take this!\" *Ralki let's goes if the sword stuck in the shield and goes for a punch to the chest, which should be hard to defend because it just defended an attack from above.*" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis tenses up. The situation isn't looking good for Ralki, but they had endured a similar situation in the last quest. Just have to deal with as cleverly as you can. The primary issue right now are the archers as Mevis believed that Ralki and Hitoshi could hold their own on melee. Thankfully they had the high ground, meaning their arrows shouldn't be as strong going while his ranged attacks can take advantage of the natural downward force. \nHe activates his stealth abilities and using his speed tries to close the distance between himself and the archer. If he could reach them, he would aim a side thrust kick for their heads hoping to carry the downward momentum and crush it, or at the very least make them lose their balance. If he can't reach them, he would launch a concentrated air blast hoping for a similar effect.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``If Sonic Blast was used, 102.5/120 mana remain``" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi glares at the golems with the kite shields, and rushes toward them, noticing that the archer is already being combated by Mevis. His footsteps are dampened and his overall form is harder to see, as he takes a large swing at a blinded defensive golem's neck using his naginata.*\n\n`Hitoshi regenerates 5 mana, back up to 110/125. Hitoshi utilises Level 2 Stealth again.`" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "The golem that Ralki struck, which will be Golem 1 from now, is pushed back from the punch and takes the long sword with him. It doesn't do too much damage to his body, but evidently leaves some damage. Golem 1, using his position that was now slightly away from the Macen, flings the long sword stuck on the kite shield with a slightly clunky swing of the shield. It leaves him open, and was definitely a mistake that Ralki could use for her benefit. The Archer 1, having seen the man run at him, takes a step back, and is able to slightly lessen the impact of the kick. It is knocked off balance, falling on its ass. Golem 2 and 3 are now not blinded, and Golem 2(the other one with the kite shield) turns to the one rushing him, only to be met with a Naginata to the neck. It stands no chance after its blindness, and it's neck comes straight off. Golem 2 crumples to the ground, defeated. While Hitoshi's striking Golem 2, Golem 3 is also unblinded, and through its confusion, is able to swing its war hammer at the Kitsune while it was focused on golem 2. Because it had so little time to regain his standing, the hammer is aimed badly, and is heading towards the ninja's shoulder. The second archer decides to fire on the one that attacked its friend, and lets an arrow lose towards Mevis's stomach.\n\nGolem 1- Kite shield + Longsword\n~~Golem 2- Same~~\nGolem 3- War Hammer, buckler shield \nArcher 1- the one Knocked to the ground\nArcher 2- the one firing at mevis" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki shoots a windy impact to the opening Golem 1 caused, Ralki hopes he likes the dirt, because that's where he's going.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Although Mevis had tried to scan the area when he was hiding in the hole, he failed to notice the hidden archer. The arrow would sink into his gut and he would wince from the pain, but he was used to pain so it didn't really bother him that much. He would look down at the injury, then try to figure out where the other archer is. He knew the archers would be the biggest trouble. At least it was someone as worthless as him that got hurt this time instead of a a true hero like Ralki. But first, deal with one enemy at a time. \nHe would position his feet near the fallen Golem and attempt an axe kick to crush the head between his feet and the ground. If he succeeds he will then head toward the other archer with his arms raised in a defensive position." }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi quickly steps and ducks in the direction of the swung mace, also swinging his Naginata blade at the beast's legs. If the attack works, he then thrusts at the creature's neck, aiming to decapitate it as well. He begins shouting Runran threats, adrenaline pumping through his system. Not the spell, he's just in an excited state.*\n\n\"Kore wa yoi danro ni narimasu!\"" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "Golem 1 is knocked back, as the impact angle is from the front, not above. It sounds to a stop, then regains his footing. The chest area of it is now a bit more damaged. It puts the kite shield up again, and slowly regards its opponent with cautious eyes. Golem 3 narrowly avoids being swept down, blocking the sweep by putting the buckler shield in the way of the arm and the direction it was swinging. This causes it to slightly lose balance, and the next strike is less powerful. Golem 3 launches a slightly less powered smash with its hammer at Hitoshi's chest. Archer 1's head is crushed with a satisfying squelch. After a moment of twitching, the body goes limp. By the time the kick is done, archer 2 had fired another arrow, this time at Mevis's leg that wasn't kicking. Because he had kicked the golem on the ground, it would probably be a bit hard to avoid the arrow in any way.\n\nGolem 1- Kite shield + Longsword\n~~Golem 2- Same~~\nGolem 3- War Hammer, buckler shield \n~~Archer 1- the one Knocked to the ground~~\nArcher 2- the one firing at mevis" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki shrugs, she guess's she has to force this golems hand, she slings another windy impact at its feet, either forcing him to guard it or take it. Either way Ralki runs towards the golem after it does something, preparing a punch.*\n71 mana left" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis notices the other arrow being launched at his leg. However, Mevis had trained with other martial artists that had tried similar tactics, and that is why he trained in using magic in the first place. He uses Sonic Blast as a way to propel his other foot off the ground and hopefully out of the way of the direct path of the arrow. Even if it would still hit, with Mevis's Air Reinforcement still active around his legs and arms it would hopefully glance off. \nMevis would then rush toward the remaining archer with his impressive speed hoping to be in melee range. From his experience archers aren't good with dealing enemies that are up close, and even if this golem was, Mevis was confident in his martial arts to defend himself in melee range.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``Sonic Blast was used and 1 mana regenerated. 103.5/120 mana remain``" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "**Hitoshi uses \"Get over Here\", and expends 10 mana. 5 regenerates, so he is now at 105.**\n\n*Hitoshi backsteps to evade the hammer, and begins uttering some other phrase as he motions to his own shadow.*\n\n\"Watashi no kyosei suru..\"\n\n*Tendrils begin to wrap around his left arm, and he uses said arm to attempt to pull the golem's shield arm forward, adjusting his grip on the Oriental spear so that his grip is closer to the blade and swinging downward on its left shoulder, if the tendril connects.*" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "Golem 1 is able to back away before the projectile hits him, and it harmlessly strikes the ground in front of him. As the Macen approaches the golem, the golem— instead of simply taking the hit, dashes forward, denying the Macen of a good punch. The golem's shield is in front of him, and would probably knock the Macen a bit backwards. Golem 3's hammer is evaded, and his arm is pulled forward. As it is pulled, the golem attempts to, instead of panicking and not doing anything, strike the Kitsune while he was connected to him. The spear strike lands, though, and the spear is inserted into the Golem's shield arm's shoulder, and nearly cuts it off. Hissing in pain, the golem's strike with his hammer is disrupted, and hits untrue, missing completely. Now, Hitoshi has enough room for a cool execution. The Golem is bent forwards for a moment, it's neck completely exposed, it's shield arm dangling, it's only weapon already swung. Archer 2 let's loose another arrow as the second one it shot simply nicks the leg, and starts backing off. The arrow flies towards Mevis's shoulder, but the aim is a bit off, and flies a bit too high. Golem 1- Kite shield + Longsword\n~~Golem 2- Same~~\nGolem 3- War Hammer, buckler shield \n~~Archer 1- the one Knocked to the ground~~\nArcher 2- the one firing at mevis" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Jeez, does this guy know anything other than shielding, he does realize that he's not going to win if he doesn't have an offence, and getting knocked back is annoying. Anyways, Ralki sends out another windy impact, this time directed at its shield, hoping for it Lose it's guard.*\n59 mana left" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*Mevis runs forward and carrying the momentum of running 34 mph he leaps in the air and attempts to decapitate the archer with a wrapping kick around the neck. If it someone dodges or survives, Mevis would follow up with attempting to pummel it with a point blank sonic blast. He sees Ralki is still struggling with the Golem. It must be the boss golem if is able to hold Ralki off for this long. Mevis swears to himself that he will go help her after dealing with these archers.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``If Sonic Blast is used 96/120 mana remaining``" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi executes the golem with the Naginata, kicking its body to the ground after it's decapitated. Then, he looks to Ralki's assailant and helps her out a bit.\n\nHe mutters for a bit, and summons the tendril again, but this time, he swings towards its leg. If the tendril connects, he pulls at it, trying to trip it up.*" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "Archer 2's head is kicked mid air in an impressive show of martial skill, and snaps off of the body. Spinning rapidly, it's flies to the ground, and is cracked open like a watermelon. The body falls limply shortly after, and Archer 2 is done for. Golem 3's head falls off of its perch after the cut, which was so clean and sharp that the head took a second to register that it even happened at all, then fell. Golem 3's warhammer drops on the ground with a thud. Golem 1's shield falters as it is hit, but all it does is push it back slightly. Assuming that the golem knocked Ralki off her balance because there was absolutely *No reaction to it,* The Golem then steps forward, and drives the blunt bottom of its shield into her neck. It would probably do some serious damage to her, but of course, Flex isn't going to respond to that— so here's what happens. Ralki is left incapacitated and defeated after sustaining a serious damage to her thigh that has been ***BLEEDING FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW***, and taking a hit to her windpipe. The tendril hits, however, and jerks the golem off balance.\n\nGolem 1- Kite shield + Longsword\n~~Golem 2- Same~~\n~~Golem 3- War Hammer, buckler shield ~~\n~~Archer 1- the one Knocked to the ground~~\n~~Archer 2- the one firing at mevis~~" } ]

[ { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "*Ralki activates her shields function of being really quick to block the attack to her neck, and then punch's the golem in the face* \"You should really be better at attacking if you're going to be a jerk at this place!\"" }, { "author": "Mevis", "message": "*If possible, Mevis would sprit toward the last golem, glad to see that Ralki is still alright, but worried how much longer she could last. If he could make it there, he would attempt to knee the head as it is being tripped up by Hitoshi. If he can't he will launch a sonic blast instead with the same plan.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "``If Sonic blast is used 89/120 mana remaining``" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi looks towards Mevis, and as his tendrils wear off, he looks back at the Golem, swinging the Naginata at its neck if Mevis fails his attack. Nothing extraordinary, they're already finished.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*The Golem would stagger backwards slightly, not accounting for the speed of Ralki's block, or her surprise counter-attack. Just as the Golem's head moved backwards from the hit, Mevis' knee would find its mark, throwing the Golem sharply off-balance. It'd catch itself as it hit the ground, landing on its knees and looking up as Hitoshi's naginata would cut deep into the wooden skull. Its eyes would go dim as it, along with all the other golems, were dispatched.*" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"Jeez, I guess I'll need a healer now\" *Ralki says as she sheds her earth investiture, revealing the gash caused by the arrow before,* \"I should be more careful and use my defence wisely.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Mevis winces seeing how injured Ralki is, ashamed at how he thought he was helping her at all just cus he took down the archer golems. \n\"Y-yeah. That's always a good idea. Protecting yourself is important. But I think it's impressive that you lasted that long against the boss golem. But yeah, we should both get healed. Look at me, I got an arrow in the gut against a weak archer golem. Sorry that I wasn't strong enough to deal with them and help you in time...\"" }, { "author": "pineywoods7124", "message": "\"No worries, you\" *Ralki winces in pain* \"Did your best! And it seems that our best isn't enough to get away with it unscathed, I'm afraid... But! This is a learning experience and this will help us become greater than we are right now! Hard to believe right?\"" }, { "author": "Deleted User", "message": "*Hitoshi cracks his shoulders. That wasn't so hard, all things considered. Of course, maybe it's a little bit rich coming from the person who mostly took sneak attacks of opportunity, but still. He begins collecting the golem heads and gathering the golem's valuable gems.*" }, { "author": "pink.bulbous.tumor", "message": "Good job, you guys did it!\n5 Kuieli- 100 Silver each\nHitoshi took down three golems- 0.9 pp\nMevis took down two golems- 0.9 pp\nRalki was the distraction- 0.9 pp" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur had been transversing the continent for about 7-8 hours now. He was well away from New Salvainia, but still was cautious every time he'd seen a soldier patrol walk by on the roads. There was even an incident where there were no trees in the surrounding area to hide behind as he walked a path, so he pulled his cloak even further past his face, well covering his eyes and nose. He couldn't see in front of him, but he trusted his navigational senses to follow the path, hoping he wouldn't bump into them. He was lucky; that encounter had gone by without any troubles or complications. He had also passed by a Salvainian fort-base, where he swiftly ran by during the night. Apparently, this fort was one of the outermost Salvainian occupations in the continent, and going past it would mark the beginning of the Silnarian Empire's territory.*\n\n*Arthur pondered this for a moment before he sprinted past. For the past 7 years, he had been living in peace in the Salvainian Empire, which was generally accepting of his Kitsune features. The Elves, however, although few, scorned and scoffed at him for the most part. And Arthur was stepping into their homeland. Shuddering at the thought of having to live the rest of his life as an outcast, he decided that it'd be a better option than having to face bounty hunters left and right in Salvainia. By now, there were probably hordes upon hordes of hopeful New Sunlight guild members hunting for his head, for the 150 gold bounty. With that, he began wondering what Mevis and Hitoshi were doing as of now; they were probably off doing some quest together, most likely at the level for squires. Maybe they were even trying to clear his name... A noble, but most likely useless attempt. After all, once the government found out that he'd assassinated Cornelius, there'd be even more coming after him.*\n\n*As he walked past, he arrived at a large open plain, free of trees and the like. The path also widened until it was no more, as well. He had been told by his employer via a letter to meet him there, along with any other hopefuls wanting to tag along.*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox had received the letter late, and when he figured out that the time for the appointment was only a day from when he first read the letter, he Immediately mounted on one of the random horses in the garrison. He was going to have to ride day and night from Huiruor Iluot to the Vuuntuta Steppes. Such an excursion would tire out his horse, a risk he was not going to take. Mentally he tried to piece together all he knew about the mysterious employer and whether or not he would be a huge impediment to his own plans as he rode. While travelling, he would often take his mask off, letting the wind blow on his face. He' wasn't on a task just yet; no need for fear or intimidation.*\n\n*Nox, having lost track of time would feel that he arrived in the Vuuntuta Steppes in a flash but in reality it took him a day an a half.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur would have lied down on his backpack, having walked into the clearing a good amount into the Steppe. Taking a piece of bread from his backpack, he absentmindedly ate it, staring at the sky above him. How many days was it since he said his final goodbyes to Mevis and Hitoshi? A full day already, huh? He remembered having to restock on some bread before he started venturing TOO deep into the woods, so he checked his timepiece as per usual. 11:37, and judging by the sun's position, it was obviously in the morning. He decided to take a nap before he met with his employer, and possible teammates. Just as he began to sleep, however, he saw a tall, black figure riding on a horse towards him. Slowly, the figure expanded until it was about 2 meters away from Arthur, robed in all black cloth, mask at its side. He recognized that mask; it was Nox. Unusually, it was taken off, but Arthur paid no mind to that as he got up and held his hand out for Nox to shake.*\n\n\"So, we meet again, eh? Nox?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"Yes, it's funny how life comes full circle.\"\n*Nox would shake his hand and hold onto it do dismount the tired horse. From some of his lord's agents in Salvania, he knew there was a bounty on all of the people involved in Valerie's escape. Well, actually, make that two bounties. There was another one for Helping Valerie out at the cave. Gotta have Arthur to thank for that he thought to himself. At least karma is a bitch, and Arthur would have to live in a place where his kind were little more than specks of dirt. As for the bounty, Nox wasn't too concerned; he believed in his supreme ability and power.*\n\"We gotta stop meeting like this, always waiting for a messenger.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur would shake his hand firmly, looking into Nox's unmasked face. It looked pretty average, if Arthur was to be honest, as far as Dark Elves go. He recalled the last time the two had met, which was also due to a job set by an employer who worked for 'the boss.' He began to wonder if Nox was wanted in Silnaria as well as Salvainia, so as he let go, he asked.*\n\n\"Yeah, we should hang out sometime,\" He began. \"Or is there a bounty for your head here as well?\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox was taken aback by the Kitsune's words. He didn't mean hanging out, he meant that he disliked waiting around like sitting ducks for their employer to send a pawn to tell them what to do. Pffft. What was this boy talking about? A bounty here, on him? Absurd. No one put bounties up for Dark or High elves unless they were major politicians and have massive pull.*\n\n\"No, No one cares much about the comings and goings of the Salvain empire here.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Speaking of politicians, the mail I got said our target was one of the more important ones. Who do you think it is?\"\n\n*Attempting to make small talk in this somewhat awkward situation, Arthur wanted to see if Nox could give him so more information about the comings and goings of the region. He would start with the politicians, because after politicians, the topic of prsent issues would surely follow soon after. After all, the two were linked very closely in terms of topic; you can't talk about one without mentioning the other.*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"In a country of 10 million free men and thousands on thousands of politicians, It's probably some plebian idiot.\"\n\n*Nox absently replied while taking a drink ow water and looking around for the Messenger. They had met the shapeshifter and the woman; perhaps it would be a talking worm?*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yeah, politicians come from all sorts of backgrounds, dont they?\" He began. \"What do they usually debate over? I never really heard any sort of political issues while in Salvainia.\"\n\n*He kept chewing on his piece of bread, looking up in the clouds for a sign of their employer. If things went like they did the last time, there would either be a shapeshifter or a person coming to meet with them. He hoped it was soon; things were starting to get slightly awkward between the two.*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"They spend days debating the most trivial of matters\" He paused before he continued \"As an elf, you learn to not pay attention; they hardly affect daily lives. Unfortunately, that is not the case for you.\"\n\n*He then thought about the Elven council and shook his head. Nobles with entire branches up their asses. The spent time debating matters instead of acting on them. People he respected did what they believed they had to do without a pang of regret. Nox slipped his mask on as a signal that chit chat time was over, and it was time to get professional.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"What do you mean... Not the case?\"\n\n*Arthur, not knowing a thing about the encroaching empire, wanted to learn a bit more information before their employer came to inform them further on their task. It was 11:51 as of now; 12 minutes had passed since he had first arrived. He was more or less eager to learn more about the inner workings of the place he was heading into, because in the end, information is the winner of all bouts.*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"Have you been living under a rock? Even in Salvania people know of the pathetic skirmishes that the beaskin call a war.\"\n\n*Nox almost felt sorry for the kitsune, but he wasn't simply going to help him out of compassion. This mission would solidify his opinion on him, and if he proved to be a valuable agent, Nox would help him.*\n\n\"These days, you can do anything to a beastkin and no one will bat an eye.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Inform me, please. I havent been living under a rock, but if the forest and wilderness counts, then yeah. I don't know much about the world as of now.\"\n\n*Feeling slightly taken aback that Nox was indirectly insulting him, he decided not to let this show. He certainly didn't feel like Nox would be as good as a companion as Hitoshi or Mevis had been; at best, they'd be somewhat familiar with eachother after this mission.*\n\n\"Beastkin? What constitutes as beastkin? Do Kitsunes count?\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"To High Elves, anything without long curved ears of an elf are less than sentinet beasts. Dark elves like me are more welcoming, only the Qua and Brayers are beasts\"\n\nNox thought for a moment to think before continuing. Perhaps having a agent in Lymia would server his purposes well.\n\n\"You will find out southern cousins much much more welcoming\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Interesting, I'll definitely take note of that,\" Arthur began. \"That still doesn't answer my first question, though. What's the current situation in Silnaria? I have been 'living under a rock' all this time.\"\n\n*Arthur thought for a moment after he had said this, his mind eventually coming back to question who Nox really was. He was a dark elf, sure, but what was he to the Silnarian world? An influential figure? A revolutionary? What was he?*\n\n\"By the way, who exactly are you? I know you're Nox, but that's about it. What are you exactly?\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"I thought I already told you. Life goes on as normal just like any other place unless you are a Non-elf race here. I suggest looking as elf as possible wear a hood to hide the fact that you have non elf ears.\"\n\n*Nox sighed in his head. Old habits die hard didn't they? Arthur was too curious for his own good. Those who knew of his true goals were already cold in their graves. He decided to give a roundabout answer that revealed nothing.*\n\n\"I don't like to blow my own horn, but I'm a Battlemage who has quite a reputation in Huiruor Iluot\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*With Nox's response, the two of you would awkwardly wait for a couple of minutes. It would seem these employers tend to have a habit of always arriving just on time, never early, but at least never late either. Just as it turns noon, you both would see a tall individual in a black coat and hood walking over. Covering his face is a plague doctor mask, hiding all facial features. In his right arm he carries a thick black book and in his a left a massive black iron tipped cane. Once he gets within 10 ft of two of you, he bows slightly and opens his book. He clears his throat and in a muffled voice speaks*\n\n\"Every servant has his place, no matter how lowly or modest. To know your place is the greatest comfort, to excel in it is the greatest solace. The greatest reward is their master's satisfaction. So do not pride yourself on your strength, but in your ability to serve in the moment\"\n\n*The plague doctor then closes his book and simply stands there for a few seconds with his hands in prayer. He then looks over to the open field and speaks once more*\n\n\"There is a servant out there who has prided himself on his strength. He has failed to find satisfaction in serving his master. Worse yet he had attempted to bite the hand that feeds. We, loyal servants of the almighty one, shall bring him to the light once more. We've been been bringing justice to this sinner for the past week, but the strength he values and abuses has let him escape thus far. However, through the holy plans of the almighty one, we've cornered him here today. You two, the chosen bringers of justice have but one job now. Go out there and carry out the lord's command. The lord is kind, even after all the sinner has done, he is willing to take him back with open arms and you will be greatly reward for it with the lord's satisfaction. But if you must be harsh with you judgement, that too will be accepted, as the holy one has put complete faith in you two. If thee need anything, ask, and it may be given\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As Arthur watched the figure approach, he recalled a certain story he had read about long ago about some incoherently powerful being who could kill with a single touch. It was called... Well, he couldn't quite remember, but it had started with 3 letters of the alphabet, and ended with the numbers 049. The parallels he drew between the storybook figure and the evangelist in front of him were few, but interesting nonetheless; both had donned what was called a 'plague doctor' mask, and both spoke oddly of some sort of metaphorical being, his employer speaking of servants and the 'almighty one', and the storybook being constantly speaking of the 'pestilence.' How interesting.*\n\n*Attempting to translate what the figure was talking about, Arthur finally came down to a certain conclusion; him and Nox were being hired to apprehend a certain person who had allegedly wronged the 'Boss', and the two were supposed to kidnap and take him away, or kill him. This... This was all mentioned before in the letter he had recevied.*\n\n\"First things first, information.\" Arthur said, turning to the figure. \"Who is our target? And please, speak in more... Normal tones. I can barely figure out what you're saying as of now.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox shook his head. This employer if his was certainly good at collecting a sorry band of messengers. Well to think of it, the Shapeshifter was somewhat acceptable. After hearing the first few words, he zoned out and only began to to listen for keywords. \n\nDissapointing. An Ill dressed imbecile that talked in long sentences with no apparent meaning. What a inept servant that simply echoed the words of his master. He refrained from saying anything, letting Arthur do the talking.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The plague doctor nods at Arthur's question and opens his book once more. \n\n\"Disappointed am I that you, a deliver of justice, cannot under the divine word. Alas, I am generous, and as a mortal being shall translate the words so that you may understand. The 'target' is a dark elf politician. Loyally did he serve the lord, but alas he went too deep and learned things that he shouldn't have learned. I fear I see similar traits in you, deaf child. I pray that you are able to keep such traits within restraints though. The 'information' that you two are likely interested in is that 1 mile east from here lies the 'target'. He is a skilled lightning mage, and is aware we have surrounded him. He tethers on the edge of self-sacrifice or self-destruction, our hunt has clearly gone to his head and the lack of sleep has not helped. He is not to be underestimated. I pray that you two can handle him and bring him back to the path of righteousness.\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Hiding the growing grin on his face, Arthur almost began to burst out in a fit of laughter at this man's arrogant tone and dialect. He would cover his mouth, turning away frm his employer. Finally, he turned back towards him, attempting to look as serious as possible while also holding his hands together in a sort of praying manner.*\n\n\"I apologize, fellow servant of the allmighty one. Let it be known that we are of one mind; I too can understand and utter the divine word, and you will no longer have to speak in the forementioned 'normal tones' my foolish mind thought of earlier. Although my mind is curious, and my ears begging to come up on sacred knowledge, I will pull back on these desires because of my moral oath of servitude to the divine lord.\" \n\n*Arthur said this, skillfully hiding the mocking undertones in his voice. One he finished, he held his hands down to his sides, slightly bowing to the plague doctor figure.*\n\n\"Mame so e, good man, brother in the arms of the divine. Mame so e.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox shook his head once again. Meaningless words were exchanged, yet none had meaning. The plague doctor was probably a wannabe him that was an unbelievably sad cringe. Arthur was up to his usually shenanigans. Not good. Nox would speak for the first time in this exchange.*\n\n\"Name. Where.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The plague doctor tilts his head at Arthur's remarks but also puts his hands to sides and bows to Arthur. \n\n\"I see now that it was not that your ears were deaf, but that you had dedicated yourself to this Mame so e. It only make sense that one of a different divinity cannot truly grasp another. It is a shame that you do not share my faith in the almighty lord, but as a holy man, I respect your religious dedication to your Mame so e. Thus, while I do not know who or what Mame so e is, I wish it back onto you fellow divine brother.\"\n\nThe plague doctor would til his head over to Nox\n\"The name matters not, but if will satisfy your curiosity, it is Vinran Tyrian. As for where, I find it odd that the silent one is also deaf. Usually those who do not speak hear better. But as the lord is kind, so am I. Thus I shall repeat that 1 mile east from here on this open plain lies the sinner. He is surrounded so that he may not escape like before. You two merely have to carry out the lord's task. Is all now clear? Have the divine words reached your ears? If so, head out as to not keep the lord waiting\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur turned to Nox, tilting his head towards the east. 1 mile? They probably could make it if they ran, but they needed to hurry. Who knows how long it would be before the elf, Vinran Tyrian, would break through those who had surrounded him with lightning magic? Taking his backpack off of the ground, Arthur would begin to nod one more time at the plague doctor, then set off running at a fast sprint towards the eastern horizon, shouting back at Nox.*\n\n\"Let's go! We need to get there quick, 'else who knows what'll happen?!\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Arthur had reacted too late for Nox's liking. Nox like always, would ignore the jabs of the plague doctor. To him, only his statements were valid, the others were not. As soon as he heard 1 mile, he started to move towards the horse he had rode here. Although the horse was visibly exhausted, it would probably last another mile. As for the Kitsune, he could probably keep up in his Fox form of he could just cast that speed spell he had. He got on, and waved the Kitsune over.*\n\n```Arthur generally had concretely reacted too fairly tardy for Nox''s relishing, authentically contrary to popular notion. Nox like always would essentially ignore the jabs of the plague doctor, authentically contrary to popular notion. To him, only his verbalizations kind of were of any validation, the others for all intents and purposes were not, of paramount importance. As soon as he auricularly discerned 1 mile, he mostly commenced to move towards the horse he for the most part, had ridden here, categorically contrary to popular notion. Albeit the horse generally was visibly exhausted, although it would for all intents and purposes very probably last another mile, concretely further exhibiting how albeit the horse authentically was visibly exhausted, it would essentially probably categorically last another mile, which literally is fairly consequential. As for the Kitsune, he could probably authentically keep up in his Fox form or he could just cast that speed for all intents and purposes spell he had, which kind of shows that as anon as he aurally perceived 1 mile, he definitely commenced to move towards the horse he concretely had ridden here, or so they genuinely thought. He literally got on and fundamentally waved the Kitsune over, which concretely is fairly paramount.\n```\n\n^Me spewing gibberish" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Given the fact that Nox's horse was exhausted from the continuous trek, Arthur is able to keep up pace, albeit having to sprint for around 3 minutes to travel the 1 mile distance. It would not be a stretch to assume Arthur's legs would be pretty worn out if not exhausted after the sprint. However, you've at least reached the destination.*\n*It honestly wouldn't look that much different from where you met the plague doctor. The grass might be a taller here but for the most part it was still an open plain with very little shrubbery. You two are certain that this is 1 mile out as the plague doctor had said, but looking around you see no one else besides the two of you and well perhaps some animals moving through the tall grass as they appear to shift and move occasionally*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox would ride over to the most proximate tree, dismount and tie the horse he, for the most part, had borrowed to the tree. He mostly was about to categorically pour water from his canteen onto the ground for the horse afore he categorically realized the horse had already drunk at the stream where they met the Plague Doctor. He would most likely return for it if it still lived after they were done with their task; Nox would prefer having something to ride back to Huiruor Iluot instead of taking a detour to a nearby venue to purchase another horse. His fundamental conjecture was that the lightning mage generally proved too definitely vigorous for the people assailing him, but at the same time too impotent to genuinely kill them, categorically furthering his conjecture, the most plausible thing was that they essentially had battled while relocating to an incipient location. That would designate that there would kind of be tracks and sounds of lighting or weapons clashing nearby. Visually perceiving the kind of taller grass and much less shrubbery compared to afore, Nox realized that this concretely was remotely the best situation they could kind of be in, or so he thought. He wished he, for the most part, had the high ground this time which quite consequential in their attempt to track Vinran. He would rudimentarily be able to optically canvass the bent grass and surmise where they peregrinated, but infelicitously for him, they were on level ground, so visually perceiving tracks in the taller grass would prove to be quite the arduous endeavor for him. Not wanting to genuinely perturb any tracks, Nox stayed abaft the areas with much higher concentrations of tall grass near the tree and essentially endeavored to spot a pattern to no avail.*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"Arthur, you hear and sense better than me. Try and see if you can pinpoint where they went!\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur, hearing Nox suggest that he would be the one to provide reconnaissance, would take a moment to breath before he slowly jogged around the open plain which was only slightly different from the one they came from. Honestly, the bland expanse seemed infinite in all directions; he himself couldn't even define where they had come from. As he jogged around, he paced his breathing, attempting to stifle the sound of his breaths as he tried to listen around for any sort of movements in the area. As a kitsune, small disturbances in the silence would be blatantly noticeable to him, so he made sure to have his Kitsune ears out in place of his Macen counterparts. He listened, listened to his own shallow breaths, listened to the wind rustling the grass beneath his feet, listened to the steppe.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "As Arthur listened to his surroundings his keen kitsune ears would pick up the sounds of wind, of insects, and of heavy breathing come from the left. Looking over in that direction you would see that the grass is particularly tall there, perhaps tall enough for a grown man to hide in if he was crouching?" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur, immediately sensing a deep, heavy breathing to his left, instantly stopped and listened to it, focusing in on that one sound as he shut out all other noises. It was panicked, it had a sort of mass to it, and it sounded... Desperate. He looked over, and saw a good amount of tall grass a good amount of feet away from him. He felt eyes upon his body, eyes that were over analyzing and desperate, as if the owner was backed into a corner, in which case, he pretty much was. He saw Nox a pretty far distance off, so keeping an eye on the grass, he yelled to the Dark elf.*\n\n\"Nox! I think we found our target!\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox cast doubt into his words, anyone with an encephalon would have detected it in a subtle way. Despite his words, he would perpetuate after Arthur in dead silence, tracing the Kitsune''s tacks impeccably as he dude not optate to mostly integrate any of his literally tracks to perturb the tracks that may for the most part have been left earlier by their quarry.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yeah, I'm detecting some really heavy breathing coming out from that bush right there.\" *Arthur pointed to the overgrowth of fauna where the breathing and sounds came from, though he hesitated a slight bit whilst saying this. He wasn't entirely sure if the brush was their target, but hey, if it was, then that would mean that there would be one less mansion infiltrated at the end of the day, and even more unnecessary killing avoided.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*As Arthur mentions 'Nox I think we found our target!' followed by pointing to the area, he would hear the breathing speed up. Just as he finishes telling Nox that he hears heavy breathing, a man would emerge from the bush with bloodshot eyes of a madman. It would look like a dark elf with wearing what used to be fine clothing, but is sadly now filthy and rugged. In his hand would be a wooden staff with engravings of lightning bolts around it, and the man aggressively points it at the two of you*\n\n\"You fools! Get away from here! You must be mercenaries, no? Look at what they're doing to me, Vinran Tyrian! They will surely do the same to you one day! Leave now, and we both may get to see another day!\"" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"You seem to be a well composed, respected and informed man\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*All the while, Nox had been scheming to find out who their employer was. He seemed to have agents everywhere. That was not so arduous a task, but having good agents and have them with some kind of prestige and power would take years and years of cultivation. Nox was starting to think that whoever this was would become an impediment to his own plans. He would keep his distance from Vinran and say:*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"You have figured out we are mercenaries. Let me inform you that you can outbid my current employer for my services. Seeing that you may not have the coin for that, I also take information as payment.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*He paused before adding:*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"Bounty hunting is a compilcated profession\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur would be taken by surprise at the man's demeanor; a once handsome face, now scarred by the whips of madness and the abuse of insanity. The elf's staff, in different hands, would have been a symbol of authority and power, but in his hands it was almost comical, like a senile old man with a stick. The once-fine clothing was ripped to the point of near shreds, and it was covered all around with the filth of nature. Arthur could smell the man's scent all the way from where he stood; a disgusting, vile, morbid smell, which almost caused Arthur to throw up the bread he had eaten earlier. Almost.*\n\n*He turned towards Nox in a somewhat fit of surprise, since Nox stated that he would easily turn over to the elf's side if he had the coin to pay it. This silently infuriated Arthur, seeing that his personal values always told him to get a job done once you start it, no matter what you must do. Seeing Nox sway from one side to the other so easily was agitating Arthur quite a bit, but he kept his tongue and outward appearance cool as per usual. He turned back to his target, a look of contempt in his eyes, with a dash of pity. He knew that the elf had long since passed the point of no return, mentality and physically. It was like staring at a cornered rat, but even the weakest animal, when cornered, will bite,*\n\n\"Vinran Tyrian, it's for both your best interest and mine that you surrender to us without any complications. Trust me, I really don't feel like fighting today, but I will force you to submit if I must. So let's keep it real simple, before one of us leaves the valley in a bodybag.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would look at Nox wide-eyes. \"Oh no, oh no no no no no! Information is how I got in this mess! You're a mad lad, a lunatic! I can't possibly put you through the same thing... I'm going to die aren't I? No, knowing what I know, you want me alive. Like hell I'm going back alive! I'll kill myself before that!\" And he spits at Arthur's feet. \n\n\"Just leave, your lives are not worth this. And don't speak like that ever again fellow elf. You never know who is listening...\" \nHe would then walk over 10 ft or so and push away the grass and dig into the ground with his staff for a bit. Arthur would then realize why Tyrian smelled so bad as the smell of decaying flesh fills his nostrils. Looking over you two would see a stack of small critters with their bodies crushed. \n\"None of them were that damn shapeshifter, but can never be too careful...\"" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"Well since you would rather die, fight us and we will grant you the gift of a honorable death\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox recognized that this Vinran had taken extreme measures to gain his power. Nox respected that. However, as the rule of life goes, the old will fall to the new. No would ready his weapon and prepare to fight.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"Yeah, but don't EVER say we tried to let you off easy. You wanted this? Now come and get it.\"\n\n*Seeing Nox take a fighting stance, Arthur decided to do the same. He sensed great power coming from Vinran, a power malevolent and dark. To keep it short, Arthur didn't like it. It reminded him too much of the magical presence he had senses in the woods as his family's mansion had burned to the ground; malicious, evil, devoid of light. Choosing to attack first, he used his left hand to cast Burn Up! Increasing his speed by 20 mph, and his gen speed by 0.5. With his right hand, he cast Hellfire Blades, summoning 2 crimson longswords set aflame with a magical fire, heating the air with a crackling, sizzling sound. The swords would orbit him, both of them facing downwards. After this, he drew Rasmus with his now-free right hand, and analyzed the distance between the two. 10 feet. Not that far, but not that close either. He would have to trust that Nox would take his lead after he had launched the preemptive strike.*\n\n*He then dashed up to Vinran at unhuman speeds, touching one of his swords to have it pause midair about 4 feet away to follow Vinran's movements, prepared to stab at the moment the elf would move. With his other sword, he took it in his left hand, holding Rasmus and the leftover blade in both hands. He would then try and go for a sort of X-shaped slash starting from the elf's shoulders down, having the sword paused continue to aim at it's target.*\n\n``` Burn Up! And Hellfire Blades cast. Remaining mana: 88.75 ```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would see Nox take a battle stance and sigh\n\"There is no honor in death, there is only death. I desire a free life, but if it comes to this...\"\nHe sees Arthur charge up his spells and charge toward him, however he doesn't seem to be caught offguard and his eyes seem capable of keeping up with Arthur's movements as he leaps backwards. Granted he isn't as fast as you, so you are able to close the distance, but the extra time he got from leaping backwards allowed him to raise one of his arms and summon a barrier in his hands that he holds at a slanted downward angle against the paused sword. \nAs the sword would get into stabbing distance it would collide with the shield Vinran summoned, blocking the strike completely. The shield would then break however, but when it does it lets out a burst of air at you since it was held at a downward angle. The force would be strong enough to pin you in place as of the moment, albeit still in swinging distance of Vinran. \nHowever as you swing your sword at him, Vinran would twist the staff between his legs in a odd martial arts style to block it as well. Surprisingly as your blades make contact with his staff, it does not break, but even more alarming was that despite the enchantments you've placed on Ramus to make it so that you swing harder, the elf is actually pushing against you, with the force exerting downward seemingly to lock your movement even further. \nWith his other free arm he aims at Arthur at this short distance and his body cackles with red lightning as 2 red orbs appear and one of them launches straight at Arthur while the other raises 180 ft into the air cackling with energy. \n\n\"Child, what kind of jobs do you think they asked of me before I got into my position... It didn't have to come to this\" And he would then turn his head slightly to see what Nox was up to." } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "\"SHIT-\"\n*Arthur instantly recognized the spell as soon as the man had cast the red orbs. He had read it in a couple of magic grimoires. He had seen it only a couple of times before, but knew what it was: Crack the Sky. He knew he only had a few moments before the sphere was cast straight at him, but knew what the spell could do. It was a lightning spell, first and foremost, and the red spheres were conductors of incredible thunder, but they also tracked metallic objects. As he was being pushed down towards the ground, he kept the pressure up, clashing with the elf's staff with his own two swords. In a bout of desperation, Arthur used a surmountable amount of strength all in one burst to forcefully push against his staff, allowing him a significant amount of leeway room to move.*\n\n*However, his joy would soon be short-lived as one of the red orbs became stuck on his left metallic pauldron, and his eyes opened wide in horror as he watched the other orb rise into the air. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he was hit with the projectile, so he scrambled frantically to tear the piece of armor the orb was stuck on off, throwing it in the direction of the elf. This left him with an unguarded left arm, but then again, it was better than being absolutely singed and electrocuted by the encroaching lightning.*\n\n``` No magic cast. 5 mana regained. Remaining mana: 93.75 ```" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Now would slowly walk over to where Arthur and Vinran were fighting and while he did so, he lowered his weapon, took a good look around the surroundings, casually brush off the dust off his shoulder with his free hand. When he was done he raised a finger, as it about to say something, before pausing momentarily and shook his head.\n\nIn a blur of motion, he would raise Iapetus and points it at the drier sections tall grass. With luck, he might be able to burn the whole field of dry winter grass. The runes in Iapetus cackled to life , shaking off the soot and grime. It would unleash an intense fire that quickly ignited the grass into a raging fire.*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"Like I said, you seem to be wise and we'll connected. What would a meager portion of gold mean to you?\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The red ball would go flying with the piece of armor that Arthur threw but basically the instant he threw it a red bolt lightning originates from the first orb and blasts the piece of armor at nearly point-blank distance from Arthur's hand. He was at least spared from the direct hit, but excess amount of electricity coursing through the air travel up his arm and he feels his nerves singe in pain. Vinran would look impressed to see Arthur still standing however. \n\"I see you think fast. A valuable skill in this line of work...\"\nHe would then see Nox set flame to the nearby flames and he would raise an eyebrow at Nox as he asks his question and laughs wryly\n\"Wise I am not, otherwise I wouldn't be here now would I. Connected I was, but look at me now... If I had any gold on me I would've gladly offered it, but you can see that I am wearing filthy rags, right? The only payment I can give is information, and I don't know if you will value it, but leaving here and never get involved with this 'boss' ever again is the most valuable piece of information I can give you. And I don't know what you intend to do with setting flames to the grass, but I do know the employee looking after you won't be pleased since he will have to be the one to clean up after you\"\n\nHe would see Arthur breathing heavily and would look at him with sympathy \"Look, I do not want to kill a child like you, especially one who is misguided. If you don't die from me, if you continue this line of work know that you will someday end up like me. Leave, as I trust your life is more valuable than whatever you are getting paid...\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur reeled back in pain. His left hand and fingers were screaming out in agony, and he felt his arm go numb as the force of the blast pushed him back towards where he came from, all the while having Rasmus dig into the ground as to prevent him from being launched. He could barely hold the sword in his left hand, so he returned it to his side along with the one he tried stabbing the elf with earlier. The two swords danced and orbited around Arthur, their flames licking the air, hungry for something to burn. Arthur tried moving his left arm; it wouldn't move.\n\n\"Fuck, that sleazy bastard got me!\" He thought. His left arm unguarded and paralyzed, it would droop from his shoulder socket doggedly, but Arthur decided to get up from the ground and enter a defensive stance. He was still faster than the elf, but his magical skills would definitely pale in comparison. He didn't want to make the first move this time; he had felt incredible strength come from the man after he had his first attack blocked. He knew that Crack the Sky was taxing on one's energy, so he knew he couldn't end this fight quickly as he would usually.*\n\n\"Misguided?\" Arthur said, glaring at the elf. \"Misguided? I do this because I have no other means to make money. I can't find a different way, plus this job pays the most. I don't mind at all working for 'the boss' as long as I get cash in my pocket. Trust me, if I didn't have to do this, I wouldn't-\" *He said, biting his tongue. He knew that last part was a lie, as he didn't have to take part in the previous quests, but did so anyway because of the thrill and the adventure he felt. He continued. \"I don't care whether I end up like you, because I won't. I refuse to.\"\n\n*He then turned towards Nox, shaking his abdomen to show his limp arm flailing about.* \n\n\"Help me out here? I can't fucking feel anything in my arm.\"" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"From what I can see, you are doing extremely fine!\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox obviously knew that Arthur was not fine. He was probably stunned and had major burns on his appendage. Well, this mission was more about Arthur proving himself to everyone and not the other way around. He would move up to their location, jus out of harm's way but close enough to interfere if it came down to that.*\n\n*He would try to play his luck once again:*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"The fire is to create noise and scre away any cutters that can be used scrying or that Shapeshifter.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox could feel the fire spreading outwards in the tall grass where he had originally fired the runes, reaching uncomfortable levels of heat*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"Who is the one cleaning after me? We what about the Shapeshifter and the woman? I would gladly take information as payment, but you are making it hard for me to accept. Try to make yourself, well, useful.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would shake his head in disappointment at Arthur's response and simply turn to Nox with a sigh \"I doubt these flames will be enough to smoke out the shapeshifter... Anything I tell you will likely result in you being hunted just like how they're hunting me. Infact they might already be planning to get rid of you two after you deal with me to make sure there are no lose ends. I am not sure which employee is looking after you, but whoever it is they are the ones also responsible for clean up. Granted I don't mind if you cause more work for them, I just don't want a fellow dark elf getting screwed over like I did for getting on their bad side.\"\n\n*He would look at this staff and then hold it up to you in a non-aggressive manner*\n\n\"I can honestly use your help, but the only thing of real value I can trade with a clean conscious, well, as clean as I can get it at least, is my staff. However, seeing how it's bounded to me I doubt it will serve you much purpose. The only other thing I have is my clothes, and well, you can see their condition. You would be lucky to even get a gold for it. I would offer my servitude, but I will likely be a troublesome servant to keep as that would naturally make you an enemy of the boss... If there is no compromise to be made and you won't leave, I guess we will have no choice but to fight\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "~~Nox, with his 2.0 gen speed, hits Vinran with Iapetus, combining for 16 strength.~~\n\nLow battery, Arthur go first, reply at home" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Sighing with a somewhat exhausted tone, Arthur got up from his knees, his left arm still limp as ever. Although he couldn't move it at all, he did begin to feel a slight pain flaring throughout his arm, which meant that he was gaining feeling of his arm back. He still had the two swords orbiting him, though he wasn't sure how he was to attack. The elf would block and counter any sort of strike he had, and he doubted that ranged attacks would be effective either. Rasmus would not be very effective either, seeing that the elf could effortlessly block his attacks from all points. The only true hope Arthur had was faith that Nox would assist in a further assault once Arthur had recovered, but judging by his reaction to his arm wound, he doubted it would happen. Nevertheless, he turned to Nox.*\n\n\"Seeing that we can't back out of this anymore, let's try working together, as cliché and cheesy as it is. We don't have a chance in hell of beating this guy alone, so I'll follow you after you attack. Face it, it's the truth.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "\"No, I don't think so.\"\n\n*Nox would stop circling Vinran and disengage, stepping away and pretending to be in thought.*\n\n\"This effort has been too time consuming and complicated for my likings.\"\n\n*He would then turn away, as if leaving, although he had no intention of doing so. Just out of sight, he would unsheath his dagger and whisper the words that would bring the blade to life and cause it to go dark. After walking two steps away, he would turn and fling the dagger at Vinran's feet, trying to stop him in his tracks. He would then pretend to run, as he knew he could still attack from range.*\n\n```Dark tendrils cast: 15 Mana\n135 Mana remaining```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would be watching as Nox started walking away. \"Odd, I thought your type was the kind tha-\"\nAs you would turn around and throw the dagger, almost by instinct he would shoot a bolt of electricity from his palm and intercept with the dagger, preventing it from reaching his feet. He looks a bit surprised, but would then smirk and sigh \"Yeah, figured as much...\" \nHe would then rush at Arthur's left side. As Arthur's buffs would've ran out at this point, Arthur would now see that Vinran was actually quicker than him in his base state. As Vinran reaches melee distance he swings his arm that is coated with electricity at the center of your body, purposefully angled from the side with your numb arm." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur had observed the man's movement from a distance, taking note that Vinran was looking towards Nox instead of him. By this point, his flames had run out of boost, so he decided to recast it once more as the elf shot a bolt of electricity at a dagger Nox had thrown at him, which Arthur had gathered was an attempt to have the man become incapacitated, even if it were for just a moment. The fool, if he could keep up with Arthur with his heightened speed, he could easily intercept any sort of single projectile aimed at him! As Arthur rekindled the flames, boosting his speed once more, he watched in a slight panic as the elf turned and rushed at his left side. Logic told him that he would've been miles slower than the elf if his speed was normal. With the two remaining swords circling himself, he had both swords remain near him, preparing to block a possible attack with the two, along with Rasmus.*\n\n*As the elf came close to Arthur, Arthur attempted to block the elf's swing towards his left arm, still numb at the time, with his two swords. He then would ready Rasmus to block whatever he would do next. He had no idea what Nox planned to do, but he couldn't hold out like this, constantly casting and recasting his spells until he ran out of energy.*\n\n``` Burn Up! Recast. 5 mana regained. Remaining mana: 57.5```" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox shrugged, he didn't really want to use any of his high powered spells until it was absolutely nessecary to do so. Knowing that Vinran would focus down Arthur, Nox decided to use him as fodder to figure out what the skills of Vinran were. Without a care in the world, he took out another dagger and repeated his actions.*\n```Dark tendrils cast, 15 Mana\n5 Regen\n125 mana```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would notice Nox take out another dagger, and like last time, shoot a bolt of lightning from his free hand to intercept it once more. While it didn't do much to help the situation, it at least prevented him from fully attacking Arthur. \nAs Arthur raises his arm to block the strike along with his two swords, Vinran would drop his center of gravity and switch his target to your hip. Vinran would also with his other hand swing his staff at Arthur's head at the same time as he lowered his center of gravity, creating a heavy blow, but Remus would be able to parry it at the last second with the staff only about an inch away from Arthur's head. However, as with last time, Arthur feels the difference in strength as the staff continues pushes down on him and Remus, digging your feet into the ground. You then notice Vinran's staff glow with electricity as it gets closer and closer to your head due to the lack of strength to push it away. \n\"I get the feeling your elf friend isn't trying all that hard... Perhaps he has left you to be sacrificed? Is this really how you want to go down? To have your life be taken advantage of by those who you considered your comrade?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As the elf pushed against Arthur to the ground, he himself pushed back in defiance, but also growing weary as time went on. He didn't know what the hell Nox was doing, but still, he had faith that his teammate would help him out when the time came. He kept his composure, and tried to call out to his blades; however, they had already vanished after he had blocked the initial attacks. Struggling to come up with an option, Arthur decided he had only one thing left to do if Nox didn't stop fooling around with whatever he was doing. His left arm, which was supposedly limp this entire time, suddenly caught aflame, leading Arthur to cast Enveloping Hell. He hoped it would catch the elf by surprise, and that the 5 foot radius would be large enough to set his opponent on fire.*\n\n``` Enveloping Hell cast. Remaining mana: 22.5 ```" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "Nox's left hand will begin to glow with red and cackles with red energy while 2 Spheres of red lightning form at the size of a baseball and grow to the size of a bowling ball. He then unleashed the spheres at Vinran aiming for the area between the center of mass (chest) and the head. He would also attempt to close back the distance between them.\n```Lightning spheres cast, 35 Mana\n5 mana regen\n95/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "As Arthur had opted cast burn up instead of defending against Vinran's strikes, he would feel electricity course though his hip, causing severe burns as it singed his nerves. He would feel his left leg go limp, unable to support his weight, causing him to fall over. As his legs weren't able to support him anymore, Vinran's superior strength would allow his staff to make contact with Arthur's head, delivering not only a heavy blow but coursing electricity through it as well. The smell of burnt fur would fill the air as Arthur's hand that was holding Remus would go limp as well. That being said, the 5ft radius of enveloping hell would consume Vinran and his clothes and flesh would catch aflame as he grunts in pain. \nHowever, Vinran seems to be a somewhat hardy individual, so instead of panicking from the pain, he move away from the area as Arthur was essentially immobilized. He then sees Nox shoot 2 bolts of lighting at him, and he respond by dropping an orb to the ground which erects a wall. It tanks the 2 blows from the electric balls before shattering. Vinran also rips off his clothing at this point and you see healing energy flow through his body, not exactly a surprise considering he was a dark elf, and his most sever burns on his head and body heal. His arms and legs are still singed, but he seems ready to face Nox who was quickly closing the distance.\n\nVinran would be breathing heavily while looking at Nox \"Finally decided to take things seriously huh?... Shame nothing I offered was able to hire you, think you would've been a good body guard...\" He would then look at Arthur \"Don't hold this against me, I gave you the option to run. You reap what you sow\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur lay on the ground, motionless. He couldn't feel his right arm, nor his left leg, and could only watch as Vinran's shadow was cast over him as he walked by. He was... Defeated. He couldn't move, he couldn't even sit up correctly, and his mana reserves were almost run completely dry. Even better, his Enveloping Hell didn't even seem to cause his opponent any trouble at all, besides a couple of limbs being burnt. Vinran, unlike Arthur, retained all of his motor functions, and could move quite easily besides essentially being burned by extremely hot flames head on. He was still on fire, his senses heightened to draw his mind away from the pain, but everything still hurt like... Hell. He could move twice as fast, but what could he do? He was completely immobilized, albeit for his left hand retaining feeling and movement. He watched as Vinran walked slowly towards Nox; something was different.*\n\n*Arthur heard intense, heavy breathing coming from Vinran. Perhaps his attack had caused the elf some trouble after all? Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance that he could bring this bastard down. If Nox could lock Vin in a position where he wouldn't be able to move, then perhaps Arthur could finish the job with a surprise ranged attack of some sort. However, this all depended on what Nox did, and Arthur began to harbor a bit of resentment at the Dark Elf's lack of action while he did combat against their, no, his, opponent.*\n\n``` No magic cast. 5 mana regained. Remaining mana: 27.5 ```" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "Nox would continue forward, and when he reached Vinran, he fell into a flurry of blows. Nox would attack with random but powerful blows aimed at overwhelming the Elf instead of trying to kill him.\n```5 regen\n100/150 mana```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "Vinran would see Nox charging at him, but Vinran had the faster foot work. He would get hit once by Nox's attack as he retreated back, piercing his side, causing him to cough up blood, but he would keep on moving back. \nHe would then turn to Arthur \"You know, I was a professional, that is, before I became the one being hunted. That paralysis won't last forever after all...\"\n Arthur's Burn up would end by this turn, and he would once more realize how much faster Vinran was as he continued to increase the distance between Nox and him as he navigated behind you just outside the 5 ft radius. He would drop another barrier infront of him to intercept some of Nox's attacks as he aims for the center of Arthur's back. His body would cackle with red electricity once more as 2 red orbs appear, one of them launching at the point he aimed at and the other raising 180 ft in the air. Vinran would then quickly stepback away from Arthur, still keeping the barrier he summoned between him and Nox, and prepare himself for Nox's next attack. \n\n\"You may be skilled fellow elven brother, and it seems we are equally quick. As you can see, I'm clearly more worn out, but I'm faster than you. You can't get me within melee range, and any ranged spells you do I will block with my barriers. Best case scenario, this is a stalemate for you. I say you cut your loses and retreat now...\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*As Arthur watched the fight unfold from his own perspective, he lost count of how many times Nox and Vinran had traded eachother blows. They seemed to be matched almost equally, but Nox had gotten a single hit in to Vinran's side, causing the opposing dark elf to cough up a substantial amount of blood. He felt his own Burn Up die out, flames sputtering into nonexistence. The two were so fast, so deadly in their dance, that Arthur couldn't help but keep his eyes locked onto the fight. However, it all changed when Vinran placed another red orb on his back, a familiar red orb, which Arthur had dreaded to see. It was on the back of his abdominal armor, but then again, Arthur had an easy way out of this, just like before with the prison situation. He was regaining some feeling with his paralyzed leg, and discovered he could actually somewhat move it. Regaining composure, Arthur transformed into his fox form, abandoning his armor and weapon where he was moments before. That lingering feeling of paralysis was constant even in this form though, causing his right arm and left leg to still be unable to perform any action. He knew that there wouldn't be any time to dodge, so he tried to dig meekly into the ground, a feeble but desperate attempt to divert the whole of the damage that was rapdily looming over him. Perhaps, he thought, this was the end.*\n\n``` Lesser Form cast. Remaining mana: 17.5 ```" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"I must say, yo are quite the observant man\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "Nox would continue forward. He knew that at some point, the Mage would run out of mana and ha calculated that in about a few spells, Vinran would be out. All he had to do? Make sure he outlasted Vinran in mana. Easy. Without a care in the world, he took out another dagger and fling the dagger at Vinran's feet, trying to stop him in his tracks. \n```15 mana used\n5 regen\n90/150 mana```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "As Arthur desperately dug into the earth, it would seem the god's have no mercy for him today. But why would they? Had he not done terrible things that led him to this point out of pure greed and desire? Did he not leave his friends behind to satisfy his own satisfaction for freedom than face his responsibilities and turn himself in? And what did he do the moment he left them, knowing very likely given their personalities they would be doing everything they can to help him? He took yet another dirty job. It would only seem appropriate that he would receive his punishment as lightning strikes the ground around him, sending electricity through his tiny fox body, undoing the transformation. \n\nNox would throw another dagger at the barrier and it would thin out a bit but remain standing, preventing the tendrils from going through. Vinran would simply look at Arthur and sigh \n\"This is what has become of your friend. He didn't need to go through that. Stop this needless fighting, and retreat. I'm certain whatever they are paying you wasn't worth facing someone like me. I can grantee your friend at least thinks that much. What are you going to do against me honestly? It's a stalemate, leave, we don't need to continue this...\"\nHe would then prep a barrier in his hand, waiting for Nox's response." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*It thrashed. It roared. It screamed in agony. Arthur's mind could not comprehend the pain he felt at that moment, the pain he felt as the lightning struck him down with no mercy. Was this judgement? Was this his punishment for evading the law of the land for so long? Was this a sort of message from the gods above, a message that was to keep his ego and mind in check? Electricity flared throughout his entire body, sending intense and excruciating jolts of electricity coursing through his veins, pushing the amount of agony he felt to unfathomable levels. The thunder, the lightning, everything was coming crashing down around his ears; Nox didn't do anything to help him in the end, and he couldn't even fight off a single elf on his own. He blinked, each time fading in and out of reality. He saw his black blade shining in the sunlight, its edges seemingly untainted. A flawless, perfect blade, contrasting the state of its master. A cruel joke, indeed. Arthur, on the other hand, was broken. He was singed, he was burned like never before; the he was awake for the entire time the lightning struck his body, and felt every single wave of pain come to pass as it pulsed through his bloodstream. He shook uncontrollably, he began to foam at the mouth, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Was he dead? He didn't know. He wanted to be free of this pain, free of this torture, but he found no such solace within himself. \n\n\nFinally, after what seemed like an eternity, he stopped shaking. His mouth stopped foaming. His eyes were closed. He was breathing, but each breath was troubled, shaky, weak. He couldn't move his body. He couldn't even think, he could only feel. Feel the burning ground beneath him, feel the shame he felt as he drifted off to unconsicousness, Vinran's shadows haunting his visage the entire way. Feel the heat, for the first time in his life, leave his body, departing for somewhere... Better.*" }, { "author": "Nox, the Night King", "message": "\"You are a smart man, you know it is impossible for me to cut my losses. No gold can by a pristine reputation and a perfect rack record. One way or another, you need to disappear. No trace of you will remain.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox continued to move forward, Swinging Iapetus wildly to bread the barrier as well as any barriers Vinran would cast. Nox would do this to exhaust the mage's Mana reserves, and prevent him from casting any high power spells like he did to Arthur.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*As Nox continued to charge forward, keeping true to his word, Vinran continued to out pace Nox, staying out of his reach the entire time, especially as Nox would be delayed slightly from breaking the barrier, increasing the distance between them. Vinran let's out yet another sigh*\n\n\"I'm not smart, but seems like neither are you. Look at you friend, look at how I fight. Do you think I was just a 'politician' this whole time? I had a 'perfect' record before this. The kind of work you are doing right now, I've been doing it longer. Then I decided to do even more, taking a position of small political power, one that wouldn't attract as much attention from the senate, but still allow me to perform some small political favors for the boss. All I wanted was find the way to best serve him, but I looked too deep..\"\n*His face would go grim, but he quickly shakes his head to clear his thoughts* \"The past is the past though. Right now, I am just trying to survive. So please, just leave. Your record surely isn't worth more than your life, right?\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox was growing increasingly frustrated at this point ad decided that he would try one last thing before going back to his horse to chase Vinran down. His left hand will begin to glow with red and cackles with red energy while 2 Spheres of red lightning form at the size of a baseball and grow to the size of a bowling ball. He looked at the spheres as if admiring them, staring into the intense light as the orbs cackled and sparked. Shame he was going to have to waste them. He readied his spear, then unleashed the two orbs, each with a second of delay between them at Vinran, then threw Iapetus after the spheres of lightning at Vinran.*\n\n```Lightning spheres cast, 35 Mana\n5 mana regen\n50/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Vinran would intercept the first bolt with the shield he already had on hand, however this would shatter the shield. That being said, given the 1 second delay he would have enough time to create another small barrier around his hand intercept 2nd one. With no barriers left he would see Nox throw his spear at him, but Vinran is just as quick as Nox, so if Nox was able to cast a spell and make a weapon attack, Vinran was also able to cast a spell and parry a weapon attack. He would raise his staff and deflect Nox's throw away from him. Vinran was heavily breathing and sweating, but was still standing his ground.* \n\"Seems like you're disarmed now... Do you not think that it's time to accept your defeat? Your slothful behavior in the beginning of this battle allowed your comrade to be defeated, your pride in your abilities led you to underestimate me, and your greed prevents you from retreating. I ask that you don't let rage consume you now. The sins will only lead you further into destruction.\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox would continue to run at Vinran, charging up another 2 spheres while he ran. To his estimation, Vinran would have to retreat and cast a defensive spell, leaving him a window of time to retrieve his weapon. This time, he would launch the Orbs in a circular manner, to make it harder to block. Once he did so, he would run and once within range, he would lunge at his weapon.*\n```\nWeapon Summon 35 mana\n5 mana regen\n20/150```" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Vinran would see Nox charging up another bolt of lightning and as he expected he would leap backwards and summon a barrier. However, this time, it is summoned a dome around him. He would also summon another shield barrier in his hands as the 2 lightning balls collide and shatter the dome barrier. This would've given Nox enough time to grab the spear and run over to Vinran and lunge at him. However, with his remaining shield barrier, he would block Nox's thurst as the last second, grunting as he struggles to hold his ground. The shockwave released from the barrier breaking would attempt to push Nox backwards, but he would prove strong enough to resist it. For now both Nox and Vinran are in melee distance of one another.* \n\n\"*Huff*....*Huff*...Well, I guess you are headstrong and stubborn. Good traits to have in your line of work I suppose. In all honesty, I've never had to fight so hard in my life before, but exhausting as it is, it's been kind of fun...\" Vinran would then stand ready, giving off an aura of determination, indicating this next clash will likely be the last for one of them." } ]

[ { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox would grasp Iapetus like it was the one ring. The blade was his life, and it him. He had taken a list doing what he did. Nox would take out his dagger and whisper the dark spell, causing it to grow black. He would move to strike the Fellow elf with the dagger, but at the last second, transfer his momentum to Iapetus and swing the massive blade twice with one hand. During this, he would throw the dagger in his other hand right into the sky, hoping gravity would bring it down and land it on the patch of grass behind Vinran.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*Vinran would raise his hand and a shield would appear once more at the same time as you cast your dark tendril spell. He would prepare for himself for you to throw it while holding his staff out in a defensive position as he uses his faster feet to close the distance between the two of you. He would parry the first strike of your massive blade, and upon realizing that you were throwing the dagger into the air use his shield to block the second strike. It would shatter the shield, but the force released would push lapitus out of the way for Vinran to be within grabbing distance of you, which is what he does, locking you in between his arms. The dagger would finally land behind him and the tendrils would grab his feet and immobilize them, but he simply smirks as he was aware he didn't need to move anymore anyway.* \n*Nox would then see the lightning staff cackle with red electricity before exploding as two red orbs appear. The red ball would strike Vinran's chest while the other would rise up into the air behind Nox. Vinran would look at Nox eye to eye, or at least where he assumed your eyes were given your mask and smile weakly*\n\n\"Looks like this is the end. I told you didn't I? I wasn't going to go back alive... This is my parting gift, probably the best payment I could give someone as selfish as you. I hope this information will help you learn empathy as you get a taste of what your comrade felt\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox roared in frustration. He considered turning back and try to block some of the blow with Iapetus, but he realizes that it would only conduct the lightning into him, which he did not want to happen. He knew it would be nigh impossible for him to break free, so he stopped struggling. Granted, he could heal himself but he would have preferred a much cleaner engagement. He shakes his head. Coward. Taking the coward's way out. Dishonorable fool. He would brace himself for the lightning that would soon overcome his body and senses...*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*A moment later the red lightning bolt would fall from the floating orb, shoot through Nox's body, searing his nerves and limbs with agonizing pain as flashes of white and red appear in his eyesight. The tremendous force of the blast would knock you atop of Vinran, causing your ears to ring deafeningly. When it's all done and over, your robes are ruined, and the scent of your burned flesh fills the air. You can clearly feel that the ground around you along with your body was scorched. After a couple of minutes you would regain your eyesight and your hands would be able to move again. The first thing you would see is the corpse of Vinran with that smug smile on his scorched face.*\n*Looking over to your side you see Arthur's burnt naked body laying next to his gear. It would also appear the fire spells you've cast earlier along with the Crack in the Sky would finally be taking hold as the steepe slowly starts to burn over though not at a level that you felt was threatening. Wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it looked like the entrance to hell though. All in all, it would seem you've completed your job.*" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "Is he like in fox form or what" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "Hes human form now lel" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox would stank up shakily, run a blade across his hand then proceed to heal himself with his healing spell. Now would stare into the Sky, walk a few paces before stopping and returning to the Elf's body. He would take out a dagger and cut the Elf's left ear off and put him in a pouch. He would walk over to where Arthur lay, and kick him in an attempt to wake him up. Nox would bend down and contemplate healing him. He had little mana left, and Arthur was too weak to be a prospect for an agent. His hand would hover over Arthur's body, but he ultimately removed it without healing him and got on his horse, ready to walk away.*\n\n*Upon reaching the Plauge doctor, he would toss the bag containing the El'f ear at his feet, remaining seated on his horse.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The plague doctor would look into Nox's bag then up at him, then back in the bag\n\n\"Oh deaf one, I did not ask for you to bring me an ear to show that you can hear. But, worry not, for the lord has good faith in you. Thus I will trust that you've carried out your holy duty. If not, the lord's punishment shall reign upon you. Before you receive your due reward, may I ask where art thou the holy man? Did his god. Mame so e, fail to protect him as he delivered justice?\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox shook his head and Said:*\n\n\"Noxed unleosted in impetaply, a felior end, lord 3 the vallegly horse that suver the tied left for Indra: the Sage, then the tyjlent, though it is a light, he serve my works, not set unto you? And who believe the sip, all confused, pray to the draught.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The plague doctor would nod his head understandingly\n\n\"I see, all is now made clear. Thou has had his brain fried. Worry not, I ,a servant of the lord, shall deliver his blessing to aid you.\" He would then walk over and attempt to touch your head with his hand" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox would stand and then would await payment.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "The plague doctor would press his hand against your head, pull out his book and read \n\n\"Oh, by the guidance of the divine one, I ask that you heal whatever affliction this lost lamb so that he may walk the path of righteousness once more\"\n\nNox would then feel healing energy surge through his body, albeit to little effect considering he had healed himself prior, but his head might feel a bit fresher.\n\nThe plague doctor would then pull away his hand and bow \"I pray that my mortal body was strong enough to deliver the divine energy to heal you of your affliction. I hope now you may speak with your tongue unhindered by the weak mind\"" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "*Nox, realizing he was no going to get paid without giving a non nonsensical answer and said:*\n\n\"Ahhh, Thank you, I feel much better now! As for my companion, I believe that he was struck by the same thing I was struck by. He is unconsius, but the fire got to big for me to carry him away.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"No need for thanks, for all good things naturally come from the lord! Oh, but I pity your companion. It seems his god has truly abandoned him, that poor soul. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to convert him to my much more generous lord. Anyhow, it seems you've carried out your duty, and thus shall now receive your due reward. Generally you two would be able to compromise on how much to receive, but seeing how your companion is unconscious, I suppose you may take however much you desire of the reward.\" \n\nThe plague doctor would then hand you a pouch and inside would be 15 gold" }, { "author": "arxmereel", "message": "Hmmm Ill take 8, and tell Arthur to Visit me in the" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Arthur would lie unconscious, drifting what seemed to be indefinitely in a dark, lightless space. He couldn't see, he couldn't feel, he couldn't think. There was no sense of direction within this entire plane of reality, if it was real at all. All he could do was... Drift. Drift around in the empty expanse of the void, drift around, hoping to come across anything in hopes of stimulation. There was nothing to do, nothing to touch, nothing to see; just the vast infinity laid, invisibly, before him. A second passed, or maybe it was a minute? He had no idea. It went like this for what seemed to be eons upon eons, eternities upon eternities. It went on and on, but still, nothing happened. He drifted.*\n\n*Although, an infinity later, there was a small piercing light that shone in the darkness, a small light that pierced through where his mental skull would be, illuminating his entire body. Arthur looked down; he seemed to be more corporeal than physical, more ethereal than solid. His 'body' was made out of various wisps of golden strands of stars, and he was able to move again. From above, he could hear the rhythmic chanting and singing of a heavenly chorus, singing of healing, joy, redemption, and all the like. Seeing that there would be no other place to go besides 'up', where the light shone from. As he directed his 'body' towards the endless ceiling of sun and stars, he heard the singing grow louder with each repetition of the incoherent chants that were simultaneously soothing, and powerful. His vision would fade to white, and he would lose feeling for a brief moment.*\n\n*He woke up, naked, and feeling like he had come out of an otherwordly experience. He was staring, eye to eye, with the plague doctor.*" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "\"The lord's grace has brought you back to the light fellow brother. I am grateful to the lord's guidance, as if I had not arrived when I did, the flames of this hellish landscape would've consumed you.\"\n\n*The plague doctor would then get up and cover Arthur in a black cloak and hand over his stuff as well as a pouch with 7 gold.*\n\n\"It seems your god, Mame so e, has forsaken you. I've done what I could, but alas the shame to your body cannot be washed away. May I convert you to follow the generous lord? If you are wondering where the deaf one is, he has already received his portion and has asked of me to be his messenger. He desires to meet you at the border cities. For what purpose, I do not know. In either case, I respect your dedication to bring down the sinner. I pray that we may meet again to deliver the lord's desires, that is if you too desire it\"" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Nodding towards the plague doctor, Arthur would rise to his feet. He felt revitalized, no thanks to that bastard Nox. However, he was the one who dealt the killing blow to Vinran, so Arthur did feel a slight bit of gratitude towards the elf. Instinctively, he ran his hand across his chest. Sure enough, there were 3 massive lightning scars running through his abdomen to the beginning of his hip, all marks of when he took the assault of the bolt head on. He reckoned he had some minor ones on his face as well, but those would have been cleansed away by now, seeing that the plague doctor had already cast seemingly powerful healing magic on Arthur. He went over to his armor and sword, putting it all on, piece by piece. He then looked for the gauntlet he had lost earlier, and put that on as well. His sword, Rasmus, looked untouched and undulled by the combat that had just previously ensued. A fine blade.*\n\n*He would then search the area for a trace of Nox, but wouldnt find the elf anywhere. Sighing, he would turn his head towards the plague doctor, resignation in his eyes.*\n\n\"Goodbye, holy brother. Let's see eachother again soon, hopefully on better terms than this.\"" }, { "author": "frankenstein", "message": "*The plague doctor would nod albeit you get the feeling he was a bit disappointed that you didn't take his offer to convert.* \"Indeed. I pray for your safe travel\" \n*The plague doctor would then go over to Vinran's smoldering body and stuff it into a bag. The plague doctor would seemingly sigh as he scanned over the burning landscape, but set out casting holy spells to restore the plant life and slowly put out the flames, leaving Arthur to his own devices.* \n——————————————————————————————-\n***QUEST COMPLETE: 1.5 pp rewarded***" } ]

[ { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( oh 💀 mind if i join, becuz big bored )*\n\n*// sorry im taking so long, my brain literally doesn't wanna compute*" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*There was a cold, foreign quietude that hung over the Silnari steppes that brought to him a sense of absolute tranquillity; he was a lake free of ripples amid a flowering grassland. It would have made Sylvar feel much more . . . Comfortable, however, if he knew where he was he would have enjoyed this much more. He wasn't lost, heavens no. Just because his compass wasn't working, and he couldn't see where the sun was in the sky through the foliage, and he hadn't seen a path in a long time, and none of the cries he heard through the trees sounded familiar, didn't mean Sylvar was lost. It just meant he ... Didn't quite know where he was. And that was fine, that was handle-able, it was completely something within his control.*\n\n*Still though, he did wish that he hadn't left his map of the Silnari Empire it the cool comfort of the last inn he'd stayed in. __That__, for sure, would have been much more of a help than periodically searching for someone to tell him how to get to Ulnoor, the frivolous capital of the Silnari Empire. Then again, at the time, Sylvar had been much more preoccupied in figuring out how to sneak past the Narshapian guards that patrolled the surrounding forest of the castle, than keeping a stray eye on his belongings. And that, of course, was a failure on his own behalf. With a slight intake of breath, Sylvar lifted the clumps of white, shimmering hair out of his eye-view, sitting, regretfully, rather slumped as he continued across the moss covered grasses of the steppe became high grasses, then flowering forestry.*\n\n*The smooth planes of his youthful face were slightly creased with worry as he surveyed his surroundings, realising that he might just be lost. \" Damn it, \" He snapped, though not to anyone in particular. No sign of life about him, just endless, endless encompasses of trees that maybe would have been a relief to someone who knew their way around these areas, but unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky.*\n\n*He greeted people as he passed by them. Admittedly, he didn't like talking to them, the most he allowed the Silnari people were some inclinations in his head, a small wave here, a terse smile there, but never anything more. It wasn't that he hated them, Sylvar could never do that, but it was more that their eyes held knowing there, held a piercing gaze that seemed to take more information from him that he would have liked. Obviously they'd probably known he'd been travelling in the wrong direction, and his silence had bitten him in the end.*\n\n*The small, golden-brown furrow—Melicus, he'd named him—placed in front of him on the back of the horse twitched awake, then yawned, lifting his amber eyes towards Sylvar's pale face as if to ask,* ***' Are we there yet? '***, *To which he lightly shook his head in sullen affection. Melicus yawned again, clearly irritate, before he began to nip softly at Sylvar's fingers. The sound of a cracking branch, then another, caught his attention and his head shot eastward, ears swivelling to pinpoint the sound. He stood hesitantly, sliding off the back of his horse, motioning for him, and Melicus to stay. His luminescent eyes studied the rustling foliage with concern: Something definitely felt off.*\n\n*Pushing through a cluster of cypresses, he edged his way out into the clearing, ears straining for any sudden sounds, his fingers brushing his smooth metallic surface of his flute, before he reminded himself:* ***Music and he were done.*** *Why he had still decided to keep his flute, still bemused him. Sentimentality signified weakness. And sure, there were moments where he succumbed to that weakness but now he—The sight of the wounded, fur covered being that towered above him, distinct against the backdrop of greens and sunlight struck him into muteness; if he hadn't been silent already. His mouth opened and a slight squeak emitted, his fingers wringing against each other. It hadn't seen him yet, but he couldn't take his chances.*" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( screams \"It the cool comfort\" )*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "*( Prolly won't be typing novellas in every post because some interaction is also needed ~~also I'm too braindead to post that much consistently~~*" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( of course :>, as long as it's not one line lol )*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "*( onelines and says a dry 'hi')*" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( omgggg if you dare )*" }, { "author": "Ashnard Bloodmane", "message": "One step forward. Then another... Then another. How many had it been now? He'd nearly lost count as his mind was drowned once more in his troubled thoughts and hazy past memories, even if his body seemed to recover. The rigid soreness and shaky posture he had upon stirring awake were nearly gone by now, his steps quiet and steady now, like a born predator's. He made no sound besides the occasionally frustrated grumbles and snapping branches he stepped over, littered across the expansive meadow. \n\nBetween unfamiliar fauna, groves, and rivers, the armored canine could only be certain about two things; he was alive, and he was uncertain of where he was. After a while, the trees all felt the same. It was clear enough he did not belong there. His obsidian chainmail and aberrant features were like a sore thumb in an ocean of green- or what he could only presume was green. As far as he was concerned, it was another shade of grey, with only a few red fruits and flowers carrying a distinct color in his eyes.\n\nEventually, he was able to make out the few cinnabar roofs of several farmhouses past the meadow, and though he could certainly use help with directions in his state, every part of him refused to do so. But as it would soon be affirmed by his growling stomach, he might eventually have no other choice in the matter. \n\nThe beastkin lowered his head, glancing once more over his arm, raising it at the height of his abdomen. And there was *That* As well. A long, wide blade, resembling that of a poleaxe weighted on the side of either arm, extending below his elbows. Consisting of crude, but very robust material, it felt like it was a part of him that was always there, even if it looked *Wrong*. And odds were, anyone else that saw him would share that belief.\n\nThe same could be said for the bladed tip on his spine-like tail that he seemed to have control over. It swished subtly from side to side with every step he took, curved unconscious movements resembling more of a scorpion's tail than a canid's. He couldn't remember how or why his arms and tail were like that, but he could vaguely recall his tail not being over a meter long, or not having any fur on it.\n\nHis train of thoughts was interrupted as his ears caught a low squeak in the air. His movements came to a halt, long ears flicking as he subtly sniffed the air around the small clearing. Whoever made that sound, it was distinct enough to not be a wild animal. Serpentine eyes of deep crimson surveyed the area, looking for the slightest movement. The mere rustling of leaves pinpoint reaffirmed the jackal he was not alone, a deep scowl fixated on the direction he felt that presence. A coarse, instinctive snarl escaped his scarred muzzle as he approached the figure behind the foliage with quiet steps. His dark fur stood bristled, ears folded against his temples while he arched forward in a cautious stance, catching a glimpse of long hair behind the cypress foliage. \"Come out.\" He asserted in a deep voice between snarls that resonated through the clearing, carrying an ominous, commanding undertone." }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( just my luck to run into an alpha )*\n\n*( this is so so so so so good oml )*" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*There was a few, rather tense, thickened seconds that passed after Sylvar felt the beast's unrestrained attention upon him. Another few beats as he looked around his surroundings, trying to consider any method of escape. Indeed, the being, now around 5 metres away from where he stood, had a threatening atmosphere that encircled him, made his blood run so, __so__ cold. But he wasn't too close enough that Sylvar couldn't hit a viable shot with one of his throwing knives. A tense pause before the dark, furred being spoke, with words that seemed to pierce through the distinct thunder of his growls. (\"Come out.\")*\n\n*Then it hit Sylvar. He'd been shielded by shrubbery that created a natural barrier between him and the uncanny beast, obscuring him from view. Releasing a breath he'd been holding, the options lay before him and he took time to analyse them. Of course—Of course, Sylvar could always just turn back around and forget he'd even seen the being. Honestly it would have been better, and the more safer option. And __yet__. And yet there was something curtailed that he sensed within the being, as he slowly stalked towards him, something that made him stand his ground. The being was a predator for sure, most likely trained to have heightened senses, could most likely smell him from a great distance away, probably born into a world of war and turmoil—the multitudes of scars that besprinkled his muscular form told you that.*\n\n*And __still__, as the being slowly stalked towards him, Sylvar stood his ground, not permitting himself to say another word towards the being, but instead began to whisper the words to a common bardic spell that he'd bought off a random spell merchant a few years ago. He'd personalised it, of course; Didn't want to give the old fool too much credit.* ***\" Sal teshuel salen ik from tel' tieti ath tel' nodel, \"*** *He hissed, the magic hanging over his words bristling with arcane energy,* ***\" . . . Ent—ent yn nae thest vael ath eire foqal. \"***\n\n*The slight shake in his voice hadn't been intentional however, and as he rolled his shoulders back, a solitary tuft of moonlight white hair taut at the side of his face, he felt his hands begin to sweat as the bardic magic within flared, became obedient, then surged into his palms, which glowed with incandescence similar to his irises, forming two dual moonglass blades within.*\n\n*Despite the slight fear that threatened to trickle over the surface of his resolve, Sylvar slid a mask over it; his features became slack, his eyes emotionless, his soft lips pursed, and aimed one of his throwing knives at the wolfish being then released his blades all in one single breath. His speed and dexterity gave him that. The blade soared through the air then hit home.* ***\" Take another step and this next blade won't miss. And believe me—I never miss my mark. \"*** *Sylvar impassively snapped back, his bioluminescent eyes glowing with a darker ferocity, though his tone wasn't as impressive as the beast. Yes, he hadn't aimed for the heart, the skull, his chest, because he was not a killer. Sylvar Cramorn didn't __kill__. But if the beast where to turn his hand—The image of his mother's incinerated body shoved its way into the front of his mind and for once, he shuddered.*\n\n*It was that fear that brought things into vexatious clarity. Sylvar focused his smouldering gaze upon the countenance that held deep fissures of scar tissue that crawled across the planes.* ***\" You're hurt. \"*** *He murmured, matter-of-fact, so surprised at his own audacity, that he had to scramble to force the aloofness back into his voice. His stomach clenched, but no change made its way across his youthful features.* ***\" Why? \"*** *He said, and from somewhere in his subconscious, something shuttered into light. Common sense, he called it. And it screamed at him to take heed. Still, he made no move do drop the secondary moonblade at his left fingertips, ready to spring to attack at any given moment.*\n\n``` Moonlight Blades used, costing (-15 mana) | Remaining mana: 85/100 ```" } ]

[ { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*Ramlei wakes up in a cold sweat. She looks around and realises she is in the middle of the grassland. She just had a horrible dream. She saw herself living in a mountain cliffside. She then fell down and rolled into a forest, where she went and hunt for a wild boar.*\n\n*The wild boar turns out to belong to the Silnari King, as a royal servant told her when she comes across the servant. She tells him she killed the boar with a barrage of fire spells, and the servant furiously tell her she will be executed by the king.*\n\n*Ramlei does not wish to be executed, and so she killed the servant on the spot. As she find herself covered in his blood, she wakes back up. With a look at her body, she realises that she is alright, and that her experience must have been an awful nightmare. She then gets up and looks around.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard Bloodmane", "message": "The dark beast's gaze was fixed on the long-haired figured concealed beneath lush foliage. A piercing and imposing gaze, one could feel almost as if it was haunting them, even past natural cover. Between the lightly rustling leaves and ominous snarls growling louder with each passing moment, one undeniable truth would seep into any unfortunate wonderer's consciousness; the beast had spotted them, and it was getting closer.\n\nIn reality, the rugged beastkin didn't need to *See* Who it was. Senses attuned as he'd taken an aggressive stance moving forward, he could feel the scent of cold, brooding sweat start to trickle at his nostrils. *\"Fear...\"* He muttered unconsiously, that coarse voice sounding closer than before. It was a scent he could remember all too well; he'd been accustomed to it far too many times to ever forget. Whether it was by defeated marks or merely ignorant macen and silnari, that scent was always there.\n\nThen, he heard it. Between the drumming of quickening heartbeats, there was chanting. A low, sharp whisper stuttering in a language he was unfamiliar with. Yet, these words carried power; magic. A power his insticts could warn him for, even if he was never attuned to it. Before the beast had the time to parry, a glimmering knife hissed by him, barely nudging to the side in time to get away with a few singed hair on the side of his right arm, glancing over its trail before turning to face the one responsible for it, bearing his fangs.\n\nAshnard could feel his blood start to boil, scorching blade having nearly grazed a deep scar across his exposed bicep, where shapely built muscle was apparent, and now tensing beneath rugged fur. The throbbing headache and ringing in his ears drifted back into his consciousness as if provoked by the apprehensive threats and warning shot. Bloodthirsty instincts crawled into his mind, urging him to tear the elf apart, just like he would with any prey. Even more so for a prey that had the audacity to fight back.\n\nAnd worse yet, the long-haired figure was bold, or perhaps foolish enough to ask why he was hurt right afterwards. For a moment, the dark beast seemed as if he was about to lunge right then and there and give in to his instincts. Perhaps that would make the ringing stop. But the odd attitude only lead him to desperately try and resist, clutching his forehead with his left hand, snarls turning more pained than ferocious. **\"Why do you care? You should run... Run and don't look back.\"** He growled out, his posture wavering as he arched forward, gritting his razor-sharp teeth and glaring at the elf. It was better that way, not knowing how much longer he'd be able to resist." }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*(sjsjsj I wanna hug him)*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "*( __very__ bad idea)*" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( idc if he kills me, i must protecc )*" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*Sylver flinched instinctively at the increase of growls that reverberated across the forest clearing. He swallowed hard—__Obviously__, attacking first hadn't been the best idea; the near miss of the blade had only but exacerbated the problem. His mind screamed at him to run, to abandon all cause of logic and get away from this towering monstrosity, but his body seemed to be cemented to the spot. There was no point trying to shift another mask across his countenance; the beast could probably smell the fear that seemed to radiate off him like waves of heat.*\n\n*Maybe it was because he'd never seen such a being before, so bizarrely majestic in its canine gait, its teeth razor sharp—teeth that would probably tear through him with little to no restraint. Maybe it's was because he seemed to sense a kind of humanity within the being, possibly mirrored in its struggle to prevent itself from attacking him—because that's what it was doing, right? No one would take an outright attack just like that and continue to hold themself back. Sylvar's eyes flickered, and he withdrew; now pressing his fingers against each other, then, animation slowly returning to his petrified body, they gripped the rough bark of the oak tree behind him as he toed backwards with light steps. He found no comfort there.*\n\n*To remain standing there, meant to die a coward's death. But to flee? Most likely a coward's death too. God, if his his parents—parent, could see him now, a high elf, cowering in fear at the mercy of a foreign beast; they would be . . . He wasn't really sure. Sylvar felt the hackles on the monster rise, and then heard it speak; deadly furiousness lay behind those words. (\"Why do you care?\") Somehow it pained him to hear that, but he kept his face impassive; his hands fumbled against the hardness of the tree though. The blade in his palm slipped into the ground and vanished. There was no use for the throwing knife, now that the element of surprise was gone.*\n\n*Then—Then the being spoke again. (\"You should run . . . Run and don't look back.\") And feeling surged back into Sylvar's body as the information clicked into place in his mind. That wasn't mercy that the beast was giving him. It was only buying him time, giving him a chance to run, and for a second Sylvar wanted to walk up to it—him, and show him that he wasn't afraid, and damned was he going to leave the being to hurt alone. But. But, common sense returned again, enshrouded in anxious words, and screamed at him to run. And run he did, turning away, a small gasp escaping his lips as he tore through the endless expanses of trees, foliage and flora. Idle tree branches tore at his lengthy hair, his leather clothes, but he paid little attention to the minor grazes upon his skin.*\n\n*He saw his horse pawing at the earth, a few metres from where he had come to a stop, wild anxiety breaking his coolly façade for a second. \" Melicus. \" He said, a greater snap in his voice than intended. His horse and the amber eyed furrow both looked at him, and Melicus chirped questioningly before seeming to notice the hesitation upon his features. Sylvar looked back at the shrouded clearing, hoping that he hadn't been followed. He was in truly deep shit, for sure.*" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( 💀 was this bad? )*\n\n*( Sylvar has a defence spell :)*" } ]

[ { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*Ramlei begins to hear a noise in the distance. Sounds like a hideous gutteral snarl. She squint to see far away, there is a lone figure. There is also something there as well. Something that is beastly and Bloodthirsty. She isn't gonna let someone get killed by a lowly creature. She rushes forwards, yelling out a distraction.*\n\"Hey! Over here! Don't forget your dessert!\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard Bloodmane", "message": "The dark beast slowly curled himself as he dropped on his knees, clutching his head. Long, sharp claws extended from his fingertips, almost threatening to tear his fur out the more that throbbing in his skull echoed in his mind. He could hear the elven figure slowly step away before breaking into a sprint off the clearing, and every instinct in the beastkin's mind was urging him to chase after his prey. He could smell the blood, sweat and fear from the elf, like a trail of an intoxicating drug invading his nostrils and trying to overwhelm his senses.\n\nHis hands dropped on the mossy soil, bristled ebony fur standing on end. Slowly opening his eyes, all he could see before him was that trail of red, with verdant fauna surrounding him only as indistinguishable shades of grey. He was about to break into a sprint, chase after his prey and fully give in to the beast, before another loud voice momentarily snapped him out of that bloodthirsty trance. \n\nHis glare turned to the huntress that was calling out to him, taunting him in a defiant tone. Bearing his fangs, unable to resist any longer, he rushes into a sprint on all fours towards her, his movements swift and erratic. With only the source of that defiant voice and a distinct human scent as a guide, he chased after the newfound threat between wide tree trunks and rocky formations that spanned across the forest clearing" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*A few seconds of profound silence, that felt like hours, permeated through the dark forest floor. Sylvar's elven ears twitched to attempt to pick up some sort of sound that would alert him of an oncoming onslaught of fur, claws and teeth, but in its place was a surreal quietude. Melicus seemed to understand the urgency of the situation, as the furrow opened his wings with a controlled gracefulness and fluttered beside Sylvar's tense form, his attention on the thick tree growth ahead of him. Sylvar shot an appreciative glance at him before releasing a breath that he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Okay, so he hadn't been followed. A good sign, indeed.*\n\n*After taking, final glance at the intertwining trees, he turned back to his horse, halfheartedly preparing to leave, to turn back and start again, the long journey that had brought him here in the first place. Then suddenly, the thick silence was broken, gradually, as a female voice formed words that echoed off trees and rocks, followed by an intense growl and the rustle of flowers and grassland. It was quiet and intense first, but then rose to a crescendo. A rustle ran through the woods, through the air, through the very being of the forest. Daylight flickered, the tingle of weighted air before a storm, like lightning between the clouds.*\n\n*Someone—Something was in trouble. And from what he'd experienced a few moments before, it seemed like it was probably connected to that towering beast.* ***\" Shit \"***, *He hissed, turning back to the trees, before breaking into a run. Sylvar sprinted through the trees, feeling his heartbeat in his throat as he tore through the underbrush, ignoring the branches scraping him from every angle. With each tight breath, he began to rifle through all the spells he knew. Reaching the familiar clearing from before, Sylvar jolted to a stop, staring out at the field of wildflowers searchingly. It took his eyes only seconds to locate the wild beast approaching a wild-looking girl.*\n\n*The beast moved fast, but Sylvar moved faster, pressing his palms together firmly and began to sing, his voice a rapid and quiet lilt.* ***\" Kanas, tel' arsurinya ath o'suer faer, foqal thas willis fare daquin ar . . \"*** *Thankfully, the intimate feeling of magic crept back to his body as it restored part of itself, then channelled into his arms, lighting up in a murky purple hue.* ***\" Aegis ent encapsu tel' brave, tel' ales ath rell, fae hel save. \"*** *There was a hum, a buzz in the air as arcane energy collected, and then flung out towards the girl, forming an arcane barrier that would—hopefully—be enough to ward the beast's onslaught. __Hopefully__, the girl knew what to do next, otherwise there would soon be a lot of blood on their hands.*\n\n``` 5 mana restored. Heaven's Protection used, costing 10 mana. Remaining mana: 80/100 ```" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( \"After taking, final glance\" )*" } ]

[ { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*The animal hide wearing Steppe Elf sneers at the advancing beast. She too knows a few spells to inflict upon this fiend. With an outstretched hand, she too utters a spell.*\n\"Firos, Faroe, Mrath! Cesin gaira fulos...\" *A ball of fire grows in her red hot hands. Then with final grunt of effort, she hurls her ball of flame at the enemy.* \"Metorai Flemorae!!\"\n\n```Flaming Meteor used. 15 mana used. Mana: 85/100```\n\n```The user's hand glows bright red, then they shoot out a basketball-sized, semi-hollow fireball at 30m/s up to 40m away from their palm. The fireball contains 250g of burning pitch. The pitch burns for two turns after impact at 600°C, sending a small amount of smoke upwards. ```" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "The dark beast's advancement pattern seems to be as aberrant as his appearance, charging like a shadow on all fours between woods and rocks in the grove. He tracks the huntress by smell alone, his hearing attuned to hear the chanting of both elves. He knew too well by now to be cautious of magic, even while his instincts took over. \n\nWith his target now a few meters before him, he uses a rock for cover against the scorching orb. Fire would certainly not be good news for him, as with any beast. Sprinting in an arc around Ramlei, he finally got into close enough distance to pounce, crashing into the magical barrier with blades, teeth and claws in an attempt to knock her over and pin her to the ground." }, { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*As Ramlei watches how bizarrely and expertly it travels through the landscape, she starts to have a feeling that this creature may be more than some feral beast. It's form and aggressiveness strikes to her the deadliness of Monstrous demons she heard legends about. As it gets close to pounching, she tries to brace by chanting another spell.* \"Manu Strenda Arpocael...\"\n\n*Before she is confident that her protection will stand as she face her opponent. However, with the magical barrier shattering and the weight of the creature crashing into and pinning her, her cocky attitude gives way to terror.* \"Argh!!\" *She attempts to resist against the beast's pinning with her own strength.*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "Diving in against the lone elf with no regard to the magical barrier, he shatters it under the weight like glass before it disperses. Shoving her hard against the mossy ground alongside him, the beast attempts to pin her arms down by the wrists, all the while his rancor-filled sanguine eyes glare at her.\n\nHe squeezes her arms with enough force they'd feel like going numb from the bruising, all the while he roars loudly at her face, unhinged metal jaw letting her view the beast's black maw and razor-sharp canines up close and personal. Scarred ebony fur stands bristled as he keeps bearing his fangs down at the struggling prey while cold metal gauntlets keep on pressing her to the ground." }, { "author": "bobwave.", "message": "```css\nThe rolling hills of the steppe spread across the horizon, little but poor soil over rock. They are clothed in scrubby grass too poor to even put flesh on a goat. The wintry wind was fierce and bitter, biting ears and noses and sending prickles passing through them. The pale brown path that was rutted by horses in the soggy fall was now frozen and hard enough to twist an ankle. In each depression was a small frozen puddle and so for now it is simpler to just walk your own path over the frost-stiffened grass.\n\nAnd it was atop one of these hills that .Irath .Phaen'nes stood. The Oni was the colour of freshly fallen snow. Even from far away, his massive size was clearly evident. From his forehead, two massive horns protruded, close to 1/10th of a meter in size. Tattoos and scars canvased his massive torso, like the workings of an intricate artist. He let out a deep, low sigh as he scanned the horizon. What was .Irath the .Undying searching for? A sacrifice. The elves had their pantheon, Irath had his own. He was looking for a offering that might appease his gods, the .Unfallen.```\n\n```css\nTo his pleasure, it looked like Tzeentch's blessing was upon him. Just across the steppe from him, he sighted to creatures locked in a dance of death. At first glance, he could tell the disadvantaged one was an elf, but he wasn't sure as to the other one. It had canine qualities and might've been a beastskin. .Irath didn't want to waste time dwelling on the little things and drawing the massive blade sheathed on his belt named the .Manslayer of the .Azzinoth, he began to barrel towards the pair. \n\nHe charged towards them in silence, but a loud thud echoed across the steppe with each well, step. Deep indentations left behind in the moist, gravely soil. As he ran towards their heads, closing the distance at 8m/s, he'd raise his titanic sword above his head and as he came upon them, swung the sword underhand with his own strength of 6 (6 Body Cap.) added to the momentum of the charge. The blade was swung such as to behead the Candiae if it were to remain in it's position.```" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "The beastkin's ears perked up at another unwelcome arrival, that one even less subtle than the last one. Glancing over the towering pale-blue Oni approaching him with clearly hostile intent, he snarled and bore his fangs before rolling off the helpless elf to avoid the slow sword swing.\n\nQuickly standing up and regarding the situation, he took up a combative stance, upper arched forward with the threat of both arm blades and sharp tail pointing at the Oni. He had to retreat- every instinct of self-preservation told him that he couldn't take on all these opponents at once... If he had any that is.\n\n*\"Worthy prey...\"* He muttered between deep snarls, sanguine serpentine eyes glaring at the towering oni, before he tactically retreated by sprinting further into the woods concealing himself between thick foliage, growing quiet seconds later." }, { "author": "xelvedra", "message": "*Thankfully for him, the Oni wasn't particularily good at fast moving and his slow sword swing would've been easy to avoid. Thus, Ashnard would've successfully avoided the huge sword, which would've crashed into the dirt in a big splash of dust and freshly cut grass.*" }, { "author": "bobwave.", "message": "```css\n.Irath let out a sigh as his attack missed, the jackal had slithered into the woods but the horned man was able to keep track of the beast, each and every exhale of the creature neatly visible. He would flip his greatsword, one hand on the hilt, the other firmly grasping the pommel, and brought it down towards the into the coarse soil. After imbedding the sword deep enough into the ground that it stood for itself, .Irath turned his attention back to the beastskin.\n\nHe brought up his left hand and snapped them, a small, sharp biconical granite stone. .Irath opened his hand to catch the stone and then took aim at the beast. Without a moment to waste, he threw the granite at the creature. If the seed impacted him, it would quickly dispenses a thick, vapor-filled fog in a sphere with a diameter of 15ft. \n```" }, { "author": "xelvedra", "message": "*Since the small granite pebble flew at a constant and higher speed than the running canid monster, the pebble successfully hit the target. While it wouldn't have done any damage besides notifying Ashnard that he just got hit by something thrown at his back, a thick black fog would've spread around him.*\n*Fortunately for him, his high senses of smell and sight combined with his small night vision would've allowed the armbladed fighter to somewhat see through the fog, with his vision still a bit blurry and obscured though. He would've been able to distinguish his foe's shadow if the latter were to close the gap at least.*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "The unnatural fog spreading outward was unexpected, but not of concern to Ashnard. He stood within the blackened mist, letting out a howl as if challenging the oni to fight him there, all the while attuning his own senses, particularly that of hearing within the black mist before taking a combative stance, both armblades drawn. \n\n```Blood Hunt used: 5/10 mana left, +400% hearing for 3 turns```\n\n**\"Those weapons are not yours to wield.\"**\n\nA deep, coarse voice resonated from the blackened veil of mist as the canid beast stepped out of it, weapons drawn. Both aberrant, sharp blades standing sharp on the sides of his arms, while a spine-like tail swished behind him, akin more to a scorpion's than a canine. Sanguine eyes glared at the oni with murderous intend, standing at roughly 7m away from him and taking a stance.\n\n```Ashnard: 2.5/10 mana, 2.5 regen, 5 spent for Blood Hunt (sight +400%)```" }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*// just gonna write Sylvar heading to Ulnoor rq so I can make a gorgeous, dignified exit*" }, { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*Ramlei, seeing as the beast have left her alone attempts to make a run for it. As she turns around she realise that someone have nabbed her maces.* \"H-hey! That's mine!\"\n\n*With a shake of her head, she runs off. She keeps the location of the fight insight though as she flees, so that she can retrieve her self crafted maces.*" }, { "author": "bobwave.", "message": "```css\nThe brooding Irath would stop at the beast's words and face the creature. He flipped the mace and then threw it straight at the creature's head. The jackal's piercing gaze sent shivers down Irath's spine, but not of fear or sorrow, the feeling was more akin to pleasure and desire. Irath wanted the beast to charge him, he was just waiting for it. He pulled the Manslayer of Azzinoth from the ground and held it to his side, waiting for the beast's response.```" }, { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*Ramlei will look for a gathering of rocks in the distance to hide behind them. She is somehow able to camouflage herself with this natural outcrop. She will watch the battle.*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "Ashnard will dive and roll downwards to avoid the thrown mace before charging down at Irath on all fours, using the momentum to pounce ferociously upon getting within 3m of the oni, both blades slashing wildly downwards on the torso." }, { "author": "xelvedra", "message": "*Thanks to the distance and the canidae's high perceptive senses, he would've been able to avoid the thrown objet while lowering himself.*" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*Watching in slight dismay as the beast crashed through his magical barrier, Sylvar stumbled backwards as he physically felt the shatter of his magic rebound underneath the pure muscle that the beast was. Deciding that since another being had joined the rather spontaneous battle, Sylvar was better off making his retreat, he turned back and toed tenuously through the countless trees, back to the comfort of the clearing where his steed and friend remained; perturbed. Melicus chirped, and he could hear the questioning in his sharp tone—****Are we setting off?****And Sylvar nodded curtly with the slightest of sighs, running thin fingers through his hair in order to extract random dead leaves and twigs.*\n\n*After a brief moment of patting himself down and resettling anything that had fallen or been misaligned by his sudden movements, the high elf gave his steed a quick pat of affection, and moved back onto his saddle, throwing a quick glance into the distance where he could hear, due to his attuned senses, the thunder of battle occurring. Not exactly something he wanted, nor needed to get into the middle of. The slightest tap of his foot against the smooth coat of his horse, they began to set off towards where Sylvar assumed the Silnari capital lay, hoping he could find the information there that he sought.*\n\n*Not too long before the sudden appearance of the beast, had he received strange notice from his grandmother, whom he hadn't seen since he was three, regarding the strange Silnari Vunnlime gate that had yet to be fixed. It was a curt message, offering very little reason on why information about the famous destroyed gate was needed to be gathered, however, he could sense the minacious undertones that hid between the words on paper. He had very little choice but to make his way to the possible dangers that lay ahead.*" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "Fill me in on whats going on in\n\n*Because of the committed vector of which Ashnard was travelling, he wouldn't be able to swiftly move away from Irath, who had opened up both of his jaws to unleash his Breath of the Undying on Ashnard. The cone hit Ashnard square in the face, causing a large majority of his face to be completely covered in ice. It is worth mentioning, however, that the ice had not reached Ashnard's subcantaneous fat tissue - the ice only affected the surface of his skin, as well as a tiny bit below. Had it gone deeper, it would be safe to say that the damage done would be nearly irriversable by normal means.*\n\n*Ashnard was looking directly at Irath when the breath hit, Ashnard's right eye, nose, and skin would all be affected by the ice. For now, he wouldn't be able to move his right eye without feeling an intense, biting pain - however, because of his Impervious, it would be dulled down to a slight sting when it was moved. His nostrils became moderately filled with ice; it was assured that he wouldn't be able to accurately smell something besides ice until it melted away. His left eye was fine, however: he could see clearly out of it.*\n``` 3 Minor wounds to Ashnard. Right eye unable to open (Unless, of course, you wanna go through some pain.) Facial skin frostbitten. Nose also hit ```" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "Ashnard felt his face, and particularly his sense of smell grow numb from the frost breath that hit him head-on. Still, even with a brief stagger, he'd push past the frigid pain, keeping both eyes opened and fixed on his target right in front of him. Gritting his teeth, he lunged forward once more, this time both blades aiming down for his greatsword. \n\nHe didn't aim to hit the oni with them, but merely to his guard occupied, crouching lightly in point blank range for his tail to last out, aiming for the left side of Irath's chest. A single, quick jab with the sharp tip, like a lashing snake, that's all he needed." }, { "author": "bobwave.", "message": "```css\nWhites in his eyes turned a pure black, and as his iris glowered teal. Symbols, lines and dots formed in the iris, placed in a sort of manner. .Irath's lethal stare was painful and piercing, as if his glare was tearing the beastskin's heart apart with a blinding teal light. He was going to complete his sacrifice, lest he anger the gods.\n\nHe held the blade even, a perfect, undaunted horizon; always leveled with the nose, just as he had mastered for the last century. .Manslayer of .Azzenoth, it's dark grey-black steel shimmering ever-so-slightly in the sun as if it were made from the very storm clouds that brewed and rumbled above. The broad grey-black metal was cold, as was the hand it rested in. In all the landscape it was the thing that drew the eye, many had fallen before the fine edge, and more would follow. \n\nThe blade flashed as .Irath spun back on his left foot and hummed a low, swift tune when he slashed diagonally upwards. This meant the canidae would miss it's mark, e.I. Both the sword and Irath's heart. But Irath didn't get off scot-free, the beast's pike-like tail would possibly leave a neat wound sliced into the flesh of his upper right arm. It gently oozing out blood and a bluish-purple bruise forming around it. But tit-for-tat as the pale oni would inevitably lop of the jackal's tail. .Irath would carry the momentum from the slash, bringing the sword down again towards the midriff of the beast, hoping to leave it half the man it once was.```" }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Because of the distance between the two at this point, being almost a foot a part from each other, Irath would not have neither the space nor range of motion to completely spin around in a circle given that Ashnard was only a foot away. Spinning completely on his heel, Irath would find that his sword would partially obstruct his motion, causing him to finish the spin unbalanced and vulnerable. His attempted upwards slash against Ashnard would cause him to become even more unbalanced as he was working against gravity at that point; any strong force could essentially knock him down now.*\n\n*And this is what Ashnard would take advantage of: Irath's reckless spin alone would have left the oni wide open for attack, but combined with the fact that the sword had gotten in the way would attribute even more to the final consequence of Irath being completely vulnerable. With two forceful swings, Ashnard would be able to topple Irath to the ground, his tail strike not finding his mark in the oni's heart, but rather to the right. It would be able to pierce into the skin 2 inches deep, leaving behind a bloody gash.*\n``` Irath knocked to the ground, while also getting 1 moderate wound. ```" } ]

[ { "author": "roariesjoseph", "message": "*Ramlei continues her watch of the intense battle.*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "Blood. That intoxicating, metallic scent freshly drawn from his foe's chest permeated the beastkin's nostrils, distinct enough to recognize past the frigid numbness. It overwhelmed his senses, hungering serpentine eyes fixed upon the gushing wound on Irath's chest, urging him to tear the pale oni apart. The drumming in Ashnard's head returned, stronger than ever as if in sync with his foe's quickened heartbeat. And if he could make one of them stop, the other would as well.\n\nThe black beast spared neither thought nor motion to let his opponent recover from the fall. He pounced after the oni, pressing Irath under his weight. Spiked knee plates jabbed at the foe's gut while his blades pierced the inner elbows. Cold, sharp steel punctured flesh and bone with no remorse as the jackal's muzzle hanged low over his prey, rancorous growls resonating from the subtly unhinged jaw\n\nPart of him wanted to let the oni go right there and let these wounds do the rest of the work. To make Irath bleed like he had bled and let him know what it was like to be helpless and left for dead. After all, the man probably deserved it, and it was a sight Ashnard would savor. But the oni was also a warrior, not much different from himself, and the lingering sense of honor the beast held unto compelled him to grant a quick death.\n\nSharp canines, harder than any steel glimmered beneath Ashnard's dark muzzle. With no free limbs for Irath to defend himself, the jackal plunged his maw down the exposed neck, beastly fangs piercing through thin flesh mercilessly. The dark beastkin tore through vitals with every bite, viciously pulling back with each one as virulent demon blood oozed from his muzzle. Not until the oni's carotid was torn to shreds and windpipe crushed beneath the pressure did he stop and got off him, his hunger finally sated. The jackal could feel his thoughts clear and the agonizing throbbing in his head cease, raising his head to search for anything of value from the Oni's corpse." }, { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( omg the poor guy )*" }, { "author": "bobwave.", "message": "**Irath's** Heartbeat is steady like a drummer, keeping rhythm, keeping beat. It is no more fancy that an acorn falling from a mighty oak. He felt **Ashnard's** Heart too, it was like that of rain against a rooftop, loud and never ending. But time had come for the beast's heart to cease it's beating. \n\nThe flesh splits, mild crimson liquid pops from the barrier and seeps away from the wound in his chest, by the divine intervention of **Khorne**, the long, sharp tip had missed his heart. Thick beads crawling as brisk as they traveled etching red streaks that crisp with advancing time. The pain was cold and chilling, but it wasn't deep enough to be serious, Irath shrugged it off as naught but a reminder of his own mortality.\n\nThe beast's jagged knees gently pricked his pale hide, though not breaking the skin. It's arm blades rested against his thick, hardened bones that covered his elbows so it was rather pointless. As the beast fully opened it's savage maws, enough time had passed that he could once again **Exhale**. Without wasting but a moment, **Irath** Would one again exhale a icy mist, straight down the creature's gullet and trachea. This would ensure that both passage ways were encompassed with the piercing cold which would've shot straight down and into the beast. The **Frostbite** Would kill the outer tissue of his mouth and throat and would lead to them swelling shut as the dead tissue expanded. The cold would logically reach all the way to the jackal's lungs and stomach as it was so direct and he was most likely inhaling. If the rigor mortis of his lungs doesn't kill him (which i'm not sure how he'd survive having both lungs die), the sudden agonising pain would send him into **Shock** Or atleast **Stun** The beast." }, { "author": "eriidyne", "message": "*Ashnard, since he had spared absolutely no time in going for Irath's neck, would be able to bring his jaw down on the neck of the demon. His canines would tear through the hide, clamping in at a close around Irath's windpipe. When Ashnard finished his final strike, however, his victory would only be met with a full blast of frostbreath from Irath's dying breath. With no time to react, Ashnard would be hit fully in the face, causing both of his eyes to become blinded. The skin that was already affected earlier became even more damaged; some of the tissue underneath had died because of the recast, which would lead into permanent scars and the like on his face. It was also safe to assume that his right eye was put completely out of commision due to tanking two frost breaths at once. His nose would also become disabled due to the damage, but that would only seem to be a temporary injury that would wear off (Can't smell stuff for 4 quests). It was doubtful that a healer could do anything to alleviate this damage - scars and wounds such as this were out of their boundaries, after all.*\n\n*Nevertheless, the jackal would have won.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*The clopping of hooves could be heard as a horse galloped across the wetlands. Atop it sat a man, one bearing the mask of a pig. He grinned as he found himself nearing these lands as a signal that he had left the main Capitol behind. He didn't favor the government ran city, preferring the lands just outside of them where most regular folk managed their day to day lives despite being under the reign of those in charge. For now he had decided to make his way through here, considering setting up a small camp while he readied himself for another trip to Salvania. With a light tug of the reigns, he slowed his horse to a slow trot, the horse in response giving a tired snort. The Pig Elf didn't travel alone of course with his animal companions. However as for the others he had temporarily made the solo trip with the promise of the well grown crops here.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*Somewhere near, the sound of a large horse galloping in full stride. It was armoured, by the sound of metal clanking slightly as it rode. On its back seemed to be a Kitsune, 5 tails flowing freely. His clothing seemed to be quite baggy, robish even. While there was a hood, it was down, due to the wet heat of the area.*\n*The kitsune had set off on adventure not long prior, leaving his hometown of Keguntan behind. He lived back in the capital, after being able to get a job there. The reigns were unmoved, though the kitsune spoke instead.*\n\n\"Slow down a bit, there seems to be a camp nearby. Wouldn't want to disturb them, would we?\"\n\n*The horse neighed a bit, and slowed down. How strange, it seemed to understand him...*\n*With a stroke and a thanks, the Kitsune hopped off. He began to walk over to the camp, noticing a humanoid of some sort. Honestly, he had never actually encountered an elf before. He had only read of them. He waved to the elf.*\n\n\"Hey there. You from this area?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would have dismounted from his horse, allowing him to roam around the wetlands and graze at the moist grass that made up the area. With the place being so wet, Terrel figured starting a fire wouldn't be the easiest task, so for now he simply scoped around the area to make sure it was safe enough for him to create a small area to camp out at for now.\n\nUpon hearing the sudden voice, Terrel would turn his head towards the Kitsune. It had been some time since he's see another Kitsune especially with one riding a horse geared up for battle. Had it not been for the Kitsune's baggy clothes he'd had taken him for a soldier patrolling the area for some reason.*\"You going to run me off from here if I wasn't?\"*He questioned. His voice didn't carry hostility, though he was curious of what the Kitsune was doing here as well. These weren't necessarily the lands of the Kitsune, mostly just Elves that tend to live around Silnaria, not that Terrel really lived here so much as travel around at his own accord.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He shook his head, looking somewhat surprised.*\n\"Oh, nah. I'm not a soldier or anything, just passing by.\" *He chuckled a bit; This was actually the first time he had been out this far after ending up here. His boot squelched into a small puddle of mud quite suddenly, taking him off guard. He sighed, and began to... Struggle to move.*\n\"Tch... Typical. But no, i was just asking. I left my hometown a few days ago, see. I found Ulnoor while looking for a place to stay, but decided to just make a camp somewhere in the wetlands... Its been *Too* Wet where i've looked.\"\n\n*He shrugged.* \"Truth is, i was going to ask if you knew anywhere i could set up camp.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Well they don't call it the wetlands for being dry.\"*Terrel commented as Hikari pointed out the place being a bit too wet despite what the name implied. The Pig Elf walked over, feeling at the mud with the tip of his boot. This wouldn't have been the first time he looked for a dry patch of earth in a mass amount of mud. However, there always existed one somewhere even if it wasn't the most dry. Eventually his foot hit something more compressed. Wet enough to be mud, but dry enough to not cause him to sink into it from walking across it.*\n\n\"What made you change your mind from Ulnoor?\"*He asked, a slight hint of smugness in his tone as he eventually turned back around to face Hikari. He wasn't sure how much of a rugged individual the Kitsune was especially with his clear showing of distaste from a little mud, but not everyone was made for traveling. At the very least, the farmers here had made good use of their environment. All the better for Terrel with the number of crops growing around. He was no thief, but it was an alright place for his horse to graze at least.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He had nodded in response to the wetlands comment. It was true.*\n\n\"Hm... Why *Did* I change my mind? Hm... Not sure. I'll probably go back and look with more than a passing glance. Honestly, i never even realised it was Ulnoor until i opened my map a ways past it. Just thought it was a normal city.\"\n\n*The smugness Terrel showed was a bit annoying, though Hikari could see where he was coming from. Probably not often you would see someone pass up somewhere like Ulnoor if they were able to live there. He had gotten his foot out of the mud by now, and started kicking them together; though he stopped soon after.*\n\"Why... Whats the point in me even doing that...\" *He mumbled to himself. It was true, there wasn't a point to it.*\n\n\"I'll probably sound stupid right now, but is there any sort of quest or adventuring scene in Ulnoor? I'm a summoner in training, so i wanted to try one of the safer ones to get used to it.\"\n\n*He was impressed with the large farmlands the farmers had set up, 'the place seems great for it.' was one of the first thoughts he had when looking.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Every Capitol has one, I'm sure.\"*He says to answer the Kitsune's question. As his horse slowly trotted over to where he was, the Pig Elf would reach into a saddle bag and look around for the supplies he had stored in them.*\"With every empire, I'm sure there's a task they'd want to send people on without worrying about putting themselves at risk.\"*It was clear he didn't care much for the idea, but as any mercenary so long as he was paid for it, he'll do so anyways.\n\nAt the mention of himself being a summoner in training, Terrel would glance back at him, looking the Kitsune up and down. It seemed rather fitting for him in a way, but Terrel could respect a person for going forth in practicing to get better at what they want to do in life.*\n\n\"Well you won't learn much sticking to the safe missions.\"*Terrel stated. From the top of the cloak that rested on his shoulders, a small head would peak out. It was that of a Furrow who seemed to be curiously scanning the strange new environment they were in. It let out a quiet chirp for attention, soon to receive a light pat atop his head from Terrel.*\"You've summoned things before, haven't you?\"*He asked him with an hidden eyebrow raising in question.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "\"True, makes sense.\" *He nodded in response to the answer. It was a good point, to be fair. With the mention of not learning much from the safe missions, he thought about it for a bit. The most combat he'd been in was with an Air Strider a few years back. Wasn't even trained either. Going off of that, he didn't imagine he would be very skilled in combat.*\n\"Yeah, good point.\" *He nodded. Not much that you could learn from fighting rats or a loose Air Strider.*\n\"Oh, yeah. The horse i rode here is a summon. I just kinda... Started to keep summoning the same horse over and over again. He's been fine with it when i've asked. Due to him being a summon, he'll understand me as well. As good as we can understand each other.\"\n\n*He would pull out his map, stroking his horse, which had just walked back over from a small adventure. It got bored quickly after realising the most interesting thing here was a bush that had a stick lying on top of it. The map he used was pretty new, having bought it before he left. There were some scratches and a torn corner, though not much.*\n\n\"Remind me which way Ulnoor is again? I can't figure out where we are.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel eventually grabbed a handful of the berries he was looking for, turning around fully once more as he would occasionally hold up a berry for the Furrow to nibble on while he spoke to the Kitsune. At the mention of his horse being a summon, Terrel would glance over towards him. He had to admit, it did appear to be any other horse in his eyes. Summons sure do have a way of deceit hidden in them to those unaware of it.\n\nMost usually know of the different kinds of magic that thrived in this world. Terrel as well, despite him not favoring the use of it all the time. His horse trotted up to his side after seeing that he was done getting something out of the bags, letting out a light snort at the other horse.*\"Any other summons?\"*He asked more so curiously, despite his voice always carrying that sense of monotone with it.\n\nAt Hikari's question of where Ulnoor was, Terrel pointed back the way he had originally come from.*\"If you head that way for a while, you'll eventually find the Capitol. Hard to miss it, at least a second time that is.\"*He grinned before continuing.*\"We're currently in the steppes, home of the farmlands and land of the potatoes.\"*The way he described it almost sounded like he was joking, but he was very much telling the truth of the place. It was really just a bunch of plantations where farmers grew different crops, the major ones being potatoes.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He nodded in response to the summon question. He had three summons in all, including the war horse.*\n\"Lets see... I can summon wolves, a Warhorse - Which is what this one is -, and an Undead barbarian. I've only really used the summon for her consistently. If you give me about half a minute, i could summon the Wolves or the Barbarian if you want.\"\n\n*The warhorse lightly snorted back to Terrels, having trotted around a bit.*\n*When Terrel pointed towards where Ulnoor was, he nodded. He was a bit annoyed at the second time comment, though.* \"The steppes... Ah, i see where we are now. Thanks. Names Hikari, by the way.\"\n*He laughed a bit at the 'Land of the Potatoes' joke, though judging by what he could see, Terrel wasn't wrong.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"Terrel.\"*The Pig Elf responded after Hikari told him his name. He would give a light pat to his horse before the animal would canter off towards the summon with some curiosity in its stride, a whinny of greeting coming from him as he trotted after the other horse. \n\nWith Hikari listing the summons he had, some didn't surprise him. It was a first that he's seen a horse summon at least, wolves were a different story however. He's seen wolves being summoned so often to the point where some just have the summons travel with them casually. Perhaps that's what Hikari's horse was like to him. Though the mention of an undead barbarian did spark some interest. It was the first he's ever heard of a summon like that.*\"Undead Barbarian you say?\"*He questioned with a more thoughtful sound to his tone.*\"Wouldn't mind seeing that.\"" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "\"Alright, don't mind showing you. It'll take a bit though.\" *Was Hikari's response to Terrel asking about the the Undead barbarian. Meanwhile, the warhorse had returned the whinny of greeting, and had started to trot away from Terrels horse in a playful fashion, as if to communicate a race or basic trot along of sorts.*\n\n*Around 32 seconds of holding a talisman into the air ceremoniously, the summon was charged.*\n\"I need to do this every time i want to summon something. Anyway, its ready now. *Conjure Undead Barbarian!*\"\n\n*As he spoke, a small circle of magic appeared a bit ahead of him. Somewhat in the direction of the horses. After a second or so of wait, an unarmoured Barbarian appeared, holding a Kite shield in one hand, and a 1-handed battle axe in the other. It looked towards Hikari, and nodded. It then just sort of... Stood there. It would look around at times, thats it.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*His horse would canter along with the other, increasing its strides so that the two could move side by side. His horse would have broken out to a faster run had not he had the saddlebags strapped to him slowing him down a bit, but at least he could still move at a steady trot. Terrel would casually hand his Furrow another berry as he watched the Kitsune begin summoning the Barbarian. He had to admit, magic did have those awe-inspiring moments, even from simply watching it in action.*\n\n*He stood silently as he watched the circle of magic form soon followed by the Barbarian appearing with both its shield and axe, ready for combat. Terrel watched it nod towards Hikari while standing idle in waiting.*\"So, what can it do?\"*Terrel questioned as he stared at the Barbarian. This was the first non-animalistic summon Terrel had seen, even so far as appearing with its own weapons. Terrel's interest in it seemed peaked for the moment as he waited for it to do something.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He would be watching the horses gallop along with each other, but turned his head when Terral asked.*\n\"Well... Since its undead, you only really give it a goal when summoned. Though since i just said 'wait', it can do other things. But honestly? Not much. Its extremely strong, about twice as strong as a fit humanoid. Along with that, it just doesn't feel pain. It has an effect, it just doesn't feel it. Hm... It has strong hearing and night vision, making it a great lookout. Hell, you could have its goal be 'Guard this area and attack any enemies that come near', and it would do just that. Though it can only go about 75 meters away from you... But thats still 75 meters.\"\n\n*Hikari thought a bit more. Since it only had the ability to follow a single goal, it couldn't do much.* \"Oh, its also faster and tankier than most fit humanoids. Though it can't wear armour for some reason. So overall? Great for combat and lookout scenarios.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel looked the Barbarian over while Hikari took the time explaining how it worked. While the rest of the explanation sparked interest in its ability to at least be able to put up a fight as long as it was within range, Terrel's curiosity couldn't prevent him from questioning further.*\n\n\"So what would happen if you were to try giving him a second goal?\"*He asked, handing the last berry he had over to his Furrow who had eaten it down hastily. While the horses had been trotting along, a small wolfish head would stick out from one of the saddlebags, revealing the wolf pup who had been seemingly taken along in this friendly trot. His tongue stuck out happily, enjoying the light breeze generated from their movement.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He shrugged, and shook his head. In truth? He didn't actually know. He never thought to try, after being taught about undead summons.*\n\n\"Well... Not sure. I'd imagine nothing, but we can try it right now.\"\n\n*He tried to tell it that it's goal was to hit a rock as hard as possible, though it just turned its head in confusion, and continued staring into space.*\n\n\"Nothing, it seemed to just not understand it... How strange.\"\n\n*He looked over at the trotting horses, now with a happy boi riding along as well. He smiled, and placed his right arm on his hip.*\n\"They sure do get along well, don't they.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel rubbed the side of his temple in thought as he watched the undead barbarian remain standing there. Maybe two commands were too much for them. However, that only lead him to thinking of more questions. Would it only be able to attack one thing at a time in a fight? What would happen after it accomplished the task it was set out to do? What would happen if it were killed in the process of trying to complete a task? Terrel could probably make a guess for the last one seeing how all the other summons worked, but that still didn't stop him from wondering about it. \n\nHe considered asking, but before he could, he took notice of Hikari watching the two horses trotting along, one of which carrying away his wolf pup which didn't seem to mind too much.*\"Yeah.\"*He said in agreement to what Hikari pointed out about them getting along.*\"He hasn't gotten to hang out with other horses much since we've been traveling, so this probably a first for him in a while.\"" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He turned to the Elf and nodded.* \"I see... Makes sense. They are social animals after all.\"\n*He looked around a bit, and found a small rock. He decided to sit down and watch the horses... Play? Hang out? He wasn't sure, but they looked as if they were having fun. The pup seemed to be loving it as well. He readied himself to get up though.*\n\n\"Oh, you don't mind if i sit here, do you? This is the area of your camp, after all.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"It's a free place.\"*He says with a careless shrug in response to Hikari's question as he held a hand up to his shoulder for the Furrow to climb on before he would lower it to the ground so that the Furrow could hop off and explore the farm area. After all, it was at a farm that the two met, under more gruesome conditions anyways.*\"Outside of the Capitol anyways.\"*Terrel would sit squat on the ground. There was already enough mud as it was without having to stain his clothing for no reason. The Furrow would scamper off into the tall grass, hopefully enough to return not being eaten. He would gaze back in the direction he had originally come from towards the Capitol. He never went to those places for much more than getting stuff from the market or finding jobs for Mercenaries. After all, most of the freedom was in traveling outside of empires where your actions weren't always dictated.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He nodded and sat down.* \"Alright; suppose that makes sense.\" *He began to daydream a bit. Staring at nothing in particular. It was cold today... The breeze whistled past, his shown tails rustling. It was nice, out here in the wilds. He sighed. He had started to want to go back to the capitol, though didn't want to interrupt the horses.*\n\n\"Hm... I'm sorta wanting to go look more thoroughly in the capitol, though at the same time, i don't want to get in the way of the horses... What do you think, Terrel?\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "\"What do I think?\"*He asked, turning towards the Kitsune. With the pig mask on his head, it was hard to tell what expression he was making. However, he did seem to be pretty neutral as he always seemed to be without any real way to see his emotions from facial expressions alone.*\"I think it's up to you to decide what you want to do.\"*He says at first before turning away and saying in a more humorous tone:*\"I also think you struggle in decision making a bit.\"\n\n*It was just a jab at him of course, though Terrel wasn't used to being asked what he thought. Ever since he had left home, he has been simply doing his own thing for the most part while meeting some rather 'unique' individuals here and there. Even when he was at home, he didn't get many choices. Perhaps Hikari hasn't been traveling long, that or he cared too much of what others around him thought. Either seemed valid, but Terrel was used to others coming and going.*\"If you're worried about interrupting the horses, maybe you should ask them what they think, eh?\"*He suggested. Of course he wasn't being serious, but it wouldn't be the most unusual thing seeing a person talking to animals.*" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "*He chuckled a bit. He wasn't expecting a snarky answer, thats for sure.* \"Maybe i do, but its your horse as well after all. But its a good point.\" *He thought a bit more, the horse armour clinking in the distance. When Terrel suggested the idea of asking the horses themselves, he thought on it a bit as well.* \"I mean, my horse does understand me due to being a summon anyway. May as well?\"\n\n*He shrugged in a 'why not' type of way, grunting as he done it. Walking over, he called to the summon.* \"Axel, can i ask you something?\" *The horse whinnied, and began to trot over to him. As Axel got to Hikari, the Kitsune spoke again.* \"Sorry about this, but would you be fine with going back to the capitol? I could see you and the other horse were getting along, or at least trotting together. Just wanted to ask you first.\"\n*The horse snorted a bit, as if to sigh. It nodded though, and turned to the other horse to tell it.*\n\n\"It seems we'll be going now then, Terrel. It was good to talk to you.\"" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel's horse would slow its trotting, coming to an eventual stop as the other horse headed back over to his owner and notified him of them leaving soon. He let out a whinny of disappointment, the wolf pup howling along with him as if thinking the horse was trying to howl too. Eventually Terrel's horse would walk back over towards the Pig Elf.*\n\n*Terrel gave a nod of acknowledgement at Hikari's announcement of leaving.*\"Same to you, don't let that place taint you while you're there.\"*He says as some form of goodbye and perhaps a bit of a warning. However, with the lack of much emotion Terrel showed it was hard to tell which one. He ran a hand along his horse's snout, grabbing his lead as he stood back up.*\"Got a few potatoes to tend to.\"" }, { "author": "Hikari Makoto", "message": "\"Will do. Sorry 'bout that, bud.\"\n*He stroked Axel a bit, and got onto his back. After getting set up, he waved to Terrel, and lightly tapped the horse to signify it was time to go. The horse nodded, and began to trot 'Ulnoor-wards'.*\n\n\"Hope your potatoes do well, place seems great for them.\"\n\n*The trot began to break into a gallop, as they went back to the path-esque lack of grass.*" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel watched him leave, not saying anything as the Furrow eventually returned from his little grass adventure. He would pick the muddy animal up, letting him sit on his shoulder while the Elf would hop back up onto his horse. His horse gave a sort of sigh before eventually trotting off in the opposite direction, further through the muddy wetlands.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would make his way through the wet marshy lands of the steppes, his gaze kept low while passing by the distant farmlands and crop fields. Only recently had he left the Capitol, deciding to exit Silnaria through its steppes, where it was mostly only populated by Steppe Elves. His hand would be tightly wrapped up in a lead while his horse would trot behind him being tied to the other end of it. There was a bit of relief in being out of the city, allowing him to travel in silence without the constant sounds of others surrounding him and his traveling companions.\n\nHe'd gaze up towards the sky, trying to make note of how much progress he was making. The Elf had set out just before noon and part of him was hoping to reach the forests before nightfall. However, the steppes were an expansive land and he knew it would take him quite a while to cross it entirely in half a day.*\"You don't reckon we'd have to camp out here tonight do you Carl?\"*He'd ask his horse who'd simply look back at him in response. Terrel wasn't sure if making a fire out in the middle of a bunch of farmlands was the best idea nor possible for that matter with the land recovering from melting snow. It was more likely to go out upon being lit with how wet the land was. Maybe a torch would be a better idea in ensuring that he could continue traveling despite nightfall. Only time will tell really.*" }, { "author": "John Callahan", "message": "**John riding atop a horse would be going down the road towards terrel, the man held a tower shield in his left hand and a rapier in his other. The man himself was dressed in a light blue gambeson of sorts, with a metal helmet. But his face seemed to be covered by some linen sack with eye holes cut out in it.\n\nUpon the rider seeing terrel he started slowly down as to not splash this stranger with mud, he didn't wanna be rude towards someone while he was traveling or in general. It just seemed wrong.\n\nWhile slowed down to a trot with his horse, he gave a friendly wave to terral since he figured that was something people did sometimes. Johns horse wore a light red gambeson with a leather helmet, and it didn't seem to have reigns or a lead on it. Almost like the horse wasn't controlled but rather it was a teamwork situation.**" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel's gaze would be lowered, eventually glancing up as he came to notice a rider in the distance, gradually making his way over to him. His eyes would travel over the man's gear, figuring him for any other traveler who found need in hiding his identity. It wasn't often he saw another armored traveler heading through the steppes, what with it being mostly marsh farm land, not made best for traveling.\n\nAs the man slowed down upon nearing him, part of Terrel thought he was stopping to speak to him. His horse would turn his head towards the other steed, his nostrils flaring up at their approach in his timidity of the newcomers. At the wave, Terrel would give a light wave back, partially turning to him as he came to a slow trot.*\"No everyday I see a rider traveling through the steppes.\"*He'd say with a smirk.*\"I figured this place for farmer's only.\"" }, { "author": "John Callahan", "message": "**When terrel began speaking John came to a stop to speak as well, but John had no idea what this weird pink pig faced man was saying. John knew none of the same languages as terrel and as such had no wya to communicate. So John spoke in Pinnacelian Arcanic unsure if this man understood it then that would be pretty nice.**\n\n\"Excuse me but i do not speak that language, do you speak pinnacelian arcanic?\"\n\n**They said as they got off their horse and walked over to about 2 meters from terrel, he still held his shield but it seemed less like he was ready for combat and more he just had nowhere else it put it. Downsides of having a tower shield is usually the size of it, and the fact it can make your arm tired from carrying it all day.\n\nNow that the bag faced man was so close if terrel looked he would see that John appeared to have deep crimson eyes, and the man seemed to carry a spear on his back but it seemed far less used based on the shine to it and the lack of chipping ot damage to it.\n\nMeanwhile his rapier seemed slightly dulled and less shiny, it's condition seemed fine aside from that. Which was quite the strange combination, a rapier and a tower shield used at once. It would seem based off everything about this man, he was from a different country.**" }, { "author": "Terrel Bales", "message": "*Terrel would pause as the man spoke, staring at him blankly with him speaking in a language unbeknownst to him. The Elf was more use to speaking in Silnarian or Fricharii with a few other languages he was more or less experienced in. However, this one seemed completely foreign to him, in the land of Silnaria nonetheless.\n\nTerrel would shake his head slightly, not so much in answering the question he couldn't understand but instead simply shaking off his words.*\"I'll be honest man, I have no clue what you're saying.\"*He'd eventually say in a neutral tone.\n\nFor a short moment, he found himself distracted by the man's weapons and strange set up, finding it standing out more in the marshy area. The combination didn't make much sense to him nor did his gear in general. Maybe the man was new to this place, being a traveler, as he wasn't like any other Elf he had met before.*\n\n\"Do you speak in Silnarian?\"*He'd start to ask.*\"Fricharii, Menti?\"*The Elf would name out a few of the languages, hoping one of them would stick out for the man to use. If none of them, maybe a few more, though with the language barrier, it was hard to tell if he even knew what the Elf was asking him. Eventually he'd run out of language options, seeming rather unfortunate for the casual conversation.*" }, { "author": "John Callahan", "message": "**John listened to terrel asking if he knew silnarian, amongst a few other languages. But he didn't know any of them at all and simply stared blankly, so he decided to bust out his old tricks of reading body language, and speaking through drawings.\n\nSo with that in mind he drew his rapier from it's sheath, he then used the tip to draw a crude drawing of a triangle with a line going from the top point down to the bottom, along with a crude drawing of a pigs face and a circle with 2 eyes beside it. He then spoke gesturing to the drawing.**\n\n\"Do you know where we could set up camp, I'd like to ask you some questions about the local area.. Although i doubt I'll get much out of you it's worth a shot..\"\n\n**He said the last part in a slightly lower tone, like he was more speaking to himself with that. He wasn't sure if his beautiful and amazing artistic designs would get through the language barrier, but he hoped it would be conveyed in a good enough fashion.\n\nHe didn't mind the marsh or getting muddied as he always felt pretty damp anyways, and he figured a nice chat would be fine to have out here for a few minutes or hours. Although it would inevitably end up being a game of pictionary rather than actual talking, but never the less the information could be helpful if he managed to get him respond.**" } ]

[ { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Steppes were hardly Orlaith's favorite climate, but she could find beauty in them nonetheless. Wide, sprawling horizon with a slow slope, revealing distant plains and foothills. The sky seemed so large here, unlike most of Lymia. She could watch the drifting clouds all day, and in fact she had. The daylight was dwindling and she guided her steed in towards one of the few building she'd seen that day. Luckily, it was an inn. \n\nA curved sign swung in the breeze over the door: **The End of the Road**. Ominous though the name night be, it didn't stop Orlaith from hitching and tending to her dear horse, supplying him with feed and relieving him of his saddle for the night. From the small stable, she made her way in to the inn proper to find a surprisingly raucous den of laughter, card games, dining and drinking. \n\nOrlaith paid for a room for the night and settled in at the bar with a mug of local beer and a plate of famous *Vuuntuuta* Hard cheese as she awaited for the hot portion of her meal." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Squeezed into one of the chairs around one of the ongoing games of chance, Rásmos hummed pensively at the collection of cards in his grasp. It was a shitty hand but he couldn't help but wonder if he could play it off as something more than it was. The other players, all silnari, seemed a bit on edge as the silvery brayer took his time. Some showed impatience in a subtle scowl, a grumbled word, or a light tapping of a finger. Others were keeping a bored look on their face despite the rising concern that the brayer might not understand the game at all... Or fearing his reaction should he lose.\n\nFinally, the man scratched one of his horns and lifted his pale orange eyes from his cards to the dealer sitting across from him.\n\n\"Hit me.\" He chuffed confidently, smirking a bit as he imagined the ropey silnarian man actually try to punch him.\n\n\"That's... Not how the this game works.\" The dealer explained as others stifled laughter and smirked.\n\n\"...What do you mean, isn't that how you ask for more cards?\" Rásmos asked as his little fantasy bubble was popped, leaving him in the grip of reality.\n\n\"Not in this game, no. You can check, fold, or raise.\" The dealer explained, his patience strained.\n\n\"...What's the one that means quit, 'cuz this shit's boring.\" Rásmos sighed, giving up on any idea of winning.\n\n\"Fold.\" The dealer said tersely, but the brayer wasn't listening.\n\n\"Yeah, great. See you runts later.\" He said, rising from his chair with a creak just as the front door opened and a new face entered the inn.\n\n*Another silnarian... Dressed nice and that's a long fucking sword she's got, damn. What's she all about?* He pondered as curiosity lit up his gaze. Bidding farewell to the other gamblers (who were devastated, truly, to see him go) he plucked up his big straw hat and plopped it on his head, threading his horns through the custom-cut holes in its top. Then he clopped slowly to the bar and took up a seat beside the dusky-skinned woman.\n\n\"Evenin'.\" He said with a grin. \"I'm Rásmos.\"\n\nThe brayer's words were spoken in Silnarian, but with a Hasaapian accent that made his heritage just as clear as his beastkin body." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Orlaith's burgundy eyes were already on Rásmos as he approached her, not so much because of any specific interest in him but rather because he was very large, loud and very unique in this den of men and elves. Her eyes widened as the beastman sat beside her but she tilted her head in a courteous greeting. She could practically hear her mother's words on diplomacy in her mind, not that this meeting was to be an intense negotiation but rather '*Be polite, you never knew what a new acquaintance might have to offer*'.\n\nShe cast a brief but appraising look down the minotaur, attempting to be sly to avoid being rude. He was not just physically imposing but also bore a club-like weapon Orlaith had never seen before. Her own weapon, an estoc, hung at her side over the edge of the stool and a small leather backpack was wedged between her stool and the bar. Slung across her back by a strap was a rosewood lute.\n\n\"Greetings, Rásmos. I am Orlaith, bard, wanderer, perhaps even a card-game mentor if you wished it.\" She replied warmly, head tilting briefly to the gamblers remaining at their table across the bar. \"It's good you got out, I was thinking that short-haired man might be cheating anyway.\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Orlaith's once-over found Rásmos's silvery-white fur covered a brawny body adorned in a sleeveless tunic and stained brown pants. He wore no shoes, for his dark hooves were as sturdy as they were travelworn. Two black horns protruded from either side of his head, just above lightly curled bovine ears, one of which had a metal ring through it. Pale orange eyes peered over his septum-pierced snout at her with jovial surprise and amusement.\n\n\"Cheating? No... Really?!\" The man balked, looking back to the group with narrowed eyes. A heavy fist slowly curcled and he briefly imagined reaching for the wooden grip of his kanabo that peeked out from over his shoulder. Then he re-evaluated the scenario and realized that the short-haired silnarian was likely unarmed and to assault him here would a disgraceful act, even if he might have deserved it.\n\n\"Little fucker.\" Rásmos grunted, shaking his head as he turned back to face Orlaith. \"Thanks for the tip, but I was more interested in that long blade you're carrying. Don't know a lot of bards who pack weapons like that. You look kinda dangerous.\"\n\nThat last statement was made with clear approval and a firm nod of his horned head, making some of the longer hair along his head sway with the motion." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "\"Oh! Dangerous?\" Orlaith repeated with surprise and flattery as she understood the brayer's implication. She looked down to her blade and pressed her palm at the pommel, not with any intent to draw the sword but rather as a gesture of affection as anyone might pat the haunches of their favorite horse.\n\n\"Ah, this is a House Tyrathea blade borne of Prasian metal and Lymian craftsmanship. You won't find any other quite like it, though many just as finely crafted. It is expertly balanced and well, if you think I look dangerous then perhaps it has served to scare off some would-be bandits in my travels as well.\" She laughed briefly, a sweet noise to cut through the wistfulness that seemed to have been building through her speech on the weapon. \n\n\"It is rare to find a Brayer so far out of Anushken.\" She commented without judgement, but raised her brows in question to Rásmos. \"What brings you to the steppes?\" \n\n\"Here's your meal, love.\" The ruddy-skinned Fricharii innkeep uttered as she laid a wooden bowl with steaming hot stew before Orlaith before puttering away. She tilted her face out over the bowl and inhaled with fluttering eyelids. \"Aahh... Treacle and I have been on the road for some time now, so usually we've got without a hot meal. This will go far to ease my weary bones—oh, please, though. I don't mean to be rude.\" The elf pulled her half-eaten plate of a collection of hard cheeses over to sit on the bartop between Rásmos and herself in offering." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "A snort-laugh of amusement rushed out of the man's snout to Orlaith's surprise.\n\n\"Uh, yeah. Dangerous.\" He reiterated, gesturing broadly to her attire. \"Fancy, yeah, but that doesn't mean you aren't dangerous.\"\n\nWhen she described the details of her weapon and its composition, he flagged down the barkeep and quietly ordered a flagon of cold ale as she spoke, returning his attention to her after only a moment. Her laugh was certainly a lot sweeter than the stammering guffaws and chortles of the card-sharks he had been carousing with since tromping through the door.\n\n\"Scare off? Don't tell me you haven't used it before!\" Rásmos gasped before shaking his head and waving a thick finger about, finally pointing at the estoc. \"No, I bet you've run one or two dumb fuckers through with that blade before.\"\n\nHe scanned her commentary about being a brayer far from Anushken for any sort of slight or insult, but found none. Glad to have someone who wouldn't begrudge him a conversation just because he wasn't born in the right place, the brayer flashed a grateful grin and gladly mashed a bit of cheese into his mouth.\n\n\"Out here trying to solve a mystery.\" He replied between chomps of hard cheese. \"No luck so far... But hey, maybe you know something I don't being a bard and all. Know much about a moon symbol with twelve stars around it?\"\n\nThe design was traced on the bartop with a small piece of cheese wielded like a piece of chalk.\n\n\"I'll clean it, I'll clean it it!\" Rásmos promised, putting up a hand to ward off the barkeep's dour stare for making a mess. His attention was on Orlaith's face however, hopeful and waiting. \"If you don't know, how about your friend Treacle?\"" }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Orlaith gained a bit of a crooked smile, apparently rather enjoying the prospect that she might be both 'fancy' and 'dangerous'.\n\nShe had been about to explain that she had indeed used her blade when Rásmos came to the same conclusion, albeit in a somewhat more coarse manner than Orlaith might have. She laughed again and nodded in amused agreement before taking a swig from her own mug of beer. \"Right. Ah, yes. I've done plenty of training, sparring and unfortunately some bandits along the way who apparently didn't think I looked dangerous *Enough*.\" She grimaced. \"Sometimes I can slip off of my horse and lose them in the terrain, but not always. I don't take pleasure in it, but if it's my life or theirs. Well... I choose mine.\" \n\n\"A mystery?\" She repeated, dark eyes gaining a sheen of interest as she watched the brayer trace a symbol in cheese on the countertop. *A mystery was perfect fodder for a song!* He turned the question on her and she deflated just as quickly as she had perked up. \"Oh, damn it. No. A moon with twelve stars. Hm. In Silnarian faith,\" She touched her chest, indicating that she took part in this as well. \"There are five gods, but sometimes a mortal will perform an act so heroic, so selfless that they are brought under the protection of the gods. Ynris, God of the Beyond, has doted upon such a hero named Orgar. They are a patron of the stars... Hence why I tell you of them. Ah—and there are twelve such heroes! I'm not sure if that is the association you seek though.\" \n\nOrlaith took a couple spoonfuls of stew and another swig of ale as she left Rásmos to contemplate her words for a time. As he asked about Treacle she spluttered and nearly spurted ale over the countertop. \n\n\"Hah-! Ah. No, no, I think not. Though he'd dearly appreciate if you offered him some cheese, the glutton.\" She replied wryly before explaining. \"Treacle is my horse, Rásmos. Heh. How did you come upon this symbol you now wish to learn about?\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Rásmos slapped a heavy hand down on the cheese-vandalized countertop and guffawed along with Orlaith, finding it just as hilarious as she did that her horse might know anything about the symbol. When the laughter quieted, the brayer let out a content sigh and shook his head.\n\n\"Yeah...\" He began, pausing to lick his palm with a wide bovine tongue before smearing it over the cheese moon in an effort to clean it off. \"...I doubt your God of the Beyond drew that symbol in the mud of my pig pen back in Anushken. Unless he really wanted *To Jinkkyok* Ham. Could've just paid in silver like everyone else did, if so...\"\n\nThe barkeep delivered the ale with a disgusted yet resigned look as Rásmos wiped the cheese from the bar with his own saliva and elbow grease. The brayer just accepted the drink with a nod of his horned head, then knocked back a swig of the cool ale to interrupt the creeping sadness that threatened to invade as he discussed the moon symbol and the truth of what it meant.\n\n\"So that's why I'm here now. Traveling the world while trying to figure it out... Just so happens that I'm here right now, so... Cheers!\" He said with levity, raising the mug after taking a big gulp only to take another heavy drink immediately afterwards. When he set it back down, the drink was half-gone already. Rásmos didn't seem to mind though, for he was content to sit and chat with someone who was interesting, deadly, and amiable.\n\n\"How about you, Orlaith? What's got someone like you out here in the steppes?\" He asked." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Though Orlaith laughed with Rásmos, his loud guffaw brought the rest of the inn to a quiet for but a moment before it resurged, brighter and louder than before. Across the way, one of the other silnari playing at the card table shot up to her feet and was berating the short-haired elven man and the one remaining elf. Her eyes bulged a little at watching Rásmos drag his tongue over the countertop, her eyes flicking briefly to meet the gaze of the perturbed innkeep where she stood at the far end of the bar, arms folded. \n\n\"Ah, hum. Rásmos? I think the folk here are rather partial to their cheese. Using it as a drawing implement may not indeed have been their favorite.\" She wasn't sure what to say about the tongue-to-countertop business, surely that would be rude in any culture, wouldn't it? Instead she just drank heartily of her ale to dull the second-hand embarrassment she was feeling. \n\n\"I doubt that as well.\" Orlaith agreed regarding the lack of Ynris' involvement in Rásmos' life after a moment, noting the soft sadness beginning to invade his expression before he dashed it away much like she had: with ale.\n\n\"Our quests are similar in a way.\" She began, lifting her mug to clatter against the brayer's before she too took a sip (significantly smaller than any of his big gulps). \"My family were attacked, and... I'm not certain how or why, but the assailants laid some terrible magic upon my father and a blight upon my sister. If I can learn about it, perhaps I can find some way to cure them.\" This wasn't even half of the real reason why she had left her home, but it was the pretty version. That's what bards did, wasn't it? They told pretty stories." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"I cleaned it up!\" The brayer protested as he furtively wiped his messy hand on a cloak hanging from the stool to his right, even as the owner sat on it. \"Listen, it's not like I had anything to draw with or I would have. Now at least, you know the symbol I meant!\"\n\nHe nursed his ale as Orlaith recounted her history, growing somber at the mention of blight and terrible magic wielded upon her family. He wondered what the structure of her family life was like, how they all viewed one another and were viewed by their peers. Was it similar to how he honored and loved his own parents? Did she have a nick-name from her father like he had from his mother?\n\n*She understands the pain and loss, all the same.* He thought soberly, watching her out of the corner of his eye while pretending to keep track of the feuding card-players. *Unless she's bullshitting me, but I'd like to think she's not.*\n\nThen he truthfully focused on the group as it broke into bickering with the short-haired man at the center of it all.\n\n\"I'll be damned! Guess he was cheating after all. How'd you know?\" Rásmos remarked with a wonderstruck look to Orlaith, breaking the brooding mood the brayer and silnari had found themselves in." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "The tholian seemed to find the big man's protestations amusing and as she wasn't looking to drag out the matter of cheese markings or spitshines any longer, she simply nodded. Her eyes also drifted over to the card players as their ruckus became louder and more boisterous. To Orlaith's surprise, the petite though muscular fricharii woman who had been yelling at the short-haired man stopped yelling and instead rushed at him. She plowed him right into the wall. The innkeep started shouting too as fricharii fist met smug lathian face. The remaining silnari, another lathian but with long blond hair was trying to pull the woman off of his friend. \n\nOrlaith seemed to have no qualm with simply watching to see how this played out, even turning in her stool to properly watch the brawl. \n\n\"Ooh-! Ah, it was the long sleeves. Sleight of hand I think, though he's very good. Plus the last guy who was sitting where you were *Also* Got up huffing about it being no fun.\" She spared a teasing smirk towards Rásmos. \"So it wasn't *Just* That you don't know how to play. Hah.\" \n\nShe sipped her ale and reclined back a little against the bartop after removing her lute and laying it across the bar, careful not to bump her stew. \"Would people like a song about a brawl? Maybe with a far more likable protagonist than our cheater. Hmm.\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"Yeah! Break his fucking nose!\" Rásmos hollered from the bar the silnari started to brawl. A fight was getting his blood pumping, especially with the knowledge that the one who had cheated him was currently getting his head rattled against the wall and his face tenderized by the righteous anger of another's fist. They seemed on par with one another at least, unarmed and of comparable size. Their disagreement would be resolved one way or the other, though he didn't love that another silnari was trying to intervene.\n\n\"...Listen, I know how to play cards.\" The brayer assured Orlaith with defiant mirth, putting out a hand as if he could physically stop any assumptions she made that were coming his way. \"Just got a little mixed up. Thought it was a different game than it was.\"\n\nHe took another hefty swig of ale as she spoke about a song, but it piqued his interest so much that he grunted with interest despite a mouth full of alcohol. He swallowed hard, set the mug down just as hard and pointed at Orlaith with a grin.\n\n\"Yes! You should sing it while that guy gets his ass beat!\" Rásmos wheezed with laughter." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "\"Ah, I see.\" She said, though clearly didn't believe him *Or* That she took some pleasure in teasing the big man. \n\nThe cheater had whipped the fricharii woman around and now was shoving her against the wall and punching her in the gut. The innkeep had arrived to start to pull them apart but the other lathian was pushing her away, trying to earn his friend a few more moments of valor and victory. \n\nOrlaith grimaced a bit to the meaty slap of fist to abdomen and the gnarly wail that came after the instigator raised her knee into the cheater's groin. Rásmos was right. A brawl *Would* Make for a fun song. She pawed a hand out onto the countertop for the neck of her lute but found only air. Frowning, she spun and started looking all around. Her soup remained, her backpack was safely wedged by her stool, but her lute was nowhere to be found. The fight forgotten, the tholian gained a panicked look and hauled herself up and partly over the bartop to look down behind in case her lute fell over. It wasn't there either. \n\n\"Where- Where is my lute?!\" She exclaimed, head whipping up for her eyes to pan around the bar. With the innkeep involved in the fighting, there was no one behind the bar to keep an eye on the bartop. All eyes in the room were all the brawling silnari. All but the ones of the person who stole her instrument. \n\nOrlaith shot to her feet, tore her backpack out from under her stool and swung it over one shoulder onto her back as she made several quick strides to the door to the tavern which she kicked open. Had anyone come or gone? She hadn't seen. \"Gah. Cesin take you! Give me back my lute!\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Rásmos pumped a fist in the air as the cheater took a knee to the balls. He laughed boisterously, eyes fastened on the unfolding brawl while he reached out to try gently jostling his new bardic friend.\n\n\"Hey, you gonna play a song or...?\" He asked, but paused when he failed to feel her shoulder where he expected it. A quick turn of the head found her scrambling across the room and shouting about her lute as she kicked the door open. His heavy brow furrowed and he chuffed in both frustration and concern, not wanting to miss a good fight but also peeved that someone would steal a traveling bard's lute!\n\n\"Hey! Anyone seen a lute!?\" The brayer boomed out before finishing the last of his drink.\n\nEveryone heard him, but the few people that bothered to respond only shook their heads or murmured 'no' before watching the cheating silnari get kicked by his foe while rolling on the floor, clutching at the devastation that was formerly his groin.\n\n\"...Fuck.\" Rásmos swore quietly before shoving himself off the stool to help look for the lute or any sign of a thief. Orlaith had been kind to him so far and he really wanted to hear her sing about someone getting their ass beat.\n\nChairs were nudged aside, tables lifted, nooks checked, and crannies were inspected all while the brawl played out. Rásmos paused his search occasionally to cheer for the fricharii before feeling a little guilty and resuming his search. Whoever had taken it managed to secret it away someplace out of sight or had already fled. Likewise, the fight was over and the cheating silnari had shuffled into one of the far corners to sulk in his defeat.\n\n\"That lute wasn't an heirloom or anything... Right?\" Rásmos asked with a grimace as he met up with Orlaith once again, empty handed." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Relieved to have someone helping her on the inside, Orlaith felt free to look around outdoors. Even if she had just met the man, Rásmos seemed earnest in his desire to help at least by the loud querying and searching that she had seen before she left.\n\nThe heavy wooden door snapped shut behind her and suddenly she was out on the steppes again. Orlaith's boots dug into the rough earth as she ran up the nearby slope to reach an elevated point where she could look out from. The sun had long since descended below the horizon and now what was a massive blue sky was now a sprawling starscape. The serene beauty of it made the breath catch in Orlaith's throat. She cursed whoever stole her lute, and cursed them double for stealing this moment from her as well. \n\nInstead of taking the time to cherish the night, her eyes scanned over the countryside with some modest appreciation of movement and color at least nearer to her. There came a distance at which she simply couldn't see, so if her thief had rode away with her lute it might be gone. She could make out no other figures on the plains and so unhappily made her way back to the End of the Road. She checked on Treacle, patting his haunches and briefly checking the meager survival kit contents in the saddlebags. No one else was in the stables beside her, no one rapidly flinging themselves onto their horse to make off with her instrument.\n\n** **\nAnother displeased huff and she pushed a hand on the tavern door, only to have it ripped out of her grasp. She managed to leap back and evade the two lathians who sailed out shortly thereafter to careen into the ruddy dirt at Orlaith's feet. \n\n\"And stay out, you damn cheating bastards!\" The innkeep hollered before brushing her hands together. The fricharii woman who started the whole thing received a stern glare from the innkeep which made her stifle the shit-eating grin she was otherwise boasting. \"You can stay. No more fights.\" \n\nOrlaith stepped over the two lathians and made her way back into the tavern, eyes passing briefly over the fricharii woman who now bore a gnarly black eye and several scattered bruises. Orlaith cursed the thief thrice now for making her miss what surely was a grand brawl! She made her way back over to Rásmos just as everyone was settling in again, buzzing with excitement or concern over the turn of events. Her slumped shoulders and dismal pout conveyed that she hadn't found the lute before she even spoke.\n\n\"No...\" She grumbled. \"Though it is made of rather lovely rosewood from the western forests of Lymia.\" Pouring herself back onto the stool she once occupied, the tholian sadly eyed the remaining patrons of the tavern. \"Why would anyone steal it? It wasn't worth more than thirty or so silver, even!\" Orlaith lamented and then brought her gaze back to her newfound brayer friend. She'd call him a friend at least, after helping search for her lute. \"Thanks for looking, at least.\" She sniffled." }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "\"You're welcome.\" Rásmos said grimly. \"Lemme buy you a drink at least, help take the sting out of the loss a bit. What do you want?\" A supportive pat on the back accompanied a 'cheer up' look from the brayer before he paid the barkeep for her drink.\n\n\"Maybe you'll get lucky and find the rotten fuck who took it on the road. Give that sword a quick red bath in their guts and boom, you're back in business. Singing and looking dangerous just like how you were when you walked in.\" He remarked with a hopeful shrug, trying to boost her spirits. \"If you're heading my way tomorrow morning, I'll even cheer you on if you want. You staying the night?\"" }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "\"Alright.\" She agreed, though even his kindly pats and the buttery smooth whiskey he soon set before her at her request didn't fully erase the pout from her lips. Periodically she peered around the room, hoping to spy her lute peeking out from under someone's cloak or behind someone's chair. It wasn't to be. Perhaps someone had ferreted it away in their room. Would she stay awake all night waiting for them to come by with her lute? No. Not for an item which, as she said, was neither particularly expensive nor an heirloom. \n\nAt last, the luteless bard seemed to give up and turned her attention fully towards Rásmos. She even sported a not very convincing smile. His coarse, if complimentary, words seemed to help a little. \"I am, yes. I grew weary of sleeping rough out in the steppes. I need to buy a proper tent and a new bedroll before I attempt that again.\" She said, then paused, then at last continued as if she had been processing his words for the last several seconds. \n\n\"I don't think I'd gut someone just for stealing my lute. Though... I mean, if they were threatening me, I might have to. Or, well, yes. I might threaten them to give it back to me! It's not worth someone's life, though.\" Orlaith's voice still hadn't regained that chipper hum that she spoke with earlier, though her eyes were clearing up from that distressed haze she seemed to be in before. \"Where *Are* You headed, Rásmos?\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "To her query, Rásmos only shrugged a single white shoulder.\n\n\"I don't really have a destination. I was heading east, just asking people everywhere I stop about the symbol. Working for coin took me out here... But I really could go just about anywhere, I suppose. I don't have any big leads.\" He remarked with a frown of unfortunate realization. \"Which sounds as shitty as it is.\"\n\nA quick chuff rolled some of the disappointment from his shoulders and he looked at Orlaith with crooked smile.\n\n\"I think I'd probably club someone at least once if I found out they stole from me, even if they gave back what they took.\" He said, imagining bonking a mysterious lute thief with his kanabo in the realm of his imagination. \"Teach them you're not to be fucked with, you know? Set an example.\"\n\nAfter another moment of amusement over imagined thief-clubbings, Rásmos returned to Orlaith's previous question.\n\n\"Why do you ask? You and Treacle looking for company on the road?\" He asked with a flicker of humor." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Rásmos' words seemed to ring true within Orlaith as well. She reached tentatively to pat his near shoulder in consolation. \"I'm the same. Though... Now my short term destination might be the rosewoods of Lymia and the luthiers nearby. But if I hear of someone blighting merchant families or leaving a moon and stars inscribed anywhere, well, that might make me veer off course.\" \n\nSteadily, she seemed to be regaining her fervor. The first sip of whiskey added to that fire within her as she gave a sharp exhale and then lifted her glass to cheers with Rásmos. \"Phew! Well, I hope I have the chance to show someone I'm not to be fucked with then. ...And mostly to get my lute back.\" \n\nShe drained a bit more of her whiskey then pulled her now cold bowl of stew towards her for a few last bites before finally pushing it away. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence that stretched between them given the lively din of the other patrons, but it was silence nonetheless. She hadn't taken on any fellow travelers in her journey thus far. She suspected it would make things *Complicated*. Then again, what tale worth telling was straightforward? \n\n\"We could use another member in our travelling party.\" Orlaith finally conceded, a faint smile curling her lips before a look of concern washed over her face. She hadn't properly considered the prospect of travelling alone on long stretches of road with a man she'd just met, let alone a brayer. Could she feel safe sleeping on the steppes near him? Likely not with *Any* Stranger. \"Actually...\" She cringed, regretting the awkwardness of her assent and quick refusal. \"It might be better if... Treacle and I forged our own path.\"" }, { "author": "Rasmos", "message": "Rásmos used the last of his daily budget of coin to order their whiskeys, but as they clinked glasses together and boosted one another's spirits he fully believed it to be worth it.\n\n\"Cheers to that!\" The brayer agreed readily to her desire to show someone not to fuck with her before draining a good portion of the liquor. He still felt little to nothing from the alcohol, having only had the single ale before this. Orlaith's company and conversation ensured that despite his non-existent buzz, he still remained in good spirits. She didn't reek of entitlement and arrogance despite her sharp attire and the elegant deadliness of her estoc. She had humor and (allegedly) musical skill, even if she no longer had an instrument. Her voice was melodious and captivating, lending credence to her claim that she could truly be a bard.\n\n*Plus she's easy on the eyes.* He thought with a smile as the tholian agreed that his company would be useful. *Might be kinda fun to have her along!*\n\nThen came the rapid tonal change and cringeworthy verbal backpedal that came along with a change of heart. It took him by surprise, making him pivot in his seat to regard Orlaith with a faintly insulted and moderately confused look. \n\n\"Really?\" He asked with his mouth partially agape. Was it that she was untrusting? That he was a brayer? Why the sudden change?\n\n*Doesn't really matter. Answer's still no.* He thought a little sadly. *Sucks, but maybe it's for the best.*\n\nRegardless of her answer, the big brayer's strong shoulders rolled in a dismissive shrug.\n\n\"Your loss. I'm loads of fun.\" He said before finishing his whiskey and hopping off the stool once again. \"Hey, thanks for the cheese and the chat. Sorry about your lute, hope you find it out there... Or at least a new one. Maybe you can nick the next one you see being set down and left unattended.\"\n\nWith that, Rásmos waved once to Orlaith before making his way to his room to settle in for the night." }, { "author": "Orlaith Tyrathea", "message": "Watching the brayer turn and doubletake to her words made Orlaith regret ever saying anything at all. She grimaced a bit and peered up to the man's orange eyes. \n\n\"I've been travelling alone thus far, friend. I... Am not certain I'm ready to make it a travelling band proper.\" It was an explanation laced with apology, though they both knew she owed him nothing. \"It's nothing personal, I'm certain you are fun and a sturdy travel partner no less.\" She agreed in a calm tone, but in his casual exit, she could feel *Something*. Perhaps some hurt or disappointment. Dashed hopes, even if they were only barely formed. She wondered if this wouldn't be their last meeting.\n\nOrlaith waved in parting to the big man and remained at the bar long enough to finish her whiskey and mourn her lost lute a little longer before eventually heading to her room to sleep." } ]

[ { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias' boots squelched on the snow, ruining any ideas of stealth that he might have had. Still, aside from the faint illumination of the moon, he would see anything long before it sensed him. In the darkness beside the path, he quietly trailed fresh tracks on the path, careful not to lose sight of them in the icy snowfall. Here, the storm systems were nowhere near as severe as they'd likely be for Salvainia, but he heard there were still raids beginning to occur. Earlier that day, a couple of scouts came by the stables in Ruipaior, hoping to rent them for less than half a day, something about scouting the mountains. With them missing for this long, Elias believed them to be dead. He was both confirming the losses for the stables and hoping for a guilt free meal.*\n\n*The Macen saw what looked like a dead horse much farther up on the pass, visible only due to his heightened senses and night vision. Rising to his feet, Elias summoned his soldier and armor, not wanting to be caught as a sort of looter or, for a Yeti, dinner. Still about 400ft away, he walked on the path now, looking around for any other passerby's. If he was spotted before feeding, he'd claim to be locating the horses for his stables, which was a half-truth. If he was seen while feeding? More complicated.*\n\n*Nearing about 300ft, Elias struggled not to keep a hand on the hilt of his blade, nor summon his partizan to his hands. He was paranoid and cautious by nature, but an armed man walking down the road was a hard image to trust. He could smell the blood now, from the horse, but was still hoping the rider would be left dead as well. He didn't enjoy animal blood or having to drink so much, but he wasn't a fan of outright murder either. The summoned soldier silently plodded along behind him, following until given orders.*\n\n``Summon Soldier (40 Mana) and Phantom Guard (20 mana) Used, Mana Pool Reduced to 80 Mana``" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia swore silently to herself as she trekked through the snow. She had lost the tracts of the horse and had to double back to pick up the trail again. The snow wasn't making her job any easier. Tracking humanoid creatures was significantly easier. She couldn't make much sense of the wild life tracks. She had lost the horse's trail and ended up picking up the tracks of sort of deer or elk. Who knows how far the rider got while she was on her little detour.\n\nTrudging down the path, intermittently kicking up small clouds of snow. Amelia tried distracting herself from her frustrations by imagining all of the things she could do to the little snake once she caught up with them. Something to make this evening's escapades worth all the hassle. The thought of capturing them alive and turning them over to the cult held a certain appeal. With the snows getting as intense as they were she could imagine the cult leaders would be appreciative of a donation. \n\nShe came to an abrupt halt when she spotted what appeared to be two men 200 feet away from her, just up the road. They appeared to be closing in on a horse that lay motionless in the snow. Fuck. Amelia couldn't make out if there was a figure lying in the snow with the horse. She briefly considered cutting her losses. She could just retreat before the two figures noticed her presence. Risky if the rider was still alive. She wasn't certain that the rider had seen her face but on the off chance that they did it was better to leave no witnesses. Somehow she doubted that the rider would just live and let live after finding her with their dead friend.\n\nBoth figures appeared to be armed so she decided against straight up attacking them. \"H-hello, travelers..\" She called out, trying to sound nervous. She moved up hesitantly, 30 feet. \"My brother went out riding and...\" She gasps and places a gloved hand to her mouth, in shock as her eyes lock onto the body of the horse. She wears a simple cloak, which she tries to discreetly open a bit wider to reveal that she carries a weapons belt with only two daggers and a quiver of arrows on her. Her amour is simple boiled leather armour, that is well kept if a bit travel worn. Nothing too well off or out of place for someone traveling on the roads." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias said nothing as the figure came into view, not sure whether he was spotted or not. Once she started speaking, though, he knew he was made. He put up a hand to hold his summon, leaving the soldier to stand idly in the path. He noticed that the woman's weapons were somewhat presented, either purposefully or not. Elias kept his cloak where it was, the heavy fur lining preventing it from blowing in the wind. The hilt of his sword and the edges of his shield were present, though he kept nothing in his hands. His face was still somewhat obscured, but from anywhere his skin was visible, it'd have a faint glowing aura. Behind the cloak, aketon, and relatively fine clothes beneath, though, it only shone from his face.*\n\n*He wondered if trying to frighten her off would work, but if this rider truly was her brother, she might get help, or worse, make a stand. Her shock seemed real enough, but her story didn't really add up.* \"Your brother?\" *Elias called out, walking forward and looking to the side. There didn't seem to be any other surprises looming within the woods. At least whatever caused the scene likely left already.* \"I've been tracking this rider for a little while now. He rented the horse from my stables.\" *Perhaps she simply chanced upon the wrong horse. Her story didn't make a lot of sense, though, knowing what he did. Still, she appeared to be a High Elf, so he was the outsider in this country. He couldn't exactly make her guess where the stables were; she likely knew the area well, or at least well enough. He felt stupid for speaking so much, trying to make sense of what she said out loud.*\n-\n\n*Elias tried to think of what to say now. As he approached another 30ft or so, he looked to the bodies. The rider did seem to be there, halfway buried under the horse. If he wasn't killed in whatever attack there was, bleeding and freezing out here would have likely finished him off. The vampire still wasn't sure if he'd be able to make a meal out of this, though. There was a hair's chance that the man lived, which would at least prove the identity of the stranger.* \"Are you alone?\" *Not the most reassuring thing for him to say to her out here, but a reasonable question all the same.*" } ]

[ { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia bit back an annoyed groan. If this man had been tracking the horse and it's rider, this could get a bit more complicated, depending on how well he knew the man. It occurred to her that he might be lying. She was fairly certain that the horse lying in the snow belonged to the man that had run from her and he had been traveling with a companion. This stable owner hadn't mentioned a second rider. \n\nShe slowly began approaching as the one speaking started walking towards her, making sure to keep an eye on the silent one as she did so. When she was within 60 feet of the man she halted her walking. Her elven eyesight picked up on the magic slithering its way across his exposed skin. She gave him a critical look over. He appeared too well dressed to be a stable owner. That in addition to the magic was making her think that he wasn't being honest. What kind of stable owner had the means or time to study magic? He was well dressed indicating that, if he was a stable owner, he was a successful one. Why was he out in the snow recovering his own horses? Certainly, that would be beneath him? It was a ballsy move to approach a stranger directly instead of having the hired muscle move up first. Although, perhaps that was excusably given that he seemed to buy her concerned sister story.\n\n\"I am but others know that I've gone out looking! They'll expect me back.\" She said appearing put off guard by him asking if she is alone. \"Is-s the man still alive? If I could just make sure its not him I'd feel a lot better.\" She cocked her head slightly to one side and put on the sweetest smile she could manage without exposing her teeth." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias looked back to the fallen rider. Whatever he planned to gain from this was quickly slipping away, but at least he could help the stranger out. If she did go for the dead man's coin purse or something, he'd know it was a ruse. Looking back to the lady, Elias nodded.* \"Sure, go ahead. I think whoever that it is must have passed in the cold, but I'm not sure.\" *He was silent for a moment, then:* \"There was a second rider, though I didn't hear their relation to each other. Do you know where they might be?\" *Saying this, Elias stepped back and out of the way, allowing her to pass, but not with so much breathing room as she might like.*\n\n*He wasn't sure if he trusted her, but wasn't sure would part she could be playing in this otherwise. Maybe a meager thief, hoping to loot the dead? It wasn't much better than he was doing. The idea of feeding on her danced across his mind, but he wasn't that depraved. Or truly, that hungry.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia smiled wider when he gave his blessing for her to inspect the body. How grand it was when things went to plan and people weren't needlessly difficult. A rare blessing. She began closing the 60 foot distance between them as he moved aside slightly. \"I don't know. I think my brother went out by himself. He liked to take rides to clear his head.\" She answered flippantly. As she came up close it became apparent that he wasn't going to move fully out of the way. Amelia would bring her right hand up and place it on his chest before leaning in closer and saying, \"Silly of him. The roads can be *So* Dangerous.\" She would then proceed towards the body lying pinned beneath the horse while carefully make sure the soldier didn't move towards her. If he caught her hand or if the magic repelled her hand she would say stiffly instead, \"Silly of him. People can be so distrusting.\" She would again, then proceed to the body. \n\nAmelia crouched down and gently took the side of the man's face and turned it towards her. Found you. She gives her first real smile to the seemingly dead man. Poor thing. Crushed to death beneath your horse? She let out a low tsk. How ignoble. Her smile dropped as the man let out a small groan and his eyes opened slightly. His slitted eyes widened and he reached up to grab Amelia's arms in an attempt to free himself from her grasp. \"No-no ple-\" Crack. She quickly and smoothly snapped the man's neck. \n\nShe swiftly stood and turned to face the two men. \"Oh well, definitely not my brother. A Macen from the looks of it. Sorry about your horse.\" She eyed them warily wondering if they were going to let her go or if they were going to make a big deal out of this. It sounded like the man was a thief so what did it really matter if she killed him?" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*He said nothing as she placed a hand on him and went forward. In the darkness of night, Elias was completely in his element. It wasn't always his home, but one he was forced once he was bitten, turned to a vampire. As a Water Macen, he could see into the dark, but as a Vampire, he could see nearly half a mile into the night. His hearing and sense of smell were far enhanced, too. As he understood, his was further along in Vampirism than most others were. How lucky.*\n\n*Elias watched in perfectly clarity as Amelia took the man's face into her hands and snapped his neck, silent to her murder. Her suddenly ambivalent nature once gaining access to the body was the reason he was watching her so intently. It only now made sense. He said nothing for a moment before whistling at the summoned soldier, which quickly walked to his side.*\n\n\"Why kill him?\" *There was no intense emotion behind his voice. He'd killed men before, sometimes on accident, sometimes on purpose. Part of him always wanted to kill and drink anyone that crossed his path. His voice was flat and calm, with but the slightest twinge of curiosity in his voice. All the same, though, he moved a hand his back and began summoning his Partizan, which would appear in the next few moments, mostly covered by himself. Elias was not the one to be caught unready.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia tenses as the man calls her out on her actions. His tone is even but his body posture is more rigid, more guarded, more on edge. She laughs lightly trying to diffuse the tension but seeming unconcerned. \"Why did you say that you are a stable owner?\" She moves slowly to the left so that she is not standing directly behind the two dead bodies. \"Why lie to a young lady, braving the cold night air in search of her silly, stupid brother?\" She turns up both her palms and held her arms out clearly in view. \"I'm not your enemy. In fact, I get the feeling we both wanted this man dead. Does it really matter why?\" \n\nShe considered summoning her barrier but the fact that he knew some magic, it was possible he might take that as an aggressive action. She was confident that with her enhanced vampiric abilities she would be able to outrun these two if things went south. It would, however, be ideal to not have them going around talking about a lady in the woods snapping people's necks. They hadn't outright attacked her for killing the man so it was likely that they were bounty hunters. The man was marked for death if one of the two wasn't a healer. Plus, would carrying a cripple be worth the extra coin they'd get for taking him alive? Probably not. The man was a waste of life that's only purpose would be to expose her. A pity the cult won't get to taste his blood." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"Maybe you wanted him dead because he wronged you.\" *Elias spoke evenly as he strode forward, still blocking the weapon with his body. The soldier came as well, standing at his side.* \"Maybe you wanted him dead for something more benign, like being the wrong race, for being poor, for crossing your path.\" *He wondered what she was truly capable of, snapping a man's neck with a simple motion. She wasn't monstrously strong, but could beat a grown man down, at least. Someone worth being careful around.* \"I just want to know what your game is before I let bygones be bygones.\" *He was closing into 60ft of her now, close enough to use his spell if he needed it.*\n\n\"Wouldn't want to see you coming if I ever fell off my horse.\" *He was attempting humor, even smiling lightly, hopefully playing towards her flippancy. She seemed sadistic, though he wasn't too sure yet.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia kept smiling as the man moved towards her, despite feeling uneasy as the second man moved closer as well. Still, they hadn't drawn weapons and neither of them were posturing aggressively. She cocked her head and let out a genuine, delighted laugh at his jest. \"My, my a sense of humour. What a rarity amongst stable workers.\" She gave him a curious look. \"Quite the contrast to your friend. They haven't so much as coughed.\" She gave the vacant man's face a quick look over. He could be a slave. One of the ones they breed special; the ones that have their tongue cut out and all that. \n\nShe gingerly stepped another 10 feet closer to the man that was speaking, disregarding the silent zombie. They were now 50 feet apart. Despite the distance she leaned forward as if she was saying something secretive. \"Let's just say our mutual acquaintance was somewhere he shouldn't have been and saw things he shouldn't have seen.\" She brought a hand up and idly tapped the side of her cheek, acting like she was in thought. \"You're more than welcome to the body. If this man was ...Wanted you can bring him back to whoever was missing him.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*She was already admitting to quite a bit. A black heart, maybe, but she wasn't any kind of professional. Someone who fell into their physical power, it seemed. Maybe a different kind of power as well. She wasn't really letting the lie of who was go either, not without pithy remarks. Vindictive, cold-blooded, dangerous. Elias was trying to put the riddle in his head together.* \"Yeah, I wouldn't worry about him,\" *Elias said, now looking to the summon and handing the partizan off. He could just recall it whenever he needed.* \"The body.\" *As it dutifully marched around them and towards the corpse, Elias bit his lip, thinking.*\n\n*Asking what he'd seen might be rather on the nose, putting her coy game to an end if he made her too defensive of whatever slim secret she was still keeping. It really wasn't any of his business, anymore: one dead horse was enough to assume the other met the same fate and to collect the small purse as a reward. Still, Elias was puzzle-minded and curious. Now free of the large weapon, he straightened his stance. What question would get her to say more without making her feel interrogated?* \"And anything on the matter of his friend? If I don't have the body, I better have a convincing story.\" *Playing into her assumptions would be the best course of action, he believed.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia raised an eyebrow as the man handed his weapon off to his man servant. Well, that was a surprise. Not as trusting as he was letting on. Taking his decision to hand his weapon off as a sign of truce she steps closure to him as he thinks about what to do with the body. She grinned triumphantly as it seemed like he mulled over all his options. She was fairly certain her prediction was correct. He was hunting these men down. They hardly seemed dangerous so she didn't imagine the reward was all that much. Then again, who's to say they didn't do something to piss off someone important that was willing to pay someone to fetch them in this weather. \n\nAmelia gave the man a sly smile in response to his question. \"Not the creative type then? You can't imagine all of the horrible things that could befall two lone men in the woods?\" She gave an airy laugh as if she had told an old joke between the two of them. Her hand would lightly brush a loose strand of hair from his face if he didn't move to stop her. \"They say that cultist live in these woods.\" She said in hushed tones. \"They snatch people from their homes and unwary travelers from the roads. The locals say that every full moon the woods are alive with the sounds of the screams of the all the missing men, women, and children.\" She watched his face carefully for a reaction as she said this." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias watched the summon move towards the body as Amelia spoke, doing nothing as she put her hands on him once again. Likely her game to lower his guard or draw a reaction. Possibly hoping to make him squirm. What she said went along with that, obviously trying to get a rise out of him if he was some do-gooder. Of course, he'd seen her snap a man's neck like it was nothing, so this was also a threat. Elias' expression didn't change at all as she spoke. Of course, not until he realized what his summon was doing.* \"Hey!\" *Elias quickly leaned away from Amelia, extending hand to his summon.*\n\n*The summoned soldier drove its halberd through the corpse's chest, likely confirming the kill. Stupid thing.* \"No, pull it out from under the horse.\" *Realizing this damaged the image of servitude the woman had built in her hand, risking his game, he spoke out again.* \"You'll sleep with the dogs if you're going to act like one!\" *This matched the cruel tones he'd known for slave drivers to have with those under them.*\n\n*He looked back to Amelia now, assuming a more relaxed posture. As strong as she was, he'd assume that he was probably faster, reaction-wise, anyway. The Vampirism had made him lethally quick, something that might've shown in his outburst. Hoping to pull her attention back on the intimacy she forced, Elias pushed back his hood, revealing his face in the cold air. He was about to say something to further cement the idea that the soldier was a slave, but he stopped himself. Slave owners didn't both talking about them, and she had revealed more. The cult.*\n\n\"*They* Say a lot of thing. Cultists, sacrifices, vampires. What do you say?\" *He took the slightest of step towards her, crooking his neck slightly more to maintain eye contact he'd hoped to re-establish.* \"How much truth are in those little horror stories?\" *He knew the cultists to be all too real, but figured that if he could keep her talking, she'd give enough to sate his curiosity or provide an advantage.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia startled a bit at the cloaked figure's outburst. His slave seemed to interpret its master's wishes in an unorthodox manner. Is it ever customary to stab a dead body? She didn't think so, especially in this case where they had watched her snap the dead man's neck. She gave a soft chuckle as he vented his frustrations. It was interesting that he decided to have his lackey attempt to pull the body from beneath the horse. She had assumed that he would just decapitate the man and take the head in as proof. Why lug around more than you need to? \n\nHis ire soon simmered down and his attention was back on her. Perhaps in an effort to reassure her after his outburst he lowered his hood, revealing his face fully to her. She took a moment to take in the details of his visage just in case she would need the information later. He closed the distance between them a little bit more, forcing her to angle her head upwards to maintain eye contact with him. From her estimation he had to be a couple inches over six feet; certainly much taller than her five foot six frame. \"So curious.\" She teased, appearing to not be put off guard at his proximity, as he inquired as to what she knew about the cult of Aventurr that inhabited parts of these woods. \"Why so curious? Are you one of the sellwords looking to hunt down cult members for coin?\" She tilted her head to the left, her eyes searching his face. She placed a finger gently to her lips as she smiled, appearing to be both amused and considering. \"Or\" She said slowly moving her finger to his lips. \"You. Are. Curious.\" She punctuated each word with a gentle tap. She looked up from his lips back into his eyes and flashed him a full smile. Her canines were obviously pointed but she did not bare her fangs fully. It was a tease; was she or wasn't she. If he stops her hand from touching him she instead attempts to back away from him and say that she has only heard rumours about the cult from the locals." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias let her playfully tease him with her light touches and coquettish tone. Each taunt held less and less substance in them; she was running out of little secrets. Whoever she was, this was a little game to her and she realized she was losing, so she was slowing it down. Elias had all the pieces he needed, though, She was clearly familiar with the cult, though didn't strike him as the religious type. No, this came from somewhere else. She was revered, accepted as what she wanted to be seen as: important. And if there was something he knew that damn cult liked...*\n\n*Elias moved his hand up, attempting to take her hand in a delicate grip as to not spook her. Could she overpower him? Probably, but if she thought this was still playful, she likely wouldn't bite. His eyes flicked from her mouth then back to her eyes.* \"Shouldn't I be?\" *Elias blinked, and the entirety of his eyes instantly became a deep, murky gray.* \"Things get stranger with every passing moment.\"" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia giggled softly as he grabbed her hand. It had been awhile since she found anyone to play her little games. Life had become a bit dull with all the running and information gathering. This was truly a treat. She smiled, prepared to try to tempt him into coming to see one of the cult hideouts when his eyes changed. The hazel colour was drowned out by a thick smokey grey. She froze, her lips parted but no words spilled forth. How-w was this possible? I was a mark of status. Only the most powerful among them could alter their eyes like that. Grey was the mark of a Dusk strain, if her memory was correct. One of the rarer strains. \n\n\"Y-you... Wh-...You're a member of the cult?\" She stumbled over her words. Could this be a trick. Obviously he knows some magic but it was a bold trick to play in a situation like this. The initial shock was slowly passing and she realized he still held her hand in his. She didn't pull away but started to reassess the situation. Was he hunting this man for the cult? For food? Maybe he was a bounty hunter, that's why he wanted both of the riders; one to eat and one for money. She couldn't imagine he would be thrilled to find out she had already eaten the other one if that was the case. It was likely the local wildlife had gotten to the corpse by now leaving nothing useful for him.\n\nShe knew this was partly a test. She wasn't far enough along in her transition to manifest the ability he had displayed. He would know she was of a lesser power rank than him. Part of her resented him for the fact and a wave of jealousy crashed over her for a moment. It passed as her mind worked over the details of their encounter. There was an opportunity here. He had clearly risen in rank. He could teach her; show her how to grow her power more quickly. \n\nSeeming to recover from this startling revelation, Amelia places her free hand on the center of his chest. \"Stranger indeed. \"Her face takes on the familiar amused expression. \"I find that strange moments such as these often bring... Opportunity.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Her reaction to his eyes was enough to know she was a vampire as well: instant recognition. Her follow up question troubled him slightly, as he knew that he didn't turn in the way that most other Vampires did these days. He stayed quiet a little longer, and she thankfully moved on. He nodded at her insinuated proposal. Her meaning to recollect herself meant that this little engagement wasn't quite finished. Elias looked over to his summon, lowering and releasing her hand as he realized the body was moved.*\n\n\"Tell me,\" *He said, walking over to the corpse, not looking to her as he spoke,* \"What type of opportunity do you have in mind?\" *Likely she'd want some of his power if she could have it. Hell, she'd probably snap his neck and drink it from him if that was how it worked. That, or she wanted him to join her cult. Less ideal. Arriving at the bloodied scene, he'd stoop low to the body, pushing the head away at its now awkward angle before sinking his teeth in a drinking the blood he needed... And then some. It never hurt to feel the surge of power that came from overfeeding.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia eyed him, her expression carefully neutral, as he walked over to the body and started feeding. Hopefully, it was just nerves that prompted his withdrawal. A tinge of mistrust was understandable. From her experience vampires tended to be a secretive lot. There first meeting started with a lie that escalated to a murder. A sketchy beginning admittedly and she could see that. She hoped that's what this was and not him feeding to gain a boost in power to then attack her. They already have her two to one and he is clearly hirer ranked. It would seem overkill but perhaps someone doesn't get that powerful by taking unnecessary risks. \n\nIdly pushing some loose strands of hair back behind her ears she strode over to stand directly in front of him and on the other side of the body. She waited for him to finish feeding before making her proposal. \"We could come to a...*Mutually* Beneficial arrangement.\" She paused taking note of where his slave was. \"The way you dress,\" She gestures towards the stiff soldier, \"Your slave, I don't think you're a simple stable owner. Mercenary, spy, recruiter, whatever you are, I can help, work for you, if you prefer. In exchange all you'd have to do is share some of your knowledge and experience. Help each other grow.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias didn't bother looking up as he fed, instead finishing off his meal before looking back to her. He learned to feed cleanly enough that there was hardly enough blood on his lips left to wipe off. This arrangement definitely did favor Elias, though it very well couldn't be built entirely off lies. Well, no more than a few good lies.* \"If this is going to be a prolonged engagement, then I suppose a few truths are in order.\" *He clenched his right fist, making the soldier dissipate into nothing and having his Phantom Guard disappear.* \"The soldier was nothing more than magic, though he fights with the same ferocity when needed.\" \n\n*Elias bent down to pluck the coin purse from the dead man. As much as he wanted to loot the coin, he understood there was a now an image to maintain. Instead, he drew a single silver coin, holding it in his hand. He ran it through his fingers as he continued.* \"I am someone. Was, really. The curse works like that. I came from nothing once, and rose to be more.\" *This was only partially true, and possibly a mistake to admit weakness and a low birth in front of her. Though if he was beginning to understand her right, this curse had elevated her far beyond what her former life ever could have. He tried to play with that idea without outright stating it, knowing she wouldn't appreciate it. He wanted her to silently relate, even if she did sneer.* \n\n\"And rise again I will.\" *The coin had been in his hands for twenty seconds now, but showed no signs of burning him, not even reddening of the skin. Maybe she was capable of the same by now. Maybe she wasn't. Flaunting power, though, was clearly a road to walk around her.* \"If it's more power you seek, then we share a path.\" *He paused before extending the silver coin to her, flat in his hand. She could take it as a test, final proof that she was in fact a vampire. Maybe she'd take it as a symbolic token. Maybe she wanted the silver. Either way, it felt like the right move.* \"My name is Elias.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia tried to keep her expression neutral as he dismissed his summon. More magic. It seemed like he had quite a few tricks to play. Macen weren't the most common thing in Silnaria, even less common were macen wealthy enough to own slaves. He did claim to be living here rather than in the Empire. She should have been less quick to assume. She didn't know what to make of his vague claims about his former self either. Something but rose to be more? Perhaps, it spoke to his ambitions. Still, she felt wary and kept running over his words in her mind. She had severely misread and underestimated him. After learning what he was it would be dangerous to make a habit out of it. \n\nShe deftly plucked the silver coin from his hand. She was wearing gloves the the silver wouldn't burn her hand. Perhaps he wanted to she if she would remove her gloves and handle the coin as he had. It would burn her so, of course, she declined to do so. Instead, she coyly smiled and flipped the coin across her fingers. \"Pleasure. I'm Amelia.\" The idea of giving her real name crossed her mind but she quickly dismissed it. She had only his word that his was real. At this point, enough people knew her as Amelia it was more of a half truth. \n\n\"So *Elias*, while we're on the topic of truths, is the stable owner story true?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Amelia not rising to his game was another decent estimation of her power as a Vampire. He walked around the body now, towards her.* \"No, the stable story was just because I knew these two men had been out far longer than they paid for, and assumed the worst. With the storms to come and the recent Yeti raids, I figured I could find myself a decent meal with a fair bit of tracking.\" *Elias stood beside her again, looking to the dead man.* \"I don't kill to feed, not with your cults raising all these alarm bells for vampires. I don't desire for all the noise that comes with the disappearances and outbreaks of the Blood Plague.\"\n\n*He looked back to Amelia now, his eyes returned to their normal hazel.* \"I assume you don't share my same... Reservations. Does your cult keep you well fed?\" *Elias was genuinely curious. He assumed a cult may try to enslave a vampire to their wills, but clearly Amelia was benefiting from it all. It could be a show, though. She also wasn't as powerful as he was, so either she was new to this all or they were holding her back. If they did pamper her, there'd be no challenges for Amelia to grow from.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia was genuinely surprised that he claimed to not kill to feed. Replicant blood was not nearly as good and what you got for the cost was abysmal. She looked back down at the body. The man wasn't dead when she got there. Did he plan on sitting around and waiting for him to die? It appeared like he was working alone so, realistically, there was no way he was going to completely drain the body. Feeding on the man and then helping him back to the city seemed too great a risk to her. Would he have forgone a meal entirely? It was peculiar and warranted some testing. \n\n\"You could say that.\" She paused and then shrugged. \"From my experience, the cult isn't very organized. Some sects will treat you differently but a level of... Respect is given to all vampires.\" She gave him a sly smile. \"If you desired there would be many sects that would follow you based on how far you are into you're transformation alone.\" If it was easy power and authority he craved he could certainly find it amongst the cult. Elias, however, appeared to have very little information on the cult, which suggested he fled them soon after his turning. That would lead her to guess that he didn't turn willingly. There was the slim possibility that someone he knew, personally turned him but considering he traveled alone it didn't seem likely. \n\nThe cult had its benefits but also its limitations and she was never one for zealots. She waved her hand dismissively before continuing. \"Honestly, I don't know how anyone could manage to drink the filth the cities peddle.\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias nodded, not a fan of animal blood or replicant blood, either.* \"I take jobs that place me in proximity of death. Burn the bodies after.\" *Her allusion to claiming sects for his own was intriguing, though it wasn't for him. Being worshiped seemed pleasant, but would doubtfully get him anywhere closer to his goal.* \"Mm. A few scattered cultists won't count for much. No, if I'm to play for that kind of power, I'll need to be able to garner more. That takes power, my own, not luxury or worship.\"\n\n\"I was a retainer for a noble's son. Combat instructor, bodyguard. The father was an officer of the military, knighted and titled for his service.\" *Elias looked East, the direction of the Salvainian Empire.* \"Charity, really. Promising his name to have meaning and his son to possibly rise to more, all fed from another man's hand.\" *His voice became a little scornful as he continued.* \"What I want can't be given. This curse lets me take it.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "She supposed the summon made sense now. The more he spoke about himself the more his independent nature came across. Independent or paranoid. In her experience most vampires avoided fire yet he felt the need to dispose of the bodies by burning them. Peculiar. He did not seem ashamed of his transformation yet he set all these rules and conditions for himself. \n\nAmelia crossed her arms and gave him a brief look up and down. \"Oh, so what is the rest of your name, *Hmmm*? Elias of what family?\" Perhaps, there was a bounty out on him. She tried to recall if she had heard anything about a knight's retainer turned rogue. It could explain why he was so careful. His family could be hunting him, either to try to help him or to have their name cleansed by having him killed. A head up on whether or not bounty hunters would be tracking them would be ideal. \n\nUnfortunately, she was drawing a blank and couldn't recall if there were any such bounties out. Being a macen she would hazard a guess that he was from the Empire but now a days it seemed that his people were everywhere so she could easily be wrong. She bit her lower lip, watching his expression curiously. She had planned to head towards the Empire next, but if he had unresolved business there he might not want to take the risk. Although, the thought slowly crept in that maybe, considering his dark disposition, he wanted to have his 'family' killed." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"It's not a name that will find itself on anyone's tongue. I doubt you're anymore enthusiastic to discuss your own family.\" *Elias was willing to bet that her family name would have came up in their introductions if she was proud of it. She was probing now, far more since he started being honest with her. He consider asking questions of his own, but something else was more pressing. He looked up and down the path; the chances of them being spotted by the bloody scene grew with every passing second.* \n\n\"As much as I enjoy the snow, we should probably get somewhere warmer and a little less bloodstained. Any reservations against Ruipaior?\" *He had a home there, or more honestly, had found one. He knew the owner was dead on his back in a ditch a few miles away from the city and had shacked up in his place since. It was temporary, maybe not even viable when he returned. Still, he had nowhere else, and if the cultists were worth staying with, even for the night, she'd mention it.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia smiled and laughed in response to him shutting down her questions. It was worth a try and he didn't seem too annoyed with her questions. He did make a good point about their current locale, though. The night wasn't growing any warmer. \n\n\"If you have a place in Ruipaior, by all means, lead the way.\" Amelia definitely preferred sleeping in a bed to camping out in the woods. The recent snowfall had only made camping worse, as well. The city wasn't that far by her estimation; an hour to get to seemed reasonable. The sun shouldn't be up for a couple more hours so even if they travelled slow they should make it there before sun up. This was reassuring as she preferred to avoid traveling during the day whenever possible. As she waited for Elias to lead the way she wondered if he was strong enough to walk in the light. Now that would be something she would love to learn to do." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias nodded, looking up the path, back the way he came.* \"It's temporary living, but I don't plan to stay in Ruipaior for very long. I want to go back to Salvainia.\" *He took a small flask from his coat, pouring oil all over the body and the horse. He wouldn't bother dragging them out of the way; they deserved to be recovered, at least. Once the flask ran empty, Elias simply dropped it onto the body before drawing out a tinderbox. He gave Amelia a glance, giving her a chance to back up if she hadn't already. With a spark, he lit a small match and dropped it, setting both corpses ablaze.*\n\n*Elias was close to the flame, not suicidally, but enough to feel the heat of the flame. It was a sensation similar to sunlight, something he could only risk for moments at a time. He took a few seconds to bask in the fire's light and think. Travelling with Amelia changed the game. A vampiric companion would both mean an acceptance for feeding and nighttime travel, but also making life much safer. An eye to watch his back, someone strong, if perhaps not experienced. There were only two questions, one of trust and the other of morality. He'd be a fool to trust Amelia implicitly, but he knew what she wanted, and killing Elias wouldn't provide it. He also knew that she had no problem killing when it benefited her. Something's were better to get out of the way sooner, rather than later.*\n\n\"If you do want to gain power quickly, you'll have to trust me, and I you. Without the safety of your cult, we'll have to be careful not to draw too much attention. Though, since we'll both need to feed, I can be less... Reserved in how I get this blood.\" *Maybe the conscious decision to devalue life was going down a darker path, but it's one that felt inevitable. He didn't need his conscience to get in their way now.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia was relieved to hear that he didn't plan on staying in Silnaria and planned on travelling towards the Salvainian Empire. Opportunities should be more abundant there. The Slaver's War was the most pressing issue here and beating back rebels and resistance fighters hardly seemed like the fast track to gaining any prestige. There was gold in it, perhaps, but not much more than there was in selling yourself out as a mercenary. \n\nUnable to resist rolling her eyes, Amelia stepped back as he prepared to burn the bodies. They hardly seemed worth the oil. Worse than the waste of resources was the smell. Truly. She took another step back and brought the collar of her cloak up to cover her nose as the flames grew with intensity. She could only hope that this dramatic behavior could be curbed in the future. \n\nWhen Elias broke away from staring at the flames and started speaking again, Amelia gave him her full attention. She lowered her cloak slowly and flashed him a delight smile. Leaning towards him, she responded,\"I'm glad I can help you to *Indulge* In the finer things in life.\" Leaning forward had certainly not helped the smell and she immediately wrinkled her nose and backed further away from the corpses. \"Hopefully, you're done here. No prayers or offerings, I presume?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "\"No god I'd bother with.\" *Elias pulled his cloak back closed and looked down the path. They'd easily make it back before the dawn, though they should leave now. Letting the fire burn itself out, or to be smothered by the snow, he gestured with one hand down the path.* \"I imagine you will find the place to your liking, once we get there. There is a fair bit of walking to be done, first.\" *He assumed she'd want to walk at his side rather than behind him.*\n\n*He wouldn't say much else as they made their way over his now disappearing tracks in the snow. For the first half, his mind really stayed vigilant for any stray Yeti raiding party or Ice Kuilei. Once they made it past halfway, though, he let himself relax. It was a brisk walk, likely far below the speed of what either of them could achieve. Elias couldn't imagine Amelia was one to run from place to place. Sooner be carried, he thought. With the pieces he had, he tried to build a more complete image of her. Capable of killing and, more rarely, willing. Power hungry, though patient and careful. Still, she made naive assumptions and seemed young for a High Elf. Which could mean she was younger than Elias by a few years or older by nearly a century. Elves were like that. She seemed to be new to this life, though not incompetent. Well taught, but not yet about the world. He wondered if this curse was either the best or worst thing to ever happen to her.*\n\n-\n\n*Returning to the gates now, Elias retrieved a small knot of horse hair he had cut from the beasts before they even left the stable. He raised it to show the guard as he passed.* \"Confirming the death of a rented horse, Yeti, it looked like.\" *The guard would say nothing and simply nod. This wasn't the first or the last they'd hear similar stories. Elias had grown comfortable in the city, learning names and faces, but it was time to move on, just as soon as the next sundown. He led Amelia from the entrance towards a middle district, near a public garden. Just across the street would be a two story cottage, with a porch and entrance set inwards. For being near a main crossing, it was decently private. Elias produced a key and unlocked the front door, pushing it open.* \"After you, Amelia.\" *He stood by the door, waiting and looking past her and onto the street. It didn't seem like anyone was out right now.*\n\n*The house was a temporary option, one that Elias was relying on a little too much. A tax collector once lived here, studious and alone. When he went out looking for one of the rare disappearances caused by Elias, he felt there was no other choice but to break his back and feed on him. The body was burned and discarded after, of course. He figured he'd be safe for a little longer, though. Nobody misses the taxman, no one but the crown. Elias had actually dropped off the dead man's last delivery a little late, buying himself time before an investigation began. He kept a nice, if bare home. He seemed to really enjoy the work, at least the numbers. He had no family in town. His blood tasted of smoke and wine.*" } ]

[ { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "The home was bare. It had basic furnishings which gave it the feel that someone was in the process of moving in. The dust that gathered beneath tables and chairs was the only thing that would contradict that assessment. The furniture that was there was well crafted, sturdy, and practical. Other than the personal garden there was very little personality to the place. Seeing all of this, she could picture him owning this place. He didn't strike her was a particularly stylish sort of man. His clothing was well made but it wasn't garish. The house seemed to be a very similar reflection of that. \n\nWith a soft hum of approval, she followed Elias into the kitchen. As he immediately grabbed a pitcher of water and poured himself a glass of water, Amelia leaned against the doorway to the kitchen and crossed her arms. He only took a small sip before returning the cup to the tray. Water wasn't worth the pains and she wasn't about to follow his example. If it was a pitcher of wine he might have been able to coerce her into having a sip. One of the truly regrettable side effects of the transformation.\n\n`\nShe cocked an eyebrow as he brought up mint. Good information and something she hadn't considered before. He gestured to the garden across the way and it occurred to her that she shouldn't have been surprised to find that it had a practical purpose as well. He needed to live a little as far as she was concerned. What is the point of having something if you're not going to enjoy it? \n\nThe life tips portion of the tour was over, it seemed as he lead her out of the kitchen and into a small bedroom. She thought he was going to introduce it as the room she would be staying in but, to her surprise, he began removing his weapons and traveling gear and setting it on top of a small chest at the foot of the bed. She went over to the left side of the bed and sat down, placing her hands a little bit behind her so that she was leaning back. \"Are you renovating the master bedroom?\" She asked teasingly." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias gave a small laugh, looking out the crack in the window that allowed the faintest bit of moonlight to spill in. It was thin enough that it wouldn't bring him any harm in the morning, of course. A glimmer here and there was safe, as he had learned. Her posture and insinuation had lost none of its playful flirtation. If he had any competence with it, he might respond in kind, but he opted to be direct.* \"No, as comfortable as I may seem here...\" *He looked to Amelia now, slowing his confession. He* ***Was*** *Getting comfortable and almost began forfeiting information freely. He had momentarily forgotten the image he had began building of himself.* \"...I rented it out more than a few months ago. I had recently turned in Salvainia, grabbed all my coin, and fled here.\" *He put a hand on the wall, faking some type of reminiscence.* \"Of course, mercenary and bounty hunting jobs took me away from this place often enough to not really need it, so I opted to rent it to someone here. I'd occasionally stay in this lower room if I stayed in town too long for an inn to be ideal. The tenant was a private enough person, and loved the garden.\" *A slight pause after, only because he thought doing so would sell the lie better.*\n-\n\n*He looked back to Amelia, able to guess what question would likely come next.* \"Killed by Yeti, though, which is what gave me the idea to start tracking down their victims.\" *Deception was not Elias' usual game, but he'd had to use it more and more these days. If they were leaving soon, the lie would eventually fade away, anyway. This way, it wasn't confessing to some slightly cleaner version of squatting. By this account, actually, he managed to generate a fictive amount of wealth he'd have to show later. He didn't delight in looting the safe in the spandrel, but now he'd probably have to. He was hoping to leave the tax collector's belongings mostly undisturbed, but that would not be the case after all. Especially if Amelia didn't feel like sharing a bed. Doubtful.* \"You can sleep in the tenant's master bedroom upstairs. I never got around to sorting out his things, so everything will still be up there.\"\n\n*Much of the truth was webbed up into his lie, making it more natural. She knew she'd be sleeping in a dead man's bed, at least. Elias doubted she would've really cared. He wondered if she'd play her usual irreverent tune, and he tried to think about how he should respond to it. Obviously, he wouldn't care, but should he feign some attachment for the fictional tenant? By the fucking Arcane Seas, lying was hard. Still, Amelia seemed relaxed, comfortable. She probably wasn't looking for any holes in his story.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia leaned back further so that she was resting on her elbows as Elias told his story. Apparently, he didn't own the place but was renting it. It honestly seemed like it was a good fit for him, so in her opinion, he should just leap into the breach and buy the house. As he went on to talk about the tenant that used to live up stairs, she took on a bemused expression. He hunts yeti because of his supposed tenant? More over, he doesn't own this house but subleases a room because he is hardly home? While concealing that he is a vampire? It strikes her as odd. Staying at an inn would be cheaper, even one of the more upscale locales, while affording him more privacy than what he would have while living here with a tenant. Amelia is certain that something is off with his story. \n\n\"Mmmm, is that also part of your code? Not touching the things of the dead?\" She asked, not addressing her suspicions. Her posture remained relaxed, still half laying on the bed. She was starting to get the sense that he was either the extremely cautious type or he was just an awkward person. The scarring on his face would allude to the fact that he is familiar with solving problems physical rather than with words. Yet, he hasn't been aggressive or boastful about himself, something that is a common trait for most mercenaries. Even stranger yet is that he isn't the cold hearted killer type either. It's quite the anomaly to find someone in this line of work that doesn't fall into either of those archetypes. She is not quite certain what Elias is. \n\nIn the moment, she decides that at the very least he is intriguing. Amelia lays back on the bed so that her head is resting on the pillow, not in the least bothered that she is laying on his bed without permission. She looks up, scanning the ceiling for a few moments. Raising a hand to point lazily above her she asks, \"Which room is directly above this one?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias wouldn't rise to her joking remark about touching possessions of the dead, saying nothing as she laid back on the bed. Amelia was getting really rather comfortable, making him wonder if this was still one of her games or if she was getting as comfortable as he had been moments ago. Freely lounging made her seem somewhat young and brash, truly convincing Elias that she really was as young as she appeared (which could still be anywhere under 60). The image of who she was still needed filling in, but it was starting to make sense. Runaway was a word that hadn't left his mind.*\n\n*He followed her finger up, looking to the ceiling as well.* \"A small study,\" *He replied, walking around the bed to stand by her,* \"With a small closet and the master bedroom towards the other side of the place.\" *Before he could continue, Elias heard a loud knock at the door of the house. Almost immediately, the spirits would reemerge to cover his skin again. He snatched his sword belt from the top of the chest and strode towards the window, peering out the crack. He'd see no one, though.* \"Wait here,\" *Elias murmured, walking out of the room and to the front door, opening it slightly. On the front step were two identical letters on the ground, each with a rose in the seal. He didn't move for them, instead opening the door wider and looking around further. The sun would be up soon...*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia rolled her eyes, pouting a bit, as he answered her question. Very cut and dry answers. It could be the fact that she is invading his personal space. Some people get rather uncomfortable with people in their bubble. She looked up at him as he came to stand over her, giving him a bright smile. Would he ask her to get up? \n\nShe wouldn't be finding that out due to the loud knock at the door. Wait here? Pffft. She rolled her eyes again, before lazily getting out of bed and following after him. Maybe he was married or had a paramour. An amused grin slid onto her face. Wouldn't that be a treat! The scandal of it all. Unfortunately, for Amelia there was no secret lover standing in the doorway. In fact there was no one at all. Just two letters with roses. \"Ahhh, do you have many admirers leaving you confessions at the break of dawn?\" She teased snatching up the letter on the right. She quickly tried to retreat backwards into the house, trying to avoid him grabbing her or stopping her. On her second step backwards, however, a wave of nausea hit her. She would stumble and fall, hard on the floor. \"Ughh.\" She rubbed her eyes as her vision began to blur. Poison. She hastily opened the letter, still sitting ungraciously on the floor. It took her a second but her vision cleared. \"What the fuck is...\" The letter would erupt into flames soon after she finished reading it, crumbling into ash in her hands. She looked at Elias expectantly." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*As Amelia grabbed up one of the letters, Elias quickly took the remaining one, giving one last look out the door before shutting it. He turned to Amelia, about to lash out in some way, but stopped as he saw her fall to the ground. He squinted at her, confused as to what jut happened, then saw her scan through the letter. Once it burst into flames, Elias took a step back, looking at the copy in his own hands. He pulled the rose seal off and began reading the letter out loud.*\n\n```Greetings,\n\nWe are pleased to announce that you have been scouted as a potential Thorn of the Rose. As you may understand confidentiality is key, so we can't afford any of this information getting out. That is what the rose is there for. The moment you touched that enchanted rose, deadly poison has entered your blood, if you come to the intersection between rivers Nien and Lur within 24 hours you shall receive the antidote. Failure to do so, will result in you going to the grave with our secret. Thank you for your understanding.\n\nM.R```\n*Elias would drop the letter after, allowing it to burst into flames, leaving no ash on the floor, and no evidence that it ever existed. Poison made sense, given Amelia's reaction. Something about his strain made him more resistant, though.* \"Someone's been following us...\" *Elias looked to the door again. If they wanted them dead, they could have used a much more potent dose. Damn, this was frustrating to be played like this. He looked back o Amelia now.* \"Do you know any spell for daywalking?\"" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia got to her feet as Elias read the letter out loud. She still felt nauseous but her vision had cleared. The letter said 24 hours but she couldn't help but wonder if the vampirism would speed the poison's time table. Whoever did this was clearly skilled but she wasn't about to take chances with her life. Elias seemed to share the sentiment. \n\"Day walking? No, but if you do, you could teach me the base components of the spell and I can try to replicate it or do something similar.\"\n Usually if she was traveling during the day she would just remain covered up. During this time of year with the cold, it was hardly a suspicious way to dress. If they were going to fight during the day, she would rather not rely on her clothing to protect her." }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias walked back to the guest room, strapping equipment back onto himself as he talked. He dispelled the Phantom Guard as well* \"Well, my spell relies on both three different forms of magic, though not any physical spell components. It's similar to creating a summon, though has its base differences. Creating the actual rune can be done with a hand movement, though you have to focus and call upon Dark Magic as well to make it easier. As Vampires, it seems to bend to our will easier than it would for most. And of course, as you are conjuring something, it will drain your mana through Soul Magic.\" *If Elias sounded like a textbook, it was because he learned most of this through libraries. He knew how to read and write thanks to his time as a retainer and had gain access to one of the academies here early on. His own understanding of magic was novel, but he could learn. With his equipment now on, he returned to Amelia showing her his hand.*\n\n*His thumb slowly circled the tips of his fingers before folding them over his thumb as he spoke.* \"Phantoms past, guard me now,\" *He murmured, and the same blue tint shone on his skin.* \"Whatever comes most natural will reveal itself when making the rune with the hand gesture.\" *He was decently sure this would work, as it was how he was taught the spell by the vampire who turned him. The curse had become a pathway to magical abilities, and Elias was still feeling his way around with it. He drew his cloak to mostly cover his skin anyway as he went to the front door, opening it.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "She followed Elias back into his small bedroom, listening intently to his explanation. She was surprised at how educated he sounded. His instructions were clear and concise. He knew what he was trying to say and relayed the information in a straightforward manner. Amelia took a deep breath and focused on the magical energy within herself. Her elven heritage allowed her to see the magical energy as he cast his spell. She tried to focus on how he was pulling and morphing the magic. \n\nFor an hour she worked on this with Elias. First studying the energy. Then moving on to practicing the physical gestures necessary to manifest the spell. Lastly, she practiced combining the two. With Elias coaching she was able to get the spell to work. A cloud of darkness enveloped her, quickly fading and leaving an oil-like sheen on her skin. \n\n\"Yes, it worked!\" She laughed triumphantly and went to embrace him in a hug. If he avoided her embrace she would instead, cross her arms and roll her eyes. \n\nA small beam of light shone in the bedroom as daybreak had come. \"Field testing it is. Lets go!\"\n\nTogether, Amelia and Elias would travel to the intersection the letter spoke of. The streets of the city weren't terribly busy as it was first light so they were able to avoid a crowd as they exited the city. The spell that Elias taught her was holding. Halfway to their destination she would lower her hood ready to recast the spell at the first sign that it might fail. \n\nShe eyed the water warily as they came to the river, careful not to get too close. Sunlight, water; two things that would have a vampire at a disadvantage. It was suspicious but if it was a ruse to kill them why not let the poison do it? A bit frustrated she turned to Elias. \"Well, what do we do now?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias said nothing as they traveled, hoping to avoid any interaction that wasn't completely necessary. He looked about the rivers, unsure of what to do now. A few hours had past already, which were already out of the supposed few they had left to receive the antidote. Elias summoned his soldier as they stood at the intersection of the rivers, unsure of what to do next.* \"I'm not sure, but let's remain on guard.\" *He didn't want this end up as a fight, as it would be an unfair one for them. All the same, what he wanted didn't never really affected what happened. Elias' hands remained empty, ready to use his final spell if he had to.*" }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "*Hours had passed with noone coming to the intersection. Amelia and Elias would have started feeling the effects of the poison worsening, but not to a point where they wouldn't be able to function. Soon enough they would hear something sprinting their way. The steps of the runner were rather frantic and did not seem to be stealthy at all. It wouldn't take long before the masked man was in sight. He was tall and rather lanky, visibly not one that you would rely on for heavylifting. The notable feature about him however was his speed. He was running at easily twice an average humans speed and once he had reached them he could barely come to a halt, stumbling to the ground and rolling a few meters forward.*\n\n\"Damn it...\" *He would mutter as he got up and brushed the leaves and dirt off his leather clothes. He would look up at the two people and let out an awkward chuckle, scratching his head through his long unkempt hair.* \"Sorry about being late fellas! You didn't wait too long did you?\"" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias would have been watching the water warily until he heard the runner. He commanded his soldier to his side as the masked man made his entrance. He glanced to Amelia for a moment before responding.* \"We're not dead yet, if that's what you mean, but I'd appreciate getting the antidote as quickly as we can.\" *Elias had seen many different types of magic casters capable of moving at extraordinary speeds, and wondered if that was this man's trick. Either way, this was definitely not the plans of this ruffian, magic or not. Undoubtedly a messenger of some kind, this seemed to be more complicated than he first thought. Likely an organization, or the start of one, if the aggressive recruiting tactics meant anything. Legally ambiguous and wealthy enough for various moving pieces. Interesting, to say the least.*" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "As the waiting stretch on Amelia could feel her stomach starting to cramp. She hadn't thrown up since contracting the blood plague and it wasn't something she wanted to start doing again. She had a feeling that this poison would be just as brutal. So when a figure could be heard rushing towards them she let out a held breath. Never in her life did she think she would be relieved to hear someone rushing out of the woods towards her. *Fucking hell. Thank Aventurr.*\n\nShe wasn't quite sure what she was expecting but the lanky masked man certainly wasn't it. As he parkour rolled to a stop, she took a half step back, on guard. Elias was quick to speak, and she nodded along in agreement.\n\n \"Yes one...*Fella* To another, wasting away via poison is a bad way to go.\" She spoke in her typical teasing tone. The man seemed friendly enough and there was no ambush set to kill or capture them. No need to start being aggressive." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Woah, woah! You guys really don't like to chat do you? Makes me sad... They make me run around all over the place in a rush and then when I get here even the victims are in a rush... Bah, I guess I have to give you the antidote anyway... Where was it?\" *He would start sticking his hand in each of his pockets, and he had -many- pockets. As he went down his clothing, the searching became more frantic as if he had lost something and even after reaching the last pocket he had still not found what he was looking far. His head jerked up towards the two people expecting the antidote, letting out an awkward chuckle.*\n\n\"N-not to worry... I must have missed it! Just let me go through them again!\" \n\n*He would start again, one by one checking all his pockets. He would seem scared and nervous... Until he found it. A wave of relief washed over him as he felt the leather pouch in one of his pockets. He let out a loud sigh before taking it out and tossing a small vial from within the pouch to each of them.*" }, { "author": "red.ultra", "message": "*Elias fangs would definitely begun to show themselves as he waited for the antidote. If this poison would truly kill him, he wouldn't die hungry. However, he'd calm down once the vial was produced. He'd catch his, uncork it, and take a sniff. However, regardless of what it smelled like, he'd drink it anyone. His life was very clearly in the hands of this clown, and if this would kill Elias, they would have put it on the rose in the first place. As he finished drinking, Elias corked the vial once more, keeping it in the palm of his hand.* \"The letter said that, presumably, we're both to be Thorns of the Rose. While not dying was most present on my mind when traveling here, I have to ask what you and your employers are all about. Is this some type of employment?\"" }, { "author": "goblinslime", "message": "Amelia would try to keep the panic off her face but anxiety was building in her has the mischievous little imp of a man rummaged through his pockets. If this was to be her legacy... No no no. She urged herself to calm down. She was not handling the lack of control over the situation well. Logically, it wouldn't make sense to lure them out here with poison just to watch them die. *Unless this dude is just a sicko working alone.* A small voice in the back of her head said. \n\nFortunately, the ruse ended before she could run with that idea and he tossed both her and Elias an antidote. She gave Elias a sideways glance before downing the vial. Licking her lips she took a moment to assess the situation as Elias spoke. Whatever was in the vial wasn't making her condition worse so hopeful her stomach would stop cramping within a few minutes. \n\n\"Yes, as *Charming* As you and this whole poisoning business has been, you must *Want* Something from us?\" She eyed the stranger curiously, feeling more at ease. From his cavalier attitude this can't be the first time he's done this." }, { "author": "elskele", "message": "\"Well... I was going to tell you not to drink the vial if you have questions... Shame I can't move my mouth as fast as I can move my legs.\" *He would seem genuinely upset at the fact that they drank from the vials. It was bad to the extent that his whole body looked sad even though they couldn't see his face.* \"It is my biggest regret that I can't explain anything to you... I was really hoping that maybe you would be up for a conversation...\" *He would sniffle under the mask... Was he crying?*\n\n*Not longer after, their vision would start to get blurry, but even vampires would not be able to resist the drowziness that the antidote gave, not at Elias' level anyway. It would take no longer than a minute for them to totally pass out, depending on how hard they were resisting it. In that time however they may have been able to see two large figures approaching them from behind the messenger that gave them the antidotes.*" } ]

[ { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The four of you, Sirdan, Kenpachi, Yukine, and Akaise, were normally some good people, helping others. Each of you had gotten a letter or looked at a billboard, saying that someone had been captured and that they requested help to get him back. You would all meet in front of the mountains,with a great Silnarian temple in the distance. The employer wouldn't be seen yet.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Sirdan arrived at the place where the employer was. He was travelling as usual, looking for work as New Sunlight has somehow managed to run out of work for him. He took a ship to a nearby city, and rented an inn room. \n\nHe decided to meet the employer first instead of purchasing a bunch of new weapons - he needed some... Weightier weapons suitable for his strength, but he haven't had time to buy them yet. Most unfortunate.\n\nHe dismounted from his courser. Hung on the side of the saddle was his favourite bow - already summoned ahead of time, and a short two meters lance on a lance rest. The man carried an arming sword on one side on his belt, a quiver with 12 arrows, and a single heavy mace. A kite shield was slung over his back, carried by a shoulder strap.\n\nHe was wearing a typical full body aketon, a sallet helmet and a steel cuirass without pauldrons. Definitely armoured, but not as much as he'd like..*\n\n*The elf looked around at the other adventurers that gathered - if any.*\n\n\"Well, let's see what we have here... What a beautiful temple. Perhaps I shall step in and pay respect to Ulnos.\" *He said to no one in particular.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*A hooded figure could be seen walking along the mountain path, wearing a strange black cloak with a light, golden trim. The person seemed rather below-average in size, and stood at a height of 5'4\"; despite this, they managed to look rather intimidating with all of their equipment, as if they were an elite, highly skilled adventurer. From their slightly curvy figure, one could conclude that they were a woman, although her body seemed to be rather hidden by the attire she was wearing. Covering her face was a visor of black steel, having no visible holes for the eyes and mouth; the only thing that could be seen from under the adventurer girl's hood were strands of moonlight-white hair. One could assume that the girl would be unable to see due to this visor, but that assumption was made false by the clever use of magic. Due to a peculiar enchantment, she had the ability to see through the visor itself, without it being visible from the other side. A useful charm, if one wanted to prevent their own emotions from being seen by the judging eyes of others. The girl's heavily armored appearance stood out considerably, as if they were not simply another peasant passing through, but instead a person of some importance - although that wasn't exactly true. Not yet at least, she thought to herself.*\n\n*Possessing a slightly small frame, Akaise had moonlight-white hair, with thick locks at the sides. Under her cloak covered in blackened steel scales, she wore a set of thick silken robes and knee-high leather boots, with a steel cuirass worn over the robes and steel greaves over her legs for extra protection. To guard her arms, she wore a set of steel gauntlets, vambraces, rerebraces, and spaulders. Fully kitted out in the armor department, yet without any visible weapons. The steel heater shield slung over her back was concealed by her leather backpack, but could be seen if one happened to look closely. With all of these things covering her back, summoning her main weapons - her tentacles - would be rather difficult, if not impossible outright. An unfortunate result of crafting her spell that way, but it wasn't as if she was expecting a fight any time soon.*\n\n*Approaching the temple, Akaise glanced towards the elf that had just dismounted from his horse. A horse... Damn it! Her little 'journey' all the way to this temple would have been much easier if she had a horse. She wasn't too exhausted from walking all this way, but a little bit of rest wouldn't hurt.*\n\n\"Haah... Looks like I got here early. Hello there, erm... Fellow adventurer! I've never been to such a large temple before... Well, I've never been to a temple in the first place, so whether this one counts as big or not I do not know... Are they all like this?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "The elf glanced at the new arrival. A girl of moderate height. Much shorter than the towering hulk he is. But the armour definitely radiated an aura of a warrior. Definitely someone who looked like an adventurer. Sirdan nodded in approval as the adventurer entered his sight, confident that for once, he will have a competent comrade to fight with - the experience of leading an unarmoured lizard girl and a reckless mage with raw talents was too much for him. \n\nIn spite of the slight curve, the breastplate, visor and hood all served to cover up the girl's feminine features. The elf had no clue what this adventurer's gender was, and it was better to not make any bad assumption - he has seen many of those handsome, young, long-haired man from Runran back in New Sunlight. \n\n\"Oh! Hello, you must be one of the-\" *Sirdan spoke out in a low voice as Akaise approached him, then stopped as she spoke in turn, waiting for her to finish the sentence.*\n\n*A feminine voice, probably a female. But best not to assume right now.*\n\n*He smiled and turned back to the temple, and then to Akaise, giving a shrug,*\"Neither have I - I'm a barbarian born on the steppe. Haven't seen many of those... Grandiose temples in Silnaria. Though I passed by one in Ulnoor. It was beautiful. The priest there were talking about their exclusive healing services too.\"\n\n\"Ah. My apologies. I haven't introduced myself. My name's Sirdan - no last name, none of that in my tribe unless you're a honoured son or daughter with a great lineage - and I don't have one yet. I presume you're one of the adventurer coming for this mission. May I have the honour of knowing your name?\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Upon hearing the elf's response, Akaise took off her metal visor and put it inside her scaled cloak, presumably in a pocket somewhere; it's not very polite to talk to someone when they can't see you, after all. The female wizard's identity now revealed, she had bright, sky-blue eyes that seemed to shine in the sunlight, as well as a soft smile on her face.* \n\n\"Oh, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself as well. Though the one who talks first is supposed to introduce themselves first as well, so my apologies. My name's Akaise Zelkashen, a proud mage and last remaining member of the Zelkashen family. Nice to meet you, Sirdan.\"\n\n*Her eyes turned downwards slightly, her smile disappearing when she got to 'last remaining member', although she still managed to finish the rest of her sentence. She wasn't even blood-related... Before she met the Archmage, she didn't have a last name either back in her village. Could she really call herself a member of a prestigious noble family just for sharing the surname of her father? She stood there in silence for a while, visibly thinking, not yet realizing that she had gotten lost in thought. It seemed the wizard was quite a bit absent-minded.*" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He would sigh, another day at another place. Though this was different, it was a temple. He had never been to a temple before and have never heard of one. He usually just sticks around town and find quests on the billboard. As he walked towards two figures that stood infront of him, he still didn't know how many people would be joining them. 'Maybe a party of four, perhaps?' He thought. He was equipped with his normal gear, which consisted of a curved sword and a full set of armor. Instead of using a helment, his face would be covered with a designed mask, that was custom made for him. His white hair would move gently as the wind blew. As he approached the two figures he would wave, indicating his greeting.* \"Hello.\" *He was excited. Working with new people seemed like fun to him. He would notice the two having a conversation, he just realized he interrupted them.* \"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation.\" *He would stand there with them, looking around for the employer.* \"Also.. Where's the employer?\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Coming from not so far away, a female figure was walking towards the agreed place where she would meet her teammates. The woman had her ability concealment on to hide her tails and her kitsune ears, so to anyone she looked like a simple macen. For anyone who noticed her, they could see long brown hair that reached down her hips, fair skin and bright red eyes that stood out from the rest of the woman. She didn't seem to carry any weapons with her, and despite not being a noblewoman, she had clothes that looked like one. She wore a black kimono with red and gold accents through the outfit, a white corset and a red skirt. The kimono had long loose sleeves, becoming wider toward the end. Next to her, there was a bird flying. It seemed to follow her as she walked. \n\nApproaching the temple, Yukine would watch it closely. The last time she saw something this big would be in her kingdom. She would also notice three figures ahead of her, all looking like competent people for a mission, especially the man full of weapons and with a horse. Yukine would come a little closer, her hands protected by fingerless gloves making a kind of signal to the bird, as if it understood and flew somewhere. In fact, she just told it to go do something else instead of staying there. As she approached the figures, Yukine paid attention to the conversation that was already underway and waited for them to end. Gently smiling and introducing herself.\n\n\"Hello, I'm Yukine. It's a pleasure to do this mission with you, assuming you came here to complete it too.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Ah... There's no need to apologize.\" He smiled,\"An honour to meet you, Ms. Zelkashen.\" His hand extended forward for a customary handshake,\"Pardon my ignorance, I have not heard of the House of Zelkashen.\"\n\nWhether his handshake was met or not, his attention would soon turn to the two newcomers, the mage having lost herself in thoughts.\n\n\"Well! Looks like that's the rest of the entourage! No need to apologize for intruding on us. We were just exchanging pleasantries. As for the employer - No clue. Perhaps they are a priest and busy tending to his duties?\" \n\nThen the fourth adventurer arrived. In Kimono and skirt. Certainly striking and attractive clothes... And the least adventurer like of the four. His heart skipped a beat as he pondered the ballistic resilience of this woman before him.\n\n\"My name's Sirdan - no house, and he-the-her name's Akaise, of the House of Zelkashen. It is an honour to meet you. May I have the honour of knowing your name too, Mister?\" Sirdan said as he turned toward Xeno, the only one to have not introduced himself." }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Do not worry... I come from somewhere very far away from the Silnarian Empire. Too far away to be included on the maps here, sadly. It's reasonable that you wouldn't have heard of such a house.\"\n\n*The wizard's eyes darting back up at Sirdan, she proceeded to shake the elf's hand, making sure to have a gentle grip due to wearing steel gauntlets. The girl waved at the masked swordsman nearby, who seemed to have hair the same color as her own. Neat.* \n\n\"Our employer, hm? I don't think he's here yet... He'll probably get here soon, *Conveniently* When all four of us have gotten here, as if he's hiding in some other place nearby... Either that or he got attacked by bandits on the way here and we'll all have to wait a few more hours until he arrives. Rather unfortunate— Ah, someone else has just arrived.\"\n\n*The wizard spun around to meet the concealed Kitsune, who did not have any weapons either; perhaps they were a mage, similar to herself. Two mages and two fighters... It seemed like a rather balanced party, although what type of mage and what type of fighters the others were was still a mystery to her. Perhaps they would talk about their abilities before they went into the temple. Either that, or demonstrate them on the mission... Preferably in combat, and hopefully towards the enemy.*" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He would stop looking and put his mask down to talk clearly.* \"Mhm. The employer's probably lurking around here somewhere.\" *He would shrug and turn to the approaching figure. 'Oh! It was Yukine!' He would say in his mind. He would smile, at least there's someone he knew with him. He would wave.* \"Hey, Yukine!\" *He turned to Sirdan, almost forgetting his question, he was distracted from greeting Yukine.* \"Oh. My name's Kenpachi Xeno. Pleasure to meet you all.\" *He would smile and cross his arms, waiting for the employer. 'Now that we're all here, I guess we just wait for the employer.' He thought.* \"I think this is everyone. Now where is that employer?\" *He would sigh again.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Seemingly out of nowhere, you four would spot a figure walk out of the nearby trees. If one had perhaps expected a high priest, they were dead wrong. The figure would be wearing black hooded robes with red trimming. A solid black mask can be seen, with no indication of the person's gender. Not tall, but not short either.*\n\n\"I see you are all here. Good. As you know, someone has been captured. A friend. He is being held in the temple that you can see in the distance.\"\n\n*As the figure spoke, it would seem feminine, quiet and soft, but firm, with an aura of power. The hand would be covered by a black clawed gauntlet. This doesn't seem like an elf.*\n\n\"Your mission, should you choose to accept it. Break into the temple, and bring the captive back *Alive.* The elves shall try to tempt you with gold. Do not fall for it. There are no rules.\"" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Zed is gonna get us to kill elves" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan closed his arms together, holding his hands as he contemplated the quest that was just offered on them.*\n\n*He thought he was going to help priest rescue one of their own. But he was in fact, dead wrong. Apparently, he was to attack and massacre a temple in order to rescue someone... For some shady people. He turned around to his companions and looked back and forth, before turning to the employer.*\n\n\"That is a very bold undertaking you've asked of us. Do you have promise of the rewards, and do you have the backing of... Any local authority for this?\" *Sirdan asked quite carefully, eyeing the person in front of him. He turned toward Akaise, trying to seek affirmation that he is in fact, asking the right question. Akaise looked like the most experienced of the bunch.*\n\n\"And one more thing - how much time we have to prepare for this?\" *Now that he has been told to break into a temple, he think it would be a great idea to... Go shopping.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Huh. A black mask, black hooded robes with a red trim, and black clawed gauntlets... Her employer looked rather scary, yet somewhat alike. Almost as if they were an evil clone of her! Though she knew it was probably just a coincidence, the thought of such a situation amused the young wizard greatly. They didn't seem like one of the local priests. No, more like a different faction that was opposed to this temple, trying to hire adventurers to take back one of their own imprisoned members. At least that was what her intuition told her, although it didn't seem like a very far jump to make in order to reach that conclusion. Whether that member was lawfully imprisoned or not still seemed like a mystery. She nodded, looking back at Sirdan as he asked his question. Though she did look rather experienced, she may not have thought about those things if the elf hadn't brought them into attention while questioning the rather shady-looking employer.*\n\n\"No rules... Why is that? Are you implying that the others we may meet in this temple are not protected by the common law?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I have the rewards with me right now. They will be given to you after the mission. Do not worry about the local authority. There will be no witnesses to testify once you leave. I will arrange for it.\"\n\n*Spreading their cloak aside, the four of you would see 4 pouches, each presumably having gold. The woman would be dressed in dark armor, with no indication of who she was. No hair, no symbol.*\n\n\"We cannot yet kill the elves since they hold one of us hostage. They would detect our kind of magic immediately. You can attack at night, so you may make whatever purchases you want beforehand.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*He shook his head as the shady employer informed them of her plan to leave no witnesses alive. Not... What he wanted. This is definitely against his moral code.*\n\"Right. I am relieved and assured. Now - do you have a description of who we are to rescue so we could identify who to spare? I will definitely take advantage of the planning time.\"\n*He be damned, he wished there were some sort of night vision potion, for he has no abilities to naturally see at night - neither does any of his abilities compensate for that.*\n\"Does... Anyone of you see at night well? We might have to attack near sunset otherwise.\"" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He was curious on what Sirdan was going to purchase. Maybe even more weapons? Though it didn't matter, he was just happy we had time to make a plan.* \"That's good. We'll have time to make a plan. After all, we can't just rush in the temple, recklessly.\" *Though the employer seemed a little mysterious, he trusted 'her'? Anyways, he turned his attention back to Sirdan.* \"What purchases are you going to make? Weapons? Because I am definitely in!\" *He would smile, showing his teeth. Getting new equipment is always exciting. Getting to try it out is better.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*The wizard had a concerned expression as her employer continued to describe the mission that they had been assigned. Kill the elves? There was no reason, no motive that the hooded figure had given them to explain why the others in the temple were not intended to be spared. Whoever the hooded figure was, it seemed they operated on the dark side of the law. She had heard rumors about clandestine groups such as the Malevolent Rose... Perhaps her employer was a member of one of those shady groups. Even she knew not to trust someone dressed in black and red, wearing a mask that covered the entirety of their face while talking about killing people.*\n\n\"The advantages provided by attacking at night may not be very great... I don't have the ability to see at night, but glowing light is a byproduct of most of my magical spells. It cannot be turned off, so we would not be very stealthy just walking in.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"The captive is a male macen of the fire variant. He is a vampire, so he is quite pale, with red eyes. He should have black hair and a black beard, and a tattoo on the side of his face. It should be inscribed using magic, and will glow a slight red. Make sure you get the right person. The elves will do anything in their power to prevent him from getting out of the temple.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine thought for a moment. Killing elves was not much of a problem for her. In fact, she had only killed a few people in her life, but she didn't care much. Since she was practically the reason for the deaths of many other people, she had lost her fear of killing. Seeing during the night was also not so good for Yukine, since she had no ability to see in the dark, even though she was a vampire. This would appear to be a challenge for them. She waited for them to stop talking and started talking with a little thoughtful expression.\n\n\"I don't think I'm going to need to buy more stuff. It really depends, I need to know if they use magic or weapons. And I don't use weapons to fight, so if I go to buy something, it will be the minimum.\" She paused for a moment, thinking a bit before returning her attention to them. \"And guys, I would like to know what you guys are specialized in.\"\n\nUpon hearing the mention that she would have to save a vampire, Yukine's fists closed with a little anger just hearing about that 'race'. The image of the woman she hated the most came to her mind and she stepped away from the group, taking a deep breath and crossing her arms." }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*The girl looked towards Yukine, nodding quickly as she asked about the others' specialties in combat. So they would be talking about their abilities... Right once again. Though what really was she specialized in? She thought about the question to herself for a while. She was a mage, one that used runic magic - spells of the arcane, which had to be studied before being able to use them. She was a rather good mage, but not yet on par with her father, or even the many others who bore the title of Archmage over the years.*\n\n\"I also have everything I need... I suppose I'll go first, if nobody else wants to. I am a rune mage, one that specializes in the creation of magical constructs. I can summon magical tendrils to disable my enemies and reinforce myself with defensive runes that make me immune to blades,\" *Akaise said, speaking towards all of the party. Her voice was confident, proud of her own abilities; after all, the two spells she was talking about were spells she had made herself, after being taught by her father. A prodigy of the arcane arts, she was. As nobody seemed to have night vision, attacking at night looked as if it was out of the question. Still, attacking at sunset could still be of some benefit, as those within the temple would most likely be preparing to rest. Even if they had lots of time to formulate a plan, they still needed information about each other's capabilities in order to think of that plan in the first place." }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Then... I've grown a bit stronger overtime, and need a hammer befitting my strength - not that I expect many heavily armoured enemy. As for me..\" *He looked at his weapons, and then walked toward his horse, pointing at the bow.*\n\n\"I'm an archer - part of the warrior class of the steppe. I know how to shoot a bow, and a powerful one at that - on horse. I know how to wield spear, sword, and shield, and could fight with a good pollaxe or hammer. I suppose you could call me a versatile warrior.\" *He said.*\n\n\"I've learned quite a bit in the arcane arts since I arrived here, so I know how to heal, to strengthen my skin, to conjure a shield temporarily, to throw a dart... To run or charge quickly, to strike harder, and to conjure a throwing spear or a great sword or extra arrows.\" \n\n\"And to blast someone off their feet.\" *Sirdan listed out the magical abilities he knew.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Oh, one other thing. Don't try to loot fallen enemies. Those will be reserved for the rest of us.\"" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"Well.. I don't have night vision but I do have thermal vision. Which means I can only see heat signs.\" *He was grateful for that perk and he listened to the group talk about their skills. It will definitely be fun to combine our skills effectively. He was excited, it was a long time since he'd have a party like this.* \"And.. I'm a swordsman. Though I'm not fully a swordsman, I do have useful some magic spells. They're all related to the air element though.\" *He would say as he acknowledged his race. He noticed what Sirdan said about being a versatile warrior. Though he could wield several weapons, he chose to use his Katana and his dagger. The teacher from New Sunlight guild told him he could use his dagger to parry or block. It was finally time to put my skills to use.* \"The spells I have, disable/distract, push enemies with a strong force of wind, and increase myself or my teammate's movement faster. Though I have one skill that gives a negative effect to the target, which is making the target's speed slower.\" *Now that they have all said their skills and abilities, its Yukine's turn. Though he already knew that she was a mage, he just didn't know if she had any thing else to say.* \"It's now your turn Yukine. After we gather the information about our skills and abilities, let's find a way to make a plan on how we could use said skills and abilities, efficiently.\" *It seemed like it was a lot but he enjoyed making strategies. He would smile.*" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Well, I use fire magic... Blood magic. But this one I can only use if I'm injured, so let's just count my fire ability. I can set my arm on fire and hit my opponents. That is, I am better hand to hand. I have fighting skills one by one and, without wanting to be arrogant, let's say I can think fast.\" She paused for a moment before continuing. \"I have good reflexes. And in case something goes wrong, I have my own plan B. You don't have to worry about me too much, I believe I can manage if something goes wrong on my part.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*The elf nodded, seemingly assured. In reality, he was dying inside from the kitsune's description of her ability. No weapon, setting themselves on fire and going into close quarter combat. That sounds like the worst possible combo.*\n\n\"Say... Do you have any spells that could be cast at someone at range, or defend yourself?\" \n\n*Sirdan turned toward Akaise,*\"You wouldn't mind if I departed for a brief shopping trip would you? I need a hammer. And a big one.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Yeah.. Uh... Sure, I don't mind?\"\n\n*She looked back at Sirdan with a confused expression, not exactly understanding the reason for his question. Why was he asking her if he could go on a shopping trip? Were they supposed to go together? No, because then... He wouldn't say he was departing... Huh. It seemed like she had been thrust into some sort of leader role within the party. Either that, or she somehow resembled his mother, despite not looking like an elf in any way, shape, or form. She tried not to think about that second option.*\n\n\"Just be sure to come back soon. If nobody else is going shopping, we'll be staying over here so you can find us again.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"No... I mean, my ability that I use with my blood could be considered as a distance ability. But to use it I would have to purposely cut myself and spread my blood across the area and people. It may not seem like it, but this skill was often useful to me.\"\n\nYukine thought for a moment, realizing that she really had neither long-distance skills nor defensive skills. But what Sirdan didn't know was the plan B that she had mentioned. In fact, she had a very useful weapon that she could use to defend herself and attack her opponents. Upon hearing Akaise and Sirdan talking, Yukine took the opportunity to observe the surroundings and whistle, an Aplomado falcon flying towards Yukine and landing on one of her arms which was raised. Its claws were not much of a problem, as she took care of her clothes so they wouldn't tear.\n\n\"Hello, Stormi.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Then. I will not waste any more time. Tis a nice bird you have.\" *He hopped onto his horse, trotting away on it quickly toward the nearest market town. There he purchased three rondel dagger - all three of a proper weight and size. Though he wanted a heavier one to suit his strength - there's only so much steel one could fit into a rondel dagger. One was strapped to his waist - he chided himself for carefully forgetting the most important wear everyone will have.*\n\n*Then, since he couldn't get a custom blade forged in time that took advantage of his strength, he went over to get something simpler - a heavy warhammer, much longer than usual at 0.9m instead of the usual 0.6m, fitted with a heavier head, an axe-head on the reverse end, and a topspike, bringing its weight to a hefty 3 kilogram - he'd have it customized to be 4, but the fact is that he couldn't find any other ready made weapon suitable for him in time. He replaced his warhammer on his belt with it.*\n\n*He examined himself for where else he might fit a weapon. But in between his quiver and arrows, he don't think he could do anything more...*\n\n*He rode back to the group of adventurers, taking the sheathed rondel daggers with him.*\n\n\"Akaise, Yukine. Do you two have a dagger? Carry it with you on your belt.\" *He offered.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*After a while, Akaise would start fiddling with her waterskin, trying to gauge whether the amount of water still left inside the container would be enough when they went into the temple and started their mission. She took a short sip of water, gazing at her surroundings before spotting Sirdan riding nearby, approaching the party. As he arrived from his shopping trip, the wizard took a look at the new weapons the elf had bought for himself. A warhammer, which seemed to be different in length and other aspects compared to regular warhammers. Did he get it customized? No... That would take too long, she thought before the elf offered her a rondel dagger. Rondel daggers costed around ten silver... He must be rather generous to buy three of them and give two of them away. Maybe he would be expecting them back after the mission, yet there isn't much of a use in combat for two extra rondel daggers, except as spares.*\n\n\"Huh... As a matter of fact, I *Don't* Have a dagger... You.. Bought this for me? Thank you, Sirdan. I suppose I'll need it if things end up going sideways,\" *She said, smiling. Now that everyone was ready, they'd be able to think of a plan for going into the temple.*\n\n\"So... About the plan. I think most temples accept visitors without trying to kill them on sight. Maybe not visitors carrying weapons, but Yukine and I can most likely hide the small rondel daggers. If you would like to, Yukine, we could perhaps scout out the temple and identify the captive before our attack begins.\"" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He analyzed Sirdan's hammer. It was a good purchase and with those rondel daggers he offered Akaise and Yukine, he felt a little bit more relaxed that they have a melee weapon to use. He would turn his attention to the bird that Yukine seemed to have. It made him remember his partner, Renru. Renru was a hawk that was close to Kenpachi. Anyways, he turned his attention back to the plan.* \"That's a good idea. Scout and see how many elves there are and I can help on identifying the macen, since I have infrared vision.\" *He would think on how they would approach the temple. 'Sirdan and I would be in the frontlines? Yukine would be at the back of us, since she has her flame arm, we can provide openings for her to attack with her arm. Akaise at the back with her spells.* \"Hmm.. How about Sirdan and I are on the front, Yukine would be at the back of us two. If you use your flaming arm, we can give you openings so you can inflict burns. I thought Akaise would be at the back using her spells to attack, since they'll be busy with us.\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Still with the falcon standing on her arm, Yukine looked at Sirdan and smiled, waiting until he returned from his little trip to buy equipment.\n\nIn the meantime, she took the opportunity to chat a little with the falcon on her arm, in a language that no one knew there. It was a language used in Yukine's kingdom and probably not many other kingdoms used it. People in her kingdom believed that all animals had a spirit, and that those who followed them were messengers from deceased relatives. For Yukine, Stormi was the messenger her parents sent her to guide her for the rest of her life. So the falcon was really very important to her, since it started following her since Yukine saw her parents die at her home. Stormi seemed to 'caress' Yukine with her head and beak while the kitsune laughed a little and caressed the bird.\n\nSome time later, when she noticed Sirdan returning, Yukine 'threw' Stormi into the air and the bird flew around their surroundings, looking around the area. Yukine would be a little surprised to receive the dagger. It would be very useful for her if something happened, but she didn't think she would use the dagger today. Catching the dagger, Yukine nodded and smiled, looking at Sirdan with bright red eyes.\n\n\"Thank you, Sirdan. It will be of very good use on my part.\"\n\nTurning her attention to Kenpachi, Yukine thought for a while. It was not a bad idea for her to be behind them. And Akaise's idea was also a good one. She turned to the two and answered each of them.\n\n\"Akaise, I think it would be good for us to go inside there first and analyze the interior and where our target is. And Ken, I'm fine with that.\" She paused for a moment, coughing a little. \"I mean, Kenpachi.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Then I'll stay here and wait for the scout report. I will observe together with Kenpachi. In case anything go wrong, we'll charge in and start attacking. Sounds good? We just need a good vantage point\" \n\n*He peered around himself for a vantage point - preferably one with a path that leads to the temple, so Kenpachi and him could observe the two while they scout it out.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*As the four approached, you would find that the temple only had one entrance. There were no stairs, and the ground was relatively flat, only a dirt road leading to it. 6 guards would stand outside a simple entrance, all clad in almain rivet and wielding spears. As you approached, they would seemingly get into ready position.*\n\n\"Stop! State your purpose for traveling here!\"" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Those avatars though" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan closed his eyes, thinking it was still far away for him to be hard to identify - Steppe elf being unnaturally stealthy, after all... But he recognized a problem - he didn't purchase a face mask with him, and that is going to haunt him.*\n\n*Given the doubtful legality of this act, he can't help but wonder if he would be forced to not spare any of the guards who have seen his face...*\n\n*\"Ulnos have mercy.\"* *Sirdan murmured to himself, and then nodded.*\n\n\"Hail! We're humble adventurers here to pay tribute to the temple! May we be allowed entrance?\" *Sirdan spoke, in a fake, falsetto voice, trying to imitate a Mentian accent - to avoid his real voice being identified.*\n\n\"I'm Kaido Four-Hands, and these are my companion.\" *He proclaimed, and then clasped his hand together, casting Morph Arms in a smooth motion by clasping his arms upward, and then...\n\nHe used the two upper arms to cover his face.\n\nHey, whatever works.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```\nSirdan cast Morph Arms. 140 / 140 (150 - 10) Mana.\n```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*As they walked, he stopped in his tracks after seeing the six guards at the entrance. Then Sirdan grew arms!* \"What in the hell-.\" *He would quickly put his mask up, now understanding what Sirdan was doing. Seeing that Sirdan is putting up a little deception for the guards. He was guessing that he'd have to make up his own fake name aswell. He would sigh.* \"Yes! I am one of his companions. They call me Bokuno Hiro!\" *He was honestly embarassed and dissapointed. If he could facepalm he would. 'This better work, Sirdan.' He thought to himself. He would place his hand on his katana's grip and his hand would rest on it. He was ready to take them on, he knew to use his dagger this time.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*She had seen that spell... Morph Arms, an elementary-level transformation. What was he doing... Oh. 'Kaido Four-Hands'? W... What kind of stupid name is that? Trying her best to suppress a giggle, Akaise went along with Sirdan's improvised plan, introducing herself to the guards with a name of her own.*\n\n\"Ah, yes... My name is, uh... Ikea,\" *The wizard said. Oh gods. That was even worse. She concealed her face with the sleeves of her robes, both in an attempt to cover her identity and to cover her embarrassment once she realized how dumb her party's names were.*\n\n*Yeah, she had no right to complain, saying the first word that came to mind, except whatever she said wasn't a word, and it probably wasn't even an actual name either. Well, she could justify it as being from a country very far away, with different cultures and naming customs... If the guards would actually manage to be fooled by whatever this was, she didn't know what she would do. Might laugh. Cry. Both in quick succession. Or at the same time.*\n\n\"Yes, we are here to pay tribute. We have come a very long way, after all... Please, what do you request of us?\"" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Realizing the somewhat ridiculous plan that her other teammates were improvising, Yukine waited for everyone to introduce themselves with those... Different names. So she could introduce herself with a smile, her right arm resting on Kenpachi's shoulder, while the other made a wave sign to the guards.\n\n\"Hello! I am Ansari Pandaheart. It's a nice day, uh?\"\n\nSurely Yukine was laughing internally at having said such idiocy and having accepted this 'plan'. She would continue to smile at the guards and wait for someone to say something else, since she knew that if she said anything, it probably wouldn't be a good idea. The dagger that Sirdan had given her was hidden in the long sleeves of her kimono, slightly pricking her wrist close to her glove." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The guards would quickly shift their positions, suspicious of the newcomers. No one would have such ridiculous names. They would end up forming a pike line, brandishing their spears.*\n\n\"Stop! The temple is not accepting any visitors as of now. If you wish to pay tribute, you may make an appointment in order to bless it. And what are those ridiculous names?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan took a deep breath. It appears the guards are not buying their lies. It seems there are not way to gain entrance other than... Force.*\n\n*He looked around at his companons. He isn't confident most of them could fight them one on one - neither could Sirdan himself handle being swarmed by six spearman at once. Unfortuantely for him, they are wearing armour, and that naturally complicate the matter.* \n\n*He spoke in a low whisper, enough for the two to fight. He pretended to stretch his morphed arms, pulling both of them behind his back. His two original arms rested on his waist, as if he was dissatisfied. A perfect position to draw his sword and shield.* \n\n\"Shall we fight, companions?\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Stepping into the back lines of the party, Akaise unstrapped her backpack, causing it to lightly fall onto the ground as she put her left arm through the leather strap in her steel heater shield. With her right hand, she formed the sign of a rune on her chest, the rune emanating with a soft yellow glow. Closing her eyes, she grasped her hands together, the complex magical runes etched into her gloves starting to glow from underneath her gauntlets as well.*\n\n\"Hey, we don't want to hurt anyone! We just have a little appointment. So if you'd just let us in, we can go on our way, and nobody will be harmed. Nobody... Right then. Hold on for a bit. *Arcane Tendrils...*\"\n\n*Magical energies from her surroundings would begin to flow around the wizard as if they were rivers in the air, all ending at the position on her body where her heart would be. It seemed the girl would have to maintain her focus for a little longer than a few seconds for her spell to be cast. Such a spell was rather complicated in terms of the amount of pre-written runes it relied on, after all. Managing to get its activation time to such a short level was a feat in itself.*" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He knew the little trick wouldn't last long. I guess it's time to fight. He would advance towards the front, he is now side to side of Sirdan. He would draw his sword, holding it with his right hand. He would take his left hand and take out his dagger. He would wait as they all got ready to attack. He looked back at Akaise and back at Sirdan. 'They're using spells already!' He thought to himself. He would turn his attention to the guards. 'Six to four.. Could be worse.'* \"Are we ready?\" *He would look at his teammates and then back at the guards. He analyzed their weapons and their armor. 'They've got spears.. Think.. They're likely going to go for a thrust or a stab attack. It's going to be hard for sure.'*" } ]

[ { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine smirked when she saw that the plan didn't work, which was pretty obvious in her opinion. She would make the dagger Sirdan had given her slip off her sleeve and she would catch it, turning it around so that she was prepared to stab someone. Yukine was always excited when she was going to fight, since she was a child. And especially since Katarina turned her into a vampire, since she could make a snack in the middle of this mission. As, according to the woman from earlier, everything would be hidden from the authorities, Yukine didn't mind having a little fun.\n\n\"Ah, for sure I am!\"\n\nYukine said with a lively voice and a smile on her lips, as she lightly licked her bottom lip, lightly showing her sharp vampire fangs. Her right hand started to glow red as she summoned her weapon. As the kitsune looked at the guards, between the two men in front of her, her eyes would glow red. *Seems like we're going to have fun.*\n```Summoned Double-Bladed Naginata (-25 Mana) - Mana Remaining: 105/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The guards seem to be nervous now. They weren't expecting a fight. They would simply stay in their positions.*\n\n\"Stop! Or else we will be forced to respond with lethal force!\"" }, { "author": "murio876", "message": "ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵐᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵒᵗ ᵃʳᵐᵒʳ" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"No. You shall make the way and drop your weapons, and then flee. Then we will not have to resort to lethal force!\" He said, still covering part of his face with his arm.\n\n*Then he grabbed the edge of his shield from behind himself, flipping it over and strapping it to his arm. It was a typical kite shield, around 120cm tall, tapered, 55cm at its widest, with rawhide covering. The other hand drew his arming sword from the belt - His opponent had no leg armour (neither did he), so bringing over a sword was the better option\n\nHe took a deep breath. In a smooth motion, his upper arms reached for his quiver - he didn't bring his bow (or horse, for that matter) with him due to some communication issues. His upper right arm drew one of his javelin-arrows, flipping them around to face his enemies from above. He heard this is how Qua fight. \n\nAnd his upper left arm...\n\nToo busy drawing three weapons to be used, unfortunately.\n\nHe bolted to the left, jogging around 4m to the direct west(left).*\n\n\"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Seconds after casting her spell, several tentacles formed of what seemed to be a slightly translucent magical essence would sprout from Akaise's upper back, approximately four in number as well as four meters long, extending outwards in the air and making her appear more threatening than she actually was. The tendrils had a radiant yellow glow, similar to that of a powerful street lantern at night. They were rather thick compared to her arms, measuring exactly four inches in diameter at their base although they were gradually thinner towards the end and formed a blunt tip. As her left arm wielded the heater shield in front of herself, she would take a few steps to the right in order to have a clearer line of sight to the guards.*\n\n*Akaise held out her right hand, directing it towards the left-center guard of the pike line (G3). A small violet-colored runic circle appeared in mid-air above her palm, slowly increasing in size until it was larger in diameter than the wizard's hand. From within the runic circle came a spinning ball of strange, purple-glowing energy, starting initially at the size of a small pearl; a quiet, almost electric crackling sound emanated from the ball, and within less than a second it grew to the size of a baseball.*\n\n*In a pike line, it would probably be rather difficult to sidestep or turn sideways so that the projectile missed its intended target. Thus, she would fire her Plasma Shot towards her enemy, aiming straight for the guard's left leg, which was most likely left unprotected by their almain rivet armour. The wizard's tendrils would remain unused for now, free to defend from attacks against the front or sides, which would also be aided by the use of her shield.*\n\n```Arcane Tendrils transformation complete (casting began on previous turn). -100 mana. 80/80 mana left.\nAfter transformation was finished, Akaise casted Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 75/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerated 3.5 mana. 78.5/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"Huh-?\" *'Why is Sirdan running?'* \"Where are you going Sirdan?!\" *He was confused. 'I thought we were at the front?' He thought to himself. Then he would realize his tactic. 'I see..' He would advance 4m north(up) and stop. He would see if the guards would make any movements.* \"I'll stand here and observe. If they attack, I'll try to give you guys openings.\" *He would breathe, relaxing himself. He would sheath his dagger and hold his left hand out. The air around him would helix into his hand, as it formed a small tornado. A second later, a conical projectile would be created. The projectile would launch from his hand, aiming it towards G3's left leg. The same leg that Akaise used her spell on. He hoped it would cause even more damage to the guard's leg. After he casted his spell, he would take his dagger out again, just incase the guards might attack him.* \n```Gale Missile Casted, 10 Mana Used, 110 Left. 110/120```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine watched Sirdan run with a slightly different look, perhaps described as a look of amusement, after all, for kitsune it was all fun. Although she still knew that she would have to be serious at some point. She would wait so that she could see the movements of the rest of her allies and her opponents. \n\nRealizing that her allies were attacking from the left, despite not being very well arranged, Yukine would position herself to Akaise and Kenpachi's right, assuming that perhaps the guards could attack them after their spells were released toward G3. She would hold her Naginata with her right hand, while her left held the dagger Sirdan gave her earlier.\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana Remaining: 108.5/130```" } ]

[ { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*G3 was promptly taken out of comission, the hot plasma burning his leg and the tornado knocking him to the ground. He screams out in pain, like a weakling elf, dropping his weapon and clutching his burning leg. The other guards move forward in a spearhead formation, trying to separate the group.*\n```G3 has been hit with both Plasma shot and Gale Missile, and is immobilized```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Curses! The bumbling idiot blurted out his real name right away. Now what could he do? All his plan for mercy or to let them run has gone to ruin..\n\nBut there's no time to hesitated at this point. His upper left arm - the only free one, conjured a war dart in it, and Sirdan focused his eyes intently on G1, throwing it at his leg. The aim is slightly diagonal, ensuring the dart's trajectory would intersect with both of his legs - ideally, so that it would be a disabling shot.\n\nNow... They can either sit there and keep taking shot, or charge him and let his teammates move in. Sirdan's legs remained unmoving, but seems to be ready to bolt again at any point*\n\n```\nSirdan casts War Dart - Mana Remaining: 135 / 140\n```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"No shield, no spells... No matter how strong you are, there is nothing you can do against a magician at range. Magic is truly the most superior weapon of war! Surrender, if you wish to live long enough to go home!\" *She yelled towards the guards, hoping to convince them to stand down before things got serious. Things would be a lot harder for them now that Kenpachi just revealed the identity of one of her fellow party members. After they defeated the guards, she'd most likely need to find a way to stop them from telling the authorities about them... One that preferably wasn't murder.*\n\n*The runic circle on the wizard's palm brightened as Akaise casted Plasma Shot a second time, aiming for G4's left kneecap in order to potentially disable his knee. It probably hurts when your kneecap gets set on fire.*\n\n```Akaise casted Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 73.5/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerated 3.5 mana. 77/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He revealed Sirdan's identity without even thinking. 'Ah, I'll apologize to him later. Focus on the matter at hand.' As Akaise casted another Plasma Shot, he position himself infront of G4. Moving towards his left (west) by 2m. He would sheath his weapons quickly, when her spell hit the guard's kneecap, it would give him time to cast his spell on G4. As he casted his spell, his eyes glowed white, his hands pushed out in front of him, and he would project a cylinder of gale wind. It would blast powerful wind towards G4. Since his air spells didn't do much damage, having it paired up with another spell seemed to be working. It was amazing.* \"Great shot, Akaise!\" *He would turn his head towards Sirdan.* \"Sorry Kaido Four-Hands!\" *He chuckled.*" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine ignored the fact that one of the names of her teammates was revealed, as they would not let any of those guards go away to tell anyone. Honestly, at that moment the kitsune couldn't do much except approach the guards a little, walking 2 meters forward. Yukine would hide the dagger that Sirdan had given her earlier on her belt, and hold the Naginata with both hands in an offensive position, her red eyes aiming in the direction of G5 and G6. A smirk formed on her lips as she started to talk. \n\n\"It's better if you give up!\"\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana Remaining: 112/130```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "``` 7 Mana Regained, Maelstrom Casted, 25 Mana Used, 92 Left. 92/120 ```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The war dart from Sirdan would sink into G1's left knee, and he would let out a scream of pain, his leg effectively immobilized. Poor G4 got hit with a plasma shot on his knee as well, and would also let out a scream. However, Kenpachi's Gale Wind would knock the G4 back, the strong wind putting out the fire that Akaise created. He was still down for the round though. G3 would still be screaming as G4's body would prevent the wind from putting out the fireball on his own knee. Meanwhile, the rest of the guards would begin to charge. G2 would head for Sirdan, G5 would charge at Kenpachi, while G6 would go somewhere on a path between Yukine and Akaise. They level their spears and scream while doing so, aiming to impale their targets.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan's grip on his weapons became more unsteady. A slight gasp were let out right after he heard a word he did not expect to hear.\n\n\"Akaise! Great shot!\" \n\nThose words will haunt him forever. \n\nPerhaps he could -\n\nNo time for such thought, someone's charging him.*\n\n\"Dart.\" *The elf murmured underneath his breath, bringing his shield to cover his body's left, conjuring a dart in a free upper arm. \n\nHe aimed at G2's legs with the dart, aiming to disable him again.\n\nIf the dart succeeded in incapacitating them, Sirdan would charge northeast by **4 squares**, hoping to threaten G4's flank if it didn't, Sirdan brace his shield and ready his sword for melee with G2.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Due to her focus on the battle, the wizard failed to register what Kenpachi had just said, not realizing that the samurai had inadvertently revealed another party member's name — her name. It was probably for the better that she didn't know; after all, it would most likely distract her from the guards. One of them seemed to be charging towards her, or perhaps towards Yukine; to her, it looked as if the guard wasn't yet able to decide and was instead heading somewhere between the two.*\n\n*Upon seeing G6 charge, Akaise put up her shield to block the guard's spear if he decided to attack her. With her right hand, the wizard casted Plasma Shot a third time, aiming for G6's right leg. Taking advantage of the fact that the guard was moving, two of her arcane tentacles went for her enemy's ankles in an attempt to grab them; if this was successful, her tentacles would then pull the guard's legs forward so that he would fall onto his back.*\n\n```Akaise casted Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 72/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerated 3.5 mana. 75.5/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*'I keep forgetting we had fake names.. Ah! I'm such a letdown.' The time for self-pity was not now. G5 was coming directly at him. He would take out his katana and hold it on his right hand, leaving his left hand free.* \n\n*He would cast the his first spell again, as the air twirled around his left palm. It would begin to form a small whirlwind, after a second a conical object would launch from his hand, aiming it towards G5's chest. As it launched he would advance north (3m Up) and next to G5. He would take his katana and aim for the guard's torso.* \"It's nothing personal.\" \n\n*After this quest, how will he explain his wrongdoings. 'I completely revealed their names. So impulsive.'*\n\n\n```Gale Missile Casted, 10 Mana Used, 82 Left. 82/120. ```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Accompanying Akaise when attacking the G6, Yukine quickly spun her Naginata in her right hand and then pointed one of its blades at the guard. She would try to hit him on the left leg as she approached the guard. If he tried to attack her, the kitsune would use her own weapon to defend herself. \n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 115.5/130```" } ]

[ { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*G3 and G1 wouldn't move, both clutching their legs. Both seem like they may get back up though. G4 is already trying to get back up, now that his leg is no longer on fire.*\n\n*G2 though, would have his leg crippled as the dart sinks into his thigh. He can't move, but he would try to stab at Sirdan with his spear, albeit weakly due to his crippled leg.*\n\n*Akaise's heater shield deflects the spear stab, and the point slides up into the air. His leg is set on fire by her Plasma shot, and then both are pulled and he lands on the floor. Yukine's attack would also leave a deep gash, both of his legs crippled.*\n\n*Kenpachi would prove to have the most success. The force blast aimed for his chest hits the hand of the spearman, sending his weapon out of his hand. The elf looks in surprise, before his face is split open via sharpened steel.*\n```G4 is up!\nG1 and G3 are getting up!\nG2 has one leg crippled!\nG6 has both legs crippled!\nG5 has been slain!```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan quickly backstepped away from the crippled man in front of him, avoiding someone who cannot compensate with footwork. At the same time, he would use the kite shield to ward off the stab - it should be easy. Should this succeed, he will probably end up one square behind. \n\nHe opted for the safe option, not wanting to cast stoneskin nor risk being stabbed by a furious man. But with one leg down, G2 is no longer a threat...\n\nHe cast war dart again, this time throwing it at G4's left leg. The slight diagonal angle should make it easier to hit somewhere. The dart will cut true and they won't move again.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "``` Sirdan casts War Dart. 135 / 140 Mana ```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Akaise immediately stepped to the left, leaving the attack range of the immobilized G6. Her two bottom tentacles uncurled around the guard's ankles, freeing his crippled legs from their constricting grip.\n\nShe pivoted slightly counterclockwise as her right hand moved towards the direction of G1. Casting Plasma Shot for a record fourth time, she targetted the guard's legs — one of which had already been immobilized by Sirdan's War Dart, but not for much longer — in an attempt to hit both with the ball of plasma at the same time, setting the legs on fire and hopefully making sure they wouldn't try to get up and escape. Still, now that they knew one of their names, a dilemma arose. If they alerted the authorities, she and her teammates would likely be hunted down. One of the guards had already been slain in battle... Did they really have to kill all of them? Even if they were spared without any more fighting, the risk of becoming a known criminal by letting one of them escape would just be too much. Yet they were criminals; committing a crime was exactly what they were doing. An uneasy look could be seen on the girl's face as she continued to do battle; though she didn't feel certain about what her decision would be, she knew the others were fighting to kill.*\n\n```Akaise casted Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 72/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerated 3.5 mana. 75.5/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*Kenpachi would take his sword out from the guard's head. This felt wrong and its all his fault. The guards didn't have to die.. If only he could keep his mouth shut. The fact that this innocent man died by his hand only because of the fear that they might speak to the authorities about us. 'I'm so sorry...'* \n\n*He would see that G4 was up and he unsheathes his dagger, holding it on his left hand. Sirdan's dart would definitely make sure his attack would hit, seeing that he aimed it at his leg. Surely the guard felt that. His hand that held his katana glowed blue briefly and he would rush to G4's left side. Moving northwest (1m Up, 1m Right, and 3m Up). When he reached G4 he would be cautious of his spear. So he tried to get behind him and strike his left leg with his katana. As he made his move, he would immediately back out because of the fear that G3 might back stab him. He moved east (2m Right).*\n\n```7 Mana Regained, Empowered Strike Casted, 5 Mana Used, 84 Mana Left. 84/120```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine would smile when she saw that her attack was a success on the man's leg, repositioning herself so that she could strike again while Akaise focused on another guard. There was no turning back, Kenpachi had already killed one of the guards and the kitsune preferred not to be known as a criminal at the moment. She didn't care much about killing people, especially if it was necessary.\n\nUpon repositioning, Yukine would attack the G6 with one of the blades of her Naginata in the direction of his head. If this attack were successful, she would run towards G3 in order to cover Kenpachi while he attacks G4. If necessary she would defend herself with Naginata herself, using it as a type of shield.\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 119/130```" } ]

[ { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Sirdan's shield easily blocks the spear stab, and G2 can no longer follow. G5's face continues to bleed out. Bastard.*\n\n*As soon as G4 was getting up, he would soon find that a war dart would fly into his left leg. This would immobilize him completely, now unable to move. So would G1, now finding his leg on fire, and falls back down, screaming. Meanwhile, G3 would be up and ready, quite mad that one of his teammates has died. He would scream,*\n\n\"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!\"\n\n*G4 was down, and would attempt a weak stab at Kenpachi, but was unable to turn due to his immobility. The ronin easily slices off the unarmored leg due to Kenpachi's Empowered Strike, and a stump remains where the leg once was. G3 tries to charge at Kenpachi to avenge his fallen allies.*\n\n*Yukine's blow would end up being deflected by the helmet into the man's unprotected neck, slicing it open. Her blade successfully deflects the spear jab upward.*\n```G4 is crippled by war dart and his leg is chopped off!\nG1 is immobilized by fire!\nG6 has been slain!\nG2 is still crippled by war dart!```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan looked at the last person left fighting on the battlefield - the battle is about to be concluded. The one attacking Kenpachi... He probably won't succeed. Throwing a war dart into a melee would be dangerous - he risk hitting and crippling Kenpachi. So he might as well reposition himself..*\n\n*He might as well do what he needs to do later.*\n\n*He turned toward G2*\n\n\"Surrender and lay down your arm. Stay quiet, we won't kill you.\"\n\n*He lied.*\n\n*He walked northeast, avoiding G2 from making any attack on him - presumably with him on the floor it would be impossible to throw a spear at him. He got insurance policy in case that happened, anyway.*\n\n*He walks toward G3, apparently in support of Kenpachi. But in his mind was another matter. A biology of a tyrant king, who executed his wives in a humane way..*\n\n*Sirdan sheathed his arming sword, and extended his right arm to the side, the outline of a zweihander appearing in it as he started conjuring the weapon.*\n\n```\nSirdan casts Greater Arming with a 1.6m long, 3kg heavy Zweihander in his right arm. 125 / 140 Mana\n```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*So it was decided. From the moment that name had been uttered, the fates of those guards were sealed. As she saw the two spearmen slain in desperate battle, Akaise knew that the third option she had hoped for would never come. Their deaths were a result of a mistake. Yes, it was all just a very bad mistake... If not for that, they could have been spared.*\n\n*Though her employer said there would be no witnesses to testify, it was better to be safe than sorry. The wizard slowly retrieved her black visor, donning it in one simple motion. She knelt down at G6's corpse, the deceased guard staring at something that was no longer there. She remembered the life those eyes had once contained... His fear and desperation seemed to have vanished upon his death. With the palm of her right hand, she passed her hand over the guard's face and closed his eyes.*\n\n*Taking G6's spear in both hands, Akaise walked towards the downed G1.*\n\n\"Your wounds are too great to be healed. I will not prolong your suffering... Rest in peace.\"\n\n*She thrust the spear downwards, aiming for the guard's neck.*\n\n```Akaise regenerated 3.5 mana. 79/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*There's no way of turning back now. He's got blood on his hands and it was definitely immoral to slaughter these innocent men. He would sigh, dissapointed of himself.*\n\n*He would shift his eyes towards G3 that was charging straight at him. 'Ah! I knew it.' As expected, G3 would definitely come for Kenpachi. He heard footsteps from behind.. 'Wait.. Who's coming?' One of his teammates, perhaps? Thankfully, Yukine came to his aid. 'That was close, phew.'* \"Phew, thanks..\" *As she deflected it would leave the guard open. He would take take his dagger and move closer to the guard, he would stab him continuously on the neck. Making sure he would bleed out. He immediately stepped back, not wanting the blood to gush out on him. He would sigh.* \"I've got blood on my hands..\" *He would clench his fists, gripping his weapons tightly. His attention turned to Sirdan, who was coming towards him. He was confused but he saw Sirdan conjure a large bladed sword. Which intrigued him.*" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "This was not the first or last person that Yukine had already killed, but she didn't care much at the moment. Regrets are for later, first she has to fight. Not that Yukine didn't regret it and felt bad when she had was blood on her hands, but there wasn't much she could do. It was killing or getting hurt, or even dying.\n\nRealizing that the attack and defense she had made was successful, Yukine trusted that Kenpachi and Sirdan would be capable enough to kill that guard. So she stepped away and walked towards G4, pointing the blade already soiled with blood towards his neck. If he still tried to attack, she would defend herself with the Naginata. If he didn't attack her, she would try to disarm the man and crouch down beside him, a look of indifference in her eyes.\n\n\"I think it's funny that you work so hard, and it ends up being in vain. But don't worry, your suffering ends here.\"\n\nYukine took the dagger that Sirdan had given her again from her belt, using only one stab to the man's face, shoving the blade deep into it. Afterwards, she would stab him again. And if it had been a success, Yukine would have removed the dagger from his face and gently licked the blade with blood." }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 122.5/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*G2 would remain crippled, unable to do anything as Sirdan walks away from him. He would scream, not only in pain, but also as a reaction to his comrades being slain. Seems like G3 is taken care of though.*\n\n*Seeing Akaise approach him, G1 tries to prep himself for the incoming attack. His response to Akaise stabbing at him is to try and lean to the side and stab at his executioner. Unfortunately, the guard hasn't ever fought with an injured leg, and the spear stabs the side of his neck, not killing him but leaving a pretty serious wound. His own would strike true though, since both warriors attacked at the same time. He would have gone for the neck had his leg been fine, but he would have to settle for another unarmored part: Akaise's groin. The sharp, metal speartip sinks itself into the poor girl's parts, staining the area red. No matter his dilemma, G1 smiles and laughs.*\n\n\"You like my spear penetrating you?\"\n\n*He then collapses due to blood loss.*\n\n*G3 would easily be dispatched, taking several knife stabs to the throat. He falls to the floor, dead. Blood runs down the open wounds, creating a sanguine pool on the ground.*\n\n*G4 is clutching the stump of his leg, screaming his throat out with tears in his eyes. Who wouldn't? He has a pleading look on his face, but can't say anything between his sobs. Yukine's knife splits his skull open, killing him instantly. The vampire would be able to get her tasty blood treat after all.*\n\n```G4, G3 and G1 are dead!\nG2 is the only one remaining, and is crippled!```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan looked around himself in horror. Everyone but G2 is dead... \n\nStill in the trance of sort, determined to execute everyone, he turned back toward the last one alive, zweihander in his right arm. \n\nHe threw the shield back onto his back, using the free hand to cast force blast on G2's spear, ensuring there's no threat to himself. He better finishes the job quickly..\n\nHe legs glowed red, and he charged forward, grabbing his zweihander with two hands to deliver a clean cut to the neck, Sirdan paid special care to this cut, ensuring the edge was properly aligned, and his head would be severed in one stroke.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*The tip of the spear met silk, then skin, then flesh, sinking deep into the girl's parts. A quiet squish — the sound of her muscles and nerves being punctured — could be heard, although it was drowned out by the last guard's screams. The shiny metal tip had completely disappeared inside Akaise, leaving only the handle that was now a shade of deep crimson. A hot, sticky liquid started to flow down her thighs. Rather than pain, she could feel nothing but wet warmth, and a dull throbbing inside.*\n\n\"Huh...? Wh... Why do I...\"\n\n*Looking down, the first thing Akaise saw was that she was bleeding. It took a while for her to notice everything else... Including the spear, still inside her. She didn't yet realize she had been stabbed, instead staring at the bloodied handle with an expression between curiosity and confusion. Suddenly, a hot lightning-like pain pierced her, forcing Akaise to drop G6's spear onto the ground. Overtaken with panic, she ripped off her visor only to see that the spear inside her was still there. It wasn't an illusion after all.*\n\n***\"Agh... AAAAHHHHH!!!\"***\n\n*Her father had trained her for this. Yet such a location caused all of that training seemed to have gone out the window. Why there? Why did he... Stab her there... Akaise felt as if she was about to faint. Doubling over would cause the spear impaling her to only go deeper. She had to keep standing. The wizard could bear being burned by hellish flames, being electrified by magical lightning — yet to her, nothing compared to this. After all, it was an incredibly painful location to be stabbed in. Although she knew it wasn't a very good idea to pull the spear out, her body screamed for her to do it. Anything to try and take away the pain...*" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"Damn Sirdan!\" *'As a witness of that execution, that was cold-blooded. Note to self - Don't piss of Sirdan.' Though he already had when he blurted out his name from the start. Oh he knows going to get a harsh scolding. Now that the guards were all executed, he would pull down his mask and then sigh.* \"Finally.\" *He would hear a loud scream from a familiar voice. His jaw would immediately drop.*\n\n\"Oh shit.\" \n\n*He would slowly sheath his weapons, still in shock. 'T-The spear's in her.. Her thing! What the fuck-.'* \"Akaise, are you okay?!\" *'Wh- Of course she's not okay, you dimwit.' He would quickly rush to her.* \"Here.. Lay down.\" *His left hand would be on her head to support her as he laid her down.* \"Does anyone have the ability to heal Akaise?!\" *There was so much blood on her.*\n\n```Regained 7 Mana, 91 Left. 91/120 ```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Upon finishing her little snack with the guard, Yukine would get up again and stretch. But she would be interrupted with a noise that seemed to be ripping flesh, just like what she had heard years ago. *'That sound... I can still hear his blood falling on the floor.'* She would look down with a expression of slight fear, checking to see if it wasn't her. Yukine was relieved to see that nothing had hit her, but then she turned to look for who had been injured. She thought it might have been a guard, but unfortunately it was one of her teammates.\n\nSeeing blood running down Akaise's thighs, Yukine's eyes shone red as blood, thirsting for more blood. She always felt like that when she saw someone bleeding like the girl was. At least the person who turned her into a vampire taught her how to control herself well and that was one of the only things she would be grateful to have learned from Katarina.\n\n\"Well...\" \n\nYukine whispered to herself as she watched Kenpachi helping the woman, some thoughts coming to her mind at that moment. She chose not to help, as she had no power or resources to help Akaise at the moment. The Naginata in her right hand was going to be unsummon for the time being, and she would hide the dagger in her belt again. After the weapon disappeared from her hand, Yukine would look again at the guard she had just killed and took the spear he was using while they were fighting, holding it with her right hand and taking a look at it. *'Maybe I can use this here. It will probably be useful later, my intuition never fails.'* She thought before walking up to Akaise and Kenpachi.\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 116/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*G2 would look up at Sirdan in fear as his weapon is knocked out of his hand. He screams, puts his hands out, and looks away.*\n\n\"Please, no! I have a fam-\"\n\n*The last word would be cut off, literally, by the massive Zweihander. The elf's head would roll on the floor, silver hair being stained by crimson liquid.*\n\n*Meanwhile, the large spear was still inside Akaise. It wouldn't be barbed nor winged.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "The posture is perfect. His sword is above him. An Oberhut guard. That is what his mentor taught him. There's nothing to guard against. He just needs to cut off his head in one stroke. \n\nHis victim, below him on the mud, seems to have quickly caught on to what he was doing. \n\nThe guard's words were full of terror, and Sirdan stared back into his eyes. He cannot close it. He cannot miss the cut. He don't even have the audacity to say sorry. His lips moved slightly, but his eyes returned to the guard's neck. \n\nIn one smooth motion, the blade fell from the high guard onto the man's neck. Flesh and bone parted before the hefty blade, then the mud. He felt the stroke end, a slight splatter of blood, the tactile feeling it has connected. He has felt this in training before. \n\nHe pried his eyes away from the head on the other side of his blade, looking at the patch of red on the left side. There was no flesh, nothing left connecting the guard's head and the rest of his body. \n\n*A perfect cut.*\n\nHe closed his eyes, exhaling and inhaling slowly.\n\n*Five.\nFour.\nThree. \nTwo-*\n\n**\"Damn Sirdan!**\"\n\nHis legs twitched, and his steady grip on the blade loosened. His blade shook briefly. \n\n*...One.*\n\nHe released his right hand from the bottom of the zweihander, thrusting it into the ground to prop it upright. He stepped forth, kneeling down, opening his eyes. \n\n*\"**Akaise**, ar-!\"*\n\nIts eyes were full of terror, and its mouth was agape, pleading for mercy in the last moment of its life.\n\nHe swept his palm left, closing its eyes, and with a rightward stroke, closed the mouth of the man. \n\n*\"Does an- -eal **Akaise**!\"*\n\nThe elf stood up, his breath growing exasperated, a burning feeling building up in his chest. He pulled out the zweihander, turning quickly to Kenpachi. He made one large step toward Kenpachi, his pupils widened and focused intently on Kenpachi. Then he realized something.\n\nSomething didn't look right to the left.\n\nA wooden haft, ending in-\n\nSirdan turned to the left. *This is the worst outcome.* \n\nHe dropped the sword, running toward her as Kenpachi and Yukine did. He considered delivering a punch to Kenpachi through his helm, but now is not the time. He stopped in front of Akaise as Kenpachi helped her to the ground. He stared in shock at the wound inflicted on her, then the pool of blood forming on the ground.\n\nTo the keen eyes of a steppe elf like him, the severity of the wound was beyond clear.\n\nHe kneeled down. The spear, with its broad, lethal blade, has entered her body, in a place full of nerves and blood vessels. He knew no spells to numb the pain, and to pull it out and heal it right away – that will risk having her bleed out on the spot. Judging by the depth of the penetration, there will be a torrent of blood if he did that. \n\"I'm sorry, I do not know how to numb your pain. You'll bleed to your death if I pulled it out right away.\"\n\nHe knew what he needed to do. It will be painful, excurciatingly painful, re-inflicting the wound of being stabbed thrice on her. But it is the only way to save her.\n\n\"Hold onto my hand. And don't move. Please.\" He commanded.\n\nHe held onto her hand, a green glow surrounding his hand as he healed Akaise. This should stop the most egregious of the bleeding, reforming the blood vessels around where the spear penetrated. Then, he will pull out the spear slowly, removing half of the blade, repeat it again...\n\nJust need to do it thrice. \n\nSirdan's other hand reached for the shaft of the spear, not touching it until he felt the first cast of the spell has finished.\n\n\"Hold her tight, you two.\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "``` Sirdan casts Healing Touch (Severe). 90 / 140 Mana ```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*It was excruciating. Every time she tried to move, she could feel it cut deeper inside her, the girl's insides being slowly torn apart with every slight movement. Akaise was unable to stop herself from screaming out even as Kenpachi laid her down, her body being slightly elevated from the ground by her tentacles. She had to make sure not to fall unconscious... If that happened, her tendrils would disappear, and she would fall again, the spear ripping through her flesh and nerves as easily as taking out a doll's stuffing. Her vision blurred, the wizard could see everyone run towards her... It seems they had won, but at what cost?*\n\n\"Aaaah.. G... Gh...\"\n\n*\"I'm sorry, I do not know how to numb your pain. You'll bleed to your death if I pulled it out right away.\"*\n\n*With a whimper, she gazed up towards Sirdan, a terrified look in the girl's eyes as he described just exactly what would happen to her if he pulled the spear out of her body. It hurt so much... She didn't want to die...*\n\n*\"Hold onto my hand. And don't move. Please.\"*\n\n*Akaise activated her armor's Transformation Adaptation enchantment, causing the gauntlet on her right hand to vanish. She knew how healing spells worked... Even if she was wearing the gauntlet, the magic would still be able to transfer its effects to her body. Even so, that wasn't the reason why she chose to make it disappear. Although she was still afraid, a strange look of trust could be seen in her eyes as she looked up at the elf. She held onto Sirdan's hand and didn't let go.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan took in a deep breath as he waited patiently for the wound to heal. The pain should've subsided quite a lot now, as the torn tissues around the spear were restored. The bleeding, too, seems to have subsided. \n\nBy the time the healing has taken place, Sirdan would've felt the magical energy inside him restoring inside. Good. A second heal. But first..\n\n\"Just give me a second.\" \n\nHe removed his hand briefly from Akaise's, and then clapped his arms together, dispelling the earlier morph arms - not before he placed the arrow he was holding back in his quiver first, of course. The old morph arms cast was replaced with a new set of arms, this time underneath instead of above Sirdan's original shoulder.\n\nIf she winced and moved, it would make the wound worse. He looked into Akaise's eyes, and then held both of her hand, pressing against her shoulder with a third - he considered kneeling on her cuirass to stabilize her position, but that could make the wound worse. \n\nHe grabbed onto the spear with the last hand, took a deep breath, staring into Akaise's eyes. \n\nWhat comes next must be painful. \n\nHe pulled out the spear out by an inch, and then made a cast of healing touch. Another fifteen seconds, another withdrawal, another cast. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Ignore the pain. Ignore the scream.\n\nAnd it would be done, Sirdan's hand holding onto a bloodied, removed spear, and Akaise's wounds healed... After a minute of hell." }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Finally... It was over. What was only a minute seemed like an eternity of suffering. To her, it was probably the most painful experience she had ever felt. At least it was over. No more pain... No more bleeding... It was over. She felt tears go down her face, and realized that she had been crying. She looked at her body. The deep, bloody gash inside her was completely gone. The girl's eyes were full of relief, gazing back into Sirdan's as the steppe elf had finished his arduous session of healing.*\n\n\"Sirdan...\"\n\n*She held her arms out and hugged Sirdan tightly, closing her eyes in tranquil happiness.*\n\n\"T... Thank you.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "The elf dropped the spear on the side, looking up at the temple's entrance, dreading that they still have to fight. Still have to finish everyone in the temple off. Withdrawal is not an option, thanks to an idiot shouting out Akaise and him's names thrice out loud.*\n\nHe looked down, and found Akaise in his arms. He embraced her tightly, patting her on her head.\n\n*What an awkward moment, two of them embracing eachother right next to the bled out corpse of a guard, right before entering the temple. He hoped the next fight will be short. He will make it so.*\n\n*He gave one last pat on Akaise's head, and then released her gently.*\n\n\"Do you feel better now? We need to finish this fight.\" \n\n*He turned toward Kenpachi.*\n\n\"Keep your mouth shut and don't mention our name again. Pray to the gods there's no other exit from this temple.\" \n\n*He stood up, ready to enter the temple and finish the job.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Yes... I'm alright,\" *Akaise said, blushing slightly at Sirdan patting her on the head. Their work wasn't over yet.*\n\n*The wizard picked up her black steel visor off the ground, donning it again. If it turned out the people in the temple were expecting them, she would need her identity to be concealed. The plan to scout out the temple with Yukine seemed to be busted; if there was anyone awake, they would have heard the screams by now. Best to head inside quietly, yet ready to expect any attack... From what happened to the guards, Akaise knew it was impossible to save everyone. Yet even if she was able to spare just one innocent person, she would be able to call it a success. The result of her effort to not let these people's deaths be in vain...*\n\n\"Let's go.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Just a moment.\"\n\n\n*He looked around the battlefield. His eyes eventually settled on the man whose cloth were least tainted by blood and battle. \n\nHe walked over, drawing his rondel dagger and cutting off the sleeve on the shirt of one of the guard. Then, he slashed it open along one side, wrapping it around his helmet to mask his lower face - this should make it easier to hide his identity.\n\nHe readied his shield and sword, and rested for a minute, ensuring his magical energy is back in peak form, before entering the temple with the rest of the party, cautiously.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*As you four entered the temple, you would find that there was only one path open, right down the center. You could see doors, but they would seem to be locked. No one was out. At last, you would find a change in the long, marble hallways. The space would open up, with life-like statues everywhere. 4 golden braziers held blazing fires. And you could see 5 guardians, each different.*\n\n*The first seen would be a large man, wielding a large pollaxe. Clad in full armor, he seemed much bigger than a normal elf.*\n*Beside him was a sword and shield wielder. Golden steel encompassed him, and the blade seemed to give off a golden glow.*\n*The third and fourth would be two mages. They looked simple enough, with only a gambeson for protection.*\n*The last would be an elf in almain rivet, with an open face helmet. He held a massive heavy crossbow in his hands, and it was loaded.*\n\n*The elf with the sword and shield would face them.*\n\n\"Intruders. We do not wish to harm you. If you leave now, you will face no punishment from us.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan evaluated the situation in front of him. He's been had. Those outside the temple were NOTHING compared to the one inside. \n\nA large man as tall as him at the very least, in full armour, definitely a knight of some sort to match him. He believed this knight would match - no, outmatch him in combat. \n\nThen a man clad in golden shield with an enchanted blade.\n\nHe don't know what the other two were, but with magic flying around, he could not risk it. His war dart was too slow compared to his favourite bow - it could not penetrate the gambeson reliably. He'll be damned.\n\nAnd last... But not least, an elf with a loaded arbalest. If Sirdan was on their side, the crossbowman would shoot Sirdan first - the only person on the party to carry a weapon that could threaten the two most well armoured members of this entourage.\n\nHe want to complete the quest, but the image of a rather purple, fluffy giant cat came up in his mind. No, he must return home alive.*\n\n\"Fellows. We've been had by our employer. This is a set-up.\" *Sirdan said as his shield drifted across his side, facing the man with the arbalest. That should prevent any fatal strike... No, not safe enough. A grey glow came over Sirdan's skin as he stregthened it with stone. Now this will prevent any fatal strike..*\n\n\"I thank you for your generous offer. There'll be no more needless bloodshed today. Let's withdraw from this place. Now!\" *Sirdan spit out the last word with force, trying to imprint the gravity of the situation onto the less bright members of his team*\n\n*A small glow appeared on Sirdan's legs as he enchanted his speed, he backstepped quickly, keeping his eyes and shield trained on the man and mage that could possibly kill him.*\n\n``` Sirdan cast Fleet Foot (Self-buff) and Stone Skin and prepare to flee the battlefield. 110 / 140 Mana ```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"The gold we've been offered for this isn't worth it... No, not worth it at all. Agreed!\"\n\n*Akaise took a few steps back. Although what she said was more or less true, she needed that gold. The vampire was nowhere to be found, most likely hidden past one of the locked doors. Perhaps there was a safer way into the temple. She remembered what happened last time she left her front open to attack, and turned around.*\n\n*While fleeing backwards from where she went in, the wizard looking back noticed the four blazing braziers, positioned within the four corners of the grand marble temple. Yet she saw no smoke come out of the entrance... Where did the smoke go? She looked up at the ceiling of the temple to see if there was some sort of hole or chimney. Whatever was up there may not be large enough for them to fit through, but it would at least be useful as a position to spy on those inside the temple.*\n\n*If they managed to get out of the temple without any fight, the wizard would try and look for any alternative entrances or exits to and from the temple. She looked towards the rest of the party.*\n\n\"All this... For THAT? This can't be it, there has to be another way...\"" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"Oh wow..\" \n\n*He was clearly intimidated, these people look way too strong for him to handle. First of all, there's a giant with a pollaxe and a wielder of an enchanted sword. They also have support from the back, a crossbowman and two mages. The crossbowman could easily pick him off.* \n\n*As he saw his team backing out, he would cast an air spell that would increase his speed. As his body glowed white, it quickly faded out and he backed out with his team.* \n\n*'This is going go be tough. How are we going to take them on?' He thought to himself. 'We __are__ going to finish this quest.. Right?' He had a confused look but might as well regroup and make up a plan. There has to be another way to approach them. He sighed and followed his team.*\n\n```Tempest Rush Casted, 15 Mana Used, 76 Mana Left. 76/120 ```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Upon entering and seeing the people inside, Yukine raised an eyebrow and blinked a few times with a little confusion. They were certainly not like the guards the group had killed before entering the temple. She analyzed what each was like before she started to think. The team was at a disadvantage compared to the elves, and it wouldn't be a good idea to fight them.\n\nSeeing the rest of the group walking away and retreating, Yukine could do nothing but follow them. She was still holding the spear she had taken from one of the guards outside, her right hand resting on her forehead for a moment. She would look at the others, a sigh of relief and concern coming out of her mouth.\n\n\"We killed those people... For nothing?\" She whispered.\n\n*'But what a waste, if I had known it would be so, I would not have killed that man. Even more that way...'* She thought for a moment while looking at the spear on her hand. *'I didn't realize if our target was right there... Where can they have hidden it? There must still be some way to solve this without much trouble.'*\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 119.5/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The pollaxe wielder would seem to lean forward. He would suddenly blurt out:*\n\n\"Wait, to get into the temple, they must have gotten past the guards. They probably killed them, didn't they??!!\"\n\n*He would level his pollaxe and yell, beginning to charge at the group with no clear target in mind. The swordsman would yell:*\n\n\"Landen, no!\"\n\n*The two mages seemed to be caught off guard, and the crossbowman jumps to attention, not sure which target to aim at.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "As Sirdan retreated, the thought of how to fight his way out crossed his mind. He probably should get the crossbowman first. He is the biggest threat and could take out one of the lesser armoured people on his t-\n\n*SHIT!* \n\n\"**FALL!**\" Sirdan incanted, conjuring a force blast in his lower right arm. His legs stopped moving backward, instead, his right leg lunged forth, propelling Sirdan to the **Northeast**. If he was allowed to continue to run, he would probably cross Kenpachi's front and end up some 4 - 6 metre northeast of where he was. \n\nFor a brief moment, he put his kite shield to his back, launching the force blast off toward Landen, aiming above his centre of gravity at his chest, hoping to knock him off balance and onto the ground. Then, his kite shield returned to his side. He reckoned that by keeping his shield to his left, facing the crossbowman, combined with the stone skin and natural armour he has, he could probably survive and avoid being injured by the crossbowman's arbalest.\n\nWith the party outmatched, Sirdan thought there was only one way to win this fight...\n\nPick on the weakest members of the enemy party first, abandoning his comrades to fight them off for now. He hoped to put the swordman and the knight in a catch-22 - try to save their comrade and leave Landen in a three versus one after being downed, or chase after Sirdan while he attempt to take down the mage and crossbowman." }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```Sirdan regenerate 5 mana and spent 10 this turn. He casts Force Blast. 105 / 140 Mana. Buffs: Fleet Foot +5 m/s (2 turns left), Stone Skin (3 turns left)```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Huh—\"\n\n*She heard the pollaxe wielder yell, charging towards the group with a look of righteous hatred; judging from their reaction, it seemed as if not even his allies expected this to happen. A hasty decision, but this time it was the enemy who made a mistake. She would have to capitalize on it if they wanted to get out of this place alive.*\n\n*'No time to think. At times like this, let your instincts take over...'*\n\n*In what looked to be an instant, the girl clapped her palms together, whispering an incantation unintelligible to all but the members of the party standing closest to her. Seconds later, thousands of sunlight-colored runes appeared in front of Akaise, initially starting out in the rough shape of a shield before quickly expanding to cover the rest of the wizard's body. From afar, her skin appeared to have a slight, sunlight-yellow glow.*\n\n**\"Arcane Armor.\"**\n\n*A spell crafted by the young wizard herself. The 8-millimeter layer of defensive runes it had just summoned over its caster had the durability of tough, dense cortical bone. The properties of this material were magically altered even further, giving it a level of ductility comparable to wrought iron. It was much less likely to fracture, yet a powerful blunt impact would surely be able to circumvent the magical layer without much trouble.*\n\n*Akaise remembered watching that guard die in front of her... She had already killed today, and now it looked like she was going to have to do it again. She would be having a more active role in this fight; after all, of her party, she was the strongest. Keep their strongest busy... That was what she had to do. As soon as the spell's casting had finished, Akaise stepped to the right, starting to charge towards the swordsman. Although her expression was kept hidden by her visor, the girl's eyes kept a cold, determined resolve, almost confident that she would not lose this fight. There was no point in thinking otherwise.*\n\n*As soon as the enemy got within her range of four meters, Akaise's body jerked back as the two tentacles on her left side shot forward. Both were aimed towards her enemy's right hand, in an attempt to wrap around his wrist and immobilize his blade with their crushing grip. With her right hand, she moved her hand towards the crossbowman and fired another Plasma Shot, aiming for the enemy's massive crossbow. Hopefully the pain from the flames would prevent his hands from being able to pull the trigger. Either that, or force him to pull it. The latter risked someone getting hit... No, she couldn't let that happen.*\n\n*So in order to get the crossbowman — and perhaps even the two mages — to focus on her before she fired her shot, she let out a monstrous scream; echoing and reverberating around the large marble room, it rivaled that of a powerful beast. The roar of such a beast was used to intimidate the other beasts into submission... Hopefully that would do the trick. Waiting for just a brief moment, she fired her shot at the crossbowman only a few seconds afterwards, once she had successfully — or unsuccessfully — captured his attention.*\n\n```Akaise casts Arcane Armor. -30 mana. 50/80 mana left.\nAkaise casts Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 45/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 48.5/80 mana left.```" } ]

[ { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "'The pollaxe wielder is already attacking?!'\n\nHe would ready himself, pulling out his katana on his right hand, leaving his left hand free. He stayed careful from the crossbowman, he knew that the heavy crossbow could easily injure him with one accurate shot. He couldn't do anything else than use his ranged spells, it would be foolish to attack them head on. After Akaise shot her spell from before, he would hold his left hand out, and the air would spiral into his palm, forming a little cyclone. A moment later, he aimed his palm towards the crossbowman's neck, hoping to distract and add more damage with Akaise's spell. As the conical projectile launched from his hand, he would take out his dagger with his left hand, now having all of his weapons equipped.\n\n'Hopefully that shot proved effective. I have got to take out those two mages, they might prove to be an even worse threat. Two mages together would equal a large amount of spells.'\n\nAs he stood their, keeping his calm, a loud screech would be heard. He looked around to see where it came from and he would see Akaise. He would shake his head, trying to endure the abnormally loud voice.\n\n'That sound came out of her?!'\n\n```7 Mana Regained, Gale Missile Casted, 15 Mana Used, 73 Mana Left. 73/120. Tempest Rush +5/ms (2 Turns Left)```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine continued to retreat with the rest of her group, thinking that they had to fight the guards for nothing, and still would not earn any money for it. *'What a waste-'* Her thought would be interrupted by the yell of the man who was now running towards them, her eyes glancing quickly at him and then at the other elves. *'Shit, now we need to fight that guy?!'* She thought and stopped walking, turning towards the man charging at them. She would hold the spear firmly with both hands and position herself in a more defensive way. He would definitely be a problem, as would the person with the crossbow.\n\nFor now, the best that Yukine could do was to wait for the result of Akaise's attack on the man charging at them. She fixed her eyes on the crossbowman, cold eyes, red as blood. No one in the group could be hit by it, otherwise it would be a major disadvantage for the group, and could even cause their defeat.\n\nHearing Akaise's scream was uncomfortable, but Yukine already had something in mind about the reason for the scream. She was going to use her left hand to take the dagger that Sirdan had given her earlier and hold it. All she could do was wait until the right moment to attack came. To depend on others was a horrible thing for Yukine, but she had no other option, each of them had their disadvantages and advantages. It was better to depend on the strongest to keep from dying. And, of course, get stronger.\n\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana Remaining: 123/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The force blast catches the charging man square in the chest, stopping him in his tracks and almost knocking him over, had he not stepped back and used his pollaxe for balance. He's not used to being hit with such spell, so it would take a while for him to maintain his balance. Seeing his bloodthirsty comrade charge in, he would yell.*\n\n\"Landen you blundering idiot!\"\n\n*He can't say any more though, as he sees the two arcane tendrils shooting for his sword wrist. The silver haired elf would gracefully step to the side and attempt to slice them, only to find that his sword would simply glance off the hardened tentacles. His facial expression is that of shock, then of annoyance.*\n\n\"Oh, you've got to be kidding me...\"\n\n*It seems like there was no way for him to take the mage head on. Fortunately, he sees the red eyed woman and the ronin. He decides that they'll be much easier to take down, especially without much armor, and begins to move towards her and Kenpachi.*\n\n*The crossbowman would rush forward behind the statue, the granite shielding him from the spells. It's close though, as the fireball singes the tips of his long hair. He wouldn't move out afterward, in fear of getting hit, which would put him out of commission, and also ruin his hair even more.*\n\n\"Oh shit! My hair!\"\n\n*Mage one (male) and mage two (female) would step out from behind the stone statues. Their hands would glow red and blue respectively, mage 1 aiming for Akaise and mage 2 aiming for Sirdan. A massive fireball would hurtle towards the young mage, while scalding oil would be launched at Sirdan.*\n\n```Fire mage casts Flaming bale!\nWater mage casts Scalding oil blast!\nLanden is knocked off balance!```" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan kept his attention to his left, expecting the crossbowman to shoot at him. He saw the mage's hand - not knowing what spell it is, but it is a spell for sure. He shifted his shield slightly to block the spell, as it impacted him. A bit of the oil splashed around the shield, Sirdan's stone skin thanksfully insulating the impact a bit.*\n\n*With the swordman to his right, he felt a direct charge at Mage 1 would lead to him getting intercepted. Instead, he turned around, still charging forward - but leftward now, sword concealed by his shield.*\n\n*He ran northward, aiming for the crossbowman. If he reaches his square in time, Sirdan would exposes his shield for a split second, before his arming sword came out from behind, with a thrust directly aimed at the crossbowman's throat / head*\n\n```\nSirdan regenerate 5 mana this turn. 110 / 140 Mana. Buffs: Fleet Foot +5 m/s (1 turns left), Stone Skin (2 turns left). Velocity: Probably 5 - 6 m/s at a jog? \n```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Yukine's eyes glanced in the direction of the swordsman who was now approaching her and Kenpachi. *'How annoying.'* She thought and fixed her eyes on the enemy before moving closer to Kenpachi, holding the spear with her right hand. If the man got closer to both of them, she would use the spear in her favor and try to find some point where she could stab him with the tip of the spear.\n\nIf he attacked Yukine and Kenpachi, she would just walk away so that she could wait for the right moment when she could make an attack with a greater chance of success. Yukine sought to analyze the man for the chances that she, or Kenpachi, could kill him or put him out of the game. For now, she waited to see if her attack would be successful, or if Kenpachi would use any skill against the swordsman.\n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 126.5/130```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*As her magical tendrils missed the swordsman's wrist, Akaise noticed something rather important to her left. The glowing hand of the mage behind the statue was red, most likely casting a standard spell from the school of Conflagration... Amateur. Realizing that she had little time to try and sidestep such an attack, she instead decided to use a different way to prevent herself from getting hit. Quickly, she pulled her two left tendrils back after her attack had been avoided; however, instead of letting them return to their original position, she instead had them try and latch onto the waist of the pollaxe-wielder who had almost lost his balance. One tendril at her right side would also have the task of grabbing onto the pole part of his pollaxe to try and immobilize it, most likely achieving it quicker due to its closer proximity to her enemy. If this was successful, Akaise would pull the pollaxe user to the right, blocking the path of the mage's Flaming Bale. Immediately after, she would try to turn Landen around so that the flaming projectile would hit his front rather than his back, although this was not exactly necessary to her plan of using him as a human shield. Either way, she would use her right hand to also fire her own Plasma Shot at the pollaxe wielder, as well as use her left hand shield to guard from the Flaming Bale in case her plan did not work as she intended it to. If this was successful, he would be hit from both sides by the two conflagration spells. A devastating attack, although the enemy was still wearing a full set of armor.*\n\n*After the mage's shot had landed, Akaise's last tendril would latch onto Landen's waist as well. With the might of all four of her Arcane Tendrils, she hurled Landen towards the granite statue that Mage One was behind in an attempt to cause him to smash into it.*\n\n```Akaise casts Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 43.5/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 47/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*He would sigh.* \n\n*'Damn. Here we again.'*\n\n*As the swordsman approached, he would be defensive, considering his armor is not effective in this situation. He would stand their, a moment later, a dark malevolent aura would surround his right body, the feint purple glow faded out in a matter of seconds as he finished his casting. He would wait until the swordsman would attack, then he'll make his move.* \n\n*'I'll waste a little bit of my spell but I'll make sure I can protect Yukine and myself.'* \n\n\"Come at me.\" \n\n*He wasn't in a position to taunt at his enemies and make them more annoyed but it was two against one. He hoped that Yukine and his self would support each other. He was taunting by using his dagger to make a 'come here' motion.*\n\n```Mind Wraith Casted, 15 Mana Used, 58 Mana Left. 58/120. Tempest Rush +5/ms (1 Turn Left) ```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The crossbowman would end up turning around the statue, only to see Sirdan charging at him. His eyes open wide in fright.*\n\n\"Oh shit!\"\n\n*The elf would run as fast as he could, holding his heavy crossbow similarly to an awkward rifle, or not well, but still fast enough to keep distance between the two, despite Sirdan closing in.*\n\n*The pollaxe would end up being too slippery for Akaise to get a grip, but she is able to pull him into both spells and yeet him into the granite. However, he seems to ignore the blaze, his armor now burning with orange and purple flame. After the slam, the statue would crack, but the knight would get right back up with no problem, and proceed to stab at the nearby tentacles.*\n\n*The swordsman would see Kenpachi begin to glow with a dark aura, and would stop in front of him.*\n\n\"A dark magic user. Evil like you needs to be purged.\"\n\n*He would level his shield up at Kenpachi, approaching like a tank, waiting for Kenpachi to make the first move.*\n\n*The two mages would step back, such that they would catch Sirdan in between them. Their hands would glow as they fire the same spells before at the steppe elf.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan heard a loud crash. \n\n*Hope not ally. \n\nFuck. Two aiming.\n\nRun. Forward. Breath. Steady. Good.*\n\nHe ran forward between the two statues, cutting off the line of sight of the two mage, barely \"Dodging\" Their spells in time. He continued on his original war path, turning left to take cover behind the statue. The sudden change in velocity probably limited his speed at the moment.\n\nHe has learnt his lesson - he need a human shield to prevent being pincered between the two mage's deadly spells. \n\nAs he turned left, his legs glowed in red again, once again keeping up his supernaturally fast speed. He needs to get one of them. Before he run out of magical energy... \n\nA plan. He must attack them from range. \n\nThe form of a pilum formed in his lower right arm. Sirdan peered to his left and right. He can only block one attack. Fuck.\n\n```\nSirdan casts Fleet Foot, renewing its duration. Sirdan casts Greater Arming with (1x Heavy Pilum, steel pyramidal head, 2.1m long, 0.8m shank, 2.2kg, ashwood shaft.) Buffs: Stone Skin (1 Turns Left). Fleet Foot +5 m/s (1 turns left). Mana: 110 + 5 - 15 - 15 = 85 / 140\n```" } ]

[ { "author": "felplume", "message": "Will respond once I get on PC\n\nAm currently at grandma's house\n\nWhen will the juice happen" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "Correction:\n```\nSirdan casts Fleet Foot, renewing its duration. Sirdan casts Greater Arming with (1x Heavy Pilum, steel pyramidal head, 2.1m long, 0.8m shank, 2.2kg, ashwood shaft.) Buffs: Stone Skin (1 Turns Left). Fleet Foot +5 m/s (3 turns left). Mana: 110 + 5 - 15 - 15 = 85 / 140\n```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Enemy slammed into granite statue, nothing happened. Not good. If he was that tough, the others wouldn't do anything to him... Looks like she would need to keep him distracted for just a bit longer.*\n\n*Pulling her tentacles back for a moment, Akaise took a short glance at the statues. Sirdan was surrounded. Would he be okay?*\n\n*She has to help...*\n\n*...No, he's strong enough to handle it himself. Focus on the frontline.*\n\n*Or maybe, just maybe, she could do both at the same time... But how?*\n\n\"**Come!** Avenge your fallen allies,\" *The wizard spoke towards Landen as she looked to her right, confirming the position of the swordsman. As he was facing Kenpachi and Yukine, she would be just at the edge of his peripheral vision. The weapons of the other two weren't sufficient against someone with that kind of armor; she would have to intervene. Toggling One with the Breeze and making it much more difficult for the swordsman to notice her, her two right tentacles would attempt to wrap around his waist, sliding upwards so that they would go up to his armpits and prevent him from moving his arms down. If this was successful, Akaise would jump 5m horizontally to the northeast, using her tentacles to whip around the swordsman towards the southeast brazier as if he was a pillar or the trunk of a tree.*\n\n*It was good that the two mages were focusing their eyes on Sirdan; if she was stealthy enough, they wouldn't be able to detect her. Landing gracefully southeast of the flaming brazier, she would try to stealthily approach the water mage (Mage 2) from behind, removing her tentacles from the swordsman and using the cracking sound of the brazier's fire to disguise her footsteps. If she got within melee range, the wizard would try and perform a chokehold on the mage, her right arm in front and her left shield arm behind their neck. With her Slugger perk, this hold would be done with an effective 9 Strength. Though since she had never learned to fight effectively without magic and instead improvised the move, it would be done using improper form; the wizard was now in a stiff, unstable stance, prone to falling if attacked. If the mage detected her, she would rush in and attempt to perform the hold anyway, hoping to catch them by surprise before they could react. Her heater shield would be in a slightly awkward position, although it did help in preventing the mage from being able to cast a spell behind themselves.*\n\n*If successful, she would continue to hold the mage as if they were a hostage, using one of her tentacles to fire a Plasma Shot at the back of the swordsman's left knee (if they were still facing south, or at the swordsman's helmet if they were facing her). Using her abilities to threaten two — no, three — enemies at the same time, taking away threat from her allies... It would be a shame that she would never be able to tell anyone about this. All in all, these consecutive actions would take about ten seconds in total, with a preparation time of about five seconds. Although her mind wasn't yet capable of analyzing several opponents at the same time, she did have quite a talent for thinking on her feet, and instead taking her foes into account in quick succession.*\n\n\"If you don't want this woman to die, please lay down your arms. We don't want to hurt anyone,\" *Akaise said in a calm yet firm voice, speaking to the whole battlefield. She felt horrible, lying through her teeth like this... But to protect her allies, it had to be done.*\n\n```Akaise casts Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 42/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 45.5/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"If you say so.\" \n\n*He scoffed at the swordsman's response.*\n\n*'Evil? Pfffft.'* \n\n*As he saw Sirdan fighting his ass off, he had to contribute too, he couldn't stand there, letting his teammates do all the work and become dead weight. Thanks to Akaise for firing her shot, it would give him a better chance of taking this swordsman out.* \n\n*'I need Yukine's help for this attack to work..'*\n\n*Kenpachi would want the swordsman's attention, to bait him in.* \n\n\"Oh you think I'm evil? Tough talk from the hypocritical bastard.\" *He would chuckle.* \n\n*'Hopefully that would get his attention.'*\n\n*He wanted to keep the swordsman busy so Yukine can come and finish him. To make his attack aggressive, his hand that held his katana would glow blue and it would vanish after a second. After he casted, he would swing his strengthened katana towards his opponent's sword and then thrust his dagger towards his face. If he blocked it, it was fine, Yukine would finish the job.* \n\n\"Yukine, charge him!\"\n\n```7 Mana Regained, Empowered Strike Casted, 5 Mana Used, 60 Mana Left. 60/120. Mind Wraith (1 Turn Left) ```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Pffttt!\"\n\nYukine chuckled on hearing the guy's comment about Kenpachi. He certainly had no evil in it. Upon hearing Kenpachi give the signal to attack, the woman knew that this could be a successful moment. Yukine tucked the dagger in her belt and held the spear in both hands, aiming the tip towards the man's exposed face. \n```Yukine regenerated 3.5 Mana - Mana remaining: 130/130```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Sirdan would be right in front of the prisoner, who seems to have been shaven bald, except for some tiny specks of silver hair. A red normal tattoo could also be seen on the side of his face. He would be in a steel cage, with a visible lock.*\n\n*Meanwhile, the crossbowman would run away from Sirdan. Against a guy with a shield, he doesn't stand a chance. He positions himself so that he's close enough to one of the statues for cover. He would see the lightly armored ronin, and would take aim, and fire at his torso.*\n\n*As it is wide open area, Akaise's racial trait does absolutely nothing. The swordsman easily notices her, but doesn't sidestep the tentacles. Instead, he extends his shield such that the tendrils are forced to wrap around the shield as well. Unfortunately for Akaise, due to conservation of momentum, she wouldn't end at her optimal position. This also sends the shielded man flying into Kenpachi, the wooden barrier easily blocks the katana, and the dagger end up getting stuck inside the shield. The man's momentum would cause him to keep going, pushing Kenpachi back. Kenpachi's knife is now stuck, with a crossbow bolt hurtling towards him. What's even worse is that the man simply moves his shield to block the spear stab, which also gets stuck. The glowing blade would stab at Kenpachi as well.*\n\n*Meanwhile, the pollaxe wielder would simply move to protect the mage, and goes for a stab at the young mage.*\n\n*Mage 1 and two move up again, only to see that Sirdan has a ranged weapon now. They immediately fire a spell, a stream of fire being launched as well as another blast of oil.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*The worst outcome. As expected.*\n\nAs the spell in their hands charged up, Sirdan knew there's no way to block them all. \n\nA stone-hard exterior formed over his skin, as if 1cm of granite were layered over it. \n\nSirdan glanced and saw a massive fireblast to his left, flying at him with menacing intent. No choice. \n\nHe ducked underneath his shield closing his eyes, the stream of fire splashing pass and settin- \n\nA massive splash of scalding oil on his face and arms, soaking into his aketon, flowing down his breasatplate, along his hardened stone skin. Rage. Fear, heat, it all overwhelmed him.\n\nHis shield became a flaming mess, the rawhide facing catching on fire. The heat hasn't reached his arm, yet. Still have time. Yes. Now. Quick. \n\nHe opened his eyes the moment the attack finished. \n\nWith a coarse, loud, thunderous voice, and a flaming shield in his hand, Sirdan screamed.\n\n**\"FUCK YOU!\"** The elf turned left rapidly, rotating his entire hip, leg and body in one smooth, enraged motion, putting both his supernatural strength and speed into the throw. The pilum were unleashed from his hand, flying rapidly (for a heavy pilum) toward the Mage mere two meters away's chest. \n\n``` \nBuffs: Stone Skin (4 Turns Left). Fleet Foot +5 m/s (2 turns left). Mana: 85 - 15 + 5 = 65 / 140\n```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*'Oh. He spotted me. Guess I can't do that anymore.'*\n\n*Instead of whipping around the swordsman like she intended to earlier, Akaise would just stay where she was last turn, not jumping or moving from her previous position. This would also mean that the swordsman would also stay in place, being latched onto by one of her tentacles. What she wanted to do wouldn't have worked if the swordsman spotted her, after all. She'd have to do something else.*\n\n*Thus, instead of continuing with her plan, two of Akaise's tentacles would also wrap around the swordsman. Two around the legs. Switching her full attention to the enemy right in front of her, the last tentacle would violently swing towards the head of the pollaxe wielder, with its great mass and effective strength. Helmet wasn't bolted. Blunt attacks should be effective. She blocked the pollaxe stab with her shield and took a few steps back, although the pollaxe wielder would be at her position as of the previous turn instead of the position on the map if he was targetting her. Not paying attention to the swordsman. She wouldn't be able to, after all. Her mind was occupied and all of her tentacles were in use. Maybe with fate changed as it is, her allies would be able to do something different, though the arbalest would still be a problem.*\n\n```Plasma Shot was cancelled before it could be casted and spend mana. +5 mana. 50.5/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 54/80 mana left.```" } ]

[ { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*The end was near. For him at least. He saw his life flash before his eyes. The swordsman was going to stab him and the coward that carried the crossbow shot at him. He swore to kill that low life, if it was the last thing he would do. It was inevitable. He back stepped, hoping he would take a little less damage from the shot. Though he didn't lose hope, at the last second, he tried using his arm to block the arrow. At least it was a better trade than to hit a forearm instead of organs. The arrow had flew and it would strike his forearm. He tried to hold the pain inside and endure.* \n\n**\"YOU FUCKING COWARD!!\"** \n\n*Although he wanted to say more, he had to move out of the way of the swordsman's attack. In order to regain retribution, he had to survive until he could get his hands on that crossbowman. Oh how much pain he wanted to inflict on him. The anger, the rage, the pain. It mixed horribly, like alcohol and depressing emotions. Now's not the time to be a fucking crybaby. It was time to strike.* \n\n*'I swear. I swear. I will get my vengeance.'*\n\n\"Yukine, try to attack him from different angles-.\" \n\n*His voice would cut off as he grunted. The pain was strong and his breathing was heavy. It was only his forearm but he tried to endure it. In this situation, he couldn't use his left arm. In the fear of making the injury worse, since Sirdan is far away and was busy, he had to buy some time until he could get healed. He would try to snap out of it and cast a spell that would make him swift. As the white glow appeared it would vanish in a matter of seconds. He would also toggle his 'One with the Breeze' racial trait. Making him fast and blurry. As he ran towards the low life, he knew that it would take him long to reload and shoot his crossbow.* \n\n**\"THIS IS MY RETRIBUTION, YOU LOWLIFE!\"**\n\n*His voice was loud and menacing. As he moved northwest (10m) and when he approached in front of him, he would thrust the sword into his face.*\n\n*If the attack did hit or not, he would quickly move behind his back (3m) and kick him, his purpose, to push him down to the ground and cut off his head.* \n\n```Tempest Rush Casted, 15 Mana Used, 45 Mana Left. 45/120. Tempest Rush (3 Turns)```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "Looking at Kenpachi out of the corner of her eye, Yukine could see the scene of him being hit by the arrow that the crossbowman had aimed at him while the swordsman attacked him. Although they were cowards because they did this, they worked as a team, something that perhaps the group has not been doing so well since they arrived. Her red eyes turned to the swordsman, her hands gripping the spear tighter and pulling it out of the shield. Taking advantage of Akaise holding the man, Yukine tried to hit him again with the spear towards his face, specifically right in the middle of his face. Yukine wanted to see that scene. The tip of the spear penetrating and tearing his skin, blood dripping from his face, the suffering he would feel. After all, that mission was already leaving her without patience, which was something difficult to make Yukine feel.\n\n*'Die!'*\n\nIf the attack was not a success and the man somehow dodged the attack she had made, Yukine would move behind him, her left hand taking the dagger from her belt and positioning herself aggressively with it. If she needed to protect herself from his attack, she would use the spear for that. She was going to use that moment of distraction from him to analyze the man and see if she had any 'loopholes' that she could take advantage of to attack him.\n\nYukine felt sorry for the pain that Kenpachi must be feeling, it was certainly unbearable. But when she saw him move towards the crossbowman, she would look at him for a moment and return her attention to the swordsman. Anger... Hate... Those were the only things she felt when she abandoned the people she loved most. Ah, how funny people were. Nor does she know why she remembered something like that in the middle of a fight. Perhaps she saw a part of her in Kenpachi at that time, but other than him, she was not able to take revenge on the person who hurt her. At least he had that chance." }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Sirdan would be able to tank the Scalding Oil, the granite protecting his skin. The pilum would soar through the air and lodge itself in mage 1's chest, piercing his heart and instantly killing him. He lets out a dying scream, as mage 2 yells.*\n\n\"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!\"\n\n*Mage two would then launch another Scalding Oil Blast at the elf, then would begin to back away, frozen in fear.*\n\n*Akaise's tentacles would be able to wrap around the swordsman's legs, but he had other plans. His right metallic shin guard glows bright white, and a sudden crack of electricity renders that tendril useless.*\n\n*Meanwhile, the pollaxe guy simply draws back his weapon and stabs the tentacle using the pollaxe spike, right before the weapon crackling with electricity, creating a deep dent inside the tentacle. It would flicker slightly, seemingly weaker, and drop to the floor, paralyzed.*\n\n*Kenpachi would be struck by the bolt, his arm pierced by the powerful bolt. Fortunately his armor limits some of the damage. He would easily be able to reach the crossbowman, who would be attempting to use a magic windlass to reload his weapon. He would look up only to see an angry air Macen charging at him.*\n\n\"Fuck!\"\n\n*He falls over, preventing his face from being skewered. He's kicked over, but is able to use the crossbow to block the overhand blow. It's obvious that he's weaker though.*\n\n\"My hair! It's touching the floor!\"\n\n*The swordsman would respond.*\n\n\"Balar, stop worrying about your fucking hair! We're fighting for our lives here!\"\n\n*The shield would be moved to block Yukine's spear jab, but he wouldn't be able to move it to block any dagger stabs. He moves his right hand out of the paralyzed tentacle, and levels his sword at the Kitsune vampire.*\n\n\"I would not want to be struck by this blade.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*As Sirdan finished the throw, and the figure before him fell instantly, he knew his attack has succeeded. Time to handle the other target..\n\nHe felt a splash on oil on his back and legs, the stone skin thanksfully blocking them off before it could transmit too much heat.*\n\n*He turned toward the mage. He wanted to take him down right now.*\n\n*With his lower left arm, he cast force blast - he wanted to use war dart against his leg, but hitting his center of mass was much, much easier. He aimed it at the mage's upper chest, shooting as his leg jolted forward, charging at the man in a furious, quick rush, bolstered by his supernatural speed.*\n\n*If the man was knocked down, Sirdan stopped his charge just short of him, lowering himself and making a right-to-left diagonal cut into his head.*\n\n*If he didn't, he would perform a downward, right to left diagonal cut toward the man's head or neck. If the mage wasn't knocked down, Sirdan would keep charging, not halting so that even if the cut was avoided, the mage would be rammed down by him onto the ground.* \n\n```\nBuffs: Stone Skin (3 Turns Left). Fleet Foot +5 m/s (1 turns left). Mana: 65 - 10 + 5 = 60 / 140\n```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*He has a fulmination spell. Not good. Her one tentacle there was paralyzed. Looks like she picked the wrong shield for this battle... Metal conducts the spell, after all. She'd need wood to be able to block the effects of such a spell from reaching her. This kind of spell counters her tentacles... That was what her father warned her, long ago.*\n\n*She had to get away, but the weight of her tentacle on the floor would prevent her from moving past 4 meters. She backstepped, aiming to avoid any of the pollaxe guy's further attacks with her still-conductive shield, before realizing something; She still had two good tentacles, latching onto the swordsman. If she could use them in such a way that would prevent her from being harmed by Landen...*\n\n*Akaise used her tentacle to yank the swordsman's ankle, pulling herself a bit further backwards due to conservation of momentum and putting him off balance (though not pulling with enough force to make him fall). Once that was done, with her two tentacles she would attempt to hurl the swordsman at into the pollaxe wielder at a high velocity. Seems like she would need some time to get all four of her tentacles back in the game, after two of them had been disabled.*\n\n```Akaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 57.5/80 mana left.```" }, { "author": "Yukine Masako", "message": "\"Fall in, I'm waiting.\"\n\nYukine looked at the swordsman with a smirk on her lips. She seemed to be mocking him in some way. Pulling the spear with her right hand, Yukine would firmly hold the dagger with her left hand, moving her body so that she could try to hit the man's face with the blade. It was a risk. But she tried to seize the moment when he had just defended himself from the spear. Yukine knew she could be hit by the sword, but when she saw Akaise attacking him again, she took advantage of the moment when he was distracted.\n\nIf it was not a success, Yukine would move away from him, trying not to be hit by the sword he was holding. Thus, she would let Akaise continue with what she was doing." }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "\"Balar? What a lovely name.\"\n\n*A wicked grin formed on his face as he kicked the crossbow away from him. He would sit on his stomach, his legs on his side, pinning him down. He didn't want him to get away. It was his kill and he wanted blood.* \n\n\"Your time has come, bastard.\" \n\n*As he gripped it where it would looke like the curved blade would be aiming out. He would take his time and he would thrust the blade into his forehead. If it hit or if it didn't he would keep thrusting it in and out. Making sure he felt satisfied when he was done with him. If Balar tried to block with his arms, Kenpachi would try to didmember him by slashinng and slashing until this 'Balar' was completely dead.* \n\n\"Not so tough without your crossbow, huh?\" \n\n*He would let out an evil and wicked laugh. His mind was set to this one purpose. It felt corrupted and dark.. Hopefully he can get a hold of himself..* \n\n*'This feels too good. I can't kill a man in cold blood..*'\n\n*He knew that this was wrong but after all.. It was Balar's fault for shooting him..* \n\n*'No! I can't! I have to stop!'* \n\n*He had mixed personalities, his mind was unclear and it seemed like a bad headache.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Sirdan's force blast easily knocks the frail mage over, and the blade easily cuts into the man's head, killing him instantly. Both mages were dead.*\n\n*Kenpachi effortlessly kicks the crossbow away, and is able to do whatever he does to the Balar. He's dead now, indefinitely.*\n\n*Yukine though, would suffer one of the worst injuries. As she rushes in with the dagger, the swordsman raises his blade, and his sword glows an array of colors, blue, white and gold, crackling with electricity as well. He then swings it at Yukine's reckless stab easily chopping off her entire hand, leaving only a stump where the hand was. Not only that, but the current on the sword paralyzes the disabled arm. Yukine was in trouble now.*\n\n*Akaise's tentacles though, would be able to drag the man's leg. She would be able to move him a signifcant distance, her three tentacles combined sending him into the pollaxe man. Landen would had been advancing, his weapon held high, but is knocked back once his friend is yeeted into him. The swordsman gets quite banged up by the impact, but the other gets right back up. He soon sees though, that his friend is gone.*\n\n\"Fuck!\"" }, { "author": "bruna_mars", "message": "I will never forgive you, zed" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Oh Yukine lost her hand" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan turned to the right. His lower left arm unstrapped his burning shield, and his actual right arm took up his warhammer. His left arm gripped it from below, using it two handed as he rushed at the two disabled man merely three meters away. \n\nHis lower right arm cast force blast, aimed at Landen's lower leg to knock him onto the ground. Aimed below his centre of balance, it would probably land him on his face, where he cannot swing his pollaxe effectively. Or for that matter, defend against Sirdan's attack.\n\nIf Landen is hit by the force blast, he would the hammer hard from above, after climbing on top of the man, casting pink steel strike as a pink glow surrounded his arm and weapon, before crashing the hammer down on Landen's head.\n\nIf not, he would sidestep to the left and attack the swordman, again casting empowered strike. \n\n```\nBuffs: Stone Skin (2 Turns Left). Fleet Foot Expired. Mana: 60 - 5 + 5 - 10 = 50 / 140\n```" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "```7 Mana Regained, 52 Mana Left. 52/120. Tempest Rush (2 Turns Left)```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*No mercy. Not anymore. She seemed to have lost it a long time ago.*\n\n*Akaise removed her visor, it audibly clanging as it hit the marble floor. The typical signs of life looked as if they had vanished from her empty eyes. She definitely didn't look the same as she did before entering the temple. Walking towards the downed swordsman yet making sure to not get too close, she used two of her tentacles to immobilize his wrists. Her visor off, the wizard gazed into his eyes for a moment before firing a Plasma Shot between them. With her upper right tentacle, she also knocked over the brazier so its flaming contents would also fall onto the swordsman's face.*\n\n*Releasing her grip from the swordsman, the wizard glanced towards Landen, who was right next to him. After Sirdan's Force Blast and attack, she would proceed to slam her four tentacles onto Landen repeatedly, not stopping until the marble floor underneath gave way and the pollaxe wielder was pummeled fully into the ground. The girl seemed rather silent as opposed to before, staring blankly towards the pollaxe wielder as she beat him mercilessly with her bronze tentacles, not caring if he was dead or alive; as opposed to the others, the wizard's breathing was eerily calm.*\n\n```Akaise casts Plasma Shot. -5 mana. 52.5/80 mana left.\nAkaise regenerates 3.5 mana. 56/80 mana left.```" } ]

[ { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*As his blade slid out of Balar's flesh, he would look at his dead opponent. He would sigh and look at his katana's blade and back at Balar.* \n\n\"My blade has tasted better.\" \n\n*As he turned around, he would immediately see Yukine's hand getting chopped off and the swordsman flying into his teammate. He looked around, seeing that there were 4 of us still alive but some injured and 2 of them left. The odds are looking good. Though Yukine is probably unable to fight, her hand just got chopped off. Then it is 3 to 2. He would make his way towards his teammates that were fighting.* \n\n*'Seems like they won't need my help.. But I'll at least help a little bit.'*\n\n*He would steady his breathing and then pull down his mask. He would gasp when he tried moving his left forearm, that still had the arrow in it. As he jogged east (10m), he would be 2 meters in front of the swordsman. As he sheathed his weapon, he would hold out his hand and the air around him would helix into his palm. It formed a tiny cyclone and a moment later, it would launch. The same spell as before. He too would shoot his projectile into the downed swordsman. It was aimed towards his groin. Oh the humanity!* \n\n*'I admit, that was not honorable.'* \n\n*He would step in closer (1m) and take out his katana again, going for the last strike. As his hand glowed bright blue, his katana had been strengthened and the light from his hands would reflect onto the blade. He would thrust his blade already bloodied blade into the swordsman's face.*\n\n```Gale Missile and Empowered Strike Casted, 20 Mana Used, 32 Left. 32/120. Tempest Rush (1 Turn Left)```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Landen would fall, needless to say, and his helmet would take a mighty blow. He doesn't seem out of commission yet.*\n\n*The combination of his arms being restrained and Kenpachi's stab end up killing the swordsman, with a violet flame on his face. Eventually, the beatdown from Akaise's tentacles wreaks havoc on Landen, who, after a long time of getting smacked, collapses, dead from the sheer amount of blunt force he's taken.*\n\n*They were now free to free the man in the cage. He would be shaven bald, with specks of silver hair. He had a normal red tattoo on, not glowing. He was pale, but not what one would expect of a vampire.*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "*The swordsman also vanishes.*\n\n*Teleports behind Sirdan*\n\n\"Nothing personnel kid\"" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "*Sirdan grabbed the helmet of Landen, yanking it off violently, looking at the bruised, bleeding face below. Satisfied he is dead, he threw the helmet to the side, and then walked toward the cage.*\n\n*Sirdan placed the hammer on his belt, panting as he calmed down from the rage that overtook him, and then looked at the remains of his burning shield, dropped right next to Mage 2's lifeless corpse.*\n\n*He stared at the prisoner, shaking his head. He didn't recall the description of the hostage well, and backed off into a pillar - the pillar where he was blasted by oil and fire earlier, and then dropped down onto the ground, staring at the prisoner with a blank expression on his face.*\n\n*The elf's breath was steady and deliberate, sign that his supernatural endurance was not close to running out yet, but it seems his mental state was a whole another different matter.*\n\n\"Hey. You there... You can speak, right?\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The man would look up. Beads of sweat would be on his brow, his voice shaky.*\n\n\"Y-Yes, I can speak.\"\n\n*His voice does seem odd though, a bit higher pitched than one night expect from a Macen man.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "\"Good. How did you end up held hostage here?\" *Sirdan seems to have recovered some of his nerves - however temporarily, and then stood up, walking over to Mage 1's dead body, trying to pull out the pilum.\n\nAs his fingers wrapped around the pilum, it disappeared. Sirdan blinked, staring at the small hole made in his chest, and then walked back again.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I was invading a temple, similar to this one. Holy magic easily bound me, and rendered me useless. I was then bound and taken here.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*After making sure that Landen would not get up again, Akaise walked up to the prisoner's cage, inspecting his facial features. The wizard had forgot most of the employer's description, except for a few choice words... Vampire, with glowing tattoo. He didn't seem to have the second, and it was uncertain whether he was the first. Though he did say he was bound by holy magic... They'd have to do a little more talking before deciding what to do.*\n\n\"...What's the tattoo for,\" *She said with a cold voice. If he wasn't the right one after all, she would have to kill him. Nobody could know what they did today.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Uhh..\"\n\n*The man looks unprepared for this question.*\n\n\"As a marking for our cult.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*The elf followed up with his own question, sitting down in front of the pillar again.*\n\n\"...Let's see. Do you reckon you are important enough for your cult master to have hired four adventurers to cut through the temple and get you out of here?\"\n\n*Sirdan looked around the temples, trying to see if there's any other entrances or exits.*" }, { "author": "Kenpachi Xeno", "message": "*Kenpachi sat down, listening to the conversation Sirdan and Akaise made with the fire macen. He set his blade down, in front of him and relaxed. He sighed, knowing that they were finally done. There were bloodshed and tough challenges to overcome, just to rescue this macen.* \n\n*'Sirdan is right. Is he __that__ important we had go through that amount of hardship?'*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"...The tattoo. *Does it do anything else?*\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"I-I think I am, at least. The tattoo doesn't do anything else.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"*Right.* Is there anyone else held captive here? We aren't leaving until we get everyone out.\"\n\n*She's lying. He definitely wasn't the right one. The tattoo was a dead giveaway... Its magic inscription made it glow, but this tattoo was not glowing at all.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan shook his head, and then paced around the back of the temple. It appears this is the only one here.*\n\n*He paced around, the scent of burnt wood and blood permeating his senses, looking at every nooks of the temple. Surely there must be someone else held here?*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "\"Oops wrong temple, I told you to go to the other one\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Sirdan would notice that one piece of a wall was not quite right, in the northeast section. It would shimmer ever so slightly, but it would.*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Don't tell me you saw it ans\n\nThe one with the red outline" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan walked to the top right corner, blinking at it. He felt a bit... Afraid of such a shimmering thing.*\n\n*He backed off, and then remembered his comrades was wounded. He would proceed to cast healing touch on them and reattach their wounds. After tending to his comrade, he would head over to Akaise.*\n\n\"That wall to the northeast doesn't look right.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Hold on, I'll head over.\"\n\n*Akaise walked towards Sirdan before seeing what he was talking about. The wall... It didn't seem real, with those shimmers. Almost like a mirage.*\n\n\"Huh... You're right. Should I push it?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Too dangerous.\"\n\n*Sirdan thought about cast war dart. But the idea there might be a hostage behind him was very very uncomfortable.*\n\n\"I'd cast a dart, but if I hit the hostage in the face that would be troublesome. Cast your uhh... Fireball with an angle so it hit a wall and stop behind - if there's anything behind it.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Positioning herself at a sufficient angle from the strange section of the wall, the wizard fired her Plasma Shot, hoping to discover whether it was fake or not. Shimmering and sparkling like that...*\n\n\"It could be an illusive wall... Only one way to find out.\"" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*As soon as the fireball hits the shimmering wall, it disappears. Behind it would be an iron cage, held in place by a small padlock. Inside said cage would be a man. Long, black, unshaven hair, and a red, unnatural tattoo, glowing ever so slightly. Around his mouth was an iron muzzle, and his hands were bound by iron caps and chains. Iron spheres were connected to his feet by chains. They all would have padlocks though, which would allow the man to move if they were broken.*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "The quest is already cursed" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan walked over to the hostage, looking at the man. Muzzled and bounded. Must be a mage.* \n\n\"...Muzzled and bounded you huh. They must've thought you were a mage.\" \n\n*He turned toward Akaise,*\"I might need your help in freeing this man.\"\n\n*If Akaise walked by him, he'd whisper,\"See if he is a powerful mage. I am afraid of them.\"*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Sirdan is afraid of powerful mages" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The man in the other cage would whisper.*\n\n\"Shit...\"" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "*As the elf whispered to Akaise while she walked by, Sirdan's unintentional slight to her magical capabilities was apparently enough to bring her back to her original mood.*\n\n\"Hey! I am a powerful mage too, you know...\"\n\n*As she didn't have Arcane Sense, the only thing she could do was make sure to keep him protected as he attempted to free the hostage. The wizard casted Arcane Armor on herself, leaning close beside Sirdan as her tentacles curled slightly around him, ready to guard from any magical attack at a moment's notice but making sure to not restrict the elf's movements for this last job.*\n\n\"Try and break the padlocks around him. Don't worry... I'll keep you safe.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan giggled as Akaise made her reply, smiling back at her as he turned back to the mage. The reply also brought him out of his bloodlust - temporarily, and back to the business oriented attitude earlier.*\n\n\"Right. Give me a moment.\" \n\n*Sirdan looked at the new warhammer he bought. Would be a shame if it broke. He cast stone skin on himself, and then carefully aligned the padlock, using the hammer to break them down carefully - realigning them to avoid hitting the mage, himself, or the floor.*\n\n*He glanced at the man everytime a lock is broken, observing his eyes keenly.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The man's red eyes would look back at him. He looked quite confident for someone who was bound, or in general for that matter. Once his chains were loosened, he would shake them off, and begin to stretch, letting out a groan.*\n\n\"Oh, it's been a while since I've been able to move! Nearly half a year! Thank you, adventurers. I presume a woman in a mask sent you?\"\n\n*He would smile, seemingly thankful, then look at his fake.*\n\n\"Ah, clever! Tried to make you take back the wrong person eh?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"...Half a year huh? I am not sure what crime you were guilty of, but that is not treatment befitting a proper prisoner unless you tried to blast them with oil at every turn, eh?\" \n\n*He stood up, looking back at the \"Fake\" Hostage.*\n\n\"I don't know why they would chain a fake hostage unless they knew ahead of time we were coming, however.\"\n\n*Sirdan grew a bit suspicious about the circumstances they found themselves in.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Ah, blasting oil. Funny.\"\n\n\"As for the fake hostage. It's obvious they want to keep me hidden from the world. They'll do anything in their power to prevent me from coming back into the light.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"Hm... To go through such lengths to prevent the real hostage from being taken... It would have been much easier to create a fake corpse. Though if we brought back the fake, our employer would probably have known. She did describe to us in full detail what you looked like, after all. Didn't include 'handsome' anywhere in the description, if you're asking,\" *Akaise joked. A soft smile appeared momentarily on the wizard's face, though she knew what they still had to do later. If they heard their names, the fake couldn't be left alive.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"I wonder how much they've chained up the fake for. But it certainly isn't a comfortable position. If the fake knew any better, they might've stopped us by unchaining him and having him join the fight..\"\n\n*Sirdan commented as he turned toward the fake, walking next to him and kneeling down.*\n\n\"So, who are you?\" *He asked, staring at the fake carefully.*" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Did I just have Akaise say that\n\nTo someone who is already a father" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The fake would simply be backed into the corner, in fear upon seeing the vampire exit the cage.*\n\n\"Ah, a sense of humor. That will get you far in life. As for this man...\"\n\n*The vampire would walk over to the caged elf, who has now backed into the corner in fear. His hand glows red, and so does his tattoo. A crimson war dart of red energy would appear in his hand, and would be easily thrown into the elf's neck.*\n\n\"He's a member of the temple, most likely. Tried painting a tattoo using berries. Didn't shave him well.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan jumped a bit in surprise as a dart of red energy moved toward the elf's neck. Dead for sure.*\n\n\"Hmph...\"\n\n*Well, he has been spared the dishonour of murdering more than one captive in cold blood today. He glanced at the other member of his party. Especially Akaise, and then himself.*\n\n\"My shield's burnt, my clothes are stained with blood and so is my sword. I'll need to wash these off. I'm interested in my employer, but I am sure if I were to ask, I would be obliged to divulge my own identity - so perhaps I shall not impose that question on you.\" \n\n*Sirdan said as he kneeled down next to Landen's body, examining his corpse and armour.*\n\n\"A shame, our employer want to claim the loot for herself.\"" }, { "author": "felplume", "message": "Especially at akaise" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Ah, yes. I feel like that armor won't sell for much at all. It's all beat up, burned. Better for the employer's use. I personally wouldn't try to fight her for it. Just leave it, and you'll get plenty to buy some of your own.\"\n\n*The man would let out a yawn.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Upon hearing what Sirdan had said about himself, Akaise took a look back at her own armor; it wasn't so much covered in blood as covered in ash and other flame residue. If not for the flame magic, one could say that it was almost clean; after all, none of her attacks involved cutting, or drawing blood. The wizard looked back at Landen's corpse before realizing what she had done just a few moments earlier.*\n\n\"Yes... A shame... I... Uh...\"\n\n*Akaise immediately looked away, placing a hand to her forehead. Did... Did she do that?*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Hmm. With magic and a good hammer, I could see this armour being good... But this man's too much of a shortie for me.\" \n\n\"So, shall we return and trust the cleanup to you? I imagine the guards from nearby town and a garrison will be here in a day or three.\" *He said, and then paced around the battlefield. He looked at the burnt up kite shield, and then picked it up. Then, he looked around for any other possibly incriminating evidence left here. Satisfied there's none, he would return with the kite shield in his hand.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "\"Ah, don't worry about that. Let's head out, shall we?\"\n\n*The man would then begin to lazily walk out, almost as if he expected them to follow.*" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan naturally followed, and then pulled Akaise asides - if she didn't refuse, that is.\n\n\"After this is over, we should have a bit of a talk. As for the other two - I don't have much of a liking to them.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Akaise dispelled her tentacles, causing the thousands of runes comprising them to flicker slightly before vanishing completely. She walked out of the temple, the others most likely following the escaped vampire mage. He... Reminded her of someone she knew. His personality, his mannerisms... The mage was quite similar to someone the girl once held dear. The young wizard gazed down for a moment, a small tear escaping from her eye. She would be pulled aside a few seconds later, a bit worried about what Sirdan was saying.*\n\n\"A... Talk? Sure... Should we stay behind, then?\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"No, we should get our rewards before going our separate way - we'll talk afterward. I would rather not reveal our identity like that... Idiot we has the misfortune of fighting together with.\" \n\n*He went back to following the vampire mage to take their reward.*" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The woman would be waiting outside the temple. 4 bags of gold would be held and distributed.*\n\n\"Excellent job. We'll take care of the rest.\"\n\n*A snap of her fingers, and several more figures come out. They seem to be mages as well.*\n\n\"Best to take your leave now.\"\n\n```Quest complete. 20 gold awarded to each person. 4 UP awarded to Sirdan and Akaise, 3 UP awarded to Yukine and Kenpachi. Reduction was due to suboptimal actions.```" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Akaise would take a bag of gold, silently nodding in response to her employer. Reflecting on what had happened earlier, the wizard realized something. She... Wasn't able to spare anyone. Everyone was dead, just like what the employer said would happen. She killed three innocent people in cold blood, all without managing to save at least one. It wasn't a success... It was an utter failure. On her way to the nearest town, as she realized this Akaise stopped in her tracks. She could only ignore it for so long.*\n\n\"I.. Why did it have to be like this...\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "\"Of course.\" \n\n\"One do wonder why they don't send those mage in.\" *He said,*\"Perhaps the temple has some sort of warding magic that stopped vampires.\" *He stopped himself as Akaise stopped, realizing something,*\"Akaise, we should have our weapons cleaned before we head to the nearest town, he said as he took along his courser,*\"In fact, it might not be the best idea to head to the nearest town - we should take a detour to this one instead..\"\n\n*Sirdan was still in his mood of escaping from his crime, rather than confessing his crime... For now.*" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Akaise looked back up at Sirdan, almost startled at how he had changed the subject that quickly. It was something that would have to be unpacked later, although it would become increasingly difficult for her to pretend as if nothing had happened. She had never killed innocent people before. It wasn't exactly justified in self defense, either.* \"I suppose it *Would* Be pretty suspicious for us to head back there like this... You lead the way.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "*Sirdan headed along a less trodden path to a nearby river. A bend that was very slow flowing., perfect for washing object without losing them. He untied his breastplate and then washed it, and did the same for his armour, and then his sword. As he washed his weapons and armour, he would start to chat.*\n\n\"In my whole life of adventuring and fighting, I've killed and wounded plenty - but this is the first day I've had to kill an innocent man. And the first day in my life I've came so close to death.\" \n\n\"I prided myself on always winning a fight, always sparing my enemy if I can. It is fair business, you know, if both man were hired to fight eachother, and one of them injured the other such that the other die. That is the way of the world..\"\n\n\"But to execute a captive... The look on the guard's face. It haunts me.\" \n\nSirdan said as his hands brushed across the breastplate, cleaning off the blood stains from the mage earlier.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "*Following Sirdan to the river, Akaise would begin to remove her magical gauntlets, causing them to disappear from her hands. Then, she would move to the armor on her arms, removing the leather straps and untying the attachments. As they fell in the grass, the vambraces and rerebraces disappeared in turn.*\n\n\"If I ever had to kill others so that I may live, the best way to respect their lives was to make sure to live as long as I can... My father had told me something like that, when he was alive.\"\n\n\"Still, if I could, I'd prefer nobody to have to die like that. To spend the last moments of your life in fear... To be killed, not by any fault of your own, but because of just one little mistake? It must have been a horrible feeling...\"\n\n*Unfortunately, the vambraces and rerebraces were as far as she could go. Only the arm section of her plate armor was summoned, after all. She would have to deal with the rest when she got into town. The high elves weren't accepting of Macen, but her subspecies was the most similar to the former in looks. She hoped that would be enough to get by.*\n\n\"I guess the right thing to do now is to make sure those kinds of mistakes could never happen again... Yet even that's impossible. To change the actions of others.\"\n\n*As she could not make it disappear or store it in her backpack, she would not be able to remove her cuirass. There weren't any visible bloodstains, most likely due to the wizard only using blunt and fire attacks during combat. When she had finished taking off her armor, she retrieved her waterskin and took a long drink, emptying the goatskin receptacle of the water inside. There wasn't much left, anyway.*\n\n\"All of the things we had to do... All of the suffering we caused... Those actions are just the reason why we're still alive, instead of them.\"\n\n\"If we had let them live... Would things have been worse for us? The guards revealing our names to the authorities... I wonder if we could have still prevented that. Without an execution.\"" }, { "author": "Sirdan", "message": "Sirdan moved a bit as he hears the sounds of armour dropping behind him, but focused on the breastplate in front of him instead. He place it besides him, and then walked over to his horse, retrieving a somewhat dirty towel to wipe it dry.\n\n\"It was dreadful. The man knew what I will do. He looked away from me in fear, and pleaded for his life, saying he has a family. I beheaded him. All because one man on our side blurted out our names five time.\"\n\n\"And guess what that suckling did? Cheer for it like he was playing some sort of game. With my name out loud.. I don't think I can ever forgive him. I could hate him forever, but I cannot do the same for myself. The sword and the arms that swung it, however, is mine..\"\n\nHe let out a sigh, and then tried to put the armour back on.\n\n\"Can you help me with my armour?\" He asked.\n\nRegardless of whether she helped or not, Sirdan would continue after putting the breastplate on. After washing his clothes and drying them off, he stood up.\n\"I have someone in Salvainia to go back to - I cannot afford to have my identity know. I pray I won't meet that Kenpachi person again... And the other one. Yukine, was it. I fear the day such an idiot will drunkenly blurt out what we did. Throughout the whole fight, I sense a childish innocence in him. He feels like a child in an adult's body given command of weapons and power he should not wield. Such a person... Is dangerous.\" \n\n\"There's no way we can reveal it... Well, I could've spared them. That might work. But you know, our employer is shady, I fear she would use the fact they know our names against us - our employer didn't know our names either.\" \n\n\"Now... Are you headed to a nearby town? I am actually a member of a guild of adventurers in Salvainia. Maybe I could refer you to join in with me - I also know a good ship to take to Salvainia.\"" }, { "author": "Akaise Zelkashen", "message": "\"I suppose it would only be right for you to hate him... He didn't even say sorry when it was all over. I can't afford to hold more hate in my heart, though. There's only so much I can take... No matter how horrible it is, eventually I have to ignore some of it. I don't know what I would do otherwise.\"\n\n*Nodding, Akaise took a few steps closer to the river, moving over to help Sirdan in donning his armor by tying up all of the straps at the back. However, due to the difference in their heights, such that her head only reached up to his shoulder, she would have to stand on her tip toes in order to reach the higher parts of the armor.*\n\n\"About our employer. Despite all the things we had to do for that group, we don't know anything about them. I don't like not knowing whether you're fighting on the right side... Guess that's just part of the job. Though my armor makes me look rather intimidating, I... Haven't been doing this for very long, I admit.\"\n\n\"Yes, though I'd rather not stay here in Silnaria much longer than I have to. They really don't like my kind, do they... I guess I can kind of disguise myself as an elf, as long as I wear my hood and cover my ears,\" *Akaise replied, conveniently forgetting that elves are tall.* \n\n\"Hm? A guild of adventurers...\"\n\n*The wizard knew the largest mass of adventurers in New Salvainia was none other than the New Sunlight Guild. She had been considering joining for a while... Cheap room and board, as well as other services all in exchange for one gold piece. Though her style of fighting was vastly different compared to other mages, perhaps she could learn something from them. After all, there were still many in the world who knew things about magic that she did not. Sirdan was rather kind... She had not known of such things before, but perhaps this was what it meant to have a comrade.*\n\n\"Could I... Go with you there?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*Kibaru would travel through the forest, sniffing out his next hunt*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*Through the same wooden road was a taller individual. It was roaming the area in the search of something. Or someone. The step it took were deep, heavy and dense, shaking the ground nearby its path.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*As he continued to walk around, he would hear the fpotstep and decided to investigate, but doing so steathly, trying not to be noticed*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*The step heard would be followed by the sound of iron shackles dangling from the belt. The heavy breathing of its mouth was almost as loud as its footstep. Clearly it had no problems with being heard. It was almost as if it wanted to be spotted by all living things around it... It'd stop for a brief instant, turning around to glances over the woods. It thought to have heard something, but discarded its attention after a few second. Probably some errand animal running bye.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He would observe as he got closer, merely satisfying his curiosity*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*Upon closer look, the spying man could witness that the roaming creature was nothing less then a Brayer. A strange looking one actually. Didn't have any fur over it's body, a white flesh exposed to the light of day. Its head was perhaps even more strange, as it was skinless. The bone was naked, the pale shade of its skin similar in tone.*\n\n*It was perhaps quite difficult to understand that this particular minotaur was a female, as it was similar in size with a male of the corresponding specie. It also had massive claws at the tip of it's finger, quite strange for her kin. Perhaps a mutation of some sort?. Nothing was sure with such a quick look at the monster.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He would then speak out loud without noticing from being in thought* \"Quite a horrifying creature, looks prety strong though\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*Upon hearing the subtle claim, the brawler quickly ceased its advance. It would wait and turn around in the general direction of the sound. It didn't know exactly where to look, but watched carefully around the bushes. Claws grew longer from what was already exposed. They were probably long enough to empale someone of regular size by the look of it. The bones structure on its knuckles were also quite impressive to witness... Hardly believable that this was a brayer..*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"How do it... I did it again, didn't I?\" *He would jump out of a tree, now getting a true measure of the size. His most niticible feature was his bright blue tails swirling around, making it hard to tell that there was 4*\n\n*His clothes looked a little teared up and his Mark's marking glowed a faint blue* \"Hey there stranger... Sorry for spying, it's a habit\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*The brayer stared down at the smaller humanoid, observing it from head to toes. He was rather special looking in general. Yet, most okamimi were after-all. Unless he was something completely different. Some sort of mutant perhaps? Well it didn't really made much difference.*\n\n**For how long have you spied me fox man?**\n\n*Her voice was quite dry and almost masculine sounding. Probably the effect of all these muscle pilled against one another.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"I prefer wolf man if you would\" *He said turning his head at it for a bit* \"Maybe like a minute or two\" *He seemed to be q bit confused*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*The brayer would chuckle slightly, the voice still as heavy sounding as previously.*\n\n**Hard to make a clear difference between your kind tailed one. Say, what do you do within these wood i wonder. Searching for something?**\n\n*In her mind, she'd keep wondering on how valuable this particulars specie could be sold for under the market of Pinnacelian. Probably a few gold coin or something like that. Not often did you find such a creature over a leash.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Some prey\" *He was still on guard, but he seemed very curious of this creature in front of him* \"Or entertainment, seems I found the ladder\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**It does seem that way yes.**\n\n*She begging to approach the man. Creeping toward him as her slow and methodic footstep crushed the dirt under her. The many scar over her arm seemed both old and new, quite deep looking upon closer glance.*\n\n**From where do you come from wolf man?**" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"He would place one hand on his katana, but not as a threat, but more as a statement that he was on guard, as any one would be with a giant aprouching them* \"Not far off from here and you?\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**A few days from here, but it's quicker with a boat.**\n\n*A pleasuring face rested over her as she witnessed the new position of the man. It was charming to see him on his guard when facing her. Yet it wasn't much of her intention, even though she liked it. She'd stop advancing, pulling back her massive sword like claws back in her skin. A sign that she didn't wished to cause any problem. For now at least..*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*And He now rest his hand on his hilt, not having in his grip anymore* \"Oh, where o ever kid my manners, I go by Okami, well with the mask anyway\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**I am Niurgä, i arrived a few days ago under... Working circumstance. I do not expect to stay in this land for much longer.**\n\n*The Brayer stood still as she spoke, keeping a distance that was respectable for both side. She still had the idea of catching him in some way. Could be slightly seen by the position of her hand resting over her belt where some shackle were attached. She had sold captured people for a living since her youngest age, couldn't blame her for naturally seeing others as potential profit.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*His tails would be wagging a bit* \"Hope you're not part of any law enforcement\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*She laughed in response to the rather comical statements. Her a law enforcer? Idiocy, she was of the scrubbiest of criminal you could even find near these coast. Yet she also had some honour when working under mercenary contract. This was actually the reason she was here in the first place this time. A man had hired her service to win a pit fight in the underground arena. It was rather unfair from the start but still finished the job. Now she was simply looking around, potentially bringing a slave as trophy.*\n\n**I am far from being one of those baboon**" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"So a criminal them, which those...\" *He said, thinking of something a bit different from what was going on*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**Well i never said that now. Simply stated that i was not one those. Nothing else and nothing more.**\n\n*It was rather clear that she had no ordinary job. Her appearance certainly didn't help to think otherwise too. The thick layers or damage scourging across her skin and clothes simply screamed the word \"Danger\". Yet for all he wolf man knew, she could simply be a sailor or even a hunter for the mater.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well you look like you might be able to put up a good enough fight, but what are you doing here?\" *He asked as his tails wagged some more*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**Simply looking for some... Opportunity.**\n\n*She was still debating over the decision of trying to capture him or not. The temptation was quite nice but didn't necessarily had the capability to bring back the good over the island. But people would most likely pay a good amount for him.. A rough choices it was...*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*His ears then twitched a bit and he remained silent as a twig snapped a bit away from them*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*The giant locked over, distracted by the disturbing sound. She was attracted to those type of things unconsciously. A natural reflex some would say. She'd observe from her position, trying to see what caused the noise.*\n\n**You have company wolf man?**" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"No, game's to small\" *He replied after sniffing a few times, but it seems he had forgotten his mask was on*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*She'd shrug the statement and watched over the sky. Sun was starting to get down about now. Better it would be for her to get going as she still wished to come back to her island sooner then later. She'd probably find another of exotic man around anyway. She'd then begin her walk towards the bay.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He noticed her move and followed as he was still a bit curious* \"So, what exactly are you?\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*She'd continue walking down her own path, not bothering to turn around. If the man wished to follow her, then so be it. She had no problem with him nor was he causing anything that would annoy her. At least right now, for he could change attitude quickly. She didn't know him well after all.*\n\n**I'm a Brayer. What else could i be.**" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"You just looked kind of odd, so I assumed you were some sort of sub race\" *He stated walking a bit faster so he could observe her better from the side*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**We just got lucky with our gene pool i presume. We have minors changes and that is all.**\n\n*Her paste stayed the same, although her size made her step slightly larger then the other men who needed to walk faster as a result of it. The mention of \"We\" Was new. Was she referring to someone similar to her?*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "*He would mind walking faster, but he did lean in closer a bit to look at her scars trying to identify the cause behind each one* \"We?\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**I have a brother, a twin who inherited more in shape to our father. Same size but less bulky. He's probably as, if not more, stronger then me and got other things which vary from my physic.**" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"The only thing me and mine have in common is basically parents\" *He would then move a bit faster to get a better view from the front*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "*What the men would witness from the front is nothing more then a white flesh marked by the scars of many stories. Few seemed to be from blades and poking object like a lance or something. Some other had a wider range, probably coming from whip or even beast claws and fangs. Other part who reached deeper where probably made from spells and the like.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"It seems like you have a few stories to shar\" *He stated trying to see just how many he could identify individually. It seems he was to curious to even care about her attacking anymore*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**I do yes, but i prefer telling them once him home.**\n\n*She'd state this, open to tell the said stories, for she did had many. But sharing them on unknown ground without food nor any resting location was quite displeasing. She preferred to be amongst her kin, somewhere she trusted.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Where's that?\" *He asked happy that she was willing to tell tale*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**Panacelian confederacy.**\n\n*This place, although welcoming, still hosted a large community based over slave marketing as well as pirate organization. This might have given a clue to what the brayer before him was, or the origin of her wounds.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Pretty dangerous place, going to go fight there or something?\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**I live there.**\n\n*She'd eye down the man as she said it. Almost surprised that he hadn't catch that information already. Maybe he was suspicious of her words, which she wouldn't blame with her look. But in general, anyone could guest that with her mercenary vibes surrounding her. The chains and shackles around her belt was one clear warning*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Well not really the best of places to live\" *He was just not one to assume the worst to quickly*" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**Not really the best place for weak.**\n\n*Her words seemed to be aimed at correcting the statement of the men. It was mostly a different point of viewing the place, as both statement was true in some way. If someone preferred a life of luxury and riches, Panacelian wasn't the place for you. It suited mostly people who did wanted to live freely from society and in a simple way. An old way of living...*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"Good thing I'm not weak, but I'm not stupid either. I prefer the deep forests\"" }, { "author": "Niurga The Hairless", "message": "**Sure little lad.**\n\n*The forest was a nice habitat in her opinion. Lots of colours, trees, good variety of fauna and flora overall. Which was always good for building a home. One man alone could form a well made system that provide him all of his need. Yet the brayer preferred to live amongst other, in a more open area. A beach or a even a stationary boat was more then perfect for her needs.*" }, { "author": "b.r.i.t.z", "message": "\"There is also no one bothering me or what I do\"" } ]

[ { "author": "unwrd.", "message": "*( \" I am no coward to back way .. \" - WTF MY BRAIN.. LIKE HELLO?? 11 pm clearly isn't the writing time for me )*\n\n*( Correction to: \" I am no coward to run away ... \" )*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Did you *Truly* Not know what your kind is capable of?\" The dark beast stared at Sylvar inquisitively, keeping his guard up. \"But of course; an empire built upon centuries of deceit and abuse would be keen on covering this mistakes.\" Genuine hatred oozed in his words, but even then he had the conscience that attacking the high elf would be pointless. No, his targets were far more sinister than this.\n\n\"But nobody can run from their mistakes forever. What they left in the middle of nowhere and thought as another failure will come back to haunt them.\" His expression turned far more unhinged, an almost sadistic grin shaping on the edges or his lips. \"What wretched sorcery they infused into me cannot be undone. No matter how damaged this armor gets, it will always grow back- it is no less than part of me now.\"\n\nThe beast admitted, ominous glimmers of crimson flowing through his aberrant carapace as if blood vessels ran through it. \"There is no absolution you can offer me. Save it for those that need it. Only seek to help me if you have the resolve to strike down your own people. If not, there is nothing more you can do but sit idly by and watch.\"" }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*' Did __you__ truly not know what your kind is capable of? ' It seemed as if the beast could see straight through his impassive countenance, those emotional walls that were already breaking down, straight into the truth within. Thus, Sylvar said did nothing, said nothing, refusing to speak into existence what the beastkin was urging him to admit, and instead focused on his breathing: the too-close-for-comfort distance between them cutting off his access to air. His heart was pounding, and his throat was squeezed with resentment, a clear explanation of which he could not yet find.*\n\n***\" You don't— Surely you've— \"*** *His skin blanched paler at the crazed smile that plastered upon the beast's face, but he scrambled to gather his words again.* ***\" Surely you've found a c—cure? \"*** *He grimaced after a pause, sighed and pulled his body back a breathable distance.* ***\" So that's it? You'll accept that your cursed existence is the one you'll remain with for the rest of your life, and continue to kill my people? It makes you no better than we—than __they__ are. And I think both of us know that cannot change a regime, a society, through singular killings for the rest of your life. \"***\n\n*And then the beast's skin seemed to glow as it spoke, the words slowing the blood in Sylvar's veins. Strike down his own people? This was murder he was trying to insinuate. Sylvar chewed on his lip in anguish, panic rising like steam through a vent, and he fell back into an intense silence. Surely the end justified the means? And they were killers, weren't they? He gripped his palms upon his upper arms and finally spoke.* ***\" You're not changing your mind, are you? This is what you want things to be like? \"*** *He didn't really know if he wanted that question answered.* ***\" You said before that you didn't come here for me. Blood will be shed tonight, correct? \"*** *That question continually rolled over him, forcing an acute sense of guilt, the feeling of bile in his throat.*" }, { "author": "valethros", "message": "\"Silence, is it?\" The beastkin taunted, watching Sylvar's hesitation to admit how truly rotten his kind could be. \"You are simply going to remain complacent then, and believe every lie they spew?\" He pressed in, disregarding the little personal space he was leaving Sylvar with. One serpentine eye of seething crimson, the other greyish and blank, yet both seemed to stare at the elf, urging him to admit the truth laid out before his very own eyes.\n\nHowever, Sylvar's next question would only get a dark chuckle out of him. \"Even if there *Was* A cure, I would no longer pursue it. In a way, I suppose I ought to thank them- they simply made me into the monster I always was.\" A smirk flickered on the edges of his lip. There was darkness at these corners, madness that lurked right beneath the surface. Or perhaps it was only a trick of the moonlight the elf had imagined in his panic. \"Make no mistake though, I do not claim lives needlessly. Perhaps I am no less of a ruthless killer than your kind, but at least I do not mask it behind words and delusions of righteousness.\"\n\nFinally, he took a step back, the aberrant blades on his arms withdrawing back into his armour, giving Sylvar some much-needed breathing room. \"This is the only path for me to take. To live and die by the blade. Blood need only be spilled if it brings me closer to the ones I seek. Nothing more nothing less.\" He spoke, his tone absolute. The air between them had remained tense, even with no more weapons drawn, at the very least reassuring Sylvar was not among his target list... Yet." }, { "author": "Sylvar Cramorn * The Icy Musician", "message": "*Sylvar's eyes widened as the beastkin neared closer, the blood rushing faster into a roaring panic in his ears, though sensing no attack, he refused to back down from such a challenge. The fact was, both of them knew the truth that hung right before them, no matter how much he wanted to dance around it. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he envisioned the customs he was conditioned to behave in, even from such a young age: the self-imposed righteousness, the dehumanising language used by his parents, his siblings, himself towards others deemed lower, the 'accidents' that happened to household servants who stepped out of like, stepped out of the sanctions imposed by his own people. Sylvar's grey hued irises fell upon the beastkin's mismatched, but equally haunting ones, then drank in the masses of the carapace that made up his form.* ***\" I never tried to look—really look at how my people treated others. Turning a blind eye was what kept me alive, what prevented me from being deemed an outcast. \"*** *Sylvar's voice fell into a shuddering whisper.* ***\" Our kind rely on fear as a motive- We thrive off of the pain of others, for heaven's sake... Falling into the same sort of logic seemed reasonable, how could I not? \"***\n\n*But.*\n\n***\" But I can't make excuses for what my race did to you. They are the ones who hide behind false words. \"*** *He began, a sort of fiery twinkle behind the surface of those luminescent eyes. What was he going to say next? Would he fall into the world of mutiny, rupture his form from the slate that made up his race and become 'other'? Tentatively, Sylvar brought a hand to the nape of his neck, letting his fingertips brush the surface of his skin.* ***\" You and your people deserve justice, who am I to deny you that simple right? \"*** *It seemed like that was the nail in the coffin.* ***\" So. Where do we begin? \"*** *His voice became slick with silver song. The start of a slow descent into anarchy.*" } ]

[ { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Midday with the sun high in the sky a lone traveler takes one of less traveled sideroads in the backwaters of the nation. A beastkin bouncing a halberd off their left shoulder as they travel towards the nearest big city, new scenery with a new opportunity for work.*\n\n*Mox was quietly contemplating where he was now. Trying to remember if he had heard any rumors about the lords here in this land and any opportunity for a wandering sellsword like himself. He stopped for a few moments at the side of the road to take the time to drink from his waterskin, taking in the sights as he rests and weighs his options.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*Austin walked the towards him on the same path. He was casually swinging his sabre around like a kid. He would just take a swing at any tree branch that was growing onto the trail. When the blade would make contact with the branch it wouldn't slow down at all it would cut it like cake. He had some distance between them so it was a little hard to make out the details. But this man was completely cloaked and hooded that was certain.*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*The sound of a blade hitting wood would reach Mox before the Air Macen would come into view. The sound of steel slicing through the air putting the beastkin on guard as he looks off in the sounds direction. Halberd in hand Mox stands quietly while watching this new arrival, did they have bandits roaming the paths here or was it just someone playing around?*\n\n*Mox wasn't going to take that chance as he switches his Halberd to his off hand, the polearm now sitting on his right side, and when Austin gets closer they'll find a Canifor standing on the side of the road staring in their direction with a neutral look. A travelers cloak hung from the beastkins shoulders but it did little to hide the Brigandine armor or the sword at his belt as he openly stared at the new comer.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*He continued swinging the blade around until he caught sight of Mox looking like he was about to attack. Then using his left hand he slowly reached behind his back and grabbed his sheild. He then slipped the sheild onto his left arm. Austin then pointed his very high end sabre towards the ground as he stared at the Canifor.* \"Look man i've had a long day so trust me when i say this would not end well for you with you fuck with me.\"\n\n*He sighs still staring at Mox. His sabre was beautiful as it was lined with gold in the handle and hand basket with the remaining metal in the butt, handle and hand basket are rare black steel. The blade is a normal well polished steel. He then adjusts his stance to a dueling stance." }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox stands his ground as the newcomer goes on the defensive. The Halberd sitting in his right hand as he grinds the butt of the wood into the ground. Wordlessly the Canifor gestures to the saber with his empty left hand.* \"Dulling the blade on wood makes a threat piss poor. Crash through the underbrush and anyone would assume you're a bandit after their purse.\" *He could smell the tree sap on the blade plain as day*\n\n*Compared to the intricate design of the saber Mox's halberd was naked. Unadorned steel nicked and marred a few times sitting high and proud on the end of a solid wooden staff.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*He shakes his head.*\n\n\"Look kid how is cutting down tree branches threatening you? Also if I was a bandit one if us would be dead now. Like cmon everyone who has a sword isn't a bandit. But hey if we are maki g assumptions then I guess that because you have a halberd you must be overly confident in your ability to fight but never actually experienced one. So put away your oversized spear and move along I have a mushroom I wanna find.\"\n\n*His stance was the same and his gaze was careless. If anything he was annoyed that some random guy just stopped him for no reason at all.*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox snorted, his whiskers twitching in amusement. He could never tell the age of Mecan when he came across them so who knows. They may be older..*\n\n*The halberd had been pointing to the sky the entire. Mox shifting it to his left hand to lean the pole against his shoulder.* \"Sure let's go with that. Big old weird looking spear.\" *The vulpine's stance didnt change much. One ear shifting towards a few birds taking flight before they promptly turn around and start walking. Ending the conversation with a flick of the tail that kicks up dust.* \"Have fun with the mushroom hunt.\"" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*He sheaths his saber on his belt as he walks by. Austin also takes a second to remove his shield as well putting it on his back under his cloak.*\n\n\"That's what I thought buddy. And thanks and good luck being a sell sword.\"\n\n*While his hand is still behind his back he clips his bow off his strap just in case in he decides to come back.*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox just grunts as he keeps walking. Austin catching up to him would be able to see a few scars breaking up his fur pelt whenever his armor and clothes didnt cover. His cloak open as he continues to hold his halberd against one shoulder.* \"You know if you're just looking for mushrooms they're usually found in forests.\" *He speaks aloud as he points off to their left towards the trees lining the road.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*Austin wheels around to look him again.*\n\n\"This may blow your mind but some mushrooms grow terrestrial. This means they don't grow in forests but in this environment we are in right now. I know blow boggling. It's ok if you take a second to think about it because I know the definition of terrestrial is a hard concept to grasp apparently.\"\n\n*Austin snickered at his comment toward Mox. He proceeded the snap his bow on and unsheath his saber. He took a second holding his jewel of a sword then walked over to a nearby log and cut a small red mushroom off with his saber. He brought it up and held it.*\n\n\"Exhibit A of those mushrooms growing in the forest you mentioned.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox stops dead in his tracks as the Macen steps up to him with a mushroom to shove in his face. At this range Austin could see the canifor's hackles twitch in annoyance, showing just a hairs breath of fang for a second as his path is blocked. His earrings give a soft melody as his ears fold back for a second before going straight up at full attention again when he reigns in his anger.* \"I don't remember asking.\" *He answers calmly as he takes the mushroom from Austin and goes around him to continue walking. Staring at it for a moment.* \"Is this edible or are you giving me a poison I can use for my knives.\"" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*Austin was visibly getting mad at him now and the hand holding his blade could be white knuckling as he tightened his grip.*\n\n\"Jesus Christ you have the mentality of a four year old. I wasn't answering a question I was making a point. But to answer your other question about the mushroom. This is a Turncoat mushroom. If you eat it raw it will kill you. First you would throw up normally then throw up blood. Then in the next 24 hours you would die while experiencing terrible stomach pains. But if you cook it until all the red on the mushroom turns white you will have yourself a lovely ingredient or a delicious snack. Putting it on your knives wouldn't really change anything as it is only toxic if consumed raw. Rumor has it that the mushroom's properties were figured out when a man tried to kill his wife by cooking this mushroom with a meal. When she ate it she loved the meal and it only strengthened their marriage instead of killing her.\"\n\n*He checked out the red capped mushroom while he was explaining the properties of it.*\n\n\"I plan on making a yummy meal out of it.\"" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox was still walking as Austin spoke. Holding up the mushroom again to look at it.* \"That's an awful lot of talking just to say it's used for stew. I'll stick to game for now. Less work.\" *The mushroom goes sailing over Mox's right shoulder as he tosses it back towards Austin. The Canifor didn't have to turn around to know Austin was getting annoyed. An ear had already turned sideways as it picked up the sound of that grip tightening against steel. The halberd staying at its spot resting across Mox's left shoulder as a village comes into view.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*Austin caught the mushroom with his free hand and put it into his pouch. He then sheathed his saber again*\n\n\"Maybe you should eat those mushrooms too. Besides it's less work to cook them so eat them raw. And I'm sure it would be very entertaining to watch the outcome.\"\n\n*Austin spit in his direction and turned the other way to continue to find more turncoat mushrooms and to find a nice place to cook them. He then muttered*\n\n\"Annoying furry pest\"" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox just raises his right hand as a way of saying good bye. Walking getting him clear of the spit thrown his way.* \"Word of advice. If you're looking for a fight use better insults my friend. If you arent be less antagonistic. People care more then.\" *Mox throws back over his shoulder as he enters the small town they were heading towards.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "*He stays silent. He had it with this person. He unstraps his bow and lowers while he uses his other hand to take an arrow out of the quiver on his waist. He slips the arrow in and pulls the bow back. For a second he considered just shooting the arrow straight through his head and let everyone go nuts. He then reconsidered as although he was an asshole he shouldn't kill the guy for it. He aimed the bow to left and fired the arrow. The arrow zipped by his left check only shaving a few hairs off.*\n\n\"If I was looking for a fight I would've just shot you right there. Take it as warning asshole. Say anything else and I might actually stick an arrow in your cocky head.\"\n\n*He knocked another arrow into the bow but didn't draw the string. He instead just waited for his response.*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox's ears perk as he hears an arrow notch against the bowstring. Tje near miss took more then a few guard hairs as his whiskers are nicked as it scales by.* \"Are you mad!\" *He snaps as he turns on Austin to glare at him.* \"If you arent hitting me youre firing into a village! What if you hit a child!.\"\n\n*At this point the fox is stepping towards Austin if they havent put their bow down. Caring not for their comments as this tkne he does readies his halberd for anything else this mad maven may being against him. Lowering it with his left hand at the back end of the staff with his right sitting at the middle, the blade facing them.*" }, { "author": "caliber_66", "message": "*Austin smiled. He didn't care about a child he was pretty desensitized to that and thus didn't even acknowledge it. Archery was never his strong suit but dueling was like walking to him. He defeated more then 30 enemies before with his saber. He put his bow back onto his back and then unsheathed his saber with his right hand.*\n\n\"If it's a duel you want it's a duel you shall get. Typical rules apply. We shall use the point system. We stop before we actually hurt eachother which gives said person a point. First to three wins. Now shall we dance?\"\n\n*He said this is rather hasty speed. When he finished he saluted with his saber. As he waited he quickly casted flowing footwork with his left hand which was behind his back. Austin's feet glowed pale white. As he prepared for the resulting fight. After this he took up his shield with his left hand*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "*Mox just stares in silence as he tries to process this insanity. Were all Macen this mad?* \"Risk getting myself hanged by a mob if that arrow struck someone? Do they grow your kind stupid where you came from or were you dropped on your head?\" *His hackles had raised at this point in his anger. Relaxing his stance as he lifts the halberd up again.* \"Go consume your mushrooms raw for all I care. Theres a better waste of your time.\"" } ]

[ { "author": "caliber_66", "message": "*Austin sighed.*\n\n\"Wow I actually am scaring you into submission. I mean hey you could your tail in between your legs and run if you want. Either way whether you run or fight I'd win.\"\n\n*Austin was no fool. I was acting like a cocky idiot to piss him off more. He stood his ground but lowered his defenses.*\n\n\"Hm by the sound of that town noice I'd actually think I hit a kid.\"\n\n*He knew he didn't he could see the arrow behind sticking out of a wall.*" }, { "author": "shatterdcoyote", "message": "\"I don't get payed if I get killed. Rather die fighting against actual warriors then some shit trying to goad one out of another.\" *Mox retorts as he leans his halberd back against his shoulder.* \"Go play with your mushrooms.\" *With that he turns to leave once more. Noticing the arrow stuck in the wall of one of the buildings nearby as he begins to walk off again.*" }, { "author": "Austin Bismarck", "message": "\"Having personality doesn't mean you aren't a warrior. I hate to boast but I fought four literal battles so if that doesn't qualify me then I don't know what does. Coward.\"\n\n*Austin turns around and sheaths his saber once again while putting away his shield. He looks back once again and takes a mental note of the guy. He then returns to the place where he found the first mushroom and begins to harvest some more turncoat mushrooms as Mox walks off.*" } ]

[ { "author": "Amalie", "message": "*It's around midday, the sun beams down from a cloudless sky upon an open field. Amalie — a mercenary, wearing a robust suit of brigandine, with a two-handed sword slung over her shoulder in its scabbard — is walking down a road, heading northeast toward the great city of Ulnoor.*\n\n*Her journey had been long enough to cause anyone's legs to ache, though she's used to such long travels. A gentle wind blows over the fields, causing ripples to flow over the grass.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "There was a certain weariness in tranquility, a certain tension. For Hynes, when nothing seemed out of place, everything was out of place. Hence she disliked two places above all, peaceful villas and peaceful opensides. Indeed from her own experience she knew that these placed breed brigands, raiders, muggers and so fourth a host of other terms which define 'bandit'. So it was even more unlikely that the vampire had set off at dawn break in the hope of reaching her next destination, and she had come to deeply regret it. Pressing her back against the overgrowth of timber behind her she pushed from her boots, as a means to keep her wavering body propped up. She knew her breath would still smell of the callous blood from her last hunt, yet the sour taste only served to tease her growing hunger; the mere scent acting as an appetizer. Though such lust for blood would be a fruitless endeavor, her pockets were as dry as her tongue and her last remaining collections of artificial 'liquor' had long since been consumed. *How loathsome.*\n\nArrest under the guardian of the tree she had collapsed, herself toiling inside the blackened plated armor which she dawned. The rays of sunshine still slew through the flak of the branches and met with her eyes, piercing the miniscule slits on her helmet. It was blurry for her by this point, and she could feel the tearing of her skin as it regenerated periodically, shifting between which areas had healed and which were being set ablaze by the sun. She was a fish out of the blue in this scenario, nothing on her hand beside her equipment and not even a change of clothes in her luggage. If someone attacked now she would be next to helpless, no matter what verbal abuse she would try to articulate in such offence.\n\nA flickering of footsteps hurried the attention of a passer-by to Hynes. It was simply a skip of beat, a mere instance of boots trampling on the ground and yet she was alerted to the sounds of Amalie. Soon enough, rounding a bend in a hill a few paces away she appeared.\n\nTo the distance she saw the figure, walking up and standing tall under the beam of the ever melting sun. At this distance she could not distinguish her features with her vision so blurred by the radiance of up above. What was clear was that the figure illustrated a woman, armed at that. Hynes had never been one for genuine conversation, sating her tongue as she did her sword. It was a tool like any blade, and it was not to be drawn vicariously as to attract unwanted attention. However what choice did she have, stay and rot in the sun until she becomes victim to whatever worriless soul wonders past or gathers the attention of the passing Samaritan and asks for company. Her helmet lifted slightly, just enough to clearly grab the attention of the woman, and from the clad of black armor spoke her light voice.\n\n'**You**, stop. Come here- don't be shy.'" }, { "author": "Amalie", "message": "*The sound of a voice alerted Amalie, as she turns to face the stranger — an odd stranger at that. She was at enough of a distance that the eye slits on the rim of her kettle helm would prove useless, so she tilts her head upward to reveal her face. An expression of caution slips past her stoic demeanor, as she grips the strap on her scabbard.*\n\n*At first she does not speak, deciding to stand there, analyzing the situation. But after a moment of thought, she began to slowly approach. Once she's roughly five meters away from the stranger, she speaks.*\n\n\"Is there something you need of me?\" *She says, as she removes the scabbard from her shoulder. She places a gauntleted hand at the base of her sword's handle, but does not draw it. She merely holds it at the ready, in case she needs to make a quick action.*" }, { "author": "Hynes", "message": "'Be at ease, I mean no harm traveler. I am simply impoverished, both in body and mind..'\n\nHynes had been in a more than open position, with no sense of aggression or hostility residing from her statue. Amaile had presented herself as a passing mercenary of sorts, a sells word much like her own nature; though one which probably held morals principles. Nevertheless she took note of her tenseness, citing how she kept her hand on her hilt then she was most definitely not just some naïve young village girl. Nevertheless she surely had the face one, and naturally the blood. For now however Hynes was far from motivated to have a fight over satisfying her own carnal desires; she never liked attaining her reward with no merit credible to any force other than the blade alone. It felt tame and base, as if she was just a regular cutthroat bandit. \n\nHynes continued to lay rest, her white flared bow radiating a hidden shadow adjoined by her side whilst the sight of a red coated spear lay crested in the soil several paces to from her front. The woman seemed conserved as if each breath was paced heavily and timed precariously. Her eyes had locked since they had met, but the image of the sun beaming down on them forced her to shift her gaze back down toward the grass. \n\n'My name is Hynes, who are you?'\n\nHer prosthetic hand cyphered through her luggage sat the other side from her bow on the left, gathering from within it a loaf of salt. Her arm seemed to act stiff, stopping and halting at seeming awkward paces whilst her hand articulated directly separate from her arm. From this she held the piece of bread to the direction of the lady and gestured to offer it.\n\nHer voice spoke with a perplexing tone, but every now a syllable felt wavered and forced.\n\n'Come, sit by me. The sun has risen high and so too has our temper as my skin lay swollen. Take this, eat; you must be just as impoverished as I am.'\n\nOnly how could she be so hot, and how come she still sat abreast in full blackened armor. Like this day was balmy so too did every day come and go, it was expected to be hot but not to the point where it could make you collapse. Could she be keeping the dangers of the outside world shut, or the dangers of what lay inside in." }, { "author": "Amalie", "message": "*Upon the stranger's easing words, she relaxes her grip on her sword slightly. She does not release the sword, merely slacken, loosening her hold on it. The stranger did not seem outwardly threatening, but Amalie could tell there was something off about them. Armored strangers should never be underestimated — you never know what magic they may be hiding.*\n\n*As the bread is held toward her, she remains firm in her stance, not shifting even an inch.* \"I've food of my own.\" *She says, her voice stern and unwavering.* \"And I think I'll stand.\" *It seems she's none too willing to lower her guard around this stranger, as she stands in the middle of the road.*\n\n\"We shouldn't be far from the city. A few hours travel should be enough to get there, and you might get yourself a meal.\"\n\n*Something doesn't seem right about this stranger to Amalie. To claim to be impoverished, yet offer your food to someone else. Now would not be the time to lower your guard.*" } ]

[ { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae was still tired, after that long journey she stayed in the first inn she saw, wich happened to be the cheapest one in the city. It was better to sleep in the woods than having to hear loud snoring all night.*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*Bain was tired as well. He had a long day of dealing with annoying politicians and annoying officers who had no idea what they were talking about. So as he made his way back to the inn, he didn't want to go through the lobby. So instead he climbed through the window. But it wasn't until he was halfway through the window that he realized that he was in the wrong room.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She looked through the window only to encounter someone in her way. She put her hands in her back of her head cautiously* \"So am I getting robbed again? Or are you stalking me?\" *She asked calmly.*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"Well this is awkward. My apologies but I am doing neither of those things. Now can I please come in, I am currently hanging froma second story window.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Oh sure, come in\" *She said as she relaxed a bit, but she remained alert* \"If im allowed to ask ¿¿why the heck were you climbing through my fucking window instead of using the stairs??\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*He hopped into the room and stood up straight. He was a tall being, and if she didn't notice before he was a pale oni.* \"There are annoy officers and soldiers staying here. I was simply trying to avoid.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, honestly I would've done that too, ¿but why my window?\" *Renae was trying really hard not to laugh, the hole situation was so stupid she couldn't take it seriously*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"I thought it was mine.\" *He shrugged and began to pull his jacket off. Once he did he sat in the nearest chair he could find.* \"I'm sorry for intruding but I am very tired.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, after all, an unwanted guest is still a guest. And im tired too so its fine\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*He runs a hand through his hair and looks at her with his red eyes.* \"So what is your name?\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Renae Soranus at your service\" *She did a small reverence jokingly.\nThe oni looked familiar though, maybe they had met before? Perhaps they had met at the beach, wherw she spend a lot of time*\n\n\"And what's your name?\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*Bain nodded, thinking it was only right for him to introduce himself as well. He stood and gave a deep bow.* \"The name is Bain Teram, Soldier of the Royal Military.\" *He stood up straight and meet her eyes.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"So instead of having a randlm guy in my room I have a random soldier... Nice\" *Renae looked at him back and smiled*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"If you want me to leave? I can if you want? I was only trying to get into the inn.\" *He gestures to the door.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, I was pretty bored alone in here, and even if I wanted I can't rest because of how loud is the people next door\" *She points to the wall, where the sounds of someone talking about beer can be heard*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"Then maybe we can go out? Because there doesn't seem like there's much to do in here.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Let's go then.\" *She was about to get out the room, but she stopped.*\n\" Ummm, do you wanna go through the window or the normal way?\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*He chuckled and walked to the door.* \"The door is fine..\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She opened the door, leading the way outside* \"So, where should we go?\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*Bain looked at her as they made their way down the hall.* \"Maybe somewhere to eat. Something nice.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Let's go to the restaurant then, I bet they have some delicious meat\" *Thinking about food made her hungry all of sudden*" } ]

[ { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*As they stepped into the office Bain ducked his head.* \"You lead the way.\" *He whispered.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She went ahead nodding as she went across the office. She felt a bit tense because of the feeling of having someone following her, but she tried her best to ignore it*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*As the made their way out of the lobby, one of the soldiers noticed Bain, and called him over.* \"Keep walking ignore them.\" *He said to himself.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*Renae felt the awkwardness in the room, just complete silence except for the soldier calling Bain, but he did not respond and she wouldn't judge, so she kept walking in silence*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*The men notice the woman he was with and they started to make cat call and comments. This was something he would not tolerate, so as he turned to bark at them, fangs bared, there was a loud bag. A office had silenced the room.*" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "*She had been cat called a lot of times in her wanders, but no one ever had defended her. That was strange, but she wouldn't complain.* \"Come on\" *She whispered as she reached the door to open it* \"Let's get outta here\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*Bain turned and followed her out the door and onto the street.* \"Im so sorry for that. How can I ever make it up to you.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Oh no its okay, I have been in worse situations. And it's not your fault anyway\" *She responded as she tried to remember where was that restaurant she saw earlier*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"Are you sure?\" *He was worried that she would have a different opinion of him now.* \"How about I pay for dinner.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Yes, im pretty fine. And doesen't having men cat calling me mean that im pretty or some shit?\" *How would it be his fault? It probably would have happened with or wiyhout company, that's just how the world works* \"Just don't worry aboit it, you don't have to be the one affected by something you didn't cause\"" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "\"But, fine.\" *He let out a defeated sigh.* \"But I'm still paying for dinner.\" *He offered his arm for her to take.* \"I've caused enough trouble for you as it is.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"I'm not going to convince you, aren't I? *She accepted his arm in defeat*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*He gave her the most charm in no smile he could muster.* \"So tell me where are we going to eat? I hope its somewhere nice because I've never been to this city before.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Well, I've heard there's a new restaurant near the market that suposedly has the best stew of the place\" *She looked at him in the eyes with that seriousness she only had when talking about food*" }, { "author": "Bain Teram", "message": "*He met her eyes and felt his breath get caught in his throat. Her eyes were beautiful, indescribable in their beauty. He quickly looked away and nodded.* \"Lead the way.\"" }, { "author": "shafulafu", "message": "\"Yes sir\" *She said with a warm smile. Hurrying her step to get there faster*" } ]

[ { "author": "Shuvah Yolqon", "message": "*A decade passed since the reptilian lady didn't go on a mission. Of course that when her pointy ears would've had wind of the rumours about a public execution, she couldn't have allowed this barbaric act to happen. Luckily for the condemned person, the search for her double self and her evasion from New Sunlight's dishonour lead her to Lymia, which was a stone's throw from the high elves' country.*\n*It had been so long since the winged beastkin caught even a single glimpse of any living being. Trees, birds, and of course people... She had almost forgotten everything on her road to ruin. Her already clumsy nature had then been pushed even further into carelessness, as she didn't even notice the dark canifor approaching her.*\n*And suddenly... Words! Someone was speaking to her! Shuvah hid her shocked heart with a sturdy hand. Surprise was easily read on her face thanks to her widened ruby eyes which stood out of her harmonious face.*\n\n*It was quite hard to describe her at this moment as a ridiculously large hooded shawl covered her head and her body up to the knees, however any sharpened eye would've spotted her reptilian affiliation. Her tail couldn't fully hide either, and the huge bump on her back betrayed the presence of a big weapon. Or at least that's what a stranger would've thought, even if they weren't just wrong about that statement. Her feet were singular, with steely golden talons. A pair of horns, seemingly of the same material, protruded from her hood, and an asymmetric bang as well as strands falling on her shoulders defined what seemed like a long, bordeaux red-amethyst purple haircut.*\n\n`\"Are you talking to... Me?\"` *The wyvern stammered at first.*\n*After she regained her composure, she quickly made the link between the pending event and the presence of a lurking beastkin in the area. To her, he seemed like a predator about to leap on his prey with is incredible armblades - Shuvah had never seen any mutation like that before.*\n\n*At least they had something in common. A good start.*\n`\"I never intended to quarrel with you, ssir.\"` *She finally answered while still examining the fellow beastkin.* `\"I think we are here for the exxact ssame thing, you and me.\"`\n*However, the mysterious jackal likely made his decision, and his plan. While he seemed to have listened to her, the dark assassin was already in action a few seconds later.*\n*Shuvah made a few steps toward the wall and reached a hand in the air, calling him back in a hushed voice. With ears like his, he should've probably heard her anyway.*\n`\"Wait, what are you doing? There are guards up there, they will see y-\"` *The dragoness cut short as Ashnard disappeared from her view. Even her own thermal vision couldn't spot the predator.*\n\n*For now she just stood there in confusion, looking around like a big dummy.*\n`\"... Ssir?...\"`" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*As Ashnard easily scales the wall, he would see 2 elven guards sitting atop the wall, with a few more along side it. All are wearing almain rivet and wielding arbalests.*\n\n*The smell of fish gets stronger, and both beastkin can hear an elf speak.*\n\n\"Citizens of Silnaria, today we gather here to witness the execution of an enemy of the state...\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"When they see me, it will be too late.\"** The jackal stated with a ravenous grin, glancing back at Shuvah with one flashing canine. Quickly ascending the walls, he took in a thorough look at his surroundings before fixing his attention at the nearest guard to his left. \n\nThe process was practised all too well by now. Stay low and stay silent, his footpads making no noise against the stone floor as he flanked the guard by his blind side. With a single swift motion, he brandished claws and clenched a palm over the guard's mouth. His free hand would take a sudden jab with his claws at the guard's carotid, impaling his main arteries alongside the trachea.\n\nLike so many times before, Ashnard smelled blood on his hands; the distinct coppery tang and the elven waft he savoured so much to spill. Were his assassination successful, the jackal would carefully lay the body down and brandish his bow, taking a brief gander at the scene below.\n\n```\nEviscerate cast. Total effective strength: 35. Mana unchanged```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Ashnard easily dispatches of the elven guard. The crossbow drops from his hands onto the stone wall, but it looks like it's going to fall. None of the other elven guards seem to notice.*\n\n*Meanwhile Shuvah would be able to use her talons to climb up the cracked stone wall. Dust covers them as the mortar cracks.*\n\n*Ashnard can see the elven speaker, and it appears to be a red robed figure, his face hidden behind a spiked mask. In the gallows (best thing I could find), he can see two elven guards moving along a black robed woman, who he can detect is the source of the fishy smell. She doesn't seem to be in very good condition, her eyes dull and posture limp. Her hands are shackled behind her back, and a dark cloth is tied around her mouth.*\n\n\"...For several moons, the elven citizen had to fear the horrible acts of the killer Yakaiyo Kiriyami. A witch, who must be purged from this land with fire!\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "Upon hearing the crossbow nearing the wall's edge and about to fall with its owner's death, Ashnard reacts fast, his tail wrapping around it and placing it over the bloodied corpse. Seemed like the guards were too focused upon the execution scene to pay attention into one of their own getting killed. And that would prove to be their undoing.\n\nHe felt the blood from the severed neck seep on his hand, invigorating the voracious instincts within the feral recesses of his mind. The scent of a fresh kill, the viscera oozing at his fingetips... Ashnard basked in the coppery tang, hardly resisting the urge to unleash the Beast within. *\"Not yet... Just... Few more seconds...\"* He mumbled lowly between clenched teeth, shaky arms reaching for the ornate bow on his back.\n\nAnathema. Such an aptly named tool for its purpose. A great composite bow, embellished in obsidian, a dim onyx aura permeating its arch. Its reinforced metallic arrows, heavier than any average bow could fire, made not a single noise as they pulled the string taut. Though Ashnard always favoured a more personal approach to dispatching his foes, he could not dispute the usability such a potent ranged weapon could provide. \n\nBy the time Shuvah ascended the cobbled stone wall, she would see the jackal prepare a shot on the unsuspecting guard to the south. Unbridled rancour flashed in his eyes as they turned black as pitch for a split moment. His left hand that held the bowstring taut resonated with an aberrant aura; a mixture of darkened scarlet and crackling pitch, where a pallid spectral copy of his arrow took shape underneath his original shot.\n.\n\nTwo precise movements, no hesitation. Ashnard let the first arrow fly towards the first guard, then mildly raised his bow to the second one postured atop the tower. The obsidian arrows hissed through the air in a blur of motion. The searing shock wouldn't even give them a chance to scream, aiming directly for the spot his thermal vision could see blood pulse the strongest in their necks. The sheer impact of the arrows would skewer them all the way through.\n\n***TWHACK***\n\nThe visceral noise of metal digging through flesh and bone alike followed this shallow hiss in the air, followed by a ***Thud*** As the armoured corpses collapsed immediately on the stone wall. \n\n*\"Greet the Reaper for me,\"* The jackal mumbled silently, spitting a pint of blood that got on his muzzle from the previous kill. Wasting no time, he drew another arrow from his quiver, sparing a glance at Shuvah when she was done climbing. **\"If you believe we are here for the same person, you'd better stop gawking and put your abilities to use, whatever those may be. Unless you prefer the stench of a roasted fish that *Screams*, that is.\"**\n\n```\n+50 Rage gained from melee kill. 50/100 Rage available\nEffective Strength Total: 27.5 \nMovement speed: 30 m/s\nAttack speed: 150%\nSeething Spark, Deadeye and Lethal Salvo cast\n85/100 Mana left```" } ]

[ { "author": "Shuvah Yolqon", "message": "*Her fellow was fast and seemed to have his own plan in mind, and he was already on the move.*\n\"When they see me, it will be too late.\" *She exactly understood what this sentence meant. Her body started to lightly shiver as her eyes widened in dread.*\n`\"Wait! No! Don't do that... There iss another ssolu-\"`\n*But the assassin disappeared from her sight again behind the height of the rampart. She had to stop him before something terrible would've happened. And thus, she climbed too. Thanks to her height and solid claws, the wall was nothing but a mere obstacle she overcame in two or three grips. Once she reached the top however, she faced something familiar. Death.*\n*Her reaction wasn't as brutal as the first time she witnessed someone die - that high elf mercenary in Irunia who had his head cut off by her old comrade Eyalis - but still, her mind couldn't really handle the sheer horror of such an act. Yet, she had no choice but to accept this cruel fate. The dark canifor was quick, and he was clearly talented at his morbid art. She couldn't have saved this poor soul, but at least, she could've tried to save the others. She could've saved all of them.*\n\n*Shuvah seriously glanced at the beastkin murderer after his irritating 'advice'.*\n`\"Do you really think thiss iss the ssolution? You will create a war!\"` *She reprimanded.* `\"Killing is ass horrible ass sslavery, you are playing their game... Thiss iss what they want! They want uss to act like monssterss, sso they get the right to ensslave our kind...\"`\n*The reptilian lady had no clue if that little reasoning would've had any effect on her one-time partner. Deep inside her in fact, she knew that this kind of tormented people wouldn't have listened to such a speech. She had to prepare for the worst.*\n*She raised a brow of disdain toward him after elaborating her own plan in head.*\n`\"Let me do thingss my way, and no more people will die today. At worsst, ssome will be injured, but that will be it.\"`\n\n*Allowing him an answer and judging his reaction, the cloaked dragoness would've then jumped from the rampart into the courtyard. Thanks to her Graceful Landing, she should've landed without any problem.*\n*She kept her cloth on despite what she was going to do. She had to keep her wings and her blade hidden until the right instant.*\n*Shuvah cleared her throat. She never had to deal with so many people at once. She only disposed of lower criminals in small gangs as of now, but here, she was going to oppose the will of a whole village, or maybe a whole state - or even Silnaria's will as a whole. Her anxiety drove her mind to hesitation, but she had already leaped down from her comfort position up there. It was too late to turn around. Thankfully, the adrenaline put those bad feelings aside when she started her loud speech.*\n`\"How much of a witch she iss, doessn't mean you have the rightss to judge her! Nobody should ever be able to ssentencce anyone to death, only a God could claim ssuch a judgement!\"` *She loudly announced. Surely, she would've gotten all the attention now.* `\"Let the beasstkin tribess deccide her fate! That way, she won't be able to blame the high elvess for her condemnation.\"`\n\n*While her words should've been able to do the trick, she then cast a Comet Lock under her cloak, dropping it at her feet. Hopefully due to the ridiculous size of the projectile, nobody should've been able to see it. It would've proven to be useful if things would've inflamed.*\n*At least even if Ashnard wouldn't have listened to the stellar lady, he would've been able to pursue his job at peace while she had caught all the attention.*\n\n\nMana: 171/190 (-25, +6)```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*It seems that Shuvah made no attempt to be discreet as she leaps down into the courtyard. Immediately, she's faced by all the guards, who are pointing spears, swords, and crossbows. She has successfully drawn all the attention to her.*\n\n*The guard's captain, at the top of the tower, raises his own voice opposing Shuvah's.*\n\n\"A beastkin! What is the opinion of an animal compared to that of an high elf? Continue the execution!\"\n\n*The black robed woman looks at Shuvah as she talks. Perhaps she had finally been saved? Then she's dragged once more towards a stake, and she's forcefully tied up against it. The masked figure yells out to the crowd, but mainly at the bound treton.*\n\n\"Yakaiyo Kiriyami! Today is the day you shall repent for your crimes against Silnaria and her people! Today, you shall burn!\"\n\n*The masked mage's hands glow red, and he fires a large blast of flame under the stage. Soon, the smell of pitch burning as well as the bright orange light is created. Yakaiyo's eyes are wide open in fear, and she desperately tries to get out of the ropes, to no avail.*\n\n*However, as the captain finishes his speech, a single arrow goes through his neck, and he falls to the floor. Everyone around him simply looks in shock.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"I know *Fully* Well what I am creating here.\"** The jackal retorted with a morbid growl, his tone rough as gravel. Primal, unbridled hatred seared in his eyes as he pulled the string of his bow once more, his rancour channels through a dark scarlet glimmer spiralling around the tip of his arrow. Preparing yet another pair of shots at the two guards stationed at the north side, he flashed a ravenous grin.\n\n**\"If you can say that, then you have never been a slave,\"** He noted before flashing a hollow chuckle. **\"No... Compared to the atrocities those having committed against our kin, this is __*Nothing*__.\"** With no hesitation, he let loose of the string, arrows flying true against their respective targets, aiming right at their eyes. Even if they did manage the slightest glimpse of him through the ramparts as he fired, the sheer speed of his projectiles would likely be too much for them to evade unscathed.\n```Deadeye and Lethal Salvo cast. 80/100 Mana remaining```\n**\"People *Will* Die today, tomorrow, and for all days to come. You cannot wash away the blood of kin with mercy; only more blood. Remember that.\"** The dark beast's words resonated across the battlements before Shuvah leapt down. Meanwhile, Ashnard rushed to the high tower, ascending it in quick motions thanks to his latching hands and feet. Shedding his cloak and holstering his bow as he finishes his climb, exposing the aberrant coil grafted upon his flesh underneath. \n\nPicking up the skewered captain's corpse by the collar of his neck, Ashnard walks towards the tower's edge, giving everyone below a good sight of his their slain captain and his own, malformed visage; a remorseless black beast clad in crimson-tinted steel, embellish in grarled spikes and broken chains. The beast whose moniker has been whispered in fear amidst the streets of Ulnoor- the Revenant.\n.\n\n**\"Complacent wretches!\"** The beast bellowed out a scornful growl that echoed across the fortress. **\"Today, you will ALL answer for your crimes! Today, you will ALL burn!\"** Shaking the skewered cadaver in his right arm, the Revenant's wrath manifested into stygian flames, their all-consuming blackness spreading across the bloodied carcass. Before all the subjects he burned their captain like an effigy before letting the burning corpse drop down with a bone-cracking *Thud*.\n\nHe followed the fall immediately after, sable-black obsidian covering his body as he landed, crushing the charred cadaver's neck beneath his feet. His arms and tail blades brandished and burst into abyssal fire, a daunting aura of primal dread permeating his visage with a ten meter radius. The blackflame Revenant marches towards the gallows, and everyone standing in his way shall face his wrath, *Firsthand*.\n\n```Mortal coil and Stygian inferno cast. 50/100 Mana left.\n50/100 Rage available\nStrength: 17.5 \nMovement speed: 30 m/s\nAttack speed: 150%```" } ]

[ { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "```F Shuvah retcon.```\n*By the time Ashnard drops to the floor, everyone's screaming and running. Even the guards look afraid, and they have every right to do so. Though, some still remain, and charge towards the beastkin.*\n\n\"Die, in the name of the Empire!\"\n\n*The first one to come is a spearman, aiming to impale the canifor. At the same time, a longswordsman rushes at him, taking a powerful diagonal swing from right to left.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "The dark beast brandishes his blades and adopts a combative stance, preparing for an all-out confrontation. *This* Was the time war truly began. And there was no turning back now, nor would he let what remained of the city garrison stand in his way.\n\n**\"No... YOU will die for your lords like the *Dogs* You are! Be glad you not live to see your empire BURN!\"** He roared out as twisted stygian flames burst out of his aberrant form, coiled in obsidian. Taking note of the first pair of guards to charge him, Ashnard moves to the **Right**, to the side of the spear guard and *Away* From the swordsman. \n\nWith a spear lacking versatility to do any meaningful harm aside from thrust attacks and the jackal's unnatural agility, he sidesteps the incoming assault at the last possible second. His left arm blade moves in with an uppercut thrust, aiming to impale the spearman right through his chin. \n\nUpon doing so, Ashnard would lift up the impaled body, using it as a temporary shield for any incoming projectiles in case, before sweeping his arm downwards, throwing the skewered, mutilated corpse at the sword elf.\n\n```\nRavenous Fervour used. 30/100 Mana left.\n50/100 Rage available\nTotal Strength: 27.5\nMovement speed: 35 m/s\nAttack speed: 160%```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The spearman is killed almost instantly, the dark blade embedded in his skull, now laying limp on the beastkin's arm. The weapon clatters to the ground, and some more guards begin to back away. It seems they were not expecting such martial prowess from a canifor.*\n\n*A halberd wielder begins to back away, while the swordsman continues to push his assault, taking another swing at the jackal.*\n\n*Meanwhile, the fire is beginning to lick the wooden boards underneath, bright tongues of flame poking out from beneath the floorboards and smoke rising up.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "Like yet another useless effigy, Ashnard discards the mangled corpse throwing it in the swordman's direction with all his strength to smash both against the castle wall. The beast can feel the elven cruor drench his blades once more, its acrid coppery waft filling his nostrils... Invigorating him...\n\nRage. Primal, unbridled rage begins to *Burn* Within him. Unbridled and insatiable. Rage against every high elf that lives; not because of what their lords and scholars had once done to him, but because *Because* They live. These craven bastards that have the *Audacity* To breathe the same air as him deserve nothing but agonizing death in blackened fire and steel, drowning in the own blood.\n\nThe beast let a voracious growl, his eyes turning black as pitch. Ravenous crimson slitted his pupils, as his vision field could only see *Red*. The pulse of all these elven bastards that stood in his way. The pulse that he would *Sever*. In a blur of motion, he bull-rushes the guard to southwest of his position, his arm blade swinging across his neck at blinding speed. \n\nWere the elf not able to block or evade, his head would be separated from his body in a spray of blood, flames and viscera that would coat the surroundings. And he wouldn't spare naught but a second to move unto the next guard, regardless of whether he'd even try to fight back or not. Or was that a civilian? To the jackal, it no longer mattered.\n\n```\nMidnight Rush and Eviscerate cast. 27.5 Mana left\n100/100 Rage available. Frenzy state engaged\nTotal attack strength: 55 \nMovement speed: 50 m/s\nAttack speed: 170%```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The swordsman soon finds a corpse in his face, and he is knocked down.*\n\n*The axeman that's charging him soon finds the haft of his weapon split in half, and the sheer force from Ashnard's blow easily sends his head flying. By now, the elves have realized that they can't win this fight, and begin to run.*\n\n*However, the canifor can hear discussion from the other side of the stage.*\n\n\"Sir, we must go!\"\n\n\"She must burn first!\"\n\n*He soon sees a masked figure pointing their hand at the bound treton, which soon glows orange. Said treton is desperately trying to get out of the ropes.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "It is said that in a state of primal bloodthirst, and the most subtle sound of a threat can set the beast off. Wails and screams were nothing unfamiliar to Ashnard's ears by now; the mass hysteria his assault caused had made sure of that. But the scent of building fire was unmistakable.\n\nWithout halting his unbridled momentum, the jackal immediately charges down the masked figure, his tail spreading a volley of steel daggers to all that stood in his path. He aims for a savage thrust with his right armblade, attempting to crush the mask impale the masked figure right between the eyes.\n\n```\nMidnight Rush and Eviscerate cast. 25 Mana left\nFrenzy state engaged, 4 turns left\n2 turns left on Mortal Coil and Ravenous Fervor\nTotal attack strength: 55 \nMovement speed: 50 m/s\nAttack speed: 170%```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*The fire's just forming in the masked figure's hands when the ebony blade plunges in between his mask, piercing the thin metal. However, he finds that it's incredibly irritating, and in fact might injure him should he keep the blade in the mask for any while longer.*\n\n*Silver.*\n\n*There's another problem. The flames have grown bigger, and they're starting to arrive at Yakaiyo's feet.*\n\n\"MMMHMHMHHMHMMHMM!\"\n\n*Fortunately, the post she's tied to seems thin enough to break with his strength.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "Silver. Quaint. But hardly effective at stopping a ravenous blade from impaling the wearer. Though pain was a foreign concept at his frenzied state, his blade wouldn't linger any longer than it should on a target. Beyond that point, it was just another nameless corpse on the pile, burned and broken.\n\nJust as Crow foretold.\n\nBut there was only one life in this carnage that might be of use sparing. The so-called enemy of the state that had caught Ashnard's attention to begin with. Lurching from his position, the beast leaps on the flaming platform, the craggy coverage across his body keeping the fire from his reaching his pelt. A quick and precise slash of his tail rends apart the ropes binding the treton witch to her post as he grapples the woman by her abdomen, carrying her off to the other side. \n\nHis senses on full alert with lingering ardour, Ashnard scans his surrounding for any foe that might stand in his way. Foe being, anything that remotely resembles an elf lingering in that square, of course.\n\n```\nYou know the drill by now```" }, { "author": "warlordsuntzu", "message": "*Yakaiyo soon finds herself freed by the strange creature who had easily dispatched of several elven soldiers, scaring away several more. There's still a gag around her mouth, and she's scared out of her mind, but doesn't struggle as the canifor carries her away from the burning stage.*\n\n*Ashnard doesn't find any more elves in his way, and he's free to take the prisoner away.*\n\n\n-4 Alturism\n+3 Assassin\n+2 Intimidation\nGain Wrathful personality trait.\nGain Outlawed Bounty in Silnaria.\nSaved me from killing off my character.```" } ]

[ { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"Folk around these parts call me the Revenant. Believe I'm a spirit or something to haunt them. An apt name, really.\"**\n\nThe jackal gave a gruff chuckle, reaching for the bandolier around his waist. He pulled a leather flask, uncorking its lead before taking a vigorous chug of what smelled like strong ale. Letting a mildly satisfied exhale as warm liquor seeped in his muzzle, the beast glanced back down at Yakaiyo with a long, predatory gaze most canifor were known for, bereft of clear intent.\n\n**\"I was referring to you, by the way. If you are going to go around assassinating these gaudy bastards, make sure you don't get caught. Getting killed might be preferable from imprisonment in the hands of Silnari, from *Personal experience.*\"**\n\nHis tone went from amused and patronizing to bitter, mismatched eyes narrowing. Sealing the flask back on his belt, he extended one hand towards Yakaiyo to seemingly help her back on her feet. A hand covered in a sharp gauntlet of stygian steel, stained in still-fresh, warm blood, but a helping hand all the same.\n\n**\"As much as I would *Love* To hear the details of how you got yourself in the situation, a blood soaked square is too crass a place to do so. And contrary to popular belief, I'd rather much rather *Not* Fight an entire garrison at once.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Fitting. I'm assuming you're not?\"\n\n*Yakaiyo smells the ale, once again being drawn to the strong liquor. Though she's a bit set back by the intimidating scowl of the Revenant, swallowing nervously.*\n\n\"Oh. Well, I'm not exactly a professional. I always thought I would die to this one day.\"\n\n*The treton accepts the canifor's gauntleted hand, getting back up to her feet. Elf blood... Yakaiyo takes her hand and licks some of the blood off. She seems a bit shaky though, from her time bound.*\n\n\"Ah, Silnari Blood. Excellent. Is there any food or water? I haven't had water in a while.\"\n\n*Yakaiyo blinks, then looks at the blood stained square.*\n\n\"Wait, where's my weapons? My bow, my blades?\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"Spirits don't cleave people in two; men do. Though Silnari would make up any story to excuse their incompetence.\"** The jackal scoffed, tone oozing with contempt. His tail flicked over his shoulder, seeming to retract about halfway as his intense gaze kept on assessing the woman.\n\n**\"You knew the risks... Yet you did it all the same.** *And judging by all this... Tacky show of execution...\"* The beast clicked his tongue, shrugging as he glanced over the gallows and platform of still-burning pitch. *\"Well, one would presume you had more than a few heads to your name.\"*\n\nThe Revenant seemed unfazed by the woman's tongue... If anything, it would be hypocritical to find it unsettling with his own vampiric nature. Rather, he seemed more concerned about Yakaiyo's next question.\n\n**\"Aye, got water and all the essential booze where we're goin'. But I am at a loss on where your weapons might have been.\"**" } ]

[ { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Makes sense.\"\n\n*The canifor's gaze was intimidating, to say the least. The treton nervously gulps, despite Revenant being her savior. She's starting to think that it was more to kill elves rather than saving her. Yakaiyo's not complaining though. She's alive, they're dead.*\n\n\"Ok... Dammit. Goddammit.\"\n\n*Quickly, the black robed woman clutches at her neck, feeling nothing.*\n\n\"NO!\"\n\n*Yakaiyo takes in a deep breath, screaming.*\n\n\"SO BE IT THEN! I CANNOT EVEN BE SENTENCED TO DEATH WITHOUT A SINGLE REMINDER!\"\n\n*The treton eventually calms down, breathing hard.*\n\n\"Sorry. They've just taken things that are very important to me. I know that I am in no shape to go retrieve them now though. Where to?\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "The beast's ears tip upward at Yakaiyo's sudden yelling, raising a brow at her panicked gesture. An irritated grumble escapes his lips, not particularly enjoying such unwarranted screaming. Times like that, he'd really wish he didn't have so sensitive hearing as to flinch at situations like this.\n\n**\"Some keepsake, I presume?\"** He inquires, helping the treton stand up. His posture was no less daunting, towering nearly a foot over the woman at full height. Though for what it's worth, he did not seem to harbour any hostile intent toward her.\n\nThe Revenant lets a low sigh, his eyes roaming the fort for any potential threats. None... At least for now. **\"You can replace a weapon... But you can't replace a memory. If you have lead as to where your possessions might be, I can retrieve them. Within reason, of course. I am a busy man.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Yeah. Several. I don't know where they are, but my best bet would be the dungeon I was held in. The problem is, I don't know where the dungeon is relative to here. If you know where it is, then perhaps we can retrieve them now. If it requires further investigation, I would rather get water and rest first.\"\n\n*It's evident that the treton's health has deteriorated. Dark spots have formed under crimson eyes, and her voice is slightly raspy from a dry throat.*\n\n\"Where... Will we go?\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"If there is any notable detail you can remember of your prison cell, I can track it down... Eventually. Though I make no promises either of your possessions could be retrieved soon.\"** He stated matter-of-factly, shrugging. \n\nThe beast paused, quietly regarding Yakaiyo's decrepit state. **\"We... Are close enough to the Lymian border. They will not risk a pursuit there. I have a safe place in Pepor to stay in. If we follow the river, we should make it by nightfall.\"**" } ]

[ { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"It was... Dark, not very well kept. Seemed like a low-budget jail. The metal is old and rusted, though some spots are a dark grey instead. I'd say about an hour from the cell to the gallows, on a horse cart.\"\n\n\"Alright. Thank you. Which way?\"\n\n*Looking up to the sky, Yakaiyo can see the setting sun in the West. Lymia was... East?*\n\n\"I presume East. The cell is most likely west. They wouldn't hold criminals so close to the border.\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "The jackal seems to regard Yakaiyo's words, humming deeply in thought. Blackened claws knead the scruff of his neck, his intense gazed affixed on the treton woman. **\"Aye, it's a few ways off to the east from here. Will you be able to walk? We will have a bit of ground to cover by nightfall.\"**\n\nHe moves down toward a nearby mangled corpse of a town guard, kneeling before it. Undisturbed by his own morbid handiwork leaving behind a viscous puddle of blood on soot, he pilfers a few weapons, including a shortsword, alongside a longbow and quiver. **\"You mentioned you can handle yourself with a few weapons, did you not? Oh, and...\"** He reaches for the familiar flask from his bandolier, offering the half-finished liquor to Yakaiyo. **\"Not quite as effective as water for hydrating, but it will have to do until we reach the riverside.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Well, we'll see. I should be able to keep up a decent pace, unless I pass out along the way.\"\n\n*Short sword, bow. The weapons she was used to. The bow was a bit too big for her liking, but she could wield it well nonetheless. Her own weapons were two short swords, though far less bulky than these Silnarian ones, but equips 2 nonetheless, slinging the bow and quiver over her shoulder.*\n\n\"Yeah, I can handle a few of the lighter ones. Thanks. Better than water for me; it helps block out the memories.\"\n\n*Yakaiyo soon chugs the liquor inside the bandolier, not stopping, not even to breathe. Once she finishes, she hands the flask back to the canifor, beginning to walk east.*\n\n\"If I do pass out, I hope you're bringing me there.\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "A vague mirthless smirk flashes at the corners of the jackal's lips upon watching Yakaiyo chug down the liquor voraciously. Hell knows how long the woman was left without food or water, considering she was being sent to the gallows. \n\n**\"Mhm... Liquor's useful for a few things. Numbing unpleasant memories is one of them.\"** He agrees, fixing the position of his own recurve bow across the shoulder. He moves towards the town gates, retrieving the black duster coat he'd tossed along with his previous dramatic entrance and covering himself in it.\n\n**\"I won't make promises I cannot keep, aside from *Trying* To keep you alive through this. Word of what happened here will spread fast and we'll have pursuers in our tail before long. For all I know, they might even risk their treaty with Lymian if it means a chance to capture me.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Well, trying's all I need. I can't expect everything handed to me on a silver platter. Seems like we'll have to move quickly then.\"\n\n*Yakaiyo picks up a spear from one of the fallen guards. Not only was it a bit better than dual wielding short swords, but she wanted something she could brace herself against just in case she became even more light-headed than she already was.*\n\n\"What's up with... You know. That metal doesn't look like anything that can be forged easily, and part of it just... Disappeared?\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"Far from that, really. Make no mistake, I play saviour to no one out the goodness of my heart. You are alive because your abilities might be of use to my ends.\"**\n\nHe retorts with a mirthless frown, leading the way off into the wilderness of Silnaria's frontier. This far from Ulnoor, nature had remained verdant and undiluted, a winded forest path stretching ahead of them a few meters away from the town's entrance. \n\n**\"This?\"** He holds one forearm arm, where a hollow spot laid between the side of his wrist, keeping a seemingly furled mass of aberrant stygian metal. With a clench of his fist, the metal gradually begins to unfurl and expand on either direction, reforming the aberrant blades he had used to dispose of his foes one by one. **\"I'll give you a hint. I was not *Born* With those.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "*The treton's right eyebrow is raised at the mention of her ability.*\n\n\"Have I really killed that many? It doesn't seem like a lot. They just all blur together.\"\n\n*So that's why he was here. It made sense. No one else would storm an execution in order to save a witch. It was because of the tales he had heard, the witch, wielding bow and blade, horrible marks left on bodies with children scarred forever. The black-robed woman that stalked the night.*\n\n*Revenant's armblades were impressive and intimidating, to say the least. Serrated, dark metal expanding from his forearm. There was no possible way it should have fit, but it did.*\n\n*Yet he wasn't born with them. Were they grafted, somehow.*\n\n\"How exactly did you get them, then? I presume some surgery?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"They won't just toss you in a cell? What else would they do, besides execution?\"\n\n*As the two walked towards the river, the treton would realize the similarities between the two. Two killers, fueled by hatred and vengeance against the Silnari. The main difference would be just how much better Ashnard was at it. Whereas he took it to slay as many as possible, as quickly and brutally as possible, Yakaiyo much preferred to extract pain from a single target.*\n\n\"Oh, I doubt I'll ever stop. What am I going to do? Settle down? Will do, just look away, please.\"" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"You see...\"** The jackal shrugs, loosely spreading his arms and revealing the carapace he was still clad in from before. It *Looked* Like a plate armour, albeit of a sinister design, but if anyone got a closer look, they would be able to tell that something about it was *Off*. Scarlet intersections in joints pulsed subtly as if they were blood vessels, as if the armour itself was *Alive*. The spikes embellished at the shoulders, knees and back looked like charred, blackened bones, the crimson tint of a marrow pulsing within them. \n**\"This... Is *Not* A type of armour anyone can craft. This is what happens to silnari prisoners that resist for too long.\"** \nThe blades retract once more within the hollows of his forearms, and he brandishes his bow, sniffing the air around him for a trail to hunt. **\"Thought so. I've caught the scent of a few beasts in the forest, make sure you are done washing by then.\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "*The dark steel armor Yakaiyo once thought was simply a customized set of plate was not what she thought it was. It pulsed, with crimson arteries flowing through them. At that moment, she realized what the elves had done.*\n\n\"Wait. They put that on you?\"\n\n*The two soon approached the river. Yakaiyo unslings the longbow and quiver off her shoulder, loosening the sash tied around her waist and removing the short swords from it. She doesn't undress and enter the water quite yet, waiting to hear Revenant's answer.*" }, { "author": "Ashnard", "message": "**\"Every. Single. Plate. Grafted upon my skin, *Separately*. I do not know how long it took, or what sorts of sick sorcery they used for it. But it is no less a part of me now than my bones or lungs,\"** The black beast affirmed with a bitter growl, fixing his cloak. **\"In comparison to this, death by my hand is *Mercy*.\"**\n\nHe pulls an embellished arrow from his quiver, its shaft and blacksteel tip heavier than most bows would be able to effectively shoot, glancing towards the forest's entrance. **\"When I find those responsible however, they'd *Beg* For a quick death.\"** His body arches upright to the side, still as death as he pulls the arrow string taut. He seems to focus for a moment, taking aim before letting loose, arrow tearing through the air with a *Hiss* \n\n*THWACK*\n\nThe distinct sound of arrow piercing flesh was followed by a weak animal yelp. And then, the Revenant makes a run for the thicket he shot towards, his form fading through the thick foliage." }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Grafted. I see. I see what they do now. Seems like they don't have any regard for anyone other than themselves, huh.\"\n\n*The familiar sound of a bowstring vibrating and an arrow whistling through the air brought Yakaiyo's attention to the beastkin. It seems like he had hit something, signified due to a small yelp. Revenant left to catch whatever he hit, so the treton found this a good opportunity to clean herself up. Swiftly, she unrobes, letting the tattered black cloth fall to the floor. Then, her undergarments, leaving her bare. Gracefully, she walked in the water, taking no care to hide herself, and soon not even her head was visible above water, though the canifor would still be able to see her.*" }, { "author": "ansari", "message": "```\nEnded due to player leaving \n```" } ]

[ { "author": "shpeekrebs", "message": "Yakaiyo was a master of stealth - that much was definite, given she had survived so long in her field of work. As she made her way through the nightly forest in muted steps, the screams that had incited her to enter ceased. They were replaced by another sharp sense - blood. She was not a vampire, nor was she a beast, yet that kind of blood was all too familiar. It was that of high silnari, the type she had spilled plenty of. The vicinity seemed quiet, too quiet even - until it wasn't.\nA squeaky voice echoed through the forest inaudibly. If the killer decided to follow it, she'd soon find the source. Yakaiyo would travel onward for a few minutes, until her boot sank into a puddle. A puddle of blood.\nThe abhorrent stench of death violated her senses. It would be difficult to tell what lied ahead, obscured by a boundless crimson mist. The tension gagged the air, making its condensed shape harder to breathe. If she fixated her gaze forth, she would finally see an elf. They were pinned to a tree upside down, a silnarian sword pierced deep into their stomach and the trunk behind. The mist cleared out faintly, which made it clear - the target was upside down, lacking most limbs and their head. She looked to the right. A torso, devoid of the rest of its body. Its guts stretched out like a slithering snake killed during its escape. About ten more soldiers, or the demolished remains of them, were scattered in the red grass like a hideous work of art.\n\n*\"We should bring some to the Eye! Yes, to the Eye!\"*\nThe high pitched voice broke the silence yet again. To the left, a goblin colored like a salamander jerked its spear out of an elf's head. It lacked garments, save for the cloth covering its crotch, an odd steel helmet and the beastly skull on its back - nearly as big as the stir itself.\n\nIt turned up to the side as a vast shadow absorbed it. The cause was a massive orc. He was sat on a stump, the rest of the tree collapsed besides him. The warrior's skin was as dark as the scabs desperately forming on the dead elf bodies before they decompose. No armor fit his muscular body, which was pricked by a few arrows just enough to hang on.\n\n**\"I don't serve Lucas, Deel. He can go find his own prey.\"** The beast's voice boomed. A silnari rested on his enormous thigh, still barely alive. Every few seconds she would yelp as the blood in her freshly cut wound left her body. It spiraled unnaturally and traveled towards the orc's fangs, only to be siphoned inside. The woman desperately scratched against his leg, yet the pressure of his hand over her back made any greater effort pointless.\nThe orc's ear perked. He sniffed twice, loudly so. **\"It seems someone has come to entertain us again, hm?\"** He set his bloodshot eyes in the general direction of Yakaiyo.\n*\"Intruder?! How did— I, eh, yes, yes! I heard them coming from a while back!\"* Deel exclaimed, failing to contain the shock on his face. He followed his superior's movements, observing the treton's vicinity in an eerie silence." }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "*The treton was not expecting to stumble upon scent of blood in the forest. Normally, she was the one causing it, but this time it seemed that something else stalked these woods. Her sandal stepped into blood, the liquid covering her foot. It was still lukewarm, which meant the kill was recent.*\n\n*And then she saw it. The scene was... Beautiful. Elven remains scattered everywhere, gore staining the lush green grounds. It filled her with glee, seeing that the Silnari had been faced with a gruesome, painful death.*\n\n*The doers of death seemed to be a nearly bare stir, wielding a spear, and a massive, dark-skinned orc. She saw the still living Silnarin whimpering in the power of the mogash. A crimson vampire, from what she could see, blood trailing towards his fangs.*\n\n*Yakaiyo revealed herself as the vampires paid attention to her. Her black robes had been stained in crimson, and the woman stood unarmed.*\n\n\"Oh my, what a sight. What a glorious sight!\"\n\n*Yakaiyo raised a hand, grinning while motioning towards the gory scene.*\n\n\"The slaughter of the Silnari... Absolutely beautiful.\"" }, { "author": "shpeekrebs", "message": "The two tilted their heads and eyed each other. A slight confusion was drawn on their faces after the exclamation of the treton." }, { "author": "Deel", "message": "*\"Well, she surely doesn't seem the sanest around, Brand! The others screamed and darted, this one came right to trouble, hah!\"* The goblin yelled out. Drool slithered down its bottom lip as it planted the butt of its spear in the dirt below. Excitedly it stomped a few times." }, { "author": "Brand", "message": "The orc moved his hand off of the elf, giving her a moment of breather. It was cut short right after as he was simply switching his stance. He rested his elbow onto her back instead. His freed fist he used as a base to lean his head on.\n**\"She does seem quite appetizing. Her blood is boiling even now... I can feel it. Would be a waste to have her as dessert, she's a whole meal herself.\"** Brand lifted his chin and raised his tone, the boom of it intrusive to the ear. **\"Mortal, do you wish to get slaughtered?\"**" }, { "author": "Deel", "message": "*\"Yeah, slaughtered!\"* The other confirmed with a devilish grin." }, { "author": "Brand", "message": "**\"If not, you should scram while you still can.\"** He paused as blood filled his fangs. The elf below him cried out in pain, interrupting her capturer. Brand promptly snapped. His stoic composure was replaced by an unforeseen rage. **\"Who told you to interrupt me?!\"** He rammed his elbow into her back. She yelped one more time, before a loud crack of bones suspended her. Her body twitched twice and then fell limp." }, { "author": "Deel", "message": "Deel jumped and spun its spear soaring in celebration. *\"Haha, the cracka-lacka! Serves the bitch right!\"*" }, { "author": "Brand", "message": "Brand reversed to his calm again, observing Yakaiyo. **\"Right, where was I... Ah, yes - your death. I've decided to be merciful to your inferior kind. But before you run for your life, you must satisfy my curiosity. Otherwise, I'll satisfy my bloodlust instead. Why did you come right to us after seeing all this?\"**" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "\"Oh, that's no way to talk to a lady now, is it? Oh well. I don't mind.\"\n\n*The treton lets out a small laugh at the two's remarks, smirking afterward.*\n\n\"Sane? I am quite the opposite.\"\n\n*To prove the vampires' point, she walks towards the two, looking at the fresh corpse caused by the orc.*\n\n\"The true inferiority are high Silnari. Though vampires may be considered ascended. I noticed that you are crimson, judging from the blood magic. Sucking this wench out without the need to sink your fangs into her.\"\n\n\"I seek this power, to accomplish my needs.\"\n\n*Yakaiyo tugs on her collar, revealing her neck.*\n\n\"After all, I was an entire meal, wasn't I?\"" } ]

[ { "author": "Deel", "message": "Deel approached her swiftly. It used its spear as a base and lifted itself up, getting in her private space. A stench of blood and a pungent smell, akin to someone who's missed a bath for a long time, came from the imp. After an intense sniffing analysis, it spaced back down and slapped its weapon into the ground. *\"Haha, wench thinks a bite from Brand's a giveaway! This isn't your casual crimson, fish.\"*" }, { "author": "Brand", "message": "Brand finished off the body on his thigh. With a careless flicker of his hand it was launched towards a tree nearby. He leaned forth, his other hand resting on a gargantuan axe, and raised his ugly brow. **\"You know a lot about vampires, lass. But I will not give you this gift.\"**\nFrom the distance, a silnarian yell echoed. Brand smirked and paused, contemplating a plan.\n**\"How about this? If you can deal with the incoming prey, I'll reward you with the gift you don't deserve. You need to entertain me, however. Make it fun, spicy. And if you really impress me... I might give you another sort of pleasure as well.\"** The creature eyed her devilishly." }, { "author": "Deel", "message": "*\"Come on, do the dancing and impress!\"* The creature yelled as it spun the spear above its head a few times. It struck it out after, pointing towards a direction ahead - presumably where the threat would come from.\n*\"Does she agree to the conditions?!\"*" }, { "author": "Yakaiyo Kiriyami", "message": "*The treton kept her grin. Even if they killed her, she wouldn't feel it. Her death meant nothing.*\n\n*But theirs meant everything. As Yakaiyo hears the elven scream in the distance, she immediately turns, her eyes focusing.*\n\n\"Oh, elves? Consider it done. I'll give you a show.\"\n\n*Almost on command, Yakaiyo disappears, slinking through the trees nigh invisible. She began to move towards the Silnari in the distance, her senses promising her blood.*" } ]